Alright, everyone! Here we go! We're close to the kill time here, people! Don't believe me? Check out the chapters list below!
1. Stronger, Faster
2. One Shall Fall
3. One Shall Rise, Part 1
4. One Shall Rise, Part 2
5. One Shall Rise, Part 3
See what I mean? We're down to five chapters left in this story! And then, it's over! It's done! Again! If you want FIVE extra chapters, let me know and tell me what you want to have in them. It can consist of ANYTHING you want…within reason. And I'm so happy about this episode because it has one of my favourite bits in it! It's so funny! Oh! Knock Out? Here's some advice for ya. SORT OUT YOUR PRIORITIES! Seriously! There is no need to get all snippy if someone inflicts some cosmetic damage to you! Geez! What are you? A prissy?
REVIEW REPLIES!
Jazz Prime the new Prime: I know I'm sorry i wasn't thinking. ^_^ but
Jazz: Wait fo' it?
Bumblebee is so CUUUte! My lil Bee is all grown up now and has a girlfriend. Is there ganna be a wedding for them two!
Jazz: Hello! I'm right her! Yo!
Oh yea Jazz is here. Say hi Jazz
Jazz: Hiya Icegirl i love yo' story iz da bomb!^_^
Me: Okay so i only have 3chapters done for sick love but i havnt update it yet. Ugh i getting suck here. I'm suck. Clarion is ganna tell Megatron about Optimus loving Arcee. Or tell Arachnid. -_- I gotta make this hella good a lot of action and drama. OMG! This is so cool! I just got an idea! *runs out*
Jazz: Jazzy? *looks around* Oh da human girl just ran outside. Don't know why but i know it somthin bout her story. Jazz made some *looks at Jazz Prime's notepad* Oh cherry pie! Oh wait dats for da next author. Ah yes furit cake! Here! *hands her the fruit cake* Update soon an fo'get bout what Jazzy said *rolls eyes*
Thanks, Jazzy! Hey, Jazz! How's things? I think you should be in the next season of Transformers Prime because that would be SO EPIC! Oh! Here's some pavlova. *hands pavlova*
Angel of all Decepticons: Awe Bumblebee such a romantic bot ^_^ anyways…I'M BACK! I got home at 3:05am and still got time to get to school. BTW Kris is still sick. He found my bond now but he still dont feel good.
Kris: I'm okay just a bit dizzy…
Go sit down, bro. You're tired. *kris lays on the sofa* Ah i have some cookies and SF was kinda fun. I missed ya Icegirl *hands her cookies.* their white chocolate cookies. ^_^ Oh my god Jazz! Clarion is in the story! Wow I just read partners it was freaking asweome! That Clarion. oh yea I think jazz forgot to tell ya that his helmet can slide back showing his handsome face anyways UPDATE SOON! ^_^
Kris: Bye -_-…
Nice to have you back, Angel. Poor Kris. *hugs Kris* Get well soon, OK? Thanks for the cookies, by the way. Here's some soup for Kris! *hands over soup* It can be vegetable, chicken noodle, pasta, any soup you want.
Sailor Shinzo: Those two are so sweet together. Hope you update the story soon.
I know, right? Thanks for the review!
Rachelle Prime: This chapter is just so cute! Bee and Tally are cute 2gether! And everyone knows that if Bee trys to propose to Tally, Optimus will do something to lil Bee…
Also, I have an idea! We should make a chapter for whoever is the 100th reviewer! Update soon! And Clarion aint gonna lay a finger on Arcee if Optimus or I'm around!
Clarion wouldn't with you me, Optimus, Talida, Jack, Bulkhead, Bumblebee or any other Autobots and allies I can think of! And…Optimus will only kill Bumblebee if he proposes to Talida while she's still pretty young. Like a teenager or something like that. Thanks for the review!
Taeniaea: cool story
Thanks!
Mystic (): Mystic:Good job with chapter 24 and loved the song never let you go by Justin biebler and for season 2 can Optimus have his memories come back in the first part of season 2 and good luck with season 2.
Thanks! I may need it! And…just a heads up. You spelt Bieber wrong. Also, what's wrong with Justin Bieber? Thanks for the review!
xxXNinjaKnifesXxx: Hi Ice its me and you know who I am. I'm feeling a bit better now since I can feel my bond with Angel. I can feel me right now. Since he's not here in my room I can feel him being somewhere else but not like far away. Oh this one time he cut his finger with a knife and I can feel the pain in my finger even I don't have a cut
Okay your story is super cool and don't tell my bro I have an account he'll freak out. What can I say? A twin for a twin.:)
Update soon
Welcome to the world of fan fiction! Even though you were already a part of it before. :P Glad to know you're feeling better, Kris. Thanks for the review! Oh hey! You're my 100th reviewer! That means you get a chapter in the story! WHOO HOO! Congratulations, Kris! Just tell me what you want and I'll post it.
I'mSexyAndYouKnowItGlitch: I used to be BumblebeeLover237. I love this sooooo much, theres romance In the air! :D Also, What Is with you and JB? ':/ Now My OMG reaction: FINALLY! The Bee and Talida moment came! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THE CHAPTER! :D I LOVEEEEEE IT! ADD MORE KISSING IN THE OTHER CHAPTERS TOO!
I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the review!
Rachelle Prime: No! Why? I just checked the reviews and im the 101th reviewer! NOOOOOOOOO! Why world why? Whoever had the 100th review doesn't get a Energon treat! Srry I posted this, Ice… UPDATE SOON!
Actually, according to the website, you're the 102nd reviewer for this story. I'mSexyAndYouKnowItGlitch is the 101st reviewer for this story. And xxXNinjaKnifesXxx is the 100th reviewer for this story. Sorry, man. And, that's cool. Thanks for the review!
4elementsfan4621: God…
The drama in this chapter was amazing yet it was sooooo adorable :D Bumblebee/Talida has to be one of my favorite OC/Canon pairings XD
My heart shattered when Talida tried to kill herself. Cursed Cons! Ahem.
Sorry gotta make this quick cause I gotta study for midterms (Although I only have four exams left and I really only need to study for two of them). Augh! Curse you school!
Anyway better make this short!
