Decepticon
The Decepticons are a fictional faction of sentient robots in the Transformers multimedia franchise. Serving as the main antagonists in the franchise, their goals include conquering their fictional homeworld planet Cybertron, defeating the Autobots, and achieving universal domination.
Description
They are depicted as a faction of sentient robotic lifeforms led by Megatron, identified by a purple face-like insignia and red eyes. Capable of transforming into alternate forms, these are often high tech vehicles; including aircraft, military vehicles, heavy equipment, ground combat vehicles, expensive luxury cars, sports cars and even smaller-than-human-sized objects.In the Japanese version of the franchise, the Decepticons are called Destron or Deathtron. The only exception to this naming convention is Car Robots, where the sub-group referred to as "Decepticons" in the Robots in Disguise adaptation, is known in Japan as the Combatrons.
As opposed to the Autobots' Supreme Commander, the Primes, the Decepticons' highest ranking leader is often given the title Emperor of Destruction in Japan. Beginning with the original Generation 1 cartoon, the Decepticon rallying cry has been "Decepticons attack!", as well as "Transform and rise up!" in Transformers: Animated as a play on the Autobots' "Transform and roll out!" rallying cry.
Depictions in media
''Transformers: Generation 1''
The original animated series depicts the Decepticons as a malevolent faction of robots dedicated to the conquest of their home planet, Cybertron. A war that lasted millions of years and soon that drained the planet of energy. The Autobots, the Decepticons' heroic rivals, chose to flee Cybertron in hopes of finding more resources aboard their flagship, the Ark, but were pursued by the Decepticons aboard their own warship, the Nemesis.The two vessels clashed and the Decepticons boarded the Ark. In the ensuing struggle, control over the ship was lost and the Ark crashed on prehistoric Earth. Four million years passed before a tremor in 1984 reactivated the Decepticons, who assumed alternate modes based on Earth vehicles and technology and set out to conquer the planet and plunder its resources.
However, the Autobots were also reactivated and resolved to defend the planet and its inhabitants from the Decepticons' ill intent.
''Transformers: EarthSpark''
Under Megatron, the Decepticons originally fought the war on the ideals of creating a more equal Cybertron. With the war's expansion to Earth, however, Megatron soon came to realize how far his faction had strayed from his original vision and readily joined the Autobots in hopes of ending the conflict. When Megatron seemingly destroyed the AllSpark in the final battle of the war on Earth, the Decepticons found themselves stranded on Earth as the SpaceBridge to Cybertron was destroyed along with it. For his actions, Megatron was falsely branded a traitor by many of his former soldiers, such as Shockwave and Soundwave. Stranded on Earth, the Decepticons were forced to go on the run to evade imprisonment by the secret human organization G.H.O.S.T. and had to resort to stealing Energon.A year after Mandroid's successful defeat and death, a group of Decepticons led by Starscream rebels shortly after the destruction of the Ember Stone. They seek its fragments before the Terrans, the Autobots, the humans, and Megatron can find them. This leads to the creation of the Chaos Terrans and the discovery of some secrets about Witwicky himself; the secret involves a Terran Titan born on Earth named Terratronus, whose body was covered by mounds of rock and earth that would later become the site of Witwicky.
The stakes eventually get higher when the Quintessons get involved and threaten the Maltos, the Autobots, and Earth following the Decepticons' departure from Earth on Prowl's ship, leaving Starscream behind after betraying them.
Back on Cybertron, the Decepticons ally with Hot Rod and a former Prime named Liege Maximo, who was imprisoned long ago. He plans to terraform other planets into Energon sources to recreate Cybertron. After clashing with the Autobots and Malto, they sense the AllSpark, believing it was destroyed by Maximo. Upon learning of his deception, they abandon him.