another great chapter. It seemed a little shorter compared to previous ones, though. I like the reference to the old comic tech specs about Galvatron and the others being able to draw upon Unicrons power. Looking forward to the next chapter

 

I was surprised not to see Magna Prime quartered by the Sweeps, but I suppose there's time for that yet.

Excellent chapter, definitely looking forward to the ascendance of Rodimus Prime. I wonder, have you considered a season 3 with a sane Galvatron, one whom, even without limitless Unicron powers, would be able to chase the Autobots back underground, until Rodimus finds the strength to be a true leader, and to bring the Autobots back?

Just curious. I've always hated the idea that the only way Galvatron didn't destroy the Autobots under Rodimus was that he was crazy. Perhaps you can show us how it would turn out otherwise.

 

That would have been awesome! I wish you did it!

As for the last chapter, great as always. Yer take on Sideswipe is the best I've seen.

 

That was awesome. I think that Cyclonus should be near invincible, but I think that Scourge and the Sweeps should be a little less powerful, even when drawing on Unicron's power.
BUT.
This is not my story. My story would be short and shite.

Yours my good sir is quite the opposite. Keep up the good work.

 

It seems when Hot Rod becomes somewhat more important, Sunsteaker will be greatly unhappy... Even to the point of an revolt, perhaps?

 

:ROCK man your tale tellin abilities are truely amazing! Let me be the first to ask if Daniel will still play any sort of role at all. I allways viewed him as a sort of "chosen" human who played a bigger role in the tf universe than anyone gave him credit for.  : either way great job  :

 

Would be fun to see Rodimus Prime kick his fender  

 

I just finished reading the entire thing......I just have to say AWESOME. I find it really nostalgic, thoughtfully written while keeping some of the same flavor of the original show and comic book. Keep it up!!!

 

Episode 40: The Brink



"Sit down!" Galvatron's shove sent Magna Prime sliding across the floor of the Darkmount throne room. Galvatron took in the complete disarray that the room was in as Cyclonus followed him in. The Decepticon Commander looked from the gaping hole in the far wall, to an obliterated statue of his former self, and finally to the destroyed super-computer. Even a lone, solitary probe lay in multiple destroyed pieces on the floor near the throne. Were not Shockwave already dead, Galvatron would have torn him apart all over again for no other reason than the defiling of the throne room. "The arrogant fool believed himself to be capable of leading the empire I built to galactic domination, yet he did nothing but lose city-state after city-state, get driven from Earth, and nearly put the Decepticons at the mercy of the Autobots. And as if that were not enough, Shockwave was unable to retain order in his own throne room."

Cyclonus walked over to the destroyed computer terminal and studied it intently. "The damage to this room was supposedly caused by Shockwave's attempts to destroy Counter-Punch, and then by an exterior attack from Dreadwing and other fliers loyal to Starscream, is that correct?"

"That is what I've determined based on the reports that I've been given." Galvatron replied as he casually marched past Magna Prime.

"My lord, though this is not my area of expertise, it appears as though the computer was targeted specifically, and not a case of collateral damage." The sleek warrior turned away from the computer and looked toward Galvatron, but the destroyed probe on the ground caught his gaze. "And that probe looks as though a great deal of attention went into its dismantling."

Galvatron gazed on the remains of the small probe and then to those of the computer. "Interesting observations my friend, but ultimately a matter for another time." The powerful Decepticon decided as he sat down on his thrown and glowered at the Autobot slowly climbing to his feet. "Now, Prime, tell me of the Matrix's power."

Magna Prime looked up at him. "It's not for you, that's all I know of it."

"Yes, you mentioned that to me already. And I've accepted that you may be right, which is why you're still alive." Galvatron nodded to Cyclonus, who walked over to the barely standing prisoner, and backhanded him to the ground. "Now tell me of the power that YOU can draw from it."

Prime rolled over to his hands and knees and suddenly lunged upward, delivering a massive uppercut to Cyclonus's chin. The grim Decepticon staggered back a few steps, but immediately regained his composure and advanced on the defiant Autobot. The two warriors furiously hammered away at one another, but despite a valiant effort, Magna Prime was soon overwhelmed and battered to the ground once again.

The heavily dented Autobot looked up at Galvatron with hate-filled optics and spat out a reply to the earlier question. "I can't draw anything from the Matrix. It never interacted with Sentinel except to tell him he was going to die, and despite its initial enhancement of him, it only interacted with Optimus on rare occasions." The Autobot struggled to look up at Galvatron. "And I'm not remotely the Autobot that either of them were, so there's little chance of the Matrix giving me so much as a friendly hello."

Galvatron scowled and once again nodded to Cyclonus, who reached down and placed the Prime in a painful arm lock. Galvatron looked back at Prime and sent a hate-filled glance of his own. "You're not very smart, are you? Someone in your position should at least pretend to have something I can use; it's my belief that you might be useful that's keeping you alive."

"I'm well aware of my position, you slagging twit. I'm just not going to play your games." Prime struggled against Cyclonus' grasp. "So go ahead and kill me if you want, because I'm not going to be any help to you!"

Galvatron looked away in disgust, and sternly barked an order to Cyclonus. "TEAR IT FROM HIS CHEST! A barrage of testing will provide the answers I seek!" The slowly calming Decepticon Commander then seemed to cheer up slightly. "But leave him alive just in case."

Cyclonus threw the Autobot to the ground and dove upon him, sitting upon his abdomen and pinning Prime's arms to the ground with his knees. The Decepticon reached down to his prisoner's already mangled chest and tore it open, partially revealing the Matrix within. Magna Prime fruitlessly struggled, but could only watch as Cyclonus reached in and withdrew the sacred relic.

