Tag: transformers

Queen Aleena’s form betrayed an agitated mind as she glared at the new Decepticon leader filling the monitor. “A new power rises on your planet,” announced Megatron. “Any attempts to attack the Harbinger will be met with deadly force and extreme prejudice! You would be well advised that my ship possesses enough firepower to devastate any densely populated area of my choosing. I would, in all likelihood, set sights on your children’s birthplace of Mobodoon for starters.”

“Point taken!” snarled Aleena. “Now, what do you want from us?”

“Nothing, your Majesty,” assured Megatron. “We Decepticons mean no harm. We simply desire a place to call home, after we were defeated by the Autobots and robbed of our rights on our native soil.”

“No offense, Megatron,” argued Aleena, “but I’m having a tough time believing that since, according to the Autobots, you guys were bent on burying the human race under molten steel before the Mobians came into existence!”

“Your Majesty,” replied Megatron, “I will be the first to admit that war brings out the worst in the Decepticons, but the conflict is now over. Our quarrel is NOT with you or your planet. Now that we have lost, our only wish is coexist on this planet with all species peacefully. Together, Queen Aleena, I believe that you and I can make that dream a reality.” He terminated the call and heard someone applauding him.

“You, too, have a way with words, my Liege,” praised Knock-out. “I almost believed you myself.” Megatron chuckled.

“Mobius has no idea what awaits them,” boasted Megatron. “This planet will be a haven for Decepticons and…” a low beeping interrupted him. “What the? Who’s calling?”

“It appears to be coming from the Autobot base,” remarked Soundwave.

“They haven’t relocated?” quizzed Starscream.

“Grief can make you do illogical things,” mused Megatron. “On screen.” Optimus showed up on the screen, but he wasn’t in grief. In fact, a big fat grin was on his face.

“This is Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and Cybertron!” he announced. “Hey, Mega-twit! You might want to take that bucket off your head and listen for a klik!”

“…Wow, like a child, you compare my helmet to a bucket,” snarked Megatron. “No, really, I’m truly wounded. My Spark trembles at your words.”

“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you,” argued Optimus. “Listen, I just want to say how deeply impressed I am at seeing you as leader of the Decepticons. Throughout my childhood, you were the one who told me the Cons were the stuff of nightmares. I must admit, I am honored to finally see their true colors, cowards with the ability to make more cowards like you!”

“…I’m sorry, rust must be clogging my audio receptors,” hissed Megatron. “What did you just call me?!”

“Do you seriously think that siding with the Cons would make things more peaceful?!” snarled Optimus. “When did you turn into a full blown coward?!”

“HOW DARE YOU!!” roared Megatron. “Optimus, you impugn my honor!”

“I’m glad you didn’t say ‘belittle’,” replied Optimus, “because then I’d have a field day. But, fighting to silence any views contrary to your own? On a world with alien life that you perceive to be weaker to us? That’s the weapon of a coward, and you know it. Megatron, you’ve got enough power to change the Decepticons’ moral code and yet, you’re content with having them stagnate in their hatred against us. You’re unique in that you have two views from two factions! We can work together to make a peaceful Cybertron and improve the Decepticons!”

“Through talk and conferences?” countered Megatron. “With constant bickering? Autobots and Decepticons always arguing over what’s best?! A watered-down war?! Optimus, the only way change can happen is with all available speed! And, in case you forgot, the most peaceful eras for the Autobots were under Nova and Zeta Prime!”

“That wasn’t peace, that was tyrannical quiet!” argued Optimus.

“Pray tell, what’s the difference?” asked Megatron. “Optimus, the path to peace is paved with tyranny. So, unless you have something legitimate to ask of me, like, say, mercy, terminate this call.”

“I just want to know which of your bots tried to kill Blackarachnia,” replied Optimus. Megatron’s attention was grabbed.

“Tried to…are you saying Elita-1 lives?!” he snapped.

“That is the worst lie I’ve ever heard!” shouted Starscream. “She is dead! I killed her myself! You are bluffing!” Optimus smirked, then gave room to Blackarachnia.

“Don’t get your lottery ticket today,” she boasted. “And, really? Giving me full access to your database when you clapped optics on me? I thought security would be tighter than that. I did what Megatron did with the Autobot database and copied yours over. Only, unlike him, I got the entire thing.”

“…You allowed the spider to LIVE?!” Megatron roared at Starscream.

“Pretty sloppy job, too,” taunted Blackarachnia. “Oh, and it’s still Blackarachnia, not Elita-1. I legally changed my name. Prime, anything you wish to add?”

“The way I see it, you have two options,” offered Optimus. “You can either surrender right now and return to Cybertron where you will stand trial and serve whatever sentence is passed, or you can fight all the Autobots alone at a time and place of your choosing.”

“………Emerald Coast, in an hour!” snarled Megatron.

“Very well,” finished Optimus as he terminated the call. Soundwave went through the entire database.

“Blackarachnia was telling the truth,” he reported. “Our entire database was copied and decoded.”

“Lord Megatron, I swear upon the Allspark, the spider-femme could not have survived her wounds!” yelped Starscream.

“That bit, I could forgive,” hissed Megatron, “but allowing her full access to our database?!” He grabbed Starscream by the throat. “DO YOU HAVE ANY NOTION OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR BLUNDER!?!?”

“My lord!” Starscream chocked out. “It was her feminine wiles that…!”

“ARE YOU SOME JACKHOLE LOOKING FOR A MEASLY FENDER-BENDER?!” roared Megatron as he tossed his second-in-command across the bridge. “Blackarachnia has sold a complete database to the enemy! The Autobots must be destroyed!”

“I shall organize the Decepticons and we will crush the Autobots!” offered Starscream.

“You will only bring failure to our cause!” shouted Megatron. “You have failed me enough times! You will remain on the bridge while I deal with the Autobots myself!” Megatron headed off the bridge with Knock-out following him.

“My Liege, maybe a quick stasis-nap will help you think things over,” suggested Knock-out.

“Perhaps,” replied Megatron, “but there is something I must attend to. The Harbinger carries a large store of Energon, correct?”

“Dark Energon, yes,” corrected Knock-out. “My Liege, you have more than enough with the Badge. Perhaps you should lay off on its powers. I fear too much contact at one time is adversely affecting you.”

“Maybe,” remarked Megatron as they arrived at the Dark Energon store. A large hunk of the stuff was suspended in an energy cage. “And maybe,” continued Megatron as he projected a barrier between him and Knock-out, “I have not had contact enough!” He then tore a large crystal shard of Dark Energon away from the main mass and took the Badge off. Knock-out then realized what was going on.

“My Lord! NO!” he wailed. “That will penetrate your Spark Chamber! You don’t know what it’ll do to you!” His advice went unheeded as Megatron merged the shard to the back of the Badge. Once the process was complete, Megatron plunged the new Badge into his chest, the tip piercing the Spark Chamber as Knock-out warned. The energies of the dark matter and his Spark started mixing, throwing Megatron into pain.

---

“All right, we’re ready, just have a half hour left of waiting,” reported Ironhide as everyone finished preparations, Sonic included.

“Goody. Waiting. The fun bit,” sighed Blackarachnia. “You know, Prime, if the circumstances were different, you and I would be enjoying some time on an alien beach.”

“Keep your head in what’s happening right now, Lieutenant,” directed Optimus.

“Yes, Sir,” mumbled Blackarachnia. Sonic leaned against the First Weapon, an “impact cannon” Perceptor called it.

“You ever stop to wonder how weird our lives are?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” quizzed Jazz.

“You guys are robots from another planet that turn into vehicles,” explained Sonic. “You’re on an alien world where animals can talk and build civilizations. I fight a fat scientist bent on taking over my planet. There are seven jewels that give me power. I’ve learned about wizards and witches. And, to top it all off, we’re fighting your boss’s brother. Doesn’t that seem a bit odd to you?”

“In all honesty,” replied Optimus, “the bloody history of the Cybertronians is one of oddities popping up everywhere. Normal is relative.”

“Fair point,” conceded Sonic. “Just making conversation.”

“Guys, don’t look now,” gulped Teletraan, “but a Ground Bridge opened and it ain’t mine!!”

“He’s early,” muttered Optimus. “Then again, so are we. Autobots, man your stations!” The Autobots got into position as Ratchet got the impact cannon ready. Megatron then stepped through the Ground Bridge.

“I will drench this planet in your innermost…!” he shouted before he saw the cannon.

“NOW!” ordered Optimus. An impact cannon sends out a short, but powerful sonic burst that knocks the opponent sprawling on the ground as Megatron just found out. He recovered quicker than anticipated and finally used his new fusion cannon to destroy the impact cannon.

“MEIN CANNON!” wailed Perceptor. He then activated a scope for his right eye and fired his sniper rifle. Megatron jumped straight up, then landed near Perceptor.

“I must say, old friend,” he hissed, “I never pegged you for having ANY combat skills, much less sniper skills.” He then grabbed Perceptor’s head. “You ARE full of surprises.” He then tossed Perceptor into the rest of the Autobots.

“HEY! TRAITOR!” called a voice. Ironhide, Prowl, and Ratchet leaped onto Megatron. They tried to get him to the ground.

“Oh, please,” sighed Megatron. “Do you know how many of my opponents tried this in the Pits of Kaon?” He managed to fling them off.

“Okay, really didn’t want to go this far yet, but we don’t have a choice,” declared Optimus. “Ultra Magnus, Bumblebee, it’s time. Optimus Prime, Super Mode!” As the battle frame came into reality, Bumblebee allowed the Apex Armor to encase him.

“Ultra Magnus, Battle Mode!”  announced Ultra Magnus. A smaller trailer split into parts, first forming large gauntlets, then forming tall shoulder pads with a missile on each one, then large boots, then a set of chest armor with a helmet coming down. The helmet was blue with white antennae. He then grabbed a staff with a mallet end on it and the mallet expanded. He swung it at Megatron. Sadly, Megatron grabbed it.

“Seriously?” he sighed. “You barely used your battle frame during the war. What good is a slow soldier and commanding officer?” He flung Ultra Magnus aside. “And you, runt,” he taunted to Bumblebee, “this is the first time anyone of your generation has seen the Apex Armor in this day and age, much less wore it. You don’t know its weaknesses. I, on the other hand…” he then punched the center of the armor and it collapsed into its disc form. “And since you and YOUR brother still stand on the same side, why not join him?” He tossed Bumblebee into Cliffjumper. Sadly, the impact snapped the immobilizer Cliffjumper had. “Now, YOU, Optimus, you move more fluidly in your battle frame,” mused Megatron. “I may have a challenge from you. If only I had a battle frame of my own.”

