#transformers trannis

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)