Title: Transformers A Shattered Paradox
Rating: T for strong language, strong violence, dark themes, some torture and sexual themes and crude humor.
Genre: Family/Drama
Short Summary:
Twenty years of peace between new worlds, it seems a new threat has risen through Space and Time. The Cybertronians and humans are about to learn how to face their selves.
Warning for Chapter: Original Character Death, younglings death, great sadness.
:::Chapter Four:::
An Alarming End
Songs Best Used:
Skorponok-Steve Jablonsky
An Unfinished Life-Audiomachine
When the games had begun, it had been worrying when the Primes and the High Lord Protectors showed up late. They had almost missed the Speed Races entirely. But what made a few frown was seeing the worried and surprised looks on their faces as they sat down to watch. It took a moment for Elita One to coax Optimus into telling them what was wrong.
"It was the meeting with Primacron last night, love." Optimus told her whole watching the rest of the Speed Trails. "Primacron...said some rather disturbing things last night."
Elita One frowned as she shared a glance with Nightbird, Maximum Wave and Airachnid, who was holding her triple sparked, five year old sparklings with Lockdown standing behind her. She looked back at her mate, looking at his troubled look. "What did he say?" She asked carefully.
Optimus only shook his head, optics narrowing in thought. He didn't quite answer but allowed Rodimus to be the one to answer.
"When we went to talk to Primacron, Alpha Prime and Solus Prime, Vector Prime was there too. We haven't seen him in twenty years now, since the peace with Quintessa began." Rodimus began looking around at everyone in the VIP box. "The meeting was about something that none of us but Starscream really understood."
Starscream huffed, folding his arms and twitching his silver wings. "Even I didn't understand all of it, Rodimus. It was complete nonsense and absurd. But Primacron spoke of some kind of rip in the Space and Time Bridges. He wasn't really making any sense to any of us. I think he did that on purpose to confuse us. Said something about a visitor coming to us for help or something of that." He stated.
Megatron nodded as he tapped his helm, watching how Turboracer was cheating in the races. "In deed. I believe Primacron wanted us to figure this out on our own. He spoke only of the Space and Time Bridges rip and how a traveler was coming to our realm to require our aid." He turned and looked at the confused look on Elita One's face. "He would not be specific to what he was talking about. We have never seen Primacron so flustered before. He seemed to be not entirely there at the meeting. Alpha Prime told us that the Dual Gods were watching for something...elsewhere. but not even he understood. The only thing that Primacron spoke of that made sense was that danger was coming. Our peaceful life nowadays is ending for a short time. A new war is coming towards us."
Everyone stared at him in unease and alarm. That wasn't something they wanted to hear.
"So, what? Another war is coming? With who?!" Sam asked alarmed as he held Mikaela's hand in his own. He was just as disturbed as everyone else.
Optimus finally lift his head so to shake it. "We don't know, Sam. As Megatron has said, Primacron was not entirely there. He seemed flustered about something. He was speaking in nonsense and it confused all of us. He seemed to be talking to us and then talking to someone else at the same time. Alpha Prime and Solus Prime were concerned. Vector Prime said only for us to be prepared for what was coming. And he left after only saying that. He said he needed to be somewhere. We did not have a chance to even question him." He said gravely before sighing. "Something is wrong. I can feel it in the Matrix."
"Well, once Primacron can get their selves together and actually tell us what's going on, let's just enjoy the Games. Your kids are all up." It was Lockdown stated and everyone had to smile and agree. He was right. The Games were supposed to be a form of distraction from everything bad. And they were sure they didn't need to worry about anything.
The Games were exciting to say the least. The Primes, High Lords and Queens and Kings of worlds were judging all of the Games. They had been Judges for the past ten years now.
Of course, during the Speed Trials, there had been a few snarls when they saw Team Speed's Turboracer cheat by side swiping, rear ending, clipping other contestants. Megatron and Starscream both snarled and Optimus sighed before looking at the others to see if they were in agreement of their decision of what to do about Turboracer. And when they were, Optimus made the call to Sunstreaker, Knockout, and Moonracer to announce Turboracer's disqualification and make it clear why he was losing his second place title.
As far as they understood, Turboracer was fragged off but after Sunstreaker informed the Kaonite's mentor of the reason, he shut up pretty quick when Deadline got through with him. The Team Speed Mentor would not have his team cheat even when Turboracer was captain or not.
