They were the TRANSFORMERS.

Rising into existence, they rapidly developed a highly advanced technological civilization... cherishing peace and contentment over all else. Reaching it’s peak, the prospect of expanding to new and different planets was presented; but dismissed... for some reason, they felt that they had to stay and watch over their homeworld...

But among the populace, a new group was slowly gathering... a group of those who felt that Cybertron’s society had become stagnant and without purpose... they appealed to the highest authorities, but their opinions were ignored... they finally decided that their ideals would be put into motion, even if it meant war...

Calling themselves the Decepticons, and lead by the ruthless and ambitious Megatron, they began to slowly accumulate military power; preparing for the day when they would rise up and overthrow the other Transformers... and when that day came, the Decepticons unleashed an assault that was almost impossible to withstand...

Realizing that the only way to protect their way of life was to fight back, the remaining Transformers banded together in effort to stop the evil Decepticons... calling themselves the Autobots, they defended against the Decepticons attacks as best they could... but their forces were weak compared to their enemy, due to the fact that most of the populace had refused to take sides in this growing conflict...

The Autobots’ strength slowly dwindled, as did their spirits... for it seemed that they were doomed to defeat by their adversary... but a new, powerful leader rose from the Autobot ranks... Optimus Prime!

His power could only be matched by the malevolent Megatron... and with his strength and wisdom, he led the Autobots to many a new victory. Yet, the Decepticons would not yield... and the war only escalated... erupting with fire and fury on a tremendous scale... so much raw power was released that Cybertron itself was torn from it’s orbit and was sent spinning throughout the heavens...

Despite this horrific disaster, the battles waged on... until Cybertron’s erratic path pointed it directly into the danger of a large asteroid belt... unless the planet was defended while it passed through this menace, it would be rendered lifeless... the Autobots decided that, war or no war, this new threat had to be dealt with...

They built a ship... the finest spacecraft ever constructed on Cybertron... entitled as the Ark. Assembling a team of his best Autobots, Optimus Prime and his crew used the Ark to blast a path through the asteroids, so that Cybertron could pass without harm...

But as they did this, they were leaving themselves helpless against Decepticon attack... pressing their advantage, the Decepticons attempted to board the Ark; but, at the push of a button, Optimus Prime sent his spacecraft on a collision course with the apparently lifeless third planet of the solar system they were passing through...

A planet called Earth.

For over four million years, the Ark laid buried and dormant in the side of a huge mountain... until volcanic activity reactivated the Ark, and, per it’s programming, it immediately revived the damaged Autobots and Decepticons that had been rendered inoperative by the crash...

And their battle began anew, on this strange world...

This fierce conflict continued for many years... until, quite accidentally, a small group of Autobots discovered Primus himself; hidden deep within the center of Cybertron... The Light God was unintentionally awakened from his slumber... instantly alerting the Chaos-Bringer, Unicron, of the location of his ancient enemy...

Primus transported most of his children back to Cybertron, to face this ultimate menace... and they did so with bravery and valor. Many lives were lost in the terrible battle... including Primus himself... but Unicron was finally defeated, by the power contained within the Creation Matrix...

The war between Autobot and Decepticon resumed immediately... one small group of Decepticons stole the repaired Ark, in an attempt to invade Earth... while the majority of the Decepticon forces launched an attack upon the peaceful planet Klo... fortunately, the Autobots were able to stop the Decepticons in both of those endeavors...

From that point onward, the Cybertronian War slowly calmed down... after a few more small battles, the Decepticons seemed to just disappear... the Autobots tried to find their enemies... but they had simply vanished.

The Autobots could hardly believe it... it seemed as if their war was finally over.

Therefore, the Autobots settled down into a life of peace. While Cybertron locked itself into an orbit around a nearby star known as Proxima Centauri, a special outpost named Autobot City was constructed on Earth, to protect the little planet from any future danger.

But the story of the Transformers was far from over.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fall From Glory(part 1)

By Tom Zavier
 
 

It is the year 2010. For over a decade, the heroic Autobots have enjoyed peace on their home planet Cybertron. Having rebuilt the beautiful capital city of Iacon, the Autobots have almost forgotten about their deadly conflict with the Decepticons...

