FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point," Chapter 9

The winds gusted, the clouds turned black, and lightning struck in several places at once as the mystical battle between Avaya and Yarvok put the entire Negative Zone in peril. The two mages summoned energies from the nature around them and channeled the energies into mystic bolts which they fired at each other.

All of this was causing severe structural damage to the castle. The mutants panicked as the ceilings began collapsing around them. The giant mutant fighting Blaster was buried under rubble, giving Blaster a chance to make a break for it. Blaster raced to the dungeons and used his sonics to pop open the doors to the cells containing his fellow Autobots. “Tonight,” Blaster declared, “there’s gonna be a jailbreak.”

Outside, the tide of battle was turning against Avaya, whose lengthy inactivity had left her without practice, and she was gradually being overwhelmed by Yarvok’s bolts. “Surrender!” said Yarvok, “Surrender and I may be lenient with you.”

“Knowing your concept of leniency, I refuse to surrender!” said Avaya defiantly, but she was now losing strength rapidly.

Suddenly, the Autobots burst through the castle’s heavy doors, and attacked Yarvok with all their might. This did little to harm Yarvok, but it distracted him long enough for Avaya to rally and focus her powers into one single, deadly bolt.

Avaya fired, and Yarvok screamed as he appeared to begin combusting. A loud and flashy explosion finished off the remaining foundations of the castle, and it collapsed on top of Avaya and the Autobots.

Gradually, the Autobots pulled themselves out of the rubble. None of them were seriously damaged. Avaya, too, was unharmed, thanks to Skids shielding her at the last second.

Bumblebee was the first to find his voice. “Is...is the wizard...d-d-d-dead?”

“Not necessarily.” replied Avaya resignedly. “He may have been able to teleport himself to another dimension.” She paused as she looked at the withered remains of the garden. “But there is no organic life remaining to sustain him, so it is unlikely he will return here.

“If I am to survive, I must go now to another dimension, too, and take the surviving mutants with me. Most of them are not truly evil now that Yarvok’s corrupting influence is gone.

“But first, I am once again indebted to you Autobots for assisting in my victory and for saving my life. What would you desire?”

Jazz did not hesitate to reply. “Destroy the Decepticon citadel, so that we can take back Cybertron.”

“Yeah, what he said.” agreed Kup.

“Very well.” said Avaya, raising her arms and firing a mystic bolt which traveled toward the skies above the Decepticon citadel and entered the clouds.

Below, Elita-One’s Autobot forces had been boxed in by the Decepticon reinforcements and appeared on the verge of surrender. But the mystically empowered clouds began turning strange colors and thundering loudly.

All the Decepticons were unfazed, except Shockwave, who knew immediately that something was amiss. “A strange energy pattern...” he mused, “...originating in...the Forbidden Zone?” He suddenly understood, and was alarmed. “Decepticons,” he commanded, “cease fire and take cover!”

As Shockwave ran to safety, the other Decepticons were nonplussed. “Just when we’re winning? What’s gotten into him?” snarled Motormaster.

The thunder grew louder, and lightning bolts began raining down, hitting only the Decepticons and their citadel.

“It is the hour of our doom.” observed Dead End with typical moroseness as he and the rest of the Decepticons either fell unconscious or scrambled in panic.

With a deafening thunderclap, a massive bolt struck the Decepticon citadel dead center and caused it to explode in a mushroom cloud, leaving only a smoking crater.

“I don’t know how,” said Elita-One, “but it’s clear we have won.”

At the same time, in the forbidden zone, Avaya had levitated herself and opened a mystic portal, which the winds under her command carried the surviving mutants into.

“And so,” declared Avaya, “the last remaining traces of organic life on Cybertron are no more. Farewell, Autobots. Rule your planet justly and wisely.” Avaya followed the last of the mutants into the portal, which then vanished.

“Blaster,” said Jazz, “radio Optimus Prime and tell him that victory is finally ours.”

Bumblebee and Powerglide couldn’t contain themselves. “WA-HOO!” they cheered. The other Autobots immediately joined them in raucous celebration.

Later, much later, the entire Autobot army was assembled in the chambers of Cybertron’s master computer, Vector Sigma, the original source of the Transformers’ life sparks.

Optimus Prime stood tall and proud at the center of it all as the trial of his nemesis Megatron reached its conclusion.

“Autobots, I firmly believe in the sanctity of sentient life, but I also believe in justice. Megatron must pay for his countless crimes, and he must pay the ultimate price.”

That said, Optimus wielded the spare key to Vector Sigma which Alpha Trion had entrusted to Elita-One, and activated the super-computer.