The Games went on and everyone enjoyed what was in store for them.
The Primes and High Lords enjoyed the music Delia played and even complimented Soundwave for tutoring her so well. They enjoyed watching the Sharp Shooter Games and awed the Aerial Show. No one missed the way Starscream preened proudly at all of Slipstream's maneuvers. He was proud of her beautiful flying, after all he taught her with Nightbird, Thundercracker, and Skywarp.
And when the Survival Paint Wars began, all of them watched the many screens before them in the Prime Main Quarters, smiling as they watched all of the teams enjoy their selves as they shot their paint rounds and were shot in return. But none of them seemed to mind as they retreated deeper into the woods they were playing in. The game went on and everyone watched as the teams showed great skill in stealth and sharp shooting. It was not just the younglings they were impressed with. It was all contestants.
However, all of the fun seemed to end when the door to the Prime Quarters slammed open, making all of the Leaders jump and look to see Alpha and Solus hurrying in, looking quite anxious and worried.
Optimus frowned seeing how rushed they seemed to be. He knew something was wrong immediately. "Alpha Prime, Solus Prime, what is...?" He was saying only to pause when Vector Prime came in right after them just as hurried.
"Optimus, we don't have time! Primacron has crashed!" Alpha Prime said hurried and all stiffened in surprise.
"What?! What do you he crashed? As in was traveling to somewhere crashed or as in like a computer kind of cra..." Reno Banes was asking as he stood up with several others.
"As in the Duel Gods went into their meditation state too deep and now they are no longer even in their combined frame!" Solus said abruptly. "They are not even in there! Alpha looked into their processor and they are gone!"
Everyone in the room gaped in surprise and disbelief. They didn't understand. Where would have the Dual God have gone? And why didn't they say anything?!
"What is more disturbing is Vector Prime does know where they have gone and why they have gone." Alpha added hurriedly. "He also told us what Primacron had been talking about when you went to see them, Optimus. And what he has said is un-nerving in deed."
As expected, eyes and optics immediately went to Vector Prime, who looked grim as he was looking elsewhere. His optics seemed to be far away, as if searching for something that couldn't be seen.
Optimus stepped closer to the Space and Time Guardian, frowning as he decided it was time to get to the bottom of all of this. "Vector Prime, what is going on here? Where has Primacron gone and why didn't he say anything?" He asked firmly.
Vector Prime shuttered his optics for a second before looking right at him, his face full of serious debate. He seemed to consider his words carefully then nodded once. "Primacron has gone to another realm to watch over it more closely than he already was, Optimus Prime. And it is that realm that She comes from." He stated now pointing at the screens behind the Primes and High Lords.
Optimus and everyone blinked in surprise before looking back at the screens just in time to see one of them flash. They focused directly on the screen that flashed and stared bewildered at who they saw looking battered.
"Slipstream?!" Starscream exclaimed, looking startled and worried as he moved closer to see her injuries better. "What happened to her?! Who dared to hurt my daughter?!" He added with an angry snarl.
But Vector Prime didn't answer but watched the Seeker femme on the screen. He knew they would find out the answer soon enough.
But then as everyone pondered of how or why Slipstream looked so beaten, or wondered who had done it, the Space and Time Guardian jerked, his optics widening in surprise. "No! They were not meant to follow her!" He blurted out, making every one look at him in surprise.
"Who...?" It was Megatron who started to ask.
But there was another flash in the same screen and everyone watched as a Space bridge opened up, swirling. They stared in bewilderment as it formed and the Seeker femme scampered to hide behind boulders.
"Who the frag authorized that space bridge?! Space bridges were prohibited from use during the games!" Prowl was the one to demand now starting to contact the Space Bridge Command Station.
But what, or rather who came out of the Space Bridge had startled him and everyone else into stunned silence. They saw Jazz, Bulkhead and Cliffjumper, or rather mechs who looked exactly like them.
Except...it couldn't have been them.
Because Jazz was in the room with them, staring flabbergasted at his look alike.
"What the hell?! Jazz?!" Sam exclaimed now looking from the screen then to the Jazz in the room and then back; repeating the actions several times.
