Beast Wars Prime

by rukatofan89

Summary:

After the Battle for the Omega Lock goes awry, Jack Miko and Raf are experimented on. Turned into techno-organics and ordered by Vector Sigma to aide the Autobots in their comming battles they and their allies will learn the true meaning of the words 'I AM TRANSFORMED.'

Notes:

Hello, this is my first time posting on this site and this is the first story I've written in a very long time. I already have it posted on ff.net to reasonably good reviews. Hopefully I can find just as good an audience here. That said, please enjoy.

Chapter 1: Small Beginings

Disclaimer: I do not own The Transformers in any way, shape, form, or iteration. All characters are copyright of their respective companies and are used without consent at no profit to myself.

Thought seemed to come slowly to one Jackson "Jack" Darby as he began to awaken. He tried to collect his thoughts, last he knew he and his two best friends Miko Nakadai, and Rafael Esquivel had been kidnaped by the Decepticons to use as hostages. For what he had no Idea, ever since a near miss with Smokescreen none of them had heard anything from any of the Autobots. After being exchanged for the relics the Autobots had collected Megatron had activated the Omega lock to both restore Cybertron and, as they learned, cyberform the earth.

His eyes began to open as he recalled the skirmish to stop the process ended with the lock being destroyed by Optimus Prime, the bots escaping, and the kids. "Ah, awake, are we?" Came the voice of the Decepticon Medic Knockout. Jack's eyes shot open as he sat bolt upright. Two things became chillingly clear the moment he did. First, he was now in a large glass-like tube in the mad doctor's lab. Second, with a chill he realized he was naked. He moved to cover himself as the Knockout laughed. "Now now, no need to be bashful, after all I am a doctor."

A low moan to his right caused him to turn his head. Almost immediately he turned it back as he realized the naked form of Miko was in a similar container next to him. He looked to his left and saw Raf had been given the same treatment and was in another glass tube. He turned back to the red Decepticon with a glare and red face. "Alright what do you want with us now, and where are the Autobots?"

"Your friends, the Autobots, are no more." Came the low growling voice of Megatron as he walked into the lab. Jack was happy to note that the unusual forearm he had before was gone, leaving his arm severed at the elbow. "After our efforts to cyberform your planet failed we launched an immediate attack on their base." He turned as Knockout pulled up an image of a familiar mesa being blasted to pieces onto a monitor. "My Vehicons are still searching the wreckage but I'm sure we'll have the bodies soon enough, we already managed to capture one Autobot alive anyway." The screen changed to show an image of the Wrecker Wheeljack suspended by his wrists in a cell.

"Well, that's what you think." Yelled Miko who had fully awakened, covering herself as best she could. Jack stole a glimpse at her, focusing on her lightly blushing face. He had to admit he admired her courage in these kinds of situations, and she did look pretty with her hair down. He shook himself slightly, where did that thought come from? He then looked again at Raf who was curled up in a ball in the back of his tube watching the exchange. "I bet they got out before you even fired."

"We shall see." Megatron growled back.

"As to why you are here," Knockout replied. "Well, simply put you will be the subjects of a bold new experiment, and I couldn't have any" He paused "contaminates in the testing area." Knockout continued, indicating their state of undress. "During this war on your planet our number of troops has diminished. After seeing what the Omega lock did to your planet, I got to wondering, what would happen if I tried to use a similar process on humans?"

Megatron grinned. "Yes, we were able to cyberform a small portion of the area surrounding the Autobot's base, we are now calling it Darkmount." He leaned down to glower at the three, causing them to shudder. "From there we will begin our conquest of this pitiful planet until the Omega lock is repaired and it can be cyberformed properly." He straitened back up. "And what better test subjects than the Autobot's human pets to lead the first assault."

"Now now lord Megatron," Interrupted Knockout. "This is just the first experiment. If they do survive the process, I doubt they'd survive the "research" afterwards." He finished with a sickening grin at the thought of dissection.

Megatron Sighed. "Very well, I'm curious to see if we can make anything useful out of this planets' fleshlings."

Knockout grinned. "Well using raw cybermater and the Enigma of Combination should have very interesting results on them either way." The three teens felt sick to their stomachs hearing this discussed.

Megatron nodded. "However, before you begin your experiments, I need you to reattach my proper arm." He said indicating his severed limb. Knockout contemplated the job asked of him and nodded. "It'll take about half a cycle."

Megatron glared at the Medic. "The prime arm was ripped off you, that's a lot of pathways to repair and reconnect and that's not counting your fusion cannon." He turned back to his captives. "Make yourselves comfortable, this could be your last moments alive." He smirked and led Megatron away for surgery.

"Alright, now's our chance to bust out of here." Miko whispered, backing to the edge of her tube. She ran at full speed, ramming her shoulder into the glass. The glass bowed a bit before righting itself, Miko was bounced back landing on her back. Jack turned away to spare her any additional embarrassment, only to see that Raf was still curled up in his cell. He walked over to him leaving Miko to her attempts. He knelt next to Raf, only now noticing that his glasses were gone too.

"Hey," Jack began "we'll be okay."

Raf turned to look at him, tears in his eyes. "How, for all we know Bumblebee and the others are dead and-" Jack cut him off. "We don't know anything for sure Raf." He tried to put a hand on the other boy's shoulder, but the glass stopped him. "I think Miko was right, and that they groundbridged out before the base was destroyed."

A series of thuds drew their attention. Turning their heads, they saw Miko repeatedly kicking the glass. It would flex a bit with each blow but not break. "Got, to be, a way, out." She panted.

Raf and Jack started looking at the floor and ceiling, respectively. Both to check for any weakness they could exploit, and to keep from staring. "Miko, the only thing even close to a way out is some kind of hole in the ceiling, and from what I can see it's connected to a pipe that leads out of the lab." Jack said noting said hole in each cell some twenty feet above them. They couldn't get out that way.

Miko turned to look at them. "Alright then, the tubes seem to be touching, if I kick one way and Jack the other, we might break at least one of them." She noticed they were still averting their gaze and frowned. "Guys this is big, our modesty kind of has to take a back seat here." She crossed her arms beneath her chest and looked down to her side. "Not like I wasn't checking Jack out either." She muttered with a blush causing Jack to blush also.

Raf giggled a bit. "Moot point for me anyway Miko, I'm near sighted and don't have my glasses." Miko looked concerned at Raf but didn't comment.

"Alright Jack," She started backing up, Jack doing likewise, no longer caring about modesty if it meant escaping. "Ready, set, GO." She yelled both taking off at full speed to where their tubes met. They each delivered a kick within a foot of each other that sent them flying backwards.

"You two, okay?" Raf called finally standing upright. Twin groans answered him, time to think of another plan.

Jack sat up rubbing the back of his head as Raf sighed. "I don't know how we're going to get out of this one." There was a heavy silence in the air as that statement sunk in. Miko sat back down with her back to the boys.

Jack took a deep breath. "I'm sure the bots will find a way to rescue us, or maybe Wheeljack will get loose and give us and opening to escape." The second half of that sentence came out barely above a whisper.

Several moments of silence stretched on before Raf spoke again. "Can I be honest about something?" Both teens perked up at the question. "Despite this probably being how I die; I wouldn't change any of it." Both teens tried to sputter a denial about dying but Raf cut them off. "Even if they survived, I don't know how they'd reach us, and with no way out of these cells this is looking like the end." Since he couldn't see Miko he looked Jack in the eye. "In my family I may be the youngest, but I'm also mostly ignored." Both teens nodded, Raf had hinted at that before. "Then I met you two, Bumblebee, and the Autobots, and almost immediately I felt like I mattered."

This statement hung in the air a few moments. The other two teens thought about their situation. If they couldn't say all their goodbye's, at least they could make sure nothing was left unsaid between the three of them. Jack knelt next to Raf again. "Raf," Jack started out. "you're probably the closest thing I have to a brother." He took a deep breath. "I know my mom wanted to have more than one kid," He winced a bit at the thought that he might not get to see his mother again. "When I was about five or six, my dad walked out on us." Jack gave heavy sigh. "After that I just tried to fill the gap, make things easier for mom." He looked at Raf. "But ultimately, if I did have a little brother, I'd hope he'd be sweet and kind, like you are." Raf blushed at the praise and nodded towards Miko.

Jack walked over to Miko's cell and took a breath, but Miko looked Jack in the eye and beat him to the punch. "Jack, I love you." Jack's expression morphed to one of shock as a quiet "finally" came from Raf's cell. Miko plowed on. "When we first met the bots. I thought you were just a boring 'Average Joe'. Jack went to cut her off, but Miko plowed through. "Then, after a while, I saw through that. You're a sensible, caring guy who hates seeing those he cares about hurt." She took a shuddering breath.

Jack was stunned. He looked at Miko's red face. "Why didn't you say anything."

Miko put her hands on her hips and glared a bit. "Why do you think I would pull half the things I did?" She asked angrily. "I was trying to get your attention." She took a breath. "Half the times you followed me through the groundbridge I'd hoped I could break away with you and tell you, but I kept chickening out." Jack looked down, thinking about those incidents in a new light.

But Miko wasn't done. "It didn't help that half time we hung out at school you brought up Sierra." Jack felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He hadn't known about Miko's feelings for him and was inadvertently hurting her by bringing up his unrequited feelings for Sierra. To be honest he'd been thinking about how a relationship with her could work, and ultimately, he knew it wouldn't. Not with all the craziness surrounding their adventures with the Autobots.

Jack took a breath and steeled himself. Miko closed her eyes and expected the worst. "To be honest Miko I stopped considering Sierra for a while now." Miko's eyes shot open in surprise. "I finally realized a while ago that if I tried to date her, I'd have to keep a lot of secrets from her, and I know that those kinds of secrets would kill a relationship pretty quick."

He took in another breath, in for a penny, in for a pound. "To be honest I've had my eye on a certain petit gung-ho wrecker lately." Miko's breath caught in her chest, did she dare hope? Jack put his hands against the glass, Miko copying the gesture. The two locked eyes. "Miko, I love you too, and if we get out of this, I WILL make up for how much I've hurt you."

Miko put her head against the glass, a tear going down her face. "Looking forward to It Jackrabbit."

The moment was broken. "Thank you." Raf said holding his hands up. Jack and Miko Jumped, they'd forgotten he was there for a moment and heard everything. "You two have been dancing around each other for weeks now. I thought we'd have to resort to the old 'shove them in a closet' trick to help you two get your act together."

A few moments passed before a giggle broke the air. Another second, and the giggles turned to outright laughter as Miko sank to the floor of her cell, Jack following suit behind her. "We have been idiots." Jack gasped between laughs.

The trio of teens calmed down a bit before Miko called over to Raf. "Thanks half pint."

Raf replied with a dull "Ha ha."

A dull series of footfalls brought them back to stark reality. "I'm fine for now Knockout." Megatron's voice growled. "You can reconnect my cannon later, and we both want to see this experiment to fruition." The door to the lab opened, admitting the two Decepticons. "

I don't like leaving my work unfinished." Knockout muttered.

"Well then, let's start this experiment, I don't want to leave Starscream in command of Darkmount longer than I have to." Megatron replied. "Is the Enigma ready to be tapped?"

Knockout gave a nod. "I just need to throw the switch after I administer the cyber matter." He connected a cable to device holding something that looked like the Matrix of Leadership, only instead of blue the light was a magenta, and instead of handles it had four triangles on it that gave the appearance of two bigger ones.

"Once I do the Cyber matter should bond with the Deoxy variant of their cybernucleic acid, giving us the basis of a hybrid, and potential temporary soldiers." Knockout Concluded.

"Excellent," He turned and smiled at the three humans. "don't worry, what doesn't kill you will only make the Decepticons stronger. You may begin Knockout."

With a grin Knockout turned a dial and pressed a button on the nearest control panel to him. With and ominous suction noise a torrent of glowing blue pours from the holes in the ceiling of their cells. The kids screamed and moved as far as they could away from the liquid filling up their cells. Unfortunately, with as much of the cyber matter that was flowing in it didn't take long to reach them. With a cold burning sensation, the three began to rise in their cells, buoyed up by the liquid saturating the cells in their bodies. When the cells were about three quarters of the way full Knockout threw the switch, watching as the magenta-colored energy traveled to the cells and was conducted by the cyber matter.

For the three it was sheer pain. Feeling that their bodies were being broken down and electrified all at once. They struggled to stay afloat in the liquid but once the cells were full their world went blank and almost immediately the pain stopped. "Are we dead?" Came Raf's disembodied voice to the other two.

"I don't think so." Came Jack's voice. Somehow the three were no longer in their bodies but sharing a kind of void. Then from nowhere and everywhere came a voice.

"The three of you are being transformed." Came a gentle voice. Jack felt it familiar somehow. "I am communicating with you via Nexus Prime's relic, I am known as Vector Sigma."

Shock emanated from the three. "You're the computer I downloaded the Matrix from on Cybertron?" Jack asked. Awe emanated from Raf while Miko commented. "We're talking to a space computer, Suh-weet."

Vector Sigma continued. "In this experiment lies the future of Cybertron, Earth, and all life in the universe, you three and those like you that follow will be essential in the coming battles." This stunned the three. Not only would there be more beings submitted to this, but the fate of the universe now lay in their hands.

Vector Sigma seemed to pick up on this. "In these new forms I will give you the weapons and tools you and your allies will require."

Somewhere off in the distance they heard a commotion. "Something's wrong." Screamed Knockout. "Somehow the subjects are interfacing with the Enigma."

"Then shut it off!" Yelled Megatron.

"Our time is short." Continued Vector Sigma. "To escape this ship the three of you must focus on first each other, then your goal. Go now and know that you are transformed." With that Vector Sigma's voicer faded away.

In their void the three teens were panicked. What had Vector Sigma meant? Raf figured it out first. He mentally reached out and connected with Jack. Their mutual kindness and responsibility forging a strong connection. From their Jack reached out to Miko, their love and spirit forming another strong connection. Finally, Miko reached out back to Raf, their ingenuity and caring forming the final link. The three felt themselves pull together and back into the conscious world.

Chapter 2: Escape and an Arrival

Notes:

Hello again,I decided to post the second chapter now so as not to leave you on a cliffhanger. Oh, before I begin, I did toy with the timeline a bit for story's sake. Namely how Team Prime regroups, and Shockwave's arrival.

Megatron grinned at the screams the Autobots' human pets made as the cyber matter consumed them. If this experiment succeeded, it would be a turning point for the Decepticon cause. He'd already been in contact with the fleshling government to convince them that they were only looking to settle on this planet.

'The fools' He thought to himself. As soon as they'd amassed a strong enough force, they'd march on their capitol. Ultimately his plan would be to subjugate Unicron beneath the surface using these hybrid soldiers, but one thing at a time.

Almost the second Knockout engaged the Enigma something started to go wrong. It seemed that there was energy flowing back and forth, from the Enigma of Combination to the subjects, and back again. "Knockout, what is happening?" He roared as the computers began to make a deafening racket, energy beginning to crackle against everything in the lab.

"Something's wrong," He screamed back. "Somehow the subjects are interfacing with the Enigma!"

Several monitors began to explode. "Then shut it off!"

As knockout went to pull the plug connecting the tubes there was a moment of near deafening silence. What followed was a massive explosion of light, semi-formed cyber matter, and broken glass, forcing both bots to turn away. When Megatron turned back standing in front of the now destroyed tubes was a singular being. There was no sign of the humans anywhere.

Megatron had never seen anything like this new being in front of him. It was about a full head and shoulders taller than him, composed of a grayish white alloy. It wasn't fully Cybertronian, but not wholly organic either.

The face seemed almost androgynous, perhaps a side effect of using both genders in its creation. Broad shoulders, strong looking arms, and dense legs, this might have made quite the opponent back in his days as a gladiator. In its' chest was what looked like a trio of windows showing three bright young sparks.

"That, is downright beautiful." Knockout exclaimed as he looked it over. "It's like a naturally forged combiner."

At this statement, the being opened its' eyes. The three minds that made up its' conscious now linked. Looking at the Decepticon warlord and medic it took a battle-ready stance. Inside the newly minted mind, Miko and Jack 'smirked', causing the new being to as well. "Ready for round two?" It spoke, sounding as if all three teens were speaking in synch.

In the back of their collective mind Raf was strategizing. The first objective was to get by Megatron and Knockout and get out of the lab. Second, locate and rescue Wheeljack, his experience could only be a help. Third, navigate a way out of this fortress and somehow reconnect with the Autobots. This plan was readily agreed upon by the other two, although Miko hoped there'd be a chance to scrap some more Decepticons along the way.

Megatron glared at the warrior and deployed his sword, silently cursing his impatience in not having his fusion cannon reconnected. "You wouldn't be the first combiner I've destroyed."

Knockout attempted to intercede. "Now now, Lord Megatron, I'm sure we can reason with-" he was cut off as he was picked up over the combiners' head. "Not the finish, not the fin-." He gave a rather emasculate scream as he sailed through the air and into the destroyed displays.

Megatron swung his sword at the warrior, but it sidestepped the blow with a speed that belayed its' size. It followed up with a roundhouse kick in the small of Megatron's back, Sending him across the room. He turned back and lunged blade first. The combiner reached behind it's back and pulled a large broadsword in front of it, parrying Megatron. For a moment, the two seemed evenly matched in strength before Miko got an idea. From the metal on either side of the combiners' chest formed a series of small bult-in cannons that fired in the warlords' face, temporarily blinding him. Rearing back in pain from the unexpected attack his opponent turned and ran from the lab, broadsword held firmly in its' right hand.

As they made their way away from the lab, they found themselves in what looked like a prison. Apparently the Decepticons had no qualms about using prisoners of war as test subjects. From an overhead intercom they heard Knockouts' pained voice. "All Vehicons report to the prison lab, test subject has escaped, I repeat, test subject has escaped." The three began to wonder how to escape they heard a loud crack down a hall to their right. As they cautiously made their way down a red, green, and white Autobot exited a cell.

"Wheeljack!" They called, getting the wreckers' attention. Seeing the large, sword bearing warrior, Wheeljack deployed his face mask and drew his own swords. "Wait it's us." They called taking a step back. Wheeljack retracted his mask with a puzzled look but kept his swords handy. He knew those voices.

"Who are you?" He asked cautiously. "It's Miko, Jack, and Raf." They replied, resting their broadsword against the wall. Miko provided proof. "You told Miko you only carry one grenade at a time after she used the Jackhammers' weapons to slag Hardshell." Wheeljack sheathed his swords, definitely them, but. "How did this happen?"

They picked up their sword again. "We'll explain later, we need to get out of here." Wheeljack nodded, he could get answers later. As they ran through the halls, they encountered a group of four Vehicons responding to Knockouts' call. Throwing themselves wholly into the fray Wheeljack ran one of his swords through one Vehicon while taking the head off another.

Seeing this, the trio fired their cannons at the third Vehicon, simultaneously blinding it and shooting its right arm off. The final one made the mistake of trying to leap onto them. Jack quickly raised their sword in front of them and swung, slicing their attacker clean in half from helm to aft. Wheeljack whistled. "Not bad kids." They nodded, panting, and took off back down the hall.

Meeting no further opposition in their journey they reached a room with a space bridge gate in it. Walking up to it Raf began using their hands to program in coordinates. "Once we're through the bridge, its computer is programed to erase it's entire coordinate history."

Wheeljack nodded. "It's just lucky that the higher ups are spread thin at the moment." He turned around to make sure they weren't followed. Last thing they needed was another squadron of Vehicons or worse, Megatron or Soundwave to make an appearance.

Stepping back from the control panel the trios' combined form gave a lurch. Turning to Wheeljack he saw the three spark chambers move apart a bit before their whole body came apart. With a cry of surprise they shifted and split until three new forms, two mechs and a femme, laid on the ground before Wheeljack. One of the mechs seemed to be a bit larger than the other two. Although even he only came up to Wheeljacks' shoulder.

The femme groaned, sitting up. "That, was a rush." Came Mikos' voice.

Wheeljack was both surprised and annoyed. He still didn't know what happened to these kids, but now was not a good time for this. He cleared his throat. "Are you three alright, because we still need to escape."

The larger mech stood up and looked at him. "We're just a little disoriented." Came Rafs' voice, surprising the wrecker a bit. "It's a little disconcerting going from a collective mind, back to our individual ones." He took another breath. "I think the more we fight in that form, the sooner we'll have to separate."

Wheeljack turned to see the other mech helping Miko up. "I think we'll be fine after some rest Wheeljack, but we need to evacuate now." The third, Jack he realized, looked up at Raf. "Where will the space bridge put us?"

Raf went to adjust his glasses before realizing he didn't have them. "About fifty clicks northeast of here." He replied inciting a nod from Wheeljack. Before the Jackhammer had been destroyed, he'd seen a copy of the Autobots' escape plan. He knew that Bulkhead was in that general area, and how to signal the other wrecker without drawing undue attention to himself or the kids.

The space bridge portal flared into life as thunderous footfalls began to resound in the room. "Go, now!" Wheeljack yelled. Not needing to be told twice the three ran into the portal, Wheeljack slowly backing up to it. Looking back the way they came they saw Megatron Enter the room flanked by Starscream and Soundwave. As much as he wanted to taunt the warlord, he knew those kids needed him more. With that he jumped backwards through the portal causing it to close.

Megatron was still seething from the fight with that combiner. In his mind, they'd won with a cheap shot. To vent his frustration, he'd screamed at Knockout to go back to Cybertron, via the Nemesis' space bridge to try and salvage the Omega lock. Having Starscream and Soundwave meet him they headed for the spacebridge, knowing it was their only way out. They'd arrived in time to see the captured wrecker escape through the portal.

"Do we have the coordinates they bridged too?" He asked Starscream. The Decepticon second in command looked at the screen. He shook his head. "They erased the entire coordinate history; I can't even connect to the Nemesis." Megatron glowered in rage.

"However," Starscream continued. "I do have a backup plan." He held up a small receiver. "I had a tracer planted on the wrecker before he reactivated." This news caused Megatron to grin wickedly.

He turned to Starscream. "Prepare a squadron of flyers and go after them." He ordered. "With any luck, they'll lead us to the other Autobots." He walked over to Starscream and looked him in the optic. "I want any Autobots found to be brought back here for questioning before termination, and I want that fleshling experiment found and brought back as intact as possible."

Starscream nodded as the space bridge portal activated, surprising them all. A few moments after activating, Knockout stepped through. Megatron growled, he'd literally just sent Knockout to Cybertron. He was about to voice his displeasure when Knockout spoke. "You won't believe who we just found." He said stepping aside.

From the space bridge portal stepped a tall purple mech. Left forearm replaced with a laser cannon and a single, central red eye as his only facial feature. Megatron grinned at this turn of events as Starscream subtly left. Either to follow orders or from discomfort he didn't care. He gave a hearty laugh. "Welcome back Shockwave."

Chapter 3: A Scan and a Skirmish

Over fifty miles from the Decepticon base the escaped Wheeljack had led Jack, Miko, and Raf through a wooded area and into a clearing. "Alright, I think we're far enough from where we bridged to send Bulkhead our location."

Raf interrupted. "Are you sure that won't allow the Soundwave to find us?" Jack and Miko looked concerned as well, none of them wanted to end up back in Knockouts' clutches.

Wheeljack nodded, holding up a small egg-shaped device. "This device is set to a frequency that only Wreckers are able to receive. I saw Primes' escape plan before I was shot down and I know Bulkie bridged out near here." He clicked the device once; it gave a small beep and was silent. "It's an ultrasonic frequency I designed; it can't be picked up by most systems." He grinned a bit. "Most useful bit of tech I've made lately." He looked up and saw the kids staring at him. "What?"

"How do you know about ultrasonic tech?" Miko questioned.

Wheeljack cocked an eyebrow. "I did have a life before the war you know. Before I became a Wrecker, I was actually a research scientist." He chuckled. "I used to have a mortar launcher that I'd invent my own shells for. That's where the signal comes from, it was from a 'Vibro shock" shell, unfortunately the prototype overloaded and exploded taking my launcher and that shoulder with it."

He turned and saw the three had taken a big step back at that last statement. "It only happened once!" He exclaimed. "Just stay close for now and stay out of sight. If I know Bulk, he wouldn't have gone too far just yet. He'll probably be here in less than an hour."

Miko decided to take a look around while they waited. Looking through the trees her eyes widened. The woods were behind a car dealership. Seeing there were no people around she went to step onto the lot when someone grabbed her arm. Spinning around to punch them, her fist was caught by Jack. "Easy Miko, it's just me." He said releasing her fist.

She took a deep, calming breath. "Sorry, little paranoid."

Jack nodded, after what happened not even an hour ago paranoia was to be expected. "Today has just been a whole new level of crazy." He sighed. "I don't even know what I look like right now, we were so focused on escaping that I'm just now beginning to process what happened to us." He looked down at himself. His body looked like it was made of silvery metal that felt like skin, except the joints and other sections where his body would move looked like the bots. He saw that Miko was much the same only with more feminine curves. What he assumed was her hair flowed half-way down her back.

Miko snorted. "You look handsome as always." Jack felt his face heat up at the compliment. "Did you see Raf though, he's built like Fort Knox."

Jack nodded. Who knew little Raf would grow like that? Another thought occurred to him. "I just hope our families understand what happened to us." A shiver ran down his spine at what his mom would say when she next saw him.

He saw Mikos' shoulders sag at that statement. "I really don't want to think about that." She sighed. At Jacks' quirked eyebrow she continued. "The only interactions I've had with my parents in the last few years before I came to Jasper was when my tutors said my grades were slipping, and that was just so they could say how much of a disappointment I am."

This got Jacks' attention. Disappointment?

Miko plowed on. "I come from a wealthy family that invested heavily in smart tech. From an early age I was expected to be this perfect little trophy daughter my parents could show off. I was fine with it, at first, I did well in lessons and my grades were high but I was lonely. My parents were only home maybe one night every other week." She took a breath. "Then I found out my parents were looking to enter me into an arranged marriage as part of a corporate merger" Jacks' expression would've been comical if the discussion weren't so serious.

She let out a self-depreciating sigh. "All my work at being their 'perfect' daughter, and they were just going to trade me like I was one of their stocks." Jack wrapped his arms around Miko in a hug, resting her head on his shoulder. "After that I started to rebel. Dyed my hair, got my ears pierced, started cranking metal, and found out I love playing guitar. Then I found out that I liked this new me, it was the most natural I'd felt my whole life."

Jack swallowed. "I guess at that point Tokyo was getting boring and you decided to become an exchange student?" He asked remembering the conversation they'd had around the time they first met the Autobots.

"More or less." She replied. "I signed up hoping that maybe, I don't know, I could find a way to stay in the US. To not have to go back to a cold family and a potentially loveless marriage. Figures my host parents were like my real ones. They only wanted to foster an exchange student because it makes them look good." She smiled and looked back up into his eyes. "Then I met you, Raf, Bulkhead and the others and found more of a family with you than I ever felt at home, or with them." She wrapped her arms back around Jack.

Jack held Miko tightly. Why was it that he seemed to be the only one of the three to have at least one good, attentive parent? True his mother might be over protective sometimes, but with all they'd been through, even before the bots, it was understandable.

He loosened his grip and looked Miko in the eyes again. "Miko, I'm sorry for all that you went through before coming to Jasper and all that happened today." He dipped his head down and planted a solid kiss on her lips. "And consider this a down payment on making up for all the heartache I caused you." Mikos' face developed a red hue to it showing that, whatever they were now, they could still blush.

They stayed in a comfortable silence for a few moments before Jack looked back at the car lot. "I'm guessing you're here to try and scan a vehicle mode?"

"Yep

"Mind if I join you?"

"Nope." And with that, they started searching.

They made their way through the lot stopping at various cars and trucks to see if there were any that could give them an edge. Somewhere between Mikos' attempt to scan a Hummer and Jack a Camero they decided to take a break for a minute. Both of them kicking themselves for not asking Wheeljack how to scan a vehicle.

A loud cry from the roof of the dealership building made them both jump. Looking up they saw a peregrine falcon sitting on the roof looking at them. It gave a series of 'caw's' that sounded like a bird equivalent of laughter. Miko glared at the bird. "What are you laughing at?" A blue beam of light erupted from her eyes, scanning the falcon as she gave a startled "Woah."

While Jack and Miko were having their heart to heart, Wheeljack was telling Raf a story about another of his inventions that was used in the war for Cybertron. "Then I fired it at Soundwave and it triggered his T-cog, locking him in his Alt mode. He spent about twenty Earth year effectively stuck as our equivalent of a cassette player." Raf busted out laughing at the thought of the Decepticon communications officer stuck as something that could fit in the palm of his hand.

He looked back at Wheeljack to ask more about that weapon and noticed something on the underside of the right wing on his back. "Hold still a second." Raf said as he plucked it off him. "This one of yours?"

Wheeljacks' optics widened as he recognized the device as a homing beacon. "Aw scrap." He stood up and looked around the clearing. "We need to move, where's Jack and Miko?" As Mikos' name left his mouth they saw a blue beam of light was seen over the treetops. "Never mind." He said as the two started to make their way towards it.

When they cleared the tree line into the lot, they found Jack standing next to a large falcon that came up to his waist. The falcons' body seemed to be akin to a naturally born cyborg. The bulk of the body covered in dark grey feathers with burgundy stripes; the belly, ringed by a round of circuitry where it met the rest of the body, was white with pink barring across it. Caping its' appearance were yellow chromed feet and a beak.

Jack looked at the two. "Wheeljack, I think we have a problem."

Wheeljack looked at the bird. "Miko?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. The bird gave a nervous giggle, placing a wing behind her head. Wheeljack shook his head. First seeing the kids turned into hybrid Cybertronians, now this. He sighed, when it rains it pours. "Alright, we'll figure this out later, we need to move. The Cons put a tracker on me and are on their way here." The kids and bird looked at each other. Jack picked up Miko, much to her chagrin, but any escape plans were dashed when laser fire detonated several cars on the lot. Looking up they saw a dozen Flyer Vehicons lead by Starscream bearing down on them.

The group tried to make a break for the cover of the trees but were cut off when a trio of Vehicons transformed and landed in front of them. Miko wrestled her way out of Jacks' grip and flapped into the air. One of the Vehicons fired a low powered blast at her wing, knocking her back down. The other drones landed circling them as Starscream transformed and landed in front of them. He chuckled. "I love it when a plan comes together. Prepare the experiments for transport, the Wrecker is of no use to us."

"Then how about two Wreckers." Boomed a deep voice. The roar of an engine drew everyone's attention to a large green SUV barreling towards them. Flipping over, Bulkhead transformed slamming his wrecking balls into two of the squadron, sending them staggering. This gave Wheeljack the opening he needed to pull his swords and attack the Vehicons blocking their way.

"Get in the woods and stay put." Wheeljack ordered the teens. Jack and Raf nodded walking into the woods. Wheeljack jumping in to help his friend.

But Miko didn't move. She saw that Starscream had retreated a bit and was taking aim at the back of Bulkheads' head. Ignoring the pain in her wing she took off. "Hey Screamer, watch the birdie." She flapped up to Starscreams' face and began raking her talons across it. She had to keep him distracted. Starscream managed to Deliver a smack to her middle, sending her backwards several feet to the ground.

Breathing heavily, Starscream aimed his gun at Miko. "I know Megatron wanted you all back alive, but he shouldn't be too angry to get two out of three."

Wheeljack turned in time to see Miko hit the dirt. "Miko! Get out of there!" He screamed.

This got Bulkheads' attention, and inadvertently everyone else's. He looked over at the techno organic bird. "Miko?"

Miko glared up at Starscream, she wouldn't let this monster harm Bulkhead, Jack, Wheeljack, Raf, Mrs. Darby, or anyone else.

This thought triggered something deep in Miko. Near the center of her body her spark flared a bright burgundy. Her avian head folded down allowing a human one to take its' place with a gasp. A pair of legs erupting from her bird stomach as her bird legs lengthened and grew fingers to become arms.

Now standing before Starscream was a new warrior that came up to his chest. Her face and hair were a near exact replica of Mikos' original appearance, the only difference being the color of her face being the same silvery grey of most Cybertronians. Her chest and upper arms covered in the same dark grey feathers her beast mode had, her abdomen and legs the same color as her face with burgundy coloring her joints, a skirt that seemed made of tailfeathers adorning her hips. Her wings had shifted down her back and the spread tips just barely cleared her shoulders.

Starscream stared at the femme. "Okay, that's different." He said in astonishment. "Definitely something Knockout will need to work on replicating."

Glaring at the Con she leapt up, delivering a solid kick to his chest and driving him back several paces. Acting on instinct she reached back behind her shoulders she pulled what looked like a pair of katanas. They looked like sharpened and elongated feathers. Holding them in front of her she grinned. "Time to wreck and rule."

With a cry she ran forward. Starscream raised his Null rays to fire but she severed the ends of them off, leaving him defenseless. She wasn't done however dodging around him and with several swings of her swords she cut several gashes into his armor and with a final motion she sliced and X onto his chest over his Decepticon insignia, forcing him several feet backwards where he landed on his back. With a flourish she returned her katanas.

Groaning in pain Starscream sat up and looked at the still frozen Vehicons. "Well, what are you waiting for you mindless drones, get them." This shook the onlookers out of their trance. In an instant they all barreled towards the three with the two Wreckers only a few steps behind.

Miko was undaunted. Continuing to act on instinct she reached behind her again. This time she began drawing smaller feathers that were sharpened like the swords and began to throw them like kunai each one embedding itself in a Vehicon. She kept this up until the Vehicons finally stopped advancing due to their injuries. Allowing the two Wreckers to get on either side of her. With a grin she held up her right hand and snapped her fingers, causing the kunai to detonate and destroying the Vehicons.

Starscream gave a gulp, disturbed at seeing his entire squadron off lined so easily. He transformed back into his jet mode, ignoring the pain from his injuries, and took off back to Darkmount. He really hoped Megatron was in a good mood, Knockout wasn't busy, and Shockwave was.

Wheeljack and Bulkhead looked at Miko in surprise. Wheeljack wondering just what the pit these kids had been turned into, and Bulkhead trying to reconcile the human Miko with this warrior in front of him. "Miko, is that really you?"

Miko grinned. "Yep, it's really me Bulkie, new and improved." Jack and Raf walked up behind Miko. Bulkhead gave a start and took in their new appearance. Miko laughed. "And these are Jack," said bot raised his hand. "And Raf." Raf did the same, surprising Bulkhead, he'd thought the reverse was true.

Jack walked up to Miko. "That," he began. "Is the most reckless thing I've ever seen you do." He took a breath, wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss to her lips, shocking both wreckers into silence as Raf shook his head. "That was also an incredibly brave thing to do period. Just, for my piece of mind, wait for backup to be a little closer next time." He finished when they separated. Miko grinned, blushing happily.

Bulkhead shook himself out of his shock. "But how did this happen?" He asked. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what had turned human charges into, whatever they are now. He still felt terrible for not being able to grab them when the Omega Lock was destroyed.

Wheeljack growled. He wanted to know that little tidbit as well. Mostly so he could drive his swords through the bot responsible.

Raf spoke up. "Knockout did this to us, we'll explain fully once we've regrouped with the others." He knew they didn't want to tell this story more than once if they could help it. Let alone how to explain Vector Sigma communicating with them.

Any further discussion was halted by a low humming sound. Looking over the tree line the group saw a ship coming towards them. Taking a battle-ready stance, they watched it land and a ramp lower from the back of it. From inside the ship emerged three Autobots. A blue femme with pink highlights, one black and yellow mech, and a red, white, and blue mech that towered over them.

With a grin Bulkhead and Wheeljack moved to greet Arcee and Bumblebee, and perhaps to brace them for what they were about to learn. Meanwhile the third bot, Ultra Magnus, examined the remains of the Vehicons, then looked at the other three intently. He cleared his throat. "Would someone like to explain to me what is going on with those three over there?"

Wheeljack sighed. "We'll explain when we get out of here. I don't want to risk staying here and having the cons bring in reinforcements." Ultra Magnus' optic twitched a bit. He hated it when his authority wasn't respected. Wheeljack looked behind him. "Jack, Miko, Raf, let's get out of here."

They came closer, causing shocked expressions in Arcee and Bumblebee, who hadn't noticed them before, and confusion in Ultra Magnus at the names and appearances of the trio. Arcee spoke up. "Jack?"

Jack nodded as Bumblebee asked the same of Raf in his standard beeping language. It was strange for the other two being able to understand it now, maybe something to do with what they've become. "It's a long story we'll explain on the way to wherever we're going." He walked into the ship followed by the other two. Taking a seat on the floor, Miko to his left resting her head on his shoulder, and Raf to his right, staying close to Bumblebee who followed him in. As Arcee and Ultra Magnus entered the ship and the ramp closed, he took a deep breath. He had a feeling this was going to be a long trip.

Notes:

A few things I'd like to explain. First Miko's robot mode is a bit of a fusion of Air Razor from Beast Wars and Silverbolt from Beast Machines. I spent way too much time studying both those bots and peregrine falcons to get her mode right. Second, yes, the humans turned bots do transform like the Maximals in Beast Machines. Finally, the first transformation for them is triggered by a profound moment, after that it becomes second nature much like it did for Rat trap in Beast Machines after he figured out how.

Chapter 4: Regroup and Reconnect

Once Ultra Magnus had steered his ship into the lower atmosphere, he turned his chair around to face the collective Autobots. "Alright," He began. "Would someone care to explain what has happened that lead to what I understand to be three juvenile natives to this world being close enough to the team that the Decepticons would capture and experiment on them?"

He looked at the three pseudo Cybertronians, while he was impressed with how the femme had apparently handled a Vehicon squadron on her own he was reserving judgement on their value to the Autobot cause.

Between Arcee and Bulkhead he was given an abbreviated version of how the three humans became 'unofficial' members of team prime and some of their accomplishments. Again, while he was impressed, it was a protocol nightmare. When it came to the battle for the Omega lock, he'd began to get a slightly bigger picture as to what happened. Count on Megatron to resort to using hostages when he was on the verge of defeat. When he heard that the humans' containers had been lost during the fight the femme, Miko he'd learned, Spoke up.

"When we woke up, we were naked in Knockouts' lab." She cut in angrily, she was still a bit angry at how they ended up in that situation. If the bots had just told them even a little of what was going on they might have been more on guard.

Raf picked up from there. "Knockout and Megatron taunted us a bit before submerging us in raw cyber matter from the Omega lock." He shuddered trying to repress the memory of drowning in that cold burn. "They also used something called the Enigma of Combination to fuse it with us. Th-They said something about seeing if they could use humans to replenish their soldiers."

Ultra Magnus narrowed his brow. "The Enigma of Combination?" He knew that the Cons had it, after the debacle with Bruticus Maximus, they'd found it and used it to create the more manageable combiner Devastator. He never knew it could be employed in this manner.

They were all in for one more big shock though as Jack nodded and spoke up. "During the experiment we were somehow contacted by Vector Sigma." All four bots' optics widened at the mention of the ancient supercomputer. "It somehow used the cyber matter to transform us into these bodies and overload the system, allowing us to escape." He didn't feel like mentioning their combined form just yet. A sentiment the other two felt as well. "It also said that we were supposed to assist the Autobots in their coming battles."

This caused a major upset amongst the ships' Autobot occupants. "Hold up." Arcee called. "We're supposed to be the ones that keep you safe, you're not joining us on missions. I promised your mother I'd keep you safe Jack."

Miko sprung up from her seat on the floor. "Yeah, cause you've done such a spectacular job of it recently. You all shut us out, and we ended up kidnaped, held for ransom, tossed around in glass cages, and used as lab rats in a mad scientists' experiment as a result."

The kids' guardians winced and exchanged somewhat guilty looks. While none of that had been intentional, it is what had happened. Jack got up and put his hand on Mikos' shoulder. As upset as they were, he knew not all of it was their fault.

Wheeljack spoke up. "I ran into them as we were making our mutual escapes. Gotta hand it to them though, they know how to hold their own in those bodies." He knew they were leaving out their combiner mode and he understood. Sometimes it was best to have a trump card.

"We made our way to the fortress' space bridge and Raf used it to get us out. Even erased the coordinate history so we wouldn't be followed that way." He continued. "For all the good it did, apparently the Cons put a tracer on me before I woke up in the brig and they found us that way."

He snorted a bit. "Not that it did them much good. Between Bulkies' intervention and Miko, those drones were scrapped in a hurry and Starscream took off with his tail between his legs." Miko blushed a bit at the praise and relaxed a bit.

Bulkhead looked at her. "For what it's worth Miko, I am sorry about keeping you in the dark, we were so focused on possibly restoring Cybertron we forgot about everything else." He looked at her new form. "I have to admit, whatever you scanned, it gave you some serious skill, I haven't seen swordplay like that in Megacycles."

Miko grinned and shifted back into her beast mode, surprising the Autobots further. "Jack and I tried scanning cars and SUVs, but nothing took until I saw a bird on top of a building. I think it was a peregrine falcon." She spread her wings showing off her techno organic avian body. "Now I'm a high-flying wrecker with wings."

Ultra Magnus cleared his throat. "We'll have to see about that miss Miko. Right now, we still have three other Autobots to recover." He steepled his fingers together. "After that, we need to eradicate the Decepticons' new fortress."

He looked at Arcee. "You said I needed to contact an 'Agent Fowler'; how do I go about that?" Arcee walked over to the communications console and began typing.

The three kids looked at each other worriedly. How was Fowler going to react to what happened to them? Jack shivered; he was worried about his mothers' reaction to his new form. While he knew she'd be happy he was alive, anything else would be in question until he saw her. Their silent musings were broken by the comm system.

"Who is this and how did you get this number?" Came Agent Fowlers' voice from the systems' display screen. Looking they saw Agent Fowlers' face was full of concern and confusion. Apparently, this would be a video call.

"Agent William Fowler, I am Ultra Magnus, Autobot Second-in-command, and I was given this code by another Autobot on Earth." Magnus replied. "I am contacting you to see what your governments' plan is in regards to the Decepticons' new fortress and give an update on our status."

There was a second of silence when Arcee butted in. "I told him how to get in touch with you Fowler, he is who he says he is."

Fowlers' face relaxed. "About time one of you bots contacted me, I've been trying to raise you for hours now. I heard your base was destroyed." He took a breath. "We've evacuated the surrounding area but we cannot get close enough to the fortress to take it out, those cannons of theirs took out three squadrons of fighter jets when we first tried to attack it."

Ultra Magnus nodded. "Outpost-1 was destroyed but the Autobots inside evacuated before the explosion. We are currently regrouping, and from there we will work on a plan to disable the fusion cannons so that your governments' armed forces can destroy it. We will alert you when the fusion cannons are disabled."

Fowler closed his eyes. "Alright, keep me posted. However, there is one other thing." He took a breath. "There are three teenage humans that work with the Autobots, we found their families, but not them. Are they with you?"

Knowing that this was now unavoidable, the three walked over to the comms system, Miko transforming back before going. Jack looked at Fowler. "We're right here Agent Fowler." The three of them came into view, causing the agents' eyes to bug out.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Fowler exclaimed angrily. With everything happening he needed answers and now a Robert Stack soundalike and some new bots were playing a trick on him.

"Unfortunately, no." Raf replied, surprising the agent even more. "Before the Autobot base was destroyed we were captured by the Decepticons. "They conducted an experiment on us that turned us into some kind of techno organic Cybertroninans. After the base was destroyed, we escaped with Wheeljack."

Fowlers' face went from anger to worry. He definitely knew that was Raf and Jack from how they talked, and the third one even looked like Miko. He was also happy to hear that the Wrecker had survived getting shot down. How the hell was he going to explain this to those kids' parents.

Jack cut in. "I'll call my mom to let her know we're okay." Fowler gave him an incredulous look. "Well, as okay as we can be. Just tell Rafs' family and Mikos' host parents that they got sent to a different evacuation shelter by accident." He hated having to lie, but they'd have to deal with this later.

Agent Fowler looked at him. "Please call her soon." He asked kindly. "She has been worried sick about you three since this whole thing started." From there he hung up, the comms deactivating.

Magnus faced the collective group. He'd began formulating a plan while the kids started talking to Fowler. "Alright, first thing we need is to collect Ratchet, his life signal is nearest and the other two are near the Decepticon fortress." The other bots exchanged a worried look. Knowing it was Ratchet that was closer meant Optimus and Smokescreen were near the fortress. They just had to hope they hadn't been captured.

"Second." He looked at Jack and Raf. "If we're going to do this, we'll need every available bot, so you two need Alt modes." At the other Autobots' looks of confusion he continued. "From what I understand, this one," he said pointing at Miko. "Got her weapons after she scanned that bird she mentioned. So, it stands to reason, for all of them to stand a chance, they need, well, beast modes. " He sat at the communications console and pulled up Ratchets' frequency.

As Magnus contacted the Doc bot Arcee walked up to Jack. She still didn't know how to process this turn of events. The human she'd been partners with now stood about a good head and shoulders smaller than herself. "Jack." He turned to look at her. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry about what happened to you. Now that I think on it, I really haven't been a very good partner lately."

Jack nodded. "I can accept that." He looked her in the optic. "I know that what happened wasn't really your fault."

Arcee let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She was relieved to know Jack didn't blame her for their current state. Something else was bothering her though. "I saw how you've been acting around Miko though, what's going on?"

For a moment Jack thought about keeping her in the dark about his and Mikos' feelings about each other, but decided against it. "When we were in Knockouts' lab, we thought we were going to die." Arcee sucked in a breath but Jack continued. "I just wanted to make sure nothing was left unsaid between us and she flat out told me she loved me."

A series of beeps from Bumblebee simply said "About damned time you two stopped dancing around each other."

This caused Raf to laugh. "I know right. At least we don't need Operation: Closet anymore." This caused Jack to blush and Miko to bury her face in her hands.

Ultra Magnus stood up from his chair and moved to the ships' flight controls. "I contacted Ratchet; he'll meet us at the coordinates I sent him in about half a cycle. When we get there, I want Arcee and Bumblebee to take the boys to get their beast modes."

Jack looked at Ultra Magnus. "Where are we going to meet up at?" At Magnus' glare Arcee mouthed the word 'sir' to Jack. "Sir." He hastily added.

"The location is a referred to as a wildlife sanctuary just outside the human settlement called Reno, Nevada." The two boys looked at each other. They'd never been there and wondered what kinds of animals that they could scan there.

Arcee put her hand on Jacks' shoulder. "In the meantime, you've got a call to make." She said motioning to the communication console. Jack gulped and nodded, hoping that this would go better than their talk with Fowler did.

He sat down and dialed in his mothers' number. One ring and she answered. "Hello? Jack?" Came the worried voice of June Darby.

"Yeah mom, it's me. I just needed to tell you I'm alright." He said hoping she believed it. "Jack, what's wrong, I can tell by your tone something is up."

He gulped again. He was really afraid of this next part. "Miko, Raf, and I were kidnapped by Decepticons, we escaped and we're with the bots now."

There was a moment of silence. "Oh my god, are you all okay?" She half yelled. He steeled himself. "Mostly."

There was another pause. "What do you mean 'mostly', what's going on Jack?" June pleaded. He took some deep breaths, trying to figure out how to explain this.

Arcee took pity on her panicking partner. "There was a problem with their escape June, the kids are all alive and whole. Shook up, but mostly unscathed. We'll explain everything once we have this Decepticon fortress dealt with." She took a deep breath. "I swear all three of them will come back unhurt." She felt horrible for this half-truth, but it was necessary for the time being.

June took a breath. "Alright, but please keep them safe. I love you Jack and I'll see you soon." The end of her sentence came off a little choked.

Jacks' eyes teared up. "I love you too mom, I love you too." He hung up before he could start crying openly. He hated the dishonesty with his mother, but what choice did he have? A couple tears streamed down his face. This was getting to be too much.

Looking up he saw Miko and Raf coming towards him. Miko threw her arms around him, holding him tight. Raf then wrapped his large arms around the both of them. Arcee knelt down and followed suit as Bumblebee and Bulkhead looked on. They all hoped to give these kids some comfort after all they'd been through.

A few minutes later Ultra Magnus cleared his throat. "We'll be landing at the wildlife sanctuary momentarily. Ratchet will be joining us there." He said, looking uncomfortable. "And, for what it's worth, I am sorry for what you three went through as well." He turned back to the flight controls.

A minute later the foursome disengaged from their group hug. Jack took a breath, he felt much better. "Thanks, I needed that."

Miko smirked. "Can't be strong all the time Jackrabbit." She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. He smiled and hugged her again. The ship set down and the ramp lowered. "C'mon, let's go get you two beast modes." Miko said dragging him by the wrist towards the outside, Raf following close behind.

Notes:

Sorry for the feels in this chapter. I just wanted to emphasize the emotional trauma these kids have gone through in the last 24 hours of their lives. I'm also using it as a setup to bring in a specific character in the coming chapters. Next time we'll have beast modes, a fight, and we check in on what the Decepticons have been doing since Wheeljack and the kids left.

Chapter 5: Unleash the Beast Wars

Miko sighed in boredom as she looked around at the animal sanctuaries' empty parking lot. Once they'd exited the ship she'd been asked to stay put while Jack and Raf went in the animal sanctuary to pick their beast modes. Wheeljack said something about having Ratchet run some medical scans on her to see if their transformation had any adverse effects and to see whether or not the kids needed Energon or not. She wasn't sure whether they did or not, sure she felt hungry but wasn't sure if that was how the bots felt when they were low on Energon.

To keep her occupied Wheeljack and Bulkhead tried to show her some fighting techniques. First was Bulkheads attempt at demonstrating diffusion ended with Wheeljack slamming into the side of the ship and Ultra Magnus to begin yelling at them. After he'd cooled down, they decided to hold off anymore teaching. "To be honest, neither of us are particularly good at teaching Cybertronian martial arts." Wheeljack commented.

Bulkhead laughed. "Yeah, what was it Drift always said? An incompetent teacher was deadlier than the sharpest sword?" He said with a somewhat airy voice. Wheeljack let out a chuckle. "Right on the Nose Bulk."

Miko raised her eyebrow. "Who is Drift?"

Bulkhead looked over at her. "Drift is another Wrecker. A well-known practitioner of most forms of Cybertronian martial arts. He taught most of us whatever fighting style he thought would best suit our strengths."

At Mikos' curious look Bulkhead continued. "He was originally a Decepticon sharpshooter named Deadlock, but changed sides. I'm not sure what made him do it, but afterward he began studying under the legendary twin grandmasters Yoketron and Banzai-Tron before their academy was destroyed. His preference is Metallikato, but we've seen him use Curicuit-Su, Crystalocution, and Mueikyaku."

Mikos' eyes shot open. "He was a Decepticon?" She'd never heard of anyone really defecting from them before. Then something else came to her mind. "What happened to him? And how was the academy destroyed?"

Wheeljack shrugged. "He's still out there somewhere. I heard he went off in search of other surviving students. I think he hoped to get enough of them together to restore the Cyber Ninja Academy. It was Destroyed by Banzai-Tron when Megatron infected him with Dark Energon and killed Yoketron. All because Banzai-Tron, while less choosey about his students, wouldn't commit to the Decepticon cause."

There was silence while Miko processed that. The silence was broken by the distant sound of an engine coming closer. Wheeljack and Bulkhead took up a defensive stance while Miko retreated back into the ship. A moment later a Familiar white and red ambulance drove into the parking lot and transformed back into the Autobot Medic Ratchet.

"Alright what's the damage. I was perfectly content to rust in peace with the other wrecks but." He was cut off when Miko exited the ship again. Ratchet looked her up and down. "Do I know you?" He asked.

Miko swallowed. "I'm the one who infected the mainframe to fill the monitor with emojis." She replied nervously. She knew he was still angry about that little stunt.

Ratchet scoffed. "Then that would make you...Miko!?" He exclaimed; optics wide in recognition. "What in the pit happened to you child?"

Bulkhead cut him off. "One word Ratch, Knockout. We were hoping you could run a scan to tell us a bit more about what happened to those three."

Ratchet reached behind him and pulled out some kind of scanning device. Running it over Miko he looked at Bulkhead. "Three? Wait, where's Rafael and Jackson?" While worried about his current patient he was equally worried about the young boy he'd taken a somewhat reluctant liking to, not to mention the other one that reminded him so much of Optimus when he was younger.

"Same condition doctor." Ultra Magnus said exiting the ship. "I have Bumblebee and Arcee taking them to get beast modes. We'll explain everything enroute to our destination."

Ratchet finished his scan and looked at Magnus. Beast modes? He shook his head. "It's good to see you again Magnus, but excuse me, I need to analyze this."

He returned the device and pulled up a holographic image of Mikos' body on his wrist computer. He turned it slightly before opening the hologram to examine her internal workings. "From what I can see, there is a spark in a casing, from there it seems like information is flowing back and forth to the brain, and from there the rest of the body. I don't see a T-cog anywhere, but it seems that their transformation is triggered by something else."

He looked even closer. "There seems to be a combination of organic digestive system and." His Optics widened. "Somehow, it's converting organic matter, to energon. That energon is powering her body." He looked over at Miko who seemed embarrassed about having all this read out loud despite her initial curiosity. Ratchet mentally kicked himself and shut off the hologram, that was highly unprofessional. "Sorry Miko."

Wheejack interceded to spare the femme any further embarrassment. "Then we have another reason to keep the kids safe. If Megatron and Knockout learn they found a way to make energon with those three, they'll find a way to harvest it to power their troops." All the collected Autobots shivered at the thought of their human allies being reduced to little more than energon dispensers.

Any further discussion was interrupted by a loud roar and flapping of wings. Looking up they saw something that made them all stare. Looking up in the sky there appeared to be a mechanical dragon. "Where did the Decepticons get a dragon?" Miko exclaimed.

It swooped down planting itself firmly between them and the ship. Miko and the Autobots deployed their weapons as the Dragon glowered at them."Think it might be friendly?" Miko asked as she held her katanas up. This was answered when the Dragon roared and a stream of fire erupted from its mouth, causing them to scatter. "That answers that."

The dragon charged at Miko, causing her to leap into the air towards Bulkhead and slash at its' head with her swords. This only served to annoy the beast further as it unleashed another burst of fire at them. Bulkhead moved and shielded Miko from the flames.

"Bulkhead!" She cried, coming to his aid. She held out a hand, but he waved her off.

"Don't, I might still be hot to the touch." Bulkhead and Miko were then sent flying backwards into Ratchet and Ultra Magnus by a swing of its great tail. This caused a stunned Miko to shift back into her beast mode.

"Get back!" Wheeljack called out. A dull thud got the dragons' attention. Looking down it saw a grenade with the pin pulled. A split second later it went off, obscuring it in smoke and fire as the beast gave out a roar of pain.

When the smoke cleared the Dragon was only a little scorched on its' underside. With a mighty roar it began to descend on the injured group. They stood up shakily, Magnus and Wheeljack at the front. They'd hoped that they might be able to buy some time for the others to escape.

The Dragon growled and went to breath another blast of fire when a loud roar caught its' attention. This was followed by sharp pain on its back as a large techno-organic lion sank its' claws into it. It roared and reared up. Reaching around with its' mouth, it caught the lion around the middle and threw it to the ground in front of the group.

Taking a closer look, the team noticed the lions' fur was a grayish white in color. Its' mane was midnight black and from it ran a silver-blue cybernetic spine that spread partway down its ribs and ended in a segmented tail. Topping it off, at the ends of its legs were silver-blue claws ready to tear into the dragon again.

The lion stood back up and gave a loud roar which the dragon answered. Unexpectedly a loud bellow caught the dragon off guard. Turning to the left, it had a split second before a colossal techno-organic rhinoceros rammed its horn into its' side sending it sprawling. Standing back up it growled at the newcomer.

The rhino stood firm. Its' hide was a light brown, but segmented at the joints by pulsing yellow circuitry. Like the lion its spine was visible and metallic yellow, but not the ribs. All four of its' legs had visible hydraulic coils and its' metallic yellow horn was almost saber like.

The rhino ran to join the lion in front of the group as Arcee and Bumblebee exited the sanctuary. "What the heck is this thing?" Came Jacks' voice from the lion. Arcee and Bumblebee joined the group, standing on either side of the two.

After a brief moment of shock Ultra Magnus answered. "It's called a Predacon. A beast from ancient Cybertron. I have no idea where it came from or how it found us, but it seems to be hunting us."

The Rhino nodded. "Something like a tracking dog." Raf answered, causing another moment of shock.

The two stared down the Predacon. Wherever it came from, whoever sent it, it was now a threat to them and their friends.

Raf looked up at the Predacon, knowing that he now had the power to help, and truly understanding that he mattered to the Autobots and his friends, he transformed. He gave a bellow as his spark flared golden yellow.

He reared up as his rhino head seamed to yawn into a larger upper body, complete with a head similar to his original look, sans glasses. His jaw folding down over his chest, adorning it with a row of semi-sharp teeth. From his forelegs emerged a pair of yellow hands as his shoulders expanded. His back legs extending until he was about a head shorter than Bumblebee.

Jack looked back to check on the group. Most of them were battered and tiered, but ready to fight. He glanced at Miko in her beast mode and steeled his resolve. Optimus once said he'd make a good Prime, time to prove it. Jacks' spark flared a deep blue as he began to transform.

He gave a growl as he reared back, forelegs and back seeming to split from his Lion head and chest revealing his regular head. Straitening himself up he realized his legs were becoming thinner, more agile as his tail seemingly retracted into his spine. His paws folded in on themselves revealing hands as his Lion chest and head retracted into his abdomen, the lion head flattening out against his chest.

The Predacon glared at the two. It roared and lunged forward. The two four warriors dived to the side drawing its' attention to them. It didn't matter to the Predacon, wounded prey couldn't get very far. It would just take care of these four first.

Arcee and Bumblebee deployed their guns and laid cover fire. Jack reached behind him and pulled out what looked like a sword handle made from the tip of his lion tail. It flicked on and extended into a laser whip. He cracked it towards the Predacon. It made contact, generating a small explosion where it hit. The Predacon roared in rage and pain as it turned to face Jack.

Taking a deep breath, the Predacon exhaled a steady stream of fire at him. Acting on instinct, like Miko had, he began to spin the cord of his whip around in front of him. The energy of the whip acted like a shield, protecting Jack from any damage.

When the fire died down, he cracked the whip again, wrapping the cord around the Predacons neck. Pressing a button on the handle, the cord began to retract, pulling Jack with it. In a split second he aimed both his feet at the Predacons neck and at the last second shut the whip off. He drove both of his feet into its' neck, sending it staggering.

As Jack was doing that, Raf had found his body had a lot of tools, many suited to being a medic, he only had one weapon. Clenching his fists, he watched as his forearms expanded and split into what looked like barrels on a machine gun. They then moved forward covering his fists.

Once in position they began to spin. "Jack, get down." He called in warning to his friend as he opened fire. As each barrel passed the top of his fist it fired a concentrated blast of energy. Jack dove out of the way as the Predacon was pelted by the heavy artillery from Rafs' Chain guns. A moment later the fire stopped as Raf retracted his guns. The Predacon roared again. It was hurt, but not out. It would finish this hunt.

It's thought process was interrupted by the sound of Ultra Magnus' ship starting up. It lifted off and turned, bringing all weapons to bear on the Predacon. Without any warning Ultra Magnus opened fire. Missiles and lasers hitting the dragon dead center. Its' armor protected it from the worst of the damage, but it wouldn't be able to stand another barrage like that. Growling in frustration the Predacon took wing back to Darkmount.

Once the Predacon had disappeared over the horizon Ultra Magnus set the ship back down and lowered the boarding ramp. "Alright bots, lets load up and head out."

Miko walked over to Jack and Raf, still in beast mode. Jack looked at her. "You okay Miko?"

"Aside from the fact I can't transform, I don't feel like I have the energy to." She replied. She'd tried to transform to join the boys in the fight, but she just couldn't manage it.

"I may have an answer to that." Raf replied. "It took us a little longer to get back here because we were testing a theory before we scanned our beast modes. We were both worn out and decided to try and eat something to get our strength back. Turns out we can still eat normal food; it just takes more to fill us up now."

Miko nodded. "Ratchet said something along the lines of our digestive system being able to turn food into energon." Embarrassing as that conversation was, it did help things make sense. She wondered a bit what else of their human bodies carried over into these new ones. She looked up to see Jack coming towards her with a large stainless-steel container in his hands.

He held it out to her, showing it held steaming, cooked burger patties. "I know it's not exactly my best cooking, but it's all we were able to scrounge up from the animal sanctuaries' restaurant." She looked fondly at him. Not what she was hoping for as far as having dinner with him, but it would do nicely. After the first few patties she had enough energy to transform back into robot mode and eat properly.

Sighing she stood up and looked Jack and Raf in the eye. She hugged both of them around the neck. "Thanks guys, I needed that." Releasing Raf she gave Jack a quick kiss on the lips. "And thank you for the food." She looked at the two of them again. "Nice picks on beast modes by the way. They really came in handy against that thing."

At Ultra Magnus' second call they boarded the ship. Settling in, the was ramp raised and the ship took off following a similar course to what the Predacon took. Ratchet looked at the trio. "Did you three know you have some kind of insignia on you all?"

Looking down Jack saw what he meant on his left arm. It was green, looked kind of like a stylized cat or dog skull with fangs and pointy ears. A quick glance showed that Raf had one on his chest and Miko on her right outer thigh. "No, I didn't see that before. Any idea what it means?"

Arcee cut in. "Yes, that's an ancient symbol for a tribe of Cybertronians called Maximals. They went extinct around the time the Predacons were supposed to have." At everyone's' surprised look she replied. "I was a teacher before the war broke out, it was a subject in my history class." After what Wheeljack and Bulkhead mentioned about their lives before the war, none of the kids were shocked.

Ultra Magnus cleared his throat. "Alright, listen close. I have a plan to take out the fusion cannons at Darkmount. If we're careful, this will be done without any casualties on our side." He said, including the newly minted Maximals.

Wheeljack interrupted. "I say we just go and do this Wrecker style."

Magnus huffed. "I couldn't deal with 'Wrecker style' back on Cybertron, and I refuse to deal with it here." He took a breath. "And as Optimus Primes' second in command, I have no intention of dealing with Wrecker behavior." He finished, earning a glare from Wheeljack and Miko. "Now, here's the plan.

Meanwhile, back at Darkmount, Starscream sat on a berth in Knockouts' partially restored lab. He glowered down at the marks left by that Primus damned femme. If he knew that she was capable of that, he'd have brought a bigger squadron, and stayed well enough away because, scrap that hurt.

It was bad enough that he returned empty handed. Megatron hadn't been the least bit happy with him as the hand around his throat had testified, but then he had to answer to Shockwave as to why he never looked for him after the space bridge explosion. Luckily, he'd been able to bullshit his way out of that situation. He knew Shockwave trusted far too deeply in cold hard logic. He also knew how to twist that fact to his advantage.

Speaking of, he gave a shudder thinking of that Predacon that Shockwave had cloned. Loathe as he was to admit it, that beast would probably be better suited to tracking down the Autobots and the escaped experiments than he would. Then again, it was also more expendable. Not that he'd say that out loud.

Starscream felt a smack on the back of his head, causing him to growl. From his position behind him Knockout growled. "Stop wriggling, this patch job is being difficult enough without you moving around." Knockout went back to his welding. "If I'm careful you should be able to avoid any scarring."

Megatron walked in followed closely by Shockwave. "Knockout, in light of what happened with your recent experiment, I am ordering all information on it be turned over to Shockwave. He tells me he may be able to use it in Project: Predacon 2.0" Knockout raised his head and quirked a brow. 2.0?

Shockwave spoke up. "Correct, from what I've been told I think your work, with some revisions could augment our forces to make up for the troop deficit. Originally, I'd planned to clone more Predacons like the one released earlier, now it seems I may be able to make more Predacons out of some of our existing troops, Predacon CNA, and some Earth animal DNA."

He held up the Spark Extractor, causing Starscream and Knockout to wince. "Using the Vehicon sparks contained in this device, and their currently sparkless bodies, I may be able to have a host of Predacons ready in a few cyber-weeks."

Knockout nodded and got back to work. "Fine, take it, after what happened last time, I'm done with that project. Took forever to get all the dents out." He sealed up the last open wound on Starscream. "Just use a buffer a couple times a day for a while and you'll be good as new." Starscream nodded and exited the lab as fast as he could.

Megatron grinned. "Shockwave, before you begin your experiments with the Vehicons, I'd like you to gather some more humans to test the process with. The combiner the Autobots' human pets created was quite the challenge. With a little tinkering, some transformed humans might make for an excellent distraction for the Autobots."

Shockwave looked at him. "Using indigenous lifeforms as initial subjects, with modified safety precautions would be, logical." He turned and exited the lab, intending to send out some Vehicons to capture a few more human subjects. He figured the most logical chance at sucess might be to use humans from the same location the Autobots charges came from. Jasper Nevada.

Notes:

Okay, I tried to base Jack's beast mode on Leobreaker from Transformers: Cybertron and Cheetor from Beast Machines with a dash of Kraven the Hunter from the 90's spiderman cartoon. (I still plan to have a Cheetor in this down the line) As for Raf/Rhinoxs' beast mode, I tried to keep him similar to the original. (Complete with chain guns of doom) just a slightly different color scheme and head sculpt. I purposely hinted at him becoming Rhinox a couple chapters ago. Project: Predacon 2.0 is going to yield some interesting results once this first arc is over with so consider this an idea of what's to come.

Chapter 6: The Fall of Darkmount

Notes:

Hello all. Welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. This chapter took a while write since I had to rewatch the episode that inspired it several times. That said, if this chapter comes off seeming like a novelization of the episode I apologize. I wanted to make sure it followed cannon as much as possible with the addition of the Maximals. Enjoy.

The plan had been simple enough. Ratchet ground bridging across country and using spoofs of their phones with prerecorded messages of the kids to draw the Decepticons' attention in two, followed by Jack imitating a Vehicon (with some questionable acting) to dwindle their forces even further by drawing the Insecticons to a distant energon mine. Though how the Decepticons fell for it was unknown, apparently, they'd forgotten the phones had been destroyed.

The second step had been for the Autobots to split into two teams. Wheeljack and Bulkhead were to storm the front of the base. Arcee and Bumblebee, the back way via an exhaust vent into a corridor. Finally Ultra Magnus and the newly dubbed Maximals would use his ship to enter the top of the Fortress and take out the fusion cannons' power core.

The first hitch was hit when the Predacon had been released to attack Wheeljack and Bulkhead. Ultra Magnus however, had accounted for this, and was able to make it chase his ship. With some quick thinking from Ratchet, they were able to lead it through a ground bridge to the Arctic.

The plan was then to do some additional damage to the Vehicon forces. Unfortunately, that was derailed by Arcees' report that she and Bumblebee were pinned by security. Pioliting his ship towards the top of the fortress he addressed the Maximals.

"Alright." He began. "Once we go in, it'll be your job to take out any guards in the room. Afterwards I need you to keep any other Vehicons off me until I destroy the power core. Is that Understood?"

"Loud and clear mags." Miko grinned. Much as they were loath to be back there, the three were looking forward to getting some payback for what had been done too them. Once the cannons were gone the base was finished. If they saw Knockout on the way, even better.

Deciding to forego any comment on her lack of the word 'sir' Ultra Magnus got into position, and motioned the Maximals to do the same. Lowering the boarding ramp, the four disembarked, Magnus in the lead. Following him in beast mode to cover the distance they watched as Magnus leapt and fired his gun at the wall, smashing through it to create an entry point.

The Maximals transformed as they passed through the hole and began their attack. Miko pulled her katanas, slicing in an X shape she took off the first Vehicons' head and left arm. Raf powered up his chain guns and let loose a volley of fire at his nearest opponent. First blowing chunks out of their armor and then limbs and head off the torso. Jasck took the last one out of the fray by using his laser whip to slice his opponent shoulder to hip. Ultra Magnus nodded in approval, aiming his gun at the power core before it was shot out of his hands.

"Ultra Magnus, and the Autobots, formerly human pets." Megatron called as he dropped from the ceiling. He glared at the group. "Allow me to venture, that you intend to disarm my fusion cannons by disabling their power core?" He turned to the Maximals. "And I'd also hazard a guess that you three are here to assist as some petty form of revenge."

"Indeed, on both counts Megatron." Jack stated. Ultra Magnus deployed his guns. "And you're standing in our way." Magnus finished.

The four charged Megatron from both directions. Magnus and Rafs' guns blaring. Taking the first few shots to his armor, Megatron grabbed Magnus and flung him at the oncoming Maximals. Jack and Miko jumped over the oncoming Autobot, but Raf wasn't as quick and was bowled over.

Miko attempted to slash at Megatons' chest with her swords as Jack tried to wrap his whip around their opponents' right forearm, hoping to disarm his cannon. Sidestepping Miko, Megatron grabbed the whip and pulled Jack towards him like a yoyo. With a mighty punch he was flung backwards into his fallen comrades. When Miko leapt to take another slash, he sidestepped again and kicked her in the back, sending her in the same general direction.

This gave Ultra Magnus the moment he needed to roll back on his feet. He charged at Megatron who was waiting for him. He grabbed Magnus by the shoulder and slammed him into the wall. The blow was immediately followed by a punch to the head that sent him face first to the floor.

"Ultra Magnus." He growled, narrowing his optics. "You are no Optimus Prime." He finished.

"Maybe not, but that won't stop us from trying." Came a trio of synchronized voices. Megatron turned around and saw, instead of the three warriors he'd been expecting, he saw the combiner that he'd fought made from the humans after Knockouts' experiment.

They looked a bit different now though. Instead of protoform grey all over their arms and legs were metallic yellow, partially covered in brown rhino hide. Its' abdomen was Metallic blue with grey white fur going around the back, and the chest was a burgundy with falcon wings running down the sides from the shoulders like armor. Like before three sparks were glowing in its' chest hull but now, they were tinted yellow, burgundy, and blue. The androgynous face was now surrounded by black lions' mane and topped with a falcons' head, half of a bisected rhinoceros' horn curving out where each shoulder met the neck.

Megatron grinned. Finally, an opponent that might offer something of a challenge. Leaving the dazed Ultra Magnus on the ground he deployed his sword and charged the combiner. They leapt over Megatrons' charge and drew their sword, turning to stand between Magnus and Megatron.

Megatron laughed. "Do you really think you can make a difference?" He taunted striking at the combiner, who barely blocked his blow. "Like I told you before, I've bested combiners bigger and better than whatever you three are now." He forced them back a few paces. "All you are now is an annoyance, another nameless casualty, a mistake of Decepticon science." He then knocked their sword to the side and were sent flying backwards to the floor by a low powered blast from his cannon. Afterall, he still wanted them intact, mostly.

They glared up at Megatron. "You call us a freak, but we know better." They got back up, using their sword to brace themselves. "We became what we are for a reason." They charged Megatron, locking swords with him again. This time taking care not to get within his cannons' firing range. "We are here to stop you and your campaign of conquest. You say we will be nothing but a casualty, another nameless statistic in your grand designs." They both took a step forward, placing more strength into their respective blades.

Megatron kicked them in the abdomen, driving them back. "And we have a name for ourself now." They swung their broadsword forward, forcing him to parry and driving him onto the backfoot. "WE." They swung their sword left, slicing the top third of Megatrons fusion cannon off, disabling it. "AM." They delivered a kick to Megatrons' chest, sending him staggering. "MAGNABOSS!"

Ultra Magnus had cleared his head right as the newly dubbed Magnaboss began to speak. He stared wide opticed at the combiner before him. How was this possible? They never said anything about being able to combine. "If we survive this mission, we're going to have a long talk about this." He muttered, standing up.

"Oh, believe me." Megatron growled, glaring at Magnus, breathing heavily. Even without his fusion cannon, he would prevail over them. "You won't survive this battle, either of you." He snarled at the advancing Magnaboss. Their charge had surprised him, allowing them to land that kick. "Even if I didn't have the blood of Unicron flowing through me, I'd still be more than a match for the both of you."

Magnaboss grinned, feeling something surging in their collective sparks. "Let's see how true that statement is." Their sparks began to glow brightly. Throwing up their hands, a thin beam of colored energy lanced out from each of the three sparks, converging and twisting into a single greenish white beam just in front of Magnaboss' chest. The energy surged forward, closing the gap between Magnaboss and Megatron, hitting him squarely in the chest, right at his spark chamber.

It was pure agony for Megatron as he felt like acid was coursing through every fiber of his being. Letting loose an ear shattering scream he felt the small shard of Dark Energon in his body explode. His spark and eyes lost their light purple hue to them as he felt his strength weaken. When the beam stopped, he felt like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Breathing heavily he realized the Dark Energon that enhanced his power had severely diminished.

Magnaboss and Ultra Magnus moved in. "It's over Megatron." The former said, sounding as exhausted as he felt. "Surrender now." Said the latter, taking aim with his guns. Megatron glowered, he would not be defeated like this. Summoning up his rage and whatever dregs of Uncrons' power he had left, he delivered an uppercut to Magnaboss' jaw sending them crashing through the ceiling onto the roof. Taking advantage of Ultra Magnus' moment of shock, he delivered a blow to Magnus' head, knocking him unconscious.

Up on the Fortress' roof, Magnaboss had split back into their three components. Depleted of energon, the three also reverted back into their beast modes. Apparently, purging dark energon took a lot out of them. Miko weakly shook her head. "Did he just Mortal Kombat us?" Jack and Raf just groaned in response.

Megatron leapt up through the hole onto the roof, dragging Ultra Magnus by the back of the neck. He looked to his left seeing Starscream land and transform before walking up to him. "All intruders have been apprehended lord Megatron." He began. "There was no sign of Optimus Prime."

Megatron threw Ultra Magnus in the direction of the Maximals, jarring him back to consciousness. "So tell me, 'Commander'." He growled, slurring Magnus' rank. "Where Might your leader be? I will not ask again."

Magnus looked up and glared. "Even if I knew." He bit out. "I wouldn't tell you."

"Very well." Megatron turned to Starscream, deploying his sword. "Execute our prisoners, starting with the experiments. Knockout will just have to settle for their corpses. Then fire each cannon at the nearest metropolis within its' sights. It is time to show the known universe that this planet, belongs to Megatron."

"Master." Starscream interrupted, looking at the horizon. "Something's coming."

Megatron turned to look at the distant shape flying towards them. "The Predacon?" Starscream shook his head. "Not beastly enough." Megatron walked to the edge of the roof to get a better look.

"I know that color scheme." Starscream commented as the figure came into focus. His optics widened, and Megatrons' jaw dropped. Flying straight at the fortress, was an airborne, more powerfully built Optimus Prime. "Wait, he can't fly, can he?" He asked looking at Megatron.

Optimus flew to the top of the fortress, delivering a roundhouse blow to Megatrons' head, knocking him away from Magnus and the Maximals. This was followed up with and uppercut like the one Megatron dealt to Magnaboss earlier. He finished with a blow to the abdomen, sending Megatron flying across the roof into his throne, destroying it.

Several Vehicons that had converged on the roof opened fire on Prime. He responded by deploying a gatling gun and in one sweep took out the entire squadron. The entire firefight lasted seconds.

Starscream seeing this, backed away from Optimus, right into an uppercut delivered by Ultra Magnus. He went flying across the rooftop into the base of what was once Megatrons' throne, knocking him senseless.

Optimus turned to the group. "Commander?" He questioned Ultra Magnus.

"Sir, you're looking, robust." Ultra Magnus began. "It is paramount that we disable the fusion cannons below. Afterwards we need to get these children out of here." He finished motioning to the Maximals

"Children?" Optimus asked, looking at them. "Long story Prime, we'll explain later." Jack said as he stood up shakily, causing Optimus' optics to widen.

"Jackson?" Optimus said wide opticed looking at the nodding lion, quickly determining who the bird and rhinoceros must be "Miko, Rafael?" Further questioning was postponed when he heard the rubble of Megatrons' throne shifting. He looked back at Ultra Magnus. "Understood." He took two long strides before taking off. Ultra Magnus calling out his return over the comms before calling his ship.

Megatron and Starscream revived in time to see Magnus and the Maximals jump off the fortress' roof and onto Magnus' waiting ship. Megatron seeing Optimus, gave a cry of rage and jumped after him, converting into his Cybertronian jet mode.

He came upon Prime as he was about to fire on the first fusion cannon. Screaming his nemesis' name, he opened fire on him. Optimus quickly turned to flee with Megatron dogging his every move, firing wildly.

Optimus turned and fired back at Megatron before continuing evasive maneuvers. He'd overheard Starscream command the fusion cannons to fire on a squadron of oncoming human fighter jets and knew he had to end this. Flying away from the fortress he turned to face the oncoming Megatron.

Choosing his moment carefully, he punched downward on the nose of the Decepticon warlords' vehicle mode, Megatron flipped over in midair and Optimus, spinning around, grabbing him by the back of the wings. "Megatron, Begone!" He shouted and let go, sending Megatron spiraling into the side of Darkmount, right through the wall and into the fusion cannons' power core, disabling it. The light from the fusion cannons died, fading to black.

Turning around to see the human jets incoming he heard Ultra Magnus over the comms. "Autobots, clear the area." He looked down to see Arcee and Bumblebee bowl over what looked like Shockwave, giving Wheeljack and Bulkhead a chance to escape with them. He'd have to get a full situation report once they'd evacuated.

Turning back to see the first missiles strike the fortress he nodded before taking off, noticing the Nemesis taking off from Darkmount just before it collapsed completely. On his way out he saw Smokescreen joining with the rest of his team as they evacuated the area. Heading to the nearest human military base.

Optimus was happy that they had triumphed today. Though he wondered what the full cost of this victory was. His teams' human charges had been turned into something never seen before. It also looked like there were new players on the board between the children, Ultra Magnus, and Shockwave. On top of that, Smokescreen using the forge of Solus Prime to revive him may have cost them their chance at restoring Cybertron. Not that he wasn't grateful.

Eventually he saw the military base come into view. Looking to his right he saw Magnus' ship preparing to set down. A little further off he saw the other Autobots coming into view on the horizon. He gave a quiet sigh, whatever happened or will happen, they would preserve.

Notes:

Hope you guys like the use of Magnaboss as the kids' combined form. I know the beast modes aren't quite the same but I tried to keep them close as possible. I just couldn't see having Miko as a bald eagle. Only one more chapter to go (Mostly and epilogue) before the end of this arc and I begin to branch off from the Transformers Prime storyline a bit. That will be the time more of the IDW comic begin to come into play and I hope everyone enjoys it. That said, please review (Constructively please).

Chapter 7: Confrontations and Explanations

Notes:

Just a heads up, I only ever watched the first two "Bayverse" transformers movies. I know that a certain characters' portrayal probably isn't right, but I needed it for plot purposes.

In his beast mode, Jack paced around the hangar they'd been hiding in almost since they'd got back. They'd won, but anything after that was drowned out by his fear of facing his mother. He'd not caught one word of Fowlers speech to the Autobots. Admittedly being thanked by the president and joint chiefs of staff via Fowler was cool, but he was too nervous to think about it.

"Jack, calm down and transform." Raf sighed, sitting against a far wall, examining his hands. "Optimus, Arcee, and Fowler promised to prepare her for the shock, but it'll be easier on her to see us in robot mode first since we still look like us."

From her place on a large crate, Miko, in her beast mode, snorted. "Yeah Jack. I think seeing a giant man-eating cat talk with your voice might not be a good idea." She jumped off the crate and transformed, walking over to him. "She might think you got eaten or something."

Jack snorted. Despite her worrying, he knew she wouldn't think that. With a sigh he transformed and wrapped his arms around himself. "I'm just worried about how she'll handle it. Bad enough I lied to her, but this?" He looked at his hands, so different from what he was used too, scars and details that were no longer there.

Miko placed her hand on his arm. "I know a thing or two about loopholes Jack. You didn't lie to her. Arcee didn't even lie to her completely. She'll probably be upset that we didn't tell her everything, but she'll be happier that you're alive."

Jack sighed. "I just hope she sees it that way Miko. Trust is one thing we've had since I was a kid." He shuddered. "I don't like the thought of losing that." He turned and wrapped his arms around her, enjoying the comfort. "Besides, I don't know which will be harder to explain, our new forms, or the fact we're together now."

Miko snorted a bit before letting out a laugh. "No matter the body, you're still you Jackrabbit. Only you would find reintroducing me as your girlfriend as hard to explain as us being used as Decepticon lab rats."

Raf stood up chuckling. "I think that we'll be fine. If nothing else we have the bots, and each other." He looked at the other two. "My worry is someone trying to claim us as property, technically we're not human anymore." All three shivered at the thought.

Any further musing was cut off as a series of rapid footsteps came closer to the hangar. "I don't care about what's happened to him, I want to see my son! I need to know he's alright!" Not two seconds after hearing that the hangars' human door opened to reveal an exasperated June Darby.

Looking around the hangar at eye level for her son and the other two teens she'd all but adopted, she quirked her eyebrow. Looking up she saw the three new bots standing before her. Two were a little over twice her height and the third was another few feet taller. "Sorry, Optimus sent me this way have you see-"

Her question was cut off when Jack crouched down and looked at her. Junes' eyes widened as she looked at her sons' new form. She let out a gasp as she brought her hands to her mouth. "Jack?" She slowly walked towards him. Reaching out a hand she cupped the side of his face as he nodded. "How?"

Jack took a deep breath. "We were kidnapped by the Decepticons after school before they fired that beam. They used us as hostages against the bots when they were on the verge of winning a major battle."

June nodded, Arcee and Bill had already given her an abbreviated version of the events that led up to that point. "Arcee mentioned that she, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead tried to grab you three when the exchange went south." Admittedly she was still angry that the three were taken, but ultimately knew it wasn't their fault. At that thought she gave a start, turning to the other two bots in the room. "Miko? Raf?" She said looking at the other mech and femme.

Miko stepped forward, crouching like Jack did. "Yeah, after everything went dark at the exchange we woke up in Knockouts' lab. He said he wanted to try replenishing the Decepticon troops with humans." She repressed a shudder.

Raf took over, sitting down to be on the same level as the others. "He combined the same material that created that fortress with some Cybertronian artifacts' energy and it turned our bodies into something that's half bot, half organic. We got our beast modes later."

Junes' eyes widened. "Beast modes?" The only one who came close to that was Airachnid. Then again, when she'd asked Arcee about her spider characteristics, she replied that they were the result of a type of cosmetic surgery.

Raf and Miko stood up and relaxed, shifting back into their bird and rhino forms respectively. She turned back to Jack and took a step back. He took a deep breath and transformed back into his lion mode while June stared wide eyed.

She put a hand up to his current face. Taking a long look in the big cats' eyes. Despite what had happened to the three, they still had the same eyes in both forms. She smiled and nodded; this was definitely her son. She then looked at the other two and corrected herself. These were definitely, her kids.

The touching moment was interrupted when the door she'd entered barely ten minutes ago burst open again. This time a group of soldiers in army fatigues and medical staff charged in and surrounded the group. Each of them was armed with advanced looking weaponry and each had a Maximal locked in their sights in seconds.

Last to enter was a thin white man dressed similarly to agent Fowler. Unfortunately, this agent had an aura of arrogance about him that reeked from his posture to his shades. "Alright get the subjects ready to transport. I got analysis teams already on standby for these three." The agents moved closer to the Maximals causing them to transform back into robot mode, and June go marching towards the man.

"Just who the hell do you think you are?" June yelled. She'd just gotten those three back and she wasn't going to let some prick in a suit take them away again.

"Agent Seymour Simmons with Sector-7." He replied with a cockiness that mirrored his appearance. "Our job is to recover alien technology, and those three." He said taking off his shades and pointing at the Maximals. "Are now chock full of it. This'll be the biggest leap forward for human technology since Rosswell."

"Like hell you are." June countered. "Two of them are U.S. citizens, and the third is an exchange student from Japan with diplomatic immunity. On top of that, they've already been through a traumatic experience today, and I'll be damned if you take any of them anywhere!" She ended her voice rising to a shout.

Simmons smirked. "Actually, as they aren't really human anymore, human rights no longer apply. We've already been in contact with the Nakadais, who agreed to declare their daughter legally dead, so long as they get first crack at any alien tech we pull from her." Mikos' eyes bugged out and she began breathing at a faster rate.

"And as far as Esquivel, he may be a U.S. citizen, but his parents aren't. All I had to do was threaten to deport them and send their other children into the foster care system, and they agreed to declare him dead too. That just leaves you and the lion over there." He finished as Raf took a Shakey step back.

"Now you listen here you." June began, pointing a finger at Simmons, but was cut off by a soldier clocking her in the right eye. She fell to the floor in front of Jack who took a step towards Simmons, growling.

"See this, nurse Darby." He said pulling out his badge. "This, is a 'do anything I want and get away with it badge.' I could just as easily have you arrested for interfering with federal operations, or just shoot you dead right here." Jack started inching his hand to reach for his whip. They might have to fight their way out, but they would escape no matter what.

Any further arguing was cut off by thunderous footsteps coming towards the hangar followed by the bay doors being opened so fast they almost came of the track. Standing there was Agent Fowler with a platoon of soldiers, each with their sights set on a different member of Simmons platoon. Behind them stood the Autobots, weapons deployed as a show of force. "What the red white, and blue blazes do you think you're doing here Simmons?" Fowler yelled at the other agent.

"Fowler, stay out of this. Your jurisdiction is limited to the tall bots back there, or otherwise we'd be taking them too." Simmons replied with a sneer at the Autobots. All that tech, and the president forbade them from touching any of it. At least he didn't know about these three, and hopefully they'd be back at base before they could be stopped.

"Those kids just helped save this country from an extraterrestrial threat and you want to haul them off to some lab somewhere. I think not." He grinned at the sneering man. "I heard how you strongarmed the Esquivels into doing what you wanted, which is disgusting by the way, and we have an answer to that too." He looked up at Optimus. "You're up big guy."

Optimus nodded. "I, Optimus Prime, as leader of the Autobots, and currently the main ambassador of the planet Cybertron, hereby offer sanctuary and citizenship amongst my people to Jackson Darby, Miko Nakadai, Rafael Esquivel, and June Darby should they so accept it." He looked at the group in question as June got back on her feet with Jacks help. The four collectively nodded in acceptance, although Raf and Miko still seemed stunned at what they just learned.

Fowler kept grinning. "And with their acceptance, that makes them citizens of Cybertron, with all that is attached with it, including ambassador status and diplomatic immunity." He glared at Simmons "And as I am the current liaison to the Autobots, they would fall under my jurisdiction." He continued. "That said, unless you want to be the cause of this nations', and in fact the worlds' first interplanetary incident, You and your men will leave now! He finished with a shout.

Simmons glared at them. "Fall back men." His squadron rapidly exited the hangar under the Autobots watchful optics. He turned back to Fowler. "This isn't over Bill, the president will hear about this, and he will overrule the big Mac over there."

Fowler glared back at Simmons. "He already knows their involvement in the Darkmount crisis and I assure you he will know about what you've just tried to pull." He pointed to the open door. "Now, I believe I told you to leave." With a final glare at the Maximals agent Simmons turn and left with a huff.

Optimus kept a close optic on the Sector Seven operatives until they'd cleared the military base, Fowler and his squadron escorting them. His attention was brought back when the other Autobots excepting Ratchet and Ultra Magnus rushed forward into the hangar to comfort their friends. On closer inspection he saw that Rafael had sat down on the floor and was staring ahead at nothing. Miko on the other hand was being comforted by Jack while June watched with a sad expression and a black eye blossoming on her face.

Bumblebee ran to Raf beeping if he was alright. "No." He answered weakly. "I thought that something like this could happen, but I thought my parents..." When Bumblebee put a hand on Raf he curled up on himself and began to cry.

He had effectively been sacrificed for the rest of his family. Another series of comforting beeps, saying that he always considered the boy something of a brother, and would happily be there for him. Raf looked up at him. Standing up he threw his arms around Bumblebees' waist and hugged the bot for dear life. A quiet "Thank you." was heard by all.

Meanwhile Miko was bawling her eyes out on Jacks' shoulder as his mother watched. Arcee, Bulkhead and Wheeljack walked up to the trio as quietly as they could. "I-I can't believe they did that. They, they wanted me dissected to make themselves richer." Jack held her tighter and planted a kiss to the top of her head.

Junes' eyebrows shot up at that statement. She knew Miko rarely spoke about her family, but the events of the last ten minutes both shocked and disgusted her. Then there was this new affection between Miko and her son. She'd have to ask about this later, but right now, there was a young girl that needed her help.

"Miko." She began, causing the two to separate and look down at her. June took a deep breath. "I don't know much about your family, but I do know that what they tried to do to you is wrong. I can't imagine what they were thinking wanting to use you like that."

She was cut off by Miko. "They're the same people who wanted to marry me off to seal a corporate merger. They probably thought I'd be worth more as parts than as a bride." She muttered angrily, looking at the floor.

June was shocked. How could any parents consider either of those for their only child? Making a decision, she looked at Jack. "Jack, sweetie, could you lift me up to her?" Jack looked surprised, but carefully lifted his mother up, holding her by her sides. Holding her out to Miko, June wrapped her arms around Mikos' neck, giving her the best hug that she could manage.

"Miko." She began. "What your parents did to you before you came to Jasper was as wrong as what the Decepticons did to you." She took a breath as Miko froze. She'd never heard anyone openly speak ill of her parents. "You deserve to have a loving family who sees you as more than a bargaining chip. I know you're almost an adult, but if you want, I'll happily be as close to a mother to you as I can be."

For a moment no one spoke. Miko brought an arm under Junes' legs, relieving Jack of her weight. Miko took a shuddering breath. "Thank you." She said, trying to keep from crying again.

Bulkhead and Wheeljack came up on either side of the three. "And no matter what." Wheeljack began, placing a hand on one of her shoulders. "You have a home and family amongst the Wreckers. Miko hugged June to her chest again and looked up to see a Jack beaming at her.

Miko set June down and she turned to Raf and Bumblebee. "Raf, my offer is open to you too." She said, looking at her second unofficial child. "I know I can't replace your family, and I don't want to." Raf walked towards her and kneeled down. "But I'll be here for you when you need me like I'd be here for you like I will be for Jack and Miko."

Looking at June, Raf smiled. "I think I'd like that Mrs. Darby." He glanced at her darkening eye. He looked at his right hand and remembered one of the tools in his hands. "Hold still a second." He held his right palm to her face. It pulsed a light violet for a few seconds and June felt the pain in her face subside.

Feeling her face, she realized the tenderness where she'd been punched had vanished completely. She looked up at Raf. "What was that?"

Raf smiled. "I think that it's called a cellular regeneration pulse. I wanted to help you like you're helping us, and I thought of it. I think it accelerates the natural healing process."

Ratchet looked interested at this. He'd have to think about training Rafael as a Medic.

Arcee looked on at the scene. Despite how they seemed to be taking it, she knew from experience that this kind of change would be a hard adjustment for them all. And that's not including the other emotional baggage at least two of the kids seemed to be carrying.

Coming to a decision, she walked over to Optimus and Ultra Magnus. "Sir, I think I know someone who could help the kids, but I'd need your permission to send the message." She turned to Ultra Magnus. "And your ship to send the message, sir."

Optimus looked at Arcee. "I know whom you're referring too and Ultra Magnus has informed me which ship he's now serving on. With the addition of Shockwave and his abilities I believe an additional call for reinforcements is required."

Arcee nodded. "I have his personal frequency, and I'm sure he'd come either way. Once I get a hold of him, we can request the ships' captain to come to earth." Optimus nodded at this. "Alright Arcee, follow us." With that they walked out of the hangar and towards Magnus' ship, beckoning Fowler to follow them.

Notes:

I hated to do that to Raf and Miko, but I had no idea what to do with their families and what Mikos' parents did is, I think, pretty in character for how I've portrayed them. And no, this is not the last we'll see of Sector Seven. Slight correction from my A/N last chapter. There will be one more chapter in this arc. Mostly because the next couple scenes started to get long enough to be a chapter on their own.

Chapter 8: A Call for Reinforcements

Notes:

This is it, the end of the beginning. Here is the end of arc one of Beast Wars Prime. This is also where the IDW elements start to make themselves known. That said, let the games begin.

Agent Fowler followed Ultra Magnus, Arcee, and Optimus Prime. They'd made it into the ship before he finally addressed the trio. "Alright Prime, what's going to on." Fowler asked, not wanting to beat around the bush. With everything that had happened, he didn't want any more surprises.

Optimus sighed. "Despite reports that the Decepticons' troops are diminished, I am calling for additional reinforcements. In addition, there is a psychologist amongst the Autobots whom Arcee believes may be of great help to the children." He looked at her. "Go ahead Arcee." Walking up to the communications console and put in the frequency number. Waiting, she prepared herself.

A few seconds later the connection was made. "Hello, who is this?" Came a voice with what sounded like a light British accent. Fowler raised an eyebrow at the screen and looked at Prime. He looked down at him and whispered "Translator". He nodded and turned back to the screen.

"Rung, this is Arcee." She said smiling at the familiar voice. She hoped with all her spark that she'd be able to help Jack and the others. After he'd helped her, he was the only bot she would trust with them.

"Arcee? I'll be, I'm happy to hear from you, how is everything going?" He asked in a jovial voice.

"I'm alright Rung, but we have a situation that could use your unique skill set. We have three natives of this planet who've been somehow transmuted into techno organic Cybertronians. Considering your expertise in post body modification therapy I thought you'd be able to help them."

There was a silence that lasted for several seconds. "Very well Arcee. I'll have to talk to the ships' captain, but I think I'll be able to come help."

Optimus and Magnus came up to the console. "Rung, this is Optimus Prime. I am issuing a call for reinforcements to all Autobots. With me is Ultra Magnus, my second in command. Please connect me to your ships' captain so I can transmit our coordinates."

There was a stunned silence on Rungs' end. "Coming right up sirs." There was a typing sound followed by a connecting click. "Hello? Who is this?" Came a gruff voice with what sounded like a very light French accent. Ultra Magnus' left optic twitched slightly; he knew that voice.

Optimus sighed, he too recognized that voice. "This is Optimus Prime, Hot Rod. Overlooking the question of how you became captain of the Lost Light, I am calling in your ship for reinforcements and will need your ships' crew manifest."

Another silence. "I took over the captainship in an election when Countdown died of spark failure. Sending crew manifest now sir, awaiting coordinates." He replied in a slightly clipped voice. "And I go by Rodimus now." He muttered, causing Optimus to quirk a brow. Fowler and Arcee had to fight back laughter.

Looking over the manifest of a little over two dozen bots, Magnus nodded. He knew several of these bots and they'd all be a credit to their current mission. Then, he got a bit further down the list. "Are you kidding me?" He growled in an uncharacteristic fit of emotion. "Whirl is on the Lost light?" Just the thought of that nutcase could give him a conniption.

"Beggers can't be choosers Magnus." Optimus whispered. He'd already scanned the list and saw several unfamiliar names. "Rodimus?" Optimus asked, trying not to wince at the parody of his own name. "There are a few bots' names on this manifest I'm unfamiliar with, where'd they come from?"

Rodimus replied quickly. "During our travels we've picked up a few bots hailing from various ships cruising the galaxy. I assure you I can vouch for their abilities." Optimus looked at Magnus who nodded. "Very well Rodimus. I'm sending the coordinates now."

There were a few moments in which there was muted background noise. Rodimus came back on the line. "According to Blaster we'll be there in about a deca-cycle. When we're about two mega-cycles out we'll get back in contact about landing coordinates."

Optimus nodded. The Lost Light was several star systems away, even with the ships' quantum engines it would take a while to get there. "Very well captain. We'll await your communication." With that the message ended.

Fowler looked up at Prime. "Hold up Prime, just how big is this ship?" It was one thing to hide this ship, but anything bigger could be a problem. Let alone keeping certain agents and agencies from getting their hands on any weapons tech.

Arcee spoke up. "I have an idea for that sir. I'll just need to run it by Ratchet and the Lost Lights' science team when they call."

Ultra Magnus looked at Fowler. "To answer your question, the Lost light is a science exploration vessel about eight times the size of this military base and about as tall as a twenty-story human building." He finished, leaving their human friend speechless. He looked at Arcee. "I hope your idea is a good one. Hiding a ship that big could be a problem."

Arcee nodded. "I think it'll work sir, but right now, I want to check on the kids." She exited the ship and returned to the hangar. Looking inside she saw a sight that warmed her spark.

Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Ratchet were watching a sleeping Jack, Miko, and Raf, who were all in their beast modes. The three techno organics slept is something of a pile. Upon closer inspection she saw that June had nodded off between Jack, who'd curled around her and Miko, and Raf. Miko had her head nestled in Jacks' mane and her wing acting as Junes' blanket. Raf had Nestled up to Jacks' other side and if she strained her hearing, she could hear a low rumble coming from her partner.

Ratchet looked at her and whispered. "They all fell asleep a few minutes ago. After everything they've been through, we decided to leave them be." Arcee smiled and nodded, this was just what they all needed.

"Alright." she whispered. Stepping out the hangar she transformed into her motorcycle form and quietly rolled up close to the sleeping group. "I suggest we join them in catching some power down cycles ourselves."

With that Wheeljack, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee transformed and copied her. Ratchet excused himself to Magnus' ship. She made a mental note to talk with him and Optimus later. Right now, though. She just wanted to enjoy this moment of peace.

Meanwhile aboard the Nemesis Megatron was waiting on the bridge with Starscream and Soundwave. He'd just left Knockouts' lab after having his cannon repaired. In addition, he'd reinfected himself with Dark Energon to retore himself to his full power, despite Knockouts' warning not to. Something about his own systems purging the trace amounts of the Dark Energon on its' own. Not that he wanted that to happen.

He gave a deep sigh and closed his eyes. With this latest setback, he knew what he had to do. Looking to Soundwave he gave a nod. The silent mech moved to the bridges' communication console and using a tendril, activated the broadcast array.

"Calling all Decepticons, this is Megatron." He took a deep breath. "I am calling for all available units to rally on my present location." He gave a subtle wince, he hated having to call for assistance. "The Autobots are making their final stand on this planet. The Prime is with them and they are amassing native allies for a surge. Reply for coordinates."

There was several moments of silence before three ships answered the call. "This is Astrotrain calling in." Came a voice with a metallic echo. "I am currently carrying 10 Decepticons in stasis in my cargo hold and willing to begin journey immediately, awaiting coordinates.

Megatron nodded. 11 additional Decepticons wasn't much, but with what Shockwave was planning, it was a start. "Acknowledged Astrotrain, welcome aboard." He nodded to Soundwave, who sent the Nemesis' coordinates to the triple changer before turning to the next ship.

"Lord Megatron this is Scrapper of the Constructicons. All six of us are onboard the Resurwrecked and ready to report to your location." Came the rough voice of the Constructicons' leader and foreman.

At this Megatron smiled widely. The Constructicons ability to almost literally make something from nothing combined with Shockwaves' intellect could give the Decepticons a massive edge. The added bonus of Devastator would also help against the new combiner Magnaboss. Soundwave, taking Megatrons' smile as confirmation sent the coordinates.

The final ship connected. "This is Galavar of the Darksyde lord Megatron." Came a somewhat oily voice. "On board are myself, my science officer and medic Mesothulas, and the Mayhem Attack Squadron."

Megatron grimaced. He knew Galavar was ambitious to the point that he'd give Starscream a run for his Shainx. Then again, he knew Mesothulas was a gifted scientist in his own right. Not as gifted as Shockwave but several of his inventions, like the spark extractor and the noisemaze prison, spoke for themselves. The Mayhem Attack Squad would be near indispensable in their own right, their leader Bludgeon in particular.

With a sigh he pinched the bridged of his nose and gave Soundwave a reluctant nod. He'd find some way to rid himself of Galavar eventually. He mentally took stock of the incoming troops there were now 22 Decepticons coming to Earth with varying skills and abillities. Looking at Soundwaves' readout he saw that the last of the Arrivals, the Darksyde, would arrive in about a Deca-cycle. The Resurwrecked, being the first to arrive in 4 Mega-cycles, with Astrotrain arriving two Earth days afterwards.

He looked out the Nemesis' bridge into the depths of space. "This war is far from over Prime; it is only going to escalate. The only way it will end, is with you, the Autobots, and your pets dead and broken beneath my feet."

Notes:

And with this chapter is the end of our first arc. That said, the next arc of the story will see an expansion in the roster of bots, cons, Maximals, and Predacons. In addition, the kids will get their field (Best Wars) names in the next arc. As always, I hope you liked this story and please leave a review.

Chapter 9: Nightmares and the First Wave

June stifled a groan as she got up off the cot and made her way to the bathroom in what had been labeled, temporarily she hoped, the "Maximals' Den". The week following the fall of Darkmount was decidedly hectic for the Autobots and Maximals. It began a couple days afterwards with an experimental armored truck, apparently called 'convoy 8-4' being brought in for Optimus to scan as his new vehicle mode. Fowler had also seriously put his foot in his mouth by bringing Raf and Mikos' things from their homes that day as well, inadvertently rubbing salt in the fresh emotional wounds in regard to their families

June had been as good as her word to all three of her 'children'. She'd put in for some emergency time off from the hospital to be there for them. Going so far as to sleep on a decidedly uncomfortable cot near the kids' makeshift berths, the Cybertronian equivalent of a bed, and living out of a suitcase. The day Fowler brought everything she kept close to the trio. Between her and Jack they'd been able to distract the other two from the drama of what had happened with their families.

With Miko it was a matter of asking about her feelings for Jack. Miko, reluctantly at first, told her about her slow fall into love with her son as she sifted through the boxes looking for the few of her worldly possessions she wanted. When she came to their time in captivity June complimented her gung-ho attitude towards confessing, and the thought process around her attempts to help them escape. Miko laughed when June told her she'd have to show her Jacks' baby pictures when she got a chance, causing the part time Lion bot to groan.

In Rafs' case, Jack decided to keep him busy, after he pulled what he wanted from his boxes, by rigging up the videogame system. The tools in Rafs' hands made adapting the human sized console to retro-engineered controllers he'd built out of scrap around the base to fit their hands easy. What followed was Raf thoroughly trouncing Jack at their favorite racing game. Afterwards Bumblebee joined them for the first time ever, leaving both boys in the dust as Miko and June laughed at their commentary.

The next day, however, brought somber news. Optimus had called the three into a meeting to explain that apparently, their classmates Vincent, Sierra, and her friend Allison were reported missing. He also explained that there was a good possibility that they were taken by the Decepticons, based on what they'd said about their talk with Vector Sigma.

All three Maximals had somewhat mixed emotions about this news. Despite being bullied by Vince repeatedly over the last few years, none of them wanted to wish what they'd been put through on anyone. Jack had surprised Raf and Miko when he admitted that he and Vince were friends when they were around Rafs' age. The death of Vinces' father had caused the other boy to act out and ultimately drove a wedge between them, leading to their current level of animosity. June had always lamented the fact that the two had such a falling out.

Miko had felt guilty at the fact that she'd disliked Sierra so strongly because of Jacks' infatuation with her. Jack and June had to remind her that the odds of someone else being kidnapped by the Decepticons was already high considering their desire to use humans to replenish their troops. Finally, June figured out why Miko was reacting so strongly. Taking her aside she put the young femme at ease by reminding her that no matter how it looked, she hadn't brought what happened upon the other girl, the Decepticons did. Miko felt a little better at that.

Raf simply wasn't sure what to think or how to feel. He'd been bullied pretty bad by Vince in school, but not to the level Jack was. At the revelation of Jacks old friendship with him he felt even more confused. Bumblebee simply said that that was a normal part of growing up. Unfortunately, that didn't stop Raf feeling bad over feeling nothing for his classmates' potential fate.

Coming back from the bathroom June thought about a conversation she'd had with Arcee that afternoon. She'd been pulled aside by the Autobot and brought up to speed about her call to a Cybertronian psychologist that she'd hoped could help the three. Apparently, he was coming alongside additional reinforcements from the Autobots. This, she hoped, would be a good idea. Between what had happened to those three and all the new they'd received since; she knew they'd need professional help. Hopefully they accepted it.

Hearing a thud, she ran the rest of the way back to the makeshift bunks to find that Jack had fallen off onto the floor. Adding to the trouble he was writhing and rapidly transforming between his lion and robot modes. At times it looked like he was trying to do both at once. A quick glance told her that the other two were twitching in their sleep as well and didn't hear the commotion.

"Jack" June yelled, running to her son. Avoiding the spasming mess of limbs and tail that her son currently was, she got up to one of his shoulders and shook it as hard as possible. Jacks' eyes sprung open and he leapt backwards, springing into his lion mode and growling as he did. From the look of it, Jack didn't know where he was. "It's okay sweetie, it's okay, you're safe. It was only a nightmare." She said softly, trying to sooth her distressed son.

Looking around Jack saw that he wasn't back in Knockouts' lab like he was in his nightmare. He took a deep breath and let it out several times before he was relaxed completely. "Sorry mom, I dreamed we were back in Knockouts' lab about to be dissected." Taking another breath, he transformed back into his robot mode, although still on all fours. June nodded, that was an understandable cause for a nightmare. She went up to him and hugged him around the neck, a hug he returned with one arm. She'd be damned if that monster got his hands on any of her children again.

A few moments later Miko let loose a scream that caused both of them to jump to their feet. Looking over they saw that she was sitting straight up on her berth, tears rolling down her face. Seeing Jack and June coming towards her she curled up into a ball, tearfully muttering in Japanese. This also had the side effect of waking Raf who sat up panting and shaking if fear like Miko was, a sign that he'd been in the throes of a night terror as well.

The sound of roaring engines and the tell-tale sounds of transformation signaled that Mikos' scream had summoned the Autobots from the hangar next door. The door opened and Arcee, followed closely by Bumblebee and Bulkhead ran into the hangar with Ratchet and Optimus bringing up the rear. Wheeljack, Smokescreen, and Ultra Magnus had left earlier with some of Fowlers' Men to acquire more food for the three Maximals earlier that day.

As the first three Autobots went to their respective charges Jack had calmed Miko down enough to tell him about her nightmare. "My parents were having parts cut out of me and auctioning them off. I begged them to stop but they just kept going." She took a shuddering breath. "Then I saw you two were next to be cut up and." She choked out the rest and started crying again as Jack wrapped his arms around her and began to purr in hopes of calming her. She'd poked fun of him for "being such a pussy...cat" at first, but right now, it was comforting to hear. It was a sign that they were alive and safe.

Bulkhead crouched down to put a servo on her shoulder. "It's alright now Miko." Bulkhead reassured her as Jack took her hand. "We made sure that the only ones who know you three are here are us, and Fowler. Everyone else thinks you were moved somewhere else two days ago." This had been done to throw off any possibility that Sector Seven of some other Mercenaries would come after them.

While they calmed Miko down, Bumblebee was helping Raf. "I know it wasn't real Bee, I don't know why I reacted the way I did." Raf Grumbled irritably. At Bumblebees' beeping for an explanation Raf replied. "I dreamed I was being used as a sideshow freak to make money. Like I said it was just downright dumb." He finished shaking his head.

"Actually, none of your nightmares are 'dumb' Rafael." Ratchet interrupted. Drawing everyone's' attention. "From what I can tell you three are suffering a type of, in Earth terms, PTSD. The dreams and night terrors you three experienced are symptoms of it. Additional symptoms could include flashbacks, irritability, and increased anxiety."

Optimus interrupted. "Is there anything that can help them, old friend?" He didn't like that the three of them were suffering. Least of all because their situation was at least partly his fault. Megatron knew the children were close to the Autobots, and by extension, him. Again, he mentally berated himself for leaving the three of them unprotected.

"There are treatments." Ratchet replied with a sigh. "Unfortunately, I'm not a psychologist or a Mnemosurgeon, I wouldn't know where to begin. To use nurse Darby for example, it would be like her attempting brain surgery. I could just as easily cause more damage."

Arcee and June looked at each other. June nodded and Arcee cleared her throat. "Actually, that's something I was going to talk to them about." She turned to the others. "Among the reinforcements coming to Earth is an Autobot psychologist by the name of Rung. He specializes in Post body modification therapy." She explained, emphasizing on their new forms. "But he has expanded to helping those with PTSD. If you want, he can help the three of you with what you're going through now."

The room was silent for a few moments. Even Jacks' purring had ceased. The various occupants of the room looked at each other before Jack spoke up. "How well do you trust this bot Arcee?" He questioned. "Can we trust him?"

Arcee nodded, it was a fair question. "I was a patient of his before the war broke out on Cybertron. I kept up with him until shortly before we had to leave Cybertron. Believe me you three, he can be trusted."

The three Maximals looked at each other. Miko spoke up first. "Alright, I'll do it. But if I hear 'and how does that make you feel too many times I'm out." Jack and Raf snorted a little at this while June shook her head.

Jack looked at the femme in his arms, then back to Arcee. "I'm in Arcee. I don't think we can keep going on like this anyway. How about you Raf?" He asked looking at their large friend. Raf just nodded his agreement. He'd never been to a psychologist before, hopefully it would work. He didn't want to admit it, but that nightmare worried him more than he was letting on. With that the four settled back into an uneasy sleep with Bumblebee and Arcee staying to help in case of more nightmares.

Distraction from these events came the next day in the form of Optimus and Fowler having wreckage from Darkmount brought to their new base. Ratchet had been borderline ecstatic about the raw materials and equipment being trucked in as he and the team sorted and stored it. Not the least of which was the fortress' space bridge, which was set up in record time with Rafs' help. Although he lamented the fact the Enigma of Combination was apparently removed before their attack.

He and Wheeljack had taken over the hangar next to the kids and begun to convert it into a combination med bay and research lab. Hopefully they'd be assisted by the science crew of the Lost Light when they arrived. With luck, they might be able to figure out some way to help their charges, perhaps even reverse the transformation should the need arise. While Jack, Miko, and Raf knew that, whatever forms they were in, their lives were forever changed, the prospect of possibly being human again was tempting. Even if it meant, as Miko put it. "Spending a lot of time on the 'turn your head and cough' circuit."

Meanwhile on the Nemesis. Shockwave had already begun work of Project Predacon 2.0. While his initial attempts with the sparkless Vehicon bodies had failed, the first two exploding when the Enigma tried to combine them with CNA from the Predacon, he'd found that using Earths' deoxy variant of CNA (which he now called DNA) in conjunction with raw cyber matter, seemed to stabilize the bodies to the point where spark reintegration was possible. Admittedly including a Vehicle alt mode in addition to the beast one was a stroke of genius, and one that would make reintegration easier. It also furthered his research into Cybertronians with multiple alt modes.

The humans he'd had Soundwave retrieve however, were another story. Ignoring their screams and pleading was easy enough, but from what he could tell there was something missing from his experiments that had been present in Knockouts' initial one. He'd tried to replace it by combining the humans with cyber matter individually and with DNA from different sources. He'd created not the protoform hybrids Knockout created, but what looked like Techno Organic monsters based on the lifeforms the added DNA was sourced from. Despite the alterations he'd attempted he wasn't able to recreate the process and had the highly aggressive subjects placed into stasis pods.

Finally, he reported to Megatron. "Lord Megatron." He began, walking onto the Nemesis bridge where He and Starscream had been planning. I have promising news on Project Predacon 2.0." He knew that Megatron already knew about the failed human hybrids. He also knew that this news would impress him.

Megatron looked at Shockwave. "You have a completed warrior?" He asked curiously. He knew that Shockwave was nothing but efficient, but it had only been a week.

Shockwave shook his head. "Negative. I present three." He stood to the side to allow the three new Predacon hybrids Make their entrance. "May I introduce, Infernus, Waspinator, and Terrorsaur." The three entered the bridge and stood before Megatron.

Megatron took a look at his three augmented soldiers. While not as polished as the Autobots' human pets had looked, they looked like they could be quite powerful. "An interesting result Shockwave." He turned to the trio. "Predacons, sound off." He commanded pointing to the one on his left. It was mostly Purple and red and seemed like a flyer.

"I am Terrorsaur lord Megatron." The flyer began in a somewhat raspy voice. "And I must say it is an honor to be serving you, and I thank you for granting me this new body to fight in. With our combined might, the Autobots will be crushed beneath our feet." To accentuate this, he flipped into a form that looked like a cross between a bird and a Predacon. Following that he folded into what looked like a jet mode similar to the standard flyer Vehicon.

Shockwave interceded. "I found I was able to combine CNA from the Predacon with DNA fragments of an extinct Earth animal called a Pterosaur. The two were, surprisingly compatible. The beast mode is capable of high maneuverability and evasiveness, while the flying alt mode is capable of reaching Mach 2 easily. An ability set shared with Waspinator." He finished motioning to the next bot in line.

Megatron nodded and turned to the red and black bot in the middle. It looked like a combination of another flyer with some kind of insecticon. "My name izzz waspinator." He said changing into his apparent wasp mode, emphasizing his name. "And I, like the Kizzz bot over there, I look forward to zzzerving the Decepticons with honorzz." Waspinator answered folding into a jet mode similar to Terrrorsaurs', and buzzing every few sylables.

Megatron nodded. Despite the annoying speech pattern, this Predacon could well be quite useful. He turned to the third and final Predacon. A red, orange, and purple insecticon mashup with drills covering its' hands. "And you soldier?"

The final one saluted, then transformed into a giant ant. "I am Infernus my queen." He announced in a regal voice. "And any order you give, shall be happily executed." He transformed again, this time into a tank with the drills on the front end.

Megatron turned to Shockwave with a raised brow as all three Predacons switched back into robot modes. "I have reason to believe that his beast modes' instincts have infected some of Infernus' higher functions. However, as he sees you as the 'queen' of the Decepticon 'hive', I do not believe this will be an issue.

Megatron nodded. "Such strong loyalty and devotion, you could learn a thing or two Starscream." He said over his shoulder to his aerospace commander and second in command, causing him to growl and turn back to his console. He turned back to Shockwave. "An excellent showing Shockwave. Do you require any additional resources before continuing your experiments?"

Shockwave nodded. "While the original Predacon has thawed out and is currently enroute back to the Nemesis, I wish to gather some additional varieties of Predacon CNA to further my research. I released several Predacons on this planet millions of years ago and, though fossilized, I wish to retrieve the remains."

Starscrem laughed. "Oh, that should be easy. It shouldn't take more than a few thousand cycles to find what you're looking for." He said sarcastically.

Shockwave looked at him. "Starscream, did you really think that I didn't have them chipped when I released them?"

That Shut him up. "Wait really?"

Megatron looked at Shockwave. "Then that shall be your new Predacons' first mission. Shockwave will provide the coordinates and he, Starscream, and Knockout will each take one Predacon and a contingent of Vehicons to each location. Shockwave, those failed experiments with the humans you have in stasis pods, give one of them to each group as well. If the Autobots show up to try and stop you, releasing them should give you enough of a distraction to get the fossil and get back to base."

As Starscream and the Predacons left to gather the required troops Megatron held Shockwave back. "Was there anything else you needed that didn't come up?" He had a feeling Predacon CNA was only a part of what Shockwave really required.

"Indeed, lord Megatron." Shockwave began. "I wish to test two theories that I have developed. First, I wish to see how a Cybertronian reacts to the augmentation while the spark is in the body. Second, I wish to see if a resurrected Terrorcon can be augmented in the same manner."

Megatron nodded. If Terrorcons could be enhanced that way too, then he'd have a strike force of near unstoppable, undead monsters that he'd have absolute control of. "I think I have just the cadaver in mind. A good thing too, since I don't think Knockout would let us use Breakdowns' body for that. Did you have someone in mind for your, other experiment?" He asked, thinking he could volunteer Starscream if not.

Shockwave nodded. "I checked on the roster of prisoners still in stasis on Luna 1, and noticed that we have Rampage, the Ripper of Rivets Field, still imprisoned. His aggressiveness would make him a good candidate, and I have a, unique, safety measure in mind that should keep him firmly under our control."

Megatron repressed a small shudder, he'd read about that bot. As much carnage as he saw as a gladiator, the thought of Rampage still unnerved him a little. As desperate as he'd been in the beginning of his gladiatorial career, he'd never resorted to cannibalism. Let alone the fact Rampage did it for fun rather than survival for survival. Airachnid hadn't even been that twisted a hunter. Although the two would get along swimmingly if she weren't imprisoned as well.

"Very well." He Growled. "I just hope your method of control is a damned good one." With that, Shockwave turned and left the bridge. Going to the ship intercom he pulled up the med bay. "Knockout, before you leave, please bring Dreadwings' corpse to Shockwaves' lab." He cut the link before any reply was heard, knowing his medic heard him. "One way or another, this will be an excellent display of what happens to traitors to the Decepticon cause."

Notes:

A little disclaimer here, I chose Transmetal Waspinator, Terrorsaur, and Scavenger for the bodies because those forms aren't used often and thought it was a good idea. I chose to call Beast Wars Inferno Infernus to avoid any confusion with G1 Inferno. Similarly, I didn't use Scavenger for his name since I already have the Constructions appearing in this story.

When I first started planning this out, I knew I wanted the Maximals and Predacons to be different from each other. That said, the Maximals made from humans will be like the Beast Machines Maximals, and the Predacons and Maximals made from Cybertronians will be Transmetals.
Fun fact: Transmetal Scavenger was originally supposed to be Infernos' Transmetal form but was changed during production.

Chapter 10: Fossils, Friends, and Foes Pt.1

Notes:

Little heads up, this chapter and the next two will be happening almost simultaneously. Somewhat like how the episodes about the hunt for the Cybertronian relics all happened at the same time. We also get our first new Maximal in this chapter so, enjoy.

Optimus called a meeting two days after the Maximals' nightmares began. "We have reports of Decepticon activity in three different locations." Ultra Magnus began. Pointing to three locations lit up on the map behind him.

Agent Fowler picked up from there. "We have their locations down to a temple in Brazil near the Amazon River." He said, pointing to a dot in South America. "Scotland near the Hebrides Bluffs." He pointed to the dot in Europe before pointing to the closest one. "And finally, in New Mexico near Carlsbad Caverns."

Ultra Magnus picked back up from where he left off. "We know those locations don't have any Energon deposits. That said, we need to figure out what it is they're after, and if possible, retrieve it ourselves. Any questions?" He looked out at the assembled Autobots, Maximals, and humans.

Jack raised a hand and Magnus nodded to him. "Is it possible that they could be looking for more artifacts from Cybertron? Or maybe other Decepticons in stasis like Skyquake was?

Magnus shook his head. "The artifacts we recovered are the only ones that were left unaccounted for in the Archives. And as to Skyquake, our files on Decepticon troop placement show he was the only con stationed on this planet."

Miko put her hand up and he nodded to her. "How are we dividing up, and when do we leave?" She was itching to get back out there. Mostly because aside from her nightmares, she was going stir crazy being cooped up on the base for a week.

Optimus took over from there. "We leave as soon as possible. The teams will be Arcee, Smokescreen and Jackson going to the New Mexico location. Second, Wheeljack, Bulkhead, and Miko will be heading to Scotland. Finally, Bumblebee, Ultra Magnus, and Rafael will be heading to the South American temple. Ratchet will be working the ground bridge and I will be on standby if backup is needed."

Optimus took another breath. "Given that this is their first official mission; I want at least one Autobot to be with their teams assigned Maximal at all times." Jack and Raf nodded readily. Miko pouted a bit before nodding as well. "Very well, transform and roll out."

Jack pulled Miko aside on their way out of the room. "Please stay close to them. I need you to come back safely." He planted a chaste kiss on her lips. Blushing she wrapped her arms around Jacks' middle. "Only if you do the same, I don't wanna lose my favorite pillow." She joked.

Jack blushed. The three had taken to napping near each other the last couple days to make up for the nightmares. Being closer to each other seemed to make sleeping easier. Somehow though, Miko always ended up curled up next to him, her head in his mane. Not that he minded. Although apparently whenever she did that, he would start to purr, much to his embarrassment and her amusement.

June came up to the two with Raf in tow. "I want all three of you to come back safely." She said looking up at her kids. She was understandably worried. Despite Optimus' reassurances, she was afraid that she might lose one or all of them. And after last time, it was a possibility that, terrified her beyond belief.

Jack knelt down and looked at her. "Don't worry mom, we will". Miko followed suit. "For your sake, as well as each other's." With that they got back up and walked to where the space bridge was set up.

After splitting up into their respective groups Ratchet fired up the space bridge. "Alright, each bridge will put you a few miles east of your target. Amazon team up first." He called. Ultra Magnus, Raf, and Bumblebee transformed and went through the portal.

Ratchet adjust for the new coordinates and turned it on again. "Scotland team, go now." The three Wreckers transformed. "Hang on to your kilts boys." Miko called as she flew through the portal, the others hot on her heels.

Ratchet fired up the space bridge for the third time as Arcee, Smokescreen, and Jack transformed. "New Mexico team, roll out." Arcee and Smokescreen raced toward the gate with Jack bounding just behind them. Jack saw his mother step up next to the monitor as he was running through the bridge.

Clearing the bridge into the New Mexico desert, he bounded up to Arcee and Smokescreen. They had transformed and were checking their coordinates against a holo-map. "Alright, the cons' operation is three miles that way, like Ratchet said." She said pointing to a distant mesa on her right. "Smokescreen, stay close to Jack for now. Let's roll." With that they transformed back and took off towards the mesa at full speed.

Almost immediately Jack noticed a problem. Despite the hydraulics in his legs, he was falling behind the Autobots. His paws were pounding the ground as fast as he could but he couldn't catch up. Letting out a frustrated sigh, and wishing he could go faster, he was about to call out to them when he felt a shift in his neck under his mane.

Five small rocket engines protruded from his mane and ignited. Rocketing forward he blurred past Arcee and Smokescreen with the mesa coming up fast. "Stop, stop, STOP!" He yelled frantically. At his panicked shout the engines shut down and retracted into his mane. The sudden loss of thrust caused him to misstep and tumble until he was barely a quarter mile from the mesa.

Shakily he got back up on his legs. Arcee was speeding towards him with Smokescreen following close behind. "You okay partner?" She called as they caught up to him. Transforming back into robot mode he gave her the thumbs up. Flipping into robot mode she checked him over. "What happened, you rushed right by us."

Jack shook his head. "I saw I was falling behind and was about to call out to you." Thinking about it a second it hit him. "I wanted to go faster so I could catch up and these rockets came out of my mane near my neck." Rubbing at the aforementioned area he couldn't find a trace of the engines. "They fired and I barely got them to stop before I hit the rocks."

Smokescreen cocked his head. "Sounds like you might have some extras in your body. I knew a bot named Tracks who could fly while in his car mode." He gave a sad smile. He had no idea what became of his friend.

At Jacks' curious look Arcee took over. "Some bots have additional abilities that have little to nothing to do with what they turn into. On Cybertron they were called outliers." Double checking their position, she shook her head. "I'll tell you more later when we get back, we need to continue the mission. We'd best go the rest of the way on foot. Smokescreen stay here and close to Jack; I'll do some recon." With that she crept along the edge of the mesa, leaving them alone.

After a few moments of silence Jack spoke up again. "Are you okay Smokescreen? You seem a bit off lately." While the last time he'd interacted with the young Autobot had been when they messed with Vinces' car (Something else he felt guilty about now) he didn't seem to be broody like he was this past week.

Smokescreen shifted a little. Trying his best to voice what he'd been feeling. "Have you ever had the possibility of greatness given to you, only to turn it down?" Jack had a curious look so he continued. "After the base had been destroyed, Optimus and I were trapped underground. He was hurt badly and dying from his injuries."

Jack gave a gasp. The thought of the Autobot leader dying was a horrible thought. Looking up at Smokescreen he asked. "So how did he go from dying, to rescuing us from Darkmount?"

Looking off into the distance, Smokescreen collected his thoughts. "When we were trapped and Optimus felt his end was near." He took a deep breath. "He named me the next Prime." Jacks' eyes widened at the Autobot. "He asked me to use Solus Primes' Forge Hammer to restore the Omega Lock, and by extension, Cybertron."

He sat down with his back against the mesa. "Instead, I used what little power that was left in the forge hammer to resurrect and upgrade Optimus into his new form. I guess it's stupid, but I think I'm wondering about the road not taken. Wondering if." He was cut off when Jack put both hands on his shoulder and looked him square in the optic.

"Smokescreen." He began. "I don't think you realize just how bad our assault on Darkmount went. All of us were captured and moments away from execution when Optimus arrived. You may have given up your chance to become a Prime, but in doing so, you saved all our lives, and for that, I can never thank you enough."

Jack took a breath. "I guess we're similar that way. Before you arrived, Optimus lost his memories of his time as a Prime." This time it was Smokescreens' turn to gasp. "I was sent with Arcee to Cybertron to get his memory from Vector Sigma beneath Kaon. I downloaded a copy of his memory and restored him. In a way, we both saved Optimus and, by extension, the Autobots as a whole."

Smokescreen looked at the Maximal in front of him. He could see the parallels between the two events. Although Jack didn't have the chance to be a Prime, he held something just as vital. Their musings were cut short as Arcee returned.

"Alright they're in a cavern on the other side of the mesa" She reported. "There was only one guard, stay close and follow me." Getting up and following her they found one Vehicon guarding the entrance to the cavern. One low power blast to the back of their head put him down for the count. Sneaking past him they entered the cavern.

Once out of direct sight of the entrance, Jack felt nervous. Being in here was a little too similar to the last time he was underground. When He, Arcee, Bulkhead, and Miko had entered that abandoned mine. The ensuing cave-in had made him a little claustrophobic in regards to being underground. He began taking controlling breaths to calm himself.

Apparently, his increased breathing had been noticed. "You doing okay back there Leobolt?" Smokescreen whispered over his shoulder. Jack raised an eyebrow. Leobolt?

"Sorry, I figured with your beast mode and how you bolted over here it would be a fitting codename. Sounds better than just calling you Jack in the field." Smokescreen explained.

Before Jack could reply Arcee cut in. "I think that'll work when we're in the field. But please be quiet, I hear something up ahead." Rounding the corner, they came upon what looked like a mining operation. There were several Vehicons digging around the cavern, though there wasn't a shard of energon in sight, dispelling that possibility.

His musings were cut off at the sound of a couple of voices. "I'm telling you Starscream, if we can get Waspinator and Shockwave on our side, we could overthrow Megatron easily." Came a raspy sounding voice that none of them could identify. Peeking out from the tunnel they saw Starscream observing the operation from an outcropping to the right, talking with a purple and red bot they'd never seen before.

"Forget it Terrorsaur, last time I tried to take over I lost almost everything." Starscream replied to the bot. "If a good possibility arises, I'll consider it, but I'm not about to rock the ship now." Starscream shuddered. He hated the fact that this Predacon reminded him so much of himself. He also hated the amount of truth in his statement. Between having to work with humans, Autobots, and ultimately losing his T-cog, he was willing to play loyal soldier for the time being.

Terrorsaur sighed and leaned against the stasis pod holding the techno organic experiment they'd brought with them. He thought that Starscream would be willing to go through with his plan. As often as he tried to undermine Megatron, it had surprised him to be rebuffed.

The two were interrupted by a Vehicon holding what looked like a rib bone. "Ah, here's what we're after." Starscream smirked holding the bone. After two hours of digging, it was nice to actually have something to show for it. Besides listening to Terrorsaurs' convoluted mess of a plan was almost as bad as sparring with Megatron. At least his plans had some reason and logic to them. Terrorsaurs' were just a few longshots that were meshed together hoping for the best.

Terrorsaur gave a scoff of disbelief. "Shockwave is really going to make more Predacons with that? You'd think the three of us and the original one would be enough." He exclaimed holding his hands up.

"You know Shockwave, always tinkering." Starscream replied. Despite his cold demeanor, he could appreciate Shockwaves' work.

Arcee looked at Smokescreen and Leobolt. "Alright." She whispered. "Our new objective is to retrieve that fossil, and get out of here so we can bridge back to base. The bedrock of these caverns makes bridging directly almost impossible." They both nodded, all three deploying their weapons. "Alright, you two start with the Vehicons, I'll go for Starscream and the fossil. GO!"

Bursting from their hiding place they took the Vehicons by surprise. Within the first five seconds Smokescreen had put down four of the fifteen bot contingent. Leobolt, using his whip, took out an additional two. Arcee took out and additional three on her way to Starscream and Terrorsaur.

The remaining six bots opened fire hoping to take out at least one of them and provide a distraction. Putting their focus on Smokescreen and Leobolt Arcee was able to leap to where the Decepticon and Predacon stood next to a stasis pod. "Starscream." Arcee grit, glaring at the con. "You have a lot to answer for." Visions of Cliffjumpers' death and the memory of his scheme with the red energon that led to the battle for the Omega Lock, and ultimately the kids' current bodies.

"Maybe." Starscream returned. "But today isn't my day of reckoning. Terrorsaur!" He signaled to the Predacon. Said bot deployed his blades and igniting them, he swung at Arcee who dodged. Starscream tossed a small remote to Terrorsaur. "Keep them off me until I get to the cavern entrance. Afterward, release the experiment and get out."

Terrorsaur nodded and swung at her again. "Todays special, fire roasted two-wheeler." He taunted. Arcee fired a shot that Terrorsaur sidestepped as Starscream flipped into his jet mode and flew towards the tunnel entrance. Arcee turned to follow but was hit with a burning slash across her lower back, catching her off guard. Turning around to return fire she realized that Terrorsaur was too close for her to safely fire, or switch to her blades before he could strike again. Smirking he charged forward swords first, forcing her to use her blasters to catch the burning blades.

"You know." Terrorsaur began, putting more strength into his arms to force Arcee a step back. "I really should thank you. If your team hadn't used the spark extractor, I wouldn't have been yanked from my old drone body." He put some more force into the blades, forcing her back to the edge of the outcropping. "Then Shockwave wouldn't have created this new body for me to inhabit. So, that said, I say thank you, and au revoir." On the last word he kicked her in the abdomen, sending her into the fracas below.

While the three had been talking. Leobolt and Smokescreen were taking care of the remaining Vehicons that had come with Starscream and Terrorsaur. Smokescreen took out three by ducking around and firing when one would stand to take a shot. Leobolt had gotten one with his whip, and taken out the other two by using his teeth and claws as a lion.

Any congratulations were interrupted when Arcee dropped to the ground between the two. Looking up they saw Terrorsaur transform into his beast mode. "Is that a Pterodactyl?" Leobolt asked. The second the question left his mouth the Predacon dive bombed the group, forcing the mechs do duck to the ground near Arcee.

For the next minute anytime either Autobot or Maximal tried to rise, Terrorsaur was right on them. Slashing with his razor-sharp wings, claws, and beak he'd keep the trio pinned. A time or two one would get a shot off. The first missed and the second one brought a stalactite down near them. Terrorsaur laughed as he continued his assault.

His fun was interrupted when his comms went off. "Terrorsaur, I'm out. Release the experiment and join me at the entrance for extraction." Smirking as much as his beast modes' beak would allow, he held the remote in one of his claws. "So long, suckers." He called out, pushing the button. The stasis pod on the outcropping opened, releasing a cloud of steam, giving Terrorsaur enough time to switch to his jet mode and rocket out the tunnel to the cavern entrance, and ultimately, the space bridge.

Looking up at the stasis pod, the steam cleared revealing the monstrosity inside it. It was bipedal with reddish brown fur. It stood about the same height as Leobolt but looked very little like him. Its legs were short and seemed to be a protoform grey, though it's long torso and longer clawed arms more than made up for it. A metallic red spine similar to Leobolts' blue one ran up its' spine, curving around at the shoulders to form some kind of armor around the chest.

From just under its' arms to about midway down its' torso was what looked like loose skin. And from a somewhat elongated neck was a human head with pointed ears and long reddish bangs coming down to its right eye. It looked like someone had tried to fuse a human, Cybertronian, and a bat, and failed miserably. Leobolt narrowed his eyes to get a closer look before they widened in shock. "Vince?"

Vince Raider awoke in pain. He was trapped in a body that wasn't his own because of that strange purple cyclops. None of his insides felt right and he was hunched over because his legs had become so short. His hearing had gone haywire and even the slightest noises were amplified to an almost painful level.

Looking around he saw he was in an underground cave that had a bunch of those alien robots lying in broken heaps. He winced at the sound of his name; the near whisper was almost as bad as an air horn to his face. Looking towards the source he saw three more alien robots looking at him. It was the shorter one in the middle that caught his attention though. The blue and grayish white color seemed familiar, but taking a closer look at the face, he made the connection. "Darby!"

With that exclamation, a hot rage took over from there. Maybe it was the pain and trauma guiding him, or maybe it was the fact his old friend was in a similar state without pain, but in his mind, Darby was the cause for his current predicament. He leapt down from his place on the outcropping, attempting to slash him with his claws. The trio scattered and his claws smashed through a stalagmite.

Looking at the enraged hybrid the three regrouped behind it. Arcee looked at Leobolt. "Did you say Vince? As in your old bully that went missing Vince?" Arcee was shocked that their theory turned out to be true, even more so at what Shockwave had done to the human. Bully or not no one deserved that.

"Looks like it." Leobolt replied, looking at his childhood friend turned bully. "I can't believe he got turned into something like that when Miko, Raf and I were." Something occurred to him. "I think the cons tried to recreate us." He nodded at the hybrid who'd just freed his claws. "And this was the end result."

Smokescreen and Arcee looked at each other. "I'm' sorry to say this, Jack." She said switching back to his real name for the sensitive subject. "But we may have to put him down." She and Smokescreen deployed their guns as Jack held up his hands.

"Hold on, what if we try to get him back into that pod up there and take him back with us. Maybe we can find a way to help him." Jack hoped. Despite everything that had happened between them, he still hoped he could help his friend.

The two Autobots shared another look before nodding. "Alright partner, we'll try it your way. For both your sakes." Arcee replied. She was immediately blasted off her feet by a concussive sound wave.

Looking at Vince, Smokescreen and Jack stood in front of Arcee as she shakily got back up, audio receptors ringing. Vince leapt at the trio, trying again to sink his claws into Leobolt. He'd worry about the other two later. Smokescreen stepped in front of them to try and catch the hybrid mid leap but was surprised when he felt a sharp pain in his neck and a sudden weakness.

Arcee and Leobolt looked on in horror as Vince sank his fangs into Smokescreens' neck and watched him fall to his knees. Vince disengaged from the Autobot leaving him to fall to the ground with a weak groan. Closer inspection saw that Vince now had energon dripping from his maw.

Taking in a deep breath Vince let loose a scream that generated another concussive sound blast, the absorbed energon strengthening it. The two leapt apart as the blast passed by. Leobolt wrapped his whip around a stalagmite and retracted it, slamming feet first into Vinces' middle.

This turned out to be a mistake. Vince let loose a scream of pain that hit the base of the outcropping the stasis pod was on. The entire thing fell to the cavern floor, shattering amongst the off lined Vehicons, damaging the pod beyond their ability to repair. This also had the misfortune of causing a cave in. Grabbing Smokescreen, Arcee dragged him to the tunnel entrance, hoping to get out of the way of the falling rocks.

When the dust settled part of the cavern had collapsed. There was no sign of Leobolt or Vince. Dread welled up in Arcees' spark. "No, please Primus no, not again." She whispered to herself as she ran back in to search. She didn't think she could take the loss of a third partner. "Partner, Leobolt, JACK!" A low groan answered back.

Leaping over a fallen stalactite she found Leobolt sitting against the cavern wall breathing heavily. Looking to her right she saw that Vince was pinned under some of the rubble. She deployed one of her guns. Vince looked up at her as she stood in front of Leobolt. "Kill me. Don't wanna, hurt anymore. Please, kill me."

This request unsettled Arcee deeply. She'd done a few mercy killings for soldiers who would've suffered unnecessarily otherwise. Mostly bots that would've died cycles before ever seeing a medic or operating room. This though, this was a human turned hybrid like Jack. Despite him being in pain, she wasn't sure she could pull the trigger.

Ultimately, she was spared having to make that decision when Leobolt got up and walked over to Vince. Using both hands he lifted the debris enough to free Vinces lower legs, allowing him to crawl out using his arms. Both looked at Leobolt, whose eyes had an ethereal white glow to them.

"Vincent Raider." Jack began though it wasn't his voice, it sounded like many voices at once. "I know you are in pain. The scarred ones' manipulations prevented me from completing your transformation and freeing the three of you as I did the others. I am Vector Sigma."

Arcees' optics widened. She hadn't been sure what to think at Jacks' revelations from the ancient supercomputer. Something else occurred to her. Who was the scarred one? She had so many questions to ask but Jack had started talking again.

A white light shot from Jacks' eyes to Vinces, stopping the pain. "Using this ones' body as a conduit, I shall heal you and complete your transformation." A bright red light flared from within Vinces' chest and his body began to glow and shift. "With this new body will come new challenges, but all you need to remember is that you must be at peace with the warrior within, to tame the beast without."

The red light faded as the white light retracted into Jacks' eyes. Standing there was a brown and metallic red bat about six feet high with what appeared to be a twenty-foot wingspan. The metallic spine and chest platting remained, as did the reddish-brown fur. His legs, while still stunted were covered in red plating along the thighs with the lower legs looking like a regular bat.

His arms had changed into three fingered bat wings with the skin having the same metallic sheen as his mechanical components. His ears had the metallic alloy with little red pulsing ribbons of circuitry, although it served to bring his hearing down to a more normal level. Finally, his bat snout ended with the same coloration.

"Go forth now Vince Raider and know that you are transformed." With that the white glow left Jacks' eyes, as did most of his strength. Transforming back into lion mode Jack promptly collapsed. Arcee retracted her guns and went over to him. "I'm fine Arcee, just a little weak. Didn't know Vector Sigma could do that."

Vince looked at his new body in shock. There was no pain whatsoever, and his senses were still amplified but now controllable. He looked over at the lion that was now Jack. Despite their falling out after his father died, all the abuse he'd put him through, not to mention going through something like what he had just gone through himself, he still helped him.

Awkwardly, due to both his current emotions and subby legs, he walked over to the two. Arcee narrowed her optics at the bat that had, until a few minutes ago, been trying to kill her and her partners. "Dar-Jack." Vince began. There was an awkward moment of silence. "I'm sorry." It was a lame apology, and he knew it.

"Thank you, Vincent. I'm sure that makes up for all the years of bullying." Arcee replied with venom in her voice. Arcee was cut off from any further tirade by Jack.

"Enough Cee." He turned to Vince. "I just have to know Vince, why, we used to be best friends until your dad died. I could understand acting out, but."

Vince had been tearing up and finally let loose. "I was jealous alright!" He yelled at a surprisingly high level. "You may have had your mom. But when my dad died, I lost the only one of my parents who gave a damn."

Jacks' eyes widened but Vince plowed on. "My mom never hesitated to tell me she never wanted me, especially when she was dinking. Dad, he was always there for me, to tell me he loved me. After he died, I thought maybe mom would get her lips off the bottle and be a mother, but she just got worse." He took a couple of shaky breaths. "In the end, I took out my frustrations on you. It wasn't right, and I'm sorry." Vince finished.

Jack was stunned. He never really interacted with Vinces' mother before. She was usually sleeping when he'd visit but he just assumed she worked night shifts somewhere like his mother sometimes did at the hospital. Actually, a lot of his behavior was making sense now.

Arcee was stunned too. She'd never had the chance to care for sparklings but she knew she could never truly hate them. At first, she thought Vince was just making excuses, but the emotion was too real. It seemed like Rung might have another patient when he arrived.

Jack heaved himself up and walked over to Vince, looking him in the eye. "I wish you'd told me or my mom Vince. We'd have been there for you if you needed it." He lifted a paw and put a foreleg around Vinces' shoulder. "Apology accepted." Stunned, Vince wrapped a wing around Jacks' Shoulders. A quiet "Thank you." echoing in the cavern.

A few moments later Arcee spoke up. "Okay boys, we need to get back to base." The two Maximals let go of each other and followed her back to the tunnel where she'd left Smokescreen. The bot in question was beginning to stir.

"Arcee, Leobolt, what." He cut himself off at the sight of the new Maximal. There was only one other person in the cavern, but he had to be sure. "Is that who I think it is?" He asked.

Arcee nodded. "Yeah, that's Vince. Jack and Vector Sigma gave him a bit of a makeover." She nodded to the nervous looking bat bot. "He's fine now and coming back to base with us." She finished to the stunned young Autobot. Arcee gave a nod towards the tunnel entrance, and they began their way back to the exit, Jack and Vince trailing behind them a bit.

Vince looked at Jack. "By the way, Leobolt?" He'd never heard Jack called that before.

Jack nodded. "Apparently it's my new nickname when I'm in the field. Any other time, I'm just Jack." He motioned to Smokescreen with his nose. "He gave it to me after I bolted past them in lion mode on the way here."

Upon reaching the entrance Arcee called up Ratchet. "Ratchet, requesting a bridge back to base." She paused a moment. "And we're bringing someone with us." She finished, giving a nod to Vince who gave a small smile back.

Ratchets' exasperated reply came a moment later. "Another one! For the love of. Alright, one bridge coming up but be warned, it's a bit of a circus here right now." A second later the spacebridge swirled into existence in front of them. The foursome looked at each other. What was happening at base? They'd only been gone a little less than an hour.

Stepping through the bridge they found the room to be in full disarray. Raf was trying to calm what looked like a cross between a femme and a horse as Ratchet tried to do a medical scan. Vines were growing all around the room from a human shaped bulb in a corner of the room. Miko and Wheeljack were currently trying to keep the vines from spreading too close to the space bridge controls with their swords, and in the middle of the room Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead were trying to debrief Optimus.

Miko looked up from their cutting and smiled at them. "Glad to see you back safe Jackrabbit. As you can see, we have a bit of a situation." She turned to look at the stunned group. Noting Vince, she called to Bulkhead. They have the last one, that's all three accounted for!" She yelled.

The newly arrived foursome looked at each other. Just what the hell happened here?

Chapter 11: Fossils, Friends, and Foes Pt.2

Notes:

Welcome back all. I didn't know my authors' note got cut off the end of the last chapter until after I published it. Essentially Vinces' new form is just a recolored Beast Machines Nightscream, although not so hunchbacked. While researching the characters I wanted to use, I saw some parallels between the two and thought, 'why not?' Anyway, on with the story.

Clearing the space bridge Bulkhead, Wheeljack and Miko appeared at the bottom of a bluff in Scotland. Miko circled once before landing and transforming back next to the bots. "Alright boys, where we headed?" She asked looking at the small holomap Wheeljack was holding.

Bulkhead pointed to his left. "They're at another bluff three miles that way. Although I think we can shave some time off the trip by going up and over the next bluff. Not to mention gain the element of surprise." He turned his hand slightly to the right.

Wheeljack nodded and shut the map off before looking at Miko. "You mind doing some aerial recon for us?" He asked. At her raised eyebrow, he smirked. "Wrecker rule 17." He grinned.

Bulkhead nodded. "Guards never look up. From what we saw on the map the cons are stationary. They won't be expecting anyone to observe them from above." He looked over at Miko to. "And besides, from that altitude they'd probably just think you're a regular bird."

Miko fist pumped. "Say no more boys." She shifted back to her bird mode. "Time to take wing and take names." With a flap of her wings, she was airborne again. She was really coming to enjoy flying and all the freedom that came with it.

When she got high enough, she flew to the bluff in question. Looking down she focused in of the Decepticons working around the area. During the last week she'd discovered that she'd inherited her beast modes binocular vision in both modes. She'd successfully tested it by clearly reading contract fine print from the other end of the base. Observing the Decepticon operation from this high up was not going to be a problem.

Looking around she saw that several Vehicons were using what looked like excavation equipment to dig around the area. She could tell they were searching for something, even if she didn't know what they were looking for. Looking again she saw something that made her spark flare in anger. Standing near the cliff wall, supervising the Vehicons and looking utterly bored, was Knockout.

For a brief second, she considered divebombing that flamboyant fop and raking her talons across his beloved paint job. But looking out of the corner of her eye she saw that Bulkhead and Wheeljack had just finished climbing up the bluff that they'd bridged next too. Putting revenge on hold for a moment she turned and flew back. Better to have backup for this.

While Miko was doing her recon, Bulkhead and Wheeljack began climbing their way to the top of bluff. Part way up Bulkhead asked a question that'd been bugging him for a few days. "Hey Jackie, I been meaning to ask, I know you and Mags didn't get along all that well back in the day. But now your following orders and mission assignments from him. What changed?"

Wheeljack, near the top, paused his ascent. "Honestly Bulkie, Miko and the boys' situation happened. When I came across them when I was escaping, I could tell they were scared and panicked, no matter how much they tried to hide it." He sighed. "I think I just took it upon myself to protect and help them, and ultimately, their wellbeing is more important than my pride or my dislike of following orders." With one final heave he pulled himself to the top of the bluff.

Bulkhead pulled himself up a minute later. "It seems like Terrorjack the Wrecker lost to the guardian in you." He teased.

Wheeljack rolled his optics. "You spent way too much time with Drift Bulkie." He shot back. He'd never admit it, (It would ruin his tough bot image) but his spark went out to those three.

Miko swooped back down to them, flipping back into her robot mode as she landed. "The cons are digging around for something down there. I don't know what, but Knockout is the one supervising." She grit her teeth and looked at the other two. "If I get close enough, he's dead, I want his head, in my hands." She breathed.

Bulkhead and Wheeljack nodded in understanding. What Knockout did to those three was terrible. He now has a debt to be paid and they were going to collect on it, Wrecker style. One thing though.

"We'll help you." Bulkhead began. "But the rule about staying close to one of is will be in full effect, starting now." At Mikos' glare he explained. "I'm all for revenge as much as the next Wrecker, but I still need to keep you safe as possible."

He crouched down to look her in eye. "I fragged up big time when you three were captured Miko. I didn't do my duty, and you suffered for it. So please, stay close to us."

Miko closed her eyes and nodded slowly. She didn't like it, but this is how it had to be. "I'll stay within eyesight." She looked back up at them. "Just be careful not to get hit when the feathers start to fly." She gave a smirk. "Last one there's a cracked T-cog." She took off at a sprint towards the cons' location.

Wheeljack grinned at Bulkhead. "Looks like Bulkhead the Wrecker lost to the guardian in you." He cracked before taking off after Miko. Bulkhead rolled his optics before following suit.

Coming to the edge of the cliff, Miko looked over the side. Seeing Knockout caused her anger to spike again, but she did promise to stay close to the bots. Hearing Bulkhead and Wheeljack catch up she motioned over the side. "There's five groups of three working around the area. What's that thing the red menace is standing next to?"

Wheeljack, being the lighter of the two Autobot Wreckers looked over the side. "That's a stasis pod." He answered. "Wonder what's in it?"

"That'zzz for uzzz to know, and you to die before finding outzzz." Buzzed a new voice. Whirling around the trio came face to faces with a red and black wasp with aqua colored eyes and wings. Miko shuddered and Bulkhead tensed. Did it have to be another Insecticon? Hardshell was bad enough.

"What the scrap are you, some kind of supped up Insecticon?" Wheeljack queried, trying to stall for time to form a counterplan. How the pit did this guy sneak up on them? The buzzing should've given him away.

"My dezzzignation izzz Wazzpinator." He declared. "I am part of the firzzzt wave of new Predaconzzz designed to exzzzterminate you Autobotzzz. The Maximal izzz a nizzzce bonuzzz." Flipping into his robot mode Waspinator pointed a rifle that looked like it was made from part of his stinger at the ground in front of them. "Now it'zzz time for you to join the party."

With that he opened fire at their feet causing the ledge they were standing on to break away from the cliff by their weight. Miko was panicking, first a damn bug-con, now they were falling right into a Decepticon operation and would be injured and outnumbered. Closing her eyes in anticipation of the hard landing, she desperately wished they were already on the ground and unharmed.

Responding to her desire a burgundy pulse erupted out from her body, causing all three to vanish mid fall. A second pulse expanded in the middle of the area the Vehicons were working, depositing the three safely on the ground, catching the workers attention. Miko looked at herself and around her. Did she do that?

Wheeljack looked around. "Hell of a time to discover you have an outlier ability, but I ain't complaining." At her confused look he shook his head, deploying his mask and drawing his swords. "I'll explain later, let's wreck and rule!" He finished with a shout.

Bulkhead deployed his wrecking balls as Miko pulled a handful of kunai from behind her. The Vehicons had gotten over their shock at enemy troops suddenly teleporting into their midst and were charging towards them for a counterattack.

Not wasting time with dramatics this time, she began to throw kunai at the oncoming horde like she did the first time. This time however the kunai exploded on impact with their target. This took down three enemies before she had to dodge their return fire.

Bulkhead smashed two Vehicons in the face, putting them down for the count. Looking around, he saw that Miko had changed tactics and drew her swords. Leaping around she decapitated two more enemies before jumping out of the way of a third that'd been kicked away by Wheeljack. Re-sheathing her katanas, she pulled another kunai and winged it into his visor, taking his head when it exploded.

Wheeljack was having some difficulties with the five that had surrounded him. After kicking the one to his immediate left away (and seeing Miko handle it not two seconds later) He turned to the four advancing on him with the laser drill they'd been digging with. Diving to his right he sprung up into the air. Only to be dinged at the height of his jump by Waspinator in jet mode, knocking him back down to Earth.

Flipping back into wasp mode Waspinator taunted the Wreckers. "Having fun Autobotzzz? Why don't you try zzzome of my toxzzz-EN stingerzzz." With that he fired several barbed darts from his thorax, each dripping with the toxic green energon variant.

Bulkheads' optics widened as the remaining two dodged the fire. This con was carrying Tox-En? He made sure that the sample they'd discovered was destroyed, how did the cons get it? He shook his head and took a battle stance near the fallen Wheeljack.

Looking around he saw the now five bot team with an additional laser drill advancing towards them. At least until a shadow leapt up and threw a pair of kunai at the drills in their power packs, causing an explosion that took out the whole five bot team. Miko smirked as she landed next to the others. "I figured big toys would equal a big boom."

From the moment the three Wrecker team appeared in the middle of the work site, Knockout hid behind the stasis pod, remote in hand. This was just meant to be a simple recovery mission. Now he had two of the toughest Autobots to deal with, and a Techno Organic that he knew from Starscreams' reports would be out for revenge. He thought that between the remaining Vehicons and the new Predacon he'd be safe.

Those hopes were dashed however when that femme caused the laser drills to explode, leaving him with only the still airborne Predacon as a guard. The explosion however had the added benefit of sending a fossilized optic spinning through the air, landing at Knockouts' feet. With a yell of joy, he hefted the football sized fossil up and put it under his right arm. "Thank you all, and with that, goodbye." He transformed, stowing the fossil in his trunk as he did. "Knockout requesting ground bridge, party of two. Come on Waspinator!"

Waspinator flew down to Knockout as soon as the bridge opened, followed closely by Miko with Bulkhead and Wheeljack close behind. Switching to robot mode he reached into Knockouts' glove compartment and pulled out the Stasis pods' remote and pushed the release button. "Watch the upholstery." Knockout cried.

Waspinator shook his head. "Juzzzt making zzzure they don't follow uzzz." Changing into his jet mode they took off towards the portal. Just as it was closing Miko took a kunai and winged it through the closing portal. An emasculate yell of pain told her she'd connected. It may not have killed him, but hopefully it hurt. The portal vanished completely. Miko growled. That damned fop-bot got away, but hopefully the next time they met, she and the boys could get payback in full.

"Uh, guys." Bulkhead said, taking a step back from the stasis pod. "I think we have a problem here." This brought everyone attention to the object in question. In the center of the pod was a seven-foot tall, human shaped bulb that appeared to be in the fetal position. There were ribbons of light blue circuitry spread about it in patches. The moment after the sunlight hit it the bulb, it began to spasm. Thick vines shot out towards the three Wreckers who barely dodged in time.

"This is too weird for words." Miko said, keeping her distance from the techno organic plant. This wasn't the biggest shock though. When she spoke two of the vines turned toward her and bloomed a red flower at the end of them. This didn't surprise Miko so much as the eye that was in the center of one flower, and Mouth that was centered in the middle of the other.

The eye opened wide in surprise as the mouth said in a somewhat familiar voice. "Nakadai?" There was a pause as the eye narrowed. "Miko?"

Miko did some quick thinking. She knew that Voice. Then with a shock it hit her. 'You have got to be kidding me.' She thought. "Sierra?"

Sierra Krosney woke up scared and confused. She'd been wheeled into that lab as they were stuffing the monster that they'd turned poor Vince into inside a pyramid shaped box. Then that one eyed purple robot flooded the chamber she was in with that cold burning stuff and she'd passed out.

Now, waking up wherever she was now, she felt she couldn't move. Listening carefully, she heard three sets of footsteps and panicked, thinking that purple robot was back she tried to lash out some way and was shocked to feel something grow out of her and at them at high speed.

Hearing one of them speak with a familiar voice, she wished she could see who it was. Then to her surprise an eye opened up at the end of what grew out of her. Did she attack with her eyeball somehow? Looking at her she couldn't mistake the hair or voice now that she thought about it. "Nakadai?" She struggled for a moment to remember her first name. "Miko?" Seeing the girl narrow her eyes and say Sierras' name back to her confirmed her identity.

Miko looked at Sierra in shock. How had this happened? She mentally kicked herself, duh, Decepticons. The third vine grew a second eye that turned to look at the bulb that was now Sierras' body. Immediately she began to panic, causing more vines to grow from the bulb. "What the hell, what happened to me?!" She yelled. The Vines were growing wild now.

Miko prepared to transform and fly away, but the vines bypassed her and went straight to Bulkhead and Wheeljack. Wrapping around their arms and legs they were hoisted into the air. Miko shuddered, (she'd seen too many videos online that started that way) and turned back to Sierra. "Whoa, Sierra, calm down, they're friends. They're here to help you." She tried to console.

"Help me? How? I'm a plant!" Sierra exclaimed in a panicked voice. "How can they help me with this?"

Miko interjected. "I was kidnapped and experimented on too. We got help, so can you." She tried to explain in the calmest voice she could manage.

Sierra put the two big robots down gently. "You, you did?" She asked looking her up and down with both eyes, much to Mikos' discomfort. "Can I be human again?" She asked.

Miko winced slightly. They didn't know if they'd ever be human again. And even if they had the chance, she wasn't sure she'd want to be. Sierra needed an answer though and tried to give the best she could think of. "We're working on it, but we can at least figure out how to fix what that other bot did to you."

The majority of the vines pinched off the main bulb and decayed in seconds. "Who else was this done to? I know they did something to Vince, and Allie was still in the lab when I blacked out." Sierra asked, notes of concern in her voice for the other two that were taken.

Miko sighed. Best to get this over with. "Raf and Jack were taken with me and we were probably put through the same process you three were." She explained.

"Jack is with you guys?" She asked with an edge of hope in her voice that made the bottom of Mikos' stomach fall out as she nodded. Of course, with Sierra now in the loop Jack would probably lose interest in her. "Then yes I'll come with you." The eye stalks retracted back towards the pod, examining it. "I think this thing is on wheels; your robots should be able to tow it."

Miko glowered at Sierra. "Okay, some ground rules." She said in a huff, partly fueled by her dread. "First off, these are Bulkhead and Wheeljack, they are Autobots from the planet Cybertron. Second, they are living beings and definitely not 'mine'."

Bulkhead and Wheeljack looked at each other. They'd have to ask if Ultra Magnus had been killed on his mission, because Miko was sure channeling him right now.

"Finally." Miko continued. "When we get back to base there will be more like them. Treat them with respect. We are their guests for the time being as much as they are guests of this planet. Understood?" At the weak nodding from the three stalks Miko turned to Wheeljack. "Take it away Jackie."

Shaking his head, Wheeljack activated his comms. "Doc bot, this is Wheeljack requesting ground bridge back to base. We also found one of the kidnapped humans from Jasper and will be bringing them." At least this new techno organic would know how to act around Prime and the Doc.

"Was this one experimented on too?" Ratchets voice came back over the comms. "Because Magnus' team recovered one as well, and they're in quite a bit of distress." Over the comms they could hear a commotion in the background.

Wheeljack responded. "Yes, but she seems pretty calm at the moment. I don't think this one will be a problem." A moment later the bridge portal opened up near them. Taking the stasis pod base by the handle he pushed it through the portal and back to base, Miko and Bulkhead following suit.

Arriving back at the Unit E hangar they found the source of the commotion they'd overheard earlier. Apparently, it was another techno organic that looked like an anthropomorphic cross between a femme and a horse. It was panicking worse than Sierra was when she saw her body and it was running around the control room with Raf and Bumblebee close on its heels. However, as it ran it seemed to be pulsing silvery white energy from its' hooves.

Bumblebee tried to reach for the techno organic, only for them to kick him in the chest. The blow and the ensuing pulse of energy caused his body to spasm as he collapsed to the floor. "Leave me alone!" It screamed in a girls' voice. A voice Sierra recognized. "Allie stop, they're friends." Sierra yelled, trying to get her friends' attention.

The hybrid stopped and looked wide eyed at Sierra. "Siri, is that you?" She slowly trotted over to the foursome. Looking at the flowers with eyes, she knew it was her, they'd known each other since they were in diapers so she would recognize those eyes.

Giving her best friend a 'nod' with her eye vines she saw her start to relax a bit. She knew Allison was prone to panic attacks in high stress situations, and this was a whopper of one. Looking at the large bot that was helping the yellow and black one back to its' feet she explained. "She's having a panic attack, just be gentle and speak softly to her and she'll calm down."

The large bot came over and got down on one knee. "Hey, sorry we scared you back there. We were just trying to help." Came another voice she vaguely recognized. Thinking a second Sierra and Allison realized with a jolt, that it was little Rafael that hung out with Miko and Jack so frequently. "Would you please come over here so that the good doctor can do a quick check on you?" He looked over to Sierra. "I'm sure he'll be with you as soon as he's finished."

Both nodding in agreement, Allison walked back over to where Ratchet was standing, scanner in hand. Raf sat down and held Allison in his lap, speaking calmly to her as the doctor set to work. Bulkhead cleared his throat. "I think I'd better go debrief Prime and Magnus." He said pointing to the bots in question who'd been in quiet discussion during most of the debacle.

Wheeljack looked at the floor and his optics widened. "And I think I need to do some pruning." Miko and Sierra looked down to see that new vines had sprouted from Sierra and were making their way across the room. "I don't think Doc bot will be happy with the space bridge controls being covered in vines."

With that he set to work with his swords, cutting away the excess vines. To Sierra it didn't feel any different than having her hair cut. The two girls stood in awkward silence for a moment. Trying to ease the tension, Sierra brought up a topic she hoped Miko wouldn't mind talking about. "So, how are things going with you and Jack?"

Miko shut her eyes and sighed. Of course, she would want to talk about him. "He and I only just got together. When we were captured, we thought we were going to die, and I just blurted it out." She sounded she was admitting defeat.

"Really?" Sierra replied, eyes narrowing. "I thought you two had been together for months. Hell, everyone at school thought you were. Honestly the way he acted so protective around you is why I stopped showing an interest in him. Honestly, throw in Esquivel and you three looked like a little family already."

Face heating up, Mikos' eyes shot open. Not that it mattered anymore, but seriously. Did the whole school think that she and Jack were already together? Then it really hit her. Sierra wasn't interested in Jack anymore. "Really, you got so excited when I mentioned him before."

Sierra scoffed a bit, raising one eye higher than the other. "I've seen how he is in emergencies. If anyone we know can keep a level head in a shitstorm, it's Jack." She looked at Miko appraisingly before her eyes shot open. "OMG, you thought I wanted to take him from you?"

Mikos' downward glance confirmed her suspicion. "Look, Miko, whatever I felt for Jack was just a passing thing. I thought he was interesting at first but then he started to become distant with everyone, with the exception of you and Rafael. Honestly when I looked at you two, I saw how well you balanced each other out. Your loud adventurous spirit breaking him out of the overly cautious mind and his calm stability tempering your reckless nature causing both of you to grow as people."

Sierra gave a sigh. "Besides, I've had my eye on another boy for some time now." She looked over at where they'd arrived. "I just hope he's okay. Wherever he is."

Miko couldn't wrap her head around it. The girl she was jealous of for garnering Jacks' attention not only had no interest in him, but actually thought they were a good fit. She'd never actually thought about them the way Sierra described. Thinking about it, she smiled, that was actually a good description of their relationship."

She was drawn out of her musings by Wheeljack. "Hey Wingsaber, hate to interrupt but mind giving me a hand with this?" He asked pointing to the vines that'd been growing rapidly while the two were talking. Apparently faster than he could keep up with.

Miko looked around for a moment before realizing he was talking to her. "Wingsaber?" She asked.

Wheeljack nodded while going back to his work. "I figured if you're going to be in the field with us more often, we need something to call you. I know it's a little on the nose, but I think it works."

"Wingsaber." She said quietly to herself, testing it out. "I like it. I am Wingsaber, Maximal Wrecker." She declared drawing her katanas with a flourish. Venturing out a bit she began cutting vines alongside Wheeljack.

Sierra cocked an eye vine. "What's a Wrecker. Come to think of it, What's a Maximal?" She was seriously confused now.

Raf interrupted. "I think we need to have some kind of class for these two to get them caught up on everything that's happened." Honestly, he thought he could use one himself with how rapidly things were changing.

"Oh, come on Rhinox." Miko groaned. "Do we really need to make this into a school lesson?" What was the point of becoming kick-ass beast machines if they still had to go to school?

"We do need to keep up with our education Miko." Raf said tersely. A second later the name registered. "Seriously, Rhinox? That's the name you'd call me?" He honestly didn't care what codename he used. Although he was curious about her reasoning.

"Well yeah." Miko replied. "I mentioned to Jack you were built like Fort Knox before you got your beast mode. Add Rhino to it and it just sounds more awesome."

The newly dubbed Rhinoxs' reply was cut off by a beeping from the space bridge console. Pausing his scan of Alison, he went over and engaged the comms. "Ratchet, requesting a bridge back to base." Came Arcees' voice from the speaker. "And we're bringing someone with us."

Ratchet threw his head back. "Another one! For the love of. Alright, one bridge coming up, but be warned it's a bit of a circus here right now." With that he punched in the coordinates for the New Mexico location and activated the space bridge. A moment later, Arcee, Smokescreen, and Jack walked through the bridge back into base with what looked like a metallic red techno organic bat with them.

Seeing their return Miko paused in her cutting and smiled at Jack. "Glad to see you're back safe Jackrabbit, as you can see, we have a bit of a situation." Looking at the group she took note of the techno organic bat. This could only be one person she called out to Bulkhead. "They have the last one, that's all three accounted for." She yelled as the new arrivals looked around the room, trying to figure out what the hell happened in the short time they were gone.

Notes:

And so Miko and Raf have their Maximal/field names. I was originally going to call her Airazor but I liked Wing Saber better. Especially since I was very fond of her and Tigatron. I will say one quick thing about my version Waspinator though. He is not like the one we saw in Beast Wars. He isn't as disaster prone and a more serious warrior. See you all next time.

Chapter 12: Fossils, Friends, and Foes Pt.3

Notes:

I'm going to admit I'm not overly happy with how this chapter turned out. Considering the characters that I had, I had a lot of improvising to do. Raf is the least detailed of the Autobots' human companions. Sierras' friend doesn't even have an official name from what I know of. And for some reason Ultra Magnus' character fought me the entire chapter. However, I hope you all enjoy reading it more than I enjoyed writing it. In addition, I hope I my representation of a panic attack is fairly accurate.

The Amazon teams' arrival didn't go as smooth as they'd hoped. Exiting the space bridge onto the bank of the great Amazon River, the ground gave way from their sudden weight, dumping them all into the water. Climbing out Bumblebee gave a series of indignant beeps about Ratchets' choice of coordinates. Raf laughed. "I know Bee, out of the gate and into the drink."

Ultra Magnus shook some water off of his body. "Alright." He began, double checking a holo-map in his right wrist. "The temple the Decepticons are in is three miles downriver from our current location." He turned to Bumblebee. "Go on ahead and scout for any guards. We'll follow once you signal." With a salute Bumblebee took off on foot, the jungle foliage being too dense for his car mode.

Once left alone with the young Maximal Magnus decided to begin his secondary mission. Get to know the Earth members of the team. He cleared his throat. "So, nice weather out here." He winced, even to his own audio sensors that sounded horrible. "I mean."

Raf took pity on the bot. He guessed that Ultra Magnus might want to get to know them, even if his method was blunter than Bulkheads' wrecking balls. "I'm just glad there we're no Pirahna fish in this part of the river. I'm not sure they'd go for me or not." At Magnus' expression he explained. "They're a type of fish that can do to animals and humans what scraplets can do to Cybertronians."

Ultra Magnus shuddered. He'd found more than one scraplet infestation over the years. Apparently, the concept wasn't unique to Cybertron. "Alright. Is there anything else in this area that might pose a threat?" He asked, somewhat afraid of the answer.

Raf gave a small laugh. "There's a reason explorers call the Amazon the 'Green Hell'." He held his arms out. "Everywhere in this jungle are things that want to crush, sting, claw, bite, infect, and otherwise, murder you." At Magnus' horrified expression Raf put his arms down. "However, most of those things are probably more scared of you than you are of them, so I think we'll be all right."

Magnus looked out at the jungle around them. After hearing all that he now had a newfound respect for the natives of this planet. For such a fragile species, they had apparently been able to survive in this horrific jungle that seemed like it could rival the rust sea or sludge swamps of Cybertron in brutality. Still, he had a mission to accomplish and turned back to Raf.

Raf cut him off. "If you want to know more about me, just ask. There's no need to beat around the bush with me." There was a moments silence before Magnus nodded and Raf continued. "I was the youngest of four children, and mostly ignored." He mumbled the last bit; he was still bitter about being essentially abandoned by his family. "I was able to understand digital code by age 3 and grew my technological skillset from there. I like videogames and being with my friends, from both here and Cybertron."

Magnus looked at the young Maximal appraisingly. Apparently, Raf had a brilliant mind and, from what he was told about the humans' history, he wasn't even a fully developed human before becoming techno-organic. Now, throw in the strength he'd gained with his beast mode and the medical tools he had built into him, and you had someone with near limitless potential. "Do you have any idea what you want to do with your life now?" He asked.

Raf gave a sigh. "I honestly don't know now." He answered. "Originally I wanted to do something with computers. Then I met the Autobots and thought I could do something to help out that way." He took a deep breath. "Then we got turned into this and now, I- I just don't know." He sighed, staring out at the river. An uncomfortable silence descended upon the duo.

The silence was broken by a beeping from Magnus' wrist. "Thats Bumblebees' signal. Let's roll." With that they took off down the river at a run. Following the river bank, they avoided the denser vegetation of the jungle and soon came upon the temple. It appeared to be similar to the Aztec temples in design, built into the side of a cliff and was partially overgrown with vines.

A rustling to their right made both Autobot and Maximal jump and deploy their guns. A moment later Bumblebee emerged from the tree line, a couple of vines dragging behind him. "Alright soldier, report." Bumblebee beeped that the two Vehicons that'd been guarding the entrance to the temple entered it a few minutes after he arrived. In addition, a loud drilling was heard moments later that died down a few moments before Raf and Magnus arrived.

Ultra Magnus nodded. "Alright. We'll head inside the temple and then." He was cut off when the ground beneath them began to shake. Looking down the trio had just enough time to leap back before a pair of red drills erupted from the ground where their feet were moments before. From there what looked like a red, orange, and purple cross between a tank and an ant followed the drills out of the ground.

The tank turned around to face them, fire bellowing from exhaust ports on the thorax and abdomen. "Death to the enemies of the colony!" It bellowed in a regal voice. "Long live, the Royalty!" With that the drills and tank treads retracted into the body, six legs taking their place, leaving it a giant ant.

Rearing its' head back and opening its' mandibles, a stream of fire erupted from its' mouth, creating a wall of flame between them and the enemy. Raf, Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus barely got out of the way before the stream of fire could hit them. Before they could return fire, they heard a voice. "The three of you now face one of my next generation Predacons." Turning, they saw Shockwave emerge from the temple, holding what looked like a vertebra in his hand.

A group of Vehicons came from the temple next, pulling a stasis pod on a platform. The pod however appeared to be shaking a little, and small sparks were coming off it.

Shockwave looked at the pod. Perhaps infusing that experiment with crystalized Nucleon hadn't been the most logical idea.

Turning back to the fray he saw that the Autobots and their companion had opened fire on Infernus and he was taking every shot with barely a wince. Apparently giving him reinforced armor plating had been both logical, and practical. "I must thank you Autobots, without the process your humans went through, I wouldn't have stumbled onto the process to reformat our own troops. Infernus is but one of the first of our new shock troopers that shall lead the Decepticons to victory."

Seeing no further logic in prolonging the mission with needless taunts he activated his comms. "Lord Megatron, this is Shockwave. Objective complete, requesting space bridge." A moment later the space bridge portal opened in front of him. With a motion of his cannon arm the Vehicons went through first, the last one activating the timer on the stasis pod. "Come Infernus, further fighting here would be, illogical."

"As you command, regent." Infernus called. He switched into robot mode and ran for the portal. Ultra Magnus leapt through the fire to follow them but was blasted backwards by Shockwave before they both stepped through the portal and it winked out of existence. As the portal closed the stasis pod opened in a cloud of steam.

Within the stasis pod, Allison Blackrock awoke in terror. Last thing she remembered was that purple robot flooding her cell/tube with that burning cold liquid and electrifying her, and after that nothing. And she'd been having a bad week to begin with.

First her and Sierra were separated from their father during the evacuation. Then that plane turned into some kind of robot and knocked them out. Then she woke up naked in a lab with Sierra and Vince with several giant robots working around them. Then Vince and Sierra were taken into the lab where she heard them screaming before they went silent. Both times she prayed for her friend and her sister. Then it was her turn.

Looking down at herself she nearly fainted. She looked like someone mixed her with a robot and a horse. Looking down past her muzzle, which freaked her out bad enough, she saw she had white fur growing out of her skin. Her metallic fingers ended in small hooves and looking down she saw she now had steel-hoofed feet that let out a pulse of silvery light every time she stepped.

Hearing loud footfalls, she felt panic flood her body from whatever passed for her heart now. Looking to her left, she saw three more robots coming towards her. Her eyes widened in terror she looked from one face to the next. In her mounting panic attack all three of them looked scary.

The tall red white and blue robot spoke first. "Excuse me." It spoke. "But if you're one of the missing humans we've been looking for, could you please identify yourself? If you're scared you just need to calm down and I'm sure we can help you."

These words had the opposite effect on Allison. Last time she was in contact with any robots she ended up like this. So, she did the only thing she could think of, she bolted past the trio and up the river as fast as her new legs could take her.

The three Autobots followed her. "Magnus you idiot." Rafael shouted as he ran, trying to catch up to the techno-organic. "Telling someone who's that scared to calm down is the worst thing you could have done." Bumblebee beeped in agreement following Raf.

Magnus glowered a bit at the back of the Maximal before following suit. How was he supposed to know these things, he'd only been on Earth for a week. He did have an idea to fix this though. "Ratchet, this is Ultra Magnus. The Decepticons recovered some kind of fossil and left behind one of the missing humans. It looks like they were experimented on like the Maximals and is panicked."

He looked ahead, gauging the distance away the techno-organic was. "I need you to open a bridge back to base, about sixty yards in front of our present location, on my mark." At Ratchets' "Copy that." he looked up as they were coming to a bend in the river. "Mark."

A space bridge portal swirled into existence some ten feet from the techno-organic who didn't have enough time to stop themself before falling through it. Putting on an extra burst of speed, the group ran through the portal, returning to base.

Allison looked around the room she'd just entered. It looked like a military hangar. Looking to her right she saw two more giant robots. One red and white, the other, red and blue. Backing away from the two she saw the three from before come through the portal she just came through before it faded away to nothing.

"No, no, no, no, no." She whispered to herself as she frantically looked for a way out.

The red white, and blue bot came closer to her. "Honestly young one, we aren't here to harm you. We're trying to help." It said in a somewhat clipped tone that did absolutely nothing to help her anxiety. It reached out a hand, whether to comfort or capture she didn't know so in her panic she punched.

At the point of contact a silvery white pulse erupted from her fist and traveled up the robots' left arm. It spasmed and jerked for a few seconds before dangling limply at its side. Backing away she tried to run only to find the black and yellow robot from before standing in her way.

Ultra Magnus backed away from the hybrid. Poking at his left arm he could tell that it was only temporarily paralyzed. Looking up he saw that Bumblebee and Rafael were trying to corral her. Just what kind of power was in this techno-organic?

"Ultra Magnus, a word?" Optimus' voice interrupted his thoughts. Walking over to his commander he prepared to give a situation report but was cut off. "I know you've only been with us for a week, but could you please try a little harder to understand our human allies? Especially now that it seems we'll be having more of them to watch over." He reprimanded.

Ultra Magnus sighed. "I'm' sorry sir, but frankly, this unit is in sever disarray. There's little to no chain of command, and almost no respect for authority." For a 'by the books' bot like him, this was a madhouse within a protocol nightmare.

"Perhaps." Optimus began. "But during our time on this planet we found that there is something far stronger than an army." Before Optimus could continue there was a beeping from the space bridge console.

"Doc bot this is Wheeljack requesting ground bridge back to base." Came Wheeljacks' voice. "We also found one of the kidnapped humans from Jasper and will be bringing them.

Ratchet made his way over to the controls. "Was this one experimented on too?" He asked. "Because Magnus' team found one as well, and they're in quite a bit of distress." He cringed as he heard some equipment get knocked around behind him. Thank Primus for the extra supplies .

Wheeljacks' response came a few seconds later. "Yes, but she seems pretty calm at the moment. I don't think this one will be a problem." With that Ratchet reactivated the bridge for their coordinates. A moment later Wheeljack stepped through, pushing what looked like a giant human shaped bulb with tentacles on some kind of wheeled platform. Miko and Bulkhead arrived immediately after.

Meanwhile Bumblebee and Rafs' attempts to contain the techno-organic were not going well. By the sound of it she may have damaged some of the equipment and getting close was proving perilous. The activation of the space bridge distracted them for a moment, allowing Bumblebee to get close. He received a kick to the torso that caused him to spasm and collapse unconscious to the floor.

"Leave me alone!" Allison screamed after kicking the black and yellow bot. She ran before the other large bot could catch her. However, what did stop her was a familiar voice coming from the recently arrived giant bulb.

"Allie stop, they're friends." Came Sierras' voice. Allison stared wide eyed at the giant bulb. Looking at the vines growing from it she saw that one had a set of lips and seemed to talk and the other two each had an eye in a very familiar shape and color. Eyes she recognized.

"Siri, is that you?" She asked. At the awkward 'nod' she did with the eye vines, Allison began to relax a little. If nothing else, being with her sister could make this a little easier to bear.

"She's having a panic attack." Sierra explained to the assembled robots in the room. Much to her embarrassment. "Just be gentle and speak softly to her and she'll calm down."

The large robot had just helped the black and yellow one up and came over to her. Getting down on one knee he gently said. "Hey, sorry we scared you back there. We were just trying to help."

Allison thought hard for a second, she knew that voice. With a small jolt, she realized that it was Rafael Esquivel. That pipsqueak computer geek that hung around with Darby and Nakadai. Although looking at him now, she knew better than to ever call him a pipsqueak again.

Raf spoke again, maintaining a gentle voice. "Would you please come here so that the good doctor can do a quick check on you?" He asked indicating the red and white bot she'd noticed before, only now catching the medical motif that adorned his body. Raf looked at Sierra. "I'm sure he'll be with you as soon as he's finished."

With both of them nodding in agreement Allison walked back over to where the apparent doctor was standing with what looked like an airport security metal detector wand in his hand. Raf sat down cross legged and pulled Allison onto his lap and put a comforting hand on her back. It was a little embarrassing, but the comforting aspect was much appreciated after what she'd been through.

"Now." Raf began. "What doctor Ratchet here is going to do, is wave that scanner over your body. It will enable him to make a hologram image of it so he can see inside you without anything going inside you." With that Ratchet began to slowly wave his scanner over her body while Raf continued to comfort her. Finally, she was beginning to relax knowing that she was no longer in danger here.

A few minutes later she received another surprise at Sierras' "OMG". Listening a little closer she understood that the bot Sierra was talking to was Miko Nakadai. Apparently, whatever turned little Rafael into the giant holding her now, also turned Nakadai into some kind of bird themed robot ninja. An equally big shock was hearing that she and Darby had only just started dating despite the whole school thinking they were already a couple. Idly she wondered if he was in the same boat they were.

However, her musings were cut short when Sierra asked about what the words "Wrecker" and "Maximal" meant. Rafael looked over to them and stated. "I think we need to have some kind of class for these two to get them caught up on everything that's happened." Personally, she agreed with Nakadai about having school lessons in their current condition. She also found her choice of nickname for him "Rhinox" interesting. Now that she was calmer, she noticed the Rhinoceros jaw on his chest and head on his back.

Ratchets' scan was interrupted when the space bridge controls beeped again. Putting the scanner down he walked back over to the console and reactivated the comms. "Ratchet," Came a feminine voice from the console. "Requesting a bridge back to base." There was a pause. "And we're bringing someone with us."

Ratchet threw his head back at the news. "Another one! For the love of." He gave a sigh. "Alright, one bridge coming up, but be warned it's a bit of a circus here right now." He punched in some coordinates for a location she thought looked like somewhere in New Mexico. With that he walked back over and resumed his scan as the portal they'd come through swirled to life.

Through the portal walked a blue woman robot, a white robot with what looked like red and blue highlights, a grayish white and metallic blue lion with a black mane, and a red furred metallic red bat with similar characteristics as the lion. Rafael gently explained that the two larger bots were called Arcee and Smokescreen and that the lion was indeed Jack Darby.

The bats' identity was discovered when Nakadai, after greeting Jack with the admittedly cute nickname of "Jackrabbit", called to who Rafael explained was the robots' leader (Optimist or something that sounded like that) that they "had the third one." With her and Sierra accounted for, that meant the bat could only be Vince. Said bat was now looking at the scene before him with the other three, seemingly at a loss for words, trying to figure out what had happened in the time they were gone.

Notes:

Okay, so much for this one. Next chapter. Three new Maximals join the team, June gets some bad news, and the Autobots gain a new ally. If you read carefully and know the Transformers franchise well enough, you might be able to guess who it is.

Chapter 13: The Good, the Bad, and the Reformatted

Notes:

Buckle up everyone. This is going to be a bumpy ride. Before I go any further, thanks for all the views and kudos. Now, in this story I plan to do some things I haven't seen in the fandom yet. One of which is in this chapter. Enjoy!

Scanning the chaos that was now the space bridge control room Jack noticed something missing. "Excuse me Optimus, but where's my mom and agent Fowler?" He asked tiredly. Amidst the various returned teams, he hadn't initially noticed that the only remaining fully human members of team prime were missing.

Optimus looked at him. "Your mother received a call and left not long after the rest of you did to handle some kind of emergency involving her workplace. Agent Fowler decided to accompany her." He responded diplomatically. Was it Jacks' exhausted imagination, or was Optimus not mentioning something?

His ponderings were cut short by a cry of joy from the bulb near Miko. Two new vines shot out from her bulb body and wrapped around Vince, giving him something akin to a hug. "OMG Vinnie it's you!" She exclaimed. Jacks' eyes widened. Was that Sierras' voice?

Sierra continued to talk at a high rate of speed. "Where did they take you? When did you escape? Did Jack and those other robots save you?" Her eye vines looked Vince over. "And what happened to you? Last time I saw you, you looked like a 'Franken-bat'?"

Vinces' eyes widened. "Sierra, is that you?" He asked looking at the bulb and vines. She must've been mutated like he was. Looking around he saw that Allison, or whatever she'd been turned into was sitting in the lap of a yellow and brown robot similar to Jack, though much larger. His musings were cut off when the large red and blue bot Jack called Optimus spoke.

"That would indeed be the one you know as Sierra Krosney, Vincent Raider, and the one sitting with Rafael is Allison Blackrock." He said, pointing to a far corner. Vincents' wide-eyed stare turned to where Optimus was pointing. Sitting there was a robot, he realized with a gulp, that was Rafael Esquivel. At his current size he genuinely hoped Raf wasn't going to want payback for shoving him in his locker at the beginning of the year. Looking back near Sierra he realized that the bird cyber ninja chick could only be Miko Nakadai.

Deciding to answer her questions he nodded. "Alright, I woke up in a cave somewhere with these three and some other bots." He said indicating Jack, Arcee, and Smokescreen. "I was in pain when I woke up and lashed out, causing the cave to collapse." He decided to not mention begging to die. "Jack found me in the rubble and freed me. After that this thing called 'Vector Sigma' spoke using him and changed me into this." He summarized, indicating his new body.

Miko looked over at Vince, then to Allison, and then back to Sierra. "Okay, if it did that for you, why didn't it do that for them?" She then looked at her currently bestial boyfriend. "Do you think you can do that for Sierra and Allison too?"

Jack cocked and eyebrow. Miko was being surprisingly caring about someone who was until recently a romantic rival, let alone someone she barely knew outside of the occasional shared detention. Jack shrugged his shoulders a bit. "I'm not sure." He answered honestly, transforming into robot mode. "Reformatting Vince was pretty draining on me as it is." At Mikos' questioning look he responded. "It seemed like a good name for it."

Optimus interjected. "How were you able to connect with Vector Sigma, Jack?" He knew the answer to that question would be key to helping the two girls. He also wondered if it was similar to his own connection with the matrix.

Jack closed his eyes. He wasn't sure how he connected to Vector Sigma. After the cave in his last coherent thought was where Vince was and how to help him. At that realization it hit him.

"I wanted to help Vince." He said looking at Optimus. "Despite everything that happened between us." He let out a sigh. "I, I didn't want him to die. I wanted to." His explanation was cut off as his eyes suddenly glowed with an ethereal white light. Everyone jumped at the sudden possession.

"Greetings Optimus Prime, I am Vector Sigma." Jack spoke, the voice of Vector Sigma replacing his own. "To answer your question, I am choosing to interact with you using young Jacksons' body as a conduit. I used a similar method when I used Nexus Primes' Enigma of Combination to communicate with and create the first Maximals."

Miko raised her brow. "So, you're using Jack like a giant ventriloquists' dummy? Not cool!" She exclaimed. At several Autobots annoyed looks and Sigmas' raised eyebrow she changed track. "Wait, does this make Jack a Prime? Or the Maximal equivalent?" She asked to save face.

Vector Sigma smiled at her. "Not quite, I choose to speak through him, because his spark is receptive to me from our encounter when he was human." Turning back to Optimus it continued. "Due to the machinations of the scarred one, whom you call Shockwave, I was unable to finish transforming these newer Maximals and free them as I did the first ones. A failure that I began to correct when I used Jackson to finish transforming Vince Raider."

Turning to look at Sierra and Allison, who'd moved from Rafs' lap towards Sierra, Vector Sigma sighed. "Apparently 'reformatting', as my vessel put it, is indeed draining on him." They looked over at Raf, who had followed behind Allison, and Miko. "At present, Jack does not have the power to help them." Vector Sigma raised Jacks' hands. "Although the three of you, as Magnaboss, should have enough power to help me complete the transformation."

Raf and Miko looked at each other a moment then nodded. They couldn't leave those two in their situation a moment longer. Each taking a hand they felt their bodies transform and shift until the colossal form of Magnaboss stood before the two hybrids. The blue spark in their chest glowing a little softer than the burgundy and yellow ones.

Looking up at the towering robot, Vinces' eyes widened. "Woah, Megazord activated." He said in an astonished voice.

Inside Magnaboss' hive mind, Jack Miko and Raf reached out to each other. Using their shared bond, they caught up in an instant on exactly what'd happened to each other after the left through the space bridge. Immense humor came from Raf at the revelation that the last ones to know that Jack and Miko liked each other, was ultimately them. Miko felt embarrassed about the situation and immense pride for Jack and Raf for forgiving Vince and Raf for calming Allison respectively. Jack felt similarly about Raf, and pride about Mikos' caring attitude towards Sierra now that the truth was known.

The trio were pulled back to reality by Vector Sigma, who began talking, supplanting Magnaboss' fused voice with its' own. "Sierra Krosney, Allison Blackrock, the two of you have been chosen for a monumentous destiny."

White light lanced out from Magnaboss' eyes, a beam hitting both techno-organics in their middles. "I now grant you the forms and powers needed to fulfill it." With that a bright green light emanated from Sierras' bulb body and a silver light flared within Allison. The two glowed brightly as they began to shift and change. When the light faded two new Maximals stood facing the group.

Where Sierra was now stood what seemed to be a techno-organic cross between a tree and a lily. She stood about seven foot tall when hunched over. Her body was mostly a relatively thin tree trunk with green circuitry pulsing under the bark, a single oval shaped foot at the base of it. Just before the head were four long vine arms that were similarly interspliced with the same circuitry that ended in a three stick-fingered hand. Her head looked like a closed lily flower in the same shade of red as her hair was. A pair of eyes on stalks near the curve of the head completed her look.

Alison on the other hand looked like she walked straight out of a sci-fi fantasy novel. Her new beast mode was a silvery white unicorn with a golden mane and tail. Her hooves and forelegs looked more mechanical than anything and the exposed hydraulics in her upper haunches seemed built for running. Her main body was similar to Jacks' beast mode in that she had silvery ribs showing partway down her sides with circuitry lacing wherever it would bend. Her appearance was topped off with a horn that looked like it was made of pure silver.

"And with that." Vector Sigma stated, the white light retracting into Magnaboss' eyes. "My failure is rectified. Go forth and know, you are transformed." With that the White glow faded completely. The sudden loss of energy caused Magnaboss to shatter back into Jack, Raf, and Miko, who landed hard on the floor in beast mode.

The Autobots and new Maximals rushed over to the three, Sierra seeming to float along on her one foot. Miko and Raf looked exhausted, but Jack looked like he had fallen comatose. If not for the low rise and fall of his chest he could've been mistaken for dead.

Arcee knelt down. "You okay partner?" She asked. If one 'reformatting' was that draining. She didn't want to know what that'd done to him.

Jack slowly opened his eyes. Despite Miko and Raf taking the brunt of the energy drain he was now exhausted. He didn't even think he had the energy to transform. "I will be Arcee. I just really need to sleep now." And with that he promptly fell asleep on the floor.

Gently as she could, Arcee picked Jack up off the floor and carried him to the door. Raf and Miko shakily getting to their feet and following suit. "Let's get you to bed Jack, we'll talk more when you wake up."

Optimus nodded. "If Vincent, Sierra, and Allison would follow, Arcee and Bumblebee will show you to where the Sleeping. Ratchet, please go and assist setting up extra berths for the new Maximals. In the meantime, I will contact Agent Fowler about contacting their families." Prime was surprised to hear Vincent mutter "Good Luck."

Upon reaching the Maximals' 'den', Arcee promptly put Jack on the nearest berth. Stepping back, she saw Miko transform. "One of the newbies can use my bed for now." She said climbing on the berth next to Jack. Wrapping an arm around him and burying her face in his mane she muttered. "I'm good right here."

Arcee smirked. "Alright, but you're on your own with June if she catches you though." She replied. She was happy her partner found someone, even if she could be a bit of a headache at times.

Miko gave a sleepy sigh. "Look at all the clucks I give right now. Good night." With that she drifted to sleep.

Arcee snorted as she turned to help Ratchet set up the new berths. Looking to her right she saw Raf transform and clamber up onto his own berth. Vince, Sierra, and Alisson looked decidedly confused. Vince looked at Arcee. "Uhm, sorry if this sounds rude or weird, but how do we change like them?"

This question surprised Arcee. For most Cybertronians it was just a matter of triggering their T-cog and letting nature take over. Learning to transform was like learning to stand for most. Ratchet once mentioned that the kids didn't have T-cogs, but it never occurred to her to ask Jack how he and the others did it.

Fortunately, she was saved by Raf. "The first time we transformed was after a personal epiphany." He sat up with some effort and looked at the three. "In my case I realized that I really and truly mattered to the others and had the power to help them. After that, it just becomes a reflex."

He gave a big yawn. "If you'll excuse me." With that he laid back down and dozed off. The remaining three looked at one another as Arcee, Bumblebee and Ratchet continued to set up the berth. They looked down and tried to do a little bit of soul (spark?) searching.

Allison thought about her life and who she was. Honestly most everyone thought she was just Sierras' friend. The reality is that Sierra is her adopted sister. They became friends in middle school and when her daddy found out about her situation, after a few too many sleepovers, he adopted her out of the foster system. While daddy treated them equally at home, she was always contented to stay in her more popular sisters' shadow.

That's when it hit her, she'd always allowed herself to be pushed into the background. Sierra had always been the braver of the two and not afraid of being in the 'popular kids' spotlight. She on the other hand, was so afraid of being judged that she became afraid of being herself. She'd always wanted to be brave and outgoing, and while being turned into this wasn't her choice, she would seize this opportunity by the horn and charge ahead.

Allisons' spark flared silver and her body began to change. Giving a whinny, she reared up into an upright position, torso shortening and gaining feminine curves. Her shoulders split apart, and her neck and horse head slid to where her right arm would be, the horse leg there retracting into her body. The horse head seemed to shrink becoming more like a gauntlet with the horn becoming like a blade. From the split in her shoulders came her head, bearing a ponytail that was similar to her disappearing horse tail. The hoof on her left arm seemed to shrink out of existence as a hand emerged to take its' place as another one emerged from her gauntlet.

Looking down at herself she was impressed. She looked like a warrior goddess. "Woah, check me out." She looked at her sister and Vincent. Vinnie seemed to either be deep in thought or trying to fight off a headache.

Sierra looked at Allison, pride in her sister blossoming from her chest. When the two first met she was just another name in the foster care system. No one bothered to get to know her until Allie did. From there she found family in both her and her father. From that little seed of friendship, the love of a family blossomed into life. Looking at herself and her crush Vincent, she knew that from the seeds sewn today, something amazing would grow.

This understanding is what ultimately triggered Sierras' transformation. With a trill and a burst of green light, the lily that was her head opened, exposing her human head. The petals folded down over her chest, back, and shoulders as the upper half of her tree trunk body expanded into a more feminine shape. Her four vine arms interwove into two thicker human like ones as her single foot shrank and lower trunk split into two normal feet and legs.

To her right, Allison gave a snort of laughter. "Check you out."

Vincent on the other hand was having trouble with transforming. He just couldn't figure out what kind of personal realization could trigger it. He'd been focusing for a while now and both Sierra and Allison had transformed. All he was getting was a headache.

"Transform, transformation, I am transformed, I am so transformed I can't believe it." With an exasperated sigh he looked up at the girls. "I just can't figure it out."

He was distracted from his frustration by Ratchet. "Well, the berths are set up. And it doesn't matter which form you use on them. All you have to do is lay down and let the energy put you to sleep." He pated the final berth once he closed the top hatch. "Rest up, we'll talk to you all wake up." With that he walked out of the den, Bumblebee close behind him.

Arcee looked at the new trio. "Best do what the doctor says. It'll be easier to deal with your situation on at least a few hours' sleep. We'll get you three some dinner when you wake up." She transformed into her vehicle form. "I'll stand guard while you rest." At her assurance the three clambered onto their berths (Vince a little awkwardly) and within moments, drifted to sleep as well.

It was a couple hours later when Jack woke up. The first thing he noticed was the fact he was still in beast mode. The second, was a comforting weight across his chest. Turning his head slightly, he could make out one of the telltale pigtails of his girlfriend and realized she'd curled up next to him again. Not that he minded, he just wished he'd been in a state to hold her as well.

Looking around he saw that Raf, Vince and the girls were asleep on berths near him. For whatever reason though, Vince was still in beast mode. Deciding to come back to it later he was just about to go back to sleep when he looked down and saw his mom looking up at him.

"Morning Jack." She said in a weary voice. HIs first thought was that she was angry he and Miko were sleeping on the same berth. A second glance though revealed that June looked like she'd aged a decade in the few hours they'd been separated. Her eyes were a little red and the circles under them were a little darker than before.

Jack lifted his head off the berth to look at her. "Mom what's wrong?" Gently he slid himself out from under Mikos' arm and got off the berth. Transforming he crouched down to be closer.

June tried to deflect at first. "Nothing sweetie, nothing for you to worry about anyway." She tried to placate but couldn't look him in the eye.

"Mom, something's wrong, I can tell." Jack stated looking at her. What could've upset her so bad that she'd try to lie to him about it.?

Taking a breath June steeled herself to deliver the bad news. "Well, I don't have to worry about running out of vacation time. The hospital called and terminated my employment. Apparently, someone said something to human resources, and I've been fired."

Jack was stunned. His mother had worked for the hospital for over a decade. What could make them do that? "What?"

June nodded. "It gets worse." She continued. "Someone got in touch with the bank I have the mortage through." She swallowed. "They called in the note saying if I didn't pay it by the end of business today, I would lose the house, and on top of that they froze my bank accounts, so even though I have the money to pay off what I owe, I couldn't do it." She finished with a defeated sigh; business had ended for the day an hour ago.

Jacks' eyes widened. In the span of an afternoon his mother was now effectively jobless, homeless, and bankrupt. "But, what about agent Fowler or the bots? Can't they help?"

June shook her head. "The banks will be looking for any signs of hacking or discrepancies, so the bots are out. And Bill just had his accounts frozen too. His bank however is just saying it's a 'clerical error'. She said with air quotes around the words.

Jack shook his head. This was too much of a coincidence. "Who?" He asked, having a sinking feeling about the answer.

June gave a humorless laugh. "Simmons, he met me as I was leaving the bank." Her eyes narrowed in hatred. "He said that this was the 'consequences' of my actions against him and Sector 7. He also said if I had a 'change of heart', he would speak to the bank and the hospital." She gave a huff out her nose. "As if."

Looking at the floor with a vacant stare, Jack felt guilt creep up into him. If his mother hadn't stood by him, she wouldn't be in this situation. "Mom, maybe if I talk to Simmons, let his team poke around inside me."

He was cut off by his mother smacking him upside the head. "Now you listen here Jackson Alexander Darby." She growled, glaring at her stunned son. "The worst thing I lost was a house, that's it. My home is where my children are, and I'm not giving that up for anything." She took a steadying breath. "I'll be moving our things here tomorrow with help from some of Fowlers' men."

Jack looked at his mother. He felt so bad for her that he'd forgotten one of the biggest lessons she'd taught him. 'Anyone can build a house, but a home is made by the people who live there.' "Sorry mom." He whispered. June wrapped her arms around Jacks' neck, hugging him as best she could.

Not long afterwards the other Maximals woke up. After introducing Sierra and Allison to June and reintroducing Vince they headed to the mess hall hangar for dinner. It actually amused everyone that June was able to make Vince squirm in regard to his bullying of her son. It wasn't often they saw a giant bat look uncomfortable. After Jack told her they made up she eased off him a little.

Dinner with June and the now six Maximals was a quiet affair. Unless you counted Miko and Sierra getting into a minor argument over which one was more cannibalistic. Sierra being a plant and a vegetarian, or Miko, being a bird, eating chicken? Further arguments were cut off when the human door to the mess hall burst open and a man in a suit, in his mid to late 40's with black hair and moustache, and sunglasses ran in.

Everyone looked at the man as he took his shades off, revealing familiar looking blue eyes to the assembled group. Looking from face to face with a slightly panicked look, he zeroed in on Allison and Sierra. "Oh, thank you god." He ran up to them, causing them to flinch a bit. Realizing his error, he slowed down. "Allie, Siri, it's okay, it's daddy."

At his reaction the girls relaxed a bit as the boys and Miko looked at each other in surprise. Daddy?

Agent Fowler followed the man in a second later. "As I was saying Mr. Black." He said panting a bit. He'd run to try and keep up with the distressed father. "They look a little different now, but they're still your daughters."

The bay door to the mess hangar opened allowing Optimus entry, Ratchet and Ultra Magnus following suit. "I apologize for the intrusion, but Mr. Black was desperate to reunite with his daughters."

Mr. Black turned and looked at Optimus. "Mr. Prime, I understand that you were trying to brace me for the shock, but ultimately, I just needed to make sure they were all right as could be." He turned and saw June sitting at the table. "Mrs. Darby?" He scanned the table and saw Jack. "And I'm guessing that's Jackson in the lion suit."

Junes' jaw dropped. She knew Bennet Black was Allisons' father. Hell, she'd delivered the girl herself. But she had no idea that Sierra was adopted. Then again, she'd only interacted with him at the occasional PTA meeting and only knew he was a widower, his wife dying in childbirth. She had no idea what he was like or what he did for a living.

Taking one more look at his daughters, Mr. Black turned back to Optimus. "Alright, if I take everything you said as fact. Your side in this war is seriously outmanned, and out gunned. If my daughters are going to be involved in this in any way, then I want to help, in any way I can. You have manpower on the way, but you're still at a technological disadvantage, and the other side seems to have their own Dr. Frankenstein by the look of it. To remedy that, I think a reintroduction is in order."

He held out his hand to agent Fowler. "My real name is Garrison Bennet Blackrock, founder, CEO, and proprietor of Onyx Technologies. But my friends call me G.B." Fowlers eyes widened as he shook hands With G.B. Blackrock. He'd heard of Onyx Technologies, a lot of Uncle Sam's advanced weaponry, including some of the guns his men used came from that company. He'd heard that the CEO had stepped out of the public eye to focus on raising his daughter after his wife died. Who'd have thought he'd ended up here or adopt another child?

Allison sighed as Sierra stifled a giggle. "Was the reintroduction necessary dad?" He could be such a drama king sometimes.

G.B. looked at her. "If I'm going to be helping protect you kids, then yes. I don't like the fact you and your sister are getting involved in this little war of theirs." He said, pointing to the Autobots. "Let alone the fact you were turned into what you are now, but I will do my fatherly duty and help you." He took a breath and looked at the other Maximals. "All of you, if need be."

Jack stared slack jawed. How many more surprises could today have left?

Miko on the other hand was eyeing Blackrock wearily. Her parents had met him at some of their social gatherings. Until she got to know the man a little better, she was keeping an eye on him.

Raf and Vince were surprised too, they'd heard of him. This was a man who had a Tony Stark level intellect, and Burce Wayne level wealth. The fact that he was living in Jasper of all places was a shock. The fact he was more than willing to help them and the Autobots, even more so.

June stood up and walked over to him. "We appreciate the offer Mr. Blackrock." She said shaking his hand. Admittedly she was a little intimidated by the man, but if it helped her kids. "But ultimately, it's up to agent Fowler and Optimus."

Everyone looked up at the Autobot leader. Giving a nod he replied. "We humbly accept your offer Mr. Blackrock. If you'll speak with my second in command, you'll be able to hammer out the details." He directed Blackrocks' attention to Ultra Magnus who nodded at him.

G.B. nodded. "Alright, down to business then, let's go." He turned back to Allison and Sierra. "I'll come back to see you girls after you finish eating. I love you both and I'll see you then." As he was walking out, he stopped and looked at Ratchet. "I understand you're the doctor here, remind me before I leave, and I'll fax over a copy of my girls medical records to help you with anything that may come up."

This caught Ratchet off guard a little. He'd been planning on giving the Maximals a 'checkup' the next day. Mostly to see exactly how similar their new bodies were to their original ones. "That'd be appreciated sir. He replied.

With a nod Blackrock exited the hangar, following Ultra Magnus. Ratchet looked at the Maximals. "I'll be meeting you all in the lab at 10:00 for a 'physical' as nurse Darby put it to me." At their collective groan he narrowed his optics. "Doctors orders." He growled and left in a huff; it was bad enough Optimus skips his checkups.

Optimus spoke next. "I will leave you to your meal now, and to the new Maximals in the room, I bid you welcome to Unit E." With that he turned and left the hangar.

When the door shut everyone turned to look at Sierra and Allison, both of whom were now feeling very self-conscious. Allison gave a sigh. "Yes, our dad is rich, we just never said anything because we were trying to keep a low profile. Sierra is my sister, daddy adopted her when we were in middle school. Can we please hold any questions for another time?" Her tone signaled that her last statement wasn't a question so much as a request.

The rest of the meal was quiet and concluded with Blackrock returning and giving his daughters a hug and kiss goodnight, much to their embarrassment. Soon afterwards the group dispersed back to the den to get some sleep before the morning, June making sure Miko slept on her own berth this time. Hopefully the group would be too tired for nightmares tonight.

As if in answer to her prayer, the night was quiet. For the time being, all was well.

Notes:

Phew, that was a ride. So, for clarification. Sierra is essentially my own take on the Maximal Botanica. Her design was inspired by the 'Beast Wars Animated' toy of her made by Gizmo Tracer on DeviantArt. I'd suggest you check them out. Allison is a more streamlined take of the Battle Unicorn toy from Beast Machines. I thought I'd use a transformer that had as much backstory as 'Allison' did in Transformers Prime. In addition, While I hated doing that to June, I do have plans for her, plans I think most of you will like. That said, in lieu of writing about the Maximals getting a physical, I decided to put my equivalent of Ratchets' notes as the next chapter. I've written about half of it Already and should have it up within a week. See you then.

Chapter 14: Doctors' Notes

Notes:

From the secret files of Teletraann 2...sorry, I couldn't help myself. Hope you guys like this little bonus chapter. I thought I'd try something unusual. So here it is, from the 'borrowed' data pad of Autobot Medic Ratchet. All current data on the Maximals

Overview:

It has been just over a week since our human allies were exposed to the combination of raw cyber matter from the Omega Lock and energy from the Enigma of Combination. A little less for the kidnapped civilian juveniles who were subsequentially experimented on. Between myself, Wheeljack, and Nurse Darby we've examined the Maximals' as they are currently being called as thoroughly as possible without harming them and noted any and all data relevant to their care, health, and potential treatments. To that end, I am writing down what we've learned starting with what all the Maximals have in common then followed up with individual profiles.

Biology:

Digestive system:

Starting here seemed highly relevant. Somehow the Maximals are able to convert 100% of consumed organic matter into energon which powers their bodies, as well as additional weapons and abilities. There seems to be no discrimination between plant or carrion based organic matter. During my scan of their systems, I noticed that they have some form of converter that sits where the "small intestine" was that breaks down ingested matter on an atomic level and restructures it from there. Afterwards it seems to be stored in a reservoir where the "large intestine" resided. (Sidenote: See Sierra) In addition the Maximal bodies don't seem have fat stora;lgnf;las, storage. (Sidenote: Apologies when I mentioned the inability to become 'fat' as humans put it, the femmes all rushed and hugged me unexpectedly.)

Note: This converter system bears closer examination. If possible, this could be replicated and installed into our own bodies, freeing us of our dependence on energon or giving us more flexibility with the limited amounts we have.

Circulatory System:

From the fuel reservoir, the energon is spread through their bodies via a network that, from what I can gather, used to be their arteries and veins. This Energon is moved about by pulses from their sparks, similar to how their human hearts moved blood around their bodies. Incidentally, prolonged physical activity/combat and excessive use of their weapons and abilities drain this reservoir faster like Cybertronians. Once below a certain level they will revert back into beast mode to conserve energon and be unable to transform until they "refuel". It is unknown if there is an override to this.

Immune system:

Examining the energon the maximals possess I discovered that they have a type of self-replicating, energon resistant nanites that, upon testing, destroyed all foreign substances introduced. Unknown at this time if they are immune to human diseases. In addition, it appears that when a Maximal needs to heal, reverting to their beast mode seems to accelerate it.

Respiratory system:

The Maximals still need to breath to supply the organic parts of their body's oxygen. However, my scans indicate that there is a conversion system similar to the one in their digestive system, somewhere near the bronchi, that'll allow them to breath most any gas. Meaning that they could survive on Earth, Cybertron, or almost any other planets' atmosphere. It is also theoretically possible that they could breathe underwater for limited amounts of time. Admittedly, I am not eager to test that theory.

Nervous system:

The Maximals' new nervous system seems comprised of booth their human nervous systems, comprising of brain, spinal column, and nerves and most of the human endocrine system. Apparently, there is an information loop between brain and spark, like Cybertronians, and from there it feeds through the Endocrine system, amplifying it, to the rest of the body in either form. Upon closer inspection I've noticed that their nerves are more Cybertronian than human. Meaning that if a nerve is severed, it is possible to repair and reconnect it like ours.

Skeletal System:

The Bones of the Maximals (Excepting Sierra) are composed of a dense alloy with properties similar to electrum. While I'm not about to try and break their bones, I believe that the Maximal body is capable of taking heavy hits with minimal damage. (Sidenotes: See Sierra, Miko, Vincient, and Allison)

Integumentary system:

From what I can analyze, the outer layers of the Maximals (Fur, skin, bark, or feathers) are interlaced with microcircuitry to replicate the human sensation of touch. Said outermost layers seem to slough off and replenish themselves like our outer techno matter. Only much faster. A process that can take years for us, could take hours for them.

Muscular system:

Upon closer inspection, the Maximals' techno-organic musculature give them an edge in servo-to-servo combat. The microcircuitry in their organic muscle tissue seems to add power to any muscle movement. Something like the synergist motors near our transformation cogs.

Transformation system:

Speaking of transforming. It seems that the way Maximals transform is quite different from ours. Where our bodies use the T-cog, theirs seems to be part of their muscular system. The microcircuitry in their bodies reposition, compress, and expand the size of the necessary organs and or bones of the mode they aren't using. Simply put, transforming is just as instinctive to them as it is to us. (Sidenote: See Vincent)

Reproductive System:

In spite of my, initial aversion, to analyzing this system and the patients' collective embarrassment, I examined the reproductive capabilities of the Maximals. From what I can ascertain from my scans, the "womb" of the maximal femme is lined with Sentio Metallico, albeit inert. The "component", as I have been asked to call it, of the Mechs on the other servo, possess a link directly to their spark chamber. However, the Maximal Mechs spark alone isn't powerful enough to create the necessary hot spot for a protoform to form. There may be something about their reproduction process we don't know about yet. We shall have to wait and see. (Sidenote: Why the pit was everyone so embarrassed when I talked about it? It was just basic biology.)

Individual Profiles:

Subject: Jackson Alexander Darby

Gender: Mech

Alt mode: Techno Organic Lion

Aliases: Jack, Leobolt, Jackrabbit (Miko)

Notes:

While Jacks' Maximal body is lacking much weaponry in bot-form, it makes up for it in speed and strength. His claws, usable in both modes, proved capable of cutting through a steel beam with one swipe. His whip, when deployed, contains a relatively small amount of energon from his reservoir. The energy of it can cut through most materials as easy as his claws and can stretch for up to 100 feet and spinning a length of it can also generate a shield that can block various types of attacks. In beast mode he can deploy micro thrustors to increase his land speed or jumping distance.

(Side Note: At present, I'm unsure of how Jacks' link to Vector Sigma effects his overall health and have no way to test it.)

Subject: Miko Nakadai

Gender: Femme

Alt Mode: Techno Organic Peregrin Falcon

Aliases: Wingsaber

Notes:

Mikos' bot-form seems to be centered around speed and agility. Her body is unusually light owing to a hollow skeletal structure common in birds. In bot-form she wields dual swords (katanas she calls them) and can generate smaller throwing knives called kunai. From our tests she can generate up to 50 at a time before having to transform to replenish them. Said kunai can be set to detonate on impact or at her command (usually a snap of her fingers)

From field reports from their last mission, I have confirmed that Miko is indeed an outlier. Her teleportation ability could be vital to future missions as I have yet to find an upper limit to her range. However, this ability has the same restrictions as space/ground bridge travel. For example, while all the Maximals have been on the Nemesis, she cannot teleport onto it without its' exact coordinates. And trying to teleport into a moving vehicle would be extremely dangerous.

Subject: Rafael Jorge Alfonse Esquivel

Gender: Mech

Alt Mode: Techno Organic Rhinoceros

Aliases: Raf, Rhinox

Notes:

Rafaels' increase in mass has led to a massive increase in strength. His musculature is denser than the other Maximals, perhaps a side effect of being roughly half of Magnaboss' body. In contrast to his newfound size and strength he has been equipped with a full cache of medical tools and equipment. Among them are a null beam for localized anesthesia, a laser scalpel, a spot welder, and most interestingly a cellular regeneration (CR) pulse in his palm that accelerates the natural healing process exponentially. In addition to his medical equipment his primary weapons are his twin chain guns built into his forearms. At full power they can fire roughly 500 rounds per minute, piercing through inch thick armor plating.

(Side Note: I really need to begin young Rafaels' Medical training in the near future. It would have to be his choice, but it'd be a shame to let such potential go to waste)

Subject: Vincient Edward Raider

Gender: Mech

Alt Mode: Techno Organic Bat

Aliases: Vince, Vinnie (Sierra and Allison)

Notes:

My analysis of young Vincient remains incomplete, primarily due to his current inability to transform. From what I can tell his bone structure is similar to Mikos' in the fact that their bones are hollow. According to my scans there's nothing physically wrong with him. I theorize that he's suffering from a case of cog block brought on by something in his subconscious mind. However, his flight capabilities are on par with Mikos'. In addition, his hearing has a wider range than even most Cybertronians. Honestly, I think only the likes of Soundwave or Blaster could match it.

Subject: Sierra Isabelle Krosney

Gender: Femme

Alt Mode: Techno Organic Plant (Unable to discern exact species)

Aliases: Siri (Allison, Mr. Blackrock)

Notes:

Sierra is the most unusual of the Maximals to date. Her plant based "Beast Mode" is entirely unique. Her ability to harness solar energy in addition to processing organic matter makes her the most energy efficient of the Maximals. Her Skeletal structure changes the most, going from virtually nonexistent in beast mode, to fully formed in bot-mode. In bot-mode she has two types of weaponry. One is a type of "seed grenade" that rapidly grows to ensnare and constrict whatever it comes into contact with. In addition, she can deploy two flower pods near her wrists that fire a highly caustic sap. In plant mode she moves on a single foot covered in millions of hair-like cilia underneath.

(Note: Who the pit is Morticia Addams?)

Subject: Allison Caroline Blackrock

Gender: Femme

Alt Mode: Techno Organic Horse (Unicorn?)

Aliases: Allie (Vince, Sierra, Mr. Blackrock)

Notes:

Allison, the last Maximal, could potentially be the most dangerous of them. This is due mostly to the fact that we've discovered her skeleton is laced with crystalized Nucleon. This little-known substance is often used to disrupt our natural biosystems. Effects vary from triggering and locking ones T-cog, to full on paralysis that can last years. During her examination she slammed her fist down on a console that shorted it out. (I needed that!) However, this seemed to be triggered by her temper at hers and her sisters' circumstances. I believe this could be remedied with basic psychological help. In addition to her "Nuclepunch" as she calls it the "Unicorn horn" on her right forearm seems able to extend into a saber capable of channeling the Nucleons energy over short distances. In beast mode she has unparalleled endurance. She ran 200 miles in an hour nonstop and wasn't even winded!

Conclusion:

Everything we've analyzed about the Maximals to date makes me think that they could very well be a new direction in Cybertronian evolution. The combination of our species physiology with humans and other Earth lifeforms makes for an organism that could survive in most any environment. Their ability to internally create energon from organic material is a marvel. What I've read in the recent mission reports about Shockwaves' new type of Predacon also leads me to believe that "reformatting" existing Cybertronians into these new bodies is a viable possibility. Theoretically, this could fundamentally change the course of life for our species as we know it. However, any further debate about this will have to wait until the war has ended.

Notes:

I have to admit, writing from Ratchets' perspective was an interesting exercise. Next up will be a bit of a "Team bonding" chapter with the Maximals before we have a catch-up chapter with the Decepticons to move the plot forward.

Chapter 15: Light Dares and Heavy Truths

Notes:

Welcome back everyone. Okay, full disclosure, I have never played truth or dare in my life. That said, if this came out a little off, I apologize. Please enjoy anyway.

"Miko, I WILL get you back for this." Jack called down from Bulkheads' raised arms as the bots laughed and the other Maximals struggled not to. His words however, had little effect on his girlfriend as she was doubled over laughing at their dare inspired recreation of the Circle of Life from The Lion King. As the other Maximals bowed down in beast mode, Miko provided the soundtrack via a customized, or 'Maximized' as Miko put it, music player. Jack and Bulkhead ended up playing the roles of Simba and Rafiki respectively, or more accurately Miko dared Jack to do it and roped Bulkhead into his role.

Jack grimaced, he knew playing truth or dare would be a mistake. But after the mortification of physicals with Ratchet and him mom, he was more than agreeable to a sleepover style welcome party for the newer members of the Maximals to break the tension brought on by their collective embarrassment. After retrieving Maximal portioned snacks, they gathered in the den accompanied by Arcee, Bumblebee, Smokescreen, and Bulkhead. After explaining what they were doing and Miko explained the rules of the game they began. His mother would be unable to join them as she was now sorting the boxes of things from their house that had arrived while the exams were taking place.

It started simply enough. Miko first dared Raf to take a hit of hot sauce and wait five minutes before eating or drinking.

After he put his mouth out, Raf asked Allison what the biggest thing she got in trouble for in school was. Everyone broke out laughing when she admitted to putting super glue on the toilet seat in the teachers' lounge bathroom. She ended up with two weeks of detention because the principal had been the one to fall victim to it. Miko, Vince, and Sierra gave her a standing ovation for that.

From there they got the bots involved in the game. Allison had asked Arcee if she had any current crushes. She shook her head and replied that she was putting relationships of any kind on hold until she'd avenged Cliffjumper and Tailgate. This led to a brief explanation of Arcees' history with partners which created an uneasy silence among the group.

Arcee broke that by daring Vince to try and hang upside down like a real bat. This was only successful for about five seconds before he lost his grip on the beam and fell. Thankfully smokescreen was able to catch him before he hit the floor.

Once he'd calmed down; he asked Bulkhead what his biggest mishap was during his time as a construction worker. Reluctantly, Bulkhead admitted that he caused a domino effect with some stacks of supplies that ended up injuring a senator by the name of Ratbat. Arcee replied that since he'd turned out to be both corrupt, and a Decepticon, the real blunder was that he survived.

Bulkhead then dared Smokescreen to rev his engine next to a sleeping agent Fowler who'd dozed off shortly before the game began. This, after some cussing led to the new rule that the game was to stay in the den.

From there, not wanting to irritate Fowler further, Smokescreen asked Bumblebee why after all his time as a scout he hadn't accepted the promotion to warrior yet. Bumblebee simply beeped that he wanted to have it on Cybertron, as opposed to Earth.

Afterwards he asked Sierra why she was a vegetarian. She shivered and explained that she walked in on a pig being butchered when she was twelve and had been one ever since.

Shaking her head to dispel the memory, Sierra brought the game back around to Miko. "Alright Chickadee, truth or dare?" She asked with a wicked grin.

Miko grimaced, she hoped that nickname didn't catch on. "Alright side salad, dare." She wasn't afraid of what 'Little Miss Cheerleader' could come up with.

Sierra cocked an eyebrow at her reply. She wasn't surprised that Miko picked dare. "Alright then." She looked around, trying to figure out a suitable dare. "I dare you to." She paused. 'Let one of us tickle you for one minute while blindfolded." She threw a long towel for her to use as a blindfold.

Miko smirked as she folded and tied the towel in place. "Dare accepted, you never said I had to laugh though." A moment of muttering later she heard Sierra start the count. She'd been expecting fingers, or maybe one of her own feathers is someone was bold enough to pluck one. What she got was what felt like a brush across the side of her neck, making her jerk. This left the other side of her neck open for the mystery assailant to dig it into the other side.

From there she felt the brush leave her neck and go to her feet, causing her to kick out as her assailant went from foot to foot for twenty seconds. The last thirty seconds were spent writhing on the floor with her jaw clenched shut as the brush moved to her stomach, seemingly tracing random patterns.

When Sierra called time; she heaved a few breaths before sitting up and ripping the blindfold off her eyes. Focusing on the group she saw Jacks' hands move a little too quickly behind his back and Bulkhead looking a little too innocent for her liking as everyone else tried not to laugh.

Thinking for a moment she looked for the brush they'd used on her. Turning her eyes back to Jack, trying to look innocent it hit her. "I see." She commented, turning to Bulkhead, who cringed. "YOU tickled me, using the brush part of Jacks' whip. The one that becomes the end of his tail in beast mode." She turned back, scowling at Jack who recoiled at the glare.

Miko Smirked, increasing her glare on Jack. "Alright Jackie boy, truth or dare?" She already had a dare in mind and the look she was giving him would leave no room for him to take the easy way out.

Jack gulped. "Dare." He replied nervously. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like this.

Miko nodded, never breaking eye contact. "Alright. I've been wanting to do this for a while, and now I have a good reason." She looked over at bulkhead. "Since you were so helpful for the last dare, you can help me with this one."

She went over to the 'maximized' music player and typed in the song. "You might wanna switch to beast mode for this Jack. Because for your dare, you'll be playing the role of Simba for this song." With that she hit play and the song Circle of Life played over the speakers. "And Bulkie is going to do the honor of playing Rafiki in it."

Jack groaned and switched to his lion mode; he thought something might happen, but he wasn't expecting this. Looking around he saw Vince smirking as Raf, Sierra, and Allison switch to their beast modes as well, deciding to get in on the act.

When the appropriate part of the song came up, Bulkhead gently lifted up like Rafiki of old, the other Maximals bowing and Miko cracking up along with Arcee, Smokescreen, and Bumblebee. Upon closer inspection he saw that Sierra had a camera in one of her tendrils and had snaped a picture of the scene, causing him to shout that he'd get even with Miko.

After the song ended and Bulkhead sat Jack back on the ground. Transforming back, he looked around at the Maximals who were changing back to their bot forms as well. Deciding for a minute to get payback on Miko later he decided to go for a different target. "Allison, truth or dare?"

"Dare, Simba." She replied smugly, causing a fresh bout of laughter from the others.

'Alright'. Jack thought. 'Two could play at that game.' "Very well, Twilight Sparkle." He said, causing Allisons jaw to drop and everyone else to laugh. It didn't help that her Maximal symbol in beast mode was where a ponies 'cutie mark' would be. "I dare you to kiss the person in the room you think is the cutest."

This caused a chorus of 'oohs' from the other Maximals, but Jack had an idea. He'd seen the way that Raf and Allison had been hanging near each other a lot before and after their exams. He wondered if the feelings were more than just friendship after the trauma they'd been through. This would be a way to see if she and his pseudo brother had any feelings for each other. Although, looking to his left, he was now curious as to why Sierra was now chewing back a laugh.

Allison smirked at Jack and stood up. She went part way to the middle of the room and made a sudden turn and walked up to Miko. "I know your taken, but a dare's a dare." With that she leaned forward and planted a kiss on Mikos' lips.

This caused almost everyone else to stare wide eyed as she made her way back to her seat. The sole exception being Sierra who'd busted out laughing at the looks on their faces. Looking around the room she shrugged her shoulders. "What, I like girls." She said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders.

Arcee looked at her partner. "I guess you got payback on Miko after all." She commented. Silently enjoying the look of panic blossoming across Jacks' face.

This caused Miko to glare at Jack who held his hands up in defense. "Miko, I swear I didn't know."

Allison cut off any further arguing. "Stand down Nakadai, he really didn't. I've known I was lesbian since I was eleven, and I've only been around Jack a handful of times since then, so he wouldn't've known." She smirked. "Besides, Sierras' my sister and hot as she is." She said pointing to Arcee. "I think she might take my attempt to kiss her the wrong way." This caused Arcee to look at her wide opticed then look away. Allison then turned to Raf. "So Raf, truth or dare?"

Raf shook his head. "After those last two dares, I'm sticking to truth." He replied, ignoring Mikos' comment of 'wimp'.

"Alright then." Allison nodded. "I know how we ended up like this." She said indicating herself, Sierra, and Vince. "But how did you three end up this way?"

Raf shrugged his shoulders, it was a fair question. "The day they evacuated Jasper we were kidnapped by the same guys that kidnapped you. We woke up in their doctors' lab and after taunting us a bit, I think they used the same process on us as they did you. Vector Sigma, the computer that you heard yesterday, took over the process and gave us these bodies. Unlike you guys, we got our beast modes later." Seeing that Allison was satisfied, Raf turned to Vince." Vince, truth or dare?"

Vince shook his head. "After my last dare? Truth." He didn't want to nearly end up going splat on the floor again.

Raf gave Vince a smirk that made him wish he'd picked dare. "Alright Vince." He grinned. "Did you ever apologize to Arcee or Bumblebee for insulting them?" Judging by Vinces' confused look, he already knew the answer.

"Why would I need to apologize?" He asked. "I never met them before this week." At Rafs' nod to them the bots in question transformed, causing Vince to go wide eyed. "Are you shittin' me? The girl was Jacks' bike and." He cut himself off realizing what Raf was talking about.

Taking a breath, he walked over to the two Autobots. "I'm sorry about what I said to you two." He said lamely. He just wasn't used to apologizing. "It may have been trash talk but it was still wrong." The two then changed back to bot form with a simple "Apology accepted."

Returning to his seat his mind was swirling about the last time he'd seen Bumblebee. There was something that happened at that race he still didn't know. Turning to Jack, he cocked a brow. "Jack, truth or dare?"

Jack sighed. He had a feeling that Rafs' question might bring up one of his own. "Truth." He replied. Better to get this over with.

"What really happened at that race I raced against you?" Vince asked. Most of that race was a blur, a jumble of sounds and sensations that ended with him waking up on the side of the road.

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose. "You were captured by a Decepticon named Knockout." He answered, spitting said cons' name. "He's the Decepticons' doctor and he wasn't after you specifically, he was after Bumblebee. I'm guessing he thought you were a friend."

Vince paled a bit as he looked down at the floor. He'd been captured by the bots that did this to them. "I'm guessing you're the ones that saved me that day?"

Jack shook his head. "No. That Was Optimus. He rescued you and handled Knockout. After that we took you back to your car." He looked down, not liking the memory of the dressing down he'd received from Optimus or his mother later that night.

Giving a nod, Vince replied. "Alright, I can accept that." With that he took his seat. He was still a bit shaken at the implications, but he would be alright. He also made a note to thank Optimus next time he saw him.

Realizing it was his turn again Jack smirked. "Miko, truth or dare?" Hopefully she picked dare. The idea of her doing the chicken dance in beast mode was far too appealing.

Miko wasn't stupid however. "Truth." She answered. She had a feeling that Jack was bidding his time to get her back for the Lion King dare. A feeling that proved to be correct by his brief look of frustration.

Jack thought a minute. "Alright Miko, I'm curious. When you fought Starscream and those Vehicons back at the car dealership? Where did you learn to fight like that?"

Miko blushed a little bit. She hadn't been expecting that. "Well, when I was little and left alone a lot." She began with a grimace, thinking about her lonely childhood. "I watched a lot of tokusatsu shows and movies and would try to follow along with the actors. I think I remembered more than I thought and Vector Sigma may have built on that." At their blank looks she explained further. "Y'know like Kamen rider and Super Sentai."

Raf jumped in. "Wait, don't they make Power Rangers out of Super Sentai?" He thought that franchise sounded familiar.

Vince laughed a little. "That makes so much sense." He smirked at Jack. "You two really are made for each other." Ignoring Jacks look of warning he turned back to Miko. "When Jack was a kid, he used to watch old VHS tapes of Power Ranger and follow along too." He said with a laugh.

Jack blushed heavily at Mikos' amused look. "You were following along with me half the time there, 'Tommy'." Jack sniped back. This caused Sierra to bust out laughing, making Vince blush too.

Miko took control back. "Well, remind me to introduce you to the good stuff some time." Looking at the clock she realized they had time for one more turn before the June imposed bedtime of 10:00. Looking around she chose her victim. "Arcee, truth or dare."

Arcee smirked at Miko. "Truth." She wasn't going to let Miko pull something this close to bed.

Pouting a bit, Miko thought. "Alright, do you have any regrets from before the war?" She only asked this because she wasn't able to come up with anything else. She didn't expect Arcee to suddenly look uncomfortable. "You okay?"

"Sort of Miko, it's just, this is kind of personal." Arcee responded. "The honest truth is, my biggest regret is not making up with my twin brother before the war broke out." The Maximals eyes widened at this revelation. Jack didn't even know she had a brother.

Raf was curious. "How does the sibling thing work for Cybertronians? I thought you all came from the well of all sparks or other hot spots?"