But little do they know that under the leadership of Galvatron, the Decepticons have constructed an immense undersea headquarters on the planet Syrra IV... and have been slowly building up energy and strength for a new Decepticon empire...

And now, from a secret base on Cybertron’s second moon, the Decepticons are preparing to finally retake their homeland...
 
 
 
 

    A small blue and white aircraft glides silently across the vacuum separating Cybertron and it’s second moon. Speeding into Cybertron’s atmosphere, it flies quietly toward the breathtaking city of Iacon; with it’s wondrous alien architecture and it’s magnificent golden spires which rise high above other buildings. The aircraft does no reduce it’s velocity as it approaches the force field dome that protects the city... and instead of colliding with the dome, the aircraft suddenly surrounds itself in a high intensity electric field and passes through the force field as if it weren’t even there...
    The aircraft spirals downward toward the center of the city... and into the very heart of Autobot territory!
 

    “Optimus Prime!” yelled Blaster, running toward the Autobots’ respected leader, who was sitting on a bench in Iacon’s city square; chatting with the scientist Perceptor and enjoying a glass of liquid energon.
    “Greetings, Blaster,” Optimus Prime replied. “Is something wrong, my friend?”
    Blaster was holding a small computer disk, which he raised into view. “I’ve got a message here from Fort Max, on Earth. He says there’s been an accident with the hydro-electricity system, and Autobot City could be lookin’ at an energy crisis.”
    “That is highly improbable, Blaster,” Perceptor interjected. “I designed and configured that system to be entirely failsafe under a multitude of possible conditions! And I believe that I instructed Fortress Maximus quite properly on it’s operation...”
    “Don’t worry about it, Perceptor,” said Optimus Prime. “Blaster, have Cliffjumper prepare a shuttle for a supply run to Autobot City. We can’t let our comrades be short on fuel while we’re here enjoying the good life! And feel free to go along if you would like to visit Earth.”
    “Thanks Optimus, but maybe some other time.” Blaster left hurriedly.
    Perceptor was still confused. “I fail to understand how my system could have malfunctioned in any way, Optimus Prime. Everything was designed and fitted to perfection! Perhaps I should accompany Cliffjumper and assist with repairs or adjustments...”
    Optimus Prime chuckled. “You can put your professional pride aside for now, Perceptor; nobody is questioning your abilities.”
    Perceptor stiffened up a little. “I should think not.”
    Optimus Prime patted Perceptor on the shoulder as he rose up from his seat. He felt uneasy... for all these years, his warriors have enjoyed peace and happiness. But the Autobot leader couldn’t accept that the Decepticons had simply disappeared... they would be back... but would the Autobots be ready?
    Optimus Prime walked slowly toward the impressive monument that stood in the center of the city square. Assorted Autobots would occasionally pass and give short, respectful greetings as they went by.
    The Autobot leader looked up at the monument, trying not to think of the menace that the Decepticons still represented.
The monument itself was indeed breathtaking; it was composed of three tall, golden statues, arranged around a beautiful fountain. The first statue was of Optimus Prime himself, in his Powermaster form. At first Prime refused to be honored with a statue, saying he didn’t deserve it; but the engineers were persistent. The second statue was of Emirate Xaaron... there was no question that he deserved it. The third statue was of the Last Autobot, savior of both Klo and Cybertron. The Last Autobot himself had returned to dormancy years ago... and now slumbered in a cavern hidden deep beneath Iacon itself.
    Optimus Prime bowed his head slightly in silent tribute to the monument. He turned to look over the rest of the city square; watching his Autobots going about their business. They would laugh and joke with one another... they were actually happy. Prime had often wondered what peace would be like... So this was the answer.
    But the peace would be short lived... For Optimus Prime was completely unaware of the evil eyes that were upon him at that very moment...
                                                *                                                        *                                                        *
    Lightning, the best of Decepticon spies, was perched comfortably on one of Iacon’s tallest golden spires, while in his robot mode. He looked down into Iacon’s city square with his large, yellow eyes; with his heightened and extremely acute senses, he could see and hear everything happening below him. He knew what was going to happen soon... and it fitted perfectly into his commander’s plans.
    With a wicked smile upon his steel lips, he leapt off of the spire and transformed back into his aircraft mode. He flew upward and, by using the same electric field trick that he had used earlier, passed through the force field dome with ease. Rising up and out of Cybertron’s thin atmosphere, he shifted his engines into high and rocketed toward Cybertron’s second moon.
                                                *                                                         *                                                       *
    Shockwave scanned the dark skies with his eye sensor, searching... searching... until he finally spotted what he was looking for...
    “Lightning returns, Galvatron,” Shockwave announced.
    “Right on schedule...” Galvatron rose from his simple throne to greet Lightning as he landed and transformed to robot mode. “Welcome back, Lightning! I trust you have something interesting to report...?”
    “I do indeed, Commander!” Lightning replied happily. “The Autobots are preparing to launch a supply shuttle to deliver some energon to Autobot City on Earth.”
    Starscream suddenly spoke up. “That makes it easy, Commander! When they lower the force field dome to launch the shuttle, we can pass through and attack Iacon without having to go anywhere near Earth!”
    “Don’t be such an imbecile, Starscream,” Galvatron retorted angrily. “To attack Iacon without first conquering Autobot City would be futile. The Seacons have obviously completed their task, and their efforts will not be in vain. We must now strike at our enemy’s weakest point; and in this case, it is Earth!” Galvatron looked upward at Cybertron. “As for the force field dome over Iacon, Shockwave has already devised a method of penetrating it...”
    “What? But how?”
    “That is none of your concern, idiot.” Galvatron turned to face his warriors. “Lightning, take Starscream and assemble a strike team immediately.”
