Chapter Text
Amidst the chaos happening on Cybertron around them, Starscream and Airachnid continue to be bored to their wits’ ends helping Shockwave in the creation of his machination.
“Ughh! Shockwave! Are we done yet? We are better suited in the air and terminating Autobots than one of your inane projects. Come, Airachnid, let’s-” Shockwave stopped plugging a bit of electronics into his invention. “Highly illogical. You shall not be going anywhere lest you get smitten by Lord Megatron himself. Besides, I know you, Starscream, you once enjoyed the process of scientific discovery. Perhaps Ulchtar would like to come out and help me?”
“Ulchtar? Starscream, don’t tell me…”
“Pay no attention to that, Airachnid! Ulchtar is a relic of the past, just like him, if he doesn’t tell us the scope of his ever-mysterious plans!”
Shockwave continues his work. “My plan is to use the technology behind a Titan-class and a space bridge to not only reformat the Autobots of now, but of the Autobots of the past and future. Reformat them... to Decepticons. Remember that virus I implanted into Metroplex? That was merely a distraction to extract Titan-class energon so that I could harness a fraction of what Cityspeakers are capable of for brainwashing purposes. The space bridge technology that I have harvested will stabilize the procedure as it affects every Cybertronian that has ever existed… permanently.”
Airachnid and Starscream look at each other, speechless to the point they can barely muster out an okay. They shrug their shoulders as they step forward to finish what Shockwave now calls Project Refinement.
The flow of time continues until they are 95% complete.
All three of their communication channels ping suddenly. A vocoded voice comes through, “Shockwave, Airachnid… and Starscream… are you finished?”
“Affirmative, Soundwave. We will leave for the deployment site as soon as possible.”
Elsewhere…
“Lord Megatron, shall we?”
Optimus, Elita, Windblade, and Silverbolt re-tense up as Megatron turns his head to nod back to Soundwave.
“DECEPTICONS! THE CYCLE OF RECKONING AND JUDGMENT HAS COME FOR THE AUTOBOTS AT LONG LAST! RISE UP AND MOBILIZE!”
Together as one, Optimus and Elita yell “AUTOBOTS, ROLL OUT!”
Silverbolt, Skydive, Air Raid, Fireflight, and Slingshot also combine to the tune of Silverbolt commanding, “AERIALBOTS, UNITE INTO SUPERION!” Silverbolt becomes the torso, Skydive becomes the right leg, Fireflight becomes the left leg, Air Raid becomes the right arm, and Slingshot becomes the left arm.
Devastator chimes in with something to do with the devastation of the Autobots, and Metroplex valiantly charges into battle to the tune of enduring fealty to Prime and the Autobots.
It’s time. You know the song and dance.
Optimus Prime ignites his energon axe as he sprints into battle with a now-hovering Elita. Megatron charges to the Autobot leaders, energon mace in tow. Windblade and Aileron take to the sky, deadset on the incoming Rainmakers and Coneheads. Soundwave and Hot Rod lock eyes as, alongside Soundwave’s Mini-Cons and Lightbright, they are full energon ahead. Above, Superion and Metroplex tag team and clash with Devastator.
Hot Rod and Lightbright vs Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, and Frenzy, Part 1:
As Soundwave emerges from his aerial alternate mode, he ejects his Mini-Cons onto Hot Rod and Lightbright, who appear to be transforming out as well. Unfortunately for Team Soundwave, the two Autobots reabsorb themselves back into their automobile modes as they lead the chase. Before the Mini-Cons can even muster annoyance, Soundwave helps them back into his chest before transforming back into his aerial mode. From Hot Rod, a line of flames lights up his trail, causing Soundwave to zig-zag upwards. Lightbright has her twin blasters emerge from the sides of her rear wheel fender, aimed to pester Soundwave. Soundwave attempts to dodge the blaster fire as he simultaneously tries to bridge the gap between himself and the Autobot duo.
