67- Deadlock.
There was a huge battle near to Naboo's orbit (one bigger than anyone never seen, even more than the Battle of Coruscant, near the end of the Clone Wars): The Republic fleet was attacking the droid fleet, who surrounded the Nemesis to prevent their enemies to reach the Omega Lock. But of course, many air Decepticon squadrons flew around the Nemesis's outside and fired at the Autobots as they were attempting to sneak inside the warship from the upper hangar. Of course, they no needed to worry about the droids and TIEs, because they were too busy fighting the Republic forces. Right now, they were concentrating in reaching the hangar's door, taking down all the Decepticons who tried to stop them.
"The Omega Lock's control room is located on the lower deck." Ratchet reported by com-link.
"Come on." Arcee encouraged as the team advanced.
Ratchet advanced through the warship's corridors and changed to robot form.
"I am making my way there now."
"Copy, Ratchet. We will rendezvous at the objective. Elita, lead Stealth Team to secure the Omega Lock. Ultra Magnus, you and the Wreckers storm the bridge. Prevent the Decepticons from targeting the device if Stealth Team is delayed." Optimus instructed as he flew toward the Nemesis, evading the laser shots while Elita speeded up and met with Stealth Team, returning to robot form.
"Optimus, if we fail to secure the lock before it's ready to deploy, do we destroy it?" Elita questioned.
"I do not intend to squander a second chance to restore Cybertron."
The Autobots managed to reach the entrance as Magnus eliminated the closest enemies with his hammer.
"Wreckers!" Ultra Magnus called as he, Wheeljack and Bulkhead took one path.
"Arcee, Bee, Cliff, Smokescreen, with me." Elita instructed as she led to the other path.
Smokescreen was about to follow them when he saw Megatron emerging from the hangar, with the Dark Star Saber hooked to his back.
"Smokescreen!" Arcee called.
Smokescreen ended following his team. Megatron jumped over the Nemesis's deck and spotted Optimus coming to the ship evading the shots. Megatron jumped out of the ship and with a roar he unleashed a wave of energy from the Dark Star Saber. The wave hit Optimus's wing, making him to fly without control, fortunately he managed to grab himself to one of the Nemesis's wings. At the same time, Megatron hooked the saber back to his back and changed to his alt mode. Optimus spotted the Omega Lock, so he started climbing up for it. Megatron was about to fire at him, but fortunately for Prime, some shots came out of nowhere and hit him, catching Megatron's attention: it was Anakin in his Jedi starfighter alongside a X-Wing squadron, firing at him.
"Okay boys, let's not give Megatron time to go after Prime. Not a single second."
"Copy that, general." One of the pilots nodded.
All their fire damaged Megatron, forcing him to try to get away. Of course, he speeded up to get away immediately.
"If he wants a challenge, he'll have it. Maximum boost power, R2." Anakin asked.
The blue droid beeped in confirmation before the ship speeded up and caught up with Megatron. Anakin continued firing at Megatron, who tried to dodge the shots, but not all of them. He changed back to robot form and tried to punch the Jedi starfighter, but Anakin dodged in time. Megatron was about to fire his fusion cannon, but more laser shots surprised him from behind. It was a whole squadron of Naboo starfighters.
"I got your back, Ani." Padmé said, revealing to be that squadron's leader.
"I can always count on you, dear."
"No one surpass Megatron! NO ONE!" Megatron yelled before he launched another wave of energy with the Dark Star Saber.
Fortunately, the whole squadron broke formation before the energy wave reached them. Megatron tried to fire at them, but two new waves of shots started to hit him from two directions: it was Ahsoka and Obi Wan's starfighters. In the end, Megatron decided that he had enough and returned to vehicle mode, trying to escape from his attackers, but they were still on his trail.
"STARSCREAM! The Jedi are trying to shot me down! Send reinforcements immediately!"
"We are on our way, Lord Megatron." Starscream answered as he, Skywarp and Thundercracker exited one of the ship's hangars and changed to vehicle form.
Several squadrons of droids and TIEs met with the Seeker commanders and flew right at where Megatron needed help. Fortunately, Ahsoka's droid saw them coming.
"What is it, R7?" Ahsoka asked before she noticed them too. "Guys, we got company!"
"I saw them too. It's Starscream." Obi Wan nodded.
The Jedi divided, each one being followed by each Seeker, allowing Megatron to escape. Meanwhile, Slipstream was coordinating the fleet's defense.
"Move the heavy battleships right in front of the Nemesis, do not let their blockade runners to sneak their way here. Put all smaller ships in the middle." She commanded.
"Our ships are holding the Republic ships off, for the moment." General Kraken informed.
"Commander Slipstream, incoming new reports from sector 4." One of the droids announced.
"Let's hear it."
A hologram of a droid officer appeared in the main terminal, and it seemed he wasn't fine. "Commander, we are losing position on this sector. There is a giant Republic ship making way through our cruisers, right toward the Nemesis."
And suddenly, they lost contact.
"It must be their command ship. For what it seems, there is only one of that kind in their entire fleet." Kraken analyzed.
"Soundwave, Kraken, assume command of the defenses. I will take care of things out there." Slipstream said leaving the bridge and Soundwave in charge.
