A/N: And here, in Part 2, we have a few key differences (at least a couple) in this chapter 2 of which involved shows and movies as you know. And the 3rd? Well, it will appear in the very beginning and it'll be very surprising. :)
Transformers Prime: The Last Knight
Chapter 2: Darkness Rising - Part 2
Interlude
Optimus: "Previously on 'Transformers Prime'..."
First, it showed Optimus Prime and his 12 teammates arriving and then showing Barricade's troops firing at Moonracer.
"Arcee to Optimus, the Cons are back!", Arcee urged.
"Moon might be neck-deep in scrap!", Cliffjumper relayed.
"Careful where you aim!", Barricade shouted before one of them accidentally hit the Energon, causing it to explode, knocking Moonracer back before showing Ratchet growing shocked to see Moonracer's signal flatlinging as the light of the signal turned red and then vanished.
"Moonracer's life signal just went offline.", Ratchet spoke in shock before it then showed Optimus speaking to his teammates.
"As of today, only we fourteen Autobots remain on this Earth.", Optimus spoke before it then showed Arcee and Tailgate transforming into their robot forms.
"This ends here, Cons.", Arcee spoke.
"Indeed, it does.", Barricade responded before Arcee ran toward him as Barricade fired from his laser gun only for Arcee to jump up and land a kick in the face to him while Tailgate fought the Vehicon Troops and blasted them back just as Arcee then kicked the leader of the troops back.
"What are they?", Raf asked.
"Talking cars that turn into robots. Or the other way around.", Jack responded as Arcee then kicked Barricade many times and even punched him as well before then showing Barricade shouting to the vehicon troops.
"Fire!", Barricade ordered before the troops got out their blasters and fired, although missing as Jack and Sierra ducked before Jack and Sierra went up to the highway.
"Why are those guys shooting at us?!", Jack shouted.
"Look. you two may be in danger because you two are one of the few, one of the only, who have ever seen us.", Arcee responded before Optimus spoke up later in the base.
"We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron.", Optimus Prime stated.
"But you can call us Autobots for short.", Ratchet responded.
"Why are you here?", Jack asked.
"To protect your planet, from Megatron. But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be a catastrophic.", Optimus responded as it then showed a sort of metallic jet plane before that plane changing into a robot form whose feet were large with three claw-like toes; two in front and one at the heel and had a silver color scheme and underneath, a dark purple color.
"I have returned.", Megatron spoke.
Act I
The Decepticon Warship descended toward a sort of mountain range-like crater before the bottom panel of it opened and a cylinder-like pillar with rings descended downwards near an apparent digging site for Energon as the drones were working down there.
"Of the Energon deposits we have located while you were away, Lord Megatron, this one is, by far, the most significant.", Starscream stated to his mastere.
"The drones have been mining without pause during your absence and have amassed quite a stockpile.", Barricade added.
"You there! Fetch me a sample!", Starscream ordered before Megatron spoke up.
"Enough, Starscream. Megatron's in charge again.", Barricade responded.
"Barricade is correct, Starscream. Now that I have returned, I will issue the commands.", Megatron spoke calmly as he stepped forward, carrying both a purple crystal shard and a dark relic with a purple orb inside it with two black-grey handles, one on each side.
"I... understand, Lord Megatron. Then, as your humble servant, shall I ready the space bridge to bring forth the Decepticon army you have surely gathered during your three years in space?", Starscream asked.
"My army will come. But my time away has yielded a more...intriguing means of materializing them.", Megatron responded, holding out the dark relic in his left hand.
"The Dark Spark...!", Barricade spoke in disbelief.
"It's actually real?!", Starscream exclaimed.
"Indeed. More than that, it is a Dark Relic said to be the equal but opposite force to the Matrix of Leadership. Where the Matrix grants wisdom, the Dark Spark empowers its master to bend the very fabric of the universe and its inhabitants to his will. But as of yet, it shows no reaction. And that is where my next item would come in. It appears it would only react to the solidified form of the matter the ancient texts referred to as the Blood of Unicron.", Megatron spoke as he moved the crystal closer to the Dark Spark, making it give a brief purple glow.