"It ain't me! Can't be! I'm me! Who the frag is that? Why does he look like me?!" Jazz yelped gaping in shock. He looked wide optic'd at Vector Prime, who was quite alarmed that these three look a likes had passed through the Space Bridge. "Vector, what the frag is going on here?!"
Vector Prime snapped his attention to him then to the Primes and High Lord Protectors. "Primes! High Lords, you must go to them, stop them! They are dangerous! They are not supposed to be here!" He said hurriedly.
"Hey, is that Slipstream?! There's two of them?!" Rodimus Prime suddenly yelped.
Everyone looked to see that indeed another Slipstream had suddenly appeared, landing before the three strange mechs who looked like Jazz, Cliffjumper and Bulkhead. She seemed confused seeing them and everyone realized that was their Slipstream. They saw a difference between this one and the one before. The Slipstream they have known since her discovery twenty one years ago had more blue. The one they just seen a moment ago, the one hiding was more silver with blue.
"No! Starscream, if you do not wish anything horrible to happen to Slipstream, you need to go to her now!" Vector Prime suddenly demanded.
Starscream looked at him in alarm, his wings hitching up as he stepped closer to the door. "What do you...?!" He was demanding.
"Oh, shit! The other Jazz is attacking her!" Trent DeMarco was the one to yell out.
Optics and eyes snapped back to the screen and everyone gasped or cried out when they saw that he was telling the truth. The other Jazz, Bulkhead and Cliffjumper were now shooting at Slipstream with live rounds.
"NO!" Starscream and Nightbird both shouted in horror as they watched Slipstream now running and dodging the cannon blasts aimed to kill her.
Immediately, Nightbird was rushing towards the door, her spark flaring in panic. Starscream was right after her, a roar of rage and panic blaring from him. They knew their daughter was in danger and they had to help her.
Everyone was now moving, scampering to follow. Optimus immediately slapped his helm to activate his comms. "Optimus Prime to Space Bridge Command, I need a space bridge activated outside the New Iacon Prime Building now! Connect directly to the Paint Wars arena right now! To Slipstream's coordinates! No questions asked!" He demanded through the comms. "Sentinel! Get on the comms to the referees at the game! Shut it down now and evacuate all contestants from the area! We cannot allow any to be harmed in this attack! Elita, you, the humans and some of the femmes stay here and report what is happening on the battle field until we get there! Vector Prime, please come with us and explain what is happening on the way!"
Vector Prime nodded as he hurried after him and the others that were rushing right out the door.
"Hurry, Optimus!" Elita One suddenly called after them quite frantic. "Our Slipstream is down and the other Slipstream is now engaging the other Jazz, Bulkhead and Cliffjumper! It doesn't look good!"
Immediately, everyone running down the halls of the New Iacon Prime palace picked up their speed while checking their weapon systems. If it was a fight this new Jazz was asking for, then he was going to get it!
Back at the Survival Paint Wars arena, the alternate Slipstream had seen enough. She knew that she had to do something to stop her universe's Jazz from killing her counterpart. She didn't say she understood everything going on but she couldn't let the insane Autobot Third In Command and his goons kill an innocent, which was obvious what her other Slipstream was.
So when Jazz raised his cannon to finish the other Slipstream off while she was down, she took advantage of it.
"JAZZ! WRONG ONE, YOU SON OF A GLITCH!" Slipstream yelled as she came out from her hiding spot, her blaster up and running hot.
Startled, the three mechs from her universe whipped around, looking shocked. They definitely had not been expecting two Slipstreams. But they didn't have time to express their thoughts on the matter as the Seeker femme they knew opened fire on them.
Immediately, they scattered in many directions, Cliffjumper being the one who took the first hit in the right shoulder. He roared in pain as he lashed up his other cannon to start firing.
Slipstream took immediate cover behind the boulders again, hearing the blasts slam into her cover and sending rock chips flying. She knew it had been foolish to get their attention. She was damaged and couldn't move without limping. It made it worse when she was all alone, fighting three mechs who were trained killers.
It wasn't that she was a terrible shot. Not that at all. She was actually really good. Her creator had trained her for years to be a good, dead on shot.
It was just that she was injured and facing three mechs on her own.
"Fragging glitch, Slipstream! What kind of trap is this, huh?! Using another femme as a frame double?!" Jazz yelled and she carefully peered around the corner of the boulders seeing that they weren't shooting at her now. The treacherous Autobot Third was pointing his cannon at the fallen look alike again, standing over her. "Come on out now! Or I kill your frame double!"