“I could hear the sarcasm dripping from your voice,” snarled Optimus. “Let’s see it.”

“Very well,” replied Megatron. “Megatron, Conquest Mode!” A dragon-like object flew from subspace and split apart. The parts and panels containing the front legs folded to become gauntlets with large blades, the right blade splitting to make room for the fusion cannon. He then made a short jump in the air and allowed boots to wrap around his feet. The last bit with the dragon head and chest became a helmet and chest armor with a winged jetpack. “I can see that look in your optics, Jazz,” taunted Megatron. “You want to hum the jingle for Drago Knight Hunter Z, correct? A Kamen Rider fan to the end, I admire that.”

“He’s not the only tokusatsu fan here!” called Optimus. He then took out the Gaburevolver and Gabutyra Zyudenchi. Jazz equipped the OOO Driver and Blackarachnia pulled out a device with a large white ring on top. She then pulled out two cards.

“The Toku Trio? Really?” protested Megatron. “See, this is why you’re falling all around me, you’re not fighting seriously. Oh well, if you’re THAT desperate for an easy win, go ahead, make with the long, drawn-out transformation sequences.”

“BRAVE IN!” announced Optimus. He pressed the button on the Zyudenchi and the image went from a silhouette to a full t-rex image. He then put it into the Gaburevolver and closed it.

“GABURINCHO! GABUTYRA!” called the gun.

“Kyoryu change!” he shouted. He then spun the chamber and started dancing to Samba music before doing a complete turn and pointing the gun at Megatron. “FIRE!” he called. A holographic t-rex head flew towards Megatron, but he simply got out of the way and let it fly back to Optimus as it chomped him. His outfit looked a lot like Kyoryu Violet, but he was red and it evoked a t-rex more than a plesiosaur. Jazz inserted the medals and tilted the Driver, scanning them as well.

“Henshin!” he announced.

“TAKA! TORA! BATTA! Tatoba! Tatoba, TATOBA!” sang the OOO Driver. His OOO armor came into existence and he struck a pose. Blackarachnia then revealed one of her cards. It had the image of a man in a silver and white bodysuit and a sliver helmet with white eyes and a blue light in the center.

“Ultraman-san!” she called. She then put the card through the ring.

“Ultraman!” announced the ring. A hologram of the person on the card, Ultraman, appeared on her left. Blackarachnia then revealed her second card. It had a person in a similar suit, but blue was thrown into the color scheme and it had a light between the eyes.

“Tiga-san!” she called. She then put the card through the ring.

“Ultraman Tiga!” declared the ring. The figure on the card, Ultraman Tiga, appeared on her right.

“I’m borrowing the power of your lights!” announced Blackarachnia as she thrust the ring into the air. Wings on each side of the ring opened as the ring glowed.

“Fusion Up!” called the ring. The two Ultramen then started glowing, Ultraman in a blue light and Ultraman Tiga in a yellow light. They then fused into her and she became an Ultraman. The light fizzled away from the feet up to reveal her in a blue, red, silver, and black color scheme with a silver helmet and glowing white eyes. There was a blue ring on her chest. “Ultraman Orb: Spacium Zeperion!” announced the ring. She then struck a pose.

“Blackarachnia as Ultraman Orb!” she introduced.

“Jazz as Kamen Rider OOO!” called Jazz.

“And Optimus Prime as Kiba no Yūsha (the Fanged Brave), Kyoryu Red!” finished Optimus.

“And together, we are the Toku Trio!” called all three as they struck a pose and explosions went off behind them.

“Where’d you get that amount of napalm?” asked Megatron. “And I thought Ultramen would grow Godzilla-sized once their transformation’s complete, shouldn’t Blackarachnia be the size of a Metrotitan?”

“I don’t need to be big to beat you!” snapped Blackarachnia.

“It’s about to get wild!” warned Optimus. “Just try and stop us!” The three then charged at Megatron as he rolled his optics. He was about to send an energy wave when a spin-dash hit him on the back of the head. The punches and kicks from the bots then hit him. He knocked them away and started looking for the mystery assailant.

“All right, who hit me before they did?!” he snarled.

“You’re too slow!” taunted Sonic as he ran by Megatron at a fast enough speed to kick sand up to his face. Megatron was blinded briefly enough for Optimus to roll the Gaburevolver down his right arm.

“Armed on!” he ordered.

“Meccha mucho!” announced the gun. Silver armor appeared on the arm and a t-rex head punching glove appeared. Optimus then swung a punch, but Megatron grabbed it and used Optimus as a club to knock Jazz and Blackarachnia down before they could unleash their attacks. All three transformations were cancelled and Megatron dismissed his Conquest mode armor, allowing him to transform and fight Sonic in his holo-form. He easily tripped Sonic up and grabbed him by the quills.

“I toppled speedsters that could reach Mach 5,” he boasted. “How fast can you go, slightly above Mach 1? Enough to make a sonic boom?” He then tossed Sonic into the groaning Autobots. “Of all the people I’ve had to fight, you lot were the most boring. Toys? Fancy gadgets being pulled out of your afts? Superpowers? Although, I can’t fully say anything against it. I DID pull a fancy gadget out of nowhere and I’ve used my own dark powers. Heck, I’m about to do so to restrain you lot so you can watch Mobodoon burn.”

“THAT’S WHERE I WAS BORN!” wailed Sonic.

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?” chuckled Megatron. His eyes then glowed purple and he fired a beam of purple light into the sand. The area then started glowing purple and he terminated the beam. What happened next can be described as sickening, for hands started sprouting from the ground, dead hands, Cybertronian hands. “See, this is why I picked Emerald Coast,” revealed Megatron. “There’s a high enough corpse count for me to practice my, admittedly, macabre skill of raising the dead. This area was once called Virginia Beach, the site of our bloodiest skirmish in the Earth campaign.” The dead then grabbed the Autobots and Sonic, holding them down. He noticed the angry looks on their faces. “What, were you expecting me to say something along the lines of ‘Behold! The power of Dark Energon!’ and cackle like a madman?” joked Megatron. “The fallen soldiers…Terrorocons, I believe they are now, make for effective minions. Though, I will admit, it’s a drain on Energon. Now, time for me to make a call.” He transformed back into robot mode and tossed a disc to the ground. The disc then projected a holographic screen. “Starscream, it is time. Begin the…wait, is that…gunfire?” He gave the image his full attention to see static. “Fix image and audio,” he ordered. The image was fixed a little and the sound became a little clearer. “Times 10,” directed Megatron. The image and audio then showed the chaos on the Harbinger’s bridge. G.U.N, Sonic’s allies, and a force of mages led by Sira were beating the Decepticons back! “WHAT IN THE PITS OF KAON IS GOING ON?!” bellowed Megatron.

“ENEMY INVASION! ENEMY INVASION!” screamed Skywarp.

“STOP SHOUTING ‘ENEMY INVASION’ AND HELP US!” shouted Thundercracker. Soundwave then went on screen.

“LORD MEGATRON! WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!” he cried.

“Obviously! What happened?!” demanded Megatron. He then heard corroded metal falling down. He turned to see the Autobots picking themselves up and Cliffjumper holding his stomach area.

“Cliff, are you all right?” asked Optimus.

“Prime,” groaned Cliffjumper, “in the extremely unlikely event you become like me, don’t swallow Anti-Sparks in one go!”

“Noted,” replied Optimus.

“What did you do?!” bellowed Megatron. “This has your name all over it, Optimus Prime! WHAT DID YOU DO?!”

“I think that’s our que,” giggled Blackarachnia.

“Oh yes!” cheered Optimus, doing a David Tenant impression. All Autobots got up and Optimus used the communi-disc Megatron activated to make a call. “Hey, Shadow, you there?”

“Team Dark’s in Engineering,” revealed Topaz, “working on the computer systems. The self-destruct codes have been deleted, so the Cons can’t rob us of our prize.”

“But…how?!” spluttered Megatron. “How did G.U.N get past the defenses?!”

“Is that Megatron?!” snapped Sira. “Sir, you are a coward of the highest magnitude!”

“Madam, who are you?!” roared Megatron.

“I am Sira, Grand High Witch of Mobius!” introduced Sira. She then fired a magic blast at Knock-out.

“Watch the paint!” he shouted.

“Mages and non-mages working together?!” screamed Megatron. “And…is that a Nebulan?!”

“Trema’s helping Sira train Amy,” explained Sonic.

“Recent events have brought the magically-inclined folks of Mobius together with their non-magic friends,” revealed Optimus, “Thus, the planet became stronger and better than us.”

“HOW?!” shouted Megatron.

“Because, they understand how differences can be strengths,” continued Optimus. “Because of a common cause, they found a way to quickly compromise and settle differences at a faster rate than our people can. In fact, that was what led to your plans backfiring!”

“Explain!” demanded Megatron.

“After you betrayed us,” began Jazz, “Optimus and Blackarachnia realized that you were trying to break him emotionally. So, they wanted to show that he’s no so easily broken in the line of duty.”

“This whole thing about us not fighting seriously?” continued Blackarachnia. “That was part of the plan. But, it had to happen at a certain Prime’s cue.”

“That’s right!” supplied Optimus. “When I contacted you, it was to show you that you can’t break an egotist like me so easily!”

“And that wasn’t all that happened when he called you,” remarked Jazz. “Teletraan was just waiting to get into your systems!”

“And when I poked your ego, you left a big, gaping security hole wide open for him to plant a virus in your defenses! Soundwave didn’t even find it until the forces of Mobius boarded your ship!” boasted Optimus.

“YOU PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL!” roared Megatron.

“Wasn’t really that hard,” replied Optimus. Megatron roared to the heavens and pulled out a whip-like device with a small ball on the end. He then pressed a button and the ball’s panels split away, held together by purple light that ran along the length of the chain and made spikes at the ball end, creating a mace. Optimus activated his axe in dual mode. “You would destroy everything you touch, Megatron!” declared Optimus as he started fighting seriously. Megatron swung the mace and got it wrapped around Optimus’ arm.

