Hey everybody long time no see. First I wanna say thank you to everyone for your words of support during my time of loss, I really appreciate them. You've all been waiting a long time for this chapter, its full of action and I think it should be worth the wait.
A special thanks to SomeonetheElusiveFangirl, who has acted as my beta-reader.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime or any of its characters.
Transformers Prime: Only Human
Chapter 35
Jack backed away in fear as Airachnid had just taken down Wheeljack and now had her optics set on him.
"So much for the cavalry, eh Jack?" she taunted as she approached him. Jack began backing up and held up his stick to defend himself "Really?" she raised an optic ridge, then faster than the eye could see one of her extra limbs swung forward cutting the stick in half.
Jack looked at the remains of his stick "Scrap." he dropped them and continued backing away.
"RUN!" Wheeljack charged forward slamming into Airachnid, grabbing her as he continued forward, smashing through a couple of trees as he went. Jack didn't waste time and moved as fast as he could with his ankle. Wheeljack stopped, grabbed the assassin by the leg and swung her around several times before hammer tossing her into he air. She smashed through a tree before bouncing across the ground as she landed. Wheeljack unsheathed his swords, wincing in pain as energon continued to leak from his wound.
Airachnid got to her feet and narrowed her optics at the Wrecker "That was a mistake." she activated her extra limbs and charged.
Optimus and Megatron's battle had been interrupted and they stood surrounded by Starscream and seven duplicates of himself "Clones? Well played Starscream." Megatron said focussing on the one wielding the Magnus Hammer.
"Why thank you, they certainly proved the element of surprise, didn't they?" the seeker smirked.
"Starscream, stop this before it goes too far." Optimus warned.
"On the contrary Optimus Prime," Starscream laughed "I had originally come here to seize the newly discovered relic and add it to my arsenal. But now I won't even need it! Once word spreads of how I struck down both Megatron and Optimus Prime in one attack, both Autobots and Decepticons will have no choice but accept me as their new master."
Megatron laughed "Tell me Starscream, do your underlings share your delusions?"
"Underlings?" the clones questioned in unison "We are as one, though many."
Megatron looked to the Prime beside him and he returned the look. Though not a word was spoken they both new what to do and nodded. "I believe it is now time to finally end your rivalry, and at the end…" Starscream charged up the Magnus Hammer "You BOTH lose!"
"NO!" Megatron shouted, making all the clones aim at him, "If it is truly my time to fall then so be it," he aimed his cannon at Optimus "but destroying Optimus Prime is a right that belongs to me alone!"
Starscream thought for a moment "Very well, you two have been fighting so long, I suppose I can allow you to end it, Megatron. Consider it me granting your final request." he said smugly.
Megatron charged his cannon and looked the Prime right in the optics and fired. Before it hit him, Optimus activated his blade and swung, deflecting the blast at Starscream, whose optics widened before it hit his shoulder knocking him back. This distracted the clones and the leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons attacked.
Optimus rushed forward and used his blade to sever one clones arm, the clone yelled in pain but so did the real Starscream, he screamed louder when the Prime drove his blade through the clones spark terminating it.
Minwhile Megatron grabbed a clones arm, pulling it towards him as he drove his knee into it gut, causing Starscream to double over. He then swung and clone around and used him as a club to strike another clone and send him flying.
One clone fired a missile at Optimus who leaned back letting it fly past him before activating both his blasters and opened fire. Each blast hit the clone and the real Starscream began backing up in pain as if the blasts were hitting him, finally stopping when the clone fell to the ground, off lined.
Megatron swung the clone down, slamming him onto the ground and then and stomped his foot down on it making the real Starscream shout in pain and clutch his gut. "Whats this?" Megatron sneered making Starscream look at him "Don't tell me you feel this clones pain." he increased his grip on the clones arm hurting both the clone and the original "A drastic error Starscream. Though from you I'd expect nothing less."
The seeker narrowed his optics and charged up the Magnus Hammer "You have belittled me for the last time!"
Another clone behind Megatron activated both its blasters, but before it could fire Megatron swung his arm back and fired his cannon blasting right through the clones spark chamber terminating it and halting Starscreams attack. He extended his blade and the clone beneath him widened its optics before the blade came down, off lining him.
