EPISODE II: DEAL WITH A DEMON
�No! It can�t be!� Galvatron cried. �You��you�re dead!!!�
�You will never be able to defeat me that easily, Galvatron,� Optimus Prime said. �As long as evil exists, I can never be dead.�
Galvatron howled in anger, and charged Optimus Prime. He jumped, and put out his leg to kick Prime in the chest. Optimus just stood there stoically, not moving an inch. Just as the Decepticon�s foot was about to hit his head, Prime moved, grabbing the leg. Swinging the leg around him, Prime let go, and sent Galvatron flying. The crowd watched as Galvatron hit the ground. Enraged, he got up and transformed into cannon mode. He fired off the powerful laser, but missed as Optimus also transformed. Maneuvering around each blast, Prime drove straight into Galvatron.
Optimus transformed and walked up to Galvatron as he lay on the ground. As he approached, Galvatron suddenly leapt up, and began beating Optimus with his bare hands. Prime fell on his back, and was soon feeling weaker with ever blow that Galvatron dealt.
Feeling a sudden surge of anger, Optimus Prime grabbed both of Galvatron�s hands as they came down for two more punches. Surprised, Galvatron felt the power in Optimus�s hands as they crushed his own. Slowly rising, Optimus Prime kept his grasp on Galvatron�s fists, and kicked the Decepticon�s feet out from under him. Optimus then grabbed Galvatron�s head, picking him up so that the two were at eye level.
Then Optimus said, �You have lost, Galvatron. Unlike you, I enjoy being merciful. So I will give you one last chance. Leave now, and you will live.�
He tossed Galvatron aside, and the Decepticon got up slowly. Turning around, he said to the Decepticons, �We will leave now. Board Scorponok, and begin our voyage home.�
Then he turned to Optimus Prime. �I have lost this match, Prime. Obviously you are the better warrior, and I will concede to that. I have shamed the Decepticons, and we will now exile ourselves from this planet forever.�
Prime looked his enemy dead in the eyes and replied coldly, �Bludgeon once made that promise to me, Galvatron, and he returned. If you plan on doing the same, know I will not be as lenient as I was today.�
Galvatron turned towards Scorponok. He and the Decepticons boarded the ship, and left for Charr.
�Wha...what?�
Optimus Prime awoke from his daydream. He had heard someone approaching the Vector Sigma chamber very quickly. Looking at Elita-1 inside her stasis pod, he hid in the shadows, pulled out his rifle and aimed it at the doorway.
A figure appeared. �Don�t move!� Optimus said. �I have a weapon aimed right at your head!�
�Optimus!� a familiar voice said. �It�s me! Rodimus!�
Prime flipped on the lights. Sure enough, standing in the doorway was his old friend.
�Rodimus?� he said, baffled. �What are you doing down here?�
�You mean you don�t know what happened?�
Optimus looked confused. �What on Cybertron are you talking about?�
�Something terrible has happened,� Rodimus replied. �Everyone above has been kidnapped. Omnicron is back.�
He then told Optimus the whole story, beginning with his trip to Earth and ending with the eerie carving of Omnicron�s name into the wall. Optimus was completely taken aback. It was unbelievable that the giant Unicron worshipper was still alive.
�Well,� Optimus said. �I don�t have a clue how to fight Omnicron without an army. He almost obliterated us last time. Unfortunately he has the upper hand.�
�What I don�t understand is,� Rodimus began. �Why did he kidnap all of the Autobots? Why not just kill them?�
�I don�t know,� Optimus said. �There�s an ulterior motive here, and I don�t like it. We need help.�
Rodimus was confused. �From who? We can�t get the troops from Earth, it�d be too risky. Humanity won�t help, there�s no way we could convince them.�
�I know, I know,� Optimus said. �But I know of someone who could help.�
He looked at Elita-1 and closed his eyes. �Come on, Rodimus. We need go to Charr.�
A few hours later, the two Autobot commanders were in a shuttle approaching the planet of Charr. Due to the lack of military support, Optimus Prime knew that they might have to get help from the devil himself. On Charr, they would find someone who was close.
