Chapter Text
A Dead City
“Mom! Mom!” Thrash’s voice pulled her away from work. Her strategies to try and plot Megatron's next moves were going nowhere. She barely remembered what the former warlord had been like and from what few glimpses they had of this amnesiac Megatron he had been erratic, confused and aimless. There was no telling what he would do next. They would just have to wait for Megatron to move or for Optimus to retrieve the Blades of Time and find a way to reverse its effects.
Dorothy Malto looked up from her computer and glanced outside the study to find the Terrans, Robby and Mo milling outside looking up at her, anxiety written all over their faces.
“What is it babies? What’s happened? What’s wrong?” She asked, running downstairs to meet them, Alex at her heels.
”It’s Twitch! We saw the Autobots planning to catch and imprison Megatron and she freaked out and went after him!” Thrash explained out of breath. “We tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen!”
”Oh no, Twitch!” Alex exclaimed, looking aghast.
”Hashtag!” Dorothy immediately rounded on the tall purple Terran. “What has Optimus told you about hacking into the Autobot base! You cannot keep disrespecting people’s boundaries!"
”Yes but you and the Autobots weren’t telling us anything!” Hashtag complained, her voice filled with frustration. “Megatron is a part of our family! He’s our uncle! We deserve to know what’s happening so we can help him!”
”Hashtag—“ Dorothy began but Robby interrupted her, agitated.
”We don’t have time for this! Twitch could be in trouble!” Robby shouted. “He can’t even feel her anymore! We have no idea if she’s alright or not!”
”She’ll be okay,” Alex tried to reassure his son but his voice betrayed his doubt.
“Forgive me but this is not Megatron we are dealing with anymore,” Nightshade cut in, their optics wide. “This is the Megatron from the war, from the comics. He was more aggressive from what I saw but not overly concerning. So it should be fine right?”
”The comics are rather… fancy and sterilised version of what happened,” Dorothy warned. “Megatron was not a goofy Saturday morning cartoon, he was a warlord who did unspeakable things. But… Megatron is not acting like he once did. He’s confused and he seems to be aimless. It’s strange. I’m wondering if he did retain some of his memories in some form.”
”Then why are we wasting time talking about it?! We need to go after Twitch!” Thrash insisted before turning into his alt-mode, Mo jumping into the side car with a shrug at Robby and the both of them tore off down the road.
”Thrash wait!” Dorothy shouted after them but it was too late as the both of them had already reached the end of the driveway. Realising she wasn’t going to win this argument she quickly made her way to her truck, a frustrated look on her face. “The rest of you stay together! I’ll go after them!”
There was a deep rumble as her truck roared into life and sped off in a cloud of dust.
“Perhaps it would be pertinent to inform the Autobots of what is happening,” Nightshade suggested, their finals twitching as a cold breeze. “Things could get precarious.”
“That’s a good idea,” Alex approved but then turned to Hashtag with a frown. “You should also apologise to OP for hacking into the Autobot base again, Hashtag.”
Hashtag looked like she was about to argue but then saw the look on Alex’s face and immediately deflated, shuffling a pede against the ground sheepishly.
”Yes dad,” she reluctantly agreed. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have but we needed to know what was going on. You can’t just keep us out of the loop when one of our family is missing. We want to know what’s going on!”
“We would appreciate being kept informed about Megatron’s status,” Nightshade agreed with their sister. “We would rather help in restoring his mind instead of sitting by the sidelines and watching.”
Alex gave a small nod before relenting.
“I know, I know that you’re all capable but we just want to keep you safe,” Alex explained.
“Well,” Hashtag turned and stared at the end of the driveway, the dust cloud still hanging in the air from the departure of Thrash, Mo and Dorothy. “I don’t think it worked in the end.”
“So the war is over,” Bumblebee recounted as his old, creaky alt mode attempted to keep up with Breakdown, the Decepticon weaving to and fro. He was bored of having to keep his speed down so Bumblebee could even have the slightest chance of keeping up with him. “How exactly did it end?”
”Megatron turned his back on the Decepticons and allied himself with Prime,” Breakdown answered, narrowly missing an oncoming car as he kept weaving. “He betrayed the Decepticons.”
”Why? That doesn’t sound like Megatron at all,” Bumblebee murmured to himself.
“Yeah, that’s what we all thought too but in hindsight, there were signs,” Breakdown mused to himself thoughtfully. “Looking back on those last couple years, he was trying to undo a lot of his own actions. Trying to steer the Decepticons on a less violent path. Course correct, he called it. He said that the Decepticons had lost their original purpose and that this war would end in extinction if we did not return to the original goal of equality. No one listened to him of course but I think betraying his own faction that he fought so hard to build? I think that was his last resort. One final desperate plea to us Decepticons.”