The remaining three clones had attempted to attack Optimus Prime together but the Prime was easily fending them off. He punched one in the face plate, knocking it back then back fisted the clone trying to attack him from behind before kicking the last clone in the chest knocking it through the air. He quickly spun around and grabbed the second clone,throwing him at the first clone, the collision knocked them both back to where the third clone had landed.
"Hes too strong." one admitted.
"We need a tactical retreat." another clone said.
"Agreed." with that the three of them transformed and flew off.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" Starscream shouted at his retreating clones "COME BACK! I COMMAND YOU!"
"It seems your clones share not just your arrogance but your cowardess as well." Megatron mocked.
"Enough!" Starscream shouted, "I don't need an armada, not when I wield the Magnus Hammer, and now I will use it to destroy you!" aiming the hammer at the warlord.
"Enough Starscream!" came the voice of Optimus from the other side, "It is over."
"Nothing is over until I say it is!" the seeker pointed the hammer at the Prime. But before he could fire he remembered Megatron at the other side and aimed him, then back at the Prime. His optics widened as he realised attacking one of them would leave him vulnerable to an attack from the other.
"Even if you destroy one of us, you be unable to stop the other from destroying you." Optimus said, holding up his blade.
The seeker nervously kept switching targets making Megatron laugh "Seems you get to decide weather Optimus or I falls today Starscream. But no matter who you choose, you will fall with them."
Starscream aimed back and forth at them growing more nervous by the second. in the end saw his only option for survival was to follow his clones example. He quickly used his ground bridge remote control and open portal behind him. "We will finish this another time!" he stated before running through the portal.
Megatron ran towards the portal to pursue the seeker and take the Magnus Hammer from him but the portal closed just before he could reach it. The warlord clenched his fist in anger whist Optimus looked at the fallen clones on the ground "What a waste."
"Ironic isn't it Optimus?" Megatron said "Despite our rivalry when, we fight side by side, we fight as one."
"Perhaps, but it does not change that what each of us fights for is very different." Optimus said.
"Yes, I fight to conquer while you fight for the weak." Megatron said.
Optimus narrowed his optics "I fight to defend the lives and the freedom of all sentient beings."
"Then you can perish with them!" with that Megatron lounged at Optimus who dodged the first attack but was caught by a side kick from the warlord making the Prime slide back. When he stopped, Megatron raised his cannon and opened fire on Optimus ran sideways, avoiding the blasts. He spotted one on the fallen clones in his path and saw the missile on its arm, he quickly formed a plan.
When he was close enough, Optimus dived forward over the clone, grabbing the missile and pulling it off its arm. Landing into a roll, Optimus pulled his arm back and threw the missile like a spear, straight at Megatron. The moment it left his hand, Optimus transformed his hand into a blaster, he took aim and fired. Megatron saw the missile and the blast coming at him and had enough time to widen his optics before and blast caught the missile, causing it to explode in front of him. The blast knocked Megatron back wards and off of the cliff the were fighting on. Before he could recover and Transform to fly back up, Optimus'es vehicle mode came rushing through the smoke of the explosion, drove off the cliff and collided with Megatron in the air. The Prime quickly returned to robot mode and took advantage of Megatrons stunned state, grabbing him with one hand and began repeatedly punching him with the other.
Megatron recovered and punched Optimus across the faceplate, he brought out his blade and swung it, attempting to take the Primes head off but Optimus pulled his head back avoiding the blade, then brought it forward head butting Megatron. Seeing the ground approaching, Optimus grabbed Megatrons arm and wrapped an arm around the warlords neck restraining him. Megatron tried to break the grip but gravity worked too fast. They hit the ground with a very loud bang that caused the birds in every tree around them to flee into the sky in fear.
Bumble Bee jumped back, dodging Dreadwing's sword as he swung at him "You cant dodge my attacks forever Autobot!" he said swinging his sword downwards attempting to up the scout in half. Bumble Bee moved to the side dodging the attack, then delivered an axe kick knocking the sword out of Dreadwings servos. Keeping up the attack the scout delivered three punches to Dreadwings faceplate before following with a roundhouse kick making him spin around. Bumble Bee jumped and drove both feet into the cons back, knocking him faceplate first into the dirt. Dreadwing pushed himself up off the off the ground and looked back at the scout with narrowed optics. Bumble Bee simply beeped, holding out his hand and made the 'Bring it on.' gesture. Letting out a snarl, Dreadwing took out his cannon, took aim at the scout whos optics widened. He opened fire and Bumble Bee ran to the side, transforming into vehicle mode and speed around while Dreadwing kept firing at him.
