A Shard of Glass

by KorovaMilkBar

Everything she had ever known was gone. Everyone she had ever loved was taken from her. In her darkest hour, she sets out to join them in the Well of The Allspark. Instead, she finds herself in a world where everything is different. Throughout the confusion and the pain, she is reunited with the person she had sworn to protect. But he remembers her quite differently.

21. Chapter 21

Knock, knock, knock. Knock, knock, knock.

Jack opened his eyes as he heard the rapping at his door. There was only one person it could've been. The teen picked himself up out of bed and walked, barely, to source of the sound. He opened his door and saw his mother in her silk robe.

"Yes, Mother?" He said, still half-asleep.

June, however, seemed a little vexed this morning.

"While I'm happy that you can sleep through the sound of an engine revving very loudly, I can't. Arcee is obviously trying to get your attention and it's too early in the morning for this. So, can you please go to her so I can do my hair in peace?"

"Good morning to you too, Mom." He groggily said.

"Jack." June said in a warning tone.

"Right, right."

Jack dragged himself passed her, stopping to kiss her on the cheek, and proceeded to the garage. He opened the door just as Arcee stopped her revving.

"Arcee, really?"

"Hustle up, Jack. We're running late."

"Ten minutes, give me ten minutes." He said as he went back inside.

Jack closed the door and rubbed his head, trying to wake himself up all the way. Then he remembered what day it was and the plans he had for it. The thought made him smile and gave him all the energy he needed.

Date night, well, date day actually. His day with Airachnid was today and if he was honest, he was really looking forward to it. It surprised him really, the thought of spending the whole day with Airi bringing him such enjoyment. He had spent plenty of one on one days with Arcee in the past, but this felt different for some reason. Then again, after everything she had been through, maybe Jack just really wanted to be there for her like he had been for Arcee. This was going to be the first, of hopefully many, times they got some one on one time. Jack thought about it as he got dressed.

He never would've thought it would be like this, for he and Airi to become so close. The first time he met her, when he saw her face, Jack remembered how he held his own panic back. Airachnid was the femme of his nightmares, someone he still feared to this day. But seeing Airi, thinking she was the Airachnid he already knew, acting so strangely towards him, it made him drop his guard in an instant. The second he saw her optics, her sad, scared, yet loving optics, he knew that it wasn't Megatron's Airachnid. Then as he got to know her, seeing how scared and confused she was in this world, all he wanted to do was help her. And help her he did, an act which brought them closer.

However close she was to her Jack, he seemed to become just as close. Close enough that she felt okay to tell him that she loved him, for him to say it back. They became very close, loving friends, just short of partners. She had spent time with all of the Prime children and now it was his turn. Hopefully, today would be one they would both remember.

But Jack had to do something first.

He left his room, fully dressed, and walked to his mother's opened bedroom door. He knocked and peeked in, finding her in front of her vanity, brushing her hair.

"Mom?"

"Yes, Jack?" She asked looking at him through the mirror.

"I'm going to base now."

"Okay, have fun. Be careful." She said.

"Yeah."

But June noticed that Jack hadn't left and knew something was on his mind. She put her brush down and turned in her seat to look at Jack.

"Is something wrong, sweetie?"

Jack paused to take a breath, unsure of how his mother would respond. June was getting confused and just a little worried.

"I said I'd never lie to you again. That also means not keeping things from you."

Now, June was suspicious.

"And you haven't...have you?"

"No, that's why I wanted to see you before I left. I need to tell you something."

"Okay."

"So...All of us are gonna be at base today, except Sierra. She's doing something with her mother."

"Oh well, good for her. It's nice that she spends time with her mother."

"And while she's away, I was gonna spend the day...with Airi."

June's curious face fell into uncertainty. She didn't look unhappy, but she didn't look thrilled either.

"You mean, Airachnid?"

"Yeah."

"The two of you?"

"Yes."

"And no one else?"

"It's sort of like a date, I guess. Not that kind of date, just..."

"You're gonna alone with Airachnid...for the whole day?"

Now, Jack was beginning to worry his mother wouldn't allow it.

"Are you okay with that?" He asked.

June looked away as she thought to herself. After the whole ordeal back at the Autobot base, June had decided to trust in Jack's judgement of Airachnid and wouldn't keep him away from her. But them spending the whole day together? She wasn't sure how she felt about that, if she was okay with it.

"Mom?"

June came back from her thoughts and looked at Jack, who was patiently waiting for an answer.

"Is Airachnid alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. Ya'know, nothing's wrong with her. She's spent time with Sierra, Miko, and Raf and now, she wants some time alone with me."

"I mean, has she...recovered from her injuries."

June felt guilty that she hadn't inquired about Airachnid's recovery until now, especially with how worried Jack had been during that period.

"She's back on her pedes with all ten of her legs working."

June was still a little unsure, but she saw that Jack wanted to spend time with Airachnid as much as she wanted to with him.

"Well, I suppose she would need some time away from the base, being cooped up in there for weeks. And...I guess spending time with her would do you a world of good, after all the late hours you spent worrying about her.

Jack's eyes lit up at what June was implying.

"So, you're okay with it?"

June sighed, making her peace with the situation.

"Give me your phone." She said.

Jack quickly pulled out his phone and handed it to June. She searched his contacts until she reached "Airi's" number/comm link. She punched the number and waited for it to connect. It took a single ring before Airachnid answered.

"Jack, are you on your way?"

June was caught off guard by how excited Airachnid sounded on the other end. The tone of her voice made sound almost like a different femme altogether.

"Airachnid, this is Jack's mother."

There was an uneasy pause on the other end. Airachnid was clearly not expecting to hear June's voice.

"June?"

Again, her tone was nothing like she remembered from the cement factory ordeal. Airachnid sounded nervous, frightened almost.

"Uh-Hello, how are you?" Airachnid stumbled to say.

"I'm well, thank you."

June spoke as if she was taking a business call.

"Um...Is something wrong? Is Jack still coming to base?"

There was something in her voice that made her sound like she was preparing for disappointment, which made June reflect upon herself poorly. Had she really left such an impression on Airachnid that she would assume the worst upon June answering his phone?

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I want you to listen to me very carefully."

Airachnid answered with silence, but June could feel her nervousness through the phone.

"If you're going to be have my son for the entire day, that makes you his guardian during that time. That means it's your job to protect him until you bring him back home."

"Y-yes, of course."

"Airachnid."

"Yes, June?"

June paused to let her stern voice sink into Airachnid.

"Jackson is my son...the reason I get up in the morning, for everything I do."

"I-I know, June."

"I'm sure you do...I'm trusting you with him, Airachnid. I'm trusting you with what's most precious to me. I'm counting on you to keep him safe while he's with you."

"I will, June. I promise, I will."

"That right there, what you just said. You promise...You promise to keep my son safe?"

"Yes, June."

"You promise to protect him with your life?"

"Without hesitation."

"Do you promise that at the first sign of trouble, you'll cut your date short and get him safely back to base?"

"Yes, June, I promise. I will keep Jackson safe the entire time I have him."

June paused again, but this time for herself.

"Can I count on you, Airachnid?"

Now, Airachnid paused.

"Of course you can."

She sounded so earnest, yet also like she was pleading for June to believe her, to trust her.

"Also, his curfew is 10:00 pm sharp and not a minute later."

"Absolutely."

"10:01 comes along and he's not in my garage, you can expect him to be grounded for a month."

"10:00, in your garage, not a minute later. I hear you loud and clear, June."

June took another deep breath.

"I'm counting on you, Airachnid."

"And I won't let you down, June."

"I...I hope you and Jack enjoy your day together."

"We will...June?"

June waited for Airachnid to say whatever she intended.

"Thank you."

"My son's on his way."

Airachnid's voiced had quivered when she thanked June. She sounded like she was about to cry. Did June putting her trust in her mean so much to the femme? She looked to her son and saw him with the most heartfelt smile she had seen in long while.

"You better get going, Jackson. You're friend's waiting for you. Here's your phone."

She held Jack's phone him to take, which he did. But then, he hugged her, tightly, lovingly, happy.

"I love you, Mom."

June was beaten, she knew it. But she was alright. She hugged her son back, just as tightly, taking the biggest leap of faith she had ever taken.

"Go, go off on your date, Jack."

"Thanks, Mummy." He said with a kiss.

He sprinted out the room and into the garage. Seconds later, June heard Arcee pull off with all her speed.

"Mummy." She said to herself.

Jack knew what he did. Once upon a time, him would saying that in his squeaky little voice was enough to make her heart melt. She thought so, anyway. Now she knew time and age hadn't changed that at all, as she could not stop smiling.

"Jack, you little..." She chuckled to herself.

---

Airachnid remained anxiously for Jack to show up at base. She was very excited to say the least. However, the talk she just had with June had raised her spirits even higher. June trusted her with Jack, she even told Airachnid so herself. The femme was not expecting that, nor had she held out hope for anything more than to allow Jack to return to base. But she allowed Jack to spend the day with her on the condition that she protect him. June Darby, who so far has shown next to no trust towards her, trusted her to protect Jackson.

'I'm counting on you, Airachnid.' She remembered June saying.

The words meant so much to her, for June to take such a leap of faith with Airachnid. This was the chance she was hoping for. If today went well, this would be the first step in getting June to like her, to see her as her own June did, as family. She wasn't going to mess this up. As much enjoyment she was to get from being with Jack, so much more could come of this once she brought him home. She dared not jinx it by even considering something going wrong. Nothing would go wrong today. Everything would work out for the best.

Airachnid raised her helm at the sound of a motorcycle echoing through the tunnel and stepped forward to await for her date. She was going to get as much fun out of teasing Jack about that as she could. He would almost certainly inherit Sierra's nickname by the end of the day.

Arcee and Jack pulled in and Jack was quick to remove his helmet and place it in Arcee's subspace. He walked up to Airi before Arcee even began to transform. Neither of them noticed Arcee's uneasy smile as he did.

"Morning, Airi."

"Good morning yourself, handsome." She replied.

Jack only laughed.

"Starting off early, are we?"

"You had better get used to it because I am going to be merciless today."

"Boy, that sound great." Jack said, sarcastically.

The pair didn't leave right away, as Airi wanted to see Rafael and Miko before they went. Arcee situated herself under the platform, watching her partner and Airi. For some reason, she woke up today feeling a little restless.