Windblade and Aileron vs the Coneheads and Rainmakers, Part 1:
Before Aileron and her enter their alternate modes, Windblade uses her turbines to blast away at the incoming Decepticons, hoping to disorient and potentially stun. While some of the Rainmakers and Coneheads are temporarily winded, they all regroup as they enter their Cybertronian tetrajet modes. Additionally, they reform their tight V-formation. Before the Decepticons can even think about it, Aileron deploys two heat-seeking missiles back at the swarm. However, the tetrajets blast the missiles before they can even kill a single Seeker, parting the explosion with their speedy contrails. To meet the undisturbed Coneheads and Rainmakers is blaster fire, courtesy of Aileron’s winged turrets. Let the dogfight commence. Game on.
Superion and Metroplex vs Devastator, Part 1:
The loud and titanic battle starts with Superion and Metroplex grappling and wrestling Devastator’s arms to knock the Constructicon combiner off-balance. Devastator notices and readjusts their posture and footwork to resist, which is successful. Metroplex, while tilting forward in his push, fires his back cannons at a power level lower than normal to arc the shots enough to, wherever they land, they’ll hit Devastator. Devastator is slightly shaken by the flak, but it doesn't compromise his structure. In fact, it gives way for them to loosen themselves to the point where they have the energy to tilt Superion and Metroplex back a bit.
Optimus Prime and Elita-1 vs Megatron, Part 1:
Megatron and Optimus clash their energon weapons against each other. Fragments of crystallized energon burst from the clash. Elita dashes over to Megatron’s fusion cannon side, but Megatron has other plans, for he has been in the gladiatorial pits of Kaon. He fires his fusion cannon at the charging Elita, who, in turn, transforms into her Cybertronian jet mode and attacks from Megatron’s blindside, which is the other 180 degrees Optimus isn’t attacking, with blaster fire. Megatron turns his fusion cannon towards Optimus. Accordingly, Optimus tries to parry the fusion cannon, which opens Megatron up to wrap his mace around the axe and swing Prime into Elita, sending them both tumbling to the ground.
Hot Rod and Lightbright vs Soundwave, Ravage, Laserbeak, Rumble, and Frenzy, Part 2:
Soundwave approaches the Autobot duo just enough for him to eject Frenzy, Rumble, Ravage, and Laserbeak. Ravage and Frenzy are now attacking Hot Rod while Rumble and Laserbeak attack Lightbright. Soundwave continues to trail, abstaining from shooting, so as not to kill his “family”. Ravage and Frenzy go to town, scratching and dinging Hot’s Rod’s body and paint job, much to his chagrin. Meanwhile, Lightbright’s cannons exchange fire with Laserbeak’s blaster fire as Rumble dents Lightbright up to the point where she tries to maintain balance.
Windblade and Aileron vs the Coneheads and Rainmakers, Part 2:
Aileron and Windblade perform aerial gymnastics to try to shake off the barrage of Seekers hounding them. Some barrel rolls, some cobra maneuvers, anything really. The Decepticons don’t take no for an answer as they seem unfazed and remain focused on shooting the Autobots out of the sky. Windblade tells Aileron to head to the building behind the Autobot offensive, to which she confirms as they both turn towards it, Decepticons trailing behind with blaster fire to boot. Aileron speeds forward as Windblade emerges to use her turbines yet again, which works this time around, breaking apart the V-formation as she catches up to Aileron.
Superion and Metroplex vs Devastator, Part 2:
Devastator uses their newfound leverage to knock Superion over and free up their right hand to grab their blaster, aiming it at Superion while struggling to maintain balance against Metroplex. Devastator fires and misses. They turn to Metroplex, who continues to season them with flak, and, as Metroplex tries to swat the blaster out of the Decepticon’s hand, Devastator shoots him point-blank in the face. Metroplex, with a blown-open head, falls backwards to the ground, shaking everyone beneath him. In a moment of rage, Aileron yells a war cry, getting up and tackling Devastator into the building where Soundwave previously stood.