Update soon :D
I know what you mean about school. You know, my mum doesn't let me on the computer during exam week so I can donate more time to my studying than my fanfiction writing. But I still sometimes sneak some time on here. :P I know. I'm an evil little child. Thanks for the review!
Also, this is the first time EVER that I've actually reached 100 reviews for a story. So thank you so much! I love you guys!
Transformers: Prime rightfully belongs to Hasbro and the Hub.
© Talida Prime and other OCs rightfully belong to me.
Whenever You Remember rightfully belongs to Carrie Underwood and her respective record label from her 2007 debut album, Some Hearts. I know. I'm sad…and have virtually no social life, which is even sadder than my knowledge in music.
ENJOY!
"When you look back on times we had,
I hope you smile.
And know that through the good and through the bad,
I was on your side when nobody could hold us down.
We claimed the brightest star.
And we, we came so far.
And no. They won't forget…
Whenever you remember times gone by,
Remember how we held our heads so high.
When all this world was there for us.
And we believed we could touch the sky.
Whenever you remember, I'll be there.
Remember how we reached that dream together.
Whenever you remember…"
The sound of monster trucks ripped through the excited atmosphere, pleasing the audience in the arena. The truck flew off of hills and sped around the arena, leaving dirt in its wake. The vibrations of the engine rumbled through the ground and through the bodies in the stands. The feeling was exhilarating.
Even for those who were watching a rally that had already happened.
Like Miko and Bulkhead are currently doing, much to Ratchet's displeasure.
"Hoo yeah!" Miko cheered.
"Ohhh…," Bulkhead moaned as he face palmed at the sight of the monster truck crushing cars.
"MUNCHED!" Miko declared.
"Give it up for the baddest beast machines on the planet!"
"Would you mind lowering the volume?" Ratchet pleaded as he turned away from the computers.
"Hey, Ratch! Check out the Monster Truck Rally Miko took me to last week!" Bulkhead suggested.
"I compiled some highlights on my cell phone," Miko gushed excitedly as she dug around for her phone.
"Innocent vehicles battling it out for the pleasure of human spectators? Blood sport!" Ratchet visibly shuddered before walking back to his computers.
"YEAH!" Bulkhead and Miko exclaimed excitedly.
"You could be helping Optimus in the field right now," Ratchet remarked.
"Aw, he doesn't need my help to save some ancient educational thingamabob," Bulkhead scoffed.
"The 'thingamabob', to which you refer, is a Cybertronian data cylinder," Ratchet corrected.
At a press of a button, the Monster Track Rally Miko and Bulkhead were watching disappeared from the screen. Instead, the diagram of the data cylinder they desired filled the television set before them, earning protests from a rather disappointed duo. But Ratchet ignored their protests.
"And there is no telling what vast intelligence it may hold. During the Golden Age, dozens of these cylinders were created. Each containing the sum total of Cybertronian knowledge on any given subject. Stellar cartography. Medicine. Ancient mythology. When the war broke out, the cylinders were hidden throughout the galaxies to keep them as far as possible from Decepticon reach. Detecting one signal here – on Earth – is the opportunity of a-," Ratchet was explaining, only to be interrupted by Miko's groaning.
"T.M.I, dude!" Miko groaned.
That was when she realized that Talida was right with everything she had said about Ratchet when Miko was first let in on the secret of the Autobots' existence. Once Ratchet starts talking about Cybertron's past – particularly, Cybertronian intelligence – he NEVER shuts up!
"Switch it back! I wanna see the Hoedown Showdown!" Bulkhead begged.
"Ratchet! Decepticon ambush! The cylinder is at risk! We require backup!"
"Backup is what I'm built for," Bulkhead smirked as he stood and pounded his two fists together.
"Go kick some fenders, Bulk!" Miko cheered as Bulkhead ran through the GroundBridge.
"I have an important mission for you too, Miko," Ratchet smirked at Miko.
"Really?" Miko squealed excitedly…until Ratchet handed her a mop, "Awww…"
Miko glanced between the mop and a distracted Ratchet before smirking to herself. Perfect time to fall back into old habits, she thinks to herself. Because the last time she did this was when Bulkhead and Arcee were chasing after a polarity gauntlet and she only snuck along so she could get away from her boyfriend's mother.
With a thud, the mop fell to the ground and Miko disappeared in a flash of light.
Another GroundBridge portal appeared at the place the signature was emitted. The place was familiar. Close to where they found Clarion and the Immobilizer. In fact, it was just a hill away from where Arcee and Talida were nearly killed. When Miko stepped out, she had to shield herself from flying metal debris. Before her, she saw every Autobot fighting a Decepticon.
Optimus had Knock Out. Talida had Malita. Arcee had Breakdown. And Bulkhead and Bumblebee were stuck with Decepticon drones. That was when Miko discovered that she had teleported herself right in the middle of the action between the two enemies. Another hint that caused her to realize this is having the Decepticon drone Bulkhead was pounding stumble backwards and begin to fall…on top of her.
(theme starts here)
TRANSFORMERS PRIME
DEVELOPED FOR TELEVISION BY
Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
AND
Duane Capizzi
Jeff Kline
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jeff Kline
"When you think back on all we've done,
I hope you're proud.
When you look back and see how far we've come.
It was our time to shine.
And nobody could hold us down.
They thought they'd see us fall.
But we, we stood so tall.
And no. We won't forget…
Whenever you remember times gone by,
Remember how we held our heads so high.
When all this world was there for us.
And we believed that we could touch the sky.
Whenever you remember, I'll be there.
Remember how we reached that dream together.
Whenever you remember…
Yeah…
Oh…"
Miko got over her frozen shock and ran out of the way of the falling drone. Bulkhead didn't notice Miko running away from the falling drone in fear. He was too focused on the fight he was involved him. The force of the drone hitting the ground knocked Miko off of her feet and threw her to the ground behind a rock. Which was convenient, since it gave her somewhere to hide while she watched the fight.
First, she saw Bumblebee still fighting the drone that was attacking him. Miko couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the sight of Optimus and Knock Out fighting before her. Optimus grabbed Knock Out by the throat and punched him hard in the face, sending a screaming Knock Out hurtling to the ground near where Arcee was taking on Breakdown and Talida was locked in a fight with Malita.