“Because everything I need to touch is food for my hunger!” announced Megatron. “My hunger for power and unity!”

“NO!” proclaimed Optimus as he boomeranged his other axe into Megatron’s face, making him release Optimus. “I’m going to put an end to your hunger once and for all, before it grows out of control!” He then knocked Megatron down. Sadly, it allowed Megatron to fling sand into Prime’s optics.

“Almost, Prime,” boasted Megatron as he got back up and powered his fusion cannon up. “But, almost doesn’t get the job done! You can’t stop me!” He fired, but Optimus rolled out of the way, drawing his own gun and combining the axes into their single mode.

“You’re old, Megatron!” taunted Optimus as he fired back. “Yesterday’s model! Ready for the scrap heap!”

“We’ll see who’s ready for the scrap heap!” snarled Megatron as he swung the mace wildly.

“Junk!” insulted Optimus as he avoided the blows. “That’s what you are! Junk!”

“SILENCE!” roared Megatron. He avoided a shot from Prime’s gun and activated his concealed blade, batting a shot towards Optimus and making him fall. “When I’m through with you, Prime, there won’t be enough pieces to smelt down for raw metal!”

“We’ll see who gets smelted, Megatron!” countered Optimus. He then activated his smokestack guns from within his Prime jets and fired while Megatron fired his fusion cannon. The two shots hit each other and caused a light. Then, a power awakened within the two bots. On some primal instinct, they gathered energy from their sparks, brought it to their right fists, and charged at each other at top speed. Their punches connected and caused an explosion, knocking the two mechs back. Megatron recovered first to give an order.

“Soundwave, activate the Ground Bridge! Scatter us across the globe!” he called. A Ground Bridge soon opened up. Optimus was picked back up by his bots. “Prime, let your people know that your efforts to stop me, while valiant, will prove fruitless in the end! Farewell!” He ran into the ground bridge and it closed. Optimus had a lot to think about.

The tone was a somber one after Optimus told them what happened. It took about two days, but Optimus and Blackarachnia were cleared for duty. Optimus confined himself to his workshop to keep himself busy with a project. Blackarachnia was walking to Ultra Magnus’ office with a pad in her hands. She rang the chime. “Enter,” bid Ultra Magnus. The door opened, and she stepped in. “Ah, 1^st Lieutenant,” he greeted. “What can I do for you?”

“I have a name change form for you,” reported Blackarachnia. “I’ve enjoyed my identity as Blackarachnia so much that I don’t want to give it up to being Elita-1 again.”

“Let me see,” directed Ultra Magnus. She handed him the pad. He looked it over. “Good, everything seems in order. Name change: approved.” He signed it and filed it.

“Thank you, Sir,” replied Blackarachnia.

“Does Optimus know?” asked Ultra Magnus.

“He was the first to know,” answered Blackarachnia.

“Good to know,” replied Ultra Magnus. There was an awkward silence, something Ultra Magnus didn’t like. “Is there something else?” he asked.

“Guilt, actually,” sighed Blackarachnia. “I feel like I should have been there for Optimus.”

“What could you have done in the condition you were in?” countered Ultra Magnus.

“I don’t know, but it would have been SOMETHING!” protested Blackarachnia

“Look, it isn’t getting defeated that’s bothering him,” answered Ultra Magnus, “it’s the fact that it’s our brother that beat him and betrayed us to the Decepticons.”

“True,” replied Blackarachnia. “I’m gonna see if I can comfort him.”

“Good luck,” bid Ultra Magnus. Blackarachnia headed out and made her way to Optimus’ workshop. Her hand reached the chime, then hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she should. She then shook her head of that doubt and rang the chime.

“Come,” said a sullen voice. It stung Blackarachnia’s Spark to hear Optimus so sad. She went in to see Optimus at a workbench with the battery Megatron had damaged. He was using special tools to get into the crack to fix the damaged circuits. After a bit of work, he put his tools aside and put his head in his hands. He then saw Blackarachnia. “Hey,” he mumbled.

“What are you doing?” asked Blackarachnia softly.

“I’ve been trying to fix the Gabutyra Zyudenchi,” answered Optimus. “Look what Megatron did to it.”

“I’m sure you can fix it,” assured Blackarachnia as she put her hand to his shoulder.

“Yeah,” sighed Optimus as he put his hand on hers. “Maybe.” They sat there in silence for a bit. “…He almost killed me,” mumbled Optimus. Blackarachnia didn’t ask who, she didn’t need to. “My own brother tried to kill me. He didn’t hesitate, I don’t think anything he did required any effort on his part. I looked up to him and he joined the Decepticons! I don’t understand why a decorated war hero like him would do this!”

“Well, you still have the relics I gathered,” answered Blackarachnia.

“Yeah, but I don’t think they’re gonna do any good in stopping him,” muttered Optimus. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do!”

“Well, if he’s the new Decepticon Leader,” offered Blackarachnia, “maybe you two could work something out that would bring peace to both parties.”

“He didn’t exactly act like he wanted to work WITH Autobots, much less FOR them,” countered Optimus. “Besides, he said he went through the Dead-end of Polyhex and concluded that the Autobot cause was the problem. Megatron’s been fighting in the Pits of Kaon, enhancing his own concentration on the nature of magic spells! The reason most mages say the spell’s name is so they can remember the nature of how magic works for that specific spell. What would teaming up with an amateur Wizard like me accomplish?! He just sees me as an obstacle to his endgame, whatever it is! He’s got a grip on power now, and he has no intention of letting go until, like an orange, he squeezes it so hard, it pulverizes! That’s all we are to him, just runoff.”

“And nothing stood out?” asked Blackarachnia.

“Not to me,” sighed Optimus. “I mean, if he has so much power…,” he then got an idea, “…if he has so much power, why didn’t he kill me?” He then stood up. “There was nothing I could do. He aimed an arm-mounted, nucleon grade fusion cannon at my face! I saw light inside the barrel! But, instead, he asked Soundwave for a Ground Bridge! Why did he run?!”

“I may have a theory,” offered Blackarachnia.

“Hit me with it,” directed Optimus.

“I’d say it’s overconfidence,” explained Blackarachnia. “Before I was stabbed, Thundercracker said that, with my death and his betrayal, Megatron would have no resistance.”

“He tried to break me emotionally!” realized Optimus. “He wanted a smooth conquest! Well, he ain’t gonna get it!” He activated his comms. “All Autobots, this is Optimus. Gather in the briefing room. I have a plan to beat the Decepticons.”

---

After Optimus briefed everyone on how they were going to beat Megatron, they set to work on the tasks assigned to them. Ultra Magnus coordinated with Alexis to get materials. Optimus was talking with Commander Topaz in getting G.U.N troops involved. “Look, I’m sorry,” he argued, “but this isn’t something I can negotiate on! Without the assistance of G.U.N, the Autobots have no hope of succeeding!”

“And how do we know,” countered Topaz, “that the intel Blackarachnia gave you will help?”

“She’s just as scared of the Decepticons as the rest of us,” answered Optimus. “Look, if it turns out to not help, you can call off your forces. But, for now, I NEED your support!” Topaz considered what he said.

“…All right, Prime,” she finally decided. “But, this is gonna be a risky operation. Many brave soldiers’ lives are on the line. If this goes fubar, you’re going to regret it!”

“If Megatron succeeds,” replied Optimus, “he won’t give us the luxury of regretting it. Prime out.” As the transmission ended, the Ground Bridge opened to let Blackarachnia, Bumblebee, and Cliffjumper return with the relics she had obtained while undercover. Bumblebee was holding the Apex Armor and grinning wildly.

“Sir, I will pay you to let me use this in the fight!” pleaded Bumblebee.

“No; you, the armor, and Cliffjumper are staying in reserve until you’re needed,” directed Optimus.

“Sir, you’re a buzzkill, you know that?” sighed Cliffjumper.

“I’ve been called worse,” replied Optimus. “Are there any more?”

“Let’s see, we’ve got a shield rod,” reported Cliffjumper as he looked into the hover sled, “a couple of doses of Red Energon, a Spark Extractor,” he held it at arm’s length, “an Immobilizer, a Resonance Blaster, Soundwave would have loved that, and a Phase Shifter.”

“Nice toys!” cheered Optimus. “Good work, you guys, especially you, Lieutenant!”

“Just doing my job,” assured Blackarachnia, happier that her boyfriend’s in better spirits. Ratchet and Perceptor came up.

“What’s your status on the First Weapon?” asked Optimus.

“Done and done,” answered Ratchet. “But, if you ask me, we should keep it in reserve. Give Bumblebee and Cliffjumper something to play with.”

“Bee’s already got a toy, supplied by Blackarachnia,” countered Optimus. “Besides, the weapon was only designed to throw him off. We need to keep up the melee attacks and hold him off until G.U.N has made progress. In the meantime, Ironhide needs help cleaning the rest of our weapons. Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, you two are helping, so try not to shoot up the walls this time!”

“No promises, Sir,” called Cliffjumper. As they headed off, Optimus used his own Scrying Orb to contact Amy.

“Amy, how goes the vote?” quizzed Optimus.

“Unfortunately, given that I’m Sira’s apprentice,” muttered Amy, “a Replacement Coven was called, one without Sira.”

“I hate those,” grumbled Optimus.

“The vote’s leaning towards yes, but it’s still too early to tell,” continued Amy “They’re aware of the deadline. Final vote’s this evening. I’ll let you know then.”

“Much appreciated,” thanked Optimus. Her image faded and Optimus switched to Trema. “Trema, how’s…?” he was interrupted by a startled Nebulan’s curses.

“Do NOT call me without warning!” roared Trema. “Especially when I’m meditating for the fight tomorrow!”

“Okay then, you just answered my question,” replied Optimus. “See you tomorrow.” The call ended.

“So, what are WE going to do?” asked Blackarachnia.

“We’re sparring,” directed Optimus. “We need to keep our skills honed. Let’s go.”

---

“Of all the ludicrous things I’ve heard, this takes the cake!!” shouted a female Mobian Badger, Senator Josie “Sticks” Beller. The Queen’s Congress was in session. “Your Majesty, you’re actually considering joining the fight with the machines against their own!”

“The Decepticons,” corrected Aleena. “I will thank you to make the distinction in future.”

“Your Majesty, we’re talking about robots!” protested Senator Beller. “You never stopped to consider slicing off the heads of Eggman’s robots!”