Bumblebee was quiet as he listened, his mind ticking over. Something about that made sense. Like he knew that Megatron had and would absolutely try to redeem his own faction after leading them astray but his own memories contradicted that. He had observed nothing but deceit, violence and brutality from the Decepticon Warlord known as Megatron.
“That doesn’t make sense to me but Optimus, Elita and Wheeljack are alright with you hanging out with me despite being a Decepticon. That makes me happy but…” Bumblebee admitted. “It’s odd. It’s like my memories and feelings don’t match.”
Breakdown sighed frustrated. “I know and it’s my fault, I’m sorry Bee.”
Bumblebee was silent for a moment but then spoke up, his voice soft and reflective. “I don’t even remember, what happened?”
“We were fighting Liege Maximo with your Pups, Megatron and the Autobots, you and I were a team again Bee! After all this time, different badges but still the best of friends!” Breakdown exclaimed with joy. “But then I was… goofing off, y’know as I do during the middle of a battle and Liege threw a Prime relic at me that reverses time. You jumped in the way and… well, here you are! Ugly Alt-mode!”
“It’s not ugly!” Bumblebee protested, tired of the Stunticon’s insults towards his VW Beetle Alt mode before considering his words. “I… I put myself on the line to save you?”
Breakdown’s engine spluttered for a brief moment before he sighed and slowed, Bumblebee almost crashing into his back bumper.
“Yeah, you did, when you really shouldn’t have,” Breakdown’s voice was quiet and filled with regret. Something rare to hear from his old friend. “I’m truly sorry Bumblebee. This is all my fault.”
Bumblebee was silent. He didn’t know what to say to that. Part of him knew that Breakdown was telling the truth. Breakdown and he and been so very close before the war started. Some might have even said a bit too close for just friends. During that time, Bumblebee could absolutely see himself giving his life for Breakdown but during the war? With what memories were intact and what he knew of Breakdown as a Decepticon? Bumblebee wasn’t entirely sure that he would.
Just how much time had he lost?
“I really want to believe you, Breakdown,” he finally answered. “But, I don’t know if I can.”
Breakdown sighed, “Yeah, I know buddy. Don’t worry. I got your back, not letting anything happen to– whoa hey! Get off the road!!”
The tender moment came to an abrupt end as Breakdown screeched to a halt, rubber burning and brakes squealing as he narrowly avoided hitting the human standing in the middle of the road, arm outstretched in front of him motioning for Breakdown to stop. Bumblebee had to skid to a halt in the gravel beside the road, narrowly avoiding rear ending the Decepticon.
“What gives Breakdown– oh!” Bumblebee shouted, furious at almost being totally until he saw the human standing inches from Breakdown’s front fender.
“What’s the big idea, Schloder?!” Breakdown snarled at the human, transforming and towering over the tiny human. “You’re gonna get yourself killed doing something that stupid!”
“Perpostorous,” Schloder said, his tone strange in its cadence. “Big Red said you were heading to the Racetrack, I’d like a ride.”
“Uh uh,” Breakdown shook his helm and pointed a digit at the human. “I’m not having a human ride inside me.”
“It’s okay Breakdown,” Bumblebee offered helpfully. Breakdown didn’t like inanimate objects in his altmode, there was no way that he was letting another living being inside no matter how much he liked them. He waved to the human, a friendly smile upon his face trying to diffuse the situation. “I’ll take him. Hi there, my name’s Bumblebee!”
Schloder just stared at him confused before glancing back at Breakdown.
“He’s lost his memories and his altmode,” Breakdown clarified. “He doesn't remember anything of the past few Earth decades.”
“Ah,” Schloder looked back at Bumblebee, disappointed as he observed the scout. “So that means he’s no longer a top of the line racer with cushioned seats that perfectly cradle one's buttocks?”
”Hey! Stop disrespecting the Beetle!” Bumblebee scoffed, irritated. “It’s nice!”
”Yeah for 40 years ago,” Breakdown scoffed before turning back to Schloder. “Well, Schloder knows his cars, maybe he can help us find you a new altmode. Maybe even your old one? I mean new old one.”
Bumblebee stared at the new human, surprised that the agent with Autobot insignias on his badge was speaking so casually with someone who was very obviously a Decepticon.
…Maybe the war really has ended…
“Hey yeah sure,” Bumblebee finally smiled at the human and transformed into his Beetle altmode.
Schloder despite himself gave a fond smile at the sight of the Beetle.
“It looks a lot better than it does in the photos on file,” the human admitted and Bumblebee felt his spark glow warm at the comment.
”Thank you!” Bumblebee exclaimed flattered. “I still don’t see why I have to change it though.”
”If you want to go back on the race track you do,” Breakdown pointed out as they started off again. “Or even a chance to beat me.”
