A/N: Alright. Here is the next chapter. Be prepared for some crack, cause you know.. With the twins, there's always gonna be humor. Especially when it comes to Sideswipe.
I know, this story has been just sometimes wayyy too serious. So... Of course, the Autobots are gonna have a few things to say about their impromptu situation that they have been thrown in.
And with that said, I am gonna go back to my little hidey hole and contemplate some more :P
Panic was growing in the Ancients. Now they hadn't been so concerned with telling others to believe them as they were worried about finding the others. Vector Prime had rebounded and was standing on the deck of the ship, staring as Cybertron grew larger in the window. He was pleased to be seeing Primus again, but he looked vastly different.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker meandered up next to the guardian, watching the window. Sideswipe suddenly made a sound as if he was going to speak, but was nudged by his brother. Well this only fueled the red twin as he grinned and then his face became serious, "Are we there yet?" he asked nonchalantly.
Vector Prime glanced at the twin wondering inwardly why he was even asking, "No."
Sideswipe waited a minute and then spoke again, still staring out the window right at the planet of Cybertron, "Are we there yet?"
"No," Sunstreaker replied this time, annoyed.
"Are we there yet?" Again the same serious tone. Sunstreaker glared at his brother, "… NO!" Sideswipe seemed to deflate, backing from the yellow warrior. Inwardly he grinned, "Are we-"
"Yes! Yes, Sides, we're there! Are you happy now?" Sunstreaker growled as he threw his arms in the air, frustrated about his hopeless brother.
Sideswipe glanced at Sunstreaker, and then to the window and his optic ridges furrowed with skepticism, he then looked back to his brother. Mocked shock crossed his features as he suddenly pointed at Sunstreaker accusingly, "LIAR!" He cried and ran from the bridge.
Sunstreaker gave a sound like an indignant sigh before looking to Vector Prime, who looked back to him, "At least it's never dull,"
"You could say that again," Sunstreaker groaned.
"Landfall in 2 hours," the computer said, alerting everyone as to how close it really was. The other mechs were all looking up at the window. To their lack of surprise, it all looked the same, as if Death still wandered it's form. It wouldn't be long but in his mind, even though he had lived for an unknown amount of time, these few hours were ticking away slowly. He settled his stance and stared.
-
Two hours rolled by and the Ark was slowing down as it came to approach in Iacon. The entire crew now stood on the bridge as the ship came in for a landing. There were a few Autobots on the pad waiting for them and had been given instructions to tie the ship down. As the ship landed, they all did as instructed, holding the ship still as it floated and proceeded to open the compartments on the sides and tie it down.
Optimus looked to everyone on the bridge, "This is it," he said almost solemnly as he turned and headed for the main door. Ultra Magnus was waiting outside the ship for him and he heard the hiss as the ship released its lock and the door came open. The group cheered as the Autobot Commander made his way out of the ship, followed by Starscream who was getting looks. Along with him came the other two Seekers and more Autobots, Sam and Mikaela were holding onto Bumblebee as he came out. Soundwave came out with Barricade and the twins and Vector Prime was the last. All of the Ancients stood back in a line from the rest, watching the scrutinizing glares they were getting.
"What is this?" Ultra Magnus saw the odd green optics of the ones in the line behind Optimus and tilted his head slightly before nodding towards them.
Optimus' head turned to see what he was referring to, "It's a very long story, Magnus. Have you set up the meeting I asked for?" Optimus asked.
"Yes, sir, right this way. However I am skeptical about allowing these Decepticons in,"
"You will not question these Decepticons, Magnus. They are defected. Starscream is a pure Autobot." This got the Commander strange looks, "Follow me, then Sir," Ultra Magnus waved a hand, all of them following. Still the Ancients were getting dubious glares, but they pointedly ignored them.
Moments later, Optimus and the others found themselves in a very, very large and highly decorated room with a very long table. Along the table were seats that other Autobots quickly took place at. Optimus himself moved to the head of the large table as his group of Autobots and ex-Decepticons took their seats down towards his end.
Sam and Mikaela sat on the cold surface at the end where they knew who was who. The Autobots who had never seen the humans were staring at them, making the two becoming uncomfortable. Sam wanted to make himself smaller, as did Mikaela. Finally the two scrambled to the edge of the table and looked to the closest mech to relieve them of prying eyes. Soundwave put his hand out and they clambered onto it.