Inside the Nemesis, Stealth Team continued for their objective in vehicle form, dodging blaster shots and destroying the battle droids they encountered on their way. But suddenly, Smokescreen stopped and changed back to robot form.
"Go on without me." He said.
The rest of the team stopped and changed to robot form too.
"That isn't the mission." Arcee reminded.
Smokescreen turned on the phase shifter. "There's something I need to do." And next he disappeared passing through the wall.
"Let him go. Smokescreen knows he can trust his instincts. And for what we know, that has always helped us to change the tides." Elita reassured. "Let's keep going."
Ratchet managed to reach the lower deck's door, guarded by two Decepticon long range soldiers. He simply pulled out his swords and the only thing that was heard later were laser shots. When the door opened revealed that Ratchet disposed of them quite easily. Once inside the room he spotted Shockwave working on the control panel.
"Shut it down, Shockwave. I cannot allow you to harm Naboo." Ratchet advised.
"The planet will not be harmed. Only its indigenous lifeforms."
"Over my sparkless husk." Ratchet said charging at the Decepticon scientist.
Ratchet jumped at him, but Shockwave simply pushed him down. Before he could strike, Ratchet kicked him aside and hit him twice with his swords, until Shockwave pushed him hard, sending him against one of the energon canisters. But Ratchet was not going to give up, so he recovered and charged again with a battle cry. Meanwhile, outside in space, the Pride of Core was moving between the enemy fleet escorted by other cruisers, disposing off the enemy ships it found on its way.
"Admiral Yularen, how is your progress going on?"
"Slow but steady, general Kenobi. We're making our way to the Decepticon warship, as the fleet is still following the attack plan in all the fronts."
"Great. Once you reach the Nemesis, send the transports and boarding ships at it. We need our men inside that ship in order to help our allies taking control of it the fastest we can."
Suddenly, Obi Wan felt an impact on his ship.
"By the Force, these guys are not so easy to quit." He cursed.
R4 nodded, seeing that Skywarp was the one who was firing at Obi Wan from behind.
"Hold on, general. We got you cover." A clone pilot announced.
A squadron of M-Wing started to fire at the Seeker from above, but suddenly Skywarp disappeared, only to reappear right behind them and starting to eliminate them.
"He can teleport?" Obi Wan said in disbelief. "Anakin, I need you to let me a hand here, but you gotta follow my instructions."
"Forget it, Obi Wan. I have my own problems here."
R2 beeped as exclamation as Anakin's starfighter was almost hit by Starscream's shots. Anakin tried to make him lost him with crazy flying maneuvers between the stellar cruisers, but Starscream proved to be as good as he was.
"Hahaha, do you really think you can beat me in my own game, Jedi?! I have been flying even long before your very first ancestor was born. Now, your fall will be one of my greatest triumphs." Starscream mocked as he launched two missiles at him. "Troops, fire the buzz droids!"
Some vulture and tri-fighter droids which were nearby followed Starscream command and fired all their missiles which contained buzz droids. R2 beeped in warning.
"I know, buddy. Fortunately, I know how to handle them." Anakin answered.
Anakin turned around his starfighter, stopped his engines and shot at the missiles, destroying them in time. Starscream didn't see that coming, but he didn't look bothered as he continued firing at Anakin. This time, he managed to cause him a little damage.
"I have to admit that I hate that guy."
"Join the club, Skyguy. I'm having the same problem right here." Ahsoka said as she was trying to dodge Thundercracker's rapid fire. "It looks like it's almost impossible to lose these guys."
"On our own. But maybe if we operate together, we may find a way to surprise them. I have an idea."
"In that case, Obi Wan, what do you want us to do?" Anakin asked.
"Go to my position, making sure they follow you. And once I say it, joint me in meditation while your droids continued guiding your ships toward mine. When I say it, you'll know what to do."
And just like he instructed, Anakin and Ahsoka redirect their starfighters to meet with Obi Wan's, being followed by both Seekers. At the same time, Obi Wan made sure Skywarp was still on his trail, trying to surprise him with his teleporting skills. Once he saw his friends coming, the three Jedi started to meditate in union. Until there were at the same point, and then…
"Now!" Obi Wan shouted.
The three Jedi powered their ships engines at full speed, just when Skywarp, just as Obi Wan predicted, tried to surprise him with another teleportation. But when he did, he put in middle of Starscream and Thundercracker, crashing with both of them. The impact caused them to fly without control and ended smashing and passing through the surface of a Providence-class destroyer, causing it considerable damage. At the same time, Slipstream was already at the hangar, seeing four Magnaguard droids about to get on their ships.
"Several fighters have broken off from the main group. Come with me." She commanded.
And as she changed to vehicle form and flew out of the ship, four TIE hunters formed alongside her. Meanwhile, the three Seekers were still a little dizzy because of the impact.
"Skywarp, you fool!" Starscream cursed as he hit him in the head.
Immediately, they felt some shakes in the ship: the damage of the impact was hard enough to make the ship rotate out of control, until it was about to crash against a Lucrehulk-class battleship. The Seekers managed to transform and escape the ship before it was destroyed. But this time, they were the ones who had the Jedi and other fighters behind them.
