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An Energon rewrite I've been working on.

Episode 1: The Beginning of the End

SYTEM SCAN INITIALIZED

ASESSING DAMAGE LEVELS

DAMAGE LEVELS UNACCEPTABLE

ENERGON LEVELS LOW

SEARCHING FOR ENERGON...

ENERGON DETECTED

PLANETS WITH ENERGON: EARTH, CYBERTRON, MARS, ASTEROID BELT

TARGETS TOO FAR

NOT ENOUGH ENERGON

SEARCHING DATABASE FOR WAY TO OBTAIN ENERGON

ACTIVATING SOLDIER UNITS: TERRORCONS

ACTIVATING LEADER UNIT: ALPHA QUINTESSON, A.K.A ALPHA Q

Deep within the blackened ruins of the planet-sized Transformer, Unicron, where all was still, a noise was heard. The noise was the sound of something rising from the ashes within. In the cavernous belly of Unicron, the four-headed robot lifted itself from the ruin. This was Alpha Q. Former Emperor of the Quintesson Empire, based on the Planet Q, they do not remember how they got here. All they know is their directive.

"Uhhhhh... What happened?" Alpha Q groaned.

"ALPHA Q." A deep, booming voice said.

"Who...who's there?" The collective voice of Alpha Q quavered.

"I ... AM UNICRON." The vice began to wheeze.

"U... Unicron? Why are we here?"

"I HAVE REACTIVATED...YOU FOR...A PURPOSE." Unicron sputtered.

"What purpose?"

"YOU...ARE TO GET...ME...ENERGON."

"Energon? But, our military has been destroyed. We are weak, we cannot get this ourselves."

"I WILL ALLOW YOU T...TO USE MY RESOURCES AS YOU SEE FIT. I HAVE ALREADY...RE...RE...REACTIVATED YOUR ARMY...THE TERRORCONS."

"The Terrorcons...? Alpha Q thought. Time to see how pliable Unicron would be. ?What's in it for us?"

"HAD I THE STRENGTH, I MIGHT CRUSH YOU NOW. HOWEVER, I HAVE TOO LITTLE ENERGON TO ACTIVATE SOMEONE ELSE. WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

"We want..." Alpha Q thought. They weren't sure what they wanted. They had their former military. Then a memory rose from the ashes. A flash of a planet being destroyed, and screaming. It was dark, and all they saw was their planet being destroyed.

Their planet...

How they missed it.

How they longed to breathe its air...

How they wished to feel the ground beneath their tentacles...

"We want our planet back." They had decided.

"YOUR PLANET...THIS I CAN DO. I CAN GET YOU YOUR PLANET. I WANT MY ENERGON."

"So, we have a deal?" Alpha Q checked.

"YES. NOW, I MUST REST. MY ENERGON IS DANGEROUSLY LOW."

"Very well. Now go, Terrorcons, go to the asteroid belt in the Terran System, and get us as much Energon as you can!" Alpha Q exclaimed as the Terrorcon legions flew off through the Space Bridge.

In the asteroid belt of the Terran System, one asteroid had a base built on it, as did many of the surrounding asteroids. A massive Transformer stood at the entrance to the central base. He was tall, and he was brightly colored. He was mostly white, with green with a yellow lightning design on the flat parts of his arms and legs. His broad chest had four heavy laser turrets on it, pointed forward. His face was expressionless, no mouth, yellow, boxy eyes, and a sort of helmet around his face. This was the Decepticon, Tidal Wave. Once one of Megatron's mightiest soldiers, he now served the Autobots. It's not like he had a choice. It was either live with them, or die in the aftermath of the Unicron Battles. The choice was simple for him, simple, like his mind.

"Hey, Tidal Wave, it's time for your break." an Autobot said.

Tidal Wave didn't move. He needed no breaks. As long as he was away from the Autobots, he would be perfectly fine. The farther, the better. He liked to think about the battles he'd won by himself. When he was assigned to Earth, to serve with the mighty Megatron, he almost fainted. Him, serve with Megatron himself? Serving with him was the fast track to promotion...or death. Megatron had a notoriously nasty temper. Anyone who failed him would die, unless Megatron had other plans for that bot. It was usually death.

Tidal Wave had sworn to do everything Megatron told him without question. He would make his name with Megatron, or die trying.

"Hey, Tidal Wave! I said, it's time for your break!" the Autobot repeated.

Tidal Wave still ignored him. He'd gotten good at that over the years. Stupid Autobots...why couldn't they all just die? Tidal Wave longed for the day Megatron would rise again, and lead his followers to victory, and crush the pathetic Autobots once and for all! But it wouldn't happen. Tidal Wave had waited 10 years for Megatron's Glorious Reappearing, but his faith was beginning to waver. The Autobots were too strong now. The Fist Minicon War had depleted the Autobot numbers drastically, down to a minor resistance. The breif peace following that war saw more Autbots rise, but the Cybertronian Wars started up again. Autobot numbers had dwindled fast. Then the Second Minicon War arrived, and the Autobots began to win. Then the Unicron battles came, battling the massive Transformer known as Unicron. Megatron (or Galvatron, as he was known at the time) had sacrificed himself to save Cybertron, to stop the burning hatred on the planet and force Unicron to find other energy sources. Starscream had sacrificed himself to push for the peace between the Autobots and Decepticons, all to combat Unicron. All that sacrifice...just for a peace that has lasted longer than any other peace in Cybertronian history. The Decepticons' morale had been shattered after finding out that Megatron was dead. Some still held to the belief that Megatron would return, greater and more terrible than ever before. How Tidal Wave longed for that day.

"Ahh, Decepticons. Always so uptight." the Autobot grumbled.

"When they were made, the makers forgot to put in the relax chip." another Autobot said, and the two laughed. Why did they have to laugh at him? He'd show them, one day.

Tidal Wave saw a glimmer in the distance. He might have shrugged it off as a star, but there were more of them. This didn't look good. Tidal Wave turned to warn the others, but they had left. When Tidal Wave turned around, he could see what these things were. There were a horde of bots built like birds flying at them, carrying what looked like big robot cats.

"Uh-oh." Tidal Wave's gravelly voice said, before he was engulfed in blasterfire.

Back on Earth, a circular dot sat in the middle of the ocean. It was a sprawling city, named Ocean City. Autobots weren't good at naming things. Water flowed off of it in deluges. A Transformer stepped out of the front gate as the road bridge extended to meet the city. The bot had spindly legs, which acted as his treads in vehicle mode. His shoulders held two long cannons that were his main cannons in vehicle mode. His torso was short and, from the side, shaped like home plate from a baseball game. He wore the Decepticon insignia proudly on his chest, and his head...his head was odd. One of his eyes was bigger than the other, and a different color. This was Demolishor, not too bright, but a strong warrior and loyal to Megatron.

"Hey, what's going on? No one told me we were surfacing!" Demolishor asked in his deep voice. He sounded like he wasn't very smart.

"Comin' through!" a voice yelled. A motorcycle zipped in between Demolishor's legs.

"Kicker! What do you think you're doing?" Demolishor called out after the speed demon.

Kicker was the average 16-year old. He was rebellious, he cared mostly for himself, and rarely listened to authority. His brown hair flew out from behind him, out the bottom of his helmet.

"Move it, Demolishor!" another voice called out.

On Mars, they had stopped receiving signals from Asteroid Base. The two were in contact almost constantly, as Asteroid Base was in constant need of machinery.

?What the? Hey, Blaster, we just lost contact with the Asteroid Base!? an Autobot called out.

?What?? Blaster walked over to the console. There were no transmissions of any kind coming from the Asteroid Base. ?Radio Optimus. He needs to know about this.?

A blip appeared on the radar. ?What?s that?? the comm officer asked.

?The reason to radio Optimus. Get that transmission sent!? Blaster ordered as the blips multiplied exponentially.

Just as the transmission was sent, Blaster?s world erupted in fire.

A yellow car sped past Demolishor, who had only just gotten out of the way. The car sped on to catch up with Kicker. He is a yellow car in vehicle mode. In robot mode, his front doors spread over his shoulders like wings. His torso was broad, and his arms were somewhat thin. His head was red at the top, with a fin popping up like a sharp hill. His legs were composed of the front of the car. He has blue eyes. He is headstrong, and has a fairly bad temper. This is Hot Shot. Loyal to the Autobots forever, he is one of the few who served with Optimus Prime during the Second Minicon War and the Unicron Battles. He is a veteran soldier, and something of a hero to the rookies.

?Pull over, Kicker!? Hot shot yelled.

?Try and catch me!? Kicker called back.

Elsewhere within Ocean City, Optimus Prime was educating some rookies. He was oddly built. His torso was large, and his arms and legs were spindly by comparison. He wore the Autobot insignia proudly on his shoulder. His head had no mouth, and his eyes were yellow. In vehicle mode he is a truck, complete with a trailer. He is powerful, he is compassionate, and he has a great respect for life. He is everything the Autobots stand for. He threw a bot over his head and into the ground.

?Now, who?s next?? Optimus asked the assembled rookies.

?I?ll go again!? the bot Optimus had just beaten said. This bot had a blocky body, and his doors for his vehicle mode spread out over his shoulders like Hot Shot?s did. He was blue, as were his eyes. His head was a dome, with four cylinders coming out of it, two to a side. He had two guns placed next to his head, along with flood lamps. His legs formed the front of his vehicle mode, an SUV. This was Ironhide, as loyal an Autobot as anyone. He was hotheaded, and very green. He still had much to learn about being a warrior.

