*LATER, ELSEWHERE*

*It's almost an hour before sunset. Hawk is with Rattrap and Blackbird, heading in the direction Darkstorm went*

Rattrap: So, eh, are ye pickin' him up on sensors?

Hawk: *holding equipment* Of course not. I'm trying to see if I can find what he's looking for.

Blackbird: Or who.

Rattrap: *walks in front of Hawk and stops--facing him* Ye know somethin'? I can't stand bein' around you. But, every other mission yer haulin' my assplate out on some mission. What, haven't ye figured out my resonance waves yet?

Hawk: Of course I have. But, I bring you along because you're our best recon and espionage expert. And, if you'll notice, every other mission I partake in requires one or the other.

Rattrap: Meh...I still think yer doin' this te make my life a livin' hell.

Blackbird: Rattrap...

Rattrap: Hey, can it, kiddo! I didn't ask ye te butt in te this conversation.

Blackbird: I didn't know I needed your permission.

Rattrap: Not like ye ask for it anyway.

Blackbird: Oh shutup, you buck-toothed freak.

Rattrap: Why don't ye go get yer gears sanded!

Hawk: Why don't the BOTH of you evolve a little! I'm getting a signal. Two signals, actually.

Blackbird: What kind?

Hawk: Maximal, definitely. One I believe is Wildfire.

Rattrap: Then the other's gotta be our spider kid.

Blackbird: Wasn't he with the cat sisters?

Rattrap: Who cares. Let's get 'em an' go home.

Hawk: We still haven't traced where Darkstorm went.

Rattrap: *sighs* Oh yeah, huh? *all three bots look forward to see Wildfire and Spider Striker, inbound to the base*

Wildfire: Well, we've got worse problems.

Rattrap: Seems te be the theme of the evenin'.

Wildfire: Darkbird is got himself a new body. I'm guessing it's almost as big as Megatron's transmetallic dragon.

Spider Striker: Bigger. MUCH bigger.

Wildfire: Plus, he has an army of transmetals with him.

Spider Striker: Yeah. Mirage and Mantor, and then transmetal versions of Terrorsaur, Buzz Saw and Inferno. And, he's captured Catspaw.

Hawk: Something tells me that riding off into the sunset won't be meaning closure for this evening.

Wildfire: Not a chance. What are you going to do?

Hawk: Blackbird and I will be doing an aerial recon of the area. The two of you should head back to base for repairs. Rattrap, go with them. Looks like Darkstorm's going to have to wait. Ready Blackbird?

Blackbird: As I'll ever be.

*Both, Hawk and Blackbird take to the sky as Wildfire, Spider Striker and Rattrap head back to base. In the air, Hawk and Blackbird spot Terrorsaur and Buzz Saw flying nearby.*

Blackbird: That didn't take long.

Hawk: *sees Mantor and Mirage below* No Inferno, no Darkbird. And no Catspaw, so we can assume who she's most likely with.

Blackbird: You handle the flyers. I can take these two ground dwellers down easily.

Hawk: Be careful. We're outmatched here, and these guys aren't simple battle droids.

Blackbird: Right. *dives for the two Predacons below*

Hawk: Well, let's see if your reputations are well earned. *flies towards Buzz Saw first, firing his sub-cannons. Gets a few hits in before Buzz Saw can react*

Buzz Saw: You'll get it for that one!

Terrorsaur: Terrorize!!! *transforms. Buzz Saw joins him and starts firing at Hawk. Hawk maneuvers cleanly, avoiding the attack. Gets between the two and targets Buzz Saw.*

Hawk: Remember, aim, then fire... *gets hit in the back by a laser blast* Ugh! *turns around and fires at Terrorsaur. One shot hits Terrorsaur's leg, the other is avoided. A shot smacks into Hawk's leg, and he turns to fire back at Buzz Saw. The other dodges easily.*

