The Transformers Meet the Archies

Epilogue

by Phantom (phantom1313 at tfrid dot com)

This story is a continuation of The Transformers Meet the Archies, written by Anubis Soundwave (Janell Clark)(acsound at hotmail dot com), which is archived at Suzanne's Fanfic Page. The original concept and human characters are credited to her. I humbly offer this as a continuation.

Chapter Six

Megatron sat silently in his private quarters, brooding over a problem. He had had a disturbing thought an hour ago, and had sought quiet and privacy in which to puzzle it out.

He had kidnapped Alita One as insurance, a bargaining chip in case the Autobots arrived. Since that possibility had not occurred, he had not been particularly disturbed when his bride had escaped his clutches. However, he now found himself faced with a problem.

Alita One was a key figure in the Autobot resistance movement. By now, the Autobots on Cybertron would have conducted a planet-wide search and discovered her abduction by the Decepticons on Earth. They would have informed the Autobots on Earth about Alita's kidnapping, and Megatron knew how protective Optimus Prime was of his girlfriend.

The problem, Megatron mused, was that he no longer had possession of Alita One. This meant that he no longer had anything to hold over Prime's head, and Prime certainly would not believe him if he said that he no longer had Alita One as his prisoner.

He no longer had.... Wait a minute! He jumped with surprise as the solution hit him. Why hadn't he seen this before? True, he no longer had Alita One as his prisoner, but Prime didn't know that, did he? Megatron could trick his old nemesis into surrendering for nothing! He allowed himself a few moments of smug laughter. When the laughter passed, he exited his quarters and headed towards the communications center.

Starscream was, as usual, complaining. "We haven't made any progress!" he shrieked. "This whole project was a waste of time!"

"Out of my way, Starscream," Megatron growled. "I've got a plan to bring Optimus Prime to his knees!"

"And what plan would that be, Megatron?" Starscream mocked. "You've had brilliant plans before. Plans that have failed miserably!"

"Silence!" Megatron thundered. "Prime has a sense of protectiveness toward Alita One. We can use this weakness as bait for a trap! Once we have captured Optimus and forced him to surrender, the Autobots will be as good as defeated!"

"You've shorted your logic chips!" Starscream shrieked. "We don't have Alita One anymore, remember?"

"That's the beauty of it!" Megatron smiled devilishly. "We may not have Alita anymore, but the Autobots don't know that! We can persuade Optimus Prime to surrender over nothing!"

"Well!" Starscream looked impressed, despite himself. "Let's just hope that it works, Leader." He couldn't resist getting in a last dig.

"Patch me through to Teletran One, Soundwave," Megatron ordered. Soundwave's blue fingers danced nimbly over the controls, making the necessary connections. Rumble and Frenzy watched eagerly, silent for once in anticipation of the Autobots' downfall.

"Connection established, Megatron," Soundwave announced.

Wavy lines appeared on the screen, which was quickly replaced by the visage of the hated leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime. Rumble and Frenzy began to make jeering remarks, but Megatron silenced them with a wave of his hand.

"Greetings, Optimus Prime," Megatron said in a pleasant tone.

Optimus, despite the mask covering the lower part of his face, seemed to scowl. "This isn't a courtesy call, Megatron. What do you want?"

Megatron's smile grew. "Very well, Optimus. I have possession of someone that I'm sure you care very much about. Someone that you may want to pay a price for saving."

Prime's response was less than satisfying. "What?" he asked. It wasn't a growl of anger; it was a remark borne out of confusion.

Megatron's grin slipped a little. He forced himself to smile confidently. "Why, Optimus," he said in mock surprise. "I thought that you would have heard by now. Perhaps Autobot command is not as efficient as I thought." This elicited an impassive stare. "I'm sure that we could continue this meaningless chatter all day, but I'm sure that you are concerned about my prisoner. Or don't you mind that I hold your precious Alita One in my grasp?" *That* should get his attention, Megatron thought smugly.

"Alita?" Optimus repeated. His look of confusion grew.

