If you read this fanfic, hook a brother up with some feedback. Please. So essentially I'm writing a fan fiction where instead of good vs evil both the Autobots are Decepticons are more shades of gray. And most of the focus will be on the Decepticons, think Team Prime but replace the "Prime" with "Megatron". Megatron is commanding a group of Decepticons on Earth, gathering resources to rejuvenate their battle against the Autobots. and they are discovered by a group of Autobots hunting Decepticons and two runaway teenagers at the same time. And then some stuff happens. We'll see where it goes. I'm really just trying to tell an interesting story and reinterpret some popular and not so popular characters. This story won't take itself too seriously. I'm changing some characters and concepts into things that aren't necessarily normal for Transformers, so don't go all "RUINED FOREVER" or "MUH GEEWUN" on me just yet. Give me a chance. *Breath* Here we go: THE TRANSFORMERS: WAR MACHINE Episode One: At this point, disregard any preconceived notions you may have about THE TRANSFORMERS. It is a cool Autumn night in the depths of New York States Adirondack mountains. It is still, silent, and tranquil. But through the silence, the distant sounds of metal crashing against metal breaks the thick hanging silence. In a desolate recycling yard, a large humanoid figure is rummaging through the piles of scrap. He stands 20 or so feet tall, with a slim, but imposing figure. He is made of metal, and has parts of an old Ford truck hanging off of his body and built into his limbs. His eyes are glowing a bright red, and one seems to have taken some damage in the past. This mechanical figure is the Decepticon Chop Shop, an alien being taking refuge on planet Earth. He is scouring this junk yard for spare parts to repair machinery at his nearby headquarters. “Damn it.” he mutters to himself, looking around at the spoils of this graveyard of inferior machinery, “They expect me to keep everything running smoothly with resources like this!?” He scoffs and shakes his head. “Unappreciative pricks.” He reaches unto his back and pulls out a small, blunt shotgun, and aims it at a decaying school bus. “I’m getting real sick of this shit.” BLAM! He fires his shotgun and the school bus erupts in a fireworks display of burning glass and marred metal. He turns around and faces an old firetruck. Chop Shop takes aim again, and fires at the base of the cab, sending the molten remains of the truck flying towards himself. He roars disgruntledly as he punches the mutilated truck out of the air and into a pile of shredded industrial machinery, causing bits of rusted scrap to rain down around him. Chop Shop takes aim at another truck, but hesitates. He groans and buries his face in his free hand, and begins to calm down. “Now what was it I was looking for again?” he grumbles to himself as he starts rummaging through another pile of scrap. But Chop Shop is interrupted by a strange noise. Voices. Human voices. “Where the Hell are we Jason?” a whiny female voice groans. “I don’t know, Lola. Calm down. We’ll find a place to rest soon.” a tired male voice responds. “Shit!” Chop Shop swears, as his limbs begin to shift and his body begins to close around itself. Chop Shop reconfigures every part of his body into new pieces until he is transformed into the likeness of a rustic old Ford pickup truck. He sits and waits patiently. Two humans in dusty clothes approach him. One is a tall, white young man carrying a large backpack. The other is a petite young woman with caramel skin carrying a backpack of her own. “Is it locked?” the girl, Lola, asks. “Let me check,” Jason responds as he jimmies open Chop Shop’s passenger side door. He sighs a sigh of relief. “We can stay here for the night, darling,” he tells her as he allows her to enter the truck first. Shit! Chop Shop thinks to himself. “Oh, you’re such a gentleman!” Lola mocks, as she positions herself comfortably in the drivers seat of Chop Shop’s truck form, “What do we have to eat?” “Not much,” Jason sighs, “Some Dr Pepper and Reese’s candy, really.” “Your favorite, huh?” Lola utters as Jason hands her his bag, “Steal some gummy worms or something next time.” “Steal them yourself,” Jason says jokingly as he sits next to Lola and puts his arm around her. He notices Lola is frowning. “It’ll be okay, bunny, okay?” he comforts as he kisses her forehead, “Being wild and free has it’s ups and downs. We’re doing the best thing for ourselves, you know.” “I know,” Lola sighs as she looks up at Jason and smiles, “I’m happy as long as I’m with you, anyway. No matter what.” “I love you,” Jason coos as he kisses Lola’s lips. “I love you too.” “Let’s get some sleep.” Jason says as he stretches out along Chop Shop’s cab. Lola lays down next to him and they huddle close together warmly. “Okay, Jay. Good night” Lola responds as she buries her head in Jason’s chest. “Good night.” But they aren’t asleep for long until they hear the loud revving of an approaching car engine. They both look up in panic and curiosity as a muscular police car peels around the corner and faces them and Chop Shop. “Fuck!” Jason yells. “Did our parents call the police?” Lola panics. “Of course they called the police! We ran away!” “Well did they find us?!” Lola screams. “I don’t know!” Jason snaps, “Just get down and hope they don’t see us!” The two teenagers duck in hopeful silence. There is the noise of speaker feedback and then an authoritative voice begins to come from the police car. “Decepticon fugitive.” the voice declares, “By the order of Optimus Prime, you are to be apprehended and face trial for your war crimes. Either surrender peacefully or agree to be captured by force.” Chop Shop is silent. “What the fuck did he just say?” Jason asks confusedly. “I don’t know. Shut up!” Lola retorts, “He’s obviously not looking for us.” “Very well.” the voice says as the police car peels out and races towards Jason, Lola, and Chop Shop. “Kids,” Chop Shop says to Jason and Lola, “Get out of the truck.” “What?!” The police car barrels towards Chop Shop. “Kids.” Chop Shop reaffirms, “Get out of the truck and run!” Jason and Lola realize what is about to happen and dive out of the truck. Just as the police car is about to t-bone the truck, Chop Shop transforms and grabs the police car, throwing it over himself. In mid