Hawk: Impressive maneuvering. See how long you can last... *fires repeatedly at Buzz Saw. Buzz Saw dodges most shots, though some hit him* That armor of his is holding up *Lasers fly by Hawk from Terrorsaur. Hawk drops altitute as more laser blasts fly through his previous position. Hawk turns and fires at Terrorsaur, but Terrorsaur dodges easily. Prepares to fire again, but gets hit in the back. Turns and aims at Buzz Saw. Buzz Saw prepares to dodge, when Hawk turns his weapons back to Terrorsaur instead, who has started a new approach. Both cannons fire, smacking the unexpecting Terrorsaur in the chest. Hawk takes advanatage of the situation, firing both his sub-cannons as well as his shoulder mounted rockets. As Terrorsaur keeps getting hit, Hawk flies forward, avoiding a new attack by Buzz Saw. One of the rockets finally succeeds in piercing through Terrorsaur's armored stomach, exploding and partially tearing the transmetallic hull. Terrorsaur begins to drop as Hawk flies past him.

Hawk pulls straight up to avoid more of Buzz Saw's attack as well as Terrorsaur's volleys while he falls. The Predacon regains his flight abilities a mere thirty feet from the ground.*

Buzz Saw: If you stand still, we can kill you quicker!

Hawk: Definitely gotten better. But that doesn't mean they're any smarter... *Hawk merges sub-cannons and goes on the defensive. Buzz Saw fires repeatedly. Hawk concentrates only on dodging. As blast after blast passes by Hawk, he begins to note the other's firing pattern. When Buzz Saw is fifty meters from Hawk, the warrior drops five meters abruptly and fires his dual-cannon three times at partially different angles. All three shots hit Buzz Saw, causing him to spin out of control. When Buzz Saw sails near Hawk, he grabs the Predacon and quickly places him under Hawk's feet at the same instant Terrorsaur's counter-fire comes up at him. The blasts strike Buzz Saw, who screams at the new impacts. Hawk drops him, smoke trailing behind as he plummets*

Hawk: We need to start thinking, don't we?

Terrorsaur: AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!! *opens fire as he flies up towards Hawk...*

*BACK AT THE MAXIMAL BASE*

*A battered Wildfire landed at the Maximal base with a also battered Spider Stiker.*

Primal: You two look like scrap.

Spider Stiker: Don't feel much better than scrap.

Wildfire: I feel like I could stay in a CR-chamber for a month.

Primal: Sorry, but we don't have time for that. Maybe after the war. Where's Catspaw?

Spider Stiker: Captured, by Darkbird. He's transmetal II now.

Primal: That's just prime.

*AT THE FIGHT*

*Blackbird flies towards Mirage's and Mantor's position. He stops just above them, so they don't detect him. He pulls out his rifle and begins firing at Mantor. The shots hit dead on, and Mantor shakes a bit under the assualt. Mirage quickly begins to fire at Blackbird. Blackbird begins to perform some aerial maneuvers to avoid them, but is still clipped by some of the blasts. Then, one knocks his rifle from his hand.*

Blackbird: Damn! Oh well, guess I'll just have to do this the old fashion way. *He pulls out his energon saber and begins to deflect the blasts from Mirage. As he's deflecting them, he's attempts to angle his blade to properly ricochet one of the shots right back to Mirage. Unfortunately, Mirage is aiming his shots in a sporadic manner, and Blackbird can't pull off his usual stunt. Blackbird also fails to notice Mantor climbing up in the tree behind him. Mantor jumps off of the tree and lands right on Blackbird's back. He begins clawing his back with his beast mode claws. He forces Blackbird to the ground, then jumps off of him. Blackbird struggles to his feet and is about to lash out with his saber, when Mirage appears behind him and runs his claws into Blackbird's back. Blackbird falls to the ground, his cybernetic spinal cords and circuitry competely severed. Mirage rolls him around, then simply throws a data disk on him. Mirage then looks at Buzz Saw and Terrorsaur.*

Mirage: Terrorsaur, Buzz Saw! The deed is done! Let us return to Darkbird.

*Mirage and Mantor transform into beast mode, while Terrorsaur and Buzz Saw transform into their respective vehicle modes. Then, they all head away from the scene. Lasers streak after Terrorsaur and Buzz Saw as Hawk chases them down for a moment. Hawk considers following them, but stops when he sees the condition Blackbird is in. He flies over and lands next to Blackbird.*

Hawk: You okay?

Blackbird: Not really. This has not been my day.

Hawk: I don't think it's been anybody's day.

