Megatron's Lifelong Regret—If Only He'd Met the Right Leader

Megatron was still in a daze.

Optimus Prime was also stunned by Megatron suddenly standing up.

The Autobots had just been enthusiastically testing their new equipment. Upon hearing the commotion, they all gathered cautiously.

The two sides had been at war for millennia, always aiming to destroy each other.

If Setsuna and the shipgirls hadn't been present, Optimus would have already led the Autobots to immediately execute Megatron.

It would have been a good chance to test out their new gear too.

"Why am I here?"

"Who are you? What did you do to me?"

After a moment of thought, Megatron lowered his voice to ask.

He badly wanted to tear apart Optimus and these strange humans, but reason held him back.

"Uh... where do I even begin..."

Observer sat down cross-legged.

"A few thousand years ago, when you crash-landed on Earth, you hit an electromagnetic storm and ended up stuck in the Arctic."

"Then the Eagle Union found you and kept you locked up for experiments. We were going to rescue you, but you went berserk and started attacking everyone."

"When we found the AllSpark, you lost your mind and attacked the Commander. And, well... you got one-shotted."

"???"

The little loli spun a wild tale, causing the other Autobots to twitch their mouths.

Where did she even get this nonsense?!

Rescue Megatron? They came here for the AllSpark!

"?"

Megatron closed his eyes and tried to recall. The general outline did match, so he didn't argue about the details.

"Who was the Autobot that killed me?"

He asked the one thing that had been burning in his mind.

"That would be me."

Setsuna summoned his second form.

The Gundam armor clanked as it stood.

It was a head taller than Megatron and looked down slightly at him.

"!"

Megatron recognized the bizarre mech and frowned.

Their battle had lasted only moments—a one-sided beatdown.

A single super-graviton cannon shot followed by a finishing blow had sent him straight to the scrapyard.

What shocked Megatron more was learning that this powerful armor was piloted by a mere human.

It definitely wasn't Cybertronian.

"..."

His Decepticon instincts screamed at him to fight again, but he restrained himself.

Megatron wasn't a fool. Surrounded by strange mechs and Autobots, picking a fight now would be suicidal.

Besides, he had a sneaking suspicion the two Sirens had done something to him.

Strange code echoed in his mind, and he couldn't summon the will to fight them.

"Long story short, I'm an alien from another world."

The Turn A Gundam stepped forward and stared Megatron down.

"The AllSpark and Transwarp Key are in my possession. The Decepticons and Terrorcons were all defeated by me."

"Considering your faction's strength, I had Observer revive you, hoping you could serve me and Cybertron."

"I will give you power and help you unify and rebuild your world. But you must abandon pointless conflict and end your hostility toward the Autobots and humanity."

Setsuna's voice was deep and commanding.

He figured Megatron was a decent leader. At the very least, he could help with interstellar expansion.

The Decepticons were stronger in battle, and if they could be used, that would be a real asset.

As he spoke, he raised the Gundam's right arm over Megatron's shoulder.

Wmmm... BOOM—!!!

The super-graviton cannon fired.

A dark red beam cut across the sky, slicing off the top of a distant mountain.

"Aren't Decepticons all about power? What do you think of this weapon?"

Setsuna smiled as he asked.

"By the way, all the Autobots have it now. You probably can't even beat Bumblebee anymore."

"Hey~ Ha—"

Bumblebee activated his thrusters, hovered in mid-air, and gave Megatron a rather unfriendly gesture.

It was a challenge to see if he still had what it took.

Thanks to the Brins' upgrades, Bumblebee was bursting with confidence in his combat strength. He was no longer the weak and fragile Autobot.

Now, Bumblebee felt like he could challenge Scourge, Megatron, or any other leader.

"..."

"You're recruiting me?"

Megatron turned his head, glancing at the Autobots.

"You want me to play house with these Autobots and humans? Not happening."

"You'll have different tasks."

Setsuna smiled and projected a star map before him.

"Have you ever considered that the universe spans over ten billion light-years? Your endless war with the Autobots is nothing more than a petty feud on a single planet."

"Beyond this universe lie countless worlds waiting for us to conquer."

"There are primitive civilizations, interstellar superpowers, tech-users, magic-users, and more—some you've seen, some you haven't."

He transmitted data directly into Megatron's mind.

"The Decepticons have spent ages squabbling with the Autobots on Cybertron or fighting humans for scraps..."

"Don't you think your ambitions are a little small?"

"..."

"This is...?!"

Looking at the holographic projection of the massive interdimensional fleet, Megatron was momentarily speechless.

"I'm going to conquer every world I see, make all enemies bow before the Empire."

"You, and all Decepticons, have a greater destiny."

Setsuna spoke slowly.

The Turn A's eyes locked onto Megatron.

"I'm giving you a chance to pursue your glory in the sea of stars."

He had two very different approaches for Autobots and Decepticons...

Autobots were reasonable and peace-loving. With them, he offered cooperation and coexistence.

For the Decepticons—battle maniacs—he gave them new universes to unleash their endless destructive desires.

In a way, Setsuna felt he and Megatron were kindred spirits.

They both liked punching aliens.

And neither showed mercy to enemies.

"!!!"

Megatron froze again.

If Setsuna had demanded he abandon his beliefs or betray his core values, he would have instantly lashed out and chosen to die here.

But the offer... was too tempting.

Conquering other worlds.

Not just a country or a planet, but entire worlds!

To make aliens kneel and tremble before overwhelming might...

It was the ultimate realization of Decepticon philosophy.

Gaining new power?

That was secondary.

Looking at Setsuna, Megatron felt like he had found a kindred soul.

So you're Decepticon too?!

Faced with a leader stronger than himself and sharing the same ideals, Megatron felt thoroughly outclassed.

After a few seconds of thought, he spoke decisively:

"Fine."

"I accept your offer, for now."

"Do your best."

Setsuna, piloting the Turn A, clapped Megatron on the shoulder like a boss giving orders.

"Uh?!"

Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and the other Autobots looked visibly upset.

"Wait a minute!"

"You're telling us to work with Megatron?! You know what the Decepticons have done to us, right?!"

"Sure I do. But people have to move forward."

Setsuna patted Prime on the shoulder too.

"From now on, Autobots will farm on Cybertron, manage internal affairs, and develop cosmic resources. Decepticons will go out to punch people. Perfect division of labor, no?"

"As for Cybertron's depleted resources and environmental collapse—once we finish the FTL ships, I'll send Brins to rebuild everything."

"Energy? That's never been a problem for us."

One of the primary goals of Transformers venturing to other worlds was energy acquisition. And Setsuna had plenty of ways to provide that.

Solving Cybertron's energy crisis would be easy.

"Uh..."

Optimus Prime was still reeling from the shock.

Autobots and Decepticons had fought for eons, and now, due to one alien's intervention, they were magically making peace.

Divine Mechanic. This was divine mechanic intervention.

Setsuna had used overwhelming power to resolve their conflict and even pointed them toward a future.

"..."

Megatron and Optimus, two old enemies, stared at each other for a while.

Well.

They both had to admit, Setsuna's proposal was actually pretty good.

Cybertron might finally be on a new path.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven