Disclaimer: Hey guys! I see you all are happy to see Shadow and the gang again. *smirks* Say hi guys!
Shadow: *raises optic ridge* Seriously?
Knockout: Hey I'm finally in the disclaimer!
Me: That's because you and the 'Cons are the only ones that have shown up so far. And Orion/Optimus.
Shadow: Then why isn't he here?
Orion: I'm here now!
*sighs* Alright let's get started. I'm started off at the Autobot base then we'll stay at Shadow's POV for the rest of the chapter. I don't own anybody in TFP besides Shadow, Terra, Blazestrike, and Blazestrike.
"In hind sight, we accomplished what was required. With Unicron's awakening, extreme measures needed to be taken. Enemies became allies and allies became confidence. And with the Matrix of Leadership, the planet Earth was saved. Though at a measurable personal cost. When Optimus surrended the Matrix, he lost more than the collective wisdom of the Primes. He lost himself." Ratchet sadly explained to the Autobots and humans present.
"That doesn't follow. Optimus knew Megatron." Cliffjumper protested.
"They were like BFFS." Nightshade said.
"They were close." Bumblebee added.
"If Optimus does not know his own name, perhaps it is because the title of Prime hasn't yet been granted to him." Ratchet realized.
"Huh?" Fowler asked.
"What?!" Terra exclaimed.
"Say again?" Miko was shocked.
"With the power of the Matrix no longer within him, it would stand to reason that Optimus has reverted to his Pre-Prime state." Ratchet said.
"The historical archivist Orion Pax." Nightshade's jaw dropped.
"You mean in his mind?" June raised an eyebrow.
"Are you telling Boss Bot thinks he's some kind of librarian and a 'Con?!" Terra exclaimed angrily. "And what about Shadow huh?! Why'd she go?! I'm pretty sure she's not a Prime and she didn't lose her memories! Isn't anyone worried about her?!"
"Hey we're all worried about both of them!" Nightshade growled. "Me especially! Shadow's my little sister and only Primus knows what's going on in that freaking warship!"
"BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE FRAG UP!" Arcee screamed.
"Wow, never knew you could scream that loud." Jack commented.
"Look we're all worried about Optimus and Shadow. But I know one thing. Shadow didn't lose her memory and if she's on that ship she planned it and she knows what she's doing." Arcee said before thinking, "At least I hope she does."
I sighed as I stood beside Megatron, using my cloaking device since Airachnid was in the room and Megatron was the only one who knew I was here, as he gave his speech to the crew of the warship. As much as I didn't want to be here, this could be one of my only chances to make Megatron slip up and spill something about his intention. Ah one of the good things I inherited from my oh so kind uncle was his silver tongue.
"Attention crew, our guest is currently in isolation to help ease his transition. But when Orion Pax emerges, he is to be shown every courtesy. And the first one to address him as Optimus Prime will have his voice box ripped out." Megatron finished his warning.
"Lord Megatron, is it wise to allow an Autobot, current or former, full run of the premises?" Airachnid asked. "And what about that spy? I'm sure she didn't come here on accident."
"Nothing happens aboard this ship without my knowledge. You would do well to remember that Airachnid." Megatron growled. "But there's no need for concern. Orion does not possess the same fight Optimus is so renowned for."
"Then what use is he to our cause?" Airachnid questioned.
"Oh rest assured. Orino Pax will indeed earn his stripes." Megatron smirked.
"And what of Shadowstalker? I'm sure she's," Airachnid didn't get to finish.
"Standing right here?" I asked as I deactivated my cloaking device.
"You." Airachnid hissed.
"Well hello to you too Airachnid. I thought you'd be happy to see me." I smirked.
Airachnid only growled before walking out the room. Megatron chuckled before saying, "When did you get your cloaking device installed?"
"When I first became a spy." I answered.
"Why compelled you to become a spy?" Megatron questioned. "With your deception, you would make a fine recruit."
"Let's stay on topic." I said. "What files do you intend for Orion to decode?"
"How did you know that?" Megatron snapped harshly.
"Megatron, I've known him every since the day I was born. He was one of the best in the archive. Whatever he's decoding must be something even Soundwave can get to." I answered smoothly.
Megatron looked skeptical before he said, "Merely some documents about certain artifacts. Nothing more."
I turned to face him and said, "Now was that so hard?"
Megatron only glared at me and I smirked before walking out the room only to bump in to Orion.
"I was just looking for you. Were you talking to Megatronus?" Orion asked.
I nodded. "Yes I was. Now where are you heading off to?"
"To the med bay. Knockout has requested that now is the time for me to get my insignia." Orion smiled.
I frowned slightly but I quickly covered it up before saying, "Lead the way my friend."
Orion smiled at me again before we both started walking down the many halls of the Nemisis. Soon enough we arrived in the med bay.
"Take a seat right there Orion." Knockout pointed to one of the medical berths. He then turned to me and said, "You sure about this?"
