Me: Alright! It's time…well, nearly time. We still have this one episode to go. And then after that, it's…well, read the chapter list to find out.
1. One Shall Fall
2. One Shall Rise Part 1
3. One Shall Rise Part 2
4. One Shall Rise Part 3
OH MY GOD! FOUR CHAPTERS! WHOA BOY!
Mystic: Amazing job with chapter 25 and nothing's wrong with Justin Beibler and im sorry about the spelling and good luck wiht season 2 and like in season 2 will arcee have to fight Optimus ?
I don't know yet. But I think that'll be pretty interesting to see. Right now, I have nothing definitive. But when I have ideas, you'll be amazed by them. Thanks for the review!
haloangel21: OMG, I loved that part when KO says "come to Papa," Bulkhead going,"Run to Mommy," and BD grabbing him,"Say uncle." Great job doing that! I can't wait for the next chapter as the others! You have done a great job with this story! I'm proud of you darlin!
My oc: well, she did okay.
Me: c'mon, admit it was bigger!
oc: yeah, you did an amazing job!
Can't wait to see more!
Honestly, I'm just glad that this story has improved from when its started. Thanks for the review!
Mystic: Mystic: can I be in the next chapter?
Sorry, Mystic. But I'll be happy to have you in season 2.
Jazz Prime The New Prime: Great! I love this. Okay, uh yea. I'm bored so i need to update on my other stories and scrap. Clarion still hasn't call me on his new JOB. So, I am pretty much lonely. Oh and I can't wait for Red-Hawks 99'! Go Kristian!
Update soon *gives her cookies and Energon to Clarion* BYE
First of all, thanks for the cookies. I really need a sugar kick right now. Second of all, CLARION, GO AND CALL JAZZ! SHE MISSES YOU LIKE MAD! Third of all, you're damn right! Your stories are awesome! Update more! Fourth of all, thanks for the review!
Angel of all Decepticons: Wow that was funny! "You painted my paint job!" haha i like that part. Knockout can't stand himself being sexy.
KnockOut: I will always be sexy and you know it *points to me*
Well, I guess I do know -_-)Now, I like it. Oh here, *gives Mexican food to Icegirl* It's burrito!
Knockout: What do I get?
Nothing, just you, yourself and you-sexy-and-i-know-it, scrap.
Knockout: That's even better! O_O
Update soon before I kill myself and Knockout!;)
Thanks, man! And…don't remind me about the Sexy and I know it stuff. Because I watched the music video to that song and I had nightmares. *shudders* I'd rather not go there…
xxXNinjaKnifesXxx: OMG! I never ever won! Wow I'm soo happy! Thank you, thank you! *bows down and people claping at him* I feel so loved! I love you Icegirl! You made me soo happy. So can I be in the story? Oh, wait! I know! Why don't I set up a Chapter party! DJ Twins! A night that will be FUN and DANCING! Just like we did in the wedding! Friday Night with the Autobots! Yeah! Cool! All I got to do is ask Jazz, Angel, and Remicade and maybe RP to come and have fun. A big party!Oh I have some songs to go with! Just PM me and we'll talk about it!
Update Soon!:)
Now that is an awesome idea! I'll PM you later. Thanks for the review!
I'mSexyAndYouKnowItGlitch: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Also, you never answered My ? about JB.
Oh. Whoops. Well…I like him a lot. And…I think that's self-explanatory. Thanks for the review!
Sailor Shinzo: I'm glad Bulkhead's okay. For a moment, I was worried he might not nake it. Is there something I missed from Megatron when talking to Talida? Hope you update it soon.
Well, I think you didn't miss Megatron constantly calling Talida her niece. That's actually going to be more defined in season 2…when I can figure out how. Thanks for the review.
ALL OUT TOMBOY: Dah! I so excited for the next chapter and for TFP returning on Febuary 18th!
NEITHER CAN I! Hey! Have you seen the new promo images for the new season? OMG! IT LOOKS SO EPIC! You have to check it out NOW! Thanks for the review!
Rachelle Prime: Is it me, or is this story getting shorter? *Checks how many episodes are left* OH MY GOSH! There's only 5 episodes left! I think you should make more chapters, I'll PM u the names and what there about. Update soon! *Gives Cookies* there fresh!
Oooh thanks! Can't wait for that PM!
Alright everyone! Here we go! WHOO!
Transformers: Prime rightfully belongs to Hasbro and The Hub.
© Talida Prime and other OCs rightfully belong to me.
The Reason belongs to Hoobastank and their respective record label. (OK. I know it isn't the best choice of song for this particular chapter. But…I've been meaning to use this song for a while and I'm running out of options like the Autobots are running out of Energon.)
I'll catch up with you guys at the end of the chapter. My head is killing me! Well…that's what you get for going on so many wild rides at Movie World. Also, I've been a but dehydrated to so… Man! That Green Lantern ride is AWESOME! (I went to Movie World with a couple of my friends for my birthday…even though I'm not 15 until Monday.)
Oh! Before I forget! There's also gonna be a prize for the 125th reviewer! I'll let you guys decide what. My head hurts too much. *walks away*
Talida: She exhausted herself a bit too much. She spent all day yesterday at Movie World with her friends since she's 15 on Monday. But she loves you guys. So…
ENJOY!
"I'm not a perfect person.
There's many things I wish I didn't do.
But I continue learning.
I never meant to do those things to you…
And so I have to say before I go…
That I just want you to know…
I've found a reason for me…
To change who I used to be…
A reason to start over new…
And the reason is you…"
"Hmmm…surprisingly stable," Ratchet observed.
