AN: We're back with chapter 3 of Tides of Darkness. Covid sucks guys. Wish it would be over so we could go back to the way things were. But aside from that I'm staying as safe as I can. School's just started so we'll see if my creative thought process will survive. As far as the story, it's a slow process which will go as I'm able.

(Kaon)

Astraea looked over her gathered forces. It wasn't as much as she'd hoped for- but their efforts to rebuild the Decepticon army weren't over yet...in fact, they'd really just begun. Forces they had spread out among the stars were being recalled to Cybertron. To rally under her new Decepticon banner in Kaon.

She heard steps coming closer, glancing over her shoulder to spot Knockout approaching.

"Report." she says simply, hardly any hint of emotion to it.

"Two-thousand and growing my liege. Ships are arriving every solar cycle to collectively join with our forces." The red mech spoke with that sly tone of his- it aggravated her to no end- but she needed every soldier she could get. So he'd be left alone...for now.

"And of the manufacturing lines we were setting up? To create new troops. What's the status regarding that matter?" Knockout rubbed his hands together.

"Errr…slowly I'm afraid, lord Astraea. I'm afraid we're on a limited supply of energon as it stands. Our armie's supply is stretched thin as is-!" He was cut off when the femme had him by the throat, lifting him right off the ground. She pulled him close, looking him right in the optics, her piercing red ones meeting his.

"Well then...FIND. US. MORE. ENERGON!" She immediately throws him against a wall with a growl. Blitzwing entered to see the scene, not bothering to intervene as the femme tossed Knockout around.

"Now get out of my sight! And don't enter my command center until I either send for you, or you've got news!" Knockout didn't have to be told again, immediately running out of the room. She looks around to the other Decepticons present.

"All of you...out as well. Send for Soundwave and have him report to me." the room was vacated, leaving just Blitzwind and Astraea.

"So good to your troops." he said calmly, stepping closer.

"Well...our previous lord hardly did justice. I plan to continue where Megatron left off and instill a sense of discipline, ruled by fear. That includes here in Kaon." this made him cock a metal brow.

"What do you mean?" he asks, earning no response. But she stepped over to the window overlooking the city of Kaon.

She was quiet for several longer moments, before turning to face Blitzwing. "Gone are the days of Kaon being known as a hellhole...gone are the days where the strong rule the streets. Only I rule. All will follow this ideal, and move together in our common cause, or be eradicated- their remnants being recycled for those who will fall in line."

"Ambitious." was all he replied with.

"Indeed...but I cannot risk having division among our soldiers. I need every Decepticon we have at our disposal if we're to have any chance of victory...but troublemakers can either fall in line, or be replaced with their assembly-line recruit, made from their parts."

She'd look back over Kaon, pondering her ideas going through her processor. "I want you to oversee the operation for finding us more Energon. We can't slowly and methodically draw it from a number of sources...no...we need something dramatic. To take a vast quantity in one fell swoop. While the Autobots are distracted with the situation brewing in their civil war, we have the chance to take all we need in preparation."

Blitzwing just offers a bow. "Will you be joining us for this operation? The troops may be inspired to see their leader joining us in the fight." the dual-form Decepticon overlooked the femme.

"When we move to get the energon, yes. Til it's found however, I'll remain in Kaon."

Soundwave enters the command center, Blitzwing turned towards the door. "I'll take my leave." He passes by the silent mech, who stood before Astraea now.

"So...what's the status in Iacon?" she asks simply. Soundwave began opening a live broadcast, earning the femme's interest.

(Iacon)

Blackwolf stood in the center of Iacon. A vast crowd of Autobot civilians had gathered, and several other Cybertronians stood with him, as well as around a hundred members of the Aerial bots, Elite Guard and fifty members of the Swordmech League.

Arcee stood to the side, watching her sparkmate with a gentle smile on her face. Ratchet and many others watched with great interest at the grand ceremony the Prime had called for.

Before the members of the Guard and League, was Nitalia, Grimlock, Mirage and Jetfire. Bumblebee stood in the center of them before the Prime.

