Both Bumblebee and Ironhide were on monitored duty at the plant, but there wasn't a single blip on sensors.
"I hate monitored duty," Bumblebee moaned.
"It's a very important job," Ironhide pointed out.
"Yeah, but what is there to watch?" Bumblebee asked. "Megatron and his goons are still trapped in Kaon."
"There still Decepticons on Earth."
"The Constructicons are trapped on Dinobots Island, and Soundwave is probably still repairing himself from our last battle."
"What about that Starscream clone that's still on the loose?"
"She hasn't shown up since she shot Prime down."
"But we still need to be ready in case they do attack."
Bumblebee was about to argue some more when suddenly they heard a blip on the monitors. They immediately stopped arguing and quickly accessed the console finding the source of the blip.
"I think we're receiving some sort of faint transmission," said Bumblebee.
"And it doesn't seem to be coming from Earth," said Ironhide as he examined the signal. "It certainly on an Autobot frequency, but I don't recognise it."
"We better get the Boss Bot."
Moments later, they got Optimus along with Elita and Sari and showed them the signal.
"And you're sure it's an Autobot frequency?" Sari asked.
"It appears so, though it's very faint, and I don't recognise the signature."
Elita examined it on her optics widened. "It's my brother's…"
Everyone immediately fell silent.
"Tarantulas?" Optimus stared. "So he's still online?"
"And if he's online, maybe Waspintor is as well," said Bumblebee.
"We have to investigate," said Elita sharply. "We can use the Space Bridge to transwarp to the source of the signal."
Sari quickly used her jet pack and flew right in her face. "Whoa, slow down, Elita. Is that even a good idea?"
"He's my brother!" Elita reminded her.
"Who tried to kill us on a number of occasions," Sari countered.
Elita looked at Optimus with a look that read Help me, or I'll slap you. "Sari does have a good point, but that said, we can't leave Tarantulas to his own devices, especially if he needs help."
Elita smiled. "Then what are we waiting for?"
Ironhide rose to his feet. "Sir, I'm coming with. I still have orders to protect you."
"I don't need protection," Optimus sighed.
"From what I read about Tarantulas, I think you're going to need all the protection you need."
"I'm coming to," said Bumblebee must everyone's surprise. "If Waspintor is still online and in trouble, I owe it to him to help him out."
"And don't even think about leaving me behind," said Sari.
It didn't take them long to get to Sumdac Towers, and Professor Sumdac inserted the coordinates.
"I've set the coordinates to the source of the transmission, but I can't tell you what you might expect on the other end," Professor Sumdac warned. "Just make sure you look after my daughter."
"We'll look out for her," Optimus promised.
"Dad, I'm a big girl. I can look after myself," said Sari as she activated her helmet.
"I know, but it is my job to worry," Professor Sumdac pointed out. "Especially when you're going to an unknown planet in search of a crazed techno-organic."
"That crazed techno-organic happens to be my brother," Elita reminded him.
"Sorry, it's just that he's not exactly stable."
"He's doing all this just for me; he still has some good insight, I know it."
The Space Bridge then activated, and they jumped into the vortex.
They suddenly found themselves in a clearing that overlooked the jungle. They could float in the sky with two moons.
"We clearly landed on an organic planet," said Optimus.
Sari then deactivated her helmet and took a deep breath. "And the atmosphere is breathable."
Bumblebee looked around. "So where should we start looking?"
"The signal originated in that jungle," said Elita looking at her scanner. "I say that's a good place to start."
"Okay, but everyone, keep your optics open; there's no telling what might be in there," Optimus warned.
"May I suggest I take point?" Ironhide advised. "If there's any trouble at certainly to get it better than anyone else."
"Okay, Bumblebee, you cover our backs," said Optimus.
"You got a Boss Bot," said Bumblebee.
They then began making their way through the jungle, with Ironhide taking the lead. As they made their way through the jungle, they saw a few animals that resembled Earth creatures.
"This planet is so much like Earth," said Sari.
"Organic plants do have several similarities, but there are big differences as well," said Elita as she gestured to the two moons above.
"So what are we going to do once we find Tarantulas?" Sari asked curiously.
"I have no idea," Elita admitted. "I've tried to convince him to stop his insane experiments, but he just doesn't listen."