“Who reactivates me?” asked Vector Sigma icily.

“I, Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots and new ruler of Cybertron. I command you to take back the life spark that you gave to the Transformers’ greatest folly, the one called Megatron. His consciousness will forevermore be imprisoned within you, where he can do no more harm.” Optimus paused, then locked eyes with Megatron. “Any last words, Megatron?”

“Yes,” replied Megatron, “I must grudgingly congratulate you, Optimus Prime, for your plan to capture and neutralize all Decepticons on Cybertron and on Earth was brilliantly conceived and precisely executed. But most of all, this final battle has proven that you could only defeat me by becoming as ruthless and brutal as I. Think about that as you assume your new responsibilities. Farewell, my greatest enemy...or should I say, my greatest disciple?”

Megatron then broke out in blood-chilling laughter which echoed across the chamber as Vector Sigma absorbed Megatron’s consciousness and Megatron’s body fell to the ground.

An uncomfortable silence followed which was finally broken by Prowl. “What will we do with the body?” he asked.

“Melt it into scrap.” was Optimus Prime’s emotionless reply.

Optimus walked out of the chamber without another word. The other Autobots, including the newly reinstated Ultra Magnus and Kup, filed out slowly and awkwardly.

Later, with his hands on his hips, Optimus Prime observed the remaining Decepticons below him, all doing hard labor in a specially built prison. He heard a familiar engine coming to a stop behind him. “What do you have to report, Cliffjumper?” asked Optimus as Cliffjumper transformed from vehicle mode to robot mode.

“It’s not good news, Prime.” said Cliffjumper. “Shockwave is still at large. We’ve rounded up all the other Decepticons on Earth and on Cybertron, but he managed to slip away.”

“And with greater knowledge than anyone else of the planet’s ins and outs, he will likely prove most elusive.” observed Optimus Prime stoically.

“It really burns me up.” growled Cliffjumper. “Just once, I’d like the Autobots to have a total victory.”

“In life,” said Optimus Prime, “there is no such thing.”

With those words, Optimus Prime turned and transformed to vehicle mode. “Let’s roll.” he commanded, and Cliffjumper obeyed, transforming and revving up his engine. The two Autobots sped away towards an uncertain future.

NEVER THE END

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point," Chapter 8

Skids felt as if the sorceress Avaya’s glare was burning holes into him. But he overcame his fright and managed to answer her query, though not before reminding himself that telling your personal name to a mage gives him or her power over you. “The Autobots!” Skids blurted. “The Autobots have summoned you...to help them.”

Avaya’s demeanor changed from hostile to haughty. “So,” she asked, “I take it this means the war between Transformer robots continues to rage?”

“Sadly,” replied Skids, “the answer is yes.”

“Take me to the surface.” she ordered. “I must see what has changed during my imprisonment.”

Skids and the sorceress exited the ruins cautiously, wary of the presence of evil mutants. Soon, it became clear they were alone for the moment. This gave Avaya time to contemplate the grim landscape of the Forbidden Zone and perceive the events which had transpired recently. Finally, she spoke again.

“Yarvok has fulfilled his dreams of conquest...at a terrible cost. I almost wish I was still imprisoned, so I did not have to witness this.”

“Yar-who?” asked Skids.

“Yarvok, a megalomaniacal wizard. I was one of his pupils eons ago. When he saw that my powers would grow to match his and he sensed that I opposed his evil plans, he forcibly exiled me to a dimension of nothingness.”

“What plans?”

“To rule the Forbidden Zone through black magic. But while it is clear he succeeded, it is even more clear that he expended the Forbidden Zone’s meager natural resources to the point where he is a prisoner in his own kingdom. I sense he has gone quite mad...and that he holds your fellow Autobots prisoner in his castle.”

“Will you help me free them?”

“I must. I am indebted to you for liberating me. But I cannot fly, I must conserve my powers for the battle ahead.”

Skids transformed to vehicle mode and opened the passenger door. “Hop in.” he said.

“How quaint.” the sorceress remarked dryly.

On Earth, the last Autobots standing before Trypticon’s attack finally fell from either severe damage or exhausted Energon. Trypticon spread out his arms and adopted a messianic pose, declaring, “NOW TRYPTICON CRUSH AUTOBOT CITY!”

But before he could begin his destruction, Autobot City began to transform into Metroplex, a mighty Autobot warrior who matched Trypticon in size and strength.

“THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL BE CRUSHED,” declared Metroplex defiantly, “IS YOU!”