"Autobots, stand your ground! The artifact must not fall into enemy hands!" Optimus called as he went off to fight another Decepticon drone.
"We know! You've only told us a thousand times!" Talida retorted as she dodged some of Malita's attacks and threw in her own punches and kicks of her own, "Arcee! Go for the cylinder!"
"On it, Tally!" Arcee nodded.
Immediately, Arcee took off running for the data cylinder they were fighting over. However, before she had the chance to reach it, Knock Out tackled her roughly. She landed on the ground unconscious, angering Optimus and Talida who just happened to watch the whole thing. Knock Out climbed off of her and pealed away.
"Come to papa!" Knock Out smirked as he transformed and ran towards it…only to be knocked away by Bulkhead.
"Run to mummy!" Bulkhead remarked…only to be attacked from behind by Breakdown.
"Say uncle! SAY IT!" Breakdown challenged as he held Bulkhead in the air by his head. (AN: BEST PART OF THE EPISODE!)
Taking her chance, while everyone was distracted, Miko made the run for it. She slid across the ground as she stopped and landed against the cylinder panting. Miko knew that she had to get the cylinder back to the base and away from the Decepticons. And she didn't possess a Portable GroundBridge Operator to do so. Naturally, Miko knows someone else who possesses an original PGO. However, she is caught in a fight with her Decepticon counterpart.
Knowing that she was going to get an earful for this, she dialed a number and held the phone to her ear.
"Ratchet, come in!" Miko begged.
"Miko?" Ratchet guessed in surprise as he turned away from his computers, "This is an emergency channel! We need to keep it open for the oth-! Wait! Where are you?"
"Doy! I'm with the thingamabob!" Miko answered in frustration.
"The thingama…," Ratchet trailed off as he realized what she was talking about, "The data cylinder!"
"Yes! Can you bridge it out of here?" Miko asked.
"I'll reactivate arrival coordinates!"
Within seconds, Miko heard the familiar sound of a portal opening up. She peaked over the cylinder and saw the portal waiting for her and the cylinder. However, she knew that it was too far away for her to push the cylinder through. And this object just happened to be too heavy!
"Dude! Can you open it any closer?" Miko whined.
"Supply coordinates."
"Uh…50 yards?" Miko guessed.
"PRECISE COORDINATES!"
Miko knew that she wasn't going to get anywhere with Ratchet and the bridge. How was she going to supply him coordinates if she didn't know them? Well…she'll just have to make do. Especially with the cylinder getting shot at. She moved back from the cylinder a bit and laid both hands with palms flat on the design. After setting herself up in the right position, she began to push. However, the cylinder refused to budge from its current position. So she decided to try another idea. She ran back and came running at it.
"One…two…," Miko counted to herself before jumping up and kicking it hard.
Again, it didn't work. It still refused to budge as Miko fell onto her back. However, the familiar sound of a machine slowly coming to life could be heard. The beacon glowed a bright red and the multiple flaps spread out around it. Miko couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the sight. The sight was so amazing, it caught everyone's attention.
"MIKO?" Bulkhead exclaimed in surprise as he finally noticed her presence, "NO!"
Immediately, Bulkhead ran towards Miko and the data cylinder. During his voyage, Breakdown hit Bulkhead from behind and knocked him to the ground. In front of the cylinder. As soon as he gazed up at it, a bright red beam shot at him. Bulkhead found himself feeling a bit dizzy as the beam hit him on the forehead. He groaned as he felt like his head was being filled up with something unknown to him.
"Bulk!" Miko gasped as she ran towards him.
"You really took one for the team, Bulkhead. My team," Knock Out remarked as he grabbed the cylinder.
A GroundBridge appeared behind him and with Breakdown, Knock Out ran into it. The Decepticon drones who survived the fight took flight and retreated. Malita twisted Talida's wrist and threw her into the wall before climbing onto her hover bike and made it through the GroundBridge just as the portal began to close. Optimus, Arcee and Bumblebee immediately ran over to their Autobot friend.
"Bulkhead, are you?" Optimus began asking.
"Fine," Bulkhead cut him short.
"Arcee?" Optimus said, even more worried.
"Had worse," Arcee shrugged as she rubbed her sore shoulder.
"Where's Talida?" Miko suddenly asked as she looked around.
Immediately, everyone began looking around for their favourite techno-organic. Bumblebee was the first Autobot to spot her and when he did, he ran to her. Talida was sitting up and clutching her badly bruised wrist to her chest. Worried, Optimus, Arcee, Bulkhead and Miko immediately ran over towards Talida and Bumblebee. Bumblebee kept on bleeping his worried questions to her.
"Sweetspark, are you OK?" Optimus asked worried.
"I'm fine," Talida groaned, trying not to show her pain as Arcee examined her wrist.
"Ouch! Her wrist looks pretty banged up," Arcee observed, "Could be a sprain. Could be broken. We'll need Ratchet to check it out and to make sure."
"Jack, Miko, Raf and I take first aid classes every Saturday morning. So I know what this is. It's definitely a sprain. I just need to bandage it up to support it, take it easy and I'll be back to normal before you know it."
As soon as they got back to the base, Bulkhead, Arcee (at Optimus' insistence) and Talida were immediately checked out by Ratchet. Talida was right when it came to her self-diagnosis. She did bang up her wrist good enough to sprain it. All she needed to do was to wrap a bandage around it and make sure she gave herself time to heal. Ratchet said that Arcee was fine and her shoulder was sore because of the way she landed when she was tackled to the ground by Knock Out. Which, to Arcee's pleasure, earned a massage from Optimus, being the good husband he is. (AN: OK. Who would pay to see Optimus give Arcee a massage? I know I would. Oh! GUYS, TAKE NOTES! That is what a husband should do for his wife! Especially when the wife is pregnant with your baby and her back and feet start hurting!)
Bulkhead, however, was an even tougher patient.
"I helped lose that thing. I wanna help find it! I gotta get back in the field with Optimus!" Bulkhead protested as he went to stand.
"Ah ah! You're under my watch now. Optimus' orders. I think running a scan on your neuro net will be a wiser use of your time!" Ratchet declared.