The Ancients stood behind Optimus in the same line they had taken near the starship. Everyone looked to the Autobot leader to start. He looked down the line, and then nodded. Everyone of importance seemed to be here. He knew sparks were going to fly once he started explaining the strange events from earth to them.
"Alright, before I start, I know you all are wondering about what happened and why we have returned?" There was another group of nods. And this is where the story started. Optimus told about the Allspark battle on Earth, told how the Allspark was destroyed along with Megatron. This made Starscream shift uneasily behind him. Sam did the same in the palm of Soundwave.
"So the Allspark is gone?" Ultra Magnus asked in shock, his glare turning accusingly to the human.
"Yes, I am afraid so."
"Without the Allspark, there is no hope left for Cybertron – for our existence, Prime! Our species is doomed!"
Sam stood up from his spot in Soundwave's hand, "Listen, all of you!" He suddenly yelled, catching their attention and glares, "I made a choice! During that fight, Bumblebee had been severely damaged. Hell, Jazz was killed! I wasn't about to kill Optimus when he said to use the cube against him! I used it against Megatron instead!" The group from Cybertron glared at Sam, "How dare you interrupt this meeting you little – whatever you are!" Jetfire growled, standing to challenge the man.
"I'm a human, damn you, get it right you giant walking tin can!" Sam squeaked when Jetfire moved from his position and started for him. He was lucky to have been in Soundwave's hand. Soundwave merely glanced at Jetfire with his expressionless visor, Starscream growled and Optimus glared, "Stand down Jetfire, NOW!" Jetfire stopped his approach on the human, "None of you are to harm these humans!" Optimus hit his hand hard against the table, causing the group to startle, "If it wasn't for Sam and Mikaela's bravery, Megatron may well very well had gotten the Allspark," Jetfire meekly made his way back to his seat, yet he was still seething that some organic was speaking to them like that.
"Now. The events that occurred after the battle of mission city is what set everything in motion." He waved Starscream to his side, "As you all well know, Starscream was Megatron's Air Commander and Second in Command. He had escaped the battle of Mission City but was shot down. A few years later, he was found, but he lost his ability to fly. He had died from that experience."
"Optimus, he's standing right there." Blaster pointed out.
"You are correct. 10 Earth years later, he was reborn as my sparkling." The room suddenly burst to life, "Impossible, Optimus! There's no way that a spark can be reborn!" Ultra Magnus stood up. Along with him Ratchet and Ironhide stood, "Magnus, it is true, I held him when I and Ironhide first found him," Ratchet looked to the City Commander. Ironhide nodded, "What Ratchet says is the truth. Believe it or not, Starscream was re-sparked."
"Just how did you even create a spark, Optimus?"
"It was complicated, using the Matrix and a shard from the Allspark that had been left over after Megatron's destruction,"
"Is that why his optics are green like those other ones?" Bluestreak suddenly asked, perking, "I mean, it sure is strange seeing green optics all the time. No one has ever seen green optics before! It's-"
Optimus put his hand up, halting the wild talker, "We will get to that, Blue," Optimus said gently, "But you all are wondering about Skywarp, Thundercracker, Barricade and Soundwave and his symbiots… Barricade managed to get them to the planet without the planets defense system shutting them down. They came on the decision that there would be no fighting. They asked to be a part of us and I did not deny them. Skywarp and Thundercracker helped greatly in the raising of Starscream." The entire room was in shock at that. Barricade kept her head down, not looking to anyone. She began to feel nervous. A shudder from her made Sunstreaker glance at her with a hiked optic ridge, her optics went to him and she shook her head ever so slightly at him and said nothing.
Optimus watched all of the Autobots faces curiously, hoping that they understood all of this. When he noticed they had, he looked to Vector Prime and Starscream. It was now time for them to explain up to date. Both mechs stepped forward, Starscream was uneasy about it, but they all knew the Autobots had to know. Ratchet and Wheeljack stood up with the two to help confirm what was about to be told.
