This chapter leads up to Lockdown finding Optimus.


They weren't the only ones looking for Optimus it would seem. When they exited the barn, they were greeted by a group of weapon wielding agents. They took advantage of the situation, threatening to kill Tess if Cade didn't do as they demanded. After several tense moments, Cade was about to. However, when Optimus barged out, the plan changed.

While he distracted their new found adversaries, Zyon, Izzy, Tess, Cade, and Lucas ran. Another vehicle drove onto the scene, ready to pick them up. But rather than joining them, Zyon and Izzy went for Sideswipe, allowing him to take the wheel. He didn't need a directive to follow the other car, knowing that he should keep an eye on them.

That didn't make them any less of a target either as they were chased by cars. Making into an industrial part of the city, they got separated from Cade and the others, but were able to get a visual of them. Zyon and Izzy caught a glimpse of Optimus not too far behind and followed him when the other vehicle entered a rundown building. They ended up at a safe distance on the other side of where they entered and waited.

Cade's car flew out of the window, landing on a ramp before getting to the ground. Optimus honked, prompting the group to exit the car and make a run for him. Explosions would go off around them and the group of four soon became three as Lucas, who was lagging behind, got caught up in the fire. No one could mourn for him as they got away.

They made a pit stop at a gas station as Optimus left to do some surveillance. He promised to be back once everything was clear. As a fire was lit, the realization of what had happened started to sink in. Lucas was dead and everyone was grieving.

Zyon and Izzy were traumatized. The sight of a figure burnt into the ground was one they wouldn't forget anytime soon. It spoke volumes.

"Who's this?" Shane asked, trying to lighten the mood and figure out who Zyon was.

"Zyon." Tessa introduced. "He's an old friend of mine from summer camp. And this is his girlfriend Izzy."

"I wouldn't say girlfriend." Izzy awkwardly chuckled. "More like a good friend."

Shane walked over to Sideswipe, impressed with the car. Zyon tapped the hood of his vehicle mode, letting Sideswipe not to transform yet. They didn't need to cause a stir with his identity just yet. Therer was a time and a place for that.

"How'd you get your hands on this beauty of a car?" Shane asked.

"You could say he was given to me as a gift in honor of me getting my license." Zyon spun, leaning against Sideswipe. "Got him for a steal."

"Awesome."

The following morning, after scrapping together some necessities, Opimus picked up the group. With Sideswipe, Izzy, and Zyon travelled beside him, as he lead him to the other Autobots. Bumblebee, Hound, Drift, and Crosshairs were happy to see their leader, but weren't expecting any of the humans with him outside of Izzy and Zyon. Optimus vouched for them, using their assistance as a means to get his allies to trust them.

"Aren't you going to transform Sideswipe?" Optimus asked, looking at Zyon's car curiously. "You're among friends."

Everyone looked at the vehicle curious and confused. Zyon awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. It wasn't a surprise, since he expected it to come up eventually. However, after his explanation just last night, he wasn't expecting it to be this soon. He and Izzy took a few steps away from Sideswipe to give him room to transform.

Sideswipe went through the motions. His car form contorted and shifted as a body began to form. Getting onto his struts, he completed the transformation. Shane, Tessa, and Cade curiously looked at Zyon for an explanation.

"You said he was a gift." Cade stated.

"And he is." Zyon chuckled. "The gift of friendship is a wonderful thing."

Invading the KSI building was a necessary investigation. After doing some spying, it was for the best to get in and try to correct what they had seen. Ratchet's disembodied helm enraged Optimus, and rightfully so. Ratchet was one of his oldest friends, so to see his body being disrespected was enough to upset anyone.

Cade, Tessa, Shane and Bumblebee were able to sneak in without much trouble. And while Bumblebee had a bit of a tantrum with them trying to copy his style and claim it was better, it didn't bring to much attention to them. Optimus did that perfectly, on his own.

And after a confrontational discussion with the head of KSI and the agent looking for the Autobots, they found themselves on another battle. This time with a reconstructed version of Megatron. Going by the name Galvatron.

The battle would go on and this 'new and improved' Megatron was started to act strange. What was theoretically a mindless drone was recognizing his opponents. Even speaking. It was beginning to become clear that Galvatron had all of Megatron and was ready to take the Autobots down.

It didn't last long before a new opponent entered the scene, causing Galvatron to retreat for the time being. Lockdown was standing in front of them. He eyed Optimus with an unhappy glare. It was clear that he found his next target.


So I think I will wrap up the Age of Extinction arc in the next chapter, having the capture, the introduction of the Dinobots and the defeat of Lockdown.