Arcee shifted into what the others started calling her 'teacher mode'. "Often times, if two or more sparks are close enough while the body forms, the sparks bond partially and influence one another. These often result in the bodies having similarities and considering themselves siblings. However sometimes that can be problematic depending on how they develop."

She took a deep breath. "I won't go into specifics but my brother and I had a massive falling out over some life choices I'd made. We lost contact and I haven't seen or heard from him since." Another heavy silence fell over the room.

Miko got up and walked over to Arcee, Jack following close behind. Arcee crouched down as the two wrapped their arms around her middle in a hug. "I'm sorry." Miko whispered. She hadn't meant to bring up something painful.

Arcee choked up a little bit. "It's alright." Taking a deep breath, she looked at the clock. "It's also time for you all to turn in." There was some minor grumbling but the Maximals all headed toward their berths.

Before climbing into his berth, Jack gave Miko a peck on the lips. "Goodnight, Pretty Bird." He said, hoping she liked the nickname for her.

Miko scowled playfully a little bit before smiling. "Alright, I'll give you that one. But if you start calling me any other cutesy names, I'll give you a shave you won't soon forget." She replied, hinting to where her blades were.

Jack smirked at her. He knew she really didn't mean it but would respect her wishes. "What, going to shave my tail?"

Miko looked at him, the corner of her mouth twitching. Deciding to run with the joke, she gave her widest grin. "Why now, that would be weird." She said with a bad British accent and putting emphasis on the last word.

There was a moments silence before they and the other Maximals broke out laughing as the Autobots looked at each other, not getting the joke. Once the laughter died down the six clambered into their bunks and drifted off to sleep. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee stayed nearby in case of Nightmares until June finished sorting out the boxes from the move.

As the group slept, they were looked in on by Optimus and Ultra Magnus. Seeing them all sleeping soundly for the moment, Optimus turned to Magnus. "This is what I was referring to the other day commander."

Magnus shot him a confused look. "Sir?"

"One thing that has proven stronger than an army, is a family." Optimus stated. "The bonds between members of a family are far deeper than those of any military unit." With that he walked off, leaving his second in command to ponder this new information.

With the trials to come, hopefully Magnus would be able to understand this new concept, and from there become a better officer. Ultimately though, only time would tell.

Notes:

That's it for this chapter. Hope you liked my Courage the Cowardly Dog reference towards the end there. In regard to the sibling aspect of Cybertronians, my explanation is more headcannon than anything so please, take it with a grain of salt. Next chapter will be devoted to catching up with the Decepticons and setting the stage for the next part of the story.

Chapter 16: Dark Thirst, Darker Vendettas

Notes:

Without further ado, let's catch up with the Decepticons. I'll admit this one reads like a novelization of the Transformers Prime episode Thirst, but it seemed like the easiest way to move things along.

'Sometimes,' Starscream thought to himself. 'Life really sucked.'

After his success in retrieving the Predacon fossil with Terrorsaur, he'd been given the detestable job of trying to bring the original Predacon to heel. During the initial attempt (augmented by the Apex Armor) the beast had thrown him across the top of the ship, and right into the communications array.

Megatron had been furious. He'd found out about the incident after Starscream tried to reboot the array after trying to repair it himself, shorting out over half the system. He'd been about to give final arrival details for the Constructicons before they entered the solar system only for the screens to go to static.

After Soundwave repaired the array properly, Megatron assigned the other 2.0 Predacons to help him tame the original.

This ultimately, proved to be a mistake. Infernus attempted to intimidate the Predacon into submission. "Now see here you draconian oaf, as subjects of our queen we are obligated to give our strength, valor, and blind loyalty to." A solid tail swipe to send him flying over the side of the ship before he could finish his tirade. A quick switch to ant mode in midair enabled him to cling to the ships' hull long enough for Waspinator to retrieve him.

Terrorsaur attempted to reason with it in his beast mode, hoping that some similarity might sway it. This was shot down when, barely two words in, the Predacon wrapped its maw around Terrorsaur and shook him like a rag doll, throwing him into Starscream. Waspinator simply shook his head and stayed back. "Wazzzpinator not want to end up azzz dragonbotzzzz', chew toy."

Any further attempts were delayed when storm clouds began to form around the Nemesis. As no one wished to become a living lightning rod, training was put off until the weather was clearer. This ultimately led to Starscream seeking the company of one of the few bots he could tolerate.

"Oh, will my torment never end?" Starscream moaned as he began pacing Knockouts' lab. "First I had to vie for Megatrons' attention against that treacherous harpy Airachnid. Now I need to contend with Shockwave and his incorrigible beast."

Knockout turned to face him. "Look on the bright side Starscream, at least one of them is currently on ice, locked up in the vault of our warship."

Starscream sighed. "And I would love to shove Shockwave and his abomination into a stasis pod right beside her. The only reason "Project Predacon 2.0" is even viable is because of our backbreaking efforts, to say nothing of your research with the fleshlings."

Knockout grimaced. "Don't remind me." He muttered, rubbing his legs. He could still feel the phantom ache of where that damned femmes' dagger exploded on him. It took hours to fix all the damage. And don't get him started on the damage to his finish.

They were cut off by moans of pain from a nearby slab. "Can't you keep your lab rat quiet while I'm airing my grievances?" He scowled.

From where he was bolted to the table, Cylas struggled against his bonds. "Starscream, help, me." He begged.

Starscream only chuckled. "My my my, whatever have you been inflicting on poor Cylas?"

"Oh, anything that merits the need of a living petri dish." He replied. Taking a vial of green liquid, he walked over to the table and injected it directly into Cylas' arm, causing his optics to widen and turned green.

"Despite your justifiable lack of regards for his human side." Starscream began. "Doesn't it trouble you to watch what remains of your former Conjunx be subjected to your scientific endeavors?"

"Not really." Knockout shrugs. "I look at him as only a cadaver now, besides Silas here once had poor Breakdown bolted to his lab table. I think he'd be pleased to play a part." The moment the words left his mouth, Cylas shut down.

Starscream quirked a brow. "What just happened?"

"Remember that 'Synthetic Energon' formula that I recovered from the Autobots?" Knockout asked. "Well, I've been reproducing the formula, to test its viability as an alternative energy source. However, the compound remains erratic, and it has some side effects." He explained.

"Such as?" Starscream asked. Genuinely curious.

Cylas chose that moment to reactivate and give a great bellow of rage. "Starscream, I hope you've replaced your T-cog because I'm going to rip it out of you all over again and feed it to Knockout!" He screamed at the aerospace commander in pure rage.

"The sheer, unbridled, aggression." Knockout explained, used to his subjects' outbursts.

"Such power and fury." Starscream stated with glee. "Megatron has longed for a beast machine super soldier." He turned to Knockout. "Now we have the means to give him one. I'll be right back."

Starscream headed for the Nemesis' bridge, this plan could put him back on top with Megatron. Entering the bridge, he heard his commanders' voice. "Very well Scrapper, Shockwave says the site is prepped. He just needs the lab built to his specifications. I don't see any issue with you and your team stopping here to refuel before starting work."

"Master, if I do say so myself, I have made the most intriguing discovery." Starscream began. It appears that-"

"Not now." Megatron cut him off. "Please continue." He turned to face Starscream. "Oh, no one important." He answered, causing Starscream to huff and exit the bridge.

On his way back to the med bay Starscream thought that perhaps he should have waited for Megatron to finish his communication, but the comment about being 'no one important' really got to him. No matter, with this new possibility he'd show both Megatron and Shockwave their folly.

Entering the lab Knockout stood up. "Did you talk to our liege? Did he approve our little enterprise?" He asked eagerly.

Starscream gave a sigh. "He was, otherwise engaged."

A roar from the corner where Cylas was caught both their attention. "I am going to make you suffer in ways you will never believe!" He screamed, trying to break free of his restraints.

Starscream looked incredulously at Knockout. "Just how much of this 'SyntN' have you given him?"

Knockout waved a hand. "Two additional doses, maybe three. However, Cylas' aggressiveness isn't the only wrinkle I've uncovered." He injected a fresh dose int Cylas. "It seems the more of the compound I administer, the faster the subject depletes their natural energon supply."

Throwing his hands up Starscream growled. "This'll never do, Megatron already has one unruly beast in the Predacon. What good is another uncontrollable freak of nature?" Stopping dead in his tracks, and idea occurred to Starscream. "Wait, I'm a fool." Starscream said, going over to one of the labs' storage containers.

Knockout smirked. "That goes without saying." He muttered. His look changed from amusement to incredulity upon seeing the crate Starscream set down on the table. "Dark energon? Starscream you are more than a fool; I think your neural cluster has blown a massive fuse."

"On the contrary, dear doctor." Starscream began. "Adding dark energon to the formula should give lord Megatron full control over his new super soldier."

"Okay." Knockout cut him off. "It's true that lord Megatron seems to have a symbiotic link with anyone, or anything infused with the dark matter, giving him absolute control over them like puppets, but need I remind you what the supposed 'blood of Unicron' did to our warship." He finished refering to when the Nemesis' original mind, Trypticon had been reactivated via dark energon.

"That" Starscream countered. "Was the result of a massive infusion. I am suggesting only a drop or two. Just enough to give Megatron control over his new warrior."

"Be that as it may, this is too big a risk to attempt without consulting Shockwave." Knockout argued. "You do remember that I report to him."

Starscream sneered in Knockouts' face. "Not for this project you don't. Need I remind you that super soldiers are a military matter and as such, dear doctor, you, report to me. Is that clear?" He asked, holding his null ray close to Knockouts' chest, inciting a nod. An ominous roll of thunder was heard thorough the base.

Moments later, a purple vial containing the 'DarkSynth' as Starscream was now calling it was injected into Cylas. Once the infusion was complete Cylas spasmed on the table and was still.

"Humans." Starscream groused. "You can't rely on them in any form."

Knockout shook his finger at Starscream. "Wait for it." He said teasingly. Moments later Cylas gave a murderous scream, his optics going from green to purple. "It's alive!" Knockout yelled with glee.

This joy was short lived however, not a second later the shackles holding down Cylas' arms shattered, allowing him to knock both bots away. Breaking the shackle on his legs he stepped down from the table and made his way to the door. He took two steps, murder in his heart before he collapsed to his knees.

Starscreams' optics widened. "Oh, for the love of. Now what?" He exclaimed.

"I tried to explain before." Knockout replied. "A side effect of the SynthN is that he's burned through his reserves."

"Then perhaps we should hold off on further doses for a while." Starscream said, slightly panicked. "Might calm Cylas down a bit. Make him more manageable."

Further chatter was rendered moot when Cylas gave a raspy. "Need, energon." Looking down they saw his jaw split in half with a shriek. In his mouth were two fangs and a long tongue that had what looked like a claw on the end of it.

Giving a hiss he stood up, advancing on Starscream with the intent to feed he picked him up. Only to receive a massive shock in the back from an electric prod in Knockouts' hands.

Giving Cylas a kick to the chest to free himself, Starscream stared wide opticed. "Do you really think he was trying to?"

"Suck out our energon with that thing?" Cylas gave another hiss as Knockout brandished the prod. Wrenching the weapon from the medics' hand and snaping it in half he gulped. "Looks like it." Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, the two mechs ran like pit.

"See if you can hold him off." Starscream called, transforming into jet mode.

"What?" Knockout screamed as Starscream transformed. "Wait for me." Jumping onto Starscreams wing they rocketed down the corridor away from Cylas. Giving a hiss and growl Cylas turned and walked in the other direction. "Need, energon."

Thirty seconds later starscream changed back into bot form, sending Knockout sprawling. "We, we have to sound the alarm." Knockout exclaimed in a panicked voice.

"Out of the question, lord Megatron will undoubtedly hold us responsible." Starscream replied.

"But we are!" Knockout said.

"Well, you are, mostly." Starscream said. "Anyway, his lordship doesn't need to know that. Not if we handle it the right way."

"Meaning?"

"Use your head Knockout." Starscream sneered, indicating that they should start walking. "This ship is full of highly trained Vehicon troopers armed for combat. The moment Cylas attempts to feed, they will neutralize him for us. Problem solved."

A few corridors into the ship Starscream started up the conversation again. "Once Cylas' body has been recovered, we need to dispose of it as quickly and efficiently as possible. No trace of it can ever be discovered."

Knockout gave a shudder. "His, infected body."

Turning the corner, they found a group of Vehicon soldiers. "You there, have you seen any unusual activity?" Starscream stopped short when, as one, the Vehicons turned toward him, jaws splitting open to reveal fangs and tongues. "In this sector?" He finished with a squeak.

Giving a hiss the ambled towards the two mechs who started to run. "Tell me something Starscream, when you said 'problem solved', was this remotely correct?"

"Excuse me Knockout." Starscream replied. "This unfolding catastrophe is hardly my fault."

"Well, it certainly isn't mine."

"You're the one who wanted to experiment with synthetic energon."

"Well, you're the monkey-wrench who wanted to dabble in Voodoo."

During their argument Starscream saw a secure communications station. "Quick in here." He called as he pushed the close button. Knockout barely made it inside before it sealed. Listening carefully, he heard the infected horde pass by their hiding spot. Giving a sigh, Knockout looked at Starscream. "If the mutation can be spread from a single bite, then the entire crew could be at risk."

Starscream whimpered. "You mean Cylas could beget more Terrorcons?" The thought made a cold shiver run through his spark.

"And the ensuing feeding frenzy would turn this warship into a scrapheap. NOW can we sound the alarm?"

Starscream nodded. "This situation is more dire than either of us could have predicted. The moment we exit, raise the alarm, put all levels on high alert."

Nodding, Knockout put a hand on the door control. "One, two, three." With that they opened the door and were confronted with something just as bad as the Terrorcons. "Would either one of you like to tell me EXACTLY what's going on?" Megatron growled at his two officers. "Because the dark energon in my spark has been pulsing."

"Allow me to explain." Starscream started. "It's all Knockouts' fault!" He exclaimed, pointing at the medic.

"Yes, I -WHAT!" Knockouts' optics widened at the implication.

"He infused Cylas with a cocktail of both dark and synthetic energon, creating a monstrous mutation that is now on the verge of turning the entire crew into mindless energon sucking Terrorcons." Starscream explained rapidly.

Megatron scowled. "I don't know from what madness this excuse springs Starscream, but if I find you've been dabbling with my dark energon stores again, trying to infuse yourself with its' power."

Starscream looked past his commander at an approaching Terrorcon. Jaw split and tongue extended it advanced slowly and quietly enough that Megatron couldn't hear it over his own words. "Uh, my liege?"

"Let's just say that you've been awarded more second chances than anyone in Decepticon history."

He was cut off by a cry from the Terrorcon. Turning around he saw that their story, was no fiction. "You there, stop." Megatron yelled at the advancing Terrorcon. "I order you to stand down."

The Terrorcon lunged at Megatron. Thinking quickly, he raised his fusion cannon and vaporized the mutations' head. Turning back to question his officers he heard another cry from the Terrorcon. Looking back, he saw that the tongue was still sticking out of the severed neck, driving it forward.

Before he could raise his cannon again, the Terrorcon was hit by a trifecta of laser blasts to the spark chamber. This apparently was enough to stop it. Looking over to where the shots came from, he saw another Vehicon coming at them. "Sorry for the close call my liege, but I just dealt with two of these things down the last corridor." He said in a deep voice.

"Thank you, eh?" Megatron started. He really never bothered to get to know the names of all his Vehicons. They went through so many.

"Punch, sir. Would you like me to raise the alarm?" Punch quired.

Megatron nodded. "While you do that." He turned to Starscream and Knockout as punch went to the communications station to hail Soundwave. "Would you care to explain why I can't control those monsters to follow my bidding?" He asked, refering to both Cylas and the Terrorcon.

Knockout intervened. "While your link to the dark energon should be enough to control these, ghouls. I believe the synthetic component may be corrupting your link to them."

Megatron walked over to the comm station, pushing Punch out of the way. "Soundwave, go to high alert. Instruct all troops to keep their distance from the mutations, and terminate on sight." He took a breath. "Then patch me through to Shockwave, he may have an idea of how to contain the situation." Nodding, Soundwave cut the link to perform his tasks.

Shockwave reported in seconds later. "Lord Megatron, if I may be forward, it would be logical to assume that your call is directly linked to the current high alert. As well as the Terrorcon reports I've been getting the last few minutes?"

"Yes Shockwave." Megatron began. "I was wondering if you had any ideas into how to contain the outbreak?"

Shockwave nodded. "I am initializing lockdown of the sector all the reports are coming from. The blocks are preprogramed to let you through, troops and Insecticons are now in position to start purging the mutations."

There was a beep on Shockwaves' end. "We seem to have another problem. The Terrorcon that was once Breakdown has moved into the main vault."

Megatrons' optics widened. "Cylas, he must be after Airachnid, she's the only potential thing to feed on down there." This was bad. If she was freed, or worse yet infected, she could take override his control over the Insecticons. That would cause a massive three-sided battle that would be utter chaos.

"Do not worry, lord Megatron, I shall send my newest 2.0 Predacon to intercept him. There is a roughly 50/50 chance he will face either one of them. However, Rampage is certainly capable of handling both of them, and if infected, I have a kill switch ready for him." With that the screen went dark.

Moments later, down in the vault, Airachnid had just killed Cylas. She was about to raise the Insecticons on the Nemesis when she heard a low clapping. "Nicely done ma'am, nicely done. However, your overall killing technique could use some refinements."

"And you are?" Airachnid growled, looking over at the source of the voice. Stepping out of the shadows she saw a bot only slightly smaller than Breakdown. Purple, white and red, the mech had Mandibles for a mouth and what looked like crab limbs hanging off his back he stepped into the light. "Ramage!?" She exclaimed quietly at the notorious serial killer.

"Oh, I have a fan." The ripper of Rivets Field chuckled. "As much as I want to stay and sign autographs, if I want to keep myself in one piece, I'm supposed to kill anyone that tries to exit this vault. I'm going out on a limb here to guess that ain't me he meant." He commented, putting himself between her and the door.

Running at him Airachnid made to leap over him and towards the exit. He reached up and grabbed her leg in a pincer-like grip. Spinning her around, he flung her into the wall. "You know, you remind me of the last psychologist they sent to try and 'help' me." When she looked defiantly up at him, he continued. "I spewed a sob story to get close to her then ate her T-cog while she was alive to feel it." He finished, smacking his lips.

Firing webbing at him she dodged right, leaping over Cylas' corpse. Switching to her spider form she climbed onto the ceiling. "Let's see you get me here." She called as he ripped the webs off his face.

Rampage laughed. "Like shooting protoforms in a stasis pod." Falling forward, he collapsed into a mode similar to a king crab. Next, his legs repositioned, feeding tread around the assembly as a triple barrel cannon emerged under his head, giving him a tank mode. "And I've done that plenty of times."

Switching to a medium power blast he started firing at the ceiling, causing her to move rapidly across it to dodge the shots. "Come on Spidey dancer, dance!" He cackled. After several shots he had her where he wanted her, he fired one last shot causing the ceiling to fall on top of her.

Reverting to crab mode, he went over to the rubble and dragged her out, he took Airachnids' neck in his right pincer. "Any last words, morsel?" He smacked his lips again, eager for his first victim in millions of years.

"Yes actually, Insecticons, your queen has returned, heed me!" She replied to his confusion. His curiosity was sated a moment later as an Insecticon in beetle mode rammed into him at full speed.

Transforming into bot-form and righting himself, he drew his missile launcher, switching it to the highest caliber. He took aim at the Insecticon. "Time to die, fly." Rampage growled as he fired. Both Airachnid and the Insecticon dodged his shot as it blew a hole in the side of both the vault, and the Nemesis. "Slag it." Rampage growled.

"Insecticons, retreat." Airachnid called. As much as she would've liked to terminate Rampage and take over the ship, she was still weak from her incarceration in the stasis pod, not to mention the subsequent battles with the zombie and serial killer.

With the first Insecticon right behind her she leapt through the hole in the side of the ship, switching to her helicopter mode she took off into the stormy night sky. Once she'd had time to rest and plan, she would get her vengeance on the Autobots, Decepticons, and little Jack Darby too.

Across the Nemesis the other Insecticons were switching to their beetle modes and flying out of every exit they could find until the seventy or so that had been, were gone. Looking out the hole at the retreating horde, Rampage sighed. "Well, that could've gone better."

After all the mutant Terrorcons had been exterminated, Megatron ordered all officers and the 2.0 Predacons to assemble on the bridge. "Shockwaves' containment protocol has been completed."

He turned to the bot in question. "Considering we just lost more than half our current military might, I cannot stress enough, the importance of Project Predacon 2.0. While I am reasonably happy with the newest addition." He said nodding to Rampage, who the other three were keeping a fair distance from. "See if there is a way to speed things up a little. We will still be vulnerable until our reinforcements arrive."

Shockwave nodded. "If there is a way, I shall find it lord Megatron." He was already considering continuing with his original plan to clone additional true Predacons anyway. Albeit a smaller number of them.

"Well, as fun as it's been." Rampage said as he made his way to the door. "I got places to go, bots to eat."

"I think not Rampage." Shockwave said holding up a cube containing a piece of spark. Within the cube were several spikes of raw energon precariously close to it. Giving the cube a squeeze Rampage seized up in agony, screaming bloody murder.

"You see." Shockwave began. "Your continued survival is now directly linked to your servitude. Serve loyally, and you shall have your pick of murder victims amongst the Autobots." He released the cube so Rampage could hear him. "Refuse or attack any of us, and well." Shockwave squeezed the cube again, generating a fresh scream from Rampage.

Shockwave gave the cube to Megatron, who smiled at literally holding someone's life in his servo. "You needn't worry too deeply Rampage. After all, besides the Autobots, there are the Techno Organic hybrids. They are a new species, one of which you may be the first to kill one."

Taking ragged breaths, Rampage staggered to his feet. "Y'know." He said walking back to his spot. "Had you opened with that, we could've skipped the foreplay." He finished standing up straight.

"But where's the fun in that?" Megatron asked as he turned to a disturbed Knockout. "Knockout, need I remind you that as ships' medic you report directly to Shockwave, NOT Starscream. And just to be sure, you will hand over all your projects to him immediately. Including the synthetic energon."

"Of course, lord Megatron." Knockout replied. He was thankful a reprimand was all he was getting. "I'll send them at once." He turned and left, Shockwave and the Predacons following him.

Megatron now turned to Starscream. "My liege, if you would just, please allow me to explain things." Starscream stuttered.

Megatron cut him off. "No, allow ME to explain things. In a matter I KNOW you understand." He growled advancing on his aerospace commander, cracking his knuckles.

Starscream gave a whimper. Sometimes life really sucked.

Meanwhile, on a ship hidden within our solar systems' asteroid belt, a tall purple Cybertronian emerged from deep meditation. He finally felt the life signal that was the subject of his quest for vengeance. Placing his katana in its' sheath on his back he turned to face a holo-statue of a small blue and white Cybertronian.

Kneeling down he spoke. "Rest well my love. Where Arcee failed, I shall succeed. The monster that took you from us, shall meet her end at my hand. And wherever your spark is now Tailgate I hope that one day, once this is over, my spark shall join yours."

With that, Cyclonus stood and put in the coordinates for Earth. First, he'd track down Arcee for answers, and then, the hunt would be on.

Notes:

Okay, now that was a ride. Three new characters introduced, even if one was brief. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Next time, we go back to the Maximals and Autobots for some fun and fights in the sun. Until then, please, comment.

One more thing. If anyone reading this plays Transformers Earth Wars. My alliance, the Spedabots is looking for new members. The only requirements are 1000 medals, a minimum Level 6 HQ, and active participation in all alliance events. Hope to see you on the battlefield. Bye.

Chapter 17: Beach Brawls

Megatron glowered. After the debacle with Starscream, Knockout, and Cylas he'd had his fill of Terrorcons. However, he did give permission to Shockwave to test the Predacon augmentation on one. Unfortunately, the news on this front wasn't what he'd been hoping for.

"As you can see lord Megatron." Shockwave said indicating the Terrorcon that had once been Dreadwing. "The properties of the Enigma of Combination and dark energon seem to be incompatible. The energy of the dark energon seems to be hampering the enigmas' ability to combine the nucleic acids."

Looking at Dreadwings' corpse Megatron couldn't help but agree. While the dark energon had reanimated it, it also kept him from being evolved. At various points on his body, one could see where animal features had attempted to form only to stop and crack.

Megatron gave a sigh and turned to Shockwave. "Very well. Continue to make more Predacons using the sparkless Vehicons. Once we run out, I'll begin looking for 'volunteers' to be augmented." Turning back to the Terrorcon, Megatron gave a smirk. "I have an idea on what to do with this monster for the time being."

"Very well." Shockwave said, turning back to his computer console. "I am also working on a synthetic energy frequency that may bear some results. It could allow us to replicate the enigmas' power without the artifact, perhaps even bypass the dark energon problem. In addition, using my experimental transwarp drive, I can pull the Constructicons' ship into the planets orbit as soon as tomorrow. I only need your approval."

Megatron grinned. "Approval given Shockwave. Is it possible to use this method with Astrotrain and the Darksyde?" He asked. Getting reinforcements sooner rather than later would be preferential.

Shockwave shook his head. "The journey is hazardous to Cybertronians without proper shielding, and since Astrotrain is the ship, such a maneuver would be, illogical. Likewise, the Darksyde doesn't have the shielding and would cost us further." Seeing Megatrons' angry look, Shockwave continued. "However, a low powered beacon from the device will cut Astrotrains' commute down from a deca-cycle to three Earth days."

Nodding, Megatron turned to leave. "Very well Shockwave. Put the Terrorcon in a stasis pod and prepare it for transport. Afterwards, make arrangements to bring the Constructicons here and Astrotrain after that." With that he turned and walked out of the lab, briefly nodding to Punch as he passed. As reward for assisting him during the 'Cylas crisis" he'd installed him as head of Shockwaves' security detail.

Entering the bridge, he turned to Soundwave. "Anything to report?" Soundwave turned to him; his mask lit up showing a map of what the humans called the Caribbean. "And this is of importance because?" The map on the mask then displayed three Autobot signatures on one of the islands, as well as ones for what the Autobots' formerly human pets had become.

"I see." He turned to the ships PA system. "Starscream report to the bridge." Moments later the Aerospace commander entered, limping slightly. Starscream still hadn't fully recovered from Megatrons' 'reprimand'.

"You summoned me, lord Megatron?" Starscream asked, keeping an optic on both his commander and nearest exit.

"We have an Autobot sighting in a remote tropical region of this planet." Megatron growled. "In addition, the fleshling experiments are in the area as well. Your orders, are to retrieve as many of the experiments and offline as many Autobots as possible."

"As you wish my liege." Starscream replied with a sigh. He'd been afraid of being used as a punching block again. "I will assemble a squadron of Vehicons and."

Megatron cut him off. "You will take the Predacons Waspinator, Terrorsaur, and Rampage only. Need I remind you Starscream that your latest debacle cost us the Insecticon hive. Not to mention our current troop shortage has left us severely understaffed."

"But, master." Starscream replied. "How am I to recover the fleshlings with just three other soldiers when they were able to match you in battle." He knew he said too much based on the malevolent glare Megatron now sported. "Don't get me wrong, it was a close thing but."

"I am assigning those three to you because they are best suited for the environment." Megatron growled, glaring at Starscream. He didn't include Infernus due to the moisture probably having ill effects on his fire powers. "However, I am including something that should even the odds. To keep the Autobots busy, you will release the Terrorcon from the stasis pod you will find in the staging area."

Starscream shuddered. He didn't want to think about Terrorcons again, but agreed with his master. "Yes, I can see how that would even the odds considerably. Very well, we shall depart immediately." Giving a brief bow, he left to perform his task.

Meanwhile, on a private Caribbean Island owned by Onyx Technologies, the Maximals were taking time to enjoy some fun in the sun. Having been cooped up on an army base for a little over two weeks the group was ready to get out for some fresh air and a change of scenery, and the private island seemed to be the perfect place to have it.

Accompanying them were June and G.B. Blackrock, both of whom were eager to enjoy some time on the beach as well as keep an eye on their respective children. Admittedly there was some discomfort, particularly where their swimwear was concerned. Junes' red bikini generated some embarrassment from Jack, particularly when Allison mentioned she looked pretty hot. Admittedly this got turned back on her when her father came out in a speedo, causing her to groan about him wearing a "banana hammock" as Sierra giggled.

In addition to the parents, Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Smokescreen. Smokescreen was there to act as guard for the Maximals while the other Autobots prepared a data transmission about Earth to send to the Lost Light. Optimus however, had been sent along by Ratchet on thinly veiled doctors' orders to relax. Optimus had ordered Ultra Magnus to come along as well.

Magnus had tried to protest at first. Unfortunately, that proved to be his undoing. "Look, I know how to. Oh, what was the opposite of being on guard? It's a step beneath being at ease, there's a word for it. Re, relay, rely?"

Ratchet growled, pointing at the space bridge portal. "The word is 'relax' Magnus, and you're going."

Arriving on the beach the group spread out. While most of the Maximals ran for the surf, Vincent and Sierra decided to sun themselves on the beach near G.B. and June. Sierra couldn't help watching Vince out of the corner of her eye. He may not have figured out how to transform yet, but there was something neat about seeing a six-foot bat in sunglasses.

June looked down the beach at the two. "How long do you think it'll take those two to get over their awkward stage?" She asked, looking at G.B.

Blackrock gave a sigh. "I'm not sure. Sierra had always been a little on the shy side even before I adopted her. I don't know much about Mr. Raider" He gave a snort. "Honestly before all this I'd have tried to talk her out of a relationship with him. "

At Junes' disappointed look he explained. "The most I've known about Vincent Raider is that he acted out at school and was into illegal street racing. Not exactly the kind of boy I was hoping she'd fall for. However, after what happened to him and my girls happened, I did some digging on him and realized just what his home life might be like."

June scowled. She was well aware of Vivian Raiders' antics. There were several times she'd been brought into the emergency room for injuries brought on by her alcoholism. It didn't help her opinion of her that Vivian always blamed everyone but herself for whatever predicament she got into. It had only gotten worse when her husband Terrance died.

Blackrock continued. "Now though, I just want my girls to be happy in their new lives." They looked out at the water where Allison and Raf had partnered up against Jack and Miko in a somewhat lopsided chicken fight. "I just hope my little Allie can find someone too."

June smiled. "I understand. I was a bit hesitant about Jack even being friends with Miko until I got to know her a little. Since then, she's proven to be a good friend and better person. With time I think she and Jack will be very happy together." She gave a sigh. "The hard part will be helping her get over the inferiority complex her parents gave her."

G.B. scowled. "I met her parents a couple times. All the money in the world and not an ounce of sense. Honestly, Miko is far more impressive than they ever were." He gave a snort of mirth. "I mentioned to them once that Allison had come out to me as a lesbian. They offered their condolences and suggested I send her to a strait camp. Then they had the nerve to get angry when I threw my drink in their faces." There was a beat of silence before both of them broke into laughter.

While the two parents talked about their kids Optimus and Ultra Magnus were trying to follow Ratchets' orders to relax. Optimus was attempting to try the human sport of 'fishing' using a pole that Rafael had made from the bases' old flagpole. The concept had bothered him a little at first, seeing it as somewhat cruel to kill something that was only guilty of being hungry. However, Jackson explained that humans had been using that practice to feed themselves for literal millennia, and many saw the sport as relaxing.

Looking out over the water, Optimus took in the view of the ocean before him. It was very different from Cybertron but this planet had some wonderful scenery all its' own. Relaxing his posture, Optimus found a brief moment of peace that had become very rare in recent centuries. This, was the kind of peace they were fighting for.

Ultra Magnus on the other servo, was having difficulties following doctors' orders. How could he stand on this beach when there was so much work to be done for the arriving Autobots? Pinching the bridge of his nose he gave a sigh. "What am I even doing here?" He was having a hard enough time trying to understand the family concept that Optimus had told him about, let alone the complex art of 'relaxation'.

His musings were cut off by the last sound he'd expected to hear, laser fire. Whipping his head around he saw Starscream flanked by two airborne troops he'd never seen before. Dangling from a cable underneath Starscream was a stasis pod. "Optimus." Magnus yelled. "Incoming."

Hearing this Starscream swore to himself. "Damn it Terrorsaur, we were trying to sneak up on them." He yelled at the Predacon. Seeing the prime drop the stick he was holding and he and Magnus deploying their guns he called out again. "Rampage, capture the experiments in the water, Terrorsaur, Waspinator, go for the ones on the ground. I'll deploy our secret weapon."

With that trio separated. As soon as the shots rang out the Maximals began to head for shore. Half way there they were cut off by colossal king crab emerging from the shallows with a mad laugh. "Going somewhere, snacks?" Rampage asked, clicking his claws threateningly.

The quartet of Maximals each pulled their weapons. "Right through you crab cake." Wing Saber replied, brandishing her swords, mentally switching to her 'battle name'. Before she could take a swing, they were divebombed by Terrorsaur and Waspinator on their way to the shore. This was just the distraction Rampage needed to transform into tank mode and switch to his lowest blast power. "How many shots does it take to get to the glowing spark center of a Maxi-pop? Let's, find out."

While the group in the water tried to get around Rampage, Starscream was cursing his luck. "Figures it'd be the Prime and his second in command. A simple mission could never be easy." He grumbled. "Still, better drop the Terrorcon and join in." With that he released the stasis pod.

Optimus, Ultra Magnus and Smokescreen had begun making their way to the humans and the two Maximals on the beach when the stasis pod crashed to the ground in front of them. The pod apparently had been rigged to open on impact because when the smoke cleared it was open and a familiar blue and yellow Decepticon was glaring at them with purple optics and a hole through its' chest. Ultra Magnus jumped back as Smokescreen yelled. "What the pit is that thing?"

Optimus stared at the Terrorcon. "Dreadwing?" The zombie bot roared in reply, charging the three. Dodging left he explained. "He's been infected with dark energon, the blood of Unicron. It's turned his corpse into a near unkillable monster."

Dodging again Optimus turned to Smokescreen. "Get to the children, Magnus and I will take care of Dreadwing."

Smokescreen ran towards Vincent and Sierra, between the two of them only one had any kind of weaponry. Looking to his right he saw the two humans rummaging around in the bags they brought. Pushing them out of his mind for the moment he saw he was barely thirty feet from the Maximals when he felt himself lifted up and dropped back onto the sand. "Surprise Autobot." Came the raspy voice of Terrorsaur. "Ready for another round?"

Deploying his guns smokescreen stood between Terrorsaur and the new Maximals. "That depends, you ready to." He was cut off when several green stingers exploded near his feet. Turning around he saw the Waspinator had joined Terrorsaur, both having drawn their weapons.

"Two againzzzt one?" Waspinator buzzed. "My kind of Oddzzzz." However, his words were cut off as red sap flew over Smokescreens' shoulder, hitting Waspinator in the arm. A sever burning pain shot from the wound as it began to smoke and Waspinator began to yowl in pain.

Sierra came up to stand next to Smokescreen. Above her clenched fists were what looked like closed plant pods. "Then let's make this a double date." She smirked. She aimed her pods at Terrorsaur this time. "Ready, aim, fireweed." The red sap shot out again, forcing Terrorsaur to dodge. Smokescreen nodded and began firing at the two Predacons.

Back in the surf, the Maximals were having trouble fighting Rampage. The water was working against them whereas his beast mode was suited for it. The armor of said beast mode was apparently resistant to Rhinoxs' chain guns in both crab and tank modes, same as Wing Sabers' katanas with the kunai just annoying him. Leobolt tried to get his whip around a pincer, only to get flung into Allison.

Finally, Allison called out. "I have an idea for the Krusty crab here, but you three need to be out of the water to do it." She wasn't sure if it would work but it was worth a try.

"We can't leave you alone against this thing." Leobolt yelled back.

"Trust Me."

With that, Wing Saber put a hand on both Jack and Rafs' shoulders. Looking at Allison she said. "Good luck sparky." Focusing on the beach near where Optimus and Magnus were, she teleported them out of the water.

Rampage growled at their sudden disappearance. "Slag it, I hate fast food." He turned back to Allison. "Still, with you I'll get a meal, and a trophy."

"Hate to break it to you 'pinchy', but I'm in the mood for seafood." With that she extended her horn saber and charged it, silver bolts of lightning running up and down it. She thrust the horn into the water. "Time to fry." With that she released all the energy that had stored up in the blade. While it wasn't sharp enough to pierce Rampages' armor, the nucleon based electric charge was enough to damage him.

Rampage reversed away from the maximal as fast as he could, unfortunately it wasn't fast enough. The sudden sever jolt sent him flying into the air and triggered his transformation cog. He landed in the sand in robot mode, groaning, sparking, and twitching from the attack. Allison on the other hand hadn't been affected at all.

From his position behind Smokescreen and Sierra, Vince was feeling pretty useless. Out of all the Maximals he was the only one who couldn't transform. He gave a self-depreciating sigh, maybe his mother was right. Maybe he really was worthless.

He felt something stir within him. No, what his mother said was wrong. He'd never admit it, but her constant belittling and claiming he was useless had hurt him badly. An entire childhood of being told that by an alcoholic mother had made him wonder if it was true after dad died.

The stirring sensation within him grew stronger. Thinking about it, he now understood what that space computer had said. He needed to be at peace with himself, and now, knowing that his own self-worth wasn't tied to his mothers' opinion of him, he felt the change.

With a red flash from his spark, his wings slammed into the ground, hands becoming feet, as his body did a kind of handstand. His stubby legs elongated into arms as his tail split into shoulders, exposing his human head. His bat head moved up his back, fusing with it as his torso elongated.

Seeing the red flash, all four combatants turned to the transformed Vince. Sierra gave a soft whisper of "Vinnie?" In awe of her crush's new bot form. Vincents' bot form was lanky, similar to Soundwave. His limbs were slim, but powerfully built. His hands ended in clawed fingers while his ankles now sported miniature bat wings.

Vince smiled, showing off a new pair of pointed fangs in his mouth. "Hey guys." He said with a new confidence. "Want a bite." With that he threw his head forward. His entire upper pallet ejected out of his mouth on some kind of cable and towards Terrorsaur, who dodged. Retracting his teeth, he looked at Sierra. "Guess I finally found myself." He joked.

Sierra closed her eyes and shook her head. Smokescreen nodded back towards the Predacons. "Glad for the extra hands Vince, now let's knock these two out of the sky."

Vince, the smile never leaving his face, nodded. "Coming right up." Instinctively he took a deep breath, and let loose a scream that coalesced into a concussive beam of sound. He'd remembered doing that back in the cavern where Jack and Arcee found him, and wondered if the ability carried over. Seeing the blast smack Waspinator into Terrorsaur, he was proved right.

While Smokescreen and the Maximals dealt with the flyers, Optimus and Ultra Magnus were trying to keep the Terrorcon contained. This was proving to be a difficult task as apparently this Terrorcon was as capable a fighter as Dreadwing had been before he died. And unlike them, it didn't seem to be tiring.

Starscream chuckled with mirth at their predicament. While he'd been upset to find that two of the Autobot 'heavy hitters' were on site, apparently the element of surprise hadn't been completely lost to Terrorsaurs' idiocy. 'Still,' He thought to himself leveling his null ray on Optimus. 'Better to tilt the odds in our favor.'

Before he could pull the trigger, he felt several blasts riddle his platting. Turning to glare at the source he found the two humans that'd accompanied the group. Both were clad in the ridiculous swimwear of this planet and each was holding an advanced looking blaster aimed at him. "Hold it right there wing thing." Said the male. Starscream scowled, how dare that fleshling compare him to that Mini-con menace.

June glared up at the Decepticon aerospace commander. Part of her really hoped he'd move so that she could take another shot at him. "Speak for yourself Garrison. For his role in what happened to my kids, I owe him a new aft hole." She said paraphrasing with Cybertronian slang.

Starscream chuckled. "While I'll admit those little, I believe the term is 'pea shooters' sting a bit, it'll take more than that to." He was distracted by a finger tapping on his shoulder. Turning he got a face full of Magnaboss' fist, sending him sprawling past the humans.

Magnaboss looked down at June and G.B. "You two all right?" At their nods, Magnaboss' eyes narrowed. "Mr. Blackrock, do you always carry space guns with you? Not that we aren't happy you're safe."

Blackrock raised an eyebrow. "From what Mrs. Darby told me, these cons seem to follow you wherever you go. These guns are just prototypes I finished the other day, figured I'd bring them along." Hearing the sound of Ultra Magnus hitting the sand, he continued. "But I think those two need more help than what these can do."

Nodding, Magnaboss ran over to the Terrorcon fight. Deploying their chest cannons, they fired on the Terrorcon, a roar was its' answer. However, with its' back turned Optimus managed to shoot the right wing and arm off. This proved to be a problem, as the severed limb began crawling towards Magnaboss. "We need to neutralize the dark energon." Magnaboss called to Optimus.

Not waiting for a reply, the three sparks within Magnaboss' chest glowed brightly. The greenish white purifying beam shot out of their chest and first into the severed arm, collapsing it, then into Dreadwing himself. What they hadn't counted on however was the white light from Optimus lancing out of the Matrix of Leadership and joining it, the concussive force sending Dreadwing into the water.

Breathing deeply, Magnaboss separated into a winded Jack, Miko, and Raf. "Optimus, are you alright?" Jack yelled. Last time something like that happened, Optimus lost his memory.

"I'm all right Jack." Optimus replied, slightly winded as well. "I'm not sure what came from the Matrix, but it had no ill effects on me this time." The trio ran for the pair as Vincent, Sierra, and Allison regrouped around June and Blackrock.

"Touching, really." Starscream said, having gotten up during the fight. Seeing that Rampage was down and the Maximals were slowly regrouping, he'd called Terrorsaur and waspinator to him. "But in your weakened states we should be able to capture the experiments and finish everyone else here for good." His rant was cut off by a pulse of white light from the water

Meanwhile in the void, Dreadwing opened his optics. The last thing he'd remembered was looking down at the gaping hole in his chest. He'd been trying to terminate Starscream for desecrating Skyquakes' body with dark energon, depriving him of the honorable death he'd earned.

"Greetings young one." Came a voice from both everywhere and nowhere. "I am Vector Sigma, and I come to you with a new chance at life should you so choose. Otherwise, you may move on to the after spark."

Dreadwing was in shock. Vector Sigma, the voice of Primus himself was giving him a chance to return to life. "What is it you ask of me great one?" He asked.

"There is a great change on the horizon for Cybertron, in addition, there is a potentially greater cataclysm in store for the earth." Vector Sigma continued. "I require an additional warrior to ensure that the former is averted and the latter is fulfilled. I require a guardian, who can protect the key players in what is to come."

Closing his optics, Dreadwing thought his options over. He hadn't died a warriors' death having been shot in the back. In addition, Starscream still hadn't paid for his crimes. In the end, there was little choice to be made.

Sensing Dreadwings' decision, Vector Sigma spoke. "Very well young one, I now give you the power and form to fulfill your mission. Now, transform, and rise again."

Out from the surf erupted a giant metallic blue and grey Manta Ray. Gliding towards the shore it transformed into a semi familiar Cybertronian. Turning to the group, Dreadwing narrowed his red optics. "Starscream."

"D-Dr-Dreadwing, but, but you're dead!" Starscream stammered. All the bots were staring at the resurrected Decepticon in shock. Even Waspinator and Terrorsaur were frozen in place. His appearance was a little different. He was smaller now and his beast modes head now made up the majority of his chest and the fins on either side of his body had replaced his original wings (both now adorned with the Maximal symbol), but it was still Dreadwing.

"Oh, frag this." Starscream yelled in a panic. "Waspinator, Terrorsaur, grab Rampage and evacuate."

"You're not going anywhere." Dreadwing called. Thrusting his chest out, a disc of plasma energy shot out, knocking Starscream back into the sand.

Standing up Starscream transformed into jet mode and took off, the Predacons following suite. Waspinator swung low enough to grab onto a still unconscious Rampage before hitting the afterburner.

"You're not getting away that easy!" Dreadwing yelled. Transforming back into a Manta ray, the fins on his sides disconnected and repositioned themselves into a forty-five-degree angle giving him the wings of a flight mode. Taking off after the retreating team he fired off more plasma discs, only missing due to the distance.

"Soundwave, requesting emergency bridge, NOW!" Starscream yelled. Seconds later the space bridge swirled into existence in front of them. They wasted no time flying through it, consequences for failure be damned. The second the last ones (Waspinator with Rampage) were through the portal it faded out of existence.

Cursing to himself Dreadwing turned and returned to the shore. Changing back into bot form he looked at the assembled. "Prime." He said, acknowledging Optimus as he stepped forward.

"Dreadwing." Optimus began, trying to keep his surprise out of his voice. "How is this possible?"

"Simply put, after Megatron killed me Vector Sigma brought me back." He eyed Optimus' chest, knowing the Matrix was within. "I'm guessing you had something to do with that. However, what I said during our last conversation still stands." He said referring to his refusal to join the Autobots despite betraying the Decepticons.

"I can respect that." Optimus said. "However, I am guessing that you were resurrected for a reason." At Dreadwings' nod he continued. "I believe that great change is coming." He nodded to the Maximals. "And our allies are to be key to it. While you may not wish to join the Autobots, may I suggest you join with the Maximals."

Looking at the hybrids, he nodded. "I was tasked to help protect those who would be key to the coming events. I will do so, if they will have me."

Jack, Miko, and Raf stepped forward. Dreadwing was able to recognize who they were from before he'd died. "And when I thought the Decepticon cause could sink no lower."

Jack gave a sigh. "I'm going to be honest here Dreadwing, we don't trust you yet, you've tried to kill us and our loved ones on more than one occasion. However, if you truly wish for a new start with your second chance, we will offer it."

Dreadwing glowered at Jack. "I don't want your trust; I just want to fulfill my mission and avenge my brother." He lowered his head. "But if you're offering." He said awkwardly.

"Welcome to the Maximals Dreadwing." Raf said, holding out a hand.

"No." Dreadwing replied. "This is a new life, a new mission, and a new group, I need a new name." He thought for a moment. "From now on, you can call me Depthcharge." He said, taking the offered hand.

Later in the evening, as the sun was beginning to set, the now seven Maximals were spread out on the beach enjoying themselves. Jack, Miko and Raf had decided to just relax on the beach after purifying the dark energon in Depthcharge. Raf was building a sand replica of the Autobot base while Jack and Miko had fallen asleep sunbathing. The fact they did so holding hands was cute enough for June to snap a picture of it.

Vince was taking advantage of his newly discovered bot form to splash around in the surf with Sierra and Allison. While he hadn't put all his mother had done behind him, he'd found a starting point. Hopefully, he'd be able to put it all behind him one day.

Optimus was shaking his head at Ultra Magnus and Depthcharges' discussion on tactics from his fishing spot. Apparently, that was something his second in command found relaxing and he wasn't going to question it.

June and G.B. were getting the last of the supplies put away before they had to go back. June looked at Garrison. "Good thinking with the blasters back there." She spoke. "By the way, I meant to ask, I've seen you around town a fair bit over the years, but never with anyone." She decided to just bite the bullet. "Are you seeing anybody?"

G.B. shook his head. "No, and I'm not looking to date. I tried once or twice over the last decade, but I always keep comparing them to my late wife." He looked at her. "Sarah was my first, and ultimately, true love. It's just not fair to anyone I date to be compared like that. I'm sorry."

June nodded. "I understand, I was only curious." She appreciated being let down gently.

Their conversation was cut off by Jack and Mikos' combined scream. Fearing a nightmare, she looked over to see the two were soaked while Smokescreen, Allison, Raf, Vince, and Sierra were laughing. Apparently, Vince had changed to beast mode to collect water in his wings. And acting as a makeshift bucket, the girls decided to wake them up.

"Gonna get you, Botanica, and Mach hoof for that one, Nightscream." Miko yelled. She'd come up with those names for the three not long after the battle based on their forms and abilities. The four all ran with the couple hot on their heels as Smokescreen continued to laugh. Despite how it started, they had been able to forget about what was happening, with the war and just be kids. At least for a little while.

Notes:

Hope you like my little resurrection trick with Dreadwing/Depthcharge. I like both characters and I don't think I've seen that done before. I honestly saw the similarities back when he was first introduced in Transformers Prime. Anywho, next time on Beast Wars Prime. Some members of the Lost Light arrive, and so do the Constructicons. In addition, a dragon speaks. Until then, please kudo and comment.

Chapter 18: Exchange and Evolution

It was two days after the beach trip and things had become tense around the base with the addition of Depthcharge. Most of the bots didn't trust the former Decepticon, as their aversion to him showed. It culminated in Bulkhead 'accidently' throwing their lobbing ball at him during a two-on-two game with Wheeljack, Bumblebee, and Smokescreen. Depthcharge managed to deflect it with a newly discovered sword, but redirected it without thinking at Sierra and Miko who were talking on the other side of the room.

Miko managed to teleport them away in time, but it didn't stop Bulkhead from tearing into Depthcharge about the incident. The two would have come to blows had Jack not run into the hangar hearing the commotion.

Pulling his best impression of Optimus, Jack asked the bots in question. "Alright, what happened?"

Bulkhead spoke first. "Dreadwing here nearly killed Miko." He exclaimed pointing to where the two femmes were standing and the ball was now wedged into the side of the hangar.

Depthcharge growled. "This scraphead aimed that ball at me Leobolt, I deflected it on instinct. I didn't see where it was going until Wingsaber and Botanica teleported away." He explained, more comfortable using the maximals field names.

Jack looked at Bulkhead, who now looked guilty. Partly because he knew this was true, and because Miko and Sierra had just walked back into the hangar glaring at him. "Look Bulkhead, I know we all have history with Depthcharge." He said, putting emphasis on the new name, causing Bulkhead to cringe. "But he is a Maximal now, and on our side, we need to put our history aside for all our sakes."

He turned towards Depthcharge who was barely containing a smirk. "And Depthcharge, please be more aware of your surroundings." Jack sighed. "It may have been the ball this time, but if it were one of your plasma disks in a battle."

Depthcharge cringed at the visual. "Understood sir." He apologized.

"I couldn't have put it better myself." Optimus said from the doorway, making everyone jump. How did a bot that size move that quietly? "Bulkhead, take a drive, cool your wheels, Miko please go with him and stay in beast mode. Jackson, please come with me."

Gritting his teeth, Bulkhead nodded and transformed and drove out of the hangar. Giving Jack a quick peck on the cheek, Miko transformed and followed her partner out of the hangar. Nodding to Sierra and the other bots Jack followed Optimus to the next hangar. Entering it he saw that Ultra Magnus was already waiting for him.

"Ah, Leobolt, thank you for coming." Magnus said as he stepped away from the console he was working on and picking up a datapad.

Optimus stood next to Magnus and spoke. "Magnus has brought something to my attention recently Jack." At Jacks' suddenly stiff posture Optimus gave a sigh. "Nothing problematic, it was only something that Magnus suggested that I happen to agree with. Magnus." He gestured to the bot next to him.

Ultra Magnus cleared his throat. "Considering that the three, now seven of you, are now more closely aligned with our cause than you were before and have been key to several victories, I would like to offer you the chance to become an unofficial Autobot unit, like the Wreckers or The Elite Guard. That said, I'd also like to name you as commander."

Jacks' eyes widened and he had to stop his jaw from dropping. A commander, him? "I, I think there's been a mistake Magnus. I mean Depthcharge is the only one of us with any kind of military training and we don't really have a chain of command." Magnus' brow twitched slightly. That was exactly why he suggested this, not that he'd say it out loud.

"It would only be in name Jack." Optimus consoled. He'd already had this argument with Magnus. "This is only a formality, meaning that when the Maximals are introduced to the other Autobots, you would be seen as the main liaison. In addition, it would allow you all some privileges and allow me to officially request certain training instructors."

At Jacks' raised eyebrow, Optimus continued. "For example, our team has the extreme luck of having the best medic of all the Autobots, an excellent teacher for Rafael. In addition, Arcees' already planning to teach the six of you about Cybertronian history and culture soon. However, when it comes to any form of specialized combat training, Ultra Magnus is all we have."

Jack nodded, that could really come in handy. "I like the idea of being at least an allied group. However, I don't want to be the only commander." At Magnus' and Optimus' confused looks he continued. "I think command of the Maximals would be best split between myself, Miko, and Raf. Technically, since we can combine into Magnaboss, I think the three of us can handle any kind of decision needed."

Optimus closed his optics. "I believe that will be acceptable. We shall list Magnaboss as the Maximal commander to cover all three of you. Again, the Maximals are our allies, and NOT true Autobots, Magnus." He said giving a sidelong look at Ultra Magnus who looked ready to blow a neural cluster.

"That said, the Lost Light has received the data package we sent and is ready to bridge an advance party to our base. However, due to the distance, only a limited number of Autobots are coming through and an equal number from our side must go through as well."

Looking at Optimus Jack couldn't help but ask. "Who's going to be going." Part of him was afraid of the answer.

"We are going to be sending Smokescreen, Wheeljack, and Arcee in a little over an hour." Jack winced and swallowed a lump in his throat at the fact his partner was going to be leaving. He just had to remind himself that she'd be back in less than a week. No worse than a stakeout.

As if reading his mind Optimus continued. "It was her idea." He explained. "She and the Lost Lights' science crew are planning to boost the phase shifters' power to place the ship underneath the base. There is a cavern roughly a hundred feet below this base large enough to hold the ship. She'll begin her lessons with you after the ship arrives."

Jack gave a gulp. "If that'll be all Optimus, I'd like to go speak with her before she goes." At Optimus' nod he turned and left.

It took a few minutes, but he found Arcee in vehicle mode in the bots' main hangar. Seeing Jack enter she changed back into her bot form. "I'm guessing Optimus talked to you?" She asked.

"Yes. I-I guess I just want to know why you didn't tell me? Was it what we talked about yesterday?" He asked.

The day after they brought Depthcharge back Arcee'd pulled him aside and asked if it was possible for Optimus and Magnaboss to resurrect Ciffjumper like they had Depthcharge. Depthcharge, who'd followed the two, explained that he was asked to come back by Vector Sigma and that the two of them had only been the means. Arcee then resignedly admitted there probably wasn't enough of him to revive anyway. She'd been distant with Jack afterwards.

Arcee gave a sigh. "No Jack. Like I said, I accept that Cliff is gone. The simple fact is, out of the three bots coming here, one of them is Rung. I already planned to go to the Lost Light so that he could come here to help you. Between your mom, Miko, and the other Maximals, I felt you had enough emotional support until I got back. Raf and Miko need Bumblebee and Bulkhead, and all of you need Rung more than you need me. Although it seems I was wrong in any case." She kicked herself for not thinking it through.

She crouched down to look her partner in the eye. "It was process of elimination Jack." She smiled. "And I was already planning a scouting mission when I got back, just the two of us. Give us a chance to talk about what's happened while we were apart."

Jack gave her a weak smile. "Thanks Arcee, I guess I'm being a little sensitive about."

Arcee cut him off. "You're not Jack, not at all. I know that this was sprung on you suddenly; with everything you've all been through, I'd be surprised if you didn't have any reaction. I only found out about the exchange when you were at the beach, and with everything that happened since then, I just couldn't find the right time or way to tell you." She pulled him to her chest, hugging him like a sparkling. "And for that, I'm sorry."

They stayed like that for a few moments. Finally, Jack wrapped his arms around Arcees' back, hugging her too.

While Jack and Arcee were having their 'spark to spark', Bulkhead was smashing through sand dunes while Miko circled overhead watching. Part of her missed riding inside Bulkhead when he'd do it, but she loved flying just as much. Now if only she could still play her guitar. She sighed, ever since it'd been returned to her it'd been gathering dust in a corner of the den.

Pulling herself from these depressing thoughts, she saw that Bulkhead had come to a stop and transformed. Landing in the sand next to him, she looked up. "Alright Bulk, what's up?" She wasn't even upset about the ball anymore. She'd just never seen her partner attack someone unprovoked before.

Giving a sigh Bulkhead sat down next to her. "It just burns me that a Dreadwing would get a 'get out of death free' card, and yet good bots like Cliff, Seaspray, and who knows how many more of our friends haven't." He gave a sigh.

Miko transformed. Orders be damned, she was going to comfort her friend. "Bulk, don't forget I was there, I'm part of Magnaboss. At the time we were just trying to purify the dark energon so he'd go back to being dead. We didn't expect the matrix to contribute to it. But ultimately, from what I understand, it was Vector Sigma that made the choice."

Bulkhead looked at her. "Maybe." He stared off into space a bit before sighing. "Alright, I'll play nice-er with Drea- uhm, Depthcharge. We better get back to base, they'll be sending the advance party from the Lost Light soon." With that he transformed and adjusted his seats. Opening his door, he said. "Transform and get in Miko, I think you should still be able to fit in beast mode." With that she transformed and clambered in (barely fitting) and the took off back to the base. Bulkhead smashed through a sand dune on the way, relishing Mikos' cryies of happiness.

After arriving back at base Miko was pulled into quick conference by Jack and the other Maximals. He quickly explained the discussion with Optimus and Magnus. "So wait, were now officially a group and the three of us are leaders. Ohhh, does that mean I can call you Primal Prime, or Optimus Primal?" Miko asked jokingly.

Jack sighed. "As Optimus explained it to me the bots consider us allies and apparently, we need a sub faction name. Officially Magnaboss is the Maximal leader so it'll cover the three of us, and no." He finished, looking at Miko who stuck her tongue out at him.

Allison raised her eyebrow. "How'd they come to choose you three as our leaders?"

"Allie, be nice." Sierra said elbowing her sister.

"It was probably based on our history with the bots and cons." Raf explained. "We've been doing this secret war thing for a while now and have more experience."

"Right." Miko said. "Trust in the Maximal elders."

"We're NOT calling ourselves that."

"Just so were clear." Depthcharge interjected, stepping closer to the group. "The Maximals aren't officially part of the Autobots? We're simply an ally group with similar goals?" He didn't like the possibility that he'd be going back on his word about joining the Autobots. And something about the whole situation didn't sit right with him for some reason.

"That's right." Jack replied. "It'll be no different from before." He winced a bit and looked at Vince, Sierra, and Allison. "We'll explain everything we can to you three after the advance team arrives."

With that the group assembled in the control room with the Autobots as well as June and Agent Fowler. The communications console (recently updated with technology from Onyx) beeped signaling a message from the Lost Light. Connecting, the screen displayed a bust of a red and yellow bot with a flame pattern and blue optics. "This is Rodimus, captain of the lost light, reporting that the advance team is prepped and ready to bridge to your location." He reported with a light French accent.

"You needn't be so formal Rodimus." Optimus replied. "The exchange team is ready for the shift as well."

Ratchet butted in. "The two teams will have to pass through the portal simultaneously for the exchange to go smoothly." He gestured to the red line on the floor before the space bridge. "When I give the word, both teams run for the bridge and they shall arrive with microseconds of each other."

Smokescreen, Wheeljack, and Arcee stepped up to the line. Taking one more look at her partner, Arcee gave a wink and a nod. "See you when we get back." Jack nodded back to her.

"Ready?" Ratchet called, Rodimus saying the same thing. The space bridge flared into existence in front of them. "Go!" He yelled.

Transforming the three bots charged through the gate. The second the last bit of them was through a new trio of bots emerged. One looked like a red truck with treads in place of rear wheels. Next to it was a white Nissan Silva with a red Japanese kanji and wave like lines. The third ran through the gate and was an orange and silver mech, barely taller than Raf with a blue light glowing in his chest.

"Exchange party has arrived Optimus." Rodimus said on the comm.

Optimus turned to him. "Your team has arrived safely as well Rodimus. Contact us when you are six Earth hours out so we can make final arrangements for landing." This would only be in four or so days.

"Very well sir, over and out." With that the connection was cut.

With that the two vehicles transformed. The truck turned into a red and blue mech who looked like he had a glass chest and either a bazooka or some kind of telescope on his right shoulder. The Silva turned into a samurai style mech with a sword on each hip and one on his back that seemed to convey both youth and great wisdom.

Bulkhead gave out a cry. "Drift, Percy, great to see ya." He ran forward and drew each bot into a one-armed hug.

Optimus walked over to the third bot who seemed to be attempting to regain his composure. "Greetings Rung, and welcome to Earth."

Rung took a deep breath and straightened up. "Thank you, Optimus." He gasped with a British accent. "Apologies, but space bridge travel has never agreed with me, let alone a maneuver like that one. Now, I believe I have some patients to attend to."

Optimus shook his head. Rung was as dedicated to his patients as Ratchet was. "Yes, I believe some introductions are in order." He signaled to the other two bots who were still being hugged by Bulkhead. Breaking free of his grasp they joined Optimus who introduced them to the Maximals.

"Children, and Depthcharge." He said, gesturing to the red and blue mech. "This is Perceptor, Autobot chief scientist and Mechanic, in addition to being one of the greatest technological minds on Cybertron he is a well accomplished sniper."

Continuing down the line to the Samurai, he continued. "He, is Drift, as Bulkhead may have mentioned he was a Wrecker and is one of the best swordsmechs to join our ranks. He will be acting as your instructor in learning whatever fighting technique fits your fighting style."

Finally, he came to the smaller bot. "And this is Rung. Autobot psychologist. We believe he will be able to help you all cope with what has been done to you and help you find a new normal. Gentlemen, these are the Maximals. With the exception of Depthcharge, all of them started out as humans who were transformed into these bodies through Decepticon experimentation."

Rung stepped up to the Maximals. "Greetings, as Optimus said my name is Rung, like a step on a ladder." He held out a servo. "I just wish to assure you that anything that comes up in our sessions will be strictly confidential and I am sworn to codes as strong as this planets' Hippocratic oath. So please understand, I'm here to help."

Jack took the offered hand. "Thank you doctor, I'm sure we'll all get to know each other quite well." He said awkwardly.

Rung nodded. "We can begin sessions as soon as tomorrow. I just need to set up my temporary office and I can do that anywhere."

Nodding Jack turned to the other two bots who had both kneeled down to see them better. "On behalf of the Maximals, welcome to Earth."

"And on behalf of the United States government." Fowler followed up. "Welcome to America, it's a pleasure to meet you three."

Perceptor looked at Fowler. "Thank you, sir." He replied. "I believe we'll be able to help both team Prime and your government in our coming trials. Although, despite my expertise, my capabilities are somewhat limited until our ship arrives." Fowler nodded. That was understandable.

Drift looked at the Maximals. "So." He began, his voice only having a mild Japanese accent. "You're going to be my students huh?" At some of their awkward looks he smiled. "Not a problem. Part of the data packet we received was on your capabilities. Once the three of us are settled in, we can begin training. Knowing how to protect yourselves is paramount even if you're not regularly in the field."

Miko however was looking at Drifts' side where his car doors had shifted. "I like that the Japanese word for honor is included in your vehicle mode." She said in Japanese, to the confusion of the other Maximals.

Drift smiled at her. "It seemed an appropriate way of honoring my teachers." He replied in Japanese as well. "She was complimenting my paint job; the symbol means honor." He explained to the confused Maximals, gesturing to the kanji. "And I get the feeling we will learn a lot form each other."

June walked up to Rung. "I know that Optimus and Arcee vouched for you, but I would like to know your qualifications." She was responsible for at least half of the Maximals, including her own kids, and she wasn't about to let just any bot work with them. It was just a shame that G.B. was in Boston dealing with business matters.

Rung smiled, that was a fair question. "I have been a practicing psychiatrist for the last two million years. Now, while most of that is the Cybetronian equivalent, I have spent the last few weeks studying everything there is to human psychology and I believe we can find a happy medium." June nodded; it would have to do. After all, this shrink had been practicing roughly as long as modern humans had existed on Earth. Hopefully, it would be enough.

Meanwhile aboard the Nemesis, Megatron, Starscream and Shockwave were awaiting the arrival of Scrapper. The Resurwrecked had arrived not ten minutes ago thanks to Shockwaves' new transwarp driver. The yellow and black bot in question stumbled in. If Megatron hadn't known that Scrapper was a teetotaler, he'd have assumed he was intoxicated.

Scrapper saluted Megatron. "Constructicons reporting for duty lord Megatron." He slurred in a slightly gruff voice. "Permission to speak freely?" At Megatrons' nod he continued. "While we appreciate the assistance with our arrival, we collectively ask that the transwarp driver be adjusted before being used again. Mixmaster in particular is still purging his chem tank." He felt bad for the chemist, he'd started puking the minute they arrived.

Shockwave looked at the Constructicon leader. "I'll take it into consideration." The transwarp drive wouldn't be a very logical method of transport if the passengers arrived barely able to function. However, the pulse beam to draw in Astrotrain shouldn't be as disadvantageous.

Scrapper continued. "That said, it's good to be back. Now, Shockwave, what exactly do you need done to get this lab set up. I'm sorry but the schematics were lost in transit."

Turning to Scrapper, Shockwave explained. "The lab will be set up in a cave system in the mountain range at these coordinates." He said pointing to the Appalachian Mountains. "Initially, I require the cave system to be expanded and leveled out to house the equipment. Afterwards I will begin having various systems bridged to the location for your team to assemble."

Stroking his jaw with his thumb, Scrapper nodded. "Should be simple enough, the cavern layout actually did come through. We can have it ready to move equipment in in about a day and a half." Any further conversation was cut off by a roar and a sudden shaking of the ship. "What the pit was that?"

The four ran out of the bridge down a hall where a large red and white Constructicon whose body seemed to be all arms and two wheels with a head in the middle, as well as a portly looking green and black one was in a fight with the original Predacon. "Scavenger, Long Haul, what do you think you're doing?!" Scrapper yelled.

"We were just on our way to the space bridge when this lizard jumped us." Scavenger called in a Jersey accent. Long haul nodded in agreement.

The Predacon growled and hissed before finally surprising everyone by rearing up onto its' back legs and transforming into a black and orange winged robot mode taller than Megatron and Shockwave. "That." He growled, surprising them all. "Is untrue. I was returning from a meal only to be accosted by these two."

Starscream stared. "I, I did not realize the beast was capable of transformation."

Megatron growled and turned to Shockwave. "Nor did I." He turned to Scrapper. "Get your team refueled and to the space bridge.

Nodding, Scrapper kicked the two out of their stupor. "We are going to have a SERIOUS talk before we get to the work site." With that they transformed into a front-end loader, backhoe, and dump truck and headed for the space bridge.

The Predacon glowered at the retreating Constructicons and turned back to Megatron. "So, the rumors are true. I will no longer be alone, surrounded by pretenders." He grimaced at the thought of the 2.0 Predacons.

"And I see you've been keeping secrets." Megatron replied. This was a surprising turn of events.

"The ability to transform is a fundamental part of Cybertronian physiology." Shockwave stated. "We simply possessed no evidence that the Predacon species reached that evolutionary stage. Since they were all wiped out in the great cataclysm."

"And now we know." Starscream growled.

"It was never my intention to deceive you, Lord Megatron." The Predacon began. "I only recently became aware of my abilities. All I remember of my beginning is hunting, and battle." He said remembering his battles with the Autobots and Maximals. "And the Wounding of my pride."

He gave a sigh. "Thus I began to burn with questions. Who am I? Where did I come from? The warships' databanks provided me with historical fact, but still, I possessed no memory of my own past. So, I began to reconsider my place in the present, and wondered, could I be like the others." He smiled, looking down at his bot form. "And now I know."

Turning to Megatron, the Predacon kneeled. "It is with deepest gratitude for my creation, that I pledge my undying obedience to you, my one true master. However, if more of my species are to tread among us, I beg your permission to, in turn, lead them, as their commander."

Megatron weighed his options. This was an entirely unexpected situation. Unfortunately, with his troops so severely diminished, he could not simply terminate the Predacon projects. While he wasn't worried as much about the 2.0 Predacons, if the cloned ones became sentient as well and found their might surpassed his.

"Your vision, is boundless. However, we are limited in supplies. We only have enough materials to create a dozen or so of your kind." Shockwave tensed slightly at the lie, but made no other movements. "However, once we have more supply and they've proven viable, we shall create more. Now, what do you call yourself."

The Predacon growled. It wasn't what he'd hoped, but it was a start. Rising up he looked Megatron in the optic. "Originally, I planned to call myself Predaking, however after reading the scripture called The Covenant of Primus, I found myself disgusted at his rule. Particularly his habit of killing other Predacons for his own gain or amusement. And so, I shall name myself Scourge, after what I am to my enemies in battle."

Megatron grinned. "Very well Scourge. Welcome to the Decepticons."

Notes:

There we go. The versions of Perceptor and Drift I'm using are based on the Generations toys of which I have Drift. The Constructicons are based more on their movie counterparts than G1 although there is still six of them. Rung is based on his IDW comics representation. That said, read and comment. Seriously, I like it, and sometimes it helps me find plot holes that need to be closed.

Next time: Dealing with a Doubledealer.

Chapter 19: Dealing and Doubledealing

Notes:

Hello all and welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. Bit of a filler chapter this time, but the idea had been in the back of my head for a while. So, hope you enjoy it. Quick note: The picture of Raf that's mentioned in this chapter is real and was drawn by Ardent Aspen on DeviantArt. It's called Raf's Desktop, November 2021. It's the second one.

"And this is from Jacks' first-time trick or treating." June said, pointing to the picture of a five-year-old Jack in a lion costume with a pillowcase in his fist. Having sorted through the boxes from her house June had finally found the photo albums she promised she'd show Miko.

Said femme was laughing. "Aww, he looks so cute." Miko laughed. Figures Jacks' first costume would be a lion. Now he had a permanent lion costume handy.

Jack, in beast mode buried his face in his paws. "Yeah yeah pretty bird, laugh it up." He grumbled. He'd honestly forgotten about his mom showing Miko his embarrassing pictures. Hopefully she hadn't found the actual baby pictures yet.

His mortification was only made worse by the fact that Raf and Sierra had decided to partake too. Vince however, had finally gotten his things, including his car back from Fowler and was now working on it in the hangar next door. Apparently, his beast mode was small enough to work on and ride in it.

Allison however was currently in her first session with Rung who'd set up his temporary office a couple hangars over.

"Oh, come on Jack." Raf snickered. "It's a rite of passage to have your baby pictures laughed at."

June looked up with a smirk on her face. "I'm glad to hear you say that, Rafael." She said pulling out another album that Jack didn't recognize. "Because I found this in the boxes Bill brought over last week." She said, referring to the one with Rafs' personal possessions from before their transformation. When she saw it, she made sure to save it, despite the hurt of his family abandoning him, they were still pictures of him. Somehow, June felt it was an attempt to apologize for what they'd been forced to do.

Rafs' eyes widened. "Those're my." He sputtered.

June flipped open to a random page and giggled. "I think this Christmas picture of you in the bear jammies is adorable." She said pointing to said picture of a six-year-old Raf. At Rafs' shocked expression, she smirked. "A mother always has some embarrassing pictures of her kids."

Miko snorted and asked. "Is that a giant bee plushie you're holding?" As Raf tried his best to look small, Miko gave the boys a smirk. "At least I don't have to worry about baby pictures." This was true, her parents had handed her off to a nanny almost the minute they got home from the hospital. There was not a single picture of her until she was old enough to go to her parents' social gatherings. And even then, it was just the three of them pretending to be a 'happy family'.

June cocked an eyebrow. "Maybe." She conceded. "However, I am a little curious about the lingerie in your box that you tried to keep me from noticing. Hoping to surprise someone?" She asked with a knowing look at a now red faced Miko, who was now trying to look anywhere but her equally embarrassed boyfriend. It was a moot point now anyway since she was no longer human sized.

Sierra giggled a little. "I'm staying out of this little debate, but." She looked over at Miko. "You go girl." Causing said girl to groan and bury her face in her hands at her own mortification.

Any further embarrassment was halted when the dens' hangar doors opened to admit Optimus, Depthcharge and Fowler. "Show and tell is over people. We have a situation."

Five minutes later the collective Autobots and Maximals were gathered in the briefing area of the bots' main hangar. Fowler was pointing to a picture of a green missel carrier complete with a large missel. "What you are looking at here is the Jericho missel. This is an experimental intercontinental missel that is capable of turning a city the size of L.A. into a giant crater, and last night it was stolen."

Looking at the timestamp Rafs' brows furrowed. "Agent Fowler, is this a live feed?" He asked.

"Yes." Fowler replied. "The reason this case has been brought to my attention is because of the method of theft." He stepped up to the controls and pulled up a video from the night before. The same vehicle was sitting in place with the addition of human soldiers standing guard until a wave of white light passed across it surprising the guards. Seconds later an identical vehicle, complete with missel was standing next to it. Shifting into gear the carrier drove off with the recovered human guards shooting at it.

"Woah!" Miko exclaimed. "You mean the thief was a 'con? Wait, what does that matter, all it was was a dummy missel, right?" She asked.

Ratchet shook his head. "When a Cybertronian scans an Alt mode we replicate everything. From the paint on the vehicle, to the upholstery on the seats."

"To the weapons they're carrying." Raf finished.

Nodding, Fowler continued. "We have reason to believe it's a con for obvious reasons, but there's now chatter on the dark web about an auction for a stolen U.S. missel somewhere around here so we can't rule out a human element either."

"Well, I'd rule out a human element personally, I mean precious metals and stones are valuable no matter what planet you're on." Came a new voice that made them all jump. Turning around they saw a cyan, red, and purple bot with a shoulder mounted rocket launcher and Autobot insignias on his shoulders. When everyone but Ultra Magnus and Optimus pulled their weapons, he held his hands up. "Woah easy, I'm with you guys, names Dealer, weapons acquisition specialist."

"Everyone, stand down." Ultra Magnus commanded. "He is who he says he is. Although I'd like to know what you're doing here and how you managed to slip past security, Dealer."

The bot in question opened a small drawer in his abdomen and pulled out a small hexagonal shaped box. "One multi frequency sensor scrambler, never leave home without it. One push of a button and I am invisible to almost every kind of visual or auditory based detection system, including most ears and eyes. Priceless to most but the schematics can be yours for twenty easy installments."

He put the scrambler back in and shut the drawer. "And I'm here because I heard Megatron calling for reinforcements. I paid a, shall we say bounty hunting associate of mine for the Nemesis' broadcast frequency, which I'll provide free of charge." Dealer finished.

Fowler and the Maximals looked at the newcomer with suspicion. The fact that a weapons acquisition expert would show up right when a high tech missel was stolen was overly suspicious. Optimus However stepped forward. "While we've never met in person Dealer, I am pleased to welcome you to Team Prime. The resources at your disposal will be invaluable."

"Oh, please Prime, can I call you Prime? I'd do just about anything for my best customers. I can even help you find this missing missel of your." He cut himself off when he saw the Maximals. "Well, what do we have here?" He asked kneeling down to look at them. "Some new kind of Mini-bot?"

Ultra Magnus cleared his throat. "These young ones are a new hybrid lifeform called Maximals. They've only recently become active in our group." He spoke. He wasn't fully comfortable disclosing anything else about them yet.

Dealer took on an almost predatory look. "How good are they on energon, or do they use an alternative fuel? If they're fuel efficient and the method of creation is reliable, I don't see any scruples in investing in that technology. It could be the next big upgrade." The Maximals sans Depthcharge recoiled a bit. Most of them felt like pieces of meat.

Depthcharge stepped forward. "Scruples?" He growled. "If half of what I heard about you is right, you'd sell your own motherboard to the highest bidder." He'd heard about how cutthroat Dealers' business practices could be.

Dealer scoffed. "Look I get it. Unusually qualified bot arrives in an equally unusual situation. But that's what I call opportunity, and I make a living on having the right equipment at the right time." He stood back up. "Speaking of, I heard that gossip for the missile sale and took the precaution of scanning a vehicle mode to transport it once located." With that he transformed into a blue copy of the carrier truck that was seen in the video. "Something to be said for an electro-static paint job."

Fowler sighed. He didn't trust this bot but with the joint chiefs breathing down his neck he had little choice but to cooperate. "All right, the sale is due to happen in about six hours. The location won't be revealed until a couple hours beforehand so we have some time to plan."

For the following few hours theories on location and potential buyers were discussed. Dealers' expertise in this field helped to shorten the list into less than a dozen. The Maximals still felt weary around him though. He kept stealing odd glances and looking away when they noticed him.

Finally, the location of the auction was announced. It was at an old ghost town some fifty miles from the base. "Alright, let's get a move on." Fowler called.

"If I may." Dealer said stepping up to the group. "I think the Maximals should head through with us, we may catch whatever Decepticon copied the missile, but if we do this right, we can have them hide and catch whoever shows up to buy it."

Fowler scratched the back of his head. "That'll work. From what I've found, several of these individuals are on the terrorism watch list. One is even wanted by INTERPOL. Alright, Maximals up first with me. Dealer, you come along using that sensory scrambler of yours to stay hidden. Optimus, Bulkhead, Drift, and Bumblebee will bring up the rear."

"Very well." Optimus said. "Autobots, Maximals, transform and roll out." The bots in question changed to their alt modes as Fowler climbed onto an Onyx enhanced ATV.

"All of you be careful." June said as the Maximals transformed. She couldn't place it, but she had a bad feeling about this.

"Don't worry mom, we will be." Jack reassured.

The space bridge flared to life as Fowler revved the ATVs' engine. "Let's go!" He called.

He and the Maximals went through the portal, easily followed by Dealer. However, when the rest of the team attempted to follow suite, they were thrown backwards away from the space bridge as a large green energy dome covered the base.

Ratchet turned to the mess of bots on the floor. "What happened?"

Perceptor on the other hand was already looking under the control console for the space bridge. "There's some kind of mini processor that's attached itself to the controls." Looking closely, it looked like a kind of mechanical crab that had scuttled under the control panel and drilled into it.

Analyzing it, the light in the center of it flashed and a message began to play on the screen. "Oh, I wouldn't bother with that." Came Dealers' voice. "You see I was only telling part of the truth when I said the Autobots were my best customers."

"I knew something was off about that bot." Drift growled.

"You see, I supply the Decepticons too, under another name." The recording continued. "Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I went through all this trouble. Well simply put, the Cons are willing to pay top dollar for the location of your base, and with the scrambler on your space bridge and the force field generator around your base, I can deliver you all wrapped up with a nice little bow." The Dealer on screen chuckled. "So, I bid you all goodbye, and it was a pleasure doing business with you."

Junes' eyes widened. "Bill and the kids are alone with that con bot."

Perceptor deployed a few tools from his hands. "I'll begin removing this processor. That should un-scramble the space bridge." With that he knelt down and got to work.

Ultra Magnus stared at the barred space bridge. What had he allowed to happen?

Meanwhile at the ghost town the smaller group had exited the space bridge. Fowler turned the ATV and realizing the bridge had closed too soon went to call base when he suddenly felt weak. Fowler shook a bit and collapsed onto the ground, unable to move as Nightscream transformed and covered his ears before collapsing. The other Maximals quickly transformed with Sierra and Raf going to check on Vince and fowler respectively.

A small cylindrical device ejected from dealer and planted itself in the ground. Taking advantage of the confusion, Dealer quickly transformed. "Sorry to do this bots." He said, pulling a rifle that crackled with electricity. "But the money's just too good." With that he fired a stun blast at the remaining Maximals.

Depthcharge however was quicker. As the blast disabled the other Maximals, he jumped up and fired a plasma disk at Dealer, who side stepped it. "I had a feeling you weren't being honest." Pulling his sword, he attempted to slice his head off only to be hit by a blob of mustard yellow goop from dealers left shoulder that grew and constricted him.

Dealer chuckled. "Got that right." He picked up Depthcharge and tossed him on the pile of immobilized Maximals. "One Sonic disrupter designed to paralyze humans, and apparently those with a stronger sense of hearing, fifty thousand Shainx. A Nucleon arch flash stunner to handle the big bad beasties, one hundred thirty Shainx. Self-replicating cellular body shackle for any stubborn bots, sixty thousand Shainx. Getting the drop on bots worth more than those, priceless." He smirked.

He grinned at his victims. "You see I'm gonna make a small fortune off of you guys, to cover the costs. Then, with the location of the Autobot base, I can practically write my own check and enjoy the high life forever."

"B-But you're an Autobot." Leobolt stammered, attempting to rise before his legs gave out again.

"Oh, please." Dealer scoffed, placing a small transmitter near the group. "I'm above such petty titles. I only use them when there's a deal to be made. Ultimately, my services go to whoever can pay me the most."

"Speaking of." Dealer continued, his Autobot insignias switching to Decepticon ones. "I need to put on my, other business suit." With that he transformed again. Not into a missel carrier like before, but into a large cyan bird with purple wings and red optics. Decepticon decals adorning his upper bird legs.

"There we go." He said, his voice taking on a completely different tone, almost like a bird squawk. "Let's get this show on the road, time is money after all." He walked over and pressed a button on the transmitter with his claw. "Doulbledealer calling the Nemesis, come in Lord Megatron."

Mach hoof shook her head. The stunner effects wore off on her a few seconds before Doubledealer transformed. She looked at her sister. "Botanica." She breathed, not wanting to catch the cons' attention. "I think I shrugged off that Nucleon shock, did you?" At the jerky shake of her head, she reached out a hand.

When her hand connected to Botanicas', she felt the Nucleon still surging within both her and a twitching Nightscream who she was still holding. Surprised she willed the energy to her and was shocked that the power did as she asked. Over the course of a couple dozen seconds she had absorbed the excess energy in both their bodies. Thankful she was in the middle of the Maximal pile she began to repeat the process with Rhinox, Wingsaber, and Leobolt.

While Mach hoof was doing her Nucleon purge, Doubledealer connected to the Nemesis. "Doubledealer, I told you before. Until we can be sure you're not selling to the Autobots, we have no interest in."

"Wait just a second, Lord Megatron." Doubledealer interrupted. "At least see what I have to offer before you refuse outright." He turned the camera to show the pile of Maximals.

Megatrons' optics widened. "The techno organic experiments? How did you manage to capture them they're with the!?" He turned and looked Doubledealer in the optic. "You know where the Autobot base is?" He queried.

"Just found out this afternoon. And what's more I have them all trapped there, just waiting for you to pick up." Doubledealer said turning the camera back and nodding his bird head. "Now, as to my terms. I spent almost a quarter of a million Shainx getting the equipment to find the base and capture them. For double that amount, you get the Maximals. Now, for the Autobot base, well you know how much that information is worth."

Megatron grit his dentia. It always infuriated him to work with Doubledealer, but his goods, weapons and intel were worth the money. "Very well. I'll have Soundwave use your transmitters' coordinates to." The conversation was cut off when a bolt of Nucleon energy raced across the transmitter, causing it to overload and explode.

Doubledealer spun around. "What the pit?" His optics widened at the recovered group of Maximals, Depthcharge having been cut out of the body shackle by Wingsaber. "How?!" He exclaimed. The charge from that weapon should've had them immobile for hours.

Mach hoof smirked. "I got Nucleon in my bones bird brain." She called, redeploying her horn saber. "I can pull the shocks it produces into my body without a problem. You however." She fired off a bolt of energy that he dodged with a flap of his wings. Only to have to dodge right to miss one of Wingsabers' kunai.

Rapidly switching back to his 'Dealer' bot mode. Doubledealer pulled a handful of grenades and triggered them. "You know, I could cut you all in on this deal." He lobbed the grenades as the Maximals dodged, the explosions destroying several buildings.

"No dice, two face." Wingsaber yelled before divebombing him in beast mode.

"The Cons want to dissect us, so here's your answer." Rhinox called, firing his chain guns and riddling Doubledealers' body with small holes.

Turning his head away Doubledealer was hit by both Botanicas' fireweed sap and Leobolts' whip. "Alright, that's it." This deal had just fallen through. He opened his drawer, allowing the Jericho missel to emerge. During the brief few seconds that it was airborne, he transformed into his missel carrier alt mode and caught it.

"How in the heck?" Sierra asked, seeing the missel appear from essentially nowhere.

"Like that? It's a miniature space bridge connected to an automated personal storage moon. I just think about what I need, and it's there." Doubledealer deployed the launch platform on his vehicle mode. "Originally, I was going to throw this in with my deal for the Autobot base, free of charge. However, if you bots don't do as I say, I'll launch it and destroy the town near the Autobot base."

At their horrified looks he continued. "Oh, don't worry, the bots will be safe. The force field covering the base will protect them. But everyone else." He taunted, aiming and arming the missile. His bravado failed when he felt a blaster pressed to where both his heads were in vehicle mode.

Agent Fowler smirked at the traitor. Having been paralyzed he hadn't been able to move, however he could see well enough to know that both of Doubldealers' heads were in the same section of his body in this mode. "Now, what we have here is an old-fashioned standoff. You launch that missile; I pull the trigger on this thing and pulp both your heads."

Doubledealer mentally kicked himself. He'd forgotten all about the human. "Not necessarily." With a thought he ignited the rockets' engine, the smoke causing Fowler to back away coughing. "I know you humans need the air to be relatively clear to breath properly." With that he launched the missile with a direct course to Jasper.

Seeing the missile launch the Maximals sprang into action. The group charged Doubledealer as he changed back into his bird mode and took off. Nightscream and Depthcharge transformed into their beast and flight mode respectively and took off after him.

Wingsaber on the other hand had a different idea. Using Rhinox as a springboard she launched herself into the air and, using a pair of kunai, latched onto the missile. She barely caught Leobolts' cry of "MIKO!" before she was soaring over the landscape.

Looking to her left she saw Depthcharge and Nightscream chasing after Doubledealer. She didn't know if it was a stroke of genius, or a hair brained idea, but she thought of a way to deal with both problems at once. "Nightscream, I need you and Depthcharge to fall back." She yelled, knowing that Nightscreams' hearing would pick her up. Seeing the two flyers break away she saw Doubledealers flightpath and began to concentrate. If this was going to work, she needed to time it right.

Doubledealer sighed in relief as the two Maximals broke off their pursuit. This business deal fell through in the worst possible way. However, he knew where the general location of the Nemesis was. Once he found it, he could bargain with Megatron and still come out ahead. Delivering the Autobots' base all wrapped up with a bow would insure that.

His relief ended up being short lived however. A flash of burgundy lit up his vision, and when it cleared, he saw the Jericho missile barreling right at him with that bird femme riding on top of it. Wingsaber let go of the kunai, flying off of the missile and vanishing in another flash. Doubledealer barely had time to let loose a squawk of disbelief before the missile collided with him, blasting him to atoms.

Teleporting back to the other Maximals' side, Wingsaber felt her legs buckle under her. She was caught by Leobolt who pulled her to his chest. "Damn it Miko, don't scare me like that." He said, switching back to their normal names.

She wrapped her arms around him. "Two birds, one stone Jackrabbit. It's no problem." She said nonchalantly.

Jack wasn't so sure. He knew that he had been scheduled to see Rung next, but after this he was going to give his slot to Miko. He had a feeling his girlfriend needed it more than he did for the moment.

Fowler meanwhile, had stopped coughing and called the base. "Fowler to HQ, do you read me Doc bot?"

There was a moment of static before Perceptor answered. "We are now agent Fowler. Apparently, Dealer had set everything up to betray us."

Fowler snorted. "It goes a lot deeper than that. But could you please send a bridge to our location so we can come back?" Moments later the space bridge portal opened up and the group walked through it back to base.

Upon entering the Maximals were immediately bombarded by two humans. June and G.B. rushed to check to make sure their children were all right. G.B. had seen the dome go up and rushed over. Vince was surprised to find himself being fussed over by June as much as Jack, Raf and Miko but was accepting of it. Miko admittedly was a little less enthused after June cuffed her on the back of the head for the stunt she pulled.

Meanwhile Fowler was explaining to Optimus, Magnus, and Ratchet what had happened after they went through the portal. He could hardly believe it had only been fifteen minutes. "And that's when I called you guys." He finished after explaining how Miko destroyed both Doubledealer and the Jericho missile.

Optimus sighed. "Ultra Magnus, we need to have a discussion about any other potential security issues stemming from this. If there are any other bots like Dealer, we need to know about and vet them thoroughly. We are well past the point of not looking a gift horse in the mouth." He said with finality.

Ultra Magnus nodded; he had some suspicions about Dealer. He didn't know how far his machinations went until now. In his mind it simply reinforced the age-old notion. Trust no one. "Understood Optimus." And with that, he returned to the computer console, and his duties.

Notes:

When I was imagining Doubledealers' personality, I actually had Swindle from Transformers Animated in mind as was evidenced by some of his lines and the storage dimension reference. His body is based on his Earthrise toy. I like to use characters that haven't seen a lot of use over the years and Doubledealer seemed like a neat idea. Next time, the Lost Light arrives. Unfortunately, so does the Darksyde.

Chapter 20: Landing of the Light

Notes:

Ah, we meet again. I hope you all enjoy the chapter and hope it was worth the wait. As a side note. It has been nearly twenty years since I last saw a psychologist. I cannot guarantee the therapy sessions I write will be anywhere close to accurate.

Megatron nodded as the last of the new Decepticons disembarked from Astrotrain. The moment the last one was clear, the triple changer transformed back into his bot mode. "Eleven Decepticons, as ordered." He said with a metallic echo to his voice.

"Excellent." He replied. "Decepticons, welcome aboard the Nemesis. As you are no doubt aware, this pitiful backwater world is fated to be the battleground for the final conflict of our war. When the time comes, I expect you all to fight admirably, to the bitter end."

A purple and beige Decepticon with a blue face stepped forward. "You needn't vorry lord Megatron." He started before his face spun to a red one with an orange visor and pronounced chin. "When you say charge, vee ask 'how hard!" The face spun again to what looked like a demented black jack-o-lantern. "And zen vee can do arts and crafts with zee spare parts." He finished with an insane giggle, maintaining a German accent through all three faces.

Megatron repressed a twitch in his left optic. As much as he appreciated Shockwaves' work, he'd definitely gone a little overboard when modifying Blitzwing. He never believed the scientists' claims that he was like that before the experimentation. "Indeed Blitzwing, but for now, refuel and see Starscream for your assignments."

A behemoth purple and aqua Decepticon with a singular red optic knelt before Megatron. "It shall be done in your glorious name, and it is good to be back under your direct command Lord Megatron." Lugnut proclaimed before rising and following the others.

Megatron grinned. After all the backstabbing that had been going on lately, having Lugnut around would both be a blast of fresh ventilation and a deterrent to anymore attempts to usurp his command. He was broken out of his reverie by Soundwaves' entrance. "What is it Soundwave?" He asked.

Soundwave simply tuned his mask to a communications channel, Galavars' face appearing on the screen. "Ah, Lord Megatron." He began in his usually oily voice. "We are ready to enter the planets orbit, but we have discovered an Autobot ship attempting to do the same." He grumbled. "Would you like us to attack? The ship is too large for us to destroy, no, but with the mayhem attack squad onboard, I believe we can ensure a crash landing with casualties, yes."

Megatron narrowed his optics. "Do what you must Galavar. If Optimus Prime has called reinforcements, then it is in our best interest that he not get them." With any luck, the squad would kill most of the bots on board with the crash finishing off all but a few of them.

"It shall be done lord Megatron, yes." With that Galavar disconnected.

Laying back on Rungs' psychiatrist couch Miko stared at the ceiling and sighed. "Sorry doctor, I got no idea how to start this." She'd never been to a shrink; her parents couldn't accept that their daughter might be anything less than perfect.

She'd been surprised that her appointment with the Autobot psychologist had been moved up. Then again, maybe she shouldn't be. Jack and nurse Darby had been worried about her after the debacle with Doubledealer, and she suspected that one or both of them requested it. She knew Jack had originally been next on Rungs' list.

Rung gave a smile. "No problem Miko, can I call you Miko?" At her nod he continued. "How about this, how have you been feeling about your new body?"

Smiling, Miko sat up and looked at him. "Honestly, I love it." She looked down at her hands and flexed her fingers. "I can't remember the last time I felt this happy."

Rung quirked an eyebrow. "Not even as a child?" He may not have been overly familiar with human culture, but he knew most civilizations cherished their young.

Miko pulled a face. "I should probably get this out in the open now." She sighed. "My parents were focused on three things in life. One was growing their company, then each other, the third was portraying an image of a happy family." She finished with a bitter note.

"I'm judging by your tone that they were more concerned with portraying that image than actually living it?" He asked narrowing his optics.

"Good guess." She replied. "I don't know how much you know, but my parents were home maybe one night every other week. Most of the interactions I had with them was 'Hello daughter, now go play' or 'Your grades have dropped daughter, we're very disappointed in you.' I was tutored privately until I decided to become an exchange student." She decided against mentioning the arranged marriage aspect for now.

"Have you tried to talk to anyone about their neglect?" Rung queried. He had only known about the adult Nakadais for a few moments and was already disgusted with them. And he thought the way Mirages' guardian treated him was neglectful.

"I tried, but usually my parents either bribed any officials involved or I was just met with apathy." She sighed. "Those ones really hurt too, because to them I was just 'poor little rich girl'. Some people think that because you're rich, you can't have problems."

Rung gave her a sad smile. "Sadly, I know that to be untrue. I won't use names or details, but I had a wealthy patient whose guardian had left him with serious emotional scars. He was rejected by two psychologists before me because of that fallacy."

"Thank you." Miko said, smiling at Rung. "I mean it's behind me now, legally I'm dead and as far as I'm concerned, they're dead to me." She gave a sigh. "I won't lie and say it doesn't still hurt, but I have a new family, one that loves me for me."

"Well then that brings me to my next question." Rung replied. "I was given some background about the six of you, and you are described as a 'risk taking thrill seeker'. I don't really see a problem with it but I have to ask. What were you thinking when you jumped onto a nuclear missile?"

Mikos' jaw dropped a little. Was that what this was about? "I was thinking I could disarm it, or worst-case scenario blow it up in the atmosphere. Not that I needed to, my teleport took care of it and that Two faced Tweety Bird."

Rung gave a heavy sigh. "I see where that could be an idea, but both options carried a high risk of death from radiation or an explosion. How do you think your new family would take the news that you died?"

With a start Miko realized the reality of her actions. She hadn't cared if she'd been hurt before because she felt like she had no one who truly cared about her aside from Bulkhead. But now she had brothers and sisters in both the Autobots and Maximals, and a caring boyfriend in Jack. Not to mention a true Mother figure in June. With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she realized just how badly hurt they'd be if she was hurt or killed.

Seeing that he'd made his point Rung looked Miko in the eye. "Now, I did not bring that up to make you feel guilty, that's not what I'm here for. All I want now is, going forward, whenever you plan to do something truly reckless, think if hurting your loved ones is worth whatever could be gained. Yes, you did was heroic, but it could also have killed you."

At Mikos' shocked expression he continued. "From what I've read, and what you've told me, you're not used to having people care about you. Consequentially, you take risks that could get you hurt. My suggestion is, when heading into a dangerous situation, remember that you do have loved ones to come back to and think about how to get the mission accomplished, and come back alive." He finished.

Miko looked wide eyed at the floor. When put that way it made her sound almost suicidal. With watery eyes she looked up at Rung. "Th-Thank you Doc, I'll try to remember that." She stuttered, fighting back tears.

Rung crouched down and put a comforting hand on Mikos' shoulder. "You don't have to hold back here Miko, you're far from the first person to cry on my couch. And I really don't believe you'll be the last one either." Seeing a few tears start to fall he asked. "Would you like a hug?"

Giving a nod Miko opened her arms, allowing him to hug her. The comfort of it, in addition to the revelations he'd help her uncover caused her to start bawling.

Rung held her for several minutes as she cried herself out. He had a sinking suspicion that Miko might have a form of depression from her upbringing on top of her PTSD. Hopefully this'll be the start of the healing process for both.

Pulling back, Rung smiled. "I think that's enough for today. If memory serves, the Lost Light should be due to arrive in less than an hour." He spoke.

The ship messaged them in the early hours of the morning. According to Rodimus; Wheeljack, Jetfire, and Brainstorm had hooked the phase shifter up to the ships' wiring. At the right moment, Cosmos would boost the shifters power while Blaster amplified the frequency to cover the whole ship. From there they'd just have to set down in the cavern beneath the base. Afterwards they'd just have to blast through the cavern wall to the shaft that the Army Corp of engineers had been digging towards the cavern and having the Autobots' engineers install a lift to bring them to the surface.

Entering the communications room Miko spotted Jack talking with his mother and Fowler. Sneaking up behind him she wrapped him in a tight hug causing him to start. "Oh, hey pretty bird, what's this about?"

Miko smiled and nuzzled into his back. "Nothing Jackrabbit. Just in a hugging mood." She replied as Fowler and June exchanged a knowing look.

Before he could reply Optimus called for everyone's' attention. "The time is upon us. Within the next half hour." His full speech was cut off by the console cutting on.

"Lost Light calling team Prime, Lost Light calling team Prime. We are under attack, repeat, we are under attack." Came Rodimus' panicked voice.

The collective team rushed to the console. "Rodimus, what is happening?" Optimus asked.

"Right as we cleared Earths' moon a Decepticon battle cruiser latched onto our hull and a squadron of Decepticons boarded and damaged our space bridge." He explained. "They seem to be making their way to the power core. We're mobilizing to counter them but if we are to stand a chance, we must perform the maneuver with the phase shifter immediately." He turned to someone off screen. "Blaster, tell all science and medical staff to hunker down in their locations, and send the Protectobots to recover any wounded.

"Very well." Optimus replied. "Try to keep the Decepticons from reaching the power core. We will be on standby upon arrival."

Rodimus nodded grimly. "Understood, Rodimus out." With that the line disconnected.

Optimus turned to the group. "Everyone evacuate to the safe point. Ratchet, when the ship arrives there will probably be wounded to care for."

Ratchet sighed. "Hopefully between myself, First Aid, and any other medical staff, we can keep casualties to a minimum." He looked at Raf. "This might be your first foray into the medical field, just remember what I taught you and you'll do fine." Raf swallowed, but nodded.

With that the group transformed, June and Fowler jumping into Bumblebee as he did. On their way out the door Jack looked up at the sky. "Stay safe Arcee." Jack said, worrying about his partner.

Meanwhile onboard the Lost light, mayhem reigned. More specifically Galavar and the mayhem attack squad reigned. Smirking to himself, Galavar transformed into his tank mode and fired on the blast door that was blocking their way. "Such shoddy workmanship, yes." He commented as the door began to melt.

"All the better for us to be destroying." Bellowed Stranglehold. The mustached, overly muscled white, yellow, and green squad member was the size of Bulkhead and every bit as strong. His favorite technique was to squeeze an opponents' neck until their head fell off, hence the name. "Those first two bots where hardly challenge." He grumbled, his Russian like accent coming to the fore.

"Aye." Agreed a yellow and green bot with a purple dive helmet and tentacles protruding from his arms and back. He reached up and yanked two security cameras down. "However, we got us a ship to scuttle, so we best move it." Octopunch commented.

Bringing up the rear, Bludgeon nodded, the samurais' skull face showing no emotion. "Indeed, this is so. Our enemy knows we're here. We must meet our goal." He commented, his unique speech pattern presenting itself once again as Galavar switched back to bot mode.

Moving through the hole they'd made they were met with resistance. Rodimus, Arcee, Wheeljack, and Smokescreen, in addition to a few others of the Lost Lights crew had gathered together to block the way to the power core. "Trailbreaker, use your forcefield to keep the big one in place." Rodimus ordered. "Skidz, Wheeljack, you're on the swordsbot. Nightbeat and Smokescreen, the tentacle terror, and Arcee and I will handle the last one."

The black, blue visored bot raised his hands and generated a yellow force field. Focusing, he used it to pin Stranglehold into a corner. "That oughta hold him." Trailbreaker smirked, until his captive gave the field a mighty punch causing a sharp pain in Trailbreakers' head. "For a minute." He grit out.

Wheeljack barely got his swords up in time to meet Bludgeons'. "Another swordsbot. On this day you'll know defeat. With honor you'll die." The two leapt away from each other as Skidz aimed a punch that Bludgeon barely dodged.

Skidz grinned. "I was watching you on the monitors. My outlier ability allows me to learn anything by seeing it once. Your Metallikato skills were easy enough to replicate." He aimed a kick at Bludgeon, who leaned back to dodge.

Grabbing Skidz' ankle, Bludgeon swung him around and threw him into Wheeljack who'd tried to sneak up on him. "Your skills are stolen. And your tricks are sad to see. A swift victory." He commented, charging the two as they got back up.

While the swordsbots were locking blades, Smokescreen and Nightbeat were having problems of their own. Every time one of them got a lock on Octopunch, one of his tentacles would get a good blow in. "How do we get close to a bot with that much reach?" He asked, dodging another blow.

His powder blue and yellow partner smirked. "With an old detective trick." With that he subtly deployed his handgun and lunged forward, only for a tentacle to wrap around him and bring him close to Octopunch. He gave Nightbeat a sick grin, bringing his harpoon gun to bear on the detectives' spark. A second later Nightbeat fired his own gun, damaging his opponents arm and causing him to be dropped to the floor. "Sometimes the fastest way to get to your enemy is to let yourself be captured."

Arcee and Rodimus were having a different situation. Galavar had took one look at Arcee and with a cry of "You!", the purple and black Decepticon jumped at her, wrapping his fingers around her throat and ignoring Rodimus completely. "After all these eons, you dare show your face to me!" Galavar screamed at her.

"Put her down!" Rodimus yelled. Galavar sneered at the Autobot captain and threw Arcee at him. "What is his problem with you?" He asked, helping her up.

Bringing the shoulder cannon that became his tank cannon to bear, Galavar fired a low power plasma blast directly at Rodimus' chest. "This is between me and my 'sister'." He said, slurring the last word. Rodimus was flung backwards into the wall where he passed out.

Rubbing her throat, Arcee looked from where Rodimus fell to her advancing opponent. She narrowed her optics in concentration before they flew open wide. "Galavar? Broth-." She was cut off as a stronger plasma blast hit her square in the shoulder.

"You lost the right to call me brother long ago Arcee." He bellowed, firing another blast, this time into her hip. "You lost that right when you-" He was cut off by his comm. "What!?" He screamed.

"Galavar, the ship is about to enter the planet's atmosphere." Came Mesothalus' raspy voice called over the comm. "We need to detach in the next ninety seconds or risk the ship burning up in the atmosphere."

Grimacing, Galavar aimed his cannon at Arcees' chest. "This is not over Arcee, no. When we next meet, I will destroy you utterly, yes." He lowered his cannon a bit. "In the meantime, however." With that he fired another plasma blast right into her midsection, causing her to curl in on herself in pain. "Decepticons, retreat." He called, firing a blast at Trailbreaker to free Stranglehold who joined the retreat.

Shaking his head, Rodimus rose to his feet in time for his comms to signal. "Yo cap, this is Blaster reporting that the Cons have blasted outta here."

Seeing the damaged Arcee at his feet he called back. "Get First-Aid and the Protectobots here on the double, we have wounded. Once they're secure in sick bay prepare to-." He was cut off by a sudden shaking of the floor. "What was that?"

Nauticas' voice came on next. "Those were the engines captain, they're hit." She came back on a few moments later. "The main engines are down, but we can still use the auxiliary engines on impulse power to control our decent."

Rodimus nodded. "Lightbright, handle that with Nautica as best you can. Blaster, Cosmos, prepare to engage the phase shifter." Looking up he saw First-Aid, Hotspot, and Rook enter the area. "We're alright, just cuts and dents, but Arcee needs your help. Get her to sick bay and get her stabilized."

First-Aid nodded and transformed into his ambulance mode. Rook, Wheeljack, and Smokescreen proceeded to load her up. "We already have Swerve and Hound in Sick Bay. They're pretty banged up but not as bad as Arcee." With that he sped off, Hotspot, Wheeljack, and Smokescreen following.

Looking at the remaining Autobots Rodimus called up Blaster. "How long until we go intangible?" He asked.

"We got roughly two minutes, local time." Blaster replied over the PA system. "Everyone get to your designated safe zones now."

"Alright everyone you know where to go, roll out." He spoke. Exiting the hall, he made his way to the bridge.

Back on Earth, the assembled bots, Maximals, and humans stood on a rock outcropping overlooking the base. Naturally, Bumblebee spotted the ship first, beeped and pointed to let the others know its' location.

Raf squinted in in the direction Bee was pointing at. "I see it Bee." He narrowed his eyes at the smoke trail. "Is it me, or are the engines smoking?"

As the ship got closer, they could see that the engines were indeed smoking and as the ship got larger it developed a blue shimmer around it. "That's the phase shifter, they should pass right through the ground and into the cavern." Ratchet explained.

The Lost Light performed an about face as four engines on the ships' underside flared to life in controlled bursts, slowing the ship down and guiding it in. Right as it would've hit the ground the blue aura around the ship intensified as the auxiliary engines fired to increase deceleration. In a matter of seconds, the Lost light disappeared under the ground. "That's one way to get a good parking spot." June quipped.

Moments later Optimus received a call on his comms. "Optimus, this is Rodimus. We've landed safely and gotten the fire in the engines taken care of, but we need Ratchet here fast. We have some wounded from the Decepticon attack and one of them is severe. We'll have the entrance to the cavern open in a few minutes, please be on standby."

Ratchet butted in. "Understood Rodimus, who's the patient?" He asked.

"We have Arcee in critical condition." Rodimus replied.

Ratchet didn't wait to hear anything else. "Rafael, come on." With that He and Raf transformed and bolted back to base, Jack and the rest of the team not far behind. Heading into the hangar that concealed the entrance to the elevator shaft they transformed back and Ratchet addressed the group.

"I'm sorry, but until the elevator is complete Rafael and I are the only ones going down there." At Jacks' mutinous look he sighed. "The decent is dangerous, and Arcee wouldn't want you getting hurt trying to get to her Jack."

Jack screwed up his face and nodded, his eyes slightly wet. Transforming into his lion mode he curled up off to the side, Miko and June sitting down next to him in an act of comfort.

Optimus looked at Ratchet. "Keep us informed, old friend."

Seconds later there was an explosion at the bottom of the shaft. "Oh Magsy, I'm home!" Came a voice dripping with promised malice.

Ultra Magnus groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. He'd forgotten that Whirl was on the Lost Light. He had not however forgotten how much said mech liked to push his buttons.

Ratchet sighed. "On my back Rafael, I believe that's our cue." He and Raf walked over to the opening of the shaft, and used the sides of the ladders the corps of engineers used to slide down to the bottom and into the ship, Raf on his back.

Moments later feminine voice called up from the shaft. "Erm, greetings Optimus Prime and Team Prime. My name is Nautica and I'm the Lost Lights' lead engineer. Most of the elevator has been prefabricated and we're going to begin the install now. Between myself, Brainstorm, and Beachcomber, our geologist, we should have it ready in about forty minutes."

Optimus was surprised. He'd never heard of this femme before. She must've been one of the ones Rodimus said he'd picked up. "Welcome to Team Prime and Unit-E Nautica." Optimus replied. "We shall see you when the elevator is operational."

"Beachcomber just marked our starting point." Nautica called up. "See you all soon."

"See, that wasn't so bad." Came the gentle voice Optimus knew belonged to the scientist Brainstorm.

"I almost threw up in my mouth twice."

"Our little secret." He replied, causing the Maximals to laugh a bit.

Jack however was in no mood to laugh. He didn't even know how Arcee was injured let alone her condition outside of critical. He felt Miko squeeze his hand. "Don't sweat it Jackrabbit, if Bulkhead can come back from Tox-EN, she can pull out of whatever happened to her. She's a tough old bike." She finished, giving his hand another squeeze.

He gave a sigh. "I hope so Miko, I've never lost someone close to me, and I really don't want to find out what it feels like today." He said, choking a little at the end. Miko and June wrapped him into a hug.

The next half an hour was a tense wait for the group in the hangar. There was no news on Arcee, and the only sound was coming from the elevator shaft. Although that was mostly what sounded like a wrench and the occasional swear word. Finally, around the edge of the shaft they saw paneling being attached before a pair of purple hands reached over the edge and out climbed a purple and yellow femme bot with blue optics and a pair of turbine wings on her back. An advanced looking wrench was strapped to her hip.

Nautica saluted Optimus and Ultra Magnus. "Greetings, I am Nautica, the Lost Lights lead engineer. It's an honor to finally meet you after everything Rodimus said about you." She reiterated, trying to be formal.

Any further words were halted when a gray and aqua colored mech with an orangish yellow face climbed out. "Okay Beachcomber, send it up." Taking a control console and podium into his hands he hoisted it up and plugged it into a port in the side of the shaft. "Alright, controls are in, I'm Brainstorm by the way." He flipped a switch, activating the elevator bringing up a dark blue and gray Autobot. "And this is Beachcomber, our resident geologist."

Beachcomber however was looking out the hangar doors. "This world is more beautiful than the intel packet hinted." He said in a somewhat melancholy voice. He quickly saluted Prime and Magnus. "I'm happy to see you all again, but if you'll excuse me." He transformed into what looked like a dune buggy. "I think I'll go familiarize myself with the area." Activating a human hologram, he took off out the door.

Brainstorm watched him go. "Sorry sirs, he gets like that sometimes. He'll be back."

Rung went over to Jack, Miko, and June. "Come on, I'll take you to the sick bay to wait. Together the four walked to the center of the lift. Right as Rung pushed the button, Nautica gave a squeal.

"Aww, are these little cuties the hybrids we heard about. They're so adorable." she said, kneeling down to get a closer look at Vince, Sierra and Allison. Depthcharge took a step back to stay out of reach. The rest of the introduction went unheard as the elevator descended.

When it came to a stop, they were faced with a tunnel that led to an open hatch at the end. Entering the ship, June and the Maximals got a reminder of just how big their alien friends were. The hallway they entered was enormous.

"Right." Rung began. "If I remember correctly, the sick bay is that way about two miles." At their surprised looks he continued. "That's not too far for most Cybertronians. Mrs. Darby, I'd recommend that one of us carry you, since it is a long walk for a human." He also made a note to have the science crew whip up something to make moving around the ship easier on their human guests.

Jack transformed and lowered himself so his mother could climb on. June took a firm grip on two tufts of Jacks' mane. "I feel like She-Ra." She muttered to herself.

Snorting, Jack commented. "Don't you mean He-man?" He deadpanned, causing Miko to laugh, earning a hard tug on the hair from his passenger. "Ow, okay, we're going." With that the group took off down the hall.

Upon reaching what Rung said was the sick bay a red and orange mech with a yellow spoiler exited. "Ah, Rung, good to have you back." Rodimus said. Looking over he saw the other three of the group. "I'm guessing you three are here to see Arcee? They just brought her out of stasis a few minutes ago. Between Ratchet, First-Aid, and Rhinox; they were able to neutralize the damage and get her stabilized in record time."

"True, she should be strong enough to move soon, but I'd still like her to wait for a couple days before attempting to transform. That last Plasma blast scorched her T-cog and I'd like to make sure it healed properly." Came a voice from the open door. Looking through it they saw a red and white medical bot that wasn't Ratchet running a scanner over Arcee who was now laying back on her berth.

"Hey partner." Arcee said groggily, waving from her berth. "First-Aid here was giving me a final checkup." She was cut off because once June got off Jacks' back, he transformed and hugged his partner and friend. "Woah hey, easy Jack, I'll be all right." She said tiredly. "Rafs' CR pulse actually accelerated my recovery time. I'll be back on my feet in about a day."

First-Aid looked at her. "You'll be back on your feet when you're back on your feet. No matter how tough you think you are." He looked over to another berth. "You feeling any better Rhinox?"

Looking over Jack, June and Miko saw Raf was in beast mode and appeared to be fighting exhaustion. June and Miko went over. "Raf, honey are you okay?"

Ratchet came over to them. "Rafael was extremely helpful in Arcees' surgery. Although he did end up overusing his CR pulse, leading to his current exhaustion."

Raf looked up. "I welded, it helded." He slurred before finally succumbing to sleep.

Ratchet shook his head. "He'll be fine after some sleep and some food. First-Aid, could you go topside to inform Optimus of Arcees' status. And perhaps bring some food back for our hybrid friends."

"Coming right up." First-Aid replied. "I'm a doctor, not a messenger." He grumbled to himself as he left.

Jack looked at Arcee. "Who did this to you Cee?" He knew it took a lot to catch Arcee off guard. Even more to hurt her.

When Arcee didn't answer excepting the sad expression on her face, Rung interceded. "It was him, wasn't it?" He asked. Rung had treated Arcee long enough to know when she didn't want to admit something.

Arcee gave a sigh and nodded. "It was Galavar." She took a deep breath. "My twin brother Galavar, has become a Decepticon." She said sadly.

Notes:

Okay, bit of a smorgasbord of new characters here. Personally, I loved Blitzwing in Transformers Animated. So, when I did started planning this story, I just had to use that version of him. Otherwise, most of them are mostly a combination of the old G1 versions, or IDW publishing with an accent or unusual speech pattern thrown in for flavor.

Next time. Arcee is back on her feet in time for her scouting mission with Jack. Unfortunately, while they're hunting for energon, a couple of bots are hunting them.

Chapter 21: Confessions and Confrontations

Notes:

Hello again all and welcome back. Now, in this chapter will be some touchy subjects for some, so be warned. I've dropped little breadcrumbs in past chapters to hint at it, and the tags are a dead giveaway now, but this is the actual discussion.

Arcee hoisted herself up over the cliff. It had been three days since Galavar had landed her in the Lost Lights' sick bay. Raf, after eating and some rest, used his CR pulse one additional time to heal her scorched T-cog. She'd only just gotten the clearance from Ratchet and First-Aid to go on this scouting trip with Jack the day before.

Speaking of. "You okay down there partner?" She called over the side. She moved over a bit as the cord from Jacks' whip wrapped around an outcropping in the rock. Jack reeled it in, pulling himself close to the top and swing over it to stand next to Arcee before reeling it in completely.

"Never better." Jack replied. "Are you okay though?" He asked, checking for any signs of fatigue from her recent injury.

Arcee scowled. This was the third time Jack had asked her that in less than an hour. "Again Leobolt, I'm fine." She gave a sigh. "Alright Jack, what's going on?" This was something more than just being seriously injured. And she knew it had nothing to do with the incident with Dealer/Doubledealer. She still couldn't figure out how that conbot got away with his charade as long as he did.

"Sorry Arcee." Jack sighed. "It's just in all the time I've known you, you've been at the top of your game. Then you get shot up by your brother, who just so happens to be a Decepticon. I mean I know he's your brother but."

Arcee cut him off. "Jack, Galavar has wanted me dead even before the war broke out." At his confused look she gave a sigh of her own. "Would it help if I told you why he wants me gone?"

"Sorry, I know it's personal Arcee. I just can't see why he'd want to kill you." Jack replied. Ever since his father left him and his mother, it had just been the two of them. Now though he had Raf and Vince as pseudo siblings. Even Sierra and Allison were to a lesser extent, to say nothing of Miko. He couldn't imagine wanting to harm any of them, let alone kill them.

Arcee sat down so she'd be on eye level with Jack. "Well first off, I think I need to explain something about him." She began. "To use Rungs' words, my brother is a megalomaniacal narcissist. He believes can do no wrong and the only thing he truly cares about is himself."

At Jacks shocked expression she continued. "Now, knowing that." She swallowed a bit. "I need to tell you something about me." She stopped herself when she noticed a slight shimmer on a rock near where they sat.

Deploying her guns, she took aim at the spot. The shimmer appeared again and seemingly leaped down to the ground. "Woah wait, don't shoot." Came Mikos' voice as her falcon mode shimmered into view.

Arcees' optic twitched. "Up to your old tricks again, Wingsaber?" She asked as Jacks girlfriend transformed under both their disapproving looks. "And where did you get that thing?" She said motioning to the device on her left wrist that was the cause of the invisibility.

"Sorry." She said, looking like she genuinely meant it. "I know you said you didn't need backup on this mission, but after what happened to you, I got worried about you two." She rubbed the device on her wrist. "And I borrowed this cloaker from Brainstorms' lab. That way if your brother or someone else ambushed you, I thought maybe I could ambush him."

Sighing Arcee looked at Wingsaber. "Miko, I understand, but Galavar surprised me the other day. I hadn't seen him in millions of years, but next time I'll be ready for him." She looked over at Leobolt. "And don't be too angry with her Jack. Honestly, I think she was more worried about you than me." Leobolts glare softened to a more caring expression.

Miko smiled. "I'll just get airborne and give you two some space to talk." She went to transform before Arcee stopped her.

"It's alright Miko, you can stay." She spoke. "Jack's my partner, and frankly I'd be very surprised if you two don't become Conjunx Endurae sometime in your lives so I'll tell you both." At their confused look about the term, she explained. "That's life partners or spouses, essentially our equivalent of being married." She smirked watching as the two blushed while holding hands.

Deciding to spare them anymore embarrassment, she continued. "But as to mine and my brothers' relationship. Do you remember when I told you about how the sibling concept works for Cybertronians?" She asked, sitting back down.

At their nod, Arcee continued. "Well, when Galavar and I were forged, that is, born from the metal of our hotspot, our sparks were close enough to be siblings. The problem was his spark is what's called a point one percenter, a superpowered spark. Somehow, his spark completely took over my formatting, causing he and I to be born as identical twins."

Jack looked confused but Mikos' eyes widened. "No way, you're transgender?" She cried out in surprise. Jacks' expression went from confused to shocked in a big hurry.

Arcee nodded. "That's right, I was forged mech, or born male in human terms." She looked down at the two, focusing on Jack. "You okay Jack?" She asked. She really hoped that this didn't change anything between them. She'd lost more than a couple of potential Amica Endurae because of this.

"What? No!" Jack replied. "Arcee, this is the only version of you I've ever known. I could care less that you were born male. Honestly, I never would have guessed if you hadn't told me."

"Like Jack said, I have no issues with transgenders or transexuals. Hell, I'm pansexual myself so I'm not about to deprive you of friendship because of this." Miko said.

Arcee scooped the two Maximals into her embrace. "Thank you." She whispered. Had she been capable of it, she would've cried.

"A-Arcee, can't breathe." Jack gasped, bringing her back to reality.

Releasing the two and clearing her throat, she continued her story. "Well as you can guess, I never felt right in my body, but Galavar was delighted to have a twin that looked like him. So, when I decided I wanted to change my body, he became furious."

She winced. "He tried to kill me that night. He claimed that I lost the right to call him brother because I no longer wanted to be his brother. He wasn't charged because you couldn't legally change jobs let alone your gender back then, so no one viewed what he did as wrong."

At their outraged looks she continued. "That was what life was like back then which I'll explain later. After I was released from the hospital, I looked for a way to transition." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ultimately I fell in with a scientist named Jhiaxus."

Miko snorted a bit. "Gee, axe us?" She was silenced by a sharp look from Arcee and an elbow to the ribs from Jack.

"Jhiaxus was Shockwaves' mentor, and like him interested in pushing the limits of transformation." Arcee explained. "The problem is he had nothing in the way of morals or ethics in regards to his experiments. It wasn't until years later that I saw him for what he really was, a monster. "

Arcee shivered. "My procedure was done by changing my CNA on a cellular level. He molded my body into the form I have now. Unfortunately, he didn't believe in things like anesthesia or aftercare." Jack and Miko winced. Their reformatting had been painful enough.

She closed her optics. "My body matched how I felt, but my brain and mesh memory weren't aligned with my new body. When I went to Jhiaxus for help I found he'd left, and ultimately didn't care about what would happen to me after the surgery."

Seeing the Maximals horrified expressions she decided to finish her story. "Ultimately, I ended up in a mental institution. The senate didn't want my story to get out so most of the doctors wouldn't come near me with a ten-foot pole. However, there was one psychologist who was willing to help me. A doctor who specialized in treating the after effects of the recently legalized body modification surgeries."

"Rung." Jack interrupted. "That's how you met Rung."

Arcee smiled at the two and nodded. "He helped me heal mentally after my transition. That's how I knew he'd be able to help you kids."

"That's not the only person she met." Came a chilling, unknown voice, catching them by surprise.

Looking up at the rocks above Arcee, they saw what looked like a purple Cybertronian with a gaunt, paper white face and red optics. His overall appearance seemed to be akin to a samurai with a horned helmet and small wings attached to the back of his shoulders. On his back was a sword similar to the one Drift carried.

As the stranger leapt down from his perch, Miko and Jack drew their weapons. "Oh slag, a Decepticon!" The former yelled as the latter readied his whip.

The stranger glared at the two Maximals. "Young femme, I do not tolerate that kind of language. And second of all, I am not now, nor have I ever, been a Decepticon." He ended with a sneer. Upon closer inspection, they noticed an absence of any faction insignia.

Arcee gave a sigh. "It's okay, he's a friend, I think." She muttered the last bit. She had wondered when he'd show up again. "Cyclonus, it's been a while." She got up and walked over to him, offering a servo. Hoping this conversation wouldn't be as difficult as their last one.

Cyclonus sneered at the offered servo. "Yes, it's been a while since you swore to me that you'd hunt down Tailgates' killer." He replied coolly. He turned his gaze to the two Maximals as they returned their weapons. "Although I see that hasn't stopped you from taking on replacement partners. I notice Cliffjumper isn't here." He finished with a scowl.

"Now Cyclonus, you're not being fair." Arcee argued, anger rising. She couldn't believe He'd bring Cliff up like that. She'd only briefly introduced him via comms to point out she'd have help completing her vengeance.

"No, Arcee. What's not fair is having my Conjunx Endura join the Autobots despite my warnings only for him to be cut down by a psychopath." He interrupted. "A psychopath that is now active on this world."

Jack took a step forward. "What do you mean active? Last we saw she was shoved into a stasis pod."

Acee looked at him. "The pod was lost with the outpost. I wouldn't be surprised if the Decepticons did release her." She swallowed. She knew the irate swordsbot in front of her wouldn't like that.

"What!" Cyclonus shouted, glaring at her. "You had her locked in a stasis pod and didn't kill her!" He bellowed. "You didn't complete the vendetta?"

"That's not how the Autobots operate!" Jack yelled, coming to Arcees' defense. Miko put a hand on his shoulder to keep him from doing or saying anything stupid. A complete reversal to her and Jacks' usual dynamic.

Taking a minute to compose himself, Cyclonus continued. "Arcee, I admit the main reason I left the vendetta to you was because Airachnid killed him as a way to torture you." He looked at the Maximals and then back to her. "However, since Airachnid is now active on this planet and your status as an Autobot soldier seems to supersede anything else I will now take over the mission to exterminate her."

Jack seemed like he wanted to argue but Arcee silenced him with a shake of her head. "Very well Cyclonus." She said, using what sounded like a legal formula. "Having failed in my mission, I cede the vendetta to you." Nodding, Cyclonus transformed into a futuristic needle nosed jet with backwards looking wings and took off.

Once he'd disappeared over the mountain, Jack broke the heavy silence. "Arcee, why did you let him talk to you like that?" He asked. He'd never known Arcee to just lay back and take any kind of insult.

"Because to a point, he's right." Arcee sighed. "I met Tailgate at the same institute I met Rung. He was the first bot to not shy away from me after I told him I'm trans and we became Amica Endura or best friends almost immediately. He fell in love with Cyclonus and became his Conjunx a few years after he was released." She decided not to mention that he was there for treatment after spending nearly a million years alone underground.

She looked at Jack and Miko. "Cyclonus wasn't as understanding as Tailgate but accepted me as a friend for his sake." She sighed again; her optics full of sorrow. "He tried to talk Tailgate out of joining the war, tried to convince him to go off world with the other neutrals. He reluctantly supported his choice to join and when Airachnid killed him, we both swore a vendetta that one of us would kill her. Somewhat like how Miko and Wheeljack went after Hardshell." She finished, pointing out the Wreckers' revenge mission.

"I was granted the first chance for the reason Cyclonus said. However, having had her at my mercy in the stasis pod and not killing her, I failed in that mission. Cyclonus, being next in line will now hunt her down." She finished.

"He'll have a harder time tracking me than he thinks." Came a scarily familiar voice.

The trio barely had time to react when Arcee was shot by Airachnids' webbing, sticking her to the cliff face. Miko went to pull her katanas, but ended up being webbed to the rock she'd initially landed on before she could draw them. Finally, she landed in her spider mode, landing a kick to Jacks' midsection, knocking him into Arcee and disorientating him.

"You know." She began. "When one of my Insecticons mentioned something about humans being turned into techno-organics, I didn't believe him." She scoffed. "Now I'm almost sorry I ripped his spark out."

She stepped up to Jack. "Well well well, what do we have here?" She preened, taking a closer look at Jack. With a flick of her wrist, she stuck him to the cliff face before he could clear his head. "If it isn't little Jack Darby, or not so little anymore." She purred, running a finger seductively along the side of his face.

Miko struggled against the webbing. That was the spider bitch that tried to slag both Jack and his mom. Now she was admiring him like a piece of meat. She was just itching to throw some of her kunai now.

Unfortunately, her struggling garnered Airachnids' attention. "And here we have my little Jacks' mate." Miko blushed. She attempted a comeback but was cut off. "Don't even, I've killed enough couples to know the signs. I think I'll kill you first, just to see the look on his face. Don't worry though, he'll join you soon after." She smirked. "I hate to separate a happy couple though so I'll make sure to hang your heads next to each other." She finished as Jack began to struggle, his head finally clearing.

She turned to Arcee. "You know, I was watching you three for some time now. Enough to hear your entire sob story." She said looking Arcee in the optic. "While I commend you for taking the leap you did, you really traded down. I've met your brother and he wouldn't've been captured so easily." She added with a smirk.

Turning back to Miko and shifting into her bot form, she extended a finger that was now glowing a sickly green. "Now, since I want to preserve your heads for the first of my new trophies, I think a little poison is in order." Strolling up to the struggling femme she jabbed the tip of her finger into her arm and dispensed the poison.

Seeing what was about to happen, Jack redoubled his struggle against the webbing. As Miko was being injected the sounds he made went from basic grunts to more bestial growling. Still the web didn't give way. He stopped when he sensed the shadow of Airachnid looming over him. "Okay big boy, your turn." With that she injected him with the same poison she'd just given to Miko.

As Airachnid was infecting the Maximals Arcee began to struggle against her bonds too. "Airachnid, this is between you and me." She grits out. "Leave them alone."

Laughing, Airachnid turned back to Arcee. "Arcee, this stopped being just between you and I when Jack blew up my ship along with my collection. Besides, of all the mechs and femmes I've played with, you were always one of my favorites. So strong and stoic when attacked but harm someone you care about, and you crumble like a cheap paint job."

She stepped aside and gestured to Miko. "Now, I gave her a stronger dose, and we're going to stay and watch as she dies. Jack should start to feel his systems shutting down while his mate is in her death throes. He'll take a little while to expire but that'll make it all the more satisfying."

Arcee felt her spark chamber breaking. "Please." She beseeched. "Kill me, but give them the antidote. Don't do this." She finished with a whisper. She didn't think she could stand losing either of them let alone both.

Airachnid laughed. "Who said I had an antidote. Don't worry though, once you witness the removal of their heads, I'll put you out of your misery. I learned my lesson the last time, never leave a victim alive to-."

She was cut off as a familiar purple needle nosed jet slammed into her carrying her away from her victims. "On the contrary." Cyclonus called over the rushing wind. "The only one who dies today will be you." With that he transformed in midair and kicked Airachnid hard towards the ground.

Airachnid opened her optics in time to see her opponent, sword drawn, dropping down to deliver a blow. Rolling out of the way she switched back to her spider mode, his sword slicing through the rock her head had been next to seconds ago. Crossing two of her spider legs in front of her she caught his sword as he turned to strike again, although the force he put into the blow drove her back several paces. Whoever this bot was, he was a seasoned warrior.

She growled. "Look, I don't know what Megatron said to you, but I'm not-"

Cyclonus cut her off. "I don't know why everyone thinks I'm a Decepticon, but I assure I'm not one." He backed up a pace, lowered his sword swung and spun, taking off one of Airachnids spider legs. "And as I plan to kill the one that killed my Conjunx Endura, I'm no Autobot either."

He lunged forward, aiming at her neck. Gritting her dentia at the pain of losing a limb she blocked him with her spider legs again. Priming another dose of poison, she growled. "I don't know who or what you are, but I've had enough!" She yelled. She went to stab Cyclonus in the abdomen with her poison, only for him to spin away and bring his sword down, severing the finger with the poison in it.

Grunting in pain she transformed into her helicopter mode to escape only for her opponent to sever two of the rotor blades with his sword, grounding her. Quickly she shifted into her bot form and deployed her guns. She fired on Cyclonus who used his sword to deflect the blasts. As he deflected the second one, she caught the blade with some webbing and with a yank, tore the sword from his hands.

Seeing the tables had turned she grinned. "Lost your weapon huh. Now tell me, what do you call a warrior without a weapon?" She lunged for Cyclonus, holding her guns out to fire at point blank range.

Cyclonus growled. "A warrior still." With that he somersaulted under her blasts and drove both his feet into her abdomen. Putting all his strength into the kick he flipped her, the momentum causing her to smash upside down into a nearby cliff face. Seeing his sword off to his left he picked it up and pulled the webbing off it.

Shaking away the cobwebs, Airachnid saw that Cyclonus had retrieved his sword and was turning back towards her. "Tailgate my love, wherever your spark now resides, I hope you hear me and know you'll be avenged." He said as he advanced.

Hearing the name and remembering who it belonged to, Airachnid had an idea. "Tell me, how would your beloved Tailgate feel if he knew you left two sparklings to die? Let alone the fact that you left his Amica Endura to watch like she watched him die." She taunted deciding to rub salt in the wound.

Seeing Cyclonus hesitate she continued. "It's your choice big boy, you can either kill me here and now, or you can go help them before my poison takes them." From his expression she already knew his decision. Honorable bots were usually scrap when confronted by their own moral codes.

Looking to his right, Cyclonus saw the finger he'd severed earlier. It still had the venomous glow to it but it was fading. With luck he could use the Starshades' med kit to make an antidote. Giving a sigh he whispered. "I'm sorry Tailgate."

With that he jumped right, picking up the finger and sheathing his sword in one fluid motion. The second his back was turned Airachnid attempted to get the jump on him. What she didn't expect was for him to transform in front of her and hit the afterburner. Unfortunately, she was close enough to get a full blast of exhaust to the left side of her face, scorching it. Cyclonus barely registered the scream before he was out of range.

"Starshade, lock on my location and descend." He radioed his ship, heading back to Arcee and the Maximals.

The several minutes after Cyclonus flew off with Airachnid seemed to last hours for Arcee. The moment the two were out of sight she renewed her struggles. If nothing else to reach her comms to call for Ratchet, or First-Aid, or Raf, anybot who could help the two. However, for all her strength, she couldn't break out of the webbing.

Pausing to check she saw that Miko was now groaning in pain, trying to curl in on herself as the venom began to make its' way to her spark.

Jack on the other hand was struggling just as hard as Arcee was. If he could just get far enough out to grab his whip, he could cut them all loose. Hearing Miko groaning in pain combined with the pain from his own injection only spurred him on, not knowing his exertions were making the poison spread faster.

Feeling the latest surge of pain fade, Miko looked at the two across from her. "H-Hey you two." She panted. "I'm all right, just need to catch my breath before." She bit back a groan as a fresh wave of pain tore through her.

"Miko, Jack don't struggle. It'll only make the poison spread faster." Arcee called as she began struggling again. "I swear I'll get you two out of this." She would NOT let anything happen to them. Not after they'd fully accepted her.

"Jack, Arcee, if I don't make it, please remember this wasn't your fault." Miko grit out.

A tear ran down Jacks' face. "It wasn't yours either." He whimpered in both pain and sadness, wishing with all his spark to hold her.

Further conversation was cut off as Cyclonus returned and transformed in front of Jack and Arcee. He'd heard the last thirty or so seconds of conversation and it had him thinking hard about how he'd spoken before.

"Hold still." He said, drawing his sword. With several swings he sliced through the webbing holding them up. Arcee stumbled a bit and stood up but Jack had collapsed to the ground and began crawling over to Miko.

Turning to the moaning femme, Cyclonus quickly cut her loose. Catching her, he balanced her on one arm and picked up Jack in the other. A sudden shadow darkened the area, but looking up revealed a grey, box like ship that was landing near them.

"Come on." Cyclonus said motioning to an opening hatch. "The Starshades' med kit should be able to give us a viable antidote from this." Looking at his hand, Arcee saw a familiar looking severed finger.

Nodding, the two ran for the ships' opening. Going down a hall and turning right they came to a room with two berths which Cyclonus gently put the Maximals down on. Once he made sure they were comfortable, Cyclonus initiated the built-in scanners and walked over to the computer. Placing the severed finger on an additional scanner the computer began to identify the toxin.

Looking at the computer readout, he grimaced. "Alright, good news is the computer is starting to synthesize the antitoxin. The bad news is that these two will need a high grade energon infusion soon for them to live long enough to get it and we don't have much time.

Arcee looked around the room and saw what she was looking for, transfusion kits. Taking one of the small boxes, she connected it to her chest. Just over her spark chamber. "My innermost energon should do it then." She said turning to the Maximals.

Cyclonus looked at her wide opticed. "Do you have enough for both of them?" Donating one dose to someone was pushing it, but two in a row was risky. Giving too much innermost energon at one time can kill a Cybertronian.

Arcee glared at him. "I already lost Tailgate and Cliffjumper. I'll be damned to the pit if I lose anyone else." She replied angrily, taking Cyclonus by surprise.

Turning to Jack she unraveled the tubing and smaller needle box and went to connect it to his energon reservoir before his hand stopped her. "No." Jack groaned in pain. "Miko, first." He gritted out." Arcee hesitated a second before hearing Miko moan again. "Please." Jack begged.

Looking her partner in the eye, Arcee nodded and turned to Miko. Quickly, she placed the small box on the abdomen, right over her reservoir tank as she remembered from Ratchets' explanations. Activating the device, Arcee barely registered the hypodermic needle drilling through her spark casing and into the energon that collects in it around her spark. She watched in relief as the blue glow of energon flowed through the tubing and into Miko.

A few minutes later, Mikos ragged breathing began to ease as she slipped into unconsciousness. The energon infusion was diluting the poison. Arcees' vision however was becoming a little blurry as the device signaled that the transfusion was finished and she felt lightheaded.

Trying to shake the cobwebs she turned to infuse Jack only to find something she hadn't expected. Cyclonus had taken a second transfusion kit and connected it between him and Jack while she wasn't looking. Jack looked decidedly uneasy with the whole thing but his breathing was beginning to ease too.

Cyclonus looked at her. "Tailgate wouldn't have wanted you to risk yourself. Not when someone was there to ease the burden." He spoke.

Several minutes later the computer beeped. "The antidote's finished." He saw two vials of orange substance emerge from the computer. "There's an injection gun next to the transfusion kits, you can inject this one when the transfusion is finished."

Picking up the injector and scrambling over to the computer, Arcee grabbed the vials. Loading the first dose into the gun she placed it against the same arm Airachnid had injected her in. She gave a sigh of relief as the antidote drained into the femme; they'd been in time.

A beeping drew her attention. She turned back to Jack and Cyclonus in time to see Cyclonus remove the transfuser from his chest and Jacks' abdomen. Stepping up to the berth she gave Jack his injection.

"Miko's alright partner." She spoke. "The antitoxin will probably take some time to work fully but she's out of the woods. Just sleep for now and we'll head back to base when you wake up." Jack nodded and drifted to sleep, leaving Arcee and Cyclonus alone with each other.

Cyclonus nodded towards the door. "Would you follow me?" He asked. Arcee followed him down the hall, both of them light headed and using the wall for support, into another room. Inside she saw what looked like a simple Hab suite or bedroom. The thing that drew her attention though was a hologram statue of Tailgate.

Seeing what she was looking at, Cyclonus spoke. "Arcee, I owe you an apology." He began. "I was so focused on Tailgates fate and my own anger that I began to forget the kind of bot he was. Tailgate was always a caring, compassionate bot, if not a little naïve at times."

He looked over at Arcee. "Ultimately, he'd be very disappointed in the way I treated you today. Let alone the fact I was almost willing to let two young sparklings die to satisfy a vendetta." He gave a sigh. "In the end, you respected the past by trying to offline Airachnid, but grew as an individual by moving on and letting others in."

Arcee was stunned. In the time she'd known Cyclonus she'd never known him to apologize whatsoever. "You may not have moved on yet Cyclonus, but you have grown as a person too. This is the first time I ever heard you apologize for anything."

Cyclonus gave Arcee a genuine smile. "Thank you. Oh, and I'm sorry for how I acted in regards to you being transgender. While I didn't understand it, you were Tailgates' friend and that should have told me all I needed to know. And for that I can never apologize enough.

Arcee smiled back at him. "You know you're welcome to come back to base with us. If you want to."

Cyclonus shook his head. "No, I stand by my staying out of the war. I do however plan to stay and hunt down Airachnid and finish the vendetta." He looked back at Arcee. "However, I will drop you off at your base, and if you or your charges have true need of me, call." With that he offered a servo. Nodding, Arcee accepted the offered servo.

Meanwhile, in a cavern several miles away from where Cyclonus left her, Airachnid was examining the damage she'd sustained in a pool of water. While she'd been able to reattach the parts that Cyclonus had severed excepting her finger, the burns on her face were likely going to leave scars.

Silently she berated herself. When she'd heard Arcee she figured that she could get started on her revenge. Finding Jack and his mate with her had been an added bonus. However, her plan hadn't accounted for interlopers, and she paid the price for it.

Looking out at the cavern she saw that the Insecticons were about to replicate for the second time since she'd escaped. She smiled to herself. "Only a setback, once my Insecticon hive is big enough again, I'll be able to track them all down. It's only a matter of time now." She laughed as the Insecticons doubled in number.

Notes:

Quite a ride huh? Cyclonus is based almost entirely off his IDW version, hence the 'not a Decepticon' thing. That's also where I got the notion of Arcee being transgender albeit with my own twist. I hope I handled her coming out tactfully. Originally, I hadn't planned to include Miko but she just worked her way in. Next time on Beast Wars Prime, Mentors.

Chapter 22: Masters and Mentors

Notes:

I admit this is mostly a filler chapter with the task of assigning the new human based Maximals Autobot partners. Just a little disclosure here, I've not had any medical training so if any of the practices I describe in this chapter are off. It's because I'm making it up as I go. So please, enjoy, kudo and comment.

"Now remember." Drift said as he looked over the collective Maximals. "Situational awareness is key to any battle. One must be aware of their surroundings, as well as themselves. When one is attacked one must remember ones capabilities to turn said situation to their advantage."

Looking over the top of the group he pointed behind them. "Wheeljack, will you please help me demonstrate?" Nodding, Wheeljack came to stand before Drift.

Turning back to the group he explained. "Now, we are going to demonstrate a few basic diffusion techniques. These are designed to turn your opponents attacks against them and subdue them without killing them." He turned back to Wheeljack. "Wheeljack, come at me."

Giving a nod, Wheeljack leapt into the air and aimed a kick at Drifts' head. With lightning speed Drift caught Wheeljacks' leg and gave a spin. Using the momentum from his kick, Drift spun a hundred and eighty degrees and released his grip. With a yell Wheeljack went flying across the hangar and smashed into the wall.

Turning back to the Maximals, Drift continued. "Now, most forms of diffusion involve turning an opponents' attack against them. Often times debilitating them non lethally." He finished.

"So basically, alien Aikido?" Sierra asked. She was familiar with some forms of martial arts and the techniques seemed similar.

"They are surprisingly similar." Drift admitted. "I believe that, with proper practice, you all should be competent in it in a few weeks." He spun around and grabbed Wheeljacks' incoming fist. The other Wrecker had been sneaking up on him. "In addition, I will be helping you all with weapons training to hone your skills."

Tightening his grip on his opponents' fist, he swung downward, causing Wheeljack to flip and land flat on his back. "Thank you for the visualization for situational awareness Wheeljack." He said, helping him up. "Now, I will divide you into pairs for practice. One of you will try to punch or kick, the other will redirect the attack."

And so it went, Jack ended up partnered with Allison, which proved to be problematic as she seemed to have some problems controlling her Nucleon discharges. Jack ended up twitching on the ground when he tried to catch her foot.

Depthcharge, who was only reluctantly partaking in this course, partnered with Raf. This was mostly due to them being the only bots with similar heights. Depthcharge had Raf on his back after spinning him around. Unfortunately, he got a little cocky and stood over him. "And that is how to beat a taller oppon-" He was cut off as Raf swung his feet up and drove them into his back, sending him flying.

Raf huffed as he got up. "Lesson learned." He replied, offering a hand to help him up. Depthcharge accepted it with a nod.

Miko had been partnered with Sierra, although this ended up backfiring a little when Miko went to do a kick and Sierra panicked. Mid leap Sierra tossed one of her "seed snares" which quickly grew and wrapped Miko in vines. While she was familiar with martial arts, she'd never been attacked before. "Shit, sorry Miko."

With a brief flash of burgundy, Miko teleported out of the snare. "No problem side salad." She quipped. "Good reaction time, just need to get you used to active combat." She wrinkled her brow a bit, she was still kicking herself for forgetting about her teleporting ability when Airachnid had her.

Drift stood off to the side with Vince, the odd Maximal out. Observing the battles, he made note of which Maximals would need further help and mentally connecting them with the bot most able to do so. Looking down he saw Vince pinch the bridge of his nose. "Are you all right young one?" He asked, kneeling down.

Wincing, Vince looked up. "Yes master, it's just, with my hearing, it's hard to focus with so much noise." While his hearing had become more manageable, he still had a hard time filtering noises and speech with it.

Nodding, Drift knelt down. "I think I know just the bot to help. And please, just call me Drift." Standing up he clapped his hands together. "Alright everyone, I think that's enough practice for now. From what I observed, some of you will need specialized training. Rafael, I know you have a lesson with Ratchet in fifteen minutes." He said gesturing to the lift leading to the Lost Light.

As Raf exited, Drift turned to address the remaining Maximals. "Now, everyone except for Jack, Miko, and Depthcharge is to go to the Lost Light to meet with the bot I've assigned to mentor you." He turned to Vince, Sierra, and Allison.

"Vince, once you're in the ship head for communications. That is where you'll find Blaster. He has the same level of super hearing you do and can help you gain control of yours." Vince nodded and went to wait for the lift to return.

"Allison." He continued. "You will report to Trailbreaker, the ships' head of security. His force fields work similarly to your Nucleon and has expert control of it. If anybot onboard can teach you how to master it it's him." Rung had told him in confidence that Allisons' panic attacks were coming under control with his techniques. The next step was control and execution of her powers.

Then he turned to her sister. "Sierra, I want you to find Nightbeat. He is an expert at thinking under pressure and can show you techniques to keep you from panicking in a fight."

Sierra nodded. While she was alright joining in a battle as her performance at the beach attested to. When surprised she tended to strike first, ask questions later. "No problem." She then joined the others at the lift to the Lost Light.

Drift turned to face the remaining three Maximals. "Now, Jack and Miko. From what I saw you two have the most combat experience out of the techno organic Maximals. Considering what I've learned about the popular culture you've been exposed to, I'm not particularly surprised." The two blushed a little at the reminder of their similar childhood interests.

"I will be training the both of you in Circuit-Su, to hone your bodies, minds, and sparks to peak fighting form." Drift continued. "I also believe this will help Jack fully grasp his connection with Vector Sigma."

"In addition to that I will be teaching Jack the art of Crystalocution, that is the use of pressure and stress points to defeat a wide variety of opponents. Miko will be taught Metallikato, to improve your swordsmanship." Drift finished, the two nodding in acceptance.

"That's well and good for them." Depthcharge spoke. "But what am I doing here?"

Drift turned to the former Decepticon. "I thought you might like a refresher course after being resurrected." He smiled a little. "Besides, it never hurts to learn a few new tricks." He replied.

With a sigh Depthcharge nodded. "Fair point, I'm sure my usual combat techniques have been taught to the Vehicons by now." He grumbled.

"My thoughts exactly." Drift replied sitting cross legged on the floor. "Now, if the three of you will join me. I will show you a meditation technique that will allow for a better spark to mind connection and make your training a little easier."

As Drift and the Maximals began their meditation exercises the rest of the Maximals entered the Lost Light.

"Ah Rafael." Ratchet said as Raf entered the med bay of the ship. "Good timing, todays' lesson will be on extracting a foreign object from a previously treated mesh wound. I was able to convince Swerve here to volunteer." He explained, gesturing to the red and white Autobot laying on the berth next to him.

"I keep telling' ya Ratchet, it was only a laser blast." Swerve complained.

"Well, the scanner shows there's something actually in there so hush." Ratchet replied.

He turned to Raf. "Alright, now I've gone over the process for a basic surgery like this with you already. We even tested it out on Vehicon components. Now it's time for your first test."

"You sure the kid's competent?" Swerve asked nervously. He hadn't interacted with the Maximals all that much.

"As competent as I was at that point in my training. We'll have that bullet out of your shoulder in a bit." Ratchet assured. "Now, as you perform the procedure, say each step." He said gesturing to the surgical area. "The bullet is the left eye of his Autobot insignia."

Raf quirked a brow. Strange place to get shot but he had a surgery to do. "Alright Swerve just lay back and try to relax." He soothed.

Raf extended his left pointer finger. "First clean the surgical site." From his finger sprayed a disinfectant that cleaned a surgical area and evaporated rapidly. "Second, apply local anesthesia." He placed his left thumb over Swerves' shoulder. A beam of white light which he learned was a null ray covered the area, numbing it. Raf was really thankful that his medical tools were all built into his hands.

"Third, make the incisions then peel back the surface metal." He continued. Raising his right pointer finger this time, he deployed a small laser scalpel. Making an X slightly bigger than the insignias' eye, he switched out his scalpel with a pair of forceps from his middle finger.

Gently, Raf peeled back the surface metal. "Next retrieve the object." This was the easy part for him. It looked like the bullet didn't go too far in and the wound tract didn't' heal properly. Swerve grunted a bit as the forceps made contact with the bullet, telling Raf that he'd found it and could now retrieve it. Opening the forceps, he gently griped the bullet and pulled it out.

Placing the bullet in a pan next to him, Raf continued. "Next, flush the wound with disinfectant." Reactivating the dispenser, he sprayed it into the wound tract and watched as it evaporated. "Finally, seal the incision."

After moving the surface metal back in place, he deployed a spot welder from his right thumb and gingerly welded the X he'd made closed again. "And for good measure." He placed his right palm over the surgical site and activated his CR pulse. This had the double effect of healing the wound tract and dispelling the null ray.

Swerve sat up and rubbed at his shoulder. "Wow, for a first timer that was pretty good." He got up and shook Rafs' hand. "Swing by my bar some time, first rounds on the house."

"Ah ah ah, big rule for the Maximals is no Engex." That had been nurse Darbys' rule. It didn't matter what they were now. They were still not allowed to have anything akin to alcohol until they'd reached twenty-one Earth years old.

"Eh, we'll think of something." Swerve replied as he walked out of the med bay.

Shaking his head Ratchet turned to Raf. "That'll be all for this lesson today, you passed with flying colors. Next time I'll be demonstrating limb reattachment on cadaver limbs so study up on limb anatomy. And do you remember my triage rule?"

Raf nodded. "Always treat the most life-threatening injuries first. Fix the breached spark casing or punctured fuel line before reinserting the T-cog or reattaching the limb." He quoted.

Ratchet smiled. "Very good, I know you and Bumblebee have a game topside so I won't keep you. Class dismissed." As Raf left the med bay First-Aid and Velocity came up to him.

"Sweet kid." Velocity smiled. "I think he'll have an easier time with his exams than I did." She stated.

"How many times did it take you to pass yours?" Ratchet asked, trying to make conversation with the newcomer.

Velocity sighed. "Ten." Ratchet and First-Aid both stared at her. "I have trouble focusing and medicine isn't a popular field on Caminus." She explained.

Ratchets' brows narrowed. "You're from one of the colony worlds?" He asked. There hadn't been any communications from any of them for years before the war.

"Yeah." Velocity replied. "Lightbright, Nautica, and I are all from Caminus. Simply put, we left because we didn't fit in with the borderline toxic social structures and preforming arts culture that permeated that world. We met up with the Lost Light after a few years of traveling together and found our places on it." She explained.

"Aside from Velocity becoming one of our doctors, Nautica is our head of engineering and Lightbright is our systems analyst. Which is really just a fancy word for hacker." First-Aid explained. "What I'm more interested in is that bullet Rhinox pulled out of Swerve."

Ratchet looked down at the pan. The bullet had a faint blue pulse of light to it. "You noticed it too?"

"I was trained to recognize a data slug the same as you. I just thought it was a laser blast like Swerve said and left it be." First-Aid replied.

"Data slug?" Velocity asked.

"It's how some of our deep cover agents in the Decepticons get messages to us." First-Aid explained. "In that bullet is a microchip with intel on it. Our spies are taught to fire it into the left eye of the Autobot insignia and our medics are taught to recognize it and recover the bullets."

"Right." Ratchet said picking up the pan with the bullet in it. "Now If you'll excuse me, I need to get this to Optimus."

While Raf was prepping for surgery, Vince was making his way towards communications. Along the way he heard bits and pieces of conversations as he passed.

"Now, as you perform the procedure say each step."

"Where did I put my wrench."

"I love you too Domey."

"How did you manage to get access to my top-secret G.I. Joe files!?"

Vince snorted at that last one. He'd have to ask Fowler how he was connected to G.I. Joe sometime.

He arrived at the communications door and was about to knock when he heard it. "You can come in man, I heard you coming halfway down the hall." Came a voice that sounded like it belonged to a radio DJ.

The door opened and Vince was greeted by a red, grey and yellow Autobot with what looked like a clear glass chest similar to Perceptors'. His head sported what looked like a winged helmet crossed with a pair of sunglasses with blue lenses. "So, you're the young Padawan I get to train." He grinned.

Vince quirked a brow. Padawan? How did this guy know about Star Wars? "Er, hi, my name's Vince, but my field name's Nightscream."

"Well as you already know, my name's Blaster. Autobot communications expert and now a Earth pop culture junkie." Blaster said, kneeling down. "Now, from what I hear, you have the same super hearing that I do right?"

"Yeah." Vince replied. He didn't know what it was about Blaster, but something about him made Vince want to trust him. "I can hear almost everything that goes on within a mile or so radius of wherever I'm at. Problem is I hear it all at once so I can't understand most of it."

"That's an easy enough problem to start sorting out, but first." He put his left leg in front of Vince and upon closer inspection, he noticed there were speakers built into it. "Do you mind?"

Confused, Vince nodded. "Sure."

A pules of sound came from the speakers. Not loud but enough for Vince to notice.

"Sorry man, just needed to know exactly what you looked like." Blaster explained.

"Excuse me?" Vince asked, even more confused.

Blaster chuckled and pulled back on his helmet a bit. The glasses retracted revealing two gaping, empty eye sockets. "If you'll pardon the expression Nightscream." He said, sliding this helmet and glasses back into place. "I'm blind as a bat. Using that sound pulse was one way for me to 'see' you." He explained.

At Vinces' silence he smiled. "I'll explain later, but first I have a lesson to teach." Stepping back, he transformed into a red and yellow Hummer with a clear glass hood. On closer inspection Vince saw what looked like a gold engine. "Come on, my quarters are around the corner."

Transforming into beast mode, Vince climbed inside Blaster. Idly he noticed that the speakers in Blasters' legs had effectively taken up the whole trunk space of his Vehicle mode. The trip took a grand total of three minutes, but Vince loved the feeling like he was driving the hottest car in town again.

Arriving at Blasters quarter Vince got out so the both of them could transform. "Here we are, mi casa, su casa." Blaster said leading them in. The inside of the hab suite was sparsely decorated, as seemed to be the norm in most cases. One thing did draw his attention though.

"Is that a jukebox?" Vince asked incredulously. It was alien in design and obviously built for Cybertronians, but it had the overall look of one.

Blaster laughed. "The first thing you need to know about me isn't that I'm blind. It's that I love all kinds of tunes. And that isn't all it does." He pressed a button near the top and the jukebox transformed into a DJ booth. "This way I can spread the joy, anytime anywhere."

"Okay Blaster, enough showing off. We still have to help him with his hearing." Came another voice. This one sounding like a low growl.

"Who said that?" Vince asked looking around. That was way too close to be from outside.

Blaster shook his head. "Well since you ruined the surprise you might as well come out now." He said, turning the DJ booth back into a Jukebox. "Say hello to Steeljaw."

Blasters' chest opened up like a tape deck and from it came a gold-colored cassette that hung in the air for a second before transforming into a lion about half the size of Jacks' beast mode. "Woah." Vince gasped, realizing that this bot was also the engine he'd seen earlier.

"Nice to see I can still inspire awe after all this time." The lion said. "As Blaster mentioned, my name is Steeljaw, and I'll be helping you in these lessons."

"Alright then." Vince said sitting down. "Where do we start?"

"The first step in controlling super hearing is how to filter out unnecessary sound." Blaster began.

"To do that." Steeljaw continued. "You must learn to focus on one thing at a time. When I was taught to control my sense of smell in the rescue corps, that was the primary lesson."

Blaster continued. "That lesson, translated into super hearing, is to focus solely on what you need to hear. So, for starters, focus on something or someone important to you, and listen for it."

Vince closed his eyes. Sierra immediately popped into his mind and he smiled. He couldn't help crushing on her. If only she felt the same way.

Suddenly her voice came into his head. She was talking to someone. "You mean you caught that crab bot once before?" She asked.

"Yes, unfortunately the cons decided to commute his life sentence." Came another voice that put him in mind of Joe Kenda. That must be the bot Drift assigned her. Nightbeat.

"Alright, now to reel in your hearing. As bad as it might sound you just have to focus purely on yourself." Blaster continued.

"There are times in life when you must take care of yourself." Steeljaw added. "That is not selfishness, it is simple self-care and nothing to be ashamed of."

Reluctantly, Vince pulled himself away from the sound of Sierras' voice. "Alright. Reeling in." He whispered. To his complete surprise not only did Sierra and Nightbeats' voices vanish, so did all the other noise that was flooding his mind. "Woah, how did?"

"You put your focus on what is in front of you. That is the first and biggest exercise of our training." Steeljaw supplied. "That will be your assignment until we can meet again."

"Right." Blaster said. "Monitoring for Decepticon activity is a full-time job in itself. Thankfully Lightbright agreed to take over while we have this lesson." He took a breath. "Now, I believe I owe you an explanation." He said hinting towards his glasses.

"You don't have to explain. It seems personal." Vince tried to placate.

"It is, but I've been told talking about it helps." Blaster rebutted.

"I've been telling you to make an appointment with Rung." Steeljaw grumbled.

"You see, before the war broke out, I was actually a reporter." Blaster continued, pretending he didn't hear. "Unfortunately, the news outlet I reported for was government sponsored. That is, we were owned by the senate so a lot of the things that would've been newsworthy, were censored."

"That kind of defeats the purpose of free press." Vince commented. Just how bad was the government on Cybertron before the war.

Blaster laughed. "Tell me about it. As a way to rebel I began hosting a pirate radio show about all the things they were covering up. The story that ultimately got me in trouble was about the smelting pools. It was where they were taking the dead to be melted down and turned into raw building material regardless of their wishes."

"I'm guessing some of them had other preferences then. That's bad but if they were dead." There was a pause, then his eyes widened. "Unless they weren't all dead." Vince said with a sick feeling in his stomach.

Nodding, Blaster continued. "There were several that weren't dead yet, but they were working class bots who would've cost too much to repair. There was one bot there called Scrounge. He was a messenger bot who'd been caught in a gas explosion and instead of taking him to a hospital, they just wrote him off and slated him for smelting."

Blaster took a shuddering breath. "I tried to save him. I hung from a cable with one hand and held onto Scrounge with the other. He made me promise to tell the world what was happening and he let go of me. I watched him vanish in the molten metal." He finished, his voice raising an octave.

Taking a calming breath, Blaster continued. "I kept my promise, I broke the story about those condemned to the pools for not being worth the cost. Unfortunately, my escape wasn't a clean as I'd hoped that night. I was caught on camera and Straxus, the Senator behind the whole debacle, had me arrested. He couldn't have me killed because I was too well known, so he made sure I'd never see any more of the senates' wrongdoing again."

"After they blinded him, they dumped him in an alley." Steeljaw picked up where Blaster left off. "However, the loss of his sight triggered his super hearing outlier ability. When I found him that night he was writhing on the ground on sensory overload. I talked him down and taught him the same exercise we just taught you."

"Once he guided me back to my home I began learning how to operate as a blind mech. One of the first things I did however, was take advantage of a loophole in the law and had Steeljaw reassigned as a 'seeing eye bot'. We've been friends ever since." Blaster finished.

"Wow, just, wow." Vince said stunned.

Blaster nodded. "Yeah. Okay, we've got work to get back to so for now, just keep practicing that exercise and next time we can hone it a little more." He opened his chest and Steeljaw transformed and went back in.

As he was heading out, Vince spoke up. "Hey, do you guys' mind if I come down to visit on your down time? We can jam to some tunes or talk if you need it."

Blaster smiled. "Looking forward to it Nightscream, looking forward to it."

As Vince was being introduced to Blaster, Allison had made her way to Trailbreakers' office.

Entering it she saw a black and silver mech with a blue visor rapidly transforming into a F-350 truck and back again. This went on for a few moments before he shifted back to bot form and greeted her. "Ah, welcome." He greeted. "Sorry, just doing some transform ups to stay loose."

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you're Trailbreaker?" Allison asked.

"Yep, and I'm guessing you're Allison the Maximal." He replied. "Drift told me that you have an outlier ability similar to mine and wanted some help controlling it."

"Well, I don't think it's an outlier ability because the Nucleon is in my bones, but I do seem to have some control over the energy it gives off." Allie replied.

"Alright." Trailbreaker replied. "Not quite like what I can do but we'll see what happens." He transformed back into his truck mode. "There's a storeroom down the hall we can practice in. Follow me."

Allie transformed into her beast mode and the two took off. Trailbreaker was surprised that the young Maximal managed to keep up with his vehicle mode. He commented on it a minute later when they arrived and transformed. "So that's why they call it horsepower." He joked.

"Very funny. Now, how do I keep from zapping people I don't want to in a fight?" She replied sarcastically. The fact that she still had trouble controlling her powers even with Rungs' stress exercises was irritating her.

"Hey relax, we'll figure it out. No need to be snippety about it." Trailbreaker placated, kneeling down to be on an even level with her. He heard her give a self-depreciating sigh that he was all too familiar with. "And I don't need Rungs' training to tell when something's eating at you."

Allie sighed again. "That obvious huh?"

At Trailbreakers' nod she continued. "Sorry." She began. "It's just that, aside from daddy I've always been seen as Sierras' sister. Worse, back in school everyone thought we were friends and I was always shunted to the background."

She looked at her hands. "Now I have a chance to form a whole new me, and I can't even keep from hurting my friends." She finished.

"That sounds close to the problems I got." Trailbreaker sighed, sitting down next to her. "I burn through energon like kindling and I'm probably the slowest Autobot on four wheels. Not to mention the fact that I'm here mostly because I can do this."

He held out his hand and a yellow dome of energy formed over some energon cubes stacked on the other side of the room. "At least you have the chance to change your image. I'm stuck like this." Trailbreaker finished.

Listening to her mentors' words Allie scoffed. "What are you talking about?" She said, standing up to look Trailbreaker in the visor. "You're a rough and tumble bot who could probably go toe to toe with most any bot on this ship. I mean come on you're the frickin' head of security."

Trailbreaker smirked. "I know." He replied. "I just wanted to show you that despite your condition or how you view yourself, you can still become something great."

Allie cocked a brow. "You mean that self-depreciation bull was some kind of reverse pep talk?"

Trailbreaker put his hand behind his head. "A little bit." He admitted. "I do have self-confidence issues that I've been seeing Rung about. But what got me my position was my ability to break up fights via force field. Honestly though, I think our similar outlooks might be what gave Drift the idea to put us together."

"Then let's make a deal." Allie said. "You keep me from going into a funk while training me, and I'll keep you out of a funk and help you patrol." She offered.

"Deal." Trailbreaker laughed. "Now let me show you some focusing methods for how to direct your internal energy."

As the newly minted partners began to work on Allies' ability, Sierra made her way to Nightbeats' office. Upon entering she saw what looked like a cross between a detectives' office and a conspiracy theorists' workspace. Among the various filing cabinets were several boards breaking down several potential conspiracies that had what looked like strings going between them. All around it seemed like a messy spiders' nest.

"Ah, come in." Came a serious sounding voice near the back of the office. Looking over she say that it came from a powder blue and yellow Autobot who was hunched over a desk. Several crumpled cubes of energon reminding her of her dad behind a desk two pots of coffee deep into his work. "You must be the young Maximal that Drift sent me to mentor."

"Yeah." Sierra said, taking the office in. Just what kind of bot had Drift set her up with?

Nightbeat gave a small snort. "Like them? They're my notes on everything that's been happening on Earth and how they're connected to other events throughout the war. Although for some reason I can't help feeling I'm missing something." He finished.

Taking a closer look at the nearest board she saw pictures of herself and the other formerly human Maximals both before and after their transformations. The pictures of Jack, Miko, and Raf all had strings connecting to a picture of Magnaboss with a question mark next to it. She gave a sigh as she looked at the picture of her human form.

"Sorry, that was a little insensitive." Nightbeat apologized. "Now, I believe you were sent to me to learn how to keep your focus in a fight?" He asked.

Sierra nodded. "Yes, apparently, I overreact when caught by surprise and tend to lash out."

Nightbeat knelt next to her. "That's why Drift sent you to me. I made a name for myself on Cybertron as a detective. Unfortunately, I was prone to getting side tracked on cases and loosing focus on the main objective. A good example; I was investigating a cannibalistic serial killer and got distracted by a conspiracy about illegal handling of remains."

He sighed. "I got focused enough on that that Rampage slipped away."

Sierras' eyes widened. "Rampage. Rampage, why does that name sound familiar?" She asked, racking her brains.

Giving a sigh, Nightbeat explained. "He was a serial killer who developed both a penchant for devouring his victims, and a mentality that he's a celebrity. Essentially, he views himself as a cross between a movie star and the fictitious serial killer Hanibal Lector." He finished, using terms he knew she'd understand.

"So where have I heard of him?" Sierra asked.

Nightbeat pointed to a picture on another board, this time with all the known 2.0 Predacons on it. Sierra took a closer look and upon recognizing who it was exclaimed. "You mean you caught that crab bot once before?" She asked.

"Yes, unfortunately the cons decided to commute his life sentence." Nightbeat growled. "It took me almost twenty of your Earth years to track down and arrest him and now he's back."

He gave a sigh. "I honestly feel bad for Drea-, I mean Depthcharge. First, he lost his remaining brother, and now his other brothers' killer is back."

At Sierras confused look, he explained. "Depthcharge originally had two brothers named Skyquake, and Sunstorm. He wouldn't say what happened to Skyquake, only that he died, but Sunstorm was one of Rampages' early victims."

"Eventually I tracked Rampage down and captured him. I argued for the death penalty but they locked him up in the Luna-1 prison. Unfortunately, that's one of the first off world targets the Decepticons captured." He chuckled. "My argument that Rampage should've died actually impressed Depthcharge enough to change his color scheme to something similar to mine."

There was a brief pause. "Think fast!" Nightbeat shouted, training his blaster on Sierra.

Panicking Sierra threw another seed snare. This time it connected with Nightbeats' face and wrapped around his entire head. "Nightbeat?" Sierra yelled. "What the hell?"

Once Nightbeat pulled the snare off his head he looked at Sierra. "That is what our training together is going to consist of." He replied. "I'll begin telling you about various cases or bots I've worked with and at random points, come at you. When you get to the point that your consistent first instinct isn't to panic or freeze, then our lessons will be complete."

"You could've told me that before." Sierra huffed. She was so, going to kill Drift.

"Then you wouldn't've been expecting it." He replied with a smirk. This young one was going to be fun to teach.

As the newer Maximals were getting to know their new mentors/partners, a meeting of great importance was happening

"So, you mean to tell me, we now have a bot on the inside? On the Nemesis?" Agent Fowler asked. He was standing on a table in Rodimus' hab suite on the Lost Light. Around him from left to right were Rodimus, Ratchet, Optimus Prime, and Ultra Magnus. They'd just finished explaining the concept of the data slug that Rafael had pulled out of Swerve.

"We do now Agent Fowler. We don't who he's disguised as though. For all we know he could be transformed into Megatrons console on the bridge." Ultra Magnus explained.

"If you could play the message again old friend." Optimus said to Ratchet.

Nodding Ratchet pressed play on the audio device that now contained the data slug. "The message degraded a little bit being inside Swerve for so long but the 'meat' of it is still there."

"-reporting. I have managed to infiltrate the Nemesis undetected and my cover seems to be holding." The spy reported. "We seem to be heading to a planet called Earth. There are rumors that Optimus and his team are there so if you can, send these coordinates to all available Autobots. I will keep sending my reports every ten days on frequency 1984-0917. The coordinates are-" The message cut off.

"When is the next transmission due?" Rodimus asked. He was both excited to be near Optimus Prime but weary about this new development. If only they'd known about the bullet sooner. They could've been here to help long before things escalated.

"Two days." Ultra Magnus responded. He was more than a little weary about sharing this information with Fowler and Rodimus. After the Dealer incident, he just didn't trust anyone not to be a potential security risk.

"Alright." Rodimus replied. "I'll have Blaster monitor that frequency and have any transmissions sent directly to us." He knew Magnus was weary of almost everyone now, but as the ships' captain he refused to be excluded.

Magnus went to object but Optimus cut him off. "That's acceptable Rodimus. Seeing as your ship is now serving as our base of operations; you will be kept in the know. For now, we shall simply have to wait, and hope." He finished.

Hopefully their spy, whoever he was, had good news.

Notes:

Okay so I snuck a little bit of plot in at the end. I hope you enjoyed my choices and takes on the new kids' partners. For Trailbreaker I stuck simply to his G1 version. For some reason I kept thinking of Lt. Joe Kenda when I was visualizing Nightbeat. Blaster on the other hand was my mixing the 80's Marvel comics iteration and the fandoms perception of him and Soundwave being polar opposites. Hence the choice in vehicle mode and his blindness.

Next time on Beast Wars Prime- The Mayhem Attack squadron vs. The Wreckers. Ready? FIGHT!

Chapter 23: Mayhem and the Wreckers

Notes:

Welcome to another riveting chapter. Originally, I didn't PLAN to use all of the Maximals and Predacons in this chapter, but as I wrote it, it sort of snowballed. Hopefully I managed to keep the fights roughly balanced and interesting. Having said that, I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

"Alright." Ratchet said as he stood before the assembled Wreckers and Maximals. "Now remember, the purpose of this mission is to test out the new Alchemic converters I've installed." He explained. Between himself, Brainstorm, Perceptor, and Jetfire they'd been able to replicate the process the Maximals used to convert food into energon and then downscaled it into something that could be installed between a bots' fuel port or mouth and energon reservoir.

With it, the Autobots could simply fuel up in vehicle mode or drink some other form of complex liquid and turn it into useable fuel. Or at least it had worked in testing with gasoline and Gatorade. Today would be the first field test and the Wreckers had been the first to volunteer. Bulkhead, Drift, and Wheeljack had the new converters installed. Perceptor would be going along in case of technical difficulties and the Maximals would be going along as backup, and as an excuse to get off the base for a little while.

"I still say I should be going with ya mates." Jetfire said. His Australian accent had surprised the Maximals when they met him. According to him he picked it up during his time in Polyhex.

"And I told you." Fowler replied. "You aren't going out with that vehicle mode until we have a cover story. I told you that the last Skystrikers were decommissioned years ago and are too recognizable to be mistaken for anything else." He was still fuming that the bots had hacked the old G.I. Joe database. Let alone that two of the bots now had vehicle modes from it.

Jetfire crossed his arms and huffed. "Well excuse me for wanting something a bit more advanced." Despite a couple dozen years since it was first made the Skystriker was still highly advanced for humans. Hound didn't get nearly as much flak as he did for his alternate mode. Then again, according to Fowler there were still at least a few dozen V.A.M.P.s in circulation so his alternate mode was a little more believable.

"Anyway." Ratchet continued. "Once you're through the space bridge the lot of you are heading to a gas station that, for the moment is closed for 'pest control'. There the Maximals will help you three fill up in your vehicle modes. Afterwards you will perform some combat exercises to determine whether the quality of converted energon is significantly different from natural energon."

Optimus spoke next. "The success of this test could free us from our total reliance on scavenging energon and by extension, finally put us on equal footing with the Decepticons." He turned as the ground bridge flared to life. "Transform, and roll out."

With that the seven Maximals and four wreckers transformed and charged through the portal. Optimus' attention was next drawn to their newest human ally.

"Speaking of experiments." G.B. Blackrock said looking at Optimus. "Have you given any more thought to my proposal for the recovered Vehicon bodies?" He asked. Among the recovered wreckage from Darkmount were several Vehicon bodies in various states of disrepair. He took a good look at them and an idea began to form in his mind. The culmination of which he suggested to Optimus last week.

Optimus sighed. "I have Mr. Blackrock. While our troops have indeed been replenished with the arrival of the lost light, I will not discourage the humans on finding ways to defend themselves from the Decpticons. However, I will only allow the modification of one Vehicon cadaver with your Transtector technology."

"That sounds like something I can help with blokes." Jetfire added. "I may not be able to leave the base for a while." He said scowling at Fowler again. "But I can at least help get your project on its feet."

"Very well, you may begin immediately." Optimus replied. "If your prototype is successful then I have no issue with human kind producing them." 'Hopefully they could be used for something other than warfare.' He thought to himself.

As Optimus, Jetfire, and Blackrock began to hammer out details for project Transtector. Megatron was receiving an update on the Predacon projects.

"My latest two 2.0 Predacons are ready to bridge to you now Lord Megatron." Shockwave stated via the communications panel. "In my design choice I opted to use a pair of venomous fauna native to this planet."

The space bridge flared to life and through it came two new Predacons. The first was a venomous orange and blue hovercraft which quickly transformed into a frog. The second was a black and orange tank with a single tread on the underside and twin cannons on the top that seemed to be two halves of a tail. This one transformed into a large Gila monster.

"May I present Spitor and Iguanus." Shockwave introduced, the two transforming to bot form as they were introduced. "Spittors' beast mode is taken from a type of frog that is poisonous to humans and appropriately, he has been modified to both secret and weaponize various types of lethal poisons."

"Pleasure to meet ya boss." Spittor greeted, a slight gurgle in his voice. "Hope ya don't mind another toxic personality on board?" He looked at Lugnut who'd been observing the arrival. "Although, you already have plenty of toxic members in your crew."

He was cut off when Lugnut took a few steps forward. "You insolent little slag!" He yelled. His hands retracted and formed what seemed to be explosive bombs. "I should turn you into."

"Enough Lugnut." Megatron cut his enforcer off. "Spittor, you are welcome to your opinions, but if you continue to harass your fellow Decepticons." He deployed his sword and held it up to Spitors' throat. "I will take steps to ensure you hold your tongue permanently."

Blitzwing was helping to cool a fuming Lugnut. "You zee, Lord Megatron has him vell in servo." His blue face switched to the red one. "And you know better zen to use ze P.O.K.E. in here." The black face came around. "It alvays makes such und wunderbar mess." He giggled.

Megatron turned to Iguanus. "And you soldier?" Iguanus simply gave a hiss and kneeled before Megatron.

"Iguanus is unable to speak my lord." Shockwave explained. "He is however capable of a toxic bite that releases a potent fusion of ToxEn and Nucleon to great effect. While he is the slowest of my Predacons to date, he is easily as strong as Rampage."

Grinning, Megatron nodded. "Excellent. What of the clone Predacons?"

"The half dozen viable clones of the initial dozen should be finished gestating within two weeks. Another few before they can begin training with Scourge." Shockwave reported.

The conversation was interrupted by a commotion just outside the door. Turning Megatron saw Scourge had a hold of Rampage in his maw. Both bots were in beast mode. Giving the large crab a shake, a small cube popped free from his claw and landed at Megatrons' feet.

"Put me down you dumb animal." Rampage growled.

Giving a growl of his own Scourge slammed Rampage down on the floor of the bridge and transformed. "Sir, I caught this crustacean stealing."

"I see what he was attempting to do Scourge." Megatron interrupted, picking up the cube with the piece of Rampages' spark in it. "And I believe a lesson is in order." with that he squeezed the cube, driving the energon spikes into the Rampages' spark fragment.

Rampage screamed in agony, inadvertently transforming back to bot mode as he did. Several seconds later Megaron released his grip. "Remember Rampage, I hold your life in my servos now. Make another attempt like that and my next squeeze may well be the one that ends you." To reinforce his point, he squeezed for ten seconds to drive his point home.

"Lord Megatron." Shockwave interrupted. "My sensors just showed a group of Autobots as well as the Maximal hybrids have just appeared. Might I suggest sending the collective 2.0 Predacons under Scourges' command? It would allow me to test Spitor and Iguanus' combat abilities as well as Scourges leadership skills for when the clones hatch."

Closing his optics, Megatron nodded. "Very well. However, I will send the Mayhem Attack Squadron to assist them. Their power combined with our Predacons should be enough to capture the hybrids and dispatch whatever Autobots are with them."

"Logical, Lord Megatron. Once the mission is complete, send Scourge over to my lab. The Constructicons have completed a den for him and it would be logical to have him on servo for when the hatchlings are ready. Shockwave out." With that the transmission ended.

"Soundwave, inform the squadron of their new mission. Once they have left, jam all communications between their location and the Autobots. Scourge, take these three and meet the other Predacons at the staging area." Megatron ordered.

Scourge transformed and took Rampage in his maw by the leg, dragging him out of the room followed by Iguanus and Spittor. "This is why I don't work with sparklings or animals." Rampage muttered.

Meanwhile, the Wreckers had fueled up and were heading out into the open desert to test the quality of the energon produced by the converters. It had taken longer than expected and G.B. was likely going to balk at how much gas was needed to fill up the three wreckers but they were all now full of energon.

"Alright everyone." Perceptor called as they arrived at the section of desert they were going to use for practice. "To begin with we'll be doing some target practice amongst those boulders, afterwards we'll do some combat drills to see if the processed energon has any effect on overall battlefield effectiveness. I myself will participate to act as a control subject."

At their collective confused look, Perceptor sighed. "Shooting and practice bouts to make sure the new processors work. Since I don't have a converter, I'll be the comparison model." He explained. Sometimes he wondered why he bothered with his full vocabulary.

He pulled out a circular disk with a blue dome at the top and threw it at the pile of boulders. Seconds later hologram images of Megatron, Starscream, Knockout, Shockwave, and several Vehicons were standing where the boulders were. "Maximals, feel free to join in." Perceptor said.

At his words Wheeljack, Perceptor an Bulkhead deployed their guns as Drift looked on. The Maximals, excepting Jack took up position in between the Wreckers. "Ready, aim, fire!" Perceptor called out, and away they went.

Apparently Perceptor had designed the targets to be interactive. The holograms reacted when they were hit. Knockout and Shockwave got the worst of the barrage from the Maximals. Knockouts' hologram kept getting hit by both Mikos' kunai and Rafs' chain guns. Shockwave was hit repeatedly in the eye by bolts of Nucleon and sap with Vinces' sonic beam hitting it dead center.

Depthcharge had taken to firing on the hologram of Starscream. Systemically he blasted the hologram to pieces with his plasma disks. Each time he delivered a fatal blow the hologram would reset. While it wasn't the real Starscream, blasting at the hologram was very cathartic.

Perceptor, in a show of humor for the Maximals, bulls eyed three Vehicons in a row in the solar plexus, causing the holograms to react in a very human like fashion. Bulkhead and Wheeljack however focused solely on Megatron. Between the two of them they blasted the warlord apart repeatedly.

"Okay, hold fire." Perceptor called ten minutes later. The holograms flickered and vanished revealing a pile of rubble where the boulders had been. Retrieving the disk Perceptor pressed a button bringing up a holographic display with various numbers and symbols on it.

"Alright." He spoke. "According to the reader the blasts fired by Bulkhead and Wheeljack were of the exact same power and intensity as the ones I fired. The converters seem to be working well so far. Now to test the." A loud roar cut him off.

Turning to the direction of the roar they saw the original Predacon winging their way towards them. "What the?" Perceptor asked wide opticed.

"Uh oh, I was wondering when Puff the tragic dragon would show up again." Miko called, pulling her katanas.

"No problem." Jack said, drawing his whip. "It's only one of him versus eleven of us."

The ground began to shake as a flaming drill tank erupted from the ground. "Incorrect infidels." Came a regal voice as Infernus transformed back into bot mode. "For the glory of the colony, and the honor of the queen." With that, Rampage, Spittor, and Iguanus emerged from the hole in beast mode and transformed. Almost immediately afterwards Terrorsaur and Waspinator made a low-level pass in vehicle mode and transformed to join the others when Scourge landed.

"Looks like they sent the whole menagerie after us." Raf said, keeping an eye on the two new Predacons. The first four were bad, the original was worse, but these two new ones he had no idea about.

"Where the hell did they get a damned dragon?" Allison swore. It seemed the cons kept throwing curve balls at them.

"Long story." Bulkhead spoke. "But with our help we can take them."

Scourge gave a roar and transformed, surprising everyone. "You will find that to be more difficult now than before." He smirked at their shocked looks. "Especially since a second unit joins our own."

As he spoke a large white monster truck jumped over a nearby sand dune. It was soon followed by a green and yellow boat-like hovercraft and a green and golden yellow tank. The trio of vehicles transform and are faced with a mustached strong bot, a tentacled diver, and a skeletal samurai.

"The Mayhem Attack Squad? Nobody's seen these guys in deca-cycles." Bulkhead exclaimed.

"Wreckers?" Stranglehold laughed. "This is going to being fun."

"Aye." Octopunch agreed. "Tis been many cycles since we've locked guns and blades with any of these bilge rats. Going with these swabs turned out to be a good idea after all."

"True, we follow beasts. Untoward battle they go. A fight, we shall join." Bludgeon spoke.

"Oh great, we have a poet on our hands." Miko groused. "I'll explain later." She said at the others confused looks.

"Now we are more evenly matched." Scourge grinned. He turned to the Squadron. "Keep the Autobots off of us. Predacons Attack!" And with that the battle commenced.

Rampage sought Depthcharge out immediately. "Well hello Dreadwing, long time no see. Been a while since that two Shainx rent-a-cop put me away." He taunted as they began to circle each other.

"I go by Depthcharge now Rampage. And I haven't forgotten you taunting us at your trial about Sunstorm." Depthcharge growled. The comments about his and Skyquakes' younger brother taking days to die still boiled his energon.

"Oh yes, I heard about what happened to Skyquake. Shame really, I'd have liked to sample the whole set." He laughed, smacking his lips. He dodged right as Depthcharge came at him with his sword and transformed into his tank mode. "Now however, I'll just have to see what fillet of ray tastes like." He began firing as Depthcharge dodged, returning fire where he could.

Not wanting to be outdone, Infernus decided to take on Rhinox. "Lay down your arms brute. The might of the colony is far greater than anything your pathetic forces can throw at us."

Subconsciously switching to his field name, Rhinox raised a brow. "Brute? You know, even for a soldier ant, you are seriously lacking in intelligence." Sidestepping a lunge from one of Infernus' flaming drills, Rhinox deployed his guns

"You want my weapons?" He said, hoping he sounded braver than he felt. "Here's the bullets first." With that he opened fire on Infernus. The first few rounds caught him in the side before he switched to beast mode and breathed a stream of fire in return.

Dodging, Raf was unprepared for Infernus to jump onto him and attempt to bite his head off. Reacting quickly, Raf grabbed onto the mandibles and began to push his head back.

"Burn infidel!" Infernus screamed, rearing his head back to breath fire on his opponent.

"I don't think so bug brain." Nightscream yelled as he jumped onto Infernus' back. Grabbing onto the Predacons' antennas, he pulled back hard forcing him to breath his fire up into the air.

He went to fire a sonic blast into the back of Infernus' head when he was bodily picked up by Waspinator in bug mode. This also had the side bonus of pulling Infernus off of Rhinox. "Nizzze try bat bot." He buzzed, dropping him. "But Wazzzpinator was prepared for youzzz." Waspinator aimed his stinger at him and began to fire.

Dodging left and right around the toxic green stingers, Nightscream took in a deep breath and let loose a sonic blast which clipped Waspinators' right wing. Unable to sustain his own weight in the air Waspinator transformed and landed. "Ohh, bat bot will regret thatzz." With that he drew his gun and continued the barrage.

Nearby, Botanica and Mach hoof had decided to team up against one of the new Predacons. "Well hello ladies." Spitor gurgled. "Nothing personal." He said transforming into his frog mode. "But I have orders to bring you in." With that he launched his tongue at Botanica who barely leapt out of the way in time.

Botanica shuddered. Of course, one of these things just had to turn into a frog. She'd had a fear of them since an old bully at a foster home had put one down her shirt. Taking a breath, she reminded herself that she needed to do like Nightbeat said and keep focused.

Mach hoof however couldn't help herself. 'Woah there slimeball." She smirked at Botanica. "If anyone's going to be giving my sister tongue it's Vinnie."

"Allie!" Botanica shrieked. She seriously hoped that Nightscream was focused on his fight and didn't hear that. What on Earth was she thinking.

"Sorry sis, just trying to lighten the mood." She said deploying her saber as Spittor transformed back into bot mode and pulled out a small gun. "Seriously though, I have an idea. Remember when you got your tongue stuck on that frozen pole in Idaho?" She whispered.

Botanica blushed. That wasn't her proudest moment but she could see where Mach hoof was going with this. "Hard to forget. You gonna do something similar with your sword?" She answered in a whisper, keeping an eye on the gun.

"Get one of your seed snares ready." She answered.

Spittor once again lashed out with his tongue. This time Mach hoof made sure it connected with her saber. At the moment of contact she ran a current through it, stunning the Predacon. "Now!" Mach hoof called, and Botanica stuck one of the snares to Spittors' tongue as she cut the energy flow.

The minute the pain stopped, Spittor reeled in his tongue. This proved to be a mistake as by the time the appendage was nearly retracted the snare went off. The result was Spittors' head being mummified in vines and the vines making it impossible for him to transform properly. The sisters high fived at their success as their opponent tripped and fell to the ground.

Leobolt meanwhile, had the misfortune of being charged by Iguanus in beast mode. He leapt out of the way of the charge only to catch the tail and be knocked into a rock. Shaking away the cobwebs Leobolt stood up. That blow was as strong as when Drift had hit him during their last training session.

Iguanus gave a hiss and began to circle Leobolt, growling the whole time. He lunged at Leobolt who barely missed being bitten. Some stray drops of saliva began to hiss and smoke when they made contact with the rocks. Leobolt didn't know what that stuff was, but it didn't take a genius to know it was poisonous.

Leaping back as Iguanus swung his tail at him again, Leobolt couldn't help himself. "I will say that you're a definite improvement over the other Predacons. Namely the fact that you don't talk." Giving another growl Iguanus changed into bot mode and leveled a pair of cannons at Leobolt and opened fire.

While managing to dodge one blast he caught a second one to the shoulder. Deciding on a different approach he switched to beast mode and took off. Iguanus hissed, transformed into a tank mode and took off after him.

Pacing himself Leobolt noted that while Iguanus was incredibly strong and had some combat skills, he was decidedly slow. Formulating a plan Leobolt made a U-turn and sprinted back towards Iguanus. Picking his moment, Leobolt leapt and transformed in midair. Drawing his whip, he lashed out at the tread on Iguanus' underside. The resulting explosion ended up sending the Predacon flying into the air. He came to land on Infernus who'd just been taken out by a blow to the head by Rhinox.

Several feet away, Wingsaber had found her own opponent. Or rather he'd found her. "Well well well, what's a pretty bird like you doing in a fracas like this." Terrorsaur grinned, eyeing the femme in front of him.

Wingsaber growled and swung her katanas at him. He barely blocked her with his own swords in time. "Listen big beak, only one guy calls me that, and you sure as pit aren't him." She spun and slashed Terroraurs' side, driving him back a few feet.

Terrorsaur growled. "If you mean that walking fur rug I fought in that cave." He began. "Then you could honestly do bet-" He was cut off by Wingsaber snapping her fingers and a kunai he never noticed she'd slipped in between his abdominal armor plates exploded.

Yowling in pain Terrorsaur saw red. "You rotten piece of slag!" He screamed switching to jet mode. He hit the afterburners hoping to ram his beak through her spark. What he didn't expect was for her to vanish in a burgundy flash and for him to careen right into Waspinator, knocking them both out.

Nightscream gave he a thumbs up. "Thanks, now let's go help the others."

While the Maximals and Predacons had their fights, the Wreckers were going toe to toe with the Mayhem Attack Squad.

"What is being matter Bulkhead?" Strongarm taunted. The two behemoths were locked in a grapple that Bulkhead was slowly losing ground in. "For being big strong Wrecker, you are being easy to be pushing round."

"You may be a bit stronger than me." Bulkhead admitted. "But I know how to work smarter, and harder. Here's a little something I picked up with my partner." With that he pulled on Strongarms' arms bringing him closer to him and slammed his foot into the burly bots' chest followed by a wrecking ball to the abdomen.

As the two behemoths went at it, Wheeljack and Perceptor had their servos full with Octopunch. Wheeljack kept trying to get in close with his swords while Perceptors' sharp shooting kept their opponent from getting a grip while being out of the tentacled pirates' reach.

"Ye Wrecker scum were always more fer cuttin' and runnin'. Never could take us in a fair fight." Octopunch taunted as he blocked Wheeljacks' sword with an energy hook from his right wrist. He absently attempted to take a shot at Perceptor with his harpoon gun and missed as two of his tentacles were shot away from Wheeljack. Unfortunately, he was more of a swashbuckler than a marksman.

"Say that again Captain Schnook?" Wheeljack growled.

"Ye heard me." Octopunch called out. "Ye bilge rats are always sneakin' around, striking at the unsuspectin'. Using any dirty trick in yer book to win the day." This time he lunged forward putting Wheeljack on the backfoot. "Downright disgustin' is what it be."

Any further words were cut off as Perceptor peppered Octopunch with bullets. "We simply use any tactic because the situation is hopeless already. We were always sent in as a last resort." He justified.

"A cowards excuse." Octopunch replied. Catching Wheeljack around the wrists as he attempted a sneak attack, he winged the Wrecker into his partner. "And now ye face me fair n' square." With that he charged.

Standing some feet away, Drift and Bludgeon circled one another. Blade drawn; Bludgeon studied his targets' stance. "A form that I know. A student of the great twins. Our old grandmasters." He readied himself. "Long have I sought this. A bot of my caliber. May we fight as grand."

Drift narrowed his optics. He'd never seen this bot before but he recognized the fighting style. "I see that you are a disciple of Banzai-tron. He was one of the few bots I knew who talked like that." Taking a closer look, he recognized the helmet Bludgeon wore. "Where did you get that? How did you get master Yoketrons' helmet?"

Bludgeons' skeletal face remained impassive. "Yoketron the fool. Felled by his beloved twin. Whom I had poisoned." He paused a second before continuing. "On his dying day. I claimed it as was my right. From his cold dead corpse."

Drifts' optics shot open. "You infected Banzai-tron with the dark energon? You're the reason the academy was destroyed!" Rage shot through Drifts' spark. The bots that'd opened his eyes to the cruelty of the Decepticons and helped him after Lockdown had left him to die. Not only did this monster kill them, he now wore Yoketrons' helmet as a trophy!

Wasting no more time on words Drift lunged forward with his great sword. In a blur of movement Bludgeon had his own great sword block the blow. Drift spun around and went to strike again only for Bludgeon to sprint forward and slash Drifts' side. Fueled in equal parts pain and rage, Drift took an energon knife from his waist and threw it at Bludgeon. The blade impacted his opponent in the chest but he didn't fall.

Bludgeon laughed as he pulled the blade out. "Take heed warrior. When you fight against monsters. Don't aim for the spark." The two continued to clash, their swords sparking and clanging with each blow.

From his position atop a nearby cliff Scourge growled. While the Mayhem Attack Squad had kept the Autobots busy he'd been trying to give these Predacon pretenders instructions and ideas on how defeat their opponents. However, he'd been steadfastly ignored. Upon seeing Depthcharge ram his sword into Rampages' tank cannon causing an explosion that disabled him he'd had enough.

Seeing that the Maximals were regrouping to join the Autobots he gave yell and transformed into beast mode. Soaring over the group he set down between them and the fray behind him. If those idiot pretenders were unable to get the job done, he'd show Lord Megatron that a true Predacon could.

Leobolt narrowed his eyes at the dragon before them. "Rhinox, Wingsaber, we'll hold him here. The rest of you help the bots." He ordered. With that, the trio transformed and fused into Magnaboss. The remaining Maximals ran to aid their Autobot friends.

Scourge growled at the combiner as the other Maximals ran past. He considered chasing after them for a moment but stopped himself. This one was the bigger threat. For some reason though the three that made it up felt familiar to him.

Pushing that notion aside Scourge lunged forward, sinking his fangs into Magnaboss' forearm. Spinning around Magnaboss delivered a blow to Scourges' neck, forcing him to let go. He retaliated by breathing a stream of fire at them.

Drawing their sword Magnaboss held it in front of them, using it like a shield. When the flame stopped Scourge charged. Using the guns in their chest Magnaboss delivered a series of low power blasts to their opponents' face. Giving a growl, Scourge transformed.

"I admit, I'm impressed." Scourge panted. "Such prowess from such young ones. It's a pity you weren't born as my brethren."

"We weren't born like this either." Magnaboss returned. "We were humans, captured and transmuted into these forms." Inside Magnaboss' mind Jack had an idea that Miko and Raf quickly agreed to.

"Your creators are hardly what they seem." Magnaboss continued. "They were perfectly willing to dissect us once our supposed usefulness was at an end." They said walking towards him.

"I'm well aware of what the Decepticons have done in the name of victory, and I do not truly care. I am only interested in the return of my species, that is all." Scourge responded. Although he did seem to be a little concerned.

"Who's to say that they'll allow the Predacons to rise again? Megatron likes control, and if he realizes the Predacons are strong enough to overpower him and the Decepticons he will terminate your species in a spark pulse." Magnaboss rebutted.

"I will command the Predacons, and I am loyal to my lord." Scourge growled. "He would know that we would never rebel."

"I'm sure the senate that Megatron helped overthrow felt the same about-" They were cut off as Scourge lunged forward and wrapped his hands around their throat.

"No more, I shall end this now." He deployed one of his arm guns and took aim at their head, but halted at the sight of the Mayhem Attack Squadron. While going against the Wreckers alone they'd been holding their own, the Maximals had tipped the balance firmly against them and they were being pushed back towards him.

"You shall live to see another battle." Scourge growled. "Gather the wounded and retreat!" He bellowed. Disengaging from their opponents, the Squadron gathered up the injured Predacons and headed towards a space bridge that'd opened nearby. "We shall meet again." Scourge said before he transformed and flew through the vanishing portal.

A few seconds later their comms activated. "Blaster to Perceptor, do you read me man?" Came Blasters' concerned voice. "Soundwave jammed communications in that area. We lost you a few minutes after you arrived at your coordinates. I wasn't even able to establish space bridge coordinates. "

Perceptor sighed as the Wreckers and Maximals regrouped. "I read you Blaster, we were ambushed by the Predacons and the Mayhem Attack Squadron. Good news, we beat them back, barely. Bad news, they have some new Predacons and the original one has gained the ability to transform." "

Really good news." He smiled. "The converters work. Send a bridge for us and we'll begin outfitting all the Autobots with them." He winced. "As soon as we get patched up." With that the line went silent as a space bridge portal opened up before them. Heading through it the group realized that with this success, a turning point in the war was coming.

Meanwhile on the Nemesis, Scourge was demonstrating his ire at the 2.0 Predacons to Megatron and his senior officers with Shockwave watching on a monitor.

"No cohesion, no ability to follow orders, I will not lead them into battle again Lord Megatron, I won't." He complained.

"Now see here beast." Lugnut argued. "When Lord Megatron orders you to lead soldiers into battle, he-"

"At ease, Lugnut." Megatron ordered. "While I don't approve of his ranting I do agree with his statement. The 2.0 Predacons need to be more controllable in the field. From what I saw they blatantly ignored Scourges' advice which cost them the battle and caused damage to the Mayhem Attack Squad."

"If I may sir." Shockwave interceded. "With the clone Predacons so near completion, it would be illogical for Scourge to continue in his role as their commander in spite of his tactical skills. I am having an associate of mine reprogram their minds to make them more loyal to any authority figure you choose. In addition, he asked to become a Predacon in order to join them on the battle field."

Megatron suppressed a shiver. Ever since the senate had tried to sick one on him years ago, he'd been leery of Mnemosurgery. Even using a cortical psychic patch made him uneasy. "Who is this associate of yours Shockwave?"

A mad cackling came from the ceiling as a large purple and grey spider with eight green eyes swung down from the ceiling and landed in front of them. "That would be me." It said in a raspy voice.

"Gah, another spider." Starscream spoke. "Wasn't Airachnid bad enough?" He was silenced by a look from both Megatron and Lugnut.

"Mesothalus agreed to be upgraded and serve as field commander for the time being." Shockwave said as the bot in question transformed into bot mode.

"Please." He said, giving a bow. "With my new form, you may call me, Tarantulas." The newly minted Predacon reintroduced himself.

"Very well." Megatron growled. "He will do. For now." He muttered that last part to himself. "In the meantime, Scourge, report to Shockwaves lab for the final stages of Project Predacon. The hatchlings will be ready soon."

Giving a nod Scourge transformed and passed through the portal Soundwave generated straight into the den in Shockwaves lab. He could feel it now. His dream of restarting the Predacon race was now beginning to come to fruition. Ignoring the Vehicons exiting the den he curled up and went to sleep.

The last Vehicon to leave the den was Punch. Ever since he'd been promoted, he'd been tasked with general security of the new lab facilities. A task that hopefully, would now provide useful intel. Especially as now that there were new Predacons in town. He just hoped someone received the transmission this time.

Entering a corridor, he made sure he was out of the direct line of sight of the security cameras and any potential passersby. Seeing the coast was clear he pressed a button on the underside of his helmet. The purple and black color scheme he sported changed to a navy blue and orange.

Once the electrostatic paintjob wore off, he transformed to his real bot mode. The more jagged edges of his Vehicon body retracted and he shrank a bit as he stood fully upright for the first time in days. Finally, his red visor and faceplate retracted into his helmet, revealing a normal looking face. Activating a hidden wrist comm, the spy activated his broadcast frequency. "This is Autobot intelligence agent Counterpunch reporting in."

Notes:

And there he is folks. I didn't include his report because it could be considered spoilers. That said, I based Jetfire (and hound) on their G.I. Joe alt modes in the Transformers Earth Wars mobile game. I will explain the connection between the Joes and Unit-E in a future chapter. I decided to give my Jetfire the Australian accent he had in Transformers Cybertron for a dash of color.

Spittor and Iguannus' forms are completely original in this story. In cannon, I think they only ever had basic and Transmetal 2 bodies so I had to improvise. Tarantulas however is a carbon copy of his Transmetal form. He will have a much bigger role in the next arc.

Next time-The labs' location is compromised. Autobots, transform and roll out!

Chapter 24: Assault on Project Predacon

Notes:

Hello all. I wish to apologize in advance. I didn't plan on this chapter turning into a marathon but I had so much detail I wanted to include. In regards to the first part, again I haven't been in a psychologists' office in years so I can't vouch for authenticity. In any event, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Rung looked at the young Maximal laid out on his couch and steepled his fingers. He'd had sessions with all the Maximals, save Jack and Vince. The former was now in for his session and Rung hoped he'd be able to help. While Jack seemed fine on the surface, but his own discreet observations pointed to a serious problem.

"Good morning, Jack, may I call you Jack?" At his patients' nod he smiled. With how often some Cybertronians changed designations, it was always a good practice to ask. "You've had a very busy couple of months. How have you been holding up?" He asked.

"I'm fine." Jack said with closed eyes, not noticing Rungs wince. "I haven't been having as many nightmares and my training's been going well." Jack didn't want to mention that while the number had gone down, the content had changed drastically. Sometimes he'd be back in Knockouts' lab, others he'd be watching Airachnid killing Arcee and Miko while he was webbed up. Then there were the ones where he was just reliving memories of near misses.

"Jack, can I be honest with you?" Rung asked.

"Of course, doctor."

Rung sighed. "I've been watching all of you since I arrived, and in your case, I've noticed that you spend a lot of time in beast mode. In most cases you spend the most time in bot mode when you have something happening in front of you. Otherwise, you're in lion mode."

"I'm just trying to feel more at home in my new body, in both forms. Besides, in most cases my beast mode is better suited for combat." Jack defended.

"Fair enough." Rung replied. "However, from what I've noticed you seem to be spending more and more time in beast mode." When Rung first arrived Jack only spent some of the day adapting to his new beast mode. However, as time went on it was increasing more and more. It skyrocketed after his and Arcees' encounter with Airachnid. He was even starting to sleep in lion mode more often than not.

Jack let out a sigh. "Honestly doctor, it's not so much I'm more comfortable as a lion, it's the fact that I'm more capable in beast mode."

"How so Jack?"

"Well, my senses are a lot stronger first off. I may not have Vinces' level of hearing but I can usually tell when one of the bots or my mom is checking in on us. Then there's the fact my teeth and claws are my more reliable weapons." He replied. While his whip was powerful, his aim wasn't as accurate as he'd hoped.

"So, you feel stronger and more capable in beast mode?"

"That, and." Jack hesitated a bit before continuing. "And I can't help feeling like if I'd been in beast mode Airachnid wouldn't've been able to sneak up on us. We got captured and Miko got poisoned because I was careless. If I'd been in beast mode, I might have heard or smelled her coming." He admitted.

"Jack. I've known about Airachnid for millennia." Rung consoled. He had a feeling that this might be part of the problem. "At one point during the war for Cybertron, she managed to sneak through our base while Blaster was stationed there, and even he didn't hear her until it was too late."

"Maybe." Jack conceded. "But it still happened. Just like on the beach, I should've been able to sense that Rampage was in the water with us. Preferably before he got between us and the shore." He rebutted.

Rung raised a brow. "I think you're expecting too much from your new body Jack." He replied earnestly. "Despite what some might say you are no more a lion than I am a Decepticon. You haven't got a 'Spidey sense' so to speak."

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose. "That sure would've come in handy." He lamented.

"Maybe." Rung conceded. "Now, I did some reading on how you came to be Maximals, and some of my sessions with the others confirmed it. You, Miko, and Rafael were kidnapped by the Decepticons. Soundwave in particular, correct?"

"Yeah." Jack confirmed with a wince. He hated thinking about how the they'd been caught off guard like that.

"You three were caught off guard and had something horrible happen to you." Rung continued, hitting the nail on the head. "Then you were caught off guard again when Airachnid ambushed and poisoned the two of you."

He took a deep breath. "I think the real reason you're spending so much time in beast mode is because you feel responsible for those events and feel you could have done something to prevent them. You stay in that form so much because its' senses are stronger and you won't be taken off guard again."

Jacks' silence confirmed Rungs' observations.

"Alright." Rung said, looking Jack in the eye. "Let's go over these events in reverse order. You blame yourself for not noticing Airachnid when she snuck up on you three. Honestly, Arcee had just told you about being transgender and you had just met Cyclonus for the first time. That would distract anyone."

At Jacks' confused look, Rung continued. "Arcee came to see me after that debacle and told me about it." He thought for a second. "She honestly blamed herself for the two of you being poisoned." He smiled. "She was actually impressed on how you were willing to put your life in danger, by putting off your transfusion, for Miko."

"Arcee blamed herself for-?"

"Let's just say that I don't think any of you came out of that altercation thinking clearly." Rung explained. Thankfully he'd been able to talk Arcee out of her guilt relatively quickly. He had a feeling her partner wouldn't be so easily persuaded. He'd also helped Miko over her feelings of stupidity over forgetting that she could teleport.

"Now, as far as the ambush on the beach is concerned." He took a breath. "You do know that Starscream, Rampage, and the other Predacons snuck up on not only you and the Maximals, but Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus as well."

Jack started. He honestly forgot about that. He'd been so focused on Rampage that he'd forgotten that there were three other cons in play that day. Not to mention that the goal for the day had been to relax.

"Alright, but what about Doubledealer? And what happened to my mom?" He asked. Part of him still felt stupid for not noticing something off about the con bot earlier. Let alone his guilt for what he believed his part was in his mom now having to live on the base.

Rung grimaced. "All of us were tricked by him Jack, Optimus included. And Magnus had been in contact with him as Dealer for centuries without catching on. Ultimately, that's more on us than you. And I've dealt with more than a few government operatives on Cybertron, if I were to hazard a guess Simmons would've tried something similar once he found out you three were all connected to the Autobots anyway."

"Finally." Rung continued. "When the three of you were captured by Soundwave you hadn't heard anything from the Autobots in over a week. You had no reason to believe you could be in danger. And besides, if Megatron did order your capture, it would've only been a matter of time before Soundwave found you."

"Then why do I feel so guilty?" Jack growled. He couldn't figure out why he felt so bad.

"My professional opinion? You've always felt a strong need to be responsible, to be there for those around you. I'm only guessing but when those you love and care about are hurt around you, you feel sever guilt at being unable to help them. Regardless of your own condition." Rung spoke.

At Jacks' nod he continued. "Your desire to stay in beast mode more often is a side effect of this, you believe it's stronger and therefore more capable of responding to these situations. However, situations like those happen in both war and everyday life sometimes, and as much as you may disagree, you're not used to them yet."

Jack sat up and put his head in his hands. "What do you suggest then doctor." He sighed.

"Just remind yourself of this simple fact." Rung explained. "No matter what happens, no one can do everything, and you do all that you can. Use that as a reaffirmation and focus on that, and from there you can begin the healing process."

The session was interrupted. "All Autobots report to the space bridge staging area." Came the voice of Ultra Magnus.

Rung and Jack got up. "Just remember that affirmation Jack. No matter what happens." With that the two ran to the lift and headed to the space bridge control center.

Upon entering the control center, Jack joined the other Maximals. Miko ran up to him. "Hey jackrabbit, how'd it go with the doc?"

Jack gave her a peck on the lips. "It went well enough; I'll tell you later." He turned to Optimus and Magnus at the display.

"Autobots, Maximals, human allies." Optimus began. "We have recently been informed that Shockwave has set up a lab complex in the American Appalachian Mountains. We have reason to believe he is using the fossils previously recovered to clone more Predacons as well as augment more Vehicons into 2.0 Predacons."

He turned to a secondary screen. "Cosmos, report in." Optimus ordered.

Miko smirked a little at the mention of the little green space bot. With his alt mode so closely resembling a flying saucer she convinced him to buzz by Roswell New Mexico. The fallout from that prank had been well worth the tongue lashing in her opinion.

"Reporting sir." Came Cosmos' Spanish sounding voice, augmented with slight echo. "The location of the laboratory is confirmed. The original Predacon has been sighted entering and exiting. Additionally, I have spotted Vehicon patrols in the surrounding areas."

Ultra Magnus called them all back to attention. "To take this facility, we will have four teams. The first two will be preforming a pincer movement on the labs' two main entrances here, and here." He placed a red dot on two spots at the base of the mountain.

"Those groups will be tasked in keeping any and all soldiers occupied while the third group performs its' task. The first group will consist of myself, Depthcharge, Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Skidz, Nightbeat." He gave a shudder. "And Whirl." He finished.

"Oh, just like old times, eh Magsy." the cyclopean Autobot cooed in a psychotic tone. Apparently, the flyer liked to harass the Autobot Second in command as a past time. The shouting that usually followed could be heard all the way up in Unit-E.

"The second group." Magnus powered on. "Will consist of Arcee and the other Maximals." The group in question nodded

"I myself will be leading the third group." Optimus said. "That team will consist of Bumblebee, Hound, Drift, and Jetfire. Our task will be to retrieve all data from the labs' systems as well as relics and if possible, capture or eliminate Shockwave."

"Finally." Magnus said taking the reins again. "The Protectobots will be on standby as both search and rescue, and reinforcements." He finished.

"There is a high likelihood that we'll be engaging the Predacons as well as the Vehicons." Optimus continued. "That said, once the mission is complete all troops are to evacuate the area. Transform, and roll out."

While the Autobots were forming their strategy, Megatron was holding court with his officers in the Nemesis' cargo hold. The only exception being Shockwave, who was still at his lab.

"With our current numbers, as well as the modifications to the 2.0 Predacons, I feel that the need for the clones is now unnecessary." Starscream argued. He'd been against continuing the original project after learning of Scourges' ability to transform.

Megatron gave a sigh. "Sadly, I agree with you Starscream, although not for the same reasons." He turned to his communications officer. "Soundwave, if you could."

Giving a nod, Soundwave played a recording from Scourges' recent battle with Magnaboss. "Who's to say that they'll allow the Predacons to rise again? Megatron likes control, and if he realizes the Predacons are strong enough to overpower him and the Decepticons he will terminate your species in a spark pulse." Magnaboss said.

"I will command the Predacons, and I am loyal to my lord." Scourge growled. "He would know that we would never rebel."

"I'm sure the senate that Megatron helped overthrow felt the same about-" The recording stopped.

"As you can see." Megatron began. "While our former beast is loyal now, the seeds of doubt have been planted. It may only be a matter of time before he leads the clones into a rebellion. And once he realizes that his forces might could overpower our current Decepticon forces."

"Their evolution, will give way to a revolution." Starscream finished.

"That primitive wouldn't dare." Lugnut growled. "Besides with the 2.0 Predacons being reprogramed by Mindwipe and Tarantulas, we shall have the projected seven Predacons outnumbered." He stated, showing that for all his single-minded dogma, Megatrons old enforcer/bodyguard DID have a brain.

"It is too big of a risk Lugnut." Megatron replied. "I am left with no choice, but to eradicate the Predacon clones before they are capable of eradicating us."

"Lord Megatron, what will happen if that fire breathing brute discovers our treachery?" Knockout asked nervously.

"Why assume that WE will be the ones to perform the deed?" Starscream supplied. "If say, the Autobots were to discover the lab and eradicate the clones, our resident beast would in turn destroy our hated enemies for us." He smirked. "Or vice versa."

Megatron smiled. "An appropriately practical solution Starscream, I shall contact Shockwave and-" He was cut off by a signal from Soundwave.

"Lord Megatron, come in, the Predacon lab facility is under Autobot attack." Came Shockwaves' voice from Soundwaves' mask.

Megatrons' optics widened. How had the Autobots discovered the lab already? He'd have to figure that out later and accelerate their newest plan now.

"Shockwave, prepare the self-destruct and evacuate the facility. I am terminating the Predacon project."

Shockwave was silent a moment. "Your decision is logical my liege. Shall I terminate Scourge as well?"

"No, order him and all Decepticon troops to engage the Autobots. Do not inform anyone of the self-destruct sequence however." Megatron replied. "Force them all outside the facility so we have minimal loss of troops when it explodes. Should Scourge survive, we shall allow him to believe that the Autobots destroyed the clones."

"Logical, I shall prepare the self-destruct sequence and begin transfer of all data in mainframe." Shockwave said. "Then I shall remove the-" He was cut off by an explosion.

"Decepticons, we are under attack, scramble and repel the intruders." Shockwave called in the background. He came back on a moment later. "My lord Autobots are already in the building, I'm afraid the Enigma of combination will be lost. However, I am close to perfecting the synthetic enigma frequency." He explained.

Megatron grimaced. "Just evacuate Shockwave, with luck the enigma will be destroyed with the rest of the lab." Hopefully, this debacle would end in their favor.

Back at the lab, Scourge came running in seconds after Shockwave finished activating the self-destruct. "Shockwave, I believe the Autobots are after my brethren." He exclaimed.

"That is the logical deduction." Shockwave replied. Playing into Scourges belief would be the most logical solution. "However there seems to be a malfunction in communications, I am unable to contact the Nemesis." He lied.

"The Autobots must be blocking our signal somehow." Scourge commented. "Very well, we make our stand here. If you have some alternate way to summon backup, I suggest you use it."

Shockwave nodded. "I shall attempt to get clear of whatever is blocking our connection and summon reinforcements. I suggest you transform and lay in wait for any intruders." He replied.

"Very well." And with that Scourge transformed and left the lab.

Once he was sure he was alone Shockwave began the data transfer from the lab back to the Nemesis' mainframe. "Sparkstalker come in. I need you to ensure that the current data transmission will be uncompromised."

Moments later, the Firecon commander reported in. "Understood Shock-. For crying out loud Cindersaur, just grab Flamefeather and go help the Vehicons!" He yelled. "I'll be at the remote terminal in a few minutes." He finished with a sigh.

"Very well." Shockwave replied. It was a fairly well-known fact that Sparkstalker was the Firecon leader because he had the least amount of neural cluster damage from smoke inhalation of the firestorm troops over the cycles. He'd only been assigned to the lab for his cryptology skills. The other two simply came with him out of habit and were assigned as security.

With that done he contacted Soundwave. "Preparations complete, requesting immediate extraction." Moments later the space bridge swirled into existence before him. As he stepped through, he began to formulate his next experiment. With the synthetic frequency, he should be able to fuse a Cybertronian with dark energon.

The plan had been simple enough, enter through the north entrance to the lab and cause enough chaos to distract the guards from Optimus' mission. Ultra Magnus should've known it wasn't so simple that Whirl couldn't cause problems.

The first problem was the fact that they hadn't expected the Constructicons to be at the facility. They never showed up on Cosmos' surveillance. So, imagine his surprise to see all six of them working in the presence of a dozen armed guards.

He'd been planning a way for the group to separate the Constructicons to minimize the risk of them forming Devastator. Whirl blew it in less than five seconds.

"Time to Wreck and Rule!" He screamed, transforming into his helicopter mode and firing on the assembled cons.

"Primus slag it Whirl!" Magnus cursed. "Alright, everybody do what you can to take out the guards. And whatever you do keep the Constructicons separated." With that the battle began.

Thankfully only a couple of the Constructicons had anything in the way of combat training. Their expertise was more in their jobs. However, that didn't stop Bonecrusher, Scavenger and Long-haul from mixing it up with a couple of the Wreckers.

"Ey, c'mon man, we're workin' here!" Scavenger yelled as he grappled with Depthcharge. "Bad enough yous went scab on us Dreadwing, but sabotage, seriously?" He griped.

"Well, I only have one thing to say to you then Scavenger, as the human expression says, say cheese!" With that he fired a plasma disk from his chest into Scavengers' face.

"Conflab it, right in da puss." He screamed.

In the meantime, Bulkhead and Long-haul were facing off. "Y'know it didn't have to be like dis Bulkie." He spoke, squaring up with his former friend. "We was pals once, and dat stood for something."

"You bought into Megatrons' rhetoric hauler, I didn't." He replied. "And we stopped being pals when you and the other cons demolished Crystal City." With that the two of them began to wrestle back and forth around the cavern.

Bonecrusher, in his usual lack of brilliance decided to take on Ultra Magnus. "So, you're the big chief of this little powwow." He taunted. "Time for me to-" He was cut off as Skidz and Wheeljack both kicked him in the chest, sending him flying.

Scrapper, Mixmaster, and Hook were standing off to the side. "That bot is such an imbecile." Hook griped as he watched Bonecrusher go flying.

"Not disagreeing with you." Scrapper said. "But he's still union. Get ready to reel in our demolition dumb aft. Mixy, a little nitro glycerin should free up Long-haul, and I'll grab Scavenger." Additional laser fire heralded the arrival of four more Vehicons, their blasts catching the Autobots off guard. "Now."

With that the three went about their tasks. Hook transformed and used his crane like a fishing pole and brought a slightly battered Bonecrusher over to them before changing back. Mixmaster spun his chemical drum to create the nitro before firing it from the connected wrist gun. And Scrapper transformed and hauled aft, scooping up Scavenger and dumping him with the others. Thankfully the Autobots were too busy with the extra Vehicons to notice.

"Alright, you three are in good enough shape for this." Hook said after a brief examination of their injuries. "Ready when you are Scrapper."

Ultra Magnus felt the bottom of his fuel reservoir drop out at the next sentence.

"Constructicons, transform! Phase one!" Scrapper yelled.

The groups turned in time to see the Constructicons transform. In their place now stood a crane, cement mixer, dump truck, backhoe, and two font end loaders. The six vehicles arranged themselves with Mixmaster backwards in the lead.

"Now, Transform! Phase Two!"

Scrapper and Bonecrusher flipped and unfurled, becoming a pair of legs that connected into a contorting Long-haul, who became an abdomen set of hips. Scavenger unfolded his cab and connected with Hook who had unfolded the front end of his crane mode to form a chest, their crane and shovel changing to become arms and hands. Finally, Mixmaster drove forward, his drum and the assembly contorting into a head and the green eyed, terrifying face of Devastator.

"This is exactly what I was afraid of happening Whirl!" Magnus yelled.

"What?" Whirl called back. "One target instead of six? I call that-" He was grabbed out of midair by devastator and flung into the cavern wall. "Ouchies!" He groaned as he sank to the ground.

"We'll provide cover Magnus." Bulkhead yelled as Wheeljack, Nightbeat and Skidz formed up on him.

"Skidz, you go left. Nightbeat, you go right. Jackie, with me." He ordered, deploying his wrecking balls.

"Go!"

The two Wreckers leapt up while the remaining two dove aside. This didn't matter to Devastator though. Giving a bellow, he slammed his fists right where the two solo bots were heading and countered the duo with a simple headbutt. The force of the impact sent them flying right into the stretch of wall where Whirl was standing back up. The trio crashed right through it and the tunnel next to the cavern before landing outside.

Magnus, having seen that, realized that they needed more room to maneuver. "Everybody, outside now!" He ordered.

For Arcee and the Maximals, the raid had been a fairly mixed bag. While the group had been able to enter the lab subtly (Mostly due to Whirls' antics with the other group) they'd been set upon by a group of nine Vehicons the moment the alarms went off.

"Is it me?" Wingsaber asked. "Or dose this seem to happen every time we go on a mission?"

"What, pinned down by enemy troops?" Leobolt replied. With no kind of long-range weapon, he was in the back of the group.

"I mean getting into-" She was cut off by a laser blast.

"I wouldn't know." Nightscream yelled. "This is only my second real mission." He gave a shriek, the sonic pulse knocking two Vehicons into a wall.

Arcee put an additional two down with direct shots to the visor. "Either way, just cause as much mayhem as possible."

Punch called out to the other troops. "The Constructicons need reinforcements on the north side." He threw a grenade at the ceiling of the tunnel they were in, causing it to cave in and separate them from the Maximals. "Move out, the Firecons can handle them." He finished. Hopefully he was loud enough for Arcee to hear what else was in the tunnels.

When the dust from the cave in cleared, Arcee glared at the blockage. She'd heard what that Vehicon had said. "Come on, we need to head to the north side of the lab. The schematics I saw said there should be another tunnel a little way back." She ordered.

They backtracked a bit before going left. Going several hundred feet they came across a cavern. This wasn't a problem so much as the purple and yellow dinosaur, and blue and silver griffin standing in their way, glowering at them. Seeing their targets, the two of them reared their heads back.

Arcees' optics widened. "Oh scrap, Firecons! Scatter!" With that group scrambled apart as steams of purple and blue flames blazed the spot they'd been standing.

"Woah, first dragons, now mini-Kaiju? Awesome." Wingsaber yelled.

"No, they're just, WOAH!" Arcee yelled, diving aside as the purple one swung its' tail at her.

"Cin, der, saur." Growled the purple one.

"Oh great, this one acts like a Pokémon." Leobolt grimaced.

Mach hoof dodged a stream of blue flames from the shrieking blue Firecon. "Well then Leobolt, use Tail Whip." She bit out, sending a blast of nucleon back at it.

"Har Har." Leobolt yelled back. Taking her advice, he struck at Cindersaurs' neck. The resultant explosion and roar of pain caused it to back up a few paces.

"Hey Rhinox." Wingsaber called, throwing a couple of kunai at Flamefeather. "How about giving them a taste of the chain guns of doom?"

Rhinox eyed a stalactite in the ceiling. "Way ahead of you." With that he began firing at the base of it.

"I meant them, not the ceiling."

"Wait for it."

With an ominous crack, the stalactite came loose from the ceiling and crashed down onto Cindersaur. He didn't get up again.

"Just needed to think outside the box."

Rhinox was cut off by a shriek from Flamefeather. Turning the group saw that the others had managed to entangle him in one of Botanicas' seed snares. Nightscream had then drained the Firecon of its' energon, taking it out of the game.

The group headed for the cavern exit when a loud bellow rang out, and Whirl, Bulkhead and Wheeljack were knocked through the wall and out through the other side. Ultra Magnus and the others filed through quickly.

"Evacuate, everybody out, now!" Magnus yelled. The entire mountain gave an ominous shake.

Arcee and the Maximals followed them through the hole, showing that they were now outside the mountain the lab was in. "Magnus, what's going on?" Arcee yelled.

The answer came when the side of the mountain next to where they exited exploded outward. From it, walking on his knuckles, was Devastator.

"That!" Magnus responded. "Remember everyone, we need to keep them busy so Optimus' team can carry out their mission. Blaster, send in the Protectobots." He ordered.

Meanwhile, the Autobot commander and his team were making their way to Shockwaves' lab.

A group of Vehicons ran past an empty service tunnel intent to back up the Constructicons. Seconds later, the tunnel shimmered as the hologram of it being empty gave way to reveal a five Autobot team. They exited the tunnel (Optimus with some difficulty) and Optimus turned to address them.

"Good work Hound. Now, our objective should be just around the corner." Optimus began. "Once inside, Jetfire will begin to copy their computer files to our own database. Any resistance will be handled by Drift, Bumblebee, and myself. Hound, your primary objective is to keep Jetfire protected."

He gave a sigh. "If Shockwave is present, please attempt to subdue him rather than terminate. If the original Predacon is present, allow me to deal with him. The Maximals have shown that he could potentially be reasoned with."

"Here's hoping mate. Best of luck." Jetfire commented.

With that the group entered to find an empty lab. "It would seem that Shockwave has already departed." Optimus observed "Jetfire?" He asked.

Jetfire went over to the computer console. "Definitely a data transfer in progress. Let's see if." The console gave a beep and a red symbol appeared on the monitors. "Slag it, he locked the controls. I can't get in but."

He pulled out a small box and placed it on the console. "Activating remote linkup." He activated his comms. "Lightbright, can ya hear me sheila? Just installed the remote link and we need you to copy all the data going out."

Her voice came back over the comms a second later. "Ohh, a big job, finally!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Oh, with so many twists and turns and traps in Decepticon systems this will be so much fun!"

"Lightbright, please keep your focus. We need those files to determine our next course of action." Optimus interrupted.

"Okay, coming up." Lightbright responded. The remote link gave a beep showing that she'd connected. "Alright, let's see here. HA, the files aren't set to wipe until the transmission is complete, rookie mistake."

There was a pause. "If I work fast enough, I should have a copy downloaded here before the transmission is complete." With that, the line went silent and the images on the screen began to change, indicating that Lightbright had begun her work.

Bumblebee beeped that there was something that they needed to see. Coming closer they found a half dozen incubation tubes with young Predacon hatchlings near completion.

"It would seem that the Predacon Project was much further along than we anticipated. If these hatchlings are allowed to finish gestating-" Optimus was cut off by a loud roar and Scourge slamming headlong into him. He landed with a crash before the other Autobots.

Giving a roar, Scourge breathed a stream of fire at the trio of Autobots, forcing them back. Transforming he stood between the tubes and bots. A group of four Vehicons emerged from a nearby tunnel and formed up on either side of him.

"Autobots." Scourge began. "I will not allow you to endanger my brethren. Leave now." He commanded.

"I am sorry Predacon, but we cannot do that." Optimus replied sadly. "Megatron and the Decepticons would use them to cause untold carnage upon this and other worlds. And as you are seemingly unwilling to leave the Decpticons, we are left with no alternative."

"Then neither am I. Attack!" Scourge bellowed before transforming into beast mode and charging at Optimus. The Vehicons deployed their blasters and were hot on his tail.

"The mission is unchanged." Optimus called out. "Drift, Bumblebee, handle the Vehicons. Hound, protect Jetfire. I'll handle the Predacon." Using his gun to blow a hole in the wall, Optimus deployed his wings and took off. Looking down he saw the other teams engaging the Vehicons. And two combiners going at each other?

Once the mountain began to rumble, Punch knew what had happened. "The Constructicons must've combined. The bots are going to need a hand." He ruminated. He'd already planned to plant the Enigma of Combination where the bots could find it. But now it looked like they might need it sooner rather than later.

Slipping away from the other Vehicons and going into the storage vault, he pulled the Enigma from its container and headed out the nearest exit. Looking down he saw the Wreckers and what the bots and cons labeled Maximals facing off with over a dozen Vehicons while dodging blows from Devastator. Spying a swirl of energy that signified a space bridge, he saw the Protectobots emerge. A mad idea came to his mind.

"Whenever this assignment is over." The muttered. "I hope they forgive me for this." With that he aimed the Enigma at the Protectobots and triggered it, bathing them in a magenta light as they began to transform, contort and combine.

Upon the Protectobots' arrival at the battle site, Hotspot called out to Ultra Magnus. "Magnus, sit rep, who's injured?" He hollered. Despite the Wreckers skill, they almost never seemed to avoid some kind of injury. Hopefully no one was immediate need of rescue, but with Devastator in play it was only a matter of time.

Before Magnus could answer Hotspot, Rook, Blades, First-Aid, and Streetwise were bathed in a magenta light. Everyone else in the battle was mesmerized at the sight.

"What in the?" Magnus yelled. The Protectobots that had changed into bot mode were suddenly forced back into vehicle mode. From there First-Aid and Streetwise seemed to elongate and a large foot seemed to grow out of the rear of their vehicle modes.

Rook and Blades on the other hand contorted into arms, a hand appearing from each of their bodies. Finally, Hotspot was lifted into the air and seemed to partially transform in midair, his legs and arms expanding and contorting as a large head was created from his ladders' base as his chest paneling expanded. The transformations finished, the five Protectobots combined with each other, forming a single Autobot combiner.

Ultra Magnus stepped up to the new combiner. "Hotspot? First-Aid? Are you alright soldiers?"

Within the combiners' mind, the five Protectobots were in shock. How did this happen? A roar from Devastator snapped them out of it and back onto the situation at hand. While the five had worked together for years, they had very different views on protecting life. However, in this moment, they knew that to protect life, they needed to work together. They were no longer simply, the Protectobots.

"Designation, Defensor." The combiner stated. "Ready to mend and defend."

Devastator gave another terrible roar and created a massive vacuum force with his mouth, drawing rocks, plants, and a couple of hapless vehicons into it, grinding them up. Most of the Autobots were able to brace themselves against the pull. The Maximals, due to their size, ended up having to grab onto the nearest Autobot or each other to keep from getting sucked in. As suddenly as it began, the vortex stopped.

"Was that it?" Wingsaber asked from hers and Leobolts' position behind Bulkheads' legs.

"No." Wheeljack shook his head, backing away from Devastator. "He's about to-"

Wheeljack was cut off as Devastator released a superheated beam of pure plasma from his maw, right at Defensor.

Thinking quickly, Defensor raised his bent arms on either side of him. Focusing, he created a forcefield directly in front of him to take the hit from the plasma. Several seconds later, the stream weakened and rapidly died. Before Devastator could activate his vortex again, Defensor sprinted across the battlefield and jammed his left arm right into Devastators' mouth, stopping him.

Slamming his right arm into his larger opponents' midsection, Defensor hefted Devastator over his shoulder and slammed him into the ground. While Devastator may be stronger than him, Defensor was much faster. Not to mention capable of actual coherent thought.

The battle began anew as Devastator got up and charged Defensor, locking him in a grapple. The Vehicons, Maximals, and Autobots began their fight again as well. Just in time to see Optimus flying out of the lab with Scourge hot on his tail.

Meanwhile, back at the lab, Drift and Bumblebee had just finished with the Vehicons that'd stayed in the lab.