"He's only doing this because I failed him 1,000 Stelle cycles ago," Optimus reminded her.
"Optimus, we've been over this a hundred times," said Elita looking slightly annoyed. "You did what you had to do, there was no way you could have reached me, and the entire place was about to explode. If you had jumped down and rescued me, both you and Sentinel might not be here."
"Or perhaps we managed to rescue you, and you wouldn't have been infected."
"I've already come to terms with my organic half; I admit I was distraught when I changed. However, that was before I realised the advantages I possessed."
"Still doesn't change the fact that I left you behind, and Tarantulas will probably never forgive me."
Elita shook her head. "Well, maybe if you learn to forgive yourself, that could go a long way."
Ironhide then held up his arm and immediately stopped. "I think we found the source of the signal."
They looked through the trees and saw a Decepticon warship that had into a mountain. It was badly damaged, and there was no way it could ever take off again.
"So let me get this straight we received an Autobot signal from a Decepticon warship from an Autobot that turned Decepticon?" said Bumblebee.
"Yeah, something seems off," said Sari. "Besides, since when has Tarantulas ever asked for help. He never rejoined Megatron when he and the other Decepticons attacked Earth. His focus has always been more curing Elita."
"Something is definitely off," Optimus agreed. "I suggest that we proceed with caution. There is no telling what he's up to."
They then cautiously made their way towards the Decepticon warship, and they activated their lights when they entered it. They began making their way through the dark corridor and saw several stasis pods.
"Stasis pods?" said Ironhide.
"The same kind that holds protoforms," said Optimus.
"But I thought we rescued all the protoform from the Nemesis?" Sari frowned.
"The Decepticons had their own protoforms, but they were lost, which is why they attacked the Cyber Ninja Dojo," said Optimus. "Of course, without the AllSpark, they couldn't reanimate them. After they were stolen, we tossed the AllSpark into a Space Bridge they couldn't use it to create a massive army."
"And now we found those lost Decepticon protoforms," said Ironhide.
"But these pods are empty," Bumblebee pointed out. "If this ship was carrying protoforms, where are they now?"
"Right here!" said an insectlike voice.
Bumblebee was then suddenly knocked to the ground as something to him in the back. It will quickly spun around and saw a large scorpion approaching and then transformed into a large mech with the Decepticon symbol on his chest and had pincers instead of hands.
Optimus drew out the Magnus Hammer, but then he was struck by some webbing and found himself pinned against the wall. He half expected to see Tarantulas, but emerging from the darkness above was a different spider.
It transformed into a femm bot, who resembled Elita in some ways but had much colder-looking her optics.
"Look what wandered into our web," she said.
"I'm coming, Optimus Prime, sir!" Ironhide yelled.
However, before she could take a single step, he then cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground. Optimus saw Tarantulas standing there after injecting his stingers into Ironhide and injecting him with cyber venom.
"You really do get around, don't you, Optimus," he said.
Elita looked at him. "Tarantulas?"
Tarantulas smiled upon seeing her. "Elita, how wonderful that you showed up, though not sure why."
"We received a distress call?" Elita frowned.
"I didn't send any kind of distress, and I most certainly wouldn't have sent it to him," said Tarantulas gesturing to Optimus.
Elita and Optimus looked at one another, confused; if Tarantulas hadn't sent the signal, then who did?
"It doesn't matter why you're here, but your arrival was quite timely," Tarantulas smiled. "Make it easy on yourself and surrender, sis. I don't wish to hurt you."
"Yet you wish to hurt the rest of us," said Sari.
Tarantulas looked down at Sari. "And who are you?"
"How can you not know me?" said Sari, glaring. "You stole my key and tried to kill me twice."
Tarantulas optics widened. "Sari Sumdac? What happened to you?"
"Turns out I was an entirely human," said Sari folding her arms.
Realisation then dawned on Tarantulas. "Your techno-organic… my isn't a day filled with surprises."
"Yeah, which means I can do this!" said Sari and quickly by an energy blast that Tarantulas.
Unfortunately, Tarantulas used Ironhide's power to harden her body, so the energy blast merely bounced off of him.
"I like your spunk, kid, but there are limits," said Tarantulas and fired some webbing at Sari, trapping her.