�Optimus?� Rodimus asked as they began to land. �Are you sure about this?�
�Why?�
�Well, Galvatron is not exactly reasonable. He may see this as an act of aggression.�
Optimus sighed. �It�s a long shot, I know. But as despicable as Galvatron and the Decepticons are, they are formidable allies. You weren�t there when we fought the Liege Maximo: they fought just as bravely as any Autobot. Megatron himself killed that titanic Cybertronian. Now we have another common enemy. As terrible as Galvatron is, he�s still a great warrior.�
�He�s also unpredictable, demented, and completely evil,� Rodimus said.
�Qualities that describe Omnicron too,� Optimus pointed out. �Except multiplied by 10,000. We�re going to need all the help we can get.�
Their ship landed on the planet�s surface. Opening the door, Optimus stepped out first and looked around. Not seeing anything in particular, he motioned for Rodimus to leave. Just as he looked back, he felt someone grab him into a chokehold.
�Optimus!� Rodimus cried. He jumped out and tackled the enemy who had grabbed his friend, and the Decepticon quickly let go. Looking down, he recognized Cyclonus.
�Attack!� another voice cried. Rodimus recognized it quickly as Galvatron�s.
Optimus Prime got up. �Rodimus! Back to back!�
The two Autobot commanders got together and prepared to defend themselves. Sixshot ran at Optimus, while Scourge went after Rodimus. Each Decepticon leapt at their foe, and each one received a swift punch to the jaw. Even more of the Decepticons attacked, and soon suffered similar fates. No one could take down either of the Primes.
Galvatron stood in the background of the battle, out of sight. He didn�t want either Autobot to catch a glimpse of him. It wasn�t fear that kept him out of the fray. No, it was curiosity. Galvatron was astounded that Optimus had actually made the first move. So far, the Decepticons had kept their word by not returning to Cybertron. Although they planned on it eventually, it was an idea that would be better once the Autobots became a little too comfortable.
What was Prime thinking? There had to be something more to this, and Galvatron wasn�t going to find it out by watching his troops fight the two Autobots.
�Enough!� Galvatron ordered. Every one of his soldiers stopped immediately. Even Optimus and Rodimus stared at the Decepticon leader.
Returning their gaze, Galvatron held up his laser cannon at the two. �Now, I�m going to be very patient. What are you two doing here?�
�We�re here to ask for help,� Optimus replied. �A great evil has descended on our race once again, and only you can aid us in stopping it.�
Rodimus nodded. �The only reason we fought back against your soldiers is because of self defense. We had no intentions of attacking you, Galvatron.�
�Likely story!� Cyclonus said, still on the ground. �Now you�re just trying to save your...�
�Cyclonus?� Galvatron interrupted.
�Yes, sir?� he asked.
�Shut up.�
Galvatron lowered his cannon and looked back at his two enemies. �Okay, I�ll buy that story. You have ten minutes to explain yourselves.�
Optimus Prime started the story with the return of Jhiaxus. He explained the following events: Elita-1�s kidnapping, the attempted destruction of Cybertron, and the final face-off with Omnicron. Galvatron listened intently, and became especially interested when Rodimus finished with his return to Cybertron to find all of the Autobots kidnapped by the same adversary.
�So why should we help you?� Galvatron asked when the two had finished. �We should just go back to Cybertron and take the planet once again.�
�It�s not that easy, Galvatron,� Optimus said. �Omnicron is up to something. If it were simply up to him, Rodimus would have came back to a planet full of bodies instead a barren one. This is all very sinister.�
�Omnicron�s a disciple of Unicron,� Rodimus stated. �And the Chaos-Bringer is an enemy to us all.�
Galvatron thought for a moment. �I must admit, I still hold a grudge against that planet-eating monstrosity for plucking me from my own time. And I�m sure his major follower didn�t like it too much when I just sat idly by while his master was destroyed a third time.�
He turned from the two Autobots. �Fellow Decepticons, I believe them. Unlike us, they seem to value honesty and integrity. It is in my opinion that we aid them, for this Omnicron sounds like a far greater enemy. I�m sure he is an especially powerful foe, and if he is up to something then I want to be sure it will not harm us.�
Galvatron then faced Optimus Prime. �Let from this day the Transformer race will unite as one. A truce.� He held out his hand. �Temporarily.�
Optimus Prime then held out his hand. They shook, and then Galvatron shook Rodimus�s hand.
