RETURN OF THE SLAG MAKER

     On the night before Galvatron was to arrive on Cybertron, Shockwave went to Unicron's head.  He connected a few wires & the behemoth awakened once more. 

     "Who activates Unicron?" the monster asked.

     "I, Shockwave, reactivated you."

     "What do you want from me?"

     "I wish for you to resurrect my leader, Megatron."

     "That is a simple task.  All I require is for you to bring Galvatron to me."

     "What of the others you changed?  Can resurrect them, also?"

     "I can, but after it is done, I want you to connect my head to Cybertron."

     "I'll do it!  To have Megatron back, I'll do anything!"

     "Very well, bring Galvatron & the others to me & I will resurrect those you seek."

     The next day, Galvatron & the Aerialcons arrived on Cybertron via the spacebridge.  When they arrived, Cyclonus was awaiting them.  He greeted Galvatron, walked over to Ruby & the others, & hugged them.

     "What is the meaning of this, Galvatron?" Onyx asked.  "I thought we were going to meet our brothers."

     "But you are," Galvatron answered.

     "Galvatron is right, sister.  I used to be Skywarp," Cyclonus added.

     Cyclonus explained how he was going to die if Unicron had not turned him into who he was now.  Ruby was amazed at what this Unicron could do.  It's a good thing that he is offline.  A being that powerful was a terrifying thought.  Just at that moment, Shockwave came running up; followed by Soundwave.

     "Galvatron," Shockwave said. "Unicron has been reactivated!"

     "He is trying to convince the Autobots to make him whole," Soundwave added.

     It never occurred to Galvatron that they were lying.  They never did so before & he didn't think they were foolish enough to start now.  Galvatron had Soundwave gather the Sweeps.  They then flew to Unicron's head.  When they arrived Unicron was waiting.

     "Greetings, Galvatron," Unicron said.

     "Unicron, how is it that you still function?"

     "I was awakened by Shockwave."

     Galvatron realized that this was a setup & looked over at Shockwave & Soundwave menasingly.  They backed away wishing that Unicron would hurry.

     "Why Shockwave?" Galvatron began.

     "They brought you here," Unicron cut in, "so that I may do this."

     Unicron's eyes started glowing & suddenly Galvatron, Cyclonus, & the Sweeps were bathed in a crimson light.  They screamed in agony as Unicron, none too subtlety, separated them from who they used to be.  When the light had died down, those that were remade by Unicron were standing next to their former selves.  When all their sensors returned, they looked around at each other.  Galvatron was staring at Megatron in disbelief.

     "I live," Megatron shouted.

     "How can this be?" Galvatron asked.  "I am the real Megatron."

     "You are a pathetic weakling," Megatron retorted.  "Unicron might have remade me into you, but he gave you your own persona."

     "I have also let you share memories," Unicron added.  "What Galvatron remembers, so does Megatron & vice versa."

     "Yes," said Megatron.  "I seem to remember that that idiot let the Autobots reclaim Cybertron."

     Angered by what Megatron said, Galvatron lunged at his former self.  A fierce battle erupted between the two Decepticon leaders.  Neither warrior gave the other any quarter, but it was still an even battle.  Throughout the battle; Galvatron kept screaming that he was the real Megatron.  It seemed that his madness gave him a crazed strength.  Megatron noticed this & linked his fusion cannon, interdimensionally, with a black hole & fired.  Galvatron reacted too slowly & was atomized by the blast.  Scourge & the Sweeps attacked Megatron & met the same fate as their leader.  Megatron then turned to Cyclonus & aimed his fusion cannon at him.

     "Well, Cyclonus," Megatron said, eyes blazing crimson.  "Are you going to follow your leader into oblivion, as well?"

     "Mighty Megatron; I serve whomever is strongest."  Cyclonus said as he stared Megatron in the optics.  "You have proven to be the stronger leader.  Therefore; I follow you."