"I have it my loooorrrrrrr AAAGGGGHHHHH!" Screaming out in agony as he lifted the Matrix out of Prime, Cyclonus was forced to hurl the Autobot symbol of leadership away.

The stunned Galvatron instantly rose to his feet. "What is the matter Cyclonus?"

No longer touching the Matrix, Cyclonus immediately recovered and stood as well. "I do not know, my lord. My very core felt as though it was being submerged in a smelting pool as I held that...thing." The confused warrior looked to his own hands. "The threat it poses Unicron must apply to us as well."

"Nonsense." Galvatron countered as he began marching toward the Matrix. "I have held this object, and felt no sensation other than contempt building in me at its touch." The Decepticon Commander bent over and snatched the Matrix from the floor. No effect, good or ill, occurred at Galvatron's grip of the Matrix, and he studied it curiously for several seconds before raising his wrist communicator to his mouth. "Scourge, get in here."

Several seconds passed before the blue and white tracker marched into the throne room. "What is your bidding Galvatron?"

The massive Decepticon leader tossed the Matrix at his approaching officer. "Hold this."

Scourge caught the ringed orb without question, but the moment his pliable metal skin touched the Matrix he began convulsing in pain. "ARRRGGGHHHH!" Like with Cyclonus, he threw the object away. Scourge then fell to the ground, clutching his pained chest, which had smoke emanating from it.

Galvatron lightly chuckled as he walked across the room and once again picked up the Matrix. "So that's why he needed Megatron."

Confused, Cyclonus looked to his Commander. "My lord?"

Galvatron smiled as he looked to Cyclonus. "You, Scourge and the Sweeps possess sparks born out of Unicron, while I retain Megatron's Primus-issued spark." The Decepticon leader looked down at the still beleaguered Scourge and continued. "This Matrix is poisonous to those given life by the essence of Unicron, therefore he needed an agent with a Primal-spark to acquire and destroy the Matrix. It is this spark that allows me to wield this object, and ultimately this spark that will lead to my dominion over the Chaos Bringer." Galvatron's good spirits seemed to slip away as he started walking toward Magna Prime. "But first I must learn how to properly utilize it." The massive Decepticon peered intently into the Autobot's optics. "If nothing else, you should see me as the lesser of two evils. So it is in the best interest of not just you, but of all Autobots that you help me uncover the secrets of this Matrix."

Torrent came running into the room. "I would suggest that you uncover those secrets quickly, Galvatron, because Unicron is approaching."


***


"I understand that this place is being used as an asylum for the criminally insane, is that correct?" The human female asked Twin Twist, the Autobot piloting the craft taking them out of Cybertron's atmosphere.

The Jumpstarter was eager to get back to Cybertron so that he could join his comrades in the imminent attempt to retake Iacon, but he had been ordered to escort these three human diplomats from Matriopolis to one of Cybertron's moons for their safety. "Yes, that is Aeon's primary function, currently." Twin Twist made some adjustments to his controls as he approached the metal moon. "The facility is equipped with a craft capable of wormhole generation. Once it's prepped, one of the Autobots stationed there will transport you back to Earth."

"What do you mean by currently?" The blond male asked the Transformer.

"Well, the moon base served as an asylum up until about fifty-five thousand vorns ago, when the Decepticons really started overrunning Cybertron. Since then it has only served as a landfill for Cybertronian refuse. Then after the reemergence of Optimus Prime, and then the start of the Decepticon civil war shortly after, we started to gain a little more ground and began regaining control over various parts of Cybertron. With this newfound control over multiple city-states came the responsibility to maintain law and order. Our law enforcement yielded criminals, some of who possessed some cerebral malfunctions that made them quite dangerous. So we decided to reopen the facility on Aeon."

The female shook her head disapprovingly. "I've heard only bad things about this moon. It's a barren lump of metal, with little thought or effort put into its works, and with nothing worth seeing or doing. No natural beauty, no art, no structures that are pleasing to the eye; it's been said that nothing of value has come out of Aeon. Why couldn't we be taken to your other moon, the one you guys call Mainframe? I've heard that Mainframe is visually stunning; with art and literature that is nothing short of excellent. And I'm sure there's a ship with a worm hold generator on that moon."

The third human, a Hispanic man in a NASA uniform replied excitedly. "Yeah, that place sounds wicked cool!"

"It's because of Aeon's lack of value that it was chosen for you. It's an extremely unlikely target for the Decepticons as it's just not worth raiding." Twin Twist replied as he gently settled the craft on Aeon's surface. "Now Aeon's gravity is significantly weaker than that of Cybertrons, and its atmosphere is too thin and oxygen deficient to support you. So special suits have been manufactured that will assist you with the change in gravity, and that have been equipped with small masks that will supply you with oxygen."

The blond man looked out one of the ports and saw two Autobots approaching. "Here come a couple of your buddies."

Twin Twist groaned lightly and whispered a reply; one not intended to be heard. "Those twits aren't my buddies." The outer hatch opened and the two robots entered and stood in the airlock chamber until the door behind them sealed and then the door in front of them opened. Twin Twist stood up from his seat and pointed at the two Autobots, one a mid-sized yet stocky red and yellow soldier, the other a tall medic that was predominantly white and blue with a little red. "Shot Head here is one of the facility's security officers, Crimson Siren is the base Medical Officer." Twin Twist then turned to the humans. "Shot Head, Crimson Siren, this is Ale..."

"Hey man, no need to be so formal, just call her Lexi." The Hispanic man loudly interrupted the Autobot. "And this here's Brad, and I'm Chulo!"

Crimson Siren nodded his greeting to the humans, while Shot Head grinned and excitedly addressed them. "You guys seem cool. Let's go for a ride around the moon!"