Slipstream's vents caught, her spark whirling terrible. She was torn now between remaining covered or going to save the other Slipstream.
"Ya have 'til the count of three, Slippy! One!" Jazz barked, his burning red visor glinting dangerously. "Two!" And he smirked coldly before heating up his cannon. "Thr...!"
"Don't! Don't shoot her!" Slipstream cried now popping out from behind the boulder, her servos raised and blaster out of sight. She slowly crept out from the boulders, her whole frame trembling in fear and rage as she stepped further from her cover. "You have me. Let her live." She stated.
A wide, cruel grin formed on Jazz's face as he tilted his head towards Bulkhead, nodding. The large brutish Autobot nodded back and started towards Slipstream, who tensed. The Third knew that the femme was itching to bolt. She wanted to run. But he knew she wouldn't.
It was sickening to him of how noble the Decepticons were. They would give their own lives to protect innocents.
Waiting with his cannon trained on the double, Jazz watched Bulkhead march straight up to Slipstream and seized her arms, forcing them behind her back. He grinned cruelly as he watched her resolve fall into misery before he heated his cannon again. "Have ya learned not'ing about meh by now, Slippy?" He suddenly asked, making her look wide optic'd at him. He turned wickedly cold, his visor hardening. "I lie."
And he turned to shoot the fallen Slipstream.
"NO!" Slipstream screamed, jerking forward to stop him but she was being held back by Bulkhead and Cliffjumper, who cheered Jazz on to kill the frame double.
Suddenly there was a loud predatorily roar and a loud rev of an engine, making all jump and turn with a jerk just in time to see a group of mechs and femmes running out of the woods with cannons up and powering to fire. In the lead of all of them was a brilliantly red and silver mech, cannons raised and ready to fire.
It was the brilliant red and silver mech that caught Slipstream's optics and made her vents catch. She couldn't believe her optics when she saw him. "Sizzle." She whispered painfully.
The young mechs and femmes fired and paint slapped the three startled mechs, startling them more.
The red visored Jazz looked down at the powder blue paint now on his frame and even touched it with a disgusted look before shooting a dark look at the younglings that now surrounded him, Bulkhead, Cliffjumper and the two Slipstreams. "Paint?! Ya're shooting at meh with paint?! That is really all yeh got?!" He growled before whipping up his cannon towards the tensing younglings.
Suddenly there was a snarl and something collided with Jazz and sharp fangs sank into his arm making him yelp in pain and surprise. He jerked his head to see the somewhat small but large dragon bot now latched onto his arm, breaking minor energon lines.
"Dragcon! Don't hurt him!" The red and silver yelled over to the dragon bot who was now struggling to stay on while Jazz thrashed and began hitting him hard on top of his head to dislodge him.
"Don' just stand there!" Snarled Jazz when he saw Bulkhead and Cliffjumper snickering as they watched him struggle with the young Predacon. "Help meh get this fragging beast off meh!"
Bulkhead snorted before shoving Slipstream against Cliffjumper and lumbered over. "Hold the glitching Seeker, Jumper. I'll help our glorious Third...whoa!" He then scampered back when more Predacons snarled, jumping into his path to keep him at bay.
"Jazz! What are you doing?! Why were you trying to hurt Slipstream?!" It was Omega who yelled over.
Jazz ceased to struggle with the young dragon bot to look at him in surprise and...was that a tinge of fear mixed with confusion, everyone thought. "Omega? Beta?! What are yeh doin' with the...!?" He cut himself off with a growl when he saw the differences that he did not recognize. "Yeh ain't my Prime's off springs! More double frames, eh?! Yeh ain't fooling us, imposta's!" He snarled before whipping up his other cannon and firing.
"WHOA!" All of the younglings yelped before scattering to avoid being shot.
"What is with Jazz?! Why's he trying to kill us?!" Nightbeat yelled as he dashed away from the dangerous live fire.
None of the others could answer as they kept running and dodging. They didn't know what to say about this whole ordeal. They were just as confused as...Beta gasped when she caught sight of who was on the ground, off line.
"Slipstream?!" The Prime Daughter gasped as she ran and dodged. "Guys! There's two Slipstreams!"
