Hi all! Good news: I’ve just broken the drought and published my first fan fic in over 6 months! Yay! As of right now, you can read and enjoy Rise of the Decepticons Episode 6: The Journey Into Vector Sigma Part 1. However, there’s no resting on laurels for me as there’s soooo much more I want to write! Okay, gotta go!
Useless trivia: I’ve just archived half a million words on FanFiction.net haha. Wooohooo! 😀
Hello to everyone who has been waiting for an update on a story, or who is checking in for a status update. So, good news and not-so-good news. The not-so-good news is that I have had to take a break from writing for two reasons; first, I’ve had to attend to some real life matters and second, the flow or energy channel, so to speak, has not been readily available to me as it normally is. However, the good news is that that does not mean that I have stopped writing. On the contrary, I plan to return to a regular schedule as soon as possible. Hopefully very soon.
On an unrelated note, Before We Were Famous is on hiatus until further notice.
Alt mode: Combiner, space shuttle: +5
Strength: +6
Intelligence: +7
Agility/Speed: +8
Endurance: +7
Courage: +7
Skill: +7
Total Skills Points: +60
Weapons:
Laser blaster: 15 uses available. +3
Special weapon: X-ray laser: 5 uses available. +10
Battle Stats:
Total Armor Class (12 + class bonus + armor bonus): 13
Attack Power (Skill + Speed): 15
Maximum (Start) Evasive Manoeuvres: 4
Class Feats (Transport):
Blast Off is a Combaticon, and combines with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus (right arm). Blast Off is a deep thinker as well as empath, though he does not outwardly demonstrate this easily. A complex character, he does enjoy quiet time pondering life’s great questions, though he is happiest when he can share his philosophical view points with others, particularly Onslaught, who shares similar interests. Blast Off possesses a powerful shuttle mode that makes him a formidable opponent in space.
Blast Off and the Combaticons first joined the Decepticons when they helped Starscream and his trine rescue Megatron from the cell block in Iacon’s Command Center, where they were also being held as prisoners. Blast Off’s early and pre-war experiences taught him that most mechs did not share his philosophy in life: to strive to live according to higher ideals. Many had proved themselves to be highly untrustworthy, and even manipulative – something which caused him to alienate himself from the populace at large. The only mechs he could completely trust were his fellow Combaticons. After joining the Decepticons, Blast Off discovered a larger circle of friends with whom he could share his deepest thoughts and feelings.
“You can see the bigger picture from above.”
Alt mode: Combiner, tank: +5
Strength: +8
Intelligence: +6
Agility/Speed: +4
Endurance: +8
Courage: +8
Skill: +7
Total Skills Points: +60
Weapons:
Special weapon: Electron gun: 10 uses available. +7
Special weapon: Twin sonic cannon: 10 uses available. +7
Battle Stats:
Total Armor Class (12 + class bonus + armor bonus): 14
Attack Power (Skill + Speed): 11
Maximum (Start) Evasive Manoeuvres: 3
Class Feats (Warrior):
Brawl is a Combaticon, and combines with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus (left leg). Brawl’s penchant for jumping into the middle of a battle without hesitation, all guns blazing, has earned him a reputation for being loud, violent and quick-tempered. His preference for blowing things up, combined with his impressive strength and his resistance to most forms of artillery, makes him a highly effective and dangerous ground assault warrior. However, among friends he is as loyal and compassionate as he is tough, and surprisingly he can also be an excellent listener.
Brawl and the Combaticons first joined the Decepticons when they helped Starscream and his trine rescue Megatron from the cell block in Iacon’s Command Center, where they were also being held as prisoners. Brawl’s strong physical build and battle-ready instincts have helped his fellow Combaticons fight their way out of many precarious situations, though since joining the Decepticons he has put his talents to use fighting for higher ideals.
“Forged for battle, built to win.”
Oooooooookaaaay… and Chapter 18 of Heroes is up! Whew. Thank you to all the readers who continue to show an interest in this story. It is far from being completed, so there’s still a lot more to happen and look forward to. At the risk of sounding cliché, if you have any comments, questions, criticisms, or words of encouragement, even if it’s just a single word, please don’t be shy to leave a review, or send me an email or private message. I welcome all honest feedback, mainly because it helps me know how the story is going and how much interest in it there is out there.