?I admire your courage, Ironhide. You remind me of Hot Shot.? Optimus complimented.

?You?you really think so?? Ironhide stammered.

?Of course. I don?t throw compliments like that around freely.? Optimus replied.

Just then, Inferno ran into the arena. Inferno was red. Bright red, like a firetruck, which he was in vehicle mode. He had a large plasma cannon on his arm. His face was a light blue, and his eyes were orange. Two plates on either side of his head served as a blast mask. Inferno was more of a computer specialist than a warrior, but he was ready to do anything Optimus asked of him. ? Optimus, sir, we just received a report from Mars! They?re under attack!? He said.

?What? Tell Jetfire to meet us at the space bridge! Ironhide, come with me! The rest of you are dismissed!? Optimus barked.

At the space bridge, Jetfire was waiting. Jetfire was an odd sort of space shuttle, more like a starfighter than anything in vehicle mode. He was a dark red, had no mouth, and one optical plate for his eyes.

?What?s happening, Optimus, sir?? Jetfire asked.

?Mars City is under attack. We?re going to help them.? Optimus replied.

Ironhide, Inferno, Jetfire, and Optimus all transformed and headed through the space bridge. Shortly thereafter, they arrived at the ruins of Mars City.

On the moon, a lone Decepticon stood. He was black and white, most of him winter camouflage. He had two wrist blasters, and propellers and tail on his back for his vehicle mode, a helicopter. His face was orange, and his optics were green. This was Cyclonus, the second most mentally unstable of all Decepticons, and wondering when he?s going to be able to kill something.

He?d heard about the attack on Mars City. ?Ohhh, I can?t wait until they get here!? he exclaimed in his high-pitched voice. ?Will they attack here?? He pointed his wrist blaster in one direction. ?Or here?? He pointed another direction. ?Or maybe here?? He began to swing his guns around wildly. ?Ohh, I can?t wait! I?m tingling all over!? He began to cackle maniacally and fire his blasters every which way, until space responded with a storm of yellow blasterfire.

?AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!? Cyclonus screamed has he was engulfed by the wave of weaponry.

Optimus and his group arrived on Mars, only to find the city in ruins.

?No?? Ironhide said.

?I?m not detecting any survivors. I am detecting, however, large amounts of Energon missing.? Inferno said.

?Energon? But who would steal Energon? And why?? Optimus said.

Just then, Optimus? comlink beeped. The moon had just been hit. Earth was likely the next target.

?All right, Autobots! We have to get back to Earth. Our mystery attacker has just hit the moon, and he may just hit Earth next. Autobots, transform and rollout!? Optimus barked. The space bridge reopened, and the Autobots went through.

Hot Shot was racing to keep up with Kicker. ?Slow down, willya!? Hot Shot cried.

Kicker suddenly stopped. His hair flashed yellow. Hot Shot pulled up next to him. ?Something wrong, Kicker?? he asked.

Kicker looked up. ?There! Do you see them?? he pointed.

Hot Shot transformed. ?I don?t see anything.? He said.

Kicker pointed insistently. ?There! Fire there!? he yelled.

?I don?t see anything.?

?Just do it!?

?Fine. I?m telling you, there?s nothing there.? Hot shot sighed. He raised his blaster and fired where kicker was pointing. Nothing. ?See, nothing there.?

?Well, you missed. Fire again!?

Hot Shot did so. This time, the area responded with a hail of blasterfire.

?Get back to the city!? Hot Shot yelled as he began to return fire.

The space bridge opened then, and Optimus and his men came through. They rolled up next to Hot Shot and transformed.

?Where did these things come from?? Optimus asked as he began firing back at the attacking Terrorcons.

?They came out of nowhere! Kicker sensed their approach before I saw them!? Hot Shot called back.

The Terrorcon Divebomb units deposited their Ravage units on the ground and all over the city. Demolishor stared stupidly as the Ravage units blasted through the door he was guarding.

?Demolishor! Don?t just stand there, do something!? Ironhide yelled.

?Oh! Uh, right!? Demolishor stammered, and he began to blast the Ravage drones.

?I think we need more firepower! OP units, deploy!? Optimus shouted. He then leapt up into the air as the OP units flew to join him.

?Optimus Prime Super Mode transform!? Optimus shouted.

?Fire one, combine!? The orange fire unit combined with Optimus? arm.

?Copter two, combine!? The white copter unit combined with Optimus? other arm.

?Digger three, combine!? The yellow digger unit combined with Optimus? leg.

?Submarine four, combine!? The blue submarine combined with Optimus? other leg.

The halves of the battle helmet behind Optimus? head snapped into place over his normal face, and his chest compartment opened. ?Optimus Prime Super Mode powerlink complete!?

Optimus began blasting away with his improved firepower. He then leapt into the air again and activated all of his gunports. ?Energon Blast!? he shouted as lasers poured from his body in all directions, destroying everything they touched. Hundreds of Terrorcons were destroyed in the barrage. Optimus then noted Kicker was driving away with several Terrorcons on him. ?I?ll save you!? he shouted.

A shot from one of the Divebomb drones blasted Kicker off of his motorcycle. Optimus threw an energy orb at him. The orb struck, and encased Kicker in white armor, with the Autobot insignia on the chest. Kicker hit the ground then. The suit didn?t stop that from hurting.

The remaining Terrorcons fled, seeing they were outmatched. Optimus and the other Autobots gathered around Kicker.

?Are you all right?? Optimus asked.

?Fine.? Kicker snapped. ?Like I needed your help anyway.?

?You can thank your father for that suit. He made it especially for you. He knew you wouldn?t listen to anyone, so that suit is made to protect you.? Optimus said.

?I wouldn?t need this suit if you bots weren?t here.?

?Pardon??

?Humans have existed for thousands of years just fine before you bots had to stick your big noses into our business. We don?t need you, and neither do I.?

?Kicker, please. We?re here now, and you may as well accept it. If we weren?t here, who would have driven those bots off?? Optimus asked.

?Our military. We do have one, you know.?

?Your military wouldn?t be strong enough to repel these assaults. Besides, don?t you see how much your society has matured since we arrived??

Kicker said nothing.

?Come on. Let?s go inside.? Optimus said, and everyone filed back into the city.

Back within Unicron, Alpha Q marveled at the sight of the payload of Energon they had received. This wasn?t nearly enough, but it was a start.

Alpha Q watched the events on Earth. His Green Head was showing. ?Well, looks like we have failed on Earth.? It said.

He rotated to the Happy Head. ?Yes, but there are plenty of other Earth-Cybertron cities for us to raid.?

The Angry Head rotated into view. ?But where to strike next??

The Green Head rotated into place. ?Who knows? The more random we are, the less likely we are to be stopped.?

The Angry head rotated in. ?That should keep those mindless Autobots on their toes.?

The Happy Head appeared. ?At this rate, Unicron will be reactivated in no time!?

The heads began to spin rapidly. ?And then we will have our planets!? they said. And Alpha Q was happy and excited, For they would soon be reunited with their planets.

Not if Optimus has any say in this. Unicron thought. He began building a backup plan, just in case he was destroyed. Let?s see what Optimus? next move will be. I only hope Alpha Q won?t make any stupid mistakes.

Deep within Unicron, phantoms stirred. There was a wall with a figure stuck in it. This figure looked horribly damaged. Its two massive shoulders, which looked like treads, were heavily damaged. One of them had been completely ripped open. The colors had faded drastically, but a Decepticon insignia could be seen below the treads and on the chest. Its optics were inactive, and its large, ridged horns were eroded heavily. Within, its spark was barely active. It sensed Energon, and began to siphon some off for the body. This would help serve the spark?s purpose nicely. This spark, the spark of Galvatron, became vaguely aware of his surroundings.

Episode 2: Before the Storm

Alpha Q sat alone in his chamber. His Energon raids had been successful until they attacked Earth. Optimus Prime had defeated them, and Alpha Q was beginning to rethink his strategy.

?This isn?t good.? The Green Head said.

?Just figure that out now?? The Angry Head said.

?With Optimus Prime in the way, Energon is going to be hard to steal.? The Green Head stated.

?Unicron never said it would be easy.? The Happy Head spoke.

?Optimus is strong. Too strong for our Terrorcons.? Angry Head said.

?But what are we going to do? Not even the command units are strong enough to face him!? Happy Head wailed.

?We need something strong.? Green Head.

?Something powerful.? Angry Head.

?And something to command the Terrorcons better.? Happy Head.

Alpha Q thought. They could not fight. They were not meant to fight. They looked through the creatures Unicron had consumed in his time. They came upon Galvatron.

?Perhaps Galvatron?? Green Head suggested.

?No, not him. We don?t have the Energon to wake him.? Angry Head said.

?Besides, he might try to overthrow us!? Happy Head exclaimed.

?Let?s bring him back when we have more power to control him. What was the name of that one general we had, back on Planet Q?? Green Head asked.

?Wasn?t it?ummmmm?? Alpha Q thought. A memory flashed, showing a green robot going down a shaft.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SCORPONOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK! Alpha Q screamed in his thoughts.

?Scorponok.? Alpha Q said. They returned to their chamber and set to work on rebuilding their new general.

Things weren?t going so well on Earth. When word reached the Earth Council, they were outraged. They sent their representative to speak to Optimus.

