Chapter four is the Trial of the Heart/Soul. Hope ya'll like it!

I do not own Transformers: Prime...Only my OC's and the Realm of Cybres

Chapter 4

Dark Side

Ben POV

"Welcome to Darksphere," Michael muttered grimly.

"I can't see my hand in front of my face!" Jack protested.

"We're in a cavern, Darby," the High King growled, "Now, come on,"

"Hold up," I started, "Why are we in a cave?"

"Because," Michael snapped, "Darksphere residents are drawn towards light, there's none in the cavern. We've checked. Now let's go!"

He growled softly to himself in Cybreian and I realized in shock I could understand him.

Let's just say, Silver'll have to wash his mouth out with soap.

We walked towards the mouth of the cave. With each step I could feel Dusk's weight getting heavier and heavier, her skin's icy coldness seeping into my own and sending shivers down my spine.

And we stepped out.

"I still can't see anything," Jack grumbled.

"Use your optics," Michael growled.

I heard Jack give a low, rumbling growl of his own…but in a few seconds, a royal blue glow lit up the area in front of us from high above.

"What is with those two, Dusk?" I thought.

I smiled to myself.

"Huh, look at me, you can't hear me," I finished with a shake of my head, "you're dead,"

Something had gotten into those two, and I wanted to know what.

"Don't worry," I said to Dusk, "We'll get you get you back to normal,"

My eyes cast a ghostly blue light over her deathly pale face.

"What's wrong now?" Jack demanded.

"You two's attitudes, that's what," I replied calmly.

"You know what…?" Michael started.

And that's when I heard it.

A lilting, sweet laugh poured from the darkness.

"What was that?" I asked.

"I dunno," Jack replied, squinting into the half-light.

"Ben…"

I froze. I knew that voice…

But it couldn't be! She was dead?

"Ben, is that you?" the voice called, right as…right as Dusk walked out of the swirling, black fog.

My heart, now spark, leapt up into my throat.

Familiar sapphire eyes lit up as they locked onto me.

"Oh, Primus it is you!" she cried, coming at me.

"It…it can't be," I whispered, "You're dead!"

Dusk gave a light laugh.

"Prima put my spark back together, she just needed you to come find me," she smiled, "C'mon, I want to show you something…"

She gestured out into the darkness…no, not dark…it was a beautifully decorated room.

With a bed in the center of it.

I looked back up at her…

Oh Primus, what was she wearing?

It looked like she was covering as little skin as possible…I could see…

I averted my gaze.

"What's wrong?" Dusk asked in a slight pout, "Isn't this what you want?"

"We're not married," I muttered, trying to look anywhere but at her.

"Does that matter?" she asked, tilting my chin up to look at her, "You and your morals…I know you want this…"

I couldn't speak.

Michael POV

"Michael," Silver's voice purred softly.

I looked up and saw my wife standing there smiling at me, hands outstretched.

"I miss you already," she whispered.

I rubbed my eyes. This was impossible! Silver stayed at Iadail. I knew that! She even told me she was staying at Iadail. Silver didn't lie to me. Never had.

But she looked so real!

She gave that little half-smile that always made my spark stutter.

"Come on," she purred, "I need you to help me,"

"I'm on a mission," I replied stupidly.

"It can wait,"

"But our daughter's life is on the line!"

"It'll take just a few minutes," she promised.

Silver never lied to me, why would this be any different?

Jack POV

"Jack?" a voice asked, "Jaaaack!"

I cocked my head. I had never heard a voice like that before. And you know what?

I liked it. I really, really liked it!

I turned to see a stunningly pretty femme behind me. She resembled both my mom and my aunt very much, but she was the same height as 'Bee with a dark black midsection, blue armor that was so dark it was almost black in color, her optics were a soft blue. Her faceplate, one could describe it as boyish…but in my mind, it was very beautiful. She had crescent-shaped winglets but I couldn't see a 'Bot or 'Tari insignia on it…she had a symbol on it and I swear it was familiar…but I couldn't place it.

"Wh-who are y-you?" I started.

Agh! Stupid stutter!

The femme gave a soft laugh.

"You're cute when you do that," she grinned.

"Wh-who are…?"

"Silly mech," the femme crooned, putting a servo on my chassis, "I'd expect a better welcome from my sparkmate,"

My jaw dropped.

Sp-Sp-Sparkmate!?

The femme pouted.

"You don't like me?" she started, optics pleading and starting to brim with tears, "Did I do something wrong?"

She traced a finger over my left wing.