Alright, now, so what do I have planned? The next chapter of Before We Were Famous needs to be completed, so that’ll be next. Oh, and I might also add another art work on DeviantArt, and post some more stuff on my blog. What else… I’m working on a T.C.-centered one shot which I think you will find to be a little on the unusual side? Though enjoyable nonetheless, I hope. Then there’s the next episode of the Rise of the Decepticons series, as well as the beginning of a collection of ficlets based upon each Heroic Decepticon’s motto. Until then, however, I hope you enjoy Heroes: Chapter 18.
Just a heads up to let everyone know that I am in the process of going through my published stories, one by one, and updating them as needed. If you see a note at the top, something like this: *Revised 09/07/2019* it means that the story has been updated. Revisions may include:
Alt mode: Combiner, helicopter: +5
Strength: +7
Intelligence: +9
Agility/Speed: +5
Endurance: +7
Courage: +7
Skill: +8
Total Skills Points: +60
Weapons:
Special weapon: Semi-automatic glue gun: 10 uses available. +5
Cannon: 10 rounds available. +7
Battle Stats:
Total Armor Class (12 + class bonus + armor bonus): 14
Attack Power (Skill + Speed): 13
Maximum (Start) Evasive Manoeuvres: 5
Class Feats (Infiltrator):
Class Feats (Warrior):
Vortex is a Combaticon, and combines with his fellow Combaticons to form Bruticus (left arm). Vortex is highly intelligent and skilled in the art of interrogation, with a knack for uncovering the true motivations and mental states of his subjects. A little eccentric, yet also high-spirited, Vortex enjoys finding out what makes others tick – a very useful skill when dealing with the enemy, as he’ll often use their own weaknesses against them, and will also employ various tactics to influence them into giving up any secret. Often times, the enemy isn’t even aware of what is going on until it is too late! By the same token, he can use his special talents to help his fellow Decepticons deal with their own doubts or insecurities by revealing to them the psychological basis for their problems and then offering them pertinent advice.
Vortex and the Combaticons first joined the Decepticons when they helped Starscream and his trine rescue Megatron from the cell block in Iacon’s Command Center, where they were also being held as prisoners. Vortex’s willingness to experience life on the wilder side has landed him and his team mates in trouble on a number of occasions – that is, until they joined the Decepticons, where he was finally able to channel his high energy and naturally inquisitive mind into more constructive pursuits, such as helping the Decepticon cause.
“Don’t let the enemy know you better than you know yourself.”
1. How are the Heroic Decepticons heroic?
Admittedly, the term “Heroic” here is a bit of a misnomer, in that it’s a very general description of who or what the Heroic Decepticons are, primarily to distinguish them from the canonical Decepticons. Far from the cliche, the kind of heroism we’re talking about is the truest kind. The entire premise for the Decepticon cause – it’s whole reason for being – is that it is founded upon integrity and honor, and thus must always reflect these highest values, whether expressed through an individual’s actions or the group’s actions. It’s all about personal integrity, which in turn translates to an inner heroism – and that’s what Heroic Decepticons are all about – something which is virtually non-existent in the canon – but which is the primary reason for Heroic Decepticons fan fiction.
Other than the character traits pointed out above – those of integrity and honor – the Heroic Decepticons are heroic in many different ways. For example, they genuinely care for one another, and are completely loyal and show a deep level of trust – not only to one another but also to their cause. Also, whether individually or as a group, their purpose is always based upon the highest values. Oh, and yes, sometimes they do the “hero” thing and save those in need, but it’s never contrived. More importantly, their heroism is a natural reflection of who they are, which in turn dictates what they do.
3. Are they heroic in the same way that people generally consider the Autobots to be heroic?
Well, in all honesty… no, not really. But again, refer to my answer above; it’s not so much that they can’t or won’t do what the Autobots do (being the “good guys”), it’s more that they don’t like to be typecast in that way. Again, it’s all about being true to oneself – that thing called integrity – and sharing their high ideals with others of the same ilk, rather than fitting into a limiting mold that compels them to become like Superman.