Blackbird: Except maybe Darkbird.

Hawk: True. So, what's the damage?

Blackbird: Almost every wire and circuit in my back is scrap. No way I can make it back to base.

Hawk: At least not the easy way. *He picks up Blackbird and makes to fly away, when he notices the data disk.*

Hawk: What's this?

Blackbird: Some disk Mirage threw at me.

Hawk: Well, it might be important. *He picks it up, then returns to the base.*

*BACK AT THE BASE, A FEW MINUTES LATER*

*Hawk lands and walks into the base. The other Maximals immediately see the condition Blackbird is in.*

Primal: Rhinox, get Blackbird a CR chamber. *Hawk hands over Blackbird and Rhinox places him in a CR chamber.*

Primal: So what happened?

Hawk: We had a run-in with Darkbird's new versions of Terrorsaur and Buzz Saw. As well as Mirage and Mantor.

Primal: Prime. Well, did you at least learn something from them?

Hawk: Couple of things, actually. They seem to have a very distinct fighting pattern. It was easy to pick up on at first, and counter. But I noticed something about it--at least in Buzz Saw. Their tactical patterns change at an almost unnoticeable level. It's as if their fighting patterns variate from one moment to the next. They also have a tougher transmetalized armor. There's something else about them, but I just can't place my finger on it.

Primal: Anything else?

Hawk: Well, they did leave this. *Hawk pulls out the data disk and hands it to Primal.*

Primal: Well, let's see what's on it. *They walks to the Axalon bridge section, and Primal puts the disk in the computer. After a few moments of uploading, an image of the new Darkbird, as well as his new troops, appears.*

Darkbird: I see you've gotten my message. Good. It'll allow me to make proper introductions. By now, you've no doubt noticed my new army. And the improvments I've made to them. So, with that thought in mind, allow me to introduce you to The Ministry of Darkness. And together, we shall destory you and everything you hold dear. I've already started a collection. *He steps back to revel Catspaw, badly beaten and tied to The Undertaker symbol.* I know what you're probably thinking right NOW. That I am a monster. Or maybe, you're wondering what I'm going to do with her. "Maybe I can be that father figure she never had. Or maybe, I could just torture her. But don't worry, you'll be witness to my madness soon enough." And on more note, if I sense any Maximal presence around my location, I will kill her. Slowly. And plainfully. But not so slowly as to give any of you the time to save her. Hahahahahahahahahaha! *The recording shuts off and Maximals just stand there. Stunned, and completely out of ideas.*

Hawk: Now, that...is a wrench in the works.

Rattrap: So what? All we have te do is wait fer ol' tar feathers te come out an' get us. Then, we either kick his keister...or we all die.

Primal: I don't agree with the dying part.

Hawk: And I don't think he's going to come out and play on his own. Bigger or not, he still hides behind his players when he can.

Primal: We can't risk going in after him, or he'll kill Catspaw. If she weren't there, I might be more willing to try a few things.

Cheetor: So...what are we going to do?

Hawk: Nothing we can do right now.

Primal: Detection...scanners. Early warning radar...

Rattrap: Oh boy, Boss monkey's babblin'.

Hawk: *Casually to Rattrap* Quiet.

Primal: Darkstorm.

Half the Maximals in ops: What?

Primal: Darkstorm. He has radar assimilative armor, correct?

Hawk: Yes, he does. And, no he won't help us.

Primal: We have to try. We don't have any other choice.

Hawk: Yes we do. We just haven't come up with them yet.

Primal: No. None of us have the same technology built into us that he does. He's our only chance. We have to try and get in touch with him. See if we can...

Hawk: Primal. Listen to reason. This is not one of those situations where the risk may have some percentage of going in our favor. This has a one-hundred percent chance of failure. One: Darkstorm wouldn't do anything for anyone else unless it had to do with his own agenda. Two: Darkstorm would not help us if it didn't give him an advantage of some kind, and ANY kind of advantage we give him is automatically a futile gesture for us. Three: the only reason Darkstorm would even bother going after Darkbird is if it were already part of his agenda. If that's the case, he'll be going after him anyway, and we won't have to worry about getting in touch with him. If it's not part of his agenda, then he'll either ignore us, or use the chance to waltz in and kill us.