Optimus Prime and Elita-1 vs Megatron, Part 2:
The Autobots recover from their tumble. Optimus transforms into his alternate mode, with Elita riding atop. Megatron cannot prepare himself enough in time as Optimus knocks him off balance, which allows for Elita to swoop on by to give a nasty right hook, giving Optimus the time to emerge as Elita continues to go on the offensive. Megatron kicks back Elita, transforming into his jet mode to pummel Elita and Optimus, but they catch the jet and send it skidding behind them as the jet becomes a tank. Megatron starts blasting away as the duo dodge and advance. Megatron, reemerged, reactivates his mace to keep the Autobots at bay.
While Megatron flails his mace around, he receives a message from Shockwave. Subsequently, he connects to all Decepticons in the area.
“DECEPTICONS! FALL BACK TO THE NEW COORDINATES!”
After the Decepticons leave, the Autobots rush over to the dead body of Metroplex. Optimus and Windblade are hit the heaviest as Windblade’s optics jitter as her facial patterns flicker and as Optimus falls to the ground in disbelief. Elita comforts Optimus as Lightbright races to comfort Windblade. Aileron starts them off with a “’Til all are one.” The rest follow suit. Superion kneels to caress Metroplex’s chest as Hot Rod tells them all that mourning can wait until Megatron is dead. Optimus affirms as they roll out, following the thuds of Devastator.
In his jet mode, Megatron hails Shockwave, “This better work, and you’d better arrive on time. We have Autobots with rage in their energon after the Constructicons killed their beloved Metroplex.”
“Lord Megatron, worry not, we are en route… fascinating that Metroplex is now dead, but regardless, one less Autobot to worry about in my plans.”
Elsewhere, Wheeljack was listening in on the tracking beacon he placed on Airachnid, with Ultra Magnus, Pyra Magna, Strongarm, Codexa, and Sandstorm surrounding him. Wheeljack made sure he had his two new special vials ready to go. Then, Ultra Magnus left the battlefield in charge of Hound as the following Autobots left for Megatron:
- Wheeljack
- Ultra Magnus
- Pyra Magna
- Strongarm
- Codexa
- Sandstorm
- Nautica
- Chromia
- Prowl
- Vibes
- Javelin
- Bumblebee
- Arcee
- Minerva
- Nightracer
- Ironhide
- Lifeline
- Shadow Striker
- Override
- Bulkhead
At the coordinates, Shockwave is there setting up the base of operations for Project Refinement with Starscream and Airachnid.
“Are you sure this will work?”
“Logically, yes, Airachnid.” Starscream mocks him by saying, “Illogically, no, Airachnid,” in a sing-song voice.
Shockwave remains focused on the task at hand, which, with the help of Airachnid and Starscream beside him, it becomes complete as Project Refinement is plugged into the space bridge where he originally was. Unfortunately for them, the machine needs time to warm up and some separate time to become functional. Fortunately for them, Megatron and the rest of the Decepticons he fought with arrive just in time.
“How glorious, Decepticons shall reign over every Cybertronian colony from the age of the Thirteen to when the Allspark bleeds dry and the myth of Unicron comes to be, consuming Primus as a reward. Nicely done, Shockwave. I’m impressed.”
Starscream laughs.
“What’s so funny?”
“Lord Megatron… praising someone… You should battle Mirage for being a comedian.”
Soundwave mentions that he killed Mirage, which killed Starscream’s mood and caused Megatron to snicker.
Somewhat nearby, in a war-torn warehouse, the Autobots huddled up, waiting for the newcomers to join in on the charge to come.
“Optimus, Elita, they’re taking an awfully long time. Should we go now? My instinct is telling me they got ambushed.” Aileron looks at Hot Rod, perplexed. Elita speaks up, “Have faith, the Allspark will guide us ‘til all are one. They will come, in due time.”
