Birth of Legends

The world of Cybertron knew many wars between the two dominant factions of Autobot and Decepticon. Each side claimed victory many times, until the Autobots learned the art of Transforming, which altered the Cybertronians forever. In time the Decepticons learned how to Transform as well, starting the cycle of wars once again, to make the Dream. They would continue to fight until the day that all were one, they are the Transformers.

Python was not one of the strongest or most remembered of Decepticons, but he was one of the most feared. He looked at his life as a complete failure. Despite his best efforts, there was a lasting peace with the Autobot fools who did not deserve the planet they ruled. He did not have enough charisma to build an army large enough to bring glory to the planet of Cybertron… but he would do everything in his power to make it happen. If he could not do it, he would find the one who could… and failing that he would create such a Decepticon.

He began his search. Personnel records proved unfruitful, but it did bring to his attention the 8 most skilled builders on the planet who would be able to construct the perfect body. The two most famous were Grapple and his assistant Hoist; but their noxious personalities made them unsuitable… he would have to talk to them in order to hire them to do the job, and he didn't want the end project to have the flower look that Grapple was so known for. The others always worked as a team no matter what they constructed.

Hook, Scrapper, Mixmaster, Bonecrusher, Scavenger and Long Haul would be the construction team that Python would hire for his grand project. It was a shame, he thought, that he couldn't find any Decepticon builders suitable for the project, but time enough to think of building after the universe was under your thumb. He placed a call to summon them, and continued his research.

There was the normal way to product a new Transformer, but that took too long, and there was no guarantee as to what it would be like, this project required exact control. Legends listed several different ways. One was that the All-Spark could create the spark of life, but it was also said that the All-Spark gave its life to save all Transformer kind, he dismissed the All-Spark as a myth. Then there was the Autobot Creation Matrix, also known as the Matrix of Leadership, also a myth. A few other legends and myths existed as well, including the mythical cyber-botanical fields, and of course the Avian-bot that would drop off newly constructed transformers on doorstops. The final record was on Vector Sigma. The entry sparked a memory deep within him self of a golden spherical computer. That is the method he would use.

Python gazed at his guests steadily. "I need you to construct for me, a body. A strong, powerful body… the strongest body ever, and you must give it the most powerful weapons your combined minds can conceive of… and just to be a step above what anyone else could possibly do, you must give it the ability to fly."

The six transformers squirmed in their seats, obviously uncomfortable. Hook broke the silence. "I'm afraid that even if we wanted to build a new body for a… Noble Decepticon such as yourself, we cant. It's not possible to completely rebuild a transformer body without killing it… we can do minor alterations such as changing your alt mode, but it is impossible to completely reconstruct you without fatal damage to your spark."

Python laughed. "No, no, its not for me. I just want a body. No soul or anything, just a single powerful body, that is all I require of you."

The six builders gathered in a huddle, Python knew they wanted the challenge, even if they didn't want to work for a Decepticon, peace or no peace. He heard them utter phrases such as "What's the harm, he won't be able to make use of it anyway."

In the end they agreed. "We'll build this body for you… it will be a work of autonomic perfection."


The chamber was larger than one would think. Mostly spherical, but the glowing gold computer at the center drew most of the attention. It made him think there may be more to the legend behind Vector Sigma than he had originally thought. Maybe Vector Sigma really was a fraction of the All-Spark, left behind when the All-Spark went to do battle. Or maybe that was just romantic drivel better suited for Autobots and poets.

"I am Vector Sigma. Before Cybertron was, /I/ was. What do you wish of me?"

It was now or never. "I bring before you the body of the next Deception Leader. I need you to give him life. Make him Proud and Noble, a true Warrior, a warrior's leader, willing to give anything for the Decepticon cause! He must be charismatic and ruthless, able to unite the Decepticon factions and help their numbers grow, and lead them in conquest of the universe, he must be the ultimate leader, better than any who have come before. "

"It is done," the voice echoed, and then the glowing seemed to dim slightly in the golden computer.