"Now is our turn." Anakin said smiling.
"This is when the fun begins." Ahsoka added.
"Let's see who takes down the first, Snips."
"As you wish, master."
"And here we go again." Obi Wan said rolling his eyes.
Their combined firepower surprised the Seekers, who were still unable to deal with them.
"Now this is some serious trouble." Thundercracker noticed.
"Any ally force which can give us a hand here, we need immediate help!" Starscream called.
Fortunately for them, Slipstream and her squadron positioned right above the enemy forces.
"I'll take them myself. Cover me." She instructed.
"Yes ma'am." One of the droids nodded.
She started by launching two missiles that took down two fighters, causing their enemies to scatter, so she started to hunt them down one by one. That allowed the other three Seekers to fly right back to the Nemesis while the Jedi and their forces tried to deal with Slipstream and her TIEs. A few moments later, Stealth Team was almost at the lower deck.
"Ratchet, we're approaching your position." Elita communicated.
But before they could reach the door, they spotted Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker, walking in front with other Seeker troops.
"Arg, those Jedi had caused me some headache." Skywarp complained.
"At least we can get some rest here, safe and sound within the safety of our warship…What?" Thundercracker said at seeing the Autobots.
"Scrap." Arcee cursed.
"Attack!" Starscream ordered to the Seekers, which opened fire. "Calling all droid units, move your ground forces back here to the Nemesis. We need your help here defending it against the Autobots!"
Meanwhile, the only one who wasn't taking place in all the fight was Knock Out, who was simply trying to rummaging between the lab' items.
"Pack light, pack light." He said, until he found the buffer. "Pack smart."
At the same time, Smokescreen reached to the relics' room. He examined the pods until he found the one he was looking for.
"I was hoping you'd still be here." He said.
Meanwhile, Soundwave was coordinating the defenses from the warship's bridge. Then he heard shots from behind him. It was the Wreckers.
"Secure the bridge!" Ultra Magnus ordered.
They managed to eliminate all the guards and heavy droids, leaving Soundwave alone. But when they charged at him, he opened a ground bridge right below them, making them fall through the portal, which transported them to another room, full of Decepticon heavy soldiers, tank droids and walker droids. At the same time, the Pride of Core was still advancing toward the Nemesis.
"Sir, the Decepticon warship is right in front of us." Captain Eclipse reported.
"Almost there." Admiral Yularen said. "Instruct Commander Sato's units to keep the nearest enemy ships busy."
But suddenly, one of the Subjugator-class heavy cruisers put itself in their way. But the worst was that it started to charge its giant ion cannon.
"Sir, that ship looks like it's about to fire at us." One clone officer reported.
"Isn't that like the superweapon the Malevolence used in the first place?" Juno asked worried.
"The same one. Shields at full power, brace yourselves!" Yularen warned.
And the ship fired the ion cannon, hitting the enemy ships at its range right before firing its weapons at them. Fortunately, the Pride of Core was as big as the new Malevolence, but that didn't protect it at all: it still had power, but its shields were affected. Both ships moved parallel and started firing at each other.
"Ultra Magnus to all units: we will be delayed. Soundwave pulled one of his relocation tricks."
"This is Pride of Core. Our advance toward the Decepticon warship has met a setback: one of those Malevolence ships in engaging us, we need immediate support." Admiral Yularen asked.
The kids heard that at base.
"Aris, can you get us onto the warship's bridge?" Sky asked.
"Sure, now that I have a fix on it. But we won't have a chance against Soundwave." Aris warned.
"We will if we have backup." Luke answered looking at Han.
"In that case, I need to go home first."
"Why?" Leia asked.
"I don't know. Since she and the others on Mandalore knew that the Decepticons were attacking again, my aunt said she had to see me for some important reason."
A ground bridge took Aris back to Mandalore, where both her mother and aunt were waiting for her.
"I'm in a hurry, things are not looking good in the battle above Naboo."
"We know, honey. That's why we wanted you to get here." Satine said.
"For what purpose? I have to go back quickly in order to help."
"And you will." Her aunt said, as she signaled to the only mandalorian warrior present there, who approached her holding a ancient looking box. He opened it, showing some kind of ancient lightsaber. "This lightsaber belonged to Tarre Vizsla, the very first mandalorian Jedi. It was a unique one among lightsabers, called the Darksaber. When he fell, it was taken by mandalorian warriors back to their home, and used to unify all clans of Mandalore. When Pre Vizsla took it, he used only for Death Watch's benefit, until he fell. I witnessed it. It was only used once again to unify all Mandalore clans in our darkest hour."
"I know it, you did it. But I thought the Darksaber belonged to you. You unified all Mandalore clans."
"I know, but at the place where it was originally found, in the Jedi temple, its original owner left a message: his final will. If Mandalore ever has again the privilege of having a Jedi born between its warriors, the Darksaber should return to the hands of its rightful owner. And that is you."
"Me?" Aris asked in disbelief. She looked to her mother, who nodded.
"It belongs to you. Since the day you were born, your aunt and me knew that you would be destined to something great in Mandalore's history. Some of the few things in which we agreed."