"Shot Head, there isn't time for goofing off." Crimson Siren stated to his companion.

"Come on, Crimson Siren, gimme a break. I'm just getting warmed up." Shot Head replied. Then the two new Autobots and the three humans stood around and silently stared at each other for the better part of a minute. The silence was finally ended as Shot Head made a face that set the humans a giggle.

"Enough!" Twin Twist was at wit's end. He had long considered Shot Head to be an insipid moron, but he was quickly beginning to realize that these humans were probably even worse. "Did you two bring the suits for the humans?"

Crimson Siren nodded and pulled out three orange garments from a compartment in his chest. "Right here."

Twin Twist looked at the suits and groaned at how silly they appeared. "Ughn, those look..."

"Wicked cool!" Chulo blurted out, and the three humans ran to the now kneeling Crimson Siren and eagerly grabbed the suits. "They're like orange jogging suits!"

"Now Chulo, these are a lot more high-tech than jogging suits." Lexi stated in a very condescending tone.

"Ah Lexi, cut him some slack. They're still cool." Brad stated as he started putting his on.

"Just put them on and get the hell out!" The combination of his desire to get back to the fight on Cybertron and his utter annoyance with the other individuals on board the craft was making Twin Twist extremely irritable. But he quickly tried to reconcile his unfriendly remark. "And be sure to have a safe trip home."

A few minutes more and the properly attired humans and their two Autobot escorts were exiting the ship and walking across the moon's surface. They looked up to the departing craft and noticed Twin Twist muttering to himself in annoyance through the cockpit window. "Man, that guy just can't have fun." Shot Head announced to those present.

"Having fun is all YOU seem to do, Shot Head." Crimson Siren replied in his deep, no nonsense voice.

"Man, you need to lighten up, Crimson Siren." Chulo spat out. Though wearing a transparent cup over their mouths and noses, the humans could be heard very clearly.

"Yeah, Chulo, you're my kind of guy!" Shot Head cheerfully said to the human. "So what are you guys doing here?"

"Well I'm a statistician for the United States government, Brad here works for an energy company who is negotiating a deal to supply energy to the Autobots, and Chulo is an astronaut in training who NASA assigned to be our escort." Lexi replied. "We landed in Iacon about a week ago, and after spending a few days there took a transport to Matriopolis. Unfortunately, now all of Iacon, including the ship that we used to come here, are under Decepticon control."

"Man, those Decepticons are bad news."

"You said it, Chulo." Brad responded to the astronaut. "So what's going on here?" The human asked as they walked along a large area enclosed by an electrified fence and roof.

"This is the exercise yard. It's where the prisoners get a chance to unwind." Crimson Siren answered.

"Wow, check out the dude with the rabbit ears! He looks mean!" Everyone turned and looked at the large robot that Chulo was talking about. "Nice shoulder pads buddy!" The human taunted loudly.

"Don't bother, Chulo, that guy's off in a world of his own." Shot Head replied as they watched the green and purple prisoner running through the yard, picking up metal chips.

The large prisoner bent over and grabbed a chip off of the ground. "I've got you now! I shall call you...Leader One!" The robot tossed the piece of metal into a compartment on his arm and immediately sprinted to the next metal flake on the ground. "And you, I have you too! You I shall call...Leader One!"

Brad shook his head as they turned away from the tragic sight. "Man, that guy's nutty. Is there any chance at curing him?"

Crimson Alert shrugged. "Not likely. Prisoners just seem to get worse once they come here. This place just seems to make its inhabitants a little crazier and a lot dumber."

"It's been joked that if Starscream were to ever come here, Aeon would eventually make him think he was an Autobot." The statement caused everyone except Crimson Alert to laugh.

A beeping coming from Shot Head's wrist interrupted the laughter. "Shot Head here, what is it Rear Wipe?"

"Sir, something's popping up on sensors heading this way, something big!" The nervous voice came back.

Crimson Siren looked at Shot Head in confusion. "The Decepticons are attacking here?"

Rear Wipe replied through Shot Head's wrist communicator. "I don't think it's the Decepticons. It's coming from the wrong direction."

Lexi looked up into the sky and noticed something breaking through the blackness of space. "What's that?"

All eyes and optics turned upward and witnessed the awesome form approaching them. The giant metal sphere sped toward them, its horrifying maw clamping up and down, and the pair of pinchers just above the maw snapped together in terrifying anticipation.

Shot Head looked to the others excitedly. "Something so evil looking must feed on hate. So just think peaceful and nice thoughts and it will starve."

At that instant Aeon was rocked as a bright red beam shot forth from the metal planetoid and tore into the moon. The small moon began tearing apart and the loose chunks were sucked up into Unicron's hungry maw. Moments before the final destruction of Aeon, Chulo's voice could be heard. "Wicked coooooooool."


***


The Autobot shuttle burst from the tear in space and tentatively approached Cybertronian orbit. "I'm getting some inexplicable readings originating from the space on the other side of the planet." Arcee called out as she tried to make sense of the readings on the screen in front of her. "Aeon seems to have vanished and something else is there."

"If not pertain to new Decepticons, me Grimlock not care." The Tyrannosaurus Rex grumbled.

"I'm getting some other strange readings as well." Arcee turned and looked out the starboard side of the craft to see a gigantic, corkscrew-shaped craft appearing seemingly from nowhere. "LOOK OUT!"

The vastly smaller Autobot vessel was instantly caught in a tractor beam and was slowly being pulled toward the Quintesson craft. "Look like me Grimlock spoke too soon." The Dinobot growled almost eagerly as he peered out the portal at their would-be abductors.

"I'm not sure whether to be pleased or upset with this turn of events." Swoop commented.