?How do you know they had hostile intent?? Alexis asked. She and Optimus were seated at a conference table. The Autobots were assembled behind Optimus, including Kicker.

?That?s a stupid question if I ever heard one.? Jetfire muttered. A few chuckled.

?They shot at us. They destroyed Asteroid Base, Mars City, Lunar City, and attempted the same on Earth. They looted large amounts of Energon. If that isn?t hostile intent, then I don?t know what is.? Optimus replied coolly.

?Did you try negotiating with their leader?? Alexis asked.

?I saw no discernable leader. It was a crapload of drones, to use a human term. Besides, I don?t think they wanted to negotiate.? Optimus replied.

?You do realize that you have broken the central law of our Constitution? You know, the one that says that ?No Transformer shall harm another Transformer or ally?? The one you pushed so hard for??

?She?s got him there.? Hot Shot said.

?So you?d rather we did nothing and let loads of Energon be taken and hundreds of civilians killed.? Optimus stated.

Alexis paused. ?No, but we?I??

?If we didn?t fight, we would have had another massacre like on Mars and all the other bases. I am ordering all civilians out of Ocean City and all other mining facilities, in case they are attacked as well. Tell the Earth Council that, as of this moment, war exists.? Optimus rose to leave.

?They?ll never stand for this. You know how uptight they are. Do you really want to see them get really mad??

?War exists, Alexis. We didn?t start it, but we will finish it.? Optimus made for the door.

?Optimus, wait??Alexis pleaded.

?This discussion is over.? With that, Optimus left to relay his orders.

Alexis stared after him. ?Optimus? This could kill us all.?

Kicker jumped down from Ironhide?s shoulder. ?He?s right, Alexis. They attacked us, and we acted in self-defense. If we knew who their leader was, we could negotiate. But we are fighting a foe that, as far as we know, has no leader.?

Galvatron watched as Alpha Q slithered away. He had siphoned enough Energon to keep him aware of his immediate area, but no more. He could not believe what he had heard. They weren?t going to awaken him? How dare they! They had no right to keep him imprisoned like this! He reached out to crush their life, then realized he was a statue. This only made him angrier. As murderous thoughts over this raced through his head, Galvatron realized that he was at their mercy. He needed them. This was odd. Galvatron had always felt that others needed him. He never needed others. He could do anything himself. This interesting turn served to make Galvatron even angrier. Then he realized that his anger was burning his precious Energon faster. He calmed down. It looked like he had to wait and see how things would turn out.

He hated waiting.

In deep space, several Terrorcons held the Decepticon, Tidal Wave, in their clutches. He had no idea where he was or where he was going. They had made a series of space bridge jumps all over the galaxy, and Tidal Wave was beginning to get bored. He looked to the side. Or what he assumed to be the side. It could be up for all he knew. Looking for familiar constellations to try to figure out where he was, he spotted another group of Terrorcons. They flew closer, and Tidal Wave could see they held Cyclonus.

?Cyclonus.? Tidal Wave said.

Cyclonus? optics slowly activated. ?Wha?what? Where am I??

?No idea. Can?t figure out, either.? Tidal Wave said.

?Helpful.? Cyclonus looked around. ?Where do you think they?re taking us??

?Don?t know either.?

?Great.? Cyclonus looked around. No familiar constellations. Slag. Looked like they were at the mercy of their captors.

The civilians were being evacuated from Ocean City. Optimus watched all of this through the monitor. Ironhide walked in.

?Sir, the Earth Council just contacted us again. They want to talk to you.? Ironhide said.

Optimus sighed. Incredible. They hadn?t stopped coming him since Alexis told them his message. He really didn?t feel like taking to those blowhards. None of them had any military experience. They weren?t military commanders. Of course, it didn?t take a commander to know that when someone is shooting at you, you shoot back, and ask questions later.

?Fine. Put them through.?

?Yes, sir.?

The Council leader appeared on screen. ?Optimus Prime! How dare you violate the Constitution like that! How DARE you presume to tell us our jobs! How DARE you??

?I made a judgment call. You should learn to respect it by now.? Optimus said.

?You have no right??

?Sir?? Optimus was barely controlling his rage at this guy. Optimus had been alive longer than his ancestors had been around, and this guy was going to tell him his job? How dare HE! Optimus imagined stomping the leader?s face into a jar. Much better. ?I have been alive longer than most rocks on this planet. I have been doing this job for longer than humans have existed. I think, by now, I should know how to lead. YOU are the one that has no right to tell me my job.?

?You are subordinate to this Council! You must respect my authority!? The leader shouted. He was turning red. Optimus would have smiled if he had a mouth.

?Too bad. This is war. MY authority surpasses yours in this case. I have no reason anymore to respect your authority.? Optimus stated. He cut the link before the Council leader could reply. ?I hate politicians.? He said.

?Me too, sir.? Ironhide said.

?Ironhide. Just the bot I need to see. I have decided to assign you a partner.?

?Really? Like who? Hot Shot?? Ironhide asked excitedly.

?No. He already has a partner. I am assigning you to Kicker.? Optimus said. He braced for the storm.

?WHAT! You?re assigning me to that spoiled brat! Why?? Ironhide exploded.

?Because you two could learn a lot from each other.?

?Yeah, like how to be a brat.? Ironhide muttered.

?You remember I was talking about judgment calls??

?Yes.?

?This is one of them. Trust me, you two will get along great.?

?Sure we will.? Ironhide said, his voice soaked in sarcasm.

?Get going. Tell Kicker. I?m sure he?ll be pleased.? Optimus knew that Kicker?s reaction would be similar to Ironhide?s, but there was nothing they could do about it. His decision was final.

Alpha Q was watching as the liquid Energon began to take shape. They lifted the spark they found to the new body.

?Take this, Scorponok, and live.? They said as they placed the spark in Scorponok?s body. It solidified, and Scorponok?s optics activated. ?Scorponok.? Alpha Q said.

Scorponok became aware. ?Yes, sir.? He replied.

?RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSEEEEE.?

Scorponok lifted himself to his feet. He looked at his new body. Memories came flooding back to him. He knelt before Alpha Q. ?What is it you require, sir??

Alpha Q looked upon their creation that housed the mightiest Quintesson warrior ever. ?Scorponok. We want you to bring us Energon. Lots of it. We wish to reactivate the one you now stand inside. He will give us back our planets.? They said.

?As you wish.? Scorponok turned to his assembled Terrorcon legions. ?Come, my pets! Let?s get that Energon!? He transformed and flew through the space bridge.

Galvatron saw Scorponok?s creation and his departure for Earth. He could not decide whether this was good or bad. It was good, because Galvatron could feel that Scorponok was powerful. He knew that more Energon would come to Unicron now, and that meant more Energon for him. Bad, because Scorponok was powerful, and could kill him if he tried anything. Unless Galvatron got to him first. He decided to wait further. He didn?t like it, but an opportunity might present itself. And that would be good.

Ironhide had just delivered the news of his partnership to Kicker. As Optimus thought, Kicker wasn?t pleased.

?Is he insane! I don?t need a partner! I don?t even need you bots! What is he thinking?? Kicker raged.

?Yeah, I?m reeeal happy about this too. We have no choice but to follow Optimus? orders. We may as well try to get along.? Ironhide said. ?Let?s start with why you hate us so much.?

?Pfft. Why should I tell you??

?Because I?m your partner. I?m trying to get along with you, and you being stubborn doesn?t help.?

Kicker stormed off. ?Why did Optimus decide to pair me up with him?? Ironhide said. He walked off.

Scorponok?s forces emerged near where Cyclonus and Tidal Wave were being held. Scorponok flew up to the two.

?So, you are the Decepticons the advance force captured. I have an offer for you.? Scorponok had been reviewing how he was going to propose his deal on the way here. He also thought of the deal on the way here.

?Only if that?s to let us go!? Cyclonus shouted.

?No. I know where your leader is.? Scorponok said.

Cyclonus paused. Tidal Wave spoke. ?Where??

?I will show you if you help me reactivate him.?

?Why do you want to reactivate him?? Cyclonus asked.

?I could use his help. I need Energon, and I want him to help.? Scorponok said.

?What makes you think he?ll help you?? Cyclonus asked.

?I have an army he will need. I an help him conquer the universe.?

?Can Galvatron be reactivated?? Tidal Wave asked.

?Yes, with enough Energon. You can help me get it.?

Cyclonus thought for a moment. ?We want to see him first.?

?Very well. Terrorcons, take them to Galvatron.? Scorponok ordered.

As the two Decepticons were taken away, Scorponok sincerely hoped his plan worked. He transformed and resumed course for Earth.

Optimus watched the Autobot reinforcements arrive and assemble on the landing pad. They were arriving at every city on Earth. Whoever attacked them would not dare try it again. He felt sad. He had peace for so long, only to have it stripped away again. He saw Inferno approaching. If it was the Earth Council calling again to complain about him massing troops, then he would simply have to tell them to kiss his tailpipe. He was not going to get anything done with them bugging him constantly.

?Sir, the Council called. They have agreed to defer authority to you in this time of war.? Inferno reported.

If Optimus was drinking something, he would have spewed it all over the viewport. ?They have? This is new.? He said.

?Well, sir, now we can do whatever is necessary to protect this planet.? Inferno said.

?Good. I hope this is over soon.? Optimus said. He continued to stare out at the armies. For some reason, he had a feeling things were about to go from bad to worse.

Alpha Q saw Scorponok mobilizing his army to Earth. This was the test, to see how well they had done.

