Chapter 2 – Punch and Fall. Fall and Rise.
Jack and Arcee had returned to the Darby garage, the door closed, June's car parked a few feet away Arcee's feet who was making sure not to scratch the paint job of the vehicle … again.
Arcee was sat leaning against the wall her legs folded infront of her, Jack was sat upon her lap his hands behind his head as he leaned back against her, not truly realising where his head was nestled.
Arcee held one hand over his softly, rubbing one finger over his stomach making him purr and moan softly, she felt it a cute reaction, she saw it as a strange dominance, but a fair one. Master and Pet, Dominatrix and the dominated.
'Well, maybe not THAT extreme.' Arcee blushed having earlier come across "Dominatrix" on the world wide web, finding women in leather beating and abusing men who seemed to be liking it.
'Only humans could get pleasure out of pain, and some "others" for that matter' Arcee frowned her mind turning to Airachnid, she shook her head, this wasn't the time nor the place to be thinking of that monster. She found some primal human behaviours very strange. But regardless, what they were doing now was nothing perverse, nothing sexual, it was just two beings in love sharing some time together while June was asleep.
"Do you ever think about the future Arcee?" Jack's words broke the silence, Arcee looked down at him best she could.
"Not until recently no." Jack shuffled upon Arcee's lap moving his hands and nestled his head further back still not taking not of where abouts his head rested. "But after, you and me, becoming as we are, I have." She admittedly her words softly spoken almost dreamlike, she stared off into the possible futures she imagined. "After we win this war, just you, me and as much freedom as we want, no fighting, no war, no Megatron, just peace and relaxation." She smiled imagining Jack riding on top of her in vehicular form riding across the world seeing things she'd never seen going places she'd only heard in the news or looked up on the internet.
"Maybe go find the Loch Ness Monster" she quipped chuckling, Jack laughed with her.
"Knowing out luck it'll turn out to be a Decepticon gone nuts"
Arcee imagined the possibility, some aquatic adapted technorganic mutation similar to Dynobot. She imitated a sigh and looked down at Jack.
"But yeah, see the world, just you and me, maybe pick up some Energon from untapped mines or something." He patted her leg gently "Got to keep my girl fit and healthy" she smiled and wriggled her fingers gently on either side of his torso making him spasm, twitch and laugh.
"Hey. Hey! No fair! I'm ticklish there!" he laughed trying to cover his mouth as to not awaken his mother. Arcee relented after a few minutes leaving Jack's face red from laughing.
"I never knew you could turn that colour so fast" she commented as his skin started to lighten to its normal shade.
"That was unfair and very cruel" he said smiling. "Oh Arcee" he sighed softly then turned seeing her lower section breastplate. "Woah jeeze!" Jack cried out startled at his proximity of it and fell forward only to be caught by Arcee's left hand.
"Shhhh." Arcee placed a finger over her lips. "Not so loud Jack, don't want to wake your mother do you?" she teased. Jack felt embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head. "besides what was the problem?"
Jack had to remember that, though Arcee had a feminine shape that didn't mean her "curves" had the same meaning to Cybertronians than they did to humans, at least that's what he guessed. Arcee knew all too well what it was that shocked him there was just something she found so cute about how he was embarrassed and shy.
"Sorry Arcee, it's nothing" he said timidly, Arcee chuckled and held him close to her, Jack smiled and put his arms around her as best he could.
"You should get some sleep soon Jack, it's only Monday night" Arcee was reluctant to let him go, she loved their embraces, they were warm not just in touch but warmed her spark, her circuits everything inside her.
"I know, but I'm not going anywhere" he said enjoying his comfortable position.
Arcee looked at him stroking his back softly.
"What do you mean?"
"I'll sleep in here with you, I can get some blankets and a pillow it'll be fine" he smiled
"And what about a mattress for this makeshift bed?" Arcee tilted her head a look of confusion on her face.
"I don't know, maybe a blanket to lay on the floor or put the blanket on the table. I'll think of something."
"No you don't Jack, you're getting a good night sleep. Besides we can't sleep in the same room." She informed him as he looked up, she smirked as he looked at her. "We haven't had our date yet" she petted him softly, he relented.
"Alright, but one day I'm sleeping with you… IN the same room I mean… in here!" Jack felt a new eave of embarrassment come over him, he really should start thinking before he speaks.