Taking a second to glance over, everyone was surprised to see that she was right. They saw one still struggling with Cliffjumper and the other was on the ground. They didn't understand it! How could there be two Slipstreams!
"Oh, frag this!" Jazz snarled angrily before he twisted his free cannon arm and transformed it into a shock prod. He slammed it against Dragcon, activating it to full power.
Dragcon's entire frame jerked as his optics widened before he threw himself back, snarling and whining in pain. His wings thrashed and flapped as he scampered backwards, scratching at where Jazz had hit him with the shock prod. Jazz, however, rushed forward and kicked the young dragon's side hard, knocking his vents off line for a moment and sending him onto his side, wings beating at the ground. Then he red visored mech raised his cannon directly at Dragcon's head, ready to blow it off.
"JAZZ! NO! STOP!" Nightbeat cried out in alarm and horror.
Suddenly something came crashing down right on top of Dragcon and roared right into Jazz's face, startling him backwards. He yelped to see the much larger beast there in front of him, protecting the Predacon Prince from deactivation.
The large Predacon was only slightly bigger than Jazz but not by much. He had impressive wings full of metallic blade like feathers. His entire body frame was dragon like bit his head was more of an eagle's. He was no doubt a Gryphon based Predacon and his golden optics were full of rage and mirth as he growled viciously at Jazz. "I do not know who you are but you are not the Jazz we know! You signature is different from Jazz's! So therefore, desist and retreat from trying to harm the younglings or face the fury and wrath of Grimwing!" Grimwing growled, his wings spread out to look bigger and more threatening.
Jazz gaped in alarm at the Predacon for a moment before a wide excited smirk formed on his faceplates. "Well, it speaks. Nev'a seen anything like yeh before. I think killing yeh will be fun!" He said before whipping up his cannon and firing.
Grimwing jerked his head back just in time before he wrapped his claws around Dragcon and kicked up into the sky. "Get to cover, younglings! Now!" He snarled as he fled into the sky with fire power coming at him. He twisted and rolled, hugging Dragcon close to his frame, narrowly missing being shot.
Back on the ground, Team Autocon scampered to obey Grimwing, running for the trees where they had left their human friends.
However, Sizzle and Omega paused to scoop up the Slipstream they knew and look to the one, who was now struggling with Cliffjumper. They shared a glance with one another before Sizzle carefully shoved his Slipstream towards his slightly larger friend. "Go! I'll help the other Slipstream! Just get to cover, Omega! Protect the others!" He said before rushing towards Cliffjumper and Slipstream.
Cliffjumper almost didn't see Sizzle coming until he was right on top of him and his captive. He yelped when the red and silver mech was right on them, slamming into him. He was sent sprawling, forced to release the Seeker.
Slipstream looked at Sizzle with surprise as je grabbed her arm and stood between her and Cliffjumper. "Siz." She said ventlessly.
Sizzle glanced at her before looking back at Cliffjumper as he snarled at them, cannons rising. "Run!" He said sharply before turning and booking towards the boulders she had been hiding behind before. He found that quite the task when he realized how damaged her leg was. He grimaced before stopping and scooping her up onto his shoulder then started running again, ignoring her startled yelp.
"Sizzle! You fragging Decepticon loving traitor!" Cliffjumper snarled as he began shooting at the two escapees.
Sizzle yelped as he felt hot blasts right at his peds. He began dodging as best as he could while keeping a good hold on Slipstream, who cried out in surprise and pain from her injuries. He felt one blast come close to hitting his peds and had to weave to the right to avoid being shot.
"Go right!" Slipstream suddenly barked and surprisingly, the mech listened and avoided a shot that would have hit his left ped. "Right again! Run straight and try not to throw me off!"
"Why?! What are...?!" Sizzle was calling over as he listened to her.
Suddenly there was a charged explosion from behind him and he jumped to hear Slipstream now firing her cannon blaster back at Cliffjumper, who yelped in pain and rage.
"What the frag?! Where did you get live rounds?! We aren't supposed to have them during the Games, Slipstream!" Sizzle yelped as he almost turned around to see if she hit Cliffjumper.
But Slipstream slapped her servo against his back struts to stop him. "Just run, you idiot! That blast wasn't good enough! Besides, I am not YOUR Slipstream! If I was yours, then you are suppose to be dead, Sizzle!" She barked now firing at Cliffjumper again.