“These particular alien robots you seem to have an unwarranted hatred of,” muttered the Queen, “have benefited us with their technology. They have done no harm to us.”

“Lies!” shouted Senator Beller. “Ever since they’ve arrived, we’ve had skirmishes with Shockwave, Commander Tower betrayed us for MECH, a Wizard attacks us, and, on top of that, we’ve had Eggman-shaped Transformers. All of this would never have happened if the Transformers actually obeyed whatever peace treaty was in place!”

“All of those events,” countered a businessman, a male human by the name of G.B. Blackrock, “would have happened anyway. From what I could tell, they were simply lying in wait.”

“From what YOU could tell?!” snapped Senator Beller. “Well, if the head of Blackrock Enterprises says they’re all right, they’re all right! Mr. Blackrock, who’s to say that they won’t attack one of your solar towers?! Your defenses won’t hold out!”

“I’ve worked with Ratchet; they can hold out now!” assured Mr. Blackrock.

“I don’t believe this!” wailed Senator Beller. “Mr. Blackrock, you’ve allowed soulless machines to infect your company and…!”

“JOSIE BELLER!” thundered Aleena as she slammed her hand onto the armrest of the throne. “You will cease this vilification of the Autobots or I will have you relieved of your duties as Senator!” Senator Beller glared at the Queen, then slowly sat back down. “The decision has been made. I’m joining my son and the Autobots in their plan.”

---

“Overreacting?!” protested Starscream to his trine-mates. “I am most certainly NOT overreacting! I AM justifiably angry that the social order here has been disrupted by a former stuttering Autobot idiot who fought in Kaon, claimed to have mastered the Badge’s dark powers, and struts around as if he’s been a Decepticon his entire life!”

“See, that’s your problem,” mused Skywarp, “you let everything get to you. You being whiny about the situation is only going to give Megatron more spots to pick on and give more credibility to the bots loyal to him.”

“I am NOT being whiny!” grumbled Starscream.

“Yes, you are,” countered Thundercracker. “And, over whom? Megatron, of all bots! If this whole thing turns out to be a snafu, then he’s the one getting the fall.”

“Even so,” muttered Starscream, “he’s got the D.J.D on his side. No way would they leave Jhiaxus alive.”

“I don’t know, it’s not them I need to be worried about with a half-done job,” argued Skywarp. “He needed YOU to kill that spider-femme.”

“True,” conceded Starscream, his smirk returning. “He probably doesn’t have the Spark to kill! It’s amazing how he survived the war as an Autobot!”

“I heard his major was in Mathematics!” giggled Skywarp.

“Maybe he should have stayed in the classroom!” laughed Thundercracker. As they laughed, Starscream felt talons on his wing. He was then flung causally over Megatron’s shoulder! He was wearing Cybertronian glasses and holding a pad.

“Let’s see, if I calculated the trajectory right,” he mused, “Starscream should hit the ground in 3, 2, 1.” Starscream landed, none too gracefully. “Perfect, as always,” boasted Megatron. “Would anyone else care to test Peel-out’s trajectory formula?”

“No, thank you!” yelped Thundercracker.

“Are you sure?” offered Megatron. “It will help to see if the formula needs editing.”

“We’re good!” assured Skywarp. Megatron’s glasses folded and retracted into his helmet.

“Perhaps, next time, you’ll think twice about your words against me,” he rasped. He then stormed off to the bridge.

“Skywarp, Thundercracker, I’m making a new rule!” announced Starscream. “We DON’T make fun of mathematicians!”

“Agreed!” called Skywarp.

“Never again!” confirmed Thundercracker.

After that bombshell was dropped, Ratchet ordered everyone out of the Med-bay. He needed privacy while he patched up Blackarachnia. Optimus had confined himself to his office to try and understand why she retired from the Spy-Changers. The door chime rang. “Come,” he called. Ratchet came in.

“Elita’s asked for all Autobots to join her,” he reported.

“On my way,” answered Optimus. Time to get some answers. He headed to the Med-bay to see Blackarachnia sitting upright and awake. “I’d offer a hug,” said Optimus, “but, given that you’re recovering from a stab wound and with the severity of the situation, I’m holding back.”

“I appreciate that,” replied Blackarachnia, “because the news I’ve brought back will show why I’ve retired so early in my Spy-Changer career.” She then turned to everyone. “Autobots, we’ve been exposed. Soundwave’s managed to get his servos on our personnel files, even mine. The Decepticons were supplied that kind of information because of an informant in your ranks.”

“Just us?” asked Bumblebee.

“Corporal Bumblebee!” hissed Ultra Magnus.

“She could have gotten into our base and sold that info to the Cons!” accused Bumblebee.

“I DID get into the base when Teletraan went haywire,” answered Blackarachnia.

“You see?!” snapped Bumblebee.

“But, E123-Omega was there and scared me off before I could get anything!” argued Blackarachnia. “My Spark would snuff itself out from shame if I ever betrayed the Autobots!”

“Pretty words mean nothing!” shouted Bumblebee.

“Enough!” roared Ultra Magnus. “You are out of line! Any more outbursts and I strip you of the Autobrand!”

“No one’s doing anything of the sort!” called Optimus. “I have a better means of checking Elita’s words.” He then drew his axe. “My axe is a mighty weapon. So mighty, it can kill anyone who attempts to lie while holding it to their neck.” Blackarachnia grabbed it and held it to her neck.

“I swear on Primus himself; I did NOT betray the Autobots!” She waited a few seconds. “…Well?”

“Hand it over, you pass,” replied Optimus. “Ultra Magnus, you and Ironhide can go. I know you sacrificed too much to betray us.”

“I’m staying,” answered Ultra Magnus as he held the axe to his neck. “I’m not concerned about my innocence, but I want to know who did it.”

“My daughter gave her life for the Autobots,” announced Ironhide as he did the same. “I want to know who spat on it, because I would never dare!”

“All right, you two can stay,” agreed Optimus. “Corporal, since you were the one pointing the finger…” Bumblebee took the axe.

“I wouldn’t make the accusation if I felt I couldn’t prove my own innocence,” he declared. “Nonetheless, I apologize for being rude to you, Ma’am.” Cliffjumper then took the axe.

“Bee and I lost too much,” he answered. “Selling us out to the Cons is a step in the wrong direction.” Ratchet took the axe.

“Selling out that information would be doing harm,” he replied. “Hippocrates had the right idea about NOT doing any harm.” Prowl’s turn.

“This whole thing would be a breach of Autobot law,” he proclaimed. “I would have already resigned from law enforcement in shame.” Jazz’s turn.

“Turning on my best friend would be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made,” he assured, “especially since you got a court martial off my aft.” Perceptor’s turn.

“I’m a scientist, not a spy,” he insisted. “I will not sell us out!” Optimus then held the axe to his own neck.

“I’m not about to betray us,” he declared. “That would make me lose the trust you have in me. I’m not prepared to lose that.”

“Hold the axe to the monitor,” bid Teletraan. Prime did so. “I’m an Autobot a.i. I see no logic in betraying the faction that programmed me.”

“I don’t understand,” hissed Jazz. “Everyone here has been tested and no one’s the traitor!”

“Maybe Elita was mistaken,” remarked Ratchet.

“No, Soundwave had a data cylinder on us!” insisted Blackarachnia. “I saw it with my own optics! Starscream gave me proof!”

“Then who’s…wait, where’s Megatronus?!” yelped Optimus.

“Guys,” reported Teletraan, “Megatronus has switched off his transponder!”

---

Megatronus was busy copying data over to a data cylinder. It was already 98% copied. “By the Allspark!” he muttered to himself. “How many battles have you had?!”

“More than enough!” rasped a voice. Megatronus turned to see Shadow standing behind him.

“Sh-Sh-Shadow, right?” he stammered.

“Don’t even try!” roared Shadow. “Teletraan showed me what was going on in the medical bay and they’ve figured there was a traitor in their midst! I noticed you weren’t there, so I decided to pay a visit and find you!”

“Oh, they’ve started to suspect already?” sighed Megatronus, dropping the stutter. “A bit earlier than expected. Still, it doesn’t matter. I’m near enough to start my plans already.” A PING sound indicated the data cylinder was ready. “Perfect!” he cheered. He then took the cylinder. “I’ll be taking this data to my bots in the Decepticon camp, if you don’t mind.”

“I DO mind, you freak of nature!” shouted Shadow as he got into a fighting stance. Megatronus smirked.

“That’s rich, coming from a Black Arms experiment,” he chuckled. He then made a swipe at Shadow.

“CHAOS CONTROL!” shouted Shadow. He appeared behind Megatronus. “CHAOS SPEAR!” He launched a dozen Chaos Spears at the bot, but Megatron smirked. He then gestured, and a black mist came from behind him and swallowed up the attack. He then gestured again, causing the attack to launch itself out of the mist and hit Shadow.

“Absorbent et reflectunt,” explained Megatronus. “A darker version of it. It absorbs attacks and uses said attacks against the opponent.”

“You didn’t…!” gasped Shadow.

“Say a word?” finished Megatronus. “My mother is a Camien. Those of Caminus need not concern themselves with uttering the words of a spell. They simply gesture and it happens.” Megatronus’ tube then split and rejoined on top of his forearm. He aimed the weapon and fired.

---

“Fusion cannon discharge!” called Ironhide as the noise of Megatronus’ weapon rang throughout the base.

“From the server room!” replied Teletraan. Optimus took off and made it down the hall when Megatronus barreled through him.

“HEY!” shouted Optimus.

“Megatronus has a data cylinder!” called Shadow. “Stop him!” Optimus heard the Ground Bridge open and saw Megatronus go through. He transformed and followed him. Their destination was a mountainside. Megatronus set up a machine for data transmission and took the data cylinder when Optimus transformed, took out his gun, fired on the cylinder and destroyed it. Megatronus wheeled around to give Optimus a dirty look.

“Do you have any notion of what you’ve just done?!” he roared.

“What I don’t have any notion of,” snapped Optimus, “is to whom were you sending that data to!”

“My bots, that’s who!” replied Megatronus. He then decked Optimus. Optimus wasn’t given enough time to recover as Megatronus swung punch after punch into him. Finally, Megatronus grabbed Prime’s head and slammed him into the rock. Optimus shook his head of the dizziness.