    “With pleasure, Commander!” Lightning ran off, with Starscream reluctantly following.
    “Shockwave,” Galvatron continued, “Prepare your assault force against Iacon. When Autobot City has been vanquished, you will receive my signal to attack. Do not move against Iacon until that signal, understood?”
    “Of course, Commander.”
    Galvatron smiled slightly. “Good.” He sat back down upon his makeshift throne. As the computer terminals around him buzzed and whirred with their ceaseless activity, his mind began to drift... he thought back, to many years ago... back to the last time he was on the planet called Earth...
    He remembered how he had barely survived the Ark’s crash... how he was attacked and defeated by Fortress Maximus... how he had crawled out of that frozen lake only to find Starscream and Shockwave standing before him... and how, to his surprise, instead of trying to destroy him, how they accepted him as their new leader. That was indeed an unusual act...
    “Tell me, Shockwave,” Galvatron began, “Why did you do what you did back then?”
    “Pardon me, Commander?” replied Shockwave, confused.
    “Back on Earth... in 1991... why didn’t you and Starscream attack me?”
    “It would not have been logical, Commander. My interests and concerns are only for the Decepticon cause; and despite my lack of knowledge of your command ability at that time, your vast firepower made reclaiming leadership of the Decepticon forces from Bludgeon a most simple matter. “
    ”Yes...” said Galvatron, smiling. “It was too bad about Bludgeon. If he had just relinquished his title without a fight, he probably would still be alive today...”
    Even more memories sparked across Galvatron’s cerebro-circuitry... he remembered how they then returned to the Ark’s crash site, only to find Megatron, his past self, still alive... and how, without a second thought, almost instinctively, Galvatron had raised his particle cannon and blasted Megatron to oblivion...
    “Perhaps,” Shockwave continued. “Be that as it was, I am sure you are quite aware of my intellect, and my clarity of thought. I am no fool; but I have done many illogical deeds in my youth. I have allowed personal ambition and ego to guide my actions... and that is intolerable. I dare say I have matured greatly since the crash on Earth in 1991... I now realize that leadership of the Decepticons requires fire and spirit; two things I am quite incapable of.”
    “What are you trying to say, Shockwave?”
    “I knew you possessed the qualities of a true Decepticon leader. I could see it in your optical sensors... after the madness had left them. I was certain that Galvatron would be the one to lead the Decepticons to victory.”
    “Coming from anyone else, I would consider that cheap flattery...” Galvatron rose from his throne.
    “I can assure you it is not, Commander...”
    Galvatron raised a clenched fist threateningly. “But hear me, Shockwave; as Megatron, I put for years with your treachery, before you ‘matured’... defy me in any way, shape or form and you become expendable! Understood?”
    “Understood clearly, Commander.”
    Galvatron started slowly for an exit. “I hope so, Shockwave; for your sake. Await my signal from Autobot City.”
    “So I shall,” Shockwave replied. “May your mission be completed without... incident, Commander.”
                                               *                                                 *                                                         *
    The small supply shuttle rose from the surface of Cybertron and glided past the second moon... using it’s momentum to slowly accelerate to Lightspeed. Cliffjumper and Tailgate, the shuttle’s only two passengers, sat at the controls.
    “It’ll be nice to get back to Earth for a little while,” said Cliffjumper, making small talk.
    “Yeah,” Tailgate agreed. “I wasn’t too fond of that planet at first... especially the way those Humans treated machines... but I’ve kinda grown to--what the..”
    “What’s wrong?”
    Tailgate began to push buttons frantically. “I’m detecting some kind of power surge... wha...?” He paused. “We’ve just lost our entire sensor grid! I can’t pick up anything!!”
    “But how could--” Cliffjumper was interrupted by the explosive sound of a particle beam burning through the shuttle’s hull... as the artificial atmosphere rushed out of the damaged shuttle, Cliffjumper couldn’t believe the sight that met his optical sensors...
    “Decepticons!!”
                                               *                                                 *                                                         *
    The shuttle dropped out of Lightspeed as it entered the Sol system; it’s Autobot pilots now murdered and their lifeless bodies cast out into the emptiness of space. Now, it’s only passengers were the Decepticon strike team...
    “Report, Scrapper,” ordered Galvatron.
    “The internal atmosphere has been completely restored, Commander,” replied the engineer. “The structural damage has been completely repaired... it isn’t the best job, but there are no signs of damage on the shuttle exterior anymore, so it will suffice.”
    “Very good.” Galvatron left the shuttle’s control room to join Octane in the storage bay.
    “Status of cargo, Octane?”
    “All of it’s intact, Commander,” Octane replied. “And there’s enough here to power Autobot City for--”
    “We won’t be needing it,” Galvatron cut him off. “We’ve come to the Sol system to invade Earth, not to help it. Leave the energon as it is.”
    Octane grumbled quietly. Such a waste of good fuel, he thought to himself.
    Galvatron returned to the control room, where Astrotrain greeted him. “Commander,” Astrotrain began, “We have just received a coded transmission from Moonbase. Lightning has returned the transport shuttle, the one we used to intercept the Autobots, back to Moonbase without detection. He and Shockwave now await you signal to attack Cybertron.”
    “As they should be,” Galvatron replied. “Lightning is indeed one of my finest warriors; if he hadn’t scrambled the Autobots sensors with an electric field, they would have detected us before we could strike. Yes... there is no questioning his loyalty...”
    “I wouldn’t be so sure,” said Starscream, entering the conversation. “He did defect from the Autobots... perhaps he is merely an opportunist...”
    “Did I ask for your opinion?!” snapped Galvatron. “Who are you to judge loyalty, a traitor like yourself??”
    Starscream shrugged. “I was merely stating a possibility, mighty leader.”
                                            *                                                         *                                                         *
Cybertron’s second moon...

