So, first off, sorry for just now uploading. I have a lot of stuff that I'm working on and life is busy.

So, here's the new chapter. Pls review! Thanks!

Saga 4

"This isn't good, Optimus shouldn't be going into battle- not with his helmet messed up," Jack tensed, pacing back and forth.

"Dude-" Miko began.

"No Miko, don't say it. I'm not going to relax. This is really bad," he returned.

"Optimus to base," the voice came over the com.

"We hear you loud and clear Optimus. How's your head?" Raf asked casually.

The leader sighed at the humble, yet repeated question. "I have undergone much worse harm than a small crack," he replied.

"Cool. Well, not cool that you've undergone all that, but cool that you're... uh, okay?" Raf pieced together. Scooting forward in the chair, he pressed his elbows onto the computer desk. He loved talking with the Autobots over the comlink. It made him feel like he was in a movie or something.

"Optimus, you can't fight in your condition!" Ratchet pressed the situation, and got many agreements from the rest of the team.

"Ratchet, please. A simple crack will not allow me to permit the Decepticons to harm any humans. Do you not believe that there are other things that you should be concerned about? Was not Bumblebee tortured at the hand of our enemy, yet you let him return to post as soon as he was able, sooner perhaps. And both Arcee and Bulkhead have received far worse injuries in the call of duty than I, yet I seem to be the one that gets worried over the most. And not just by you, either old friend."

The team was silent after their leader said this. They had been protective of Optimus, why? Was it because he was the last of the Primes? Or because their thoughts had been taken captive by the ideas that Bee and him were tortured at the same quantity of pain, though Optimus emerged from healing far earlier than Bee? Or maybe, it was the unforeseen Powers that set their instincts ablaze. The lingering thought that Optimus could swipe the Spark away from any of the 'cons, or them, was quite disturbing. And as much as the loyal 'bots attempted to disprove the theories, the rumors reared their ugly heads yet again.

Arcee was the most distraught by the idea, though she had calmed her fiery temper tremendously. If Optimus could have stopped the war, and could have prevented the millions upon millions of deaths, why didn't he? Was he afraid? No, he couldn't possibly. He was scared of nothing. Yet, to quote the leader himself, only fools are fearless...

Bulkhead was more enamored than ashamed. Yes, the 'bot's grand leader was the best, and despite the fact that he had the ability to prevent the war, he didn't. Bulk wondered about his reasons behind the lack of Power Spark swiping and was determined to find out why it didn't happen. The Prime might even permit himself to be trained by the wrecker of the team. Perhaps Optimus would allow him to harness some of the Power. Either way, if the leader has the ability to destroy the Decepticons, it would make sense to do so instead of risking their lives and those of the humans around them.

It wasn't long before the Decepticons started firing. Optimus, being in the front, transformed and began shooting back while the rest of the team ran for cover.

"You think they forgave us yet?" Bulkhead asked, transforming and smashing a 'con that dared to come a little too close. But before his mace could rearrange the thing, it turned and ran off.

"Really? 'Cons forgive?" Arcee asked, entering her Autobot form and kneeing a 'con in the face, who also turned tail and chased the others.

Bee, who was bouncing around doing his little fighting dance, was more than happy to fire at the 'cons that were seemingly retreating.

All the 'bot thought it odd, but Ratchet was the one that mentioned it first. "That is quite peculiar," he said, standing and watching the small army turn and run left, using a canyon ridge to hide themselves.

"Wait, where's Optimus?" Arcee asked, glancing at the others for any sort of intelligent reply. None was given. "Then that's what they're going after," she growled and instantly sprinted off after the 'cons, followed by her teammates.

Optimus, meanwhile, was taking hesitant strides backwards as the army advanced toward him. He was shooting with deadly accuracy, but even his flares were not enough against the 'cons who were gaining easy ground. The Prime was getting shoved into a corner of the canyon, with high walls on either side and an army before him. So, this was their plan. He knew it was Megatron's doing, but wasn't sure what the 'con leader was wishing to accomplish.

Ducking down to avoid his head getting pulled off by the Cybertronian jets that flew over him, one flare hit his helmet, making it ring. He reached up to grab it, which was the worst thing that he could have done. As soon as the Prime stopped firing the 'cons chased toward him, grabbing his limbs and pulling him down even more.

Optimus felt his face hit against the sand, and gave a cough to clear it away. His limbs jerked, and he felt that they were going to be pulled off, if not out of socket. Ratchet would be most displeased.

It was easy, just throw them off. He had done it a million times, he had even cast aside a militia of Terracons. But for some reason, his strength failed him and he was forced down, his strong legs buckling underneath him. He felt the 'cons crawling over him like ants, but there was nothing he could do to exterminate them.

