Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

For the Phaethon twins, it was just your everyday, normal commission. Enter the Hollow. Eliminate Ethereals. Extract the asset. Exit the Hollow. Absolutely nothing can go wrong today, they even prayed and rubbed the Luckyboo statue in their video store.

This commission just so happens to involve all four members of the ever elite and extraordinary Hollow Special Operations Section 6. With them, there is no Ethereal they can’t slay, Thanatos, Farbauti, hell, even a Nineveh or Geppetto.

“YAAYYY! WE DID IT!!” the blue-skinned Oni child Soukaku yelled as the tetrad slayed all the local Ethereals, quickly extracted the asset, and were heading to find a way out of the Hollow.

“Yanagi, are you sure about this? Running in heels will kill your feet!” Asaba Harumasa worryingly asked.

The Void Hunter Hoshimi Miyabi gave Harumasa *that* look.

“What? Just because I am deathly sick doesn’t mean I can’t look out for my fellow comrades and their safety.”

Tsukishiro Yanagi freezes time for a second using her W-Engine and picks up Soukaku for piggybacking. “I appreciate your concern, but I have been fine all this while. If all else fails, I have my temporal abilities. Besides, we all should be more concerned for your safety considering you involve yourself in physically intensive missions in the Hollow.”

Harumasa sighs. Soukaku squeals, “yay! nagi is a horse, woohoo!” Yanagi gasps and puts Soukaku right back down.

“There, a fissure, we can use it to escape!” Belle in the body of Eous shouts. Just as Hollow Special Operations Section 6 dart towards the fissure, all four members of the eclectic Cunning Hares emerge and both factions have themselves a head-on collision.

The tokusatsu flavored gunslinger Billy Kid is the first to arise. “Ugh…Manager! Fancy seeing you here! Wait, you don’t plan on replacing our services… do you?” he exclaims excitedly then, unfortunately, quite pouted.

“No, Billy, we don’t intend to replace you, they hired us, not the other way around.” Wise in the body of Eous explains. Belle rolls her eyes.

Anby Demara passes a silent but deadly glare at Section 6, but before any of them can respond, Nicole Demara blurts “Oh, is that so, Proxies? Why don’t you funnel some of those funds towards hiring us next time, we are in need of a bit of dough, you could say.”

“When are you ever not in debt.” The siblings exasperate together, much to their shock.

Nekomiya “Nekomata” Mana then dashes to Soukaku to check out her horns. “Meo-woah sooo cool, meow!” she says as she rubs her digits against her horns. Soukaku bucks her head suddenly. Nekomata shrieks and Soukaku laughs. “Not funny!”

“Soukaku, that’s enough. And who I assume is who they call Nekomata, please ask next time.” Yanagi responds.

“Don’t think we moved on.” Harumasa interjects with everyone confused. “So, soldier, are you gonna talk about it?”. Everyone focuses their eyes on where Harumasa is giving an equally deadly glare at- Anby.

“Woah! No need for hostility, we are all chill. Aren’t we?” Billy hurriedly yelps.

“It’s fine Billy, I can handle myself. I was just casing the situation at hand- if that is what you’d like to know… Executive Officer Asaba Harumasa.”

Harumasa eases off and backs off into a calmer and collected posture.

“Nicole Demara, what is your intention in the Hollow?”

“I was gonna ask you the same thing, Miyabi.”

Belle explains how Section 6 were retrieving a piece of prototype technology that was infused with a glowing metallic rock that crashed into Earth and before Billy can be amazed at such a piece of tech, Nicole explains how they were tasked at retrieving the same exact asset.

“So Miyabi, whatchya client?”

“The Defense Force and Public Security.”

“Well… ours is Trigger, who Anby here graciously knows, and then- wait a minute we practically have the same client!”

Yanagi pauses. She mentions how Trigger might have informally requested service when the New Eridu Defense Force and Public Security channels, in their formalness, requested it independently. They all paused to contemplate.

Harumasa perks his head up like a dog. “Wait, who is your contact in Public Security?”

The Demaras simultaneously respond “Zhu Yuan.” Miyabi steps forward with an intrigued look of concern on her face. “She typically does not do extraction missions, what’s the change?”

Wise hypothesizes that because Zhu Yuan felt a bit betrayed by how long the secret of Phaethon has been kept hidden from her, she might still have some lingering feelings that might have caused her to contact the Cunning Hares.

Belle, as Eous, darts her eyes around. “What is our next move then? I’d assume we all work together on this, right?”

Billy, almost as if he was a schoolchild on the top of the monkey bars, shouts “WE CAN BE CALLED THE STARLIGHT KNIGHTS!!!”. The members of Section 6 look at him with an air of confusion, his fellow Cunning Hares merely sigh, and Eous just shrugs their cute stubby shoulders. Yanagi excuses herself and mentions that they should unite but meet somewhere in private with Trigger and Zhu Yuan in case there is a secret plot by the higher ups of NEDF and NEPS. Yet again, Billy bursts out, declaring that they can meet up with his big sis and Outer Ring overlord Caesar King, as well as his fellow fearless “Red Scarf Champion” brother-in-arms Lighter Lorenz. They all nod in agreement as they move to exit the Hollow.

Wise, in Random Play, hits up Lighter while Belle hits up Caesar in case one does not answer. In the Outer Ring, both Sons of Calydon members’ phones ring as they both are fighting miscreants in an abandoned warehouse. Just as Caesar curbstomps one gangster with her shield and just as Lighter punches his last “tough guy” to sleep, their phones ring. “It’s the Manager.” They both hurriedly deliberate who should pick up, before Caesar prods Lighter to pick up.

“Yo, Proxy. How’s it hanging in Sixth Street?” Wise responds with pleasantries, “Nothing much, just one small favor.” Lighter accordingly signals to Caesar who inches to eavesdrop on the call. “Go on.”

“How do you feel if Section 6, us, and the Cunning Hares drop in next week? Don’t worry about our business, it’s a weeklong, no labor holiday.” Caesar delightfully interjects to allow them to come on down.

The week has arrived.

Zhu Yuan and Trigger arrive at the Blazewood rendezvous point.

“Hey, I recognize you.” Zhu Yuan just realized that she had once caught Nekomata for petty theft before the cat Thiren did what cats do and spilled out of her grasp.

“Meow? Neow you didn’t- nya!” Nekomata assertively proclaims. Trigger palms Zhu Yuan shoulder and nods her head as if to say now wasn’t the time.

Lighter finishes up his Nitro-Fuel drink Burnice White specially mixed for him to enhance combat performance at her trailer bar. Burnice, across the counter, glances at the large gathering of agents that formed and signals to Lighter, who turns around in his seat. “You wanna come with Burnice?”.

She gasps. “Oooooh it’s THAT meeting you and Caesar were expecting… YAYYY more friends! I’ll prepare some shots of Nitro-Fuel!”. Lighter sighs and raises an eyebrow. Suddenly, the ground begins to rumble, which Trigger feels long before. A loud and deafening horn blares, much to Trigger’s wincing discomfort. The Proxies notice that it’s Piper Wheel’s ol’ trusty Steeltusk with Piper and Caesar onboard. Caesar yells something but is muffled by the sound of the might of Steeltusk’s engine, which gradually quiets as Piper brakes and eventually is silenced when the Sons of Calydon duo turn Steeltusk off and exits the vehicle to meet the party.

Trigger walks forward. “Greetings, who I assume is Caesar King, the current Overlord of the Sons of Calydon? And before you ask, I cannot see normally, but I do have heightened hearing and this visor which gives me some sense of vision.”

“Rock on! That’s awesome! And yes, I am Caesar, and I assume you’re the one they call Trigger? Cool sniper rifle by the way, very unique!”. Trigger smiles and thanks her. “So, are we ready to get down to business?” Burnice hums a very familiar tune while the jingling of a tray filled with Nitro-Fuel shots comes the group’s way.

“Feel free to grab one, they’re on the house! The Burnice White Nitro-Nuke! So lit, you can’t deny!”

“Aww thanks Burnice, I’m spent.” Piper pants out. “Anyway, see y’all. Imma go sleep.” They all share their regards as most of them grab their drinks- except for Soukaku (which Yanagi mentions she’s not old enough), Zhu (who politely declines as she already had coffee), Billy (which Burnice knows he prefers oil and hands a flask from her skirt to him), and Nekomata (who smells it and has a visceral cringing to it). Zhu, Caesar, Nicole, and Miyabi all nod to one another and Anby confers to Trigger that they are all ready. Trigger smiles yet again, “Long time no see, Silver.” A slight affirmative hmph comes from the former leader of Silver Squad’s lips.

Miyabi walks over opens the trunk of the Proxies’s FOORKS car and retrieves the asset. “Before we start, I’d like to confirm that Section 6 and the Cunning Hares have indeed extracted the asset.”

“Alright that’s good. And since we have enough of us to be in the clear, Trigger and I were discussing both team’s theory that the higher ups of NEPS and NEDF have some sort of ulterior motive. I am the captain of my team in PubSec as you all may know and I am not briefed on such matters that would be the basis of such conspiracy, unfortunately.” Zhu Yuan declares. At the speed of one of his bullets. Billy passionately explains how it may be like Blackhole’s schemes, hidden in the darkness, and only he knows.

“You idiot! This is reality! Snap back for a moment, please!” Nicole blurts which causes Billy’s optics to dim and posture to change to that akin of a sad dog. Anby pats his back and Caesar head pats him to comfort him. Nicole promptly apologizes. Lighter, who is suddenly in the crowd, quietly snickers and shakes his head “Bro continues to amaze me.” In the meanwhile, Burnice hands Soukaku some cactus juice, of which she beams with joy over.

“Back when I, meow, used to be on my own dealing with gangs like the Red Fang Gang, some of the gangs I infiltrated used to be like this scenario so who kneows?”

“Miss Mana, would you please explain further?”

“Sure thing naginata lady, meow, they’d appear to be rival gangs but, meow, actually be in leagues with each other, meow, in secret. Police lady, remember that one time you busted, meow, that drug scheme with those teow gangs? Nya that was one of them.” Zhu Yuan then pensively contemplates. “Any suggestions on how I can find out for myself?” Belle comments on how Jane Doe might help, but Zhu Yuan quickly shoots that idea down as she details how Jane Doe is on a confidential, protracted investigation with Qingyi and that Seth is too straightforward to perform sleuthing. Wise then brings up how Von Lycaon of Victoria Housekeeping is connected to Mayor Mayflower and elaborates how if anyone should know anything about a possible hidden plot, it would be the mayor. Zhu Yuan and Trigger turn to each other and shrug as if to say “worth a shot”.

Harumasa then interjects, “If I may, if we are to use the mayor, may I please ask him for some more paid time off and some added discounts to my Ether Aptitude Regression Syndrome meds?”. Miyabi and Yanagi both sigh and shake their heads. “Isn’t the Section 6 discount enough for the drugs, and don’t they give you enough paid time off?” Anby questions. Yanagi replies how Harumasa is well accommodated for his illness but is trying to find additional reasons to slack off at work. “Hey! That’s not entirely true! I have… valid reasons, y’know!” Harumasa retorts to the Yanagi and Miyabi’s same reaction as before.

“Wise, that is indeed, sorry for this unintentional pun, but wise. But we need to have a back-up plan if all else fails. If I recall, you Proxies know of Belobog Heavy Industries. Do you think they could help?” Trigger brings the conversation back on topic.

Belle laughs. “Good one Trigger, I bet Wise here hasn’t heard THAT one before, lol. Anyway, unless Koleda and Ben are involved in military contracts with either, I don’t think they can. Besides, Belobog is practically alone in terms of their business endeavors, all other companies are just their competition so they cannot network for our purposes. However, I do think that Lycaon and Rina do have that networking capability.”

“I think I can ask around to other parts of the Outer Ring to see if any other settlements know about such a plot, too! Burnice, Lighter, wherever Pulchra is, tell her about my plan and she can go solo or tag along with me.” Caesar proclaims.