Arcee just laughed at his fumbling, it was adorable but she wouldn't say it.
"I knew what you meant Jack" she leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Now go, get some sleep"
Jack nodded as she released him and watched him walk to the door.
"Good night Arcee"
"Good night Jack"
The next morning Jack awoke the sound of his sweet lovers voice, somehow she'd turned off his alarm remotely, he was thankful for it, he was up earlier today as he'd asked Arcee to wake him up early, she had asked why but he merely shrugged not know himself.
Jack found himself once again in the shower, the bathroom door locked, his eyes closed feeling the warm water drip onto the back of his neck and run down his body, his mind shifting back to his Arcee waiting for him in some unknown place, taking him, laying him on the floor using her hands to tear open his clothing before pressing her lips against his own, then slowly lower herself down, kissing his neck, each of his pecks, not that he had much to show off, her kisses going lower, Jack felt himself erect once again, his hand subconsciously grasping his length and began to stroke himself, he moaned gently imaging Arcee now kissing the soft skin on his stomach
Jack moaned louder leaning back against the wall, his eyes tightly closed his, he gritted his teeth before pulling his hand away, his body shook he was suddenly left feeling cold.
'Stop it, come on, grow up. You're better than this' Jack told himself cursing what he was doing, he looked down his erection firm and stiff, he looked away from it, he didn't want to be like a typically hormonal teenager, he refused to be like that, like VINCE.
The thought of Vince and his smugness was the perfect thing to kill his painful erection, Jack let out a deep saddened sigh before continuing to clean himself.
"No more, stop doing it." He scolded himself and his action quietly. "She'd be grossed out and think I'm disgusting, or think I'm just like everyone else. She said I was better than them. I don't want to let her down."
Jack felt low, how could he be a good example of his kind when his mind kept turning to dirty thoughts of the woman he loved, he groaned at his own disgust.
"Hey Arcee" Jack said, his tone a little off as he walked into the garage putting on his helmet and up to Arcee.
"Hey Jack, something wrong?" she asked Arcee noticing the strange tone of voice.
"What oh, no nothing, I'm fine" he said brightening his tone to reassure her. She wasn't convinced.
"You sure you sounded like something was bothering you" Arcee pressed, she didn't want Jack to think they couldn't talk, they were a couple now, they had to be able to talk, or so she heard overhearing some woman called an "Agony Aunt" on the television while June was watching it.
"It's nothing, honestly Arcee, you know just school and work, sometimes it gets to me sometimes I can overlook it"
Arcee knew it was more than that, she knew something was really bothering him. But she didn't want to press him further, she'd rather let him tell her when he was ready, or when they had some time to themselves.
Jack mounted Arcee's seat, the doors opening behind them, Arcee reversed herself out and shot off down the road leaving the doors to close automatically.
Jack rode Arcee down to his school parking her up outside.
"Have a good day Jack" Arcee whispered he looked at her headlights and smiled rubbing his hand gently over her windshield.
"I'll be thinking about you" he replied keeping his tone down. He smiled grabbing his school bag and turned towards the school.
Vince and Sierra were looking at him, Jack noticed their looks as did Arcee, Jack began to think he could go into the school without Vince bothering him.
"Darby!" called Vince.
'I should have known I was asking for too much' Jack groaned mentally.
He turned seeing Vince walk up to him Sierra and her friend behind her.
"Where's your girlfriend now?" Vince said crossing his arms as he stopped infront of Jack. Arcee became worried thinking her little stunt yesterday had only made things worse.
"She's busy Vince, she does have a life you know" Jack replied staring the taller boy down his tone strong. Vince narrowed his eyes in annoyance.
"You better not start an attitude with me Darby or…"
"Or you'll what Vince, you'll do what?" Jack said just about to lose his patience once and for all with the bully.
"You know what I'll do, I'll kick your ass and I'll kick the ass of that smug whore you…"
A sudden loud crack blew across the air everyone stopped immediately and turned around eyes opened wide, emotions like a strange rainbow from shock, horror, laughter and satisfaction, Vince's head was snapped to the side his right nostril a fountain of blood as he fell back, his body slamming against the ground, his body bouncing.
Sierra stared on in utter bewilderment and shock as Vince hit the ground, turning to look at Jack his eyes burning with the Wrath of God himself his fist now stopped in its swing was tight blood covering his knuckles. Vince held his face groaning in pain, Jack knelt beside him.