"That wasn't too great of a challenge." Drift commented. Bumblebee beeped in agreement.

Jetfire however noticed something going on with the computer screens. "Lightbright, what's happening sheila? It's like you're canceling the copying after a few precent." He asked.

"Gyah, there's another hacker in here and he keeps canceling the download." Lightbright replied. "And he is GOOD!" She exclaimed

"Why thank you." Came Sparkstalkers' voice from the remote link. He'd been listening in the whole time. "I have to admit your plan's pretty daring, but you can't beat a top tier cryptologist."

"Top tier? Please. I saw what you were doing and planted some traps." Lightbright responded.

"I disabled them, but it's cute that you think you can trap me in my own systems." He replied.

"Well thanks for the compliment, but I can navigate around your little cancelations." She rebutted.

"You're welcome to try sweet bite."

"Masher."

"Cutie."

"Are you two hacking, or flirting?" Came Blasters' voice in the background. The Autobots in the lab were looking at each other uncomfortably.

"I can multitask." Lightbright exclaimed. She saw something in the corner of the screen that made her gasp.

"Gyah, there's an active self-destruct sequence in place." She called out, surprising both Sparkstalker and the Autobots. "It's been counting down to zero for almost eight minutes but started at ten. You all have less than two minutes to get out of the lab before it blows!" She finished with a yell.

"That can't be right!" Sparkstalker exclaimed. "That would mean, oh scrap." With that he took off from the remote terminal, hoping he could get out in time.

"I'll try to get as much of the database as I can, but you all need to get out of there right now. RUN!" Lightbright warned.

"Righto." Jetfire spoke. He ran to the hole in the wall and transformed. "Hop on blokes, I'll try to get us clear in a hurry."

Drift, Bumblebee and Hound leapt onto Jetfire who powered out of the hole and into a slow decent to the ground.

"Crikey, look at that!" Jetfire exclaimed at the sight of Defensor and Devastators' fight.

Bumblebee beeped his surprise and hope that the new combiner was on their side.

"I feel that he is Bumblebee. I can sense the good in their sparks." Drift commented as the set down. "But for now, let us alert the others and evacuate." He said, drawing his swords.

As the battle raged, Optimus and Scourge were engaging in an aerial dogfight of their own. Each time Optimus took a shot at Scourge, he would swerve and avoid it. Likewise, every time Scourge would breathe a stream of fire at Optimus, he'd hit his thrustors and get clear.

Finally, in a fit of brilliance, Scourge flew through a low cloud and snuck up on Optimus. Clipping a wing with his claws he drove the Autobot commander back down to Earth. Transforming at the last second, he drove a kick into Optimus' back, slamming him into the mountainside.

"Now Prime." Scourge said as he closed in on Optimus. "Events didn't need to play out this way. Had you and your Autobots agreed to leave my brethren alone, I would have let you all walk away. Lord Megatron was right about you." He growled.

"Listen to me Predacon." Optimus began. "Megatron wishes to use you in his conquests, the minute you prove to be more than he can control he will end you and your brethren. I know Magnaboss has told you of this."

"My name, is Scourge, Prime." He replied. "And I am perfectly content to serve Megatron loyally. Under my tutelage, the Predacons will become an elite fighting force in the Decepticons. Once the pretenders have been dealt with, I shall rule Cybertron alongside him. On the behalf of my brethren."

"Will you stand idly by if Megatron orders the destruction of your brethren?" Optimus asked.

Scourge surprised Optimus with a kick to the abdomen that sent him back into the mountainside. "It will not come to that." Scourge spoke, deploying his arm guns and taking aim at Primes' head. "No more lies and tricks Prime, I end this now."

Before he could pull the trigger, a massive explosion shook the ground. Taking his optics off Optimus, Scourge turned to see that the lab was aflame.

"My brethren! NO!" He turned to glower at Optimus. "What have you done!" He bellowed before transforming and taking off back to the lab.

Deciding it best not to remain, Optimus activated his comms. "Attention all Autobots and Maximals, return to base."

Transforming into his vehicle mode Optimus drove back towards the battlefield. Turning the corner, he saw that apparently Megatron had the same idea. The Vehicons were leaving through a space bridge portal as Devastator separated back into the Constructicons.

Turning to his own troops he saw that the new combiner was still separating as well. He was surprised to see that it was comprised of the Protectobots but ultimately thankful that they'd been able to level the playing field somewhat. However, the relic in Ultra Magnus' hands is what drew his attention.

"Commander?" Optimus asked as he switched back to bot mode. "Is that what I think it is?"

Magnus nodded. "Yes sir, the Enigma of Combination. It seems that it was thrown clear in the explosion. However, before the explosion someone used it on the Protectobots to create Defensor." He explained, providing Optimus the new combiners' name.

Optimus glanced at the last retreating Vehicons and shared a significant look with Ultra Magnus. They both had a sneaking suspicion as to who used it and probably threw it so that they'd recover it. Optimus hoped to Primus that Counterpunchs' cover was still intact.

Either way, it wouldn't do to linger here any longer.

"Blaster, send a space bridge to our location. Autobots, roll for home!" He called. The space bridge flared to life in front of them and the group wasted no time going through it. As Optimus was going through the portal, he could've sworn he caught a glimpse of Scourge flying away from the lab in dragon mode before the portal closed.

Heedless of the danger, Scourge flew into the burning lab. Looking around he saw that the six incubation tubes had shattered and a handful of body parts were scattered around the lab. He gave a bellow of rage and anguish.

"My brethren." Scourge sobbed out. "You shall be avenged."

Rage filling his spark, Scourge began to walk back to the hole in the wall, ready to cut down any and all who had a hand in their deaths, when the sound of scared chirping filled his ears. Turning to his right, his optics widened. There, sheltered under a collapsed beam and chirping fearfully, were two Predacon hatchlings.

Ther rage that filled Scourges' spark was now at war with the hope that had flared to life at the sight. He had a decision to make now. He could hope the hatchlings would survive long enough for him to avenge their deceased siblings, or he could take the young ones now and vanish. Allowing the Decepticons to think that he'd perished too.

Hearing the hatchlings chirp again, Scourge knew the decision had been made for him. Running towards the hatchlings, Scourge hefted the beam to the side. "Don't fear little ones, I've got you." He soothed. Picking the two up and holding them to his chest, he ran for the hole in the wall.

Looking down, he saw the last of the Autobots begin to leave. For a brief moment he considered giving chase, but stopped himself. The hatchlings needed him now, the dead could wait to be avenged.

"I'm going to take us to find a new lair." He told the hatchlings, despite knowing that they probably couldn't understand him. Transforming and gently picking them up in his maw, Scourge took wing. He had no idea where he was going yet, but it would be a place he could safely rear the two new lives that were now his sworn duty.

Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis, Megatron was once again holding court with his lieutenants, this time with Shockwave in attendance.

"It is, unfortunate that Scourge was lost with the other Predacons." Megatron began. "But ultimately, the risk outweighed the reward in this instance. Shockwave, what of the 2.0 Predacons?"

"Tarantulas and Mindwipe have finished their task my lord." Shockwave spoke. "While overall their minds remain unchanged, the use of the phrase 'Predacons, terrorize' puts them into an aggressive and suggestive state. They will attack furiously, and follow orders from Tarantulas in the field."

"I look forward to the field test, lord Megatron." Tarantulas cackled giddily.

"In addition, my liege." Shockwave continued. "While the original Predacon Project has been rendered null and void, my remaining sensors in the lab area have detected something that you must behold for yourself."

Stepping back a moment, he allowed Punch to wheel in a sample of.

"Pure Cybertronian cybermatter." Shockwave began. "Not dissimilar to that which existed upon our primeval home world."

"Or that which engendered my citadel here on Earth." Megatron added. "A result of the explosion?"

"Indeed." Shockwave answered. "However, the cybernucelic acid alone could not account for these, cyberforms. All possible logic points to the presence of one unexpected variable, the synthetic energon." He finished.

"Can you tell me why this cybermatter resemble, chaos?" Megatron asked, hoping Shockwave, or maybe even Tarantulas could explain.

"It would seem that the basic elements are, unstable. I shall shift my focus into correcting that. With this, we could cyberform entire worlds." Shockwave spoke.

Megatron sighed. "Nevertheless, to use the cybermatter to restore Cybertron, or cyberform the Earth, we will require a launch mechanism, would we not?"

After a brief moment of contemplation Megatron got a steely glint in his optic. "Then we shall direct our full resources into the successful reconstruction of the Omega Lock. Shockwave, I want you to oversee its salvage and relocation by the Constructicons. Take Astrotrain to transport it." Shockwave gave a nod and set out.

He turned to the other scientist in the room. "Tarantulas, you and Oil Slick shall begin work on the cybermatter problem. Shockwave will join you once the Omega Lock has been relocated here." Tarantulas transformed into his motorcycle mode and took off.

A few halls away Tarantulas transformed back into bot mode.

"Did you get it?" Came Galavars' oily voice.

Reaching into a hidden compartment, Tarantulas pulled out a piece of the chaos cybermatter the length and width of a thigh.

"Right here, I had a drone recover a piece when no one was looking. I'll begin work on our project when I can. With Megatrons newest scheme, my time will be minimal, but I should find time to begin work on it. Hopefully we'll be ready for the next phase before this newest plan is complete." Tarantulas answered.

"Excellent." Galavar replied. "I shall retrieve the next component necessary. Once our plan is set in motion, we shall be able to overthrow Megatron and takeover the Decepticons. And once the loyalists and Autobots have been dealt with, our own campaign of galactic conquest can begin. Yes."

Hours later, at the wreckage of the lab, Sparkstalker regained consciousness. Moving a bit, he groaned from a pain in his side. He hadn't been able to escape the blast in time. He'd been close to the exit door and when the explosion went off, he was blasted clean through it. Glancing down he saw that while scorched and dented, everything was relatively where it was supposed to be.

Standing up he bit back a scream of pain. Looking around he saw that the area was deserted. For a brief moment he thought about contacting Soundwave for a bridge back but stopped himself. His skills as a cryptologist had allowed him to access the Decepticons' classified files, and what he'd seen of the Decepticons more recent conquests and experiments had disillusioned him.

Ignoring the pain in his side he began to walk. Most everyone probably believed he'd perished in the lab with Cindersaur and Flamefeather. He'd been wanting to leave the Decepticons for some time now, and Primus had handed him the perfect opportunity. Who knows, maybe someday he'd even run into that cute sounding hacker he'd traded codes with.

His thoughts were interrupted when several vehicles roared onto the scene and a high power taser sank into his mesh and delivered a new pain on top of his injuries. Several jolts later he collapsed to the ground in time to see a thin pale skinned human exiting a vehicle.

"Prepare this specimen for transport." Simmons called to his team. "And branch out, I want any and all alien tech bagged and tagged before sunup." He looked up at the smoking wreckage of the lab. Immediate reports showed that the radioactivity was too high to risk any human agents, but with the right drones he hoped they could find something salvageable.

He smiled. Either way, with his new plans in place, he hoped to have more specimens soon. He only needed to wait for those brats to step off the base.

Notes:

And there we go. I hope you all enjoyed it. In particular, I hope everyone enjoys the direction I take Scourge/Predaking. Lightbright and Sparkstalkers interaction was one of my favorites to write. I modeled Lightbrights' personality on Entrapta from SPOP. She was my favorite in the series. Don't worry about Sparkstalker, he'll be alright before too long.

I long ago decided I wanted more than one combiner in this fic. I modeled Devastator after his ROTF incarnation, albeit I added the plasma breath to give him an actual weapon. Defensor is modeled more after his G1 counterpart with Rook replacing Groove. And a little heads up, I do have an additional six Maximals in the pipeline for this story as well as more Predacons. That said.

Next time-A secret experiment, a hidden enemy, and new friends.

Chapter 25: Families, Friends, and Fights

Notes:

Welcome one and all to a new chapter of Beast Wars Prime. As I said in my last authors' note, I have 6 more Maximals in the works. This chapter has the first one. With this chapter, this story is now caught up with the copy posted on ff.net. As I write new chapters I will update both sites. That said, hope you like this chapter and Fowlers' backstory.

"When, exactly, were you planning to tell us about this?" Jack growled at Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Agent Fowler. The other Maximals stood behind him, looking equally angry. June was glaring at the trio right alongside them.

The Maximals had heard a loud commotion in one of the empty hangars on the Unit-E base. Investigating they discovered something that shocked and infuriated them. Inside was a replica of the equipment that Knockout and later Shockwave used to turn the six humans into Maximals, complete with the Enigma of Combination. It didn't help that the trio were overseeing the construction being done by Perceptor Nautica and Brainstorm. The group stormed into the hangar and demanded to know what was going on. This caused Ultra Magnus to reveal the existence of Project Pheonix.

Fowler then reluctantly explained that the Pentagon wanted to form a group of Maximals from wounded U.S. soldiers to work sensitive cases. Unfortunately, this revelation didn't go over too well, and the ensuing shouting drew both June and Arcee. Rung, who'd been relaxing topside, followed moments later,

Optimus wanted to console the young Maximals but Magnus butted in. "Project Pheonix was on a need-to-know basis, and frankly, you didn't need to know." Magnus answered simply, effectively putting his foot in his mouth.

"Considering you planned to make more Maximals from humans." Miko bit out. "I'd say we more than deserved to know about it."

"How did you even get the cybermater to work with?" Raf asked. He was just as furious as the others, but his scientific curiosity was outweighing it, if barely.

Optimus interceded. "It was recovered in the wreckage of Darkmount." He explained. He genuinely felt remorse for their deception, but it was more necessary than they knew. "However, we only recovered enough to preform three procedures."

"It doesn't matter how many Optimus." June interrupted, marching up to look him in the optic. "You still went behind their backs."

"Nurse Darby, I assure you that-" Optimus was cut off.

"Your assurances aren't worth squat right now buster." June argued. Jack winced at the word that'd been used on him on the few occasions he got in trouble. "After my kids and Garrisons' were put through that torture you want to do it to others too?" She was nearly screaming by the end of her tirade.

She took a few deep breaths. "Kids, let's go. I think we all need to blow off some steam." She turned and left the lab. The other Maximals transformed into their beast modes and followed suit. Arcee turned to follow when Magnus called out to her.

"Could you please explain to your partner and his mother the importance of-"

"If you're looking for an ally." Arcee interrupted. "You're asking the wrong femme." With that she nodded to June and transformed, allowing June to climb on. The group took off out of the hangar and moments later, were off the base.

Rung looked at Ultra Magnus. "I did try to warn you Magnus." He began. "To you it was just a project, but to them, this was a massive slap in the face."

He turned to Optimus. "Once they return sir, I'd recommend explaining to them the other reason for Project Pheonix."

"Doctor, while similar to their circumstances, it's not exact." Magnus justified. "They were kidnapped and forced through the procedure. The subjects for Project Pheonix whoever, are volunteers who know what they're getting into. And I disagree with you about disclosing sensitive information."

"That is hardly the point Magnus." Rung argued. The two had been going round and round with this even before the Enigma of Combination was recovered. Those kids should've been told about this before they found out.

"I agree with Rung, commander." Optimus said heavily. He didn't want to admit it but their friends' angry looks had upset him deeply. "I shall inform them of the full circumstances once they return, but for now we have an experiment to conduct."

"Agreed." Perceptor said as he came up to the group. "The equipment is ready; it'll just take a while to prepare it for the procedure."

"That said." Fowler grumbled. He understood the reasons for the project, but didn't like how the Maximals had been kept out of the loop. "Do we even know the name of the first volunteer for this half-baked hootenanny?"

"You should've received the file this morning Agent Fowler." Optimus replied, suppressing a wince. He'd hoped Fowler had read it earlier, but now it seemed this afternoon was going to be fraught with uncomfortable revelations.

Fowler looked at his tablet. Between a surprise meeting with general Bryce and his SUV breaking down on the way to the base, he hadn't had time to check his e-mails. Opening the file his eyes widened. "What the? Prime!" He shouted. "Is this some kind of joke?"

Optimus shook his head. "No agent Fowler, he is indeed our first volunteer. In fact, he should be arriving right now."

"Good." Fowler groused. "Maybe I can talk him out of this." He walked down the stairs towards the hangar door. As he reached the bottom, the human sized door to the hangar opened. "Michael Tyler Fowler." He yelled. "What do you think-" He stopped short at the sight of his son as he rolled in.

The last time agent William Fowler had seen his son was when they were arguing over his decision to be deployed in Afghanistan. That was almost four years ago when Michael was eighteen. Now, looking at his now twenty-one-year-old son, Bill almost didn't recognize the man in the electric wheelchair as him.

Mikes' face, which was once a near clone his fathers was a latticework of scars and over half his hair was gone. He was missing his left ear and his left eye was covered by an eyepatch. The biggest change however, was the fact that he was now missing his legs and left arm.

"Uncle Sams ghost. Mikey, what happened to you?" Fowler cried as he ran to his sons' wheelchair, his anger forgotten.

"Oh, now you care." Mike snapped. "I guess getting my ass blown to bits is one way to get your attention." He looked at the various Autobots. "Although now that I see who you work with, I can see why your family took a backseat to your career."

"Mikey you're not being fair." Bill argued, trying to keep the shock and irritation out of his voice. He'd had this argument with his son before. "You know I was always trying to keep our country safe."

"And you neglected your family because of it." Mike argued back. "You weren't there for me when I needed you as a kid, so why should I bother calling you after a roadside bomb got me."

"Excuse me." Ultra Magnus interrupted. "As much as the two probably need to hash out your differences, we do have a procedure to perform. So, captain Fowler, if you could join us."

Nodding, Mike wheeled towards the bots. "Sorry about that, Captain Michael Fowler reporting for duty. I look forward to working with you sirs." He saluted.

"Yes, we're pleased to have you." Optimus said, trying to ignore the awkward tension that now permeated the room. "We shall introduce you to the other Maximals once they return."

"I'm guessing they were the group I saw leaving the base?" Mike replied. "And from the looks on their faces, they didn't know about this project?" He asked.

Optimus sighed. "Correct on both counts captain, and that is something I will deal with later. Now, if you'll speak with Perceptor, he will tell you what the procedure entails and assist you in selecting a beast mode from the DNA samples we've collected." As Mike rolled away, Optimus noticed Fowler senior climbing back up the stairs with a dejected look on his face.

"Agent Fowler, are you alright?" Optimus queried quietly. "I know that this must be a massive shock, to see your son after so long and in such a condition. Although I find myself curious about his hostility to you."

Fowler sighed. "Honestly, it goes back to before I met any of you. Like my son I enlisted when I turned eighteen. After my deployment in the Army Rangers ended, I was scooped up by G.I. Joe in the wanning years of the program."

Optimus nodded. He knew that agent Fowler had been connected to the elite special mission force. A brief scan of their liaisons' records proved that.

"During my training there I ended up with the codename Survive, after all the missions and crashes I came out of relatively unscathed." He continued. "Not long after that, Mikey was born, and I planned to retire from the military altogether and raise him with my wife. Unfortunately, we had a run-in with the last remnants of COBRA."

Fowler took a shuddering breath. "We discovered that somehow, they'd not only discovered our families' locations, but they had sleeper agents watching them, waiting to pull the trigger at a moments' notice." He rubbed his eyes. "That was the final straw for my wife, she filed for divorce and took Mikey with her."

He hung his head. "I stayed away from the both of them for their own safety. The G.I. Joe program was eventually shut down and rebranded as Unit-E not long after that. I visited him when I could, but he's right, I wasn't there for him when he needed me."

Agent Fowler sighed. "My biggest interaction with him was trying to keep him from following in my footstep. Especially since we now know that some COBRA operatives managed to slip through the cracks. MECHs' technology was similar to COBRAs', and I'm afraid that some of their former agents will still try to come after him."

Optimus gave Fowler a surprised look. He'd read up on COBRA during some research into MECH and had no inkling that the two were connected. "An understandable fear, Agent Fowler. Hopefully he'll be a little more receptive to your tale after he's settled in."

"All set." Brainstorm said from the control panel. "Beast mode DNA is uploaded, and the subject is prepared."

"Can you not refer to my son as a test subject?" Fowler sniped at the scientist. Giving a nervous swallow, he marched back down the stairs and towards Mike who was now covered in a blanket, having changed out of the hospital gown he arrived in.

Kneeling next to him Bill looked Mike in the eye. "Son, if this doesn't work, I want you to know that I'm sorry. I-"

"Dad, stop." He spoke. "It's alright." He reached behind his right ear and removed a hearing aid. "I always have this damned thing turned up too high. I heard everything you told Optimus."

He wrapped his father in a one-armed hug. "I'm sorry too dad, and if the worst does happen." He took a shaky breath. "I love you." The two Fowlers hugged in a way that seemed to embody years of words unsaid.

Moments later Mike was in the main tube of the machine.

"Administering cybermater, take a deep breath." Brainstorm said as he pulled a switch on the controls. The grey material filled the chamber, submerging Mike completely within moments.

"Engaging the Enigma." Perceptor spoke, activating the artifact and watching as the magenta light pulsed towards the tube.

"Incorporating animal DNA." Fowler finished, pressing a slide with a fur sample into the console. After his and his sons' emotional moment, he insisted on having a role in his potential rebirth.

Optimus looked on at the scene. He was thankful that the circumstances had enabled father and son to reconcile, but he was still silently praying that this procedure worked. For both of their sakes. He was pulled out of his silent prayer however, by a page from Blaster.

"Hey OP we got a mystery caller here who claims to know Arcee and is claiming that something's wrong. Want me to patch him through?" Blaster radioed.

"Patch him through to the monitor."

Moments later the face of Cyclonus appeared. "Prime, I just received a message from Arcee that she, her charges are under attack. She also said that their communications are being jammed in some way. I'm sending you their coordinates and I'm a few minutes out from their location. I suggest you send backup." With that the screen went black as he terminated the call.

Optimus was about to begin assembling a team when a bright flash of magenta light emanated from the tube.

Out in the dessert some twenty miles away. Arcee and the Maximals were busy taking out their frustrations on rocks and sand dunes.

"I can't. Believe. They kept that. A secret. From us." Miko grunted as she sliced a tall rock to the ground in one-foot increments with her katanas.

Raf was several feet away turning his own boulder into a pile of gravel with his chain guns. "I know what you mean, I'm not opposed to there being more Maximals, but they could've at least told us about it."

Several loud cracks and shrieks came from a nearby dust cloud. It settled a few moments later to reveal Jack and Vince. Jack had used his whip on a sand dune while Vince blew away another.

"Honestly." Jack said. "I'm just irritated that Magnus just treated any say we had in the matter as a given. Like we don't factor into the equation for our own group."

June gave a sigh after unloading an Onyx blaster into a nearby sand dune. "I agree, what he did was asinine. I think he's so used to being in command that he thinks everyone except Optimus has to follow his orders." She reasoned while holstering her weapon.

Arcee pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're both right." She conceded. Even when she wasn't directly under him, she still saw that Magnus had a habit of rubbing bots the wrong way. "However, we still need to work with him for the time being. That said, I think it's time we headed back."

Jack grimaced. "Alright. We'll talk to Optimus and Magnus when we get back. Arcee, can you request a ground bridge?" He asked. After all the target practice they'd been doing after running here, none of them felt like running back.

Vince winced slightly. "Hey, do you guys here anything that sounds like a low whine?"

Shaking her head, Arcee activated her comms. "Arcee to base. Requesting a bridge back." There was a two-beep tone that signaled a failure to connect. "Blaster this is Arcee can you hear me?" The beep repeated. "Blaster? That shouldn't happen, we're not that far from the base."

Any further questions were cut off by several canisters landing in the sand near them and expelling a thick white smoke. The effect was immediate on the Maximals and June who suddenly felt drowsy and collapsed to the ground coughing before passing out. Several vehicles roared onto the scene, people in army uniforms and gas masks exiting.

"Hey." Arcee yelled. "Leave them-" Her yell was cut off as several high-power stunners buried themselves in Arcees' mesh and discharged, dropping her like a stone. Depthcharge was dropped by several more.

Out of the thick white smoke came another figure sporting the same attire. "Alright, successful takedown. Get these specimens in the transport trucks." Agent Simmons called. "Keep the jammer blocking their base and keep the subjects sedated to make sure they can't transform."

"Hey man, what gives?" Yelled a new voice. Looking to her left Arcee recognized Beachcombers' dune buggy mode racing towards them. Transforming and pulling his blaster, he got between the soldiers and the Maximals. "What ya got against those kids man?"

"Shit, we got a second bot on sight, use the backup tasers!" Simmons yelled. Beachcomber was caught off guard as the stunners sank into him and shocked him to the ground screaming. "Alright, bonus points on this mission. Get the freaks loaded up first, then the two metal bots. Them you can place with our new 'systems jammer'. Oh, and make sure to grab Darby, we can use her as a bargaining chip to ensure compliance."

While all this was happening Arcee was barely hanging on to consciousness. Upon hearing that the communications to the base were cut off, she took a gamble. "Cyclonus. Cyclonus come in. The kids and I need you. We're under attack and being jam-" She gave a scream as renewed shocks coursed through her body.

"Boost the signal jammer to cover the entire area. Then get the packages loaded double time." Simmons ordered. "We heard your little call for help, but we'll be on our way before anyone shows up." With that he placed something on the back of Arcees' neck. "A little shock device to ensure no more heroics." He explained smugly.

"Why are you attacking us? We have diplomatic immunity and Optimus will know we're missing." Arcee asked, trying to buy time for help to arrive. She felt a vehicle back up near her head as several chains were attached to her and Beachcomber.

"Well, what the president doesn't know, we can plausibly deny. And as for the big rig, with so many new, unauthorized ETs to keep track of, I don't think he'll notice if one or two go missing." Simmons replied. "Okay, take it up!" He yelled to the truck driver.

Arcee felt herself being pulled into the back of the truck, Beachcomber right behind her. Head clearing the canvas covering she was surprised to see another cybertronian. This one was purplish pink and grey Cybertronian bolted to the side of the truck. Various wires and cables were connected to the back of his head and neck. This must be their 'jammer'. A quick glance showed just where this poor mech must've come from.

"Aww man." Beachcomber groaned. "They just had to put us in here with a Decepticon."

"Hardly." The other bot groaned, closing his optics. "After they left me to burn with that lab, I'm no Decepticon. Name's Sparkstalker, freelance cryptologist." He introduced.

As Beachcombers' feet cleared the back of the truck, Arcee saw a bound and gagged June be tossed into the back with them. Moments later the truck started up. Arcee only hoped that her friend heard her call.

The moment Mihcael Fowler felt a charge run through his body in addition to the burning cold of the cybermatter, he ceased to feel any pain. Not in the sense that he was dead, more in the way that he felt whole. With a shock he realized he felt more limbs that what he had moments ago. He also felt himself floating in nothingness. Before he could ruminate on his situation, a voice from everywhere and nowhere called out to him.

"Greetings Mihcael Fowler, and welcome. I am Vector Sigma." The voice spoke.

"Who?" Mike asked. In everything he'd learned about the Autobots after signing up for this experiment, he'd never heard that name mentioned.

"Apologies, but I haven't long to explain." Vector Sigma replied. "You have chosen to become one of my newest creations as a Maximal. I feel you've done so for noble reasons so I shall grant your wish. However, my other Maximals are in great danger. An outside force is hunting them as we speak, intending to do harm."

"What!" Mike yelled. "But those guys were just kids. They, they did nothing to deserve being hunted. He took a calming breath. "Alright, tell me what to do."

"Follow the call of your spark towards the others. From there, you must simply transform, and move out." With that, Mike was bathed in magenta light as he was pulled back into full consciousness.

Upon exiting the tube Mike shook his head and took stock of his new body, not quite used to having four limbs (let alone a tail) again. Looking at himself in a reflective surface, he saw that the beast mode DNA took. His body looked similar to the Maximal that he knew was called both Jack and Leobolt. While the overall build was the same, his was slightly more streamlined. Mostly because he was a different big cat completely.

"Woah it worked, I'm a Cheetah!" He exclaimed.

"Mike?" Agent Fowler asked in awe of his sons' new form.

"Agent and Captain Fowler, I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have need of you both in rescuing our endangered Autobot and Maximal allies." Optimus spoke. "We have the coordinates from an associate of ours, but the spacebridge is being blocked, so we need to transform, and roll out. I'll follow with reinforcements."

Mike nodded. "Right." He remembered what Vector Sigma had said. "Okay, focus on the others, they are the mission."

Closing his eyes, Mike focused on everything he knew about the other Maximals. His heart had gone out to them for what they'd suffered. While he knew that he had specific missions with the other Maximals produced by Project Pheonix, maybe he could make their wellbeing his own mission.

With that, Mikes spark glowed a bright purple as he transformed. Rearing up on his hind legs he felt the become thinner. Looking down he saw that while he could feel them, they looked like a type of speed running prosthetics. His cheetah head and paws folded into his head and arms respectively, replacing them with hands and a scarless human head and leaving cheetah hide in its' wake.

"Woah." Mike said again. "Now this is what I call spot on smooth." He commented, testing his new legs out. He was thrilled to be able to stand upright again, not to mention the fact he had his face and eye back. He'd almost forgotten what he looked like without the scars.

"Indeed." Optimus replied. He turned to Agent Fowler. "Hound and Mr. Blackrock will meet you at the gate, they will be going with you. Now move out." With that Mike ran out of the hangar and to the gate in less than two seconds. A gust of wind blowing in his wake.

"Holy!" Fowler yelled.

"Looks like we have another Blurr on our hands Prime." Magnus commented as Agent Fowler ran after his son.

Catching up to his son he saw that G.B. Blackrock and Hound were already at the gate. The latter sitting on what looked like a red Vehicon car while wearing a suit of advanced looking armor with a backpack. "What the heck are you wearing Garrison?"

G.B. looked at him. "My Transtector, I finished the prototype a couple days ago. I was going to wait to do a test run, but with my daughters in trouble." He let that sentence trail off.

He pressed a button on his wrist and the hood of the car folded away, exposing a sizeable indentation. Blackrock jumped towards it. Curling into fetal position he nestled into the cavity, the backpack section of the suit unfolding to lock him into place while giving the appearance of an engine. The car started and shifted into gear. "Let's hit the trail, Fowler."

"Right." Fowler said, impressed by this new development. He climbed into Hound and felt a wave of nostalgia being behind the wheel of a V.A.M.P. again. "Mike, you know where to go, take point. At full speed we should be there in ten minutes"

Mike saluted and took off running. Hound and Blackrock right behind him. Looking at the speedometer moments later, Bill saw that they were traveling at a hundred twenty miles an hour. Grinning ear to ear, he couldn't help himself. He threw his fist into the air and yelled. "YO JOE!"

In his seat in the cab of a transport truck, agent Simmons smirked. Today had been a good day for him so far. He'd finally been able to get an ass load of alien tech for Sector Seven. With everything they could pull out of these subjects, the country would be secure for years to come. Not to mention the massive boost to his pension and getting the Nakadais off his back.

His musings were cut short as a large shadow passed over the convoy. He furrowed his brow. There was supposed to be no air traffic over this route for security reasons. The shadow passed over again and Simmons saw a strange looking needle nosed jet flying towards the horizon. Seeing it bank left and come right at them, Simmons swore. "Oh shit."

Cyclonus transformed in midair and drew his sword. With one mighty swing he managed to separate the cab of the troop transport from the rest of it. The cab rolled a further twenty feet before slowing to a stop. Simmons climbed out of the cab as his troops climbed out of the overturned back end as the other vehicles came to a stop.

Simmons pulled his shades back on and glowered at Cyclonus. "Now listen here tall dark and pasty." He sneered. "We already have our limit for aliens today so I'm giving you an opportunity to walk away. Otherwise, we'll be happy to blast you to pieces and just leave you to rust."

"You speak as if you have any authority over me, fleshling." Cyclonus sneered back. "You do however happen to have a friend of mine and her charges." He leaned down to look at Simmons. "So, I'm giving you an opportunity. Release them, and I won't slice you all to pieces and leave you for the vultures."

"For the love of. Open Fire!" Simmons yelled. His squadron fired on Cyclonus, the swordsbot using his sword to direct the first few blasts. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to deflect several others and had his armor dented in several places along with a causing couple of mesh wounds.

Dodging right he swung his sword at the soldiers' guns, slicing them clean through the power packs. The soldiers were force to drop them as the packs exploded. This left the entire left flank free to fire on him. Cyclonus barely got his sword up in time.

"You had your chance ET." Simmons sneered. "Break out the heavy ordinance and prepare to-"

The rest of his order was cut off by a yellow blur whizzing past the collective vehicles and kicking up sand. Everyone covered their eyes and heard a surprised yell from Cyclonus. When they opened them again, he was gone.

"What the hell?" Simmons asked as the blur passed by again, this time taking all their weapons and stacking them in a pile several feet away. Before anyone could even think to move to retrieve their weapons, the blur began to raise holy hell.

Mike for his part was enjoying this mission. After disarming the troops attacking the purple bot and moving him behind a nearby boulder, he began to systematically disassemble every single vehicle in the convoy. Wheels, doors, canvas coverings, all went flying. Coming to the vehicles holding the Maximals he quickly slashed apart their restraints with a pair of curved swords built into his body. Moving to the truck with the Cybertronians, he cut Arcee and Beachcomber free. However, with all the cables and bolts connected to the third one, he decided to hold off on him.

Jack was the first Maximal to shrug off the sedative Sector Seven had pumped him full of. Transforming and standing upright, he looked at the new Maximal. Regardless of their current issues about Project Pheonix, this one did just save their lives.

"So, you're our new member." He said holding out a hand. The new Maximal took it.

"Captain Michael Fowler at your service. But you can call me Mike. I look forward to working with you commander Darby." Mike introduced.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You're not any relation to-"

"My dad." Mike explained. "Long story."

"I look forward to hearing it."

"You won't be living that long." Simmons yelled. During their brief exchange he managed to sneak over to the weapons pile and grab a blaster. "I would've preferred to take you all alive, but I can settle for a good old-fashioned autopsy instead."

Any further threats were cut off as Hound, Blackrock, and agent Fowler came into view over the horizon. Speeding up to the group, Hound slammed on the breaks and swerved stopping just feet from Simmons.

Fowler scrambled out of Hound who transformed and trained his gun on Simmons' men. Seeing this, he tried to bluff his way out. "Now Bill, I know what this looks like but-" He was cut off as Fowlers' fist slammed into his face, knocking him into the dirt.

"What this looks like Seymour, is you violating direct orders from the joint chiefs, the Pentagon, and the president of the United fricking State!" Fowler finished with a yell.

"Look." Simmons grumbled, pinching his bloody nose. His shades eschewed. "I'm still under orders to retrieve any and all alien technology. I'm only doing my damn job."

"Had you not been so caught up in 'doing your job' you would've been able to reap some benefits by working with our visitors." Blackrock spoke using the car radio.

Allison and Sierra looked at the red sports car. "Daddy?" Sierra asked, giving the car a confused look.

The car gave a lurch and transformed. Standing in its' place was a Vehicon with a human face. It deployed a pair of blasters from its' wrists and aimed them at Simmons. The engine that was Blackrock had migrated to the abdomen during the transformation.

"While I'm in my Transtector." He began. "Please call me Overdrive."

"You mean you can control those." Simmons began before he collected himself. "Mr. Blackrock, on behalf of the United States government, I am confiscating whatever tech you're using to-"

"Those were made as a United States defense project and as such, already belong to the government." Fowler cut across. "However, seeing as two of your kidnaping victims are Mr. Blackrocks' daughters." He paused as he watched Simmons pale. "He would be well within his rights to turn you into a red smear in the sand."

"I have a better idea." June called as she walked towards the group, Raf, Arcee, Beachcomber and Sparkstalker behind her. The former having been safely disconnected from the truck and jamming system by Raf. She marched over to Simmons and yanked the blaster from his grip.

"And what's that nurse Darby." Fowler asked, suppressing a grin. He knew June had been planning something nasty if she ever ran into Simmons again.

June did a quick check to make sure all the guards were male. "All of you, shirts, shoes, and socks in a pile next to the guns." She ordered. Seeing their hesitation, she fired the blaster into the air to get them moving.

"You can't order us to-" June cut Simmons off with a smack to the face, snatching his badge while he was distracted.

"See this?" June taunted, holding Simmons own badge up to him. "This is a 'do anything I want and get away with it' badge. Now move it!" She growled as Simmons stripped off his shirt and footwear. It felt good to use that bastards' own words against him.

"Now." June began, throwing the badge onto the pile of clothing. "The nearest gas station is about fifteen miles to the west of here. You 'brave' soldiers are going to walk that entire way barefoot while the afternoon sun is beating down. With luck, you should make it there in about five or six hours."

She gave an evil grin. "And to make sure you don't get any ideas." She turned to the others. "Destroy the trucks." With that the group finished what Mike had started on the military transports they'd arrived in as well as the pile of shirts and footwear. "Now march." She ordered.

"Now hold on." Simmons argued. "We're not going to just-" He was cut off by Sparkstalker transforming into a winged and tusked birdlike dinosaur and breathing a stream of fire at the man. Taking this as a cue, Simmons and his squadron ran like hell, several members yelping and wincing until they were out of sight.

"They got off too easy." Cyclonus grumbled at the retreating group.

"Not really." June explained. The ground in this part of the dessert is hot enough to scald feet with just one step, let alone fifteen miles of them." She giggled. "Not to mention, cactus have been growing and shedding needles out here for thousands of years, and all those needles are in the sand even now. Just waiting to be stepped on."

"Throw in the triple degree heat and I'd say this is borderline torture. Admittedly it's well deserved though." Fowler finished at Junes' scathing look.

Arcee turned to Cyclonus. "Thank you for coming to our rescue. I don't want to think what would've happened if you hadn't arrived."

Cyclonus shook his head. "Think nothing of it, but I don't think it best for me to stick around. I may have a lead on Airachnid that I need to follow. Take care." With that Cyclonus transformed and took off in the opposite direction of Simmons.

The various Maximals gathered around Mike. "I had no idea Fowler had a kid." Miko spoke. At a quick elbow in the ribs from Sierra, she changed track. "So, Mike, what do you transform into?" She asked.

Mike transformed back into his cheetah form, causing her to laugh. "Looks like we got another big cat on the team. Welcome aboard, Cheetor." She finished.

"Cheetor?"

"Codename." Jack explained. "She gave one to almost all of us."

"I still think Prowl would've suited you if it hadn't been taken." Miko replied. "But Leobolt makes him sound sexy too." She finished, wriggling her eyebrows at her now red-faced boyfriend.

The newly dubbed Cheetor smirked. "Okay so I'm Cheetor, you're Leobolt, and the rest of you?" He asked, wanting to match the names he read to faces. Starting with Miko, the other Maximals introduced themselves.

"Wingsaber"

"Rhinox"

"Botanica"

"Nightscream"

"Mach hoof"

"Depthcharge"

"And I'm June Darby, unofficial Maximal handler." June finished the introductions.

"That said." Fowler spoke as he looked at his son. "Welcome to Unit-E son." He looked at the rest of the group. "I've already called off the cavalry and requested a bridge back to base now that the jammer has been, disconnected." He finished with a wary eye on Sparkstalker.

The ground bridge portal swirled into existence in front of them. One by one the Maximals and humans walked through the portal and back into the base. The bots and Overdrive followed moments later.

Overdrive held up a finger. "Before I transform and detach." He stated. He turned to Allison and Sierra and gave the two of them a hug before transforming and separating from his car body. "You wouldn't believe how much I've missed being able to hug you girls." June looked down trying not to seem envious.

"A sentiment that, I'm sure is relatable." Optimus said as he came into the room, Ultra Magnus just behind him. His optics landed on Sparkstalker

Sparkstalker held up his hands. "I quit the Decepticons." He spoke. "I just need to know who I need to surrender to."

Optimus nodded and pointed to the lift that led to the Lost Light. "Just go down that lift and speak with a mech named Rodimus. Arcee, Beachcomber, if you could escort him." There was no way he was going to risk Ultra Magnus interrogating a defector after everything else that'd happened today.

"I'll go with them." Depthcharge spoke as he turned to follow. Having a fellow ex Decepticon to explain a few things on both sides would be helpful.

As Sparkstalker was led away, Optimus turned to the Maximals. "I see that captain Fowler has begun integration into your unit." He gave a sigh. "Having said that, I owe the rest of you an explanation of Project Pheonix."

"When Jack, Miko, and Rafael were first turned into Maximals, the government wanted to use them for black ops missions." Optimus began. "However, as the three of you are underaged and still dealing with the trauma of your ordeal, I argued that this was ill advised. Project Pheonix was our counter offer. We would replicate the process on severely injured U.S. service members to create the team they wanted.

Optimus closed his optics. "However, implementing it was contingent on recovering the Enigma of Combination. Without it, reformatting humans would be near impossible even with the cybermatter at our disposal. Another part of that bargain was that any and all subjects of the reformatting process, past or future, would be offered citizenship on Cybertron. This was agreed upon to protect you all from forces such as Sector Seven." He finished.

"With the Enigma in our possession and the designs for the chamber, we had no choice but to move forward with Project Pheonix." Ultra Magnus continued. "Unfortunately, you discovered the project before we could break the news to you gently."

"It wasn't the project that made us angry." Jack replied. "It was the fact that we were never consulted about it before or after the fact. Then any opinion we had when we found out was treated like it didn't matter."

"I understand that, and we were wrong." Optimus agreed. "We will take your input on any potential candidates for the project into account for now on." He placated.

The Maximals all looked at each other before nodding. "Apology, and solution, accepted." Jack replied. "But from now on, no more keeping secrets about us, from us." Nobody noticed Magnus' brief guilty look.

An hour later, down in the Lost Lights' hold, Sparkstalker had just finished being interrogated about his decision to leave the Decepticons and how he came to be captured by the humans. He just responded honestly. In between the unnecessarily cruel experiments on human captives and the desecration of Liege Maximos' tomb and corpse, he was thoroughly disgusted and disillusioned. The Decepticons had fallen far from the lofty ideals Megatron once professed. Ideals, he himself still believed in to an extent.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the door opening. A short grey and aqua colored femme entered the room holding and energon cube. "Hello." She said in a somewhat nasally voice. "I brought you some energon, I figured you could use some after what those humans did to you." She explained, offering him the cube.

Taking it, Sparkstalker looked at her in contemplation. Her voice sounded familiar. "Thank you." He said, taking a sip from the energon cube. "I know this is going to sound strange, but are you a hacker?"

"Ohh, my gosh." Lightbright exclaimed in recognition. "You're that hacker from the Predacon lab aren't you. Oh wow, I heard that you might've been in the building when it went up but I'd hoped you survived. You were such a sweet opponent in our little battle of bytes and I'm so thankful you did despite those humans using you as a living signal jammer. I mean not all humans are bad I've learned, more scared and curious than anything but some of them can put you off the whole species if you let them. My name's Lightbright by the way." She said all this really fast.

Thankfully after Cindersaur and Flamefeather, this femme was easy to be understand. "It was a close thing, sweet byte." Sparkstalker grinned, feeling a little swagger now that he had some fuel in him. "I got blasted through a door and taken captive when I woke up. And my name is Sparkstalker." He winked at her.

"Oh, well you're here now." Lightbright spoke, blushing. "Whether you want to be an Autobot or just a neutral is fine. Rodimus actually sent me to take you to your quarters and give you a tour. Not that there's much to see, the highlights are basically the fuel reservoir lake and Swerves' bar." She explained.

Finishing his energon, Sparkstalker decided to take a chance. "That sounds wonderful." He asked, then he cleared his throat. "But would you like to get a drink at the bar last? Maybe we can swap some stories." He finished with a blush of his own.

"Ohh, I've never been on a date before, it sounds like fun." Lightbright squealed. "Come on." She said grabbing Sparkstalker by the wrist and pulling him out the door.

Sparkstalker smiled to himself as they left the room. This hacker femme may be a bit unusual, but he had a feeling that would make any relationship with her an adventure worth having.

Meanwhile aboard the Nemesis, Shockwave was supervising the unloading of the Omega Lock components from Astrotrain. During the excavation, they'd discovered something that could be of use to the Decepticon cause.

"You said the Constructicons found something of interest at the excavation site Shockwave?" Megatron asked. After their latest setbacks from the Predacon projects, anything of value could be a potential game changer.

"Indeed Lord Megatron." Shockwave began, stepping over to one of the containers. "I believe it was initially missed due to the high energy reading around the lock itself, but once the majority of the components were excavated, it was easily detectable."

He pulled out what looked like a blue cylindrical stone overlayed with white lines of circuitry. At the top of it was a hole for what could presumably be a thumb. Megatron took a hold of it and it expanded a bit to fit his hand and began to glow softly.

Looking down at it, his optics widened. "Micronus Primes' Chimera Stone." Megatron whispered. "Well, we lost one artifact of the thirteen, and gained another. Continue to supervise the unloading of the Omega Lock. I'll put this in the vault personally."

"That would be logical." Shockwave stated. "Even if it cannot be used in our current plans, it would be prudent to keep it away from the enemy."

As Megatron left to store the Decepticons' newest artifact, Galavar was helping himself to something of Megatrons' in Shockwaves' lab. "Hmm, no, no, definitely not." He said quietly to himself as he rummaged through the crystals of dark energon. He needed a specific one.

"Ah." He finally said. He pulled out a perfect gemstone of dark energon. "A flawless piece, fitting for what we have planned for it. Yes." He muttered. He'd have to get it to Tarantulas quickly so that the project could be completed while their 'commander' was busy. Once it was complete, not even Megatron could stop his takeover.

On the other side of the ship. Punch was taking advantage of Knockout buffing himself to use the med bay to send a message. He knew there were no cameras in there. Transforming into Counterpunch, he activated his wrist comm.

"This is Autobot intelligence agent Counterpunch reporting in." Counterpunch began. "While the destruction of the Predacon facility was successful, it has opened up a new, more horrible possibility. The combination of CNA and the partial synthetic energon formula in the lab led to the creation of cybermatter. While the combination itself is unstable for the moment they are already planning to use it and the relocated Omega Lock to either restore Cybertron or Cyberform the Earth once the formula is perfected."

He took a breath. "I don't think I need to say how bad either option could be for our cause. My recommendation would be to wait for the majority of the work to be completed then launch an all-out assault on the Nemesis. From there we can use their resources to restore Cybertron ourselves. I'll give a status report in seventy-two Earth hours. Signing off."

With that, he transformed back into Punch and exited the med bay, never noticing the eight eyes that were watching him from the ceiling.

Notes:

Mike/Cheetor in my story is based almost entirely off Cheetors' Beast Machines design. Albeit with a different head sculpt. I gave him Blurrs' level of speed after reading the recent Beast Wars comics by IDW, specifically where Cheetor races a copy of Blurr in a Vok induced vision. His and Jacks' designs are similar for now, but I do plan to give Jack an upgrade in the third arc.

My decision to have Blackrock become Overdrive via Powermaster upgrade is actually a precursor of things to come for him. The use of the of Transtector will evolve into something much bigger in the third arc.

I know canonically the Chimera Stone is round, but for my story I modeled it after the Minicon ports on the Armada, Energon, and Cybertron toys. I figured it'd be appropriate for the 'first' Minicon.

On a side note. If anyone plays the Transformers Earth Wars mobile game, my alliance the Spedabots is looking for new recruits. The main requirements are 1000 medals, a level 6 or up HQ, and active participation in events. Thank you for your consideration.

Next time: Fantasy vs. Reality.

Chapter 26: Fantasy vs. Reality Pt.1

Notes:

Welcome back, to Beast Wars Prime. I admit this chapter was one of my favorites to write. Even if switching POVs was a pain in the rear at times. I decided to drag another minor con out of mothballs and give him a chance to shine. You'll see who at the end and in the meantime, enjoy a little game of fantasy and reality.

(Fantasy-Jack)

Jack awoke with a start as the transport came to a stop. Where was he? Where were the bots? He slowed down to think a moment. Oh right, the bots returned to Cybertron years ago. He felt the ache in his chest he always had when he thought about them. That sadness may have been why he dreamed he Miko and Raf were Cybertronian hybrids.

And as to where, he was coming back from their latest mission, capturing some escaped MECH agents. As he stepped off the transport, he heard his partner give a whoop behind him. "Wahoo!" Miko exclaimed as she threw her fist into the air. "That was awesome."

Miko had changed a bit since the bots left, she traded her original pigtails for a pixie cut and added a green streak in honor of Bulkhead. She also had a growth spurt not long after the bots left that left her only a couple inches shorter than him. "We still on for dinner tonight?" She asked.

He smiled as he remembered the ring in his pocket. After the bots left their mutual sadness had drawn them closer together. They began dating right before they entered training in Unit-E three years ago, becoming a wildly successful pair of agents, and tonight, he was finally going to ask her to marry him. "Yep." He replied. "I will start cooking after I debrief Fowler and get cleaned up."

Miko planted a kiss on his lips. "See you then Jackrabbit." She then headed for the showers to clean up herself.

Jack smiled again as he watched her go. How did he get so lucky? Just a few more hours and some extra preparations, and he might be the luckiest man on Earth that night.

(Fantasy-Miko)

Miko rubbed her eyes in the early afternoon sun as she got off the plane. Slash Monkeys' reunion tour had ended a few days ago and she was only now getting back to the states. She made the mistake of visiting her parents while she was on layover in Tokyo. After that giant cluster frag, she caught a redeye flight back to Reno where her ride would pick her up. She slept for most of the twelve-hour flight and with her exhaustion, it was no wonder she dreamed she was a giant bird.

"See, there she is." Came the voice of Mikos' husband. Turning, she saw Jack with a sign with her name on it. The thing that really warmed her heart however, was that their two-year old daughter Akiko was holding a small sign of her own that read 'mama' while sitting on her fathers' shoulder.

"Hey, sweet spark." Miko greeted as Jack brought Akiko down to hug her. She then leaned over and kissed Jack, trying not to giggle as their daughter went 'ewe' at them. As much as Miko Darby loved rock and roll, there was nothing like having someone to come home to.

(Fantasy-Raf)

"Rafael? Mijo wake up." Rafs' mother called to him.

Raf jerked awake at the dining room table. With all the late-night studying he'd been doing, not to mention the chats with Bee, it was no surprise he fell asleep at the table. Although why he dreamed that he was a rhinoceros was a big wonder why for him.

"Are you alright? It isn't like you to fall asleep at the table." His eldest brother Estavanico asked. "Let alone at Christmas dinner."

Raf shook his head. "I'm alright guys." He answered. Looking around, he saw his entire family smiling at him. "Just had a lot on my mind."

"So, nothing really new then?" Rafs' sister Emilda joked.

"Well actually." Raf said, sitting up a little straighter, all eyes at the table were on him. "I was going to wait until after dinner to announce this but, I finally got my acceptance letter. I start at MIT in the fall."

"Oh, that's great Mijo."

"Way to go Raffy."

"Knew you'd do us proud son."

Raf smiled widely. He really did love his family.

(Reality)

Things had been fairly routine at the base that day. Drift had been training with Depthcharge Jack and Miko while the other Maximals trained with their own mentors in the Lost Light.

Shortly after the lessons ended however, the first six techno organic Maximals all became non responsive, staring blankly ahead. However, before any of the medical staff could see them, the six began to attack any and all Autobots in sight.

"Leobolt, stop!" Depthcharge yelled as he used his sword to block his commanders' whip. Moments after the two froze he went to check on them, only for Leobolt to slash him across the forearm with his claws. Retracting his whip, Leobolt charged forward. There was no indication that he'd heard him.

"Wingsaber, hold!" Drift called as he blocked his students' swords with his own. "Something else is controlling them." He called to Depthcharge. From what he could see, neither of his students' techniques were their own.

"Tell me something I don't know." Depthcharge replied, dodging another blow from Leobolts' whip.

Hearing the Lift from the Lost Light activate, he turned and saw Bumblebee wrestling with Rhinox. He beeped for his friend to stop but like the other two, there was no sign of the scout getting through to his partner. This was further proved by Rhinox firing his chain guns at Bumblebee, forcing him to transform and drive to get away from the blasts.

"If these three are affected." Depthcharge said, dodging another shot. I wonder if the Maximals in the Lost Light were affected too?" He wondered.

(Fantasy-Sierra)

"Siri, wake up sweetheart."

Sierra Raider jerked awake in her rocking chair by the fire. At the tender age of eighty-four she'd picked up a bad habit of falling asleep at random. Looking at her husband Vincent, she smiled contentedly grey hair and all. Who'd have thought that the local bad boy of Jasper Nevada would grow into such a loving husband and doting grandfather.

"Sorry Vinny, the grandbabies in bed?" She asked. They were watching the little ones until their parents could join them for the holidays.

"Yep." He answered. "And your sister and her wife went to bed about an hour ago." He looked out the window at the falling snow. "Looks like it'll be a white Christmas this year." It was their turn to hold the annual get together that year. The Jack and Miko were due to arrive tomorrow morning. Raf and Sari were to arrive that afternoon.

Then for some inexplicable reason the living room window shattered and an unnaturally cold blast of cold air blew through and Sierra found herself falling back asleep.

(Reality)

Nightbeat was firing stun blasts at Botanica while she shot fireweed sap at anything that moved. She'd already managed to hit Whirl Swerve and Wheeljack. "Botanica, quit it." He raised a servo to his comms. "This is Nightbeat, I need backup. Botanica's attacking anyone in sight."

There was a moment of silence. "We're trying Nightbeat, but the other hybrid Maximals are tearing up the ship too." Rodimus answered, a small explosion in the background. He was about to try one of the bots on the surface when Botanica was enveloped in a white mist.

Nightbeat felt the temperature drop significantly as his partner disappeared. When the mist cleared, he saw Botanica in her alt mode on the ground. Behind her, stood Ultra Magnus carrying what looked like a Cybertronian fire extinguisher.

"Sorry for the delay soldier." Magnus said as he checked that Botanica was still functional. "When I got the reports that the Maximals were going wild I had to get some equipment."

"You knew that would work on her?" Nightbeat asked inquisitively. "How do you know that wouldn't hurt her long term?" He knew extreme cold hindered plants and many entered hibernation in prolonged cold, but how did Magnus know it would stop Sierra?

"The Maximals have higher metabolisms so in this ones' case the cold would affect her faster than other plants." He replied, placing restraints on Sierra in case she woke up again.

Nightbeat did some quick thinking and his optics widened. "You have files on the kids, don't you. Files on their strengths and weaknesses." He narrowed his optics in concentration. "Do they know you have those files?" Magnus' slight wince was enough of an answer. "Does Optimus know?"

"Look soldier." Ultra Magnus interrupted, answering his question more thoroughly than needed. "I created those files for reasons like this. And I know for a fact you have a file about them." He argued.

"Yes." Nightbeat conceded. "But the kids KNOW I have that file. And it does not include information that could harm them in the wrong servos." He shoved Magnus out of the way and slung Sierra over his shoulder. "I do plan to relay this intel to Optimus once this crisis has passed."

Their argument was cut off by the comms. "Trailbreaker here, Cheetor and I managed to subdue Mach Hoof and are bringing her to med bay now."

Nightbeat activated his comms. "Nightbeat here, Commander Magnus and I just stopped Botanica." He glared at the commander. "I will be bringing her momentarily."

A third comm surprised them. "Hey all this is Blaster. I managed to free Nightscream from whatever's controlling him. Whatever is affecting them is voice controlled. I'm coming to med bay to free the girls and Optimus is headed topside to help corral the other three."

Magnus threw one last look at Nightbeat. "I'm heading up to help too." He said into his comms. With that, he turned and left.

(Fantasy Allison)

Allison Blackrock shook herself from a rather pleasant daydream. She'd been some kind of robot unicorn and she'd ran her horn through the team auditing Onyx Technologies. Honestly, the company grows by ten percent in a fiscal year and the IRS want to forget that, unlike most fortune 500 companies, they actually do pay the correct amount of taxes.

Looking at her desk she saw the picture of her wife Mikaela. She smiled. Right now, all she wanted was to get through these next two meetings, and get home to her. Standing up she sighed. After this meeting about making hologram screens mainstream, she was going to shake up the suits trying to shake them down.

This turned out to be a poor choice of thoughts, because at that very second the entire building began to shake. It was an earthquake! Allison tripped and thought she must've hit her head falling because she was out cold before she registered her body hitting the floor.

(Reality)

"Got any ideas on how to stop this kiddo?" Trailbreaker asked Cheetor as they took cover behind a crate. Mach Hoof had gone nuts and started electrifying bots with her nucleon pulses. Hot Spot and Rook were hit first followed by Beachcomber when he tried to talk her down.

Ignoring the annoyance at being called kid, Mike thought for a second. "How close to a person can you make your forcefields?" He asked.

"About an inch or so, but that won't work too long. Remember how she got Rook with a gesture of her head." Trailbreaker replied. "Besides if I enclose her completely, she'd suffocate. All of you kids still need to breath."

"With my speed, I'll only need a few moments." He answered. "You cocoon her and I'll bounce her around the hall like a ping pong ball in a typhoon. I don't think it'll really hurt her, just knock her out." He added at Trailbreakers glare.

"You better be right Cheetor." Trailbreaker said as he held a hand up. A few seconds later a forcefield manifested around Mach Hoof, keeping her in place. "Go!"

Cheetor took off like a literal shot. One blow sent the energy cocoon flying down the hall only for him to run past it and knock it in a new direction entirely. This went on for a roughly ten seconds with Mach Hoof getting knocked every which way until she came to a stop at a wall a few feet where she started.

Trailbreaker released his friend and was thrilled to see she was still alive, and only unconscious. He activated his comms. "Trailbreaker here, Cheetor and I managed to subdue Mach Hoof and are bringing her to med bay now." He said, transforming into his truck alt mode. "Load her up Cheetor." He ordered. "The med staff will get the others."

The comms activated again as Cheetor was loading her into Trailbreakers' truck bed. "Nightbeat here, Commander Magnus and I just stopped Botanica. I will be bringing her momentarily."

The next message came as a surprise. "Hey all this is Blaster. I managed to free Nightscream from whatever's controlling him. Whatever is affecting them is voice controlled. I'm coming to med bay to free the girls and Optimus is headed topside to help corral the other three."

Cheetor transformed into his beast mode. "Let's go." He said, and the two rolled out for the med bay.

(Fantasy-Vince)

Vince Raider jerked awake. He wouldn't've been so tired today of all days but even he had to admit he overdid it a little with the Bacardi at his bachelor party last night. That might explain the cyborg bat he had a nightmare about. However, he refused to let anything spoil this evening.

"You ready to go bud?" Jack (his best man) asked. "You have to be out there before Sierra you know." He joked.

"Laugh it up Darby, your time will come soon enough." He replied, and was rewarded by Jack looking nervous.

Before he knew it, he was standing at the alter and the band began to play the wedding march. Looking at Sierra coming down the aisle, he'd never seen anything so beautiful in his life. When she met him at the alter and he removed her veil, they were both trying to blink back tears.

"Dearly beloved." The reverend began. "We are gathered here today to join-" He was cut off as a loud sound began to blare.

Vince slapped his hands to his ears as his vision began to swim. The wedding, Sierra, and his own body all began to swirl and change. When his vision came back into focus, so did his memories. Looking down he saw that Steeljaw had his maw around one of his ankles and Blaster was standing right in front of him.

"Blaster? Wha-" Was all he managed to get out before he collapsed.

(Reality)

Blaster crashed to the floor as one of Nightscreams' cries flung him backwards. When the kid reactivated after his freeze he'd begun alternating between sonic shrieks and draining energon out of a bot in his path. Getting back up, Blaster heard the faintest of voices.

"Shriek at the bot on the left and recharge with the one you just downed."

"Swing your swords to try and take his head off."

"Aim for his tires and force try to force him back into bot mode."

That's when it hit him. Vince thought he heard someone new talking before he froze. "These kids are being voice controlled." He got up and ejected Steeljaw. "I think I know how to pull the plug on this show. When I give the word, try to keep him in place long enough for me to shut our home bat down."

"Alright." Steeljaw growled as he moved into position in an open doorway near Nightscream. "Say when." He whispered.

Blaster tapped on the door to get Nightscreams' attention. Hearing him take in a breath to shriek, Blaster took his chance. "Now!"

Steeljaw leapt from his position and sunk his fangs into their friends' ankle.

Working quickly, Blaster calculated the frequency the stranger controlling their friends was using. "Terminate program." Blaster said on the same frequency to Nightscream. Hopefully whoever was pulling his strings was using the universal shut down code.

The effect was almost instant. Vinces' eyes snapped back into focus and he looked down at Steeljaw, then at him.

"Blaster? Wha-" He questioned before collapsing.

Blaster ran up to Nightscream and heard all of his partners vitals were still working and his brain was making the sound Blaster long associated with deep sleep. He jumped a bit at the sound of footfalls. Although by the sound of them and the weight they carried, it could be only one bot.

"Blaster?" Optimus Prime spoke, taking in the scene. "How did you manage to stop him?"

"I just matched the voice frequency of whoever's controlling them OP." Blaster replied.

Optimus thought a minute. "If you heard them talking long enough, do you think you could pinpoint a location and open a space bridge to their location?" He asked.

"In a nano." Blaster answered.

"Very well. I shall head to the surface to help contain the others. I only hope whoever's controlling our allies doesn't figure out how to combine Jackson, Miko and Rafael into Magnaboss. Take Vincent to med bay then head for the control room." With that he left Blaster for the lift.

Blaster jumped again when his comms went off. "Trailbreaker here, Cheetor and I managed to subdue Mach Hoof and are bringing her to med bay now."

Nightbeat called in moments later on his comms. "Nightbeat here, Commander Magnus and I just stopped Botanica." There was a brief pause. "I will be bringing her momentarily."

He activated his own comm. "Hey all this is Blaster. I managed to free Nightscream from whatever's controlling him. Whatever is affecting them is voice controlled. I'm coming to med bay to free the girls and Optimus is headed topside to help corral the other three." With that, he let Steeljaw back in his chest, picked up Vince and headed to med bay.

In the med bay, Ratchet and First Aid were triaging the victims of the various Maximal attacks. Velocity was tending to Botanica and Mach Hoof. Botanicas Fireweed, while painful hadn't caused any severe permanent damage. The victims of Mach hoof were going to take a while to purge the Nucleon from their systems so using Defensor to stop the Maximals was out since two of the bots that made him were down.

Blaster came in and set Vince down on the berth that Velocity tapped on. June came up to him. "Please tell me you have news on my kids." She asked beseechingly.

"Sorry nurse D." Blaster said shaking his head as Velocity began checking on Vince. "I haven't heard anything. I know Optimus is going topside to help, so that's something."

June gave a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just can't figure out why this is happening." She groaned, sinking into a chair.

Nightbeat was taking a closer look at the girls while Velocities' back was turned. He narrowed his optics at their necks. "Could I get a UV light over here?" he asked.

"Nightbeat!" Velocity yelled. She'd chased the detective away from her patients twice already.

"Here." Ratchet said absentmindedly handing a light probe to Nightbeat.

Turning it on and running it along Sierras' neck he saw them. Reflected in the light were eight one-inch-long lines in the back of her neck. A quick check of Allison revealed that she had the same lines. Velocity checked Vince and showed they were indeed three for three.

"They were attacked by a Mnemosurgeon?" Velocity asked. She'd read about the process during her time on the Lost Light but had never heard of it being weaponized like this before.

"An old school one." Nightbeat said. "These were done with the old-fashioned finger blades in rather than the needles the modern ones use."

"Mnemosurgeon?" June asked. Jack had mentioned the topic once after one of Arcees' lessons that she missed due to a doctors' appointment. Thinking back, he did look shaken by the subject.

"It's where a doctor can literally inject himself into the mind of his patient and rewrite their minds and memories." Nightbeat explained. At Junes' gasp he continued. "I don't think that was the case here however. It seems that a Decepticon surgeon planted a sleeper program into the first six Maximals and then activated it today."

"It's voice activated." Blaster interjected. "Someone is talking on a frequency that is a trigger for this specific program. I was able to shut it down after I heard him giving orders." He turned toward the door. "I'm going to track him down now. Once I pinpoint him, we're going after him."

"He won't be too far." Nightbeat supplied. "Twenty-five or so miles at most, and he might be using a cave to amplify his voice with the acoustics so check any nearby mountain ranges for cave systems."

"So, you mean someone effectively brainwashed my kids by injecting a program into their brains?" June asked incredulously. "How in the hell did that happen?"

"I wondered that myself. Especially since Cheetor wasn't affected." Nightbeat said. "Arcee, come here a minute." He called out to the femme who'd been assisting Ratchet with Hot Spot.

"What's going on Nightbeat?" She asked coming over.

"We figured out that someone preformed mnemosurgery on the Maximals, most likely a con." He explained. "I have a theory of when it might've happened, but I need to see your neck to be sure."

She turned her back to the detective. "Alright, but I haven't been around any Mnemosurgeons aside from Chromedome for millions of years."

"That's the thing about the corrupt ones Arcee." Nightbeat countered as he waved the light probe over her neck. "If they don't want you to remember meeting them, you won't." He growled seeing the lines glow on Arcees' neck.

He sighed and shut off the probe. "Arcee, I'm going to list the names of various Mnemosurgeons who are known Decepticons or unaccounted for during the war." Nightbeat explained. "If he told you his name, it should unlock the memory of the encounter. Using their name is an old trick about ninety percent of surgeons habitually use if they need to do follow up procedures. Sort of like humans using their own names for passwords."

Arcees' optics widened. "You mean I was." She stopped herself, the kids were what was important than her mental privacy right now. "Okay, shoot." She answered.

"Lobe, Greymatter, Trepan, Brainpan, Sunder, Mindwipe." He stopped. At Mindwipe Arcee seized up as a memory unlocked.

(Flashback, The Predacon lab raid)

Arcee led the Maximals through the tunnels in the lower levels of the Predacon lab. There was a cavern a few hundred feet ahead of them. "Alright, when we get to the other group, we need to fan out and." She stopped when she realized she was only hearing her own footsteps.

Turning around, Arcee noticed that the group had all stopped and were staring blankly at something on the ceiling. "What are you all-" She was cut off as a flash of red light hit her in the optics. She felt herself lock up and she saw their assailant. "Who?" She managed to grind out.

A large red and purple bat clung to the ceiling of the tunnel. "How sweet, fresh meat." It spoke. Detaching from the ceiling the bat transformed into a mech the same height as Arcee. A small pair of red batlike wings on his back were the only hint of his alt mode.

"Names Mindwipe." The Decepticon growled with a sick grin. He held up his hands and a set of old fashioned Mnemosurgery blades appeared from his fingertips. "And I just want to play a little game. No need to worry though." He spoke. "Ten minutes total, and none of you will even remember our little get together."

"No." Arcee grit out at the advancing mech.

"Oh, your mouth says 'no, no' but my blades." Mindwipe said brandishing his fingers in front of her optics before stepping behind her. "Say 'yes, yes'." He chuckled a little as he inserted his blades into her neck. "Welcome to my nightmare."

Notes:

How do you like them apples. I tried to stay in character as possible for the Maximals fantasies and hope it was true to form. And a shoutout in the next chapter to whoever can guess who I modeled my version of Mindwipe after. Not that it's that hard to guess. It should be ready in about a week or so. Like always, kudo and comment.

Next time: Fantasy vs. Reality Pt2.-The Rescue

Chapter 27: Fantasy vs. Reality Pt.2-The Rescue

Notes:

Hello all, and welcome back. Shout out to Media Hood Reviews on ff.net for figuring out I modeled Mindwipe on Freddy Krueger. Between his G1 hypnotic abilities and the Mnemosurgical skills cannon to IDW transformers, I figured he could have Freddy-like power even if his victims were wide awake. Either way, I'm glad my version of him was well received, and I bet that when you read his lines, you'll hear Robert Englunds' voice. Fair warning, this chapter may be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Enjoy the ride.

In a cave some twenty miles from the Unit-E base, Mindwipe clung to the ceiling in his bat mode. He knew what he was doing was strictly against orders, but Tarantulas had convinced him to follow through with the plan. Not that he needed much convincing. While Megatron was preoccupied with his cyberforming project, Tarantulas suggested they needed a way to keep the Autobots busy so they would be too preoccupied to interfere with their plans.

Luckily, he had to retrieve some files from the Predacon lab that they didn't want Megatron seeing. He had lucked into finding the group in the tunnels that day and took advantage of the situation. It had been easy enough to plant the programming into the hybrids and even easier erasing the encounter from their collective memory afterwards. At the time he originally planned to use the Maximals as sleeper agents if they escaped the lab. He found the location of the base simply by looking through the eyes of his victims after activating the program.

The plan began smoothly enough. While it was irritating having to split his focus in six different directions the looks on the Autobots' faces as their friends turned on them were priceless. Then the plant got cold and shut down. While annoying it wasn't a serious loss. Neither was the horse getting tossed around and passing out. Those simply made it easier to focus on the other four.

The real kick in the gears however, was that one mech figuring out his control frequency. He'd developed the fantasy puppet program during the war as a way of both gathering information and assassination. Nobody had figured out how he did it until now. He knew he shouldn't have used a universal shutdown code, but he was in a rush. Taking a 'glance' through the remaining Maximals under his control, Mindwipe saw that the Prime and his second in command had joined the fray. He grinned, time to have some fun.

Optimus caught up with Magnus at the lift, gunfire from the surface hinting at the fray awaiting them. Optimus looked at his second in command. "Magnus, whatever happens in this fight we must not harm the Maximals. Blaster believes he can locate whoever's controlling them so we need to keep the fight going long enough for him to do it."

"Understood sir." Magnus replied, stepping into the lift behind his commander. "What do we do if the trio combine?" He asked. Magnaboss was the one bot he could never develop a contingency for without showing he had intel on the Maximals.

"A likely possibility at present, I am unsure how to handle them should it happen." Optimus replied. He activated the lift, bringing them to the surface. "We may have to improvise."

Reaching the hangar, the two found an injured Depthcharge being protected by a battered Drift and Bumblebee. The swordsbot was knocking Wingsabers' kunai away as she threw while Bumblebee deflected Rhinoxs' chain gun blasts and Leobolts' whip with Depthcharges' sword to limited success. Thankfully, Rhinoxs' blasts had slowed in both speed and intensity since the attack started, a sign he was getting low on energy.

The two Autobot officers ran in front of the injured trio as the barrage halted. "Drift, Bumblebee, take Depthcharge down to the Lost Lights' med bay." Magnus ordered.

"I shall stay and assist you." Drift replied. Out of the three, he was the least damaged. "Bumblebee, can you get him there on your own?"

Beeping an affirmative, Bumblebee lifted Depthcharge up and carried him to the lift. It was a sign of how bad Jacks' claws and Mikos' swords had hurt him that he didn't argue. "Once you drop him off, find Blaster and get a team together to go after whoever's controlling them." Magnus whispered. Bumblebee nodded as the lift sank into the ground.

"Good luck with that one chief." Leobolt said in a voice that wasn't his own. Instead of Jacks' soft tone, this one was harsh and guttural. Rhinox and Wingsaber had taken up position on either side of Leobolt.

"The reason you were able to stop the other three freaks is because I had my focus split in six different directions." Rhinox continued in the exact same voice.

"Who are you?" Optimus queried. "And what have you done to the Maximals?"

"Oh, sure, take all the fun out of it. Name's Mindwipe fragger." Mindwipe introduced himself using Wingsaber. "And a good mnemosurgeon never reveals his tricks."

"Release them, or we'll be forced to use more, drastic measures." Ultra Magnus bluffed. Hopefully it wouldn't be called because he had no idea how to fight a mnemosurgeon or Magnaboss.

Mindwipe wasn't fooled however. "Yeah right, you little pits." He taunted, switching back to Rhinox. "You don't want to hurt the kids, and that gives me an edge over you."

"And now that I don't have to split my focus as much." He continued, using Leobolt this time. "That dipstick tape deck won't be able to free any of them, even if he was right in front of them. Don't worry about the kids though. They're having the time of their lives."

"What do you mean?" Optimus asked. He was worried about what this monster had done to their friends. He'd hopefully get information by allowing the Decepticon to monologue.

"I have them living their fondest dreams." Mindwipe explained, speaking through Wingsaber now. "They're living their best lives in their heads while I take their bodies for a spin. True, I could've trapped them in their nightmares, but most people usually won't fight to leave their fantasies."

"We will stop you." Optimus stated with authority.

"I'm not so sure about that." Mindwipe countered with Rhinox. "You see when I was planting my programs, I took a peek at these freaks' memories." He continued with Wingsaber, enjoying the trios' looks at their friends being called freaks. "I saw that these three form a warrior capable of giving Megs a run for his shainx, and in the time we've been talking." He added with Leobolt.

"I figured out how to bring that warrior out." The three spoke in tandem. As Mindwipe finished talking the three Maximals moved together and merged. In their place, Magnaboss now stared down the three Autobots. "Now I'm playing with power!" He called. With that he drew Magnaboss' sword and charged.

The trio of Autobots scattered to avoid the combiner. Turning, Mindwipe unleashed Magnaboss' guns on Optimus and Ultra Magnus. Apparently, it wasn't only Rhinox who was low on energy. The blasts emanating from Magnaboss' chest were barely on par with training blasters. Enough to sting but not injure.

"Not strong enough huh?" Mindwipe groused. He held up the broadsword. "Looks like I'll just have to reach out and cut someone." With that he went to swing at Magnus only for Drift to block it with his sword.

"Sloppy swordsmanship." Drift critiqued. "You may have their bodies and weapons, but you don't have any of their skills." He spun and smacked Magnaboss in the head with the flat side of the sword.

Mindwipe laughed. "If you're trying to smack some sense into the kids teach, it ain't gonna work." Magnaboss' body stilled for a moment. "Hmm, company." He muttered. "I'll just have to let the 'auto kill' do the job." With that Magnaboss began lashing out wildly, leaving the three bots to wonder what was happening where Mindwipe was.

Down in the Lost Light Bumblebee had just placed Depthcharge on a berth. Seeing that the other three hybrid Maximals were already out he beeped about how they were doing.

"They should be alright." Ratchet said as he began looking over Depthcharge. "Blasters frequency trick killed the program, but the program itself drained them pretty bad. They should be on their feet again in a few hours." He explained.

"In the meantime." Nightbeat interrupted. "We've got a hack to catch." He looked at Bumblebee. "Arcee went to grab Bulkhead. You want in?" He asked.

At Bees' nod Nightbeat activated his comms. "Arcee, Bee's coming with us. You and Bulkhead meet us at communications."

"We're coming with you." Trailbreaker called out, Cheetor hot on his heels.

"No." Nightbeat replied. "If the other three form Magnaboss and get past the others, I want you two to protect them." He said, indicating the other three Maximals. The two looked rebellious for a moment before looking at each other and nodding their agreement.

Nightbeat and Bumblebee met up with Arcee and Bulkhead on their way to communications. They arrived just in time to see Blaster exit. "I got a fix on that cons' pirate broadcast. You were right Nightbeat, he's broadcasting from a cave about twenty miles south of here. Lighbright is going to open a space bridge right into the cavern for us."

The four bots exchanged odd looks causing Blaster to sigh. "I can hear your face and neck motors working you know." He said turning to face them. "Just because I'm blind doesn't mean I can't fight." The four exchanged guilty looks at being caught out.

They made their way to the ships' space bridge. Coming into the room, Bulkhead cracked his knuckles. "Alright, we go in and hit him fast and hard." He transformed, the other four following suite.

"Take it away Lightbright." Blaster radioed. The space bridge portal flared to life and the five Autobots drove through. Entering the large cavern on the other side, the bots transformed and began looking for their target.

"You sure this is the place Blaster?" Arcee asked. She scanned the ceiling in bursts to make sure she wouldn't be taken by surprise again. There seemed to be no sign of Mindwipe.

"Positive, this is the only cave facing the base with the right acoustics." Blaster replied.

"Well, whatever you do, make sure not to look him in the optic. That seems to be how freezes people to get into their brains." Nightbeat supplied. Arcee had explained to him how they all became trapped by his gaze before he attacked them.

"Hey. It might be their brains, but it's my rules." Came a new voice. Looking to the back of the cave, they saw a red and purple bat clinging to the ceiling. A bright red flash emitted from his optics, causing four of them to rub their optics back into focus while Blaster looked confused.

"So, some of the big bad Autobots thought they could save their friends by stopping me?" Mindwipe taunted. "You may be the first to figure me out, but spoiler alert." He laughed, transforming and dropping to the floor. "I'll still be standing."

"You've done this before then?" Nightbeat asked, motioning the others to spread out.

"Of course. This time however, I brought some backup." Mindwipe chuckled. He knew it was already too late. That flash from his optics had allowed him to establish a connection to the bots' brains.

Nightbeat felt a fist collide with his head that sent him sprawling. Looking at his attacker, his optics widened. "Rampage?" He exclaimed.

"Howdy detective." Rampage grinned. "How's it been? I'm famished, how's about a little snack?" Rampage smacked his lips and lunged at Nightbeat who dodged and unloaded several shots at his opponent. The shots went right through the madbot who transformed into his tank mode and began to chase him before he could process what'd happened.

"Nightbeat, what are you doing?" Arcee called out at the detective who seemed to be fighting an enemy who wasn't there. Optics widening in realization, Arcee transformed and charged at Mindwipe, hoping that being in vehicle mode would protect her this time.

As she closed the gap between them, she suddenly found herself falling into a pool of water she hadn't seen in time and sink rapidly. Transforming, Arcee tried to swim for the surface. The problem was, no matter how hard she kicked the surface kept moving farther away.

Mindwipe laughed and activated his blaster as he watched Arcee 'swimming' on the floor of the cavern. "How's that for a wet dream?" He cackled, knowing she couldn't hear him. He got so into his fun he didn't see Bulkhead sneak up on him until the Wrecker punched him across the cavern, kicking up a cloud of dust as he landed.

Bulkhead glowered at Mindwipe; Bumblebee close behind him. "How's that for a headache?" He asked. "Now you are going to undo whatever psycho hoodoo you did to my friends and-"

"Bulkhead, what the hell!" Came a familiar voice. As the dust cleared, he saw Miko laying on her side in the dirt.

Bulkheads' optics widened in shock. "Miko?" He exclaimed in terror. How did she even get here? "What did-" He was cut off as 'Miko' smirked and turned to reveal a red and purple right arm with a blaster on it. Bulkhead, still in shock, was unable to get out of the way in time and was blasted across the cavern into the wall and knocked unconscious.

Bumblebee followed Bulkheads' path across the cavern and turned around in time to catch Mindwipes' arms in his own hands as he came at him. Mindwipe had his finger blades out and they were a little too close to the scouts' optics for comfort.

"You know." Mindwipe began. "I find Autobots to be like the dogs on this planet." He planted a kick in Bumblebees' midsection, knocking him on his back. "Only good at heeding their masters call." He put a knee on the scouts' chest and held his blades above his optics. "And now it's time to put these dogs to sleep. For Good!" He finished with a yell.

Before he could deliver the blow, Mindwipe felt his body convulse with electricity then get knocked off Bumblebee by a sonic blast. Bumblebee looked to his right to see Blaster stalking towards Mindwipe with what looked like a rifle with a hole in the center.

"Nice trick." Blaster idly commented training his electro scrambler rifle on their opponent. "I'm guessing in addition to being a Mnemosurgeon, you're a hypnotist?" He asked.

"Nope." Mindwipe grunted as he got back up. "Just a little trick I picked up from my collogue Sunder before I offed him. You see, I don't need my blades to plant ideas in your head. I can do it with just a glimpse now." He laughed.

Bumblebee ran over to Blaster. "And still control our friends back at the base." Blaster surmised. He stood in front of Bumblebee.

"Right in one chief." Mindwipe answered. "Now, let's see what skeletons are hiding in your closet." He said as he locked onto Blaster. Seconds passed and Mindwipe couldn't even get a connection established. "What the?"

Blaster laughed and retracted his glasses showing his empty optical sockets. "You're going to have a pit of a time getting in my head that way... chief." He taunted as Mindwipe gave a yell of anger and charged the two bots. Blaster fired twice to stop him but the mad doctor dodged twice and knocked the rifle from his hands.

Bumblebee retaliated with a blow to Mindwipes' head. Shaking it, Mindwipe went to stab Bumblebee with his blades before Blaster knocked him back again with his sound blasts before stepping in front of Bee again. As long as he was Between Mindwipe and Bumblebee, the scout would be safe.

Getting back up, Mindwipe glared at the two. "Alright you little pits." He growled. "Time for you to-" He stopped as his chest exploded outward.

Looking past Mindwipe, Bumblebee saw Nightbeat coming out of his illusion. "Got you that time you little-" He shook his head and took in the scene before him. "What the, where's Rampage?"

"He was never here beats." Blaster said, watching Mindwipe fall to his knees. "Apparently, he learned how to do minor mnemosurgery with his optics rather than his blades." On his left he heard Arcee stop flailing on the ground and get up.

"Alright." Arcee said with a little more heat than usual. She couldn't believe that this con had hacked her twice now. "Before you die, you're going to tell me how to undo your programs in the Maximals." She held her own blade under Mindwipes' chin to show she was serious.

"Stupid slag." Mindwipe rasped. "The three that blind boy freed may be safe, but your other freaks aren't." He coughed, energon dribbling down his chin. "When I die, the failsafe program activates. They'll be trapped in their worst nightmares forever." He gave a weak chuckle. "Welcome to my world, slag." With that Mindwipe went limp and died.

Back at the Unit-E base, Magnaboss gave a massive shudder and separated, almost literally falling apart at the seams. Keeping the Maximal combiner contained hadn't been as hard as the three thought it would be. Since they were already weak from their separate attacks, their combined form was already sluggish and for the last few minutes, they didn't move. However, seeing Jack, Miko and Raf on the ground motionless was enough to spur the three Autobots into assisting them.

"Ratchet, prepare the med bay for three more. Magnaboss has separated but the children are unresponsive." Optimus called to his chief medic.

"Copy that Optimus, the away team should be back momentarily." Ratchet responded.

(Fantasy-Jack)

Dinner had gone perfectly. Jack was just loading the last of the dishes in the dishwasher while watching Miko out of the corner of his eye. Closing it he crept up behind her while she was gazing at the stars. "Hey Miko, I have a question for you." He asked as he pulled out his mothers' ring and got down on one knee.

"Sure jackrabbit, what do you-" She gasped at what she saw.

"Nakadai Miko." Jack began, using her last name first as per Japanese culture. "Ever since we first met the bots you've strived to bring out the best in me. I admit I didn't always make it easy but after they left you helped me pick up the pieces and save me from myself. My only regret in our relationship, is that it took me so long to realize that I love you." He saw Miko begin to tear up. "Would you do me the honor, of becoming my wife?" He asked.

"Jack I, I-" Miko began

The scene began to shift. Suddenly Mikos' neck bent unnaturally and snapped as she collapsed to the ground. "MIKO!" Jack yelled as he dropped the ring and ran to cradle her body. The scene solidified into a barren wasteland littered with bodies. Jack looked around and recognized them all.

"Raf? Vince? Mom?!" He stared wide eyed at the corpses around him. At the sound of footsteps, he looked up at a familiar femme. "Arcee?"

"I'm very disappointed in you, partner." Arcee growled as she began to circle Jack. "You really are pathetic aren't you. No matter what you do you can't protect those you love. You couldn't stop your father leaving, you couldn't stop Knockout, and you couldn't prevent their deaths." Jack collapsed to his knees and began to sob. "Face it Jack, you're a failure!"

(Fantasy-Miko)

Miko fell back on the bed breathing heavily as Jack peppered her upper body in kisses ending with a passionate kiss on the lips. After they'd put Akiko to bed, they decided to enjoy some 'spousal privileges' after such a long time apart and they both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jack leaned up to her ear. "Was it good for you?" He teased.

Miko pushed him back with a giggle. "Dork."

"Your Dork." He retaliated with a shiver as they uncoupled.

"My Dork." She sighed contentedly as he wrapped an arm around her.

As she went to close her eyes, she felt the world shift around her. Jerking awake she realized she was back in her room at her parents' apartment. Miko let out a groan. That had been such a wonderful dream, she had a career she wanted, a loving husband, and a daughter. It all felt so real but she knew it wasn't meant to be. Her parents would be choosing a husband for her on her next birthday.

With a sad sigh she got out of bed. "Time to start another day." She sighed. Another day of being Nakadai Miko, trophy daughter and corporate bargaining chip.

(Fantasy-Raf)

Raf smiled as he ended his chat with Bumblebee. The scout had been happy that Raf had gotten into his school of choice. He knew as well as Raf that a degree from there and his experience with alien technologies meant he could practically write his own ticket. Grinning ear to ear, Raf decided to step out for some air.

As he crossed the threshold to the outside, his body and the scenery around him changed. He was twelve years old again and looking at an alley. Where was everyone? Then it all came rushing back. It had only been a fantasy. His family had left him. He was alone. No family, no friends, no one. He gave a sob as the sky above him let loose a storm. Scrambling down the alley, Raf found and empty box and crawled inside. Once sheltered, he began to sob. Everyone leaves him, he was always going to be alone.

(Reality)

"I'm sorry Prime, but I can't do it." Chromedome argued. Optimus had just briefed him on the condition of the three Maximals, assisted by the returned Blaster and Arcee. While he felt bad for them, he gave up mnemosurgery years ago.

"I'm sorry too Chromedome, but I will make it an order if I must." Optimus countered.

"You ever wonder why mnemosurgeons tend to die young?" Chromedomes' Conjunx Endura Rewind interrupted. "Because when one enters the mind of a patient, they run the risk of inheriting the memories they're trying to modify. Even worse, many die because they flashback to those memories and the flashbacks are so real to them, their bodies traumatize themselves."

Chromedome knelt down and put a comforting servo on Rewinds' shoulder. "The other reason I can't is because I no longer have my surgical needles. I removed and destroyed them after Rewind and I went through our Conjunx Ritus." He explained.

"So, we have no way to save them?" June half yelled. Hearing Arcee say that Jack Miko and Raf were now trapped in their worst nightmares had her near hysterical.

"Not necessarily." Rodimus spoke from his nearby berth. His left arm had just been reattached after Vince had blasted it off with a point-blank shriek while under Mindwipes' control. "A Cortical Psychic Patch could do the job."

"Those have been banned for centuries in the Autobots Rodimus." Magnus argued. "And besides, according to Ratchet we no longer have the equipment to do it."

"Like you've let niceties stop you before." Nightbeat sniped. "Optimus, Brainstorm has the necessary equipment in a vault in his lab under a perception filter. Anyone looking for the vault will have their attention drawn elsewhere in the lab."

"What!" Magnus yelled. This was a massive protocol breach.

"He told me about it as ships' captain, that's why I brought it up." Rodimus replied, heading off any potential rants. "I can have him here with it in about eight minutes."

Ratchet stroked his chin with his thumb. "With the right people going in and using the patch to simply interact with the children rather than their memories, we could theoretically get them to shut down the program from the inside."

"Hold it!" Magnus yelled. "Need I remind everyone that that equipment is not only contraband, but the process itself is highly immoral."

"You mean like having files on how to capture and kill our allies?" Nightbeat shouted at Magnus, drawing everyone's attention. "Optimus, I have reason to suspect Ultra Magnus of having intel on the Maximals and their weaknesses. Something that I know is contradictory to their status as an allied group."

"It was only a precautionary measure!" Magnus shouted back.

"You have what!" June yelled, drawing her blaster which was plucked from her hands by Arcee. She was then lifted off the ground to keep from charging Magnus directly. "Put me down Arcee, I'm going to gouge his eyes out!"

"Calm yourself nurse Darby." Optimus said, trying to keep his anger with Magnus out of his voice. He did not authorize that. "Rodimus, get Brainstorm here on the double. Chromedome, I apologize but will you be able to assist with the procedure. Your expertise would be appreciated."

Chromedome nodded and stood back up. "As long as I'm not injecting directly, I should be alright." He replied holding Rewinds' servo. They had both met and liked the humans turned hybrids and assisting in this procedure was an acceptable substitute

Optimus turned to face Magnus. "You and I are going to discuss this, Magnus. My quarters, now." He turned to the still furious June. "I swear June, I had no idea this had happened, and rest assured, after this breach of trust is dealt with, it will not happen again." With that he and Magnus left the med bay. As much as he wanted to be sure their friends were safe, he had to start dealing with this now.

A few minutes later Brainstorm and Nautica wheeled in three sets of equipment for the patch. "Alright." Brainstorm began as the two began to connect the cables to a trio of Maximal sized helmets. "We've made a few refinements to the patch. It won't be as jarring for one, and there's no more worry about being potential cross contamination with the helmets." He finished, plugging the cables into the nearby computer.

"In addition." Nautica added. "Instead of actually being inside the patients' mind, the helmets create an avatar in the patients' mind with a direct link to the person doing the interfacing."

"Well before we make any decisions." Chromedome interrupted. He turned to June who had finally been set back on the ground. "As they are still technically sparklings under your care under the law, we need your consent to perform the procedures."

"Do it, save my babies." June replied with wet eyes and without hesitation. She was already overwhelmed and well out of her field of expertise, but if there was even a chance, she'd take it.

Nodding Chromedome turned to the computer. "Before we send anyone in, we need to see what kind of Nightmares Mindwipe trapped them in." He brought up feeds from the Maximals, and what they saw shocked and saddened them to the core.

Bumblebees' optics widened at seeing Raf as a human again. It would've made him nostalgic if the Raf on screen was crying about hating being alone. His shock turned to sadness, Raf told him that being alone and ignored were his greatest fears, and now he was living it. Blinking away condensation from his optics, Bumblebee knew what he had to do.

Bulkhead and June watched as a version of Miko devoid of her usual flair or personality went about her day in a spartan apartment. Neither had seen the lively girl so depressed. She looked so resigned to the nightmare reality she was living. She didn't even seem to hope it was a dream anymore.

Arcee grit her dentia as a copy of her berated a human Jack. Seeing that he was sobbing while holding Mikos' dead human body and surrounded by his dead loved ones caused her to kneel next to the real Jacks' head. "Don't listen to her partner, you didn't fail, Miko and everyone are alive and-."

"They can't hear you Arcee." Chromedome sighed. "It seems they're cut off from all sensory stimuli. The only way to get them out of these nightmares, is to guide them out."

He scanned over lines of code pertaining to the kid's nightmares on another screen. "It seems the program adapts to the person infected once installed. The lockdown codes are tied to things in the nightmares themselves. Destroy or bypass them, and they can leave." He thought for a few minutes before turning to face the collective bots.

"We're going to have to do all three procedures simultaneously, I don't trust that hack surgeon to not have them interconnected somehow. The problem is we only have two full sized helmets, and not enough time to make a third." Chromedome explained.

"Then what's this?" June asked, holding up a third, human sized helmet. "Will this one work for me?"

"That was originally designed for minicons." Brainstorm explained. "Although." He paused a moment "Alright, give me a minute and I can recalibrate it for human use." He took the helmet and got to work.

Arcee looked at June. "June, if it's alright with you, please let me help Jack." She spoke, trying not to make it sound like she was begging.

June nodded. "I trust you Arcee, please get him out of there." She looked at Chromedome. "I'll help Miko. She's been alone for most of her life, it's time to change that."

Bumblebee beeped that he would go in and rescue Raf. At Chromedomes' raised brow he informed the doctor that he had experience with the patch. Chromedome agreed right as Brainstorm finished his modifications to Junes' helmet.

"Alright, once you're in, you three will have very specific missions." Chromedome began. "Arcee, you should be able to get Jack out after you destroy your doppelganger. Nurse Darby, you need to get Miko to leave the apartment willingly. Bumblebee, similar mission only you need to get him out of that alley. And you need to be holding onto your patient when you exit the nightmare to bring them out of it." He finished.

"Nurse Darby, Bumblebee, one more thing." Chromedome added. "With the way their nightmares are written, Miko and Raf might not recognize you. You might need to be creative in rescuing them. Understood."

They gave him their affirmations as the three put the helmets on. "Alright." Chromedome spoke. "Going hot." The three slipped into momentary unconsciousness as the helmets activated.

(Fantasy-Raf)

Bumblebee looked down at himself, he fully expected to enter Rafs' brain as himself like he had with Megatron. But for some reason his avatar manifested as a twenty something human male with dark skin, blue eyes and curly brown hair. He was wearing black pants and a yellow shirt with black trim complete with an Autobot emblem. Hearing Raf give another cry, Bee decided to figure it out later. He went over to see his currently human friend crying in the box he'd seen on the monitor.

"Hey there." He spoke, surprising him. Apparently, his avatar was capable of speech. He hadn't heard his own voice in millions of years. He'd almost forgotten what he sounded like.

Raf jumped and looked at the stranger. "Who, who are you?" He asked. For some reason the stranger looked familiar, but that couldn't be right, he had no friends or family.

Bumblebee thought hard for a second. "I'm Ben Bumble, but you can call me BB or Bee." He said offering a hand, hoping Raf took it. "What's your name?"

Raf shrank back a little. "Rafael, but I just go by Raf for short." His eyes narrowed in concentration. "Do I know you?" He asked.

Bee nodded. "We met a while ago; you came by my place and we creamed our friends at Racers' Fury." He improvised, using their favorite racing game. "I was actually coming to get you for another get together."

"That can't be right, everyone I know left me." Raf said, mashing his palms into his forehead. "I have no one left in my life."

Feeling his spark flicker a bit Bee countered. "Not even a friend who always viewed you as a brother?" He said, using what he told Raf when he found out Rafs' family had him declared legally dead, the root cause of this nightmare.

Raf seemed to begin writhing, clutching his head as it felt like it was cleaving in two. After a second, the pain stopped as Raf looked at the man. "Bumblebee?" He asked in wonder.

"Right in one, brother." Bee replied as Raf took his hand. He nodded to the end of the alley which was lit up like a space bridge. "Come on bro, let's go home." With that the two ran towards the portal, back to reality.

(Fantasy-Miko)

June scowled at the apartment door in front of her. This place should've been Mikos' home, only now she saw it seemed more like a prison. Straightening the skirt on her avatars' business suit, she knocked. She had a plan, she just had to get Miko to trust her a little bit.

A moment later her heart lurched as she saw a depressed Miko answer the door. "Hello?" She said with a cheery tone that June could see right through. In the back of her mind, it registered that the girls' lips didn't match the words and realized the patch might be translating for her.

"Hello." June began. "I'm Ms. Darby, your new English tutor. May I come in?" Miko stepped aside and let her into the spartan apartment. "Nice place although it could use some color." She quipped, thankful to hear Miko give a quiet snort. "Although it probably comes in handy when friends come over."

Mikos' false smile flickered a little bit. "I really don't have many friends." She said, trying to play it off.

"Oh. That's surprising." June replied. "I figured a girl like you would have plenty of friends."

"More like kids whose parents want them to suck up to me." She heard Miko mutter.

June took a look around the apartment before deciding to enact her plan. "You know, it's a nice day out." She said looking out the window. "How about we go study in the park?"

"Really?" Miko asked in surprise. None of her teachers had offered that before. She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Why?"

"Well, it is nice out today." June began. "And I heard what you said about not having real friends." She admitted as Miko blushed and looked down. "I just moved here with my sons, and having met you, I think all three of you could use a friend." She finished, pulling up a picture of Jack and Raf on her phone.

Miko stared at the picture June showed her. Seeing the two boys she felt an inexplicable burst of fondness, like she already knew them from somewhere. Focusing in on the older boy, Miko felt her heart start to race. She looked back at Ms. Darby, to who she now felt a similar fondness. "Do I know you?"

"We've met." June replied sincerely. "Would you like to know more?" She asked, offering Miko her hand.

After taking a look around the apartment, Miko turned and took Junes' hand and she was pleased to see a spark of the girl she knew in those eyes. "Let's go." With that Miko opened the door and stepped through. Back to reality.

(Fantasy-Jack)

Arcee couldn't help glaring at the copy of her as she continued to berate her partner. "I don't know what I was thinking by accepting you. If me or one of the others didn't save your miserable hide every ten minutes, you'd be dead more times over than I am years old Darby. You. Are. WORTHLESS!" She screeched.

That did it. "Worthless?" Arcee spat at the clone, making them both jump. "I can't think of anything further from the truth." She punched the copy in the faceplate, forcing her back several paces. "You okay partner?" She asked.

"Arcee?" He looked between the two. "How?" The clone got up and charged at Arcee.

"My partner managed to destroy Airachnids' ship." She punched the clone in the chin, staggering her. "Found the lost computer Vector Sigma, and restored Optimus Primes' memories." A kick to the abdomen sent her back further. "And still wanted to know me and be my partner after I told him that I'm transgender." She deployed her guns.

"If anyone is worthless in in this conversation." Arcee continued, training her guns on the clone. "It's you." She fired and the clone dissipated in a puff of smoke.

Taking a shaky breath, Arcee retracted her guns and looked down at her partner. He still had tears in his eyes. "You didn't really believe what she said, did you?" Arcee asked.

"But." Jack looked down at the dead Miko and back at Arcee. "How?"

"Long story short, this is a nightmare. Everyone you see here is alive and well, and waiting for you to wake up." She replied and transformed. "Ready to roll out? Partner."

Jack gave a nod and climbed up on Arcee. Enjoying the nostalgia, Arcee burned rubber, driving away from the bodies and to the edge of the landscape, and back to reality.

(Reality)

Once the Maximals had woken up, they were swarmed by the Autobots' collective medical staff. Allison, Sierra, and Vince woke up first and aside from a headache, they were cleared to leave after Jack, Miko and Raf woke up. When they cleared the chaos of the med bay, Vince and Sierra found themselves alone in a hallway.

"I still can't believe a Decepticon Freddy Krueger brainwashed all of us in less than ten minutes." Vince complained. He was embarrassed that anyone could sneak up on him with his super hearing.

"Yeah." Sierra said, trying not to blush. She was still surprised at what her fantasy was. Not that she and Vince got married, just them as grandparents. Then again, maybe it did make sense, she did want to live to a ripe old age with the man she loved.

Vince looked at Sierra and blushed. He could still remember how she looked in his wedding fantasy. He swallowed and took a breath. Time to see if he could start to make that fantasy, a reality.

"Sierra have-"

"Vinnie would you-"

They both blushed as they realized the cut each other off. Both of them looked to be trying to wait for the other before an annoyed voice from behind them caught them off guard.

"Would you two stop dancing around each other and kiss already?" Allison grumbled in her beast mode. She'd just finished thanking Trailbreaker and Cheetor for saving her when she found the two stumbling over their words. "You like each other and it's obvious your fantasies involved each other, so Vinnie, just ask her out already. Just keep in mind that if you hurt my sister, my horn will end up somewhere very, very uncomfortable." She finished as she trotted past them towards the lift.

Vince swallowed and looked at an equally red-faced Sierra. "Would you be up for a movie night tomorrow? Your pick." He asked nervously.

"Sure." Sierra practically squeaked out. "After dinner okay with you?" She asked. Vince nodded and they both turned to follow Allison to the lift. While they waited for it to come down to them, Sierra decided to take her sisters' advice.

"Hey Vinnie." She spoke.

"Yeah Sier-" He was cut off as Sierra planted a firm kiss to his lips.

She pulled back and giggled. "Sleep well." She said, stepping onto the lift, leaving a stunned Vince behind with another giggle.

Eventually, the remaining Maximals managed to escape the med bay. Raf bid Jack and Miko farewell and decided to join the others in getting an early night. Miko and Jack however, weren't quite ready to sleep yet. They sat in a storeroom somewhat awkwardly, trying to figure out how to bring up what their fantasies were.

"Miko." Jack asked. He felt like he was getting ready to propose all over again. "How do you feel about marriage?"

"That depends." Miko replied, blushing brightly. "How do you feel about having kids?" Jack gave a start and fell off his seat, causing Miko to giggle.

"E-Eventually, I would love kids. If, if you want to." He stuttered. "It would always be your choice, just like marriage."

Miko knelt down on the floor next to Jack. "Right answer, definitely not right now, but definitely the right answer." With that she kissed him hard and deep. Their hands slowly began to explore each other's bodies when a cough caught their attention.

Looking up, they saw June, Arcee, and Bulkhead looking at them. The two sprung apart as June gave them a smug look. "You know, I trust you two to be responsible about your relationship." She began. "But I do ask you keep certain activities out of sight." She half joked, half scolded, watching their faces turn red.

Jack cleared his throat. "Yes, erm, we'll just head to bed now." The two sped past the group and toward the lift.

"Separate beds tonight, please." June called after them as Arcee and Bulkhead laughed.

As they reached the lift, Miko turned to look at Jack. "Hey, Jackrabbit?" She asked. "Did you really mean what you said about marriage?" Jack gave a gulp and nodded. "Good." She continued. "Because eventually, yes, I'd love us to be spouses, or junxies, or whatever suits us best." The two wrapped their arms around each other and kissed again.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Meanwhile, in Optimus' quarters, he and Ultra Magnus were having a discussion of their own.

"I was only trying to ensure we had a way to stop them if something like today ever happened." Magnus argued. He'd been working on those files since the incident with Doubledealer, and he didn't see a problem with having intel to counter a potential threat. "And besides, my plans were meant to capture them, and not to kill unless absolutely necessary."

"That's beside the point Ultra Magnus." Optimus countered with an edge to his voice. "The Maximals are our friends. We gave them the status as a unit to work with them better, not so we could control them. And that's saying nothing of the confidential records you made illegal copies of." He continued, citing records copied from both Ratchet and Rungs' personal archives.

"The fact is, you did it behind their backs. Had you told them you were creating countermeasures in case of emergencies, I don't think it would've been an issue. Now it is one." Optimus sighed. "You are confined to quarters commander; you will have a hearing in seventy-two hours where a panel of judges will determine what actions, if any will be taken against you. You are dismissed."

"Very well sir." Ultra Magnus replied before exiting.

Optimus Prime sighed as he sat down. Ultimately, he knew that this situation was caused by Ultra Magnus' paranoia after the Dealer incident and his own lack of oversight towards his second in command. In the end, he had a feeling that Magnus' fate, would be decided by those he wronged, namely the Maximals. He only hoped that the children would not judge him too harshly.

Elsewhere, on the Nemesis, Tarantulas was busy refining the perfect dark energon crystal Galavar obtained for their project. Hopefully he'd have it ready before Shockwave needed him for the Cyberforming Project. With a sigh he watched Mindwipes' life signal go offline on a nearby monitor.

It was unfortunate, but it had to be done. Of all the Decepticons on the Nemesis, Mindwipe was the only one with an inkling of Tarantulas and Galavars' plans that wasn't in on them. He knew Megatron wouldn't miss the Mnemosurgeon, his own phobia about the practice would ensure that.

He smirked to himself as he finished the final cut. Once the crystal was set into the refined cybermatter, the Dark Matrix of Chaos would be complete. He set the crystal down and turned back towards the cybermatter and laughed to himself. "Till all are gone."

Notes:

Now that was a ride. At over 12,000 words this chapter was getting too long to post as a single chapter. The Nightmares and rescue scenes were my favorite to write in this chapter by far. Now, I just want to say I have nothing against Ultra Magnus. His behavior is simply him overcompensating after Doubledealers' true nature coming to light. Sadly, it took him on the same path as Batman in Tower of Babel/ Justice League Doom. As a side note Bumblebees' human avatar was a cross between Spike from G1 and the human Bee from Transformers Animated.

Next time: A hearing, and a Plague of Insecticons.

Chapter 28: A Plauge of Insecticons Pt.1

Notes:

Hello all and welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. Sorry this update took so long. I've got family staying with me so finding time to write has been a slight issue. That said, this is the first part of another two parter. I decided to break it up due to length and will have the other half ready on Halloween. In any event, I hope you enjoy this.

Cyclonus transformed as he landed next to a cave several miles from where he had first encountered Airachnid on this world. He listened closely; he knew Insecticons always made some form of noise while in their hive. Hearing nothing, he frowned before drawing his sword and silently entering the cavern.

Looking around the inside of the cavern, he saw that while it was devoid of life, there was evidence that life had been there. He found several small pools of energon around which were numerous Insecticon parts, signs that the hive Airachnid had taken control of from the Decepticons had both reproduced and been culled to an extent.

Other evidence showed that someone had been experimenting on the hive. To his right he saw several dead Insecticons in various stages of dissection and augmentation. Looking closer he saw some human communications equipment amidst the refuse, then looking up, he saw the calculations on the wall.

His optics widened; he knew some of those calculations. They were used in the golden age of Cybertron to track space bridge frequencies. Following the formulas, Cyclonus discovered what Airachnid had been trying to locate. The bottom of his fuel reservoir dropped out when he realized she had succeeded.

"Arcee." He whispered in horror. Sheathing his sword, Cyclonus transformed and took off in the direction of the Autobot base. "Starshade, lock on the transmitted coordinates and descend on an intercept course." He prayed to Primus, the Primes, and Tailgate that he wasn't too late.

"This tribunal is now in session." Optimus Prime began, leaning forward to speak into the microphone while seated at a table in a storeroom near the bridge of the Lost Light. He looked up at Ultra Magnus. His second in command was now in very deep trouble for his actions. After informing the Maximals that Magnus had files on them, and what they contained, he'd been walking a metaphoric tightrope to keep their trust.

"I, Optimus Prime, as leader of the Autobots shall conduct this hearing." Optimus began. "With me are Rodimus of Nyon, and captain of the starship the Lost Light and First Aid of Iacon, ships doctor. The goal of this hearing is to ascertain the depth of the defendants' transgressions and determine what disciplinary actions need to be taken."

Rodimus, as ships' captain, was an obvious choice for the tribunal as he proved himself professional and diplomatic. While he was on friendly terms with the Maximals, he refused to let that sway his decisions. First Aid was chosen both due to the medical nature of some of the crimes and the fact that Velocity was unfamiliar with disciplinary protocols. Ratchet and Rung were ruled out due to being secondary victims as they were the ones the medical records had been stolen from.

Optimus looked at Magnus again. "The defendant, Ultra Magnus stands accused of violation of protocol and violation of treaties with allies. In addition, the defendant is accused of illegally accessing privileged personal medical and psychological information. How does the defendant plead?"

"Guilty your honors." Magnus replied. "I did indeed violate those regulations. However, I did it for what I believed to be a good reason. While they may be our friends, the Maximals are highly dangerous."

Rodimus leaned forward. "Dangerous how commander?" He asked.

"Simply put." Magnus began. "They have proven themselves to be highly capable fighters in battle. Those capabilities, however, also make them a liability as the recent incident with Mindwipe has proven."

"Mach Hoof can generate enough Nucleon to paralyze this ship and everyone in it. Nightscream can drain energon from any bot he comes across. Wingsaber can teleport through any barrier, and those are just the obvious things that could be used against us." Magnus continued. "We still do not know enough about them to fully trust them yet."

"That, is a whole lot of pit." First Aid replied. "I examined the files in question, and I talked to the six Maximals they pertain to. To put it in general terms, they are six sparklings who had their bodies forcibly rebuilt and made into war machines and are trying their best to cope with it. Their abilities are no different than Trailbreakers' force fields, Blasters' hearing and Skidzs' ability helping him learn how to pick locks." He countered.

First Aids' visor narrowed. "Look, I'm a doctor not a military officer, but I have read up on some of the cases involving the Maximals since arriving on Earth. One caught my interest. About how an arms dealer you trusted who was secretly selling to both sides and you did not know about it."

"First Aid." Optimus warned as Ultra Magnus shifted slightly.

"You became paranoid after Dealer showed his true colors and it surprised you." He continued, ignoring Optimus. "In return, you became suspicious about anything you had no control over. You wanted to have a way to control and potentially neutralize the Maximals in case they turned on you like he did." First Aid finished.

Rodimus leaned forward. "While the doctor was harsh in his words. His observation has merit." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "You did act out of fear and in doing so damaged our relations with this planets' native species, to say nothing of our relationship with a rising team within our ranks."

"Playing Unicrons' advocate for a moment." He looked at Magnus. "Strategically speaking, I see no issue in having a contingency plan to contain any bot who could become a severe threat if compromised. However, that should be something discussed with the bot in question beforehand and not just the Maximals. This includes you, Optimus, Defensor, and yes, even me should the need arise."

"And therein lies the problem." Optimus cut in. Rodimus had surprised him. He'd come a long way from the young Hot Rod he'd known so long ago. "You took it upon yourself to do this without authorization and committed several crimes doing so."

Optimus sighed. "Unfortunately, we have to make a decision about this." He began. "Considering that they were the victims of this, we shall consult the Maximals on a punishment-" Optimus was cut off as several explosions rocked the base. Several additional loud bangs were heard in the distance as tremors shook the ship.

"This hearing is on hold." Optimus yelled as he and Magnus followed Rodimus and First Aid out of the storeroom.

Rodimus activated his comms. "Blaster can you read me? What happened?" He called.

"We're trying to figure that out boss, but the short answer. Something went boom." Blaster replied.

Hot Spot came up to the group. "Sirs, you need to see this." He led the group to the exit of the ship only to find rubble blocking the way. Rook and Beachcomber were inspecting the rubble with Bulkhead and Hoist on standby. "The access tunnel to the surface has been completely blocked by rubble."

Optimus activated the comms. "Blaster, we've been cut off from the surface. Can you send a space bridge to the surface to check on the Maximals?" June had asked the bots to give the kids some space after finding out about the files and all the Autobots had agreed to it, albeit reluctantly.

Several seconds later, Blaster replied. "Uh, boss." He began. "The space bridge is being jammed and it can't establish a connection to the surface. Every time I try, the system resets itself. Last time this happened was when Sector Seven jammed us."

Optimus' optics widened. "Did anyone salvage the equipment they used?" While Sparkstalker was the main component in the jammer, it could still be viable.

"The equipment was gone by the time we returned. We figured Fowlers' team had confiscated it." Rodimus replied. This was a worrying development.

"Boss, OP, we have a bigger problem now." Blaster called in a panic. "The sensors just picked up Insecticons, over two hundred of them."

"Megatron must have discovered the location of our base and is sending the entire hive in an all-out assault." Optimus began. "If we modify and use the phase shifter we can pass through the rubble and-"

"Optimus, the phase shifter burned out after the Lost Light landed." Perceptor countered. "The only way out of here is to manually remove the blockage."

"And it isn't Megatron." Arcee added stepping up to her commander. "Airachnid was released from the stasis pod we had trapped her in before the outpost was destroyed and most likely deserted the Decepticons again. She mentioned in passing that she took the Insecticons with her when she left."

She dropped what looked like a cockroach with a light for the head and a canister on its' back. "I shot this a few moments before the explosions. As strange as it sounds, I think she planned this."

"But why would she seal all of us down here then launch the attack?" Rodimus asked.

Arcees' optics widened. "Because she doesn't want us yet. She's after the kids!" She finished, her voice rising to a yell.

Optimus turned to the assembled Autobots. "We need that rubble cleared, now!"

From her position on a nearby mesa, Airachnid smirked as she heard the 'roach bombs' go off. While she was no Shockwave, she could figure out how to build a bomb drone. She only had to program them to get into position and explode on her order and viola, instant cave in. Thankfully, the dragonfly spy Insecticon had been able to scout the cavern around the Autobot ship undetected and find the week points to plant the bombs.

She turned to the cicada Insecticon she'd dubbed Venom. "Begin jamming. Make sure that they won't be able to send a space bridge. Make sure their surveillance remains online though, I want them to see what is happening." She would have to thank those humans for leaving such valuable hardware lying around. It had been simple to reconfigure it to work in the modified Insecticon.

Airachnid turned to face her Insecticon hive. She was pleased to see that there were more than the stereotypical beetle bots although they made up half her forces. By stepping in several times, she'd allowed other variates of Insecticons to come to full term. And by modifying them with some scavenged human technology, she had made them even more powerful.

Facing her generals, the strongest of each subgroup, and continued. "Now we move in. Destroy anyone in your paths and raze everything to the ground. Once we're finished, we will tunnel into the Autobots ship and finish them off." She knew that killing the Maximals would demoralize the bots. She hoped to see the look of despair on Arcees' face when she showed her Jacks' severed head.

"As you command majesty, majesty." Shrapnel the stag beetle general replied. His group, while similar to the normal beetle types, were capable of cleaving through steel with their pincers and harnessing ambient energy into devastating attacks. Sadly, they often lost out to the rhino beetles who were naturally stronger.

The rhino beetle general, Bombshell stepped forward. "My team and I shall lead the charge head on while Shrapnel and Kickback attack from the sides with theirs." He said referring to the locust general. While the rhino beetles were infamous for their strength and endurance, the locusts were able to move at high speed and capable of consuming everything in their path.

"Very well." Airachnid replied as she transformed into her helicopter mode. She watched as the rest of the hive transformed as well. "Insecticons, heed your queen's command, swarm!" She called. With that, they began the attack.

In the Maximals' den, the group of eight Maximals as well as June and G.B. Blackrock were waiting to be called to the Lost Light. The revelation of Ultra Magnus' secret files on them had come as a shock. Despite the debacle with Project: Pheonix, the team still had some faith in the Autobot second in command. Learning that he had files on their strengths and weaknesses and potentially how to kill them had been a crippling blow to their faith in the bot.

Optimus had told them that there would be a tribunal composing of himself and two others to decide on a course of action. In addition, he admitted that the files were created without his knowledge or permission. He also admitted that they would be consulted before any discipline was carried out, something that gave the team some hope. They could use some after not being in contact with the bots for a couple of days. Even the human soldiers had left the base for training maneuvers for the time being.

Then they felt the ground shake as several explosions were heard underneath them. "What the hell was that?" G.B. asked, looking down. He hoped the army geologists hadn't been wrong about the stability of the land the base was on.

Vince winced a little. "Do you guys hear something?" He turned to the left and saw a dark cloud just past a mesa. "I thought the weather was supposed to be sunny all day."

Miko squinted at the cloud. Using the falcon vision that she had inherited from her beast mode she took a closer look. Getting a closer look, she felt the bottom of her stomach drop out. Did it have to be those? "More like sunny with a chance of Insecticons." She gulped, taking a step back. She hated bugs.

Depthcharge activated his comms. "Optimus, come in. We have a situation and need backup."

"We are aware Depthcharge, however the explosions you heard collapsed the pathway to the lift." Optimus replied. "In addition, something is jamming our space bridge. We are unable to connect to the surface, or anywhere else. We have already contacted agent Fowler and we are working to clear the rubble without collapsing the cavern, but it's going to take a while."

June stepped forward. "We need to run then. With the bots trapped and only eight of us, nine if G.B. uses his suit we're outnumbered." She suggested.

"Run where?" Allison asked. "Outside of a few mesas between here and town it's pure desert and dunes. We'd be picked off in a minute if we run or fly and I don't think Miko can teleport all of us in time." They had figured out recently that Miko did indeed have an upper limit on her powers. She could teleport anywhere but taking more than two passengers was draining on her, so was making multiple teleports in a short span of time.

"It's worse." Miko explained. "Airachnid's with them." She shuddered, placing a hand where she had poisoned her the last time they had crossed paths with her.

G.B. ran over to a box the size of a footlocker with two holes in the top of it. Crouching down he placed both hands in the holes as the box began to transform. Rapidly it unfolded and wrapped itself around his body until the Transtector suit was fully in place. Pressing a button on his wrist, they heard an engine roar to life as the red car that it was connected to round the corner. Quickly combining and transforming, Overdrive stood tall over the Maximals.

"Then we must make a stand here. Try and give the bots time to get to us." He spoke. He was not about to let his daughters face this alone. "June, there's some heavy ordinance in the locker in the corner."

"Look!" Sierra yelled. A large grey boxlike ship had come into view and was heading for the Insecticon swarm.

"Cyclonus?" Jack whispered. While he had been delirious from Airachnids' poison, he remembered being healed on that spaceship.

The Starshade smashed through the heart of the Insecticon swarm. The Maximals were pleased to see what looked like a couple dozen explosions. As the ship began to head towards them a group of what looked like locusts swarmed the rear of the ship. Moments later smoke emitted from the back of it as several beetle Insecticons rammed it. A familiar needle nosed jet flew out of the ship before it exploded and crashed just outside the base.

Cyclonus flew over to the Maximals and transformed. "Is everyone alright?" he asked, taking stock of the group. "Where are all the Autobots?"

"There was an explosion." Jack began. "They're trapped in the ship beneath this base."

Grimacing, Cyclonus nodded. "Very well. Spread out and take them on as they come. I will assist where I can." He ordered. "Odds are, Airachnid will not enter the fray immediately, she will wait until we have exhausted ourselves and then strike. Thankfully, my maneuver and the loss of my ship took out a few dozen opponents."

Jack knelt and looked at his mother, who was still assembling a blaster. "Mom." He began. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to stay out of this fight."

"Now hold on a minute Jack." June retorted. "I have been spending the last few months getting my body into shape for these kinds of situations." This was true, she had taken to exercising with the soldiers on base and it was showing.

"I know mom, but I also know that Airachnid will be gunning for very specific targets, you Miko and myself." Jack explained. "All of us have bested her and out of the three of us she'll go for the one she thinks she can get the easiest."

June wanted to keep arguing, to point out that it was her job to protect her kids, not the other way around, but an explosion as Insecticons reached the perimeter of the base ended the discussion. Jack picked up his mother and ran to the lab. "Jackson Alexander Darby, you put me down!"

Entering the lab, he sat her down on a table. "I am sorry mom, but we can't lose you. You can yell at me after this is over." With that he ran out of the lab and bolted the door shut.

Fuming, June looked around the lab. There had to be something that could help her get out. Taking a closer look, she realized that the chamber from Project: Pheonix was still set up. After Mike had become Cheetor, the project was put on hold to see if this version of the process had any ill effects.

Looking to her left she saw a coil of wire. She tossed it over the side and slid down to the ground, using a table leg like a Firemans' pole. Taking the wire to the chamber she began tying a knot to make a lasso like her grandpa showed her years ago. She knew this would be a big risk, but if there was a chance it could save her babies, she'd take it.

Back in the Lost Light, the excavation of the rubble blocking the lift was slow going. They kept having to recalculate whenever the rubble shifted. Twice near misses were avoided only due to Bulkheads' strength and Trailbreakers forcefields. This also meant they couldn't use Defensor to excavate an escape route.

Arcee looked up after heaving two human sized rocks to the side. Somewhere up there she knew Jack and the Maximals were fighting for their lives against an entire Insecticon hive. As she turned to get back to work, she noticed a hole in the cavern ceiling. It wasn't too large, but maybe.

"Beachcomber, what are those holes in the ceiling?" She asked the resident geologist, and pointing at the hole she noticed earlier.

Fearing the cavern ceiling might be compromised, Beachcomber looked up. "Oh that?" He sighed. "That's one of the air shafts drilled into the cavern for ventilation. We can't get out that way though, they're barely big enough for humans to get through." When Beachcomber turned away to continue his work, Arcee went to seek out Hotspot.

Optimus stopped her however. "Arcee, I know what you might be thinking." He began. "And that maneuver is too dangerous."

"With all due respect sir." She countered. "My vehicle mode is just small enough to fit through the air shafts, if I hit the gas as I reach the entrance, I'll gain traction that I can use to scale the shaft and escape."

At Optimus concerned look she continued. "If Defensor throws me with enough speed at the right angle, I'll make it." She pled. "Please, let me help them."

Optimus weighed his options. Out of all his troops Arcee was one of the few that could both fit through the shaft and combat the Insecticons. Closing his Optics, he made his decision.

"Very well." He began. "Protectobots, form up on me and prepare to combine." Moments later, Arcee was being cradled like a football in Defensors' arms. "Remember." Optimus began. "She must make it into the shaft in order to escape, otherwise she'll-"

Defensor cut him off. "Understood, I will not miss." With that, he cocked his arm back and flung Arcee as hard as he could. The cheers of encouragement from the other Autobots fading rapidly as she sailed through the air.

Seeing the shaft opening rushing up to meet her, Arcee hit the accelerator. The momentum from the combiners throw began to bleed off as she entered the shaft. However, the moment her wheels hit the shaft wall at 180 miles an hour, she began to rocket up to the surface.

As she neared the surface, she realized she'd forgotten something in her plans. Namely the iron grating that was meant to keep wildlife and humans from falling into the shaft and dying. Grating that she was now approaching at top speed.

"Scrap." Arcee thought. "This is gonna fragging sting."

Watching Arcee go Ultra Magnus turned to Optimus. "Sir." He began. "If I may."

"Oh, would you quit it?" First Aid groused as he and the other Protectobots finished separating. "Those kids are in the position they're in in part because of you."

Magnus ignored him. "Even with Arcees' help, even if she calls in that swordsbot she's friends with, they're still only eleven versus nearly two hundred." He took a breath. "The signal is scrambling our space bridge, but another one could bring help. I also think I know who could be that help."

Optimus looked at Magnus. He had a shrewd idea who the embattled officer was talking about. "Who and how?"

"Optimus, are you really going to-" First Aid began before Magnus cut him off.

"I admit I fragged up!" Ultra Magnus yelled, startling even Optimus. No one had ever heard him cuss before. "I know that our allies are in danger because I let my paranoia overrule my better judgment."

Magnus took a calming breath. "Let me fix the problem I made." He spoke, barely above a whisper.

Optimus looked at the rubble they'd yet to clear. It would be an hour at least before they reached the lift. He turned back to Magnus.

"Are you calling who I think you are?" He asked. There was only one team that could potentially take on a hive of Insecticons and win.

"Yes." Magnus answered. "Last I heard they set up shop in one of Shockwaves' old laboratories. I believe they will be able to use a spacebridge on Cybertron to come here. Especially if I tell them that Shockwave himself is here."

"Very well." Optimus replied. "Tell them that I gave the order if that'll help, and have them bridge to the surface." As Magnus returned to the Lost Light to make the call to Cybertron Optimus turned to the other Autobots who'd stopped to watch the exchange.

"The situation is unchanged." Optimus called. "Keep clearing the rubble."

Meanwhile, on the surface, the Insecticons had arrived in full force. Their initial attack plan had been abandoned after the Cyclonus' kamikaze maneuver and reverted to simply swarming from a single direction. Cyclonus, Overdrive and the Maximals met the attack head on.

The group quickly discovered a few things about the Insecticons. If two or more attempted to get the same target, they would fight each other over it. After that it was just a matter of picking off the often-injured winner. Second, while most of the Insecticons were durable, they did have softer parts. A few shots in the joints would be enough to slow one down.

"How many are there?" Rhinox yelled as he used his chain guns to shoot down a couple of locust Insecticons that had tried to tag team him. Apparently while fast, they weren't as durable as the beetles.

"With the dozen or so we killed?" Nightscream replied. "I think over a hundred and fifty." He let loose a sonic shriek on a stag beetle who returned fire with an electrical blast. Dodging left he was saved by Botanica who got the stag in the head with her fireweed sap.

"Either way we need to hope we can hold out long enough for the bots to get free and help us." Leobolt yelled as he cracked his whip at a rhino beetle. He'd been having trouble with them due to their durability and his own lack of weapons.

Depthcharge wasn't having an easier time. While closer in size than the rest of the Maximals, there were too many opponents to keep up with. He'd found that letting the Insecticons come at him when he swung his sword allowed him to cut deep and offline his opponents easier. "As much as I hate to say it, we need backup."

Cheetor kept dancing around the stag beetle fire. "This is the kind of crap Unit-E was founded for, how did they know the troops would be gone?" Any further questions were halted when a locust kicked him into the wall of a nearby hangar.

"Airachnid must've found out where the base was a while ago and waited for the right time to strike." Cyclonus added, cleaving a rhino beetle in half with his sword. "It's the kind of thing she'd do."

"Right in one, big boy." Came a low voice from behind him. Turning towards it, Cyclonus had a brief glimpse of the femme it belonged to before she struck. Taking advantage of his surprise, Airachnid lunged forward, plunging her blade into his abdomen, right in his energon reservoir. She grinned as she saw energon gushing from the wound.

"Cyclonus!" Leobolt yelled. "Rhinox, help him, I'll handle." He was cut off as Airachnid lunged forward, leaving Cyclonus to collapse on the ground. She pinned him against the wall by his throat with on hand while pinning his hands with her spider legs.

"Cute as you are, you aren't mech enough to handle me, Jack." She purred. "Keep them busy, my hive." She called out, spurring the Insecticons to attack anew.

"Now." She continued. "No more games Jack." She deployed her left arm blade. "I am going to claim my trophy now." As she raised her blade to Leobolts' spark she was rocked by a pair of kunai exploding against her side, causing her to drop him.

Wingsaber glared at Airachnid with a hatred she'd rarely felt. Reaching behind her again, she began to throw kunai with abandon, willing them to explode on impact. She punctuated each throw with a word. "Leave. My. Boyfriend. Alone!" As she went to draw her katanas to continue the attack, a ball of blue webbing hit her in her midsection, knocking her backwards into the side of a hangar.

As the smoke cleared, they saw that Airachnid was definitely worse for wear after Wingsabers' onslaught. Two of the spider legs on her left side had been blown off and there was now energon dribbling down her left leg. "For that, you die first." She seethed, stalking towards the trapped Maximal.

Leobolt stood up and reared back to strike with his whip, only for Airachnid to strike out with her hand and knock his whip away while twisting his wrist into an unnatural angle. Grabbing his injured wrist, making him scream in pain she threw him into Wingsaber. An extra blast of webbing cemented the two in place together.

Looking around she saw her generals subduing the remaining Maximals who were trying to fight their way over to them. While she normally only took one trophy of each species, she wouldn't be above taking a whole group. But first. "Game over you two." She grinned, deploying her blasters.

As she raised them to her targets, two balls of green webbing slammed into the barrels, jamming them. A split second later a large green and white techno organic spider almost the size of an Insecticon landed between her and her prey. A white Maximal symbol on its' green abdomen. Airachnid stepped back in surprise at the strange newcomer.

"Get away from my kids!" It yelled in a feminine voice that sounded familiar. Before she could contemplate who this new femme was, a ball of green webbing flew from her mouth and into Airachnids' face, blinding her as she heard a familiar engine roar as someone knocked her to the ground. As she went to pull the substance off her face, Leobolt supplied her answer.

"Mom!?"

Notes:

Dun, dun, dun! Some of you have been asking for her, and here she is, Maximal June! I'd been planning this from the beginning and am proud to finally present her. Now before anyone asks, I won't be calling her Blackarachnia. This is mostly because the femme herself (or her Prime analogue at least) will appear in the next arc. Spoiler alert.

On a side note, I tried to base First Aids' personality on Deforrest Kellys' portrayal of Dr. McCoy from Star Trek although it feels a little off. And while I know that Hardshell was technically the Prime universe Bombshell, I wanted to use the names of classic Insecticons.

Next time: The conclusion.

Chapter 29: A Plauge of Insecticons Pt.2

Notes:

Happy Halloween everyone. I'm fresh out of Tricks, so here's a treat in the form of the newest chapter. Sorry for leaving you all on a cliffhanger, but I wanted to build up tension. So, for now, kick back, enjoy your candy and the treats of this latest chapter.

Arcee came too amidst the sounds of battle. This was nothing new to her, although she couldn't quite remember how she'd gotten there this time. It would help if her head would stop hurting so much. Then it all came back to her. Airachnid, the explosions and being trapped, the kids. She remembered being flung by Defensor and slamming through the iron grating at the top of the airshaft.

Remembering she was still in her vehicle mode, Arcee transformed. Groaning a bit at the pain she looked down at herself. The grating she'd crashed through had left some deep cuts, a couple of which were still leaking energon. She'd need to do some first aid before entering the battle around her.

"Arcee?" Came a familiar voice. Looking to her right, she saw Overdrive coming to her. Behind him was a dead rhino beetle Insecticon. "How'd you get up here?"

"I had Defensor wing me up the air shaft." She groaned, putting a servo to a deep gouge on her right arm. "I forgot about the grating." She explained as she staggered to her feet.

Overdrive looked around. "You came out right next to the lab." He said with a wince. "I'd take you to Rhinox but he's clear on the other side of the base. I'll let you in so you can get patched up, but I need to get back in the fight." With that he opened the hangar door just enough for Arcee to slip in before several locust Insecticons flew at him.

As the hangar door closed behind her, Arcee noticed that she wasn't alone in the lab.

"June?" Arcee queried. "What are you doing in here?" She figured the elder Darby would be in the thick of the fight with her children, both by blood and adopted. Instead, she was on top of the computer control panel for the "reformatting chamber", as the Maximals had taken to calling it behind the science teams backs, trying to work the controls.

June jumped. With everyone outside and the battle raging, she didn't expect anyone to enter the lab. "Arcee? I thought you were down in the." She looked over her injuries and decided against asking how she got there. "Never mind, can you help me figure out how to work this? That honorable dummy I call a son locked me in here to 'protect' me." She explained, her annoyed tone conveying how she felt about that decision.

Arcee took a Cybertronian first aid kit off the wall and began treating her injuries. "Yes, I can operate the chamber, but why?" She already had a feeling as to the answer, but was hoping to talk June out of it.

"Arcee." June stated, turning to look at her. "My kids keep getting into danger. I know they're growing up but I cannot stand to sit helpless on the sidelines anymore while that keeps happening." Her expression turned to a pleading one. "Please, let me help them."

Arcee was surprised to hear the same plea that she'd given Optimus just minutes ago be repeated back to her. She wouldn't be able to say no to this request without being the world's largest hypocrite. Pausing her ministrations, Arcee came to a decision. Walking over to the controls, Arcee held a servo out for June to sit on.

"Alright." She agreed. "I'll help you do this. I've been around this kind of equipment before and know how to use it. Thankfully, it's still connected to the Enigma of Combination." She lowered June to the floor. "Start getting ready." She added, as she stood back up.

"Thank you." June said at a tone barely above a whisper as she gave Arcee an appreciative look. Taking a steadying breath, June pulled off her shirt and reached behind her back to undo her bra.

Turning back to the computer to give the woman some privacy, Arcee set up the chamber. Looking at the readouts, she realized they had a problem. "June, we don't have any DNA to give you a beast mode." She said, turning back to the now naked human.

June climbed into the chamber. "We'll figure something out." She replied. "You told me Jack Miko and Raf didn't have beast modes at first either."

Arcee nodded and closed the chamber door behind June. She never realized during their brief conversation that some of Arcees' energon had leaked into the part of the console that would normally be used for beast mode DNA.

"Starting the sequence." Arcee announced moments later. Her servos flew over the controls as June braced herself. "Administering cybermatter. June, take a big breath." She added as the grey material flooded the chamber. "Engaging the Enigma." She whispered as magenta energy electrified the tube.

For a moment, there was silence. Arcee hoped that on top of having to fight the hive she wouldn't have to explain to Jack why his mother was dead. The second that thought crossed her mind a beam of blue light lanced out of the tube into a corner of the ceiling.

For a moment, June Darby felt weightless after the initial jolt from the enigma. While it was a curious sensation, she was more worried about what was happening.

"I can sense that." Came a voice from nowhere and everywhere. "You worry about your children, even those who you did not birth. An admirable trait."

"Who, who are you?" June asked. She didn't remember anyone explaining this.

"That's because no one did explain my presence June Darby. I, am Vector Sigma, the voice of Primus and the one who enabled your children to become my new Maximals. A form I now sense you seek as well." Vector Sigma explained.

"I, I just want to help my kids." June explained, hoping it didn't sound like an excuse.

"A genuinely worthy reason." Vector Sigma responded. "I shall grant you the form you seek. While formidable, new dangers are appearing rapidly. You shall become another guardian to aid the one you call Depthcharge."

June gave a nod. "I'm ready." With that, her world was flooded in magenta light, pulling her back to consciousness.

Staggering out of the chamber, the first thing June did was trip. Opening her eyes, she saw that she could now see more of the hangar than she could before entering the chamber. Trying to recenter herself she could've sworn there was an earthquake happening from the vibrations she felt through the floor. What was happening to her?

"June?" Arcee whispered.

"Arcee, did it?" She stopped short and gave a yell when she caught her reflection in a nearby surface. "A spider? What the hell?" She quickly managed to get her legs back under her.

Steadying herself she walked over to the surface and looked at herself. Her body was now a scrub green and white spider. While most of her body was a hard metal exoskeleton, she could see some circuitry in the joints of her new legs as well as around her head. Her spider head had the standard eight eyes arranged around the vertical slit that was currently her mouth, a pair of fangs sat in alongside it. Adorning her rounded green abdomen, she saw the Maximal insignia on the back of it like the hourglass of a black widow spider.

"Know what? I'll make it work." She said, shaking her head. "Are you ready to get out there?"

Arcee nodded. The shock of seeing June like that had pushed the reality of the situation from her mind for a moment. "Let's go."

Exiting the hangar, the two femmes saw pure chaos. The Insecticons were swarming all over the base and demolishing everything in sight. Arcee deployed her blasters and fired a few well-placed shots at a stag beetle, causing it to crash into the hangar it was passing.

June, acting on instinct, leapt high into the air and landed on a rhino beetle. Jabbing her new fangs into the back of the Insecticons' neck, she subconsciously pumped a type of toxin into it. Jumping off and landing near Arcee, June heard a sentence that chilled her to the core.

"For that, you die first." Came Airachnids' voice as clear as day. Turning, the two saw the psycho hunter closing in on a webbed-up Jack and Miko. "Game over you two." She grinned as she deployed her blasters.

All other thought fled Junes' mind as she saw what was about to happen to her kids. Clearing the distance rapidly with her extra legs she curled her abdomen downward and launched two balls of green webbing at Airachnid, jamming her blasters. Taking a mighty leap into the air, she landed between Jack and Miko and their attacker.

"Get away from my kids!" She yelled. This time she ended up spitting a glob of green webbing right in Airachnids scarred face. While she was disoriented, Arcee sped up to her in vehicle mode. Transforming, she slammed her good shoulder into Airachnid, knocking her to the ground.

"Mom!?" Jack asked in shock. When last he'd seen her, she was in the lab. And how did Arcee get here?

Turning around and going to her son and Miko, she saw that Jacks' wrist was probably dislocated based on the angle and Miko seemed scared of her. June winced internally; she'd forgotten Miko was afraid of bugs. Then again, this wasn't her first choice of beat mode either.

"Yes, it's me." June replied. "And after all this is over, you and I are going to have words young man." She looked at the webs binding them before wrapping Jacks' wrist with some of her own webbing. She knew her kids needed help, all of her kids.

With that thought, Junes' acid green spark glowed brightly as her body began to change. Her four back legs shifted and combined into two human like ones, although the angle gave them the appearance of her having high heels. Her spider abdomen shrank into the thorax as it restructured into a familiar femme torso and a pair of arms.

Her spider head vanished into her chest, being replaced by a replica of her human head, albeit with her hair pulled back and green streaks adorning the sides and center of it. Finally, the remaining spider legs rearranged themselves, moving to her back and reforming into a pair of spoilers. Overall, Junes' new look seemed familiar.

"Woah." Miko whispered as Arcee cut her and Jack loose, the shock of seeing June as a giant spider starting to wear off. "Is it me, or does your mom look like a Maximal version of Arcee?" She asked, earning a look from the femme in question.

Before anyone else could comment, Airachnid pulled Junes' webbing off her face and stood back up. "Well, well, well." She began looking June up and down. "I'm impressed, after all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Although you missed the mark on your bot mode."

Any further comment was cut off by a green spider web shaped shuriken flying from Junes' right hand and embedding itself in Airachnids left arm. "No more games." June replied, unknowingly using Airachnids' own words against her. "You have hunted my family for little more than your own pleasure."

June held up her arms. A pair of short swords that looked like they were made from her beast modes' fangs emerged. "You've endangered and killed who knows how many in your sick little games." She prepared to strike. "You won't leave here alive."

She took a breath. "Insecticons, I order you to stand down." She called. Hopefully she could command these insects like Airachnid could. Maybe even command them to turn on her.

Airachnid laughed. "Controlling Insecticons is a skill you need to learn, it's not something you're born with." She held out her arms, reminding them of their surroundings. "My Insecticon hive has supremacy over your pathetic pack of Maximals, and with the Autobots trapped underground, there's no help coming to the rescue."

As if on cue a space bridge opened up near the edge of the base. "What!" Airachnid exclaimed. "That's impossible, Venom is still jamming their space bridge!"

Out of the space bridge came six bots, four of them as large as Ultra Magnus, one as tall as Optimus, and one the size of a Maximal. The group all had similar coloration of red, grey and gold and all of them looked ready for a fight. The bot in the center with a red visor and three glowing red orbs in his chest stepped forward.

"Dinobots!" Grimlock called. "Transform and kick butt!"

With that, the six transformed. Not into vehicles like the Maximals expected, but into dinosaurs. More specifically a Triceratops, a Stegosaur, a Pterodactyl, a Velociraptor, Apatosaur, and a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The group then began to tear through the Insecticons with a vengeance, taking out two or three at a time.

Depthcharge grinned. "Looks like someone called in the cavalry." He knew that had it been any other group of Autobots, they would've never stood a chance. But seeing Slug smash through a locust before impaling a rhino beetle with his horns reminded him that the Dinobots were one of Optimus Primes elite fighting units.

"You know it." Sludge grinned as he snatched a stag beetle out of the air with his maw and flung it at Snarl who smashed it with his spiked tail. Snarl then turned around and, after absorbing solar energy, launched a ball of solar radiation from his tail at another stag beetle, causing it to explode as well.

Swoop was enjoying himself immensely, one thing he loved about Insecticons was that when they swarmed, they weren't very bright. He enjoyed letting several locusts follow him through the air before going into a divebomb. Pulling up hard he heard the satisfying booms of a handful crashing into the ground.

A couple survived the crash and made to take off after Swoop when a burst of flame from Grimlock incinerated them. Grimlock was in his element. The Insecticons just came to him, ready to be destroyed. A stomp of his foot or a swing of his tail was enough to take out most Insecticons. The more stubborn ones he could just flame broil.

Smash!

"Mloc."

Stomp!

"Imloc."

Kill!

"Grimlock!" Snarl yelled as he slammed his tail into Grimlocks' side. The Dinobot leader roared at his teams' medic as said bot transformed. "Grimlock, get ahold of yourself. You're losing control again."

Grimlock shook his head before transforming back into bot mode. "Sorry." He muttered. Ever since the Dinobots' last encounter with Shockwave, he'd been having a harder and harder time controlling his beast modes' fury. Thankfully the others were able to snap him out of it. This was made easier with the newest member of the team.

Speaking of. "Snarl." Grimlock asked, looking around. "Where's Slash?"

Mach Hoof ducked behind a partially demolished wall. This particular stag beetle Insecticon had been dogging her for a while now. Mostly because he seemed immune to her nucleon attacks. She honestly didn't know what was creepier though, his taunting or his speech quirk.

"Are you tired of our game already, already?" Shrapnel taunted, voice echoing. He'd decided to play with his prey a bit before handing her off to his queen. He purposely walked past his preys' hiding place and around the corner. Waiting a moment he jumped back around, startling her as she tried to leave it.

"Oh well, well." He laughed as he generated a ball of lightning in his hands. "End of the line, line." He raised his arms, never seeing the grey gold and red blur until it was too late.

Mach Hoof was in awe as a Velociraptor leapt from the roof of a neighboring hangar and sank its' teeth and claws into Shrapnels' head and neck. Seeing the raptor leap off her tormentor she saw it transform into a femme about her height.

"End of the line." Slash taunted as she drew and fired a handheld blaster into Shrapnels' neck wound, taking his head off. Once the Insecticons' body stopped twitching, Slash turned to the Maximal and held out a hand. "Name's Slash, Dinobot espionage agent, you gonna be alright?"

"A-Allison Blackrock." She stuttered, accepting the offered hand. She didn't know if it was the nerves of nearly getting killed or the savagery of her saviors' attack, but this femme seemed cute to her. "Pleasure to meet you." She immediately kicked herself, how corny could she get? She was sounding like Jack.

"Nice to meet you A-Allison." Slash teased. She took a breath. "While the rest of our groups are busy, do you think you can help me take out whatever's jamming the space bridge on the Lost Light? I heard you Maximals are pretty good in a fight."

"Yeah, we can fight pretty girl, pretty good." Allison quickly corrected herself. What the heck. She'd never stuttered like this before. Deciding to save her anymore embarrassment, Allison transformed. "Lead the way."

Slash transformed. "Oh, I plan to, pretty girl." She replied before setting off at a run towards a nearby mesa. An embarrassed Allison followed soon after, careful not to lose sight of the sassy Dinobot.

On the other side of the base, Rhinox and Bombshell were going rhino to rhino. Rhinox was panting heavily, he'd inadvertently used up a lot of his energy in his chain guns trying to take out other Insecticons and now this general had cornered him.

Bombshell stood up and transformed into bot mode. "For something so small, you put one pit of a fight." He groused before smirking. "But I didn't get to be a general by playing fair all the time."

Leaning forward, a small hatch opened on Bombshells back. From it launched a quarter sized device he'd dubbed a "Cerebro Shell". After it became apparent that Airachnid desired more than just rhino beetles for her hive, he began employing them to manipulate other rhino beetles to their destruction and enabling his rise to a general.

He laughed as his shell latched onto Rhinoxs' head. "I believe humans might call this a 'life hack'. Don't fight it too hard though, you'll only hurt yourself." He strode up to Rhinox as the Maximal fell to the ground. Believing the shell had paralyzed him like he wanted, Bombshell deployed his swords, he stood over him and prepared to stab Rhinox through the chest. "Say goodnight."

To his surprise, Rhinox opened his eyes and redeployed his chain guns. "Goodnight." He smirked, firing into Bombshells' midsection. Several seconds later Bombshells' top and bottom halves fell in different directions. "Never try to out hack a hacker." He whispered, removing the Cerebro shell before the exhaustion from fighting both the Insecticons and the shell took him.

Elsewhere, Depthcharge and Overdrive had finally cornered the final general. However, Kickback had been moving too fast for them to get a decent lock. What few shots they did take ended up damaging the buildings. As fast as he was moving Depthcharge could almost swear he was running on red energon.

Looking behind him, Overdrive noticed they were next to a hangar wall. An idea suddenly came to him. "Fire into the sand!" He yelled. Together they unloaded their weapons into the loose, sandy soil the base was built on, kicking up a sandstorm.

Kickback cackled. "A little sand won't hide you from me." He transformed into his locust mode and took off toward the duo. Opening his maw, Kickback prepared to take a bite, only to fly smack into the side of the hangar.

Depthcharge and Overdrive stopped firing, letting the sandstorm die and showing that they'd moved enough to let the Insecticon fly between them and slam into the wall. "Like a fly on a windshield." Overdrive laughed. Together, the two fired on Kickback, destroying the general entirely.

Sitting atop the mesa where his queen had left him, Venom looked down at the base. He'd been watching the battle unfold and keeping anyone from bridging in. So, imagine his surprise when a space bridge opened up and the six Dinobots began decimating the hive. For a moment he contemplated joining the others in the fray, but decided that not only was his position safer, if the queen died, he could potentially take control of the remaining members of the hive and return to Megatron.

What he hadn't expected however was for a Maximal and a Dinobot to climb over the far side of the mesa and open fire on him. Transforming and drawing his axe, he turned to face the newcomers, making sure to keep the jamming signal going. "Ah, visitors." He grinned at the two.

Slash drew her pistols as Mach Hoof deployed her saber. "It wasn't that hard to figure out." Slash admitted. "To get the coverage needed to block the bases space bridge with a sonic signal you needed to be close and above a certain elevation. This mesa was the closest landmark to the base that fit the criteria."

Venom chittered. He hadn't taken into account that someone would figure that out. No matter, they were only two, and small at that. Focusing in on the Dinobot, Venom charged, axe raised. Mach Hoof blocked his axe with her saber, throwing in a little nucleon shock hoping to stun him.

This caused him to laugh. "Insecticons are a lot stronger than your standard Decepticon." He smacked Mach Hoof with the side of his axe, stunning her. "Stunning us is harder than you think."

He turned just in time to catch Slash by her clawed foot. He may not be as strong as one of the beetles, but he was no slouch either. With a mighty heave, he threw her towards the edge of the mesa. Barely transforming in time, Slash grabbed onto the side of the cliff and held on.

"You know." Venom grinned as he looked at the helpless Dinobot. "The humans have a saying that I find quite appropriate right now." He raised his axe. "Sometimes one must say farewell to arms." He went to swing down and slice through her forearms when a long saber blade pierced through his chest.

Mach Hoof was breathing heavily and her head was throbbing. Between the prolonged use of her powers and the blow to the head, she was just about done in. However, she did have just enough in her to put this guy down.

"Another saying we have here on Earth." She panted. "The bigger they are." She ran a nucleon charge through him and retracted her weapon, causing Venom to fall over the edge of the mesa. "The harder they fall."

Pulling Slash up the two looked over the edge of the mesa in time to see Venom hit the ground and explode in a fireball. Seeing the threat was dealt with, they collapsed onto their backs and looked up at the sky. "Alright. After that, I need a drink." She activated her comms. "Swoop, we need a pickup when you get a sec."

Allison snorted. "You and me both, but dad and Mrs. Darby won't let us drink."

Slash cut her comms and looked at her. "Well, that sucks." She smirked. "How about I sneak something for you later?"

Allison giggled. "It's a date."

Slash looked at her and smirked. "Sure, we can call it that."

While Mach Hoof and Slash were engaging Venom. Airachnid was now having trouble of her own. Standing in a defensive position she was being circled by Arcee, June, Leobolt, and WIngsaber with their weapons. Further adding to her problems was the fact those prehistoric peon Dinobots had decimated her hive, her generals even falling to the Maximals.

"Nowhere for you to slink away this time Airachnid." Arcee growled as the group circled. "And no way we won't kill you."

"Oh, the hunt may be over." She said, trying to play it cool while searching for an escape route. It was a staring contest at this point. She just had to get one of them to blink first.

Deploying her webbed blasters did the trick. June attempted to web Airachnid again, only for her to sidestep causing her web to hit Leobolt instead. Wingsaber teleported in front of him and went to slash her with her katanas, forcing Airachnid to backflip away from the group.

"You see." She taunted as June and Arcee ran towards her, Wingsaber now cutting Leobolt loose. "You'll never be able to-." He words died in her throat as several feet of sword burst through her chest, surprising the group. Looking down at the blade she sank to her knees, revealing her attacker to the group.

"Cyclonus?" Arcee exclaimed. The swordsbot looked terrible. He was standing on shaky legs with energon still trickling from where Airachnid had stabbed him. His optics were beginning to flicker, a sign of imminent death for Cybertronians. Apparently, he had just enough strength to throw his sword like a javelin.

"That." He breathed. "Was for Tailgate." He fell to his knees and looked up at Arcee. "End it."

Nodding, Arcee deployed her blaster and aimed at Airachnids' head. "This is for Tailgate, Jack, June, Miko, and every other bot you've hurt or killed. You'll face them soon enough." Closing her optics, Arcee fired and was rewarded by the thud of Airachnids body as it hit the ground.

Avoiding Airachnids corpse, the group ran over to Cyclonus. "Hang on Cyclonus, we'll get Rhinox." Arcee looked around for the large Maximal, but he was nowhere to be found.

"No." Cyclonus whispered. "I'm too far gone, and I'm ready to move on." He coughed, energon now dribbling out his mouth. "My tale is at its' end. Tell it to those who'll listen. For good or ill."

Shutting his optics, he smiled and uttered one final word before passing.

"Tailgate."

There was a moment of silence for the fallen bot. A moment that was interrupted by both a space bridge manifesting and the lift activating. Out of the space bridge stepped Optimus Prime flagged by Ultra Magnus and Ratchet. When the lift made it to the surface, Bulkhead, Bumblebee Nightbeat and First Aid rushed to meet the group.

"Everyone, stand down. The threat is passed." Arcee called. Looking to her left she saw the Dinobots bringing the scattered Maximals with them. Doing a quick head count she was relieved to see that every last one had survived.

"So it has." Optimus said, eyeing Airachnids now headless body. Looking over at Grimlock he continued. "And I see that Commander Magnus' message made contact."

Arcee cocked a brow. "Ultra Magnus called the Dinobots?" She asked. She knew the by the books bot had issues with a unit that, in his words. "Never met an order they could follow."

"Yes." Optimus replied, seeing Arcees' face. "He knew that the situation was partly his fault and called in the one unit he knew to help fix it."

"If that's your way of apologizing for those files." Ratchet growled at Magnus. He was still furious about the officer stealing the kids' confidential files. He, First Aid, and Velocity all agreed that Magnus was no longer allowed in the med bay unless he was either a patient or had direct supervision.

"No." Ultra Magnus replied. "This is. I hereby step down as supervising officer of the Maximals. In my stead, I nominate Rodimus as my replacement."

Rodimus, who had just exited the lift alongside Trailbreaker, Skidz and Smokescreen was shocked. "Why me?" He questioned. His captainship alone was fraught with issues, now Magnus wants him to supervise the Maximals.

"I want you to because you've proven to be impartial and approach every conflict fairly. You also proved during your captaincy that you can think outside the box. I believe you can be the bot that I am unable to." Magnus answered.

Jack looked at Rodimus. He felt that they were kindred sparks in a way. They were both trying to be leaders and both felt they weren't doing the job like Optimus would. In the end though they did it well, which was good enough for either of them.

Rodimus knelt down. "If you'll have me." He offered a servo.

Jack shook his finger. "We look forward to working with you." He replied.

"Aww, do you boys wanna hug it out?" Miko teased, earning a flick on the pigtail from June.

Grimlock meanwhile was looking at the Maximals. Turning to Raf, who had woken up and was helping Vince and Sierra off of Sludges' back so he could transform, he asked. "Me only guessing, but Shockwave?"

Raf jumped and looked at the bot. "Knockout invented the procedure with me and those two." He answered, indicating Jack and Miko. "He did however replicate it with these two, and the one your raptor friend is talking to." Hs said pointing to Vince Sierra and Allison, who was still talking with Slash.

"She's Slash." Grimlock nodded. "Bot behind them is Swoop." He said pointing at the flyer behind the pair. "That's Sludge." He said indicating the transforming Apatosaur. "They Slug and Snarl." He now pointed to the Triceratops and Stegosaur walking towards them. "And me Grimlock." He finished, pointing to himself.

Snarl transformed. "He asked because Shockwave's the one who turned us into this." He explained, indicating the saurian modes. "We have a score to settle with old one eye." He looked at Arcee who was pulling Cyclonus' sword out of Airachnids' corpse. "Want us to get rid of her?" He asked.

"Oh." Arcee spoke in surprise. She hadn't had much interaction with the Dinobots but didn't avoid them like a lot of Autobots were prone to. If anything, that would make her a hypocrite. "Please, but leave him for me." She explained, nodding towards the body of Cyclonus.

Snarl nodded. "Slug, you're up." The Triceratops walked over to the corpse and let loose a stream of fire from his mouth. The heat was intense but seconds later all there was of Airachnid was a pool of molten metal that was sinking through the broken pavement and into the ground.

The normally rage-a-holic Triceratops sighed. "That, felt good." He said before transforming back to his bot mode. The six Dinobots formed up as Optimus came over to them.

"Greetings Dinobots." He began. "I thank you for coming to the Maximals' aid. I must ask though, do you intend to stay, or return to Cybertron?"

"Shockwave here." Grimlock replied as if that explained everything. Then again, it sort of did. "We stay."

Optimus nodded. "Very well, we'll take you to the Lost Light and get accommodations set up for you."

"No." Grimlock replied. "We stay up here. The other Autobots avoid us so we avoid them."

"Grimlock, I won't tolerate prejudice or bias against the six of you." Optimus began.

"You can say all you want." Slug threw in. "But what you say and what they do are often two very different things."

"We'll come down if we need to, but we'll stay up here otherwise." Sludge added.

"Besides." Swoop interrupted. "The Maximals seem like they'd be good neighbors." He said as Slash nodded.

Optimus sighed. He knew they had a point. "Very well." With that he walked away.

A couple hours later Arcee and the Maximals, including June, were getting a checkup in the Lost Lights' med bay. Most of them had been cleared with a prescription of bed rest by Ratchet and Velocity. However, while examining June, Ratchet made some interesting observations.

"I don't know how to explain it." Ratchet sighed, rubbing his optics. "While the human aspect of her hybrid nucleic acid is purely nurse Darbys', the Cybertronian aspect is registering as Arcee."

"How is that possible?" Jack asked. He agreed with Miko that his moms' new body was eerily similar to his partner, but how did she get like that?

"I may have an answer to that." Wheeljack explained as he came into the med bay. "Perceptor was checking the chamber after she used it. We didn't find spider DNA in the controls, we found energon."

Ratchet turned to Arcee, who was being patched up by First Aid, with wide optics. "Arcee, do you remember if you were bleeding when you helped June with her procedure?" He asked.

"Yeah, I cut myself up a bit going through the grate at the end of the air shaft." Arcee explained as First Aid finished up. "Why, how is that significant?"

Ratchet sighed. Knowing Arcees' history, he was trying to figure out how to bring this up without it being awkward.

First Aid beat him to the punch however. "Essentially it means that technically, you now have a new techno organic sister." He butted in, making everyone stiffen a bit. Only the three Maximals knew about Arcee already having a sibling.

"First Aid!" Ratchet yelled before sighing again. "Essentially the computer was confused about the CNA and decided to use it as the template for your new bot mode." He looked at June and Arcee, who were now avoiding each other's gaze. Jack and Miko didn't look much more comfortable.

"We're going to clear the med bay and give you two a chance to talk about this." Ratchet continued. He turned to First Aid. "And you, are going to get a refresher course in bedside manner." He grabbed the protesting doctor and led him out of the room.

Velocity Jack and Miko made to leave to. "Jack, would you mind staying?" June asked. "This involves you too."

Miko hugged Jack. "I'll talk to you later." She gave him a kiss and followed Velocity out.

A heavy silence permeated the air for a few seconds before June spoke up. "I'm sorry Arcee, I didn't plan on."

Arcee held up a servo. "It wasn't your fault June. I'm just sorry my CNA interfered with the procedure."

"Is this going to be a problem for you Arcee?" Jack asked.

"No, honestly." Arcee explained. "I know your mom isn't like Galavar." She finished, referring to her black sheep of a brother. She scoffed. "If anything, June." She said turning back to her. "You've acted more like a sister to me than Galavar ever acted like a brother."

"I was an only child, so I wouldn't know." June explained. "But if you want me to, we could call each other sisters?" She asked.

Arcee smiled as she knelt down to Junes' level. This may not have been ideal circumstances, but she'd made her decision. "I haven't called anyone family in a long time June, but I'm willing to try." The paneling on Arcees' chest shifted, exposing her pale blue spark and bathing June in its' light.

"I bid you stand in the light of my spark, so that you may feel the heat of my words." Arcee began. "In my life I have lost my brother, yet along the way, I have found my sister. I invite you to be my kin from now until the end of time." She finished.

June was shocked. Those words sounded like a combined legal formula and religious ceremony, but she didn't know how to reply. Feeling her own chest shift (an awkward sensation), she realized her own acid green spark was now exposed, illuminating Arcee as she did her. Taking a breath, June decided to ad lib it.

"I accept the light of your spark, and bid you stand in mine." She began her reply. "Throughout my life, I've had little family that I care about, and am pleased to have found my sister at long last. I accept you now as kin and family, from now until the end of time." June willed her chest shut, then nodded to a wide-eyed Jack.

Nodding, Arcee turned to Jack. "Jack." Arcee began again. "You love June as a mother and I as your partner. As your mother has accepted me as her sister, I ask that you shine the light of your spark on me as kin, from now until the end of time."

Jack felt tears in his eyes. This was almost too much. Blinking his eyes clear and feeling his chest shift, he began his reply. "With the light of my spark and the heat of my words, I accept you now and forever as family and kin, until the end of time." At those words both of their chests closed.

Jack looked up. "Welcome to the family, aunt Arcee." He teased good naturedly.

Arcee snorted. "Just keep calling me Arcee, Jack. Aunt or no, you're still my partner."

June smiled at the pair. "Welcome to the family, sister." June replied, placing a hand on her new sisters' shoulder.

The silence was now a contented one. After a few moments, Arcee had a serious look in her optics. "Would you be willing to help me with something? To be there for me as my family?" Arcee asked.

An hour later the trio as well as Miko had gathered at the edge of the base. Standing before them was a pyramid shaped device keeping Cyclonus' body aloft, his sword in his hands. Atop the pyramid, beneath his body, was a low purple fire. This funeral would be a small one, attended by only by his only living friend, as well as her new family.

Arcee stepped forward. "In life, Cyclonus was a mech of honor. His decision to stay out of the war stemmed from the belief that sometimes the greatest battles, were those unfought." She took a breath. "He lived a warrior, and died a hero. May his spark find its' peace in the after spark, and may his wisdom join with the matrix, the greatest of Cybertron."

With that, the flame beneath Cyclonus blossomed into a proper pyre, rendering his corpse into motes of light that rose into the heavens. Stepping back and surrounded by her family, Arcee smiled as the motes ascended skyward. She knew that Cyclonus would find peace, as would Tailgate and Cliffjumper. She turned and followed June Miko and Jack back to the Maximals' den, smiling. She knew that someday, hopefully a long time from now, she'd see her friends again.

Notes:

Now how were those treats? I based Junes' beast mode off of Beast Machines Blackarachnia, albeit with a palate swap and different head mold. I have a few ideas on a name but am always open to other possibilities. The Dinobots, I based on the 'official' comic book iteration for the Prime universe. Specifically in Rage of the Dinobots. (I'd recommend it, it's good.)

And while the original Insecticon hive is gone, who's to say there isn't another one on Cybertron somewhere...hint hint. And as to Venom, he's actually one of the lesser known 'deluxe' Insecticon from the G1 toy line and the nominal Insecticon leader apparently.

I hope the part about June and Arcee accepting being sisters wasn't too forced. It just seemed to flow naturally to me and the fact that they now share CNA will come up again in the next arc. Until then, kudo and comment.

Next time: Megatrons endgame begins.

Chapter 30: The Omega Lock, Some Assembly Required

Notes:

Welcome back everyone and sorry for the delay. I wanted to get this finished sooner but the Thanksgiving rush hit me like a shot hitting Waspinator. That said a lot happens in this chapter to move this story along. Please enjoy as I hope I put a little something in for everyone.

Megatron walked into the Nemesis' science labs with Starscream in tow. "Shockwave." He began. "How goes the restoration of the Omega Lock?"

Shockwave turned to Megatron. "We salvaged much of the wreckage of the Omega Lock, but the damage was quite extensive." He began. "At present it could take centuries to fabricate the necessary components to restore it. Therefore, I propose the selective use of human technology to facilitate the procedure. Retrofitting its' operating systems would cut the work down to a matter of cycles."

"Very well." Megatron replied. "Turn your 'wish list' over to Starscream." He said, turning to the bot in question, startling him. "You shall oversee the acquisitions. Use any and all bots you require to retrieve the necessary components."

"But master." Starscream stammered. "Wouldn't it be easier for Shockwave to retrieve the necessary."

Megatron cut him off. "While we await the components, Shockwave shall turn his attention to the stabilization of the cyber matter with the aid of Oil Slick and Tarantulas. You have your orders."

"Yes master." Starscream bowed before heading out of the lab. He began grumbling to himself as he stepped up to a communications console. "Reduced to a lowly courier. All available Decepticons report to the Space Bridge staging area." Shutting down the console he looked Shockwaves' list over as he made his way to his destination.

Arriving at the staging area he saw that in addition to several Vehicons, most every Decepticon had arrived. "Time is of the essence." He began looking over the crowd. "Lord Megatron, with some assistance from Shockwave has found a way to restore the Omega Lock and by extension, Cybertron." He waited a moment as the collective bots cheered.

"However, we require parts and equipment to restore it. I am now asking for volunteers to assist me in retrieving them." He continued, smirking a little as most every single con took a step forward.

"Very well." Starscream began, consulting the list Shockwave had given him as well as the bots before him. "Galavar, Lugnut, take the Mayhem Attack Squadron and head to the coordinates given, we require nuclear control rods."

Galavar scoffed. "Why must we dirty our hands for such a-." He was cut off as Lugnut hoisted him into the air by his neck.

"If Lord Megatron requires something, we shall retrieve it, whelp." Lugnut growled. With that he dropped the gasping Decepticon on his aft.

Starscream snorted in mirth at the upstarts' predicament. "Punch, Blitzwing, take the Predacons with you and retrieve a human quantum computer. It's horrendously slow by our standards but the hardware should suffice. Punch, you may use the Apex Armour after Tarantulas gives you control of the Predacons." He only advised the armors' use to put Punch on par with Blitzwing.

As Punch nodded, Blitzwings' face changed to the blue one. "Ve are going to human school? Vat ze know of ze universe could fit in mien servo." He switched to his red face. "Either vay, ve shall conquer zis institute and capture ze equipment!" The black face came up. "And zen ve can play a game of Hackey Sack."

Rolling his optics, Starscream turned to Oil slick and Tarantulas. "After Tarantulas gives Punch control of the Predacons, report to Shockwaves' lab." Turning to the remaining bots. "Runamuck, Runabout, you shall join me and the Constructicons in retrieving a particle collider, Astrotrain shall be coming along as transport." As the most sensitive piece of equipment, he would oversee its' recovery personally.

"You know your assignments." Starscream spat. "Move out."

Meanwhile at the Maximals' den, a couple of debates were taking place.

"I'm telling you, Blackarachnia would totally work as Mrs. D's codename." Miko exclaimed.

"There's no black anywhere on her in either mode." Raf argued. "It doesn't make sense. Crystal Widow would work better."

"Jack, back me up here." Miko said, turning to her boyfriend.

"I'm staying out of this." Jack answered, transforming into his beast mode and backing away.

"Wuss puss." Miko growled.

"Alright, that's it." June grumbled as she dropped from the ceiling and landed between the two teenage Maximals in her spider mode, causing the two to back up a step. She was already having issues with her new body. Particularly the fact that she could no longer have coffee after discovering that coffee worked like alcohol on her.

The morning after her transformation into a Maximal, she'd consumed two Maximal sized cups of coffee (better known as a bucket) and managed to become highly intoxicated. June had been mortified when she'd sobered up and Arcee had told her she'd drunkenly speculated about whether Optimus would find her sexy now that she was part Cybertronian. She'd thought she was over her crush on him, and it didn't help that Arcee had heard and teased her about it. At least she'd woken up so early that the kids hadn't heard her.

"Both of you, what's spider in another language?" She demanded while transforming, she hoped to end this debate quickly.

"Kumo." Miko answered in Japanese.

"Araña" Raf added in Spanish.

June mulled the words around in her head. "Alright, in the field call me Kumara." She watched as her two charges looked at each other and nodded.

Miko turned to apologize to Jack only for her attention to be drawn into a corner of the ceiling. "There's that Insecticon again." She groused, seeing the orange and green dragonfly. Apparently, Airachnid had used it as a spy before her attack a few days ago and after it was over it had decided to follow her, much to her chagrin. They first noticed it when they found it examining her old guitar.

"Sorry Miko, I keep trying to catch it, but it keeps avoiding my webs." June replied. Despite her best efforts, the dragonfly somehow managed to keep dodging her and keep close to Miko. June had honestly begun to wonder just how smart it was, given that it hadn't transformed at all.

On the other side of the den, meanwhile, another debate was going on.

"Oh, come on Grimlock!" Allison exclaimed. "You Dinobots would make a great combiner team! Six robot Dinos that can become one great robot warrior, it's bad ass."

Grimlock scoffed at his teams' neighbor. "We Dinobots, bad aft enough."

"Look, Allie." Slash began, walking up to her. "Combining is not what you think it is, if you don't believe me, ask the Protectobots." She advised.

Vince and Sierra looked at each other. Allie? She only let those close to her call her that. Seems Sierra might have to give the 'Protective Sister' speech at some point.

Before the discussion could go further a gust of wind signaled the arrival of Mike Fowler with his father clinging to his back. "Okay, urgent or not, next time I'll walk on my own." He said, getting shakily off his sons' back. "Everyone to the Lost Light, we got con activity."

As the collective bots filed out to go to the ship June stopped and looked at Fowler. "How much trouble are you in for my using the chamber?" She asked. This was the first time she'd seen the bots' government liaison since the day after her transformation.

"Not as much as you think." He answered as he followed her out the door. "I caught some flak but since you're unofficially registered as a field medic they backed down. Although they want me to make sure that the third new Maximal is a capable field soldier."

June gave a sigh of relief as they picked up the pace towards the lift.

Several minutes later the collective Autobot and Maximal forces were gathered near the Lost Lights' space bridge. Fowler was going over his intel on a map.

"We have three simultaneous reports of con activity across the country." He said indicating the three dots on the map. "First one is the Pomona nuclear power plant." Fowler explained, indicating the dot in southern California. "Second is in MIT in Massachusetts with the third being a government black site in Utah." He finished, indicating the dots on both the east coast and near Salt Lake City.

"So, a nuclear power plant." Ratchet began. "Somewhere known for advanced human technology and some kind of device the government feels the need to keep secret." He reasoned, much to the irritation of both Fowlers. "It sounds like a supply run."

"The question is then." Optimus interjected. "What are the Decepticons looking to build?" He turned to the collective bots and Maximals. "We shall divide three separate teams to repel the raiders."

He turned to Rodimus. "Rodimus." He began. "I'd like you and Arcee to take the Maximals to the human college. Please keep close to June as it will be her first mission as a Maximal." He added in a whisper that the Maximal in question heard.

June bit down on her lip before nodding. She couldn't argue with that stipulation without feeling like a hypocrite. After all, she'd insisted on it for her own children. Not that they knew it, of course.

"Ultra Magnus." He continued, turning to his second in command. "Take the Wreckers and head for the nuclear plant and take Bumblebee with you to scout out the area. Use caution, nuclear radiation is as toxic to humans as us, so we don't want to risk damaging the reactor."

"Finally." Optimus spoke, turning to Grimlock. "I require Perceptor and the Dinobots to accompany me to the Utah site. Whatever the Decepticons are attempting to acquire could be dangerous in the wrong hands, and it is possible that a larger number of troops will be present."

Grimlock snorted. "Normally me would tell you to go frag yourself." Grimlock answered, causing looks of disgust from several observers. "But whatever cons making probably built by Shockwave, so Dinobots shall assist on principal."

"Very well." Optimus replied solemnly. For Grimlock that was almost as good as a 'yes sir'. "Autobots, transform and roll out." With that the groups dispersed through the space bridge. Although the Maximals never realized that a certain Insecticon had snuck along.

As Arcee, Rodimus and the Maximals exited the space bridge they found much of the campus deserted. "Where is everybody?" Jack quired.

"The spring semester ended a week ago. Which is good for us since the odds of human witnesses will be minimal." Raf replied. At the collective looks he received he explained. "I looked up MIT before." He paused a moment. "Before."

June went to comfort Raf but Mike got to him first. "Hey, from what I've seen of your tech skills you are smarter than most of the professors here. If anything, they would've probably held you back."

Raf smiled at the older Maximal. "Thanks Mike."

A loud boom on the other side of the campus drew their attention. "Since we just went on the clock, better call me Cheetor."

The group arrived to find the 2.0 Predacons in beast mode, as well as a Decepticon they'd never met before accompanied by a single Vehicon.

"We were trying for stealth Blitzwing." Punch grumbled. He hadn't expected his partner to collapse the ceiling above the quantum computer laboratory.

"I believe I can speak on behalf of ze court vhen I say, oops." Blitzwing responded, his black face coming around and surprising the Maximals.

Infernus looked over and saw the advancing Maximals and Autobots. "Your regencies, we have interlopers!" He yelled.

"Scrap." Punch grumbled. He had hoped that commander Magnus or Optimus would be the ones to arrive so he could convincingly loose the Apex armour to the bots. Oh well, can't break cover now. "Infernus, Iguanus, gather the equipment and prepare to transport it. Everyone else, buy them time."

Blitzwings' red face spun up. "Hold on von moment, I ze higher ranking Decepticon, I shall zay ven ve attack." His black face spun back around. "Ven ve attack." He giggled, pointing at the group.

Punch shook his head. Where did Megatron get this bot? "Predacons, terrorize!" He yelled, triggering the hyper aggression command that had been programmed into their minds. Admittedly this had been passed off as a way to boost their strength while hiding the fact it made them subservient.

Mikos' jaw dropped when she heard the command. "They have a catchphrase?" She called out. "Okay, we SO need to make one of our own."

"Not the time Wingsaber, we need to help against the Man-E-Faces knockoff." Leobolt commented hinting at Blitzwing.

"The who?" Wingsaber, as well as Arcee and Rodimus asked, looking at him.

"Never mind just combine." Rhinox yelled as the three bolted towards each other and combined to Magnaboss.

"Vell, vat are you waiting for?" Blitzwing said to the Predacons. "Engraved invitations?"

"Spittor, terrorize." The blue and orange frog flipped into his robot mode. Deploying a pair of wrist mounted guns, he began firing at the Maximal combiner.

"Can't let hop bot have all the funzzz." Buzzed Waspinator. "Waspinator, terrorizzzze." Transforming into his bot mode, Waspinator opened fire on Magnaboss as well. Only to have to dodge fire from Rodimus.

"Arcee, stay close to June." Rodimus ordered, remembering Optimus' request. "Everyone, pick a dance partner."

"Un wunderbar suggestion Rodimus." A now blue faced Blitzwing commented stepping up to stand by the Predacons. "And allow me to provide ze musical accompaniment vith mien number von hit." With that, Blitzwing rapidly transformed into a tank with two cannons on it. "Ze Blitzwing Bop!" He finished with a shout as he opened fire.

Rodimus and Magnaboss dodged the shots and charged toward the triple changer. Said bot seemingly did a backflip in his tank mode and transformed into a jet before taking to the sky. "I forgot he can do that." Rodimus grumbled.

Magnaboss charged in front of Rodimus, deflecting several of Waspinators' stingers with their sword. "Careful, it looks like both of these cons use Tox-En." They called.

As the two toxic Predacons kept Magnaboss and Rodimus busy, Blitzwing was circling around for an attack. "Zis shall be too easy." He smirked to himself. He carefully took aim at Rodimus and Magnaboss. "A one, a two-hoo, a three."

Unfortunately, before he could fire an orange and green dragonfly Insecticon latched onto his nosecone. "Ah, ick get it off me." In his blind panic he hadn't realized that he slammed right into Waspinator and that the impact from the blow had unbalanced Spittor enough for Cheetor to speed by and knock him into the crater with them. Looking over he saw Punch fall into the crater without the armor. What happened there?

On the other side of the crater, Nightscream was being harrased by Rampage. "You know." He grinned with his mandibles. "I'm just 'batty' about exotic meats. Can't wait to see what techno organic bat wings taste like." He finished with a smack of the lips.

He took a step forward before a plasma disk hit him in the chest and knocked him back several feet. "He ain't on the menu Rampage." Depthcharge glowered. "Stay behind me kid, I can take him." He whispered to Nightscream

"I'm not helpless either." With that he let loose a sonic shriek that knocked Rampage back several feet more. "Got any advice for him?" He asked at Depthcharges' impressed look.

"Rampage is vain and likes to talk." He began, drawing his sword. "He'll try to get inside your head and trick you into a position he wants you in."

"Wait." Nightscream said as he watched their opponent get up. "I like to talk too. Let's see how he likes his own medicine." He added with a smirk of his own.

Rampage growled as he got up. He was going to cook that Maximal slowly and make Dreadwing watch. "Insolent scrap. Who do you think you're up against?" He yelled, firing a missile at the pair.

"Not a celebrity, that's for sure." Nightscream taunted as he dodged the missile, watching it explode in the sky. "No one ever gave you the time of day when you were young, and that's why you decided to become a killer isn't it?"

"Don't play psycho analyst with me boy." Rampage hissed.

"We don't need to be Rung to figure you out." Depthcharge smirked, deciding to get in on the act. "All those kills were just your way of gaining attention, weren't they? A way to stand out? Prove you weren't just another knockoff." He knew Rampage was constructed cold and called that when he was young.

Rampage shifted into his tank mode. "Shut your port!" He yelled, speeding towards them. Nightscream and Depthcharge transformed and took to the air.

"So what, you get sorted into the army after the plague of rust, couldn't cut it and decided to become a serial killer. What, you couldn't get work as a slag shoveler?" Depthcharge added with a laugh, throwing salt in the wound.

Rampage transformed and took aim at Depthcharge. "Try and laugh this off you." Rampages' vision began to blur as he suddenly felt weak. He felt a light sting on his neck as Nightscream retracted his fangs. He'd been so focused on one bot; he'd forgotten there was a second one there.

Depthcharge knocked the weakened Rampage onto his back in his flight mode before transforming and standing on his chest. "This is for Sunstorm, and everyone else you killed to get your jollies." He drew his sword and plunged it deep into Rampages chest, right through his mutilated spark. A moment later the crazed Predacons' body stopped twitching as he died.

"Well, that was a, woah!" Nightscream exclaimed as plasma disc from Depthcharge destroyed Rampages' head. "What the hell?"

"Somtimes, you need to make sure." He explained.

"Terrorsaur, terrorize!"

"Now come on, let's go help the others." The two transformed and took off.

Somewhere between the two battles, Botanica and Mach Hoof were trying to fend off Terrorsaur with limited success. Neither of them were flyers and the prehistoric Predacon was too fast for them to hit.

"What's the matter? Can't hit the broad side of a-" Terrorsaur was cut off as a high-speed pass from behind by Depthcharge caught him off guard. This was enough for Botanica to hit the flyer with a seed snare. A second later Nightscream kicked the ball of vines that was Terrorsaur across the crater with Mach Hoof hitting him with Nucleon for good measure. The Predacon then slammed into the large armored figure that Arcee and Kumara were fighting... wait, what?

While in theory, fighting a lone Vehicon would've been a good idea for June, or Kumara, to get used to fighting while on a mission, Arcee had not been expecting said Vehicon to be wielding the Apex armour. Honestly, she was beginning to think they should've gone up against Blitzwing.

Several web throwing stars were embedded in the armour and it wasn't even slightly hindered. Arcees' blasters hadn't even scorched it. Punch smirked as he eyed Arcee. "I'm not some regular rank and file Vehicon you know." He swung a fist at the two femmes who leapt out of the way. "I had to punch and kick my way up the ranks just to earn a place on the Nemesis."

Punch grabbed onto Arcee by the leg and held her upside down as Kumara began slashing at the back of his suit. Holding up a fist as if to punch Arcee and seeing Terrorsaur flying at him he decided to end this. "Tell Magnus to check his messages." He whispered to a now confused Arcee as the electrified Predacon hit him in the suit, causing it to convulse. Ejecting himself from the armor, Punch let himself fall into the crater. While it hadn't gone the way he'd planned, he was still able to get the Apex armour to the Autobots.

"Regent, the equipment is ready to move." Infernus called. Turning, Punch saw that the quantum computer was loaded on a hover platform with the two predacons acting as cart horses. Seeing Blitzwing and the other Predacons freeing themselves, he figured a tactical retreat was what was now needed.

"Right, Soundwave we need an emergency bridge." Seconds later the group were fleeing through the portal, computer in tow. Hopefully it would be enough to stave off Megatrons' wrath about losing Rampage.

The group of Maximals and Autobots reconvened at the edge of the crater. "So, they were after a quantum computer?" Cheetor asked.

"Apparently, those are some of the fastest and advanced computers on the planet, almost on par with older Cybertronian technology." Rodimus answered. He'd been able to figure out what they were after by the wreckage they left behind.

Leobolt, Rhinox, and Wingsaber however were more interested in the Insecticon that had saved them from Blitzwing. "I wonder why it helped us?" Leobolt asked. A sound that was similar to an old radio communication answered.

Rhinox narrowed his eyes. "It said its' name is Tonebot. It was wanting to thank us for freeing it from Airachnid." He smirked. "It also said that Miko was the most interesting of us so it's been following her."

Wingsaber growled. "Very funny full pint." To her surprise, Tonebot flew over to her and transformed. Not into a bot mode, but into an orange and green copy of her guitar.

"No way." She said wide eyed at the instrument. She'd been so sad that she couldn't play her guitar anymore and apparently Tonebot decided to remedy that. Smiling wide, Miko strummed a chord on the guitar that turned into a short jam.

Hearing the tune, Arcee groaned and rubbed her optics. She'd gotten too used to things being quiet at the base. "Let's get back to base and report. Blaster, we need a bridge." Moments later the group were headed back to base.

Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus was sneaking around the outside of the Pomona nuclear plant. With him were Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Smokescreen, Skidz and to his annoyance, Whirl. "Remember team, we have to ensure the reactor is undamaged. By us, or the cons." He'd sent Bumblebee on ahead to find a route that would take the cons by surprise.

"Your stealth could use work. We knew you had arrived here. Surprise is now ours." Came a disturbingly familiar voice. Turning they saw the forms of Bludgeon, Stranglehold, Galavar and Lugnut.

"What the pit." Ultra Magnus sputtered. "How, what have you done to Bumblebee?" He didn't see the scout held prisoner and feared the worst.

"We are doing nothing to bug scout." Stranglehold laughed. "We are using drone to send him on what humans call wild goose chase."

"A chase that shall eventually end in a turkey shoot, yes." Galavar grinned. He'd been irritated to be stuck on this mission; but things were looking up. "Although we can get some practice in on you." The fight broke out from there.

Stranglehold laughed as he pinned Bulkhead to the wall with his hand. "Be telling me Wrecker, you ever wondering why I'm called Stranglehold?" He began to squeeze Bulkheads' neck. While he didn't need oxygen or to breath, he knew what the Mayhem Attack Squad member was talking about. "I shall be giving you honor of having head on my." Stranglehold was cut off by a pair of legs landing on his shoulders and a set of hooks rapping on his head like a bongo drum.

Whirl looked down over Strangleholds' helmet; his single optic filled with malice and glee. "Guess who?"

Stranglehold removed his hand from Bulkhead to remove Whirl. The Wrecker however flipped off the larger bots' shoulders and transformed into his helicopter mode, unleashing a barrage of missiles forcing him back. Bulkhead had thrown a punch at the brute as well, sending him sprawling.

Across the courtyard, Drift and Wheeljack had engaged Bludgeon. "Two against one then?" Bludgeon began as he examined the swordsbots before him. "My skills are enough for two. No great challenge yet."

"Say all you will Bludgeon." Drift hissed at the Decepticon. "I let my anger get the best of me before, and that is why you walked away. But I swear, I shall terminate you and take master Yoketrons' helmet back from your cold dead husk."

"You mean he's the one who." Wheeljack began before being cut off by the skeletal samurais' laughter.

"From my cold dead husk." He laughed as Drift Charged. "Greater than you have tried it." Drawing his sword, he blocked Drifts' attack. "Yet I stand here still." Out of the corner of his optic, Bludgeon saw Wheeljack attempt to strike him from the side. Backstepping to force Drift around he caused Wheeljack to strike him instead.

"Oh scrap, Drift!" Wheeljack yelled in horror. Bludgeon capitalized on this to sever Wheeljacks' hands at the forearms with his blade before putting him down with a kick to the head.

"From Banzai-Trons' lips. The first rule of warriors." Bludgeon grinned. "Plan for all you see."

While the swords bots went toe to toe, Smokescreen had gotten into a battle with Galavar. "Hmm, to be honest I was expecting my disgrace of a sister." He groused as he fired his arm cannon at the young warrior.

Dodging left, Smokescreen fired several shots of his own. It was times like this he really missed the phase shifter. "Well, she probably has better things to do than listen to her whiny brother." He taunted.

Firing into the ground to disorient him, Galavar charged forth and lifted Smokescreen by the neck. "Well then, your dead body can be my greeting card to her, yes." He charged up his cannon to fire again when a yellow and black blur came racing towards him with horn blaring.

Caught off guard, Galavar turned and was slammed into head on by Bumblebees' vehicle mode. "Thanks for the save bee, that was too close." Smokescreen breathed. Bumblebee transformed and beeped his agreement. The two of them had to dodge another blast from Galavars' cannon.

"I see the drone failed its' mission, and I shall not be bested by a second-rate warrior and a scout, no." Galavar ranted. "I shall enjoy melting you both down into." He stopped as he saw movement out of the corner of his optic. "Lugnut no, not here!" A large explosion cut him off.

Ultra Magnus had been attempting to take out Megatrons' old body guard Lugnut. Unfortunately, the burly bot was larger than he was, so even with Skidz and his replicated combat skills it was a dead heat. "What is Megatron attempting to build Lugnut? Whatever his plans, you know he'll fail."

"Fool, Lord Megatrons' glorious might shall reach out and claim every inch of both this world and Cybertron. Not that you will be here to see it." With that Lugnut retracted his hands and transformed his wrists into explosives. He slammed his fist into the ground, ignoring Galavars' warning and unleashing his infamous Punch Of Kill Everything aka, the POKE.

Galavar shook his head and got up. Looking to his right he saw Bludgeon getting back to his feet and picking up his sword. On his left he saw Stranglehold on all fours with a servo on his head to clear the cobwebs. The various Autobots were in similar states. "Lugnut you buffoon, how many times have we told you, give us some warning before you use the punch?"

Galavars' comms beeped. "What the leaky pit was that mates?" Came Octopunches' voice. He'd been left behind to supervise the Vehicons transfer of the control rods. "We just finish moving our booty and now we got us a maelstrom that cracked the reactor."

That got everyone's' attention. "Reactor is cracked? We must be getting back to the bridgeshky." Transforming into his monster truck mode he took off to the rendezvous point, Bludgeon and Galavar in hot pursuit as well.

Lugnut growled. "This is not the end Autobots." Transforming into a bomber, he jetted away from the Autobots who were just getting back on their feet.

"I'll stop them." Whirl called, preparing to transform.

"Negative." Magnus replied. "We have wounded and a reactor to patch." He activated his comms. "Blaster, send in Ratchet and Nautica, we have a situation."

A few minutes later, Ratchet was Reattaching Wheeljacks' hands as Nautica was prepping what looked like a cross between a mortar launcher and a cement mixer.

"Okay." She began. "With this I can inject a compound of lead and concrete into the crack directly, patching it and stabilizing it until the humans can do a more thorough repair job." She looked at Ultra Magnus. "Did anyone find out what they were attempting to steal?"

"About twenty tons of control rods according to the security tape we're now wiping." Lightbright replied over the comms. "As to what for, no clue. Oh, and we have a message from Arcee, they recovered the Apex armour and something about you needing to check your messages." She cut the comms after that.

Magnus frowned. Check his messages? The only one he could've received one from was. His optics shot open. Between the incidents with Mindwipe and Airachnid not to mention his tribunal, he'd completely forgotten about him. He'd have to speak with Optimus at once.

Arriving at their destination, Optimus, Perceptor and the Dinobots felt for a moment that they hadn't left the base. The Utah black site was almost a carbon copy of the Unit-E base. Only without the Insecticon damage in various stages of repair.

"Did we walk through a space bridge or a mirror?" Snarl asked as he looked around.

Swoop took to the air. "Well, judging by the woah." He dove down to avoid a pair of laser blasts. "Space bridge, definitely spaces bridge." He transformed and landed. "We got Constructicons loading stuff into what looks like Astrotrain."

"Astrotrain?" Optimus asked. "Are you sure?"

"Kind of hard to miss a purple bullet train." Swoop snarked back.

"Whatever the Decepticons are attempting to steal has to be a critical component for Megatron to have the Constructicons relocate it." Optimus began. "We need to sneak up on them and attempt to capture it ourselves."

"Cons already see Swoop." Grimlock argued. "Sneaking around pointless, we need go in maws blazing."

"We could potentially destroy the entirety of this base if we're not careful Grimlock." Perceptor countered.

"Do we not have Autobots who could fix what we break?" Grimlock snarled. "Enough this. Dinobots, transform!" In a flurry of movement, Grimlock, Slug, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop and Slash transformed into their Dino modes. "Now charge!" He roared.

"Grimlock, wait." Optimus called, but the six ignored him.

Starscream knew this mission was going too well. He felt it in his spark. He and the Constructicons had located the Particle collider relatively easily. However, having to watch as Hook and Scrapper dismantle it as Longhaul, Mixmaster, Bonecrusher, and Scavenger load it into Astrotrain with Runamuck and Runabout standing guard had been dreadfully boring. The laser blasts were the first clue.

"What are those two imbeciles up to now?" Starscream grumbled as he went to check on the battle chargers. He only got part way though as they met him at the hangar door. "Why are you two not at your posts?"

"Sir, we just saw a Dinobot, the flyer." Runabout exclaimed in a panic.

Starscream scoffed. "Those prehistoric peons haven't been seen in millions of years, why would they be-" His reply was cut off by a roar that he knew from the war for Cybertron. "Oh scrap." He deadpanned.

Running back to the site, Starscream yelled out to Scrapper. "Scrapper, please tell me you're finished."

Scrapper put down his torch. "We are now, was that what I thought it was?"

"If you mean those reject Predacons of Shockwaves' the Dinobots, yes!" Starscream exclaimed.

Scrapper cursed under his breath. "Fragging figures. Alright, have Runamuck and Runabout load and secure these last few pieces into Astrotrain. They brought out the heavy artillery? Then we'll do the same, only heavier."

Hook gulped. "Scrapper, you can't really mean for us to face them." For all his snobbish behavior, Hook believed in his own survival first and foremost.

"Hook, this is important, we can't leave it to chance." Scrapper argued. "Now transform and meet me and the others at the entrance." Hook gave a reluctant nod and transformed.

Looking at Starscream, Scrapper continued. "The minute they're loaded, have Astrotrain get clear, we can't risk a space bridge in a firefight this time. Follow him and call for a bridge back to the Nemesis." With that, he transformed and headed for the other Constructicons.

Starscream looked at the battle chargers. "Don't just stand there you two, get going." He yelled as he picked up one of the parts they left behind. He didn't want to think of Megatrons' wrath if he failed this mission.

As Grimlock and the Dinobots reached Astrotrain, they were unsurprised to find six familiar construction vehicles waiting for them.

"Constructicons, transform. Phase two." Scrapper called. The Constructicons, spurred on by the approaching threat, seemed to set a new record for assembling Devastator.

Slamming his fists into the ground, Devastator gave a bone rattling roar that the Dinobots answered. Slug, in a fit of rage, charged in first. Devastator stepped to the left causing the Triceratops to only graze his right leg before slamming into another hangar. Stepping back, he had to raise a hand to block one of Snarls electro balls.

Sludge attempted to take a swing at Devastator with his colossal tail only for the combiner to grab it and throw him into Snarl. Slash leapt from a nearby rooftop onto Devastators face, slashing and clawing it as hard as she could. This caused Devastator to shake his head in such a way as to attempt to swallow the small Dinobot, disaster only averted by Swoop snatching her off of the Combiner. Dropping her on another rooftop, Swoop circled around and launched a stream of fire in Devastators' face as Slug rammed him in the side.

Grimlock, finally stepping into the fray, continued the fiery onslaught. Finally having enough, Devastator engaged his vortex. This forced the Dinobots to transform in order to hold onto whatever they could to keep from being sucked in. Moments later, the vortex stopped and Devastator glared at Grimlock. Preparing to fire his plasma stream, he was forced to redirect it towards a new target as Optimus Prime unleashed his own guns on the combiner. Unleashing the superheated plasma from his maw, Devastator attempted to shoot Prime down. Unfortunately for him, Prime was more than capable of dodging the stream.

During the fight, Starscream Runamuck and Runabout had loaded the last of the components into Astrotrain. Starscream slammed the hatch shut and heard the reaffirming hiss of the locks. Hearing fresh laser blasts, he saw Perceptor attempting to get close to the hangar to try and stop them. The battle chargers combined blasts keeping him at bay.

"Astrotrain, blast off!" He yelled, backing up a bit.

"Contact." He yelled back in his metallic echo. Astrotrain began to move across the ground, his Cybertronian bullet train mode changing back into the transport ship that had brought the Decepticon reinforcements months ago. With a burst from his engines, the triple changer was airborne.

Seeing Astrotrain fleeing, Optimus turned to give chase. Hopefully the Dinobots could hold Devastator until he returned. Hitting his thruster, Optimus began catching up to Astrotrain. "Not this time." Optimus spoke to himself as he leveled his gun Astrotrains' thrusters.

"You're right Prime, not this time." Came Starscreams' voice. Optimus turned just in time to see a missile from the seeker barreling towards him. Optimus attempted to bank right only for the missile to destroy his left wing. He could only watch helplessly as Starscream caught up to Astrotrain.

"Soundwave, bridge Astrotrain and I back then send a bridge for the others." Seconds later, the two vanished through the space bridge as Optimus felt something grab him and slow his fall.

Looking up, Optimus saw that Swoop had been the bot to catch him. Using what was left of his flight packs' reserve power he helped Swoop to land them both safely on the ground as Runamuck and Runabout led Devastator back through the space bridge. As the bridge closed, Grimlock walked over to Optimus.

"Optimus." Grimlock sighed. "Me Grimlock sorry. They were ready for head on attack. Me put mission and Dinobots in danger."

"We wouldn't have been able to sneak in anyway." Optimus consoled. The Constructicons would've formed Devastator regardless, so stealth would've been pointless." He turned to Perceptor. "Do we know what was stolen here?"

Perceptor nodded. "A particle collider, a device believed to have the power to create a black hole."

"Now what would the humans, or anyone for that matter, want with something that could do that? Destroy their own world?" Snarl mused.

"No." Comprehension dawning on his face. "To create one." He activated his comms. "Blaster bridge us back to base and have Agent Fowler, Ratchet, Ultra Magnus and Rodimus meet me in my quarters."

Half an hour later, the group Optimus called for were convened. "I apologize in advance." Ultra Magnus began. "In light of everything that's been going on, I forgot entirely about agent Counterpunch."

"More than understandable Magnus." Optimus replied. "Now, if you could play the message. I have a theory about what this message may be about, but we must be sure." The group listened on in growing horror to Counterpunches' report."

"Prime, this is serious." Fowler said, looking up at Optimus. "If your spy is correct, then those supplies the Cons stole today are going to be used to finish that lock of theirs. We may need to strike sooner rather than later."

"I'm in agreement with Fowler." Rodimus added. "I also believe that we are past the point where secrecy is of the essence."

"Agreed." Ultra Magnus added. He wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.

"It's unanimous then." Optimus continued. "We must assemble all of our forces. Our mission, an all out assault on the Nemesis."

Back on the Nemesis, the returned Constructicons were reassembling the particle collider and modifying it to Shockwaves' specifications. Between himself, Oil Slick and Tarantulas, they'd been able to perfect the synthetic energon formula to stabilize the cyber matter. "We are beginning mass production of the Cyber matter now, Lord Megatron. The Omega Lock itself should be ready within twenty-four Earth hours." Shockwave explained.

"Yes, Starscream performed exceptionally well in recovering the necessary components." Megatron replied, giving the smug aerospace commander a rare compliment. "Soon we shall have the power to both restore Cybertron, and Cyberform the Earth as well."

"Pardon my impudence, my lord." Shockwave began. "But what is the importance of ruling two worlds?" He asked.

"As I learned some time ago Shockwave, Earth and Cybertron are linked." He explained. "Earth and Cybertron, Primus and Unicron, two halves of a whole. To rule only one, is to have never ruled either at all."

Meanwhile on the other side of the ship, Galavar and Tarantulas were preparing their own plans. The two were examining a chess board with replicas of several Autobots and Decepticons.

"We are nearly there." Galavar commented. "Our pieces are in place, now it's just a matter of making the correct moves to remove our opponents' stronger pieces. We shall have to remove the Autobot spy immediately once our move is made." He added. He knew that while leaving Counterpunch in place was risky, it would be essential to remove Megatron from the board.

"To say nothing of making sure their king is ready to lead them into battle." Tarantulas added.

"Of course. Now, you're sure the synthetic frequency for the Enigma of Combination is perfected?" Galavar asked.

"Of course." Tarantulas reassured him. "With it we can infuse the Dark Matrix of Chaos into your very being. The chaos cyber matter preventing you from becoming corrupted by Unicrons' essence."

"Thereby giving me control over anything infused with dark energon with my own willpower, yes." Galavar continued. "And you procured the CNA samples I asked for?"

Tarantulas nodded and gestured to the Predacon tooth and vial of energon. "The tooth contains the CNA that was used to clone Scourge. Although I have to ask, why did you want Megarons' CNA?" He asked.

"Because my amoral arachnid, victory tastes best, when seasoned with irony, yes." Galavar grinned in the light of the Dark Matrix.

Notes:

A/N- And so we have it. The stage is set for the final chapter of the second arc. Now, I swear that I will have the next chapter finished and posted by New Year. On a side note, a few reviews have asked about Beast Wars Megatron appearing. Well, if you look closely, you'll see he's already there. I thought I was being obvious. Until then, bookmark, kudo and comment.

Next time: Siege on the Nemesis, and a new enemy shows his face.

One last thing, to anyone here who plays Transformers Earth Wars. The Spedabot alliance is in need of recruits. However, we do require a level 6 HQ and around 1000 medals as well as active participation in all alliance events. Thank you

Chapter 31: A Siege and a Coup

Notes:

Here it is folks, the last chapter of the second arc of Beast Wars Prime. First and foremost, a shoutout to Chronolocked on FF.net, who suggested the upgrade Optimus will receive in this chapter.

Ducking into an alcove near Shockwaves' lab, Punch transformed back into Counterpunch. "Agent Counterpunch reporting in. The news is not good, the Decepticons have perfected the cybermatter formula and will be ready to begin in less than twelve Earth hours." He began. "Like my last few transmissions, I am encoding the current location of the Nemesis as well as her speed and heading. It should be enough to get a rough idea of our location for space bridge coordinates."

He gave a heavy sigh. "I can only wait an additional few hours before I will be forced to reveal myself as a spy and attempt to stop the operation myself. I hope it doesn't come to that as my chances of success would be slim and odds of survival nil. On the chance that this is my last transmission, it has been an honor." With that he transformed back into Punch and went back to work.

Tarantulas shook his head as he listened in on Counterpunches' transmission. He'd bugged the spy's' comm days ago and heard every single transmission he made. "And they called me a drama prime." He scoffed as he finished adjusting the vials of CNA.

"Dramatic as it may be, it is necessary that the Autobots find the ship, yes." Galavar replied as he lifted the Dark Matrix of Chaos. "For our takeover to begin, Megatron must be eliminated, and the best way to do that is to set him against Prime. If we're lucky he'll be killed and the Prime badly hurt, leaving us to pick off the winner and any stragglers." He turned to Tarantulas. "Are you ready to begin?"

Tarantulas nodded enthusiastically as he finished recalibrating the energy projector. "At once, you need only lay on the berth, and we can begin."

Galavar nodded and did so, holding the dark matrix to his chest as Tarantulas connected the CNA vials to him via tubing. "Then let us begin, the sooner the procedure is complete, the sooner a new glorious age can begin, yes."

Nodding, Tarantulas engaged the synthetic enigma frequency and trained the projection laser right over the matrix and Galavars' spark. "Fair warning, this won't hurt a little bit." He cackled.

"I am not unused to pain, no." Galavar replied.

"As you wish." Tarantulas cackled again as he pulled the power switch.

The energy of the enigma frequency slammed right through the dark matrix and into Galavars' spark as the vials of CNA emptied into him. Galavar gave a scream of agony as the various elements of the experiment mixed and combined, the dark energon twisting both Megatron and Scourges' CNA as well as his own into a new mutated form. He felt the sensations as his body began to break and reshape itself while the dark matrix sank into his chest and merged with his very spark. He barely made out the sounds of Tarantulas cackling like a mad mech before the pain caused him to black out.

Optimus Prime looked over the assembled Autobots and Maximals in the lost light. "Autobots." He began. "Our time to strike is at hand. We recently learned from our deep cover agent aboard the Nemesis that Megatron has relocated and rebuilt the Omega Lock onboard the warship." He explained, watching the Maximals' reaction out of the corner of his optic.

"Woah, woah, woah, wait up. You mean we have a bot on the inside?" Jack exclaimed.

Allison snorted. "A robot in disguise, in disguise. Go figure."

Miko scoffed. "Been there, done that. You should've met Makeshift."

"Indeed." Optimus answered. "We only recently became aware of him, and he has proven to be a viable source of information. He was the one who provided the location of the Predacon lab facility and recovered the enigma of combination."

"I believe he was also the one who allowed us to recover the apex armor." Arcee added. Now knowing about there being a spy in the Decepticon camp, she wondered how many times she'd met that Vehicon before then. Better yet, how many times had his actions helped them?

"A reasonable assumption." Optimus agreed. "The last time Megatron activated the Omega Lock, he attempted to cyberform the Earth." He looked at the Maximals, he knew that the battle at the Omega Lock led to their human friends becoming techno organic hybrids. "We fully believe that he will try to do so again."

"You say something about an attack?" Grimlock queried.

Ultra Magnus took over. "Going from the intel in Counterpunches' latest transmission." He began as a hologram display of the Nemesis came into being. "The initial strike will consist of five teams, four of them working in two groups. Grimlock, you and I shall lead the Dinobots and Wreckers through the ship to capture the bridge while taking out as many cons as we can." He explained to the Dinobot commander.

Grimlock nodded. While he had issues with Magnus (or any kind of authority) he wasn't about to argue about this. The stakes were too high.

"Meanwhile, Arcee and Leobolt will lead the Maximals and a stealth team to seize the Omega Lock." Magnus continued. "While dangerous in Megatrons' hands, we cannot squander a second chance to restore Cybertron."

"Which is why we will be quarterbacking from here." Sparkstalker interrupted. "Between my insider knowledge of the Nemesis' systems and our collective hacking skills, we can ensure advance notice of any threat."

"And in case of emergency, we have a backup plan." Lightbright added.

Optimus nodded. "In addition, to divide the Decepticons attention further I and all other flight capable Autobots will act as a distraction. Finally, we have the remainder of the medical staff as well as the Protectobots on standby." He finished.

"Having said that." Rodimus picked up. "We have our coordinates. It is time for us to arm ourselves. It is time to transform."

"And roll out." The three Autobot commanders finished together as the groups began to divide up.

Megatron looked at the scene before him with glee. Under Shockwaves' direct supervision, the Constructicons were finishing the final assembly of the Omega Lock. Not even the loss of Rampage in the raids could dampen his spirits. The cyclopean Decepticon turned to him. "Lord Megatron, the synthesis of the cybermatter needed to cyberform the Earth is commencing ahead of schedule."

"Splendid Shockwave." Megatron replied. "Once the Constructicons are finished here, move the Omega Lock into position and have them do a final check of the cybermatter feed system. I want to be ready."

"At last." Starscream sighed from behind Megatron, Knockout standing next to him. "Good riddance to a wretched species."

"Although they do have a flair for designing alternate modes." Knockout added to Starscreams' chagrin.

Scrapper came up to the quartet. "Omega Lock reassembly is complete lord Megatron, we'll take care of that follow up inspection immediately."

Before Megatron could respond, the ships' general alarm sounded. "Soundwave, report." He called. A nearby screen lit up with a radar reading showing five Autobot signals flying near the ship.

"What? How?" Megatron yelled before seeing the detailed reading of the lead signal. "So, somehow Optimus Prime has figured out our plan, but how did he find our location?" He asked.

"The most logical possibility is that there is a spy amongst our ranks." Shockwave answered.

"Don't need your intellect to figure that out." Starscream sniped. "My lord, might I suggest we accelerate our plans?"

"Agreed. Scrapper, forget the inspection. Take your team to protect the cybermatter generation systems and try to accelerate the process if possible." Megatron ordered. Hearing the order, the six Constructicons transformed and headed to the generators.

"If Prime is attempting to stop us from cyberforming this planet, then I believe it is once again time to use the most powerful weapon in our vault." He spoke. "The Dark Star Saber."

Several explosions rocked the ship. "Sir." Punch called over the comms. "We have multiple Autobots boarding the ship."

"I'll just go get that little something we talked about." Knockout called as he ran back inside the ship.

Megatron activated his comms. "Soundwave, mobilize what's left of our forces. The Omega Lock must be protected at all costs." Cutting the connection, he growled. "If Optimus Prime wishes to wage a battle for the fate of both Earth and Cybertron, then I shall oblige him."

"One ultimate weapon coming right up." Knockout called, the glowing purple blade of the Dark Star Saber pulsing slightly.

Megatron lifted the weapon. "This will be our last stand. Decepticons, transform and rise up!"

Outside the Nemesis, Optimus Prime led his team of flyers against the Vehicon flyers. "Cosmos, Whirl, keep up the attack on sub sector Stylor. Jetfire, brainstorm, once you shake your pursuers, attack grid Zarak."

"You bet, no sweat." Whirl yelled as he opened fire.

"Optimus, we have company." Cosmos called as he dodged a large bomber jet.

"Fools." Lugnut bellowed. "We shall not allow you to take Megatrons glory for yourselves." He disregarded the other flyers and opened fire on Optimus.

Brainstorm and Jetfire came over the side of the ship with Blitzwing and a flyer squadron in hot pursuit. "Our forces shall grind you to duzt. And ven Earth is cyberformed, I can chooz mien vacation home." He cackled.

"Unlikely mate." Jetfire replied performing a loop da loop to get in behind the squadron. "G'day boys, we just played ya for drongos." Launching his Skystriker modes' missiles, he knocked Blitzwing and most of the flyers off Cosmos' tail. "I believe the yank saying is 'Yo Joe'!"

"Remember team, our objective is to buy the infiltration units time to reach their objectives." Optimus reminded the group. "Hopefully we can buy them the time they need." He finished before engaging Lugnut again.

Exiting the space bridge, the six Dinobots as well as Ultra Magnus' Wrecker team made their way to the Nemesis' bridge.

"Alright, we all know our orders." Ultra Magnus called as the group of twelve ran through the corridors. Aside from Bulkhead, Wheeljack and Drift he had brought along Skidz and Blaster as reinforcements. "Seize the bridge and prevent the Decepticons from engaging the device in case the stealth teams are delayed." Blaster would be essential to taking control of the warship.

"We know mission tight aft." Grimlock groused as he kept pace with Magnus. "Me just hope Shockwave between us and bridge." Grimlock hoped that the Dinobots would get to settle that score today as well.

"Just remember, the mission is more important than a vend-" Magnus was cut off as six familiar construction vehicles rounded the corner. "Oh no, not them."

"Oh frag." Scrapper exclaimed seeing both the Wreckers and Dinobots coming at them. "Quickly, Constructicons, transform. Phase two!"

As the Constructicons began to combine into Devastator, Grimlock shoved Magnus. "Wreckers go, take bridge. We hold Devastator here."

Ultra Magnus looked like he wanted to argue, but he couldn't without contradicting himself. "We'll come back as soon as the bridge is secured." He responded. As Devastator finished coming together, the Wreckers transformed and zoomed past the combiner.

"Boss, we could barely match this guy before." Snarl pointed out as he transformed into his Stegosaurus mode.

"Then we go out in blaze of glory." Grimlock replied, transforming into his own Tyrannosaurs mode.

"Ah well." Slug groused as he transformed. "Never wanted to live forever anyway."

"Dinobots, charge!" Grimlock called, and the six Dinobots ran to face the combiner again.

Leaving the Dinobots behind, the Wreckers met minimal resistance on their trip to the bridge.

"This seems too easy." Bulkhead called to Magnus as they drove.

"They most likely have more Vehicons guarding the Omega Lock at the moment." Drift reasoned. "However, considering who else could be on board, I'd rather face the Vehicons."

Transforming as they made the final turn to the Nemesis' bridge, the Wreckers opened fire on the Vehicon staff manning it. "Wreckers, secure the bridge." Magnus called as he downed another Vehicon.

Turning, Magnus saw Soundwave looking back at him. Seeing the others forming up on him, they charged the silent mech. Unfortunately, that was what Soundwave wanted. A space bridge portal opened on the floor between them and the spymaster. Unprepared, Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead, Wheeljack and Drift fell through it with Skidz and Blaster barely catching themselves in time.

Soundwave looked at the remaining two Autobots. "Soundwave, superior. Autobots, inferior." He spoke in an echoing voice that was rough from disuse.

"Holy pit, he does speak." Skidz said as he and Blaster backed up.

Ultra Magnus shook his head as he and the other three Wreckers got to their feet. "Ultra Magnus to all units." He said into his comms. "We will be delayed. Soundwave pulled one of his relocation tricks."

"You are being delayed longer than you expect comrade." Stranglehold greeted as he and the Mayhem Attack Squadron exited the shadows of the hangar the Wreckers had been bridged to.

"Aye." Octopunch agreed as he signaled several Vehicons to exit the shadows from the other side of the hangar. "Soundwave may be a spook, but the lad gets results."

"The stage is now set. The downfall of the Wreckers. So long overdue." Bludgeon added as he drew his sword and locked optics with Drift.

As the first two groups set out. Arcee led the Stealth team and the Maximals through the lower levels of the Nemesis. Coming to a fork in the corridor she looked at Leobolt. "Alright partner, we go left, you go right." She explained. "We'll come out on either end of the Omega Lock and catch whoever's there in a pincer maneuver."

"Right." Leobolt nodded. "Depthcharge, lead the way. Maximals, mobilize."

"I really hope that wasn't our catchphrase." Wingsaber replied following the Maximal commander and their ex-Decepticon teammate.

"Not the time Miko, and no." He responded.

Arcee led the stealth team down the corridor towards the Omega Lock. Turning a corner, they heard a lift activating and had to back up out of sight. Checking around the corner, they witnessed Megatron exiting the lift with the Dark Star Saber strapped to his back. The moment he cleared the hallway, the team bolted forward. Well, except for one.

"Smokescreen, come on." Arcee called.

Making up his mind, Smokescreen turned to the group. "Go on without me."

"That isn't the mission." Arcee argued.

"There's something I have to do." He countered, heading down a different hallway.

Arcee gave an exasperated sigh and looked at her remaining team. "Hound, go with him, watch his back." Nodding, Hound took off after Smokescreen. "Everyone else onward." With that, she, Bumblebee, Trailbreaker, Nightbeat, Beachcomber, Nautica, and Perceptor headed toward their objective.

Turning another corner, they came across several Vehicons waiting in the hall for them. "Alright troops." Punch called as the Vehicons deployed their blasters. "Ready, aim." Before he finished, he changed targets and blasted the other four Vehicons in the back of the head. "Fire." He finished smugly.

"Either you have some notoriously bad aim." Nightbeat stated. "Or you're our inside bot."

"Well, my name's not Aimless." He joked. Pressing a button on his wrist, the spy's' color scheme changed from Vehicon purple and black to navy blue and orange as he transformed into another bot mode. "Agent Counterpunch, Autobot intelligence."

"Thank you for the assist." Arcee greeted. "Is that going to break your cover?"

"No, Soundwave is too busy to keep track of everything right now. However, there will be a high number of troops guarding the Omega Lock so please hurry." He transformed back into Punch. "You'd best shoot me, so it looks like I tried to stop you."

"A good spy trick." Arcee agreed. Taking aim, she winced a bit. "Sorry about this." She fired, hitting Punch in the abdomen she watched as he collapsed in on himself.

"No problem, just go." Punch grit out.

Leaving their spy, Arcee and the stealth team came out of the corridor to see over three dozen Vehicons as well as three distinct Decepticons. A pair of twin bots whose only difference was their colors and a tall one with a dome over his head giving him an appearance like Mr. Freeze.

Oil Slick glared at the newcomers. "Runamuck, Runabout, do not allow them near the controls." He said in a monotone.

"You heard him boys, let's get him." Runabout laughed as he, his twin and the other Vehicons charged the stealth team.

"Scrap." Arcee growled. "Spread out. Try and get to that control panel and try to shut down the system."

Splitting up, the group began to engage the horde massing on them. Trailbreaker allowed several to mass on his forcefield before blasting it outwards to disperse them. Perceptor wasn't taking any chances and simply downing them with singular shots to the head, utilizing his sniper capabilities

Bumblebee and Nightbeat were back-to-back firing at any cons that got too close to them while using grid shields to protect themselves and each other from oncoming blasts. Bumblebee beeped that this is what he called a battle. "This is what I call getting blown to scrap." The detective replied.

Nautica was a bit away, using various weapons and tools Brainstorm had given her to fight her opponents. However, the couple that managed to slip through she settled for clubbing them with her wrench. "I'll try to cut the power to the controls, but I'll be a minute." She yelled, dodging Runamucks' laser shots.

"I'm to the control panel." Beachcomber called. "Nautica, Perceptor, I need one of you to walk me through the shutdown process." He looked up to see the Earth in the background. "Just keep spinning man. You'll be safe soon enou-." He was cut off as he felt something shatter against his right arm.

Looking down, Beachcomber was horrified to see a rapidly growing patch of rust engulfing his arm and making its' way across his body. "No, NO!" He screamed as the cosmic rust consumed his body. He took a step back only for his right leg to collapse under him. Landing on his side he saw Oil Slick standing over him. Turning his head back to the Earth he whispered. "Just keep spinning." His vision went blurry and then, he knew no more.

Oil Slick stepped over the pile of dust that was once Beachcomber and activated his comms. "Shockwave, I suggest you prepare the firing sequence. The Autobots are getting too close for comfort." He backed away from the controls to dodge a shot from Arcee. He pulled another vial of the rust virus from his belt only for a shot from Perceptor to shatter it and his hand.

Oil Slick attempted to blast the infected arm off before the infection could spread only for Arcee to shoot his good arm off. "That was for Beachcomber, you sick slag." She growled. Arcee watched in satisfaction as the Decepticon chemist was literally consumed by his own work. Moments later there was a second pile of dust next to the first.

Moments later, the Nemesis gave a great lurch, upsetting many of the combatants throughout the ship. "Arcee to base, what the scrap is going on up there?"

After splitting up, the Maximals charged down their corridor to find an unwanted surprise waiting for them. More specifically, the remaining six 2.0 Predacons and about a dozen more Vehicons all waiting in their beast and vehicle modes.

"Well, well, well." Tarantulas grinned as he saw the Maximals round the corner. He had to leave Galavar to recover from his procedure so he could keep his cover just a moment longer. "It looks like we have us some escaped animals to cage up." He taunted.

"Never seen you before." Leobolt said as he narrowed his eyes on the new spidercon.

"Tarantulas is my name; science is my game." Tarantulas explained. "And now, I want to run an experiment to learn how many bots it takes to corral nine Maximal freaks."

"You couldn't take us when there were seven of you." Depthcharge grinned. "We'll blow by all of you easy."

"Ah well." Tarantulas began in an airy tone. "I know how to level the playing field and I just so happen to have the ail for what cures you." He finished, his voice taking on a hard edge. Pressing a button on a small remote with his foreleg, a green pulse emitted from the overhead light fixture.

The effect was immediate. The Maximals all convulsed as they forcibly transformed into their beast modes. The Predacons and Vehicons however, having been in their alt modes already, transformed into their bot modes. "You like that?" He laughed. "A little energy pulse signal to lock you in the opposite mode of what you were in."

"Easy fix." Leobolt replied. He willed himself to transform, only for his form to remain locked. "What the?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." Tarantulas cackled. "Didn't I explain? That light pulse was designed to force any transformable being to change forms then lock them in that mode. And I'm the only one who has the deactivation frequency!" He laughed.

Shaking his lion modes' head, Leobolt surveyed his team. "Botanica, cover Depthcharge." He ordered. With Depthcharge being stuck in his stingray mode and Botanica only being capable of short-range grappling as a tree, guarding each other was the best they could hope to do.

"Everyone else." He continued. "Let's put our beast modes to good use." With that he tried to pounce on Tarantulas, using his neck boosters for extra power. The spiderbot sidestepped him however, causing him to receive a double whammy to the ribs from by Terrorsaur and Iguanus' shoulders.

Tarantulas scoffed. "Predict-." He was cut off as Kumaras' green webbing hit him right in the face. As he went to pull it from his face, he was rammed by Rhinox into the group of Vehicons.

Cheetor sped forward and pounced onto Waspinator. "Down kitty bot, bad kitty botzzz." He buzzed as he tried to get the angry cheetah off his back.

"Calm yourself drone." Infernus bellowed, taking aim with his now flaming right drill. "I shall remove that parasite."

"No Infernuzzz!" Waspinator screamed as the fire hit both Cheetor and himself, sending both to the ground in pain.

Wingsaber and Mach Hoof charged at Terrorsaur and Iguanus, both to try and drive them back and to retrieve Leobolt. Terrorsaur laughed and ducked, allowing Wingsaber to fly right over him and into the waiting arms of a Vehicon. Iguanus however, grabbed Mach Hoof by the horn and hoisting her over his shoulder, body slammed her into the floor. An unintentional burst of Nucleon erupted from her upon impact, stunning both Iguanus and Rhinox who had been nearby.

Spittor sized up Kumara. "Oh goody, another spiderbitch." He croaked. "I wonder if this one tastes good?" Launching his tongue at Kumara she leapt out of the way as Nightscream landed on his back.

"Let's see how you taste." He taunted as he sunk his bat fangs into Spittors' neck. Almost immediately Nightscream felt dizzy.

Spittor gave a gurgling laugh. "What's the matter kid? Don't like Tox-En?" Giving a shake of his shoulders, he dislodged the rapidly weakening bat. He raised a foot to stomp Nightscreams' head only for Kumara to reel him towards her with her webbing.

Regaining his breath, Leobolt took stock of the situation. With them being stuck in beast mode, they were unable to fight or access their comms. And with the now advancing Vehicons, He began to wonder how they were going to get out of this situation.

"By maximizing yourselves to your full potential." Came a voice that rang out in their minds. "The hour of Earths' cataclysm is at hand, and it must be averted." The voice which they now recognized as Vector Sigma continued. "To ensure it, I now grant you all the power needed to fight back. Now go forth; and Maximize!" The nine Maximals' sparks began to glow brightly. Leobolt stood back up and looked at their stunned opponents in the optics.

"Leobolt, Maximize!" With a mighty lions' roar, Leobolt reared up and transformed. Drawing his whip, he lashed out at the Vehicon holding Wingsaber, his spark still glowing. Another one stepped in front of them to catch it, only for the glowing cord to slice right through his neck, decapitating him.

Seeing this, Wingsaber knew what to do. "Wingsaber, Maximize!" With a falcon cry, she transformed in her captors' arms before teleporting back to Leobolt; with her captors' arms. Dropping the limbs, she turned to glare at the Vehicons.

"And for my next trick." Four kunai ejected from her back before vanishing in a burgundy flash of teleportation. The Vehicons looked at each other confused before Wingsaber raised her hand and snapped her fingers. The kunai that she'd teleported into four of the Vehicons' chests exploded, killing them instantly. She then drew her katanas and engaged Terrorsaur.

"Kumara, Maximize!" She called, transforming with a nearly silent chitter. Looking around, she saw that Nightscream, Cheetor, Mach Hoof, and Rhinox were still down. Throwing her arms out in the direction of the injured and poisoned, she launched web lines that attached to each of them. Drawing power up from her spark, she sent an acid green pulse along the lines into the other Maximals.

The effect was near instant. The burns Cheetor sustained from Infernus seemed to vanish as Nightscream vomited the sickly green Tox-En he'd ingested. On the other side of the hall, Rhinox and Mach Hoof quickly got back to their feet. Ignoring the slight fatigue she now felt, she severed the webs and deployed her swords before charging Spittor.

"Cheetor, Maximize!" Said Maximal called out. The second he finished his transformation he was off like a literal shot. Whatever Vector Sigma had charged him with had amplified his speed. Cheetor found himself fast enough to be in three different places at once, engaging Infernus and two Vehicons simultaneously.

Shaking up the slight dizziness from his brief poisoning, Nightscream looked up to see a trio of Vehicons charging towards him. "Nightscream, Maximize!" He called out. Transforming rapidly, Nightscream gave the trio a smirk. He somehow knew what new ability the supercomputer had given him, and he was going to enjoy it.

"Halt." He whispered, grinning as the three did exactly that. "Fire on each other." He ordered, nodding in satisfaction as his voice overrode the Vehicons minds and caused them to do so. His voice now had the ability to perform something akin to the Jedi mind trick. Although he had a feeling it would only work on those lacking willpower.

"Depthcharge, Maximize!"

"Botanica, Maximize!"

The dual transformations allowed the sidelined Maximals to enter the fray properly. Depthcharge grinned as he began rapidly firing plasma disks at the Predacons and Vehicons as botanica placed her hand to the wall. Seconds later, vines erupted from several places and ensnared the nearest opponent.

"Mach Hoof, Maximize!" The unicorn Maximal called before shifting into bot mode. Deploying her saber, she noticed Waspinator trying to get back up. Charging the blade with Nucleon she fired at the downed Predacon, only to be surprised as the charge jumped from Waspinator, to a Vehicon, to Terrorsaur, and another Vehicon. Seeing the trio drop, she laughed. "That's what I'm talking about."

Glaring at Iguanus, Rhinox charged forth. "Rhinox, Maximize!" Transforming, the Maximal hit Iguanus with a right hook before deploying his chain guns. Firing on Iguanus, he was surprised to see not his usual energy bullets, but a beam of energy erupting from every barrel on the guns simultaneously. The force of the blast sent Iguanus flying backwards into Spittor, the two collapsing from exhaustion.

"Oh, frag this." Tarantulas sighed. Transforming into his motorcycle mode he took off back down the hall. The pit with his cover at this point. He needed to see if Galavar had finished assimilating the changes to his body yet.

"Let's go after him." Mach Hoof called.

"No, we stick with the mission." Leobolt argued. "We've been delayed enough already." He beckoned Rhinox and Wingsaber over to him. "And just in case." The three then combined into Magnaboss. "Let's hit it." They said, leading the group passed their dead and injured opponents and on to their objective.

Going down another hallway they heard a familiar voice from an open door. "I was hoping you'd still be here." Stopping, the Maximals looked to see both Smokescreen and Hound in the Decepticon vault. The two of them were holding the Star Saber.

"Smokescreen? What are you doing here?" Magnaboss asked.

"We saw Megatron heading out with the Dark Star Saber." He explained as he adjusted his grip to relieve Hound. "Optimus is going to need this."

Magnaboss' attention however was drawn to another object in the room. A blue stone the shape of a cylinder with what looked like a hole in the top. In the combiners' collective mind, Raf felt something stir in both his mind and spark. He felt it was something important and surprisingly familiar. Shattering the tube, Magnaboss picked it up, marveling as it changed size to fit their hand.

"That's Micronus Primes' Chimera Stone." Smokescreen supplied while balancing the Star Saber. "I saw it in some of Alpha Trions' history files. It's supposed to allow its' holder to lend others their energy."

"We're taking it." Magnaboss answered. Turning to the final tube, they shattered it with a punch and retrieved the Polarity Gauntlet. "Mom." They said, throwing the gauntlet to Kumara. "We have a battle to join." Magnaboss finished.

"Special delivery, coming up." Smokescreen added as he followed Hound and the Maximals out of the vault. Exiting the vault however, the group nearly fell to their knees as the ship was rocked. "What the pit was that?"

Snarl transformed back into bot mode and shook his head. The Dinobots were getting pummeled by Devastator. The relatively narrow corridor meant that the combiner was nearly impossible for them to surround. Looking up he barely caught Slash as she was flung at him. "You okay?" He asked. He didn't see any obvious injuries, but he knew that internal damage was always a possibility.

Any kind of response was cut off by Grimlock giving a primal roar as he breathed a stream of fire into Devastators' reaching hand. Giving a roar of his own, Devastator slammed his fist into the floor, causing Slug to trip as he tried to charge the combiner. Sludge slammed his tail into Devastators' face as Swoop began to slash at his face with his claws.

Furious at the time this was taking, Devastator activated his vortex. Thankfully, Sludge was heavy enough in Dino mode that he couldn't be easily budged and was able to act as a wind shield after grabbing Swoop in his maw. Grimlock, knowing what was coming, gave a roar of defiance as Devastator went to fire his plasma beam.

Only for a space bridge portal to open above him and Defensor to land on Devastators' back. Surprised by the sudden weight on his back. Devastator was unprepared for Defensor to grab his upper jaw and force his head upward, sending the plasma beam into the ceiling and through the ship. The beam ripped through several levels and caused the ship to rock.

"Backup ordered." Defensor stated. "Defensor, reporting for duty." With that he began to rain blows down upon Devastator, giving the Dinobots a much-needed respite.

Several levels above, the Wreckers were still locked in combat with the Mayhem Attack Squadron and their Vehicon backup. Ultra Magnus had taken it upon himself to take out the Vehicons to give his team the chance to focus on their more seasoned opponents. Dodging a blast, he fired on one of the three remaining opponents and dodged to stand between the last two. The two both took aim and fired only for Magnus to dodge, causing them to essentially shoot each other.

"Vehicon stupidity never ceases to amaze me." He sighed. Looking over his team he saw that Bulkhead and Stranglehold were trading blows while Wheeljack and Octopunch duked it out with swords and energy hook. However, it was Drifts' battle with Bludgeon that caught his attention.

Drift crossed swords with Bludgeon yet again. No matter what technique he used, Bludgeon would identify and counter it within seconds. The skeletal swordsman was too aggressive for diffusion to work, and he was moving too fast for Curcuit-Su to be an option. Leaping apart, the two Metallikato masters began to circle each other.

It was a dead heat. The two masters were evenly matched. The only way for victory to come would be for one of them to move first. Fortunately, the stalemate was broken by a plasma geyser erupting through the floor.

Startled, Bludgeon took in this new potential threat. This was all the distraction Drift needed. Charging forward, he leapt into the air and aimed his great sword at his opponents' neck. Realizing too late that he was distracted, Bludgeon couldn't get his sword back up in time and was helpless as his head was severed from his body.

"It's as you said Bludgeon." Drift said as he sheathed his sword, turning away from his opponents' body. "When you fight against monsters, don't aim for the spark." Picking up Bludgeons' severed head, Drift went to reclaim Yoketrons' helmet. He didn't hear the hydraulic hiss until it was too late.

"Drift, behind you!" Ultra Magnus yelled in warning.

Drift turned in time to see a small red and green blur slam both feet into his midsection. The force of the blow sent him flying several feet and caused him to drop the head. Shaking his head, Drift looked over at the bot who'd attacked him. Standing before him was a Mini-Con about half his height. Turning back to Bludgeons 'corpse', he saw that the abdomen was now open and empty.

So this could only be.

"Bludgeon." Drift surmised. "A Pretender shell then. A deception truly worthy of a disciple of Banzai-Tron." He complimented.

Bludgeon gave the slightest of nods and leapt at Drift with renewed vigor. Not wasting time with words, the Mini-Con martial artist began to thrash the Autobot swordsman. Drift had already been weakened by their previous prolonged bout. Now that Bludgeon was outside his shell, he was even faster and capable of dodging Drifts blows while delivering several with a small vibro-knife.

Ultra Magnus charged across the hangar, dodging one of Octopunches' tentacles and Stranglehold being thrown by Bulkhead. He fired at Bludgeon several times only for the bot to dodge each shot. Throwing his knife, Bludgeon grinned as it penetrated Magnus' right hip, causing him to topple over.

However, the next thing they heard chilled the Wreckers to the core. "Omega Lock firing sequence initiated." Shockwaves' voice rang over the intercom.

"We have to stop the-" Wheeljack began before being picked up and thrown by Octopunch.

"Ye swabs are going nowhere."

Back on the Nemesis' bridge, Skidz and Blaster were attempting to detain Soundwave. Attempting, being the key word. Before joining the Decepticons, Soundwave had been as much a champion of the gladiatorial pits as Megatron. A fact that the two Autobots were now fully coming to understand.

"Bridge team to home base, we need reinforcements." Blaster called as he dodged one of Soundwaves' tentacle arms. "Alright buddy, sick 'em." Opening his chest, Steeljaw ejected and transformed, sinking his fangs into the appendage.

A space bridge opened behind them, and Overdrive and agent Fowler charged through. The former of the two had donned the Apex Armor for the mission.

"Alright Slendercon." Fowler taunted, cracking the armors knuckles. "You have a whole world of hurt for the shit you've pulled." With that, the five swarmed the Decepticon.

Soundwave was unperturbed, however. Using both hands, feet and tentacles, he managed to keep the Autobot interlopers at bay. However, the human in the Apex Armor had given him an idea when he deflected one of Soundwaves kicks.