Grimlock displayed a toothy grin as he replied to his comrade. "Best to focus on positive, what me Grimlock always say." The Dinobot Commander marched toward the sealed door. "Autobots, prepare for battle!" The other Dinobots eagerly chuckled and followed their leader, transforming to beast modes as they entered the larger cargo bay.

"I'm glad that they're so eager to die." Arcee commented as she struggled with the controls of the craft in a futile attempt to break free of the Quintesson tractor beam.

"That's an old god ship, isn't it?" Springer asked as he peered out the window at the monstrous vessel pulling them in.

"THEY NOT GODS!" Grimlock yelled back into the cockpit.

"He's right, they're not. But it is a Quintesson ship." Kup muttered as he stared at the craft in shock. The legends of his youth displayed vividly before his ancient optics. Without breaking his gaze of the ship, Kup spoke to Arcee. "Give it up, Sweetheart, there's no way we're getting out of this without a fight."


*


"They are to be taken alive!" The Magistrate Neron yelled out at the nearly three hundred Sharkticons swarming around the craft being lowered to the floor of the enormous cargo bay. "Use any non-lethal means necessary to subdue them, but under no circumstances are any of these Autobots to die, especially the Pit Lords!"

The hordes of Sharkticons, half in robot mode and half in beast mode, growled their understanding and eagerly awaited either the opening of the door, or the order for them to tear the ship open. The wait was a short one, as ship settled on the floor the port slid open and the boarding plank began to lower. The moment the door was completely open, five dinosaurs leapt from the craft, over the partially lowered plank, and into the throng of ravenous metal monsters. Chunks of metal and streams of various fluids shot into the air above the heart of the commotion, and Neron could only watch as the organic beasts pushed through the legion of his metal drones.

The massive head of the T-rex jerked upward as it tore a Sharkticon frame in two, and caught sight of the reptilian Magistrate watching from a metal balcony high above. Neron glared at the prehistoric beast and called out to it. "Hello Grimlock. Yes, I recognize you, your creator has given very detailed descriptions of you and your team's new forms."

The dinosaur shoved a dozen Sharkticons back with a swing of its tail before responding. "Me Grimlock like new form. Me Grimlock use beast mode to take bite out of brother's corpse. Me Grimlock wonder if Neron taste as good as Caligulon."

"Caligulon shall be avenged, Pit Lord! Your offense to my brood will be met with appropriate justice!" Neron screamed at the Dinobot Commander. The threat was met only by laughter as Grimlock devoted his concentration back to the countless Sharkticons trying to subdue him.

"I'm all for a scrape, but this is crazy!" Springer looked out at the hundreds of Sharkticons frantically trying to get to the Dinobots and join in the frenzy.

"Don't neglect THEM!" The four Autobots looking out from the doorway of the ship turned toward the shout and saw the Magistrate pointing down at them.

"Oh slag." Hot Rod muttered as two-dozen Sharkticons turned and started up the ramp toward them.

Kup began firing on the advancing drones with the pistol in his right hand and raised his left wrist to his mouth. "Grimlock, I don't think we're going to get past these guys, but you and you squad might if you quit playing around and make a break for it. Get outta here and figure out a way to either contact the Autobots or get off of this crate."

It was a few moments before the Dinobot's gruff voice came back. "Kup right, too crowded in here."

Several Sharkticons had climbed over the top of the ship and were jumping down on Kup, Hot Rod, Springer and Arcee as Slag charged through the metal wall of the cargo bay. As he was being pinned to the ramp by three Sharkticons, Kup managed to look up and see all five of the Dinobots escape through the hole that Slag had created and disappear down the hallway of the vast ship.


***


"I must once again advise you against this course of action, Captain. Only the most preliminary of testing has been completed."

Spike considered ignoring the voice of the scientist coming into the tiny speakers in his helmet, but decided that a response was deserved. "And all that testing has been successful, as have the simulations we've conducted over the last two years, and so has this little jaunt so far. The C.A.N.I.N.E.s are operating optimally so far."

"You've only been flying them for a matter of minutes! Please, return the Cybernetic Adjustable-frame Neurologically Implemented Navigation Exo-suits to base immediately!"

"Sorry Doctor, but the situation with the Decepticons has changed significantly enough for the Pentagon to give this project the green light, testing completed or not. The President himself told General Ambrose that he was expecting his boys to rack up a Decepticon body count by days end. And who am I to disappoint the President?"

"Captain Witwicky, you must return! It is..."

"Look Doc, I have my orders. Witwicky out." Spike switched off the connection and opened another channel as he piloted his flying battle-suit over the vast forest covering the Allegheny Mountains, with twelve identical battle-suits following closely behind him. Each battle-suit looked like the body of a giant metal bear with its limbs tucked in, a large pair of wings spreading out of its back with a pair of jet thrusters mounted at their base, and a long wolf-like head pointing out of the front. "Bumblebee, come in."

"Hey Spike, uh, I mean Captain Witwicky." Bumblebee's friendly voice replied.

"Can the formalities buddy, just make sure that there's room for us on one of your ships."

"Spike, you don't need to do this."

"Yes, I do. It's time we humans started taking it to the 'Cons the way they took it to us. And what better human to take it to them than one who knows the streets of Iacon personally?"

"Uh, what about us, Captain?" Another voice through the communicator announced. "You're gonna have a hard time hogging all the glory when I wind up killing eight times as many 'Cons as you do."

"Oh, sorry Halpin. I'm sure the other members of the Cyberwolves will rack up an adequate body count as well, Bumblebee."

"Cyberwolves?" The yellow Minibot asked.

"Code name for the team. Seems appropriate given that we're in metal C.A.N.I.N.E.s, and that we'll be fighting on Cybertron. Some of the boys have even gotten tattoos of robotic looking wolf heads. Carly would kill me if I even thought about getting one, but I have to admit that they look pretty cool."