"Come on, doc! There's nothing up there to scan!" Bulkhead projected as he removed the cables connected to his head.
"He seems fine to me," Miko agreed with Bulkhead as she helped Talida wrap a bandage around her sore wrist, silently thanking God that Jack and Talida had convinced her and Raf to join them at the Saturday morning first aid classes.
Ratchet sighed before finally saying, "Well, if you insist on making yourself useful, you can help Miko tidy up. Normally, I would ask Talida to help Miko. But she is under strict orders to take it easy with that wrist of hers until it is fully healed."
"He's mad with power!" Miko groaned as Bulkhead took the mop from Ratchet.
"That's Ratchet. Nul vector squared alright," Bulkhead remarked.
"What?" Talida screeched in confusion.
"Hey. We got any paint around here?" Bulkhead suddenly asked as he glanced at the mop.
"Art project? Sweet!" Talida and Miko cheered as they hi-fived one another (with Talida's good hand, of course).
Aboard the Nemesis, however, Megatron is not a happy Decepticon commander. He specifically sent Knock Out, Breakdown, Malita and a handful of drones to retrieve the data cylinder full of knowledge from the Ancients of Cybertron. Instead, they bring back the data cylinder…empty of the knowledge it contained. How could what should have been a very simple task ended up being poorly executed and having so many things go wrong?
"What do you mean its empty?" Megatron demanded in anger.
"Lord Megatron, these cylinders are not unlike batteries. The data stored within them has a form of energy. It's scanned fully charged. That's how we located it to begin with. But now…," Knock Out trailed off as he activated the data cylinder…only to have it fizzle and smoke to poof from the top.
"Dead battery," Breakdown surmised.
"Did you drop it, you one-eyed oaf?" Megatron immediately began accusing Breakdown.
"No, sir! I wasn't going to touch it after it put the zap on Bulkhead!" Breakdown defended.
"Hey. You think…," Knock Out left the sentence hanging in the air.
"I know. And I must find out what that vessel contained. When it comes to the Secrets of the Ancients, knowledge can be power," Megatron remarked.
"Seriously, Ratch! You need to see what Bulk's painting in here!" Miko said as she and Talida approached the Autobot medic.
"Yes. I'm sure one hasn't truly lived until one has beheld Bulkhead's take on Still Life of Lugnuts," Ratchet remarked sarcastically as he followed the two girls.
"First of all, I wanna see that. Second of all, it's not that," Talida retorted.
"The differential of 1/3 cubed is RDRR," Bulkhead mumbled as he painted random symbols.
"That is not art. It's science," Ratchet corrected in amazement before explaining the situation to Optimus and the others, "This hot spot you see here is information. Data. Living energy."
"Hold up!" Miko cries, "It's alive?"
"It's on fire," Talida continued.
"And it's in Bulkhead's brain?" Talida and Miko finished together.
"Chill, you two. The data is only inhabiting a fraction of my brain. Infiltasminizsble by standard neuro net densities," Bulkhead rambled before saying, "Wait. How do I know all that?" (AN: Damn Kevin Michael Richardson for speaking so fast! I can't get the spelling right!)
"Based on what we witnessed during our skirmish, the living data must have been programmed to eject when it sensed unauthorized access," Optimus surmised.
"A security measure," Ratchet realized.
"It would have jettisoned heavenward. Lost to the stars," Optimus sighed gravely, causing Talida to groan and allow her head to fall into her good hand, "What?"
"Wise Prime is here with us once again. So which one of us is gonna nearly get killed this time?" Talida asked dryly, "Me and Arcee had our turn last time."
"Except my fat engine plug got in the way," Bulkhead remarked, ignoring Talida's question.
"Every 'Con there made a grab for it. But the cylinder doesn't go off until Miko touches it?" Arcee recalled in confusion.
"Yeah. What is up with that?" Talida asked curiously as she suddenly perked up.
"The cylinder originated from Cybertron's Golden Age. Predating the Autobot/Decepticon division," Ratchet answered.
"So it wouldn't consider any native of Cybertron to be a threat," Optimus surmised.
"Only alien life forms such as humans," Ratchet nodded, earning some bleeps from Bumblebee.
"Are we staring at genius or gibberish?" Arcee asked, talking about the symbols Bulkhead had been painting all over the main room.
"I do not wish to falsely rally anyone's hopes. But these equations appear to be the formula for a synthetic Energon," Ratchet declared, earning cheers from Bumblebee.
"I've read about that! That is so cool!" Talida cheered excitedly.
"We hit the mother lode?" Arcee added as she grabbed Talida who jumped up in joy.
"Miko, do you understand what this means?" Bulkhead asked Miko happily, "Energon provides our fuel, our ammo, our life force, a key ingredient to Talida's Enerblood! With the natural stuff in such short supply here on Earth, this could solve a whole lot of problems!"
"Such as providing us with the edge we need to turn the tide of this war," Optimus offered.
"Or handing us the key to revitalizing Cybertron," Ratchet piped in.
"We got the goods and all Megatron got was an empty bucket," Arcee gushed to Talida excitedly.
"Who knew that the Decepticons would wind up with a dead battery someday?" Talida joked.
"How often do I use my noggin to save the day?" Bulkhead asked rhetorically.
"Where's my camera? Moments like this don't come everyday!" Talida remarked as she ran around the base cheering and doing single-handed backflips
"…how much sugar has that girl had?" Bulkhead suddenly asked, "I haven't seen her this energetic since she was fourteen."
"You'd be amazed," Arcee laughed.
Moments later, Bumblebee continued to paint the equations for the Synthetic Energon formula on any blackboard-like object his teammates could find. Aloud, he continued to mutter the equations as he continued to paint them out. Whenever he was finished, Arcee and Bumblebee would bring the board to Ratchet so he could load the equations and eventually complete the formula. Optimus and Talida supervised Ratchet as he slowly completed the formula and regularly scanned Bulkhead's neural net to carefully watch the data inside.
"Aren't you done yet?" Miko whined.
"Gotta admit. It's weird seeing Bulkhead in braniac mode," Arcee remarked to Bumblebee quietly, earning bleeps in return.