"So..." Jack began. "Mom gave you the speech."

Jack saw Airi smile at the mere mention of it, glad that it made her happy.

"It's nothing I haven't been through before. My world's June was no different than yours, you know."

Jack, of course, looked up at her a little skeptically.

"You cried, didn't you?"

"Just a little bit." Airi said, making a gesture with her index and thumb.

"Mom trusts you, Airi."

"I know...And that makes me happy. It means I have a chance."

"It means I didn't blow it after all."

"Stop, today's supposed to be a fun day, remember?"

"Right, I'm really excited."

The two looked at one another, both smiling.

"Now, if the others would just hurry up so we can going." Jack said.

Arcee pretended to keep herself busy, but she kept glancing at Airachnid and Jack together. She didn't distrust her or anything, but she felt nervous about the two of them being out there and she didn't know why.

"Arcee."

Arcee was startled a bit and looked to Ratchet, who had been watching her.

"Are you alright? You look a troubled."

"Yeah, I just...One of those mornings."

"Alright." Ratchet replied, slightly doubtful.

Arcee looked over her shoulder again to watch them until she heard three more vehicles coming through. Suddenly, she was even more anxious.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee arrived with their charges, Smokescreen right behind them. Wheeljack was off doing his own thing again. Miko and Raf exited their vehicles and ran up to Airi.

"You got here, early." Raf said.

"Big day today, little one." Airachnid replied.

Miko looked to Jack.

"So, big date with sexy spider-bot. You nervous?"

Ignoring the sexy spider part, Jack answered.

"I think I'll be fine."

"Confident, are we? I like that in man." Airi responded playfully.

"Not gonna work this time, Airi." Jack answered back.

"Now, Jack." Miko said with an uncharacteristic seriousness in her voice. "You better treat Airi right and make this the best flippin' date she's even been on. Be a gentleman, pay for everything, win her a prize, and act like everything she says is the most interesting thing in the world."

"I get it, Miko." Jack said.

"And remember that she's a lady." Raf chimed in.

"That's right." Miko followed. "So no trying to cop any feels. You ain't gettin' any on the first date."

Jack was left with his mouth open and his face red.

"I can't believe you just said that."

And of course, Airachnid wasn't going to let this go to waste.

"Don't listen to her, Jack. I certainly won't mind if you get a little handsy."

Jack look mortified now.

"See what you've done?" He said to Miko.

"Yep, my work here is finished."

"Have fun guys." Raf said as he and Miko went elsewhere.

"I hate them." Jack said.

"No, you don't." Airi said.

"They're gonna pay for this."

"We'll think of something together. But we should get going."

"Please ease up on teasing me."

"Try and stop me, Jack."

"Airachnid." Arcee called as she walked up. "Hold up."

"Arcee?"

Arcee seemed serious, which was expected, but she seemed a bit unsettled.

"You...You look after my partner, okay?"

"I will, Arcee. He's in good servos, I promise."

"I'll be fine, Arcee." Jack said. "As long as I don't die from embarrassment."

Arcee smirked a little, but she still felt uneasy.

"Just be careful...And have fun."

"Thanks, 'Cee." Jack said as Airi transformed.

Jack got in the alt but bid Arcee farewell before he closed the door.

"See ya." He said.

"Yeah, see ya."

Airi pulled away and Arcee lightly waved at them as they disappeared through the tunnel. Even after they were gone, Arcee stood there, looking at the entrance. Suddenly, she felt a lot more bummed. She didn't even notice Miko walk up to her.

"Arcee?"

Arcee looked down to her side.

"You doin' okay?"

"Yeah...You know, I think I'll just hit the training room for a while."

Arcee left the main hall, walking past Optimus into the corridor, who noticed something was off right away.

"Arcee, are you..."

"Fine, yeah. Great, just...perfect."

Of course, he didn't believe her. He stepped into the main hall, confused. The others were watching her, seemingly knowing what was going on. Miko spoke up when Arcee was far enough not to hear her.

"She's jealous."

"Yeah." Raf said.

"Obviously" Ratchet said.

"Definitely." Bulkhead said.

"So jealous." Smokescreen said.

Bumblebee beeped in agreement. This only confused Optimus even more.

"Jealous of whom?" Optimus asked.

"The two love birds." Miko answered.

"Love birds?" Optimus asked further, still confused.

"She means Jack and Airachnid." Ratchet answered.

"Oh." Optimus responded, putting it all together.

He turned back to the corridor.

"I see."

Actually, he had been seeing it for a while.

---

Airi and Jack were speeding away from the base, windows open and Jack feeling the wind.

"Maybe I should've taken a drop-top for my alt."

"Drop-Top? Nah, you're good the way you are."

"Right answer, Jack. But seriously, I know this doesn't compare to what you're used to."

"C'mon, Airi. I didn't come for the ride, I came for you."

"Two in a row, not bad. You may just get lucky after all."

Jack sighed, knowing this was not going to stop.

"You have way too much fun with that."

"Maybe if you weren't so shy about it, I might not enjoy it so much."

Jack tried to think of a retort, but instead he just smiled. Airi, caught a glimpse of it in her mirror and felt something lovingly familiar.

"As much as I hate to admit it, but I enjoy it too. When you first came here, teasing me was one of the few things that made you smile."

Airi's belt went around Jack and he knew that it was her holding him.

"Let's not get too lovey dovey yet, Jack. Let's have some fun first."

"Hey, you're the one driving."

With that, Airi kicked into top speed and the two were off faster than she had ever taken with Jack riding. It was bound to be a fun day for the two of them.

---

The Autobot's punching bag was pretty much just a hunk of metal wrapped in mattresses and other soft cushioning to keep it from breaking apart. Arcee had been wailing on it for quite some time now. In fact, she was far more aggressive with it than normal and she wasn't even angry about anything. She was anxious...thinking about Jack and Airachnid.

"Arcee."

Arcee looked behind her and saw Optimus standing in the doorway. Who knows how long he'd been standing there, watching her work out her issues on the poor punching bag.

"Optimus, hey. Do you need me?"

"I wish to speak with you."

"Okay."

Optimus proceeded cautiously, not being too experienced with troubles of this nature. His expertise primarily dealt with situations dealing with the war or trouble among the team. And while this dealt with Arcee and two others, he was a bit out of his element with what appeared to be bothering her.

"You...you aren't acting like yourself." Optimus said.

"Really? Because that bag might beg to differ."

Optimus took notice of the bag and decided they would need a new one very soon.

"Aggressive as always, I see. But that is not what I was referring to."

"Okay, what were you referring to?" She asked as she continued hitting the bag.

This was clearly an attempted to feign ignorance.

"Jackson and Airachnid." Optimus stated.

Arcee paused for just a brief second against the bag, but went right back at it. But it wasn't fast enough for Optimus not to see.

"What about them?"

"You are having trouble with them being together, away from base."

"You think I'm worried about Jack, Optimus?" Arcee said, continuing her training. "I trust Airachnid. I know she'd never hurt him."

"But that is not what is troubling you. Something else has ever since the night Jackson had spent here for Airachnid's comfort."

Arcee stopped again, but didn't continue.

"I believe you when you say that you trust our new ally. Yet, you are still uncomfortable with allowing Jackson to become so close to her, but not for his safety. Tell me, why does seeing the two of them together fill you with such unease?"

Of course, Optimus would've seen it. Nothing escapes the Prime, absolutely nothing. Any secrets you have, he'll know you're hiding them and wait for you to tell the truth. And if he comes looking for the answers himself, well, it'd be impossible to lie to him. She turned to him, looking into his optics which compelled her to be honest. She had to look away to keep herself from pouring out her spark.

"Did I make it that obvious out there?"

Optimus didn't reply, but Arcee gave in.

"Promise not to tell Jack, or anyone else for that matter?"

"Of course, Arcee. I will not share anything you confide in me with anyone else."

Arcee sighed, not wanting her day to go like this.

"You're gonna think I'm ridiculous for this. I don't know how to explain it. It's just...Seeing them together, it...it scares me."

Optimus had an idea of what was bothering Arcee, but he was not expecting to hear that.

"Scares you how?"

"I just...I see them getting close and...For Airachnid, I'm happy. She's been through a lot since she arrived and I'm glad someone made it easier for her but...Why did it have to be my Jack?"

Optimus found it strange that she would refer to Jackson that way, never showing such possessiveness before.

"Jackson is Airachnid's partner in her own dimension. It stands to reason that she would seek comfort in our world's Jackson as well." He said.

"I get that, Optimus. But...I can't say this without sounding so petty."

Optimus looked behind him and realized that he had left the storage door open. Though he did not pick up on anyone listening in on them, he decided to shut the door to give them more privacy.

"No one else is listening, Arcee. Say what you feel."

"Jackson is my partner, my Jack. And the fact is...he's closer to Airachnid than he ever was with me."

"I do not believe that to be true."

"It sounds stupid, I know it does. But the way he acts around her, they way they are with each other, the fact that he took to her the same day he met her..."

"Is all very different than your first meeting with Jackson. I understand. But you must remember that the circumstances were very different. When the children first arrived at our base, none of us had any prior experience or interaction with human younglings. And we were not prepared for them to come into our lives, nor were we expecting them to become such a big part of it. Airachnid, on the other hand, was not only accustomed to human presence but also the presence of the very same people. I am certain that her first encounter with her worlds Jackson Darby was not as simple as this one."

But Arcee was still not convinced.

"Okay, that's true. But Airachnid, of all femmes, hit it off with Jack almost immediately. When I first met Jack, I was harsh to him. I pushed him away, didn't want anything to do with him."

"You were coping with the loss of Cliffjumper that occurred the very day you encountered Jackson."

"But Airachnid tried to kill Jack, twice. She kidnapped his mother and almost killed her right in front of him. He's been afraid of her since that night in the forest and for a time, he wouldn't even go into the room we keep her stored in by himself. Here comes another Airachnid and right away, he trusts her. He convinced me not to attack her in New York, he comforted her after her run in with Starscream, he stood up to me and all the others when none of us wanted to give her a chance. He even went against June's wishes all because he was worried about her."

"Arcee, you know your partner better than any of us. This is merely a reflection of Jackson's kindness far more than it is of his relationship with Airachnid. You know as well as I that he would do all that he has done for Airachnid for you as well."