“Last I heard, Lucy and Pulchra are off on a long ride, so whenever they come back, we’ll let them know. “ replies Lighter to which Burnice follows up with “Awww, kitty said she wanted some alone time in her place.” Lighter then followed back with “Lucy must have been her scapegoat to get away from you and your “friendly” flames and your nuclear Nitro-Fuel you keep demanding she try. Sorry to burst your bubble, ‘nice.” Burnice then smiles deviously “That’s fine, I’m going to set up a nice little prank for her, nothing too fancy.”

“Sooooo does that settle it? ‘Cause we Cunning Hares have other business to attend to in Lumina Square.”

Burnice teases Nicole as she burps, “Is it beeecause you want to go shooopping?”. Nicole pouts and lets out a hmph. “No harm in admitting.” says Zhu. “May you please bring me some shoujo manga and some hair products by Carlishe, Lucy said she’s running out! Also, bring some scratch cards and magazines for Piper. Lighter do you or Pulchra want anything?”. Lighter replies to Caesar, “Nah boss, we’re good. Thank you. At least, for me, since Pulchra is an enigma to crack.” Nicole affirms the wishes of the Sons of Calydon, Anby and Trigger say their goodbyes, and Billy confirms with Lighter to contact him if Pulchra or him needs anything at the last minute as the Cunning Hares leaves Blazewood. Zhu Yuan and Trigger make their exit while instructing Section 6 to leave the artifact to the Sons of Calydon for safekeeping, which Caesar and Lighter happily oblige. Section 6 heads out alongside the NEPS/NEDF duo as well. Caesar tells Lighter to keep it next to him since he’s the “Red Scarf”. They go their separate ways as night eventually falls.

The artifact suddenly glows while Lighter is asleep, and strange text appears on part of its metallic surface.

“Wheeljack”.

Chapter Text

(somewhere on) CYBERTRON, (in) ANOTHER UNIVERSE.

The Autobots and Decepticons, led by the gently heroic Optimus Prime (previously Orion Pax) and cunningly fiendish Megatron (previously D-16). Civil war has taken a toll on their bygone pristine planet. The life bringer within their planet’s core, Primus suffers greatly- and their beloved Allspark is running dry. Along with Optimus Prime, Elita-1 and Ultra Magnus lead the Autobot charge to make their colonies free of the tyrannical regime Megatron and his Ascenticon Guard (Shockwave, Soundwave, and Starscream) established right before the outbreak of war. It’s all or nothing in this battle as one shall stand and one shall fall— until all are one again, either under Autobot freedom or Decepticon oppression. However, the light is not lost yet as Optimus Prime was gifted the Matrix of Leadership in the dying arms of Alpha Trion as his spark was personally snuffed by Megatron in pure dark, spiteful rage. Nevertheless, Optimus Prime refuses to use it until absolutely necessary.

Maybe. Maybe this is one of those times the Prime shall light their darkest hours and lead them towards the end of the tunnel.

Soundwave flies in his uniquely shaped Cybertronian hovercraft alternate mode, towards a tower which he ascertains is a great vantage point of the battle around him, transforming into his humanoid form as he lands. He starts to analyze the battle with his large, red monovisor when he reports, in his characteristic modulated voice, “Lord Megatron. I have located Optimus Prime’s and Elita-1’s forces. They are hiding in a former building, turned into rubble. Should I advance with backup or wait for your arrival?”.

“Excellent work, Soundwave. You never cease to amaze me with your surveillance and reconnaissance skills. Shockwave, are you still at that Space Bridge? If so, reroute the Coneheads and the Rainmakers to Soundwave’s position.”

Shockwave fends off two ambushing Autobot grunts with the help of his quadrupedal drones as he tries to analyze a way to best disrupt the Space Bridge. “As you command, my ever-logical Lord Megatron. But you should know it is illogical to ask me such as you assigned this post to me, so it is therefore illogical for me not to desert my post.” Megatron rolls his optics and grunts as he fires his fusion cannon upon an Autobot frontline elsewhere in Cybertron. “Shockwave to Thrust and Nova Storm. Shockwave to Thrust and Nova Storm. I am sending new coordinates, have your squad follow suit. Reply affirmative.”

The Rainmakers and the Coneheads, unfortunately for the violet, one-handed cyclops, are currently fighting Superion, the combination of the Aerialbots, in an intense and heated battle. The Rainmakers try to hit their legs while the Coneheads, well, aim for the head of Superion. “Shockwave to Thrust and Nova Storm. I shall repeat this one last time. I am sending new coordinates, have your squad follow suit. Reply affirmative.”

“Boss, Thrust, your transponder is blinking. I think I also heard Shockwave’s voice. Better answer that fast or we’d wish we were those ground kissers.” Thrust panics and immediately dials in, “Sorry for the wait, we are currently in the air fighting that blasted Superion. Please repeat.” Dirge lets out a chuckle.

Shockwave dimly blinks his optic. He cannot get mad as he has no semblance of madness. “I am sending new coordinates, have your squad follow suit. Reply affirmative.”

Nova Storm suddenly enters the channel, “Affirmative, this sector is gone to the Autobots anyway. Thrust, let’s move.”, she says as she transforms alongside Ion Storm and Acid Storm. The Coneheads follow suit.

Superion de-combines. Silverbolt, their ever-anxious leader, chimes in on Elita-1 as the rest of the Aerialbots, Slingshot, Fireflight, Air Raid, and Skydive, cheer on in the background. “Commander, the Decepticon Seekers are retreating from our sector. We won!” Almost immediately, Elita responds with despair in her voice. “No time for questions, Silverbolt, I need you to follow them. NOW!” Silverbolt promptly signs to the rest of his team as they transform into their alternate modes to try to catch up in the sky. Elita-1 looks at her conjunx-in-arms, Optimus Prime, with the same hallowed expression. Optimus’s hydraulics let off a tensing hiss. He looks up to see three rockets flying toward a building and three Cybertronians following them across rooftops as they transform out of their automobile modes.

“Found you. Decepticreep.” Ironhide, in his red glory, says as he, Wheeljack, and Mirage land on the rooftop where Soundwave was posted, right before Soundwave dodges all three missiles, exploding behind him. Mirage adds on, “Always in the shadows, ironic for someone of your name. Feels like my job.” Soundwave is not phased in the slightest. The Autobot trio assemble themselves into a V-formation, Ironhide in the middle, with Wheeljack to his right and Mirage to his left.

“Soundwave, superior. Autobots, most inferior. Ravage, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Rumble. Eject.” The Mini-Con tetrad pop out of Soundwave’s chest, transforming into their robot modes as they do so. Rumble and Frenzy fall to either side of Ravage as Laserbeak roosts upon Soundwave’s shoulder gun. “Operation. Wreck the Wreckers.” Optimus and Elita look up as chaos ensues. “Get ready to rumble in our frenzy, Autobots!”, Frenzy and Rumble harmoniously let out as their battle cry. Optimus loosens his guard as he gestures inquisitively with his hands and head at Elita, “Are those… the Wreckers?”, and Elita shrugs her shoulders and emotes accordingly. “Shall we find out… Orion?”. Elita dials into Ultra Magnus’s channel, asking him Optimus’s question, but calling him by his former name, Minimus, as Optimus listens in. “Ultra Magnus to Elita-1. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I have all Wreckers accounted for…”. Magnus pauses awkwardly. Optimus replies “Let me guess, old friend, you have three soldiers… not accounted for?” Awkward silence continues. Magnus sighs and tells fellow co-leaders that it’s Wheeljack, Ironhide, and Mirage and that Mirage or Ironhide likely lead the divergent front, to which he subsequently pings Wheeljack. “Wheeljack, where are you and are you with Mirage and Ironhide?”.

“Hey Boss! Errr… yeah I’m with the scrapheads-” Mirage then interjects in pure distraught “-as you can clearly tell-” the squawk of Laserbeak shrieks as the inventor tries to fend her off “-yep that’s Laserbeak, you can probably guess the rest. Ironhide, you wanna say anything?”

He lets out the battle cry of the Wreckers. “WRRRRRECKKK AAAND RUUULE!”. Ultra Magnus lets them go, with them all saying a round of ‘til all are ones. “‘Yo! Tincans! You wanna know what the Torchbearers taught me?”

The fight freeze frames. “You… you… seriously expect me to believe you got trained by Pyra Magna… you?” Frenzy laughs. “Yeah, you would be one of the last Autofreaks I’d expect to be combat proficient.” Rumble adds on. Even in Ravage’s face, you can see her smile. Mirage attempts to do a magic trick with his powers, but in the process, Soundwave catches him by surprise and uses his sonar power to send him into the air to shred him up using his shoulder gun. “You Wreckers should listen more instead of talking. Remember this and remember it well. Soundwave, superior. Autobots, most inferior.” The Wrecker duo, in their shock and grief, express their retreat as they drop a smoke bomb and transform out of there.

Optimus and Elita watch on. Some time passes. Soundwave walks to the edge and gazes upon Optimus Prime and Elita-1. Soundwave’s wrist monitor pings. “Just in time.”

 “Nova Storm to Ascenticon Guard. This is Nova Storm speaking. My Rainmakers and Thrust’s Coneheads are locking in on Soundwave’s position.” “This is Thrust speaking. We are also in pursuit of the Autobot Aerialbots.”

“This is Shockwave, excellent. Continue pursuit and eliminate any in your way. Lord Megatron, I-” blaster fire blares around Shockwave as his position becomes compromised by Pyra Magna’s squad, consisting of Arcee, Bumblebee, Minerva, and Nightracer “-I am in need of reinforcements. My creations are dead.”

Deep within the Decepticon command center in Darkmount, Kaon, Megatron scowls, he hates when Shockwave, the logically insane Cybertronian who he trusts as much as Soundwave, can’t handle himself. “I expected better from you Shockwave. However, seeing as you aren’t that idiotic fool STARSCREAM, I will send troops your way. Do not disappoint me for this is the last time I humor your lack of preparation.” While attempting to find cover, Shockwave’s cyclopean optic slightly dims as he lowers his head.

“OH WELL LOOK WHO IT IS THAT NEEDS THE HELP FROM THE OLD AIR COMMANDER.” Everyone with a spark knows who this is. Shockwave zooms his optic to see none other than Starscream and Airachnid flying his way. “Most illogical.”

Airachnid comments in her Cybertronian helicopter mode, “Aww…Don’t be so sad, Shockie…for I didn’t think you had it in you after you committed Empurata on yourself before the war. But who cares about the past, really? It’s real pathetic to mourn it.” She sighs. “Anyway, consider this a gift from the Lord himself.”

“Why do you need to comfort him? He doesn’t even comfort himself, let alone others.”

“Feeling jealous…Starscream? Good.” If Starscream wasn't in his alternate mode, he would be physically twitching for all to see.

“After this war is over, I do not care if we lose. I’m killing you.”

Shockwave details as the bickering duo initiate strafing runs upon Pyra Magna’s squad’s position, “Illogical, you will die before then. Either by Lord Megatron for insubordination or by an Autobot.” Airachnid snickers as Starscream doesn’t even honor such an insult.

“Pyra Magna, commander. Should we retreat? We should cut our losses and wounds.”

“Negative, Minerva. We stay in this position. We outnumber them five to three.”

Arcee flips down her visor and looks around. “I found some rubble we can hide in.”

“Good work, commando. Bumblebee, lead the way.”

“Huh? I can’t lead! Plus, that pile of scrap may be our grave if they bombard it.” Bumblebee exasperates with an air of anxiety.

“Don’t worry ‘lil Bee, we’ll protect you. And if anything happens, Minerva’s there. Right, Minerva?” She nods to Nightracer. “Now let’s go.”

As they retreat, Arcee and Pyra Magna cover the group. Starscream then taunts them, “FOOLISH AUTOBOTS! TOO BAD YOU CANNOT FLY! HOW UTTERLY PATHETIC!”

“Loosen the ego, will you? Maybe one day you’ll be leader and we all will say, “All Hail Lord Commander Starscream.”” Airachnid ridicules. “I concur; it is highly illogical.”

Meanwhile…

“Aerialbots! Full speed ahead! Air Raid, contact Optimus Prime and Elita-1 and report in that we are pursuing the droplets and the cones!”