Megatron's smile faded altogether. This was not what he had in mind at all! Prime should be chomping at the bit to free his mate, not standing there in dumb confusion. "Yes, Alita!" he snapped. "You remember, your lifelong love! You'd do anything for her! Especially surrender to me to free her!"

Optimus' optics twinkled. Megatron shrieked in anger, completely losing his composure. "Surrender to me at once, or never see her functioning again!" he roared.

Prime's expression of amusement faded. *Finally!* Megatron thought. But his triumph was short-lived. As he watched, Prime's hidden smile returned in full force. He chuckled. Then he burst out in full-blown laughter.

"No!" Megatron screamed. "You're not supposed to laugh!"

"He's gone completely off the wall!" Rumble exclaimed.

"Cool!" grinned Frenzy.

Soundwave watched warily. Prime's behavior was certainly unusual, but not insane. Soundwave realized with a sinking sensation that Prime knew that Megatron was bluffing. Worse than that, Prime was amused.

Optimus calmed himself down. "Oh, that's very funny, Megatron. It's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Let's see; it's not April Fools Day. What could be the motive for this prank?"

"IT'S NOT A PRANK! YOUR PRETTY GIRLFRIEND WILL DIE AT MY HANDS UNLESS YOU SURRENDER!!" Megatron roared, starting to panic. How had his magnificent plan gone wrong?

"I think not, Megatron," Prime answered smugly. "Come here, Alita."

Megatron's mouth fell open as he experienced a mixture of shock and horror. It couldn't be! But there she was. Alita walked over to Optimus and smiled at the screen.

"Hi, Ron," she cooed sweetly, wrapping her arms around Prime's torso and resting her head on his shoulder. "Sorry things didn't work out between us. You see, I've met someone else. Just call me Mrs. Primrose." Prime and Alita smiled at each other, enjoying their victory.

The Decepticon communications room was as silent as a tomb. Each Decepticon was frantically processing the trail of events. If Alita was a Transformer again and back with the Autobots, the Autobots must know about the Decepticons' activities in Riverdale. Alita was now Mrs. Primrose, and Mr. Primrose was a human, and the only male she cared for was Optimus Prime, so.... The Decepticons all came to the logical conclusion at the same time.

"No!" Megatron roared incredulously. "I refuse to accept this! This isn't happening!" In a panic, he directed Soundwave to break off communications. "Decepticons! We all need time to puzzle this out. Retire to your quarters!" The Decepticons followed his orders as quickly as possible, their thoughts in turmoil.

How could this be? Megatron thought frantically as he hastened back to the haven of his quarters. I sat right next to him! I talked to him civilly! How could I have not known it was him?

Rumble and Frenzy were thinking similar, albeit more violent, thoughts as they walked to Soundwave's quarters. "Can ya believe it?" grumbled Frenzy. "We spent the whole time with that bratty Bumblebee!"

"Yeah!" agreed Rumble. "What's worse, he beat us at Killer Instinct!"

Frenzy was angry. "We shoulda known he was a lousy Autobot! His clothes were ridiculous, and he was a geek! Well, at least he was until he got some decent duds and whipped us at the arcade."

The two cassettes entered Soundwave's quarters. They fully expected Soundwave to order them to transform and enter his chest compartment for storage, but Soundwave surprised them. "You both have a personal message," he informed them.

"Whoa! Cool!" Frenzy exclaimed. They hardly ever got personal messages.

"Let's hear it, Soundwave," Rumble said eagerly. Soundwave pressed a few buttons on the personal communications console in his quarters. A familiar and hated face appeared on the screen.

"I don't believe it!" Frenzy shrieked in indignation. "It's that obnoxious Autobot!"

"Turn it off!" Rumble ordered. Soundwave shook his head, looking amused.

On the screen, Bumblebee smiled. "Hi, Billy. Hi, Zach. How are you guys doing? Bet you're ready to kill me now."

"You got that right!" Rumble growled.