"As you all know, me, the ones behind me and Vector Prime have green optics. This occurrence happened when Ratchet, with my permission, ran a memory extraction to find out my past. Needless to say, they found more than they bargained for, because within my memory was what is called a Silent Memory. These silent memories hide secrets beyond your wildest imaginations.
"There is a history that none of you are aware of. A history that will be rewritten once again. The Allspark was not found by thirteen construction workers like you all have heard. The thirteen you know about were part of a great war. A war that decided all of your fates today. I am one of these thirteen-"
"What?! What are you talking about Starscream?" Hot Rod asked suddenly, cutting the Seeker off. His voice wasn't the only one heard.
"What history?" Bluestreak asked, ever curious.
"This is insane!" Silverbolt bolted up from his seat, "You can't possibly expect us to believe all of this slag!"
"All of you calm down," Optimus stood, putting his hand up, "listen to what he has to say," he sat back down and nodded to Starscream, who nodded back and addressed the rest, "As I was saying, I am one of the original thirteen Primes created by Primus himsel-"
"You need your processor checked! Primus?! What is wrong with you?" Silverbolt interjected again, "Primus is a myth, same as the thirteen, Starscream! I do not know what kind of slag you are trying to feed us, but try it on someone else!"
Starscream nodded and looked down slightly, "Uh huh," he then looked at Silverbolt, pointing to Vector Prime, "does he look like a Myth to you?"
Silverbolt snorted, "Just because he looks different doesn't make him some ancient myth."
"Silverbolt, one more outburst like that and I will hold you in contempt of this meeting!" Optimus all but yelled. The leader of the Aerialbots sat back down, mumbling to himself.
Starscream huffed, "Each of the original thirteen were given a duty, like Vector Prime here," he pointed to the guardian who nodded, taking the initiative to speak.
"The Ancient mechs you see here, including me and behind me are all here to help protect against what is coming. Each one has a specific job or ability which will help in the upcoming war. I am the Guardian of Space and Time. Behind me, Soundwave is the Guardian of Rarified Energon. The Twins are the first twins sparked by Primus." He looked to them who smirked and then looked back to the group, "We still don't know why they are here. Their ability is quantum entanglement.
"Barricade was called 'The Last Autobot'. As to why, I am not sure. He has the very essence of Primus running through his systems. Starscream has the ability to remotely view and the ability to use telekinesis to a limit."
By now, others were starting to doubt and started to get up ready to leave, "All of you sit!" Optimus demanded in a deep tone, causing the afts to sit back down immediately, "You must all hear and believe what you are being told! It is the fate of Cybertron and the universe here! There is no room for doubt!"
Vector Prime watched all of their expressions. He could tell this wouldn't go over well, "There are a few missing mechs that we have yet to have found, High CircuitMaster Boltax, The Keeper of Primus himself - who I believe had been given no name to hide his identity, Alpha Trion, The Liege Maximo, Maccadam and Prima."
"You only named twelve," Bluestreak pointed out. Vector Prime allowed himself a small smirk. It meant they were paying attention, "You are correct," he nodded.
Starscream continued, "What I have to tell you will sound crazy but... Megatron is the 13th. He is known as The Fallen. He was in league with Unicron and turned on us, nearly costing Prima his life,"
"Who's Unicron?" Ultra Magnus now asked.
"Unicron is known as The Chaos Bringer or Eater of Worlds. He is the entropy of Darkness, the opposite of Primus, and they are coming for Cybertron."
"So you want us to believe that this 'Eater of Worlds' is coming with Megatron who is supposed to be dead and these Ancient guys are going to fight him?" Starscream nodded. Warpath threw up his hands, "This sounds like a big fairytale!"
"Was it too much to ask for dead mechs to just stay dead?" Hot Rod suddenly grumbled.
"Apparently so," Starscream replied.
Optimus shook his head, "As crazy as all of this probably sounds, it is very real and very true."
"Since Soundwave's reawakening, he is able to find the other missing Ancients, given they are alive and amongst us right here." Starscream suddenly said, "It would be advisable that everyone gets one of these extractions so that we can find who we are looking for. We are not looking for Maccadam or The Fallen. But the rest are questionable, if they are not inside Primus,"
"What of Megatron, though? I thought he was killed?"
"He was. But he has been resurrected."