I knew he was referring to whether I wanted to watch or not but I simply said, "Be quick about it."
Knockout nodded and got straight to work. I tried not to watch as Orion had the Decepticon insignia engraved on his left shoulder. I wonder what everyone else was doing. Nightshade, Terra, Arcee, Ratchet. Everyone. I hope they're okay.
"Welcome to the winning team." Knockout smirked as he finished with the insignia.
Breakdown walked in and turned to Orion, "Lord Megatron wants to see you." He then turned to me and said, "You can go with if you like."
"Thanks Breakdown." I said as Orion and I walked out.
We soon met up with Megatron and he started talking as we walked in to a room.
"You have been a captive of the Autobots and held prisoner for quite some time Orion." Megatron said. "Long enough for us to be in exodus on another world."
"Exodus? Why?" Orion asked confused.
"Because the warlord Ratchet's careless actions led to this." Megatron lied as he brought up a picture of the now dead Cybertron.
Orion gasped. "Cybertron..." A look of hatred clouded his face and I wanted so desperately to tell him the truth but I can't. Not with my weapons deactivated. Thank you so much Megatron for ordering Knockout to do that.
"I cannot believe Ratchet capable of such horrors." Orion shook his helm.
Oh he's not. Megatron's just lying to you. I'd know because Ratchet's like a father to me and if he was a warlord I wouldn't even be an Autobot!
"Yes. And to think the doctor of doom's mad quest for power continues." Megatron sighed. "His marauders pursued us to this planet's orbit. We feel its species is not ready to behold us. But we have resolved to protect this world from the tragedy that was dealt to our own."
"One question Megatron. Why are we called Decepticons?" Orion asked.
I've been wondering why he picked that name too but I knew the reason he would give would be twisted around a little.
"Another craven Autobot scare tactic." Megatron stated. "The name was meant to demonize us. Instead we wear it as a badge of honor. For if speaking the truth is deception, then we are gladly guilty."
Orion nodded as he thought about Megatron's false answer.
"Now please Orion. There will be plenty of time for catching up. You must rest." Megatron started to walk away.
"Megatron." Orion said.
Megatron stopped and turned around to see what Orion had to say.
"I will do my part to help stop Ratchet's unspeakable crimes of aggression. This I vow." Orion said as he put a servo over his spark. "With all my spark."
Megatron only smirked before walking away. I sighed before walking towards the door.
"Shadowstalker?"
I turned around to see Orion staring at me. "Yes?"
"How did you become a Decepticon?" He asked.
There were one good thing about that question and one bad thing. One, he didn't noticed the Autobot insignia on my winglet yet. I'm glad I had Ratchet make it tiny now. The bad part, he think's I'm a 'Con. I thought about an excuse before remembering that he'll remember I'm Megatron's niece. When he gets his memories back of course.
"I'm Megatron's niece." I said, continuing after his surprised look. "I found out my brother and some of my closest friends had joined the Autobots and I felt betrayed and shattered. So I decided to join the 'Cons after so many years of being a neutral. I've never really gotten over the loss though."
Orion looked sad after I said that. "Shadowstalker, I had no idea you went through such loss."
"Not everything turned out bad. I'm now one of the greatest spies in the war besides the Autobot Mirage and our communications expert Soundwave. We made history." I said. That part wasn't a lie at all.
Orion nodded. "I assume you have to be somewhere?"
I nodded. "I'll see you around Orion."
I then walked out the room and I soon caught up with Megatron and Knockout. Of course they didn't know I was behind them. I listened to every bit of their conversation.
"When we stormed the Iacon Hall of Records in the waning days of the war for Cybertron we acquired highly classified files. Files written with Autobot codes which we have been unable to decipher." Megatron stated.
"Autobot codes which the Iacon archivist Orion Pax shouldn't have no trouble cracking." Knockout added with a smirk. "Considering what's at stake, I mean we do have a fully trained spy on board, shouldn't we beef up the security around here?"
"Knockout, I think Orion will perform most effectively if he doesn't feel threatened or confined in any way. However it is no coincidence that Orion's work station is located in direct proximity to the energon storage vault." Megatron remarked.
"Which is under constant surveillance." Knockout realized with a smirk. "Well played."
As I went to turn around before I got caught, I ran smack in to Blazestrike.
"I see I'm not the only one that likes to listen to people's conversations." Blazestrike grinned.
"How long have you been standing there?" I demanded.
"Long enough." Blazestrike said with a smirk.
I only growled before walking around her. As I walked down the hallways of the warship, I wondered about my sparkling. Would it be a boy or a girl? Wow they look like me or like Optimus? Maybe a mix? When I heard a motorcycle engine, I wondered what the heck was going on. Ya know, until I was tackled by Arcee.
"Arcee?!"
"Shadow?!"
Arcee's face broke in to a grin. "Glad to see you're alright."
"Same to you." I grinned. "Now tell me how the heck did you even get up here?"
"You don't wanna know." Arcee immediately replied. "Now do you know where Optimus is?"