Back in the forest Wheeljacks battle was not going well, the wound Airachnid dealt him was still leaking energon and making him stay on the defensive. "Whats the matter Wheeljack?" the assassin taunted as she lashed out with her extra limbs, knocking one of his swords out of his hand. "Do you need a break?" she kicked him across the faceplate making him stumble backwards. Wheeljack narrowed his optics and pulled back his arm before throwing his sword at the assassin. The sword spun like a buzz saw as it flew through the air, but Airachnids smile showed she wasn't worried. Before it could hit her she turned sideways, letting the sword fly past her. For a moment, time seemed to slow down and Airachnid saw her smirking reflection in the blade as it passed her, before it became embedded in a tree. Airachnid looked at the sword and shook her head "That was sad." a moment later she was blasted from behind Making her stumble forward. She recovered and turned around just in time to see Wheeljack close distance between them and turn his blaster back into his hand, before landing and uppercut that knocked the Assassin off her feet. She hit the ground hard and bounced once before stopping.
Wheeljack picked up his sword off the ground "Its called a distraction." he approached his other sword in the tree. "Heres a life lesson. Underestimate a Wrecker, even a wounded one," he pulled the sword free "and your in for a world of hurt."
Airachnid pulled herself off of the ground and narrowed her optics at the Wrecker "I was just playing with you before. But now I thinks its time to end this." with that she charged. Wheeljack waited till the assassin was close and swung his swords, but Airachnids jumped avoiding the blades, her momentum carried her over the Wrecker as she twisted around mid air and struck his back with one of her extra limbs. Wheeljack stumbled forward but recovered quickly, he turned swinging has he went, only for Airachnid to duck under the attack before landing a kick to his wound. Pain shot through Wheeljack, making him drop one of his swords. Airachnid kept up her assault with a snap kick to his faceplate before using her extra limbs to raise herself off the ground. She brought the same leg down in an axe kick, knocking Wheeljack to the ground. When Airachnid lowered her feet to the ground, she kicked away Wheeljacks remaining sword and was about to finish him when she heard him mutter something "Say again."
"I said transform and ROLL OUT!" the Wrecker transformed into vehicle mode and before Airachnid could react, he drove forward smashing into her and knocking her out of his way. Transforming back into robot mode Wheeljack winched in pain, transforming twice wasn't helping with his wound but heworked through the pain and charged ahead. Airachnid was disoriented from being run over and was unprepared for the right hook that struck her faceplate. Wheeljack threw punch after punch, each one knocking the assassin back before lading a roundhouse kick that knocked her off of her feet and into the dirt.
Airachnid was sick of this fight. Every moment she wasted on it, Jack got further away, but the Wrecker just wouldn't go down. She decided to delegate the task "Soundwave." she activated her com "I require assistance." Wheeljack recovered his swords and turned to face the assassin, but saw a ground bridge open on a hill above him and out of it came five Vehicons, the portal closed just as Airachnid joined them. "I have matters to attend to," Airachnid said transforming into her six legged mode "Deal with him." with that she left.
The lone Autobot looked up at five Vehicons as they activated their blasters "Scrap."
Autobot Base
"Theres ground bridge activity at Wheeljacks position." Ratchet said reading the console.
"Decepticon re-enforcements." Arcee said.
"Wheeljack can take em." Miko spoke up confidently.
The old medic checked the screen on his arm "Wheeljack vitals are dropping and he appears to be losing energon." that took away Mikos confidence and scared them all.
"He needs back up." Arcee said mentally cursing that she couldn't provide it herself.
Ratchet activated the com "Ratchet to Wheeljack, come in."
"Not a good time Doc." came the Wreckers voice, as well as the sound of blaster fire.
"What is your situation?" Ratchet asked "My readings show you've lost energon."
"I noticed." came Wheeljack irritated reply.
"We'll call the others to come back you up." Raf offered.