"OK, well, just be careful out there guys." Bumblebee countered. "And I hope you're close, because we're almost ready to lift off."

Spike smiled as he piloted his craft over one last mountain and watched Autobot City come into view. He caught site of the six massive transport freighters and replied to Bumblebee. "I'm looking at you now."


*


The giant, organic eyes of the nearly fourteen ton lion looked out over the formerly Autobot city-state of Iacon and assessed the situation. The new Decepticon Commander, Galvatron, had placed Razorclaw in command of the newly acquired Autobot capital. The Predacon knew little of this new warrior other than that he was unfathomably powerful. Some of the soldiers were claiming that it was Megatron reborn, others that Galvatron and his lieutenants were heralds of Unicron, and others still thought him to be the ruler of a vast Decepticon empire that some space-crazed voyagers claimed to have come across in their deep space treks.

Whatever his true story, Galvatron was now Razorclaw's prey. He had attacked and slain Shockwave, and the Predacon would somehow make certain that his creator would be avenged. He just needed to wait for the opportunity.

"Razorclaw, come in!" Onslaught's voice erupted from the speaker mounted on the desk formerly belonging to Prime.

Razorclaw turned, transformed and quickly made his way to the desk. "What is it, Onslaught?" Had it been anyone other than Onslaught, he probably would not have responded so quickly, but the Combaticon Commander was an efficient, no-nonsense Decepticon who would not have bothered Razorclaw unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Autobots are attacking from several points around the city, and we're getting readings of a wormhole being generated in orbit directly above our position."

"Initiate defense scenario gamma. I will be there shortly."


***


"You!" Neron shouted and pointed at the old blue Autobot seated with his three comrades in the holding cell. He then looked to the red one seated next to him. "And you! Come with me!"

Hot Rod looked to Kup, who simply shrugged in reply and rose to his feet. The red Autobot looked to Arcee and silently mouthed "I love you" before rising to his feet as well and following Kup to the door. The Magistrate, accompanied by a dozen Sharkticons in robot mode, led the prisoners down the hall. "Well it's about time we got our phone call." Hot Rod joked nervously.

"Shut up kid." Kup growled at him.

"Silence!" Neron yelled at the both of them. A few moments later they were entering the floor of a large arena, one with a raised outer ring, a deep drop-off, and a raised platform in the center. "Hold here!" The Magistrate quietly but firmly commanded as they stood on the outer ring.

On the center platform stood an elderly looking robot in a moderate state of disrepair. Looking down on him from a balcony high above were three Quintessons. The lead Quintesson switched faces before addressing the robot. "For some time we have tolerated your uselessness. Your comrade that you were captured with has proven to be an exceptional mechanic and custodian, but you have no skills by which we can benefit. But we kept you alive simply because we found pleasure in keeping from you your one true desire; death."

Hot Rod leaned toward his mentor and whispered. "He looks kind of like a Cybertronian, but I don't recognize the design."

"He's a Lithomech." Kup whispered.

"Silence!" Neron growled at them.

The Quintesson who was addressing the prisoner switched faces and continued, oblivious to the discussion being held by his Magistrate and the other two prisoners. "But whereas in life you served no purpose for us, perhaps your death might help us achieve our goals." Another face switch occurred before the Quintesson looked to his comrade on the right. "How have you decided?"

"Guilty." The Quintesson replied without hesitation.

The lead Quintesson then turned to the other side and looked to his other contemporary. "And you?"

"Guilty."

The lead Quintesson switched faces yet again before returning his attention to the Lithomech. "Then with my decision we have achieved a consensus. Lithomech Kranix, you have been found guilty, and the sentence is death."

Kranix suddenly panicked. For years he had wanted nothing more than to end the eternal suffering that his life had become since losing his planet to Unicron and then being captured and enslaved by the Quintessons. But in that time he had come to value the friendship that he had developed with the Junkion Wreck Gar, and now suddenly desired nothing more than to live. "No, wait! Pleeeee...� His plea was ignored as the platform beneath him was removed and he fell one hundred twenty feet below to a metal island jutting out of a giant pool of clear liquid. He landed hard against the rounded metal, and only after several seconds slowly start to get to his hands and knees.

The liquid around the island started to bubble, and one by one the rounded metal forms of bestial Sharkticons broke through the surface of the liquid and slowly make their way toward the prisoner. "No, no keep away!" Kranix scrambled to get away, but the Sharkticons were all around him. He kicked at them as they got close, but his strikes were completely ignored by the metal monsters. A Sharkticon clamped down on his forearm and tore it from his frame, as another beast bit into the Lithomech's leg. "Argh! Stop, please!"

Hot Rod and Kup lunged forward to help the Lithomech, but they were instantly pinned against the wall by their Sharkticon guards. "Don't be so eager, you'll be down there soon enough." Neron snickered at the subdued prisoners.

"Help, please!" Kranix reached up for help as he was dragged below the surface of the liquid. A few moments later and the surface of the pool was calm once again. Only streaks of mech fluid and shards of metal on the island gave any indication of what had just transpired.

"Your turn!" Neron gleefully announced as the center platform was reset and a metal bridge extended out from the wall to it. The Sharkticons marched the Autobot prisoners out to the platform, and once in place, turned back to the outer ring, leaving Hot Rod and Kup alone on the platform as the bridge retracted.


*


"What do you think is going on?" Arcee looked over at Springer.

Reluctant to return her gaze, Springer simply looked down and shook his head. "I don't know. But Hot Rod and Kup are two of the most resourceful guys I know, so I'm sure they'll be alright."