Blackwolf raised his voice, surrounded by sound devices.

"Autobots of Iacon. I won't lie to you...these last few days have been grim. War continues, and peace seems distant. The days to come are going to test each and every one of us in different ways. But that's NEVER stopped us before. Ever shall we push for the cause of freedom, to bring peace to Cybertron. As was Optimus' dream, and those who came before him. And so it is my dream as well, one which I hope to succeed in."

"Today, I plan to bring some form of hope back to Iacon. For too long, have the old halls of the Knights of Cybertron been dormant and silent. Where some of our greatest warriors and leaders resided. Where they kept the peace, and fought away threats."

"These Autobots before you now. These individuals among our ranks, of the Guard, and of the League, as well as some bots from the Aerial-bots. Each of you have performed valiantly in the line of duty, show great promise, or all of the above. And so shall you be recognized for your abilities, or your feats."

"Gaze upon them, Autobots. Recognize them for who they are." He'd raise his great spear into the air, blade to the sky.

"You gathered here, will you defend our people to the last bot?!" He asks, voice booming.

"We shall!" All those gathered with Blackwolf swore, as well as the combined members of the Guard and League.

"Will you safeguard our ideals, the pursuit of freedom, and peace, for our world?" He asks again.

"We shall!" they repeat.

"And will you back away from your duty, even in the darkest of times?!" He asks.

"Never!" They reply together.

"We have all heard you as a united Autobot movement…and from this day forth, rise. All of you...rise! Autobots, I present to you: YOUR KNIGHTS OF CYBERTRON!" The crowd would cheer, fists raised in the air, applause all around- as the group of Autobots stood finally rose from their knelt positions.

After several long moments of applause from the crowd and celebration, the Prime waited for things to settle down again before speaking.

"The days ahead of us are grim indeed...but together, we shall face the threat ahead, and drive the forces of the Exiled Council back to their fortress, and protect our future! But those of us already serving cannot do it alone...I call upon every able bot to join our efforts, to help drive our enemies back to their holes! Each Autobot who joins this new force will join our new force, our trained military, the Autobot Armed Forces! No longer shall we fight with militias...we will fight as a professional force! Everything for the cause...it's going to take a lot for us to achieve victory...but as it stands, when has that ever stopped us before?"

"We will stand. And we shall fight! For our freedom! For Cybertron!" he raised his spear again, earning another triumphant reaction from the gathered crowd.

Arcee just looked upon him and smiled...but it soon faded. She worried for Nitalia's presence in the Knights. She had no doubt she could manage- but the days ahead of them were indeed grim.

But her fears could wait. This was a good thing. Blackwolf needed this victory to seal more support for the upcoming war effort.

(Three hours after the ceremony)

A dark, rusted door would sloooooowly slide open, ancient locks and seals- long since last touched- unlocking for the first time in eons it seems. The light from the outside going in would reveal the newly named Knights of Iacon. The lighting inside would slowly flicker to life as they entered.

"Whoa..." Nitalia could only give a voice of aw. The place was definitely old, but it had an elegance to it which few places on Cybertron could match- especially in Iacon.

"So this is where it all begins?" Mirage asks.

"No." Bumblebee replies. "It began at the ceremony. This is where we keep the promises we made." They had all given in to let Bumblebee take command alongside Jetfire. It made the most sense. Bumblebee was young and capable, Jetfire had age and experienced.

"What's our first task?" Grimlock asks of them.

"Yours Grimlock, is that Blackwolf wishes to speak with you about something. He said it was important...wouldn't keep him waiting." Grimlock just grunted some in response.

"Very well. I'll be back..." the Dinobot would slowly turn out of the Knights Headquarters.

The various mechs and femmes of the Guard, Aerial bots and League were settling in already while the individuals got to work.

"From here on out, it's on us to strike at the Council's forces where we can. But when the time comes, we'll need to be prepared to be available for the defense of our cities." Their command table would come to life, flickering some as the technology readjusted to being turned on again for the first time in so long.