When Bulkhead finished painting another part of the equation on the metal board, Arcee came along and dragged it away, revealing another metal board. Miko was happy about this and declared,
"Break time! How about a lightning round of TNT Street Racer Seven?"
"…Energon temperature and volume," Bulkhead resumed his mumbling, earning a moan of disappointment from Miko.
"Got another round for you to load, Ratchet!" Arcee called as she and Bumblebee carried the bulb over.
"This is Bulkhead's neural net as you saw it earlier. This scan was recorded just minutes ago. It is as a fear. The data seems to be actively and aggressively rewriting Bulkhead's neural net. I had hoped he was purging the data. But he merely seems to be transcribing it as it-."
"Consumes his mind," Optimus finished Ratchet's sentence gravely.
"From all indications, by the time Bulkhead completes the formula, his own thoughts, his memories could be wiped clean," Ratchet announced.
Arcee just happened to catch on as she walked to stand next to her husband and stepdaughter. She noticed Optimus' sad expression and Talida's shock and heartbreak on her face. That was when she realized what Ratchet had said. And realized what could happen either way.
"But if we stop him, goodbye Synthetic Energon," Arcee sighed.
"Right now, I don't know what I hate more. Megatron, Malita or dilemmas," Talida grumbled.
"You two assume we possess a means of stopping him," Ratchet said, "I don't exactly have instant access to the Wisdom of the Ancients."
"I will not allow another one of our own to be sacrificed. We've lost enough Autobots as it is and I will not lose another member of my family," Optimus declared as he subconsciously held his wife and daughter closer to him, "No matter the cost."
"If the data had transmitted itself from the cylinder. Perhaps we can somehow coax it back inside," Ratchet pondered aloud
"But how are we supposed to get it back from the Decepticons?" Arcee asked.
"I think I know a way to make Megatron bring the cylinder to us," Talida suddenly said, causing all eyes to be on her, "But just a little warning in advance. It's not completely foolproof. But this could be all that we've got."
Bulkhead continued to paint out the equations of the Synthetic Energon formula. He couldn't bring himself to stop painting the equations. He didn't even know if he wanted to stop himself from completing the formula that would save their life. Without even realizing it, Bulkhead was losing his thoughts and memories. Actually, Bulkhead was losing everything that made him…well, Bulkhead.
"You want amplified?" Miko asked as she plugged her guitar into the amp.
"Proving preceptor paradox is nothing of the kind," Bulkhead mumbled as he continued to paint.
Deciding that enough was enough, she settled the guitar strap on her shoulder and strummed one loud, powerful chord. It was enough to distract Bulkhead. However, Bulkhead's response to the guitar chord was not a positive one. Rather than jamming along with Miko as she played, he visibly cringed. Yes. Cringed. He dropped his paint-covered mop and cried out as he covered the equivalent of his ears.
"What is that?" Bulkhead demanded harshly.
"Metal. You love this song!" Miko answered.
"I'm trying to concentrate!" Bulkhead retorted.
"Argh! You're starting to sound just Ratchet!" Miko groaned in frustration.
"Who?" Bulkhead asked before he could stop himself.
Miko's eyes widened in shock. He SHOULD know who Ratchet is. After all, the two have known each other for a long time. Even if it wasn't under the best circumstances. The two have been through so much together. And how could he just forget everything in one day? Unless…
"Ratchet! Bulk's losing his mind!" Miko reported to Ratchet before realizing something else, "You…already know."
"Miko, we didn't want to frighten you," Ratchet finally confessed to the teenager, "But rest assured. Optimus and Talida have a plan."
"Optimus and Talida aren't Bulkhead's doctors. I just need to know. When Bulk's done spitting up that formula, he'll go back to being regular old Bulkhead, right?" Miko asked nervously.
Ratchet's silence served as the only answer to her question. She knew what it was. And she didn't like it. When Bulkhead finishes that formula…he wouldn't be Bulkhead anymore.
But rather a distant memory.
"Lord Megatron, Malita, we've detected a familiar Energon profile," Knock Out reported.
"The data?" Malita immediately guessed.
"Bulkhead must have left the shielded radius of their base," Knock Out guessed, "Breakdown and I will-."
"Fail me again?" Megatron finished angrily.
As they waited outside for Megatron to arrive after following the false signal she had sent out, Talida could only pray that the plan she had formed would work. She had warned the others that the plan wasn't completely foolproof. But Optimus and Arcee kept on reassuring her that the plan was genius and pointed out to her that this could possibly be the only chance they have to obtain the cylinder. If they didn't, they would lose the Bulkhead they know forever. And like Optimus, Talida refused to sacrifice a member of her family. No matter the cost.
Already, it had been decided that Talida would be the negotiator for this task. Among the Autobots, she was the best negotiator that they had. She just had a way convincing people to do anything and everything. Naturally, they knew that it didn't always work. But she had a better track record out of everyone on the team.
Eventually, the four of them heard the sounds of approaching jets in the air. Immediately, they looked up and saw five jets. One leading the journey. Talida took a deep breath and gulped nervously as she tried to calm her thudding spark and keep herself from having the severe asthma attack like the one she had over a week ago when Starscream had once hoped to change sides and join them. This was the only chance they had to obtain the cylinder from Decepticon hands. If they failed…well, they didn't want to think about it.
Megatron transformed and landed on the ground not far from the Autobots. The Decepticon drones he had elected to bring along with him followed suite. Already, they had their plasma cannons unfolded from their arms ready to fire. The Decepticons didn't trust the Autobots as far as they could throw them and vice versa. So they decided to not take any chances.
"Optimus and Talida Prime. You two are certainly not the Autobots I expected to see here. But let me guess. You rigged a transponder to mimic the frequency of the data I seek," Megatron remarked.
Talida felt her palms slick with cold sweat. She released the breath she didn't know she was holding from when she was trying to calm herself. She was used to having the fate of the world resting on her shoulders. They all were. So why did this feel different?
She glanced up at Arcee, who gently squeezed her hand in a reassuring manner. Taking five brave steps forward – no more, no less – she looked at Megatron in the face. Blood red and white optics met regal blue and amethyst eyes.