One 'con was especially careful where it crawled, making it's way to the crack on the leader's helmet, which had only gotten larger during the battle. Snatching a small chip from his chest, the 'con grabbed Optimus' head and shot several flares at the crack, forcing it to open more. The pain made the leader wince, and even gasp, but despite his efforts the 'cons held him still. The leader didn't know what the Decepticons were up to, but something in the situation stung of malice, and dread.

Perhaps even fear. The leader paused, he was afraid. Despite the Power that he had almost accepted, he was allowing himself to held for the slaughter. But, no. He couldn't use it, he never had. Optimus wasn't even sure that he knew how, but it was clear to him that he wouldn't, he couldn't. That much Power and rage had crumbled the prestigious characters of many a great leader before and Optimus would not be the next. Or the last.

The 'con then, once it had decided that the crevasse was gaping enough, charged his weapon and fired a single flare into the very mind of the Prime. This made Optimus wale with pain as he felt the flare tearing at and burning his mechanical brain. The Decepticon, proud in his work, then placed the small chip between his fingers and pierced the brain, inserting the probe inside the head of the Autobot's leader.

Optimus shouted in pain as the hand punctured his mind, and felt darkness growing over him. But he couldn't- wouldn't- give in. Clenching his eyes closed, he forced the feeling to subside and attempted to free himself. The 'cons, as if mocking him, released the large 'bot and allowed him to fall to the ground, grabbing his head in anguish. They then raised their weapons and shot several rounds of flares at Optimus, who's optics were failing as his mind shutdown. His limbs went next, more importantly his weapons.

What had he done...

"HEY!" Arcee yelled, riding over a small hill and transforming in mid-air. Landing on one knee, with her gun raised she fired like mad at the army, who quickly dispersed.

Bumblebee, who was the second quickest, drove directly toward the 'cons and shot after transforming, riding the momentum in his quick strides. Ratchet covered himself under Bee's attacks as he made his way to Optimus, and Bulk just went in pounding.

Optimus raised his blind optics and listened to the efforts of his team as they came for him, but not before the 'con that had performed 'the operation' had a few choice words for the leader. Leaning close to Optimus' Energon spewing head, he allowed the 'bot to hear his silence.

"Soundwave," Optimus groaned, realizing that it was not Megatron at all that had sent the onslaught, but it was the Decepticons foolish self-proclaimed leader instead. If he wasn't in such agonizing torment, the Leader might have been offended.

Leaning closer still, the 'con played a recording as the reflection of the audio-waves danced across Optimus' pained faced. "All hail Optimus- the last, and once was great, Prime."

It was Starscream's sneering voice that was played, and the foretelling words rang in Optimus' head as Soundwave turned, transformed, and flew off.

Returning back to the Nemesis, he was greeted by Starscream himself on the roof of the aircraft. "Soundwave," the 'con said, his tone smooth with pride in the evil thing that he had done, "how went 'the mission?" he asked with sinister chuckles.

Soundwave nearly nodded, then played the audio of his own gun charging, and the blast that was followed by the tremendous moan of Optimus.

Starscream lowered his head as a menacing smile turned his lips. "Very good, your... effectiveness will be rewarded," he said as he walked off, waving to the 'con over his shoulder. Walking down into the belly of the ship, he was met by Knockout.

"How goes the plan?" the 'con asked, starling the 'leader'.

"Ah, Knockout..," after shamefully clearing his throat, the 'con continued, "Let's just say that those 'bots," he spit, "better have a medic that is as good as you. And speaking of 'medic', how is the other patient doing?"

Knockout shrugged, but it was waved off by Starscream who started turning to walk away, but his exit was interrupted by the medic once again.

"If you don't mind me asking, which Autobot was so horribly hurt?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"Don't you know?" the 'leader' asked, confused. "Wait, oh Knockout you deceitful-" he growled, realizing that he never told the medic, and it was his intention that he not find out about his little plan.

"Calm down," Knockout said, pressing his palms toward the floor. "I won't tell if you won't."

"Well of course I'm not going to tell! Ugh!" Starscream moaned, understanding that he now had to tell Knockout the plan. "Walk with me," he threatened, leading the medic to a small side room. "Let me start with a question. How acquainted are you with the Powers that come from 'the Secrets of the All Spark'?"

Knockout let out a roar of laughter. "You're doing all this over some myths? A few urban legends?" he asked, crossing his arms again.

"Oh, but they are no stories, they're true!" Starscream said, mustering all the drama that he could while clenching his fist before his face.

"Riiight," Knockout quipped. "Okay, so let's say that these so called 'Powers' do actually exist, so what?"