Elita drew her blades and charged at him, but Waspintor suddenly flew overhead and blasted her in the back with his stingers knocking her out cold.
When Elita regained consciousness, she found herself with the others all tied up in webbing inside she assumed to be the ship's med bay.
"Elita, thank goodness you're awake," said Optimus.
Elita looked at him. "Optimus, what's going on?"
"I think about finding out."
"Ah, looks like you're finally awake dear sister," said Tarantulas smiling at her. "We certainly have a lot of catching up to do."
"Why don't you start explaining where you found them?" Optimus suggested gesturing to the scorpion and the female spider.
"You mean Scorponok and Arachnid?" said Tarantulas looking at the two bots in question. "Why these two of my most early experiments, which I call Predacons. As you probably are well aware, this ship was home to a number of protoforms, and I combined their make-up with some animal DNA, and you've seen the results."
"But protoforms are merely empty husks; without the AllSpark, there's no way to give them life," said Optimus and then caused. "Unless…"
"Unless I got my hands on a few AllSpark fragments," Tarantulas smiled. "I haven't found a use for them until now. Also was lucky enough to find this ship which had plenty of protoforms to experiment on. Unlike what I did to poor Waspintor, they were able to adapt to the sudden change…" His optics turned to Sari. "…but I'm guessing you already know that."
"But why are you working with Tarantulas?" Bumblebee asked, looking at Waspintor. "If I remember correctly were rather upset that he betrayed your trust."
"Spider-bot helped repair damaged Waspintor and promised that Waspintor would get revenge on Bumble-bot," Waspintor snarled as he leaned towards Bumblebee. "But Waspintor didn't think he would get revenge on Bumble-bot so soon."
"Leave him alone!" Ironhide yelled.
Waspintor turned to Ironhide. "Iron-bot defend Bumble-bot, even after Bumble-bot ruined Waspintor's life?"
"Bumblebee thought you were a spy, and admittedly, your attitude towards him didn't exactly help," said Ironhide. "He was merely doing his duty to expose the spy, and I would have done the exact same thing. Besides, the two of us were wrong about Bumblebee."
"Then Iron-bot will get slagged just like Bumble-bot!" Waspintor roared.
"Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, Waspintor," said Tarantulas. "I promise you you'll get your vengeance, but only after the procedure."
"What procedure?" Elita asked, not liking the sound of it.
"Why to cure you, of course."
"Tarantulas, I told you before I don't want to be cured!" Elita snapped.
"So you really do want to live like an outcast under the Autobots?" Tarantulas questioned.
"I can't control how others feel, but I can control my own actions, and I'm going to prove that not organics are dangerous."
"What you want is not my concern, but curing you is."
"So you're just going to experiment on it without my permission!" Elita roared.
"Because clearly, I have no other option!"
"You do; you can simply let me be."
"Enough!" Tarantulas roared. "Bring her here!"
Both Scorponok and Arachnid then began to approach Elita when suddenly something came crashing through the door. Everyone turned to see what it was, but seconds later, they saw something swinging on a wire and slamming into Scorponok and Arachnid, knocking them backwards.
Waspintor quickly fired his stingers, but this mysterious figure merely grabbed the door, using it as a shield as he charged towards him. Seconds later, Waspintor was plastered against the door and crashed into the wall.
Tarantulas stared at the figure. "You!"
Then stepping out of the shadows was a large gorilla, who then immediately transformed. Everyone stared as standing before them was a mech who greatly resembled Optimus and bore the Autobot symbol on his chest.
"Stop this madness, Tarantulas," he said, sounding exactly like Optimus. "There's no need for this!"
"More like there's no need for failed experiments such as yourself!" Tarantulas hissed and fired a stream of webbing.
However, this gorilla Optimus grabbed the wedding with amazing reflexes and, with some equally impressive strength, began spinning him around before releasing him, and he slammed into the wall. He then immediately turned towards them and quickly began tearing off the webbing around them.
Optimus looked at him. "Who are you?"
"I can explain later, but right now, we need to get out of here."
Optimus wasn't going to argue, and he and the others followed him. However, just before they reached the door, Tarantulas fired some webbing that warped around Sari, pulling her towards him.
