You guys voted (sorta) Jack gets a first taste of "battle", and a new face is revealed to the 'Bots (though, not exactly new). Let's just hope everything goes ok!

Here's the new chapter! Hot off the press! :)

All in Jack's POV

I don't own Transformers Prime, all rights to Hasbro. I only own my OCs.

Chapter 28

Ratted Out

Jack POV

After I found out what I really was, I honestly thought my dreams would stop.

Stupid me.

I stood in front of the mystery mech…me, I should say. That was a weird way to put it.

He looked at me, a faint smile on his faceplates.

"Alright, alright," I sighed, "You were right, I was wrong,"

"You should have listened to me," he said, "So who are you, Jack Darby?"

"That is my name," I replied, "But I am also Ultimus Prime, son of Optimus Prime and Elita One, I am the Last Prime,"

It felt…good to finally say that.

Not to keep it hidden.

"So what should I call you?" I asked.

"I have taken a liking towards the Irish people of Earth," the other me said, "You may call me Aralt,"

"Aralt?"

"It means, leader," he, Aralt, replied.

"So now that we're pretty much at peace with each other…what now?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I thought these dreams would've stopped with me accepting what I am?" I explained.

"Jack," Aralt said, "They will never stop."

I closed my eyes again.

"It is the downside of being a Prime or being bonded to one," he continued, "You should let your father know about your nightmares, he of all people would be the best person to help you."

He put a servo on my shoulder, "You do realize that…"

I held up a hand to cut him off…

"What is it?" he asked.

"We're not alone…" I answered, turning.

There was a great wall behind me, and it was transparent.

I walked up close to it, and what I saw would make my nightmares seem pale.

It was a battlefield.

In a human city.

I saw Dad glare up at something I couldn't see.

"Get down here Sentinel!" he snarled.

"Optimus," A red 'Bot I assumed was Sentinel said twirling his blade into position, "You forget your place!"

He leaped off the building and used the blade to slow his descent.

A human form dashed across the street and stood by Dad, who pushed her back.

"Stay back," he growled, as Sentinel landed on the ground, "Sideswipe! Get her out of here!"

A silver mech came over and picked the girl up.

"No!" she shouted, "Dad!"

It was Dusk!

Sideswipe held Dusk close as he skated away from the two Primes on his wheeled pedes.

"I bring you Cybertron, your home," Sentinel growled, pounding his sword into the ground, "and still you choose humanity,"

"You were the one who taught me freedom is everyone's right," Dad said, pulling out his sword and an axe, and he charged.

He pinned Sentinel into the building's wall.

"I will retrigger that pillar!" Sentinel snarled.

"Then," Dad growled, jabbing at him, "You'll have to go through me!"

Sentinel kicked Dad, sending him backwards.

"'Sides!" Dusk cried, "I can't just leave him! He'll be killed!"

"He ordered me not to let you near the fight!"

"Please!" she begged, "Get the others to help!"

Sideswipe turned to the others 'Bots.

"Well?" he asked.

"Charge the Pillar!" a lime yellow mech shouted.

Was that…was that Ratchet?

"If we keep Sentinel away from it," Dusk said, "We'll buy Dad more time!"

"We got Autobots!" a black soldier shouted.

"Reinforcements!" Sentinel yelled, "Decepticon ships, FIRE AT OPTIMUS!"

"We're taking fire!" a soldier shouted, "I need those Tomahawks now!"

"First wave inbound!" a voice from the radio crackled.

"We've got to cover for Dad!" Dusk yelled.

'Bee charged in, giving a few hits to Sentinel. Dusk aimed her bow and fired, an explosion took Sentinel's shoulder. Sentinel flipped Optimus, and the 'Con warships fired on him.

"Hurry, Dusk!" Sideswipe yelled, "Or Sentinel is gonna offline Optimus!"

"I'm coming as fast as I can!" she growled.

Sideswipe groaned, "Come on slow poke…"

Sentinel fired at 'Bee, who quickly transformed and reversed. Sideswipe jumped at the traitor, but Sentinel flipped him over. Sideswipe hit the ground hard.

And Sentinel rammed his blade right into Sideswipe's spark.

Dusk's guardian howled.

"NO! 'Sides!" my sister screeched, kneeling by his side, "MURDERER!"

I saw a figure laying on the ground, cringing and shuddering as the movie/dream played.

It was Dusk.

I tried to reach her, but the wall shocked me hard as soon as I touched it.

"It's her nightmare," Aralt said sadly, "It's one she has every night, one that will haunt her for the rest of her life. Optimus has one as well…"

"And that is?" I asked, before freezing.

Did I really want to know?

Maybe…

What was so bad that it gave nightmares to Dad? Maybe it was too bad for me to see…

"You do not want to see that one," Aralt answered, "It is…not for the faint of heart. It will haunt you,"

"I can ask him, though, right?" I asked.

