I hope this chapter cleared up some questions you guys had. I know it is slow going, but there is some stuff happing to Ari that she needs to come to terms with, first. Next chapter has Jazz!
Prime is in the lead, followed closely by Ironhide for the poll!
Thanks to:
Ryn of Magic - I tried to explain it in the chapter, but if it doesn't help then send me a PM and I'll try to explain it there.
crusherccme - the one speaking in bold is Starscream.
freeprincess - Actually, this is in a comic that my sister bought. It's called 'The Reign of Starscream.' and shows what happens when Starscream goes back to Cybertron.
Lalaith Quetzalli - I know the Decepticons came first. =D No worries. She's just really tired and will fall asleep at random times lol.
shippolove844 - thanks for the review.
MegaAnime Fangirl - thanks for the review.
Linda Chicana - I know. Optimus was way too hard on himself.
Lunar Mist - Yeah, I know it's slow goings. I'm sorry about that, but she has to do what Primus wants.
Snow246 - Starscream is saying the bold parts. So far.
GaarasMyBoyzz - Um...Sunny...I dunno? A male Yuffie? I kinda see him as a Vincent, though. He's all antisocial 'cause he hates squishies. Lol! That totally fits Prowl.
Bee4Me - XD That would be hilarious if he walked into a conversation like that. He'd be like "My audio receptors indicate that 'she' said nothing."
psychicgirl32 - I know! Decepticons are creepy as shit. I would put someone like Soundwave in charge.
Zayren Heart - thanks for the review!
sashaxh - lol thanks for the review.
Ninja Star Light - thanks for the review.
FORD B - thanks for the review.
monotone - thanks for the review.
fruityloops156 - he's in the chapter!
Mistress Bumblebee - New Bern is like maybe 3 hours away from where I live. =D I've never actually been there, but I heard its really nice.
unknowingly'inlove - Starscream is the one talking in bold.
Shadow 1n2 - I know. We're stuck in a massive heat wave at the moment. I'm almost so desperate for some rain that I'm hoping a tropical storm'll hit us. (never a hurricane, just a tropical storm.)
bambam411 - aww thanks for the review!
Chapter Twenty Eight
Déjà Vu
Ratchet cycled his vents and scratched his helm the next morning. He had almost blown a circuit when he saw that the red haired teenager was missing from the cot he and Lennox placed her in the night before. He almost pulled the alarm, but then he had the bright idea to scan for the Allspark's energy. Even though Arianna had become the new Allspark, she gave out the same energy. The Autobot medic scanned the Medical Bay and his eyebrow ridges rose when he realized that the person in question was currently asleep on Bumblebee's chassis. His hand was covering her like a blanket. She had a smile on her face as she slept, cheek nuzzled into the armor right above Bumblebee's spark.
The medic felt his spark melt as his vents cycled in the form of a sigh of relief. He had deactivated Bumblebee's spinal strut, so he wouldn't try to move around and inadvertently damage himself even further, so if she moved she must have woken sometime during the night. He looked up to Bumblebee's facial plates, content to see he had been awake the entire time.
When did she wake up? Ratchet questioned, opening a private link between the two bots so they wouldn't waken the red haired teenager.
Early this morning. Around one. Bumblebee replied, She climbed up onto my chassis and we talked a little before she promptly fell into another deep sleep. the younger bot said in a calmer matter. He had calmed down considerably since Arianna had been brought to the Medical Bay the day before.
What did the two of you talk about? Ratchet questioned as he went to complete some paperwork at his makeshift desk. He let out a groan when he saw exactly paper he actually had to complete.
She said something about the old Allspark was showing her Primus' memory or something along those lines. She said 'Primus knows all, after all.' He said as he removed his hand from Arianna's back. She shivered from the lack of contact and curled into a ball, snuggling her cheek into his chassis even more and smiling in her sleep as the yellow and black scout started to stroke her back.