    “How did the interception progress, Lightning?” Shockwave inquired casually.
    “Like clockwork, Shocky,” said Lightning happily. “The Autobots didn’t stand a chance; and in an hour or so, Autobot City will be reduced to burning wreckage... and then our fun begins!!” He laughed wickedly.
    “Indeed.” Shockwave paused. “But what of Galvatron?”
    Lightning thought for a moment. “No luck yet. He’s still emotionally stable. In fact, it doesn’t look like he’ll ever crack... but Fortress Maximus is in Autobot City. Fort Max defeated Galvatron once... maybe he can do it again...!”
    “Fortress Maximus may have defeated Galvatron, but he did not destroy him. For our purposes to be fully realized, Galvatron must be killed.”
    “But none of us have enough firepower to even confront him.”
    “That is true. But we are not without hope; perhaps merely fighting with Fortress Maximus will cause Galvatron’s suppressed insanity, which I know is still there, to resurface.”
    Lightning laughed quietly. “Maybe, Shocky... maybe...”
                                              *                                                        *                                                           *
    Autobot City was located on a large island just off the coast of British Columbia, in Canada. In fact, it was the same landmass that we currently refer to as Vancouver Island.
    It was a beautiful day, as sunshine poured down upon the metallic structures that composed the city. A scarce number of white puffy clouds drifted lazily across the sky. Autobot City could in no way compare with the alien grandeur of Iacon; actually, it had a somewhat “Earthly” appearance to it.