The Autobots and humans inside Metroplex were less sanguine. Metroplex had sustained heavy damage from the Decepticons’ strafing of his Autobot City mode. They watched Metroplex’s cerebral monitors nervously as he sized up his opponent.

With a roar, Trypticon made the first move, lunging at Metroplex and putting the bite on his opponent’s right arm. Metroplex poured every ounce of strength into grabbing and lifting the upper half of Trypticon’s head, dislocating the Decepticon monster’s jaw. While Trypticon screamed incoherently in pain, Metroplex delivered a pummeling blow to his enemy’s midsection. Trypticon stumbled backward, and Metroplex moved in for the kill, but the giant Autobot had gotten overconfident. Trypticon used the cannons mounted over his brow and inside his mouth to blast Metroplex in the face. Momentarily blinded, Metroplex suffered a lashing in the chest from Trypticon’s tail, and fell on his back. Trypticon pounced on Metroplex and tried to slash him with his claws, but Metroplex blocked Trypticon’s moves, and the two behemoths began wrestling on the ground, tumbling around, and flattening whole mountains in their wake.

Finally, Metroplex used the momentum to gain the upper hand, and Trypticon went flying through the air, falling down into a deep canyon.

Metroplex approached the edge of the canyon cautiously, but no amount of caution prepared him for the savage attack of the wounded Trypticon, who flew up swiftly from the bottom of the canyon and unleashed his entire arsenal of weaponry at Metroplex.

Inside Metroplex, the Autobots shielded the humans from the explosions and fires produced by Metroplex’s wounds. They saw on Metroplex’s cerebral screens that he was beginning to access the Energon-X, and they crossed their fingers that his most powerful weapon, his chest cannon, was still functional, and that the Energon-X would prove as potent as they dared to hope it was.

A massive single beam erupted from Metroplex’s chest cannon, hitting Trypticon point blank and sending the monster back over the edge of the canyon. This time, Metroplex dove down after Trypticon, relentlessly tearing into the monster with a ferocity that equalled the monster’s own. Within minutes, the burning remains of Trypticon littered the landscape and Metroplex stood tall, proud, and triumphant, with the Autobots and humans inside him cheering.

The Autobots had won the battles for Earth. But what of the battles for Cybertron still raging?

In the Forbidden Zone, Yarvok’s twisted entertainment in the form of Blaster attempting to outfight an unspeakably monstrous giant mutant was interrupted when he sensed intruders approaching. Racing to his scrying pool, Yarvok was confronted with the sight of Skids with his sun roof down, giving his passenger, Avaya, the open space to cast powerfully stunning hex bolts at Yarvok’s mutant guardsmen. Once the last guardsman had fallen, Avaya jumped out of Skids and placed herself in the midst of the garden outside the castle, where her powers would be strongest, and issued an ultimatum to Yarvok: “Face me, you cowardly brute, if you dare!”

In response, Yarvok teleported outside the castle and stood face-to-face across from Avaya. “So,” the wizard raged, “the disciple needs to be taught yet again who her master is!”

“No one is my master,” the sorceress replied, “least of all you!”

And thus the gauntlet had been thrown down, and the duel between black magic and white magic erupted cataclysmically.

TO BE CONCLUDED

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point," Chapter 7

Underneath the Forbidden Zone ruins from which the Autobots had been removed, Skids sat alone. He had taken refuge there during the battle, in the same place where he had found the box of magical artifacts. Skids was now straining his brain to remember the rituals he had absorbed on Earth, in the hopes that he could conjure up something that could rescue his fellow Autobots.

In a more familiar section of Cybertron, the battle between Elita-One’s Autobots and Shockwave’s Decepticons continued, with Omega Supreme gripping Menasor’s Sword with his claw as the two giants wrestled.

Suddenly, the Constructicons and Insecticons, newly arrived from Earth via the Space Bridge, made their presence noticed. The Insecticons swarmed the Autobots, Shrapnel creating clones from the remains of Shockwave’s Sentinels. Concurrently, the Constructicons merged into Devastator and soon Omega Supreme fell to a double attack from Devastator and Menasor. The remaining Autobots regrouped to rethink their battle plan.

On Earth, activity within Autobot City was frantic as the Autobots scrambled to activate Autobot City’s attack mode while Trypticon moved ever closer.

Then, as if by divine intervention, the rest of the functioning Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, appeared on the spot. They had imprisoned the Decepticons they had captured earlier and had now come to lend a helping hand to Autobot City. The three still-active Aerialbots, plus Tracks in flying vehicle mode, buzzed around Trypticon’s head, while Optimus and his troops fired from the ground. But it all did little more than annoy Trypticon, who unleashed his powerful weaponry at the Autobots, who scattered but then quickly and courageously went back on the attack, knowing that they were buying their comrades inside Autobot City extra time, and that was crucial.

