Disclaimers – I do not own Transformers Hasbro does and this story was adopted from my friend Ratchet's Sparkling.
Summary – Long one shot – Team Prime and the Cons are some how transported back onto a Cybertron before the war happened.
Transformers Prime – Return to the golden age
"Is it wise to leave the base unmanned? What about communications or transportation? Or the children's bodies?" Ratchet asked as he and the rest of Team Prime stood in front of an open Ground Bridge.
"The base will be fine, old friend. Raf, or should I say Wolfbane, is able to remotely activate a ground bridge and we will all be together so there will be no need for communications unless it is Agent Fowler." Optimus answered.
"And don't worry about our bodies Ratchet. You made sure to hook them up to IV's so we will be fine for this extended mission. Don't forget, Arcee and Bulkhead will be sent back once we secure the relic." Wolfbane added.
Ratchet sighed before saying,
"Very well. I just don't like not being able to monitor you three while you are Mind Transferred to these forms."
Jack, or Nightshade, smiled,
"We'll be fine, I swear."
"Yeah don't worry about us doc bot." Miko, aka Larkspur, piped up.
Ratchet only nodded.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus Prime called.
The sound of transformations sounded through the Autobot base as all 8 Autobots drove through the bridge.
Optimus and his team arrived at the latest coordinates for the relic at the same time as the Decepticons. There were a few moments of silence with only the sound of both Ground Bridges in the background. Megatron smirked at Optimus before he fired the first shot at his archrival; thus beginning a free for all battle over a relic that could tip the scales of war in favor of the Autobots. The Star Saber sat in the middle of the battle ground unscathed by anything that came near. However, the Ground Bridges had remained open and their energies soon began to feed off each other as well as the Ancient power the Star Saber was emitting.
"Arcee! Bulkhead! Return to base with the relic, now!" Optimus shouted through the comm. link. The two Autobots nodded and quickly finished off their opponents and grabbed the Star Saber and the rock it was in and dashed through the swirling green portal.
No one noticed the blue glow from the sword grow larger until it surrounded the remaining battling Cybertronians and blinding them, momentarily forcing them to stop their fighting.
Once everyone's eyesight cleared, the fight resumed with no one noticing their new surroundings for a few klick.
Ratchet was the first to notice something was off. Fearing the worst, he quickly finished off his opponent and glanced around for his teammates. He saw Optimus and Megatron still locked in battle, Bumblebee was facing Dreadwing and Nightshade, Wolfbane, and Larkspur (they only used their human names when at base or back in their human bodies or amongst each other) were facing down Soundwave and Starscream. They all seemed ok for the most part, no spark threatening injuries. All the drones were offlined, so he began to make his way over to help the three younglings with Soundwave and Starscream. Before he moved however, he caught movement in the corner of his optic and spun around energon blades at the ready only to see a wounded mech looking at him with wide optics and holding a hand over his wounded arm.
Momentarily forgetting he was in the middle of battle, he let his arms drop to his side as he finally took in his surroundings. Ratchet saw the bright, shining buildings all around them, the streets all lit brightly, the sky dark with twin moons (one larger than the other), all the Cybertronians gathered around their battlefield staring and watching silently. The medic instantly thought he was dreaming but his internal diagnostics stated otherwise, and all was familiar and brought back painful memories. For the first time in a while he was unsure of what to do, so he did the only logical thing he could think of.
"OPTIMUS!"
The loud yell of the medic brought all combatants to an abrupt halt. It was enough time however for them all to look around them and see what Ratchet had seen.
"Autobots, stand down!" Optimus ordered as he took a few steps away from Megatron but not taking his optics off him. Megatron did the same.
"Decepticons, cease fire!"
Everyone on the battlefield went to stand by their respective leaders but kept their weapons online. They looked around but kept watch, making sure their enemy didn't make any sudden moves.
"I believe it would be wise for us to stop fighting for the moment and try to figure out what happened." Optimus said to Megatron.
"Normally I would disagree, but under these circumstances I think that to be a good idea, Prime."
Instantly, the gathered crowd began whispering. It was obvious they were talking about what Megatron said.
"Then lets us call a truce as we once did with fighting Unicron and work on finding a way to solve this." Optimus held out a hand for Megatron. The Decepticon lord took the offered hand and called his troops off and walked away, leaving Team Prime to themselves.
Optimus retracted his energon blade as he walked over to Ratchet. Everyone else followed his example and powered down their weapons. More whispers erupted from the crowd at this.
"Ratchet…"
"I can't even begin to explain this, Prime. But it is real this is no dream or trick; I know this because it looks like one of the bystanders was hurt" Ratchet motioned to a mech who was holding a hand over a wound on his arm.
