Author's Notes: Here it is, ladies and gentlemen! The sequel nobody asked for but I'm writing it anyway! This story is the sequel to my second ever Transformers fic "A Spark Divided". I've planned to do the sequel since before I even finished the first story, and even though this story can be read on its own, I highly suggest you read A Spark Divided first if you haven't already. Hopefully this one will turn out as good or better. Oh, well. Enough rambling. On with the story :)
Chapter 1
Peace In Name Only
To say the third Great War ended was a gross overstatement. Sure, it seemed like the Autobots won, but really all they did was up the ante. Now instead of Megatron and his Decepticons vs. Optimus Prime and his Autobots they had the Autobots vs. the Decepticons vs. the Quintessons! It had gone from a civil war to a battle royale, and yet no one wanted to admit that it was still a war.
Galvatron and his forces were not only bloodthirsty but also insane, Rodimus Prime was a young leader that tended to make rash decisions, and the Quintessons were merciless creatures that wanted the very Cybertronians they helped create destroyed without provocation! Needless to say, things were bad for Cybertron.
Fortunately for the citizens of Kloryll, they were nowhere near Cybertron. Kloryll was a neutral colony filled with Cybertronians that fled the third Great War to live out their lives in peace. There were conscientious objectors, former Autobots, and former Decepticons all living in peace. Though to be fair, the Autobots and Decepticons rarely mingled.
Grind Shift looked out on his world with a placid smile on his faceplate. The green skies and shining silver ground were the most beautiful thing in the universe to him. The sky actually looked quite dull, but for some reason that just made the ground look even more spectacular!
"Hey Grind Shift!" Slipshot, a brown motorcycle-former, called out, "Where do you want these energon collectors planted? It's time for the rotation!"
"Oh, just put them near the volcano!" Grind Shift hollered back.
The energon collectors needed to be rotated every quarter vorn or else they would bleed a plot of land dry of its energy. It was, for lack of a better term, the mech equivalent of proper soil conservation.
Grind Shift, having a few astro seconds of free time, decided to watch the skies again and see if he could find any clouds. Clouds weren't common on Kloryll, but they were still a treat for the old car-former. He loved seeing if he could find one.
He looked up to the sky, and saw several small dots flying closer to the planet. That wasn't too odd. Seekers lived on this planet, and every now and then they would fly around to avoid the sky sickness all seekers got when they were cooped up for too long. He smiled at the sight of so many of them flying together.
That warm feeling didn't last. Grind Shift didn't know anything was wrong until there was weapons fire over the suburbs of the living facility!
Immediately someone turned on the alarms and a wailing klaxon blared through the formerly calm atmosphere! Citizens ran from the chaos caused by their unknown assailants. Those that still had weapons began to retaliate. It was sheer bedlam!
Grind Shift ran for the supply bunker knowing that was likely the target! After all, Kloryll wasn't a trading post and didn't have a lot to offer. Their energon had to be the target!
When he got to the bunker he couldn't believe what he was seeing! Vanish, one of the resident femmes, was fighting off a large purple mech with long rounded horns! Both mech and femme had menacing claws and were busy trying to scratch each other!
"Give it up! You are not leaving here with our energon!" Vanish barked at the sinister newcomer.
"Surrender in the name of Galvatron!" The mech shouted as he tried to push her down.
Vanish then freed one of her servos from the larger mech's grasp and took out an energy pistol! She used the energy weapon to shoot the brawling mech in his chest!
Grind Shift, seeing his chance to assist her, grabbed a small pistol that was taped under a table and opened fire on the intruder! He emptied its energy cells on the evil looking mech, but it barely even phased him as he continued to advance on the femme!
The purple mech kicked Vanish in the abdomen and she fell backwards into a vat of oil! She blearily looked up at her assailant, and realized there was no way she could defeat him.
"You had your chance, femme," the mech said softly as he lifted his arm cannon toward her spark chamber, "Now you will feel the might of the Decepticons!"
"You...You are not a real Decepticon!" The femme croaked at him in her strange accent, "Megatron could've kicked Galvatron's afterburners!"
That was definitely the wrong thing to say to Cyclonus. His face contorted into a hateful grimace when he heard those words!
"How dare you insult the mighty Galvatron?!" Cyclonus bellowed as he opened fire on the femme's helpless frame.
Grind Shift couldn't watch this! Vanish was a dear friend of his. She had a youngling. How could this monster just kill her with such reckless abandon? Grind Shift felt his optics swell as coolant leaked down his face. He couldn't remember the last time he wept, but he didn't even bother to hide it now.
Cyclonus, once finished with his grisly task, walked over to Grind Shift with calm purposeful steps. Grind Shift barely registered the presence until the shadow of the purple psychopath fell over him like a grim pall.
"So, old mech," Cyclonus said slowly, "Do you also resist the will of Galvatron?"
"Take whatever you want," Grind Shift whispered in a broken voice, "Just don't hurt anyone else."
