And we're back! This one went a lot quicker than the last one...maybe because I wasn't buried in snow :P Anyway, hope you guys like it! *Warning* There's some violent/bloody/heartwrenching stuff in this one.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime or Another Type of Alien
Chapter 2
Dark Ages
Dusk POV
The 3-D holographic model shimmered in the middle of the massive circular table that Raf II now unintentionally stood on. Miko II looked up at him and grinned. She flicked her arms down, and with a boom, was propelled up onto the table next to her friend, landing gracefully next to him. Our Miko crossed her arms and grumbled to herself.
Every 'Bot gathered around the table as Voidwalker and Optimus II examined the model.
"According to initial scans of the fortress," Optimus II started, "There are three primary entrances."
He pointed at the top by the cannons, and they were highlighted in bright green.
"Here," he pointed at the thick base of the fortress, above what appeared to be a large pit of some sort, "Here."
He pointed at a small entrance at the bottom of the base.
"And here."
Optimus examined the three points, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Had we more troops with air based vehicle modes, we could attempt to go for the cannons, resistance would be weakest there."
The only ones who could fly were him, me, Jack, and I'm guessing X…I haven't seen his mech form yet. None of us have.
Void shook her head, "No, Megatron's air defenses have recently seen a large bolster in numbers with a new shock troop."
She pressed a few keys in and the hologram was replaced with the new 'Cons. I looked at the cons with morbid fascination.
They looked familiar…
"These troops bear resemblance to the Seeker Armada Megatron had access to in our own dimension," Optimus commented, "Yet they are different."
"That's because they aren't Seekers," Starscream said, leaning on the table with his servos.
Everyone looked to the 'Con turncoat.
"During my expedition looking for Bulkhead and Bumblebee, I discovered that these new troops are in fact, triple changers." he explained.
There were looks of concern between everyone assembled. Triple changers, a robot mode, a flight mode, and a ground mode. AKA: Me.
"This complicates things." Elita said, looking at the 3-D model.
"As if these things weren't hard enough to off line," Arcee II muttered to herself.
Void nodded, "We have found that these new triple changers, or Omni-cons,"
I held back a snicker surprisingly well. I can't say much of my siblings (adopted) or my friends.
Omni-con…wow, what a name.
"Are exceptionally resilient," Void continued, "Decapitation, dismemberment, stabbing them, or blasting them only slows them down. The only sure fire way to off line one…"
She thrust her servo through the holograms chest.
"Is to remove the spark."
Her talons curled and she brought her arm back to her side.
"Add Dark Energon as their primary fuel source, and these new Decepticon foot soldiers are a force to be reckoned with. Even Kal-El and Kara could not hope to hold their own against them in battle for long."
"Triplechanging Zombiecons…great," I grumbled over bond to Jack.
"Ugh, don't remind me," he shuddered, "Bad enough we got stuck on board with regular ones,"
He turned to the hologram and frowned.
"But we saw him take out dozens of cons in our verse," Jack pointed out, "How could these new ones beat them?"
"Dark Energon," Arcee II said, "Next to Kryptonite, it's the only substance we know of that can hurt Kara or Jack. In large enough quantities, it can render them helpless,"
"So…what do we do now?" Ben asked.
I looked at the hologram, frowning as I took in the new 'Con's form.
"If we attack them all at once, those things will destroy us," I reasoned, "If you send me, Ja…Ultimus, sorry, X, and Optimus in all by ourselves, the amount of dark energon will kill us,"
"Do you have a suggestion then?" Void asked, "That will not end with our untimely demise?"
Ok. I've decided I don't like her.
"A plan," I answered, crossing my arms, "we split into two teams. One distracts the…Omni-cons…and the other rescues Kal and Kara,"
"Divide and conquer," Cliff said with a hint of approval.
"All we need is volunteers for the infiltration team and attack team," Void said, "I volunteer for the infiltration team. Kara is my responsibility,"
Her talons dug into the metal, leaving deep furrows.
"I refuse to leave her in the hands of the Decepticons,"
"As will I," Optimus II volunteered, "Our Kryptonian allies' current state is my fault in part. I pushed him too hard, forgetting that he was just a child. It was ultimately his downfall,"
The guilt in his voice and faceplate was heartbreaking.
"I'll go too," I said, glaring at Void.
I dare you to say something femme.
She didn't even acknowledge me.
Yep, still don't like her.
"Kara's a friend, and so is Kal," I finished.
"Well, then by that logic," Jack said, stepping forwards, "I have to go too,"
I shot a look at him.
"I'm not going to smother you, I promise," he said over bond.
I gave a nod.
"Hey, we'll go," Cliff said, gesturing to himself and Arcee, "Might get a chance to scrap Starscream,"
I saw the turncoat scowl slightly and he cleared his throat as he crossed his arms.
"The…other Starscream," Cliff corrected hurriedly as Arcee shook her helm.
"Then get in line," Starscream rasped, "I want my double's head. He disgraces my name with his mere existence,"
Now this is a Starscream I like.
"What about you?" I asked Arcee II, "Kal is your boyfriend…"
She looked away. Dang it, Dusk. Learn to read people, sheesh!