air, the police car also transforms into the Autobot Prowl and grabs Chop Shop by the throat. Prowl uses his momentum to bring him and Chop Shop crashing into a nearby pile of scrap metal. “I don’t want any trouble!” Chop Shop pleas “I haven’t hurt anyone since Cybertron fell.” “You are responsible for the fall of Cybertron,” Prowl asserts as he attempts to restrain Chop Shop, “And you are under arrest!” “Not today, pig!” Chop Shop affirms. He punches Prowl in the face and throws the Autobot across the junkyard. Prowl reaches for his rifle but Chop Shop is able to aim and fire his shotgun first, sending Prowl backwards even farther into the remains of the school bus Chop Shop had earlier destroyed. From a distance, Jason and Lola watch in awe. They're speechless and terrified. Their mouths are agape as these two colossal robots are death brawling in front of them. “We need to leave. Now.” Jason says as he grabs Lola’s hand and runs away. Lola still can’t find anything to say. They both run away into the night. Meanwhile, Prowl has recovered from the shotgun blast and has shot Chop Shop’s weapon out of his hand. Prowl charges at Chop Shop and tackles him. Prowl places his knee on Chop Shops chest, effectively pinning him down. Prowl aims his rifle at Chop Shop’s head. “Don’t move.” “Gladly,” Chop Shop cooperates. Prowl places his finger on a button on his chest and speaks. “Rollbar, I require assistance at my current location. I’ve apprehended a particularly difficult Decepticon.” “I’m there, boss!” an eager voice responds over the communicator, “Over and out.” Prowl turns his attention to his Decepticon captive. “What’s your name, criminal?” “Eat shit, tyrant.” Chop Shop retorts. “Well then, ‘Eat Shit’,” Prowl smirks, “I hope you know your behavior tonight will greatly affect the outcome of your trial” “I’m innocent.” “I’ll still throw you in the pit.” “Despot.” “Villain.” “Monster.” “Insect.” Suddenly, a black and gold sports car with purple headlights squeals around a nearby corner and barrels towards Chop Shop and Prowl. In a bounding leap, the car transforms into the Decepticon Araknia and she tackles Prowl off of Chop Shop. “Confound it! You parasites live in hives!” Prowl snaps bitterly as he is tackled. Prowl defends himself with an uppercut into Araknia’s torso but she recovers by flipping herself over Prowl, turning around, and jabbing him in the back with her razor sharp claws. Prowl screams in agony. Prowl reaches back and puts his hands around Araknia's throat. "Stand down or I'll tear out your fuel line!" Araknia squirms uncomfortably. In a desperate attempt to escape she fires and energy beam from her eyes in a primal scream, charring Prowl's side and torso. Chop Shop watches dreamily as Prowl falls unto his back reaches for his rifle. Prowl aims at Araknia’s head, fires, and misses, and Araknia jabs her heel into Prowl’s hand and delivers a crippling blow to Prowl’s abdomen, leaving him unable to move and writhing in pain. “I’ll have you executed!” he wheezes as he collapses unconscious. Araknia stands up straight and dusts herself off. “Was it really necessary for you to come out here and make all this noise,” Araknia groans, caressing her injured neck. "I was upset.." “Well now they know we’re here!” “Only one of them does.” Chop Shop retorts. “Are you stupid, Chop? If this one found you then more of them are coming. We need to retreat right now.” “Well, there’s one more issue” “What?” “Two humans saw all of this” “What!?” “I told them to run away when he found me. I think they’re safe.” “You are stupid! Go find them. Now! If they tell their government we’re here then Megatron will have our heads! We need to make sure they don’t talk.” “ I don’t want to kill them.” “Then don’t. Coerce them and bring them back to base. I’ll meet you there.” “Fine.” Araknia transforms and speeds off. Chop Shop recalls the direction Jason and Lola fled in and drives after them. On an isolated dirt road, Jason and Lola are running for their lives. Neither of them have said a word and they’re both out of breath. Hesitantly, they stop and catch their breath. “What…” Jason gasps for air, “What the actual fuck?” Lola’s eyes are wide and she is struggling to catch her breath. She holds on to Jason’s shoulders for support. “We’re gonna die!” Lola screams in a panic. “Excuse me?” “That police car wanted to capture the truck. If the police car knows we were in the truck, then he’ll want to capture us too. We’ll be slaughtered!” “You’re overreacting!” Jason laughs a bit. “Jason! We just watched two gigantic fucking robots try and murder each other! There’s no such thing as overreacting right now! “Jeez. Calm down.” Jason puts his arms around Lola and holds her close, “We escaped. It’s over.” Lola starts to cry. “I miss home,” she wails, “I’m scared.” “I know. Me too. This was the only way. It was them or us. We had to do this for us.” “Promise you’ll always protect me” Lola cries in a muffled voice, with her face buried in Jason’s chest. “I promise.” Jason assures Lola as he holds her tightly. At this moment Chop Shop appears and drives speedily towards them. They scream and run. But Chop Shop catches up, blocks their way, and transforms. Jason and Lola try and run the other way. “Stop! Please!” Chop Shop addresses them, “I mean you no harm!” Chop Shop uses his arm to block their way again. “Please listen to me! This is a dire situation!” ` The humans stare at him wide eyed and shaking with terror. “You two need to come with me. For all of our safety.” “Do we have a choice?” Jason asks, still shaking with fear. “I’d like it if you didn’t” Chop Shop jokes, “I promise that we won’t hurt you, but my comrades and I need to remain a secret on this planet. I need you to come with me so we can inform you about the situation you’re in.” “On this planet?” Lola asks, “Are you not from this planet?” “Of course not! Do I seem like something is normally found here?” Chop Shop chuckles. “So you’re an alien?” Jason asks. “Just get in and I’ll tell you when we get there. It’s not that far.” Chop Shop kneels and compacts himself into his truck mode. Jason and Lola stare in disbelief. “Well, at least we’ll have somewhere to sleep.” Lola mutters as she gets into the truck. “You sure do love sleep, bunny,” Jason chuckles as he follows her inside the cab. “Do you two like classic rock?” Chop Shop asks. “Of