"No one can land a hit on me in this." Fowler exclaimed in excitement.

Taking this as a personal challenge, Soundwave opened a small space bridge and sent a bladed tentacle through it. The human stopped then. The other end of the bridge was connected to the inside of the suit. His blades had pierced the human right through the abdomen, severing organs and blood vessels.

Staring down numbly as Soundwave retracted his bloodied tentacle, Fowler coughed and splattered blood on the inside of the suits visor. Falling to his knees, Bill felt the armor begin to retract on itself as Skidz and Overdrive pulled him back.

"We need to bridge back." Overdrive yelled.

Soundwave seemingly had a similar idea. Opening a space bridge in front of him, he began to walk towards the group. He planned to bridge them out alright, just not back to their base.

Blaster activated his comms. "Steeljaw, release. Lightbright, hit it."

"Be careful." Ratchet interrupted in the background on the comms. "Remember what I told you happened last time we crossed the streams."

"That's what I'm counting on." Sparkstalker replied.

Another space bridge opened behind Soundwave, confusing him. He suddenly felt himself being pulled in two different directions as the Autobots held onto whatever was closest. Seconds later the two portals seemingly collapsed on themselves as the world around him became quiet. Turning back to the intruder he charged forward, only to pass right through them.

"Welcome to the shadow zone, Soundwave." Came Sparkstalkers' voice over the coms.

The Autobots stared at where Soundwave had disappeared for a moment before Fowlers' moan of pain dragged them back to reality. Overdrive gently picked him and the Apex Armor up. "Bridge Bill and I back now, he's wounded. Blaster can handle it from here." Moments later another space bridge opened, and the two humans disappeared through it.

Blaster ran over to the bridge controls as the ship gave a colossal lurch. Listening to the controls he determined that it wasn't caused by something there. "Hang tight bots, I'm gonna try to shut down that lock from here." Following what Sparkstalker had taught him about the Decepticon mainframe, Blaster attempted to do just that. However, he came across one major obstacle.

"Guys, the Omega Lock controls aren't wired through here." Blaster admitted. "It'll be down to the stealth team and the Maximals to shut this down." What they heard next chilled them all to the spark.

Shockwaves' voice rang out over the intercom. "Omega Lock firing sequence initiated."

"We're too late." Skidz yelled.

Upon entering the Omega Lock staging area, the Maximals rapidly fanned out to aid Arcee and the stealth team. "Smokescreen, follow us." Magnaboss called as they charged across the battlefield. Unfortunately, they were so focused on their goal that they didn't notice Runabout until it was too late.

"You maxies ain't getting nowhere near that lock." He taunted. Transforming into his sport car mode, Runabout slammed right into Smokescreens' legs. The Star Saber went flying from the impact and imbedded itself in the wall on the other side of the battlefield. Luck, however, was on their side as Bumblebee pulled it from the wall.

Shockwaves' voice on the intercom made everyone freeze. "Omega Lock firing sequence initiated."

There was a momentary buildup of sound and light as the Omega Lock fired. However, when the light died down, the combatants all saw that the Earth was unchanged. There was a moment of stunned silence before a scream of rage from Megatron brought them all back to reality.

"Bee, quickly! Get the Star Saber to Optimus! Odds are he's where Megatron is." Magnaboss yelled as Smokescreen engaged a transformed Runabout. Beeping an affirmative, Bumblebee began to climb down to Optimus' location.

Stepping up to the edge of the staging area, Magnaboss saw Optimus holding a severely damaged right arm as Megatron advanced on him. Seeing Megatron about to drive the Dark Star Saber into Optimus, Magnaboss pointed the Chimera Stone at Optimus, and let the instinct coming from Raf take over.

Entering the hangar, Megatron looked at the aerial battle waging around the Nemesis. Apparently, there were more flight capable Autobots on Earth than he thought. However, it was only one such Autobot that he was seeking. The sight of Optimus Prime flying at the warship was enough to spur the Decepticon warlord into action. Taking a running leap off the landing deck, Megatron unsheathed the Dark Star Saber. With a cry of fury, he sung the sword and unleashed a crescent wave of dark energy at Prime.

The energy wave came at Optimus who wasn't fast enough to dodge it completely. While the attack missed his main body, his right wing had been severed and his flight rig had been damaged. The resultant tailspin sent him flying towards the back of the ship. Flailing about, Optimus barely managed to catch the edge of one of the warships' wings. Taking a breath to clear his head, Optimus began the arduous climb towards the Omega Lock.

Seeing that Prime still functioned, Megatron transformed in midair. Before he could fire on the downed Autobot leader, he heard his comms beep.

"Lord Megatron, the Omega Lock is fueled and ready." Shockwave reported.

"Await my signal Shockwave." Megatron replied. "I must prevent Prime from interfering first." With that he took off towards the Omega Lock. He knew that Primes' overdeveloped sense of honor would drive him to thwart the mission.

Seeing the bottom of the Nemesis open and the Omega Lock move into position, Optimus deployed his gatling gun and began to fire, hoping to damage critical circuitry as a delaying tactic. This was not meant to be however, as Megatron jetted towards Optimus at full speed. Unsheathing the Dark Saber as he transformed, he brought the blade down through both the gatling gun, and Optimus' right hand and forearm.

Megatron grinned as Optimus grit his dentia in pain. Optimus was holding his left hand to his right arm to keep it from splitting apart. With all that damage, there was no more threat. "Shockwave, commence Omega Lock firing sequence." He called.

"Omega Lock firing sequence initiated." Shockwave responded over the ships' intercoms.

The noise was near deafening as the circular section of the lock beneath them began to fill with cybermatter. Optics widened; Optimus activated his comms. "Lightbright, Sparkstalker, Blaster, use all three space bridges, it is time."

"One mother of all space bridges coming up." Lightbright responded.

"Fire!" Megatron bellowed.

As the Omega Lock fired a column of cybermatter towards the Earth, a trio of space bridges opened before merging into one colossal one. Megatron watched in horror as the cybermatter passed through the portal into parts unknown. He wasn't even sure where the portal went because the cybermatter blocked his view as the bridge closed. There was a beat of stunned silence before a surge of white-hot fury enveloped Megatron.

"Prime you fool!" Megatron screamed. "All you've done is delay the inevitable." He slashed at Optimus with the Dark Saber across his chest. "Although I assure you, you will not bear witness to our third attempt to cyberform this world."

He went to drive the blade through Primes head when a beam of Greenish white light connected with Optimus, enveloping him in an aura of the energy. Averting his optics, Megatron looked up to see the Maximal combiner holding.

"No!" Megatron yelled. "The Chimera Stone!"

The light surrounding Optimus faded to reveal that Magnaboss had used their energy to give Optimus an upgrade. His damaged flight rig and wing had been restored, although the wings were now patterned like Wingsabers' own wings. The damage to his chest had warped into a copy of Magnaboss' own chest sans sparks. The biggest change, however, was his damaged right arm. It was completely changed into a stylization of Leobolt with a Lion head as a right shoulder and long grey claws protruding from the wrist of the grayish white limb.

Optimus looked down at his upgraded form before glaring at his opponent. "This ends now Megatron." Optimus spoke as he felt power begin to surge through him. Holding up his right arm, he watched as the claws began to glow a greenish white.

Megatron shook himself out of his mild stupor and swung the Dark Star Saber at Optimus again. This time however, Optimus caught it with his glowing claws. Megatron watched in horror as the glowing claws pulsed and the dark energon blade of his sword faded to black before crumbling into dust, the ore purified of Unicrons' power. "Impossible!" He bellowed.

Seeing movement out of the corner of his optic, Megatron saw the Autobot scout make a mighty leap to the two commanders. The main thing he noticed however, was the Star Saber clutched in his servos. Optics widening, he fired his fusion cannon at the scout to prevent his interference.

The solid beam of energy hit Bumblebee square in the chest and blasted him backwards and upwards, smashing him into a half empty container of the Omega Locks' cybermatter. The Autobots and Maximals watched in horrified disbelief as the light left Bumblebees' optics as he sank to the bottom of the container, Star Saber still in hand.

There was a moment of still silence as everyone processed what had happened.

Megatron turned back to taunt Optimus only for the Autobot commander to slash him across the face with his new claws. This was followed up by a left uppercut to the jaw, sending Megatron staggering backwards. Finally, the claws pierced Megatron in the chest close to his spark.

"No more Megatron." Optimus raged. "No more!" The light from Primes' claws flared up again as Magnaboss' purifying energy coursed through Megatron again. The pain from his first purification paled in comparison to the second. The energy briefly shined from Megatrons mouth and optics as well as his every joint before fading, taking the power of Unicron with it.

As Optimus removed his claws, Megatron fought to stay upright. "I don't need the power of Unicron to finish you." He raised his fusion cannon and prepared to fire at Optimus in the face.

"Megatron!" Came a new voice from above him.

Turning to the source of the voice, Megatron barely had time to register the new attacker before they drove the Star saber through his fusion cannon, destroying it. Megatrons jaw dropped at who had just attacked him.

"You took my voice." Bumblebee spoke, cybermatter still dripping off his frame. "You shall not rob anyone of anything, ever again!" He swung the sword again and slashed Megatrons' chest, right through the Decepticon insignia, exposing his spark. Bumblebee was unable to deal the death blow, however.

"Lord Megatron!" Lugnut screamed as he flew to his commanders' aid. Transforming, Megatrons' enforcer went to use his punch on Bumblebee only for him to block it with the Star Saber. The force of the blow did knock him backwards into Optimus, however.

"Master, I shall get you to safety." With that, Lugnut threw the weakened Megatron over his shoulder and leapt up to the upper level before escaping down one of the ships' access halls.

"Bumblebee." Magnaboss whispered in awe as they reached the duo. "Your voice."

"What about my?" Bumblebee stopped as his optics widened. "My voice! I got my pipes back!" He yelled.

"Indeed you have." Optimus smiled. "However, we must celebrate later." He activated his coms. "All units, evacuate the Nemesis, return to base. Bumblebee, the Star Saber." He ordered.

Accepting the sword from Bumblebee, Optimus turned to Magnaboss. "I believe I have some of your power to return." With that, Optimus touched the Chimera Stone. In a blinding flash, Optimus reverted to his previous form, thankfully his injuries from Megatron had stayed healed.

Seeing the space bridge open to collect the stealth team and Maximals, Optimus turned to the two bots. "Go now, there is something I must do first."

Seeing the two clear the area, Optimus lifted the Star Saber. With a mighty swing, he spun around and severed all four of the mounts securing the Omega Lock to the Nemesis. Seeing the ring drop away, Optimus gave one final slash of the sword, shattering it. He knew the debris would land in the ocean harmlessly.

With a firm nod, Optimus flew back up through the ship and walked through the space bridge back to Unit-E.

Half hanging from his enforcer, Megatron allowed himself to be led through the access halls of the Nemesis. "You needn't worry master." Lugnut growled. "Shockwave can restore you just as well as Knockout."

"I am aware, Lugnut." Megatron answered, trying not to sound as weak as he felt. Exiting the access hall into Shockwaves' lab, Megatron found the strength to stand up on his own. "Shockwave, your assistance is required." Silence. "Shockwave?" A bream of dark purple energy lanced across the lab, hitting Megatron in the left arm.

"Who dares attack our lord?" Lugnut screamed. His answer never came, however. As he turned to face the assailant, he got the slightest glimpse of a red and purple mech before a servo forced its' way into his chest. Lugnut felt the pressure as his spark was crushed, and then nothing more.

"That." Came an oily voice. "Was for calling me a whelp." Lugnuts body crashed to the floor revealing their attacker.

Megatrons' optics widened in recognition. "Galavar?"

The bot turned to Megatron. This was not the Galavar he remembered. He was much larger now, having a physical build like Megatrons' own now. He now sported a vastly red color scheme with orange and purple highlights. A glowing gem of dark energon sat in his chest where Megatrons Decepticon insignia usually sat.

Several other differences were obvious too. Instead of normal feet, a set of Predacon claws were visible, another sat along his hips like a belt. A pair of wings on his were closed giving him the appearance of an orange cape and on his left arm was a small shield composed of metallic purple scales. Finally, a long draconian neck and head emerged from his right shoulder in a parody of Megatrons' own fusion cannon.

"So, you try to betray me when you think I'm weak." Megatron growled, deploying his sword. Thankfully the scout hadn't destroyed it with his cannon. "Starscream can attest that that is a difficult order, no matter my condition."

"Perhaps." His foe admitted. "However, I never rely on fisticuffs alone." Another laser blast, this one a lighter purple, lanced out of the shadows blasting Megatron back several paces as he blocked it. However, blocking the blast left him vulnerable to the red and green Mini-Con leaping from the shadows and severing his sword arm at the elbow.

Megatron looked at the Mini-Con. It had been years, but he still recognized the bot outside of his shell. "Bludgeon?" A series of footfall from the last blasts direction made his optics widen. "Shockwave? What is the meaning of this?"

"Oh, I wouldn't bother asking the good senator anything." Tarantulas cackled as he repelled down in his spider mode. "You see, he's been acting as my involuntary agent since before the war. Afterall, I was the one who performed the shadow play on him at the senates' request."

Shockwave leveled his arm cannon at Megatron. "And I so enjoy reopening old wounds." Tarantulas' voice emitted from Shockwave.

Megatron turned back to Galavar. "Even if you kill me, the Decepticons will never follow you."

"Oh, I have ways of ensuring their obedience, yes." He grinned, the Dark Matrix pulsing slightly. "And I have no plans to kill you, no. Afterall, Tarantulas and Shockwave shall require living test subjects for their experiments." He grinned at a now glaring Megatron.

"Furthermore, I think I require a new designation." He continued. "The name Galavar just doesn't suit one who is bound for galactic conquest and unimaginable glory, yes." He thought for a second. "Ultimately, I shall be known as the revered lord and master of this and every universe."

With that, He transformed. His head rolled backward and down his back before disappearing into his spine as his arms retracted into his body the small claws on his hips moving to replace them. The shield expanded to cover his lower abdomen as the dragon's head and neck replaced his bot modes' head with a bladed tail emerging from his back.

"For the sake of conversation however, you may refer to me, as Galavatron."

Megatrons' jaw dropped as he saw the now rechristened Galavatron transform into a techno organic Predacon dragon. He was stunned as Galavatron reared back and let loose a stream of dark energon purple fire at him. Megatrons world lit up in purple fire and pain before he lost consciousness.

"Ah, now that was invigorating, yes." Galavatron sighed as he transformed back to bot mode. "Tarantulas, have Shockwave make the announcement and expand it to include Lugnut. Then take our 'esteemed leader' to your lab and do with him what you please."

Tarantulas cackled. "Shockwave, you know what to do. Bludgeon, with me. I'll fix your shell after."

Galavatron watched as Shockwave stepped up to the communications console. "My fellow Decepticons." He began. "It is a dark day for us indeed. Not only have we lost the Omega Lock, but our glorious leader has also fallen in battle as well despite Lugnuts' heroic sacrifice of himself to save him."

There was a pause as cries of despair rang out across the ship. "However, we can take solace in the bot that he designated as his successor before passing." Shockwave continued. "Now, join me in welcoming our new leader, Galavatron." There was a pause before most of the ships' crew called out.

"All hail, Galavatron."

Despite the massive victory over the cons, the mood in the Maximals' den was somber. The news on agent Fowler was not good. When Soundwave stabbed him with his tentacle, he'd damaged arteries and organs. While the army medics had stabilized him, sepsis had begun to set in.

"It's not fair." Mike cried as he sat by his fathers' bed. "We, we just made up."

"I fought for my country and the world and helped save both. If my life is forfeit because of it." Fowler coughed. "Then it was a fair trade."

"It may not have to be." Ratchet said from the corner of the room. "We can use what's left of the cybermatter to convert agent Fowler into the last Maximal of Project Pheonix."

"No." Fowler coughed. "It has to be." He was overcome with another coughing fit, this time accompanied by blood."

Mike interceded. "You told me that the last Maximal had to be a field soldier. Who better than a G.I. Joe."

"Fowler was in G.I. Joe?" Jack asked in surprise.

"Yes." Ratchet said as he lifted Fowlers' bed off the ground. "And that makes him a good candidate for the procedure." He looked at Fowler. "We already lost one soldier today, I won't lose another if I can help it."

Moments later, Mike was gently laying his dad down in the reformatting chamber. "Dad, I swear I'll see you when you wake up." A groan of pain was his answer as the chamber door closed. "Hurry doc bot. Deep breath dad."

"Administering cybermatter." Ratchet mumbled as he flipped the switch.

"Incorporating animal DNA." Mike continued after racing to the controls.

"Engaging the enigma." June finished, throwing the switch.

The Enigma of Combinations energy electrified the tube for a few moments before the system shut down. The silence dragged on for a few moments before they heard a knocking inside the chamber.

"Can you guys let me out? It's dark as hell in here." Fowler called.

The chamber hissed as it opened and out stepped a large techno organic grizzly bear with an orange and grey color scheme. Fowlers' new beast mode had a mechanical muzzle and ears with an organic jaw and head. His back had the same type of visible spine that was common in mammal based Maximals. However, his joints were laced with circuitry like Raf June and Allison.

"That." Fower said. "Was a rush."

"Dad!" Mike yelled as he hugged his father for dear life.

"Okay." Miko spoke up. "We gotta give you a codename."

Fowler snorted. "I already have one." He answered, thinking about his duty to his country.

His spark flared bright orange as his body began to transform. A pair of mechanical looking lower legs grew from his bear hind paws, allowing him to stand up straight. His abdomen unfurled into a pair of muscular looking arms as his beast modes' forelimbs shifted to behind his back. Finally, his bear head seemingly flipped downward into his abdomen while his chest became more metallic, revealing a replica of his human head.

"When I was in G.I. Joe, I earned the nickname Survive." Fowler explained. "I think it's time I started calling myself that again." He finished.

"That'll work great." Miko replied. "And I think we figured out our catchphrase today too."

Jack thought for a moment. "What? Maximize?"

"Maximals, maximize. It's perfect." She responded. "It describes what we do in battle by using our full force to score an epic win." She gave Jack a flirty look. "To say nothing about what their commander does to their resident swordswoman." She added with a smile, causing Jack to blush and everyone else to look uncomfortable.

"Then welcome to the Maximals, Survive." Optimus said, making everyone jump. "I am pleased to see that we needn't mourn a second friend today." He added, referencing Beachcomber.

"I'm sorry for your loss Prime." Jack spoke up. "We met Beachcomber before; he was a good bot."

"Thank you, Jackson." Optimus replied.

"So." Fowler continued. "What will you and the bots do now that the Omega Lock is gone? Is there any other way to restore your planet?"

Optimus smiled. "Honestly we do not need to find one." Kneeling to the Maximals' level, he brought up a live image of Cybertron. However, this was not the lifeless cold world that they'd seen images of. This image showed it to be glowing, silvery, and alive.

Ratchets' optics widened. "How?" He breathed.

"A plan of last resort." Optimus explained. "If Megatron were to use the Omega Lock on Earth before we could seize it, then we would redirect the flow of the cybermatter. By using the space bridges on the Nemesis, Lost Light and here, we were able to divert the entire supply of cybermatter into the heart of Cybertron, the well of all sparks."

"So, so you're all going back?" Sierra asked. The tension in the room was suddenly thick as the Maximals awaited Primes' answer.

"Not just yet." Optimus answered. "While the planet is now capable of sustaining life once more, we need to ensure that the Decepticons are dealt with first. We cannot risk history repeating itself." He explained.

Ratchet looked at the readings. "To say nothing about how the planet has changed." He added. "Cybertrons' atmosphere has altered. It's almost identical to Earths' now."

Fowler smiled. "That just means that when the cons are gone, you've got billions of people here chomping at the bit to help you rebuild it."

"We look forward to it agent Fowler." Optimus finished as he turned and left the hangar. "And hopefully, that shall start us on the path to the day, when all are one."

Notes:

And so we come to the end of the second arc.

Going in reverse order. I planned on Fowler becoming a Maximal for a while and based his Maximal form off the Survive toy from Beast Wars Neo. Galavatron takes most of his inspiration from his Transmetal II toy mixed with aligned Megatron. And yes, merging with the Dark Matrix will come back to bite him in the aft. As far as Bludgeon goes, I decided to keep his pretender gimmick from G1 as a surprise. Although I made him a selective mute while outside his shell. Finally, Optimus' Magnaboss upgrade is my own take on the Savage Claw Mode from Transformers Cybertron as suggested by Chronolocked.

Having said that, I am going to have to take a hiatus for six months to deal with family matters and recharge my 'writing battery'. That will also give me time to plot out and outline how I want the third and final arc of this story to play out. A week before I begin the arc, I'll post a preview chapter highlighting some events in snippets. Until then, like, kudo, and comment.

Chapter 32: Past and Future

Notes:

Hello everyone and welcome back. As I said in my Authors' note in the last chapter, I was taking a six-month break to deal with family and personal matters. That has not changed. However, there have been some questions as to whether I'm still active. Let me say this, I have not been entirely idle and even now am working on the next arc of this story. As proof, here is a taste of what's to come.

Originally, I planned to write snippets of what's to come as a teaser chapter to be replaced later. However, I figured, why not make it part of the story? So here it is. The beginning of the end.

Vector Prime gave a sigh as he turned away from the spot Optimus had just vanished. He'd meant what he said about not getting involved in the Autobot and Decepticon conflict. However, he knew that his time in his short self-imposed exile was about to end. The one thing that would draw him back out of his pocket dimension was the same thing that necessitated his and his sibling's creation. Unicron.

Being the keeper of time meant that Vetor Prime didn't quite experience it the same as most sentient beings. To him, he had only entered his dimension a scant few days ago, after the arrival of the Quintessons even though eons had passed. Optimus left seconds ago from his perception; however, he knew it had been millennia ago.

Striding down the section of his dimension he'd dubbed the Time Corridor, Vector looked at various events as they were happening. Perhaps it was Optimus' recent visit that led him to the time windows about him. In one window he observed him as Orion Pax accepting the title of Prime.

"The Matrix of Leadership is yours to seek, because from this moment forward, you are Optimus Prime."

Vector snorted, as if he needed their blessing. Then again, Optimus wouldn't be Optimus if he took the title by force.

Turning to another window, Vector saw Optimus shoving Magnaboss away from a full powered blast from the Nemesis, the blast driving him into the ground with the resulting explosion and cave in collapsing the entirety of the Unit-E base and the Lost Light. Galvatrons' voice ringing out.

"And thus ends the tragedy, of Optimus Prime."

Glancing at another window, Vector saw Optimus soaring across the sky in another new body. How many has he gone through now?

"I will be there in moments. Hopefully I can prevent Leobolt from doing anything he will later regret."

Looking away from the images, Vector thought of the other mech that had stood by Optimus until he was denied the title of Prime. Glancing at another set of windows, he saw the argument between Megatron and Optimus that led to them parting ways.

"You see 'brother'? They do not want your control. They want to be free."

Next to it was the image of Megatron being vivisected by Tarantulas.

"If you think this hurts, wait until we test my spark mitosis experiments."

He couldn't help shaking his head at the wasted potential, but then again. He turned and saw a different Megatron seemingly splitting into a trio of beasts to aid a group of fighters led by Optimus against Galvatron. Primus was seldom wasteful.

"I believe Galvatron, that the time has come, to unleash the Beast Wars upon you."

Walking a little further down the corridor, he thought of others that would be essential to the coming conflict. Vector saw Galavatron tormenting the young scout Bumblebee, slashing his chest and face with his claws.

"Whereas Megatron would've taken your voice once again. I prefer to visibly mark those who defy me."

Next to that was an image of the soon to be warrior with a new appearance and name preparing to face off against an Insecticon for supremacy of the Scorponok hive. His new Insecticon mentor guiding him.

"Yeh needn't ah worry yerself Goldbug. Yer more than capable enough ta take on Bugbite."

Finally, there was an image of him embracing a brown-haired human with what looked like a smiling Rhinox behind him.

"You can change your name, color, and face. But your still Bumblebee to me."

Optics lingering on Rhinox a moment, he turned to the windows surrounding the original three Maximals. Those three were more important to the coming conflict than anyone knew. Looking carefully at the windows he saw them being set upon by Soundwave and Laserbeak as humans in one.

"Scatter, try to get a hold of the bots!"

In another, getting punched through the roof in their first fight with Megatron as Magnaboss.

"Did he just Mortal Kombat us?"

The final window he saw showed an upgraded Magnaboss facing down Galvatron, Star Saber in hand.

"Galvatron. One shall stand, one shall fall."

Going from one set of Maximals to another pair of them sprinting across a ruined Cybertron, Vector couldn't help noticing that one of them had two of his Blades of Time mounted in his chest. The two were being chased by Terrorcons before being saved by a much older looking Rhinox.

"Get inside and get those fuel rods connected! Then prepare for the time shunt!"

Vector nodded, while succeeding in their mission would erase their timeline, he would ensure they were anchored in when they arrived in the current one, preventing them from being erased as well. Vector could see they would be critical to coming events.

Turning away from the scene, Vector took in the image of G.B. Blackrock hugging his recently transformed daughters.

"Sleep as well as you can girls, I'll see you in the morning."

Nodding at the scene he turned to the father using the Transtector for the first time to aid in battle as Overdrive.

"While I'm in my Transtector. Please, call me Overdrive."

Beneath that window was one of the titan Fortress Maximus rising out of the Earth. Vector nodded again; the titans would return soon enough.

Turning away, Vector took glances at other events yet to come.

Of loss.

"I didn't even want to see myself like this again, let alone the two of you."

"Arcee!?"

"No! Lightbright! Bludgeon, please, I'll go with you, just spare her!"

"I wish you'd come to me sooner Grimlock. I can slow it down but, at this rate, you will be fully feral in less than one Earth year."

Of power.

"We are the hunters. We are the pack. We! Are! Tripredacus!"

"These protoforms are blanks. Without sparks, I couldn't activate them. Now however."

"You mean you want to reactivate the Combaticons!?"

"Then project Cerebros begins here, with us."

"Call for reinforcements heard. Omega Supreme, responding."

Of unity.

"We thank the people of Earth for their hospitality. And we bid you all welcome, to Autobot City."

"We, the Constructicons are officially citizens of the United States of America, thank you very much."

And Love.

"I'm still intimidated by our age gap Allie, but yes, I love you too."

"I knew him before he was a Prime, and I haven't seen Optimus look at anyone like that since Elita-1 died."

"Please, tell me everything you know about purifying dark energon. Help me save my Sparky."

"Chromedome, Rewind, how does a Conjunx Ritus work?"

The reason for many of these events, as well as the Primes return, however, was that Unicron had chosen a new herald, and orchestrated circumstances to ensure the creation of his "Anti-Prime". Turning to the sizeable section of corridor dedicated to this threat, Vector listened closely to the sounds coming from Galavatrons' time windows.

"I don't know who you think you are Arcee, but you are no longer my brother!"

"I am not unused to pain, no."

"A toast to a glorious new age for the Decepticons."

"Can't you see Arcee, I've finally bought what you've been selling!"

"I am no one's puppet, gah!"

Looking around, he observed the windows of those who would aid his evil.

"Very well. Tarantulas Terrorize!"

"Begin repairs and upgrades immediately. Trypticon must rise again."

"Yes, I want you three to bring me the Monstructor six."

"With these new Vehicons, Galvatron, shall come three new generals. Jetstorm, Tankor, and Thrust."

And those his evil would touch.

"Awaken Scorponok, heed your new king and rise again!"

"Prepare the chamber. I want all current Vehicons upgraded into Predacons immediately."

"Gentlemechs, I'd like to offer you five a deal."

"Yes, yes! Arise my Necrotitan! YES!"

Shaking his head, Vector strode to the end of the Time Corridor. Out of the corner of his optic he saw one final window. A new image of a battle being waged between four titans and Trypticon, several combiners and a vast number of humans and Cybertronians before a bright wave of magenta light enveloped everything.

Before he could contemplate the last image, Vector Prime heard Vector Sigmas' voice emanating from the end of the corridor, signaling his time to return.

"It is time." It called. "The time of the great transformation is upon us. It is time for the Primes to remember, and return."

Nodding, Vector Prime stepped to the very edge of his domain. Before him stood the portal he'd entered through not too long ago. Taking his sword, he jabbed the tip into the portal and turning his sword like a key, expanded it. Making a note to apologize to the startled being he was about to return through, he stepped forward, reentering reality and ending his exile.

Notes:

A/N: And here we are. Sorry for the tease, and I hope I didn't give away too many plot points. I'll see you all toward the end of June with the next chapter. Until then, kudo and comment

Next time: The New Face of Darkness

Chapter 33: New Face of Darkness Pt.1

Notes:

I know it's a little early, but we are back everybody. Welcome to the opening act for the final arc of Beast Wars Prime. Now, I've been doing some digging in the last few months and found some extra semi forgotten goodies to throw in this story. In any case, enjoy this first chapter.

Somewhere over the Pacific, deep within the Nemesis, a somber ceremony was taking place.

"We are gathered here today to mourn the passing of our beloved leader Megatron." Galvatron began. "From his humble beginnings in the pits of Kaon, to his glorious conquest of Cybertron and his epic showdowns with Optimus Prime, he has stood as a shining example of what we all aspire to be." He continued, fighting the urge to roll his optics. In his opinion, Megatron had been a petty fool. So focused on destroying the Prime, he'd let potential opportunities slip through his fingers.

Shockwave took over. "And in his last cycles, he would choose his successor, a Decepticon who would fight as he did and achieve conquest by any means necessary. A bot who would rebuild himself into the ultimate warrior leader. Galvatron." He finished, using the lines Tarantulas programmed him to say.

"Megatron chose my foot." Starscream whispered to Knockout in the back of the room. "If Megatron indeed chose him, then I'm a Monoformer."

"Jealous?" Knockout asked.

"Hardly, I understand that being the leader paints a target on your back." He sighed. "And unlike Megatron I don't have anyone loyal enough to me to act as a shield." Starscream added giving Knockout a sidelong glance.

"Very funny." Knockout groused as he examined his glass. There was something off about the Engex inside it. It seemed to have a lite purple sheen to it that didn't seem normal. Optics widening in recognition, whispered to Starscream.

"Don't drink the Engex, it's spiked with-"

"Dark energon, I know." Starscream answered, examining his own glass. "After my past interactions with it I'll never forget how it looks." He glanced around the room and saw everyone's' attention was drawn to Shockwave and Galvatron. "I don't know what Galvatron is planning, but I don't think I want to be around for it. Place your drink down subtly and follow me." With that, the two discreetly left the room before making a break to Knockouts' lab.

As Shockwave continued his speech, Galvatron noticed Starscream and Knockout leaving. Pity that Tarantulas was still busy repairing Bludgeons' shell. 'No matter.' He thought to himself. 'I can take care of them afterwards. Now however.' He began to make his way through the crowd.

"Ah, Punch." Galvatron spoke as he came to the security Vehicon. "I've been meaning to ask, have you made any headway into finding the traitor in our midst?" Shockwave had finished speaking and now all attention was on the two of them.

"I have several candidates, lord Galvatron. I should have a definite suspect in a few cycles." He answered, trying not to convey his nervousness.

"I've been conducting my own investigation actually." Galvatron countered. "And I know exactly who the traitor is, yes." With that Galvatron grabbed Punch's wrist punched him in the T-cog, causing Punch to revert into Counterpunch before throwing him into the wall at the other side of the room. "You!"

Righting himself, Counterpunch deployed his blasters to fire on Galvatron only to be blasted back into the wall by his opponents' cannon.

"You see, Punch." Galvatron began. "I figured you might be the mole when the Autobots found the Predacon lab. The lab you were the head of security for." He rocketed forward and grabbed onto Counterpunches' arms before driving him back with a foot to the chest, ripping the spys' arms off at the shoulder in the process.

"Then Tarantulas overheard you making a report to Ultra Magnus, informing the enemy of our plans to Cyberform the Earth." Galvatron continued, dropping the arms and transforming into his dragon mode before walking up to the fallen spy. "Then you let the Autobot infiltrators through while destroying your own unit." He finished, setting a clawed foot on Counterpunches' legs.

Galvatron lowered his head to Counterpunches. "Well, I know how to handle spys, yes." With that, Galvatron sank his teeth into Counterpunches' chest, biting through it. The spy had a brief glimpse of his own spark being ripped out and crushed in Galvatrons' maw before everything went black.

"My fellow Decepticons." Galvatron began once he'd dropped his mouthful and transformed back. "Now that his betrayer is no more, I propose a toast. To our glorious, fallen leader, Megatron." With that he watched with glee as the stunned Decepticons drank the contaminated Engex to break the tension. Well, almost all of them.

"Is something wrong Scrapper?" He asked, walking over to the Constructicon leader. He'd noticed that none of the team were drinking, and he needed them infected for his plans to work.

"Actually, yes." Scraper replied. "Your story. If you knew Punch was a spy, why not inform Megatron directly? Or even Soundwave before he disappeared?"

Galvatron weighed his options. Seeing that most of the assembled Decepticons had finished their spiked drinks, he decided to make his move. "Well, it would've been foolhardy of me to inform Megatron of one betrayer, when I was planning betrayal myself." He admitted, towering over the Constructicon leader.

If Scrapper was intimidated by this, he didn't show it. "Well, you overlooked a few things." He began, the six dropping their drinks. "One, I don't drink. Ever." He held up one finger. "Two, Mixmaster is a skilled enough chemist to determine the chemical makeup of whatever's in front of him at a glance." He added a second finger. "And three, not every con is willing to take you at your word." He finished with a third finger.

"Constructicons transfo-" Scrapper said before being gripped by the throat by Galvatron.

"I overlooked nothing, no." Galvatron replied. "Decepticons lock all weapons onto the Constructicons." There was a moment's hesitation. "I said lock on." With that Dark Matrix in his chest glowed and the collective Predacons, Vehicons and Decepticons trained their weapons on the six.

"H-how?" Scrapper rasped.

"With the Dark Matrix of Chaos, I have absolute control over anything with even the slightest bit of dark energon within it." Galvatron explained. "And with everyone having consumed some within the Engex, I now have absolute control over the Decepticons, Predacons, and Vehicons on this ship." He sneered. "Only a few holdouts remain now. Yes." He finished before being hit by a pair of laser blasts, forcing him to drop Scraper.

Turning to glare at his attacker, Galvatron was surprised to see Blitzwing transform from tank mode to bot mode. "You ze, 'Lord Galvatron'." His blue face began. "Ze humans have a phrase I zink would be most appropriate here." He switched to his red face. "Don't drink ze Kool Aid." With that he fired again.

Blocking the blasts with his shield, Galvatron glared at Blitzwing. "Obviously you are too much of a wild card to be kept in play." He trained his cannon on Blitzwing only nearly be knocked to his knees as the whole ship shook. "What in?" The sound of tearing metal rang out.

Turning, Galvatron saw that the Constructicons had combined into Devastator while he'd been distracted by Blitzwing and had torn open a hole in the hull of the ship. "No! Stop them!" Galvatron yelled as Devastator cannonballed out of the hole and fell out of sight. The sound of Blitzwings' laughter caused him to turn back, only to find that the triple changer had disappeared as well.

"Blast them." Galvatron growled. Galvatron turned to his remaining forces. "Search the ship for every Decepticon that isn't already here and bring them to me." He ordered, his dark matrix flashing.

He turned and glared at Shockwave. "And why, pray tell, did you not intervene?" He questioned. He knew Tarantulas' shadow play control kept him from rebelling, but it seemed to leave him without much in the way of initiative, save whatever Tarantulas, himself, and/or Megatron ordered him to do.

"Attempting to detain a combiner would have been, illogical." Shockwave answered, causing Galvatron to glare.

"Then go and prepare to initiate the backup plan." Galvatron replied. While he preferred to have Devastator, he knew the Constructicons weren't the only combining Decepticons out there.

Down in Knockouts' lab, he and Starscream were rummaging through the various storage cabinets and containers.

"Pack lite, pack lite, pack lite." Knockout was chanting to himself. Optics widening, he picked up a roto buffer. "Oh, pack smart."

On the other side of the lab, Starscream was going through storage lockers. "215, 216, ah, here it is. 217." He exclaimed as he pulled what looked like a six pack of canisters from its' locker. "Alright, I've got what we need, let's go." With that the two began to make their way to the hangar only to be met by a trio of Vehicons.

"Freeze Starscream." The middle one called training his blaster on him. His visor glowed purple. "Lord Galvatron wants a word with you and the good doctor here." Before they could make another move a barrage of laser blasts took their heads off.

"Ze mechs are losing zer heads. Ze Blitzwing Bop." Blitzwing sang as he sped past the stunned doctor and aerospace commander in tank mode.

Knockout shook his head and followed him into the hangar. "Going my way soldier?" Knockout called, as Blitzwing transformed into his jet mode.

"I am truly flattered Knockout." Blitzwing replied. "But I just don't see you zat vay."

"Not what I meant!" Knockout exclaimed.

"And the good doctor is coming with me." Starscream added, pulling Knockout away before transforming. "Climb on."

"In front of everyone? Ave you no shame Ztarzcream?" Blitzwing ribbed as laser blasts passed overhead.

"Just shut up and take off!" Starscream yelled as Knockout clambered on. Exiting the hangar, Starscream set course for the Harbinger, thankful that Blitzwing was headed the opposite direction. Hopefully the Autobots hadn't found the supplies he'd stashed away nearby before he left it.

Back on the Nemesis, Galvatron was fuming in Shockwave and Tarantulas' now shared lab. "So, not only did we lose Devastator, but we've also lost our contingency plan for that very event?" He asked as Tarantulas finished work on Bludgeons' pretender shell.

"Sadly, yes." Tarantulas replied as he soldered some new circuits into the back of the shell. "However, my latest invention should make up for it."

"Ah yes, your DIAclones, as you called them." Galvatron answered, remembering what his scientist had called the 'Disposable Infiltration, and Assassination clones'. Tarantulas had explained that he could create his drone like clones of anyone to act as agents. Sadly, he couldn't bolster his forces with them since they couldn't hold up in full on battle.

"Yes, and the final one for this plan to work has been completed. With a 'donation' from our 'fallen leader'." Tarantulas cackled, nodding to where Megatrons now limbless form was bolted to a table. He'd taken great pleasure in amputating Megatrons' limbs after removing his vocalizer. Pity he'd fallen unconscious during the procedure. Then again, he couldn't waste supplies on little things like anesthesia.

Speaking of which, Tarantulas now turned to Counterpunches' corpse and reached into his mouth. "Your shell is ready now Bludgeon, climb in." The Mini-con gave a nod before jumping into his shells' abdominal cavity.

"What on Cybertron are you doing?" Galvatron asked as Bludgeon stood up and joined him.

"Little fun fact." Tarantulas began as he rooted around the dead spys' throat. "If you remove the vocalizer from a patient, you can replay the last hundred or so words they spoke, aha." He called, holding up a small spherical voice box. "Now that may not seem like much, but it's enough for a computer to replicate the vocal patterns." He finished with a dark chuckle.

"A grand ploy indeed." Bludgeon spoke. "Your drones shall divide our foes. Leaving them open."

"Indeed." Galvatron nodded. "Tarantulas, begin preparing your transmission. Bludgeon, prepare to lead the assault." This was too good an opportunity to miss, soon Optimus Prime and his Autobots would be dead, and the universe his for the taking.

"Good morning, June." Rung greeted his patient. "How are you doing today?"

"I'm doing alright doctor Rung." June answered from the psychiatrists' couch. "I still miss having coffee, but otherwise I'm fine."

"I'm happy to hear that June. I know your becoming a Maximal was very spur of the moment, but I'm thankful you aren't regretting it." Rung replied.

"Absolutely not, and it's not like I much of anything left in my human life anyway." June admitted. "The house and job I'd worked so hard for were snatched away by Simmons, I have no friends outside of work, and Jack is the only family I have left."

"Your only biological family?" Rung queried. He knew that June had taken over as a surrogate mother to Miko Rafael and Vince. To say nothing of her new sibling bond with Arcee. A bond that Rung believed was beneficial for both parties involved.

June smiled. "Well, yes." She looked at her psychiatrist. "I was the only child of a well to do family with controlling parents." She snorted. "I guess that's why I can relate with Miko so much. My parents were dead set on me following in their footsteps to take over their accounting firm." June explained.

"And I'm guessing that just wasn't what you wanted?" Rung asked.

"My parents, were cutthroats." June answered. "They used predatory practices to make themselves rich at the expense of others. I didn't like the idea of hurting people to get ahead."

"And instead, you set out to become a nurse." Rung supplied.

"Actually, that came after." June answered with a sigh.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Rung asked. He had a feeling this would be difficult for his patient. She surprised him, however.

"I made my peace with it long ago." June began. "When I was in college, I met Jacks' father. It was something of a whirlwind romance, and it blinded me to some of his faults."

She gave a heavy sigh, running a hand over her abdomen. "Not long after we met, I found out I was pregnant with Jack. My parents were furious, they tried to force me to get an abortion." June glared at the ceiling. "I should've seen Alex for what he was with how halfhearted his argument against it was."

"Like you said." Rung interjected. "You were blind to some of his faults."

"And I was angrier at my parents." June continued. "After I refused to abort Jack, they completely cut me off and out. They stopped paying my tuition and acted like I didn't exist anymore." June was silent for a few seconds before smiling. "That's when my grandpa Jackson came to my rescue."

"I'm guessing he's the one Jack's named after?" Rung asked. He knew that some names were passed down and was curious.

"My mothers' father." June nodded. "He used to insist that I stay with him on his ranch a few weeks every summer. Since my parents were hoping to inherit the property, they allowed it." She smiled. "I learned a lot from Grandpa Jack, specifically that I like helping people."

She looked at Rung. "When he found out that my parents had essentially disowned me, he sold his ranch and used the money to pay for the rest of my education and put a down payment on a house for the four of us." She swallowed. "He didn't quite approve of Alex but wanted me to be happy. He said he was honored that we'd named our son after him." She added.

June closed her eyes. "When Jack was about three, my grandpa passed away in his sleep at eighty-two." She took a deep breath. "A couple years later, Alex walked out on the both of us. He said he felt trapped in our marriage and flat our said he never wanted kids."

"I'm so sorry June." Rung whispered. He had no idea that this relatively young femme in front of him had led such a life. Then again, humans lived comparatively short lives compared to Cybertronians so this probably shouldn't surprise him.

"Don't be, I made my peace with it." June reaffirmed. "I realize now that he was as much husband material as my parents were honest people. And I found people I'm glad to call family."

Rung smiled. "Family isn't always about proximity, or blood in the case of Earthlings. The family we choose is just as important." He gave June a teasing smirk. "Besides, I think Optimus is more husband material than your ex was."

"Oh, for the love of!" June whipped the cushion from behind her head and buried her face in it. Get drunk one time and no one lets you live it down. She was going to kill Arcee.

"Before you plan to kill Arcee." Rung began, seemingly reading her mind. "I figured out you had a crush on him before you became a Maximal. Your gaze tended to linger on him a little longer than normal." He explained. "It's a behavior that Cybertronians have as well. Your little coffee bender the other day just confirmed it."

"Look." June said, uncovering her now red face. "I admit I have a crush on Optimus. When I see and talk with him, I see everything I could've wanted in both a husband and father figure for my kids." She sighed. "But I know it couldn't work. With the war going on and everything, romance is probably the last thing on his mind."

"This is true." Rung admitted. "But we may not be at war forever. And you are a techno organic hybrid now and as such will live a very long time if Ratchets' theories are correct."

He put a hand on Junes' shoulder. "Now, I don't play Amouracon. Our equivalent of Cupid." Rung explained at her confused look. "But I will give you this bit of advice. If it's going to happen, it will in its' own time."

June smiled. "Thank you doctor."

He smiled back. "Please, just call me Rung."

Topside in the Unit-E medical hangar, several of the other Maximals were being tested on their newer abilities after the raid on the Nemesis under the supervision of Rodimus and Ultra Magnus.

"Hit it, Allison!" Trailbreaker called. Allison threw her saber forward and let loose a Nucleon pulse. Trailbreaker threw up one of his force fields to block the pulse, which then rebounded off the shield and an adjacent wall. Throwing up a second field, he blocked the pulse from both sides before it fizzled out. "Not bad, you almost got me that time."

Allison was panting. "Thanks TB." She breathed. While her maximized pulse could now hit multiple targets as a chain. She found that three targets were the maximum she could get before it stopped being effective. With some concentration she found she could control the direction, though it left her winded.

Smirking a bit as she took a drink of water, Trailbreaker commented. "I'm sure it would get the Dinobot seal of approval."

"What do you mean?" She asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Oh please, I'm the head of security here and by extension, observant." Trailbreaker answered. "You and Slash have been making goo-goo optics at each other since the Dinobots arrived."

"Can you please drop it TB." Allison replied, red faced. "It's not often I find a girl that's interested in me. And I don't want anything to scare her off."

Trailbreaker snorted. "Okay, one." He held up a finger. "Dinobots don't get scared off by much, and definitely not a lovesick femme." He began, ignoring her look of annoyance. "Two, I'm your partner and friend, I'm supposed to tease you a little bit." He continued with a second finger. "And three, I support you in becoming Endura with her, Conjunx or otherwise."

Allison smiled and hugged Trailbreaker. "Thanks breaker." She whispered, before getting an impish smile. Patting his leg a bit she let loose a low power nucleon pulse that made him jump a foot in the air, a trick that she called the 'Joy Buzzer'. "Gotcha." She laughed.

"Very funny."

Across the base, Vince and Sierra were testing their enhanced abilities.

"Alright Siri, let's see what you can grow." Vince encouraged. They'd been testing her ability to make plant life spring forward at will. However, Vinces' words caused a snort.

"Careful Vinnie, you're starting to sound like a certain space witch." She giggled.

"That'd be a thought. Growing a plant to bot sized to fight for us." Vince snorted back. "But seriously, what've you got?"

Sierra focused on the ground around her. Sometimes she could cause a plant to bloom into life from a seed. Other times however, she seemed to create new types of plants with her powers. Two of the former, ended up being taken for study after she created them.

Vince watched in fascination as a pod on a stalk erupted from the Earth. Frowning a bit, he poked at the new plant. "Huh, that's a bit of a-." He was cut off as the plant seemingly flung a spiked seed from its' pod at him. Ducking to the side he heard a sharp yelp. Turning, he saw that the wayward seed had hit Ultra Magnus in the center of his back.

Sierra and Vince covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. Rodimus however burst out laughing at Ultra Magnus' attempts to remove the seed. "Got you in the one spot you can't reach, didn't it?" Rodimus laughed as he picked it off Magnus' back. Dropping it, he was surprised that it split and germinated into a new plant almost immediately.

As Magnus marched up to the two of them, Vince decided to test his new ability on the irate Autobot. "We are not the ones you are looking for." He spoke using the same tone he used to control the Vehicons. Why his first thought was to paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi was beyond him, although it was worth it to hear Sierra bust out laughing.

Ultra Magnus gave Vince a flat look. "Nice try." He began in a deadpan voice. "Your power works but my willpower is too strong for it to take hold. And please try to keep from attacking others during the testing phase."

"No matter how funny it may be." Rodimus quipped, earning a hard glare from Magnus and continued laughter from the Maximals.

A couple of buildings over, Miko was having the limits of her teleportation ability retested.

"Okay Miko." Perceptor said as Miko put the cup she just teleported to her down on the table. Apparently, her outlier ability had been upgraded by Vector Sigma to the point where not only could she teleport herself and others, but she could also teleport things to her or where she wanted them. "Now, how about you bring something larger to you."

Thinking for a second, Miko got an impish smile. Concentrating, she focused on what she wanted to bring to her. A second later, Jack appeared in a burst of burgundy light. He blinked confusedly for a moment. A second ago, he'd been brushing his teeth before his testing, now he was topside?

"Darn." Miko giggled. "I was hoping to catch you in the shower."

Jack spat out his mouthful of toothpaste and glared at his girlfriend. "Very funny pretty bird. How would you like it if I snuck up on you like that?"

"I don't think I'd mind Mr. Darby, are you offering?" She replied coyly with a seductive look, trying not to laugh while Jacks' face turned red.

"Okay." Perceptor interrupted forcefully. "Now that we've established that you can bring something your size, how about something bigger?" He thought for a second. "Try to teleport Bulkhead to you, but if it's too much, don't push it."

"Alright." Miko replied. "One Bulkhead, over easy." She joked, making Jack roll his eyes at the attempted line cook lingo.

Miko focused on her partner and concentrated. This time however, her power fought her a little. Screwing up her face in concentration, Bulkhead appeared in a much larger flash of burgundy light. Miko promptly collapsed to her knees.

"Perceptor? How'd I get up her-. Miko!" Bulkhead exclaimed when he saw his Maximal friend and partner being helped up by her boyfriend.

"We were testing the upper limits of the Maximals 'maximized' abilities. Apparently Miko can teleport things to and away from her as well as teleport herself." Perceptor explained. "However, anything bigger than her seems to strain her powers."

He looked at Jack. "Take her back to the den to lay down. Then come here so we can test your new abilities Leobolt." Perceptor ordered.

"I don't think that'll take long." Jack answered, hoisting Miko up a bit. "From what I can tell I didn't get any new abilities." This was true. While the other Maximals got new or enhanced abilities, Jack didn't receive any.

"What are you talking about?" Miko asked. "You sliced that one Vehicon with your whip no problem."

"I've always been able to do that." Jack answered. "I just don't like to take lives if I can help it."

"Hard to believe Vector Sigma left you high and dry in the power category." Miko groused. "I know you've been practicing with Drift but outside of your whip you don't have-."

"I think my link to Vector Sigman counts in this case even if I can't fully utilize it, and I can make do with what I have Miko." Jack cut her off before smiling. "And right now, I have a girlfriend who needs to recover from overtaxing herself."

Miko nuzzled him a bit. "Only if I can use my favorite purr pillow." She teased.

"All bots, Maximals and personnel report to the Lost Light." Came Fowlers' voice on the base PA system. "We are in crisis mode."

"Damn it."

Moments later aboard the Lost Light. The entirety of the bases' forces was assembled. Not just Autobots and Maximals, but the solders of Unit-E as well. Fowler stood alongside Optimus, Ultra Magnus, and Rodimus.

"Alright everyone, listen up." The recently minted Maximal began. "The Decepticons have officially changed the rules. Care to explain Prime."

Optimus nodded. "We recently received an emergency message from our spy onboard the Nemesis. With the Omega Lock gone, Megatron now plans to conquer Earth and most likely force its' populace into slavery to rebuild Cybertron." He paused a moment to let that fact sink in. "Moments ago, we received these images." Stepping aside, Optimus allowed the collective to see three ongoing attacks.

"We have coordinated attacks at three different locations." Ultra Magnus continued. "The first is in what the humans call 'Silicon Valley'. Soundwave seems to be leading a Predacon assault there. We believe that they are attempting either disrupt communications for the country or turn them against us."

"How'd they get him out of the shadow zone?" Sparkstalker wondered.

"The second attack is in New York City." Rodimus continued. "We just received confirmation from a human informant that the Constructicons have begun an assault there as well." He said indicating an image of Devastator blasting a hole through the Chrysler building while a squad of Vehicons fired at other buildings randomly

"And finally, Megatron and Starscream are leading a march of Vehicons towards Pennsylvania Avenue. The president has been evacuated, but I don't need to tell you what losing our nations' capitol means." Fowler finished.

Bumblebee spoke up. "How do we know the humans won't fire on us when we go to help them? They might think we're Decepticon reinforcements."

"We know." Optimus began. "The Decepticons have unfortunately caused our existence to become publicly known. However, we believe we can mitigate the damage by allowing ourselves to be seen fighting them alongside this country's' armed forces." He declared.

"How do we explain our existence to the humans?" Ratchet asked.

"We shall have to cross that bridge when we come to it old friend." Optimus replied. "For now, we must divide our forces to meet the enemy."

"Dinobots, Blaster, you're with me." Ultra Magnus began. "We're going to head off Soundwave and the Predacons." Blaster stepped forward while Grimlock gave a stiff nod.

Rodimus spoke next. "Protectobots, you're coming with me. We're going to New York to stop Devastator. Skidz, Depthcharge Velocity, you are too."

"And that leaves the Wreckers and I going to Washington D.C. to stop Megatron." Optimus concluded. "Jetfire, Hound, considering your alternate modes are connected to G.I. Joe I want you to join us to further cement our position as allies."

"What about us Optimus?" Jack asked.

"The remainder of the Maximals shall remain here for the time being." Upon seeing their surprised and outraged look, Optimus explained. "Between your now enhanced abilities not being fully tested and lack of a potential cover story, I believe you would be best kept in reserve in case backup is needed or a fourth attack is waged." This seemed to calm them down some.

"That said." Optimus continued, turning to the men and women of Unit-E. "I need at least two human platoons for each Autobot team. Roll out!"

Crossing through the space bridge in vehicle mode, Optimus quickly homed in on Megatron. Not wasting time with words, he hit the accelerator and transformed. Using the momentum, Optimus swung his fist forward, sending it through the Decepticon leaders' skull? Optics wide, Optimus watched as "Megatron" seemingly came apart. Looking down he saw all that remained of his opponent was limbs and scrap parts, there wasn't so much of a trace of a brain or a spark chamber.

"We've been had." Optimus muttered to himself. Around him, the other Autobots were making the same discovery.

"Scrap."

"Springs."

"Junk."

His comms beeped. "Sir." Ultra Magnus called in. "You are not going to believe this."

"The Decepticon attackers were little more than drones." Optimus replied.

"So, we're three for three then, Rodimus just reported Devastator falling apart after a human soldier hit him with a rocket launcher." Magnus confirmed.

The comms beeped again. "Optimus, Ultra Magnus, anybody! This is Cosmos!"

"Cosmos, what is happening?" Optimus replied, dread welling up in his spark.

"I am under attack. The Nemesis is pursuing me. I don't think." The line cut out.

"Cosmos?" Optimus called. "Cosmos, can you hear me? Lightbright, try to get a signal on Cosmos."

There were a few moments of silence. "I, I'm sorry Optimus. Cosmos' bio signal is offline." Lightbright replied. "He, he's gone."

Optimus hung his head. Another good solder lost in this war. "Lock onto his last broadcast coordinates. The Decepticons may well be attempting to attack another target while we are scattered."

"Looking now." She replied. "Okay, last coordinates for Cosmos were zero, zero." There was a moment of silence. "Zero." Lightbright finished with a whisper.

"They've found our base" Optimus whispered; fear welling in his spark. "Lightbright, Ratchet, use both space bridges to recall all away teams!" He called.

"Gha, too late." Lightbright replied in a panic. "They're jamming the bridges." She reported causing Optimus' optics to widen as he heard laser fire in the background. "We have Decepticons in the ship!"

"No." He whispered. Rapidly deploying his flight pack, Optimus took to the air, a loud boom moments later signaled that he'd broken the sound barrier. Upon reaching his maximum flight speed of Mach 4, Optimus prayed to Primus any other god that might be listening that the others could hold the Decepticons off until help could arrive.

Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis, Galvatron was looking down at the Autobots' secret base. From less than a thousand feet he could make out the various bots and Maximals staring up at him. Grinning, he turned to Tarantulas. "Thier space bridges are being jammed?" He asked.

Tarantulas nodded. "Yes, it's difficult without Soundwave, but doable. We even found a way to use our space bridge while jamming theirs. And our ploy with the DIAclones worked perfectly." Luring the Autobot 'heavy hitters' away from the base had been a masterstroke. Fortunately, they'd found the bases' location using Mindwipes' last known coordinates.

"Then let us not stand on ceremony." Galvatron shook his head. Looking down he pointed at the base.

"Decepticons, transform and attack!"

Notes:

A/N: Ohh, cliffhanger. Well, fun fact, when I sat down to write this chapter, I realized I had way too much going on and the end result was over 23,000 words and almost 50 pages. Therefore, I broke it up into four chapters that I will be uploading every other week from today until they're all posted. Afterwards I'll go back to my original update schedule of every month or so.

In regard to my Galvatrons' personality, I tried to combine the cunning and drama of Beast Wars Megatron and the savage insanity of G1 Galvatron. Throw in some extra arrogance and voila. And yes the Decepticon deserters will all return in future chapters. Some in very big ways.

Coincidentally, the Diaclone reference (one of the toy lines the transformers were originally adapted from in the 80's for those who don't know) was just a fun way to slip the name in. I couldn't help myself.

I'll see you all in two weeks. Until then, please, kudo and comment. Thank you.

Chapter 34: New Face of Darkness Pt.2

Notes:

Alright everyone, new chapter rolling out. This time with a surprise G1 guest star. However, I should warn you that this chapter and possibly the next one are something of a "feels trip" and partly why I keep my "T" rating for this story, so please, reader discretion is advised.

Galvatron smirked as the remaining Vehicons aboard the Nemesis flew or bridged into the Autobot base. By eliminating the Autobots, he would be able to do what Megatron could never do, win the great war of Cybertron. Such an act would earn him his rightful place in history as the first emperor of Cybertrons' second golden age. A title truly befitting of him.

Looking closer at the battleground, Galvatron saw several Autobots and Maximals engaging a few dozen Vehicon flyers. A smaller number of ground forces had opted to go through the space bridge with Bludgeon and the Predacons into the hidden Autobot ship that served as their headquarters. He didn't believe that the battle would take particularly long since the dark energon he'd dosed the troops with made them hyper aggressive. Either way, he'd need to look at addressing the troop shortage soon.

One Autobot in particular caught his optic. His 'sister' Arcee. Rage filled his spark; his twin was the one blemish in the story of his life. He could not allow the freak to continue its' existence. It would be a mockery of the perfection that he was. Spreading his wings, Galvatron took flight. It was finally time to commit the murder he'd first attempted all those years ago.

Meanwhile, down in the Lost Light, over a dozen Vehicons had bridged into the ship alongside the Predacons and Mayhem Attack Squadron. Stranglehold turned to the assembled troops. "Raze base to ground. Kill all that get in way." While he'd been furious at being tricked into drinking dark energon, he was enjoying the rush of power it gave him. "Be having fun comrades."

As the various enemy troops scattered throughout the base, Bludgeon and a trio of Vehicons were on a mission of their own in the Lost Lights' fuel lake. He'd rewatched the security footage from the Autobot raid on the Nemesis while waiting for his shell to be repaired. From it, he noticed that the bot known as Blaster had far too much knowledge of the Decepticon mainframe and how to navigate it. This meant that Punch was not the only source of intel the enemy had.

"Come on Sparky." Lightbright whispered as she and Sparkstalker ran across the bridge over the reservoir. "If we're careful, we should be able to sneak past the intruders and get in position once the bridge jammer is down."

"I'm not afraid of them." Sparkstalker replied petulantly.

"I know, but I'm afraid of what they'll do to you if they find out you're still alive and helping us."

"A quite valid fear." Bludgeon began as he stepped up to the end of the bridge the two were headed for. "Yes, Sparkstalker the traitor. I shall enjoy this." Taking a mighty leap, Bludgeon cleared the gap between them and landed between the two.

Spinning around, Bludgeon kicked Lightbright solidly in the chest, knocking her into the Vehicon trio that had accompanied him. Drawing his sword, he then slashed Sparkstalker across the chest, through his Decepticon insignia. "We have plans for you." Bludgeon spoke, glaring at Sparkstalker. "An example must be made." He turned to the Vehicons. "Kill her here and now." Bludgeon ordered.

"No! Lightbright!" Sparkstalker screamed. "Bludgeon, please, I'll go with you, just spare her." He begged.

"Sparky, no!"

Bludgeon looked at Sparkstalker for a moment, his empty eye sockets seemingly staring through his spark. "I accept your terms. You may wish I had not though." A space bridge opened behind Sparkstalker, startling him. "Incoming, spider." With another kick, Sparkstalker was sent through the portal, and into Tarantulas' lab.

"SPARKY!" Lightbright screamed in anguish.

"Oh, stop your whining." Bludgeon sighed as he turned back to her. "I shall honor the bargain." He held the sword to her knees. "Well, for the most part." He swung his sword, slicing part way through Lightbrights' legs, crippling her.

"Leave her, and let's go." Bludgeon ordered the Vehicons whom quickly dropped Lightbright. "We have other bots to slay. We mustn't linger." The foursome left the reservoir, leaving Lightbright to cry from both the pain and loss.

Thankfully, she was found moments later.

"Oh no." Came Hoists' voice as he came into Lightbrights' field of view. "Lightbright, can you hear me? What happened? Where's Sparkstalker?" He asked.

"They took him." She sobbed. "They took my Sparky."

So caught up in trying to console the femme, Hoist didn't sense a lone Vehicons sneaking up on them until a loud clang and a thud was heard behind them. Turning to look, they saw Rewind and Chromedome standing behind the unconscious bot. In Chromedomes' right servo, was a large orange something neither of them could identify.

Chromedome looked at his impromptu weapon. "You okay Rung?" He asked, letting the psychiatrist go.

Transforming in midair and landing on his feet, Rung straightened his glasses. "No worse for the wear, hardly the worst thing I've been through."

"I haven't a clue what you turn into Rung." Rewind admitted. "But I'm glad you do turn into it now."

"Well, if you ever figure it out, please let me know." Rung replied as Hoist lifted Lightbright up. "Now however, I think we need to get a move on in case there are anymore Vehicons lurking nearby." With that the group made their way to the space bridge.

In another corridor of the Lost Light, a quartet of fighters was trying to drive back the Predacons.

"Your little tricks got the better of us last time." Terrorsaur taunted as he brandished his flaming blades at Botanica and Mach Hoof. "But this time we're ready for them."

"You might be ready for them." Nightbeat admitted as he dodged one of Waspinators' stingers. "You don't know scrap about us though." He fired at the ventilation hoses on either side of the corridor, causing steam to shoot into the flyers' faces, driving them back.

"Ain't ready for this either." Trailbreaker added as he redoubled his focus on the forcefield holding Iguanus in place. "Overdrive, what's your twenty?" He couldn't hold the field in place much longer and they needed backup.

"I'm stuck on the other side of the ship with another group with injuries." Overdrive called back. "We got Vehicons breathing down our necks."

"I'm with Nightbeat and the girls." He answered. "And we got Predacons on our end."

"Burn infidels, in the name of the colony!" Infernus called before shooting another stream of fire at them.

"Likewise." Botanica yelled back before hitting Infernus in the eye with fireweed.

The battle was interrupted by a very welcome voice.

"Attention all combatants aboard the Lost Light." Optimus' voice called out over the comms. "Survive has just taken out the Nemesis' communications array and the bridge jammer with it. Those of us topside will attempt to buy you time to evacuate before the Decepticons bring the Nemesis' weapons to bear."

Unfortunately, the Predacons heard this too.

"Move it you morons!" Spittor yelled, hopping over the trapped Iguanus as a frog before switching to his hovercraft mode. "Don't let them get away!"

Seeing him coming, Trailbreaker knew what he had to do. Releasing the forcefield holding Iguanus, he grabbed onto Spittor. Using the Predacons' momentum, he spun him around and winged him back towards the other Predacons. He then threw up another field separating them from their attackers.

"I'll hold them here, you three need to get to the space bridge!"

"We're not leaving you!" Mach Hoof yelled back.

"As head of ship security, I'm ordering you to get to the space bridge!" He repeated. The Predacons were all firing heavily on his forcefield now. Cracks were starting to appear as the strain forced Trailbreaker to his knees. "I'm sorry Allie. Botanica, Nightbeat, please." He begged.

Blinking back tears, Botanica hit her sister with a seed snare, trapping her and giving them insulation from her Nucleon. Nightbeat threw her over his shoulder as she yelled in protest. "No, please! TRAILBREAKER!" She screamed as they rounded the corner.

Seeing his friend was out of sight, Trailbreaker let the exhaustion hit him and his field drop. Before he could even think to fight, he felt Iguanus' tail slam into his midsection before Terrosaurs' sword ran him through and pinned him to the wall. Grunting in pain, he looked up to see that the Predacons were injured and all around worse for wear.

Coughing up some energon he chuckled. "I hope those marks are permanent you little shits." He rasped, spitting the energon in Terrorsaurs' face for added insult. Trailbreaker saw a flash of flame and had a brief sensation of heat, then nothing.

On the other side of the base, Overdrive, Nautica, and Brainstorm were running away from a group of Vehicons. Each was laden with bags of equipment salvaged from the science labs to keep it out of enemy hands. Rounding a corner, they came to the entrance of Swerves' bar just in time to see a Vehicon get blasted out of it.

"And stay out!" The Autobot Metallurgist/barkeep yelled as he followed the Vehicon out of his bar, blaster in hand. He looked over his shoulder. "Come on you two, help is here." Seconds later Nightscream and Cheetor appeared next to the bot. Cheetor seemed to be limping.

"We haven't got long." Nautica panted. "A squad of Vehicons are right behind us." She caught a glimpse at Cheetors' leg, noting it was sparking and bleeding slightly. "What happened to you?"

"We tried to run for the lift." Cheetor explained. "And ran smack into a bunch of cons."

"He got us away, but he was hit." Nightscream added. "Those cons chased after us, Swerves' bar was closest. It was like those cons were high on something."

"Oh, that's a wonderful thought." Cheetor growled as his leg sparked again. "Cons on crack."

Brainstorm rummaged through his sack. "There may be something in that, but I may have something that can buy us some time."

"Please hurry doctor." Overdrive called anxiously. "I need to find my daughters." He'd gotten sidetracked helping them when he went to retrieve his Transtector.

As if on cue his comms went off. "Overdrive what's your twenty?" Came Trailbreakers' voice.

"I'm stuck on the other side of the ship with another group with injuries." Overdrive answered, referencing Cheetor. "We got Vehicons breathing down our necks."

"I'm with Nightbeat and the girls." Trailbreaker answered. "And we got Predacons on our end."

"Found one!" Brainstorm exclaimed as he pulled what looked like a blue Coleman lantern out of his pack. Hearing the Vehicons getting closer he set the device on the ground and activated what looked like a timer on the top. "Alright let's bolt." He spoke.

After Throwing a protesting Cheetor over Swerves' shoulder, group took off down the hallway Nautica looked at Brainstorm. "Brainstorm, what was that thing?"

Brainstorm looked a little sheepish. "You remember those bioelectric entities I created some years back? Well, I may have kept experimenting after Rodimus told me not to and made some weaponized varieties of them."

Swerves' and Nauticas' optics widened. "You mean you let loose a bunch of." She was cut off by a bang, followed by several blasts and yelps from Vehicons. However, the loudest noise in the din behind them were the cries of the bioelectric entities.

"Kremzeek!"

"Kremzeek!"

"KREMZEEK!"

"Brainstorm I don't know whether to kill you or kiss you." Nautica yelled.

"I'd prefer the second one if you don't mind." He replied.

"I'll just settle for naming a cocktail after you and the little guy." Swerve added, shaking his head.

Moments later their comms activated.

"Attention all combatants aboard the Lost Light." Optimus' voice called out over the comms. "Survive has just taken out the Nemesis' communications array and the bridge jammer with it. Those of us topside will attempt to buy you time to evacuate before the Decepticons bring the Nemesis' weapons to bear."

"Now that's some good news, but how are the guys topside going to get away?" Cheetor asked, now worried about his dad.

"They have a space bridge up there." Nautica answered. "Come on, we're not too far away from the bridge down here."

Moving as fast as they could, the group arrived at the space bridge.

Seeing his daughters next to Nightbeat, Overdrive felt relief wash over him. He and Nightscream ran over to the trio. The girls looked distraught while the Autobot looked sad. "Allie, Siri, what happened?"

"We left him!" Allison cried. "We left him!"

"Who, who'd you leave?" He asked while Vince embraced a crying Sierra.

"Trailbreaker." Sierra whispered, silently crying into her boyfriends' shoulder. "He sacrificed himself so we could escape."

Overdrive bowed his head in remembrance of the bot who helped his eldest when she needed it. However, a series of loud footfalls caught everyone's attention. Looking to the left, they saw Hoist come running in with an injured Lightbright in his arms. Behind him were Rung, Chromedome, and Rewind, the last unaccounted-for members of the crew. Everyone else was either topside or across the country.

Seconds later the entire ship began to shake, causing everyone to stumble.

"Nautica." Brainstorm yelled. "We need to bridge out of here, NOW!"

"Where to?" She yelled back, working the controls. "Any bridge opened on Earth can be tracked by the Decepticons!"

"Set it to Cybertron!" Lightbright yelled, causing some confusion amongst the group as the shaking worsened. "I'll explain later, just do it!"

Activating the space bridge, the group ran through it back to Cybertron. The last member of the team (Brainstorm) barely made it through before a purple beam of energy crashed through the entire ship, detonating the fuel reservoir and destroying the Lost Light.

Up in Unit-E, the assembled Maximals and Autobots were struggling to repel the horde of Vehicon flyers. While under normal circumstances they'd be able to handle a squadron or two, they weren't expecting to have to tackle nearly three dozen of them. Let alone the backup from Astrotrain.

"What's the matter?" Astrotrain taunted as he buzzed Smokescreen and Bumblebee in shuttle mode again. "Can't hit the broadside of a spaceship." He laughed in his metallic echo. Spinning and flipping, he transformed into his bullet train mode. "Then how about we do 'The Locomotion' instead?"

Charging at the two Autobots, the triple changer quickly picked up speed. Unfortunately, this proved to be his undoing as the two jumped out of the way, causing him to crash into several Vehicons who just happened to be in the way before embedding himself in a hangar.

"Strike!" Smokescreen laughed.

"Another perfect game of 'pinhead bowling." Bumblebee added.

Wingsaber laughed too. "Nice, but I'm more in the mood for Guitar Hero." Giving a whistle, Tonebot flew to its' friend and transformed. Not long after joining the Maximals, Miko found out that her new Mini-con friend had a trick up its' sleeve. One that would come in handy after exhausting herself earlier. "Time to rock out."

Cranking its' dial up to '11' Wingsaber strummed a note on Tonebot that let loose a sonic pulse. While not as strong as Nightscreams' attacks, it was enough to disorientate and leave bots open to Rhinox and Leobolt. A task that the boys now took to with relish as they cut down another few flyers.

"Just keep fighting!" Arcee yelled as she put down another two. She had been fighting back-to-back with Kumara and she had to admit, whoever came up with the idea of leading the others away was a genius. "We need to hold out until backup arrives."

Throwing another Vehicon into Rhinox' range, Survive looked up and off to the right as if reading her mind. "I think that mesa is high enough. Wingsaber! I need a lift!" He yelled.

Passing Tonebot to Leobolt, Wingsaber ran over to him. "Where to?"

Survive pointed at the mesa. "Up there, it's the highest point in the area and I might be able to take out their jammer from there with my gun." While he hadn't had a chance to be fully tested yet, he knew that his body now had a built-in sniper rifle.

Nodding, Wingsaber took hold of Survives' arm and the two of them vanished in a flash only to reappear atop the mesa. "Good, now get back to the others." As she vanished Survive took another look at the Nemesis. While the Mesa was pretty high up, it still didn't quite reach past the top of the ship.

"Wish I could get a better vantage point." He sighed, then started as the left paw from his beast mode on his back transformed. Ejecting from the rest of him, the paw unfolded into a bat like surveillance drone with brown fur. An additional shock came as his left eye turned green and in it, he found himself looking down at himself.

Survive laughed. "Now that's one way to do it." Getting down on one knee he felt the right paw reposition itself onto his shoulder and unfold into his sniper rifle. Using the drone, he quickly found what looked like an antenna. "Now that seems important." He surmised. Using his new drone to set up the shot, Survive pulled the trigger.

From the drone he saw his shot hit the array, a small explosion rang out from it as it fell like a tree. Survive smirked. "Timber!" Looking to his left, he saw a familiar looking red dot on the horizon, getting larger. "Just in time for the Calvery." He laughed before beginning the climb down from his position.

Seeing that Wingsaber teleported back, Arcee was about to go help Leobolt and Rhinox when a large red and purple blur slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. Shaking the cobwebs from her head, she turned to look at the newcomer.

"Hello again Arcee." Came a familiar oily voice.

Getting back up, Arcee turned to face the newcomer. The mechs' form was overall like Megatrons' with wings and a different color scheme. However, his cannon was connected at the shoulder and had the appearance of a dragon's head and neck. The feet were more akin to Predacon claws and in the center of his chest glowed a gem of dark energon. The face and voice, however, were disturbingly familiar.

"Galavar?" Arcee asked. She almost didn't recognize her twin like this. "What have you done to yourself?"

"Well, it took me a while." Galvatron admitted, ignoring her tone. "But I finally decided to take a page out of your book. I remade myself into what I was always meant to be." He bragged. "A conqueror, and the most powerful being in the universe."

"And yet you're still the narcissistic sociopath I grew up with in Paradon." Arcee rebutted, causing him to scowl at her. "And I can't imagine Megatron would allow you to become more powerful than him."

"Well with his demise at the hands of Optimus Prime, a power vacuum was created." Galvatron answered nonchalantly. "A power vacuum that I, after some improvements capitalized on. Yes." He indicated the dark energon crystal. "And with this new power comes a new name, Galvatron." He finished.

"Megatron, is dead?" Arcee asked. When they left the Nemesis, he'd been alive albeit severely weakened and injured.

"Sad but true." Galvatron lied with relish. "The dark energon withdrawal ended up killing him. A shame really, had he had the proper shielding, he might have been able to avoid his fate." He sighed. "Oh well, out with the old in with the new I always say."

Arcee glared at Galvatron. "That's not the whole story, is it?" It was a statement not a question. She remembered that he could twist the truth better than Starscream ever could.

"Maybe I am." Galvatron admitted. "Maybe I'm not. Honestly, I hoped you'd be proud of me 'sister'." He added with a sneer.

Taking aim with his cannon, Galvatron fired on Arcee, forcing her to dive out of the way. "Can't you see, Arcee?" He asked, firing a steady beam of energy after her, forcing Arcee to transform and speed away to avoid it. "I've finally bought what you've been selling!" He yelled.

Galvatron was taken by surprise when a red, white and blue sports car slammed into him, followed by a yellow and black blur tackling him in the chest. Standing back up, he glared at the newcomers.

"So, the whiney one returns." Bumblebee taunted.

"Leave Arcee alone." Smokescreen added before transforming.

Galvatron sped forth and grabbed Smokescreen by his chest plate. "This is a family matter, and I will not be deterred by paramecium, no." With a mighty throw, he flung Smokescreen across the base and into the side of a hangar, knocking him out. Turning back to his sister and the other Autobot, he was met with a face of green webbing. Infuriated, he ripped it off and saw a Maximal that looked eerily like his twin.

"So." Galvatron began, turning to glare at Arcee, fury welling up in his spark. "Not only were you not content enough to be my twin brother, but you also had to make a 'sister' of your own in your new image as well?" He growled. "And you call me a narcissist."

"Kumara looking like me was an accident." Arcee argued, stepping between her sister and brother. "And even before that, she acted more like a sister than you ever did a broth-." Her reply was cut off by Galvatrons' left hand encircling her throat in less than a second.

"You, Arcee are a freak and a disgrace I should've killed long ago!" Galvatron roared in her face. A pair of spider web throwing stars bounced off the scale shield on his left arm. Distracted, he was taken off guard by Bumblebee blasting him, causing him to drop Arcee.

"Get off of her!" Kumara yelled, deploying her swords and lunging at their attacker. Sidestepping, Galvatron grabbed her by the ankle and spun around.

"Give my regards to the afterspark." Galvatron sneered before letting go, winging her towards the mesa that Fowler was now climbing down.

"JUNE!" Arcee and Bumblebee screamed as the Maximal flew out of sight.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Galvatron blasted Arcee back several feet before transforming into his dragon mode and charging Bumblebee. He raked the young scout across the face and chest several times with his claws and tail before knocking him to the ground with his tail and standing on his legs, pinning him.

"You know Bumblebee, Megatron and I have very different viewpoints on punishment." Galvatron taunted, dragon eyes locking with the scouts' wide optics. "Whereas Megatron would've taken your voice once again." He continued. "I prefer to visibly mark those who defy me."

Clamping his jaws around Bumblebees' head, Galvatron began to bite down. Relishing the scream of pain his victim released, he decided to end this before anyone else could intervene. Breathing in deeply, Galvatron unleashed a volley of fire from his maw, right into Bumblebees' trapped face. The flames only lasted a few seconds before something big knocked him off the scout. Transforming back into his bot mode, Galvatron was met with the infuriated form of Magnaboss.

Jack, Miko and Raf had been drawn from their fight with the remaining Vehicons by the sound of Junes' name being screamed by Arcee and Bumblebee. After sending Tonebot to check on her the three charged toward the attacker. The moments it had taken them to run across the base while dodging Vehicons and combine had been all Galvatron needed to blast Arcee and severely injure Bumblebee. Charging Galvatron head on, the Maximal combiner managed to knock him off the scout.

Wincing slightly at the sight of Bumblebees mangled head and face, Magnaboss stood between him and Galvatron. "This ends now Galvatron." They said, drawing their broadsword.

"Ah yes, Optimus Primes' combining pet freaks." Galvatron sneered before looking at Magnaboss expectantly. "Well, let's hear it. Primes' patented 'Destiny and Honor' Speech. I'm sure you've been around him long enough to know it by spark."

Magnaboss narrowed their eyes at Galvatron. "Speech this." They said, leaping forward and swinging their sword at his neck.

Surprised at their forwardness, Galvatron barely raised his shield in time to block. "Well, well, well, seems you have some backbone in you after all. Yes. And here I thought you were just another one of Optimus Primes' pitiful pacifists playing freedom fighter."

Leaping back, Galvatron fired his cannon only for Magnaboss to split the beam with a downward swing of their sword. "And such power, I shall enjoy subjugating you. The three of you will make fine Predacons after." His comms cut him off, however. "What!?"

"Lord Galvatron!" Tarantulas yelled. "One of the Maximals managed to damage the communications array, the space bridge jammer is gone!" He exclaimed. "And worse, sensors have picked up Optimus Prime approaching on an attack vector." As if to accentuate this turn of events, said Prime was then heard over Magnaboss' comms.

"Attention all combatants aboard the Lost Light." Optimus' voice called out over the comms. "Survive has just taken out the Nemesis' communications array and the bridge jammer with it. Those of us topside will attempt to buy you time to evacuate before the Decepticons bring the Nemesis' weapons to bear."

"Then it is time to end this farce." Galvatron muttered to himself, not taking his optics off Magnaboss. "All troops return to the Nemesis. Tarantulas, bring the primary fusion cannon to full power and target the ships fuel reservoir." He ordered. He was then forced to sidestep another swing from Magnaboss' sword and then shield himself from Arcees' blasts.

"You're not going anywhere Galvatron." Magnaboss called. They turned to Arcee. "Help Ratchet get Smokescreen and Bumblebee evaced. We'll buy you time." They said, nodding to said medic who was dragging smokescreen towards the space bridge.

Arcee looked like she wanted to argue before taking another look at a groaning Bumblebee. "Alright but be careful you three." She ran over and hefted Bumblebee up as best she could, dragging him towards Ratchet.

"How thoughtful of you to consolidate all my targets in one convenient location." Galvatron taunted. He rocketed up out of Magnaboss' range and activated his comms. "Tarantulas, open fire!"

Above the base, the Nemesis' primary fusion cannon gave an ominous hum. Seeing a bright purple light ignite on the underside of the ship, Magnaboss couldn't help feeling out of their depth. How on Earth or Cybertron could they stop a blast that size? In the back of their mind, Raf had the answer. While (supposedly) the three of them had enhanced powers individually, they'd never tried them while combined. Pointing their sword towards the light they called out to heavens as the Nemesis opened fire.

"Magnaboss, MAXIMIZE!"

The three sparks in Magnaboss' chest began to glow as did their sword. The greenish white energy normally associated with purifying dark energon passed through the blade and emerged as a green energy beam that met the purple beam from the Nemesis head on. Focusing all their willpower into their effort, Magnaboss fought to drive the purple beam back. The force of the colliding energies was causing the ground to begin to quake beneath them.

Galvatron watched in horror as the green beam began to slowly push the purple one back. "Tarantulas, divert all power to the fusion cannon. We cannot allow them to escape."

The Nemesis' exterior lights dimmed considerably before a pulse emitted from the cannon, reenforcing the beam and driving Magnaboss' own beam back towards them. Smiling slightly at the turning tables, Galvatron called down to Magnaboss. "Farewell, Magnaboss. You shall have the honor of becoming the Earths' first Maximal fossils. Yes."

Flying into view of the base, Optimus Prime could see two things. One was Survive taking a shot that damaged the Decepticons communications array. The second was several of the Autobots and Maximals left behind attempting to drive back the invading Decepticons. Hoping that they hadn't invaded the Lost Light beneath Unit-E, Optimus activated his comms.

"Attention all combatants aboard the Lost Light." Optimus' voice called out. "Survive has just taken out the Nemesis' communications array and the bridge jammer with it. Those of us topside will attempt to buy you time to evacuate before the Decepticons bring the Nemesis' weapons to bear."

Not waiting for a reply, Optimus flew towards the base. Getting closer, what he saw made his spark flicker. Something that looked like a cross between Megatron and a Predacon was hovering above and looking down at Magnaboss. Looking past them, he saw Arcee dragging what looked like a severely injured Bumblebee towards Ratchet and an unconscious Smokescreen.

Seconds later, he saw the Nemesis open fire on the base right as a green beam of energy lanced out to meet the Nemesis' own purple one. Optimus couldn't believe it at first glance, but Magnaboss seemed to be holding back the Nemesis' attack. Unfortunately, the ships' beam seemed to strengthen, pushing the Maximals' beam back towards them. Getting closer, he could see that Magnaboss' arms were shaking and their face was screwed up in concentration with tears streaming down it. They were losing ground and it would cost them their lives.

Steeling himself, Optimus hit his afterburners. He made a vow to himself after Jackson, Miko, and Rafael had been turned into Maximals and later expanded it to include Sierra, Vincent, and Allison. He swore that if it ever came down to a choice between his life or theirs, the children would win every time.

Magnaboss was putting every ounce of Strength and will into their attack. The strain was proving to be agonizing but they fought on, there was simply too much at stake. As the strain of the blast forced them down to one knee, they felt something large collide with them, disrupting the beam and knocking them out of the way. Opening their eyes, they were met with the horrific sight of a familiar red and blue Autobot taking the full power blast they'd been trying to block.

"OPTIMUS!" Came a collective scream of both Autobot and Maximal as the ground beneath them began to explode and collapse. The last thing any of them remembered before losing consciousness was seeing their friend and leader vanish in a ball of fire and light followed by a sensation of falling, and then nothing.

Grinning down at the destruction, Galvatron could scarcely believe what had just happened. Not only had he found and destroyed the Autobots' secret base. He'd destroyed Optimus Prime as well. He let out a loud laugh at the thought of being able to do in a day what Megatron had failed to do for millions of years before composing himself.

"And thus ends the tragedy, of Optimus Prime." He declared, looking down at the large crater that was once both Unit-E and the Lost Light.

About a couple of miles away June was awoken by the vibrations and Tonebots' buzzing. Shaking her beast modes' head, she unstuck herself from her webbing and transformed back into her bot mode. When Galvatron threw her, she transformed, hoping that her spider modes' exoskeleton would protect her and fired off webs to hopefully catch her or slow her down to a survivable speed.

Getting down from the web she caught herself with, she turned to return to the base only to find that there wasn't one. All that was left of the base, the ship, and (she realized with a sinking feeling) her family, was a large smoking crater in the ground. Sinking to her knees in shock, she let loose a cry that echoed through the desert around her.

"NOOOO!"

Notes:

A/N: …. I am so sorry for cutting it off here, but this was the best place for me to end the chapter. The only reassurance that I can offer is that things do get better in the next two chapters. On a side note, I do plan for (the) Kremzeek(s) to return at some point. Until then, Kudo, Subscribe, and Comment.

Chapter 35: New Face of Darkness Pt.3

Notes:

Femmes and Gentlemechs, this is where we start to turn things around. First off, I apologize for the last cliffhanger, I know it was on a dark note. But hey, it wouldn't be a Beast War without a dark cliffhanger. I also have events that echo the original series in this chapter, as well as two new Maximals. Although they'll have to go backwards to move forward. Enjoy.

*20 years in the future*

On the dead world of Cybertron, a six-foot technorganic rat and a technorganic tanuki raced across the desolate landscape with glowing yellow fuel rods strapped to their backs. Behind them a contingent of undead Terrorcons was in hot pursuit.

"Aw man." The rat yelled as he panted to keep up. "We can't pull this off without the rods, but if we keep the rods the zombots will get us. Either way we're all gonna die."

"Shut up Rattrap." Heinrad panted as he ran. As much as he hated to admit that his friend was right, he knew that they were too far from the base. Suddenly, a large figure rounded the corner in front of them.

"Rhinox, Maximize." Bellowed a familiar voice.

Seconds later a pair of energy beams shot forth and literally cleaved their pursuers in half. Stopping for a second to catch their breath, they saw that the Terrorcons were still trying to pursue them, only now they could only pull themselves along with their arms.

"That bought us some time." Heinrad panted. "Thanks uncle Raf."

Rhinox nodded. "Get to the lab and help me get those fuel rods connected!" He began. "Then prepare for the time shunt." As the two young Maximals took off Raf sighed to himself. "We have even less time to do this than I thought." He muttered.

Minutes later, Rhinox, Rattrap and Heinrad were all in Rhinoxs' makeshift laboratory. Most of the workspace was taken up by a large plexiglass dome with three chairs in it. The fuel rods had been connected by Rhinox while Heinrad and Rattrap transformed to help with the final adjustments to the time machine.

"Now remember." Raf began as he sealed the power core. "We need to make sure Optimus survives the battle of Unit-E. His death is what gave Unicron the advantage." He couldn't help shuddering at the memory of Optimus taking the blast from the Nemesis all those years ago. They'd lost so much that day.

"Yeah, we know what to do unc." Rattrap replied. His rat tail was now connected to the time machines' computer to do the final calculations. "Make sure the big guy keeps kicking fender so that none of this happens." While he wasn't the biggest fan of dying, if it meant everyone else lived, he could live with it.

"As long as we succeed, I don't care." Heinrad muttered, staring down at the two Blades of Time Raf had mounted in his chest years ago. They would be essential for the time machine to work. However, he silently hoped he could see his mom and dad again. Even for a moment.

An alarm on the controls got all their attention. "We need to move, now!" Raf yelled.

A large shadow suddenly fell over the lab. Looking out a window, the three Maximals saw a sight that chilled them to the spark. Looming over the planet was a colossal orange and silver form with purple veins of dark energon that ran across the body. Unicron, had caught up with them at last.

"I'll set the timer, you two, into the machine!" Raf yelled. He ran back to the controls to initiate the time jump.

Heinrad and Rattrap ran into the machine. Sitting down in two of the three seats inside Rattrap attached his tail to the computer console in his seat while Heinrad felt a pair of cables connect to his chest. What caught the pair of them off guard however was the door to the time machine closing and sealing. A countdown began to echo across the lab.

"Chronal shunt in 10."

"9"

"8"

"Wait, uncle Raf?" Heinrad called as Raf continued his work. "Aren't you coming with us?"

"7"

"6"

Raf closed his eyes with a sigh. He knew it had to be done, and they wouldn't go if they knew. "I'm sorry boys." He explained, his voice shaking. "There's no place for me where you're going." He looked at them with tears in his eyes. "I love you kids."

"5"

"4"

"3"

"Goodbye." Raf whispered as Heinrads' Blades of Time began to spin backwards.

"2"

"1"

"UNCLE RAF!" The two screamed as the ceiling of the lab began to collapse.

"0"

The time machine lurched before vanishing in a flash of white light into the past as Unicrons' hand crushed the lab, destroying the last of the Maximals.

*Present*

Ratchet groaned as consciousness returned to him. How the pit did he end up here? Hearing another groan, his memories came flooding back to him. The alarm, the decoys, the Decepticons and retrieving the injured. His optics widened. The kids!

Opening his optics, Ratchet pushed himself up off the ground. Looking around he saw that they had landed in a cavern far larger than the one that had housed the Lost Light. Looking up, he could see that the ceiling of the cavern had been part of the floor of the one the ship had sat on, and they'd fallen through it. Hearing the groan again, Ratchet began to look for the source of it.

Sidestepping various pieces of rubble and parts from the base and the ship, Ratchet found the source of the groaning.

Optimus Prime had never looked worse. He was laid out on his chest and his left arm and leg were just gone with part of his chest and abdomen. The rest of his body was horribly burned and mangled and a soft glow from his chest showed that his spark casing was breached. The fact that he was still alive at all was a miracle.

"Oh no, not this, not again." Came a whisper that made Ratchet jump. Looking to his right he saw Smokescreen had regained consciousness as well. He was a little banged up, but otherwise fine.

"Ratchet? Ratchet where are you?" Arcee called from another part of the cavern. "I found Bee and he's badly hurt." She added, struggling to carry Bumblebee over to them while limping.

"So is Optimus." Ratchet replied, wincing at how much of the mesh on Bumblebees head was burnt. Parts of his brain casing were visible now. "And I don't know how I'm going to even stabilize either of them without supplies."

"Wait. Where're the Maximals?" Smokescreen realized that the trio were missing. "Maybe you and Raf can work together to help them."

"Well lay Bumblebee next to Optimus." Ratchet ordered. "Then go out and find them, they can't be too far. I'll see what I can do here."

Setting Bee down, the two set off in the direction opposite form where Arcee came. While the cavern was enormous, the area they fell through was not. Thankfully it didn't take long to find a familiar lion, falcon and rhinoceros. Apparently, they'd separated in the fall.

"Jack." She began, shaking her partner. "Raf, Miko, wake up. Come on, please be okay." She added giving the other two a brief shake as well.

"Ugh." Jack groaned as he rolled back onto his paws. "Arcee?" He asked as he transformed and stood up. "Where are we?"

"I think we're somewhere under the Lost Light Jack. Or what's left of it." She answered as she moved to help Raf up. "There was a second cavern beneath the one the ship was in."

Jack bent over to help Miko get back on her feet. Suddenly Jack remembered what they'd seen before the ground collapsed. "Wait, what happened to Optimus?"

"He's hurt badly, and so is Bumblebee." Arcee answered, checking Raf over for damage. "Smokescreen, take Raf over to." She stopped when she realized said bot wasn't around. "Smokescreen where are you? This is no time to get sidetracked."

"Arcee!" Smokescreen called from a bit further into the cavern. "Come over here, you've gotta see this!"

Slightly annoyed, Arcee ran over to Smokescreen. "What are you?" Her question and annoyance trailed off. In a valley down below them was what looked like a giant Cybertronian fortress. And not just any fortress.

"Is that who I think it is?" Arcee asked. Obviously, she'd seen pictures of them while she was a history teacher, but to see one in person.

"Woah." Miko whispered in awe. "How long has this been down here?"

"Where the pit are you all?" Ratchet yelled as he came running into view. "We need to." He cut himself off as he took in the fortress. "By the allspark." He breathed. In that valley was a bot he'd seen only once, back when he was the kids' age. "That's Maximus. The titan Fortress Maximus."

An echoing groan from Optimus shook him from his shock. "Come on and help me move Prime and Bumblebee. The Titans were all well-equipped and there should be medical facilities there we can use."

Running back to the injured, the three hybrids had to fight not to cry at the sight of their friends. Thankfully the path into the valley was a gentle slope. With effort Arcee, Smokescreen and Ratchet were able to carry Optimus while Jack, Miko and Raf carried Bumblebee to the entrance.

"Hang on a nano." Ratchet said as he looked at the wall. "There should be an opening right about. Here." He said, pushing on a panel. A door large enough to accommodate someone the size of Bulkhead opened, and the group trouped inside.

Smokescreen looked at a sign on the wall. "Great, does anyone know how to read ancient cybertronian?"

"Ancient my aft." Ratchet grumbled. It was just an older dialect and he could read it just fine. Sort of a Cybertronian equivalent of cursive.

"Just follow me." For what seemed like an eternity but was only minutes. They followed the old medic through the halls of Fortress Maximus. Finally, they came to a door with a red stylized cross symbol on it. "Here we go."

Opening the door and entering the dark med bay, the group were astounded by the various berths and equipment. "A little out of date but it should suffice." Ratchet interjected, leading Arcee and Smokescreen to a large berth where they gently set Optimus down. "Set Bumblebee down over there." He ordered. The Maximals carefully set the injured scout down.

Heading over to a computer console, Ratchet booted up the lab facilities. Once the lights were on and the computer had booted up, he received another shock. "Sweet Primus!" He exclaimed softly. His mentor Remedy had told him rumors about a second one, but to actually find it? Today may just be a day for miracles as well as devastation.

"What is it Ratchet?" Raf asked. He'd been holding Bumblebees' servo in an attempt to comfort the unconscious bot.

"Teletraan." Ratchet whispered.

"Teletraan-1?" Arcee asked. "But I thought that was destroyed with the Ark."

"It was." Ratchet replied as he ran through the screens looking for the diagnostic protocols. "This is the backup the primes made, Teletraan-2. Maximus must've taken it with him when." Optimus gave another low groan. "Never mind, starting patient diagnostics."

From the foot of each berth, an arch of metal emerged and followed a track up and down both patients, each pass the scanners' light changed to a different color. At the head of both berths a hologram display of each of the patients came alive with a 3D replica of the patient. Looking at both displays and the readout on the computer, Ratchet sighed.

"Alright." Ratchet began. "Rafael, I need you to work to stabilize Bumblebee. His injuries are critical, but you do have the power and tools to accomplish it. Smokescreen, assist him." He ordered before swallowing. "Use the scanner readout and picture it as another test and you will succeed."

Raf looked like he wanted to throw up. "This is one test I can't afford to fail." He looked at his partners' head. "Hang on Bee." He whispered as he deployed his tools and set to work.

"What about Optimus?" Arcee asked, turning away from the surgery.

Ratchet gave a sigh. "I'm not sure." He responded sadly. "His spark is already so far gone that the surgical trauma could extinguish it."

"Can we move it?" Miko asked.

"A Cybertronians' spark can't exist outside a living body." Ratchet explained irritably. "And we don't have anything in here to hold it while we do." Unfortunately, the technology to do so was developed after Maximus left Cybertron. There was a beat of silence.

"I'll be the container." Jack answered resolutely, stepping forward.

"Jack no!" Arcee argued. "A Cybertronian can't hold two sparks in their body, it's physically impossible."

"We're not pure Cybertronian." Jack answered.

"Optimus' spark has the Matrix with it. It's too powerful." Ratchet argued. "It could destroy you."

"Do we have a choice?" Jack asked, climbing onto the berth.

"What if we wait for Raf to finish with Bee, then we combine into Magnaboss." Miko suggested.

An alarm sounded from Optimus' display. "I don't think we'll have the time." Jack answered.

Ratchet looked at the display and grimaced before nodding. "We don't, spark death will happen before I can repair his spark casing, even with Rafaels' help. And I'd be afraid of Bumblebees' condition deteriorating from lack of treatment either way." He gave a sigh and looked at Jack. "Alright."

As Ratchet went to open Optimus' chest, Miko climbed onto the berth, Arcee close behind. "Jack wait, what if this kills you." Miko asked.

"Jack, I don't think Optimus could live with himself if you died for him." Arcee pleaded quietly.

Jack looked at them. "I'll be all right. Both of us will be." He reassured them.

A hiss caught them all off guard. The three looked to see that Ratchet had opened Optimus' chest and his damaged spark chamber was now exposed.

Ratchet looked at him. "It's now or never Jack."

Jack nodded before kissing Miko deeply. Breaking the kiss, he looked at Arcee while holding his girlfriend close. "I swear, I will be all right."

Releasing Miko, Jack turned around and felt his chest shift, exposing his own blue spark. "Ready."

Opening Optimus' spark chamber, Jack stood over him. Silently, He reached out with his spark and connected with Optimus' own dying one. It seemed reluctant to move. "Come on Optimus, please." Jack begged.

Optimus' spark flared briefly before a beam of energy connected the two sparks. Jack gave a cry of pain as the power of both spark and matrix flooded him. The process took seconds although it felt like hours before Jack was forcefully blasted backwards by the end of the beam, his chest slamming shut around both sparks.

"What have I done?" Ratchet whispered to himself. Optimus' body beginning to turn gray brought him back to reality. Reaching under the berth he unraveled a cable and connected it to Optimus' neck. "Auxiliary life support systems, on." Flipping a switch, the color rapidly changed back from gray to red and blue.

"Arcee, help me with Optimus. Miko try to keep Jack comfortable and calm." He ordered. "Even if everything goes perfectly it'll take about six hours for me to stabilize Optimus and Jack will need to hold his spark that long."

Arcee turned away from the berth she'd set both Jack and Miko on and picked up a surgical array. "Then let's not waste time." With that, the surgery began.

Meanwhile on Cybertron, a ragtag group of Autobots and Maximals were scattered around one of Shockwaves' old laboratories. The fact that G.B. Blackrock and the Maximals could breathe easily here was a shock. Lightbright irritably explained while she was being repaired that when they sent the cybermatter through the space bridge on the nemesis, they sent it from Earths' atmosphere to the well of all sparks. Meaning that the planet Cybertron was now recreating the Earths' atmosphere due to the cybermatter absorbing some of it. She hadn't spoken since.

Vince walked up to Lightbright, who hadn't moved from the communications array since she'd been patched up. "Any news from Earth Lightbright?" He asked cautiously. Rewind had reported that she was both sad and irritable from what had happened on the Lost Light.

The femme gave a sigh. "Please let everyone know, that they'll know, when I know. And to please quit pestering me about it." She answered with a little heat to her voice.

Vince gulped. "Yes ma'am." He answered timidly before running off.

Lightbright mentally kicked herself and made a note to apologize to the young Maximal later, but she was just so spark broken over Sparkstalker. She only hoped he could survive whatever would happen to him.

Minutes later Vince had caught up with everyone else and conveyed Lightbrights' message.

Hoist grumbled. "She doesn't have to be nasty about it."

"Easy Hoist." Chromedome interjected. "We all know she and Sparkstalker are crazy about each other." He looked over at Rewind. "I'd honestly say I would probably react the same way."

"She needs to work through it herself." Rung supplied. "I only hope she can cope with it healthily." He sighed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to look in on a couple of my patients."

Heading to another part of the lab, Rung came across the Blackrocks and Nightbeat. Sierra and Garrison had both tried to console Allison over the loss of Trailbreaker, but she was practically inconsolable. Seeing the young Maximal curled up in a tight ball, Rung decided to step in.

"Nightbeat, Garrison." He began. Why don't you take Sierra to find something to help her? I'll talk with Allison." Ever since they got here Sierra had felt sick. This might've had something to do with the fact that Cybertron, with no organic soil, was inhospitable to plant life. And Sierra was suffering for it.

"Allison? It's Dr. Rung." He began softly. Allison tensed slightly. It wasn't much, but it was an indication that she wasn't blocking the world out.

"I'm going to be blunt with you Allison." Rung began. "I'm sorry about Trailbreaker, but you must remember that he was both a soldier and an officer. Dying in the line of duty is a possibility regardless of which job he was doing." He winced slightly as Allison curled up a little tighter.

"I shouldn't've left him to die." She whispered.

"And had you stayed, you'd have been killed too." He continued. "You were outnumbered, and for all of Trailbreakers' self-perceived faults, was never a selfish mech. He'd have wanted you to live for yourself, your family, and your happiness rather than die there with him."

Seeing her flinch a little at the mention of her happiness, Rung decided to press a hunch. "You're worried about Slash too, aren't you?" He asked. He knew about Allisons' feelings towards the small Dinobot, and wouldn't be surprised if they were mutual. "Well don't be, she's with the other Dinobots too and I'm sure they'll find a way to contact us to make sure we're alright."

Rung was relieved to see Allison uncurl a little. "You, you really think that?" She asked. While losing her partner hurt, she didn't think she could tolerate losing her crush too.

"I believe both, and when we get back, she can help us honor his memory and lay Trailbreaker to rest." Rung confirmed, placing a comforting hand on her. "Now come on, I think you and your sister could use each other's support until we get back to Earth."

Back on Earth, Galvatron was directing the Vehicons and Predacons in excavating the wreckage of the autobot base. He'd hoped to find the bodies of both the Maximals and Optimus Prime. Unfortunately, luck was evading him on that front as all they'd recovered was one Autobot corpse and a couple of Prime artifacts. While he was happy to recover the Chimera stone and the Enigma of Combination, he really wanted the other bodies as proof of his conquest.

He was pulled from his pleasant daydream of sitting on a throne made from Megatron and Optimus Primes' corpses by a guitar riff and a series of gunshots. "What in Unicrons' name was that?" He yelled at the nearest Vehicon. Unbeknownst to him, his Dark Matrix glowed slightly brighter at the chaos bringers' name.

Not too far away, June and Tonebot came to a stop behind some debris from the base in insect mode. Junes' spark and mind were still filled with grief and rage. Her family may be gone, but she swore that she'd make this a pyrrhic victory for the Decepticons. Thankfully she still had Fowler, Tonebot and a plan.

She would take Tonebot with her and use its' powers to stun a few bots at a time, allowing Fowler to take them out with his sniper rifle. Thankfully Fowlers new drone, which he'd dubbed 'Wing Thing' was able to help her pick her targets. It wouldn't be fast or easy, but she swore she'd take every Decepticon with her that she could. "I may not have been able to save you." She breathed, choking back tears before transforming and taking up Tonebot again. "But I will make them pay."

The Vehicon led him to the source of the commotion, Galvatron found two Vehicons with holes right through their heads and sparks. Realizing what must've happened, Galvatron growled. "So, it would seem we have some survivors. Very well, the bodies can wait, cease all recovery efforts for now and focus on terminating our attackers!" He bellowed.

"NO!" Came an ethereal voice that rang through his head.

"What the?" Galvatron cried out in surprise as the world around him blurred and faded to black. "What is the meaning of this?"

"THE PRIME STILL LIVES." The voice spoke from behind him. Turning around, Galvatron gave a start. Looming over him was the gigantic orange and silver form of.

"Unicron?" Galvatron cried out in surprise, taking a step back. "But, how? The chaos cybermatter should've."

"THAT IS UNIMPORTANT." Unicron replied. "THE PRIME STILL LIVES, AND SO LONG AS HE DOES, MY PLANS TO RETURN ARE IN JEOPARDY."

"How?" Galvatron asked. "I crushed Optimus Prime with my bare servos?"

"YOU EXAGGERATE, AND I AM UNSURE." Unicron answered. "THIS IS MY COMMAND. YOU ARE MY AGENT, MY ANTI-PRIME. YOU SHALL DO AS I SAY, FOR I OWN YOU."

"I am nobody's' puppet, gah!" Galvatron gave out a scream of pain as he felt like his entire being was being pulled apart.

"THEN YOU WASTE MY TIME." Unicron answered. "AND I SHALL SEND YOU ON YOUR WAY TO OBLIVION."

"Wait, no, I shall do as you ask!" Galvatron cried out through the pain.

"EXCELLENT." Unicron replied. Almost immediately the pain stopped. "CONTINUE THE SEARCH AND ELIMINATE OPTIMUS PRIME." With that, the world faded back into view. It seemed that no time had passed during their entire conversation.

"Belay that order." Galvatron cried out. He rethought his options and found a compromise that would hopefully keep the chaos bringer at bay. "Predacons, seek out our attackers. Vehicons, continue excavations, I want those bodies found." He ordered.

As the groups set out to perform their tasks Galvatron began to wonder what was wrong with the Dark Matrix. He'd have to have Tarantulas remove and repair it so Unicrons influence could be completely blocked. Yes.

Back in Fortress Maximus, Ratchet and Arcee were operating as quickly as possible. They'd been able to seal the rupture in Optimus' spark casing, but restoring both his energon reservoir and distribution systems was proving to be troublesome. It took time to restore the pathways and Ratchet was flummoxed on how to even patch the reservoir. A replacement might be more practical.

Ratchet looked up from the pathway leading through Optimus' neck into his brain. Taking a glance at Rafael, he couldn't help smiling a bit at his young protégé. Despite how bad Bumblebees' head was, he was still making sure that there was no other damage to account for that could be fatal. Taking another glance, Ratchet threw out a suggestion that would hopefully expedite both surgeries.

"Smokescreen." He called out. "In the cavern we fell in were some of the Insecticon parts we salvaged a while back. Rhinox can manage on his own for a little while, and we need those spare parts for both our patients." It wouldn't be a perfect fit in Optimus' case, but it would suffice.

"Sure, thing Doc bot." Smokescreen answered. "Be right back." With that he took off to get the parts.

On another berth in the med bay, Miko was doing her best to comfort Jack. She had both of her arms wrapped around him to keep him from thrashing about. Further complicating matters was that Jacks' body seemed to be mutating.

"Come on Jackrabbit, you got this." Miko encouraged. "If you can destroy a spiderbitches' spaceship and go to another planet, you can handle Optimus' spark." She felt a hand on her arm and looked to see that one of Jacks' hands had grown larger and taken on a blue coloration. The other hadn't changed yet. A second later she heard a crack and saw one open on his chest as it expanded, a white light emanating from the fissure. Jack had bitten down on his lip to keep from screaming in pain.

"Aw man Jack." She whispered. She tightened her embrace as she watched his right leg begin to thicken and lengthen. "What's happening to you?"

A few minutes later Smokescreen returned with several Insecticon parts. "Alright Ratchet, which parts do you need for." He was cut off as a white flash lit up the med bay. On the far side of the room a large dome appeared. From a door on the side of the dome emerged what looked like a giant technorganic rat and what looked like a technorganic cross between a raccoon and a dog which Miko recognized as a Tanuki.

"Did we make it?" The Tanuki asked.

"Well, if we didn't." The rat replied. "We'd be shakin' hands with great aunt." The sound of blasters deploying caught their attention. Turning, they saw Arcee and Smokescreen had trained their blasters on them. "Er, hey?"

"Who are you, how did you get in here?" Arcee demanded, stepping between Ratchet and the newcomers.

"Woah, hold up, we're Maximals!" The rat responded.

"We're from the future!" The Tanuki added.

"Yeah, right, and I'm Solus Prime." Arcee rebutted.

"Oh, for bootin' up cold. My name's Rattrap, he's Heinrad." Rattrap argued as both Maximals transformed.

His spark flaring a bronze color, Rattraps' forelegs folded into his back as a pair of seemingly mechanical legs emerged from his stomach, each with what looked like a shield on his hips. His rat head retracted into his body as the lower half unfurled into a slender torso and pair of arms, red ribbing adorning it with a Maximal symbol in the center. Finally, a human head with what looked like some kind of mask sitting on top of it like a ball cap emerged as his tail moved flush with his back, seemingly fusing with his spine.

Heinrad transformed with a golden flash of his spark. Rearing up on his hind legs, a pair of arms unfurled from his belly, exposing a silvery grey chest with an analog clock mounted in it. His Tanuki head flipped back and disappeared like a hood revealing a human head with a somewhat familiar face. Lastly, a pair of legs descended from his beast legs, bringing him up to standard Maximal height.

"Does that satisfy ya?" Rattrap asked.

"He's got a point." Raf said, looking the two over from where he was still working on Bumblebee. The two newcomers turned and stared at their young and very much alive 'uncle'. "A technorganic Maximal like what we are would be almost impossible to fake."

"Jack and Miko have matching scars on their arms where Airachnid poisoned them after you told them about your history and met Cyclonus." Heinrad added, turning back to Arcee. "And Allison and Slash are probably dancing around each other."

He looked at Smokescreen. "The first time you and Jack went out you trashed Vinces' car. After becoming a Maximal he told you about finding Vector Sigma and restoring Optimus' memories. Right before you three fought Vince in a cavern."

Arcee and Smokescreen glanced at each other. They both knew he spoke the truth. Nodding they retracted their blasters.

"Okay, not that we're not happy to have you here, but this is seriously the wrong time to show up." Arcee commented. She picked the surgical array back up and got back to work on Optimus.

"No, it's the perfect time." Heinrad replied. A scream of pain from Jack cut him off as the mesh on his elongated leg finally shredded and fell away, revealing a new leg and a clawed foot with a red and blue color scheme. Heinrad stared at the two, breathing heavily and seemingly caught up in a memory.

"Yo Rad, snap out of it." Rattrap said, stomping the Maximals' foot. This brought him back to the present.

"Right sorry." He said looking to Ratchet. "We were." He gulped. "Sent back in time to this day to stop Optimus and several others from dying." He explained.

"So, this surgery really is in vain." Ratchet sighed.

"No." Heinrad answered. "The problem is you were right; Optimus Primes' spark was too powerful to be held for more than a few hours." He explained. "Any other spark yes, fine, but in our future." He swallowed again. "Jack was forced to eject Optimus' spark or die with him."

Horrified, Ratchet looked at Heinrad. "You wouldn't tell us this if you didn't have a plan."

"Yes." He answered. "Like the other Maximals, Rattrap and I have 'Maximized' abilities. I can control the flow of time around me, which is amplified by these." He explained, gesturing to the clock in his chest which housed two of Vector Primes' Blades of Time. "So, if I create a bubble of accelerated time around you and Optimus while you operate."

"I could complete the surgery in the blink of an eye." Ratchet said wide opticed.

"Closer to thirty minutes, but yes." Heinrad replied.

Ratchet straightened himself up and looked at Arcee. "Bring the replacement fuel reservoir and a refill for the surgical array." He turned to Heinrad. "Get ready to maximize."

Nodding, Heinrad turned to Raf. "Un, er, Raf. Before you do anything else. Galvatrons' bite tore part of Bumblebees' fuel line in his neck near the base of his skull. In our time he died because it was missed in the scan, and he essentially bled out into his brain."

Rafs' eyes widened as he checked the area Heinrad indicated. Seeing the injury, he turned to him. "Bee and I owe you one." Moving to his partners' other side, Raf began working on the tear.

"Alright, we're ready for you." Arcee called.

Heinrad walked over to where Optimus was being operated on. He looked at Rattrap. "Start work on the next phase." He then turned to Miko and Jack and smiled. "Hang tuff you two, we'll be done soon." He closed his eyes. The two Blades of Time in his chest shifted to the 'twelve o'clock' position as a bubble of energy formed around the berth, and everyone around it.

"Heinrad, Maximize!"

On the surface, things were coming to a head.

Galvatron smirked as Spittor and Waspinator dragged a struggling June towards him. It had taken the Predacons a little while and cost him several more Vehicons, but they caught her in the end.

"Sorry it took so long boss." Spittor growled as he threw Kumara at Galvatrons' feet. "There was some kind of mini Insecticon that was helping her. It got away but I'm sure we'll catch it eventually."

"Excellent work everyone." Galvatron answered.

Looking down at June he smirked. "Step into my parlor miss spider. Yes." He taunted. "You ran us quite the merry chase."

Galvatrons' voice hardened. "However, it is now time to erase the last of the stain that was my sorry siblings' existence." Powering up his cannon, he took aim at Junes' head.

"Survive, Maximize!"

Galvatron was caught off guard as a large Maximal with bulging arm muscles leapt up from some nearby wreckage, grabbed his cannon, spun, and threw him skyward.

"Hit it soldier!" Survive yelled as Infernus and Iguanus tackled him to the ground from behind, his power fading. Seconds later a series of plasma disks connected with Galvatron, knocking him down into the dirt.

With a roar of fury, Galvatron looked skyward for his second attacker. Spotting a blue and silver flying manta ray he growled. "Dreadwing."

"Sorry I took so long you two." Depthcharge called. "New York to Nevada takes a while, even at Mach 3."

As the Decepticon turned Maximal banked around to attack again, Galvatron fired a steady blast from his cannon, successfully following Depthcharges' barrel roll he blasted one of the rays' wings off and sneered as the flyer transformed to bot mode and landed in a heap in front of a restrained June and Fowler.

"Well, that was invigorating." Galvatron said as he strode over to the three Maximals, kicking Depthcharge in the head so he'd stay down. "Now, on to the executions!" He called as he powered up his cannon again and leveled it at Junes' head. "And as the humans say, ladies first." He grinned.

Before he could fire, however, the ground started to rumble. "Now what?" Galvatron roared as a burst of light exploded some of the rubble outwards, creating a hole in the Earth. From the hole emerged a familiar looking bot on a pair of falcon wings.

Their overall look was mostly unchanged, there were still a few notable differences. For instance, the cannons in the chest had been replaced with a mounted chain gun on each arm. This left room for the wings to fold down over the shoulders to the hip. The biggest change of all, however, was their chest. Now red, silver and blue like Optimus' own, there was an extra window in the middle with a single white spark shining as brightly as the other three.

Holding up their hand and concentrating, the Star Saber appeared in a flash of burgundy light. Placing their hand upon it, the sword shrank to a size they could wield. Taking the blade, Magnaboss landed in front of the captured Maximals, causing the Predacons to release them before turning to a stunned Galvatron while pointing the sword at him.

"Galvatron." They spoke, a familiar fourth voice joining the usual trio.

"One shall stand, one shall fall."

Notes:

A/N: From one cliffhanger to another? Why not! What happened to Magnaboss? What will happen to Jack and Optimus Prime? Who are these new time traveling Maximals? You'll find out in two weeks.

I based my version of Rattrap on the deluxe Best Machines toy of him. Mostly because that toy has actual legs and something akin to weapons. Heinrad is my take on the Beast Wars Neo character of the same name. Their exact origins, as well as Magnaboss new form, will be explained in the next chapter.

Survives' Maximized ability allows him to become strong enough to take on a bot Bulkhead or Optimus Primes' size for a few moments. Unfortunately, like all technorganic Maximals, using it burns a lot of energon.

I'll see you all in two weeks, until then, kudo, subscribe, and comment.

Happy Writing.

Chapter 36: New Face of Darkness Pt.4

Notes:

And here we are, the final act in the opening of arc 3. Special shoutout to Monkey D. Conan for leaving the 100th review on Beast Wars Prime on FF.net! Fair warning, after today I go back to my previous update schedule of roughly once a month. For now, however, enjoy the story.

Inside Fortress Maximus, Miko watched as Ratchet and Arcee moved like someone had hit Fastforward on an old video cassette. When what looked like a bubble of energy spread from Heinrads' clock around Optimus, Ratchet, and Arcee, they'd frozen for a moment before they sped up. Ratchet was a blur as he moved around, occasionally stopping and reexamining his work.

A sudden cracking caught her attention as Jack bit back a scream. Looking down, she saw that her boyfriend was still mutating. In the brief moments after the time bubble went up Jacks' body seemed to elongate, the cracking being his bones breaking and healing to enable the change. Thirty minutes couldn't pass soon enough for either of them.

"Don't worry Jackrabbit." She whispered. "We'll get you through this."

"What are you doing?" Smokescreen asked, drawing Mikos' attention towards Rattrap who was standing by the computer.

"Phase two." The other time traveling Maximal replied simply. "Rattrap, Maximize!"

Miko watched with some disgust as Rattraps' rat tail lifted from his spine and plugged into a data port on the computer, connecting his brain at the back of his head directly to the computer. His hat slid down, becoming something like a glass catchers' mask with computer code passing across it. Seconds later the computer display seemed to change screens so fast that it was becoming as much of a blur as Optimus' surgery.

"I'm trying to use Fort Maxs' communications system to hack into a government spy satellite." Rattrap explained. "That way, we can figure out what's going on topside."

"You can do that with your mind?" Smokescreen asked.

"Yeah." Rattrap replied. "Older tech takes a while though, and Teletraan-2 is almost a billion years old." He bit out. "I'll get there though."

"And done!" Raf exclaimed.

Smokescreen and Miko looked over at the still unconscious Bumblebee. Most of the gashes to his body had been repaired with Rafs' CR pulse, however his head was a different story. While most of the burnt mesh had been cut away and the remainder healed as best as he could, was still considerable scarring left behind. To say nothing of the fact that most of his armor plating would need to be replaced or reinforced.

"He'll be all right then?" Smokescreen asked.

"He's stable." Raf answered. "He can rest for a while until Ratchet can finish repairing him." He walked over to the berth Jack and Miko were on and climbed onto it. The table groaned a little as he sat down next to Jack and Miko. "Now however, we need to help Jack."

"Right." Miko agreed. "Do you think combining will help?" She asked, remembering her earlier suggestion.

"I think so." Raf replied. "Magnaboss can hold more than one spark, and the energy in doing so might just help Jack with whatever's happening to him."

"No." Jack groaned. "Too risky." He panted. "I only need to hold it for." He was cut off by a sharp knock to the head.

"Now isn't the time to be a hero, Jack." Miko hissed at him. "Even Optimus has the other bots to help him when he needs it." She added, taking his unchanged hand. "And right now, you need our help."

"Never thought I'd say this about Miko, but she's right." Ignoring the femmes' dirty look, Raf grasped Jacks' larger blue hand. The trio then glowed a bright white as they began to combine. The energy of the process combining with the energy of the Matrix to complete Jacks' transformation.

In the void between life and death, Optimus Prime felt little more than pain. He didn't regret it though, if his sacrifice meant that the Maximals survived, then he could go to the afterspark with a clean conscience. Just as when he stayed behind at the base to ensure the others got away. At least he made sure the children were saved this time.

Suddenly, he felt something pull at him. At first, he resisted, if he was meant to die today, then let it be. However, he heard a familiar voice calling to him. And this time, it wasn't Alpha Trion.

"Come on Optimus, please."

Surprised, he allowed himself to be tethered to Jack. Time seemed to blur around him as he connected with the spark of his Maximal friend. His optics widened in both shock and recognition. No, it isn't just Jack. Jack was never just Jack. Optimus felt the urge to laugh at himself for not realizing it before.

He then felt two more presences near them.

"Now isn't the time to be a hero, Jack. Even Optimus has the other bots to help him when he needs it."

"Never thought I'd say this about Miko, but she's right."

Sensing Miko and Rafael, he reached out to them as well and experienced an even greater shock. Had Optimus been capable of it, he'd have been laughing heartily. Pushing this new knowledge about the three aside for the moment, he allowed himself to be pulled into the same hivemind as them. He couldn't help thinking, however, that there always was more to those three than meets the eye.

The light of the Maximals combination shined for several moments before fading away, leaving Magnaboss curled up on the berth. Looking at them, Smokescreen couldn't help noticing that they looked different. While their overall look hadn't changed much save a chain gun on each forearm and the positioning of the wings on the shoulder, Magnaboss' torso had changed considerably.

Their abdomen was silvery muscle with blue on either side and their chest was red. The biggest change, however, was the sparks in it. A fourth white spark shined in the center of the chest while the burgundy, yellow and blue ones were arranged around it in a circle.

Smokescreen crept over to them. "Magnaboss?" He asked. "Are you feeling, okay?"

The Maximal combiner breathed deep before getting off the berth. "In a word?" They spoke, Optimus' voice joining the other three. "Prime." They finished, standing tall.

"Woah." Smokescreen whispered.

"Got it!" Rattrap exclaimed as the computer screen switched over to an aerial view of where Unit-E was. "It took a while but, eh I got there eventually."

"Can you zoom in?" Magnaboss asked.

"Sure, no problem." Rattrap answered. He was unfazed by Magnaboss' new appearance. He'd seen it before.

As the image enlarged, they saw June being led towards Galvatron before Fowler charged him with almost comically large muscles. Realizing the danger, Magnaboss knew they had to act. They turned back to Smokescreen.

"Have Ratchet finish repairing Bumblebee after the time bubble breaks." They ordered as they turned to leave.

"What about you?" Smokescreen asked.

"It's time for us to transform." The wings draped over their shoulders shifted and unfurled into a flight rig, a mouth plate like Optimus' own slid into place. "And roll out." With that they charged out the door and returned to the cavern they'd awoken in.

Activating their flight rig, Magnaboss took off towards the collapsed part of the cavern ceiling. Flying through it, they paused to see just how little of the Lost Light was left. Only the outermost edge of the ship was untouched, the rest was rubble or molten slag. They shook their head, no time to mourn now, not when they were needed.

Flying up to the cavern ceiling, Magnaboss fired their chain guns and blasted a hole through the weakened bedrock. Flying through the newly created hole, they took in the scene before them. Depthcharge (when did he get here?) was sprawled out in front of Kumara and Survive who were being held by the Predacons. Galvatron had his cannon aimed at Kumaras' head but lowered it in shock at the sight of them.

Inside Magnaboss' now expanded hivemind, Optimus suggested that they'd need something a little stronger than their usual broadsword. The others quickly agreed to the suggestion as Magnaboss held their hand up and focused on the Star Saber. The weapon in question appeared in a flash of burgundy light from its' resting place in the wreckage of the Lost Light. Placing a hand upon the blade, they watched as it shrank down to a size that Magnaboss could wield.

Taking the Star Saber, Magnaboss landed heavily between Galvatron and the other Maximals, scattering their Predacon captors in the process. Their entire descent, they kept the sword trained on Galvatron.

"Galvatron." They spoke. "One shall stand, one shall fall."

Overcoming his momentary shock, Galvatron sneered at the newcomer. "Well." He began. "It appears we have a new 'Maximum Magnaboss' to deal with." Glancing down at their chest, he recognized who the fourth spark must belong to. "And carrying Primes' spark as well. All the easier for me to finish what I started. Yes."

"No Galvatron." Magnaboss replied as their wings folded back over their shoulders. "This ends here and now." Feeling Kumara, Survive and Depthcharge form up on them, Magnaboss thrust the Star Saber forward.

"Maximals, MAXIMIZE!"

"Predacons, TERRORIZE!"

Meanwhile, back inside Fortress Maximus, Rattrap and Smokescreen watched as Magnaboss and the Maximals engaged Galvatron and the Predacons.

"Woah." Smokescreen whispered as he watched Galvatron block the Star Saber with his shield. "Talk about unleashing the beast."

"More like unleashing the Beast Wars." Rattrap added as Survive managed to shoot Terrorsaur in the wing, grounding him. "All this happened before my time, so it's kinda new to me and Rad too."

"Speaking of." Smokescreen said looking closer at Rattrap. "Were you created like the other Maximals, or?"

"Nah, me n' Heinrad are Generation 2 Maximals." Rattrap supplied. "We were born, not made."

"So, who are?" Smokescreen was cut off as Heinrads' time bubble burst and Arcee and Ratchet returned to normal time.

"Okay, surgery complete, and successful." Ratchet began in an almost cheerful tone. "Now let's get Jack over here so he can return." He stopped, noticing that Jack was gone. "Where the pit is everyone?" he asked, noticing Raf and Miko were gone too.

"Uhm, Ratchet." Arcee called, drawing his attention to the monitor.

Looking at the screen Ratchet saw the upgraded Magnaboss use the Star Saber to absorb a blast from Galvatrons' cannon before firing it back at him. "What in Primus' name are those three thinking?"

"Rattrap, what happened?" Heinrad asked, having transformed back into beast mode after using so much energy holding the time bubble.

"More like four, they combined to help un, er Jack hold Optimus' spark." Rattrap began. Hopefully no one noticed his little slip up. "Then they saw the others about to be killed and took off."

Arcee picked up the tired tanuki and looked at Ratchet. "You said we're inside one of the titans, right?" Arcee asked. "Is there any way we can wake up Maximus? Get him in the fight?"

Ratchet looked at Rattrap. Titan physiology was well outside his scope of practice. "Any ideas?"

Rattrap shook his head. "I already looked." He answered, the video feed shrank into a corner as the monitor shifted between several screens at high speed. "From what I can tell, the T-cog is fine, and his memories are intact, but the big guy's essentially brain dead and I can't run his bot mode remotely."

"How could that happen?" Ratchet asked.

"Well from what I've been able to access through Teletraan." He replied. "Someone landed a lucky shot that hit him in the head." Rattraps' eyes widened when he checked Fortress Maximus' chronometer. He never got to look at Fort Maxs' data before Unicron awoke. "According to this he drifted for millions of years before crash landing here on Earth about 65 million years ago."

Arcee looked skeptical. "You mean Fortress Maximus was the meteor that."

"Wiped out the dinosaurs, yes." Rattrap confirmed as he pulled up a map. "It looks like he hit the Gulf of Mexico at an angle and lost momentum here. This cavern is just what's left of the trench he made on impact."

"Well, that's well and good." Ratchet interrupted. "But it doesn't help us now."

"Maybe it can." Heinrad argued, still in Arcees' arms. "Rattrap, are Maximus' thrustors and weapons systems still operational at least?"

"Yeah, why?" He asked.

"Can you use Teletraan-2 to operate those remotely, instead of the whole body?" This caused everyone's' optics and eyes to widen.

"Yeah, but it'll take a few minutes." Rattrap replied as he twisted his tail to interface with the ancient computer. "Backup will be online in five." He affirmed after a few moments

Ratchet nodded before looking back at the battle. "Bring back that spark in one piece you three, or this will have all been for nothing."

"In the meantime, Doc." Smokescreen interrupted. "You have another patient to help." He said indicating Bumblebee who was still in stasis lock.

Looking at Bumblebee, Ratchet nodded. "Right." He said looking at Bumblebees' head. "I can't do anything for the scars, but I should be able to craft a replacement helm from the Insecticon one. His armor though."

He looked around the med bay and saw a large container of golden liquid. His optics widened. "Electrum!" He whispered excitedly. He turned back to Bumblebee. "Hmm. You might just be due for a new paint job soldier." With that he picked up the Insecticon helm and got to work.

Back on the surface, Magnaboss and Galvatron were facing off while Depthcharge, Kumara and Survive kept the other Decepticons and Predacons from interfering.

Galvatron was fuming. How had his perfect plan gone so pear shaped? He dodged left to avoid Magnaboss taking his head off and fired his cannon at the combiner. His frustration only grew as they absorbed the blast with the Star Saber and sent it back at him.

"Predacons, attend your master!" He called.

"We are presently engaging the enemy, my queen!" Infernus called as he traded blows with Survive alongside Iguanus. The Maximals' enhanced musculature was proving to be an even match for the two Predacons.

"Then where are the Vehicons?" Galvatron yelled as Waspinator attempted to divebomb Magnaboss in jet mode. The attack was thwarted however when Kumara hit the flyer with a web ball in the face, causing him to crash land.

Tarantulas ended up supplying the answer. "With how many we've lost, I've been recalling the few that are left via the space bridge. I'll send one for you in a moment so we can fire the Nemesis' weapons to finish them."

Looking around and seeing Terrorsaur be blasted backwards by Depthcharge, Galvatron grimaced. Curse this troop shortage! "Very well, I think I have a better idea though." As much as he wanted to finish 'Maximum Magnaboss' personally, he didn't have the element of surprise or superior numbers right now. To say nothing of the malfunctioning Dark Matrix. He did however, have a bargaining chip.

Spinning to avoid Magnaboss, Galvatron took to the air and hovered over the other Predacons. "Tarantulas, send the space bridge to my coordinates for the Predacons, then bring all weapons online." He grinned evilly at the Maximals as the bridge opened behind him. "I believe several thousand hostages shall be sufficient. Yes."

As the Predacons and a few of the remaining Vehicons left through the portal, Galvatron gave Tarantulas the order. "Target the nearby town with the primary fusion cannon and lock all remaining weapons on the Maximals!" He yelled as he took off back towards the Nemesis, which was now locked onto the town of Jasper.

"No Galvatron!" Magnaboss called.

"Yes Magnaboss." Galvatron taunted, turning to look down on them. "Now, the four of you will stay still for your execution like good little heroes. Otherwise, I will have Tarantulas destroy the human settlement. Yes." He threatened.

"Get in close to us." Magnaboss whispered. Kumara, Survive and Depthcharge each put a hand on Magnaboss, Depthcharge having picked up his severed fin after fighting Terrorsaur.

"Tarantulas, open fire." Galvatron ordered and watched with glee as missiles and laser blasts began to rain down towards the group. As the initial explosions began, no one noticed the burgundy flash a split second before detonation.

Once the explosions ceased, Galvatron looked at the severely scarred landscape beneath him. "Ah, one good thing I can say about Megatron, he liked his artillery big and plentiful." He smirked. "Now where was I, oh yes wanton destruction. Good for the spark I always say."

Galvatron turned towards the direction of Jasper. "Tarantulas." He began. "You may ahh!" He screamed as a series of chain gun blasts hit him in the side. Turning towards the source of the fire, he saw Magnaboss flying at him at full speed.

"How many times do I have to kill these freaks!" He yelled in exasperation. "Change target to Magnaboss and." He was cut off as Magnaboss fired an energy wave from the Star Saber towards him. Diving out of the way, Galvatron realized too late that it wasn't him the combiner was aiming at.

There was a single large explosion from the Nemesis followed by a couple of smaller ones. "Sir, that last attack disabled our weapons systems." Tarantulas reported over the comms.

"No matter." Galvatron bit out. "I shall end this myself, once and for." He was cut off by a loud rumbling sound. An equally loud cracking noise drew his attention to the ground beneath him. "What in the name of?"

Emerging from the ground was a fortress the size of the Nemesis. First a tower, then the main body, finally the entirety of the fortress emerged from the Earth, suspended in the air by thrusters underneath it.

Galvatrons optics widened almost comically "No." He whispered as the fortress moved and landed on more solid ground. "This, this cannot be." The lost titan was here on Earth and was now set against him. Across the large titan various cannons and laser turrets were emerging, all with one target, the Nemesis.

"Hey boss bot." Rattraps' voice called over the comms. "You call for some backup? Cause we're ready when you are." Nodding, Magnaboss pointed the Star Saber at the Nemesis.

"Fortress Maximus, open fire!"

"No!" Galvatron yelled as volleys of laser fire and cannon blasts soared over him and pummeled the Nemesis. Tarantulas got the shields up after a couple seconds, but the damage was already done. Smoke was now billowing from several sections of the ship, and it was listing slightly to the left.

"Lord Galvatron!" Tarantulas yelled. "We have significant damage to several key systems. We cannot take another barrage like that."

"Retreat, Tarantulas. I shall join you momentarily." Turning to Magnaboss he glowered. "You have won this day, Maximals, but this is not the end of the war, no." He transformed into his dragon mode. "So close, I was SO CLOSE!" He bellowed as he flew after the Nemesis.

Seeing the warship fade away into the distance, Magnaboss flew back over to the cave they left June, Fowler and Depthcharge.

June stepped up to them and put a hand on their chest. "I thought you were." She whispered, fighting back tears.

"We are all safe and sound now." They replied, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"To say nothing of getting a new base of operations." Fowler threw in. He had no idea how they were going to explain all this now.

"I have so many questions." Depthcharge stated, looking at the titan that until now, had been a legend to him. "Where do we go from here."

"For now, we regroup." Magnaboss began as they picked up the severed fin and held it against where it'd been severed. Holding their other hand up to the cut a pulse of light emanated from their hand, reattaching the fin to Depthcharge. "And return some precious cargo." They added, looking down at the white spark in their chest.

Arriving back in the Med Bay with the other Maximals, Magnaboss set the Star Saber down on a berth.

Ratchet walked over to them. "We've managed to stabilize Optimus' body." He began. "But it'll be some time before he's fighting fit again."

Magnaboss shook their head. "Not necessary doctor, we have a plan for that." With that, Magnaboss turned back to the berth with the Star Saber on it. Holding a hand over the empty part of the berth, they focused on the first thing they needed. Moments later Solus Primes' forge hammer appeared with a clang.

"Oh, right, you kids weren't here for that." Ratchet muttered. "But the Forge Hammer is powerless now that its energy has been depleted." He explained.

"Perhaps." Magnaboss admitted. "However, we've had an idea on how to recharge it." Holding their hand up again, Micronus Primes' Chimera Stone appeared in their hand. "We can use power from the Matrix to give it a charge with this, but first."

They repeated the process three more times. When Magnaboss was finished, they had retrieved Nexus Primes' Enigma of Combination as well as the Polarity gauntlet and the Apex Armor. Picking up the Chimera stone, they walked over to the Forge Hammer. "Now we are ready."

Placing the Chimera Stone against the Forge Hammer, the assembled group watched in amazement as Magnaboss' middle spark glowed brightly. A beam of light then lanced from the spark into the Chimera Stone which began to glow too. Moments later, the turbines on the Forge Hammer began to spin anew. Picking up speed the blades became a blur.

Trading the stone for the hammer, Magnaboss walked over to Optimus Primes' partially restored body. Standing over it, they willed what they wanted to do towards the Forge, causing it to spin even faster. Moments later, a beam of energy connected Optimus' spark and his body as he moved back into it. Lifting the Forge Hammer, Optimus' idea still in mind, they swung down on his chest. This caused a burst of blindingly bright light that restored and changed Optimus Primes' body while completing the transfer and forcing Magnaboss to separate.

As the light died, it was an all-new Optimus Prime that climbed up off the berth. His new body seemed to combine the best elements of his previous two. His chest was reminiscent of his original body while his arms and legs were a perfect restoration of his previous upgrade. The biggest change however, was on his abdomen. Just beneath his chest, was a silver white lion's head with a golden mane, seemingly in honor of the Maximal who saved his life.

"Optimus?" Ratchet began, stepping towards his commander.

"Yes, old friend." Optimus answered. "I am back." He then surprised everyone by transforming into his modified vehicle mode. Like his bot mode, it seemed to encompass the best of both forms. A semi-truck formed by his chest with the lions' head taking the place of the grill with his arms and legs becoming a trailer like his upgraded body.

"And I am transformed." He added, shocking everyone as the lions' mouth moved when speaking.

The shock continued as the nose of the cab split and unfolded, revealing an equally silvery white Maximal sized lion. Standing on his four new paws, Optimus leapt down to the ground and transformed again. Soon, standing in the lions' place was a Maximal version of Optimus Prime.

His lion hind legs became the lower legs of his Maximal bot mode while most of his upper legs, chest and torso were nearly identical to his larger body. His lion head was now on his right shoulder with his tail hanging down from the left and the forelegs resting on his back. Most interesting was that a Maximal insignia was on display upon his left shoulder as the Autobot one was on his waist.

"Woah." Arcee breathed.

"Hold still Optimus." Ratchet ordered. He quickly ran a handheld scanner over Optimus' new form. Looking at the readout, Ratchets' optics went wide. "Optimus, from what I can tell you now have a hybrid body as well as your original one. This version of you is essentially a Cybertronian super hybrid."

Optimus nodded as he turned to the Maximals. "Yes, thanks to the help of the." He cut himself off as he looked at the group, at Jack in particular. "I see I'm not the only one who's changed." He added, drawing everyone's attention to them.

While Miko and Rafael were unchanged, the time holding Optimus' spark and the Matrix of leadership had changed Jack considerably. Instead of the thin lithe legs he had before, they were now thick and armored with clawed lion paws for feet. The main trunk of his body had thickened up a bit while his arms gained a few shades more muscle to them. The biggest change, however, was his colors. Whereas before he was blue and grayish white, he now had a coloration like Optimus Primes' own red and blue with what would be his beast modes' mane being the only remainder of his original white color.

June looked at her son. "Jack? You look so." She trailed off, not knowing how to voice her thoughts on her sons' impressive physical changes. She wasn't the only one.

"Miko, you're drooling." Arcee pointed out in a teasing tone.

"No I'm not." She replied, quickly wiping the drool from the corner of her mouth. She liked how ripped Jack looked now.

Arcee snorted a bit. "Nice look partner. I wonder what it did for your beast mode?"

Looking down at his new body, Jack transformed. Falling forward as his chest expanded into his beast modes' head, he felt panels seemingly extend outward to give his body a more durable look than before. What now stood was a mostly blue lion with red plating around his upper front legs and chest topped with a white mane and golden claws.

"Hang on." Miko called as she went over to Jack. Reaching under his mane she began to scratch his head and neck. "Come on, come on." She whispered.

"Miko, what are you?" Junes' question was cut off as a loud rumbling purr echoed through the med bay. Miko pumped her fist while Jack looked down as a few of their onlookers started snickering.

"Yes!"

"Ratchet?" Raf asked, noticing that they were one patient short. "Where's Bee?"

Ratchet sighed. "He's back online, but I think he needs to adjust to the modifications I had to make."

"Where is he?" Raf asked again.

Ratchet pointed to a door across the bay. "He's in there." He answered. "I think he might need some consoling after what he went through." Nodding, Raf headed to the door, intent on comforting his partner.

In the corner of the room, Heinrad and Rattrap were in a hushed conversation.

"I don't get it." Rattrap whispered. "Prime's still alive, so how come we're still here?"

"I, I don't know." Heinrad whispered back. "Maybe with our timeline gone we've got nothing to go back to?" He said in a way that was more of a question than a statement.

"Either way." June added, having slipped away from the others. "I'd like to talk to you two." She said to the wide-eyed time travelers.

"About what Kumara." Heinrad asked.

"You can drop the codenames." She replied a little exasperatedly. "A mother knows her children." After checking to make sure they wouldn't be overheard, June smirked at the subtly panicking twosome. "Or grandchildren, in this case."

"Mrs. Darby." Rattrap began.

"Don't even try it Mr. Raider." She whispered. "I don't know if anyone's told you this, but you have your fathers' eyes, and your mothers face." She added softly, seeing the young Maximal panicking. "And your tough guy act Is eerily similar to Vinces own. Even with that fake accent you tried to throw us off with."

"You, you know who our?" Heinrad began before he was cut off.

"You act a lot like my son, even if you do look a lot like my grandpa Jack when he was young." June added. "However, I know what a Tanuki is, and It just screams of your mother." She smiled. "You're Jack and Mikos' son as much as he is Vince and Sierras'." She finished nodding at Rattrap.

"Okay." Rattrap began with a sigh. "You got us. My full name is Garrison Edmund Raider, after my grandfathers. Otherwise, I go by Rattrap." Nodding, June turned to Heinrad.

"And while Heinrad may be my codename, my true name is Kibo Orion Darby." Heinrad admitted to his biological grandmother. It was weird that he was only now meeting her for the first time. "My first name means hope in Japanese and Orion came from."

"Optimus." June supplied. It made sense. "Was the future really that bad?" She asked, a little afraid of the answer. She had a feeling that she was originally meant to die from Galvatrons' cannon today.

"Aside from uncle Raf." Heinrad (Kibo) began, indicating the current Raf walking across the med bay. "We were all that was left of the Autobots or Maximals after Unicron awoke. Saving Optimus should prevent that."

"You gonna tell our parents who we are?" Rattrap (Garrison) asked. He was surprised when June wrapped them both in a hug.

"No." June answered. "I'll let you two tell them in your own time. However, if you need anything." She smiled as they hugged her back. "Grandma June is here to help." While she was hoping it'd be a bit longer before she was a grandmother, she wasn't about to turn away family.

"Its' how our parents always refered to you." Rattrap replied, causing June to smile harder.

"What's going on mom?" Jack asked, coming up to the trio.

"I'm just thanking and getting to know our new friends." June lied. As much as she didn't want to lie, she promised she'd keep their secret for now.

"Oh." Jack said as he walked up to them and offered a hand to each of them. "In that case, thank you, for saving us all." He smiled as the two newcomers shook his hands.

"Are you two going back to the future?" Miko asked. "Can we come with you? I so want to meet my future self!" She added excitedly.

"Actually." Heinrad began, fighting the urge to hug his mother.

"We think our timeline's gone." Rattrap interjected, seeing his cousins' struggle. "There's nothing for us to go back to now that Optimus is gonna live. Now we just have to keep it that way for the next umpteen years." He gave a sigh. "Sheesh, no problem."

"Rattrap." Optimus began, startling them. "Is correct." Transforming back into his beast mode, he recombined with his larger body and transformed again. "While the battle today is won, the war is not. Galvatron will be back."

He turned to Ratchet. "I know the titans had space bridges inside each of them." Optimus began. "We need to locate the one inside Maximus and regroup."

Ratchet looked up from the Med Bay computer. "Go, I'll have Teletraan-2 begin activating it, I just sent you the location."

"Ratchet?" Optimus asked with a raised brow.

"Let me just finish shutting things down here and check on my patient." He added. Nodding towards the door Raf and Bumblebee were behind.

"Very well." Optimus responded. "We shall head there now." He turned to the new Maximals. "Heinrad, Rattrap, thank you both for saving our lives, and welcome to Unit-E and the Maximals." With that he walked out, most of the other Autobots and Maximals following him.

Arcee however, hung back. "Ratchet, I saw those scans of Optimus and Jack." She began. "Why didn't you tell them?"

"Because I'm not blind." Ratchet bit out. "Yes, I could have told Optimus that he and Jack now share CNA. However, I've also seen how Optimus looks at June when she isn't looking."

"What?" Arcee asked. This was news to her.

Ratchet sighed. "I knew him before he was a Prime, and I haven't seen Optimus look at anyone like that since Elita-1 died."

"Who's Elita-1?"

"When Optimus was still Orion Pax, there were only a handful of people he was close to." Ratchet began. "Elita-1 was almost as close to him as Megatron back then, albeit in a different way." He sighed. "Close enough that he was considering asking her to become Conjunx Endura."

"Woah." Arcee responded breathlessly. She never knew Optimus was that close to anyone. "What happened to her?"

Ratchet sighed. "She died trying to help evacuate Six Lasers over Cybertron during one of the Decepticons initial raids. One of the rides collapsed on her, and I went to her funeral with Optimus." He looked at Arcee. "Between Megatron becoming his enemy and Elitas' death, Optimus threw himself entirely into his leadership role."

"Considering he turned a joke I tried to make into an inspirational speech, I'm not surprised." Arcee added.

"Exactly." Ratchet continued. "Him showing any interest in anyone is the closest he's come to being something other than a leader in a very long time. If I tell him that he and Jack are now, in human terms, father and son."

"Optimus will try to become closer to his mother out of duty, rather than his own interest, thereby negating his progress." Arcee added. "I'm surprised he hasn't seen Rung about any of this."

"Are you kidding?" Ratchet scoffed as he walked out of the Med Bay. "I can barely get Optimus to sit through his own medical evaluations."

"Bumblebee?" Raf whispered into the room. "Are you okay."

"I've been better." Came Bees' strained voice replied from the back corner of the room. Walking over to him, Raf saw Bumblebee sitting down on a crate looking down at his feet, a dented reflective surface in front of him. Looking at his now gold colored partner, he could see why he was acting this way. While he'd seen Bees' face after finishing the surgery, the overall effect on his appearance was still jarring.

With very little mesh left undamaged, Bumblebee's face had lost most of its definition to the point that his face was gaunt and covered in burn scars. The helm around his head was different too. Instead of the yellow helm that'd been crushed in Galvatrons' jaws, a dark blue one made from an Insecticons' head with a pair stumpy pair of horns adorning the top of it gave his partner a more menacing look than he had before, something that belied his usual nature.

"At least you can still speak and transform." Raf replied, trying to be upbeat.

"Yeah, thanks." Bee replied bitterly. "First my voice, then my T-cog, now my face. What else do I have left to lose."

Anger filled Rafs' being as the emotions from the events of the last few hours finally caught up with him. "Us!" He yelled, startling him. "When I became a Maximal, I lost my family, my humanity, and my freedom!" He turned away from his stunned partner, breathing heavily. "Telling me that you saw me as a brother really helped me after my family." He trailed off, fighting back tears.

Feeling guilty, Bumblebee stood up before placing a hand on Rafs' shoulder, wincing slightly as the Maximal flinched at the contact. "Raf, I, I'm sorry."

Raf took a calming breath. "I hope so, I don't like you when you're bitter." He replied, composing himself again.

Bee looked down. "Neither do I. Honestly though, between the new look and a near death experience, I don't feel like myself anymore. I feel, I feel like a different, me." He looked at his warped reflection again. "With the Electrum in my armor and the Insecticon parts I, I look like a gold bug."

Raf turned around and hugged his partner and adoptive brother around his chest. "Regardless of how you look, you're still my brother...Goldbug." Snorting, his partner leaned back and looked at him

"Goldbug huh?" He chuckled. He activated his new helm, a silver mouth plate and blue visor moved into position, covering his scarred face. The effect was instant, he looked more like a cool older brother than a brooding menace. "Guess I'll just have to roll with it."

Kneeling, newly rechristened Goldbug hugged his brother again. "Thank you." He whispered.

A few hours later, Optimus, Rodimus, Utra Magnus and Fowler were gathered in a conference room inside Fortress Maximus. Using Maximus' decidedly primitive spacebridge, they were able to recover the various away teams. Unfortunately, it could only connect to another spacebridge and not create freestanding portals. Fortunately, the spacebridge on Cybertron where the Lost Light crew had evacuated to was capable of it and allowed them to call the away teams to Cybertron before bringing them back to Earth.

While he would have to upgrade their new/old spacebridge with the Forge Hammer and have a meeting about the now restored Cybertron, they had bigger problems at that moment.

In front of them was a tablet that had online videos of both the attacks around the country and of the Nemesis hovering over and destroying Unit-E. Another video showed satellite images of Fortress Maximus rising out of the Earth and the battle between Maximum Magnaboss and Galvatron as well as Optimus sacrifice to save them. Already there were conspiracy theories and rumors of an imminent alien invasion circling the internet.

"It's official then." Ultra Magnus began. "The rules of engagement have changed."

"Unfortunately, yes." Optimus replied. "With his deception, Galvatron has forced our conflict out into the open, however both sides are now on the back foot."

"We had prepared for this possibility." Fowler said looking at the three. "And it didn't hurt that Rodimus and his team was caught on video protecting the United Nations building from those con knockoffs."

"Hence why I'd like for Rodimus to serve as our ambassador to the United Nations."

"Sir." Rodimus began. "With all due respect, you're our leader. Shouldn't you be the one to."

"Rodimus." Optimus interrupted. "While I will make our initial speech to the world, you must remember I am a military commander." He looked at the now former ship captain. "You however have shown the ability to be an effective negotiator and diplomat. I have every confidence that you'll be able to maintain relations between our peoples and Earths' effectively." He smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "You've come a long way from being Hot Rod of Nyon."

Rodimus looked at Optimus for several moments before nodding. "Very well, I will act as diplomat for the Autobots, and Cybertron. Although I have to ask, what about the Maximals?"

Optimus looked at him. "After todays' events, I am fully convinced that Jackson, Miko and Rafael can lead the Maximals with minimal oversight. Although I will continue to dispatch them alongside additional units as a precaution."

"Certainly, more capable than some bots." Magnus muttered.

Nodding at the three bots, Fowler turned to Prime and Magnus. "Then we know what we need to do."

(Two days later)

Stepping out of the shadow and up to the podium in front of Fortress Maximus, Optimus Prime looked at the assembled press and delegates from across the globe. He couldn't help thinking of when he and Megatron had addressed the Senate on Cybertron. Hopefully, this address will end better. Seeing Ultra Magnus and Rodimus on one side of the podium and the Maximals on the other, Optimus steeled himself and started to speak.

"People of Earth." He began. "I am Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobots, and of the planet Cybertron. Millions of years ago, our planet descended into a civil war that had rendered our planet uninhabitable. To allow it to heal, we left Cybertron with our enemies the Decepticons in hot pursuit."

"Some sixty-five million years ago, our city ship Fortress Maximus was gunned down over this world by the Decepticons and crashed, causing a great extinction." He continued, using the cover story that had been agreed upon by both him and the United States government. "We spent most of the intervening years in a form of hibernation until a scant few decades ago."

"At that time, we awoke, and after replicating various vehicles and machinery with our natural abilities, we began to explore this strange new world, deciding live amongst you in peace." Optimus spoke. This was mostly the truth, they had been active on earth since the 1980's. "While we do not interfere with your species natural growth and development, we will protect this world form greater threats." He paused as a few camera flashes went off.

Now came the cover story. "Unfortunately, our continued existence was recently discovered by the Decepticons, and they made the attempt to finish what they'd started as seen in the videos taken a few days ago." Optimus continued. "Fortunately, we were able to route them with the aid of a group of volunteers who years ago agreed to become hybrid beings to assist us." He said, indicating the Maximals. He didn't want to lie, but he still had to protect them from certain groups and individuals of ill intent.

"To all those listening." Optimus continued. "Both here and across this world, know this. We are here, and we are ready to help." He looked directly at the cameras and gestured to Fortress Maximus. "And as such, we now greet humanity with open arms." He held his arms out in welcome and paused a moment for dramatic effect.

"We thank the people of Earth for their hospitality. And we bid you all welcome, to Autobot City."

Meanwhile, beneath the Pacific Ocean, the Nemesis had set down and was undergoing repairs after the onslaught from Fortress Maximus. Thankfully they were able to use the shields to make the ship watertight before submerging. While most of the remaining Vehicons and Predacons were running about to complete the repairs, there was one who was more interested in having a discussion with his physician.

"Ah, Tarantulas, so good of you to join me." Galvatron sneered at the Predacon scientist. The treacherous arachnid had been dodging him since the ship had arrived at its watery resting site.

"Well, you know how it is." Tarantulas replied. "Places to go, repairs to do."

"I sent for you the moment we set down." Galvatron began. "There is a problem with the Chaos Matrix, and you've been avoiding me."

Tarantulas looked at him. "What seems to be the problem?" He asked nonchalantly.

"The problem." Galvatron began. "Is that the chaos cybermatter that was supposed to shield me from Unicrons' influence has a flaw in it. He has already entered my mind once and my Matrix must be removed and repaired to prevent a reoccurrence."

"Oh, well there's you're problem right there." Tarantulas laughed. "I lied. The chaos cybermatter was never meant to shield you from Unicron, but to conduct his power."

"WHAT!" Galvatron screamed.

Tarantulas cackled gleefully. "The boss has big plans for you."

"INDEEED." Came Unicrons' voice. The world around him and Tarantulas blurred before fading to black again.

"I DESIRE TO FREE MYSELF FROM MY PRESENT STATE." Unicron began as he loomed over them. "TO DO THIS HOWEVER, OPTIMUS PRIME AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM MUST DIE, AND YOU, MY SERVANT SHALL DO THIS FOR ME."

"I am no one's servant!" Galvatron bellowed up at Unicrons towering form.

"Ohh, bad move." Tarantulas laughed.

"MUST WE GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN, MY ANTI-PRIME!" Unicron bellowed as pain wracked Galvatrons' frame. "YOU ARE ORDERED TO DESTROY OPTIMUS PRIME, AND IN RETURN I SHALL ALLOW YOU TO RULE OVER CYBERTRON, UNTO THE END OF TIME." Namely until he destroyed Primus after everything else in the universe, but Galvatron needn't know that yet.

"I don't have the forces." Galvatron gasped as the pain left him. "My troops are severely depleted."

"TARANTULAS SHALL BOLSTER YOUR CURRENT FORCES WHILE I SEEK OUT NEW ONES FOR YOU, AND I SUGGEST YOU DO THE SAME." Unicron responded. "NOW GO!" With that the world faded back into being.

Tarantulas laughed. "Oh, we are going to have a grand time working together." He threw his head back and cackled as Galvatron wondered just what he'd gotten himself into.

Notes:

A/N- And scene. Told you all that Dark Matrix would come back to bite him in the butt. Now, explanations.

Hybrid Optimus Prime is essentially a Prime verse take on the Powermaster Optimus Prime of the 80's while his Maximal form is a carbon copy of Lio convoy/Leo Prime from Beast Wars II. I wanted to give Optimus the best of both worlds in this universe.

Ironically, I discovered Jacks' new body while doing research about Cheetor. The new Leobolt is an Optimus Prime pallet swap of the Alpha Trizer toy, also known as Thundertron in the Transformers Prime toy line albeit with a different head sculpt.

I had planned to take the Goldbug route with Bumblebee since I started planning this fic. I wish that we got more Goldbug outside of Shattered Glass over the years. His design is based on the Generations Goldfire toy with a head similar to G1 Goldbug.

As to Heinrad and Rattrap, I will explain more of their now nonexistent timeline in the coming chapters. Mainly as they work to keep it nonexistent.

If I don't have a new chapter by the end of this month, I will definitely have one next month. I shall see you all next time, and until then, subscribe, kudo and comment.

Next time: Evil reinforcements and greetings from a doomed future. See you then.

Chapter 37: Regroup and Recruit

Notes:

Well, what do you know, I managed to get a chapter out this month after all. While not as action packed as the last four were, this does begin to set the stage for the rest of the story. Now, I believe I said in a previous chapter that I'd only use Transmetal 2 Megatron (as Galvatron) for this story, but as I planned it out, it became less and less feasible. So here is where we begin to see more of them. Enjoy.

Within Tarantulas' lab on the Nemesis, Galvatron was still trying to piece together how he'd overlooked the insidious Arachnids' allegiance to Unicron. When he'd first met Tarantulas (then Mesothalus) right after Arcees' betrayal, he seemed nice enough, if not a little unnerving at times. The two had signed on to the Decepticon movement early on even though they didn't believe Megatron was truly worthy of leading it. When Mesothalus admitted to being the one who performed senator Shockwaves' shadow play and still had a foothold in him, they began to plan. They'd let Megatron do the heavy lifting and then swoop in and depose him at the right moment.

That plan had gone off without a hitch. However, in all their grand schemes he had no idea he himself was being played. Now, while he had power, he was also enthralled by Unicron himself. And if there was one thing he and Megatron agreed on, it was that they'd be no one's slave.

Glaring around the lab, his optics came to rest on Megatron, still bolted to the wall without his voice or limbs. As the former Decepticon leader glared back at him, Galvatron smirked, as bad as his situation was, at least it would be only temporary. He would eventually break free of Unicrons control and make both the chaos bringer and Tarantulas pay for their transgressions. Yes.

Turning away from Megatron, Galvatron continued to look around the lab. Perhaps there was something he could use to his advantage. Passing over the partially vivisected Sparkstalker, he caught a glimpse of something unexpected. It looked like two halves of a broken shield that was horribly scorched.

"Tarantulas." Galvatron began. "Is that what I think it is?"

Looking up from his and Shockwaves' latest project, Tarantulas followed his line of sight. "Yes, that is, or more accurately, what is left of the Skyboom shield."

"What on Cybertron could have caused that level of damage? It was meant to be indestructible." He knew that it was one of the lesser-known artifacts created by Solus Prime. A shield so strong, it could block both the Star Saber and the Requiem Blaster. An artifact that would have been helpful a few days ago.

"I'm not entirely sure myself." Tarantulas replied. "I found it like that on Cybertron before we left. I've been searching for a way to either restore it or reuse the metals." He smirked. "However, with my new lab assistant, I should be able to crack it soon enough." He added, indicating the busy Shockwave.

Shockwave stepped back and looked at the twosome. "The new reformatting chamber is ready Tarantulas." He stated.

Looking at the completed work, Galvatron noted that there was a pod mounted to either side of the computer assembly, meaning that they could modify up to two troops at a time. On top of it, sat what appeared to be a canister of dark energon with a tube connected to it. Beneath it was what seemed like an orb of fused metal with a red glow. Tarantulas turned to Galvatron and began to explain how it worked.

"You see." Tarantulas explained. "By running raw cybermatter through dark energon and using the synthetic enigma frequency via our new driver unit, we can reformat our current troops into new, more powerful forms." He cackled. "I call it, Project Predacon 3.0."

"Provided it works." Galvatron replied.

Glaring at him, Tarantulas turned to the table containing Sparkstalker. "Well, if it's a test you want." He began to move towards the helpless Firecon.

"No." Galvatron interrupted. "I'd rather not risk ending the traitors suffering too soon." He put a hand to his comm link. "Runamuck, Runabout, please report to Shockwaves' lab." Moments later the battle charger twins arrived.

"Ya called boss?" Runamuck asked.

"Yes, welcome." Galvatron answered. "I would like to thank you boys for volunteering to be the first of our newly upgraded Predacon forces. Yes." He explained to the visibly disturbed pair. "If you'll simply step into the reformatting chamber, we can begin."

"Now hold up there." Runabout argued.

"We ain't about to-," Runamuck began.

"I said get into the reformatting chamber!" Galvatron exclaimed. His dark matrix flashed as did the battle chargers optics, the dark energon in their systems overriding them. He watched with a smirk as the twins stepped into the pods, struggling against the dark energons' pull all the while.

As the pods closed with a hiss, Galvatron turned to Tarantulas. "Do you have their beast modes selected?"

"Indeed, I do." Tarantulas cackled. "I also introduced a new element to this machine to guarantee outlier abilities in every subject."

"Well then my deranged deviant, let us begin."

Cackling with glee, Tarantulas activated the machine, watching as the driver unit began to hum and spin with the cybermatter flowing through the dark energon and branched off into the pods. As the helpless battle chargers began to scream as their bodies were effectively broken down and rebuilt, Tarantulas began waving his finger like he was conducting an orchestra.

Galvatron shook his head. Now that he was watching for it, the signs for Tarantulas' duplicity were obvious. "You really are insane, aren't you?" He asked in a deadpan tone.

"So they say." Tarantulas cackled as he began to splice in the animal DNA. "Initializing radiation pulse." He called out. "It should give their sparks the push they need to become outliers." He explained as the pods began to glow.

The machine cut off almost as fast as it cut on. The two pods opened with a hiss, releasing massive clouds of steam.

The pod that contained Runamuck opened to reveal what looked like a warped technorganic snow leopard. It looked as if the fur had torn away in places revealing circuitry and metal underneath. The concept of symmetry seemed alien here as what looked organic on one side was technological on the other. Capping the creatures' appearance was what looked like a pair of saber teeth and a rocket mounted into its' back. As the reformatted con stepped forward, ice began to form under his paws.

The pod Runabout had occupied was empty.

"What the!" Tarantulas exclaimed. "There was a life signal in the pod before it-" He was cut off as he was bowled over by an unseen attacker. Several claw marks appeared in the spiderbots' mesh before Galvatron realized that Runabout was invisible.

"Cease your attack at once and show yourself!" Galvatron yelled. There was a beat of silence as Tarantulas' attacker shimmered into view.

Overall, Runabouts' new look was nearly Identical to Runamucks'. The key difference was that he was a black panther as opposed to his twins' white snow leopard beast mode.

"Now, both of you, transform." He ordered. Runabout reluctantly moved to join his twin and complied.

The two now stood bipedally if not slightly hunched over with their clawed paws folding back to reveal hands. Their animal heads had folded into their bodies leaving their original heads to take their place. Their overall appearance still seemed like someone had ripped the fur away from an animatronic figure in places, but still conveyed both ferocity and power. Powerful enough that they both drew a blaster seemingly made from their built-in rockets and took aim at Galvatron.

"We are gonna slag you and bug eyes so bad." One of them began.

"Oh, enough of your theatrics." Galvatron responded, chaos matrix flaring again and the two lowered their weapons. "I rather like this new upgrade, yes. A new race of Predacon, ruling the battlefield with power and ferocity."

"And with these new forms, I think new designations are in order, yes." Galvatron continued eyeing the two. "With your assault on Tarantulas, I believe we shall call you Ravage." He began addressing Runabout (now Ravage).

Turning to Runamuck, he eyed the ice on the floor that formed with his every footfall. "And you could be nothing but a Snowkat." He concluded.

"Well then." Tarantulas grumbled as he examined the scratch marks that Ravage had inflicted on him. "I'd call this test a success. I shall begin preparations to reformat all our current troops into 3.0 Predacons."

He looked at Ravage and Snowkat. "Stay out of sight and don't tell anyone what we're doing." Tarantulas ordered. "We can't run the risk of any more deserters." He watched as the two transformed and stalked off.

"Yes." Galvatron replied unhappily. "That will give us a SMALL army of super soldiers. Although it doesn't answer our troop shortage problem." He added, unhappily thinking about the onslaught from Fortress Maximus that damaged the Nemesis as well as the combiners aiding the Autobots. Even super soldiers wouldn't fare overly well against those odds.

"A PROBLEM THAT I HAVE A SOLUTION FOR." Unicrons' voice echoed as the world around Galvatron and Tarantulas faded to black again.

"You found reinforcements then?" Tarantulas asked.

"INDEED." Unicron began. "REACHING MY CONCIOUSNESS THROUGH THE WEB OF DIVERGANT TIMELINES, I FOUND A STRAIN OF VEHICON THAT SHALL SUFFICE FOR YOUR NEEDS."

There was a pause. "WITH THESE NEW VEHICONS, GALVATRON, SHALL COME THREE NEW GENRALS."

A trio of shapes began to fade into existence.

"JESTORM." A blue and yellow femme hovered several feet off the ground. Wings and bladed fingers gave her the appearance of a cunning warrior. However, this was contrasted by the smooth blank mask on her face showing a surprised emoticon face.

"TANKOR." A hulking grey and blue mech emerged next, his body towering over the hovering Jetstorm. His glaring red visor took in his new surroundings while he was trying to force an orange and blue bot with a prominent chin into the giant meat grinder built into his abdomen. A large plasma cannon adorned his right shoulder.

"AND THRUST." A gangly black and purple mech the size of Jetstorm walked from the shadows last. In several places on his body, dark energon crystals protruded through his mesh forming formidable spikes. This was most prominent on his head where dozens of long thin spikes of dark energon grew all around his scalp. Out of the three Vehicon generals. He looked decidedly the angriest.

"Unicron, what is the meaning of this?" Thrust bellowed at his creators' towering form. "Our debt for our creation was paid. We served you loyally, helped you destroy Cybertron, you left us the remaining colony worlds and released us from your service." He was cut off as pain wracked his being. During Thrusts' creation, he was conditioned to be unable to tell pain from pleasure, but Unicron was the only one who could bypass this and inflict true pain.

"YOU SPEAK OF A FUTURE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT COME TO PASS." Unicron answered. "YOUR DEAL WAS WITH A UNICRON I MAY OR MAY NOT BECOME, AND AS SUCH I AM NOT BOUND TO YOUR AGREEMENT." The pain ceased as Thrust collapsed to one knee.

Jetstorm moved to help Thrust up. "Tough break love, looks like Geppetto-cron has his hooks in us again." She answered with an angry emoticon on her mask.

"Indeed." Galvatron answered, walking up to them. "You are now my servants in our war against the Autobots and the Maximals." He explained. "In order for Unicron to be freed in this reality, Optimus Prime must be destroyed."

"Very well." Thrust breathed as he looked over at Tankor. He was still struggling to force his captive into the grinder. Said captive was using his feet on the edges of it to keep from being fed in. "And Tankor, quit fooling around and send him in headfirst!" He sniped.

Tankor replied with a grinding noise that sounded suspiciously like 'party pooper' before flipping his captive and feeding him, screaming, into his grinder.

Turning back to Unicron and Galvatron as mechanical gore landed on the floor, Thrust nodded. "We shall serve you willingly." He replied. 'We'll play your game alright, but it'll be OUR rules." He thought.

"EXCELLENT." Unicron answered. Immediately reality faded back into existence with the three Vehicon generals appearing in the lab with Tarantulas and Galvatron.

Galvatron looked at the three. "Alright." He began. "I see three generals, but I don't see any soldiers."

"Easily rectified prune puss." Jetstorm replied, infuriating Galvatron. "Just give us some room and watch an army bloom." Galvatron went to retort before Tarantulas cut him off.

"There's a trio of hangars a floor beneath us." Tarantulas interrupted. "Each of you take one and do your thing. We'll watch up here on the monitors." He finished.

The three transformed. Jetstorm turning into a kind of long necked jet. Thrust into a muscle car with two rows of dark energon spikes along his hood and roof, and Tankor into a large assault tank with his grinder built into the front of it.

"We shall be ready momentarily." Thrust called as they took off.

Tankor made a long grinding noise.

"I hear ya tankey." Jetstorm replied.

"And you speak to Unicron with that mouth?" Thrust added.

Galvatron grit his dentia. "Those three had better be worth the headache." He muttered as he turned to the monitors.

Moments later, each of the Vehicon generals. Entered a hangar. Watching inquisitively, Galvatron watched as each general went off to the right and seemingly cracked in several places. From the cracks, he watched as silvery cybermatter flow from them and reform into an exact copy of the general that spawned it. Then, to his further surprise, the new Vehicons cracked and replicated another one as the generals created new ones as well. The process continued until the three hangars were full.

"And there you have it Galvatron." Thrust called from the monitors. "Over six hundred Vehicon drones without sparks, or free will between the three of us. All they'll require are orders."

Grinning, Galvatron activated the ship intercoms. "Very impressive you three, I look forward to our collective conquests." He replied. 'And perhaps we can work together on a way to free ourselves'. He thought to himself.

"Tarantulas!" He exclaimed, turning to the spider bot. "Prepare the chamber. I want all current Vehicons upgraded into Predacons immediately!" He ordered.

"I already am." Tarantulas answered. "And while I'm at it, I may have a lead on what damaged the Nemesis' transformation systems. The Autobots may have done us a favor with their blasting." He laughed.

Galvatron pondered these recent developments. A massive troop surge, super soldiers, and a possibly restored Trypticon were good. However, they still needed something. Remembering something he read long ago, he turned back to Tarantulas.

"Do you have enough materials to create Pretender shells? He queried.

"Several, why?"

"I've just had a stroke of genius."

"That must've hurt." Tarantulas muttered to himself.

"Add a half dozen or so to your 'to do list', the more monstrous the better. I have a call to make." And with that, he strode from the lab.

Unknown to the group in Tarantulas' lab, Stranglehold and Octopunch were listening in on the conversation via a listening device in one of the formers' tentacles. Hearing Galvatron take his leave after forcibly reformatting Runamuck and Runabout, the two members of the Mayhem Attack Squadron looked at one another. Whatever Galvatron had planned, they wanted no part of it. And whatever it was, Bludgeon was right up in it. The two gave a nod of unspoken agreement, it was time to leave.

Less than a mile away from Fortress Maximus, several Autobots and Maximals were going over the wreckage of Unit-E and the Lost Light. While most of the ship had been obliterated by the Nemesis' fusion cannon, the outermost sections of the ship had survived with minimal damage. Fortunately, this included the crews' quarters.

"We're in luck Blaster." Vince whispered, knowing that his partner would hear him just fine. "We found it." Blaster had asked him and Steeljaw to try and find his jukebox/DJ booth. Unfortunately, the Autobot communications officer was sequestered in Fortress Maximus communications tower, calibrating the equipment that had been offline for over sixty-five million years for future use.

"Great man." Blaster spoke back to him. "What kind of shape is it in?"

"A little bit scorched." Steeljaw answered. "But it should buff right out."

"As if I can see it anyway." Blaster joked. "Yo Vinny, you have anything else down there you need to get?"

"I know Dr. Rung asked us to find the encrypted backup of his patient files while Ultra Magnus was busy."

"Good idea." Blaster replied. He knew Rung was still frosty towards the Autobot commander after what had happened. "Just finish up down there and get topside."

"Over and out buddy." Vince laughed as Steeljaw towed the jukebox towards the extraction point. He was thankful that what little he cared about was now mostly topside. Namely Sierra, but also his car was currently sitting in storage in Jasper...but mostly Sierra. Transforming, he began to flap his way over to where Rungs' room used to be he heard his best friend in beast mode arguing with his girlfriend while his mother (his own foster/adoptive mother) searched the rubble with them.

"Oh, come on Jack, I'm just curious."

"No Miko."

"Not even a little bit?"

"I'm not going to try catnip."

"Pwetty Pwease?" Miko responded with a cutesy look.

Jack shook his head. "Not by the tail on my butty butt butt." He answered, waving said appendage for emphasis.

Miko laughed out loud. "Okay, that was a good comeback. But seriously?"

"I can't be sure how catnip would affect my beast mode Miko." Jack replied. "You forget, I'm not a house cat."

"Oh, I don't know." June added as she shifted a part of what used to be the Maximal den in Unit-E. "You liked the laser pointer well enough."

"Really?"

"MOM!"

"I was curious one day." June confirmed as Miko began laughing her butt off.

"Do you three need any more help?" Vince asked as he passed.

"Nah." Miko laughed. "I'm good, I found my old guitar earlier and had Tonebot take it up.

"And I think we'll all be heading out in a minute." June threw in as she stood up. In her arms were several photo albums that she'd kept in an Onyx Tech footlocker. "The war can take most everything else, but not my kids, or my memories." She said softly, placing them in a new footlocker she'd brought with her.

Nodding, Vince continued his trek. "Hey Miko. Remind me later and I'll get you a laser pointer."

"VINCE!"

"Just, about." Nautica groaned as she reached down a hole in the ground. "Got it!" She exclaimed as she pulled her wrench up. She'd been in such a rush to evacuate she'd left her beloved tool behind. Thankfully she'd installed a tracker on it. "Okay, got all I needed."

"Lucky you." Nightbeat groused. Unfortunately, his hab suite had been destroyed along with all his files. Some of them he'd been working on since before the war for Cybertron.

"Oh, cheer up Beater." Nautica replied, attaching her wrench to her hip. "You'll be able to go over your cases with fresh optics. Maybe you'll see connections you missed before."

"Maybe, but for the effort it took us to get down here, I might as well have stayed topside to help Allison set up the ceremony."

Nautica nodded, the new 'Hero memorial' was set to be finished and dedicated that day. It was a project that the young Maximal had begun with the help of Jetfire. Starting with her departed partner Trailbreaker, the two began making memorials for the known fallen Autobots and allies.

"Speaking of." Nightbeat added, seeing the remainder of the makeshift spelunking team head for the extraction point. "I think we better get going if we want to be there for the ceremony."

An hour later various bots, Maximals and human soldiers were gathered in what had once been a large empty storage room. Over the course of the last week, it had been converted into a memorial for the Autobots who had fallen in battle.

Several rows of small (by Autobot standard) plinths were set up with a bowl on the top of it. Each one bore the name of a fallen friend and once lit, would light up with a hologram bust of the individual. On the back wall, however, was a list of names that took up its' entirety. This list was those who were missing in action, but their deaths were unconfirmed. The names would be removed if found alive or a line scratched through if confirmed dead and a plinth would then be made for them. Now, however, it was time to christen it.

"We are gathered here today." Optimus began. "To mourn the loss of our friends and allies throughout this war, and to give our thanks for their heroic sacrifices." He turned to the various individuals holding lit flames to ignite the torches for their fallen friends. "I now ask our Torchbearers to ignite the plinths, so that the light of the fallen, shall forever light even the darkest of hours."

One by one each person stepped up to a plinth, torch in hand.

Allison stepped up, raising her torch she ignited Trailbreakers' plinth, causing his likeness to shimmer into view above it. "Thank you, TB." She whispered, tearing up. "For giving us another chance to keep going." She stepped back and was embraced by her father, sister and Slash the Dinobot.

A little further down, June stepped up to a plinth with Cyclonus' name on it. "Thank you Cyclonus, for saving my family, and all of us." Lighting his torch, she smiled at the face of the grim warrior and nodded.

Next to her, Arcee held a torch in each hand. "Tailgate, Cliffjumper, I'm sorry I wasn't able to save either of you." She began, lighting their plinths. "However, I will honor your memories by continuing to fight, and by living my own life fully."

Down the row, Wheeljack and Bulkhead stood with Miko and another plinth.

"Sea spray, just letting you know we miss ya." Bulkhead spoke, bowing his head.

"We'll kick aft again someday barnacle butt." Wheeljack added, lighting the plinth.

Next to them, Miko was lighting a plinth for Cosmos. "It was great knowing you, little green buddy." Miko smiled. "Thank you for the fun memories." She couldn't help thinking of when she'd asked him to buzz Rosswell in his flying saucer mode. They'd bonded a little bit over the joke, and she volunteered to be his torchbearer.

Finally, Ultra Magnus stepped up to a plinth. While his death hadn't been necessarily confirmed, the fact that his voice was the one that led them into Galvatrons trap was enough to show that he'd been discovered and most likely terminated. "You were an asset to the end Counterpunch." He began, lighting the spys' plinth. "Hopefully, wherever your spark lies now, you can find peace."

Optimus nodded as the last plinth was lit. "They lived as warriors and died as heroes." He began the traditional Cybertronian funeral right. "May their sparks enter the Matrix, with the greatest of Cybertron." The collective mourners bowed their heads.

"Amen."

After the service, Optimus walked into the science divisions' new lab facility. While most of the science bots had been setting up and updating the labs, Brainstorm had been helping Rafael as well as the two new Maximals Heinrad and Rattrap dismantle the time machine that they'd used to journey to the present. Goldbug had been assigned to supervise the endeavor mostly to ensure that the machine was rendered inoperative, and no one would attempt to study and replicate it. He'd already stopped both Perceptor and Brainstorm from taking notes on the machine.

"Optimus." Goldbug began, saluting his commander.

"How goes the operation?" He asked.

"Nearly there." Raf said. "The time machine should be broken down into its' base components within the hour and ready for smelting."

"I still say this is a bad idea." Brainstorm argued. "The things we could prevent with this machine."

"Make it too powerful." Heinrad countered, stepping up to the blue and white bot. "Believe me, time is not something to be trifled with."

"What the?" Raf exclaimed. He'd been removing the back to the larger of the three seats when a golden disk fell out of it. It looked like a golden record and while it may have been a trick of the light, there seemed to be moving images embedded in the disk. Setting the seat back down, he picked the disk up. "What is this for?"

Rattrap looked at it. "I dunno." He replied. "I don't remember ever seein it in the machine specs. Hey Rad, look at dis." He called.

Heinrad came back inside the machine. Spying the golden disk, he quirked an eyebrow. "What is that supposed to be?"

"So you didn't know about this?" Raf asked.

"No." Heinrad admitted. "Although it wouldn't be the first time he didn't tell us about something important." He muttered. He was still upset at his 'Uncle Raf' for tricking them both. Although they both made sure never to take it out on their uncles' younger self.

"Perhaps Teletraan-2 can tell us more." Optimus answered, looking down through the partially deconstructed ceiling.

Walking over to the nearby computer terminal, Optimus accepted the golden disk from Raf and inserted it. After a moment, Teletraan seemed to flicker before a projector emerged from the side and activated. Moments later, a hologram of a both familiar and unfamiliar Maximal shimmered into view. Rattraps' and Heinrads' eyes widened.

"Uncle Raf?"

"Uncle?" The current Raf questioned.

"Hello boys." The hologram said. "If you are hearing this, you found the disk I hid in the time machine. Hopefully you were able to save Optimus, however, I created this AI disk to help ensure that our future doesn't come to pass." It explained.

"What is the meaning of this Rafael?" Optimus asked, stepping forward.

"I'm glad to hear that you did make it Optimus, but my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions." 'Old man Raf' explained.

"It appears to be programed to respond to specific questions from specific voices." Perceptor called, having been drawn over by the commotion and looking at the screen display.

"That is correct." The hologram replied. "The right people must ask the right questions. However, I recommend gathering the Maximals for this initial program run as well as the senior Autobot leadership."

"Very well, I shall be back momentarily." He would normally use the comms, but Blaster was still calibrating the communications array. He looked at Goldbug. "Make sure no one tampers with the computer until we get back." With that he went to retrieve the requested individuals.

Goldbug looked at the hologram. "Sorry to say it Raf, but you got old." He joked.

"Hey!" Raf complained.

"That's what a hard life will do to you Bumblebee." The hologram said, surprising them. "I'm happy to hear you survived too." It sniffed a bit. "I, I really missed you in this timeline." Goldbugs' optics widened in shock at the notion he'd originally died. Rattrap and Heinrad stepped forward.

"I gotta question for ya unc." Rattrap groused. "How come you lied to us?"

The hologram sighed. "I am sorry Rattrap, but I knew my younger and current selves couldn't exist in the same era safely. And I'm sure my younger self could tell you about the dangers of us coming into contact even accidentally." He hung his head. "I am sorry I lied to you boys, but I knew you wouldn't go if you knew I couldn't."

The two time travelers looked at each other. As much as they wanted to deny it, they knew it was true. It hurt, but they knew it ultimately had to happen.

"This is surreal." Raf said, looking at the hologram of his future self. "What kind of things could this AI tell us?" He asked absently.

"I am sorry, but my responses are limited." Old man Raf explained. "You must ask the right questions." Raf nodded as the Remaining Maximals returned with Optimus, Rodimus, and Ultra Magnus.

"Woah." Miko whispered. "Old man Rhinox."

"Miko, this is serious." Jack reprimanded.

"Rafael, I have gathered the remaining Maximals as well as Ultra Magnus and Rodimus." Optimus began.

"Very well, although for the sake of my younger counterpart's sanity, simply refer to me as Rhinox here. Sorry mini me." Rhinox added as Raf blushed and the other Maximals snickered a little.

"Very well then, Rhinox, aside from saving us, why did you send Heinrad and Rattrap back in time?" Optimus asked.

"Because in our timeline, Unicron awoke. And without you there to help us stop him, both Earth and Cybertron were lost. I sent them back to both save you, and to help prevent our timeline from coming to fruition." Rhinox explained.

"How did Unicron awaken?" Optimus asked.

"As you are all probably aware now." Rhinox replied. "Unicron set in motion events to create an Anti-Prime in the form of Galvatron. Under his command, the Decepticons and Predacons planted devices across the globe to create enough dark energon to resuscitate Unicron."

"When will Galvatron plant the devices?"

"I am sorry, but my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions."

"Where will he plant them, and can you tell us how they work?" Optimus tried. The hologram of Rhinox shifted to one of the Earth with blue lines running across it. There were several purple glowing dots on the map. One of which was where Autobot city now stood.

"As you know, there are mines and veins of energon deposits across the planet. Galvatron plans to use a type of burrowing dark energon seeder at these taint the deposits and convert them to dark energon. The boost of power will awaken Unicron and in our timeline, bring about the end of the Earth." Rhinox shimmered back into view.

"However, in your time, the seeders haven't been used yet." Rhinox explained. "Your forces, as well as the Maximals and humans, shall have to work together to prevent Unicrons return."

"We shall attempt to Rhinox." Optimus solemnly admitted. He noticed that the Maximals were all nervous at the notion of the loss of their planet. He looked at Rodimus, who would have to be the one to convince the humans to help them. "However, our own forces are somewhat depleted."

"Now that." Rhinox cut off. "Is the right question." Optimus brow quirked, he hadn't asked a question, but Rhinox cut him off again.

"You have more allies than you know Optimus." Rhinox began. "We just didn't find them until it was too late." Rhinox faded out again and a map of the milky way galaxy took its' place. This time dozens of red dots were covering it.

"Using Fortress Maximus' communications array, we were able to detect the life signals of Cybertronians in stasis pods." Rhinox explained. "In our timeline, we didn't have a space bridge capable of retrieving them before they were destroyed, but each one of those red dots."

"Is an Autobot waiting to come home." Optimus finished. "Then upgrading the spacebridge just became our top priority."

"Correct." Rhinox answered. "This map and the previous one have been downloaded into Teletraan-2. I wish you all luck. End program." With that, the hologram of Rhinox faded out before the golden disk was ejected from Teletraan.

"Heinrad, Rattrap, since the disk came from your time machine you shall be the ones to safeguard it." Optimus ordered. "Since the disk has knowledge of the future, it is every bit as dangerous as the time machine itself." At their nod, Optimus turned to the others." Everyone else, prepare for retrieval and salvage missions, we have a space bridge to restore and friends to recover." With a collective cheer, most of the group exited the lab.

"So, now we're trying to stop an apocalypse." Miko pondered excitedly. "Sounds like a kick ass science fiction movie."

"Or a crappy fanfiction." Raf muttered.

Once outside the science lab, Optimus was met by G.B. Blackrock who was still in his Transtector. "Optimus, I know everyone's been busy, but I must ask. Have you given any thought to the proposal I sent you a few days ago?" He asked.

Optimus gave a heavy sigh. "I have Mr. Blackrock, and I'm sorry. Project: Cerebros is simply too grandiose in scale to be feasible." He answered. "Again, I am sorry." He added before walking off.

"Understood." G.B. quietly replied. He waited for Primes' footsteps to fade away before moving to a storage room down the hall in the opposite direction.

"He denied it." He confirmed to the two bots who'd been waiting for him.

"I had a feeling he would." Brainstorm replied, stepping out of the shadowy corner for effect.

"As loathe as I am to go behind Optimus' back again, Fortress Maximus is too viable an asset for us not to use." Ultra Magnus added. The notion that one of the seeders would be planted at Autobot city disturbed him greatly. "If we can use your Transtector technology to reactivate him fully, then we cannot let the chance pass us by."

G.B. nodded. "Then Project Cerebros begins here, with us."

"With all the new Autobots arriving, I should be able to slip away to Maximus' neural cluster to begin work." Brainstorm added.

Magnus nodded. Project Cerebros was a go.

June lingered in the lab along with Heinrad and Rattrap. Once everyone but them had left, she turned to her grandchildren. "Gary, Kibo, could you put the disk back in?" She asked. "I have some questions of my own."

Kibo (Heinrad) Darby looked at his grandmother appraisingly before nodding. Considering she was keeping his and Garys' secrets, it was the least they could do. Reinserting the golden disk, the hologram Rhinox appeared again.

"You have further questions?" It asked.

Taking a deep breath, June steeled herself. "Raf, did I die in the attack on Unit-E in your timeline?" She asked.

"Before I answer that question June, I must ask one of you." Rhinox replied. "Do you really want to know the truth?"

"Yes." June breathed. "I want to know what happened to me and my family?"

"As you wish." Rhinox replied. "Yes, you perished at Galvatrons' hand that day along with Optimus, Bumblebee, Depthcharge, and Agent Fowler." He confirmed, causing June to hang her head.

"And, and my children?" She asked timidly.

"A few weeks after you were killed, Galvatron began launching his attacks across the globe." Rhinox began. "After the first few dark energon seeders were released, we realized what he was attempting to do. We recalled the Autobots who'd evacuated to Cybertron, but they were planting the seeders in twos and threes." There was a pause.

"I'm so sorry to say this June, but Jack was the first to die." He stated, causing her to let out a sob. "He was already mourning you when we went into battle that day. We fought Galvatron bravely as Magnaboss, but were knocked apart when we ran out of energy. Miko was knocked into a coma from head trauma during our separation, and Jack believed her to be dead.

"He tried to take him on himself, didn't he?" June whispered. Her son was a lot like her in some respects. She could easily see him trying to avenge both her and Miko in his rage. "Please, continue, but spare me the details."

Nodding, Rhinox continued. "Jack, Arcee, Mr. Blackrock, Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead, Drift, and the Protectobots all died that day." He continued. "However, in the days that followed, we discovered something surprising." He paused a moment. "Did Heinrad and Rattrap tell you?"

"Yes." June choked out, trying to hold back more tears. First her son and now her sister.

"While Miko was comatose, we found she was pregnant. The pain of childbirth nine months later brought her out of her coma. Unfortunately, when she found out that Jack and Bulkhead were dead too, she lost a lot of her will to live."

Kibo placed a hand on Junes' shoulder to comfort her. He was surprised when she embraced him tightly.

"She lived long enough to name her son Kibo, as her hope for the future." Rhinox continued. "Ultimately, she died from complications of the birth. Complications we now know how to prevent."

"A few months later, Sierra became pregnant with Garrison (Gary) Edmund Raider and somehow Shockwave and Tarantulas became aware of the two new Maximals existence." Rhinox continued. "Vince Allison and the Dinobots sacrificed themselves to keep them all safe."

There was a pause. "Ultimately, we had to abandon Fortress Maximus. With most of our heavy hitters gone and Galvatrons' forces moving with impunity, we had to take provisions and flee to Cybertron as Unicron began to awaken." He explained. "Without any organic soil, Sierra became sick, and died several months later."

"Unfortunately, Unicron sent advance forces to Cybertron and little by little, they whittled us down until there was only Garrison, Kibo, and Myself." Rhinox paused a moment. "During one attack by Terrorcons, Kibo was injured, and it triggered his outlier ability to control time. I gave him his two of the Blades of Time to help him control it, and I deduced that if directed correctly, I could send them back in time to prevent everything that had happened to us from occurring."

"And the rest as they say, is history." Gary added. "Even if you did lie to us."

"Shut up Rattrap." Rhinox replied fondly.

June barely heard a word towards the end. She was quietly sobbing in Kibos' arms. So many of her loved ones died after her and now she might have to bear witness to them dying all over again.

"How can I help keep my family safe now." She choked out. "If I wasn't able to then."

Rhinox gave a grim nod. "That, is the right question." He spoke. "End Program."

"Grandma." Kibo began, hugging her tightly. "You being alive in this timeline already shows that history is still being made. Nothing is set in stone yet, and we know how to prevent what could be."

June felt Gary hug her from behind. "We'll get the drop on ole lizard brain this time and no one has to die." He whispered. The three held on to each other, soothing their sparks from the horrible timeline they'd escaped until a returning Brainstorm came to inform them that dinner was ready.

Back on the Nemesis, Galvatron was in a video conference with three of the Decepticons' best bounty hunters. Lockdown, Axer, and Nightbird.

"Now, I know that the three of you are top tier and do not come cheap. However, I appreciate that you always get results. Furthermore." He was cut off by Lockdown.

"Enough pleasantries, you have a contract for us, yes?" Lockdown asked.

"Straight to the point then." Galvatron groused. "Yes, there are six individuals I require be brought to this world. Your reward, five times your standard bounty, each."

"That's mighty steep mate." Axer threw out. "Just who all we bringing in?"

"I'm sending you the data packet now." Galvatron spoke as he sent the intel to the three bounty hunters. He watched in satisfaction as Axer and Lockdown gave surprised reactions. The silent Nightbird simply narrowed her optics.

"Crikey!"

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"Absolutely not." Galvatron replied calmly. "In fact, I suggest that the three of you collaborate for this bounty. I will give you some leeway though, I want them brought in alive, but not necessarily intact."

"So, you're serious about this contract then mate?" Axer asked.

Galvatron glared at the three. "Yes, I want you to bring me the Monstructor six."

"As you wish." Lockdown replied. "After all, we are top tier, yes?"

As the three screens faded to black, Galvatron smiled. With a combiner like Monstructor on their side they'd be able to bring Optimus Prime, the universe, and eventually Unicron to their knees. It was only a matter of time now.

Notes:

A/N: Forces replenished, check. Plot mapped out, check. Surprises to come, double check.

As some of you can guess, I used the Transmetal 2 Ravage (which itself is a recolor of T2 Cheetor) and used a white version for Snowkat. I know that making the 3.0 Preds outliers might be a bit much, but I figured it'd give them some more oomph. Expect more of them to come.

I came up with my versions of Jetstorm and Tankor by taking their Beast Machines appearance and combining them with elements of the Decepticon Justice Division. Thrust on the other hand is a retool of Revenge of the fallen Lockdown with elements of Pinhead from Hellraiser. The elements fit together surprisingly well. The replicating of the Vehicon drones is actually straight out of the pages of the Transformers G2 Marvel comic.

And yay, more Autobots are coming. On a side note, my 'old man Rhinox' from the Prime verse golden disk is a nod to one of my favorite sci fi movies. A shoutout in the next chapter to anyone who can name it. Until then, kudo, subscribe, and comment. Happy writing.

Next time: Foes and friends, old and new.

Chapter 38: Friends and Enemies, Old and New

Notes:

Alright everyone, here's a new chapter fresh off the presses. This one inadvertently turned into a much larger chapter than I was intending, but I think it was worth it. We have some surprises and new twists for your reading pleasure. So by all means, enjoy.

In her classroom in Paradon, Arcee was going over test papers. Lingering over her top students' results, she let out a laugh. She liked the humorous responses to some of the test questions that somehow managed to convey the correct response. She had a feeling that she had a genius on her servos. She just hoped he could keep his alt mode under wraps.

She was pulled out of her musings by a series of rapid footfalls followed by a loud pounding on her classroom door. Dropping her teachers' tablet, she walked over to the door and opened it revealing a bronze and black mech about her height. Optics widening, she realized it was the student whose test she'd been grading.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. "Class was over-" She was cut off.

"Arcee! Arcee you need to hide me!" He begged frantically.

She looked at the terrified mech before her. "What's wrong?"

"I was drafted for a combiner experiment!" He hissed, glancing at t

Arcee was confused. "I thought you had no problem being part of one?"

"Yeah." The young mech admitted. "But that was before I learned part of the procedure was a mandatory lobotomy!" He nearly screamed.

Mouth agape, Arcee stared at her student. She hadn't known that either. Hearing loud footfalls in the hallway again, she turned to the young mech.

"Quickly, hide in the supply closet, and don't come out." She ordered, opening the door. She wouldn't let this fine young mind be destroyed without a fight. Shutting the door, she barely had time to pick her tablet back up before a large hulking mech peeked in the door.

"S'cuse me mam." He spoke with a faux polite tone. "But we're looking for a student of yours. Over here Anvil." He called behind his shoulder as what appeared to be his identical twin stepped into the doorway, effectively blocking her in. "Name's Hammer." The mech added.

"Is one of them in trouble?" She asked calmly. Hopefully she could bluff their way out of this.

"Well." Anvil explained from the door. "The young mech was picked for an experiment and decided to leave before we could explain everything."

Arcee raised a brow. "Wouldn't he be within his rights to refuse?" She asked.

"He would." Hammer replied. "If he turned into anything other than a beast. And let's face it, animals can't be smart according to functionism."

"And we all know how the senate feels about bots that don't fit within the system, don't we." Anvil added menacingly, looking directly at her. Arcee was unthreatened, however.

"In any case, I haven't seen." She was cut off as Hammer fired a taser into her side, causing her to drop to the floor in convulsions.

"The senate wants a combiner." Anvil began. "They also want you gone freak." He jeered. They'd been briefed about Arcees' history when they learned she was the subjects' teacher. "Either way, we get results."

"Now you tell us where he is." Hammer added as he gave Arcee another jolt. "Or we can eliminate you instea-" He was cut off as the supply closets' door was knocked off its' hinges.

A large two legged black and bronze beast with a horned head charged across the classroom and knocked Hammer into Anvil. Throwing Arcee over its' shoulder as it fled the classroom, it began to charge towards the school doors towards freedom.

It was not to be, however, another taser was fired into his retreating back, causing him to stumble and drop Arcee to the ground. Arcee watched paralyzed as the beast turned back into her student. Hammer and Anvil each grabbed one of the mechs arms and hoisted him up so his feet left the ground.

"Come on you 'clever critter'." Hammer sneered, walking past the twitching Arcee.

"You got an appointment with a 'good' doctor." Anvil added.

"No, NO!" He screamed as he was carried out of sight. "Arcee, ARCEE!"

In the present, Arcee awoke with a start. Sitting up on her berth, she cradled her head in her hands. She had no idea why that particular nightmare had reared its' ugly head after so many years.

She would admit that a lot of her life was tragedy, between Galavar, Jhiaxus, Tailgate and Cliffjumper she had a lot of traumas in her past. Being a teacher, in contrast, had been a great joy in it. However, looking back, she couldn't help but feel as if she'd failed her student that day.

Deciding against going back to sleep, Arcee got up to take a walk around Fortress Maximus. She'd found years ago that a good walk or ride helped clear her head when her traumas began to haunt her. However, as it was past midnight, she didn't think the noise from her motorcycle mode would be appreciated.

Treading silently through the base, she decided to check on her partner/nephew. Maybe it was the lingering feeling of guilt talking, or maybe familial instinct, but she just couldn't help worrying about the young human turned Maximal. She only hoped that she didn't walk in on one of his and Mikos' 'midnight make out' sessions again. Once was enough.

As she passed the section of Maximus that had been devoted to the Maximals, she noticed a light on in the makeshift kitchen/dining room and low voices coming from it. Looking inside, she was surprised to see Jack Miko and Raf at the table nursing cups of various drinks. The bigger surprise though, was Optimus sitting with them in his Maximal body with a coffee mug of milk. Seeing her out of the corner of his optic, Optimus waved her in.

"Come in Arcee, I'm sure that our friends could use some extra company." He spoke.

"Are you three, okay?" Arcee asked as she sat on the floor next to the table.

"Just nightmares." Jack mumbled as he took a sip of tea.

Optimus gave a sigh and looked at her. "I believe that they are suffering nightmares related to my own near-death experience." He replied.

"How would that work?" Arcee asked.

"I was part of Magnaboss while my spark was in Jacks' body." Optimus answered. "And my own emotions from it may have caused them to have nightmares of their own."

"I just don't see how I'd have a nightmare of someone dying in my arms." Jack murmured. He couldn't place it, but he felt like he really knew and cared for that person.

Miko just mumbled as she dozed off, laying her head on Jacks' shoulder.

"Want to trade for my nightmare?" Raf asked as he fiddled with something in his hands. "I dreamed I was trapped in a giant hamster ball."

Giving the Maximals an appraising look, Optimus drained the rest of his milk. He was still unused to eating and drinking like the other Maximals but was coming to enjoy it. "I believe you need to bring these new nightmares up with Rung once his new office is set up." He looked over at Raf. "Rafael, what is that you have in your hands?"

Raf winced slightly at being caught and held up the Chimera Stone.

"Sorry Optimus." He replied. "It's just, there's something about it." Raf stumbled. "I don't know, like it's calling to me."

"That's probably your exhaustion talking." Jack supplied. Gently lifting his dozing girlfriend from her seat, Jack headed out of the kitchen. "Thanks for talking with us Optimus." He whispered as the Prime began to gather up their oversized cups.

"Sleep well Jack, and you as well Miko." He spoke back before turning back to Raf. "And Rafael, please make sure to put the stone back before you go to sleep." He wasn't about to scold him for being curious.

Raf yawned as he stood up. "I will Optimus." He answered, picking the Chimera Stone up. "See you in the morning."

Arcee watched the Maximal leave before turning to speak with Optimus who was washing the cups.

"I wish we could do more to help them." She admitted. Her own nightmare had brought up old feelings of guilt she now hoped to assuage that by helping their charges.

"I think a day trip would be in order." Optimus replied as he set the cups to air dry. "I shall assign them to join the recovery team heading to the old Predacon lab. A change of scenery and a simple recovery mission might do them some good." He explained.

Arcee nodded. "So long as we avoid the spot where Mindwipe jumped us." She added.

"Agreed." Optimus spoke as he turned to her. "So, what has you awake at this hour Arcee." He asked.

"Old memories and nightmares." Arcee sighed. "A student of mine was lobotomized years ago for one of the senates' combiner experiments because he was a beast bot." She said rubbing her optics. "Sad thing is, he could've been just as smart as Raf had it not happened."

Optimus nodded. "Yes, the senate truly committed some heinous crimes." He looked at Arcee. "You are perfectly welcome to join the Maximals on the recovery team. More optics mean less a chance of something being overlooked."

"And the sooner we gather what we need, the sooner we can recover the other Autobots." Arcee answered. What could it hurt.

Down in the relic vault, Raf was taking the Chimera Stone back to where he'd found it. Taking a hold of one of the drawers, he opened it to find not the empty drawer for the stone, but the Enigma of Combination. Wincing slightly at Nexus Primes' artifact, he went to close the drawer only for the Chimera Stone to activate.

"What the?" Raf asked no one as a beam of energy lanced out towards the Enigma and retracted, causing the stone to take on the enigmas' magenta hue. "NO!" He exclaimed.

Looking at the stone, Raf tried to figure out how to return the energy the stone had siphoned to the enigma. However, in his insomnia induced haze all he could think was 'bad, bad, bad'

"I can't put it back like this." He whispered to himself checking the vault for witnesses and thanking every god he could think of that the vault was soundproof so Blaster couldn't hear him. Taking a deep breath, Raf calmed himself.

"Okay." He whispered. "I'll figure this out in the morning. I'm sure no one will notice it's gone." With that he stowed the now magenta stone and exited the vault intending to get a good night's sleep before trying to solve this new problem.

He just couldn't figure out why the stone activated at that precise moment.

The next day, Optimus had gathered most of the Maximals and their partners as well as a handful of the science division. The only ones missing were the Fowlers. Both Agent and Captain Fowler had been placed on Rodimus' security detail while he was in New York. The others would make up the team salvaging parts and equipment from the old Predacon lab to upgrade the space bridge. Without a space bridge of their own however, they were forced to rely on the United States government for transport. He turned to the group.

"Arcee, Bulkhead, Goldbug, Nightbeat and the Maximals shall accompany Perceptor and Jetfire to the Appalachian Mountains to help recover the necessary components and materials to upgrade our space bridge." Optimus explained. "Your transport is waiting outside and will await your return at the nearby airport. Please remain in vehicle or beast mode for the duration of the flight to conserve room. Roll out."

"Alright nippers." Jetfire added. "Ya heard the gaz."

Optimus watched the contingent exit the conference room then turned to leave, intending to get an update from Rodimus at the United Nations. Facing him, however, was Ratchet, and he was flanked by Wheeljack and amusingly Sludge the Dinobot.

"Something wrong old friend." Optimus asked.

"Yes." Ratchet answered sternly. "I wanted you to report to med bay three days ago so I can more thoroughly examine your new hybrid body." Ratchet began. "You have been avoiding me and so now I find myself forced to corner you with backup." He added indicating Wheeljack and Sludge.

"Ratchet." Optimus replied sternly. "With everything going on, my personal health can." He was cut off as Sludges' hand gripped his shoulder. Height wise, he was one of the few Autobots who could.

"You're going." Sludge started simply. And with that, he gave Optimus a strong push and moved him along the hallway.

"Doctors orders." Ratchet added as he and Wheeljack kept an eye on him to make sure he couldn't sneak off.

On the Nemesis, Galvatron watched as the Monstructor six were being repaired within their new dark energon enhanced Pretender shells. When he had ordered the bounty hunters to bring them in, he knew they would be ruthless in their hunt. With the damage they'd inflicted to capture them, he wondered if he should've been more specific regarding them being intact. Birdbrain needed his legs reattached and Icepick had been sliced in half shoulder to hip for primes' sake.

Of the three bounty hunters, only Axer remained behind after delivery. Nightbird had vanished almost immediately after being paid and Lockdown had said something about some additional bounties before departing. Axer however, wanted to do some upgrades to his ship before taking off. Upgrades that he had now completed.

"Alright mate." He began jarring Galvatron from his thoughts. "Thanks for the hospitality and the boon to my accounts." Axer reached out and shook hands with his host.

"Are you sure I cannot convince you to stay Axer?" Galvatron asked. "We could use a bot like you." 'Mostly to track down deserters.' Galvatron added silently.

"Appreciate the thought." Axer replied. "But I've always preferred to do me own thing."

Galvatrons reply was cut off by Tarantulas appearing on a nearby computer.

"Lord Galvatron." He began. "My sensors just picked up several Autobot signals headed towards the old Predacon lab."

Galvatron looked at his new troops. They would be finished 'incubating' in less than an hour. "Axer?" He asked. "How do you feel about a quick, I believe the local expression is 'mail run'?"

"You want me to drop these biters wherever the bots are going?" Axer asked back. "Standard thousand Shainx, easily done. I'm guessing you don't want to send the pods through the spacebridge?"

"Correct, Tarantulas shall load them on your ship and accompany you."

"WHAT!" Tarantulas exclaimed.

"Someone needs to verify their effectiveness." Galvatron answered.

"See ya soon legs." Axer joked as Tarantulas disappeared from the screen. Before he could leave, the ship shook with an explosion.

"What on Cybertron was that?"

Bludgeons' skull face appeared on the monitor. "Two more deserters. Octopunch and Stranglehold. I shall retrieve them."

"No." Galvatron replied. "I need you here." He looked at the security monitors and noticed the Darksyde exit the Nemesis' hangar before shimmering out of sight. He'd forgotten about the cloaking mechanism. "I know how to slow them down."

Stepping over to a control panel, he brought up an image of the Darksyde. Highlighted in red was a small square in the back of the ship. Pressing a sequence of buttons, the sound of a distant explosion was heard through the water.

"There." Galvatron spoke. "While that may not have destroyed the ship, it did cripple it. I implemented explosives in potential escape ships after several Decepticons deserted us." He explained to a confused Axer. "And no, I haven't touched your ship."

"Want me to go after them?" He asked. He'd never gone after someone from the Mayhem Attack Squadron before. It would make his rep forever.

"No, stay with your delivery." Galvatron ordered. "I will send others." As Axer left, Galvatron sent a communication to his new generals.

"Thrust Tankor, Jetstorm." He began. "Order some of your drones to track the Darksyde and its' passengers and bring them to me. Dead, or alive." Either he got them back, or he would make an example of them like he did with Punch.

"As you wish." Thrust replied.

Deep in the Appalachian Mountains the recovery team had disembarked and were headed for the old Predacon lab. They would take the parts from the lab back to the air strip where the human team who'd accompanied them would load them onto the plane. Miko was still irritable about the flight.

"If I knew I'd have to stay in beast mode for four hours, I'd have just flown there on my own. I mean, Jetfire did." She grumbled as she glided alongside Vince over the treetops. Jack and the other Maximals followed the Autobots on foot. Most of them (save Sierra who was being carried by Vince) were managing the forest well in their beast modes.

"There's a difference between his jet engines and your wing power pretty bird." Jack replied, leaping over a fallen log. He couldn't shake the feeling that the group were being watched.

"Yeah." Raf added. "You'd probably be tired and only halfway there by OW!" He gave a yell as Miko divebombed him. Mostly because it was harder to hit Jack.

"Miko play nice!" June called out to her adoptive daughter/future daughter in law. "I'm not above webbing you!" She was feeling antsy too. She kept catching glimpses of movement just on the edge of her field of vision. However, she couldn't tell if it was just forest animals or something else.

Entering the clearing just before the mountain that housed the old lab, they took in the field before them. The natural forest growth had turned the scarred battlefield they'd left behind into a work of natural beauty. They could see that several ponds had come into existence in the area, the largest was where Defensor had thrown Devastator.

Sierra smiled. "It's so beautiful here." She whispered to herself.

"It sure is." Vince said, admiring both the view and his girlfriend.

"Okay you two." Allison added as she literally horned her way past them in her unicorn mode. "We have work to do."

"Indeed." Perceptor added as he examined the entrance to the lab complex before turning to the others. "Jetfire, Goldbug, since you were present last time, I'd suggest you search Shockwaves' main lab area with Rafael and Rattrap. Bulkhead Arcee and I shall." He was cut off as a large four-legged beast leapt from the dark entrance and pounced on Perceptor.

The rest of the group deployed their weapons and took aim at their attacker. It looked like a Predacon only it had a beak and tusks with blade like spines running down its' back from neck to tail. It gave a roar towards them drawing their attention while a second Predacon leapt from the forest and attacked Bulkheads' head.

This Predacons' design was like the first but seemed more lizard like with what looked like four small wings on its' back. Its' ambush attack worked rather well as Bulkheads' attempts to remove it were making it hard to form a plan and causing confusion. Eventually, Bulkhead was able to throw his attacker towards the other Predacon.

"It looks a couple Predacons survived the explosion." Goldbug called.

"I'll knock the other one off of Perce while you snag him." Bulkhead added.

Before they could do anything, they heard a frighteningly familiar roar. Looking up, they could see the familiar form of Scourge soaring towards them in dragon mode. Arcee, Raf, Goldbug, Bulkhead and Jetfire each tried to fire on the Predacon but he avoided every shot and breathed a stream of fire to create a burning wall between the Autobots and the other two Predacons.

"Oh scrap." Miko exclaimed. "Puff's back."

There was the sound of transformation before Scourge walked through the wall of flame without pause. "Why have you invaded our home now Autobots?" He growled at the group. "We do not want you here and you are not welcome here." His vision lingered on the Maximals a moment. "Talk!"

"Wait!" Jack called as he ran between scourge and the others, hands held up in surrender. "We were unaware this area was inhabited. We only came to look for parts." He explained.

"Jack, what are you doing?" Arcee yelled.

"We only require some of the wreckage, with your permission we shall salvage it, and be gone." Jack explained. Scourge seemed to consider him for a moment.

"Once you have your equipment, you shall take the Autobots with you and not return?" He asked.

"You have my word as a Maximal." Jack confirmed.

After a few moments of thought, Scourge nodded. "Drancron, Razorbeast, release your captive." He ordered. Moments later, the two transformed Predacons pushed through the dying flames with Perceptor in tow. While overall similar, Razorbeast had his spines flowing over his shoulders and down his back while Drancron had a pair of his beast modes' wings on each arm and his lizard head for a right hand. The two released the scientist and he limped back over to the others.

"I shall accept your word, Maximal." Scourge began. "However, I will only allow two groups of three in our home, and each shall be accompanied by one of my brethren. And be warned, if I sense any deception, I shall personally destroy you all." He finished ominously.

"I also wish to speak with the three of you." Scourge added, nodding towards Jack, Miko and Raf.

"Not without me present." June interrupted. She'd never seen the original Predacon before and what she'd just seen made her fear for her Childrens' safety.

"And you would be?" He asked.

"Their mother." June replied firmly, stepping closer to her children.

Scourge gave her an appraising look before he nodded again. "As one guardian to another, I can agree to that. The rest of you have until sundown to find what you need. I suggest you begin." With that the remaining Autobots and Maximals divided up with the new Predacons to begin their search while Scourge moved off to the side to speak with his own quartet of Maximals.

"I can't believe they." Bulkhead began before Vince cut him off.

"At least we're able to get the parts without being barbecued." He interrupted. "I just can't believe Jack was able to calm Dragon breath down like that."

"Probably Optimus' influence." Arcee added, then mentally kicking herself for the double meaning of her words.

"Alright." The Predacon called Drancron began. "Do you have your groups chosen?" Jetfire, Nightbeat and Rattrap moved towards him while Perceptor, Arcee and Heinrad stepped up to Razorbeast.

"Very well, let's go." And with that, the groups entered the mountain, leaving the others to act as guards.

As the groups dispersed into the lab, Scourge sat down on the edge of the clearing and motioned for the four to do the same. They stared at each other a few moments before June opened the impromptu meeting.

"I don't believe we've been formally introduced." She began. "My name is June Darby, also known as Kumara, and mother to these three and an additional one by the cave." She finished, nodding towards Vince.

"And I am Scourge." He replied. "The first of the Predacon rebirth, and current guardian and sire figure to Razorbeast and Drancron who you met earlier. Now we know each other." He finished. He looked at the other three.

"Some time ago we fought in a desert when you were merged." He began. "You told me that Megatron wouldn't allow the Predacons to become more powerful than he." He gave them a look that seemed to gaze within their sparks. "I must ask, did Optimus Prime truly desire our deaths?"

The three gave exclamations of disagreement.

"Absolutely not."

"No way scales."

"It's not how the Autobots operate."

Scourge nodded. "I see." He began. "Prime did try to reason with me during your initial attack, but I was too impetuous to believe him." Scourge gave a heavy sigh. "And it cost the rest of my brethren their lives."

"Not all though." Jack said, stepping forward and placing a hand on Scourges' arm.

Scourge smiled. "True. When I saw the wreckage of the lab and believed my brethren were all dead, I set out to destroy you all. When I heard their cries in the fire, my desire for vengeance was replaced with a need to protect what was left of the new generation."

"And we will respect that and your desire to be left alone." Jack replied.

June smiled, both in pride of her son, and at the notion that this great warrior would choose parenthood over vengeance. Perhaps humans and Cybertronians were more alike than meets the eye.

There was a companionable silence between them.

"I have one additional question though." Scourge began, not quite knowing how to put it to words. "When we fought in the desert, I felt a strange familiarity with the three of you. Do the three of you feel anything akin to it towards myself?" He asked.

This threw the Maximals for a loop. June looked confused while Miko Jack and Raf looked at each other. They had to admit that for a ferocious Predacon dragon, Scourge was surprisingly easy to talk to here. Almost like another sibling.

"Maybe." Miko replied after a few moments. "You seem like a decent bot when you aren't trying to roast us."

"And you do care for your family, so that's a plus in our books." Raf added.

Jack thought for a moment. "You know, we do have caverns not too far from our new base." He began. "If you three wanted to relocate, we could find a place for you."

Scourge looked back at the mountain. "I shall, consider it." He replied before getting up and walking back towards the other bots.

Over the course of the afternoon, the two teams made several trips into the lab complex. Several times members switched out so that the more exhausted ones could rest excepting the scientists who were the only ones who knew what to look for. Ultimately, as the sun began to set, the collection was completed.

"Alright blokes and shielas." Jetfire said, taking inventory of the components. "With all this salvage we'll be getting our mates back within a few days."

"I wish you luck." Scourge replied as he walked up to the group, Razorbeast and Drancron in tow. "Now, we bid you all farewell, should our paths cross again." He was cut off by a transport ship speeding into the clearing. "What treachery is this!?" He called.

"Oh, what a lovely little reunion." Tarantulas called from the open side of Axers' transport ship. Behind him were a half dozen modified stasis pods with colossal shapes within them obscured by viscous green fluid.

"Tarantulas?" Leobolt called, mentally switching to his battle name.

"Right in one, 'Minimals'." He taunted as the transport began to descend. "We heard you were having a party and wanted to introduce some new friends of ours. Although it seems you've found some new ones too." He added, eyeing the three Predacons. This would be a better test than he thought.

"You will leave now spider." Scourge called, deploying his guns as the ship hovered a few feet off the ground near the forest.

"Oh, I will." Tarantulas laughed. "After our 'monstrous' new friends have had a chance to work out their, 'anger issues' on you." He took a step off the transport allowing the pods to eject and open, spilling the green fluid around them as six organic looking monsters emerged.

"Say hello, to the Horrorcons!" He laughed.

"When the hell did the cons get into genetic engineering?" Botanica yelled as the group took a step back.

It was an honest question, each of the Horrorcons looked like a monster dredged up from someone's darkest nightmares. There wasn't an inch of metal visible on any of them.

Using his experienced optic as a sharpshooter, Perceptor glanced over them and saw the telltale signs of the truth. "Not organic!" He called. "Just Pretender shells!"

"Aww." Tarantulas whined. "You let the cat out of the bag." He looked at the combined Autobots, Maximals, and Predacons with a mad glint in his visor. "KILL!" He shouted. With that the six Horrorcons charged forth.

Goldbug barely had a chance to get his guard up when what looked like an orange and blue mold monster nearly skewered him with long sharp pincers. Eerily glowing yellow eyes seemed to see right through him as he opened fire, the shots barely doing anything to the behemoth. He was surprised when Rhinox rammed into his attacker at full speed in beast mode, and only knocked him back several paces.

"So." Rhinox said as he transformed and deployed his chain guns. "Does our dance partner have a name?" He asked looking at the creature.

"Once upon a time, my name was Icepick." It replied in a flat monotone. "Now, I am simply a dealer of death." Icepick finished as he charged again. Rhinox unloaded his chain guns into Icepicks' side but was unable to even hobble the Horrorcon.

"And like death." Icepick continued, advancing on them. "The six of us are unstoppable."

Several yards away, Nightbeat, Nightscream, and Botanica were staring down a cyan and grey monster that appeared to be carved from rocks. The truly unnerving thing about their opponent was an ethereal white light seemed to glow from every orifice of his head.

"Scowl." The monster bellowed.

"What?" Botanica asked.

"My name, is Scowl." He boomed. "I wanted you to know it because I wanted you to know who to beg for mercy." Scowl taunted. "And I want you to hear your end coming long before you see it." He finished as he began to advance on the three.

Nightbeats' optics went wide in recognition of the name. "Oh frag, you mean you're the." He was cut off as Scowl let loose a sonic pulse from his maw that sent Nightbeat flying into the mountainside, knocking him out. "No spoilers." He shouted as Botanicas' seed snare wrapped his head and Nightscream loosed a shriek to his middle.

"Think that stopped him?" Nightscream asked. His answer came in the sound of a bellow shredding the snare around Scowls' head.

"Nope."

"Not bad little screamer." Scowl taunted. "But let me show you how the pros do it." He then let loose a sonic scream that forced the Maximals to hit the dirt.

In the skies over the battle, Jetfire was dodging a pale purple gargoyle-like monstrosity with wings and a bright green head. Honestly, it reminded him a little bit of the 'Chupacabras' he'd briefly read about before arriving on Earth. Unfortunately, this bogey seemed to enjoy flying recklessly and had nearly flown into his Skystriker alt mode twice on purpose.

"What's the matter flyboy?" The monster called in a feminine voice. "Afraid of playing a little chicken with little old Wildfly?"

"Not in the least lass." Jetfire called as the now confirmed femme divebombed him again. "Just not a fan of dying like a wingnut."

"Aww." Wildfly whined. "The crashes are my favorite part." She barrel rolled underneath Jetfire, using her shells talons to slice his fuel line and send him into a tailspin. She is a little disappointed to see him transform into bot mode and fall through the trees, slowing him down to a survivable speed before impact. Hearing a faint groan, she smirked.

"That was fun, wanna play again?"

Back on the ground, Wingsaber and Bulkhead were going up against a green and brown giant lizard with conical spikes along its' back. This wouldn't've been a problem except that it seemed that the lizard could launch the spikes from its' tail at them.

"Jeez." Wingsaber exclaimed as she dodged one of the projectiles. She'd attempted to use her kunai moments ago only for the knives to bounce off it. "And I thought the thorny devils were nasty looking."

"Well watch yourself." Bulkhead replied. He went to slam his wrecking ball into the creatures' side, but it was deceptively fast and managed to sidestep him. "I don't think you'd want to have to pull out 'Mr. Bricklebutts' thorns." He added, causing his partner to laugh.

"That's Bristleback to you whippersnapper." The monster sneered. He sounded like a crotchety old man. "And I think I'll show you two just how I 'roll'." Rolling into a ball, Bristleback barreled towards the two Wreckers leaving a trail of loose spikes in the soil behind him.

Wingsaber watched as Bulkhead slammed his wrecking balls into the oncoming Bristleback. The blow did manage to knock their opponent back the way he came. Unfortunately, it also left several spikes embedded in Bulkheads' weapons. He wouldn't be able to retract them until the spikes were removed.

"Scrap." He cursed. "What are these cons fragging made of?"

Near the entrance to the mountain, Perceptor and Mach Hoof were trying to protect the scavenged parts from what looked like a mutant bald eagle with mad red eyes. It circled around them in midair on its black feathery wings.

"Back off Birdbrain." Mach Hoof yelled as she fired a Nucleon pulse that arced across the monster and into the ground. Whatever this thing was, it was well insulated against her attacks.

"Have we met?" It asked. Its' voice almost sounded like a squawk. "Because I don't remember introducing myself to a beast bot like you."

"Wait, really?" She asked in surprise. "Your name is actually Birdbrain?"

"Introductions later, we need to protect the equipment!" Perceptor yelled, peppering Birdbrain with shots from his sniper rifle.

"No problem." Rattrap called, running up to the twosome with Heinrad hot on his heels. Detaching the wheels on his hips he deployed the built-in blades in the treads and activated the spinning motors, turning them into a kind of circular saw. "Rad, get the parts to the extraction point!" He yelled.

"On it." Heinrad called back as he got into position.

"Ohh, parts and equipment." Birdbrain exclaimed. "I thought you were just collecting garbage. In that case." He let out a shrieking cry as he divebombed the four.

"Heinrad, MAXIMIZE!" With that both the time Maximal and the parts were gone in a matter of nanoseconds.

The sudden disappearance of one of his targets surprised Birdbrain. It surprised him enough that his mind went blank for a moment, and he flew past his opponents and collided with the mountainside.

"Woah, where'd this thing come from?"

"Okay, Birdbrain." Mach Hoof muttered, nodding. "Makes sense."

In the middle of the various battles across the clearing, Arcee and Leobolt were squaring off against a rotund, rust red and yellow monster with sharp hooks for hands and feet. The moment that this particular Horrorcon saw Arcee with its' pupilless yellow eyes, it made a beeline for her. Leobolt got between the two of them first, deploying his new weapons a set of four long claws deployed from each forearm, he met the brutes' hooks head on. It glared at Leobolt before turning its' look at Arcee.

"I see you were able to succeed with another where you failed with me Arcee." It called in a hauntingly familiar voice.

Maybe it was the fact that she'd dreamt of this bot the night before, or maybe it was seeing what her genius student had become, but Arcees' jaw and arms dropped in shock.

"Slog?"

"Arcee?" Leobolt questioned, looking at her. It was all the distraction Slog needed to give the Maximal a kick to the midsection and send him flying across the clearing.

"Jack!" Arcee exclaimed before having to block her former student herself. "Slog please, stop." She practically begged the Horrorcon, using her foot in his large belly to push him back. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't save you back then." This made Slog back down a bit.

"Sorry?" Slog asked. "Arcee, you have nothing to be sorry for. You tried to hide me that day and it nearly got you killed." He swung another hook at her, driving her back a few steps. "I will say however, that the combiner process Jhiaxus put us through truly gave me some clarity."

"Jhiaxus!" Arcee exclaimed. While she had no idea that the amoral scientist was involved in the combiner experiments, she shouldn't've been surprised. She felt an icy cold sensation grip her spark. There was only one combiner that didn't die immediately in those labs, although the senate wished they had afterwards.

"You mean that you're?" She began.

"The Monstructor six?" Slog laughed. "Why yes. And I must say that I finally understand why I was chosen now." Slog grinned at her with sharp teeth.

"You see, I find that all sentient life can be divided into two classes, oppressors and oppressed." Slog began, using his hooks to demonstrate. "There will always be conflict between these two groups and my genius allowed Monstructor to determine a perfect solution. Kill them all!"

Arcees' optics widened as she took a step back from Slog. "That, that, NO!" Arcee yelled at the monster that was once her student. "That isn't right or make sense."

"It does if you think about it." Slog replied. "If you kill the oppressors, there will always be someone who was oppressed to take over, Megatron was a prime example of that." He began as he and Arcee began to circle each other. "And if I kill the oppressed, the oppressors will simply begin oppressing each other or find new peoples to oppress. And so, the best way to truly end the cycle, is to destroy it utterly."

"And what about change?" Leobolt asked as he began to circle Slog alongside Arcee. "Oppression can be dealt with, with education and social change. It isn't a quick solution, but it is possible."

"And yet the people of both this world and Cybertron failed in those regards." Slog argued.

"Slog." Arcee added. "You're smarter than that, there are better ways."

"Ways that have proven ineffective." Slog countered.

"Enough moralistic debates!" Yelled Tarantulas. He'd been listening and growing bored with the conversation. "Your individual combat skills are effective, now it's time to test your 'overall effectiveness'." He gave a start as he heard Axers' ship begin to lift off. "Where are you going?"

"The agreement was for a drop off, not a round trip mate." Axer called as the main engine ignited. "Take it up with yer boss legs." With that the bounty hunter took off. Grumbling to himself, Tarantulas turned back to the clearing. Looking over the battlefield, he gave the order.

"Horrorcons, form Monstructor!"

At the command, each of the Pretender shells shuddered before a hatch in the back of each one opened. Suddenly, the fading light in the clearing seemed to fail completely, plunging the area into semidarkness. From each shell erupted a bot which rose into the air, the darkness making them seem like dark shadows. As the six figures converged and combined, a palpable wave of fear and dread washed over the area. The entire process felt less like the forming of a mechanical warrior and more like the conjuring of an evil spirit.

In the half-darkness surrounding them, the collective Autobots Maximals and Predacons beheld the new combiner towering over them. It was nearly as tall as Devastator in muted colors ranging from bronze and black, to red and blue, to brown and grey. It was broad shouldered with an impassive face that surveyed them.

"Monstructor!" Yelled Tarantulas. "These are your new enemies, lash out and leave nothing standing!"

"Your enemies' spider." Monstructor replied. For a large hulking figure, the combiner was surprisingly soft spoken. "My enemies are all who live and breathe, remember that, for one day I shall turn my full might upon you and yours as well." With that the combiner stalked towards the group, its' aura of fear growing with each footstep.

"Come one everyone!" Bulkhead called, sounding braver than he was feeling. "It's just another big ugly. Nothing we can't handle."

"Bulkhead, have you blown your neural cluster?" Nightbeat exclaimed. The effects of Monstructors' combining jolted him back to consciousness and into a panic. "That is Monstructor, the first combiner of modern times. It laid waste to almost the entire Elite Guard before it was stopped."

"Your friend is right." Monstructor added. "And all that stand before me must perish. Make it easy on yourselves. Give into your fear, it makes your deaths that much more satisfying for me."

Wingsaber drew her katanas. "We ain't afraid of you, Frankencon." She taunted, charging forward with Bulkhead, Leobolt, and Goldbug behind her.

"You need not be afraid of me directly." Monstructor admitted, locking eyes with her. A gesture that involuntarily made her freeze up. "But I know what you're afraid of young one. You fear losing those you care about, a fear your loved ones share regarding you as well. Let us make that fear a reality, shall we?"

With a superhuman speed belying the size of the combiner, Monstructor sidestepped his attackers. With a mighty kick they sent Bulkhead flying across the clearing and into the mountainside. When he came to rest on the ground, he landed in the same position he did when he nearly died of Tox-En poisoning.

"Bulkhead!" Wingsaber screamed in terror, the memory of seeing him nearly dead coming to her mind in vivid detail. She'd never seen her partner taken down so easily before.

"There's the fear filling." Monstructor joked as they raised a foot to stomp the femme. "Now, let us." They were cut off as Arcee Goldbug and Rhinox began peppering their body with blasts. "Hmm, I believe some additional reinforcements are in order."

A dark pulse erupted from Monstructor that seemed to have no immediate effect. That is until the inert Horrorcon shells started to move on their own. Acting almost animalistically, the shells began to attack the Autobots and Maximals alongside Monstructor

"Keep them off balance, my pack. Sow terror, so that I may hasten their deaths."

"Oh great." Nightbeat exclaimed as Bristlebacks' shell came rolling towards him. "He can use those too." He dodged, but not fast enough. The shell rolled over his lower legs, crushing them. Through the pain of his injury, he could see the shell coming back towards him. "No, NO!"

A pulse of Nucleon emerged from his left and collided with the shell, causing it to lose momentum before stopping completely. Nightbeat then felt as something connected with his shoulder before feeling himself being pulled backwards towards Kumara.

"Hang on officer." She whispered. "We'll have you on your feet again in no time. Kumara, Maximize!" Wrapping the damaged sections of Nightbeats legs in her webbing, Kumara let out a pulse of energy from her spark, healing the wounded Autobot. She was forced to cut her line and dodge to avoid being stabbed by Icepicks' shell.

"Ah." Monstructor softly exclaimed, turning to Kumara. "I can see your fears quite clearly my dear. Specifically, the fear that what has come to pass once, may do so again." They smirked as they snatched the Maximal from the ground. "Knowing and not in a single fear, such a delicacy." They moved to crush her head between their fingers before the sound of screeching wheels stopped them.

Rattrap had folded his legs up and lowered his reattached wheels to engage what he called his 'Knievel Mode'. Tearing across the dark clearing, he used Bulkheads' prone form as a ramp to launch himself onto Monstructors back. Thankfully the force of the impact caused the combiner to drop Kumara. Holding on for dear life, he detached his tail from his spine before slamming it into the back of the combiners' head.

"Rattrap, Maximize!" He called, mask sliding into place. "Let's see what's on your mind buddy."

Monstructor smiled. "Our mind isn't a nice place to be." Immediately Rattraps' mind was flooded with visions of the carnage and horror Monstructor had inflicted across both Cybertron and beyond. Horror beyond comprehension. Visions so terrible that Rattrap barely felt Monstructor shake him loose or his impact on the ground.

"Now you truly know what it is like to be me." Monstructor whispered. Raising a foot to crush the Maximal, they felt a sonic blast knock them backwards while vines grew to ensnare their feet. As Goldbug rescued Rattrap, Monstructor glared at Nightscream and Botanica.

"I grow tired of these games!" Monstructor yelled, wrenching their feet free of the vines. It had been a long time since so many victims were resistant to their aura. Grabbing the charging Rhinox, they winged him at Goldbug before swatting Nightscream out of the sky. "If you will not fear, then you shall simply die."

Taking on a purple aura, Monstructor began pulling energy from the area around them. Immediately their opponents began to feel sluggish as their very power was pulled from their bodies. Even the plants and animals around them began to wither and decay. Now, unable to stop what was happening to them, their enemies truly feel fear.

"That's it." Monstructor whispered. "Wallow in your fear. Feel the very life drain from your sparks and bodies."

Seeing their victims fall from energy loss, Monstructor lifted Leobolt off the ground by the arms. "Now." They began, grasping his feet in their other hand. "I think we shall start with this 'leader of the pack'." As they went to pull, a stream of fire engulfed Monstructors' head, causing them to drop Leobolt.

Near the tree line, Scourge was arguing with his charges.

"Scourge, we need to help them!" Razorbeast yelled as Monstructor swatted Nightscream out of the sky.