It was a regular day for the Autobots. It was a regular day they needed. It has been a week since the incident involving Bulkhead and the data cylinder. Slowly, everything began to return to the way they were before…minus Talida still having another few days to go until her sprained wrist is fully healed. And their regular day consisted of training, patrol and battling the occasional Decepticon. But recently, an addition to their regular day is worrying about the Energon supplies. It was no secret that their supplies were dangerously low. And so were their hopes of finding fresh deposits with Megatron having control of the majority located on Earth. They knew it wouldn't be long until they would completely be out of Energon and the Decepticons would win the Energon race.
That was what drew Ratchet to his microscope in the first place. A new hope. Through the peepholes, he could see clearly what he was studying. Synthetic Energon. Sure. The formula was incomplete due to Bulkhead losing the data before writing out all the equations required to actually complete the formula. But they didn't want to lose Bulkhead. So it was the best choice they've made. Over the time he had spent studying the equations, Ratchet managed to make do. Substituting the gaps with multiple equations, Ratchet tried to perfect the formula. However, it wasn't an easy task.
"Hey, Ratchet," Raf greeted happily from his position leaning on the railing, "Is that Synthetic Energon?"
"Well, yes. In fact, I'm preparing to test a sample," Ratchet answered as he prepared a syringe filled with Synthetic Energon and turned to face Raf, "I see that you've come equipped with protective goggles."
"I can watch?" Raf exclaimed excitedly.
Raf didn't even care if Ratchet had confused his red rectangular glasses for the protective goggles people would easily find in science labs all over the globe. He was actually able to see Ratchet test an experiment. He rarely got to do this.
Ratchet chuckled before ejecting the green substance into the test engine, "We just add some to this test engine."
Greedily, the test engine drank the very fuel that needed to be tested. Together, Ratchet and Raf watched intensely as the blue designs on the engine turned green with the new fuel. The engine began to hum and whir in activation. Without a fear, Raf walked closer to it.
"It works!" Raf cheered before calling for Bumblebee.
Ratchet stopped him before saying, "This iteration of the formula requires further trial before we can even think about using it for fuel, ammunition or first aid. Which is rather unfortunate since our own Energon reserves are at an all-time low. And Talida's Enerblood is dangerously close to the same condition. Our severely outnumbered warriors have been rapidly burning through our stockpile of late as the Decepticon army continues to run us ragged and drag us down. Natural Energon is in such short supply on your planet and Megatron seems to have his oily claws buried deep in all of the Earth's deposits. But if we can successfully produce a synthetic form, we can manufacture all the energy we'll ever need."
"But what about Talida's Enerblood? Isn't natural Energon a key ingredient?" Raff asked.
"Energon and blood alone do not agree with Talida's internal systems. That's why she used Energon during her suicide attempt almost three years ago. For her, it wouldn't have mattered if the Energon batch she used was poisoned. Unequally balanced amounts of Energon and blood could become fatal for her. That is why I invented Enerblood by mixing the two substances together. So she can have easy access to equal distributions. I fear that this Synthetic Energon will be too much for her to handle. This batch cannot be used to make Enerblood. It has to be natural Energon," Ratchet sighed gravely.
"What are you trying to say? That if this works, Talida will run out of Enerblood and she'll die?" Raf gasped in fear.
"I'm afraid the chances of that scenario happening are dangerously high, yes. When we find natural Energon that is not property of the Decepticons, since we would no longer need it if I can perfect this formula, it would automatically be spent in creating the Enerblood Talida desperately needs," Ratchet explained.
"Does she know?" Raf asked nervously.
There was no denying that Raf and Talida had a strong bond that grew even stronger since Raf helped rescue Talida from Megatron's mind control. They worried for each other more. And they loved each other more. But they still maintained that mother/son relationship. Because Talida's in love with Bumblebee and Raf's too young for her…not to mention Jack threatening to bring bodily harm to him if he made a move on his baby sister.
Before Ratchet could answer, the alarms started going off. Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Optimus and Talida were in the room in a matter of seconds. Immediately, they knew the cause of the alarm.
"More Energon on the move," Arcee observed, causing Talida to groan and face-palm into her still bandaged wrist.
"Again?" Bulkhead moaned.
"Their recent activity suggests a familiar pattern. The Decepticons are desperately scouting for new deposits to mine," Optimus proclaimed, "Autobots!"
"Optimus!" Ratchet stopped his old friend short, "If one of you comes back wounded this time…well, our Energon reserves are nearly depleted."
"Understood. Activate the GroundBridge," Optimus requested, "Autobots! Roll out!"
"Hop on, Tally!" Arcee instructed as she transformed.
Talida didn't need to be told twice. She slid on the helmet Raf handed her with a quiet 'thanks' and jumped off of the railing onto the saddle of Arcee's vehicular mode. Ratchet and Raf could only stand by and watch as their friends disappeared through the portal.
"Sometimes, I wish I could do more," Ratchet sighed.
That was when Ratchet got an idea. Maybe there WAS a way for him to do more. He knew that he was going to get an earful from Optimus and Talida for this. However, it was better than sitting by and watch the Energon reserves run dry. The risk he was about to take by following through was a considerably sized risk. But it was one he was willing to take. For the sake of his team. His family.
He grabbed another large vile of Synthetic Energon and placed it on the syringe. As he raised his arm, he prayed to Primus that his idea would work perfectly. Then…he took the plunge. He placed the needle inside his systems where his arm bends. Opposite the Cybertronian equivilant of a human elbow. He grunted in pain as he felt the Synthetic Energon leak into his system. He began gagging as his eyes turned green. The process he had to go through was not a pleasant one. But at least the outcome would be worth it.
That was the thought Ratchet held onto as he dropped the syringe in shock and fell to the floor.
Unconscious.
(theme starts here)
TRANSFORMERS PRIME
DEVELOPED FOR TELEVISION BY
Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
AND
Duane Capizzi
Jeff Kline
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Jeff Kline
"I'm sorry that I hurt you.
It's something I must live with everyday.
And all the pain I put you through.