    In the southern outskirts of the city was Perceptor’s hydro-electricity system, which provided power for all of Autobot City, and several nearby Human settlements as well. It was built around a number of twisting channels, with water usually flowing through them like rapids. They all lead to a dam near the city itself, a dam which was Perceptor’s pride and joy. Because of an unidentified... malfunction, the system had been turned off; so the water contained within the channels was unusually calm and still. But the long, twisting channels were still irresistible to a certain Autobot...
    “A wonderful day, wouldn’t you say?” inquired Beachcomber, walking alongside one of the hydro-electric channels in Autobot City’s outskirts, with Seaspray as his companion. “Sol is shining as brilliantly as ever, the Earthen flora in full bloom...”
    “The only thing ‘wonderful’ today, my dear Beachcomber,” Seaspray replied, “Is the fact that the channels are perfectly calm. A short dip is an alluring idea...”
    “You simply have no appreciation for Earthen aesthetics,” Beachcomber retorted. “And Fort Max distinctly gave orders to leave the channels alone.”
    “Aw, come on... nothing ever happens here on Earth! Surely he won’t mind if we have a little fun...”
    “He will if that ‘fun’ screws up the hydro-electricity system more than it already is.”
    “Lighten up, Beachcomber!” Seaspray hopped into the water and transformed into his hovercraft mode. “Live a little! Race you back to the city...”
    “Seaspray--” Beachcomber began, but his friend was already shooting across the water like a gleaming torpedo. “--Wait!” Beachcomber transformed into his dune-buggy mode and pursued.
    “What’s the matter?” Seaspray called back. “Can’t keep up?”
    “You’re going to get us in trouble...!”
    The two mini-Autobots, now both at top speed, raced along the water-filled channel. They soon passed Hot Rod and Skram, who were working on part of the hydro-electric machinery.
    “Wait up, guys!” yelled Skram, transforming to car mode and following.
    “Never could pass up a good race!” said Hot Rod, doing the same.

    Meanwhile, not too far away, Fortress Maximus and Kup were examining another part of the hydro-electricity system. Fortress Maximus was transformed into his battle-station mode, right alongside one of the wider channels; with an assortment of electronic probes lowered into the water to monitor it’s temperature, flow rate, et cetera. Kup was carrying some large equipment away from the channel’s edge.
    “Anythin’ unusual?” Kup inquired.
    “Not a thing,” Fortress Maximus replied. “I can’t understand why the system would just quit like it did...” He paused for a moment. “I’m picking up the shuttle on radar... it looks like our relief supplies are almost here.”
    “You can stay here and finish your analysis, Maximus,” said Kup. “I’ll find Rapido and greet our guests when they land.”
    “Agreed,” said Fortress Maximus. “I’ll join you when I’m done.”
    Kup transformed into his truck mode and sped off toward Autobot City.

    The race was close, but not very... Beachcomber was now trailing behind (and constantly calling out “slow down!!”), while Skram and Hot Rod were tied for second place; and Seaspray remained a good distance ahead of all of them. The channel was now narrowing gradually, as they got closer and closer to Perceptor’s dam...
    “That’s it!” cried Beachcomber, screeching to a halt. “I’ve had enough! Don’t you think I have better things to do than this...?
    The other Autobots pulled ahead, not paying Beachcomber much attention. In the water, Seaspray was enjoying his considerable lead; when suddenly his hull collided with something, knocking him to a full halt...
    Hot Rod and Skram slowed down immediately upon noticing this, wondering if something was wrong. Seaspray transformed to his robot mode and, floating in the water, looked around him for the cause of his abrupt stop.
    Seaspray saw nothing. He was about to transform back to his hovercraft mode, when two sets of metallic claws burst up from under the confused Autobot and, grabbing Seaspray by the throat, pulled him under the surface of the water...
 
 
 

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