Sizzle was surprised but he quickly moved to behind the boulders where Slipstream thrashed to be put down. He stepped back, pressing against the wall of the boulders while watching her as she shot back at Cliffjumper. "What's that suppose to mean?! If you're not Slipstream, who are you?! Why is Cliffjumper trying to kill us?!" He asked as she fired.
Slipstream almost didn't answer as she kept on firing around the boulder with careful precision. "Long story short, I don't know what's going on! But what I do know is this is not my universe! I am from a different dimension and so are those three! They are dangerous, evil and insane! My name is Slipstream, just that I am not the Slipstream you know! I am a Decepticon and you are an Autobot who is supposed to be dead!" She said quickly as she kept firing at Cliffjumper.
Sizzle gaped at her in shock, not understanding. "What makes you say that?! That's the weirdest thing I have ever said! What do you mean I am supposed to be...!" He was asking wildly.
Slipstream shot him a look as she paused from firing on Cliffjumper. "Okay, maybe not you! But my Sizzle is dead! Ironhide killed him because of me!" She yelled over the loud blasts happening on the battle field.
Sizzle stared in shock and horror at what she said while asking himself, "Dad killed me?! Wha-?!"
Both Jazz and Bulkhead were continuously trying to hit the Predacon out of the air. They had watched Grimwing quickly set Dragcon safely in the trees on the other side of the clearing before charging back at them, roaring.
Now it was a game of trying to hit the Predacon, who was flying rapidly in the air, trying to get closer to attack them.
Jazz had seen where the younglings from before were now hiding. He also saw a few others join them to watch in shock and horror at what was happening on the clearing. He even saw the Omega fake take his target and set her down. He didn't know what was going on and why there were so many...clones of some bots he knew but he knew one thing!
He had a mission and that was to kill Slipstream and present her head to Princess Beta Prime!
And he fully intended to do that!
"Bulkhead! Kill that beast! I'm going after that Seeker glitch!" Jazz roared before turning and running towards the trees where the younglings were. He ignored whatever Bulkhead called after him as he raised his cannons at the trees.
"Oh, shit! He's coming this way!" Daniel Witwicky cried out as he stepped back from his tree.
"Everyone, fire all you have at him and Bulkhead!" Triggerload barked as he raised his cannons and aimed.
"Trig! We just have paint! It isn't going to damage him!" Beta cried out as she stiffened against her tree.
Triggerload nodded sharply as he began firing his paint balls at the mech charging at them. "I know, Beta! That's the idea! Distraction tactics! We need to help out Grimwing so he can get close to them! We distract them while he attacks!" He yelled as he hit the silver and black mech, who cursed as his frame was being splattered by paint now.
"Great idea, Triggerload! Everyone! Spread out and start shooting all you have at them! Hit Cliffjumper too! Get his attention off of Sizzle and the other Slipstream!" Omega yelled as he joined in shooting at Jazz and Bulkhead.
It might have been paint but it had been enough to do what needed to be done.
Bulkhead yelped in surprise, ducking down when he felt the paint splattering against his large frame. He shot an acid like look at the ones shooting at him and it was enough for Grimwing.
The Predacon saw his opportunity and dove down right at the bulky green mech. He was upon Bulkhead in seconds, sharp claws now ripping into powerful metal and into energon lines, minor and vital. The green mech was now screeching in pain and rage as he began fighting back to getting the beast off of him.
Jazz had flinched a little when the paint balls began hitting him but he kept running at the trees. He was pissed off! These younglings were ruining his paint job and while he usually didn't care about his paint job, he didn't want it ruined by a bunch of snot nosed sparklings!
Growling viciously, the red visored mech raised his cannons and fired back, only with live fire
There were screams and curses of fear and pain as some of his shots hit some younglings, sending them flying onto the ground with smoldering holes in their chassis. The younglings hiding hesitated in shock and fear when they saw some getting hit but then they kept firing.
Paint slapped against Jazz's visor next and he cursed as he screeched to a halt only yards away now from them. He scrambled to get the paint off his visor but felt more hitting him.
A snarl from behind him, however, told the Autobot Third that the large Predacon was coming after him.
