Disclaimer: We do not own Transformers Prime or its canon characters; Hasbro and the Hub do. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns the lovely Skye Shelsher, Silverblaze, and Plasmarift, and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Emusa, Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Blackout, Air Raid, Caliber, Speedway, and Jetfire.

Theme Song: Warrior by Disturbed

The others had no time for reunions as they returned to the Autobot base. The third cycle was almost upon them and they knew that they had to be ready for the upcoming battle. Those refugees who had already arrived in Iacon were told to flee to the neighboring city-state of Helex for their own safety and the remaining Autobots who were not seriously injured prepared for the worst.

At the dawn of the third cycle, everything was quiet. Too quiet. No energy signatures could be detected on the horizon which furthered the already tense atmosphere in Iacon. A joor passed and then another and still nothing.

The Autobots had nearly began to hope that the DJD had forsaken their plan until the computer suddenly ran wild with energy signatures. Their army had been activated.

Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of mechs and femmes could be seen travelling towards the city. Optimus' optics filled with horror at the sight. He knew so many of them… beloved friends he thought had offlined in the early days of the War. Yet here they were, clad in grimy battle armor and advancing on the city like a parade of macabre Cybertronian puppets.

"By the Allspark," Ratchet breathed as he too observed the army.

"Autobots," Optimus commed his team from his outpost. "Set your cannons to stun. We will be fighting those we had thought we lost."

Emusa stroked her sparkmate's helm softly. Even though he was deep in recharge, his facial plating was furrowed in fear. It only took a cycle or so with the DJD to make him experience every one of his deepest fears… And she hated them for it.

And she'd be slagged if she was going to stay here. She may be a spoiled Iaconian upper-class femme but she wasn't so petty as to stand by or run away scared. Not this time.

She gently disengaged his tight hold on her before kissing his forehelm. She sent him as much love and comfort as she could through their bond and smiled softly when she saw him relax. "I love you, slick… You might terminate me yourself when I get back but just know that I'm not going to let that fragger Tarn walk away for what he did to you. No one messes with my beloved mad doctor and walks away without some cosmetic damage." She hesitantly got up from the berth. "And trust me, I didn't wait eight voors for you to just offline myself. I will return to you."

She stopped suddenly at the doorway as she heard a familiar feminine voice call out to her. "Emusa? Where are you going?"

She exhaled sharply. "Don't try to stop me, 'Storm." She paused before chuckling. "Frag. I sound just like Miss Masochist."

Darkstorm's optics filled with sympathy. "I'm not trying to stop you…" She vented softly. "Just make sure you return to him. I have seen how damaged he was without you in his life. Do not make me see him suffer like that again."

Emusa glanced at her sparkmate before venting. "I promise." She smirked. "You're the most diplomatic femme I've ever met. Calm him down once he wakes up, will you?"

When Darkstorm smiled softly and nodded, Emusa walked out of the Nemesis' medical bay and towards the other Autobots.

When she arrived, her optics too widened in horror at what she saw. Most of them were Autobots… just like Silverblaze. How could one group of mechs be so twisted?

She listened to Optimus' warnings before she grasped her cannon tightly and moved out. Set to stun… Emusa, an Iaconian femme who has no battle experience whatsoever, is going up against trained Autobots and Decepticon traitors with only a cannon set to stun.

She chuckled humorlessly as she activated her cannon. She can almost hear her sire now. "Blasphemous! A femme like you should know better than to dabble in such impropriety!" But her sire wasn't here and she was free, even free to do this.

She gasped and dodged a hit from a red Autobot femme. All Emusa could see was pleading in her optics. Pleading for her to get away or offline her while she still could.

"Sorry about this, girlie," Emusa muttered before she fired a shot. It hit the femme square in the chassis and she fell over. Her limbs spasmed and Emusa knew she wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.

She blocked another attack with her cannon before pushing the mech aside. She could do this, she inwardly coached. Stay alive, Em. And then figure out how to find Tarn in the midst of this pit-spawned battle field.