I wish that I could take it all away…
And be the one who catches all your tears…
That's why I need you to hear…
I've found a reason for me…
To change who I used to be…
A reason to start over new…
And the reason is you…
And the reason is you…
And the reason is you…
And the reason is you…"
"RATCHET! WAKE UP!"
Ratchet slowly came to from the effects of the process he had to undergo when he injected the Synthetic Energon into his own systems. When he woke up, he found Raf sitting on top of his chassis with a worried expression on his face. He had been yelling at him the entire time for him to wake up. Raf immediately climbed down as Ratchet began to sit up. Something Raf also noticed is that Ratchet's optics were a vibrant green rather than their usual vibrant blue.
"How is it that such small beings can be so loud?" Ratchet groaned as he slowly stood up.
"Are you hurt? You fell," Raf recalled.
"I'm fine. I'm…more than fine," Ratchet answered happily as he checked his own readings, "Energy efficiency is up 30%? Motor functions optimal? Any word from the others?"
Raf only shook his head. Immediately, Ratchet knew the answer was no.
"Knock Out! Can't we just bridge out of here? This cube's putting some serious drag on me!" Breakdown whined to Knock Out who was driving in front of him.
Arcee was right when she spotted the Energon find. The Energon is on the move. Safely secured on the roof of Breakdown's vehicular mode. Knock Out drove ahead of Breakdown as the two lead Optimus, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Talida on a wild goose chase. One that would benefit the Decepticons.
"The more we give the Autobots a workout, the more fuel they burn. And we win the Energon race," Knock Out retorted before saying, "Besides, here comes air support."
Above them, numerous Decepticon drones flew in their vehicular mode. All of them fired missiles at the Autobots. They whizzed between the group without actually hitting anyone. An idea formed inside the heads of Arcee and Talida as the two girls raced ahead. This is the closest they've been to fresh Energon deposits for numerous months. Their own supply at base is dangerously low. They weren't going to let this batch out of their sight that easily.
Not without a fight.
The missiles hit the cliff faces above them, causing rocks to come raining down.
"Oh scrap," Talida remarked before saying to Arcee, "Now's a good time to use that maneuver we've been practicing for months."
"It's like you read my mind," Arcee smirked to herself.
"See you on the other side," Talida said as she stood up and she used her powers to boost herself high into the air.
Arcee used a fallen rock hill to boost herself into the air next to Talida. Mid-air, Arcee transformed into her bipedal mode and jumped from rock to rock. The two girls nodded to each other and Arcee transformed back into her vehicular mode. Talida immediately jumped on as Arcee landed on a large falling rock. They landed on the ground and continued to follow Knock Out and Breakdown.
Optimus, Bulkhead and Bumblebee came to a stop as they saw their path blocked. They immediately transformed, flipped and skidded to a stop. Immediately, they saw the Decepticon drones fly over the block and the group. Optimus was the first to realize that his wife and daughter had manage to maneuver their way past the falling rocks to the other side and that the drones were chasing the girls as they continued to chase Knock Out and Breakdown. Naturally, he knew of the dangers their little plan possessed for them. And he didn't like it. At all. Some may say that Optimus is being overprotective. Others may say that he cares about his family a lot.
"Arcee! Talida! Fall back! You're outnumbered!" Optimus warned them.
"We're always outnumbered," Arcee retorted.
"I'm not letting my wife and daughter risk their lives on a fools errand! Get out of there! Now!"
"It's not a fools errand, dad! We need that Energon!" Talida retorted.
Will it kill them to just listen for once? "Ratchet, lock on to Arcee and Talida's coordinates and prepare an emergency GroundBridge," Optimus requested.
"I'm locked on. Arcee, decelerate and prepare to return to base. You too, Talida," Ratchet instructed.
"Save it, Ratchet. We're too close," Arcee retorted.
"Oh no…," Talida whispered as she realized something.
"Don't be a fool!" Ratchet pleaded.
"Arcee, Ratchet may be right. We have to go," Talida suddenly said.
"Why?" Arcee asked.
"MISSILES!" Talida screamed.
Talida was right. The Decepticon drones above them fired numerous missiles. Talida felt her insides begin to coil in fear. Yes. Fear. She did NOT want to get blown up. Not today, at least. Not when she still had a life to live. Same with Arcee.
"Oh sh-."
Talida's cussing was cut off by her own yell of surprise as a missile exploded right behind them. Arcee was knocked off of his wheels and Talida was violently thrown off. The two girls stumbled violently before finally skidding to a stop. Both girls let out groans before blacking out for a few seconds.
"They're hurt!" Ratchet gasped as he heard the erratic beeping.
"Tally!" Raf exclaimed in worry.
At once, Ratchet knew that something had to be done. And it had to be done now. He didn't know the full extent of the injuries Arcee and Talida had sustained. Although, he already knew that Talida had further injured her sprained wrist. Also, he had no idea how long it would take the others to reach the girls.
"Man the GroundBridge," Ratchet requested as he activated the GroundBridge.
Without giving Raf a chance to answer or allowing himself time to reconsider, Ratchet transformed into their alternate mode and raced through the portal. Time is of the essence. The sooner he arrived at the scene, the better.
Arcee and Talida groaned as they came out of their black out and struggled to sit up. Arcee held her head and struggled to break free of the swimming sensations she was feeling from the tumble. Immediately, she turned to Talida, more concerned about her stepdaughter's wellbeing rather than her own.
"Third time this month!" Talida growled.
"Tally, are you OK?" Arcee asked worriedly.
"Well, my head hurts like hell and I just got myself another week with my wrist in a bandage," Talida groaned before suddenly going, "Oh scrap."
Arcee glanced at the direction Talida was looking at and found herself scared and frustration as well. The Decepticon drones were approaching the two Autobots. The good news is: they're not firing any more missiles at the two girls.
The bad news is: they surrounded them instead.