"I'd…rather not," she whispered, "I don't think he'd want to talk to me anytime soon after everything that happened.
"And us, don't forget about us!" Miko II said, volunteering herself and Raf II.
Ok, her I was expecting…but little Raf II? What did he have? It got me wondering.
"You and Rafael will remain at base," Optimus II ordered.
"But…!"
"Remain. At. Base," Void ordered.
The authority we got from her was scary…almost like Optimus'…but it got the point across.
Miko II crossed her arms and sat cross legged on the table, pointing.
Raf II on the other hand, opened his laptop and started typing furiously on the keyboard.
Optimus II looked at our Optimus.
"I trust that you will handle the Assault while the infiltration team makes its way inside?"
"I will," Optimus nodded
"Good."
"I am coming as well," X said.
I turned towards my brother and started to protest.
He held up a hand.
"Our Mom told me to watch over you and Avalon," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the air, "I'll not allow you to go by yourself. If something were to happen to you…like it already has on Cybres, I would never forgive myself if I wasn't there to help protect you,"
I gave an exasperated growl. Die three times and suddenly everyone's all over you.
"Fine," I muttered.
Avalon tugged on my shirt.
"I come too?" she asked, silver-blue eyes pleading.
I knelt down, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"No, Avi, I need you to stay here," I said.
"But I can help!" she protested, drawing…and I can't believe I'm saying this…
She drew out a diamond blade…about as tall as her waist…and held it like she knew how to use it.
"I need you to protect Ben and the others for me…can you do that?" I asked.
"Protect brother?" she asked, looking at Ben.
I nodded.
She gave a defeated sigh and nodded.
"That's my girl," I purred, drawing her into an embrace, "And Avi?"
"Yes?"
"If he acts up, you can poke him,"
"Really!?"
"No!" Ben yelled.
"Yes," I replied, ruffling her hair.
Avi giggled.
"You be a good girl, Avalon," X said, "You listen to Mrs. Darby and Dr. Williams, alright?"
Avalon nodded.
I turned to Ben and he come close, holding my hands.
"I can help too," he murmured.
"I need you to stay in one piece," I said.
"I need you," he growled, "I've lost you three times now…I don't want to make it four,"
"It won't be four," I promised.
He fought with himself.
"Please be careful," he whispered.
"I will be,"
He kissed my cheek.
"Where's the kiss on the lips?" I asked.
"You get that when you come back," he teased, flicking my dyed bang away from my eyes.
I heard the rest of the team getting ready to mobilize.
Optimus II walked to a door in the wall, which slid open. He walked in for a brief moment, and emerged, the Star Saber resting on his shoulder.
"Autobots, roll out!"
Jack POV
We went through the Groundbridge and out into what used to be Jasper.
"Déjà vu," I heard Dusk mutter sarcastically.
"We're reliving our past, Dusk," my aunt sighed.
"Gee, Arcee, I never would have guessed,"
That got my adopted sister a glare.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Dusk sighed, waving her hand, "Point is…let's just hope we don't get caught this time,"
The ashes swirled around us and I shuddered as I saw the twisted, black spire called Darkmount.
"Welcome to Darkmount, population: about 50 million 'Cons," I heard Cliff say.
"I've never seen it from the ground," I said.
"It ain't pretty from the air either," Dusk added.
"Hush," Mom whispered, "We need to…get down now!"
All of us ducked as a Vehicon shot over our hiding place.
"You think it saw us?" I asked.
"I don't know," Mom answered, turning towards the rest of the assault and infiltration teams.
"Let's hope not…but assume they did," X said, scrutinizing the Citadel…like he was looking for weak points.
"I think now would be a good time to split up," I suggested, turning towards my dad and his counterpart.
"Autobots, you know what to do, split up," Optimus said, "Assault team, circle around the left while I take the infiltration team to the Citadel,"
He turned to his Autobots on the Assault team.
"You take orders from my counterpart for now," he said.
They nodded.
My parents came over to me. I shifted to mech form and embraced them.
"Stay safe," Mom ordered, "Please, please do not let this be a repeat of the Omega Lock,"
"I don't think it'll get that bad," I said, trying to reassure her.
I don't think I did a good job.
"Good luck," I added as they went off.
Dusk shifted to femme form and got ready to leave…
X didn't shift or anything.
"Aren't you going to transform?" I asked him.
He flew up to Dusk's shoulder and sat there.
"No," was his reply.
It was so sharp and firm that I didn't question him.
He seemed to notice my adversion to asking.
"I find it better to move around stealthily when not in mech form," he replied, "my frame is…"
He seemed to search for the right word.
"Not normal," he finally said.
"Flashy?" I asked.
"In a sense…it isn't practical for sneaking around," he admitted, "simply because my size and my wings are…obvious,"
"How so?" Starscream asked.
"They don't flatten like a normal Seeker's," X said, gesturing to Dusk's wings, which were pressed close to her back, "They are rigid and don't…"
"You may converse later," Voidwalker reprimanded, "Now is the time to be silent,"
I looked at my family and shrugged.
She really doesn't like me. I just know it.
We followed behind Optimus as he lead the infiltration team to the entrance at the base of the tower. Only two single guards stood out front.