"Megatron, I have a proposal that could benefit both sides," Talida declared, her voice full of bravery and authority. The voice of a leader.
Immediately, the four Decepticon drones Megatron brought with him raised their cannons at the little Prime. However, Megatron softly waved his hand at them. Immediately, they lowered their cannons. Megatron was interested in what the daughter of the Cybertronian he once considered a brother had to say. What was already winning him over is her saying this would benefit both sides. So how could he not listen to what she had to say?
"I'm listening," Megatron reassured her.
"We only ask of this, Megatron. Surrender the data cylinder into Autobot possession. And we promise you that before this week is over, we will return the vessel into Decepticon possession…full of the data it once contained," Talida swore.
"This trinket right here?" Megatron asked with a smirk as he held up the data cylinder for her to see, " And pray tell, my dear niece. What trifles did it contain that you and your family are so anxious to give away?"
Optimus' eyes widened in fear over what Megatron had called his daughter. No. She wasn't meant to find out this way. Not from Megatron, of all people! He was supposed to tell her himself. When he felt she was ready for the truth. Immediately, Arcee noticed this. It's impossible to keep secrets from your wife. Let alone your spark mate. She looked at Optimus with an expression that clearly read, 'We have to talk about this later.' Optimus immediately agreed. Sure. He knew she'd be mad at him for not telling her the truth in the first place. However…she'll understand why he didn't.
To protect Talida.
"Accept the terms and conditions regarding this negotiation, Megatron. And you will find out what it contains. Now, there is one thing I can promise you. The knowledge the data cylinder contained is certainly something that will change the tide of the war," Talida smirked.
"Do you remember the time you saw Wheeljack lob his only grenade into a Decepticon heat exchanger?" Miko asked, fearing that she already knew the answer.
"Who?" was the only response she received from the occupied Autobot.
"Wheeljack! Your best bud…besides me, of course," Miko answered as she showed him the photo she took of him and Wheeljack on her phone when he returned for Optimus and Arcee's wedding…earning no response, "Do you even know who I am?"
"Of course! You're…," Bulkhead trailed off.
Just like that, the hope that Miko once held in her heart vanished into nothing. She should have saw this coming, now she fully understood Bulkhead's situation. But the thought of Bulkhead completely forgetting about her had cut her deep. The pain she felt was familiar to someone ripping her heart from her chest. Only…the pain hurt even more than anything like that.
"Equivilant to the flattening of the outlets void to the tenth power," Bulkhead mumbled.
"Keep them coming, Bulkhead," Ratchet encouraged as he took the board away.
Finally, Miko decided that enough was enough. She couldn't stand seeing Bulkhead like this. Not without doing something to prevent the inevitable outcome. And even if he did complete the formula and the data had completely rewritten his brain…sure. The hurt would strike her like a knife to the heart. But at least she would be comforted by the fact that she at least tried to do something. She couldn't just sit by and do nothing.
Not when someone she loved needed him most.
Without thinking twice, she typed the name of a special place into the GroundBridge controls. It was a long shot. She knew that. But it was the only chance she had.
She took away the paint-soaked mop from his grasp and with the mop in hand, she walked over to the active GroundBridge portal. Just as she stepped into the tunnel, she stopped and turned around the face Bulkhead who was looking around anxiously for his mop.
"Come on. You wanna finish the formula, don't you?" Miko tormented him.
"Do you accept the proposal we lay out before you, Megatron?" Talida asked.
"Father."
"Give me a moment," Megatron requested before walking away.
"This cannot be good," Talida remarked.
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"It's…complicated," Megatron answered.
"Well, Breakdown and Knock Out may have located the bogey. Fully charged."
"Proceed, my daughter," Megatron invited.
"Just one hitch. We don't have the cylinder."
"Then bring me the head of Bulkhead," Megatron immediately instructed.
"Look! You love monster trucks! Remember when we snuck in here after the show last week?" Miko asked.
"Mass times the fusion rate squared is constant," Bulkhead mumbled as he continued painting symbols.
"Is any of this ringing a bell?" Miko sighed.
"Bell curve? No, no, no. That wouldn't factor in," Bulkhead shook his head.
"How about our Sunday morning dune bashings? Rocking out to Slash Monkey? Being the big brother I never had when Jack and I first started dating? Taking Talida and me to concerts around Jasper? Helping me with my homework? Ha! Trick question! You know I don't do homework…don't you?" Miko's voice went quiet as her nerves and fear began to build up, only to have Bulkhead ignore her as he continued painting symbols, "OK. Forget the past! Starting now, we can make new memories."
The situation was gradually becoming even more serious as time went by. Before, Bulkhead had selected memories that he could still remember. But now…Bulkhead wouldn't be able to remember who he is as the data inside his head continued to literally rewrite his mind and wipe everything inside clean. Miko didn't know if she would be able to stand by and watch him like this. Then…she began to remember all the good times the two of them have shared. How he's always been there for her when she needed someone. That was when she made up her mind.
Yes. She would stay.
For him.
"Bulkhead, I know somewhere inside you, you'll always remember me. And I just want you to know…I'll never forget you," Miko swore as she hugged his leg.
"Boo hoo! I'm shedding lubricant!" someone called out sarcastically.
Immediately, Miko knew that voice. She didn't need to turn around and face them. She already knew who they were.
Breakdown and Knock Out.
And she already knew who and what they were after.
Bulkhead and the data inside his head.
"Follow me right now or these guys will…STEAL THE FORMULA!" Miko cried.
"My equations!" Bulkhead gasped as he immediately stopped painting.
"Come on! Come on!" Miko said.
Bulkhead didn't need to be told twice. He might not be himself right now. But he still had the protective instincts he always had. Even before the war broke out. And the only thing on his mind that needed protecting was the equations. Without a second thought, Bulkhead left the arena running with Miko. Breakdown and Knock Out were confused by this action.
What happened to the Bulkhead they used to know and enjoy fighting?
"Not like Bulkhead to run from a fight," Breakdown remarked.
"I'm afraid our friend has had a little too much to think," Knock Out sighed, "Lord Megatron, we are good."
"My dear niece, upon careful consideration, if you want the cylinder, you and your father are gonna have to take it," Megatron declared.