course.” Jason scoffs. “I like you.” Chop Shop says as he turns his radio on at a blasting volume, “We’ll get along just fine.” Soon after, deep within the mountains, Chop Shop and the humans pull into a seemingly abandoned hangar. The hangar is filled with gigantic computers and machines. Standing around them are Araknia, a tall sleek jet Transformer wearing a cocky grin, and a bulky blue Transformer who seems to be wearing a mask. In the center is a tall, dark, imposing figure who steps forward and addresses the humans as they exit the truck and Chop Shop transforms. “Human beings,” he speaks in a smooth, charming voice, “My name is Megatron. You’ve met Chop Shop, these are Araknia, Starscream, and Soundwave.” “What are you doing here? Where did you come from?” Jason asks. “Why did we just watch a police car try and slaughter Chop Shop?” Lola adds. “We are the Decepticons. On our home planet, Cybertron we were freedom fighters.” “Against who?” “I led the revolution against the corrupt Prime government that ruled our planet. The Autobots, who you’ve already encountered, fought for the Primes and soon our entire planet descended into civil war.” “So why are you here?” “The civil war destroyed our planet. We were forced into an exile. Now, throughout the galaxy my Decepticon brothers are hunted!” Megatron laments, “We are taking refuge on your planet, searching for a way to fight back, to fight for freedom throughout the galaxy against Autobot tyranny! But now it seems they have come to us.” “Why did you bring us here?” “We have been here for some time now, but you are the first humans to learn of our presence. We must keep our presence a secret to the human populous. Are you willing to stay here?” “Yes. We want to help.” Jason and Lola lock hands triumphantly, staring upwards at the charismatic metal titan. “Good, then from now on, humans, you are Decepticons too.” “Here here!” Chop Shop declares, raising his arm, “Heres to new allies!” All the Decepticons raise their arms in celebration of their new allies and aids to their endeavor. "For Cybertron!" Meanwhile, back at the junkyard, Prowl lays in pain. A red Jeep pulls up to him slowly, and transforms into the muscular Autobot Rollbar. “Sir,” he says, sorrowfully, kneeling by his ally's side, “What happened?” “Inform the Ark, Rollbar,” Prowl responds, standing up wearily, “Optimus Prime must know that a whole band of Decepticons are here, and Megatron is with them!" "It is time to wage war!" To be continued in Episode Two of The Transformers: War Machine!!!
I've revised Episode One and have a rough outline for Episodes Two and Three. Will post as soon as I am done.
Nice Job! Nice job! An original twist on the tride and true TF formula. Now that I think about it, it's like a cross between Transformers Prime, Shattered Glass, and maybe some Armada and Animated here and there.
Episode Two: In the darkness of night, a camouflaged Autobot ship makes a landing in a remote area deep within the wilderness of New York States Adirondack mountains. A modified red Jeep Wrangler, towing a Dodge Charger police car drives towards the landing site. When they arrive, they transform into the Autobot Rollbar and his wounded ally Prowl. They stand attention as a small group of Autobots exit the ship. The young cadet Bumblebee and fembot medic First Aid exit first. They are followed by the elderly Evac, and finally, the Autobot Commander in Chief, Optimus Prime. Prowl limps towards Optimus Prime and greets him with a salute and a firm handshake. “Optimus,” he says, “It’s a surprise to see you’ve headed this mission yourself.” “If Megatron is involved, then it is my duty to lead the effort in his capture,” Optimus states. “Are you alright, Prowl?” he asks concerned, “First Aid, tend to his wounds!” “Right away, sir,” she responds eagerly, deploying a medical torch from her wrist. “I’m fine” Prowl protests, placing his hands on his hips and bending backwards, causing several joints to clang and snap. He winces in pain. “Trust me, I just need an oil bath.” But Prowl bends too far back and he loses his stature and collapses on the ground. Optimus rushes to catch him. “Prowl!” Optimus Prime asserts himself, “You are going to take time to recover from the damage you’ve sustained. That’s an order!” “Damn it. Fine,” Prowl remorsefully agrees as First Aid dresses the melted scar tissue on his back and side. “They’re surface wounds, Optimus Prime, sir,” First Aid informs the Autobot commander, “They’re crippling and painful, but with proper treatment they’ll heal in due time” “Thank you, doctor.” “What in the Pit happened to you?!” Bumblebee, who had been itching to make his own remarks, interjects, “How many Decepticons were there?” Prowl is silent and squirming as First Aid welds the gash in his back armor closed. “Sir Prowl filled me in on the way here.” Rollbar speaks, “He approached the Decepticon units and asked them to peacefully accompany him back to our base of operations. He informed them that they’re war histories would be investigated, and if they passed the investigation, they would be granted refuge amongst our ranks. But then, completely unprovokedly, they assaulted him, and left him to die.” “So he followed protocol, eh?” the aged Evac, who has remained silent until this point asks, “And the buggers just mauled him?” “Well of course they’re sleazy if they’re in Megatron’s inner circle!” Bumblebee remarks, “I’m surprised they only mauled him!” “They didn’t maul me!” Prowl protests from his sprawled position on the floor. First Aid is applying coolant to his sealed wounds, and caressing it into the tender tissue. “Stay still and quiet,” First Aid advises, “You need to rest” “I need a damn oil bath!” Prowl snaps. “Autobots, please calm down” Optimus Prime attempts to sway his riled comrades, “Prowl and Rollbar have already attempted to peacefully confront these Decepticon criminals, to no avail. Megatron must be isolating himself on this planet for a reason. At any cost, we must apprehend him so he can be tried for his crimes against Cybertron, and be prevented for committing any further crimes against any living thing. Find yourselves suitable disguises as to not alarm this planet’s native beings, and spread out and find any clues you can about the Decepticons whereabouts!” “Yes sir!” the Autobots concur. “Rollbar, search the area where