"I shall help them." Scourge corrected. "The two of you must stay here." He gave them a meaningful look. "If I lose the two of you as well, I would never recover. Please, stay hidden."

Seeing Monstructors' body glow and the all-consuming wave of fear and dread encompassing the area, Scourge looked at his charges.

"Promise me." He begged.

For a moment Drancron and Razorbeast looked mutinous. They'd never been in a real battle before and were eager to join one. However, they could not refuse their sire, not about this battle. Seeing Monstructor lift Leobolt with the intention to rip him in two, they answered.

"Go."

"Save them."

Transforming into beast mode, Scourge took off. Losing a stream of fire at the combiners' head, Scourge was pleased to see Monstructor drop Leobolt. Diving to catch the Maximal, he gently set the mech down before transforming back into bot mode.

"Leave our home now monster!" Scourge bellowed defiantly. "Or face the wrath of the Predacons!" Monstructor measured up the newcomer.

"The rage is always nice." They began. "But where's your fear?"

"In check, where it belongs." Scourge answered. "The worst of my fears have already come to pass. Your aura doesn't affect me so easily."

"The worst." Monstructor confirmed, sensing the trepidation from the forest. "But not the whole." With that the combiner charged towards the woods, intent on killing the other two Predacons they'd sensed. The weakened Autobots and Maximals could wait. It wasn't like they had the energy to flee anyway.

Realizing what they were planning to do, Scourge transformed and took off like a shot after them. Breathing another stream of fire into Monstructors' leg forced the combiner to spin around and backhand Scourge into the mountainside. Seeing the dazed Predacon land in a crumpled heap on the ground, the combiner decided to end remove this obstacle now. Holding up their hand, it became engulfed in a black flame that they'd dubbed their 'death touch'. An energy field of entropy that was so potent, it caused rapid decay in whatever they touched until the target perished.

"And thus ends, the last of the Predacons." Monstructor gloated. Before they could touch Scourge however, they felt a sharp pain cut across their back. Turning, they saw another combiner glaring back at them, wielding their broadsword. Magnaboss leveled their gaze at Monstructor.

"That's enough out of you monster." Magnaboss yelled. Using their chain gun, they peppered Monstructor with blasts. Unfortunately, due to their exposure to their opponents' dark aura, the Maximal combiner was horribly weakened, and the shots did little more than annoy Monstructor.

Monstructor let out a bellow as they charged forth. Reaching out with their death touch, they were surprised when Magnaboss let lose a cry of their own.

"Magnaboss, Maximize!"

The blade of the broadsword lit up with a greenish white glow and they swung back. The two energies met, and the resulting explosion blew Magnaboss halfway across the clearing while driving the much larger Monstructor back several paces before falling backwards onto their aft.

Shaking their head to clear the cobwebs, the first thing Monstructor noticed was that the Predacon they'd downed was being dragged away by the two that they sensed before. They also noticed that Magnaboss was sprawled on their back and barely moving. Seeing that the time for games was over, they got up and headed for the Predacons.

"Come on." Drancron grit as he tried to lift Scourge up. "Gotta, get you out of here."

Razorbeast was on Scourges other side.

"We can protect you and the Autobots as well." He reasoned.

"No." Scourge groaned in pain. "Please, run."

"Well, isn't this poetic?" Monstructor spoke as they towered over the trio of Predacons. "Two runts trying to save their sire." Holding up a hand, they reignited their death touch, sneering as the two transformed to beast mode and roared at them. "In this case I believe that a family that stays together, shall be slain together."

Seeing Monstructor reach for the Predacons, Magnaboss attempted to rise again. Unfortunately, their strength failed them, and they were forced to prop themselves up with their sword. Amongst the dread at the fact that they were about to witness the deaths of their new friends, the part of their mind that was Raf remembered what had happened with the Chimera Stone last night. As well as the fact that they still had it.

Pulling the artifact from a compartment near where they kept their broadsword, they aimed the Chimera Stone at the Predacons and prayed for a miracle.

The bright Magenta light blinded Monstructor for a moment. But through the glare they could make out what was happening to the Predacons. The back half of Scourges' dragon mode seemed to split in two as his forelimbs folded flush with torso. The two halves shifted and contorted into a pair of thick muscular looking arms as his wings spread out behind him. A great horned head then emerged from his shoulders near his wings.

From there, Razorbeast and Drancron connected back-to-back with Drancrons' wings detaching and Razorbeasts' spines shifting to cover the back of them both. Their lower halves twisted and lengthened into a long pair of legs while their upper halves reformed into an abdomen and part of a chest. Scourge then came to rest atop the other two, his dragon head nestling neatly between the heads of their own beast modes. Finally, the new combiner drew a large battle axe that seemed to be made from Scourges' tail as Drancrons' wings connected to its' left arm as a type of shield.

As the light rapidly faded, Monstructor took in their new opponent. They could sense no fear in him, only anger and determination.

"And who, pray tell, would you be?"

Glaring at Monstructor, the new combiner held his axe aloft.

"We are the hunters." He began, taking a battle-ready stance. Charging forward he swung his axe and sliced Monstructors arm. "We are the pack." With that he began to swing violently at Monstructor with the dark combiner barely missing each blow. He also punctuated each swing with a word.

"We!"

"Are!"

"Tripredacus!"

On the last word, Tripredacus managed to deliver a slash to Monstructors' chest, creating a shower of sparks from the blow. Heaving slightly, Monstructor held a hand to the damaged part of their body and held up the other.

"It doesn't matter what name or form you take." Monstructor began as they ignited a death touch. "All who stand in my path shall know the dark shadow of death." They charged forth, intent on destroying the new combiner.

"Then allow me to burn through the darkness!" Tripredacus yelled back defiantly. From each of the mouths on his chest, a stream of superheated plasma erupted and met Monstructors' touch head on. The force of the blast slowed and eventually stopped the dark combiner in its' tracks.

From his position, Tarantulas observed the battle. All seemed to be going well until this new combiner appeared. And while Monstructor could potentially hold its' own in battle against it, they were already weakened from the excessive use of their powers beforehand. Hopefully Galvatron could find a secondary combiner because it looked like they'd have to use Monstructor sparingly. Seeing the brief stalemate between the two combiners break, Tarantulas decided to bring this experiment to its' end.

"Monstructor!" He bellowed. "Leave them, we are returning to base!"

"It is not your place to say when my work is done spider." Monstructor called back, not taking their optics off Tripredacus. "As strong as this newcomer thinks he is, he won't prevail."

"Yeah, I'm not giving you a choice." Tarantulas replied as he hit a button on his wrist.

Monstructor gave a shudder as electricity coursed across their body. Moments later the dark combiner fell apart back into its' six components. The Monstructor six attempted to move but were incredibly weaker than they'd ever been before. Tarantulas chuckled darkly as the Pretender shells opened and pulled their respective owners back into them via tentacles and the light of the sunset returned in force.

Slog turned to glare at Tarantulas while the other five kept watch of the thoroughly confused Tripredacus.

"What have you done!" Slog bellowed; he'd never felt that weak before.

"Oh, just a little something to ensure compliance." Tarantulas taunted. "You six can only truly function now in your shells, which Galvatron has control over. Or as Monstructor which we can stop in a Klick."

"The type of control you are attempting is impossible to maintain." Slog argued. "Death and chaos shall always triumph."

"Hmm, agree to disagree. I mean, that's never stopped me before." Tarantulas countered as a spacebridge portal opened behind him. "Shall we then?" Hearing Tripredacus preparing another fiery blast, Slog gave the word.

"Horrorcons, retreat!" Moments later the seven retreated back to the Nemesis as Tripredacus' blast connected with where the portal had just winked out of existence. Giving a roar of victory, Tripredacus separated back into his component Predacons and ran to check on the slowly recovering Autobots and Maximals.

"Are you well enough to walk?" Scourge asked Jack as he Miko and Raf stood up shakily in beast mode.

"We will be in a few moments." Jack answered, happy to see Arcee and his mother getting up slowly now that Monstructors' aura was gone. "Thank you, for protecting us."

"No, thank you." Scourge replied as Razorbeast and Drancron began checking the other members of the group. "You three have given us the power to truly fight as a pack against any threat."

"Where are you going to go now?" Raf asked, as Miko ran to check on Bulkhead. "The cons know you're here now, and they will come back."

Scourge contemplated for a moment, before giving a nod.

"We shall have to take you up on your offer of a new den." Scourge announced. "You Maximals have proven yourselves to be allies to our Predacon pack, and our being nearby will benefit us all."

"We don't have a spacebridge capable of retrieving you, and I'm not sure we have enough room in our transport for all of us." Jack responded.

"Our new combined form allows us to fly, and we know the rough area of your base." Scourge explained. "We shall make our way there as Tripredacus by night and be there in a few days."

Jack saw the collective group watching the exchange. "Alright, but we will be keeping an eye out for you. Once the spacebridge is ready, we'll send a portal for you." He replied, heading towards the woods.

Scourge nodded his head in acceptance.

"We shall meet again soon." Scourge responded before turning to Razorbeast and Drancron. "Predacons, gather what you need." He began. "This den is no longer safe, and we must journey to a new one."

As the Autobots and Maximals began to traverse the woods back toward the airstrip, Arcee caught up with Jack.

"I hope you know what you're doing Jack." She whispered.

"Scourge proved that he isn't the monster we thought he was." Jack replied. "He attacked us because he was lied to, and I know Optimus wouldn't turn away anyone seeking refuge." He looked up at her. "And I will explain the entire situation to him when we get back." He added.

Arcee sighed before moving on ahead. Between this, and seeing Slog again, she was ready for this day to be over with.

"I hope you're right Jack, I hope you're right."

Meanwhile, on a dark desert highway. A large tentacled Decepticon was sitting in the back of a speeding monster truck. Behind them were a group of black and purple muscle cars accompanied by a small squadron of long-necked jets firing on them.

"Ye better move it me hearty!" Octopunch yelled as he alternated firing on the Jet and Car drones. Thankfully having arms as well as tentacles allowed him to use multiple guns simultaneously. Thankfully after that bomb crippled the Darksyde, he was able to get both of them to the shore where Stranglehold transformed and acted as their transportation.

"I am being flooring it now." Stranglehold yelled back. "Unless you are meaning for me to be tossing several tons of calamari?" Looking further down the road Stranglehold saw another issue in the form of a Tank drone roadblock. "And we are having other problem!"

Octopunch turned and saw what he was talking about. Tanks in front of them, cars behind them, and Jets above them.

"Pull over lad, we'll go out in a fine blaze of glory." He called. Moments later Octopunch got off Stranglehold while he transformed. The various drones transformed as well, with the Tanks all seeming to lock on stranglehold and the Cars on Octopunch with the Jets ready to fire indiscriminately.

The tension of the situation was broken, not by any of the combatants, but by a colossal spacebridge opening behind the tank drones. Through the spacebridge sped several army vehicles with heavy ordinance that began firing on the Car and Jet drones. The bigger surprise though, was the rumbling coming from the spacebridge as Devastator exited and slammed his fists into two of the Tank drones, flattening them before activating his vortex to suck in four of the Jet drones. Breaking out of their shock, the two Mayhem Attack Squad members began to tackle the drones as well. Less than ten minutes later, the collective drones had been dealt with.

Octopunch yelled to Devastator.

"Thank ye lads fer the rescue!"

"You're welcome." Devastator replied. This threw the two cons for a loop. Since when the scrap could Devastator talk? As the combiner began to separate, a lone human exited the spacebridge.

Taking off his sunglasses, agent Seymour Simmons looked at Octopunch and Stranglehold.

"Hello boys." He called up to them. "You looking for work?"

Notes:

A/N: You know what they say about the enemy of my enemy.

Honestly, I used the Horrorcon name for the Pretender Monsters mostly because it was easier to use. Then as I started to write, I realized it fit with the shells. I also made Slog one of Arcees' students to give them a personal connection to Team Prime. I made Wildfly a femme for more female representation among the cons. Can't let Airachnid hog all the glory.

Tripredacus was a combiner I planned to throw in the minute I decided to use Magnaboss. Now both Maximals and Predacons have a combiner on their side. Honestly, while planning out this and the next couple chapters, I may have inadvertently created my own combiner wars.

Next Time: We will be catching up on some other Decepticon deserters.

Until then, please fave, follow, and review.

Chapter 39: Cons and Combiners

Notes:

Hello again everyone. You ready for some good fights and laughs? Great, let's get started. Although, I probably should reiterate that I do not own any rights to any media. After all, this is fanfiction.

Optimus Prime strode through the halls of Fortress Maximus. He'd just finished checking on the progress of the spacebridge upgrades and was pleased to hear that the changes would be finished in less than a day. After that, it would be a simple matter of using the coordinates from the golden disk to retrieve the remaining Autobots. After all the other complications of the last two days, it would be a blessing.

Rodimus had messaged him from the United Nations stating that they would like to perform an inspection of Fortress Maximus, to prove that they were indeed benign. While Optimus could agree to that measure wholeheartedly, he knew that some of the Autobots might not take too kindly to it. Then there was the situation with the Predacons.

He'd been surprised to hear that three of the Predacons had survived the labs' destruction. The fact that Jack had managed to form something of an alliance between them and the Maximals was a feat that made him very proud. Optimus only hoped that the peace between them could be maintained in the face of their oncoming scrutiny. He was pulled from his thoughts by laughter and several loud crashes from the Maximals' new den area.

Investigating, he saw that most of the other Maximals and several Autobots were laughing as they watched a red and blue blur speed from one part of the room to another. A closer inspection revealed that the blur was really Jack in beast mode. He crouched down next to June who had a look of humor and exasperation on her face.

"June, what happened here?" Optimus asked.

"Miko." She answered with a nod of her head to the young femme. Said femme was now doubled over laughing at her boyfriends' antics. "She managed to slip Jack some catnip and it gave him the zoomies."

"Zoomies?"

"A feline instinct to run as fast as they can." June explained. She contemplated the situation for a moment. "Do you have anything akin to a laser pointer on you?" She asked, eyeing Miko mischievously.

"Yes, why?"

"I think Miko needs some payback for this." June grinned as she whispered her plan to Optimus.

Moments later the laughter increased as Jack attempted to play "catch the dot" with the laser sight from one of Optimus' blasters. The Autobot commander couldn't help but smile fondly at the young Maximal so carefree. Seeing that Miko was distracted with her laughter, Optimus aimed the laser sight at her, and waited.

Miko was blinking away tears of laughter from her eyes and didn't even know something was wrong until Jack bowled into her. The two landed several feet away with Jack landing on top of her in lion mode.

"Gah." Miko exclaimed. "Very funny!" She yelled at Optimus who was chuckling. "Okay Jackrabbit, get off me. I can't feel my legs."

"But I'm a good kitty." Jack slurred as he purred contentedly on top of his girlfriend. He nuzzled Mikos' neck and sniffed. "And you smell like pretty." He began to lick her face.

"Ugh, kitty kisses." Miko cried out as the others laughed. She hadn't counted on Jacks' lion tongue being like a real cat. "Ow, stop it!"

"You taste like pretty."

"That's enough." Optimus called fondly. "Arcee, take Jack to med bay until the catnip is out of his system."

"Copy that." Arcee replied as she went to pick up her partner/nephew. Unfortunately, she soon discovered why some people say that cats are liquid.

"Why aren't his joints locking?" She asked as Jacks' body below his shoulders seemed to flow between her hands.

"It's the catnip." June supplied. "It'll wear off soon...I hope."

As the bots and Maximals dispersed, Optimus' thoughts turned back to the upcoming inspection. This incident gave him an idea. If humans could see that Cybertronians were like them, that would help to solidify relations between their peoples. Perhaps a 'meet and greet' between human visitors and various teams of Autobots could set the stage.

Turning to leave, Optimus noticed a small wad of green leaves on the floor. Picking it up, he noticed it was some of the catnip. Examining it, he wondered how such a small plant could cause the reaction it did. Lowering the wad to his own beast modes' head, he took a little nibble.

In the forest near the Harbinger, Knockout and Starscream were carrying an oval shaped stasis pod back to the ship.

"Remind me again, why you hid this one in such a deep cave system?" Knockout asked heatedly. His finish had been scratched to the pit in back in the recovery effort.

"To keep it out of both Autobot and Megatrons' hands." Starscream answered. Entering the Harbinger, the two rouge Decepticons placed the pod with the other four. They'd spent the last few weeks retrieving the five scattered pods under the cover of darkness.

"Run your plan by me again." Knockout requested.

"Unlike the last time I left the Decepticons." Starscream began. "Returning to the Nemesis to retrieve energon would be a fools' errand with Galvatron in charge." He picked up the canisters he'd stolen when they'd left. "However, I'm nothing if not a survivor."

"Agree to disagree." Knockout muttered to himself.

"I have raw energon stockpiled." Starscream continued, not hearing his companions' comment. "However, the equipment I had to refine it was damaged when I refined red energon."

"And your solution is to create more mouths to feed?" Knockout snapped. The energon they'd been rationing was already running low. "And why are these even here, I thought you said you used all the ships' protoforms in your little 'clone war'."

"We need to steal parts to repair and upgrade the equipment to make more energon cubes." Starscream sniped back. "A difficult feat for just the two of us. To say nothing of needing additional forces to protect us if Galvatron or the Autobots come poking around." He turned to the stasis pods

"And I did use all the viable protoforms in my attempt on Megatrons' life." Starscream answered. "Those protoforms are blanks." He explained, gesturing to the pods. "Without sparks, I couldn't activate them." He nodded to the canisters. "Now however."

Knockout finally pieced together what Starscream had in mind. "You mean you want to reactivate the Combaticons!?" He exclaimed. "Do you know how big a risk that is?!"

"We need protection." Starscream argued. "And a combiner would be more than enough to protect us. However, our options are limited since Devastator is unaccounted for and Menasor was defunct after Motormaster died. That leaves Bruticus Maximus."

Knockout smirked slightly. He had poisoned the Stunticon leader after learning of the abuse he'd put poor Breakdown (and the other Stunticons) through. Something he only admitted to during his and Breakdowns' Conjunx Ritus.

"Alright, I can see your logic." Knockout admitted. "But since you were Megatrons' right hand mech when they were imprisoned, won't they turn on you?" He asked.

"Not at all." Starscream argued as he began to separate the canisters from the stasis module. "After Bruticus ran amok, Megatron ordered their imprisonment and Shockwave was the one who removed their sparks." He turned to Knockout with a smirk. "I had nothing to do with it, and in return for their freedom and an ongoing supply of energon, they should be more than willing to help."

Knockout wasn't a hundred percent convinced, but it was the only plan they had. Picking up each spark, he carefully installed them into the blank protoforms. As he did that, Starscream preloaded Earth alternate modes for each Combaticon. Having them wouldn't mean much if they stood out.

"Alright." He announced. "Here goes." With that he threw the activation switch.

The protoforms within the pods began to convulse as they were reshaped to fit the new sparks within them. Slowly but surely, the Combaticons' new bodies took shape over the course of several minutes. Finally, the current was cut off and the five pods opened, filling the Harbinger with white smoke as Starscreams' new brigade emerged. On the far right, a large, well-built mech with tank treads on his shoulders shook his head.

"Where are we man?" Brawl asked gruffly. A grey gunmetal mech with a collapsed rotor assembly leaned against his sand-colored colleague.

"Wherever we are, here we be." Vortex added in a nasally. "And we be in another fine mess indeed." Brawl shoved him backwards.

"Get off me, fool!"

"You two play nice." A tall, blue and dark green mech with a cannon on each shoulder. Onslaught looked around and spotted Starscream and Knockout. His visor narrowed in recognition. "Starscream?"

"Colonel Onslaught." Starscream replied. "Welcome back to the world of the living." Seeing the five Combaticons train their weapons on him and Knockout, he held up his hands in surrender. "At ease, we aren't looking for a fight."

"Well, you'll have to pardon us for being a little cautious." The sand beige and purple conbot Swindle replied, never taking his arm cannon off Starscream. "The last Decepticons we worked with got our sparks ripped out."

"That was Megatrons' decision, not mine." Starscream countered. "And in any case, Megatron is no longer a threat."

"Care to explain, Starscream?" Came Megatrons voice from his left, making Starscream jump. Looking in that direction he saw a black and grey mech with a pair of blasters trained on him. Seeing the mask, he realized that it was Blast Off. He'd forgotten that the mech was a Soundwave savant.

"Megatron has been destroyed or deposed, I'm not sure which for certain." Starscream began, regaining his composure. They only had Galvatrons' word on that. "The new commander, Galvatron has placed the other Decepticons under his thrall via dark energon. We managed to slip away before he could infect us with it." He half lied.

"And I'm guessing you want us to liberate them so you can assume command, right?" Swindle added.

"Not even close." Starscream argued, surprising the Combaticons. "Those weak-minded fools can rust in place for all I care." He turned to look at Onslaught.

"I know for a fact that we were not the only ones to escape Galvatron, to say nothing of our comrades scattered throughout the galaxies." He continued. "I plan to start a Decepticon commune, for those of us who do not wish to serve Megatrons' replacement, but still believe in the cause." Starscream hoped his story would be enough to convince them.

Off to the side, Brawl looked at the energon processors.

"I pity the fools who'd come here." He commented, turning back to Starscream. "You're almost outta energon and the processor is burnt out." Despite all his proficiency as a fighter, Brawl was also a skilled engineer.

"Hence the bargain I wish to strike." Starscream countered. "I know where we can steal what we need to fix it and upgrade it for larger outputs. I also know where we can get raw energon to refine."

Swindle hummed as he thought it over. "Whaddya think colonel?"

Onslaught thought for a few moments before lowering his guns. "Anyone have a Cy-gar?" He asked.

"Right here." Knockout replied, handing one to him. "What, I'm allowed to imbibe now and again." He countered at their strange looks.

"Thank you doctor." Onslaught replied as he put the Cy-gar in his mouth. "Where are we going to steal this stuff from?"

"There is a human military base nearby that specializes in research and development." Starscream explained. "They're working on a type of alternate energy source similar to energon and have the right equipment. If we do this carefully, we can sneak in and out with ease."

Onslaught thought for a moment.

"Why sneak in." He began. "When we can go right through the front door. Of course, they won't know who we are until it's too late." He held out a servo to Starscream, who shook it.

"Congratulations Screamy, you just hired the Combaticons." Onslaught replied, enjoying the look on Starscreams' face at the nickname. "You, Vortex and Blast Off will be on standby to fly the equipment out of the base."

"And I stay on the ground, right?" Brawl asked, his fear of heights making itself known.

"Swindle, you take point and talk our way in." Onslaught continued

"Right Colonel."

"And I stay on the ground, right?"

"Brawl, you will have to ride on my new vehicle modes' flatbed." He added, pointing to the con in question.

"And YOU stay on the ground, RIGHT?"

"Of course." Onslaught replied

"I mean it Onslaught." Brawl menaced. "I ain't getting on no ship. Especially with that crazy fool." He added, pointing to Vortex.

"Oh, come on Brawly." Vortex argued. "What's the worst that could happen."

"YOU CRASHED, THE SHIP!" Came Brawls voice bellowed out of Blast Offs' mask. "YOU CRASHED THE SHIP, WITH ME IN IT!"

"Worst comes to worst, we can just combine and make our escape that way." Swindle supplied.

"He's a big metamorphin dudeicus." Blast Off supplied with Vortex' voice accompanied by what sounded like hip-hop music.

"Watch it Blast Off, we all agreed that 'Hip-Hop Vortex' was to stay dead." Onslaught said, pointing his CY-gar at this surveillance specialist. "Let's get started."

Meanwhile on the Nemesis, Galvatron was having it out with his new Vehicon generals as screams echoed throughout the lab.

"Now, explain to me again." Galvatron seethed at Thrust, Jetstorm and Tankor. "Why did your drones fail to capture two lone escapees? Devastator or no, they should've been able to handle them and the humans at the VERY least."

"Hey." Thrust said with a shrug of his shoulders. "They just did what you ordered us to have them do."

"They have no individual will to drive them or help them adapt." Jetstorm added with a smirk emoticon. "Had one of us been there, we might've succeeded." She couldn't resist rubbing the failure in Galvatrons' face. Following orders 'to the letter' was always a fun way to annoy whoever was controlling them.

"In that case." Galvatron was cut off as the screaming got louder. "Do you mind!?" He yelled at Tarantulas. His 'pet mad scientist' was playing with Sparkstalker again. The poor Firecon had been whittled down to just his head and spark chamber with Tarantulas playing with his brains' pain receptors.

"Just trying to pass the time." He quipped. He had planned to make some more Predacons, but Galvatron wanted to stagger it so as not to scare the troops and cause more desertions. As they'd figured out, the weak dark energon could only control someone from only so far away.

"Please." Sparkstalker begged. "No more."

"Encore? Okay!" With that, Tarantulas began his torture again.

Galvatron rolled his optics. "In that case, at least one of you is to be in the field with your drones at all times. So as to avoid another incident like this one. Yes." Tankor made a grinding noise.

"That is a good question, Tankey." Jetstorm supplied, turning to Galvatron. "Why do you talk to yourself like that?"

"Oh, I simply have a penchant for, intelligent conversation." Galvatrons attention was called to a nearby computer console. Taking in the signals on the screen, he grinned widely.

"It appears that redemption is at hand for you three." Galvatron began, turning back to the generals. "I was right about Starscream wanting to reactivate the Combaticons. But he shall not be allowed to keep them for himself. No."

"Yes, no, maybe so?" Thrust said, breaking Galvatron out of his monologue. A beam of purple light burst out of Galvatrons' cannon and hit Thrust square in the abdomen. Standing up straight, Galvatron watched as the damage to Thrusts' torso rapidly repaired itself.

"Now, was that really necessary?"

"All three of you." Galvatron began, trying to hide his surprise and wondering if his own body was capable of such regeneration. "Take a dozen of your respective drones and detain the combaticons for me. And execute Starscream. With prejudice. Yes."

"It shall be done 'master'. Yes." Jetstorm taunted, taking off before she could be shot. The smirk emoticon never left her mask. She was swiftly followed by the other two as Galvatron stood there, fuming.

"Tarantulas, enough!" He yelled, turning back to the scientist. "Begin reintegrating the traitor. The reappearance of the original Predacon reintroduces a rouge player to the board and I believe it is time to create a counter measure."

"One feral super soldier coming up. Sucks to be you." Tarantulas taunted Sparkstalker before shutting him down. "I'll miss playing with you." He turned to the sneering, limbless, Megatron. "But I'll have more fun with your replacement."

Private Dirk Benedict had been having a dull day standing guard at the entrance to the R&D sector of the base. As much as he hated having to walk patrols around the base, at least he wasn't falling asleep on his feet.

The sound of a pair of diesel engines caught his attention. Finally, something to liven up his shift. Looking out in the distance he saw a sand beige Humvee with a purple hood (odd color choice) leading what looked like an antiaircraft truck with a tank on the flatbed. The truck rolled up to the check in and the window rolled down to reveal a very good-looking middle-aged man with blonde hair.

"Lieutenant Templeton Peck here to deliver some new vehicles to be equipped with the new camouflage system." He spoke.

"Let me check with base ops." Private Benedict answered, picking up the phone. Swindle hoped that Blast Off was paying attention. This operation would go a whole lot smoother if they could avoid detection until they got to the hangar in question. And for that, he'd have to impersonate base ops.

"All clear." Benedict reported a few moments later. "Last building on the right." Swindle moved past the checkpoint allowing his 'Templeton Peck' hologram to dissipate after rolling his window up. Pulling up to the building in question, Onslaught gave the go ahead as Brawl rolled off him.

"Alright team, let's hit it!" He shouted. The trio transformed back into bot mode and blasted away the wall to the building. Entering, Brawl trained his shoulder cannon on the humans.

"Freeze suckas." He threatened. Onslaught stood before them.

"Now, we're sorry to interrupt your dreary workday with gunfire." He began. "But it was the only way to collect the 'generous donation' your government is making to our cause without being shot. Brawl, Swindle." Onslaught gestured.

As the two began to disassemble the required equipment, Onslaught stepped outside and produced a steel net he'd brought along for the extraction. Laying it flat, he turned to aim at the scientists again.

"Oh, no need to worry." Onslaught idly commented as he gnawed his Cy-gar. "We'll be out of your hair momentarily." He turned to see Brawl and Swindle running back and forth to the net, depositing the parts. In the distance, he heard sirens.

"Uh oh."

"That's the last of it Colonel, you can call in the extraction now." Swindle commented, placing a filter onto the net.

"Which begs the question." Brawl began, advancing on Swindle. "How're WE getting outta here without a spacebridge?" He asked. "It's a long drive back to the ship." His attention was so focused on the teams' conman that he didn't notice Onslaught raise his blaster. A quick stun blast both knocked Brawl out and face first into the dirt.

"Nice." Swindle commented.

"You were supposed to catch him Swindle." Onslaught groused as they loaded Brawl into the net with the equipment.

Moments later, Starscream, Blast Off and Vortex appeared in their vehicle modes. Blast Offs' stealth Bomber and Vortex' Apache helicopter worked well with Starscreams jet mode for this mission. Connecting the steel net with their bounty between the three of them, Onslaught and Swindle sat down alongside the unconscious Brawl as they were lifted into the air. Within minutes they were out of range of the base and cloaked to avoid pursuers. As the victorious group made their way back to base, Onslaught couldn't help laughing.

"I love it when a plan comes together."

A couple of hours later, the group of six set down outside the Harbinger, the jolt successfully jarred Brawl back into consciousness.

"Where are we?" He demanded angrily. Vortex transformed and pat Brawl on the shoulder.

"We're back at base Brawl, and I hop you've enjoyed your flight on Combati-Con Air."

"Get off me fool." Brawl yelled, smacking Vortex' hand away. "I'm getting tired of you suckas' always knocking me out and flying me places. You know I die before I fly!"

"Well, you may be a little unique." Knockout laughed. He'd watched the entire mission from the Harbingers monitors. He'd laughed at the humans' reactions and outright lost it when they stunned Brawl. "But you get the job done."

"Indeed." Starscream added. "And any doubts I had about your abilities are now a thing of the past."

"As will be the rest of you." Onslaught replied as he and the other Combaticons trained their weapons on Starscream.

"What treachery is this?" Starscream asked, eyeing their weapons carefully. "I gave you your freedom."

"And we thank you for that." Onslaught countered. "However, we know your reputation."

"I have to admit." Swindle added. "Having your name become synonymous with lies and deception is quite a feat. Take it from a con man."

"We knew you wasn't being straight with us sucka." Brawl explained.

"We like the idea of a Decepticon commune though." Onslaught continued. "Just not the whole thing about you being a part of it." Starscream looked around fearfully before spotting Knockout.

"Knockout, back me up here!"

"How would you like to join the winning team?" Came Megatrons' voice from Blast Offs' mask. It was part of the conversation they'd had when the unit first joined the Decepticons.

"I, think I'll start making the repairs." Knockout answered cautiously. He backed slowly into the Harbinger.

"You miserable excuse for a medic!" Starscream shouted. "I ought to."

"At the risk of sounding melodramatic." Vortex cut across. "Goodbye forever."

Before anyone could pull the trigger, a beam of purple energy lanced out of the woods and hit the recently raided components, causing them to explode.

"What the scrap?" Onslaught yelled.

"I'm saved!" Starscream cheered. Unfortunately, this was not to be as several groups of new Vehicons emerged from the tree line to surround the Harbinger. Thrust, Jetstorm and Tankor exited the woods in bot mode.

"I'm fragged." Starscream whimpered.

"Combaticons." Thrust began. "By Galvatrons' orders, you are to be brought before him."

"Starscream on the other hand." Jetstorm continued. "We can do without."

"Sorry, no sale." Onslaught answered, taking a puff of his Cy-gar. "We didn't like how the establishment treated us."

"You misunderstand." Thrust replied. "This is a summons, not an invitation."

"Yeah." Jetstorm added. Reaching up, she removed her mask, revealing an eyeless skull face with several holes drilled into it. "We can make you see our point of view." She finished revealing the dark energon spikes inside her mask that lined up with the holes in her head.

"Your theatrics don't scare us." Starscream blustered. "We may be outnumbered, but you're outgunned."

"What do you mean 'we'." Blast Off added with Starscreams own voice.

"He's got a point though." Onslaught added as he watched Jetstorm replace her mask. "We do have you outgun." He was cut off as a dark energon hook on a chain was fired by Thrust at his head. He barely turned in time to dodge it, but the attack still found a mark.

"No more words." Thrust interjected as the two halves of Onslaughts Cy-gar hit the ground. "No more games, you are coming with us."

"That." Onslaught growled. "Was a perfectly good Cy-gar. Forget Screamy boys, let's hit it." Blast Off cut in with another 'hip hop Vortex' soundbite as they all transformed.

"Combaticons combine, kick some Vehicon behind as the big bad battlin' BRUTICUS!"

Brawl and Swindle flipped backwards as a foot grew from each of them and the fronts of their vehicle modes elongated. Vortex elongated while Blast Off folded in on himself with the two of them manifesting hands as Onslaught widened and elongated with his vehicles front end becoming their new chest with his cannons settling on their shoulders. Finally, the combiner merged and stood before the Vehicon horde.

"Bruticus Maximus, battle ready." He bellowed as Starscream smirked. This would be good.

The smirk was wiped off his face seconds later though. When he imagined presenting Bruticus as his ally, he expected shock, awe, and maybe a little envy. He hadn't, however, expected the three Vehicon generals to begin laughing. This went on for a few moments before Starscream finally snapped.

"What!"

"Sorry." Jetstorm gasped. "It's just always amusing when they think they're the only ones who can do that."

"You mean?"

"Let us show you how it's done." Thrust added. The trio then transformed. "Initiating battle protocol."

Tankors' treads seemed to flip forward and pull together as they became legs while the bulk of his body transformed into a right arm and torso. His meat grinder settling into the abdomen with his tank turret coming to rest on the forearm. The back of Jetstorms' vehicle mode connected into the top of the torso as the long neck at the front contorted into a left arm ending with a clawed hand. Thrust completed the combination by landing on top of Jetstorm and unfolding into a chest and great horned head for the combiner as it gave a bellow.

"RUINATION, AWAKENS!" The combiner glared at Bruticus before pointing at him and Starscream.

"ATTACK!" The drones then began to swarm towards the Harbinger as Ruination charged at Bruticus. The two combiners became locked in a grapple, but while Ruination was smaller than Bruticus, it was every bit as strong as he was. Turning his two shoulder cannons on Ruination, Bruticus fired at his enemy, driving them back several paces.

Ruination was undaunted, however. Delivering a roundhouse kick to Bruticus' chest as their wounds healed, they watched as the drones opened fire on the downed combiner. Seeing one objective subdued, Ruination began to search for the other. During the confrontation however, Starscream managed to slip back into the Harbinger and seal the door.

"To use a human expression." Knockout began once he saw that Starscream had made it inside.

"Don't even Knockout." Starscream snapped, cutting him off. He suddenly had an appreciation for how Megatron must've felt when Starscream pulled similar machinations. "Apparently, they weren't the 'winning team'. And don't think I've forgotten your reaction." Further arguments were cut off as Ruination hammered on the side of the ship.

"Little pigs, little pigs. Let me come in!" They called.

"Now what do we do?" Knockout yelled as the Harbinger began to shudder violently. Starscream groaned.

"Initiate, plan Z." He moaned.

"No." Knockout whispered. "You don't mean?"

Back outside the Harbinger, Bruticus had gotten back up and was attempting to take out the Vehicon drones while Ruination was after Starscream. He figured he could handle the new combiner later. Using a partially demolished tank drone as a club, Bruticus destroyed three car drones and threw the tank drone at the strafing group of jet drones, destroying five of them as well.

Turning away from the ship, Ruination fired a series of dark energon hooks at Bruticus from their meat grinder. Acting on instinct, Bruticus picked up a charging car drone and used it as a shield. The attached chains then pulled back into the grinder, taking the drone with it and grinding it up.

"Well played." Ruination called as they charged forth. Grappling with Bruticus again, they grinned at him. "Cunning and a professional soldier to boot. We can see why Galvatron wants you."

"No dice." Bruticus replied. Delivering a kick to Ruinations chest while keeping a grip on their right arm, he spun around and threw Ruination onto a pair of advancing tank drones, flattening them. Training all his guns on the enemy, Bruticus made to open fire before he himself was hit with a sonic pulse that knocked him both unconscious and back into the Combaticons.

At the head of the small group of Autobots and Maximals, Jetfire exited the partially upgraded spacebridge portal to see one combiner he'd never seen before and one he hoped to never see again. He'd seen the footage of the carnage Bruticus Maximus had caused in the early days of the war. To say nothing of the reports the Autobots had gotten after the Combaticons went rouge. Thankfully the bridge had been upgraded enough for a (relatively) short trip cross country to answer a distress call. Clinging to his wing in bat mode, Nightscream was in mild shock at the fight.

"Wow, that's brutal." He said as one combiner threw the other.

"Nah, that's Bruticus." Jetfire replied. "Alright nipper, I'm gathering he's the one we need to stop." He slowed down enough for the Maximal to transform. "Ready kiddo?"

"Ready." Nightscream called, now straddling Jetfires' nosecone in bot mode. Hopefully the rest of the team would be ready to pick up the pieces.

"Alright, scream!"

At Jetfires' command, Nightscream unleashed a sonic pulse right into the back of Bruticus' head. Fortunately for the other combiner he was fighting, it caused him to shatter back into the Combaticons.

"Direct hit winger, great shot."

Their success was short lived however as Ruination separated back into Thrust, Jetstorm and Tankor.

"We have them!" Thrust called into his comms. "Send a spacebridge." A portal opened as the remaining Vehicon drones picked up the unconscious Combaticons. As they fled through the portal, Jetstorm called out to the Autobots exiting the tree line.

"Thanks for making it easy for us, suckers." She then vanished into the portal, which blinked out of existence a second later.

"What was that about?" Goldbug asked as he stepped over a demolished car drone. They'd have to take these back for the science team to examine.

"I get the feeling that we were deceived." Drift answered, examining a downed jet drone. "Bruticus Maximus may have been defending himself."

"Then that means we just handed one of the most dangerous combiners alive over to Galvatron!" Bulkhead exclaimed. "As if Monstructor alone wasn't enough."

They were pulled out of their musings as the door to the Harbinger opened. Moments later, Starscream and Knockout exited the ship with their hands up. Seeing every single Autobot and Maximal train their weapons on them, Starscream gave a sigh.

"We surrender."

Several hours later, Ultra Magnus was stalking down the halls of Fortress Maximus. He'd just finished interrogating both Knockout and Starscream after the away team had brought them back to Autobot city. The situation was worse than he could've predicted. Not only was Galvatron in full control of the Decepticons via dark energon, but he now had at least two of the most destructive combiners in history under his command.

Magnus sighed. Thanks to the golden disk they knew what was to come, but the full scope was intimidating. He'd need to come up with a cover story to allow G.B. Blackrock to stay in Autobot city for longer periods of time. With these three new combiners on the table as well as Devastator and Blitzwing officially being wild cards, they'd need Fortress Maximus operational sooner rather than later. At least Starscream and Knockout were in holding cells for the time being.

His attention was drawn to a motion out of the corner of his optic. Thinking it was a Maximal, he rounded the corner quickly only to find Optimus crouching in his beast mode.

"Commander?" Magnus asked. Prime had been missing most of the day. They'd found most of his body in truck mode, but not the mech himself.

"I hunt you." Optimus whispered in a low growl, his optics wide and dilated. "Stealthy."

"Sir?" Magnus asked. "Are you alright?"

"I am detected." Prime whispered as he backed away. "Retreat slowly. You live today. I go elsewhere."

Ultra Magnus watched Optimus back away slowly behind the corner. What on Earth had gotten into him? The closest thing he'd heard of to this was.

Suddenly it hit him. He'd heard about the catnip that Leobolt had ingested and how it made him act strange. He also knew who had supplied it. Turning to track down Wingsaber and interrogate her, he saw Optimus had snuck behind him and had retaken his crouching position.

"I hunt you."

"MIKO!"

In the Nemesis' med bay, Galvatron watched as the Combaticons began to come around.

"Man, you guys knock me out again?" Brawl asked.

"Quite the opposite soldier." Galvatron answered, drawing the units' collective attention to him. "You were ambushed by Autobots and rescued by my new Vehicons."

"Well, if that's new and improved." Onslaught spoke, getting off his berth. "I'll stick to old and inferior. Now what do you want?" They were already there, might as well see what he wanted.

"Gentlemechs, I'd like to offer you five a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

Galvatron grinned as his dark matrix began to glow brightly, bathing the Combaticons in its' light and infecting them with a taint of dark energon.

"Simply put, the five of you serve me, you get to live. It's as simple as that."

"Nice try suckas." Blast Off said in Brawls' voice, training his guns on Galvatron.

"Stand down soldiers." Galvatron ordered and was pleased when purple electricity coursed over their bodies, causing them to collapse. "You serve me now." He grinned as he looked Onslaught right in the face.

"And I too love it when a plan comes together. Yes."

Notes:

A/N: How do you like them apples? I got the idea to model the Prime-verse Combaticons after the A-Team when I was brainstorming some possible Shattered Glass ideas. Making Blast-Off like Soundwave something of a last-minute decision, but I think it worked out. Especially since it allowed me to use the Combaticons G2 toy commercial for a throwback. (Sorry if it gets stuck in anyone's head)

I planned to have the Vehicon generals combine from the start. I figured it'd make them an excellent counterpoint to both Magnaboss and Tripredacus. Having Ruination fight Bruticus was just my way of adding a bit of poetic irony.

Finally, I want to give a shoutout to the talented TC-96 on DeviantArt. The interaction between Optimus and Magnus is a parody of his Mew and Mewtwo comic "I hunt you". Check out their comics, they're worth the read.

Next time: Inspection, Meet & Greet...and Volcanicus erupts.

Until then, please: Kudo, comment and fav.

Chapter 40: Volcanicus Errupts

Notes:

Hello all, and welcome back. With it being so close to Halloween, I wanted to give you a chapter full of both tricks and treats. I admit I struggled with this chapter in places mostly due to losing my notes for this chapter and indeed the rest of this story to a virus. However, I've been going over plans for this story for so long and we're close enough to the end that I should be able to manage without them. In any case, enjoy.

Miko and Sierra hurried down the halls of Fortress Maximus with Allison laughing her butt off behind them.

"Shut up, Allie!" Sierra exclaimed as they speedwalked.

After Jacks' catnip induced stint as a 'stoner kitty', he decided to enlist Vince to help get back at Miko. Vince, after hearing the idea, decided to go along with it to flirt with/be a little pit towards his girlfriend.

The two Maximals sparred during Drifts' latest training session as their girlfriends watched them move. They intentionally went as hard as they could, making a spectacle of themselves battling.

When Drift called a halt, the boys bowed to each other before turning to their girlfriends, showing off their toned technorganic bodies. When Miko commented that Jack really fought like an animal out there, he thanked her and called her 'Miko-chan' while giving her a smoldering look. Vince on the other hand commented that he nearly lost the bout because he was distracted by a beautiful face while giving Sierra a matching look.

The two became highly flustered and red faced. Unfortunately, their embarrassment was made worse when Sierras' Fireweed pods and Mikos' katanas deployed unintentionally. There was a beat of silence before the other Maximals began giggling as the girls excused themselves to the refreshers. (They'd sparred before the boys, thank you VERY much.)

"I can't believe you both got weapon boners!" Allison laughed as she brought up the rear. The similarity to the classic Buzz Lightyear 'Wing Boner' was uncanny, if not unexpected.

"We are NOT calling it that, it was a malfunction!" Miko denied as she forced her katanas back into position.

"Sure." Allison mocked them as they arrived at the refresher. "And I'm." She was cut off as the door opened to find someone already in it.

"Oh, hey girls." Slash the Dinobot greeted as she toweled herself off. She looked at Allison "Hey Allie, have a good workout?"

Allison knew her crush wasn't trying to look cute and sexy, but the way she held the towel put images in her head. Then to her mortification, her saber deployed, causing Sierra and Miko to give her matching smug looks. Slash looked at her.

"You okay Allison?" She asked.

"Yeah." Sierra smirked. "She just has a-"

"Malfunction! It was a malfunction."

"Okay?" Slash replied, not knowing what this was about. She tossed her towel in the cleansing rack. "Might want to have Ratchet look at that." With that she transformed into her raptor mode and took off. Allison looked at the other two femmes.

"Not. One. Word." She bit out as they began giggling.

Catching up to the other Dinobots, Slash heard Grimlock arguing with Ultra Magnus.

"If you want to have humans visit, fine." Grimlock growled. "But Dinobots will not join in."

"Grimlock, your teams' pictures are plastered all over the web." Magnus countered. "Behind Optimus and the Maximals, the Dinobots are the most researched team of Autobots."

"So, humans want gawk at us, and we take it?" He could already feel a neural short coming on.

"It's just a controlled meet and greet Grimlock. You introduce yourselves, transform, they take some pictures."

"It doesn't sound too bad boss." Sludge admitted.

"Sludge, its' a matter of pride." Slug hissed.

"Grimlock." Ultra Magnus began in his best authoritarian voice. "If I have to order the Dinobots to do this I will."

Anger surged through Grimlocks' spark. "If you order Dinobots around, then maybe me need to take care of 'commander'." With that Grimlock transformed into his Tyrannosaurus mode and began to advance on Magnus. As his mouth lit up with flames the other Dinobots jumped into action.

"Boss, NO!"

"Easy Grimlock!"

"Cool it!"

Snarl Transformed into his Stegosaurus mode and slammed his spiked tail into Grimlocks' side. The force managed to knock the Dinobot commander onto the ground and allow Sludge and Slug to jump on him to pin him down with Swoop and Slash restraining his head and tail respectfully.

"What in the pit is the matter with you Grimlock?" Ultra Magnus shouted. He knew the mech was disagreeable with authority figures, but this?

"As his attending physician." Snarl explained as he transformed. "I'm going to have to refuse to answer that." He replied. He turned and saw Grimlock stop struggling against the other Dinobots and transform. "Come on Grimm, we're taking you to med bay."

With that the six Dinobots took off, leaving a confused Ultra Magnus in their wake.

Roughly an hour later in the med bay, Ratchet was going over a scan of Grimlocks' brain. Looking up, he saw Grimlock sitting on a nearby berth. He'd taken off his mask for the examination and was looking at Ratchet with narrowed blue optics. It always surprised bots to find out that the Dinobot commander had an actual 'face'.

"Well doc?" He asked. "What damage?" Snarl had brought Ratchet up to speed on his condition, but to see the readout was something else.

"Bad." Ratchet replied solemnly. "From what I can see whatever Shockwave did to your brain is causing your mind to regress. Your memories and higher functions are slowly separating from your core consciousness."

Grimlock nodded. Shockwave had said as much when he was turning the original five Dinobots into what they are now. They had been the scientists' first attempt at creating beast machines, and he theorized that sentience was a hinderance to their effectiveness. A theory that he had tested on the most susceptible of the group. Their leader.

"How long me got?"

"I wish you'd come to me sooner Grimlock." Ratchet sighed. "I can slow it down but at this rate, you'll be fully feral in less than one Earth year."

At Grimlocks' nod, the other Dinobots all began to talk at once.

"There has to be something we can do!"

"Is brain or Mnemosurgery an option?"

"Boss, you can't just let Shockwave win!"

"ENOUGH!" Ratchet yelled. "We have no one here who can counteract shockwaves' work in time. As it stands, I think it'd take longer than Grimlock's got left to even develop a way to halt the separation."

"So that's why." Came a new voice from the med bay door. Turning the group saw Ultra Magnus standing at the entrance. He couldn't help feeling a little guilty. If he was correct, Grimlocks condition began to worsen after the Dinobots had sprung him from a Decepticon prison run by Shockwave and his experiments.

"Keep where I can see you Magnus." Ratchet growled. He was still sore over his files on the Maximals being used against them. He didn't want a repeat with the Dinobots.

"Not a problem." Magnus replied. He walked up to Grimlock. "I'm sorry for before, I didn't know."

"Me not want your pity." Grimlock snapped as he put his mask back on. He got off the berth and walked towards the door. "Me just want be alone for moment." He looked at Ratchet. "Anything else?"

"Try to avoid transforming." Ratchet answered. "Being in your beast mode seems to exacerbate your condition and accelerate the decline." Nodding, Grimlock walked out of the med bay.

A few minutes later the remaining Dinobots left the med bay and began conversing about what they'd just learned.

"We've got to find a way to fix this." Slash began. "Do you think Grimlock would be amenable to being reformatted into a Maximal?" Perhaps the reformatting could spare her commander from such a fate. "I'm sure Allie and I could convince Jack to do it."

"I doubt it." Snarl replied grimly. "From what I've read the process leaves the mind intact."

"And it's not like we can give Grimlock a new brain." Swoop groused.

"Maybe not." Sludge added, his optics going wide. "But maybe we can use our brains to fix his!" He exclaimed.

"What do you mean Sludge?" Slug asked. While not exactly stupid, Sludge did have a propensity for not thinking things through. The time that he brought half of Tigatron Stadium down on himself while chasing some Insecticons was proof of that. It took hours to dig him out of that mess.

As Sludge explained his idea the other Dinobots looks changed from skeptic to contemplative.

"I don't know Sludge." Snarl answered after a moment. "This sounds like a gamble, and a long shot at that."

"Speaking from experience, sometimes a long shot's your only shot." Swoop replied. There was a silence that stretched on for a few moments before Slash began speaking.

"If we're going to do this It'll have to be while the higher ups are busy." She began. "I can get us what we need undetected tonight, but we'll have to do it tomorrow during the meet and greet."

"And you will have to be the one to do it Slash." Sludge added. "Someone must be holding it to use it."

Slash frowned but nodded. As much as she wanted to be part of this, she knew that it would be better to have someone on standby in case of emergencies. Thank goodness both Prime and Magnus would both be busy tomorrow.

"Hey." Swoop called as he held his hand out. One by one each Dinobot put their hand on top of the others.

"Let's do this. For Grimlock." He finished as they all threw their hands up and left to do their jobs.

Atop a nearby mesa, Lockdown looked at Autobot City. Both he and his ship had been sitting in their position and watching the nearby base for days. The bounty hunter had several targets through two contracts. He'd been monitoring the base and waiting for the right moment, and it seemed that tomorrow would be his chance.

"Sleep well." He spoke quietly. "Tomorow shall be the last day you breath freely."

Optimus Prime was worried. He was standing by the main entrance to Autobot City awaiting the inspection team as well as welcoming the groups of people who would be touring the city. He'd asked Rodimus who the inspection team would be comprised of and the young diplomat had responded with a sour look and informed him that he'd been served a gag order. That was enough to put Optimus on edge.

As he finished explaining the rules of the tour to the last group of humans, Optimus heard what sounded like several large diesel engines in the distance. Turning to observe the newcomers, Optimus gave a start before deploying his gatling gun. Approaching the city were a large black SUV, six very familiar construction vehicles and a monster truck towing some kind of hovercraft on a trailer.

"All Autobots on high alert!" Optimus called into his coms. "Decepticons are approaching the city!" As the group stopped before him, a familiar man in shades and a suit exited the black SUV with a few other agents and fixed Prime with a cocky look.

"At ease big mac." Agent Simmons smugly stated while the Constructicons, Stranglehold and Octopunch transformed and formed up on him and his team. "We're just here to inspect these premises." Optimus was relieved when Drift and Hound arrived as backup.

"So, Sector Seven has allied themselves with the Decepticons now?" Optimus asked. This would not bode well. Simmons was prevented from answering when a space bridge portal opened and disgorged Rodimus and both Captain and Agent Fowler.

"Damn it Simmons." Fowler exclaimed. "You were supposed to let us come through to explain things first."

"Bill." Simmons greeted him with faux sincerity. "You're looking good, put on some weight I see." He chuckled at the federal agent turned Maximal. "Unfortunately, we had to move up our timetable a little bit, but since you're here, no harm no fowl."

"Careful Simmons." Rodimus warned. "One could misconstrue your meaning and cause and international incident." He looked at Optimus. "Sorry Prime, but I still had to work within the law." He looked at Simmons entourage. "I wasn't expecting Decepticons though.

"Correction." Scrapper said, stepping forward. "We, the Constructicons are officially citizens of the United States of America, thank you very much." Looking closer Optimus could see that their Decepticon insignias had been replaced with American flags.

"And we are being freelance now Prime." Stranglehold added, showing that he and Octopunch had also joined the Constructicons in Sector Seven. "We are to be joining inspection team as security."

Optimus looked Scrapper in the optic. "And what do you all get from this? It wasn't too long ago when those two," He began, motioning to Octopunch and Stranglehold. "Invaded our base and attempted to kill us all."

"What's your point?" Bonecrusher asked before being smacked upside the head by Mixmaster.

"I believe." Simmons interrupted. "That is our personal business." Franky, all the advanced weapons tech the Constructicons had given them already meant that America would remain a world leader for centuries to come.

"I also believe." Scrapper added. "That we have an inspection to begin." If the fleshlings wanted their obsolete tech that was fine with them. If they ended up waring with each other into an early extinction like they hoped, all the better.

"Indeed." Optimus replied frostily, retracting his gun. "Come along." With that the group began their inspection of Autobot city.

"Okay, easy!" Ultra Magnus called as Hoist and Bulkhead dragged a colossal (even by Cybertronian standards) stasis pod through the spacebridge. Since the early morning, he and a select group of assistants (and Whirl, because Magnus refused to let him around civilian humans unsupervised) had been using the newly upgraded spacebridge to retrieve the Autobots scattered across the cosmos using the coordinates from the golden disk. Then they would be given a selection of alt modes to choose from. It was tedious work, but Magnus was more than happy to do it.

"You want him with the other two Magnus?" Bulkhead asked. He was thankful that these three were the only bots to join the Ark from Gigantion.

"Affirmative Bulkhead." Magnus replied. "Blaster, reset the spacebridge with the next set of coordinates."

"You bet, no sweat." Blaster replied.

Ultra Magnus sighed. While he knew retrieving the other Autobots the same day as the human visits was risky, but it would help distract Optimus from the fact that G.B. Blackrock was here and working on Project: Cerebros. Hopefully he and Brainstorm would be able to make some headway while no one was watching. He was pulled back to reality with the arrival of a bluish green Jeep Gladiator, a green armored car and a powder blue Ferrari.

"Alright lad." The Gladiator spoke to Magnus as it transformed into the Wreckers old tactician and drill Seargent. "We have our camouflage." Kup finished as the armored car and Ferrari began transforming too.

"Sarge, Springy, great to see you guys again!" Bulkhead exclaimed as he embraced his fellow Wreckers, lifting them off the ground. Kup however was unamused.

"Put us down you big palooka." Kup groused as Bulkhead lowered them down. "If ya gotta crush something, crush Decepticons."

"Good to see you again too Bulk." The green and yellow mech next to Kup responded diplomatically.

"Happy to have you all here Springer." Ultra Magnus greeted. He went to greet the third bot but was beaten to it.

" 'samazinghowfastmillionsofyearsgowhenyou'reinsstasisbutI'mhereandreadytohelp." The blue mech greeted him.

"Happy to hear it Blurr." Magnus answered. "But could you slow it down a little? Not everyone here can understand." He was cut off by his comms. "Go for Magnus."

"Hey boss hoss." Blaster spoke. "We have the next coordinates ready, but we have a bigger problem."

"How so?" Ultra Magnus asked. He really hoped Brainstorm and Blackrock hadn't been discovered.

"Good news bad news and worse news." Blaster continued. "Good news is that the guided tours are going great, the bad news is that the inspectors have shown up."

"And the worse new?"

"It's headed by that Sector Seven dipstick, and he's being backed up by Decepticons."

"What!" Magnus yelled. He'd almost prefer that Project Cerebros were discovered to this. Then again, this could be salvageable.

"Want us to go crack some fender?" Bulkhead asked.

"Not just yet." Magnus began. "They don't know about the new arrivals yet." He looked at the trio.

"Kup, Springer, I need you to tail the inspectors at a distance. Use every trick you know to avoid detection." He began. "Blurr, if any of the team leaves something behind you are to retrieve and deliver it to me immediately."

"Right."

"On it."

"YoucancountonmeMagnusnoonecanmovefasterthanIcannobodynobodynobody." With that, Blurr sped from the room with Springer and Kup following behind him.

"Keep retrieving bots." Magnus said to Hoist and Bulkhead. "I'll go check on the other new arrivals. We may need them sooner rather than later." He left the room and headed to the staging area where his assistants (and Whirl) were helping the new bots pick out Earth alt modes.

Arriving in the staging area, he noticed that a scuffle had broken out.

"For crying out loud it was only a question." A short mech groused as he held a hand to a cracked visor.

"That was a horrible come on, and an insulting one at that!" A tall well-built femme yelled.

"Pipes, Strongarm, explain." Magnus ordered.

"I was just complementing your chest plating."

"By asking if I needed help buffing it, yeah right!"

"Enough!" Ultra Magnus yelled. "Pipes, go to med bay. Strongarm, stay and help me with the other new arrivals." Strongarm saluted him as pipes turned into a miniature diesel truck and took off.

"Sir, yes sir."

"Got to admit, she's cute when she's angry." A red and grey bot commented to his yellow and black twin.

"Sideswipe, be professional!" Strongarm reprimanded as Sideswipe held his hands up in surrender. The yellow bot leaned over and whispered to his twin.

"I don't know what you see in her." Sunstreaker whispered.

"I don't see anything in her."

"Suuure."

"Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, knock it off." Magnus' optics however were drawn to an SUV that looked like it was straight out of Jurassic Park.

"Brawn, who told you that was an acceptable alt mode?" He got his answer from a giggling cyclopean Wrecker in the far corner.

"Whirl, stop trying to 'help'." Seconds later there was a deafening roar, and the entire base shook.

"What on Cybertron is that?"

Down in what had been dubbed the 'town square' of Autobot City, several groups of people were getting to know various Autobots and Maximals. Scattered around the edge of the square were the Protectobots who were intermittently combining into Defensor to rounds of applause from the visitors. Then there was Jetfire and Perceptor displaying various Cybertronian science experiments to the amazed guests. After them was Arcee, back in her role as a history teacher and giving her visitors lessons on the history of Cybertron. The most fun exhibit for many however was Blasters'. He was using his DJ booth to host a miniature dance party with Cybertronian music while helping Ultra Magnus with the retrieval project. Throw in the various food trucks and few merchandise vendors and it was beginning to feel like a convention.

And after all of them were the Maximals. Many younger humans gravitated towards them in part due to their beast modes. Between a lion, rhino, bird and a bat, it was something like a sentient petting zoo. Allison ended up being a major hit because of her unicorn alt mode. Albeit between the 'Bronies' and the few kids who tried to offer her sugar cubes, she finally opted to stay in bot mode.

"I swear if one more person calls me Twilight." She groused to her sister.

"I'll hit them with a seed snare." Sierra replied. She had been offering the guests literal freshly grown fruit to snack on. Unfortunately, few seemed to be interested in it.

"And I'll drop them in the trash compactor." Miko added. A couple of those bronies had acted very creepy.

"No Miko."

"Thank you Miko." Allison overruled her sister.

"No problem." Miko joked as she watched Jack become swarmed by elementary school kids. They were all happy to 'pet the kitty'. "I get the feeling that Bot Con is going to become a regular thing."

"Bot Con?"

"What else would you call it?" Miko replied.

Raf was laughing in his beast mode as Jack became a living jungle gym for the kids. However, his laughter was cut off as he felt that he was being watched. Looking to his left, he noticed a boy close to Jack and Mikos' age. He was filthy, but upon closer inspection, his eyes widened in recognition. Transforming, he called out to Jack.

"Leobolt, I need to check on something, I'll be back!" He lied.

"Alright Rhinox, we'll be here." Jack replied under the small mountain of children.

Raf calmly left the square with the human following him subtly. Once he was out of the direct line of sight he started to run. However, his pursuer caught up with him.

"Raf." The boy yelled, racing after him. "Raffy, stop!"

"GO AWAY!" Raf yelled as he turned back to face his brother. "I have nothing to say to any of you Enrique!"

"Raffy, please. Let me explain." Enrique Esquivel begged his kid brother.

"Explain what!" Raf continued to yell. "You all left me behind, abandoned me after ignoring me for years! And now what? You want to cash in on my so-called fame?" He finished, tears welling up in his eyes.

"You think I had a choice in the matter!" Enrique yelled back. "One night mama told us all to pack our things and make no mention of you. I honestly thought you were dead!"

There was an echoing silence that reigned for several moments before the sound of a roaring engine caught both Esquivels by surprise. Turning around, Raf noticed Goldbug racing towards them before transforming and standing between them.

"Raf, what the heck is going on?" He asked. Blaster had radioed him to check in on Raf in this hallway. The shouting drew his attention right to them. "And who is he."

"His name is Enrique Alonzo Alejandro Esquivel." Raf stated harshly. "One of my brothers." Goldbug nodded. He turned to Enrique.

"Alright Enrique, and why are you here?" He asked.

"After I saw the videos of you all on YouTube, I recognized Raffy." Enrique began. "Once I figured out who you were." He took a shuddering breath. "I confronted mama about it. She tried to deny it at first, but she finally admitted that some government granuja demanded that she have you declared dead, or he'd deport her and Papi and send us into foster care."

"Is she the least bit sorry about it?" Goldbug asked, voicing the question Raf was afraid to.

"Not as much as she could be." Enrique answered bitterly. "I wanted to find you and make up, to apologize for being a terrible brother. Mama threatened to throw me out of the family if I did." He left the sentence end on that ominous note.

"Then how'd you get here?" Goldbug asked.

"I essentially hiked and hitchhiked all the way here from Miami." He replied. "It took me a couple weeks to get here." Enrique sighed. "I just really wanted to see my brother."

Raf was pensive. While he was still mad at being abandoned by his family, it seemed that it wasn't a universal decision. And outside of the Maximals and Goldbug, he indeed had a brother that still loved him. He looked at Goldbug for advice.

"I can't tell you what to do." He whispered. "But he did leave your family to come find you." Raf was silent for a moment, then nodded before kneeling.

"Come here, hemano." Raf whispered, holding his arms open for Enrique. The two brothers embraced as Raf stood back up with Goldbug putting a reassuring hand on Rafs' shoulder.

The touching moment was interrupted by a loud roar and a deafening boom.

"Get Enrique to the safe zone with the other humans." Goldbug said. "I'll go see what that was."
Moments later the fortress began to shake.

Up in the security office. June was sitting with her grandsons watching the monitors. Without a head of security after Trailbreakers' death, Rattrap had taken over as security head temporarily. Heinrad usually worked with him although June guessed that this was for another reason.

This guess turned out to be accurate.

"Seriously you two, it's obvious you boys have been avoiding everyone lately." June argued from the ceiling. She was using her beast mode because in her mind, eight eyes were better than two. Mostly so that she could look both Kibo and Gary in the eye while still watching the monitors.

"We're not avoiding everyone grandma." Kibo argued back. "There's just been so much going on we keep missing them."

"For a Maximal that literally has all the time in the world, I doubt that." Sighing in exasperation, June dropped from the ceiling and transformed. "The real reason is your parents, isn't it?" Seeing both wince, June knew she'd hit the nail on the head.

"Grandma June." Rattrap began after a moment. "Neither of us knew our parents growing up. We know nothing about them."

"You're afraid of disappointing them?" She asked.

"How do you get to know someone you know all about, but never met?" Kibo replied.

"Gary, your father had an alcoholic mother and lost his father at a young age. Your mother was an adopted foster child." June countered. "Kibo, your mother came from a neglectful family and I'm pretty sure I inadvertently gave your father a guilt complex. I'm sure they'd be happy to know that their children are survivors too."

"Look." She continued. "I'm no Rung, but I think that getting to know them could help you heal from what you went through in your timeline." She put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Trust me."

Gary turned away to hide the tears in his eyes. Blinking them away, he looked at the monitor to see Grimlock approaching the other Dinobots. In the corner of the screen, he noticed Slash come into view with the Enigma of Combination.

"What are those five up too?" he asked as the screen changed to static. He got his answer in the form of a roar and a shaking sensation.

"Okay, now that's a problem."

Grimlock walked through the halls of Fortress Maximus with purpose. Yesterday he'd been told that he had what essentially amounted to what humans call Alzheimer's disease and only a year before he lost all cognizance. He'd been up half the night raging at his circumstance before finally accepting that this was it for him. Now, however, he had a harder question to ask.

How to convince your best friends in the galaxy to kill you before you're too far gone?

Sighing, he turned into the room the Dinobots used as their usual hangout spot. The black banner (a 'housewarming gift' from the Maximals) with red and yellow words reading 'When Dinobots Ruled the Galaxy' never failed to amuse him. Particularly after they'd watched Jurassic Park. Thankfully, four of the remaining Dinobots were present.

"Hey guys." Grimlock greeted, trying to hide his nerves. "Where Slash?"

"She just went to pick up some energon goodies." Snarl explained. "She should be along any moment."

"Good, good." Grimlock replied. Ah well, better get this over with. "About what Ratchet say yesterday." Slug cut him off.

"Actually, we had a thought about that." He interrupted. Sensing someone come up behind him, he saw that Slash had returned. However, in her hands were not energon goodies, but the Enigma of Combination.

"You'll thank us for this in a few Grimlock." Sludge said as the other Dinobots moved in close to him.

"Wait! NO!" Grimlock yelled but was bathed in the enigmas' light. As he, Sludge, Slug, Snarl and Swoop combined, he couldn't help but be angry that they'd pull something like this. To disregard his freedom of choice in his own destiny. He felt their minds trying to reach out for him. Unfortunately, the only thing he could feel was rage. Pure, white, unadulterated rage. Fury so strong that it overrode what the other Dinobots were trying to do.

As the new combiner finished assembling, he only had one thing on his mind. Rage. Rage against all that had harmed the Dinobots. Leaning back, he gave a deafening roar before demolishing the wall between him and freedom, inadvertently burying Slash in rubble.

"Volcanicus, Smash!"

Lockdown sat in a meditative state on his mesa. He knew that with the humans visiting the Autobots, today would be the day to retrieve his targets. A loud roar of rage from the city caused him to open his optics. It seemed that fortune had decided to favor him now. Standing up, he engaged his cloaking field to render himself invisible and began to head to the city.

"Time to go to work."

'Thus far,' Optimus thought as he led Simmons mixed human and Decepticon team through Autobot City. 'This has gone rather smoothly.' They had gone through a cursory walkthrough of the main body of Fortress Maximus, stopping at the communications center, the science lab as well as the branch of hab suites many of which would soon be filled. They'd even stopped briefly at Swerves' new bar. Simmons had been quite surprised that Cybertronians liked to throw a few back off duty as much as humans did.

"Now, for the last stop on our tour." Optimus spoke as he led them to where the visitors were meeting with some of his soldiers and the Maximals. "Is what our Maximals dubbed the 'Town Square' of Autobot City. Hopefully, in time, it can be a place where humans and Cybertronians can intermingle in peace permanently.

"Well, let's hope so." Simmons replied. "I've already seen proof that our peoples can work together peacefully." He said, referencing his Decepticons.

"Indeed." Drift interjected. He knew this man's history with the Maximals. "It is amazing what one can learn if one puts their bias aside."

"Drift." Optimus warned, silencing the swordsbot.

"That's fair all things considered." Simmons responded nonchalantly. He spied the Maximals at the far end of the square. "We'll make sure to avoid certain individuals." His mission was to ensure that the Autobots were no threat, not start a potential war...this time.

Before the group could journey down to the sound of a deafening roar and a loud crash that shook the area.

"Prime!" Simmons yelled. "What the hell was that!"

"I am unsure." Optimus responded. "I've never heard that here before."

The roar came again as the sounds of thunderous footfalls echoed closer and closer. Suddenly, around the corner came a gargantuan combiner. It was grey, red and gold and had a mad look in its' visor. Closer inspection revealed that the legs were comprised of Sludge and Snarl while Slug and Swoop made up its' arms. The chest, however, was unmistakable.

"Grimlock?" Optimus asked.

"The Dinobots?" Simmons asked. "Since when could they combine?" He asked looking at Scrapper.

"They can't."

"Sir!" Ultra Magnus called as he ran up to Optimus. Behind him, Kup, Blurr and Springer appeared.

"Those three are new." Simmons muttered to himself.

"Oh Grimlock, what did you do?" Ultra Magnus whispered.

Hearing the noise of the arrivals, Volcanicus turned and saw the group past the humans. Prime, who could've ended the war before it got to this point. Magnus, who tried to order him around like a pet. And finally, the Constructicons, the only ones who'd ever hurt him. Giving a roar, Volcanicus charged forth, paying no attention to who may be ground under foot.

"Burr, Cheetor, get all the humans to the shelter point, top speed." Ultra Magnus ordered. "Everyone else, try to detain the combiner until they're clear."

"On it."

"Humanevacuationcomingrightup."

As the two speedsters began moving the civilians in twos and threes a piece, the remaining Autobots and Maximals began alternating firing on Volcanicus to keep him distracted.

"Springer." Optimus called to the green and yellow mech as he drew his sword.

"Prime." Springer saluted back.

"Head back the way the combiner came and look for a smaller Dinobot named Slash. I didn't see her in that combiner."

"There's a sixth Dinobot now?" Springer asked. "Never mind, I'm on it." With that He transformed into a helicopter, his second alternate mode and took off in the indicated direction stopping only to dodge Volcanicus' hand.

"Stranglehold, Octopunch, assist with the evacuation. Build team standby to combine." Simmons called out.

"We told you not to call us that fleshling." Hook grumbled before transforming. Between the speedsters, Strangleholds' truck mode and Octopunches' tentacles, the few humans that didn't run yet were safely tucked away.

"Okay everyone." Simmons called out. "Two big bots against one are good odds, let's hit it!"

"Constructicons transform, phase two!"

"Protectobots combine!"

"Everyone else, let them have it!" Ultra Magnus ordered.

And like that, the battle began. Defensor and Devastator charged Volcanicus from both sides. Volcanicus, seeing Devastator attempt to throw a punch at him, grabbed his arm and heaved him into Defensor. While his back was turned the various bots and Maximals opened fire on his exposed back, further angering him. Reaching behind him, Volcanicus pulled out a silver sword with a burning orange blade and took a swipe at the bots, causing them to scatter.

"Blurr, Cheetor, we need a distraction." Optimus called.

"Yes sir!" Cheetor called. "Follow my lead!" He called to Blurr. The two took off and began to run in a circle around Volcanicus. Moments later the raging combiner was enveloped in a cyclone.

"Kidremindmetochallengeyoutoaracesometime!" Blurr called out.

Inside the cyclone, Volcanicus' sword was extinguished, but not his rage. He wanted to destroy those who hurt him, and that list was now growing exponentially. Drawing on his rage, Volcanicus let loose a burst of fire that dissipated the cyclone and sent the speedsters flying. Before he could think to pursue either of them, Devastator grabbed his sword arm in one hand and forced him to double over.

"Surrender, or face termination." Devastator ordered. This took everyone by surprise.

"Devastator can talk?" Optimus asked.

"Of course, they just had to upgrade the combiner tech." Simmons answered. According to Scrapper the combiner process they used was basic, and Megatron refused to let them upgrade it. "And I needed a combiner that could follow orders."

"You idiot!" Ultra Magnus yelled. "You took away Devastators' edge."

Magnus' words proved to be true as Volcanicus turned and kicked Devastators' leg hard enough to disengage Scrapper, the sudden separation causing the Constructicon leader to transform and begin convulsing on the ground. The effect on the rest of the combiner was obvious as well. With a fear Devastator hadn't known until recently, he tried to crawl away while spasming only for Volcanicus to grab his head and rip it off before throwing it at Defensor as it transformed back.

Sidestepping the transforming Mixmaster, Defensor barely got a shield up in time to stop Volcanicus' sword. The Protectobot combiner was given a reprieve by the remaining bots opening fire on Volcanicus' exposed back once again. Turning and giving a fresh roar of rage, the Dinobot combiner prepared to unleash another burst of flame before a stream of fire cut him off. A smaller combiner landed in between Volcanicus and his victims holding a large battle axe. A combiner that was familiar to the Maximals.

"I am unsure what your grievance is." Tripredacus began as he parried Volcanicus' sword whit his axe. "But there are better ways to go about it."

"What! Another one?" Simmons yelled.

Volcanicus gave a roar and let off another pulse of fire. Tripredacus retaliated with a trio of concentrated streams of his own. The two blazes met and held at a stalemate for a moment before Volcanicus' power began to override Tripredacus'. Before he could be fully overpowered however, a call came from Volcanicus' left-hand side.

"Magnaboss, Maximize!"

Surprised, Volcanicus turned to see who shouted only to be blasted across the square by a beam of greenish white energy from Magnaboss' sword. Off balance, he barely had time to dodge Defensor's' fist before Tripredacus and Magnaboss charged him. Dodging right, Volcanicus grabbed Tripredacus and winged him into Defensor's' head, causing both combiners to separate. Magnaboss slashed him with their sword only to be picked up by the other combiner and flung not just across the square, but across Autobot City as well.

"Arcee, go after them!" Optimus ordered. As she transformed and took off Prime heard two distinct calls amongst the battle.

"Botanica, Maximize!"

"Prepare to transform Autobot City."

Optimus' confusion at Ultra Magnus' order was overruled by numerous plant vines growing around the often-underestimated plant Maximal. Rapidly, the vines interwove and connected to form a pseudo suit of armor like the Apex Armor. The surprise grew as the suit grew to the size of Volcanicus, surprising the combiner as well.

Botanica smirked as she stared down Volcanicus. Across her plant suit, several fireweed pods emerged and sprayed sap across the combiner, further infuriating him. One lucky shot managed to get him in the visor, blinding him. Charging forth, Botanica managed to wrap her suits arms around Volcanicus as it seemingly turned inside out to envelop him. Falling backwards, she was caught by her boyfriend in his bat mode.

"Alright Garrison." Ultra Magnus called while Volcanicus' plant cocoon began to burn. Botanicas' little maneuver may have been unexpected, but not unappreciated. "Transform and hit it!" With that, the whole city began to shake again.

Feeling the ground shaking, Volcanicus let loose a pulse of heat that freed him from the cocoon. Hearing a loud whirring noise to his right, the combiner looked up to see that Fortress Maximus' left arm had been transformed and now towered over him. The sheer blank shock of such a sight stunned Volcanicus long enough for the arm to swing forward and backhand him, sending Volcanicus flying. Ultimately, he'd land several miles from the city before separating and falling unconscious.

"Did." Allie said, not quite believing what she saw. "Did he just get B-slapped?" She asked as the arm turned back into part of Autobot City.

"I may not know what a 'B-slap' is." Ultra Magnus replied with satisfaction. "But at least something stopped him. I'll send a team out to retrieve the Dinobots and." He fell short when he saw the look of anger and disappointment Optimus was giving him. "Then I have some explaining to do."

A few hours later, Optimus leaned against a hallway wall trying to clear his head. First and foremost were the Dinobots. Slash had admitted that they'd used the Enigma of Combination as a potential cure for Grimlocks' declining mental faculties. While the Dinobots had mostly recovered, not only was Grimlocks' condition unchanged, but he was also refusing to speak to them for the time being. Not that Optimus blamed him.

After them was Ultra Magnus and Garrison Blackrock. When he'd asked about Fortress Maximus transforming partially, they'd admitted that they'd been working on the titans' T-cog, but only to bring the bases' guns online without Rattrap and Teletraan-2 and that the arm activating was an accident. Honestly, Optimus didn't know whether to believe them or not.

Then there was the inspection team. They already knew of the schism in the Decepticons from Knockout and Starscream, they had no idea that so many had left. He now found himself in the awkward position of hoping Sector Seven kept recruiting the defectors.

At least the other human visitors were no worse for the wear after Volcanicus' rampage. Fortunately, Rodimus had managed to pass off the incident as a drill to the public, showing that the Autobots were capable of handling anything that threatened humankind. Simmons wasn't entirely convinced, but let it slide after Scourge got a little too close for his comfort. It had been satisfying seeing the man face down a dragon.

Optimus was drawn out of his musings by the arrival of Heinrad, Rattrap and Rafael in his beast mode. Surprisingly, a young human with a striking resemblance to Raf before he became a Maximal was riding on his back.

"Optimus, we've got a problem." Raf spoke as Enrique climbed down and he transformed.

"You mean this young man?" Prime asked.

"No, I'll explain my brother being here later." Raf began. "When I came too after Volcanicus threw us, I was alone."

This perturbed Optimus. What had happened to Jackson and Miko? Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen them, or Arcee after the Volcanicus debacle.

"It's worse than that." Rattrap picked up where Raf left off. "When we left the security office, we saw Magnaboss flying past us. We followed Arcee to help them but when we got there, we all blacked out."

"I think I saw a shimmer before that." Heinrad added. "But when we woke up, Jack, Miko, June and Arcee were all missing."

G.B. Blackrock looked up at Brainstorm and Ultra Magnus. While they'd been able to pass the 'reflex test' for Project Cerebros off as an accident (albeit a well-timed accident) they weren't sure Optimus believed them. There were some other problems that needed to be worked out as well.

"We definitely need to tweak it some." Garrison said as he pulled a bloody handkerchief from his pocket. The mental stress from even using one of Fort Maxs' arms was enough for his nose to bleed profusely. He worried what prolonged use would do at this rate.

"I'll see what I can do." Brainstorm replied. "I still don't see why one of us can't control Maximus?" He asked.

"Because the technology is only compatible with humans." Ultra Magnus replied. "If we tried the same thing Mr. Blackrock did, we'd-"

"Be dying of spark failure, I know." Brainstorm groused. "We're trying to work with the titan, not outright control him."

"Right." Blackrock added. "It's not like my original Transtector. This isn't a cadaver; Maximus is a still living Cybertronian. We're just using my tech and my brain to bypass the damaged sections of his brain."

"In any case we need to be more subtle." Magnus continued. "I know the situation was dire today, but if we aren't careful, Project: Cerebros will be discovered before completion." He finished. He wanted to make sure that whenever Galvatron arrived to plant the dark energon seeder at Autobot City, there'd be a fully functional titan ready to meet him. Their conversation was cut off by a shout from Optimus a couple of halls away.

"What do you mean they're missing?!"

Agent Seymour Simmons of Sector Seven was having a strange day. It started off well enough with the inspection of the Autobots' new city. He'd rather enjoyed rubbing the fact that Primes' enemies were now his allies in the big robots' face. Then there was the surprise drill with the combining dinosaurs which, while impressive, showed a massive flaw with his allies combined form. The primary good thing that came from it was the knowledge that Prime was apparently amassing an army of his own. If he spun it right, it would bring them under more scrutiny and give him some new avenues to pursue.

He was pulled from his musings by the sound of thunderous footfalls. Looking up, he saw the big mac himself stomping towards him and his team. Flanking him were the gold muscle car and the big green bruiser. Bill and his son brought up the rear.

"Agent Simmons, you have lied to us." Optimus accused. "We allowed you and your team in here under false pretenses and you have abducted four of our own." He growled. Behind him, Goldbug, Bulkhead and both Maximals deployed their weapons.

"Hold up, HOLD UP!" Simmons shouted. "Who did we abduct according to you?"

"Quit lying slag head." Bulkhead yelled. "What did you do with Miko and Arcee?"

"Jackson and his mother are missing as well." Optimus added. "And with your divisions' history with the Maximals."

"Okay." Simmons yelled in exasperation. "As much as I'd love to get back at the beast bots for what happened last time, I'm not about to kidnap anyone with so many witnesses around."

"With so many Decepticons now swelling your ranks, I find that difficult to believe." Prime retorted.

"These are the only Decepticons we work with Prime." A woman in her late thirties with short dark hair interrupted, taking off her glasses. The sound of her voice drew Goldbugs' attention and his optics widened in recognition behind his visor.

"Watson, what are you doing?" Simmons spat.

"Charlie?"

"Goldbug." Agent Charlie Watson responded kindly. "Or should I say Bumblebee?"

"You knew these aliens all along?" Simmons yelled. "I'll have you court marshalled for this!"

"You never asked, sir." Charlie replied, giving her boss a cold look. "And consider this my resignation from Sector Seven." She turned back to the group. "I can assure you we had nothing to do with the disappearance of your group." The base intercom kicked on.

"Sir." Lightbright spoke. "Please come to security, we have something you need to see."

Moments later, the groups were standing in the central security hub with Goldbug and Raf standing protectively by Charlie and Enrique respectively. They wanted to make sure Simmons kept well away from the two of them. Joining them was Drift, mostly to provide additional security with so many Decepticons and a volatile human in the heart of Autobot City.

"I was going over the security footage during the Volcanicus drill." Lightbright half lied. She'd only gotten the memo about the cover story moments before she paged Optimus. "And while I didn't find footage of the abduction, I did find something of interest." She pulled up footage of June, Rattrap and Heinrad running after the falling Magnaboss, only for what looked like a shimmer to follow behind a few seconds later.

"Definitely not one of ours." Charlie informed, ignoring Simmons' evil look. "Can you run a spectrum filter over the video?" She asked.

"Psht, no problem." Lightbright replied as she rewound the video and activated the filter. This time the shimmer turned into a black and green colored figure with a hook in place of a right hand. "He's new."

"I recognize him." Drift growled, narrowing his optics. He'd never forget the bot that left him for dead.

"His name is-"

Lockdown followed the airplane's lights as they faded away into the night. Normally he wouldn't make deals with humans, but the fission core that they traded for his services was essential to upgrade his ship to be transwarp capable. He was thankful that part of his fee for Monstructor had been the schematics for a transwarp driver. Being able to arrive at a location before a bounty was an excellent advantage for any freelance peacekeeping agent. The capture of a single femme was more than a bargain for the component.

Turning to see that his remaining three captives were still unconscious, Lockdown began watching for his second client. He stood to make a substantial profit from this job and was looking forward to his payday. Minutes later, a long white ship shimmered into view as its' cloaking field shut down. As the ship set down, a side door opened and a white and yellow mech emerged. Lockdown greeted his client.

"Good evening Jhiaxus, I have the people you requested right here. You have my payment, yes?"

Notes:

A/N: Yes, evil cliffhanger is evil, ha ha ha. I added the character Enrique Esquivel to give the Maximals a human member in a similar manner to how they were before becoming Maximals. I also wanted to give Raf a little closure about his family. I originally hadn't planned to use Charlie Watson from Bumblebee in this story, but the idea grew on me over time, and I'll explain her history with Bumblebee/Goldbug in this universe in a later chapter.

I decided to take the "Incredible Hulk" route for Volcanicus mostly because (if memory serves) it's how the character was originally portrayed. And with Grimlocks' condition, I figured it'd be within character.

On a side note. Shoutout in the next chapter to anyone who can guess which TF comics character I based my version of Lockdown on. Hint: He met a doctor and then got his own comic series. Unfortunately, he was never well known in the US.

See you.

Next Time: Specters from the past.

Chapter 41: Specters of the Past Pt.1

Notes:

Hello everyone. I hope everyone who celebrates it had a Happy Thanksgiving. First off, some shoutouts to wertzm928 on as well as TimeLordPrime and saurotitan on AO3 for figuring out my version of Lockdown was based on the UK Marvel character Deaths' Head who first appeared in Transformers UK, met up with The Doctor (Who?) and ended up in the Marvel universe.

Two more shoutouts. First a thank you to denisegalante1009 on for giving me the idea on a character making her debut in this chapter. And finally, a shoutout to whoever created a TVTropes page for this story. That was a pleasant surprise to stumble upon. Also, I've started posting this story on Wattpad.

Warning: This chapter and the next contain sensitive subject material. Discretion is advised.

Groaning in discomfort, Arcee slowly felt herself regain consciousness. As her optics reactivated, she realized that she was strapped down to a medical table in a lab. However, her immediate attention was drawn to a familiar white and yellow mech.

"YOU!" Arcee exclaimed.

"Ah, awake already." Jhiaxus replied calmly, turning to face his former patient. "I'm happy you recognized me."

"Had to forget the mech who operated on me without anesthesia." Arcee growled. "Where are Jack June and Miko?" Jhiaxus looked at her confused before stepping closer to her. Upon closer inspection, she noticed a red helmet and several holes in his body that he didn't have all those years ago.

"I only collected three of you from Lockdown Arcee." Jhiaxus replied. "I have no idea what happened to the fourth one you claim is missing. The other two I acquired however, are unharmed." Mulling this over, Arcee decided to figure out what was going on.

"Then why did you have us kidnapped?" She asked. "And what's with all the holes?"

"Ah, so glad you asked child." Jhiaxus answered. Holding up his left pointer finger, she watched as a small drill emerged from his fingertip.

"You see." He began as the drill began to spin. "For some time now I've taken to this as a way to relieve the frustration and guilt from everything I've done over the years." He continued as he drilled into the armor and mesh of his right forearm.

"That." Arcee interrupted. "Is sick."

"I quite agree." Jhiaxus nodded, retracting his drill. "I didn't realize how sick I was until one day I was working on an experiment and forgot my drill was on. I went to rub my forehead and." He paused for dramatic effect before pulling up on his helmet to show a hole drilled right into his forehead. Arcees' optics widened in shock. Jhiaxus had lobotomized himself.

"And in that moment." Jhiaxus continued, ignoring Arcees expression. "Light poured into my mind for the very first time." He smiled. "And it helped me to see that my work in pushing the boundaries of transformation were all for not."

"Excuse me?" Arcee asked.

"Don't you see Arcee?" Jhiaxus continued. "There was no need to play God. Primus knew what he was doing with his children and that we weren't ready for the next step in our evolution."

Arcee was in shock. The Jhiaxus she knew was a devout Atheist. To hear him claim his work was against Primus' will was something else.

"So, what? You're here to undo what you did to Monstructor?" She asked.

"Oh?" Jhiaxus exclaimed happily. "They're here too? Excellent! All the remaining victims of my sins are in one place. Once I've helped you all and restored Shockwave, I will have truly repented, and I shall be forgiven."

"Helped us?" Arcee asked. "What do you?" A cold feeling ran through her spark as she realized just what he had in mind. More specifically, what he had in mind for her.

"NO!"

"I'm sorry Arcee." Jhiaxus whispered as he walked over to the console. "But I must undo my transgressions." With that, he activated the machine. Arcee felt her body electrify and begin to change before losing consciousness.

From his place on the wall of Shockwaves' lab, Megatron looked on in equal parts rage and despair. Ever since Tarantulas and Bludgeon partnered with Galavar to betray him, he had been only able to helplessly watch as the usurpers systematically dismantled and tainted everything that he had built over the millennia. He had been helpless as Tarantulas and Shockwave forcibly reconfigured his Vehicons into even more grotesque Predacons. Then there were the new Vehicons that Unicron had provided. There was no individuality, no free will outside of the three generals.

The irony was not lost on Megatron.

As he listened to his troops screams of pain as they were reformatted, he realized that he and they were now the victim of their own devices, like so many Autobots and non-allied Cybertronians before him. The ones that really rattled him were the Decepticons who cried out for him to save them, never knowing that their glorious leader was feet away. It was a sickening feeling to realize that while he and his Decepticons had destroyed their oppressors, they'd allowed themselves to become what they fought against in a new form.

He hadn't freed them from tyranny and oppression, only helped to transform themselves into tyrants and oppressors.

Megatron was pulled from his thoughts by the lab door opening and Galvatron walking through it flanked by his generals. The largest one (Tankor if he recalled correctly) had a large cage in his hand.

"Good news Tarantulas." Galvatron spoke to the twisted scientist. "We've finally located the reason why the Nemesis was unable to transform." He continued, indicating the cage. "Apparently this mishappen thing had made a home in Trypticons' T-cog and it was uncovered during the barrage. Repairs on the transformation system should be complete within a few days."

"Ohh, what have we got here?" Tarantulas cackled as he and Megatron beheld what was in the cage Tankor was holding.

Inside the cage was a young misshapen Cybertronian. Asymmetrical in most ways with a face that was vaguely feminine. It had a tan and mint green color scheme with glowing red optics that were looking around with an expression of both fear and confusion. Tarantulas and Megatron both examined the newcomer, the former in fascination, the latter in concern.

"Well, well, well, this looks like someone mutated a Transmetal." He spoke aloud before fixing his visor on the femme. "Do you have a name?" The femme looked at him confused before answering in a raspy voice that sounded like it hadn't been used often.

"Transmutate?" She asked in confusion.

"Transmutate eh?" Tarantulas responded. "Set it against the wall. It'll make a good test subject later." The Predacon scientist smacked his mandible. "Or maybe a snack."

"Tough break kiddo." Jetstorm commented as she picked up Transmutates' cage and set it near Megatron. "I was all for keeping it as a pet."

Looking at the scared youngling, Megatron couldn't help seeing himself to a degree. When he emerged from the well of all sparks, he didn't have a full personality or even a real name outside of D-16. Now he was looking at what was essentially a sparkling that had no identity and couldn't care for itself. And now she would be condemned to life as a science experiment like he was condemned to an eternity in the mines. As if sensing him, Transmutates eyes locked on to Megatrons' own red optics.

Despite being unable to speak to the youngling, he made a vow to her. While everything he'd built as Megatron was crumbling before him, this innocent spark needed the hero he'd once been. The hero he could be again. He vowed to protect this youngling for as long as he could. As if hearing his thoughts, Transmutate looked at him curiously.

"F-friend?" She asked. Never breaking eye contact, Megatron gave a slight nod.

"Oh, isn't this precious? Yes." Galvatron taunted, reminding Megatron that he had an audience. "The great and fearsome Megatron showing pity towards a twisted, mishappen freak of nature." He gave a dramatic sigh. "If Prime could see you now." He added with a chuckle, causing Megatron to glare at him.

"Now that's an interesting thought." Tarantulas added. He was beginning to devise a way to make his experiments a game with Megatron and Transmutate as key players. He was pulled from his musings by Shockwave.

"Lord Galvatron, Tarantulas." He called from the lab console. "My sensors indicate that there is a massive exodus of Autobots leaving their base." Shockwave explained. "According to intercepted radio transmissions, several individuals have been abducted and they are beginning a search."

"Then now is our time to attack." Galvatron responded. "While they are so engaged."

"No." Tarantulas replied.

"No?"

"No. We aren't ready to assault Fortress Maximus again." Tarantulas explained. "We still need to finish repairing the ship as well as test our new Predacons."

"So, we are to do nothing?!" Galvatron growled.

"I didn't say that." Tarantulas countered gleefully. "The fear and worry for their lost comrades must be very deep. If we were to begin attacking their search parties." He began.

"We can help, deepen it." Galvatron finished. "And perhaps take out some of Primes' new troops in the bargain. Yes." He turned to his Vehicon generals.

"Take our new Predacons and attack the search parties." He looked at the large stasis pod in the corner with his scientists' newest super weapon. "And take the Deathsaurus with you. We can finally test his destructive capabilities."

Jetstorm hummed and turned to Thrust.

"Care to make a bet love?" She asked.

"What do you have in mind?" Thrust replied.

"Whoever kills the highest ranking Autobot, gets to choose their prize?" Thrust thought for a moment before stepping up to her and looking into her mask.

"Very well. Just be prepared for one of our sessions." He gave her a dark seductive look. "I know how to drive you crazy."

"And I know how to make you scream." Jetstorm replied, scratching Thrusts' jaw with her finger an impish smile emoticon on her mask.

"And you both know we're standing right in front of you, right?" Tarantulas interjected. He and Galvatron had matching uneasy looks while Tankor simply shrugged and made a grinding noise that indicated 'welcome to my world'. They both ignored them.

"Then don't look."

"Tankor, you take Deathsaur with your team." Thrust ordered as Jetstorm rubbed her hands together.

"One, two, three, four. I declare a beast war."

Meanwhile, in Autobot City, various groups were dividing up to begin searching for the kidnapped Maximals and Arcee. They also had orders to seek out Lockdown. If anyone knew where they'd been shipped off to, it would be him. In Fortress Maximus' main control room, Ultra Magnus was giving out assignments.

"Aerialbots, take off and head towards southern California." Magnus ordered. "Protectobots, I'm bridging you to New York with Rodimus and Nightbeat to search there. I've already got Blurr and Cheetor crisscrossing the Midwest."

"Why are we wasting time here Magnus." Bulkhead complained. "We know who probably has Miko."

"We don't know anything for sure Bulkhead." Ultra Magnus replied. "And I do have an advance team looking in Japan." Optimus was also doing high altitude recon flights crisscrossing the country, but Bulkhead didn't need to know that yet.

"Well, if it's any consolation." Rattrap began from his computer terminal. Aside from him and Cheetor, the other Maximals were waiting for news so they could rescue their friends. "I can't find any chatter on the dark web or in the Nakadai Industries databanks." He flipped his mask up to look at the two Wreckers.

"That means that either they don't have them, or the relevant systems are air gaped."

"Or she's at an off the books site." Bulkhead grumbled.

"A definite possibility." Rattrap admitted before the computer caught his attention again. "Hello?"

"Got a lead?" Magnus asked.

"Sort of." Rattrap admitted. "There's was a report about a UFO in the Rocky Mountains. I'm pulling up the video now." Teletrann-2's main computer screen lit up with a low-resolution video of what looked like a ship with a bulbous back end and a narrow front shimmer into view before taking off to the north.

"Whaddya think?" Rattrap asked.

"Definitely Cybertronian." Ultra Magnus confirmed.

"And definitely the Death's Head." Came a voice from the doorway, making everyone jump. Turning to look, the group saw Drift standing in the open doorway with Goldbug and Charlie Watson next to him. "Can we get a geo tag from the video?" Drift asked.

"Lemme see what I can pull up." Rattrap responded, turning back to his terminal and flipping his mask down. Ultra Magnus eyed Drift wearily.

"Are you going to be okay with this mission Drift?" He asked. "I know you have a history with this bounty hunter."

"That Mech has taken four of us, two of which are my students." Drift bit out. "My history with Lockdown doesn't factor in."

"Considering he left you for-"

"Magnus." Drift growled. "Drop it." Everyone was eyeing the swordsbot warily. They'd never seen him disrespect an authority figure before. The two glared at each other for a moment before Ultra Magnus nodded.

"Very well." He began. "But I'm sending you with a few other bots as well as Goldbug and Grimlock." He knew the reason for the rift among the Dinobots and figured Grimlock could use the time away. Admittedly this caused some confused looks at the order. Magnus turned to Charlie.

"Agent Watson, could you please poke around and see if there are any confirmed human elements involved?" Magnus asked. Thankfully, Rodimus had pulled some strings with new allies in the state department to have agent Watson hired and assigned as the Autobots new liaison after leaving Sector Seven. With William Fowler being assigned to Rodimus' security staff they needed a new one. In addition, she filed custody papers at Rafaels' request to give her temporary custody of his brother Enrique after what happened with their parents.

Giving a nod, Agent Watson turned and left the control room with Goldbug right behind her. Magnus turned back to Drift.

"Find Grimlock and meet Goldbug at the space bridge. I'll send Strongarm and the twins."

"Me already here." Came a voice from behind Drift. Grimlock stepped into the room.

"What about me and Jackie?!" Bulkhead yelled. He was scared for all four of his missing friends and didn't want to be left out of this.

"Wheeljack is helping the science and med teams to finish the prototype CR Chambers." Ultra Magnus retorted. "Considering who the potential players in this conundrum are, I think it'd be best to have them ready for use." He looked Bulkhead in the optic. "And I don't trust you to not offline Lockdown before we get any information out of him. So, you will stand down and wait for us to have a lead on where to find them. Is that understood soldier?"

"Yes...sir." Bulkhead bit out.

"Alright, I'll put the notice out for the others and have them meet you there." Magnus replied, turning back to Drift. "Grimlock, a word." As the other bots exited the room Ultra Magnus stepped up to Grimlock.

"Grimlock, please keep an eye on Drift." Magnus warned. "I feel he may let his grudge against Lockdown interfere with the mission at hand." Grimlock glared at Magnus.

"Me not willing to be Wrecker babysitter." He countered.

"It's not my choice either but being an ex-Decepticon yourself."

"Me Grimlock registered as one before war and trained with Megatron a while." Grimlock growled. "But me leave when war broke out."

"Either way, I think you might be some help to Drift here." Magnus pressed. There was silence for a few moments.

"Fine, me go." Grimlock groused before stomping out of the control room. Magnus only hoped that their missing comrades were recovered safely.

Arriving at the space bridge, Goldbug found most of his team assembled already. Noticing him, Strongarm gave him a salute.

"Sir, ready to roll out when you are sir!" She yelled like a good soldier.

"No need to be so uptight." Sideswipe commented, causing Strongarm to shoot him a dirty look. "This is a stealth mission, shouting like that could get us caught."

"From everything I've learned about you lately Sideswipe, you could use a little discipline." Strongarm barked back.

"Cool it you two." Sunstreaker interrupted. "Save it for Lockdown."

"Agreed." Goldbug added. "Both of you knock it off."

"Just showing how a real soldier acts, sir!"

"Oh, get bent." Any further arguing was cut off by a pair of sharp blows to the backs of their heads.

"OW!"

"HEY!"

"Enough!" Grimlock growled. He'd walked in while they were arguing. "We have job to do, we do it."

"Thank you, Grimlock." Goldbug said to the Dinobot.

"Learn when to be firm." Grimlock growled. While he may have been assigned to be Drifts' babysitter, he could see that he needed to give the golden scout a few lessons in leadership. "Even Prime had to knock heads once in a while."

"Namely yours." Drift replied as a space bridge opened. "This should put us a few miles from Lockdowns' estimated location."

"Right." Goldbug nodded before transforming. "Autobots, transform and roll out." As the rest of the team sans Grimlock transformed, the Dinobot whispered in Goldbugs' ear.

"Second lesson, don't try to be Prime." He commented before running through the spacebridge after the twins. Goldbug revved his engine in irritation before following his team.

Deep in the Rocky Mountains, Lockdown was working on upgrading the Deaths' head. While the fission core he'd been given was more than up to the task of powering the transwarp drive, the drive itself was proving problematic. In retrospect, he probably should've bartered for installation when he agreed to a lower rate in exchange for the technology. His attention was drawn away from his project by his ship's computer.

"Visitors?" Lockdown muttered to himself. Pulling up the surveillance drone he set up when landing, he homed in on the telltale swirl of a spacebridge. Taking a closer look he saw exactly who had arrived.

"The scout that killed Megatron." Lockdown questioned. Maybe he could. He shook his head. "No. No bounty out on him." Then he noticed a white and red bot in the group. "However, protecting myself from and old grudge would be beneficial, yes." Arming his ship, Lockdown stepped outside and engaged his cloaking field. He would worry about the Transwarp Drive after he dealt with the interlopers.

After exiting the space bridge portal, Goldbug and his team began to make their way towards the location of the Deaths' Head. Goldbug was making sure to keep close to Strongarm. Mostly so she and Sideswipe didn't start bickering again and give away their location. He refused to rely on Drift and Grimlock to keep order in this team.

"So, what's this I've heard about Grimlock and Drift being ex Decepticons?" Strongarm asked, attempting to make conversation. Goldbug winced as he thought how to best word his reply. Drift saved him from having to answer though.

"I joined as a sniper because originally, I was on the streets." Drift spoke. "I left because I found a better way to live." Hopefully this misdirection would keep them from asking about Lockdown.

"And me quit when Megatron showed true colors." Grimlock bit out. "Me Grimlock only trained with him for a few months before war broke out." He couldn't believe Megatron chose the path he did over not becoming a part of a system he hated.

"Well then, you had good sense." Sideswipe replied. He could respect any bot who left the cons.

"I refused to join the Decepticons on principal." Sunstreaker added. "Those insignias are just downright garish."

"We're all aware of your vanity bro." Sideswipe sighed. Moments later, the group came upon a forest in a valley. Sitting in the middle of it, was the Deaths' Head.

"Looks like Rattrap was right." Goldbug whispered. "Alright, Let's fan out and. Sideswipe! What are you doing?" While he was observing the ship, Sideswipe had begun to approach it.

"What?" Sideswipe replied. "Just doing a little reconnaissance." He smirked at Goldbug. "I figured as a scout you could." He was cut off as the ships' defenses triggered and fired a blast at Sideswipe. Dodging left, the blast hit the ground in front of the group, forcing them to scatter.

"And that!" Strongarm yelled. "Was insubordination."

"Strongarm, please." Goldbug growled. "Sideswipe, you gave away our position."

"Ugh, my paintjob." Sunstreaker moaned. "Swiper, that was such, a rookie mistake." Before he could say anything else and invisible something pierced through his chest.

"And rookie mistakes." Lockdown said as he shimmered into view revealing that his hook was what stabbed Sunstreaker. "Get you killed, yes?" With that, he forced his hook upwards through his victims' skull.

"SUNNY!" Sideswipe screamed as his twin died and collapsed to the ground.

"Nothing personal." Lockdown commented, shooting Sideswipe a look.

"Lockdown!" Strongarm yelled. Seeing Sunstreaker cut down like that was disturbing. "You're under arrest!"

"As a freelance peacekeeping agent." Lockdown replied with a cold look. "I shall have to decline." The slightest of sounds behind him alerted Lockdown to the presence of another. Spinning around, he raised his hook in time to catch Drifts' sword.

"Deadlock." He laughed. "Didn't think I'd see you again, eh?"

"Deadlock?" Goldbug queried.

"My name, is Drift." The swordsbot growled, pushing more of his weight into the sword. "Where are my students Lockdown?"

Lockdown stood firm. "And violate my clients' confidentiality? I think not." A series of blasts hit Lockdowns' side, pushing him away from Drift. Looking to his right he saw Sideswipe charging at him, guns drawn. Scoffing, Lockdown activated the gun in his left arm and fired a single shot directly into Sideswipes right hip, hobbling him.

"A valiant effort, but wasted, yes?" A second later a solid kick to the back sent Lockdown flying forward. Landing on all fours, he turned and saw Grimlock marching towards him with his sword drawn.

"Who hire you?" Grimlock growled. "Where you take friends." It was taking all his willpower to ignore the urge to transform. A loud engine roar alerted Lockdown to Strongarm charging him in her police SUV mode. Smirking, Lockdown dodged left and let his hook gouge a line from headlight to taillight. Twisting it a bit and relishing her pained cry, he used her momentum to spin her around and throw her into the charging Grimlock.

"Frustrating, no?" Lockdown smiled. Spinning to the left, he let Drift sail past him. "But I'm a top tier peacekeeper for a reason, eh?" His gloating was interrupted by the emergence of a spacebridge portal. From it, emerged Jetstorm, Thrust as well as several of the 3.0 Predacons.

"What in the?"

"Don't mind us Lockjaw." Jetstorm quipped. "Just wanted to take our new toys for a test drive."

"It's Lockdown." Thrust corrected.

"Whatever." Jetstorm replied as she apprised the collective Autobots. "Scrap, slim pickings as far as ranks go." She bemoaned, thinking of the bet.

"Highest kill count it is then." Thrust supplied. Jetstorm shrugged.

"Good enough."

"And I am?" Lockdown interrupted.

"Leaving, I believe." Thrust replied. "Think of us as providing cover for your departure."

"Convenient, yes?" Jetstorm quipped.

"I think that's my line?" Lockdown said.

"Either way." Thrust interrupted. "Let's have our upgraded Predacons soften them up first." He turned to the four Predacons they'd brought with them. It may not seem like many, but with the competition between him and Jetstorm, it was more than enough.

"Hit it." He ordered, and the battles began.

Groaning as she transformed, Strongarm barely moved in time to miss the spiked tongue of an acid blue and orange horned toad. It looked like it had been sawed into thirds and the middle of it had been replaced with mechanics instead of flesh. Its' limbs looked like skin had been stretched over bone with hydraulics visible. Engaging her blasters, Strongarm stared at the grinning toad as it transformed.

"Spittor, Terrorize!"

Spittors' mouth seemed to open in a colossal yawn as his front legs became his bot mode legs. His hind legs rotated and shifted until they became arms ending in webbed hands as his bot head emerged from the middle of his shifting toad back as it became armor along his left arm. Finally, his toad skull came to rest upon his right shoulder.

"What in the?" Strongarm questioned. She'd never seen a bot like this before.

"Die!" Spittor screamed lashing his tongue out at Strongarm again. Dodging left, Strongarm saw the end of it embed itself in a nearby rock. Several streams of drool dripped from the appendage and hissed as they hit the ground. As the tongue retracted, Spittor lunged at Strongarm with his claw.

Clutching the wound on her right side, strongarm deployed her left cannon and opened fire on Spittor. Her optics widened as the blasts only slowed the Predacon down. Diving aside, she barely missed the mechs' claws. Turning, Spittor gave a gurgling cackle.

"Play huh? Okay!"

Some feet away, Grimlock was sizing up the new and improved Iguanus. The Predacon looked like he had quills and spikes poked through his hide which was ripped away in places. His tail, however, looked like it had been merged with a buzzsaw with his front claws looking more like scythes. His jaw was simply a metal bone with a lizard-like eye and an unblinking optic glaring at him. All around, the look was intimidating.

Intimidating to anyone but Grimlock.

"You Predacon?" He asked rhetorically. "Me not impressed."

Giving a hiss, Iguanus curled into a spikey ball and rolled towards Grimlock at high speed. Grinning behind his mask, Grimlock thrust his arms out and stopped the Predacon in its' tracks. His victory was short lived however, as the sound of a buzzsaw caught his attention. Unculing from his ball, Iguanus slashed his tail saw down the front of Grimlocks' chest in a shower of sparks.

"Okay." Grimlock growled as he looked at the latest addition to his scar collection. "Me Grimlock sort of impressed." He looked up as Iguanus transformed. A bot mode head emerged from his lizard back, quills giving him the appearance of a mohawk. Most of his underbelly unfurled and realigned into a new set of legs whit his tail and lizard head becoming new arms. Now transformed, Igaunaus gave another hiss, a challenge to battle.

"You want dance?" Grimlock called in reply, drawing his sword. "Let's dance." With that the two colossal warriors charged at each other.

Not far from where Lockdown had shot him, Sideswipe was still on the ground trying to fend off the two flyers who were giving him all kinds of grief. It didn't help that his own rage at his twins' death was making it hard for him to shoot properly.

"Hnn, whatzzz the matter Autobotzzz." Waspinator buzzed. "Missing someone?"

The upgraded wasp looked more like a flying tank with blade wings now. His thorax looked like it had been split down the middle and a blaster jammed in between the two halves. The wasp legs now looked like they had been replaced at the halfway point with hydraulics. His face however, was the creepiest. A bulbous red insect eye contrasted with a trio of optics were now set above a pair of scissor like mandibles.

"Yeah." Terrorsaur rasped. "You look kinda lonely."

The other Predacon flyer looked more like a skeletal metalic red pterosaur now than anything. The only bits of hide left on him were yellow wing membranes with optics set into his skull. There were some tubes that seemed to connect the various parts of Terrorsaurs' body while his inner workings were mostly visible through a thin layer of yellow membrane.

"Wazzzpinator Terrorizzze!"

"Terrorsaur, Terrorize!"

The two Predacons transformed in midair before landing on either side of Sideswipe. Waspinator was standing on a clawed insect foot and a peg leg with his wasp head moving to cover his chest. His insect arms now adorned his bot mode arms, which were training the blaster from his thorax on Sideswipe. Terrorsaur had flipped upside down to transform, his wings becoming spindly legs while his legs and tail shifted and grew to become a new chest and arms. His head was now as skeletal as the rest of him.

"Kill you!" Sideswipe growled through his pain, taking aim at Waspinator. Terrorsaur cackled and kicked Sideswipes' arm before pinning it under foot.

"Oh, don't worry." Terrorsaur smirked. "You'll be with your twin soon enou-" He was cut off as Goldbug raced through the trees in vehicle mode and slammed into him, sending him flying into the trees. Transforming, Goldbug activated his blaster and shot the arm holding his blaster off Waspinator. For good measure he shot the wasps' head off as well.

Looking at Sideswipe, Goldbug had to stop himself from asking if he was all right. Between his injury and the death of his twin, he already knew the answer.

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah." Sideswipe replied as he shakily got to his feet. "But I don't think I'll be winning any battles like this."

Nodding, Goldbug looked around. Seeing Drift fighting Lockdown, he turned to the Deaths' Head. Looking closer at it, he noticed the side hatch was still open. Optics widening in realization, Goldbug realized he now had a plan. Before he could convey it to Sideswipe, he heard movement next to them.

"Now wazzz that really necezzzaryzzz?" Waspinators' severed head buzzed from the ground. Goldbugs' optics widened as Waspinators' body picked up his severed arm and plugged it back into the socket before reaching over to pick up his head. Looking to his right, he saw Terrorsaur beginning to get back up on his feet. They had to act now.

"Go for the ship, I'll cover you."

"Can you take both of them alone?" Sideswipe asked.

"We need that intel." Goldbug replied. "And give me some credit, I know what I'm doing." Seeing Waspinator pick up his blaster and Terrorsaur burst through the tree line, he put himself between the Predacons and Sideswipe.

"Go, now!" Nodding, Sideswipe hobbled off towards the Deaths' Head.

Meanwhile, not too far away. Lockdown and Drift were still trading blows. The two kept locking sword and hook with Drift having to dodge several shots from Lockdown.

"Bet you wish you'd stuck to your guns, eh?" Lockdown joked. "And is this really any way to treat your old friend?" Drift growled as he swung again.

"You and I stopped being friends when you shot me in the back." Drift bit out. "You taught me how to fight and then decide to kill me to cut me out of a contract?"

"You survived, yes?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you!" Drift shouted, thinking of Wing, the bot who'd saved his life. It was him who brought Drift before Yoketron and Banzai-Tron and asked he be allowed to study under them.

"Not that the mech who did help you lived long eh?"

"No, he didn't." Drift growled. "And you know why."

"It was a reconnaissance job." Lockdown argued as he swung his hook at Drift. "If he hadn't tried to detain me, I wouldn't have had to kill him, yes, no?"

"No." Drift shouted at the bounty hunter. "I know you well enough to no you'd have killed him anyway." He held his sword up. The sword that'd belonged to Wing before him. "And it'll be with his blade that I shall end you." With that, the two locked weapons again.

As he neared the Deaths' Head, Sideswipe grew more cautious. He knew about the defense system now and knew that if he got too close the lasers would fire at him. As he pondered how to get to the ship, he heard a pair of bots sneak up on him.

"It appears that we have our first kill lined up for us." Thrust commented as he examined Sideswipe.

"Hardly sporting." Jetstorm added as a disappointed emoticon flashed across her mask. "You know what? Ten second head start since he's hobbled."

Sideswipe hesitated for a moment before realizing that he could get his current problems to cancel each other out. Transforming into his sports car mode he took off towards the Deaths' Head. Behind him he heard Jetstorm cackle.

"Run forest, run!"

"I am going to offline whoever showed you how to access the internet." Thrust grumbled before transforming into his own car mode and taking off after him.

"Hey, no fair!" Jetstorm yelled as she transformed and followed the cars.

Speeding towards the ship as fast as he could, Sideswipe hoped that his plan would work. Right as he came into view of the side hatch, he felt a piercing pain in his vehicle modes' bumper. Transforming, he realized he'd been hooked by one of Thrusts' dark energon hooks on a chain, the other end of which was connected to Thrusts' front grill.

"If you were planning to steal the ship and rain hellfire down on us." Thrust began as he transformed. "I'm sorry to say that it's been done before." He walked up to the downed Autobot and drew another hook as Jetstorm arrived and transformed. "I do hope you're more resilient than your twin turned out to be. I enjoy making my victims." He was cut off as he realized the Deaths' Heads' weapons were now locked onto him.

"Well scrap." Thrust sighed, knowing he'd been played. The blaster then fired several times, blowing limbs and chunks from his body as Jetstorm laughed with a laughter emoticon on her mask. Sideswipe ripped the hook out of his leg and scrambled into the ship while the system was distracted.

"That's what you get for cheating love!" She laughed as she watched Thrusts' components begin to pull themselves back together. Hearing the blasters reposition, she now realized that they'd now locked onto her.

"This'll hurt." Jetstorm muttered to herself. The first blast only took an arm off as it pushed her back towards the trees. The next two cut her in half across the waist, causing her to fall into the trees.

"That stung like I knew it would."

Inside the ship, Sideswipe made his way towards the ships' computer. He didn't know how much time he had before the Vehicon generals regenerated, but he knew he had to get Lockdowns' intel on who had the Maximals and Arcee. Going up to the main terminal, he looked up the latest files.

"Okay, let's see." He began as he looked at the recent files list. "Transwarp drive, fission core, drive specs, wait a minute." He found a folder labeled 'acquisitions'. Looking at the last three he saw the client names 'fleshlings, Jhiaxus, and Shockwave'. Clicking on Shockwaves' name first, he saw that Lockdown had been involved in capturing the Monstructor Six.

Before he could open the other two files, he heard the noises of battle getting closer to the ship. Looking up, he saw the other Autobots being herded closer to the Deaths' Head. Quickly, Sideswipe downloaded the last two names to his wrist comm in case he had to abandon ship. Looking to his right, he saw the controls of the ship. Grinning, Sideswipe headed towards them. It may have been done before, but Primus if that idea didn't have merit.

Drift grunted as he was knocked into Goldbug. The battles against the enhanced Predacons had not gone well. Strongarm, Goldbug and Grimlock each looked distinctly worse for the wear with more blast marks and slashes than they'd given their opponents.

"Keep pushing." Lockdown ordered. "We'll let my ship do the job for us. I mean." He continued looking at the slowly reassembling Thrust. "It worked on them, eh?"

"Keep trying bots." Goldbug yelled. "We fight to the bitter end."

"Me like hearing that." Grimlock agreed. As much as he was fighting the urge to transform, it might be inevitable.

"If we don't make it out." Strongarm added. "It's been an honor."

"Oh, no need to be so dramatic." Sideswipes' voice came from the Deaths' Head.

"How did he get in my ship!?" Lockdown screamed.

"Very carefully." Sideswipe snarked. "I already have the intel we need, but let's say we take care of our other problems before we leave, yes?" He mocked. The Deaths' Heads' main guns came online and locked on to the Predacons. A second later, the ship opened fire, sending the Predacons flying into the surrounding woods and mountains before setting their sights on Lockdown.

"Wait!" The bounty hunter yelled. "Perhaps we can make a deal of some kind, yes?" He was so focused on his ships' guns that he wasn't paying attention to the swordsbot in front of him.

Drift sprinted forward and sliced Lockdown's left arm off before stabbing him in the chest with his sword. While the swordsbot knew that the injury would kill him, he wanted to be particularly vicious towards this backstabber. Picking up the severed arm, he pointed the deployed blaster at Lockdowns' head.

"Just because I prefer swords now doesn't mean I forgot how to shoot, yes?" Drift asked as he activated the blaster and shot Lockdown in the center of his forehead.

As the deceased bounty hunter fell to the ground, the fully regenerated Thrust began walking back towards the woods. Only a fool would continue this fight. Coming upon the mostly regenerated Jetstorm, he activated his comms.

"Thrust to Nemesis, please send a spacebridge for our away party." He looked at Jetstorm. "Let's call this a draw, that way we both get something from our wager." He offered a hand to help her up.

"And that." She replied with a black heart emoticon on her mask as a spacebridge opened in front of them. "Is why I love you so much." Seeing the slowly regenerating Predacons converge on their location, the two led them back through the portal to the Nemesis.

Back at the ship, Sideswipe limped out the side hatch and towards his team. He noticed Grimlock off to the side picking up something from the ground. With a sinking feeling in his spark, Sideswipe realized that something was Sunstreakers' corpse.

"Thank you Grimlock." Sideswipe muttered to the Dinobot commander. "I have the intel, but I think we should take the ship back with us." He said to Goldbug.

"Agreed." Goldbug nodded. "Take the helm." He turned to the rest of the team. "Everyone else, all aboard." As she climbed onto the ship, Strongarm looked at Sideswipe.

"I'm sorry about your brother." She began before giving a sigh. "I'm not good with emotional things, but if you need someone to talk to."

"I appreciate it Strongarm." Sideswipe interjected, taking his seat at the controls. "I might take you up on that offer later, but for right now, I just want to lay my brother to rest."

"Understood Sideswipe." Goldbug commented before activating his comms. "Blaster, we need a spacebridge of Lockdowns' ship. Tell Magnus that we have the intel on who he was working for." A spacebridge portal opened up in front of the ship, allowing it to return to Autobot city.

In the back of the ship, Drift was staring at his sword and having similar thoughts to Sideswipe. Having finally offlined Lockdown he could finally put Wings' memory to rest. He'd have to forge a new sword for himself after burying Wings', but only after he'd gotten his students back. With a stern look, he sheathed the sword and began to mentally prepare for a rescue mission.

Jack groaned as he regained consciousness. The last thing he remembered was fighting with Miko and Raf as Magnaboss against that Dinobot combiner and getting thrown by it. Looking around, he realized he was in a cell. On the opposite side of the cell, he saw his mother unconscious on the floor. Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, he heard gentle sobbing coming from a cell across the hall.

Getting up slowly, Jack walked over to the bars of his and his mothers' cell. Looking into the cell across the hall he saw a cobalt blue mech inside that was vaguely familiar. Looking at them in concern, he called out to them.

"Hey, are you alright? Do you know where we are?" He asked. A faint "Oh no" came from the mech as it turned around. Once more Jack was struck by a sense of déjà vu at the sight of them.

"Have we met?" He asked, tilting his head to the side. The question made the mech look like it wanted to cry again before nodding.

"I never wanted to see myself like this again, let alone the two of you." They said in a deep but familiar voice. The look in its' optics allowed it all to come together. Jack did know this bot. He knew them very well. His Jaw dropped in shock.

"Arcee!?"

Notes:

A/N: Surprise. I hope you like my temporary iteration of the "Bee Team". I plan for Goldbug to have a permanent team soon, but it'll be a bit different from RID.

Now, I based Transmetal 2 Waspinator on the Dirgegun figure from Beast Wars II (which was later reused to make a 'Thrustinator' toy) Spittor is simply a recolor of his original T2 toy while Terrorsaur is more a mix of his original toy and the Dino Ptera figure from the 2000 Dinozaurs toy line. Iguanus, being a Gila monster here is an entirely original design. Finally, Transmutate is based almost entirely off her appearance in the original Beast Wars episode. I think I can say without too much spoiler that she will be a key to Megatrons' redemption.

(Fair warning, I'm not sure if this will be a two or three parter, but in any case)

Next time: Specters of the Past Pt.2

See you next time.

Chapter 42: Specters of the Past Pt.2

Notes:

Hello everyone, and a very Happy Holidays to you all. With the rush of the season, I had some trouble finding time to write this chapter, but we got there in the end. Anyway, I must warn you that this chapter has some sensitive material and a couple of trigger warnings include intentional misgendering and religious fanaticism. I apologize in advance if it offends anyone.

"Arcee!?"

The shocked exclamation from her son jolted June back into consciousness. Groaning, she pressed a hand to her head. The last thing she remembered was finding her children alongside her grandchildren. She thought she remembered a shimmer out of the corner of her eye, and then, nothing.

"Where's Arcee?" She aske

d as she got shakily to her feet.

"I'm right here June." A soft but deep voice from across the hall called out.

Walking up to the bars of the cell, June took in the mech in front of her.

"Arcee?" She asked. "What happened to you?"

"He has simply been restored to what Primus dictated he be." Came a new voice from down the hall. Looking in the direction of the voice, they saw a white and yellow mech with a red helmet and several holes in his body walking towards them.

"She!" Jack spat, glaring at the mech. "Was perfectly fine before you kidnaped us." Suddenly, the pieces clicked together for June.

"You're transgender?" She asked. Arcees' wince was all the confirmation that June needed.

"It's all right." June placated, hoping Arcee didn't take her question the wrong way. "You're still my sister and we will fix this."

"Please do not feed his delusions." The mech said, giving both Jack and June a disappointed look.

"The only delusional one here is you Jhiaxus." Arcee growled.

"Gee, axe us?" June questioned.

"He was the 'doctor' who helped me transition." Arcee explained, her optics never leaving Jhiaxus.

"A folly that helped set our race back countless years." Jhiaxus argued. "By de-transitioning you, not only have I righted one of my greatest sins, but made it so that you can heal properly."

"She did heal properly." Jack yelled. What this mech had done to his partner and aunt had infuriated him to no end. "She wanted to become her truest self, not a clone of her brother."

"Ah." Jhiaxus countered with an air of superiority. "But Primus placed his spark next to Galavars'. They were meant to be twins."

"And who's to say Primus doesn't make mistakes?" Jack countered before Jhiaxus punched him hard enough to knock him to the floor of the cell.

"JACK!" Arcee and June cried out.

"I will NOT, allow you to speak blasphemy of our creators good name." Jhiaxus yelled. Taking a calming breath, he looked at June. "Seeing as how Arcee has infected you with his corrupt CNA, I shall use your sons' to purify yours." He explained. "If you'll excuse me." With that, he turned and left the holding area.

June knelt to check on her son.

"Jack, sweetie, are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah." Jack replied as he blinked the spots from his eyes. "What is that guys' problem?"

"A hole in the center of his forehead." Arcee explained. At their looks of disbelief, she continued. "He is the Cybertronian equivalent of what humans would call a cutter. He's been drilling holes into his body for years and recently drilled into his forehead by accident."

"So, he gave himself a lobotomy and suddenly he's a born-again zealot?" June asked. Jhiaxus' words reminded her of several televangelists figures she'd seen on TV.

"More or less." Arcee sighed, looking down at her now masculine body.

"Arcee." June spoke, looking at her sister. "We WILL find a way to restore you, sister."

To Arcee, those words meant a lot.

Meanwhile back in Autobot City, Lightbright was going through the data packets that Sideswipe had recovered from the Deaths' Head. Unfortunately, the data had a safety feature to self-encrypt if it was downloaded or accessed by another computer. It was a high-end program, but not high end enough to keep her out.

"Okay, and now I pull this line of code and run it through the cipher." Lightbright mumbled to herself. She laughed as the purple code on her screen turned green and began to stream. "Aha."

"You cracked it?" Ultra Magnus asked. When one of the teams returned with the data, he pulled Lightbright off her job to begin decrypting the data immediately. While he'd preferred to use the Death's Heads' computer to access the files, it was programed to wipe itself after Lockdown died. Effectively allowing him to take his secrets to the grave.

"More like I cracked the cipher." Lightbright explained. "Lockdown didn't leave anything to chance, even the cipher was encrypted. Luckily, he used the same program so I can pick up on the idiosyncrasies of the program to decrypt both messages."

"Alright, keep me informed." Magnus replied. "I'm going to recall all away teams so we can swarm the locations once we have a lead."

"Ow." Jack groaned as he sat up again.

After taking a moment to take in their surroundings, the trio of prisoners began attempting to escape Jhiaxus' holding cells. Arcee was quick to discover that her weapons systems had been deactivated after Jhiaxus' detransition of her so shooting the locks was out of the question. The ventilation system was out since they'd have to be human sized to crawl through it. Jack then had the idea of using his extended claws to cut through the bars on their cell since he couldn't reach Arcees'.

Apparently Jhiaxus accounted for this. After sawing his way through an outer coat, Jacks' metal claws met an electrified core in the bars. The resulting jolt would have killed him had his mother not pulled him back with a web.

"Kumara, Maximize." June whispered as she sent a pulse of energy through her webbing. Giving a sigh of relief, she saw Jack stop convulsing and the electrical burns rapidly heal themselves.

"Are you all right Jack?" Arcee asked.

"Yeah, I will be."

"That, was entirely unnecessary." Jhiaxus' voice spoke in an irritated tone, causing them to jump. "I fully intend to release you two after you've recovered."

"Two?" Jack asked, glaring at the scientist.

"Arcee will be released once he has accepted that the body he was born with, is the one that our creator wanted for him." He replied pompously. "Now, if the two of you will come with me, I shall purge Arcees' corrupted CNA from." He was cut off as a green spiderweb throwing star was flung at him. Dodging right, he heard it clang off Arcees' cell bars before clattering to the floor.

"I had hoped that you two would come quietly." Jhiaxus growled as he deployed a pair of blasters from his wrists and took aim at the two Maximals. "Now, we can do this in two ways." He threatened, making sure to keep out of Arcees' reach. "Either you two come to my lab where I can cure your mother, or I shoot you both dead. Either way, the last of my mistake with Arcee is erased."

"What about your redemption?" June growled. "I don't think killing us would quite equate with Cybertronians taking the next step in evolution."

Jhiaxus grinned as he pressed the button for their cell with his elbow. "Those two goals are mutually exclusive. Once I've redeemed myself, our evolution will move forward." Keeping his blasters trained on the Maximals, he watched as their cell door opened. "Now march."

As Arcee watched as Jhiaxus led Jack and June down the hall to his lab, she couldn't help but feel helpless. No weapons, no tools, and no way to help her family. Sinking to the floor in despair, Arcee felt a sharp pain in her aft. Standing back up, she looked down to see that the sharp thing she'd felt was the throwing star June had thrown at Jhiaxus moments ago.

Picking the star up, Arcee felt hope grow in her spark again. She took a quick glance at the bars to her cell. She would hedge her bets about them being electrified too. Looking at the control panel Jhiaxus had used to open Jack and Junes' cell. Comparing it to her own she deduced that the wiring for the panel on her cell ran in a similar direction. Taking the throwing star in hand, Arcee began to cut into the wall that the wiring ran through at the same height as the panel. With luck, she would be able to access the wiring in minutes.

"Hang on you two, I'm on my way."

"Ultra Magnus, I've got something!" Lightbright yelled from her computer.

"You know where they are?"

"Not quite." Lightbright admitted. "But I have contact information for one of Jhiaxus' employers." A few keystrokes later, an image of Jhiaxus and his ship appeared on screen. "Apparently, this one wanted Arcee as well as Leobolt and Kumara."

"Not quite what I was hoping for, but it'll work." Magnus muttered. "Send the contact frequency up to Blaster and have him begin looking for them. In the meantime, keep decrypting the files. We still have one Maximal unaccounted for."

"Gyah, I'll get back on it." Lightbright

As Jhiaxus led the two technorganic Maximals into his lab he noticed the communications console blinking. Ignoring it, he motioned to the pair of examination tables with his blasters.

"Now, each of you onto one table." Jhiaxus explained.

"And if we don't?"

"I will shoot you both." He reiterated. "And if one of you hesitates, I'll shoot the other person."

Seeing little option, Jack and June each sat down on a table. A further gesture from Jhiaxus hinted that he wanted them laying down on the tables. Reluctant as they were to comply with the mech, they did as he indicated and gave a start as metal restraints emerged from the tables, locking them in place by their wrists, ankles, thighs, shoulders and heads.

"Sorry for the discomfort." Jhiaxus explained at their cries of surprise. "But I can't risk you two thrashing about, or worse, trying to escape."

"What are you even going to do?" June asked as she struggled against her restraints.

"It's quite simple really." Jhiaxus continued. A glass lid slid over June while a scanner array unfolded over Jack. "I plan to use what you humans call mitochondrial DNA (or CNA as this case may be) from your son in conjunction with nanites to purge Arcees' corrupted CNA from your genome while replacing it with the CNA from your son."

"I actually like the way I look, thank you." June spat at Jhiaxus.

"I'm sorry my child, but it isn't natural. It isn't what Primus would've dictated."

"You do realize that WE are not natural." Jack argued.

"Ordinarily, I'd agree with that." Jhiaxus countered. "However, I have found traces of Vector Sigmas' code in your CNA strands along with energy from the Enigma of Combination. Such a thing could only be Primus ordained."

"I think that hole in your head knocked a couple of screws loo-." Jack was cut off as Jhiaxus clenched his hand around his throat.

"I grow tired of your arguing." Jhiaxus growled. "Now, if I hear one more word out of you, I will kill you and use the CNA from your corpse before it cools." Releasing Jack, he strode over to the computer.

"Now, let us begin."

He went to begin the process before a large cobalt blue tank smashed its way through the lab door and rammed into Jhiaxus. Transforming, Arcee grabbed the lab fire extinguisher and pointed it at the scientist.

"Hold it right there, you little pit." Arcee growled. "You hurt me, but I won't let you hurt them." Seeing the release button on the control panel, she hit it, freeing the two Maximals. "You two alright?" She asked, looking at the two.

"Arcee, lookout!" Jack yelled as June hooked her with a web and yanked her out of the way of a shot from Jhiaxus.

"You just can't reason with crazy." He grumbled. "Very well, I shall finish atoning for this sin the hard way." With that, he began firing at the three, causing them to scatter to avoid being hit.

"He calls this the hard way?" June muttered. "Arcee, are you alright?"

"Yeah." She called back. "It's been a while, but I still remember how to fight with this body." She turned the extinguisher on Jhiaxus and fired, watching in satisfaction as ice developed on his left knee. Grabbing on to the table that both her and June had been strapped too, she gave a mighty upward push. This had the effect of ripping the table out of the floor and sending it rolling towards the mad scientist.

Jhiaxus barely managed to hobble out of the way of the table, all the while firing on June and Arcee. He was determined to finish this, to wipe away his past sins. Even if it meant executing every single one of them. To earn Primus' forgiveness for the affronts to his will, he'd do anything.

"Why do you fight me so?" He asked, dodging back behind the table to evade Junes' throwing stars. "I'm only doing Primus' work."

"Excuse us for not believing a zealot." June yelled before ducking behind the second table to avoid another blast.

"You'd probably make more headway if you didn't have a hole in your head." Jack taunted, trying to get Jhiaxus' fire away from his mom and partner. "Tell me, did you feel guilty before, or after you gave yourself a lobotomy?" This question incensed Jhiaxus.

"Die abomination!" He screeched. Firing indiscriminately in Jacks' direction. No longer truly believing he was worth the effort.

"Leobolt, Maximize!" Holding up his forearms to defend himself, he watched in fascination as the blasts began to circle around his body. Moving his hands over his head, the blasts coalesced into a singular ball of energy between them. With an angry yell, Jack threw the energy ball at Jhiaxus, forcing him to dive aside as both the table and computer console behind him exploded.

"Woah." Jack whispered to himself. He didn't know his new body could do that.

"Good trick partner." Arcee commented. Taking look around, she noticed that Jhiaxus had disappeared in the confusion. "June, do you see-" She was cut off as a laser blast ripped through her abdomen, nearly cleaving her in half. As she fell, the culprit was revealed to be the scientist in question.

"Finally. Another sin off my ledger."

"You monster!" June screamed as she ran to her sister. Throwing her webbing onto the wound to stem the rapid loss of energon, she glared up at their assailant.

"I'm sorry, but it had to be done." Jhiaxus said in a sagely voice. Walking up, he aimed at June. "However, your suffering shall not be long, you will see him again in oblivi-" He was cut off as Jack jumped onto his back. The sudden motion caused his helmet to slip backwards, exposing his forehead.

"Hey doc." Jack yelled in rage. "Shut your pious hole." With that he jammed his index finger through the hole in Jhiaxus' forehead, and right into the mad scientist's brain. The sudden presence of a foreign object in his head caused an explosion of anger in Jhiaxus such as he'd never known before. Reaching behind his back he tossed Jack across the room and into the wall.

"KILL YOU!" Jhiaxus screamed as energon flowed out the hole in his head and down his face. Homing in on Jack, he transformed into a Cybertronian jet mode. "I SHALL CAST YOU UNTO THE DEPTHS OF THE INFERNO WHERE ONLY MEGATRONUS DOTH TREAD!"

"Mom, help Arcee!" Jack yelled as he transformed into his beast mode. "I've got an idea." Turning, Jack took off down the hallway. He just needed to get back to the cells for this to work.

"THAT IDEA MUST BE PRAYING FOR MERCY!" Jhiaxus screamed as he took off after the Maximal.

Navigating the ship as fast as he could with the crazed scientist almost literally on his tail, Jack finally came to the brig section of the ship. Seeing that the hallway was narrow enough, he put on a final burst of speed before leaping into the air and somersaulting through his transformation.

"AH, GOOD." Jhiaxus laughed. "FINALLY READY TO ACCEPT THE PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR SINS?!"

Jack grinned. While Cybertronian anatomy may have been Rafs' forte, he did pick up on a few things. Like that fact that most bots needed ample room to transform. Hence why bots like Optimus and Bulkhead couldn't transform in most human buildings.

"Actually." Jack spoke as he extended the claws on his arms. "I noticed that this hallway is too narrow for you to transform in." Sinking to one knee, he held both his arms up and thrust forward, meeting Jhiaxus at the nosecone.

Realizing what was about to happen, Jhiaxus cut off his thrustors and attempted to transform. Unfortunately for him, Jack was right about the hall being too narrow.

"NOOOO-!" He screamed, only to be cut off as the momentum from his flight ran him through the Maximals' sharp claws, carving him to ribbons.

Covered in energon and bits of metal, Jack retracted his claws and looked back at the sparking and twitching wreckage of Jhiaxus. Part of him felt pity for the mech, but the far larger part was still angry at his treatment of his family both now and years ago. Turning back around, Jack began to run back towards the lab.

Back in the lab, June was trying her best to stabilize Arcee.

"Come on sis, you can't die on us now." June whispered as she wrapped her webbing tighter around Arcees' shredded midsection. "Kumara, Maximize!" She cried out, sending as much energy as she could in hopes of healing her sister enough to get her back to Autobot City. Junes' vision swam as she noticed Arcees' optics start to flicker. The horrid memory of Cyclonus' death suddenly flashed in her mind.

"No, NO!" June cried. "Kumara, Maxi-."

"June, stop." Arcee groaned, shutting her optics. "I'm too far gone." She hated to say it, but even contacting Ratchet wouldn't do much good now. "Just know that I was happy to be your sister, tell Jack that I'm proud of him, and I'll miss him." With a shuddering breath, Arcee went limp in her sisters' arms.

As June began to sob, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"All is not lost yet June Darby." Came a single voice that sounded like many. A voice she'd only heard once but would never forget. Looking up, she saw Jack had returned covered in Cybertronian gore and his eyes lit up in an ethereal white light.

"V-Vector Sigma?" June asked.

"Yes." The computer replied, nodding Jacks' head. "I can help your sister, but I need something from you." Opening Arcees' chest with a gentle stroke with Jacks' finger, they took in the flickers of a dying spark.

"Now, give me your hand." Vector Sigma continued as they picked up one of Junes discarded throwing stars. Shaking, June held her hand out to Vector Sigma over Arcees' flickering spark. Taking the throwing star, the computer sliced Junes' palm open and the two of them watched several drops of energon drip into Arcees' spark chamber.

"That shall suffice." Vector Sigma commented, releasing Junes' hand. Seeing the concerned expression on her face, they smiled. "Be at peace June Darby." It began. "Your sister is about to be, reformatted."

With those words, white light lanced out of Jacks' eyes and into Arcees' chest. For a moment her spark flickered again before flaring into a bright light. Moments later the light enveloped her entire body before it began to shift and change again.

In the void between life and death, Arcee looked down at herself. Her body had returned to its' previous state before Jhiaxus had gotten his servos on her again. Albeit now her body was ghostlike with her spark being visible in the center. Taking in her nonexistent surroundings, she was caught off guard by a horrifically familiar voice.

"Well, well, well." Purred a feminine voice. "It may not have been me, but someone managed to bag you in the end."

"Airachnid!" Arcee gasped. Of all the people she thought she'd meet in the Afterspark, her nemesis wasn't one of them. Turning to look at the dead spider bot, she saw that her body was just as ethereal as her own.

"Oh yes." Airachnid grinned as she transformed into her spider mode. Arcee went to activate her blasters only for the femme to lunge and pin her limbs to the 'ground'. "And now that we're both dead and gone, we are going to have all the time in the world for our games." Deploying one of her finger blades, she moved to gouge one of her captives' optics out only for a loud car horn to interrupt her.

"What in the?" Airachnid yelled as a red muscle car with a pair of horns on the hood barreled into her, knocking her off Arcee.

"Haven't you heard?" The car said as it began to transform into a very familiar mech. "You mess with the bull; you get the horns."

"Cliff!" Arcee exclaimed as she got back up.

"Hey, Cee." Cliffjumper laughed as he waved at the stunned femme. "Been a while."

"No matter." Airachnid growled, glaring at the ghostly red mech. "I'll just end you first."

"Yeah, about that." Came another voice that shocked Arcee so badly she dropped to her knees. Airachnid turned in time to see a diminutive white and blue Autobot dropkick her in the side, sending her staggering.

"Tailgate." Arcee whispered hoarsely.

"That is enough out of you demon." Growled a third familiar voice. Airachnid felt a presence behind her. Turning, she was met with the tip of a sword pointed at her head held by a familiar purple mech."

"YOU!" She screamed at her other murderer, taking an involuntary step back.

"Me." Cyclonus affirmed. "Arcee is under our protection here. Begone!" He finished with a yell. Airachnids' form flickered before fading away, leaving only her spark to retreat into the void.

As the three friends she'd lost in life approached her, Arcee drank in their appearances. Cliffjumper smiled at her.

"It's great to see you again Arcee." He greeted, pulling her back up to her feet.

"Cliff." She began. "I'm so sorry I-."

"I'm going to stop you right there Cee." Cliffjumper interrupted. "I chose to go into that mine without backup." He smiled. "If anything, I owe you an apology for what that Terrorcon wearing my chassis did." Wrapping his arms around Arcee, he whispered a quiet "You did nothing wrong."

"And before you say anything to me, partner." Tailgate picked up where Cliffjumper left off. "I don't blame you for my death. I never did." He gave Arcee a hug of his own. "And I'm happy you were able to move on eventually. You found a new partner to be there for you."

"As I said to you before I died." Cyclonus began, having sheathed his sword. "You managed to grow as a person where I could not. I am honored to have called you a friend."

"You always did judge yourself too harshly Cy." Tailgate gently chastised his Conjunx Endura, earning a soft smile from the mech.

"So, this is it then?" Arcee asked, looking at the three. While it felt good to see them again, she knew the reason it was possible. "I take it you three are here to lead me to the afterspark?" The trio looked at each other before Tailgate spoke up.

"Not quite yet." He began. "Your time to join us in the hereafter will come one day. Hopefully not for a long, long, long time." Tailgate added.

"Your work in the mortal plane is far from finished." Cyclonus continued. Suddenly the void they'd been standing in was awash in white light. Cliffjumper smiled at Arcee one last time before the trio took a step back.

"We'll be waiting for you Arcee. In the meantime, live for all three of us, and yourself." As the light began to grow brighter, the three friends' bodies faded until only their sparks remained before flying off into the unknown.

Rather than sadness at their departure, Arcee felt that a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She no longer felt the guilt she once did. Whatever came next, she would face it head on. Holding out her arms and raising her head up high, she allowed the light to pull her back into the living world again.

Taking a shuddering gasp, Arcee opened her eyes and sat up. Looking to her left, she saw June staring at her wide eyed with a bleeding palm. Turning her gaze upwards, she saw Jack covered in gore with glowing white eyes.

"It is done." Vector Sigma spoke. "Rise and go forth young one. You are transformed." With that, the light faded from Jacks eyes as he slumped and shook his head. The last thing Jack remembered was hearing his mom crying. His eyes widened as he looked at his partner.

"Arcee?" He whispered dumbfounded. "You're."

"I'm what?" Arcee asked before looking down at herself. Her jaw dropped as she examined herself. Instead of the mech body Jhiaxus had restored her to, she was a femme again. She still retained her cobalt blue and pink color scheme, but she looked like herself again.

Glancing back and forth between herself and June, she realized there was more of a physical resemblance now. Getting up from the floor, she walked over to one of the blank monitors and used it like a mirror. She was about the same height she'd been for millions of years (one she now shared with June) she seemed more streamlined than before, less angular.

Running a hand down her abdomen, she gave an involuntary shudder. It took her a moment to realize that she had inadvertently tickled herself a little. Looking at her face, she realized that she was now technorganic like Depthcharge was. However, something caught her interest.

"I have eyes." Arcee said in astonishment. She turned to look at Jack and June. Upon closer inspection, she was right. Instead of her original optics, she now had hybrid eyes that were the same shape and color as the mother and son before her as well as a similarly shaped face.

"Vector Sigma used my DNA to reformat and restore you." June explained. She looked down guiltily. "I didn't know that it'd-" Arcee cut her off by wrapping her in a bone crushing hug.

"June." Arcee began. "This is the most like myself I've ever felt. Even before this happened, I always had the feeling lurking in the back of my mind that my body was a modified copy of my brother's." She explained. "Now, my body is wholly my own. With a little help from my new family." Arcee finished, releasing June before pulling both her and Jack into another hug.

The three separated a few moments later. Taking a closer look, Arcee noticed something.

"I wonder?" She asked herself as she concentrated. A few seconds later she let out a sigh. "It looks like I need a new alt mode now." Her eyes widened when she saw the Maximal insignia on her left hip. "Make that a beast mode."

"Welcome to the Maximals, aunt Arcee." Jack laughed, giving his aunt and partner another hug. The moment was ruined by the communications console going off again.

"Did the override work?" Came Ultra Magnus' voice.

"Probably. Although he heard us if it did." Lightbright replied.

"Starship Crucible." Ultra Magnus continued. "Come in, we have an urgent missing person case we need to speak of." He'd decided to use a ruse to buy Blaster more time to set up a spacebridge to storm the ship. Shaking her head, Arcee activated the comms.

"This is Arcee commander." Arcee replied. "We have commandeered the ship and dealt with Jhiaxus. If you could give us our location, I'm sure we could plot a course for home."

"Good to hear from you Arcee." Magnus replied. "According to our sensors, the Crucible is currently hidden behind Earths' moon."

"You mean to tell me we're in outer space?" June whispered. There was a brief time in her childhood she thought of becoming an astronaut. Now it seemed that dream had come true.

Lightbrights' voice interrupted the communication.

"I've decrypted the rest of the data!" She exclaimed. "Lockdowns' other clients were earthlings. They paid him to capture Wingsaber."

"Who?" Magnus, June, and Jack all asked tersely.

"He had them listed as Imako and Tadashi Nakadai of Nakadai Industries." She answered. The silence was deafening across the comms afterwards. "Does that mean anything to you guys?"

"Forget bridging us back." Jack said, slipping into leadership mode. "Send us coordinates for that area of Japan. We'll take the ship. Arcee?" He continued, looking at his partner. "Plot our course."

"Understood." Magnus answered. "We shall attempt to narrow down where they are holding her while you are enroute."

"Jack, are you going to be all right?" June asked.

"Not until we get Miko back." He replied as the coordinates appeared on the console. "I just hope we're in time." Jack didn't want to think about a world without Miko "Wingsaber" Nakadai in it.

"Hang on Miko." Jack whispered to himself. "We're coming."

Notes:

A/N: I did end up deciding to make this a three parter in the end.

Anywho. I based Jhiaxus design on his G2 Legacy toy, but his personality is a mix of Chief Justice Tyrest from IDW and several televangelists I've seen over the years with a dash of Emperor Belos from The Owl House and the Bad Albus Dumbledore trope for additional flavor. Throw in the lobotomy and you've got yourself a villain.

I will reveal Arcees' new beast mode in the next chapter. I did say that her and June sharing CNA would come up again. And what better way than for it to be the catalyst in Arcees' rebirth.

Next time: Specters of the Past Pt. 3 (The final part)

Until then, please, subscribe, kudo, and comment.

See you next time, and Happy Holidays.

Chapter 43: Specters of the Past Pt.3

Notes:

Welcome back everyone. I'm not going to lie this chapter fought me in places. It didn't help that there is a lot going on in it. Considering this chapter takes place in Japan, I did do some geographic research, but I don't think it's 100% accurate. Now, I do try to be as vague as possible in some parts of this story so as not to jeopardize my T-rating or give some of my younger readers nightmares. I also know that what we imagine is worse than what anyone can write so please be advised. Without further ado, enjoy.

Miko Nakadai groaned as she regained consciousness. Her head felt like Bulkhead had stomped on it repeatedly and a low buzzing sound kept her from really focusing her mind. There must've been an after party after the meet and greets. Idly wondering what she'd drank Miko went to rub her eyes only to find out she couldn't move. A little more awake, she was able to comprehend that several people were speaking around her in Japanese.

"The subject is awake? Should we administer a sedative?"

"No, it will interfere with our results."

"Remember, first priority is whatever makes it teleport."

Realizing what she was hearing, a cold shiver ran through MIkos' spark. This had to be a nightmare, she had to still be asleep!

Wrenching her eyes open she realized she was strapped down in an operating theater. Around her were several people in medical scrubs moving about and preparing equipment and containers. Most ominously, however, was what looked like a combination of saws, forceps and spreaders on an arm. Beginning to hyperventilate, Miko began trying to teleport away only for the buzzing sound to get worse.

"You won't get away that easily." Came a horrifically familiar womans voice. Eyes widening in shock, Miko scanned the room and there, on a catwalk overlooking her, were two people she hoped to never see again. A man and a woman both were in lab coats and surgical scrubs with masks covering their mouths.

"Do you think she recognizes us?" The man asked. Anger taking over her fear, Miko glared at the two.

"You can ditch the face panties oyaji, I know it's you and mama!" She yelled in Japanese. Sharing a look, Tadashi and Imako Nakadai lowered their face masks before giving their daughter a disappointed look.

"Disrespectful now as you were when you left daughter." Tadashi scolded the restrained Maximal. "Then again, you always were a disappointment."

"Your emotional abuse doesn't work on me anymore." Miko growled at her father. June and Rung had helped her to see their 'parenting methods' for what they were.

"Being strict is not abuse."

"It is a shame it has come to this." Imako added. "Before your accident, we had finished inking a deal for you to marry Takasu Hirokazu. He was so upset that we had to back out of the deal."

"That chauvinist pig!?" Miko exclaimed. She remembered Hirokazu, and his belief that women were only good for childbearing and rearing.

"That lion boy you seemed close to could hardly be better." Tadashi spat back. "All American children are just entitled brats and I'm sure he's attempted to-." Miko cut him off.

"That pig you wanted me to marry grabbed my butt last time we met, and you told me not to make a scene." She yelled. "You have no right to judge Jack."

"Be that as it may daughter." Imako interrupted. "The loss of you as a bride put us in a rather precarious situation. However, whatever materials we pull from you should be enough to help us break into new areas of enterprise." With that, husband and wife pulled their masks back up.

"No." Miko whimpered, looking up at the surgical arm as it began to activate.

"You can begin doctor." Imako called. As the surgical arm moved towards her daughter, she looked at her.

"While you may have ultimately been a failure as a child, we knew we'd ultimately find a use for you."

Shutting her eyes, Miko tried to think of anything other than what was about to happen. Focusing on the one person in her life who brought her the most happiness, it was easy enough to pretend the whirr of the saw was the purr of her boyfriend. Even as she let out a scream with the first cut.

In Autobot city, Blaster was listening intently on the country of Japan. He hadn't slept since the debacle with Volcanicus (He couldn't believe it had been barely a day since then) and a scattering of empty energon cubes was scattered around the communications center showing that he hadn't left his post either. Despite Ultra Magnus' notion of waiting for a lead, Blaster knew enough about the Maximals' history to know to listen in on some of 'the usual suspects.'

"Come on songbird." He muttered, straining his ears. He knew the vocal signature of every single person he'd ever worked with. Using the communications relay in Fortress Maximus, he was now trying to listen for a single voice in a literal crowd of millions. "One sound is all I need."

His focus was interrupted by a call from Ultra Magnus.

"Blaster, we've cracked the bounty hunters' code." He called. "Leobolt and Kumara are being held on a starship, callsign 'The Crucible'. We are planning to swarm the ship while Lightbright continues to work on a lead for Wingsaber."

"On it Magnus." Blaster replied. "One outgoing call coming up. Try to play it off as a missing persons case to buy me time to set up the spacebridge." He suggested.

"Understood, Magnus out." With that the Autobot commander switched frequencies to the Crucible.

As Magnus made contact, Blaster set the coordinates. He was surprised to find that three of their missing persons were behind the Earths' moon. However, just as he was about to assemble a strike team to the spacebridge, Magnus called again.

"Belay previous order Blaster." He called. "Arcee, Leobolt, and Kumara have managed to seize control of the ship and will be joining us. We also have a concrete lead on Wingsaber."

"Resetting spacebridge for Japan." Blaster commented.

"I suppose it was rather obvious." Ultra Magnus muttered.

Suddenly, a long, agonizing scream reached his ear. A scream that carried on a specific vocal frequency.

"Magnus, I think I just found Miko!" Blaster called out. Using the telemetry of her scream and the brail keyboard in front of him he quickly calculated her location to within ten square kilometers. Another scream from the Maximal made him shiver. "I have the coordinates set and am heading down to the spacebridge. Vinnie and I can narrow the location further on scene."

"Understood, I'll send Arcee the coordinates." Magnus responded. "The remaining Maximals and the Wreckers are all on standby and so is the medical team. Optimus will join us there, and Lightbright, take over for Blaster."

"Nyahh, I'm on my way." Lightbright called as Blaster left the communications tower. Hopefully they weren't too late.

Onboard the Crucible, Jack was staring off into space as Arcee set the course back to Earth. Ever since hearing that Miko had been kidnapped by her parents, his nightmares began playing out in his mind's eye again. Only now, he saw himself holding a grievously injured Miko as she told him she loved him and took her final breath. Jack was now hoping against hope that his dream wasn't prophetic.

"Jack." His mother asked, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Are you going to be able to do this?"

"I'm not sitting this one out." Jack growled. June didn't know if it was a trick of the light or not, but Jacks eyes seemed to glow red for a second.

"I didn't say that." June replied firmly. "But Miko needs us to approach this calmly. If we rush in, it could backfire."

"I know." Jack said, taking a deep breath. "But I won't let Mikos' parents hurt her again." He let that sentence hang ominously in the air, and June couldn't refute it since she'd had similar thoughts herself.

"Crucible, come in, we have a more accurate location." Ultra Magnus called over the ships' communication system. "She is somewhere in a ten-kilometer area between Kawasaki and Yokohama. There are a lot of warehouses in that area so we're bridging in to search." There was a pause. "I'll get back to you later, I need to answer this and update Optimus. He will meet you there."

As Ultra Magnus cut out, Jack noticed Arcee working on a different console.

"Shouldn't you be steering?" Jack asked as he walked over to her.

"Autopilot." Arcee answered. "And I'm adjusting the long-range scanners to take a DNA scan as we pass over Japan. I don't think We'll have time to stop so I can scan something directly."

"Alright." Jack nodded. "Once you're finished with that, please adjust our course for where Magnus said."

"We will get Miko back Jack." Arcee replied, stopping her work to crouch down and comfort her partner. "Just keep thinking it."

Jack nodded before turning to stare back into space. He believed it, but it didn't help the sense of dread welling in his spark.

Ultra Magnus entered the staging area with a grim look on his face. While updating Arcee, he'd been interrupted by a communication from Rodimus. It hadn't been good news. Seeing him enter, the other Wreckers all stood up.

"Ready to roll out Magnus?"

"Yeah, let's hit it!"

"You name em, we maim em!"

"Let's Wreck and Rule."

Magnus sighed. He knew this wouldn't be taken well.

"We're going to have to wait before we can mobilize." He explained. "Someone in the Japanese defense department has issued orders against any Autobot presence in Japan. Any attempt by us to rescue Wingsaber would be considered an act of war." He didn't like it, but they couldn't chance starting World War three with the humans. Immediately there was an uproar.

"What!?"

"Frag 'em."

"We can't just leave her there!"

"Hold up Magnus." Came agent Fowlers' deep voice amongst the group. He and his son captain Mike Fowler had both bridged back to base after the orders were given. "The order was against an Autobot presence. We Maximals however."

"I don't like this either, but the Maximals, are a part of the Autobots." Magnus countered.

"Let's say some of us 'went rouge' and snuck through the spacebridge." Fowler argued. "It would then be the Autobots duty to come through and retrieve any Maximal found there."

"Including Miko." Bulkhead realized. "Fowler, you're a genius."

"As interesting as that is, I still cannot condone that plan."

"Then we have only one thing to say to you Magnus." Fowler glared at the Autobot before smiling. "Goodnight."

"Wha-." Magnus was cut off as he felt a stinging sensation at the base of his neck. His vision went blurry as he passed out, revealing that Vince was behind him. The bat Maximal had snuck up behind the Autobot commander and used his fangs to drain enough of his energon to make him pass out.

"So." Vince burped after retracting his fangs. "Excuse me. Are we going or what?"

"Going." Fowler confirmed before turning to the assembled Autobots. "It will have to be us Maximals first." He began nodding to Rhinox, Nightscream, Botanica Mach Hoof, Cheetor, Rattrap, Heinrad, and Depthcharge. "Blaster, have Lightbright investigate the official who issued that order. I have a hunch that."

"Something is rustin' in Kaon?" Blaster finished, using a Cybertronian saying. Fowler nodded before turning to Bulkhead.

"We'll get her back safely soldier."

"Give them one for me if I don't make it in time." Bulkhead replied. "Blaster, start the spacebridge."

"Maximals, beast mode." Survive called, mentally switching to his codename. In synch, the other Maximals transformed to beast mode save Depthcharge who was using his flight modes' hover ability to carry the slow-moving Botanica.

"Now, move out."

As the Maximals disappeared through the spacebridge portal to Japan, Survive looked at the Wreckers again.

"Make sure Magnus has some energon when he wakes up and give him my apologies." With that, he stepped through the portal after the other Maximals, leaving the Autobots alone with their unconscious commander.

"Anybody have a pen?" Whirl asked, eyeing Magnus' face.

"NO!"

Tsutako Makoto was nervous. His security firm had been hired to provide protection to a group of warehouses near Kawasaki. He knew his bosses dealt with the Yakuza in the past, but why would a smart tech company want so many mercenaries? It wasn't helping that he swore he was seeing Yokai out of the corner of his eye and in the shadows.

It began when he caught a glimpse of what looked like a Tanuki and a Tesso zipping between two warehouses. When he went to get a closer look, the two of them vanished. He'd been on edge since that initial scare. Moreso when he saw what looked like an Uma-Shika a Jubokko pass through a flickering light. Makoto shook his head as he walked an alley between two warehouses. Maybe it was time he took a vacation.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of a light thump behind him. Turning around, Makoto felt his heart stop. Standing before him was a large black cat with a long tail and yellow spots.

"Bakeneko!" He screamed as he drew his rifle and aimed at the Yokai while backing away. Before he could get a shot off, Makoto saw a large shadow looming over him. Turning around, he had the shock of a massive, clawed paw knocking his gun away. Looking up, he saw a large bearlike shape.

"Onikuma." Makoto whimpered before passing out from shock.

"Dang it, that's the second one." Cheetor grumbled as he stepped over the unconscious mercenary. While Nightscream was trying to narrow down their target to one warehouse out of a hundred with his hearing, Survive and Cheetor were attempting to capture one of the guards that were combing the area for questioning. Unfortunately, the said guards weren't made of strong stuff. Both one's father and son had cornered fainted after being confronted by what was to them, a mythical creature.

"Yeah." Survive replied. While being in beast mode may have made it easier for the team to hide and give them some plausible deniability regarding being identified. Their beast modes seemed to be scaring the people they wanted to interrogate. "Nightscream, any news?"

"I just heard her cry out again." The bat Maximal replied. "We need to head northeast." Before anyone could move, an alarm began shrieking.

"What the hell!"

"Survive, we were spotted." Depthcharge called. "All the humans are headed for warehouse 96."

"Then that's where we go." Cheetor yelled switching out of his 'Night Slash' mode back to his standard yellow and black. "Converge on warehouse 96 everyone!" As he and Survive transformed, they noticed Rhinox barreling past them towards the hanger. "Heads up, our door opener is enroute."

The sound of gunfire grew louder as Rhinox Survive and Cheetor arrived near warehouse 91. The mercenaries that'd been hired had regrouped and were throwing down cover fire to keep the Maximals at bay. The group was taking shelter near a couple of neighboring warehouses to avoid the bullets.

"We need backup!" Mach Hoof yelled over the alarms and gunfire.

"Don't they have law enforcement here?" Depthcharge yelled.

"If the Nakadai parents are rich enough to afford this many mercenaries, they probably paid off the fuzz too." Rattrap replied. He looked at Heinrad. "Yo, Rad, remember that trick you pulled when we were twelve?"

"I remember, I just don't think I can get all of their weapons in one shot." Heinrad called, ducking as a shot took out a chunk of concrete.

"Count to three." Cheetor began. "I'll get the half on the right; you get the half on the left." He was fast enough for that much. At Heinrads' nod they both called out.

"Heinrad, Maximize!"

"Cheetor, Maximize!"

As Cheetor blurred past the others, he drew one of his swords. In the blink of an eye, he sliced each gun on his side in half. A couple of times he took fingers off doing it, but he couldn't be bothered to care at this point. If they were willing to help in the kidnap and torture of a child, he'd show no mercy. He dodged right to avoid the wave of temporal energy Heinrad sent at the other half of the mercenary group. He watched as their guns aged to rust in a matter of seconds.

Seeing as their opposition was now unarmed, the other Maximals joined in.

"Botanica, Maximize!"

"Mach Hoof, Maximize!"

In a matter of seconds, the opposition were either trapped in vines or twitching on the ground from a Nucleon taser shock. Seeing an opening, Rhinox charged at the warehouse door in beast mode. The metal groaned before being torn asunder like tin foil. Transforming, Rhinox ignored the people running in all directions and looked for Miko.

Finding the operating table, Raf paled and held a hand to his mouth to keep from puking as the Fowlers' followed him in. The fact that they'd both been to war kept them from imitating Raf.

"Ratchet! We need the med team!"

Some distance away, Tankor watched as the Maximals made their way across the warehouses. A black sports car was already driving away from the building, but it didn't matter. He'd already directed his Predacons and the Deathsaur into position. By listening in on the various Autobot frequencies after he left, he knew the exact circumstances surrounding this battle, and planned accordingly. Most people mistakenly thought Tankor was a dumb brute, but that was far from the truth and if this went by the numbers, his plan would work.

Outside warehouse 96, the remaining Maximals watched as Ratchet, First Aid, and Velocity bridged into the hangar. Agent Fowler and Mike had told them not to enter and only allowed Raf to stay so that he could help 'put her back together' as they were told. Ratchet said something about getting Miko stabilized before taking her back to Autobot city and a 'CR Chamber'. None of them knew what that was, but they didn't have long to dwell on it.

From the far end of the area several unmarked black SUVs emerged with more mercenaries exiting to train advanced looking weapons on the Maximals. Before either side could open fire, however, two things happened at once. First, another spacebridge portal opened allowing Scourge, Drancron and Razorbeast to step through and face the mercenaries. Second, the Crucible descended from the sky.

Undaunted, the mercenaries trained their weapons on the Predacons as the ships' boarding ramp opened and Jack and June jumped down.

"Scourge!" Jack called. "What's going on? Where are the bots?!"

"The situation is problematic." The Predacon leader replied. "We have the healers here tending your mate, but." He was cut off by Ratchets' voice in the warehouse.

"Is that nurse Darby?" He asked before yelling. "June, if you're here, we need you!"

"We shall protect you, GO!"

As June and Jack began to make their way toward the warehouse, the mercenaries opened fire. Giving a roar, the Predacon trio transformed and combined into Tripredacus. Givingh a mighty roar, the Predacon combiner unleashed a volley of fire forcing the mercenaries back while Arcee in the Crucible shot up the road behind them preventing their escape or further reinforcements from arriving.

"You shall not PASS!" Tripredacus yelled as several operatives opened fire upon him.

Making their way over to warehouse 96, Jack and June were met by both agent and captain Fowler.

"June, head on in, you're needed in surgery." Agent Fowler put a hand on her shoulder, Fowler guided June to the assembled med team.

"Heinrad, we'll need you too." June added. The others had told her about the trick her grandson had used to accelerate Optimus' surgery. It may come in handy again.

Gulping, the time traveling Maximal nodded. He just hoped his mother would be okay.

"Not you commander." Mike said, stopping Jack from following them.

"But Miko."

"Trust me, you don't want to see her like this." Mike explained.

Jacks' eyes scanned what he could see of the warehouse. Not far from the med team were several containers that looked like they'd been emptied recently. With a horrible lurch in his stomach, he realized that he could recognize Mikos' scent coming from each one of them. He remembered Miko had once told him she had a nightmare about her parents cutting her up to sell for parts. Now she was living it. With a loud moan of despair, Jack reverted into his beast mode, burying his face in his paws as the other Maximals tried to comfort him.

"She'll be okay Jack; the doc bot is looking after her."

"Mikos' tough, she can pull through."

"We will have her back in Autobot City in no time."

Jack, however, wasn't paying attention anymore. He just kept running the scenario over and over in his mind. All he could think of was Miko being cut open and alone. Trying to be strong only to begin crying out for help that wouldn't come.

Then he smelled it. A scent that was familiar and not at the same time. The familiar part smelled like Miko, but he couldn't quite place the other part at first. Then it hit him. Miko's nightmare coming true may have been more accurate than he thought. Breathing in deeply, he realized that the scent belonged to two people who were like Miko, but also hurt her. The scent was fresh too, less than fifteen minutes old.

Jack gave a low, threatening growl that made the other Maximals back up a step. Taking another couple of sniffs of the air, he figured out that they left in a car towards the nearby highway. His eyes began to glow red as he spoke to the others.

"Help Tripredacus and keep anyone else from following." Jack growled. "I'm going after them." With that, he bounded off towards the highway as fast as his four legs could take him.

"What's gotten into him?"

Several miles away, Tadashi and Imako Nakadai were speeding down the highway in a high-performance sports car. The husband-and-wife duo took off the second they heard the alarms at the warehouse. Both were seriously annoyed at the Autobot interference. What was the point of bribing government officials if they didn't do as they were told.

"It is no matter." Tadashi said, glancing at his wife. "We shall find another way to grow our company."

"True." Imako replied. "However, a tactical retreat would be best for the time being. I hear China is nice, from an extradition standpoint."

"Hai, we just need to get to the next leg of our escape route first." Tadashi finished. They'd planned an escape route before they had their daughter captured. Better to have and not need it than need and not have it. They would take a private train from Kawasaki to Osaka and from there fly out to China with false passports. Thankfully at this time of night, the roads were nearly deserted.

A loud roar sent a shiver down both of their spines. Looking in the side mirror, Tadashi noticed a red and blue lion with blazing red eyes and what looked like rocket engines in its' mane was running after their car. More concerningly, it was catching up with them. Looking in her own mirror (and ignoring the warning about objects in the mirror that was mocking her) Imako saw it too and turned to her husband.

"Then I suggest we go faster."

Behind the black car, Jack was sprinting as fast as he could. He'd been pleased to learn that he still had his thrustors in his new body as they were allowing him to catch up. Had he been a real lion, he knew he would not be able to go this fast. Either way, he didn't care. The ones who hurt Miko were right in front of him, and he would make sure they paid.

His attention was caught by the sound of another loud engine on the highway. Looking to his left, he saw a cobalt blue and pink Transmetal wolf following him on a pair of hubless wheels made of what looked like pink light. Its tail was silver and looked like a blade and there were two exhaust pipes protruding from the haunches. A pink visor with a green lens was fit across her blue wolf head.

"Hey partner!" Arcee called. "Need a hand?"

"Fine." Jack growled, surprising Arcee. "Just don't let them get away." With that, he seemed to speed up.

"Arcee to Optimus." Arcee began. "What's your ETA, Jack and I are following Mikos' parents, but I don't think capture is what Jack has in mind." She hated to do it, but Jack was too close to the situation for his own good.

"I will be there in moments" Optimus replied. "Hopefully I can prevent Leobolt from doing anything he will later regret."

Arcee was about to ask Optimus to clarify before a truck horn tore through the night. Looking to her right, she saw a familiar blue and silver big rig enter the highway followed by a green SUV, a white and red sports car. Behind Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead and Wheeljack were Drift, Blaster, Perceptor, Springer, Kup, and Whirl.

The Wreckers had entered the fray.

From his new vantage point, Tankor saw the Wreckers arrive on the highway. Giving a satisfied nod, he gave the signal to his Predacons. The Wreckers would be a good test of their strength, and when the test was over, he'd use Deathsaur to finish them off. He'd judged the Wreckers right in any case. No matter the universe, you hurt one Wrecker, and they all want payback. It made them predictable and pitifully easy to pick off.

"I thought You guys were barred from coming here?" Arcee asked. She'd heard about the hold orders after she used the Crucibles' computer to scan her new wolf mode.

"The situation is...evolving." Ultra Magnus replied cryptically. "However, Leobolt, you and I need to discuss your soldier's demeanor after this."

"I think we have bigger problems." Blaster called. "We have inbound."

Looking down the road, the collective Autobots were shocked to see a blackish blue shark fin cutting through the highway asphalt towards them. As it dodged around both Leobolt and the Nakadais' escape car, they heard someone singing.

"Who's the badest shark around? Who's the meanest shark in town?"

Suddenly a large dark blue and silver great white shark with glowing red optics and bits of hide missing erupted from the highway. Once airborne, the shark began to transform. The sharks' chest and jaw split and extended into a pair of legs while the rest of his shark body curled around to form shoulder armor as the dorsal fin became the top of a grinning robot head and his tail splitting into a four bladed hook.

"Sky-byte, that's me!" He sang as he landed in front of the group.

Slamming on the breaks, the Wreckers and Arcee quickly transformed. Her pink hard light wheels blinked out of existence as the rigs for both as well as her exhaust pipes folded back into her body and her wolf legs extended. From there, she did a handstand as her wolf back unfolded, allowing her new technorganic body to unfurl with her wolf head rising to become part of her new chest like Leobolts' lion head did. Arcee watched as both the cars' taillights and the fire from Leobolts' thrustors faded into the night. She hoped Optimus was closer than she thought he was.

"Another new age Predacon." Drift explained as he drew his sword. He had given a brief explanation after returning from the fight with Lockdown.

"You guys take him." Bulkhead spoke as he and Wheeljack prepared to transform again. They weren't about to let the ones who hurt Miko get away any more than Jack was. "It's only one." He was almost immediately disproved as a mech as large as him leapt onto the highway and a shoulder tackled Bulkhead to the ground.

"Nooot quite." The mech said. His voice made most of them think of a cow mooing. He was as tall as Bulkhead, but where most of his size was evenly distributed, the Predacons' body seemed to have more upper than lower to it.

"Designation, Tor-loooco." The newly dubbed Tor-loco called out as he transformed into a demented looking rodeo bull. Most of the bull hide was localized to his shoulders and upper back with the rest of the body being mechanical in appearance. His horns were decidedly mismatched, one looked like a scythe blade whereas the other looked like a bent drill. As Tor-loco charged towards the downed Bulkhead, Wheeljack leapt onto his back, causing the bull Predacon to try and buck him off.

"Yee Haw, ride em cowbot." Wheeljack called.

"It's an ambush!" Magnus called. A loud cackling answered him.

"No pit Sherlock!" Came a voice from behind Magnus before he was knocked over. Looking up, Magnus saw a brown and purple Hyena with a spinning saw in the back of its' neck and a long lethal looking tail. "Oh, why so serious?" He laughed before transforming into a bot mode. Magnus noted that his tail became a battle axe that the Predacon now held in his right hand (which was also his hyena head).

"Ole' Jawbreaker can put a smile on your face."

"I'm on him Magsy!" Whirl called as he transformed, taking aim at Jawbreaker.

"Nope, I'm on you." Came a new voice.

Whirl was caught off guard as a black screech owl Predacon divebombed his rotor blades, knocking him out of the sky. Transforming back as he landed, Whirl looked at the newcomer. The owl snorted before transforming himself, his bird head folding down and wings becoming like a cape.

"Call me Shriek." The Predacon introduced himself.

"Hello." Whirl then gave out a shriek himself as a way of saying his opponent's name. Shriek the Predacon laughed.

"Oh, you and I are going to get along splendidly. Pity you must die." Lauging, he deployed a pair of feathers into swords before charging Whirl.

Not too far away, Kup and Springer were being tormented by Ravage and Snowkat.

"Come out into the light so I can hit ya." Kup yelled as he fired his laser musket at Ravage. The Predacon however, kept fading in and out of sight. It was annoying enough for Kup to want a Cy-gar.

"Has that worked on anyone, ever?" Ravage asked. It was just enough for kup to wing him in the shoulder with his musket.

"It's enough to trick you into giving me your location." Kup smirked. The only one who never fell for that gimmick was Onslaught. The kid was his best student and it made him sad when he joined the cons. He was brought out of his brief reminisce by Springers' half frozen body bowling him over.

"Goal!" Snowkat yelled. He'd used his ice powers to freeze up the triple changing Wrecker mid-transformation before slapping him around like a hockey puck.

"You couldn't've done that sooner?" Ravage asked as his shoulder healed.

"Oh, bite me."

Opposite them, Drift had locked blade with hook against Sky-byte.

"You seem like an honorable warrior." Sky-byte began. "Allow me to grant you the honor of a noble death."

"You think highly of yourself." Drift rebutted. Why did this guys' voice sound familiar? "Especially if you think you can take me in a fair fight." He was caught off guard by a blast to the side from a small pistol in the Predacons' right hand.

"Who said I was honorable?" Sky-byte laughed, holstering his gun. "The only thing I am is done being the hapless victim." Suddenly, the hapless victims' voice suddenly connected to a name.

"St3v3? Is that you?" Drift asked. He'd worked with the hapless Vehicon a few times during the early days of the war. His confirmation came as the Predacons' optics went wide before he charged Drift with his hook. The last thing he wanted was to be remembered by that name.

While Sky-byte (aka St3v3) were locking weapons. Blaster and Perceptor were having troubles with a particularly foul Predacon. Foul, being the word.

"Man, I can't focus on anything with that smell overloading my olfactory." Blaster complained. He wanted to know just what the pit the cons were thinking of by making a Predacon skunk.

"I concur. This odious gas is making it impossible for me to shoot." While Blaster was unable to see it, the Predacon had created a noxious yellow cloud around them that made him difficult to fight. "To use a human phrase, this guy is a stinker."

"Stinkbomb, actually." The Predacon corrected. Quietly as possible, Stinkbomb transformed into his bot mode. Maybe it was saying something that his tail became something akin to hair in this form. Deploying a pellet gun from his wrist, he took aim at the two. "Stinker, is what you two a, what are you doing?!"

"Running a little experiment." Perceptor answered. He had activated a lighter that he used to ignite Bunsen burners in the lab. "To see if your little mixture is." He was cut off as the fog around them ignited. While the fire itself wasn't harmful to them, Perceptor was pleased to see that could not be said for the semi furred Predacon.

"Did you just stop him by lighting a." Blaster started to ask before Perceptor cut him off.

"Yes, and please do not bring this up again." Perceptor replied. He knew where Stinkbombs' gas came from and knew the jokes about essentially lighting a fart would be endless if it got out.

"Cute." Stinkbomb growled as his burns healed. "But not enough to." He was cut off as a transformed Arcee spun through the air and slashed his back using her tail blade as a sword.

"Thanks, Arcee." Blaster greeted as Perceptor took in the femme's new form.

"I really need to examine you when we get back." He spoke as Arcee transformed again.

"Later." Arcee confirmed. Seeing the new Predacons were well in hand she was about to take off after Jack again when the road began to shake. Combatants on both sides stopped fighting as a large blue and silver saurian monster with wings and a beak erupted from the highway.

Tankor let out a satisfied growl as Deathsaur emerged amongst the battered Autobots and Predacons. He knew the Predacons would regenerate and join the battle. However, he was more interested in Tarantulas' newest super soldier. Converting that deserter into their newest weapon had been one of Galvatrons' better ideas. Not that it was a high bar thus far. Seeing Deathsaur crackle with electricity, Tankor was pleased to see the upgraded nucleon system was working. Time to enjoy the show.

Back in Autobot City, someone else was watching the fight as well. Lightbright looked at Deathsaur with a shocked expression. It was larger now, lacking the tusks and a different color scheme, but she recognized the beast form on the screen. She'd only seen it a few times, but the bot it'd belonged to was unmistakable.

"Sparky?!"

"What the scrap!" Arcee yelled as Deathsaur crackled with electricity. The colossal beastformer gave a chittering roar before swinging his tail at her. Transforming into her wolf mode, she sprung back to avoid the blow. She then had to dodge left to avoid being hit by Stinkbomb, who'd just finished regenerating.

"Arcee to Autobots, we need back up."

"Maximals are on the way." Survive called as another spacebridge opened allowing him, Cheetor, Nightscream, Botanica, Mach Hoof, Depthcharge and Rattrap to enter the fray and give the Maximals some much needed assistance.

"Our dragon friends are keeping an eye on things at the warehouse." Survive explained as he deployed his sniper rifle and began shooting into Deathsaur.

Ultra Magnus nodded.

"Alright Wreckers, let's wreck and rule!"

Several miles away from the fight. Imako and Tadashi exited their getaway car near the Kawasaki train stations' railyard. While those other robots managed to prevent the other Autobots from following them, the boy Miko had fallen for had dogged them the entire way. They knew they'd only have moments to get from the car to the bullet train they'd reserved to take them to Osaka. Fortunately, they'd alerted a driver to prepare for immediate departure when they left the warehouse.

Suddenly, a low growl cut across the air. Tadashi looked to the left and saw a red pair of eyes glowing through the darkness. Hearing the crunch of the gravel under the lions' paws, they watched the big blue and red cat step into the moonlight from between two train cars. Standing in front of his wife, Tadashi watched as the lion bared its' gleaming teeth and crouched down. Slowly backing towards the open train door, the lion leapt forward.

Only to be tackled back to the ground by a silvery white lion with a golden mane.

Seizing their chance, the Nakadais scrambled across the yard and into the train as the two rolled around on the ground biting and clawing one another.

"Quick, while they are busy fighting each other. Get us out of here, now!" Tadashi yelled at the driver. The driver gave a nod before the train started down the rail out of the yard.

As the train took off, the two lions began clawing at each other while standing on their hind legs. After batting at each other's heads for a minute with their clawed paws, Optimus finally managed to pin Jack down. Both were breathing heavily.

"They're getting away!" Jack yelled. He couldn't believe Optimus would stop him like this.

"Miko wouldn't want you to become a killer Jack." Optimus argued as he watched Jacks' eyes fade from red back to blue. He got off Jack so that the two of them could transform. Wincing a bit from the injuries Jack inflicted on him, Optimus turned to the Maximal commander.

"And they aren't getting as far as they think." He added. "Come on." The two then transformed and took off at a run towards their next destination.

Back where he was positioned, Tankor was observing the fight between the Autobots and Maximals against the Predacons and Deathsaur. While the collective forces had the edge over the Wreckers alone, the Maximals managed to bring the conflict to a stalemate. Had the experiments allotted the use of Vehicon drones, he felt that the battle would be won already. He'd have to make a note of it to Galvatron.

Giving the signal to Tarantulas to send a spacebridge, Tankor fired several shots onto the battlefield to scatter the combatants. As the spacebridge swirled into existence, the Predacons ran towards it with Deathsaur being recalled remotely by Tarantulas. Frankly, the Vehicon general didn't want to think about what the spider had done to that Decepticons' brain. As he was about to call for a bridge for himself, Tankor was knocked sideways by a large hulking combiner with wings.

"You go nowhere." Tripredacus growled. Once he'd forced the mercenaries to retreat, the combiner had taken off in search of the Maximal leader. What he'd found however, was the battle between the Autobots and Maximals as well as a new breed of Predacon pretenders. However, he saw that the Vehicon general seemed to be coordinating the attack and so, like an ambush predator, he waited for the right moment to strike.

Growling in anger, Tankor transformed into his tank mode and fired off several shots at Tripredacus. The combiner managed to dodge the first few before using his axe like a bat to knock the last shot back at the general. Transforming, Tankor charged forward, firing at Tripredacus as he advanced.

Rolling under the blasts, Tripredacus swung his axe and managed to slice part way through Tankor and send him sprawling. The Predacon combiner received a shock however when the damage seemingly healed itself. What was with these new opponents and regeneration? Then again, there was one thing that could stop him, regeneration or not.

Giving a short burst of fire from his chest, Tripredacus watched as Tankor fell backwards to avoid the flame. As his opponent went to get back up, Tripredacus made his move. Swinging his fist downward, he watched as it connected with Tankors' head, knocking him out. Giving a roar of victory, Tripredacus split back into Scourge, Drancron and Razorbeast.

"Scourge to Autobot City." The true Predacon leader called over his coms. "We need a pickup for a prisoner, immediately." Hopefully, they could get their prisoner back and restrained before he awoke.

Not too far away, the Nakadais' train pulled into Tsurumi station. This surprised the couple as they had left the Kawasaki train station not even five minutes ago.

"What is happening?" Imako asked her husband. Out the window she saw another bullet train pull up next to theirs. "Are we changing trains?"

"No." Tadashi answered his wife. "This was supposed to be a nonstop train to Osaka." Looking out the back of the train, he saw a third one pull up behind them. Running towards the front of the train, he whipped open the door and looked at the driver.

"What are you doing? We need to keep going." Tadashi scolded. He then received the shock of his life when the trains' driver flickered before vanishing and the trains' computer screen turned to black with an Autobot insignia.

"All passengers, please disembark and stay behind the white line." The Autobot spoke over its' loudspeaker while opening the doors. Panicked, the couple ran out the nearest door and backed away as the bullet train they'd been riding in transformed and stood up to its' full and considerable height. The shock was only magnified as the two other bullet trains that appeared began to transform as well. Soon three towering Autobots had blasters trained on the Nakadais.

"Greetings, I am Railspike." The Autobot they'd been riding in began. "These are Rapid Run and Midnight Express." He indicated the other two. "And on behalf of the National Police Agency of Japan, you are under arrest."

"On what charges?" Tadashi argued. If they were to talk their way out of this situation, they had to know the charges.

"Kidnapping for a start." Optimus said as he and Jack arrived on scene and transformed. Taking care to keep himself between Jack and Mikos' parents, Optimus continued. "In addition, you are charged with assault, unlawful operation of an illegal medical facility, bribing of government officials and doing harm to a dignitary to name a few." He looked over at the trio from Gigantion. "Thank you three for keeping them here until the police arrive."

"Those charges will never stick." Imako countered. "Our team of lawyers will have us out before sunrise."

"And then, we shall hire more mercenaries to hunt each of you down." Tadashi threatened.

Jack made a move to attack them before Optimus stopped him. Turning back to the couple, he fixed them with a cold look.

"Not unless prison labor pays more than I think it does on this world." Optimus began before activating his comms. "Lightbright, did you do as I requested?" There was a moment of silence before she responded.

"Yes, I did Optimus." Lightbright replied over the comms. It took her a few minutes to translate what she wanted to say into Japanese. "You see, from the officials you bribed, I was able to back trace and follow several ghost traces back into your personal accounts." She explained. "In addition to freezing your corporate accounts, I've taken all the money you've squirreled away and donated it to various charities around Japan and around the world as well as given all your employees a hefty bonus."

Both Husband and wife felt the bottom of their stomachs drop out. Even if they could get out of those charges, they'd be bankrupt.

"You mean?"

"Your cupboards are bare now." Optimus supplied. At the sound of police sirens fast approaching, he gave them another look. "And you will not harm anyone where you're going." As the National Police officers arrested and led the two away Tadashi threw out a parting shot at Jack.

"I hope you enjoy having a disappointing life with that brat, you American pig." He spat.

"You know." Jack replied in Japanese with a look of disgust at the man. "If you're going to insult someone in another language, you'd better make sure they don't know it." He couldn't spend all that time sharing a head with Miko and Raf as Magnaboss without picking up a few things.

"He is right you know." The officer added to the red faced Nakadai patriarch as he led him away.

As the officers led the Nakadais away, Optimus got a call over the comms.

"Optimus, do you read me?" Ratchet called. The medic sounded tired.

"I read you, old friend." Optimus replied. "What's the status on your patient?"

"She is alive, but sedated." Ratchet replied, causing Jack to look at Optimus with bright eyes. "We were able to undo everything those monsters did to her, but we need to get her back to Autobot City and the CR chamber to finish healing her."

"Understood, get her back and then send a portal for the others." Optimus replied. "We'll meet them there."

"About that." Scourge interrupted over the comms. "While the new Predacon pretenders got away, I was able to capture one of the new Vehicon generals." He explained. "We managed to isolate him but are waiting to interrogate."

"I see." Optimus answered. This was a new development. "Autobots and Maximals, roll for home."

In Unicrons' void dimension, things were not going well for Galvatron.

"THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!" The chaos bringer bellowed as Galvatron writhed in pain. Tarantulas, Jetstorm and thrust watched with glee. "NOT ONLY HAVE YOU MADE NO PROGRESS TO KILL OPTIMUS PRIME, BUT NOW ONE OF MY GENERALS HAS BEEN CAPTURED!"

"Please, master." Galvatron screamed in agony. "Allow me to rescue Tankor."

"NO." Unicron replied. "I SHALL HAVE JETSTORM AND THRUST RETRIVE TANKOR." There was a brief pause as Galvatron was left panting once the pain stopped. "YOU SHALL BEGIN WORK ON THE PLANS FOR MY RETURN. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE I WILL KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOU AND YOUR OPERATIONS."

"I have an idea for that." Tarantulas added. "I just need the Combaticons to help me retrieve it."

"VERY WELL." Unicron began. "AND THE OTHER PROJECT?"

"I've nearly finished the design for the dark energon seeders." Tarantulas supplied. "Once I'm done with them, we can build enough to awaken you fully."

"SO, BE IT." Unicron replied as the Predacon and two Vehicons faded back to reality, leaving Galvatron alone with Unicron. A situation that unnerved Galvatron greatly.

"Master, if I may." Galvatron began, the idea of a plan to placate Unicron coming to mind. "Even with you aiding us directly and Trypticon repaired, we may still need additional resources to eliminate Optimus Prime and his Autobots."

"YOU ASK FOR MORE WHEN YOU HAVE GIVEN SO LITTLE?" Unicron replied.

"I have an idea that may allow us to overwhelm the Autobots and Optimus Prime no matter what they throw at us." Galvatron explained. There was a moment of silence as Unicron contemplated Galvatron, he nodded.

"PROCEDE."

Back in Autobot City, Optimus was walking down a hallway towards the med bay. He'd just finished trying to interrogate the Vehicon general they'd captured only to be met with stony silence. Whatever this spawn of Unicron was, he would not reveal his secrets so easily.

Coming up on the med bay, he found it to be mostly empty save for Jack, June, Bulkhead and Wheeljack. The two Wreckers were sleeping in their vehicle modes while Jack, in his beast mode, was curled up in front of the new CR chamber that, for the moment, housed Miko. Most everyone else had retreated to their hab suites to rest after a stressful 48 hours. As he was about to leave them to rest, Optimus heard a voice that sounded like many.

"Optimus Prime." Came Vector Sigmas' voice. Looking back Optimus saw that Jacks' eyes were glowing white and looking right at him.

"The time of the cataclysm draws nearer." The computer began. "It will soon be time for the reborn to remember who they are."

Optimus, the thirteenth of the original Primes nodded. "I know who they are and where each of them is, and I will be there when the time comes Vector Sigma."

"I shall call you all to where you are needed when the time is right." Vector Sigma replied. "Till all are one, Optimus Prime." The computer then lowered Jacks' head back down before leaving his body.

"Till all are one." Optimus whispered.

On the other side of Fortress Maximus, Ultra Magnus, Brainstorm and G.B. Blackrock were heading back to where Project: Cerebros was stored. All three were exhausted, but with most of the other Autobots asleep, it was the perfect time to do some more work on restoring Fortress Maximus.

"Alright, I think I can make it so that we could move more than one limb at a time now." Brainstorm began as they walked.

"Not much." Blackrock replied. "But it is a step in the right direction."

"We'll get there." Ultra Magnus interrupted. He opened the door to the work area and stepped into total darkness. "Brainstorm, did you turn the lights off when you left? He asked. He knew the lights were on when he left before conducting the search the day before.

"We had to do something for dramatic effect." Came a feminine voice through the darkness.

"Nautica?" Brainstorm asked. The lights came on revealing the femme in question as well as Velocity and Lightbright. Immediately, Magnus went into damage control mode.

"Ladies, this isn't what it looks like."

"What it looks like." Velocity began. "Is you three disregarding Optimus' orders about trying to restore this titan."

"From a tactical standpoint, it's practical." Magnus began only for Lightbright to cut him off.

"We agree with you, hence why we want to help you."

"What?"

"We agree, short of the Primes, what better protector could we ask to assist us than a titan." Nautica added. "And between my engineering skill, Lightbrights' programming, and Velocities medical knowledge on both humans and Cybertronians."

"We could have Fortress Maximus battle ready in weeks as opposed to months." Blackrock finished.

"Precisely."

"One question." Brainstorm asked the three. "What do you get out of this?"

"I get to work with you." Nautica grinned at Brainstorm, making him look away embarrassedly."

"I can help restore one of the titans, reward enough." Velocity stated simply.

"And you Lightbright." Magnus asked the diminutive Caimen.

"I recently learned what happened to Sparkstalker." Lightbright began. "The Decepticons turned him into that thing you and the Wreckers fought in Japan." She explained, surprising Ultra Magnus.

"And you need." He asked again.

"I believe that the cons used dark energon to turn him into that monster." Lightbright began again. "I also know that Leobolt, Wingsaber and Rhinox can purify it together. However, I can't guarantee that they'll ever be in the same place as sparky, and I know you had access to classified medical data on them so I'm hedging my bets." She looked at them.

"Please tell me everything you know about purifying dark energon." Lightbright begged. "Help me save my Sparky."

Inside the CR chamber, Miko jolted back into consciousness. Looking around she barely noticed that she was in what looked like some kind of closet before her memories began rushing back to her.

The lab

Her parents

The surgical saws

"No, no." She whispered as she started banging her hands around. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" Miko screamed before teleporting outside of the CR chamber and into the med bay before drawing her katanas. The sound of transformations caught her attention, but in her panic, she didn't recognize them for what they were.

"Miko."

"Woah it's us!"

"Give her some room." June called to Bulkhead and Wheeljack. Considering what her honorary daughter had just been through, it was no wonder she had a panic attack.

A loud rumbling reverberated across the lab which made Miko wince a little. When the expected pain didn't come, she realized that it wasn't the whirring of saws she was hearing, but the purring of her boyfriend. Realizing it was a familiar sound, she began to calm down. Turning around she saw Jack sitting in front of the thing she'd teleported out of.

"Jack?" She asked, her voice wavering. Seeing him give a nod, Miko dropped her swords and held her arms open for him while he transformed. As she embraced him, she finally broke down crying.

"It's okay Miko." June whispered as she knelt next to them before wrapping them both in a hug. "We have you."

"You're safe pretty bird." Jack soothed.

"Those monsters can't harm you now." Bulkhead added. Optimus had told him about what he and Lightbright pulled, and he was impressed with it. After all, there was more than one way to wreck something.

From the other side of the med bay, Optimus smiled at the scene. They had all their missing friends back now. While he knew that the darkest hour was coming, right now however, was a time to heal.

Notes:

A/N: Okay, phew. That was a lot to cover. I'm not 100% sure what Optimus and Lightbright did was legal, but it was satisfying.

I chose a wolf mode for Arcee after I rewatched Transformers Prime and heard Miko refer to her and Wheeljack as 'lone wolves'. Her body is a fusion of G1 Carnivac and Transmetal Rattraps' aesthetic with a motorcycle mode with hubless wheels. Throw in her Prime color scheme and voila.

I don't think it was too big a stretch turning Sparkstalker into Deathsaur. When I was researching ideas, I noticed some similarities between their modes and decided it'd be a fun way to introduce a G1 Japanese favorite of mine.

Apart from Tor-Loco (who is of my own design), most of the 3.0 Precacons I used were pulled straight from my Beast Wars sourcebook albeit from both the Maximals and Predacons. I did give T2 Prowl the name Shriek to make him sound more menacing and yes, I did include Sky-byte. I couldn't help myself from making him a reformatted St3v3, however.

I did have a minor debate about which trainbots to use but having had team bullet train as a kid I'm a little partial to them and they're a little more familiar to western readers. I'd love to see a reissue of them someday.

Next time: Date Night

Until then, subscribe, kudo and comment please.

Thank you.

Chapter 44: Date Night

Notes:

We’re back everyone. I TRIED to get this chapter out by Valentines Day. But then my computer took a nosedive, and it took a while to get it usable again. I have a new one arriving soon.

Anyway, here’s a chapter full of fluff and love to give you diabeetus. Fair warning, there is some implied but nondescript sexual content in this chapter that happens off screen as well as implied ‘nudity’ on par with chapter one. In addition, I do NOT own the rights to the song used in this chapter, or the ones mentioned. Anyway, please enjoy.

On the berth in his quarters, Jack Darby gave a light sigh through his nose. Looking at the clock he noticed that it was nearly midnight. This meant that he should be expecting his nightly visitor at any moment now. Closing his eyes, he heard the quiet hiss of the electronic door and quiet footsteps creeping up to his berth. Opening his right eye, he could just make out Mikos’ form in the darkness.

“Hey jackrabbit.” She whispered tiredly, giving a small wave.

“Back again Pretty Bird?” He asked with a smile. Ever since they’d returned from Japan, Miko had had horrific nightmares about her time in her parents' captivity. The first couple of nights back, she had awoken the entire base when she woke up screaming. The primary reason that had stopped was because Miko had started sneaking into his room and sleeping in the same berth as him. The vividity of her dreams seemed to lessen when she was close to him.

“Yep.” Miko whispered as Jack shifted back and lifted his blanket up. Giving her boyfriend a smile she climbed into bed with him and snuggled in close. She couldn’t help giggling a little as Jack planted a kiss on the base of her neck before giving a sigh of comfort and drifting into a fitful sleep.

Nuzzling into his girlfriend, Jack couldn’t help but feel the slight twitches of her body. The trauma of being vivisected had left its’ mark on her and Jack couldn’t help feeling helpless about it. The poor girl just hadn’t been herself lately.

“Sleep tight Miko.” Jack whispered as he began to drift to sleep. “I’ll help keep the nightmares away.”

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The next morning at breakfast, the two made sure to enter with a few seconds between them to keep the fact that they slept in the same bed a secret. As the two of them sat down, the conversation that was ongoing around them caught up to them.

“Vinnie and I are definitely going.” Sierra giggled as she nudged her blushing boyfriends’ shoulder. “What about you Allie? Got a certain dino you want to invite?”

“I’d like to.” Allison grumbled. “But Slash has been ducking me ever since I let slip that I was sixteen.”

“She’s probably a little surprised at how young you are.” Arcee supplied as she took a drink from her mug of milk. Ever since becoming technorganic, she found she enjoyed being able to enjoy the same kinds of foods the other Maximals did. “I mean, she is the same age as Goldbug.”

“Well, I’m not exactly crawling around on the floor and pooping my pants!” Allison exclaimed.

“Eww, image!” Raf replied in disgust from where he and Enrique were talking. Leaning back towards his brother, Raf whispered. “You really think there’s something between them?” He asked.

“I’m sure of it.” Enrique replied. “The way she talks about him is not the way you’d talk about ‘just a friend’.”

“Well, I know Goldbug has been acting a bit strange around her.” Raf commented.

“You mean agent Watson?” Arcee asked, looking at them. “Goldbug told me about her a couple of times.” She snorted. “He wouldn’t shut up about her the first time. Judging by what Enrique said, it might be mutual.”

“So, what were you talking about Sierra?” Jack asked, wanting to get the conversation off Goldbugs’ potential relationship with agent Watson.

“Oh, right.” Sierra exclaimed wide eyed. “Swerve is hosting a party in his bar tonight. Vinnie and I thought it’d be a great date night idea.” She side eyed her boyfriend. “Especially since we haven’t been on an actual date outside of movie nights.” She added pointedly.

“Like I was going to say no.” Vince rebutted. Despite his bad boy reputation, he never got invited to a party like this. And the one time he’d snuck into a bar, he’d gotten thrown out in less than five minutes.

“If the kids are going, I am too.” June added. She didn’t quite trust Swerve not to serve the young Maximals the hard stuff like Engex.

“Optimus was going to chaperone in any case, but a second set of eyes might be a good idea too.” Arcee commented, enjoying how Junes’ face reddened slightly. Maybe she could talk to Swerve and help try to set those two up.

Trying to take her mind off the idea of Optimus and her in a bar, June turned to Jack and Miko. “What about you two?” She asked. Hopefully a party might be just the thing to help them forget what they went through. Particularly Miko.

“Hmm?” Miko responded, drawn out of her own thoughts. “Oh, yeah, sure.” She added distractedly, drawing looks of concern from everyone else at the table. Under normal circumstances Miko would be thrilled to hit the ‘alien party scene’. “I’m going to hit the refresher.” Miko said before getting up and leaving the kitchen.

After they watched her go, the other Maximals looked at each other.

“She’s still really hurting, isn’t she?” Sierra asked, still looking at where Miko vanished.

“She’s sleeping a bit better now that she’s been sneaking into Jacks room.” June replied, causing Jack to inadvertently inhale his orange juice. Rolling her eyes as Jack coughed, she explained. “Oh, come on, I’ve stayed up worrying about all of you at one point or another, and I sensed the vibrations in the floor the last few nights.”

“You mean you’re not?” Jack began, finally clearing his windpipe.

“Mad, no.” June answered her son. “Jack, I trust you to be responsible. Besides, that poor girl needs the comfort.”

“How do we help her though?” Jack asked. “I can’t even-.” He was cut off by an unexpected visitor.

“She feels broken after her parents’ betrayal.” Rung interrupted. Normally he wouldn’t violate patient privilege, but for the sake of his patient he’d make an exception. “She needs help to remember that she can rise above what’s happened to her.”

There was a moment of silence before Heinrad spoke up.

“I may have an idea about that.” He began. “Miko, in our timeline, wrote a song that I think could fit her situation now.” He’d stumbled across it before the cons destroyed Fortress Maximus and had kept it close ever since as a reminder of his mother. If it could help her now, all the better. “It has the actual music and the lyrics; it just needs the vocals.” He turned to look at his father as he finished speaking.

There were a few moments of silence before Jack realized Heinrad meant him. Part of him wanted to argue that his singing was as bad as his dance moves, but the memory of Mikos face made the decision for him. Closing his eyes, he gave a nod.

“Alright, if you can rig up the music, I’ll start practicing.” Jack replied. “I just hope it’s ready by tonight.”

“Just come with me to see Blaster Jack.” Vince supplied. “We'll record you singing, and he can run it through a synthesizer, so it’ll sound professional.”

Part of Jack was wary about having his usually terrible singing voice recorded but nodded.

“Let’s do it.”

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Down in the Autobots’ memorial room, Sideswipe was staring at the holographic bust of his deceased twin. He still felt a dull ache in his chest at the loss of Sunstreaker and he could swear he could hear his voice.

“Maybe because you can after a fashion.” Sunstreaker laughed at his living twin's annoyance.

“Sunny.” Sideswipe groaned. “Are you just going to haunt me the rest of my life?” Maybe he was going crazy, but he swore that Sunstreaker was still talking to him from the afterspark.

“No.” Sunstreaker argued. “I’ll move on after one bit of unfinished business.”

“What? Driving me insane?”

“Nope, setting you up.”

“What?”

“Sideswipe?” The mech in question jumped as Strongarm walked up to him. “Are you alright? I heard you talking to someone.” Realizing just what Sunstreaker meant now, Sideswipe grimaced a bit.

“Yeah.” He replied. “Just saying goodbye to Sunny.” Hopefully she bought it, and he could leave it at that.

“I understand.” Strongarm nodded. “Losing your twin must be painful.”

“Yeah.”

“Ask her to the party dummy.” Sunstreaker growled.

“Party?” Sideswipe asked.

“Oh, you heard about that.” Strongarm replied. “I considered it, but I’ve never been a party girl myself.”

“You’ve never been?”

“Never invited.” The femme answered. “Besides, I was more engrossed in studying.”

“Now’s your chance Swiper.” Sunstreaker coached. “You won’t get another chance this good.

Sideswipes’ brow twitched a bit at his twins’ words. But the more he thought about it, the more the idea grew on him. He didn’t want to admit it, but the femme had grown on him during their time on the Ark before it was destroyed. Maybe Sunnys’ unfinished business, was to make sure Sideswipe would be happy even with him gone.

What the Pit?

“Strongarm.” He began. “I think I’m going to go to that party tonight to take my mind off things.” Sideswipe held his hand out. “Would you care to join me?”

Strongarm looked at him with wide optics. Did the Autobots’ resident bad boy just ask her out?

“S-sure.” She answered. “Just a fair warning though, I can’t dance very well.”

“No sweat.” Sideswipe replied. “I can show you how to bust a move without busting yourself too.” Strongarm gave him an amused look.

“I’ll see you there.

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Nautica rubbed at her optics as she strode down the hallway. She and the girls had joined Project: Cerebros only a few days ago and while they’d made some strides at restoring Fortress Maximus, there was still the fact that the bot wouldn’t be able to fight for very long without potentially risking the life of his human partner Blackrock. The sheer mental strain would ultimately end up killing him. Hopefully Velocity could figure something out.

As she passed the ship hangar, she heard someone working. Looking inside the hangar, she saw Brainstorm working on the half-disassembled Deaths’ Head ship. Nearby, several parts from the Crucible had been removed and were sitting nearby. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that the control panels had been lowered to Maximal height. However, what caught her optic was the large pitcher of Engex on a table next to what looked like a martini glass. Giggling a bit at the sight, she caught the scientists’ attention.

“Quite a project Brainy.” Nautica called and fought to suppress another giggle as Brainstorm jumped and hit his head on the underside of the console he was rewiring. “Although I never took you for a mech to drink and science.” she added to the quietly cursing scientist.

“Yeah.” Brainstorm groused as he rubbed the top of his head. “Since our current project is at a slow place, I decided to work on a side project of mine.” He pointed his thumb at the ship. “I wanted to give the Maximals their own ship in case of an attack or an evacuation.”

“So, you turned the bounty hunters’ ship into a Maximal friendly one.” She finished.

“I even kept the Transwarp drive Lockdown was installing.” Brainstorm continued. “And let me tell you, the things one could do with such a device.” He sounded downright giddy. Before he even began working on it, he copied the schematics to install on other ships.

“I can imagine.” Nautica replied. Glancing at the pitcher and glass again, she smirked. “So, would you care for a lab partner, or a drinking buddy?”

“I get some good ideas when I’m buzzed.” Brainstorm shrugged. “Either way, if you wanna join me, go ahead.” Giving a laugh, Nautica removed her wrench from her hip and from a compartment pulled a collapsable mug that she placed next to his martini glass.

“Alright.” She answered. “It’s a date.” Brainstorms’ optics widened at the words before he smiled.

“Looks like it.” He replied before the two got to work.

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“Okay boys, I expect the two of you to behave.” Agent Charlie Watson called as she straightened out her black skirt. She’d decided to wear a simple white blouse and black skirt for her evening out. The Esquivel brothers had opted not to go to the party at Swerves’, opting instead to enjoy the evening playing video games.

“It’s not like we’re going to destroy an entire city.” Raf called back as Enrique nodded in agreement.

“Yeah Watson, we’re good. Go have fun on your date.” Charlie shot her ward with an unamused look.

“I told you boys to call me Charlie when I’m off duty.” She replied. “And this isn’t a date, I’m just catching up with an old friend.” She and Goldbug had agreed to go out on a drive to catch up after so many years apart.

“Right.” Enrique teased the older woman. “And my little brother isn’t taller than I can ever hope to be.”

“And you didn’t spend over an hour on hair and makeup.” Raf added, causing said agent to blush.

Charlies’ response was cut off by a car horn outside the door.

“Oops, that's Goldbug.” She exclaimed, taking one last glance in the mirror. “I’ll see you boys in the morning.” As Charlie left, Raf turned to Enrique.

“You were right.” He whispered as he saw Charlie enter Goldbugs’ driver seat. “It’s more than friendship.” Honestly, he had similar vibes around Jack and Miko when they were human.

“Think they’re gonna hook up?” Enrique asked.

“Eww, image.” Raf complained. Silently though, he hoped that Goldbug managed to find some kind of happiness with her. Whatever form it may take.

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Later that night, the party was in full swing. Swerve and Blaster had agreed on a mostly 80’s themed playlist and various bots were dancing to upbeat music. Looking out at the dance floor as Footloose played, June wasn’t quite sure who was the bigger threat. It could’ve been Vince and Sierra who were spinning around and dancing wildly. Or maybe it was Whirl who in addition to waving his arms erratically, was transforming every time the song said footloose. Although the winner would probably be Strongarm and Sideswipe swinging each other around the dance floor.

Taking a sip of her coffee, she searched the bar for her son and honorary daughter. In the corner, she spotted the two of them curled up together. Miko had barely touched her food or drink since they’d arrived and hadn’t hit the dance floor once. She knew that Jack had recorded the song they’d discussed earlier in the day and was waiting for the right moment to play it.

“Miko is strong June.” Came a voice from behind her, making her jump. Turning around, she saw Optimus had snuck up in his Maximal body and sat on the bar stool right next to hers. “She will recover from this, and I think young Jacksons’ plan just might help her.”

“How do you know about that?” June asked.

“I heard him recording the song. It wasn’t hard to figure out why.” Optimus answered. “Despite what he says, his singing voice isn’t that bad.” June snorted.

“Should’ve heard him in the shower when his voice was cracking.” She chuckled fondly while looking at her son again. Those memories felt like a lifetime ago. Looking up, she saw Arcee at the other end of the bar giving her a knowing look. Giving her a confused look in response, her sister rolled her eyes and gave her another look that said, ‘go for it’.

Eyes wide, June shook her head. Shaking her head, Arcee got up and walked over to Blasters’ DJ booth. Seeing her whisper into the communications officers’ ear, June felt her stomach drop as the DJ nodded. Arcee walked back to her stool as the song ended, giving June a smirk as she sat down. A few seconds later, she heard the opening to Huey Louis and the News’ The Power of Love. Arcee gave June a smug look and mouthed two words to her.

“Do it.”

Shooting Arcee a glare and steeling her resolve, June downed the rest of her coffee in one swallow. She knew it would hit her system all at once, but for this, she didn’t care. Looking a confused Optimus in the eye, finally spoke.

“Could I have this dance?”

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From their table in the corner of Swerves’, Jack and Miko watched as June led Optimus onto the dance floor.

“Okay.” Jack began. “This is a surprise.” Miko snorted.

“You haven’t seen how she looks at Optimus.” She retorted. “Besides, she wore heels and everything.” Jack groaned at the reference, causing Miko to giggle.

“I never should’ve told you that.”

“Oh, come on.” Miko argued with a smile. “Optimus would make a great stepdad.” She continued, her smile turning to a wicked grin. “Besides, why wouldn’t he be interested? Our friendly Maximal Spider-Mom is a total Spider-MILF.”

“MIKO!” Jack exclaimed as Miko burst out laughing. As much as the subject embarrassed him, it was good to see her really laugh again. Turning to watch Optimus and his mom on the dance floor, Jack couldn’t help but see how June was helping Optimus find his rhythm for the song. Watching Optimus’ face, Jack could see the signs of happiness begin to show as he danced with his mother.

Maybe his mom being with Optimus would be a good thing.

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On the roof of Fortress Maximus, Slash the Dinobot was contemplating some of the decisions she’s made of late.

Agreeing to help Grimlock by helping the other Dinobots combine with him was a decision all of them regretted because their commander now refused to even speak to any of them. To say nothing of Volcanicus’ rampage giving Lockdown the opportunity to kidnap several people. Then come to find out she’d been flirting with someone who was only.

Slash was drawn out of her thoughts by the sound of footsteps. Drawing her pistols, she trained them on whoever had followed her to scare them off only to see the object of her crush holding her hands up in surrender.

“Uhm.” Allison began. “Don’t tase me?” She asked timidly.

“Allie?” Slash asked. “Primus blast it, don’t sneak up on me like that.”

“Well, considering you’ve been avoiding me for the last few days.” Allison snarked. “Sneaking up on you was the only way I could get to talk to you.” She strode forward and looked her crush in the eye. “Is it because of my age? Because ever since I mentioned I was sixteen, you’ve been avoiding me.”

Knowing she was caught out; Slash gave a sigh.

“Allie.” She began. “How old do you think I am?”

Allison cocked her head a bit at the question. It seemed like an odd one to ask.

“You can’t be that much older than I am.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Slash replied with a snort. “I’m about two million years old Allie.”

Allisons’ jaw dropped in shock. She thought Slash couldn’t be more than nineteen at the most.

“See.” Slash continued, indicating her expression. “In Cybertronian terms, you and the other Maximals, June included, wouldn’t be old enough to live on your own yet.”

“Wait, how does that work?” She asked.

“When a bot was born from the well or a hot spot, they’d be registered in the planets’ database then adopted by an older bot to act as a parent.” Slash explained offhandedly. “But that’s not the point. Yes, I like you, but I’d be considered what you humans call a ‘cradle robber’ if I-.”

“SO, WHAT!” Allison exclaimed, surprising Slash. “Humans are born, grow to a ‘ripe old age’ and die of old age in the span of a century or less. What takes millennia for you only takes a couple decades for us.” She continued, breathing heavily.

“Allie.” Slash whispered softly, but she wasn’t done.

“And don’t forget, I’m only part Cybertronian.” She added, remembering what Ratchet had taught all the Maximals. “Yeah, I’m only sixteen physically, but mentally, I’m just. Like. You.” She finished.

“Allie, I-I.”

“I’ll live to be as old as you all can.” She added in a whisper, tears beginning to run down her face. “I, I just thought I actually found someone who’d be interested in me like this.” Allison gestured to her Maximal body before looking at her feet. “It’s hard enough being a human Lesbian, but-” She was cut off as Slash put a hand on either shoulder.

“Allie, look at me.” Slash commanded. Allison looked up at Slash's’ face to find an expression of understanding and tenderness. “Do you really feel that way about me?” She asked.

“I know it’s unconventional.” Allison began, blushing madly. “But, yes, I, I think I love you.” Slash smiled brightly, causing her to gasp. “You mean?”

“I’m still intimidated by our age gap Allie,” Slash began bringing her face closer to Allisons. “But yes, I love you too.” Hoping that her instincts were correct, Slash placed her lips against Allisons’ in what humans called a kiss. The contact created a small jolt of electricity that sent a wave of joy between the two of them.

“Wow.” Slash whispered in awe of the sensation.

“Technorganic Maximal power.” Allison smirked at the dopey look on Slash’s face. “Better get used to it. Hey, do you want to go down to Swerves’?” She asked.

“Actually.” Slash replied. “I think I’d like to split the bottle of Engex I brought up here and teach my...I think the term is girlfriend?” She asked, causing Allie to blush and nod her head vigorously. “Girlfriend, about Cybertronian constellations.” She finished indicating the nighttime sky.

“I’d like that very much.” Allison replied as she embraced her new girlfriend.

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About thirty miles outside of Jasper Nevada, Charlie and Goldbug were laughing as Goldbug caught his friend up on the last couple decades.

“Did that girl have ANY self-preservation whatsoever?” Charlie laughed as Goldbug told her about Mikos’ habit of following them through the groundbridge.

“I wondered that a couple times myself.” Goldbug answered shaking his head. “I mean, yeah, we found out the reason for her behavior later but before that we had to keep assigning ‘Miko watch’ whenever we went on missions.” This caused Charlie to keep giggling.

“That’s almost as funny as what you said about Bulkhead causing a blackout.”

“I did tell him to watch where he was going when he walked into those power lines.” Goldbug laughed. “Never saw a bot dance like that.” Charlies’ laughter subsided after that.

“We’ve really come a long way since eighty-seven.” She sighed. Memories of watching a yellow VW transform and later being chased by Skywarp and Thundercracker played out in her mind.

“Yeah.” Goldbug grinned behind his mask. “So, what about you Charlie? Did you ever find someone and settle down?” It’d been over a quarter century, it could’ve happened.

“No.” Charlie answered simply. “I tried a couple of times, but they just never lived up to my expectations.” She snorted. “Nor could they handle being with a government agent.”

“I meant to ask; how did you end up working for Sector Seven?”

“Honestly?” Charlie asked, looking up at him. “I got involved hoping to keep you safe, if not meet you again.”

“What?”

“I kept giving Simmons false leads whenever I saw footage of you or any other Autobot.” Charlie explained. “Apparently the two seekers who came after you pretended that they were law enforcement to move about freely. From then until your official first contact with the government it was see a bot, shoot a bot.”

“Wow.” Goldbug whispered. His first human friend had turned out to be a guardian angel. Then something she said crept up in his mind. “Wait, you wanted to see me again?”

“Yes.” Charlie answered, looking a little embarrassed. “Knowing you changed my life, helped me find a purpose in my own life again.” She mumbled something else under her breath.

“Wait, what?” Goldbug asked. He couldn't've heard that right.

“Fine.” Charlie muttered to herself. Those boys were never going to let her live it down. “After we said goodbye at the Golden Gate bridge, I figured out I had a crush on you. At first, I thought I just had some wires crossed in my brain from the adrenaline rush of all we went through, but the feelings never faded.”

Goldbug was stunned. True, every time he thought of Charlie over the years he’d get a warm feeling in his spark, but he never thought his friend carried a torch for him. Thinking back, the only other person who came close to having a similar connection was Raf. And he saw him as a brother rather than anything else. But the more he thought about the prospect, the more it appealed to him, but he had to explain something to her.

“Charlie.” Goldbug began. “It’s been a long time, I’m not really Bumblebee anymore.” Kneeling, he looked her in the eye. “I’ve been through a lot, I’ve died, been resurrected, been disfigured.”

“Look.” Charlie interrupted, raising a hand to Goldbugs’ mask, she watched as it retracted to reveal the horrific burn scars on his face.

She didn’t even flinch.

“You can change your name color and face.” Charlie began hugging his chest as best she could. “But you’re still Bumblebee to me.” Gently lifting her with one arm, Goldbug returned the gesture.

“Alright.” He whispered. “We’ll make it work.”

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Not too far away from them, Raf and Enrique were spying on the couple.

“Told ya.” Enrique whispered to his brother.

“Alright you win.” Raf admitted. He gave Goldbug a smile before transforming. “Let’s go before we get caught.” After climbing onto his brothers’ back, Enrique activated the ‘borrowed’ cloaker on Rafs’ horn to turn both invisible. They’d just have to sneak it back into Brainstorms’ laboratory later, but first they had to make it back to Autobot City undetected.

“Now we just need to set you up with someone.” Enrique teased his brother as he ran.

“Don’t push it.”

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Watching Optimus and his mom back at the bar, Jack couldn’t help but smile at how close the two now appeared. Prime was telling her some kind of story and she was laughing on a semiregular basis. Seeing that one of the ladies in his life was happy, he decided it was time to help the other. Looking over at Heinrad on the other side of the bar, he gave a nod. Heinrad in turn signaled Rattrap who then gave Blaster his cue.

“Femmes and Gentlemechs.” Blaster began. “We have a special dedication tonight.” He paused as the various partygoers cheered and whooped. “Not only did a certain young mech request this song, but he also recorded it to play for the femme he dedicated it to.” The DJ was cut off as a loud “AWWW” filled the bar.

“Alright, alright, enough embarrassing them.” Blaster laughed. “This song is dedicated to Miko Nakadai, from Jack Darby.” The crowd cheered as Miko looked at Jack with wide eyes and Jack tried (and failed) to not look embarrassed.

“Jack?” Miko asked breathlessly. She never thought her boyfriend would do something like this for her. No one else in her life ever had.

However, before she could question him further, the first beats of rock music erupted over the speakers. Next, came a voice that had definitely been remixed a little bit, but it could still be recognized as Jack. She listened closely to the lyrics.

Sometimes when your hopes have all been shattered
And there's nowhere to turn
You wonder how you keep going (going)
Think of all the things that really mattered
And the chances you've earned
The fire in your heart is growing (growing)
You can fly, if you try, leaving the past behind
Heaven only knows what you might find

Part way through the verse, Jack got up from their table and offered a hand to her. “May I have this dance, pretty bird?” He asked, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

Grinning from ear to ear, Miko happily took the offered hand and allowed Jack to lead her onto the dance floor as several partiers made way for them. As the song began to pick up the tempo again, the two let the rhythm guide their dance moves.

Dare, dare to believe you can survive
You hold the future in your hand
Dare, dare to keep all of your dreams alive
It's time to take a stand
And you can win, if you dare

As the music died down, Miko brought Jack closer to her. Despite his assurances to the contrary, he wasn’t that bad a dancer. As she listened to the next verse of the song, she realized exactly why Jack chose it for her.

Everybody's trying to break your spirit
Keeping you down
Seems like it's been forever (ever), oh
But there's another voice if you'll just hear it
Saying it's the last round
Looks like it's now or never (never)
Out of the darkness you stumble into the light
Fighting for the things you know are right

Giving her boyfriend a quick kiss, Miko allowed the beat of the song to guide them both around the dance floor. Everything else seemed to melt away as the two danced in a world that was just the two of them, and the music.

Dare, dare to believe you can survive
The power is there at your command
Dare, dare to keep all of your dreams alive
It's time to take a stand
And you can win, if you dare

As the song settled into an instrumental solo, Miko and Jack simply held each other while looking into each other's eyes.

“You like your surprise?” Jack asked with a smile.

“I love it!” Miko laughed. This was the happiest she’d felt since before being kidnapped. “You know, you didn’t have to do this for me.”

“Yes, I did.” Jack whispered in her ear, causing the girl to blush. “You’re worth it, Miko. Every. Single. Time.”

Dare, dare to believe you can survive
You hold the future in your hand
Dare, dare to keep all of your dreams alive
The power is there at your command, oh
Dare, dare to keep all your love alive
Dare to be all you can be
Dare, there is a place where dreams survive
And it's calling you on to victory
Dare, dare.

When the song ended, Miko pulled Jack into a deep kiss in the middle of the dance floor to a round of applause and cheers from everyone else in the bar. As the two red-faced Maximals broke apart, Miko gave Jack a sly look.

“Wanna get out of here?”

“Sure.” Jack answered with a smile of his own.

Taking his hand, Miko led Jack across the dance floor and out of the bar.

“Let’s hear it for the happy couple everyone.” Blaster called as they left.

“I think Miko will be all right June.” Optimus commented after watching the couple leave. After a moment of silence, he turned to the Maximal in question. “June?” He was surprised to see her passed out on the bar with several empty coffee cups around her. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” Swerve answered as he came over to them. “I just kept giving her fresh coffee while you were chatting.”

“That’s the problem.” Arcee answered, silently kicking herself for forgetting. “Something in her spider DNA causes her to get intoxicated when she drinks coffee. It’s like Engex to her.”

“I will take her to her quarters.” Optimus volunteered. Picking her up in his arms, he turned to leave the bar. “Hopefully she will sleep off any side effects of her drinks.” Watching her commander leave with her sister in her arms, Arcee couldn’t help but give a low whistle.

“That’s one way to do it.”

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Miko led Jack back to her quarters, bypassing Goldbug dropping agent Watson back off at her own quarters as well as Allison and Slash sneaking by while trying to pretend that they weren’t buzzed. She’d have to ask them about that later.

Closing the door, Miko promptly pinned Jack to the wall and kissed him passionately. Poking her tongue out past her lips and Jacks’ parted lips into his mouth. Getting the idea, Jack returned the favor, slipping his tongue into her mouth and wrapping his arms around her. Miko then surprised him by moving his hands to her rear, the surprise causing him to break the kiss.

“Woah.” He breathed. “Miko, you don’t have to.” Jack was silenced by another kiss as his girlfriend pulled him over to the berth and on top of her, barely catching himself with his hands on either sid of her head. Breaking the kiss again, Miko looked at Jack.

“Jack.” She panted, looking into his eyes with a loving expression. “When I was being cut open on that operating table, the thing that helped me through it the most was thinking of you.” Miko began. “And then you made that song for me, which is the nicest thing anyone has ever done.”

“I got it from Heinrad.” Jack admitted. “According to him, you wrote it in his timeline.”

“You still sang it and I know you only did it because of me.” She replied with a knowing look that made him look away blushing. Putting a hand on his cheek, she turned his face back towards her. “I know for sure now how much you love me. Now though, I want to show you how much I love you.” With a shiver, Miko felt some of her body plating shift around.

“Woah.” Jack whispered, taking in his girlfriend's fully exposed form. “Miko? Are you sur-” His question was cut off by a shiver of his own as he felt his own plating reposition itself. Miko stared a bit at Jacks’ own exposed body before looking at him with a determined expression.

“Bring it on, Jackrabbit.” She answered, wrapping her arms around him. The couple kissed again and from that kiss, they were both lost to their passions.

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Optimus gently placed June down on the berth in her quarters. Despite being asleep, he could genuinely appreciate how beautiful she looked. Unfortunately, the feelings that came with that appreciation clashed with his sense of duty to the Autobots. And besides that, there was both the fear of the Decepticons trying to get to him through her and possibly losing her the way he lost Elita. While technically he knew it wasn’t his fault she died, he couldn’t help feeling that if he’d handled Megatron differently at that fateful meeting with the Senate, he wouldn’t have launched his terror campaign, and Elita wouldn’t have died when Six Lasers over Cybertron burned.

As he turned to leave, Optimus felt June grab his hand.

“Don’t go.” She muttered blearily.

“June, you are intoxicated.” He informed her. “You need to sleep off your caffeine intoxication.”

“You mean you don’t want this?” She slurred, striking a seductive pose. June held it for a minute before falling flat on her back. “Or you don’t want me?”

Optimus frowned and knelt next to the berth, taking her hand in both of his.

“I would be lying if I said I didn’t.” Optimus admitted. “But right now, I have my duty to the Autobots and your planet.” She looked away from him but didn’t pull her hand back.

“However.” He continued. “If I am reading the signs right, the war may be over sooner rather than later.” June looked back at him. “And afterwards, my duty would be complete.”

“You think we will win?” June asked.

“I cannot be certain.” Optimus admitted. “But I do have feelings towards you June. Once the war ends and if we both survive it, I would like to pursue a relationship with you.”

“That’s one heck of a rain check.” June sighed. “Okay, but fair warning, if we survive this war, I am SO going to rock your world.”

“I look forward to it.” Optimus answered, not knowing exactly what her expression meant. Placing her hand down on her chest, he turned to leave and was pleased to hear Junes’ light snores before he even made it to the door. He left the room with something that he didn’t come in with.

Hope for a happy future.

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Jack smiled as he drew the blanket over a slumbering Miko. She looked so contented now as opposed to the restlessness she’d had been in the days before. This had been both their first time and they both found that their new bodies reacted much like their original human ones. The sheer ecstasy that they’d both felt at the height of their lovemaking was indescribable.

Placing a gentle kiss on her forehead which made her smile in her sleep and checking to make sure his plating was back where it belonged, Jack slipped silently out of Mikos’ room. He’d have to speak with both his mom and Optimus about the two of them possibly moving into shared quarters soon. The thought of it made his spark flare at the idea.

While he hoped he’d find love in his life outside of his mother, he had to say he didn’t expect to fall for such a vivacious girl like Miko Nakadai. At first glance, the two couldn't've been more opposing in nature. Upon closer inspection, however, their personalities both tempered and enhanced one another. He genuinely loved this woman and he really had been an idiot not to notice her crush before.

Not this time though.

Coming to a decision, he changed direction. Heading away from the Maximal quarters, he headed back towards Swerves’ bar to find the party winding down. Upon entering, he noticed that Vince and Sierra had disappeared as had Optimus and his mom. However, the couple he was looking for were still there, albeit getting ready to leave.

“Rewind, Chromedome?” Jack asked as the former helped the latter down from his barstool. While he couldn’t get on and off them on his own, Rewind enjoyed sitting on a barstool so he could be at optic level with Chromedome.

“Oh, hey Jack.” Rewind greeted as his Conjunx set him down. “What’s up?”

“Could I talk to you two for a bit, in private?” Jack asked a little nervously.

“Sure, we’re just around the corner from here.” Chromedome answered. Jack followed the two out of the bar and back to their hab suite. Unlike most of the spartan ones he’d been in, this one was nicely decorated and cozy looking. Perhaps a sign of a well lived life together.

“Now.” Rewind said, turning to look at the Maximal commander. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I wanted to ask you two about this since you’re the only bots I know who are.” Jack began, his nerves starting to get the better of him. “I know that it’s probably different for Cybertronians than humans, but I figured that you two would know if it’s even possible that.” He stopped as Chromedome put a hand on one of Jacks shoulders.

“Jack, take a breath.” The taller bot began. “You’re babbling.” Rewind put a hand on the Maximals’ hand.

“Just think about what you want to ask in the simplest terms and say it.” Rewind added.

Taking a deep breath, Jack put what he wanted to ask into a simple question that could change the path of his life.

“Chromedome, Rewind, how does a Conjunx Ritus work?”

Notes:

A/N: And there we have it. That wasn’t so bad, was it? And I don’t think Jack and Mikos’ intimacy was too explicit.

Sorry if I offended anyone by using Dare by Stan Bush in a romantic context. It just seemed to fit from my prespective.

To be honest, I had some trouble with this chapter. Usually, I try to spread the romance throughout the story as opposed to clumps of it. I couldn’t help foreshadowing at the end there although it won’t happen until towards the end of the story. Next time, we’re back into the action because.

Next Time: Vegas goes Bust!!!

Until then, Subscribe, Kudo and Comment.

Chapter 45: Vegas is Bust Pt.1

Notes:

Hello kiddies and welcome back. This chapter ended up being in two pieces in the end. I just had too much going on for one chapter. Someday I will ease up on the multipart chapters, but not today. So, for the time being, please, enjoy.

“So, we are ready then?” Galvatron asked his lieutenants as he stood on the Nemesis’ bridge. Assembled around him were Tarantulas, Bludgeon, Onslaught, Slog, Jetstorm and Thrust.

“Yes.” Tarantulas began. “The restoration of Trypticon is complete. Transformation capabilities and all.”

“Very well.” Galvatron continued. “Before we can proceed with our plans to awaken Unicron, we must first acquire a permanent base of operations.” He also needed somewhere stable to enact his plan for reinforcements.

“We also need to retrieve Tankor.” Thrust interrupted. It hadn’t been a full week yet and that was still too long.

“And so, you and Jetstorm shall.” Galvatron replied. “However, rather than try to infiltrate a fully staffed Autobot City, we shall force them to respond to two emergencies simultaneously. Yes.”

“So, divide and conquer again.” Onslaught added as he chewed his Cy-gar. “You need to get a new plan Galvatron, you don’t want to keep recycling this one.” He’d watched the videos of the invasion of Unit-E and while impressed, felt using the same plan twice was risky.

“To start with.” Galvatron ground out, ignoring the Combaticon Leader. “You and your Combaticons shall accompany Tarantulas on his little errand. Enter with a bang and the Autobots will most likely send one of their combiners to stop you.” Onslaught thought this over for a second.

“Alright, I have an idea that should take one out.” He announced. “Defensor is their most likely candidate.” He’d done his research on the current Autobot roster and their weaknesses for such an occasion.

“Excellent.” Galvatron nodded. “And while they are doing that and our Vehicon generals are getting into position, the rest of us shall storm and secure our new base of operations.”

“Coincidentally.” Bludgeon spoke up. “You never said where it is. Enlighten us please.”

“So glad you asked.” Galvatron grinned. He’d been waiting for the right moment. “The location I have in mind can easily be refitted for our use in less than a week. There’s open desert around it so we can spot any advancing troops, and it comes with its own non energon based power supply, so we don’t need to ration our resources between the ship and ourselves.”

A projection of a human city appeared before them. It was covered in neon lights and swarming with people.

“Too much life there.” Slog muttered distastefully.

“A problem your Horrorcons and the Predacons shall rectify.” Galvatron replied. “With some carefully ordered Vehicon backup.” he added, looking directly at his two remaining generals.

“We shall ensure that they will follow your orders in the field.” Thrust replied in a bored tone. It wasn’t his fault that Galvatron didn’t think in advance last time.

“In that case, we all know our assignments.” Galvatron spoke. “Everyone, prepare to move out.” As they left the bridge, Jetstorm turned to Thrust.