“All right,” he muttered as he took out his Gaburevolver, “we’re doing this!” He took out a battery that was red, had 1 on one end, and the silhouette of a t-rex. “Brave…!” He didn’t get far as Megatronus grabbed his hand, squeezing and twisting it, cracking the battery. He then tossed Prime aside.

“Moron,” he growled.

“What has gotten into you!?” shouted Optimus.

“The suffering of Cybertronians, that’s what!” hissed Megatronus.

“What are you talking about?!” asked Optimus.

“Since my plans had to be accelerated,” replied Megatronus, “I might as well tell you. After the war ended, I was under the impression that Autobots and Decepticons would cast aside their optic colors and badges and unite as one people. During a party commemorating the Pax Cybertronia, I noticed a shadowy figure by the building. I excused myself to follow that figure and it led me to the Dead-End of that City-state, Polyhex, home of the largest collection of Empties, mainly Decepticon! I then realized what the problem was; the Autobots and their ideals I once fought for! For them, there is no poverty, no crime, no war! You look out the window of the Autobot Academy and you see Paradise! Well, it’s easy to be a saint in Paradise, but the Decepticons do not live in Paradise! Outside the golden walls of Autobot City-states, among the tarnished silver that makes up the majority of Cybertron, all the problems haven’t been solved yet! In all Dead-ends, there ARE no saints, just people, angry, scared, determined people who are hell-bent on doing whatever it takes to survive, whether it meets with Autobot approval or not! As the problem was lain bare at my feet, I grew to loathe the blue tint of my optics, so I started to learn about my former enemies. Over time, I learned about the Gladiatorial Pits of Kaon and joined it as a gladiator! My first fight caused some voice box damage, giving me the rasp you hear now, but the trade-up was that I was cured of my stutter. Over time, I rose through the ranks and earned the respect of the Decepticons. When I was crowned Champion, I used my position to make my case. The Decepticons needed a leader to bring them to glory, not a centerpiece that would cower in fear of Autobots. So, I assembled the D.J.D and told them that they were to wait until Jhiaxus was alone and devoid of the Badge of Command. I would indicate when that was done. After I took it from his home, yes, I stole it, I told the D.J.D to wait until he was alone. It took a while as I broke Starscream and his compatriots out of the Stockade. The whole ‘steal the Harbinger’ thing was a nice twist, since Knock-out suggested that Earth would be a good place to restart the Decepticon Empire. Unfortunately, Starscream didn’t get the message about my position and took off before he could get any instructions, so I joined Ultra Magnus, Perceptor, and Jhiaxus to retake the Harbinger. Obviously, fate smiled on me as it continued unimpeded to Earth, Mobius now. When we crashed, I took the liberty of getting into the personnel files and became very interested about Blackarachnia. I soon found her out and so sent the files to Soundwave. We know your strengths and weaknesses now. That data cylinder you shot had the adventures you had on this planet, but my bots can make do without that knowledge.”

“Megatronus, you can’t possibly mean…” gasped Optimus as horror hit him like a freight train.

“I don’t serve the Decepticons,” elaborated Megatronus as he turned, letting his optic lenses fall into his hand and taking off the Autobot symbol on his chest. He then turned back to face Optimus, optics closed and his arms in front of his chest. “…I COMMAND THEM!” As if the force of those words made them do so, he flung his arms aside, tossing the crushed remains of the lenses and badge. His optics opened to reveal glowing, blood-red optics and a shining, purple Decepticon symbol emblazoned on his chest. Optimus quickly called the base.

“AUTOBOTS! MEGATRONUS…!” he didn’t get very far as Megatronus activated a concealed sword under the fusion cannon and slashed across Optimus’ chest. Optimus fell, clutching his chest. He was then grabbed by the neck and hoisted above Megatronus.

“The name is Megatron!” he growled. “I suggest you remember that, because Cybertron and Mobius are mine!” He then threw Optimus to the ground and aimed his fusion cannon at him. Light came from inside the cannon barrel, but it was never sent out. If anything, after a few seconds of holding the charge, he powered the cannon down and activated his comms. “Soundwave, the Autobots figured it out ahead of schedule and destroyed the data I had copied over. Thankfully, we can still continue ahead of schedule. I require a Ground Bridge.”

“DUUUUUUDE, as you command, Lord Megatron!” cheered Soundwave. A ground bridge opened and Megatronus, now Megatron, stepped through. Optimus lay there, leaking Energon and going into emergency stasis. The last thing he heard was Ratchet’s sirens before everything going black.

Samantha was in her “Tuesday image”, as she called it, an orange version of the outfit she wore last night. She was looking at what Powell said about her accepting help from his company, not true at all, and was swiping at the air with her claws as she yowled in anger. The police were holding her back. Prowl, in robot mode, looked on with his arms folded. “You know, given what happened to me, I don’t think I would hold her back,” he remarked.

“Why not?” asked the Chief, a female, Mobian, Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake called Michelle.

“Because someone mistook me for their Prowler this morning!” growled Prowl. “I was doing a patrol with Walter and a family was moving the TV they bought towards my trunk, mistaking me for their car. ‘Sweetie,’ asked the husband, ‘are you sure the TV can fit?’”

“‘Of course, darling!’ assured the wife. ‘It’s a Prowler!’”

“‘No, it’s Prowl!’ shouted Walter. ‘Do you not see the siren lights on top?!’”

“‘Or the Autobot symbol on my hood?!’ I continued. At that point, the crook ran off with sacks of rings and we went in pursuit. He was driving a Prowler as well. ‘Oh, for the love of…DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK THESE CARS ARE A BAD IDEA?!’ I shouted.”

“‘They look gaudy as Hell!’ agreed Walter. ‘Powell DEFINITELY had a hand in this!’ We managed to stop the crook as the car rolled over at a slight turn.”

“‘And poorly constructed,’ I observed as I extracted the crook from the car. ‘No way would Mrs. Urbana allow such a car on the road if she KNEW the condition.’”

“‘Sadly, she had no knowledge on what kind of crap her brother pulled on her,’ remarked Walter. ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if it exploded.’ No sooner had he said that, the car exploded! ‘I WAS KIDDING!’ he shouted.”

“The Prowler 500 is a literal bomb?!” wailed Samantha.

“And I got the investigator’s report,” continued Prowl. “Apparently, the fuel tank is placed so far in the front, it would cause an explosion on impact.”

“Powell will just dress it up as saying that it was Operator’s Error,” sighed Samantha. “He’ll never admit a mistake if it exposes him.” At that point, the TV started showing Powell.

“My name is Porter C. Powell,” he announced, “and I admit that I’ve made a mistake. I’ve let my sister make too ordinary of a car. That’s why I want YOU to ‘Pimp the Prowler!’”

“That’s never gonna sound right, no matter HOW you dress it,” gagged Michelle.

“I’m calling all customizers, car wrappers, and cash craving creatives,” continued Powell, “to design the freshest, the funkiest, and the freakiest Prowler 500 on the road!”

“Who uses those words in a commercial?!” snapped Samantha.

“It looks like the event is on Thursday,” mused Prowl. “Mrs. Urbana, how much is it for a paintjob? I think I have an idea on how to get your brother. He’s ignored 29 summons from the Police.”

“…You’re planning on causing an upset for him, aren’t you?” realized Samantha as she grinned. “If that’s the case, and if your superiors are okay with it, it’s on the house.”

“I’m fine with it,” replied Michelle.

“I’ll just check with Optimus and Ultra Magnus,” declared Prowl.

---

The day came, and Powell looked at all the Prowlers that were competing. “I think we have our winner,” guessed Powell. He passed by another Prowler in a sky blue color with stars littering the body.

“You just HAVE to check out the interior,” replied a Mobian in a beard and hoodie.

“Don’t mind if I do,” assured Powell. He came into the passenger’s seat as the mystery Mobian went behind him. “I really don’t see what’s…” the door shut automatically. Another mystery Mobian, the driver, then hit the gas and they sped off. The way the driver took the turns made the wheels leave the ground briefly. “WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO, KILL ME?!” screamed Powell. “DON’T YOU KNOW THESE THINGS ROLL OVER ON A TURN AT TWENTY MILES PER HOUR!?” The car then stopped, hard, in front of a wall. “I DEMAND you let me out!” ordered Powell. “The designs my agents snuck past Samantha make them unsafe at ANY speed! They explode on impact! They’re nothing but energy-guzzling death traps!”

“Once more for the public,” called the mystery Mobian as its voice changed. It was a voice Powell was VERY familiar with. He turned around to see the hood being pulled back and the false beard coming off of Samantha Urbana’s face. Her rose was green, as was her outfit underneath her disguise.

“Samantha?!” gulped Powell. He then relaxed. “Well, nothing a little scrubbing can’t handle. Let’s see…kidnapping…”

“Don’t bother!” replied the driver as he shimmered and shifted into Prowl’s holo-form. “Take a look under my rear-view mirror.” Powell then saw a lens underneath, a broad view lens. Samantha then pointed to the billboard on the Main Plaza Tower. It was showing what was going on in Prowl’s interior!

“YOU DIDN’T…! YOU…!” spluttered Powell. “How long?! How long has that been filming?!”

“The instant we rolled into the ‘Pimp the Prowler’ event,” explained Prowl.

“From what the Chief said,” continued Samantha, “you’ve ignored 29 summons from the police during the public outcry against you!”

“Thus,” finished Prowl as he activated Powell’s seat belt and made the warrant come out of the glove box, “you’re being placed under arrest for Public Endangerment, Corporate Sabotage, and threats of retaliation! You have the right to remain…!”

“I’m familiar with the Miranda Rights, thank you!” dismissed Powell. “I want my lawyer!”

“Somehow, I thought you’d say that,” remarked Prowl.

“Mark me, though, Prowl,” hissed Powell, “I’ll be walking out of this! They can’t make charges stick on Porter C. Powell!”

---

Powell was wrong. After the trial, it was determined that Powell Motorworks would fund the recall of the Prowler 500. Powell, himself, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The Prowler 500 was taken off the market and Powell Motorworks was crippled. They could still operate, but they were no longer the motor vehicle juggernaut they once were, that title was given to Urbana Industries. Samantha DID cover her end by issuing an apology to her clientele. She felt that, by letting Powell’s agents get into HER company, she let her customers down. The overwhelming support she got had insured her company’s future. They didn’t blame her in the slightest. Back at base, Prowl was watching the press conference on the main monitor. “By the Covenant, it’s good to be back in my usual colors,” he sighed as he looked over his paint-job.