?This is it.? Green Head said.

?The board is set.? Angry Head said.

?The pieces are moving.? Green Head said.

?And soon, we will have all the Energon we will need to reactivate Unicron and get our planets back.? Happy Head said.

?All Energon will be used for his rebirth!? Alpha Q exclaimed.

Galvatron saw the same thing as Alpha Q. It was time to see what this Scorponok could do. He noted the approach of footsteps.

?Where is he? Scorponok said he?d be here.? Galvatron recognized that as the voice of Cyclonus.

A pair of yellow optics looked at him. ?There he is.? The voice of Tidal Wave said.

This was good. Two of his soldiers were here to help him. But where was Demolishor? Last time Galvatron checked, Demolishor was still alive. Knowing that brainless oaf, he would have joined the Autobots to save his own skin. In fact, that?s probably what these two did. Worthless. Of course, Galvatron had no room to complain. It wasn?t like he had the vast Decepticon Army to count on at the moment.

?Galvatron, sir? Are you alive?? Cyclonus asked.

?Yes, Cyclonus.? Galvatron said from his perch in the wall. ?I am alive.?

Episode 3: The Invasion of Earth Part 1: Battle for Desert City

Scorponok surveyed his handiwork. He'd been raiding Autobot Energon depots for some time now, building his army. These stations were unmanned, making them perfect targets. He'd need large numbers if his plan was to succeed. Besides, this helped Alpha Q keep everything running smoothly inside Unicron. If everything went according to plan, Earth would belong to them, and they could harvest as much Energon as they wanted. Scorponok smiled. This was going to be good.

Within Unicron, Alpha Q viewed Earth. They saw that the Autobots had been massing their forces there for some time. If Scorponok's plan failed, they would lose a tremendous piece of their army. If he won, the Autobots would have been dealt a crushing blow, leaving Earth wide open for occupation. Either way, there would be much loss on both sides.

"We have placed our trust in you, Scorponok, as well as our best chance to revive Unicron. We hope you are up to the task." They said.

Elsewhere within Unicron, Galvatron saw what Alpha Q did. He didn't like it. That was a massive number of Autobots. Even he would have trouble dealing with that. Well, If Scorponok won, Galvatron would have enough Energon to fully reawaken himself in a brand new body. He would then take over Unicron and use him to destroy the remaining Autobots. And then, the Universe would kneel before the mighty Galvatron. Oh, how he longed for that day, the day Optimus died, and he, Galvatron, would stand unopposed as supreme ruler of the cosmos.

But then, if Scorponok lost, the Terrorcon army would be depleted to nothing. Galvatron could take the rest of the Energon in Unicron, awaken, and go get the rest himself. Either way, he won.

Unicron himself observed these events. He was not blind to the Energon thief, Galvatron. Even if Galvatron took over Unicron, he would still need to feed him to fully reawaken him. And by then, he could crush Galvatron with not much more than a thought. He decided to let it go, and watch the show.

It should be interesting.

Optimus Prime's men had gathered in the briefing room. Optimus was nowhere to be seen. Autobot soldiers had been arriving from Cybertron for some time now.

"Does anyone know what this is about?" Hot Shot asked.

"Nope. It must have something to do with he reinforceements we've been receiving." Inferno said.

"Optimus expects something. Something big." Jetfire said.

"What, an invasion of Earth? I'd like to see our mystery attacker try. With Optimus around, nobody can beat us!" Ironhide said.

"I wish I had your confidence." Inferno said.

"Well, Optimus is a strong leader. But we know nothing about our enemy, or where they'll strike next, or even how many in number they are. Optimus is preparing for the worst. I even hear he assigned my dad to work on something to protect Earth. Don't worry guys. We'll get through this." Kicker said.

Optimus walked in the door and strode to his seat. "Sit down. I have a lot to talk about." he said.

The Autobots followed. "I called you here to explain the reason for calling reinforcements to Earth." Optimus began.

"I knew it." Inferno muttered.

"Pat yourself on the back later." Jetfire whispered to Inferno.

Optimus continued. "In light of the recent attacks on Autobot-Earth cities by our unknown attacker, I have seen fit to increase the ranks in these cities. All civilian personnel have been evacuated, and our military defenses are being brought online. These cities will become fortresses from which we will conduct the war.

"However, I have an instinct. It's telling me that the enemy is even now massing for a full-scale invasion of Earth."

Everyone stared at Optimus in shock. Hot Shot was the first to speak. "But, that can't be! Not even the Decepticons dared to fully invade Earth!"

"It's just a feeling, Hot Shot. Considering we know nothing about our enemy, I don't think this is out of their power. There's a human saying. It goes, 'Better safe than sorry.' It makes reference to the fact that it's better to be prepared for anything and be safe than not to prepare and be sorry you didn't." Optimus said.

?It's still just a feeling, sir. They sometimes can't be trusted. What if the enemy decides to attack Cybertron? With most of the military here, Cybertron won't stand a chance.? Inferno said.

?I left enough of the military there to cover it thoroughly. Nobody's taking Cybertron.? Optimus reassured Inferno. ?Now, I have assignments for all of you. Each of the teams I have assigned are going to take command of the garrison at one of the cities. You will meet up with the current commander there and you will assist him as needed. Here are your assignments:

?Hot Shot and Inferno will take command at Jungle City. You are to meet up with Commander Kickback. He may have some assignments for you when you get there. If you have any legitimate problems, contact me.?

?Yes, sir!? Hot Shot and Inferno said at once.

?Jetfire is to remain here with me. I am the garrison commander, so just wait here.?

?You got it.? Jetfire said.

?Ironhide and Kicker, you are to report to Desert City. You will meet up with Commander Wingdecker. As I said to Hot Shot and Inferno, if you have any problems, contact me.?

?Uh, sir?? Ironhide started.

?If you are questioning whether Kicker should be your partner or not, I suggest you stow it. I don't want to hear it. Kicker is your partner. There are battle suits there that he can use.?

?Optimus, those battle suits haven't even been tested! I might explode!? Kicker exclaimed.

?Dr. Jones assures me they work. His assurance is good enough for me. Besides, you can test them yourself when you get there.? Optimus said. ?You have your orders, men! Rollout!?

Cyclonus and Tidal Wave knelt before Galvatron.

"What is your order, sir?" Tidal Wave asked.

"I sense that Scorponok is preparing for his invasion. Go to where he is massing his fleets. Hide aboard one of the supply vessels. Make sure no one sees you. When I command you, you will take over the ship and deliver it to me. Give me all the Energon on board. It should be enough to complete my transformation." Galvatron said.

"Scorponok has many units and fleets to see us. It won't be easy." Cyclonus said.

"I never said it would be. Now go. I have things to do. Oh, and while you're at it, see if you can locate Demolishor. I need as many of my men as I can get." Galvatron ordered.

"Yes, sir!" Cyclonus and Tidal Wave said. They ran off.

At last, Galvatron had peace. Now was a good time to start getting ready for the aftermath of the invasion. His Glorious Rebirth would be soon.

Even he, Galvatron, knew of the prophecy of the Glorious Rebirth. It was a Decepticon legend that said that, one day, the Decepticon leader would sacrifice himself to save their world, and be reborn from his destroyer much later, greater and more terrible than any other Decepticon before. His rule would be absolute. Galvatron never thought he'd be the one to fulfill it. But then, the prophecy was made back when Maximus Deceptica, the first Decepticon leader, and the namesake for their empire.Then he was assasinated, and the next leader knew this prophecy and hoped he would be the one to fulfill it. The leaders since then thought they would complete it, but Galvatron thought it was complete bull. He never paid attention to it, but now he was fulfilling it. How ironic.

Scorponok looked at his assembled legions. His first wave of Terrorcons stretched as far as his optics could read. Phase one would soften the defenses up, then phase two would be the final attack, crushing the Autobots and leaving Earth open for Alpha Q to take all the Energon.

"Lord Scorponok." a black Battle Ravage drone approached Scorponok.

"Yes, General Ravage?" Scorponok replied.

"The Desert City invasion force is ready to move. We await your command." Ravage said.

"I'm waiting for the other commanders to report in. Then Phase One will commence." Scorponok said.

As if on cue, three more Terrorcon commanders appeared. One was a red Battle Ravage drone, and the other two were Divebomb drones, one red, one brown.

"Sir! General Frenzy, reporting in! The Ocean City invasion force is ready to move at your command!" the red Battle Ravge commander said.

"General Laserbeak reporting the Plain City invasion force is ready to move!" The red Divebomb commander reported.

"General Ratbat reporting the readiness of the Jungle City invasion force, sir!" the brown Divebomb commander said.

"Very well. You all know what to do. Get moving." Scorponok ordered. With that, the commanders took point of their respective battle forces and departed, leaving Scorponok with the Phase Two fleet. Scorponok smiled. This would be a glorious day.

Cyclonus and Tidal Wave saw the massive Phase One fleets depart. If that was the softening force, the fleet they were infiltrating could take over the galaxy.

"Sheesh! Hasn't Scorponok ever heard of overkill?" Cyclonus said.

"Quiet. We still need to infiltrate the transports." Tidal Wave lectured.

"If you know what they look like, point them out." Cyclonus said.