“Almost sad we have to miss this.”

“Why?” Thrust asked.

“Vegas baby!”

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In the Maximals’ den in Autobot City, June Darby was nursing a whopper of a hangover from the party the night before. While her new body healed a lot faster than her human one, it would still be another hour or two before it cleared completely.

“Ugh.” June groaned as she sat at the table with her grandkids. “I am going to KILL Swerve.”

“I don’t think he knew about your caffeine issues grandma June.” Rattrap whispered, trying to be sensitive to her condition. Looking to Heinrad for support, he noticed his cousin staring off into space with a blank look. “Rad? You, okay?”

“I don’t know.” Heinrad muttered. “I think our plan to help mo-Miko last night worked a little too well.”

“Whaddya mean?”

“I went to check on them after they left and heard...noises.” He replied evasively.

“WHAT!” June shouted; she immediately regretted it as her head retaliated for the noise. She could only draw one conclusion from that description. “I SO need to talk to those two.” She muttered, placing her head in her hands.

“Well, look at it this way Kibo.” Gary laughed. “You just ensured your own conception.”

“No, I didn’t.” Kibo replied. “We missed my conception date by weeks Gary.” They still hadn’t figured out why they hadn’t been erased from the current timeline.

“Am I going to be a grandmother in this timeline too?” June groaned. The last thing they needed right now were infant Maximals in the middle of a war.

“That depends if their sparks were exposed.” Gary supplied, trying not to laugh again and agitate his grandmothers’ hangover. “When my mom got pregnant, dad admitted that their sparks were exposed to each other. Some kind of energy between them created my spark and started the pregnancy.”

“The resultant energy feedback loop from two surging sparks would be strong enough to create a spark.” A new voice added, making all three jump. “At least in theory.” Looking at the doorway, they saw Raf and Enrique looking at the trio. Raf with an expression of curiosity and Enrique, amusement.

“How much did you hear?” Kibo groaned. He really didn’t expect Raf to stumble onto their secret. And he had no idea what to expect from his uncles’ human brother.

“I heard enough to confirm my suspicions, Kibo.” Raf answered as he took a seat. Reaching down, he lifted Enrique up and set him on a specifically built stool.

“You already knew?” Gary asked.

“I figured it out when we were breaking down the time machine.” Raf explained. “You both called my older self ‘uncle’ when we used the golden disk.” He smirked. “And unlike your parents, I’m not oblivious.”

“Fair.” Gary shrugged. He knew at the very least his dad was a little dense. He’d seen proof of it.

“Hey!” Kibo whined. “They aren’t that bad.” Raf looked at Kibo.

“Your dad didn’t realize your mom had a crush on him until she flat out spelled it out for him.” Admittedly it was essentially a deathbed confession, but they didn’t need to know that. They were interrupted by Vince and Sierra as well as Jack and Miko entering the kitchen with Allison bringing up the rear.

“Hey, way to go Lion King!” Enrique called to Jack before Raf could shush him. Both Jack and Miko froze and looked at the others.

“What do you mean?” Jack asked, hoping he could bluff their way out of an embarrassing conversation. Unfortunately, his and his girlfriend's’ matching blushes gave them away.

“It means you’re busted.” June answered. Before she could continue, Miko cut her off.

“Alright.” She began, looking June in the eye. “Look, I’ve been contemplating taking that step with Jack for a while now.” This statement caused looks of surprise from everyone in the room, including the mech in question. “I love Jack and when I heard that song last night, I knew that I wanted to show him how much I loved him. I’m not ashamed of that.”

June kept eye contact with Miko before turning to Jack.

“And are you willing to take responsibility if you do become a father?” She asked.

Jack stepped forward and held Mikos’ hand. He gave it a squeeze and smiled as she returned it.

“There’s no one I’d rather take that responsibility for, or with.”

“Good.” June answered. “Just keep your chests closed and Miko won’t get pregnant.” She informed, causing looks of shock and embarrassment among the assembled Maximals.

“Wait, our bodies have built in birth control?” Miko asked as she looked down at her chest. “Sweet!”

“How did you figure that one out?” Jack asked, giving his mother a strange look.

They were saved from another awkward conversation by Arcees’ arrival at the door.

“You better take breakfast to go.” She began. “We have a situation.” Everyone got up from the table and headed out the door.

“I want deets later.” Sierra whispered to Miko.

“I don’t.” Allison whispered. Albeit a part of her wondered if she and Slash could? She shook the thought from her mind and kept walking.

“I’ll spare you the details if you tell me where you and Slash got that booze from.” Miko whispered back as she and Jack beat a hasty retreat from the kitchen.

June stood up to follow them when she felt her head suddenly clear. Turning, she saw that Raf had used his CR pulse to clear up the remnants of her hangover.

“Thank you Raf.” June smiled, ruffling the Maximals hair. The smile faded rapidly however as the memories of last night came back with stark clarity. Apparently, being drunk didn’t affect her new brains’ ability to remember once sober. “Oh, god.” She groaned, burying her face in her hands.

“What?”

“Oh, she probably just remembered saying something to Optimus.” Arcee teased.

“I’m out.” Raf called as he picked up Enrique and ran after the other Maximals. “Wait for us.”

“Hermano, you could make a fortune curing hangovers at colleges.” Enrique added as they rounded the corner.

“So.” Arcee asked as June moved her hands to her head and pulled on her hair. “Did you and Optimus?”

“No.” June moaned. “I just made a fool of myself and offered to.” She moved her hands to her mouth, her face flushing red. She couldn’t believe she’d propositioned Optimus like that. “I don’t know how I’m going to face him after that.”

“After what?” Arcee asked.

“I offered to rock his world after the war was over.”

“What does that mean?”

June looked at her sister.

“You don’t know?”

“No.” Arcee confirmed as the two began to walk out of the kitchen. “Is that a human saying?”

“Yes.” June said with a sigh of relief. Maybe she could face Optimus after all. If he didn’t know she meant sex, she might be able to save face.

“I wish you both luck then.” Arcee interrupted her thoughts by transforming into her cycle mode. “Now come on, it’s urgent.”

Transforming into her spider mode, June followed Arcee down the hall.

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Moments later, the collective Autobots and Maximals were assembled near the space bridge. Optimus greeted June with a warm smile as Ultra Magnus began the meeting. Worryingly, Rodimus was standing alongside Optimus, Magnus and Fowler. Whatever was going on, it was bad news from on high.

“The Decepticons have finally emerged from hiding.” He began. “Six a.m. this morning, local time, a camper took these pictures of the Nemesis rising out of the Pacific.” There was one of the ship partly submerged as well as one of it fully out of the water. A third photo showed what looked like a glowing light coming from the front of it.

“The camper was able to load the images to Facebook before he was killed.” Agent Fowler added. A new photo showed a smoking crater in the middle of a campsite. “We think the cons didn’t want to leave witnesses.”

“Not even ten minutes later, the Nemesis appeared over Las Vegas.” Ultra magnus continued. The still photos were replaced with armature video of the Nemesis hovering over one end of the end of the Vegas strip. From there, an energy beam lanced out from the bottom of the ship, obliterating three nearby hotels and allowing the Nemesis to transform into a kind of base taking up most of Harry Reid International. This surprised everyone in attendance.

“Their ship can transform again?”

“Uh oh.”

“Looks like Mechagodzilla is back in play.”

Ultra Magnus shot Brainstorm and Nautica a quick glance. They knew this was a problematic development since Fortress Maximus was nowhere near battle ready yet. Velocity, Lightbright and Blackrock were working on the brain module now. Rodimus stepped forward.

“After landing, the ship released multiple troops to storm the Vegas strip.” Several videos came up simultaneously. “We have confirmed sightings of Vehicons, Horrorcons, and predacons.”

“Don’t call them that!” Scourge growled from his seat in the back, making everyone else jump. When did he get there?

“Either way.” Rodimus continued. “They began to drive out all the humans. With extreme prejudice.”

The videos were proof of that. On one screen was a group of tank drones firing upon every car in the street, creating huge explosions as their fuel ignited. Another image showed the Predacon Stinkbomb smashing his way into a casino before emitting a cloud of yellow gas which obscured the picture. When it cleared, all that remained of the people were their skeletons. A third had the Predacon Shriek and the Horrorcon Wildfly smashing up another casino. Most people turned and ran but a few were still playing on the slot machines.

“Hey!” Wildfly yelled. “Aren’t you scared?” Apparently, this video had audio.

“Of what?” One woman yelled from her machine. “This thing’s got

to pay out sooner or later.”

“This place is crazy.” Shriek laughed at Wildfly. “I love it!”

“While most of the humans in the surrounding areas managed to evacuate.” Rodimus continued, trying to draw attention away from the videos. “There are some who are currently sheltering in place.”

“And the government wants us to rescue them and evict the cons?” Miko laughed. “Let’s hit it!”

“Not quite Wingsaber.” Ultra Magnus countered. “The U.S. government wants to deploy their own forces to liberate Las Vegas and rescue the civilians. Agent Watson.” He nodded down the Autobots current liaison.

“The government wants to try to handle the situation themselves first.” She confirmed. “Sector Seven is already in position to.” She was cut off as most of the room gave a groan. “I know, none of us are particularly fond of them, however the White House did insist on having the members of Project: Pheonix assist them.” June and both Fowlers stepped forward.

“I was also able to get assigned to the field to keep an eye on Simmons considering our...history.” Agent Watson added. “In addition, I will be joined by Depthcharge, Arcee and Goldbug for security purposes.”

Further speech was halted as Blurr sped into the room and up to Optimus Prime.

“SirIjustreceivedanemergencycommunicationfromamilitaryR&Dfacility.” He began. “TheCombaticonsandafewotherDecepticonsjustbridgedinandstartedshootinguptheplace.”

Taking a moment to decipher Blurrs’ speed speech. Optimus looked at Ultra magnus.

“This cannot be a coincidence.” He began. “The Decepticons most likely are attempting to split our forces to attack a third target.” It was eerily like what happened last time the Decepticons appeared, and Optimus didn’t like it.

“My money is on us.” Jack added. Seeing everyone looking at him he decided to elaborate. “While they may not be looking to destroy us yet, they may be trying to infiltrate the base to free their friend.”

An ominous silence fell over the room. Most of the rank-and-file Autobots didn’t know about Tankor being in a holding cell, but everyone in this room did.

“If that is the case.” Optimus began. “We need to mobilize to counteract their plans.” He looked over at Ultra Magnus.

“Commander, take the Protectobots and some of the Wreckers to the military base to head off the Combaticons.”

“I’m going with you.” Kup announced as he stepped forward.

“Are you sure Sargent?” Magnus asked. While the grizzled veteran Autobot and former Elite Guard captain had taken up Trailbreakers’ old role as head of security for Autobot City, he had refrained from going into the field until now.

“Don’t forget kid, I trained Onslaught before the war.” Kup replied. He and Onslaught were two of the few survivors of Monstructors’ slaughter of the Elite Guard “I know how he thinks.”

Ultra Magnus nodded. That was fair. Honestly, if things had gone differently, Onslaught might’ve been the leader of the Wreckers instead of him.

“While they are dealing with the base, several teams of us will be assembling not too far from Las Vegas.” Optimus continued. “I feel backup will be needed sooner rather than later.”

“You expect things to go south?” Fowler asked.

“After what happened a few days ago, I’d rather be safe than sorry.” Optimus countered. After seeing what happened with Volcanicus, he was wary about Devastator facing Monstructor.

“Fair.”

“Optimus.” Came a voice in the back. Turning to look, the Autobot leader saw Chromedome enter the room with Rewind right behind him. “On the chance that Tankor IS the intended target, I’d like to try another idea to get information out of him.”

“And that would be?” Optimus asked. Chromedome gave a sigh.

“I’d like to attempt a Cortical Psychic Patch.” He admitted. This statement left some of the Autobots uneasy.

“A what?” Agent Watson asked. She’d never heard of such a thing before.

“Chromedome wants to go into Tankors’ mind and attempt to learn what the Decepticons have planned that we don’t already know about.” Goldbug explained.

“Then why didn’t we do that before?”

“Because agent Watson, it’s illegal.” Ultra Magnus answered. He gave a sigh. “However, I think we may have to attempt it anyway.” As everyone in the room gave him odd and questioning looks, he explained. “With what we now know from the golden disk, time is of the essence. Using the patch on Tankor might buy us more time.”

“Golden disk?”

“I’ll explain later Charlie.” Goldbug replied. While a little more known now, the message on the golden disk was still considered secret. The bots were still working on a way to convince the governments of Earth that the contents of the disk were real without revealing the existence of Heinrad and Rattrap. The temptation to capture a pair of time travelers would be too great to not act upon.

“Loathe as I am to agree.” Optimus interrupted. “Our options are limited. While we are dealing with the Decepticons, Ratchet and Chromedome shall attempt the procedure. The remaining Maximals will remain behind to guard against intrusion.”

There was some murmuring, but most gave an affirmative to their orders.

“Autobots, roll out.”

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As various Autobots moved around the base, Grimlock strode through the halls of Fortress Maximus. While he was willing to take the fight to the Decepticons, when he saw the other Dinobots had volunteered to join Optimus Prime, he decided he’d rather help the Maximals with guard duty.

He refused to even acknowledge the others after they forced him into a combiner. Honestly, it was the kind of thing Shockwave would’ve done. The fact that they’d consider such a thing after what the emotionless scientist did to them was appalling.

Coming to an intersection in the halls, Grimlock was pulled out of his thoughts when Slash stepped in front of him. Glaring at her for a moment, he turned to head back the other way only to find Slug and Snarl had blocked it. How did bots that big move that quietly?

“Boss.” Slug began. “We need to talk.”

“You say all you need to other day.” Grimlock ground out. He turned and started to walk down another hall when Sludge ran out an open door, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into an empty room. Slug, Sludge and Slash followed him in before Swoop shut the door.

“We’re talking anyway.” Snarl growled as Sludge released Grimlock. The Dinobot commander wrenched his arm away from Sludge and turned to glare at his team.

“After you do to me what Shockwave did to all of us? What more you want say?” Grimlock yelled. “Actions speak louder than words.”

“We we’re trying to help you!” Slug yelled, getting in Grimlocks’ face. “Do you want to drool oil for the rest of your life?”

“Not first choice but would be MY choice!” Grimlock bellowed.

“You’d rather live as a snarling beast?” Swoop asked. He wasn’t as sturdily built as the others and was keeping out of arm's length of his commander.

“Sad thing was me going to ask you to put me out of misery if it got to that point.” Grimlock growled. This brought the other Dinobots up short.

“You wanted us to?” Snarl began before being cut off.

“If me get to that point, me wanted you to kill me, yes.” Grimlock confirmed. “Then you take away choice by forcing me into combiner with you.” He glared at them. “That make you little better than Shockwave.”

“So, you were willing to make us kill you but not willing to trust us with another possible treatment?” Slash growled as she advanced on Grimlock.

“You took choice out of my hands.”

“Because we know how stubborn you are!” Slash yelled. She gave a sudden yelp as Grimlock lifted her by the arm. “You know I’m right.” The smallest Dinobot grit out, never taking her eye off her commander.

“She does have a point Grimlock.” Snarl added stepping forward. “I admit, what we did was wrong, but it was with good intentions.”

Grimlock dropped Slash.

“You know what they say bout path to pit.” He groused. He hated to admit it but maybe they had a point. The fact that he’d rather die than risk the other Dinobots lives was a well-known fact about their commander, and the fact that the others risked their lives for him so foolishly was the true source of his irritation with them.

“Why you even think combining would fix me?”

“We all wanted to help heal your brain.” Snarl began. “We didn’t know you’d be so angry at the prospect. Let alone that it’d effect the combiner.” There was a moment of tense silence as Grimlock digested this information.

“Me still angry.” Grimlock began. “But me get over it eventually.” He opened the door to the room.

“So, we’re good?” Swoop asked. Grimlock gestured down the hall.

“Come on, we got meat bags to rescue.”

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From his operations center just outside of Vegas, agent Seymour Simmons of Sector Seven watched the situation on the strip unfold. While the bulk of the people had managed to evacuate, some had been unable to and were now being rounded up at the end of Las Vegas Boulevard. A couple dozen buses had been arranged and the captured civilians were being held there under the watch of what looked like a large bull and an ant. Closer inspection revealed a shark fin circling the buses He’d received a shock when one man tried to run only to be swallowed up by the shark attached to the fin.

“Simmons.” Came the voice of Scrapper, his Cybertronian second in command. “We’re ready to go, we are just waiting on the group from Autobot City. And for the record, I still don’t like your secret weapon idea.”

“Duly noted.” Simmons responded. It wasn’t like they were the first to make something from a giant robots’ corpse. Any further debate was cut short as a spacebridge swirled to life near their outpost. Out of it stepped agent Watson (the traitor!) in a gold muscle car, as well as the Fowler twosome and the senior Darby. More surprising however, was that they were followed by the fish bot they’d met briefly during their inspection as well as a wolf bot he’d never met before.

“Watson! What’s the meaning of this?” Simmons bellowed. Those two were not part of the deal. His ire only rose as she got out of the car and the car transformed into another bot. The woman took her shades off and glared at him.

“Given your teams’ history with some of the members of Project Pheonix, the president agreed with my suggestion of Autobot security.” Agent Watson replied as she stared the man down. “Now, what’s the situation?”

“Galvatron has taken full control of the strip, and his forces are fanning out into the surrounding suburbs.” Scrapper explained before the idiot human could put his foot in his mouth. “Any civilians they capture are put onto those buses. For what, we don’t know.”

“Where are we on a rescue plan?” Kumara asked as she looked at the man who’d destroyed her life not so long ago. Part of her wondered if she could step on the little prick and call it an accident.

“For the moment.” Simmons began, unable to resist the chance to show off. “You and your team will be strictly backup if needed. Using our newest creations with backup from the Russki and Davey Jones over there.” He indicated Stranglehold and Octopunch who glared at the names. “Once we’ve gotten the civilians clear, Devastator shall lead the charge of both my team and the National Guard in driving the cons out of Vegas.” He finished.

“And these creations are?” Agent Watson badgered. Simmons smirked as he activated his comms in his ear.

“We are a go for launch, scramble the Sky Reign squadron.”

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On a foggy partially demolished military base near Boulder Colorado, a spacebridge portal swirled into existence. From it emerged Ultra Magnus, Kup, Bulkhead, Perceptor, Drift, Whirl and Wheeljack. Hotspot and the Protectobots brought up the rear of the group.

“Alright everyone.” Magnus whispered as the portal faded. “Spread out and start searching for the Decepticons.”

“No need.” Kup whispered as he leveled his laser musket. “If I know Onslaught, we’re expected.” They were suddenly besieged by various gunshots going off around them.

“Right in one sarge.” Onslaught called, his voice echoing in the fog. “Don’t mind us, we’re just on a little shopping trip.”

“Colonel Onslaught!” Ultra Magnus yelled. “If you and the Combaticons turn yourselves in to us peacefully, we can guarantee you fair treatment.” Considering the Combaticons’ history with the Decepticons, the idea wasn’t too unreasonable.

“Tempting.” Onslaught admitted. If the situation was different, he might’ve taken them up on it. “But circumstances dictate we work for Galvatron. There was a moment of silence before the Combaticon colonel gave the order.

“Alright boys, form up and hit it!” Hearing this, Ultra magnus turned to Hotspot.

“Protectobots, merge, now!” He ordered. Kup however, had realized the voice came from ground level. Too low. Most likely some kind of recording. Realizing that Defensor was probably what they wanted, he tried to stop them.

“Magnus, no!” Kup hollered. “Belay that order.” But it was too late.

“Swindle, Brawl, now!” Onslaught called. From the fog a trio of laser blasts hit the transforming Blades, knocking him to the ground with a large sparking gash on his side. As Defensor formed enough to notice he was missing an arm, the Combaticon leader called out again.

“Hit it tex.”

Out of the fog, Vortex raced towards the partially complete combiner in his helicopter mode. Dodging the blasts of the Wreckers by flipping upside down and transforming into the arm of Bruticus Maximus, he slotted himself into Defensors’ right shoulder. The effect was instantaneous, not only was the wrong limb on the combiner, but said limb was insane. Defensor fell to his knees clutching his head with his left-hand as the foreign mind wreaked havoc on their collective one. All the while Vortex punched every inch of the giant Autobot he could reach while cackling maniacally.

“Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself. Stop hitting yourself.”

“Hang on guys.” Bulkhead yelled as he ran to rip Vortex off them. He was waylaid by a tank charging through the fog and ramming into him.

“Don’t even think it sucka.” Brawl growled as he transformed. The two glared at each other for a moment before charging one another.

As the two behemoths began to trade blows, several other combatants emerged from the fog. Wheeljack suddenly found himself having to deflect several shots from Swindle with his swords as he fired a gatling gun at him.

“Nice moves.” Swindle complimented. “And I bet those are sterinium swords, aren’t they?”

“You know your weapons.” Wheeljack smirked. “All the better for cutting up cons.”

“I just wanted to know how much I can get for them after I kill you.” Swindle replied before changing his aim and hitting Wheeljack in the thigh. “Business is business after all.”

Off to the side of them, Whirl was squaring up Blast Off.

“Hmm, a bootleg Soundwave.” He mused. “Do you even have a rub sign?”

“You imbecile!” Starscreams’ voice yelled from Blast Offs’ mask.

“Ohh, good proof of authenticity. Got any music?” Whirl asked. He was answered as Michael Jacksons’ ‘Beat It!’ came on. “Okay, that’ll work.” He laughed as he held up his hooks. “Let’s go!”

While the two flyers ‘beat it’, Drift attempted to assist Defensor. He sensed rather than saw movement out of the corner of his optic and his instincts were the only thing that saved him. Drawing his sword, he barely got it in place before Bludgeons’ sword could decapitate him.

“So, we meet again.” The skeletal samurai greeted him, leaping backwards. “I hoped we would meet again. Now defend yourself!” Bludgeon charged forth again, locking swords with Drift.

Sliding left, Drift attempted to slice his opponent's sword arm off only for Bludgeon to sidestep him. Holding his left arm up, Bludgeon launched several small throwing stars from his right wrist. The Decepticons’ optics seemed to flash as the throwing stars embedded into Drifts’ side, causing him to cry out in pain.

“That’s new.” Drift ground out through his teeth.

“I learned some new tricks.” Bludgeon replied. “Surprises keep foes confused. Here’s another one.” Thick black smoke erupted from his feet diminishing the already poor visibility and allowing Bludgeon to disappear.

Listening carefully and tuning out the sounds of battle around him, Drift began to search for the Decepticon again, knowing an attack could come at any moment. He was proven right as Bludgeon rushed past him on the right and sliced his shoulder. Fighting through the pain, Drift barely brought his sword up in time to block his opponent's frontal attack.

“A skillful parry.” Bludgeon complimented. “However, ahh.” The samurai was cut off as a blast from Kups’ musket pierced the smoke and hit Bludgeon in the hand, knocking his sword out of it.

“What is it with Decepticons and not being able to keep their yaps shut in battle.” Kup groused. He didn’t need to be a swordsbot to know how to fight one.

“I never was able to figure that one out myself.” Onslaught admitted as he strode up to Kup and Ultra Magnus. A gun trained on both. “It was a key lesson in the Elite Guard.”

“A lesson that I wish more bots followed.” Kup countered as he trained his blaster on his former student. “And not another step closer kid.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it sarge.” Onslaught agreed. His mentor from the Elite Guard was one of the few bots who rarely fell for his plans, and he respected him for it. It was almost a pity that they went in opposite directions when the war broke out with him forming the mercenary Combaticons while Kup helped to form The Wreckers.

“What are you here for colonel?” Ultra Magnus asked. While Kup kept the Combaticon leader at bay he took aim at Vortex to shoot the mad mech off Defensor. Pulling the trigger, Magnus was frustrated when Vortex spun his rotor blades to deflect the blast into a nearby building. Laughing, Vortex retaliated by grinding his knuckles into the top of Defensors skull while the combiner desperately attempted to pull him off.

“Auto noogie!”

“Honestly Kup.” Onslaught answered while shaking his head at his pilots’ antics. “I have no idea; they wouldn’t tell me.”

“I’ll explain it when we’re back at base.” Tarantulas said as he rolled up in his motorcycle mode. Behind him, he was towing a hovering platform with several large crates on it. “Shockwave, we need a bridge back.”

“Tarantulas.” Ultra Magnus growled as he aimed at the Decepticon scientist. “Drop whatever it is you.” He was cut off by a blur of golden yellow before the end of his blaster fell away, rendering it useless. Turning, Bludgeon mockingly saluted Ultra Magnus before leaping backwards to Tarantulas and Onslaught.

“Alright everyone, back to base.” Onslaught called as the spacebridge appeared. “I love it when a plan comes together.”

“And one more for luck!” Vortex laughed as he punched Defensor in the face one last time before separating. The sudden separation was enough to force the combiner back into the Protectobots. The remaining Wreckers were able to do little more than watch as the group disappeared through the portal. They’d never been routed so thoroughly.

“Ratchet, we need an emergency bridge.” Ultra Magnus growled in frustration. “We have wounded.” He looked over the destroyed base as their spacebridge appeared. “What on Earth were they even after?” He muttered as he followed Kup and Hotspot back to Autobot City.

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Back in Las Vegas, the collective members of the Autobots, Maximals and Sector Seven watched as a series of six modified F-35B jets in various colors flew over the area. Collectively they banked left before heading towards the encampment. As they neared the staging area, they activated their VTOL capabilities before surprising most of those in attendance by transforming into Cybertronian sized mechs with the jet cockpit on the chest. The six were nearly identical save their colors, Red, Black, Beige, Green, Blue and Grey.

Goldbug and agent Watson looked at each other. These were far too close to the seekers they’d fought in the eighties. Charlie looked at agent Simmons.

“Explain.” She ordered simply.

“Gladly.” Simmons replied smugly. “Using the body of that one Decepticon we found in eighty-seven, we began slowly making progress in creating our own transforming military vehicles.” He began. This confused the duo since they remember off lining two seekers that day.

“These six.” Simmons continued, not noticing their confusion. “Are the final evolution of Earth and alien technology in that regard. Piloted by six of the best jet jocks in the Air Force.” He nodded his head to Scrapper. “Our new partners allowed us to fully integrate the two techs together and gave them a little something extra.”

“I’m still not sure that was advisable.” Scrapper interrupted. The notion of what they did with Skywarps’ body still disgusted him. To say nothing of them bastardizing combiner technology. However, he did have to look professional in front of witnesses.

“I’m sure captain Galen and his team would’ve said something was wrong after the testing.” Simmons argued. He turned to the red seeker. “Does it feel any different captain?” The glass on the chest cockpit turned transparent to show a man in a kind of harness with a flight suit and some kind of advanced helmet on. The visor and mouth on the helmet retracted to show a smiling African American male.

“All systems optimal sir.” Galen answered. He gave a thumbs up that was mirrored by the mech in real time.

“That settles that.” Simmons grinned. “When I give the signal, your squadron will fly in and drive off the guards on the civilians. Afterwards, merge and start down the strip towards their base.” With a little luck, they might be able to seize their base as well.

“Merge?” Watson asked.

“You’ll see.” Simmons replied. “Move out!”

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From his new control center in the recently renovated pyramid of the Luxor casino. Galvatron watched as the humans prepared to rescue their hostages. This did not bother him that much as the captives were merely a decoy to draw out human resistance and maybe a few renegade Decepticons for extermination. Whereas the Autobots made their presence known via diplomacy, he would simply maneuver the fleshlings into a position where they would be forced to leave his new base alone.

Simply put, it was a trap within a trap.

Galvatron was distracted by a communication from Tarantulas. The scientist was still using the lab facilities in Trypticon for his experiments. He had returned from his errand a little while ago and was now unboxing what looked like various parts to a Cybertronian. Part of him wondered how this tied in with Unicrons’ desire to keep a closer watch on him.

“Ah, Tarantulas. Report.” He ordered.

“The raid went better than expected.” Tarantulas began as he removed a hand from a crate. “I managed to find all the parts to what I was looking for and we were even able to beat back the Wreckers.” He continued, now placing a lower leg with a pair of wheels on the table with the other parts. “Bringing the Combaticons onboard paid off in dividends.” Tarantulas looked over at something off screen and sneered.

“If you think this hurts, wait until we test my spark mitosis experiments.” He taunted before turning back to the screen. “Sorry, trying a little something with one of my test subjects.” He couldn’t help laughing at how Megatron kept volunteering to take Transmutates place as a test subject for his experiments.”

“Quite.” Galvatron replied. “You know, you never told me what it was you were retrieving.”

“I wanted it to be a surprise.” Tarantulas laughed. “Don’t forget, our mission is to kill Optimus Prime.” He began. “And looking through some hacked human files I found something that almost did do it.”

“Something made by humans?”

“I know, it surprised me too.” Tarantulas chuckled. “It even had an actual T-cog in it. It just needs a little further modification and it’ll be ready for the boss to possess. And as you yourself said.” He continued as he reached back into the crate. From the crate he pulled out a perfect replica of Optimus Primes’ head.

“Victory tastes best, when seasoned with Irony.”

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Notes:

A/N- That’s right folks, Nemesis Prime shall rise again! I admit, this chapter has more setup than anything, but I wanted to dedicate as much attention to the action in the next chapter as possible. I based my ‘Sky Reign’ squadron on the seeker clone combiner from IDW comics. It seemed like a fun idea to incorporate them, and their leader Galen is a nod to Fortress Maximus’ original binary bond partner in the G1 comics in the 80’s Headmaster comics. In any case, I’ll see you next time. Until then subscribe, kudo and comment.

Next Time: Vegas is Bust Pt.2- Unlikely Heros

Chapter 46: Vegas is Bust Pt.2-Unlikely Heroes

Notes:

Hello everyone, and welcome to the latest chapter of Beast Wars prime. I’m not going to lie, this chapter fought me tooth and nail in places, and I’m surprised I got it out in my usual timeframe. In any case I hope it’s to most everyone's’ liking. Before we begin though, a special shoutout to EnkiduKingu on FF.net for successfully deducing something revealed in this chapter. Enjoy.

“Now, let me see if I have this right.” Galvatron began as he watched Tarantulas modify and reassemble the wreckage of what he’d dubbed “Nemesis Prime” with the assistance of both Shockwave and several assembly arrays. “Unicron wishes to possess a carbon copy of Optimus Prime?”

“A copy that is incapable of feeling pain.” Tarantulas clarified slightly. “And Nemesis Prime fits the bill perfectly.” He cackled. “Or it will after my modifications are complete.” He turned to face Galvatron as the assemblers continued their work.

“Modifications?” He asked.

“Well, the Primes’ current body is far stronger than the one he had when this was made.” Tarantulas explained. “So, to fight him now, Nemesis Prime needs some improvements of its’ own.”

“And the paint job?” Galvatron asked in a flat tone as he watched one assembler paint the red and blue body parts black teal and silver.

“Dramatic flair.” The scientist exclaimed with a flourish as Galvatron rolled his optics. Tarantulas was such a Primadonna.

“How does he even plan to possess this abomination? It doesn't even have a spark to corrupt.” Tarantulas laughed as he picked up a small cube from his work bench. Within the cube were several small energon spikes precariously close to a fragment of spark.

“Well, it just so happens that we have a half a spark to spare.” He replied holding up the spark fragment that had once belonged to the Predacon Rampage. Turning back to the worktable Tarantulas held the cube over Nemesis Primes’ chest, specifically the newly installed empty spark chamber. There was a brief second before the spark seemed to be sucked from the cube into the body.

“Hungry for life, eh?” Tarantulas laughed.

His laughter was cut short by a scream from Megatron. Tarantulas had recently decided to reinstall the tyrants’ voice box with a ‘mute’ function. Primarily so he could enjoy the Decepticon conquerors’ screams without listening to him yapping. Said conqueror was now undergoing an experimental procedure that would give his spark mitotic properties. The fact that the process was painful was only a boon for the deranged scientist.

“Oh, and how are we feeling today?” Tarantulas cackled with glee. Seeing Transmutate starring at the scene in horror, the scientist turned to her. “How much time do you think the big bad Megatron is going to buy you with his sacrifices?” He taunted. “Don’t worry though, I have many games for you and I to play.”

“You.” Megatron growled during a brief lull in the pain. “Shall not touch herrraaahh.” He began screaming again as the process continued. Transmutate looked on in horror as Megatron writhed on the table.

“It won’t really matter in the end.” Tarantulas laughed. “You’ll be dead, and then I’ll have my fun with her.” Any further taunting was cut off as Transmutate started slamming her hands against the bars of her cage.

“Stop. Stop. Stop!” Transmutate cried out, hoping to spare her friend the pain. Tarantulas laughed mercilessly.

“Or what? "You gonna-” The scientist was cut off as a pulse of green energy erupted from the deformed femmes' mouth and slammed into his head, destroying part of it and sending him sailing across the room and into the wall.

“Well.” Galvatron laughed as the Predacon scientists’ head began to regenerate. “I think a restraining bolt is in order for that youngling. Yes.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Tarantulas grumbled once his voice box was restored. “I’ll put it on my ‘to do’ list.”

In the chaos, no one noticed that Shockwave had frozen up for a moment while Tarantulas’ head was damaged. Or that his optic had flickered between red and blue during that moment before settling back to red.

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Meanwhile in Autobot City, Chromedome was preparing to perform a Cortical Psychic Patch on the restrained Tankor. The restrained Vehicon general was growling at the mnemosurgeon with a glare. Rewind walked up to Chromedome.

“The equipment’s ready Domey.”

“Is my copilot?” Chromedome asked his Conjunx Endura. When he first brought up the idea of the patch, Rewind insisted on assisting him. To that end, Chromedome had a small improvement made to his body.

“And willing.” Rewind quipped.

“And so is your doctor.” Raf added. Admittedly ‘doctor’ was a bit of a stretch. With Ratchet off with Optimus at Vegas and Velocity helping First-Aid patch up the Wreckers and Protectobots after they were ambushed, Raf volunteered to quarterback the procedure. Nodding at the Maximal junior medic, Chromedome picked up the helmet before holding his hand out to Rewind.

“Shall we then?”

Nodding, Rewind leapt into the air and transformed into his data cassette mode and shrank until he fit in Chromedomes’ hand. Taking Rewind between his thumb and forefinger he lifted him to the back of his head. A slot in the back of Chromedomes’ head opened and Rewind slid into it.

“Not sure if I’ll ever get used to that.” Raf muttered to himself.

“Hopefully you’ll never have to find out.” Chromedome replied as he put the helmet connected to the patch on Tankor on and sat down. “Alright Rhinox.” He continued, using Rafs’ codename to show it was time to be serious. “We’re going hot.”

A visor of light formed over Chromedomes’ optics from the helmet as he slipped into unconsciousness. A scant few moments later the mnemosurgeon jerked awake as the helmet shut off. Tankor growled smugly at the trio. Chromedome cursed quietly as he removed the helmet, allowing Rewind to eject.

“Domey, what happened?” Rewind asked as he transformed.

“I don’t know.” Chromedome growled. “I tried to access Tankors’ memory core and suddenly we got booted out.” Rhinox looked at the computer readout.

“It looks like there’s some kind of firewall around his mind.” The Maximal explained. “I can’t describe it, but it’s like it repels any type of Cybertronian data signature.”

“Some kind of failsafe.” Chromedome sighed. “It’s blatantly obvious now that the Vehicon generals are no regular Cybertronians.”

There was a moment of silence as this information sank in. Looking over to his left, Rhinox spotted the smaller helmet for the assembly.

“Maybe I could do it.” Rhinox asked. “We aren’t built like you guys are, so maybe I could slip through his firewall.”

“Raf.” Rewind began gently. “Mnemosurgery is not like normal medical work. There’s a real risk of psychological cross contamination. If you inherit a memory where Tankor was injured badly, you could have a flashback and your body would traumatize itself, even though you’ve never been injured that way.”

“I know it’s risky, but do we have any other choice?” Rhinox asked. There was a moment of silence before Rewind went over to a console and retrieved an earpiece.

“Put this in and get ready.” He explained. “We’ll talk you through this and help keep you grounded in reality.”

Moments later, Rhinox was ready for his first attempt with the Cortical Psychic Patch on his own.

“Alright, going hot.” Chromedome called as Rhinoxs’ vision was filled with white light. However, unlike with Chromedome, he didn’t nod off to sleep. Eventually the white light coalesced into full surroundings. However, they weren’t what he was expecting.

“Alright kiddo, what are you seeing?” Rewind asked.

“Christmas.” Rhinox whispered. He was seeing Christmas morning six years ago. Looking down, he saw the bee plushie that he’d gotten that year as well as the teddy bear pajamas he’d worn that day. Looking back up he saw a younger Enrique unwrapping a soccer ball. “How did I end up in my memories?”

“It’s a little-known method of fighting against mnemosurgeons.” Chromedome explained. “Some skilled patients can actually pull up the surgeons’ memories instead of their own.”

“So what do I do from here?” Rhinox asked.

“Try to access another memory.” Chromedome answered. “The technique can’t be kept up for too long, and after that we’ll see the memories we’re.” He was cut off by the sound distant explosions.

“What the pit was that?”

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Outside Autobot City, Jetstorm and Thrust were preparing for their rescue mission. The methodology, however, was proving hard to agree on.

“We need to be smart about this Jetstorm.” Thrust argued. “We can’t just go charging in there without a plan.”

“Thrust, really? It isn’t like we don’t regenerate from everything.” Jetstorm countered, a scowl emoticon on her mask. “We hit ‘em hard, fast and it’d be scorched earth. We have Tankor, and they have casualties to deal with.”

“We don’t know who’s still here.” Thrust replied. They’d registered the fact the space bridge was used but not who left with it. “For all we know, they have Optimus Prime and the Dinobots waiting for us.”

“Again, we regenerate.”

“No.” Thrust growled as he turned to look at Autobot City. “We need subtlety if we’re going to.” He was cut off as Jetstorm transformed and immediately began an attack run. Giving a long-suffering sigh at her usual antics, Thrust transformed and sped off after Jetstorm.

“I honestly don’t know what else I expected.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Las Vegas, agent Simmons watched as the hostage rescue began without a hitch. Stranglehold had been able to take Tor-loco by the horns when he tried to charge the Decepticon and threw him through Vegas Vic to Simmons chagrin. When Sky-byte transformed and attempted to attack while Stranglehold was occupied, Octopunch caught him in his tentacles and threw him into the oncoming Infernus.

This gave his air unit time to combine into their own combiner mode, Sky Reign. While congress had balked at the requested budget, they were probably eating humble pie now. Simmons grinned as Sky Reign ripped the doors off each bus so that the hostages could make a run for it. This was going perfectly.

Too perfectly.

“Seymour.” Survive began as he and agent Watson approached. “There is too little resistance, this is going to go fubar.” He stated simply.

“Look traitor.” Simmons growled. “The hostages are free, and we’re about to begin storming the fortress. That’s a win in my book.” He turned to the Constructicons. “Merge and charge!” He yelled.

As the Constructicons merged into Devastator, Watson and Survive looked at each other before nodding. Simmons couldn’t see past his own ego, and that would put everyone in danger.

Silently as possible, Survive deployed Wing Thing to begin scouting the area for the Autobots. He’d recently figured out how to share his drones’ video feed with others, so he knew that Optimus and/or Ultra Magnus would be able to see what he was seeing in real time. Thankfully, the drone had some cloud cover from some approaching storm clouds.

This instinct proved to be correct seconds later. As Devastator caught up with Sky Reign, the six Horrorcons erupted from nearby buildings and just below the street. Matters were further complicated as the now empty buses exploded violently, damaging both combiners as well as Stranglehold and Octopunch.

“Aw crap.” Simmons groaned. “Alright troops, move in, cover fire!” He yelled. Immediately, the human troops of Sector Seven moved to assist their Decepticon allies. “You too.” Simmons growled at the assembled Maximals and Autobots.

“Let’s go.” Agent Watson ordered. “On the bright side Simmons, this worked for nearly an hour.” She added. “That’s a new record for you.” As she walked away from the cursing special agent, Charlie put a hand to her ear and activated her own comms.

“Optimus, get ready to mobilize.”

“Understood agent Watson.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Down on the Vegas strip, things were going from bad to worse. The sudden impact from the explosives had forced Sky Reign out of their combiner mode. To make matters worse, the human troops had arrived and were attempting to fire on the Horrorcons. The problem was that now the Decepticon members of Sector Seven were trying to avoid stepping on or injuring them. A problem that their opponents had no issue with.

“I love it!” Wildfly shrieked as she flattened another soldier. “It’s like a game of ‘Whack-A- Scraplet'.”

“First one to a hundred wins!” Birdbrain squawked. “One, two, skip a few.” He sang as he slashed at the approaching humans.

“Hey, watch it whippersnappers.” Bristleback yelled as he dodged Wildfly and Birdbrains’ antics. He slammed his tail into an overturned SUV, sending it rolling and the soldiers scrambling out of the way.

A little down the street, Scowl and Icepick were dealing with the renegade Decepticons. Octopunch had recovered from the explosion and was now attempting to fend off Icepick. The Horrorcon and Mayhem Attack Squadron member matching pincers against energy hook and tentacles.

“Back monster, fore I send ye back to the infernal depths.”

“Do you talk like a pirate to compensate for something?” Icepick replied flatly. Octopunch answered by taking another swing at him with his hook.

Scowl on the other hand was having some difficulties with Stranglehold. Every time the Horrorcon went to yell, the strongbot would land a blow in his midsection, ruining his concentration.

“You are knowing what is being old expression.” Stranglehold taunted. “Actions are being speaking louder than words.” He gestured to his gargantuan arms for emphasis.

“Agree to disagree!” Scowl bellowed as he finally unleashed a sonic yell. The sound pulse did little though as it only knocked Stranglehold back a few feet while partially demolishing a wall behind him. Scowl looked on in shock, what did this con fuel up on? Liquid lead?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From his perch on top of Circus Circus, Slog watched the battle unfold. He hated to admit it, but the first part of Galvatrons’ plan worked to perfection thus far. The first part was to draw whatever specialized forces capable of fighting them into the open, then neutralize them. And when the worlds’ governments took their next logical step, they’d be able to spring the rest of the trap on them.

Looking behind where the battles were going on, Slog noticed a small group of Maximals and Autobots. One was using some form of super speed to retrieve injured troops while another healed them with some kind of webbing. Three other Maximals along with the Autobots were laying cover fire to keep the other Horrorcons off balance and give Devastator and the seeker clones time to get back up.

Taking a closer look at the one doing the healing, he realized she was one of the ones whom Monstructor tried to kill a few weeks ago. Moving from here to a blue and pink one, he realized he recognized her.

“Arcee?” Slog laughed to himself. “Well, I must say that it’s an improvement. Ultimately futile, but an improvement.”

His attention was drawn to a space bridge portal opening behind the group and over a dozen Autobots exiting it. Slog scowled; this could be a wrinkle.

“Galvatron, this is Slog.” The Horrorcon commander began, activating his coms. “The bots have just arrived on scene, so i suggest you send in the clones.”

“Agreed.” Galvatron replied. “And I suggest you form Monstructor as well.”

Slog rolled his eyes before leaping off the hotel, his rotund shell taking the brunt of the force. Time to instill some fear.

“Horrorcons, form Monstructor!”

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From her station where she was healing the soldiers that Cheetor retrieved from the battlefield, Kumara felt a familiar wave of dread wash over the area. Looking up from her current patient, she noticed that the midmorning sun had dimmed so much it was like an eclipse was happening. She tensed as she realized that the sensation was familiar and looking up, she saw the reason why.

“Oh no, not that one.” She whispered as the Horrorcons emerged from their shells and began to combine. The feeling of dread only increased as swarms of car, tank and jet drones seemed to pour out of the remaining buildings.

Through the dread however, a flicker of hope emerged at the sound of a familiar truck horn. Turning to look behind her, she saw Optimus Prime charging up the street in vehicle mode with the Dinobots and several other Autobots behind him. Not far from that were the outlines of several more airborne Autobots.

“Autobots, transform and attack!”

With that, the battle truly began.

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From his modest home outside of Hollywood, movie director Turner Crayven watched the Vegas situation unfold. He couldn’t help but sigh. He tried to ignore the scattered reports of Autobot and Decepticon activity over the last few decades, but the emergence of both the Autobots and Decepticons in the public eye meant he couldn’t ignore the conflict much longer. This new situation clenched it.

“Guess it’s time.” He whispered to himself.

Picking up a garage door opener, he went out to the large garage in the back of his home that he’d had built when he bought it. Clicking the button, the door opened revealing a blue F-15 fighter jet. His ownership of it had caused a stir when he moved in, but he did have all the paperwork in order. Walking in and placing the opener on a workbench, Turner blinked out of existence as the jet began to taxi out of the garage.

“Once more into the breach.” The Decepticon seeker Thundercracker alias Turner Crayven said as he ignited his thrustors and took off for Las Vegas. “Once more.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the Vegas strip, Optimus Prime charged up the street towards Monstructor in his truck mode. He, like everyone else in the area, was feeling the oppressive aura the dark combiner was giving off. He wouldn’t let it affect him though.

Transforming, Optimus slammed his foot down on a charging car drone, disabling it. Taking in the battlefield in front of him, he realized they had more than one obvious problem. Aside from Monstructor, they had both the swarming Vehicons as well as human soldiers who were either injured, or succumbing to the hopelessness that their aura was generating. Both were going to hamper their campaign to reclaim Las Vegas.

What they needed was a diversion.

“Brainstorm!” Optimus called as he began to open fire on a trio of advancing tank drones. Looking to his left, he saw Springer fly past him in helicopter mode to begin pursuing a jet drone. The roar of jet engines signaled the arrival of the Aerialbots along with Jetfire.

“Coming right up and thank you for not making a big deal about these guys.” Brainstorm replied.

“Blurr!” Optimus continued, not commenting on the scientists’ comment. “Assist Cheetor with evacuating the injured and afflicted. Get them to Kumara or Rung.” He’d brought the Autobot psychiatrist after finding out about Monstructor and his aura of dread. Hopefully, he could get the humans back on their feet quickly.

“One’humanusexodus’comingupPrime!” The speedster called. In a matter of nanoseconds Blurr and Cheetor were evacuating the human operatives of Sector Seven.

“Incoming!” Brainstorm yelled as he flew over the battlefield. Dangling from his Cybertronian jet mode was what looked like a cross between a missile and a giant shock absorber. Releasing his payload, Brainstorm banked right and left to join the dogfight against the swarm of jet drones.

The strange missile embedded itself into the street and seemed to simply sit there for a moment before it exploded in a large puff of smoke. From the smoke, however, came many brightly colored pulses of light that began to wreak havoc. Among the smoke, Optimus could already hear the cries.

“Kremzeek.”

“Kremzeek!”

“KREMZEEK!!!”

Optimus nodded as Brainstorms’ bioelectric entities got to work. While he’d ordinarily agree with Rodimus on disposing of them, with the war picking up, he felt they were too viable a resource to waste. Seeing a red Kremzeek pop into a tank drone which then began to smoke ominously before catching fire along with a purple one entering a transformed car drone which began shooting everything in sight, Prime felt vindicated in his choice. He was also thankful that Brainstorm had provided a chemical shield to protect the Autobots from his creation.

Idly, Optimus hoped that things were still secure at Autobot City.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, in Autobot City, things were not as secure as Optimus Prime hoped. With most of the Autobots either injured or away at Las Vegas, the two Vehicon generals were making swift progress to where they sensed their third member. After Jetstorm blew a hole in the side of Fortress Maximus, she dove inside and transformed, Thrust catching up to her a moment later.

“Told ya!” Laughed, a smug emoticon on her mask.

“Don’t even.” Thrust growled. “Let’s just get in, get Tankor, and go back.”

Before either of them could take another step, twin sonic attacks slammed into them and forced them into a nearby wall. Shaking the momentary cobwebs from his head, Thrust turned to see most of the Maximals standing between them and where they sensed Tankor to be. In the lead on either side of Leobolt were Nightscream and Wingsaber holding Tonebot, which accounted for the sudden blast.

“Never seen deez guys before, so be careful.” Rattrap whispered to Leobolt.

“I’m guessing you two aren’t here to give yourselves up.” The Maximal commander began. “But we will not allow you to continue your attack.

Wingsaber had an idea.

“However, if you tell us Galvatrons plans.” She began, keeping Tonebot ready. “We could be persuaded to let you two leave with the big ugly guy you’re probably looking for.”

“As much as we’d like to be the poopers to Galvatrons’ party.” Jetstorm replied. “Our orders come from higher up.” She pointed up with her right hand at that last statement, causing her opponents to look up as well. With her mask switching to a smirk, she deployed the gun in her left arm and opened fire on the Maximals, forcing them to scatter.

“Suckers!” Jetstorm laughed.

Regrouping, the Maximals returned fire on the Vehicons. Allison Sierra and Vince all fired on Thrust who stood there feeling nothing from the sound, sap, and shocks. Thrust shook his head.

“Ohh, ow, stop, that it tickles.” He taunted in a monotone as the Maximals stopped attacking in shock. Deploying a small box with two metal probes on it, he aimed at the trio with a smirk. “My turn.” With a thought, Thrust fired a concentrated gigawatt of electricity at the three maximals before they could even think, rendering them unconscious.

“Always knew we should’ve called you ‘Shocky’.” Jetstorm laughed before dodging one of Rattraps’ wheel shields. “Woah, nice try.” She taunted as she took in Leobolt, Rattrap, Wingsaber and Heinrad.

“Well, what do ya know?” She continued. “After this place we’ll nearly have the whole set.” Transforming into her jet mode, she charged the remaining Maximals. “Gotta catch ‘em all.”

“Heinrad, maximize!”

Right as she was about to collide, the foursome vanished in the blink of an eye only to reappear behind her. Transforming in her confusion, she felt a set of claws slash her back as several kunai impaled her as well before exploding, driving her to the floor.

“Nice trick.” Jetstorm growled as her injuries regenerated. “Didn’t expect someone with time powers.” She finished, rising back up to glower at the Maximals with an annoyed look on her mask.

“Probably not expecting this either.” Came a voice from behind her. Before she could fully turn to face this new threat, she was punched over the Maximals’ heads and through a nearby wall. Her mask on the floor was the only sign that she’d been there.

Inside the Apex Armour, Enrique Esquivel was smiling ear to ear. When he realized that Raf would be helping interrogate Tankor, he snuck into Fortress Maximus’ vault with Mikos’ help and stole the Apex Armour. He swore he’d protect his little brother, and he meant it.

His good feeling was short lived, however. A dark energon hook impaled the armor's left arm as a chain connected to it was wrapped around the suit. Finally, Thrust stepped out from behind Enrique, his stun gun primed and aimed at the boys’ head.

“Now.” The Vehicon general began as Jetstorm flew back in, her skull face disturbing the Maximals that were still conscious. “You answer our questions, and you’ll get this meat sack back unharmed. I assure you; my weapons’ charge is strong enough to go through the entire suit and kill him instantly.”

“To start with.” Jetstorm took over, realigning the dark energon spikes in her mask with the holes in her skull. “Where is Optimus Prime?” She asked, sliding it back into place.

“He went to Vegas to fight Galvatron.” Leobolt bit out. While he was angry at the circumstances, he wasn’t going to risk Enriques’ life.

“And Tankor?”

“He’s in the med lab the next hall over.”

“Very good.” Thrust replied, taking a step back in the indicated direction. “We shall hang onto our bargaining chip until we are clear of the city, and then.” He was cut off as the Apex Armour began to collapse in on itself while a flash of burgundy light the hallway.

“I’ve got him, let’s go!” Wingsaber asked, having teleported Enrique out of the armor and into her arms.

Throwing the still shrinking Apex Armour at the Maximals, Thrust and Jetstorm took off towards where they sensed Tankor was.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Inside the lab, the trio doing the procedure were getting frustrated. They’d been at it for almost half an hour and the only thing they’d been able to get were Rhinoxs’ memories. Now, with the sounds of battle so close, they were going to make one last attempt.

Opening his eyes, Rhinox found himself strapped to a table in some kind of lab. In a shodowy area of it were two others with canisters hanging over them. He could barely make out colored lights coming from the canisters.

“Chromedome, Rewind, I did it, I’m in!”

“Alright Raf, what do you see?” Chromedome asked.

“I’m in some kind of lab, I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Ah, awake, are we?” A new voice called out. Looking to his left, he saw a purple and yellow Cybertronian with a green visor. Strangely enough, he had a handlebar coming out of his head, giving him the appearance of having horns. Raf attempted to speak but was unable to, albeit he found himself struggling against the restraints.

“I admit, finding you three when we raided Megatrons’ lab was a stroke of luck I hadn’t counted on.” The stranger began. “But, one never looks a gift scraplet in the mouth.” The sound of a door opening drew the strangers’ attention and, on a platform, rolled the three bodies he recognized as the the Vehicon generals.

“I suggest you take a good look at that world.” The stranger added as he admired the bodies. “A quick transplant, a quick bit of Shadow Play, and you’ll be helping us lay waste to it soon enough.”

Looking out the window, Raf saw not Cybertron like he’d been expecting, but Earth. Turning away from the window, he caught his reflection in the labs’ reflective ceiling.

“No.” Raf whispered in horror. “No, it can’t be.” Other memories were beginning to flash by now. Running from one of Soundwaves’ tentacles, Wheeljacks’ chest exploding outwards before being shot in the back. Nearby, Tankor was beginning to convulse wildly in his restraints, a similar look of horror on his face.

“Raf!” Rewind yelled. “Domey, I’m aborting the link.” Before the cassette bot could shut the helmet down the lab door was blown off its frame.

“Everybody out on bad behavior.” Jetstorm laughed as she shot Tankors’ restraints, freeing him.

Stumbling away from the harness that held him, Tankor shook his head. Looking up, he saw Jetstorm and Thrust at the lab door. Visor widening in shock, he transformed into his tank mode and barreled past them out the door and down the hall, the patch helmet and cord still attached to him. The remaining two generals looked at each other in surprise.

“What did you monsters do to him?” Jetstorm yelled as she advanced on Chromedome and Rewind.

“Forget them, we need to go after Tankor!” Thrust yelled before transforming and following their colossal friend. Shooting the three of them one last dirty look, Jetstorm took off after Thrust.

In a corner of the lab, Raf was in total shock. He had no idea that Tankor was. He barely registered the other Maximals arrival with his brother in tow.

“Hermano?” Enrique asked as he walked up to his nearly catatonic brother.

Ultra Magnus came running toward the lab having just returned from the Wreckers’ failed mission against the Combaticons.

“What happened?” He asked as he took in the scene before him.

“Jack was right on the money.” Nightscream explained wearily, having just woken up. “The other generals sprung their buddy.”

Raf nearly jumped out of his skin when Jack put a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw both him and Miko looking at him with concern. Eyes widening in further realization, he began to rock back and forth.

“Raf?” Miko asked gently. “What did you see?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Las Vegas, the tide seemed to be turning in the Autobots favor. With most of the human troops evacuated to a fallback location and the aptly named ‘Kremzeeks’ slowing the Vehicon drones down, the remaining Autobots could now rally against Galvatrons’ forces. The unprotected Decepticon forces of Sector Seven had been forced to retreat once they learned the Kremzeeks couldn’t distinguish between them and the Vehicons.

Grimlock was in his element with the other Dinobots. Riding on Slugs’ back, he sliced one car Vehicon in half with his sword as the Triceratops ran headlong into a tank drone. Using the momentum from the impact, the Dinobot leader leapt into the air. Feeling Swoop gasp him by the shoulders, he allowed himself to be swung higher into the air, allowing him to shoot the wing off a jet drone. As gravity took hold of him again, he spun through the air to build up momentum before bringing his sword down through a tank drone, slicing it in half head to aft.

Feeling the vibrations through the ground, Grimlock turned to see Monstructor staring down at him.

“Ah, the supposedly fearless Dinobot leader.” They began, sizing Grimlock up.

“Only fools fearless.” Grimlock retorted. After reading the Maximals report from when they met Scourge and his Predacons, he knew that there was a good chance of running into the dark combiner here.

“True.” Monstructor admitted as they attempted to stomp Grimlock only for him to dodge their foot. “And you are far from foolish. While you may not fear death, you do fear the path to it.” The combiner sneered at the Dinobot. “We can feel your mind slipping away Grimlock.” They taunted.

“You talk as if me no know that.” The Dinobot commander growled, narrowing his optics behind his mask. “

“Oh, we know.” Monstructor replied. “But how about we make your decline, a little more painful. For example, if we eliminated your main reason for holding on to your cognizance.” They added, eyeing the other Dinobots. The sneer vanished from their face a moment later as Grimlock slashed their leg with his sword.

“You not touch them!” Grimlock yelled. Suddenly, he felt a ripple of fear through his mind. His first instinct was to transform, but he forced it down with difficulty. Monstructor sensed this through the pain of their injury.

“That’s it.” They grinned, increasing their aura a bit. “Give into the fear little mech.”

As his emotions began to run out of control, Grimlock found his mind slipping away again. His final cohesive thought was of the other Dinobots and how to protect them. Knowing that this monster would hunt them down for fun ignited an ember of rage in Grimlock. An ember that rapidly grew into an inferno that rapidly overwhelmed his fear.

Giving a roar of anger, Grimlock transformed into his Tyrannosaurus mode before giving a bellow. The sudden loss of fear confused Monstructor, as did the crimson glow of Grimlocks’ optics. And additional four bellows answered his as Slug, Sludge, Snarl, and Swoop charged towards their leader, the same red glow in their optics. Once assembled, the five gave a final roar before they began to contort and combine.

As Volcanicus finished assembling, he glared at Monstructor. The combiner felt nothing but fury at the ones who reveled in fear and death. It was a mindset that gave the dark combiner an inkling of fear themself as they sensed it. They were used to beings recoiling and running away from them, but this combiner seemed incapable of feeling anything other than anger.

“Well then.” Monstructor said as they ignited their death touch. “Shall we?” Giving a roar of anger in response, Volcanicus suddenly erupted in flames, catching the dark combiners’ hands in his own burning ones.

The battle had begun.

Volcanicus drove his foot into Monstructors’ chest, smashing them through the hotel Circus Circus. As several tank drones retaliated by firing on him, he ducked and picked one up by the turret and threw it into a squadron of jet drones that had been coming in for a bomb run. The explosion from the collision caused most of them to explode midair.

Feeling a slight pain in his right leg, Volcanicus looked down to see Slogs’ vacant pretender shell slashing at him with all it had. Giving the shell a negligent kick, he was happy to see it collide with the Predacon Stinkbomb before turning to swat Shriek out of the sky towards Jawbreaker. Hearing large footsteps behind him, Volcanicus barely turned in time to dodge a recovered Monstructors death touch. Grabbing their hand and punching them in the chest, Volcanicus flipped Monstructor over his shoulder and onto the street, flattening the remaining tank drones that had been attacking him. The Dinobot combiner then began to deliver blow after burning blow to the Horrorcon combiner.

Looking on at the warring combiners, Optimus couldn’t help but worry. While with Volcanicus they may drive the Decepticons out of Las Vegas, he wondered if there would be any of Las Vegas left to save.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In his control center, Galvatron was watching the battle with increasing furor. The Autobots arrival he’d accounted for, but not one of his ultimate combiners being bested so easily. Where did the Dinobots pick up that trick?

Looking back at the screen, he spotted a pink and blue Maximal near Optimus Prime. Closer examination revealed her identity.

“Arcee!” Galvatron seethed at the sight of his twins’ latest body. “So, you mock me further by taking a beast mode of your own?” Turning away from the screen, he opened a communication channel to Tarantulas.

“Tarantulas, it is time.” He spoke as the scientist appeared on screen in his new lab. It had taken some convincing, but Tarantulas agreed to move his lab to one of the buildings near his command center to keep his experiments safe should they need Trypticon.

“I’d love to, gyah.” Tarantulas replied as he dodged a green Kremzeek. “But these little pests are all over the place.”

“Do I have to think of everything?” Galvatron grumbled to himself before addressing the spider again. “They seem to follow energy, reroute all power to the backup generator, they should follow.”

“I’ll have to, ouch, do that at the generator. They shorted out my remote access, OW!” Tarantulas yelped as a yellow Kremzeek bounced off his aft with a jolt.

“Very well.” Galvatron answered, enjoying Tarantulas’ pain immensely. “In the meantime, I shall use the spacebridge to remove the Dinobot combiner from play. Yes.” He knew they’d need a big show of force to maneuver the worlds’ governments into doing what he wanted them to, and there was no kill, like overkill. But first things first.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Back on the Vegas strip, Volcanicus had Monstructor pinned to the street with his foot as the weary combiner attempted to get back up. Drawing his sword, the Dinobot combiner prepared to drive it through their head before a spacebridge portal opened above him.

This spacebridge, however, was different. Once the portal opened a vacuum force appeared with it, sucking everything into it like an airplane cabin losing pressure at a high altitude. Vehicon drones, building debris and every other loose article on the street was being sucked up into the portal. Looking up at the portal, Optimus realized that he was looking at Cybertron from sub orbit. Suddenly, its’ appearance and location made sense.

“Volcanicus! Run!” Prime yelled as he grabbed onto the wreckage of a nearby hotel to anchor himself. All around him, several Autobots and Maximals were anchoring themselves as best as possible. Unfortunately, the Dinobot combiner didn’t hear him as he was lifted from the ground. Monstructor griped onto the street to avoid being pulled in as well. Giving one final roar of rage as he was pulled in, Volcanicus vanished through the portal before it winked out of existence.

“NO!!!” Slash screamed from where Kumara had anchored here to the ground with her webs. All those who knew the smallest Dinobot felt her pain but were more worried about Monstructor getting back up.

“Now.” They growled as they stared down at their opponents. “Where were we?”

All around the street, the lights went out as the power was redirected. This had the unintended side effect of pulling the Kremzeeks along with it as they searched for more energy to feed on with all the bots on the strip being untouchable. Apparently dark energon didn’t agree with them and the Autobots were all insulated against the Kremzeeks.

“Well, that’s one less problem to.” Monstructor began as a low hum began to echo across the area. The hum turned into a roar a moment before a blue and silver blur flew past the combiner, lowering a Mach five sonic boom on him, shattering every piece of glass in the area and forcing everyone else in the area to cover their ears and audio receptors.

As the blurr banked around, they could see it was an F-15 fighter jet. Instead of hitting the afterburner again, it cut its’ engine. Flipping end over end in midair, the jet barreled towards Monstructor before reigniting its’ engine and hitting the afterburner in the dark combiners face. The sudden pain and heat forced the Horrorcons out of their combiner mode and to the street. Pulling a loop the loop in midair, the jet transformed and landed near the Autobots.

The collective bots recognized the newcomer as a Decepticon seeker. He was a bit broader in the shoulders and had a different color scheme, but his resemblance to Starscream was uncanny. The seeker was especially familiar with Goldbug and agent Watson.

“You?” Goldbug exclaimed, stepping closer to Charlie.

“Me.” Thundercracker confirmed.

“But we killed you.” Charlie added, surprising most everyone in attendance.

“I got better.” Thundercracker joked. “Skywarp didn’t though.” In truth, he’d only survived by shooting through the hull of the ship they tried to crush him with at the last minute and diving through the hole. He’d still been injured, and it’d taken him over a decade to fully recover, but in that time, he’d found his true calling in film but that was a story for another time.

Any further conversation was halted by the sound of transformation. Looking down the street, they saw the Predacons and Horrorcons retreating. The thing that drew their attention, however, was the fact that Galvatrons’ base was transforming.

Rising slightly out of the Earth, a saurian pair of legs folded together and lifted most of the base up before it folded in on itself and flipped around to form a torso and reptilian head. A short pair of arms emerged as the front of the base shifted into a tail. Finally, twin cannons the size of office buildings came to rest on its shoulders. Taking a tentative step that shook the area, the fully transformed base gave a roar.

Trypticon had risen again.

“Ultra Magnus!” Optimus called into his comms. “We require reinforcements, Trypticon is active. Repeat, Trypticon IS active!”

“I’ll send who I can.” Ultra Magnus replied. “The other two Vehicon generals sprung Tankor and we have wounded from the wreckers last mission.” He explained. “I’ll attempt to get Fortress Maximus mobile, but even if we left now, we’re over an hour away.” While troops he could bridge in, Maximus was just too big to do so.

“Very well.” Optimus replied.

“Autobots, hold the line!”

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Over at the backup generator, Tarantulas was monitoring the containment of the Kremzeeks. Thankfully, the little pests hadn’t overloaded it and once he had them contained it was only at forty percent capacity. The scientist had to admit, whoever had made these things was a genius on par with him. Turning to watch Trypticon advance on the Autobots, he couldn’t help laughing. Maybe Optimus Prime would be dead before Unicron could possess Nemesis Prime.

An alarm from the generators’ control panel caught Tarantulas’ attention. Looking at the readout, the scientist balked. The generators’ capacity was at eighty seven percent and rising rapidly. He wondered how that could be possible before it hit him. Did these things breed?

The alarm began sounding more urgently and Tarantulas saw that in the scant few seconds since he’d last looked at it, the capacity had hit one hundred seventeen percent. The metal of the machine began to groan as cracks began to appear in the shell. Looking down at the panel again, the scientist saw that capacity had hit one twenty-five before the words ‘explosion imminent’ lit up the screen. Tarantulas gave a sigh.

“Well, fu-.” The Predacon scientists’ curse was cut off as the generator exploded in a blinding flash of light. Being right next to it, Tarantulas’ body was almost completely obliterated. The largest remaining parts (about the size of a human finger) landed several miles away. While he would regenerate within a few days with Unicrons’ power, the effects of his temporary destruction would have drastic consequences for the war.

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Within Tarantulas’ lab, Megatron watched as Shockwave suddenly grasped at his head. Groaning, the cyclopean scientist reared his head back and screamed as his optic flashed between blue and red again as both emotions and autonomy returned to him for the first time in millions of years. Collapsing on all fours, Shockwave breathed heavily.

“My, my mind.” He breathed. “What did that slag heap do to me?”

“Shockwave?” Megatron called out. Shockwave looked at Megatron with a single blue optic.

“I’m free.” Shockwave replied astonished at the notion. Looking over at the finished Nemesis Prime, he shook his head. “We don’t have much time.” Grabbing a surgical table, he went over to Megatron and released him from the wall.

“What do you?” Megatron began before Shockwave cut him off as he laid him on the table.

“I’ll explain later, right now I need to get you out of here.”

“Bring Transmutate!” Megatron ordered.

“I was already planning to.” Shockwave placated. Unlocking her cage, Shockwave watched as the deformed femme scrambled out and clambered onto the surgical table with Megatron. Seeing Megatron smile slightly at the younglings’ safety, Shockwave chuckled warmly.

“Parenthood is a good look for you.” Megatron glowered at Shockwave but didn’t deny the accusation. As Shockwave pushed the two through the deserted halls, he started comparing a list of what he needed versus what they had room for in their escape vehicle. Entering the hangar, he spotted the ship they were going to escape with.

“Astrotrain?” Megatron asked as he saw the triple changer just sitting there in shuttle mode. He'd wondered what had happened to him as he wasn’t a victim of the latest Predacon project.

“Another wrong I need to correct.” Shockwave explained. Admittedly, he was thankful he’d been ordered to give him a transwarp drive before this. “I shall return in a few moments.”

Returning to the lab with a couple of moving carts, Shockwave gathered all the parts and equipment he’d need for his next project. The restoration of Megatron. The process only took a few minutes since he’d organized the lab himself, but it felt like an eternity.

Just as he was about to leave, Shockwave spotted the damaged Skyboom Shield. Tarantulas never had been able to figure out how to restore it. Then again, he’d never asked him about it either.

“Why not.” Shockwave muttered to himself. Grabbing the Prime relic, he hurried back to Astrotrain.

“Shockwave.” Megatron asked when he returned. “Why can’t Astrotrain speak?”

“Domestication.” Shockwave answered simply. “A shadow play variant where one dents a patients’ T-cog so they cannot transform and then cut away enough personality so that all their left with is enough to follow orders and feel pain if they resist. Tarantulas used it on beast bot test animals before the war.”

Megatron looked genuinely sick.

“In any case.” Shockwave continued as the hangar door opened. “We need to get as far from here as possible while Galvatron’s distracted.”

As Astrotrains’ engines flared to life and fired, Shockwave put the coordinates for their first stop into navigation. They’d need to make a few transwarp jumps to keep Galvatron from following them later. However, as the triple changer exited the hangar, he noticed Trypticon was now engaged with a giant technicolor electric monster. Idly, Shockwave mused that they might have more time than he thought.

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Optimus looked up in shock. As Trypticon had begun to bare down on them, something nearby exploded in a flash of light, releasing what looked like a giant multicolored Kremzeek. While not as tall as Trypticon, it seemed to be more muscular. An odd thing to say since it was made of many bioelectric entities. As the giant Kremzeek turned to look at Trypticon, Optimus noticed that its appearance was like a tie-dye kaleidoscope with various groups of Kremzeeks moving in packs by color.

“Kremzeek?” The giant called in a surprisingly deep voice. Trypticon replied with a roar before swinging his tail at it. To everyone's surprise, his tail glanced off Kremzeek and spasmed a moment before going limp. A second later a dark purple pulse spread through the tail, revitalizing it.

“Kremzeek!!!” It called as it charged Trypticon. The Decepticon colossus stepped aside, causing the bioelectric giant to trip and land on the ground. The orange hatch on Trypticons’ snout opened, revealing a laser array. In his ship mode, this would’ve been the Nemesis’ primary fusion cannon. In beast mode however, it was also Trypticons’ primary weapon.

Giving a mighty roar, Trypticon unleashed a full power fusion blast at the amalgamated Kremzeek. However, rather than harm or dissipate it, the blast was being absorbed by it. And more alarmingly, Kremzeek seemed to be growing bigger. Realizing that his desired effect wasn’t happening, Trypticon stopped firing as the bioelectric giant stood back up. Only now it was as tall as he was.

Roaring again, Trypticon tried a different approach by firing a barrage of missiles at Kremzeek, only for it to take off like a shot towards him. Infuriatingly, the missiles were short circuiting and detonating before impact, which was serving to only annoy Kremzeek.

Reactivating his comms, Optimus attempted to get a situation update from Ultra Magnus. To his surprise however, Rodimus hailed him on the emergency frequency.

“Optimus, do you read me? Optimus!” Rodimus yelled in a frenzy.

Optimus was confused. Rodimus was keeping the United Nations informed of the evolving situation. What could have gotten him into such a panic? He answered the Autobot diplomat.

“I read you Rodimus, what is wrong?”

“Optimus, I tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t see reason.” Rodimus began.

“Who wouldn’t see reason?”

“A group of nations feel we can’t handle Trypticon and they’ve decided on a nuclear option.” He explained.

“You mean?!”

“There are over a dozen nuclear missiles headed for your location!”

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In his control center, Galvatron listened in on the unencrypted frequency. While he couldn’t raise either Tarantulas or Shockwave, he knew enough about spacebridges to pull this off. He couldn’t help smiling. The foolish fleshlings had played right into his hands.

Glancing at his monitor observing the fight, he watched as the electrical giant ram into Trypticon and seemingly merge with him. Across the behemoth explosions began going off as he staggered back jerkily and transformed back into base mode. It really didn’t matter to Galvatron though. With all the dark energon they’d pumped into him, Trypticon would be back on his feet in days. Unlike his opponent who wasn’t emerging from him.

Hearing a proximity alert go off, Galvatron turned to his radar array. Coming right at his base were well over a dozen missiles, as promised. This would be easier than he thought.

“Computer, run program ‘Catch and Release’, now.” He ordered.

On que, the computer analyzed the approach vector of each missile as well as its design. For such crude weaponry, this did not take very long. Next, a spacebridge portal opened in front of each one, the missile soaring right through it and into a prepared catch zone where drones would temporarily disarm the war head as well as the rocket engine in less than ten seconds. Galvatron laughed as the computer showed that the program was complete.

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It was time to make his move.

On the Vegas strip, the Autobots were staring confused as the nuclear missiles disappeared from the sky. Before anyone could question what had happened, Galvatrons’ voice came across every available frequency.

“Good day to you fleshlings.” Galvatron began in his usual oily tone. “I am Galvatron, leader of the Decepticons with an ultimatum.” Those who were getting the message through a video screen were now seeing spacebridge portals open over several world capitals. Washington D.C., Bejing, Paris, London, Tokyo, Moscow and most disturbingly to some, Baghdad all had portals over them.

“Your governments have taken a side in a war far older than your species.” He continued. “However, I have no true quarrel with your kind, so I shall give you a warning. My Decepticons and I wish to end our war with as few human casualties as possible.” Galvatron lied. Ultimately, he didn’t care if the meat sacks lived or died.

“I shall make this simple.” The Decepticon commander continued. “Should any country make a move against my forces, I shall drop a nuclear device that you’ve so lovingly provided into the very heart of every major country on the planet. This also includes giving aid to the Autobots. Yes.” He finished, ending the transmission.

Arcee watched the video in shock. Galvatron had single handedly crippled the human's ability to help them through fear and intimidation. The worlds’ governments would be watching each other to make sure they didn’t receive any assistance. One thing Arcee could say about her brother, he knew how to manipulate people.

“Optimus?” Arcee asked the brooding Autobot leader. Above them, the sound of thunder echoed out and rain began to pour down.

“Autobots, return to base.” He said solemnly.

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As he and his men left what was once Las Vegas, agent Simmons couldn’t help feeling that his career was over. He had failed to drive Galvatron out of the city, the latest in a string of failures in the last six months. Sector Sevens’ name was effectively dirt now.

“Excuse me.” Came a new voice. Looking up, Simmons saw the blue and silver Starscream clone looking at him. “I don’t know if we’ve met, I’m Thundercracker, but I’m better known to you humans as Turner Crayven.” He introduced himself.

“And?”

“I was wondering if you were in the market for a PR and Marketing counselor?”

“It’s a nice thought.” Simmons answered, barely registering that this ET was claiming to be a famous director. “But I don’t think Sector Seven is going to be around after this.”

“Yeah.” Thundercracker admitted. “Your name does have a fair bit of bad press now, but I think a little rebranding could fix that. I even thought of a name you can use.” He offered.

At first, Simmons wanted to tell Thundercracker to take a hike, but then, what did he have to lose? Might as well see if he could salvage any of his career at this point.

“Alright.” He began. “What are you thinking?”

“Well, how about using tech to create vehicles that can transform instead of just copying Cybertronians?” Thundercracker replied, pulling a notepad from a compartment. “Cars, Trucks and Tanks that turn into planes, helicopters and weapons platforms might be more manageable, and they’d make a great toy line to help pay for your expenses.”

“Toy line?”

“It worked for G.I. Joe.”

“What name did you come up with?” Simmons asked. Thundercracker showed him the notepad he was using. He raised an eyebrow.

“Mobile Armored Strike Kommand?”

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Meanwhile, far from both Vegas and Autobot city, in the wreckage of old Omega Outpost one. Tankor finally came to a stop after their escape. Transforming, he turned to look at the other two generals.

“What are we doing in this old mausoleum?” Jetstorm asked as she and Thrust transformed and Tankor removed the patch assembly. The jet general was caught off guard as he surged forward and slammed his fist into Jetstorms’ head, rendering her unconscious.

“Tankor! What are you?” Thrust yelled before the tank general fired his cannon, driving him into a wall. As Thrust began to regenerate, Tankor let loose another savage blow to Thrusts’ head, knocking him out too.

Looking at his unconscious friends and the ruined outpost, Tankor couldn’t help feeling slightly nostalgic. It’d been thousands of years since they’d been here. It was where it all began for them, and in a sense where it all ended.

If only Wheeljack had escaped in their universe like he had in this one.

Looking back at Thrust and Jetstorm. No, at Jack and Miko. Rafael Esquivel gave a sigh and spoke properly for the first time in centuries.

“Don’t worry guys.” He whispered, picking up the patch equipment. “I’ll find us a way out of this.”

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In the lab facility in his Vegas fortress, the stormy weather seemed to reflect Galvatrons’ temper. Tarantulas had been blown up with the backup generator and would be unavailable for the next few days while he regenerated. His momentary destruction had also allowed Shockwave to slip his Mnemosurgical bonds and escape with both Megatron and the Skyboom Shield. To make matters worse, he still hadn’t heard from his Vehicon generals.

“THEN I BELIEVE IT IS TIME FOR ME TO CLAIM MY HOST.” Unicrons’ voice echoed in Galvatrons’ mind. “AND FOR YOU TO BEGIN THE NEXT STAGE OF YOUR PLAN.”

“Master.” Galvatron began, fighting back the surge of annoyance of having to call anyone that. “I do not know how to facilitate such a possession. And with Tarantulas indisposed.”

“YOU NEED ONLY STAND BEFORE THE VESSEL.” Unicron answered.

Nodding, Galvatron stood before the inert form of Nemesis Prime. Looking down, he saw his chest hull open, exposing the Dark Matrix of Conquest. For a moment, he considered ripping it out while it was exposed, but a surge of pain at the thought curtailed it. Looking back up, he noticed that Nemesis’ chest hull was open too, exposing the half spark from Rampage.

There was a loud crash of thunder before a beam of violet energy surged from the dark matrix into Nemesis Prime, consuming and corrupting the spark half and causing the body to convulse on the slab it was bolted to. Part way through the process, a pulse of energy erupted from the beam, destroying the lights and plunging the lab into semidarkness lit only by the energy of the dark matrix. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity in a moment, the beam stopped and both chests slammed shut, plunging the room into full darkness. Breathing heavily, Galvatron looked up at the sound of metal straining and breaking. Then, a pair of purple glowing optics shined through the darkness.

“Master?” Galvatron asked. A bright flash of lightning illuminated the lab, revealing the black teal and silver of Nemesis Primes’ new form. While he retained the overall look of Optimus Prime, his new body was more angular. He had a missile pod on each shoulder now and his arms were more streamlined and capped with twin wrist mounted blasters that seemed to be made from his vehicle modes’ exhaust pipes.

“Indeed.” Nemesis Prime spoke with a deep growl. Reaching out with his powers, Nemesis found what had happened with his generals.

“I see.” He continued as the labs’ lights came back online. “Initiating Mnemosurgical wipe of the last few hours on Thrust Jetstorm and Tankor, and reboot.” He ordered before turning to Galvatron. “Prepare a spacebridge to retrieve them.”

“I you expect me to take orders like that just because you have a body now.” Galvatron was cut off as Nemesis Prime deployed a blade from his left wrist and held it under his chin.

“You shall do as I ask, my anti-prime.” He threatened, pressing the tip of the blade ever so slightly into Galvatrons’ neck. After holding it there a moment, Nemesis Prime removed it before stepping over to the remains of a Vehicon who’d perished in the reformatting chamber.

“Always remember Galvatron.” He said, never taking his optic from him. “You exist and have power because I desire it.” With a swift motion, he stabbed the cadaver through the jaw with the tip exiting just past the top of the head. “And should I cease to desire it.” With another swift motion, Nemesis Prime ripped the Vehicons’ face clean off. “You shall cease to be.”

Seeing the Vehicon face land on the floor in front of him, Galvatron felt a surge of fear run through his spark that waged war with his fury at being little more than a servant. Ultimately, the fear won by a narrow margin. Turning to the spacebridge controls, he activated the portal.

“Understood, master.”

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Back in the ruins of the Autobot outpost, Raf removed the cord for the Cortical Psychic Patch from Miko. He had spent the better part of the last half an hour installing what was called a Treppan Trigger in both her and Jack and tying it to their repressed memories. Once they awoke, all he’d have to do is say the code words and they would have their memories back and from there, they could make their escape.

This was not to be, however.

Suddenly, a surging heat erupted in the back of Rafs’ mind. Looking at Jack and Miko, he could see them convulsing on the ground. Feeling his recovered memories slipping away, he turned his fusion cannon to a blank stretch of wall and fired. Desperately, he tried to finish his work but, in the end, he collapsed before he could.

Moments later, Thrust, Jetstorm and Tankor rose up off the floor.

“Ohh, what happened?” Thrust asked as he looked around. “How’d we get here?”

“Wherever here is.” Jetstorm added, looking at Tankor. “And where’d you come from?” Last she knew, the Autobots still had him.

The large Vehicon gave a shrug accompanied by a growling noise. He couldn’t help it, but he felt like he was forgetting something important.

“Thrust, Jetstorm, Tankor.” Galvatron called through their comms as a spacebridge portal opened. “Return to base at once.”

“Yeah, yeah prune puss, we’re coming.” Jetstorm replied before entering the portal alongside the other two. None of them realized what had transpired, or the clue they left behind.

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In an emergency Decepticon bunker deep in the Amazon rainforest, Shockwave had finally finished unloading Astrotrain and setting up a makeshift labratory. Now, he was working on something on a nearby table.

“So.” Megatron asked from the table he rested on. “You’ve been Tarantulas’ puppet since before the war, and he’s been using us to further Unicrons’ goals?”

“And with him out of the picture.” Shockwave continued in reply. “I have a chance to help you derail his plans.”

“How?” Megatron asked.

“Well, first a new body for you.” Shockwave began as he continued his work. “Then, restoring Astrotrain. I should be able to use what that spider did to you to your advantage.” he explained.

“You mean the spark mitosis experiment.”

“Was a success, and I know how to utilize it.” Shockwave finished, turning around, he revealed that he’d removed his gun arm at the elbow and replaced it with a Vehicon arm and hand. “However, it’ll be easier with two hands.” Nodding, Megatron looked Shockwave in the optic.

“Then let us not waste time. You may begin.”

Notes:

A/N: How do you like them apples? I did say there’d be some unlikely heroes here.

I long planned for Thrust Jetstorm and Tankor to be Jack Miko and Raf from another universe. In their universe, they and Wheeljack never made it out of Darkmount in chapter 2 and eventually they were found and had their sparks extracted by Sideways in that universe (I only have him as a cameo character in this story) and placed into their current bodies.

Nemesis Primes’ upgraded form in this story is a modified version of the Legacy Scourge toy with a dash of Armada Optimus in the wrist blasters. He will have a trailer he can combine with, but that won’t be until the next chapter. And I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist having him do a Bayverse face rip. I figured it fit him better than Optimus. Note: for all intents and purposes, Nemesis Prime and Unicron are one and the same.

Thundercracker in this story was a late addition, heavily inspired by his IDW story, to help move the human element of the story along. However, while the rebranded Sector Seven/ the future M.A.S.K. may appear in future chapters, I will not write any stories about them.

That said, as I’ve written this, I’ve realized that there’s a lot more side stories and backstories than I realized. (Bit of a problem with an ensemble cast) While I’d love to explore things more in story, it would add more chapters that take away from the main plot. The solution? Take a page out of IDWs’ book.

Coming soon: Spotlight Prime (working title) A series of small stories that take place in the Beast Wars Prime universe. Ex. Bumblebee meeting Charlie Watson, the histories between Drift and Lockdown as well as Onslaught and Kup and more.

Until then, please, subscribe, kudo, and comment.

Next time: Family secrets finally revealed.

Chapter 47: Family Secrets Finally Revealed

Notes:

Hello everyone, I hope you’re ready for a big chapter of fights, surprises and feels. Quick note, I did have to change a word in the last chapter. I meant to write hours instead of days when the Vehicons were getting their memories wiped. Fair warning, there is some sensitive material in this chapter regarding Mikos’ childhood and I apologize for it. Enjoy!

On the distant planet of Cybertron, deep within its’ new hiding place, the ancient supercomputer Vector Sigma reactivated. It had been watching events unfold through the various means at its’ disposal, primarily through the eyes of its’ host and influencing events where it could. Taking a moment to fully analyze all the events that had happened thus far, it concluded only one thing.

“It is time.” The computer spoke. The orb of its’ body began to glow and spin before releasing an encoded transmission in the form of a pulse that would reach its’ recipients across the galaxies.

Its’ work done; Vector Sigma went back into standby mode. All it could do now was wait.

(Near Vector Sigma, a Scraplet hive suddenly became a little more active.)

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In the Autobot City med bay, Velocity was preparing for a rather delicate procedure.

“Alright Lightbright.” The Camien doctor began, turning to the systems analyst on the operating table. “Now I know that Brainstorm was able to perfect the channeler key and siphoned some energy from the Enigma of Combination into it. But are you sure you want to do this?”

“That’s the third time you asked me that Velocity. Yes!” Lightbright replied exasperatedly.

“Okay, okay.” The medic replied. “I just wanted to remind you that once you activate this process, it’ll be irreversible.”

“I know.” Lightbright replied seriously. The tone belying her usual personality. “But I’m willing to make that sacrifice for Sparkstalker, and there’s no guarantee that Magnaboss will be on hand to help him when he shows up again.” She explained. There was a beat of silence before Velocity nodded.

“I understand.” She confirmed. Turning back to the nearby instrument panel, she reached for a switch.

“Commencing stasis lock, now.” Velocity announced as she flipped the switch, knocking Lightbright unconscious. Giving one last look to her notes on spark symbiosis, she began the open spark surgery.

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In the Maximal den, Raf was surrounded by the other Maximals as well as their Autobot partners and his brother Enrique. The poor Maximal had been borderline catatonic since his delve into Tankors’ brain the day before. Finally, the young medic was ready to talk.

His revelation came as a complete shock.

“You mean the Vehicon generals are...us?” Miko asked incredulously.

“From a different timeline.” Raf confirmed with a whisper. This got the attention of Heinrad and Rattrap. Giving each other a small nod, they exited the den as the discussion continued.

“Different? How?” Goldbug asked.

“They never got out of Darkmount.” Raf continued. “In our timeline, when we were made into technorganic Maximals, we escaped while combined and met Wheeljack during our escape.”

“I remember that.” Wheeljack replied. “I just snapped my guards’ neck and slipped my cuffs. I ran into you three after your escape.”

“In their timeline, the group of Vehicons we fought afterwards managed to sneak up on us and shoot you through the chest from behind.” Raf explained.

“Ohh, Jackie.” Bulkhead whispered in grief.

“I’m right here Bulkie.” Wheeljack reminded him. He honestly didn’t know how to feel about the fact he was dead in another universe. Now, this dark timeline had his full attention.

“What happened after that Raf?” Jack asked. He took Mikos’ hand in his and gave it a gentle affirming squeeze. A gesture she reciprocated.

“They got shoved into stasis pods after what happened in the lab.” Raf continued. “At some point Unicrons’ forces attacked Darkmount and found us, them.” He corrected himself. “They got their sparks extracted and memories wiped. They’ve been serving Unicron ever since.” He gave a heavy sigh before curling in on himself. Goldbug and Enrique hugged the young Maximal.

“But Tankor knows he’s you now, right?” Sierra asked.

“Possibly.” Raf admitted. “I don’t think Tankor realized that those were his memories too until the very end.” He added quietly.

“Wait.” Enrique interrupted as he looked up at his brother. “If he does remember, and he convinced the other two, do you think they’ll join us?”

“I doubt it.” Fowler commented from a corner of the room. “First thing the Cons probably did was wipe that knowledge from the bruiser.”

“Not helping dad.” Mike threw in, stepping on his dads’ foot.

“It might be a long shot.” Vince began as he looked at Raf. “But do you think the gold disk thingy might have some info about them?” The rest of the room looked at him with varying levels of surprise.

“Why do you guys act surprised when I come up with good ideas?”

“The disk might have the answers we need.” Arcee agreed. “I think it’s still in the science lab.” She looked to where Heinrad and Rattrap had been only to find them gone. Where could they have gotten to?

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A couple of hallways over, Kibo and Gary were in a hushed debate.

“I’m just saying it’s a possibility.” Kibo argued with his cousin. “The three of them could be from our timeline.”

“Are you sure?” Gary asked skeptically. “Or are you just hoping you can get your parents back?”

“It’s possible that Tankor IS uncle Raf.” Kibo countered, sidestepping Gary's insinuation. “We both know how powerful Unicron is. Is it really that big a stretch that he used all three to make a Vehicon combiner?”

“Okay, your dad maybe, but your mom died of.” Gary argued only for Kibo to cut him off.

“It’s still within the realm of possibility.” Kibo stubbornly replied. “Look, let’s just go to where we last had a read on them before they vanished. At the very least, we might find some clues. If we’re lucky, we might find them.”

“And what do we do if we find them?” Gary asked.

“I can use my powers to hold them in place and I was hoping you could use yours to give their brains a little reboot.” There were several moments of silence as Gary looked at Kibo, down at the floor, and back at him again.

“Very big.” Gary answered.

“Very big?”

“The size of those big Tanuki balls of yours.” Gary replied with a smirk as Kibo spluttered. “I’m in. Their last coordinates were the old Omega one outpost.”

“Irony.” Kibo muttered to himself as he nodded towards the shuttle bay. Of course, it’d be where their family’s adventures first started. “Let’s go.” They would ‘borrow’ one of the hover skiffs Perceptor invented to get around Autobot City to get to the outpost. Little did the two know that their decision would be the first domino in the series of events that revealed so many secrets.

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As the two time traveling Maximals left Autobot City, the other Maximals found the Golden Disk. Inserting it into Teletraan-2, they watched as the hologram of the older Rhinox shimmered into view.

“You have further questions?” Old man Rhinox asked. There was a moment of hesitation before Fowler stepped forward.

“Rhinox, what can you tell us about the Vehicon generals?”

“I am sorry, but my responses are limited.” Rhinox replied. “You must ask the right questions.”

“Who are, Thrust, Jetstorm, and Tankor?” He tried again.

“I am sorry, but my responses are limited. You must ask the right questions.”

“Maybe a broader spectrum question.” Jack hedged. “Rhinox, can you give us a breakdown on Galvatrons’ troops?”

“In addition to Shockwave and Tarantulas.” Rhinox began. “He was able to convert the remaining Vehicons into a new type of Predacon. Finally, he was able to recover a team called the Combaticons who he used to hunt down and slaughter the Autobots across the galaxy as well as another group called the Horrorcons who’ve hunted us across Cybertron and Earth.”

“It doesn't sound like Galvatron used them in the other timeline.” Raf stated, looking down. “I guess Optimus’ continued survival caused Galvatron to recruit them.”

“So, we still don’t know anything about them?” Miko groaned exasperatedly. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“Ah, have you figured it out then Miko?” Rhinox asked with a knowing look.

“Figured what out?” Miko asked.

From where he stood, Rafs’ eyes widened in a panic as he looked at Enrique. Would his older self include a command to reveal Heinrad and Rattraps’ identities? If he did, then this was going to be a mess of epic proportions.

“They didn’t tell you yet, did they?” Rhinox asked Rhetorically.

“Who?” Jack asked, confused. Was the disk malfunctioning?

“Heinrad and Rattrap.”

“Oh no.” Came a faint whisper from the lab door. Looking at it, they saw June had arrived and was looking at the hologram of Rhinox wide eyed.

“Mom?” Jack asked, looking toward his mother. “What is he talking about?”

June looked around the lab, hoping to see her grandchildren and hopefully get their blessing about what she had a feeling was about to happen. Seeing that they weren’t there, however, and realizing that the disk had already poured fuel onto the fire, she figured there was no point putting this off. She just hoped they would forgive her. Both her children AND grandchildren.

“Did you ever wonder who Rattrap and Heinrad are?” She asked. The other Maximals looked at each other. That seemed like an odd question. Come to think of it, they saw so little of the time travelers that they never got the chance to ask about them.

“We just know they’re from an alternate future.” Allison replied.

“I think Smokescreen once mentioned to me that they’re second generation Maximals.” Jack spoke to no one in particular. The statement hung in the air a moment before Fowlers’ eyes widened in shock.

“You have got to be kidding me.” He asked in surprise.

“What?” Sierra asked.

“We are the first generation of modern Maximals.” Raf explained. “So, for them to be second generation.” He let that statement hang in the air too and waited for the penny to drop.

Jacks’ eyes widened in understanding before looking at his mother.

“Who is whose?” He asked.

“What do you mean Jack?” Miko asked, looking her boyfriend in the eye.

Looking at Miko, Jack couldn’t help kicking himself a little mentally. Miko had shown him a picture of a Tanuki after they met Heinrad and told him it was from Japan. That should’ve been a big red flag for both of them.

“Our children.” Jack answered. “Heinrad and Rattrap are our kids.”

“More specifically.” Raf added. “Heinrad is yours and Mikos’ son. Rattrap is Vince and Sierras’.”

“You knew!” Sierra borderline shrieked as Vince stared at them slack jawed.

“I only just found out.” Raf admitted.

“And they asked me to keep it a secret.” June added.

“I still think that’s something you should’ve told us.” Jack countered heatedly.

“Miko was one cranky pregnant lady.” The hologram Rhinox quipped. “But if I’d laid an egg that big.”

“Oh, shut up.” Miko growled as she went over to Teletraan and ejected the golden disk. “But I agree, we should’ve been told about them.” June stepped forward to comfort her children only for them to turn away from her.

“Could, could you give us some time mom?” Jack asked as kindly as he could. He was equal parts shocked, furious, and scared at the moment and didn’t want to lash out at her. To say nothing of what Miko would be feeling.

“I, I understand.” June replied sadly as she walked out of the lab.

Jack turned to Miko. “Miko, I.” He was cut off as the femme in question grabbed his upper arms and teleported them out in a flash of burgundy. Whatever they had to say to each other, would be said in private.

In the corner, Arcees’ brain was going a million miles a minute. Heinrad was Jack and Mikos’ son? Then she remembered back to when the two time travelers first appeared. Rattrap had mentioned shaking hands with great aunt ar- before she cut him off. He must’ve meant her, their great aunt Arcee.

Something else occurred to her. Jack had gained his new body before Heinrad was conceived. Her jaw dropped. Then that made Heinrad Optimus Primes’ grandson!

“Could you guys give me and Vinnie some privacy?” Sierra asked the room.

As the other Maximals and bots began to file out of the room, Arcee decided she’d better go find June. Transforming into her wolf mode, she quickly picked up her sisters’ scent. She knew that this revelation was going to hurt, but it was necessary.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once they were alone, Sierra looked at her still catatonic boyfriend. The red headed bat bot was still staring off into space with a glassy look.

“Vinnie? Vinnie!” Sierra tried to get his attention. She snapped her fingers in front of his face. This seemed to bring him to reality as he looked at his girlfriend.

“Oh god, we’re parents.” He whispered before his eyes widened. “Our kid grew up an orphan.” He added with a whimper, tears forming in his eyes. He remembered how much it hurt to lose his dad. Especially since his mother cared more about her next drink than how he was coping with the loss.

“I know.” She whispered to him. Transforming into her plant mode, she wrapped her vines around him in an all-encompassing hug. “I don’t know what happened in his timeline, but it looks like they’re here to stay.” She nuzzled his forehead. “We can get to know him here and now.”

“Then let’s go find him.” Vince whispered, tears still in his eyes. After being released from her vines and watching her transform, Vince wrapped his arms around Sierra. “I know I don’t say it as much as I should, but I love you Sierra.” He whispered.

“You don’t have to say it, for me to know it.” Sierra giggled. Turning around, she kissed Vince on the lips. “Come on, we have a son to introduce ourselves to.”

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In Mikos’ quarters, she and Jack appeared in a flash. Releasing her boyfriend, Miko began to pace her room at a feverish pace.

“Miko.” Jack began before said femme cut him off.

“Full disclosure, no I do not lay eggs.”

“What? No I.”

“I don’t know what Raf was thinking.” Miko continued as she paced. “Never pegged him as being a troll but.”

“MIKO!” Jack yelled. “We have more important things to.”

“I don’t know how to be a mom!” Miko yelled back. There was a moment of silence before she continued. “You know my parents only ever pretended to love me. Hell, they had me taken apart last time I saw them. And that’s not the worst.” Miko suddenly clamped her hands over her mouth at the slip.

“Miko.” Jack said, placing his hands on her shoulders. Miko turned away embarrassed. “What are you talking about.” At her continued silence, he crouched down to look her in the eyes. “You can tell me.” He reassured her.

Dropping her arms to her sides, Miko looked up at Jack.

“At one point in Japan, I was in a pretty dark place.” Miko began with a sigh. This memory was going to hurt. “My...donors hadn’t been home in over a month, and I had just gotten a scathing video message about how much of a disappointment I was.” Sensing what might be coming, Jack wrapped his arms around her.

“I finally found the person I wanted to be, and they flat out hated it and me.” Miko continued. “They said they had found a few possible husbands and were planning to send me to a school to ‘reeducate’ me.”

“What did you do?” he asked gently.

“I, I planned to jump off the apartment balcony.” She admitted quietly. “I didn’t want to live like that. I was recording a video for my suicide note when I saw an email about the foreign exchange program. That’s when I got the hairbrained idea to run away while in America.”

“And the rest was history?” Jack asked, hugging her tightly. Feeling her nod against his chest. Took a deep breath of his own.

“I don’t know how to be a dad either Miko.” He began. “My father walked out on us, and I just acted horribly afterwards.” Miko looked up at him with a confused expression. “I was a wild child when I was little. Broke almost everything I got my hands on. Then one day, I caused mom to have a breakdown.” He admitted.

“Wow.” Miko said stunned. She never knew Jack had been like that.

“It was bad.” He continued. “She spent over an hour crying in her bed over everything. My dad being gone, her grandfather dying, my behavior and being a single mother. Something in me changed when I realized I caused that.” Jack smiled. “I started by bringing her a sandwich and saying I was sorry. After that I just kept trying to be whatever she needed me to be.”

“Sorry.” Jack apologized after a moment. “I know it’s nothing compared to what you went through.”

“Neither of us has an idea what we’re doing do we?” Miko finished, holding Jack tightly. A few minutes passed before either of them spoke again.

“I want to meet our son.” Miko whispered and smiled as Jack hugged her tighter.

“Me too.” Jack replied. “We can figure this parenting thing out together.” He added as he pulled back. Leaning forward again, Jack and Miko kissed each other deeply. When it ended, the two uttered the same sentence.

“I love you.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

In the Maximals’ den, Arcee finally caught up with June. Said spider femme was currently at the table, going through the photo albums admiring the pictures of her and Jack from when he’d been a little boy.

“June?”

“You can come here Arcee.” She replied. “I felt you coming.”

Still in wolf mode. Arcee trotted up to the table before transforming and joining her sister. Looking at the album, she saw a picture of her and a young Jack smiling at the camera on what looked like Christmas morning. In contrast, next to it, was Jack crying in the lap of an admitiddly creepy looking Easter Bunny.

“I always hoped to one day add photos of grandchildren.” June sighed to herself.

“And you will.” Arcee assured her. “I’m sure once Jack and Miko have gotten over the shock, they’ll forgive the secrets.” Honestly, she didn’t know who she was trying to reassure, June or herself.

“June.” Arcee began. “There’s something I need to.” She was cut off as Allison galloped into the room in beast mode.

“Have you seen Rattrap or Heinrad anywhere?” She asked.

“Weren’t they with us earlier?” Arcee asked.

“They were when Raf told us about the generals.” Allison explained as she transformed back to bot mode. “Now we can’t find them anywhere.”

(In a rundown bar in Iacon, a lone bartender paused polishing a glass for a moment as he heard the message. Giving a sigh and a smile, he began to prepare for company)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Within the Decepticon fortress that was once Las Vegas, Thrust Jetstorm and Tankor were trying to make sense of their case of missing time.

“I just can’t figure it out.” Jetstorm complained to the other two, her mask showing an annoyed emoticon. “One second, we’re fighting the critters, next we’re waking up in that old wreck with Tankor.

“To say nothing of the fact that we did recover in that time.” Thrust added. “Perhaps we learned something integral in that time?” Tankor simply shrugged his shoulders, he had no idea what had happened either. He went from being stuck in a holding cell to being on the ground somewhere else.

“Maybe it had something to do with that one Maximal with the clock in it.” Thrust continued, replaying his memory of their battle in his mind. “I did sense tachyons when he warped.” He gave Jetstorm a smirk. “Really sent you for a loop if I remember correctly.”

“You don’t.” Jetstorm pouted, an embarrassed emoticon replacing the annoyed one before switching to a happy face. “And I think I just had an idea.” She added.

“What?” Thrust asked.

“Riddle me this.” Jetstorm began as she began to pace in the air. “What do you get when you combine a remote-controlled spacebridge and the proper equipment to warp time?”

“A portal to anywhere, or any when.” Thrust answered before his optics widened. “And with a little creative ingenuity, a potential ticket back to our home universe.”

“Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.” Jetstorm laughed before Tankor growled a counterargument. Specifically, what would there be to stop this Unicron from pulling them back here.

“We’ll just have to suck it up and talk to our Unicron.” Thrust replied. While they didn’t like it, they’d at most be asked to do the occasional favor for him as opposed to all the dirty work with this one.

“Let me just set the scanner array to seek out tachyons and see what we come up with.” Jetstorm spoke as she accessed the systems from a nearby terminal. “As backwater as this planet is, there can’t be that many sources.” A few moments later a nearby tachyon source was found, but not at Autobot City.

“Irony.” Thrust groaned. It was the same place they’d woken up in. He thought for a moment before looking at Tankor.

“How do you feel about dusting off your acting chops?”

(Somewhere in Alpha Centauri, a group of five bots heard Vector Sigmas’ call. Gathering up the relics they’d retrieved (The Leigian Darts, Emberstone and Triptych Mask) they recombined into Nexus Prime and headed for Cybertron.)

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In the now abandoned wreckage of Autobot Outpost Omega One, Heinrad and Rattrap were now looking around the ruined bunker for clues to either prove or disprove the theory of Tankor (and by extension the other generals) being from their timeline. Albeit the two of them felt that they were on hallowed ground, since this was where their parents' adventures with the Autobots first began.

“How sure are we that they were here?” Heinrad asked as he examined the gutted control console Ratchet used to use.

“Does this answer your question?” Rattrap asked, holding up the remains of the cortical psychic patch.

“Yeah.” Heinrad answered. Looking at a nearby wall, he found more evidence. “And this does too.” Following his cousins’ line of sight, Rattrap saw the words burned into the wall.

“Ruin Max?”

“I wonder what that means?” Heinrad asked.

“Either way.” Rattrap began. “They ain’t here, and I don’t think they are coming back.” He jumped as a spacebridge portal opened behind them. “Somehow, I don’t think that’s HQ telling us to come back.” The suspicion was confirmed when Tankor exited the portal. “We’re all gonna die.”

“Shut up, Rattrap.” Heinrad hissed back. He prepared to use his powers to enable a getaway before the tank Vehicon general put his hands up in surrender and shook his head.

“You’re not going to attack us?” He asked. Tankor made a horrific grinding noise as he shook his head, then gave them a sheepish expression as if realizing they couldn’t understand him.

“I think we need to stick to yes or no answers here bud.” Rattrap commented. “Do you know who we are?” At this, Tankor gave a rapid nod and motioned a hug. “Do you know who you are?” At another rapid nod, Heinrad couldn’t help himself.

“Uncle Raf?” He whispered. There was a moment's silence before Tankor nodded and knelt his arms out. Unable to help themselves, the two Maximals surged forward and hugged the larger mech, allowing him to hug them as well.

The moment lasted a little bit before Tankor let go and stood up. He gave a waving motion of his hand to the still active portal and Thrust and Jetstorm emerged before it winked out of existence.

“Hey you two.” Thrust whispered.

“Raf told us everything.” Jetstorm confirmed.

“So, you both know too?” Heinrad asked, hope filling his voice. Was it possible for him to have his mom and dad back?

“We didn’t quite believe him at first.” Jetstorm began. “But the more we thought about it, the more it made some sense.”

“We’ve always had these gaps in our memories.” Thrust continued. “And reactions to things that we don’t know where they come from.”

Heinrad swallowed. He wasn’t sure if they truly remembered, or simply realized something was wrong, but maybe it would be a start. And he swore that he would be there to help them every step of the way.

“Alright, we’ll take you three back to Autobot City with us. I’m sure Ratchet can help you three.” He began.

“Hey, before we go.” Thrust said as he knelt. “Got time for a quick hug from your old man?” Blinking back tears, Heinrad stepped up to Thrust, only for the Vehicon to deploy a chain to wrap him up.

“What the!” He exclaimed. A yell of surprise drew his attention to Rattrap who’d just been hoisted up by Tankor. Before he could do anything more, the tank general backhanded the Maximals’ head, knocking him out.

“Can’t believe you fell for that.” Thrust sighed. He and Jetstorm had been listening in on the conversation back in Vegas and had ad-libbed the entire encounter just to get close enough. He primed up his stun gun and aimed it at Heinrad.

“I don’t know how you thought I was your father, but it’s a good thing I’m not.” Firing his stun gun, Thrust watched as Heinrad fell unconscious.

“Oh, I don’t know.” Jetstorm quipped as she began setting up the remote space bridge. “It seems like he inherited your brains.”

“Hey.”

(In a distant galaxy, the Requiem Blaster ceased spinning aimlessly through the void. Positioning itself, the artefact of Megatronus Prime, began its’ trip back home.)

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Vegas, Nemesis Prime felt a shift in his forces. More specifically, he felt that the three generals were suddenly further away than he expected them to be. His feeling was confirmed when Galvatron stepped back into the control center.

“Where are Thrust Jetstorm and Tankor?” He griped. “We need more Vehicon drones, and I cannot find them anywhere.”

“They have planned a ruse of their own to betray me and flee.” Nemesis growled.

“I shall take the Combaticons and retrieve them.” Galvatron offered. Maybe he could get in on that plan himself. A surge of pain ripped through his head at the thought as Nemesis glared at him. He’d sensed the plan the moment he thought of it.

“No.” Nemesis Prime replied. “You must finish preparations for your mission to Cybertron. While we are hindered by Tarantulas being indisposed for a few days, I fully expect you to leave on schedule.” He added. “I shall retrieve them.”

“By yourself?” Galvatron asked. “Surely the two of us together would be.”

“Do not test my patience now my anti-prime.” Nemesis Prime growled. “We are closing in on both victory and my freedom. Once Tarantulas has recovered, he will devote his full efforts into finishing the dark energon seeders after he recovers Shockwave. You shall assist me in stalling if not destroying those who’d thwart us but to do that, we need those resources you offered.”

“Yes, master.” Galvatron replied. The word tasted bitter on his tongue. “But how do you intend to bring them back alone?”

Nemesis’ optics flashed briefly before a roar was heard from several floors down.

“I shall take Deathsaur as backup, in addition, Tarantulas finished the addition to this body's alternate mode before his ‘accident’.” He gestured to a video screen that showed what looked like a truck trailer on tank treads in Nemesis Primes’ colors. There were two large laser cannons on swivel turrets on the back of the trailer, in addition, there were a pair of missile pods mounted to the sides near where Nemesis Primes’ truck mode would connect to it.

“I see. I wish you luck then.” Galvatron groused.

“Luck is unnecessary.” Nemesis Prime replied as he transformed into truck mode and drove out.

(In a U.S. Army salvage yard, what looked like a failed experimental tank suddenly took off through the back fence before transforming into a jet and taking to the sky.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a conference room inside Fortress Maximus, Optimus Prime was discussing the current situation with Ultra Magnus and Rodimus.

“So Galvatron is keeping those space bridges open over the world capitols then.” Magnus began. The portals he’d opened to force the Autobots to retreat were still active, ready to drop a nuclear bomb whenever he desired.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Rodimus confirmed. “I was asked not to return to the United Nations for fear that it’d look like the humans were helping us.” The various world governments were now so afraid of Galvatron, they were treating them like they were nuclear waste. There, but potentially deadly.

“If we cannot count on assistance from the humans.” Optimus continued. “Then we shall have to look elsewhere for assistance against Galvatron.” He spoke. “Even with the reinforcements we’ve retrieved from across the galaxy, we are still outnumbered four to one.”

“Considering that the Decepticons now have access to a legitimately unending supply of Vehicon drones. That may be problematic.” Ultra Magnus countered. Silently, he was planning on how to break the news of Project: Cerebros to Optimus.

“Perhapse, we need to consult the golden disk again.” Rodimus suggested. “It gave us the location of all the lost Autobots, maybe there’s more usable data.”

“That.” Optimus replied. “Is a viable option. I shall access the disk to see what.” He was cut off by a knock at the door.

“Come in.” Rodimus called, causing Magnus to give him an annoyed look. The door opened revealing both Arcee and June.

“Sirs’” Arcee saluted. “Sorry to bother you but we cannot find Heinrad or Rattrap anywhere in Autobot City.”

The three mechs looked at each other. This was problematic. While the golden disk was their primary source of future knowledge, the two Maximal time travelers were just as valuable. Ultra Magnus was well ahead of them.

“Blaster, begin a search for the Maximals Heinrad and Rattrap, scan for tachyon frequencies.” He ordered into the comms.

“On the case ace.” Blaster replied.

“Arcee!” Jack yelled as he ran up to his mother and aunt in beast mode, Miko flapping along behind him. “Is there any news?” Miko asked as the two transformed.

“I’ve got them.” Blaster called from Ultra Magnus’ comms. “Man, oh man, this is bad. They’re in the old outpost and I’m picking up dark energon signatures there too.”

“The Vehicon generals.” Jack whispered, wide eyed. “Those two knew they were us and jumped to the wrong conclusion.”

“Excuse me?” Optimus asked. This was news to him. Then again, between the battle of Las Vegas, Thrust and Jetstorm breaking into Fortress Maximus and the wreckage of Nemesis Prime being stolen all in the same day, it shouldn’t’ve surprised him that something slipped through the cracks. He just wished it hadn’t been this.

“Jetstorm Tankor and Thrust are versions of Miko Raf and Jack respectively from another universe.” June supplied. Worry for her grandchildren suddenly surged within her. “We’re going after them.”

Jack activated his comms. “All Maximals to the spacebridge.”

“We can’t.” Ultra Magnus replied sadly.

“What do you mean?” Miko and June replied at the same time.

“Due to current tensions and the fear of a nuclear disaster.” Rodimus began. “I don’t like it, but we are under orders not to use the spacebridge anywhere on Earth.”

“So that’s it then?!” Miko yelled. “No, I am not leaving our son in the hands of our twisted doubles. I’ll teleport us all there if I gotta.” With that she took off down the hall, Jack following behind her.

Optimus looked at Arcee and June. “Their son?” He asked.

Arcee swallowed. “Actually.” She began. “I need to talk with you two about something pertaining to that.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Arcee began her conversation with June, Miko and Jack were running through the halls.

“I can’t believe we can't use the spacebridge.” Miko grumbled.

“We may have an alternative.” A voice called from behind them. A moment later, Allison and Slash the Dinobot caught up to them, running in beast mode to keep up. “Brainstorm has been working on something.” Slash added. “Everyone meet up at the hangar.”

Moments later, the foursome met up with Vince, Sierra, Raf and both Fowlers outside the hangar alongside Depth Charge.

“You mean to tell me that Brainstorm has been making a spaceship for us?” Raf asked.

“Yes.” Slash replied. “He called it The Axalon. He turned Lockdowns’ ship into one that is Maximal friendly.”

“Then what are we still standing around for?” Miko spat as she ran for the door to the ship. Ordinarily, she’d be hyped that they now had a spaceship to use. Now, however, she was more worried about her son. Idly, she wondered if this was how June felt when they went out without her.

After boarding and finding the power switch, however, the Maximals realized one problem.

“Does anyone know how to fly this thing?” Vince asked as he looked at the controls. While some of the controls were in English, most of them were unlabeled. “It doesn't look like Brainy had time to finish it yet.”

Raf was looking at a holographic display. “We may not have to.” He announced. Activating a command, a hologram projector emerged from the ceiling and scanned all aboard before a young Maximal sized dark-haired girl in what looked like an acid green Japanese policewoman's’ uniform. A Maximal symbol took the place of a badge on both her shirt and cap. Opening her blue eyes, she greeted the assembled Maximals.

“Greetings, I am the Tactical Artificial Intelligence program of the starship Axalon.” She began. “For the sake of simplicity however, you may call me T-AI.”

“Okay, she’s cute.” Allison muttered to herself. Not quietly enough since Slash smacked her backside with her tail half a second later.

“TA-I, we have an emergency.” Jack began. “We have two Maximals captured and in need of rescuing, can you fly us there?”

“Maximal commander Jack ‘Leobolt’ Darby recognized.” TA-I replied. “I understand, I simply require coordinates to begin.” There was a moment of silence as while they knew where the old base was, they didn’t know the exact coordinates.

“I know the way.” Depthcharge announced. “Can this ship follow me?”

“Affirmative.” TA-I announced.

“Great, now how do we open the hangar door? I doubt the bots would let out.” Miko asked. She didn’t think she could teleport the whole ship and still be able to fight afterwards either. There was a moment of silence before Raf spoke up again.

“TA-I, can you put full power to the front shields and hit the thrusters?” He asked.

“I see what you’re thinking cutie, and I like it.” TA-I replied, giving Raf a wink that made him blush and sink down in his chair as a couple of the other Maximals chuckled at his expense. Apparently, TA-I was a little more advanced than they thought.

“I’ll lead the way once you’re clear!” Depthcharge called as he transformed into flight mode. Jack nodded at him as the ship door closed. As the ship lifted off and the shield engaged, he looked out the front view port.

“Maximals, MAXIMIZE!”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

“So, to summarize.” Optimus began. After the bombshell revelation that Arcee had dropped on him and June, he felt the need to review this new information and make sure. “When Jack was holding my spark in his body after the loss of the previous base, his CNA was rewritten in accordance with my own.”

“Not so much rewritten as enhanced.” Arcee countered. Technically her CNA was rewritten, Jack only had Optimus CNA added to his.

“Which in effect makes Jack Optimus’ son as much as my own.” June added wide-eyed. “And that in effect makes Heinrad OUR grandson.”

“I will need you to fully explain that to me later June.” Optimus added. The fact that the time traveler Maximals were children of the children he knew was slightly disconcerting. “But what I’d like to know soldier.” Prime continued giving Arcee a pointed look that made her want shrink into nothingness. “Is why you kept this from us?”

“It was my decision Optimus.” Ratchet explained, making June and Arcee jump as he walked up to them. He’d been enroute between the med bay and lab when he heard the last few minutes of conversation. “Arcee found out by accident.”

“Why did you keep this from me Ratchet?” Optimus asked sternly. The fact that he didn’t refer to the doctor as ‘old friend’ was a testament to how angry he was.

“Because Orion.” Ratchet shot back, using Optimus’ original name. “Like I told Arcee, I’m not blind. The way you care for nurse Darby is different than what you feel for everyone else, the kids included.” He looked at Prime square in the optic. “In fact, I’ve only ever seen you care for one other like that.”

“Don’t you dare bring Elita into this.”

“You threw yourself into the role of Optimus Prime so utterly it’s become unhealthy.” Ratchet countered. “You’ve almost completely lost touch with the person who became Prime. You may be our leader, but you’re also a sentient being. And frankly your affection for nurse Darby is mentally the healthiest thing you’ve done in literally millions of years.”

There was a moment of silence in the hallway while Ratchets’ words settled in.

“My honest opinion Optimus.” Ratchet added, giving June a nod. “Nurture this new family of yours, allow it to grow and help remind you of what you’re fighting for. Because as you used to always say.”

“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.” Optimus finished. It’d been a long time since he spoke those words.

“And that includes you.” Ratchet finished with a rare smile.

The moment was ruined slightly as a loud bang shook the base.

“By the Allspark.”

“What the scrap was that?”

“Magnus, report.” Optimus called.

“Sir, the Maximals have stolen a ship from the hangar.” Ultra Magnus responded. “I believe they are attempting a rescue mission themselves.”

Optimus swore to himself. Regardless of the circumstances, Jack really did take after him sometimes.

“Understood commander.” He replied. “Arcee Kumara and I shall set out at once.” With that, the three took off toward the nearest exit. Clearing the building, Arcee transformed into her motorcycle mode.

“I can make it there in under ten minutes at top speed, but what about?” She was cut off as Optimus scooped Kumara up in bridal carry and took off flying with his passenger.

“That’s one way to do it.”

(In the vault of Fortress Maximus, the Forge Hammer, Chimera Stone and Enigma of Combination flashed briefly in anticipation of what was to come.)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consciousness returned slowly to one Kibo “Heinrad” Darby. Attempting to open his eyes, he felt like the room was spinning. Eventually, the spinning colors formed the face mask of Jetstorm leaning over him. A grin emoticon was lit up on it as she spoke.

“Wakey, wakey.” Jetstorm taunted. “I thought you’d want to be conscious before we began instead of being rudely awoken.” Looking down, Kibo realized he was bolted to a wall with several cables running from his chest to a small remote spacebridge.

“Yeah.” Garrison “Rattrap” Raider spat. He was bolted and connected right next to his cousin. “Cuz you’re just so generous like that you slagging scrap heap.”

“And you kiss your mother with that mouth?” Thrust asked as Tankor chuckled.

“Don’t you even you mother fragger!” Kibo yelled. He couldn’t believe it, he let them play him like a fiddle and now it had hurt both him and Gary.

“Oh, don’t worry.” Jetstorm sighed. “We’ll be out of your hair soon enough. With a little help from you two of course.”

“Oh yeah?” Gary sniped. “And what makes you think we’ll help ya?”

“Easy.” Thrust answered as he stepped up to the Maximals. “You’re going to be the one controlling the bridge after we activate it with your friend.” He explained. “If you don’t do it right, or try to sabotage it, the resulting energy discharge will blow the whole mesa to pebbles.”

“We’ll regenerate.” Jetstorm added. “But you won’t.” With that, she activated the bridge and immediately Kibo felt pain as temporal energy was being pulled from him. “Best get to work mousey, this’ll take a while to build up.”

The group were caught off guard as the mesa began to shake.

“What in the?” Thrust yelled before a flash of burgundy lit up the room.

“Get away from our kids!” Wingsaber yelled as she flung a kunai at Jetstorm, embedding it in her mask. A moment later, the feather exploded, taking the mask and part of her head with it. As the light faded, the forms of Leobolt, Rhinox, Nightscream, Botanica, Mach Hoof, Depthcharge and Slash were revealed.

“We will not let you stop us from returning home!” Thrust yelled as he deployed his dark energon hook and chains. On either side of him, Tankor and now healed Jetstorm stood to defend the portal now swirling into existence.

The Maximals charged the Vehicons, and the fight began.

Depthcharge transformed back into his flight mode and attempted to go over the generals only for Jetstorm to fly straight up and grab him by the tail. Giving him a spin, she threw him back towards Mach Hoof and Slash who barely dodged him in time.

Once clear of their friend, Slash transformed back into beast mode while Mach Hoof drew up a nucleon charge and fired on the jet general while Slash leapt for Tankors’ head. Unfortunately, the tank general spotted her and caught her mid leap, throwing her towards the meat grinder in his abdomen. She was saved by a vine from Botanica pulling her out of the behemoths’ grip. All the while the old base was still being bombarded.

“Thanks.” She greeted before transforming again and deciding to stick to her pistols. Together, she and Mach Hoof took aim at Jetstorm and fired only for the femme to dodge before returning fire with her own guns.

“Rhinox, Maximize!” Said Maximal yelled as he unleashed a torrent of energy bullets at his twisted double. The blasts did little more than antagonize the mech however as he immediately returned fire with his cannon.

“Leobolt, Maximize!” Suddenly the blast from Tankors’ cannon as well as several blasts From Jetstorm were drawn to the Maximal commander before swirling around his body and coalescing into a single stream of energy which he directed at Thrust. The car general took the blast to his right shoulder as well as a sonic blast from Nightscream before finally deciding to take things up a notch.

“Initiate battle protocol.” Thrust yelled as he dodged a wild swing of Wingsabers’ katanas. The three generals transformed into their vehicle modes before combining. Seeing what was happening, Leobolt, Wingsaber, and Rhinox decided to follow suit.

“RUINATION, AWAKENS!” The Vehicon combiner bellowed, still standing between the Maximals and their allies. Raising their arm cannon, Ruination fired, forcing the newly formed Magnaboss to block it with their broadsword.

“And Ruination shall be turned to scrap.” Magnaboss taunted. “Find a way to free Heinrad and Rattrap, we’ll handle them.” They ordered.

Using the distraction, Ruination fired several dark energon hooks from their grinder, which Magnaboss caught with their sword before allowing the chains to retract with it. The result, the sword now blocked the grinder, and part of the Vehicon combiners vision as the blade handle was right in their face. Magnaboss smirked at the sight.

“We’re going to take this outside.” They replied as the base shook again. Charging forth, the Maximal combiner dodged a poorly aimed blast from Ruinations’ cannon and grabbed their arm. Giving the Vehicon combiner a spin, Magnaboss threw them against the weakening wall of the outpost, smashing them through it to the outside.

As Magnaboss followed Ruination out the hole in the wall, the remaining Maximals made a dash over to Heinrad and Rattrap. The spacebridge portal they were connected to was now sizably bigger and the landscape of a ruined planet was beginning to take shape.

“Hang on you two!” Slash called as she pulled out a small vibro-knife and began cutting away at Heinrads’ bonds. A cry from the two rent the air as the portal began to change again.

“Rattrap, sweetheart, what’s happening?” Botanica asked as she held her son's face, surprising him.

“You know?” He asked through the pain.

“Yes.” Nightscream added before using a focused sound blast on the shackle holding his sons’ left hand to the wall. Once it was free he smiled at him. “We know and we’re here for you.” He winced a bit as the portal took on a grey tone. “Do you all hear that?”

“And your parents are fighting to protect you Heinrad.” Allison comforted the distressed Maximal next to her nephew. Any further words were halted when the now fully grey portal ejected a second spacebridge portal, causing them both to explode outward, taking the remote array with it.

“Botanica, Maximize!” The moment said maximal called on her power, a thick wall of greenery grew out of the ground, shielding the Maximals and Dinobot from the explosion. As the vines withered away, they observed a tall slender mech that they hadn’t seen in months. The resonance blaster still in his hand.

“Soundwave?” Slash gasped before training her pistols on the communications officer. The movement was copied by the Maximals in a condition to do so while stepping between him and the captives.

In a surprise move, the Decepticon turned away from them and transformed into his surveillance drone mode and took off out the hole Magnaboss made earlier.

“Okay.” Nightscream began quirking a brow. “That happened.”

“Forget him.” Slash said, returning to her work. “Let’s get them down so we can get out.”

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While the other Maximals and Slash were focused on their rescue mission, Survive and Cheetor were working with TA-I to lay cover fire to keep the Vehicons distracted. The Axalon had made three passes over the old outpost already and were just coming around for a fourth when an alarm sounded.

“Uh oh.” TA-I exclaimed as she looked at the two remaining Maximals. “We have a hostile incoming!”

Looking out the viewport, Survive barely got a visual of a flying Deathsaur before he sped under the ship. Half a second later there was a small explosion as the ships’ engines sputtered and died.

“Primary engine failure.” TA-I called as the Axalon slowed and began to lose height. “I’m unable to effect automated repair while flying. I’ll attempt to land using the emergency thrustors.” Their freefall suddenly slowed to the point where it felt more like they were in a fast-moving elevator.

The relief was short lived however as Deathsaur came around again once the ship hit eighty feet and slashed the line to the thrustors, causing the Axalon to fall the rest of the way before landing in the Nevada soil. There was a hiss as the ships’ door opened. Survive and Cheetor shakily got back on their feet.

“You two go.” TA-I yelled. “I’ll initiate repairs while you check on the others.” Nodding, the two drew their weapons and exited the ship.

Only to walk right into Nemesis Prime in vehicle mode.

“Optimus?” Cheetor asked.

“No.” Survive answered, aiming his rifle. “Not Optimus.”

Nemesis scowled. So, these were the Maximals of this timeline. Hardly a challenge. Separating from his new trailer, he transformed and took aim at the slightly dazed Maximals. Deathsaur landed next to him and gave a roar.

“Deathsaur. End these abominations while I retrieve my generals.” Nemesis Prime ordered as his optics flashed. As the mutated Decepticon stepped forward, he suddenly found his right foot webbed to the ground. Giving a confused snort, he looked up at where the web came from only for a large green and white femme to slam her foot into his neck, knocking him into the sand.

Looking up. Nemesis saw that Optimus Prime had entered the fray at last. Perhaps if he was fortunate enough, he’d be able to end the threat to his proper return here and now.

Transforming back into his black truck mode, Nemesis Prime reconnected with his trailer and began to combine with it.

A waist with a pair of legs folded downward lifting the entire truck and trailer into the air, the treads becoming the shins. From there, two large arms unfolded from the top of the trailer and into places with the missile pods coming to rest on its shoulders as the cannons settled in on his forearms. Then, the cab that was Nemesis itself seemed to retract into the body as his legs became wrapped in the larger torso and the engine folded down to bring it flush with the chest. Finally, as a set of wings formed from the trailer paneling, a new head emerged that combined Optimus Primes head shape, but with a helm akin to Unicron. Horns and all.

As Optimus Prime landed, he beheld the improved Nemesis Prime. When he first fought the man made mecha, he barely won. Now that he could feel it was being possessed by Unicron, he could tell it would be a fight to stay alive.

“Optimus Prime.” Nemesis began as he trained his guns on his opponent. “Come to die.”

“Not so long as my spark still pulses.” Optimus responded, drawing his gatling gun

 

“That can be arranged.” Nemesis grinned. He then charged forth, unleashing dark energon infused missiles from his shoulders.

Taking to the air, Optimus allowed the rockets to follow him before banking right and allowing them to fly right into a nearby mesa. His victory was short lived however as Nemesis Prime flew up after him, cannons blazing. Diving down to let his doppelganger by, Optimus was caught unaware as Nemesis both somersaulted in midair and deployed a teal colored energon axe from his right wrist, slashing his flight rig and sending him spiraling out of control towards the ground below.

Landing on all fours, Optimus shook the cobwebs from his head. He hadn’t expected that. Hearing a thud, he turned his head to see Nemesis had landed and was striding towards him, axe raised. Getting back to his feet, Optimus activated his own orange energon axe and met Nemesis’ blade head on.

Kicking his opponent in the abdomen, Optimus went to bring his blade down on Nemesis’ head, only for his evil double to catch it with his own and bring his left forearm down on Primes’ throat.

“Optimus Prime, Maximize!” Optimus yelled, catching Nemesis off guard. The surprise was enough for a gale force wind from the Primes’ midsection to force the double backwards and off him. On Optimus’ midsection, the four rotating micro wind generators that had been hidden in his lion mane folded back into it.

“Impressive.” Nemesis Prime growled. “Unfortunately, it won’t save you.”

The side of the old outpost blew out as Ruination was thrown through the wall. As the Vehicon combiner finally removed Magnaboss’ broadsword from their grinder, said combiner followed and fired on them, using the time they gained to reclaim their blade.

No one noticed Soundwave fly out of the base and over the horizon.

“Ruination, cease your foolishness and get over here.” Nemesis Prime ordered. “We shall discuss your disloyalty later.” He growled as the combiner came over to him. Moments later, Deathsaur had taken up his other side and the trio stared down both Optimus Prime and the Maximals.

For a moment, it seemed like a standoff.

“Till all are gone!” Nemesis Prime yelled, thrusting his axe forward.

The battle began once more.

Nemesis and Optimus Prime locked axes again as Magnaboss, Kumara and the recently arrived Arcee attempted to contain Ruination. Everyone else was focused on trying to bring down Deathsaur.

“Cheetor, Maximize!” A moment later a cyclone of sand enveloped Deathsaur for a moment before a nucleon pulse exploded outward, incapacitating the speedster.

“Mach Hoof, Maximize!” The unicorn Maximal called as she sent a large bolt towards the mutated cryptologist, hoping to stun him. This proved to be in vain however as the other nucleon infused being absorbed the blast and kept on absorbing until the Maximal lost enough energy to force her back into beast mode. Slash attempted to leap onto him as a distraction, but was caught and flung into the oncoming Depthcharge, sending him spiraling into the sand.

Nearby, Arcee attempted to fire on Ruinations head and force them out of combination. The combiner saw this, however, and fired their plasma cannon into the sand, blinding her long enough for a second shot to render her unconscious.

From where he and the Prime were locked. Nemesis laughed.

“Look at them Optimus Prime.” He taunted. “Your followers are falling one by one, and you are unable to help them!” Ducking down, Nemesis slashed his opponents' leg, hobbling him.

“Deathsaur, finish this!”

With a roar in reply, Deathsaur glowed purple and prepared to unleash an area wide burst of nucleon strong enough to fry the circuits of all combatants. He stopped, however, at the sound of an engine. It sounded familiar to him, like he’d heard it before but couldn’t quite place who it belonged to. Turning to the source, he saw a grey compact car with aqua pinstriping.

“I’M COMMING SPARKY!!!” Lightbright screamed as she sped towards her corrupted love. Using the downed Depthcharge as a ramp (and silently reminding herself to apologize later) she launched herself towards him and transformed, activating the channeler key.

The short femme transformed again, not into a car, but what looked like an oval shaped engine that suddenly began to glow greenish white as it slammed into Deathsaurs’ changing chest. The sound of an engine revving as loud as it could filled the area as the green glow surged through her into the Decepticon, overpowering the purple glow and restoring the mind of the cryptologist.

Finally, Deathsaur transformed.

His dino head turned upside down before his elongated neck folded backwards and rested flush with his spine as his wings folded down into a kind of cape. As his claws retracted into his waist, his beast legs ratcheted up and deployed hands, becoming a new pair of arms as his haunches split and became legs for a new bot mode. Finally, a pale white head with a red visor and beaked blue helm emerged as the tail unfolded into a type of shield and settled on his right arm.

“Deathsaur?” Nemesis Prime asked. He hadn’t foreseen this possibility.

“Lightbright?” Optimus asked, worried about the Camien hacker. Then another thought occurred to him. “Sparkstalker?”

“I am Sparkstalker.” The former Firecon began.

“And I am Lightbright.” Said femmes voice added. It seemed to be coming from the new mechs’ chest.

“Together however.” The two voices were speaking in synch now. “We ARE Deathsaur.” They finished, glaring at Nemesis Prime.

“No!” Nemesis yelled. “You WILL obey me.”

“I freed my Sparky knockoff prime.” Lightbright snarked.

“No longer shall I wear your shackles.” Sparkstalker added. The shield on their right arm folded into a kind of rail gun as nucleon began crackling through it. They took aim at Nemesis Prime.

“Now it is OUR turn, to rattle YOUR bones!” Deathsaur fired a concentrated beam of nucleon at Nemesis Prime, the force of the impact knocked the avatar of Unicron backwards several feet. Optimus looked at Deathsaur.

“Can you keep him busy while I help magnaboss?”

“Fine by us Prime.” Deathsaur answered before fixing Nemesis Prime with another glare. “We have plenty of grievances to air.” As Optimus went to aid the Maximals, they peppered Nemesis with several lower powered blasts.

Across the battlefield, Ruination saw Deathsaur turn on Nemesis Prime. While they agreed the betrayal couldn’t’ve happened to a more deserving being, they were now horrifically outgunned without their beast machine super soldier. They attempted to fire their hooks at Magnaboss again only for Optimus Prime to grab the chains and rip them out of the grinder with a kick to the chest.

While Optimus felt bad about it, considering who he now knew these three to be, he would not allow them to cause further harm. Under his mask, he smiled slightly. Especially to his children and grandchildren. Looking at Magnaboss, he gave a nod before gesturing to the regenerating Vehicon combiner.

Maybe they could be saved.

“Magnaboss, Maximize!” The Maximal combiner called, charging their blade and preparing to purify their doubles.

Seeing what was about to happen, Nemesis Prime charged forth past Deathsaur and Optimus and grabbed Ruination by the arm.

“Your reckoning shall come one day soon Prime.” Nemesis threatened before the two blurred and disappeared.

Optimus shook his head before turning to check that everyone was all right. Aside from the still weak time travelers, there didn’t seem to be any grievous injuries.

“I know we all have much to talk about.” He began. “However, I think it would be best if we return to Autobot City for these conversations. Agreed?”

“Let’s go.” Jack answered. “To the Axalon.”

“Let’s roll for home.” Optimus added.

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A couple hundred miles away, Soundwave transformed and came to a rest outside an abandoned warehouse. Opening the door, the Decepticon communications officer slipped inside and sat down on the ground.

The time he’d spent in the space between spaces that was called the shadowzone was enlightening to say the least. While unable to interact with the physical world, he quickly discovered that his spacebridge portals behaved quite differently there. Using them, he found he was able to traverse time and bear witness to its’ stories. He and Laserbeak saw everything from the birth of the universe to its’ cataclysmic end.

Most importantly though, Soundwave saw the imminent return of Unicron and his own role in those events. For a moment, he considered sending Megatron and Shockwave a message, alerting them that he was free. But he knew the temptation to alter the future would be too great, and to do so, may bring about worse outcomes. Namely, a victory for Unicron.

Centering himself, Soundwave entered a meditative state, and waited for his time to act.

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After returning to Autobot City (and Ultra Magnus reprimanding the Maximals for the damage to the hangar) the bulk of the Maximals split off to rest after the days’ events. G.B. Blackrock however (after forcing the details about the entire ordeal out of Ultra Magnus) Decided to take his children and grandchild as well as his daughters love interests for a private dinner and family meeting. Afterwards, he planned to give the bat bot and Dinobot the shovel talk.

This left Optimus alone with Arcee, June, Jack, Kibo and Miko. He and June had just finished explaining the full extent of what had happened to Jack and himself that fateful day. Kibo however, didn’t seem phased by the information.

“You already knew Heinrad?” Jack asked his son. He still wasn’t sure how he was going to get used to having a son his age.

“Kibo.” The time traveling Maximal corrected his father, causing Miko to gasp. “My name is Kibo Orion Darby. Gary (Rattrap to you) and I picked codenames for ourselves like you all did.”

“Hope.” Miko whispered, drawing the others' attention. “Kibo translates into hope in English.”

“Your hope for the future.” Kibo replied with a sad smile. “I never knew you in my timeline, you died not long after I was born.” This information caused Miko to wrap her son in a bone crushing hug that Jack soon joined in on.

“Well, you’re gonna get to know us now.” She replied firmly. “I am SO going to corrupt the hell out of you.”

“C’mon Miko.” Jack smirked. “Take it easy on him. I mean, he already has your propensity for taking dumb risks.”

“At least I didn’t inherit yours and grandpas’ catnip problem.” Kibo quipped, causing his mother, grandmother and great aunt to laugh as his dad and grandpa looked embarrassed.

“Are you sure you’re okay Jack?” Optimus asked, trying to hide his embarrassment. The knowledge that he had essentially become Jacks’ genetic parent didn’t seem to bother him as much as he thought it would. As if reading his mind, the young Maximal smiled at him.

“Never better.” Jack answered. “I never really knew my father.”

“Neither did I.” June muttered to herself.

“But I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to replace him.” Optimus continued.

“Can’t replace what I never knew.” Jack countered, releasing his hold on his son and girlfriend to look at Optimus. “Frankly, you’ve been a better role model than most anyone in my life. And what is a good father but?”

“A good role model.” Optimus finished with a smile. This was such an alien feeling to him. Alien, but welcome. Looking at June, he remembered both Ratchets’ words and the promise he made to June not too long ago. If this was what he had to look forward to after the war, then he would fight for it to come to pass and that he was there to meet it.

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Back in Vegas, Nemesis Prime and Ruination blurred back into existence in the control center before the latter separated back into the generals. Usually, he wouldn’t teleport with passengers while using an avatar, but he couldn’t trust that Galvatron would be able to send a spacebridge in time. Or that he would send one at all in a bid to eliminate his competition.

Speaking of.

“Ah, back are we.” Galvatron gloated in his usual oily voice.

“Do not toy with me Galvatron.” Nemesis Prime warned.

“Toy with you? I wouldn’t dream of it.” The Predacon leader continued. “After all, you did retrieve your generals. However, as Deathsaur is no longer with you I’d assume you weren’t as successful as you’d hoped.” He added snidely.

Any further taunts were cut off as both Galvatron and the Generals began experiencing waves of pure agony.

“Enough.” Nemesis Prime yelled as the foursome writhed on the floor. “I grow tired of your collective insubordination.” With a nod of his head, his underling's pain ceased immediately.

“Now, listen to me closely.” Nemesis continued with a glare. “The repairs to Trypticon should be complete in the next few days. Tarantulas should be fully regenerated in less than forty-eight hours. Once he has completed the dark energon seeders, we shall make our final move to free me from my confinement.”

“In the meantime.” He continued, turning to look at the generals. “You three are to generate enough Vehicon drones to overpower whatever paltry resistance this world and the Autobots can offer.”

He turned to Galvatron.

“And you, my Anti-Prime, shall go to Cybertron.” Nemesis Prime added. “There you shall use our forces to-.”

“Enslave the two remaining Titans.” Galvatron finished as he caught his breath. “So as to fully overwhelm Autobot City.”

“As we agreed.” Nemesis Prime nodded. “In addition, I want you to ensure that there will be no reinforcements for the Prime to call upon once our siege begins.”

“As you wish, master.” Galvatron bowed before leaving. And perhaps he could create a few surprises of his own to allow him to regain control of the situation.

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“So, let me see if I understand this.” Ultra Magnus began as he looked at Lightbright and Sparkstalker. “You, Lightbright, figured out a way to free Sparkstalker by turning your spark into one half of a binary fusion reaction involving dark energon?”

“Correct.” Lightbright added as she sat on a medical table in the lab next to Sparkstalker. The two had separated to give Magnus the full report of what had occurred. “From studying both a sample of dark energon and the purified energon, I figured out how to prime my spark to restore Sparky's.”

“And Velocity performed the procedure on you, and you used a sample of the Enigma of Combinations’ energy as a catalyst, correct?” Magnus asked.

“Yes, albeit there are some side effects.” Lightbright replied. “Due to the nature of the process, I must bond with Sparkstalker at least once a day to ensure the dark energon in his body remains dormant. In addition.” She added with a heavy sigh. “The purification altered my spark in a way that I can no longer survive longer than a day without the supplemental energy he provides.”

“I’m so sorry sweet byte.” Sparkstalker replied, placing a hand on her arm.

“Don’t be.” She answered. “You willingly sacrificed yourself to save me. Sacrificing a bit of my freedom for yours is a fair trade.” She looked back at Magnus. “Besides, my acting as his ‘Symbicon’ is the only way we can use our full power as Deathsaur.”

“And Galvatron has one less weapon to use against us.”

They were cut off as the perimeter alarm sounded.

“Blaster, Kup, report.” Magnus called, activating a communications hub in the wall of the science lab.

“We got one bot at the front gate.” Kup answered as the two appeared on screen.

“And you’re not gonna believe who it is.” Blaster added. “Switching over to the security feed now.”

“Show us.” Came Optimus Primes’ voice, making the other three jump as they hadn’t heard him come in. The screen showing the two bots blurred a second before it showed the main entrance to Autobot City. In front of it was a very familiar purple and tan Decepticon.

“Elloooo?” A familiar black and orange Jack O lantern face asked. “Did zomeone order a pizza?”

“What the scrap is Blitzwing doing here?” Sparkstalker asked no one in particular. He never saw the crazy triple changer during hie entire time in captivity.

Before he could offer a reason, Optimus Prime felt the presence of Vector Sigma in the back of his mind. The ancient supercomputer only had one thing to offer him.

“It is time.”

Notes:

A/N: We’re making the turn into the home stretch now! The end of the story is in sight albeit it is still some chapters out. Either way, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

I thought adding TA-I from RID 2001 would be a nice addition for the Axalon. I just had to put her in Maximal green instead of Autobot red. Okay, I am considering her as a possible crush for Raf. Strange, but then again, I like the unconventional.

Deathsaur being a fusion of Sparkstalker and Lightbright is also a way of paying homage to Tigerhawk from Beast Wars. The term Symbicon came about after watching a Chris McFeely video on YouTube (great series, I definitely recommend it) mentioning that the Japanese “Breast Force” could benefit from rebranding.

 

Next Chapter: Cybertron bound.

Until then, please fave, follow, and review.

Chapter 48: Cybertron Bound

Notes:

Hello everyone. Bit of a short chapter this time since it’s setting up the Cybertron arc of the story. I feel I should point this out now, I strongly recommend reading my side story Lessons Learned to give you a little more background as to this arc. Events that are covered in that stroy are referenced in the coming chapters. On a side note, I forgot to mention that I based Nemesis Primes’ trailer upgrade on the Armada Super Optimus Prime only with a Unicron styled helmet. The idea was born out of a versus idea I had between G1 Power Master Optimus vs. Armada Super Optimus.

In any case, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

“End Program.” The hologram of Rhinox dictated before shutting off. With a near silent click, the golden disk was ejected from Teletraan-2.

Retrieving it, Optimus Prime stared intently at the artifact. After receiving Vector Sigmas’ message, he knew that time was running out before the final battle against the Decepticons and Unicron would commence. To that end, he consulted the golden disk to see if any aide could be found on Cybertron, as much of humanity was unwilling to help them for fear of Galvatrons’ threat. While he did find potential help on the disk, he had another task to perform as well. Exiting the empty lab, Optimus knew what he had to do.

The original thirteen Primes were needed once more.

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“Alright, explain this to me again.” Ultra Magnus growled, resisting the temptation to rub at his optics. After Blitzwing had shown up at Autobot City, Magnus had insisted on being the one to interrogate the Decepticon triple changer. Surely the reports of the mechs mental instability were exaggerated right?

They were not.

“After I took off from zee Nemeziz.” Blitzwing began with his blue face. “I journeyed around zis country for a vhile.” His face switched to red before continuing. “Zen vee tried out for ze football!” He yelled. “I’d haff made zee team easy if zee coach didn’t lubricate himself at the zight of me! Which is a pity, becauze I can play defense rather vell.” He added black face coming around now.

“And then you went into hiding after that?” Magnus asked, not sure how much stock to put into Blitzwings’ story.

“Yez, it was genius, no?” He laughed. “No one vould bozer me at zee military boneyard, who’d bozer junk?” Blitzwings’ face spun back to red. “Zen zere vas zis voize in mien head telling me it vaz time and to come here!” He bellowed. “Which vaz razer crazy if you zink about it.”

“Right.” Ultra Magnus replied. Before he could continue the interview, the door to the room opened.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut this short commander.” Optimus began as he entered the interrogation room.

“Thank Primus.” Magnus muttered to himself before standing up. “What is the matter sir?”

“I’ll explain once everyone has assembled in the hangar.” Optimus replied. “We’re going to Cybertron.”

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Less than an hour later, the collective Autobots and Maximals (and Blitzwing) selected to go to Cybertron were gathered in the Autobot City hangar. Observing the collective troops, Optimus silently figured out which bots would need to go to where on Cybertron and for what. Moments later he began to speak.

“With recent events.” Optimus began. “We now have reason to believe that Galvatron will move this war into its’ endgame sooner rather than later. To that end, I am taking several groups to Cybertron to enlist possible aide and recover vital resources.”

“Goldbug.” Prime continued as he turned to look at the mech in question. “You shall take Strongarm, Sideswipe, Arcee and June to what is left of Tarn. We’ve recently learned from the golden disk that there is a dormant Insecticon hive within Scorponok. Your mission is to attempt to recruit them to our side.”

“Considering my appearance.” Goldbug replied, referring to his current helm and mask. “It isn’t a bad idea.”

“And I’m guessing I’m going as an enticement?” June asked. She didn’t know how to feel about that if that were the case.

“Actually, I wanted you to go so as to show the Insecticons a new way forward. That they could both survive and thrive on Earth.” Optimus explained with a smile. “The Scorponok hive is not like the one that served Megatron. They may be more willing to listen to reason.”

June gave a nod in acceptance.

“The next team shall consist of Wheeljack, Ratchet, Whirl, Jetfire, Deathsaur and Slash.” Optimus continued. “Their mission will be twofold. Your first objective is to locate the other Dinobots. We have not heard from them since the battle at Las Vegas.”

“We’re sure they survived?” Ultra Magnus asked without thinking. Drawing glares from everyone present.

“Any other bots, no.” Slash bit out as she stepped up to Ultra Magnus. “But Dinobots are more than capable of surviving a fall from low orbit, especially when combined.” She finished, giving the much taller mech a death glare. If they could handle a backhand from a titan, they could survive a fall.

“Allie, you’re drooling.” Sierra joked with her sister.

“Don’t even.” Allison whispered as she wiped the drool from her lip. Seeing her girlfriend be assertive had definitely pushed the right buttons for her.

“Right.” Optimus continued, ignoring his second in commands’ present discomfort. “This team’s second objective is to try and locate Omega Supreme.” While most of the Autobots who remained on Cybertron after the Ark launched had either left the planet or been terminated, the great guardian was not among either group and his whereabouts were completely unknown. It was fully possible he was still on the planet.

“The third and final team shall consist of Jack, Miko, Raf, Kibo, Smokescreen, Scourge, and myself.” Prime continued. “Our mission shall be simple. We are going to seek out Vector Sigma and use it in an attempt to contact the last of the original Primes.” He said simply.

A profound silence reigned at this announcement. A silence that unsurprisingly, was broken by Blitzwing.

“And Ver do I fit in zis Prime?” The triple changer asked.

“Seeing as you received the same message that I did, you shall be accompanying us.” Optimus replied.

“Ooh, road trip!” Blitzwing cried out, his black face rotating around. “I call shotgun!”

“You want to leave that nutcase around the Maximals!” June and Ultra Magnus yelled.

“Dude, harsh.” Whirl added.

“However.” Optimus continued, keeping an eye on both objectors. “In addition to Scourge acting as bodyguard, Rung shall be accompanying us to help with him.” He added, gesturing to the Autobots’ resident psychiatrist.

“Understood Prime.” Rung replied. In the back of his mind, however, he felt he had his work cut out for him.

“I need someone to watch my charges.” Scourge interrupted. While inclusion in this meeting was a surprise, he wasn’t expecting to be going off world.

“I’ll look after them Scourge.” Kup interjected, stepping out from the back of the group. While he would not be leaving Autobot City, his status as the head of security meant he had to attend this meeting.

Scourge nodded at the grizzled veteran Autobot. The few times he’d visited Autobot City with Drancron and Razorbeast he would invariably find his charges with Kup who regaled them with his old war stories. They couldn’t get enough of them.

“Now that that’s settled.” Optimus addressed the group. “I want everyone who’s going to Cybertron to meet here in two hours. Dismissed.” As the various people left to make their preparations, Optimus stopped Jack Miko and Raf.

“Hold on you three.” Prime began. “Before we leave, there is one more matter to attend to. In addition, we have one more member of our group to recruit.” He hadn’t wanted to say who for fear of how they’d react.

“We do?” Miko asked.

“Who?” Jack finished.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In fortress Maximus’ detention block, two cell doors opened.

“Ah, finally.” Starscream groaned as he exited his cell. “I was starting to go insane from boredom.”

“Speak for yourself.” Knockout griped as he exited next to the aerospace commander. “I was enjoying the reprieve from your incessant whining.” He looked over at Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus, who were watching them closely.

“I appreciate the hospitality, but I have an appointment with the buffer that you confiscated when we were brought here.” The Decepticon medic continued. “Where is it?”

“Through there.” Ultra Magnus groused, pointing at an open storeroom door. He wasn’t happy about having to release these two.

“Much obliged.” Knockout saluted as he entered the storeroom. “Wait, what are you doing here?” He asked to an unseen corner of the room as the door began to close.”

“Remember.” Magnus called out. “No guns, no swords, and nothing that First-Aid can’t undo.”

“No problem.” Magnaboss called as the door kept closing. There was an ominous sound of knuckles cracking.

“No!” Knockout cried. “Not the finis.” He was cut off as the door shut and several muted thuds were heard. It had been a hard sell, but allowing the three to take their vengeance on Knockout seemed a fair price to pay for cooperating with the Decepticon aerospace commander.

Starscream gulped. “So, I take it I’m going to have an appointment with the med bay soon?” He asked.

“No.” Optimus answered as he stepped forward.

“Prime.” Starscream simpered. “Love the new look.”

“Enough.” Prime cut him off. “We require your services.”

“Which ones? I have several.”

“You were raised by the famed explorer Cryak, correct?” Ultra Magnus asked.

“Yes, what of it?” Starscream bit out. His relationship with his parent was complicated at best. While she was a loving and caring parent when she was around, she spent more time away on expeditions than with him.

“She taught you her skills as an explorer?” Magnus asked.

“What do you want?” He snapped at the Autobot commander.

“We plan to venture into Cybertron to locate Vector Sigma.” Optimus supplied, sensing the Decepticons’ discomfort with the topic of his mother. “To do so, we require the skills you learned.”

“And what is in it for me?” Starscream asked. Having already lost everything, he couldn’t help but find himself curious. “I’m not saying I can’t do it, but what’s my motivation?”

“Your freedom for a start.” Ultra Magnus offered.

“And?”

“The chance to do the one thing Cryak couldn’t.” Magnus continued. “Find one of the original thirteen Primes.”

This gave Starscream pause. One of his mothers’ fondest goals was to meet one of the remaining Primes. She’d even mentioned it in her memoirs. The chance to do what she could not was a tempting offer. He couldn’t help but wonder though.

“Why?”

“Because the endgame of this war is coming.” Optimus answered. “Unicron has, as you know, taken control of the Decepticons via Galvatron. He plans to restore his body, this world, and from there, he will head for Cybertron.” He finished Ominously.

Starscream stared at the two in shock. While he knew Galvatron had a habit of using dark energon, he hadn’t counted on the chaos bringer to be pulling the strings of Megatrons’ replacement. Closing his optics, Starscream took a breath, this wasn’t about factions and ideologies anymore.

One of the few things he had inherited from Cryak was a deep love for his home world. He’d originally joined the Decepticons because at the time, he felt their attempts to change the system were what was best for Cybertron. Admittedly, he let that fall by the wayside during the war, but slag it, he would not allow the planet to be destroyed now. Especially now that he’d learned it may be inhabitable again.

“I’m in.” Starscream confirmed as the storeroom door opened. The aerospace commander couldn’t help wincing at the sight of Knockouts twitching arm in the doorway as Magnaboss exited the room. Knockout was groaning in pain behind them.

Optimus looked at the Maximal trio as they separated.

“We’re ready.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a private chamber in the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas, Galvatron and Nemesis Prime were going over the specifics for the formers mission to Cybertron.

“While your main goal is to enslave Chela and Scorponok for our final assault.” Nemesis Prime began. “I do expect you to attempt to acquire any other assets you find. I have reason to believe an Insecticon hive still exists near their king.” He turned to look Galvatron in the optic. “If they will not join us, destroy them.”

“Understood.” Galvatron confirmed. Perhaps if he played his cards right, he could fake a demise and enlist their aid subtly. A properly motivated Insecticon hive would be an equal match for unfeeling Vehicon drones. “Do you wish us to capture our targets consecutively or concurrently?”

“Concurrently.” Nemesis Prime answered. “Tarantulas will be fully operational in less than a day. It will take him a few days to build the required seeders and I want two titans to assist Trypticon with our assault on our enemies at the very least.” He turned to look out the window at the Mecha formed city.

“We shall launch the dark energon seeders into my body in several places where the rock shell is at its’ weakest.” Nemesis continued. “One of which is where the Primes’ fortress currently sits.”

“And three titans are better than one.” Galvatron surmised. “Very well, I shall give the orders now.” As he turned to leave, Nemesis grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.

“Do not think to betray me Galvatron.” He warned. “Any further attempts at treachery, and your existence is forfeit. I can make another Anti-Prime.”

“Of course, master.” Galvatron replied before exiting the chamber. While he may have had to play the role of servant here, with several light years between him and Unicron, he could lay the foundation of a rebellion against him.

Looking out over the assembled Predacons and Decepticons, he noted the only ones missing were the Vehicon generals. However, as they were currently producing enough cannon fodder for a global assault, this was to be expected. Predictably, there was some squabbling amongst the ranks.

“Alright, enough.” Galvatron called, silencing the group. “It is time, we are going to Cybertron.” There was a cheer from the troops before Galvatron continued. “Our mission is to recall the titans Scorponok and Chela to our cause, and to eliminate any Autobots who may stand in our way.”

“And what makes you think we’re going to help you with that?” Onslaught called thought the Cy-gar in his mouth. While not religious by any means, he didn’t like the idea of forcing the Titans into serving a megalomaniac.

Galvatron glared at the assembled Combaticons, his optics and matrix flashed before the five began collapsing in pain. Onslaught had forgotten that he and his team were still infused with dark energon, and therefore susceptible to the Dark Matrix.

“That.” Galvatron replied smugly. “Now, your assignments are as follows. The Predacons shall follow me to Tarn where we shall raise Scorponok.” He decided to take a wait and see approach about whether there’d be Insecticons.

“Onslaught.” He continued, turning to look at the now recovered Combaticons. “You and your team shall accompany the Horrorcons to Paradon and secure a route to Chela. After I’ve acquired Scorponoks’ aid, I shall enslave her as well.” It was harder to tell which team was more upset with this assignment, but neither desired to incur Galvatrons’ wrath. For now, at any rate.

“We only have a few days to execute our assignments.” Galvatron continued before a spacebridge opened behind the group. “If you fail, I shall begin ordering executions. Yes.” He added ominously.

“Now go!”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Autobot City, the collective Autobots and Maximals were preparing to depart for Cybertron.

“Okay you two.” Scourge addressed his charges. “Please behave for Kup while I’m gone.”

“Don’t worry Scourge, we will.” Drancron replied eagerly.

“Yeah, besides, Kups’ stories are great.” Razorbeast added.

“Alright lads, let’s get ready for patrol.” Kup laughed. It did his old spark good to see younglings so enthusiastic. “Did I tell you two about the maneuver we pulled off of Regulon four?” He asked the two young Predacons as they followed him out of the hangar.

Scourge smiled as he watched them go. He knew they’d be safe.

Inside the Axalon, the Maximals were preparing to take off.

“Ohh, can we go to lightspeed?” Miko asked. “I always wanted to try that.”

“Actually.” TA-I replied, looking at Miko. “We can go faster than lightspeed.”

“...Ludicrous speed?”

“Actually.” Raf interjected. “The new Transwarp drive should get us to Cybertron in about an hour.”

“How does that work?” Jack asked as he and Kibo looked up from the star charts in front of them.

“To put it simply commander.” TA-I picked up where Raf left off. “The driver uses the gravity wells of stars to slingshot us to our destination via warp space. This also has the side effect of cutting our travel time down drastically so the several hundred years spent traveling at the speed of light, is cut down to just under an hour.”

“Thank you, TA-I.,” Raf nodded towards hologram.

“No problem cutie.” TA-I winked at Raf, causing him to blush amid snickers.

“I, think I’ll go check the drive before takeoff.” Raf muttered before exiting the bridge.

“I still don’t understand why we don’t use the spacebridge?” June asked as she climbed onto the Axalon. Optimus followed behind her in his own Maximal body. He’d call the rest of his body to him once on Cybertron.

“If we bridged directly to Cybertron, it would give away that we were off world.” Optimus explained. “Thereby letting Galvatron know we’re vulnerable.”

“Whereas bridging to an Autobot City remote bridge on the ship would only register as going from one end of Autobot City to the other.” TA-I finished.

“I understand.” June said. In reality, she didn’t. While she may be a hybrid alien robot now, it didn’t mean she understood everything about it. She barely understood how her new body worked at this point.

“Our other four passengers have boarded Prime.” TA-I reported. Blitzwing, Starscream, Scourge and Rung had boarded into the storage area of the Axalon that hadn’t been converted into Maximal hab suites. Silently, she wished Rung luck on what would be a mother of a road trip.

“Right.” Optimus nodded before looking out the door at Ultra Magnus and Rodimus. “The two of you are in charge of Autobot City for the time being. Should Galvatron mobilize, have Blaster radio for our return.”

“Understood Prime, and good luck.” Rodimus replied as the door sealed itself shut.

As the Axalon rose into the air, TA-I gave off the countdown.

“Transwarp shunt occurring in three, two, one.” The ship gave a brief jerk forward before the blue sky was replaced by a psychedelic kaleidoscope of colors. “Shunt into warp space complete.” TA-I announced. “Estimated travel time, fifty-seven minutes. Time to arrival, five minutes.”

“Wait, what?” Miko and June asked simultaneously. How could they travel for an hour only to arrive at their destination five minutes after takeoff?

“Theory of relativity.” Raf explained, having snuck back onto the bridge and was now enjoying the visuals.

“Never mind.” Miko said, holding her hands up in surrender. She went up to the viewscreen of the bridge and looked at the swirling colors, enjoying the view. Jack walked up next to her and gently put an arm on her shoulder. Smiling, Miko pulled him in closer as Kibo came near them.

Looking around the bridge, Miko saw Optimus and June holding hands and looking out the window. She also saw that TA-I had convinced Raf to have a seat next to her and they were enjoying the show as well. Realizing that all their attention was on the spectacle of warp space, Miko whispered to Jack.

“Wanna find the captains’ quarters?” She asked with a sly grin that gave Jack goosebumps. Realizing what his girlfriend had in mind, and realizing that everyone was preoccupied, he nodded and the two of them quietly snuck off the bridge.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back on Earth, Megatron and Shockwave were having a heated debate.

“I’m telling you this is a good idea.” Shockwave argued as he worked on Megatrons’ new body.

“Being able to split into three alt modes at once yes.” Megatron replied. “But beast modes?”

“The pseudo flesh will protect you from dark energon.” Shockwave countered. “Besides, beast modes are becoming all the rage these days.” At Megatrons’ annoyed look, he cocked his head. “Don’t forget, you started the Decepticon movement for equality. This is a good way to practice what you preach.”

Megatron scowled at the ground. He really didn’t have an argument for that.

“Alright.” Shockwave continued. “I’m going to put you in stasis while I graft the new framework onto your torso. When you wake up, you should be able to walk and get used to your new proportions. At Megatrons’ nod, Shockwave rendered his leader unconscious. Turning to get the parts he needed, he got the shock of his long life.

“Hai!” Tarantulas yelled, causing Shockwave to jump.

“You?!” Shockwave exclaimed. It was impossible, if Tarantulas was here, the he should be. “Wait a minute.” He muttered to himself before stepping through the Predacon mad scientist.

“I’m here, but not all there.” Tarantulas laughed.

“Truer words.” Shockwave sniped.

“Oh, I may be out of my mind at the moment.” The scientist continued. “But I’m put together enough to look into my favorite slaves’ mind, and once my body has reassembled enough, I should be able to retrieve you four easily.”

“It looks like I’m on a time limit then.” Shockwave said plaintively before getting back to work on Megatron. All the while, he was attempting to block out Tarantulas’ taunting.

“Well as much as you’ve enjoyed your vacation senator, your work is piling up.”

“I have a way to stop you from controlling me again.” Shockwave responded, shocking Tarantulas.

“You do? How?”

“It’s a surprise.” Shockwave taunted his tormentor before getting back to work.

----------------------------------------------------------

Five minutes after the Axalon departed, Blaster received the alert that they had arrived on Cybertron.

“Alright you cats and chicks headed to Cybertron.” Blaster called over the comms. “The shuttle as just arrived and the spacebridge remote will be operational in moments.”

Arcee shook her head Shockwave may’ve been twisted, but one couldn’t deny his brilliance. Traveling from Earth to Cybertron in an hour as opposed to the thousands of years it took the Ark to make the journey. To be fair though, she doubted they stopped on any other worlds on the way.

A moment later the spacebridge emerged before the assembled group. The moment it was fully formed, Optimus’ larger body activated and drove through the portal to rejoin the rest of him. Taking this as a sign, the other Autobots followed suit. Emerging through the other side, the group set foot on Cybertron for what was (for some of them) the first time since the Ark launched.

While the planet looked far more alive than when she and Jack were there last, the scars from the war still remained. All around them were demolished buildings and craters from bomb blasts but the largest reminder, was the inert body of Metroplex lying across half the city. It took Arcee a second to realize they appeared just outside of Iacon. Looking over at the Axalon, she noticed something else.

“Mach Hoof?” She asked, seeing the unicorn Maximal standing near Optimus and June. “How did you get here?”

“We found her hiding in the captains' quarters.” Jack said stiffly. She had made herself known right as he and Miko had begun to make out. Needless to say, the mood was ruined.

“I wanted to help Slash.” Allison argued.

“Oh, she pulled a Miko.” Smokescreen commented while looking at Jack. This caused Miko to look at him too.

“Pulled a Miko?” She asked, looking at her boyfriend with narrowed eyes.

“Yeah, like when he followed me through the spacebridge not long after I arrived on Earth.” Smokescreen explained. Jack gave an audible gulp at the disappointed look his mother gave him. However, as he turned to apologize to Miko she wrapped her arm around his shoulder and gave him a noogie.

“I’m so proud.” She exclaimed as she dug her knuckles into his scalp.

“Autobots.” Optimus interrupted, having recombined with the rest of his body not long after arriving. “You have your assignments. Before we mobilize, I have one matter to attend to. Goldbug step forward.”

“Sir?” Goldbug asked as he stepped up to Prime.

“Goldbug, as a scout you have conducted yourself admirably in battle and stared danger in the face multiple times.” Optimus began. “As such, I hereby promote you the rank of warrior. In addition, I grant you the title of team leader.” There were cheers from the assembled group as Goldbug bowed before Optimus Prime in both gratitude and embarrassment.

“I shall do my best sir.” Goldbug mumbled.

“I have no doubt of that soldier.” Optimus nodded before turning to the rest of the group.

“Autobots, roll out!”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After watching the other teams depart and electing to allow Mach Hoof to stay on Cybertron, Optimus turned to look at his group.

“So, where do we start this little expedition?” Starscream asked. He was eager to begin. Additionally, he was eager to keep as much distance as possible between himself and the others who rode with him in the Axalon. The trip was one hour that couldn’t pass soon enough for him. And if he ever heard the words ‘I spy’ again, it’d be too soon.

“You never did zee vhat I zpied Starscream.” Blitzwing commented before his black face rotated to blue. A low growl from Scourge dissuaded him from pursuing that line of questioning.“However, I believe zee game is now on hold.”

“To answer your question Starscream, we need to get below the surface, and the nearest way there is through there.” He said, pointing to a building that was partially covered by Metroplex’ leg. Now that he was closer to the dead titan, Optimus saw that it looked like something had been stripping parts from it.

“Seriously?” Starscream and Smokescreen both asked. They both recognized the building, having visited it before.

“You mean there’s an entrance to the Cybertron underground in Macadams Old Oil House?” Starscream asked. In all the years he’d been a patron of the famous bar, he never knew that fact.

“Down in the basement.” Optimus answered as he knocked on the door to the bar. A moment later, the door opened, revealing a somewhat rotund mech wearing glasses.

“Sorry, we’re closed.” The mech said and attempted to shut the door before Optimus stopped him.

“Apologies for the intrusion Macadam.” Optimus apologized. “We simply wish to use the underground access in your basement.” He explained.

“You’re Macadam?” Smokescreen asked. He’d never met the mech himself but as he cycled through his memory of the staff, he realized he had seen him. “You were the piano player?”

Shaking his head, Macadam opened the door to his bar.

“Alright, come in, come in.” He sighed. “I’ll get you all something to drink.”

“Nothing intoxicating please.” Optimus intoned, looking specifically at the maximals. He wasn’t about to incur June's wrath for letting the Maximals into the hard drink.

“Virgin mocktails for the earthlings.” He said, as he pulled down some glasses and began to pour.

“How did you know where we’re from?” Raf asked as the barkeep pushed a cherry smelling drink towards him.

“You three have a human look to you.” Macadam explained. “I actually spent some time on Earth a few thousand years ago.” he added as he finished pouring the last of the drinks. “Humans really know how to war and how to party, but some reason they kept calling me Dionysus.”

“We thank you for letting us through here Macadam.” Optimus interrupted after downing a single shot of half strength Engex.

“Not a problem.” He said as he pushed drinks towards Blitzwing and Starscream. “Just remember, no fighting in here.”

“You needn’t remind me.” Starscream pointed out. The one time the bar owner had to break up a fight was convincing enough. He had no idea the short old mech turned into something so large.

“Remind me to ask you for the recipe for this drink. Arcee and my mom would like it.” Jack asked. Whatever this orange and mint concoction was, he could easily call it addicting. He’d already downed his glass. Considering the two flavors generally went together like cats and water, that was quite a feat.

“So long as you tell Arcee to pay off her tab next time she’s here.” Macadam replied. “I swear that femme can drink her weight in Engex.” Jack looked at the bartender wide eyed at that nugget of information.

“Thank you again for your hospitality.” Optimus repeated as the rest of the expedition finished their drinks. “Is the entrance to the underground uncovered?”

“It should be next to the Nightmare Fuel cases.” Macadam replied, pointing to a nearby staircase.

“Shame we couldn’t have the hard stuff.” Smokescreen commented. He’d always wanted to try that.

“Alright team, let’s move out.” Optimus interrupted. “Starscream take point.”

“Pity we didn’t bring a proper scout.” The seeker grumbled.

“Vell, you know vat zey say Starscream.” Blitzwing commented. “Ven expecting ze booby traps.”

“Always send a boob in first.” Miko laughed. “Wrecker rule seventy-seven.” This caused the other members of the group to laugh as well.

“Let’s just go.” Starscream groused as he started down the stairs. He didn’t like being referred to as a boob.

As the last of the group descended the stairs, Optimus turned to look at their host with a raised brow. From his position at the bar, Alchemist Prime, better known as Macadam smiled at his brother and whispered a single sentence.

“We’ll catch up.”

Nodding, Optimus Prime followed the group down into his brothers’ basement and then into the Cybertronian underground.

Notes:

A/N: And here we are. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, short as it was. I have a lot of surprises set for the coming chapters so I won’t say to much more here for fear of spoilers. I’ll see you all next time and until then kudo, comment and subscribe.

 

Next Time: Dungeons and Dinobots.

Chapter 49: Dungeons and Dinobots

Notes:

We’re back! Hello all and welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. Sorry for the wait, but life decided to throw a couple of ‘screwballs’ that successfully cut into my writing time in the last several weeks. In any case, I hope the new chapter is exciting to each of you who reads it. Enjoy.

(A few days ago)

With a mighty roar of fury, the Dinobot combiner Volcanicus slammed into the ground on the planet Cybertron and shattered back into his core components. Moments later, Snarl shook his Stegosaurus modes’ head before standing up. Last thing he remembered was fighting in Las Vegas and hearing Grimlock roar, and then, nothing. Transforming and looking around, the medic realized that they’d somehow ended up back on Cybertron, specifically near Iacon.

“Snarl?” Sludge asked before transforming. “Where are we?”

“Iacon.” Snarl answered, seeing Swoop and Slug get back up as well.

“We haven’t been here since we took out Shockwaves’ old tower.” Swoop laughed before realizing something was wrong. “Where’s Grimlock?”

The four Dinobots turned to look at the still form of their leaders’ dino mode. Slowly, the bot got to his feet and glared at the four of them. However, this was not the glare their leader normally gave in Tyrannosaurus mode. This was a look of savagery, devoid of any intelligence.

“Grimlock?” Snarl asked. He was answered when the Dinobot roared int their faces and took off running toward the horizon, away from the city.

“Boss, come back!” Slug yelled, about to chase after him.

The four were stopped however as the ground around them seemed to explode, enveloping them in smoke. Before the Dinobots could even think to react, the foursome was suddenly convulsing on the ground as electrical current coursed through their bodies, rendering them unconscious once more.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

(Today)

“I’m not threatening you Slog; I’m telling you.” Onslaught growled as he stared down the Horrorcon leader. “We are taking point on this mission.”

“As if we’d allow you five to defile the mind of the greatest of beast bots since Onyx Prime.” Slog sniped. This was the third argument they’d gotten into in as many hours and it was grating on all their nerves

“Look sucka.” Brawl interrupted, stepping up to the twosome. “Our job is to secure the route; whatever dragon breath wants after that is his business.”

“Besides, our hands are kinda tied on this remember.” Swindle added, never taking his cannon off of Birdbrain and Wildfly. “As in Galvatron has all of us on a leash.”

“We still have morals sonny.” Bristleback growled.

“Funny, as one of the survivors of Monstructors’ slaughter of the Elite Guard, I find that hard to believe.” Onslaught retorted.

“Care for a repeat performance?” Slog growled.

“Uh, colonel.” Vortex interrupted before. “Before we have a gun measuring contest between Bruticus and Monstructor, you might wanna look at this.” He added gesturing to Blast Off.

“What is it Blast Off?” Looking at him, the surveillance specialists mask changed to a map of the area with several mobile Autobot signatures on it. Giving a sigh, Onslaught turned to Slog.

“You wanna take point? Fine, you got it.” The Combaticon leader began. “You six find and secure a route under Paradon. We’ll take care of those Autobots and join you.”

“And they say military bots can’t be reasoned with.” Scowl boomed with a laugh.

“We’ll see you then.” Slog grunted before the group took off. Maybe they could arrange an accident for the mercenary group later.

“Well colonel, what are we gonna do about those Autobots?” Swindle asked once the Horrorcons were out of sight.

“According to the map, they should be coming up on Necrobot pass.” Onslaught replied, taking a hit of his Cy-gar. “That’s a narrow gulch which will soon be the home of a memorial plaque. Let’s go.”

“Me and the angry bot can take point.” Vortex added, throwing an arm around Brawl.

“Get offa me fool.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------

At the back of his group, Ratchet was feeling nervous. Ever since they’d arrived back on Cybertron they hadn’t encountered a single spark or sign of life. They’d been trailing along the outskirts of Iacon towards where Volcanicus may have landed, and he was growing concerned. He knew that more groups of Autobots besides the Dinobots stayed on Cybertron after the Ark left. Where did they all go?

“Slash?” The old medic called to the groups lone Dinobot.

“Yeah doc?” The femme replied as she ran alongside her girlfriend. The two were running in beast mode and keeping pace with the convoy.

“When was the last time you heard from another of the resistance groups?”

“A few months before Magnus called us.” Slash answered. “The Technobots were going to check on the Spy Changers. Nobody had heard from them for a while.”

“Anyone else?” Ratchet continued.

“Not really.”

“Relax doc.” Wheeljack called from the front of the convoy. “Most of the groups are probably just hiding from.” He was cut off as part of a ridge exploded, causing a landslide which blocked the road.

“You were saying?” Ratchet griped as he transformed. Around him Whirl Jetfire and Deathsaur landed before transforming as well.

“Now you see chaps, what we have here is what is called a turkey shoot.” Vortex called as he hovered into view in his helicopter mode.

“Very well put Vortex.” Swindle added, training his cannon on Whirl. He knew that the cyclopean Wrecker was as much of a screw loose as Vortex, and wasn’t taking any chances with him.

“Now, as much I want to let you all go and throw a spanner in Galvatrons’ plans.” Onslaught began, bringing his own guns to bear. “We have our own welfare to think about.”

“We ain’t going down without a fight colonel.” Wheeljack yelled, pulling his swords.

“I hope not.” Onslaught replied. “Keeps things interesting.”

Before a fight could break out the ground began to shake, catching both sides off guard. The ridge opposite the landslide suddenly exploded outward as what looked like a giant segmented worm with an octagonal shaped drill for a head emerged. Turning towards the two groups of combatants, the drill split open like a flower bud, revealing a leech like mouth full of sharp spinning teeth. The size of it could only be matched by a combiner.

“Aw scrap, Drillworm!”

“Oh great!” Mach Hoof yelled as she deployed her saber. “Alien Graboids!”

Another rumble was felt as a second Drillworm emerged behind Onslaught and a third from the rubble.

“Crikey, that ain’t right.” Jetfire exclaimed. “These buggers are solitary hunters.”

“Tell them that!” Deathsaur yelled, firing several blasts of Nucleon at one worm. This only seemed to agitate the beast.

“You need to aim for the mouth!” Brawl yelled as he transformed into tank mode and peppered another worm with cannon blasts.

“Combaticons!” Onslaught yelled. He wasn’t going to let his team go up against three of these megafaunas alone. “Merge into-” Before he could finish, the nearest worm launched a series of barbed cables out of its’ maw which embedded themselves into the Combaticon leader as well as Swindle and Blast Off. A moment later an electrical charge flooded their bodies, rendering them unconscious.

Meanwhile the two Drillworms in the gulch were imitating the third, successfully bringing down Slash, Ratchet, Wheeljack and Whirl in the first volley. Brawl attempted to fire another shot but one of the worms bashed the part of the ridge he was on, causing him to roll off it before crashing to the ground unconscious.

“Deathsaur, let’s hit them together.”

“Coming right up.” They replied, charging their own Nucleon weapons. “On three?”

“No, just fire!” Mach Hoof yelled. Together the two fired on the nearest drillworm. Only for their combined fire to reflect off it and into Vortex who was dodging another worm. They watched in shock as the crazed Combaticon crashed down on Jetfire, the force of the impact knocking him out as well.

“More than meets the eye.” Vortex slurred as he shut down. Seeing the last of their allies get taken out so easy, Mach Hoof groaned.

“You have got to be.” She was cut off as the tail end of the nearest worm slammed into her. She had the vaguest sensation of flying through the air before losing consciousness. Her last sight was of that same worm giving Deathsaur a body slam.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Within the city of Iacon, a lone computer watched the short battle unfold.

“Excellent.” It muttered to no one in particular before sending out a command to the remote controlled Drillworms. “Bring them to me. Maybe these players will be more entertaining.”

------------------------------------------------------------------

Slowly but surely, consciousness returned to Slash the Dinobot. Shaking her head, she slowly stood up and took a look around. The last thing she remembered was being ambushed by the Combaticons and those Drillworms. Now, she was standing in a dark room with the others scattered around her. Looking to her left, she saw the unconscious Combaticons beginning to stir as well.

“Uhh, where are we?” Mach Hoof asked as Slash helped her up. Around them the other Autobots were getting back to their feet as well.

“Lightbright?” Sparkstalker asked aloud. Looking down at his chest, he noticed that his Symbicon was missing.

“Colonel?” Swindle whispered, sidling up to Onslaught. “Did you see how we got here?”

“No, I was unconscious the whole time.” Onslaught replied.

“Sound off, who’s not dead.” Onslaughts’ voice came from Blast Offs’ mask.

“Man, that wasn’t funny when the colonel did it.” Brawl growled as he stood back up.

“What do you think Ratchet?” Wheeljack whispered to the medic. “Take them out now?”

“I think we should suspend hostilities until we’re sure of what’s going on.”

“Oh, but hostilities make for such fine entertainment.” A new, smooth sounding, voice exclaimed from the shadows.

“Ohh, mystery speaker!” Whirl exclaimed looking around for the speaker. “Where are you?”

“To say nothing of who.” Wheeljack added, drawing his swords and standing close to Slash and Mach Hoof.

“I encompass the entire net.” The voice began. “Through it, I observe systems, peoples and cities, from this place. Iacon.” A video window appeared in midair showing the wreckage of the former Autobot capitol.

“This guy for real?” Mach Hoof whispered to Slash. The Dinobot shrugged and continued to listen.

“My designation, Mainframe.” The hologram screen shattered and the particles reassembled into a head with both a visor and mouth plate. The newly named Mainframe took in the collective bots and cons.

“Let the games begin.”

“Mainframe?” Wheeljack asked, looking up at the face. “You mean the Autobot programmer Mainframe who vanished during the war?”

“Ohhh, how nice.” Mainframe cooed sarcastically. “Someone actually remembers my name. If only someone had remembered to look for me.” He added bitterly.

“Well, what happened to ya mate?” Jetfire asked.

“So glad you asked Jetfire.” Mainframe replied. “You see, not long after the Ark left Cybertron, I was captured by Shockwave during a botched raid and assumed dead.”

“Obviously we were wrong.” Slash mumbled.

“Very wrong.” Mainframe acknowledged. “You see, the ‘good senator’ forced me into my alt mode and removed my T-cog.” A new video screen materialized showing what looked like a large old fashioned red and blue supercomputer. “He also installed a mouth flower to ensure that I would die should anyone help me and began using me as secondary data processor in his tower.”

Slashs’ visor widened a bit. She had a feeling where this was going.

“Wait, you’ve been here this whole-time man?” Brawl asked. He knew about those mouth flowers. They were actually a spike that if tampered with, would shoot a needle into their victim's brain and kill them. They were also one of Shockwaves more devious inventions.

“Unfortunately.” Mainframe confirmed. “However, in the half million years since the Dinobots destroyed the tower, I’ve been almost entirely isolated within the abandoned city. As consequence, I tend to live my life mostly in my head, augmented somewhat by synth-sims, and self-made games.”

Ratchets’ optics widened. Synth-sims were a type of immersive full sensory simulation that allowed a Cybertronian to experience whatever their spark desired. Unfortunately, they were also horribly addicting. He had seen bots waste away while hooked up to one. Couple that with a half million years of isolation, it would be enough to drive anyone insane.

Speaking of.

“Didn’t you guys check the tower for survivors?” Mach Hoof asked Slash, drawing Ratchets’ attention to the Dinobot.

“It wasn’t my call.” Slash replied. It was true. After the Dinobots toppled Shockwaves’ tower, it had been Grimlocks’ call to make. He’d reasoned that between whatever experiments Shockwave was conducting and the collapse, there weren’t any survivors.

And now that call was coming back to haunt them all.

“What is your game here exactly Mainframe?” Onslaught asked. If he was careful maybe he could find a clue to get his team out of this mess.

“So glad you asked colonel.” Mainframe replied cheerily. “You see, in recent cycles, I’ve actually had some bots to test my skills against. They did poorly.”

Suddenly, the room was filled with video screens of various Autobots and some Decepticons meeting gruesome ends in what looked like exotic locations. Suddenly the question of the missing Autobots was no longer a mystery. So many teams had been wiped out by a bot who treated their lives as something akin to a video game.

The Technobots

The Spy Changers

The Pack

The Target Masters

The Sparkabots

The Jumpstarters

The Combaticons recognized a couple of teams too, mainly the Destrons and the Eradicons.

“Hopefully.” Mainframe continued, seemingly oblivious to his captive's discomfort. “You can do better.”

“You crazy.” Whirl began going to deploy his gun only to find that he couldn’t. “What the?”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Mainframe taunted. “You can’t use your guns until I say you can.”

“No go Mainframe.” Onslaught called to the floating head. “Do what you want with them, but leave my team out of it.”

“Oh, but colonel.” Mainframe simpered. “Let me show you what you’re playing for.” The various video screens vanished to be replaced with an overhead shot of the well of all sparks. And within the well was.

“Is that the Ark?” Slash asked.

“Impossible.” Ratchet answered. “It was destroyed years ago. I was there.”

“You’re right.” Mainframe added. “He’s my other project.”

“He?” Ratchets’ optics widened to a comical degree. “Sweet Primus, that’s Omega Supreme, isn’t it?”

“You are correct sir!” Mainframe replied. “I decided to give him a bit of an upgrade using the Arks’ schematics as a template. Admittedly, he wasn’t all that fond of playing ‘operation’.” Sparkstalker shuddered a little. It reminded him too much of his time at Tarantulas’ mercy.

“I have the reactivation codes for Omega Supreme hidden in five separate games I’ve designed.” Mainframe continued. “Each game shall have one Autobot and one Combaticon attempting to retrieve a key code.” A hologram of what looked like an Omega Key appeared. “You have to navigate the level and defeat the level guardian to acquire the code.”

“And whoever gets all five wins?” Onslaught asked. “Or at least the majority of them.”

“They get access to Omega, and they get to live.” Mainframe added ominously. “Oh, and to make sure the teams stay even.” An unseen force suddenly lifted both Sparkstalker and Slash into the air and held them aloft on either side of Mainframe.

“Let the games begin!” He called before anyone could protest further. A series of five space bridges opened around him and a similar unseen force pulled one bot and one con each toward them. Once the pairs had gone through, Mainframe pulled up five view screens.

“Let’s see how this plays out. Shall we?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Alright.” Jetfire sighed as he walked across a barren tundra. “Don’t know what I’m doing in this blooming deep freeze, but at least I’m not being fired at.” His monologue was interrupted by several small explosions going off around him. Looking up, he saw a familiar looking stealth jet pass him overhead.

“Me and my cruddy Yacker.”

“Special delivery.” Blast Off called in an annoying voice. “Pain!” He added in a deeper tone.

“Alright, time to get airborne and knock this dummy down the dunny.” Transforming, Jetfire took off after Blast Off.

“And you were planning to do that how exactly?” Blast Off taunted using a Megatron sound bite.

“Like this.” Jetfire replied, letting loose a volley of blasts at the Combaticons’ tail end. “Now rack off.” Blast off dodged the Autobots’ blasts with a barrel roll and when Jetfire went to fire again, they both had to dodge a ball of energy thrown at them from below.

“Crikey! What the-?”

Looking down, Jetfire saw a beast twice the size of both him and Blast Off. It seemed to be a lizard made of ice and had four legs and a tail with two rows of icicle spikes running down its’ back. Around its’ neck was the key they needed to retrieve. It gave a roar and shimmered in the sun before swinging its’ tail and launching another energy ball at them.

The scientist part of Jetfire wondered if this strange creature was harnessing solar radiation. The warrior in him wanted to keep it from being attacked. The Combaticon near him however, decided to divebomb the creature.

“You have to navigate the level and defeat the level guardian to acquire the code.” Blast Off called using their captors’ voice. Before Jetfire could fly after the Combaticon, he released an oval shaped device from his alt mode.

“Bomb voyage baby!” A femme's voice called from Blast Off as the explosive hurtled towards the monster. Jetfire dived after the explosive. He didn’t know where this creature came from or how Mainframe got a hold of it, but it didn’t deserve to die like this.

Unfortunately, the scientist was not fast enough and the bomb made contact with one of the beasts’ crystalline spikes. The explosion blanketed the immediate area in white smoke and the shockwave knocked Jetfire out of the air, forcing him back to bot mode. Getting back up, he shook his head and looked at the clearing smoke.

“And I will take that.” Blast Off called with Swindles’ voice as he stepped out of the smoke, code key in hand. Looking past him, Jetfire looked at where the creature was and felt shock to his spark.

“Ohh, no!”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mach Hoof silently cursed to herself as she ran away from Brawl the Combaticon across a rust red desert. Ever since she and the burly Decepticon had landed in what he called the Rust Sea, he’d been attempting to use his cannon against her. Admittedly this was problematic for him as his tank mode wasn’t as suited for the loose easily shifting sand as her beast mode. To say nothing of the fact she was more agile.

However, the angry bot behind her wasn’t her only concern.

“Where the heck is the level guardian?” She asked aloud. While she didn’t like feeling that she was in some kind of real-life videogame, she would admit that she’d rather win at this particular one.

“Probably waitn’ on one of us to off the other.” Brawl yelled in response as his tank mode roared over a dune before getting sunk in the sand once again. Transforming, the Combaticon trained his guns on Mach Hoof again. “I may not wanna do this kid, but it’s not just our lives on the line.” Before he could fire, a nearby dune erupted, creating a cover of flying red sand.

From it, the level guardian emerged.

The creature was mammalian in appearance and overall, resembled a large mammoth. It carried itself on six legs and had a tail, in true mammoth fashion though, there were two tusks and a woolly trunk at the head which also had the key code tied to it. The guardian gave a bellow before a jet of flame shot out of its’ trunk at Mach Hoof, who barely got out of the way in time.

“Of course, it just has to breath fire too.” She griped as she fired a bolt of Nucleon from her saber at it only for the bolt to do little more than agitate the beast. Transforming back into her beast mode, Mach Hoof began a game of dodging, hoping to possibly wear down the guardian.

From a nearby sand dune, Brawl transformed into his tank mode again. This was perfect, the little sucka would keep the big sucka busy long enough for him to put the latter down. Training his cannon on where he believed the beasts’ heart to be.

“I pity you fool.” Brawl muttered to himself as he opened fire three times and was rewarded by the sound of three consecutive impacts into the guardian's side. This also had the benefit of knocking the key code off of its’ trunk.

Transforming as the guardian keeled over, Brawl observed Mach Hoof use the beast as a springboard to leap into the air and charge up a bolt of Nucleon.

“Aw man!” Brawl groaned as he realized his mistake. Taking the sniper position may have enabled him to make a kill shot, but it also made him the highest thing in the area. A fact that Mach Hoof took full advantage of as she let loose her attack which arced directly to Brawl, causing the bot to begin convulsing before the sand beneath him shifted again, causing him to slide down the dune and crash to the desert floor in a heap.

“I pity the fool.” Mach Hoof muttered to herself, remembering a character from a show her dad liked to watch reruns of. Crouching down and picking up the code key, she turned to check on the guardian, hoping that she could find some way to help the poor thing.

What she saw, was worse. Far worse.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whirl and vortex were able to find the level guardian easily enough. The moment they arrived at what looked like the edge of a mist filled canyon dotted with one-person mesas and jagged stalagmites, they were set upon by what appeared to be a giant bat divebombing the two flyers from an overhead thunderstorm. Transforming and taking to the air, the two were forced to perform increasingly difficult aerobatics to avoid both the storm and the creatures' jaws.

“Ohhh.” Vortex sang as he zigged and zagged around in his helicopter mode. “You can rock it you can roll it you can stomp and even stroll it at the hop hop hop hop.” He sang as he flew. “When the records start spinin’ you chalypso when you chicken at the hop hop hop hop. Let’s go to the hop, let’s go to the hop.” He did a barrel roll to avoid another strafing attack.

“Your aim stinks. Let’s go to the hop.” Vortex added without skipping a beat.

“Sir, I should sue you for plagiarism!” Whirl yelled as he dove to avoid the bats’ wing. “I was doing wackadoo machaca years before you!”

“You’ll hear from my attorneys then.” Vortex laughed as he finally managed to pull a loop the loop and land on the bats’ back in his bot mode. Looking down, he saw the code key attached to its’ back. “The law firm of Kicker, Harter, and Indagears.”

“They’ve been out of business for years.” Whirl complained. He attempted to follow Vortex onto the creatures’ back only for the Combaticon to shoot several holes in the wings, causing it to lose altitude.

“And you’re about to join them muchacho.” Vortex laughed as he backflipped into the air, key in hand, and transformed back into his helicopter mode. “Happy landing!” He then fired several shots at Whirl to take him out too.

“No sooner done than said.” Whirl called. Banking right and putting some extra power in his rotors, the Wrecker shot up to a nearby mesa and transformed. Deploying his guns, he turned to fire on Vortex only for a loud bang to draw his attention.

Looking to his right, he was suddenly flooded by surprise. Impaled on one of the stalagmites was.

“Okay. Now that’s a plot twist.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Swindle grumbled as he trudged his way through an oil swamp. The con bot couldn’t help but dislike the environment he was now forced to compete in. Ideally, he was suited for a fire fight or procuring materials for whatever plan Onslaught had cooked up. Not jungle warfare.

“I swear, when I get out of this pit stop.” He muttered to himself. “I am going to trigger that mouth flower of his out of spite.”

A slight cracking sound caught his attention and be barely dodged out of the way of a falling tree.

“I can appreciate the sentiment.” Wheeljack called from somewhere above him. “But there’s no way we’re letting you get Omega Supreme.”

“Look.” Swindle yelled as he fired his cannon at the canopy. “I really don’t care about the guardian. Only about not dying.” Okay technically that was a lie. Let’s face it, a titan sized Omega Supreme would be quite the catch.

“Nice try.” Wheeljack taunted from a tree behind Swindle. “I read up on you guys when you surfaced on Earth. I know you’re a skilled liar.”

Grinning, Swindle turned and aimed at the oil pool at the base of the tree he heard the Wreckers’ voice come from. “Nice to know I’m so well known.” Firing his arm cannon, the pool beneath the tree exploded, forcing Wheeljack to jump.

Landing on the edge of the burning pool, Wheeljack then leapt into the air again, swords drawn. As the Wrecker attempted to bring his swords down on the con bot, he spun to the left, dodging the blow and smacking the Wrecker in the hip to boot. As Wheeljack went to attack Swindle again, he realized that the Combaticon did more than smack his hip.

“Looking for this?” Swindle taunted with glee as he tossed Wheeljacks’ grenade up and down like a football. Wheeljacks’ attention however, was elsewhere.

Behind the Combaticon, the level guardian had just risen out of the burning oil pool. Large and snakelike, it reared up and hissed, drawing Swindles’ attention. Looking up, the con bot realized two things.

One, the creature had a large bite and was within striking distance.

Two, the code key was embedded in its’ forehead.

Activating the grenade he stole from Wheeljack, Swindle dove back from the pool and lobbed the weapon as the guardian lunged at him with an open maw. The beast clacked its’ mouth shut and reared back in surprise.

“Yes!” Swindle yelled before a splash behind him caught his attention.

Looking behind him, Swindle saw Wheeljack dive into another oil pool. Confused, he turned back to the guardian and saw why. While the creature looked snakelike, he realized too late that there was an actual body to it. A body that was still within the burning oil pool.

“Oh scrap!” Swindle yelled as he bolted for another oil pool. Before he could dive in however, the level guardians’ body and the pool exploded. The force of the blast blew the Combaticon the rest of the way and into the pool. A few moments later, he emerged spluttering.

Looking around, Swindle saw that much of the swamp was now on fire. Turning back to where the level guardian was, he saw a burning headless carcass. Looking to his left he saw Wheeljack. Code key in hand.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me!” Swindle yelled as he marched over to Wheeljack.

The Wrecker in question however, was looking at the guardian's head.

“Slash is not going to like this.”

------------------------------------------------------------------

“No.” Slash whispered in despair. Four of the five games had been concluded, and as each level guardian was defeated, the illusion around them dissipated. On the screens in front of her were not four dead creatures, but four dead Dinobots.

Snarl, blown apart by Blast Offs’ bomb.

Slug, body riddled with holes from Brawl.

Swoop, impaled on a stalagmite.

Sludge, blown apart from the inside out.

“YOU MONSTER!” Slash yelled, anger rapidly overtaking her grief. “YOU KILLED THEM!”

“Says one of the ones who left ME to die.” Mainframe taunted the restrained Dinobot. “You didn’t care whether anyone would survive the destruction of the tower. So why should I care about any of you.”

“It wasn’t my-”

“It wasn’t my call.” Mainframe taunted. “Just following orders. The words of almost every second-string war criminal.” Slash was spun around to face their captor. “The Autobots have every bit as much energon on their hands as the Decepticons do. I’ve seen the files.”

“We’re at war.” Slash argued. Sparkstalker on the other hand tried not to look at either of them.

“Acceptable losses. The ends justify the means? Pathetic excuses!” Mainframe took a breath. “In any case that’s four games down. One to go.” He turned them back to the final screen.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ratchet was weary as he drove around the ruined city, he now found himself in. It had been almost ten minutes and he hadn’t seen flash nor substance of Onslaught. He knew the Combaticon leader was probably lying in wait and had some kind of plan set up.

“To steal a line from First-Aid.” He muttered to himself as he drove down another empty city street. “I’m a doctor, not a soldier.”

As if to reply to his comment, the foundations of the two skyscrapers at the end of the road he was on. Those two buildings then crashed into the ones next to them, knocking them over as well, and them the next two. This created a literal domino effect on the street.

“I just had to say it.” Ratchet exclaimed as he pulled a one eighty in the middle of the street and raced away from the destruction. As he closed in on the other end of the road, Onslaught drove into view in his vehicle mode and used his cannon to take out the foundation to the nearest building to collapse it and block both of them in.

“Welcome to the kill zone doctor.” Onslaught began as he transformed and trained his guns on the transforming medic. “I’m sure you know why it’s called that.”

“I may be a doctor, but I do know basic military terms.” Ratchet groused. “And you do realize that the goal is to beat the level guardian not each other, right?”

“I do.” Onslaught admitted. “However, I need to ensure that I get the key to save my team. So, you’ll excuse me for saying this, but I love it when.” He was cut off as the ground beneath them began to rumble. “What the?”

Several blocks away, the ground and buildings seemed to fall away into a giant sinkhole. From the center of the destruction emerged a replica of Trypticon in his battle mode. The replica gave a roar before turning to look at the two combatants that now realized, they were trapped.

“What was that you said about ‘how a plan comes together’?” Ratchet yelled at Onslaught who quickly realized his plan had trapped them and left them at the level guardians’ mercy.

“MAINFRAME!!!” Onslaught yelled. “I’m calling foul! There is no way you can expect us to beat this level guardian!”

“Sorry colonel.” Mainframes’ voice seemed to echo in throughout the area. “My game, my rules.” He cackled a little. “KILL THEM!!!”

The Trypticon replica roared before engaging its’ fusion cannon. The two bots quickly began to scale the rubble in hopes of getting out of the kill zone. As the replicant fired, Ratchet and Onslaught managed to reach the peak of the rubble and slide down to street level before transforming into their respective vehicle modes and driving away from the cannons’ ray.

“Get in close to it.” Onslaught yelled, recalling his knowledge of the real Trypticon. “It can’t use it’s cannon at close range.”

“So instead of getting fried, we get squished.” Ratchet snarked back.

“You have a better plan?” Onslaught answered. “It’s probably where the key is too.” With that the two accelerated, racing the fusion beam towards the replicant.

“You have any other advice?” Ratchet yelled as the beam stopped following them. Onslaught rotated the cannon on his truck mode.

“Yeah.” He answered. “Have a decoy handy.” Firing his cannons at the street in front of Ratchet, he was rewarded by the sound of tires popping and Ratchet transforming while swearing as he hit the gas in time to dodge the replicants swinging tail.

Arriving at the center of the city, where the sinkhole was, Onslaught carefully stayed between the replicants’ legs and tail. When he’d researched what became of Trypticon station he noticed that its’ bot mode couldn’t do much to anyone directly beneath it. A serious design flaw.

Looking into the sinkhole, the Combaticon leader saw the code key in the center of it. Feeling the ground vibrate, he looked up to see the replicant taking steps back to get them into its’ line of fire.

“Time for a leap of faith.” He said to no one in particular before taking a running leap into the hole. Hearing the roar of an engine, Onslaught looked up to see a red and white ambulance speed off the edge of the hole on rims and transform back into Ratchet.

“How?”

“I grabbed onto his tail as it swung by you son of a glitch.” With that the medic fired his weapons at the side of the hole, the recoil knocking him into the Combaticon leader. The two struggled for a moment before slamming into the bottom of the sinkhole.

At the moment of impact, everything went white.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“A TIE!!!” Mainframes’ voice raged as the light faded. Looking down, Ratchet realized that both he and Onslaught had a servo on their code key. They must’ve landed on it at the same time.

“Colonel.” Swindle called as he and the other Combaticons rallied around their leader and helped him up.

“Ratchet, are you alright?” Wheeljack asked as he approached. Sword in one hand and key in the other.

“At least he’s alive.” Slash droned out. She was still in shock.

“What?” Ratchet asked.

“The other four level guardians turned out to be four of the other Dinobots disguised to look like monsters.” Jetfire supplied, helping the medic to his feet.

“Yes, yes, you all successfully killed my four latest acquisitions.” Mainframe said in an offhanded way. To him, no lives mattered. “But how to decide this contest?” The mad programmer was pulled from his musings by the sound of transformation. Looking down, he suddenly found himself optic to optic with Bruticus Maximus.

“I shall take their keys, and you shall release us.” Bruticus stated in a no-nonsense tone that would’ve made Mainframe shiver if he’d been in bot mode.

“I suppose simple fisticuffs shall suffice.” Their captor replied. “Commence the bonus round.”

“Hey, if they’re going up against Bruticus, let us help!” Sparkstalker yelled. He wasn’t about to let them face one of the most feared combiners in history alone. Even if he didn’t have Lightbright with him.

“Sorry.” Mainframe laughed, not sounding it in the least. “My games, my rules.”

Bruticus turned his guns on the collective Autobots and opened fire, forcing them to scatter. Both Whirl and Jetfire transformed and attempted to get close enough to shoot the combiner in the visor only to be forced to dodge Vortex’ helicopter blade being thrown like a shuriken at them. Mach Hoof let loose a bolt of Nucleon into his foot and it seemed to work as he shuddered and convulsed, only for him to grab the attacking Wheeljack and throw him into her.

“Game Over.” Bruticus growled as the convulsing stopped and he began to advance towards Ratchet.

“Not quite yet.” A new and familiar nasally feminine voice rang out, stopping Bruticus in his tracks.

“What? Whose there?” Mainframe yelled. “This is my domain!” Suddenly, Slash and Sparkstalker were released from their bonds and fell to the ground.

“My prisoners!”

“My friends.” The voice corrected as a flash of light emanated from Sparkstalkers’ chest and faded to reveal.

“Lightbright?” Ratchet exclaimed. The sight of the diminutive Autobot on her partners’ chest was unexpected, but not unwelcome.

“Sweet byte!” Sparkstalker exclaimed, happy to feel his loves presence once again.

“Trespasser!” Mainframe growled.

“Player two, ready.” Lightbright answered. “Ratchet, take a breather. I have a plan.”

“This is grand scale cheating femme!” Mainframe yelled.

“You mean like how you have them all thinking this is happening for real?” Lightbright answered, separating from Sparkstalker, but staying close by.

“Run that by us again Sheila.” Jetfire asked as Mainframe growled,

“We’re all out of our minds at the moment.” She replied. “Everything you’ve seen since waking up is a Synth-sim. He just didn’t count on one of us having two minds instead of one.”

A new window opened showing the unconscious bodies of everyone present in the room. Each of them had a cable running from the back of their heads to outlets in the walls. Every single one of them also had a collar with what looked like an explosive attached to it. The rest of the room was filled with the headless corpses of the various bots and cons they’d seen die earlier.

“So, my little ruse has been discovered.” Mainframe casually sighed. “This is why I don’t co-op with femmes. Or anyone really.” He turned his head to Bruticus. “Destroy them and your release will still be guaranteed. The explosives will deal with them in reality once their avatars are gone.”

Lightbright laughed. “I figured you’d say something like that. You see, I’ve been active in here since the time they arrived, and I’ve been busy.” Four space bridges opened and four familiars looking Autobots emerged from them.

“Guys!” Slash yelled joyously as she saw Snarl, Slug, Swoop and Sludge emerge in bot mode. She ran up to them and wrapped her arms around Sludge, who was nearest. “I thought you were.”

“Impossible! Mainframe yelled in shock.

“Not really.” Lightbright laughed. “I just had to slow down the processor a bit and switch out the Dinobots’ avatars with empty shells just before their seeming demises.”

“Clever.” Mainframe bit out. “But Bruticus will still make short work of you all.”

“As is yes.” Lightbright admitted. She led Sparkstalker over to the Dinobots before recombing with him back into Deathsaur. “However, we have one final trick up our sleeve.” They finished together.

What happened next, threw everyone for a loop. The five Dinobots’ optics glowed magenta for a moment, along with Deathsaurs before the six of them transformed and began to combine. Deathsaur partially transformed back into bot mode with his beast mode head coming up to serve as a head before its’ maw opened wide revealing a visor and faceplate for the combiner as their arms and legs remained folded.

After that, Slashs’ legs folded up and her arms raised and pivoted before she attached herself to Deathsaurs’ chest flush beneath Lightbright in chest mode. Finally, the other four Dinobots transformed into the same limb configuration they took for Volcanicus and slotted into place, completing the new combiner. The red visor on their face flashed ominously as they stared down Bruticus.

“Mosazaur, battle ready.” The newly minted Mosazaur called. Without Grimlocks’ rage to blind them, the new, seven-part combiner was fully cognizant and raring to go.

“By the Primes.” Ratchet whispered as the others rallied around him, behind their new protector.

“An interesting idea, but ultimately futile.” Mainframe taunted. “Attack.

Shoving down their distaste for their captor, Bruticus rushed Mosazaur only for the latter to turn and shoot a jet of flame from the shoulder that was Slugs’ mouth. Backstepping to get away from the flame allowed them to deliver a Nucleon charged roundhouse kick to his chest.

“Very well then.” Bruticus stated, engaging every gun across his body. “Firing all.” With that, he opened fire on the new combiner.

Reaching behind them, Mosazaur drew Deathsaurs’ shield and held it in front of them. While it didn’t block every shot fired, it did withstand the hardest hits of the barrage. Once the artillery fire stopped, they shifted the shield around and watched as it transformed to fully enclose over their right hand, becoming a kind of sword spike.

Charging forth, Mosazaur found their opening blow parried by Bruticus wielding Vortex’ blades again. Leaping back the two combiners began to circle one another. A sudden thought came to mind.

“Bruticus.” They began, continuing to circle. “Which is more important to you? Your survival, or victory.” There was a moment of silence.

“A victory is any battle you can walk away from.” He stated.

“The first thing Lightbright did was deactivate the bombs in the collars and lock Mainframe out.”

“WHAT!!!”

“If you forfeit here, your minds will simply return to your bodies once your avatars are destroyed.” Mosazaur explained ignoring the deranged programmers' anger.

“A trick.” Bruticus shook his head. “Autobots want us dead.”

“Sparkstalker does not.” Mosazaur countered. “And even the Dinobots respect you for rebelling against Megatron all those years ago.”

Another moment of silence seemed to stretch on forever before Bruticus returned his blades and looked at Mosazaur.

“Proceed.”

“NO!!!”

On his confirmation, Mosazaur raised their sword, both charging it with Nucleon and igniting it in flames. A strong slash from shoulder to hip rent across Bruticus before his avatar shattered in a cloud of pixels.

Looking to the view screen, the collective bots saw the Combaticons jolt back to consciousness before ripping the collars from their necks and the cables from their heads. For a brief moment, it looked like Swindle was going to open fire on the helpless Autobots before Onslaught stopped him. While they couldn’t hear what was said, they all breathed a sigh of relief as the five Decepticons transformed and left.

“I believe that’s game over.” Ratchet said as Mosazaur separated. There was a moment of silence before Mainframe answered with a yell.

“If I lose, everyone loses!” With that, the room began to shake as the few details in it exploded into pixels like Bruticus had done. All around them various video screens appeared for a moment with images of events from Mainframes’ life before exploding like everything else.

“What’s happening?” Mach Hoof yelled in confusion.

“Oh crikey.” Jetfire yelled as he realized what was happening. “The galah is erasing his own mind, and taking us with him.”

“Talk about a sore loser.” Deathsaur added. “Mainframe, we won, release us.”

“Now, now.” Mainframe taunted; his voice distorted. “I never said ‘I’ would play by the rules.” He gave a maniacal laugh as the image of his head exploded too.

“Come on.” Deathsaur yelled opening a space bridge with a gesture.

“I built an escape route in case he pulled something like this.” Lightbright added.

“Everybody out.” They finished together.

As everyone ran for the portal, Deathsaur noticed Ratchet and Wheeljack lingering.

“We can’t leave without these.” Ratchet explained as Wheeljack handed him the last of the code keys to Omega Supreme.

Nodding as the two ran through the portal back to their bodies, Deathsaur shook their head at the rapidly shrinking space they’d been standing in before following them out and avoiding deletion.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

A few miles away from Iacon, back in Necrobot Pass, the Combaticons finally came to a stop before transforming amidst the now inert Drillworms. Mainframe must’ve been controlling them somehow and with his death, they’d been rendered harmless.

“I still say we should’ve finished them off colonel.” Swindle said as he looked his commander in the optic.

“They let us walk away Swindle.” Onslaught countered. “Letting them live was just repaying the favor.”

“That was still a risk man.” Brawl threw in. “They coulda been lying’ about the bombs.”

“They weren’t.” Onslaught replied nonchalantly, taking a hit off his Cy-gar. “One consistent thing I’ve seen in Autobots is that they’re usually the honorable types.” He snorted. “Even the Dinobots.”

“So where do we go from here colonel?” Vortex asked.

“We catch up with Slog.” Onslaught replied before transforming, prompting his troops to do so as well. “No need to hurry though.”

And with that, the group took off again for Paradon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ratchet groaned and shook his head as he regained consciousness. Vaguely, he felt the destruct collar being removed from his neck. Standing up, he looked at his wrist computer and noted that the key codes for Omega Supreme had apparently uploaded at the same time he did. Looking around the room, he saw that most of the other had recovered as well.

“So, we can’t form Mosazaur in real life?” Snarl asked Deathsaur on the far side of the room.

“No.” They responded with a sigh. “We achieved that primarily by tweaking our avatars in the sim. To do so in real life, we’d need the Enigma of Combination.”

“And that’s back on Earth.” Mach Hoof added.

“We have something more important to do in any case.” Slash interrupted. The Dinobots looked at each other in understanding and nodded.

Moments late, the group were standing outside of the wreckage of Shockwaves’ tower.

“Alright.” Ratchet yelled. “Blow it.”

On his command the remaining supports on the old tower were blown apart, collapsing the building onto itself. There had been some debate, but considering the sheer number of dead bodies within the tower (both newer and older) this was deemed the best way to deal with them. A more thorough sweep of the sub levels resulted in them finding mainframes’ catatonic body. There was a brief argument about what to do with it before Whirl took charge and smacked it with one of his hooks. The telltale ‘shick’ before his body turned ashy gray was all they needed to know that the mouth flower had done its’ job.

“Now that that’s taken care of.” Ratchet continued, turning to look at the group. “We need to reactivate and finish upgrading Omega Supreme.”

“Finish?” Mach Hoof asked. “The guy is as big as Autobot City.”

“Mainframe may have used parts of Metroplex to make Omega titan sized.” Ratchet admitted. “But he isn’t quite ready to make the trip back to Earth. Jetfire, Wheeljack, Deathsaur and myself will finish the repairs and reactivate him.”

“Do you need us for that doc?” Slash asked.

“I don’t think so, the rest of the city is deserted. Why?”

“Because after we crashed here.” Snarl replied. “Grimlock went feral and took off. We need to go look for him.”

Ratchets’ optics widened. In all the confusion, he hadn’t even registered the fact that the Dinobot commander was missing. Regaining his composure, Ratchet nodded at them. They were the only ones who could bring him back.

“Go.” He ordered. “And take Mach Hoof and Whirl with you.” Ratchet already knew that the young Maximal would follow Slash regardless and ultimately, she was too small to help with the process. Whirl being gone would simply make everything flow smoother.

Giving a nod before transforming, the Dinobots led Mach Hoof and Whirl out of the city and hopefully in the direction of Grimlock.

“Alright everyone, let’s move out.” Ratchet announced as he turned toward the location of the well of all sparks.

“We’ve got work to do.”

Notes:

A/N: And there we have it. Time for some explanations.

I decided to upgrade Omega Supreme into a titan sized body so as to have him on par with Trypticon. Design wise, he is a mix of both the Ark and his Transformers Animated counterpart. Funny story. I didn’t know that the ‘Teletraan-1’ Autobot that came with the Ark was named Mainframe until I was almost done with the chapter. Irony, right?

Mainframe is based on Dr. Jerimiah Surd from the 90’s Jonny Quest cartoon (Voiced by Frank Welker) I figured Mainframe being stuck in his supercomputer alt mode would be analogues to being quadriplegic. Sorry if a sub-faction anyone liked was on his kill list, but I needed to drive home just how dangerous he was. To say nothing of how insane.

Mosazaur is actually an experimental combiner of mine. I figured if Hasbro could create a ‘new’ combiner by switching torsos, I could at least create a good reason why that would be the case. I just hope they were well received.

Now I’m sure you’re all wondering about Grimlock. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until next time to find out because.

Next Time: The King of the Golden Lagoon

Until then, kudo, subscribe, and comment. Bye!

Chapter 50: King of the Golden Lagoon

Notes:

It’s that time again everyone. Welcome to a new chapter of Beast Wars Prime. I’m actually very excited about this chapter and hope it’s well received. And for those who might be interested, a Spanish translation of this story is now available on Wattpad, posted by lukisam under the name guerra de bestias prime. For now though, please enjoy.

"Alright Megatron.” Shockwave called as he hefted the last part of the deposed Decepticon leaders rebuild onto his shoulder. “It’s ready.” Exiting the cave, he saw two of the three dinosaur-based beast modes Megatron now sported playing with Transmutate as the recently restored Astrotrain watched them in baffled amazement.

“I see it.” The triple changer muttered to himself. “But I still don’t believe it.”

“A real Norman Rockwell moment.” The illusion of Tarantulas added although only Shockwave could hear him. “Makes me wanna puke.”

“Believe it Astrotrain.” Megatron replied, his third beast mode sitting not too far from the cave entrance. “I was wondering when it’d be ready Shockwave. Having no legs of any kind in one mode is rather disconcerting.”

“Reforging a Prime artifact takes time. And you needed more practice working three bodies simultaneously.” Shockwave replied, setting his load down and watching as four flippers unfolded from it. “Two out of three works fine too.”

“I still can’t believe you had the Skyboom Shield all this time either.” Astrotrain added as Shockwave set the third beast that composed his leader into the shield. The flippers in said shield suddenly became active and began pushing Megatron around the ground.

“Awkward.” Megatron criticized. “But for a sea-based mode, it shall suffice.”

“And with the Seasaur complete, so too is your rebuild.” Shockwave added as Transmutate ambled over accompanied by the rest of Megatron.

“Seasaur?”

“Well, none of your three modes are based on anything in any fossil record.” So, I improvised names. Seasaur.” Shockwave began his explanation, pointing to the greyish blue Elasmosaurus like beast. “Landsaur.” He continued, pointing to what looked like a purple Giganotosaurus standing next to Transmutate. “And Skysaur.” He finished, pointing at a blazing red Pterosaur that landed in on his shoulder.

“In any case Shockwave.” Megatron replied with Skysaur. “This new body goes well above your usual work.” With that, the three dinos began to combine and transform.

Landsaur started off with its’ hips folding downward with the legs to form a new lower body with rigging unfolding from the thighs to give it more height. The rest of the body unfolded into a new chest hull as the dino arms folded into the waist and the head came to rest where the right shoulder would be. Seasar leapt up and unfolded into a back and a pair of slim but muscled arms with the modified Skyboom Shield taking up residence on the left forearm. The two bodies merged together as Skysaur landed on the shoulders and unfolded into Megatrons’ new head with the wings moving part way down his back to give him limited flight capabilities in bot mode.

Megatron took in his newly complete form. Whereas his previous body exuded overwhelming power and strength, his new one seemed to blend his previous strength with precision. Taking a glimpse of his face in his shields’ reflection, he scowled.

“Shockwave, did you really have to change my optic color?” He asked. He’d been so used to his red optics that seeing them a pale green had been a shock. The new helm, sure, it needed to fit inside Skysaur. But this.

“Honestly, no.” The scientist senator replied before looking his commander in the optic. “However, if you survive what’s to come, then being unrecognizable may be your way to stay alive.” He nodded to Transmutate. “For her sake.”

Looking down at the femme he’d all but adopted as his own daughter, Megatron nodded. Maybe, once the war was over, starting a new life with his new appearance could be an option. Besides, after realizing what all his work had led to, he no longer wished to be the warlord Megatron.

He’d have to consider a new designation though.

“Not that it really matters.” Tarantulas grumbled. “In a few hours I’ll have control again and I’ll be able to hunt them down using your body afterwards.”

“However, I must inform you three of a situation.” Shockwave continued. “I was able to slip free from Tarantulas’ control of me when his body was destroyed.” He paused a moment. “He is nearly recovered enough to begin controlling me again.”

“What!”

“Oh great!”

“Way to spoil it.” The disembodied scientist grumbled.

“I have a way to stop him.” Shockwave replied. “However, on the off chance it doesn't work.” He turned to look at Astrotrain. “I want you three to be well away from me when I attempt it, for your own safety.”

“Shockwave.” Megatron looked at the scientist with a pained expression. He was well aware that the then senator was the one who saved him from the senates’ shadow play. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow that he was unable to return the favor.

“Quick rundown of your body’s new features.” Shockwave interrupted. “In addition to separating into three modes you have an amalgamated mode I call Chimerasaur. This mode also allows you to use the weapons I built into each of your beast modes.”

“Which are?” Megatron asked, his concern for his comrade temporarily overridden by his curiosity.

“Skysaur has a built-in flamethrower.” Shockwave continued. “Seasaur has a cryokinetic beam mounted into the mouth. And Landsaur has an upgraded and compact version of your fusion cannon. All this in addition to the Skyboom Shield which can either deflect a blast or absorb and redirect almost any blast.”

“Makes Megatron even more of a one mech army.” Astrotrain finished.

“Which is exactly what we need to take down Galvatron.” Megatron finished with a growl.

----------------------------------------------------------

Back on Cybertron, Mach Hoof, Whirl and the Dinobots were traversing away from the city of Iacon in the general direction the latter remembered their leader running off in. After getting out of the city, the terrain quickly changed from battle scarred planes, to dense alien jungle. Dense enough that both Whirl and Swoop were unable to follow from the air.

“Get along there, little lizzie!” Whirl called as he rode on Slugs’ back through the dense foliage.

“Say that again and I’m going to roll over onto you.” The irritable Dinobot growled as he barreled through another stretch of rusted vines. The only reason he agreed to carry the Wrecker was because he’d irritated Snarl and Sludge was already carrying Swoop for similar reasons.

“You guys are sure this is where the boss ran?” Slash asked as she and Allison kept pace with the larger Dinobots. Seeing an upcoming fallen log, she leapt up onto and over it with her girlfriend managing to do the same before Sludge smashed his way through it.

“We think so.” Snarl answered as he ran. “Then again, we were captured before he was out of sight so who knows for sure which direction he.” The medic stopped as he saw a mote of light glowing at the base of a tree. Then another near a spinepin bush.

“Hold up.” Snarl called, bringing the group to a halt. Transforming, he looked at a third nearby mote of light at the base of another tree. “This can’t be right.” He muttered to himself.

“Ehh, what’s up doc?” Whirl asked. He regretted those words immediately as Slug made good on his threat and rolled over like a dog before transforming. Leaving the Wrecker slightly squished.

“Knew I’d regret that the instant I said it.”

“What is it Snarl?” Slash asked as she stepped up to the medic.

“A spark.” Snarl whispered as he examined the light. “One in the process of formatting.”

“How?” Sludge asked. “The Allspark is still missing.”

“I don’t know.” The medic admitted. “Maybe this was a dormant hotspot before the shut down.” He explained. “But we’re on the outer fringes of it.” Looking at the scattered motes of light, he noticed a pattern.

“The center of the hotspot is that way.” Snarl announced, pointing to the groups far left.

“What about Grimlock?” Mach Hoof asked. Not that this wasn’t a good thing, but it was not what they were after.

“Young sparks need a steady supply of energon as they mature.” Snarl responded, before transforming back into beast mode. “I’m sure that Grimlock sensed the hotspot and its’ energon and headed that direction on instinct. It’s kind of how humans instinctively follow the sun when lost.”

A moment later, the group were charging through the increasing jungle foliage towards the center of the hotspot. As they traveled, they noticed the number of sparks become progressively larger. A sign that they were drawing closer.

“What’s with the green sparks?” Allison asked as they moved. “Are they corrupted or something?”

“No.” Slash answered. She’d noticed an unusually high number of green sparks herself. “They’re outliers. Bots that will be born with enhanced abilities.”

“Like Trailbreaker.” Allison whispered to herself, feeling a pang for her dead partner and mentor. Shaking her head, she continued the conversation. “So, what are we going to do about all these...little ones?” She asked.

“Not much.” Snarl continued. “While normally Cybertronians go from this to fully formed in a matter of weeks, whatever reactivated the hotspot seems to have slowed their gestation if my guess is right.”

“Probably the Cybermatter.” Swoop called. “We shot it into the well of all sparks to revitalize the planet. Maybe it reignited some hotspots in the bargain?”

“Possibly.” The Dinobot medic answered. “But if I my guess is right, they will emerge fully formed about a year from now.”

“Then we can worry about them later.” Slug yelled as he charged ahead. “Right now, we need to, woah!” He called as he broke through the tree line ahead of the others.

“Slug!” Sludge called as the group emerged from the jungle as well. “What is?” He was cut short as they took in the view before them.

In front of them was a great and seemingly endless valley that seemed to be glowing from all angles. Through its’ center was a mighty river of energon flowing from a waterfall at the end of it. All around the valley were glowing sparks in clusters amongst the alien vegetation. The entire valley seemed to be alive in and of itself.

“What is this place?” Allison asked. Looking closer at the vegetation, she could see that it was like a Cybertronian hybrid of an Earth fern plant. Part of her wished her sister was here to see this.

“I don’t know.” Snarl whispered. “I’ve never seen a place like this before.”

“Do you think the cybermatter created this place when it created the hotspot?” Allison queried. “I mean, it gave the planet a copy of Earths’ atmosphere.”

“Possibly.”

“Hey!” Swoop called out from the air. “Head east, there’s something strange there!”

The group made their way across the valley, taking care not to step on any of the young sparks around them. Eventually, they came across a gigantic pool of what looked like molten gold.

“Never seen this kind of thing before either.” Slug mumbled as he stared at his reflection in the lagoon. “Any idea Snarl?”

Transforming, the Dinobot medic deployed a laser probe and analyzed the lagoons’ golden liquid. Activating the hologram display, he began to study the results.

“Well, it’s not Electrum.” He began. “The closest thing I can get is similar to the readings I had on the cybermatter, only it’s electrified somehow.

“Is it safe?” Slash asked, ready to pull Allie back if it wasn’t.

“CANNONBALL!” Whirl yelled before jumping into the lagoon with a big splash.

“We’re about to find out.”

A few moments later, the water where Whirl landed flashed before the Wrecker surfaced.

“Woo!” He yelled, throwing his arms into the air. “Come on in, the water’s fine!” Turning to the Dinobots and Maximal on the shoreline, he noticed them all staring at him. “What? Did I lose my aft plate.”

“No.” Allison answered with wide eyes. “It’s just, your face.”

“Very funny.” Whirl snarked going to run a hook down his singular optic. “You know I haven’t had a face since before.” He stopped as his vision became covered by a lemon-yellow hand.

“What the!”

Scrambling out of the golden lagoon, Whirl looked at his reflection. He was shocked to find his original yellow face and blue optics had been restored. The cyclopean eye and hooks the Empurata had given him were gone. He turned to look at Snarl.

“How did this happen?”

The Dinobot looked at his readout.

“From what I can tell Whirl.” He began. “This is an unstable form of cybermatter. It can break down most any matter and from there it can be restructured.” Snarl looked at Whirl. “Were you thinking anything specific when you were submerged?”

“Just an idle notion that swimming would be easier if I had hands instead of hooks.”

“So, it’s intent based.” Snarl muttered to himself. Theoretically, one could enter the lagoon and come out with a whole new body. He smirked. That’d be a way to ruffle the feathers of functionism.

Allison stepped up to the lagoon and looked at her reflection. For a brief moment, she wondered whether or not she should just jump in herself. The idea of turning back into a normal human girl was very tempting and this lagoon could grant that wish.

“I’d understand if you want to Allie.” Slash whispered, catching her off guard and making her jump. “And if I survive the war too, I can join you.” There was a moment of silence as Allison contemplated this.

“I never thought I’d meet a girl like you Slash.” Allison began.

“Do what’s right for you, not.”

“Let me finish.” She interrupted her girlfriend's rebuttal. “But now that I have, I want to spend as much of my life as possible with you.” She looked the Dinobot in the optic. “And I’m not settling for a measly hundred years anymore.” Stepping forward, Allison Blackrock wrapped her Dinobot girlfriend in a tight hug and pressed her lips to hers. Pulling back, she smiled at the dazed femme.

“And nothing’s going to change that.”

While the two femmes were talking and Snarl was examining Whirl, the other Dinobots were scouting the area.

“Look at all these sparks.” Swoop called as he circled overhead. “There’s enough to fill an entire city.”

“Hmm, Dinobot city.” Slug mumbled to himself. “Has a nice ring to it.”

“Not if the wildlife eats the sparks!” Sludge yelled pointing across the river. “Look!”

Across the river, a large four-legged animal was digging at one of the green sparks in the riverbed. It was silvery grey with red eyes and had a mane and tail of what looked like spikes. Everyone turned to look at it, never noticing the ripple in the lagoon.

“Get that Turbofox away from there!” Snarl yelled; his attention finally pulled away from Whirl. “If it digs away enough of the sentio metallico, that spark will die!” As one, the group transformed and attempted to get to the Turbofox.

Only for something else to get there first.

With a mighty roar, a familiar looking Tyrannosaurus burst from the tree line on a direct path to the Turbofox.

“Grimlock!?” The Dinobots called at their feral leader.

Hearing the mighty predator charging at it, the Turbofox stopped its’ attempt at a meal and beat a hasty retreat. The Dinobot was faster however and managed to clamp his jaws around the beast's middle. Whipping his head from side to side momentarily, Grimlock threw the Turbofox to ground. It didn’t get up again.

Satisfied that the threat was dead, Grimlock went back to the spark it was digging at and gently nosed the sentio metallico back into place before pressing down on it with his foot. Turning away from his work, the Dinobot gave a massive roar that echoed across the valley.

From their spot across the river, the collective group watched as Grimlock ceased roaring and turned towards them. As the feral Dinobot began to walk towards them, they began trying to make a plan.

“If we don’t move, he can’t see us.” Sludge offered. Thinking of Jurassic Park

“That was just a movie, dummy.” Slash hissed. “That was disproven years ago.”

“Yeah, and it’s Grimlock.” Snarl added. “He can see us.”

Their planning was cut off as Grimlock stared down at them, judging them to some degree. He surveyed the collection of Autobots in front of him, sniffing a little bit as he went from bot to bot. Finaly, the inspection ended with the Tyranobot simply walking away towards the other end of the valley.

“You think he recognized us?” Allison asked as she watched the retreating Tyrannosaurus.

“Enough to not deem us a threat.” Snarl confirmed. “However, I am curious. He seems to be protecting the sparks in this valley like a nesting mother.”

“Do you think the boss has been meaning to tell us something?” Sludge asked out loud. This was answered by a smack to the back of the head. “OW!”

“We only look like dinosaurs Sludge.” Slash explained, rubbing her optics. “Grimlock may be feral at the moment, but he’s still Grimlock. He’s protecting those who need it. Violently, if he can.”

“So, like a warrior king defending his subjects.” Allison added.

“Which does beg the question.” Whirl added. “How are we going to get him out of here?”

“Is it even really the best thing right now?” Swoop asked.

“Run that by me again bird brain.” Slug growled.

“Look.” The flyer defended himself. “Ratchet even admitted that his condition is irreversible, maybe, maybe this is the best place for him.”

“I don’t like it.” Snarl began after a moment. “But I can see where you’re coming from.”

“You want us to just leave him here?” Slash asked.

“In a sheltered area, with more than enough energon to sustain him.” Snarl explained. “To say nothing of having so many young ones to watch after.”

“But it’s Grimlock!” Sludge argued.

“I think.” Whirl interrupted, sounding unsure if he should even be in this discussion or not. “That we should rest and recharge a bit. We’ve all had a big day.”

There were some murmurs, both in agreement and not, but no further arguments. Not long afterwards, the group had dispersed. However, they were taking special care to stay in sight of one another. One member of the group however, was sitting a bit farther apart from the others.

“Whirl?” Allison called, trotting up to the Wrecker in beast mode. “Are you alright? I figured you’d be happier having your face and hands back.”

“I am.” Whirl admitted, as he looked at his reflection again. “The thing is though.” He continued. “This isn’t the face of a soldier.”

“Excuse me?”

“If you remember correctly, I left the Air Force to become a watch maker.” The Wrecker began. “After the senate got through with me, I had to completely reinvent myself. It wasn’t like I could make watches with hooks. The war broke out not long after and.”

“You decided to put on a mask.” Allison finished. “Have we, ever met the real you?”

“To be brutally honest.” Whirl answered. “I don’t even know.”

The moment was ruined by the sound of an explosion followed by a familiar roar.

“What the hell!?” Mach Hoof yelled, mentally switching to ‘battle mode’ and transforming.

“Grimlock!” Slug yelled before transforming and taking off through the valley towards the commotion. Within moments, the other Dinobots as well as the Maximal and Wrecker were following him.

Charging through the foliage into another clearing, the group saw the Dinobot leader attempting to fend off a group of five attackers. Or more specifically, one attacker with the other four working around the battle. Grimlock was locked in battle with what looked like a wingless two headed dragon while four other mechs darted around, extracting every outlier spark in the area and loading them into some kind of pods.

“Sludge, you and me help Grimlock.” Snarl yelled before transforming back into his stegosaurus mode. “The rest of you, stop them from taking the sparks.”