"No can do, everybody's busy with scrapping their own Con." Wheeljack said "Besides Wreckers don't call for back up, they call for clean up!" more blaster fire was heard "One down."
"Now what?" Raf asked.
"He needs back up." Arcee said firmly "Even if doesn't admit it."
"But there no one left to help him." Miko pointed out.
Arcee thought for a moment then smirked "Oh yes there is."
The Forrest
Multiple blasts struck the Vehicon taking him offline "Two down, three to go." Wheeljack said using a large tree for cover as the remaining Vehicons kept firing.
Suddenly a ground bridge opened behind the cons, before any of them could act Ratchet stormed out of it, shoulder charging into one of the Vehicon, knocking him over. The old medic swung around, ramming the med-kit case into another vehicons faceplate, knocking him to the ground. The third Vehicon tried to grab Ratchet but he was able to grab his arms and hold him back. The first Vehicon got to its feet and aimed his blaster. Ratchet saw him and pulled the Vehicon he was grappling with in front of him, the blasts struck the con, off lining him. Not wasting any time Ratchet threw the body at the other Vehicon who was taken by surprise, he pushed his fallen comrade out of his way but the distraction allowed Ratchet to close the distance, activate his blade and drive it into the Vehicons spark chamber.
"Nice moves Doc." Wheeljack asked coming out from behind the tree as the Vehicon fell to the ground "You sure you were always a medic?"
"Yes I'm sure." Ratchet picked up the med-kit case "Now I need to treat your…" he as cut off when Wheeljack threw his sword at him.
It flew past the medic and straight into the spark chamber of the last Vehicon standing, who was attempting a sneak attack. The con fell to the ground "That three cons for me." Wheeljack smirked.
Ratchet approached the wrecker and became examining his wound "You guys okay?" came Mikos voice over the com "What happened?"
"Ratchet here took out a couple a Vehicons, but I had to save him from a sneak attack." Wheeljack smirked.
Ratchet rolled his optics "This wound is serious, what happened?"
"I chased Airachnid into the forest and ended up finding Jack instead."
That got Arcees attention "You found Jack, where is he?"
"Don't know." Wheeljack replied "Before I could call for a bridge Airachnid caught me by surprise. I tackled her and told Jack to run." Arcee felt her human heart skip a beat "But I was able to give him the phone."
"If he has the phone we can pinpoint his location and open a bridge for him." Raf said.
"First we need to get back to base so I can treat Wheeljack." Ratchet said.
"Not happening Doc." Wheeljack said.
The old medic blinked "Wheeljack, you need medical attention."
"And you're a medic." the Wrecker pointed out "Just patch me up enough so I can keep fighting."
Ratchet was going to argue but he knew Wheeljack was too stubborn to listen. He opened his med-kit "I can seal the wound and attach patch to prevent further energon leakage. Then give you some energon to replace what you lost, but this is going to be very painful."
Wheeljack nodded and Ratchet activated his welding torch and went to work, Wheeljack was silent but his optics narrowed and he tightened his grip on his sword.
Camp Grounds
Bumble Bee kept driving at high speed, avoiding the rapid energon blasts Dreadwing was firing at him "You can't run forever Autobot!"
The Scout knew Dreadwing was right. Thinking of a plan he hit the breaks, skidding sideways before charging straight at the decepticon. Dreadwing was taken surprise by this move but kept firing. Once he was close enough, Bumble Bee transformed back to robot mode and used his momentum to fly forward, driving both feet into the cons chest, knocking him off his feet and making him drop his cannon.
Dreadwing picked himself up off the ground, narrowing his optics at Bumble Bee who had taken a fighting stance "You fight well for a scout." Bumble Bee let out series of beeps "But not good enough." with that he charged and swung a punch. Bee raised his arms to block the punch but the force of the blow made him stumble back. Dreadwing landed a left hook to the scouts faceplate before side kicking him in the chest. Bumble Bee recovered quickly and tried to punch Dreadwing, but the con caught his fist in his hand "As I said." he drove his other fist into the scouts gut making him double over, then picked him up over his head and through him across the ground where he skidded when he hit the ground "Not good enough.