4. Is the alignment of the two factions reversed, and the Autobots are now evil?
No. Compared to canon, the alignment of a key group of Decepticons loyal to Megatron is flipped from evil to good. In addition, the alignment of several canonical “Decepticons” (in name only) remains unchanged. The Autobots’ alignment remains unchanged. It’s not a mirror verse, or Shattered Glass.
5. Does making Decepticons heroic mean that they lose that certain strength or toughness that is normally associated with being a Decepticon?
Nope. The characters have retained their Decepticon appeal. In other words, they haven’t become Autobots – and never will be.
One of the most blatantly abused and often misrepresented characters in the entirety of the Transformers fandom is Starscream (the other is Megatron, but I will discuss him in a separate blog post). In the canon, Starscream is never anything but treacherous, arrogant, manipulative, selfish, egotistical, and self-centered. How can he be anything else? Well, he can be, and is. Allow me to introduce you to Heroic Decepticon Starscream.
So, who is Starscream? Well, he is certainly ambitious, yes. But is he a traitor? No, absolutely not. Is he arrogant, egotistical and self-centered? Again, no, although he is passionate, strong-willed, up-front, and stands up for what he believes in. Most people (or mechs) probably would not tolerate his straightforward, don’t-care-what-you-think manner, and may even find him abrasive or intimidating. But that is precisely the reason why he is Air Commander, and second-in-command of the Decepticons. I want to be absolutely clear here; he’s no pansy, and he is definitely no weakling. He does not tolerate victim-ness, or cowardice, or abuse. He is quite the opposite, in fact, to the way that canon portrays him, or most fan fiction writes him.
Starscream is a magnanimous character. He is one of those truly great characters, who possesses a larger-than-life persona and a very strong personality. Intelligent, skilled, fast – yes, he’s all those things, too – but there is also a strong sense of royal-ness about him, both in a spiritual and a symbolic sense (remember the coronation – you think that’s just a coincidence?). And I think that is the real reason why he’s such a controversial character who finds himself perpetually in the spotlight (and either much adored or much despised). He can’t help but reappear again and again and again, no matter how many times the official authors or the fandom attempts to kill him off for good, or permanently replace him (immortal spark – not just another coincidence). They can’t get rid of him that easily – he’s simply too strong and plays too much of an important role.
What about the relationship between Starscream and the rest of the Decepticons; in particular, Megatron? Well, again, I don’t agree with the canon. Watching the early G1 cartoon episodes, it’s blatantly obvious to me that the attempt to portray Starscream and Megatron in a constant power play against one other is very contrived. The spoken lines and motivations presented in those early episodes, in which they endeavor to establish rivalry between the two, just feels forced and unnatural. But it’s difficult to suggest the true nature of their relationship without first delving into Megatron’s character as well, so for now, I’ll just say that as Heroic Decepticons, no such rivalrous relationship exists. Instead, we have two very different, yet two very powerful characters in their own right coming together in a common cause that forms the basis of an extremely strong and loyal bond of friendship between them. Prequel: Origins in the Rise of the Decepticons series delves into their individual backgrounds a little bit and shows how the two of them both played an equally important role in bringing about the rise of the new Decepticon faction, out of necessity but also a mutual desire to conquer their enemies and assert their fundamental freedoms as Cybertronians. Here, Megatron is Starscream’s long-time mentor, but is also a most loyal and trustworthy friend who is willing to do whatever it takes to assure the ambitious seeker’s safety and well-being. Very different to the canon, I know, but I feel that a friendship built upon loyalty and trust is a far better representation of the true nature of their relationship.
Another manufactured aspect of Starscream’s character that the official material loves to repeatedly present to us is that he is incompetent. In almost every episode he appears in, he fails in one way or another, or is shown to work against Megatron or the other Decepticons, indulging in some selfish plot or another that ultimately backfires. In fan fiction, his portrayal tends to be even worse, because in fan fiction, his incompetence is allowed to extend into personal relationships and all sorts of other (questionable) grey areas that are never touched upon in the official stories. I struggle to find a story that depicts him as the strong, competent, and highly intelligent Decepticon Air Commander that he actually is.