"I see" the Prime paused for a moment as he looked at the four youngest members of his team "I think for the time being we need to help Bumblebee, Nightshade, Wolfbane and Larkspur. Bumblebee was not even a vorn old when he left here and our three newest recruits know nothing of Cybertron, they will need to be constantly supervised."
Before Ratchet could reply, a black and silver mech spoke up as he made his way towards Team Prime.
"Who in the name of Primus are you? And why do your younglings have weapons? You even let them fight and kill other Cybertronians! That is very irresponsible of you!" he shouted as he pointed a finger at Optimus, nearly touching his chest.
In astroseconds, the mech had several weapons armed and pointed at him.
"Mind who you are speaking to! You are in the presence of the Last Prime, treat him with respect!" Nightshade growled at the insolent mech.
"Autobots, lower your weapons."
The order was obeyed, but reluctantly, as several growls and mumbled words were heard from behind the Prime.
"My friend, I must ask you to not jump to such hasty conclusions around my warriors. They are extremely loyal to me and tend to get overprotective in new situations."
The black and silver mech remained silent so Optimus continued.
"My name is Optimus Prime, this is my Medical Officer Ratchet, my scout Bumblebee, the newest recruits, Nightshade, Wolfbane, and Larkspur. My other two warriors are Arcee and Bulkhead, but they returned to our base with the relic we came for. The others who appeared with us were Decepticons and our mortal enemy."
"How are they your enemies? They are fellow brothers and sisters, yes?" the black and silver mech asked.
"We come from a future where war has ravaged this planet and forced our once brothers and sisters to choose sides and fight those who were once family."
Gasps were heard following Optimus' words.
"What is war?"
"What are the sides?"
"How are you from the future?"
"Enough! Everyone is to return to their normal duties and routines. You all have seen enough!" the silver mech shouted.
The other Cybertronians began to disperse slowly.
"I apologize for the outburst but your sudden appearance cause quite the commotion. Follow me, I know somewhere where we can speak privately. Your warriors are welcome to come too."
"As if we wouldn't anyway" Bumblebee beeped out quietly but was quickly silenced by his Prime.
"My name is Ironhide by the way."
"We are pleased to meet you Ironhide. Autobots, transform and follow our friend and guide, Ironhide."
Ironhide stood to the side and watched as the orders were followed before Optimus even finished speaking. Only Optimus and Ironhide remained in bi-pedal form for a few more moments before they too transformed.
"Your warriors are well trained. The cadets at the Enforcers academy are not even that disciplined. But I must say their alt modes are like nothing I have ever seen before."
"As I said before, we live in a time of war. To not follow orders or know how to fight will mean permanent offlining quickly. But more will be explained when we reach our destination."
"I understand. Once we get there, I will have some energon provided for you and your warriors. You all could probably use it, especially after the way I saw you all fighting."
"Thank you, Ironhide."
They drove for a little while longer until they reached a very large building. Ironhide led them to the front where he transformed and led the Autobots inside and to a large room that hand a long table in the center with several seats around it. Ironhide kept his word and sent for a large amount of energon to be brought to them. They all took a seat with Ironhide at the head of the table, Optimus to his right, Ratchet on the left with Bumblebee next to Optimus, and Nightshade, Wolfsbane, and Larkspur all seated next to Ratchet.
"Forgive me, I can't recall your names right now, but those three look to be less than a vorn old. And they already have their weapons online and know how to use them? Why do they need them so young?"
Optimus looked at Jack, Raf and Miko. Even if they were truly human, they were his younglings and he understood where Ironhide was coming from. Others their age wouldn't even know they could have weapons or know how to offline an opponent. Their optics showed how rapidly they had grown up and seen horrors they never should have. But that was all moot now, it was in the past and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
"They are Nightshade, Wolfbane, and Larkspur. They came into our care under unusual circumstances and while young, they have proven to be exceptional warriors."
Jack, Raf, and Miko all sat up a little straighter at the praise.
A knocking on the door caused the 4 younglings to jump and automatically online their weapons.
"Easy, young ones. There is no threat here, only the energon" Ironhide said as the door opened to reveal a femme carrying a large tray.
"We're sorry" Nightshade said as they all put away their weapons.
They each took a cup of energon and eagerly began to drink it, well at least the older ones seemed eager. Bumblebee, Nightshade, Wolfbane and Larkspur made faces and shared looks as they tasted the energon but remained silent so as not to be rude. But Optimus seemed to notice.
"Ah yes, I should have known" he said.
"Known what?" Ironhide asked.
Ratchet looked to the 4 younglings and saw they had barely touched their energon and instantly understood what Optimus said.