"You can," Aralt said, "But it doesn't mean he will answer,"

I saw the wall suddenly dissolve, and Dusk was gone.

"She's awakened," Aralt nodded, "Her dreams should be somewhat peaceful in the next few hours,"

He looked down at me, "As yours should be,"

He straightened up.

"Awake, Ultimus Prime,"

I opened my eyes to the dull gray light of the clouds. We'd gone back to the house after our amazing spring break at Base and it just seemed…empty.

I missed waking up to my siblings and my dad.

"You're up," Mom said from my doorway, "Good, think you can help me with the garden? I think something's gotten into it again,"

I smiled.

"You know, you could pay me to do it…" I teased, "Then I can work for you and not at the KO."

"You'd get paid in room and board," Mom replied dryly, "Come on, little Prime, let's go."

…..

There was something that got into the garden…it's called Mom. I don't think the plants like her very well. Me on the other hand…

I think I've got a gift like Dusk's.

I stood up and brushed the dirt off my jeans before going back inside where Mom was waiting with lunch.

"Mom?" I asked, "Do you think…I could go back to base?"

"You want to see your father again," Mom said, "I should've known you'd be doing this, ditching me to see your father."

"C'mon Mom," I said, wrapping her in a hug, "You know I still love you,"

She looked at me.

"No, no, that's fine," she sighed dramatically, "Go on, spend some father-son time, go bash some Decepticons, get blown up…You never know fun til you get yourself in the repair bay…"

"Ha ha, very funny," I said, rolling my eyes, "I just want to talk,"

"There's a thing called phones,"

"Come with me then," I offered, "We could both go to base, Arcee'd be glad to spend more time with you…"

"And I'd be explaining where June went when someone wanted her," Mom said.

I didn't know how to answer that.

She smiled and I knew she had me.

"Alright, I'll come," she finally said.

Any thoughts of talking to Dad when I got there were crushed instantly.

Apparently they were getting ready to go to battle again. Mom quickly joined them as Elita and stood in her normal place…next to Dad.

"The coordinates Starscream provided are within an abandoned Decepticon mine," Ratchet said, turning from the computer screen.

"Hold on," Arcee interrupted, "You just fixed him up and sent him on his way!?"

"Yeah, why?" 'Bee asked.

"What are we supposed to do?" Bulkhead demanded, "Take him back here?"

"Not that Elita and I wouldn't jump at any chance to put Airachnid down," my aunt growled, "But she isn't the only one that's robbed me of a partner,"

"You weren't there, Arcee," Bulkhead protested, "Starscream was weak, defenseless…"

"And learning of the Insecticon could be highly tactical," Ratchet finished, "Starscream's intel has proved credible in the past,"

"SURE!" Arcee yelled, "When he wasn't busy stabbing us in the back!"

"Without the resources we possessed on Cybertron," Mom said, as she and Dad walked closer to the team, "We lack ready means of capturing and imprisoning our enemies,"

"Nonetheless," Dad replied, "I do not condone the termination of any defenseless life form,"

"But, Optimus…!" Arcee protested.

"Arcee," Mom said, sternly, "I want Airachnid gone as well, she has hurt you…and me…in ways no one should,"

She threw a quick glance at me before continuing.

"And if the only way to make sure she does not harm humankind is by using the information given to us by Starscream…then I will use that advantage," she finished, "Even if it was from someone that hurt me in the past."

My aunt averted her gaze, her servos clenching angrily.

"Fine," she finally growled.

Mom looked up at Dad, "By your word…"

"Am I allowed to go this time?" Dusk asked.

Dad sighed, giving a slight nod, and making Dusk beam with exicitement.

"Me too?" I asked tentatively through our bond.

He and Mom both gave me a no.

Dang.

"Autobots," Dad announced, "Roll out,"

The Groundbridge activated, and my friends and family walked through it. I watched it before doing something I probably would regret later on.

I pulled a Miko, and followed my family.

As I stepped out of the 'Bridge, my family was already far along the tunnel. No one would see me…

Maybe it was time for them to see Ultimus.

I felt my Legacy take over, letting me go from Jack Darby to Ultimus Prime. I stood up straight right as something moved in the woods behind me.

I turned around, right as Starscream staggered out.

Both of us froze, looking at each other.

"Optimus…" he finally whispered, backing up.

I didn't say anything. If I spoke, my voice would give me away. It sounded almost nothing like Dad's.

I took a step towards the 'Con, and he fled.

I felt my servos shift.

A blaster and my sword, Adoritar.

Well, might as well learn to use them…

And I gave chase.

I heard a missile fire and my aunt yell.

I ran faster, my blaster charging, and saw Starscream right next to my aunt, who was hanging upside down from a tree.

"Now if there's one thing I despise nearly as much as eight-leggers," Starscream growled, circling my aunt, "It's two-wheelers,"

"Go on," Arcee snarled, "Get it over with."