Prowl was assaulted. Evac, take to the skies. First Aid and Bumblebee, patrol the surrounding settlements. I will take our wounded friend inside and draw him an oil bath. I will join the search once I am finished. Autobots, roll out!” The Autobots divide and spread out in search of their Decepticon targets, unaware that they are being monitored. High above the Autobots, in the cloudy night sky, patrols what appears to be a normal bird of prey. But it is really a Decepticon spy, and it makes its way back to its master. At the Decepticon headquarters, Soundwave awaits his minion’s return. “Come to me, Laserbeak,” he proclaims as the bird Transformer perches on his sharp, angled wrist. Soundwave walks inside the abandoned hangar and positions himself at the main computer. Laserbeak perches itself with one foot on each of Soundwave’s shoulders, and deconstructs itself into a multitude of panels and connects to and forms Soundwave’s chest place. Soundwave transforms his clawed hand into a single connecting piece, and plugs himself into the computer mainframe. The computer plays back Laserbeaks recording of the Autobots’ rendezvous. The Decepticons, and their new human companions, watch the screen tensely. “I didn’t assault that Autobot! He assaulted me!” Chop Shop bursts, “That damn cop is crooked!” “He’s telling the truth, Megatron,” Jason adds. “He almost flattened us too!” Lola proclaims. “I believe you,” Megatron assures his subordinates, “The Autobots have a tendency to be dishonest and conniving.” “Why did the big red one say that you were a war criminal?” Lola inquires of Megatron, with hints of fear in her voice. “Shameless Prime propaganda,” Megatron remarks, with a cocked eyebrow and curled lips “He’s brainwashed his loyalists into believing I am the monster.” Megatron shakes his head in disgust. “Well, Lord Megatron, the war you started did destroy Cybertron,” Starscream mockingly remarks. “Spare me that outdated formality,” Megatron replies, moving his face close to Starscream’s “And you know I waged the battle with Cybertron’s best interest in mind until the bitter end! I would gladly sacrifice my own life ten times over to go back and revive our homeworld and allow all it’s people to live in peace! But all I have now is the duty and desire to do all that I can to rebuild Cybertron and reunite our people Using any resource I can, I will atone for the mistakes I have made, and I will save our race!” Megatron turns to the room and proclaims in a booming roar, “And I will not tolerate any Transformer, Autobot or Decepticon, standing in my way.” “Optimus Prime seemed like he was willing to make peace before Prowl blatantly lied to him,” Chop Shop interjects, “Is more war really necessary?” “Prime said he would ‘Aid in my capture’, Chop,” Megatron says, having calmed down significantly, “He may have brainwashed several Decepticons already, or so he implies, but Optimus hates me, and he hates the ideals of freedom and opportunity that my Decepticon revolution stood for.” The humans and the Decepticons all look at Megatron with awe, and in some cases, admiration. The humans in particular are moved by this metal man’s charisma and the tale of tragedy he is spinning. Lola speaks up meekly, “Megatron…are you okay?” “Okay? What a small word with such profound meaning,” Megatron smirks. "He's quite the philosopher too." Starscream laughs. "Be quiet!" Araknia snaps. "Just show some respect." Soundwave sighs. Chop Shop turns to the nearly dumbfounded humans, "Believe it or not, this is normal." "So what are you going to do?" Jason asks. "Are you bringing your war here?" Lola asks, terrified by the memory of Chop Shop and the Autobot Prowl brawling at the junkyard. I’m sorry if I’ve scared you, children” Megatrons woes, “I am not proud of what I’ve done. But Optimus Prime is twice the monster I ever was." "Optimus seemed willing to grant you mercy." Chop Shop interjects. Megatron stares into the wall, with a sorrowful look on his face, “He will grant me no mercy. If I surrender, I’ll be slaughtered. There is no other option but to fight." The expression on Megatron's face looks as if he want to cry. His eyes are wide, his lips are curled and he can not find any more words to say. Soundwave places his hand on Megatron's shoulder in comfort, "I will stand with you." Chop Shop and Araknia step forward, as do Jason and Lola step forward as well. Starscream sighs and pats Megatron on the back. “If they want war, they have it, yes?” Starscream snarks. “I’m afraid so,” Megatron sighs. Araknia speaks up. “I’ll recon the area for Autobot activity and report back with any information I find.” “Good. Thank you” Megatron smiles slightly. Arkania runs towards the end of the hangar and twirls into her sports car mode and barrels out into the dim light of the rising sun. Over the horizon, a dark shape approaches the base. The shape has glowing red eyes and appears to have large, toothy jaws. As the figure gets nearer, fins and a tail can be made out. Jason and Lola are terrified by the image of a giant mechanical shark swimming through the air towards them. “What..the..hell.” Jason utters with his mouth agape and Lola cowers behind Chop Shop’s leg. “What..why...who.is that?” she cowers, assuming the shark is a Transformer but not sure what to make of it’s nightmarish appearance. But the shark doesn’t seem to mind at all. Carrying a barrel of oil on his back, the shark is singing a dainty little tune to himself. ”I’m the coolest, yes I am. The groovy shark from Ia-can. Who’s the greatest shark that be? I am, Sky-Byte. That’s me!” The shark, Sky-Byte, swoops into the base to the welcome of the Decepticons. Chop Shop walks up to the shark, who is slightly longer than he his tall, and embraces him with a warm hug and playful tap on the nose. “Aye man. How was your latest adventure?” “Oh my, Chop Shop. It was wonderful, just look at the spoils I’ve brought for our dear leader Megatron!” Sky-Byte gestures to the oil on his back, “This will supply us with much needed energy, yes?” “Wait, did you steal that?” Lola inquires. “I would have just given it to him,” remarks Jason who is in awe of Sky-Byte’s massive demeanor. “They won’t miss it,” Soundwave acknowledges the humans “We only take enough to get by, and never more.” “But usually we take an energy source that is more efficient” Starscream