"You can call me whatever the FUCK you like Vince, you can belittle me, you can verbally abuse me, you can shred my dignity until it's nothing but scrap on the floor. But you call MY girlfriend a "whore" you step across that line, you call her that again, and I swear to God, you will NOT be walking … EVER… again." Jack's voice was cold yet filled with the heat of rage. Even Arcee herself was in shock staring at the once level headed Jack, something inside her however silently cheered laughing her mechanical armor plated backside off at how the "big tough Vince" was simply floored in a single blow from her man, HER MAN! She knew Jack would be getting in trouble for this, but that seemed null and void in comparison to the delight and immense levels of satisfaction she got from seeing Jack one hand Vince to the floor. She thought it best to contact June to make sure she got the full story, Arcee smiled internally as she silently rang June's cell phone.
Jack walked away from Vince not saying another word to him leaving him on the ground, Miko slopped onto the scene from elsewhere staring at the sight of Vince, her phone raising up as she remained quiet and snapped the photo.
"Sweeeeeeeet!" she said plainly before walking off into the school. Raf merely walked back amused at the sight of the frozen Sierra and friend with Vince not even attempting to get back up.
Indeed Jack was later sent to the Principals office to give his side of the story, which none surprisingly was the opposite of Vince's story whom said Jack had walked right up to him and punched him in the face. While Vince's story was Oscar worthy, The Principal of the school wasn't an unknowing idiot, he tried his best to keep close eyes on as many students as he could, he knew of Jack Darby and while he was becoming slightly tardy in the recent months, The Principal knew he was by far not a bad student, Vince however, promising at sports definitely a scholarship there, but such things didn't turn the older man's head any. Both boys were cautioned only, Vince more so than Jack.
"Now, you're a good student Mr Darby, that much can be said and I have little doubt in mind that whatever caused you to hit Mr Fredrickson he probably had it coming. But next time, as best as you can, bite your tongue and ignore him." Was all the Principal had said to Jack before he allowed him to leave. The Principal smiled as Jack closed the door. "Maybe I could get that boy into, martial arts or something, definitely put us on the map" he chuckled to himself hearing from various students how Jack one handed Vince to the floor.
June and Vince's parents were notified of the incident but told them no action was to be taken, in case of other records being revealed, to which Vince's parents knew about their son's bullying.
The rest of the day went as normal, possibly better than normal with Vince keeping his distance either from not wanting to be punched again or from what the Principal had told him. Jack was just glad he didn't have his shift at the KO burger that day.
Eventually nearing the end of the school day Bumblebee and Bulkhead parked up next to Arcee.
"Hey Arcee did you hear about Ja…" Bulkhead began talking to her via silent communications link.
"Jack flooring that slag heap Vince? Yeah I got a good view of it from here." She said in a chirpy happy tone. "I'm surprised they weren't cleaning his pathetic excuse of a brain off the floor after that punch" she laughed. Bumblebee gave a few happy beeps.
"Yeah Raf has had some problems with him too, I bet you're glad to hear he got some of his own medicine." Arcee replied to her unvocal friend.
"What got Jack to lash out like that? He's normally fairly level headed." Bulkhead asked.
"Vince called me a "whore"" Arcee said plainly, Arcee knew what the word meant though neither of her allies did, she realised then sent them the information by hacking into the schools internet router.
"OH! Ouch." Bulkhead said finally after looking up the information.
Bumblebee likewise gave off a few annoyed whirrs and buzzes.
"I guess you two were closer than I thought" Bulkhead commented catching Arcee by surprise.
"What do you mean by that?" Arcee's tone a little more snappy than she meant it to be.
"Woah easy Arcee, I only meant you and Jack must have become really good friends, what did you think I meant?"
Arcee felt a little embarrassed it'd seem if her and Jack's secret affair got out, it'd be her fault rather than Jack's.
"Nothing, just you know. I'm always a little cranky when picking up Jack, I've been stuck here for about seven mega-cycles." Arcee explained putting on her professional tone of voice again.
Finally Miko, Rafael and Jack came out of the school laughing and talking amongst one another. The dreaded Vince keeping his distance, the trio walked up to their Cybertronian partners.
"Hey Bulk!" Miko said with glee as she jumped into her large friend. "Man what a day" she exclaimed slinging her bag from over her shoulder and dumping it on Bulkhead's other seat.