"Unicron the Destroyer... But it is said that his blood is the Anti-Spark.", Starscream spoke in shock.
"Plucked from cosmic shores, gaze upon... Dark Energon.", Megatron spoke.
"Legend tells that not unlike the Dark Spark, it holds the power to... revive the dead.", Barricade spoke.
"We require only a cadaver to be certain. Are you willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?", Megatron asked before Starscream chuckled nervously.
"That... may not be necessary. If I may, Lord Megatron...", Starscream spoke before a podium lowered with the two Decepticons carting out the corpse of Moonracer on a table with restraints.
"Consider it a welcome home present.", Starscream spoke, turning to his master.
"You just got lucky. The techno-organic that appeared during our objective would've been better.", Barricade scoffed to Starscream.
"A Techno-Organic? Here?", Megatron asked.
"Correct. And she has allowed the humans to escape. I believe we should find an terminate her!", Barricade spoke.
"In due time, Barricade. But first..., tell me more about this... Techno-organic.", Megatron responded as he only gazed at the fresh corpse.
Act II
Meanwhile, Optimus had just finished his explanation.
"And since you now know of our existence, I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours.", Optimus spoke.
"Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911. Can we go now?", Jack asked.
"Are you insane? I'm living a dream in Bot-swana, and I'm not about to let you or anyone else to shatter it!", Miko responded.
"In case you haven't noticed, this is no dream, Miko. This is real life!", Sierra responded.
"It is best that you 6 remain under our watch. At least until we could determine our enemy's intentions.", Optimus advised before Ratchet stepped forward and spoke to him.
"Optimus, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere.", Ratchet warned.
"Children?", Jack and Sierra puzzled in unison.
"They have no protective shell. If they get underfoot, they will go... squish!", Ratchet warned before stepping forward a bit.
"Then, for the time being, Ratchet, we must watch where we step.", Optimus responded before an alarm blared out with green lights flashing.
"What's that?", Jack asked.
"What's going on?", Sierra added before Bumblebee beeped.
"Proximity sensor. Someone's up top.", Raf responded before Ratchet then took a look at the monitor and saw a picture on the monitor.
"It's Agent Fowler.", Ratchet spoke.
"What? I thought we were the only ones who knew about you guys.", May puzzled.
"Special Agent Fowler is our designated leader to the outside world, as he tends to visit only when there are issues. It may be best if you do not meet him at this time.", Optimus advised.
"Uh, yeah.", Sari responded before the elevator went down the shaft opened with Agent Fowler stepping out the elevator.
"Seven wrecks, thirty four fender benders, a three hour traffic jam, and on particular note, numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle and blue muscle car with red flames, both of unknown make, and a couple of custom muscles cars, one in red, and the other black-and-yellow! So, anything you care to get up your tin chassis, Prime?", Agent Fowler spoke up as Jack peeped for a moment and then went back with May, Sierra, Sari, Miko, and Raf.
"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler.", Optimus assured.
"They're back, aren't they?", Agent Fowler asked.
"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts that they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable.", Optimus responded.
"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon.", Agent Fowler spoke.
"Hear me, Agent Fowler. We are your best, possibly your only defense against the Decepticon threat.", Optimus urged.
"Says you.", Fowler retorted.
"Hey, fleshy! Did anyone get splattered on that freeway?", Ironhide asked.
"Team Prime knows how to use force... and when to use it.", Bulkhead added as he picked up a crane claw and then crushed it with his hand before Ratchet spoke up.
"Bulkhead, I needed that!", Ratchet shouted.
"Enough. Military involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread, casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot.", Optimus responded.
"Then do us both a favor and handle this, Prime. Under the radar. Or I will.", Agent Fowler urged as he then walked out before the elevator closed and it then went up.