Knock Out was tossing and turning, plagued by his experiences while at the DJD lab. They may have been short and in the past, but he couldn't escape them in recharge, no matter how hard he tried or desperately wanted to.

A sudden and seering pain yanked him back into reality.

At first he was confused and looked around, expecting Tarn to appear from the shadows again. Once it registered that he was home, he slowly realized there was one thing missing. And that she was probably related to that "sudden and seering pain."

Emusa?

Emusa paused as she stood over yet another downed puppet, clutching her right shoulder plating. "Scrap," she hissed. How was she going to explain this?

Slick, I'm fine, she tried to encourage. Just umm… cut myself on a faulty energon cube.

Who knew energon could be so stressful?

Well, considering these past few cycles, is it really that surprising? Emusa smirked before venting. You know, you need your rest, slick. Get some recharge. I'll be back in there before you know it.

Answer me this, how soon is "before you know it"?

Emusa winced, expecting an earful. Well, it's hard to tell with these energon cubes. Maybe all cycle… but I promise you, I'll be back.

No, don't tell me . . . Knock Out's optics widened. Slagging pit, Emusa! Please tell me you're not fighting with the others.

Emusa chuckled nervously as she took aim with her cannon again. Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies, my beloved mad doctor.

The medic brought a servo to his forehelm in panic. Emusa, if you thought I was against you fighting them before, words can't even express my feelings toward it, having been restrained to a berth by them. What were you thinking?!

She tried to comfort him through their bond as she dodged yet another attack. I'm going to make that fragger pay for hurting you. You'd do the same for me!

Yes I would, but I have a buzzsaw in my wrist and, more importantly, I've been in battle!

Well, so have I! I helped rescue you from their headquarters and I survived, didn't I? She tried to soften her tone. Please, slick… Don't worry about me. Get some rest and I'll be back when you wake up.

He groaned, Yes, because I'll sleep like a rock knowing my sparkmate who has never fought-excuse me, has once seen battle-is out risking her life. He vented, trying to calm himself with little result. I still don't like it but I guess I have to deal with it. Just stay close to the others and don't get cocky.

Normally Emusa would have bit back a sarcastic remark about there being no promises, but she felt how worried he was. She vented. Alright… She smiled slightly. I love you… and I promise you, I'll come back in one piece.

I love you too. And you'd slagging well better. I'm not done chewing you out about this, you'll have me worried sick until you're back. And if you come back carrying an arm or something I may very well beat you over the helm with it.

Despite herself, Emusa replied playfully, Oh, but I like it rough, slick. Until then.

Oh you think I'm kidding? That's adorable. He rolled his optics and crossed his arms. "Femmes," he mumbled under his breath.

He paused as he felt a gentle servo on his shoulder plating. "She'll come back, Knock Out. I know she will."

His grumpy facade fell away to reveal just how worried he was. "I'm only concerned it'll be in more than one piece."

A hesitant smile tugged on Darkstorm's lip components. "Considering her fiery spirit, you should worry more about the enemy than her." She too vented. "Besides, the others will see that she unharmed."

"If I'd ever seen her lift something heavier than a datapad then I might just be worried about the 'Cons. As is, the Wreckers probably set her up with some gigantic brutish weapon that Optimus couldn't lift, let alone Emusa, and sent her on her way." He sharply vented. "Okay they wouldn't do that, I'm sure someone's keeping an eye on her. Point is, that someone should be me. Or she just shouldn't be there at all."

"Knock Out, I know you're afraid of losing her again… but sitting here worrying won't help anything. It will only make you feel worse. She will return to you. You just need to have faith."

He glanced up at her before venting, this time slower and deeper. "One of the things I've never been good at." He half-smiled. "Funny how often that answer comes up, isn't it?"

"That's what I think trials in this life are for," Darkstorm smiled softly. "Building our faith so that we do not falter in storms such as these."

"You might be right about that . . ." Knock Out adjusted himself where he lay, arms still crossed. "If she comes back carrying an arm that got blown off, I'm still beating her over the helm with it."