In the Forbidden Zone, the captured Autobots arrived at Yarvok’s castle. They could not help but notice that the castle was surrounded by exotic flora and fauna, an oasis in the otherwise dreary and barren Forbidden Zone. For this was how Yarvok kept himself strong and vital and unchallenged in his autocratic rule over the Forbidden Zone.

Yarvok received his prisoners in the castle’s courtyard. “Greetings!” cackled the evil wizard. “Ah, the sport can continue for some time to come now. Slaves, take them to the dungeons.”

As the Autobots were being put in their cells, they noticed two other still-functioning Transformers who were in cells of their own, but none of the newly captured Autobots were old enough to recognize who they were.

“How in the Matrix’s name did you end up here?” asked the older of the two, gray of color and curmudgeonly of voice.

“We’re here because the Matrix told us to come.” replied Jazz. “It said we would find the key to Autobot victory here in the Forbidden Zone.”

“So much for the infallible Matrix.” cracked the old robot sardonically.

“Don’t give up hope completely,” said the younger, blue-and-white-colored robot, “it’s the only thing that keeps us functioning.”

“Hope shmope!” growled the older one, “It’s plain old orneriness that keeps me going.”

“Don’t mind Kup.” said the younger one to Jazz, “He’s got good reason to be the way he is. I’m Ultra Magnus, and you are?”

Jazz made introductions. “I’m Jazz. That’s Blaster, Bumblebee, Cosmos, Powerglide, Perceptor, and Sk...wait a minute, where’s Skids?”

“If he got away,” said Bumblebee, “then maybe there is hope for us.”

“Sure,” said Kup sarcastically, “at least until the wizard decides to make you his pet monsters’ latest chew toy.”

“That,” explained Ultra Magnus, “is why Kup and I are the only ones left of all the Autobots who were exiled to the Forbidden Zone millions of years ago by Megatron.”

“Ah,” said Perceptor, “the infamous Great Autobot Purge.”

Ultra Magnus elaborated. “The wizard uses us for his own amusement. His monsters tear us apart, then he puts us back together over and over until we cease to function.”

Two monster guardsmen entered the dungeons. “The master requests the presence of the mightiest among the recent arrivals.”

“No,” said Kup, “take my rusting carcass and just get it over with.”

The guardsmen did not reply. Instead they opened the door to Blaster’s cell.

“Looks like this is the day the music died.” joked Blaster morbidly. “It’s been nice knowing you folks.”

At that bleak moment, Skids was within a mystic circle, surrounded by candles. He had figured out as best he could how to combine the magical artifacts into a spell. But as he chanted arcane wordings, he began to worry it might backfire disastrously.

But it was too late. A glowing inter-dimensional portal was opening in front of Skids. This was the moment of truth.

“Who summons me??” inquired an irascible female voice as a silhouette appeared at the portal and then revealed itself to be a mutant resembling a pale-skinned, raven-haired humanoid woman. “Who summons the sorceress Avaya??”

Outside, the elements went wild, windstorms and thunder and lightning raging like bedlam. Skids was frightened into stillness and silence. “What have I done?” he asked himself in a choked whisper.

TO BE CONTINUED

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point," Chapter 6

Devastator’s rampage on Dinobot Island had left a grim tableau of fallen Autobots enveloped in smoke, flames, and sparks, and surrounded by pools of Energon. Devastator’s bone-chillingly triumphant laughter echoed across the island.

His gloating was interrupted by an interplanetary communication from Shockwave on Cybertron. “Constructicons, Insecticons, the tide here has turned in the Autobots’ favor. We require reinforcements. Head for the Space Bridge immediately.”

Devastator separated into the Constructicons. “Blast it!” grumbled Hook, “There are further adjustments to be made to Decepticon City.” “Nonsense!” countered Scrapper. “To fine-tune it further would be wasteful. Our work here is done. Let us activate Decepticon City’s attack mode and be off to Cybertron.”

With the flick of a switch or two, Decepticon City assumed the form of Trypticon, a bipedal lizard-like monstrosity which towered proportionately above the other Decepticons as a human to ants. With a blood-curdling roar, it took flight and headed for Autobot City.

At that moment, Autobot City was being savagely strafed by Thundercracker and Skywarp in their jet modes while the Combaticons kept the Protectobots busy. Even Autobot City’s formidable weapons systems had little effect as the seasoned pair of Decepticon warhorses repeatedly dodged the heavy artillery.