Bumblebee continued. "That's too bad, 'cause once I'm dead I can't teach you all the inside tricks to Killer Instinct! Ah well, the choice is yours. I'm surprised; I never thought I'd enjoy hanging out with the 'Cons! Say hi to Sonny, Thunder, and Skyler for me too! 'Bye, guys!" The screen went blank.

"The nerve of him!" Frenzy exploded. "We oughta go over there right now and rip that grin off his faceplate!"

"Yeah," Rumble said thoughtfully, "but then we'd never learn the secrets of Killer Instinct."

"You don't think he was serious about sharing them with us, do ya?" Frenzy was surprised.

"Why not?" Rumble argued. "He's an Autobot. They like to do good things for people. Besides, we can always kill him after he's done."

"That's true." Frenzy had no argument with Rumble's logic.

"That's enough, you two," Soundwave said firmly. The two tapes let out a sigh, transforming and slotting themselves within his storage area.

* * * * *

Thundercracker looked at the blinking light on the console of his personal communications console. It was probably ol' Skywarp again, wanting to cause trouble. He pressed the playback button, and settled back to hear the message.

He jumped in shock when Blaster's face appeared on the screen. "What the...?" he began, but quickly silenced himself as the Autobot began to speak.

"Hey, Thunder, remember me? It's your pal Terry! Now don't go flippin' out on me. We got along pretty well the past few weeks. I know that you're a Decep' and all, so it's your job to hate Autobots, but that doesn't change the fun times that we've had. Think about it, man. I know that you're one of the more reasonable dudes under Megatron's command. Decepticons and Autobots managed to live right across the street peacefully without firing a shot or exchanging a bad word. Do you really want to go back to fighting us? It's cool if you feel weird about it, but give it some thought. I don't know about you, but I thought I found a good friend when I met Thunder. The war doesn't have to be this way. Just give it some thought." The screen went blank.

Thundercracker shook his head. "I must be nuts," he muttered. Surely he was going crazy. Why else would he be thinking about taking the advice of an Autobot? He'd have to keep his doubts about the war to himself, or Megatron would have his steel-plated hide.

* * * * *

Soundwave looked down at the communications console again. He hadn't told Rumble or Frenzy, but he had two messages of his own. Steeling his resolve, he pressed the playback button.

Despite his mental preparation, he had to stop himself from jumping to his feet when Blaster's face appeared on the screen. Since Blaster was his opposite number, Soundwave had always regarded him as a dangerous enemy. Still, it would be interesting to hear what the Autobot had to say.

"Hey, Soundwave, don't touch that dial! I know that we're enemies and all, but hear me out!"

Soundwave nodded unconsciously, even though it would have no effect on the pre-recorded message. He waited for the Autobot to continue.

"You must feel pretty strange about the time that we spent together. It feels really weird to me, too. We managed to chill together for weeks without firing a shot. Yeah, maybe we weren't best friends, but we still had a good time. I'm gonna hate myself in the morning for saying this, but you're a fantastic dancer! I was really impressed! I never thought anything you could do would impress me.

"And then there's Betty. Whatever I may have thought about you in the past, I've got to hand it to you now. You really made that girl happy. I don't know, maybe you were just playing with her 'till someone better came along, but somehow I don't think so. Not that I know you very well, but you just don't seem like the kind of guy to do that. You've given her some confidence. She brushed off Archie today, which we both know he desperately deserved. Anyway, she misses you.

"The next time we see each other, it will probably be in the middle of a battlefield. For now, I won't hesitate to fight you, since it's my job, just like I know you won't hesitate to fight me for the same reason. Just keep in mind the fun we had in Riverdale. If we ever find peace, I know it could be like that again." The screen darkened.

Soundwave thought about Blaster's words. It was true that he would unhesitatingly destroy Blaster if he ever got the chance, but only because it was his duty and he took his duty seriously. If one day it was no longer his duty, then things may be different.

Soundwave played back the second message. This time he jumped high in the air. He'd thought that Blaster's message was a shock, but this one nearly stopped his fuel pump.