"Pretty big bearings for a human.", Bulkhead commented.
"Yeah, what a jerk.", Jazz agreed.
"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world as he should be.", Optimus responded.
"I agree with Optimus. I'm sure he's just doing his job.", Chromia agreed.
"You know? You're both right.", Sari spoke up.
"We are?", Jazz asked.
"Fowler may be a jerk, but it's only because he's worried.", Sari explained.
"Oh.", Jazz responded.
Meanwhile, at the Energon deposit, Megatron walked up to the corpse of Moonracer.
"Let us see if power born of darkness can reignite the spark.", Megatron spoke before plunging the Dark Energon shard into Moonracer's corpse, over powering it with an ominous purple glow before, just as the Dark Spark began pulsating and flashing an equally ominous pruple glow with purple streaks of light escaping from it and into the corpse, she opened her now crazed, dark purple eyes and snarled like an unnatural beast, bursting off the restraints and attacking one of the vehicons with no mercy, even tearing off a gun from its arm with her mouth as Megatron stared with the vehicon's head then grabbed and squeezed before another shot at Moonracer, twice, making her snarl and roar before she lunged at the vehicon and slashed at it like she did with the last vehicon.
"That's your plan?! Bring Autobots back from the dead to attack us?!", Starscream exclaimed.
"That is no longer an Autobot. Just a mindless beast, its only instinct to destroy anything in its path.", Megatron responded as Moonracer then stomped forward from the shadows.
"A Terrorcon...", Barricade spoke before Moonracer roared and dashed toward Megatron, who readily cleaved her in two with a diagonal slash, sending both halves falling down.
"There, Starscream, lies the indestructible seed of my army. The ultimate weapon!", Megatron spoke as the top half of Moonracer climbed up only to get pushed off.
"Once I learn to control it.", Megatron finished.
"And this Dark Spark is the key to help you do just that?", Barricade asked.
"Not quite. It is but one factor of this goal. What I lack to help realize it is another that is equally important. I just need to figure out what.", Megatron responded as the Dark Spark flashed purple light.
Meanwhile, back on base, a signal just went back online as a ring shrunk around the signal and then showed Moonracer's stats on the monitor.
"Moon...?", Cliffjumper spoke in surprise.
"Blasted Earth tech! Moonracer's signal jumped back online.", Ratchet spoke.
"You mean she's back?", Silverbolt asked in surprise.
"How is that possible?", Optimus asked.
"It isn't. Another bug. And the system is chock-full of them!", Ratchet responded.
"Who's Moonracer?", Miko asked.
"You kinda had to be there. Long story short, an Autobot we thought we lost to the Decepticons a while back, bringing the total count to 14. Not only that. But she's also Arcee's late sister.", Sideswipe responded.
"Her sister...?", Sari asked in surprise.
"Next to Chromia, of course. She's Arcee's sister, too.", Silverbolt responded.
"And 14? I only see 13 of you guys.", Sari puzzled.
"Well, Stratosphere is at the military base right now. But he's still okay.", Sideswipe responded.
"Point is, if there's any chance Moon's alive...", Arcee began.
"Look, I hope that she's alive as much as you do. But maybe we should take it like a grain of sand. You never know what could be going on out there.", Tailgate warned.
"Ratchet, prepare sickbay. We may need it.", Optimus warned before he and the other Autobots began advancing.
"Hey! What can we do?", Miko asked.
"Remain with Ratchet.", Optimus responded, making Miko groan with Ratchet groaning as well before the GroundBridge portal opened, amazing Sari as she looked in awe.
"Cool.", Sari grinned.
"Autobots, roll out!", Optimus spoke as he led the way and turned into his vehicle form as did Arcee, Tailgate, Cliffjumper, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Air Raid, Bulkhead, Ironhide, Sideswipe, Chromia, Silverbolt, and Jazz while Ratchet stayed behind.
"What just happened?", Jack asked in surprise.
"I transported them to the designated coordinates via the Ground Bridge.", Ratchet responded.