Darkstorm snorted. "As if you'd ever harm her." She flashed him once last smile before righting herself shakily, favoring her uninjured leg. "I'll get you some energon. You're running low."

He looked up at her again and gently nodded. "Thank you. Might help me calm a bit too . . . if my nervous tanks can handle it."

Her expression softened. "Of course." She turned to leave. "And maybe 'Bee can help you get your mind off things? He said the races were about to start."

"I might join him . . . Primus knows I spend enough time in the med bay as is without this added . . . perk. Not that I don't enjoy your company, but the place gets dull after some time."

"And if it stops you from brooding, I'm all for it," Darkstorm playfully responded before making her way slowly down the hallway.

Knock Out smiled and rolled his optics. "Femmes."

The battle was continuing to mount as row after row of soldiers were knocked out with the Autobots' cannons. Still, when one was downed, another would quickly replace them. And after a while, the stun of the cannons would wear off. They were getting nowhere quickly. They knew the only way to fully end the battle once and for all was to offline the DJD and deactivate all the control rods.

Their ship, the Peaceful Tyranny, rested a few klicks from the main battlefield. Emusa grit her dentals. The freaks were watching this like it was a show!

She paused as Optimus commed his teammates. "Autobots, direct all aerials to the DJD's ship. We end this now before any of our brothers or sisters are harmed further. But, exercise caution. We need those control rods intact!"

Like pit they were leaving without her. She may not have had wings…

But she knew those who did.

She saw a Seeker near her transform and before he could fully ascend, she hopped onto him. One servo held onto his wing tightly while the other clutched her cannon. Her spark palpitated with fear as she rose higher and higher into the air but she quickly quelled it. One, because she didn't want her sparkmate to worry and two, because she didn't have time such weaknesses now.

Whether she liked it or not, she was a soldier.

"Emusa?" Skybreak yelled. "What the slag are you doing?!"

"Hunting petro-rabbits, what does it look like?" Emusa bit back. "Just drop me off on the ship and I'll be out of your way."

Skybreak vented sharply but complied. "Doc Knock is going to kill us both," he muttered.

They both landed on the bow of the ship. She readied her weapon as the other aerials and Optimus prepared to break in.

Tarn and his followers observed the battlefield, amused. He chuckled lowly. Foolish Autobots… How could anyone stand against the might of the Decepticons? Oh, if only their master could see them now. He would be most pleased.

When he arrives, Cybertron will have been conquered in his name.

Tarn's thoughts were interrupted however as Tesarus began to yell. "Autobots! They're about to enter the ship!"

"Let them come," Tarn smirked as he drew his weapons. "In Megatron's name, we shall send them all to the Well."

The hull had finally been breached. The larger mechs entered first and then Emusa. The corridor seemed to be empty. Suspiciously, they made their way deeper into the ship until they reached the control room. Not a mech was in sight but they did manage to find something that was of greater importance.

The location of all the control rods were displayed on a navigational console as well as the mechs and femmes that guarded them. Optimus' optics widened. They were so many…

He activated his comm link. "Autobots-" His breath was cut off in a gasp as a shot collided with his side.

"Optimus!"

The gaping hole dripped energon. Optimus clutched it as he slumped to his knees. He desperately tried to dull his bond to Elita One as he gasped, "It's a trap."

Emusa and the others formed a protective circle around their leader and scanned the darkness until they saw five pairs of red optics.

"Prepare to be terminated," Tarn hissed as he ran forward.

Emusa's arms shook in fear as the five mechs charged them all at once. She began firing but they didn't even seem phased. Scrap. That's right. She turned the cannon from stun to kill and moved to shoot again before her arm was grabbed. The cannon fell to the ground.

"What a fiery little femme you are," Tarn purred. Emusa's own optics widened in fear as she saw the sheer malice in his. "But let's see how long that spirit will last."

Emusa screamed as his grip tightened and her arm was twisted unnaturally. She'd never felt such pain. She fell to the ground and clutched the mangled, broken appendage as Dreadwing began firing at the Decepticon.