"They love each other, Optimus."

Optimus was taken back and wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"They say it often enough."

"When you say love, are referring to..."

"Not that kind of love, Optimus. I mean, she's like a sister a him."

Arcee's whole demeanor faltered, as if she felt she was different.

"And you feel that you are not?"

"I thought I was, but...The way they are with each other, the teasing, the flirting. We've never been that way. I've never gotten an 'I love you' out of Jack once. But he's said it to her plenty of times."

"And have you ever said it to him?"

Arcee shrank away, slightly embarrassed.

"No." No timidly answered.

"Then how can you expect as such from him?"

Arcee stammered, but didn't have an answer.

"Here is what I believe, Arcee. Neither you nor Airachnid mean any more or less to him than the other. The both of you are very dear to his heart. However, you are both very different from one another and as such, his behavior differs between you. I have never known you to be an affectionate individual where as Airachnid is perhaps, too affectionate at times. His words of love to her are merely a response to her saying them to him. And while you have not shared those words with Jackson yourself, you feel the same way, correct?"

Arcee smiled a little, not looking at Optimus.

"Yeah."

"Rest assured, Jackson shares those feelings for you. He merely demonstrates it in a way he feels you would respond best. And you must not forget, as close as you are with Jackson, you are still his guardian. With that comes the responsibility of being an authority figure as well as his friend. There are times when you had to be harsh with Jackson, for his own well being, such as when he was illegally racing or when he foolishly went into the battlefield with Smokescreen. As his guardian, you must sometimes be forced to be an authoritarian to him. Airachnid does not have that same responsibility towards him. She can remain friendly with him, even when he makes a foolish mistake. As such, it may seem that they are a friendlier with one another. But that does not make him care for you any less than it would make him care for his mother for that same reason."

Optimus made a lot of great points and Arcee couldn't argue with any of it. But it still didn't completely convince her. She felt threatened, scared.

"I don't know, Optimus. I mean, you're right...about everything. But...I just...sometimes, when I see her with him, just the way she smiles whenever she's around him, him more than anyone else, even Sierra...It kinda feels like she loves him more...more than I do."

Optimus listened closely.

"I...I do love Jack, even if I never told him. But I can't stop myself from comparing it to her and I feel like...like I could lose him to her. I'm happy to have Jack and can't imagine my life without him. But sometimes it feels like he's the light of Airachnid's life and I know he sees it too. I just feel like I can't compete."

Now, Optimus understood. And unfortunately, he could not ease Arcee's worry. To do that would require him to betray his promise to Airachnid. But he knew what Arcee meant by how she referred to Airachnid's relationship with Jack and knew exactly why she was the way she was with him.

"The two of them are alone, getting even closer. And I wish it were me...I wish...I wish I'd thought of it first."

"But you and Jackson spend plenty of your days together."

"And he was never as excited as he was for Airachnid."

"Only because she was as excited."

"Exactly...For me, it's just another day with my partner. A fun day, but just one of many. For Airachnid, it means the world to her...She just loves him that much."

'Of course, she does.' Optimus thought. 'How could she not after she had lost him once?'

"It sounds worse the more I talk about it...and even more depressing. I...I'm going for ride."

Arcee lifted the storage door open and was about to leave.

"Arcee." Optimus called.

Arcee stopped at the door.

"If you truly fear that you and Jackson may drift apart, when he returns, tell him what you have told me here. Opening up to him is what you brought you two closer together when you met. It can do so once again."

Arcee seemed to take some comfort in that, but she still looked unsure of herself. She left the storage room and headed back out into the main hall. Optimus took a moment before he followed her.

As Arcee came into the main hall, Ratchet took notice to her quickly.

"Arcee, is Optimus with you?"

"He's right behind me."

Arcee noticed something on Ratchet's monitor.

"What's going on?"

"Incoming transmission."

"Fowler?"

"Dreadwing."

Arcee was shocked.

"Dreadwing, again?"

"Ratchet." Optimus said as he came from the corridor. "Accept the transmission."

Ratchet accepted Dreadwing's call and connected.

"This is Dreadwing. I wish to speak with Optimus Prime."

Optimus stepped forward.

"This is Optimus Prime speaking. Dreadwing, once again you have reached out to us."

"Indeed, I have, Optimus. I'm as surprised as you are that fate has lead us to this."

"May I ask why? Last time you contacted us, it was to request information regarding Skyquake."

"Optimus Prime...I wish to speak with once again in person."

The skepticism filled the base.

"Is this a trap, Dreadwing?"

"If it was, I wouldn't reveal it to you, would I Optimus?"

"No, you would not."

"This is no trap, Prime. I only wish to talk. You should know, I have cut ties with the Decepticons."

Everyone at base was shocked to hear Dreadwing say that.

"As of yesterday, I am a rogue."

"I call a load a scrap." Bulkhead claimed. "He's tryin' to play us, for sure."

"I had a feeling you wouldn't believe me, Wrecker, but I don't care. All I care about is having a word with Optimus."

"Regarding what exactly, Dreadwing?" Optimus asked.

"The possibility of becoming an Autobot."

The silence in the room was almost a sound itself. Miko broke it up though.

"He is so lying!"

"One of the humans, I presume?"

"Dude, this guy is definitely trying to trick us. Tell me we're not taking this seriously."

But Optimus was taking it seriously. If anyone could see the light and stray from Megatron's madness, it was Dreadwing.

"I will meet you, Dreadwing. But I will not come alone"

Everyone looked at Optimus like he was crazy.

"Nor can I promise you a place among the Autobots. I will hear what you have to say. But if this is indeed a trap, I will not go down without a fight."

"I wouldn't expect anything less, Optimus Prime. I'm waiting at your discretion."

The comm link was cut and all eyes/optics were on Optimus.

"Boss, you can't be serious." Bulkhead said. "I mean, Dreadwing?"

"Ain't he one of Buckethead's most loyal followers?" Smokescreen asked. "We can't trust him, even a little."

"Not after all the Wreckers he's killed." Bulkhead added.

"Bulkhead, I understand your reluctance." Optimus. said. "But however many of your comrades Dreadwing has slain, all of us has cut down just as many of his, if not more. We are at war and all have energon on our servos. But Dreadwing is a mech of honor. He is also the one mech I believed would abandon the Decepticon cause. Whether he truly wishes to join ours is another matter. Perhaps this is all a ruse, but I must give him the chance to make his case if his desire to join us is genuine."

There was a lot of reluctance from the team, but they all trusted Optimus, especially Arcee.

"If you're going, so am I." She said. "I'll watch your back out there."

Optimus nodded to Arcee and looked to Ratchet. The medic input the transmissions origin coordinates and opened up the ground bridge. Arcee and Optimus looked to each other and left the base side by side. If Dreadwing was being serious, would Optimus really let him in with the Autobots? First an Autobot that looked like Airachnid and now an actual Decepticon. What was going on in the universe?

---

Jack stood silent and wide eyed at the canyon before him, the one Nevada was famous for.

"You mean to tell me that in all sixteen years you've lived here, you've never been to the Grand Canyon?"

It took Jack a moment to register Airi's question.

"It's not like it's just a bus ride away, Airi." He turned to address her. "Before I met Arcee, I had to get around on my ten-speed."

Jack turned back around to take the canyon in some more.

"Doesn't your school have field trips?"

"Not like this...Not anymore."

"Chalk one up to the education system."

Jack sat down towards the edge and Airi tensed up just a little. But she trusted Jack not to be clumsy.

'For a second there, I felt like June.' She thought.

She sat behind him, happy to spend this day with her former partner.

"You ever bring your Jack here, Airi?" Jack asked.

Normally, talking about the past made Airi sad. But this time, it didn't. This time she wanted to share her time with her late partner with Jack, hoping to bring them closer.

"Actually, this was where we came for our first date."

"Date, huh?"

Jack leaned back to look at Airi behind him, albeit upside down.

"Bringing me somewhere you brought your ex once, Airi? That's not very proper."

"Did you just..."

Jack smirked and leaned forward, looking back at the canyon. Airi couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, so we're learning, are we?"

"I figure if you're not gonna ease up on the teasing, I may as well meet you head on."

"Well that's clever of you, Jack. Just what I'd expect. But you forget..."

Airi took her spider-form and crept up behind Jack. She slowly wrapped her arm around him, bringing her face close to him.

"I'm much better flirting than you are and unlike you, I don't get the least bit embarrassed when you flirt back."

She began nuzzling his face with his and she could feel the heat of his blush against her.

"Okay, you win. I'm beaten." He said, absolutely flustered.

"Too late. You got my attention, now I'm all yours."

Airi giggled and Jack tried to pull away, but she held him closer. She suddenly lifted him up and transformed, putting him in her drivers seat. Jack could hear her laughing through the radio.

"You really have too much fun doing that." He said.

"You make it fun, Jack. It's your own fault for being so cute when your embarrassed."

"Yeah, yeah." He said as he rested his chin on the steering wheel.

Airi used her belt to pull him back.

"I kid, Jack. You know I do."

"I know, Airi."

"Not about the cute part, however."

"Here we go."

"I'm serious, Jack. I'm not ashamed to admit it."

"Admit what?"

"If I were younger or you older and one of us was the others species, I would definitely be looking your way."

Jack looked at Airi's panel incredulously.

"Nice try, Airi."

"I'm not joking at all. You're a very handsome boy, Jackson Darby."

Jack sighed and placed his hand on Airi's dash.

"What am I gonna do with you?"

"Fine, don't believe me. But you'll never get Sierra's attention with that lack of confidence."

Jack looked at Airi's panel again.

"Speaking of which, let's talk about that." She said.

---

Optimus and Arcee arrived at the same location they had spoken to Dreadwing the last time. This time, he was sitting atop a boulder that was big enough to support him. Both Autobots already had their blasters drawn and kept them on the alleged rogue. But one look at his resigned face told Optimus that he was not looking for a fight. The Prime disarmed his blasters and motion for Arcee to do the same.

"We are here, Dreadwing." Optimus stated.

"I thank you for coming." He replied.

Arcee stepped forward.

"You wanted to talk, so lets talk."

Dreadwing stood up and stepped forward.