“We have to expedite this battle.” declared Hot Spot. “Protectobots, combined to become Defensor!”

The five Protectobots merged together into a magnificent Autobot goliath.

“Combaticons,” commanded Onslaught, “let us even the odds! Form Bruticus!”

The Combaticons gestalt form was a growling, ugly menace of a behemoth. Bruticus charged at Defensor with both fists flying, but Defensor put up his force field just in time.

“FIGHT BACK, AUTOBOT COWARD!” challenged Bruticus as he hammered away in vain at the force field. Bruticus’ rash assault caused him to quickly exhaust himself, something which Defensor noted.

“MY TURN!” declared Defensor as he dropped his force field and let fly with a tremendous punch to Bruticus’ face. The giant Decepticon was momentarily staggered.

Defensor seized the day, drawing his twin automatic weapons and firing point blank at Bruticus.

But Thundercracker had snuck up next to the aural sensors on the side of Defensor’s head and created a sonic boom that took Defensor by surprise and disoriented the giant Autobot.

This gave Bruticus a chance to get on his feet and lunge at Defensor. The colossal combatants created a minor tremor as they hit the ground together.

Meanwhile, in the Forbidden Zone, Perceptor was shaking his head in disbelief and frustration. “The destruction was clearly wrought by the forces of nature, fire and wind and such,” he reported to Jazz, “but there is a strange energy pattern that does not compute, and indeed defies any scientific explanation.”

“Magic.” interjected Skids.

“Magic??” replied Jazz and Perceptor in unison.

“In my studies on Earth,” elaborated Skids, “I became fascinated by all things mystical in nature, and it would seem the Forbidden Zone is the last remaining section of Cybertron where such things have not been eradicated by technology and warfare.”

“Must be the season of the witch.” chuckled Blaster.

“Laugh if you want,” replied Skids as he produced a small black box, “but I’ve got this to back me up. I found it buried inside what used to be the underground level of the fortress, and it’s filled with organic substances like honey, salt, roots, and herbs, as well as what appear to be mystical talismans. ” He opened the box so the others could see.

“Way cool!” remarked an awestruck Bumblebee.

“But how is this supposed to help us?” demanded Jazz.

Before Skids could answer, he was interrupted by a badly burned Powerglide, who swooped in for a landing, transformed to robot mode, and made a breathless, trembling report to the other Autobots. “I got bogeyman bogeys on my tail. I tried to shake them, but I couldn’t. And they breathe fire!”

“Relax,” replied Jazz as he drew his weapon, “we’re ready for them.”

A phantasmagoric army of darkness descended on the Autobots like a demonic plague. The Autobots fired at will, but nothing seemed to have any effect on the them, not even Blaster’s sonics, which had helped them escape a mutant monster earlier. The monsters appeared to be adaptable to any kind of non-mystical weapon.

The Autobots quickly fell before the monsters’ magical might, but much to the Autobots’ surprise, the monsters did not finish them off, but rather captured them and flew them toward their master Yarvok’s castle.

At Autobot City, the battle between Defensor and Bruticus was proving conclusively that the harder they come, the harder they fall indeed. With Bruticus defeated, Defensor was free to pinpoint Thundercracker and Skywarp and blast them both with precision. The damaged Decepticons all retreated.

“We won! We won!” gloated Scamper.

“Don’t start celebrating just yet.” warned Prowl. “The Decepticons caused their share of damage to Autobot City, and I haven’t been able to raise any of the Autobots on Dinobot Island.”

Suddenly, the ground started trembling.

“I think I know the reason for that, Prowl.” moaned Ratchet.

A shadow descended over Autobot City as Trypticon made his inexorable approach.

TO BE CONTINUED

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point", Chapter 5

In Cybertron’s Forbidden Zone, Cosmos was heading towards what appeared to be a fortress in ruins. “Sensors indicate no mutant presence within a wide radius.” he said.

“Then make a landing ASAP.” ordered Jazz.

Cosmos obeyed, and soon the group of Autobots stood outside the ruins in a semi-circle with Jazz at the center.

“Skids,” said Jazz, “I want you to search for anything that might lead us to the surviving Autobot exiles...” he paused, then added, “...if there are any survivors.”

“On it.” replied Skids.

Jazz then turned to Perceptor. “Analyze these ruins and tell me when and how you think they were destroyed.” he said. “And, finally, Powerglide, reconnoiter the vicinity and report on anything approaching our position. But don’t go out too far!”

“Gotcha.” said Powerglide.