Bumble Bee shook his head clear and got to his feet, he charged at the con who swung a left hook. The scout turned sideways letting the punch go past him as he stopped behind Dreadwing and kicked him in the back of his knee, forcing him to take a knee. Copying a move he'd seen from Earth television, Bumble Bee grabbed Dreadwing around the waist, lifted him off the ground and fell backwards, slamming his head into the ground. Bumble Bee rolled on his side, quickly got to his feet and charged to press his advantage. Suddenly Dreadwing pulled out a small blaster and fired, hitting Bumble Bee in the shoulder and knocking him on his back "I believe the humans called it, having a few tricks up your sleeve."
Bumble Bee brought a servo to his hit shoulder, narrowing his optics threw his arm forward activating his own blaster and fired, hitting Dreadwings arm making him drop his blaster. The scout jumped to his feet and quickly shoulder charged Dreadwing, making him stumble backwards. He got in close and hit the con with three quick jabs before landing an uppercut followed by a kick to the chest, pushing him back further. Dreadwing had grown tired of this, when Bumble Bee attacked again, he dodged the punched and countered with one of his own, right into the scouts faceplate, stunning him. Dreadwing raises both fists in the air and brings them down on Bumble Bees shoulders, knocking him to his knees, then drove own knee into his faceplate. Grabbing the Autobot by the arm, Dreadwing swung Bumble around before tossing him through air. He bounced a couple of times, endibng up face down in the dirt with his back to the Decepticon.
Dreadwing grabbed his sword and approached the downed Autobot "You fight with courage and honour Bumble Bee. You fight like a warrior." he stopped a few feet from him "And so I will grant you a warriors end." he raised his sword to strike. Bumble Bee let out a few quite beeps "What was that?" he beeped again, making Dreadwing raise an optic ridge "I have a habit of what?"
Faster than the optic could see Bumble Bee rolled on his side, throwing up his hand which held Dreadwings blaster and fired, the energon blast struck the Decepticon making him drop his sword which imbedded itself in the ground. Bumble Bee kept firing repeatedly hitting Dreadwing and pushing him back until the weapon ran out of energon. When the firing stopped, Dreadwing was barely able to stop himself from falling to his knees. He raised his head just in time to see Bumble rush forward and slam his fist into his faceplate, knocking the decepticon off his feet and to the ground. Bumble Bee spotted Dreadwings sword stuck in the ground and pulled it free before approaching the downed con. Up close he saw the damage so many close range blasts had caused.
Dreadwing opened his optics and looked at the scout "What are you waiting for?" he asked "Finish me." Bumble Bee beeped "No. This is how it must be." Dreadwing said . "Two warriors met on the field of battle, one emerged victorious and the other fell." Dreadwing looked the Autobot right in the optics "I do not fear death, Bumble Bee. I fought with honour and fell in battle, that is the true way for a warriors life to end. I will become one with the All Spark." a small smile formed "And see my brother again."
Bumble Bee looked at the sword in his servo and thought, to kill in the heat of battle was one thing but to kill a being who was helpless wasn't the Autobot way. Then he looked down at Dreadwing and he knew wouldn't stop until he had avenged his twin, and even then he'd still follow Megatron and try and destroy his friends, his family. Narrowing his optics Bumble Bee held the sword handle with both hands and raised it above his head. Dreadwing looked up at his blade and it swung towards him, he shut his optics and braced for the his end. But it never came. He opened his optics and saw that Bumble Bee had driven the blade into the ground beside Dreadwings head. Bumble Bee let go of the sword and looked the Decepticon right in the optics and beeped a few times before walking away. Bumble Bee paused, held up the blaster and beeped once more before running towards the forest, Dreadwing finally slipped into unconessness.
Deep in the forest Jack, deciding he'd finally put enough distance between himself and Airachnid, took out the phone and called the base "Come on, come on."
A few moments later it was answered by a voice he was never so happy to hear "Jack?"
"Arcee! Oh you have no idea how happy I am to hear your voice." he said happily.
"Are you okay?" the former two wheeler asked.
"Oh you know, just a sprained ankle and traumatic chase by a psychotic spider-bot." he said "No big deal."
Arcee could stop herself from smiling "Oh Jack I swear when yout back I'm just gonna get into bed with you and just cuddle for a week."
Jack smiled "I like the sound of that."