interjects, examining the oil, “This crude oil wouldn’t power our facilities for a day!” “Hey,” Chop Shop rebuttals, “He tried to good on us, what more can you ask for?” “It wasn’t easy,” Sky-Byte looks down, “It’s hard for humans not to notice you when you’re a giant shark…” “Well then maybe you should have picked a more practical disguise!” Starscream is now yelling. Sky-Byte roars and leans on his tail fin which elongates into an arm, and then unfolds himself in a backwards motion until he his standing eye level with Starscream. “Animal modes are the heritage of my people!” Sky-Byte roars in Starscreams face. Starscream takes a nervous step back but still rebukes, “Well perhaps there is a reason you are the last of your people!” Sky-Byte is taken back and hurt by this statement. “Really?” Chop Shop mutters, “That’s low, man” Chop Shop consoles Sky-Byte. “We can all drink the oil together. You did good.” “Thank you.” Soundwave pulls an aggravated Starscream away from the hurt Sky-Byte and Megatron, who had been deep in thought, steps forward and faces Starscream. “You are just full of outbursts today,” Megatron utters with disgust, “Take a fly around the mountains to cool yourself off!” Megatron grabs Starscream by his metal collar and holds their faces close together. “And don’t insult our Predacon ally ever again” Starscream nods nervously and leaps out of the hangar into the morning air and makes a booming noise as he flies away. The humans are dumbfounded by what they had just seen. “And you say we argue too much” Lola jabs her elbow into Jason’s side. “Well, I guess we don’t” Jason smirks as he holds her close. “So Chop,” Jason asks the truck Transformer, “You gonna introduce us to your friend? “Ah yes,” Chop Shop remarks, “Sky-Byte…” Sky-Byte looks down at the humans and grunts. “...We have come into contact with some new, human, allies. Meet our new friends, Jason and Lola!” Sky-Byte kneels and puts his face close to the humans. At first they are intimidated, but they calm down as soon as Sky-Byte smiles a warm, toothy grin. “Greetings, humans. Friends of Chop Shop and Megatron, are you?” They both nod eagerly. “Well then you’re friends of mine!” “Pleasure to meet you!” Jason beams. “I’m gonna call you Toothy,” says Lola with a grin. “I’ve been called worse.” Sky-Byte laughs. “Why are you a shark and not a truck or plane or something?” Jason inquires. Chop Shop chuckles a bit. “Ah yes,” Sky-Byte muses, “I am a member of an ancient faction of Transformers called Predacons. Instead of choosing the forms of mechanical vehicles, we adopted the likenesses of the native animals of whichever world we traveled to.” “Unfortunately, when we nobly joined the Decepticons, the Autobots extinguished us all, and I, Sky-Byte, am the last living Predacon.” Chop Shop pats his towering friend on the back, “Buck up, buddy. You got me, don’t you” “I have all of you!” Sky-Byte looks around the room with a smile, “Even that dastardly Starscream is my brother in these dire times.” “The Autobots have found us,” Soundwave informs Sky-Byte, “Chop Shop was attacked.” Sky-Byte is taken back. “The day of reckoning has come,” Sky-Byte laments, he looks to Megatron, “Will we fight?” “Yes, comrade. It has already been decided. Araknia is already out scouting as to give us an advantage.” Sky-Byte perks up at the mention of Arkania. “Perhaps the lovely lady needs assistance in field?” Sky-Byte urges. “That won’t be necessary,” Megatron chuckles, he then turns his attention to Jason and Lola, “Are you too tired?” “Yes!” Lola bursts, “I’ve been tired since before we found Chop Shop!” “Is there a bed here?” Jason inquires. “The lodgings off the humans that abandoned this facility are still intact in that back room,” Soundwave points to the far back of the hangar, “You should find them suitable.” “Okay, thanks!” Jason leads Lola into the back to sleep. “I take it you didn’t find the proper materials to repair our radars,” Megatron inquires of Chop Shop. “I’m afraid not...boss,” Chop Shop sighs. “It’s too dangerous to look now,” Megatron responds, “Either wait for Starscream or Araknia to return and then continue your search. Perhaps the humans could help you?” “Certainly.” Chop Shop responds and turns to tinker with the computer. “You’re doing a good job,” Soundwave pats Chop Shop on the back as he and Megatron walk away. “Thanks,” Chop Shop sighs, “Sky-Byte, find me my welder please?” “Sure thing, Chop” Sky-Byte answers as he begins to look around. Meanwhile, Arkania is patrolling the back mountain roads surrounding the base and Starscream has begun to follow her. This is irritating her quite a bit. She barrel rolls out of her car mode and looks up at Starscream. “Quit following me, you creep!” she yells, “You’re compromising my mission” Starscream barrels down and perches himself in front of Araknia. “I was merely, aiding, you in your search for the Autobots” he smirks. “Well aid me by staying away,” Araknia begins to walk away but she is interrupted by a whirring sound. Overhead, above the trees, hovers a blue news helicopter shining a light down towards Starscream and Araknia. “Have the humans found us out?” Starscream cowers. “No, worse” Araknia utters with a scowl on her face, “Autobots.” She wails and launches a laser eye attack at the helicopter, which is knocked out of the air and transforms into the elderly Autobot Evac, but he recovers and hovers in mid air. “I would have given you a chance to come peacefully,” he booms, “But now I must take you by force!” “He lets out a spray of bullets, disorienting the two Decepticons. He then drops down and tackles Araknia and puts his knee on her chest. Starscream wails and tries to take to the skies, but Evac turns and aims a hefty rifle at Starscreams chest. “Don’t move,” he instructs, “Optimus would like a word with you too.” But when Evac is busy talking, Araknia kicks him off of her and wails. “Starscream, attack you coward” “Yes yes!” Starscream aims his wrist cannon at Evac and shoots him in the back causing him to drop to the ground. “Die, scum” he screeches as he takes aim again. Araknia stands up and urges Starscream to follow through. “One less Autobot is less trouble, Starscream. Do it!” “With pleasure.” But before Starscream can fire, a red Jeep, the Autobot Rollbar,” barrels out of the trees and transforms, and tackles Starscream. He punches Starscream in the face twice before Araknia intervenes by firing her wrist blaster to dismount Rollbar. But Rollbar rolls over and takes aim at Araknia with his rifle and takes three good shots at Araknia’s leg, sending her flailing to the ground. He then aim a second pistol at Starscream’s head. “I swear to Primus, do not move!” “Certainly,” Starscream obliges “I hate you.” Araknia moans in pain, unable to move. Evac stands up with his hands on his back. “You really saved me, buddy” he smiles, “Now I need an oil bath!” He laughs a bit, wincing in pain. “Optimus,” Rollbar speaks into his communicator, “Evac and I captured two Decepticons for questioning. Over.” “Good job, Rollbar. All Autobots proceed to Rollbar’s location!” But unknown to the Autobots, Araknia had sent a distress signal to the Decepticons at their headquarters...