"Now it's your time. If you decide to take the sword, you will have all Mandalore's warriors following you till the very end, with honor and loyalty." Aris's aunt explained as the warrior offered her the Darksaber.
"Are you sure I'm worthy?" Aris asked.
"This is the way." He simply said.
At the end, she took it. "Thanks, Din."
"Call me Mando."
Back to the Nemesis, already above Naboo, Ratchet was pushed against one of the energon containers. Shockwave was about to fire at him, but when the terminal sounded, he went to check it.
"Lord Megatron, the Omega Lock is fueled and ready."
Shockwave opened the lower deck's door, but Optimus was already over the Omega Lock and fired his gatling. But immediately some shots distracted him before Megatron changed form and tackled him. Both rivals landed on the Omega Lock's surface, and seeing Optimus machine gun next to him, Megatron pushed it aside, making it fall to the planet.
"Shockwave, commence Omega Lock firing sequence." Megatron ordered.
Shockwave activated the lock's charging systems. Somewhere else in the Nemesis, Knock Out walked through the corridors until a door at the end of one hall opened and shots came flying, forcing him to find some cover.
"Oh scrap."
The shots were because of the Wreckers, who managed to stand against the Decepticon troops and droids. Soundwave continued monitoring everything on the bridge, with a few Vehicons and battle droids, super battle droids and commando droids guarding it. Then a ground bridge portal appeared in middle of the bridge. The Cons and droids aimed their weapons at it, ready to fire against any enemy it could appear. But the only one who came through was Sky, walking calmed at the Decepticons and droids while they aimed at him confused.
"A child? This is the best they have to send against us?" One of the droids asked confused.
"Oh no. Surprise!" Sky said pointing at the portal.
Suddenly Han came from the ground bridge, inside the Apex Armor already, and disposed of three of the Cons.
"Pick on someone your own size." He said.
"Blast him!" One of the droids ordered.
But then, Luke, Leia and Aris emerged from the portal, with lightsabers ready and started slicing the droids, and Sky joined them. But now Aris was wielding two lightsabers: her own one and the Darksaber. BB-8 also came with them, and surprisingly, deployed his cables as he started to rotate, hitting all droids near to him. As they took care of the droids, Han, who felt the last Con firing from behind, sent him with an uppercut against the bridge's main terminal, above Soundwave. Han charged at Soundwave, but he already saw them coming and opened another ground bridge with his hand. That forced Han to stop and fall back, because Soundwave was walking toward them with the portal, trying to suck them in.
"D-O, show time." Luke called through com-link.
"Are you sure about this, guys?" Sky asked.
"Yes. Are you sure?" The little droid asked through com-link.
"Yeah, this is the first time D-O operates the ground bridge by his own. And the last time we crossed the streams…" Aris started.
"Do it D-O, now." Luke ordered.
D-O followed Luke's instructions: he operated the terminal and opened a ground bridge, right behind Soundwave. Immediately the portal started to whirr uncontrollably, and Soundwave was in middle of them, trying to hold his ground. The kids and BB-8 started to being sucked by the portals, but fortunately Han grabbed them as they covered their eyes. A great flashlight lighted up the room, and after that Soundwave tried to attack them. But he only passed them through, thing that confused him.
"Enjoy the shadowzone, clancker." Han mocked.
"Jedi and freedom fighters superior, Soundwave inferior." Sky concluded.
"Come on. We need to figure out how to navigate this thing." Leia reminded.
"And also the time to call the backup." Aris added.
Now Soundwave didn't have any control over anything, he only could see defeated how they marched to the ship's controls, while he was banished from their dimensional realm, until he will be out of energon, and be no more. Meanwhile, it seemed like despite the effects of the ion cannon, the Pride of Core managed to destroy the rival ship.
"Pff, that was close."
"I would not wind down if I were you, captain Eclipse." Admiral Yularen said, seeing the other Subjugator ships surrounding them. "Generals, we may need help here."
"Help is already here." A new voice announced.
Suddenly, a Keldabe-class battleship came out of hyperspace, accompanied by a few Crusader-class corvettes, which started to deploy Starviper fighters, G1-M4-C Dunelizard fighters, M12-L Kimogila heavy fighters and Fang-class fighters: the mandalorian reinforcements. They started to support the Republic forces attacking the droid fleet from a spot which they didn't expect.
"Where did these reinforcements come out?" Ahsoka asked.
"I think this must be Aris's doing." Obi Wan deduced.
Speaking of the Omega Lock, while it was already charged, Optimus and Megatron continued their rumble. Optimus grabbed Megatron's hands and head-butted him, pushing him back a few steps before he sent another wave of energy, but Optimus evaded it and made Megatron drop the Dark Star Saber. Megatron saw where it landed, but he had no time to recover it because Optimus punched his face hard enough to bring him down.
"Shockwave, prepare to fire the…" Megatron was about to order when suddenly the ship started to shake. "What?!"
The Nemesis began to move from one side to another, as result of the children's actions typing some buttons of the bridge's main terminal.
"Guys, where'd you learn to fly?" Han asked.
"This is not working." Leia noticed.
"Maybe we can use the force to control the ship. It won't be easy, and maybe it would take much." Luke said.