"Sari!" Optimus yelled.
He was about to turn back to help, but his look-alike stopped him. "There's nothing we can do."
"I'm not leaving her behind!" said Optimus stubbornly. "I made that mistake before, and I'm not going to make it again."
"I'm not telling you to abandon her, but there's no way we can rescue her. The Predacons already recovering."
Optimus could see he was right; the Predacons were slowly getting back onto their feet.
Sari looked at Optimus. "Get out of here!"
"We'll be back, I promise!"
Optimus then reluctantly left with his look-alike.
The others had already made their way outside.
"Where's Sari?" Bumblebee asked.
"Tarantulas' got her," said Optimus.
"What? We have to go back!" Bumblebee cried.
"And we will, but right now, we need to regroup and come up with a plan."
Tarantulas had placed Sari inside a force field and then turned towards the computer console.
"Looks like Optimus hasn't changed in the slightest; it appears he keeps on abandoning his friends," said Tarantulas.
"He hasn't abandoned me; he'll be back," said Sari.
"He came back for my sister, but not before she mutated," Tarantulas reminded her. "It's a shame Elita escaped, but you will make a fine test subject."
"What do you plan on doing to me?" Sari asked.
"The same thing that I plan to do with Elita, your origins may be different, but I'm sure it will have the same result."
"You plan to strip me of my organic side?" Sari yelled, looking appalled.
"I did manage to memorise some of Meltdown's theories and managed to create my own method," said Tarantulas.
"Then why haven't you used it on your freaks?" Sari asked.
"Waspintor surprisingly hasn't totally forgiven me for betraying his trust, and I'm sure he will act against me if I mistreat the other Predacons. However, now that I have to test my theory without the fear of repercussions from my Predacons."
"But you could end up killing me!" Sari pointed out.
"And why should there be a problem for me?" Tarantulas asked.
"Because some part of you still cares about life."
"And what gave you that impression?"
"Because you're not like the other Decepticons, you didn't join up with Megatron and his cronies when they attacked Earth."
"Because they were nothing more than a means to an end, I was never fully loyal to Megatron and his dream of conquering Cybertron. All I really cared about was finding a cure for my sister, and joining in the Decepticons gave me freedom for my experiments."
"And you gave Optimus the antidote of your cyber venom when you didn't have to."
"I was repaying a debt, nothing more, and now we're even."
"And you saved all Optimus and the others when Waspintor exploded."
"Because if I happened to, my sister would have taken my place."
"And if you really do care for your sister, you won't do this."
Tarantulas then marched up to her face. "I'd watch your tongue, girl! And let me be absolutely clear, I will do whatever it takes to cure my sister no matter who gets hurt."
"Even your sister?" Sari asked, looking at him unflinchingly.
Tarantulas turned his back towards. "This conversation is going nowhere, and I need to focus more on the test. I would also advise you not to distract me if you do want to come out of this alive."
Waspintor then entered the lab.
"What now?!" Tarantulas boomed.
"Waspintor, sad to report that we have lost track of Bumble-bot and his friends," said Waspintor. "They seem to have disappeared along with monkey-bot."
"Then watch the perimeter; I have no doubt they will return. The last thing I want is to be disturbed!" Tarantulas barked.
Waspintor then left, but Sari could tell that he was buzzing angrily. She then turned and looked at Tarantulas.
"Who was that Optimus look-alike anyway?" she asked.
"A mistake and one that I plan on rectifying," he said without looking at her.
Optimus and the others had set up camp in the jungle. The Optimus look-alike was able to cover their tracks and found themselves a good site that allowed them to view the Decepticon ship.
"We should be safe," he said.
"Good, now how about answering a few questions?" Elita asked.
"I plan to answer all your questions as best I can," he said as he sat down. "There were going to have to be quick. I anticipate Tarantulas is going to experiment on your human friend."
"Half human," Bumblebee corrected.
"How about it telling us who you are and why you look like me?" Optimus asked.
"My name is Optimus primal and simply put, I'm your clone," said Primal.
Funny enough, that didn't surprise Optimus; it wasn't the first time he came in counter with a clone.
"But how was Tarantulas able to clone Optimus?" Bumblebee asked. "I thought Starscream was the one that created the cloning technology."