“Yes sir! Silverbolt sir!”

However, Fireflight interrupts, “Silverbolt, where do you think they’re taking us?”

“Fireflight, chill! They’re probably taking us straight to Megatron!”

The rest of the Aerialbots gasp in their alternate modes in response to Skydive’s comment.

“You might say they’re waiting to skydive us to our deaths!”

“Slingshot! That is disrespectful! Apologize to Skydive, now!”

“No, sir! One could say they’re using a slingshot to send us to Megatron.”

“Skydive! Slingshot! Knock it off!”

“Air Raid to Elita-1 and Optimus Prime! Come in! We are approaching your position with the Rainmakers and Coneheads!”

Optimus and Elita take one long glance at each other with concern and contemplation. Optimus sighs. “Affirmative, we will stand by. Stay safe and ‘til all are one…”

The Coneheads and Rainmakers transform from their alternate modes as they land next to Soundwave. Simultaneously, the Aerialbots swoop in around them to stand beside their Autobot leaders. Soundwave steps forward with the corpse of Mirage that the Mini-Cons retrieved and kicks it down the building. The Autobots emote in their own unique ways, horror, disgust, gloom, confusion… Optimus Prime and Elita-1 tighten their stance. The optics of the Decepticons match the optics of the Autobots… It’s anyone’s guess as to who fires or moves first. But no matter what happens, it will get ugly…

In the meantime, Ultra Magnus, after confirming the safety of Pyra Magna’s troops, spots two familiar vehicles driving to him. It’s Wheeljack and Ironhide. Wheeljack reports to Ultra Magnus that Chromia and Nautica have called him to the combined lab and medic center in the nearby Altihex. Ultra Magnus lets Wheeljack go and subsequently orders Ironhide to join his fellow Wreckers in the barracks as they plan to assault the Combaticon combiner Bruticus in the fallen city of Praxus.

The hum of Wheeljack dimmed as he approached the Altihex center and transformed.

“Nice of you to meet us on such a short notice, Jackie. Sorry it was last minute.” Nautica jokingly remarked.

Chromia equally adds on, “I heard you took Ironhide along with the ride? You better not have dinged him up or I’m pranking you real big… joking, joking. I loved hearing how Ultra Magnus got pissed at you.”

A faint droning hiss comes in from the next-door lab. Then a loud warbled screech accompanied by clanging. The medic bay goes silent. Nautica leads the charge to find whatever it is that made such a sound, with Wheeljack and Chromia as backup. A quieter screech continues to follow as they step closer and closer, bit by bit.

Nautica attempts to clear the corner but quickly jolts back under cover. She looks at Chromia and Wheeljack with pure despair-filled hesitation and mouths, “What in the Allspark.”

Chromia whispers, “What is it? Is it that bad?” as quietly as possible in response.

What Nautica has witnessed is something unlike anything ever seen in the history of ANY Cybertronian colony. It had a green, flowery head with a shimmering void at the center. Its lean, muscular gray body had its neck and hips cracked with the same glowing green as the head. It had a sharp green blade for one arm and a stub for the other. Yet it was way smaller than them. They wouldn’t understand it yet, but they just met an Ethereal that somehow found a Hollow to Altihex from New Eridu.

They armed their weapons, counted down, dashed around the corner, and went in guns blazing, killing the Ethereal. “ALL CLEAR!” they yelled. Yet, their minds weren’t clear as they neared the monster with inquisitive yet frightened curiosity.

Wheeljack donned some personal protective equipment while Chromia and Nautica held out a containment tray to help Wheeljack scoop out the remains from the lab.

Back at the stalemate with the Aerialbots, the Rainmakers, the Coneheads, Optimus and Elita, and Soundwave and his Mini-Cons, they began to tire of attrition. The deafening silence mixed with distant blaster fire and explosions didn’t help their cases, especially the twitchy Mini-Cons.

Obliterating that awkwardness came an increasingly loud howl. Everyone broke their guards, almost in perfect unison.

A domineering, gunmetal black Cybertronian with the Decepticon logo transformed out of their Cybertronian jet mode and landed into their tank mode in front of the building to soften the landing, finally, in their more humanoid mode.

“Well done, Soundwave, Thrust, and Nova Storm. Hello again, Optimus Prime and Elita-1… or should I say Orion Pax and Ariel Nomini.”

“Megatron,” scowled Optimus.

Chapter Text

Back to New Eridu, more specifically, Blazewood, to be precise.

The blistering sun of the great unknown hits Lighter as he awakens to the characteristic arid and slightly sandy air of the Sons of Calydon’s quaint little town out in the Outer Ring. Sitting in a curled stance, he looks around inquisitively, knowing something is wrong. The light shines on his chiseled abdominals and chest as he realizes. He realizes that he left the window open at night. He rolls his eyes, sighs, facepalms, and walks to close the window. He trifles his way to his closet, grabbing his usual leather gear fit for a Champion like him, wearing his aviators and tying the Red Scarf around his neck as he heads out in his sandals to the shower to do a quick freshening up (but not before brushing his teeth). As he later steps out of the changing room, all fit up, the rest of the Sons of Calydon (minus Pulchra and Piper) call out to him. He cracks a smile as he, with a stride that can only be described as powerful, walks to his fellow sisters-in-arms as they, together, head to Cheesetopia for breakfast.

“So, Lighterrr, what’s got you in such a good mood this lovely morning? Hmmm? Any nice dreams?” Of course, none other than the cheery and crazy cracker of fire, Burnice, would throw an icebreaker like this. “Nothing, Burnice, just have a feeling that today’s gonna be a good day. Smooth sailing.”

“Wait, what? But we can’t sail, we live in a desert, silly Lighter.” Not before anyone at the table can react or muster a reply, Caesar gasps. “Ohhh, it’s one of those figures of speech, never mind y’all!” They all share a hearty laugh as Bricky, Woody, and Grassy bounce their way with their meals.

Lucy, quick to the draw with her temper, “WOODY! GRASSY! BRICKY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING SERVING OUR MEALS? KASAAA!”

“Ehn-nu-nuh un-nah nah-ehn-nah! Nuh-nu-ne nah-uhn-nu! Ne-uhn-uhn nuh-ehn-ehn! Uhn-ehn ehn-nu-nah!” (What Grassy said can loosely be translated from Bangboo to mean “This early in the morning and we didn’t do anything wrong! Please be reasonable! We were ordered to do this! If you don’t believe us, ask Kasa!”)

Lucy sits down, not while pouting, letting out a loud hmph, and flicking her hair back in all of her sass. Pleadingly, Caesar retorts, “Why the reaction, Lucy? Your little platoon is helpful! See! Lighten up a bit. Burnice, you got any Nitro-Fuel on ya?”

“Don’t you dare answer that, Burnice, Caesar thinks every time is time for her to Overlord and use diplomacy. And I had told them before NOT to indulge themselves in here, their muddy feet get everywhere!”

Everyone darts their eyes as Kasa approaches their booth. “Sorry, Lucy, they helped themselves. Couldn’t help it, especially considering your Bangboo trio are so cute!”

Naturally, all three Bangboo looked at each other with the (supposedly) cutest look of confusion they could muster. “Ehn-nah?! Nu-ehn-uhn uhn-nu-nah!” (They exclaimed together, surprisingly and surprising even Lucy herself, to say “HUH?! We are not cute!”). Appropriately, they also let out a digitized “hmph”.

Meanwhile, Pulchra Fellini got up and was on her morning walk while humming Astra Yao’s new single, when, right as she walked by Lighter’s window, she paused abruptly. Her pupils constricted like the predator of a mercenary she is, with her pointy ears flapping amidst the wind. She was staring at the asset of which Lighter had dubbed, before he went to bed, “The Device” upon his shelf. Her gaze focused even closer as she looked the strange text up and down, trying to make sense of it. Subsequently, she cases her surroundings for any bystanders or onlookers from far and wide. “In the clear,” she mumbles under her mask as she reaches in between her hair for a pick and her pockets for a shimmy. Fumbling a bit before she manages to unlock his window, but she’s in as she steps as quietly as she humanly (or Thirenly) as she can to “The Device” to inspect it closer. Her furry hands caress the metal as she whispers to herself, “What in all of Cinderglow Lake is this?”. She then quietly makes her exit, leaving almost no trace that she was even there. Continuing her walk, she finds a dilapidated bag to store “The Device” until she reunites with the rest of the Sons of Calydon at Cheesetopia. No one can see it, but a smile of relief is hidden beneath her mask as she walks in. Lighter turns around and flips down his aviators. Turning around at the same time, Burnice, as expected, yells “KITTY!”, much to the perplexed look of the other eaters at Cheesetopia. Pulchra rolls her eyes. “Stop calling me that! Ughhhh!”. As usual, Burnice shrugs it off.

“Anyway, as I was so rudely interrupted-“ Pulchra glares at Burnice “-Lighter, do you know about this?” She rolls out “The Device” gently upon the sort of messy table.

Lighter, questioning his entire existence at once, “How… how did you get into my room? And… why?”.

“Call it my predatory instincts, Sunglasses. Anyhoo, do you think any one of us can decipher what it says? ‘Cause for the life of me, I have absolutely zero clue as to what language this comes from, zero.”

“Lucy, do you think you might know anyone in your former circles who might know about this?”

“Do you really think I keep in contact with them, Caesar? Be serious. They probably got sick of me and my threats to them to not interfere with my life again… ask Piper when she wakes up, I don’t know. Also, Pulchra, you could have told us you were up.”

“Awww, kitty must be embarrassed. Hehe, it’s all fine by me.”

“Don’t test your luck, you pyromaniac. You don’t want me to repeat our first fight- except this time I know more about your weaknesses.” Burnice pouts as if to garner pity from the feline Thiren, understandably so.

“Hey, it’s way too loud for a morning. No need for the early morning feuds, save that for the Settlement Days.” Pulchra lets out some air and looks away, meanwhile Burnice apologizes profusely to Lighter, to which he sighs and facepalms. “So, who wants to wake up Piper? It’s getting awfully late in her sleep.”

Caesar, dodging the question, comments on how Piper is likely exhausted from their road trip the day before.

Regardless, Lighter’s fellow sisters-in-arms look at each other, expecting one of them to volunteer, but after a short while, none of them do as they continue to stare at each other and at Lighter. Eventually, Burnice speaks up, “Don’tcha worry your cute red scarf, Lighter, I got this! Just gotta finish this flask of Nitro-Fuel and I’ll be there in no time!” He cracks a smile as she chugs that flask in an absurdly inhuman time and gives her regards to Kasa and the gang before exiting Cheesetopia.

Simultaneously, in the vibrant and lively Sixth Street, just as Belle and Wise were reading the newspaper and scratching off their daily cards with coffee in their hands, Trigger buzzed Belle’s burner phone.

“Bro, hold my coffee.” Wise looks as she picks up the call.

“Sorry to call you unannounced, Manager. But do you think you and your brother can meet with Zhu Yuan and me? By the way, Executive Officer Asaba Harumasa will be in attendance, as a representative of Hollow Special Operations Section 6, just thought to let you know.”

“I don’t know why you mentioned Harumasa separately, but okay, everything is perfectly fine by me… where do you want to meet?”

“Stop by the 'hidden chamber' within Reverb Arena later today, sometime around noon-ish.”

Belle confirms with Trigger and, accordingly, notifies her brother.

“Guess we have to employ Eous as the manager… again. We really gave them no breaks these past few weeks, huh?”

“Uhm…”. Belle receives that typical sibling suspicious look. “…I may have forgot to charge Eous… don’t get mad at me…”

“Why would I get mad at you? You probably used them playing that one co-op gacha game all night.”

“Whaaa?! Huhhhh?! I toootally didn’t use poor, cute little Eous like that. Nope. Never. Nuh-uh. Grace probably snuck in to sneak them out to disassemble them at her warehouse lab.” Wise is unfazed, much to her chagrin. She drops her posture and admits defeat as Wise suggests calling up Sjal for the day shift.