His throat cables were roughly grabbed before he was thrown aside like a mere ragdoll. His frame slammed into the metal wall before he groaned and painfully slumped to the ground.

With her good arm, she struggled to reach her weapon. Seeing that she was still conscious, Helex's pedde collided with her helm. Part of her elaborate helm piece shattered as she rolled several feet before crashing into a metal wall. All of her thoughts screamed at her to stay down as she shakily reached up to touch her helm. She gasped fearfully when she felt her own energon.

What had she gotten herself into?

She tried to deaden her bond to Knock Out. Slag, she was as good as dead if she ever got out of this mess.

Megatron's spark sank as he flew over Iacon. What sort of chaos had his followers wrought? Autobots were fighting against their will with members of their own and traitors to the Decepticon cause, traitors that he himself had sentenced to die, were wracked with pain as they too were mere puppets to the DJD's whims.

When had he lost his spark and sense of reason? When had a gladiator who only wished to see a free and equal Cybertron turn into a tyrant who left such destruction in his wake?

He veered off course as he saw an all too familiar ship. The Peaceful Tyranny, he smiled wryly. It is about time the DJD saw their master again.

He observed a breach in the hull, most likely due to the Autobots, and transformed. He landed roughly in the cold metal hallway. Hearing a struggle, he quickened his pace and even his war-weary spark filled with horror at what he saw.

Several individuals were on the ground, severely injured. Even the great Optimus Prime was covered in his own energon.

But these mechs weren't the type to offline outright. No, no. They would toy with their victims first.

Megatron observed as Tarn picked Optimus up roughly by his throat cables. He then knew what he had to do.

"Enough!" he barked.

Silence immediately reigned in the chamber as the members of the DJD turned and observed their glorious leader. Tarn immediately dropped Optimus and bowed in the gladiatorial fashion with one knee bent and a servo placed over his spark; his other followers immediately followed suit.

"Master, we are so pleased that you have returned!" Tarn said. "Look, at what we have done for you!" He gestured to the energon-stained floor proudly. "Are you not pleased? Iacon is all but taken and Optimus Prime himself is at our mercy."

Optimus watched helplessly as Megatron smirked. "Indeed. Well done, my most loyal followers. For this, you shall be greatly rewarded."

Their bows deepened and Megatron fought to keep his facade strong. How could he have ever led such monsters?

He fought to keep his turbulent emotions from making themselves known in his voice. "But, I am afraid the news wasn't relayed to you."

"My liege? Whatever do you mean?"

Megatron hesitated before offlining his optics. He had to remedy this mistake. After taking several deep breaths, he said, "The Decepticons are no more." Before the DJD could react, Megatron had already began blasting them with his plasma cannon.

Vos, Tesarus, and Helex were offlined instantly. Tarn and Kaon had more time to react.

Kaon began firing at Megatron with his own weapon. The warlord was thrown aside by the force of the blast before he righted himself and grabbed Kaon's arm. Kaon struggled but the former gladiator was too strong. With a roar of outrage, Megatron grasped the mech's helm with one servo and twisted it to the side. Wiring crackled and energon splattered across Megatron's frame as the mech's helm was twisted from his shoulders. The warlord threw him aside roughly.

Tarn stood there, disbelief clouding his optics as he surveyed his fallen comrades. "No… This cannot be." He clenched his servos before turning sharply. "No! Traitor!" he snarled. "The Decepticon cause will survive, even if it is without you!"

Megatron was knocked aside as Tarn's fist collided with his jaw. The blow was so hard that the former warlord could swear he saw stars. Tarn grasped his arm before smashing his frame against a spare wall. Tarn grasped his throat cables. Megatron had no time to react as he was smashed over and over again into the same wall.

After fifteen or so hits, he slumped downwards and spat out the energon that had pooled inside his mouth.

Optimus looked on in despair. "Megatron, no!"

"Frag tradition," Tarn hissed as he held his cannon to the warlord's facial plating. "I'll offline you here and now!"

No fear was present in the warlord's optics, only a dull ache. "Offline me if you will. Then perhaps I will have paid in full for releasing mechs like you onto this world."