Starscream let a menacing chuckle bounce his pointed frame. "Fine. What would you say if I told you that these Powers were true, but not only that. That the Autobot leader himself stole them from the dieing Primes and has the tremendous Power inside him!"

"I'd say you're crazy," Knockout said simply.

"Oh really? Soundwave!" looking over his shoulder he watched the 'con emerge from the dark corner of the room.

"Oh a mysterious dark corner, of course," Knockout mumbled to himself as the 'con joined Starscream.

"Let's have a listen to what a certain other Decepticon found out about a certain other Autobot's certain other flares," the 'leader' said, stroking Soundwave's large build.

"What?" the medic replied, but was taken back by the recording that flashed across Soundwave's face.

"Medical log, number I forget, date I don't really care, and all that other official garbage. I discovered something... interesting about Optimus' flares while I was examining a fallen soldier today. It's not like our flares, which is understandable, but it also has distinct, though minor, differences from the other Autobots. It appears that, unlike theirs weapons, his shoots with the force and power of I don't even know what. Even from a long distance, the flare has the ability to easily by pass the armor and crush the Spark. That's actually what all of his flares attack. Not the 'con himself, but the Spark in of itself. It's like nothing that I've ever seen before and almost makes me believe those bedtime stories. Almost. Once I do more research, I will log more. And now comes the awkward part where I say good-bye, knowing that it's directed to mys-" Soundwave cut the audio short, knowing that the rest was not necessary.

The medic was shocked at hearing his own voice used against him and could make no credible comeback or excuse. "Well," he tried, but that too failed him.

"Knockout," the 'leader' sneered, happy that he had finally trapped the medic, "Whatever happen to loyalty until the end, hm? You honestly weren't thinking of turning to the Autobots side were you?"

"Oh please. You know that I am one hundred percent loyal to... you, Lord Starscream," the medic ingeniously replied. "I didn't tell you of my observations because there was nothing to tell. As I said, I would have to run many more tests in order to come up with anything conclusive," the medic pieced his story together, and did it rather well. At least Starscream, who smirked, seemed to approve. Soundwave, no one can tell.

"So, is that how it is..," Starscream mused, waving Soundwave over.

"As a matter of fact," Knockout said, crossing his arms across his shiny red chest. "So, now will you tell me what the big deal is with Optimus' flares?"

Starscream chuckled. "Of course," he said, motioning for Knockout to take a seat. The medic, however, made it known that he was fine where he was, willing the 'leader' to continue. "As you now know, those 'Powers' of legend are as real as you and me, dear Knockout. But what you might not know, is that I, Lord Starscream, have found out who these 'Powers' are harnessed inside of... Optimus."

"Shocking," Knockout said, swinging one hip.

Starscream stammered. "What- but how did you..."

"Please. It's not like the fact that Optimus is one big, strong 'bot," the medic chuckled, "is the mystery of the millennium."

"Oh really," Starscream returned, lacing his long fingers. "And what else is so obvious too you, oh wise one?"

"Hey, all I'm saying is that it doesn't take a Spacebridge engineer to put two and two together."

"Are you accusing me of-!"

"I'm not accusing Anyone of Anything," looking around the room, Knockout studied his chances of escaping alive if he continued to press the 'leader' any further. "But I digress. So Optimus has the foretold Power, that only means that we should try harder to take him down before he wipes us of the face of... well, you get it."

Starscream again let a sinister chuckle escape him. "Oh Knockout, have faith. As we speak, a probe placed inside of Optimus' head is downloading information about- well, let's say that it is most useful-and it's sending said information to Soundwave, who will give it to me."

Knockout gave the giant 'con a skeptical look, then gazed back to Starscream. "What exactly does 'useful' mean? You're not just looking for the 'Power' are you? You're trying to destroy Optimus... but don't you remember what Megatron did to you last time you attempted such a thing?"

"Oh yes," the 'leader' said, trying to sound sympathetic instead of bitter. "Of course I remember! But this," he patted Soundwave's pointed shoulder, "will change that. Once I get not only the Secrets, but all that Optimus Prime knows, I will be unstoppable!" Tossing his head back, he let rip a horrifying screech of an evil laugh.

"Allow me to monitor the probes vital signs, so that I can know if it gets detected," Knockout volunteered, cutting the howl short tremendously.

"What- what, oh... but of course. Of course you can," Starscream clasped his long hands, regaining his evilness.

Giving a curt nod, Knockout left the room, happy to be away from those that believe they know so much.

Turning to Starscream, Soundwave pointed to his face. "Oh, you have some information?" Starscream asked, standing close to watch the screen flash.

"Data retrieval in progress," the screen read, much to Starscream's enjoyment. Turning, the 'con looked out the window imaging what torture the last Prime was going through as the probe dug into his very mind.