As Powerglide took to the air, Jazz surveyed his unit at work and on guard. Unknown to Jazz, they were being watched from a scrying pool inside the nearby castle of the Forbidden Zone’s tyrannical self-appointed ruler, Yarvok, a powerful mutant wizard as evil as he was hideous to look at. With a mere thought, Yarvok commanded his monstrous army of mutants to attack and capture the Autobots.

Meanwhile, on Earth, the battle for Dinobot Island seemed to be turning in the Autobots’ favor.

“We’re outgunned and outnumbered.” panicked Scavenger.

“I do not know the meaning of the word surrender!” growled Bonecrusher.

“Our victory shall come through strategy!” declared Bombshell as he fired a mind-controlling Cerebro-Shell into the small brain of Sludge, the brontosaurian Dinobot. Under Bombshell’s orders, Sludge lashed out at his fellow Dinobots, using his tail as a whip to give Grimlock a severe chest wound and sending Grimlock tumbling onto Snarl. Sludge then used his optic lasers to shoot down the airborne Swoop. Slag, the horned Dinobot, charged at Sludge just as Grimlock and Snarl were getting back on their feet. But Sludge stomped the ground so hard that it cracked, with the other three Dinobots falling down the deep fissure. Sludge then began attacking the rest of the Autobots.

“If ever a golden opportunity presented itself...” observed Hook.

“You said it!” agreed Scrapper. “Constructicons, merge into Devastator!”

In the blink of an eye, the six Constructicons combined into the gigantic super-robot Devastator, striking terror into the heart of even the hardiest Autobot. “AUTOBOTS,” said Devastator in his booming baritone, “YOUR FATE IS SEALED!”

Devastator used one of his massive hands to pick up Warpath, who was in tank mode and firing at him in vain. “Zing! Let me go! Zowie!” exclaimed Warpath. Devastator casually tossed Warpath far away from the shores of the island, where he sank helplessly like a stone. Skyfire, despite his injuries, bravely charged at Devastator, only for the Decepticon to respond with a ferocious martial arts kick that sent Skyfire to the ground. The rest of the Autobots opened fire, but Devastator was unfazed and he brought down his fist on them, crushing some and scattering the rest.

Meanwhile, near Autobot City, Slammer, the spunky little Autobot tank drone, was helping the Protectobots guard Autobot City. Suddenly, Slammer’s advanced sensors detected a Decepticon presence not far away. Scanning around, he discovered the Combaticons plus Thundercracker and Skywarp attempting a sneak attack. Slammer sped towards them, and was quickly spotted from the air by Vortex, who transmitted an image to Onslaught and flippantly remarked, “The Autobots must be getting desperate if they send a toy tank after us.”

“I would be glad to crush it!” roared Brawl.

“No, Brawl,” commanded Onslaught, “save your agression for Autobot City. Swindle, pick off that miniature nuisance.”

“You got it.” replied Swindle, who fired an explosive shell at Slammer which the little Autobot dodged easily. Slammer then returned fire, his own shell packing a considerable punch that Swindle never expected. Swindle was sent flying and crash-landed upside down.

Slammer then alerted the Autobots of the Decepticons’ approach. “Battle stations!” responded Prowl, who then issued another command, “Protectobots, head off the Combaticons at the pass!”

TO BE CONTINUED

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point", Chapter 4

“Blaster,” commanded Jazz, “make this mutant monstrosity shake us loose.”

“Good vibrations comin’ right up.” replied Blaster as he used his sonic powers to give the mutant a tremendous jolt. Cosmos broke free and sped away, searching for a somewhere safe to land.

Back on Earth, Prowl noted the rapid progress being made on the creation of Autobot City. Wheeljack and Ratchet supervised the construction while Grapple went about his master builder work with customary precision. Spike and Sparkplug were lending Grapple a helping hand, and Carly oversaw the programming of the computer systems.

Spike walked over to Carly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Sorry we’ve ended up spending what should have been our honeymoon working.”

Carly laughed. “This is the best honeymoon you could ever have given me. I’m having the time of my life.”

Spike smiled in response, but Carly noticed he was fidgety. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“It’s Dad.” whispered Spike. “He’s overworking himself again.”

The young couple looked over at Sparkplug, who grinned and waved at them, oblivious to his son and daughter-in-law’s concern. Sparkplug was a proud man, living for his work and raised to believe that showing vulnerability was a sign of weakness. But in the last couple years, age had been catching up with him, and his health was not what it used to be.

Carly and Spike’s contemplation was interrupted by Six-Gun and Scamper, recent additions to the Autobot army and the designated guardians of Autobot City. “What’s the status of the computers, Carly?” asked Six-Gun.