“I think not.” A feminine voice came from one of the dragons' heads. While one head had its’ maw locked with Grimlocks’ the other breathed a fireball at the feet of the oncoming Sludge. The apatosaur attempted to dodge it only to step right in the line of a ball of gunk aimed at his feet, gluing him in place.

“Good trick boss.” The surprise attacker called. He was a large blue and purple simian who had fluid leaking from various joints.

“Just keep extracting sparks Blot.” The dragon called as she spun around, Grimlock still locked with her, using his mass to send Snarl flying. The Dinobot medic collided with the nearby cliff, leaving him dazed.

“No sweat Hun-Gurr.” A pale grey and blue mech called, dodging shots from Swoop and Whirl. “Hey, Cutthroat, mind giving me some cover fire?”

“Always gotta be me doing the dirty work.” A tan and green mech grumbled before turning into a kind of pterosaur like gargoyle. “Coming right up Rippersnapper.” Cutthroat called before taking off and attempting to knock Swoop out of the air. When the flyers dodged him, the mech flew over his opponents and transformed. Using his twin pistols, he peppered Swoops wings with holes, and shot the rotor off Whirls’ tail, forcing the two to land.

“Tricky flying.” Rippersnapper called as Cutthroat landed heavily on the transforming Swoop, taking him out and shooting and felling a tree to pin Whirl before he could recover from his crash. His attention was called to the charging Mach Hoof a moment later. Giving a sigh, he transformed into a landshark alt mode before diving into the loose ground beneath him, giving the Maximal pause.

“Oh, great. Now where’d he?” She was cut off as the landshark erupted up behind her. Before she could even get a shot off, Mach Hoof found herself flying through the air after being smacked by his massive tail fin. Slamming into a tree, she blacked out.

“Allie!” Slash yelled. Drawing her pistol she took aim at Rippersnapper. “Eat this you.” She was cut off as a blob of clear slime fried from a transformed Blot. The blob engulfed Slashs’ pistol and both of her hands, creating a perfect pair of makeshift handcuffs.

“That’s what happens when you think with your sparks rather than your heads.” Blot laughed gurgling all the while. “Your team becomes as strong as your weakest link.”

“I’ll show you weakest!” Slug bellowed as he charged Blot, mouth ablaze. He was so focused on Blot, that he never noticed the other bot until it was too late.

With an intense speed, a long yellow serpent darted from the tree line and wrapped its’ way around the charging Dinobots’ legs, sending him tumbling end over end. As he came to as stop, Slug realized that the serpent who was constricting him, had two heads that were smirking at him. As he went to breath fire at him, one of the heads forced his mouth shut by constricting it as well.

“Thank you for the demonstration of being the weakest link.” He hissed in Slugs’ ear. “Trust in me when I say that you cannot simply bulldoze your way through a battle, lest you fall prey to an ambush predator.” The second head hissed, still smirking at him.

“About time you showed up Sinnertwin.” Blot gurgled.

“Simply picking my moment.” Sinnertwin explained. Further conversation was interrupted as Hun-Gurr and Grimlock wrestled their way through the trees back towards the golden lagoon. “Knock this hothead out so we can help the boss out.” He ordered.

“One Dinobot, going down.” Blot laughed as he transformed and slammed his simian fist into Slugs’ head, rendering him unconscious. As Blot went to assist restraining the other Dinobots and Sinnertwin uncoiled from Slug, the latter noticed something amiss.

“Where’d the little Dinobot go?”

---------------------------------------------------

Slash dashed through the foliage as fast as she could. With her hands and gun cocooned in Blots’ slime, she was unable to fight, or transform. She barely had enough time to hide the unconscious Mach Hoof before taking off after Grimlock. Maybe she could distract Hun-Gurr enough to give Grimlock an opening.

Coming up on the battle between the two, she noticed that while Grimlock was still going strong, Hun-Gurr was beginning to waver. Giving a roar of frustration, the two headed dragon stepped back and transformed into a femme about the size of Grimlocks’ bot mode. Her beast modes’ hindquarters became her arms while the front legs folded onto her hips like a belt. Interestingly, her beast modes’ necks became long legs that ended with feet made of her dragon heads.

“I can see that brute force won’t be enough.” Hun-Gurr began, drawing what looked like a small machine gun. “Seems I’ll have to rely on superior firepower.” She smirked. “And a little weakness.” Rather than opening fire on Grimlock, she turned her gun on one of the nearby sparks before firing. The blast created a small fire that caused the spark to begin flickering.

This infuriated Grimlock. Swinging his tail at Hun-Gurr to distract her, he quickly began to stomp out the fire near the threatened spark. The distraction allowed Hun-Gurr to use a stronger series of blasts to tear a gaping wound into the feral Dinobots’ side.

Roaring in pain as the fire was extinguished, Grimlock turned to charge Hun-Gurr again. Dodging left, she opened fire again, this time the spark she targeted was extinguished. The scent of burn ozone, which was a telltale smell of an extinguished spark permeated the air spurring the Tyrannosaurus to new levels of rage. Swinging his tail at her again, Hun-Gurr ducked down. Deploying a small blade, she slashed her opponents' stubby arm at the shoulder before following up with a blast.

From her hiding place in the trees, Slash watched in horror as the right arm of Grimlocks’ dino mode dangled by a wire for a moment before falling off completely. This cowardly glitch was targeting newborns and systematically taking Grimlock apart at the same time. Seeing Hun-Gurr target another young spark drove Slash to act. She didn’t care if she was unarmed and unable to transform.

She couldn’t let this continue.

With a roar of fury, the smallest Dinobot ran forward with her gunk covered hands raised over her head. The sound and subsequent bang to her leg distracted Hun-Gurr long enough for Grimlock to send her flying backwards with his tail. Standing close to Slash, Grimlock gave a defiant roar. Neither of them would back down.

Their moment of triumph however was ruined by the arrival of two of Hun-Gurr's team. Coming through the jungle, Blot fired off several more shots of fluid, knocking Slash to the ground and cementing her in place while Cutthroat helped his boss up. Using this distraction, Hun-Gurr took aim at a quartet of sparks near the edge of the lagoon.

Seeing what was about to happen, Grimlock ran to place himself between her and the sparks. Seeing that her plan had worked, Hun-Gurr adjusted her aim and fired a full power blast at the dinobot. The resulting explosion tore off a sizable chunk of his hide, revealing his bot mode head and spark chamber beneath.

“Now, together, aim for the wound!” Hun-Gurr ordered.

“Grimlock, no, RUN!” Slash screamed as the trio opened fire.

It was too late. The collective fire of the three attackers poured into the gaping wound in Grimlocks’ side, driving the Dinobot into the shallows of the golden lagoon and onto his side. Smoke billowed from his wound as he feebly gave one last roar of defiance before his strength failed him completely and he collapsed, half submerged within the lagoon.

Grimlock, the great Dinobot leader. strong, stalwart, and brave, was dead.

--------------------------------------------------

Back where the battle had begun, Rippersnapper and Sinnertwin were guarding the remaining Dinobots and waiting for the rest of their team to return.

“Gotta admit.” Sinnertwin hissed as he transformed into his bot mode. This mostly involved lengths of his snake body pressing together and merging into a bipedal form with his two snake heads forming an arm cannon and a head and left hand emerging from the coils and tail respectively. “This was a good way to liven up the work day.”

“What are you even doing here?” Snarl growled. After being knocked across the clearing by Grimlocks’ backside, he woke up glued to the ground by some kind of substance he did not want to think about. “Gathering outliers for the cons?” He asked.

“What is with everyone thinking we’re decepticons.” Rippersnapper grimaced. “We’re just entrepreneurs taking advantage of an untapped resource for an equally untapped market.”

“What?” Sludge asked from his spot near Snarl.

“You see, a great deal of worlds across the galaxy have seen the kind of devastation we can cause.” Sinnertwin supplied. “And all around us are weapons of mass destruction just waiting to go on the market.”

“Apparently, the concept of genocidal despots and tyrants is an intergalactic concept. Rippersnapper added. “Who knew?”

“So, you’re going to rip these sparks out and sell them as slave weapons to the highest bidders?” Swoop asked, furious at the concept.

“Just wind them up, and watch them go.” Hun-Gurr added as she returned with Blot and Cutthroat. Slash was still cocooned in gunk under Blots’ arm. “However, you won’t be here to see it.”

“Hold up a second boss.” Cutthroat interrupted. “These are the Dinobots. A quick mnemosurgery and we can have some products ready to go for demonstration purposes.”

“And who’s going to preform it Cutthroat? You?”

“Thundertron is the one who will be putting us in contact with customers.” The flyer replied. “I’m sure he knows someone. It’s just a pity we don’t have the whole set.” He added as Blot tossed Slash next to Snarl.

“Say what?” Slug asked. Surely, they didn’t mean?

“Grimlock’s gone.” Slash whispered in shock, barely loud enough for the others to hear.

“Yes, it’s a pity.” Hun-Gurr sighed. “Oh well, a few slight modifications to the price point should allow us to recoup our losses. Let’s load up some more outlier sparks and.” She was cut off as every spark in the valley seemed to begin glowing brighter.

“What the pit is this all about?” Blot asked out loud. As if in answer, each spark gave off a pulse of energy before fading back to normal brightness in a wave that washed over them.

Nearby, Hun-Gurr noticed that in spite of having both the Dinobots and the Wrecker, they were still missing something.

“Where is that other little femme that was with them?” Seeing her team trade looks with each other was enough for her to figure out that they had forgotten all about it. “I’ll stand guard over these, you four go find her.” She ordered. “If even one of them is loose it could give them all a chance to escape.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” Sinnertwin muttered to himself as he and the other four mechs deployed their weapons or transformed and headed for the tree line.

----------------------------------------------------

Back at the golden lagoon the wave of energy from the sparks of the valley flowed into it. The collected energy caused the cybermatter within it to glow brightly before it began being absorbed by the body of their defender. The sparks throughout the valley had sensed that the one who defended them from harm had fallen and instinctively reached out to help him as he helped them.

Moments later, the light receded as the energy was fully absorbed into the corpse in the water. For a moment, it seemed as if nothing had happened before a banging sound echoed from the lagoon.

Right from Grimlocks’ body.

The noise became louder and louder before finally, a white fist erupted through the grey hide.

In the trees near where the Dinobots and Whirl were being held captive, Mach Hoof watched as four of the five bots they’d been fighting entered the woods, looking for her. She’d awoken from where Slash had hidden her and moved out of the way before they remembered she was there. While she felt sadness at Grimlocks’ passing, she knew she had things to do before she could mourn him like she did Trailbreaker.

Chiefly among them, she needed to rescue Slash and the others. Call her predictable, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to take on five attackers alone. Especially when they were all considerably larger than her. However, against one with the element of surprise, she might have a chance. She’d just have to hit the femme with a Nucleon pulse and try to free Sludge, Snarl or Slug before either she recovered or her team returned. Deploying her saber, Mach Hoof prepared to charge before a large arm wrapped around her and a bone white hand clamped her mouth shut.

“Shh.” The stranger whispered into her ear. The voice however, caught the young Maximal by surprise. Twisting a little bit, she saw the face of the large mech, causing her eyes to widen comically in recognition. The mech nodded before gesturing deeper into the foliage. Mach Hoof nodded back, she may not know what plan he had, but she knew him enough to go along with it.

Sinnertwin silently slithered over the dense jungle foliage. He had a plan to catch that little femme. He’d just lay in wait, hidden among the branches of a tree. Eventually, she would pass by him or be chased to his position. And then he’d strike.

Hearing some nearby plants rustle, the serpent stopped. Poking one of his heads through the leaves of a nearby bush, he saw the equine Maximal stopping to catch her breath in beast mode. Slowly retracting his head, Sinnertwin quietly transformed and trained his snake head blaster on Mach Hoof before stepping into her view. Smirking, he watched as a look of terror emerged on the Maximals’ face.

“It’s alright lovely.” He hissed. “One low power blast and it’ll be nap time for.” He was cut off as he saw something black and white emerged from the brush right behind him out of the corner of his optic with a mouth full of sharp teeth and a low hiss. Looking back at Mach Hoof he saw her expression go from terrified to smug.

He’d been had.

“Clever girl.” Sinnertwin whispered. Turning rapidly to fire on the attacker, he had a brief glimpse of white teeth as the attacker bit down on his head and a claw ripped through his spark chamber before everything went black. He never got a shot or scream out.

-----------------------------------------------------

Hearing the sound of metal tearing into metal, Rippersnapper transformed into his landshark mode and burrowed his way through the ground. Emerging close to where he heard the noise, he found Sinnertwin dead on the ground. His head had been crushed and his chest hull torn open exposing a now empty spark chamber.

Looking around for the attacker, he saw a white figure some distance away before they took off running. Transforming back into bot mode, Rippersnapper took off after him at a sprint. After a couple minutes chasing after the stranger, the two of them found themselves in a dead-end canyon. Jumping onto a hollow log, Rippersnapper drew a rifle and took aim at his opponent, who’d just activated a glowing spinning blade weapon.

“Thanks for raising everyone else's profits.” He laughed before taking a shot at the mech. He maneuvered the spinning blades like a shield, deflecting the blasts into the canyon walls. Snarling, Rippersnapper yelled at the mech.

“You can’t keep that up forever!”

“He doesn't have to.” Mach Hoof called from inside the log.

“What the?” Rippersnapper asked wide opticed as the Maximals’ saber erupted through the log between his legs.

“Make a wish suckerfish.” Suddenly, the mech was electrocuted by a strong Nucleon pulse that caused him to drop his rifle and convulse on the ground. Through the pain, he saw a green flash of light come from the stranger. Then nothing more.

----------------------------------------------------------

Elsewhere in the jungle foliage, Cutthroat and Blot had decided to search for the remaining femme together. While not in the same area of the valley jungles, they were close enough to hear the echos of what happened to their compatriots. They both remembered the fact that their target was not very large and the possibility she could take down Rippersnapper and Sinnertwin both, was very unlikely.

“You think one of the others got away from the boss lady?” Cutthroat asked.

“It’s the most likely scenario.” Blot agreed. Despite his admittedly poor hygiene, he wasn’t stupid. “Two heads may be better than one, but each can only see so much at one time. And it’s not like that other Dinobot can help her.”

The two laughed momentarily before an echoing scream of rage rent the air, unnerving the pair. Before either of them could even guess what made that noise, a long drill-like sword carved its’ way through Blots’ right shoulder before becoming lodged in his midsection.

Leaping away from Blot, Cutthroat saw a mostly white mech with gold and silver legs and a blue helm. He also saw the sword being held by the mech was now stuck in Blot. Seeing an opportunity, Cutthroat drew his pistols and activated their rapid-fire mode before taking his shot. His attempt to offline their attacker backfired however. The stranger simply turned and used Blot as a living shield.

Stopping his attack in shock. The assailant used the distraction to draw the rifle he’d stolen from Rippersnapper and land a direct shot to Cutthroats' spark chamber, killing him instantly. He then turned the gun upwards towards Blots’ head and fired. Ending the mechs suffering.

Pulling his sword from Blots’ carcass, the mech looked up to see Mach Hoof trotting towards him.

“Four down, one to go.” She whispered.

“Stay here.” The mech ordered. Part of Mach Hoof wanted to argue, but understood that Hun-Gurr had likely heard what they’d done to her team and would most likely be on guard. “Me finish this myself.”

------------------------------------------------------------

Back in the clearing, Hun-Gurr listened to the struggles of her team against an unknown assailant. Hearing the fight with Blot and Cutthroat, she rolled her optics. Now she’d need to find a new crew.

“Never send an underling to do a boss’ job.” She muttered to herself. “First things first however.” She turned to Whirl and the Dinobots. Better to do this now rather than give them a chance to spoil everything else.

“Sorry to end our working relationship like this.” Hun-Gurr began. “But I can’t have you telling anyone about my little cash crop.” She transformed and began advancing on the bound group. “And you Autobots are too noble to even consider hiring for a job like this.”

“Well excuse us for having standards!” Slug bellowed. The fact that she was willing to sell these younglings into slavery at birth infuriated the group.

“Right.” Hun-Gurr slurred. “Like you six did nothing questionable in the war?”

A brief flash of green out of the corner of her optic was all the warning Hun-Gurr needed to jump out of the way of a green blast of energy. The beam passed over her heads and blasted a large boulder free from a canyon wall near the energon river, which created a large crater when it landed. A second dodged blast destroyed the boulder and created a small canal, feeding energon into the new pond.

Looking over towards the tree line where the blasts had come from, the femme saw her attacker emerge from the foliage. He seemed to be mostly white with black markings with golden lower legs and silver thighs. There was an Autobot insignia on his waist and a Maximal one like a tattoo on his left arm. However, it was the blue helm that gave away his identity.

“What?”

“No way!”

“He survived!”

“YOU?!” Hun-Gurr screamed with both heads. It was impossible! She saw him die!

“Me.” He confirmed before charging the femme at full speed. “Grimlock, MAXIMIZE!” On either side of Grimlock, four hard light Utahraptors appeared, running alongside him and glowing light blue as the Dinobot Maximal transformed.

His bot modes head was swallowed up by his chest as his new raptor head emerged from it and connected with his folding sides. His spinning blade shield folded up into a tail that came to rest on his haunches as Grimlocks arms became powerful legs ending with a scythe-like killing claw. The end result was a white reptilian looking raptor with black spots along its’ back and tail. A moment later he was enveloped in the same glow as the constructs before they charged. A quick burst of speed and change of direction, and Grimlock was indistinguishable from the rest of his hard light flock.

Using both of her beast modes’ heads, Hun-Gurr tracked the running raptors as best she could. Nine targets, one attacker. Taking her chance, the femme launched two fireballs at a pair of raptors with her left head and lunged for a third with her right. In that move, three hard light constructs shattered, allowing Grimlock to transform back into bot mode and drive his barbed drill sword through the skull of Hun-Gurr's right head, taking out both optics in it.

“I’ll chew you up and spit you out for that!” The femme roared in pain. Turning to face him, she let loose several more fireballs from both mouths, using her unblinded head to guide the blind one.

Undeterred, Grimlock drew his tail shield and held it in front of him. Angling it as each fireball hit it, he was able to deflect most of them away from him and any vulnerable sparks nearby. The last one he deflected at the canal he’d created earlier, damming it up and sealing the pond of energon.

The trap was set.

As Hun-Gurr prepared to launch another fireball, Grimlock dodged right and fired an energy beam from his optics, right into his opponents’ open maw. The chain reaction resulted in blowing the jaw off of the femmes’ right head, rendering both of them functionally useless. The coordination to keep fighting like this was too great for her, forcing her to transform back into bot mode.

“That’s it!” Hun-Gurr yelled, deploying her machine gun. Both of her feet hurt after the damage they took from being her heads. “I killed you once, I can kill you again!” She was so focused on Grimlock that she didn’t notice the large tail swinging at her until it was too late.

Shocked, Grimlock turned and saw Sludge had been the one to attack Hun-Gurr. He was further surprised when Slug hit her with his fire breath, launching her into the air a bit only to be picked up by Swoop, who lifted the femme high into the air before dropping her. She only fell a few feet before Snarl hit her with a ball of solar radiation and Slash peppered her with several shots from her pistol alongside Whirl in his helicopter mode. Looking to his left, the Dinobot leader saw Mach Hoof watching the battle in satisfaction. Suddenly the other Dinobots’ assistance made sense.

“I thought me told you to stay where safe?” He asked.

“And YOU of all Autobots expected me to follow orders?” Mach Hoof answered, looking Grimlock dead in the visor.

The mech shook his head.

“Your junxie pure Dinobot material Slash.” Grimlock laughed, enjoying the embarrassed smiles the two femmes gave each other as Hun-Gurr crashed down to the ground. As she tried to stand back up, Grimlock fired a low power energy beam to knock her into the energon pond.

Right where he wanted her.

“Stubborn slag!” Hun-Gurr sputtered as she stood up fully. “Who do you think you are!?”

“Me Grimlock.” He growled powering up his optic beams to maximum with a hum.

“KING OF BEASTS!!!”

As he yelled, Grimlock unleashed a full power optic blast right into the pool, igniting the energon. The resulting explosion sent Hun-Gurr flying over the wall of the canyon, alight with bunning energon, and out of the valley.

After a few moments of silence, the inquisition began.

“Boss, how did you come back?”

“I saw you die.”

“Is your head alright now?”

“ENOUGH!” Grimlock yelled, quieting his Dinobots down. Giving a sigh, he attempted to explain. “Me not sure what happened to me. Last me knew, we in Vegas, next me tumbling down dark hole when bunch of lights appear and lift me up.” He looked at the group.

“Next thing me know, me wake up like this in old dead body.”

“The sparks in this valley must’ve used their power to revive you.” Snarl suggested, deploying a sensor to begin scanning Grimlocks body. “Apparently they decided to give you a Maximal style body.”

“Me may look like Maximal.” Grimlock countered. “But me still Dinobot first and most.”

“Kind of a downgrade if you ask me?” Slug muttered, not realizing he said it out loud. While Grimlock was still quite larger than Slash or Mach Hoof, he now only came up to Slugs’ chest.

Giving a growl, Grimlock leapt up and punched Slug right in the forehead, sending the transformed Triceratops Dinobot sprawling. Shaking the cobwebs from his head, Slug felt the blade of Grimlocks new sword pressed to his neck.

“And they say Sludge stupid one.” Grimlock replied.

“Hey”

“Have any more smart aft comments?” The Dinobot leader added, addressing all the Dinobots but keeping his optics on Slug. At the groups’ collective ‘uh-uh’, Grimlock let Slug stand up again. Looking around, he saw two of their number were now missing.

“Where Slash and Whirl?”

“Right here Grimboy.” Whirl exclaimed as he exited the tree line. “Just had to swing by the golden lagoon.” His appearance surprised the Dinobots.

“You changed your face and hands back?” Allison asked the cyclopean (again) Wrecker.

“For now.” Whirl confirmed. “What you met was ‘peace time’ Whirl. Once this war is over with, I’ll take another dip and see about working out a deal with that Rolex company I heard about.”

“I’ll be one of your first customers then.” Allison laughed. “But where’s Slash?”

“Right here.” Said Dinobot answered, exiting into the clearing being Whirl.

“You used the lagoon too?” she asked, trying to see if there was anything different about her girlfriend.

“I did.” Slash replied coyly. “Let’s just say that I wanted to upgrade myself a little to make us a little more ‘compatible’.” She leaned in a little closer. “Maybe you’ll find out how if you’re a good girl”

“And if I’m a bad one?” Allison teased, trying hard not to blush.

“You might find out a little sooner.” Slash answered, enjoying the blush on her girlfriends’ face as her saber involuntarily deployed.

“Weapon boner!” Whirl teased without malice.

“It was a malfunction!”

“Stop teasing.” Grimlock called. “Before we leave, me want to make sure these sparks are put back in ground.” He added, indicating the pods Hun-Gurr and her team had filled. “Let’s go.” As the group began replanting the sparks, Snarl pulled Grimlock aside.

“Boss.” The Dinobot medic began, double checking his readout. “Whatever happened to revive you also cured your deteriorating mental condition, including your glitchy speech centers.” He looked at Grimlock. “So why are you still talking like that?”

Several seconds of silence reigned before grimlock retracted his mouth plate and visor, exposing his real blue opticed face.

“I like that it makes my opponents underestimate my intelligence.” Grimlock answered in a normal sounding voice.

“I get it.” Snarl snorted. Of course it would be something like that. “You Grimlock, like.” He was cut off as his commanding officer transformed into his new raptor mode.

“Because me Grimlock, badass.” The Dinobot leader finished with a toothy smile before leaving to help.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Several miles away from the valley, a scorched and dented Hun-Gurr was limping down a canyon that was filled with exposed Predacon fossils. She’d blacked out as she was soaring through the air and reactivated in the canyon. Having seen it on her teams’ reconnaissance mission that found the valley, she knew where she was and that her ship wasn’t too far away. A little time with the automated repair drones, and then she would use the ship to blow the energon river and burn the valley to the ground.

Petty, but worth it.

As she came to a bend near the end of the canyon, the femme observed a pair of flashes, one purple, one magenta. There was a brief rumbling before everything went still again. Then she heard a voice she hadn’t heard in millions of years.

“Blast it!” Galvatron yelled as his latest attempt failed. “Apparently the synthetic enigma frequency will not work on mindless Terrorcons. I need a central intelligence to act as a bonding agent to get the desired result.” He muttered.

“Galavar?” Hun-Gurr queried, rounding the bend. She noticed he was accompanied by an assortment of beast bots that made her now dead team look normal by comparison.

“Hun-Gurr?” Galvatron answered in shock. He hadn’t seen his ex-conjunx since the height of the war. While she was a femme that he generally got along with, her desire for profit over power ultimately pushed them apart.

“You’ve come up in the world.” Hun-Gurr purred as she attempted to strut up to her ex. He may have been an egomaniac, but that may be what she needs now.

“And you’ve certainly looked better.” The mech answered, watching as she rested on a Predacon skull. Having a sudden flash of inspiration, he stepped up to the femme. “And I go by Galvatron nowadays.”

“Just having a bad day.” Hun-Gurr replied. “And the new name suits you, love the look.” She purred, running a finger along one of his wings. “Tell me, do you have the firepower to match?”

“More than enough.” Galvatron responded, preening a bit under the praise. “And I’m guessing that whatever did this to you is nearby.”

“Never could slip one past you, could I?” Hun-Gurr sighed. “I had a run in with some Predacon throwbacks.”

“So, the Dinobots did survive the fall.” Galvatron guessed. “And what happened to your team?” He asked. He knew she’d hired the other four shortly after they separated.

“Between those lousy lizards, the Wrecker and the weird looking femme. Dead.” She answered simply.

“Wrecker? Weird looking femme?” Galvatron asked. He hoped he was wrong, but considering his luck of late, that seemed unlikely.

“Blue helicopter with a yellow face and the femme looked like she was part organic.” Hun-Gurr explained. “Kinda like your team here.” She added.

“Slag it!” Galvatron cursed. The Dinobots he expected, but the other two were proof that the Autobots had arrived on Cybertron. “I was hoping to do this quietly.”

“Maybe we have a common cause again, you and I?” Hun-Gurr purred, holding out a hand. Galvatron chuckled, taking it.

“Indeed.” He began. “You always could give me what I wanted.” Grabbing her arm with his other hand, Galvatron swung Hun-Gurr around and into the wall. Looking down, the femme saw she now had a Predacon rib protruding out from her midsection.

“Wh-why?” She sputtered, energon dribbling out her mouth and down her chin.

“What I really need right now, ‘dear’.” Galvatron began, picking up a gun-like emitter laced with the synthetic Enigma of Combination frequency and setting it next to him. “Is a living spark for all these new Terrorcons to combine with.” Opening his chest, Galvatron removed the Dark Matrix and aimed it at the wall next to Hun-Gurr. Moments later, several undead claws burst through the wall and grabbed onto the femme.

“No, NO!” Hun-Gurr cried out in fear. “Galvatron please!”

“You needn’t worry though.” Galvatron continued, ignoring his ex’s terror. “You shall play a critical role in my conquest of the universe. Yes.” Turning the emitter on her now, he fired a magenta beam at Hun-Gurr. The claws began to glow too as they pulled the femme into the wall with them.

“No! Nooo-” Her screams faded as she was pulled into the rock with the Terrorcons.

“Now that’s one way to tell your ex to get boned.” Spittor laughed.

“You were never around her when she was low on energon.” Galvatron replied dismissively.

“So little miss Hun-Gurr would get Hangry.” Shriek added, drawing an unamused look from their leader.

“Get back on your patrol.” Galvatron ordered. As the two Predacons took off, the dragon bot began processing this newest piece of intel.

“We shall have to accelerate our plans.” He spoke out loud. “My little Terrorcon project will need some time to incubate, but it should come out nicely.” Turning away from where his ex had vanished, he looked at the ruined city of Tarn where Scorponok resided. Hopefully the warrior he allied himself with would return with good news.

“I may have to push a little harder on my Insecticon insider. Yes.”

--------------------------------------------------------

Back on Earth, Shockwave watched as Astrotrain took off with Megatron and Transmutate safely inside him. He wished he could’ve said more to them, but he knew that Tarantulas would regain control of him soon. And he really didn’t want them around for this next part.

“Yes.” The illusion of the Predacon scientist began. “This fabled method to free you from me. I admit I’m curious. Present situation aside, once someone’s caught in my web, they tend to stay stuck.”

“A situation I’m well aware of.” Shockwave replied, returning to the cave where they’d been hiding. “I can free myself from you, albeit the process is rather drastic.” Turning to his makeshift work bench, the former senator moved his amputated gun arm into position. Ironic that it would be used for this.

“Okay, putting your proper arm back on will save me some time.” Tarantulas taunted.

“This is my solution.” Shockwave began, setting one of the packing crates in front of the cannon and setting himself down on it. “I am going to remove myself from the board completely.”

“WHAT!!!”

“You covet my mind to help with Unicrons’ schemes.” Shockwave explained. “And this is the only way to truly free myself and ensure he does not get it.” Reaching out with his Vehicon arm, he picked up a simple push button on a cord connected to the triggering mechanism. Thankfully he made sure the gun had a built-in backup power source millennia ago.

“You, you can’t!” Tarantulas yelled, trying to will his body to reassemble faster to prevent what he realized was about to happen. “IT ISN’T LOGICAL!!!”

Shockwave gave an insane sounding laugh as he turned to stare down the barrel of the gun.

“I KNOW!!!”

And he pushed the trigger.

----------------------------------------------------

In Las Vegas, Nemesis Prime heard Tarantulas before he sensed him. The Predacon scientists’ scream of fury echoed throughout the pyramid. A moment later, the spider bot stomped through the door in a fury.

“I can’t believe he did that!” He yelled. Turning to a control array, he let loose a volley of fire from the ends of his shoulders to vent his anger, destroying it in the process.

“I take it Shockwaves’ services are no longer available.” Nemesis Prime stated, unfazed by the Predacons’ tantrum.

“NO!!!” Tarantulas confirmed angrily. “And the way he did it means we can’t revive him as a genius Terrorcon either! Destroyed his own head.” He muttered.

“Then we shall have to proceed without him.” Nemesis continued. “I am sure you will be able to complete the dark energon seeders without his assistance.”

“I should be able to build one and have the new fabrication arrays create the desired number of copies as I build it.” He sighed. “That way, I won’t have to build the same machine over and over again.”

“And I shall be one step closer to freedom.” Nemesis added.

“Master, if I may.” Bludgeon interrupted. The skeletal samurai had stayed behind on Earth to act as a guard for both bots present. “While this plan is quite clever. Might I suggest this?” As he described his idea to the two, Nemesis Prime looked to Tarantulas.

“Well, can it be done?” He asked.

“I’ll just have to set the arrays for a larger output and change my assembly procedure a bit, but yes.”

“Then it shall be so.” Nemesis Prime finished ominously.

Notes:

A/N: And there we have it. A moment of silence for the noble senator Shockwave.

I know some of you wanted to give Grimlock the Transmetal Megatron form. However, while I didn’t feel confident enough to write in THE Dinobot, I wanted the Maximals to have A Dinobot. He is based on his toy in the original Beast Wars line and appears organic in part due to the method of his revival. The fact that Maximal Grimlock is a Dinobot recolor also endeared me to that body.

My decision to make Hun-Gurr and the G1 Terrorcons freelance bots was an attempt to give a fresh spin on a less remembered combiner team (To say nothing of adding another femme to the mix). Albeit I had no idea what to call them since Terrorcon was already taken. And making her Galvatrons’ ex was just a fun idea to try out to give him some more backstory.

As some of you have guessed, Megatrons’ new body is a copy of Magmatrons’ with a few extras. I really liked the triple split concept and wanted to incorporate it. Eventually, he will take on the name as a means to start over, but that will be for another chapter.

Next Time: Twin Cities, Twin Speakers pt.1

Until then, kudo, subscribe, and comment.

Thank you.

Chapter 51: Twin Cities, Twin Speakers Pt.1

Notes:

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. Today with a long-awaited guest star and some new characters. Before we begin though, I have been approached by a couple of artists about making art for this story. I am also aware of art scam currently going around as well so I'm going to nip this in the bud. I do NOT have the money to commission art for my story. However, if anyone wants to make fanart of my story, permission granted, just make sure to mention the fic if you post it. Thank you, and please enjoy today's chapter.

From atop a nearby ridge in her beast mode, Arcee looked out over at the ruined city of Tarn. She and her group had been traveling for a day and a half and decided to set up camp for the night once the city appeared in the distance. It didn't seem like a long distance to get there, but the terrain would be difficult. The planes between them and the city were still littered with traps left over from the war. Fortunately, they had a reliable map.

Something else was wearing on her though. For the last half day of travel, she felt a strong urge to head towards Paradon. Being twin cities, she knew that it was only a little further than Tarn was now. However, now that she'd stopped, she noticed something else. A little orange and black beast bot with four legs was jumping around just outside her field of vision. Its appearance reminded her of an Earth animal called a Tasmanian Devil.

"Are you okay?" June asked, drawing her sisters' attention off of the bot in question. She'd asked earlier and apparently; she was the only one who could see it.

"Yeah, it's just." She began, trying to find the right words to convey what she was feeling.

"If you need to go elsewhere Arcee." Goldbug spoke quietly in his vehicle mode, startling the sisters. "You can."

"Couldn't sleep either, eh commander." Arcee smirked.

"Still not used to that." Goldbug replied as he transformed. "It's one thing to be told I'm a leader, but another to believe it."

"Speaking of, have you got a name for your team yet?" June asked.

"I just hope your naming skills have improved over the years." Arcee began, the smirk never leaving her muzzle. "Optimus once told me you considered using the name."

"I haven't got anything concrete yet." Goldbug interrupted. "And please don't mention that to Charlie. It's bad enough Optimus told you." The fact that he'd considered using the name "Badassatron" when he was young was mortifying enough. Charlie would never let him live it down.

"She won't hear it from me." Arcee replied, catching how he didn't include June in that request. "But you are right. I feel this strange urge to go to Paradon instead of Tarn." She neglected to mention the little pup still trying to get her attention. No sense in bots thinking she was crazy.

"Well, you wouldn't be a lone wolf if you did everything with us." Goldbug joked, causing June to giggle a bit. "Permission granted."

"Thanks." Arcee drawled as she switched to her cycle mode. "I'll check in with you in about twelve hours...Badassatron." She replied before speeding off.

"Badassatron?" June asked.

"ARCEE!" Goldbug yelled, but the Maximal was out of sight.

As she sped away from her now irate friend, Arcee was surprised to see that the little pup she'd seen earlier was leading her across the plains towards Paradon. More to the point, it was running on all fours and still managing to keep ahead of her two-wheeler mode. Just what was this little guy.

"Okay kid." Arcee muttered to herself as she accelerated after the Tasmanian Devil. "Let's see what you want me to see.

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"I assure you lord Galvatron." The Insecticons' voice came from the small communicator. "I am doing what I can to secure an alliance."

"It has been two days." Galvatron replied, trying to keep his temper in check. "We also now have an altered situation." He took a breath to calm himself. He wanted the Insecticons on his side willingly. "I can only give you another cycle and a half before we need to try another plan."

"I should be able to convince her by then." The Insecticon answered. There was a moments' silence before he continued. "I have to go, there's intruders approaching." With that the comms cut off.

Growling as he looked up, Galvatron could see a dust trail heading towards the city of Tarn, and the Insecticon hive within Scorponok. There was only one thing that could possibly be.

"I may have to intervene myself." He grumbled.

"Royalty?" Infernus asked. "Would it be simpler if I simply inserted myself into the hive and took command in your name? Perhaps, Waspinator if not me?"

"No, Infernus." Galvatron replied. "We require your diligence here." In truth, he didn't use the fire ant Predacon because he had all the subtlety and tact of a meteor strike. Enticing someone established with promises of glory was far simpler. "Where you can guard our contingency plan." He finished.

"Understood, my queen." Infernus saluted before transforming back into beast mode and going to do another patrol. Galvatron rubbed at his optics.

"I do wish he'd quit calling me that." He felt the ground tremble slightly. "However, if I must intervene, my newest weapon should ensure victory. Yes."

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"That was the last of the mines sir." Strongarm called as Goldbug and his team made a wide circle around an open space. Coming to a stop, Goldbug waited a moment for June to climb off of him before transforming alongside Strongarm, Sideswipe and June. With Arcee gone, there was only the four of them now. But then again, they didn't want to look like a war party.

"Alright everyone, proceed with caution." Goldbug ordered. "We don't know if anyone else is in the city or if the Insecticon hive is active now." That was the problem on operating on knowledge of a different timeline, events didn't always happen in the same order.

However, as they moved through the desolate streets of Kaon, they found not a single living spark. There wasn't even a sign of Scraplets, which, even without Cybertronians around would feed on other metals.

"I feel like I'm in a horror movie." June commented as she looked behind her for the twelfth time. She was getting flashbacks to the film 28 Days Later.

"Just stay close to me Mrs. D." Sideswipe supplied coyly. "I'll keep you safe."

"Excuse me?" Strongarm asked, raising a brow at the mech.

"What?" Sideswipe asked, turning his coy look on the femme. "You know Optimus is fond of her." He supplied before looking her in the optic. "Besides, you're more than enough femme for me."

"And I've seen enough horror films to know who dies first in this case." June muttered to Goldbug who nodded.

A chittering sound cut through the air.

"What was that?" Goldbug asked as a second chitter answered the first.

"Someone's talking." June answered. She didn't know why, but she could almost make out the words in the noise. She could definitely make out the tone however. "And they're arguing."

Further analysis was interrupted when a large glowing firefly insecticon swooped in and snatched Sideswipe into the air before dropping him in a heap on the ground.

"Sideswipe!" Strongarm yelled as she ran for her partner. She only had a flash of movement out of the corner of her optic as warning before being slammed into by a blue and white ball roughly half her size. Regaining her bearings, she looked up to see the ball unfold into a blue and white pill bug with yellow eyes before it further unfolded into a red mech with a horned helmet. His shifting armor moved to cover his chest as the ends of his bug mode became shoulder pads and the rest of it wrapped around his waist like a samurai skirt or kilt. The Insecticon eyed her.

"As much as I'd like to do this honorably lass." He called in a Scottish brogue. "We canno take chances. Sandstorm!" Strongarm was caught off guard as the ground behind her erupted and a large scorpion like Insecticon with three pronged pincers emerged. She barely had a glimpse of its' tail before she was infected with venom, knocking her out.

As Sideswipe struggled to get up from his rough landing, he noticed the firefly insecticon had transformed into a femme bot and was aiming what looked like a flamethrower at him. Deploying his own blasters, the Autobot bad boy took aim himself. The standoff was interrupted by a green and orange blur passing before Sideswipe seconds before the ends of his blasters detached from the rest of them and clattered to the ground.

"What the?" He asked before seeing a green and orange colored mantis Insecticon hover back into view.

"I had it under control Scarem." The firefly yelled as the mantis transformed.

"And now you can finish it." Scarem called back, now brandishing a pair of sickles in lieu of his mantis claws.

Switching from his now ruined guns to swords. Sideswipe kept an optic on each of his opponents. On his left, Scarem gave a mock charge, causing him to doge right before ducking to avoid a stream of fire from the other Insecticon.

"Glowstrike!" Scarem yelled as the fire ignited an abandoned transport. "Stop trying to hit him, and hit him!"

"Look at what part of it I'm torching, deadeye." Glowstrike yelled back. Looking to his left, Sideswipe saw that a steady stream of fire was hitting the transport right in the power core.

"Oh scrap!" He yelled, wide opticed as he attempted to outrun what he knew was coming. But it was too late. The transports' power core exploded and the force of the explosion sent him flying into a nearby building, rendering him unconscious.

While Strongarm and Sideswipe were engaged with their opponents, Kumara and Goldbug were back-to-back and keeping an eye on their dance partners. One looked like a yellow and black colored stag beetle Insecticons like the one's that'd attacked Unit-E, the other looked like a black and blue mechanical earwig. As the pincer beetle attempted to clamp its jaws around him, Goldbug attempted to reason with their attackers.

"Wait!" He yelled. "We didn't come here for a fight."

"You're intruders." The earwig replied before transforming. "We shall not allow you to jeopardize the hive." He lunged forward with the pincer on his left arm only to be met with Kumaras' swords.

"We want to ask your hive for help, not attack it." Kumara yelled. Her words echoed around the empty city before what sounded like a cross between a rumble and clicking answered them.

"What!" The pincer beetle yelled as he released Goldbug and transformed, his jaws taking up residence on his shoulders. "You can't mean you want us to?"

"Ye eard em' Bug Bite." The Scottish sounding pill bug called. "Ole' Scorp wants us to bring em' to the spier. An, yoo eel, Vicegrip." He added, addressing the earwig who immediately retreated.

"Thank you, uh?" Goldbug began, only to realize he didn't know their attackers' names.

"Am Power Hug." The Insecticon replied. "An they be Scarem and Glowstrike, who will load the unconscious boss onto Sandstorm." He added, indicating the mantis, firefly, and scorpion Insecticons respectively. The two nodded and, with some difficulty, loaded Sideswipe and Strongarm onto the large scorpion. "An ye two ave already met Vicegrip an Bug Bite."

"And I still say we should scrap them and be done with it." Bug Bite growled at Power Hug.

"Thas not summat to be determined by yeh." Power Hug replied before turning back to the Autobot and Maximal. "If ye can follow meh." He transformed back into his pill bug mode with the other Insecticons as Goldbug and June followed suit. "Yeh didny say ye were a spier too."

"Yes, I turn into a spider." June replied. She wouldn't admit it, but she was a little worried that Optimus' assumption was off. The Scottish Insecticons' reaction wasn't putting her at ease either. "Is that a problem?"

"Nah." Power Hug replied as the group came together. "But I think ye an our spier will get along great."

"I can hardly wait." June muttered to herself as she followed the Insecticons through the ruined city. She couldn't help feeling that she was about to have another massive change in her life. She only hoped she could meet it head on.

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In the wreckage of the crystal city of Paradon, Arcee came to a stop before transforming back into her wolf mode. The young beast bot, or whatever it was, had led her back towards her former home town. Even now she could see the little orange bot running around on the edge of her field of vision, trying to coax her on.

Slowly, she continued down the ruined streets, remembering both good and bad times in this city. She and Galavar had both grown up running these city streets, her brother having driven off anyone who would've taken them in out of his stubborn pride. No one was good enough to mentor him and she suffered for it. Thankfully her patience with her brother made her ideal for teaching. Even with most everyone avoiding her after she transitioned to a femme, she still had fond memories as a teacher.

Arcee was pulled from her reminiscence by a quiet yip. Looking towards the source, she saw the little Tasmanian Devil jumping up and down in front of the last building she expected to see again. There before her (albeit partially demolished) was her old school. Seeing the little pup run into it, she transformed into bot mode and walked up the steps.

"Alright kid." She whispered to herself. "Why have you brought me here?"

Walking through the halls, Arcee couldn't help the memories coming back to her in full force here. She could remember almost every student she'd ever taught in this school. Hearing a whine coming from the next classroom, the wolf Maximal entered, and was shocked.

It was HER classroom. The classroom she'd used for literally millions of years. True, the outside window was blown out and the elements had taken their toll on the room, but more or less, it was intact.

"Just how I remember it." Arcee said to no one in particular.

"I quite agree." A new, familiar voice added.

Turning with a start, Arcee saw a familiar red and yellow monster.

"Slog."

"It's rather fitting really." The Horrorcon leader continued as he forced his shells' bulk through the doorway. "This is where we were both at our happiest." He turned his pupilless yellow eyes on Arcee. "I'm happy that you chose this as your final resting place."

"I'm not dying here today, Slog."

"We all have to die at some point, Arcee." Slog countered. "And I'm guessing that little orange beast led me here to help you with it."

Before she could process the last bit of Slogs' statement, the Horrorcon in question charged her and attempted to take her head off with one of his hooks. Dodging right, Arcee transformed back into her beast mode before leaping out the destroyed window. Slog immediately burst out after her, taking part of the window frame with him. Deploying her blasters, Arcee squared off against Slog before the orange Tasmanian Devil bot ran out of the school.

"It is time." It said in a deep feminine voice as its optics glowed golden yellow. Suddenly, the ground around them began to shake as the other Horrorcons ran to join their leader. "Two have come, one shall be chosen." The voice continued. Finally, the ground gave way and the Maximal and Horrorcons tumbled into the dark underbelly of Paradon.

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"Just how far down are we going?" June asked as she and Goldbug trailed behind Power Hug and Bug Bite. Not long after departing the group entered a partially demolished warehouse to find the opening of a long tunnel heading into the depths of Tarn.

"No' much further lass." Power Hug answered. "Poin a fact, we're coming up on the outer fringes o' the hive now."

As he finished speaking, the tunnel widened out and before them was a massive underground canyon. If it weren't for the fact the canyon walls were made of metal and there were no ladders of any kind, she could almost swear she was human sized and looking at the remains of a gigantic Puebloan Indian village. The entirety of the canyon walls was dotted with holes that could accommodate an Insecticon. At the far end of the canyon, she could make out a large purple and acid green fortress the size of Autobot City.

"An there be Scorponok." Power Hug announced, transforming back into his bot mode. It was around this time that Sideswipe and Strongarm reactivated and climbed off of Sandstorm, allowing him to transform into a six-legged upright mode.

"Easy you two." June consoled as they stood up. "I healed you both, but you might still be a little woozy."

"So, this is the Insecticon hive." Sideswipe commented. "I thought it's be a bit livelier." This comment caused both Scarem and Bug Bite to glare at the mech.

"It will be more than ready enough for when the next generation hatches." Glowstirke replied, giving Sideswipe a hard look.

"Could you not give away our secrets to intruders you dumb female." Bug Bite bit out only to get smacked upside the head by Vicegrip.

"Watch yer tongue Bug Bite, or I'll watch it for ye." Power Hug growled before turning back to Goldbug and his team. "The Spier will explain everythin', come along." After a roughly ten-minute walk, they were at the gates of Scorponok. Before anyone could ask how they would get inside, a hatch opened before them and they followed the Insecticons inside.

As they traversed the halls of Scorponok, they couldn't help but compare him to Fortress Maximus on Earth. However, instead of sealed chambers and quarters, they found every room within filled with what looked like eggs with Insecticons that were half formed. All throughout the Insecticon King were veins of energon feeding into every single egg inside him.

"I think they'll be ready to finish gestation soon." Glowstrike whispered to Power Hug who shushed her.

"Let the boss femme explain before we give em' any questions."

Moments later they exited into a large pit like area. Unlike everywhere else in Scorponok, there were no eggs here. There was however, a large pulsing orb above them casting shadows. A sense of foreboding filled the air as the group stopped. Before any of the Autobots could question what was going on, Power Hug called out in the strange chittering language they'd heard before. Apparently, it was something the Insecticons could understand, because a new voice answered him from somewhere over head. The conversation continued for a few moments before the voice changed to English.

"You come seeking our help." A feminine voice began. It was low sultry and almost seductive in tone, but still serious in nature. "Why?"

"We come seeking the aid of both the Insecticon hive and its' king." Goldbug began. "There is a great conflict coming that will." He was cut off.

"While I appreciate the flattery of imitation." The voice interrupted, referring to Goldbugs' Insecticon like appearance. "As you saw, the hive is currently severely diminished. And the king is currently nurturing them until they hatch."

"Could you at least come into the light so we can speak with you face to face?" Strongarm threw in. There was a moment of silence.

"Very well." A moment later a purple, black and gold spider far larger than Junes' alt mode landed before the group. Eight gleaming red eyes locked onto them before she transformed into a slender looking femme with her spider abdomen protruding from the base of her spine and a black and gold helmet.

"I." The femme began. "Am Blackarachnia. The City Speaker for the Titan Scorponok, and present leader of his hive."

"City Speaker?" June asked. Arcee had never mentioned that before.

Blackarachnia looked at June appraisingly before speaking.

"A City Speaker." She began, crossing her arms behind her back. "Is a person capable of speaking with the titans and acts as their voice." The femme explained. "But to save you all the trouble, we can't help because we have no help to give."

"What happened here?" Goldbug asked, unable to help himself. "We fought an Insecticon hive before but." He was cut off as the orb overhead began to pulse in different colors and patterns. Looking at them, June could almost see an order to the patterns, but Blackarachnia beat her to the punch.

"The hive you fought." She began. "Was the creation of several criminal Insecticons banished from the hive before the dark poisons came. While they, like all Insecticons, can self-replicate rapidly, we become less and less sentient doing so. The eggs you see, are the end result of the previous generation merging their sparks with our king."

This was a bit puzzling to the visitors. Dark Poisons? Merging?

"Could you explain more?" June asked. She couldn't help it, but something about Blackarachnia felt trustworthy to her. Maybe it was the fact they were both spiders.

"I think we've explained enough." Bug Bite countered. "We can't help you, that's all there is to it." He was silenced by Blackarachnia deploying a golden colored blade from her wrist and holding it to his throat.

"Bug Bite, you will keep silent until I explain my reasons." Turning back to the group. "During the war on the surface, someone released a poison we called Angolmois. It acted like energon but corrupted those who used it."

The Autobots and Maximals all looked at each other. That must've been back when Megatron infected the planet with Dark Energon. Angolmois was just the Insecticon word for it.

"I just want to say." Strongarm interrupted. "That our side was not the one responsible for that and the one who was, has been dealt with." Okay, half-truth, no one was quite sure what happened to Megatron.

"Either way." Blackarachnia continued. "Scorponok knew the Angolmois would corrupt and consume us all, and so, asked the hive to make the ultimate sacrifice for the future." She paused a moment before continuing. "Aside from the seven of us, every other Insecticon of the hive merged with our king, both to give him the power to shield himself from the poison, and to turn his body into a fertile hot spot that the next generation would be born from." She looked at the visitors. "Leaving us to lay in stasis lock so that one day, we may guide the next generation."

There was another moment of silence as the group processed Blackarachnias' tale. Aside from these seven, all the other Insecticons were still incubating, and Scorponok, being the one nourishing them, was unable to fight. There would be no help here. However.

"Then I'd like to offer your young hive protection on behalf of the Autobots." Goldbug began. He was cut off however.

"Blackarachnia." Bug Bite intervened. He wasn't about to get a better opening than this. "I have recently been contacted by another group who would also offer us protection and assistance."

"You didn't mention this before?" Blackarachnia asked.

"We haven't spoken recently, but yes." Bug Bite answered. "A mighty mech named Galvatron has offered to aid in protecting our hive provided we aid him once they are ready to do so."

"Galvatron!" Goldbug and June cried out. June turned to Blackarachnia.

"Great one, please." She began, hoping she used the right honorific. "Galvatron currently controls the ones who spread the Angolmois. He can't be trusted."

"All we have is your word on that." Bug Bite argued.

"Considering he's the reason I look like this now." Goldbug threw at him, indicating his Insecticon helm. "I can guarantee that he cannot be trusted."

"So, he gave you an upgrade." Bug Bite sneered. Goldbug advanced on Bug Bite but abstained from deploying any weapons.

Before tensions could grow any higher, the orb above them began to glow and pulse even brighter and faster than before, drawing Blackarachnias' attention. Watching them for a moment, the City Speaker gave a nod before turning to the group.

"Scorponok." She began. "Is faced with two paths. To decide, he has decreed a trial by combat."

"In that case." Bug Bite sneered as he stepped up to Goldbug. "I shall accept the role of combatant."

"As shall I." The golden warrior replied. "If it means protecting your hive."

"The trial shall commence in six cycles." Blackarachnia continued, accepting the combatants. "However, Goldbug, as a stranger to Insecticon customs, you are unfamiliar with our fighting styles. You are granted one lesson with a warrior of your choice to familiarize yourself with them."

"I shall accept that handicap." Goldbug allowed as he looked at the other Insecticons around him. "Power Hug, will you do me this honor?"

"Aye lad, come with meh." The pill bug agreed before leading both him and the others out of the arena as the other Insecticons followed Bug Bite.

"Just a moment." Blackarachnia called, stopping June in her tracks. "I need to speak with you, will you come with me?" She asked, transforming back into her spider mode and climbing part way up the wall before turning to look at her. Once again feeling that she could trust this femme, June nodded before transforming into her own spider mode.

"Lead the way."

"We don't have far to go, and I don't think I caught your name." Blackarachnia replied.

"June Darby." She supplied. "Although in the field I call myself Kumara."

"Sounds exotic." Blackarachnia answered as they continued their climb.

Climbing their way to the ceiling near the still pulsing orb, June saw where they were headed. It was a kind of open chamber built in the ceiling in full view of it. Looking around, June noticed that she was now on the ceiling of what must have been Blackarachnias' private chamber.

It was fairly spartan. In one section of the room was a spider web hammock that the City Speaker must use for sleep. In another, was a small holographic image of what looked like a younger Blackarachnia with some kind of bird Cybertronian. However, it was the six bladed orange and black spear in the far corner that caught her attention.

"Like it?' Blackarachnia asked as they both transformed and landed on the floor of the chamber. Any formality she showed before was gone and in its' place, was a spider femme who acted like a sassy femme fatale. "Not much, but I can see whatever the big bug here is thinking." She added, gesturing outside to (what June now realized) Scorponoks' brain.

"So, you can see and understand what he's thinking?" June asked.

"It's a shame that all guy's minds aren't that easy to read." Blackarachnia joked, causing the Maximal to giggle a little. "Being a City Speaker can be a little dull, but it does have its' perks."

"Like what?" She asked, in spite of herself. What Blackarachnia said next left June speechless.

"Getting to choose my replacement for one." She replied. Several moments of silence went by before she spoke again. "You, okay?"

"Me?" June asked. "But, why?" She continued at the femmes' nod.

"Because June Darby."

"Just June, please."

"Because June." Blackarachnia corrected before sighing. "It'll be easier to show ya than tell ya." She muttered to herself.

Going to the side of the chamber, the City Speaker spider picked up the six bladed spear.

"This." She began, holding the spear in her hands. "Is the Spear of Zarak. Forged by Scorponoks' first speaker at the end of the Age of Wrath, it is capable of channeling his power in ways no other Titan can." Looking at the ancient relic in awe, June reached out and placed a hand on it only for a warm sensation to fill her mind before the rest of the world went black around her.

A moment later, reality came back into focus. Blackarachnia was nowhere in sight. Looking around, June saw she standing outside of her Grandpa Jacks' ranch. She then looked down and was shocked to see her teenage human body looking like she just stepped out of the eighties. Above her, she saw the sky alight with a kind of aurora showing memories from her life to this point. Her summers with Grandpa Jack, her falling out with her parents, meeting Alexander. All these and more were streaming across the sky.

"Oh, from such small beginnings." Blackarachnias' voice called from behind her. Turning around, June saw a slender and primarily gold and black femme with what looked like spider legs attached to her upper arms. The helmet however gave her identity away.

"Blackarachnia?" June asked, more than a little confused.

"This is how I looked before I became city speaker." The femme explained. "And I'm guessing that this is how you looked when you were young." Blackarachnia winced. "That had to have been a painful growth spurt."

"Oh!" June exclaimed in understanding. "No, I didn't start out Cybertronian." She explained. "I only became a Maximal to save my family from Airachnid."

At the late Decepticons' name, the area around the two swirled again until they were standing in a place that hadn't existed for some time. "Unit-E?" Looking around at the old base, she could see the memories in the aurora changed to. Now she could see Jacks' birth followed by Alexanders' leaving, meeting the Autobots, even her first encounter with her kids after they became Maximals.

"So, you know Airachnid too." Blackarachnia said, calling Junes' attention back to her again. Junes' eyes widened in surprise as their bodies had changed again. June looked like she did the day before she became Kumara he Maximal. The femme on the other hand was now a bluish body with dark pink armor that made June think of an Amazon warrior.

"Yes." June answered, a little weirded out by the sudden shift. "She attacked us with an Insecticon swarm."

"Is she still alive?" Blackarachnia asked. There was a resigned tone to her voice that surprised June.

"No, she, she died during her attack on us." June gulped, expecting the worse.

"You needn't worry yourself." The femme replied. "My best friend died the day she attempted to take control of Scorponok by force."

"Friend?"

"Airachnid and I hatched at the same time." Blackarachnia explained as the scenery changed. This time it reformed into a copy of the hive canyon outside. "She and I did everything together, even trained to become city speaker. But when I was chosen over her." This time the memories of the speaker were shown in the aurora. June caught glimpses of two young spider femmes playing and studying before an image of them fighting as adults surpassed them.

"She took stabbing someone in the back literally." June finished. She couldn't help seeing the parallel between Blackarachnia and Optimus here. Two friends, one gains power, the other causes chaos.

"She took control of some malcontents using an ability that most spider Insecticons learn as they grow. An ability, I will show you how to use in your role as speaker." Blackarachnia explained. "After her coup failed, they were exiled and eventually driven to the surface by the Angolmois, where they would join in their war."

"Airachnid mentioned it was something you learned." June muttered, remembering when she tried to wrest control of the Insecticons from Airachnid in her first fight as a Maximal.

"One of the few lessons she actually mastered before me. Although, I think you'll be a quick study." The older femme smirked at the human.

"How are we doing this?" June asked. "And why are you choosing me?"

"Good question." Blackarachnia commented. "The hierarchy of the hive starts with Scorponok, from there it goes to the City Speaker, which is usually a spider." She explained.

"Wait, so the main reason I'm being chosen is because I somehow scanned a spider?" June asked.

"No." A new voice denied. The scenery shifted again and the two spiders found themselves back in their present-day bodies. Each of them stood on a pathway of light in a void with the orb of Scorponoks' brain shining over them. In some sections of the void, June could see her more recent memories of the adventures she and her kids had had with the Autobots after she became a Maximal

"I have chosen you because you represent a new way forward." Scorponok began. "A time of change is upon us, and if my hive is to survive, we must grow and change with the times. If we continue as we did in generations past, we shall fade into nothingness."

"And in order to move forward." Blackarachnia added. "The old must pass on. One of the powers of the Spear of Zarak is that when used with Scorponoks' mind, it can grant limited glimpses into the future of the hive." She turned to look at June as the spear in question appeared in her right hand.

"When the planet fully healed, we used the spear to glimpse the future of the hive going forward." She continued. "We saw a new world awaiting us, and a new speaker guiding the hive."

"If you look closely." The current speaker pointed at the ground. Each spider stood on not the same pathway, as June fist thought, but two separate ones. Looking at her path, June saw it continuing on beyond her field of vision. Blackarachnias' however, only had at most a few steps worth left before it vanished. "My path, and my time, are almost gone."

"What?" June asked in shock and disbelief. "But, can't you do something about it?"

"Trust me, if I tried, it would just become a self-fulfilling prophecy ending in my death." Blackarachnia said with a sigh. "My end is coming regardless, and I am more than ready to move on."

"Wait." The spider Maximal interrupted. "If you want me to be the next speaker, why insist on the trial by combat? I know Galvatron, and if Bug Bite loses, he will try to take your hive by force."

"And that is why." Blackarachnia countered. "We need a strong, protective, and caring speaker to look out for the young hives' best interests regardless of the outcome." She smirked. "And from what I've seen of your memories, you would fit that role perfectly."

"In the end. The role of City Speaker is just that, a role, not a destiny." Scorponok continued, picking up for his speaker. "We can only offer you the choice. We cannot, and will not force you."

"That said." Blackarachnia said, holding the spear of Zarak out to June, who stared at it. "Will you choose for yourself?"

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Outside the city, Galvatron was once again contacted by his inside mech.

"Even with the little training he's entitled to, I doubt Goldbug will last long against me."

"Very well Bug Bite. I await news of your victory. Yes." Shutting off the communicator, Galvatron swore. "Slag it, now we shall have to claim Scorponok ourselves."

"But royalty." Infernus asked. "Wouldn't it be best to let this play out?"

"Think it through scrap aft." Terrorsaur quipped. "Had he been able to convince them before the Autobots arrival, they've joined us for sure. Throw in trial by combat."

"And you introduce the chance that we will lose both the Titan and the hive." Galvatron confirmed. "Terrorsaur, Infernus, stay here to guard our project. Everyone else." He raised his arm cannon and blasted into the ground, creating a large hole leading to a tunnel which would take them beneath the city.

"We have a Titan to capture."

Notes:

A/N: And here we are. When picking out a City Speaker for Scorponok, Blackarachnia was something of a no brainer for me. However, I couldn't help including the various bodies she's had over the years (Original and transmetal 2) before present day (Animated) and making her childhood friends with Airachnid just felt right.

The other Insecticons in this chapter were mostly pulled from the Beast Wars Sourcebook, although I had to change Scarem to a Mantis because of Bug Bite being a stag beetle. (Side note, shoutout in the next chapter to who can tell me why I set up Goldbug and Bug Bite as foes) I do plan for two of them to join my version of the 'Bee team' in the next chapter.

As to my version of Tasmania Kid, I just want to say that he is not the City Speaker for Chela. What he actually is will be revealed in the next chapter.

One last thing. I want to give a kudos to the people who've updated and maintained the TVTropes page for this story. I may not know who you are, but I do appreciate the efforts.

Next Time: Twin Cities, Twin Speakers Pt.2-Titans Return.

Until then, kudo, subscribe, and comment

Bye.

Chapter 52: Twin Cities, Twin Speakers Pt.2-Titans Return

Notes:

Phew, I wasn’t sure I’d get this chapter out in time considering the one two punch we got from hurricanes Helene and Milton. But here we are, and welcome back. I know Halloween is next week, but I think you’ll like the treats in today's chapter. Shoutouts to TimeLordPrime and Jet_Blade onAo3 and NemesisPrimal86 and PhantomWorks-Stories Division on ff.net for catching the reason I set Goldbug and Bug Bite up as enemies. While everyone caught that Bug Bite in recent years has been a white Bumblebee recolor, Phantom caught that Bug Bites’ original Go-Bots toy was also a yellow VW bug. And considering he was a villain; I thought the connection made sense.

In any case, please enjoy the newest chapter of Beast Wars Prime.

As he put away the final glass in his bar, Alchemist Prime heard a loud thud just outside his door. Giving a small smile, he looked up at the door. Only one of his family could make a landing that hard. The smile slipped off his face as his brother attempted to use the combiner sized door that hadn’t worked since before the war. Several tugs caused dust to drift down off the ceiling.

“Just separate and come through the other door Nexus.” Alchemist griped. The sound of transformation filled the air before over three dozen Mini-cons came through the door to the oil house. The Prime groaned and rubbed at his forehead. He’d forgotten that his brother could be a jackass. Moments later the Mini-con collective remerged back into Nexus Prime.

“Huh.” The first combiner huffed. “Kinda hoping I’d see Optimus here. Or at least Amalgamous.”

“Optimus took them the long way to Vector Sigma.” Alchemist explained. “We’re going to meet them there.” He finished as he walked past his brother and locked the door. “Just need to remember where the entrance to the direct route was hidden.”

“As much as I’m looking forward to a family reunion.” Nexus began, separating into five smaller bots. “Why couldn’t we have done this the easy way? We even have the party favors” The five asked simultaneously, holding up the Emberstone, Triptych Mask, and Leigian Darts.

“You know how Optimus is nowadays.” Alchemist explained, leading his brother to the basement. “Always has to be the leader.”

“I miss when we used to play Hoopball together.”

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Arcee groaned as she returned to consciousness. The last thing she remembered was fighting Slog just outside her old school. Then the strange orange beast bot making some kind of announcement as the ground beneath them gave way.

Eyes springing open, Arcee looked around to find herself in a dimly lit chamber. From what she could make out Slog was unconscious in his shell not far from here while the other Horrorcons were shackled to the wall of the chamber. Gently getting up to her knees, she tried to get her bearings before a voice echoed all around them.

“It is time.”

Suddenly the chamber was awash in a golden light, causing Arcee to transform into her wolf mode for protection and awakening Slog. Looking to her left, Arcee saw the little Tasmanian Devil bot from before. It was standing on a raised platform before two other that were slightly shorter. The thing that caught her optic however was the red opticed golden bird head the size of a ten-story building looming over them. Suddenly, the reason for their return to Paradon was clear.

Chela, the golden warrior, had called them home.

“May the two rise up.” The voice called out from the little beast bot. Only now did Arcee notice that his eyes were glowing like Chelas’ and her voice was emanating from him.

Suddenly, Arcee found herself lifted into the air by an unseen force and forced back into bot mode. Nearby, Slog was lifted out of his shell and held aloft with Arcee before being set down on one of the empty platforms. From this distance, she could make out the telltale lobotomy scars on the Horrorcon leaders’ head. This was the first time she’d seen the real Slog up close since that fateful day in her classroom. The mech looked like he was barely able to stand.

“This warrior requires a new voice for this new age.” The little beast bot went on. “In the last age, the two of you opposed the treatment of my kin in different ways. One of you, shall be my new City Speaker.”

“But you have one.” Slog stated, not knowing whether to look at the bot or the titan. The former shook his head.

“This one is but the first born of the new generation of beast bots born on Cybertron.” Chela explained. “Like a bird of prey protecting her eggs, I hid and sheltered a large clutch of sparks that will grow into beasts, hoping for a day that they could be safely born.”

“Well, I certainly understand that.” Slog agreed. In ages past it would’ve been kinder to remain unborn than be born a beast under functionism.

“Does that hurt him?” Arcee asked, worried for the little one.

“Yes.” Chela answered. “I have taxed this younglings’ spark long enough to bring suitable candidates to me. Once I’ve made my choice, I shall not tax him further.”

“Then let’s get this over with quickly.” Arcee commented.

“Oh, come on.” Slog countered. “It’ll toughen him up.”

“Now you see the challenge.” Chela interrupted before Arcee could argue. “You both represent different aspects of being a beast. Protective.” The kid nodded towards Arcee, who’s memory flashed back to protecting Slog at the school. “And primal.” Slog nodded in remembrance of when he and the others slaughtered the senate's Elite Guards in retaliation for what had been done to them, and all beast bots before them.

“If you want us to fight to the death.” Slog countered. “I’ll need my shell back.” Maybe Chela could undo whatever Tarantulas did to them to make them so weak. Either way, he couldn’t win a fight as is. Fair or not.

“You misunderstand.” Chela replied. “I was awake for the war that ended the previous age. I felt the destruction of the Crystal City upon my golden frame.” She paused for a moment. “The one of you who shall become City Speaker, must best convince me with your words.”

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Goldbug grunted as he hit the ground again. He had been training with the Scottish Insecticon Power Hug for almost four hours now and was rapidly getting a grasp on Insecticon fighting techniques. However, this meant he was hitting the proverbial mat more often than not.

“Reit, a wee bit mair control, and ye shuid hev it.” Power Hug encouraged before he transformed out of his pill bug mode. He’d been showing Goldbug combat techniques that relied heavily on an Insecticons’ beast mode. Primarily, he’d been showing him how to turn a pincer bite against the biter. While his pincers weren’t as large as Bug Bites’, it was enough to get the point across.

“Really putting me through my paces. Eh, Power Hug?”

“Aye lad.” The Insecticon answered. “See, I won ya ta win, an honorably so.”

“Why?” Goldbug asked. He’d only met the bot a few hours ago. Why throw his lot in with them.

“Tween ye an meh, Bug Bites’ gotten a wee bit too big fer his carapace.” Power Hug explained. “E wants prestige, ainlie without the ard work part.”

“Great, an Insecticon Starscream.” Goldbug mumbled.

“An, am worried about the young'uns.” He admitted. “Whit kina world could tha aft port gi’ them?”

“You do know that we’d be most likely transporting the hive to another world, right?” Goldbug asked. “And probably Scorponok along with them.”

“Beter the hive grows in a healthy alien world then a ruined one.” Power Hug replied with a wise look at the young Autobot. “Now c’mon lad, back ta training’.”

Standing back up, Goldbug nodded at his current teacher. He would ensure the Insecticon hive would be born on a healthy, thriving world. Taking a combat ready stance, he watched as Power Hug transformed back into a pill bug and look him in the optic.

“Begin.”

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“The will of the beast bots.” Slog began. “Has long been denied.”

After announcing her intent to choose her City Speaker by debate, Chela elected to have Slog give his argument first. Arcee was going to object originally, but noticed that the Horrorcon leader was struggling to stay upright and thought better of it. Besides, going second had its’ advantages, like poking holes in the first argument.

“From the age of wrath to the fall of Cybertron, those of us who could transform into anything that wasn’t a vehicle or object have been treated as lesser than those who could.” Slog continued. “Under functionism, we suffered horribly. Condemned from birth to preform dull manual labor, or worse.” He paused for dramatic effect. “Used as unwilling test subjects.” He gestured to the scars on his head.

“While our kind suffered.” The Horrorcon continued. “Those who believed themselves our betters became corrupt, wasteful, and ultimately destroyed our world in a war so destructive, it would move Unicron to tears.”

He looked up to Chela. “However, with the rebirth of Cybertron, we can begin a new age where the beasts reign supreme. With your golden might, and Monstructors’ dark power, we can rid the galaxy of those who’d ever enslave us again. With only the beasts remaining on Cybertron, we can reach out to our kin on Eukaris, and rebuild our world into a primordial paradise, set in the way of the beast.”

There was a moment of silence as Slog finished his speech. Arcee looked at her student in horror. He wanted to use the treatment of beast bots past to justify a holocaust of any Cybertronian that wasn’t one. Slog may not have said it outright, but she could read between the lines to see his vision.

“I see.” Chela said. The Tasmanian Devil bots’ head turned to her. “We shall now hear your response.” The words snapped Arcee out of her shock. Marshalling her thoughts, she laid out the best counterargument she ever gave.

“Only one of the original thirteen primes was a beast.” Arcee began. “When the well of all sparks first came online after the death of Solus Prime, it was imprinted with elements from all of the primes.” She paused before looking to Slog. “Every single one of us is a combination of at least two of them. From Prima and Solus, to Liege Maximo and Megatronus. To create a world where only the beasts’ rule, would be to willfully ignore the whole of Primus’ other creations in favor of a single one in a similar manor to the oppressors of yesteryear ignoring the will of the oppressed.”

“In response.” Arcee continues turning to look, not at Chela, but at the little bot. “Rather than seeking retribution for the wrongs of the past, we must work to ensure that both those returning to Cybertron and those yet to be born see the beast bots as equal to them. We can teach them that the beast bots are equal to any other from the smallest Mini-cons to the greatest Combiners.” She looked up at Chela directly now. “

“You desire to teach them better lessons than the ones of the past.” The titan began. “Yet you were not born a beast like we were?”

“I became what I am through circumstances beyond my control.” Arcee admitted, not taking her eyes of the titan. “But I wouldn’t trade what I am now for any other body.” There was another moment of silence before she, Slog, and the little bot were lifted into the air again and set down on the ground. A wall of energy then sprang up between Arcee and the Horrorcons as Slog was reabsorbed into his pretender shell and the other five members of Slogs’ team were unshackled.

“You both make valid points.” Chela spoke as the Tasmanian Devil came to rest near Arcee. “I shall consider them and inform you of my decision shortly.” The chamber then faded into a half light as the small bot collapsed next to Arcee.

“Hang on kid.” Arcee muttered. Reaching into a side compartment on her hip and fishing out an energon goodie, she held it up to the young beast bots’ muzzle. “Here you go.” He sniffed it a couple of times before eating it.

“I may not agree with coddling him like that Arcee, but I can appreciate the sentiment.” Slog called stepping up to the dividing wall.

“Chela herself said the bond was taxing on him.” Arcee bit, picking the kid up while shooting her former student a dirty look.

“True, but that strain will only make him stronger, fitter, more able to survive in the new era.”

“Slog, let’s be honest.” Arcee began. “This has nothing to do with ‘survival of the fittest’. You just want to kill anyone without a beast mode as retribution for what happened to you. To say nothing about Monstructors’ desire to kill everything they see.”

“We’d be willing to spare those who’d agree to become beasts as well Arcee.” Slog countered. “You and your new family would be more than welcome here. And after the purge is complete, we shall take measures to ensure Monstructor is not an issue.”

“So, join us or die.” Arcee argued. “I genuinely thought you were smarter than that Slog. Maybe the lobotomy warped you from the genius you used to be, but all I see here and now, is a killer.”

“We may be monsters.” Slog admitted as the other Horrorcons formed up on him. “But we are the monsters that will fight for our rights and win.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Scorponocks’ arena, the battle for the future of the hive was about to commence. On the ledge overlooking the pit, the other members of Goldbugs’ group were arranged on one side, the active Insecticons on the other. Inside the pit, Goldbug stood and waited for his opponent. A moment later, Bug Bite appeared from an opposing entryway.

Descending from the ceiling near Scorponoks’ brain, Blackarachnia addressed the assembled bots.

“Visitors, warriors of the hive, we are gathered here within the presence of Scorponok to witness a battle that shall determine the fate of his hive.” There was some minor cheering at that. “The hive is faced with two paths, and Scorponok has decreed that the choice shall be made in trial by combat. The challenger.” She added gesturing to Goldbug to the cheers of his team and surprisingly, Power Hug.

“Yeh needn't ah worry yerself Goldbug.” He called. “Yer more than capable enough ta take on Bug Bite!”

“And the opponent.” Blackarachnia continued, now gesturing to Bug Bite who received polite applause from the other Insecticons. “The victor shall be decided by either submission, or death.” She held the Spear of Zarak up before slamming it into the ledge with a loud bang.

“BEGIN!!!”

Bug Bite transformed into his Stag Beetle mode as he ran and using his wings to accelerate himself, caught Goldbug between his pincers. Lifting the warrior up into the air, he was unprepared as the wheels in his opponents heels suddenly began spinning at high speed before being forced into his face. The heat and pain of burning rubber caused Bug Bite to drop his victim.

Landing in a crouch, Goldbug somersaulted away from Bug Bite and transformed into his muscle car mode and took off across the arena with a roar of his engine. Bug Bite, upon hearing this, transformed back into his bot mode and deployed a wrist mounted pellet gun. Following the Autobots’ path around the arena, he fired several pellets of nitroglycerin and was infuriated to see a lack of damage on Goldbugs’ electrum enhanced armor.

Seeing the golden warrior turn and accelerate straight at him, Bug Bite took aim and waited for his moment. Goldbug rapidly switched back to bot mode and deployed a blade to attack the Insecticon only for a few well-placed glycerin pellets to hit him in the joints, where he wasn’t armored. The force of the explosions knocked him backward and into the ground as Bug Bite transformed again.

Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs, Goldbug barely had time to get his arms up to catch Bug Bites pincers again. This time, his opponent was too close for him to use his heel wheels, and it was taking most of his strength to keep the pincers from closing completely.

“Ordinarily, I’d ask if you submit.” Bug Bite taunted. “But I think it’d be more fun to kill you.” He increased the pressure on his pincers as Goldbug angled his right arm.

“Thing about Autobots.” Goldbug replied, deploying his wrist blaster. “We fight our best, when backed against the wall!” He fired his blaster where the left pincer connected to Bug Bites’ head. The joint exploded and the force of it sent the severed pincer spinning across the arena where it embedded itself into the wall as Bug Bite yowled in pain.

“Kill you!” The Insecticon screamed as he transformed and deployed both his pellet gun and a triple bladed gauntlet from his opposite wrist. Lunging at Goldbug in a rage, he closed the gap only for the Autobot to catch his blades with his own and pin said arm behind him while driving him to the ground. Bug Bite attempted to take a shot at the warrior only for Goldbug to fire on his pellet guns’ ammo pack, causing it to explode and take his forearm with it.

“I could kill you.” Goldbug begins, bringing his blaster to the back of Bug Bites’ head. “But I will give you a chance to submit.” He panted. The bout may have been short, but it was intense.

Any answer the Insecticon could’ve given was cut off by an explosion in the center of the arena catching everyone off guard. Before anyone could make a move to see what was happening, a black, white and yellow Predacon that shouldn’t’ve been there emerged and gave a predatory smile to the Autobots.

“Smellegram!” Stinkbomb laughed before the arena was filled with sulfurous yellow smoke.

“Is that Stinkbomb!?” Strongarm yelled. She remembered the noxious Predacon from footage from both Japan and Las Vegas.

“Yeah.” June replied. “And you can bet he isn’t alone.”

“Indeed.” Came a familiar oily voice. From the smoke-filled arena, Galvatron rose up and surveyed the collective Autobots and Insecticons. “Greetings, I am Galvatron, the new sovereign of the Scorponok hive.”

“Hate to correct you.” Blackarachnia replied, thoroughly unimpressed by Galvatron. “But your champion seems to have failed in his trial by combat.” She gestured down to the arena where the smoke was clearing to reveal that Goldbug had turned away from Bug Bite and had trained his gun on the bot who’d scarred his face.

“Galvatron.” Bug Bite rasped. “I can still.” The Insecticon was cut off as Galvatron fired his arm cannon at the wounded bot, vaporizing his upper half to the shock of everyone watching.

“What?” Galvatron asked at their looks. “If he lived, I’d have had to honor our bargain.” He turned towards Blackarachnia. “Now, I believe you have my staff.”

Blackarachnia glared at Galvatron. “In your dreams grape face.” She looked at Goldbug. “Consider our alliance sealed. Insecticons, for the glory of the hive!” She yelled.

“Alright, let’s hit it.” Sideswipe called as he and Strongarm stood up a step behind June and the other Insecticons.

“Predacons, Terrorize! Bring me that staff!” And upon his command, the rest of the 3.0 Predacons began to swarm out of the hole in the arena floor to meet the combined might of the Insecticons and Autobots.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Glowstrike transformed into her firefly mode and took off after the attacking Waspinator and Shriek.

“Ohh, glow butzzz wantzzz to play?” Waspinator buzzed. “Wazzpinator will use your dead body as nightlightzzz.”

“Aww.” Shriek called. “And here I was hoping for a snack.” He clicked his beak.

“You two are going to.” Glowstrike was cut off as Waspinator transformed and fired several shots into her side, damaging her wind and sending her into a tailspin.

“And she is going, going.” Shriek crowed. Glowstrike never heard the rest before she crashed into the ground and blacked out.

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“Sandstorm, go gi’ Goldbug a hand.” Power Hug called. Giving a nod and a chitter, the scorpion Insecticon nodded and leapt off the ledge into the arena below.

On the ledge around the arena, Sideswipe and Strongarm, were joined by Power Hug, Scarem and Vicegrip. In repelling the sudden surge of Predacons.

“Stand down Jawbreaker.” Strongarm yelled at the Hyena Predacon. “I won’t ask you again.”

“Oh, you Autobots are always so serious.” Jawbreaker laughed, transforming into bot mode. “But I didn’t get the role of Predacon cut up for nothing.” He hefted his axe and swung at the femmes’ neck. Strongarm fell backwards to dodge the blade and put several laser rounds into the Predacon.

“Tough crowd.” Jawbreaker growled as his abdomen healed. He lunged forward with the spinning saw blade in his right arm. Only for it to be caught by the femme's blasters. The hyena head he had in place of a right hand turned and began lunging for Strongarms’ face. “This joke has a bit more bite though.”

“You’re not the only cut up in this scrap.” Came a voice before a set of pincers bit into the Predacons head. Vicegrip sneered at the Predacon before looking to Strongarm. “Care to give him the boot?” He asked. Nodding with a grin, Strongarm gave Jawbreaker a double footed kick to the gut, sending him reeling into Stinkbomb.

“Nice work.” Sideswipe called as he dodged Spittors’ tongue. “Should I be worried?”

“About your opponents, yes.” Scarem yelled as he caught Sky-Bytes' hook with his sickles.

“And you should worry more about yourself.” Sky-Byte grinned as he retreated slightly. The hook on his right arm began to spin rapidly as he lunged at the Insecticon again.

“Actually.” Sideswipe smirked. “I’m paying attention to both our opponents.” He dodged as Spittor shot his tongue at him again. Grinning, the Autobot watched as the appendage connected with Sky-Bytes' spinning hook, wrapping around it and reeling the frog Predacon towards the shark.

“Retract your tongue you imbecile!”

“I’m twying!”

Unfortunately, they were unable to do so before they impacted at high speed, rendering them unconscious.

“Well played.” Scarem nodded.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Not too far from them, Power Hug was sizing up Ravage and Snowkat.

“Weel.” He began, seeing Ravage fade out of sight and Snowkat get ready to pounce. “Two oan wan, hardly seems fair.” He shrugged and the two ends of his pill bug mode moved from his shoulders to his fists, allowing him to use his stinger and pincers in his bot mode. “Fur yoo.”

Snowkat lunged forward, causing Power Hug to sidestep him. Holding his pincer up in his right hand he caught the invisible Ravage around the middle and with a mighty throw, heaved him into his twin. Ducking down to avoid several ice shards thrown by Snowkat, Power Hug transformed into his insect mode and curled up into a ball.

“Lemme show ye ow I roll.” With that, Power Hug spun like a wheel. Tearing towards the two Predacons and smashing into them. Continuing on his way, he doubled back and slammed into Snowkat with enough force that he ricocheted of him into Ravage. Transforming back into bot mode, the Scottish Insecticon heard the twin Predacons attempting to charge him again. Crouching down and redeploying his blades, Power Hug lunged forward and delivered matching slashes to Ravage and Snowkats’ torsos.

“Warriors?” He laughed as the two stopped to allow their injuries to heal. “Mair lek pussycats.”

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Down in the arena, Goldbug and Sandstorm were going toe to toe with two of the Predacons’ heavy hitters.

“I’m gonna, enjoooy this.” Tor-Loco laughed as he charged at Goldbug in his bull mode. The already battered Autobot stood fast against the deranged Predacon. Before he could ram his horns into the warrior, he was met head on by the triple pronged pincers of a scorpion Insecticon. Goldbug looked up at his savior.

“I’m guessing we’re on the same side now?” He asked. Sandstorm chittered a little and gave a nod. The brief diversion was all that was needed for Iguanus to slam his chainsaw tail into the Insecticon and free up Tor-Loco. Giving a chitter, that was answered with a hiss from the Predacon, the two transformed into bot mode and charged one another.

“Figures I’d get the one that’s Bulkhead sized.” Goldbug muttered as the transformed bull charged him again.

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Back on the edge of the arena, Blackarachnia and Kumara were attempting to detain Galvatron, who in turn was trying to either kill them or capture the spear of Zarak. Dodging a blast from Galvatrons’ cannon, Blackarachnia sneered at him.

“Missed.” She taunted. “And you’re ugly”

Galvatron transformed into his dragon mode and sent a stream of fire at the City Speaker. Somersaulting forward, Blackarachnia delivered a slash to the dragon's snout, leaving a deep gouge and destroying his right eye. He glared at her as it healed.

“If that had been permanent, I’d have been very upset.” He was cut off as Kumara shot a web ball that enveloped his head, forcing him to transform back to bot mode. Turning to lunge at the Maximal, Galvatron was forced to use his shield to block several web throwing stars which then left him vulnerable to a slash from Blackarachnias’ spear.

“June.” Blackarachnia whispered as she snuck past Galvatron. “We need to enact the plan now. We’ll buy you time.”

“But, Blackarachnia?” June replied. After accepting the role of City Speaker, she and the other spider had agreed to an evacuation plan in case this very scenario occurred. While the two femmes spent the equivalent of a week in the elders’ mindscape going over everything the younger one needed to know about her new duties, Scorponok relocated every single Insecticon egg into a transport in the city above them.

“All things have their time June.” Blackarachnia argued. “And your time is now. GO!” ‘I’m coming Bowser.’ She added silently to herself, thoughts of a familiar bird bot flashing through her mind.

June wanted to argue, they had gotten to know each other rather well in the week they’d spent in Blackarachnias’ head. Even though only an hour had passed in the real world. Leaving her here to cover their escape would surely be a death sentence. However, the decision was cemented as Scorponoks’ brain flashed a message that June now understood.

“RUN.”

With a reluctant nod, June called out into the battle.

“Goldbug! We need to get out of here!” A moment later, the Autobot in question leapt out of the arena using Tor-Loco as a springboard. Sandstorm quickly climbed up after him, leaving the two Predacons to flounder as they worked out how to follow them.

“Ye kin run fur it lassie.” Power Hug called. “Weel buy ye sum time.”

“You’re going with them rolling roach.” Blackarachnia quipped as Galvatron finished healing and ripped the webbing off his cannon. “At least one of us needs to go and help teach the next generation.”

“Buh”

“GO!!!” Blackarachnia yelled as the other Predacons formed up on Galvatron. Around her, Scarem, Sandstorm and Vicegrip stood alongside their speaker.

“Very well.” Goldbug said, giving a respectful salute to Blackarachnia. He turned to his group, including Power Hug.

“Throttlebots.” He called, using the team designation he’d settled on. “Transform and roll for it.”

While the Predacons and Insecticons charge one another, the newly dubbed Throttlebots followed Kumara towards the nearest exit that would take them topside. As he was about to follow them out, Power Hug noticed the unconscious Glowstrike nearby. Making a quick detour, he gently scooped the femme up and followed after the group.

“Ah cannae leave her t’die like this.” He explained at Sideswipes’ questioning look. The group then made their way to the surface.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Paradon, Arcee and the Horrorcons were awaiting Chelas’ final decision. As the latter debated amongst themselves, the former was still tending the Tasmanian Devil bot.

“Feeling better kid.” Arcee asked as the young one was finally able to stand again.

“K-kid?” The little one asked. Their voice sounded like a child.

“Oh.” Arcee exclaimed softly. Apparently the little guy could talk on his own. “Yeah. I’m not sure what to call you. I think you turn into an animal called a Tasmanian Devil from a different world, but.”

“Tasmanian. Kid.” The youngling played with the words. “Tasmania Kid!” He exclaimed. “I’m Tasmania Kid!” Arcee smiled at the enthusiasm. She’d honestly forgotten how much she liked sparklings. She was then given a surprise as Tasmania Kid then transformed in a way similar to her own transformation, leaving a bot that was roughly the size of a human. Apparently he was equal parts beast bot and mini-con.

“Well then, welcome to the.” Arcee began with a smile before Tasmania Kid hugged her around the middle. “Oh.” She whispered before feeling an immense sense of protectiveness towards him that she hadn’t felt since Jack. “Ohhh. June is going to love this.”

“Fate seems to smile on you today.” Slog called from the other side of the chamber. “You still have a youngling to call your own regardless of.” He was cut off as the chamber lit up again.

“I have made my decision.” Chela announced, using her own head rather than using Tasmania Kid. Slog and Arcee turned to face the Titan, the youngling staying close to the former.

“The both of you have described your vision for the future of Cybertron. One where the beasts reign supreme, one where they are respected as much as any other bot.” There was a pause. “Upon reflection, the simple fact is that like Onyx Prime before me, I am just one of five Titans, and to ignore that would indeed mean ignoring the vast remainder of Primus’ work.”

“You mean?”

“Arcee of Paradon, I choose you as my City Speaker.” Chela announced. “As such, I am entrusting you to live up to your promises to teach both the new and those returning to Cybertron. Let the message of equality be your greatest lesson.”

“I-I accept the role of speaker great Titan.” Arcee replied. “And all the responsibilities that.” She was cut off as the light in the chamber began to fail again. With a sickening jolt, she looked towards the other side of the chamber and standing alongside the six empty shells, was Monstructor.

“It is a pity.” Monstructor began in their usual soft tone. “Between my might and yours we’d have created a true paradise for our kind.” They turned to Chela. “But now, you shall join the others amidst the wreckage of the past.” Igniting their death touch, the combiner leapt forth to strike Chela in the head.

Before the blow could hit home though, Monstructor found themselves floating in midair.

“And so, you show your true colors.” Chela called as the chamber began to shake and crumble around them. “I assumed as such, but seeing it confirmed is admittedly a disappointment.” As the dark combiner hung in the air, the Titans’ head retreated down a long corridor as the rest of the chamber continued to collapse. Grabbing Tasmania Kid, Arcee retreated into a fairly stable looking corridor to watch what was coming unfold.

After a few moments, the chamber ceiling unfolded (showing it was actually a piece of wing) into the nighttime sky and Chela, the Golden Warrior, stood proud amidst the wreckage of Paradon the Crystal City. Her main body was overall roughly half the size of Metroplex, but her wingspan was easily larger than the other Titan. Turning her red optics on Monstructor, Arcee felt a shiver. Part of her dreaded what would happen to them, but ultimately, it was their own fault.

With a sweep of her mighty wings, Chela lifted herself into the air, the resulting wind knocked both Arcee and Tasmania Kid to the ground as she took off. Taking Monstructor in her claw, the golden Titan took off, away from the city and gaining altitude. The Dark Combiner was little bigger than an ant in her giant claw. Once high and far away enough from Paradon, Chela addressed the combiner.

“While I understand what you went through was horrific.” Chela called. “Past crimes do not excuse present ones.” With that, she let go of Monstructor and watched a moment as they fell out of sight.

Back in Paradon, Arcee led her young charge out of the corridor as Chela landed.

“Thank you, Chela, for protecting us.” She said, kneeling. However, she knew Monstructor wasn’t gone for good. Especially if the pretender shells now running in the direction that they’d flown off in was any indication.

“I did what was necessary, my speaker.” Chela replied, looking at Arcee. “Protecting a parent and child was part of that.” She turned her head slightly at Arcees’ expression. “It is within my power to know these things. And there is one other thing I must mention.”

“And that is?”

“That your sister has been accepted as the Speaker for my twin, Scorponok.” Chela answered.

“June?” Arcee asked, wondering how that happened in such a short time after she left the group.

“Scorponok and I emerged from the planet at the same moment, like Metroplex and Vigilem, albeit some believe otherwise. We are even known as twin cities.” Arcee nodded at this. She grew up knowing that the cities were twins, although she didn’t know the Titans were. “However, one idiosyncrasy we share is that our speakers also have a connection to one another. Be they siblings like you and the one called June, or lovers like the ones before you.”

“Woah.” Arcee whispered to herself. The comprehension of this knowledge made her feel quite small. So many things had to go in certain ways to reach this point, she couldn’t help feeling there was a higher power at play. At least, other than Unicron.

“You should be able to reach out and feel what she is feeling.” Chela added.

Arcee winced slightly. This would be highly voyeuristic in nature if she wasn’t worried sick for her sister. Silently vowing never to use this ability outside of an emergency, she reached out with thought of June. What she felt was fear, panic and determination.

Something was wrong.

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Back in Scorponoks’ arena, Blackarachnia was beathing heavily. She and the other three remaining Insecticons had fought to what was now the bitter end, and only she was left alive.

“Really, Blackarachnia? Spare yourself the struggle.” Galvatron taunted as he stepped forward. “I’ve already won.”

“Not. While I. Function.” She breathed and lunged at him again with the spear of Zarak.

Sidestepping her clumsy attack easily, Galvatron gripped the spear and delivered a kick to her midsection. He grinned at the ancient weapon in his grasp before turning back to the defeated speaker.

“Now, where exactly is my new hive?” He asked.

“Gone.” She grinned back. “And the spear won’t work for you.” She added, rubbing salt in the wound. Unfortunately, he only grinned at that.

“Oh, I have ways around things like that.” He smiled as he crouched down. “Yes.”

With two swift motions, Galvatron slammed his hand into blackarachnias’ chest and ripped out her spark chamber. With a squeeze, he cracked the chamber open before pouring her innermost energon onto the Spear of Zarak. Her last thoughts, were of her long dead lover in Paradon.

“Now.” He began, throwing the spark casing away. “To raise a Titan.” He held the stained end of the spear to his chest, and the Dark Matrix, which tainted the energon on it, allowing him to override Scorponoks’ will.

“Awaken Scorponok, heed your new king and rise again!” He called. Had he been paying attention; he’d have noticed the ground beneath the fading spark heat up and absorb it into Scorponoks’ body. In Paradon, another similarly reclaimed spark pulsed brightly.

“Predacons, evacuate.” Galvatron ordered as the area around them began to transform with Scorponok. “We still have a hive to capture, and our newest associates shall help us find it.”

“Associates, plural?” Spittor asked as he followed Galvatron out of the collapsing city of Tarn.

“Yes.” Galvatron replied. Using the Dark Matrix, he reached out to where he’d left Hun-Gurr and found that his experiment had indeed born fruit. Looking out towards the horizon, he saw the tail end of a large grey transport vehicle speeding away from the rising Titan.

Right where he wanted them to go.

“Excellent.” He laughed. He would reclaim the Insecticon hive and eradicate his twins’ adoptive sister all in one fell swoop. Purely for theatrical reasons, he pointed the Spear of Zarak towards where they were heading as the Dark Matrix glowed. While the giant scorpion that was Scorponok shook off the wreckage of Tarn, Galvatron gave one simple command.

“Abominus, rise up, and DESTROY!!”

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In the canyon Galvatron left them in, Infernus and Terrorsaur felt the ground begin to shake.

“What the?”

“It is happening!”

Soon, from the far side of the canyon a large crack in the canyon wall emerged as a hand composed of dozens of ancient dead Predacons emerged from it all optics glowing purple. Gripping the side of the hole, the hand began to push until the wall gave way, allowing a second hand to join the first. With a mighty heave, the canyon collapsed entirely, creating a cloud of dust obscuring all. Through the dust, seven mad optics glowed purple as the creature emerged like a demon from the abyss.

Standing almost half as tall as Trypticon, the creature known as Abominus was composed of the corpses of thousands of ancient Predacons turned Terrorcons. The creature was bipedal and vaguely humanoid shaped with long arms ending in clawed hands on its head was a crest that looked like a cross between the Decepticon insignia and a Torosaurus’ and its face possessed seven purple glowing optics arranged over its’ glowing mouth. In the center of its’ chest, Hun-Gurr was positioned and glowing like a bright purple star. The dark energon had consumed her entirely.

“What the pit is that thing?” Terrorsaur asked aloud. He’d never could’ve conceived such an abomination in his worst nightmares.

“It belongs to the royalty whatever it is, and as his regent, I shall tame it.” Infernus answered.

“Come back here you idiot!” Terrorsaur called as Infernus ran out to Abominus.

“Heel, abomination! I am Infernus, regent to our queen, and you shall do as we order!” He yelled, drawing Abominus’ attention to them. The super combiner looked at them before giving a gurgling laugh.

“You dare mock us!” Infernus shouted as Abominus’ purple glow seemed to intensify.

“I’m outta here!” Terrorsaur yelled after transforming. He went to take off before Infernus grabbed his leg.

“You will stay and assist me in disciplining this.” He was cut off as Abominus let loose a massive stream of purple fire from its’ maw. It was the last thing they saw before the two Predacons were consumed by it.

Giving another gurgling laugh as it watched Terrorsaurs’ arm sink into the new pool of molten metal, Abominus heard the sound of an approaching engine. Eager for the chance to destroy something else, the Terrorcon combiner began to shuffle towards the noise.

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Meanwhile, in a transport not unlike a semi-truck fleeing across the wastes of Cybertron, Goldbug and Kumara were trying to come up with a new plan.

“As much as I hate to say it, it’s only a matter of time before Galvatron figures out how to sic Scorponok on us.” The former began as he checked their position.

“Sooner than you think.” The latter exclaimed as she looked at the rearview monitor. “Look.”

Looking in the monitor, Goldbug could see the remains of Tarn collapse completely as a giant purple and acid green scorpion emerged from the ground. A couple of moments later Scorponok began to follow after the transport.

“We’ll head for Paradon and make our stand there.” Goldbug decided, upping the transports speed. “Hopefully Arcee will have made contact with Chela by now.” Activating the transports’ communication array, Goldbug put out a distress call.

“Mayday, mayday, calling all Autobots.” The Throttlebot leader called. “Tarn has fallen to the Decepticons and we are being pursued by Scorponok. We are trying to escape with the fledgling Insecticon hive and are in need of backup!” Before he could get a response, an explosion rocked the transport. “What was that?”

“Sir, it’s Scorponok, he fired on us and took out one of our wheels.” Strongarm called as she watched the Insecticon King start to get larger on the horizon. “We cannot keep our current speed.”

“Aye, we can.” Power Hug announced before transforming into his pill bug mode. Crawling down the outside of the vehicle, the Insecticon quickly wrapped himself around he exposed axle, turning himself into a makeshift wheel for the transport.

“Power Hug?” The now conscious Glowstrike asked in awe.

“Am. Gettin’. Ter. Ole. Fur. ‘Is. Scrap!” he yelled as he spun.

“Never mind Goldbug.” Sideswipe called, having witnessed Power Hugs’ maneuver. “We’re stabilized for now.”

“Understood.” Goldbug replied as he watched Scorponok stop gaining on them in the rearview. “We should be in Paradon in.” The Throttlebot was cut off as a large fist slammed into the side of the transport and sent it rolling before coming to a rest on its’ side.

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High over Scorponok, Galvatron grinned as he watched Abominus knock the transport on its’ side.

“Excellent.” He said simply. “Abominus, destroy any Autobots you find. Predacons, prepare to retrieve the hive. Today shall be one of glorious victory. Yes.”

Back in the transport, Goldbug and Kumara finally climbed their way out of the cab and saw what had hit them.

“What the hell is that thing?” The Maximal asked as Abominus began shuffling over to them.

“One big Terrorcon.” Goldbug replied as the rest of the group formed up on them.

“Looks lek oor final stan’s ere then.” Power Hug announced once he’d detached himself from the transport.

“The eggs are still secure.” Glowstrike added. “For what it’s worth.”

“It isn’t much.” Galavatron called as he descended through the air. “Now, I believe I shall start by cementing my place as the true sovereign of Scorponok.” He added as he trained his cannon on Kumara. “Say goodbye.”

Before he could fire on the Maximal, a loud bird call rent the air. Looking up, Galvatron had a brief glimpse of a large golden shape before a gust of wind blew him backwards into Scorponok. Looking up, he saw the second Titan he was supposed to enslave land between him and the transport.

“Of course, those fools failed.” Galvatron griped. He’d have words with the Combaticons and Horrorcons later. Now however.

“Scorponok, destroy Chela. Abominus finish them!” He ordered, pointing towards the transport.

Hearing the order, Scorponok reluctantly transformed. The bulk of his mass including his pincers shot upwards to a ninety-degree angle. From there the arms folded downwards as his legs repositioned and raised his body up higher. The capstone was hid head turning around and the face shielding retracting to reveal a silver face and red visor. Chela took wing again as a laser blast shot from her brother's tail.

“June!” Arcee yelled as she sped up to her sister in her motorcycle mode. Tasmania Kid seemed to be enjoying the ride as he rode on her back. Coming to a stop so her new son could climb off her, she transformed into bot mode and looked at the group.

“I heard the distress call.” She explained. “How did this happen in less than twelve hours?”

“Like you’re one to talk?” June asked, gesturing to Chela. “And who’s this?” She added with a look at Tasmania Kid.

“Let’s just say I’m not the only aunt in the family anymore.” Arcee replied, putting her son inside the transport. “Stay put.” She ordered, thankful to see a nod of agreement.

“I want details later.”

“Preferably when we don’t have a giant Terrorcon bearing down on us.” Sideswipe interrupted, calling their attention back to Abominus. Deploying their guns, the group took aim on the super combiner.

“Throttlebots, open fire!”

Abominus laughed as it was peppered by the blasts of its’ prey. There weren’t that many of them and the blasts did little against an opponent this sized. However, a concentrated bust of firepower from behind it and aimed at the left ankle did cause it to fall to one knee.

“What the?” Arcee asked. Where had that blast come from.

“Dinobots!” Grimlock called as he led the charge from behind Abominus. “Transform and kick aft!” The white Utahraptor that was now the Dinobot leader surged forth with a flock of hard light duplicates with the other dinobots, Mach Hoof and Whirl following him. Immediately they began trying to split the Terrorcon combiners’ focus in as many directions as possible.

As his flock and his team kept Abominus distracted, Grimlock led Mach Hoof over to Arcee, Goldbug and Kumara.

“You stay with them.” He ordered the Maximal. While she looked reluctant, she gave a grudging nod.

“Understood Grimlock.”

“GRIMLOCK!?” The other Autobots cried in both relief and confusion.

“Me explain later.” The Dinobot said before transforming. “We do this now.” Turning back to Abominus, he fired a green laser blast from his optics as Mach Hoof added a Nucleon charge.

“Right.” Kumara said, remembering the current situation. “We need to protect these eggs.”

“Chela, watch out!” Arcee called as Scorponok caught one of the golden warriors’ legs in his pincer.

“Yes!” Galvatron exclaimed as his Titan captured what he now realized was his sisters’ “Now, destroy her.” Scorponok screwed up his face as he tried to resist. “I said destroy her!” Slowly, his tail blaster rose to Chelas’ face. But before he could fire, he was hit by several high-power blasts.

Turning to the source of the blasts, Galvatrons’ optics widened in shock.

“The, the Ark!” He yelled. “That, that can’t be!”

“Omega Supreme!” Mach Hoof called. She remembered seeing the pictures of him in Mainframes’ game.

“Look like Omega have growth spurt.” Grimlock said. He hadn’t seen the old guardian of Paradon since the Ark took off. And he was nowhere near that size then.

“Call for reinforcements heard.” A voice echoed from the giant ship. “Omega Supreme responding.” A moment later a spacebridge portal opened and Ratchet, Wheeljack, Jetfire and Deathsaur emerged. It figured that they’d run the last systems check as Goldbugs distress call came in.

“Arcee, Goldbug, June.” He greeted the three he knew before turning to the Dinobot. “Grimlock?”

“Talk later, fight now.” Grimlock exclaimed before deflecting a blast from Abominus with his shield and returning fire along with the others. A sentiment that was followed when Omega Supreme began to transform.

The tail fin of the ship folded into the back left section before the entire back third of it split and unfolded into a pair of legs which set down on the ground. The remaining two thirds of the ship spun around before the sides split away from the main body and unfolded into a pair of arms that ended with a three clawed hand on his right arm and a cannon on the left. Finally, the nose section of the ship folded backwards into a backpack, revealing a face covered by an orange visor.

Rearing back his fist, Omega Supreme delivered a punch to Scorponoks’ head and fired a laser blast that drove Abominus back several paces. Seeing that help had truly arrived, Chela decided to deal with Abominus by picking it up by the shoulders and flying it back the way it’d come from before dropping it like Monstructor. This gave Omega enough room to get a grip on Scorponoks’ arm and throw him across the battlefield.

Galvatron was now seething. When Scorponok and Abominus had cornered the Autobots victory had been assured. Then Chela showed up in the company of his Primus damned sister alongside one of the strongest units in Optimus Primes’ forces. And where did Omega Supreme come from? To say nothing of how he became big enough to tangle with a Titan?

He needed the backup plan.

“All forces retreat!” Galvatron ordered. He activated a remote spacebridge that would take him, the Predacons, Scorponok and Abominus to Kaon. There he would use the bridge to recover the Combaticons and Horrorcons then his forces could regroup. And he could begin meting out punishments to those who failed him.

“They have not seen the last of me. No.” Galvatron muttered to himself as he flew through the portal after Abominus.

“Okay, now let me see if I have this straight.” Ratchet spoke to the assembled Autobots, Maximals, and Insecticons.

After the Decepticons had left, it was decided that they would meet back at Iacon. After transplanting the hive of Insecticon eggs into Omega Supremes’ cargo bay, the two Titan sized bots flew everyone back. Upon landing, Chela asked Arcee for a moment to mourn her older brothers Metroplex and Vigilem. After the moment passed Omega offered his condolences only for the golden warrior to surprise him.

“I have lost two of my brothers now, and a third is lost to an enemy. However, I am happy to have found a new Titan to call brother.” This stunned Omega Supreme for a moment.

“Thank you, great one.”

“Call me sister.”

“So, we now have a Titan Omega Supreme as well as Chela.” Ratchet continued. “Arcee is now the City Speaker for the latter as the former can communicate without one.”

“To say nothing of her becoming a single mother.” June added, holding her new nephew in her lap. The two sisters couldn’t wait to introduce Tasmania Kid to the other Maximals. June was particularly interested in Jacks’ reaction to being an instant cousin.

“You became the City Speaker for Scorponok.” Ratchet added, pointing at June. “But because of Galvatron he’s currently being controlled by the Decepticons.”

“I’m sure I can free him once I get the Spear of Zarak back.” June replied. At least, she hoped she could.

“You, found a valley of sparks.” The Autobot medic said, now turning his attention to Grimlock and the Dinobots. “You were gunned down, and resurrected in a Maximal body by said sparks. To say nothing of the golden lagoon that can change someone into whatever they want.”

“Me Grimlock just tough like that.” The Dinobot leader replied.

“And believe me.” Whirl added from the corner. “We’re keeping that lagoon secret for now.”

“And throw in our misadventure with Mainframe, and we have the last few days in a nutshell.” Ratchet finished.

“Some nutshell.” Goldbug added. “I just hope Optimus is having better luck finding Vector Sigma than we’ve had finding reinforcements.”

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Somewhere beneath the surface of Cybertron, Optimus Prime rubbed at his optics as Heinrad and Smokescreen laughed at Blitzwings’ current predicament. The Decepticon Triple changer was now hanging several meters in the air upside down. Apparently the underworlders of old had set up traps to catch anyone they could. Unfortunately, this was the third trap the crazy con had triggered in as many hours. To his left, Starscream ran a hand down his faceplate.

“Unbelievable.” The aerospace commander muttered as he watched Rung scale the line holding Blitzwing up to cut him loose as Magnaboss and Scourge held him steady. “Blitzwing, how do you get into these messes?!” He exclaimed.

“Just lucky I guess.” Blitzwing replied, black jack O lantern face facing them.

“Amazing.” Optimus muttered to himself. “Booby traps that actually capture boobies.” Idly, he wondered if the others had reached Vector Sigma Yet.

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Meanwhile, in the basement of Maccadams’ Old Oil House, the two Primes had accidentally rediscovered the shortcut they’d been seeking.

“I, am so, sorry.” Nexus Prime muttered, holding a keg of Engex.

“Okay, now listen to me very carefully.” Alchemist Prime said in a muffled voice. When his brother picked up that particular keg, he’d triggered the revolving door that hid the entrance. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been expecting it and had become smashed between the door and wall.

“Don’t put the Engex back.”

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In the former Decepticon capitol of Kaon, galvatron descended towards his goal. After retreating from the Autobots, he’d retrieved his errant teams. After they explained what happened with the mission to capture Chela, he subjected the two teams to nearly twenty minutes of continuous pain to show his displeasure. After forcing Scorponok to transform into his city mode so that his troops could recuperate, he began his short journey to the heart of the city.

Galvatron nodded as he entered what was once the spark chamber of the Titan Vigilem. While he may have gotten Scorponok and succeeded in creating the superweapon that was Abominus, Unicron was still expecting him to return with two Titans. The backup plan had less to do with growing his own power and everything to do with simple self-preservation. He knew he was on thin ice with the chaos bringer.

“Now.” He began as he took the Dark Matrix from his chest. “Let us see if this little experiment works.” Originally, he’d hoped to use the body of Metroplex for this, but unfortunately the Autobots had set up in Iacon before he could attempt it. Besides, with all the material missing from the body, it would probably collapse under its’ own weight if he tried to make a Terrorcon of it.

Putting all of his focus on the empty spark chamber before him, he tapped the dark powers of his matrix, and willed them to their destination. The Dark Matrix then glowed brightly before a beam of dark energon lanced out from it into Vigilems’ empty spark chamber. Galvatron smirked as a purple mote of energy ignited and began to grow. Megatron may have snuffed out this Titans’ life eons ago, but the husk of Metroplex’ twin was still viable. Hearing an inhuman shriek echo around him as the city began to shake, the evil mech knew he’d succeeded.

Returning his Matrix to his chest, Galvatron turned and blasted a hole in the ceiling with his fusion cannon. Taking wing, he flew through it and using his cannon a few more times, returned to the surface as the infrastructure of Kaon began to collapse. As he landed in front of Scorponok, Onslaught and Slog ran out to meet him.

“What in the name of Primus did you do?!” Onslaught yelled as the ground began to shake harder.

“Ensured our victory!” Galvatron called out over the chaos. Turning back to the collapsing city, he was pleased to see I giant orange and blue arm with veins of purple dark energon running across it thrust upward like a zombie emerging from the ground. The Decepticon commander laughed as the arm pushed down on the ground, forcing its’ head to the surface with another inhuman shriek.

Vigilem, had risen again.

“Yes, YES!!! Arise my Necrotitan! YES!!!”

Notes:

A/N: Again, Phew. A lot of action in this chapter. Admittedly I threw in some extra humor to try and balance it out. I just hope it didn’t seem too forced.

I know I’ve already described Omega Supreme as being based off the Ark Titan Transformer. Scorponok however is a little different. I tried to combine his G1 version with the Bayverse iteration. I also took some inspiration from a picture of the Kaiju Destroyah (III) by Matt Frank on DeviantArt. Chela is more or less a replica of her IDW 1.0 variant and Vigilem/Necrotitan is an orange and blue recolor of Metroplex.

Tasmania Kid is based on his legacy toy while Glowstrike and Power Hug are based on their cartoon and comic book appearances respectively. Abominus on the other hand, is closer to Deceptigod than anything else.

I decided to harken back to the days of G1 for Goldbugs’ team name. I spent many a flea market trip looking for both the Marvel Comics run for Transformers as well as the toys themselves (All six Throttlebots now sit proudly in my collection). Part of me wishes that RID 2015 brought the name Throttlebots out of retirement. Not that I have anything against the name Bee Team.

Next Time: Prime Time

Until then, as always, vote, follow and comment.

Until next time...bye.

Chapter 53: Prime Time

Notes:

Okay, here we go. Either this chapter is going to go over well, or I’m going to take some heat for it. I’ve left some hints about one of the plot twists in this chapter, and a couple of readers have made educated guesses that were at least half right. Now, I will warn you, there is discussions of suicide in this chapter as well as contemplation of it. So consider yourselves warned.

Without further ado, the next chapter of Beast Wars Prime

Near the ruined city of Kaon, Galvatron explained to Nemesis Prime what had happened over the course of the past few cycles.

“So.” The avatar of Unicron began. “You lost the Insecticon hive to the Autobots, but still managed to capture the Titan while losing the other one. Correct?”

“To make up for it, I’ve raised Vigilem as a Titan sized Terrorcon as well as created a colossal Terrorcon combiner to enhance our chances of victory.” Galvatron added. There was a moment of silence that caused the Anti-Prime to worry before Nemesis spoke again.

“It shall do.” He replied. “Return with your forces. The Titans shall hide in the dark of the moon until the time is right.” The communication cut off as a space bridge portal big enough for the Titans opened.

“Soon.” Galvatron whispered softly. “Soon I shall take what is rightfully mine, and woe be to those who tried to enslave me. Yes.”

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Beneath the surface of the planet Cybertron, Optimus Prime surveyed his slumbering expedition party. This was their third day of traveling through the planets’ underworld and hopefully, they would reach Vector Sigma today. Then he could finally be finished with the secrets.

Speaking of Secrets.

“Do you plan of revealing yourself before we get to Vector Sigma?” Optimus asked the sleeping form of Smokescreen. “Alpha Trion?” The young warrior turned his head and opened his optics. Instead of their usual blue, they were an ethereal white similar to Jack when Vector Sigma spoke through him.

“I never was particularly stealthy.” The third Prime sighed as he spoke through his unconscious friend. “I plan to reveal myself to Smokescreen and the others before we reach the computer. After all, it’s where I hid the Covenant and Quill before I passed.”

“I know you well enough to pick up on your body language. What happened to you Alpha?” Optimus asked. “I wasn't even aware that you’d died.”

“After sending the relics of Iacon to Earth, I attempted to escape and find Vector Sigma myself. To attempt to contact you about Smokescreen.” Alpha Trion explained. “During the assault, I was hit with a vial of the cosmic rust virus. Using the little time I had left, I hid my artifacts alongside yours within Vector Sigma, taking care not to infect them before my body finally gave out.”

“And when you were so close to the brink of death the first time.” The Prime continued. “When you chose to return to the mortal plane, I decided to follow you. Latching onto the only living spark in that cavern.” He finished, gesturing to Smokescreens body with his own hands.

“Do you intend to stay bonded with him?” Optimus asked. Maybe he could build a new body for his brother/mentor.

“No.” Alpha Trion answered. “Remember what Vector Prime used to say? All things have their time.”

“And all time must pass.” Optimus finished.

“Once the threat of Unicron is past, I shall move on to my eternal rest.” Trion looked at Optimus. “However, I would like young Smokescreen to take my place as the chronicler of the history of Cybertron.”

“He will be allowed to keep the covenant and quill.” Optimus answered. How Ironic. The one who turned down the chance to become a Prime to save him, would become a Prime in another way. “Now I suggest you let his body rest some more before everyone else wakes up.”

“Very well.” Alpha Trion replied. “I admit, this is going to be a rather taxing day for everyone involved.” With that he shut Smokescreens’ optics and returned to stasis.

“Indeed, it will old friend.” Optimus sighed as he looked over the rest of the group again. “Indeed, it will.”

-----------------------(A few hours later) ---------------------------------------

“And I’m telling you Rung.” Jack commented as he scaled down a cliff with the Autobot psychiatrist on his back. “By human standards, Primus is an absentee parent.”

“Maybe.” Rung admitted. “But things are different for Cybertronians. We’re born with more or less fully formed personalities.” ‘Admittedly less after the Quintessons took over.’ He added to himself.

“Even still.” Jack argued. “Older Cybertronians take newforged ones under their care like a parent.”

“Agree to disagree on that!” Starscream called from the top of the cliff. “It’s possible to have a ‘parent’ as you call them and still have them care more about themselves.” He added. Cryak was a good example of that. “Although I agree with you about Primus.”

“Ow zo Starscream?” Blitzwing asked as he gently drifted down to the ground in jet mode with Raf on his back.

“Think about it.” The aerospace commander replied. “You have thirteen sparklings and after they’re born, you leave the youngest in charge of them. I mean, you can fill a brain with knowledge and simulated wisdom, but is it an acceptable substitute for true life experience or guide?”

“Can’t believe I’m agreeing with Starscream of all bots.” Raf muttered as he climbed off the triple changer.

Next to Starscream, Optimus kept from interfering with this (awkward for him) argument. Partly so as to avoid giving his own secret away. The bigger part of him though, agreed with Jack and Starscream. Had Primus acted more like a parent than a creator at least early on, would the age of the Primes have ended differently?

Would Megatronus’ paranoia and self-loathing have been eased?

Would Prima have bullied Megatronus as badly as he did?

Would Liege Maximo have manipulated and betrayed the others?

Would Optimus feel the guilt he still feels to this day for not seeing what was happening?

So many ‘what ifs’.

“I believe we have found something!” Scourge called as he exited the tunnel near the cliff. He, Heinrad and Miko had decided to scout it while the others made their decent. Or more accurately, Miko decided to scout it against Starscreams’ advice and Scourge followed her for safety. Kibo followed out of the curiosity he shared with his mother.

“Yeah, it’s some kind of steel door with a warning symbol on it.” Miko added as she ran after the Predacon.

“Well, that’s encouraging.” Starscream said as he and Prime made it to the bottom of the cliff. “If there’s a warning on the door, there’s usually treasure on the other side.” Silently, he hoped the treasure in this case would be some kind of weapon they could use against Unicron.

“Let’s do this carefully.” Jack called as he followed his girlfriend back down the tunnel. There was indeed a steel door there and several feet of wall on either side. Kibo was examining the keypad next to it.

“We better go through the wall.” Starscream commented as he examined the door and keypad over the Maximals’ shoulder. “There’s probably a security system connected to the door itself.”

“Actually.” Raf interjected. “I should be able to.”

“Knock, knock!” Blitzwing called as he transformed into his tank mode and fired on the wall to the left of the door, filling the air with dust.

“Open it.” Raf finished in a flat tone.

“Excellent Blitzwing.” Starscream commented as he walked through the dust and the hole the triple changer created. “It may not be Vector Sigma, but we can possibly.” Looking to his left as the dust settled, the aerospace commander let out a high-pitched scream as he was suddenly confronted by a large set of gleaming sharp teeth.

“Starscream, what? Woah.” Jack yelled as the rest of the group charged in behind him and Optimus. What they saw, was surprising to say the least.

“Sharkticons?” Raf asked. “I thought the Titans wiped them all out.”

What they had stumbled across was an ancient warehouse the width of several football fields and longer than they could see. It was also filled to the brim with dormant Sharkticons. The aqua, purple and grey piranha like bots were exactly like the image Arcee had shown in her lessons. Which begged the question.

“I wonder why these didn’t get used?” Rung asked no one in particular.

“Maybe this can tell us.” Raf called from next to a computer terminal. Switching it on, Raf examined the wiring around the computer as it booted up. One of the cables looked as if it had been chewed through. Most likely by a scraplet. His suspicion was confirmed once the computer was functional.

“It looks like the severed cable was tied to the alert system.” Raf explained as he trawled through data. “The call went out, but without it, this shoal of Sharkticons never activated.”

“I zink you mean frenzy.” Blitzwing corrected.

“Blitzwing.” Starscream breathed, getting over his shock. “Who, the scrap, cares.”

“And it’s probably a good thing that they didn’t.” Raf continued, ignoring the Decepticons. “It looks like the Quintessons had access to the Enigma of Combination at one point. These guys are all combination capable.” He finished looking at Optimus and Starscream.

“How?” The latter asked. “From what I’ve read Sharkticons are barely sapient. Combining wouldn’t do them much good.”

“With this guy acting as their commander.” Raf answered as he pushed on another button. From the floor near the terminal rose a stasis pod. Inside it, was what looked like a Cybertronian in Sharkticon colors with a pair of cannons on his back.

“I take it this bot was ‘in fellowship’ with the Quintessons.” Optimus spoke more than asked.

“A traitor to his people.” Starscream added, training his null ray on the pod. Before he could fire, it sank back into the floor. “What are you doing?” The aerospace commander asked in annoyance.

“Snaptrap.” Raf began, glowering at Starscream and using the name for the bot he’d seen in the records. “Hasn’t done anything to us yet. He still thinks the Quintessons are saviors.”

“I believe Starscream.” Optimus added. “That once the war is over, Snaptrap can be rehabilitated. Particularly after learning the truth of his former masters.”

“I disagree.” Starscream argued.

“What are you three doing?” Jack asked, drawing the others’ attention. Looking to the spot where Jack was, they saw Miko, Kibo and Blitzwing taking a runners’ stance next to separate rows of Sharkticons.

“Erm.” Miko hesitated. “Jumping the Sharkticon?” She added meekly.

“Ditto.” Kibo added, red faced.

“I vas just following zer lead.” Blitzwing admitted before his red face came around. “I can jump eet.” He yelled, charging towards the Sharkticons.

“I wouldn’t.” Raf called, causing the triple changer to stumble and fall face first into the floor.

“Oucheez.”

“Good one.” Smokescreen commented on the prone Decepticon. “But why?”

“Would you want to inadvertently reactivate all these guys and have to fight them?” Raf asked, gesturing to the vast warehouse. At his words, the two Maximals backed away from the Sharkticons while Blitzwing crawled backwards on his servos and knees. “Thought not.”

“Alright Prime.” Starscream said turning away from the spectacle. “Which way now?” They’d been relying on the Matrix of Leadership to guide Optimus to Vector Sigma. Admittedly, this stop was a detour.

Before Optimus could answer, he was interrupted.

“That way.” Smokescreen said, pointing to a door on the far side of the warehouse. His optics had taken on a white glow.

“How do you.” Starscream asked, a little unnerved by the sudden change in the young Autobot. “Wait, come back.” He called as the warrior headed for the door.

“Follow him.” Jack and Optimus called simultaneously, causing the group to rush off after Smokescreen. Silently, Optimus wondered what Alpha Trion had planned.

Chasing after Smokescreen, Starscream realized that they were heading deeper than expected into Cybertron. Close to its’ core. Did Vector Sigma bury itself here as a safety measure? Moments later, they entered into a chamber that Optimus recognized, with two decaying forms that were equally recognizable.

“Woah!” Kibo exclaimed as he looked up at the sliver of sky far above them. “This is the bottom of the well of all sparks. We hid here for a while in my timeline.” He added at their questioning looks.

“Then those must be.” Jack whispered in reverence of the two inert forms before them.

“What is left of Onyx Prime and Micronus Prime.” Smokescreen called in a voice that wasn’t his own. Looking towards him, they saw his optics were still glowing white. “Forgive my deception and the use of this body, my name, is Alpha Trion.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Starscream groaned. “Look, props on finding this place, but the joke is in poor taste.”

“It is no joke.” Trion replied.

As he began his explanation of how he died and returned to possess Smokescreen, Optimus looked at the bodies of his brothers. He had to admit, it was rather disheartening seeing more of his family like this. However, seeing the marks where their sparks had been extracted from their bodies, he was reminded that they weren’t truly gone.

“So, you’ve been seeing things through Smokescreen ever since Darkmount?” Jack asked.

“Correct.” Alpha Trion nodded. “I’ve been observing and recording what has been happening since then.

“Okay, so we have two dead Primes and the ghost of a Prime.” Starscream griped. “And not even a powerful one.” He added, ignoring the glares being sent his way.

“Oh, I’m far from powerless.” Alpha Trion quipped, raising a brow at the Decepticon. “If I wrote with my Quill in the Covenant of Primus that Galvatron would suddenly die of spark failure, it would happen.”

“Really?” Starscream said, intrigued.

“However.” The third Prime continued. “The next line would then most likely read that Unicron would revive him. The Covenant has to accept the changes or it will undo them.” He added, causing Starscream to facepalm and the others to stare in awe at that power.

“As I was saying, we still need to find Vector Sigma.” Starscream added in an annoyed tone. “We still need as many living Primes as possible.”

“Yeah, what happened to these two?” Miko asked, pointing at the bodies of Micronus and Onyx.

“I hid the quill within Vector Sigma and can feel it calling to me.” Alpha Trion answered Starscream. “We are close. And you shall soon see, the other Primes are closer than you think.” With that, he led them past Onyx and into a tunnel heading deeper into the planet.

“Hold on.” Starscream called. “I’m the one who’s supposed to guide us.”

“Well lead on, Girly-scream.” Kibo taunted, causing the rest of the group to chuckle or laugh at the seekers’ expense.

“Traitor.” Said seeker hissed at a giggling Blitzwing.

The group descended downward for an hour more before a glow at the far end of the tunnel caught their attention.

“I believe we have arrived.” Alpha Trion announced as the glow began to grow brighter.

Exiting the tunnel, the group of Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals and one Predacon found themselves in a large chamber with multiple tunnels branching off from it. Above them, the glowing white orb and presently still rings of Vector Sigma shined brightly.

“This is not what it was like last time.” Jack muttered to himself as he looked up at the ancient supercomputer.

“When you accessed Vector Sigma last time Jack.” Optimus began. “It was to download the knowledge of the Matrix. This time we’re here for another purpose.”

“Indeed.” Came a new voice.

From one of the larger tunnels near them, a colossal mech emerged alongside a smaller one. Both of them were familiar to the group, but for different reasons.

“Nexus Prime!” Starscream exclaimed. He recognized the original combiner from history books. He’d even seen glimpses of what some of the Decepticons claimed to be him from the battle of Junkion. Unfortunately, he’d written that off as just overeager imagination. He quirked a brow at the other mech. “And Macadam?”

“I may go by that now.” The barkeep began as he adjusted his artifact, the Lenses. “However.” His body and limbs extended outward and his stout bulk seemed to flow downward into a kind of wizards’ robe. The majority of his beard folded backwards into a pointed cap leaving a goatee of metal on his chin. “You also know me as Alchemist Prime. I always hated that picture of me in the Covenant of Primus.” He finished.

“Talk about a full metal alchemist.” Miko whispered in awe.

“Alchemist Prime?” Starscream gasped wide opticed. “You’re Alchemist Prime! I’ve had drinks with Alchemist Prime!”

“You threw up on Alchemist Prime once too, remember?” Said Prime asked. Starscream hung his head as he remembered the party after he graduated from the Air Force Academy.

“I threw up on Alchemist Prime.” He groaned.

“A promising start.” Scourge said as he eyed the two Primes and the Prime possessed warrior. “We have almost a quarter of the thirteen Primes here and we haven’t even activated the computer yet.”

A whirring grinding sound suddenly rent the air. A sound that most everyone in the group was familiar with. On the outer edges of the chamber, a lone Scraplet ran from one tunnel to another one nearby. Collectively, the bulk of the group opened fire on the pest only to miss as it dived into the tunnel. The Primes among them however, seemed unperturbed.

“Why are you wasting firepower on one lone vermin?” Scourge asked thoroughly confused. He’d never seen one of those things before.

“That’s the thing about Scraplets.” Raf began, remembering their last encounter with the pests.

“It’s never just one.” Miko added, drawing her Katanas. The noise returned in force, signifying the arrival of an entire swarm of Scraplets.

“Yeah, and I don’t see an Insecticon we can feed to them this time.” Jack finished as the swarm came into view from several tunnels, teeth bared and motors whirring.

“Vee could feed zem Starscream.” Blitzwing suggested as he trained his cannons on a cluster, earning a look of disbelief from the aerospace commander.

Before any of them could open fire on the Scraplet swarm, Optimus strode forward and glared at them with his hands on his hips. What he said next, stunned the group beyond belief.

“Amalgamous Prime enough is enough.” He called out.

“Awwwww.” The collective Scraplets in the chamber whined simultaneously. A moment later they all shuddered and turned a golden color, revealing that every one of them was connected by a gossamer thin wire. The swarm began to melt down and flow towards a central point and moments later, they reassembled into what looked like a four armed being whose golden armor was held together by liquid metal.

“Couldn’t let me run with the joke a little longer?” Amalgamous Prime asked, rubbing the back of his head with a hand as Optimus gave a fond shake of the head.

Off to the side, Starscream was glaring at Blitzwing.

“Feed them, STARSCREAM!” He yelled at the triple changer whose black face had a nervous grin on it.

“Wait a minute.” Jack said walking up to the newcomer. “You were here the whole time?” He asked.

“Pretty much.” Amalgamous replied. “Had to make sure no one abused our computer.”

“You tried to destroy the terminal I was using mid download.” Jack argued. Thinking back to when he downloaded the knowledge of the Matrix from Vector Sigma and the Scraplet swarm/ Amalgamous Prime attempted to eat the terminal.

“I didn’t recognize you at first.” The shifter countered. “Once I realized you were family, I happily went after the Insecticon you threw me at.”

“Family?” Jack asked, now thoroughly confused again. His next question was cut off as Vector Sigma suddenly activated. The rings around the computer began to spin as its’ voice rang out, the orb glowing with each word.

“It is time.” The ancient supercomputer called out.

“Hey!” Kibo cried out in shock. “Something’s happening!” Looking down, he saw that the two Blades of Time in his chest started spinning in opposite directions of each other and had begun to glow. The time traveling Maximal dropped to his knees in shock and fear.

“Kibo!”

“The time of the great transformation is upon us.” Vector Sigma continued. “It is time for the Primes to remember, and return.” The computer released a pulse of energy into the chamber, causing Jack, Miko, Raf, Rung, Starscream, Blitzwing, and Scourge to fall to the ground, clutching their heads and convulsing.

Optimus separated his Maximal form from his main body and went to comfort the panicking Kibo through what was about to happen. His parents would be unable to for the moment.

“Just breath Kibo.” Optimus Prime whispered to his grandson, placing a comforting hand on the Maximals’ shoulder. “We have one more arrival to greet.” A second later, a large portal appeared from the time travelers’ chest and through it stepped a white and gold mech with exposed clockwork mechanisms on his body.

“There we go.” Optimus smiled and ruffled Kibos’ hair as the portal faded. “Well done.” He looked up at the mech as he helped his grandson into a sitting position. “And welcome back, Vector Prime.”

“Thank you, brother.” Vector Prime replied before looking to his...great nephew? “And thank you as well young Maximal, I’m sorry my return to this plane was so traumatic for you.”

“You’re welcome.” Kibo breathed, looking at his family as well as the others convulsing on the ground. “But mom, dad and uncle Raf?”

“Will live.” Optimus placated. “A little sore, but they will survive.”

“What you see now.” Vector Sigma began. “Is the culmination of a plan millions of years in the making.” And Vector Sigma began to explain said plan and how it had gone off track in an unexpected, but not unwelcome way.

Unbeknownst to the group, the pulse released by the supercomputer had an unexpected side effect. In the Sharkticon hangar, Snaptraps’ pod reemerged and began to thaw and awaken the ancient Cybertronian.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Starscream bit back a scream as memories began to course through his brain. Memories of his creation alongside the others. Memories of fighting Unicron under Optimus’ command. Then came the aftermath of the chaos bringers’ defeat, and believing he was superior to the others after his strategies enabled their victory. Memories of manipulating his family and pitting them against each other to remove the bigger obstacles so that he could rule over them and eventually Cybertron as a whole.

Finally, came the memories of his deception that resulted in Solus’ death, and how he tried to blame Megatronus as his plans all fell apart. The final memory that returned was his brother turning the Requiem Blaster on him and firing.

With his ancient memories returned to him, Liege Maximo laughed hollowly. How Ironic, the silver tongue he’d had as an ancient Prime would be used primarily to get himself out of trouble as Starscream as plan, after plan, after plan backfired on him. Perhaps Primus had decided to punish him by having him spend an eternity as Megatrons’ punching block. Looking over at the others, Maximo couldn’t help sighing.

“Those two are going to be pissed when they wake up.”

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As opposed to the others, Blitzwing had stopped convulsing after a moment. However, his faces kept spinning at a rapid pace as he lived out the last of his ancient memories.

He was wired into a series of explosives at the core of Quintessa. Above him through a chasm, the planet Cybertron grew closer, the oblong rings of the doomed planet obscuring it slightly. Within him, his mind warred with itself. Logically, he knew how his creations had betrayed him. However, his rage at their betrayal overwrote that line of thinking. Realizing what their goal was, to enslave their evolutionary cousins for their own profit he couldn’t help laughing at the insanity of it all as the planet exploded, taking him with it.

His face finally came to a stop on a new mint green and gold eyed countenance, and Quintus Prime sat back up. Idly he found it funny that the body he was reborn into would be modeled after his own creations ability to change faces. In retrospect, the fact that they had five faces should’ve been a clue to their nature. He just hoped those who survived their incursion forgave him.

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Near his patient, Rung reacted to his returning memories with shock and revulsion. Ever since he’d been reborn in the Pious Pools, he’d been looked down on and discriminated against for both his size and unknowable alt mode. In contrast, he’d spent most of his life helping others by psychologically helping to build themselves up. Helping them embrace what makes them unique.

It made him sick to think that he’d done the exact opposite to Megatronus for being so much like Unicron as Prima. He’d constantly harass, bully and belittle his brother for being who he was while exalting his own virtues for being the most like Primus. Then again, maybe that was why he was reborn into what he was.

During the cataclysm when Quintessa exploded near Cybertron, he and the other remaining Primes attempted to deflect as much of the planetary debris as they could. One missed asteroid was all it took to cause a chain reaction of hits that whittled him down to little more than his head and chest and send him crashing down into a half molten hotspot near what would become the Pious Pools.

As the pool reclaimed what was left of his original body, Prima reflected on how he’d lived his life and found himself, lacking. His last conscious thought was that he hoped he may see his family once again, to apologize and try to do right by them. Regaining control of his current body and looking around, Rung realized that he now had that chance, and he wouldn’t squander it.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Between the Decepticons and Maximals, Scourge had transformed and curled up in his dragon mode to help him process his past life. After he, Micronus and Optimus entered the well of all sparks, and after Optimus exited it as Orion Pax, he and Micronus had initiated a plan should the thirteen of them ever be needed again. Using the Triptych Mask and Vector Sigma, they recalled the sparks of both Liege Maximo and Solus Prime from the afterspark. Using Maximo as a test subject, they sent his spark out into the Matrix, where it would later be bled from the artifact and implanted into the body of who would become Starscream.

As time passed and events unfolded, and other Primes were pulled back from the afterspark, the war for Cybertron took its’ toll on the planet. One day, when Vector Sigma computed that Optimus would launch the allspark into space to keep it from Megatron, the computer turned their plan back on them. Extracting both his and Micronus’ sparks from their bodies, it attempted to rebirth them into new ones. The computer sent Onyx into the planets’ electrical system where it would eventually embed itself into a fetal Predacon clone that had just went offline. Shockwave mistakenly thought the system was malfunctioning, never realizing that Onyx Prime had been reborn under his nonexistent nose.

Opening his optics, Scourge looked at the Maximals still processing their new memories. Now he understood why they felt familiar to him. They were the pack of the very first beast bot, him.

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Near Onyx Prime/Scourge, Rafael Esquivel couldn’t believe this had transpired. When Optimus had launched the allspark into space, he had no way of knowing that it also held three of his siblings sparks within it. As the wellspring for all Cybertronian life hurtled through the cosmos, it had no way to release the sparks of the three Primes. Then, some seventeen years ago, it passed by the dormant body of Unicron and the opposing force pulled the three loose sparks towards him like a magnet.

Rather than being absorbed by the chaos bringer himself, the trio of sparks were absorbed into the electrical systems of the sentient species that had grown on his stone prison over the eons. For months the trio of sparks moved through the global network of energy until on three different days, they exited into human bodies via small shocks and jolts. For months the three Primes would exist as electrical impulses in the three humans, and when nature finally took its’ course, sperm, egg and spark met to give the three primes something no Cybertronian had before. An organic body, and a human life.

Now that he remembered his past as Micronus prime, Raf realized that may be why he could understand Goldbug when his voice box was broken. Even why technology was so easy for him to understand period. Perhaps when he, Miko and Jack had been experimented on by Knockout and Megatron, Vector Sigma recognized their sparks and intervened via the Enigma of Combination to ensure their plan came to fruition. Turning three of the first Cybertronians, turned humans, into the first of a new breed of Cybertronians. A breed that embodied the best of both Primus and Unicron.

Giving a brief smile to Scourge, who he now recognized as Onyx Prime, he turned to Jack and Miko. Now that he had his memories back, he really could see the similarities between their past and present selves.

Hopefully their story would have a happier ending this time.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Curled up in a fetal position, Jack finally understood the meaning behind his nightmares of someone dying in his arms. They weren’t dreams; they were fragments of memories that he’d tried to live with for eons. And with their full return, came the guilt of his actions. Guilt that ate away at him to the point that he finally decided to let go. As he remembered the crushing force of the black hole, he heard a voice that that snapped him back to the present.

“Megatronus?”

Opening his eyes at the sound of his original name, Jack turned to Miko who was staring at him. But no, she wasn’t just Miko. She had never been just Miko.

“Solus?” Jack whispered before the memory of her death flooded his mind again. “No, NO!” He screamed before transforming into beast mode and taking off down one of the tunnels.

“Jack, wait.” Rung (Prima?) yelled after him. “Come back!”

“Let him go.” Optimus spoke to the reawakened Primes. “He will come back to us once he’s processed what happened.”

“That doesn't let you off the hook Optimus.” Miko spat with a look that the thirteenth Prime recognized as one she always used as Solus Prime. “How long have you known?”

“Since Galvatron destroyed the old army base.” Optimus answered truthfully. “I realized Jack was Megatronus when he was holding my spark in his body. Then when you and Rafael combined with us, I learned who you two were Solus.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Raf asked, stepping forward.

“And how would I broach the subject Micronus?” Optimus asked. “How would I even explain it? I had no idea what you and Onyx had done until now, let alone that you had recalled anyone from the afterspark.”

“He does have a point.” Rung offered, tentatively stepping closer to the others. “There really wasn’t a gentle way to break the news, but I have to ask Optimus. Did you know about the rest of us?” He asked, gesturing to Starscream, Blitzwing, and Scourge.

“The Matrix guided me in recognizing you all.” Optimus explained. “It began connecting each of you with memories of our time together long ago.”

“Things needed to unfold the way they did.” Vector Prime interrupted. “Unicron is attempting to return, and we must ensure he stays sealed.”

“Easy for you to say after spending the passing years in your personal dimension.” Starscream glared at the guardian of time. “We lived our lives while you sat back and watched like a human watching a movie.”

“Oh, frag off Maximo.” Nexus Prime yelled. “You think you’d learn your lesson after getting your head shot off.” He muttered.

“I’ll say.” Miko added, glaring at Starscream. “Believe me, between your schemes then and now.” She was interrupted by Scourge.

“If I may Solus.”

“Miko, my name, is Miko.” The reborn Prime countered. “I’m still me Onyx, I just have my old memories back. That’s all.”

“I believe that.” Kibo muttered to himself. Between her art and music, he could believe his mother was the reborn Solus Prime. Albeit it was giving him something of an existential crisis being her son with Megatronus Prime.

“Miko.” Scourge corrected. “I think we’d better find Mega...Jack.” He seemed a little uncomfortable.

“What do you mean?” She asked, picking up on both his and Rafs’ body language.

“Think about it Miko.” Raf began tentatively, the discovery had broken his spark as Micronus. “What would have had to happen for Megatronus to be reborn as Jack?” The question hung in the air as the bottom of Mikos’ stomach dropped out.

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh no.” She whispered, looking down the tunnel Jack had disappeared down. “Scourge, can you track him?” Miko asked. She didn’t know the area well enough to teleport Jack back to them.

“Easy.” The Predacon Prime answered, transforming into dragon mode.

“Great.” She replied, turning to the others who also looked uncomfortable at this new knowledge. “Me, Raf, Kibo and Scourge are going after Jack.”

“I’ll come with you.” Rung offered. The revelation of what Megatronus had done to himself driving him to help.

“No Prima.” Miko countered, causing the psychiatrist to cringe at both the name and the tone. “Once we get him back here, we are going to have a long talk about your past behavior too.”

“None of you are going anywhere.” Came a new voice that didn’t belong to a Prime. From the hall that they’d entered from came a familiar Sharkticon colored mech.

“Snaptrap?” Raf asked in confusion. How did he reactivate?

“Lieutenant Snaptrap of the Quintesson Secret Police to be precise.” Snaptrap clarified while glaring at the group. “And this meeting violates multiple codes and laws under Quintesson functionism.”

“The Quintessons have been gone for eons.” Vector Prime countered as the rest of the Primes took a battle-ready stance. “They were forced of world after their lies were exposed.”

“The only lies I’m hearing are what’s coming from you.” Snaptrap argued. “While I’d prefer to bring you in quietly, I do not believe our saviors will mind if a group of rabblerousers were to simply vanish.” With that, the lieutenant pushed a button on his wrist which sent out a sharp sonic signal.

Moments later more than half of the tunnels leading to the chamber were filled as far as the eye could see with snarling Sharkticons.

“Hate to say I told you so.” Starscream began.

“Okay, NOW would be a good time to have a Titan.” Alchemist Prime quipped as he used the lenses to take a rough count of their enemies. From what he could see they numbered in the thousands. Which meant there were most likely thousands more he couldn’t see.

“No.” Optimus countered, having recombined with the rest of his body. He looked to Miko. “What we need are the right weapons.”

“I gotcha.” Miko grinned before focusing. One colossal flash of burgundy light later, the Forge Hammer materialized back in her hands as the Stars Saber returned to Rung and the Chimera Stone to Raf while Nexus Prime lifted the Enigma of combination.

“Well then.” Nexus laughed as he drew the chaos edge and mounted the enigma to it. “Let’s make this a party then.” From three compartments on his body ejected three more Prime artifacts. And in a moment, the Emberstone, Triptych Mask and Leigian Darts were returned to Blitzwing, Scourge and Starscream respectively.

“Vector Sigma.” Optimus called to the supercomputer. “If you please.”

Three beams of light exited the ancient computer and suddenly Optimus felt the familiar weight of his original Ion Blaster. The weapon he’d used in the war against Unicron. Next to him Smokescreen now held both the Quill and the original Covenant of Primus. Stepping forward, Optimus Prime leveled his Ion Blaster at Snaptrap.

“This is your last chance Snaptrap, Surrender.”

“Resistance shall be met with termination.” Snaptrap countered as his optics glowed magenta. As did many of the Sharkticons

“Oh boy, here we go.” Blitzwing grumbled, wondering what else his former creations had done now.

Several Sharkticons from each tunnel began to swarm contort and combine. Unlike the other combiners though, this one didn’t seem to be following the standard combiner playbook. They seemed to by lying down on one another or linking back-to-back to form limbs and a torso. When they stopped moving what was left was a vaguely humanoid shape, taller than Nexus Prime, comprised of nothing but snarling Sharkticon faces. Snaptrap then surprised them by transforming, not into a vehicle or animal, but into a head. The combiner then picked him up and set him squarely upon their shoulders.

“Designation, Piranhacon.” The combiner growled. “The future of planetary pacification.”

“Okay, that’s different.” Nexus Prime muttered, giving Piranhacon an appraising look. He noticed that there were still a large number of Sharkticons remaining after the combination.

“It seems the final battle of the Age of Wrath will be fought here.” Vector Prime announced, drawing his sword, Rhisling.

“We shall have to retrieve Jack later.” Optimus commented to himself.

“ATTACK!!!”

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Elsewhere in the bowls of Cybertron, a technorganic lion was running through the labyrinthine tunnels away from the others. The knowledge that he was in fact Megatronus, the fallen Prime, had been horrifying. Being faced with his victim, his love, he couldn’t face the shame of killing her. So, he ran. Coming to a large chamber, he stopped to transform and catch his breath, to process what he’d learned.

“I, I just can’t be.” He panted to himself.

“And why not?” Came a harsher version of his own voice.

Looking up, he saw a large black and silver mech with red highlights and a face similar to the Decepticon insignia standing before him. Standing before him, was Megatronus Prime, the Fallen.

“Even Optimus said that we could’ve been a Prime at such a tender age.” The Fallen laughed. “He remembered that we had such limitless potential, that we could do anything we set our mind to. That we were cunning, ruthless, and the most powerful of our kind.”

“That’s not entirely true.” Came another voice. Looking to his right, Jack saw a copy of his human form. He looked exactly like he had before being turned into a Maximal. His blue eyes bored into Megatronus’ red optics.

“We could do anything we set our mind to.” The human Jack spoke. “But we were also paranoid because we saw flaws in ourself that weren’t there and thought we were always being judged.” He looked at the Maximal. “It was our sense of duty that caused Optimus to make us an honorary Prime. Remember?”

“And even better.” A third copy of Jacks’ voice called. Turning to look past his human and Prime selves, he saw his original Leobolt form looking at him with a smile. “Our responsibility made us Optimus and Magnus’ first pick to be the Maximal leader in the Autobots.”

“Which is simply a stepping stone for greater power.” Megatronus argued. “We can use that power to rebuild both Cybertron and Earth into twin utopias. And rule them with our Maximals at our side.”

“Would it be necessary?” Leobolt asked.

“Yeah.” Human Jack added. “I mean it’s not like having power helped us before.”

“If it were up to you two, we’d still be flipping burgers.”

“SHUT UP!!!” Jack screamed squeezing his eyes shut and trying to block out his past selves. Opening his eyes he saw Human Jack, Leobolt, and Megatronus were gone. In the echoing silence of the chamber, Jack Darby finally felt cold acceptance. He WAS Megatronus Prime. He was the Fallen.

Looking beyond where the hallucinations of his pasts were, he saw that part of the chamber gave way to a large chasm. Picking up a nearby rock, he dropped it over the side and counted. He made it to forty before an echoing bang was heard at the bottom of the chasm. It should be deep enough, and far more painless than allowing himself to be sucked into a black hole.

Stepping up to the edge of the chasm, Jack silently prayed that Optimus and the others would find a way to stop Unicron without him. He also silently apologized to his son and mother for the heartache they would go thorough and hoped that, with him not around, Miko would live this time.

“Do you really think that?” A new voice spoke through the darkness.

Giving a sigh and turning, Jack expected to see another hallucination. He wasn’t a hundred precent sure it wasn’t because out of the dark walked a black red and silver spectral figure with a blue spark floating in its’ ghostly body. Closer inspection showed that it was a mech with a blue helm that put him in mind of Optimus.

“Who, who are you?” Jack asked.

“You first.” The stranger countered. “Do you really think throwing yourself off a cliff is the way to solve your problems?” He asked in a calm paternal voice.

“No.” Jack sighed and sank down to his knees before sitting down. “But I just don’t know what to do here.” The stranger smiled a bit before sitting down next to him.

“Well, what exactly is your problem?” He asked.

“I’m the reincarnation of who many on this world believe to be the devil.” Jack began. “I found out the love of my life is the reincarnation of my love that I killed eons ago and I’m afraid of it happening again. I just learned that my spark is the brother to the mech who is genetically my father and, and, it’s all just too much.” Jack admitted.

There was a moment of silence before the stranger answered him.

“Tell me, is what you are now, what you were then?” He asked.

“Huh?”

“How different is Jackson Alaxander Darby to Megatronus Prime?” He clarified. “Is he loved?”

“Yeah.” Jack answered a little confused. How did this guy know his name? “My mom, Miko, Arcee, Raf, Vince.”

“Was Megatronus Prime loved?” That brought Jack up short.

“Solus loved him, but it got her.”

“But Megatronus didn’t love himself.” The stranger interrupted. “Jack Darby has people that taught him to love himself as well as others.” Jack studied him for a moment.

“Who are you?” He asked again.

“In what you now call the Age of Evolution; I was the leader of the ancient Maximals.” He explained. “I took my initial name from Alpha Trions’ Covenant as he was striking it from the book. My name, is Optimus Primal.”

“Primal?”

“Before the great cataclysm, my Maximals waged a fairly one-sided war against Predaking and his Predacons.” Primal explained. “In the end, Predaking won the ancient Beast Wars, and my spark has roamed this world ever since.”

“Woah.” Jack whispered. He was speaking with the spark of his predecessor. “Why come to me now?”

“You’re the first I’ve been able to interact with since I died.” Primal admitted. “Maybe we were destined to meet.” He looked Jack square in the eye. “But the difference between you now, and you then, is change.”

“Change?”

“Everyone of us is born with the same potential that you have always had, even back then.” Optimus Primal continued. “But ultimately, one has to make the conscious choice to transform. To become something different from what they are.”

“But I didn’t choose to be reborn as a human.” Jack countered. “I didn’t choose to change.”

“Didn’t you?” Primal answered, touching a spectral finger to Jacks’ head. The young Maximal was suddenly thrust into the memory of his mother sobbing on the bed and a young version of himself offering her toast with the words. ‘I’m sowwy.”

“You still had the potential to be the same as you were in a new body.” The ghostly Maximal continued. “But you choose a new form to take, you transformed into a better version of yourself.”

“But that was.” Jack stuttered.

“YOU, chose to change, to be a better person, to take a different path.” Optimus Primal stated firmly. “I refused to change, and that led to the Maximal extinction. You chose to change, and look at yourself now.” There was a silence as Jack looked at Primal.

“What do I do now?” He asked.

A white light opened up behind Primal, lighting the chamber. From the portal, Jack could hear the voices of bots calling for their friend.

“C’mon big bot.”

“Get ya hairy butt over here fearless leader.”

“We’re waiting for you Optimus.”

“I think it’s time for me to move on.” Optimus Primal looked Jack in the eye again. “There are more Maximals to come, they will need a leader. I think you’re that leader.” He smiled before transforming into what looked vaguely like a gorilla before walking into the light on his knuckles.

“Transform, and transcend, Jack Darby. You are transformed.”

As the light faded away, taking Primal with it, Jack stared down at his hands. He knew he had a lot to figure out, but now he had a foundation to work with. In the distance, he heard blasts echoing through the tunnels and new that his friends, his family needed him. Transforming into his beast mode, he took off towards the fray. For the first time in all his lives, he was at peace with himself.

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As soon as the battle began, the Primes knew they were in some trouble. While they all had their memories back, the reborn Primes weren’t used to using their artifacts with their new bodies. As discovered when Miko hit Starscream in the back with the Forge Hammer. Although, that may not have been an accident.

They also made a startling discovery when Vector and Nexus sliced Piranhacons’ arms off. Once the limbs hit the ground, they separated back into Sharkticons and the damaged ones were promptly devoured by the healthy ones to refuel. Then, more Sharkticons climbed the combiner and merged with him to restore his arms in less than thirty seconds after losing them. Piranhacon could effectively regenerate his limbs.

“Anyone have a suggestion.” Starscream called as one of his darts was swallowed by a Sharkticon. A moment later the beast seemed to melt from the inside out. “Because we can’t keep this up forever.”

“You’re supposed to be the tactical genius, Maximo.” Scourge called. He’d donned the Triptych Mask in order to see the best way to hunt and defeat Sharkticons, and while he was tearing through them rather easily, they were still far greater in number.

“I think we all know who and what we need to end this quickly.” Rung called as he loosed another energy wave from the Star Saber, cleaving another dozen Sharkticons in half. “But we need to get him here first.”

“Then one of us needs to go find him.” Amalgamous Prime yelled as he cleaved through another opponent with a scythe forged from his body. “Optimus?”

“You needn’t worry.” Alpha Trion called as he dodged several Sharkticons while looking at the Covenant. “He shall be here soon.”

“In the meantime.” Smokescreen interrupted, regaining control of his body. “Let’s slow the big fish down. Quickly he jotted that the floor under Piranhacons’ leg would give out with the Quill and was pleased to see the action happen in real life. This impressed Alpha Trion.

“Well played.”

“You always said it was the little things that can make a big difference.” Smokescreen replied.

“Here Kibo, let me give you a little edge.” Rhinox said as he aimed the Chimera Stone at a Sharkticon and siphoned its’ energy. Turning to Heinrad, he gave him the energy causing the Maximal to grow sharp teeth and claws before ripping into another Sharkticon.

“That better not be permanent Raf.” WIngsaber called as she smashed a Sharkticon with the Forge Hammer.

“It isn’t the worst look he could have.” Blitzwing replied, emptying several rounds into the Sharkticon frenzy.

“You lost your accent?” Alchemist Prime asked, firing a bolt of lightning at a trio of opponents.

“To be honest.” Blitzwing replied. “I’m not sure where I picked that up. Y’know, crazy.”

“You have been deemed hazardous.” Piranhacon bellowed, freeing his leg. “Maximum force, authorized.” The mouths of every Sharkticon in the combiner began to glow before a blast of energon fired from them, hitting everything around the combiner. Including the other Sharkticons which were quickly gobbled up.

Fortunately, Miko was able to use the Forge Hammer to throw up a quick wall to shield most of them while Alpha Trion wrote that the worst of the shots missed anything vital in the covenant. The combined efforts kept the Primes in the game, but still on the backfoot.

Before the battle could begin anew, a mighty lions’ roar echoed throughout the area. Turning to one of the tunnels, all combatants turned to see a familiar red and blue lion bound into the chamber and stand between the Primes and their foes. Giving another roar, Jack transformed and stared down the combiner.

“You have been deemed hazardous.” Piranhacon announced again. “Utilizing maximum force.”

“Jack!”

“Megatronus!”

“I got this.” He called as his enemy opened fire again. “Leo Primal, MAXIMIZE!!!” He yelled, giving his new moniker.

“Leo Primal?”

Holding his arms up, Leo Primal pulled the energon blasts into an orbit around him before firing it back at the combiner and destroying half of his body only to discover what the others had already learned about Piranhacon being able to regenerate. He would have to end the fight quickly and while he hoped to avoid this, he knew what he had to do.

Holding his right hand, the reborn Megatronus Prime called his artifact to him. A moment later, a section of the ceiling exploded as the Requiem Blaster sped towards its’ owner, shrinking to a size his new body could use. Catching the weapon in his hand, Leo Primal leveled it at Piranhacon.

“This ends now.” He whispered softly before pulling the trigger.

The light in the area faded as the blaster absorbed all the power it could. A second later, a blinding beam of energy lit up the area, casting their enemies in silhouette amidst a white background. The smaller Sharkticons were obliterated in less than a moment, Piranhacon managed to hold up for three seconds before crumbling away into nonexistence. Once the light returned to normal, it revealed that the entire side of the chamber the combiner had been standing on was now the end of one big channel leading up to the surface.

Optimus watched as Jack took the barrel of the Requiem Blaster in both hands and walked towards a nearby wall.

“Jack?” He asked before the Maximal gave a scream of fury and smashed the relic against the wall, shattering it. Dropping the piece he was holding, Jack stared at the wreckage a moment before turning to face the others.

Only to be met with the business end of the Forge Hammer held by his furious girlfriend.

“Miko!” Jack yelled only to be struck again. He was struck five more times by the relic with Miko punctuating each blow with a word. “Ow, stop!”

“You. Fragging. Killed yourself. You. Moron!!!”

Taking pity on Jack despite being furious at him himself, Optimus ran forward and snatched the hammer out of Mikos’ grip. Not that it stopped her from continuing her now halfhearted assault with her fists.

“Why?” She cried pounding her fists on his chest as tears rolled down her face. “Why?”

“I couldn’t live with myself anymore.” Jack whimpered with a shudder, wrapping his arms around her. Tears beginning to pour down his face too. “I couldn’t live with the memory that I killed you, Solus.” At those words, the reunited lovers from the Age of the Primes fell to their knees holding one another and sobbing. After several minutes, the sobs ceased and they simply held one another.

“I think it is time we returned to the surface.” Optimus suggested quietly as he watched the scene unfold, his anger at Jack vanishing in light of the love that still burned between them after so much time.

“Agreed, let’s get out of here.” Starscream added. He really didn’t want to give those two the chance to attack him for his actions as Liege Maximo. Or his actions as Starscream really.

As the group began to scale the trench the Maximal had made, Starscream moved over to the wreckage of the Requiem Blaster. The ultimate weapon had shattered into three large pieces which he picked up and placed in the same spatially expanded pouch he kept the Leigian Darts. While the gesture may have been nice for the two of them, he knew that in order to fight the chaos bringer again, they would need such a weapon to use against him. But how to repair it?

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“You know you didn’t by the way.” Miko whispered to Jack as they climbed the trench hand in hand. After learning what she did, she refused to let Jack out her sight.

“What?” Jack asked.

“Kill me.” Miko answered. “My pet went at your face first, remember?” She asked, remembering the ‘pet’ Maximo had given her. “When I realized what was going on I tried to hit it with my hammer.” She looked at the ground guiltily. “I hit the blaster by accident and it went off.”

“You mean I.” Jack whispered in shock. “You’re not just saying that?”

“No, and I should’ve told you, but I wanted to tell you that I loved you one last time.” Miko added. Jack surprised her by putting the Forge Hammer on his back and scooping her up giggling in his arms.

“And now we can say it all we need Solus.” Jack whispered as he carried her back to the surface.

“I’m still Miko, Megatronus.”

“And I’m still Jack, Solus.” He teased before giving her a quick kiss. “And I love you.”

“Come on you two, you’re falling behind.” Raf called as he lumbered past in beast mode, Kibo riding on his back. “And I’m still Raf.” He added.

“And I’m scarred for life.” Kibo half joked, causing both his parents to laugh.

“It’s kind of comforting that we can still give him traumatic childhood memories at this stage.” Jack commented, causing Miko to bust out laughing.

“Excuse me.” Rung called as he slowed to talk with the two Maximals.

“Prima.” Miko greeted stiffly as she felt Jack tense.

“Rung.” He corrected. “And you have every right to be frosty with me.”

“He more than me.” Miko groused. “You were horrible to Megatronus.”

“Miko.”

“No, she’s right.” Rung cut Jack off. “I may have been the most like Primus, but I also forgot that a little Primus goes a long way.”

“And too much can turn you into a pious aft port.” Miko sniped.

“You’re not wrong.” Rung agreed.

“Does having your memories back change anything about the here and now?” Jack asked, remembering Primals’ advice.

“No.” Rung answered. “And I will never treat someone that way again. Frankly, I get disgusted with myself if I think about it too long.”

“Sounds like you could use a psychiatrist too.” Jack joked, enjoying talking with the Autobot again.

“If you can find one that will believe any of this, let me know.” Rung responded. A moment later, all three started laughing about the absurdity of it all, enjoying this calm before the storm.

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As they neared the surface, Optimus smiled. It wasn’t perfect, but he was happy that he had his family back again. Admittedly, his relationship with Jack was a little more complex now that the truth was out, but it would level out with time. Upon arriving topside, Optimus turned to the reborn Primes.

“I think it would be prudent if we kept your true identities secret for the moment.” He suggested. “It would help to keep you as our ‘ace in the hole’ to use a human expression.”

“I can’t keep this from my mom and Arcee.” Jack argued, setting Miko down and returning the hammer.

“Very well, but only them for now.” Optimus acquiesced. “Although Blitzwing.” He said looking at the now single faced triple changer.

“Will say that my amnesia has been lifted thanks to Vector Sigma.” Quintus Prime replied. “Besides, now it can officially be said there was a Prime on both sides of the war for Cybertron.” He added with a laugh.

A moment later, the Axalon arrived to pick the group up. TA-I was unsurprisingly starstruck at meeting some of the actual Primes. Although she referred to Raf as ‘Cutiemus Prime’ to his embarrassment. Which wasn’t helped by Amalgamous’ offer to officiate any ceremony.

Roughly thirty minutes after boarding, the Axalon set down near Iacon. Optimus was surprised to see both Chela the Titan, and a Titan sized Omega Supreme.

“I see we have some catching up to do.” Optimus commented as Goldbug, Grimlock, Arcee and Ratchet descended on them. All the while other bots were clustering around the returned Primes.

“How are we going to get them back to Earth?” Rung asked as he eyed the two giants. “I don’t think the remote spacebridge can pull off a portal that big.”

“Actually.” Wheeljack announced. “If we can bring the Axalon into Omega Supremes’ hangar, we should be able to patch in the Transwarp drive to his navigational systems.”

“An Chela can bum a lift on the lug.” Jetfire added.

As the science team relocated and connected the Axalon into Omega Supreme, Jack Miko, Raf, and Kibo were catching up with June about what had happened. June was...understandably floored.

“So, you three are reincarnated Primes from before humans existed, and Optimus and the crazy con who’s not crazy anymore are also from that time?” She asked.

“As are the others we brought back with us.” Kibo added.

“So does that make you Optimus’ son or?” June asked her son.

“Try not to think about it.” Miko suggested. “Or if you have to, just think of us as old souls in young bodies.” June nodded in acceptance of that. She’d heard that saying before.

“And what’s this I heard about you and great aunt Arcee being City Speakers now?” Kibo asked.

“Chela and Scorponok chose us for the roles, and we accepted.” June explained as simply as she could. “Although I need to get the spear back from Galvatron so I can free Scorponok from him. And by the way.” June smirked at her kids and grandson. “Make sure to congratulate Arcee on becoming a mother.”

“WHAT!!!” The quartet yelled in shock.

“Yep.” June replied, enjoying the looks on their faces. “She decided to adopt a little bot who calls himself ‘Tasmania Kid’.”

“What? Did he name himself?”

“Yes apparently.”

“Alright Jackrabbit, more family.” Miko laughed at Jacks’ shellshocked expression.

“Attention, attention, all personnel.” Optimus’ voice came over Omega Supremes’ PA system. “Begin boarding immediately, I repeat, begin boarding immediately!”

“I wonder what that’s about?” June asked as the foursome headed for the bridge.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Moments later, the Primes and most of the team leaders were assembled on the bridge as the rest of the bots finished boarding.

“What going on Prime?” Grimlock asked.

“When we were preparing the computer for the Transwarp jump we received this message from Earth.” Ratchet announced before hitting play on a recording.

“Optimus Prime, do you read me?” Blasters’ voice came from the comms. “The Decepticons are blitzing Autobot City. We’re really taking a pounding. Don’t know how much longer we can hold out. Optimus Prime, do you read me? The Decepticons are blitzing Autobot City. We’re really taking a-.” The transmission cut off.

A moment of silence reigned throughout the bridge.

“All bots aboard Prime.” Omega Supreme announced.

“TA-I, initiate Transwarp jump.”

“Transwarp shunt occurring in three, two, one.” The AI announced before the view outside the bridge changed from the void of space to the ever-changing spectrum of color that was warp space. “Shunt complete, estimated travel time, seventy-two minutes. Time to arrival, six minutes.” She’d had to adjust the flight path to account for moving planets and asteroids as well as the extra mass of two Titans, so it would take a little longer to get back.

“Everyone, rest up and prepare for battle.” Optimus ordered. As the group dispersed to prepare, Optimus looked out the into warp space.

“Now all we need is a little time, and a lot of luck.”

Notes:

A/N: Okay, a lot to cover here.

Megatronus, Solus and Micronus being reborn as Jack, Miko, and Raf respectively was an idea I had after reading the IDW Halloween comic. Specifically, where Cryaks’ spark existed inside an organic ape for years. Having a spark become the consciousness of a human body grown around it seemed to be a logical evolution of that concept. And I liked the star-crossed lovers trope for Jack and Miko and the two Primes fit in my eyes. What can I say, I’m a romantic at spark...I mean heart.

After that, it was just a matter of finding which characters would fit which Primes. Like Rung being Prima as a nod to IDW 1.0. My favorite was actually Blitzwing being the reincarnated Quintus Prime. When I read about Quintus Prime creating the face changing Quintessons, it immediately connected with Animated Blitzwing who I recreated here. Starscream essentially receiving cosmic punishment for his actions as Liege Maximo is a close second though.

Optimus Primal finally makes an appearance too. I figured, who better to help Jack embrace his past and destiny than the original Maximal leader, hence the new name to go with it. Originally, I hadn’t planned to have him use Optimus’ name, but the idea of only calling him ‘The Primal’ just didn’t sit right so I sort of shoehorned it in. Appearance wise he has his Throne of the Primes design and color scheme, sans crown and scepter.

Technically, I know Prime-verse Piranhacon was dealt with in the comics, but I wanted a Sharkticon combiner for the Primes to fight, and given the appearance of the classic Sharkticons, it just seemed to fit. Just had to give Snaptrap a Headmaster gimmick to complete the effect.

Now, I do have an announcement to make. I hate to leave you all on a cliffhanger for so long, but this story is going on hiatus until the end of February. First off, I’d like to take a break to fully enjoy the holidays. Second, I mentioned some time ago that the notes I had on this story got deleted by a computer virus. I want to give the next part of this story the attention it deserves and to plan it out properly, so after New Years, I will begin planning and have the next chapter out by the end of February.

I’ll see you all in the new year for: The Battle for Autobot City.

Until then, Kudo, Subscribe, and Comment. Bye.

Chapter 54: The Battle for Autobot City Pt.1

Notes:

Wow, is it February already? Hope you all had a good holiday season and are ready for the new chapter of Beast Wars Prime. I’ve been plotting and planning aspects for both parts of this chapter for months and years. That said, I hope it’s well liked. Enjoy.

One more thing I NEED to bring up though. As much as I appreciate the offers, I don’t have money to pay for art for this story. So please, stop soliciting me for story art. If someone wants to do fanart independently, you have my permission, just mention the story. But I am unable to pay for it. Thank you.

In his personal quarters aboard Omega Supreme, Starscream (also known as Liege Maximo) was attempting to repair the Prime artifact known as the Requiem Blaster. He had retrieved the relic after Megatronus Prime shattered it. However, his attempts at repairing Solus Primes’ masterwork was proving difficult.

“Alright, now connect the broadband energy scanner to the dark matter drive and.” Starscream paused. “Wait, shouldn’t that connect to the coalescence crystal matrix?” He was interrupted by a knock on the door to his quarters.

“Go away, I’m busy.”

“Maximo, open this door.” Came the voice of Solus Prime from the other side. Growling in irritation, Starscream opened the door to find the Maximal femme that was his reincarnated sister.

“Didn’t Optimus say to keep our identities under wraps, Solus?” Starscream asked, glaring down at Miko.

“No one is around to hear us.” Miko bit out, her glare never leaving Starscreams optics. She ran her thumb along the handle of the Forge Hammer in contemplation. “I want the Requiem Blaster parts.” She added flatly. “I saw you grab them.”

For a moment, Starscream considered denying the fact that he did, but considering what lying had gotten him in the past, thought better of it. Besides, it’d be better to let her repair it. As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn’t make heads or tails of the weapons’ inner workings.

“Over there.” He replied, stepping aside to let Miko pass. Looking out into the hall again, he saw that she was truly alone. “I half expected Megatronus to be with you.” Starscream admitted.

“Jack.” Miko corrected. “Is resting, he had a more traumatic experience remembering his past than we did.” Quickly, she scooped the pieces into another spatially expanded pouch like the one Maximos’ darts were stored in. It was amazing what her hammer and a little scrap metal could build. “Besides, I wanted to talk to you before he did.”

“Look.” Starscream cut in before Miko could finish. “I get it, I manipulated everyone and pit them against each other to make myself look better. I got you killed, Megatronus killed me and then I spent a lifetime watching plan after scheme after plan backfire and getting beat to scrap by Megatron.” He sighed. “However, you and Megatronus were reborn as fleshlings and my machinations helped turn you into what you are now.”

He looked over at Miko who had an unknowable expression on her face. As he’d been talking, she walked over to him with the pouch on her side and Forge Hammer in hand.

“Are we even?” He asked.

Miko’s expression morphed into a look irritation with a dash of mirth. She took a deep breath as if to answer him before taking the Forge Hammer in both hands and swinging it down with an echoing bang.

“We’ll never be even Maximo.” She sneered, watching Starscreams’ expression go from surprised to pained as the pain of his injury began to register. With a bright flash of burgundy, Miko teleported away with both the pouch and her hammer, leaving Starscream to scream out loud.

“Ahhhh, my foot!!!”

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As Starscream yowled in his quarters, Miko reappeared in the makeshift workshop she’d set up for this project. Honestly, she couldn’t resist the chance to get payback on Starscream and pancaking his foot was a prime opportunity. If you’ll pardon the pun.

Emptying the parts to the Requiem Blaster from her pouch, she examined the three components. She knew that while they would need the weapon again, she also knew Jack wouldn’t use it after what happened eons ago.

At least, not without some creative ingenuity.

Looking at the pieces and lifting the Forge Hammer, Miko looked at the clock. They had roughly under an hour before arriving. More than enough time for this.

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“Phase one is now well underway.” Tarantulas announced to the collective group as he observed his console screen. On it, several signals were moving across a global map.

“Finally.” Galvatron grumbled. Ever since his return from Cybertron, he’d been under the direct supervision of either Tarantulas or Nemesis Prime. At this point he’d have to hope he could find an opportunity during the battle to enact some kind of plan. Perhaps using the spear of Zarak to turn Scorponok against Nemesis.

“Tell me about it.” Thrust griped as he Jetstorm and Tankor emerged from a nearby corridor. The Vehicon generals had been replicating almost nonstop since Galvatron left to create a near limitless supply of cannon fodder for the coming operation.

“Oh, come on pinhead.” Jetstorm laughed flicking one of the dark energon crystals growing from his head. “You know there’s no kill like overkill.” Tankor growled in agreement.

“It is time.” Nemesis Prime announced, Bludgeon standing beside him. The Metalikato master had stayed close to the avatar of Unicron, acting as a bodyguard.

“At long last master.” The skeletal samurai began. “Your freedom is now at hand. Only one task left.”

“Begin dispatching our force to the locations I’ve indicated.” Nemesis Prime ordered. “Once the seeders are in position, they will enable me to shatter the crock shell enveloping my proper form.”

“And what precisely will happen to us?” Onslaught asked from his position in the back of the room. “We’re standing on your prison right now.”

“What’s the matter?” Slog taunted the Combaticon leader. “Scared?”

“You will all be relocated as my awakening begins.” Nemesis Prime explained. “I still have use for you.”

“That doesn't reassure me.” Onslaught mumbled.

‘Nor me’. Galvatron silently agreed.

“Each group shall be accompanied by multiple units of Vehicon drones.” The avatar continued. “Your goal is to ensure that the seeder is in position.”

“And what of us?” Galvatron asked. “I noticed that several of us weren’t given specific assignments.”

“You shall accompany Tarantulas and myself to Autobot City.” Nemesis Prime informed his Anti-Prime. “Alongside Bludgeon, the Horrorcons and the Vehicon generals. Optimus Prime will most likely be there and I am no longer taking any chances.” He explained.

“I’m still leery about sending Sky-Byte out alone.” Tarantulas added.

“At the bottom of the ‘Mexican Gulf’ here, he’s probably got the safest mission.” Galvatron replied. “Besides, the tank drones still work in deep water.”

“In any case.” Nemesis Prime called out. “Once the teams are dispatched, we shall transform Trypticon and march towards Autobot City alongside Abominus.”

“Nice work on that, by the way.” Tarantulas commented to Galvatron. “Very aptly named too.” He genuinely had been impressed with the Terrorcon combiner.

“You all know your assignments.” Nemesis commanded. “Now go forth, and annihilate!”

 

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In a distant warehouse, the meditating Soundwave realizes that the time to act was coming. Turning his head, he turned to where he knew his younger self was watching him from the Shadowzone before giving a nod. Standing up and exiting his hideaway, the communications officer silently transformed before taking off in the direction of Autobot City.

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In the central command hub for Autobot City, Ultra Magnus mentally went over the status of the city, immune to hubbub around him. He could feel in his spark that things were coming to a head, and with Optimus and a sizeable number of their forces on Cybertron, the hammer would drop soon. They couldn’t count on the humans for much support either with Galvatrons’ space bridges over their worlds’ capitols, waiting to drop nuclear weapons on them at a moment's notice. Exhaling through his nose, Magnus thought to his trump card.

While Nautica, Velocity, Brainstorm and G.B. Blackrock had gotten the Transtector process to a point where they could, in theory, call Fortress Maximus into battle, the strain on Garrison would be potentially fatal. His heart rate alone had elevated so much during one test that it could’ve given the illusion of flatlining.

“Sir, SIR!!!” Blaster called, pulling Magnus from his thoughts.

“Report Blaster.” He answered, activating his comms.

“We’re getting signals from space bridges across the globe.” The communications expert explained.

“The capitols?” Magnus asked.

“Negative, we’ve got new ones appearing.” Blaster answered. “But I can’t see any pattern to them.” Magnus closed his optics, this was it.

“Compare the bridge locations to file 2005-G1" There was a moments silence.

“One hundred percent congruent.” Blaster replied, confirming Magnus’ worst fears. “Sir, we got Vehicons, Predacons and every other con beginning to come through the portals, and what’s worse.”

“There’s one right outside the city.” Ultra Magnus finished for the blind Autobot. Looking out a nearby window, he could see the space bridge, and more concerningly, a long line of enemy troops amassing from it.

“On top of that, Trypticon has transformed into ship mode and is on a direct course here.”

“Prime, just Prime.” Magnus muttered as the city began to shake. “Begin rallying our troops, if Galvatron is making his big push, then we need to push back.”

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Just outside the limits of Autobot City, Galvatron stood alongside Bludgeon and Nemesis Prime, observing as countless Vehicon drones emerged from the space bridge under the watchful optics of their generals.

Well, for the most part.

“Jetstorm, what are you doing.” Thrust asked as he spotted her by the city’s welcome sign. She was using a low power laser to change the words on it into something she felt more fitting.

“Just a little preemptive redecorating.” She replied, drawing the attention of the collective group. Upon closer inspection, they saw the sign no longer read ‘The Autobots welcome you to Autobot City’, but now read.

“The Autobots are all Dead!!!” Slog laughed alongside his Horrorcons.

“Fitting.” Nemesis Prime spoke. “However, I believe it is time to make it a reality. The drones shall lead the charge while the generals and Horrorcons proceed with a pincer maneuver in their combined forms.”

“Then I believe you have a call to make.” Tarantulas cackled. His master had ordered him to come along after what happened to the Vehicon generals last time they faced the Autobots. He wasn’t taking any chances this time and wanted him close in case they tried it again.

“Very well.” Nemesis agreed. “I want their defenses at their most strained before I call in our Titans to break them. There will be nothing left for Optimus Prime to save, and my return shall begin at last.” He deployed his energon axe and pointed it at the city walls.

“TILL ALL ARE GONE!!!”

------------------------------------------------------------

The battle began with a bomb run by the jet drones to sow as much confusion as possible. A handful of casualties were felled in the initial attack. Hoist had been hit head on by one of the bombs and the shrapnel of his exploding body impaled Grapple through the spark chamber, killing him almost instantly. Another bot named Hubcap was crushed as a building toppled onto him.

By the time the remaining Autobots had deployed to defend the city, the car and tank drones were bearing down on them. The latter was keeping a consistent barrage against the walls of the city while the cars began to head towards the main entrance to begin executing anyone within their sights. They weren’t getting very far though.

“WegotVehiconsintheairwegotVehiconsatthewallswegotVehiconsatthegate.” Blurr called as he ran around the city, picking off drones that got too close to getting in. “Ifweshootthemoutoftheairthey’restillonthewallsifwegetoffthewallsthey’restillatthegatesowheredoesthatleaveus?Nowherethat’swhere.”

“Ultra Magnus!” Perceptor called from the snipers’ perch he’d taken as Magnus exited the command center. “A cursory analysis of our opponents' capabilities reveals a distinct tactical deficiency.” He turned back to the sky and shot down another pair of jet drones with his rifle.

“In other words, Perceptor.” Kup yelled as he fired at the tank drones through a hole they’d blown through the wall. “We’re outnumbered. Stay close to me you two.” He added to Razorbeast and Drancron.

The two young Predacons transformed into beast mode and, picking their target, let loose twin streams of fire at a strafing jet, setting it ablaze. The drone crashed in a half molten glob on the ground. As the two celebrated downing an opponent on their own the drone trained a half-melted blaster on them before Kup shot it in the head, destroying it and startling the younglings.

“Make sure it’s dead BEFORE you celebrate.” He chided.

“Sorry Kup.” They replied. Another bomb run forced the group to duck out of the way as several shells cleared the wall and collided with nearby buildings.

“Blaster, can you still read me?” Magnus called into his comms. There was no response but he could see the communications tower was still standing. “That blast must’ve wrecked my comms.” He muttered. “Springer, your comms working?”

“Negative sir.” The triple changer replied as he drove up in his armored car mode before transforming into helicopter model. “Short range communications are out, but Blaster said something about the humans requesting support before the blast.”

“Oh, NOW they want our help.” Magnus growled. “Hold the line here, I’m going to help the others transform Autobot City. Perceptor!” He called to the scientific sniper. “Tell Blaster to contact Optimus Prime, we need his team and whatever reinforcements he has.” Turning around, he saw the Wreckers appear alongside the remaining Maximals.

“Sorry we’re late, the road here is a mess.” Drift explained as he, Bulkhead and the recently retrieved Rotorstorm transformed.

“Noted.” Magnus answered before seeing the light begin to fade out of the corner of his left optic. Looking in that direction, his optics widened as he saw Monstructor assemble before stalking towards the cities’ west wall with the pretender shells in tow. Realizing it for what it was, he looked to the east and saw the three Vehicon generals approaching at a high rate of speed with Tarantulas slightly behind them.

“Wreckers, keep the cons from advancing. Maximals, head for the east gate, try to slow the generals down but be careful.” He ordered. “And somebody find Hotspot, we need Defensor at the west entrance before Monstructor gets any closer.”

“I’ll find them Magnus.” Cheetor called over the renewed gunfire. “I’ll meet up with the others afterwards.” He then took off at high speed to search for the Protectobots as Magnus transformed and took off. If the Nemesis was on its way here, then they’d need Maximus to face Trypticon.

The humans would have to fend for themselves for a moment.

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From his new HQ, Seymour Simmons observed the evolving situations. After Sector Seven officially tanked after the Vegas debacle, he and his new colleague were working on rebranding it under the new M.A.S.K. banner. The Manufacturing and R&D divisions had been working around the clock since Galvatrons’ threat to nuke the world capitols cranking out new vehicles and weapons for the division. The high tech suit he was now wearing was a prime example of that.

But back to the subject at hand, it seemed Galvatron was finally making his move. Reports were pouring in across the globe about the machines and troops appearing around the world. Looking at the locations he saw the pattern. They were appearing anywhere there were disasters that weakened the ground. He could see images coming in from Chernobyl and Yucca Flats. The report of activity on the Gulf of Mexico's floor from NOAA was of little use since they couldn’t do much at those depths.

“Simmons.” Thundercracker announced. “We got the call, we have Chernobyl, you got Yucca.” Simmons nodded, he didn’t like leaving the Decepticons unsupervised, but this looked like it could mean life or death for the whole planet.

“Alright.” He replied, activating the public address system. “All units to battle stations.”

“Oh, come on.” Thundercracker interrupted excitedly to the amusement of his fellow Decepticons as well as several humans within earshot. “Use the catchphrase we agreed upon.”

“Hollywood types.” Simmons muttered as he started again. “All personnel approved.” He began. On his new tech enhanced suit, the shoulder pads shifted and fitted around his head until it formed a red eyed silver mask and helmet.

 

“Assemble M.A.S.K.”

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In Chernobyl Russia, the Predacons Ravage, Snowkat, Spittor, Tor Loco, and Waspinator had just finished planting their seeder when a space bridge portal opened. The group were taken by surprise as a blue F-15 rocketed out of the bridge and over their heads, creating a deafening sonic boom.

The group barely had time to regain their bearings as Thundercracker banked around and opened fire while Stranglehold and Octopunch rolled through and engaged Tor Loco, and Spittor. Realizing what was happening, Waspinator gave the command.

“Vehiconzzz, attack.” The wasp Predacon buzzed. “They are only Threezzzz.” He was swiftly corrected when six familiar construction vehicles emerged from the space bridge and arranged themselves.

“Alright team.” Scrapper yelled. “Transform, phase two.”

“You and your big mandibles.” Snowkat yelled, turning an ice cannon on the rapidly assembling combiner. Before he could get a shot off however he was slammed into by Tor Loco.

“And you are being foolhardy to turn back on me.” Stranglehold gloated after throwing the bull bot.

A wind whipping up indicated that Devastator had activated his vortex. Already the combiner had sucked up three jet and two car drones and was already preparing to fire off a plasma beam. But first.

“Ahoy me hearty.” Octopunch called. “Have some frog legs.” With that, he flung a screaming Spittor into Devastators’ open maw, a flash of purple fire signifying the Predacons’ destruction. A moment later, he unleashed a stream of plasma at a charging wave of car and tank drones. While the tank drones were too large to dodge the blast, most of the car drones were able to swerve out of the way and transform before opening fire on the combiner.

“Be hanging on Devastator.” Stranglehold yelled as he transformed and sped in to help him. Before he could make it half way he saw a shimmer before Ravage rematerialized in front of him, too close for the Decepticon to react.

The panther Predacon darted under Strangleholds’ monster truck form and slashed. With a minor explosion and a massive amount of pain, his rear passenger wheel blew off and rolled away. As he tried to correct himself a shot from a tank drone sent him flying through the air, transforming as he went. Slamming into crumbling concrete, the musclebot realized that his right leg was gone and his whole side was slashed open.

“I am getting feeling this will be harder than thought.”

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Amidst the radioactive wreckage of the Yucca Flats doom town, Shriek, Iguanus, Stinkbomb and Jawbreaker were surprised by a group of what looked like Decepticon seeker jets flying right towards them.

“HA!” Jawbreaker laughed as the jet drones formed up to meet them. “The humans must’ve found some ball bearings to try and fight back.” To their surprise, the jets turned to lead the drones away from them. “Or not.”

“Something smells off here.” Shriek mused as he watched. Iguanus gave a hiss and gestured to Stinkbomb. “Nah, I mean besides him.”

“Hey!” Stinkbomb yelled before a pair of space bridge portals opened up.

“It’s an ambush!” Shriek squawked in a southern accent. From the portals came tanks cycles Hummers and cars with masked pilots and gunners in them.

From his new Thunder Hawk vehicle, Simmons gave his orders.

“All personnel, transform your vehicles while Sky Reign keeps their air support occupied. Thunder Hawk and Condor squadrons, prepare to back them up.” Referring to the cars and cycles. “Rhino squad lay cover fire while the Jackhammer squad heads for the objective.” He added, indicating the tank and Hummer squadrons respectively. He paused looking over the combined Predacon and Vehicon forces.

“MOBILIZE!”

Racing forward, the Condor squadron used jet boosters on the underside of their cycles to get airborne as the rear wheels extended, split and repositioned and the front wheels shifted sideways, turning the motorcycles into three engine miniature helicopters. The Thunder Hawks (sans Simmons) followed suit as the rear of the cars unfolded and connected with wing panels emerging from the undercarriage of the car, exposing twin jet engines. The middle section of the hood moved forward, creating a short nosecone for the jet mode as a mini machine gun emerged from the engine block.

“Don’t just stand there, shoot them! Protect the seeder!” Shriek shrieked as the M.A.S.K. air forces took flight. As the tank and car drones began to take aim, the Rhino and Jackhammer squadrons began to transform.

The tanks began to fold inward on themselves as they lifted upward into the air. The sides of the tanks opened outward like wings, revealing that the tank wheels doubled as laser gatling guns in addition to the main turrets on top of the new gun encampments. The Jackhammers were simpler, the back end of the hummer lifted upward, revealing it was on a rotating turret. The back end then unfolded, revealing them to be double barrel laser cannons.

As the two sides opened fire on each other, Simmons ducked back into his Thunder Hawk and began to move into position. The plan to deal with this seeder hinged on M.A.S.K. thinning the field enough to enact his plan. Looking up, he saw the Sky Reign squadron combine and open fire on the drones, who now knew they were being ambushed.

He just had to wait for the right moment to act. Hopefully there was enough time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside Autobot City, Nemesis Prime watched the skirmish at the city gates alongside Galvatron and Bludgeon. He could see that both his generals and Monstructor were nearly in position, and the time for the true incursion was now.

“Bludgeon, head for the gate to the city.” He ordered. As the skeletal samurai transformed and headed for the battle, he turned to Galvatron. “And now, to blow open the city gate.”

Grinning, Galvatron powered up his fusion cannon and leapt skyward. On the ground, Nemesis Primes’ missile pods opened on his shoulders. Both dark beings had the same target in mind. Firing, the two watched as their twin Angolmois assaults hit their mark, blowing open the gates to Autobot City along with some of their drones. However, it was a drop in the literal ocean of troops at their disposal.

“Go forth, and exterminate!” Nemesis ordered.

“You needn’t tell me twice, no.” Galvatron grinned as he transformed and took off toward the city.

As he watched his Anti-Prime go, Nemesis Prime transformed and merged with his trailer to join the fray himself. Just as he was about to take off into the air after Galvatron, he noticed a shape coming in at high speed. It was too large to be one of the aerial Autobots, and far too small to be the Nemesis. A moment later, he had his answer and another question.

What the hell was Astrotrain doing here?

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As he sped through the battlefield that Autobot City had become, Ultra Magnus caught glimpses of even more casualties. Two halves of a miniature semi-truck revealed the fate of Pipes while a single severed leg revealed Brawns’. No time to think about that now. The sound of sirens gave the commander a moment warning before the Protectobots sped past to meet Monstructor. Cheetor must’ve just found them.

His thoughts were interrupted by a stream of fire suddenly erupting in his path. Veering left to avoid it; Ultra Magnus heard the sounds of transformation before someone landed heavily on the roof of his cab. A moment later a left hand gripped the roof hard enough to shatter the left panel of his windshield.

“Ultra Magnus.” Galvatron greeted in his oily voice. “Is now a bad time?” Firing his fusion cannon at the road ahead, Galvatron leapt off of the Autobot commander as he transformed to avoid falling in the pit the blast had created.

“Now, if you please.” He continued from above as Ultra Magnus deployed his blasters to defend himself. “Where might I find Optimus Prime? If he’s busy I’ll happily wait and tend to unfinished business with Arcee first.”

“Those.” Magnus replied, never taking his optics off his opponent. “Are secrets I will take to the afterspark.”

“Ah, well, have it your way. I’ll find them eventually.” Galvatron replied nonchalantly, powering up his fusion cannon. “Farewell commander Magnus.”

 

As he went to fire, a greyish blue object slammed into Galvatrons’ back, knocking him out of the sky and causing him to fire on one of the jet drone squadrons, obliterating them.

Looking at where the shield was now returning to, Ultra Magnus observed a tall figure emerging from the fire that’d first cut him off. His overall appearance put him in mind of several beast bot Fuzors he’d worked with over the years. This one seemed to be made up of at least three dinosaurs. However, as the new arrival caught the shield, both he and the recovering Galvatron recognized him. His face and optics may be a little different, but the expression was one both of them knew belonged to one specific bot.

“Megatron?” Magnus whispered. He knew the Decepticon warlords’ fate was uncertain, but he didn’t even recognize the mech at first.

“Ahhh.” Galvatron taunted, his wings repairing themselves from the sneak attack. “The prodigal con has returned.”

“Galvatron.” Megatron growled at the usurper. “We have unfinished business.”

“And what makes you think you’ll win?” Galvatron asked. “You and Lugnut both fell before my might the last time we met.”

“You ambushed me at my weakest.” Megatron admitted, stopping to glare at Galvatron. “But even then, you had to have others fight your battles.” He added, enjoying the anger blossoming on his enemy's face.

Galvatron retaliated by firing his fusion cannon at Megatron. However, he was shocked when Megatron held his shield up and watched as his blast was absorbed into it. With a thrust of his arm, the shield then sent the blast back at him, stunning him enough that he didn’t dodge far enough and it took a chunk out of his right shoulder. There was only one weapon in the universe with that capability.

“So, you took the Skyboom Shield.” Galvatron growled as his arm healed. “It will not help you now however.” He fired his cannon again and this time Megatron leveled the Landsaurs’ head at Galvatron and fired his own fusion cannon.

The twin blasts met halfway and both mechs fought to push their own beams forward. While Megatron had the force of will to win, Galvatron had the power of Unicron backing him up as his fusion blast inched forward. Rather than worried however, Megatron simply decided to fight smarter. The Predacon general watched as the Seasaur head on Megatrons opposite shoulder lifted up and looked at him. A moment later he was blinded by a thick sheet of ice that had been generated by Megatrons cryokinetic beam. The distraction had been enough for the true Decepticon leader to shift his aim and hit Galvatron square in the chest.

“Galvatron.” He breathed as he watched the Predacon begin to heal. “You are no Megatron.”

“Neither are you it seems.” Ultra Magnus commented, drawing the other mechs’ attention to him.

“I believe you were headed somewhere commander?” Megatron asked. “I will hold this whelp while you do what you need to.” He offered. Magnus thought about this for a second before nodding.

“There WILL be questions.” He stated before transforming again. “Good luck.” With that, Ultra Magnus resumed his mission.

“Your desire to kill me MUST be great. Yes.” Galvatron called as he finished healing and breaking the ice off of his face. “To pass up on the Autobots’ second in command? You really aren’t Megatron anymore, are you?” He taunted with a laugh.

“After seeing what I’d allowed to happen, I finally admitted that I’d become a monster.” The Decepticon leader spoke. “It took seeing what I’d originally fought for to help me understand that and want to change.” He added, thinking of his new daughter.

“And the new body certainly helps.” Galvatron replied, looking his predecessor over. “It practically erupts power. Not that it can help you against what is to come.”

Hearing that, Megatron remembered Shockwaves’ last suggestion about a new name for himself. One finally began taking shape in his mind.

“And that is where you are correct Galvatron.” He growled. “Megatron died in that lab before I was rescued by Shockwave. You say I erupt power? Then you may call me Magmatron.”

Thrusting his shoulders forward, Magmatron began to transform and separate. Skysaur launched forward and breathed a stream of fire to give himself time to transform fully. Once his vision cleared again, Galvatron saw three dinosaurs glaring at him.

“I believe Galvatron,” Skysaur began. “The time has come,” Seasaur continued. “To unleash the beast wars upon you.” Landsaur finished before the trio charged into battle.

Idly Magmatron hoped that Transmutate was safe with Astrotrain.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elsewhere in Autobot city, Astrotrain had switched to his bullet train mode and was now careening through the streets flattening buildings and Vehicons as he went. This was not be design however.

“Fun!!!” Transmutate screamed again in delight as she sat behind the triple changers’ controls and steered him through another car drone.

“Ow, hey! Watch it!” Astrotrain yelled. When he’d agreed to keep Megatrons’ adopted daughter safe, he didn’t think he’d meant this. The deformed femme had been overriding his controls and was using him as a giant bumper car. As they bashed through another drone he couldn’t help mumbling.

“He owes me big for this.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monstructor was smiling widely as they strode towards the city. The chaos and destruction surrounding them was a symphony to the receptors for the dark combiner. Even their pack of Pretender shells seemed to be relishing the despair and misery they were causing. Perhaps throwing their lot in with Unicron was the right call after all.

The sound of approaching sirens called their attention to five rescue vehicles racing towards them. Watching the Protectobots transform, the combiner sighed.

“There’s always heroes.” They muttered.

“Okay Protectobots.” Hotspot called as he stared down the combiner who’d decimated the Elite Guard. “We hold the line here.”

“Primus darn it Hotspot, that’s Monstructor.” First Aid argued. He’d been one of the first responders on duty the day Monstructor debuted and knew exactly what they were up against.“We can’t keep them out forever.”

“But we can delay them doc.” Rook replied before his commander could.

“Then let’s stop yakking and get cracking.” Blades added. Streetwise simply nodded in agreement.

“Alright team.” Hotspot called, feeling the oppressive power of Monstructors’ aura getting stronger. “Let’s do this.”

Watching the five Protectobots merge into Defensor, Monstructor rolled their optics. They never did learn. Throwing their hands forward, the Pretender shells charged forth as their aura intensified with the intent of weakening their opponent before the shells could finish him. They were then surprised to see Defensor throw up a force field to fend off two of the shells while sending a third flying with a kick.

“Defensor shall mend and defend as long as he functions.” Called defiantly.

“Oh.” Monstructor taunted, igniting their death touch. “Not long at all then.”

The two combiners charged each other, one to end all life, the other to protect it.

Only one could win.

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As he neared the area containing Project: Cerebros, Ultra Magnus caught a glimpse of a space bridge portal coming into existence. His first thought was Optimus returning with backup, but the sound of a familiar voice both disproved that and spiked the commanders’ curiosity. Moreso when he heard them giving orders.

“Depthcharge, you’re first.” The voice whom Magnus recognized as Rodimus called.

Diverting course, Ultra Magnus found several Autobots as well as Depthcharge at a spacebridge with several locations on it. He saw a brief glimpse of water on the other side of the portal before the aquatic Maximal transformed into his Manta Ray mode and glided through.

“RODIMUS!” Magnus yelled. “What are you doing?”

“The cons are mobilizing across the globe Magnus.” The Autobot diplomat answered. “And the humans don’t have enough forces to repel them on all fronts. Resetting for Chernobyl.”

“We need all our forces here Rodimus.” Magnus countered. “The humans will have to fend for themselves.”

“Is this about what happened after Vegas?” Rodimus asked, glaring at the commander. His silence was all the answer he needed. “For Primus’ sake Magnus, they were scared!”

“Recall Depthcharge, I’m shutting this dow-.” He was cut off as Rodimus aimed his wrist blasters in Magnus’ face. “Rodimus?”

“I don’t want to shoot you Magnus.” Rodimus said quietly. “But if I have to choose between you and the innocents who were dragged into our war, I will protect them, no matter the cost.” He finished, looking the mech in the optic.

Ultra Magnus wanted to argue, but looking at Rodimus’ look of determination, he saw something more. Most of the time Rodimus had been on Earth, the commander kept seeing him as Hot Rod just using a new name. But here and now, Magnus saw not the young Autobot he knew, but the leader he became on the Lost Light.

He knew what he had to do.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Nagasaki, near the train station, Bruticus Maximus planted his Dark Energon seeder between a pair of rails. The mission was simple, keep the seeder safe until the go orders were given and activate it. The humans nearby had been frightened off although some had been forced to take shelter as their relatively small Vehicon contingent appeared and opened fire on anything that moved.

Hearing a loud train horn, Bruticus turned to see a white and blue bullet train speeding towards him. Had a human decided to use the vehicle in a kamikaze run? His answer revealed itself as the train transformed into a large Autobot who launched himself at the combiner. Catching the bots’ arm, Bruticus used his momentum to fling him into a nearby building. Another horn blaring drew the combiners’ attention to a flat nosed locomotive that transformed and aimed a rather large leg at his head. Picking his moment, Bruticus grabbed the newcomer's ankle and flipped him so he would land face down.

Realizing what was happening, the combiner turned to see a third large Autobot attempting to access the seeders’ controls. Charging forth, he caught the third bots’ clumsy attempt at a counter attack and threw him at the other two who had gotten back up and attempted to charge him. The collision sent the trio reeling.

“This is a military operation.” Bruticus began, sizing the trio up. They were larger than most Autobots but still only barely came up to his chest as a combiner. “You can be a prisoner, or a casualty.” He threatened, training his weapons on them.

A trio of drawn weapons answered him.

“Casualty it is.” Bruticus opened fire on the trio, causing them to scatter.

“Try to get to the seeder!” Railspike yelled. “We can’t let it go off!”

“How do we get past this guy?” Midnight Express asked.

“Scratch that.” Rapid Run interrupted, pointing to his right. “We got incoming!”

The sounds of blaster fire revealed the return of the Vehicons.

“He isn’t going anywhere if the seeder isn’t threatened.” Railspike deduced. He figured Bruticus’ standing orders were to protect it and the combiner was infamous for following orders to a tee. “Focus on the drones until help arrives.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Back in Chernobyl, the renegade Decepticons were pinned down by the massive number of Vehicon drones bearing down on them. Stranglehold, Octopunch and Thundercracker were sheltered behind a demolished warehouse with Devastator standing between them and the enemy. While the assembled were some of the most dangerous Decepticons alive, even they wouldn’t stand much chance against such superior numbers without backup.

“Simmons, can you hear me?” Thundercracker called into his comms. “We’re pinned down, send air support.” A lucky shot to his wing had grounded the seeker. Fortunately, Octopunch was able to catch him before he hit the ground.

“We’re pinned down here too.” The M.A.S.K. commander replied. These drones are putting up more of a fight than we thought.”

“We are being more than.” Stranglehold began before groaning and grasping at his damaged side again.

“Me hearties.” Octopunch sighed, looking at the others. “It’s been an honor, and I look forward ter goin ter Solus Primes’ parts bin with ye.”

The somber moment was cut short when Devastator gave a roar that drew their attention skyward. In the sky was now a spacebridge.

“I thought you were pinned.” Thundercracker accused to Simmons. “We just had a bridge appear.”

“We are!” He called back. “I don’t know where that came from.”

Through the new spacebridge flew six different aircraft. Six aircraft the Decepticons knew well. Devastator gave a roar at them but was swiftly smacked by Stranglehold.

“We either work with Aerialbots, or we are being scrapped.” He argued. Personally, he felt the Constructicons changing their combiner modes mind back into a brute was a bad idea, but it was ultimately their choice.

“It’s just as well we don’t have a union anymore.” Thundercracker muttered as he watched Silverbolt and his squadron begin to thin the overwhelming amount of jet drones. “Let’s finish off the ground units.” He ordered.

Up in the sky, Silverbolt divvyed up his squadron.

“Slingshot, Firefight, Alpha Bravo, start on this end.” The Aerialbot commander called over the comms. “Air Raid, Skydive and I will get to the other end and thin the herd.”

“What about the Cons?” Alpha Bravo asked.

“We’ll help them after we clear the air.” He answered. “And Slingshot, I better not hear about any ‘misfires’, our goal is the Vehicons.”

“Understood.” The Aerialbot grumbled. He’d hoped he could drop a bomb on these Decepticons and call it an ‘accident’ to bolster is rep.

“Alright team.” Silverbolt continued. “Let’s strafe the skies!”

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Panting as he ran, Perceptor sprinted up the spiral stairs of the shaking communications tower. He dared not use the elevator. Coming to the glass domed top of the tower, the sharpshooter heard Blaster.

“Look out and shout!” The communications officer called as he used the radio equipment in the tower to fire interference towards the approaching drones, making several of them crash in the process. “Ow!” Hearing both the panting and footsteps, the blind Autobot knew who’d arrived.

“Yo, Perceptor, what’s shakin’?” The tower vibrated again. “Other than this fortress.”

“Ultra Magnus gave the order Blaster.” The scientist panted. “Recall Optimus Prime and everyone he has.”

“A-OK, cover your receptors Perceptor.” Using the control panel, the bot moved the communications array towards Cybertron. A moment later, Blaster transformed into his Hummer mode and unfolded the sound system in the back. Several conduits emerged from the floor and connected to the speakers which began to glow red with power.

“Optimus Prime, do you read me? The Decepticons are blitzing Autobot City. We’re really taking a pounding. Don’t know how much longer we can hold out.” Blaster called through the vastness of space to Cybertron. “Optimus Prime, do you read me? The Decepticons are blitzing Autobot City. We’re really taking a-.” A violent explosion rocked the top of the tower before the array on top fell off it.

“Ah, ah, ah, trying to spoil our fun?” Jetstorm laughed as she banked around to take another shot. “Mama spank.” A pair of missiles detached from her jet mode and headed for the base of the tower.

“Come on Blaster!” Perceptor yelled as he grabbed the transforming communications officer. Going back down the stairs would be suicide, so Perceptor shot out the side of the dome.

“We’re gonna jump?” Blaster asked.

“A calculated risk.” The scientist corrected. The tower shook and gave an ominous groan as it began to tilt. “Come on!” He added, looping and arm around Blasters’ back.

Taking a running start, the two Autobots leapt from the falling tower towards the nearby barracks. Perceptor aimed his sniper rifle at the roof, he just needed to weaken it a bit and let physics do the rest to make this fall survivable. Peppering the roof with blasts to weaken it, he aimed the both of them for the freshly damaged section. Their landing zone held just long enough to dispel some of their momentum before giving way and them falling through to a slightly softer landing on several crates which collapsed under them.

Groaning, the two Autobots stood back up. They were achy and dented, but alive. Blaster was about to compliment Perceptor when a shadow fell over them accompanied by the familiar thrum of a starships’ engines.

The nemesis had arrived.

“Do, do you think you got through to Prime?” Perceptor asked, eyeing the warship as it began to transform.

“Well, if I didn’t all he’ll find when he gets back will be a bunch of burnt-out toasters.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cackling like the mad femme she was, Jetstorm when she caught up with Thrust Tankor and Tarantulas.

“Woo, that was fun!” Jetstorm laughed.

“You do know they survived right?” Thrust asked.

“Well duh!” She replied. “I wanted them to think they survived. Makes killing them later all the more satisfying.” Tankor gave a grinding noise while giving Thrust a pointed look indicating that she had a point.

“I know, just pointing it out.” Thrust answered. He was interrupted by a sonic pulse accompanied by several shots of fireweed sap. “And I spy with my little eye.”

“A few vile pests who need to die!” Jetstorm laughed as she and Thrust saw the Maximals taking cover behind one of the walls.

“Well then.” Tarantulas said after rolling up to the trio in motorcycle mode. “Perhaps we need to speed up the plan, yes?” He asked rhetorically.

“Then I suggest you give us some cover fire.” Thrust answered as more artillery from the Maximals exploded around them. It was like they weren’t even trying.

“Very well.” The Predacon scientist replied. “Tarantulas, Terrorize!” Transforming into bot mode, he released multiple waves of laser fire from his shoulders to scatter the Maximals.

“Initiate battle protocol.” Thrust called out. The trio transformed and combined before calling out to the battlefield.

“Ruination, AWAKENS!” Ruination called out before firing several shots from his cannon at the Maximals.

“Botanica, MAXIMIZE!” Said Maximal called out, generating a thick wall of vines to protect them from the Vehicon generals and Tarantulas both.

The group had been put in a rather precarious situation. They needed to protect the city form the trio. Yet, they knew that within the three generals are the corrupted sparks of three of their friends. Friends from a different timeline, but their friends none the less.

“How do we stop them without killing them?” Nightscream yelled over the din of gunfire.

“I’m open to suggestions.” Survive answered, firing several shots at Tarantulas’ feet to keep Tarantulas off balance.

Off to the side, Rattrap was replaying what he’d heard his mother and Ruination said in his head. Something about those sentences stirred something in his mind. Something he read in an old medical journal in his original timeline.

“Now that spider be trippin’.”

Trippin’.

Tripping.

TREPPAN!

He and Kibo had found the remnants of the cortical psychic patch at the old outpost. If Raf had his full faculties after Rattrap had restored his memories, then Tankor would’ve had the knowhow to create a Treppan trigger with it. Eyes widening, he realized that Tankor had left them half a clue before losing his memories again.

“Ruin Max.” Rattrap whispered in understanding. “Okay listen up, I have an idea but we need to separate them from spider butt.” He had a hunch that the Predacon was watching the generals like a hawk.

“What do you?” Survive began before Cheetors’ voice came over the comms.

“Cheetor to Maximals, Cheetor to Maximals.” The speedster called. “I’m pinned down with Esquivel and Agent Watson. We need backup!”

“You go Survive.” Rattrap told the bear Maximal. “The three of us can handle this.” Survive looked unsure of this but another explosion near where he knew his son was changed his mind.

“Be careful you three.” Survive yelled before running off to help.

“Alright Gary.” Nightscream asked his son. “What do you want us to do?”

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Transforming as he arrived, Ultra Magnus headed for Project Cerebros. He’d seen the Nemesis arrive and realized that the time for secrecy was past.

“Garrison, it’s time!” He yelled as he entered the room. He saw the genius billionaire already in his Transtector armor.

“I’m ready.” Blackrock admitted. What he wouldn’t admit to however was nervousness. He knew the risks involved with doing this. “Magnus.” He added.

“Yes?”

“If I don’t make it, tell my daughters I love them.” He finished. There was a moment of silence before Magnus nodded in agreement. Garrison gave a grim nod before putting his helmet on.

“Sound the alarm.” He said as he transformed into engine mode and slotted into the unit connected to Maximus’ brain. The new Cerebros module would enable G.B. Blackrock to act as a connection between the dormant titan and his body.

“Headmaster Protocol Activated!”

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In the Autobot City Med Bay, Velocity and Knockout were having trouble keeping up with the rising flow of patients. Unfortunately, so many of the med staff were either on Cybertron or elsewhere.

“Would you knock it off, I need to seal this.” Knockout griped as he attempted to seal where Brawn had lost his leg.

“I don’t want no con fixing me.” The Autobot yelled.

“You’d rather have her?” Knockout asked with a raised brow as he pointed to Velocity.

“Alright that’s it.” Said femme yelled before a resounding clang echoed in the med bay. The patient she was working on (Nightbeat) fell to the berth unconscious after his third attempt to escape after being brought in for a bullet hole to his energon reservoir. Setting her data pad down, she got to work

Brawn grumbled but stopped complaining. As the Decepticon medic finished and turned to tend to the legless Rewind. An announcement came across the city.

“Report to safe zones. Report to safe zones. Autobot City transformation sequence has been initiated. Repeat, report to safe zones.”

“Safe zones?” Knockout asked in a high pitch. “Where are the safe zones?”

“We’re in one you scrap heap.” Velocity snapped. “We’re just going to sink into the ground to protect the patients.” A subtle shake was quickly followed by a sinking sensation. “See?”

“Then why would they do this?”

“Things must be getting heavy topside.” Brawn answered. “Sure wish I was up there.”

“And I thought Blitzwing was crazy.”

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Landing with a heavy thud, Trypticon gave a mighty roar at the fortress that was Autobot City. Next to him, Abominus gave an equally terrifying roar, as if to show that Trypticon was not the only terrible force on the battlefield. The twosome began to stalk towards the city when the city itself began to transform.

The central tower in the city split in half and folded downward as various other structures retracted into the fortress’ walls. Powerful thrustors on the underside of the fortress forced it upward as limbs began to take form for the first time in tens of millions of years. Finally, a square head with red optics emerged from his chest. Said optics flashed into life, staring down at the dark energon infused pseudo-Titan and combiner, standing between them and the part of Autobot City that wasn’t his body.

“Fortress Maximus, battle mode!”

Within the head of the awakened Titan, G.B. Blackrock was inundated with memories that were not his own. Emerging from the metal of planet Cybertron to do battle against the Quintessons and their Sharkticons. Chasing their would be slavers across the galaxies before being shot in the head. A brief glimpse of a dying world populated by monsters (so that’s what dinosaurs looked like) before his crashing body ended it.

Pulling himself back to the present, Garrison realized that the act of transformation had indeed awoken something.

“What are you doing?” Maximus asked the human that had grafted itself to his brain. “Where are we?”

Garrison suddenly felt his own mind being probed by the Titan. Memories of his childhood and meeting his wife passed quickly before coming to the present situation. Specifically, why these bots and beings violated him so.

“I am, damaged?”

“We needed your help; we thought you were.” Another pair of roars drew both of their attention back to the dark beings before them. Blackrock felt Maximus in his mind again, this time gaining information on the two and their master.

“Unicron seeks to return?”

“Which is why we need you now.” The human replied. There was a moment of silence as Maximus attempted to move on his own but was unable to due to the damage to his brain.

“Guide me, Garrison Blackrock, and I shall aid you.” The Titan acquiesced.

Back on the battlefield, Fortress Maximus raised his fists. Giving an energon curdling scream, Abominus charged forward first. Sidestepping the relatively small combiner, Maximus grabbed it by the shoulder. Spinning around, Maximus flung the monster into Trypticon, who simply batted the projectile away with his tail.

As he turned back around, Maximus realized that the orange hatch on Trypticons’ snout had opened, revealing a fusion cannon. The Pseudo-Titan fired on him, as Maximus moved to dodge. The Decepticon kaiju was still able to hit the Titan in the shoulder.

Clutching the wound (which he felt as acutely as he would as a human) Garrison attempted to formulate a counter attack. However, he didn’t know what kind of weapons Maximus possessed in this form. The knowledge of his abilities was lost to history.

“History is now.” Maximus spoke to him, and suddenly, new information flashed in Garrisons’ mind. He knew what to do now.

From the Titans waist and shins, long cannons emerged. The insides of the barrels of what Blackrock now knew were charged particle cannons began to glow. From them, six beams of energy emerged, slamming Trypticon in the side as he roared in pain. A second roar followed by a sudden weight on his back revealed that Abominus had recovered and taken a running leap onto the Titans back, causing him to halt his attack for fear of hitting civilians.

Fortress Maximus was undeterred however. Hearing Trypticon power up his fusion cannon again, the Titan turned around as the robot kaiju fired. This resulted in Abominus taking the brunt of Trypticons’ blast. The lower half of the Terrorcon combiner fell away as Maximus spun around, delivering an uppercut to Trypticons maw while shaking the upper half of Abominus loose.

Suddenly, the Titans’ vision began to blur as an alarm built into Blackrocks’ Transtector began to go off. Garrisons’ head began feeling like it was about to split open as a wet sensation revealed that he was bleeding from his nose and ears again. The strain of controlling Maximus’ body was becoming too great, and if they didn’t end this fast, he’d die from it.

“You would risk your life to fight?” The Titan asked of the human.

“Better my life.” Garrison bit out. “Then my children.” Memories of Allison and Sierra began to flow into Maximus. Images of Slash the Dinobot, Vince and even little Gary followed and the great being felt the love the human held for each of them.

“MASTER SWORD!” Fortress Maximus called, holding his right arm in front of him. A long metal rod unfurled from the Titans’ forearm with small emitters attached at various places. “IGNITE!” The emitters fired beams of pure energy towards one another before the excess energy filled the space between them and the main rod, creating a titan sized laser sword.

Trypticon attempted to strike Maximus with his tail again, only for his victim to dodge and strike him in the back. The Master Sword created a shower of purple sparks as it tore through the metal monster. In a rage, Trypticon let loose another fusion beam which Maximus swung at, parting the beam in two and sending it into the empty desert away from the city.

Time to end this.

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In the skies above the city, Nemesis Prime watched as the lost Titan fought Trypticon and Abominus. The avatar of Unicorn could smell the impending demise of the human within Maximus’ skull like a human steak on the grill and realized that to take him off the board, he’d have to fight Titan with Titan.

“Galvatron, it is time.” He ordered into his comms.

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Within Autobot City, Galvatron hissed in pain as the reassembled Magmatron gashed his side open with the Skyboom Shield. Leaping away as he healed, the Predacon drew the Spear of Zarak.

“Very well, but first.” Charging the spear with dark energon, he let loose a pulse of the energy at Magmatron, driving him into a wall and collapsing it, burying him. Seeing that his opponent was subdued for the moment, Galvatron looked up to see a colossal spacebridge opening, the wasteland of this planets’ moon visible on the other side. Taking the spear in both hands and reaching out with the Dark Matrix, the Anti-Prime called out.

“Necrotitan, Scorponok, come forth and destroy! YES!!!”

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As Fortress Maximus was about to strike the fatal blow to Trypticon, a giant spacebridge opened behind the fallen monstrosities. Maximus was caught off guard for a moment before a pair of familiar bots crossed over onto the battlefield. He took a step back in shock at their appearance.

“Scorponok? Vigilem?” The Titan asked of his brothers. Part of him was happy to see them after so long. A far larger part however, realized that something was very, VERY wrong. Vigilem had veins of dark energon running across his body and a massive hole in his chest while Scorponok looked as if he was fighting against his own body.

Giving an unearthly scream, Vigilem the Necrotitan shambled forth, sinking a fist into Maximus. A moment later, Scorponocks’ tail raised up jerkily before firing at his brothers’ knee, sending him to the ground on his good one. Before Maximus could even wonder why his brothers were attacking him, Trypticon got back up and slammed his foot down on his right forearm, extinguishing the Master Sword. Another unearthly shriek was all the warning Maximus had before Abominus slashed his face with its’ claws, the two halves having come back together while he was distracted.

Within the mind of Fortress Maximus, Garrison Bennet Blackrock was panting heavily, getting weaker as his heart thundered in his chest and his head roared in pain. He knew he was dying but refused to surrender. There was too much to lose. With every bit of might and will he had left; he got Maximus’ feet back under him. The humans’ bravery stunned the Titan he was bonded with as he urged him forward.

“End this farce!” Nemesis Prime called.

Fortress Maximus screamed as the three Titans and combiner fired upon him at once. Inside the Titans’ skull, G.B. Blackrock felt something give in his head. Knowing that this was it, Garrison focused on the family dinner he’d had with his girls, their loves, and his grandson. Smiling at the happy memory, he exhaled, allowing the world to fade to black.

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Nemesis Prime watched as Fortress Maximus convulsed before falling backwards. A pity he didn’t fall on the rest of the city and make his mission easier. Looking down, he saw that the Titans’ optics were still active, but he was unable to move without the humans’ assistance. A prisoner within his own body. Giving the fallen Titan a final sneer, he turned back to the rest of Autobot City.

“Their defenses are broken, let the slaughter begin!”

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In his temporary quarters on Omega Supreme, Jack Darby jolted awake as he felt Miko gently shake him.

“Hey.” He greeted his girlfriend. Or was it something else? His ancient memories made things a bit confusing. “Are we there?”

“Soon.” Miko replied with a playful look in her eyes. “But first, I have something for you.”

“What do you?” He was cut off as he saw something scuttle up onto his berth.

Upon closer inspection, it looked like a blue Insecticon with a singular red optic scuttling along on six legs with a stumpy thorax. A moment later, a kind of dragon landed on the opposite side of his berth. It looked like it had been made from a space shuttle and had a long tail with a fin on the end of it. Finaly, a black and red mini bot jumped up next to the bird. It looked at him with yellow optics before giving a salute.

“Where did these guys come from?” Jack asked.

“Their names are Astroscope.” Miko began indicating the Insecticon. “Skyblast.” She pointed to the dragon. “And Payload.” She moved to the mini bot. “And together, they combine into the new and improved Requiem Blaster.”

“NO!” Jack yelled, standing up and startling the three on the berth. “I will NOT use that weapon again.” He argued.

“Would you listen to me Jack!” Miko shouted, quieting her boyfriend down. “This is what I should’ve done years ago.” She explained. “I never should have asked for it back, knowing how important it was to you. Let me finish.” Miko cut him off as he began to speak.

“I knew you wouldn’t use the blaster again without safeguards.” Miko nodded to the Mini-cons. “They are the safeguards. They each gauge danger and need differently from you and each other.” She smiled at her three creations. “If you want to use the Requiem Blaster, they have to agree with you that it’s needed.”

Giving a nod to the three, the reborn Primes watched as Astroscope, Skyblast and Payload transformed and combined into the redesigned Requiem Blaster. Astroscopes’ front end and legs folded into what looked like a gun barrel and ammo magazine as the rest of him pulled in on itself. Skyblast folded up into a space shuttle shape before turning his head upwards ninety degrees and slotting into the back of Astroscope. Payload turns into the handle, stock and trigger of the weapon before attaching to Skyblast, completing the weapon. Jack picked his artifact up and appraised it.

“Looks different.” The reborn Megatronus began. “Feels the same though.”

“I upped its’ output several times over.” Miko admitted. “I know you’re worried, but I know you will.” She was cut off as Jack set the blaster down and kissed her deeply. Separating, Jack smiled at her.

“Thank you.” He whispered as the Requiem Blaster separated back into the Mini-cons. “Thank you for trusting me with.”

“I should have suggested it before we had that argument.” Miko interrupted. “Or built the safeguards in when I first built it.”

“If you put safeguards in, you wouldn’t be you.” Jack smiled before giving a smirk. “And if I wanted safe, I’d have dated Sierra.” Miko pushed him backwards onto the berth as the Mini-cons beeped in what could only be laughter.

“You ass.” Miko laughed without any heat.

“All bots to the staging area.” Optimus Prime called over Omega Supremes’ P.A. system.

“We better get a move on.” Jack said, suddenly serious. As he headed towards the door, he stopped and looked back at Miko. “Miko?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you really think we can win against Unicron again” It was a nagging feeling that had been bothering Jack since they’d gotten their memories back. So much had changed since then and he wondered if they were still up for this.

Miko wrapped him in a tight hug and whispered to him.

“We can win if we dare.”

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Entering their staging area, Jack and Miko met up with Raf and the others. Starscream was taking pains to keep at least two bots between himself and Miko. Jack saw that the seekers’ left foot had been freshly repaired and could guess why. He suppressed an urge to kiss Miko then and there.

“It’s very likely that we will be coming into a very active warzone.” Optimus called. “Be prepared for hostiles.”

“Exiting warp space in T-minus thirty seconds Optimus.” T-AI announced from the Axalon. Prime nodded.

“Autobots, prepare for battle!!!”

Notes:

A/N: I hate to leave you all with a cliffhanger THAT big, but it felt like a good place to end the chapter. I tried my best to blend both the classical scenes from the Battle of Autobot City as well as original material. I just hope it was successful.

Rodimus threatening to shoot Ultra Magnus if he couldn’t send backup was a bit of a scene that crept up spur of the moment, but I felt it really turned out well. The inclusion of Prime verse M.A.S.K. was really just a way to expand the Hasbro universe a bit. Hopefully it isn’t too drastically different from the original.

And we finally get Mega/Magmatron vs. Galvatron in the long-awaited confrontation...which will be expanded on in the next chapter as well as the other battles across the globe.

Before I go, I want to give a shoutout to my friend and fellow Jack/Miko shipper Cloud Prince J’onzz on Fanfiction.net. He’s done some good crossover Fics between Transformers Prime and other properties. I highly recommend reading them.

I’ll see you all next month for: The Battle for Autobot City Pt.2

Until then, as always, kudo, subscribe and comment. Bye.

Chapter 55: The Battle for Autobot City Pt.2

Notes:

Hello again everyone, and welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. Alright folks, we have a long chapter ahead of us so buckle up and prepare for the emotional rollercoaster ahead. So, I bid you enjoy, and brace for the whiplash. Oh, I did catch an error in the last chapter. I forgot that Wheeljack was on Cybertron, not Earth. I’ve fixed it since then so no problem.

Shaking his head as he stood back up, the Autobot known as Drift attempted to regain his bearings as the ground shook beneath him. While the Wreckers were managing to keep the Vehicons at bay, Nemesis Prime and Galvatrons’ salvo had sent the unit scrambling as the main gate exploded along with the Vehicons assaulting it. The swordsbot could only be thankful that the drones had no sparks. And therefore, no ability to feel pain.

He had no idea how long he was out, but in the time between the explosion and waking, much had happened. The communications tower was now laying on the ground and several buildings were destroyed that weren’t before. The biggest change however was the reason for both the ground quaking as well as his return to consciousness.

“By the Primes.” Drift whispered as he watched the Titan Fortress Maximus do battle with Trypticon and a horrific looking combiner. Around him, the other Wreckers were beginning to stir.

“Woah!” Bulkhead exclaimed as he looked up at the colossi battling before them. “Who woke the Titan?”

“Hey Kup, ever seen anything like this before?” Rotorstorm asked the elder Wrecker. The old mech had seemingly seen everything else in existence.

“Nope.” Kup admitted as he helped the two young Predacons to their feet. “Never seen anything like it.” The other Wrecker just laughed.

“Had to be a first ti-.” Rotorstorm was cut off as several feet of steel burst through his chest.

“No, STORMY!” Bulkhead cried out as his friend fell to the ground, revealing the arrival of Bludgeon.

“A clash of Titans.” The skeletal samurai began, never taking his empty sockets off the group. “Truly a grand sight to see.” He held his sword at the ready. “As well as your last.”

“You’ll pay for that!” Bulkhead screamed as he charged forth, wrecking balls at the ready. He and Rotorstorm had only recently reconnected only for his and Wheeljacks’ friend to be cut down. He’d turn this skeleton into mummy dust.

Drift realized what was about to happen.

“Bulkhead no! Come back!” But it was too late, Bludgeon emitted a large cloud of black smoke as the charging powerhouse threw a punch at him. A second later there was a sound of metal slicing metal and a yell of pain as Bulkhead pulled back a sparking stump. Bludgeon had severed his arm. The con then darted out of the cloud, swinging his sword again and eliciting another yell of pain as the Wrecker fell backwards and his left leg fell the opposite direction.

“Gone to pieces, eh?” Bludgeon taunted, bringing his word to Bulkheads’ neck. “I shall end your suffering. “Farewell Wrecker scum.” As he went to sever the behemoths’ head, his sword was met by Drifts’. A side kick sent the Decepticon staggering backwards, away from his victim.

“We have unfinished business, Bludgeon.” Drift called to his opponent. “And since when did you serve Unicron willingly?” He demanded.

“Why, balance my foe.” Bludgeon answered as if it were obvious. “Light and darkness must be square.” Seeing movement out of the corner of his optic, the samurai deployed a dark energon kunai on a chain. Spinning it, he was able to deflect several shots from Kup and Springer. “Thus chaos, I serve.” With his last syllable, Bludgeon flung the kunai and chain towards the two, gun wielding Wreckers while using his right wrist to fire several throwing stars at Drift. Fortunately, the kunai missed.

Deflecting the projectiles with his sword, Drift charged forth, locking swords with Bludgeon again. Angling his blade slightly, the Metalikato master spun right, slicing his opponents’ abdomen. Precariously close to where the real Bludgeon resided. A deep gash to his left shoulder being the price he paid for it.

“So, you can be taught.” Bludgeon laughed. “You wish to face my true self? Then I shall oblige.” The swordsbot then surprised everyone by opening his shell to eject his true Mini-con self. The shell then sealed itself before returning to a battle-ready stance again as the Mini-con sped off towards the other Wreckers, dodging their blasts as he ran.

Wheeljack was stunned. How much willpower and focus did one need to control two bodies at once like that? Mindwipe hadn’t been able to do that properly and he’d trained himself for it.

“You like my new trick?” The shell asked. “Two warriors in one whole. Quite the feat, eh?”

Any reply Drift had was interrupted by the injured Rotorstorm launching himself onto the shells’ back. He was leaking energon profusely and in his right servo, was a grenade with the pin pulled. Like Wheeljack, Rotorstorm always kept one on him for emergencies...or if he just felt like blowing something up.

“Burn in the pit, you sneaky little son of a glitch.” The dying Wrecker wheezed. If he was dying today, he wasn’t going out alone.

“Rotorstorm, NO!” Drift yelled.

With a short laugh, Bludgeons’ shell spun in Rotorstorms’ weakened grip and slipped free. Grabbing the Wrecker by the shoulder, he flung him into the side of a wrecked building, causing him to drop the grenade. Deciding to add insult to injury, he kicked the explosive in the direction Rotorstorm had flown. A second later, the grenade went off and several scraps of the deceased Wrecker bounced off his armor.

“With his own weapon.” Bludgeon tutted. “So ends our dear Rotorstorm. Hardly a challenge.” He then brought his sword up to catch Drifts’ again. Out of the corner of his shells’ optics, Bludgeon saw Galvatrons’ Titans emerge onto the battlefield.

This wouldn’t take much longer.

Opposite Drift and his shell, Bludgeons’ inner robot mode dashed around the Wreckers and Predacons, avoiding their gunfire. Most bots tended to forget that outside his shell, Bludgeon was even faster than he was within it.

Stepping right to avoid Springers’ sword, Bludgeon ran up the blade and delivered a slash to the triple changers' chassis with his butterfly sword. Leaping off it, he summersaulted over a stream of fire from Drancron before spinning and slashing the back of Kups’ left leg. The roar of a diesel engine alerted him to the arrival of the Wrecker leader, Ultra Magnus. Transforming into a miniature transport tank, Bludgeon sped towards the Autobot in a game of chicken.

Right as he got close to the Mini-con, Ultra Magnus transformed and deployed his blasters. Bludgeon was faster however and within a split second, the diminutive Decepticon transformed and used his sword to sever the end of Magnus’ left gun as well as his entire right forearm. The commanders’ scream of pain was drowned out by the sound of Fortress Maximus crashing to the ground.

“No, Garrison!” Ultra Magnus called, trying to ignore his own pain.

“Their defenses are broken,” Nemesis Prime called. “Let the slaughter begin!”

Both Bludgeon and his shell grinned simultaneously. This would be a slaughter to remember.

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Panting as he ran through the near literal maze of broken corridors and rubble that Autobot City had become, Rattrap looked back to see if he was still being followed.

“You’re running out of maze, rat.” Ruination called as they smashed through a wall several halls back. Transforming to give his bot mode legs a rest, Rattrap continued to run down the partially demolished corridor. He had to keep Ruinations’ attention until Nightscream and Botanica could handle Tarantulas. Then he could try to free them.

Hearing another wall crash behind him, the Maximal turned his head to see a cloud of dust in the hall he’d just exited. “Scrap, they must’ve found a short cut.” He turned his head forward, only to run headlong into a purple hued energon web. The momentum he had threw the back half of his body upward, sticking him to the web upside-down. Above him, he heard a maniacal cackling.

“Ohh.” Tarantulas called in a singsong voice as he repelled down a line in his spider mode. “The inky dinky spider caught a rat in his web.” The deranged scientist let go of his line and transformed in midair before landing. “The inky dinky spider SHOT OFF THE RODENTS’ HEAD!” He laughed as he pulled a gun and aimed it at Rattrap. After what the boss told him happened to the Vehicon generals, Tarantulas wasn’t taking any chances.

“Scratch one problem, and one snack for me.” The Predacon added, smacking his mandibles like lips. “Any smart-alecky remarks?” Seeing something green move out of the bottom of his eye, Rattrap grinned.

“Yeah.” He replied. “Ready, aim.” The green blurr grew drastically as it dropped from the ceiling. Catching it out of the corner of his optic, Tarantulas turned to see Botanica drop from the ceiling on a vine, weapons aimed at his head.

“Fireweed.” The plant Maximal finished her sons' sentence, unloading two pods of the burning sap into Tarantulas’ face. “Now!” She added, yelling up toward the ceiling as the Predacon yowled in pain. From the ceiling, Nightscream glided down in beast mode and transformed right behind Tarantulas.

“Wanna hear a secret?” The bat Maximal asked rhetorically, ignoring the spiders’ screams. Taking a deep breath, he let loose a sonic scream, sending Tarantulas flying through the wall to the battle outside. “I guess not.”

“Very funny pop.” Rattrap griped as Botanica cut him down from the web. Any further comments were cut off as Ruination burst through the floor in front of them.

“I believe that’s your que. Botanica, MAXIMIZE!” She screamed as she threw up a vine wall to block the dark energon hooks the combiner fired at them. Nodding, Rattrap transformed and leapt to the top of the vine wall and looked Ruination in the optic.