"Dreadwing, you claim to no longer be a part of the Decepticons or loyal to Megatron." Optimus stated.

"Yes...I have cut all ties with the lot of them."

Optimus took notice to the deep scratches in his chest-plate, where his sigil used to be.

"After eons of unwavering loyalty, what has finally caused you to abandon the Decepticon cause?" Optimus asked.

Dreadwing looked away, angry, yet ashamed...and tired.

"Everything you have said to me in the past, regarding Megatron and the Decepticons...I realize now that they were all true. My loyalty was wasted on someone who neither had it himself nor did he deserve it. I have lost faith in his cause and...I can longer be part of it."

"Well, good for you, Dreadwing." Arcee responded, bitterly. "It only took a millennia long war and the death of our planet for you to wise up."

"Arcee." Optimus said.

"No...She is right." Dreadwing said with much clearer shame. "The evidence was in front of me the whole time. But I was chose to ignore the obvious and remain loyal...I picked the wrong side. I thought Megatron truly wanted to change our world and fix the broken system it had built. But after he showed his true nature...I was unwilling to break my pledge to him and his cause, false as it was. Many have died as a result, Autobots and neutrals alike. Our planet was lost and I remained with the faction that started the war that destroyed it. So I can understand why your second does not sympathize with my desire to change."

"So what did change?" Arcee asked. "What finally made you see that Megatron is a liar."

Dreadwing looked at Prime, knowing the truth would anger him.

"He desecrated the remains of one of the original Thirteen."

As he expected, Optimus became shocked, as did Arcee.

"He returned to Cybertron without me, knowing I would protest his actions. He...removed the arm of Liege Maximo and attached it to his own frame."

Optimus clenched his fist at the disrespect.

"Why would he do such a thing?"

"So that he could wield the Forge of Solus to create a weapon to destroy you."

Now Optimus was both shocked and worried. The Forge of Solus was used to create the Star Saber, the most powerful weapon of the Ancients. In Megatron's servos, it could create a weapon just as powerful.

"When I witnessed this...I realized what you have known all along, that Megatron is a tyrant. I have always respected the legacy of the Thirteen. For him to blatantly do such a thing...it was the one act I could not justify."

Optimus looked away in anger. In all his vorns, he'd never believed that even Megatron would stoop so low. But once again, his old friend shocked him...and disappointed him. Dreadwing reached behind the boulder he was sitting on and revealed the Forge of Solus. Both Arcee and Optimus pulled back at the sight of it. Dreadwing stepped forward and placed it halfway between them before he stepped back.

"Your intuition is telling you that this is an elaborate set up and I understand why it would. But I brought this to you for two reasons. One, as token of goodwill to show you that I mean what I say and that I am no longer a Decepticon. The other is to assure that Megatron will never forge another weapon with it again. It's in your servos now, Prime, the right servos."

Optimus picked up the Forge and examined it, making certain that it was the genuine article and not a fake. It was real and so were Dreadwing's intention. Arcee looked to Optimus, trusting his judgement on the situation. She would go along with whatever he decided.

"Dreadwing, of all of Megatron's subordinates, you were the one I truly believe that I could help save from his war mongering ways. I am happy to see that you finally realize you do not belong with the Decepticons. But...do you truly believe that this is where you belong...with the Autobots?"

And yet, Dreadwing looked unsure of the question himself.

"I came here to discuss that, but the truth is...I have not decided if that is what I truly wish."

Optimus was confused, as was Arcee.

"The ways of your faction still confuse me, your desire to protect this native species for instance. I never held any ill will for them, but I never understood your need to protect them. I understand the humans you keep among you even less so. But I am willing to learn if that is what's expected of me. But the one thing I cannot comprehend, nor can I trust, is your decision to allow Airachnid into your fold."

Optimus' defenses went up, knowing that she was at the spark of his indecisiveness.

"I cannot believe for even a moment that she has truly changed her ways, not unless something has happened to her...or was done to her."

There was an accusatory tone to his statement and Optimus had some idea of what he believed was going on.

"The noble Optimus Prime would not overlook Airachnid's past atrocities unless her change was genuine. The only ways for that to be possible would if she had undergone some sort of mind altering process or lost her memory entirely of which you took full advantage of."

Optimus remained stoic but Arcee was visibly offended by the accusation. Who did Dreadwing think they were, Decepticons?

"In either case, such methods would be beneath the honor you've preached to me in the past, Optimus. A far cry from Megatron, perhaps, but not the actions of a faction I wish to be a part of. So what is the truth? How did Airachnid end up with the Autobots?"

Arcee looked to Optimus. It was his decision if he wanted to tell Dreadwing the truth about Airachnid.

"The truth, Dreadwing, is not for me to reveal to you."

Dreadwing did not trust the answer.

"Only Airachnid herself can tell you of the events that brought her to us...if she chooses."

"Is that so?"

"It is. As it happens, she is currently away from the base with one of our human allies. An act of trust that we would never allow towards the Airachnid you remember. If you wish for an answer, I will allow you to return to our base with us so that you may ask her yourself."

Dreadwing stepped forward in intrigue and Arcee looked to Optimus with uncertainty. She trusted that Dreadwing meant what he said, but she also trusted his hostility towards Airachnid and was not sure if he would hold himself back upon seeing her. She had been through enough. She didn't deserve to be attacked by a former ally again.

"But as I have said, the decision to reveal the truth is hers and no one else's. And until she returns, I cannot allow you to roam our base freely as she does. You will be kept in confinement until we are all certain that you are no threat to any of us, that includes Airachnid. Only then will we allow you to become an Autobot...if you so choose."

Dreadwing was intrigued by the lengths Optimus was going to accommodate his distrust while protecting Airachnid. There was something else going on and he could not begin to understand what it was.

"Do you accept these terms, Dreadwing?" Optimus asked.

After a moment of consideration, Dreadwing held his wrists together to be restrained.

"I assume you've brought stasis cuffs for this very scenario." He stated.

As it happened, Optimus did. He retrieved them from his subspace and placed them on Dreadwing's wrists. He then called to Ratchet.

"Ratchet, we require a ground bridge."

With that, a ground bridge opened up behind Optimus and Arcee. Placing his servo behind Dreadwing, Optimus led him into the vortex while Arcee remained back in the off chance that they were being watched or tailed. Seeing no cause for concern, she followed the Prime and the rogue back to Omega One.

---

Optimus entered the base with Dreadwing in cuffs. Arcee following behind a few seconds after, before the ground bridge closed. When Dreadwing looked around the spacious main hall of the Autobot base, he was meant nothing but shock and distrust from everyone else present. Bulkhead in particular seemed very unhappy to see him. Unsurprising, considering Dreadwing's previous encounters with the Wreckers. Optimus led him forward, silently telling everyone to remain calm.

"What's uh...what's going on, boss?" Bulkhead asked, never taking his optics of Dreadwing.

"As you heard from the transmission, Dreadwing is considering aligning himself with the Autobots. However, that decision cannot be made as of yet."

"Why not?" Bumblebee asked, hoping the decision was no.

"The final decision will be made by Airachnid when she returns."

Both Rafael and Miko stepped up to the rails when they heard that.

"Dreadwing will remain confined to one of our storage rooms until then."

"We're not gonna let him near Airi are we?"

Optimus looked to Rafael, who seemed terrified at the idea.

"He'll hurt her." He followed.

"I understand your concern, Rafael. And until we are certain that he does not intend to harm Airachnid, he will be kept under close guard at all times. I will see to it personally."

"Optimus." Miko began. "I don't trust this guy."

Dreadwing took note of how upset the two humans were. They both looked at him with such anger and fear. But he had never harmed any of the humans since his arrival on Earth.

"Not after what he did to Airi."

"If you're referring to our previous encounter, it was not me who pulled Airachnid apart so savagely. That was Megatron's doing." Dreadwing defended himself.

Rafael jumped up on railing.

"And you didn't do anything to stop it! You let it happen!"

The outburst actually made Dreadwing pull back, unexpected as it was. Miko pulled Raf back and held him closer to her. They both looked at him the same way as before, with anger. For some reason, he couldn't stand it, so he looked away from them. Optimus led him down the corridor, away from the two children. But he could feel their eyes burning through the back of his head. Of all the stares of the Autobots, it was theirs he felt the most.

Optimus led him further down the corridor and eventually brought him to one of the empty storage rooms. The doors were reinforced to be able to contain Cybertronians. Without being told to, Dreadwing walked into the room and turned to face Optimus. He didn't bother to lift his arms for his cuffs to be removed. He knew they would remain until after he spoke with Airachnid.

"I ask that you do not cause trouble while you are here. My team are even less willing to trust you than I already expected them to be."

"I will follow your terms, Optimus. I'm no Autobot but...I am not your enemy either, not anymore."

"Perhaps, after meeting with Airachnid, you can convince the others of that as well."

Optimus shut and locked the storage door and remained close by, waiting for Airachnid and Jackson to return. Inside the storage cell, Dreadwing took a seat against the far wall of his new confines. He wasn't worried for his life because he knew he could trust Optimus' word. However, he could not let go of the sight of those two humans who stared him down so hatefully. He cared nothing for any human, children or adult. But the way they looked at him affected him more than he wished. They looked at him like he was some sort of monster. Considering he was party to what Megatron had done to her...he couldn't blame them. He didn't believe Airachnid deserved such torment and had wished Megatron had just finished her and got it over with. Now, he realized that others were hurt by what was done to her as well. For the first time in a very, very long time, Dreadwing was ashamed of himself, ashamed he hadn't stopped it somehow.

---

"A what?" Jack asked incredulously.

Airachnid had taken Jack to a desert area not too far away from Vegas. It was secluded enough and surrounded by rocks, providing much needed privacy, as she and her old world Jack had discovered. He was currently sitting on top of her hood.

"You called it a 'hippie orgy party' or something or other." Airi answered.

"Okay, go back. How did I end up in an hippie orgy in the middle of the desert?"

"We were having one of our drives through the state, back before we started exploring other continents. We happened upon this gathering we're these free spirited young people seemed to be having a celebration of some sort."

"What, like a rave party?"

"I'm not sure, but they were clearly intoxicated and under several influences. You got out just to observe and they didn't seem to mind you or notice you at all."

"Okay, then what happened?"

"Well out of nowhere, they all started taking off their clothes and began mating with one another."