Tidal Wave looked around at the mass of ships. It was impossible to tell what was what, but there were long ships, brisling with guns, that most likely were warships. There were large, dome-shaped ships which Tidal Wave assumed were mobile fortresses, and there were ships in the shape of the Divebomb drone, except a hundred times larger. This was likely a dropship. Tidal Wave was amazed. You could literally conquer the galaxy with a fleet like this. He looked further. He saw what looked like large boxes. These were most likely the Energon transports Galvatron was talking about. That could easily hold enough Energon to revive Galvatron, and then some.

"Cyclonus, over here! I see the transports!" Tidal Wave called out.

"How do you know?" Cyclonus asked.

"Because it's the most likely looking ship. Let's go." Tidal Wave said.

"Oh, all right." Cyclonus said, and flew off with Tidal Wave to the blocky ships.

Once Tidal Wave and Cyclonus arrived, they cut a hole into the hull and slipped inside. Cyclonus sealed the hole after them. "Well, we're in. Where's the bridge?" he asked.

"Up. I saw a spire coming from the top." Tidal Wave said.

"All right. Let's hide near there, so we can take the ship over quicker." Cyclonus said. The two moved through the ship as quietly as they could, hoping that this worked.

Wingdecker was reading over the status reports when Ironhide and Kicker entered. He turned. "Welcome to Desert City! You must be Irnhide, and the human on your shoulder would be Kicker." he greeted cordially.

"Hi. You did get our names right. You must be Commander Wingdecker." Ironhide said.

"I am indeed Wingdecker. Optimus told me to expect you." Wingdecker replied.

"Optimus also told us that you might have some jobs for us." Ironhide said.

"Ah, yes. Ironhide, I need you to brief some new recruits on what's been happening." He handed Ironhide a datapad. "That's all you should need to know. Give them a summary. The duty roster is there, also. After the briefing, hand out the assignments. After that, report back."

"Um, sir, I...uh..." Ironhide stammered.

"Oh, you're a recruit yourself. Well, just give it a go. You'll do fine." Wingdecker said. He turned to Kicker. "Kicker, I need you to go locate the battle suits and get accustomed to their use. You're probably going to the front when the enemy arrives, and I want you to know how to use those things. Come back when you know what you're doing." he said.

Kicker sighed. "Yes, sir."

"Once your jobs are done, we'll have lunch. I like to get to know my men before I fight alongside them." Wingdecker said.

"All right!" Ironhide exclaimed.

"You have your jobs. Go to them." Wingdecker said.

"Yes, sir!" Irnhide and Kicker said.

Once away from the office, Ironhide turned to Kicker. "Commander Wingdecker seems like a nice guy. You think so, Kicker?" he asked.

"Yeah. I guess." Kicker said.

"What's wrong?" Ironhide asked.

"I've just always seen you Transformers as just some alien race who was here just to babysit us. I never saw the need for your help. We would have discovered Energon and learned how to use it ourselves. But I think that our mystery attacker is more powerful than anything humanity could combat alone. You guys really seem to want to help us." Kicker explained.

"Well, if humanity didn't want our help, we would have respected that. Autobots respect other people's choices, and we're always there for our allies. We take alliances seriously." Ironhide said.

?Well? Thanks. I mean it.? Kicker said.

Kicker, Ironhide, and Wingdecker met up for lunch in the underground cafeteria. Kicker sat on the table, while Ironhide and Wingdecker were seated opposite each other, swapping war stories.

??so then, the Decepticons come out of nowhere. We?re trapped in the bottom of a valley, and we know we won?t survive this. Then, the Decepticons start exploding all around us. Turns out, Ultra Magnus was hiding, waiting for the Decepticons to make a mistake. We took them all out so quick it was like we were in a time warp.? Wingdecker said.

?Wow. Your stories are amazing, Wingdecker!? Ironhide complimented. ?I haven?t seen much combat yet. The price of being green, I guess.?

?Don?t worry. You?ll get your chance. Decepticons have a nasty habit of coming back when you least expect them to.? Wingdecker said.

A steady rumbling was heard. Suddenly, the comm was alive with the sounds of combat. ?kshhshhhhhhhhsssshhhhhThey?re everywhere! I can?t kkkssssssssssshhhhhhh Driveway, wake up! kkkkkkkkkkksssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh Medic!ksssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh?

?We?ve got to get up there!? Wingdecker exclaimed.

?Right! Kicker, go get that battle suit!? Ironhide said.

The door buckled inward. ?Right, I?ll go alone through hordes of Terrorcons, get the suit, and come back. That?ll work.? Kicker said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Wingdecker sighed. ?Is he always like this??

?Yup.? Ironhide replied.

?All right, let?s go get that suit. Then, we?ll make a command post there. We?ll assess the situation, and make our way to the surface. Any questions?? Wingdecker explained.

?I have a suggestion. I vote we just head for the surface.? Kicker said.

?I second that.? Ironhide said.

?But...? Wingdecker sighed. ?All right. We probably don?t have time for that anyway. Let?s move!?

Wingdecker, Ironhide, and Kicker stealthily made their way through the base. They dropped into the main lobby from the Energon fuel lines. The lobby was empty.

?Empty? What?s going on?? Ironhinde asked.

Suddenly, the radio came alive. ?The Terrorcons are defeated! We win!? the bot on the other end said.

Kicker?s hair flashed yellow. ?It?s not over. We need to get to the surface.? He said. The group made their way to the surface, and saw that the invasion had only begun.

The sky was filled with ships. The Earth Federation capital ships were fighting Scorponok?s warships. The hawk-shaped troop transports began to set down in the distance, as well as very close to the base. The Energon transports hung back, well protected by the warships. Divebomb drones, Federation fighters, and aerial Autobots held a massive dogfight in the sky. Bright flashes of laserfire flicked between the ships. It would have been beautiful if it didn?t mean that Earth was being invaded by a ruthless Transformer hell-bent on conquering Earth to take its Energon.

Everyone stared dumbstruck at the battle. Kicker?s three words summed up their feelings nicely: ?Mother of God??

Episode 4: The Ivasion of Earth part 2

Wingdecker, Ironhide, and Kicker surveyed the battle going on in the skies. Massive battlecruisers duked it out in the skies, while fighters flitted about like flies in an aerial dance of death. Smoke rose from the skies.

"No..." Ironhide said.

"We've got to contact Optimus!" Wingdecker exclaimed. As if on cue, Optimus' voice came over the radio.

"Attention all surviving Autobots! This is Optimus Prime. If you can hear me, you are ordered to report to Ocean City immediately if you are able. If you are trapped, establish a fortification and hold out as long as you can. We will come for you. Repeat, all avaliable Autobots are to report to Ocean City on the double. All those pinned down are to establish a fortification and hold out until someone comes to rescue you. Optimus out."

"You heard the man! Let's get going!" Ironhide exclaimed.

Back in Unicron, Scorponok knelt before Alpha Q.

"The invasion goes well, my lord. The first wave did better than expected, and survives even now. The second wave has arrived, and is laying waste to everything they see. Victory is assured!" Scorponok said.

"Excellent. Come, Scorponok. We have a reward for you." Alpha Q said.

They moved deeper into Unicron, to where Galvatron sat. His Decepticon insignia began to glow, and Alpha Q reached for it. He grasped something, and pulled it out.

Scorponok was awestruck with the magnificence of Galvatron's sword. The blade cast an emerald glow on the walls, andd its hilt was a deep violet. A silver Decepticon emblem was blazoned in the center of the hilt.

"It's? beautiful!" Scorponok said.

"This blade is the most powerful ever made. No fortress can withstand its power." Alpha Q explained. He handed it to Scorponok. "Use it well."

"I plan to, my lord. I plan to." Scorponok marveled.

Galvatron watched the proceedings. Alpha Q had just stolen his most prized possession! How dare he! He will die a thousand deaths for this theft! Galvatron dearly wanted to smash that four-headed freak into a million pieces. He checked on Cyclonus and Tidal Wave. They made it aboard the Energon transport, but it had yet to be loaded. Galvatron wished this operation would hurry. He needed to execute Alpha Q as soon as he was able.

Optimus looked at the battle monitors. Jungle City was doing fairly well, Plain City was being annihilated, and Desert City looked about the same. Ocean City was being sieged. It was submerged when the invasion hit, and the enemy commander wanted it to stay that way. They couldn?t surface without Terrorcons overrunning the base before defenses were brought online. Recalling the available units served to provide cover for the city resurfacing. Optimus also called in any Federation ships in the area to help. He would need all the help they could get.

?Optimus, sir. We?ve got reports of survivors in all cities. Hot Shot and Inferno report that no one from Jungle City can be spared, so they are trying to establish a defensive perimeter. We got a signal from Commander Wingdecker, Ironhide, and a battle suit we assume to be Kicker. The rest of the base is assumed to be dead. Plain City has reports of scattered survivors, who are trying to regroup and establish some kind of defense.? Jetfire reported.

?Thank you, Jetfire. Do I want to hear the casualty report?? Optimus asked.

?Uh? Probably not. I?ll tell you when this is over.? Jetfire answered.

?Good idea.? If Optimus could shed tears, he probably would be doing it right now. He made a vow to the people of Earth that the Autobots would protect them. He swore that no invader would take their planet from them. Now, Optimus saw cities burning, people fleeing in the streets from the Terrorcon onslaught. Some tried to fight back, but were massacred by the Terrorcons. Not even the women or children were spared. As if that wasn?t enough, Earth?s soldiers were fighting the invaders in the skies, and losing. Every time Optimus looked, a Federation vessel would burst into flame, or a fighter would erupt in a fireball as blasterfire tore it open. His very own men had been slaughtered in the initial wave. Then the metal monstrosities appeared, and life as the humans knew it was over. Optimus could imagine the parents trying to comfort their crying children. The children, trying to comfort their parents, telling them that the Autobots would save them, not knowing that the Autobots themselves were being slaughtered. Optimus was their last hope for defeating this invasion.