“I’ll beat you one day Breakdown, you just watch me!” Bumblebee declared.
”I look forward to the day that you do!” The Stunticon laughed.
Megatron’s optic shutters flickered open, alerts flooded his HUD and his entire frame jolted as it came out of stasis. He gasped, his intakes desperately sucking in air as he struggled to regain his senses. Almost immediately his attention was drawn to the fact that he was kneeling on the ground and restrained, his wrists bound behind his back and his ankles clamped together with stasis cuffs.
”…Who dares restrain Lord Megatron?!”
He was answered with a laugh and he snapped his helm up, finding that little strange green-blue drone hovering in front of him, a smug look on her face. Behind her was that same purple Tow Truck he had encountered earlier appearing less confident and rather nervous about the entire situation.
”Does Lord Megatron often crash out and leave himself open to attack?” The drone sneered at him and Megatron snarled, straining against his bonds which to his surprise, loosened. He stopped, surprised, realising that the two younglings had done a very poor job of restraining him. He could use this to his advantage against these foolish sparklings.
“Crash out? My systems did not crash. You attacked me,” Megatron groused and the drone, Spitfire he recalled, laughed again. “Silence!”
”Oh you’re in no position to be making demands here, Megs,” Spitfire drawled and Megatron growled in annoyance.
“Do not call me Megs!” Megatron snapped at the drone. “What even are you?! You’re not normal Cybertronian Sparklings!”
”We’re Chaos Terrans, I’m Spitfire, this is Aftermath,” Spitfire scoffed as her companion approached Megatron, still ‘bound’ and ‘restrained’ before them. “Wow, you really have lost your memories, the Autobots were right.”
“Autobots,” Megatron spat distastefully. “Fools who parade around with ideals and pretend to be heroes. What utter nonsense!"
Spitfire just smirked at him, her expression taking in delight at his confusion and words.
”Is that what you do Megsy?” The insolent green-blue drone taunted him. “You just switch sides whenever you feel like it?”
“What are you talking about, you pathetic insect!” Lord Megatron snapped at this…’Chaos Terran.’
”You were an Autobot, right? You first betrayed the Decepticons, became an Autobot but now you’re a Decepticon again?” Spitfire asked, confused. “How does that work?”
”Seems like you’re a bit of a flake, if you ask me,” Aftermath pointed out.
“SILENCE!” Lord Megatron roared but he was only greeted with laughter from the two strange ‘Terrans’.
Fed up with the lack of respect, Megatron quickly snapped the stasis cables binding him and threw them on the ground before the two childish cybertronians who immediately stopped laughing and stared up at him in fear as they realised the danger they were in. Megatron smirked, pleased with the reaction and he pulled himself to his full height, looming over the two small bots intimidatingly.
“You need to work on your knots, ‘Chaos Terrans’,” Lord Megatron rumbled, a menacing laugh escaping his intake. “Did you really think you could restrain me for long? Bots stronger than you have tried and failed.”
“You won’t threaten Spitfire again!” Aftermath declared as he stepped in front of Spitfire who stared up at him terrified, his triple cannon aimed directly at Megatron’s spark. Megatron scoffs in response, turning away from the two Chaos Terrans and turning back to the main console of the base.
The two of them huddled closer together, now terrified of the warlord. Lord Megatron ignored the two cowering little bots, his attention focused on other things.
“I would advise not attempting to knock me out again. It will not end well for you this time,” he warned his digits dancing across the console as he checked the bases defences. He frowned as he noticed the energon barrier still intact. “How did the both of you bypass the energon barrier?”
”Er we’re Terrans, duh,” Spitfire snapped back as if it was obvious, her arms folded across her chassis in an attempt to hide her fear. Admirable, but pathetic, Megatron thought to himself and he turned his attention back to them, tilting his helm in curiosity. What other useful things could these ‘Terrans’ do?
“Please, since I have apparently lost my memories, enlighten me on what you can do,” Megatron gestured to Spitfire and Aftermath with an open hand. “It is very clear to me that you ‘Chaos Terrans’ are special.”
Spitfire appeared to brighten up at Megatron’s words, his flattery making her bolder as she hovered slightly closer to him. Her optics were still narrowed in suspicion though.
”Well, we’re like normal Terrans but the upgraded version,” Spitfire boasted and Megatron stared at her patiently awaiting further clarification. ”I’m faster and more powerful than that friend of yours, Twitch! So much better than her!”
“…Twitch…” Megatron repeated the name as it sunk into his brain module for a moment, the memory of the little red drone flashing in his mind. “I don’t remember anyone called Twitch.”
…Liar…
“Good! Because I'm so much better!” Spitfire exclaimed brightly, becoming bold and hovering up to Megatron arms spread wide. “Maybe you’ll see that now you don’t have a bias!”
