Chapter 101: Megatron and the Fallen's Deal
"Of course I'm willing to become your disciple. To be related to the legendary progenitor of the Decepticons is the greatest honor for me, Megatron!"
Even Megatron himself was surprised by how quickly he agreed without hesitation, without conditions.
This was not like him at all. But for some reason, perhaps instinct, he felt as if a vast treasure had suddenly opened before him one he couldn't resist approaching.
"Excellent. I like your decision," said the Fallen with satisfaction. "As my disciple, you will gain far more than you can imagine. I will make you the true master of Cybertron. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
Though the Fallen had been away from Cybertron for ages, he seemed to grasp Megatron's ambitions immediately. That was his way he could see straight into others' desires.
"Hahaha! The Fallen truly lives up to his name! Rest assured, when we return to Cybertron, the most prestigious position will be yours. I'm certain those nobles will be completely convinced once they hear your name. The territory and wealth we'll claim will surpass anything we've ever dreamed of!"
Both Megatron and the Fallen understood the same truth:
Though Cybertron had changed beyond recognition, the Transformer civilization had existed for so long that immense wealth and resources had long been hoarded by the great families.
These ancient houses pretended to be poor before Megatron, knowing that the Decepticon leader could not demand what they refused to offer.
"Heh, are those old fools still as stingy as ever? Seems they've done quite well these past millennia hoarding most of Cybertron's lifeblood for themselves, huh? The next time I return, I'll make them pay every last credit with interest. You'll see! But before that, I need you to do me a favor: deal with those annoying Autobots. They're the ones who sealed me in this polar wasteland long ago."
So the Fallen wasn't invincible after all.
Though Megatron revered him as a being of unstoppable power, compared to the veteran Autobot warriors of his age, the Fallen was not as untouchable as he appeared. Back then, Grimlock, the Dinobot commander, had led a team of elite warriors to seal him away.
And now, with the resurrection of this ancient Decepticon progenitor, those same elite Autobots had appeared once again.
"Master, are you talking about the Autobots with Starscream? I know them they're highly respected among the Autobots: the Dinobots! Their leader's name is Grimlock. He's defeated me before… he's a super soldier, incredibly tough. You'd better be careful!"
Upon hearing Starscream's name in the Fallen's vision, Megatron felt a sudden headache coming on.
Dealing with Darts and Muddy was hard enough but facing Grimlock again? That was another matter entirely.
If the mighty Grimlock hadn't left Cybertron on a secret mission, Megatron's forces would never have been able to seize control from Optimus Prime.
And now, his old nemesis the mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex stood in his way once more. What should he do this time?
"Are you talking about those tiny reptiles? Don't worry about them," the Fallen scoffed. "My goal isn't to fight that trash. I need you to help me extract all the energy from this planet and prepare it for transport back to Cybertron. As for the Autobots leave them to me! I still have unfinished business with them!"
Of course the Fallen would never entrust his vengeance to anyone else.
Now that all his old enemies were gathered, this was his perfect opportunity to settle the score for the sealing that had humiliated him eons ago.
His only demand of Megatron was to convert the planet's energy into Cybertronian power.
Compared to that, Megatron's part was simple and the Decepticon leader felt a great sense of relief.
"Oh, really? In that case, enjoy yourself," Megatron said with a grin. "If you don't mind, I'll need some help completing your task. Rest assured, Master these are the most loyal Decepticon warriors, nothing like that indecisive fool Starscream!"
Although he agreed readily to the Fallen's command, Megatron was still a warlord.
Even when serving under someone else, he wouldn't handle the labor himself.
Fortunately, Soundwave's reinforcements were already inbound those were the subordinates he referred to.
"I'll give you just one mission," the Fallen said coldly. "How you complete it doesn't concern me. I don't care if you use our Decepticon descendants or even command the Autobots. I only care about the result not the process. Do you understand?"
It seemed the Fallen was quite the pragmatist. The deal between him and Megatron was officially sealed.
"Haha! Thank you for your trust, Master. You can count on me, Megatron, to handle everything. I won't let you down!"
Hearing the Fallen's plans filled Megatron with relief.
As long as he wasn't taking the main risk, he could sit back and benefit.
After all, his original goal had been to seize this planet's energy and now, thanks to the Fallen, he had divine legitimacy.
A perfect win-win.
"Very well then let me see your true strength, my boy! Now, I must stretch my limbs… and greet some old friends!"
With those words, the Fallen's aura vanished completely from Megatron's sight.
The ancient being had achieved his goal perhaps even surpassed it.
"Soundwave! Megatron calls you! Respond when you hear me!"
Unlike before, Megatron didn't even wait to reach the planet's atmosphere. Perhaps out of sheer excitement, he summoned his forces early and the loyal Soundwave responded immediately.
"Commander Megatron, the target we've been tracking is ready for your next command!"
It seemed the Decepticons under Soundwave's command were all elite warriors eager for battle even without their leader's direct order.
"The plan has changed," Megatron said. "I'll send you the coordinates and my updated action protocol. I need Decepticon elites who can extract energy efficiently. Send only those who work hard and demand nothing. You understand what I mean, don't you?"
This Megatron was as stingy as ever.
(End of Chapter)