Arcee struggled to sit up as she stared at the Decepticon drones standing around herself and Talida in a circle, preventing any opportunity of escape for them. Talida staggered over to Arcee, but her legs gave out and she began to fall. Maternal instinct grappled Arcee as she saw her stepdaughter falling down. Immediately, she reached out her hand and caught her before she hit the ground. Arcee cradled Talida close to her chassis as a Decepticon stepped forward. Talida felt her heart rate begin to rise as she saw the Decepticon point his blaster directly at Arcee's face and she heard the familiar whirring of activation.
"NO!" Talida screamed.
Suddenly, the two heard the familiar sound of a GroundBridge portal opening. The two looked up and saw a portal appearing near the top of the canyon. Ratchet came flying out of the portal.
Arcee and Talida couldn't help but be amazed by the way Ratchet landed perfectly on top of the Decepticon drone ready to kill them and then throw him into another Decepticon drone, completely not phased by the fall at all. Another Decepticon ended up losing his arm. Ratchet crazily moved from Decepticon drone to Decepticon drone inflicting all kinds of damage on the enemy. Nothing seemed to be capable of stopping the Autobot medic on his intense high.
"Ratchet?" Arcee and Talida gasped in shock as their jaws dropped.
Ratchet was performing moves he had not performed since his younger years. As an active dancer, Talida couldn't help but be impressed by the breakdancing moves Ratchet was performing to avoid shots and cause harm to Decepticons.
"Looks like the Autobots brought in a ringer," Knock Out remarked.
"Well, then I'll ring his bell," Breakdown declared as he edged closer.
However, when he saw Optimus, Bulkhead and Bumblebee jumping off of the rocks and running towards the scene of the fight all guns blazing, he immediately reconsidered.
"It'll have to wait," Breakdown decided as he and Knock Out drove away.
"Another Decepticon bites the dust! And another!" Talida cheered as she saw Ratchet slice and dice Decepticons.
Optimus immediately helped Arcee up and held her tight to his form. Normally, Primes were hardwired to not be scared in situations such as these. However, when these situation involving his family – especially his wife and daughter – it's a different matter entirely. At the other side, he was freaking out completely.
Ratchet remained standing where he was with one foot on a fallen Decepticon drone. He didn't even need to turn around. He simply raised his fist and it immediately came in contact with a deceptive approaching Decepticon drone. The grunts and the sounds of metal falling to the floor were music to his ears. (AN: hehe. Classic.)
"Hooah!" Ratchet cheered.
"What happened?" Raf asked as he saw the others returning.
"I only saw the gory aftermath. But I hear the doc was one bot wrecking machine!" Bulkhead remarked as the portal closed behind them.
"You should have seen it, Raf!" Talida gushed excitedly as Bumblebee set her down next to Raf, "It was AWESOME! It was like seeing a bot on steroids!"
"Really? WHOA!" Raf exclaimed as he suddenly found himself scooped up by Ratchet.
"Hey, little fella," Ratchet laughed as he set a surprised Raf down next to Talida.
"Who are you and what have you done with cranky old Ratchet?" Talida asked jokingly as she and Raf wrapped their arms around each other.
"Alright. What's your secret?" Arcee questioned with a smile.
"No secret," Ratchet shook his head as he picked up a vial of Synthetic Energon and tossed it to Arcee, "Just a little something I'd like to call Synthin'."
"From the data Bulkhead transcribed?" Arcee guessed.
"I thought the formula was incomplete," Talida recalled.
"Not anymore," Ratchet smiled, earning bleeps from Bumblebee.
"So Ratchet makes a better tough guy than I do a smart guy?" Bulkhead scoffed as he passed the vial to Optimus.
"Ratchet, I question the wisdom of losing yourself as a test subject," Optimus confessed.
"Party pooper much?" Talida teased.
"Babe, you didn't see Ratchet out there! He was in overdrive! We should all drive this stuff!" Arcee suggested excitedly.
"Or give Ratchet more so we can take a vacation," Bulkhead piped in.
"Vegas and L.A, baby! WHOO!" Raf and Talida cheered happily has they hi-fived one another.
"Why those two places?" Arcee asked in confusion.
"The four of us have a bucket list," Talida began explaining, earning a strange look from the Autobots, "It's a list people make up filled with stuff they want to do before they die. Like, 'Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge' or 'Walk the Great Wall of China.' Basically, the four of us have the same bucket list. So we wanna complete the list together. And close to the top of the list is go on a summer road trip to Las Vegas and Los Angeles."
"I agree that the initial results seem promising," Optimus started.
"Here comes to but," Arcee and Talida grumbled.
"But I recommend that further testing be confined to machines. Not Autobots," Optimus finally finished as he handed the vial back to Ratchet, "Outnumbered though we may be, old friend. We need a warrior in the laboratory right now more than we need another in the field."
Bumblebee bleeped something in agreement to Optimus' statement. There was a teasing tone laced in with his usual bleeps as he gazed at his 16-year-old girlfriend. Talida groaned and glared at him in a teasing fashion.
"Shut up, honey," Talida grumbled as she kissed his cheek plate.
"And then, he came right at me! And I…," Ratchet trailed off his recollection of events as he jumped away from Bulkhead and stood in a fighting stance, "Well…come on, Bulk. Come at me."
"I don't wanna hurt you, Ratch," Bulkhead declined…earning a bitch slap from Ratchet.
"I SAID COME AT ME!" Ratchet repeated.
Not wanting to earn another bitch slap from the Autobot medic, Bulkhead obeyed. Bulkhead unfolded the ball from his arm and charged at Ratchet. He took a swing at his teammate, who dodged the attack with ease and grace. With ease, he picked up Bulkhead and threw him with force. Force hard enough to make him smash through the wall of the training room and into the hallway outside.
"HOOAH!"