Hm…well, perhaps Primus wants her to change the future? She already promised to bring Jazz back to life. It was the first things he promised to do after she repaired your vocal processors. He then paused as an idea crossed his processors is the old Allspark using her energy to show her the past? It would explain the sudden collapse and why she is so fatigued. Primus knows how much energy she used during the battle at Mission City. Ratchet cycled his vents again and went back to working on his dreaded paperwork.
That was how it went for the next few hours. Judy had come by, dropping Silvershot off and cooing over how cute her daughter and Bumblebee were. She was worried, of course, but she had decided that if a giant alien robot couldn't protect Arianna, there was no way that she would be able to. Silvershot wasn't able to go into Bumblebee's sparkling chamber to recharge, so he settled on curling up on Ratchet's makeshift desk.
Bumblebee would continue to stroke the red haired teenager's back while Ratchet completed both human and Cybertronian paperwork. He would occasionally scan Arianna's sleeping form to make sure she was alright. The first few times he had scanned her she had been alright, but the results of his most recent scan showed him something both confusion and intriguing. He frowned, setting down the paperwork and running one more scan on the sleeping female.
What's wrong? Bumblebee asked, bright blue optics dimming as he glanced down at his sparkmate.
The energy from the Allspark is changing Arianna's heart. Ratchet said, performing scans on her other organs.
Into what? Bumblebee questioned, optics widening considerably.
Her other organs haven't changed, but her heart is changing into a spark. It seems like it is not affecting her circulatory sytem and it is operating like normal. The medic mused as he tapped his chin.
A spark…the yellow and black mech trilled happily, This means that we can truly become sparkmates now.
Yes. She is becoming one of us, yet staying Arianna – a human – at the same time. if my sensors are correct, then her heart is the only organ that will change – the Allspark shard did fuse with it, after all. The older medic replied with a smile before concentrating on the paperwork once again. Bumblebee smiled down at his sparkmate, sending his love through their newly strengthened bond. The yellow and black mech couldn't be happier.
Arianna smiled as she felt a wave of comfort and security envelop her body. Bumblebee must have been sending his emotions through their bond once again. She sent her love back, happy at their strengthening bond.
She looked around, completely awed at her surroundings. She was on some sort of planet – Mars it looked like. She heard a sound behind her and some sort of Cybertronian approached her.
"Who are you?"
"Who do you think I am?" the Cybertronian asked back. Arianna was taken aback. She looked at the Cybertronian's optics, surprised to see that they were purple.
"Some sort of mix between an Autobot and a Decepticon?" the red haired teenager questioned.
"You are close, sweetspark. I am a messenger of Primus." The Cybertronian explained with a smile. "He knows you are wondering why you are receiving his memories and he wishes me to tell you that hard times are approaching. He wants you to see the past through a Decepticon's point of view – and a few others – and he knows you doubt yourself." The Cybertronian said with sad optics.
"Wha-how?"
"Your words do make sense, sweetspark." The Cybertronian laughed, "Primus knows everything, remember?"
Arianna laughed, blushing from her own words. "Yeah, that is true, isn't it?" and then she sobered. "So he knows I feel a bit unworthy to be the new Allspark?" she asked in a dejected tone.
"Yes, but you have no reason to be. The Allspark chose you when you were young because of your courage. Other younglings wouldn't have touched the shard, would they?" the Cybertronian said, "Becoming the new Allspark is a great responsibility. If the Decepticons obtain you – and they wish to do so because of your power – terrible things will happen. Primus wants to show you the future if you had not chosen to become the new Allspark. You must know the past to understand the future that would have happened if you had not accepted the choice. Primus does care for you and this will show you that you are worthy and that you canchange the future." The Cybertronian said with a gentle smile.
"Wait…Megatron is dead so who wants me because of my power? Whose memories are Primus showing me?" Arianna asked.