"What's a Ground Bridge?", Raf asked, making ratchet sigh.
"A scaled down version of Space Bridge Technology. Since we don't currently possess the means or the Energon required for Intergalactic travel.", Ratchet responded.
"You mean you're stuck here? On Earth?", Sierra asked.
"With the likes of you, yes. But I constructed the Ground Bridge to enable travel form here to anywhere on your planet.", Ratchet responded.
"Wow...! Does it work for humans?", May asked.
"Naturally.", Ratchet responded, making Sari beam with hope that she could at least do something.
"You mean I could just shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?", Miko asked as Sari then decided to get off and climb down when no one is looking in order to cross over into the Ground Bridge.
"Within moments. In fact, allow me to send you there immediately, all five of you.", Ratchet spoke with an eager smirk.
"Watch it, Ratchet.", Miko responded.
"Uh, guys? Where's Sari?", May asked.
Meanwhile, the 13 Autobots arrived at their designated coordinates via Ground Bridge just before Sari caught up and transformed into her own robot form so no one could recognize her any more than they already would.
"Energon mine.", Bulkhead spoke.
"Judging by its scale, the Decepticons have been tunneling here for quite some time.", Optimus deduced.
"Apparently, for too long. Look at how fewer Energon crystals there are now.", Silverbolt spoke before overhearing sounds from nearby.
"Never mind them. What about those sounds?", Sideswipe asked.
"Decepticon miners. They're still here.", Ironhide spoke before he and the others, not knowing that Sari was not far behind, went forward and saw that they were, in fact, still mining for Energon.
"So..., what do we do, boss?", Cliffjumper asked with a grin.
"Let's find Moonracer.", Optimus responded before he and the Autobots, stepped forward, drawing the miners' attention from the Energon and toward the Autbots, both bots and cons alike preparing to fire before the latter side started first with one of the miners piloting a driller toward the Autobots.
"Oh, boy...", Sari spoke as she was far enough away without being noticed.
Act III
The driller was headed for the Autobots only to get knocked aside by Bulkhead with his wrecking ball for a hand with most of the Autobots shooting as Sideswipe slashed at the incoming Decepticons headed his way with his swords, dancing as he does so with Jazz just as fluid in his movements while Bumblebee turned into vehicle form and ran over a few Decepticons with Jetfire turning into a jet and firing missiles at some Vehicons as Silverbolt, Ironhide, and Air Raid took on the battalion head-on and bashed them with Arcee, Tailgate, and Cliffjumper dodging the blasts and attacking some Vehicons in close combat with some blasts of their own while both Bumblebee ascending into the air as he and Jetfire then transformed back into robot form and smashed the Decepticons, but not before blasting them, and then got out of the driller's path just in time for Optimus to pick it up and blast it away while also blasting other Decepticons away with Chromia then knocking one of the Vehicons back with a kick and a punch as Sari looked on.
Meanwhile, back at base, Miko was quite curious about the equipment.
"What is this, anyway?", Miko asked.
"Broken. Don't touch.", Ratchet responded before Miko went for the handles only for Ratchet to stop her.
"Don't touch that either.", Ratchet added.
"Is there anything in here we can use?", Sierra puzzled as she, Jack, and May were looking around.
"I think we should be a little more concerned about looking for Sari at the moment. She couldn't have gone far.", May advised before one of Ratchet's monitors glitched and displayed an error dialogue box.
"How come you guys are using human computers?", Raf asked.
"It certainly isn't by choice. It was handed down from the previous tenants when we inherited this former Missile Silo. I made the modifications as I see fit.", Ratchet responded before more error dialogue boxes appeared, confounding him greatly as he growled.
"I think I can fix that.", Raf assured as he went over to the computer.
"Reeally? You know this is complex technology, don't you? I mean, it isn't a child's toy.", Ratchet scoffed as Raf then typed in some keys and did some coding to fix the errors before finishing up.