"Ah you guys know this is on speaker right?" came Mikos voice making them both blink in surprise, then blush with embarrassment.
Raf coughed into his fist "Anyway, I'm trying to pin point your location through the phone but theres some interference."
Suddenly the phone beeped. Jack looked at the screen "Low battery? Oh you've gotta be kidding me!"
"Jack?" Arcee called "Jack whats wrong?"
"The battery's about to die." Jack said.
Arcee's eyes widened and she turned to Raf "Do you have his location?"
"I'm trying but I cant pinpoint it. All I've got is the general area." he explained.
"So just open it." Miko said "It's a big swirling green portal, it cant be that hard to find."
"No!" Jack warned "Airachnids still after me, she could find the portal before I do. Its too risky."
"But Jack…" the former two wheeler tried but was cut off.
"Its not worth it Arcee." Jack said seriously, he closed his eyes as he realised what he had to do "Raf which way to the Autobots?"
Raf checked everyones location on the console screen "The closest is Bumble Bee but hes head away from your location."
"Then I'll try to catch up to him, but I'm not risking all of you." Jack said firmly "Goodbye guys." he said sadly "Arcee?"
"Jack." fear was in her voice.
"I love you." he said right before the phone ran out of power and shut down, the signal disappeared off the console screen.
Arcee couldn't believe this was happening again. They survived an earthquake only to be caught by Airachnid, the others rescued her and Jack got away, only to be found again. Now Jack made contact with them, only to refuse a ground bridge because it would put her, Raf and Miko in danger.
Walking away from the console Arcee stood against the rail, put her face into her hands and finally let her tears fall. This was the second time Jack said he loved her and she didn't get to say it back. Now she may never see Jack again, let alone get a chance to say it back. Jack was in danger and theres nothing she, his guardian and girlfriend, can do to help him. But then her tears stopped as she realised there was a chance. Pulling her hands down, her eyes landed upon the Reformatting Module.
"If I change back its permanent and I can never be human again." she thought to herself, and then memories of all the things she and Jack had done together came flooding back to her. Jack teaching her to ride a bike, teaching her to swim at the pool, dancing at the party, standing up for her to Vince and punching him, the surprise picnic he made her, their fist date and when he gave her the pendent. She remembered their first kiss and more came back to her, kissing him inside the drive-through window, the kiss they shared after dancing, kissing while swimming in the lake and then their passionate embrace inside the tent when they were about to make love for the first time. Then she realised none of that mattered, because if she couldn't save Jack, she'd loose him forever.
Sadness was replaced with determination "Raf, I need you to do something for me." Raf looked up at the former two wheeler, who looked him right in the eye "I need you to change me back."
The ground cracked as Bulkhead stomped his giant foot to hold his ground as Breakdown tried push him away, but the Wrecker kept his grip on the Mass Shifter. "You can't keep this up forever." Breakdown snarled.
"I don't have to." Bulkhead said "I just need to tear the Mass Shifter off you and kick your tail pipe!"
Narrowing his optic Breakdown drove his knee into the Wreckers gut, then brought his servo that was holding Bulkheads fist towards the wreckers other hand, that was holding into the Mass Shifter, striking it and forcing Bulkhead to let go of the relic. The moment he broke contact, Bulkhead began to shrink again. "Ha! What was that about kicking my tail pipe?" Breakdown laughed.
Seeing how quickly he was shrinking, Bulkhead acted fast, he drove both fists into Breakdowns gut, making the gut making Breakdown double over. Then clasped both hands together he swung his fists upwards, hitting Breakdown so hard his head flew up, he stumbled backwards, and fell onto his back with a loud thud that could be heard all around. "The bigger they are the harder they fall." Bulkhead kept shrinking as he rushed forward to try and remove the Mass Shifter before Breakdown recovered, by the time he reached it he was he normal size again. Seeing where the silver cables locked together he grabbed each end to pry them open, but before he could, a loud groan signalled Breakdown was coming around followed by him sitting up. On instinct, the con raised his hand to his head, Bulkhead, who was still holding onto the cable was lifted off the ground "Uh oh." he said to himself. Turning his head expecting to see Breakdowns optic looking right at him, he saw instead the Decepticons eye patch "I'm in his blind spot." he thought to himself. Breakdowns hand reached his head and the stop made Bulkhead loose his grip and fall onto the giant cons shoulder, but he didn't seem to notice, as he stood up so did the Wrecker, who realised he needed a plan. Looking around he saw the Breakdown had his back turned to a giant cliff "That'll work." he thought to himself "Just need to give him a little push." he balled his fist.