"As I recollect," Starscream purred, "A similar predicament…you once allowed me to live…"

His taloned sevos gleamed harshly in the light.

"Starscream!" I growled, jumping down from the rocks, "Release her…NOW!"

Both Starscream and my aunt froze, looking at me.

"Optimus Prime…" Screamer said, shaking.

"That's not Optimus…" my aunt whispered.

I aimed my blaster at him. Point blank range…

But…I didn't know how to fire.

Hopefully, Starscream didn't know that and would flee…

He did. Well, run anyway.

After he was gone, I walked up to my aunt and cut her loose.

"Are you alright?" I asked her as she got to her feet…

And pointed her blaster at my spark.

"Who are you?" Arcee demanded.

"I am Ultimus Prime," I said, "Son of Optimus Prime, and I just saved your spark."

She lowered her blaster.

"Y-you're Optimus' son?" she asked, "Elita's son?"

"Your nephew," I replied, "It's finally good to see you,"

"Arcee," Dad's voice rang from the comm, "What is your status?"

"Alive…and so is Airachnid…" she replied, "But I found…you'll have to see it to believe it, Optimus,"

I froze. Dad seeing me out of the base…

This was not good.

A few minutes later, I heard the sounds of my family…

And saw my parents, my siblings, and Bulkhead come out of the bushes.

My parents…did not look happy.

I was in so much trouble when I got home.

"Arcee…" Dad said, calmly, "Who…"

"Ultimus," Mom whispered, "What are you doing here?"

I shuffled uncomfortably on my pedes as the 'Bots trained their optics on me.

"I thought…" I started, "I felt you were in trouble…"

"Mom…who is this?" Dusk asked, playing along with my parents.

"Dusk, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Optimus…" Mom said, "Meet Ultimus Prime, mine and Optimus' son."

"Another Prime?" Bulkhead asked.

"Dusk and I have a brother?" 'Bee asked.

"We've got to bring him back to base," my aunt said, "We'll have another warrior with us!"

"Go!" Mom said over the bond, "Get out of here! We can't let them take you with us,"

"But why?" I asked, "Mom, I'm tired of hiding, I want them to know."

"Jack," Dad replied, "They are not ready to know yet. Dusk, attempt to take him, Jack, when she gets close enough to grab you, run...we'll get you."

"Yes, Dad," my sister replied.

"Dusk," Dad said.

She came towards me.

"It's ok," she said as I watched her warily, "I won't hurt you. My name is Dusk, but I'm also called Skyfyre Prime. I'm your sister, well, adopted sister."

I took a step backwards.

"Nonono," she said, holding up her servos, "Don't do that. You're going to be safe, we'll get you all fixed up…"

She came within grabbing distance and I did as I was told.

I ran.

"Ultimus!" I heard many voices call as I ran farther.

I returned to human form and sat on the other side of a tree, waiting for them to leave.

I heard the Groundbridge fire up and disappear.

"Jack?" Dad's voice asked, "You may come out now,"

I walked out of the trees and faced him in his human form.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, "I…I just wanted to help."

"I know," he replied, pulling me into an embrace, "But you are still too young to be put out into the battlefield."

I looked down.

"Arcee said that you pointed a blaster at Starscream," he continued, "You did not even know how to fire it…did you?"

"It sure scared him," I muttered into his shirt.

He laughed.

"That it did, and I think it would be wise for you to have better weapons training…perhaps target practice,"

"But I'm not allowed to…"

"Your mother and I have talked it over," he interrupted, "And…we have decided to let Ultimus onto base."

I stared at him.

"That means…" I started.

"You will be doing what your mother is," he finished, "Dusk will have to teach you how to create a holoform, that way both Jack and Ultimus can be in the same room at the same time,"

I…I was stunned.

No more secrets.

Except for one.

They still wouldn't know that Jack and Ultimus were the same person.

Both Dad and I transformed and stood waiting.

"Ratchet, activate the Groundbridge," Dad said, softly, "I have found him,"

The green, blue and silver vortex burst into being and I looked up at Dad.

"So…does this mean I'm not in trouble?" I asked.

He looked down at me.

"Oh, no," he replied, "You are still in very, very deep trouble young Prime,"

You guys wouldn't believe how hard this one was to write...since the 'Bots don't come in til the very tail end of it!

Aw, poor Jack. He couldn't fire his blaster and he was only trying to help, Prime! At least the team knows about Ultimus...they just don't know that it's Jack. Next up is Nemesis Prime...this ought to be good! Any suggestions for that one?

Aralt's name does mean "leader". I was looking for one that meant mirror reflection (I went to Google translate, the Irish word for reflection (show) looks pretty...but I couldn't tell you how to pronounce it, sadly. It's Léiriú.)

Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please R&R! :)

Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

Elhini Prime signing off.