Ironhide, Kicker, and Wingdecker ran towards a landed troop transport. If they could hijack that, then they could get to Ocean City and help Optimus. They reached the door, and Ironhide blew it open. He stepped inside and began to blast at the assembled Terrorcons, spraying laserfire everywhere. Wingdecker rolled in next, blasters at the ready, and began firing, killing a Terrorcon with each hit. Kicker leapt in next, pounding heavy blaster bolts into everything that moved. After a few minutes, the room was clear.

?All right. Let?s find a computer terminal so we can find the bridge.? Wingdecker said. ?Disperse, and keep your optics active.?

They searched the hangar, and found nothing but an elevator.

?Well, if we use this, we should be able to get to the bridge. From there, we can contact Optimus and tell him we?re coming.? Ironhide said.

?Provided we can fly this thing.? Kicker said.

?Where there?s a will, there?s a way.? Ironhide replied.

?Got that right. Move out!? Wingdecker ordered. The group boarded the elevator and headed for the bridge.

Cyclonus was sleeping when the ship shook. ?zzzz?hungh! Whazzat?? he said groggily.

?We have landed.? Tidal Wave said.

?Great. Now, let?s take the bridge!? Cyclonus said.

?No. We need the Energon first.? Tidal Wave said.

?Oh.?

?Wait. We need Demolishor, as well.?

?Oh, yeah! I forgot about him!? Cyclonus exclaimed.

?You go get him. I will take the ship when necessary.? Tidal Wave said.

?You going to be okay here, by yourself??

?Yes. Go.?

?Right.? Cyclonus left the closet and headed out of the ship. They had landed near Ocean City, but the city was nowhere to be seen. ?Hey, Tidal Wave. The city isn?t here.?

?Yes it is. It is underwater. Wait for it to come up.? Tidal Wave said.

?Right.? Cyclonus made his way to a nearby forest and hid.

After a few blasts, the bridge of the dropship was cleared. Ironhide took the helm, Wingdecker took the commander?s chair, and Kicker took weapons. They spent a minute getting used to the controls.

?All right, Ironhide. Take us out. Kicker, get the weapons warmed up. We?re going to help the Federation.? Wingdecker said.

The ship rose from the ground. It wobbled a bit, then steadied. It rose into the air.

?Kicker, lock on to the nearest enemy cruiser.? Wingdecker ordered.

?Gotcha.? Kicker set his sights on the nearest ship. ?Target locked on.?

?Fire.?

The dropship poured firepower into the capital ship. The capital ship shook and began to break apart. The combined firepower of the dropship and the Federation ship shattered the enemy ship like glass. A mobile fortress beared down on them.

?Kicker! Lock all guns on that mobile fortress!? Wingdecker looked at the fortress. He saw the engines near the bottom. ?Target the engines! Also, feed those orders to the Federation ship!?

?Got it.? Kicker locked all guns on target, then fed the coordinates to the Federation ship. ?They acknowledge.?

?Fire!? Wingdecker ordered.

The lances of green from the Federation ship mixed with the bolts of yellow from the dropship. They mixed at the bottom, tearing a hole in the fortress. After a minute of drilling, the bottom of the fortress erupted in flame. The fortress crashed into the ground and was consumed by a mighty fireball. The group on the bridge cheered.

?All right! Ironhide, take us to Ocean City with all deliberate speed!? Wingdecker ordered.

?Nothing like a little precision teamwork, eh?? Ironhide asked.

?And that was nothing like a little precision teamwork!? Kicker exclaimed.

The ship soared off toward Ocean City.

Cyclonus had been waiting into the night for Ocean City to rise. Suddenly, a dropship flew in and blasted apart a cruiser. It swiveled and destroyed two other dropships.

?Finally. Now maybe I can go get Demolishor.? Cyclonus activated the secret Decepticon comm. frequency. ?Hey, Demolishor, are you there??

Demolishor was waiting in the rec room when the call came through. It was on the secret Decepticon frequency. ?What the?? Demolishor wondered aloud. He got over his shock and cautiously said, ?Hello??

?Hey, Demolishor, what?s up? It?s Cyclonus!?

?Cyclonus! I heard you were killed on the moon!? Demolishor exclaimed.

?Nope. I?m alive and kicking! I?m sitting here outside Ocean City, waiting for it to surface. We need you to come with us.?

?What? Why? And who?s ?we???

??We? being me and Tidal Wave! We got orders from Galvatron to steal an Energon transport for him and go get you!?

?Steal an Ener?Wait, did you say Galvatron ordered you to do this??

?Yeah. Galvatron?s alive, and he?s making a comeback! He needs his best men and lots of Energon to fully reawaken. Surface the city, if you can, then join us. I?ll signal to you.?

?G-G-G-Galvatron?s ALIVE!?

?Yeah. You gonna help or not??

?Uhh?.? This was it. The moment Demolishor had been waiting for for ten years. He?d imagined that he would kill Optimus and rejoin the Decepticons as a hero. He had imagined that he would go without a second thought. But now that the moment came, Demolishor wasn?t sure he wanted to go through with this. Galvatron had always treated his men like dirt, but wasn?t blind to their accomplishments. Rewards for the loyal were great, and punishments for the disloyal were also great. The Autobots had been so good to him. Under Galvatron, he had received beatings almost daily. Under the Autobots, he hadn?t been beaten ever. The Autobots tried to understand him, Galvatron just wanted him to do his job well. Yeah, he didn?t get much to shoot at, but that was compensated for by the way the Autobots treated him, regardless of the way he treated them. He even felt guilty for that now. The Autobots were his friends.

But then, so was Cyclonus?

?Well!? Cyclonus interrupted Demolishor?s thoughts.

?Um? Optimus is in the control room. I can?t surface the city without him noticing.? Any excuse sounded good to Demolishor. All he wanted right now was to go hide someplace and think about his choice.

?So? Shoot him. You don?t need to kill him, just knock him out, raise the city, then leave.? Cyclonus pushed.

The city rumbled. ?Actually, I think the city is surfacing anyway.? Demolishor said.

?Thank you, Captain Obvious. Get out of there. I?ll signal to you when you get outside.? Cyclonus said. He cut the link.

Demolishor looked lost. ?I?I just don?t know what I am anymore.? He stumbled toward a chair and sat. He had a lot to think about. Galvatron would certainly kill him if he didn?t rejoin the Decepticons, but if he did, the Autobots would kill him. It was just a matter of when he was going to die. Demolishor put his head in his hands. Neither choice looked good.

The dropship under Autobot control swooped among the assembled ships, blasting at them. The dropships dropped like flies, but the warships dished out enough punishment to bring the ship to the edge of annihilation.

Smoke poured from the shattered consoles. Wingdecker waved the smoke away from him. ?Damage report!? he ordered as another volley of blasterfire rocked the ship.

?The hull has been compromised! Weapons are barely online, and engines are ready to go supercritical!? Ironhide shouted from his post.

?In other words, this ship is a dead stick!? Kicker shouted. He looked at a nearby mobile fortress. He got an idea. ?Ironhide, divert all power to engines! Set course for that mobile fortress!?

?But we?ll hit it if we do that!? Ironhide shouted.

?That?s the point! Do it!?

?I give the orders here, Kicker!? Wingdecker shouted angrily.

?Then give that order!? Kicker replied.

Wingdecker sighed. ?You heard him, Ironhide. Everyone, prepare to evacuate.?

A shot nailed the bridge, smashing the front viewport open. The ship sped on. Ironhide noticed a shape forming in the ocean.

?What the?? Is that Ocean City?? he asked.

Ocean City began to surface.

The drone commander Frenzy saw these events. He knew that that dropship was stolen from the Desert City area. That meant that Ravage had failed. Hopefully dead. But then, Ravage never liked being on the front lines. Frenzy was there as much as he could be. Well, he would certainly have the most glory from this battle. He would crush Optimus Prime personally. Maybe get a few upgrades.

The comm behind him buzzed. Frenzy answered it. It was Scorponok. ?What is it you require, sir?? Frenzy asked.

?I am coming to Ocean City. You may crush all the Autobots you like, just leave Optimus for me.? Scorponok said.

?As you wish.? Frenzy said. Whatever you say, sir. I really doubt you will object when he lies dead at your feet, crushed by my hand, Frenzy thought.

Soon. Oh, so soon. Galvatron thought from his perch inside Unicron. He could feel his power growing, and Unicron weakening. That would soon be rectified, as Galvatron would be free, and he would let Unicron gorge himself on all the Energon in the universe.

Unicron watched these events unfold. He liked how Galvatron was thinking. Of course, he would have to kill Galvatron at some point, but that would be a small matter, once he was reactivated. However, he didn?t want to underestimate Galvatron. He did that with Optimus Prime ten years ago, and it didn?t turn out as he had planned. He did that with Rodimus Prime before Optimus, and he became a floating head from that. He?d learned his lesson. He was not going to underestimate them.