"How very generous of you…" Cyclonus replied in a mocking tone.
He then walked over and took a stack of cubes. He didn't look back at the weeping Grind Shift or the still form of Vanish as he left. Grind Shift could vaguely hear one of the intruders call for their troops to depart.
This was a nightmare! Even Megatron was willing to leave neutral colonies alone when they didn't have anything of value! What kind of monster would take the only source of food for a colony too far away to defend itself or call for help? Kloryll was too small to be of any strategic importance! This Galvatron was clearly sadistic! Why else deprive these innocent mechs and femmes of their life's blood?
Grind Shift's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a soft moan coming from the oil barrel where Vanish had fallen. Grind Shift immediately rushed to her, hoping against all hope that he could save her!
"Vanish! Vanish speak to me!" Grind Shift hollered as he shook her stiffening frame, "Everything's going to be alright. They're gone now, Vanish. Please just hang on! I'll get help!"
Vanish's green optics flickered repeatedly, but she did not speak. Grind Shift only hoped that it wasn't too late. He didn't know what they would do if those creeps ever came back. He also didn't know what he would say to Vanish's youngling if his mother didn't pull through.
Cybertron was abuzz with activity as mechs and femmes gathered for the unveiling of a new memorial statue dedicated to the heroes of the third Great War. It would be a grand iron-cast statue of Optimus Prime and his officers that died in battle, and below that would be 9 paths diverging from the statue made of steel and carved with the names of every Autobot soldier that had died over the millennia during the conflict. The paths represented every million years of war; 9 million total. It was the grandest memorial ever constructed for the Great War, and Ultra Magnus was the head of the project.
Dignitaries from all over the galaxy had come to watch the unveiling of the memorial. Among them were the ambassadors of earth to Cybertron; Spike and Carly Witwicky. They sat with their son Daniel, Bumblebee, and Arcee. Grimlock and Wheelie would be joining them soon, and despite the solemn tone of the occasion they were still happy to be in good company.
The crowd murmured peacefully for a few moments, but after a while Ultra Magnus showed up and ordered the crowd to find their seats. It took about 20 minutes to get everyone to settle down enough for Ultra Magnus to feel they could properly begin. Rodimus Prime sat behind him along with Kup and Springer. Each wore the grim expression of those aware that this memorial was bigger than it had any right to be. It took this much space to list all of the names of confirmed dead.
"My fellow Cybertronians, and honored guests," Ultra Magnus intoned into the microphone, "We are here on this occasion to remember the Autobots that bravely sacrificed themselves so that we might all live on a free and peaceful Cybertron…"
As Ultra Magnus spoke, Grimlock and Wheelie pushed their way past the seated dignitaries to get to their seats behind their friends. Several ambassadors and emissaries complained when Grimlock shoved them or Wheelie stepped on their feet. They scuttled along until they finally made it to their seats.
"Sorry we are tardy, but we made it to the party," Wheelie whispered to Spike when he and Grimlock were finally situated.
"Me Grimlock cannot hear him Ultra Magnus!" Grimlock complained, "Maybe we should get closer?"
"No Grimlock," Spike hissed; trying not to talk too loudly, "The seats are assigned. You have to stay here."
"Aw, but me Grimlock want to be closer!" Grimlock whined.
"No need to be upset, we're as close as we can get," Wheelie said consolingly as he patted Grimlock's leg.
"Guys, please," Bumblebee whispered urgently, "I'm trying to listen to the speech!"
Ultra Magnus proceeded to recount some of the great battles of Cybertron and the surrounding planets, and then gave more consolations and once again mentioned the bravery of the mechs and femmes that made the world they knew today possible.
When he was finished it was Kup's turn to speak. Naturally, he told many stories about individual Autobots and the brave deeds that cost them their lives. Arcee cried when he mentioned her long-time best friend Moonracer and how she had been killed by Shockwave after a classified mission had gone wrong. To this day no one had found Elita One's body or even knew if she survived or not.
Rodimus Prime was the last one to speak. He was nervous about what kind of speech he would give. Oration was never his strong suit. He looked out at the crowd of gathered Cybertronians and aliens, and wondered how many of them were there to mourn those they personally knew. He took in a deep intake of air, and the flame-painted Prime proceeded to speak.
"I know this war has touched us all in some way. I know it changed me," Rodimus said; hoping he didn't sound too bland, "Some of you lost friends, relatives, and even saw people you thought you knew turn to the side of evil. Pacifists have killed to stay alive, mechs left Cybertron never to return, and sparklings have been orphaned by the death of their creators. Truth is, Cybertron will never be what it was, but all we can do now is try to keep the next generation from becoming as jaded as we are. You probably noticed that this memorial is big. Well, that's because a lot of mechs and femmes died. This isn't just a memorial. It's also a reminder of what happens when war becomes a way of life. Let's never let that happen again. Don't let the deaths of these brave sparks be in vain. Thank you."