Galvatron stood back. �Okay, then. You two lead the way to Cybertron.�
On another planet, Ultra Magnus awoke. Still groggy, he tried to figure out what had happened. The last thing he remembered was Omnicron attacking, radioing Rodimus Prime, and then blacking out. Looking around, Magnus saw all of his fellow Autobots tied to long stakes in the ground, just like him. The planet was unrecognizable and dark. Omnicron couldn�t be seen. Reaching down to his leg, he hit his built-in SOS signal. Hopefully someone would respond to it.
�SO, YOU�RE AWAKE,� a hideous voice cut through the air. Ultra Magnus shuddered.
�YOU KNOW, YOU�RE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE,� Omnicron said, coming into view. �I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE QUICK.�
�What do you mean?� Ultra Magnus asked defiantly. �What would be quick?�
�THE RETURN OF UNICRON.�
�You can�t be serious!� Magnus said. �He�s dead, Omnicron. Optimus Prime saw to that. There�s no way he can return now.�
Omnicron laughed. �YOU�RE TOO NARROW MINDED, AUTOBOT. ALL YOU SEE IS BLACK AND WHITE. YOU DON�T SEE THAT THERE ARE FORCES AND MYSTERIES ABOUT THE UNIVERSE, THINGS YOU WOULDN�T UNDERSTAND. AFTER MY MASTER�S WAR WITH YOUR CREATOR, AN UNKNOWN AUTHOR WROTE �THE RUNES OF CYBERTRON.� AMONG OTHER THINGS, THEY MADE TWO PROPHECIES.�
�The darkest hour,� Ultra Magnus said, referring to the age-old Autobot legend.
�AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE RUNES DID REFER TO THAT. BUT IT WAS THE SECOND PREDICTION THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. ACCORDING TO THE RUNES, I AM ABLE TO BRING BACK UNICRON. BUT FIRST, I MUST PERFORM A RITUAL.�
Ultra Magnus had a feeling of dread. �What kind a ritual?�
Omnicron smiled. �A SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS.�
On Cybertron, the Decepticons were helping Optimus and Rodimus search for clues. Each Transformer was scanning the area, hoping to find some hint to where Omnicron came from. Suddenly, Scourge�s voice piped up.
�Hey! I think I found something!�
The others ran over to where he was standing. There, on the ground, were remnants of some organic material, something not native to Cybertron.
�Hook!� Galvatron called. The Constructicon chemist ran up. �I want you to examine this material, and tell us where it might be native to. Perhaps it will give us a clue to where Omnicron is.�
�Yes, sir!� Hook said. He then turned to Optimus Prime. �Where is the nearest laboratory?�
Optimus pointed at a nearby building. �That�s Perceptor�s lab, you can use it. I�ll come with you.�
As they drove off, Rodimus Prime looked at Galvatron. �After this is all over you�re still going to continue this war, aren�t you?�
�What else is there to do?� Galvatron asked. �The Autobot-Decepticon alliances of the past have always been so fragile. Neither faction can trust the other.�
�Why do you trust us now?�
�Because, Prime,� Galvatron said. �I may loathe you and your mentor, but I carry a grudging respect for both of you. I almost have to: it�s the only thing that keeps me sane after my defeats. Besides, Optimus is right. Unicron and his minions are truly enemies to us all.�
At the laboratory, Hook was busy at work trying to trace the origin of the material on Perceptor�s computer. Optimus Prime was helping, but he really wanted to make sure the Decepticon didn�t download any confidential information from the computer as well.
�Bingo!� Hook exclaimed.
�What is it?� Optimus asked.
The Constructicon pointed at the screen. �That organic material is dirt.�
�Well I guess it was worth a shot,� Optimus said, sounding disappointed.
Hook only smiled. �You didn�t let me finish. Not all dirt has Cybertronian DNA attached to it.�
�What?!?�
Pointing at the screen, Hook continued with his analysis. �I continued with this research to determine whose DNA it is. It was in a very small amount, but still present. Marvelous computer your Autobot friend has here. Top notch.�
The computer beeped. Hook went over to look at the printout. As soon as he read the name, his face was in shock.
After handing the printout to Optimus Prime, he left the room to inform the others. Now alone, Optimus read the paper out loud.
�The Liege Maximo.�
TO BE CONTINUED