"Only two?" Dusk asked over bond, "You know…I think that our Megs was more paranoid than this one,"
Optimus looked to Void and Starscream. He nodded, and the two warriors sprung to their pedes and shot down the hill. Void sprinted down, keeping low to the ashen earth while Starscream leaped over head, his crimson blade shining in the light.
He landed behind the closest guard, who whirled to face him, blaster armed. That was as far as he got though, as the 'Con suddenly found its head spinning off into the air, Energon trailing behind it.
A golden blur shot by Starscream's head, and he turned to see the other guard impaled to the wall, a golden spear jutting from its helm. Void strolled past him and plucked the spear from the cons face, not sparing it a second glance.
The femme and mech looked at us and motioned for us to follow. Optimus relayed the signal, and the six of us leaped over the rocky hill we'd been using as cover, sliding down the hill. Optimus kept a servo on the Star Saber strapped to his back, wary.
He looked at the sealed door, and without missing a beat, slid the Star Saber in between the seam where the two doors met. The blade began to glow vibrant blue and sparks flew as the door began glow molten red, then orange, and finally white. The door sizzled and popped, before melting, leaving a large hole in the middle, ready for us to enter.
"Huh, never done that before," I said to Dusk over bond, "That's kinda neat,"
"Might have to try it out sometime," she agreed.
Optimus sheathed the sword and motioned for us to enter, waiting outside the steaming entrance. Void and Screamer entered first, careful not to touch the molten edges. Arcee and Cliff followed, with me ducking in after them, and then Dusk, who made certain not to bump X into the red hot steel.
I heard X give a soft hiss of pain as a wing barely brushed the steel. Dusk looked at her brother worriedly.
"I don't have the immunity to fire you do," he told her softly, "I take after Mom,"
The Prime followed last, entering a large blackish purple hallway, that looked nearly identical to the halls of the Nemesis. This of course mean that the a set of buttresses lined either side of the wall and were evenly spaced down along the wall, casting eerie shadows across the ground thanks to the poor lighting.
"If you start singing 'Ring around the Rosie' I'll offline you," Dusk threatened softly.
'Bee and I did that to her back on Cybertron…just for fun. Yeah, she chased us around the Nemesis at least three times.
We never did it again.
Optimus took point once more, and began to walk down the halls, surprisingly quiet for someone his size, making sure to check around every corner at every intersection. The halls were too quiet, too abandoned. I didn't like it.
"Trap?" Dusk asked.
"Trap," I agreed, "Arcee, Dusk, be on guard,"
"Be on your guard," Optimus warned, voicing what I had told my family, "We do not know what tricks Megatron may have waiting for us within these halls."
We remained silent, though several nodded in understanding. My uncle was a crafty one…why should his counterpart be any different? Always best to expect the unexpected with him.
It was if a switch had been thrown when Optimus warned us. Two doors slid open, and a group of four Omni-Cons came roaring out, blades extended. In the tight corridors, Optimus had no time to draw the Star Saber. It was a good thing he had more than just the Star Saber then.
He shifted his servos to blades and caught an Omni-cons blade in an X. He kicked it back, before twisting on his pede and slicing its head off. Like before, decapitation wasn't enough. The 'Con kept fighting, slashing at the Prime. Until, that is, a golden spear burst from behind, shorting out its spark.
"Jack!" Dusk yelled.
I whipped around…barely raising my sword in time as an Omni-con slashed down at me. I grunted, struggling to keep the blade from cutting me down.
The Omni-con gave a sharp toothed smirk. I growled, engaging my battlemask, finding a reserve of strength deep down, and shoved it backwards. I tried to stab it, but it knocked me over. Dusk yelled and leapt on its back, yanking its head backwards. The Omni-con yanked her off his back and threw her on top of me.
X slashed and hacked, his wings beating furiously, lightning arching across the feathers but the 'Con grabbed him by his ankle and threw him down onto the floor.
The 'Con tried to stab Dusk, but I blocked it with my blade, kicking it backwards.
"Don't touch her," I growled.
I saw Optimus join me and together we finished the 'Con off.
"Thanks," I said.
He nodded.
With his and Void's added help, the three remaining Omni-cons were left in twitching pieces on the floor. Everyone made sure to keep clear of the Dark Energon, except Void who walked through the stuff unaffected.
We looked at her funny, except Starscream, and she ignored us. She walked to Optimus, resting the golden spear on her shoulder.
"Where to now Optimus?" She asked.
"Your demise," a voice hissed from the darkness.
We whirled to face the voice, and slowly the figure emerged from the shadows. He was unlike anything I had ever seen before. He was covered in deep purple armor plates, so dark that it was almost pitch black. Glowing purple panels were attached to his chest and shoulder pads as well as his thighs. His pedes had two large spikes at the end, and a singular curved spike jutting from his knee guards. More spikes jutted from his elbows, and his servos were clawed like most cons. Two large wings sprung from his back, and the wheels on his pedes rolled as he walked. He was a triple changer like Dusk.
His faceplate wasn't visible, hidden behind what looked almost like a sci-fi style oxygen mask. Tubes wound around into his back, and were glowing a sickly violet. His optics were covered by a purple visor, and his angular helm had two spikes sticking out from front, forming a purple V. And he was big, no massive. Easily a head taller than Megatron himself, and nearly twice as wide. His limbs were thick and the chords that made up Cybertronian muscle fiber were large and bulging.