 After Piper is ready, Lighter drives her to the undisclosed rendezvous point somewhere out in the vastness of the Outer Ring he and the other Sons of Calydon decided.

“Yo, Piper. You still awake? I’m sure you got enough sleep if you didn’t hear Pulchra and Lucy’s complaining.”

“You youngins and your silly little squabbles, there’s much more to life than petty arguments, don’tcha know? Anyhoo, don’t mind lil’ ol’ me, they’ll learn soon enough, they oughta out here.”

“If you can conjure up a life-changing mini-speech like that, then, yeah, you’re definitely awake for sure… did you dream of anything though?”

Piper yawns. “Hey, watch it! Yawns are contagious!”

“Oopsies, sorry, hehe. Uhm… but nah, I didn’t dream of anything, hon' I was too tired to do so anyway. Sorry to burst yer bubble.”

“Don’t apologize. It looks like we’re approaching the site. I’ll help you get down.”

After approaching the site, Lighter turns off his motorcycle, shoves the keys into one of the pockets in his leather jacket, and gracefully aids Piper in getting down, to which she thanks him. As they approach the site on foot, they notice immediately that the rest of the Sons of Calydon are nowhere to be found- except their bikes. They soon turn to each other, back and forth, in utter confusion. Lighter rings up Caesar.

“Hiya, Lighter! You must be wondering where we are right now… turns out some Hollow raiders were in that spot… and so we battled until we all fell into a fissure. Damn, how do I turn this into a voicemail?” Caesar fumbling and tapping on her phone can be heard. “Ughh, Caesar, come on, we gotta go in!” Lighter recognized that voice as Lucy. “We’ll call you once we’re outta the Hollow! Bye!!”

Piper looks at Lighter’s disapproving visage. “What happened? Is this the right place?”.

“We have to hang around here for a while, they got sent into a Hollow fissure by some punks.”

“Aw, shucks.” They start walking around, trying to find a nice, cool enough place to relax and rest.

The Phaethon siblings arrive at Reverb Arena. Wise pulls out his burner phone for the directions to the “hidden chamber,” the New Eridu Defense Force sniper from Obsidian Division mentioned.

They try to be as casual as possible while making sure the coast is clear on the way to the room.

“Oh! Managers! Greetings! Was wondering when you’d show up.” Asaba Harumasa says with one of the largest smirks imaginable.

Belle comments back, “So, you skipped work for this, I see…”

“Ouch, I’m hurt, Manager. This is serious business, you know.” He gives a face resembling a sad and wet cat. “And regardless, Yanagi still made me do a report of this all for poor old me, which is why I have a pen and paper right here.” He waves the pen and stationery in the air.

Zhu Yuan interjects with an assertive tone, “Hi there, Proxies. Can we get back on track, please and thank you. I have other active investigations to do, and I have to meet my parents after work.”

“Okay, so the reason we called you two here is because we need your help in navigating Hollow Zero. You see, we have intel that the phantom thief syndicate, Mockingbird, has information on the backstory of the asset. Considering you both are outside of the law, Zhu Yuan and I figured you might be our infiltration unit.” Trigger remarks.

Wise questions, “Hold on, why not send Jane to snoop in? Second, just because we're… illegal… to some regard, doesn’t mean we know how to professionally perform espionage.” Zhu Yuan mentions how Jane is with Seth Lowell on their own separate investigation together and notes how they need their unique Carrots as well as Fairy to help navigate Hollow Zero since they’ll be on ancillary exploration duty.

“And we at Section 6 are involved in case Nineveh shows up or we get thrust into the Lost Void and we meet Geppetto,” Harumasa adds on.

Belle and Wise turn their heads to one another and then to the other three.

“This is fine and all, but what is the scope of the timeline for this investigation. We do have our video store to attend to and the absurd electricity bills to pay.”

“Don’t worry, Wise, I called in a favor with Alexandrina Sebastiane of Victoria Housekeeping to take care of your video store for you and to freeze the bills for this investigation’s compensation.” Zhu Yuan responds.

“And besides, Soldier 11 has agreed to fill in for me at the Defense Force and Qingyi for Zhu Yuan.”

Unbeknownst to them all, a small, imperceptible camera listens to their every word.

Elsewhere, a shadowy figure watches in on their screen with one of their subordinates. Out of their vibrantly red lips blurts, “Excellent. May The Creator refine us.”

“What are you fucking bozos doing? Don’t just stand there, fight them!”

“But there’s Ethereals here with us too!” one Raider, quivering with jitters, replies to his superior. Nobody can tell behind that helmet, but the superior, he’s grinding his teeth and twitching beyond belief.

“DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE? KILL THEM TOO YOU COWARD!”

Caesar locks eyes with the boss and smirks, “You’re about to meet why the Sons of Calydon have an Overlord and why you don’t. That’s me, if you couldn’t tell.”

To the screech of the energized Fossors and Sordiduses, Burnice charges in, flames blazing all around her, lighting up everything in its path, especially the Ethereals. Lucy and Caesar follow suit, focusing on the Hollow Raiders. Pulchra stays behind for ranged attacks and aftershocks. “WOO HOO! YEAH!” could be heard from Burnice as chaos boils between the three combatant parties. The fight is short-lived, however, as the Sons of Calydon expeditiously exterminate the tentacled Sordiduses and Fossors and pummel the Hollow Raiders, sending them scampering out of there. Subsequently, the Sons of Calydon try to find a fissure to escape the Hollow. When they eventually do, Caesar commands Pulchra to contact Lighter.

To the buzz of his phone, Lighter wakes up, waking up Piper afterwards.

Once at the new rendezvous site, Lighter and Piper catch up to their sisters-in-arms, and Caesar shows Piper the foreign text on “The Device”. Unfortunately for them, it had some etheric residue on it and started to hum and rumble.

~TSCHE-TSCHE-TSCHE-TSCHE~

Flabbergasted expressions follow as “The Device” morphs into a different conformation entirely.

“We will find you again,” it vocalizes in Cybertronian.

Chapter Text

Stalemate continues as the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, and the leader of the Decepticons, Megatron, face each other again, with their most trusted alongside them- Elita-1 and Soundwave, respectively. Cybertron’s wind flies past, carrying the cinders of war but also the distant gunfire and explosions. Optimus and Megatron can only focus their optics at each other, just itching for one to move and disturb the deadly silence. Soundwave merely gazes upon the potential battlefield, with Elita-1 shifting her eyes constantly between Soundwave and Megatron, waiting for one to aim their attack at her so she can release the tension and show them what a conjunx endura of a Prime can do. Simultaneously, the Rainmakers and Coneheads share vicious smirks with the Aerialbots, who have aligned themselves in a V-formation in case they need to call upon the might of Superion again.

In the nearby polity of what was Unitrex, the much maligned and ironically destructive Constructicon combiner Devastator is seen using the ruins of the once-legendary starship factory-bay to their utmost delight as they wreak havoc upon the Autobot troops led by Codexa and Strongarm.

Using their fist that doesn’t hold a blaster, Devastator punches what was once a prototype dubbed by Solus Prime as the “Lost Light” way back in the age of The Thirteen and hurls it across the battlefield in a burst of rage, landing behind the Autobot fronts and demolishing abandoned buildings. Autobot snipers and grenadiers scream before their voices are snuffed by what was the "Lost Light".

“AUTOBOTS! PREPARE TO MEET YOUR DOOM! NOTHING CAN WITHSTAND THE MIGHT OF DEVASTATOR! NOTHING DEFEATS DEVASTATOR, NOTHING! PREPARE FOR DEVASTATION!” bellows and reverberates across the battlefield.

Devastator fires their blaster into the abyss as they revel in their glory and conquest.

Prowl transforms himself onto the scene. “Sorry you two, I was escorting Javelin out of those buildings as she was badly injured to Lifeline. I’m here now, what can I try to do against those Constructicons?”

“Did you just seriously ask that, Prowl? One bot can’t go one-to-one with a combiner like Devy.”

“Strongarm, remember. Even stupid questions are entertained in our division. Prowl, see if you can break this wall of sorts with a flank.” Strongarm gestures with perplexity as Prowl runs off to the barracks. He looks around for a violet-colored bot who was once a Decepticon Justice Division (before Nightbird covertly assassinated Tarn) and then Decepticon special operations trooper. There she is, Prowl found her. Shadow Striker, the unfortunately disfigured with all sorts of prosthetics.

She glares at him with an intensity he’s only seen with the likes of Bruticus, “What… do you… want this time, white-coat?”. Prowl steps back a bit. “Come on, we don’t need to do this dance, just because you thought we wanted to be conjunx endurae when I wanted you to just see the light doesn’t mean you can treat me with such disdain.” Shadow Striker stops herself before commenting, “Ugh, let me guess, PROWL, you need me in battle against, Devastator? Well, if so, it isn’t happening. I knew the Constructicons personally, they’re way deadlier than Bruticus, ironically.”

Lifeline walks by, she personally shows Shadow Striker a schematic for a more functional left arm.

“Lifeline, may I be discharged?” Lifeline looks up at Prowl, to which they both smile- much to Shadow Striker’s disgust. She thinks that Prowl is one of the most flirtatious bots the Allspark created, even more than Mirage. Nevertheless, Prowl connects with Override, Bulkhead, and Sandstorm in a nearby barrack to assemble a secondary offensive against Devastator. He confirms with Strongarm and Codexa, to which Strongarm pulls him aside and whispers, “Remember your training on the force, get out of there if it seems impossible. Or do what we do and break the impossible. Anyway, ‘til all are one, Prow-Prow.”

“Til all are one, Strongarm. Just remember to promote me if we win.” Strongarm rolls her optics to his sarcasm. Accordingly, Codexa mumbles a prayer written by Zeta Prime.

Around the same time as the Coneheads and Rainmakers were assaulting Superion, a third battle was raging in Nova Cronum. The Cityspeaker from Caminus, Windblade, was leading her mini-squad, Lightbright, Hot Rod, and Aileron, against Metroplex, who went rogue due to a Decepticon virus.

In his rampage, yelling “METROPLEX HEEDS THE CALL OF THE LORD DECEPTICON!”, he takes a bridge and snaps it in half, sending both halves flying past Aileron and Windblade in their aerial alternate modes as they transform out of them.

Hot Rod races along the jagged battlefield. “Fitting that the Decepticons would make a virus that immediately forces them to submit to their high and mighty Mega-dumpster fire!” Alongside him trails Lightbright, Windblade’s Camien sister-in-arms and Cityspeaker predecessor, in her Cybertronian motorcycle mode. “Aileron, I never told you this, but you picked a funny bot to join us. I’ve always wondered what the culture of Velocitron was, and now I know!”. Hot Rod lets out a “Huh?” as Windblade politely interjects, “If only we weren’t at war, we’d be exploring the cosmos, but alas, yes, Velocitron is fun. In fact, you should meet Bumblebee’s sparksibling-in-arms Cliffjumper... he’s a riot.”

Aileron attempts to get the band back on track as flak from Metroplex’s back cannons rains around them, “Windblade, Roddy, LB, look out!” As Windblade and Aileron weave through the munitions and the smoke, Lightbright and Hot Rod swerve around the crashing debris. “THERE! LET’S GO THROUGH THE ALLEYS!” Aileron commands, as Windblade and co. follow as Aileron turns left.

“COWARDS! ESPECIALLY YOU CITYSPEAKERS!”

The squad maneuvers through and within the war-torn labyrinth of crumbled buildings and suspended walkways, attempting to take the flank behind Metroplex. In his rageful response, he kicked down buildings with his right leg, hoping that they’d domino and crush Windblade’s squad where they metaphorically stood. Tough luck for him as they just barely managed to escape the mayhem and confused Metroplex, being once connected to Windblade and Lightbright, as he didn’t sense any snuffed sparks with his faint Cityspeaker connection. As they continued through the chaotic landscape, Hot Rod found a straight shot to the flank.

“TURN RIGHT NOW!” Whirs and screeches followed as they all suddenly course corrected. They gave it their all as they went full speed ahead to Metroplex’s “calves”.

“Lightbright, you’re going to have to hang onto either of us in the air, be prepared.”

