Partners

Beginning of Summer. June 21

Summer is one of the greatest times for kids all across the country. The best being no more school for 3 months. And for some, it was the end, but just the beginning. For the Autobot kids, it meant spending more time with the friends and there guardians and introducing them the three favorite pastimes. Miko talked about bring Bulkhead, Jazz and Ironhide to a rock concert Raf was planning to teach Bumblebee and Ratchet and maybe even Optimus a few things about humans, and Jack is trying really hard to find something to with Arcee. I suggest that he take her to see a movie. Now the bots can put they're holoforms to good use.

With me on the other hand it is just me hanging out with G-Force.

But as I learned from G-Force. It seems Airachnid has been actively going on missions at night with Optimus, These missions were small little energon mines that the Decepticons over looked, or something like that. Arcee is still skeptical about Airachnid being here at base, let alone being online. I feel like every time they're in the same room or even look at each other, only one of them is gonna walk away.

The Nemesis

After the few unsuccessful extraction of the Energon Mines during the night, Starscream had been less than ok with the result of the missions. Word around the ship spread like wildfire about Airachnid working with the Autobots.

"That Primus forsaken Arachnicon I knew she was a piece a scrap the moment she entered our ranks, Oh, I can't wait to see her helm on a spike." Starscream thought to himself. Starscream entered the Bridge were he saw his sister Slipstream

"Is This True?" Megatron said with a raised voice.

"My idiotic brother never told you?" Slipstream replied with her hands on her hips

"If he's up to his old tricks, I shall grind him into powder" Megatron replied as he made a fist.

"Ahem" Starscream coughed as he gained Megatron's attention. Megatron turned around and narrowed his eyes at him "Starscream…"

Starscream approached to two. "Lord Megatron, please excuse my Sisters impertinence." He said as he gave a Slipstream an irritated look. "Now, what was it that I 'allegedly' failed to mention?" he smiled shyly.

"The Harbinger" Megatron replied without a second to spare. This shocked Starscream. "Uh…What about it?" he questioned.

"Many Mega-cycles ago, a Decepticon Transport crashed landed on this plant" Slipstream said as she brought up the ship onscreen.

"Oh Please, common knowledge, I scouted the crash site when we first arrived on earth."

"The I presume that you recovered the experimental weapon prototype the Harbinger was transporting?"

"Uh…?"

"Where is the crash site?" Megatron demand

"It was never logged into your ship's data base." She replied. Megatron turned to Starscream

"You failed to record the coordinates, of a Decepticon TRANSPORT!?" Megatron shouted at Starscream.

"A, oversight Master. But I noted its exact location"

"Then you can lead Slipstream there, so that she will retrieve the prototype for me"

"My personal native guide, how…Delightful" she said with venom in her voice.

Autobot Base

Arcee had went to Cliffjumpers burial to clear her mind and speak her spark out. His burial located at the top of the base that looked over thee dessert landscape, with the Sun setting over the horizon.

"Hey Partner, heck of a view you got here. If there is even a small chance your spark is out there listening. Well… we could really use you Cliff. Seems like every day another Decepticon arrives on the scene. Were outnumbered and outgunned… Yeah I know what you say, sounds like a fair fight." Her smiled faded and was replaced grief, as she baled her hands into fists. "IF that the world we live in… So be it… I just want you to know, I haven't given up. Im gonna find the Con that took you from us."

At the Location

Starscream and Slipstream and manage to find their way into the in the hallways of the Harbinger underground the Earth's surface."… Suit yourself I conducted a thorough search of this husk years ago" Starscream said before he noticed Slipstream run over to a console and activate it "What are you doing?"

"Accessing the cargo manifest, or did you forget to do that during your 'thorough search'."

"Idiot. The ships system haven't been active for eons. The Autobots could detect its energy signature"

"Ah… here it is. Section 23. Let's move."

As the walk towards the area they heard sound of and engine coming towards them they activated their blasters and found a bike speeding towards them.
"Is that Arcee?" Starscream said.

The Bike transformed and landed a few feet away from the siblings. They could not believe there optics

"What is she doing here?

Autobot Base

Arcee had returned from the roof and walked back down towards the main hub were Ratchet was at the console. But then she notice Airachnid talking to Optimus Prime. It made her energon boil whenever that con was still around. She was about to say something when Ratchet spoke.

"Optimus, our scanners have detected a Decepticon energy profile, but it's… ancient.

"The past has a way with catching up to the present Ratchet."