"Now try.", Raf spoke before the error dialogue boxes changed to dialogue boxes stating that it is now optimized before the monitors went back to normal, astounding Ratchet as he turned to Raf.
Back at the Energon mine, Bulkhead slammed one of the Decepticon drillers, causing it to flip before getting blasted by Optimus Prime, who marched forward as did his fellow comrades with another wave of Decepticons inbound.
"So, what now?", Jazz asked.
"Maximum overdrive!", Optimus responded before he and his comrades transformed into vehicle form and then rammed and swerved past some Decepticons, even flipping one of the drillers as Sari sped up in order to catch up to the Autobots, although at a reasonable distance as they others just arrived near the crates and transformed back into robot form, and stopped before noticing an array of Decepticons carting away Energon.
"There's so much...", Sari spoke in disbelief whisperingly.
"Quite an operation.", Bulkhead spoke before the Decepticons started firing, prompting the Autobots to fire back while Sari barely managed to dodge one of the stray Decepticon lasers fired and hung back to watch how it'd play out carefully so she may step in when she needs to.
Meanwhile, at the Decepticon warship, Megatron was standing near the big Dark Energon crystal, the Dark Spark resting on a podium in front of said Dark Energon crystal.
"Blood of Unicron... How might I fathom the depths of your mystery, become worthy of wielding your astonishing power, and contain it within the very Dark Spark that holds a connection to you?", Megatron asked to himself before a live video message from Starscream popped up.
"Lord Megatron, intruders have been detected in the mines!", Starscream exclaimed.
"Optimus?", Megatron asked.
"Indeed.", Starscream responded.
"I need more time to prepare an appropriate reception for my old friend. Ready the ship for departure.", Megatron ordered.
"But the Energon I've mined... the Autobots will seize it!", Starscream spoke in worry.
"Then blow the mines!", Megatron ordered.
Meanwhile, the Autobots fired at the Decepticons, who fired at them, although it was somewhat of a standstill when Sari spotted two things: the lower half of Moonracer and the upper half of her, which was at the upper level, making her gasp softly, just as Arcee and Cliffjumper noticed her, too.
"It's Moon!", Arcee spoke.
"We have a visual.", Cliffjumper added.
"We'll cover you! Go!", Optimus urged before the two Autobots charged in and transformed into their vehicle forms to drive up faster before leaping up, transforming, and then scaling the rings on the cylinder to go up and notice, much to their horror, the severed upper half of Moonracer.
"Oh, no...", Cliffjumper gasped before the Decepticons then fired at Arcee, forcing her back, eventually causing the panel to start falling off, taking Moonracer with it.
"Moon...!", Arcee shouted before she managed to grab her by the hand with Cliffjumper helping Arcee as well.
"Gotcha.", Cliffjumper sighed in relief.
At the same time, Sari decided something has to be done and dashed out past the Autobots.
"Coming through!", Sari exclaimed.
"Hey! There she is again.", Bulkhead spoke in surprise.
Meanwhile, Arcee and Cliffjumper were lifting the top half up.
"Let's get you home, sister.", Arcee spoke.
"And fix you up.", Cliffjumper added before Moonracer only opened her eyes, and gave a vicious growl, making the two gasp just as Sari picked up the lower half on the lower level and looked up just in time to see Moonracer instinctively moving her arm around before falling down with a snarl as Arcee, Cliffjumper, and Optimus look on in shock only for Sari to get out her jet pack and then go up, managing to catch the upper half as well, although the upper half tried to attack Sari, who held out at her best, avoiding getting attacked or bitten as she dodged.
"The techno-organic...", Optimus spoke in awe.
"Yep. That's her, all right.", Tailgate responded.
"Come on. Let's get your friend back to base. We'll, agh! Figure out how to get her back to normal! Whoa! Preferably after she gets patched up.", Sari urged before she then set the two halves down near Arcee and Cliff, who looked on in surprise at Sari, who grinned back behind the mask before they all heard a laughter from Starscream nearby before they looked up and saw him.