"How? The only one that we know of who can do anything of the sort is Soundwave." Magnus pointed out. Soundwave looked up, "It wasn't me, I assure you,"
"Unicron works in mysterious ways," Starscream let out a burst of warm air, "We can only assume he did it,"
"So you want us to undergo a memory extraction through Soundwave!? Have you fried your CPU?" yelled Warpath, "His telepathy can kill others, and you really expect us to believe that he will do this without killing us?"
"He didn't kill me," Barricade stepped forth, "I went through an extraction on the way here." Optimus put his hand up with the others were about to protest, "He will not kill anyone."
"And what do we do in the mean time? Just sit back and wait for this really big mech to show up?"
"Have the memory extractions done and continue to protect Cybertron." Optimus said and Starscream stepped forward, "Also be on the lookout for Megatron," Well that turned heads. He knew it would come, and he had to say something, "He will most likely be arriving first. Be prepared for anything."
"Forgive us if some of us find your story too farfetched to believe it, Optimus, but what you all have said here just now is… ludacris," Ultra Magnus stood, looking to the Autobot leader. Optimus nodded but Starscream spoke up, "When Unicron or Megatron arrives, you'll have no choice but to believe what we have told you. So either let it sink in, or prepare for a very big surprise. War doesn't favor those who are lucky; it favors those who are prepared,"
"Do you have any actual proof of what you're saying?" The dubious glare and question came from Ultra Magnus, his voice was clear it was a challenge to the Prime.
"Surely you wouldn't doubt Optimus' words. He has never steered us wrong or lied to us before, Magnus," This time it was Prowl. As much as he didn't care to believe about the thirteen, he would stick up for his leader.
"What is being said is inconceivable." Silverbolt stood with Ultra Magnus, "Perhaps being on that planet you call Earth messed with your processors,"
"Would you idiots try thinking outside the box for once?" Sunstreaker suddenly growled from behind Optimus. His outburst got his brother humming to himself a for a moment. Then suddenly Sideswipe put up a finger, "You know, Sunny, that sound really profound. But that begs the question; what's inside of the box when you're in there?"
A long awkward silence filled the room as everyone was now staring at the red twin. He shrugged and gawked back, "What?"
"I see you're playing the stupid game again, Sideswipe," Rumble sneered as he peeked his head from his compartment, "and it l-l-looks l-l-like you're win-n-nning t-t-too!" Frenzy followed suit with a snicker.
A loud clank filled the room. Ironhide put his hand to his forehead and shook it, "Permission to shoot Sideswipe?"
Optimus held back a smirk, "Permission denied,"
Sunstreaker facepalmed with a loud burst of air from his vents. Sometimes he just couldn't believe the crap that came out of his brother's vocal processors, "You must have taken great pains, bro; you could not have been naturally sparked so stupid."
"The only real proof we have is the optic change and Vector's ability to use his sword to cut a hole in time and space." Bumblebee shrugged after the long pause in the room. He remembered that part well.
All optics went to Vector Prime and his face twisted into a slight grimace, "If you must all see," he said and backed up, unsheathed his sword and held it out in front of himself. He them spoke in some tongue that no one but Starscream understood and brought the sword up and sliced it downwards. The weapon glowed a bright white as it passed through the air. When he was done with the swing, he waved towards the gaping black hole that was left in its wake, "Any questions?"
"That could be some sort of illusion!" Skydive suddenly said. And perhaps it was the wrong thing to say, because Starscream sudden went to him and grabbed him and picked him up by his wings and walked to the hole and threw him into it, "Any doubts now?" he glared to everyone who were all shocked at the display.
"Starscream," Vector Prime turned to the Seeker with a glare, "did it ever occur to you as to where I opened a portal to?"
The Seeker shrank back sheepishly, "Um… It shut him up didn't it?"
The Keeper of Time and Space pinched the bridge of his nose as the gate closed, "Perhaps you should stop to think before you throw people into random portals."
And just as he said that, Skydive walked back into the room, disregarding everyone he lunged at Starscream, ready to pound him to a pulp for that stunt. The other Aerialbots were also getting up, ready to join in the fray. Optimus reached out for Silverbolt, but missed as the Aerialbot landed on Starscream and both toppled to the floor, "How dare you do that to one of our wing mates!" the Aerialbot hissed as he threw a hard fist into Starscream's chest plate. Starscream screamed as Silverbolt then clipped him in the leg. The cry got both of the other Seekers in on the fight.