Arcee, Bumblebee and Talida happened to be nearby when they heard the crash. Talida, who was sitting comfortably on Arcee's shoulder, found her jaw dropping once again.
"What was that?" Arcee immediately asked, earning a groan from Bulkhead in response.
"You've got competition, Bulk. I'm a lot stronger than I used to be," Ratchet declared as he came out with a bounce in his steps, "Also a bit faster!"
"Hey hey hey! No punching my man!" Talida threatened as she saw Ratchet go to punch Bumblebee with a laugh.
"Think you can take me, muscle car?" Ratchet challenged.
Immediately, Bumblebee bleeped his objections to the Autobot medic. Because he didn't want to get in a fight with someone who was a dear friend to him. And because he was slightly scared after witnessing what happened to Bulkhead.
"Whimp," Ratchet grumbled before walking past Arcee and winking, "How's it humming?"
"Did he just?" Arcee started.
"Flirt with you?" Talida finished with a cringe, "He does realize you're married, right? To his commander? To his old friend? To the greatest Prime in existence?"
"Stronger. Faster. Studlier," Bulkhead observed before glancing at Arcee, "Hey. Are you alright? You look a little flushed there."
"Hmmm? Oh. Oh no. I'm fine," Arcee answered, though she sounded unsure.
"Are you sure? We're low on Energon and we're outnumbered as it is. We can't really afford having one of our best soldiers getting sick," Bulkhead observed.
"It's probably nothing, Bulkhead. But I promise that if I begin feeling even more sick, I'll talk to Ratchet and get myself checked out," Arcee reassured him.
Ratchet peered into one of the storage cupboards that happened to be nearby. A green glow greeted him happily. Unable to resist, he opened the cupboard. He began to feel like a drug addict staring at a syringe full of heroin. The temptation was becoming far too great and he couldn't take it anymore. He reached in and took the syringe full with a fresh dose of Synthetic Energon.
"I need to be at the top of our game. The survival of our race depends on it," Ratchet declared as he injected more Synthetic Energon into his system.
And that was when the inner person that made Ratchet who he is found themselves comatose.
Alarms began blaring in the main room once again. Attention was demanded. The Autobots couldn't race towards the computers fast enough. Talida was the first to arrive because she used her PGO to teleport herself.
"Looks like the 'Cons hit another vein," Arcee observed.
"I'm really annoyed with chasing breadcrumbs," Talida moaned in frustration, "But we need more Energon. And we need it now. So what's the harm this time?"
"Autobots-," once again, Optimus found himself cut short.
"Hey hey hey. Shouldn't we wait for our secret weapon?" Bulkhead asked Optimus.
"This mission is unlikely to require medical expertise," Optimus shook his head.
"But you may never know when you require additional firepower," Ratchet retorted, "Bumblebee can handle GroundBridge duty."
"Did he seriously just confine my boyfriend to the base?" Talida randomly asked, "It'll take me a while to forgive him for that."
"Time to put the hurt on some Decepticons!" Ratchet declared.
"On second thought, he's forgiven," Talida immediately decided as she kissed Bumblebee's mouth plates.
Optimus, Arcee, Bulkhead and Talida were tempted to yell at Ratchet to slow down as he raced ahead of the group, eager to kick some Decepticon tailpipe. However, with the Decepticons, covert is the best option…most of the time. And this time certainly fits in the category. Although, they couldn't help but be eager as well. They have been following Energon breadcrumbs for several weeks now. Their own Energon reserves were close to being depleted with recent injuries. And this has been the closest they've been to a fresh Energon trail since their Energon supply began running low. So every effort they made contributed.
"Signal's weak. They may have hit a vein. But they won't find much of an Energon pulse," Bulkhead observed as he glanced at the readings on the Energon scanner, "Not here."
"I take some comfort in the fact that Megatron seems to be as desperate to find the stuff as we are," Arcee remarked.
"Well, that's something. But it's gonna make the whole race a lot more intense. Just when you think it's intense enough," Talida sighed.
"Do you three always talk this much during missions?" Ratchet snapped before transforming into his vehicular mode and racing in on the action.
Arcee, Bulkhead, Optimus and Talida immediately followed in a heartbeat. Normally, they wouldn't race in on the action as rashly as Ratchet just did. However, they also frown upon taking the enemy on their own…well, Optimus does. Talida, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Ratchet believe in doing what is necessary.
"Autobots!" one drone cried.
Immediately, the Decepticons fired at Ratchet who easily dodged the shots. When he was close enough, he jumped up and ran over the drone leading the firefight. Before they hit the ground, Ratchet transformed into his bipedal mode and stood over the fallen drone.
"It's alright. I'm an emergency vehicle," Ratchet reassured him before unfolding his blades and going in for the slice.
Arcee, Bulkhead, Optimus and Talida were still racing down the hill as they returned fire on any Decepticon drone that tried to shoot them in their path. Some hit oncoming drones. Others missed.
With the firefight around him, Ratchet saw an opportunity as he removed his blade from the dead Decepticon drone. He saw another Decepticon drone. Climbing out of the drill's control booth and making an attempt to retreat. Ratchet wasn't about to let that happen. The opportunity he saw would give the Autobots a large advantage over the war and possibly lead them to even more Energon if he chose to take the chance that was dangling in front of him. Thankful that the others were distracted and wouldn't stop him from doing this, he followed the retreating drone and climbed up the cliff face to the top. However, he didn't chase him. Instead, he picked up a nearby rock large enough to cause harm and threw it hard at the drone. Just when it looked like it would miss, it didn't.
The drone groaned and rolled over onto his back, his senses swimming from the hit from the falling rock. However, when he tried to sit up, Ratchet pinned him down with his foot.
"Why the big rush?" Ratchet demanded harshly.
"Just trying to get as far away as I can from the Autobot stink," he answered.
