Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.
Summery: Transformers Prime Universe. Set in season one, following the episode cannon loosely. Arcee discovers a secret about her past and has to learn to live with it. Can she move forward to a peaceful future?
"blah" – Normal human speak
"blah" – Cybertronian speak
blah – thinking
'blah' – Comm. Speaking
'Blah' – text message
-blah- - Bonded talk
Shadows of the Past
By Yami-Yugi3
Chapter 9
When they got back everyone was waiting for them. Prowl was kind of glad his daughter was okay but got worried when someone else was missing. The humans were overjoyed to see everyone. Gadget was silent, hiding her face as best she could. "Gadget...? What...What happened...?" Melissa asked, going down the steps from the observation deck. She tried to look into Gadget's optics. "Gadge...ya okay, girl?" She got nothing in reply.
Wheeljack came over. "Sweetspark...? You want to talk about it?" He got no answer either. "Come on, let's go to your room," he said, gently pushing her down the hall. Melissa followed.
"What about Optimus?" Jack asked.
"Is he?" Ratchet started.
"Dead? No." Arcee said.
"But he looked right past us. Didn't even know his own name." Bulkhead said.
"...What...?" Jack asked.
"...Didn't know you? Or his name?" Ratchet asked.
"Nothing..." Arcee sighed.
"Then it's happened... When he surrendered the wisdom of the Matrix, it took his memories too."
"Ya mean?" Jazz started "He thinks he's old OP again?"
"OP?" Rafael asks
"Optimus Prime. But his original name was Orion Pax. He thinks he's Orion again," Jazz replied.
"He won't remember any one that he had met after he received the Matrix." Prowl said.
"Then it's up to me to wake him up," said Jazz.
"That is the logical choice." Prowl said.
"No," said Ratchet. "You cannot just march after him and start talking up your friendship. First of all, we don't even know where his is. He might not even be on the Nemesis, we just know he's with Megatron. Secondly, there's a much better option," he said, turning to Jack.
"…The Key to Vector Sigma…?"
"It contains the collective wisdom of the Primes. The Key can restore his memories by accessing Vector Sigma."
"So…which super computer is it?"
"What? No. Vector Sigma is on Cybertron." Everyone looked at Ratchet wide-eyed.
In Gagdet's quarters, she was still silent. She was lying on her bed, sobbing to herself. Wheeljack and Melissa were lying next to her, trying to coax out words. "Gadge…did something down there scare you…?" Melissa asked, cuddling into her back. "You know, it's all over. There's nothing to be scared of. I'm sure Optimus is alright."
"N-No…! He's Not!"
"Of course he is, Sweetspark," Wheeljack said, placing an arm around her. "It's Prime."
"No…the…the way he looked at us…l-looked at me…." She broke into hysterics again.
"Gadget, this isn't like you. Did Megatron do something to him?" Melissa asked.
"….I…I don't know….Maybe… It's like…his memories are gone…"
"Cuz that's what happened… Hope ya don't mind if I let myself in, Lil' Red…"
"…Jazz….you…know what's wrong?" she sniffled, trying to wipe her face as she turned to look at him.
"Yeah… The Matrix made 'im lose his memories… He thinks he's old Orion again… He's back to the curious old librarian I first met… Before all the mess with Megs and the high council broke down…."
"…Before he helped father save me…."
"Yep. He's the old OP…for now…"
"Can we fix it?" Wheeljack asked. Melissa was busy cuddling against Gadget to help her calm down. "Is there a way to make him remember?"
"Ratchet said we have to use the Key to Vector Sigma."
"How?"
"Jack has it," Melissa said.
"He WHAT?"
"…Optimus he…he talked to me and Jack before he left with Megatron. He gave Jack the Key to Vector Sigma. I guess he saw a lot of Jack in himself, the kid's serious enough most of the time," she smiled. "I think he's gonna go to Cybertron to get Optimus's memories back."