The twins, enraged at someone attacking one of other own, leapt onto Skydive to pull him off, only to get Fireflight on top of them. They turned violently under the other Aerialbots and Sunstreaker grabbed onto Silverbolt and Sideswipe grabbed for Fireflight, pushing the two bots off of them enough to get a footing as they stalked towards them. Vector Prime grabbed at Slingshot who went to go after the brothers, grabbing his wing and flinging him over the table almost effortlessly, causing a gasp to go around the table. The Aerialbot slid down the table with a loud metal against metal squeal.
Air Raid headed for Vector Prime but stopped abruptly when a sword was threatening looming inches from his face. Getting an up close and personal view of how sharp the blade really was, "Back off Autobot," Vector Prime growled, flicking the blade towards Air Raid's nose plates.
The brawl was turning vicious quickly as metal against meal pounded and screeched as blows were being exchanged. Starscream shrieked as one of the Aerialbots got a hand on his wing and yanked.
The rest of the Autobots watched in horror at the display. Optimus became increasingly angry, "Cease and desist immediately!" he boomed, "All of you!" The fight continued.
"I don't think they're listening, Optimus," Bumblebee said softly. Optimus turned to the scout, "Take the humans out of here and get them to safety." Optimus pointed to the humans who were now being held up high to keep them from the fray.
Suddenly Skydive was thrown through the air by a powerful set of legs, hitting the wall behind him with such force, the wall bent inwards. Starscream made it to his feet and glared at the Aerialbot as a snarl emanated from him, "You're a fool," he hissed. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker held onto Silverbolt and Fireflight, pressing them against the wall with their own weight, their gleaming green optics flaring threateningly.
"This has gone on far enough!" Optimus chided. He walked to Silverbolt and grabbed him by the top of his chest plate and pulled his face to his, "Get a handle on your team, Silverbolt before they end up killed!" Silverbolt's optics went to each of his team mates. Each one was being held at bay except Slingshot who was now sitting cross legged on the table.
"Make your Ancients stand down, Optimus," Silverbolt sneered as he glared right back at the leader.
"I do not believe the Ancients started the fight,"
"Starscream threw Skydive into that portal! Primus only knows where it lead to!" the Combiner leader crowed.
Optimus pushed Silverbolt backward and into the wall, "I am not held responsible for the Ancients," he turned.
"Someone should be," Silverbolt pushed himself off the wall with what dignity he had left and began dusting himself off, "lest they end up dead,"
Starscream glared at Silverbolt and then snickered, "Ha! As if!" and turned to the other two Seekers, nodding for them to back off. Silverbolt only glanced at his team mates and they lowered their own weapons and hands. Starscream nodded to the others who had the Aerialbots and the Ancients let them go, backing up from them.
"Now that this meeting has been utterly ruined," Optimus glared at both Skydive and Starscream, "it is officially over. I am getting a headache from all of this." He put his hands to his face, "dismissed," he said gently and walked out. The rest of the Autobots got up, intent on leaving while Starscream turned to Soundwave, "We need to speak to the Decepticons,"
"The Autobots hardly even believe us, Starscream, what makes you think the Decepticons will? If anything, they'll shoot you!" Sideswipe growled.
"Thundercracker, Skywarp and Soundwave, we will go and speak to the Decepticons about this," he let out a loud burst of air, "we will deal with them if they become violent."
"Shockwave will be our biggest problem," Skywarp mentioned as he made his way to the door.
Vector Prime watched them go and turned to the twins and Barricade, "We need to find Maccadam and Boltax, given Boltax has not been reborn. Let's go,"
Barricade perked and rushed from her spot, going to the door and out as soon as she could. Sunstreaker stared after her, confused at her actions. He shook his head as his brother walked up beside him.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe both put their hands up at the mention of Maccadam, "Haha! We will help you find Boltax, but you and Barricade can go find Maccadam all you want. We rather stay here, thank you,"
Next Chapter: "Well then, I guess we could all start shooting each other. Then there's Energon, death, hard feelings, nothing accomplished... trust me, it'd suck."