Breakdown activated his hammer and looked around the ground for any sign of the Wrecker. "Come out, come out where ever you are." but couldn't see him, suddenly he felt something on his shoulder. He turned his head only to see Bulkhead drive his fist right into his optic "AAAAAHHHHHH!" he screamed in pain before stumbling backwards towards the edge of the cliff, stopped before he went over.
"Scrap." Bulkhead said realising he needed a new plan. Looking down at the ground he could see a lot of cracks, from his and Breakdowns stomping. "We must have weakened the ground." he looked at the distance between Breakdown and the cliff and realised his plan just needed some improvising.
"I'LL CRUSH YOU!" Breakdown roared, reaching up to his shoulder to grab Bulkhead, but the Wrecker jumped onto his servo before jumping off again, turning in mid air before plummeting to the ground "What are you doing?"
"What I do best!" Bulkhead activated both his maces and raised them above his head as he neared the ground. "BREAKING THINGS!" with that he slammed both maces into the ground, throwing up a lot of dust and causing a large amount of cracks to form along the ground towards Breakdown, they past under his feet and then stopped.
Breakdown looked at the cracks in the ground wondering how this was supposed to harm him, but when nothing happen he smirked at the Wrecker and raised his hammer. Suddenly, the ground began cracking further and then it began crumbling right under the giant Cons feet, the entire cliff edge and where Breakdown was standing broke apart. "ARH!" he cried as he fell from the cliff all the way down to the ground.
Bulkhead deactivated his maces and ran over to the new cliff edge and looked down in time to see Breakdown hit the ground with a loud boom "Wow they really do fall hard." Then he saw Breakdown begin to stir. Bulkhead rolled his optics before sighing and then jumped off the cliff. The Wrecker plummeted down towards Breakdown, picking up speed as he fell. He angled himself so he headed towards Breakdowns head and activated both maces again. Breakdown groaned in pain opening his optic, just in time for it to widen as Bulkhead slammed both maces into his faceplate, denting it and slamming the giant head back into the ground. Deactivating his maces, Bulkhead quickly ran down Breakdowns arm to the Mass Shifter. He wasn't sure how to make it shrink Breakdown again, so he tried the Wreckers way, he raised his fist and slammed it down on the dial on top. The Mass Shifter glowed and Breakdown began shrinking. He jumped off the Cons arm and watched as he returned to normal size, lying in the giant crater his body made when he landed. "I'll take this." Bulkhead took the Mass Shifter off the cons arm before transforming to vehicle mode, and with the relic secure in the back seat he drove off to find the others.
Autobot Base
"This is crazy." Raf said typing on his laptop which wad been connected to the main console, Miko and Arcee connected another large cable into it, the other end of the cable was plugged into the Reformatting Module.
"Raf, you've been working with Ratchet while he repaired it and studied it." Arcee said.
"Even if I can activate it, theres still getting the settings right." he pointed out "One mistake and you could end up like the pumpkin."
"Gross." Miko visibly disgusted by the image.
"Then it's a good thing you wont make a mistake." Arcee stated, making sure the cable was secure "Try it now."
Raf pressed a few buttons "Okay I have access to the Module but it doesn't mean…"
"Raf!" the former two wheeler cut him off and placed a hand on his shoulder "I know you can do this. Ratchet said himself you've got a mind that could have stood among the brightest of Cybertron."
Rafs eyes widened "Really?"
Arcee nodded "His exact words."
"Okay, while I was studying the module with Ratchet, we found it can be set to only effect organic tissue." Raf explained.
"Wait, so her clothes aren't gonna be effected?" Miko asked.
Raf shook his head "Nope."
Mikos eyes widened slightly "Your gonna have a Hulk out moment."
Arcee raised an eyebrow "A what?"
"Never mind, the point is your outfits gonna get shredded." she said.