“I was about to give Slammer his test run.” replied Carly, pointing at a tiny automated tank that she had designed to help patrol the perimeter of Autobot City. She punched a few keys on her computer set-up, and Slammer came to life, moving in circles and talking in beeps and boops.

“That is so cool.” said Scamper admiringly. Carly smiled.

Meanwhile, Prowl contacted one of the five Protectobots who were patrolling the perimeter. “Anything to report, Blades?”

“Now that you mention it,” replied the Autobot helicopter, “we’ve got Hoist about to make his delivery of the Energon-X.”

“Outstanding.” said Prowl. “The Energon-X is our trump card. It’ll guarantee that Autobot City is mightier than Decepticon City.” He paused. “Of course, I’m still holding out hope that Ironhide and his crew can keep Decepticon City from becoming a reality.”

But over on Dinobot Island, the Decepticons were dangerously close to completing work on Decepticon City. The six Constructicons worked hard while the three Insecticons rotated between devouring the island’s rich vegetation, keeping the dinosaurs at bay, and providing the raw power to fuel Decepticon City.

Shrapnel was in the midst of gorging himself on exotic plants when he heard the roar of a jet engine. He took to the skies and recognized the approaching Autobot Skyfire.

“Alert, Decepticons!” shrieked Shrapnel to his comrades. “Autobots approaching (approaching.)”

“Give them a shocking welcome!” commanded Scrapper, pointing up at the storm clouds.

“With pleasure,” replied Shrapnel, “(pleasure.) I shall fry them to a crisp (crisp.)” Using one arm as a lightning rod and the other to fire searing bolts, Shrapnel electrocuted Skyfire, shorting out many of his circuits, including his navigation systems. Skyfire crash-landed in a dense clump of trees.

“Damage report!” commanded Ironhide as he and his team – Warpath, Huffer, Gears, Brawn, Beachcomber, Windcharger, Bluestreak, Hound, Trailbreaker, and the five Dinobots – tumbled out of Skyfire.

“We’re all still functional.” declared Bluestreak.

“Unfortunately,” interjected Skyfire as he transformed to robot mode, “I’m at only 60% capability after what just happened.”

“We’re sittin’ ducks in this tight spot.” said Ironhide. “Dino-buddies, clear us a path.”

“Dinobots save the day as always.” replied Grimlock. “Dinobots, transform and smash trees.”

As the Dinobots got to work, Warpath transformed to tank mode. “Let me – wham! – give you some – pow! – help.”

“This is a bummer, man.” groaned Beachcomber as he watched the trees being crushed, torn up, blown up, and torched.

But his lament was short-lived as the Constructicons and Insecticons launched their assault on the Autobots.

TO BE CONTINUED

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point," Chapter 3

“Teletraan,” commanded Optimus Prime, “I need status reports from our other teams in the field.”

Instantly, three windows opened up on Teletraan’s monitor, each with the particular mission’s field commander.

“Prowl here. Work on Autobot City continues apace. No Decepticons spotted in the perimeter yet, but we’re ready for anything.”

“This is Ironhide on board Skyfire. My unit should be arriving on Dinobot Island soon, an’ well kick them Decepti-creeps clear off the island.”

“Jazz reporting from aboard Cosmos. Omega Supreme and the female Autobots are providing a very effective diversion at Shockwave’s citadel on Cybertron while my unit approaches Cybertron’s Forbidden Zone.”

“Godspeed to you all.” replied Optimus Prime.

Outside the Decepticon citadel on Cybertron, the female Autobots, led by Elita-One, advanced closer to the citadel while, behind them, Omega Supreme laid down cover fire. Shockwave and a pack of Decepticons – the Stunticons plus Octane, Runamuck and Runabout – defended their fortress.

“Stunticons,” commanded Shockwave, “maneuver Z.”

The Stunticons united to form the giant Menasor at the same time as Shockwave transformed into gun mode. Unlike Megatron, Shockwave did not shrink when in gun mode, so he was the perfect fit for Menasor’s massive hand.

Menasor blasted Omega Supreme point-blank in the chest. The Autobot colossus fell hard on his back.

“Now, Decepticons,” said Shockwave back in robot mode, “move in for the kill.”

The Stunticons separated and transformed into their vehicle modes. Runamuck and Runabout also transformed to vehicle modes. While Shockwave and Octane covered them, they all charged at the female Autobots.

“Autobots,” said Elita-One, “show these Decepticons the way of the true warrior.”