Without hesitating, Jazz whirled blindly around and fired in the direction he heard the beast coming at him from. He heard the satisfying sound of his blast colliding with the Predacon and knew he had hit it because it roared with pain and there was a mighty thud of it hitting the ground.
"NO! GRIMWING!" Came several young voices from the trees.
Wiping paint from his visor and barely able to see, Jazz smirked to see the fearful faces of the younglings, Cybertronian and human and even different species of alien life. "Gotch'ya!" He said mirthlessly and raised his cannons to fire again.
Suddenly, there was a resounding crack and a flash of brilliant cyan from off to the side.
Jazz whirled around to see a Space Bridge open up and to his alarm came several mechs and femmes racing out. He was most startled to see a brilliant red and blue copy cat of HIS Prime come charging out of the bridge. Four jets came screaming out and separating into the sky to start shooting at Jazz and Cliffjumper, seeing Bulkhead was down and looking like a mess from what the Predacon did to him.
Jazz cursed when he recognized one Seeker as it sped towards Cliffjumper, who had gone a little close to the two hidden younglings behind the boulders. He saw that his comrade in arms was actually standing on top of the boulders, now pointing at the Seeker femme and the Ground pounder, ready to fire.
That is, until the red, blue and silver Seeker slammed into him from behind.
Cliffjumper screeched in shock as he was suddenly being lifted into the air by the enraged Seeker. He barely had time to turn to shoot at the Seeker in question as it began mid transformation. The shot went wide, however and he froze to see furious red burning optics glaring at him.
It gave Starscream enough time to sink his servos into Cliffjumper's right arm, tearing into metal. He merely glanced past the mech at Nightbird as she slammed into them, her own servos sinking into the left side then he glared back at the mech between them.
"HOW DARE YOU ATTACK OUR DAUGHTER!" Starscream screeched in rage before he lift his peds and pressed them against Nightbird's heeled peds.
Together, as one, both mates kicked off of each other hard, thrusters blaring to life as they tore Cliffjumper in two sending energon and fire raining down onto the clearing. They both threw the halves down before looking at each other with fiery determination and pride mixed with compassion.
Jazz had to dodge and roll to avoid being shot by the many blasts coming at him. He had seen what became of Cliffjumper by the enraged parental Seekers and knew of he didn't retreat now, he would share the same fate. He turned a burning glare onto all of the Cybertronians who came to the younglings' defense, pausing only but a megaclick to take snap shots of all of them.
And then he jumped backwards to transform.
With a swift transformation, the vile Autobot sped as fast as he could away across the clearing in his Pontiac Solstice alt mode and was gone into the trees before anyone could hit him.
"Cease fire!" Optimus called out and all listened as he shifted his cannons away. He turned to look around the battle field, seeing the fallen Bulkhead, who was still barely on line still. He pointed at him and looked to Ratchet. "Ratchet, take care of him! I want him still functional but in forced stasis for questioning later." He said firmly.
Ratchet nodded as he moved over to the twitching and sparking mech to begin immediate medical assessment.
Optimus then turned to see Sizzle coming out from behind the boulders with the Slipstream copy behind him. He sighed, knowing who she was but not understanding. He knew he needed to be careful around her, though. "Hello, Slipstream. I am Optimus..." he began greeting her.
Slipstream jerked in alarm at the sound of Optimus' voice and stepped back, wings twitching in fear and alarm. Her optics were extremely wide in panic before she snapped up her blaster up and fired, ignoring all cries of alarm and anger rising up from around her.
The shot fired and took Optimus by surprise as he felt it slam into his shoulder, taking him off balance. He slapped a hand onto the now burning pain in his plates but looked just in time to see Megatron charge the Seeker and seize her by the arms, swinging her around and slamming her to the ground. "Megatron! Don't hurt her! She panicked! Remember what Vector...!" The Prime called.
"I know what Vector Prime, Optimus! But she just shot you! I am not about to let her shoot anyone else!" Megatron barked back at him as he pinned the panicking Seeker femme down, grabbing her arms and wrenching them to pin her wings. He kept her down while Prowl hurried over with a pair of stasis cuffs.
"No! Let me go!" Slipstream cried struggling against Megatron and feeling Prowl struggling to get the stasis cuffs on her. She screamed in fear, fighting and thrashing to escape.