"Fine by me," Talida shrugged as her good arm glowed a bright blue flame and she ran towards Megatron.
And that was when the firefight started between Autobots and Decepticons.
Bulkhead and Miko had found a suitable hiding place to avoid Knock Out and Breakdown. Among the monster trucks that resided in the arena parking lot. Sure. It wouldn't help much and Bulkhead sort of stood out like a neon sign. But at least it was something.
Especially since they heard the footsteps of Knock Out and Breakdown coming closer.
"OK then. Fun and games," Knock Out shrugged as the two went in different directions, "Come out. Come out wherever you are…"
Knock Out began examining the various monster trucks in the vicinity. Obviously, he did not know the exact form of Bulkhead's vehicular transformation. So this scavenger hunt has clearly become a game of cat and mouse. Miko hid behind one of Bulkhead's tires with her phone out. She needed to reach the base so she can get help from Ratchet or anyone. However, only a weird static sound met her ear from the small electrical device. She couldn't even get a dial tone out.
That was when she remembered something Talida told her about the Decepticons. They have been known to send out high-frequency scrambler pulses to scramble signals and preventing anyone to send out a call for help. Talida had told her this after encountering Airachnid in the mountains all those months ago. When they finally learned about Tailgate's and Shanahan's deaths.
"The 'Cons are scrambling the signal!" Miko hissed in frustration.
"But the trisector of the polygon is an integral subset!" Bulkhead objected.
"Quiet! And whatever you do, keep still," Miko instructed as she backed away from him, "I'm gonna see if I can get far enough to call for backup."
With those words said, Miko began sneaking about the cars in the parking lot. When she thought she had a clear way ahead, she had to slide to a halt and scurry back towards one of the monster trucks to hide behind. She heard footsteps. And those footsteps belonged to Knock Out.
Knock Out glanced around the area for any evidence of Bulkhead's presence. However, Bulkhead wasn't the only living being Knock Out was interested in. Another living being Knock Out is so interested in is Bulkhead's friend, Miko. That interest lead Knock Out towards lifting monster trucks and looking underneath them for any sign of the fifteen-year-old human girl. However, just like the situation with Bulkhead, there was no sign of her. Eventually, he stood up and walked away to conduct his thorough search elsewhere.
What he didn't know was that Miko had jumped up and grabbed the undercarriage of the monster truck to hold her above ground. Hiding her from Knock Out and Breakdown, if he ever came round. Taking her chance, she jumped down. And ran.
Breakdown had a more…interesting search method than Knock Out's method. With the hammer he unfolded from his arm, he smashed the trucks and cars. Hoping that one of them would just happen to be Bulkhead's vehicular mode.
"Bulkhead! Is that you?" he asked a car as he poked the windscreen before kicking it.
Suddenly, Breakdown heard the pitter patter of little feet. Human footsteps. Coming from behind him. Turning around, he saw Miko trying to runaway. Miko stopped, gazed at him for one moment before taking off in a full-on sprint. Breakdown went to follow her, going as far as throwing cars that stood in his way.
"Breakdown, forget the human. Games are only fun to play when you're winning," Knock Out smirked.
Knock Out then pressed a button and his Energon scanner came to life in his hand. The beeping and off-the-chart readings told him Bulkhead was close. Knock Out then continued to walk around the parking lot, following the beeping and readings, which gradually became even more intense. When he reached Bulkhead, the beeping was even louder and annoying and the readings were more off the charts than they were before.
"I think I'm warm," Knock Out remarked.
To prove Knock Out's point, Bulkhead immediately transformed into his bipedal mode with his paint-soaked mop ready to paint even more equations on the nearest object it could find.
And that nearest object just happened to be Knock Out.
"You painted my paint job! Prepare for surgery!" Knock Out sneered dangerously. (AN: Dude! Again! SORT OUT YOUR PRIORITIES!)
From behind, Breakdown began running towards his longtime enemy. No later than when Bulkhead had just turned around, Breakdown punched him. Hard. Miko had heard the two metals colliding and immediately peeked from her hiding place underneath yet another monster truck. She gasped when she saw Bulkhead on the pavement unconscious and Knock Out and Breakdown standing over him. That was when Miko realized. They wanted the data Bulkhead possessed. And the only way to obtain this data would be to cut off his head.
"Heads. You lose," Knock Out remarked as he brought the circular saw closer to his head.
"NO!" Miko screamed.
The firefight between Autobots and Decepticons…improved, to say the least. The majority of Megatron's drones were down for the count. And all of the Autobots involved in the fight were still standing. Even though Megatron wouldn't admit it, he was impressed. Not with Arcee, Bumblebee or Optimus. He's seen them fight. But with the way Talida fought against him. Even with an injured wrist. And he rarely saw his niece fight against Decepticon drones or even Decepticon soldiers such as Knock Out, Breakdown and Airachnid.
"Well, in that case, NO ONE GETS IT!" Megatron declared.
Talida could only watch in horror as Megatron held the data cylinder in front of her…and crushed it beyond repair in his hand. Talida couldn't help but be even more horrified as she watched Megatron drop the crushed cylinder in front of them before transforming into his vehicular mode and retreating from the fight. None of them understood what could have caused the plan to go so wrong. Sure. Talida warned them that her plan wasn't exactly foolproof. But they still didn't understand. However, the next transmission answered all of their questions.
"Optimus! Talida! Bulkhead and Miko have abandoned base! I have their GroundBridge coordinates!"
"Ratchet, prepare the GroundBridge to teleport us to their location!" Talida immediately instructed as she prepared her PGO, "I'll bridge us back."
Miko saw that saw of Knock Out's come dangerously close to Bulkhead's neck. That was when she decided that she needed to act before she lost Bulkhead forever. And she needed to act NOW. Even if she lost him either way.
Miko grabbed a suitably sized metal pole that happened to be nearby and charged at Knock Out. Thankfully for her, Knock Out stopped when he saw her coming. He dodged her poorly executed blow. Miko stumbled backwards and fell against Bulkhead. Then, she heard the familiar humming. It was the same humming she heard when she accidentally activated the data cylinder and almost ejected the knowledge it contained towards the stars. Bulkhead's eyes opened. But his eyes were an ominous red rather than the brilliant blue. Bulkhead's eyes were the eyes of a Decepticon.