All in all, he looked as though he was designed purely with the intent of killing. He stopped a good distance away, his claws scraping together in anticipation.
"Your infiltration ends here Prime," he rasped.
His voice was both deep and ancient, yet… young and light. A weird mix.
Optimus pulled the Star Saber out of its sheath, its blade glowing a faint blue.
"And you would be?" he asked, holding the Saber at the ready.
The mysterious new con showed no signs of intimidation from the blade. Partly due to the fact that his faceplate was hidden by the mask and visor.
He scraped his claws together.
"I am the pinnacle of Decepticon engineering, the ultimate soldier powered by the blood of Unicron itself, built with a singular purpose." His clawed fist closed tight, "To Scourge all Primes from existence. That is what you may call me. Scourge."
The hall was silent, and the glowing of the blue blade was the main source of light.
Void suddenly stepped in front of Optimus.
"Go, if this con is designed only to kill Primes, than you are the only one at risk." she stated, "After all, I am not a Prime, therefore he can't kill me,"
I grit my teeth behind my mask. I wanted to tell her otherwise…but it wasn't exactly a wise idea to talk right now.
Technically there were four of us.
Well, two Primes and two Ivorras.
"Um, why not just have all of us kill him?" Cliff suggested, "There's what, seven of us and one of him?"
Scourge chuckled.
"Even if you managed to defeat me, Autobots," he said, "My Omni-cons are on their way as we speak. By the time you offlined me, you would be surrounded and captured."
"Like I said," Void repeated, "Go, I'll slow him down."
Dusk stepped forward with her brother.
"Same. You guys go find Kara and Kal," she ordered.
I opened my mouth to protest, but a single look from Dusk shut me up.
"I can handle this," she said, "Technically I'm not a Prime,"
I sighed. I have to let her do this. She isn't weak. I gave a nod.
Optimus and the others nodded as well.
Xavier POV
"Best of luck, and be safe," he said, and led the Autobots off in the opposite direction.
Void's silver optics flicked to look at Dusk and me, as we readied ourselves. Dusk holding her twin blades, and I holding my Karia and spear combo.
Void twirled her own spear, readying it.
"Stay out of my way." she warned us, "I don't want a novice getting in my way."
"Novice?" Dusk muttered softly.
"Compared to her experience, dear sister…you are," I said over bond, "Even by Cybreian standards,"
"Right, you trained since you were able to hold a weapon,"
I looked up at Voidwalker.
"After you," I said, gesturing with my spear.
Voidwalker did not even acknowledge me, instead she twirled her spear and charging at Scourge. The Decepticon readied himself, shifting his left servo into… a morning star of all things, held onto his arm with a long chain. He spun the morning star as Void charged him, and brought it down on her.
The femme slid down under the mech and between his legs, popping up behind him and slashing her spear up his back. The mech snarled and stumbled forward into Dusk's and my attacks. He raised his other arm and batted away our attacks as our blades merely left scratches. Superficial damage at best.
He swatted us away with his large arm, and focused his attention on Voidwalker, her spear causing more damage at the moment. He swung his large weapon at her, only for the chain to wrap around her spear and yank it away. Voidwalker to her credit, did not stumble, but instead rolled forward, her servos shifting to blades, and slashed up.
Scourge snarled as two thin cuts appeared on his armor. He responded to this attack, by decking Voidwalker, knocking her flying across the hall. Sparks flew and metal bounced on metal as the femme went down the hall, leaving Dusk and me to fight him.
Dusk flipped over head, striking with one of her blades, the piping around Scourges mask rupturing slightly. A small trickle of Dark Energon dripped from the tube, causing Scourge to roar in fury, shifting his mace into a servo, and then into a long serrated blade.
"Good," I nodded to her over bond.
Dusk gave a weak nod and stood, swords at ready.
"I know you are tired, I am too. This…substance…is draining us," I told her, "But I need you to keep going, alright?"
She nodded and we both charged forwards.
He locked blades with us, his great strength putting him on even fitting, an individual arm being strong enough to hold both of us back. Dusk growled to herself and Scourge shoved her away. Only for Voidwalker to come sprinting in, her spear back in her hands.
She twirled it over head, and leaped upwards, falling back down and slamming it into Scourge's shoulder. The Decepticon roared in pain, more Dark Energon leaking from the wound.
I stifled a groan of pain as it spilled. More of that sapping our strength…it would not end well for Dusk and me.
And on top of that, despite the ample amount of Energon, it was a minor wound. The plating on Scourge's body was thick and tough, it was nigh impossible to damage the mech with any real wound.
Voidwalker landed on the other side of Scourge and readied herself for reengagement.
Suddenly, the femme stumbled, her head hitting the wall.
"Voidwalker!" I called.
She did not answer me…
But I saw something.
A huge, violet mech with a single optic.
"Shockwave," Dusk hissed.
"Who?" I asked.
"Think Dr. Frankenstein as a 'Run and you've got Cyclops over there,"
Shockwave said something to Voidwalker and the femme panicked…
And she bolted.
