When we arrived on the Nemesis, I was glad no one was in the hallway I got us in.
"So, what's your plan now great commander?" Blazestrike quipped.
"Yeah, that's what I'm working on." I said as I checked around a corner to make sure the coast was clear.
"You brought us on to the Nemesis without a plan?" Arcee asked in disbelief. "What kind of spy are you?"
"Got any better ideas?" I asked.
Arcee was silent. I smirked at that before a plan came to mind and I said, "Alright here's the plan. You guys go and save Optimus and the rest of our guys while I go beat some Megatron tin can."
"What kind of plan is that?" Ironhide raised an optic ridge.
"A stupid plan, but hey, when have I ever thought of a good plan?" I smirked.
"She's right 'Hide. Now come on guys, we got to save our boys." Jazz stated as they all ran off.
Just as I was about to run off, someone grabbed my arm. I turned around to see Arcee staring at me.
"Be careful. Please." Arcee pleaded.
I smiled. "Always am 'Cee."
Arcee smiled at me before running off to join the others. I sighed before running off to find Megatron. And I had a good feeling on where to find him.
Jazz was worried for two reasons: Shadow's safety and his own. He was on the Decepticon warship after all. Getting in to the brig probably wasn't going to be easy. Then he realized something and he stopped.
"What is it Jazz?" Chromia asked, irritated at why they stopped.
"Um which way is the brig?" Jazz asked.
Arcee sighed and said, "Follow me."
Everyone followed behind Arcee, trying to avoid confrontation with the 'Cons. Terra and Jack were hanging on to Elita's shoulders. They had already gotten out of their spacesuits and now only had the Key to Vector Sigma. Arcee stopped and looked around the corner and groaned quietly when she saw Breakdown and Knockout guarding the brig.
"I'll handle this one." Blazestrike said as she stepped in front of the two Decepticons.
"Blaze?" Knockout asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
When all the other Autobots stepped around the corner, Knockout groaned and said, "Why?"
"You knew when I became a 'Bot we were going to have to face each other. " Blazestrike reminded him.
"But why so soon?" Breakdown asked.
"Look, are you going to stand here and chat all day or are you getting Boss Bot back?" Skids demanded.
"Where's Shadow?" Knockout asked.
"Going after Megatron." Blazestrike answered.
Breakdown's optics widened as he asked, "Does she have a death wish?"
"Probably." Everyone answered.
"Well?" Knockout sighed as he turned to Breakdown.
Breakdown grumbled before saying, "This is only for Shadow."
They let the Autobots pass without conflict, much to their surprise. Blazestrike winked at Knockout causing the mech to cough awkwardly before looking away. Breakdown only grinned and said, "Love."
Jazz looked around before his eyes landed on the Autobots they were looking for. "Well you guys have seen better days."
"What are you guys doing here?!" Nightshade exclaimed in shock before he saw Arcee. "Oh Primus." He quickly got up and hugged his girlfriend for what felt like the first thing in ages.
Arcee didn't hesitate to hug back as she whispered, "You okay Night?"
"I'm better now that you're here." Nightshade murmured.
Bulkhead coughed, letting the couple know they were still there. Arcee and Nightshade pulled away. Elita let Terra and Jack down as they ran over to the other Autobots.
"Bulkhead!" Terra exclaimed as she hugged his foot. "I was worried!"
"I'm sure you were." Bulkhead chuckled. "But I think you have one more thing to do."
Terra looked at Jack who nodded. Jack and Terra walked over to Orion who was staring at one thing and one thing only.
The Key to Vector Sigma.
"Are you sure I am worthy?" Orion asked in worry.
Terra and Jack smiled. "You have no idea."
They held up the Key and a bright blue light shone out and hit Orion square in the chest. The Matrix of Leadership was slowly becoming filled up with the Knowledge of the Primes. When the Key floated in to Orion's hands and his chestplate closed, they knew who they were looking at.
Optimus Prime has returned.
"Now, since that's over maybe we should be trying to catch up with Shadow." Elita stated.
"Where is she?" Optimus immediately asked.
"Fighting Megatron." Arcee said.
Optimus was on his feet in a second. "Autobots, roll out!"
Jack and Terra caught a ride with Nightshade and they all sped off to where they hoped Megatron and Shadow would be.
And that was the space bridge.
I finally arrived at the space bridge and saw Megatron standing there waiting for me.
"Ah my dear niece." Megatron greeted. "How kind of you to show up."
"Cut the crap Megatron." I narrowed my optics.
"Straight to the point are we?" Megatron smirked.
"You ripped my family apart!" I roared.
"For good reasons." Megatron said.
"Oh you'll see some good reasons alright. As soon as my sword meets your face!" I screamed as I unsheathed Dark Saber and ran towards him.
Megatron unsheathed his own sword and blocked me. He sneered, "You think you can actually defeat me?"
"I know I can defeat you." I growled as I pushed him away, the Dark Saber glowing red in my hand.