This is really good so far. I like how things are making me question which side should be taken truthfully, and which is worth rooting for.
Thank you. My intention is for the reader to empathize with both factions equally as the story progresses. Even the "villains" of the story I'm trying to portray as humanly as possible and make them at least understandable if not relatable in their actions.
Episode Three: On a ridge hanging from the side of a cliff within the Adirondack Mountains, the Autobots Bumblebee and First Aid overlook a small human town. They are concealed by darkness and noticed by no one. “Optimus said to pick a suitable disguise,” remarks Bumblebee, “But none of these local vehicles really seem suitable!” He stares at the bland and generic cars and trucks that populate the town. “What do you mean?” asks First Aid, with a slightly nervous tone in her voice, “They’re all relatively our size. We’ll blend right in.” “I don’t want to blend in!” Bumblebee proclaims, “I want to make a statement. Something loud! Something fierce! Something…me!” “Ohhhh..” First Aid sighs in awe, staring intently at Bumblebee. Bumblebee cocks an eyebrow at her and grins smugly, looking at her with as eyes pointed aside and his face pointed forward. “Well how about that one?” First Aid directs Bumblebee’s attention to a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that is laying dormant in the backyard of a small wood-sided house. “Damn, girl.” Bumblebee turns to First Aid and smiles, “You’ve got a good eye underneath that visor of yours.” “Well,” First Aid giggles, looking aside, “Thank you, Bee” “Call me Bumblebee,” Bumblebee remarks as two green beams of light emit from his eyes and the Mustang is covered in a wavy green grid. “Okay, sorry,” First Aid sighs. Bumblebee’s whole body shifts and reforms itself to resemble pieces of the Mustang. “What are you gonna pick?” Bumblebee inquires. “A medical personnel vehicle, obviously.” First Aid quips sassily. She looks around until she sees a small Ambulance van speeding across the towns main street. She scans it and her body reforms itself the way Bumblebee’s had with pieces of the ambulance becoming integrated into her body. They both slide down the side of the mountain and jump of at the base, transforming into their respective vehicle forms and driving through the mostly empty streets of the mountain town. “All Autobots to Rollbar’s location!” Optimus Prime’s voice comes through their communicators. “That’s us.” Bumblebee says as he does a screeching U-turn towards the mountains. First Aid follows suit. “I hope there isn’t too much violence.” "You do know this is a war, right?" Bumblebee informs his comrade. "Well I'm just a doctor who wishes to heal wounds, not inflict them." "Right." Meanwhile at the Decepticon headquarters, Soundwave informs Megatron of Araknia’s distress signal. “She’s located on a back road not far from here.” Soundwave informs Megatron, “Starscream’s energy signature is right beside her and they are both standing idol.” “That fool Starscream probably got them both captured!” Megatron growls slamming his fist on a nearby tabletop, “Decepticons, mobilize!” Chop Shop and Sky-Byte stand from the console they were repairing and listen for Megatron’s orders. Jason and Lola are awoken by the racket and they shuffle into the bases main floor to see what all the commotion is about. “What’s happening?” Jason asks groggily. “Why am I not asleep?” Lola mutters grumpily. “Worry not, junior Decepticons.” Megatron assures his guests, “We suspect that the Autobots may have apprehended Starscream and Arkania. We are moving to engage. This doesn’t involve you.” “So I can go back to sleep?” Lola beams, and she starts shuffling towards her quarters. “Certainly.” Megatron smiles as Jason and Lola turn and walk away, but Jason turns back briefly. “If there’s anything we can do to help, Megatron, we’re more than willing to do our part.” “And you shall, comrade.” Megatron coos, “In due time.” “We can do our part tomorrow, Jason!” Lola snaps, tugging her boyfriend along, “You know I hate sleeping alone!” “We don’t have to sleep.” Jason snarks. “Shut the fuck up.” Lola says as she pushes him into their makeshift bedroom, “You’re my pillow right now, and pillows don’t talk!" “Sweet dreams, little ones.” Megatron says waving his hand with twirling fingers. “Do you even know their names?” Soundwave asks. “Robert…..and Claudia.” Megatron says. "That's not even close.." says Chop Shop “I don’t care if their names are Orion and Pax ,” Megatron growls, “As long as they keep our secret I'm content with our alliance. “Shouldn’t we be going?” Sky-Byte interjects, “Araknia is in danger!” The three Decepticons all stare at him, smirking slightly. Sky-Byte looks down and sighs. “I have a deep affection for her that I have kept secret for a long time.” Sky-Byte explains, “I feel nothing right now but the urge to save her!" The three Decepticons burst out in laughter. “Secret?” Chop Shop laughs, “Buddy, I’m sorry but there is no secret!” Sky-Byte looks puzzled. “It’s painfully obvious.” Chop Shop informs his lumbering friend. “It’s cute,” Soundwave remarks, “But, utterly pathetic.” Sky-Byte turns to Megatron hopeful that his leader will offer him some praise for his chivalrous intentions but instead gets another vindication. “You said it yourself, Sky-Byte,” Megatron smirks, regaining his composure, "We must be going." "Decepticons, charge!" Megatron points towards the mountains outside the base and runs towards them. He