"Get some rest, all of you. We're gonna try and sort out the tech and get to work on it. We'll more than likely be moving soon." Bee said sternly, dismissing each of them to go about as they saw fit.

(Iacon Military HQ)

Blackwolf and Arcee, as well as Jazz, overlooked a holographic display of Iacon, Kalis, Crystal City, and their Outer-defense line (a series of bunkers, positions, high ground, and turret installments) which was currently referred to as the Bulwark.

"Remind me why we're evacuating Crystal City? It seems like we're giving up a lot of ground there." Jazz asked of his leader.

"If the Bulwark falls, Crystal City won't stand a chance. It was never made for urban warfare. But if it's evacuated already, we won't have to worry about holding it...it has no strategic value to the Council, especially if it's empty." Jazz seemed content with that.

The Prime looks to his beloved. "What's the status of the evacuation? Has Elita made any progress?"

"Some. She says it's slow. The Civilians there weren't prepared...can't say I blame them." he just gives off a sigh and nods.

"Fair enough...well, there's ano-" he was cut off as the door opened to reveal Grimlock, lowering his head so he could fit inside the HQ's door.

"Blackwolf, you sent for me?" he asks sternly.

Blackwolf looked to Arcee and Jazz. "Hold that thought...good timing Grimlock." he looks to the Dinobot.

"If we're going to win this – I need to be on the front line, leading our troops in the defense. A large portion of the War Council will be coming with me...so in our absence, we'll need someone to keep watch over Iacon and maintain order...as well as enforce things while we're away." He spoke plainly to Grimlock, who just offered a silent, but curious look from his visor.

"So why did you call me in here?" he asks of the Prime.

"I'm making a small group of officials to lead Iacon and Kalis while we're fighting. It will be called the Ministry of Iacon. But to do this, we need officials to put on...or rather, we need a Prime Minister of Iacon to put people into those roles."

Grimlock was even more confused now. "I ask again- why did you call me in here? I'm no politician...nor will I stay behind now that I'm a knight." Blackwolf shook his helm.

"Of course not. But I need someone with the bravado to lead people...a veteran...someone who's seen the worst of it all and lived to tell the tale...and a certain friend of yours has a lot of tales I hear." he looks to the Dinobot who stiffened some.

"You mean...you want Kup? To be this Prime Minister?" the Prime nods his head at this.

"Yes! There's various individuals who don't need to be on the front line who can play just as big of a role here. And I think he can do it."

Arcee and Jazz remained silent for the most part- both had been through this talk with Blackwolf and agreed with him after talking it over.

"I...I'll try and reach out to him. I make no promise however. Last we spoke, he was determined to stay out of it all for good. Said he was getting too old for the war." Grimlock just offers a shrug.

"That's all I can ask. Just try and convince him to come to Iacon, to speak with us." the Prime stands up straight.

"Dismissed. You can return to the other Knights now."With that, Grimlock turned and left the HQ, leaving the trio behind to plan and think our their next move.

Blackwolf returns to the planning table. "With the Knights of Cybertron reforged, we have a special-operations group, as well as leaders of the front lines where we need them. But they'll handle the operations where we need them. Our focus must be on the army we have. Hound is in Iacon. He says he'll handle training our recruits, says he wants to help organize them into a proper force."

"But Ironhide isn't as confident about the current situation. Already he says that the Council's army is preparing to mobilize. It won't take them long to strike at the Bulwark." Jazz points to Kalis.

"We should keep the Elite Guard in Kalis. We don't wanna risk'em on the battlefront with us." Blackwolf agreed with the smaller mech.

"Indeed. We can't use the Guard unnecessarily. We'll take the League with us however and whatever forces are prepares to mobilize. That will need to suffice." he looks to Arcee. "Have some more scouts depart to support Ironhide, trade out with his so they can rest."

"Affirmative." Arcee speaks in a professional tone. There'd be time to be calm and relaxed with Blackwolf. But now wasn't it.