"Does your boss know you have a potty mouth? Maybe I should pay him a visit and tell him," Ratchet decided.
"Get melted, wheel grinder!" he spat.
"Melted? Well, there's a concept," Ratchet remarked as he unfolded his blowtorch, "I won't ask you a second time. Where is Megatron?"
Back in the gorge, the Autobots were just about finished with the Decepticon drones that were attacking them moments before. Bulkhead took care of one with his ball. One went to approach Arcee as she was just taking care of another. He held his blaster at the back of her head…but he got shot and fell to the floor. Arcee heard the shot and began to wonder where the shot had come from. When she saw Optimus folding his smoking blaster back into his arm, she knew it was him. Then she remembered something someone had read to her while she was still in school. Back when she didn't even know that she was the soul mate of a Prime.
"Nobody can even threaten to bring harm to someone's soul mate and expect to get away with it. Especially if the Cybertronian is the soul mate of a Prime."
Then the four were distracted by a scream. An Energon-curdling scream. Interested to know what was going on, they immediately scaled the cliff face. When they reached the top, they saw Ratchet pinning a Decepticon drone to the ground and using a blowtorch to burn his optic.
"That's all I know! Really!" the drone said.
"Now was that so difficult?" Ratchet asked rhetorically as he replaced his blowtorch with his blade.
Arcee, Bulkhead, Optimus and Talida stared at each other in shock. That is NOT the Ratchet they know. Ratchet wouldn't do something like this to anyone unless it was absolutely necessary. And it wasn't necessary. Something had to be done. Quickly.
"RATCHET!" Talida screamed as she used her telekinesis powers to stop the blade and everyone raced over, "What are you doing?"
"Getting results," Ratchet answered as he broke away from Talida's telekinesis grip and the drone escaped.
"And breaking protocol. That was a Decepticon miner. Servant class. NOT warrior class," Optimus began reprimanding his old friend.
"Oh, and let me guess. I'm just the medic," Ratchet rolled his optics.
"Autobots do not inflict harm unless all other options have been exhausted. It's what separates us from the Decepticons," Optimus reminded him.
Ratchet scoffed in frustration and disbelief before finally saying, "Is this really the time for another lecture, Optimus? You didn't just happen to discover Megatron's current location, did you? Well, I did! And do you know where there's a stockpile of raw Energon ripe for the taken? I do!"
"Come on, Ratchet. Calm it down," Bulkhead pleaded him.
"Calm is the last thing we need. Calm is what lost us Cybertron! The 'Cons have a warship! An army! All this Energon scouting! You don't think Megatron isn't gearing up for something big? We're squandering our resources chasing after his crumbs! When we need to be hitting him really hard! And hitting him now! Precisely where it hurts!" Ratchet declared as he punched his fists together.
"This will not be good," Talida whispered nervously.
"A direct assault on the Decepticons would only provoke retaliation, Ratchet. And lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives," Optimus objected.
"Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh! I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" Ratchet retorted.
"That's it!" Arcee exclaimed as she went to charge at Ratchet.
"Arcee!" Talida cried as she and Bulkhead held her back, "It's not worth it!"
"And among the lives you endanger are your own wife and daughter, Optimus! You know, if you didn't endanger them as much, you'd have even more additions to the family! Shanahan would agree with me! Oh wait! I'm sorry! I forgot! Shanahan didn't even make it past Arcee's sparkling chamber because you didn't fight enough to keep her on Earth and allowed her to go off and get Shanahan killed!" Ratchet snapped.
"OK! That's it!" Talida finally snapped as she stopped holding Arcee back and both went for him…only to have Bulkhead hold them both back.
"Bulkhead!" both girls protested.
"It's not worth it," Bulkhead repeated dangerously, clearly close to losing his cool as well.
"You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong bot, you're soft! You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!" Ratchet tormented.
"I'm afraid that the Synthetic Energon has impaired your judgment, old friend. I am confining you to base until further notice," Optimus decided, "Bumblebee. Bridge us back."
It was only when the GroundBridge opened that Bulkhead released Arcee and Talida. He knew they were still pretty pissed at Ratchet for tormenting them with the deaths of Cliffjumper and Shanahan, saying it was Optimus' fault for Cliffjumper and Arcee's for Shanahan. Bulkhead was also pretty pissed. But he barely managed to keep his cool and restrain himself from pounding Ratchet.
"Fine," Ratchet sighed as he went to walk through the portal.
Arcee and Talida were still trying to restrain themselves from hitting Ratchet. But like Bulkhead said to them, it wasn't worth the time and the firepower. Optimus wrapped a comforting hand on Arcee's shoulders and pulled her to his side. He knew that she still blamed herself for Shanahan's death. No matter how many times everyone had told her that it could've happened to anyone and that it wasn't her fault Shanahan had died that day.
Bulkhead gave Arcee a sympathetic and apologetic look before going to follow Ratchet through the portal. However, he never got the chance to step inside. Ratchet ran out and pushed Bulkhead out of his way with force. Bulkhead was sent backwards, flying into Optimus and nearly hitting Talida, if it weren't for Arcee scooping Talida up in her arms before she had the chance. Everyone watched in surprise and worry as Ratchet transformed into his emergency vehicle disguise and raced away from his teammates.
There was no time to waste. That much the other Autobots knew. Immediately, Optimus, Talida, Arcee and Bulkhead raced through the open portal and towards the computers. Arcee immediately typed in the necessary codes and commands needed to use the computer in an attempt to locate Ratchet and end his madness. However, their journey to a successful finish of their plan wasn't without a few bumps on the road.
"Can't get a fix on Ratchet's coordinates," Arcee sighed in frustration.
"That bogus Energon must be scrambling his signal," Bulkhead grumbled.
"Keep trying," Optimus pleaded his wife gently, "We've got to find Ratchet before he finds Megatron."