"Then, join the other traitors in the pit!"

But before Tarn could fire the killshot, an ion blast hit him square in his spinal plating. Emusa had managed to reach her weapon in time. After the shot was fired, she fell to the ground, wheezing. "That… was for my sparkmate."

Taking the opportunity to act, Megatron pulled away and fired one shot into Tarn's spark with his fusion cannon. Tarn stumbled forward and lunged only for Megatron to kick him down. The leader of the DJD glanced at his own energon in disbelief as his optics shuttered. "N-No… T-..."

Megatron snarled and fired again, this time hitting his helm. The blast left a hole through his battle mask and he lay there spasming on the ground before, at last, he was still.

The large mech glanced at his handiwork before venting. He hesitantly glanced at Emusa. "Thank you."

Emusa tensed. Even Neutrals knew of Megatron's brutality and if what Knock Out's memories or her own optics showed her was any indication of his character… She slowly nodded. "You're welcome."

Megatron moved to leave before another voice made him pause. "Why?" He steeled himself before meeting Optimus' searching gaze.

He vented once more. "I said the Decepticons were no more and," a wry smile tugged on his lip components. "I know you're all too aware of what a low tolerance I have for mutiny."

"Thank you."

Megatron's optics briefly filled with emotion before he turned away, his frame tense. "Do not expect me to make a habit out of it, Optimus Prime. I, after all, am a warlord. Aren't such acts of kindness beneath me?"

Before any of the others could say another word, Megatron had already left.

The battle was won.

Knock Out ran over to the Nemesis' medical bay once he received the call. He weeded through talk of the victory, the survivors, and of the DJD's experiments until he found the one sentence he was praying to hear. Emusa was online. Badly injured but online.

Emusa glanced up, somewhat ashamed, as she saw her sparkmate approach. Her finish was even more ruined than it was when she went on the rescue mission. She lowered her gaze once she felt his panic at the sight of her mangled arm and still bleeding helm.

"I… I told you I'd come back, didn't I? And hey, my arms are both still attached," she said, though her voice no longer held her usual joking, sarcastic edge.

He examined her frame with wide optics, one servo over his mouth in shock. After a moment he wrapped her in an embrace, though his movements lacked their usual grace. "You idiot." His voice didn't hold any malice, only concern.

Emusa shakily returned the embrace with her uninjured arm. "Tell me something I don't know," she vented.

Knock Out didn't immediately respond, as doing such would require thoughts and energy that was better spent on his sparkmate. After a moment he lightly vented but didn't step back. "Please tell me all this excitement has cured you of it."

Emusa, despite herself, chuckled. "I'm filthy and in pain, my finish is ruined, my arm is going to be a glitch to fix, and this helm piece will most likely take forever to replace. I think I'm staying off the battlefield for a while."

"Good." Knock Out tightened his grip on her. "Slag, you scared me."

She softly kissed his buccal plating. "I know it wasn't my wisest decision… but," she vented again. "After what they did to you, all I could see was red. I had to go. At least now I have the comfort of knowing that Tarn and the others can't hurt you or anyone ever again."

"Well . . . I suppose I am fortunate you found a decent, if stupid, way to vent your rage. Just don't make a habit of it. My nerves can't handle much more excitement."

An all too familiar guilt became present in Emusa's optics. "I know… and I'm so sorry I scared you, especially after… after what happened." A small smile tugged on her lip components. "But I'm a big femme and I didn't wait all these voors to find you again just to leave you now. Besides, what is it 'Storm always says? To have faith?"

"'Storm says to have faith in the One who created everything with just a few words. I think you're splitting fiber optics here. In any case . . . you're forgiven."

"Good," she smiled weakly. "Because I don't think my poor arm or helm could take a beating right now." She vented. "Though, I'd probably deserve it after what I put you through… I honestly don't know what I was thinking, if at all. I… I told you bonding with me would be grating on the nerves."

"Oh I knew I was in for rough seas at times, I usually take pleasure in it even. I just don't think either of us expected this particular storm."