"Void…where are you…!" Dusk cut off as Scourge backhanded her.
Dusk hit the wall hard, so hard that it knocked off her concentration and she shifted back to human form. Scourge grabbed her by the wing and lifted her high.
My sister beat her free wing frantically, trying to get away.
I felt a surge of warm electrical tingles rise from my feet and into my hands as a bolt of blue white lightning shot from my fingertips and slammed into the Decepticon's right shoulder.
"Release her," I growled.
He sneered at me and shook Dusk until she howled.
"The Autobot brat?" he asked.
I gave a curt nod and leveled my hand at him again.
"Very well," he answered…
But with one swift movement, he clenched his servo tightly. I winced as I heard the metallic bones in Dusk's wing snapping and screeching as they were being crushed…
Dusk shrieked louder than even the second Miko's sonic scream and Scourge dropped her.
I couldn't even identify the broken, bleeding mess of gold and black feathers as a wing.
Dusk kept screaming from the pain…and I did something that had happened once and only once.
My mind shut down into full battle mode and I let my reasoning slip away.
Jack POV
I heard the scream and I immediately recognized it as Dusk's. I didn't even hesitate as I ran back into the room where Voidwalker, Dusk and Xavier had been battling Scourge, ignoring the cries of my family and the rest of my team.
Dusk lay on the floor and…oh Primus, was that…? I ran to her and knelt down, cradling her form in my servos…it was.
Her left wing was mangled beyond recognition.
I heard a loud, deep war cry and looked up. Just in time to see a bronze mech with silver-white highlights nearly tackle Scourge.
Xavier.
The mech's optics were an eerie electric blue…like lightning, and X was right about his wings. They weren't like Dusk's, or Screamer's…
They reminded me of panels shaped to look like angel's wings.
"J-J-J…" I heard Dusk stutter.
I looked down at her.
"H-h…" she grimaced.
"Shhh, it's ok," I said, "Don't try to speak,"
Her eyes sparked slightly and she fell limp, not dead…just out cold from the pain.
I heard Xavier roar in anger and watched as he gouged out a long, jagged scar in Scourge's wing.
The 'Con backhanded him and X landed next to me. He got up and I grabbed his arm.
"X!" I shouted, "We've got to get out of here!"
He shrugged me off, optics murderous as he glared at Scourge.
"XAVIER!" I ordered, getting in front of him and holding him back with a servo.
He was heads and shoulders taller than Dad…taller than me…but that wasn't the important thing.
"She is going to die if we don't get her medical attention," I growled, feeling the warmth of the Key flow through me, "If you go after Scourge, you might avenge her. Might. But would it not be better if she were alive and you would take him down together? Was that not what your mother wanted you to do?"
The bronze mech's optics dimmed slightly.
"Yes, listen to the Primeling," Scourge sneered, "Run little mech, like the coward you are!"
I gave an inward facepalm.
Scourge. You idiot.
X gave a low, threatening snarl and started forwards, but I headed him off. I saw the others come back in.
"Get them out of here," I ordered, "I will cover you,"
Cliff and Starscream grabbed X, who was thrashing, trying to get his servos on the 'Con. My aunt gently picked up Dusk, who was still unconscious, and followed them.
Optimus looked at me.
"Where is Voidwalker?" he asked.
"I do not know," I answered, "But we will find her once we get out of here…we need to get Dusk to Ratchet…he should know what to do,"
We followed the others, shooting backwards as we did, trying to keep Scourge away from our wounded and berserker Halflings.
Finally, after a few minutes, we made it out of the Citadel, blasters blazing and swords flashing.
Scourge followed and I turned to my dad's counterpart.
"Now would be a good time to use the Star Saber," I advised.
He gave a nod and unsheathed the great sword, the blade glowed brightly as the Prime slashed through the air, a beam of cool blue light screaming from the silver metal and slamming into Scourge, knocking him back.
I saw Dad circling in the sky, gunning down 'Cons left and right.
"DAD!" I called through bond, "We need to retreat. We have wounded!"
Dad dove downwards, coming to a landing in front of me. He took in the situation, seeing X straining to get free and Dusk lying limp in Arcee's servos.
He turned to his counterpart.
"A retreat would be most advised," he said, "We must regroup and heal our wounded,"
"And I would agree," Optimus nodded.
Both of them turned on their comm. links.
"Ratchet, open a Groundbridge and prepare the medical bay, we are bringing back wounded," Optimus said.
The Bridge opened and both of them shouted in unison.
"Autobots! Fall back!"
Ben POV
"Ow!" I yelped as something poked me in the ribs, I looked over at my future sister in law, "Avi, why did you do that?"
"Dusk told me I could," she answered nonchalantly.
"She said if I was acting up, you could,"
"Oh," she said, "I just heard her say I can poke you,"
I shook my head as both Krypto and Sirius padded over and went straight to Avalon.
The warhound had taken a liking towards Avi…once she let go of his neck anyway.
The seven year old giggled and petted the husky's white fur. Sirius huffed, laying his head on Avalon's lap and refusing to move until Avalon gave him some love too.