"Probably Megatron looking for something or Starscream up to his old tricks again." Airachnid spoke. "Ether way I know what they're after is something very powerful"

Just then G-Force arrived. "Sorry Im late I had to drop Justin at work. Did I miss anything?

"Ratchet prepare the groundbridge, ill awake the rest of the Autobots." Optimus left Ratchet punched in the location."

Once Optimus gathered the rest of the Autobots he looked towards Airachnid.

"Airachnid you have shown me time and time again that you no longer wish to be part of the Decepticons, I ask, if you will accompy us on this mission.

"I'd be honored" she replied nonchalant

G-Force looked to the two femmes. "And you two. Try to avoid killing each other" He smiled as he walked away. Arcee and Airachnid looked at each other before quickly looking away "Hmph" they both growled.

The Autobots had been bridge to location and soon noticed big hole in the ground. One by one they jumped down and wandered the halls.

As they made their way through the halls. They spotted Starscream and Slipstream and the spotted a femme who bore a striking resemblance to Arcee. She had a black metallic paint job all over body, and as were Arcee had pink, it was replaced by fire orange. She had orange lips too, besides all that her most notable feature was the fire paint all over her body. Her chest, legs, arms and fins were in the fire. Her optics were orange as she turned to the group with a sadistic smile.

Starscream and Slipstream ran while the femme stood her ground,

"Flamewar?" Arcee whispered out in fear.

"Oh Arcee, it's been a loooong time since we see last seen each other"

"No… This is IMPOSSIBLE, you should be offline, I watched you burned" Arcee said taking a step back.

"Flamewar surrender now" Optimus said. "But Flamewar chuckled at his response.

"There is only one bot leaving this place alive and that bot, IS ME." She looked down as she activated her flamethrowers. "THIS PLACE WILL BE YOUR TOMB." She yelled out as her mouth morphed into a jack-o-lantern smile as she shot fire from her mouth and flamethrowers. The Autobot quickly ducked behind cover.

One the Flames stopped. Flamewar transformed into her bike and race passed the Autobots towards the exit. Arcee quickly follow.

"ARCEE, STOP" Prime called out but his command fell empty upon her audios.

Once back on the surface Arcee scanned the surrounding area for Flamewar, but there was no sign of her. Then out of nowhere a bike drove off a rock like a ramp and transformed back into Flamewar as she cocked back fist, and let out a war cry.

Arcee quickly dodge the hit, as she swiftly went into her fighting stance.

"I missed killing Autobots. But I also missed seeing you Arcee. My voluptuous blue turbo vixen." She cooed.

Arcee shuddered at Flamewar's, she quickly shrugged it off and charged at her. Arcee tried to strike but Flamewar was quicker and locked her left arm around her neck and caught her right hand.

"Arcee, Im disappointed I thought you be much tougher than that." Arcee struggled to get out but nothing worked.

"And I hear you lost yet another partner"

Arcee froze in place "How do yo-"

"It is amazing what you hear on the Nemesis nowadays. The fact that you have a third partner, even after you lost 2. And the fact the Airachnid is working with you even after she killed Tailgate in front of you. Wow, you are really… PATHETIC!" Flamewar screamed as she slammed Arcee into the ground. With her holding down Arcee with both hands.

"FACE THE FACTS ARCEE. Im stronger, faster, and smarter than you. And once I find your third partner-." She leaned down to the side of Arcee head. "Im gonna make him beg for mercy and kill him right and front of you." She whispered. She slowly licked the side of her face in a seductive manner. "And then you will be mine forever. I Promise you Arcee, everything you know and love, will burn to ashes." She laughed manically

Flamewar transformed in a Ducati just like Arcee. And drove away.

Arcee slowly got up and looked in the direction she traveled she was think about chasing after, but the rest of the bots showed up.

"Arcee you know better than to engage the enemy alone" Prime said

"Im sorry Optimus" She replied softly.

"Move it" Bulkhead said pushing Starscream.

"No need to use force" Starscream said before he was shoved to his knees.

"We lost Slipstream she most of found other way out, we found a Driller at the other side of the ship." Velocity said.

"So Optimus what should we do about Ol'Scremer here?" Ironhide said?

"I say we beat him till we get some information." Jazz said

"NO, No, I'll tell you whatever you want" Starscream replied. Earning a laugh from Bulkhead. "Is that right, and what do you want in return?

"I want to be, on your side"

"On our side" Bulkhead laughed at Starscream statement "Yeah right and I been lobbing with the fallen."

"You would never betray the Decepticons." Airachnid said.