"His vitals are fluctuating rapidly! Raf, get me some- oh never mind," Ratchet said, knowing that he didn't have enough time, nor the patience to explain what type of and how much anesthetic Optimus required. Racing from the Prime's side, he grabbed a face mask and connected it to a large jar. The whole thing looked like a WWII gas-mask, only about a thousand times bigger and didn't cover your whole face.

"Optimus, you need to- ah frag!" the medic said, realizing that if he put the mask on the Leader that he would no longer be able to talk, which is what he needed to do the most. "Optimus, can you hear me? Raf, keep asking him that and make sure you get a reaction!" the 'bot commanded the child as he checked the Primes vital signs again.

Slipping off Bumblebee's hand, Rafael ran over and climbed up onto the bed. Getting that close to Optimus, the child was taken back. If Ratchet was a good as he thinks he is, and Optimus' brain somehow pulled through this, he body probably wouldn't. The Leader's left shoulder looked like it was barely hanging on and his other arm was missing most of it's blade. The chest didn't look that great before Ratchet tore open the Prime's chest plates, but now it looked far worse.

"Raf!" Ratchet snapped at the boy, making the child jump.

"S-sorry!" he responded, making his way to Optimus' head. That was a sight.

It was dented, cut, leaking Energon all over, Optimus' optics were bare flickers of what was once radiant light, and that was just the front side. "Optimus, can you hear me? Tell me if you can hear me," Raf pleaded, begging instead of willing the Leader to respond. He did, and it will probably haunt Raf for quite some time.

Jerking his arms up, the Prime grabbed his head, about squishing Raf in the movement if it wasn't for Bee's quickness and ability to wake from his sympathetic stupor. Optimus' yell echoed throughout the mountain as he nearly tore his head in two. If his heavy body wasn't already laying down, it would have been on the ground in now time flat.

"Optimus, you need to relax! Optimus!" Ratchet yelled as the vital signs flashed and buzzed alerts.

"Optimus, it's us, it's the Autobots!" Bulkhead tried, taking a hesitant step forward.

"He can't hear you," Ratchet yelled at the wrecker, preparing his hands inside the Prime's chest.

"What are you doing!" Jack asked as he tightly held Miko.

"He's taking Optimus' Spark out. It's the only way to stop this," Arcee spoke, staring forward, seemingly mesmerized by the sight.

"What?" Jack asked, looking at the 'bot.

"Won't that kill him!" Miko questioned.

"Not if it's done right," Bulk said, tenderly scooping up his shaky human.

Optimus, who was still yelling, suddenly sat forward making Ratchet bounce away from him. Rolling his humongous head side to side, the Leader slammed it down on the bed. He repeated this as much as his sore abs could allow him.

The other 'bots stepped forward to hold him down, but Bee buzzed halfway for something had caught the scout's optic. Lowering himself so that he could look under the bed, he watched sternly, refusing to believe that his keen eyesight had teased him. Finally Optimus slammed his head harder than ever before for final blow and Bee watched in horror as something appeared to drop out from it, but then scramble back inside.

Bee's eyebrows shot up as his body pulsed, beeping and whistling like crazy. Pointing his arm like mad, the other 'bots struggled to understand him.

"Bumblebee, slow down!" Ratchet ordered, struggling to maintain his hold on Optimus.

Bee pointed to the Leader, then to his own head.

"There's a bug?" Raf asked and his 'bot looked down to him. "Inside Optimus' head?" the child asked again after a brief moment of Bee's blips.

"What- no! That doesn't make sense! If their was a bug inside Optimus' head than my scanners would have located it as a foreign substance," Ratchet scowled, trying not to look at the Leader's wincing face.

"But it wasn't a substance, it was a machine," Raf tried to explain as the other kids walked over. "A mechanical bug."

"Absurd! Autobots," Ratchet said, his optics glowing with seriousness, "help me get Optimus inside the Energon chamber. I can't operate if he remains like this," he ordered. The 'bots fell suit and escorted the bed out of the room, mostly just holding their Leader down on it.

The silence afterward was almost as terrifying as Optimus' shrieks. Jack was wondering if there was a God to pray to and if He would listen. Miko's soul was wrapped around her heart, making it hurt as it thumped wildly. But Raf was the most hurt. He believed what Bee saw, heck he saw it himself.

The thing was about the size of the child himself, and had several- probably eight or ten- long, thin, agile legs that pierced whatever they touched clean through. What looked like it's thorax- it's butt- had a spiderweb of cords that attached it to Optimus' mind. When it fell out, it wiggled and twisted back around before climbing back in. The thing, whatever it was, was straight out of a horror film.

So yeah, suddenly the whole 'feeling like you're in a movie' thing wasn't quite as fun. Actually, it was terrifying.