After learning the only thing that could save Cliffjumper's life was a new set of components, Jazz and a group of Demicronian warriors known as the Starions set out to the remains of the Autobot shuttle to search for a working set of components. The only problem was Zainex and a force of evil Xiatronians had the same intentions. While the Starions were locked in a heated battle with the Gravicons, a group of Xiatronian warriors, Gravimus, the Xiatronian scientist engaged Jazz in battle. Gravimus looked like he had the upper hand… until Jazz responded by blasting out one of Gravimus' optics. After the Xiatronians retreated, Jazz found a working set of components for Cliffjumper, but at that exact moment, Cliffjumper's life functions ceased.

"Doctor Nightwatch," began Azzra, head nurse of the medical center, "Are you sure we can't do anything else for him?"

"If I could, Azzra, I would" replied Nightwatch, chief doctor at the medical center, "But, without Cybertronian components, we can't do a thing."

At that very moment, Jazz and the Starions walked in the room.

"Here, doc" said Jazz, handing the components to Nightwatch, "Those are the components we needed."

"I don't know how to tell you this, Jazz," Nightwatch began, "But I'm afraid it's to late for your friend here, as you can see, his life functions have ceased."

"What?!?" Jazz exclaimed, "No, no, no, doc, you've got to save him, we've been through a lot together, I can't imagine it ending like this"

"I'm sorry, Jazz," Nightwatch began, "But there's nothing I can do…"

"C'mon, doc," Jazz said, "Can't you try to revive him or something?"

"We could try that," Nightwatch stated, "But it'll take time, and it's highly unlikely that he'll pull through."

"We've at least got to try, doc," Jazz said, "If we don't try, it's certain he'll die, but now, we have a chance to save him, and I think we should take it."

"I agree with Jazz, Doctor Nightwatch," said Starlight, "As long as you have that one glimmer of hope, you should reach for it, no matter how out of reach it may be."

"You guy's have a point," Nightwatch replied, "Azzra, wheel him in to the operation room."

"Yes, Doctor Nightwatch," replied Azzra, starting to wheel Cliffjumper away.

"This may take a while, guys," Nightwatch said, "So why don't you wait outside."

"We'll do that, doc." Jazz replied.

"I'd love to hear some of your stories, Jazz," Starlight said, "I hope you wouldn't mind telling us some."

"Sure, why not," Jazz replied, "By the time I'm done, they should be done with Cliffjumper. Ever hear about the Autobot and the Decepticon wars?" After saying that, Jazz and the Starions walked away, with Jazz telling a story.

"I hope this works…" Nightwatch said with a sigh, walking into the operation room.

TIME: This exact moment. PLACE: ???. In a dark place, Cliffjumper's spark stands, waiting for transportation to the Autobot afterlife.

"Man," he thought, "I didn't think it would end like this…"

"It's not over yet, Cliffjumper…" responded a familiar voice.

"Who's there?" Cliffjumper asked.

"Come now, Cliffjumper," the voice responded, "I should hope you haven't forgotten of me so soon."

"Optimus?!?" Cliffjumper exclaimed.

"Yes, Cliffjumper," Optimus replied.

"Are you here to take me the afterlife?" Cliffjumper asked.

"No, Cliffjumper," Optimus replied, "I'm here to send you back to the world of the living."

"I'm sorry, Optimus," began Cliffjumper, "But my life functions have ceased, that body down there is no good."

"Cliffjumper," Optimus began, "Don't give up yet, I hope I at least taught you that. What happened to the Cliffjumper I knew? He certainly wouldn't have given up this easily."

"Optimus," Cliffjumper said, "If this was a winnable fight, I'd still be fighting, but I can't help but give up, how am I going to prevent death?"

"No one man can fight alone in battle, Cliffjumper," began Optimus, "Even as we speak, Jazz and his friends are trying to help you, but you don't want to help yourself."

"Optimus," said Cliffjumper, "Why should I go back? I mean all my friends are who knows how far away, I'd be trapped on a strange planet for who knows how long, and I'll probably never see Cybertron again. If you ask me, I think it's better that I die."

"Cliffjumper!" Optimus exclaimed, "Have you already forgotten all I've taught you? Even when things look their bleakest, you've got to hold your head up high and take whatever comes your way like an Autobot! We cannot challenge fate, Cliffjumper, we must go wherever life's path takes us."

"I… I guess so…" Cliffjumper began, "But what if…"

"Whatever happens, happens, Cliffjumper," Optimus said, "Maybe this ordeal you went through is your destiny, my friend, keep your chin up!"

"I will, Optimus," Cliffjumper said, "Thank you… For everything you've ever done for me!"

"If you really want to thank me, Cliffjumper," Optimus began, "You'll go back and continue to fight for the Autobot cause in this new world."

"I will, Optimus." Cliffjumper replied.

"'Till all are one, Cliffjumper," Optimus said, "'Till all are one…"

TIME: That exact moment. PLACE: Medical center operation room. Nightwatch has just finished Cliffjumper's operation.

"Only thing left to do is reactivate him," Nightwatch said, reactivating Cliffjumper, "and pray that this works." A few seconds pass, and Nightwatch gets a concerned look on his face.

"Can't save 'em all…" he said with a sigh.

"What kind of doctor gives up on his patients so easily?" Cliffjumper asked, sitting up, "Man, and I thought I gave up to easily!"

"Incredible!" shouted Nightwatch, "Your probability of survival was such a small percentage! I can't believe it!"

"Hey, anything can happen," Cliffjumper began, "Besides I've got a lot of people pulling for me, I can't let them down. Speaking of which, where's Jazz?"

"I'll take you to him." Nightwatch said, leading Cliffjumper.

"Was that all a dream?" Cliffjumper thought to himself, "Had to be…" Then, in the back of his head he heard the voice of Optimus Prime once again.

"'Till all are one…" was what the voice said. Cliffjumper cracked a smile.

"Then again…" he thought to himself, "Maybe not…"

Outside the medical center, Jazz has just finished telling one of his stories to the Starions.

"You mean there's actually a planet in which machines aren't the dominant life form?" asked Starlight.

"Yup!" Jazz replied, "It's called Earth, and it's actually a pretty cool place."

"Strange…" said Doggstar.

"I don't believe it!" shouted Super Nova, "It's just not possible!"

"It's true, buddy!" Cliffjumper said, walking along side Nightwatch.

"CLIFFJUMPER!!!" Jazz exclaimed, "You're alive, buddy!"

"Yeah," Cliffjumper replied, "It took some convincing, but I'm back, and better than ever!"

"That's great!" Jazz shouted, "Because I've got a feeling we're gonna need all the help we're gonna get…"

EPOLOUGE: On Xiatron, Zainex watches as Gravimus performs a task.

"How's your, eye?" Zainex asked.

"Useless, almighty Zainex." Gravimus replied, "But I've come up with the perfect plan to rid us of the Demicronians forever!"

"How do you plan on doing that, Gravimus?" Zainex asked.

"Well," Gravimus replied, "Seeing as my wormhole experiment was a success, I suggest that we open a wormhole right near Demicron. Demicron will be sucked in, and we will rule this system!"

"Why settle for this system, Gravimus," began Zainex, "When we could control the entire UNIVERSE! We could use Demicron as an example to show what we do to planets that stand in our way!"

"Brilliant idea, almighty Zainex!" exclaimed Gravimus!

"I know Gravimus," Zainex began, "Very soon, I shall be RULER OF THE UNIVERESE!!!"

TO BE CONTINIUED