Shockwave activated the mask.
On the screen before him, dozens… hundreds… thousands… an impossible number of realities unfolded in infinite sequences. The Triptych Mask revealed not only alternate dimensions but the vastness of the multiverse itself, as though every possibility hung suspended by a fragile thread of energy and choice.
"Unfortunately, the infinite equation of worlds makes locating the desired dimension a… complex task," Shockwave muttered, typing with precise motions on his terminal using his only remaining hand.
Blackarachnia let out an impatient sigh. She searched for a corner to sit down, already expecting the search to take far longer than she wished.
"All of this wouldn't have been necessary if you had followed the original plan, Shockwave," she jabbed, crossing her legs. "If you had used the mask to open the portal and bring Megatronus back during the war, we would already have the AllSpark in our hands by now."
"Attempts to provoke an emotional response from me are futile," Shockwave replied without shifting his gaze from the panel. "I acknowledge my mistakes—and I used them to refine my methods and correct flaws. Besides, I had to maintain my cover… fulfilling Megatron's petty requests to acquire the resources needed for my experiments."
"Ironic to hear that… considering what's attached to your arm," Blackarachnia chuckled, glancing at the cannon that replaced Shockwave's original limb.
"The supersoldier project was a setback. I underestimated how violently an Autobot's primal instinct could react when fused with Predacon DNA."
"If memory serves, that project resulted in the creation of the Dinobots. And Grimlock tore your arm off, didn't he?" Lockdown intervened, simply to confirm the facts.
Shockwave vividly recalled the moment Grimlock, in his alternate form, severed his arm without hesitation.
"It still intrigues me how he overcame the programming I embedded in his code. Something… I do not fully comprehend. But I learned. And the Predacon Project was developed precisely to avoid such failures." He gestured toward an empty capsule behind him—the cradle of his creation. A monument to his genetic experiments.
Lockdown followed his gaze. That capsule had been used countless times until the perfect result was achieved—at the cost of nearly all genetic material scavenged from the corpses of Predacons buried on Cybertron.
"It's unfortunate that the Autobots interfered with the plan… and purely out of luck, at that," Blackarachnia remarked with disdain.
"Even without the Dinobots, the available energy at the time would not have been sufficient to release Megatronus," Shockwave explained. "Onyx's mask was still damaged and incapable of functioning as an adequate channeler."
"And even if it had been possible… I doubt that bot would have stood idly by and watched," Lockdown said, his voice laced with frustration. "It was difficult enough maintaining communication with Megatronus without drawing the attention of that cursed Prime."
"Couldn't we just ambush him and end this once and for all?" Blackarachnia asked coldly.
"Killing my brother is far from a simple task."
The answer did not come from anyone present. The voice echoed directly from the Triptych Mask, deep and commanding. Blackarachnia flinched, feeling the oppressive weight of that presence.
Lockdown lowered his head in respect. Even though Megatronus was not physically there, the protocol was more than tradition—it was instinct.
"Master Megatronus… it is good to hear your voice again after so long," Lockdown declared, staring at the mask with a firm gaze. "The AllSpark has been located."
"The AllSpark lies on a planet distant from your current position," Megatronus replied, the mask glowing with a faint radiance. "If you move now, Vector Prime will be alerted. And we cannot afford to awaken his vigilance. Keep all your activities as contained as they have been until now."
"I still don't understand," Blackarachnia said, frowning. "How is it possible that a single bot can keep all the Knights under control? That shouldn't be feasible."
"The problem lies precisely in Vector Prime's destructive capacity. As long as he wields that cursed sword… we must act with caution," Lockdown answered, crossing his arms. "That is why I did not launch our forces toward the AllSpark immediately. It would be suicide."
"So what will we do?" she asked, seeking clarity.
"You will go to the planet where the AllSpark is," Megatronus replied, his voice resonating with grave finality. "Unlike Lockdown and my Decepticon Knights, you will not immediately trigger Vector Prime's alarm. He does not see ordinary bots as a threat. He is a fool… still deceived by appearances and intentions. And since he constantly exists at the thresholds of the fourth dimension, his awareness is not entirely flawless."
"But that doesn't mean he isn't watching us right now. Why wouldn't he see me as a threat as well?" Blackarachnia pressed.
"Because he does not consider you dangerous," Lockdown answered. "His moral programming prevents him from treating the new generation as trivial subjects. Vector Prime believes the only true threat lies with the original Decepticons. And since we've been silent for millions of years, he has underestimated our influence in recruitment. That gives us a chance to turn the tide."
"Now I see…" murmured Blackarachnia. "That's why Shockwave and I were able to move so freely for so long. We're invisible to his surveillance."