“Understood, Windblade!”

Hot Rod also understood the assignment, as he started to employ his charm and charisma to attract and distract Metroplex. Exhibit A: “HEY, BIG BOT! HOT AND HANDSOME! OVER HERE! DON’T YOU DARE PLAY HARD TO GET!” Meanwhile, Lightbright hung onto Aileron as the trio ascended their aerial climb to the back of Metroplex’s head. Once they quietly landed, Lightbright made the mistake of looking down at Hot Rod racing around Metroplex, as the constant moving of Metroplex almost made her altitude sick. “First time for everything, trust me, you’ll get used to it.”, Aileron whispered as she handed Windblade the cortical psychic patch cable. Subsequently, Lightbright opened the patch panel. After Windblade recited the Cityspeaker prayers she was trained with, she linked her occipital to Metroplex’s occipital, and her eyes and facial markings glowed a bright light blue.

Windblade was in, but without a nanocycle to spare, “CITYSPEAKER WINDBLADE, I SEE YOU! NOW GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” echoed in the mindscape. Yet, she remained with composed silence. “I WARNED YOU!” Her mind and body did not waver. Uneasy stillness pervaded the mindscape. Then, a sudden blast coming from all angles barraged Windblade. Metroplex was attempting to flush Windblade out of his system, even if it meant killing her within his mind. She was only moved a sliver of a centihic.

Metroplex then taunted her by showing her countless failures throughout her life.

Not being fast enough to save one of her previous squads from drowning in the Sea of Rust.

Accidentally frying the brain module of Red Alert, rendering them mute and partially disabled, after a Decepticon ambush.

Not knowing her own strength, cutting her teacher’s arm off with her Stormfall swords during Cityspeaker training.

Optical lubricant starts to leak from Windblade’s eyes in the real world, sizzling as they evaporate her metallic skin. Lightbright notices this and hugs her motionless body. “’Til all are one. Don’t let him get to you.”

Back in Metroplex’s mind, Windblade tries her hardest to shake away the intrusion, but the taunting only grows. “ENOUGH! YOU ARE A CITY AND I SPEAK TO YOU! YOU BEND TO ME!” she exclaims in his mind, with a mystical explosion bursting from her. She immediately activates her Cityspeaker abilities to pierce the Decepticon firewall with all her might, grab and disintegrate the virus, and free Metroplex by showing him his fondest memory: Optimus Prime showing him the Matrix of Leadership.

Out in the real world, just as Metroplex thanks Windblade and tells Hot Rod he’s back to normal, blaster fire rains upon the trio at the top.

“SO, YOU MANAGED TO FOIL SHOCKWAVE’S PLAN? WELL, YOU CAN’T FOIL ME!” It’s Starscream as he buzzes their position. Airachnid trails behind him, “Do you have to announce our position every time?”. Starscream doesn’t even respond, just merely cackles as they continue to strafe their position.

“Metroplex! Help us!” Aileron exclaims. “Metroplex?”. Lightbright mentions how he’s now likely performing diagnostic repairs to fully confirm he’s normal. Windblade arms herself for a fight, until Airachnid transforms out of her alternate mode and motions for Starscream and Windblade’s crew at the top to pause. Airachnid nods her head, commanding the air commander to move out as they have been given new orders. Windblade, Lightbright, Hot Rod, Aileron, and Metroplex live to fight another solar cycle. Coincidentally, Ultra Magnus patched himself into the comms of Windblade’s squad. “Windblade. New directives. Intel from Ironhide strongly suggests that Optimus Prime and Elita-1 will be in danger due to Soundwave. Sending you new coordinates.”

“Windblade here, affirmative. We report that Metroplex is back in Autobot hands. We will be en route.”

“You Cityspeakers can do it all, huh? Well, good luck regardless, you know how Soundwave is.” Ultra Magnus sends the coordinates and promptly disconnects.

“Autobots, ROLL OUT!”

Below, Hot Rod chuckles, “How long have you wanted to say that?”

As Lightbright races on down Metroplex’s body, she replies. “She’s not going to respond, but forever.” Windblade lets out a distraught gasp.

Back to the present.

Prowl, Shadow Striker, Bulkhead, Sandstorm, and Override are using the cover of night alongside Shadow Striker’s makeshift camouflaging nodes she designed with Wheeljack to sneak their way past Devastator.

Bulkhead pauses and looks at Shadow Striker. “Are you sure these will work? Cause I swear I hear abnormal flickering. And I’m practically a walking target with my size.”

“I'd hope you’re not questioning her methods because she was a ‘Con.”

“Prowl, always the bot of the law. Even during wartime. But have faith in my less speedy former Wrecker.”

“Thanks, Override. Wait, was that meant to be a back-handed compliment?”

“Everyone, shut your voice boxes, or else we don’t need these.”

“Agreed, Shadow Striker. Bulkhead and I will take the left vantage point, Override, you will take the central vantage point, and Prowl and Shadow Striker will take the right vantage point.”

They all affirmed Sandstorm’s orders, and as they got into their respective positions, they all looked at Strongarm and Codexa’s front. Sandstorm sent off a silenced flare round, to which Codexa spotted Sandstorm and, through comms, told her to wait for the go-ahead. Subsequently, Strongarm and Codexa ordered a handful of troopers to become unofficial shock troopers as they handed out recently refurbished rocket launcher cyclers to Hound, Whirl, Warpath, and the like. They too sent a flare, it’s go time.

Volleys of rockets and blaster fire were simultaneously hurled at Devastator from the primary attack position. Simultaneously, Override sped off a natural ramp in her position as the rest of the secondary attackers rained fire upon the rear of Devastator. Override just managed to latch onto the kibble on the back caused by the Constructicons’ combination. As both sides peppered the Decepticon combiner, Override managed her ascent to the top of Devastator’s head. She took out her almost rusty cortical psychic patch cable and hesitated for a nanocycle before mustering the courage. “Lightbright, Windblade, you better be right about how to use this.”, she said as she opened the occipital panel to connect their minds.

A faint crackle could be heard before sparks started flying from the rusted coil of the cable. Then, a small explosion yanked the cord from Devastator, sending Override, now unconscious, flying. Sandstorm immediately sprang into action, transforming into her Cybertronian helicopter mode and then catching her out of said mode before retreating to their vantage points.

“AUTOBOT SCRAPHEADS! YOU CANNOT RESTRAIN DEVASTATOR! NOW DEVASTATION SHALL COME FOR YOU ALL!”

Devastator’s blaster swept the battlefield as chaos erupted, with Autobots on Codexa and Strongarm’s front scrambling for safety. Devastator started to orient themselves so that they could attack both offensives at once. Their empty hand became a crushing implement as they began to flatten the buildings around the secondary offensive. Just as Sandstorm’s front was about to retreat and merge with the primary front, Override jolted up from stasis lock, complaining, “Why is everything so blurry all of a sudden?”. Bulkhead commented that it was temporary, as Sandstorm picked Override up during the retreat. Suddenly, a stray shot from Devastator’s blaster hit one of the buildings behind Sandstorm and Override, which caused Sandstorm and Override to separate, with Override landing on Bulkhead mid-driving and Sandstorm hitting her head after the fall. Prowl and Shadow Striker heard the impact and turned around to retrieve Sandstorm.

Back at the barracks, Lifeline diagnosed Override as partially blind, but not before Sandstorm awoke from stasis lock. “Who are you all, and… where am I?”. Lifeline confirmed the symptoms as the rest of the crew looked on, speechless. Nevertheless, the uninjured three had a battle to face, leaving the two in Lifeline’s care as they rejoined Codexa and Strongarm and told them about what had just transpired.

Long after Windblade and her squad left Metroplex in his diagnostic mode, the Titan-class Cybertronian awoke. He looked around at the chaos he assumed he had caused, trying to piece together what had happened.

BOOM! A flash-fragment of his memory manifested in his mind.

It was Shockwave, a long while back, performing a cortical psychic patch to infect him with a brainwashing virus. In this fragment, he remembered the pain he felt as some Seekers drained him of a small sample of the special type of energon Titans like him possess. The memory was foggy, so all he could probe further was that they had confirmed to Shockwave that his plan could proceed. What surprised him was that Shockwave was not entranced when connected.

BOOM! Another flash! This time, it’s how he unnecessarily bullied Windblade.

“Primus… what have I done?... I’m a monster.”

Chapter Text

A dainty leather-gloved hand taps alongside a wooden table to the thumping of a steel-toed leather boot. Humming of a gothic tune follows alongside clinking and sloshing of a filled wine glass. Suddenly, the same gothic tune plays on a nearby record player. The humming shifts to match that part of the song, beat by elegant beat. A higher-pitched hum accompanies, slowly but surely, and harmonizes with the other hum.

“The moonlight is about to fade, my dear sister-in-crime. I do hope you’re not prepared for a temporary slumber. Shall we begin to seize the opportunity we have lined up for us today?”

“Yes, Hugo, I have fully awoken, and we shall indeed, teehee~”

Said sister picks up her umbrella as Hugo picks up his briefcase.

“Well then, let’s begin.”

Elsewhere in New Eridu, the famed idol and singer Astra Yao wakes up to an empty bed. She sits up in her blanket looking anxiously around, back and forth, up and down. Just as she was about to reach for her phone, rustling came from the curtains as they parted, revealing a familiar figure, illuminated by the sun behind her.

The brightest smile and the biggest eyes physically possible materialized on Astra Yao’s face. “EVE!!!!”

“Apologies, Miss Yao. I got called on a late-night commission from a new client who, for now, wishes to remain anonymous and confidential. But, worry not, I didn’t forget about us.” Evelyn Chevalier reaches for her satchel strapped to her and brings out a small bento box.

Astra’s eyes glimmer as her mouth begins to water, saying, “Ooooh… starting our day out with breakfast in bed. I see you, I see you, very clever Eve!”

Evelyn opens the bento box to reveal four small chicken tempura and four chicken and vegetable rolls of sushi. She peeks her eyes up at Astra as their eyes match. Astra’s eyes are filled with desire and ferocity, and Evelyn’s eyes and lips complement with satisfaction and subdued joy.

The star gets up to walk over to the moth perched upon the windowsill, surrounded by light from her front and her back. The moth reaches for one of the tempura, but the star envelops her with a hug as the star’s hands angelically trace the moth’s body up until the moth’s face is cupped from both sides. The moth displays a slight blush on her cheeks as the star’s face nears her. The star flashes a wink before retreating her hands down the moth’s shoulders to caress them. The moth’s blush fades to disguised disappointment. Luckily, the star won’t leave the moth hanging as the star embraces the moth. The moth’s eyes sleepily close as she manages to grab that tempura and raise it up so that when the star pulls back, they can feast together. These playful little critters continue until it’s time to get ready for the day.

Keeping up with the Mockingbirds, they take flight to the desert where they correctly confirm the location of a NEDF outpost. It goes without saying, but the usual outfits of one Hugo Vlad and one Vivian Banshee are the oil to the desert’s water. Thus, step by excruciatingly slow step, they attempt a stealthy infiltration into the outpost until they find themselves behind a couple of stacked barrels of gasoline. The arid wind whistles through the slightly tattered fabric tarp of the tent, to which the devices set up in the outpost supplement with their trills and warbles.

“Hmph. Lord Phaethon would never resort to cowering in one place for far too long. Let’s move now.”

“Now, now, my dear Vivian. We shall not be hasty in our approach. Besides, your Lord Phaethon would send people like US to do their dirty work while they sit back and merely navigate us. They are Proxies after all.”

Just as Vivian was about to erupt into the biggest emotional volcano humanly possible, a soldier turned their helmeted head towards the whispers they thought they heard beyond the crates and barrels. They notified their fellow soldier beside them, to which they both started to advance. Hugo then turned to Vivian with his usual shit-eating grin and gently restrained her with his hands on her shoulder. Vivian returned a look of confusion with a hint of intrigue until she started to shed a tear or two.

Within those tears lies a flash of blinding intensity. Both soldiers are visible, but Hugo and Vivian are nowhere to be seen. The two soldiers walk forward to the source of their supposed sound until-

WHAM!