Starscream’s natural leadership and stubborn determination are exemplified in Trouble in Paradise, where he plays a crucial role in helping the Decepticons earn the Paridisians’ trust. In most Heroic Decepticon stories that Starscream appears in, he is cast in a leading role. Even in Heroes, his personality can’t be diminished nor can his spirit be dampened, no matter the situation he finds himself in or the trials he must undergo. These character traits are once again highlighted and placed under the spotlight in Last Mech Standing, a fast-paced psychological thriller in which Starscream is forced to deal with a situation that requires all of his courage, skill and heroism if he is to save himself and his friend from certain death.
His relationship with the other Decepticons, particularly his trine mates, is another point that leaves a bad taste for me when it comes to his public portrayal. It is the basis of one of the major differences between the canon character and the Heroic Decepticon Starscream: the issue of loyalty. Starscream is completely loyal, not only to the Decepticon cause but also to his Decepticon companions. He would never entertain the idea of usurping Megatron, or of betraying his wing mates. Thundercracker and Skywarp are not just fellow seekers, they are like brothers to him.
And what about that thing with Skyfire that many fans can’t seem to lay to rest? Once again, however, we can thank canon for encouraging the ridiculous notion that Starscream has some sort of intimate relationship with, or deep feelings for, Skyfire. It’s just a terrible idea that doesn’t make sense. In the Heroic Decepticons main timeline, Skyfire does appear as a fellow scientist who worked at the same research facility that Starscream did, and yes, they were even amicable towards one another. Eventually, however, many vorns later after countless battles are fought on many fronts, Skyfire is just another Autobot who is wary of all Decepticons by the time they arrive on Earth with the rest of the Ark crew (unlike canon, Skyfire is not found trapped under the ice after eons), and for him, Starscream is no exception (as hinted at in Last Stop Station).
In terms of his physical appearance and sound of his voice, Heroic Decepticon Starscream is identical to the G1 version.
Hello everyone. So, I’ve finished another one-shot called Last Mech Standing, and I am posting a chapter a day until all 8 chapters are up. I wrote it in the span of a few days, while I was halfway through writing Episode 5 of Rise of the Decepticons: Imbalance of Power, which I am going back to finish now.
The idea for Last Mech Standing, if you want to know, was distracting me so I had to get it out of my head. It goes something like this: what would happen if we were to take two diametrically different characters (Starscream and Scavenger) and put them in a situation together… that forced them to play a deadly game… against a bunch of other strange or dangerous characters… and with no obvious way of escape… in a race against time? How would the two Heroic Decepticons deal with such a situation?
I originally intended for it to be more of a horror, but it didn’t turn out quite that way. Still, it contains plenty of violence and psychotic characters doing psychotic things. Essentially, it’s a psychological thriller, and yes, it is the darkest fic I have written thus far. But please don’t worry if it isn’t your thing – it doesn’t mean that my writing style has changed or become darker or anything like that. I’m still perfectly capable of writing fluffier stuff. I just felt like taking a temporary detour, and delving into something a bit more “adult”. As a fan fiction writer, I like to explore all genres and experiment with different themes and styles. However, if you would like me to write more horror/thrillers for the Heroic Decepticons, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Oh, and besides, who doesn’t want to hear Starscream use the f word and other human expletives freely? Well, I think it’s fun to let him swear, anyway. 😀
On the opposite end of the scale, Imbalance of Power is an important episode in helping to establish some of the reasons behind much of the events that will occur in later episodes and series for the Heroic Decepticons. In particular, it provides some essential groundwork for the basis of the wars that will be fought against the Autobots later on, including the Great Wars that will take place after the series Rise of the Decepticons ends. This episode offers a number of important insights into the political and economic climate of the time and correlates the seemingly unrelated energy crisis and resulting planet-wide shutdown with the imbalance of power and corruption that exists among Cybertron’s ruling elite. It is due to be published sometime next week, so look out for it and don’t forget to let me know what you all think.
Crystine's Transformers Fan Fiction 