"But we can do it combining our potentials. Let's focus together." Aris suggested. "BB-8, tell D-O to send you back home. We'll take it from here."
The little droid nodded and contacted his friend. The four kids gathered together and started to meditate on the main terminal.
"I'm one with the Force, and the Force is with me." Aris started.
"I'm one with the Force, and the Force is with me." Luke, Leia and Sky followed.
They repeated the same sentence several times while they focused in the Force. Moments later, all the warship weapons turned at the Subjugator heavy cruiser and started firing at them, catching them off guard.
"Hey, what are you doing?! We're on your side!" One droid yelled at them.
That caused serious damage to the enemy ships, and allowed the Pride of Core to face them properly.
"Why are they firing at their own ships?" Captain Eclipse asked.
"We have some allies onboard." Yularen deduced. "Bombers, fired all your torpedoes and bombs at their special weapons. Destroy those ion cannons."
Megatron saw how his warship was firing at his own fleet.
"What?! What are you doing?! Soundwave, what is happening?" But he received no answer. "What is going on?!"
That allowed Optimus to get advantage against Megatron. With the combined firepower of the Nemesis's weapons and the bombers attack, the heavy cruisers ended destroyed. Slipstream saw it, which gave the Jedi to turn the tides of the fight and eliminate her squadron. At the end, she had no choice but to retreat back to the Nemesis before they could fire at her.
"Generals, the way to the warship is clear. And it seems someone has taken control over its weapon systems."
"Keep the rest of the enemy fleet busy, admiral. And prepare the troops to board the Decepticon warship to offer support to Team Prime." Obi Wan instructed.
Immediately, lots of transports and gunships approached the Nemesis's upper hangar, deploying lots of clone troops, with some ARC troopers with them, alongside Clone Force 99/The Bad Batch and Delta Squad.
"We started this fight long ago. Time to put an end to it for good." Cody said.
"Come on men, let's teach those clanckers a lesson they will never forget!" Rex encouraged.
Of course, foot droids and heavy droids and Decepticon soldiers tried to stop them on their way in, but the clones were ready and carried heavy weapons to deal with them. Then the mandalorian transports joined them and started to deploy their own warriors, all of them leaded by Mando, who joined the boarding operation. Of course, the previous shakes affected the Decepticons which were blocking the lower deck's entrance.
"Sorry to be late." Slipstream apologized meeting with her siblings.
"Slipstream, where have you been?" Thundercracker asked.
Meanwhile, while Stealth Team was cornered…
"Special delivery. That way, right?" Smokescreen said finally arriving, carrying the Star Saber.
The Cons fired at the young Autobot, so he turned on the phase shifter and passed through Starscream, who screamed, and reached the Omega Lock's control room. Once there, Smokescreen spotted Optimus fighting with Megatron. He turned off the phase shifter preparing to give Optimus the Star Saber, just when Shockwave dodged Ratchet's hits and pushed him against one of the energon containers. Seeing that the other Decepticons were busy with his comrades, Smokescreen took the chance.
"Optimus, catch!"
"Smokescreen!" Ratchet called when Shockwave fired his cannon.
The shot hit Smokescreen, making him to drop the Star Saber. He landed next to an energon container, with an injury in his arm. Arcee and Elita saw the saber a few meters from them, the same as Starscream and his Seekers, who pushed the Seeker troops against Bumblebee, but he managed to kick them off. Immediately all the Autobots and Decepticons started a race toward the Star Saber, including Shockwave, who decided to go from the other side leaving a weakened Ratchet behind. Arcee managed to jump above Thundercracker and threw him at Starscream, making him trip over, right before Cliffjumper jumped at him to engage. Slipstream tried to speed up with her back engines, but Arcee jumped on her back, forcing her to land against the wall. Skywarp tried to use teleportation as shortcut, but Elita anticipated his movements and intercepted him. As he was approaching to the Star Saber, Bumblebee managed to evade Shockwave's shots. When he was almost there, Bee slide to dodge the next Shockwave's shot, grabbed the saber and threw it above Shockwave. While Shockwave saw the saber flying above him, Bee took the chance and hit him hard in the eye, taking him down. Then he jumped over him and grabbed the saber again, next he put it on his shoulders as he started to climb down to where Optimus continued his fight against Megatron. In the last moment, more droids and a few Decepticon troopers arrived from other door, but immediately they were engaged by the clones from the other entrance.
"Optimus, you must use the saber to destroy the Omega Lock." Ratchet communicated while Optimus punched Megatron. "It is the only way to save Naboo."
"(I'm almost there, Optimus!)" Bumblebee called as he continued descending.
"The Star Saber." Megatron saw before pushing his rival back.
With all his strength, Bee jumped as high as he could right toward at them, but Megatron fired his fusion cannon at him three times before Optimus interrupted him. But it was too late: the three shots hit Bumblebee, right in his spark chamber. The impact made him drop the Star Saber and made him fall right to the Omega Lock, while all his comrades: Ratchet, Smokescreen as the Seeker soldiers stopped him, Cliffjumper, Arcee and Elita engaging Starscream, Slipstream and Skywarp as Thundercracker was recovering, and Optimus, even the clones watched how their friend fell covered in flames as his eyes were turning off. As the Star Saber landed on the Omega Lock's structure, Bumblebee landed on its center, and like something immersing under the sea, its lifeless body disappeared. The Autobots cried his death, while some of the Decepticons, like Starscream, smirked. Megatron was not an exception, from what Optimus saw.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Optimus shouted as he continued attacking his rival.