"N-n-noooo," I stuttered.

"So you like me?" she continued,

"Y-yeeeeessss," I purred, relaxing.

Ben POV

I shook my head.

"This isn't like you," I started, "You'd have respect for the morals my mom taught me, I know you would,"

"I just came back from the dead, Ben," Dusk started, coming closer and closer, "What do you think?"

I closed my eyes tight. I didn't want to see this. I really didn't want to see…

Wait. If Dusk was here then what did I have in my arms?

I looked down…

And saw Dusk, the real Dusk in my arms.

She was still cold and still.

"No, no, don't look at that," the fake Dusk ordered, "Look at me."

That's when I noticed something odd.

Dusk's scar, it wasn't as curved as normal, and her eyes…they just turned red?

"If there's one thing I know," I started as I backed away, "It's this…"

Ruby eyes narrowed.

"You're not my Dusk," I snapped.

The fake Dusk gave a howl of anger…and melted into the air, leaving behind what looked like a ghost with hateful red eyes.

I looked at Jack and Michael, both of which were being taken by more ghosts.

Jack was closest, but Michael seemed the most in danger.

I sat Dusk down gently, giving a silent prayer that nothing would harm her, and charged at Michael, knocking him flat.

The two of us struggled and Michael ended up on top, sword raised and aimed at my throat.

"MICHAEL!" I screamed, "It's me! Ben!"

His eyes seemed to clear for a second and he held a hand to his head.

"Wh-what happened?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, going over to Dusk and picking her up, "Some sort of ghost…I'll explain later, right now it's gonna get Jack unless one of us does something!"

"Give me Dusk," Michael ordered and I did so, "You know him best, get him,"

I looked up…of course, Jack had to be in mech form…didn't he?

I closed my eyes, feeling my body shift and I charged forwards again, knocking Jack out of the ghost's reach right as both of us returned to human form.

"Wha's going on?" he slurred, "My sparkmate, where…?"

"Wisps," Michael growled, as the three ghosts reconvened, "Ben, get him over here! NOW!"

I dragged Jack over…right as one of the ghosts spoke.

"To think that the human was the one who threw off my charms," one of them huffed, "His love is powerful."

"Yes," another replied, "He'll make a fine treat."

"And the others?" the third growled, "What of them?"

"Kill them of course, just like the human. Of course, the girl is dead, so no need to worry about her,"

"I like that idea," the third chimed…and they started towards us.

"Wisps take the forms of those you love or care deeply about," Michael explained, "Or those you haven't found yet, like Darby."

"So what do they do when they get you?"

"They steal your soul…and after that you don't want to know,"

"Lovely," I grumbled, flicking out my whips, "So how do we beat them?"

"You don't,"

"Great," I sighed.

Suddenly sweet song poured through the air and all three of us looked up…

Right as a blaze flared up between us and the Wisps.

Authoress POV

"Wicked creature!" the Wisps shrieked as a shape formed in the flames, "Take away our meals!"

"You will not harm them," a low voice growled, "Now, be gone!"

The three Wisps glared hatefully at the figure before dissipating.

Ben POV

The flames died out and the Wisps were gone.

Right as something heavy landed on my shoulder.

I froze, my mind instantly filling with images of scaly tentacles and hairy, clawed paws.

A pair of golden talons squeezed my shoulder gently.

"Hooroo?" a soft whirring, chirping noise met my ears.

I looked up…and spotted the most beautiful bird I had ever seen.

It was about the size of my whole arm, not counting the plumed, golden tail. Its primary color was a rich scarlet and its breast and tips of its wings were a shimmering gold. It had a crest of two, long, slender feathers that flowed down its long graceful neck.

"A phoenix," Michael whispered hoarsely, "I can't believe it,"

"Hooroo," the bird crooned, gently nipping my ear.

"She's beautiful," I murmured.

The phoenix preened its shining feathers nonchalantly.

"They're supposed to be good luck," Jack said, "It's a sign. We're going to succeed, we're going to get Dusk back,"

I smiled as the bird nuzzled my cheek.

"She sure likes you," Michael grinned.

"I'm just…really good with animals," I shrugged, causing the phoenix to give a gently, but loud chirp of indignation.

I smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, girl, forgot you were there,"

"Hoo-Hoorrooo!" she called, bobbing her head on her long, elegant neck.

Looks like we have a new friend.

Next time is the trial of the Body. See ya soon!

Song in title: Dark Side of the Moon by Steve Jablonsky.

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.