Suddenly there was a thud as a ped slammed down right in front of her, startling her to cease. She looked up to see who it was and froze with wide optics to see the look alike of her creator glaring down at her. "St-Staracream...!" She whimpered.
Starscream glared down at her, fists now on his waist and wings held up high. "Desist, Slipstream copy! We are not going to harm you! But if you are going to shoot one of our Primes, you will be detained! Now stop freaking out!" He snapped down at her.
Slipstream could only gape at him with surprise but she did stop struggling and allowed the stasis cuffs to click on her, locking her transformations and weapons system. She felt her optics burning with tears before lowering her head against the ground, high cheek plates pressing down as her wings twitched under her trapped arms.
"Optimus, let me see that wound." Moonracer said as she hurried over.
Optimus looked down at the hot pink femme before bending down to one knee so she could scan it. He looked around while she began working on the damage caused by the panicked Seeker. And his optics stopped on the still frame of Grimwing. "No..." he whispered before snapping back up to his peds and receiving a reproach from Moonracer.
"Grimwing!" A young voice of Dragcon cried out as he came racing out of the trees.
Everyone looked to see that Grimwing was not moving and some gasped or ran over to see better. The Preda Team members raced over to Grimwing right with Dragcon and surrounded him.
"Move! Everyone, move out of the way! Let me see...!" Knockout was ordering as he pushed past the young Predacons and froze to see the state Grimwing was in.
Even Optimus had to push past to see and he too froze in alarm and pain.
Grimwing was in a sorry state and it was very obvious he was dying. The blind shot made by the Jazz copy had pierced through his neck and now there was a heavily bleeding gorge spilling energon. The Predacon was twitching and venting heavily and weakly. His golden optics were flickering weakly, threatening to shut off.
"Grimwing!" Dragcon cried, lubricant spilling from his optics as he curled close to his mentor.
Grimwing looked weakly up at Dragcon, his front right claw lifting up and touching the young Prince's horned head. "Dr-Dragcon...be...brave...st-stay strong..." he crackled with static. "Help...your...creator...protect...our kind...protect...life..." he looked up when Optimus approached, looking pained. "Opt...Optimus...protect...my...prince...and King..."
Optimus looked saddened by the words but a glance at Knockout who scanned the Predacon. He was saddened to see the grave look on the red medic's face and see the shake of his finned helm.
Venting softly, Optimus looked back at Grimwing and bent down beside him to place a hand onto the Predacon's side. "I swear to our Gods, Primus and Unicron, that I will protect your Predacons, old friend. Go and rest your spark. May you sour through the skies of another world in great honor and blessed freedom. Good bye, Grimwing." He said softly.
Grimwing smiled weakly before his optics darkened and his golden frame began to darken until he was completely gray.
He was dead.
Shrieks and cries from Team Preda blared into the sky as they watched their great mentor deactivate and leave his frame for an eternal life. Dragcon cried the loudest as he curled his wings around Grimwing's frame and ducked his serpentine face into his side, shaking in grief.
Everyone else standing around watched in their own grief and bowed their heads in sorrow at the loss of their greatest Predacon friend's off lining.
Optimus vented heavily and looked around to see the younglings now coming out. He was happy to see that all of Team Autocon were safe. But to see his Cybertronians checking fallen younglings, Cybertronian and alien like, and looking sorrowful, the Prime didn't need to be told that they were gone, along with Grimwing.
"I...I..." Optimus turned to look at the grief stricken Slipstream copy, who was looking around at all of the fallen with her own grief and sorrow. She shakily and fearfully looked back at Optimus, cringing when she saw him looking at her. "I am...so...sorry..." she whimpered before pressing against Nightbird when she wrapped an arm around the femme who looked like her daughter.
"Dad?" Omega asked now approaching his creator with Beta beside him, carrying the Slipstream they knew. "Dad, what happened? Who was that Jazz? Why is there two Slipstreams? What's going on?"
That was a good question and everyone knew that it would be hard to answer. Especially to all of the creators, carriers and mentors of different alien species when they learned that their younglings were dead because of three strange and dangerous mechs from another dimension.
And while one was deactivated and one was detained, there was still one out there, fleeing from the battle field. The one who was supposedly the most dangerous out of the other worldly Autobots.
It was going to cause some serious problems for Earth, Cybertron and all other worlds.