"I bet Jack punching Vince, wish I saw that." Bulkhead laughed to Miko.
"Oh don't worry I got a close of Vince just after the punch it was awesome!" Miko laughed out bouncing on Bulkhead's seat. "Hey we'll see you guys at the base later"
Miko, Bulkhead, Raf and Bumblebee reversed out and headed back to base. Jack walked up to Arcee, his smile fading, he got on top of her as they rode off.
"Sorry you had to see that Arcee, I should have kept my cool." Jack felt bad, not for punching Vince but for feeling he'd let her down about a part of him.
"Jack you keep your cool a lot better than I keep mine, so there's no need to apologies." She stated in a calm collected voice, before giggling. "And seeing you pound Vince right in the face was just about the BEST thing I've seen all week, I just kept replaying it from memory over and over again." She laughed more cheering Jack up.
"Well hey No one insult my lady" he said putting a on an his best posh British accent.
"Oh! Such a gentlemen" she purred and giggled. "So! About our date."
Her happy tone gave Jack the hint she was still up for it, he nodded to her as she looked at him through the mirrors.
"Well I've been thinking of something romantic, something we can both enjoy without you needing to hide." Jack explained to her.
"Well that cancels out the Theatre, a romantic meal in a restaurant, and the beach." She commented chuckling a little.
"Or so you may think" he said patting her. His words sparked her curiosity.
"Ugh don't forget Jack, I can't eat." She reminded him in case he forgot. He liked that he saw her as a person, and that even June was seeing her like family, but that alone didn't mean she could do humans like activities much to her own disappointment.
"I know, I know, I haven't forgotten. But well, I… no never mind it's a cheesy idea" Jack said dejecting his sudden thought
"Hey, I'll be on this date too Jack, you let me decide if it's cheesy." Arcee replied to him offering a positive tone to her voice.
"Well I was just picturing you and me, across a meadow somewhere, the feeling of grass beneath us, alone, the full moon beaming down on us, some beautiful music playing in the background, maybe some scented candles" he blushed thinking about it. "You know, cheesy, I guess." Jack sighed in defeat.
"Jack" Arcee spoke out her tone unreadable
"Yes Arcee?"
"That sounds wonderful" she said softly, the image in her mind so beautiful so serene, it would be perfect.
"You really mean it?" he asked in surprise, looking down into her mirrors.
"I do Jack. I think that'll be perfect." Her words were still so soft , she purred feeling Jack rub her gas tank softly.
"I'm glad you like it Arcee." Jack smiled behind his helmet, this would be good idea, but where? They had the ground bridge, the device could take them just about anywhere, but where? Somewhere remote far from anyone, somewhere beautiful. But where? Sometime when there was a full moon. He'd have a look over the internet, there'd be someplace surely.
The two continued on in silence, again enjoying each other's company both thinking about their date on Friday night. Arcee would have to come up with an excuse to go, if not then perhaps she'd just sneak out if she wasn't needed, she was hoping that would be the case.
Finally they both entered the Autobot base, Jack climbed off of her as she transformed. Arcee looked around the area feeling rather vacant, she turned seeing Bumblebee and Rafael playing video games over by the Television.
"Bumblebee, Raf where is everyone?" Arcee asked as she and Jack walked over to them.
Bumblebee let out series or beeps, bops and whirrs.
"Yeah Bee" Rafael said as they continued to play their game. "Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead went out on a mission, Ratchet said something about Decepticon activity in an area that was becoming suspicious." Rafael informed them.
Arcee nodded, she cursed she was not yet back on duty not yet able to go an aid her Autobot brethren, she looked down seeing Jack stroking her leg smiling a little sadly at her.
"you'll be back out there before you know it Arcee, then you'll be kicking Cons left right and centre." Jack went from stroking her leg to patting it, she smiled nodding slowly.
"Yeah, a few solar cycles out of battle and I'm all pent up." She said not knowing the Earth meaning of the term "pent up" well, not knowing the meaning to a young teenage boy, he blinked looking up at her blushing
"Ugh yeah." He finally said covering his embarrassment best he could with a strong tone of voice. "I'd hate to see any Con get in your way when you're back out there"
"Speaking of which. Raf, Bee?" Arcee asked resting her fists on her sides her elbows arched outwards. She received a buzz of questioning from Bumblebee and a questioned hum from Raf.