Sharpshooting from Elita-One and Moonracer caused Motormaster to jackknife and Runamuck to spin wildly. The Decepticon charge turned into a pile-up. Now it was the female Autobots’ turn to transform to vehicle modes and charge at their enemies. The battle for the citadel had turned into a demolition derby.

Meanwhile, on a far more remote sector of Cybertron, Cosmos flew close to the ground as he approached the infamous Forbidden Zone. Packed tightly aboard Cosmos were Jazz, Skids, Powerglide, Blaster (in boombox mode,) Perceptor (in microscope mode,) and Bumblebee.

“Perceptor,” queried Bumblebee of the most erudite of the Autobots, “why exactly is it called the Forbidden Zone?”

“Legend has it,” replied Perceptor, “that billions of years ago, when Cybertron bore a different name and its dominant lifeforms were organic, there was a battle for supremacy, and the losers were exiled to a barren land, where they adapted to the harsh conditions and the planet’s increasing pollution and radiation fallout by mutating into increasingly monstrous forms. The land became dangerously inaccessible, hence the name Forbidden Zone.”

“Tall tales, that’s all they are.” laughed Powerglide. “I’ll believe it when I see it...UMPH! Cosmos, what’s going on out there?”

“I think I found the proof you demanded, Powerglide.” said Cosmos as a giant Lovecraftian menace that had erupted from the ground enveloped Cosmos with its tentacles.

TO BE CONTINUED

FANFIC: The Transformers in "Turning Point," Chapter 2

In a section of the Pacific Ocean not far from the American coast, there moved what appeared to be an aircraft carrier with five fighter jets aboard. In reality, the jets were the Aerialbots, and they awaited their encounter with the Decepticons with varying degrees of patience.

“Are we there yet?” moaned Slingshot.

“We’ll reach the coordinates any minute now.” replied Silverbolt.

Suddenly, the water below started to churn.

“Call it a hunch,” said Air Raid, “but I think we’re already there.”

A colossal tower emerged from the ocean, and a giant hatch opened, unleashing four Decepticons: Ramjet, Thrust, Dirge, and Astrotrain. They opened fire on the Aerialbots.

“Aerialbots,” commanded Silverbolt, “counter-attack!”

The Aerialbots took to the sky with speed and grace, and soon the skies were alight with pulsating lasers and exploding missiles as there unfolded an awesome battle.

The Decepticons’ underwater base, which was connected to the tower, was temporarily deserted. And at the bottom of the ocean, another Autobot was taking advantage of this.

Seaspray, the Autobot best adapted to aquatic settings, worked painstakingly to override the Decepticon base’s alarms until, finally, an emergency entrance activated, allowing Seaspray access.

As Seaspray raced through corridors looking for the base’s control center, the battle above water was turning in the Decepticons’ favor, thanks largely to Astrotrain’s considerable durability and firepower. Silverbolt knew the time had come for extreme measures.

“Aerialbots,” commanded Silverbolt, “merge into Superion!”

But before all five Aerialbots could join together, Ramjet brutally rammed Slingshot, while Dirge scored a direct hit on Sky Dive. Superion was only operating at a fraction of his power, and had limbs missing. This made him an easy target for the Decepticons, who went into battle formation and bombarded Superion with all the weaponry at their disposal.

Below, Seaspray had found the control center and was in the process of programming the base for self-destruction, but it would take a few more minutes – time he might not have, considering what appeared to be the outcome of the battle above.

Suddenly, the aircraft carrier began moving, pulling itself apart and then back together in a new form, that of a mighty shuttle that was more than a match for Astrotrain in size and power. This was Broadside, whom the Decepticons were getting a rude introduction to.

Broadside made short work of Ramjet, Thrust, and Dirge, then engaged Astrotrain in a ferocious dogfight. They appeared evenly matched until the three still-functional Aerialbots regrouped to provide reinforcements.

Inside the base, Seaspray finally got the computer to execute the self-destruct program. He ran for the emergency exit as the countdown ticked away.

Above, the three still-functional Aerialbots loaded their fallen fellow Aerialbots as well as the four Decepticons into Broadside’s spacious hull. Seaspray emerged from the ocean and jumped inside Broadside.

“Get us out of here as fast as you can.” said Seaspray to Broadside, who obliged.

The Decepticon base exploded in a tremendous fireball that illuminated the night sky.

Silverbolt communicated with Teletraan I through Broadside’s radio. His report to Optimus Prime was brief and to the point: “The mission was a success.”

“Hopefully,” said Optimus Prime, “the same will hold true of the others.”

TO BE CONTINUED