Lightbright caresses the flashy Velocitronian’s shoulders. Windblade tenses up to try to feel for any nearby rumbling.
In Optimus’s comm channel, a voice manifests. “Hi, old friend, we are arriving shortly. Are all of you still in that safe house?” Optimus replies with an affirmation to none other than Pyra Magna.
“They are coming.”
Superion smiles as the rest of the encamped Autobots become subject to a sigh of relief.
Back at Project Refinement, the Rainmakers and Coneheads have an air of anxiety and tension to them. Like Starscream and Airachnid, they too hunger for the spilling of Autobot energon. Shockwave feels this and recommends Airachnid and the Seekers to play a game of coming up with and/or recalling the most heinous derogatory language they can muster regarding the Autobots to pass the time.
“I once called one of those mini-bots a fragging organic since they were so soft.” Ion Storm laughingly remarks.
Dirge counters, “Oh yeah, well, guess what? How about next time, you call them an ineffective piece of malware?”
Airachnid and Starscream seem impressed.
“Cloudcover here recently called Superion a Stupidion.”
“No? I did not, and besides, that’s too silly of an insult. Thank you very much, Ramjet.”
“You all fail to recognize the beauty in Soundwave superior, Autobots inferior.”
Even though he is as absorbed into Project Refinement as Shockwave is, Megatron cannot help but chuckle at his dear Soundwave’s statement. Acid Storm adds on how they’d rather be stuffed into the myth of Unicron than be stuffed into Ultra Magnus’s troops. Devastator kneels to their level and mentions how they never really insult.
“We know, you Constructicons are the real insult. Well, at least compared to Menasor and Bruticus, that is.”
“EXCUSE ME, THRUST! DEVASTATOR WILL POUND YOU INTO THE SPACE BRIDGE FOR THIS!” Nova Storm asks Devy to be a bit quieter as a result.
The slurs continue to be hurled by the Decepticons as the Autobots continue to await their reinforcements. Strongarm chimes into Windblade’s comms now, saying, “Sparksister, give us a few nanocycles and you should feel us arriving.”
Those nanocycles did arrive, and Windblade did feel it through her feet and palms. Which means everyone else did, except for Superion, as they are too big to feel it. And now, the Autobot offensive stands here, together as one. Reunions a plenty were had from Hot Rod and Nautica, Arcee and Chromia, Lightspeed and Bulkhead, Ironhide and Optimus, Ultra Magnus and Superion, to Prowl and Bumblebee.
Once the pleasantries were all said and done, the Autobot leaders, Optimus Prime, Elita-1, Ultra Magnus, Pyra Magna, Sandstorm, Codexa, Strongarm, and Windblade all came together to devise a plan of attack. They all knew the risks, as this could end the Cybertronian Civil War for good. Alas, the plan was as follows:
- Frontal Flank: Superion, Optimus Prime, Elita-1, Windblade’s squad (Hot Rod, Aileron, and Lightspeed), and Wheeljack
- Backup Flank: Chromia, Nautica, and Sandstorm’s squad (Override and Bulkhead).
- Right Flank: Codexa, Strongarm, Prowl, Shadow Striker, Vibes, Javelin, and Lifeline.
- Left Flank: Ultra Magnus, Pyra Magna’s squad (Arcee, Bumblebee, Minerva, Nightracer), and Ironhide.
The leaders made sure to double-check and triple-check everyone’s flank, making sure everyone was comfortable.
Superion excused themselves.
“Before we go, this is Silverbolt, speaking on behalf of my Aerialbots. I would like to mention that no matter what happens, we have and will continue to love each other. We will fight for all sparks, past, present, and future. ‘Til all are one... for all the departed.”
Elita replies, “Well said. Optimus, would you like to do the honors?”
“AUTOBOTS! ROLL OUT!”