Name: Nighthawk 

Function: Brute force

Title: Lieutenant

Affiliation: Decepticons

Optic color: Red

Species: Cybertronian

Voice claim: Brett Goldstein (specifically Roy Kent from Ted Lasso)

Alt-mode: Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

Weapons: While Nighthawk has a various array of weapons at his disposal, from ion blasters to a built-in flamethrower, he prefers to use brute force as his main source of violent acts. That includes fists, claws, pedes, and practically anything within reach.

Height: 30 ft

Physical appearance: Tall, dark, and dangerous, Nighthawk isn't someone to mess around with. Standing 30 feet tall with tough armor that could rival a Predacon's plating, he nearly reaches Megatron's menacing height of 33 feet. His main color scheme involves shades of black, grey, and white, with the only spot of color on him being his crimson red optics. The four large rotors from his alternate mode fold neatly onto his back, while the smaller ones are split between his forearms and possess the ability to be summoned at will and used as a weapon. While most of his outer frame is smooth and defined, parts like his shoulder plating and helm have been modified to fit his intimidating nature. His fingers are cruel, sharpened daggers similar to that of a seeker's claws—although he would not be considered one of their kind—and can tear through plating and circuitry alike, given the proper force. Lastly, the armor on his broad chassis can withstand the effects of a minor explosive as well as take a few point-blank shots before beginning to deteriorate. Put all of that together and you've got one lean, mean, homicidal killing-machine.

Personality: If you haven't already guessed it based on his physical appearance, Nighthawk is not your typical "ray of sunshine" kind of mech. He's actually the exact opposite, just with feelings. When he's not barking orders or losing himself in homicidal rage on the battlefield, Nighthawk tends to be the silent, stoic type. He will engage in friendly banter with those brave enough to stand within ten feet of him, but will more often than not choose to just stand and listen. Around Megatron, he is fairly formal and respectful. He is well-spoken and has a particular way with words when it comes to getting his point across or pleasing his superiors. However, he isn't afraid to voice his opinion should the warlord make a decision he views as stupid or reckless. He is not cruel to his fellow Decepticons (save for Starscream and few others), believe it or not. He sees them as family despite their differences and respects them. They are the ones watching his back, after all. And finally, he possesses a trait that every creator seems to give their dark and scary OC... a well-hidden sense of compassion. While Autobots are quite literally the bane of his existence due to his past with them, there have been a select few that he allowed to live solely based on the fact that he felt pity for them. If they manage to show him how their situation relates to his situation (as someone who lost their home, belongings, etc), he will most likely spare them. That is the one thing that keeps him off the level of ruthlessness and corruption that Megatron stands upon.

Fears: Despite his "tough guy" facade, Nighthawk harbors fears that no living bot knows of. He fears Unicron (as he should), but he fears Primus as well. He has never been the religious type because of that reason. While he understands that Primus created Cybertron and the life that walks upon it, he fears the Life-Giver's power. A recurring nightmare of his involves the ground opening beneath him like a gaping maw to reveal Primus himself, who is reaching for him with a blazing light that will forever trap him in pain and agony for what he's done in his life.

Family situation: Unknown

Friend situation: He mingles with a lot of Decepticons, but considers none of them to be his true friends (y'know, because they might betray him later on).

Backstory: Nighthawk's life truly began deep within the bowels of the Kaonian Gladiatorial Arena. Fliers were practically non-existent in the profession. Seekers, being the most abundant form of flier, chose to show off their natural-born talent in the skies. That is what set him apart, though. The crowds of Kaon had never seen such raw power from a being meant for the skies.

Nighthawk's career as a gladiator wasn't very rewarding at first. His own kind shunned him for stooping down to wrestle with the grounders in their "mud pits" and grounders relentlessly taunted and teased him at any given chance. He was not well respected despite having won several big battles.

Until a gladiator named Megatronus came along.

Taking on Megatronus (or Megatron, as you all know) was a definite turning point in his life. Not only did he become the first flier to best him in combat, he also proved that he could fight an opponent twice his skill level and live. Impressed by his prowess, Megatronus sought to become friends with Nighthawk, who would later help him get his revolutionary movement going.

Fast forward several years. War has consumed Cybertron, with two distinct factions tearing each other apart. Nighthawk easily climbed the ranks of the Decepticons, eventually becoming Megatron's right-hand lieutenant. His ferocity and cunning in battle won them plenty of crucial conflicts. His success thus earned him the respect he craved, as well as guaranteed protection from lower-ranked cons who wished to act on their jealousy.

But it was not all smooth sailing. As the Autobots regrouped and pushed back, the Decepticons started losing ground. In a last ditch attempt to maintain control over an important mining facility, Megatron sent Nighthawk, along with some foot soldiers, to deal with the Autobots. However, rumors of Nighthawk's violent acts had spread far and wide. The Autobots knew how dangerous he was and sought to capture him.

And he walked straight into their trap.

Now locked away in solitary confinement, it seemed as if his killing days were over. Megatron could not send anyone to rescue him because he had no idea where the Autobots were holding him. So, Nighthawk sat for eight long years, calmly biding his time.

Finally, on the quietest day of the war, Nighthawk's patience paid off. Decepticon scouts had managed to discover the location of the facility and brought reinforcements to storm it. While they created chaos on the higher levels—with unsuspecting guards still going about their duties down below—Nighthawk seized his chance to escape. He took out the two guards by his cell after distracting them and simply walked out, leaving a bloody mess in his wake.

Since then, the Autobots have yet to attempt a recapture.

Motto: "Never conquered, always feared."

Theme song: "For the Glory" by All Good Things

Interesting facts:

- Nighthawk was—and still is—a bookworm. He also enjoys writing short stories. His stories mainly have to do with the time he spent in the arena.

- He originally wanted to become an explorer.

- He was a slave before he got into the gladiator business in an attempt to win his freedom.

- Contrary to popular belief, he is not a "big dumb oaf". His size has nothing to do with his intellect.

- He is surprisingly clean and very polite (unless you are his enemy).

- He can sing fairly well, often joining in on "Decepticon karaoke night" when Megatron isn't around.

- Yes, he has fangs. And yes, he will bite you without hesitation.

- His alt-mode isn't meant for fast-paced aerial combat. While he can fly fairly fast, it's no match compared to someone like Starscream, which is why he typically sticks to ground attacks. Occasionally, he'll attack the enemy from above before landing on the battlefield to continue his assault.

- His favorite places to be rubbed are his helm and between his rotors. He finds it very relaxing (though he would only let you do it if he had extreme trust in you). 

- Despite his dominant attitude, he isn't very dominant when it comes to affection. He prefers to be showered with affection rather than himself being the one to do so, mainly because he isn't quite sure how to show it.

- He wouldn't hook up with anyone just for the hell of it. You'd be pretty special if he chose you as his "chosen one".

- Similar to seeker wings, his rotors communicate whatever he's feeling at the moment. He can also chirp as another form of communication as well as purr like a cat when pleased. His favorite thing to do is growling, though.

- And finally, his sleeping positions range from curled up cat-style to taking up the entire berth because he's just that big.

Quotes:

"One struggle, one people, one destiny. We are one and the same."

"Our people are well versed in the art of war. What about peace? Isn't that what we've been fighting for the entire time?"

"We were prisoners of a corrupted society, and prisoners can only take so much abuse until they finally snap."

"In what delusional world of yours is that considered freedom?"

"Time to die."

"Enough politics. I'm ready to crunch some metal."

"How cute."

"You are no peacekeepers. You're just pretenders. Pretenders who are trying to convince people that they are the ones being oppressed."