“What I can’t understand,” muttered Ultra Magnus, “is why you would WANT to go around in that gaudy paint-job!”

“It was needed to bring Powell to justice,” assured Prowl. “What I wanted was irrelevant, sir.”

“Hey, bots!” called Optimus’ voice. He came running up holding a disc in his hands. “Bee and I found this old diary!” said Optimus. “He thinks it was made in the 1980’s!” Prowl’s optics widened as his door-wings went up.

“Er, Prime,” gulped Prowl. “You may want to give that to me! It’s a historical artefact! It could be delicate!”

“What’s this I hear about an old war diary?” asked Jazz’s voice. He and Sonic then came into view. “Let’s see!”

“Guys, NO!” shouted Prowl. Too late. Optimus switched the diary on and saw 80’s Prowl! He once transformed into a police issue Datsun 280ZX Turbo. 80’s Prowl had leg warmers and a sweatband on as he was doing aerobics with 80’s exercise music playing in the background. As Optimus, Sonic, and Jazz laughed, Ultra Magnus gave a look of stark confusion.

“Prowl!” Optimus managed to get out. “Is that you?! Are you…waving your leg for help!?”

“Prime, that’s my diary!” snapped Prowl, going red with embarrassment. “Exercise videos were very popular in the 80’s! I thought I’d make one for Cybertronians!”

“Most undignified,” observed Ultra Magnus, “but that DOES amuse me!”

“Optimus, give me that,” hissed Prowl as Optimus kept it in the air. “Seriously, gimme!”

“Catch me if you can!” taunted Optimus as he ran down the hall.

“You should know better than to say that to Prowl!” called Jazz. “He’s a cop!”

“Don’t make me chase you!” sighed Prowl. He then rolled his optics, then ran down the hall in pursuit.

“OH SCRAP! ARE YOU WEARING CLEATS?!” squawked Optimus. The chase was on! Sonic, Jazz, and Ultra Magnus started laughing.

“He won’t change in some respects, will he?” chuckled Sonic.

“No, I don’t suppose he…” an alarm cut Jazz off. “The External Perimeter alarm!” he yelped. Optimus and Prowl stopped the chase and returned to the Command center.

“That doesn’t make sense,” remarked Optimus as he handed Prowl’s diary back to him. “All Autobots are inside.”

“It’s not an Autobot outside the base,” explained Teletraan. “Take a look.” He showed what was going on outside the base. Blackarachnia was walking towards them holding her hand to her side. It was a slow walk.

“That’s bold of her,” observed Optimus. “Jazz, Prowl, Ultra Magnus, with me. Let’s see what she wants. Teletraan, keep the defenses on standby.” They strode out to meet Blackarachnia as the base defenses trained themselves on her. “This is rather bold of you,” called Optimus. “I thought you’d be a little sneakier.” Blackarachnia said nothing, just walking forward. “No quips? No snark? No speech about how the Autobots failed Cybertron? No images from your Chrono-knife showing suffering Decepticons?” Still nothing. It was then that Optimus noticed how she was walking. “Are…you limping?” he quizzed.

“Retirement…9-2-1-8…black!” she gasped. Optimus then saw pink spatters around the hand that was holding her side. He ran forward and caught her as she fell. Upon closer inspection, he saw that she had torn metal under the hand. “Retirement…9-2-1-8…black!” she repeated.

“She’s wounded!” shouted Optimus. “Help me get her inside!” The other Autobots helped Optimus pick her up and they carried her inside to Med-bay. Ratchet got her stabilized and started fixing the stab wound. “Did she tear into her metal?” asked Optimus.

“Judging by the way it was punctured,” explained Ratchet, “I’d say this is a stab wound.”

“And most self-stabbings aren’t so clean,” supplied Prowl. “This was done by someone else.”

“Teletraan, look through ALL the files relating to the code 9-2-1-8 black,” directed Optimus.

“I found one official file,” reported Teletraan. “It’s supposed to be a verification code for the Obsidian Order of Star Trek: Deep Space 9.”

“Any unofficial files?” asked Optimus.

“It’s a restricted access file,” explained Teletraan. “I can’t get through.”

“Clearance Code: Prime Omega,” announced Optimus.

“Access granted,” reported Teletraan. “It appears to be a Spy-Changer’s retirement code.”

“Retirement code?” asked Ratchet.

“When a Spy-Changer has to leave the service, like in times of age or if their position is compromised,” explained Optimus, “the Spy-Changer can use their retirement code to get out of deep cover and return to normal life. Teletraan, can you find out whose retirement code that is?”

“Working on it now,” replied Teletraan. “…Uh oh.”

“Uh oh?” repeated Optimus.

“That’s the retirement code for Elita-1,” elaborated Teletraan, “working under the alias of Blackarachnia!” All eyes turned to Blackarachnia.

“That’s…my girlfriend?!” yelped Optimus.

Ratchet was put into stasis as Optimus checked both him and Megatronus over. “By Primus, this is nerve-wracking!” he muttered to himself.

“It’s-s-s n-n-not s-so b-bad,” assured Megatronus.

“You’re not the one wielding a laser scalpel!” gulped Optimus. “Now, please be quiet. I have to put you in stasis.”

“G-G-Good luck,” bid Megatronus. He laid down on the table and Optimus was about to induce stasis when a call came through. Grimlock came up.

“Prime? Where’s Ratchet?” he asked.

“C-C-Currently b-busy,” replied Megatronus.

“Oh, Primus,” growled Grimlock as irritation crossed his features. “Look, we spotted MECH running around with a t-cog in tow and need your help to get it back, so we can properly lay that bot to rest.”

“Th-Th-That’s n-not a d-d-dead t-t-t-t-cog!” yelped Megatronus. “W-W-We n-need…!”

“OH FOR THE LOVE OF…!” roared Grimlock as he couldn’t stand people with a stutter. “GIVE ME SOMEONE WHO HAS A FUNCTIONING VOICE-BOX!”

“Danger!” announced his warning.

“Hey! Don’t be dissing my brother!” snapped Optimus.

“What?!” called Ratchet as he sat up suddenly, looking loopy. “Do I hear a Fuzor in need of voice-box repair?!”

“WHAT’S A FUZOR?!” roared Grimlock. “WHAT’S GOING ON OVER THERE?!”

“Danger!” his warning said again.

“I am able!” slurred Ratchet, sounding like a drunk. “Just ask Bantor! He was all mandrill before I…put a tiger in his tank!” He crashed back onto the berth. Grimlock’s anger was replaced by confusion.

“Look, Megatronus lost his t-cog at the hands of MECH,” explained Optimus. “We need their coordinates to get it back.”

“But, what about Ratchet?” protested Teletraan.

“Keep watch on him and tell him what’s going on the instant he wakes up,” ordered Optimus. “Well, Megatronus, surgery’s been postponed. Let’s roll out!”

“R-Ratchet’s not g-g-gonna be happy,” gulped Megatronus as he followed his brother out of the med-bay.

---

“The Prowler 500!” announced a female Mobian Exotic Shorthair cat, Mrs. Samantha Urbana of Urbana Industries. She wore a red evening dress with one strap on her left shoulder and frill around the neckline and armhole. She had a red rose behind her left ear and had a hidden microphone on her ruby necklace. “Sleek! Fast! Fuel Efficient! Those words describe our newest car exactly! Perfect for a little racing or for a soccer mom! That’s right, the Prowler 500! Autobot tested and approved! It won’t just rock your world; it will transform it!” The crowd gave their applause as the event ended. As she headed off to her car, Prowl cleared his throat. He was in his holo-form. “Ah, Officer Prowl!” she said pleasantly. “What can I do for the Station Square Police Department and the Autobots?”

“We’d like to know why you’re advertising a vehicle that hasn’t been retired from police service yet,” explained Prowl. Samantha’s tail stopped moving as her ears drooped slightly and a look of confusion crossed her features.

“The police HAVEN’T retired that type of car?” she asked.

“No, Ma’am, the current fleet of police vehicles still has the type of cruiser that I turn into,” confirmed Prowl.

“Let’s talk somewhere private,” directed Samantha. When they were alone, she went deep in thought. “What you said doesn’t make sense. Market Research was told that the police is retiring their fleet for new cars.”

“That’s unusual, given the record of your Market Research department,” mused Prowl.

“Didn’t our dad say that it was poor taste to whisper in corners?” asked a sleazy male voice. Samantha’s ears flattened, and her tail was moving back and forth in anger. She allowed a growl to escape her throat as a large male Mobian Exotic Shorthair cat approached them. He had a white suit with mauve trim and a mullet. “Samantha, my dear sister,” said the cat with slime ball sleaziness practically oozing out of his words.

“Porter,” she hissed.

“Mr. Powell,” muttered Prowl.

“And Officer Prowl,” bid Porter C. Powell. “Tell me, did you register the patent and copyright your name and image?”

“…No…” replied Prowl.

“Good, because it wouldn’t have helped,” chuckled Powell. “Francine was very clever in finding loopholes for you to get ahead, little sister.”

“…She lied!” hissed Samantha. “She’s one of your toads!”

“Samantha, Prowl is a public figure,” countered Powell, “and our respective companies have been making and selling these exact same police cruisers for years, supplying police departments and paramilitary organizations across the planet with these EXACT…SAME…VEHICLES. He’s lucky I don’t sue him. Besides, Francine’s a Pig, not a Toad.”

“Porter C. Powell, this is corporate sabotage at its finest!” snarled Prowl.

“And where’s the proof that this conversation happened?” asked Powell. “Or your arrest warrant?” Prowl gave off a dog’s growl. “Just keep in line and we’ll call it even.” He then sauntered off. Once out of visual and hearing range, Samantha gave off her angriest yowl.

“Awkward position for your company?” guessed Prowl.

“Urbana Industries can’t afford a recall at this stage!” she hissed. “And I can’t ask Powell to cover our rear, he’ll attach strings to it!”

“Well, I don’t need a canine’s nose to smell the guilt radiating from Powell,” remarked Prowl. “The Station Square Police Department and Autobots will assist you in any way we can.”

“I appreciate that, Officer Prowl,” replied Samantha. “In the meantime, I better get some help from my lawyers and start finding out how many of Powell’s flunkies are in my company.”