"Where's Miko?" she asked plainly though she'd already guessed. Raf and Bee stopped not even pausing there game as they looked at one another then behind the sofa which Raf sat upon where Miko was last the saw.
"Oh no" Raf said Bumblebee letting out a soft whirring noise.
"Thought so." Arcee replied then walked to the control systems, normally Ratchet would never allow anyone but himself or Optimus near the controls, setting up a communications link she called her brothers in arms.
"Guys, I think Miko is with you" Arcee stated hearing the sounds of blaster fire on the other end.
"We KNOW Arcee!" called out Bulkhead, who unknowingly to Arcee had Miko by his feet. The battle between the three Autobots and the Vehicons had heated up rapidly after Miko got herself spotted.
"I said I was SORRY!" cried out Miko keeping herself low and covered, while taking sneaky photo shots of the attacking Vehicons.
"Alright I'm bridging myself over!" Arcee called out, the voice of their medic speaking up suddenly.
"Negative Arcee your systems aren't back to full combat proficiency, send Bumblebee over." Ratchet told her in a demanding and professional tone of voice.
"Scrap!" she clenched her fist "Fine, Bee Optimus and the others need you help!" Arcee turned and told the yellow Autobot, he jumped up nodding and ran to the bridge as Arcee brought the device to life and watched as the young Autobot ran through it. With an annoyed sigh she closed the bridge behind him after hearing confirmation of his arrival at the battlefield, she turned to see Jack now standing on top of the controls making sure to avoid touching anything.
"Ratchet would scrap you if he knew you were up here." She said putting one hand on her hip as she smirked at him.
"Nah, you'd be there to protect me" Jack said with a confident smile, Arcee chuckled turning her head to make sure Raf was preoccupied with his game, he was, Arcee leaned towards Jack who intern carefully held his love's face the two kissed one another softly, both moaning quietly into the kiss before pulling back.
"I needed that" Jack said rubbing his hand against the back of his head.
"I felt like you deserved it, being the big hero of the day" she chuckled
On the battlefield, the Autobots were pinned down behind large rock spires, as the Vehicons took cover and fired behind similar cover defending the entrance to a deep cave, however even with the aid of Bumblebee the Autobots were under too much heavy fire from the multiple Vehicons. Bulkhead grumbled the Vehicons weren't normally this organised when it came to suppressive fire.
"I'm guessing Dreadwing is in charge of this mission" Bulkhead called out to the others getting an affirmative nod from Optimus.
"it would seem so Bulkhead, Dreadwing was known in the war for using advanced tactical formation to supress Autobots, it seems his knowledge of such hasn't wavered in the slightest" Optimus kept himself covered. The rock formations the Autobots were using as cover was rapidly being blown apart by Vehicon fire.
"Bulkhead, Bumblebee" Optimus called out turning to look at his allies. "Give me covering fire." Before Ratchet could protest Optimus formed his left arm into another large blaster then rolled out from his cover his body lying flat on the ground on his chest piece firing precise selected shot at the Vehicons, their bodies buckling from the Energon impact only for the impacted area to melt as the heat of the Energon bolt overcame them.
Bumblebee and Bulkhead firing at the cover of the Vehicons blasting away at their rocky cover as Optimus got to his feet.
"Autobots MOVE UP!" he commanded with authority as the others moved up from behind their cover, Bumblebee and Bulkhead firing in short bursts as Ratchet hands retracted into his arms switching them for long powerful blades.
"What are the Cons doing that's got them to be THIS defensive?" Bulkhead asked to anyone of his allies.
"I don't know Bulkhead, but whatever it is we must make sure they do not succeed" Ratchet called out as he jumped up over a large rock his left blade impaling the top of the rock as he brought down a mighty foot upon the hidden Vehicon's head crushing it against the rock ground, the Autobots charged in through the cave firing at selected targets, the Vehicons beginning to fall by the numbers.
"Autobots cease fire!" Optimus ordered as he raised with weapons up shifted his left blaster back into a hand. "We must be careful a stray blast could bring the cave crumbling in on us."
"I don't want to go through THAT again" Bulkhead commented remembering his last cave in experience.
"Don't worry Bulk I'll protect you" Miko quipped as she walked behind Bulkhead.
"Ugh. Thanks Miko" he said looking back at her and smiled. Ratchet turned to say something only to be stopped by Optimus who placed a finger over his facial guard.