This is truly a powerful entity, Python thought, I must make sure it remains in Decepticon control. He swiftly scanned the computer and located its power core. Odd, it appeared to be removable.

He removed it. It seemed to be some form of key to this Vector Sigma. He kept it to assure Vector Sigma would be forever locked to the Autobots. Behind him, his creation stirred.

It stood for a moment, after being newly awakened it had much to process about its function, personality, and destiny. Python kneeled before him.

"I am Megatron! Declare yourself to me!"

"I am Python, the first of your loyal subjects."

Megatron smiled. He had already been granted knowledge by Vector Sigma about the layout of Cybertron, and many of the major personalities within the Decepticon forces. He knew that since the last war, the Decepticons had degenerated into a secret society that emerged only to attend lodge meetings. It disgusted him. There was a lot of work to do if he was to shape them into any form of army. The Autobots and their policies were making all Cybertronians atrophy, and a race must grow if it was to survive. So, he would bring this gift to the Autobots as well… they would learn to grow into the grand Decepticon destiny, or they would perish.

"Come, Python. We have a world to make ready for our conquest!"

****

They began small. Python introduced Megatron at the lodge meetings as a guest speaker. Megatron spoke to them of the same things every speaker did; of the grand destiny that the Autobots had robbed them of, but then he added something different. He gave them a renewed passion, and actually made them believe in themselves and their destiny again. It wasn't long before he was no longer speaking to them as a guest speaker, but as their leader.

****

The Guardians knew they were paranoid, but it was their paranoia that kept them from being bored during the centuries of peace that had endured since the last war. Alpha Elite was especially worried. In recent months he had watched from afar as the Decepticons grew in strength. First they had increased attendance at their lodge meetings, but now, they were having public gatherings with their new leader, Megatron speaking to the general public. He was even getting volunteers from the crowd to join up. This was not good.

Megatron's popularity didn't even stop there. More and more frequently he was appearing on the covers of magazines aimed at Cybertron's youth culture… Steel Dreams was just the latest issue to feature Megatron in a major portion of its ROM.

Alpha Elite put in the call to the other Guardians and then to Prime himself. They needed to be aware of this new danger, and the best way to do that was to come and see it themselves.

****

Megatron was pleased with his growing army, but it was not enough. He needed more, more than simple recruiting, and more than Python's frequent trips to Vector Sigma could provide. Carefully he put out his feelers into the planetary data net, looking for an answer to his problem… he even sent agents out to other planets to see what support they could gather for the cause. The thought of alien help was unthinkable, but Soundwave pointed out that there was no harm in just checking.

The call was rather unexpected… especially sense it came several weeks after his off planet agent failed to check in for his routine report. The call was definitely from another system, and they took great pains to keep their broadcast from being traced. Even when he put them on screen, it was nothing but an outline of their head.

"This is Megatron, what do you want?"

"You are now the Commander of the Decepticons?"

"Yes. Now get on with it, you test my patience."

"Very well, Megatron. I will come strait to the point. I have available here, plans for a new machine. One that has the ability to permanently reprogram Autobots into Decepticons."

"How absurd. I have never heard of a device being able to do that. What do you want in exchange?"

"In exchange for the device, we would like two hours of unhindered access to your planetary data-net."

"That is unacceptable. I'll offer you 50 energon rods for the diagrams necessary to build this machine."

There was a delay on the other end of the line. "Very well, Megatron. I shall transmit the plans for the machine at once… After you have verified that it does what I claim it to do, send the energon rods to the following coordinates…"

Megatron examined the plans for several hours… it looked as if the machine was indeed able to do what the alien had claimed. How could strange creatures know so much about Transformer kind as to be able to design such a machine. An even bigger question was why tentacles? Why not give it arms, something with some strength, anything but tentacles, but he would build this "Robo Masher" exactly as the plans said. But first, he would see to it that he shipped the payment.