“YOUR company?” quizzed Prowl.

“My husband willed his company to me,” explained Samantha, “on the condition that I run it better than he did. I like to think I am and I’m not letting my brother drag it through the mud!”

“Any particular reason why he wants to?” asked Prowl.

“Probably to ‘teach me a lesson’,” she hissed. “Urbana Industries and Powell Motorworks were rivals once, and the fact that my husband was a Mobian Rex Fancy Rat stirred up the old racial purity thing!”

“Even among Mobians, there’s a belief in racial purity?” wailed Prowl.

“Disgusting, yes,” agreed Samantha, “but most of us believe love conquers all. We just need to be vigilant with the rest of the population so we don’t have any race riots.”

“I see,” sighed Prowl. “In any case, I need to tell the Chief and Optimus about this. Let’s meet tomorrow to discuss this.”

“All right. Police HQ at 9:00 work?” inquired Samantha.

“Perfect,” confirmed Prowl. He then got a chime on his comms. “Yes? …Really?! Where?! ……On my way!” He hung up. “Sorry, ma’am. Autobot business.”

“Good luck,” she bid. Prowl headed to his vehicle mode and sped off to where he got the transmission, leaving Samantha Urbana to ponder her next move.

---

Ratchet stirred from stasis. He did a visual sweep of the med-bay. “Where did everyone go?” he asked.

“They’re off fighting MECH,” explained Teletraan.

“NOW?!” yelped Ratchet. “Megatronus is still recovering from surgery!”

“Er, about that, you may want to switch on your laser scalpel,” gulped Teletraan.

“How?!” quizzed Ratchet, Subconsciously, he activated it. The instrument came out of his forearm. Ratchet then put two and two together. “There wasn’t a surgery! Those idiots! Why did they let themselves get distracted by MECH’s move?!”

“Grimlock found Megatronus’ t-cog,” elaborated Teletraan. “They’re fighting for it right now.”

“Give me a Ground Bridge there!” ordered Ratchet.

“You’re still recovering from induced stasis!” protested Teletraan.

“I’m the doctor and I say I’m fine!” dismissed Ratchet. “Ground Bridge! Now!” Teletraan, reluctantly, complied and sent him to the area MECH had set up their base of operations. Optimus, Prowl, Megatronus, and Grimlock were caught in a firefight. “You just couldn’t make the incision, could you?!” snarled Ratchet.

“Not now!” snapped Optimus. “We need a way in!”

“Allow me!” called Grimlock. He fired a shot through the line and then ignored his warnings, turning into his t-rex mode and barreling through. The rest followed him as they headed for the storage barn holding the attempted MECH Transformer and Sylvia and Blackarachnia. The Spider-bot fired her webs, but the two Pax children dodged. Sylvia then pulled out her gun and fired on the bots. The Autobots fired back while Grimlock tossed the soldiers around.

“This is getting intolerable,” hissed Sylvia. “Blackarachnia, stay behind to keep the Autobots in check while we move to our new facility. Purge the place of any sensitive materials. MECH, move out!”

“I’m not one of your foot soldiers, I’m a consultant!” protested Blackarachnia to the retreating MECH soldiers. At that point, Grimlock headbutted her right into a wall near the robot. When she recovered, she swiped the t-cog from the robot and leveled her gun at it. “One more step and the t-cog is fried!”

“Blackarachnia, you’d never dare!” shouted Optimus.

“I’m a Decepticon, try me,” countered Blackarachnia.

“Y-You’re b-b-bluffing!” stammered Megatronus.

“B-B-Bluffing, am I?” mocked Blackarachnia.

“Blackarachnia, hand over the t-cog!” ordered Optimus.

“You’re in no position to make demands!” shouted Blackarachnia. She forgot a rampaging Grimlock as she was tail-swiped by him She lost her grip on the t-cog, so she took the opportunity to fire on it. The two Pax children tried to reach for it, but to no avail. The shot hit its mark. They hit the floor, slowly to them, as the charred remains of a t-cog bounced uselessly before stopping. “Time to roll out, because I can!” boasted Blackarachnia as she transformed and sped off. Grimlock stopped in his rage long enough to see what had happened. The Autobots snapped out of their daze and scooped up the t-cog, rejoining Prowl and Ratchet.

“Teletraan!” called Optimus. “Ground Bridge to Med-bay! NOW!”

---

The Autobots had gathered outside the Med-bay as Ratchet worked on Megatronus’ t-cog. All the Dyno-bots were there too. Grimlock was leaning against the wall with his arms folded, his features hiding his guilt. It didn’t fool Optimus. “It was hardly your fault,” he assured.

“I allowed my anger to control me,” argued Grimlock. “If I didn’t tail-swipe her, Megatronus wouldn’t be in this state. I owe him an apology. Don’t bother saying it wasn’t my fault; it was, my emotional state be damned.” At that point, they heard the hiss of the Med-bay door opening. Ratchet and Megatronus came out.

“I…I did what I could,” sighed Ratchet.

“My brother could not have been in better hands, my friend,” assured Optimus.

“W-W-Well,” gulped Megatronus, “time to t-try.”

“Megatronus, easy,” urged Ratchet.

“B-But I n-n-need to t-t-transform!” protested Megatronus.

“Megatronus, please!” begged Ratchet. “Recovery takes time!”

“T-Transform!” ordered Megatronus. The armor twitched, but no transformation happened.

“The damage was…severe,” said Ratchet.

“T-Transform!” repeated Megatronus. Still nothing. “M-M-MEGAT-T-TRONUS, T-T-TRANSF-F-FORM!” Still nothing. Megatronus sighed. Then, just as he gave up hope, the armor shifted and he folded into his vehicle mode! His holo-form came online, and he jumped for joy! “I-I-If you w-will excuse m-me,” he called as he climbed inside hid vehicle mode, “I n-n-need to g-g-go for a d-drive!” He then sped out of the base.

“Easy on the t-cog!” shouted Grimlock. “Don’t wear it out!”

“Speaking of t-cogs,” replied Swoop. He then jabbed Grimlock in the back with a needle. Grimlock then grabbed Swoop and slammed him against the wall.

“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t tear you a new one!” he roared.

“Did the warning flash?” asked Swoop.

“At the moment, I feel like…like…like…like…like I haven’t heard it, what the scrap?” quizzed Grimlock as he let Swoop down. Grimlock got an idea in his head, then decided to try something. “GRIMLOCK, TRANSFORM!” He did so, then the dino looked himself over. “I…don’t believe it!” he gasped. “I can transform at will again!”

“So can the rest of the Dyno-bots,” reported Swoop as he held up a gun-like device. It had a syringe on the end of it. “We finally found the genes that made us slaves to our rage. Granted, because genes are unique in every lifeform, it was different for us all. Long story short, we’re cured. Tails, Ratchet, and Perceptor are geniuses.”

“I did say my technical staff would help you,” reminded Optimus. “I make it a policy to keep my…” he was cut short as Grimlock transformed and started hugging him. Que the awkward pat on the back from Optimus. “You DO realize some people will take this as an excuse to write a fanfic about us?” mumbled Optimus.

“What do I care?” countered Grimlock as he released Optimus. “I ain’t gonna read it.”

“What ARE you going to do?” quizzed Optimus.

“Well, we knew what we were doing was breaking the law,” sighed Grimlock, “ so we made a promise to return the guns we stole, stand trial, and serve our sentence. If we do get an amount of jail time, we’ll wait until we’re released to undergo the Rite of the Autobrand.”

“That’s quite a commitment,” observed Ultra Magnus. “Are you sure?”

“Beyond the shadow of a doubt,” assured Grimlock. “I want this temporary symbol covering up my Deceptibrand to be real!”

“We don’t have the machinery to give you the Autobrand,” offered Optimus, “but, if you’re willing, you CAN take the oath.”

“Are you sure about that?” asked Grimlock.

“Very sure,” declared Optimus. “Now, do you want to take the Oath?”

“At once!” replied Grimlock. He was about to kneel when Optimus stopped him.

“We don’t kneel,” explained Optimus. “We use the Old Cybertronian Salute.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest and the Dyno-bots did the same. “Now, repeat after me: I pledge my undying service to my Prime and the Autobot cause.”

“I pledge my undying service to my Prime and the Autobot cause,” repeated the Dyno-bots.

“I shall devote my Spark to achieving our goal of galactic peace,” called Optimus.

“I shall devote my Spark to achieving our goal of galactic peace,” echoed the Dyno-bots.

“Even if I must give up my life,” continued Optimus.

“Even if I must give up my life,” recited the Dyno-bots.

“I will defend the weak and helpless,” proclaimed Optimus.

“I will defend the weak and helpless,” repeated the Dyno-bots.

“And remove any threats from the planet that which we protect,” said Optimus.

“And remove any threats from the planet that which we protect,” recited the Dyno-bots.

“’Til All Are One!” finished Optimus.

“’Til All Are One!” repeated everyone in the room.

---

Blackarachnia sped through the forest, hoping the Autobots weren’t on her tail. It would disrupt her plans if they were. She encountered Sylvia’s MECH company and stopped. “The t-cog?” asked Sylvia.

“Destroyed in the firefight,” explained Blackarachnia, “but we can get another one soon enough.”

“Not soon enough,” declared Sylvia. The tanks then leveled their barrels at Blackarachnia. “Now.”

“DECEPTICONS FOREVER!” roared a voice with a Russian accent. At that moment, a black motorcycle with hover generators replacing the wheels came into view with a male Mobian Panther riding it. He pulled out twin pistols and fired.

“GET THAT FUZZY!” shouted Sylvia.

“Devotchka! With me!” called the panther. Blackarachnia changed her holo-form back into her Mobian one and followed the panther. MECH fired on them until Sylvia gave the order to stand down. They found themselves in a clearing.

“BLACKARACHNIA, TRANSFORM!” announced Blackarachnia.

“RAVAGE, TRANSFORM!” called the panther. The front, paw-like wheel fork released the hover generator as it went into the bike. The fork then lowered to the ground as paws came out. Rear legs twisted from the underside of the bike as large rockets were deployed to the rear hips. A tail unfolded with the seat acting as a flail. The handlebars went to the shoulders as the whole thing stood up to reveal a panther-like head. The Decepticon symbol was displayed proudly on the new mech’s chest. This was Ravage, the spy and hunter of Soundwave’s minions. “I’ve observed your entire operation,” he explained to Blackarachnia. “Quite the ingenious bit of scheming you put together.”