"Yep, ya must be psychic little lady."
"No, I just…paid attention to Ratchet's history lesson he gave me."
"…Oh…well…yeah… We're workin on a way to get Jack to Cybertron…"
"See, Gadge? It's gonna be okay. You think…I could go too? I mean I'd love to go see another planet. Besides, I'm hypothetically in charge of the kids, being the oldest. I could…be his wingman?"
"I dunno, Melissa…it'd be dangerous…"
"Yeah, that's my point," she said, sitting up. "He needs a wingman to watch his back. Besides, if something happens to him, maybe I could use the Key."
"No way, Miss Jackson. Only a Prime can use it. OP gave Jack the KTVS, makin him an honorary Prime. It's got his sig on it."
"…Oh…I see… Then I'll just have to protect him then. Make sure he gets in and gets those memories. I guess I'm honorary Second in Command to the honorary Prime." Everyone laughed, even Gadget. "Well, looks like you're feeling better. We should go join the others. I'm sure we could use two more engineer's brains to figure this out."
"…Right…" Gadget sighed, pulling herself together. So, the group left to rejoin the others.
"So what do we do now?" Bulkhead asked when as they got there.
"We make a plan." Prowl said.
"Yeah, but what kind? It's not like we can kidnap him from the Cons..." sighed Arcee.
"Don't worry, I'll think of something."
"Prowler always does." Jazz said with a smile.
"Well...first things first, we have to restore his memories with the Key," Melissa said. Gadget nodded.
"Then fire up the ground bridge Ratchet!" Miko said happily.
"I don't have enough power to send him to another planet!"
"Couldn't you give it more power?"
"...Maybe..."
"Definitely," smirked Wheeljack in agreement.
"You and me, huh father?" Gadget smiled.
"Yeah I'm sure we can do it."
"Until OP comes back you're in charge Prowler." Jazz said as he looked at his mate.
"...I...I don't know... I'm still learning...and Ratchet's been here longer..."
"Prowler, you are second in command."
"I know..." Prowl said.
"Well, I could use the help. I can't be commander all the time. I'm needed as a Medic first and foremost. I'll be working on trying to get Jack to Cybertron AND find Optimus."
"Very well." Prowl said.
"So let met me get his straight..." Fowler started "You mean that Prime now thinks he's some librarian and a Decepticon?"
Meanwhile, back on the Nemesis, Megatron was addressing his troops about their NEWEST member. "Our guest is currently in isolation to help ease his transition." He spoke "While he's on board no one must address Orion Pax as Optimus Prime, or they will have their voice box ripped out."
"Lord Megatron, is it wise to let an Autobot former or other wise full run of the base?" Airachnid asked.
"Nothing happens without my knowledge on this ship." He glared at her, giving her a warning. "There is no need for concern; Orion doesn't have the same fight as Optimus had. He believes he is Orion again. I plan to use his old data skills to unlock the weapon files we found."
"Being a 'Con has always been a choice, ya dig?" Jazz said back at the Autobot base.
"And I believe it's a choice Optimus will not make at any point of his life." Ratchet added.
"Well, let's try, father," Gadget said as they tried activating the ground bridge. It sprang to life and opened a strong portal, but it only lasted a few minutes.
"...No...nothing... We were close..."
"But close doesn't get us to Cybertron..." Ratchet sighed.
"Jackson Darby I forbid you to go out in space." June said.
"...Mom...Optimus needs me... I'm not a kid anymore..."
"...I'll go with him," Melissa said as she stepped forward. "I'll be his wingman...er...wingwoman... If it makes you feel better, I can keep an eye on him for you. Without the whole babysitting feeling."
"I'll go too." Miko said.
"No, Miko," said Bulkhead.
"I don't want you going either," agreed June.
"I would rather none of you go, but... I know Optimus saw something in both of you."
"Awww! Why does SHE get to go?!"