"I always found that hard to believe," said Elita. "Starscream didn't exactly strike me as a scientist. I'm willing to bet that he probably looked through my brother's notes on the Nemesis and created his own clothes based on."
"Also, they want exactly perfect clones; all of them were aspects of his different personality," Optimus added and looked at Primal. "Obviously, Tarantulas has fixed that error."
"But how did Tarantulas clone you?" Ironhide asked. "Wouldn't he have needed a sample from you?"
"He did," said Primal. "From what I understand, he took it from you on the night when you reignited on Earth."
"He must have taken a sample after he rejected you with cyber venom," said Elita.
"He then created me; you want to experiment on the no doubt to get a sort of payback," said Primal. "I, however, managed to escape, and then I continue to monitor Tarantulas. I watched as he carried on with his experiments and soon realised how dangerous they could be.
I managed to sneak into the ship and access the sensor array, and contact Earth. I used Tarantulas' old Autobot code to get your attention because I knew you would go and investigate. I had intended to meet you before you entered the ship, but Tarantulas' Predacons chose that day to patrol near my camp."
"What you mean by dangerous experiments?" Elita asked.
"I fear that he's cutting corners in a desperate attempt to cure you; I've at least heard enough that he has put you in danger countless times. Whatever this cure is, I'm not exactly confident that it will actually cure anyone."
"I have actually done some research myself, and there's no really safe way to separate the organic or technological," said Elita looking at herself. "But I think my brother only sees that as a challenge, and he's always been one for a challenge, especially this for my well-being."
"Wait, you saying that Sari is in danger?" said Bumblebee.
"And we only have a few cycles before he begins the experiment," said Primal.
"How do you know?" Ironhide asked.
"Because I've seen his early experiments, and believe me, they're not pretty."
"Then what is sitting around for we have to help her!" Bumblebee yelled, getting to his feet.
Optimus immediately grabbed him and pulled him back. "Bumblebee, we all want to rescue Sari. However, we can't go charging it without a plan."
"Especially when he knows that we will come," said Elita.
"But you do have a plan, right, sir?" Ironhide asked.
Optimus stood there silently and began pondering an idea. "I do, but it's really going to be risky."
The Predacons were guarding the ship when suddenly Scorponok was hit in the chest by a powerful jolt of electricity. Waspintor spun around and saw that the source of the attack was Bumblebee.
"Hey, Wasp, over here!" Bumblebee waved.
Waspintor glared at him. "Bumble-bot foolish to take Predacons all by himself."
He then fired his stingers at Bumblebee, but then jumping in front of him was Ironhide. He quickly hardened his body, and Waspintor's stingers bounced off his armour.
"Whoever said he was alone?" said Ironhide.
"Iron-bot shouldn't have interfered," Waspintor buzzed. "This is between Bumble-bot and Waspintor."
"Guess you never truly were a team player Wasp, because one of the first things we learnt at boot camp was looking out for one another," Ironhide reminded him.
"Come and get as if you can!" said Bumblebee.
The two of them then transformed into vehicle mode and drove into the jungle.
"They're goading you," said Arachnid. "Don't fall for it."
Waspintor ignored her and transformed into beast mode; he then flew after Bumblebee and Ironhide deep into the jungle.
"Why shouldn't I be surprised?" Arachnid grumbled.
Waspintor continued to follow Bumblebee and Ironhide into the jungle firing his stingers at them.
"Autobots can't run from Waspintor forever!" Waspintor roared.
"Who said we're running?" said Bumblebee.
The two of them then transformed into robot mode and leapt into the air for a few moments before turning to face Waspintor. He then transformed to robot mode glaring at them.
"Bumble-bot was never a good fighter because if you were, he would know he would stand no chance against Waspintor," Waspintor growled.
"He's not alone, though. He's got me," Ironhide pointed out, raising his fists. "Don't make us fight, you Wasp; we can end this peacefully."
"No! Bumble-bot must pay for ruining Waspintor's life!" Waspintor roared as he took a step forward.
It was then that he stepped on some sort of tripwire; he began following the low, which kept on going for several pulleys. He turned his head and suddenly saw a large log heading straight towards him, and seconds later, it collided with him, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Good thing Primal laid all sorts of traps in the jungle," said Ironhide.