****

Megatron wanted two major advantages for his new army. He wanted as many as possible to be able to fly, and he wanted skilled workers. The first test of the new Robo Masher would be a piticularly vulnerable flier.

Starscream was extremely depressed. He had searched as best he could on his own, but he had been unable to find his lost partner, Skyfire. Worse, all of his requests for a search and rescue mission had been either lost or denied. He could go back and look again… not come back until he succeeded in finding him, but what's the use. He should have found him by now… its just… the thought that there may be nothing left of Skyfire to salvage was too much for him. Then he saw him, and knew that he was blessed with a special kind of fate, for someone as popular as Megatron didn't just talk to anybody, but he was definitely approaching him. Still… it didn't take away from the thought that he had failed. Skyfire's loss was his fault.

The voice was exceedingly jovial. "Greetings, I'm Megatron. What's your name, friend?"

"Oh… Pleased to meet you… I'm Starscream."

"Tell me, Starscream, why are you so depressed?"

"I… I let down a friend. He's gone now, and its my fault, and I can't get anyone to do anything to try and help him."

"Ah, yes. You need to have POWER to be able to help those around you."

"Your right… Maybe you could help. You have influence, maybe you could speak on his behalf, make them--"

"I don't know about that, but I can help you."

"You can?"

"Yes. Come with me, over here. You see, Starscream, you are dwelling too much on your own faults when you should be working to help others."

"You mean, by gaining power?"

"Yes… that's one way."

The shadow was huge, with several tentacles wielding various mechanical instruments. "Megatron!! What's that!!"

Megatron's grin suddenly seemed ominous and evil. "That's my new Robo Masher. Try not to struggle, that will make it hurt more."

****

Python performed a rare act of bravery on his part by bursting through the doors of Megatron's personal chambers, shouting a string of gibberish none could understand.

"Calm down, Python. Tell me what has happened!"

Python was visibly shaken, it took him a few moments to calm down enough to explain. "The swelling of our numbers, thanks to the Robo Masher, has drawn unwelcome attention. Prime is sanctioning an inquiry. An Inquiry into you! He has summoned the entire council to discuss charges of Reprogramming, and ploting to overtrhow the government! He has even demanded that Hook and the others who built your body appear before him to deliver evidence! They Built you, this cannot be allowed!"

"Calm yourself, Python. There is no evidence for them to find that I am plotting to overthrow anything! As for reprogramming, I prefer to think of it as giving those stray Autobots personality… but they can tie nothing to me unless they manage to find the Robo Masher, and that is most unlikely. However you are correct… If they are this suspicious, then there is no reason to delay any longer."

"Pick one of the outer cities… I don't care which one. Make it known that we are planning our biggest rally to date to take place there, and make sure EVERYONE attends. That news will guarantee that Prime and several others will be on hand to supervise our activities to judge if we are plotting anything or not. This rally will be our decloration of war. No one is to know this, it shall be a test of loyalty as well, when I shout Attack, I will be most interested to see who follows my lead."

Python nodded. "Yes, Megatron."

"Python, relax. Prime will be my first target. When he falls, the war will have begun… but the guardians will try to keep a lid on it, and not let the rest of the planet know what is going on. We will still have free reign of the planet. And after the ceremony… I have another target for the Robo Masher… Its well past time I had some high quality constructicons on my side.

****

The aircar settled gently outside the research laboratory. Although the arrival of the aircar was unscheduled, the owner of the laboratory was already outside to greet it. "Greetings, Amitus Prime, what brings you my way?"

"You do, Alpha Trion. Get in, we are going on a trip, I have need of your experience."

Within moments the car was in motion headed for the distant city of Mete. "Allow me to introduce Ironhide, one of the few veterans from the last war… and the most powerfull transformer I had ever seen before Megatron."