Jack sighed.

"Yeah, that was an orgy all right."

"They were like animals, nothing like the loves scenes I've seen in media. They grouped up and took multiple partners at once, some even with the same genders. I must admit, I was a bit intrigued."

"And what the hell was I doing?"

"Aside from being utterly mortified, you stood there in complete shock...until a group of them starting coming towards us."

Jack looked disturbed all of a sudden.

"Oh God, where are you going with this?"

"Well, a group of women took notice of you and starting yelling 'virgin boy, get em'. From what I could tell, they wanted to include you in their..."

"Primus, tell me that's not how I lost my virginity."

"No...Not that was against what they were doing with one another, but you were underage and clearly non-consenting and they didn't seem to notice or care either way. Once they got too close, I transformed and told them I was the 'Demon of Abstinence' and demanded they leave you be. That scared them off long enough for me to get you out of there."

"Demon of Abstinence?"

"Yes, I don't quite know where I pulled that from either."

"And you just revealed yourself to a group of humans like that? That didn't get you in trouble with Fowler?"

"Please, they were all so intoxicated, they probably didn't even think I was real when they sobered up."

"I got away though, right?"

"Virtue intact, Jackson."

"Good." Jack sighed in relief.

It took a moment before Jack realize something Airi said.

"Wait, are you saying you've watched porn before?"

"I'm a curious femme, Jack."

"I bet the whole thing seems weird to you."

"Not at all...I've actually often wondered what it'd be like if I were human and capable of such things."

Jack gulped because he knew what was coming next.

"Of course, I know exactly the kind of human I'd be attracted to."

"Please stop, Airi."

"I can see your face, Jack. You're dangerously close to becoming to new Red. Tell me, if I were a human, what do you think I'd look like?"

"I don't know...tall, maybe dark, short hair."

"Attractive?"

Jack lowered his head, not wanting to answer.

"You're loving this, aren't you?"

"Jackson."

"Yes, Airi, attractive. I have no doubt that if you were human, you'd probably be one of the most attractive women I've ever met."

Jack didn't want to look back after admitting to something so embarrassing. Airi transformed but Jack didn't turn around. She had to smile, having gotten him the same way she did in her world.

"Come here, Jack."

"I don't want to. I know you, you're gonna make this even worse."

"No, I won't. Come on, take a seat."

Jack turned around reluctantly and sat down in Airi's lap. He felt so awkward being close to her, having said all that. Airi found it cute, but she really wished he wouldn't be so bashful. She held him a little closer, but in a much friendlier manner than to tease.

"You know, I mean it when I talk about how handsome you are."

Jack was still blushing and fidgeting a little in Airi's embrace.

"Really?"

"Yes, you are. But you're so much more than just handsome. You're sweet, honest, funny, brave, respectful and very, very loving. Any woman you make yours would be lucky to have you."

"I...I don't know. I've never had much luck with women, not even since I found Arcee."

"Because you're so shy and quiet. You need to come out of your shell more. If you were the way you are with us at your school, you would certainly turn a few of the ladies heads. I'd be interested if I were one of them."

"And...and you really think I have a shot with Sierra?"

"You two are already very close. You'll never know if you do if you don't take it."

"But what if I screw it up? I like Sierra, but I'm really glad to just have her as a friend."

"I know you, Jack and I know you want more than that."

"But what if she doesn't?"

"Then you move on. You go out and find the next lucky girl to catch your eye."

"But what if things get weird between us. What if...what if it messes up what we have now?"

"Jack, I'm gonna tell you a little secret about Sierra, about what her life was like before I brought her to base that day."

"Are you sure you wanna do that? Isn't that like a betrayal of trust?"

"Not really. Red doesn't exactly care to remember her time before the Autobots. You see, before she became a part of the team, she wasn't very happy with her little circle of friends in or out of the cheer leading squad."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"She said felt out of place with them, that she felt more obligated to be part of that little group because she was Captain of the cheerleaders. She never felt connected or bonded with them as you are with Miko and Rafael."

"That's so weird...Then again, when she left the squad, they all turned on her."

"You see? They were never really her friends and she used to feel very lonely among them. Now, she has you three, me, and the other Autobots and she's much happier for it."

"Yeah...I guess she is."

"She wouldn't trade it for the world and most certainly doesn't want to go back to the way things were. If you and Sierra don't work out, if you say what you feel and she doesn't feel the same way, whatever awkwardness develops between you, she'll go through it just to make sure she still has all of you as her friends. You three truly mean that much to her. And as long as you respect her feelings and value her friendship, you two will still have what you have now."

Jack took in what Airi was saying and decided that she was right. If Sierra didn't like him the way he liked her, he'd still want her as his friend.

"But none of that will matter if you don't take the initiative, Jack. I really want you two to become a thing, but you have to be the one to make the move. Whenever you get the chance, tell her how you feel. Rejection may hurt, but it has to be better than just waiting and wondering what if. Do you understand?"

"I do." Jack said, ever grateful for Airi's wisdom.

Jack looked up at his second partner.

"Hey, Airi...I love you."

"I love you, Jackson."

"I'm really gonna miss you when you go home."

"Don't, Jack. I'm not going anywhere, not yet."

"I just...Can this not be the only date we go on? Can we do this again before you do leave?"

Despite the opportunity, Airi chose not to tease Jack.

"Of course, we can. I want many, many, many more memories with you and the others. I won't forget you four, even if I meet a third group of you in the future."

Jack held Airi's digit, enjoying the moment as much as he could. Airi wished she could tell Jack the truth. But today was happy day and the day she revealed her past would be anything but.

"Your Jack's really lucky to have you."

Airi smiled down at her date.

"Yes, you are Jackson. And I'm lucky to have had two of you."

"Don't get any polyamory ideas." He joked.

"I've never been more proud of you."

---

After driving and talking for a few more hours, Airi decided to get Jack back to base, so as not to rock the boat with his mother. She was very happy with how the day went. And while Jack stared out the window, watching Nevada pass them by, his smiling glances at her panel from time to time told her that he enjoyed their time together as well. But the day had ended and it was time to return him to his partner. Though, she looked forward to future dates with her beloved human.

As they pulled into the main hall of Omega One, both Jack and Airi noticed that almost everyone was waiting there for some reason, even Wheeljack who had recently gone off on his own again. They all turned to them both as they came to a stop, as if they were waiting for them. The expressions on all of their faces was a sign of something wrong.

Jack got out, a little worried, but went over to his partner. Arcee smiled when she saw him, a little more than usual. Airi transformed and watched him go to her, smiling herself.

"Welcome back, Partner." She said to him.

Strange, if Jack didn't know any better, it seemed like Arcee had missed him.

"Hey, Arcee. Boring day without me?"

"Not exactly...So, have fun with Airi?"

Jack looked back to Airi who was now greeting Miko and Rafael, both of whom were happy to see her.

"Yeah...We did."

Again, Arcee noted how Jack was looking at her, so caring. It only made her feel even more uncertain of herself. But Jack turned his attention to everyone else, who all seemed like they had something heavy on their minds.

"'Cee, what's goin' on? Why does everyone look like they just came from a funeral?"

Arcee focused on the bigger problem at hand and turned to Airachnid.

"We have a visitor, Jack."

"A visitor?"

Arcee looked to Jack with unease and then walked over to Airi.

"Airachnid."

"Arcee."

Now, Airi was concerned about what they were all clearly hiding.

"Somethings wrong." She said. "What happened?"

Miko and Raf stepped forward, looking away.

"So...Dreadwing's here." Miko said.

Airi turned to Miko in shock.

"What?" She asked suddenly.

"He's locked up...Optimus is watching his cell." Miko continued.

Airi became very confused, as did Jack.

"Wh-What...Why is he here? Did the Decepticons attack?" She continued on.

Bulkhead stepped forward.

"Uh...Actually, he turned himself over to us."

This confused Airi even more.

"He said wants to talk to you."

Jack ran over to Airi, standing by her pedes.

"What does he want with Airi?" Jack asked, suddenly becoming defensive.

"He wants to know how she joined the team." Arcee answered. "After everything the other Airachnid did."

But Jack wasn't convinced.

"What for? What does it matter to him if Megatron just wants to kill her? This is a trick, it has to be."

"Just what we were thinkin', Jack." Bulkhead agreed.

"We're not letting him anywhere near Airi, are we?" Jack asked everyone.

But no one had an answer. Instead, they all looked to Airi for one. The femme herself seemed to have a different idea than Jack's.

"Wait." Jack realized that Airi was considering it. "You're not really going in there?"

Airi looked down to Jack who was looking back up to her with terrible worry. She looked to Miko and Raf, who were the same. She knew that they were scared for her and she didn't want to worry them more than they already were. But if Dreadwing was asking about her...

"What did he say, exactly?" She asked no one in particular.

Arcee was the one who answered her question.

"He says he's done with the Decepticons, that...he wants to give the Autobots a chance if we're willing to give him one."

Airachnid looked to Arcee in shock and the slightest bit of hope. Had she finally got through to him? Did he realize that this is where he belonged?

"The problem is that he thinks you're the Airachnid who betrayed them." Arcee continued. "You being on our side after everything she's done doesn't sit well with him. So, he wants to know how you did it. How you tricked us...or what we did to change you."

That made sense. Dreadwing wouldn't want to be part of a team that was so easily tricked or willing to alter the mind of another.

"He doesn't trust me." She stated.

"No, and I don't think he will unless..." Arcee began.

"Unless he knows the truth." Airi finished.

And that was the dilemma. Should Airi reveal herself to Dreadwing to convince him to join them?

"It's up to you, Airi." Arcee said. "Optimus said it's your decision."

So, the ball was in her court. Should she tell Dreadwing the truth of her world? Would he even believe her? If he did, then she could get one more member of her old family back, one of the old Autobots. She wanted that badly. She wanted that with Starscream and Knockout, but gave up when she realized who they really were. And it was too late for Breakdown. But Dreadwing was who he had always been and now, he had finally broken free of the Decepticons. He wouldn't betray her secret, even if he decided not to join. That wasn't who Dreadwing was. If she didn't tell him the truth, he'd never join the Autobots and he'd be out there, on his own with the 'Cons hunting him...just as she used to be.