Alpha Q kept watch over the invasion and not much else. Every major city on Earth was burning. The death toll was catastrophic, numbering somewhere in the billions. And that was just the human casualties. Some millions of Autobots had been diverted to Earth, and most of them were dead. The rest were pinned down. Of course, the Autobots had put up a good fight, as had the pesky Earth Federation. They must be the cockroaches of the Universe, Alpha Q thought. It was true. They had survived two world wars and held the capability of annihilating themselves and all their knowledge for some time. Then the Autobots showed up. Many humans would survive this massacre, even if the Autobots didn?t. They had to be given credit for that. Besides, once the Autobots were vanquished and the Earth Federation in ruins, the humans really were just that: cockroaches. No real threat, just a minor annoyance.

Ocean City had risen. And Demolishor was still in the rec room, thinking. I can?t believe this. Ten years of nothing, then Galvatron just comes back? Yeah, right. A likely story. Besides, the Autobots treat me better than Galvatron ever did. The side of Demolishor that wanted to stay with the Autobots thought.

But Galvatron gave you every chance at combat. He abused you to make you stronger. ?Only the strong survive?, and all that. Starscream challenged Galvatron frequently, and lost. Why? Starscream was too weak. If he couldn?t take out Galvatron, he didn?t deserve to lead. Joining Galvatron again will make you strong. The Autobots have weakened you. Decepticon Demolishor whispered.

War does not make one great. Galvatron is strong, yes. The reason Optimus wins more often is because he fights to protect, not to conquer. He values peace. Autobot Demolishor whispered.

The Autobots are weak. They will lose. You know it. Decepticon Demolishor reminded.

Galvtron?s tyranny will inevitably fall. He will die. Peace and freedom will win out in the end. Those who value it will destroy him. Such is the fate of tyrants.

Galvatron may die, but as long as there is good in the universe, there will always be evil. It is unavoidable. With each victory of good, it is evil that wins. Even Optimus has a dark side. Everyone does. People like Galvatron have chosen to embrace it, and they are stronger for it. Evil is a path to power beyond your wildest imaginings. A few, a very few, can attain infinite power from this. Fewer still try to take it. Galvatron is one of them. He defies his inner doubts and embraces the darkness within his spark. He dares to reach for the unlimited power that the darkness of evil holds. Do you dare?

No! Evil?s power is tempting, but its powers result in the inevitable destruction of the user. It does indeed hold great power, but that power is fleeting. Look at Optimus. He basks in the light, wraps himself in the good nature of his spark. He is driven to help, and he wields great power by doing so. And his power is lasting, as he inspires his men to follow him. They would die for him.

The only reason evil has failed against the good is because no one has obtained its true power. Many have delved deeply into darkness, and returned with power beyond what most beings can imagine. But all that power has limits. There is a place, a secret, deep within the darkness. Deeper than any have ever dared venture. Maximus Deceptica could have gone farther than he did. He could have gone to the very core, and learned the secret to unlocking the infinite power of the dark. But he didn?t, because he was afraid. Afraid of the dark, the dark that swallows the unworthy whole, leaving them a broken shell of their former selves. Galvatron, though?

Galvatron could do it. With that power, he will crush the Autobots like insects. And you with them.

So, whose side will you join?

Episode 5: The Invasion of Earth Part 3: Showdown

The Space Bridge opened, and a long, sleek starship exited. It slid into orbit with Earth. On the bridge, Scorponok surveyed his handiwork.

?It?s beautiful.? He commented as he watched the Earth burn. He could see his cruisers smashing down the Earth Federation vessels, weapon fire lancing from both sides like little multicolored lightningbugs. He could see masses of darkness. He knew they were his Terrorcons engaging the pathetic resistance of the Federation and the Autobots. He could not see Ocean City, but that was of no concern. With the other three cities under his control, there would be more than enough Energon to revive Unicron.

Out o the corner of his optics, he saw a small bubbling on the surface. It looked like Ocean City was joining the fray. Excellent. Scorponok strode to the door, picking up Galvatron?s-or rather, his- sword. He would kill Optimus himself.

Optimus stood at the entrance to Ocean City in Super Mode. The gate was about to open, with the rumored commander of this assault among them. Intercepted enemy comm. chatter identified him as Frenzy. Optimus swore that this would be Frenzy?s last battle.

Jetfire came up beside Optimus. ?Any idea what?s waiting for us out there?? he asked.

?Loads of Terrorcons. Ready?? Optimus replied.

?Born that way.? Jetfire stated. Both bots readied their guns.

The gate slid open, and the Terrorcons wasted no time pouring in. Optimus, Jetfire, and the rest of the Autobot garrison met them head on and began firing, Optimus and Jetfire leading the charge. They did not notice a winter camouflage helicopter enter the base.

Cyclonus flew through the bowels of Ocean City. ?Demolishor! Oh, Demolishor! Where are you?? he called out.

?In here.? Demolishor replied from the rec room.

Cyclonus flew in and transformed. ?Great! Let?s go, before the Autobots all die!?

?I?uhhh?? Demolishor stammered.

?Come on! You?re not still having second thoughts, are you?? Cyclonus exclaimed.

?Well, what if this is all a hoax? What if Galvatron can?t be brought back to life??

?He can! Tidal Wave and I spoke to him before we left. He said to get a transport full of Energon and take it to him. He?s coming back, ready or not!?

?Are you sure??

?Positive! Come on, let?s get back to the transport!?

Demolishor stood for a moment, thinking. He was about to side with the Autobots when a whisper crawled through his hard drive:

Galvatron will be more powerful than you can possibly imagine. Do you really want to oppose him?

?Well?? Cyclonus asked.

Demolishor was snapped out of his thoughts. ?Right, let?s go!? The pair ran to the transport.

Hotshot cut down yet another Terrorcon. The battle in Jungle City had been raging for thirty hours straight. The fatigue was starting to wear him down. He looked at the battle around him. So far, they had managed to keep the Terrorcons from entering the city itself. Hotshot knew that it would only be a matter of time until the fight moved into the city. He had set several bots in the control room to the task of finding the enemy commander. So far, they had had no luck.

?Commander Hotshot, sir!? Hotshot recognized this voice as that of one of the bots he assigned to the control room.

Hotshot blasted another Terrorcon into slag. ?What is it??

?Sir, we?ve found the enemy commander, and he?s headed your way!?

Hotshot grimaced. ?Wonderful.? He returned to blasting Terrorcons.

One Terrorcon snuck up behind Hotshot and was promptly blasted by Inferno. ?Need a hand?? he called out.

?Definitely. Aren?t you supposed to be at the western gate?? Hotshot replied.

?We can hold out indefinitely there. I came over to see how you were doing here!? Inferno said as he threw a Terrorcon into another, sending both off a cliff.

?I got word the enemy commander?s headed this way. What do you say to Powerlinking?? Hotshot suggested, blasting another Terrorcon into spare parts.

?Sounds good. Hotshot or Inferno?? Inferno replied.

?Let?s go with Inferno. Heavier weapons.?

?Let?s get to it, then!?

Hotshot transformed into a pair of legs, while Inferno turned into a heavy weapons platform with a head. They merged and formed into Powerlinx Inferno.

Inferno blasted a cluster of Terrorcons into vapor. ?Ahh, the sugar-sweet kiss of heavy ordnance.? He set to work smashing more Terrorcons.

A brown Divebomb dropped in from nowhere. ?Enough of this! I, Ratbat, will crush you myself!?

Inferno turned to face the commander. ?Will you, now? I beg to differ.?

Ratbat lunged at Inferno, and Inferno shot him. Ratbat fell to the floor, his lower half a pile of slag. ?Darn. I missed.? Inferno shot him again, and Ratbat was reduced to a puddle.

An Autobot rushed up to Inferno. ?Sir! The Federation forces are requesting air support! They?re being demolished by the enemy cruisers! What should we do??

Inferno looked up. ?Give them a huge repair bill.? Inferno flew up at the nearest mobile fortress and blasted through the engine, ripped through the rest of the decks, and blasted out the top. The fortress began to fall to the ground. Inferno turned his guns upon the next few cruisers and blasted giant holes in them. He flew at one of them and pushed it into the one next to it. He flew off at a group of other cruisers and began to demolish them.

Laserbeak stood on the battlefield that once was Plain City. He had slain many Autobots this day, although the victory was lacking something. Something he couldn?t place.

Challenge. That was it. This entire city was poorly prepared to defend itself. Once his invasion fleet dropped down from the skies, the city was penetrated. Not even a shield to protect against transports coming in for a sky drop. Laserbeak had his forces in the city within the first moments of the attack. He even saw some humans running around the base.

Pathetic creatures, humans. Soft, brittle, vulnerable. Easily killed. No challenge for a warrior. Scorponok had informed the generals that the humans were expendable, and Laserbeak could see why.

A Terrorcon approached Laserbeak. ?Sir, we are pleased to report that Plain City has been destroyed. Shall we commence mining operations??

Laserbeak turned to face his subordinate. ?Give me a casualty report first.?

?No losses, sir, just some minor damage all around.?

?Good. Commence mining operations.?

?Right away.? The Terrorcon marched off.

Laserbeak walked to his ship. This battle was over, and now he had to report it.

Ravage stood on the bridge of his mobile fortress. Three Autobots had escaped earlier, but no one else had. His fleet was mopping up the remains of the Earth Federation fleet that had engaged him. He was now waiting for a casualty report. He looked forward to reporting the fall of Desert City.

A Terrorcon approached him. ?Sir, we have the casualty reports you requested.?

?Thank you. Proceed.? Ravage replied.