The crowd respectfully clapped for Rodimus as he left the stage, but part of him wondered if he'd crossed a line. Deep down, he just couldn't say sweet words to make this be okay. This was a grave without bodies, and a testament to the greed and senselessness of their forefathers. The council, Megatron, and all of Cybertron had spilled energon on their hands. He could ignore that when he was younger and they were in the middle of the conflict, but now that he was Prime and trying to see his people through to a peaceful tomorrow...He just couldn't gloss over what their world had become. He would not have wanted to be Optimus Prime back then. He, in all honesty, didn't want to be Prime now.
Spike, Carly, Daniel, Bumblebee, Arcee, Grimlock, and Wheelie strolled down the newly unveiled memorial. Most of the dignitaries had gone to the buffet, but there were still a few stragglers lingering at the statue and the walkways.
The statue had been a somber reminder for all of them, but Bumblebee felt a special twinge of nostalgia and loss when he saw it. There was Optimus Prime, in the middle of it all hefting his rifle in the air. On his left was Ironhide, and on his right was Prowl. There were many other iron-casted mechs surrounding them. Ratchet, Wheeljack, Brawn, Huffer, Windcharger, Red Alert, and several others that Bumblebee couldn't see anymore due to the coolant leaking from his optics.
Those mechs had been his family after he lost his spark-parents on Cybertron. Ironhide had raised Bumblebee as his own despite the fact that Bumblebee was the human equivalent of a teenager. Prowl had taught him about discipline, Wheeljack had taught him about the different inventions of other cultures (which had started Bumblebee's lifelong fascination with other planets), and Ratchet had taught him about loyalty at all costs (even when the twins are driving you nuts). Most important of all though, Optimus Prime had taught him about the value of friendship and the value of sapient rights and freedom. He would never forget his surrogate family.
The group traveled along one of the pathways and read the names carved below their feet. Starwish, Gunmetal, Wind Leaf, Shockshell, Trapeze, Gem Runner, Trill, Leodox-
Wait…
"Hey guys, look!" Bumblebee exclaimed as he pointed to the name Leodox.
"Leodox?" Arcee asked, "Who is that?"
"That was my father," Bumblebee informed her, "He was earth's first Autobot casualty. He died when Starscream shot him over the ocean. He was a brave mech…"
"I didn't know your father went with you to earth," Arcee remarked.
"He didn't," Bumblebee shook his head sadly, "He and my mother were on earth to visit me. He wasn't there for more than a week or two. I don't remember exactly how long they were there, but I don't think it was even an orn."
"Your mother must've been so upset," Arcee said sympathetically.
"She was," Bumblebee replied without elaboration.
Bumblebee didn't want to tell Arcee that his mother, in her grief, had committed suicide trying to kill Starscream and avenge her spark mate's death. He loved his parents, and didn't want to think of them like that. At least his father got a place in the Autobot memorial for his sacrifice. His mother was doomed to be wiped from history, as she had been a Decepticon spy that just happened to have a grudge against another Decepticon. Bumblebee definitely didn't want to remember her like that!
"When we go to buffet?" Grimlock asked; breaking everyone out of their melancholy thoughts, "Me Grimlock want to get there before all the energon snacks are gone!"
"Energon snacks? Then let's make tracks!" Wheelie exclaimed as he pushed Grimlock to make him go faster.
Spike and Carly laughed at the mechs' silly antics and followed them to the buffet. Daniel said he wanted to stay with Bumblebee and Arcee at the memorial for a few more minutes, and his parents said it was alright. Spike was surprised Daniel wasn't hungry yet, but he also knew how much his son loved hanging out with Arcee. It made sense that he would stay with her and Bumblebee and ask questions.
"So, which Autobot is that?" Daniel asked as he pointed to the statue.
"That's Huffer," Bumblebee replied, "You were probably too young to remember meeting him. He was transferred to Mars Base when you were just a toddler. He died after the Decepticons tried to take over Mars Base. We kept the base, but Huffer and 6 others lost their lives in that skirmish. I can just imagine him grumbling about the attack the entire time. He was the type that let you know whenever he had a problem. Kind of like Gears. Sadly, he was also lost during the Mars Base attack…"
To Daniel, these events were too far away from his limited recollection to be sad, but Cybertronians lived for millions of years. 6 years ago was like earlier that morning to them!
Just as Daniel was about to ask Arcee another question, she held her hand up and placed another hand on the side of her helm.
"What is it, Arcee?" Bumblebee asked nervously.
"I'm receiving a transmission from the Gralix system," Arcee told him, "It's an Autobot distress signal! Their ship has run out of fuel and they need assistance in making it back to Cybertron."
Bumblebee knew exactly where Gralix was. It was a lawless part of the galaxy where aliens of many different species gathered, yet no decent being dared to tread. If there was a ship out there, then the Autobots needed to get there as quickly as possible to save their comrades!