Airi looked back to Jackson and smiled to him. Maybe she was being greedy to want one more back with her, even after regaining her humans. But Dreadwing deserved a second chance and she wanted to be the one to give it to him. She lifted Jack up and placed him by the others.

"Don't worry, you three. Nothing bad is going to happen."

"But, Airi." Raf began.

Airi placed her digit to his lips.

"It's alright, Raffy. Dreadwing wasn't the one who hurt me. Besides, Optimus won't let anything happen to me again."

They still look worried, but they accepted her decision. They could see she wanted this and didn't stand in her way.

"Be careful, Airi." Miko said.

"Will do, my little rock star."

She winked at her and left to talk to Dreadwing. They all watched as she approached the corridor.

"We're all here, Airi."

Airi looked back to Bumblebee.

"Just in case."

And they were, her new family, humans and Autobots alike. And she wanted Dreadwing to be a part of it. She assured them with a smile and left for Dreadwing's confines. The others waited, hoping things would work out for the best.

"You called her Airi."

Arcee looked over to Jack by the railing. He seemed happy about that. Arcee was as happy to make him so.

"Yeah, I guess I did."

There may have been a distrust and uncertainty in the beginning and Arcee still felt scared to lose Jack to Airi, but she worried about her and cared enough to consider her family, to consider her an Autobot she could trust with her life. After all, she already trusted her with Jack's, who she loved dearly, enough to know he'd be protected should anything happen to her.

---

Airi made her way through the corridor and came to where Optimus had stationed himself. When he saw her approaching, he gave her his full attention.

"Airachnid, you have returned."

"Optimus...Is it true?"

Optimus could see the hope in her optics and knew how much she wanted to believe in Dreadwing.

"It is true. Dreadwing wishes to join the Autobot faction."

She looked at the door behind Optimus, cautiously hopeful.

"Do you believe him? Do you think he really wants to join us?"

"I do. He has not yet made up his mind, however, he has also given us the Forge of Solus, stolen from Megatron's possession."

This was shocking news to Airi.

"The Forge, a Prime artifact?"

"Indeed, one that Megatron would prevent from falling into my possession at any costs."

One that he would put a bounty of Dreadwing's the moment he realizes that he stole it.

"So he really did it. He's left Megatron for good." Airi stated.

"And he is now willing to join our fight...But not with you as one of us."

Airi sighed. She knew what she had to do.

"Optimus...I think that Dreadwing ought to know the truth."

"Are you certain of this, Airachnid?"

Airi was certain, certain enough to smile.

"What's the worse that can happen? He doesn't believe me and then he leaves. He won't tell the Decepticons, not after stealing the Forge."

"Then I will support your decision. Nonetheless, I cannot allow you to go in there by yourself."

Of course, Optimus had become protective of her after he encounter with Megatron. But then, Megatronus was the same way with anyone who was critically injured under him.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Optimus Prime."

And with that, Optimus opened the storage door and allowed Airachnid to step in and stand before the cuffed Dreadwing. Dreadwing looked up at her with distrustful optics, clearly seeing her as the enemy. Airi mentally thought of the best approach to break the truth the to him.

"Optimus, do you have the keys to his stasis cuffs?"

Optimus looked to Airi with uncertainty, but trusted whatever she was going to do. He handed her the key and she walked over and undid Dreadwing's cuff. She stepped back and allowed him to stand up with his servos free. He was very confused by what she just did.

"Bold of you, Airachnid, considering I could strangle the life out of you with less than half my strength."

Optimus was on the defensive, but Airi held her servo up to him before he could do anything. She was not afraid, not even a little.

"You could, but you won't, Dreadwing."

Of course, Dreadwing thought she was being cocky, but she wasn't.

"Optimus would be all over before you could manage to even make me lose consciousness and that's before the others hear the commotion and come rushing to my rescue. They're all out there waiting, ready to stop you if you try anything."

This didn't make Dreadwing trust her at all. To him, she was just flexing in front of him.

"It seems you have all of them fooled, Airachnid, even the humans."

But Airi's expression became much softer, allowing her desire to have Dreadwing back show in her face.

"You wouldn't kill me if it was just us anyway, not after giving Optimus your word that you wouldn't cause trouble. That's not you, Dreadwing, it never was. You've always held yourself to your word."

"Enough, Airachnid." Dreadwing began. "You aren't going to fool me. Tell me how you did it? Tell me how you've convinced them of this...this lie. Tell me how you've managed to trick them into thinking that you have actually changed your ways and can be trusted for even an instant. How?"

"Dreadwing...I am not who you think I am. I've done nothing to deceive Optimus and I haven't tricked anybody."

"You have committed atrocities far beyond the war, eradicated entire species! You can't expect to believe that they have forgiven that!"

Airi didn't respond, only looked on. It saddened her to see just how much Dreadwing hated this evil Airachnid, while her Dreadwing always tried his best to stay above such hate. But that told her just how bad the Decepticon really was, to be able to bring out the worst in even him.

"I've done nothing of the sort, Dreadwing. I've never hurt anyone that didn't deserve it and never out of joy or amusement. I detest killing. I only do it when I have to."

Dreadwing looked as if he didn't believe her, but very quickly resigned to another conclusion.

"So...It's as I feared."

He then turned his attention to Optimus.

"What have you do to her, Prime?"

Optimus remained stoic, not dignifying the implication by responding to it.

"It seems as though she believes what she is telling me. Airachnid was an excellent liar, but not quite this good. What have you done?"

"Dreadwing...Optimus has done nothing to me. I haven't lied to you once since the canyon battle." Airi said.

"And you really believe that, don't you? No...I cannot be a part of this." Dreadwing turned back to Optimus. "You are no different than Megatron. If you would go to these lengths to increase your numbers, then it's only a matter a time before you begin to cross further lines...before you become just like him."

Dreadwing tried to walk past Airachnid, but she placed her servo to his chassis to stop him.

"Dreadwing."

"He should've killed you. It's what you deserve. But even you don't deserve to be unmade and...distorted to his image."

"Airachnid."

Airi turned to Optimus.

"You have not explained yourself properly because Dreadwing would most likely not believe you. Perhaps he needs to see for himself who you are...and who you are not."

Airi understood what Optimus meant and nodded.

"What is he talking about?" Dreadwing asked.

Airi smiled hopefully.

"Come with me, Dreadwing. There's something I want you to see."

"Is this a trap?"

"I would never do that to you. I know you don't believe me, but I wouldn't. Humor me, Dreadwing. Then you can leave. I want you to join us, but I'm happy knowing you won't go back to Megatron.

Dreadwing narrowed his optics and took a step back. Airi took that as acceptance. She smiled and led the way. Optimus stayed behind them, just in case Dreadwing tried anything. Airi brought him to another storage room and showed him the stasis pod. Dreadwing looked at it, unsure of what to expect. He looked to Airi, who stepped aside for him.

Dreadwing stepped closer to it and looked inside the window to see who it contained. It took a moment to make out who was on the inside, but he saw it clearly and quickly stepped back. He turned to Airachnid, shocked to say the least.

"Impossible." He said.

Airi didn't say anything, waiting for him to come to his own conclusion.

"How...How are there two of you?"

Dreadwing thought to himself.

"A twin...like me. You have a twin. But...which one has been..."

"That's not my twin, Dreadwing." Airi said.

Her face became a little harsher, thinking about the stasis imprisoned Decepticon.

"The thought of sharing the same spark with a glitch spawn such as that, after the things I've heard...It sickens me to my core."

"But then...Who is that? Who are you?"

Airi's face softened once more.

"We are one in the same, Dreadwing. But we are as different as night and day. That Airachnid...She's the one you've grown to hate and distrust. She's the one who's committed these atrocities you speak of. She betrayed Megatron...But I was never loyal to that tyrant."

As Optimus and everyone else had come to expect from Airi, her expression became sad, yet loving.

"I followed Megatronus Prime, a true leader who was much more deserving of our loyalty."

Dreadwing looked to Airi in confusion and intrigue.

"Megatronus...Prime?"

"Dreadwing, this may be difficult for you to believe, but I am not of this world. And I say that, not referring to this planet, but this plain of existence entirely."

"I...I don't understand."

"The best way I can put it is that I come from a parallel world where all of us exist as mirrors of you and everyone else in this world. Just as there is another me, there is a another you and another Optimus, even another Megatron."

"A parallel world...that's impossible."

"I never even considered such a thing myself. But all it took was a ground bridge fueled by red energon to bridge our worlds together just long enough for me to end up stranded here."

Optimus noticed how Dreadwing's attention was more focused at the mention of red energon. Airi began walking towards Dreadwing, unafraid of him and seemingly friendly.

"Dreadwing...The world I come from is very similar to your own, yet different in many ways. There is still a war raging on where I'm from and Cybertron was still lost because of it. Earth is the same, as are the humans we've come to know. But we are different. You and I are not Decepticons, we are Autobots."

Dreadwing dropped his guard completely and even allowed Airi to touch his shoulder.

"We fight to protect humanity, to the end war that's claimed so many. We follow Megatronus Prime, who has never lost sight of the greater good he stood for. Lord Optimus was the one who tricked all of Cybertron and plunged it into chaos. Arcee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, they follow him either out of fear or as a means to cause destruction. They are the Decepticons."

Dreadwing heard all of this and remained silent. But his expression was as if his entire world came crashing around him. He backed away from Airi, turning to rest his servo against the stasis.

"So...When Megatron ripped you apart..."

Airi and Optimus saw his frame trembling as he lowered his head.

"I was such a fool."

"Dreadwing." Airi said.

"Airachnid...I wanted...I wanted to stop it."

Dreadwing couldn't turn around to look at her, far more ashamed of himself than he'd ever been. Now, it was clear why the humans had looked at him the way they did.

"I wanted to end it, I swear I did. You deserved to die." Dreadwing turned to Airi, looking angry all of a sudden. "For everything you've done, you deserved to be extinguished. You have..."

But he remembered that he wasn't talking to Airachnid the Decepticon, but Airachnid the Autobot.

"She deserved to die...She betrayed us...She killed Breakdown. I wanted to finish it quickly because...even she didn't deserve to be torn apart like that...But we didn't even get the right femme."

Dreadwing dropped to his knees and lowered his head.

"Airachnid...I beg your forgiveness. I should've stopped him. I should've known from the beginning just by how you spoke to me. But I..."