"Shh, listen" he said quietly, pointing to the end of the tunnel they were in which lead to a new area.
" I don't hear anything else" came a voice from within the unknown area.
"You think they got them?" came another. The voices were unknown to the Autobots most likely Vehicon drones.
"I doubt as much" came the voice of Dreadwing. "If there is silence then the Autobots are within the vicinity, keep on your guard less you join your fellow drones"
Bumblebee looked back then let out a series of quiet beeps. Optimus looked around slowly then looked back to his small yellow friend.
"Good idea Bumblebee." Optimus began then looked at Ratchet. "Ratchet, Bumblebee has located a secondary entrance, I need you, he and Bulkhead to go through that entrance while I distract the Decepticons while you get to cover. You will have to be quick"
Ratchet nodded as the three Autobots moves towards the secondary entrance, Optimus shifted his left hand back into a blaster.
'What could the Decepticon be hiding?' he wondered as he leaned his back against the wall.
There was a tense silence, the Vehicons knew the Autobots were close by, Dreadwing did not want this mission to fail, for the glory of Megatron!
Optimus turned firing rapid shots at the Vehicons, catching them off guard momentarily allowing his fellow Autobots to run through the secondary entrance, Bumblebee and Bulkhead firing concentrated shots of Energon at the Decepticons.
Dreadwing looked around frowning. He could not take on all four Autobots at once. Luckily he wouldn't have to. Running down deeper into the pits of the cave he awaited the Autobots to follow, and surely within a few minutes they had, Dreadwing led them deeper and deeper into the bowels of the unground maze.
"What are we looking for Ratchet?" Optimus asked as he stopped running and looked at his old friend.
"I'm not sure Optimus, there is a lot of interference down here." Ratchet admitted annoyed at the little information he knew.
"Should we split up Optimus? Cover more ground" Bulkhead suggested, Optimus shook his head.
"That would leave us vulnerable to ambush, we stay together. We'll find what we…" something caught their attention. They turned seeing a shadowed figure at the distance waving it's arm beckoning them closer. It wasn't Dreadwing, nor any Decepticon they'd ever seen, it's features were cloaked in darkness.
"Who are you, identify yourself!" order Optimus, the figure remained silent still beckoning them.
"What should we do Optimus?" Bulkhead asked looking at their leader.
"We have little choice in the matter my friend." he ran towards the figure the others following behind him. The unknown Cybertronian ran down the passage way, Optimus and the Autobots followed it.
"Who is it Optimus?" Ratchet asked as they ran, the Cybertronian was still unidentifiable.
"I am unsure Ratchet, but whoever it is seems to be leading us somewhere." Optimus said keeping pace with the Cybertronian.
"Yeah into a trap more likely." Bulkhead blurted out annoyed.
Eventually the Autobots came to a large cavern, they walked around it, the Cybertronian was missing. Heavy footsteps alerted them to another presence be it the same one who led them there or some other, Dreadwing slid to a halt surprised at how the Autobots had reached the chamber before him.
"I don't know how you got here so fast Autobots but you WON'T be leaving" Dreadwing threatened backing up his threat as he slung his large cannon from over his back.
"You are outnumbered Dreadwing, surrender." Optimus called out all the Autobots aiming their blasters at him, apart from Ratchet.
"Give it up Con" Bulkhead spoke out keeping his blasters trained on the large Decepticon.
"He should NOT be your concern Wrecker!" came a deep groaning voice. Bulkhead looked around frantically as the large Insecticon landed infront of them followed by two others.
"That voice" Bulkhead said slowly as he searched his memory. "Hardshell!" he growled narrowing his brow plates in rage, a sudden realisation struck him. "Aren't you supposed to be?"
"OFFLINE?!" the Insecticon roared. "I merely had my internal memory switched with another Insecticon, we are all as powerful as another, but my mind is the dominant one!" he snarled, his body was just like any other Insecticon, whereas his older body showed scars for ancient battles and a broken mandible from his battle with Bulkhead.
Optimus adjusted his weapons from Dreadwing to the three Insecticons. Things had just become a lot more difficult.
"Ratchet" Optimus whispered quietly. "I need you to find what they're looking for, we will keep you covered"
Ratchet nodded slowly bringing back out his blades.
"ATTACK!" Optimus yelled out firing a quick shot at Dreadwing which he quickly dodged, he turned back seeing the Autobots disperse no longer grouped together. The Insecticons screeched out and attack their Autobot foes.