?We have lost the entirety of the 6th platoon, platoons 1-5 report heavy casualties, upwards of 5000 units lost per platoon, double that wounded. 7th platoon reports moderate casualties, but many wounded. Fleet group Alpha reports 17 ships lost, 13 others damaged. Fleet Group Beta reports a missing troop transport, no doubt the one stolen by the Autobots. Aside from that, they report 27 ships damaged, 3 destroyed. Fleet Group Gamma is still engaging the Federation fleet, but reports that the battle will be finished soon. Their losses are yet to be determined. Transport Group Alpha reports a missing Energon transport, but no casualties.?

Ravage dismissed the last part. A missing transport was of no concern. ?And the Autobots?? he questioned the other.

?Units report a 90 fatality rate amongst the Autobots. The remaining 10 must have escaped into the mines.?

?And you did not pursue why??

?Weapon discharges would have set off the Energon deposits, taking out the mine as well as the city. Our casualties would have been too great to warrant such a move.?

?Very well. Carry on.? Ravage said. Autobots in the mines. Who knows what they would be doing down there, or where they would go. Now was the time to report, if any. He entered his private comm. room and contacted Scorponok.

Scorponok waited for all four generals to appear. He had forgotten to wait for their report earlier. Laserbeak appeared first, then Ravage. A few moments, then Frenzy appeared. Scorponok waited a few minutes more, then decided to proceed.

?Has anyone heard a report from General Ratbat?? he asked.

?No, sir.? Laserbeak replied.

?Not a peep, sir.? Frenzy said.

?I heard from the battle at Jungle City that he had been killed.? Ravage reported.

?Strange how Ravage was the only one to intercept this message.? Laserbeak said.

?Strange how I was the only one listening.? Ravage shot back.

?This is true. A major operation like this requires communication between forces. I commend you, Ravage. I will report this to Alpha Q.? Scorponok said. ?Now, status report.?

?Plain City has been destroyed, sir. We are commencing mining operations now.? Laserbeak said.

?The fighting has just begun in earnest, sir. Ocean City did not rise until an hour ago.? Frenzy reported.

?Desert City is in our hands now. My fleet is mopping up the remaining Federation defenders.? Ravage reported. ?Jungle City status is unknown, although the last transmission indicated that their fleets were being annihilated. I would wager a loss there.?

Scorponok frowned. ?This isn?t good. Jungle City still standing, and Ocean City just having joined the engagement. Frenzy, what do you believe the outcome will be??

?The forecast does not look good. The Autobots who escaped Desert City went to Ocean City, and have joined the battle there. The Autobots known as Jetfire and Optimus Prime are there as well. We lost several ships before Ocean City rose, and the Federation has been fighting us for some time. I would need reinforcements to ensure a victory.? Frenzy replied.

?Then you shall have them. Laserbeak, you are to join with the force at Jungle City. Take command there, if there?s anything left. Ravage, finish up at Desert City, then make for Ocean City. I will be along presently.? Scorponok ordered.

?Yes, sir!? All three generals replied. Their comms cut.

Scorponok entered his ships? bridge. ?Plot a course for Ocean City, maximum speed!? he ordered.

Inferno flew through the skies of Jungle City. The enemy fleet was in a full-fledged panic. Inferno disengaged from Hotshot.

?Well, we certainly did a number on them.? Inferno said.

?That we did. We?ve still got a whole load of Terrorcons to kill.? Hotshot replied.

?Let?s get to it, then!? Inferno said. The pair rushed into the battle.

A Space Bridge opened up above the battle. More ships poured out of it. ?We?ve got company!? Hotshot shouted.

A red Divebomb dropped in between Hotshot and Inferno. ?So, you two are the ones who killed Ratbat. Rest assured, I will not be as easily killed as he was.? Laserbeak picked up a spikeball tail from a deceased Terrorcon. ?Prepare to die!? he shouted as he charged at Hotshot.

Hotshot sidestepped him, then shot him. Laserbeak rolled to the side and was stepped on by Inferno. Inferno pointed his plasma cannon at Laserbeak?s head. ?Hey, that was harder.? He said.

Laserbeak smashed Inferno with his spike tail, then flung it at Hotshot. Hotshot blasted it into nothing, but Laserbeak was already on him. Laserbeak stuck one of his explosive boomerang rockets to Hotshot and leapt away. Hotshot flung it off before Laserbeak could detonate it. Laserbeak caught it and flung it at Inferno, who caught the full blast of the explosive. In that time, Hotshot grabbed his blaster and shot Laserbeak. He fell to the ground.

Hotshot walked up to him. ?In your words, ?Prepare to die!?? Hotshot blasted Laserbeak?s face into slag. He ran over to Inferno. ?Are you okay??

Inferno groaned. ?I?ve felt better. Nothing a little Energon couldn?t fix, though.?

?All right, let?s get you inside.? Hotshot pushed Inferno onto his shoulder, then walked with him into the base.

Cyclonus and Demolishor entered the bridge of the transport. Tidal Wave was waiting for them. Dead Terrorcons littered the floor.

?Tidal Wave, you were to wait for Galvatron to say before we took the transport!? he exclaimed.

?They found me. I had to kill them.? Tidal wave replied.

?So, when do we leave?? Demolishor asked.

?As soon as we get enough Energon. They?ve found a deposit exposed somewhere nearby. They?ve been mining it for the past few hours. We?re almost full.? Tidal Wave replied.

?Yeah, if the humans don?t shoot us out of the sky.? Cyclonus muttered.

That too. I?ve heard over this comm. that Desert City has been taken and Plain City has been completely destroyed. Two of the generals in this battle have been killed at Jungle City. Scorponok and a General Ravage are headed to Ocean City to reinforce a General Frenzy. The battle here is favoring Scorponok at the moment, although Optimus is fighting like mad.? Tidal Wave explained.

?So, when do we move out?? Demolishor asked.

?Well, the Terrorcons have to give us the signal. They?ll give us the signal when the transport is full. That?s when we leave.? Tidal Wave looked at the cargo capacity. ?Another few minutes, and we should be finished.?

The radio came alive. ?Energon Transport Epsilon-3, you are to launch immediately! The battle?s about to heat up, and we want as much Energon as possible out of here before the Autobots get it!?

Tidal Wave sealed the hatch and launched the shuttle. It streaked into space toward the Space Bridge for transports. ?Soon, Galvatron will be alive again, and the Autobots won?t know what hit them!?

Optimus blasted a few Terrorcons into scrap. The battle was going pretty well for them. He had yet to see Frenzy, the enemy commander. Of course, a new fleet had arrived to reinforce this one, which probably held another commander. That wouldn?t be good.

As if on cue, a flash of red smashed into Optimus? face. He stumbled, and saw a red Terrorcon, one of the four-legged variety. ?You must be Optimus Prime. I must say, I expected you to be, well, stronger. But then, that may just be appearances, and they can be deceiving. I am Frenzy, and I say that only so you shall know the name of your destroyer.? The red Terrorcon said.

Optimus saw a black Terrorcon in the masses. It didn?t seem to notice him. He turned to face Frenzy. ?My destroyer? Your other generals lost to my men, and they weren?t as strong as I am. I doubt you?ll fare better.? Optimus said.

Frenzy lunged at Optimus, and he dodged. Optimus shot Frenzy in the head, killing him instantly. Optimus turned back to the battle and was face-to-face with a much larger bot. The black Terrorcon was by his side.

?So, you are Optimus Prime. Congratulations on defeating three of my generals. My fourth, the one at my side, is Ravage. I am Scorponok, and we will be your killers today.? Scorponok drew Galvatron?s sword.

?Galvatron?s sword? No? He can?t be alive!? Optimus said in shock.

?Not really. I just took his sword. Prepare to die!? Scorponok exclaimed.

Ravage jumped over Optimus and attempted to smash him with his tail. Optimus dodged, and swung at Ravage. Ravage ducked away and Scorponok stabbed at Optimus. Optimus dodged this, grabbed the sword, and flung it at the enemy fleet, along with Scorponok. Ravage jumped at Optimus again, but Optimus dodged and grabbed Ravage, flinging him into the fray. Optimus was then shot by lasers from nowhere. Scorponok smashed into Optimus, flying from out of the sun. The pair grappled for a while.

?There?s no way you will succeed here, Scorponok! I won?t let you!? Optimus shouted.

?You can?t stop me!? Scorponok spat back.

?Oh really?? Optimus flung Scorponok off of him, then shot at him with his Energon Blast. Most of the Terrorcon army was destroyed, and Scorponok sustained heavy damage.

Scorponok got shakily to his feet. He picked up Galvatron?s sword and surveyed the battle. The fleet was being destroyed, and most of the army was gone. ?All units retreat!? Scorponok ordered. Ravage followed Scorponok.

Jetfire rushed up to Optimus. ?Sir! All enemy units are retreating! We?ve won!? he exclaimed.

?That we did, Jetfire. That we did.? The pair watched Scorponok?s fleet withdraw from the planet. After a few minutes, Optimus said, ?Jetfire, I want you to have Hotshot and Inferno report back here. Also, assemble a casualty report. I?d like to know the price of this victory.?

?Yes, sir.? Jetfire walked back into the base.

A lone Energon transport emerged from the Space Bridge. It flew at the remains of the planet-monster, Unicron. If one was to listen at the door of the bridge, one would hear joyous singing about the good times being back again.

There you go. The first five episodes. Constructive criticism is appreciated.

Let me know if you want more. I have episodes up to 9 complete.