"Ratchet, open a Groundbridge and prepare the medical bay," I heard one of the Optimus counterparts say, "We are bringing back wounded,"
"Wonder who got hurt?" Amber asked as Ratchet II opened the bridge.
I saw Cliff and Screamer drag in a struggling bronze mech with panels on his back that looked like wings.
Avalon's eyes went wide.
"X!" she chirped worriedly, running towards the mech.
"Stay away, Avalon," Cliff grunted as the mech, X apparently, made a break for it, "Oh no you don't Halfling!"
If X was acting like this…what…?
Arcee ran in, cradling a small form in her servos.
My breath caught and I felt my knees go out. Amber and Sean caught me as Arcee set Dusk on the berth.
"Her…her wing," I croaked, "What…?"
X started shrieking in Cybriean.
"THAT COWARDLY SON OF AN ABYSS-SPAWNED SCRAPPER!" he screamed "I WILL TEAR HIM TO PIECES AND MAKE HIM WISH FOR THE EVIL ONE TO TAKE HIS SPARK! MURDERER! KIN-SLAYER! I SHALL OFFLINE HIM AND THEN SOME!"
"Whoa," Miko breathed, "I just understood that,"
"Might have been from that bath we took on Cybres," Sean said.
"X!" Amber shouted, "What happened!?"
The Halfling paid no attention to her.
Avalon placed a hand on X's pede. Xavier froze, optics dimming to midnight blue.
"X?" the little Halfling asked.
A blue-white shimmer formed around the elder Halfling and soon, X knelt on the floor, his bronze and white wings drooping miserably.
I went up to Jolt and Ratchet, trying to reach Dusk.
Jolt gently shoved me back.
"I need you to stay back, Ben," he said.
"What's wrong?" I demanded.
"Her wing has been crushed," he sighed, "All her bones, nerves, everything in that wing…destroyed,"
"What are our options?" I asked, "She can be healed…right?"
Jolt shook his head sadly.
"Ben…there's nothing there to repair. It's too damaged," he said, "We'll have to amputate it before it gets infected,"
"NO!" I shouted, "That'll kill her! She won't be able to fly…"
"Her life will be safe!" Jolt shouted back.
I froze.
That was the first time he raised his voice with me. Apparently he knew it too.
Jolt growled under his breath.
"Ben, if there was some way I could save it…I would, Ratchet would…but there isn't,"
"There is,"
We all turned to Xavier, because it was he who spoke.
"Will you allow me to use your communications terminal?" he asked Ratchet II, "I know who we can get to save my sister's wing,"
Ratchet II motioned to the terminal and X went to it. He keyed in the address and started speaking in Cybreian, but it was an archaic dialect…very hard to understand and I caught maybe one word.
"Help,"
An alto voice replied to him and the dimensional Groundbridge burst to life a few minutes later. Two tall figures came through.
"Where is my daughter," Silver demanded.
Jack POV
Seeing Silver and Michael walk through the bridge made me realize it was really bad.
"She's not dying is she!?" I asked Ratchet.
He shook his helm.
"Silver has come to heal, not mourn," he answered.
Oh.
Michael turned to face me, a sad smile gracing his features.
"I'd shake your hand, but I don't want to get shocked," he said.
"Same here," I answered.
My counterpart gave a weak laugh and then turned back to his wife.
"Damage is critical," she murmured, her fingertips ghosting over the mangled wing, "Dusk, Sweetspark, if you can hear me…I'm not going to lie to you. This will hurt. A lot,"
Dusk's face was catatonic.
"Michael, hold her down," Silver said softly.
My counterpart gave a grim nod and firmly held his daughter's arms down on the berth. Silver gave a shuddering breath and placed her hands on the wing.
A brilliant blue aura formed around the High Queen, streaming outwards and flickering…like misty flames…the tendrils whipped everywhere before coming back to the Queen and snaking down her arms and hands into Dusk's wing.
Dusk's eyes shot open and a bloodcurdling, unearthly shriek tore from her throat, shaking the Base and shattering a few glass objects. I held my servos up to my audios, but that sound…I couldn't get rid of it.
Dusk's back arched upwards and she thrashed, trying to escape the pain. I saw Silver murmuring something into her daughter's ears and Michael saying something as well, but over Dusk's screams I couldn't understand it.
Dusk kicked Michael hard, causing him to grunt in pain.
"XAVIER!" Silver yelled, "HELP YOUR FATHER!"
X shot forwards, pinning down his sister's legs as the healing continued. I watched, amazed as the wing started to put itself back together…
The creaks, cracks, snaps and pops that were caused by the delicate bones knitting back together were deafening.
Five minutes passed, then ten, then fifteen. Finally, at half an hour, Silver jerked back and Dusk fell back to the table, panting heavily.
She looked up at her parents.
"Mama…Daddy…" she started, "Why are you…?"
"Flex your wing," Silver ordered.
Dusk did as she was told, the wing flaring outwards with a few cracks and pops, making Dusk grimace.
"Not my best work," Silver sighed, "But it will work…you stay on the ground for a few days and you'll be fine,"
Dusk nodded obediently and Silver gave a smile before embracing her.
"Oh, I know it's only been a few hours but I missed you so much," Silver purred softly.
Dusk smiled contentedly as her mother rocked her back and forth.