The Cybertronian laughed, but then quickly became sober. "You should be wary of Starscream." And with that the Decepticon vanished and she was surrounded by Decepticons.
She was now staring at her home planet. It was beautiful. She had never dreamt of becoming an Astronaut or anything, but she always found the vastness of space to be quite beautiful.
"Excellent. Continue to survey this world. This crude life form could have been born from the Allspark's energy. I sense its pull from the third planet." The bot who looked like Starscream said, "I will send for you to join us. Decepticons – onward to victory!"
We disguise ourselves in order to penetrate the planet's atmosphere. Stealth will be the key to our success.
Arianna now recognized the voice as Starscream's. She had been so confused before that she didn't recognize it. She watched, floating in the vastness of space, as the Decepticons hurtled towards her home planet in the form of meteors.
Our urgent mission begins – there is an energy here not felt since Cybertron. Stealth, in time, will yield some great reward on this planet.
She watched with worried eyes as the Decepticons emerged from their holes in the ground. She knew that this already happened, but she still couldn't help but shudder. The Decepticons were evil…but she couldn't help the feeling that some of them were not as evil as they seemed.
Taken by surprised, I learn that stealth will save your life on this planet. Arianna jumped as some soldiers started shooting at the Decepticons.
We retaliate, and learn a great deal about this planet's inhabitants. It was like the red haired girl was listening to some sort of internal monologue that the Decepticon was having.
She watched, horrified, as the Decepticons destroyed the Blackhawk that had challenged them.
Although we lose one of our own, we gain vital intelligence for our cause. The inhabitants of this planet, while dangerous, are organic. Weak.
Arianna couldn't help but feel sorry for the fallen Decepticon. Knowing the others, he probably had been used as scrap metal to help fix their own armor.
They communicate in a manner that will be easy to mimic, and their technology is anything but advanced. We conceal our fallen soldier, and move on.
She was surprised that Starscream showed a little compassion, but it was not nearly enough to stop the chills that caused her to shiver. Her brow creased, but then she felt another wave of soothing emotions come through their bond. Bumblebee must think she was having a nightmare…and she kind of was. Watching the Decepticons hunt down the Allspark was a nightmare.
Taking their vehicle forms gives us the perfect disguise. Some choose alternate forms - and barely live to see another cycle…while others validate our long journey here. We expected to find it…but finding him there was staggering.
Several images flashed through Arianna's mind. First, she saw the Decepticon who had taken the guise of the helicopter. Then, she saw the battle between Lennox, Epps, and the scorpion Decepticon – Scorponok – and then she saw the Allspark. It was weird. She saw the pulsing of the Allspark, but it was in a different angle than before.
Then…she saw him. Megatron. Arianna let out a shriek and stumbled back – his ruby red eyes were glowing and they were staring right back at her. She felt a wave of concern and comfort and sent back some reassuring emotions, determined to finish this bit of education that Primus was sending her through the previous Allspark.
I quickly summon our forces.
"All Decepticons, mobilize."
"Barricade en route." The police vehicle confirmed.
"Brawl reporting." The tank said as it crashed through the chain linked fence.
"Bonecrusher rolling." The Buffalo armored vehicle growled.
"Blackout incoming…" the helicopter said, "All hail Megatron!"
And the scene finally changed. Arianna found herself standing on top of the Hoover dam, watching as Starscream circled the area.
Barricade had already made contact with an Autobot, and Frenzy had reported seeing Prime and the others. There's no telling how many are now on this planet.
Arianna couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Bumblebee was a good warrior and often let everyone be reminded of it. The red haired girl felt lucky that the yellow and black mech was her sparkmate.
Urgency takes over and stealth is quickly placed aside.
She felt a sense of panic overwhelm her as the Decepticon leader was freed. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the small caravan that was led by her one and only Bumblebee. This was really like déjà vu.
Megatron has been freed, and the Allspark will soon be ours.
"I live to serve you, Lord Megatron." Starscream said to the Decepticon leader.