Arcee nodded, though she was far from convinced. She scanned the room, trying desperately to find something to take her mind off of the danger that Hot Rod was undoubtedly in. She then remembered a topic that had been weighing on her mind for the last few years, and turned again toward the green triplechanger. "Hey Springer, why have you been avoiding me this past decade?"

The powerfully built Autobot intensified his gaze at the floor before answering. "What are you talking about? I haven't been avoiding you."

"Come on Springer, I'm not a fool." Arcee pried.

Springer hesitantly looked up and met her glance. "Then you should know why I've been avoiding you."

Arcee's face scrunched into a puzzled look, but then she realized what he was alluding to. "Oh. Still?"

Springer gazed longingly into her optics. "Always." He let the gaze remain for a moment before forcefully twisting his head away. "Just as Hot Rod will always be my best, and most loyal friend." He shook his head in frustration. "Look, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to call on me. But for all other matters I think it's best if we have as little to do with each other as possible."

Arcee reached forward and touched Springer on the wrist. "Springer...� Her statement was interrupted as a panel on the wall behind them started to shake. The two Autobots jumped from their seats and stared at the vibrating panel, both preparing themselves for a fight.

The panel finally detached from the wall, was pulled into a shaft, and then an unusual, bearded face peered at them from within. The face had an amicable expression, but the expression took a look of mock insanity for a moment. "Heeeeeeere's Johnny!"

Springer peered at the stranger in confusion. "Hi, uh, Johnny. Why are you speaking English?"

Arcee also peered in confusion at the newcomer. "I don't think his name is Johnny. I think he's imitating a line in a movie that was imitating a line from a TV show."

Springer nodded. "Oh. OK, what movie?"

"Do ya want to get sued?" The Junkion spat out in a thick Scottish accent. He then smiled at the two Autobots and shifted to thick Austrian-accented English. "Come with me if you want to live?"


***


"Any sage pieces of advice?" Hot Rod leaned in and asked the elder Autobot.

"Yeah, conduct yourself like an Autobot. No matter what I think they're going to give us the shaft, so we might as well go down with honor." Kup replied, and then turned to look Hot Rod in the optics. "And in case this is the end, just know that I'm proud of you. You're a good kid, and you've got a lot of potential, a LOT of potential. I just figured riding you would be the best way to get you to live up to it."

"Awwww, that's so sweet. Why, if I had tear ducts I swear I'd cry." Hot Rod joked.

"Smart-bumpered little punk. Forget what I said, I was just trying to make your final moments pleasant. You're actually a know-it-all pain in my a..."

"SILENCE!" Both Autobots looked up at the Quintesson barking down at them. "You stand here before this court accused of aiding and abetting known murderers, resisting arrest, destruction of Quintesson property, conspiracy to escape, conspiracy to inflict injury to a Quintesson, conspiracy to murder a Quintesson, and numerous other violations. How do you plead?"

Hot Rod shrugged. "Who are these murderers that we aided and abetted?"

The Quintesson switched faces before responding. "The Pit Lords."

Hot Rod nodded and looked to Kup. "Oh, the Dinobots. Honestly, I don't even really like those guys. Grimlock's an overbearing jerk, Snarl's an eternal downer, and Slag, Slag's just off the obnoxious scale. Swoop and Sludge are cool, though every joke has to be explained to Sludge. But I don't think I've ever aided them with anything."

"Shut up kid." Kup growled. "Show some slaggin' dignity." The old blue Autobot then looked up at the Quintessons with a face filled with disdain. "I've heard the stories about these travesties that you call trials! And I for one will participate in this outrage no further!" With that Kup jumped over the side of the platform to the island below.

Hot Rod looked over and saw his mentor land far below. "What the slag are you doing?" The youth shouted.

"Autobot, remain and you may face leniency." The Quintesson called down from his bench high above. "Assist us in locating the ones you call Dinobots, and you will be spared." Hot Rod looked up at those sitting in judgment of him, raised his left hand, displayed a hand gesture common on Earth, and then jumped over the side.

Hot Rod hit the rounded metal and slid to the ground, only to be forcibly yanked up by a blue hand. "You made the right choice kid, now get ready to deal with the consequences." The liquid started bubbling as soon as the young Autobot got to his feet.

A few seconds later the tops of the Sharkticons broke through the surface of the pool and they ominously started making their way up onto the island. "Unarmed, vastly outnumbered and surrounded. How exactly was this the right choice?" Hot Rod asked with a note of humor in his voice.

Kup ignored the question. "How are you at swimming?"

Hot Rod shrugged. "I'm not exactly buoyant, but I can jet around in water better than most."

"Well kid, I hope you can jet around in this stuff too, whatever it is. Dry land is getting less hospitable by the second." Kup announced before charging toward four Sharkticons, pushing them out of his way and diving into the liquid.

Hot Rod smiled as he watched the old timer lead the way, and then ran after him, jumping up and leaping off of a Sharkticon's head before diving in as well. The Sharkticons were confused for a moment, but quickly turned and followed the Autobots in.

Hot Rod quickly caught up to Kup and tried to smile at the old warrior, but was caught off guard as Kup cut away from him and started swimming to the left. Hot Rod looked down and saw the reason for his mentor's change of direction, nearly twenty Sharkticons swimming at him from below. The red Autobot quickly followed after Kup, and the two did what they could to evade their bestial would-be executioners. Unfortunately they lacked the aquatic speed and skills of their pursuers, and were soon forced to abandon their flight and turn and fight.

A Sharkticon clamped down on Kup's left forearm, but the Autobot immediately twisted and drove two fingers into the animal's optic. The beast winced and jerked back, and instantly got a kick to its underside. Kup would have followed up, but three other Sharkticons were already upon him and he was forced to deal with them.