pounces into the air and stretches and forms into a Gunmetal gray Stealth Bomber and explodes into the air. Soundwave runs after him and rolls into an assault helicopter form and ascends into the air. Sky-Byte twirls into his shark mode and swims above Chop Shop, who has yet to move. “Come on, Chop Shop,” Sky-Byte urges, “We have no time to waste!” Sky-Byte swims whimsically outside the base and into the air behind Soundwave and Megatron. “Damn it.” Chop Shop mutters, realizing he has no choice but to play along. He would much rather stay behind and tinker with the machinery. He runs and grabs onto Sky-Byte’s stomach and then mounts him like a horse. "Charge towards my foe Avenge my lover's capture Swiftly, like a shark." Sky-Byte waxes poetic as Chop Shop starts to come to terms with the situation and all the Decepticons mentally prepare to rejuvenate their millennia old war. "She's not your lover," Chop Shop points out. "Well she ought to be," Sky-Byte rebuttals, with dreamy images of Araknia dancing in hid head. Watching from the window of the office that he and Lola have converted to their bedroom, the reality of the situation finally hits Jason. "This is insane," Jason sighs. "Pillows don't talk." "Really though," Jason goes on, "I couldn't have made this up if you gave me the strongest drugs in the world. It's absurd!" "Well," Lola says, "I was terrified at first, but we're better off here than we were by ourselves. We're lucky, really." "It's only a matter of time before we're in the crossfire again, you know." "Well Chop Shop will protect us. And so will the rest of the Decepticons." "If we wanna leave, do you think they'll let us?" Jason wonders aloud. "Oh of course not!" Lola scoffs,"But I like it here. There's no reason to leave." "You're right, bunny." Jason smiles as he holds Lola tight. "Now shhh! Pillows don't talk." At the location where Arkania and Starscream are being held, Evac and Rollbar are standing attently saying nothing. But they are not aware of what’s going on overhead. Arkania is writhing in pain and Starscream is laying silently staring at the clouds and blue sky above him. He smiles at the sight of Soundwave’s helicopter mode, but says nothing. On a nearby cliff, Sky-Byte lands and Chop Shop perches himself and aims at the Autobots. He and Soundwave both fire a barrage of shots at the Autobots, disorienting them. On another cliff, Megatron slams his fists on the ground and flips over into a second alternate mode, a stationary turret, and delivers two well-placed shots to herd the confused Autobots away from their Decepticon prisoners. The Autobots have no idea where the fire is coming from and while they are disoriented, Sky-Byte swoops down and whips the two Autobots of their feet with his tail and transforms, holding them both at gunpoint, Soundwave descends and transforms, also pointing his weapons at Evac and Rollbar. “You savages!” Evac proclaims, “All we want is to discuss terms!” “Which one of you mauled Prowl?” Rollbar snaps, “I’ll have you first!” "Easy, cadet" Evac says, "We don't want revenge for the Decepticons misdeeds. Only resolution. Just as Evac says this Chop Shop pulls up and transforms looking down at the young Autobot cadet. “Blind fools.” Chop Shop remarks, “I almost believe you mean what you’re saying.” Starscream stands up and brushes himself off. “Excellent work, gentleman,” Starscream smiles, “But if this were a pizza I wouldn’t paying you.” Soundwave looks coldly at Starscream, silently, as Megatron descends from above and examines the Autobot prisoners. Sky-Byte rushes to the wounded Araknia and holds her in his arms, distraught by her injured state. "Oh Araknia," he moans, "Not yet must you join the Allspark. Return to me, please!" Araknia regains consciousness just in time to be disgusted. "Get off of me!" she protests, pushing Sky-Byte away, "My leg is wounded not my spark, you oaf!" She rolls onto the ground and examines her wound. "But..I saved you.." Sky-Byte is thoroughly confused. "Just shut up!" Araknia snaps, and Sky-Byte obliges. She stands up shakily. Chop Shop shakes his head and pats his friend on the back. They then turn their attention to the prisoners that Megatron is interrogating. "You Autobots just can't leave me alone." Megatron taunts the prisoners, "Was it really necessary to open old wounds and aggravate another war?" "You started it," says Rollbar, who is on his knees looking scornfully up at the Decepticons still angered by Prowl's injuries. "Such tragic nonsense," Megatron goes on, "You believe yourselves to be the heroes, when you are led by a villain!" Evac hangs his head silently, taking the hurtful words with diligence, but Rollbar is outraged. "I'd say the villain is the one who conquered Cybertron in the name of himself, slaughtering anyone who stood in his way, and still had the ball bearings to preach sermons of freedom and justice to his own blind followers." Rollbar proclaims, curling his face in disgust at Megatron. Megatron grabs Rollbar by the throat and roars in his face, "I will give you only one chance to revoke what you just said, Autobot!" Evac is still silent and is trembling with fear. Starscream is half-smiling, nervously. Chop Shop is wearing a look of disgust on his face. Sky-Byte and Araknia are entranced. Soundwave remains silent, staring intently at his leader. "Do it." Rollbar taunts Megatron further, "You've done it before. Tyrant." "Take one more innocent life." Megatron twitches and something inside him cracks. His eyes widen to mismatched diameters. Megatron trembles with rage. "Learn your place in this universe, Autobot!" Megatron roars as he lifts Rollbar by the throat. Rollbar writhes in pain, but says nothing. Chop Shop recognizes this side of Megatron and shakes his head. "Look away," Chop Shop utters dismally to Sky-Byte and Araknia. They reluctantly follow their ally's advice, but continue to peek out of intrigue. Starscream's smile fades and Soundwave continues his silent stare. Megatron glares at the stocky Autobot that is struggling urgently to free himself, alas to avail, and a smile spreads accross his face. With crazy eyes Megatron smiles madly at the Autobot Rollbar who is flailing desperately, holding him by his throat nearly above the tree tops. "Squirm like the vermin you are." Megatron lulls, cocking his head. "Um..Megatron?" Starscream