Optimus continued striking Megatron hard multiple times until he sent him against the Omega Lock's structure with a strong hit from his hands. All the hits made Megatron to lose his balance and fall to the ground, but he saw something useful nearby. Optimus changed his hand for a cannon, ready to execute his rival as he walked toward him, but once he was close enough Megatron roared as he launched a wave of energy from the Dark Star Saber. The hit was overmuch for Optimus to resist that sent him flying out of the structure. Once he got up, Megatron walked towards just where Optimus was hanging from the edge with smoke coming from the injury the wave made on his torso.
"Prepare to join your scout, in the Allspark." Megatron declared as he readied his saber to finish with his rival, once and for all.
"Megatron!" A voice called.
Just in the moment Megatron turned to see who called him he felt something sharp pierce through him. He let out a shuddering gasp as he saw the Star Saber sticking through his gut. The responsible of that was surprisingly Bumblebee, who managed to return from the Omega Lock. He stared in front of the Decepticon leader while miraculously his injury healed like by some kind of magic. Logically, all the Autobots witnessed that without words, even the clones.
"You took my voice. You will never rob anyone of anything, ever again." Bumblebee said, with his own voice.
Megatron raised the Dark Star Saber weakly, but the sword fell from his grip and fell back to Naboo. Bee continued holding the saber until Megatron kneeled, as Optimus and the others observed. The only thing Megatron could do was simply hold the saber as his eyes started to turn off by the pain, the same as his dark energon shard.
Starscream fell on his knees, shocked. "Lord Megatron, no!"
At the end, Megatron's spark extinguished and his eyes turned off. His body slipped through the saber and fell towards Naboo. Optimus witnessed how his former rival disappeared as a glowing meteorite in the planet's ocean, the same as the remains of the entire droid fleet, disintegrating at entering the atmosphere. It was the end of the Decepticon tyrant Megatron. Next, Bumblebee offered his hand to his leader and helped him up. Everyone was speechless.
"I will avenge you, master!" Starscream shouted as he was going after the ones who ended his leader's life, but Shockwave and Slipstream stopped him.
"Starscream, do not be a fool!" Shockwave said.
"We cannot do anything now! We need to get out of here!" Slipstream supported.
"Curse you and your logic!" Starscream cursed to Shockwave as he carried him with his only hand.
"All surviving Decepticons, Lord Megatron has fallen! The enemy surrounds us, general retreat!" Thundercracker commanded as he and all surviving Decepticons left the room.
"Let's make sure those clanckers can't get away." The clone officer said before he and the others went after the Cons.
The Autobots reunited with Optimus and Bumblebee once they climbed up to the control room.
"Bumblebee." Cliffjumper started.
"Your voice." Arcee followed as everyone was surprised.
"My voice, what are you…? My voice." Bumblebee said surprised as he removed his battle mask, which covered his mouth. "Ratchet, I have my pipes back." He said hugging him.
"Yes, yes, we noticed it." Ratchet nodded in pain.
"The cyber-matter."
"It is the only possible explanation." Elita deduced.
"I would seem the old field medic made good after all." Optimus added. "Optimus Prime to all units, Megatron is no more."
Everyone heard the message, causing lots of reactions. R2 beeped in happiness.
"Yes!" Anakin shouted.
"Whooohooo!" Ahsoka exclaimed.
"Great!" Obi Wan said in relief.
Of course, the clones and mandalorians shouted in celebration.
"The clancker alpha is finally scrap!" Wrecker announced.
"The battle is finally over. And we won." Leader of Clone Command Delta Squad Boss expressed.
"Huah!" Wheeljack said cheered.
"Wreckers, a job well done securing the bridge." Optimus congratulated by com-link.
"It wasn't us sir, the credit belongs to the children." Ultra Magnus corrected as he looked at Sky, Leia, Aris, Luke and Han, with them already in the bridge.
"Oh yeah." Han cheered.
"Admiral, report."
"You're not going to believe it, general Kenobi, but the entire droid fleet has been destroyed."
"It seems the lost of their leader has let them uncoordinated and confused, making this fight easier to end."
"We also have checked the entire warship, general. We have found no traces of functional droids anywhere. The ship is ours." Cody reported.
"That's great too." Padmé added. "So, now what?"
"The Omega Lock is under our control." Elita pointed.
"I propose that we put it to good use." Ratchet suggested.
"Agree, old friend." Optimus nodded. "Ultra Magnus, set course for Cybertron."
"In that case, I hope you don't mind the fleet to escort you on your way home."
"You're very welcome, master Skywalker."
"Hey guys, if you can tear yourselves away from your terminal for two seconds, bridge yourselves up here alongside the rest on base so we can get to Cybertron already." Bumblebee called to BB-8 and D-O by com-link.
"Wait. Who's that?" 3PO asked, which made BB-8 to wonder.
It took the twins a few seconds until they realized who spoke to their friends. "Bee?"