"Not again!" Breakdown cried as he and Knock Out dodged the beams shooting out of his eyes, "Get down!"
"I did it again?" Miko gasped.
They all stood back and watched as the data left Bulkhead's mind…and reached for the stars. There were no barriers to stop the data from departing this time. No data cylinder to trap the knowledge. No neuro net to occupy. Nothing. The knowledge was free to…fly.
"Bulkhead?" Miko whimpered as she walked forward, watching as Knock Out scanned Bulkhead's head.
"Dead battery. Megatron will peal our paint for losing that data," Knock Out grumbled.
"So we're gonna have to peal you," Breakdown declared.
Miko began back up in fear as Knock Out and Breakdown walked closer to her. Their optics showed their desire for bloodshed. Like any Decepticon optics. Fear-filled brown eyes watched as Knock Out went to decapitate the unconscious Bulkhead.
But just before his saw could get close enough, a blinding flash of light shone behind them. Miko, Knock Out and Breakdown turned around to see a GroundBridge portal. Jumping out of the portal were Arcee, Bumblebee, Talida and Optimus. All four of them stood ready to fight. Knock Out knew that he and Breakdown were screwed. If there was one thing the Decepticons knew, it is the fact that with this team…
No Autobot gets left behind.
"Or peal out of here," Knock Out shrugged.
Knock Out and Breakdown didn't give themselves the time to reconsider. Honestly, they didn't want to get their paint pealed by the Autobots. They just broke out of the arena, transformed into their vehicular modes and drove off. They would cross paths with the Autobots on another day. Right now…
They had to save their own afts from a pissed off Megatron.
Optimus, Arcee, Bumblebee and Talida were tempted to go after the duo. However, a sound stopped them. The sound was the sobs of a human. Immediately, they turned to the source and saw Miko crying against an unconscious Bulkhead. Slowly, they got an idea of what had happened.
"Bulkhead!" Miko sobbed.
Eventually, they all found themselves inside the confines of their secret base. Bulkhead was lying on a metal berth. He hadn't stirred from his dreamless recharge. Ratchet had connected cables to Bulkhead's head and was running scans on him. Bumblebee watched on with sadness filling his sky blue optics. Optimus ran a comforting hand up and down Arcee's back, sadness filling his own optics. They were still hurting over Cliffjumper's death all those months ago. Before the events over a week ago, they were fine. But Arcee and Talida discovering Cliffjumper's murderer among the thousands of Decepticons had brought the sadness and grief they had felt when he died closer to the surface. Losing Bulkhead like this would create a bigger emotional crack in the team.
Arcee kept her optics on Miko and Talida. The two girls were sitting by Bulkhead. Desperately trying to comfort one another in a time of hopelessness. However, all of their attempts failed and they ended up crying in each other's arms. Normally, Talida was the strong one. She rarely cried. But Bulkhead was like a brother to her. When her relationship with Bumblebee first came out, Bulkhead immediately unfolded his hammer and said that if he ever hurt Talida, there would be no stopping him.
"The data has been fully expelled. But Bulkhead remains completely unresponsive," Ratchet reported sadly.
"Because the energy took Bulkhead's mind with it. Heavenward. Lost to the stars," Miko sighed sadly as she rested her head on Talida's shoulder and allowed herself to cry some more, "It's my fault you'll never know the rest of the formula. And it's my fault Bulkhead's gone forever."
"Miko, your quick thinking prevented the formula from falling into Decepticon hands," Optimus reassured her.
"If anyone would have backed that play, its Bulkhead," Arcee piped in.
"It's simply too early to know the full extent of his condition. Something as simple as a familiar sight or smell; perhaps even a sound could trigger Bulkhead's awakening," Ratchet told her.
"Miko…I may have an idea," Talida gave Miko a small smile as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Talida grabbed Miko's hand and pulled her to a spot in front of everyone. This spot was a few hundred feet away from the railing and the computers next to them. It was the spot Talida always wound up standing in whenever someone forces her to perform a song for them.
Miko stood there as Talida worked. She didn't understand what Talida had in mind. But she trusted the young Prime with her life like Jack and Raf do. She heard the familiar feedback as Talida plugged a chord into her amp and adjust the volume and sound.
Wordlessly, she accepted the guitar and pick Talida was offering her. Slowly, Miko was beginning to realize Talida's idea and remembered Ratchet's words. She turned a few of the tuning pegs to adjust the sound that would come out. Miko pressed her fingers into the strings needed to play the chord. Slowly, she raised her hand above her head and played. The single chord rang out through the base. Intensely, they all watched Bulkhead, hoping for a sign of improvement. But none came. All of their hopes were shattered.
Until…
They heard a groan.
"Bulkhead?" Miko and Talida gasped hopefully.
Their response was Bulkhead sitting up humming the guitar song out of tune. Well…the genre is heavy metal. Singers of this genre don't have to sing in tune. And Bulkhead is no exception.
"I love that song!" Bulkhead cried before looking in front of him, "Miko! Talida!"
All everyone had to do was smile happily. Even Optimus. Sure. They couldn't complete the formula for the Synthetic Energon that would've changed the war. But Bulkhead was OK. And to them…
That's all that mattered.
"We claimed the brightest star.
And we, we came so far.
You know that we, we showed them all.
And no they won't forget…
Yeah…
Whenever you remember times gone by,
Remember how we held our heads so high!
When all this world was there for us!
And we believed that we could touch the sky!
Whenever you remember, I'll be there!
Remember how we reached that dream together!
Whenever you remember…
Whenever you remember…
Oh, whenever you remember…"
WHOO HOO! YEAH! I LOVE THIS CHAPTER! Next one's gonna be a good one too! Because it's the final episode that's standing in the way of where everything comes together! A major plot line for the Dark Energon! Which means…EVERYONE is going to be in the final four episodes! How amazing is that?
Sorry. I kinda lost it there. Well, you guys know what to do if you want more so I shouldn't have to tell you. Whoever reviews will get mini cupcakes! And…if I were you, I'd hurry before mum eats them all!
BYE! *runs around cheering happily*