Inside an Energon mine, Decepticon drones were working nonstop. Drilling. Collecting. Teleporting. It was all an endless cycle for the Decepticon miners. Breakdown didn't seem to be phased by it as he walked with one of the drones. He was having a conversation about someone he has grown attracted to.
And that someone is Airachnid. (Everyone: *cringes*)
"Yeah. She's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird. But…I find myself intrigued by her," Breakdown confessed.
Suddenly, he heard the familiar sound of a whistle coming from the cavern. Immediately, they raced over and couldn't help but be surprised at who they saw. Ratchet. He was just casually strolling in. Expecting everything to be easy. Well, it won't be. Because Breakdown won't allow it.
"I was wondering when you might show," Breakdown remarked.
"You call yourself a scientist? You were supposed to have located a fresh Energon source by now!" Megatron boomed at Knock Out who was quivering in fear.
"My apologies, Lord Megatron. We got distracted by the new Autobot that attacked us," Knock Out defended.
"Really? And what new Autobot would that be?" Megatron asked impatiently. (AN: OK. Was anyone else freaked out by Megatron in that little bit or am I the only one?)
Knock Out and Megatron were distracted by the thudding sound of footsteps. Footsteps that echoed around the cavern as they approached the two of them. They saw Breakdown…surprisingly dazed. Then Breakdown fell to the ground. Now standing before them was Ratchet.
"HOOAH!" Ratchet cheered.
"Well, uh…," Knock Out stumbled in fear.
"That is your new fearsome adversary? He's Optimus Prime's medic!" Megatron scoffed in disbelief.
"Oh no, Megatron. I am your doctor of doom," Ratchet corrected.
With that said, Ratchet jumped up and punched Megatron in the face. Hard. Megatron was sent flying into the wall nearby. Knock Out was shocked as well. It was like watching a robot on Cybertronian steroids! And he wanted to know…
What is it?
And where can he get some of that?
"Alright then," Megatron shrugged as he found himself in actual pain from the punch.
"For Cyber-!" Ratchet began to yell as he charged towards Megatron.
Megatron grabbed Ratchet's fist and twisted his arm awkwardly, relishing in Ratchet's gasps and cries of pain. While Ratchet is now stronger and faster than he used to be, Megatron had Dark Energon flowing through his veins. Which was stronger than the Synthetic Energon Ratchet had engineered from an incomplete formula.
"Ratchet is rather more spirited than I recollect," Megatron observed.
"Chemical enhancement perhaps?" Knock Out guessed with a shrug.
Megatron seemed to like the idea of Ratchet using chemical enhancement. Knowing fully well that Knock Out would need a sample of his Energon to study for any enhancements, Megatron came up with an idea on how the Decepticon medic would obtain the sample he would need. He raised his sharp claws and struck Ratchet on the right side of his chassis, inflicting a stab wound much like the wound Starscream had inflicted on Arcee before declaring his neutrality. When Megatron removed his claws, Ratchet nearly stumbled backwards. But Megatron's hand on his arm kept him upright. Ratchet's free hand immediately went to apply pressure to his wound, trying to stop the Energon – including the Synthetic Energon – from leaking from his system. Megatron threw Ratchet to the ground before turning to Knock Out.
"There's your laboratory example, doctor. Find out. If a chemical can do this for Optimus Prime's lapdog, imagine what it can do for our troops," Megatron remarked as he walked away.
"Optimus, I've been a fool," Ratchet gasped weakly as the Energon began to surround him.
"Optimus! Ratchet's signal! It's back online!" Arcee cried as she pointed to the screen.
"Guys! Remember how we said that the Synthetic Energon could have been scrambling his signal before? Well…what if it was scrambling his signal and the only reason that it's showing up now is that he's losing Energon?" Talida asked nervously.
Immediately, the group caught on to what Talida was trying to tell them. Ratchet was injured. That was one of the logical explanations they had. Optimus didn't want to lose his old friend. Not after everything they've been through together. So he turned to Bumblebee who stood by the GroundBridge controls.
"Bumblebee," Optimus said.
Bumblebee knew what Optimus would be asking of him and nodded. There was no time to waste. If Ratchet WAS hurt and losing the Synthetic Energon was the cause of Ratchet's signal suddenly coming back online, then there was only a matter of time before Ratchet bled out. So he locked on to Ratchet's coordinates and activated the GroundBridge.
"Autobots! Roll out!" Talida commanded as she flew towards the portal on her hover board.
Optimus was a little shocked at his daughter stealing one of his infamous lines. Then he remembered how at some stage, she will begin to show true leadership because of what was to come in the future. But he didn't have time to fuss on what this meant for the future and how his daughter is an amazing leader. (AN: Well…her father is the Last Prime. So it has to come from somewhere. :P) Not while his old friend needed him. Immediately, he followed after Talida. Bulkhead and Arcee followed him as soon as he started following her. Bumblebee remained at base to maintain the duties of GroundBridge operator.
When they arrived at the scene, they immediately had a firefight on their hands. But they knew they had to be quick. So they simply took down any miner that stood in their way and continued to push forward. Ratchet needed them.
"Doctor to doctor, I must say. Your contribution to the Decepticon cause is very much appreciated. I'll be sure to boast of your accomplishment when your gone. Which will happen in three…two…one," Knock Out smirked as he edged the circular saw closer to Ratchet's head.
However, an explosion distracted him. That was when he realized the events that were unfolding. The Autobots had found them and arrived to rescue their teammate.
"Scrap!" Knock Out hissed.
Taking his chance, Ratchet grabbed Knock Out's wrist and moved the saw away from him before sitting up while clutching his rapidly bleeding wound. Knock Out was sent flying into the wall nearby. The vial of Synthetic Energon he was holding did not shatter upon coming into contact with the wall than the floor. The showdown between the two medics began, with Knock Out pushing the weakening Ratchet against the wall and moving the saw towards him, despite Ratchet putting up a fair fight.