"He ain't so tuff," the bulky red Autobot grumbled.

"I wanted Ironhide here; and you, Alpha Trion, to watch this rally the Decepticons are holding. Since you have seen their rise to power before, I need you to tell me if it looks familiar, and give me some guesses as to what they may be planning next. Several Alpha and Omega series Guardians will also be there to make sure things don't get out of hand."

"Ill be happy to give you whatever insights I can, of course."

"Ill tell ya now. Ain't nothin' but trouble gonna come from this."

Prime smiled. "Ironhide, your gloomy disposition makes me wonder why your not a Guardian. On another matter, I had the science division look at that time ring data you put together. Although they classified all of their results, I thought you should have a copy."

Alpha Trion nodded to Prime as he accepted the data, and looked it over. Interesting. Time portals, time reversers, and even more interesting, a way to temporarily stop time. "What power source are used for these devices? It doesn't look like it will take a standard energon feed."

"That is correct, they tell me the energy fields necessary to effect time can only be generated by feeding off life energy. At least with our current level of technology."

"Interesting."

****

It had all gone wrong. Prime was dead.

Shouting and shooting was everywhere. Alpha Trion felt himself being half dragged through city streets by Ironhide, while Alpha Elite and a few other Guardians held the main force of the Decepticons back. He heard a battle cry far off in the distance, which suggested the Decepticon horde had met the Autobot reinforcements that Prime had called for.

There was a massive explosion followed by a deep throated cry. Alpha Trion turned to see one of the Guardians, he couldn't tell which one, topple into a building. He could do nothing but try to hold on to the Matrix that had been given to him with Prime's last strength as he was rushed to safety by Ironhide.

Suddenly Ironhide stopped, causing Alpha Trion to run into him.

"What is it?"

"Hold yerself right here. I see someone I'v been meaning to talk to."

Leaving Alpha Trion all alone, Ironhide ran into the smoke filled street.

Alpha Trion was terrified by the carnage he saw around him. These new Decepticons were stronger than any Transformer, or even Cybertronian he had ever seen before. Aside from the super strong Ironhide, only the Guardians were able to stand up to them.

Python saw him coming, and dropped the Autobot civilian he had been strangling. He crouched and braced himself to engage his new opponent as he would a lover. It was Ironhide, one of the few challengers worth fighting on this worthless planet, but as long as he engaged him in combat, he could think of no better gift.

Ironhide tackled Python, and they both rolled.

It WAS love, the gift of love and hate. The ultimate gift of death to the victor.

Thrown off, Ironhide transformed in mid air and landed in his assault mode. He opened fire.

A baptism of shrapnel. Systems failing. This was Glory at is finest. Python shared his happiness.

Transforming back into robot mode, Ironhide groaned in pain at Python's renewed assault, but the Autobot was unstoppable.

Down, Python looked up at his savior, his opponent, his lover. He watched as his hated lover raised his foot. And watched, waiting, as haven descended.

With disgust, Ironhide looked down at what remained of Python. He reached into the remains, and searched around until he found the small golden Key. Now to get back to Alpha Trion, and get them both back to a safe city.

****

The war had begun… unfortunately nobody knew about it. Kup wasn't sure that was the right decision, but it wasn't his decision to make. That had been the Guardians' call, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Pretend all was still peaceful, while tripling the guards at all important installations and spaceports. Of course it was just a useless gesture. If there was an attack, even three times the guards would do little to stop it. So far several of the outer cities had been attacked, Decepticon involvement was also suspected in the recent destruction of Crystal City, as well, but only the Guardians knew the whole story.

Kup thought it all stunk.

Fact was the only reason he was here at all was because a group of newly recruited Decepticons had stolen a ship and left planet. Instead of sending someone out to track them down, the Guardians had stayed strictly defensive and taken steps to see to it that no other ships were stolen.