As if they were trained hitmen, the phantom thieves knock out the soldiers in one clean and fell swoop.

This wasn’t hearsay; this was reality that soon came to be.

“Well then, that solves that issue. I do hope for the sake of this crucial step, they at least don’t sweat too much. Also, Vivian, their uniforms may be a bit too big for you. Just in case, stay behind and provide me with your flowery blooms.”

As Hugo disguises himself as one of the soldiers, Vivian picks up the unconscious body of the other soldier and groans to herself. Hugo, hearing this, shrugs his shoulders. “Apologies for stealing the spotlight this time. Next time, perchance?” The best Vivian can do is hide the evidence.

Hugo’s now thicker hand skips upon the tops of the folded-out metal tables and the various clipboards strewn about. “Much ado about nothing, it seems so far.” Aside, Vivian twiddles with her fingers and her lavender helical pig tails seemingly in a daydreaming trance. It’s another one of those dreams regarding “Lord Phaethon”. Hugo side-eyes Vivian as he trifles with the records and chuckles with his nostrils, shaking his head. Simultaneously, when Vivian comes out of her paradise, her eyes dilate as she blushes, realizing her brother caught her fantasizing. Hugo returns a wink, much to Vivian’s continued embarrassment. Vivian and Hugo get back to their duties of watcher and scavenger up until Vivian hisses at Hugo. Hugo and Vivian hide amidst the tarp and the heavy machinery.

A mature figure steps into the room, formally dressed in maroon and black with her vibrant red lips and piercing green eyes. Alongside her, there are some other select few NEDF soldiers as her detail.

“So, this, I assume, is representative of your base of operations? How cute and pathetic. You’re supposed to be New Eridu’s finest defenders alongside the likes of Section 6 and yet you aren’t given the necessary and proper budget to conduct such a task.”

“Ma’am, are you aware that this is merely an outpost and not an office?”

The other two soldiers slightly gaze at each other in silence through their visors.

“Excuse me, did I give you permission to talk?... No? Didn’t think so… Anyways, as I was saying, we Exaltists were in the possession of an artifact that would be of great technological use to New Eridu’s protectors. Code word: were. I say this because it was lost to the Hollows, and whoever your, quite frankly, idiotic superior commissioned to retrieve such a treasure never got back to them. Strange, isn’t it? And you-“ She beams a thousand-meter stare at the talkative one, who subsequently shivers a bit. “-that was a rhetorical question. So, I’m hoping my presence here today gives you incompetent lackeys some motivation to get what The Creator and I want.”

One of the other two soldiers steps forward and gestures the talkative one to fall back to their file. That soldier who stepped forward excuses themselves for *her* to affirm. “Ma’am, we are currently preparing to enter Hollow Zero through this smaller proxy Hollow, since there is a fissure in there. Also, we currently have some clues recorded in these notes as to where exactly your asset could have gone.”

“Excellent news, keep it up. I’d better see more regular updates from here on out, got it?”

The three of them chant, “YES, MA’AM!”. The woman grabs her phone from her pocket and squints. “Sorry to cut this little meeting of ours late, I’m a busy woman and I’ve other pressing matters to attend to. Hopefully, one of you military grunts will understand.” She makes her leave outside of the tent to the escort of those three soldiers.

Right then and there, a tactical van pulls up and stops.

The woman and the driver exchange looks.

“Do I know you, soldier?”

“No, but I do know you. You’re that infamous Vision Corp executive.”

The woman chuckles. “You’re a real funny one, lucky I need people like you to do what I want, or else you’d be dead meat for a Hati. However, I understand that we are both busy women, and I’ll let you off the hook for now. Go along.”
The driver, who is secretly Evelyn Chevalier in disguise with the code name tag Vermilion, nods as they go their separate ways.

“You can come out now, Miss Yao.”

Astra collapses the façade of a wall as she climbs into the passenger seat. “I’d never thought in a million years that one of my action flicks would actually be reality and I’d be the deuteragonist… so exciting! YAY!”. Evelyn slightly grins as she briefly side-eyes Astra. “This better be worth it to bring you here for your next album.”

“I promise with all my heart, Eve. You know that.” She reaches for Evelyn’s forearm and tip-toes her fingers across until she caresses Evelyn’s hand on the wheel. “Miss Yao, I’m driving, please do not distract me with your… your…” Astra raises her eyebrow, still clutching Evelyn’s hand. Evelyn mumbles, “irresistiblecharm.”

“Before you ask, I am not repeating that.”

Astra pouts and does her “Aww” routine she often playfully pesters Evelyn with as they enter the Hollow.
Concurrently, Vivian softly emerges from hiding, casing her surroundings before tip-toeing her heeled way to alert Hugo that the coast is clear.

“You heard all that, brother?”

“Oh yes, yes I indubitably did. Do you have the storage drive?”

Vivian unclips the storage device from under her skirt and hands it to Hugo. She then takes out her phone to capture anything and everything that can possibly be of use. On the walls lie annotated maps and blueprints, whereas on the tables lie log books, varied notes, and confidential legal documents. Just as Hugo attaches the storage device to the main terminal, groans can be heard from within the tent. The Mockingbirds subdue the half-awake soldiers again, posthaste. Hugo and Vivian resume extracting the data with the jerry-rigged storage device.

“We don’t even have the login or the methods to bypass the firewall.”

“Luckily for you, Vivian, before I met you, I learned a bit about how to evade such a thing, amongst other things. This is what we call in the thespian world, the power of improv.”

“But this wasn’t impromptu, you prepared for this.” Hugo gently hushes Vivian as he notes, “Oh contraire, ma sœur, but this is improv as we improvised a method just in case”, winking at her. Vivian’s body language emanates a vibe of impression as they hum their gothic tune yet again, waiting for the files to finish copying.

“So, after this, what’s next on the schedule, oh great director?”

“I can’t spoil all the fun, now, can I?”

Keeping up with the lovebirds, they have just arrived at a safe zone inside the proxy Hollow to park their, well, stolen ride. Evelyn gets off first to rush to the passenger’s side to help Astra off.

“Careful, Miss Yao, watch your step. It’s uneven ground here. One wrong tumble and your bruise, or worse, gets infused with etheric matter. Not even Ether Aptitude can save you then.”

“Consider my steps watched, teehee~”, Astra says as she takes out her handheld instant camera to begin to snap some inspiration shots.

Then she begins to sing:
“
旋转的灯光
谁会在旁
压轴送出当初我最爱的歌
是你么
如飞天星火
随心不闪躲
载住昨日美梦碎片
冲破险阻
”

“Wonderland Reverie, I assume.”

Astra ropes Evelyn along for a shot as she exclaims, “I knew you were my biggest fan!” Evelyn looks at the developing photo and smiles. Noticing, Astra playfully pokes at the cheek of her “Eve”.

“Gotcha~”

“Is this it?”

“Nope, two more to go, because this upcoming album is gonna have three acts, and I want three unique spots of inspiration from within the Hollow.”

Evelyn nods as they start to walk deeper, ensuring their Carrot stays with them.

As they venture deeper, a duo of Thanatos teleports into their wide-open space. Astra lets out a shriek and jumps appropriately. Accordingly, Evelyn pats and brushes Astra’s shoulders to calm her down.

Evelyn taunts the Thanatos duo, “Nothing slips through my defense. Your journey ends with me.”

To the beat of Evelyn’s advance, Astra Yao sings her hit single, “Original Me”, into her portable microphone, which disorients and stuns the Thanatos duo long enough for Evelyn to use her Lunalux garrote wires to corral them into a binding seal. Evelyn continues assaulting them with the garotte wires, which now have burning tethers. In due time and to the final word of “Original Me”, Evelyn extinguishes the threat at hand.

“Miss Yao, that was an excellent live performance to back my attack, but are you okay? Are you injured in any capacity?” she inquires, rushing to her “asset”.

“You worry too much about me, Eve. I’m okay, but what’s even more cooler is that I know what my final act is about and what to call the album.”

Evelyn chuckles. “All I’m happy about is that you’re left unharmed is all. Also, I’m not that great, you know?”

“Nuh-uh! You are great, Eve! The perfect orchestral arrangement, the smash-hit rock band, you’re it all. You, you Eve, are my greatest inspiration… and as for the album title, it’s ‘Wires of Destiny’.”

The moth cannot contain herself anymore for in a split-second, the moth embraces the star, except this time it’s in the form of a luminescent and lustrous hug.

“Let’s go home, you silly… cute thing…”

“Aww, what happened to ‘Miss Yao’?”

Around then, outside of the Hollow, the storage device’s extraction nears completion. Hugo is seen doing coin flips and tricks with his fingers, and Vivian, seated, fidgets with her fingers, bored out of her mind while having a slumped posture against the desk’s top.

The storage device pings a quaint little tone, to which Vivian wakes and jumps up in the chair.

“Hugo, look.”

“Shhh, calm down, dear Vivian. I have ears.”

“Oops, sorry, hehe.”

Hugo brings out “his” phone. “Greetings again, my dear former partner, Lycaon. I have great news that may interest your, well, parties of interest. I have… on my, well, crude storage device, information regarding the asset that you may find useful in your investigation. Goodbye.”

Chapter Text

Pyra Magna, Arcee, Bumblebee, Minerva, and Nightracer. All huddled in the rubble. Droning, whirring, buzzing, whatever can be described as to what’s currently going on above the rubble is happening. Starscream and Airachnid are circling Pyra Magna’s squad’s hideout, waiting for new orders from Megatron or another Autobot officer. Either way, Decepticons or Autobots, one must give way.

Bumblebee peers out through a small window of sorts, optics following the Decepticons as they circle past it. “Bee, come on. No use waiting for your doom. They’ll do that, and by they, I mean Screamer will do that until we bleed our Energon dry.”  Arcee reels him back with a tight squeeze. “Oww… Cee, you can just take me by the hand. What if you squeezed too hard and my arms dislocate?”

“Why do you think I’m here?” says an offended Minerva. Nightracer adds, “Best practice, as you know, is to have at least one medically capable combatant on each squad.”

The rubble vibrates. Pyra Magna jolts her head up.

“Nightracer and Minerva, you’re both right, but please try not to add to the volume inside here.” She opens her radar panel on her forearm and locates Ultra Magnus’s position. Her optics indicate that they are separated a decent distance apart from one another, but not too far. She sets her comms to the Autobot Elite Guard’s old signal.

“Ultra Magnus, I am sending you my coordinates. We are pinned and hiding in rubble with Starscream and Airachnid above near a space bridge. If you can, please send reinforcements.”

Silence follows.

Silence continues.

Everyone looks at each other with strained desperation and an anxious flare in their optics, with the only sound being Airachnid and Starscream above.

“Pyra Magna, my friend, this is Ultra Magnus. Apologies for the inconvenience, but we unfortunately cannot reinforce your position at this time. We are-” Blasts around him interrupt. “-as you can hear so well, also being pinned down by Devastator as we have joined the fight with Codexa and Strongarm. Optimus and Elita are also in attrition with Megatron and Soundwave.”

The comm line buzzes out. A clenched fist smashes the ground beneath her. Minerva, looking at Pyra Magna, who looks back at her squad, “Commander, I’m guessing that was bad news. If so, don’t worry, I’ll be there to protect us with whatever I can. We *will* survive. I ascribe to that.”

Pyra Magna raises her hand to meet the medic’s shoulder. Locked eyes and painful acknowledgement are all they can express.

“Well then, Commander. Let’s make a run for it. Bee and you can lead while Nightracer and I cover you both.”

Nightracer whispers, “Arcee, are you crazy? They’ll pick us off like turborats even if we zig-zag or split up! They have the elevation AND the superior speed to do so.”

Pyra Magna, deep in contemplation, was about to gesture them to silence, but… she didn’t.

Minerva picked up on this. Suddenly, Pyra Magna started to stare at the ground while lowering her hand to meet the floor. In her hand, she felt vibrations. Vibrations that were gently and gradually growing in greatness.  She turned her head back, not at her crew, but beyond them.

Gunfire.