     Megatron laughed a little & then said, "Well said Cyclonus.  You are indeed a Decepticon worthy of his rank."  Megatron looked at his fellow Decepticons & smiled.  He was thinking how shocked everyone would be when he made his return to Cybertron.  His thoughts were interrupted as Unicron spoke out.

     "Shockwave, remember our bargain," the gigantic transformer bellowed.  "Connect my head to Cybertron, or I will destroy your leader."

     Hearing this, Megatron linked his fusion cannon with another black hole & fired a shot that destroyed Unicron's processing unit.  After the Decepticons realized Unicron was no longer a threat, they looked to their reborn leader.  Megatron smiled as he imagined the look of surprise Optimus Prime was sure to have.  He looked at his troops & said, "Decepticons, to Cybertron."

     On the trip back to Vilnacron, Megatron told Shockwave to gather the Decepticons & told him to say that their leader wanted to talk to them.  Shockwave did as he was ordered & gathered all the Decepticons together.  There were some mumbled rumors about Galvatron planning another attack that was destined to fail.  Ruby & her sisters were wondering why Galvatron wanted to meet with everyone at this late a cycle.  Suddenly, the Constructicons blew the trumpets that heralded their leader's coming.  All suddenly went silent as Megatron stepped out from the shadows.  The Decepticons gasped in shock & disbelief.  Megatron looked upon his troops with a smirk.

     After a moment he said, "My fellow Decepticons.  I, Megatron, am once again functional.  I plan to do what that fool Galvatron could not.  I plan to reclaim Cybertron!"  The Decepticons cheered that their former leader was back & they knew that most of his plans worked.  Megatron basked in their praise.  Shouts of "Hail Megatron!" & "Long live Megatron!" could be heard throughout Vilnacron.  Then Megatron held up his hand & all went silent once more.

     "First order of business," he said as his optics glowed a bright crimson.  "Ruby, I want you & your sisters here. Now!"

     Ruby & her sisters hesitantly walked up to Megatron & took to one knee.  Megatron sneered at the five femme transformers.  Ruby dared a peek at Megatron's face then dropped her head again quickly.  He didn't seem upset, but the look on his face chilled her circuitry.

     "What do you wish, mighty Megatron?" Ruby asked meekly. 

     Megatron smiled because he heard the fear in her voice.  It made him feel whole again.  He quickly let the feeling pass & said, "Do not fear.  You five have proven to be very useful in the Decepticon cause.  For that I shall not terminate your sparks.  I do have two requests for you."

     "What are your requests, O' Great One?" Ruby asked, relieved that they were being allowed to function.

     "First, you will report to Hook tomorrow & undergo a little..... operation.  Secondly, I have reviewed the Decepticon history & found something quite interesting.  It seems as if past Decepticon leaders used to take mates, although Decepticon femmes cannot reproduce.  I have decided that I, too, shall take up a mate.  I will decide which of you to choose tomorrow.  After your "meeting" with Hook, report to me & I will tell you who will be the new Queen of the Decepticons."

     By the time Megatron disbanded the meeting; all the Decepticons were talking amongst themselves excitedly.  A few of them actually gave early congrats to the femmes; saying that one of them was going to be very lucky.  All the way back to their quarters; Onyx, Topaz, & Diamond were arguing abut who Megatron would choose.  Ruby was too busy thinking about how things totally went wrong.

     "It seems like only yesterday we were planning to kill him & now one of us shall be his queen!  What else can happen?" she thought.

     The only sister who stayed to her self was Emerald & she was too busy thinking of Silverbolt to worry about Megatron.

     The sisters had a tough time powering down that night.  Each of them had their own thoughts to ponder on.  Needless to say, they were up until the very early morning hours & they still had to see Hook for their operation.  Ruby wondered what Megatron had in mind for his little operation.  She thought it better to cross that bridge when she came to it.  The other were sleeping now, so Ruby shut down to get as much rest as she could & be prepared for tomorrow.

     Elsewhere; Megatron was wondering what it would be like to have a mate, once again.  That was his last thought as he gave himself to darkness & went into his shut down cycle.