Chapter Text
In Terra Cyclonia, Master Cyclonis continues moving forward with her plans to conquering Atmos. But between the Storm Hawks and various other groups, Master Cyclonis's efforts have been put in a stalemate to say the least. In an effort to rectify this, Master Cyclonis decides to expand her inner circle, looking for potential recruits to act as enforcers of her will. After many nights of experimentation with various Crystals, Master Cyclonis has found a way to access the wider Multiverse. One day, Dark Ace was summoned to the throne room. Next to the throne was a decorative chair. Across the throne was a table.
Dark Ace: You summoned me, Master Cyclonis?
Master Cyclonis: You're here. Good. I need someone to help me vet through the candidates.
Dark Ace: Candidates? What are you talking about?
Master Cyclonis: Things haven't been....going exactly as planned as of late and I feel we need to....expand our enterprise. So I've sent out an ad across the Multiverse in search for another enforcer.
Upon hearing this, Dark Ace took a moment to process what he had just heard. After a moment of awkward silence, Dark Ace speaks up.
Dark Ace: Multiverse? You found a way to access the Multiverse?
Master Cyclonis: Yes.
Dark Ace: And you're using this power to....find people to hire?
Master Cyclonis: Yes.
Dark Ace: Under most circumstances, I should be concerned about something of this magnitude, but at this point I'm too tired to care. Oh also it sounds like you're trying to replace me.
Master Cyclonis: What? Replace you? Nonsense! (Whispers)Even though you failed to defeat the Storm Hawks and let them make a fool out of you.....
Dark Ace: Wait what was that?
Master Cyclonis: Um...nothing nothing! Look, our first candidate should be coming by any minute.
With that out of the way, the first candidate comes by. Much to Cyclonis and Dark Ace's shock, the first candidate was in fact a 31 foot robot with features like a jet. Master Cyclonis looks over the file.
Master Cyclonis: Okay....Starscream. Thank you for showing up today. Have a seat.....
Master Cyclonis quickly realizes the absurdity of the question as the chair was way too small for Starscream. Cyclonis moves past it and conducts the interview.
Master Cyclonis: So you would like to join our organization. What are you qualifications?
Starscream: My qualifications?! Where do I start?! First off, I am a Cybertronian, meaning I easily surpass you meat....I mean Human capabilities for destruction! I can also do this!
Starscream then proceeds to transform in a jet. Master Cyclonis and Dark Ace look up as Starscream flaunts his vehicle form.
Master Cyclonis: That....might actually be useful.
Dark Ace: His voice is like nails on a chalkboard. A very large chalkboard......
Starscream then transforms back into his Cybertronian form and lets out a smug smirk.
Starscream: As the right hand of Megatron, I would be an invaluable ally to your organization!
Master Cyclonis: I'm looking over your file and I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed. Though I have to ask, it says here that you have been described as "very ambitious". Now I'm not one to discredit one's ambitions, but is that going to be a problem?
Starscream: Oh you have absolutely nothing to worry about! My loyalty to you will not be in question! You can always depend on me to get the job done and remain by your side as a loyal servant! You need not worry about treachery with me by your side!
There was a moment of silence as Dark Ace pulls Master Cyclonis aside.
Master Cyclonis: What is it?
Dark Ace: I.....I don't mean to alarm you, but I think he might not be trustworthy.
Master Cyclonis: What makes you say that?
Dark Ace: I mean....he's empathizing that he won't betray you.....multiple times.
Master Cyclonis: And?
Dark Ace: Do I seriously need to spell it out, you dense child? He keeps going on about how he won't betray you, but he literally keeps saying it. That should tell you that you probably shouldn't trust the giant robot who could annihilate our entire fleet if given the chance.
As Dark Ace said that, Master Cyclonis began looking through the file on Starscream. She glances back at the smug Starscream. After a moment, the teenage Empress spoke with Starscream.
Master Cyclonis: I'm looking over your file and I'm seeing a few discrepancies. It says here that you have and I quote "tried to usurp Megatron on multiple occasions."
Starscream: What?! Those are absurd claims! I, Starscream will not be subjected to slanderous lies that depict me, rightful leader of the Decepticon, as anything other than a loyal ally! My loyalty....
Master Cyclonis: See you're doing it again. You keep talking about how you're going to be loyal. That....that tells me that you're clearly going to betray me. And with you being a literal giant robot, you will most likely succeed!
Starscream: This is absolutely absurd!
Master Cyclonis: So if I give this....Megatron a call, then he's going to vouch for you?
Starscream: Okay you don't have to call....
Master Cyclonis: If you don't tell me the truth, then I'm going to call Megatron. And if he tells me that you aren't exactly loyal, then we're going to have a problem.
At this point, Starscream lets out a defeated groan.
Starscream: Okay okay! So maybe I've tried to overthrow Megatron on a few occasions....and none of them quite panned out. But Megatron has always forgiven my transgressions and welcomed me as his second in command!
Dark Ace: And that either tells us two things. One: Megatron is an absolute idiot who clearly doesn't see that you are going to keep betraying him. Or two: he clearly doesn't see you as a threat and keeps you around because you are going to fail every single time. Both make you look very bad.
Starscream: You Humans clearly don't know Cybertronian subtlety! Clearly Lord Megatron sees me as an invaluable asset who will aid him and make him the strong leader he needs to be, even though I would personally make a much better leader of the Decepticons!
Master Cyclonis took a full minute to process what Starscream said.
Master Cyclonis: Do you even hear yourself?!
Dark Ace: Personally I wish I hadn't. Not only is this incredibly stupid, but hearing his voice makes me want to rethink my fucking life.
Master Cyclonis: While you might be useful, you're clearly not fit for the job.
Starscream: Clearly you meatbags can't handle greatness! You couldn't understand greatness if it hit you in the face! Enough of this! Screw you, you fools! I'm going home!
Starscream then transforms into a jet and flies away, crashing through the ceiling to the palace. There was a moment of silence as Master Cyclonis was fuming at the damage done to her palace.
Dark Ace: There goes our deposit....again.
Master Cyclonis said nothing as she was visibly angry.
Dark Ace: Something tells me this is going to drive all of us insane.
Master Cyclonis: Let's just....move on to the next candidate.......
At this point, Master Cyclonis could already tell that this was going to be a massive headache. Regardless, Master Cyclonis saw the potential in this unconventional plan and chose to move forward.