"Prime. And the very techno-organic Barricade reported to us about. How rare.", Starscream smirked.
"Who asked you, Star-creep?", Sari retorted, flustering Starscream for a moment before he composed himself.
"No matter. I'd stick around, but I'm squeamish.", Starscream spoke before he activated the bomb and dropped it before then jumping off, transforming into a jet plane, and then taking off at the ceiling just as the bomb landed in the Energon crystal.
"The joint's gonna blow!", Bulkhead shouted.
"You better take Moonracer and go. Now!", Sari urged.
"But what about you?", Tailgate asked.
"I have my methods.", Sari assured.
"Autobots, roll out!", Optimus shouted before he and the others transformed into their vehicle forms and dashed away, absconding with Moonracer's two severed halves, while Sari took a deep breath.
"Okay, Sari. You can do this. Think of this like a field day run.", Sari spoke before lifting her head up and opening her eyes just as the bomb then neared its last second, prompting her to dash off in high gear just before the explosion was set off, iridescent blue flames surging out form the holes and traveling outward while Team Prime was revving away from the explosion.
Act IV
The explosion of blue flames was heading toward the Autobots from behind.
"Ratchet! Bridge us back! Use the arrival coordinates, now!", Optimus urged before the Ground Bridge portal appeared before he and his 12 comrades dashed toward it as Sari caught up.
"It's gonna be close!", Sari exclaimed before she pushed forward and got on top of Optimus from behind and changed back as soon as Ratchet saw Optimus and the others before he powered down the Ground Bridge portal just as the other Autobots and Optimus all transformed back and slid back slightly with Sari managing to get off in the nick of time without getting discovered and stood up, tidying herself up to hide any evidence that she was there.
"Whoa...!", Jack, Sierra, Miko, and Raf spoke in awe.
"Cutting it a bit close. How about Moonracer?", Ratchet asked.
"See for yourself, Doc.", Cliffjumper responded, gesturing to the severed and feral Moonracer as the upper half snarled like a beast, horrifying Ratchet while making Jack, Miko, May, and Sierra gasp in shock.
"By the AllSpark...!", Ratchet exclaimed.
"What happened? Is everything okay?", Sari asked.
"The techno-organic helped us bring Moonracer back in one piece. Well, two pieces. And she said that there is a way to get her back to normal.", Cliffjumper added.
"Well, I'm not exactly sure if it can be done in her present state. It may even take a long time. But I'll see what I can do for her.", Ratchet spoke.
"What was that explosion? Was there a fight? Is that a Zombiecon?! Can we come with next time?!", Miko exclaimed excitedly.
"Okay, Miko, that's enough.", May spoke.
"Yeah. Uh, let's go see what the bots hide in their sock drawers.", Jack added.
"Seriously?", Miko asked as she was getting escorted out by Jack, May, and Sierra, who unknowingly passed the mark down to Miko, giving her a slight shock.
"Ow! Why'd you shock me for?", Miko asked.
"Sorry. I don't know how that happened.", Jack apologized.
"What happened out there?", Sari asked.
"She was mutated... Butchered, like something from those 'Con experiments during the war!", Arcee responded, starting to tear up before she suddenly felt dizzy and then landed backward, worrying the other Autobots was Bumblebee beeped.
"You okay, Arcee?", Tailgate asked.
"I'm fine! Just... dizzy.", Arcee responded.
"Robots who get dizzy?", Miko puzzled.
"Robots with emotions.", Raf spoke.
"Robots who actually care for one another.", May spoke in awe.
"Robots that are family...", Sierra added.
"Robots... who can die.", Jack spoke in worry.
Then, Ratchet scanned Arcee and found a sort of anomaly accounting for her weakness.
"What is this...?", Ratchet spoke in shock as he saw a dark purple spill on Arcee's hand.
"Don't know. Moon was covered in it. Leaking it.", Arcee responded before Ratchet scraped a drop of Dark Energon off Arcee with his scalpel knife.