"Where is the cube?" Megatron growled back.
"The humans have taken it." the jet admitted. Megatron hissed in anger.
"You fail me yet again, Starscream. Get them!" the Decepticon leader demanded. He transformed into his Cybertronian jet alt mode and flew alongside Starscream. Arianna held in her scream as she found herself sitting in Starscream's cockpit.
The moment that we leave the faculty, I receive word that the Autobots have been spotted by two warriors.
She watched as Barricade was shoved off the road by Ironhide – another sense of pride filled her – and as Optimus took care of Bonecrusher.
Two more soldiers are taken out of the fight.
"Blackout, Brawl – rendezvous at the city. We'll fight for the cube there." Starscream demanded.
"I will go after the Allspark and the girl, Starscream. You can engage the Autobots." Megatron corrected. Arianna shivered again. It was weird hearing herself be talked about by a couple of Decepticons.
"As you wish."
"Lord Megatron, Barricade has some life force left. Frenzy's com system has cut out. I assume he has ceased functioning." Blackout supplied, but Megatron didn't care.
"None of that will matter once I have the Allspark. I will also have a new pet if things go as planned."
Megatron is blind. Insane. The Autobots join with the humans and overpower us. Our forces are defeated one by one, but out leader shows no concern. All that matters is the cube. For a moment, I have him in my sights. The shot would be so easy. The impulse to fire nearly consumes me when…
The scene changed and Arianna could see herself and Sam thrusting the Allspark's form into Megatron's chest. A tear fell down her cheek as she watched everyone scream as she fell into unconsciousness.
The humans dealt the final blow. Megatron. The Allspark. Both are gone. The humans will pay.
Arianna thought that this dream segment would have ended by now, but she was wrong. She watched as Starscream was attacked by more jets.
"You dare to challenge me?" he screamed out, "Insolent pests!" he stared up into the sky as the one remaining jet came hurtling towards him. "One last here. One more for the scrap heap!"
I'd love to stay and exact my revenge, but I fear that I may be the last Decepticon on this planet. But if what Blackout said was true, Barricade still functions. After scanning his last position, I spot him.
"Barricade!" Starscream exclaimed as he touched down in front of the twitching form.
"Where is...is Megatron? Prime and the Auto…bots have the Allspark." The disabled cop car ground out.
"Yes, I know. When can I consider you functional?" the jet sneered.
"Shortly. My energon lev…levels are recharging." Barricade responded, "If the Allspark were here, they w…would charge a lot faster.
"The Allspark is gone. The human girl and her brother destroyed it, along with Megatron. You and I are all that remain."
"We have det…ailed files on the children. Frenzy stole and stored data before from the humans. If he were here, he could access them."
That's it! Frenzy is the answer! Frenzy has the humans' files – all of them – relating to our species, and more importantly, the Allspark!
"Barricade, when you have recharged to functioning levels, carry out your reconnaissance of the Autobots. I shall return."
"Where are you going, Starscream?"
"To save us all, Barricade." Starscream hissed, "And that's Lord Starscream."
Arianna couldn't help but wince as she found herself in his cockpit once again.
I did not fail you, Megatron. You failed us. You are offline now, and Prime has nothing as well. Heh, some leaders.
Arianna frowned before an idea dawned upon her. Of course! Starscream has no idea that she had become the new Allspark! If he had then he wouldn't have been so angry. He would be trying to capture her.
Our species helped wipe out the records of the Allspark, and two humans destroyed it entirely. But the humans have studied it in detail. The primitive creatures may yet be our saviors. One of our own holds the key to rebuilding Cybertron and I will find him.
He flew to Hoover dam, where the Autobots were now stationed. She already had a plan in mind of how to stop him, but…Arianna had a feeling that the old Allspark was going to show her exactly what she needed to stop.
Below, my new enemies have gathered. I have no fear, only ambition. Besides…we all know what conquest is made of.