Arcee thought for a moment "Then it looks like I'm stopping being human the same way I started, naked." Her last word made Raf and Mikos eyes widen "Raf close your eyes while I strip." she unzipped her jacket.
"NO!" Raf shouted stopping Arcee. "I cant close my eyes." then he realised what that sounded like and he blushed. "No what I mean is I need to be monitoring the Module while its active, and I cant do that with my eyes closed."
The former two wheeler sighed. "I liked this outfit." Reaching behind her neck, she unlocked the chain and held the pendent in her a hand and looked at it for a moment before walking over to Miko "Keep this safe for me."
The foreign exchange student was surprised, but smiled and nodded "You got it."
With a look of determination on her face, Arcee approached the ladder to take her position, but suddenly she stopped. She quickly removed her boots and handed them to Miko "These to." the foreign exchange student raised an eyebrow "I really liked those boots and they were the first things I bought as a human."
A couple of minutes later, Arcee stood in the centre of the room with the Reformatting Module on its stand, the blue orb in the centre seemed to be stare right at her. "All systems powered up and stable. All settings are adjusted properly. At least I hope so." Raf said to himself, he then felt and hand on his shoulder and looked to see Miko.
"You got this Raf." smiled encouragingly.
The young boy returned the smile and typed in several commands before calling "Ready Arcee?"
"Ready." the former two wheeler answered.
"Activating now." Raf said as the Reformatting Module came to life and the and blue orb in the centre began to glow white.
Arcee looked directly into the bright light with "I'm coming Jack." a moment later the light enveloped her.
The Forrest
Jack didn't know how long he'd been walking through the forest. He'd found a new stick to help him walk, but was still lost and was just heading in the direction Raf said Bumble Bee was. He had heard loud bangs in a different direction, but his gut told him to steer clear of what ever was causing them. As he walked Jack's mind thought about one thing, Arcee. This trip was supposed to be a fun time for the two of them as boyfriend and girlfriend, it almost ended up being their first time too! But instead it turned into a disaster, and then into a nightmare! Attacked and chased by a sadistic assassin, who almost made him… "Ugh!" He shivered at the thought of what might of happened if he hadn't escaped. The sound of a branch snapping brought him out of his thoughts, instinct taking over, Jack dived to the left, just avoiding the web thich hit his stick and stuck it to the ground.
"Nice moves Jack." he pushed himself up off the ground and looked to see Airachnid in her six legged form, emerge from behind the trees "Even when injured, your still light on your feet."
"Scrap!" Jack cursed mentally "Shes found me three times in one day, this not my day…"
Airachnid switched to her two legged mode and walked forward. "While I must admit Jack, that little trick you pulled back at the carnival was clever, don't think you won't be punished for it." She enjoyed the scared look on Jack's face "Don't worry, you'll survive. After all, I wouldn't want to kill my new servant before I've had my fun with him."
"Why does that part sound scarier?" Jack thought to himself as he backed away.
"I think your first duty will be to scrub my armour for me, one piece at a time." she spoke with a seductive tone as she moved a hand across her breastplate.
Suddenly an sound reached Jacks ears, it was the sound of an engine, an engine that, even after not hearing it for so long, Jack recognised it instantly. Looking to where the sound was coming from, Jack turned just in time to see a blue and pink motorcycle with no rider, speed off a large boulder and into the air towards him and Airarchnid. Time seemed to slow down as the parts of the motorcycle began shifting around and the motorcycle had transformed into a giant, robotic woman. Time moved normally again when the two wheeler let out an angry yell, before both her feet rammed into Airachnid with such force, the assassin was sent flying backwards, smashing through a tree and bouncing several times when she hit the ground.
The Autobot second in command landed in a crouch next to Jack, who looked up at her with both shock and happiness as she stood up "Arcee."
"I already told you once," Arcee said narrowing her optics "Stay away from him you bitch!"
That's tight folks, Arcee is back! I hope you all enjoyed the action this chapter delivered. I promise ch36 wont take as long to finish.
For those of you wondering what Bumble Bee said to Dreadwing at the end, first was "You have a habit of getting taken down by your own weapons." then "Warriors also believe in honour and whats right. Megatron believes in neither so you should ask yourself why you follow him." and finally "I'm keeping this."
Anyone who wasn't voted on new poll on my profile please do.