"So what exactly happened?" Michael asked X, "You called your mother and I, said Dusk had a shattered wing and needed help…but didn't say why or how it happened,"
"We were engaging a Decepticon with the femme called Voidwalker," X explained, "Dusk got distracted and was knocked into a wall, the Decepticon grabbed her as she returned to human form by accident and crushed her wing,"
"You were there with Void," I said, "What happened to her?"
X looked at me sadly.
"She bolted," he said, "A Decepticon showed up…I cannot remember for the life of me what its name was…"
I closed my optics.
Dusk got hurt because of that femme. The femme ran and Dusk was hurt trying to figure out what happened.
I turned around and walked towards the other med bay.
I needed to have a chat with Voidwalker.
I found her a few minutes later.
"YOU!" I snarled, pointing an accusing finger at the femme.
Optimus and Ratchet II made a movement to escort me out, but Void waved them off.
"Me." she responded simply, not moving.
"Do you have any idea what you did!?" I demanded, waving my servos in the air, "My sister almost lost her wing because you ran off like a coward!"
Void did not move.
"I am many things," Void said, "A coward, perhaps. Yet I cannot account for my actions within Darkmount."
She shoved past me, as I crossed my arms.
"You're no better than the 'Cons." I growled, "Abandoning teammates, using people for your own pleasure."
"You little-" Ratchet II started.
Optimus held up a servo, stopping him. The medic looked up at him seething, but it looked that Optimus was having difficulty maintaining his composure as well. Void for her part, had frozen stock still.
Without warning, quick as a flash, Voids servo shot out and gripped me by the throat, lifting me into the air with ease.
I struggled against her iron grip, to no avail. Void faced me and brought me down, forcing me to my knees with a single servo. Despite her slender size, she was incredibly strong.
"Listen and listen well whelp," she hissed, getting my attention, "You can call me a coward, you can call me a whore, you can call me many things."
Void got up in my face so that I could see the scars lining it.
"But never compare me to a Decepticon. They took everything from me, my life, my home, even my body."
My optics widened at some of this. What did she mean by this? But I remained silent, only struggling against her servo.
"Were you truly worthy of the title Prime," she continued, "You may have considered that perhaps I had a reason for running, that perhaps I was not in control of my faculties."
Her grip tightened.
"But you are no Prime, only a brat given the title by birth. I pity Kal-El, for he has to share an appearance and name with such a pathetic waste of space," She heaved me to my feet, "So I want to make one thing perfectly clear. You are to refer to me as 'sir' or ma'am. Not coward, not whore, and especially not 'Con."
She narrowed her optics.
"Are we clear?"
I nodded mutely and she shoved me into the wall. I hit with a bang and slid on my rear.
"Good," she said, and walked out of the room.
I closed my optics. I could feel the angry glares of the other Prime and the medic on me, but I…
I felt my form flicker and I drew my knees up, wishing I could turn back time.
What had I done? I am such an idiot!
"You are barely even a youngling…what makes you think you are good enough to lay claim to the title of Prime?"
"You are no Prime, only a brat given the title by birth. I pity Kal-El, for he has to share an appearance and name with such a pathetic waste of space,"
"You chose the weakling Prime to be your host!?"
"Failure. Weak,"
I put my head in my hands.
"I'm stronger, faster, and a heck of a lot more mature…after all, we all know that I am a MUCH better fighter than you,"
"I don't know how loss feels? I DON'T KNOW HOW LOSS FEELS!? Listen you little brat! I have experienced more loss more pain in my entire life while you've lived a soft cushy life! I watched my father die in front of me, my entire race is dead and you have the nerve to say I don't know how loss feels! And now I'm offering to help save your sister's life and your too damn stubborn to even accept my help!"
"S-stop, p-please!" I wept softly, feeling tears roll down my cheeks, "Please!"
The voices kept shrieking at me and I broke. I'm not worthy, I'm not good enough, I don't deserve being Prime.
My counterparts are a hero and a High King…compared to them, I am nothing special.
I am nothing. Nothing compared to them.
"Jack?" I heard Dusk's voice ask softly.
Dusk POV
I looked up at the two 'Bots in the room.
"Leave. Now," I ordered, voice cold and hard and not giving them any fraggin' room to debate it.
They left…but not without a final glare at my adopted brother.
"What do you do…" Jack started as I winced as I sat down next to him, "When you're told that your counterpart is better than you could ever be?"
Ah…his fight with Voidwalker. We all heard him yelling…it was what she said to him that we didn't hear.
He bowed his head.
"Primus should have chosen someone else," he finally said, "I'm a complete embarrassment to the Prime name,"
I put a wing around him and laid my head on his shoulder.
"Don't say that," I told him, "I've seen you act in ways that made you look like a complete idiot and I've seen you act like a Prime…I think Primus chose rightly in making you Prime. He could have chosen anyone to host him when Unicron came to destroy him, but he chose you,"
"Only because you and Dad weren't there," Jack replied bitterly, "I don't care what he said, I think he made a mistake in choosing me,"
"Jack," I sighed, "C'mon, you are Prime material…but you're still young. Trust me, Ratchet's told me so many stories of Dad when he was younger I've lost count…but the one thing I got…is that he had a hot temper too. If he could control it…maybe you can too,"
"Says the girl with a berserker rage,"
"I at least can control who I send on a one way trip to their doom,"
"You didn't see her," Jack muttered, looking up, eyes sad and dark.