asks meekly, "Is this necessary?" "Entirely." Megatron continues to smile as Rollbar squeaks and squirms for his life. "We musn't tolerate any disrespect of the Decepticon cause." "Alright.." Starscream is unconvinced. "Tyrant I may be," Megatron snarls, "But Cybertron would be better off, without you." Megatron uses his free hand to deliver a devastating uppercut to Rollbar's torso. Rollbar groans in agony. Megatron then lifts Rollbar as high as he can and slams him into the ground, sending debris flying everywhere. Megatron then proceeds to stomp his foot onto Rollbar's face, cracking the Autobot's visor. Then, Megatron converts his forearm into a large fusion cannon and takes aim for execution. "No!" The elderly Autobot Evac breaks his own silence. "Megatron, please, don't!" Evac weeps, "Nobody needs to die." Megatron leaves Rollbar unconscious on the ground and turns his attention to the groveling Autobot. "You are one of the oldest living Cybertronians." Megatron utters. Evac nods nervously. "And as I recall, one of Optimus Prime's closest friends." Megatron is grinning now, and his eyes are as wide as ever. Evac hesitates, but nods again. "Well then I'm sure he will mourn your death." Megatron mocks, "Take comfort in that." "No! Please! No no no!" Evac begs desperately for his life as Megatron takes aim and charges his cannon. The other Decepticons are mortified. Just in time, Bumblebee and First Aid rush over a nearby ledge and transform in mid air. They deliver a barrage of gunfire that disorients Megatron and the Decepticons long enough for Evac to crawl to safety. The two Autobots land and take aim at the Decepticon,who take aim back, and there is a brief silent stand-off. Behind Bumblebee and First Aid, Evac regains his composure and addresses the Decepticons. "Now what, Megatron?" Evac is still a little flustered, "We all die?" "You Autobots are pitifully outnumbered," Megatron mocks as he aims his cannon at the unconscious Rollbar between the two groups, "And hilariously inept." The Autobots freeze. Bumblebee charges at Megatron in a tackling stance with a roaring battle cry. "More nonsense!" Megatron roars as he backhands Bumblebee. He is now holding both Bumblebee and Rollbar at gunpoint. "I'll slag you!" Bumblebee grumbles. "Of course you will," Megatron assures him. Rollbar starts to regain consciousness with a long groan. The Decepticons maintain their aim at the two remaining Autobots. "Ask them to surrender," Starscream suggests. Megatron looks at Starscream and then turns to Soundwave. The two Decepticons silently lock glances for a few moments. Megatron turns back to Evac and First Aid. "Drop your weapons." he instructs. But before the Autobots can oblige, a large red military grade fire truck bursts out of the forestry and peels the the Decepticons, separating them from Rollbar and Bumblebee. The truck transforms into a massive Autobot, who is muscular and just a head shorter than Megatron: Optimus Prime. "Prime!!" Megatron charges at Optimus. The two titans exchange heavy blows. They each deliver punch after punch two each other's faces and torsos. The fight devastates the surrounding environment. The Autobots and Decepticons look on in awe. Megatron fights dirty and delivers a knee to Optimus Prime's groin, sending the Autobot falling to the ground. They both roll over each other roaring and grunting until Optimus kicks Megatron into the trees. Optimus recovers and fires his rifle at Megatron, but only one shot disorients him. Megatron responds with a cannon shot right to Optimus Prime's shoulder and he falls to his knees.. Megatron charges again at Optimus but Optimus defends with a double fisted swing to Megatron's jaw sending Megatron stumbling backwards. Optimus Prime stands and Megatron recovers. They both point their guns at each other's heads. "Stand down, Megatron." Optimus Prime pleas, "Come peacefully and prevent further loss of life." "I do not value Autobot life," Megatron utters contemptuously, "I was a trigger pull away from executing three of them for their crimes." Evac shudders at this and First Aid puts her hand on his shoulder in comfort. Behind Optimus Prime, Bumblebee is holding an injured Rollbar, assuring him it will be alright. The Decepticons stand aside and allow their leader to face Optimus undisturbed. "Should we keep fighting?" asks Sky-Byte, who is confused that only the leaders are fighting now. "No" Soundwave instructs. The Decepticons obey and continue to watch intently. Chop Shop looks at the weeping Evac and injured Rollbar and shakes his head. He's becoming wary of of the violence. "You're a delusional as ever." Optimus Prime remarks while he and Megatron still hold each other at gunpoint. Optimus looks around and notices the condition of his soldiers. Optimus is heavily saddened. "Well Megatron," Optimus says, "This is going nowhere." "We should end this. We should return to our headquarters, and meet again, in a peaceful environment, and discuss terms to end this conflict." "Oh, Optimus Prime," Megatron smirks, "Always fooling yourself into thinking you're fighting for the better good." "Nobody else needs to die." Optimus affirms, staring intently at Megatron, "We can resolve this." "I will resolve this by crushing your spark in my bare hands and watching the life fade from your face," Megatron growls, "And I will do the same to whichever Autobot succeeds you." Optimus is terrified by this threat, but does not let it show. "Decepticons! We're done here." Megatron booms, "Return to base!" Soundwave, Starscream, and Sky-Byte all transform and fly away. Chop Shop transforms and the injured Araknia mounts his truck mode and they drive away. Megatron lowers his gun and so does Optimus. "You have scorned me, Optimus Prime," Megatron remarks with his back turned to the Autobot Commander, "Now, I will scorn you three fold." "The Great War will be fought on Earth now. Good luck." Optimus Prime turns to his battered soldiers with a solemn loom on his face. "Autobots," he instructs solemnly, "Retreat." Bumblebee, First Aid, and Evac transform and head towards the Autobot landing craft. Optimus holds the damaged Toolbar I his arms, and begins walking silently towards the craft. As the Sun shines above him, Optimus Prime silently deliberates his options on how to handle this new conflict, and it weighs heavily on his spark.