Moments later, the Nemesis, escorted by the Republic fleet, flew through a space bridge portal and headed to Cybertron. Meanwhile, inside the Nemesis, the Seekers and Shockwave were still trying to find a way to escape. They reached to the escape pods room, and there was only one pod left.
"There's only one left?" Thundercracker asked in disbelief.
"Then what?" Slipstream asked.
"Last one is scraplet chow!" Skywarp simply said as he ran to the pod.
So they had no choice but to enter inside it. The pod ejected itself from the Nemesis.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea." Thundercracker lamented.
"Uh. Your elbow articulator is digging into my lateral flexor." Skywarp complained.
"Do you intend to whine for the duration of the voyage?" Shockwave answered.
"Stop complaining already. We need to stay together now that we are alone." Slipstream explained. "You have a plan, Starscream?"
"Not at the time. But don't worry, this is not over yet."
The escape pod flew back to somewhere on Cybertron. Meanwhile, inside the Omega Lock's control room…
"Optimus, I…was never able to learn Shockwave's side of the cyber-matter equation. This may be all we ever have, and Cybertron is a much larger planet than anyone of the galaxy." Ratchet reported.
"Then we must launch the cyber-matter at Cybertron's very core." Optimus declared.
"Into the heart of Primus himself?" Elita asked.
As the fleet was moving, everyone contemplated Cybertron for the first time.
"So this is Cybertron. It is sad to see it like this." Rex admitted.
"This is a perfect example about what war can bring to a single world." Obi Wan considered.
"Well, thanks to our kids and their friends, that's going to change very soon." Anakin said, trying to cheer everyone up.
"Yes. According to Optimus, the Omega Lock will resurrect the entire planet. Bringing back life from the inside out." Ahsoka added.
Moments later, the ships reached to a huge hole that probably reached to Cybertron's core.
"Commander, we've arrived, at the Well of all Sparks." Wheeljack reported.
With all the Autobots present in the Nemesis's bridge, alongside the children and their families and some clones, and the Omega Lock in position, Ratchet activated the firing sequence. Electricity started to flow through the device and launched an energy beam, which reached and made contact with Cybertron's core. The Omega Lock continued firing until all the cyber-matter was sent to the core. After a long pause, the planet started to light up with a beautiful blue light that expanded all over the planet: Cybertron was alive again. Optimus and Elita contemplated the entire scene together, both embraced with each other.
"It's beautiful." Satine expressed.
"Guys, do you feel it?" Leia asked. "The Force rising."
"Indeed. It's the light side of the Force. Growing slowly but steady." Anakin nodded.
"It must be Primus, the god of all cybertronians." Sky deduced.
"Remember that Unicron was like a being of the dark side? Well, Primus is his counterpart." Luke reminded.
"We made it: Cybertron…is alive." Aris said.
"Ah, such luster." Knock Out contemplated, before turning at everyone, who looked at him in confusion.
"What is this guy doing here?" Fives asked in disbelief.
"What? I'm joining the winning team." Knock Out tranquilized.
Immediately, Han knocked him out, next he dusted his armored hands proudly before crossing his arms.
"Hahaha, well done kid." Wrecker congratulated.
The Nemesis landed on Cybertron, but there was someone hooked to his outside. It was Predaking, who surprisingly managed to survive Megatron's betrayal. He tried to climb up the warship, but he slipped because of his injuries. Then he saw where the sunlight was coming and saw that he arrived to Cybertron, his home world. So he jumped out the ship, changed to his dragon form and flew toward the horizon.
"Generals, our scanners have detected an unidentified signal moving toward the planet." Admiral Yularen reported.
Everyone saw him when he passed in front of the bridge.
"We see it, Admiral." Obi Wan confirmed.
"The Predacon." Ultra Magnus recognized.
"Let him go. He's home after all." Anakin decided.
Time later, the Autobots were again inside their base on Naboo, in presence of their native friends.
"Though our home world is once again capable of supporting life, we have much rebuilding to do. Alas, we will miss our home away from home, and the family we made here." Optimus said looking at the Jedi.
"If Cons are still out there, won't our worlds be on their radar?" Leia asked worried.
"Leia, if you ever need me, need us, for any reason, we're just a space bridge away." Bumblebee reassured.
"Besides, we know the galaxy will be in good hands with you four as some of our future Jedi knights." Obi Wan revealed. "The council has been impressed by your actions, that you have advanced a lot in the ways of the Force."
"Wait, dad, are you saying we're Jedi apprentices at last?" Aris asked in disbelief.
"For real?" Luke added.
"Of course, young padawans." Anakin confirmed.
"You're officially recognized by the Jedi council as some of the best." Ahsoka added. "Who knows? Maybe you'll become Jedi knights at a very young age."
"Of course, you'll have the unusual chance of choice your mentors. If you don't have decided it yet."
The four kids looked each other and smiled.
"Where we could find better masters than you?" Sky answered.
"We have them right in front of us." Leia added.
With that answer, the children spoke very clear that they wanted their parents to be their official Jedi masters, like they seemed to be for them all this time.
"It will be our pleasure." Anakin said bowing in Jedi way, the same as Obi Wan and Ahsoka, and their children did the same.