"Go take a decontamination bath. Now.", Ratchet advised.
"You heard him, partner. Up and at 'em.", Tailgate spoke as he escorted her there.
"O-Optimus? I hate to bug you, but... no bars.", Jack spoke.
"A security precaution.", Optimus responded.
"Well, if neither me, Sari, or May call our mom right now, I'm pretty sure cops will be out looking for us.", Jack responded.
"Have you broken a law?", Optimus asked.
"Only a curfew. It's after 10 PM.", May responded.
"I better get home, too. Or I'll be grounded for a year.", Raf added in agreement.
"So will I.", Sierra concurred.
"Earth customs. I hadn't considered.", Optimus responded.
"It's okay. We all make mistakes.", Sari assured.
"Be that as it may, the issue of your safety remains. Bulkhead, accompany Miko home.", Optimus responded.
"Awesome! My host parents will freak!", Miko exclaimed.
"And maintain covert surveillance in vehicle form.", Optimus added.
"Curbside duty, got it.", Bulkhead agreed, making Miko groan.
"Bumblebee, you'll watch over Raf.", Optimus stated before Bumblebee turned to Raf, who grinned to him.
"Ratchet?", Optimus began.
"Busy.", Ratchet responded as Arcee started off.
"Arcee, Tailgate, Cliffjumper, you'll accompany Jack, Sierra, May, and Sari.", Optimus spoke.
"No problem, Optimus.", Tailgate grinned.
"You got it.", Cliffjumper responded.
"Ooh, still dizzy.", Arcee spoke, trying to get out of the job.
"Yip, yip, yip. I know what you're trying to do, Arcee. I invented that strategy.", Tailgate responded.
"And you're fine, says your physician.", Ratchet added, earning Arcee's sigh.
Later, Jack, Sari, and May were dropped off back home.
"Thank goodness we managed to get Sierra home.", Cliffjumper sighed.
"And in the nick of time, too.", Tailgate grinned.
"It was a close call, too.", Sari grinned as she, Jack, and May got off.
"Arcee, I just wanted to say, I'm really sorry for your sister.", Jack apologized.
"What could you possibly know about my sister?", Arcee snapped calmly.
"He meant it in a sympathetic way.", May explained.
"And you think you're the only one with problems?", Jack asked before Arcee turned into her robot form.
"I'm not sure girl trouble counts.", Arcee responded.
"Well, I'm pretty sure my girl trouble might have started the night we met you.", Jack responded before the headlights shone on the street.
"'Cons!", Arcee spoke before readying her weapons.
"No! Mom!", Jack realized.
"And Dad!", Sari responded.
"You heard 'em, partner. Hold your fire.", Tailgate urged before Arcee then lowered her weapons and then transformed back into vehicle form just as a couple people stepped out of the car and saw their kids.
"Jack? May?", a woman asked.
"Sari?", a man added as he got out, too.
The two people before them are named June Darby and Isaac Sumdac.
"Mom! Dad! Don't freak! I can explain.", Jack spoke.
"Can you?", June asked as she noticed Arcee in vehicle form.
"Hide all you want. You can't fool these optics, Arcee.", June thought with a smirk before she then turned to Jack.
"Jackson Darby, we've talked about this.", June spoke.
"I know, and...", Jack began before June interrupted.
"You don't know! We worry about you and your sisters enough when you're not here. Now, we have to worry about you driving a motorcycle?", June asked.
"And you two driving cars?", Isaac added.
"We're sixteen, Dad. We can't be riding 10-speeds forever.", Sari responded.
"How did you two even afford those?", Isaac asked.
"Well, they're used! They were clunky at first, really.", May responded.
"They both needed a ton of repairs, so Sari patched them up good as new.", Jack added.
"You really did that, Sari?", Isaac puzzled.
"Yeah.", Sari grinned a bit nervously.
"But the point is... we may have been kids when I bought this, but we're not anymore. You always tell us to make responsible choices. Well, we chose them.", Jack responded.