"Oh your one to talk about betrayal Airachnid, you low life traitor" he replied Airachnid threw a fake strike at Starscream with her spider legs. Starscream filched at it,

"That's what I though" she said as she walked away.

"Still you would never betray them" Arcee said

"Wouldn't I? What have they done for me lately except humiliate me, spy on me demote me. Megatron tried to extinguish my spark in cold blood, then all but replace me with own sister. She cuffed me and abandoned me, left me for scrap… so why not rat them out."

Sometime Later

The Autobots followed Starscream's instructions to the dessert. The Autobots had to get Optimus's Trailer in order to transport Starscream, to keep a watch on him. Unfortunately Airachnid didn't have a vehicle mode yet and had to wait back at base until they were at the designation. She would need to talk to Optimus about not having a vehicle mode. Once every one was accounted for Starscream was pulled out of the trailer.

Arcee, Velocity, and Airachnid watched over Starscream while ever one else went after Slipstream and possibly Flamewar. The sky was getting darker. "Is thee clamp really necessary? I promise not to fly away. It really giving me a crick." Starscream complained.

"We can shove you back in the trailer." Arcee said as Velocity and Airachnid walked to her side.

"Aww…" he whined "… Im not really so bad you know, Megatron… he's the evil one"

"Tell it to someone who cares" Velocity replied. Airachnid walked away and so did Velocity leaving Arcee and Starscream alone.

"Like whom my sister or Airachnid. Oh what I wouldn't do to get my hands on her wretched throat." Starscream watched as Airachnid walked away continuing to scout the area.

"So we can agree on one thing" Arcee said.

"Oh you have no idea, when she was on the Nemesis she always acted like she'd ran the place." Arcee gave a small smirk at Starscream. "She whispered lies into Megatron's ear, trying to remove me of my rightful place."

"Well she terminated my partner" Arcee said looking at Airachnid.

"WHAT, she taking credit for scrapping him now too. That was MY doing"

"What?!"

Starscream realized his mistake.

"You weren't there."

"Of course I wasn't, I don't know what I was think."

"Who are taking about?" Arcee walked up and pointed at Starscream

"Uh, no one who are you taking about?"

"Tailgate!" Arcee narrowed her eyes

"Uh… who's Tailgate"

Arcee stared in horror before she finally put the pieces together as the sky gave out a thunder roar.

"You were the one… You extinguished Cliffjumper." The rain started to fall from the sky

"Cliffjumper!?" Starscream shouted. Arcee enraged by the truth she active her arm blades and was about to strike.

"NO, nonono you misunderstand, it wasn't like you think, the trooper mortally wounded him. I was trying to help Cliffjumper, put him out of his misery. He begged me to!" Arcee let out a war cry and kneed Starscream dead center in the face, and sent him flying a few feet. Arcee walked over to Starscream.

"OK, OK, IT WAS A MISTAKE, I've made many. BUT I CHANGED. You won't terminate a defenseless prisoner, would you?"

Arcee baked away keep her eyes on Starscream, she tossed something to the ground in front of him

"What, what is that?" he asked.

"The keys to your cuffs." Arcee anger was beginning to rise as she keep focused on Starscream

"WHAT FOR?"

"Cliff would have given you a fighting chance."

"No please I don't want to. Was past is past. Im one of you now" Arcee activated her blasters and pointed them right at Starscream.

Velocity and Airachnid hear Starscream cry from their location and saw Arcee with her blaster pointed at his head.

"TAKE IT" Arcee shouted. Starscream slowly took it but if ell out of his hands.

"You're Pathetic" Arcee whispered as she bended down to pick up the key.

Starscream chuckled as his talons at Arcee slashing the right side of her abdomen. Arcee stepped back in shock and in pain as she clutched the already bleed wound. She fell to the ground. As Starscream uncuffed himself

"Something wrong Arcee? I thought you wanted to fight" He said towering over her

"ARCEE" Velocity screamed as she rushed into help her friend. Starscream looked to his right to see Velocity running at him with her blades out. He looked to his left and saw Airachnid in her spider form rushing at him. Airachnid shot her webs at Starscream but she missed and hit Velocity. Airachnid was grabbed by the throat and thrown into Velocity.

Arcee tackled Starscream to the ground but was quickly thrown off. Soon both were taking swings at each other with Arcee clutching her wound with her left and blocking with her right.