Optimus Prime stared gravely at him from the screen. "So you were living right across the street from us all along. Very surprising. You know, I never thought I'd see a Decepticon fall in love with a human. Don't get mad at me for saying so. Betty really cares about you. I had a talk with her, and your feelings for her have given her a new confidence. I thought that it would be cruel to tell her of your true nature, so I kept it to myself.

"I've also thought hard about our discussion by the monolith. I don't want you to dismiss what I've said because of who I am. I have had a lot of experience with love. I've learned that no matter how hard you try, once love finds you, there's way to escape it. You can try to fool others, but you'll never succeed in fooling yourself. And you shouldn't try. I don't profess to know you very well, but I think I know your type. You have to relax once in a while and take some time for yourself. I know that you weren't pleased with the discussion -- I didn't like discussing love when I was your age, either -- but I think it did us both some good. Don't try to push it away, Soundwave. When you find love, just let it take you where it wants to go." Prime's face became dreamy, thinking of times long ago. "Keep my words in mind, Soundwave. They may serve you in good stead one day." His face faded from the screen.

Soundwave shook his head slowly. He didn't know what to make of all this. Prime had no obligation to tell him anything. Yet he reached out with this message about love. Soundwave wasn't ready to accept Prime's words just yet, but he would think about them. Prime had his reasons for sending this message. Soundwave didn't know what they were, but he would think about it. He felt strange considering Prime's advice. Most of it went against what he had practiced for millennia. Still, Prime did know more about the topic of love than he did. Soundwave smiled to himself. Maybe Prime understood a lot more than Soundwave had given him credit for.

* * * *

Megatron scowled at the blinking light on his console. He was distraught enough at the moment, and he didn't need anything else to upset him. He sighed in resignation. The message could be from Shockwave with another plan to defeat the Autobots. That would certainly cheer him up. He pressed the playback button.

Megatron released a cry of rage when Prime's features appeared on the screen. "Curse you, Autobot!" he yelled.

Prime began to speak. "I know that you're not exactly pleased to receive this transmission, Megatron. But aren't you the least bit curious about what I have to say?"

Megatron's finger hovered above the erase button. With a sigh of defeat, he sank back in his chair. He was intensely curious about what his foe had to say. Besides, Prime might slip and give away a vital clue to his own defeat. Thus reassured, Megatron directed his attention to the screen.

"I find it most interesting that Autobots and Decepticons were able to leave across from each other in peace. Certainly it was because our true natures remained a secret. However, the way that Autobot and Decepticon alike are taught, we cannot get along under any conditions. This was certainly proved untrue. Bumblebee played Killer Instinct, an arcade game, with Rumble and Frenzy. Soundwave, Skywarp, and Thundercracker were in Blaster's company for weeks. I even petted Ravage when he wandered outside, no doubt on a mission to scan for energy or gather information on Riverdale. Autobots and Decepticons were able to get along together and even have fun in each other's presence.

"What I find most interesting is my contact with you." Megatron scowled, but listened further. "Despite your obvious name, I did not realize who you truly were when I met you. I found myself able to have a fascinating conversation with you. I actually enjoyed your company. This belies our instinctive hatred and loathing for one another. I believe that one day we will be able to live side by side as friends, not enemies. You are probably rejecting the idea as I speak, but in your core you know that it is a possibility. The events in Riverdale show that." A note of amusement entered Prime's voice. "I'll leave you to your plans for world conquest." Then his expression darkened, showing a rare hint of temper. "But if you ever pull a stunt like kidnapping Alita again, I'll see that you live to regret it!" Megatron smiled. He knew that Prime wouldn't stand for any abuse towards his mate.

Prime regarded his ancient enemy solemnly through the monitor. "Do not forget my words, Megatron. There may yet be hope for our race." The screen faded to darkness.

Megatron straightened in the chair. Prime's words were foolish, naturally. It would be sheer folly to even give them a moment's notice. Still, there was an eerie feeling that he could not shake. What if Prime was right? What if the Autobots and the Decepticons really weren't all that different? What if they could live in peace and harmony?

Nah. No way. Couldn't ever happen.

Could it?

The End

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