“OH HELLO! NICE OF YOU TO JOIN THE PARTY! BE OUR GUESTS IN YOUR FUNERALS!”

“Extra Autobots for us to mark down? Yes please.”

The squad inside tries to look outside, but the rubble blocks that view. Sounds of transforming overshadowed the fading rumble of engines.

“Aghh!” and “ACCURSED AUTOBOTS!” were all they could hear as audible thuds ensued until transforming sounds came back.

Metallic clangs of steps grew and grew until the only semblance of a window became shadowed with the silhouette of three bodies that started to kneel.

Everyone’s excitement coalesced into a blurry cheer for joy, for it was Chromia, Wheeljack, and Nautica. Before anyone could muster a semblance of a proper sentence, they all gave each other a nice warm, as warm as metal can get without melting, embrace. But the bumbling bee was first in line. “Wait, why *are* all of you here?”

“We, and I mean, I needed a space bridge for my research into this weird phenomenon that happened in the bay, and this was the closest one, lucky for you all. Oh, and don’t worry about Lifeline, she has Velocity helping her out. The bay can live without us for a few mega-cycles.”

“Jackie’s right, but didn’t care to mention the anomaly we faced seemed to be organic in nature. It was grotesque, crackly, and its flowery head had a seemingly stable black hole. I assume none of you know what it is, but you can help us, if it is any consolation for saving you from *those* ‘cons.” Wheeljack shrugged as Pyra Magna looked down, away from Nautica. “Minerva, Bumblebee, Arcee, tail with Wheeljack’s research. Nightracer, let’s go to Ultra Minimus- I mean Magnus. Sorry, I probably need a quick stasis break.”

They all went their separate ways. As the research team neared the space bridge, Arcee questioned where Shockwave was, to which Wheeljack jerked his head back at her with a stare that could pierce the Allspark itself. Bumblebee and Minerva patted Arcee on the back as they continued forth. Meanwhile, Pyra Magna, in her vehicle mode, pinged Ultra Magnus via comms.

“Are you still stuck? If so, I’ll try my hardest to divert a small squad to your location.”

“Don’t worry, praise Primus that Wheeljack, Nautica, and Chromia saved us- no casualties. Nightracer and I are heading to reinforce your front against Devastator while the rest are following Wheeljack’s new project.”

“New… project? Does that bot know we are in the middle of one of the war’s most tense mega-cycles? Ah, whatever, what the frag. I’m sure it’s important in some way. I’ll alert Codexa and Strongarm. Safe travels, ‘til all are one.”

“’Til all are one.”

Near the rubble, Airachnid and Starscream slowly but surely regain processing as they limp themselves up. Hands rubbing necks, hands caressing the contours of necks, and hands fluttering to stimulate energy. They look at one another with the utmost perplexity. Starscream is the first to fully regain control as he promptly launches into the air as Airachnid gazes from below.

He scurries to connect to his comm channel. “Lord Megatron, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m sorry if Airachnid-” “Hey, speak for yourself, you pile of scrap!” Airachnid’s senses are restored. “-or I missed any orders, but we’r-”

“Illogical to apologize and logical to apologize. You truly are an enigma, Starscream. Lord Megatron is currently fighting Optimus Prime and Elita-1. But I need you two to report to my location.”

“Starscream, you idiot! We could have easily rested and refueled, but noooo, you just had to talk your vocal box in the fear that Lord Megatron would extinguish your spark! GRRHHH!”

The two Decepticons fly away to logic.

At the top of the space bridge, Wheeljack’s body language is plain as can be- distraught anxiety. “By the Allspark! What did Shockwave do to your poor paneling?!” The rest of the team prepares for a mental breakdown that, fortunately for Wheeljack and crew, never arrives.

“Jackie, do you need any help or assistance before you begin?”. Wheeljack notions for Chromia to help him tidy up the mess and for the rest of them to stand by on overwatch. Minerva, half-cocking her head back, “So I get the background of this research but what do you need from a space bridge that would help your case?” Nautica mentions how the technology that allows for a space bridge to function could be used to open back the portal from wherever that monster came from, and how Wheeljack is trying to reverse engineer that on a handheld scale. Bumblebee and Arcee look at each other with wonder in their eyes as, coincidentally, together, “Wheeljack! You’re truly amazing!”, blurts out of their vocal boxes. Wheeljack’s fins flicker on and off a bit as his optics remain focused alongside Chromia to analyze and digitally scan the internals of the space bridge’s functional core.

“You two are finally here. It is illogical for you to take that long to arrive. Nevertheless, you are here, so the case at hand involves using the technology of the space bridge to induce submissiveness and pliability into the Autobots so that we can reformat them into Decepticons.”

“And you need *our* help to do so? I have better places to be, can’t you at least call Starscream to be your lab assistant?”

“HEY! I ought to have you demoted and placed here indefinitely!”

“Illogical, Starscream, for Lord Megatron would punish you first, and besides, what I’m doing, this is the most logical calling of our existences as Decepticons.” Starscream backs down as Airachnid snickers.

Codexa, Strongarm, and Ultra Magnus, in the middle of strategizing a new plan to take down Devastator in the barracks, look up as Nightracer and Pyra Magna enter. All share their brief pleasantries.

“To catch you up to speed, Devastator is getting increasingly aggressive, and we need all the hands we can get. We hope you brought some munitions for yourselves since we are kind of running low ourselves.”

Codexa adds, “Thanks, Magnus. Strongarm and Prowl have been crunching the numbers, and unless we make one final effort to force the Constructicons to retreat, all Autobots in this region will die.”

Nightracer and Pyra Magna look at the trio with stern conviction and a suddenly burdened posture. “Pyra, what have we gotten ourselves into?”

“I… I don’t know… but what I do know is we need to not waste any time. Strongarm, what’s our play currently?”

“Sandstorm’s team was currently our best shot, but with your Torchbearing, we might make this encompassing attack work.” Nightracer looks to Pyra Magna and back to the trio. “What do you mean *was*?”

“We mean what we mean, Sandstorm has memory issues, and Override has become somewhat blind.”

Pyra Magna cups her face. All she can think about is what’s in store for the rest of them. “Let’s go, I guess…”

They start to head out of the barracks to the frontlines before-

THUD.

THUMP.

THUD.

Everyone looks up. Devastator begins to turn their thick waist, metallic creaking to boot.

“DEVASTATOR! I HEED THE CALL OF THE AUTOBOTS AND YOU HAVE CAUSED ENOUGH TROUBLE TO THEM!”

Waves of relief, joy, and reinvigorated enthusiasm wash upon the faces of the Autobots. They will be okay, for it is none other than Metroplex himself.

BOOM! Goes the first volley of punches as Devastator struggles to reclaim balance. Devastator goes for his blaster, but Metroplex parries it away. Autobots below cheer on, “METROPLEX! METROPLEX! METROPLEX!”. This only pushes Metroplex further to continue punching until-

WHAM! Devastator gives Metroplex the nastiest knee as they wrestle Metroplex into a grappling position to dole out more knee strikes. Metroplex embraces the sides of Devastator as he turns himself to face their obliques and subsequently tackles Devastator into the broken buildings below. Autobots yell and scream war cries like it’s the Velocitron Speedia 500.

“Windblade, I am sending you this faint signal for I will be approaching.”

Metroplex fires a round of artillery into the chest of Devastator, who, now enraged, they yell, “WE WILL CONSTRUCT YOUR GRAVE AND BURY YOU IN IT!” before punching his navel region. Metroplex begins to retreat to Windblade’s position, currently in the rusty stalemate with Megatron, Soundwave, and the two Autobot leader lovebirds. Devastator gets back up and chases him. The Autobots below are speechless as Prowl and Shadow Striker look at one another, just bursting to laugh out of pure insanity at what transpired.

Back at Team Shockwave, Starscream and Airachnid grow bored of his nonstop science and engineering. Shockwave, unfortunately for them, does not care for their feelings and marches onwards, hyperfixated on the task at hand with his cyclopean optic aimed at the table in front of him.

“Starscream, hand me the rivet drill.”

While he does that, Airachnid gestures to Starscream to signal that Shockwave is a lunatic, to which Starscream shrugs at her as if to say, “What do you want me to do? Have us be with Megatron?”.

“Excuse us for just a klik, I need to… y’know… berate Screamer here.” Starscream looks at her with sheer bewilderment, but she gestures with intensity and nods away from Shockwave, who pauses to reply, “I suppose it is logical for you to do so, go ahead.” Shockwave resumes with his machination.

Before Starscream can utter a word, Airachnid puts a finger on his mouth. Starscream looks down in even more confusion than before.

“We can’t be here like this, on the ground, we need to fly away, at least to something more exciting. I’ve never believed the rumors, but by the Fallen, he’s boring as can be.”

Starscream matches Airachnid’s whisper, “But he’ll report us to Megatron, and I do NOT want to be humiliated and beaten again by him. We must stay, much to my displeasure.”

Airachnid sighs and groans as she gestures them to go back to Shockwave. “Are you done yet, Shockwave?”

“I hope Starscream finally became one with logic, also no, not quite.” Starscream, tired of everyone, clenched not only his face but his fists. Meanwhile, Airachnid facepalms into what Cybertronians call a “resting glitch face”.

On the other scientific hand, Wheeljack and crew are back at the combined bay with a vat of space bridge specialized energon. As Nautica and Bumblebee help Wheeljack near completion of his invention, Minerva reunites with Lifeline and Arcee and Chromia watch the construction project unfold before their very eyes.

“It should be done! Chromia, help me fuel this!”

Once Chromia and Wheeljack fill up Wheeljack’s invention, Lifeline pops in with Minerva to ask about its name.

“Who cares about the name? We've got Pyra Magna to get back to, come on!”

“Bumblebee, be patient, please. We all know we’re in a war and we’re almost done here.”

“Sorry, Arcee…”

Wheeljack caps the tank tightly and activates it. It trills and beeps.

“Nautica, you have the Covenant right? Put it in!”

“Done. Now what?”

Wheeljack begins to record a message, which begins to transcribe itself onto the invention, finishing with the words, “we will find you again.” He activates the space-time feature, shooting a beam that grabs and reopens the fissure. Everyone is amazed, but not for long, as after Wheeljack wishes it a “’til all are one”, he casts it in, closing itself behind.

Ethereals pass by it on the regular, not even acknowledging it, but the Hollow does. It begins to deposit etheric residue bit by bit.

Time flows until one lone independent Hollow Investigative Association member, in the middle of their routine exploration mission, finds it and records it and its location in his tape recorder. Just in case, he captures it with his instant camera, not before heading back to the way he came, heading back to Scott Outpost.

Chapter Text

Back in the “secret” recesses of their Random Play video store, the Phaethon siblings wait eagerly for the arrival of their clients and friends as the day may finally come when they unveil the curtains that is “The Device”.

“Fairy, please boot up the meeting software. Thank you very much.”

“Affirmative, Miss Belle.”

“Didn’t you program her to call you Master?”

“She did, however, we don’t have to discuss this further, Junior Wise.”

Belle giggles like a schoolgirl. Wise merely facepalms and slouches back in the chair after she starts teasing him. Several pings appear all at once.

“Master Belle and Junior Wise, patching them in now. Please prepare accordingly.”

It’s Tsukishiro Yanagi, Qingyi, Trigger, Von Lycaon, and Lighter. The usual fare of pleasantries erupts as Wise and Belle ahems to try and lower the noise. Belle rubs her eyes to the words “Guys, it’s not even before opening hours for us, we got up extra early for this.” As expected, the noise ramped back up when everyone apologized and subsequently faded as business began. Qingyi and Yanagi asked each other where Zhu Yuan and Asaba Harumasa were, as they were the usual points of contact, which revealed that Harumasa would never wake up this early and that Zhu Yuan is getting her well-deserved rest. Yanagi even added that Miyabi is busy training with Tailless.

Lycaon interrupts, “Excuse me, Proxies, I have good news. Rina is packing the essentials now, she should be on her way shortly to make this transition as smooth as possible. Corin will aid her as Ellen will aid us.”, to which the siblings confirm.