Hot Rod was quick enough to avoid the rows of deadly teeth coming at him, landing liquid-slowed shots in return. Grabbing the fin of one of his assailants, he pulled himself over the Sharkticon and propelled himself past several others. He swam toward the wall to limit the number of fronts that he would have to fight, but as he got to the wall he noticed a ledge jutting out, and on that ledge he saw what was left of the Lithomech Kranix. All that remained of him was a shredded torso and battered head, but the head was moving and still very much alive. Hot Rod inaudibly cursed through the liquid as he sped toward the Lithomech. The fight would be hard enough without having to rescue both Kup and this guy.

Hot Rod reached the heavily damaged Lithomech and turned to face the monsters coming at him, quickly accepting that there was little to no chance of him getting out of this one. But just before the Sharkticons struck, a series of thudding began emanating throughout the submerged chamber. The Sharkticons and the prisoners all looked to the origin of the noises, and saw one of the large wall panels shaking. A moment later a flaming red blade burst through and began sawing a thirty-foot diameter hole. The moment the hole was complete, the water pushed the circular piece of cut metal back and began rushing out through the newly formed hole.

The force of the liquid being sucked into the hole created a whirlpool, one that sent the contents and occupants of the pool into a violent and uncontrollable state of motion. Once the liquid level got down to where the hole in the wall had been created, the whirlpool stopped and the beings and items not sucked through settled into place. Kup shook his head and looked up into the hole to see all five Dinobots in robot mode standing there. Grimlock looked to Kup and nodded. "Yup, they here."

Hot Rod swam up, burst through the now-lower surface of the pool and smiled at the Dinobots. He then turned up toward the Quintessons high above and broadened his smile. "There they are." He joked as he pointed to the Dinobots before swimming toward his five hulking friends.

"GET THEM YOU MINDLESS DRONES!" The lead Quintesson called out to the disoriented Sharkticons.

"Where Lithomech known as Kranix?" Grimlock called out. "We make deal. Rescue Kranix our part of deal."

Hot Rod stopped swimming forward. "Oh yeah. Hold on, I'll get him." With that the red Autobot dove beneath the surface, and about thirty seconds later burst through once again with a limbless torso slung over his shoulder. "Got him, let's go."

By this point the numerous Sharkticons had gotten their bearings and were headed toward the Autobots. Grimlock saw the metal beasts converging on his comrades and turned to Swoop. "Ever watch eagles catch fish?"

Swoop nodded and jumped out over the water, transforming as he did so. In moments Swoop was swooping down and plucking Sharkticons out of the water with his talons and hurtling them at other Sharkticons. "BLAST HIM OUT OF THE SKY YOU REPTILIAN DOLT!" The lead Quintesson barked at Neron.

Neron turned and aimed his energy prod at the pterodactyl, but before he could set it for projectile mode and fire, a series of blasts from the other Dinobots forced him back away from the ledge of the outer ring that he was on. Grimlock looked up at the Quintessons, really only able to see the one in front clearly, and his long red optic narrowed. "Who up there with you Aresius?" The other two Quintessons hovered forward toward the edge of the balcony and peered down at the Dinobot Commander. "Ah, Dionic and…� Grimlock began growling as the third came into view. "Apolonicus." The name was almost venomous as it came through Grimlock's faceplate.

"Surrender and all will be forgiven my son." Apolonicus called down to Grimlock.

Grimlock looked to his comrades and thought about Arcee and Springer. Once again his duty to his comrades outweighed his lust for revenge. Once again Apolonicus would escape his grasp. This time however, the realization did not tear Grimlock apart. Doing right by his troops made it all worth it. "Another time, Apolonicus."

Kup climbed into the tunnel that the Dinobots had arrive through and lifted Kranix off of Hot Rod's shoulder so that the youth could hoist himself up as well. Swoop returned to the tunnel as well, transformed to robot mode, and headed back into the bowels of the ship with his comrades.


*


"Alright, so you've got access to a ship. We're still not going to be able to evade the tractor beam, much less outrun their vessel." Springer commented to the Junkion as they made their way through the inner reaches of the Areopagon.

"You ain't got no problem, Jules." The Junkion replied.

"Look, uh, Wreck Gar, right? Where exactly is this ship of yours?" Arcee asked hesitantly.

Wreck Gar smiled and ran ahead, opening a hidden panel hidden behind dozens of hanging wires in the wall. He allowed Arcee and Springer to walk through the narrow doorway before following them through. Ahead of them was what appeared to be a pile of garbage, but closer scrutiny revealed wings, thrusters and a cockpit. "Thar she blows!"

Arcee stared at it in stunned disappointment. "That's just a pile of slag shavings held together by bubble gum."

Wreck Gar walked around and stood in front of her, intently peering into her face. "Private Joker? I admire your honesty. Hell, I like you. You can come over to my house and..."

"HOLD IT!" Springer, Arcee and Wreck Gar turned to see Hot Rod leading the others through the access shaft that they had just traveled through. "Do not finish that line!"

Arcee ran and hugged Hot Rod as he emerged through the opening in the wall. Though he was ecstatic to see his friends alive and well, Springer still winced at the sight of their embrace and was forced to turn away. "Don't hug in the entranceway you damn kids!" Kup called out from behind Hot Rod. "Doorways aren't a commiserating place!"

Grimlock finally emerged through the opening carrying Kranix, who had long since fallen into stasis lock. "This what left of friend." The Dinobot Commander said as he handed the mangled frame to Wreck Gar.

To everyone's surprise, Wreck Gar didn't seem upset by Kranix's condition. He simply carried the torso with only a head attached to the aesthetically unpleasing ship and entered it. "All aboard!"

