Decepticons

''"The name was meant to demonize us, instead we took it as a badge of honor. For if speaking the truth alone is deception... then we are gladly guilty!" ''—Megatron's description of the Decepticons

The Decepticons are a group of Cybertronian warriors whose original goal was to get rid of the Caste system on Cybertron and return to the empire-building, space faring ways of their ancestors. Originally, they were commanded by Megatron.

The name "Decepticon" came from pre-war propaganda by the High Council that labelled them as liars and thieves. Instead, they took the name as a badge of honor. In their minds, they'd be gladly guilty for speaking truth (which others viewed as deception). In the Great War, they were opposed by the Autobots. Occasionally, both sides would put aside their differences for mutual threats only to resume fighting later on, such as when they joined forces to thwart Megatronus' scheme to destroy Earth and Cybertron. On Earth, the Decepticons suffered a brutal defeat when Megatron was defeated by Optimus at Autobot City, later enabling Starscream to dethrone Megatron and force him into exile. During this time, the Decepticons fell under Starscream's command and continued the War against the Autobots. While most Decepticons were loyal to their new master, other Decepticons such as Soundwave and Slipstream refused to follow him. When Megatron resurfaced in Autobot custody, orders were sent out to his loyalists to stand down and give up on a "flawed philosophy." With Megatron's declaration that the Decepticons were over, those who defied Megatron's final commands would become Starscream's Legion, consisting of those who refused to stop being Decepticons.