"The younglings are far too young to remember what pure energon tastes like. They have grown up on energon that has natural occurring impurities in it from the planet we now call home."
The four in question bowed their heads in shame and embarrassment.
"Do not think I or anyone else will take offense. It is not your fault that you are not able to remember your early life." Ironhide said with a kind smile.
The four just nodded.
"While I know it is not what you are used to, you still need to drink it. You are growing younglings and need all the nourishment you can get, especially if you want to be able to take on the Decepticons properly." Optimus said gently.
The last comment made the four of them snatch up their cups and drink the energon quickly. Optimus grinned and Ratchet just shook his head, while Ironhide looked slightly disturbed.
"I still do not understand why they are so eager to fight these 'Decepticons?'" Ironhide said.
"Unfortunately, it is all they have ever known" Optimus said.
"Can we go explore?" Wolfbane asked.
"We promise not to shoot or blow up anything" Larkspur added causing Ratchet to roll his eyes and shake his head.
"Bumblebee can come with us to make sure we stay out of trouble" Nightshade supplied and said scout nodded and chirped in agreement.
Optimus looked a bit uneasy at the idea, as did Ratchet, and both were about to disagree before Ironhide spoke up.
"I don't see why they couldn't. There is no war here and I trust them that they will keep their word. This would perhaps be a good time for them to get to know their original home."
"Very well. But I want all 4 of you to return here in two hours' time to check in and make sure to keep your comm lines open at all times. Is that clear?" Optimus said sternly.
"Yes, sir" the 4 younglings said in unison as they eagerly rushed to the door.
"Younglings never change" Ironhide grinned.
"None of them have ever been too good about staying still for more than a few minutes" Ratchet said.
"What is an hour or minutes?" Ironhide asked.
"An hour is similar to a breem and a minute is similar to a klick. It is the form of time keeping on our new home planet that they use." Ratchet explained.
The adults then continued talking about the war and the factions many Cybertronians had to choose between. They talked for several hours and soon lost track of the time until a knock on the door broke into their conversation.
"Enter" Ironhide said.
It was the same femme who brought the energon earlier.
"Forgive the interruption sirs, but there has been an incident or well an incident that is still happening" she said.
"What is it?" Optimus asked instantly fearing the worst.
"I'm afraid your younglings are in trouble or trouble has found them"
"Are they ok?" Ratchet asked as he got to his feet.
"I believe so, well as much as any gladiator in the Pits of Kaon can be when fighting" she said hesitantly.
"WHAT?!" Ratchet shouted. "They are fighting in the Pits of Kaon? How did they end up there?"
"Well today is the final day of the Tournament and Megatronus is the defending champion and will be fighting against other gladiators as well as some exotic creatures"
"Oh no" both Optimus and Ratchet whispered together.
"What?" the femme asked but Ironhide waved her out before the two Autobots could answer. However, Ironhide was just as curious and repeated her question.
"Your Megatronus is the same mech as our Megatron and leader of the Decepticons. Our younglings will not be able to tell the difference between the two" Optimus explained.
"Oh. But how did they end up in the Pits of Kaon?" Ironhide asked as he took in what was said.
"We have mentioned to them before about Kaon and since they have grown up in a war, fighting is all they know. So naturally and by instinct they would have been drawn to it. We should have thought of it sooner" Ratchet said scolding himself and Optimus.
"Indeed, old friend. But right now, we need to get to the Pits the fastest way possible. Ironhide?"
"Follow me, I'll have you there in a few klicks."
True to his word the three mechs arrived at the Pits quickly and were met with the sounds of fighting and a roaring crowd. Ironhide led them to the cages below the arena. There were several bots and creatures, both robotic and organic, in the dimly lit area.
"Do you see your younglings or anything of theirs down here?" Ironhide asked as they came to the armory.
"No, but I do see weapons they would most likely have taken" Optimus said as he surveyed the room.
"Well, that only leaves one more area. The arena floor, if they are the fighters you claim them to be, then they will no doubt be there" Ironhide led them out of the armory and back into the day light as he took them to seating area.
"I'm afraid you are correct, Ironhide. I just hope they will be ok until we can get to them" Ratchet said.
"Do not worry too much my friend. Bumblebee, Nightshade, Wolfbane and Larkspur are excellent fighters and will be able to hold their own until we can help them" Optimus assured his medic.
Before long Ironhide had led them to the area where Cybertron's most esteemed bots would sit to watch the fights. No one seemed to notice them as they were all focused on the arena floor. Optimus and Ratchet soon focused their attention there as well and both gasped and sighed in relief at what they saw.