Slick, you never cease to amaze, seeing the best in me, she thought. "But thank God it's over," Emusa leaned her helm over his spark chamber. "I'm back…" Her usual wry smirk tugged on her lip components. "And I do hope my punishment has been reduced, doctor."

His nerves now calming, the medic managed a small smile of his own. "I think confinement to the base until further notice should suffice."

Emusa dramatically vented. "Oh, the horror… But I suppose I can deal with that." She smirked. "Especially if a gorgeous mech like you is in my company."

His smile widened. "Oh you can bet on it. You won't be causing trouble of any sort in the foreseeable future."

"Oh, but you know trouble sticks to me, slick," Emusa laughed before wincing and clutching her helm as her vision fizzed in and out. "Just… promise to be gentle when you're repairing me?"

"One of the perks of having your sparkmate doing the repairs. It would be counter-intuitive for me not to be gentle." He turned to retrieve the tools he would need.

"Lucky me…" Emusa groaned. "Remind me never to go on another escapade like that again."

"Happily. Every day."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were enjoying this," Emusa hissed in pain as Knock Out attempted to realign her arm.

"To a certain extent, yes." He grimaced. "But I can't say I'm liking being on both the dealing and receiving ends of this, so I'd really rather it not be a habit."

Emusa grimaced. "I'll try not to make it a habit then."

"Good." Knock Out flashed a smile before getting back to work on Emusa's frame.

D/N: And here it is. Another feely chapter delivered to you by yours truly and the lovely, talented blondie~ To tell the truth, I'm not really that skilled when it comes to writing battle sequences but I still hope you enjoyed this chapter and all the drama therein. Be sure to leave a review and don't forget to check out our Tumblr! We haven't got any asks in a while and it's been getting soooo lonely T.T

To Super Shadic: Indeed. We are actually pleasantly surprised on how social Plasma was becoming, especially with her new-found bond with Emusa. And I am flattered, truly. As a horror movie fanatic, I do try to make the gore as wonderfully horrific as possible. Thank you so much for the uplifting comments! As for Megatron… we shall see. :3

To Bluefeather4299: Sort of lol. But things will get better, I promise. And thank you. I am so glad we have encouraging readers like you!

To Windcharger: Everything has been as good as it can be. How about you, hon? By the way, I put my email on my profile in case you wanted to talk. And I know right?! I am so fragging excited, especially upon seeing the clip with Bumblebee dancing and his doorwings are flapping. How cuuuuuute T.T

To Tim the Silent Pyxis: xD Ah, really? You're too sweet! I'm so glad you enjoy our work and do try to go easy on Wheelie, will you? I love the little Minicon~

To Savvy Orion: Aw, it's fine. I understand life happens. I do hope you're not too stressed however. *hugs before evilly smirking* See? I told you me and blondie would endear you to Doc Knock. And, trust me, you'll love Silverblaze. He's like the brother I wish I had growing up. As for Megatron…. :3 You mad, bro? Lol, but really, I'm glad. I know I'm starting to fall in love the more I write for the mech. But I don't think Optimus and Elita One would trust him so much as to make him an uncle to their son. Though, in the near future, let's just say that their son will become close to Megatron in a way no one ever expected…. ^/^ May God bless you too and thank you for the lovely and long review!

"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies" 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10

Thank you guys for all the support and may God bless you and your day, my beloved friends and readers!

Until next time, Dream'sRealm

B/N: Feeeeels ahahahaa feels galore! And I have to say, worried loved ones are so fun to write for xD I mean, I love my stubborn characters with attitude problems *coughmyDGMOCcough* but it's fun finding new ways to torture characters unfortunate enough to find themselves under our sadistic "care"

Savvy Orion: Welcome back 8D ahahahaaaa shouldn't seeing "by Dream'sRealm" be synonymous with your feel-killing warning? ;D

As always, thank you guys soooo so so much for the feedback. When things are kinda going nutso in our lives, it always means a lot to see that y'all are willing to take some time out of yours to read our stuffs :3