"Jazz, go to Warpath. I want our current forces to begin arming themselves and preparing to advance to the Bulwark." Jazz smirks at this.

"On my way!" with a flash of movement he'd already be out of the war room with his orders.

Now it was just the two of them left in the room, Blackwolf looks to Arcee, who hadn't made eye contact with him once since they entered together.

"Is everything alright, Cee?" he asks simply.

He didn't get a response for several long moments, until finally she met optics with him. Her dazzling cyan-blue ping-ringed optics piercing into his golden ones, always making his spark pulse a bit quicker. But they looked concerned more than anything.

"Hon...I'm with you til the end. But I'm just...worried. I agree, reforging the Knights was the right move. But...Nitalia is still so young! I just don't think she's prepared for what's about to get thrown at her." His metal brows crease.

"I thought she'd be great for it. Nitalia's really been making an effort to improve herself. With what we'll need the Knights to be doing, I figured she'd fit the role well." he responds to his sparkmate.

"Yes but...it was one thing for Centurion to become the new head of the Elite Guard, but...our daughter's going to be off doing Primus know what! Facing whatever kind of danger imaginable and...I just can't help but worry Blackwolf! She's our daughter...our firstborn..." she clutches her chest some.

"I just don't want anything to happen to her." she looks down, and soon enough Blackwolf was hugging up to her.

"I know...but we can't hold her back because of our worry...she fit the role well...and she was more than happy to take up the promotion."

He thinks back to when he'd told Nitalia what he was planning, and her role in it.

…

Nitalia sat beside Blackwolf on her berth, a surprised look adorning her faceplate.

"The Knights embodied everything the ancients of the past wanted for our race. A generation of mechs and femmes who would lead our people into a new age. But at it's beginning, it would need to establish itself in a dark time for Cybertron. Now is that time, and...I want you to be apart of it Nitalia." he finishes.

"You...you really mean it?" she stands from her berth, pacing back and forth.

"You want me...to be a Knight? I'm...I'm no fighter like Centurion!" she looks to her father hesitantly. His calm expression didn't change.

"Maybe not. But even the knights relied on scouts and quick-strike ability. You're fast, and more agile than most. They'll need someone like you to join their ranks." he now stands, holding the Femme's hands and smiling.

"You'll do great. I'm sure of it." the femme could only smile now as she immediately hugged her father.

"Thank you...I'll make you proud dad. I'll...I'll prove you made the right choice somehow!" she said softly as she hugged him.

He just softly returns the embrace. "You've always made me proud. Never doubt that."

…

Arcee just offers a sign and nods. "I know you made the right choice. Deep down. It's just scary, to think about her going off and doing these incredible things...and the danger it poses."

"I know. I agree it's scary. But it was a big first step for us as well. Centurion is leading the Guard, and now she's a Knight. We had to let them step into these rolls. Centurion fit the Guard well, and Nitalia has always wanted to do more for the cause than she's been able to. Now she can do so." he smiles.

"She'll be alright..." he presses his forehead against her as they both close their optics, just sharing the somber moment together, as parents.

(Knights of Cybertron compound)

Nitalia settled her crate under her new berth in the Knights Compound. It was filled with various things she'd need for the coming new lifestyle. Each knight had their own quarters thankfully...life would get annoying quick for her if there was limited privacy.

She steps into the washroom to refresh herself some, still coming to terms with this new promotion, she felt it was proper to cool off some in an energon rinse to refresh her systems.

She steps over to the faucet to clean out her optics some, they were a bit tired looking. She hadn't gotten much rest the prior night in preparation for the ceremony.

When she looks back up to the reflective metal above her faucet, she glances deep into her own optics- and was surprised to see her optics flash into a deep blood-red, before changing back to their electric-gold shade.

The femme stumbles back, she shakes her head and checks them again- and now, nothing happened.

'Probably nothing...' she thinks to herself.

'...I hope.'

AN: And so we come to the end of Chapter 3. I know it feels like I'm taking things fast but I'm really trying not to with all the ideas I've got for this story. But regardless, I hope all readers enjoy!

R !