He clawed his way up from the wreckage of the mine- broken, half-melted, leaking a pint of Energon with every foot he climbed, and with an aching loss in his spark that hurt far more than all the other damage.

His conjunx was gone.

It took orns to climb out, and with his chronometer damaged, the time seemed to stretch and drag out as he inched his way up, racked with misery. At first, he mourned. His optics had been removed in the reformatting, but that didn't stop him from crying- slowly, and then all at once, as he wept and felt the pain in his core grow greater with every second.

As he climbed higher, the sorrow turned to rage; and he screamed curses at the Autobots, at Primus, at his conjunx, and at himself, wishing and begging for another chance.

By the time he reached the top of the mountain, the rage and the pain were both gone, and all he felt was a cold, vicious need for revenge. And he knew exactly how to get it.

He called for a groundbridge- he could not have flown even if he had had the strength to transform, not with his wing missing. Soundwave met him as he dragged himself through, listened to his raspy request to see Lord Megatron, and took him there- the spymaster supporting him as he limped and dripped Energon, leaving a bright, glowing trail behind him.

"Rescue Bots," he gritted out to Megatron, spitting static and wobbling on his pedes. Soundwave stood next to him. "Four non-combatant bots. They survived the eradication during the war."

"Four non-combatant bots did this?" Megatron said, looking him over. "Killed all the miners and the other guard?"

Hot rage pulsed against his spark. "N-no, my Lord. The Prime was there as well."

"Hmm," Megatron said, and his optics narrowed. "We will have to do something about this. As for you, visit the medibay."

He stood upright, resisting Soundwave's servo. "Lord Megatron, I am dying already." He pulled his hand away from his chest and displayed his destroyed spark chamber. Clamping his servo back, he continued, "The other guard was- was my conjunx endura." He glanced at Soundwave. The spymaster had agreed to keep their secret, but what did it matter now? "I have no reason to try and prolong my life. All I wish is that you willdestroy the Rescue Bots so that I can enter the Allspark peacefully. . . knowing my conjunx has been avenged."

Megatron gave him an appraising glance. "What is your name?"

"4J-"

"No," Megatron interrupted. "I know you give yourselves organic names. What do you call yourself?"

He closed his optics. "I am Joe, Lord Megatron."

Kelly had suggested his name.

Kelly, who was dead.

"Hmm," Megatron said. "This is war, and mecha die every day. I cannot pretend to care very much that another Vehicon has passed into the Allspark, but I will tell you this: The Rescue Bots will be dealt with."

Joe nodded. There were a thousand things he could say- it has been an honor serving you. Decepticons forever. Till all are one. But he kept his vocalizer silent and removed his servo from his spark.

He could feel the swirling ball begin to shrink, his life force begin to fade away. He gave a shaking vent, watching the glowing ball leave his body. Kelly, he thought, I will see you soon.

He was dimly aware of his body hitting the ground, and then nothing- as he faded away into an eternal whiteness.