"We shall see." Megatron growled.
No more talking was said. I was better with my blades then I was with a sword but Wheeljack did train me with a sword. And now I'm glad he did. As I fought Megatron, it was a series of blocks and attacks. But as time passed on, it was becoming clear who was the better swordsman. And it wasn't me. Soon Megatron had me pinned on the ground.
"Now, where should I strike you?" He mused. "Or maybe I shall strike your stomach. That will make you see I cannot be defeated."
That was enough to make me feel terror. No, he just couldn't strike my sparkling. Even he wasn't that cold right?
"NO!" I yelled.
"Oh? Is there something I don't know about?" Megatron asked.
"No, just don't do it." I pleaded. "Not my stomach."
Megatron looked at me warily before his optics widened considerably and he gasped, "You're pregnant."
"MEGATRON, GET THE HECK AWAY FROM MY SISTER!"
I couldn't have felt more happier as Nightshade tackled Megatron with strength even I never knew he had. I stood up and turned around to see Optimus looked at me.
"Optimus?" I asked.
Optimus smiled at me and said, "My Shadow."
A grin broke on my face as I ran and jumped in to his arms. I tried not to cry but I soon broke down.
"You're back." I sobbed. "You're really back."
"I'm so sorry." Optimus whispered.
"Hey, a little help over here!" Nightshade yelled as he dodged Megatron.
Optimus ran off before I could say anything. Megatron quickly turned towards him and swung his sword but Optimus caught it.
"Megatron," Optimus started before yelling, "BEGONE!" He quickly delivered the beating of the century to Megatron while we only watched.
"Shadow, we're detecting another life signal. Is Prime with you?" Fowler asked.
I smiled. "You didn't have to ask."
I heard cheering and my smile grew wider. When Optimus finally came back to us while Megatron was recovering, he asked, "Ratchet how did we get here?"
"A long story old friend." Ratchet smiled.
"SHADOW, LOOK OUT!"
I felt myself getting pushed out of the way before I heard the familiar bang of a gun. I looked to see who had taken the shot and gasped.
Blazestrike.
"No." I whispered as I ran over to her. "You stupid idiot! Why didn't you let me take the shot?!"
"It was aimed for your stomach." Blazestrike whispered. She then smiled. "Besides you let me join the Autobots. Time I returned the favor."
"Don't say that. You're not going to die. Not yet." I growled.
"Scream's stupid missal got me good Shadow. I ain't making it." Blazestrike whispered as her optics starting drooping and her breathing was getting slower.
"No, no, NO! Don't die on me you idiot! I didn't get you off the Nemesis for nothing!" I screamed.
"That's right. And thanks for that." Blazestrike said before her spark finally stopped beating.
"You fragging, slagging...!" My voice left me before I screamed in to the com-link, "We need a fragging bridge!"
A ground bridge opened up and I was the first to run through. I didn't stop running until I reached the roof of the base. I finally just let out all the stress I've been feeling. All the pain, the sorrow, everything.
"AHHHHHH!"
"Now come on kid. I thought you liked to take it out on punching bags. You're going to soft on me."
I turned around to see Cliffjumper walking towards me. I sat down and buried my face in my knees and my shoulders shook from the sobs that racked my body. Cliffjumper sat down beside me and said, "Look at me kiddo."
I slowly looked at him, tears streaming down my face. Honestly, I had been expecting Optimus to come up and check on me. Arcee, Nightshade, frag it even Jazz. But I hadn't been expecting Cliff.
"Look, I'm not gonna say I knew Blazestrike like you did but she died an honorable death. Besides she saved two lives today. Yours and that sparkling you've got." Cliffjumper said.
"I'm tired of it all Cliff." I whispered. "All the pain. All the tears. All the fights. Frag it, I'm sick of this war!"
"We all are Shadow." Cliff said as he pulled me in for a hug. "We all are." He then smiled at me. "Now come on, there's someone waiting for you."
I grinned and wiped the tears from my face before hugging Cliffjumper. "Hey thanks Cliff. I needed that talk."
Cliffjumper snorted. "Don't expect it too often. I'm a warrior, not a therapist."
I laughed at that before we both walked back to the main room. I locked eyes with Optimus and my whole world faded away as I stared at him. I walked up to him before jumping in his waiting arms.
"I missed you so much." I whispered.
"Not as much as I did." Optimus murmured.
I was enjoying the hug until a splitting pain racked my stomach. I gritted my denta together as I pulled back and held my stomach.
"Shadow, what's wrong?" Miko asked.
I only shook my helm before my eyes widened and I looked at Ratchet. "Primus."
"What is it femme?" Ratchet asked irritated.
"The sparkling's coming." I whispered.
I was never carried to the med bay that fast in my life.
And that is the end of another amazing chapter. I'm sorry for killing off Blazestrike, but I couldn't seem to find a place for her. But on the bright side, the sparkling is about to be born! You'll see if its a boy or a girl next chapter. But until then, Shadow Katakura out!