"Because Melissa is older and more mature." Prowl said. Miko pouted as she crossed her arms. "Maybe, in the mean time, we should all go about our duties until we are able to locate Optimus." Prowl said.
Melissa and Gadget went over to a pouting Miko. "Hey, listen to me," Melissa said. "We need you here. Someone has to keep Bulkhead calmed down and occupied. If you go, he'll have to worry about you AND Optimus. You're needed here. Raf doesn't get to go either, but we need his tech skills. He's gonna keep Bee happy too."
"She has a point, Miss Nakadai. She's looking out for all our safety. It will be very dangerous... Besides, you've gotten yourself into trouble most of those times you've tagged along."
"Hey!"
"Miko," Melissa smiled as she put a hand on her shoulder, "I'm mostly going to help June." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "You don't want her being 'Copter Mom' again do you?" she joked. "Then she'll just drive us all crazy. You know, you've got potential. Not every teenager can say she's friends with aliens and sentient robotic organisms at that. You're making your friends in Tokyo pret-ty jealous right now." This made Miko smile and perk up. Everyone went back to what they were doing. Melissa came back over to Jack. "So, June, will you let Jack and I go?"
"It's still quite dangerous..." she said "Going to another planet..."
"I'm sure Gadget and the others can think of something."
"Don't worry, Miss Darby, I'll fix them up with the best. Got some space suits from the military for 'em. They'll be safe," said Fowler.
"When you were little, you wanted to be an astronaut," June said with tears in her eyes.
"He'll be alright with me by his side," Melissa reassured her.
June sighed. "Okay...just be careful okay?"
"I will, mom."
"Alright, let's suit up." The two followed Agent Fowler.
"But we still don't have any way for either of them to get there yet." Prowl said.
"Well, they can at least get fitted and figure out how the suits work," said Gadget. "Where did Arcee disappear to?"
"I'll go find her." Jazz said as he went off to look for his daughter.
"Ratchet!" Fowler called angrily over the computers.
"What is it Agent Fowler?"
"Just got a call, the con's are hitting the same base they had hit a couple of days ago."
"What are they taking?"
"The same stuff as before."
"Before?" Prowl asked he walked up.
"Let me explain," Gadget said as she pulled him aside.
"A power source?" Ratchet asked. "...The space bridge..."
"Space bridge 2.0," said Rafael.
"Be we don't know where it is." Prowl said.
"No we don't..." agreed Wheeljack.
"But we do need to stop the 'Cons from getting that power source. Let's go kick some can," smiled Jazz.
"What if Optimus is with them?" Arcee asked.
"We don't know that for sure," Ratchet said.
"Where'd you run off to anyway?" Gadget asked.
"...To...try and look for Optimus..." Prowl laid his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and then sighed.
"Well, what are we waitin for y'all?"
"Let's get going." Prowl said "Autobots..."
"Let's go," Arcee said transforming. Everyone followed as Ratchet stayed behind to man the ground bridge.
Arcee sped in front of the group. When they all arrived at the military base, they started chasing after the Decepticons. Knockout and Breakdown started to leave using their own bridge. Arcee transformed and speed after them. "Arcee, come back!" Prowl called after her.
"Arcee, no!" cried Gadget. It was too late, she had caught the bridge and was now on the Nemesis. Prowl started to worry about his creation.
"What do we do?" Gadget asked as she turned to Prowl "Chase her or try to get the power core back?"
"Arcee can take care of it Prowler." Jazz said in a reassuring way. Bumblebee chirped in worry.
"I don't like it either," said Bulkhead.
While the others formulated their plan on what to do next, Arcee was racing around the Nemesis. She pushed aside any wandering vehicons before pouncing on one in particular. "Where's Optimus?" she yelled. "Tell me!"
"Who's Optimus?" the vehicons asked.
"WHERE IS HE?"
The vehicon didn't reply and more of his "friends" came to help. She started to fight them off to break through.