He looked at the ceiling.
"What I wouldn't give to redo the day I met Kal," he sighed, "Maybe it wouldn't have turned out so bad?"
"I know this is hard for you," I said, "Reliving the past. Trust me, its hard on all of us. Unfortunately, we can't get back to the day we first met Kal…"
"You were never called weak," he grumbled.
"You treated me like a china doll when I was dying, that was just as bad,"
"Worthless then,"
"I've felt it," I admitted, remembering back to before I met the 'Bots.
"But both at the same time?"
"I will admit that's never happened,"
A tear streaked down his face and I pulled him close, letting him get it out.
"I just want so badly to be like Dad," he whispered over bond because his sobs made it impossible to speak, "To be a leader like him. But I can't, I'm not good enough,"
I wanted to comfort him, I really did…
But how could I when I didn't know what to say?
Silver POV
"MOMMY! DADDY!" I heard Avalon squeal as she ran into the hanger towards us.
I leaned down and picked up my little girl, nuzzling her forehead as she giggled.
Amber had taken Avalon out of the room after she got Xavier calmed down from his rage, so she didn't see Michael and me come in.
"How's my little star?" I asked her.
"Good!" she chirped, "I made new friends!"
She turned to the side and whistled.
"Krypto!" she called, "Sirius!"
Dusk's Newfoundland padded into the room, tail wagging ferociously as he sat down next to me, looking up at Avalon. It sent a pang through my spark as I saw him. He reminded me of my two dogs I had when I was Dusk's age, also Newfies: Shadow and Thunder.
The next dog that padded in…I was not expecting.
It was a huge white husky. And I mean huge. It came close to my shoulder!
"Avi," Michael deadpanned, "That's not a dog, it's a very furry horse with sharp teeth,"
Avalon ignored him and reached out to pet the white dog…Krypto's…nose.
I looked up at the sound of pedes and saw the version of the Prime that looked like my uncle come in with his medic. Neither looked happy and I wondered if it was because of the yelling match I heard Michael's counterpart have with the one called Voidwalker.
"He is so much like you its not funny," I mused, "Mess with the family, you die or at least get yelled at,"
"He is my counterpart," my husband murmured.
Optics looked to the two, and Optimus II scowled.
"We need to rethink our strategy." he stated, and approached the table.
A hologram of the fortress I had been told Dusk tried to infiltrate sprung up.
"Megatron was expecting us, his sensors detected us. An infiltration won't work." he explained.
"But a direct assault would be suicide, especially with the Omni-cons and Scourge in Megatron's arsenal,"
"We can't just leave Jack and Kara there!" Miko II (or was it III technically?) protested.
"I was not suggesting we do," Optimus II said, and typed in a series of commands, "However, there is one other entrance located on the fortress."
The model zoomed into a small cylinder jutting from the cliff.
"A small exhaust port. Far too small to allow any Cybertronian to fit through," he explained.
But small enough for a human…or a Halfling.
"Hold on, you aren't suggesting we send in humans or my children are you?" I demanded.
Optimus II looked down at me and Michael.
Me and my big mouth.
"You had to say something, didn't you?" Michael sighed.
I nudged him.
"You are Silver Ivorra?" Optimus stated.
I nodded.
"I am, and I seriously hope you aren't considering putting my daughter in danger again, especially when you have a mass shifter." I pointed out.
Dusk had explained a lot to me about her time on Second Earth. Michael said that Darby did the same with him…when the two had shared memories in the Infinite.
"Except the Mass shifter has a fatal flaw," Ratchet II pointed out, "Its use can cause the molecules in our armor to weaken and become brittle for up to half an hour. Hardly worth worrying about in base, but in a combat scenario…"
"A few minutes can be a lifetime," Michael finished.
"Who's side are you on?" I demanded, glaring at him.
"I'm on the side where the least lives are lost," he answered.
"Tomosal, I am going to so give you a long talk when I get back," I huffed.
Teaching Michael debate…when it came to settling disputes: Good thing. When it came to back-talking me: Bad thing. Very very bad thing!
"Exactly," Optimus II said, "However, I had no intention of putting you in danger, or any humans if I can help it."
Then who you gonna call Prime? I don't think the Ghostbusters are going to help you here.
"But," he continued, "There is a group of humans who excel at handling situations like this. They are allies and close friends of Jackson."
His servos flew across the panel.
A new hologram appeared, a large T shaped tower on screen.
"And our base is located directly beneath them."
"Um, who exactly are these guys?" Darby's Miko asked.
I normally don't agree much with Miko…but here, I'm with her.
"We're the Teen Titans." a young gravelly voice answered, "And we're more than happy to help Optimus."
That last bit...Rapid had the idea with the Base being under the Titan's HQ. I had no idea until he showed me :P So Silver and Michael join the fight for a bit...and my Jack is going to be avoiding Voidwalker for a long time too...maybe Kal's Prime and Hatchet too...well, until next time!
Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please R&R! :)
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.