Dreadwing felt a pair of dainty servos beneath his face gently lift his helm. He opened his optics to see Airachnid with the most uncharacteristic expression she ever wore, smiling affection.

"Dreadwing...All I ever wanted since the day we met was to save you from Megatron, to set you free of him. And here you are, your optics finally open. If what happened that night led to this moment...It was well worth it."

Dreadwing rose, feeling very strange by how Airachnid was acting towards him.

"D.W...You are where you belong now, where you should've always been, both you and Skyquake."

Dreadwing took Airachnid's servos and gently pulled them down, away from his face. He felt unworthy of such affection.

"Dreadwing."

The former Decepticon looked to Optimus Prime.

"Airachnid clearly does not hold any resentment towards you. It is also clear that she accepts you as an Autobot. But now, the decision is yours. Now that you know the truth...will you join us? Will you help us end this war before destroys this world as it did our own?"

Dreadwing stepped forward and bent the knee to Optimus.

"I will follow you so long as you remain true to your word, Optimus Prime. I will protect this world and these humans, if that it what it takes to be an Autobot. But I will not follow you blindly as I did Megatron. If I begin to see you compromise your integrity for victory, no matter how great, I will abandon you without hesitation."

"And I will not force you to stay, should it come to that, nor will I ever demand that you take action that would compromise your own integrity. So long as you bring no harm to this world or its people, I will never deny your free will. Rise, Dreadwing."

Dreadwing rose to his pedes. Optimus held out his servo and Dreadwing took it without hesitation.

"It is my honor to welcome you to the Autobot faction."

A date with Jack and now one of her own returned. Airi didn't think the day would take this turn. But it happened and she was happy. After so much loss, she was getting some of it back. Dreadwing still seemed unsure of this new arrangement, but he would eventually see that he made the right choice.

---

Optimus came to the main hall first and was met with the entire team, sans Sierra, anxiously waiting. When Airi came behind him, their anxiety disappeared and they all smiled happily at her return.

"Airi." Raf called as he ran to the rails.

"Worried, little one?" She asked.

"Duh." Miko answered. "We thought the big blue 'Con might've tried some..."

Miko cut herself off when she saw Dreadwing come through the corridor, behind Airi without his stasis cuffs. She backed away with Rafael while Jack moved closer. They all looked to him without an ounce of trust. He was unable to look at any of them, knowing full well why they hated him. The other Autobots stepped forward, none of them very happy to see Dreadwing. They didn't bother him as much, but the children still did.

"Autobots." Optimus started. "Myself, Airachnid, and Dreadwing have all come to an agreement. As of this moment, he is now a member of the Autobot faction."

The team looked at one another, varying degrees of disbelief, unhappiness, and uncertainty. Of course, neither Optimus nor Airi or Dreadwing expected anything different.

"Optimus" Arcee stepped forward cautiously. "Are we absolutely sure that we can trust him?"

"Arcee, you were with me when Dreadwing handed to us the Forge of Solus. Dreadwing has cut all ties with Megatron and the Decepticons. And now, he knows the truth about Airachnid. He has pledged his loyalty to us so long as we do not compromise our honor."

Bulkhead stepped forward, as Optimus expected, with Wheeljack close behind him.

"And what about all our guys he's killed. We're just gonna let all that go?"

Dreadwing stepped forward beside Optimus, looking neither confrontational nor timid.

"How many Decepticons have you killed, Wrecker? How many of them were like me, misguided and deceived, but were offlined all the same?"

Bulkhead still wasn't convinced.

"Yeah, but no Autobot ever killed anyone innocent."

"I know for a fact that isn't true. I've seen it myself. Not every Autobot held themselves up to the Prime's standard."

As much as Optimus hated to admit, Dreadwing was right. There were plenty of Autobots that crossed the line straight into Decepticon territory. A few times, innocents died because of it.

"As for me." Dreadwing continued. "I've never brought harm to anyone who didn't flag the Autobot sigil, Cybertronian or otherwise. That little business with your human was ordered by Megatron, should we have ever come across them, but I didn't care for it. And yes, I've killed many Wreckers during my time with the Decepticons."

Both Bulkhead and Wheeljack looked angry at the admission.

"Make no mistake, given the chance, they and both of you would've taken my spark without a second thought. We were fighting a war, in case you've forgotten."

Neither Wreckers seemed willing to accept Dreadwing's logic, so Optimus stepped forward.

"I understand that neither of you are happy with this decision, but Dreadwing makes a valid point. But even under Megatron's command, he has always maintained discipline towards his enemies and has never crossed any lines as I have made certain none of us would either. And now, that discipline has aligned himself with us. And do not forget, this was Airachnid's decision."

Both Wheeljack and Bulkhead let their firm stance against Dreadwing falter a little.

"Even after what she has endured at the hands of Megatron, she is still willing to give Dreadwing a chance to prove his allegiance. If you do not trust Dreadwing, instead, trust in her judgement."

Both of them looked behind Optimus to Airi, who looked at them back, silently asking them to believe in Dreadwing. They didn't want to, but they both owed Airi two. One of saving each of them and another for saving Miko. Wheeljack backed off, but Bulkhead had one more thing to say.

"Alright, I'll give'em a chance, right here and now."

Dreadwing was confused.

"You wanna prove you're an Autobot, then give us something we can use. Tell us somethin' useful about Buckethead or one the other 'Cons. Give us some intel on that warship of his. Tell us where one of their mines is located. You wanna be on this team, you gotta earn it."

Dreadwing sighed in amusement.

"If that's what you wish, Wrecker, so be it. As it happens, I did come here with the intention to provide more than just the Forge of Solus. In fact, I have very valuable intel on the Megatron's current scheme."

Dreadwing turned to look back at Airi.

"One that might interest you greatly."

Airi tilted her head in wonder of what he meant by that. Dreadwing turned back to team Prime.

"I'm sure it didn't go unnoticed by you that the Nemesis had recently go off world for a period of time and came back."

Ratchet stepped forward.

"We have...We figured Megatron was up to something big."

"Big doesn't even begin to describe it, medic."

"What is Megatron planning, Dreadwing?" Optimus asked.

"Just before we left this planet, we received transmission from the Decepticon chief scientist, Shockwave."

With his reputation proceeding him, all the Autobots became as shocked as the Decepticon's namesake, especially Arcee, having an encounter with him just before coming to Earth. Airi was less shocked than surprised while the humans were curious.

"Shockwave." Jack said. "That name doesn't sound too friendly."

"He's alive?" Airi asked, but really to herself.

"Indeed." Dreadwing answered. "But I wouldn't hold out hope to bring him into the Autobots as well. We left the planet for an old cyber-colony in the Washu galaxy."

"Washu?" Arcee wondered. "That's a long way out, from both here and Cybertron. What was Shockwave doing all the way out there?"

"He claimed to have uncovered something useful to Megatron and wished to show him in person. When we arrived, Megatron was greeted by something called a Predacon."

Optimus and Ratchet were the only ones not to react with confusion, but shock.

"Predacon?" Rafael asked. "What's that."

"Extinct, is what they are?" Ratchet answered.

Optimus answered properly.

"The Predacons were a predatory race of ancient Cybertronians that predated the likes of us. However, they were wiped out entirely in the Great Cataclysm of our planet. They were unevolved ancestors of our kind, much more animalistic, many of them bearing the resemblance to the mythical dragon of Earth culture."

"Whoa." Miko said in wonder. "Cyber-Dragons. That is so cool."

"Are you saying that Shockwave has discovered living Predacons in the Washu galaxy?" Ratchet asked in disbelief.

"Discovered, no. What he discovered was the fossilized remains of one Predacon back on Cybertron and was able to extract the necessary CNA to bio-engineer a clone is his lab."

"So, he's only got one?" Jack asked in relief.

"Yes, but a very powerful and dangerous one that obeys Shockwave's every command."

"Great." Arcee said. "So now, the 'Con's mad scientist has a pet dragon."

"Surely, that isn't all Shockwave called Megatron across the galaxy for." Ratchet. "Why did he call him all the way to Washu?"

"That is where his true objective lies. Shockwave had stumbled across a dead planet where our kind had begun work on an old energon farming project. It was long before our time, during the golden age, and was abandoned when it seemingly failed. But in the time since it was forgotten, the project became a success and had grown exponentially by the time Shockwave had discovered it."

"Wait a minute." Arcee interrupted. "Are you saying Shockwave found a planet that became an energon farm?"

The Autobots seemed pleased with this discovery, as control over such a project would benefit them greatly. But Optimus was not so certain, as Megatron already had control of most of Earth's energon. Such a discovery was not the game changer Dreadwing was making it out to be.

"Not just any energon." Dreadwing said.

He turned to Airi, addressing her personally.

"Red energon."

Airi pulled back with her optics wide and her mouth agape. Optimus and Ratchet turned to her quickly, only they knowing the horror behind her shock. The others were surprised, seemingly hearing good news.

"Red energon?" Bulkhead questioned.

"Oh, man. If it's as much as Dreadwing says, we'll never see the Decepticons coming, literally." Bumblebee said.

"Shockwave intends a much greater use than just an acceleration method, Scout." Dreadwing continued. "He plan to use it as a catalyst for..."

"An arsenal." A terrified Airi finished.

Dreadwing looked back to Airi, confused as to how she could have guess that.

"Yes...The Red Arsenal, he's calling it."

Just the name made Airi completely lose focus, as she stayed near still and stared off into a void. But no one besides Optimus and Ratchet seemed to notice. They didn't even question how Airi knew what Megatron was planning. All they knew was what this meant for Airi. Or rather, what they thought they knew. The news was bittersweet for the humans because it meant that Airi would be leaving them soon. Jack stepped up to the railing.

"If you guys can get your hands of some of the red energon then maybe..."

He turned to Airi.

"Airi...You can go home."

He tried to sound happy, but he was understandably upset, especially after the day he spent with Airi. Still, he put on a happy face for her. But when he looked at her more closely, she looked anything but happy.

"Airi?" He asked.

Airi took a trembling breath and took a few steps back. She lowered her head, staring at the floor, shaking her head in fear.

"No...It can't be...Not again. I can't..."

The children became worried instantly and all crowded around Jack to see if Airi was okay.

"Airi?" Raf called to her.