"Arcee is on the ship." Airachnid said with a sneer. "Let me give her a proper greeting," she smiled.
"No! If Orion sees an Autobot aboard and he were to witness it's destruction, everything he believes is true will start to come undone. My plans for him will be ruined. Do NOT go after her. Soundwave, make sure ARCEE is taken off this ship immediately!" Arcee raced through the halls trying to find Optimus.
He heard blaster fire outside his station and left to investigate. Arcee was quickly coming towards him. Soundwave managed to meet her halfway before Optimus showed up. He quickly calculated up a ground bridge. She went through it just as Optimus came up behind Soundwave. "I thought I heard something." Soundwave just stared at him before moving on.
Arcee landed on the other side of the bridge in the Arctic. She transformed about to attack when looked at where she was. "What in Primus…NNOOOOO!"
'Arcee, what happened?'
'Are you okay?' she could hear her worried mother.
'Arcee...did...did you find him? Where are you?' asked Gadget.
'...In...in the artic...'
'WHERE?' they all replied.
'I'm sending a bridge to your location,' Ratchet replied.
'Thanks Ratchet.'
Everyone watched worriedly for her to come out of the bridge. She sighed heavily as Ratchet looked her over. "Well? Was Optimus there?"
"...I...I couldn't confirm..."
"...They must be keeping him under lock and key... I...I can't bear to think what lies Megatron is telling him..."
"That's just GREAT!" Bulkhead yelled.
"Bulkhead, calm down." Prowl said.
"You're not in charge, Prowl!"
"Don't yell at my mother like that! I told you I couldn't confirm! I don't know what happened!" Bumblebee started chirping in worry.
"You shouldn't have run after him, Arcee. Who knows what danger he's in or if we can do anything about it," said Gadget. "I'm sure Megatron won't kill him. For some reason, he needs him," she said, trying not to sound upset.
"Well, we need to find a way to get to Cybertron and Vector Sigma." Ratchet said.
"What we NEED is our Boss Bot back!" growled Bulkhead.
"Well that's not gonna happen anytime soon! Besides, we let the Decepticons steal the power core for their space bridge!" he replied.
"Please...stop fighting...It's not...not what Optimus would want us to do." Gadget said.
"Oh? And how do YOU know what Optimus wants?" growled Arcee. "You just showed up a few months ago!"
"Hey!"
"Whoa! Everyone stop it!" Melissa chimed in. "This is stupid! You're all acting like children or...sparklings, whatever!"
"Yeah...this isn't going to solve anything," added Jack. "We need to find the location of the Decepticon space bridge, remember? We need to let them finish it. Then hijack it for ourselves."
"Yeah!" smiled Miko.
"You know how dangerous that is?" shouted Ratchet.
"It's better than yelling at each other," Melissa sighed. Bumblebee squeaked in agreement. Prowl just sighed, he was surprised and hurt at what Bulkhead had said to him but he tried to keep it to himself.
"Ratchet, everyone, let's get along and do as Jack suggested. It's our only hope for saving Optimus. Apologies all around, okay?" Ratchet was silent, staring at the ground bridge.
Bulkhead came over to Prowl. "I...I'm sorry... I'm just upset and angry. I shouldn't have said what I said."
"I'm sorry too, but...I just don't know what to do..." admitted Arcee.
"It's okay." Prowl said.
"You sure?"
"Be glad you're not going to the brig." he said with a smirk.
"That's the way to go, making jokes," smiled Jazz.
"So...we just wait?" Melissa asked, mostly turning to Jack.
"We have to. We'll find out where the Cons have their bridge some way or another."
"Then let's all go think on ways to make that happen guys. We're a team and most importantly, Autobots," Melissa smiled. Gadget and the others agreed as the group dispersed. Ratchet still stared at the ground bridge and the empty communications link by the Prime's picture.
"...I'm so sorry, Optimus..."