She managed to kick Starscream in the face, making him stagger back a little. They began to circle one another "You're tougher to scrap than your former partner. At least the one I scraped. Was Tailgate weak like Cliffjumper? He mocked. Arcee's anger started to rise

"Just… keep talking Starscream" she replied as she tried to strike again

Arcee tried to get a hit but it only took one miss that Starscream knocked her down to the ground. He kneed her in the face, elbowed in the back and kicked her down a hill. Velocity tried to attack but was also thrown down the hill and knocked into Arcee. That is when Airachnid showed up. Starscream turned to her

"Airachnid, I am giving you one last chance, If you kill these pathetic Autobots right here and now, then I will talk to Megatron about allowing you back into our ranks and off the DJD list." Starscream gestured to the two femmes lying by a rock, down and out. "You and I both know we terminated Arcee partners, so why not end this here and now?" Starscream threw his arm around Airachnid and walked down the hill with her bring her in front of the two Autobots.

"Finish her". He said. Airachnid slowly walked over to Arcee and brought out her spider legs. She slowly extended one of her legs to her throat

"Airachnid" Velocity "Do not let him get to you, you have come so far, don't make the wrong decision"

"SILENCE WORM" Starscream shouted as he kicked her. Airachnid looked over to Arcee who was looking back at her in anger.

"DO IT" she shouted "ISN'T THIS WHAT YOU ALWAYS WANTED?" her eyes on the verge of tears

Airachnid was mind was racing a million miles per hour. One half wanted to go back to the Decepticons and a small part of her wanted to stay with the Autobots. She then remember what she had done to all of her victims in the past. The scale of what she did in her time. It was breathe taking. But then again the way she was treated brought out her anger for the Decepticons, that's why she left after Cybertron went dark, when she was the last femme on the ship. But then she had second were the nightmares came back. It was at this moment that everything fell into place, she knew what she had wanted. Airachnid looked down and smiled

"Sorry Arcee, you just not good enough" Airachnid threw Arcee a wink. What happened next threw Starscream off. Airachnid lifted herself with her back legs and did a roundhouse kick to Starscream face which sent him flying. "You can tell Megatron we're through". Airachnid then laid down more attacks on Starscream. Then she got an idea. She drill her way underground and moved underneath Starscream and attack him from below. Starscream was sent into the air. Airachnid shot out a web which attached itself to him. She pulled down which sent Starscream head first into the ground.

Starscream looked up and saw the rest of the bots coming. He turned around and ran. Before anyone gave chase Airachnid stopped them. "Let him go. If he returns to the Decepticons he will be terminated for giving away Decepticon information. That I know for a fact"

Autobot Base

The Decepticon weapon that Slipstream was after was called the 'Immobilizer' Lucky for the Autobots she only managed to freeze Optimus and Bulkhead. Bumblebee managed to knock the weapon out of her hands and blast it. After that she fled. The rest of the group was battling Flamewar who showed up late. But they managed to send her run back to Megatron. They brought back the pieces, and Ratchet unfroze both Optimus and Bulkhead. Also being brought up to speed on what happened today

Optimus looked over to Arcee who was being comfort by Velocity Arcee looked to Optimus with a sad and disappointed expression.

"It is the external wounds that heal the quickest"

"I thought settling scores would allow me to move on." Arcee paused for a second "Instead I chased away our hope of winning this war anytime soon." She looked down at herself in shame.

"Wisdom cannot be granted Arcee, it must be earned. Sometimes… at a cost"

Arcee looked up and saw Airachnid down the hall looking back at her with her arms crossed leaning against the wall to two looked at each other for a few seconds before Airachnid walked further into the base. Leaving Arcee to wonder what had happen to her today. Her life could have ended in one swift motion. But Airachnid did not deliver the killing blow…

The Nemesis

"You left Starscream with THE AUTOBOTS!? Do you have any NOTION of the consequence of your BLUNDER!?" Megatron shouted at Slipstream.

"But my lordship. It was my brother's incompetence that cost use the Immobilizer"

"I DO NOT CARE ABOUT SOME TRINKET!" Megatron shouted in her face "My Second in Command is now a prisoner of the enemy. Which means all Decepticon intelligence could be at the fingertips OF THE AUTOBOTS!" he shouted. Slipstream filched at the volume of his voice.

Back in the Desert

Starscream was smashing at the side of a rock until the cuffs on his wings manage to fall off. And then he removed the webbing that Airachnid placed on him.

"I have been a fool. Made mistakes. Monumental ones. But I have gained a clear understanding of my place in the universe. Of who I am. Starscream: aligned with no side, servant to no one."

Starscream flew off into the night sky.

End of Chapter

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Looks like Airachnid made her choice. What do you think about it