The loss of Cybertronian life triggers a series of responses on the mechanical corpse and any nearby cybertronians. First, a traumatic enough injury causes for the spark to disconnect from the rest of the body. This happened instantly for the twisted, broken form of Cy Kill. Next, the spark quickly burns through what energon it has access to left. Not able to get anymore, it is released and returns to the Allspark, where all or one. Sunstorm's body convulses as it burns up through the last of it's energon. Using it's innermost energon, the spark chamber opens up. Ratchet watches quickly as Landmine and Waverider sparks lazily drift from their chambers, discarding the photonic crystals they were encased in. Their hands locked in one final hold. Their metal losing luster and succumbing to aggressive depigmentation. Ratchet blocks out the sobs of Thunderbolt, the blue eukarian stands a few paces back. Even back further was Prowl and Metalhawk in deep conversation, however, Metalhawk let his blue optics follow the two sparks circling final dance before evaporation.
"It is just the two of us left. We need reinforcements, Prowl." Urges Metalhawk, a tall winged Autobot and leader of the Pretenders; an elusive group of formally five autobots with the ability to condense their robotic bodies into human shells as they defended the Blue Marble from the evil forces of the Decepticons. With the death of Cloudburst a few thousand years ago and Landmine and Waverider's sparks dissipating right before him, that and the fact the Decepticons outnumbered them always, he was desperate for reinforcements.
"We are strung out far enough as is. You are lucky Ratchet and I were in this star system to check up on Deep Blue's group and to come see you. And to sadly witness this tragedy." Prowl retorts as his icy resolve dissolves and he glances mournfully at the bodies.
"Besides, the pretender process is too risky to do on anymore autobots. I am still surprised none of you had instant spark failure everytime you go from human shells to robot mode." Pipes up Ratchet as he stood up from the lifeless autobots.
"We go step by step, first human then suit then robot." Explains Thunderbolt, a bit more confidence in her voice as she walks away from the bodies of her fallen enemies and friends. Being from the jungle planet Eukaris, she transformed not into a vehicle but an animal. In her case, a spiky mechanical raptor flees the battlefield and dashes back into the forest.
"The humans have been developing more advanced vehicles in the past few decades. Whoever you send can just scan a new alternative mode like you both have for your status check." Metalhawk solves. He briefly transforms into his alt-mode, a blue and gold Kalinin K-4, and back to robot mode to demonstrate to the Iacon Police chief.
"You have a point. I will see what I can do when we get back to Cybertron. You and Thunderbolt can hold yourself here for the foreseeable future, yes?" Accepts Prowl.
"Yes but you do know why I am here defending the Earth in the first place. At Least today we ended three more cogs in the Decepticon machine of evil." Consider Metalhawk, looking upon the bodies.
"Two actually, this little guy is still clinging to his spark." Ratchet corrects as he leans over a small, red cycle'con. The decepticon lay still spilling red energon on the dewy grass of the forest clearing they stood in. His lower legs were a few feet away, slashed off by Thunderbolt's claws in battle.
"I still function." Utters the injured con as he rolled his belly up like a floundering fish.
"Easy there, 'con. Hey you were the one to lead the Storm Seekers and Trackers here!" Exclaimed Ratchet, his voice both a mix of tending and repulse.
"It is you. You are the one who led them here. Ransack is it? Where is your associate, Crumplezone?" Pries Metalhawk as he leans in over Ratchet.
"Go easy on him, Metalhawk. His brain module is just cycles from offlining, his t-cog can't function because his legs are a bust, and I am surprised his spark is still in it's crystal and case." Exclaimed Ratchet.
"I'dn't know the others were a following me. I wanted to get away from 'em, Roadkill gone crazy. I couldn't convince Crumplezone to join me so I left the Trackers. I just want mercy." Gasps Ransack, his green optics pleading.
"If you are willing to undergo a trial back on Cybertron, we can grant you amnesty and repair you." Prowl offers.
"I'll accept that Popobot." Grunts Ransack as he grabs at his chest plate, spitting out red energon on himself. His optics flicker and his arms spasm.
"Hold in there, 'con." Ratchet says as he grabs Ransack. Metalhawk comes in behind, props the red cycle-former, and helps lift him up with Ratchet. Prowl taps at his holopad and summons their small scout ship, the Prerogative. The space craft decloaks itself and descends from the clouding sky above and into the forest clearing. Ratchet and Metalhawk carry Ransack's passed out body into the ship's bay. The medic opens up a CR chamber and puts Ransack propped up inside. "There, that and stasis lock will stabilize him until we get back to Cybertron." Confirms Ratchet.
"Excellent. I take it you two will be leaving now?" Asks Metalhawk as Prowl steps into the Prerogative.
"Yes, I am afraid so. I will ensure personally that Ultra Magnus hears your request for reinforcements. Contrary to presumptions, I know why we cannot lose the Earth. In the meantime, we will take Ransack back for questioning, repairs, and perhaps a trial." Prowl responds.
"Alright, I will hold down here with Thunderbolt. Where ever she ran off to." Affirms Metalhawk as the ship's ramp closes and engines start humming up with bright light. As the Autobot vessel takes to the sky, Metalhawk collapses down his robot form into battle suit and then further compresses into a human form before walking away.