"Maybe I'm not Jedi, but don't think that's going to make me go away from you. After all, you're my team, and crew." Han reminded.
"Sure. We know someday you'll become a great pilot, and a good fighter." Luke supported.
"We'll make sure of that." Aris added.
"What can I say? A boy like you cannot be found in any place of the galaxy." Leia said a little shy with red face.
Han smiled nervous, a little red too. "Same for you, princess Leia."
"Oh oh, here we go again." Sky warned.
"Actually, I like it. It suits me well."
"I trust that your Jedi council doesn't have any rules forbidding the enlisting of rusty old Autobot consultants?"
"Wait, I think my audio receptors are deceiving me." Cliffjumper said in disbelief. "Ratchet? You of all…?"
"Yep, yep, yep. I know where I am needed."
The Autobots were getting ready for their departure to Cybertron. For some ones it was going to be easy, like for Wheeljack, who was grabbing the lob ball, but for others it was going to be really hard. For example Bumblebee, who stopped in front of Leia, Luke and the droids.
"Luke, Leia…" Bumblebee started, but he just could speak.
"We know, Bee. You don't need to say anything." Luke answered.
"I never did." Bee said smiling. "I know that one day you will become great Jedi knights, just like your father."
"We will miss you a lot." Leia said, containing her tears.
"Me too." Bee said offering them his hand, which they hugged trying to hold their tears. As they did it, Bee turned at the droids. "Pals, take care of them for me."
Both BB-8 and R2 beeped in sadness.
"Sad." D-O said.
Bulkhead was also worried and sad for leaving Han, who walked to him and sat on his foot.
"Han, I guess this is…" Bulkhead started, but he couldn't continue because Han started to cry, so he allowed him to grab his finger. "We have been through lots of situations, and I couldn't count with a better partner than you. I'm sure one day you'll become the greatest pilot of the galaxy. I know."
"Thanks Bulkhead. I'll never forget you, or Wheeljack."
"Neither us, kid." Wheeljack said to him. "And I think…you have earned this."
Wheeljack gave him a small emblem-like object, similar to the Autobot emblem.
"What's this?" Han asked.
"The Wrecker's emblem. So that you remember you'll always be one of us." Wheeljack explained.
That made Han smile. Meanwhile, Aris was contemplating on her hand the Darksaber while Cliffjumper approached her from behind.
"So, now you're going to be Mandalore's future symbol for prosperity?" Cliff asked.
"It seems that way. It's a great responsibility, as high as being a Jedi knight." Aris answered.
"If I remember well, you wanted to bring Mandalore and other affected worlds back to their natural original glory. Well, we did it with Cybertron, so I don't see why you can't do the same here." Cliff said as he bent down to her height. "They couldn't pick anyone better for this task than you. And I couldn't ask for a better partner. I had a lot during my life, but no one that special like you."
"Thank you, Cliff." Aris said as she started to drop some tears. "You're also one of my best friends."
"Hey, how about this? When I have the chance, I promise to come to Mandalore for a visit. That way I can see your progress." He said as offering her his hand.
That made her clean her tears and smile. "I would be glad." She added, touching his hand with her own.
Arcee walked to where Sky was seated. She put herself in front of him and bent down to his height.
"We've been through so many things together and I've seen you grow up so much since we met. You have become more stronger since then, and you have helped me to be it more during my hardest moments, and you have been by my side when I needed you most. Thanks to you I've become a better Autobot, and friend. What I'm trying to say is…that I'm really, very proud of you." Arcee confessed.
Sky couldn't contain his tears and went to hug her. "Arcee."
She also couldn't contain herself and returned the hug, also dropping tears of energon.
"You also have helped me so much. You're the best big sister that I could have."
"I know. You're also the best little brother that I could ever want."
As they broke the hug, Sky cleaned his tears. "We have had a great adventure together."
"Yeah. Quite a big adventure."
"I will never forget you."
"Hey, this is not the end. We will see each other again, when you don't expect it. I will be back, me, Cliff, Bulk, Bee…all of us. Just keep in touch, Sky. Besides, I don't want to miss your Jedi knight graduation for anything."
"Thank you."
"No. I'm the one who's in debt with you."
Both partners ended touching the other's forehead for a while. Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack and Smokescreen stood in front of their allies, who saluted them: the Jedi bowed to them the Jedi way while Padmé, Satine and Lux simply bowed, while Rex and Copy saluted them the military way. The Autobots saluted them too, the military way before leaving. Despite trying to stand firm, they were going to miss them too. R2 beeped sadly as he came and looked them.
"I know, R2. I'm going to miss them too." 3PO said, putting a hand on the head of his best friend.
The space bridge portal opened, so Optimus and Elita decided to say goodbye to Ratchet, the only one who was not going home.
"Until we meet again, old friend." Optimus said offering his hand, which Ratchet accepted.
"See you soon, Ratchet." Elita said goodbye.
The families and friends witnessed how the Autobots entered in the portal one by one, while Ratchet remained with them. Optimus was the last one, he gave a last look to all his native friends.
"May the Force be with you. Always." Anakin said.
Optimus nodded. "Till all are one." And headed right to the portal, back to Cybertron.