Ratchet ran down a series of the tunnel at the far end of the cavern. The fellow Autobots keeping Dreadwing, Hardshell and the other two Insecticons busy. His blades ready he made short work of any Vehicon that he came across slicing it's body in two and leaving it to leak Energon.
A sudden murderous howling stopped him in his tracks as an Insecticon burst out from the ceiling above landing infront of him snarling like an animal. Ratchet stepped back staring at the beast, even in his best days he wouldn't have stood much chance against the Beast without aid. The Insecticon leapt forward, Ratchet rolled backwards bring his arm up as he did cutting the creature across it's thick armor barely leaving a dent.
"Oh no." Ratchet stepped back as the Insecticon rose up, onto its feet and snarled. "Come on…" Ratchet narrowed his optics. "You want a piece of me?" he readied his blades the Insecticon snarled.
"No! I'll have TWO pieces" he lurched back ready to attack only for a dual beam of Energon to crash into the side of its head the Energon slicing it's head into threes. Stunned by the simple execution of the mighty beast Ratchet turned looking down another walk way seeing the shadowed Cybertronian it's green optics glowing momentarily before shifting to red, it turned and left as it let out a Primeval snarl.
"So you did survive" Ratchet said slowly realising who it was, or rather who he guessed it was, he turned his attention back to the path ahead and took off with haste, thankfully no more Insecticons nor Vehicons were encountered, silently thanking Primus for his luck Ratchet made it to the end of the maze. A stasis pod marked with an Autobot symbol of the higher council and the typical Cybertronian warning sign.
"It's a prison" he said softly walking up to it. "But who would put a single Cybertronian into a heavily secured Stasis…" Ratchet gasped seeing the face on the other side. "By Primus NO, not YOU!" he stared at the comatose Cybertronian on the other side. "No, you cannot be left here, you must be destroyed" Ratchet placed his fingers against his head and contacted Optimus.
"Optimus I've found what the Decepticons were digging up." Ratchet informed Optimus his voice full of panic.
"Calm down old Friend. What is it, another Iacon relic?" he asked as he blocked Dreadwing's blade with his own, then groaned loudly pushing the Decepticon back.
"No, Optimus, it… HE must be destroyed."
"Lucky I found you then aint it?" came the voice of Wheeljack from behind Ratchet who turned around suddenly.
"Wheeljack? How did you get in here?" Ratchet asked impatiently. Wheeljack pointed behind him.
"There's a back door leads right into this place, surprised the cons didn't find it, friend of yours told me you needed a lot of explosives. Well…" he stated hefting up a large crate of Heavy industry Cybertronian explosives. "Why don't we leave with a bang?" he smirked.
Ratchet didn't have time to argue.
"Alright, you set up the explosives." He told Wheeljack then got back to his conversation with Optimus. "Optimus Wheeljack is here, said he found a "back door", contact Arcee for emergency ground bridging. We MUST leave now!"
"Understood old friend!" Optimus switched signal. "Optimus to base, come in Arcee!"
Arcee broke away from Jack's loving embrace and gentle kiss as Optimus spoke.
"Ugh, Arcee here Optimus" she called back putting on a professional tone Jack blushing next to her. Rafael turned around from playing his game, to look at Arcee and Jack near the computer.
"Arcee we need emergency Ground bridging to our co-ordinates NOW!" he ordered as Arcee locked on to them
"Alright Optimus, standby" she said as the machine locked onto them and the green vortex opened up at their location.
"AUTOBOTS FALL BACK, I'LL WAIT FOR RATCHET AND WHEELJACK!" he yelled over the sounds of blasters and Insecticons shrieking. Bumblebee and Bulkhead began to retreat as Optimus fired off his blasters keeping Dreadwing and Hardshell at bay the other two Insecticons now offline.
Bulkhead and Bumblebee came running into the base Jack and Rafael came running up to them
"Where's Optimus and the others?" Rafael asked. A quiet banging from Bulkhead's chest drew their attention, Bulkhead looked down as he chest shifted Miko climbing up green in the face.
"Ugh. I think, I need to lay down" she groaned her head spinning slowly, Bulkhead picked her up gently and placed her on the floor.
Arcee looked back to the computer.
"Optimus Hurry!"