Rattrap: Ye' know, the half-breed's right. At this point, we have at least SOME chance of stoppin' 'im from gettin' in. If we side with Darkstorm, he'll fry us the instant we open the door.

Primal: If that were true, he would have already done it.

Hawk: But we aren't a part of his plan yet. So, it's probably best we don't change that. *looks into Optimus' optics* Primal, this is not a wise decision. Just because we have no other options at the moment does not mean we have to start grabbing at the first ideas that come along.

Primal: If we keep thinking of a way to get to Darkbird, it'll be too late.

Hawk: Invite Darkstorm here, and we're dead. Then, we can only do nothing. I'm thinking that's worse. We already have how many troops in the 'R chambers right now?

Primal: *sighs* Dammit! *looks back at Hawk* All right. For now, we hold off. But if we run out of time...

*Hawk only nods, though the look on his face shows disagreement to the silent point*

*DOWN ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN CORRIDORS*

*Spider Striker is limping toward the lab*

Spider Striker: I won't let that son of a bitch have 'Paw. She's my best friend, only one...

Wildfire: Hey, Striker! Where you going?

Spider Striker: Lab.

Wildfire: Why?

Spider Striker: I'm going to make a bomb and maybe a device that'll mask my singnature.

Wildfire: Do you know how?

Spider Striker: Bomb; Oh, yeah! Definetly. Device; I don't know.

Wildfire: Shouldn't you go in the 'R chamber first?

Spider Striker: Primal said no time. 'Sides, every minute in there is another minute Darkbird has Catspaw.

*DARKBIRD'S QUARTERS*

Darkbird: Are you awake yet?

Catspaw: Burn in the Pit!

Darkbird: Good! I've detected some irregular energy in your brain module. Mind telling me what it is?

Catspaw: If you insist. *Catspaw vanishes, and the bonds that had been holding her down break*

Darkbird: What the...? *suddenly Darkbird is floored*

Catspaw's voice: I should kill you now for what you did to my sister, but I won't. I'll do it when I'm capable of making you suffer. *Darkbird hears Catspaw simply walk out the door*

*BACK AT THE MAXIMAL BASE*

*Blue Blaze is waking up in the CR chamber.*

Blue Blaze: Huh? How did I get in here? Ow my head still hurts. *Blue Blaze hears what's going on outside.* Can't let them get killed now can I. How to help, how to help...I know that thing said no Maximals. I'm not a Maximal so I'll help them. Can someone get me out of here?!

Cheetor: Who's in there?

Blue Blaze: An icy kitty cat, now how do I get out?

Cheetor: What's the matter? Haven't you ever been in a CR chamber before?

Blue Blaze: Um...no.

Cheetor: Oh.

Blue Blaze: So how do I get out?

Cheetor: Here I'll help you. *Cheetor opens the CR chamber and lets Blue Blaze out.* Um, maybe we should go to ops. You can talk to Optimus

Blue Blaze: All right *both walk up to ops. Everyone looks to Blue Blaze as she walks in.* Now, what's going on? Maybe I can help.

Primal: Let's start with who are you?

Blue Blaze: I'm not a Maximal and I have no clue as to where I came from or how I got here.

Rattrap: So, eh, why were you yelling before like something great happend to you?

Blue Blaze: Well I changed. I used to be just a plain old cat without wings. Now, what is going on? *Primal tells her what's going on with Darkbird and his army, and how they're holding Catspaw and why they can't go and rescue her.*

Blue Blaze: I can help you.

*OUTSIDE THE BASE*

Primal: So, exactly how can you help us?

Blue Blaze: Well, I'm not a Maximal. That transmission from that whoever guy said no Maximal presence.

Hawk: True, but you still give off a signal.

Blue Blaze: Not always. *smirks, then presses a pad on her shoulder* There, try to scan my signature. *Hawk looks over at Rhinox who pull out a small scanning pad. The pad chimes as Rhinox attempts a scan.*

Rhinox: Odd. I'm detecting all of us, but I'm not picking up on our friend here.

Wildfire: Well, I'll be dancing in the Pit! How'd you do that?

Blue Blaze: I'm not quite sure, but all of us can do it.