“Speaking of transition, Soldier 11 has notified me of her independent investigation into one of the bases that connects to a Hollow Zero proxy, and she found evidence that the main terminal was tampered with. So, Seed and Orpheus did some digging and found out that the device used was likely a makeshift one with no traceable connection. Someone is either on our trail or on a similar trail.”

“Worry not, Miss Trigger, it’s a former partner of mine, and when Rina notified me that Miss Zhu Yuan about your investigation, I connected the dots. Regardless, I have the intel we are after.” Lycaon sends it to Fairy, who sends it to each attendee’s monitor, unzipped in a folder.

“Man, there are times in the Outer Ring where I wish life were this exciting.”

“You're the supposed Red Scarf Champion if I’m not mistaken. I’d assert that your life in the Outer Ring with lawlessness and wanton abandon is much more exciting than life in a well-ordained and policed city.”

“Alright, alright. Please don’t use this opportunity to arrest the Sons of Calydon and I. We’re, should I say, quote-un-quote, noble compared to some of these idiots out here, namely and formerly, the Vanquishers. I’d rather commit to community service.”

“Don’t worry, Lighter, you aren’t in any government crossfire, considering we at Section 6 are directly connected to the government. Your ‘Big Daddy’ makes sure of it. “

After Yanagi makes her comment, Belle and Wise look at each other, cogs turning in their heads. Suddenly, Wise leans forward. “Wait, if most of you are connected to the government, Mayor Mayflower, or otherwise, how is this a concern of espionage? Shouldn’t the resources the mayor has at his disposal be enough to finish this investigation quickly?”

“We wish that were the case, but not even high clearance individuals here at the Defense Force have any idea as to even recognize hearing or seeing ‘The Device.’ Orphie tried asking Roland, that old wizard of NEDF, but he is lost too.”

“Bruh, you’ve gotta be kidding me, there must be a way we and Fairy can hack into government systems to see if they performed some sort of steganography to hide receipts or schematics or like if there’s any secret communication channels.” Belle turns her head to Wise, who has his deadpan stare targeted at her, to which she shrugs in muted desperation. Regardless, Wise thanks Trigger for her insight and adds, “Belle, be serious with me here, they have more advanced tech than us, and they all likely have tried it at least once.”

Qingyi sips her jade oolong. “You’d think that, but our systems are precisely monitored, which is why we are all using burner devices to communicate, and which is why we cannot infiltrate using hacking. Belle has the right ideas, but such ideas are out of our practical reach, unfortunately.”

The meeting goes on and on until Random Play’s opening hours hit, and Alexandrina Sebastiane and the timid Corin Wickes swap in for Phaethon as the siblings are picked up by the wolf Thiren Von Lycaon and the shark Thiren Ellen Joe.

“G-good luck, B-Belle and Wise, stay safe! Try not to-to hurt yourselves!”

“Corin, dear, they have Sir Lycaon and Miss Ellen to save them if they’re in any danger.”

“OH!... Right!”

Ellen looked at Rina and Corin with the faintest of a smile and gave them the nod before she passed out in the passenger seat with a lollipop still in her fanged teeth. Noticing, Wise smirked and shook his head, and Belle merely chortled while rolling her eyes. Once the Proxies got onboard, Lycaon made sure they were secured and fared the other half of Victoria Housekeeping adieu as he began to accelerate.

“Ellen, wake up, dear. We’re here,” Lycaon repeated several times over as Ellen slowly regained consciousness. The Proxies looked at Ellen with repressed hilarity as the lollipop mixed with her drool stained her maid outfit. Ellen looked at them, then at the stain, and let out a unique grunt that none of them had ever heard, but they knew it was one of embarrassment and disgust. As Lycaon attempted to clean up the attire, Ellen wiped her mouth and popped a couple of hard candy sweets, thanking Lycaon in the process.

Not even a second to take in the air and ambience of the rendezvous, several other vehicles pulled up around them.

A platoon of motorcycles.

Two armored trucks.

An undercover police car.

A dingy sedan.

The members of the Sons of Calydon, the members of Obol Squad, the members of Hollow Special Operations Section 6, the Cunning Hares, and Zhu Yuan’s New Eridu Public Security squad (except for one Seth Lowell) all convened with Phaethon, Ellen, and Lycaon as they began devising of a plan to end this mystery once and for all. That was until…

Brief whistling followed by vocalization of a gothic tune to the beat of heavy footsteps that came from above, in the only building that remained amidst the rubble surrounding it.

Lycaon and Zhu Yuan immediately sprang forward, ready to take whoever it was down. Little did Zhu Yuan know that Lycaon knew exactly who they were. And whoever they were locked their eyes immediately with Lycaon as they smiled in glory, while Lycaon merely let off a soft growl.

“My my my, dearest partner Lycaon, what a circus you assembled in my honor. Oh, I’m touched.” Subsequently, the lady beside them locked eyes with the Proxies, lust in her eyes, fawning hands cupping her jawline, and her nose starting to bleed. This was one of her dreams coming to fruition.

“Lycaon, who are these?”

“Miss Yuan, these are Mockingbird. Hugo Vlad and Vivian Banshee.”

Hugo twirls around his briefcase. Machinery crackles as the briefcase transforms into his scythe, which he uses to descend the building. Simultaneously, Vivian uses her in-built skirt thrusters in tandem with her parasol to glide down gently to ground level. Lycaon, Zhu Yuan, Hugo, and Vivian step forward to meet each other’s gaze. More specifically, it is Lycaon and Hugo who stare into each other’s abyss while Vivian looks on as Zhu Yuan stands by.

“Ahem. Brother, are you done yet? The more time we waste-” Vivian, almost robotically, shifts her head to lock onto the Proxies, “-the less time I get to spend with my ever-beloveds…” She squeals in anticipation.

Lycaon and Hugo back down with a handshake amid grunts and scoffs. Ellen’s eyes roll backward as she straightens her posture.

The femme fatale rat Thiren herself, Jane Doe, twirls one of her knives around her pinkie. “Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s move, I’ll lead the way. And before any of you comment as to why I will be leading the way, instead of say the military… just say it’s my predatory instincts. Phaethon, let’s go. Mockingbirds, up front.” The Proxies and the phantom thieves shuffle themselves to flank Jane’s position as the gang heads into the Hollow.

“Everyone present?” The gang confirms Jane’s order. Vivian hands both Proxies black-market Ether Aptitude Enhancement pills since they can’t be in Eous. Ellen pings Rina and Corin just before the Hollow makes it impossible. It pings back before fading into noise, and she displays a slight smile.

Then.

A slimy whistle was ever-present in the etheric air as a wave of magenta blobs launched themselves, aiming for the area ahead of the gang. SQUELCH! Miyabi dashed forward to inspect further, peeking back at Yanagi. A silence of confirmation followed.

“Miasma.”

Right as another volley approached, Miyabi and Yanagi made quick work of the blobs, with Trigger, Billy, Pulchra, Zhu Yuan, and Harumasa to assist, shooting down any they missed. The two revolver wielders congratulated together, but celebrations were cut short as the pool of Miasma gave rise to Huskrons as a group of Flame Cantors came out of the distant shadows, yelling “WE SHALL REFINE THE UNCLEAN! YOU WILL BE PROUD TO DIE!” Exalting Hymnists supported the Cantors, with some of them rushing the congregation of agents. To boot, a mob of Miasmic Spawn, along with Banyreks, took notice of the “unclean” and charged them. One lone Cantor reported in his ear, “Miss, may the Creator refine them”. Chaos ensues as Hollow Special Operations Section 6, the Sons of Calydon, the Mockingbirds, Obol Squad, and what was there of NEPS and Victoria Housekeeping all went into battle to defeat the evil and to defend the Proxies. Soldier 11 and Miyabi led Obol Squad and HSOS6 to the Cantors while the rest fended off against the grunts. In the sky above, red lightning manifested as a few Miasmic Thracians entered the fray. To adapt, HSOS6 diverged from Obol Squad’s offensive to meet the new front. Vivian signaled to Hugo and promptly retreated to the backlines to corral her beloveds to a safe zone where she’d feel comfortable defending them with her life- it only made sense as they, unknowingly, saved her from an unspeakable fate.

“Don’t worry, Lords Phaethon.”

Wise retreated further into a windowed corner where a mini-Hollow supply cargo box was. Crackling beneath him grew louder and louder.

GRAKH!

A Fisher Crab appeared out of nowhere, fusing with the box as it emerged. Belle pulled Wise back in his terror. Vivian pushed the Proxies back to where they came, carefully inching backwards steadily.

THWIP!

A garrote wire entangled itself around the Ethereal, much to its unbridled rage. In the meantime, Evelyn came through the window, aiming to finish it off.

Belle pokes her head above Vivian’s parasol. “Eve! What a surprise! What are you doing here?”

“I should ask you the same thing, however, this is a side gig to my usual quote-unquote gig. Or rather, a follow-up…” Evelyn takes a breather. “She must be worried to death; this is the second time it happened.”

“What’s your job this time?”

“Wise, it’s complicated. The mayor initially reached out to me for intel regarding a covert case, which apparently is this, as now his order is to confirm your safety.”

“Hmph, not that complicated, and we are capable enough as it is. Either leave my preciousnesses alone or help us.”

Evelyn agrees with Vivian’s terms as they become the bodyguards of Phaethon.

“Dear brother, how is the battle going?”

Elsewhere, Hugo responds, “Wouldn’t you know, Lycaon and his… daughter of sorts make up a good team. Doubly so with yours truly. Otherwise, same old, same old. Totalizing and letting order and madness dance. Hugo out.”

“Yo! Nicole! Didn’t know you were helping us out! Was it my little brother?”

Before Billy could even form a syllable, Nicole detailed that the potential money in this commission was alluring and that Billy was as shocked as Caesar was that they were teaming up. Anby held her earpiece and, in the blink of an eye, sped towards Obol Squad.

“Classic Anby, she would fit great as a Starlight Knight, not gonna lie.”

In the meantime, Jane, Zhu Yuan, and Qingyi were battling a new threat. A Miasma Ravager. An Avarus. Amidst its repeated pounces and barrages of Miasma projectiles, splattering pools of Miasma everywhere it leaps, the trio stand steadfast. Zhu Yuan stood midrange, shooting etheric buckshot while Qingyi attempted to stun it via electrocution so that Jane could assault the Avarus into disorder. At a certain point in the battle, it activated its Miasma shield, which only made it harder for them to fell the beast. Luckily, with the combined effort of Jane’s porcelume blades and Qingyi’s three-section staff, it was slowly, but surely, pierced for Zhu Yuan to go for the kill.

Regarding HSOS6, they had already made short work of the Miasmic Thracians and were now resting as both Harumasa and Soukaku needed a break. Harumasa was merely tired from physical exhaustion, due to his disease, and Soukaku, well, she was just hungry for some red bean buns that Yanagi promised her. As the two took their rest, Miyabi took the opportunity to meditate.

Obol Squad was just about done with their front when one of the Flame Cantors used all of his strength to summon a whole horde of Huskrons around the battlefield and ran into the shadows filled with Miasmic vines and misty fog.

“Oh, come on! We almost had them!” Orpheus said to which her tail, Magus, remarked, “If only I weren’t a revolver, but a machine gun!”

Soldier 11 and Anby were about to chase him, but Trigger stopped them both. “Let them go, there’s likely plenty more of them where they came from. Let’s help the others.”

In the shadows, the Cantor contacted his boss.

“Miss! We’re practically done! Our ambush is failing! What should we do? Refine them until we die?”

Silence.

“Hello? This is urgent! Time sensitive! Come on here!”

Encore.

“Yes.”

The Cantor ran out into the light, where Anby immediately took notice and slashed him up before he could purify anymore.

“May… may… the Creator… refine you bastards…as… it does me…”

Obol Squad looked down in pure pity, but not Anby. She remembers her past with Silver Squad; she recognizes the definition of loyalty like no one else.

Outside of the Hollow, the boss lady herself contacted Mayor Mayflower in her headquarters.

“Unlucky you, our distraction worked. Now have your forces hand over that asset… or else you’ll be assassinated.”

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!”