I nodded my head to the hallway to the right of me and said, "If this makes you feel any better, if your plan fails I've got a backup plan."
"And that would me?" Arcee asked.
"You'll see." I winked.
Arcee only shook her helm before she said, "I'll make sure to tell Nightshade you're okay because I'm pretty sure he's worried for both of us now."
"I believe your feeling is correct." I smirked. "Now start riding. If I get caught talking to you, and my weapons are deactivated, I'm dead meat."
Arcee smirked and ran off before she transformed mid-jump. I sighed as I watched her go before I felt myself being pulled back and suddenly I was staring in to the faces of Blazestrike, Knockout, and Breakdown.
"Uh..." I didn't know what to say.
"We're getting off this ship tonight." Blazestrike said.
"How?" I asked.
"You'll find out tonight. For now say your goodbyes to Orion." Breakdown said.
I nodded and went off to find Orion since it was almost night to begin with. When I made it to his workspace, I walked inside and saw him standing there.
"Orion?" I asked.
"Good evening Shadow." Orion turned around to smile at me.
I hated that I had to leave him but I knew I had absolutely no chance without getting my aft in gear and back to base. So I only said, "Orion, it's time for me to say goodbye."
Orion looked confused. "What do you mean?"
"I can't tell you. Not now at least." I looked to the ground so he wouldn't see the tears in my eyes. I turned around and was about to walk out the door before I told Orion, "Never forget who you are Orion. It will always be your greatest strength."
I then walked away before he could question me and soon I met up with Breakdown and Blazestrike.
"Where's Knockout?" I asked.
"He's disabling the security cameras so we can get off this scrapheap." Blazestrike stated.
"And I'm here for your body guard." Breakdown said.
"Wait why are you coming?" I asked Blazestrike.
"I've been thinking about this long and hard Shadow. I'm not meant to be a Decepticon. I want to be an Autobot." Blazestrike answered.
It all made sense now. So this is why Blazestrike has been acting so weird. She was thinking about what faction she was really meant to be apart of.
"So how are we getting off this ship?" I asked as we walked to the landing dock. "I'm pretty sure none of us have access to a ground bridge."
"No but you have access to me. A flyer." Blazestrike's mouth slowly curled in to a smirk as she transformed. "Hop on."
I slowly climbed on and made sure I was holding on for dear life before I turned to Breakdown, "So we're enemies again?"
"Don't worry I'll go easy on you." Breakdown smirked.
I only smiled. "Thanks for everything."
Breakdown nodded. "No problem."
I only nodded before Blazestrike sped off full speed.
"So I assume your com-link is still working right?" Blazestrike asked.
"Of course." I snorted. "Are we far away enough from the ship?'
"We should be. Now we're going in for the drop." Blazestrike said as she transformed and we dived towards Earth.
"Shadow to Base, for the love of Primus please come in!" I exclaimed.
"Shadow, is that really you?!" Raf exclaimed.
I chuckled. "Who else would it be kiddo? Now send a bridge, I have a new recruit and I'm falling towards Earth from Primus knows how high."
"Got it!" Raf exclaimed.
"I hope you're ready for a bumpy landing." I smirked as a ground bridge appeared below us.
"Oh please I've had worse." Blazestrike scoffed as we dropped through.
As I stepped foot in the base, I didn't even get in two steps before I was picked up by Nightshade.
"Don't ever scare the life out of me like that again!" He exclaimed as he hugged me.
"Choking! Can't move!" I rasped.
Nightshade chuckled nervously before he sat me down. "My bad."
"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?!"
"Shadow, you didn't say anything about a welcome home aim your blaster party." Blazestrike said dryly.
"What is she talking about?" Bulkhead asked.
"Guys, Blaze here wants to join the 'Bots." I said.
"Oh yeah and I'm a walking hotdog." Terra snorted as she walked in the room. "What makes you think she isn't lying?"
"If I wanted to kill her I would've done it by now!" Blazestrike exclaimed.
"Come on guys just lower the dang weapons." I sighed.
Everyone slowly lowered their weapons and I sighed in relief. I then turned to Ratchet, "Hey Doc, mind turning my weapons back on?"
"They disabled your weapons?" Ratchet asked in disbelief.
"Megatron wanted to take extra precautions. Fortunately he left her cloaking device alone." Blazestrike smirked.
"That's good to hear." Cliffjumper grinned. "Glad to have you back Shadow."
"It's good to be back." I smiled.
"Now what's your master plan for getting Optimus back?" Arcee asked.
"Hey my plan was getting on and off the ship. I have no idea how to get his memories back." I shrugged.
"No problem Shadow. We do." Jack smiled.
I smirked. "Alright everyone. Fill me in. It's time to go hunting."
And Shadow is back with the 'Bots! And surprisingly so is Blazestrike. Next chapter will be Orion Pax Part 2 and let's just say Megatron won't be happy when he finds out his niece has escaped once again. Until next time I'm out! *winks*