Battle Lines, Part 5

After defeating Deathsaurus, Megatron makes his move on the Autobots.

Synopsis

Back at the base,Big Bang,Thunderclash,andDionwonder why theCombaticonshaven't arrived yet. Dion goes up to the receptionist to inquire why theGyronian Sentrieshaven't arrived yet, only for the bot to reveal thatGyroniahasn't had a Sentry team for decacycle after their disappearance, and realization dawns on the three of where the traitors really are.

AtDeathsaurus' fortress, the wounded Decepticon warlord is chained up in the gladiatorial pits.Megatronannounces to the Decepticons gathered that he will fight Deathsaurus for the leadership of the Decepticons. Deathsaurus points out that it wouldn't be a fair fight, as he hasn't been repaired at all, but Megatron has no intention of playing nice. One of the Gyronian Sentries proceeds to release Deathsaurus, and the two brandish their weapons, ready to begin. Despite his wounds, Deathsaurus manages to put up a formidable fight, one that Megatron is sure the troops will enjoy. Deathsaurus arrogantly points out that many of them are brainwashed, and thus wouldn't care about the fight, but Megatron knocks him back, revealing that the Combaticons refused to help their former commander, and were sent to a detention center along with any other dissenters. Deathsaurus vows that his lieutenants will cause Megatron's downfall, but Megatron laughs, promising to save space by stripping down everyone to theirpersonality components.Crushing Deathsaurus' face, the former leader can only let out static as Megatron blasts him with his fusion cannon, declaring himself the new leader of the Decepticons. Knowing that Deathsaurus' databanks are likely to be destroyed by those still loyal to the Decepticons, Megatron hasSoundwaveprocure, also demanding forHookand his team to be sent in. Spotting the sneakingStarscream,Megatron demands to know his identity, and when he declares Megatron his lord, has him go with Soundwave to secure the data. But with Deathsaurus out of the picture, Starscream privately plans to secure what he feels is rightfully his: leadership of the Decepticons.Lyzackcomes to her commanders aid, and Deathsaurus, heavily damaged, reluctantly orders her to help him flee Cybertron, accepting his banishment.

A few weeks later inIacon,Magnumrushes toOptimus Prime,apologizing for his behavior. Prime tells Magnum that he never meant to replace the Elite Guard, but with the Decepticons threat as big it is, the Autobots can no longer rely on a fragmented army. Magnum understands, and promises to fight by Prime's side. Suddenly, Dion comes running with a report that the Decepticons are starting to surround the city, and before Magnum can rally the Guard, they breach city walls with their newest asset:Devastator!

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Quotes

Notes

• Characters mentioned but not seen include: theCombaticons,Hook,andAlpha Trion.

Continuity notes

• Megatron uses hisEnergon mace,seen in "More than Meets the Eye, Part 2".
• Megatron has the Combaticons stripped down to theirpersonality componentsand imprisoned, setting up events for "Starscream's Brigade",millions of years later.
• Although it's never explicitly stated, Megatron and Deathsaurus' fight follow the same rules as the fight between the former and Optimus Prime in "Heavy Metal War",with the loser being forced to leave the planet.
• The Constructicons are given the ability to combine intoDevastatorthis issue, using schematics of Bruticus from Deathsaurus' files. Evidently, this places their betrayal ofOmega SupremeinTransformersepisode "The Secret of Omega Supreme"in the one week gap seen in this issue. Hook is noted to be leader of the Constructicons; he was previously established as a separate Decepticon warlord in"A Team Effort",and was presumably brainwashed along with the others in-between the meetings of the Decepticon Warlords seen in that story.
• Speaking of Constructicons, Hauler shows up among the Autobot forces in Iacon, having previously only shown up in "More than Meets the Eye, Part 1".Hise-HOBBYtoy bio depicted him as being a former Constructicon, having been one of the few to escape the effects of theRobosmasher,and next issue's profile would confirm had happened to this version of Hauler as well. Another green Decepticon is seen alongside Devastator, which you might infer makes him the eight Constructicon who helped build Megatron in "Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4",but next issue's profile for Devastator would retcon those 8 into being a different group of 7 Constructicons.

Transformers references

• Megatron shouts "Deathsaurus has fallen! I, Megatron, am now ruler of all Decepticons!" This homages Starscream's frequent attempts to usurp power in the originalTransformerscartoon, often by shouting "Megatron has fallen!"
• Among the generics Decepticons in the stands watching Deathsaurus and Megatron's fight are generics colored asCybertronSignal Lancerand Evan Gauntt's fan characterStage-Diveon page 2, andMisfireandRamjeton page 3.
• Deathsaurus claims that he still functions, as Megatron did inThe Transformers: The Movie.
• Hauler is drawn here based on his toy, rather then the straight copy ofGrapplehe was depicted as in the original cartoon.