"I can't do it...I can't do it again. I can't..."

"Can't do what?" Miko asked.

"Airi, what's wrong?" Rafael followed.

But Airi couldn't hear them over the sound of her own panic.

"Airi?" Jacked called her. "Airi, look at me."

Jack's voice seemed to reach her and she slowly looked up at her children.

"Please, tell us what's wrong?" Jack asked in worry. "This is a good thing, isn't it? You're gonna see your Jack again."

But the mention of her old family, the family she didn't have anymore, was all she could take. She looked them them, her beloved children, her old partner, remembering the fear of losing them. What was worse, Sierra wasn't there. Sierra, who in her world, was the first human to die. Seeing them without her brought up the memory of them, of Jack, mourning her death. That was it for her. That was enough for her to break.

"I'm sorry." She choked out.

Airi ran off, down the hall, with her head down and her optics shut. Her humans called to her, trying to get her to stop. They all stood there, worried, afraid, wondering what happened.

"Did we do something wrong?" Miko asked among them.

"Optimus." Jack turned to the Prime.

Optimus was already at the corridor entrance.

"All of you remain here." He ordered.

"Optimus, let us come with you." Jack said.

"No." Optimus replied quickly ans sternly. "I will speak to Airachnid alone. No one is to disturb us. That's an order."

Leaving no room for argument, Optimus left the team and went to find Airachnid. The whole team, even Dreadwing, were shocked and confused.

"Do what he says." Ratchet said. "Let Optimus handle this."

Jack approached Ratchet from the platform.

"Ratchet, do you know what's going on?"

"Yes, Jack, I do. But if Airi hasn't told any of you yet, then she wouldn't want me to tell you either. Let Optimus talk to her and maybe, she'll tell you what's wrong."

The team turned to the corridor, waiting for either Optimus or Airi to come back. This was even more tense then when she was talking to Dreadwing. Jack pulled out his phone and called Sierra.

"Sierra? You need to come to base right now. Something's wrong with Airi."

---

Optimus was heading towards Airachnid's quarters, making sure to check every empty room he came across for her. He came to her quarters to see her at the edge of her berth, looking the same as when she was still coping with her trauma from Megatron.

She was hunched over, holding herself as if she was cold. Her optics were shut and she was still shaking her head, as if trying to erase the reality of the situation. She was crying, as much as a Cybertronian could without the ability. Optimus did not like to see her this way, not after all she had already suffered. He shut the door to her room, to assure no one, namely Miko, was eavesdropping. He took a seat by her side, causing her to look up at him. She collected herself as best she could, but was still at the edge of a nervous breakdown.

"They're worried about me, aren't they?" She asked as she looked away.

"Would you expect anything less of them?" Optimus asked.

Airi didn't answer. She just lowered her head and became emotional.

"It's not fair...It's not fair, Optimus."

"No, it isn't, Airachnid. This is truly cruel, especially to you."

"I've lost so much. I've been through Unicron's Pit. I was ready to die. Then I ended up here, reunited with my Jack. I became closer to all the children than I've ever been. I've told them all I love them, something I never did with my own humans. June trusted me with Jack. Dreadwing came around and he's on the right side now. Everything was going well."

But the reality re-dawned on her and she dropped her head again.

"I'm going to lose them all over again. I'm gonna watch them die, one by one. I gonna fail them."

"No."

Airi looked back up at Optimus.

"You will not lose anyone. No one is going to die. This world will not suffer the same fate."

Optimus took Airachnid firmly by her arms and made her look at him.

"Look at me. Look me in the optics."

Airi did just that, a little intimidated by how intense Optimus had become.

"I am your Prime now, and I made you a promise to prevent what happened to you from happening again. And I will not fail planet Earth as I have failed Cybertron."

Airi felt how serious he was, but she was afraid to hope that he would keep his promise. She let her optics drift slightly. But that was all Optimus would allow.

"Do you trust me, Airachnid?"

She went to answer, but found that she couldn't.

"Airi...Do you think I will fail you?"

"I...I don't want to think that...But Megatronus tried and...he..."

"Megatronus did not have the foresight you have now."

Airi's looked back into Optimus' optics, realizing that he was right.

"We have Dreadwing and we have you. Between the both of you, we can prepare for what Megatron is planning. We can stop this before it begins. We can save this world and our humans."

Optimus released Airi and stood over her.

"Dreadwing will give us all the information we need and together, we will destroy Megatron's red fields. We'll find his warship and eliminate all plans and schematics for his arsenal. And if by chance he does manage to complete his new red energon weapons, we will not be caught off guard. We will turn the tables on him as we have many times in the past. The Autobots will not fall and neither will Earth or the humans. I will not allow it."

Optimus knelt in front of Airi and lifted her helm by the chin. His optics were much softer now, more fatherly.

"But we need your help, Airi. You are our greatest ally in this fight. We need you to believe that this can be done. Please, do not give up hope. Do not let the Decepticons rob you of that once again."

Airi took shivering breaths. But she closed her optics and took several to calm herself down. She stood up, still with her head down, and embraced Optimus. Optimus held her back, knowing she needed to be comforted. She trembled in his arms, frightened more than she had ever been.

"Optimus...The humans, we can't lose them."

"We won't, Airi. I promise."

"When Sierra died...Starscream lost all hope. With each human death, we lost our will to fight. That can't happen here. We can't let them get hurt. We have to protect them."

"We will."

"They can't leave this base. It's the only way they'll be safe."

"I will contact Agent Fowler and he will arrange everything with the children's school and June Darby's work. They will be protected within our wall until this matter is settled."

"Please, Optimus. I can't lose them again. I can't lose Jack again."

"We will protect them. I will protect them. I care for them as much as you do and...I could not bear losing them either."

Airi held Optimus a little tighter and remained so for a while. She released him, a bit calmer, but still afraid.

"Airachnid."

"Yes, Optimus."

"I believe it is time for them to know the truth."

Airi took a deep breath, working up the strength to do what she had been dreading.

"I'm not ready for this."

Optimus placed his servo on her shoulder.

"You will not be alone, my friend."

Airi held his servo and found the strength to do what needed to be done. She was going to need that strength very shortly.

---

Optimus came back to the main hall with Airi close behind him. The whole group was waiting for them, terribly worried, especially the humans.

"Airi."

Airi looked down down and saw Sierra at her pede, almost frightened.

"Sierra?"

"Jack called and said something was wrong so I got bridged here. What's going on?"

Sierra, Starscream's old partner, the one she swore to protect on his behalf. She couldn't let her die a second time, especially with no Starscream to reunite with. She knelt down and picked Sierra up, holding her to her chassis. For a moment, she lost herself as she gently stroked Sierra's hair, needed the comfort of her partner. No one said anything, hoping this was a sign of her being alright.

Airi walked towards the console as everyone made a path for her. She stopped in front of a metal crate and took a seat on it. She allowed Sierra to sit in her lap, still holding her close.

"Airi?" Sierra asked as she looked up.

"May I keep you close, Sierra? I'm sorry, I just...I need you by my side right now."

"We're all here, Airi." She heard Miko's voice above her.

When she looked up she saw her other children standing over her at the rails, smiling to make her feel better.

"And we're not goin' anywhere." Miko added.

It worked enough that she smiled back. They all were her strength, what was most important to her.

"Of course not, Miko." She replied.

She turned back and looked straight ahead at nothing really while everyone, even Dreadwing, gave her their attention.

"I can't thank you all enough for everything you've done for me, for welcoming me as one of your own."

"Airi, what's this all about?" Bumblebee asked.

She took a brief moment to gather her strength.

"I'm sorry...But I haven't been completely honest with all of you."

The team looked on, unsure of what to make of that.

"There's something...many things I haven't told you about my world."

"Things like what?" Arcee asked.

There was certainly an uneasy caution among team Prime, but not of distrust. Airi had already proven to be trusted. But if she had been keeping secrets from them, even the humans, then it must've been bad.

"I'm going to tell you everything, everything that happened in my world."

She finally looked at all of them, with a scared and very serious look on her face.

"And why I can never go back."

---

I know during my last upload of Old Nightmare, I said I would be on top my stories since I had some vacation time. But not long after I went back to work, I had to take some time off to deal with a personal tragedy. I didn't have it in me to write for a while after that. So, I'm sorry that I didn't get this story out as I promised until now. I'm still dealing with it, but getting back into writing helps a great deal. Thanks for sticking around if you have.
Well, we've come to this point in A Shard of Glass, but first things first, the date. How do you guys feel about Jack and Airi's day together? Did it feel forced, did it feel real? I had some trouble since I wrote a moment with them already in one of Airi's flashbacks and I didn't want to feel like I was retreading ground. But I do feel like Jack and Airi are on a deeper level than before in their relationship. Jack now feels like he can go to Airi with his feelings about Sierra. Basically, Airi is on the same level to Jack as Arcee is, but now we kind of see how Arcee is feeling a little insecure about that. If she finds out that Jack didn't go to her, things might get a little complicated. Arcee probably seems out of character, but I like to think that Jack brings out that certain side of her she doesn't know exists.
Dreadwing finally came around and I hope it made sense why he wasn't all in when he first approached Optimus. More than anything, he wanted answers about Airi. Thankfully, he knows the truth and now he's a full fledged Autobot. I know him begging for forgiveness seems strange as well, but he felt wrong about what happened even before he knew about Airi. Knowing that it happened to the wrong femme pushes it into full on guilt and now he seeks to redeem himself. I know it seems like he's transitioning smoothly into Team Prime, but in the next few chapters, he won't just fit right in as you'll see.
But the thing is now Airi knows what Megatron is up to and she's terrified about what happens next. Poor Airi just can't catch a break. Optimus isn't going to let it happen in his world but now Airi's got to fess up to the others and it doesn't seem like it's going to be easy for her. Next chapter is going to be some serious feels.
Next chapter will explore Airi's past and her world, but it won't be told from just her perspective. Even though she's currently telling the others of her dimension, the next chapter will be seen from several points of view of the Shattered Glass Autobots and humans. A lot of questions will be answered.
Well, thanks for being patient and I'm trying to be more frequent. But I promise I will finish what I have. So, if you'll join me for the ride, let's ride the wave all the way to the end. Thanks for your support, guys. I'll be around, don't worry. Later.