"I'm giving covering fire to Ratchet and Wheeljack keep the bridge open!" he ordered the sound of blaster fire in the background.
"Hey, hey Jackie" Bulkhead and Miko said in unison, only for the latter to drop to her knees and vomit.
"Sorry" Miko said timidly. "I'll get the mop"
Within a few moments Optimus, Ratchet and Wheeljack came running out the sound of multiple explosion coming from behind them.
"CLOSE THE BRIDGE!" yelled Wheeljack frantically, Arcee turned around quickly and closed the bridge just as they heard another explosion go off behind them.
"That was close" Ratchet panted slowly then blinked. "What is that awful smell?" he asked as Miko came walking up to him with a mop.
"Ugh I think you just stepped in it Ratchet" she said again in a timid voice.
Ratchet blinked and lifted his left foot to look.
"OH BY THE MATRIX!" he yelled out in frustration causing Bulkhead and Wheeljack to laugh.
Minutes later after recharging their systems and Ratchet checking over Arcee's condition the Autobots regrouped in the control room.
"Ratchet…" Optimus began looking at the aged Medic Bot. "What did you find that had to be destroyed so badly?" he asked a look of concern upon his face.
"It was HIM Optimus, after all these Cycles, it was him. He's on Earth, or was" Ratchet said in a fearing voice.
"Who are you talking about Ratchet?" Miko asked looking up to the red and white robot. Ratchet looked down, normally human ignorance would annoy him, but this was different.
"The Immortal One" Ratchet said, Bumblebee stared at him in shock. Letting out a series of buzzes.
"Yes Bumblebee, it's "him", he's on Earth" Optimus seemed to know who Ratchet meant but Bumblebee most certainly did.
Bulkhead felt the strange tension around the room then looked at Wheeljack.
"How come you found the cave Jackie? I thought you were exploring the world" Bulkhead asked.
"I was, then I got a radio message from someone who said he was "An Acquaintance " of Arcee's and Jacks, he gave me the location of the cave and told me about the back door. Never said who he was, or how he got my signal. But he told me to bring lots of explosives and who am I to deny setting off a big boom?" he smirked.
Arcee and Jack looked at one another. 'Dynobot' they both thought.
Dreadwing and Hardshell stared at the flat ground where the cave once was.
"We have failed Megatron" Dreadwing said softly staring at the ground.
"No YOU failed Megatron! We Insecticons had Prime and his Autobots occupied you failed to destroy them."
Dreadwing narrowed his optics when they heard a low rumbling beneath them.
"Airachnid?" Hardshell snarled knowing how the psychotic Spider Bot moved, but no a large clawed green hand burst up from the ground, the Decepticons stared as the figure began to pull itself from the ground, flapping it's wings of dirt and grime before standing tall, it's body was similar to other Insecticons but it's green frame was much thinner, more agile but Dreadwing somehow knew that this creature was much more powerful than they, perhaps more so than Hardshell it was confirmed when Dreadwing turned to see Hardshell on one knee bowing to the risen creature. The Insecticon like beast shook it's body loose from being cramped in stasis for so long the beast opened its mouth letting out a short hiss.
"I… LIVE…. AGAIN!" it snarled letting out a higher pitched shriek all too similar to its Insecticon brethren.
"Megatron demands you obedience" Dreadwing said plainly staring at the beast. The beast before him twitched a little in its insectoid insanity, before regaining control of itself stomping up to the bowing Hardshell and the standing Dreadwing.
"Raise Worm!" it said in a raspy shrieking voice, Hardshell complied and stood up the creature looked at Dreadwing. "Megatron. Yes, me remember Megatron, an alliance though not LOYALTY!"
"That shall do!" came Megatron as he landed behind the green Insecticon. "It will be preferable to keep further control of the Insecticons less that traitorous Airachnid try and reclaim them."
The beasts bug like eyes stared into its own memories, the pain it once suffered at her hands the torture.
"Airachnid!" the beast snarled technorganic drool dripping from its mouth. "She will pay for what she did to US" he hissed. His mind burying deeper into his mind old memories, older memories, a young yellow Autobot reaching out to grab him, a look of horror and despair on its face.
"BUMBLEBEE…!" The beast remembered it saying, in a different voice from a different life.
"Bumblebot!" he snarled, Megatron smirked.
"He's here on Earth"
The Insecticon let forth another vicious roar deeper than any other. It would have its revenge upon the two that destroyed it.