“Great,” muttered Blackarachnia, “I have a stalker.”

“You will pardon me for not helping you in the firefight with the Autobots earlier,” replied Ravage. “I only wished to avoid any regrettable…accidents to my person.” A Cybertronian sized, non-Mobian, Sydney Funnel web spider appeared in a hologram.

“Next time, try some loyalty to your team, you punter!” shouted the spider in a female Australian’s voice.

“Funnel, please,” bid Blackarachnia.

“PLEASE?!” complained the spider. “Come on! The only thing worse than Soundwave are his minions!”

“Shut up, Funnel,” hissed Blackarachnia as she switched off the hologram. “Forgive me, I just suffered a lot in my alliance with those fleshlings.”

“For which, the Decepticons are DEEPLY apologetic, I assure you,” answered Ravage. “However, our plans need an expert on this planet, and that is you. You need to tell us what you know, and I was sent to bring you to us.” He then stood to attention and saluted. “Covert Agent Ravage, at your service.”

“Wait a cycle,” snarled Blackarachnia, “why didn’t your master come himself?!”

“I’m afraid Soundwave is busy with getting our communications online,” elaborated Ravage. “Only I was available to assist you. You understand, given our current fugitive status, we would prefer to handle things…discreetly. I must say, you’re…different than what I was expecting.

“I’ve had some interesting times,” remarked Blackarachnia.

---

Megatronus had arrived at a small grassland where no one could see him. He transformed and set up a communications terminal. He grabbed a microphone. “Soundwave, this is your master,” called Megatronus. Noise came out before Megatronus got a response.

“DUUUUUUDE!” cheered the surfer-dude voice of the Decepticons’ Communications Officer. “We just picked up a sweet Arachnoid Femme!”

“Be careful about her!” barked Megatronus. “Prepare to receive a list of all Autobots on the planet, including Spy-changers!” Megatronus then plugged a cylinder into the terminal and pressed a button. The data was sent over to Soundwave.

“Sweet!” replied Soundwave. “Data received and…wait, the spider-femme’s how old?! Dude, way too young for me! And…a Spy-changer?! Man, what a buzz-kill!”

“Let her stay the night,” ordered Megatronus. “Get rid of her tomorrow.”

“Done and done!” confirmed Soundwave. “Would you want her alive or dead?”

“Dead bots tell no tales,” answered Megatronus.

“Dead, it is,” cheered Soundwave. “I’ll tell Starscream. Over and out!” The call ended.

“Best return to base,” mused Megatronus. “Need to keep up appearances until the plan is set.”

“By the Allspark, this is taking forever!” moaned Optimus.

“I don’t think you should be impatient on the search for his t-cog,” remarked Ultra Magnus as he entered Prime’s office.

“It’s not the t-cog I’m worried about, it’s trying to get into MECH’s head,” replied Optimus. “I’ve been pouring over all the reports of MECH attacks to try and get something, ANYTHING, that would give us a way to stop them.”

“And?” asked Ultra Magnus.

“In the words of Captain Díaz of the Dauntless in Equatorial Imperia,” answered Optimus as he pulled up Captain Díaz’s entry, “‘In their collective state, MECH is utterly driven by one will alone, the will to conquer, our collective morals be damned. Silas, alone, is beyond redemption, beyond reason.’ And there’s Commodore Higurashi. ‘It is my opinion that MECH is as close to pure evil as my people, the human race, can get. They have…’” Optimus stopped when he heard a chuckle come from Ultra Magnus. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” giggled Ultra Magnus as he tried to readopt his usual sober-sided manner.

“Well, I clearly said SOMETHING amusing,” remarked Optimus.

“The way you read Commodore Higurashi’s log entry,” answered Ultra Magnus, “you sounded just like him.”

“Did not!” yelped Optimus.

“Yes, you did,” countered Ultra Magnus. “And you sounded like Captain Díaz when you read his log. Same inflection and everyt’ing.”

“…Never knew I had it in me,” mused Optimus.

“Nothing to be ashamed about,” assured Ultra Magnus. “Jazz does a pretty good Optimus impression.”

“Does he?” chuckled Optimus. “I may need to have a chat with him. Mimicking a superior officer, that’s gotta be a breach of protocol somewhere.”

“Speaking of,” replied Ultra Magnus, getting into his usual manner, “I have four counts of inefficiency.”

“All right,” sighed Optimus, “what are they?” Ultra Magnus handed him a pad and the first item caught his attention. “Slow progress in the medical field?” asked Optimus as he read the subject line.

“Ratchet has made very little progress in finding Megatronus’ t-cog,” explained Ultra Magnus.

“He’s doing the best he can,” sighed Optimus, “given that our base is a blend of Mobian and Cybertronian tech and he’s only got that at his disposal. He’s an old mech, not as adaptable as he used to be. He’s a doctor, not a wizard.”

“He IS aware,” asked Ultra Magnus, “that a t-cog is essential to our biology and Megatronus needs it to be effective when in the field?”

“Ratchet’s not a med student anymore,” argued Optimus. “No one is more acutely aware of biological effectiveness than he is.”

“…Of course,” replied Ultra Magnus. Optimus checked the item off and came to the next one.

“Scouting inefficiencies?” Optimus was confused at the subject line.

“Corporal Bumblebee and Private Cliffjumper had not scouted Grid 305 for Energon,” explained Ultra Magnus, “at the time of my writing that.”

“Because they had just returned from surveying Grids 301 to 304 to log their field reports,” answered Optimus, “per YOUR protocol.”

“…I see,” replied Ultra Magnus. Optimus checked item two off and read the subject line for the third item.

“AWOL Autobot?” quizzed Optimus.

“I don’t recall giving Ironhide permission to leave the base,” remarked Ultra Magnus.

“That’s because I was the only one of his superiors available at the time to give such permission,” replied Optimus.

“Then you can account for why he was covered in coolant?” asked Ultra Magnus.

“Perceptor and Tails were calibrating the Ark’s engines and needed someone for heavy lifting,” explained Optimus. “We should expect a 10% increase in vector thrust.”

“…Very well,” sighed Ultra Magnus. Optimus checked the item off, then became REALLY confused at the last item.

“Complaint Against General of the Army Ultra Magnus, written BY Ultra Magnus?” Optimus put the pad down as he looked to his eldest brother.

“I’ve been noticing that my by-the-book command style,” sighed Ultra Magnus, “is having a negative effect on unit morale.”

“Ultra Magnus,” replied Optimus, “your service is welcome here. However, this is not the Elite Guard. I remember you telling me Dad’s philosophy. Much like the concepts the words represent, the word ‘Family’ is stronger than the word ‘Army’. We’re not merely cogs in a greater machine, we are brothers. We look after each other.”

“You’re making me nostalgic on purpose,” chuckled Ultra Magnus. “Speaking of brothers, I wonder how Megatronus is doing?”

---

“Hey!” called a voice. Megatronus jumped. He started looking around. “Down here!” said the voice. He looked down to see Sonic. “You’re Prime’s older brother, right?” he asked.

“M-M-Megatronus P-Pax, at y-y-your service,” answered Megatronus.

“Heard about your mishap in Mazuri,” sighed Sonic. “Shame, really. I wanted to see your alt-mode. Maybe a game will take your mind off of things?”

“S-Sure,” replied Megatronus. “W-What did you have in m-m-mind?”

“Just a video game,” answered Sonic. “Teletraan, pull the last game that was played.”

“Er, Sonic,” gulped Teletraan, “I don’t think…”

“L-Let me s-s-see it,” insisted Megatronus. Teletraan’s avatar shrugged, then pulled up Super Turbo Drift Blaster with the default car in the front. “A r-r-racing g-game? S-S-Seriously?” sighed Megatronus.

“Oops,” mumbled Sonic. “Er, never mind. How about some TV?”

“S-Sounds better,” replied Megatronus.

“Switching to TV mode,” reported Teletraan. Sadly, it was poor timing. It was on a commercial, a CAR commercial.

“The new Prowler 500. It won’t just rock your world; it will TRANSFORM it!” boasted the narrator. Megatronus stared……then screamed in frustration.

“Taking the Auto out of an Autobot is SO not a good thing,” observed Sonic.

“Prowler 500?” muttered Teletraan. “Wait, that’s Prowl’s vehicle mode! It hasn’t been decommissioned yet!”

“Might want to tell Prowl,” replied Sonic.

“Already saw the commercial and informed the police department,” called Prowl as he and Optimus came up. “Urbana Industries is holding an Expo and is using the car as its main event. Mrs. Samantha Urbana is personally running the show.”

“Isn’t she that Cat’s sister?” asked Optimus. “What was his name…Powell?”

“Porter C. Powell, CEO of Powell Motorworks, Urbana Industries’ closest friend,” confirmed Prowl. “At least, in terms of services provided to each other. I don’t think Porter and Samantha are too keen with each other. I think I can reason with Mrs. Urbana. I’m off.”

“Good luck,” bid Optimus.

“And I’M g-going for a w-w-w-walk!” called Megatronus.

“Without a means of shielding yourself from the Energon radiation?!” protested Optimus. “Bad idea!”

“But…!” argued Megatronus. At that point, Ratchet popped up.

“Optimus, I must use the Omega Cross Protocol in light of Megatronus not having his t-cog,” he declared.

“…I really wish you didn’t,” sighed Optimus.

“N-No chance f-f-for refusal?” gulped Megatronus.

“No,” replied Ratchet.

“P-Prime!” wailed Megatronus.

“The Omega Cross Protocol overrides my authority when invoked,” replied Optimus. “Nothing I can do. But, there’s a problem. Ratchet’s the one who’s willing to give up his t-cog, he can’t do surgery while in stasis.”

“Which is why I need to see your hands,” directed Ratchet to Optimus. Optimus gulped, then lifted his hands. Ratchet examined them. “Perfect. You’ll do the surgery.”

“Bumblebee has smaller hands!” gulped Optimus.

“They’re not slender enough to be poking around under my hood,” answered Ratchet. Optimus sighed in defeat.

“N-No worries,” assured Megatronus. “It’s l-l-like using y-your axe.”

“Axes and knives are two different things,” hissed Optimus, “just like the situation right now!”

“That’s enough,” directed Ratchet. “To the Med-bay, at once!”