"Exactly," confirmed Megatronus. The mask glowed with renewed intensity. "The barrier surrounding you, together with the constant storms of this planet, has given you time to restore our old military strength. And now it is time to use that to our advantage."
"Very well. I can take the responsibility of recapturing the AllSpark for the true Decepticons," Blackarachnia declared, her voice laced with equal parts confidence and doubt. She idly examined her sharpened claws, as if already calculating possible confrontations. "But tell me this… how exactly am I supposed to do it? I'm absolutely certain we're not the only ones who discovered where the AllSpark is. And beyond that… I should be concerned about the Prime on that planet."
"Optimus Prime is not a problem," Lockdown said with disdain. "His power level is far below that of any other Prime. Any of my Knights could defeat him with ease."
"He wasn't a threat… until now," Megatronus interjected. His voice echoed cold and firm through the mask. "If the Matrix of Leadership resonates with the AllSpark, then yes… Optimus will finally live up to his title as Prime. And that changes the board."
"That's not good for business," Blackarachnia complained, folding her arms with irritation. "I really don't want to face a Prime. And with all due respect, I doubt Shockwave would last any longer than I would." She cast him a sidelong glance. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but even with my enhancements, I have no confidence I can guarantee success alone."
"That will not be a problem," Megatronus replied. "You will not be alone."
Onyx's mask suddenly began to glow with a violent intensity. Circuits thrummed, the chamber's systems flickered, and a deep hum reverberated through the laboratory. Dimensional connections faltered, generating distortions that scraped against the very fabric of reality. Suddenly, the mask's image vanished—replaced by a stream of red code, pulsing aggressively across the monitors.
Shockwave narrowed his optic.
"The connection has been compromised… but this was not an error," he murmured, observing the data as it reorganized on its own. Lines of code danced across the screen as though driven by a will of their own.
The mask reactivated, though its glow was faint. Energy seemed drained, and fine fissures spread across its surface like glass under pressure.
"This… is to balance the scales in your favor," Megatronus explained, his voice now unstable, distorted. "With this… you will be able to face the Prime."
"What is it?" Blackarachnia asked, leaning closer to examine the new data materializing.
"This… is a Spark code," Shockwave stated, his sensors widening. "Curious. I did not know it was possible… to transfer something like this through such a medium."
"He is not the only one who conducted experiments to ensure the mission's success," Megatronus replied. "This code is something not even my cursed brother can foresee. And there is also crucial information embedded within it."
New data unfurled across the screen. It was more than surprising—it revealed the current appearance the AllSpark had taken, the form of a native creature from the planet where it lay hidden. Shockwave analyzed everything in silence, fascinated, never imagining that the AllSpark itself could assume such a disguise.
But the Onyx Mask was already at its limit. With each passing second, the cracks spread wider, as if its use was exacting a price.
"I will be waiting," concluded Megatronus, his voice now distant, like an echo from the void. "But above all… execute the plan only once the AllSpark is in your possession. Not before."
With a final spark of violet light, the mask went dark. A faint electric hiss signaled the end of the transmission. The silence that followed was almost ritualistic.
"So, all I need to do is capture this… strange being," said Blackarachnia, still staring at the data transmitted through the mask with visible suspicion. "And with that, the AllSpark will be in my hands?"
"The AllSpark seems to have taken this form to strengthen its disguise," Lockdown explained, studying the codes still flickering on one of the screens. "Which means it will be constantly on the move."
"Interesting…" She folded her arms, her golden eyes reflecting the unstable glow of the panels. "Megatronus gathered this information through Megatron's vision. Logically speaking, if my memory serves, this is only possible because of Unicron's power, isn't it?"
"Correct," Shockwave confirmed impassively, his optics fixated on the mysterious Spark code within the data.
"Megatron obtained the AllSpark at some point, but… he did not capture it," Lockdown continued.
Blackarachnia raised a brow.
"And how can you state that with such certainty?"
"If Megatron had truly captured the AllSpark, Megatronus would never have ordered us to remain in the shadows," Lockdown replied, analyzing the data displayed before them. "This means the artifact escaped. And the plan must be resumed with greater subtlety."
"Now I understand." A faint smile curved Blackarachnia's lips as she gazed at the holographic map of the planet where the AllSpark had been detected. The image flickered, almost like a beating heart. "Very well."
She spun on her heels with the natural confidence of someone who had already decided that nothing would escape her control. Her claws clicked softly against the metallic floor.
"I'll grab my things and get ready for the show," she said—as if she were about to step onto a stage, and not begin a galactic hunt.