“Ruination, Maximize.” He said loud and clearly enough for them to hear it. They looked at Rattrap in confusion for a moment before their hands flew to their head. The Treppan Trigger alternate Raf implanted in his Jack and Miko activated, allowing the memories of their pasts to resurface. The flood of memories to two thirds of the combiner to break the block on Tankor as well, allowing Raf to remember his past too.

Inside Thrust, Jack Darby finally felt pain for the first time in eons. Not a physical pain, that was still unavailable to him, but a deep emotional pain for a loss that was now eons old. Part of his initial ‘programing’ after being placed in his Vehicon body was his first kill. In his case it was a human woman who kept looking at him with tears in her eyes. Even now, Jack could still feel the squish of his mothers’ body under Thrusts’ foot. And he never even recognized her.

Within Jetstorm, Miko Nakadai felt like she was going to throw up even without a stomach. One of their first missions in their dimension had been to hunt down the remaining Autobots on Earth. By a seeming luck of the draw, she ended up hunting Bulkhead down. The giant Wrecker hadn’t even seen her coming when she blasted him with a pair of missiles. The real sick part of it however was that, as her first kill, she took a trophy of him. Her best friend’s head was now mounted in her hab suite back in their home dimension.

Tankor felt nothing but relief as his memories of Raf Esquivel returned. His plan had worked, albeit not quite how he’d planned. He had already grieved for the friends and family he’d lost as he worked to free Jack and Miko. As the trio separated and lost consciousness, he just hoped that they’d be able to make up for what they’d done here and now.

Watching the three Vehicon generals collapse to the ground unconscious, The trio of Maximals released a collective breath.

“I wasn’t a hundred precent sure that would work.” Rattrap admitted.

“It did though.” Nightscream replied. “And without the generals, the drones should be easier to deal with.”

“To say nothing of these three joining us.” Botanica added. If they truly were Jack, Miko and Raf, then they’d be chomping at the bit to help the Autobots again. “We just might win this.”

The hopeful atmosphere was broken by a thunderous crash that shook the ground. Looking out the hole Tarantulas made, the three saw Fortress Maximus laying backwards on the ground with Scorponok, Trypticon, Abominus and the Necrotitan standing over him. They looked at each other and shared the same sentiment.

“We’re all gonna die.”

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Amid the battle, Agent Charlie Watson was using the Cybertronian electro bazooka she’d affectionately called her ‘stinger’ to shoot down Jet Drones. Nearby, Enrique Esquivel was using the Apex Armor to pulverize any Car or Tank Drones that came near them. Realizing the threat the two posed, more and more drones began swarming on them. Fortunately, they were joined by the Maximal Cheetor who’d evened the odds considerably with his super speed. However, the continuous waves made it impossible for them to move, forcing Cheetor to call for backup.

“Survive is enroute, we just need to hold on a bit.” He was cut off as several drones’ heads exploded from sniper fire. “Never mind.” Cheetor finished as his father landed next to him.

“Let’s bag and tag us some drones!” Survive yelled. He looked at his son with a grin. Cheetor knew what he was going to say next. “Yooo Joe.” And with that the former G.I. Joe member began firing on the enemy alongside his son and the two humans.

“Mr. Fowler was part of G.I. Joe?” Enrique asked before putting the armors’ fist through a Car Drone. When he was Rafs’ age he’d loved reading about the exploits of the special mission's force.

“Long story.” Cheetor answered. “It’s where his codename came from.” He ducked down to avoid a blast from an approaching contingent of Tank drones. Charlie and Survive prepared to take aim at them, but the group turned their guns on the building near them and opened fire, causing the top of the building to fall forward. Down onto the Maximals.

“Oh man, hang on!” Survive yelled, retracting his gun. Running to the other three, he pulled up all the strength he had and caught the building chunk in with his hands. The strain of the buildings’ weight drove him to one knee. A moment later he heard the Tank drones disperse.

“Alright, I’m gonna lift this up.” Survive grunted. “And you three can climb out there.” He gestured to a narrow opening just big enough for them to crawl through. With another grunt, he lifted the building up as much as he could.

“Go.”

Enrique and Charlie bolted for the opening as soon as he gave the word. The former retracted the Apex Armor before making his way out. Had he attempted to help survive the building chunk would’ve broken apart on top of all of them. Seeing the two humans clear, Survive turned to Cheetor.

“Okay Mike, your turn.” He said, arms sagging a bit. The building was heavier than it looked, and his arms were getting tired. Cheetor didn’t move. “Mike?”

“Dad.” The younger Maximal replied. “I can’t.” He moved slightly to show that his right leg was pinned underneath part of what Survive was holding up. An ominous cracking noise indicated that the building part he was holding was coming apart.

Looking at both the opening and his son, William Fowler gauged the distance. Because in this particular scenario, it was a choice between himself and his son.

There was no other choice.

“Mike.” William spoke softly, trying not to cry. “I want you to know that I’m happy I got to know you again after being out of your life for so long.” Realizing what was about to happen Mike Fowlers’ eyes widened.

“No.” He whispered. “Dad, NO!” He yelled trying to pull his leg free himself, but it was stuck tight. His father took a shuddering breath.

“I love you Mikey.” He added. “Survive, MAXIMIZE!”

Pushing his muscles to their maximum size and power, Agent William (Survive) Fowler hefted the large piece of debris upward. It went up a couple dozen feet before it began to fall. Grabbing his son by the shoulder, he gave a mighty heave and flung him out of the way of danger.

Feeling the ground shake slightly, Cheetor turned to look for his father, only to see a trail of energon flowing from the debris pile. Sinking to his knees, Mike Fowler stared at the scene in shock.

“Dad?” He whispered.

“Cheetor, get down.” Agent Watson called as several drones converged on the group again. But he barely heard her. His blood was thundering thorough his ears now. His dad was dead. The man who’d distanced himself from him and his mom to protect them from COBRA. The man who worked to make the world a safer place, was gone. Mike stood back up.

“Cheetor, MAXIMIZE!”

With that, the Maximal took off like a shot. Using his swords and speed he reduced several car drones to ribbons in a moment before cleaving a Tank Drones head off and taking a leap to sever the wing off a Jet drone. He would not stop until the enemy had paid for his loss a thousand-fold. As he lifted the two humans into his arms to take them to safety, he couldn’t help repeating his dads’ war cry.

“Yoo, JOE!”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Galvatron grinned as he heard Nemesis Primes’ command. He knew that if he was going to enact any form of treachery on Unicron, it would have to be when the chaos bringers’ avatar was preoccupied with battle. His musings were interrupted when Tarantulas stumbled into him, his vision finally returning after his Fireweed shower.

“I am having rodent soup and a spicy side salad for dinner tonight.” He yelled out loud.

“Then I suggest you retrieve the seeder for this site.” Galvatron replied. “The sooner Unicron is free, the sooner we can enjoy the spoils of our victory.” In truth, he knew the mad scientist Predacon was loyal to Unicron and would blow the whistle on him in less than a nanosecond.

“Fine.” Tarantulas grumbled. “But if anyone kills those three before me.” He left the threat open as he transformed into his motorcycle mode and sped away. Ruination would have to hold their own.

Galvatron turned back towards the battle only to have to duck a blast from a fusion cannon. Looking to his left, he saw Magmatron emerging from the rubble pile, cannon leveled at him.

“Oh, really Megatron.” The Anti-Prime began nonchalantly. “Surely even you can understand when you’ve been beaten.”

“And if you ever bothered to study Decepticon history.” Magmatron countered. “You would know that I am at my most dangerous when I appear to have been beaten.”

“Hmm, perhaps.” Galvatron admitted. “But new body or not.” He continued, leveling the Spear of Zarak at him. “You cannot hope to best one powered by both a god and a Titan. No.” Charging the spear, he let loose a wave of purple lightning at his opponent.

Magmatron grit his dentia.

“I have been beating worse odds.” He bit out through the pain. “All my life.” He flung the Skyboom shield at Galvatron, forcing him to break off his attack and leap skyward to avoid the Prime weapon. The Predacon retaliated by firing a continuous beam from his fusion cannon at Magmatron who caught his shield just in time to deflect the beam over his opponent's head.

Galvatron increased the power in his attack. Had he been paying attention; he’d have noticed that Magmatron had angled his shield so that the beam cut a sweeping arc above his head. The Anti-Prime prepared to call out a snide remark when a burning jet drone whizzed past him. Cutting his cannon off, he turned to see a squadron of burning drones coming right at him. Magmatron had used his own attack to whittle down his aerial forces.

Turning to the blazing onslaught, Galvatron aimed both cannon and spear at the dying drones and opened fire, obliterating the burning projectiles midair. Turing back to Magmatron, the Predacon leader ended up catching a face full of fire from the Skysaur. This was followed by both his left arm and the Spear of Zarak becoming encased in a thick layer of ice from Seasaur while Landsaur fired on Galvatrons exposed back with the fusion cannon.

As Galvatron crashed to the ground, the dinosaur trio reassembled into Magmatron. Charging forward, the former Decepticon leader slammed the edge of his shield into the upstarts’ chest, exposing the Dark Matrix. With a mighty heave, Magmatron threw Galvatron into the pile of rubble he’d been buried in moments ago. Unfortunately, he still had a frozen grip on his spear.

As Magmatron prepared to fire on Galvatron while he was down, a large shadow covered the battlefield. Fearing a moment that Trypticon or one of the other Titans had decided to attack him personally, he turned to see the shadow was caused by what looked like a copy of the Ark the Autobots used to flee Cybertron all those millions of years ago. A moment later a large golden bird separated for it and placed itself between the city and Galvatrons’ Titans. The ship circled the battle before a second ship exited the Ark.

There was only one bot in Magmatrons’ mind who could be behind this.

“Prime.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Above the wreckage of Autobot City, Nemesis Prime observed the arrival of both the ship and the Titan on top of it. Apparently, his Vehicons hadn’t cut off communications fast enough and the Autobots had successfully called in reinforcements. In his possessed spark, Nemesis felt a very familiar presence. More specifically many of them. It could mean only one thing.

The thirteen Primes had returned.

Looking back to the battlefield, the avatar of Unicron saw a Dark Energon seeder being ejected from Trypticon and Tarantulas arriving to meet it.

“It doesn't matter.” Nemesis Prime said to himself. His freedom was all but guaranteed now.

“Let them come.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Omega Supremes’ docking bay Optimus Prime surveyed the battle above Autobot City.

He could already see the battle was not going well for their side. At least if Trypticon, Scorponok, the Necrotitan and the abomination Galvatron created standing over the downed Maximus was any indication.

“Magnus.” Prime growled at the sight. He’d specifically told his second in command not to meddle with the Titan that was their base. Now their forces were left with the minimal shelter they’d built around him. A shudder of the ship followed by a screeching cry indicated that Chela had disengaged from Omega to join the fray.

“She’s going to try to buy us time.” Arcee called, confirming his hunch.

Giving a nod, Optimus turned back to the battle. The bulk of the Autobot forces were engaging an endless horde of Vehicon drones. On his left however, he saw Defensor struggling against both Monstructor and the Horrorcons’ pretender shells. Curiously, the other side of the base had seemingly little activity.

“Circle around Omega!” He called to the Autobot Titan. As the colossal ship encircled the base, Optimus turned to his troops.

“Dinobots, assist Defensor! Destroy Monstructor!” Prime called over the winds.

“Me Grimlock love challenge.” The Dinobot leader called back before turning to his team. “We go.” He noticed that Deathsaur hadn’t moved. “You too.” He added to the former Decepticon and Autobot hacker.

“Us?” Deathsaur replied. “We aren’t.”

“You Sparkstalker made into this by Shockwave.” Grimlock argued. “You count. And me know you two package deal.” He finished, indicating Lightbright. There was a moments’ pause.

“Ready when you are.”

“Be careful Slash.” Mach Hoof whispered to her girlfriend.

“You too Allie.” The Dinobot replied, giving her a quick kiss before joining the others at the open doors.

“Alright Dinobots.” Grimlock called. “Let’s go!” On his command the six mechs and two femmes leapt from the ship, freefalling towards Monstructor.

As he watched them go, Nexus Prime contemplated something. It’d be a shame to let such combiner material go to waste.

“All other flight capable bots, this is your stop.” Optimus called next. “Everyone else, onto the Axalon so Omega can transform.” They needed both their Titans on the battlefield to even the score. Hearing this, Nexus separated into a trio of bots who transformed into air modes and took off.

“Alright blokes.” Jetfire called before transforming. “Time to get out there and tell em G’day.”

“I’m going to help Maximus.” WIngsaber announced, stowing the Forge Hammer into her pouch.

“Take care of yourself Miko.” Leo Primal warned.

“I can, Jack.” She replied. “So long as you do.” The two kissed before the femme transformed into her falcon mode. She walked over to where Blitzwing and Whirl were about to jump into battle.

“Alright you two let’s do it!” Wingsaber called as she flapped out the door. “Geronimo!”

“Well.” Blitzwing added, watching his sister drop out of sight. “Since she took the obvious name, Sitting Bull!” He called cannonballing out the door and transforming into his jet mode.

Not to be outdone, Whirl jumped out of the door and transformed. “Pocahontas!”

“Imbeciles.” Starscream grumbled as he flew out after them. Out of the corner of his optic he saw Scourge take wing towards the battle. Most likely in search of his charges.

Watching the last of the flyers take off, Optimus boarded the Axalon.

“T-AI, take off.” Prime ordered. “Set us down on the road to the city.”

“And away we go.” The ships’ A.I. replied, firing the engines and exiting Omega Supreme.

Sensing that his passengers were clear and the Insecticon hive was still secure, Omega turned to join Chela in battling the Titans aiding the forces of Unicron. Hovering just to the left of the fallen Fortress Maximus, Omega Supreme transformed into his colossal robot mode and stared down the giants of Unicrons’ forces.

No matter how formidable they appeared, they would not prevail.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monstructor grinned at the damaged form of Defensor. Between them and the shells, they’d managed to wear the Protectobot combiner down enough that he couldn’t form a shield anymore. A few more well-placed blows would shatter him completely and allow them to pick the first responders off one by one. Just as they were about to sic the shells on him one last time a battle cry rent the air.

“Dinobots, transform!”

Monstructor looked up in time to catch a Nucleon charged tail to their face. Temporarily blinded, they were unprepared for a burst of fire to their right leg followed by a blow from a large tail sending them to one knee. Vision clearing, they looked and saw Deathsaur and the Dinobots standing between them and Defensor. An unfamiliar white raptor stepped forward.

“Press attack.” Grimlock ordered as Monstructor dodged one of Swoops’ blasts. “Keep off balance.” Transforming, the Maximal styled Dinobot fired a blast from his visor at their opponent's other leg.

“The only balance here.” The dark combiner retorted, standing up as their legs healed. “Will be the one we create by destroying all in my path. No heroes, no villains, only the void of death.”

“Then we shall, preserve life.” Defensor groaned, struggling to his feet. “At all costs.”

“Not on your own.” Came a new voice.

Above the combatants, a trio of flyers remerged back into Nexus Prime. Landing heavily, he aimed the Chaos Edge at Deathsaur as the Enigma of combination glowed. A moment later, Deathsaurs’ optics glowed magenta alongside Slug, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop and Slashs’. As the group began to contort and combine, Monstructor realized what was happening.

“No!” They yelled. “We will not allow it!” They attempted to attack the forming combiner alongside the shells only to be met with a forcefield from Defensor. With a roar of rage, the dark combiner shattered the shield, forcing the Protectobots to separate.

They were too late, however.

“Mosazaur, LIVES!” The Neo Dinobot combiner called to the heavens.

“No.” Monstructor corrected, igniting their death touch. “You DIEEEEE!” Their attack was halted by Grimlock taking a leap onto their shoulder and driving his sword into the side of their head. With a scream of pain, Monstructor shook the Dinobot leader off them with jerk of their shoulders.

“You no destroy Mosazaur!” Grimlock yelled at the dark combiner. “Me Grimlock destroy YOU!” He let loose a blast from his visor right into the snarling combiners’ chest, driving them backwards. A moment later Monstructor was burning and convulsing as Mosazaur let loose a dual blast of fire and Nucleon thunder at the abomination.

“Come on team.” Hotspot called, drawing his guns. “Lay some cover fire, keep those shells off them.” The weakened, but unbeaten Protectobots began firing on Monstructor and their shells.

Seeing the tide of this skirmish turning, Nexus Prime nodded. Taking off again, he spilt into a jet, two helicopters and a tank and headed for the center of Autobot City. Looking up, he saw a stealth drone flying towards him. Nexus felt a good feeling come over him.

He had more combiners to forge today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeing his objective, Soundwave flew to the legendary first combiner. He’d been surprised to see these events unfold in the Shadow Zone, but it made sense. Without the knowledge of someone like Shockwave, the merger he required would need to be done by him.

“If I still had ears, they’d be burning.” The disembodied senator quipped. Ignoring the dead scientist (“Hey!”) Soundwave approached Nexus Prime.

“Need backup little one?” Nexus asked the communications officer. Shaking his head, Soundwave used his mask do display a basic equation. An image of him, a plus symbol and the resonance blaster he had in his right servo. “You want me to merge that to you?” He asked in surprised.

Soundwave nodded and then decided to sweeten the pot. Opening a pair of spacebridge portals, the battles at Chernobyl and Nagasaki appeared. In them, Nexus saw new opportunities. Giving a nod, Nexus looked at Soundwave.

“Very well.” He replied. Charging his enigma, he tapped the Chaos Edge to Soundwaves’ arm, watching as it combined with the blaster in his hand. “And now.” He added, turning to the portals. He pointed his sword at them and a beam of the Enigma of Combinations’ energy lanced through both and connected before the portals winked out of existence.

“That should.” Nexus began, intending to thank the small Decepticon only to stop as he realized Soundwave had disappeared.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In low orbit, Soundwave opened several spacebridge portals to the lost Cybertronian colonies that he knew still existed. Aiming his arm, he used the Resonance Blaster to send an encoded signal pulse to each of them. Within the pulses, were an explanation of the situation at hand, the schematics for a space bridge portal, and the current coordinates for Cybertron. To beat Unicron, Soundwave knew ALL of Primus’ children must reunite to stop him.

“The chaos bringer shall be ended.” The specter of Lugnut assured him. “For the glory of all, he shall fall.”

Turning back to the Earth again, Soundwave ejected Laserbeak before pointing to the battle below. The Mini-Con seemed to hesitate before floating up to his friend and giving his face mask a gentle nuzzle before turning to leave.

“I hate to admit it.” The ghost of Trailbreaker began as Laserbeak flew back to Autobot City. “But for a Con, you have your good moments.”

“He understands what he must do.” The deceased Yoketron replied. “This is a path he must now tread alone.”

“Not alone my twin.” His equally dead twin Banzai-Tron countered. “We shall tread this path with him. Till the very end.”

Transforming, Soundwave began to take a separate trajectory back to the battle. He knew his part in this battle and by extension, his fate. He knew he would die this day.

He would die so that future generations would live.

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Soaring through the air, Wingsaber dodged around both Autobot and Vehicon alike, making her way to the downed Fortress Maximus. Flying towards the Titans’ face, she felt the presence of a Jet Drone behind her. Her feeling was confirmed when said drone began firing on her.

“Not today Miko Knockoff.” She called going into a dive. Coming up to the face of the Titan, WIngsaber could swear that Maximus was looking at her directly. Putting that thought aside for the moment, she focused on where she knew the interior of the Titans’ skull began. In a burst of burgundy, she teleported into the Titans’ head. The echoing bang of the drone hitting the forehead making her smirk in satisfaction. At least, as much as she could with a beak.

Flapping along the brain of Maximus, Wingsaber noticed a familiar looking engine lodged into a strange looking component lodged into the gigantic brain. Transforming to take a closer look, she smelled blood coming from it.

“Mr. Blackrock?!” Wingsaber exclaimed. She placed a finger into the engine, where she knew the man's neck would be in this mode. There was no pulse.

“No.” She whispered. Sierra and Allison would be heartbroken. Shaking herself out of her shock, Wingsaber realized that Maximus was still trying to move, but without Blackrock to complete the circuit, he was immobile. She knew what she had to do.

“I’m sorry.” Wingsaber whispered as she drew her Forge hammer. Doing this would indeed restore Fortress Maximus properly, but it would deprive her friends the chance to bury their father. As the turbines of the forge began to spin, the reborn Prime had a thought. Maybe she could ensure that the memory of Garrison Bennet Blackrock would live on. Albeit in an unusual way.

With a mighty swing, the Forge Hammer struck the corpse of G.B. Blackrock. Scrunching up her nose to block out the smell of flesh transmuting into circuitry, Wingsaber watched as a pulse of energy traveled from the module, across the now fully active brain, and into his body proper. Feeling the shudder of the Titan around her beginning to move.

Teleporting out of Maximus’ head and transforming, Wingsaber watched as the energy pulse from her hammer traveled across the Titan. As it went, the damage Maximus had sustained in combat healed and vanished, culminating in the repair and reignition of the Master Sword.

Brow narrowing in concentration for the first time in millions of years, the Titan Fortress Maximus gave a growl as he hefted himself back up. The noise stunned the collective Titans and Abominus as maximus stared down the ones who’d hurt him. A familiar cry lifted the Titans spark as Chela came to rest on her brothers’ shoulder while Omega Supreme nodded in welcome to his fellow Titan. Looking at Scorponok, Maximus could tell that his brother wished he was standing with them and not against them.

Hopefully his new friends could free his brother from whatever was controlling him.

Watching as the Titans resumed their battle with Maximus in tow, Wingsaber turned and saw another sight that made her spark seize. Bludgeon was systemically taking the Wreckers apart and even from here she could see that at least one bot was dead. Fearing for Bulkheads’ safety she made a divebomb for the battle, not knowing that two other Primes were enroute to them.

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Once the Axalon landed safely, Optimus Prime and his forces observed the battle going on around them. Maximus was now back in the fight but one extra Titan wouldn’t be enough.

“Unicron must be stopped.” Optimus announced solemnly.

“No matter the cost.” Leo Primal added. Sharing a nod, the collective Autobots transformed and sped into the city. Once past the gate, the Throttlebots and Rhinox split off from the group. Not long after that, Wheeljack headed for the main gate where the rest of the Wreckers were. This left the two with Arcee and Kumara.

Rounding a corner, the group were met by a squadron of Vehicon cars. Hitting the gas, Optimus blared his horn to get their attention before crushing half of them under his wheels. Meanwhile Leo Primal engaged his thrustors and used his claws to slash apart another pair while Kumara balanced on Arcees’ vehicle and took out several more with her web throwing stars.

Clearing the downed Car Drones, the quartet was soon met by a contingent of Tank Drones. Igniting the thrustors in the back of his vehicle mode, Optimus used part of a demolished building as a ramp to launch himself into the air. Transforming upside down, he leveled his Ion Blaster at the tops of the drones and fire twice, hitting them squarely in the tops of their heads. Landing behind them in bot mode he fired twice more destroying an additional two.

Taking a great leap, Leo Primal jumped onto the head of another drone. Transforming, he used his claws, he severed the tank cannon before jamming them through its’ visor into its’ brain. While he knew the Mini-Cons Miko made him were close by, he wasn’t going to use the Requiem Blaster until it was absolutely necessary. Suddenly, a blast from a fusion cannon tore right through the wall on their right, headed straight for Arcee and Kumara. Eyes wide, Leo Primal leapt off the drone and into action.

“Leo Primal, Maximize!” The Maximal leader called.

The fusion blast began to circle around him. Looking up, he saw a squad of Jet Drones coming in for an attack. With a gesture of his hand, he sent the fusion blast at them, obliterating the squadron. Looking at where the blast came from, the group took off towards the source.

They knew that Galvatron was nearby.

--------------------------------------------------------------

“Throttlebots, transform and roll for it.” Goldbug called as he sped through the city. His new team formed up on the speeding muscle car, joined by a surprise member.

“Room for one more?” Rhinox asked as he crashed through a car drone foolish enough to stand in their way. He knew Enrique was with Agent Watson and despite knowing his full heritage, still worried for his brother.

“Plenty partner.” Goldbug laughed as he dodged a Jet Drone Glowstrike had shot out of the sky.

“Then let’s go get your lady love.” Sideswipe teased, transforming and unloading his guns on the head of a Tank drone. Next to him, Strongarm transformed and took his hand. With a heave, the femme flung Sideswipe skyward, allowing him to shoot down another two Jet drones.

“Don’t tease the commander.” She reprimanded her favorite Autobot. A rolling blue and white ball spun past the group and bashed its’ way into two Car a Jet and a Tank drone before it stopped and transformed into Power Hug.

“Weel, whit ur we waiten fer?” The Scotsman called as he sliced a Car Drones’ blasters off before impaling it with his sword. “We got us uh luv connection ahn a family reunion to get teh. Les mek it so.”

“Where did you find this guy?” Rhinox asked his partner and brother. Goldbug was about to respond when they saw their loved ones being assaulted by a squadron of Tank Drones. Charlie was using the Stinger to hold some of them back while Enrique was using the Apex Armor again.

Speeding up, Goldbug and Rhinox transformed. The rest of the Throttlebots hot on their heels.

“Rhinox, Maximize!” The Maximal called, unleashing streams of energy at a pair of drones, cutting them in half. Goldbug then used one that was downed as a springboard to leap up and drive his sword into a third drones' head.

“Goldbug!”

“Hermano!”

“Where is your backup?” Rhinox called as Enrique hugged him, squashing him slightly with the armor.

“We sent him to help elsewhere.” Agent Watson called as she resumed fire, working in tandem with Glowstrike to bring down a strafing Jet Drone. “He had some anger to work out after.” She trailed off.

“Charlie?”

“Agent Fowler sacrificed himself to save Cheetor.” She admitted. Goldbug and Rhinox were stunned. The G.I. Joe turned Maximal had always seemed like he’d go on forever. He reminded the former of Kup that way.

“Then e’ died eh eros’ death fur a worthy cause.” Power Hug called. “Weh nee te make is sacrifice coun.”

“Woah, rolling roach.” Enrique said in amazement.

“Name’s Power Hug.”

“Leo Primal, Maximize!” A blast from a fusion cannon soared over their heads and vaporized a squadron of Jet Drones.

“I think Optimus and Primal may need backup.” Goldbug called to Rhinox.

“You brought Prime too? Perfect.” Charlie called out triumphantly.

“I’m on it.” Rhinox replied, picking up on what his partner was thinking. Transforming back into beast mode he turned to Enrique. “Stay safe.”

“You too Hermano.” Enrique called as his brother charged back into the breach. He couldn’t help feeling proud of little Raffy. He may have been the youngest Esquivel, but he always did have the biggest heart.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Drift grunted and shook his head from Bludgeons latest blow. A clang followed by a sudden lightheadedness revealed that his helmet had broken and fallen off, exposing the hair like cerebral paneling underneath which ended in a short ponytail at the back of his skull.

“You’re a true challenge.” The skeletal samurai admitted. “A pity this bout must end. Unto the next one.” He went to charge the injured Wrecker again, only to be forced to dodge when Bulkheads’ severed leg was thrown at him.

“You ain’t finished with me yet.” The injured behemoth growled, dragging himself forward with his one good arm.

“Bulkhead, stay down!” Drift yelled, only for Bludgeon to wrap his kunai and chain around the swordsbot and fling him into the charging Ultra Magnus.

“If you insist then.” He began, advancing on the double amputee. “A little warm up, I think. Farewell, behemoth.” Bludgeon went to sever Bulkheads'’ head when a pair of swords caught his own.

“Hands off the Wrecker.” Wheeljack called, catching the samurai off guard. “This is why you shouldn’t work without me Bulkie, you go all to pieces.” He added to his friend.

“Jackie!” Bulkhead exclaimed, thrilled to see his friend back by his side.

“Bulk, slash and bash, NOW!” Wheeljack called. He angled his swords slightly and spun slashing the pretender shell in the side and distracting it. Through the pain, the next thing Bludgeon saw was the other Wreckers wrecking ball fist coming at him.

 

On the other side of the battlefield, the inner Bludgeon had just finished off the late arriving Topspin and Twin Twist. Turning, he began to stalk towards where Kup was shooting at him, keeping himself between the assassin and the young Predacons who were now injured as well.

“Okay kids.” Kup panted, ignoring the pain coming from where is left optic used to be not even half an hour ago. “When I give the word, run for it.”

“We’re not leaving you Kup.” Drancron rebutted. He and Razorbeast were determined to help the Wreckers, regardless of the opponent. Razorbeast growled in agreement in beast mode as he once more tried to immolate their enemy only for him to dodge the stream of fire.

“I’m keeping you kids safe.” Kup hissed. “Springer, now! You go low, I go high!” The green and yellow triple changer swung his sword at the Mini-Con, forcing him to leap into the air. This gave Kup the opportunity to open fire with his laser musket.

Spinning in midair to avoid the blasts, Bludgeon flung one of his butterfly swords at Kup, impaling him in his upper arm. On his way down, he slashed Springers’ fist with the other and watched as his sword clattered to the ground along with his now severed fingers. Leaping forward, Bludgeon grabbed the sword embedded in Kups’ arm and gave it a twist, sending the old mech to his knees in pain before pulling it out and slashing his chest with the other one. Turning back to the retreating Predacons, who were trying to look braver than they felt, Bludgeon charged them.

Only for Scourge to slam down on top of him from above in beast mode crushing his legs in the process. Before he could even process what had happened, the true Predacon leader plucked him up in his jaw and shook him like a ragdoll before throwing him into his shell which was flying away from Bulkhead, Wheeljack and Drift. The two collided and crumpled to the ground, dazed, but not out. Scourge transformed and greeted his charges.

“I see you two have been busy.” He smirked at his younglings. Razorbeast and Drancron transformed and ran to Scourge, grabbing onto him in a tight hug. “I take it they weren’t any trouble?” Scourge asked the bewildered Kup.

“THEY weren’t trouble.” Kup admitted, eyeing Bludgeon as he climbed back into his shell.

“I see.” Scourge replied. Out of the corner of his optic, he saw two of his siblings arrive. Nodding he turned back to the injured Wreckers. “I don’t see this one being a problem much longer. However, I need my charges help to deal with the abomination Galvatron forged from my fallen brethren.”

The Predacon trio then combined into Tripredacus, the Triptych Mask taking residence upon his face and flew off to aid against Abominus.

Bludgeon shook his head and stood back up. While he’d been able to control both his bodies easily enough, the two of them being successfully attacked at once threw him for a moment. Vision clearing, he looked for the Predacon only for the sound of someone clearing their throat to catch his attention. Turning, he saw an orange and silver mech the height of his true self.

“Care to try an opponent of a slightly higher caliber?” Rung asked.

“Higher caliber?” Bludgeon asked. “Surely you jest Mini-Con. Hardly a challenge.”

Rung scowled at Bludgeon. That seemed rather hypocritical considering what he’d seen this Mini-con do both within and without his shell. Drawing the Star Saber, Rung saw the stunned samurais’ jaw drop at the sight of the blade.

“Judge me, by my size, do you?” Rung asked feeling some of the confidence he’d once felt as Prima. In his peripheral, he saw Wingsaber arrive and transform. He needed to keep Bludgeon busy.

Without another word Bludgeon charged forward, swinging his sword downward as Rung spun to avoid it. Keeping up the onslaught, the samurai kept slashing at his opponent while the reborn Prima deflected his blade with the Star Saber over and over, increasing his ire. Changing tactics, Bludgeon fired his kunai and chain at Rung who simply spun and with a downward slash, severed the chain before continuing the spin and releasing an energy wave at his opponent.

Growling in irritation, Bludgeon generated a large cloud of black smoke from his shell, obscuring the area around the two combatants. Sensing a sneak attack, Rung spun with the Star Saber, creating a ring of energy before pushing it outward, dissipating the smoke and exposing the airborne Bludgeon swinging his sword down at his neck. Leaping up to meet him, the reborn Prime rolled out of the way of the attack and gave a slash of his own, slicing the pretender shell from shoulder to hip exposing the Mini-Con within.

Grunting in pain as he landed, Bludgeon felt several blasts pass over his head. Turning, he saw that Rung had landed in front of the Wreckers. More concerningly, the injuries he’d dealt to them were healed. Near Bulkhead and Wheeljack, he saw the Maximal swordsfemme holding the Forge of Solus Prime. All of them had weapons trained on the Metalikato master.

“It does not matter.” Bludgeon growled, raising his sword again. “I neutralized you all once. I can do so twieee.” He was cut off as several feet of sword erupted through his abdomen, skewering both shell and Mini-Con. Behind him, Drift forced Bludgeon to his knees.

“This.” Drift panted. “Is for my masters, and all the others you’ve cut down over the years.” Pulling his sword upward, the Autobot samurai sliced up through his opponents’ shoulder before bringing it down on his left one, slicing the Decepticons’ energon reservoir and causing an explosion. Looking up, Drift saw master Yoketrons’ helmet falling back down to earth.

Catching the helmet as it fell, Drift placed it on his head, replacing the one Bludgeon had destroyed in battle. The sound of applause startled him a bit before realizing it was coming from the other Wreckers. Even Ultra Magnus was nodding in approval. Placing his fist in his palm, Drift bowed before his fellow Wreckers.

“Rung, Wingsaber.” Magnus spoke to the two over the applause. “How did you get those Prime artifacts to work for you so well?” Renewed laser fire drew his attention back to the battle at hand. “Never mind, I’ll ask later.”

“Go find Jack and Raf.” Rung whispered to Miko. “I’ll help out here.” Nodding, she focused on her lover and vanished in a burgundy flash.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Soaring through the air and dodging blasts from Titans on both sides, Tripredacus sought out Abominus. Realizing how Galvatron had desecrated the graves of Predacons past, they knew the monsters’ existence could not be allowed to continue. Seeing his target, he scanned it with the Triptych mask. Through the artifact, they could see that both the power and brain of Abominus was within its’ chest.

Giving a roar, Tripredacus flew up behind Abominus and unleashed a fiery barrage as they flew up its’ back. While it didn’t truly hurt the abomination, it did feel the attack and turned to face them unleashing a fiery attack of its’ own. Ducking down to dodge the dark energon fire Abominus unleashed, Tripredacus flew forward at full speed, aiming right for its’ chest. Right at the exposed Hun-Gurr.

Using his fire attack to soften his target, Tripredacus tackled Hun-Gurr at high speed. This caused her now crystalline arms and legs to snap off as they crashed out through Abominus’ back. Once outside the twisted combiner, Hun-Gurr attempted to bite and claw at Tripredacus with her stumps. Shaking his head in pity for this blighted spark, the Predacon combiner heaved her earthward with all his might. Hun-Gurr gave an unearthly shriek as she fell to her doom, shattering into a thousand shards of dark energon upon impact.

Without Hun-Gurr to act as both power source and a guiding intelligence for it, Abominus simply stopped moving on the battlefield. As the glow of dark energon began to fade, Omega Supreme took the opportunity to demolish it with several well-placed shots before reengaging with Scorponok again.

Seeing the affront to all Predacons was destroyed. Tripredacus gave a roar of victory that sounded throughout the entire area before soaring back to the city. There were other enemies to hunt after all.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in center of Autobot City, Magmatron absorbed another fusion blast from Galvatron before returning it with a thrust of his shield. Growling in frustration, the Anti-Prime decided to change tactics slightly. Using his right hand, he aimed the spear of Zarak at Magmatron and let lose another bolt of lightning at him. When his opponent used the Skyboom shield to deflect it, Galvatron fired his fusion cannon. Thinking quickly, Magmatron fired his own fusion cannon.

The two beams met in midair. Galvatron sneered at Magmatron. Under the dual onslaught after such a prolonged battle, he knew his predecessor wouldn’t last for much longer. At least that’s what he thought before a thread of spider webbing connected with the spear.

“What?” He yelled before the thread ripped the Spear of Zarak out of his hand. This action inadvertently broke the stalemate between him and Magmatron causing the latter's beam to strike the former in the chest, sending him flying backwards. As he crashed to the ground, he heard a distinctly human word.

“Yoink!”

Staggering back up as he healed, Galvatron looked where the spear had flown and almost immediately saw red. There, standing before him, was his wretched twin and her new ‘sister’. In the hand of the latter, was his spear.

Holding the Spear of Zarak close to her chest, Kumara reached out with her spark to the Titan. The corrupted energon of Blackarachnia seemed to smoke and dissipate as Scorponoks’ true speaker reclaimed his relic. Looking up at the now confused looking Titan and took a calming breath.

“Scorponok, stop.” She spoke softly. There was a moment of nothing before Kumara felt a joyous warmth spread throughout her being. Scorponok ceased his attack on Omega Supreme and looked at her before smiling. Through their link, Kumara sensed his relief at being free.

“Help them.” She added, gesturing to Omega, Maximus and Chela. Nodding, Scorponok turned and fired on Trypticon while striking the Necrotitan with his pincer. Overhead, Chela gave a cry of joy at having her brother back.

Now fully healed, Galvatron made to charge the femmes only for a shot to cut him off. Turning to his right, he observed Optimus Prime walking towards him, Ion Blaster leveled at his head. He went to fire on the Prime only for the light to dim for a brief moment before another shot hit the ground by his foot. Turning around, he watched as Leo Primal stalked towards him with the Requiem Blaster. A second afterward, Wing Saber and Rhinox appeared on either side of the Maximal leader.

He was surrounded.

“Seven against one?” Galvatron began, looking around to make sure no one was waiting to ambush him. “Hardly seems fair... to you.” He taunted.

“No.” Came a new voice from overhead. “Not seven against one.”

Looking up, Optimus glared at his own twisted mirror image.

Nemesis Prime had entered the fray.

“I have the situation in hand.” Galvatron grit out.

“Clearly, my Anti-Prime.” Nemesis replied in a flat, unamused tone. “What with how difficult it was to subdue a lone combatant.”

“Prime?” Magmatron asked, looking at both Optimus and Nemesis. The similarities were uncanny.

“Megatron.” Optimus greeted. Despite his drastically altered appearance, Optimus still recognized his former friend. “Before you is an avatar of Unicron forged in my image.” He explained

“I see.” The former leader of the Decepticons replied. “And I call myself Magmatron now.”

“It doesn't matter right now.” Leo Primal interrupted, keeping the Requiem Blaster trained on Galvatron. While Nemesis Prime as Unicrons’ avatar may have been the bigger threat, Galvatron had targeted his family multiple times. However, with both Optimus and Magmatron had their weapons locked on Nemesis, he felt safe in doing so.

Magmatron eyed the weapons the Maximals held. While he recognized the Forge Hammer and Chimera Stone two of them held, the third eluded him. The blast it fired felt familiar, but no, it couldn’t be the Requiem Blaster.

“Tell me Prime.” Magmatron asked, not taking his eyes of Nemesis as he landed. “Did you declare them Primes so that they could use their relics?”

“About that.” Rhinox began. This was going to be good.

“We don’t need Optimus’ permission to use our own things.” Wingsaber replied coyly, holding up her hammer. The turbines within began to spin in preparation for the battle.

“This is not the time to joke.” Magmatron growled.

“Hardly a joke.” Nemesis Prime called as he stared down the four Primes. “It is hard to forget the ones who put you into stasis for millions of years. Least of all the blaster that scarred me so.” He taunted, looking directly at Leo Primal.

Unwillingly, the pieces of the puzzle began to come together in Magmatrons’ mind. It seemed impossible, but if what they were saying was true then the Maximals he helped create were connected to the thirteen original Primes. Then it hit him, when the Enigma of Combination overrode their reformatting process, it may have been responding to the siblings of its’ owner, Nexus Prime. Looking at the Maximals again, he noticed the artifacts they were holding.

‘Solus.’ He thought, seeing Wingsaber with the Forge Hammer.

‘Micronus.’ Rhinox holding the Chimera Stone.

He turned to Leo Primal. More specifically the blaster he was holding. Thinking for a moment about the dimming of the light before it was fired, he realized that he had felt that once before. Used that weapon once before. And if that was indeed the Requiem Blaster, then the boy that spared him in the mine could only be.

“Megatronus?” Magmatron whispered. Could this fleshling turned Maximal truly be the Fallen? The Prime he’d idealized and first named himself after? A slight nod from said Maximal was all the confirmation he received.

Magmatrons’ jaw dropped in shock.

“However.” Nemesis Prime continued glaring at the three Maximal Primes in particular. “I am in a position to return the favor, and end the threat their existence presents, permanently.” He added landing in front of them.

His path was blocked as both Optimus Prime and Magmatron moved between him and the Maximals.

“If they are who you say they are.” Magmatron glared at the avatar. “Then I would be honored to fight alongside them.” It wasn’t much, but if it meant atoning for his past, he would happily perish defending the thirteen. He only hoped Transmutate would forgive him if that happened.

“As if you know anything of honor.” Galvatron taunted stepping next to Nemesis Prime. “But we shall destroy you all, yes.”

“No.” Nemesis interrupted. “Megatron and Optimus are mine. The lesser Primes however.” Leo Primal Wingsaber and Rhinox bristled a bit at being referred to as ‘lesser Primes’ but stayed ready.

“Very well.” Galvatron replied. “Let us end this. Yes.” He turned and fired on the Maximal trio.

“Leo Primal, maximize!” The Maximal leader called. Taking Galvatrons’ blast, he redirected it into the ground in front of the Anti-Prime. When the dust cleared, the Predacon general was faced with Magnaboss. The Forge hammer was in their grip and the Requiem Blaster strapped to their back. The Chimera Stone sat in the center of their sparks in their chest.

“Galvatron.” Magnaboss began as Kumara and Arcee ran to join them. “This is your last chance. Surrender, let us free you.”

“Please Galavar.” Arcee pleaded with her brother. Despite everything, she still felt that maybe her twin could be saved. From both Unicron and himself.

“What?” Galvatron laughed. “Surrender on the threshold of victory and ultimate power?” He sneered at the trio before him. “Allow me to free you all. From existence!” He fired his fusion cannon at them, forcing them to scatter.

Magnaboss leapt high into the air. Raising the Forge Hammer, they attempted to bring it down on Galvatron’s head, only for him to raise his shield and deflect the blow. This left his left side open for Kumara to slash his left side with the Spear of Zarak. Using the distraction, Arcee unloaded her blaster into her brothers’ fusion cannon. Giving a roar of fury, he transformed into dragon mode and breathed a stream of fire at Magnaboss.

Transforming into wolf mode, Arcee bounded up Galvatrons’ back and sank her teeth into his long neck. Thrashing about, the dragon attempted to throw his sister off him before a ball of webbing hit him in the eyes, blinding him. Reaching behind him with his tail, Galvatron seized Arcee around the middle and threw her off him. Changing back to bot mode, he trained his cannon on Kumara, only for Magnaboss to slam the Forge of Solus Prime down on his shoulder, transmuting the hydraulic fluid of the joints in his right arm into solid lead. His arm was stuck in firing position until the dark energon could undo the damage.

Near the fighting Maximals and Predacon, Nemesis Prime was staring down the founders of both the Autobots and the Decepticons. They stared each other down for several moments, waiting for each other to make the first move. Finally, the avatar of Unicron moved first. Opening the missile pods on his shoulders, he unleashed a barrage of dark energon laced rockets at the two leaders.

“Optimus Prime, Maximize!”

A whirlwind erupted from Optimus’ lion head, blowing half of the rockets off course and into each other. Magmatron followed suit, using his fusion cannon he fired a beam and, moving his shoulder, was able to destroy the remaining rockets. This left Nemesis Prime an opening to come at them with his energy axe. Raising the Skyboom shield, Magmatron deflected the teal blade only to be caught by kick from the doppelganger. Nemesis Prime soon found himself being driven back by several shots from Optimus Primes’ Ion Blaster. Raising his axe, he sliced the last shot in two before charging him.

Switching the Ion Blaster to his other hand, Optimus activated his own energy axe and caught the blade with his own. Angling his blade slightly, Nemesis swung his axe left and knocked the Primes’ blaster out of his hand. Now unarmed, the avatar aimed his arm cannons at Optimus’ head. As he went to fire, the Skyboom shield soared over his head and into Primes’ free hand.

Absorbing the blasts with the shield, Optimus thrust it forward, sending the attack back at the avatar, disorientating him. Leaping backwards, Prime threw the shield back to Magmatron who caught it. Flipping backwards in midair, Optimus snatched the Ion Blaster from the ground before landing and firing in tandem with Magmatron. As he recovered from his own returned onslaught, Nemesis Prime deflected the pairs’ blasts with his axe and a sneer.

“You think you can keep me from my freedom?” Nemesis called, keeping an optic on both combatants. “The two of you merely delay the inevitable.”

“I gave that speech enough times to know how this ends.” Magmatron taunted.

“Of course you would.” Nemesis Prime turned to him. “You were quite the useful slave when you were using my blood.” This set Magmatron off.

“I” He charged forth, slamming the Skyboom shield into Nemesis’ chassis. “Am nobody’s” Using his fury he hefted the avatar up before throwing him. “Slave!” He finished, firing all his weapons at the twisted being.

Taking to the air, Nemesis glared down at the pair.

“Then you are nothing but dust beneath my feet.” A moment later, Thrust, Jetstorm and Tankor emerged from a nearby building. “Perfect timing.” He added to the three Vehicons. “Destroy them.” In synch, the trio deployed their weapons and took aim at the two leaders.

The next second however, they turned and fired upon Nemesis Prime.

“What is this betrayal?” The avatar screamed as he healed. The answer came in the form of Nightscream, Botanica and Rattrap. Mach Hoof and Heinrad followed behind them.

“You guys call for some backup?” The latter called. Once the Vehicons had woken up, it had taken very little to convince these versions of Jack, Miko and Raf to help the Autobots.

“You may not be the one who turned us into monsters.” Jack growled.

“But we’ll happily take our pound of flesh from you.” Raf added.

“Enough talk boys.” Miko called, a glare emoticon shining on her mask. “Let’s slice, dice, and put on ice.” Realizing what had happened, Nemesis Prime glared at the trio.

This would be a simple fix.

“Initiate Mnemosurgical wipe of the last twelve hours and reboot.” He ordered. Immediately the generals clutched their heads as they felt their memories begin to be erased again.

“Ruination, Maximize!” Nightscream called, reactivating the Treppan Trigger, hoping to stop the memory drain. The dual programs clashed with one another, driving the trio to their knees.

“Do not resist.” Nemesis Prime ordered as the three flailed on the ground. “You are my slave, nothing more.” He was interrupted by the Skyboom shield striking him in the head. A fresh salvo from the Ion Blaster followed, knocking him back down to Earth.

“Resist him Vehicons.” Magmatron yelled as he and Prime renewed their fight with the avatar. “Find the power within yourselves to transform and rise up against your oppressors.” He added, pulling on some of his old speeches from the early days of the Decepticons.

“Hold on to who you are.” Optimus added, hoping to give the three further motivations. “We need to keep Nemesis attention divided.” He added to Magmatron, who nodded.

Hearing the commotion form the other battlefield, Kumara stopped fighting against Galvatron. The spider Maximal was torn. She knew Arcee and Magnaboss needed her help. But so did the tortured versions of her children.

“Go, help them.” Magnaboss called to her. They knew that June wouldn’t be able to fight while worried about her children. Be they from this dimension or another.

Taking a great leap, Kumara shot a web to the ground near the writhing Vehicons and pulled herself close to them. All three seemed to be struggling with the conflict in their heads. Thrust looked up at her and his visor widened.

“M-mom?” He called, trying to reconcile the human mother he’d killed and the Maximal before him. The sound broke her heart. She placed her hand on his.

“Yes sweetheart, I’m here.” She whimpered. “Miko, Raf?” She called, fighting back tears as Jetstorm and Tankor turned to face her, looks of surprise on their mask and face respectively.

“Hang on you three.”

Connecting a web between her and the alternate versions of her children, she sank to her knees and prayed she was strong enough for this.

“Kumara, MAXIMIZE!!!”

Immediately, the three Vehicons curled in on themselves as Kumaras’ healing energy washed over them, lessening the pain. She knew it would be hard, but she would try to heal these three of their dark energon infections. However, she was only one person against the power of Unicron, and the first pulse did little.

“Kumara, Maximize!” She called again; another pulse of energy washed over them. Her vision blurred slightly and the three began to convulse again. They were slipping away from her. “No.”

Outside the city, Scorponok sensed his speakers’ distress. Reaching through his bond with her, he knew the cause at once and understood. He spent the last few million years protecting his hive. Now his speaker was unable to save part of hers.

Not if he could help it.

Focusing on Kumara, Scorponok sent all the power he could through their bond into the Spear of Zarak. One femme against the power of chaos bringer would be difficult to fight. But with the power of a Titan backing her up, she might just stand a chance.

 

Out of the corner of her eye, Kumara saw her spear glow brightly by her knee. Picking it up, she felt immense power coming from it. Moreso than normal. Hearing her children scream again brought her focus back to the situation at hand. Placing the head of the spear to her web, she also felt Vince, Sierra, Allison, Kibo and Gary place their hands on her back wanting to lend them their power as well. The group began to glow before June called out to the heavens.

“KUMARA, MAXIMIZE!!!!”

A huge burst of energy flowed into the Vehicons, freezing them up. For a moment, it seemed not to work. Then a small ‘tink’ was heard from Thrust. Followed by another, and another. One by one, the dark energon crystals in his head were being forced out by a flow of cybermatter.

A clatter called their attention to Jetstorm, whose mask had been pushed off her face, which was now covered in the same cybermatter. Blindly, she felt around for Thrusts’ servo before taking and holding it tightly. A gesture he reciprocated. Throughout the millennia, the two remembered that they loved each other. Now they knew why.

A groan from Tankors’ body was all the warning they had before the dark energon blades in his grinder were forced out as well. The cybermatter overflowed from his body, slowly covering him.

“NO!” Nemesis Prime screamed. Thankfully the rank-and-file drones the three had created were ultimately subservient to him. Regardless of what happened to their generals. The loss of three generals and by extension Ruination was still a blow, however.

Out of the corner of his optic however, he saw Tarantulas arrive with the dark energon seeder and smirked.

It wouldn’t be long now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elsewhere in the city, Starscream was leading a squadron of Jet Drones through the wreckage of the city. Multiple barrel rolls and loop the loops kept him from being hit by their fire.

“Pathetic fools.” The seeker taunted. Diving down, he led them towards a crumbling building that began to give way as he passed. The drones however were not so fortunate, the building fell at a ninety-degree angle, crushing the squad under its’ weight.

Flying upward, Starscream transformed and landed near Smokescreen, who had just written the events that just occurred in the Covenant of Primus. Looking down, he observed a group of Tank Drones preparing to open fire on them before a golden spike erupted through them from the ground. As the drones exploded the golden spikes remerged and flowed up towards them before reforming into Amalgamous Prime.

“Well played Maximo.” The shifter laughed. For all his faults, Starscream always was a tactical genius. Even now. “Anyone see Alchemist?”

His answer came in the form of a hurricane force wind gust blowing past them. An explosion revealed that one Jet Drone had attempted to sneak up on the Primes and terminate them while they were distracted. Turning towards where the wind came from, they saw their brother coming towards them.

“You missed one.” Alchemist Prime smirked.

“Oh no!” Smokescreen exclaimed. He'd been looking at the Covenant and saw what was to come.

“What?” Starscream asked. He looked over the young Autobots’ shoulder and glanced at the page he’d been reading. It always irritated him that the language of the book changed the further from the present you got, but now he could understand the page.

His optics widened as he looked at Alpha Trions’ host.

“OPTIMUS!!!”

---------------------------------------------------------------

Hitting the ground hard, Arcee stood back up in beast mode and shook her head. Galvatron had just knocked her several feet away from where he and Magnaboss were locked in a grapple. The Maximal combiner attempting to keep their opponents’ fusion cannon pointed away from them. Over the sounds of battle and whatever was happening to the Vehicon generals she heard a cackling.

Galvatron heard it too.

“Ah, victory is at hand. Yes.” He taunted. Giving a kick to Magnaboss’ chest, flew up into the air, out of reach. “With the arrival of the seeders, we shall finish our glorious mission. YES!!!”

“Way to give it away moron!” Tarantulas called. He’d hoped to have it in place first.

“Try to disable the seeder.” Magnaboss called before deploying their wings and taking off after Galvatron.

Turning and seeing that it was only the Predacon scientist guarding the seeder, Arcee called out to the other Maximals.

“Rattrap, Heinrad, Nightscream, come one!” Mach Hoof and Botanica would have to be enough to protect Kumara while she helped her healing children.

“Heinrad, Maximize!” The Tanuki Maximal called. He launched a wave of chronal energy at the seeder. Hopefully he could age the seeder to rust before it could fire.

“Nice try.” Tarantulas called. He stepped in front of the seeder and took the wave full on, not aging a day. “Can’t kill the undying.” He taunted.

“Nightscream, Maximize!” A second later, Tarantulas was hit with a sonic pulse which knocked him backwards.

“How about a light show to go with your song?” The predacon cackled. He fired a volley of laser fire from his shoulders causing the foursome to scatter.

“We need to get to the seeder!” Arcee called over the fire.

Next to his great aunt, Heinrads’ attention was drawn to a buzzing near his head. Looking down, he saw his mothers’ Insecticon Mini-Con.

“Tonebot!” The Insecticon buzzed in greeting. He’d been keeping tabs on the Maximals who’d remained on earth after Wingsaber left for Cybertron. An idea formed in Heinrads’ mind as Tonebot transformed into guitar mode.

“Hey, Uncle Vinnie.” He called to Nightscream, holding the guitar. “How about a duet?”

Nightscream grinned as his nephew strummed Tonebot, releasing a sonic pulse. Seeing Tarantulas dodge it, he let loose with one of his own, catching the spider off guard and driving him into a nearby wall.

As the dual sound attacks wreaked havoc on the Predacon scientist, Arcee and Rattrap ran up to the seeder. Immediately, Rattrap had a problem.

“There’s nowhere for me to interface on this thing!” He called. “We’ll have to open it up to disable it.”

“Okay, it’s probably the red wire.” Arcee muttered, pulling the panel off the side of the seeder. They received a nasty shock when they looked inside the seeder. It was nothing but red wires.

“Scrap!” Arcee swore.

Rattrap examined the workings and whistled.

“I already see four booby traps and six dead ends.” He narrowed his eyes in scrutiny of the device. “Ain’t these things supposed to have a dark energon crystal?” He remembered seeing one in the schematics for the seeder on the Golden Disk.

Arcee looked closer at the seeder mechanisms and realized the other Maximal was right.

Something was very wrong here

---------------------------------------------------------------

On the floor of the Gulf of Mexico, Sky Byte watched as his Tank Drone contingent set up the dark energon seeder. He really felt he had the safest job in this operation. How many Autobots were capable of underwater combat?

Several exploding plasma disks answered that question.

“I really have to stop jinxing myself.” The shark Predacon grumbled. Looking to where the shots came from, he saw Depthcharge gliding his way in manta ray mode. The former Vehicon glared at his old superior.

“Dreadwing, I’m surprised you had the bearings to show your face.” He taunted.

“I go by Depthcharge now, St3v3.” Depthcharge replied.

Sky Byte growled in fury.

“Vehicons, protect the seeder. I shall destroy the traitor myself!” Transforming into shark mode, Sky Byte sped towards Depthcharge. Rolling under the charge, the Maximal transformed into bot mode and fired another plasma disk at the shark.

Transforming into bot mode himself, Sky Byte pulled a miniature twin torpedo launcher and opened fire on Depthcharge. Seeing his opponent dodge right, the Predacon surged forward, his four bladed hook spinning rapidly. Pulling a sword made from his beast modes’ tail, he barely caught the spinning blades in time.

Using the weightlessness of the deep sea, Sky Byte lifted both his feet up and drove them into the Maximal, sending him flying.

Right into the dark energon seeder.

“No, stop him!” Sky Byte yelled in a panic. He didn’t want to think of what Galvatron would do to him for failing this mission. To say nothing of Nemesis Prime. As the tank drones charged their cannons, the seafaring Predacon realized his mistake too late.

“NO! DON’T FIRE ON THE SEEDER!!!”

Realizing what was about to happen, Depthcharge transformed with a grin and swam upwards as the drones fired. The collective cannon blasts turned the seeder into scrap metal.

Looking down however, Depthcharge noticed something was missing.

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In Nagasaki Japan, Bruticus was now toying with Team Bullet Train. The large trio of Autobots had worked their way through his Vehicon drones and was again attempting to reach the seeder. He probably should have brought more drones, but he was having fun throwing the Autobots around like Frisbees.

Railspike grunted as he landed on his chest. His latest attempt to get to the Dark energon seeder had been thwarted yet again. On either side of him, Rapid Run and Midnight Express came up to him. Bruticus laughed at the trio.

“I admire your spunk soldiers.” He taunted. “But as long as I’m here, you’re just small fry.”

“Yo, Railspike, he’s right.” Rapid Run whispered. “We gotta cut and run.”

“Maybe Rodimus can send backup.” Midnight Express added.

“Guys, listen.” Railspike replied to his fellow Gigantions.

While the trio had been fighting Bruticus, the humans that had taken shelter were beginning to evacuate now that they had defenders to protect them. As they fled, the humans called words of encouragement to the bullet trains. The calls from the children were felt the hardest.

“Don’t give up Autobots!”

“Beat them back!”

“We’re counting on you!”

“Heros don’t quit!”

“We can’t fail them.” Railspike choked out, his emotions becoming harder to control. “We have to fight on.”

“But how do we get past him?”

As if in answer, a spacebridge portal opened above the three giant Autobots, surprising Bruticus. A moment later they were bathed in a magenta light, filing them with a new power. Optics glowing, Team Bullet Train stared down the Combaticon combiner.

“Gattai. Rail Mission!” Railspike yelled.

“Henshin!” Rapid Run and Midnight Express answered.

Rising into the air, the trio began to transform and combine.

Transforming back into train mode, Railspikes’ entire back half split in half and folded outwards before splitting and folding downwards into a mighty pair of arms and chest. Midnight Express’ legs lengthened and thickened as his head and arms retracted into his body. Rapid Runs’ waist turned around and split as his legs repositioned themselves as thrustors and his upper body folded around its’ core. The three bots then stacked up one atop another with Railspike at the top and Midnight Express at the bottom. Finaly, a head made of Railspikes train cockpit emerged from the chest with a gasp as the new combiner set down on the ground.

“Hero of the rails.” He called, striking a battle-ready pose.

“RAIL RACER!!!”

“You done?” Bruticus asked unamused. This new combiner may be larger than he was, but he had taken down bigger bots than this one in his life.

“No.” Rail Racer replied. “But you will be.”

Drawing Rapid Runs’ shield, the train combiner ignited his thrustors and charged Bruticus Maximus head on. Picking his moment, Bruticus grabs the shield with both hands and using the momentum, spins them around to throw them. However, before he can complete the throw, Rail Racer lets go of his shield, causing the Combaticon to lose his balance and giving the other combiner time to use a triple barrel gun made from his components’ weapons to blast him backwards a few dozen feet.

“Good tactic soldier.” Bruticus called as he stood back up. “Now it’s time to play like the big dogs.” Training all his guns on the Autobot combiner, he opened fire, forcing Rail Racer to flee the blasts.

Glancing left, Rail Racer saw water in the distance and had an idea. Seeing his discarded shield, he leapt into the air and landed with a summersault grabbing the weapon as he rolled away from another laser blast. Turning with the shield in hand, the Autobot combiner deflected several more blasts before hurling the shield like a Frisbee at Bruticus’ head. Dodging to avoid the projectile, Bruticus was unprepared for Rail Racer ramming into him at high speed and smashing through the empty train station. Tightening his grip, Rail Racer spun around and flung Bruticus into the air as hard as he could.

Right into the Sea of Japan.

“That’ll give us a minute.” The Autobot combiner muttered to himself as he heard people cheering his victory nearby.

Returning to the dark energon seeder, he decided to simply lift the device out of the ground. However, not used to his new strength, he inadvertently ripped the top off the device. Remembering what Brainstorm had told everyone about the seeders, he flipped the part he had upside down to retrieve the dark energon crystal.

Only to realize they had a problem.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

In Chernobyl Russia, the Aerialbots were still giving air support to the renegade Decepticons.

“SIlverbolt!” Alpha Bravo called out over the radio. “We’re nearly through with the Jet Drones, but we still have Car and Tank Drones to deal with.” The ground forces were alternating between keeping the Decepticons pinned and taking potshots at the Autobot air squadron.

“They’re moving around the buildings.” Silverbolt commented. “If we fire, we might hit the cons.”

“Not the worst possible outcome.” Slingshot replied.

“Again, they aren’t the enemy right now.” The Aerialbot leader growled.

“What we need.” Air Raid called, cutting Slingshot off. “Is to change tactics.”

“To what?” Firefly asked after shooting another drone out of the sky. “All our weapons are long range.”

“Guys, spacebridge alert!” Skydive yelled, just barely avoiding the portal.

A moment later the light of the Enigma of Combination shined through the portal, illuminating the six Aerialbots. Forming up together, the six went in for an attack run.

“Jet formation.” SIlverbolt called out.

“Jet transformation.” His squadron answered as they began to transform and combine.

Silverbolt transformed partially into robot mode as Air Raid and Skydive elongated into a pair of arms with Alpha Bravo becoming a rifle. Beneath him, Slingshot and Firefly transformed into a pair of legs. As they slotted into place Silverbolt gave one more call.

“Aerialbots, merge into-”

The new combiner landed between a battalion of drones and the Decepticons.

“SUPERION!!!”

“They’ll just let anyone combine nowadays.” Thundercracker muttered as the Aerialbot Combiner stared down at the drones between them and the seeder.

Superion glared at the ground forces before spreading his arms and legs. From each of his component bots a fresh barrage of reformatted missiles rocketed out towards their opponents. This had the effect of cutting the Vehicon drone forces down to a third of what they had been even moments ago. The drones that managed to avoid the attack were now being picked off by the combiners’ rifle as the Decepticons left their shelter.

“Come on!” Scrapper yelled after Devastator separated. “We still have to play bomb squad.”

“Alright.” Stranglehold replied, attempting to stand. “We are being right-ahh.” He hissed in pain.

“You four stay put. You a liability like dis.” Long Haul called before transforming into his dump truck mode.

“Hook, stay with them.” Scrapper ordered. “Bonecrusher, Mixmaster, take point. Scavenger, watch our tails.”

“You needn’t tell me twice.” The medic replied.

A moment later, Bonecrusher was smashing through the buildings that Mixmaster's acids had weakened. Scavenger kept close to Scrapper, making sure no one got a lock on them as they went. A couple of times a Vehicon spotted them, but Superion was able to bullseye them before they got a shot off. Exiting the building next to the seeder, the four Constructicons found themselves face to face with the four Predacons.

“Well, Wazzzpinator seezzz new targetzzz.” The wasp Predacon buzzed as he took aim at Scrapper. Ravage and Snowkat simply growled in agreement.

“Dibs on Booonehead.” Tor-Loco mooed charging Bonecrusher.

Before any of the Predacons could make good on their threats however, a series of blasts from Superion sent them flying.

“Not so close next time mac, we’re workin’ here!” Scavenger yelled as Scrapper began examining the seeder.

“Cute.” The Constructicon leader grumbled when he saw nothing but red wires. Carefully looking around the inside of the machine, Scrapper realized that this machine would never work.

“Boys.” He called. “We have a problem.”

------------------------------------------------------------------

Amid the battle of Yucca Flats, Agent Seymour Simmons of M.A.S.K. was waiting for the right moment to launch his attack.

Most of the Thunderhawk and Condor squadron were currently airborne and taking out Jet Drones alongside Sky Reign. Surprisingly, they were holding up well against the drones in general. However, the Predacon called Shriek seemed to be able to pick them out of the sky just as easy. Seeing the units’ combiner knock the featherbrain out of the sky was more satisfying than he thought it would be.

On the ground, the Rhino and Jackhammer squads had thinned the herd considerably, leaving only a dozen total drones and the four Predacons left in action. An unearthly hiss met Simmons’ ear.

Speaking of.

Hitting the transformation switch on his Thunderhawk, Simmons rocketed into the air, hitting Iguanus in the face with the afterburners. Seeing the threat, Stinkbomb let loose a cloud of noxious gas to disorient the man. As the cloud cleared, he saw Jawbreaker coming at him, snarling and ready to cleave the vehicle in two with his axe.

He was so focused on the human; he didn’t see Sky Reign until it tackled him out of the way.

Seeing that his objective was now wide open, Simmons piloted the craft right at the seeder the Predacons had been guarding. Realistically, he knew the vehicles’ weapons wouldn’t be enough to damage the thing let alone destroy it. However, the vehicle itself was a powerful weapon.

Hitting the afterburners again, Simmons shot right at the seeder. Picking the right moment, he hit the ejector seat on the craft and was rocketed up into the air. From there, he had a spectacular view of the Thunderhawk crashing into the seeder and the resulting explosion.

“M.A.S.K. to home base.” Simmons spoke into the radio. “Mission: accomplished.”

As he landed on the ground, he heard both the victory cries of his men and the ones of the people at HQ. The victory was short lived however as the sky began to darken and the ground began to quake, driving all who were standing to their knees.

“What the hell?” Simmons asked to no one in particular.

They thought they’d just won.

--------------------------------------------------------------

“Say that again Arcee?” Optimus Prime called as Magmatron pushed Nemesis Prime backwards.

“I’m saying that the seeder is a decoy.” Arcee called back. “They can’t infect the energon veins without dark energon to infect them with.”

“Then what is the point of?” Magmatron asked, having heard the answer.

Nemesis Prime began chuckling before outright laughing like a madman.

“Do you think I am some human cartoon villain?” He taunted. “Or that I’d really leave any risk to my freedom?” Nemesis brought himself back under control.

“The real seeders were launched over a day ago.” He admitted. “What you and your forces have been attempting to stop, are decoys we made to draw your attention.”

Suddenly, the ground began to shake as purple hued storm clouds seemed to roll in from nowhere. Nemesis Prime felt a shiver as his true body began to stir. Near the city a deafening cracking noise rent the air as a chasm opened, exposing a sliver of Unicrons’ metal body as well as dark energon crystals in its’ depths. In the distance, a twister began to take form in the desert.

“And the true seeders.” Nemesis Prime added, grinning at Optimus and Magmatron. “Have just gone off.”

Looking at Nemesis Prime, Magnaboss was stunned. The battles they’d fought, the lives lost, all of it was a ruse. Despite all they’d done to stop it, the dark future Heinrad and Rattrap had come from was coming to pass. A desperate idea came to being in their minds.

“Magnaboss, MAXIMIZE!!!”

Drawing and aiming their sword at Nemesis Prime, The Maximal combiner fired off a full powered blast of the purifying energy at the avatar of Unicron. If they could purify Nemesis Prime, perhaps the energy would flow back into Unicron, killing him or forcing him back into stasis. Seeing the beam coming at him, Nemesis Prime simply laughed and vanished from sight before the beam hit him, Retreating into his body proper.

The purification beam still hit a target, however.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Amid the battling Titans, Trypticon and Necrotitan were now on the backfoot with Scorponok aiding Omega Supreme, Chela and Fortress Maximus. Giving a defiant roar, Trypticon fired his fusion cannon at Maximus, who deflected the blast but was forced backwards toward the newly opened chasm next to Autobot city. Chela swooped in and began to claw at Trypticons’ face with her talons. Now free of the onslaught, Maximus charged forth and cut a deep gash in his opponents’ side, exposing his corrupted spark chamber. It was this wound that Magnaboss’ misguided beam would hit.

Connecting with Trypticons’ spark chamber, the massive amount of purifying energy coursed through the pseudo-Titan, purging him of the dark energon infection and granting him total free will for the first time in his existence. As the greenish white glow of purification faded, Trypticon took in the Titans around him. Maximus and Chela looked at him in confusion while Omega Supreme and Scorponok held off Necrotitan. Looking at the former, Trypticon could sense the evil animating it. The same evil that had controlled him most of his life in one form or another. An evil he would no longer tolerate.

Giving a new roar, Trypticon fired his fusion cannon between the two titans and right into Necrotitans’ face, blowing half of it off. Stomping towards the disoriented Titan, the freed Decepticon swung his tail at the undead being, sending it sprawling to the ground past Maximus and Chela. Right next to the open chasm.

Scrambling back up, undead Titan saw Trypticon standing alongside Maximus, Chela, Scorponok and Omega Supreme. Maximus nodded at their newest brother before deploying his charged particle cannons. An action that was imitated by the other Titans, both new and old.

Giving an unearthly screech, the Necrotitan charged forth. Only to be hit head on by the combined attacks of five Titans. The force of the attack drove the undead Vigilem backwards to the chasm before a final push forced it over the edge. With a final scream, the undead behemoth fell out of sight. A moment later an echoing explosion marked the final demise of Vigilem.

Maximus, Chela and Scorponok bowed their heads in memory of their poor brother. Hopefully he would find solace in the afterspark with his twin, their brother Metroplex.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in Autobot City, Galvatron simply shrugged.

“Ah well, they served the purpose.” He replied nonchalantly.

“What?” Magmatron called over the rising winds. “You just lost your biggest weapons!”

“True, but don’t you see?” Galvatron called from the air, gesturing to the increasingly wild weather around them.

“Unicron Awakens. The Autobots, lose!” He turned to sneer at the resistance, locking optics with Arcee in particular. “And best of all. YOU, NO LONGER, EXIST!!!”

Giving a maniacal laugh, Galvatron vanished from the battlefield the same way Nemesis Prime had. Across the globe, the remainder of the drones and Unicrons’ forces vanished as well, leaving those on the surface to their fates.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the Earth slowly began to tear itself apart, the Primes and Maximals as well as Magmatron and Ultra Magnus gathered to form a strategy. Not too far away, June was trying to comfort Thrust Jetstorm and Tankor as the cybermatter began covering their bodies.

“Mom.” Thrust whispered as he held out the servo that wasn’t holding Jetstorms’ “I’m sorry.”

“It’ll be all right sweetheart.” June comforted the alternate version of her son. “We’ll figure out how to help you.” She looked beseechingly at Optimus, hoping that he had an answer for her.

Optimus looked at the three changing Vehicons. It seemed that whatever June and Scorponok did to them was turning them into some form of cocoon or chrysalis. They were transforming into something new before their eyes.

“Vector Prime, Alpha Trion.” He called to his brothers.

The two Primes approached Optimus. Alpha Trion knew what he was about to ask and knew these events wouldn’t be easy. Then again, neither was finding out they were destined to fail to stop Unicrons’ return.

“I have no mention of them after today.” Trion sadly answered before any question could be asked.

“You mean they’re going to die?” Raf asked, looking at his changing double.

“No.” Vector Prime replied, drawing Rhisling from its’ scabbard. “They are going home.”

“Jack, Miko, Raf.” June spoke softly to the trio. “Whatever happens after this, know that I’m proud of you kids.” Giving Thrusts hand one last squeeze, she stepped back to allow the Primes to do what they needed.

Opening his chest, Optimus exposed the Autobot Matrix of Leadership to the three. Almost immediately, the cybermatter finished cocooning them. A final burst of energy emitted from the artifact and was absorbed by Thrust as he was consumed. Within it, was a copy of the Matrix itself. From what Optimus understood the Matrix died with him in their universe. Now he would restore the light to a universe without any. Tearing a hole in the fabric of reality above the cocooned trio, Vector Prime lowered it over them, sending them back to their own universe. Only now they were free of Unicrons’ control and had hope for restoring balance.

“Are you okay?” Miko asked June as she stared at where her alternate self vanished. June replied by giving her three kids a massive hug and letting the tears flow freely.

“Okay, that’s well and good for them.” Starscream began, ignoring the Maximals. “But what about the rest of us?”

“We won’t be able to stop Unicron awakening now.” Alpha Trion replied. “Even if we left now, we wouldn’t get to Unicrons’ core in time for Optimus to use the Matrix.”

“Then we need an exit strategy.” Magmatron concluded. Honestly, he felt very small standing among such legendary beings. To say nothing of how they deferred to Optimus raising some serious questions.

“For the whole planet? In the span of what? An hour?” Ultra Magnus replied. “Not for so many billions of people.”

“Wait, who is that?” Miko asked, having just left Junes’ grasp and pointing at a tall slender mech walking towards the chasm next to the city. Magmatron narrowed his optics before they widened in recognition.

“Soundwave?”

-----------------------------------------------------------

Approaching the edge of the vast canyon, Soundwave stared down into the abyss. He could practically feel Unicron staring back at him. He was undeterred, however. He knew this was to happen even before he left the Shadowzone. During his time in the space between spaces, Soundwave observed events great and small. However, it was when he witnessed the reformatting of the Autobot Arcee into a Maximal that he discovered something truly amazing.

The communications officer used his super hearing to hear the conversation Arcee had with those she lost in her life. Once she was pulled back by Vector Sigma however, he ‘followed’ the sound of the sparks returning to the hereafter. It had been an accident, but he had succeeded in doing something not Cybertronian had done before.

He’d connected to the Afterspark.

Realizing that he could hear them, many sparks of bots long past began to offer him advice of all kinds. From how to escape the Shadowzone to how to redeem himself for the long list of evils he’d committed in his lifetime. Having seen his life play out from beginning to end, even he could agree that he’d done wrong. However, it wasn’t until Shockwave passed that the best way to do so was discovered.

“Hey now, I only suggested it.” Shockwave commented. “You had to follow through with it.”

By connecting Soundwave to the resonance blaster with help from Nexus Prime, he had turned himself into both receiver and broadcaster. The sparks of every Cybertronian in the universe who’d died, would be able to lend their power to this effort.

Leave it to Shockwave to figure out how to pull a ‘screw you’ from beyond the grave.

“Aww, you’re making me blush.”

“You ready soldier?” Survive asked. He didn’t like the Con, but he was willing to put that aside to help those he’d left behind.

Aiming his weapon at the bottom of the chasm, Soundwave reached out to the afterspark and connected with the sparks residing there. A moment later, his mask glowed green as their power filled him. As the brightness grew, he could feel every bot lending him power.

Survive.

Rotorstorm.

Sunstreaker.

Trailbreaker.

Airachnid.

Cyclonus.

Tailgate.

Cliffjumper.

Metroplex.

Vigilem.

Topspin.

Twin Twist.

Sea Spray.

Counterpunch.

Terrorsaur.

Infernus.

Spittor.

And countless others who’d passed long before the war. Even long before the Quintessons arrived.

Steeling himself, Soundwave spoke his final words.

“Operation: Absolution.”

Firing the blaster, Soundwave projected the energy, memories, emotions and hopes of an entire civilization directly into the chaos bringer himself. He could already feel his brain begin to melt down in his skull. The heat from so much energy passing through him would ultimately be fatal. But he was undeterred, he knew he would succeed.

To Unicron the energy felt as if someone had poured barrels full of live insects upon him. The very sensation caused him to seize up in disgust and terror.

On the surface, the calamities his awakening spawned began to slow drastically.

With one final push, Soundwave forced the last of the energy into Unicron. His mask shattered in the effort, exposing a gaunt white face beneath it. As his own life began to fade away, Soundwave, for the first time in millions of years, felt hope for the future.

----------------------------------------------------------------

“What on Cybertron did he just do?” Ultra Magnus asked as the ground stopped shaking and the worst of the storms dissipated.

“Bought us time.” Magmatron responded solomnly. Silently, he mourned his friend and comrade.

“To do what?!” Starscream exclaimed. “We still won’t have enough time to get Optimus to Unicrons’ spark! And even if we did, Nemesis Prime will try to slow us down.” He sighed.

“Soundwave only delayed the inevitable.”

“No.” Miko whispered as her eyes widened. An idea had just come to her mind. “It’s only inevitable if the ‘Wizard of Forms’ can’t figure out how to combine the best of two worlds.”

As she explained her plan, Nexus Prime considered whether or not it could work. There’d be a large mess to deal with afterwards, but that was the norm whenever Solus had these ideas.

“I’ll try.” Nexus answered at last.

Moments later Magnaboss stood assembled. Taking the Chimera Stone, they linked the Forge Hammer to the Enigma of combination. From there they linked the enigma to themselves and then from themselves to the Requiem Blaster. Above them, a spacebridge portal opened. On the other side, was Cybertron.

Seeing this, Magnaboss heaved the Forge Hammer through the portal. A moment later they felt it connect with the planets’ surface. Nexus then took his place and aimed the Enigma of combination at the portal. The Hammer would act as a focal point for what they were attempting to do.

Seeing that they were ready, Optimus Prime removed the Matrix of Leadership from his chest. He would provide power To Magnaboss throughout the process. This would be a moment of Alpha, Omega, and Infinity for all concerned. Taking a breath, he gave the go ahead and opened the Matrix. The irony of his words was not lost on him.

“Till all are one.”

Magnaboss and the Requiem Blaster glowed burgundy a moment before they fired it. Instead of a simply a stream of destructive energy, the blaster fired a variation on Wingsabers’ teleportation. Destabilizing all it encountered; it converted it to energy which then flowed through the Chimera Stone, to the Enigma of Combination, through the spacebridge, to the Forge Hammer. From there it would be returned to its’ original state on Cybertron.

They were going to merge the part of Unicron that was Earth, with Cybertron.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Cybertron, a great transformation was taking place.

The Pacific Ocean of Earth suddenly filled the Sonic Canyons of Cybertron, creating a new Sonic Sea while other bodies of water found places to fit on the metal world. The Manganese Mountains suddenly found themselves surrounded by Earths Rainforests as the desert of the Rust Sea expanded when it was joined by its’ earthly cousins. Landmasses and continents took place of battle scared wastelands as cities and people were reconstituted galaxies away wondering how they got there. A column of energy shot skyward and moments later, Cybertron now had a third moon. Finally, Autobot City emerged through the closing portal near Iacon. Titans and all had survived the trip and were now out of immediate danger.

In the center of Autobot City, Magnaboss collapsed and separated.

The plan had succeeded.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours later, Allison and Sierra were with Slash, Vince and Gary near the brain of the Fortress Maximus. The Titans had all agreed to return to city mode temporarily until they were needed. This however led to some sad truths being revealed.

“You mean you can’t bring him back?” Allison asked, tears in her eyes. She and her sister had just found out that their father had died in the battle while bonded with Fortress Maximus. Worse still, they wouldn’t be unable to hold a funeral for him. They didn’t blame Miko, but the loss was painful. Going through their grief, they realized they may have another option.

“I’m sorry but no.” Alpha Trion replied. He and Vector Prime were approached by the two Maximals shortly after Maximus transformed back into city mode. “Your fathers’ death was fated to happen in the battle. I cannot change it and neither can Vector.”

The two femmes wept loudly before Maximus spoke up.

“If it is any comfort.” He began in English. “Your father and I shared a brain when he passed, and when I was restored, his memories became a part of me.” The two looked at him.

“Daddy?” Sierra asked.

“No.” Maximus replied. It broke his spark to do this, but he wouldn’t give the girls false hope. “But having his memories means that I do know how much he loved you. And he chose to give up his life so that you two could live yours.”

The two femmes broke down crying again, finding comfort in their loves. The loss still hurt horribly, but knowing the truth made the burden easier to bear.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the memorial to the fallen, another father was being honored.

“Goodbye dad.” Captain Mike Fowler whispered as he lit his fathers’ plinth. “I wish we had more time, but I will see you again one day.”

A few rows over, Ultra Magnus lit the last of the plinths for the fallen Wreckers. Other plinths were being lit to honor the other Autobots that fell in the blitz on Autobot City, but the Wreckers were his duty.

“You fought well soldiers.” He whispered with a salute. “At ease.”

In a distant corner of the memorial, Astrotrain was lighting plinths for Soundwave and Shockwave on Magmatrons’ behalf. Surprisingly, the image of the latter was from before his empurata. There was some pushback from the bots about adding Soundwave to the memorial, but they all grudgingly agreed that they would all be dead without him.

“So long fellas.” Astrotrain muttered, not quite sure what to say. “It’s been an honor.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You have got to be kidding me.” Magmatron grumbled. He’d been called to a private meeting room by Optimus so that he and the Primes could figure out what to do with him. He received a rather unpleasant shock to see Starscream and Scourge in the room. He had a feeling how they were going to vote.

Just how many Primes had he interacted with and not known it? It seemed like most of them.

“Maximo, give him a break.” Raf called.

“Sure Micronus.” Starscream smirked. “I mean, I already gave him a hand.” He replied, referencing the arm the Decepticon leader had taken from the tomb of his original body.

Magmatron smirked back at Starscream.

“Considering all the harsh ‘reprimands’ I gave you over the years, I’ll let that slide.” He began. “However, knowing your past, Liege Maximo, I am happy I was able to take revenge on you on Megatronus and Solus’ behalf.” The other Primes laughed as Starscream pouted.

“Enough.” Optimus called the group to order. “We are gathered here today to decide your fate Magmatron of Tarn. Also known as Megatron and D-16.”

“I understand.” Magmatron agreed. If he was to be judged, he would allow the ancient Primes to do so.

“We are well aware of your history.” Alpha Trion began. “You helped to drive the Quintessons off Cybertron and suffered under the caste system for it before becoming a warlord.”

“I thank you for the former by the way.” Quintus Prime added. Magmatron was still shocked that Blitzwing was a Prime all along. Although it made a certain amount of sense.

“Your crimes are great as the suffering you caused.” Prima continued. “However, you showed that you are attempting to change.” Privately, rung wondered how much of that was caused by the Shadow Play he’d interrupted millennia ago.

“If I may.” Jack called, stepping forward. He looked Magmatron in the optic. Magmatron couldn’t help still feeling awed by the fact that Megatronus Prime was standing before him. And he had a feeling that this would be the second time his fate would be determined by him.

“How different is Magmatron, from Megatron or D-16?” He asked.

“D-16 was a revolutionary and a gladiator, Megatron a warlord and monster.” Magmatron answered honestly. He couldn’t bring himself to even try and deceive him. “Outside of a guardian, I don’t know who Magmatron is yet.”

Jack looked around the room. Some of the Primes nodded openly, others reluctantly. A couple simply scowled. Optimus spoke to Jack.

“You have a judgement?” He asked. Megatron embodied some of the worst of Megatronus. The sentence would come partially from his brothers’ ability to forgive himself.

“One chance.” Jack spoke. “Legally speaking, Megatron died at the hands of Tarantulas. We shall give you one chance to transform into a better version of yourself.”

“However.” Onyx Prime interrupted. He and Jack had discussed this before calling Magmatron in. “If we hear so much as a whisper that you are returning to your old ways. We will kill you. No mercy, no pleading, you will die.”

“I accept your judgement.” Magmatron replied, bowing his head.

“Officially.” Micronus added. “You will publicly be known as Magmatron of colony Eukaris. After escaping Vegas, Astrotrain picked up both you and your daughters’ distress signal and rescued you before taking you to the battle of Autobot City.” He explained, giving him his cover story.

“I understand.” Magmatron agreed.

“You are free to go.” Optimus announced, stepping up to his old friend. He held a servo out to him. There was a moment where he looked at Optimus before smiling and shaking the offered hand.

“Arcee and her son are watching your daughter.” Jack informed Magmatron. “They should be at Swerves’.”

“Thank you.” The former Decepticon replied before exiting the room. Idly, he wondered if the femme would be amenable to Transmutate and her son interacting more.

----------------------------------------------------------------

As he traversed the halls of Fortress Maximus, Optimus Prime was intercepted by a pair of humans and Ultra Magnus.

“Prime.” Agent Simmons greeted. “We’ve begun disseminating the knowledge of both the battle and our relocation to this world.” He announced.

“We will be meeting with Earths’ world leaders to go over plans for integration next week.” Ultra Magnus added. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was looking forward to the challenge of integrating two peoples together.

Optimus looked away; they weren’t going to like what he had to say next.

“It wasn’t what we expected.” Agent Watson said. “But your solution did get us out of danger.”

“We are not out of danger yet.” Optimus admitted.

“Excuse me?” Magnus asked.

Striding over to a communications console, Optimus used the sub light communications array to tap into a U.S. spy satellite that was left behind. Ignoring Simmons’ spluttering about national security, the Prime pulled up a video feed. On the screen, was a ringed range and silver planet where Earth had one been. A pair of horns sprouted from either side of a circular mouth.

Then the planet began to transform.

The bulk of the front of the planet split away like a pair of wings while the rings separated and folded back alongside them. The back of it split and extended into a long pair of legs while most of the mass the wings concealed unfolded into arms, exposing a chest as the horns settled on its’ shoulders. Finaly, a great horned head with a beard emerged from the chest, completing the transformation.

The three beheld the horrid image on the screen. The humans were shocked that such a being had been under their feet since before life began on its’ surface. Turning, it saw the satellite and unleashed a dark green energy at it before the signal terminated. Optimus turned to the three onlookers.

“Unicron, is on his way here.”

Notes:

A/N: Dun, dun, duuuun. Thought it was over, didn’t ya? Well, you’re partly right, we are almost to the end of the story now it should only be one more chapter and an epilogue. Anyway.

I hope Mega/Magmatrons’ pardon wasn’t too convoluted. I wanted to make it seem like the completion of a spiritual transformation before beginning a new journey. Likewise, I also hope Soundwave becoming a ‘ghost whisperer’ after a fashion was believable. I was trying to give him a noble death, not to mention giving the bots who died one last time to shine.

And yes, COMBINERS! I’d been waiting to bring back Mosazaur after how they were received. Superion and Rail Racer are another pair of favorites from my years in the franchise so of course I wanted to use them. Expect all the combiner teams in this story to return for the finale.

As to Bludgeon now that he’s gone, and this story in general. I want to disclose that I did NOT uses any A.I. for his haiku or any part of this story. Beast wars Prime is proud to be A.I. free.

Next Time: The final Conflict.

Until then, as always, kudo, subscrive and comment.

Chapter 56: The Final Conflict Pt.1

Notes:

Hello everyone, and welcome to the first half of the last chapter. I tried to make it so this would be the last one before the epilogue, however I got hit with three solid weeks of writers' block after publishing the last chapter and I didn’t want to leave you all hanging for another month. However, you now get three more chapters instead of only two. That said, who’s ready for a blend of surprises, mystery guests and thrills? Enjoy!

Several thousand lightyears away from Cybertron, Unicron was making his way towards the newly remade planet. After transforming for the first time in eons, the chaos bringer immediately busied himself in devouring the two planets closest to him. True, they were lifeless, but he’d need the energy for the long journey. And he didn’t discriminate.

Within the dark gods’ body, a meeting was taking place between the remainder of his forces and his avatar. Galvatron, the Horrorcons, Combaticons, and the remaining Predacons were all gathered in a temple near Unicrons’ spark chamber. A side of the temple was open, exposing the giants’ spark and before it, observing them, was Nemesis Prime.

“So, now that you are free.” Galvatron began. “Our deal is concluded. And I shall claim my reward and rule Cybertron until the end of time. Yes.” He added with a dramatic flourish.

“No.” Nemesis Prime replied. In the background, Unicrons’ spark pulsed in time with the words he and the avatar spoke.

“Excuse me?” Galvatron replied in both confusion and anger.

“OuR bArGaIn, My AnTi-PrIMe,” They continued. “InCluDeD tHe DeStRuCtIoN oF oPtImUs PrImE.” Nemesis Prime strode up towards his herald. “aNd ThE pRiMe StIlL lIvEs.”

“You insisted on fighting both Optimus Prime and Magmatron personally.” Galvatron argued. “That violates the deal between us!” He was almost immediately wracked with the worst pain Unicron had ever inflicted upon him as he was lifted into the air.

“ThE bArGaIn Is WhAt I mAke It, GaLvAtRoN.” They began over the heralds’ screams. Unicron was truly beginning to lose patience with his Anti-Prime. However, he did require him for one final task. “iF yOu StIlL DeSiRe To RuLe CyBeRtRoN, tHeN yOu MuSt ElImInAtE bOtH oPtImUs PrImE, aNd ThE oRgAnIc LiFe ThAt InFeStS yOuR wOrLd.”

Galvatron crashed to the ground near Nemesis Prime as the pain receded.

“With what forces?” Galvatron hissed in pain as he climbed back to his feet. “We have no Titans, no element of surprise, and no way to make more Vehicons.” Out of the near billion drones the Vehicon generals made there were now only a few million were left. The humans had been more effective at routing the drones than they’d thought.

“That’s actually valid.” Onslaught added, stepping forward with a Cy-Gar in his mouth. “Unless you’ve got something up your sleeve, the only way you’d win is directly.” Even he couldn’t formulate a good plan to stop a bot the size of a planet.

“I dO iNdEeD.” Nemesis Prime and Unicron replied, turning to the Combaticon leader. “tArAnTuLaS.” Said scientist descended from the ceiling in his spider mode, observing the crowd with his eight optics, making sure no one was absent from this meeting.

“The trick with this operation, colonel.” Tarantulas began before transforming and dropping to the floor on Nemesis Primes’ other side. “Is to turn our enemies against each other.” Reaching behind him, he pulled out a large red glowing canister. “And with this, we can do just that.”

“And that is?” Slog asked. He got a very strange feeling about that canister.

“A special virus combining the potency of the ancient rust plague and the latest advances in the field of shadow play.” Tarantulas announced with glee. “This microbe, once within a host (organic or mechanical), releases a signal that pushes anger and aggression to stratospheric levels. Throw in a dash of red energon so it will reproduce faster than a body can fight it, and voila.” He brandished the canister again.

“I call it, the Hate Plague.” The group gave the scientist an unimpressed look at the name. “WHAT?”

“As To OuR TrOoP pRoBlEm.” Nemesis Prime added, heading off any questions. A screen emerged from the wall revealing the remaining drones that were left after their battle against the Earths’ defenders. “I sHaLl ReMaKe ThEm, StRoNgEr ThAn BeFoRe.” A moment later the collective Car, Jet, and Tank Drones turned a silver color before their inner mechanics began to glow a bright purple. Their bodies began to warp and contort as they were remade to be stronger, faster, and deadlier than ever before.

The end result as the transformation finished, was a series of hoof shaped ships topped with a cockpit and a small laser on top of it. A moment later they transformed into blue, broad-shouldered mechs with faces similar to Unicrons’ own visage. A pair of batlike wings would enable them flight in either mode while the laser from their cockpit came to rest on their heads as a sort of searchlight with a larger blaster taking place of their right hands. The lack of any facial expression showed them to be as sparkless now as they were before their transformation.

“OnCe TaRaNtUlAs’ HaTe PlAgUe HaS tAkEn RoOt.” They continued. “We ShAlL sEnD oUr NeW wArRiOrS tO sWeEp AwAy AnY rEmAiNiNg ReSiStAnCe.”

“And how do we get the plague to Cybertron in the first place?” Onslaught asked, looking away from the new ‘sweeps’. To his horror, he saw Tarantulas remove the lid from the canister and throw it into the crowd.

“NO!” He cried, but it was too late.

Galvatron watched wide opticed as his remaining troops began to glow red and begin attacking each other. A moment later, the Horrorcons emerged from their shells and formed a red hued Monstructor. Before the enraged dark combiner could lash out, several space bridge portals opened beneath the group, causing them to fall out of sight. With a cackle, Tarantulas followed them.

“Go GaLvAtRoN.” Nemesis Prime ordered. “aNd KnOw ThIs. If I aRrIvE aNd HaVe To KiLl OpTiMuS pRiMe MySeLF, nOt OnLy WiLl YoU nOt RuLe CyBeRtRoN.” He looked Galvatron dead in the Optic. "yOu WiLl WiTnEsS iT’s DiSmEmBeRmEnT!” He warned.

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Meanwhile on Cybertron, ideas were being brainstormed about what to do about the chaos bringers’ impending arrival.

“This planet used to be mobile right?” Agent Simmons asked. “Do you think we can reactivate the engines and try to outrun him?”

“Before we grafted a whole bunch of organic scrap onto it, maybe.” Scrapper replied. “I doubt it’d stand the stresses of intergalactic travel now.” They didn’t even have a planet sized force field to make that even remotely feasible.

“And Unicron would be able to follow us anywhere in the universe.” Vector Prime added. “He and Primus are intrinsically linked.”

“How about this then.” Charlie suggested. “We have literally billions of people here now. What if we all use that Golden Lagoon Grimlock told us about to become bots, use mass displacement to grow us all Titan sized and the Enigma to combine us all into one big bot.”

“Even if we used all six billion viable humans to make a combat ready form.” Brainstorm argued. “We wouldn’t even come up to Unicrons’ knee.”

“Well, how the hell did the big guy end up in a coma to begin with?” Simmons asked. It was a long shot considering it was before he was the Earth (a fact he was still trying to wrap his head around) but with how long the bots lived, it might be worth a shot.

“Unicron was put into stasis by the original thirteen Primes.” Optimus supplied, indicating Vector Prime. He was trying not to reveal that HE was one of said Primes if he could avoid it. “And there is a way to do so.” He cracked open his chest slightly, revealing the Matrix of Leadership.

“Won’t that wipe your memory again?” Jack asked.

“It is a risk I will have to take.” Optimus answered evasively. He wasn’t entirely sure what would happen to him. Eons ago, he ended up in a coma that Quintus Prime had to help him out of with the Emberstone. Not even a year ago, he lost his memories of the last several million years.

Any further debate was cut off by a loud roar from the outside. Moments later, various alarms around Fortress Maximus began going off.

“Teletraan-2, report!” Ultra Magnus called.

“Enemy detected.” The computer replied. “Positive identification of Sky Byte, Iguanus and Waspinator. Alert: All appear to be contaminated with an unknown viral entity.”

On Teletraans’ screen, an image of the three Predacons appeared. The shark, iguana and wasp Predacons were all in beast mode and appeared to be lashing out at anything in their direct line of sight. Concerningly, the trio had a glowing red hue to them.

“What’s with that red glow?” Raf asked. In either lifetime, he’d never seen anything like it before.

On the screen, Wheeljack attempted to attack Iguanus from behind only to get swatted away by his tail. The Wrecker slammed into the side of a building and seemed fine for a moment before suddenly glowing red and lunging at the approaching Bulkhead.

“What the scrap?” Miko yelled. Whatever was on the Preds was making Wheeljack try to take Bulkheads’ head off.

“Alert.” Teletraan continued. “Sensors indicate more enemies have emerged and are spreading their contagion.”

“Bring up a visual.” Optimus Prime ordered. A moment later, several feeds appeared on screen and revealed that more of Unicrons’ forces had arrived. All of them were glowing red and, most concerningly, any human or Cybertronian they came into contact with began to glow the same red color and lash out at anyone within reach, spreading the virus further.

“We need to contain them.” Ratchet exclaimed. “And we need to get a sample of whatever is on them.” Hopefully they could synthesize an antidote.

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“Woah, Jackie, stop!” Bulkhead yelled as he backed away from an infuriated Wheeljack. The glowing Wrecker was doing all he could to slice his friend to pieces. The swordsbot could only scream wildly as he swung. As Wheeljack went to swing again, his swords were met by a trio of them.

“Wheeljack, center yourself.” Drift yelled.

“Take a breather Jackie.” Wingsaber added, supporting her teachers’ sword with her own. Drift suddenly shuddered. “Sensei?” A moment later, the other Wrecker glowed red and screamed before forcing both her and Wheeljack backwards.

“Miko!” Bulkhead yelled as the two charged at the Maximal with swords raised. Transforming, he sped towards his Technorganic friend. Jumping up, Wingsaber planted herself onto the roof of the Wreckers’ SUV mode as he raced away from their friends.

“That was too close.” Wingsaber said as Bulkhead pulled away from Drift and Wheeljack. Thankfully, they seemed to be too angry to remember that they could transform too.

“Wingsaber?” Bulkhead asked. “You and Drift were both next to Jackie, how come you aren’t red and screaming?”

“I don’t, look out!” She screamed as Waspinator attempted to divebomb the pair of them. Bulkhead barely swerved out of the way in time. The roar of an engine and several thrustors announced the arrival of Arcee and Leo Primal.

Using a raised bit of road, Arcee launched herself skyward before transforming into beast mode. Spinning rapidly, she attempted to slice through the wasp Predacon with her tail only for him to dive down and miss her. Taking his aunts’ example, Primal ran up the same ramp and hit the thrustors. Slamming into Waspinator, Leo and the wasp plummeted towards the ground.

Crashing to the ground, Leo Primal sprung off the downed Predacon. A moment later he growled in frustration as Waspinator took off into the air again and began firing on the four of them.

“Scrap.”

“Language Jack.” Arcee both joked and chastised.

“Wait.” Bulkhead asked as Wingsaber climbed off him, allowing him to transform. “How are you two not infected. Drift got too close to Wheeljack and ended up going red rage.”

The Maximals looked at each other.

“We better report this back to Ratchet.” Leo Primal announced, hearing Waspinator buzzing back their way. A moment later, the quartet had transformed and were headed back to base.

“Hopefully the others’ are having better luck than we are.”

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On the other side of Autobot City, Rattrap was in his ‘roadie mode’ speeding away from Iguanus. To the untrained optic, it would look like he was simply trying to get out of the enraged Predacons’ way. In truth however, he was trying to wrangle him into a trap with the aid of the Protectobots and the M.A.S.K. Decepticons.

“Okay Rattrap.” Thundercracker called over his comms. “We’re ready on the set.” Rattrap snickered a bit.

“Heeere lizard, lizard, lizard.”

Iguanus gave a ferocious sounding hiss and tore off after the young Maximal. Rattrap led the Gila Monster through the areas between the transformed Titans, attempting to keep him focused on avoiding obstacles. Iguanus however simply barreled through them in a blind rage, allowing him to keep up.

“Just a little more.” Rattrap panted as he struggled to keep a few feet away from Iguanus. “I could use that airlift about now!”

“Incoming.” Blades yelled as he swooped in, allowing the Maximal to grab his landing rails before pulling up. Iguanus kept his optics on Rattrap, leaving Hotspot the opening he needed to spray the ground in front of him with fire foam. Slipping on the foam, the enraged Predacon slid several feet before falling into a pit trap. A moment later a containment unit was hefted out by Stranglehold, Streetwise and Rook.

“Uh oh.” Stranglehold said as Iguanus tried to fight his way free. “I think we are needing bigger boxski.”

“Then let’s get him inside so we can.” Thundercracker cut himself off as he saw a red fin cutting through the ground towards them. “Use Defensor to get him to the doc!” He screamed as Sky Byte erupted from the ground, slicing the seeker with his left fin and slapping Octopunch with his tail. A moment later, the Decepticons glowed red as Defensor snatched up both Rattrap and Iguanus and bolted for Autobot City.

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“Alright.” Ratchet began as he examined the scanner readout on the captive Iguanus. “According to this, there’s some kind of viral entity on the Predacons. And whatever it is it is causing them to act both aggressive and irrational.”

“Then there’s the fact that the Maxies seem to be immune to it.” Bulkhead supplied.

“I wonder.” Ratchet muttered to himself. He pulled up an enhanced image of the virus and noted that it had a technorganic quality to it that he’d only ever seen once. A moment later a stored image of the Maximals’ antibodies came up next to the virus. The similarities were uncanny.

“So, the virus is technorganic, like we are.” Rhinox said, comparing the two images. “Which means that an organic or mechanical immune system would be ineffective.”

“To say nothing of the traces of red energon that I’m detecting.” Ratchet added. “This would push it to replicate faster than even a strong singular immune system could fight effectively.”

“It seems Unicron is going to force us to whittle down our own forces for him.” Optimus observed. “This virus could drive every living being on the planet to kill each other before he even arrives.”

Further discussion was stalled by Cheetor calling in.

“Cheetor to HQ, I’m bringing Rung in.” He called.

“What’s the condition Cheetor.” Ratchet asked.

“He’s stuck in his alt mode doc.” The speedster replied. “He got hit from behind by a stray shot and transformed.” There was an explosion in the background. “I just need to outrun Ultra Magnus first.” A few moments later, Cheetor arrived and placed Rung on the table and laying the Star Saber next to him.

“Gotta go, bye.” He said before speeding off again.

“Let’s see about unlocking your T-cog.” Ratchet began, walking up to the object that was Rung. The sooner they got him and the Star Saber back in the field the better.

“Hold up a second.” Wingsaber called. Something about Primas’ new alt mode seemed familiar to her. A moment later, her eyes flew open wide. “My neutralizer!” She exclaimed.

“Your what?!” Leo Primal asked.

“Not long after we defeated Unicron ages ago.” Wingsaber began.

“Excuse me?” Ratchet asked, thoroughly confused. Bulkhead looked just as confused while Arcee pretended to be.

“I’ll explain later old friend.” Optimus consoled. Thankfully there was no one else here that wasn’t in the know of their being the original thirteen. Yet.

“After we returned to Cybertron.” Wingsaber continued. “I worried that prolonged exposure to Unicron would be detrimental to us. With that in mind, I started designing a method to neutralize whatever lifeforms or energies we may have brought back with us.”

“Okay, now you're going over my head.” Bulkhead interrupted. Since when did Miko sound like Raf.

“She means.” Rhinox continued, realizing what she was getting at. “Is that Rung may be able to help us purge the rage virus out there.”

“Sort of.” Wingsaber added hesitantly. “The energy the neutralizer emits needed something to bind to. Otherwise, we’d just be making whoever we use it on radioactive. Which is why I never finished the thing.” She finished.

“Wait a minute.” Ratchet began, optics widening. “What were you using the device on?” He asked. He’d put a pin on what the Maximals were claiming for now.

“Some of our contaminated.” Wingsaber began before looking back at Teletraan-2s' readout of the hate plague. “C.N.A.” She finished in a whisper.

“Then maybe technorganic hybrid D.N.A. could bond with it?” Raf added. “I mean, we do have a test subject handy.” He added, nodding to the struggling Iguanus.

“How do we use the emitter?” Optimus asked.

“I may have an idea about that.” Rung suggested. And the irony of the situation was not lost on him.

Moments later, Leo Primal was holding the Requiem Blaster with Rung mounted on the end like a silencer. It hadn’t taken Wingsaber, Rhinox and Ratchet long to combine the two. Although the latter was surprised at the former's sudden knowledge of Prime artifacts.

“You have to admit Jack.” Rung began as the Maximal trained the modified blaster on Iguanus. “Primus has a sense of humor.”

“I’ll say.” He replied with a roll of his eyes. Eons ago, the Requiem Blaster was a bone of contention between them when they were Prima and Megatronus. Now it seemed that Primus was forcing the two of them to work together and use the weapon to save Cybertron now.

“Fire.” Ratchet ordered as he watched the readout.

Complying with the order, Leo Primal fired the lowest power blast from his artifact through Rung. Out of the psychiatrists’ chest at the end of the blaster, a dark bluish green beam of energy lanced out and connected with the enraged Predacon. The light filled the lab and blinded all within it momentarily before it faded. Looking back at Iguanus, they noted that he now looked more confused than anything. Surprisingly, he still had a blue glow to him.

“I think it worked.” Bulkhead spoke. “Or he’s not as ragey now.” Iguanus gave the Wrecker a hiss before transforming back to bot mode.

“It’s more than that Bulkhead.” Ratchet announced as he looked at the new readouts. “Not only is Iguanus cured of the virus’ effects, but the virus itself seems to have mutated.”

“Mutated how?” Optimus asked. A moment later, Ratchet showed a video of the purged virus neutralizing the original one.

“It seems the virus can act as its’ own antivirus once the neutralizer has irradiated it.” Ratchet explained. “It seems the organic DNA was the missing catalyst.”

“Then we have a way to fight it now.” Arcee commented.

The base shook slightly before Teletraan-2 sounded an alarm.

“Alert, alert, Omega Supreme transforming.” The computer announced. The computer feed changed to the outside of Autobot City. Concerningly, right next to the city where a now red Omega Supreme was transforming. Nearby, Trypticon, Chela and Scorponok were transforming as well. Fortunately, the three of them weren’t glowing.

“Looks like the big bad just scored a giant takeaway.” Rhinox called as the Titans finished transforming. Thankfully Maximus knew not to while he was acting as their base of operations.

“Then we need to divide and conquer.” Optimus replied as the three Titans attempted to contain the fourth. “Ratchet, put out a call to all Maximals.” He began. “They’re hybrid CNA should allow them to act as carriers for the antivirus. In the meantime, Magnaboss will need to purify Omega Supreme before he can cause major damage.” Prime added as he watched Chela lead the infected Titan away from them.

“You said divide and conquer?” Leo Primal asked, gently setting the modified Requiem Blaster on the nearby berth.

“Thank you for not throwing me.” Rung commented.

“Unicron is still enroute.” Optimus reminded them all. A moment of ominous silence permeated the room. In the chaos of this new development, the chaos bringers imminent arrival was driven from their minds.

“We need the others.”

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Outside the walls of Autobot City, the world was pure pandemonium. After the infection started, it rapidly spread to all corners of the planet. All around the world, people were either glowing red and lashing out at others or doing all in their power to avoid the infected.

On a desolate city street, a young boy was running harder than he’d ever had in his short life. When the outbreak started, his parents had taken him and started running for safety. However, an infected Autobot had fired on one of the buildings they were passing several streets away from their home. In the avalanche of dust and debris, the boy had become separated from his parents and when he could see again, took off running when he saw the red glowing mob coming at him.

“Oh no, oh no, oh no.” He panted as he went to make a turn. He stopped in horror as a giant Autobot made of dinosaurs blocked his path.

The roar of an engine caught his attention. Looking down a different street, he saw a red sportscar with gold flames racing towards him. Both the Autobot symbol and the fact that it wasn’t glowing were both good signs. The hotrod screeched to a stop before the passenger side door flew open, revealing an empty interior.

“C’mon, kiddo, get in!” The Autobot yelled. Scrambling into the car, the boy felt the seatbelt zip over him and click into place before the hotrod took off with a screech of his tires. The enraged crowd was left behind in seconds and the combiner a moment later. The child then broke down crying as the events of the last hour hit him fully.

“It’s alright kid, you’re safe.” The Autobot consoled as he slowed down to a safer speed. “Can you tell me your name?”

“D-Daniel Witwicky.” The boy answered, trying to bring his sobs under control.

“Hello Daniel, I’m Rodimus.” The Autobot diplomat replied in a soothing voice. “Hold on tight, I’m going to take you to your folks.”

“You know where?” Daniel asked.

“We have a secured area in a park close by.” Rodimus explained. “I distinctly remember a man that looked similar to you and his wife shouting your name.” He pulled up a picture of a frantic man and woman on his internal display.

“That’s my mom and dad!”

“Then we’ll have you back to them in.” Rodimus was cut off as a truck horn blared behind him. In his rearview mirror, was a glowing red semitruck. “Uh oh.”

“Who’s that?” Daniel asked worried.

“Ultra Magnus.” The Autobot supplied. “I’m gonna try and lose him. Hang on!”

Flooring his accelerator, Rodimus took off like a shot away from Ultra Magnus. The infuriated leader of the Wreckers however, managed to keep pace with him, his anger driving him to keep up. Several turns and a couple of cuts through alleys did nothing to deter the enraged Autobot.

“He’s gaining on us!” Daniel cried as Rodimus took a straightaway.

“I know, we just need some kind of.” Rodimus’ was cut off as a green energy beam sliced through the road they just passed, collapsing it into the sewer below. Swerving to a stop, Rodimus watched as Ultra Magnus slammed on his breaks only to fall over the edge of the new hole in the street. From a nearby alley, a familiar gold black and white Maximal emerged.

“Grimlock!” Rodimus called. “You’re okay.”

“Me okay.” Grimlock admitted. “Dinobots not.”

“Yeah, we saw them.” Rodimus confirmed. “How are you not.”

“Me not sure.” The Dinobot leader answered. He looked over his shoulder. “You can come out now doc. They safe.” From the alley Grimlock emerged from a somewhat rotund looking man with a mustache walked out holding a redheaded girl that looked younger than Daniel.

“Thank you Grimlock.” The man said with an Indian accent. “Are you alright Sari?”

“Yeah dad.” The girl answered.

“You take Sumdacs to safety?” Grimlock asked Rodimus. He answered by opening the back door to his alt mode. As the two Sumdacs scrambled into the Autobot, a glowing red hand grasped the edge of the hole as Ultra Magnus began pulling himself up. “GO!”

As Rodimus burned rubber Grimlock turned and blasted away Magnus’ handhold, causing him to drop back into the sewer. Overhead, he heard Springer fly by with a load of uninfected humans headed towards the safe point. Transforming to follow them, Grimlock was cut off by a spacebridge portal opening near him. A moment later, Leo Primal emerged and walked over to him.

“We need all Maximals back at Autobot City.” He announced.

“Me no leave Dinobots.” Grimlock argued.

“Not even for a cure?” The other Maximal asked, looking the Dinobot leader in the visor.

“You have one?” He asked. Primals’ nod was all the confirmation he needed. He sprinted through the portal.

“Me be back soon.”

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“Remember.” Goldbug called to both the human and Cybertronian troops in the safe zone. “Stun only!”

All around the Throttlebot leader both Autobots and M.A.S.K. operatives were using low power rounds in an attempt to incapacitate the infuriated mob outside their borders. When the outbreak began, he and a few others had managed to cordon off a chunk of a nearby city park thanks to the Constructicons to serve as a safe zone and then sent off everyone he could spare to look for survivors.

“Easier sed den dun lad.” Power Hug yelled back. He was using a cobbled together stun rifle which was clashing horribly with the Scotsman's honor code. He always preferred his fists to a blaster.

“It’s all we can do for now!” Agent Watson called from her encampment near Goldbug. She was flanked on either side by Sideswipe and Strongarm. “Incoming!” She yelled as an infected Whirl came charging at them in helicopter mode.

A fusion beam cut through the air, destroying the enraged Wreckers’ rotor assembly causing him to crash just outside the safe zone.

Looking to the source, Goldbug grudgingly nodded to Magmatron who nodded back. Raf had informed him of Megatrons’ new identity and while he wasn’t happy about it, they needed all the help they could get. Albeit the thought of working with the bot who crushed his original voice box still irritated him. A moment later, Goldbug saw Springer return with a fresh group of survivors. Glowstrike followed a moment later carrying Chromedome and Rewind

Before Springer could set down, a glowing red Astrotrain strafed by them, knocking a pair of human children out of the triple changer. Before Goldbug could do anything, Magmatron ran forward and with a mighty leap, caught the two humans and held them close to his chest as he landed on his back. The humans’ mother didn’t wait until Springer had set down and jumped the last few feet before running to her children. A man jumped out after her and followed a second later.

“Robby, Mo!” She yelled, running towards Magmatron.

“They’re safe miss...” He began, gently placing the humans near their mother

“Dot, call me Dot.” The mother said, enveloping her children in a hug as her husband caught up with her. “And this is my husband, Alex.”

“Thank you.” Alex called, checking the children for himself.

“I have a daughter.” Magmatron replied. “I understand.” Silently, he prayed Transmutate was still safe in Autobot City

“And you now have friends in the Malto family.” Dot added.

“Get to safety.” Magmatron called as the blasts began to uptick again. He didn’t know how to feel about this recent development. “And have the children checked out. Ask for Dr. Onishi.”

“Bye Mr. Autobot.” The little girl called as the family left, leaving Magmatron sputtering.

“We have a survivor coming in hot!” Strongarm yelled over the din.

“And bogeys right behind him.” Sideswipe added.

Looking back over the battle, Magmatron saw Rodimus heading for the safe zone. Unfortunately, there was a horde of infected between him and them. Aiming the Seasaurs’ head at the oncoming diplomat, he fired the cryokinetic cannon in front of him, creating an ice ramp.

Realizing what Magmatron was getting at, Rodimus hit the accelerator, causing Daniel and the senior Sumdac (whose name he found out was Issac) to scream while Sari whooped in delight as they hit the ramp. Going airborne, the quartet soared over the hate infected humans.

“Rodimus to anyone. CATCH!”

“Caught!” Glowstrike called as she gripped Rodimus tightly and lowered him and his passengers safely to the ground.

“Sorry for the rough ride everyone.” Rodimus apologized as he opened his doors, letting his human passengers out.

“Can we do that again!” Sari asked as her father promptly heaved into the bushes.

“Daniel!” Came a yell as a man who could be none other than Mr. Witwicky wrapped him in a hug. A moment later his wife joined them. “Oh god, we were so scared.”

“He’s alright sir, but please get to shelter.” Rodimus spoke to both the Witwicky and Sumdac families.

He only hoped that an answer to the problem would present itself soon.

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Not far away from Autobot City, Perceptor was taking aim with the modified Requiem Blaster. Optimus Prime had called on him for an important mission while they assembled the Maximals and the Primes. He had his sights set on Omega Supreme and this was a shot he could not afford to miss. Thankfully, Chela Scorponok and Trypticon were keeping him from moving around too much.

“I’d suggest adjusting down two degrees.” Rung commented.

“Could you please let the sniper do his job.” Perceptor argued. In all the years he knew the psychologist he never even considered the idea his alt mode was effectively a piece of science equipment. Which was embarrassing considering Perceptor himself once transformed into an electron microscope.

“I’m just trying to help.” Rung replied.

“Well, I’m locked on.” Perceptor announced. “So, you can help by bracing yourself.” He then fired the requiem blaster and watched as the bluish green beam connected with the rampaging Omega Supreme. The Titan began to thrash about and Perceptor followed him. He’d have to keep the beam on Omega for several moments to cure such a large bot.

Perceptors’ aim held true however and after a bit more struggle, Omega Supreme returned to his normal coloration and temperament. Seeing the work done, he trained the blaster on the other three Titans and repeated the process. Theoretically, this would inoculate the giants against the hate plague.

“Perceptor and Rung to Optimus.” Perceptor called. “One Titan cured and three more vaccinated.”

“We read you loud and clear Perceptor.” Optimus replied. “Prepare for spacebridge.”

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Several moments later, the collective Maximals were being exposed to the healing rays of their psychologist.

“I still find it funny that the one who can help us with our anger problem is a shrink.” Nightscream commented before being batted upside the head by Botanica.

“Maximals.” Leo Primal began. “This is our greatest assignment yet. Our bodies are now host to the cure for this virus and it’s up to us to cure an entire world.”

“Yeesh, no pressure.” Rattrap griped.

“Shut up Rattrap.” Primal countered causing several to snort and the time travelers’ parents to glare at him.

“You only need to get close to someone to cure them.” Rhinox added. “Try to avoid direct conflict.”

“You all know your assignments.” Primal continued. Looking at the group, he took a breath.

“Maximals, MAXIMIZE!”

As most of the group left to begin healing the planet, Wingsaber and Rhinox walked up to Leo Primal.

“I gotta admit.” The former began, giving her boyfriend a smoldering look. “You looked pretty hot when you gave that speech.”

“Miko.” Jack replied with a blush as Raf suppressed some giggles and his girlfriend wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“Jack.” Came Arcees’ voice as she walked back into the lab. She’d wanted to catch the three of them alone. Nearby, Tasmania Kid followed his mother.

“What is it Arcee?” Jack asked his aunt while giving a smile to his new cousin.

“I want to ask a favor.” She began. Reaching behind her, she pulled out a channeler key like the one Lightbright used to cure Sparkstalker not too long ago. “I need some of Magnaboss’ purifier energy.” She asked simply.

“For what?” Jack asked, but Miko had figured it out.

“Are you scrapping kidding me?” She asked. “You still want to help him.”

“I know, I know.” Arcee admitted sadly. “I know he’s hurt me, but he’s still family.”

“Some family.” Raf added angrily.

“You want to give Galvatron one last chance.” Jack sighed. He didn’t like it, but it wasn’t his decision to make.

“I only want to cure the dark energon in him.” Arcee corrected. “Anything after that, is on him.”

“You know he may well refuse.” Raf pointed out.

“Call me a bleeding spark if you want.” Arcee countered. “But I at least want to offer him that chance.”

The Maximal trio looked at each other before nodding. A moment later, Magnaboss took the channeler key from Arcee and held it to their chest. Their sparks glowed for a moment before they passed the now charged key back to her.

“Thank you.” She whispered, holding the key close to her. She turned to take her son back to the city safe zone before leaving before Magnaboss called to her.

“Arcee.” They began, looking her in the optic. “We understand wanting to try and help him now.” They looked down at Tasmania Kid. “But don’t forget, you have other family who will need you later too.”

Looking down at her son, Arcee gave a slow nod, tears forming in her eyes.

“I understand.”

“Then good luck.”

As Arcee left the lab, Magnaboss turned to Optimus Prime. A moment later, the other Primes entered through a different door. The first part of the mission was now underway. Now for the next part.

“We’re ready.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back outside, Cheetor was running a critical part of the mission to cure the planet. One part of the reason the hate plague spread so quickly was because one of the infected Predacons happened to come into contact with Blurr very early on. The speedster then began running across the globe, spreading the contagion exponentially within literal nanoseconds.

First the Maximal speedster ran through several cities, using the antivirus he now carried to spread the cure as fast as Blurr spread the disease. Shanghai, New York, Tokyo, Madrid, London, all these cities went from raging to silent as he ran through them. Now however, he now had the enraged speedster in view.

All he had to do now was catch the fastest bot online.

“Cheetor, Maximize!”

With a flash of purple, Cheetor began to catch up with his quarry. Now, in a true race, Blurr would more than likely be able to outrun him. Considering how worn down his organics were at this point. But there was something to be said for fighting smarter. Drawing his swords, the Maximal put them together and with a toss, sent them sailing past Blurrs’ head.

This caught the other speedsters’ attention.

With a feral scream, Blurr made a U-Turn and ran straight at Cheetor. Pulling a quick turn of his own, catching his swords in the process, Cheetor deliberately ran a little slower to allow the Autobot to come within range of him. A few moments later, the antiviral spores had done their job and Blurr returned to his powder blue color. The two speedsters then slowed to a stop.

“Woahthatwasawildtrip.” Blurr muttered, shaking his head. “YouokayCheetor?”

“I will be.” The Maximal panted. “Now that you’re done playing express mail with that virus.”

“WhatifIcarryyouaroundtheworldawhile?” Blurr asked. “Youcouldrecuperateandstillgetthecuretothosewhoneedit.”

“Be my guest.” Cheetor breathed before Blurr picked him up.

“Inthatcaseawaywego.”

---------------------------------------------------------------

As the two speedsters ran across the globe, Grimlock had only one target in mind. Not far from where he’d left Rodimus, he was stalking among the buildings hunting down Mosazaur. Sniffing the air in beast mode, he caught a whiff of Mach Hoof. Knowing that the other Maximal was helping her sister (primarily because Grimlock neglected to mention Slash being infected) he knew it could only be Slash.

A couple of side streets later, Grimlock found his target. Mosazaur was smashing their way through a pair of buildings, chasing after a deranged mob of humans who were trashing whatever was in their path. This was good, he would be able to get all his Dinobots back in one strike then go help the humans.

Picking his moment, the Utahraptor surged forth. Using a dumpster as a jumping point, Grimlock launched himself at Mosazaurs’ exposed back. Transforming in midair, he sunk his claws into their back and held on.

The Dinobot combiner gave a screech of fury and attempted to pull Grimlock off their back. Fortunately, their leader had attached himself to the one spot on their back they couldn’t quite reach.

Then Mosazaur jumped backwards and landed flat on their back.

A moment later, the combiner returned to their original color scheme as the antivirus took effect. Lifting themselves up, Mosazaur shook their head before separating. The sound of their leaders’ groan drew the Dinobots to him.

“The things me Grimlock do for his team.” He grumbled, shaking his head.

The sound of rampaging humans brought him back to the present as Slash and Deathsaur helped Grimlock up.

“You know, Allie is going to be fragging pissed you didn’t bring her along.” Slash pointed out.

“Me know.” Grimlock affirmed, that was one conversation he hoped to avoid as long as possible.

“Come.” Their leader ordered, seeing the mob charging towards them. “We still have cure to give. Stun humans, don’t kill.”

“Grimlock, Maximize!”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

From his position high above the planet Cybertron, Galvatron observed the failure of Tarantulas’ ‘Hate Plague’.

“Incompetence.” He grumbled. The plague had been spread and was now being counteracted in the span of an hour.

“INDEED.” Unicrons’ voice echoed through the Anti-Primes' mind. “WITH THE FAILURE OF THE FIRST WAVE, WE MUST BEGIN THE SECOND.” 

“Agreed.” Galvatron replied. “I suggest you send your sweeps post haste.”

In several locations across the planet, gaping purple spacebridge portals opened in the sky.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the outskirts of Autobot City, Kup was leading a mission to bring in the infected Combaticons. When he found that the Maximals had been given the cure for the hate plague, he immediately drafted Botanica and Nightscream to the task. What he hadn’t expected was a pair of purified Predacons joining him.

“Wazzpinator seezzz Bruticuzzz zzzarge botzzz.” The wasp Predacon called from the air above them.

“I still don’t trust these guys.” Nightscream whispered to Kup. Silently the sergeant agreed, but the time to be picky about assistance was past. The two had been cured at the same time as Wheeljack and Drift and immediately volunteered to assist the Autobots. Probably out of self-preservation, but he’d take it.

“You needn’t worry about us turning on you.” Sky Byte grumbled. The spider Maximal had used her abilities to cure them of the greatly weakened dark energon infection before she would let them set out.“If Galvatron was willing to use us the way he did, then he was not a leader worth following. And throwing Scraplets in the works is an excellent way to seek revenge.”

“Just dig that pit trap, St3v3.” Kup groused.

Grumbling as he transformed into shark mode, Sky Byte burrowed his way into the ground. A moment later, his dorsal fin cut through the street, subtly carving the ground near Bruticus.

“Alright kids, remember.” Kup said, turning to the Maximals. “Botanica snares, Nightscream cures.” The two Maximals nodded in agreement only for another loud screech to echo throughout the area. A screech that didn’t belong to Bruticus Maximus.

“Oh nozzz!” Waspinator screamed as he was swatted out of the sky by an infected Superion. Thinking quickly, Botanica launched a seed snare at the hapless Predacon, saving him from a relapse of hate plague.

“Oh jeez.” Nightscream griped. “Of all the timing.”

“Actually, this could work in our favor.” Kup corrected. Watching the two combiners grapple one another, he noted their position. “Set up behind Superion and wait for the signal to attack him.”

“Which is?”

“You’ll know.” Kup replied to the Maximals’ question.

Watching Superion push Bruticus backwards, the Wrecker saw Sky Bytes’ fin cut through the street just behind the Combaticons.

“Get ready.” He whispered to Nautica. A moment later, Bruticus’ foot broke through the street, causing him to fall backwards into a shallow pit.

“Now!” Kup yelled. Hearing the order, Nightscream let lose a sonic shriek into the small of Superions’ back, pushing him into the pit with Bruticus. “Snare them both.” He ordered to Botanica.

“Botanica, Maximize!”

From the street at the edges of the pit, multiple vines emerged from the ground, winding themselves around the struggling combiners. Within a minute the two were simply struggling against their bonds, screaming impotently.

“Good work you two.” Kup congratulated the Maximals. “Now get in there.” He added. “I love it when a plan comes together.”

As the two Maximals moved to cure the combiners, Sky Byte erupted from the ground and transformed.

“Not a bad trap if I do say so myself.” He gloated.

“Yeah, might have to consider making a Wrecker of you.” Kup replied flatly then grinned as the shark Predacon suddenly became nervous.

“Errr, no thank you.” Sky Byte replied. “I think I’ll just stick to the front lines.” He looked around. “Where’s Waspinator.” A moment later a ball of vines rolled over to the two of them. Waspinator glared them with his mismatched optics.

“Wazzpinator wantzzz to renegotiate contract.” He buzzed.

A groan caught Kups’ attention. Turning back to the pit, he observed both the Combaticons and Aerialbots climbing out of it. All involved had returned to their original colors and were acting rationally.

“Colonel.” Kup called, addressing Onslaught.

“Seargent.” Onslaught answered.

“I’m going out on a limb and guessing that you didn’t allow yourselves to be infected by that scrap.” Kup asked rhetorically.

“You know you could’ve asked us.” Sky Byte grumbled as he cut his fellow Predacon free of the vine snare.

They ignored him.

“You’re right.” Onslaught confirmed. “That screwy spider Tarantulas infected all of us with that virus and sent us to whittle down your forces for the next wave.”

“Next wave?”

He received his answer as the sky overhead became alight with purple spacebridge portals.

“The Sweeps.” The colonel explained. “Unicron remade the Vehicons you didn’t destroy into improved models. They’re stronger, faster, and deadlier.”

From the portal above them, a large swarm of black shapes emerged, signifying the Sweeps imminent arrival. Kup turned to the Aerialbots.

“You guys okay to fight?”

“I think so.” Silverbolt answered. He and his team started pulling out energon rations. “Just need ten minutes to refuel.”

“You got five.” Kup announced as the shapes began getting bigger and clearer. He turned back to the Combaticons. “You boys gonna fight us, or them?” He asked, making sure the Maximals and Predacons were within striking range.

“Them.” Onslaught answered. “Blast Off, Brawl, how we looking?”

“Could be worse.” Brawl announced, looking at the readouts of the Combaticons internal systems on Blast Offs’ mask. “We need fuel bad, but that virus seems ta burned the dark energon out of us.”

“So you guys are free and clear now?” Botanica asked cautiously.

“And raring to go.” Vortex added.

Nodding, Kup pulled out a package of energon rations and handed it to the Combaticons. As a bonus, he handed a Cy-gar to Onslaught before putting one in his mouth.

“Then fuel up. We move out in five.”

“It’s been a long time since the Elite Guard sergeant.” Onslaught asked, taking a quick puff off his Cy-gar. “Still got what it takes.” He teased his old teacher gently.

“I got one more fight left in me.” Kup affirmed, deploying his laser musket. “And you know my philosophy.” He took another puff of his own Cy-gar. “There’s a plan in everything.”

“And you love it when a plan comes together.” Onslaught finished his teachers favorite saying. Afterall, he was the one who taught him it years ago.

“Now let’s make their plans come apart.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

“Come on you guys!” Alexis Thi Dang called as she sprinted through the streets of Jasper. When people in their town started glowing red and going nuts, she and several other kids hid out in the K.O. Burgers’ deep freeze, following the events on their phones. Once reports of the glow dissipating started to come in, the group decided to make a break for it.

“We’re coming Alexis!” Bradley ‘Rad’ White answered. Behind him, his best friend Carlos Lopez and two idiots he thought were named Billy and Fred. It just figured that when they thought they were safe these holes in the sky opened up and started spitting out spaceships that transformed like the Autobots did. Only these transformers seemed intent on destroying anything they came across.

The sound of transformation rent the air, and a trio of Sweeps landed before the group and took aim with their weapons, their faces emotionless as they performed their task.

“Dio Mios!”

“We’re all gonna die!”

“Heinrad, Maximize!”

The Sweeps were then enveloped in a bubble of energy as they seemed to begin firing in extremely slow motion. Three seconds passed and the ends of their gun barrels only began to glow.

“What are you waiting for?” Heinrad yelled as he focused on keeping them contained. “Run!”

Jarred from their collective shock, the humans began to head for a different street. Before they could make it however, another pair of Sweeps emerged and blocked their path.

“Not again!” Alexis yelled in exasperation.

Before the pair could fire however a pair of laser blasts connected with them, destroying the head of one and severing the gun arm of the other. Before the ruined Sweep hit the ground, something that looked like a cross between a bird and a plane placed itself between them and the humans. The damaged Sweep took a step forward only for the bird-plane to fire again, destroying its’ head as well.

Durning the commotion with the humans, the Sweeps in Heinrads’ time bubble had successfully gotten a shot off only for it to move at a snails’ pace. Thankfully, a series of plasma disks rained down towards the trio. Seeing this, the Maximal leapt up into the air and disengaged the time bubble, allowing the shots to connect with the ground and the disks with the Sweeps.

“Thanks for the save Depthcharge!” Heinrad called as the Manta Ray in question Transformed out of his flight mode and set down. Turning to check on the humans, the two Maximals were surprised to see they recognized the humans’ savior.

“Laserbeak?” Depthcharge asked, recognizing the Mini-Con. He wasn’t sure if he’d died along with Soundwave or not. The Con in question hesitated for a moment before beeping a positive response. Before any questions could be asked, the sound of renewed gunfire made itself known.

“The high school is being used as a shelter, can you kids make it?” Heinrad asked the humans.

“We think so.” Alexis answered, Rad and Carlos nodding in agreement. Billy and Fred just looked ready to throw up. Laserbeak then surprised everyone by moving to hover over the kids.

“Can you cover them?” Depthcharge asked his former comrade. Laserbeak simply bobbed in a way that indicated a yes. Idly, the Mini-Con couldn’t help remembering he and Soundwave watching these events unfold.

“Alright.” Heinrad began, trying to process the Decepticon spy being on their side now. “Laserbeak, kids, get moving. Depthcharge, you and I need to get back on the front lines.”

With that, the two groups split off.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Beneath the ruined city of Iacon, Optimus Prime led the other Primes to their destination.

“Are you sure the Grandis is still space worthy?” Starscream asked. “If it hasn’t flown for countless eons.” His whining was cut off by Wingsaber leaping up and smacking him upside the head. “OW!”

“I designed that ship to run indefinitely.” Wingsaber sniped. “I thought out every possibility when designing it. Don’t even.” She added, looking at Leo Primal and Rhinox. The former went to open his mouth while the latter simply snorted.

“I’m not saying a word.” Primal replied, biting his lip. Considering all the times she didn’t think through running through the groundbridge as a human, not laughing was hard.

“And you are hardly one to talk of not thinking things through Maximo.” Amalgamous Prime added.

“How many of my plans succeeded as planned?” Starscream snarked. “My plans were key to defeating Unicron the first time.”

“And yet afterwards, how many of your plans flopped Starscream.” Blitzwing commented. “Do remember, I was there when several of your schemes to usurp Megatron went to pieces.”

“I think your mental condition warped your perspective, Quintus.”

“Let alone the fact that your last great plan eons ago ended with you losing your head.” Leo Primal added. Even now he couldn’t remember the exact moment he shot Liege Maximos’ head off, but he didn’t regret it.

“That’s enough.” Optimus called. “We’re here.” Entering a cavernous hangar, the Primes beheld the ship they’d first flown into battle against Unicron all those eons ago.

The Grandus.

The ship was black and white and shaped like a giant brick. The front of the ship was domed out with a near indestructible blue hued glass. Several places along the sides of the ship colossal guns extruded, capable of firing a multitude of varying ordinance. The top of the ship was little more than a runway to allow those who were flight capable to take off and fly off into battle.

“Exactly as we left it.” Rhinox sighed in nostalgia.

“You’re welcome.” Alchemist Prime spoke. “When business is dead for several million years, you got time to change the oil and buff out the dings.”

“For which we are of course grateful.” Alpha Trion hurriedly added, seeing a familiar annoyed twitch in Wingsabers’ optic that he recognized as Solus Prime about to rip into someone. He knew Alchemist was joking, but their sister always got agitated easily where her creations were concerned.

“We need to move quickly.” Vector Prime announced as the Grandus’ boarding ramp descended. “Our window for departure will be closing soon, if it hasn’t already.”

“What do you mean?” Nexus Prime asked. “Between you and A3 here we would know if something bad would happen.”

The second and third Primes looked at each other a moment before answering.

“Within my dimension, I found myself unable to see anything past the merger of Earth and Cybertron.” Vector admitted. Beyond the flash of what he knows knew was Wingsabers’ teleportation, he could see nothing.

“And the Covenant of Primus is momentarily useless in predicting our outcome.” Alpha Trion added. “The language of the book changed completely, and I am unable to decipher it yet.”

This brought a pause to the thirteen Primes. Only one thing could cause the Covenant of Primus to alter so drastically. A paradigm shift. The last time it had happened was when Unicron had been forced into stasis.

“We don’t need foreknowledge.” Leo Primal announced, breaking the silence.

“Excuse me?” Starscream asked incredulously.

“The future is still being written.” He continued. “Here and now, we make our own destiny, our actions will be made not by what is preordained, but by what we make it.” He placed his hand out.

“For all that is.” Rhinox spoke as he placed his hand atop Primals’.

“And all that will be.” Wingsaber whispered, adding her hand.

One by one the other Primes placed their servos upon the Maximals. Some enthusiastically, some cautiously, and some solemnly. Each adding to their siblings' words.

“With the knowledge of what was.” Vector Prime spoke.

“And all that could be.” Alpha Trion added.

“To protect all that live.” Scourge continued.

“By the wisdom of the spark.” Rung whispered.

“And the plans we make.” Starscream spoke.

“Though the insanity of being.” Blitzwing added.

“By any form necessary.” Amalgamous Prime stated.

“With every power we possess.” Alchemist prime.

“And in every combination possible.” Nexus Prime finished.

Optimus finally put his servo on the pile. He looked at the other sparks he’d been born alongside. Names, faces, identities and relationships may have changed, but they were at their core, his family. Giving a smile, he whispered the mantra he’d formed out of his first words and was surprised to hear them repeated.

“Till all are one.”

“Till all are one!”

Notes:

A/N: And now the stage is set for the final act. We’re not fully out of surprises yet, however, but no spoilers.

I do hope that the revelation of Rungs’ alternate mode as a way to cure the Hate Plague wasn’t too much of a dues ex machina, but I think it wasn’t much worse than just opening the Matrix. In any case, I haven’t much else to say about this chapter. I just hope that you all liked it.

Next time: The Final Conflict Pt.2

Until then, kudo, subscribe, and comment.

Happy Reading.

Chapter 57: The Final Conflict Pt.2

Notes:

Here we are, the penultimate chapter of Beast Wars Prime. I can’t believe it’s been nearly four years since I started writing this story (on FF.net) and yet, over 350k words later, here we are. I thank you all who stuck with me through it from beginning to end. Now, let’s see if I can make this finale epic. Bon appetite true believers.

From his vantage point over the battle at Iacon, Galvatron watched as Unicrons’ Sweeps matched the defenders of Cybertron. Neither side seemed to be making any true headway over the other. He wasn’t worried though. The Sweeps were a relentless fighting force incapable of feeling pain or exhaustion whereas the resistance would eventually run down and be exterminated from the Titans to the Mini-cons.

“It’s only a matter of time now. Yes.” He said to himself as he scanned the battlefield for Optimus Prime. Aside from the ‘deal’ he now had with Unicron, he knew that the death of their leader would be a crippling blow to morale. It would be nearly as good as when he would kill Arcee.

His attention was soon drawn to the empty Well of All Sparks near the city. From its’ dark depths, a brick shaped ship rocketed out of it, headed straight for the stars. The thrum of the Dark Matrix in his chest clued Galvatron in onto who would be aboard.

“Trying to save yourself Prime?” He asked to himself. “A shred of common sense at long last. It won’t save you however. No.” He trained his fusion cannon on the Grandus and fired several shots. Angrily, he watched the ship swerved and rolled to avoid the blasts.

Growling in frustration, Galvatron turned to the newest wave of Sweeps exiting Unicrons’ spacebridges.

“Bring down that ship and bring the Prime to me!” He ordered.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Within the Grandus, several of the Primes were regaining their bearings after aerobatics Wingsaber preformed in order to avoid Galvatrons’ blast.

“Woo!” The femme in question whooped as she rolled the ship under another blast. “This ship still rocks!”

“Miko!” Rhinox called from where he was installing the Axalons’ transwarp drive into the ship. “How am I supposed to install this thing if you’re flying like a drunken turkey!” A crunch indicated that Smokescreen had just landed on one of his tools. “I needed that!”

“You really sound like Ratchet bud.” Smokescreen commented as he picked himself back up.

“Wingsaber.” Optimus called from his place on the bridge. “Try to keep the ship steady as long as possible.” An alarm sounding caught the Primes attention.

“According to the bleeps and the sweeps.” Blitzwing called from the communications arrays’ radar. “We have Creeps.” Indeed, there were a large number of incoming bogies heading for Grandus. He gestured to the front of the ship.

“I hate Sweeps.” Scourge growled, looking out the viewport. Unicron had sicked them on the group before millions of years ago and he had nearly died when several dozen swarmed him at once.

“Man the guns.” Optimus ordered. “We need to buy Rhinox and Smokescreen the time they need.”

“Even if we do.” Jack called before the ship shook slightly as a shot from a sweep hit the hull. “We’ll still be outnumbered, even with Nexus’ abilities.” He commented.

“He’s right.” Starscream admitted. “And we’ll need to save our energon to deal with Unicron.”

“We need to get to him first.” Optimus countered.

Any further argument was cut off as a large spacebridge opened near them. From it, a rust orange ship emerged that looked like it had been cobbled together from whatever parts the designers had on hand.

“Say kids, what time is it?” A voice called over the ships’ radio. A second later, the ship began firing on the Sweeps. “It’s Howdy Doody time!”

Optimus’ optics widened. He knew that voice.

“This is Optimus Prime.” He called into the radio. “Is that you Wreck-Gar?”

“You are CORRECT sir!” The Junkion leader replied, his bearded and mustachioed face appearing on screen. “S.O.S. received captain.” Optimus was perplexed by this.

“Not that we are unappreciative, but we never sent a distress call.”

“What’s this? What’s this?” Wreck-Gar replied. “There’s something very wrong.” A data packet appeared on screen showing both schematics for a spacebridge and the coordinates for Cybertron along with a brief explanation of the situation. “Perhaps you can help solve a mystery.” Wreck-Gar suggested. A moment later, both ships were rocked by laser fire. “Zoinks!”

“I suggest we set this aside for the moment Optimus.” Rung called as he began firing on the Sweeps. “We do need to clear a path out of the planets’ orbit.”

“Say hello to my little friend.” Wreck-Gar announced before his ships’ guns fired again. As several enemies fired on the Junkions, their leader laughed as the ship took the shots without being damagaed. “Framed in enamel! Resists rain, fire and corrosion for five years. Satisfaction, guaranteed.”

As the two ships battled against the onslaught, Chela the Titan realized what the Grandus, and by extension, the Primes were trying to do. With a call to her siblings, she turned and charged her wings with energy. Flapping her wings forward, she unleashed twin blades of energy at the wall of Sweeps. This attack was joined by Trypticons’ fusion cannon, Maximus’ charged particle cannons, Omega Supremes’ plasma cannon and Scorponoks laser stinger. Together, the five Titans attacks succeeded in blowing a large hole in Unicrons’ aerial defenses.

“You check in, but you don’t check out. Did I do that?” Wreck-Gar asked over the radio.

“The Titans did.” Optimus answered. “They gave us an opening to escape.”

“And it’s in.” Rhinox called as he connected the last cable to the Transwarp drive. “Wingsaber, activate the software patch to link it into the ship.” A moment later, another familiar voice was heard throughout the ship.

“I have the coordinates and route ready Optimus.” T-AI called as she finished installing onto the Grandus.

“Had to bring your girlfriend along, eh Micronus?” Amalgamous Prime whispered to an embarrassed Rhinox. He didn’t know the Axalons’ AI would transfer over with the drive.

“We’d better hurry then.” Alchemist Prime spoke. Outside the ship more Sweeps were arriving to close the hole the Titans had made.

“Wreck-gar.” Optimus called over the radio. “Can you and your Junkions help defend Cybertron while we handle Unicron?” On the planet below them, he could see other spacebridges opening across it.

“Operators are standing by.” Wreck-Gar affirmed. As the Grandus sped for the gap in enemy lines, the other Junkions aboard the ship made themselves known.

“Yes friends, act now!”

“Destroy, Unicron.”

“Kill the grand Poohbah!”

“Eliminate even the toughest stains!”

“Transwarp shunt occurring in 3...2...1!” T-AI announced before the Grandus disappeared from Cybertron.

“Good night, and good luck.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeing the Grandus disappear, Galvatron felt his spark stop. With the departure of Optimus Prime, any deal he had with Unciron was now void. The chaos bringer would destroy Cybertron and most likely force him to watch. A moment later, fury erupted in the Anti-Prime as he realized all his schemes and gambles had backfired on him entirely. Looking back down at Cybertron, he realized that he could accomplish at least one goal in his life before it too could be snatched away from him. Charging his cannon and beginning his decent to the planets’ surface, he let lose a yell of fury.

“ARCEE!!!”

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“I can’t run anymore.” Bud Hansen panted as he fell to his knees. Next to him, his brother Coby was breathing heavily too.

“We have to get to cover Bud.” He panted back. Silently, he hoped his girlfriend Lori was alright. They’d gotten separated from her when several Sweeps discovered the bomb shelter they were hiding in.

A sudden laser blast exploded near the two brothers. Startled, Coby grabbed bud and threw him over his shoulder and began running again. Behind them, a trio of Sweeps were giving chase. They only made it a couple more blocks before Colby’s legs gave out and the two of them toppled to the ground. As the Sweeps closed in, the brothers heard a familiar voice call out.

“There! They’re over there!” Lori Jiménez yelled as she rounded the corner in what looked like a green alien compact sportscar. Behind her were a blue pickup truck and a red helicopter following her. The other two vehicles were equally alien in design as the car.

 

Immediately, the truck and helicopter transformed into robots and began firing on the Sweeps. The car slowed down to let Lori out before transforming to join the fray. The bots weren’t very tall. Barely a foot taller than a human adult but they were managing to keep the Sweeps distracted.

“Lori.” Coby breathed as she helped Bud into a sitting position. “How?”

 

“After we got separated a couple of those things cornered me." She explained. Then some kind of portal opened and a whole bunch of mini Autobots began pouring out.”

“I already told you Lori.” The helicopter called, dodging a blast. “We aren’t Autobots. We’re from the planet Micronia, one of Cybertrons’ colonies.” He fired again. “I’m Jolt, and they’re Six-Speed and Reverb.” He added, indicating his companions.

“Anyway.” Lori continued. “After they saved me, these three agreed to help me find you two.”

“Actually, she begged us to help.” Jolt replied, using his helicopter blades to sever a Sweeps’ gun arm.

“It doesn't matter.” Coby announced as they helped Bud to stand up again. “We needed the help.

“And here comes more of it.” Bud added as a small crane, jet and yellow car followed the initial three.

As the car and crane transformed into equally small bots, the jet surprised them by transforming into a gun that the other two caught. Taking aim, they fired the gun three times, adjusting their aim for the new target, finishing off the Sweeps. Turning to see who their saviors were, Jolt gulped as the other two looked at each other nervously. The gun then transformed into a bot mode of its’ own and marched up to the Mini-Con trio.

“Where the scrap did you three get the idea to run off like that?” He asked.

“It was an emergency search and rescue Overrun.” Jolt replied weakly. It wasn’t every day that one of the Council of Seven spoke to them, let alone three.

“Fortunately for you we have Leader-1 and Clench keeping an optic on the operations.” The crane added.

“Cool it Longarm.” The yellow car replied, turning to the humans. “Hello, my name’s Sparkplug. Are you three okay?” He asked. The trio nodded that they were, causing the bot to smile.

“Okay then, we’ll bring you back to where we’ve set up a base. It’s not real safe out here.” Sparkplug announced. “Jolt, Six-Speed and Reverb will take you.” The other three Mini-Cons saluted their leaders before transforming. Once the three were secured in their escorts, the made their way back to the base.

“Hey Jolt?” Bud asked the bot he was riding in.

“Yeah Bud-Dude?” Jolt asked, taken with the boy enough to give him a nickname.

“Since you guys are from Micronia and went to a different world, does that make you Micronauts?”

“No!”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Noah Diaz pumped his fist after shooting a Sweep in the leg, downing it. He knew grabbing a gun from that dead M.A.S.K. guy was a good idea.

 

“Noah, get back here.” His little brother Kris hissed, pulling him back around the corner. “We don’t want to call it over here!”

“Don’t worry.” Noah whispered back, going to look around the corner. “It can’t.” His eyes widened as he saw the Sweep staring down at the two of them. More concerningly, a second Sweep had joined the first and both were aiming their guns at the brothers.

Before either of them could fire however, their heads exploded, and they toppled to the ground.

“If you’re going to shoot like that dawg, you ain’t gonna survive long.” Off to the Diaz brothers’ left-hand side a shimmer rent the air before a blue and white Autobot blinked into view. In his right hand he held a crossbow with a fading glow in it. “You guys are definitely fun though. Name’s Mirage.”

Giving a startled gasp, Noah stepped between Kris and Mirage, aiming his gun at him.

 

“Hmm, tough guy. I like that.” Mirage replied, holstering his crossbow. “I like that a lot.”

 

The sound of heavy footsteps drew the attention of all three of them. Turning to look behind Mirage, they saw another group of Sweeps land and begin firing at them. Mirage drew his crossbow again and stepped in front of the humans.

“Time for you two to make like Sonic and Tails and spindash.” The Autobot sharpshooter announced as he put down two Sweeps. “I’ll give you some cover.” He charged and from his body several copies emerged to join him.

The Sweeps opened fire on the group, dissipating two of the illusions and allowing Mirage to disable a third opponent. Another sweep managed to land a lucky shot in the Autobots’ shoulder, causing him to drop his weapon. Before he could finish the job, a shot from Noah took out Mirages’ attacker.

“I thought I told you to dash?” He asked while Noah laid some cover fire.

“We’re all in this together now.” Noah called as he shot a fifth Sweep in the head, leaving three more.

“Der’s more in dis dan you think.” Came a punk sounding voice from behind the Sweeps.

Looking at the source of the voice, the duo was shocked at the vehicle charging in to help them.

“Is that an ice cream truck?”

The ice cream truck then surprised them by splitting into a pair of bots who launched themselves at one of the Sweeps, catching them off guard.

“Yo, Mudflap.” One bot with floppy ears and what looked like gold teeth called to the other one. “You go hi, I go low!”

“You cap em’, I snap em’ Skid plate.” The other answered.

Skid plate deployed a blaster and fired at the knees of their victim, immobilizing it. Mudflap on the other hand (literally) grew his right forearm to drastic proportions before grabbing the Sweep by the beard and pulling up, yanking its’ head off its’ shoulders, finishing it. The remaining two Sweeps turned to fire on the group only for a pair of energy bolts from Mirages’ crossbow to put them down. Turning to their savior, Noah let out a growl.

“Kris!”

“What?” The younger Diaz asked as he let go of Mirages’ crossbow. As the Autobot in question picked up his weapon, he turned to the newcomers.

“Thanks for the save homies.” He greeted Mudflap and Skid plate. “Don’t think I seen you bots before.”

“Yeah, no.” Skid Plate admitted.

“We from outta town.” Mudflap added. “Place called Duosion.”

“A colony world?” Mirage asked. Several explosions went off around them as a fresh wave of Sweeps started another air raid. “Forget it, you guys know where they can hide?” He asked, indicating Noah and Kris.

“Yeah, the hood we all set up shop in is near here.” Mudflap answered.

“And we already got fleshies hanging out there.” Skidplate added. “You homeboys will fit right in.”

“Do you guys always do that?” Mirage asked as he transformed into a Porche. “Acting in synch like that?” He opened his doors to let the humans in as the Duosions combined back into their truck mode.

“It’s a twin thing.” The two of them replied.

“We all gots a twin back home.” Skid plate explained.

“We’re born, live and die in pairs.” Mudflap added.

“Cool.” Kris said as Mirage and the twins sped off. “A planet of all twins, can we go visit?”

“Let’s see about surviving today first.” Noah answered, eyeing the Sweeps still strafing the skies above.

------------------------------------------------------------------

On the edge of the Sonic Sea, the various human towns that now dotted its’ edge were being swarmed by the Sweeps. Being so far away from most of the Autobots, the citizens began to fear they’d be on their own in facing the hordes of Unicron.

A spacebridge larger than any that had been recorded before appeared off San Fransico to prove them wrong.

From the portal emerged a gigantic alien blue and white bucketwheel excavator. After him came an equally large and alien orange and silver cement mixer. Behind the pair of construction vehicles came a pair of giant robots the size of skyscrapers. One red and grey. The other, purple and green.

There was a moments’ pause before the excavator transformed and stood upright, towering slightly over the other bots. His shovel and bucketwheel became a staff with a whirling buzzsaw at the top of it. Taking a moment to observe, the battle, Metrotitan, the leader of Gigantion began to deploy his troops.

“Quickmix.” He began, turning to the cement mixer. “Try to thin their numbers a little.”

“One hailstorm of scrap coming right up.” Quickmix responded. A moment later his mixing drum turned and opened like a flower, exposing a myriad of missiles inside it. Seconds later the missiles were flying, and Sweeps were beginning to rain down into the water.

“Tidalwave, you take the sea to pick off any survivors. Broadside, get airborne and help Quickmix.” The purple and green giant dove into the ocean before resurfacing as a battleship the size of an aircraft carrier. The red and grey bot transformed into a plane that would dwarf any known to mankind and took off, firing at the enemy from multiple guns along his body.

“And to even the odds a little further.” Metrotitan added, lifting his staff. A moment later, the blade up top split in half, revealing a dark red crystal. Taking Sparkdrinker in both servos, the Gigantion leader let lose a storm of red lightning at an approaching Sweeps, causing them to explode as the supernatural electricity made contact.

Out in the sea, Tidalwave was using his guns to both shoot Sweeps out of the air, but also to pick off the ones attempting to swim for the shore to continue their assault. As good as Quickmix and Broadside were at shooting the enemy out of the air, they weren’t destroying them entirely and he was going to have a very long cycle of batting cleanup. At least until he saw at least a dozen tentacles reach up to pull several Sweeps to their watery deaths and what looked like a Goblin Shark shot out of the air to snatch one out of the sky.

“What the?” The seafaring Gigantion asked before a whirlpool opened near him. Hastily he threw an anchor down to keep him from being pulled into it. From the center of the whirlpool a blue, white and gold combiner leaped upward before landing on Tidalwave's’ bow. In his right servo was a sword that seemed to be made of bronze coral.

“Ikard, Scuba, continue your assault.” He ordered the now surfacing pair of squid beast bots. “Hellscream, Dead-end, surface and begin aiding in air support. We shall show the mother world that the sea tribe is the premier tribe of Eukarus!” A moment later, the Goblin Shark jumped into the air along with an ammonite beast bot who unfolded into bot mode before landing on Tidalwave.

“Hail, God Neptune.” The Eukarians replied to their leader.

“I can already tell that I like you guy.” Tidalwave commented, taking the trio standing on him off guard. Looking around for the bot who spoke to him before realizing he was standing on him,

“And I can appreciate a seafaring giant my friend.” God Neptune replied. “Come, let us raze the seas of our enemies. We can discuss a potential alliance later.” He added to himself. A giant of the sea would be a natural ally and a useful soldier to aid in expanding his tribes’ territory.

 

------------------------------------------------------

Outside the capitol city of Iacon, the forces of Unicron were coming from all sides. With most of the human cities now on the planet being unable to truly fight back against the Dark God or his agents, the ruined city now stood as the center of the now hybrid planets’ defenses. Destroying Iacon and all within it would leave Cybertrons’ resistance directionless in the face of the chaos bringers’ imminent arrival.

 

To the east, Rail Racer was making what headway he could against the seemingly endless horde of Sweeps while aided by Omega Supreme and some rather reluctant allies.

“Where the scrap is brawl?” Swindle called from his cover near the Titans’ foot. They’d lost track of the bulky Combaticon not long into the fighting.

“Looks like the ole’ hard sheller decided to take his time off a little too soon.” Vortex laughed as he dodged around a pair of attackers and fired on their thrustors.

“It looks like we’re-LOOK OUT!” Onslaught called as a red M.A.S.K. based seeker crashed down near them. Groaning the jet transformed into bot mode and opened, exposing the human pilot within.

“Where am I?” The man asked.

“In deep scrap.” Blast Off replied using Brawls voice. “We need a plan colonel.” He added in the same voice.

“Colonel?” The M.A.S.K. operative asked.

“Colonel Onslaught soldier.” The Combaticon leader answered. “You are?”

“Lieutenant Dan Stylor.” The man replied. “With the Sky Reign squadron.”

“You mean those knockoff seekers?” Swindle asked. He then screamed in pain as a shot from a Sweep managed to hit his right arm, blowing it and his cannon off.

Onslaught looked around, weighing his options. Brawl was MIA and Swindle was not in any condition to combine now. Looking to his right, he saw a familiar black cement mixer firing various chemical compounds at the enemy.

“Mixmaster!” He called. “Over here!”

Colonel Onslaught had a plan.

A moment later, a seemingly one armed Bruticus Maximus stood up, taking care to hide his right side. Stylor had reactivated his mech and was now serving as a temporary leg in place of the injured Swindle. Blast Off was doing the same for the missing Brawl as opposed to his usual role as an arm. Off to the side, Swindle was being hauled away by Long Haul towards the medical center.

A Squadron of Sweeps saw the infamous combiner and came in for an attack run. Had the drones been capable of it, they would’ve been surprised to see Bruticus turn to the left to show, not another arm, but the neck and head of the Constructicon combiner Devastator. Onslaught had shoehorned the chemist onto the body to serve as a makeshift weapon.

Activating the vortex feature, Bruticus was pleased to see several members of the squad sucked into the grinder with minimal pain to the rest of him. A moment later, the plasma stream launched skyward, obliterating the remainder of the squadron.

Turning to the patchwork combiner, Rail Racer nodded. “Exactly what we needed.”

“Solution, unusual.” Omega added, looking down at them. “Effectiveness, irrefutable.”

“Almost like we planned it that way.” Bruticus replied, causing the Autobot combiner to gawk before turning back to the battle.

“Didn’t you?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------

On the opposite side of Iacon, Superion had already discovered that Sky Reigns’ components were compatible with him and was using two of them to allow Air Raid and Skydive to bolster the M.A.S.K operatives who were inexperienced in fighting alien aircraft. On the ground, Mosazaur was aiding Grimlock and the freed Predacons led by Rodimus against their own horde. Aiding them were the Rhino and Thunderhawk squadrons of M.A.S.K.

“Me still not know why you let Preds work with us?” Grimlock asked, slicing a Sweep in half with his sword.

“They’re not our enemies now Grimlock. We’re all fighting for survival.” Rodimus yelled across the battlefield, laying cover fire to allow some M.A.S.K operatives to get into position. A moment later, the Rhinos opened fire, allowing the Thunderhawks to get airborne. “The lines between, bot, con and human are gone.”

“Not from where me stand.” The Dinobot commander was cut off as a Sweep landed behind him and swung a fist towards him. Only for Iguanus to catch it and Shriek to swoop in and sever the attacker's head.

“You were saying?” Rodimus asked with a cocky grin.

“Grimlock, Maximize!” He called, generating his flock and heading into battle again.

“Pft, frag you too.” Jawbreaker commented.

“He’ll get over it.” Sky Byte added before looking at Rodimus. “This WILL go on the record right?” Rodimus nodded.

“Your willingness to help us now that you’re free of Unicron will be taken into account after today no matter what.” The diplomat assuaged. “I’ll make sure you’re all given fair treatment when this is over.”

“If we livzzz that longzzz.” Waspinator buzzed, shooting at another opponent.

“Right.” Rodimus mused to himself. “What we need is more.” He was cut off as a spacebridge portal opened in the sky. Immediately they were swarmed with flying beast bots of every kind. “Air support?”

As the flocks of flyers emerged into the skies over Cybertron, they began to attack the Sweeps in mass. Pecking and clawing and biting at the unfeeling drones and picking them out of the sky. Once the majority of the forces were through, a giant Roc soared through the portal. With a mighty sweep of its wings, it let lose a shower of razor-sharp feathers, sending his victims to the ground forces below. Scanning the ground, he flew down to Rodimus and the Predacons before transforming. Ironically, in bot mode the mech seemed to hover rather than stand.

“We have received the call of the home flock.” The Roc bot announced in a somewhat posh accent, bowing to the group. “And the Sky Tribe is here to help. I, am Lord Skybolt.”

Before Rodimus could answer, a cry came from behind them as Chela entered the fray from the other side of the city.

“The golden one.” Skybolt whispered in awe of the Titan. “To have such a flyer on your side is a sign, we shall forge an alliance once the threat is passed.” With that, Skybolt transformed and took to the sky once again, leaving a stunned diplomat.

“Well.” Rodimus began as he watched the unfolding battle. “That’s one way to build bridges.” Looking up he saw yet more Sweeps emerging from the purple portals and silently hoped that the returning colonists would be enough.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the northern facet of Iacon, the bulk of the former Decepticons were mounting a defense of the cities medical center against the still rampaging Monstructor. This mostly consisted of the various cons fending off the Horrorcons’ Pretender shells while Scorponok and Fortress Maximus took turns alternating between the Sweeps and using their weapons to force the twisted combiner backwards. This was made more difficult as the stream of casualties and injuries from the battles outside began to pour into the city.

“We got more wounded incoming!” Brawl announced as he looked over the battlefield. From the east, he saw Long Haul bringing in Swindle in his truck bed. Almost immediately, the shells of both Slog and Scowl ran out to stop the Constructicon only for Stranglehold and Octopunch to drive them away from him. Fortunately, unlike their master, the shells didn’t still have the Hate Plague infecting them. It was like Monstructor was actively resisting the antivirus.

Looking over the battlefield once Long Haul was clear, Brawl could see that the situation wasn’t optimum. He may not have been a tactical genius like Onslaught, but he knew that between the Sweeps and Horrorcons, they were outgunned. Looking around, he spotted four of the five Protectobots and ran up to them.

“Hey man.” He addressed Hotspot. Idly he noticed Rook, Blades and Streetwise form up around their leader. “Why ain’t you out there bustin’ heads as Defensor?”

“We got enough problems right now bolt head.” Blades growled before turning to open fire on Birdbrains’ shell.

“We’re a mech down.” Hotspot answered. “First Aid is fulfilling his role as a doctor and we can’t form Defensor without-” Brawl cut him off.

“So you need another mech?” He asked. “Then here I am.”

“Say what?” Rook asked in disbelief. “You want to-” Brawl cut him off too.

“Look man, you guys are into mendin’ and defendin’.” He began. He pointed to the medical center that was within Monstructors’ path. “While they mend.” Brawl then pointed to the battle. “We defend.”

Hotspot sized up Brawl momentarily before nodding. Moments later, Defensor took the field with a Combaticon tank acting as a leg. Brawls’ more aggressive fighting style ended up transferring over to the Protectobot combiner, giving him a more combative edge against the enraged Monstructor. It proved to be beneficial however, as Defensor shielded his hands with his forcefield like a pair of boxing gloves to enable him to punch at the Horrorcon monstrosity without being hit by their death touch.

In the sky over the battle, Thundercracker observed the modified Defensor managing to hold back Monstructor, giving the Titans a chance to focus on the aerial battle happening overhead. Of course, it didn’t help that whatever Sweeps survived being knocked out of the sky would get back up and begin marching towards the city no matter how damaged.

“I don’t care if it’s a dues ex machina.” The filmmaking seeker bit out as he fired on Wildflys’ shell. “But if we don’t get reinforcements soon.” His prayer was answered by several spacebridges opening on the battlefield and from them, came a barrage of beast bots.

“...I need to think out loud more often.” Thundercracker said, stunned by the turn of events.

On the ground, the renegade Decepticons were suddenly inundated by the calls and blasts of their unexpected saviors. Most notably, was a behemoth of a mammoth that was missing half its’ right tusk that gave a trumpeting call before turning Icepicks’ shell as well as the three Sweeps near it into a solid block of ice before transforming. Ironically, in bot mode, this mech had more than a passing resemblance to Optimus Prime.

“We have heard your call.” The behemoth began. “Half Tusk and the Land Tribe await your command.” A Sweep attempted to attack Half Tusk only for the Skyboom shield to cleave it in half. A moment later, the shield returned to its’ master who was striding up to the leader of the newcomers.

“I am Magmatron of Tarn.” The former Decepticon leader introduced himself. “And we accept your aid against the hordes of the chaos bringer.” He greeted, holding a servo out to Half Tusk. Nodding and taking the offered servo, the tribe leader called out to his troops.

“Leave no enemy standing!”

Watching the battle, Magmatron transformed into his Chimerasaur mode before following Half Tusk back into battle. After seeing the arrival of this group from Eukarus (for they could be from nowhere else) and hearing reports of both a Sea and Sky tribe, he wondered if maybe the colony worlds had their own civil issues to work through. Perhaps he could help them avoid a war not unlike their own.

----------------------------------------------------------------

At the southern entrance of Iacon, the Maximals were trying to fend off their own army of Sweeps while aided by the Wreckers as well as Trypticon.

“Ohhh, the cons in the air go boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, booom! The cons in the air go boom, boom, boom, all day long!” Whirl sang as he soared through the air, blasting the enemy as he went. Nearby, Trypticon growled at the Wrecker.

“Didn’t mean you big rex.”

“Cut the music and keep up the assault Whirl!” Ultra Magnus called from the ground as he put a couple of shots in another Sweep.

“Yeah!” Nightscream yelled before using his sonic shriek to down another pair of flyers. “You’re falling behind whirlybird.” The Maximal was so caught up in the fight that a Sweep managed to knock him to the ground. Before it could do any damage however, a green web attached to it and yanked it away.

“And.” Kumara scolded her unofficial son. “Keep your eyes on the enemy.” She drove one of her swords through the Sweep and forced it upward, cleaving it in half.

“Yes, young Nightscream.” Drift added, slicing an opponent in half with his own sword. “Remember your lessons, always be aware of your surroundings.” He then stuck the blade of his sword in his left underarm, skewering the Sweep that tried to jump him from behind.

“Like so.”

Nearby, Blurr and Cheetor were trying to take out what they could of the arriving armada and make things easier for the others defending the city walls. As it was, several dozen Sweeps had managed to bypass the defenders on all sides and make their way into Iacon. Hopefully the other Autobots could handle them as they came.

“Kick into overdrive Blurr.” Cheetor called while slicing legs off several drones in a brief instant. Setting his sights on the next group, he put on another burst of speed. “Cheetor, Maximize!” A moment later what appeared to be several Cheetors turned the group of six into ribbons and a memory.

“OverdriveisallIdoCheetor!” Blurr called back, although he sounded a bit winded. The speedster hated to admit it, but he was beginning to run down. “Wecoulddefinitelyusesomebackupthough.” He added.

“Well, I don’t see any in sight yet.” Springer called as he rushed past in armored car mode before transforming and running his sword through an opponent. “And we’ve got better things to do tonight than die.” He added, transforming into his helicopter mode to avoid more gunfire.

“Always got to be the cheerful one, eh Springy?” Bulkhead laughed as he pancaked a Sweeps’ head with a wrecking ball before unloading a blast into the chest of another one.

“He’s not wrong though. Botanica, Maximize!” The plant Maximal countered as vines began restraining an oncoming horde. “We need backup, and fast.”

In the blink of an eye, a spacebridge opened and the sound of engines running echoed through it. A moment later, a red and white car that vaguely reminded the Maximals of Speed Racers’ Mach 5 raced onto the battlefield at the head of a pack of other race vehicles.

“Okay Speedabots!” Override yelled over the wind as she led the Velocitronians in a lap around the battle to get their bearings. “Let’s send them into the wall. Backroad, Foulwizard, Wirewolf, take the left flank.” A trio of cars sped forth before turning into two mechs and surprisingly a four-legged wolf bot before attacking the Sweeps.

“Slapdash, Getaway, Joyride, go right. I’ll help the local speeders.” As the other trio transformed and began firing on the incoming aerial forces, Override transformed and skid to a halt in front of Blurr and Cheetor. “Hey boys, need a drag partner?”

“Drag partner?” Cheetor asked, momentarily confused by both the term and the exotic looking femme in front of him.

“AnytimeOverride.” Blurr answered. “She’sjustaskingifwe’dlikemorehelp.” He explained. “How’sthingsbackhome? Ransackstillcausingproblems?” The blue speedster added, returning fire on the Sweeps.

“Not for a while now.” Override answered, drawing her Nitro Pistol. “Not since Dirt Boss took him down.” They were in an uneasy truce for the moment, but that was neither here nor there.

“Y’know.” Cheetor began, drawing his swords and looking Override in the optic. “I’d love to try my luck on Velocitron after this.” Internally, he cringed. A firefight was so not the right place to flirt with a girl.

“Just try to keep up with me for right now kitty.” Override replied with a wink before firing on another incoming Sweep.

“I’m suddenly glad it isn’t just us who find bots hot.” Mach Hoof muttered to Kumara as she watched the spectacle between Override and Cheetor. Before the elder Maximal could ask how she knew that several laser blasts hit the femmes in the back. With a mad cackle, Tarantulas landed in front of the pair.

“You should know better than to turn your back on a spider.” He taunted, eyeing Kumara in particular. “We tend to be, venomous.”

Looking over the scientists’ head, Kumara smirked before webbing the Predacons’ legs together. “But they still squash, Bambi.”

 

“Oh, real mature.” The scientist growled, reaching for the webbing before the name registered. “Bambi?” He questioned just before a shadow loomed over him. Tarantulas barely had time to scream before he was crushed under Trypticons’ mighty foot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Iacon medical center, Ratchet was working diligently to stabilize young Enrique Esquivel. The now unconscious teen had been using the Apex Armor to help Goldbug and Agent Watson against the enemies who had managed to infiltrate the city. Unfortunately, the boy had been caught under a collapsing building, and when he deactivated the armor to get out of the rubble, he crushed his left arm as the debris shifted. His temporary guardian wasted no time getting him to Ratchet.

“I never should have let him out of my sight.” Charlie berated herself again. She should’ve fought harder to send Enrique to the safe zones, but he’d insisted he’d be fine in the Apex Armor. “Raf will never forgive me.

“It was just as much my fault Charlie.” Goldbug whispered as he held the woman close.

“Would you two quit moaning over the fleshling.” Knockout grumbled as he worked on Swindle. “We’re already wasting our best doctor on hi-OW!” He yelped as both Velocity and First Aid paused what they were doing to smack him in the head.

“I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself doctor.” Goldbug growled as both he and Charlie glared at him. “Or you can begin healing thyself.”

“Nothing more I can do for that arm.” Ratchet muttered. “I’ll have to see what Brainstorm or Perceptor can do for him after he’s stabilized. He went to deploy a scalpel when Goldbug put a hand on his shoulder.

“Doc, isn’t there another way?”

“Not before sepsis seeps in.” Ratchet replied. “But I’m sure our science teams can build him something to replicate his real limb.” He added, trying to convince himself as much as the others. As he began the procedure, Ratchet did something he seldom ever did.

He prayed.

He prayed that he could save this young boy. He prayed that the bots, cons and humans outside could withstand the forces of Unicron. And finally, he prayed that their friends who left to face the chaos bringer would return alive.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

In the streets of Iacon, Arcee bounded up a side alley in beast mode with Steeljaw by her side. Blaster had deployed his cassette to aid the other Autobots in the fighting while he tried to coordinate the battles around the world as best he could. Together, the wolf and lion had taken down three of the Sweeps that had managed to enter Iacon and were headed for a fourth.

“I’m going to take him from the other side.” Steeljaw growled. “We can get it in a pincer maneuver.”

“Go.” Arcee confirmed. “I’ll meet you there.”

As Steeljaw bound down a side street, Arcee shifted into her motorcycle mode and hit the gas. Turning out of the alley, she suddenly found her way forward blocked by a wall of flames. Overhead, amidst the sounds of dogfight, Arcee heard the telltale sound of flapping wings. A moment later, a now familiar dragon charged through the flames with a roar.

“Arcee.” It spat.

“Galvatron.” Arcee growled at her brother before transforming into bot mode. A move her twin copied.

“I suppose this is all rather humorous for you, isn’t it?” Galvatron asked rhetorically as they began to circle one another. “With my inability to kill Optimus Prime, all my grand designs have crumbled to ash. You, however.” He began.

“I chose my own path, Galavar.” Arcee spat. Galvatron sneered at his old name. “You wanted to chase power; I just wanted family.”

“I AM FAMILY!” He roared in fury. “AND YOU SPAT IN THE FACE OF ALL I AM!”

“YOU WERE THE REASON WE NEVER HAD FAMILY!’ Arcee yelled back. “We never had guardians because your ego wouldn’t allow you to let anyone have power over you, and I suffered for it too.” She added. “And face it, you only wanted me around to serve as your mirror image!’

Giving a roar of fury, Galvatron fired his fusion cannon at Arcee, forcing her to dive out of the way. Deploying her blaster, she fired at her brothers’ head, causing him to raise his shield to block the shots. As he went to fire on her again, Arcee held up the channeler key.

“Galavar, wait!” She called, causing him to pause his attack. “I may hate you now.” She admitted. “You’ve tried to kill me more than once and targeted those I care about.” She gave a pained sigh. “But you’re still my brother.”

Kneeling, she set the cylindrical key on the ground and rolled it towards Galvatron. As it rolled towards him, the Anti-Prime saw that it carried the same glow that Magnaboss did when purifying someone of dark energon. He looked at Arcee curiously.

“I hate what you’ve become.” Arcee continued. “But I still want to help you. That key will purge the dark energon from your body. We don’t have to be family, but I do want you to live and find happiness in your life.”

Looking down at the key by his foot, Galvatron glared at it before turning back up to look at Arcee.

“If you truly want to help me Arcee.” He began, lifting his foot and bringing it down on the channeler key, crushing it into the pavement. “Then there’s only one thing you can do, yes.” Raising his arm, he fired his fusion cannon again.

“DIE!!!”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the kaleidoscope of warp space, the Primes were using the time between Cybertron and Unicron to formulate a plan of attack.

“Why can’t we use the same plan as before?” Amalgamous Prime asked. “I mean, yeah it’s a risk, but Unicron wouldn’t expect us to use the same plan twice in a row.”

“We can’t guarantee that Unicrons’ internal layout is the same as before.” Optimus announced. “It wasn’t the same when he awakened some months ago.”

“That’s true.” Raf added. “Don’t forget, Unicron, as much as he won’t admit it, is a living organism as much as we are.”

“There’s something else that just occurred to me.” Starscream added. He’d silently been contemplating all he knew about Unicron and the recent events surrounding him.

“And that is?” Jack asked cautiously. While he would never trust him fully again, he could admit that the tactical skills of Liege Maximo would not go amiss here.

“Tell me.” Starscream began. “When Optimus exposed Unicron to the matrix all those years ago, why wasn’t he stopped permanently? The light of it should’ve neutralized his anti-spark entirely.” When no one answered him, he continued.

“Secondly, how was he able to interact with Galvatron and his servants, and give orders after Optimus shut him down a few months ago?” Starscream added.

“You going somewhere with this?” Miko asked flatly.

“Yes.” The seeker replied. “I think Unicron has more than one spark. The one in his chest like we all have, and a second one.” He looked at Optimus directly. “Most likely it’d be in his head.”

“So, unless we take out both sparks at roughly the same time.” Blitzwing began.

“Unicron will be able to reignite one or the other.” Starscream confirmed.

“It makes some sense.” Alchemist Prime added. “He would have something akin to our internal trinity.”

“Right.” Raf added, remembering his training with Ratchet. “Spark, Brain and T-cog. Damage to any one of them can be healed, but more than one.” He let that statement hang for a moment.

“Then the answer is obvious.” Optimus announced, facing the other Primes. “We divide and conquer.”

“My sentiment exactly.” Starscream agreed. “We need three teams.”

“Three?” Vector Prime asked.

“Three. We can split Unicrons focus by attacking his two sparks and his body.” Starscream announced.

“The team attacking his body should be heavy hitters.” Starscream began. “Prima, Vector, Nexus and Alchemist.” He knew that the Star Saber and Rhisling could sever the bonds between electrons and seconds, unleashing nuclear blasts with every swing. Nexus could divide into a near limitless number of attackers and Alchemist was capable of harnessing elements on a cosmic level as much as a mundane one.

“I want the Grandus to back them up.” Optimus added.

“Will do.” T-AI announced as Starscream nodded in agreement.

“The second group will go after Unicrons’ spark proper.” He continued. “Optimus, you will have to lead that group and I suggest you take Megatronus, Solus, Micronus, and Alpha Trion.”

“What?” Miko asked, glaring at Starscream. “Afraid of something?” She didn’t trust Maximo to not make a deal with Unicron, or something in that nature.

“Miko.” Jack reprimanded slightly, placing an arm across her shoulders.

“Hardly.” Starscream sniped back. “But you three form something that can neutralize dark energon and Trion can serve as an early warning system.” He added, looking over at Smokescreen. “We still haven’t seen Nemesis Prime since Autobot City.”

“The covenant is still mostly unreadable.” Alpha Trion began, taking possession of his friend again. “But I can read up to a few lines out relatively clearly.” It wasn’t much, but it would do.

“And I shall lead the rest of us in a mission to locate and if possible, extinguish Unicrons’ second spark.” Starscream concluded, eyeing Scourge, Blitzwing and Amalgamous. Between the Onyx Primes’ sheer ferocity in beast mode and Quintus and Amalgamous ability to adapt, they had the best chance of finding it.

“Do you have a plan for if you find it?” Vector Prime asked.

“I believe so.” Starscream replied. “Although Megatronus will have to blast open a door for our team to enter Unicrons’ body.”

“Not a problem.” Jack replied, looking towards the Mini-Cons that made up his artifact.

“It’s settled then.” Optimus said in his no-nonsense tone. “We exit warp space soon, prepare yourselves.” He ordered.

As most of the Primes dispersed to work out battleplans, Jack took Miko off to a corner of the ship.

“Okay pretty bird.” Jack asked his pouting girlfriend. “What’s wrong?” There was a moment of silence before she answered him.

“I’m scared.” Miko muttered to herself. “We just got each other back, Jack.” She looked at him, eyes raw with emotion. “Now we could lose each other again.”

Jack wrapped his arms around Miko and pulled her close.

“Miko.” He began, looking in her eyes. “We found our way back to each other once. If the worst happens, I promise you we’ll do it again.” A wild idea came into Jacks’ mind.

“Would you like to make that promise official?” He asked, remembering the conversation he’d had with Chromedome and Rewind what felt like a lifetime ago. Mikos’ eyes shot open wide and she blushed.

“What are you?”

“I asked about the Conjunx Ritus a while back.” He explained, fighting his nerves to keep his own blush in check. “And we’ve followed the steps towards it to each other. A little out of order, but we did.” At her look of confusion, he continued.

“The act of intimacy.” He began, his blush finally winning out.

“Yeah, no need to explain that one.” Miko interrupted.

“It didn’t have to be THAT, but yes.” Jack agreed. “The we did the act of disclosure after finding out about Kibo.” Mikos’ eyes shot open, remembering her admitting to him contemplating suicide before coming to America. The same day he admitted that making his mother break down drove him to become more empathetic.

“We did the act of profference out of order with our gifts.” Jack continued. “You remade the Requiem Blaster for me. Giving me your faith that I wouldn’t misuse it again.”

“And you made the song for me.” Miko replied, a little breathless at the implications. Could this be happening?

“And in honor of our human lives, I’d like our act of devotion, to be a ceremony. I know we couldn’t do it right away but think of it as a promise.” Jack got down on one knee, never taking his eyes of Miko. “Nakadai Miko, Wingsaber, Solus Prime, will you marry me?”

Needless to say, Miko was shocked at what she’d just been asked. In her mind, she remembered loving him as Megatronus, meeting him again as Jack Darby, and fighting alongside him as Leobolt and now Leo Primal. Even when she knew nothing more than that he was a fry cook she felt a strange draw towards him. Heck, it’d led to her meeting the

bots in the first place. Now, in the face of doing the seemingly impossible again, the boy she knew as never taking a risk was asking her to take the biggest risk possible. With him!

Getting down on her knees as well, Miko smiled brightly at Jack before lunging forward. Wrapping her arms around him tightly, she kissed him as deeply as possible, trying to convey two lifetimes of love in the simple act. A moment later, she pulled back. Looking at Jacks’ stunned face with tears of happiness in her eyes, she answered.

“Yes.”

Applause caused the two to jump in each other's embrace. In the moment, they’d forgotten that they’d had an audience.

“You know.” Amalgamous grinned at the Maximals. “My offer to officiate a ceremony stands for you two too.” He called teasingly.

“Enough, Amalgamous.” Optimus chided before turning to Jack and Miko. “Congratulations you two.”

“Thanks.” Miko muttered as the couple helped each other to stand back up.

“You do realize that you’ll have to ensure they survive this now right.” Starscream asked Optimus quietly.

“That was always my intent, Maximo.” The he replied, giving the seeker a flat look.

“I know.” Starscream added with a smirk identical to the one he wore as Liege Maximo. “That’s why they’re in your group.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exiting warp space, the Grandus had to immediately nosedive to avoid Unicrons claw.

“Almost like he’s expecting us.” Scourge commented, holding onto his seat.

“He probably was half expecting it.” Alpha Trion replied.

“It’s time.” Optimus announced. “Nexus, Alchemist, Prima and Vector, go topside.” At the word the four primes in question made their way to the back of the ship and into the lift leading to the hull. “T-AI, take evasive action for the time being.”

Once outside, the four primes immediately began using their powers to attack the chaos bringer.

Splitting himself into nearly a hundred Micro-Cons, each armed with a nuclear laser, Nexus Prime began to swarm towards Unicrons head, firing at every inch of the dark god he could see. Against such a large opponent, they were little more than wasp stings, but it was a start.

Not far from Nexus Prime, Rung drew the Star Saber and charged it. Letting Unicrons’ gravity well pull him towards the surface, the reborn Prima swung his sword in an arc, creating a massive explosion on the giant’s leg before landing on his surface. Jabbing the blade in, he pushed himself forward, leaving a deep gouge in Unicrons mesh, causing the monster of a being to scream in fury.

Seeing that Unicron was attempting to swat his elder brother, Vector Prime drew Rhisling and took a swing of his own. Arcing the sword wide, he let lose a crescent of chronal energy that sliced the dark god in the side, eliciting another roar of pain and fury. Unicron turned to retaliate only to be hit with a wave of solar wind in the back from behind. Looking towards the source, Vector saw Alchemist Prime using his power to its’ fullest potential. Drawing on cosmic elements, the keeper of time watched his brother pelt Unicron with bolts of dark energy and a hail of nearby asteroids.

Nodding, he observed the Grandus coming around and releasing the team destined to traverse Unicrons’ mind. However, he was surprised to see the ship not move away immediately.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

“Second team in route.” T-AI announced after Starscream left with Blitzwing, Scourge and Amalgamous Prime. “And Unicron sees them.”

“Exactly as planned.” Optimus Prime nodded before turning to Leo Primal. “Let’s build them a door.”

“Coming right up.” Primal replied. Holding his hand out, his Mini-Cons remerged into the Requiem Blaster and flew into his hand. Stepping over to the nearest gun encampment, he moved the main gun slightly and aimed the blaster out into the void. Taking aim, he pulled the trigger and watched as the beam lanced away. As Unicron went to swing at the oncoming group, the shot from the Requiem Blaster flew right past his arm and hit its’ mark.

Right in Unicrons left eye.

“Bullseye!” Wingsaber laughed as the dark god screeched in pain and doubled over, putting his hand to the injury.

“You mean gods’ eye.” Smokescreen laughed. On the screen the Primes saw Starscreams’ group weave between the distracted Unicrons’ fingers and into the hole in his head.

“They’re in!” Rhinox called as the four Primes outside of Unicron continued their assault.

“Then it’s our turn.” Optimus called. “Form Magnaboss and prepare to teleport in.”

As Rhinox went to get up, he felt his safety belt tighten a bit.

“Promise you’ll come back.” T-AI whispered. At first Raf thought it was teasing, but under her words, he could sense sincerity and hope. Then he realized that the belt tightening was the AI’s way of giving him a hug.

“I’ll try.” Rhinox whispered back, trying to hide his fear.

Getting up, he walked over to Leo Primal and Wingsaber and a moment later, they merged into Magnaboss. Placing a hand on both Optimus Prime and Smokescreen, the combiner thought hard on the interior of Unicron and in a flash of light, they’d teleported from the Grandus.

Emerging into semidarkness, it took a moment for the groups’ eyes and optics to adjust to the new environment. Fortunately for the Maximals, it seemed that Unicrons’ interior retained some of his prison's atmosphere, allowing them to breath freely. Looking around, they saw that they were in what looked like a tunnel of some kind with veins of dark energon giving off just enough light to see. Looking at the tunnels themselves however, the group almost wished they couldn’t.

The tunnel they were standing in looked like it was composed of every being who’d been consumed by Unicron since the dawn of time. Those who weren’t destroyed immediately along with their world had apparently been doomed to wander the bowels of the dark god until their bodies gave out. From there they’d be absorbed into the structure. And it wasn’t just mechanical victims either.

“Oh god.” Leo Primal whispered as he saw a human like face screaming in agony. The face looked as if it was still alive somewhat. He gulped, considering what dark energon was capable of, that may well be the case for these poor sparks and souls.

“We’re close.” Optimus whispered, feeling a pull from the matrix. “Unicrons’ spark is close by. Alpha Trion?” He asked.

“Nothing immediate.” The sage replied, looking at the covenant.

“Let’s go.”

----------------------------------------------------

Within the head of Unicron, Starscream and his team had made the same discovery Optimus had.

“Grotesque.” The seeker commented at what looked like a rock based Cybertronian with half its’ face gone. “Don’t touch anything!” He hissed to Blitzwing before he could touch another corpse. “It could alert Unicron.”

“INDEED.” A deep voice echoed around them. A moment later, a pulse flowed through the dark energon veins causing several of the corpses to begin to stir and break away from the wall.

“Figures.” Starscream grumbled. He had accounted for this possibility, however. The element of surprise was never meant to last forever. “Attack!” Reaching into his pouch, he pulled a trio of Legian Darts and primed them with nitro glycerin. Flinging the darts at the ground, he felt them explode and throw up a wall of debris obscuring the emerging zombies before them. Hopefully, the cover would buy them a moment to plan.

Through the dust, the trio watched as several decaying undead aliens shambled forth with murderous intent. Their various eyes and optics glowing purple with dark energon. Glancing at his allies, Starscream turned to Scourge.

“Light them up.”

Giving a nod, Scourge transformed into his dragon mode and let loose a mighty torrent of flames at the oncoming horde. The shambling corpses apparently felt no pain and continued to move towards them. Starscream then turned to Blitzwing.

“Emberstone, now!” He ordered.

Thrusting the Emberstone at the burning masses, a wave of light hit the flames. Suddenly, it was as if the horde had been doused in gasoline as the artifact enhanced the growth of the flames, turning the blaze into an inferno and allowing it to eat through the reanimated bodies. This had the added effect of weakening them physically. As both Starscream and Amalgamous Prime proved as they used the formers’ darts and latter's scythe to cut down the remaining zombies.

“Let’s move!” Starscream called after the last zombie had been felled.

The quartet charged forth, Scourge keeping to his beast mode kept immolating the reanimated corpses that would emerge from the tunnel walls as they went. Blitzwing transformed into his tank mode to assist in the long-range combat, blasting the undead to enable their passage.

Finally, the group exited the tunnel, only to find themselves within Unicrons’ brainpan.

Looking around, they saw that most of the cranial chamber was similar to the tunnel they’d just exited. Multiple corpses both organic and mechanical stared down at them with expressions of anguish and agony. Like they’d been driven insane before dying by the dark gods’ thought processes. Before them, however, was unequivocal proof that Starscream had been right.

“A second spark.” Amalgamous whispered as he looked up at it. He tried not to look too hard at it because it made his processor burn. Around the light, several nodes around it served as Unicrons’ physical brain, operating his planet sized body.

“Huh.” Blitzwing huffed as he and Scourge transformed. “I thought it’d be bigger.”

“It’s only supposed to be for emergencies.” Starscream answered, subtly drawing and arming a pair of his darts. “Just enough to restart should his primary spark be damaged significantly or extinguished.”

“THAT IS CORRECT.” The voice came again. Only now, the four Primes knew that they were hearing Unicron himself. “MY AVATAR SHALL DEAL WITH THE THREE OF YOU.” A second later, tendrils of flesh and metal emerged from the wall and wrapped themselves around Scourge, Amalgamous and Blitzwing, pulling them into the wall and away from the brain cavity. A fourth set reached out from the floor and anchored Starscreams’ feet and arms to it.

“WELCOME LEIGE MAXIMO.” Unicron began cordially to the Prime. “WE HAVE BUSINESS TO DISCUSS.”

“We have nothing to discuss.” Starscream spat, trying to pull himself free.
“DON’T WE?” Unicron replied. “YOU DREW MY INTREST SOME TIME AFTER MY INTITIAL DEFEAT.” Amid the nodes of the dark gods’ brain, images of Liege Maximos’ deceptions and machinations that brought about the end of the age of the Primes began to play out. “YOUR ABILLITY FOR MANIPULATION IS PRECISELY WHAT I REQUIRE FOR MY NEW ANTI-PRIME.”

“You can stop right there.” Starscream sighed. “I’ve seen where that road leads and have no desire to follow it again.” His time under Megatrons’ command was proof enough of that.

“YOU HAVE THE SKILL.” Unicron continued, undeterred by the initial refusal. “BUT YOU LACK THE POWER. AND POWER, I CAN GIVE YOU.” A moment later, a new image appeared in the node cluster shifted to a new version of the seeker. A combination of him as both Starscream and Liege Maximo with raw power glowing from his optics and each plate of his body. It looked patchwork, but undeniably him. This, was the body of a conqueror and a leader.

“What of Galvatron?” Starscream asked. He knew the current Anti-Prime would not let his power go easily. Even as Galavar, he coveted power and would do anything to avoid relinquishing it.

“GALVATRON HAS PROMISED TOO MUCH AND DELIVERED TOO LITTLE.” Unicron answered. “HE OUTLIVED HIS USEFULNESS TO ME LONG BEFORE NOW. A FOLLY THAT I DO NOT FORSEE THAT YOU WOULD IMITATE.”

Starscream looked at the image of what he could be with wonder.

“WHAT SAY YOU STARSCREAM?” Unicron asked. “WILL YOU JOIN ME?”

------------------------------------------------------------

Exiting the macabre tunnel, Optimus Prime and his group found themselves staring at the outside of a black metal temple amidst the preserved bodies. It was relatively smooth with columns of chaos cybermatter surrounding it that fed upward into a conical roof. Most ominous however, was the spark of Unicron glowing above them like a dark purple sun.

“Woah.” Wingsaber gasped as she looked around.

“It’s changed since I was here last.” Optimus commented. “This temple wasn’t here before.”

“I wanted a fitting place to inter my greatest adversaries.” Came a familiar voice from atop the temple. Looking up, the five Primes saw Nemesis Prime glaring down at them in pure hatred, teal energon axe at the ready.

“Behold.” The avatar of Unicron called. “Your mausoleum. The tomb of the Primes”

Leaping into the air, Nemesis Prime attempted to bring his axe down on Optimus’ head, only for him to catch the blade with his own orange energon axe. Taking advantage of the stalemate, Leo Primal trained the Requiem Blaster on the construct and fired. Seeing the blast incoming, Nemesis ducked down and jumped backwards to let the beam soar between him and his opponent.

“Rhinox, Maximize!”

Glancing to his left, Nemesis hit his rockets, getting airborne to avoid the Maximals’ enhanced blast. A flash of burgundy above him heralded the arrival of Wingsaber, Forge Hammer poised to strike. Grabbing the hammer as she swung, Nemesis threw his own considerable weight into the swing and flung the femme into the ground near Rhinox. Training his arm cannons on the pair, the construct opened fire.

“Leo Primal, Maximize!” The lion Maximal called out.

Nemesis was helpless to stop his blast being pulled towards the reborn Megatronus. As the blast began to coalesce around the Maximal, the dark avatar observed another Autobot in the corner, writing in that damnable book Primus had given his third Prime. He didn’t have long to ruminate on this however, as his refocused blast was returned to him, forcing him to dodge it. Realizing that he needed to keep the Primes focused on something more than just him, Nemesis reached out to his proper self.

“It is time to end this farce.” The avatar beseeched.

“Oh yeah?” Wingsaber taunted. “With what army?”

“We have incoming!” Alpha Trion called as a new line made itself plain in the covenant.

A wave of purple energy washed over the walls and floor of the spark chamber near the temple. A brief moment passed before the corpses that made them up began to break away and pull themselves free.

“You just HAD to say it didn’t you?” Rhinox yelled before turning his chain guns onto the approaching horde.

“How was I to know!” The femme snarked, switching her hammer for her swords.

“Optimus!” Smokescreen called, taking control of his body again and arming his blasters. “We need the Matrix!” He began to fire on the corpses that were charging at him.

The Prime in question, however, was now locked in a grapple against his dark mirror image. “You will not have the chance to seal me away as you did before Optimus Prime.” Nemesis taunted before slamming a foot into the lions’ head on his opponents’ abdomen. “Not before you are consumed along with the light of Primus.”

Before Optimus could recover from the blow, Nemesis swung his axe forward, slashing him in the left shoulder. Narrowing his optics in pain and anger, Optimus called out.

“Optimus Prime, Maximize!”

A moment later, a gale force wind slammed into Nemesis Prime, driving him into the temple wall. Before Optimus could even attempt to draw the Matrix however, he was suddenly swarmed by the reanimated corpses of Unicrons’ countless victims. Drawing his Ion Blaster, the thirteenth Prime began attempting to clear the battlefield only to find that fighting these zombies was like fighting Terrorcons. The only way to stop them was to destroy them utterly.

Across the battlefield, Smokescreen was back-to-back with Rhinox who was attempting to drive the undead horde back.

“Anything helpful Smokescreen?” The Maximal asked as he demolished the head of an organic squid like alien with his chain guns.

“I don’t know!” The young Autobot yelled, shooting the legs off some kind of roadrunner. “I still can’t read too far in the covenant!”

“Then write something!” Wingsaber suggested, using her kunai to explode an undead rock armadillo.

“Like what?” Smokescreen asked, continuing his barrage. “I can’t guarantee that the book will allow it.”

“You must have faith in yourself my young friend.” Alpha Trion echoed in Smokescreens’ mind. “Use my Quill, and you will write what you need.” The sage reassured him. “You are ready.”

Steeling himself, Smokescreen withdrew his guns and took up the Quill and Covenant of Primus again. The bulk of the words were still indecipherable, though he could see where he wrote Nemesis Primes’ attacks missing his friends. Looking at the next part of the book, he realized that he couldn’t simply write for Unicron or Nemesis Prime to be defeated.

But he could give them the opening they needed.

Jotting down a line in the book, he was both surprised and relieved to hear a trio of screams that Alpha Trion recognized as family. Looking up, Smokescreen saw Amalgamous Prime pour to the ground before reforming and beginning his own assault on the undead. Above them, Scourge in dragon mode and Blitzwing in his jet mode began to circle in the air and fire on the enemy. Someone was missing though.

“Where’s Starscream?” Leo Primal called to the newly arrived Primes.

“I, I think Unicron has him.” Amalgamous answered.

“Oh, great, more good news.” Wingsaber snarked, slicing a limb off a mantis alien. “I bet those two will get on like a house and fire.”

“We must have faith in him Wingsaber.” Optimus began. Before he could finish, he let out a scream as Nemesis Prime unleashed a rocket assault at close range, wounding him.

“I would worry less about him, and more about yourself.” The avatar menaced, brandishing his axe. Charging forward, Nemesis had Optimus on the backfoot almost immediately. The wounded Prime was valiantly managing to match his doppelganger's’ blows and blasts, but he was wearing down. Finally, Nemesis managed to knock Optimus to the ground.

“Now.” Unicrons’ avatar began, raising his axe. “With your end, so to shall all-” Nemesis Prime was cut off as the last foot of Magnaboss’ sword burst through his abdomen. The arrival of the other three Primes had given the Maximals the time they needed to combine and sneak up on Nemesis.

“Was that supposed to stop me?” The construct asked. It literally felt no pain from the ordinarily mortal wound.

“Nope.” The combiner admitted with a smirk. “Just making sure we don’t miss this time. Magnaboss, MAXIMIZE!!!”

“NOOOO!!!” Nemesis Prime screamed as the sword lit up with Magnaboss’ purifying energy. Within its’ body, the dark energon seemed to boil before turning blue. The dark influence on the half spark that first animated the avatar relinquished its’ hold as the healing energy grew the spark into a new whole as greenish white light poured from every crack and port of its’ body.

Withdrawing their sword, Magnaboss watched the purified Nemesis Prime (or whatever he was now) collapse to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Optimus Prime stowed his Ion Blaster and axe before rising and opening his chest, exposing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. Before he could retrieve it however, Unicrons’ spark, sensing the loss of his avatar gave a scream that no words could describe. A moment later, purple hued lightning and hurricane force winds began to buffet and scatter the combatants.

Reaching out his left hand for purchase as he tumbled through the air, Optimus barely managed to get a handhold on the ground. In his right hand he held one handle of the Matrix. If he moved to open it properly, he risked being blown away and potentially losing the artifact to Unicron. He couldn’t open it with one servo, however. Feeling the other end of the Matrix go taut, Optimus observed Magnaboss holding the other handle while using their sword to anchor themselves.

Looking at them, Optimus nodded. Somehow, it felt only right for the three of them to do this with him. The three humans who’d turned out to be more than meets the eye deserved this honor. Raising the Matrix as far as their position would allow, Optimus Prime and Magnaboss opened the Matrix. As the light of Primus filled Unicrons’ spark chamber, four voices spoke as one.”

“Now, LIGHT OUR DARKEST HOUR!!!”

---------------------------------------------------------------

Within Unicrons’ head, Starscream was drawn from his musing by a sudden quaking that drove him to his knees.

“What on Cybertron was that?”

“YOUR ESTRANGED SIBLINGS ARE MORE OBSTINATE THAN I REMEMBERED.” Unicron explained simply. “OPTIMUS PRIME, HAS OPENED THE MATRIX, AND I SHALL BE FORCED BACK INTO STASIS SOON.”

“So that’s it then?” Starscream asked. This seemed almost too easy.

“NO.” Unicron answered. “IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MILLION EONS, BUT I SHALL REVIVE AGAIN AS I DID BEFORE, AND THE CYCLE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL I HAVE CONSUMED ALL.”

As Starscream let that information sink in, he felt the tentacles anchoring his limbs to the floor loosen and retract.

“HOWEVER LIEGE MAXIMO.” The chaos bringer continued. “WITH YOUR SKILLS, THIS NEXT CYCLE WILL BE THE LAST ONE.” There was a pause as Starscream felt the full focus of the dark god on him. Looking up at the dark spark above him, Starscream smirked.

“WHAT SAY YOU?”

“I say.” The seeker began. “You’re all mine Unicron!” Starscream yelled, flinging the two Leigian Darts he’d drawn earlier and charged with dark energy. Stunned by the suddenness of the attack, Unicron was unable to stop the darts connecting with his second spark.

Upon impact, the dark energy discharged from the two darts. Upon discharge, the cosmic force that would normally aid in universal expansion began to compress the spark into itself, collapsing it like a star. With all that it entails.

As he felt the pull of the forming black hole that would serve as the prison for Unicrons’ primary spark, Starscream let out a relieved sigh before allowing the gravity well to take him. Smirking before his death, he realized that his final thoughts would be inscribed within the Covenant of Primus.

------------------------------------------------------

On the outside of Unicrons’ body, Rung felt the chaos bringers giant form begin to shake, driving him to his knees. Looking up, he saw parts of the dark gods’ skin cracking open. From the cracks, the light of the matrix was shining through. Concerningly though, it looked like Unicrons’ head was collapsing in upon itself and was preparing to take the rest of them with it.

“Up we go.” Nexus Prime (or at least a part of him) called as he picked Rung and the Star Saber up and away from the calamity.

“It looks like they’ve won!” Yelled as the two of them rejoined Alchemist Prime and Vector Prime.

“More than that.” Alchemist added as he watched Unicrons’ head collapsing. Recognizing it for what it was. “They found a way to imprison Unicrons’ dark spark and all that its corrupted for all eternity.”

“Will they have enough time to escape?” Nexus asked as he finished reassembling. He really didn’t want to lose any pieces here.

“I can give them some.” Vector Prime answered, trading Rhisling for the Blades of Time. “But I can’t slow it down forever.” Focusing on the forming black hole, the five blades began to spin counterclockwise and before the quartet, the collapse seemed to slow to something akin to human frame by frame.

“Come on Optimus.” Rung muttered.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Back in the spark chamber, Unicron felt his spark being pulled up towards the black hole in his head.

“NO.” He rasped. “MY DESTINY. YOU CANNOT DESTROY MY, DESTINY!!!”

As the spark was pulled up through the ceiling, the group observed the corpses they’d been fighting suddenly slump before crumbling away to nothing. The dark energon that had kept them in that state was being pulled after the spark, leaving them to finally rest in peace.

“What’s happening?” Scourge yelled over the din.

“Starscream.” Optimus whispered. He knew in his spark that his troubled brother was gone again. Optimus only hoped he could find fulfillment at last. Wherever he was.

“What are you doing?” Magnaboss asked as they observed Smokescreen extracting the smaller body of Nemesis Prime from the trailer armor.

“He’s not being pulled in like the rest of Unicron.” The warrior explained. “Whatever he is now, he is alive and his own person.” With a little help from Amalgamous Prime, Smokescreen was able to extricate the purified avatar.

“Get in close!” Magnaboss called to their friends. As the remaining Primes drew together, the Maximal combiner thought of the bridge of the Grandus and in a burgundy flash, found themselves back aboard her.

“You made it!” T-AI cried, coasting across the bridge to the separated Maximals, she went to hug Raf only to pass right through him. “Oops.”

“You all made it!” Rung called as the four Primes who’d been battling Unicron in space rejoined them.

“Not all.” Blitzwing corrected. “Starscream.” He explained.

“It’s how he wanted it.” Smokescreen added. “Seriously, look.” He opened the Covenant of Primus to the current page. Interestingly, the other pages were filling in clearly again.

Silently, the Primes read through Unicrons’ attempt to sway their manipulative brother. Only for him to enact a master plan that would seal away Unicron and all his evil at the cost of his own life. Finally, they read their brothers’ final thoughts.

“Now we’re even.” Miko grumbled. Of course, Liege Maximo would think that.

“As much as I detested him.” Jack added. “I agree with it.” He finished begrudgingly.

“T-AI.” Optimus said after a moment. “Set course for Cybertron. I feel that we may still be needed.”

As the ship entered warp space, the last of Unicrons body was absorbed by the black hole that now sat between where Earth once stood, and Cybertron. There, compacted to the size of an electron, the spark of Unicron would rage in its’ prison for all time.

However, it would not be alone.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Engine roaring, Arcee sped away from the beam of Galvatrons’ fusion cannon in her motorcycle mode. The Anti-Prime was beyond reason now. Ever since destroying the channeler key, he had been hunting Arcee with a singlemindedness that defied logic. Fortunately, she had been able to dodge most of the blasts with her smaller beast mode and her vehicle modes’ speed. Changing tactics, Galvatron aimed his cannon a little ahead of his target and carved a long wide arc in the ground, cutting off her escape.

“Do not fire.” Galvatron ordered to a pair of Sweeps who’d landed near his downed sister and took aim. “She is mine. Yes.” The drones adjusted their aim, making sure that the femme wouldn’t escape instead.

Transforming back into bot mode, Arcee glared at her brother. She had nothing else to say to him. Good or bad. She only hoped that her sister would care for her son and explain why he lost her so soon.

Walking up to his twin, Galvatron sneered at her before raising his cannon to her head.

“I had originally prepared a speech for this moment Arcee.” The Anti-Prime began. “But ultimately, you aren’t worth it. Goodbye ‘sister’.” He fired and closing her eyes, Arcee braced herself.

But nothing hit her.

Opening her eyes, Arcee saw the fusion blast that had been inches from her face arc upwards into the sky. On either side of her, the Sweeps stood still. Unfeeling as their bodies were ripped apart and pulled into the sky as well. However, it was Galvatrons’ words that caught her attention.

“No. NO!!!”

Looking at him, Arcee observed pieces of Galvatrons’ body ripping away and being pulled into space. A phenomenon that was happening all across the planet as well. Sweeps were practically exploding apart as their components were pulled skyward. The still corrupted Monstructor shattered into the Horrorcons who shattered along with their shells. Trypticon felt a tickle on his foot as the squashed remains of Tarantulas were pulled off it.

There was only one explanation.

“They did it.” Arcee whispered at the sky as she watched Unicrons forces literally dissolve to join their master in his new prison. The sound of laughter drew her attention back to Galvatron. “Galavar?”

Galvatron was watching his arm and cannon literally unravel at the seams. He found some humor that he was doomed to the same fate as all his plans. Doubling over, the Anti-Primes' laughter turned manic as he felt the mesh of his face pull away from his head.

Arcee looked on in disgust as her brothers’ optics fell out before being pulled away as well. Galvatrons’ skull looked in her direction without seeing, but knowing she was there, laughing all the while his body came apart. Slowly, layer by layer, Galvatrons’ body unraveled fully and was pulled back to his master. As the final piece of her brother (The Dark Matrix) vanished into space, Arcee finally fell to her knees and let lose a single tear.

“Goodbye.”

--------------------------------------------------------------

Arriving back in orbit above Cybertron, the Primes were surprised to see the last of Unicrons’ forces dissolving in front of them.

“It seems I was right then.” Alchemist Prime announced as he watched the final Sweep disassemble and disappear.

“How so?” Scourge asked.

“Everything that Unicrons’ evil has touched has been pulled into the black hole with him.” He answered. “Be it his Sweeps or those who used dark energon, the vortex is pulling them all into it.”

“Looks like we missed the party then.” Nexus Prime joked.

“Then it is time.” Alpha Trion announced. Everyone turned to look at him. “As I once said to Optimus, all things have their time.”

“And all time must pass.” Vector Prime finished his own saying. This time, it felt heavier on his tongue.

“Indeed.” Trion agreed. “It is time for me to return to my eternal rest.” He smiled briefly. “Smokescreen, I leave you my role as Prime and the chronicler of our story. Farewell, my family.” Closing the new Primes optics, Smokescreen glowed brightly for a moment before returning to normal.

“Alpha Trion?” Smokescreen asked, suddenly feeling alone.

“Has chosen well.” Optimus replied, placing a comforting hand on the young mechs’ shoulder. A moment of silence was had in memoriam of the two Primes lost this day.

“The war may be over.” Jack began, looking out at the hybrid planet beneath them. "But we still have a lot of work to do.”

“Eh, we’ll figure it out.” Miko countered, putting an arm around Jacks’ shoulder. “We always do.”

“Yeah.” Raf added. “But Earth was nowhere near world peace before being moved across the universe. Throw in tech that’s suddenly thousands of years ahead of the curve.” He finished ominously.

Listening to the three, Optimus had to agree. What was to come was something he wasn’t sure he knew how to approach. War was one thing, but peace? Looking over to where Smokescreen was speaking with Alchemist (who had transformed back into Macadam) and Rung, he realized what he had to do.

----------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours later, Rodimus entered the storage room Optimus Prime called him to. He tried to figure out the reason for the summons, but with so many possibilities ranging from the reformed Predacons to the colonists appearing to potential issues with integrating the humans to Cybertron. Off to the side, he noticed Smokescreen holding a Covenant of Primus.

“You called me sir?” Rodimus asked, giving a salute.

“I did.” Optimus answered. “Rodimus, we are at a crossroads. The war is over, we have reestablished contact with the colonies, and we now have billions of human citizens to bring into the fold.” He looked off to the side.

“A challenge.” Rodimus admitted. “But not one you can’t beat.”

“I’m not going to.” Optimus admitted.

“What?”

“Rodimus.” Prime said, looking the diplomat in the optics. “I am a war time leader. I am a strong general and warrior.” He sighed, suddenly looking older than he felt. “But that’s not what the world needs now.”

“Sir?” Rodimus asked. Where was he going with this?
“What Cybertron and its peoples need.” Optimus continued looking at Rodimus. “Is a leader who can be stronger in peace, than I am in war.” There was a pause, and then Optimus’ chest opened, exposing the Matrix of Leadership.

Before Rodimus could say anything, the artifact glowed brightly, causing his own chest to open, exposing his spark. Suddenly a beam of light linked the two, flooding Rodimus with power and knowledge. A moment later, the Matrix itself left Optimus chest and implanted itself into Rodimus, who’d sunk to his knees and began to change to suit his new role

 

“Arise, Rodimus Prime.” Optimus announced as the transformation ceased.

Rodimus Prime was in shock at the sudden turn of events. His mind raced at all the new knowledge he now possessed. More specifically, the secret identity of the mech before him.

“Optimus?” Rodimus Prime whispered, realizing he was speaking with the risen. He observed his predecessor transform and separate a Maximal body that only those close to him knew about.

“I am simply Orion Pax now.” The lion Maximal replied as he transformed into his bot mode. “The war is over, and with it, my time as a Prime.” He turned to Smokescreen. “Take the rest of my body to Vector Sigma and store it there.” Orion requested.

“But what if we need you again?” Rodimus asked.

Pax smiled. “You are more than ready Prime.” He countered. “But if I am truly needed again, I will be found.”

Turning to the door, Orion Pax transformed into beast mode and walked to the storage room door, excitedly wondering where June was and what she might be doing later. Pausing for a moment, he turned back to the two Primes and softly spoke.

“Until the day, when all are one.”

Notes:

And that’s the way it was. A lot to unpack here.

I wanted to bring the colony worlds into the fray to beef up the roster and have some fun guest appearances. Even if they aren’t the most popular. Not to mention, while I’m not writing a sequel or spin off (outside of Spotlight Prime) right now, I haven’t quite ruled it out yet.

Metrotitan is indeed Cybertron Metroplex using a different name alongside Quickmix. Broadside and Tidalwave seemed to make the most sense for Gigantions. The Spedabots from Velocitron was the alliance from Earth Wars I was part of and some of the names were my fellow players. The idea of 3 tribes on Eukarus is a direct nod to IDW 1.0 as were the Duosions, hence why Mudflap and Skidz/plate from the Bayverse made an appearance since I figured they were a little better known.

Mirage is directly inspired by his Rise of the Beasts incarnation, and I couldn’t resist adding the Diaz brothers on top of him. I had the same thought when I introduced the Mini-Con colony and the humans from Cybertron.

Galvatrons’ demise is a direct homage to his death in the UK Marvel run of G1. Unicrons’ spark becoming trapped in a black hole is my nod to Transformers Cybertron and Starscreams’ sacrifice a nod to Armada. Tarantulas on the other hand, I just thought replicating Godzilla vs. Bambi was just a funny way to do it.
As to Jack and Miko, I couldn't help myself. I am very much shipper trash and thought it would be a fun thing to include. To my fellow fans of this ship, I hope you liked it too.

Finaly, I decided that Rodimus being given the title of Prime by Optimus was better than how it was handled in the 80’s. I didn’t have a problem with the character, just how he was handled. I hope I handled it well.

Join us next time where we jump into the future for the epilogue: Big Dreams.

Until then,

Bye.

Chapter 58: Big Dreams

Notes:

This is it true believers, the end of a four year and roughly 350k word journey. Here and now, I’m looking back and still can’t believe that this fic has grown the way it has. Anywho, let’s do the time warp shall we? Fair warning, after all the long action-packed chapters of late, I wanted to end the story with a short fluffy slice of life chapter. Hope everyone likes the epilogue regardless.

(10 years later)

On the technorganic world of Cybertron, dawn was slowly breaking across the sky. In a modestly sized home between the cities of Iacon and Paradon, Jack and Miko Darby were curled up together on their berth, fast asleep. The peace wasn’t to last much longer however as the door to their bedroom slowly opened, letting in a ray of daylight. The soft light hitting their faces and the patter of small feet caused the husband and wife to stir.

“Hmm, your son’s awake.” Miko muttered into Jacks’ chest.

“So’s your daughter.” Jack countered as he felt their youngest children join them on the bed. “Morning Akiko.” He greeted his daughter.

“Morning daddy.” Akiko June Darby said cheerfully as her twin hugged their mother.

“Hey Ginrai.” Miko laughed as her little boy hugged her good morning. Little Ginrai Bulkhead Darby smiled at his mother. When the twins were born, there was some concern that Ginrai was born mute until they were nearly two. Apparently, he just didn’t talk unless he genuinely needed to and having a highly talkative mom and sister and an intuitive dad made being nonverbal easy for him.

“I see Kibo decided to get an early start to the day.” Jack added, hugging his daughter to his chest. Usually, their eldest kept his siblings' company until their parents got up.

“Moon came by to visit.” Akiko replied, unknowingly ratting her big brother out. Miko swatted Jacks shoulder at the slight growl of irritation he gave at that fact.

“Enough of that.” Miko scolded her husband. “If Kibo wants to get breakfast with his boyfriend before work.”

“I just don’t know why he won’t introduce us to him.” Jack admitted, releasing Akiko to hug Ginrai. The only way they even knew about Kibo and Moon being more than friends was because Akiko saw them kissing and told them after accepting a bribe from Kibo not to.

“Maybe he’s afraid of introducing him to the great Leo Primal.” Miko teased, reaching across the bed to kiss Jack. This caused Akiko to ‘ewww’ while Ginrai covered his eyes.

In the background, the family clock (a Whirl line Rolex) struck the hour.

“Come on sweet sparks.” Jack laughed at the kids’ usual reaction to their parents kissing. Miko promised to tease them about it when they were older. “Let’s have breakfast.

A few minutes later, three of the four Darby's were seated in their combined kitchen and dining room while Jack cooked up breakfast for his family. Miko adjusted the height of the twins’ chairs while said twins flipped through the channels. Off to the side, Tonebot watched the family alongside Astroscope, Payload, and Skyblast from their (as Miko put it) Mini-Con Tree.

“I’m Brainstorm. I’m Nautica. And these are Smart Homes.”

Click.

“Tonight, on Diners’ Drive-Ins and Dives, we’ll be Swinging by Swerve’s for the best of bot cuisine.”

Click.

“Today, Autobot leader Rodimus Prime will be meeting with former President Trump to.”

Click.

“Agents of M.A.S.K. have launched a raid on.”

Click.

“More unrest on Eukarus overnight.”

Click.

“Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger!!!”

“Yay.” Akiko cheered as Ginrai’s face lit up at their favorite show. Apparently, the Darby kids had inherited their parents' interest in Tokusatsu.

“Still can’t believe they made a bug themed Sentai.” Miko grumbled but watched alongside her kids all the same. Apparently, a sudden surge of helpful Insecticons in recent years as Scorponoks’ hive hatched had spiked an interest in insects as a whole.

“Don’t let mom hear you say that.” Jack teased as he brought their breakfast over to the table. “So, are you two ready for kindergarten orientation today?” He asked.

“Bring it on!” Akiko yelled, thrusting a hand in the air as Ginrai nodded excitedly. Since the two had just turned five the month before, they were ready to be enrolled at school.

“Inside voice Akiko.” Miko scolded before shooting a look at her smirking husband. The fact that their daughter was as much a chaos gremlin as her mother brought no end of amusement to Jack. “Alright then, make sure to get cleaned up after breakfast.” Jack announced. The twins replied by trying to eat as fast as they could.

“Not too fast you two. Don’t want to choke.” Miko cautioned. “Don’t even.” She added in a whisper to her husband. She was aware she was sounding like her mother-in-law. Said husband simply chuckled and leaned over and gave her a one arm hug while nuzzling her face.

“Overprotectiveness looks cute on you.” He teased, enjoying the pout Miko gave as she couldn’t directly refute that statement.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Looking at the newly completed Starscream Memorial Academy. Arcee allowed Tasmania Kid to climb down from her back before transforming back into bot mode from motorcycle. Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her son.

“Okay Kid.” Arcee Began. “I need to stay out here and greet the other students. You know where to go?” She asked.

“Yep.” Tas replied. Holding up a wrist a hologram map of the school appeared. On it were several routes to help him get from class to class.

“And?” His mother added, giving him the same stern look his aunt June would give his cousin Jack.

“No practical jokes.” Tasmania Kid grumbled. He’d gotten in serious trouble the year before after he put a heat sensitive adhesive on the teachers’ chair. Come on, he was just putting uncle Wheeljacks’ chemistry lessons to good use.

“Alright.” Arcee smiled before turning to see various students arrive (both Cybertronian and human). “You better get to homeroom.” She added. As her son ran up the steps to the school, Arcee turned to observe one father sending his daughters off.

“Okay girls, show me war faces.” Grimlock ordered. Before him, four femmes transformed into different variants of Velociraptor. One large and lizard like, two small and feathery, and one that seemed to be a mix of the two types. Together Gnash, Slice, Shred and Thrashclaw gave an open-mouthed hiss to their adoptive father. Nodding in approval, Grimlock transformed to raptor mode as well. “Now get in there and kick butt.”

“Yes Grimlock.” The four sisters chorused. A moment later, the four leaned forward and licked the Dinobots’ muzzle together before running into the school. This caused Grimlock to splutter.

“Blech, me Grimlock not kisser!” He yelled, wiping his muzzle as his retreating daughters giggled.

Arcee shook her head fondly at her comrades’ antics. Who knew the four sparks Grimlock had died saving from Hun-Gurr would view the Dinobot Maximal as their father. And despite his current antics, he loved the four Raptoricons deeply.

“Hello miss Arcee. Me happy to see you again.” Another voice spoke from behind her. Turning around, she came face to face with an acid green and purple copy of Optimus Prime. Controlling her initial reaction to the purified Nemesis Prime, Arcee smiled. She had to remind herself that he only looked like Optimus and Nemesis.

“Hello Toxitron.” Arcee greeted. She’d forgotten the former avatar had been transferred to the new school with her. The new name and paint job had been decided upon to help him create his own identity. However, she did question the logic in letting Miko pick the color scheme.

“We having a fun lesson today?” Toxitron asked in his typical child-like tone. Honestly, he wasn’t that out of place among some of the newly forged bots. Afterall, she’d been his primary teacher for the last few years.

“Mostly talking today.” Arcee answered. At his disappointed look she smiled. “But we can do a history act tomorrow.”

“Okay.” He said a little disappointedly before walking up the steps. Arcee shook her head fondly after him. Looking around again, she got another surprise at both another father and daughter. Specifically, the fact the daughter looked like she did before she became a Maximal.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Magmatron asked Transmutate. For the anniversary of the day they met, the former Decepticon leader had taken his daughter to the Golden lagoon for a chance to upgrade her misshaped frame. He’d gotten the surprise of a lifetime when a tan and aqua motorcycle raced out of the lagoon and transformed into his daughter. For some reason he’d expected a dinosaur skeleton.

“I’m ready.” Transmutate answered. It had taken a while, but her grasp on speech had improved greatly even before her dip in the lagoon. All she really needed was someone with the patience to help her the rest of the way.

“Very well. I’ll be here to pick you up after school.” Magmatron agreed. It looked like he’d have time to meet Orion and his wife at Maccadams’ after all. “Be careful.” Smiling, he watched Transmutate climb up the steps.

“Hello.” A femme that looked like she transformed into a bat greeted her. “My name’s Nyx, what’s yours?”

“Transmutate.”

“Cool name.” Nyx replied. “Hey Skold, come here and meet Transmutate!” She called to a turtle that transformed into another femme and joined them.

Magmatron smiled and turned away. His daughter would be all right.

Arcee watched Magmatron leave as others began to arrive. Raf greeted her with a wave before heading to the medics’ office. He’d been hired on at Arcees’ recommendation in both tech support and school medical professional.

Near the statue of Starscream at the front of the school a purple and aqua seeker femme was hiding just out of sight of the door. She was nervous about her first day of school and was wondering if she just stayed out of sight of the main doors, would she even be noticed as absent?

“You don’t have to look so nervous.” A voice from behind her made her jump. Turning, she was met with an orange and silver mech with glasses. “What’s your name?” He asked gently.

“Sli-Slipstream.” She answered nervously.

“Hello Slipstream, my name is Rung.” The mech answered. “Would you like to tell me why you’re hiding here?” He asked.

“I’m not hiding.” Slipstream rebutted. “I’m just, gathering reconnaissance.”

“I see.” Rung replied, seeing all too clearly. He’d originally been asked by Rodimus Prime to observe the arriving students to look for signs of abuse or behavioral problems. Hence why the openings were staggered the way they were. This was rather unexpected. “You could actually get better recon inside the school than out here.”

“I, uh.” Slipstream began, trying to think up a convincing lie.

“Look.” Rung cut her off. “School is a place where you can learn and grow into the best version of yourself.”

“But what if nobody likes me?” Slipstream replied voicing the concern she was reluctant to admit to.

“Hey.” Rung said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Speaking from experience, just be yourself, and the right friends will find you.” He said with a smile.

Slipstream didn’t know why, but something about this bot made her want to trust him. Giving him a nod, the seeker turned and left her hiding place before ascending the steps. As he watched her go, the reborn Prima whispered.

“You can do it Maximo, good luck.”

----------------------------------------------------------

Walking into Maccadams’, Magmatron looked around, scanning the Cybertronian and human customers for the couple he was supposed to be meeting up with. Out of the corner of his optic, he spotted the two at a table. They were cuddled up next to one another watching a Cybertronian football game. On said screen, Blitzwing was yelling something about defense to the technorganic Predacons.

Making his way over to the two, Orion Pax caught sight of him first. Waving to Magmatron, the former Decepticon made his way over to the two. Kumara kept her eyes on him the whole way over. Understandable, considering his history with her family. He knew that, reformed or not, June Darby would never fully trust him.

He also noticed something else.

“Orion.” Magmatron greeted his old friend. It was strange that in the intervening decade he found he could call his former enemy that again. “I see congratulations are in order.” He added, pulling up a chair.

“What do you mean?” Pax asked as June looked at Magmatron in shock. How could he have known?

“I’m guessing you didn’t tell him yet?” The ex-warlord asked the Maximal.

“I just found out.” She replied, going red. “How did you?”

“I read the book Ratchet wrote about Technorganic anatomy.” After the war ended and people began returning to Cybertron, there was a wave of people flocking to the golden lagoons discovered across the planet to reformat themselves. In particular, there were many sick and injured humans using them to become technorganic Maximals. However, with these new bodies, there was not much knowledge of their inner workings. This led Ratchet to branch out his research and ultimately publish a book on the subject. Including.

“June?” Orion asked, looking to his wife. “What’s going on?”

“I’m pregnant.” June Pax admitted, giving him a shaky smile. “Surprise.”

“What?” Orion asked, wide opticed. “How?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong Orion.” Magmatron asked, giving his old friend a look. “Are you both not technorganic?”

“I know the mechanics.” Pax countered. “And how did you?”

“Her abdominal plating has shifted slightly since we last saw each other.” Magmatron supplied. “However, since you two see each other every day I can believe you’d miss it.”

“I had wondered how you didn’t notice it.” June asked her husband.

“I could tell you some stories.” Magmatron laughed. “Orion may be a good military leader, but he could miss some very obvious social cues.”

“Oh really?” June asked, catching Orion's sudden embarrassed expression. He hadn’t had that problem since they’d started dating. “Like what?”

“Go easy on me.” Pax pleaded. During the early days of their friendship, he’d told his friend some of the embarrassing things he’d said and done around Elita-1. The then warlord even witnessed a few of them. Magmatron smirked at his former nemesis.

“Why should I start now?” He asked as Orion Pax groaned.

--------------------------------------------------

Rodimus Prime sat down at his desk with a groan. He had had a full day. Between the Council meeting with the colony world delegates as well as meeting with that blowhard of a former president, he was tempted to down the bottle of Engex in his desk in one go. Thinking better of it, he ran over the events of the meeting that morning.

Most of the colonial delegates had appeared or attended via hologram in the case of the Gigantions. However, the worst problem came regarding Eukarus. Somone was inflaming tensions between the three tribes just as they were coming close to a deal that would allow for equal representation on the Council. Each world and country on the planet had two delegates each, but the tribes had insisted on having two per tribe which led to even more arguments among the assembly. The Problem was no one seemed to know what was actually happening on the beast planet. The only communication they had was of the battles being fought, not their causes. And any meeting with its’ leaders quickly devolved into verbal spitting matches before they’d inevitably walk out.

Closing his optics for a moment, Rodimus considered his options. A moment later the door opened again.

“Having difficulties?” Came a familiar voice.

“A little bit Alpha Trizer.” The Prime answered, turning to see the spiritual bot entering his chamber. “I’m sure you already know.”

“You know it’s just Smokescreen when it’s just us Rodimus.” The second-generation Prime replied. “And indeed, I do.” The young sage added.

“I think it’s time to consider an intervention.” The current Prime admitted at last.

“I believe that you need something less of an intervention and more like a revolution.” Trizer announced cryptically.

“I’d hoped to allow them to come to an agreement on their own.” The diplomat sighed. “But a regime change may be exactly what they need. The how however, eludes me.”

“We need only look to the past for answers in the present.” Alpha Trizer commented.

“Smokescreen, please.” Rodimus moaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ve dealt with enough cryptic words today.” Days like these were what made him wish legalese was illegal.

“We both know who can cause a revolution.” Trizer continued, seeing his friends’ exasperation. “And I’m sure he’d be willing to do so for the right reasons this time.”

Rodimus turned to look at him.

“You don’t mean.”

--------------------------------------------------

That night, Jack Darby sat on his sofa and scrolled through the family photos over the last decade while adding a new one to the album.

The twins’ last birthday where uncle Bulkhead had taken them dune bashing in the rust sea. Of course, Miko neglected to tell Jack this, and he had a near meltdown thinking their kids had been kidnapped.

A Christmas picture from a few years ago. The twins were held securely in Jacks arms in front of the tree as Miko took a picture with a selfie stick. This turned out to be a good idea because the kids managed to wiggle their way free and into the presents not even two seconds later.

A wedding photo from his mom and Orion's’ wedding. Rodimus Prime had officiated it and Miko and Jack had served as bridesmaid and groomsman respectively. Next to it was one where his mother had shoved cake in her new husbands’ face with Orion just looking confused.

The next page showed a family trip to the beach with Akiko and Ginrai sitting next to a large sandcastle with their young cousin Vincient Edmund Raider Jr. The newest addition to the Raider family. Beside it was a picture of a pregnant Miko and Sierra. The then mothers to be both holding baby blankets that Jacks’ mother had made from her own spider silk. All of which were now safely stowed away with their other baby things.

Turning the page again, Jack smiled at the picture of the twins’ birth. Both he and Miko looked exhausted as they held the babies and if you looked closely, you could see the marks on Jacks’ neck where Miko tried to strangle him after the birth. Fortunately, Raf had pulled Jack out of her grasp before he could black out.

Then came the picture of their own wedding.

He and Miko stood at an altar with Amalgamous Prime acting as the officiant. Bulkhead had been given the honor of walking the bride to the alter. Vince had been given the role of best man while Sierra got the role of maid of honor. Adorning the new husband and wife was a single crystal made from a drop of the others’ innermost energon. Jacks’ crystal was settled on his beast modes’ forehead in his chest while Mikos’ was set in the back of her left hand.

As he turned the page again, Jack felt his wife settle on the back of his seat, resting her chin on his head.

“Well, the twins are in bed.” She began. “I think they really like the idea of starting school.”

“Until they realize what a bore fest it is?” Jack teased. He remembered his Wifes' opinions about school when they first met.

“Oh yeah.” Miko replied. Looking down, she saw another pair of pictures One was a group shot of the Maximals taken just after they’d raised Fortress Maximus. The other, was a shot of the two of them and Raf back in the original Autobot outpost as humans.

“Wow.” Miko laughed, lifting her head off Jacks’. “Such small beginnings.”

Jack let out a laugh of his own as he loaded the latest picture in the album. A family photo of them, Kibo and the twins, Orion and his mom, Arcee and Tasmania Kid.

“And who knew that it’d lead to such big dreams?” He smiled as his wife ducked down to kiss him. They were interrupted by the sound of two sets of feet walking up the steps.

“Ready to officially meet our sons’ boyfriend?”

“Ready to give our son some grief for trying to hide it from us?”

“You’re on.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The End.

Notes:

And here we are folks, the end of Beast Wars Prime. However, after consideration and some comments, I have decided that I WILL do a sequel story in addition to Spotlight Prime. Admittedly, I did make sure this chapter had some sequel bait in it. I don’t plan on it being as long as this story was, but I will try to do it justice. Although it will be a little while before I start writing it. And I do have some other story ideas I’d like to pursue.

Before I sign off, I want to say thank you to everyone who read, followed and commented on this story in one form or another. Your actions and words truly inspired me to continue this story and bring it to completion. An extra shout out to the people who created and updated the TVTropes page for this story. And most of all, I want to give a special shout out to my girlfriend, who helped me workshop this story over the years.

That said, kudo, comment, and enjoy. I’ll see you all next time.

Happy reading everyone. Bye.

Notes:

Please review.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Beast Wars Prime