"And we'll be responsible. We promise.", May responded.
"Well, I'm glad you finally have a reason to wear your helmet every single time you ride. You will take me for a spin every once in a while?", June asked.
"We'll see. She is kinda temperamental.", Jack responded.
"And how did you find the time to test drive this car yet? Did you get a license?", Isaac asked.
"No, Dad. Sari and I just started.", May responded.
"But we are gonna finish up tomorrow.", Sari added.
"I sure hope so.", Isaac responded as he, Jack, Sari, May, and June entered the house as she then closed the garage door.
The next morning, Arcee revved loudly as Cliffjumper and Tailgate waited outside.
"Shh! Are you crazy?! You'll wake up our mom!", Jack whispered.
"Grab your helmet. It's go-time.", Arcee spoke.
"It's Saturday.", Sari groaned.
"You three can watch cartoons back on base with Bumblebee. Besides, knowing Tailgate and Cliffjumper, it'd be rude to keep them waiting.", Arcee responded.
"'Cartoons'? We're sixteen!", May exclaimed in retortion in response as she, Sari, and Jack decided to go as instructed.
"And leave a note for your mom! She worries!", Arcee added.
Later, while driving to work, June stopped at a red light before speaking to herself as her eyes turned blue like an Autobot's.
"You better watch over my son, Arcee. I'm counting on you, sister.", June spoke before her eyes went back to normal.
Meanwhile, Starscream spoke with Megatron as he and Barricade were now there with him.
"I don't think you need to worry about further Autobot interference, Master. Not with Optimus and that pesky techno-organic gone.", Starscream assured.
"Tell me, Starscream. Exactly what evidence do you possess of this fact?", Barricade asked.
"That is a question well-placed, Barricade.", Megatron responded.
"I destroyed the mines as you requested.", Starscream responded.
"Not unlike that mysterious techno-organic, Optimus is not so easily destroyed. We have millenia worth of battles behind us to prove it.", Megatron responded.
"My thoughts exactly, Lord Megatron.", Barricade concurred.
"Maybe you should take a break, my lord. I'm not exactly sure about the Dark Spark, but I worry that too much contact with the Dark Energon might allow its properties to... adversely affect you.", Starscream warned.
"Or perhaps, Starscream... I have not permitted myself... contact enough!", Megatron responded as he then grabbed onto and plucked a crystal from the Dark Energon crystal.
"Wait. Lord Megatron! No!", Barricade shouted.
"Not your spark chamber! You do not know what it will do!", Starscream added before Megatron then plunged it to his spark chamber, much to Starscream's behest, before Megatron then became flooded with Dark Energon as purple light glowed from his inner workings, causing the Dark Spark to react as it pulsated with a flashing purple glow and then shifted its outer armor to a point that it may be able to be inserted and activated, making him groan and shout as Barricade and Starscream looked on in worry while Megatron's red eyes turned just as dark purple.
Back in the base, Ratchet was scanning the purple residue scooped out from Arcee earlier as the quarantined Moonracer was nearby, struggling to break free as she snarled.
"Hmm. The base elements of this goo are like nothing I've ever encountered. Must be extremely concentrated to have affected Arcee so rapidly. Unfortuntately, complete results are slow-coming without the use of proper diagnostic tools, thank you very much, Bulkhead.", Ratchet spoke as he then picked up the sample of Dark Energon, the drop of which fell off and landed on the equipment that Bulkhead crushed earlier.
But when that drop landed, the Dark Energon drop then went inside the broken equipment, causing it to come to life and transform into a sort of spider-ike creature with a glowing, purple light as its head before it moved slightly for a moment and then dashed forward.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: Uh-oh. Looks like the Dark Energon is working its magic, especially with the Dark Spark priming itself for activation in reaction to Megatron's self-infusion with the Dark Energon. And this time, the corpse was saved and patched together instead of being left to die in the explosion. Who knows what could happen from here on out now? Still, I am a bit excited for what may happen next. :)