Arcee and Hot Rod walked arm in arm to the ship with the others. "What was he going to say, anyway?"

"Trust me honey, you don't want to know." Hot Rod chuckled as he replied.

"He sounded a lot like the host of that 'Mail Call' show Sparkplug used to watch." Arcee's observation made Hot Rod laugh even harder.


*


"Alright, so he can open the trash bay doors. So what? We're still going to get recaptured any second now." Springer commented as the tiny makeshift craft pulled out of the massive Quintesson vessel.

Wreck Gar laughed as he addressed Springer's concerns. "Don't worry, old chap. Been handling this stuff ever since I blew up the nursery with my first chemistry set. Poor old Nanny." With that the Junkion pressed a button and a panel just above the navigation console slid open to reveal an array of buttons and knobs. Above the array was the label 'Areopagon Super-Luminous Drive'.

Kup peered at the newly revealed control panel. "Don't tell me that you can control their high-speed drive system."

Wreck Gar started working with the array as he replied. "Dad let's me drive slow on the driveway. But not on Monday, definitely not on Monday." Outside the window the massive craft could be seen turning to a position to better deal with the now obviously detected escapees. Wreck Gar held his finger over a red button and then chuckled as he looked out the window. "That's how you're gonna beat 'em, Butch. They keep underestimating you." With that he pressed the button, and a moment later the Areopagon slowly pulled away and then vanished.


***


"Flores, Blake's got a Seeker bearing down on him! Get over there and give him a hand!" Spike yelled out as he caught a glimpse of the predicament of one of his men in between shots at the Decepticons mounted on the quickly approaching perimeter wall of Iacon. "And don't be afraid to use your rail cannons! Explosives are nice, but the rail gun is the only piece of non-nuclear human weaponry to ever kill a Decepticon!"

"You've got it Captain!" Flores' voice rang through in response to Spike's order and suggestion.

Spike spotted another Seeker high above cut down and begin an intercept course with him. Spike raise the nose of his exo-suit and got a lock on the Cybertronian modified to resemble an F-22 Raptor. "You have no business here, human!" The Decepticon spat through a frequency he knew that even human craft could pick up. "Pathetic human weapons are no threat to Sunstorm!"

"That's not what my Dad said." Spike whispered as he mentally activated his rail cannons and unloaded on the yellow/orange Decepticon warrior. Hundreds of rounds of metal shot through the air at an unbelievable rate, and all but a few tore through the Decepticon's frame. An explosion burst through the top of the craft, and Sunstorm's lifeless frame crashed to the ground below in a fiery heap. "YEAH, GOT HIM!" Spike turned and resumed his course toward the walls of the city-state. "Hey guys, last I checked the Witwicky's didn't have a monopoly on killing 'Cons. Feel free to polish a few of them off yourselves."

"Oh, the Captain thinks he's a funny man." Halpin replied as he flew up alongside Spike's craft. "Wait til we're in the thick of it, then you'll see plenty of Decepticon innards splattered over my C.A.N.I.N.E."

"You humans are doing well, but even with your battle-suits you lack the power and durability of an Autobot. So hang back and let us to the bulk of the fighting." Elita One chimed in over the human frequency.

Suddenly a quake of unimaginable force shuddered the entire planet. "What the hell was that?" Spike commented.

The battle seemed to cease as both armies redirected their efforts toward finding out the cause of the massive tremor. Several minutes passed before Perceptor's voice could be heard through the main Autobot frequency. "Elita One, it appears as though the planetoid that was occupying the space Aeon used to exist in has now started advancing on Cybertron. I have no idea of what to make of this, but I would say that it seems far greater a threat than the Decepticons."

Elita One turned away from Cybertron toward the planetoid barely visible on the distant horizon. "I’d say that's an understatement."

 

BOO YEAH!

Though the killing off the the Armada based humans was a bit of a dirty trick.  

 

I wasn't really impressed with this chapter. I liked that Kranix survived, the bits with Spike and the Cyberwolves and the Galvatron/Magna Prime stuff was okay. But the Armada parody wasn't that great. Why does parody have to be so mean spirited these days? And I felt like the scenes with the Quintessons were done better in the movie.

 

First let me say that I am one of the ones that enjoyed the Armada Anime. I also liked the Armada take on Unicron better than the G1 version.
But damned if that scene wasn't funny.  

In fact, I think the humor is what made this chapter. It was good over all, but some of the lines and scenes were pricless. Like Wreck-Gar quoting the Shinning, then quoting the Simpson parody of the Shinning. Then quoting Arnold!  

Really looking forward to the next. Keep it up.  :

 

Aeon... Eh?

 

COol chapter man. I like that part with "Rabbit ears". I could actually picture Megs chasing minicons doing that hahaha.

And ANY references to Gunnery Sargent Hartman receives mucho rep points. Priceless.

"I will gouge out your yes and sk.."

 

Great story......Love the deatail and the variations of the movie. Makes it seem more real. Shame though that Sunstorm only got a quick cameo before he got blowed up.....

 

of the lines and scenes were pricless. Like Wreck-Gar quoting the Shinning, then quoting the Simpson parody of the Shinning. T

that was the best part

 

Nice, but I do feel that the Armada parody was mean spirited and that it broke up the pacing. Unicron should have eaten Mainframe. Then he would have been able to enjoy a delicious cream filling.

 

Just finished reading the whole thing and man this ROCKS! I mean... it really does justice to the characters and portrays them in themes which would have been nice to see from the begining. Awesome job!   Keep it up!

 

Great job

Petey you rock!! Can't wait until the next episode.. i thought the armada parady was rightious!! and the junkion phrases were slap-happy

keep it evil

 

Petey,
Just curious, I know you can't rush genius or inspiration, but is a new episode coming out soon?