That was when the two began to hear the echoing sounds of gunfire and metal clanging. That was when Ratchet realized just what it was. The others had arrived. They had used his life signal to locate him and save him from death. The news alone gave Ratchet the strength to continue fighting against Knock Out. He began to push even harder when he felt the saw begin to graze his helm. With a head butt, Ratchet knocked Knock Out back, taking the Decepticon medic by surprise. He went for the Autobot medic again, but he ended up with his saw stuck in the wall as Ratchet dodged his attack. While Knock Out struggled to free himself, Ratchet stumbled towards the fallen vial filled with Synthetic Energon.
"What are you going to do? Drink it?" Knock Out laughed at him.
Ratchet had considered taking Knock Out's words to heart and drink it again. When he had the Synthetic Energon in his system, he was stronger. Faster. Studlier, even. But when he glanced at his wound, he knew it wasn't worth it. Especially not after everything he had said to Optimus and Arcee earlier. Sure. They'd have a way of gaining an advantage over the Decepticons in the race. However, he knew that it wouldn't be worth it if he winded up losing his friends.
"No. I'm going to destroy it," Ratchet declared.
With that decision made, he threw the vial against the wall with all his might. Knock Out watched in horror as the vial flew swiftly towards the wall…and shatter into a thousand pieces, leaking the sample he had took all over the place.
"You idiot!" Knock Out exclaimed as he finally freed his blade from the wall, "Megatron will have my head!"
Knock Out continued to watch in horror as Ratchet fell to the floor unconscious. His horror only grew as he saw the last Decepticon miner fall and Optimus, Talida, Arcee and Bulkhead come closer to him. He knew he was screwed. Besides, he and Megatron attempted to murder their dear medic for his Energon. Not wanting to face the wrath of the Autobots, he retreated like the little girl he is…well, not without having a fireball shot up his aft by Talida.
"RATCHET!" Talida screamed as they all surrounded him while she began to check him over as he groaned, "Stab wound to the top-left side of his chassis. Intakes are labored. Spark pulse is faint. He's lost a considerable amount of Energon. Both natural and Synthetic. I'll know more when we get him back to base. Dad, set up your trailer so we can load Ratchet inside. Arcee, Bulkhead, there's a lot of Energon around here. Obtain what you can get. I'll send Bumblebee over to help when we get back to base."
The sun began to rise over the outer desert near the town of Jasper, Nevada. Optimus and Talida had gotten Ratchet back to the base in time to treat him. Bumblebee immediately raced out to help Arcee and Bulkhead bring boxes full of Energon back to the base from the mine originally controlled by the Decepticons. Talida was checking Ratchet's vital stats and adding the final touches to patching his wound when Ratchet finally came to from the effects of Energon loss. Immediately, he went to sit up. But Optimus placed a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
"Easy, old friend. You lost a lot of Energon. Good and bad," Optimus told him gently as he watch Talida fuse the final corner to his chassis.
"I…I didn't intend to hurt…anyone. I…just wanted so badly to…," Ratchet trailed off.
"Help us? We know," Talida reassured him gently, "But you nearly caused the loss of something irreplaceable to us. Our medic and one of our most trusted friends. And look. You did help us a lot, Ratchet. You lead us to a heap of Energon. We're all thankful for that."
"The Synthetic Energon formula clearly needs refining before it can be tested again. On machines. Not Autobots," Ratchet decided, earning an appreciative nod from Optimus.
"Let us be thankful that you disposed of the quantity that remained," Optimus remarked.
"Well, that's the last of it," Arcee declared as she walked through with five cubes.
"I've got some!" Talida called as she used her powers to remove two cubes from Arcee's pile.
"Thanks, Tally," Arcee said appreciatively before the two carried them to the growing pile, "Hey, Ratchet."
"Huh?" Ratchet groaned.
"How's it humming?" Arcee and Talida smirked, earning a groan in embarrassment from Ratchet and laughs from the others.
"Are you two going to let me live that down?" Ratchet asked them, though he already knew the answer.
"Nope," Arcee and Talida giggled.
"And about that remark you made about me destroying the remaining quantity of Synthetic Energon…I'm afraid there's still some left that needs destroying. However, I still hate to see such quantity going to waste," Ratchet sighed.
"I can help with that. Do you have any fireworks lying around?" Talida suddenly asked.
"Did I hear someone mention fireworks?" Miko asked eagerly as she, Jack and Raf returned to the base.
Together, Jack and Talida closed the lid of the remaining fireworks after fuelling all of them with Synthetic Energon. The Autobots were in their holoforms wearing casual clothes, which consisted of khaki shorts and polo shirts that were their respective colours with sneakers for the boys and booty shorts with a tight blue halter-neck top (which Optimus appreciated greatly) and black boots that stopped just under her knees. She leant against Optimus' chest who had his arms wrapped around her tightly.
Together, Jack, Talida, Miko and Raf lit all the fireworks and they watched the sky light up in an array of colours and shapes. Enjoying a moment of peace.
Something they may never have again.
Inside the mine, Knock Out returned to where he almost killed Ratchet for the Synthetic Energon flowing through his veins and where the vial was destroyed. He looked intently at the one drop of Synthetic Energon that remained.
Perhaps he CAN obtain his laboratory sample
"I'm not a perfect person.
I never meant to do those things to you.
And so I have to say before I go…
That I just want you to know…
I've found a reason for me…
To change who I used to be…
A reason to start over new…
And the reason is you…
I've found a reason to show…
A side of me you didn't know…
A reason for all that I do…
And the reason is you…"
WE DID IT! WE MADE IT! We're at the end of the chapter that is standing in the way of the climatic end for this story. WE'RE HERE! YA HOO!
BYE! *runs around cheering happily*