Guardian robots were incapable of sneaking. When the distinctive shape of the Guardian appeared in the distance, Kup was not entirely surprised that they wanted to double check on his status, and nothing was more intimidating than doing that in person.

Kup moved forward to greet the oncoming Guardian, and to check his security clearance. It would be embarrassing to be sited for overlooking the fact that he was to run a check on everyone, again.

It was one of the Omega series. Didn't see them very often, of any of the Guardians they seemed the most… well… normal.

"May I see your clearance, please?"

The giant transformer continued walking without passing a glance towards Kup.

The other guards raised their weapons and aimed them at the giant, knowing they could not stop him even if they wanted to.

"I said Halt!"

It did.

"Give your name, and clearances for this sector!"

"Name: Omega Supreme. Clearance: None. Ship, needed. I go."

"I cant let you do that, Omega. I have orders from the Council."

"NOW!"

Kup looked helplessly at his guards. Any Guardian way outclassed them, an Omega unit like this one though, It was only conversing with them out of politeness. They couldn't stop it if they tried. They wouldn't even be able to slow it down.

"Your leaving Cybertron? Why? What about the Guardian Protocols?"

"New Mission: Revenge. Why: Personal. Guardian Protocol: Irrelevant. Omega Supreme: Renegade."

Apparently Omega Supreme had decided the conversation was over, as he resumed his march to the nearest ship. For some reason he couldn't identify, he waited until after Omega Supreme had left before calling in the disturbance.

****

Each Decepticon attack was bolder than the last. This most recent was not far from Alpha Trion's lab, and his work bay was already filled with wounded. It was clear that none of the Autobots could stand up to the new Decepticon army.

Worse, none of the wounded were worthy to take the Matrix and become the new leader. He slammed his hand down in frustration. It had promised him that the new leader would be among the wounded. Primes last words had been "One day, a new leader shall arise from the remains of our fallen."

Then his eyes fell upon the Matrix… that is when the idea struck him. Yes, it was impossible to totally reconstruct a Transformer body without killing the Transformer, but the Matrix could do it… it did so regularly to the newest leader. That was the answer. He would find this new chosen one, and make a detailed scan of his internal mechanics, and then give him the Matrix. He would trace what the Matrix does to alter him. Then he will use that knowledge and attempt to perform the same upgrade on another transformer, exactly as the Matrix altered the first. That should give him enough information to be able to alter any of the other Transformers with a wider latitude of variation. It could work. But there were so many wounded… it was a hopeless task.

Someone was coming.

"…and he's the guy you wanted to be pals with."

Great. More wounded being brought in. He looked over his shoulder at his filled workshop, and decided that it was time to give up on dreams, he could only do so much, and if he was lucky, he would be able to repair maybe half of those he was already entrusted with. "Excuse me… If that young robot needs repairs, I suggest you take him to the next city."

"Oh, you gotta help!"

"Please just take a look at him!"

This was the one.

****

1985:

It had been a long chase. But it was over now. He had been chasing them for millions of years. Each time he would find them, they would find a way to escape. Finally their time had come. He had left his ship to attack them in person to finish the job. He watched as their ship broke up in the atmosphere of the planet. Their destruction was assured. He watched with something that was similar to joy as he scanned their broken bodies after the ship had crashed. He doubted they would ever live again, even if someone managed to totally rebuild them.

His mission complete, he felt a new emptiness. He was low on energon anyway, he transformed into his rocket mode and allowed himself to drift aimlessly through space.

He didn't know how much time had passed. Not too much time, he suspected. It was the distress call that awakened him. But it was not directed at him, it was for something called the Dinobots. More information followed the basic SOS. Schematics of some threat to the automated system. They were nothing like anything he had ever seen before, but somehow very familiar.

No.

It was them. It was THEM.

"Thrusters, activating. Mission: incomplete."

It would take him a little time to backtrack to the planet to finish the job he had begun, but after all the time he had invested into their destruction, a few more months would not matter.