Rattrap: Woah, uh...did you say, all of you?

Blue Blaze: Er....kinda.

Hawk: Where are the rest of you currently?

Blue Blaze: We're...at a, um, secret location.

Primal: *nods* I see. Is it possible for you to go back and bring some reinforcements with you?

Blue Blaze: I could do that. I'll be back sooner than you think! *transfroms and takes to the air, towards her base*

Cheetor: Are we just going to sit here and wait?

Primal: For now...

Blue Blaze: I need a new name--something tells me that 'Blaze' isn't right for this ice kitty. Hmm...I know, Ice Kitt! *The newly named Ice Kitt flies through the sky, and sees that her base is trashed.*

Ice Kitt: What?! NOO!! *lands in front of base* I'll get whoever did this and kill him!

Ren: Calm down, my child.

Ice Kitt: Ren you're alive?!

Ren: Yes I am child.

Ice Kitt: Where are my friends, Ren?

Ren: Raven has taken them.

Ice Kitt: Raven?! Were is he!?!

Ren: He is helping the one called Darkbird.

Ice Kitt: I'll kill them both!

Ren: Stop you must go back and get your sisther, Starise.

Ice Kitt: Starise, is she safe?

Ren: Yes my child.

Ice Kitt: Where?

Ren: At the Maximals' base.

Ice Kitt: How? I was just there.

Ren: They found her. Ice Kitt, your sister is hurt. Go take care of her.

Ice Kitt: Yes Ren, but where are you going?

Ren: To get the two fighters. I will see you at the Maximals base, now go my child.

Ice Kitt: Yes Ren. Good bye.

*BACK AT THE MAXIMAL BASE*

Primal: Any ideas? Anyone?

Catspaw: How about you help me into the CR chamber? I'm not sure I can take another step.

Everyone in command room: CATSPAW!!! *Blackbird helps Catspaw into the 'R chamber*

Catspaw: Soon as I get out of here, Darkbird is going to pay. *door closes*

Primal (thinking): Hmm. Catspaw's been through a lot. She's told me what she's done when someone threatened her family. I may have to confine her to quarters.

*LAB*

Rhinox: What are you doing?

Spider Striker: I'm working on one of those devices we used against Firehawk. I got a feeling we'll need it.

Rhinox: Well, have you done anything to help our current situation?

Spider Striker: Oh, sure. *points to bunch of bombs neatly stacked in corner* They should be powerful enough to at least dent Darkstorm.

Rhinox: I hope your right about the bombs, but wrong about Firehawk. *suddenly alarms go off*

*COMMAND ROOM*

Primal: What was that?

Rattrap: We were just hit by some sorta fireball!

Primal: Fire...FIREHAWK!!

*OUTSIDE*

Firehawk: I have returned!

*AT THE CRASHSITE OF THE DARKSEID*

Darkbird: So, Catspaw thinks she is free. Well, she learn that in time, no one is free from my grip. My will, will be carried out. If not through her, then through another.

Mirage: *Walking into the room.* Sir, Firehawk has reached the Maximal base.

Darkbird: Good. Inform him to take the Maximal, Cheetor. He shall be the one to spread my word.

Mirage: At once sir. *He bows, then leaves the room.*

Darkbird: Soon, all shall bow down before the Lord of Darkness. Heheehehehehehehe!

*BACK AT THE MAXIMAL BASE*

Rattrap: Sentinel at 50% and falling!

Primal: Striker! You were right! Is the device ready?

Spider Striker: "Nothing is that easy!" I've barely gotten started! I got Rhinox helping, but I'll need more!

Primal: Hawk! Get down to the lab! Wildfire! Get out there and try to take down Firehawk! Anyone that can be spared, we'll need extra security for the Ark! Firehawk may go after the original Megatron.

*OUTSIDE*

*Firehawk continues assulat on base, he recieves transmission from Mirage*

Mirage: Darkbird says to bring him Cheetor

Firehawk: That child? Why?

Mirage: I don't know. Just do it!

Firehawk: Very well. *Wildfire exits from base and attacks Firehawk* At last! Challenge!

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Please Read and Review, we've has so little of that. We'll even take flames, we need a good laugh.