Bumblebee and Wolfbane were standing before a massive Driller keeping its attention on them while Nightshade and Larkspur hovered in the creature's blind spots. With a silent order the two younglings on the ground charged the Driller as Nightshade and Larkspur opened fire from the air. The creature roared in pain and sent several tentacles towards Bumblebee and Wolfbane, each with some sort of drilling mechanism on it. The two youngling quickly cut of the tentacles as they ran towards the creature's soft underbelly.
Not being able to see or sense the two grounded Bots, the Driller turned its attention to the two Aerialbots. The sudden change of attention caught Larkspur by surprise, and she was quickly hit by one of the tentacles. The force slammed her hard into the ground. Optimus and Ratchet winced at the impact and moved to help the young femme, but she stood up and transformed getting back into the fight as if nothing happened. The fight continued for almost a breem until the creature finally gave into its wounds and died. It landed with a hard thud on the area floor causing the whole area to rumble.
"Well done younglings! Some of our oldest gladiators could learn a thing or two from you! Speaking of our gladiators, your next opponent is our defending champion. He has never lost a single battle and never leaves his opponents alive. Femmes and Mechs, I give you MEGATRONUS!" the arena commentator shouted as the crowd went wild.
Ratchet and Optimus shared a nervous look with each other and watched the younglings nervously. They were prepared to jump into the arena if need be. They couldn't allow them to kill Megatronus as he was not their true enemy here. But they wouldn't be able to tell the difference. They watched as Megatronus entered the ring, but something seemed…off about him. The 4 Autobot younglings tensed and immediately brought their weapons out and aimed them at the gladiator.
"Ratchet, something isn't right about this" Optimus whispered to his longtime friend.
"I know. I can sense it too. Do you think we will ha-"Ratchet cut himself off as he watched Megatronus bring up a hand to his helm and said something. Then it clicked.
"Optimus! That's not Megatronus, that's Megatron!" the medic shouted as he jumped down into the arena just as a dozen flier drones as well as Soundwave, Starscream, Dreadwing came out from the side entrance to the arena floor. Optimus quickly followed the medic and transformed into his alt mode before he hit the floor and sped off towards his younglings. With a savage roar he transformed again and jumped over Nightshade, Wolfbane and Larkspur with his energon blades out. He quickly took out 4 of the drones before launching himself at Megatron, causing them to tumble further away from the main group. He knew they could handle the rest of the Cons easily as long as he kept Megatron focused on him.
"You will not hurt them, Megatron I will not allow it!" Optimus yelled.
Megatron and Optimus battled furiously as Megatron suddenly got a break kicking Optimus off of him.
"So much for our truce, Prime!" Megatron roared as his fusion cannon warmed. "Say hello to Primus, well you?" Megatron asked sarcastically as he got ready to fire.
The femme who had brought the energon and alerted them about what his younglings were up to came running out with a roar.
"No….!" she screamed taking the shot instead of Optimus.
::::::::::… Ratchet, the ground bridge is ready hurry!...::::::::: came Arcee' frantic voice.
Optimus watched as two ground bridge's appeared and Megatron along with his Decepticons vanished in one.
"Why did you do that?" Optimus asked her.
"You are a Prime…. Primes are important…" She whispered as her optics faded and she offlined in Optimus' servos.
"Come on, Optimus." Ratchet said as they transformed after thanking Ironhide and headed home.
As they arrived home however, Fowler was there at the base with an unexpected visitor.
"Prime, this Autobot was looking for you." Fowler said as the vehicle transformed into the femme who just sacrificed her life for him.
"How?" Optimus asked.
"What happened there while you were there never actually happened Primus allowed me to escape so I could help you in your cause." She said as she added something else on a personal commlink.
:::::::…. And anything else my Prime needs taken care of that is….::::::::::
She said as she turned and bent down thanking Fowler for his assistance, while Optimus stuttered all over the place.
"You lucky dog you," Bulkhead replied as Optimus remained silent.
"What is your name?" Ratchet asked.
"Well, it was Ariel, but now I am called Elita… Elita-1." She said as Arcee smirked at their Prime's very bashful actions now.
"Go get him," Arcee teased.
"Arcee….!" Optimus exclaimed.
"What?" she asked.
"Yes, how long has it been?" Ratchet asked.
"Ratchet!" Optimus fumed.
"It's okay, sir," Elita replied as she grinned at him.
Optimus stumbled for words once more as Elita walked up to him.
"We've got all the time in the world," she said kissing his cheek plates.
Optimus suddenly was on the floor as Ratchet huffed.
"He is going to get on my last circuit just jump his circuits already, Elita." Ratchet huffed.
Bumblebee beeped what would people think? Optimus laughed for the first time in many years and said….
"Lucky leader and Prime…..." Optimus said with a chuckle.
The End