Transformers: Mercy shows the best and the worst of both the Autobots and the Decepticons. Some characters are purely horrible while others have justifiable reasons for their actions. The messiness exists to show why the War has gone on for so long and why making peace is still difficult.

These are key characters in the Space Adventure storyline!

Obsidian: (Image by @artificial-absinthe )

"I speak on behalf of the damned nameless sparks from Blaster City to Kaon who were never shown love, but were sent to die as children! How dare you call Decepticons evil and place them on trial, when you made them what they are!"

Krok: (Image by @captian-nemesis )

"You hear only of the most gruesome deeds of the worst of us. You label us the same as though we lack individuality, as though we don’t have sparks or friends of our own to lose."

Black Shadow: (Image by @beyo-archives-and-shtuff )

"I hate the Autobots. They think they’re model Cybertronians, so kindhearted and morally superior. But they started this War. They had been hurting Decepticons from the start and couldn't take their due punishment. When we treat them the same way they treated us, suddenly we're the monsters?"

Overlord: (Image left by @darija-morgan, image right by @elaiz)

"But back then, I looked different. They judged me because I didn’t fit their image of an amicable, beautiful Cybertronian. I didn’t have optics as blue as energon or metal as bright as the sun. I was the darkness of the universe with the optics of Unicron. I think I was beautiful then, just in a way no one appreciated because of their standards and beliefs… because my body felt normal to me. There was nothing wrong with me."

Strika: (Image by @artificial-absinthe )

"No one liked Starscream. He was tolerated."

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Haha ok, Strika hasn't gotten to rip the Autobots a new one yet. Obsidian was the one to rant in their trial. She'll get more screentime in the fourth storyline though!

Sixshot became very lax out of all the generals and lowkey started to like Star Saber whom he was meant to fight. So he doesn't provide the raw Decepticon rage!

I think to do it you might have to lose the "divine first creations of Primus" origin

Like that works for when the 13 are just backstory to present day characters, but when the 13 are the focal characters, I would go with the idea of the 13 being normal (but powerful, maybe even later being rebuilt/empowered by Primus) bots who are leaders of various states/tribes/clans/nations/kingdoms/bands/gangs/factions of Cybertron, and the focus being on unifying Cybertron against a common enemy

Specifically it is the bot who will become Prima who is charged by Primus to unify Cybertron (I picture it in a very Moses speaks to God in Prince of Egypt type way)

And as for villain, rather than going with Unicron or the quintessons, I'd like to make a lore deep cut

See I feel those to are too obvious as big bad especially if the story is about bringing Cybertron together, they're both big obvious otherworldly threats, a story about unifying Cybertron needs a more subtle threat, something that doesn't immediately and urgently force the Cybertronians to drop all their feuds and unite

I think our villain, in a sort of sauron esque role, should be Trannis, the ancient Decepticon leader from 5 faces of darkness

And maybe have Megatronus initially be a warrior servant of Trannis, but Prima's kindness and mercy leads him to switch sides

Liege Maximo on the other hand will be initially a servant/ally of Trannis only to betray him when he sees the winds blowing in Prima's favor (which also serves to hint at his own future manipulations of and betrayal of the Primes)

Strika: *Concerned but impressed*

Obsidian: “But you don’t understand! To die by thigh…IS THE WAY OF A WARRIOR!” *Proceeds to squeeze his helm with giant thighs*

Lugnut: *Waiting impatiently* “Obsidian move aside you’ve been there long enough.”

Obsidian: “YOU SHUT UP AND WAIT YOUR DAMN TURN! THERES ONLY ONE PAIR OF THUNDER THIGHS HERE AND IM NOT MOVING UNTIL IM IN STASIS LOCK.”

Transformers: Cybertron chronicles: Obsidian

Name: Obsidian Gender: Male Species: Cybertronian Status: Online Faction: Decepticons

Sometimes, as an old fart Transformer fan, I remember that Strika had a different Conjunx Endura before Lugnut was invented. His name was Obsidian and he was dignified and brilliant.

Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Lugnut, he’s entertaining and his endless love, admiration and loyalty to his Wifey are all commendable qualities, but sometimes I miss and feel sorry for Obsidian being majority forgotten by the fandom.

He too was a great spouse for Strika, just as devoted and respectful towards her and her abilities. They were true equals as well as life-partners.

Personally, I think they’d make a fantastic thruple! The dynamic would be epic, all three of them a powerhouse on the battlefield and an inspiration to others as a family unit. They’re enemies trembling at the very thought of facing their teamwork, their compatriots sighing in envy of their relationship “I want that someday!”

And all three are devoted to Cybertron’s well-being and future. Obsidian even says in Beast Machines that his loyalty is to Cybertron and it’s citizens, whatever is best for the planet and it inhabitants is who he will follow, and he had come to the conclusion that that was Megatron (of that series). So in a way, he and Lugnut already have a lot in common but are different enough that they could work so well as both comrades and spouses.

In addition to this, David Kaye, is the voice actor for Beast Wars/Beast Machines Megatron, and he’s the actor for Transformers Animated Lugnut. I just find this a delightful Easter Egg for fans of both series since Obsidian found the first of these two characters a worthy leader.

Strika could have two hubbies! She should have two hubbies! Motion carried, head canon accepted, meeting adjured.