“Curious, you seem to dislike this… ‘Twitch’,” Megatron observed, his optics examining Spitfire closely. “But you have not explained what abilities you have and why I should keep either of you insects alive since you insist upon being irritants.”
Spitfire’s bravado immediately fell and Aftermath looked terrified as he suddenly stepped towards them loudly and purposely, delighting in their terror and horror as it seemed to click that he was not someone they could mess with or mock.
”I have hyper speed! I can turn invisible and hack into the Autobot base!” Spitfire shouted desperately in rapidfire. “We can control Chaos Energy! We’re friends with Terratronus!”
Megatron smirked, glancing down at the Chaos Terran with a malicious smile.
“There now, was that so hard?” Lord Megatron purred, sadism in his voice as he glanced at the decorations hung upon the walls. Stupid childish things that these two creatures had vandalised this base with. He would need to change that as he searched for his Decepticons. “It seems that you are useful to me, I will allow you to live. Do not try to escape or I will kill you.”
The two Chaos Terrans visibly relaxed slightly, though still stared up at him terrified and Lord Megatron moved away, returning to the console and his work. He flicked open the security feeds and frowned as he saw something flicker in one of the outside cameras.
Spitfire suddenly growled as she noticed it too.
”Twitch…” She growled, her servos clenched into fists.
Lord Megatron stared at the camera feed, watching as the little bot fluttered between shipping containers and trucks in the yard, trying and failing to be inconspicuous.
”Curious, she didn’t set off the base defences,” Megatron rumbled with a glance at Spitfire. “Perhaps she was identified as you?”
Spitfire frowned and glared at the image of Twitch as she slowly made her way towards the entrance of the base.
”Yeah, it’s a problem,” Spitfire scoffed, annoyed. “I hate her! She thinks she’s better than me when she’s not! I’m the better Terran!”
Lord Megatron paused, glancing over at the disgruntled aqua-coloured Terran and her companion who was glaring at him, wariness in his optics.
He could use this, he could use this fiery, spirited little ‘Chaos Terran.’ The other he doubted he could but Spitfire seemed attached to him and so he would be sure not to harm her to keep him on side for now.
“If you are better than her, Spitfire,” Lord Megatron began turning towards her, a well practiced false smile of kindness up on his face. “Why don’t you bring this intruder to me and prove that you are the stronger Terran.”
”…Spitfire…” Aftermath began to worry but he stopped when Lord Megatron threw him a nasty glare. He gulped and immediately fell silent, terrified of the once kind and noble silver warrior.
Spitfire did not notice, instead all of her fear vanished and she clapped her servos together with glee.
”It’ll be my pleasure, Megatron.”
“Got the item you requested there, Sounders,” A sleazy voice called to the Decepticon Communications Officer as he stood like a silent sentinel on one of the many eaves of Koluklar Fortress overlooking Kaon. “Took me quite the effort to sneak past the Autobots and Shockwave. Quite the hassle in fact, Shockwave’s got his own plans for it so I would appreciate it if you could—“
“Whatever Shockwave is paying you, I will triple it,” Soundwave intoned before Swindle could finish. He had no intention of listening to the conman nor did he want to entertain his schemes even further.
”Oh! Very good sir, much appreciated!” Swindle clapped his servos together in delight before pulling out a large sleek protective case, coated in anti-detection chips and force-fields.
Swindle went to pass the case to Frenzy who was standing next to her commander but Soundwave put a servo between her and Swindle.
“Open the case, verify the item is the authentic relic,” Soundwave barked as his chassis dock opened and Ravage leapt out snarling and hissing. “If it is a fake, you will be severely punished for trying to deceive me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing, Soundwave!” Swindle purred with a sickeningly sweet smile, opening the case and allowed Ravage to examine the contents.
Inside, carefully placed within protective expanding foam sat the relic of Vector Prime; The Blades of Time, pristine and spotless. Ravage scanned the contents carefully for a long moment before looking back up at Soundwave and giving him an affirming nod of confirmation.
“Vector Prime Relic verified as genuine article,” Soundwave confirmed. “Name your price, Swindle.”
“25,000,000 shanix my good mech,” Swindle fluttered and Soundwave nodded. There was a ping from Swindle’s communicator and with a grin, he handed the case over to Frenzy. “Pleasure doing business with you, Soundwave.”
Swindle turned pede and left, a slight bounce in his step as he disappeared into the fortress behind him.
There was a moment of silence as Frenzy stared down at the case in her servos.
”Are you— are you sure this is a good idea boss?”
Soundwave did not answer, remaining silent as he stared out across the skyline of Kaon, the city once a bustling centre piece of the Decepticon, of Lord Megatron’s Empire now empty, dark and cold, devoid of life.
A dead city save for the Sparkless that roamed its dusty, empty streets.