Char started when she saw Scythe's helm fall forward and Leech's optics go dark. She hurried across the cave.

Alfa saw her coming and tensed up, hugging Echo tighter.

"Alfa? What's wrong?" Echo asked, lifting his helm. He looked over to see Char coming close but noticed that her attention was not on them but rather something beyond Alfa's helm. He followed her gaze and was startled at the sight of the Laserblade's limp form. "Scythe!"

Wondering what had their attention, Alfa followed Char's movements as she reached up to the corner. He was startled to see her pick up the Laserblade.

"What's wrong? Is she ok?" Echo asked in concern which caused Alfa to stare at him in surprise.

"Here, let me see her," Fritz demanded, coming up beside Char. Char carefully passed Scythe over to him so he could scan her. "Hmm. Seems like she is just exhausted and has fallen into recharge. She'll be fine."

"Congratulations, Autobot," Bolthex growled at Echo as he joined the group. "It appears you get to live."

"Thanks… I think," Echo replied, feeling Alfa's grip tighten again and their bond fill with confusion and worry. He pushed back with wary reassurance.

"One last thing before we get out of here," Bolthex said, turning. "Fritz, Delta, get over here and touch the AllSpark."

"Us? Why?" Delta asked.

"So you can learn to teleport too," Bolthex grumbled. "It's a pain having to haul you guys everywhere."

"Seriously, that's where you learned to do that?"

"Yeah. Now, get," he grabbed Delta by the arm and pulled him, "over here."

"You might as well too, Echo," Char suggested as she carefully took Scythe back from Fritz. "Since you'll probably be hanging out with us from now on."

Bolthex shot a glare at her. "No one's decided that yet."

"You're right. But knowing Scythe…" She shrugged. "And it wouldn't hurt for him to learn."

"What about Alfa?" Echo asked, slipping out of his partner's hold and dropping off the ledge.

Alfa sat up and put his servo to his helm with a grimace. "I think I already know it."

"A side effect of getting revived, most likely," Char offered.

Alfa frowned. "Revived?"

"We'll explain everything once we get out of here."

As Scythe slowly became aware again, she could feel Echo's spark very close to her. Alfa's spark was not far away and judging by the sound of their voices, they were arguing.

"I can't believe this!" Alfa was saying. "After everything I did for you…" He trailed off, too upset to complete his thought.

"I didn't have a choice," Echo shot back. "You were dying, Alfa!"

Scythe onlined her optics to find she was being cradled in the crook of Echo's arm while he used his other servo to shield her. She was slightly curious as to how she ended up in that position but that would have to wait.

"But to promise yourself to that person?" Alfa demanded. "To actually become a Decepticon!"

"No," Scythe suddenly spoke with the need to correct him. She pushed herself up and shoved Echo's servo out of the way so she could see Alfa. "No. He's not becoming a Decepticon."

"Scythe, you're awake," Echo said. He adjusted her position on his arm but refused to put her down.

"I have no love or loyalty to the Cause," Scythe continued, glaring up at Alfa, "and definitely none for Megatron. Anyone who joins me is a Neutral from now on."

Fully formed and standing, Alfa was definitely taller than Megatron. He was also a flyer, but he had a stoic, intimidating air about him that reminded her more of Shockwave. Thankfully, she didn't get that same insane vibe from him that she got from the cyclops.

"You betrayed your master?" His voice was more even now, but she could tell he was still angry.

"It's not betrayal if there was no loyalty to begin with," she repeated. "I was a slave, and I was forced, no thanks to this." She gestured to Leech. "I saw the chance to gain freedom, so I took it."

Alfa stared at her for a long, almost uncomfortable moment, then asked. "What happened to Megatron?"

"He's taking an ice recharge," Leech replied for her.

Somewhere out of sight, she heard Delta and Fritz snicker.

"Wait. He's here?" Echo asked. "On this planet?"

Scythe looked up at him. "Well, yeah. I'm a miner, not flight capable."

"And?" Alfa spoke up again. "You asked for Echo. What do you intend to do with him?"

"To be honest, it is for this guy." She poked Leech, only to get her servo slapped by one of his tails. "I'm fine by myself, but Leech can't stand it when we're not around other Cybertronians for even a few orbital cycles."

"Is that why you came back so abruptly?" Char asked.

"Yeah. An unfortunate side effect of being glued to Megatron's side for so long, I'm afraid. Anyway, if Char and Bolthex decide to kick me out, I need someone to be my companion. It's not a permanent 'oh, he has to follow me everywhere and be my slave'. No. He just needs to be there so Leech can recharge the 'social battery' every once in a while."

"Actually…" Fritz said, drawing their attention. "Even though Bolthex hates you, it's kind of an unwritten rule that you are considered a high-ranking Decepticon because of how close you were to Megatron so, we can't kick you out."

"Oh… Really?" She looked up at Alfa.

"I have heard things like that, yes," he replied. "Especially since you showing up usually meant Megatron was not too far behind."

"Wow. This is news to me. I thought everyone was just afraid of me due to my reputation."

"Well, there is that too."

"It is also because of Char," Bolthex suddenly added.

"Eh, Char?" Delta asked. "What did she do?"

"She still suspects that Scythe is the one the AllSpark told us to wait for."

"After seeing her bring a mech back from the brink of death using the AllSpark," Char piped up. "I'm a little more convinced that I am right."

"But what's so special about her?" Delta asked.

"I don't know yet, but I intend to find out. So, Scythe," Char said, stepping forward, "Echo isn't your only companion. You can come see me any time. Just don't pop up and scare me like you did last time though."

"I can't make any promises, but I will try my best," said Scythe. "Thank you, Char."

"I'm afraid you can't have Echo," Alfa said. "Without me coming with him. So, if he is going to be a Neutral, I will too." He went down on one knee so he was optic level with her. "If you don't mind?"

"Not at all."

Bolthex shifted uncomfortably and reached up to rub the back of his helm. "Hate is quite a strong word. It's more of uh…" He gestured vaguely with his servo. "'Intense dislike'. Especially of your chosen alt-mode. But I'm sure I can learn to tolerate your presence… And the Autobot's," he added as an afterthought.

"Wow, Bolthex," Scythe exclaimed. "That's so sweet of you."

"Well, if Char and Bolthex are in," Delta said, "I guess I've got no choice."

"And you guys are going to need a medic," Fritz added. "For the minor injuries, at least."

"Wow… This is… I-I don't know what to say," Scythe stuttered out. She looked up at the mech still holding her. "Except, I'm sorry for threatening you, Echo."

"It's fine," he replied. "Everything turned out alright."

"I also want to make this promise to all of you." Scythe looked around the group. "As long as you are my friend, I will do everything in my power to protect you."

"The guaranteed protection of Cybertron's most famous assassin? Not a bad deal, I'd say," Delta said. "A pleasure working with you, Scythe."