"Yeah, but I wish that creepy spider lady Arachnid took the bait," said Bumblebee.
"I'm sure the others can deal with her."
Arachnid was still guarding the ship as Waspintor flew off, and Scorponok was out cold.
"Stupid Waspintor," she growled furiously. "I can't believe help for such a trick, but they'll find that I am not so easily duped."
"Really, because you are easily duped to me," said a voice behind her.
Arachnid was started, and she quickly looked up to see Elita clinging onto the surface of the ship in her beast mode. She then quickly transformed into robot mode and jumped out, kicking her hard in the face and knocking her out.
Once the coast was clear, both Optimus and Primal emerged from the jungle.
"Looks like your plan is working so far," said Primal.
"Yes, but next comes the hard part," said Optimus.
Inside the ship, Tarantulas had just finished his preparations for his experiment. She had already removed Sari from the force field instructor down to an operating table.
"You should feel excited, Sari," said Tarantulas. "You're about to take part in the greatest medical achievement ever performed."
"Excuse me if I don't applaud," said Sari. "Tarantulas, it's not too late to stop this."
"And why should I stop?" Tarantulas asked.
"For your sister."
"I'm doing this for my sister!"
"Then you have a funny way of showing it."
"Enough!" Tarantulas roared. "I think it's time that we gave you your little makeover; the sooner it is done, the closer I'll be securing my sister."
Suddenly the med bay door was knocked off its hinges as Optimus smashed it open with the Magnus Hammer.
"Not today, you won't," said Optimus.
Primal then launched into the room in his beast mode and quickly grabbed Tarantulas, using his gorilla-like strength to hold him down.
"No, I was so close!" Tarantulas wailed.
"You were never close," said Elita as she rushed in and began undoing the restraints on Sari. "You're right?"
"Better now that you guys are here," Sari smiled and then looked at Primal. "But who is he?"
"Long story and will explain everything once we're back on Earth," said Optimus.
"And what are you going do with me?" Tarantulas asked. "Take me back to Cybertron, so I can spend the rest of my life in the stockade?"
Optimus looked at him. "No, I can on leaving you here on this planet."
Tarantulas stopped struggling and stared at him. "What?"
"I've already hurt you and your sister enough. I'm not going to add more pain if I can avoid it," said Optimus.
"But we can't let you continue with your experiments," said Elita as she made her way to the terminal. "Which is why I'm deleting every one of your findings."
"No! You can't!" Tarantulas roared.
"I already have," said Elita showing him that she had indeed deleted all records.
"It will take me thousands of stellar cycles just to get back to square one!" Tarantulas roared. "I was so close to curing you."
"I can't be cured!" Elita yelled loudly. "There's no way to reverse the process, and I've accepted it. It's about time that you did."
Tarantulas looked at her. "Nothing is impossible; a scientist who says that is no true scientist. Isn't that what you told me?"
"And I meant it, but some things are indeed inevitable, and this is one of them. Dion, if you ever cared about me as a sister, then give up on this crusade of yours and stop blaming Optimus for everything. If me and Sentinel listened to him in the first place, this never would have happened."
"Still doesn't mean you should have abandoned you," Tarantulas glared.
"And I wish I could turn back the clock, but what's done is done, and I am so sorry," said Optimus.
Tarantulas remained silent for a few moments and looked back at them. "Then go and leave me on this rock."
Primal looked at Optimus, who nodded and then realised him.
"Tarantulas, if you ever need help, contact us," said Optimus.
"I think I've had enough of your help for one solar cycle," Tarantulas growled.
All of them then left the med bay.
They met up with Bumblebee and Ironhide outside the ship.
"So now what?" Bumblebee asked.
"Now we head back home," said Optimus and turned to Primal. "We're more than happy to have you accompany us back to Earth."
"I appreciate the offer, Prime, but I think I should stay you monitor things," said Primal. "Given time, I might be able to convince Tarantulas that you did the right thing."
"You sure you can turn him around?" Sari asked.
"No, but I have to try."
"What about the Predacons?" Ironhide asked.
"They haven't committed any crimes, so we can't arrest them," said Optimus.
"And if I stay here can monitor them," said Primal.
"Just contact us if there are any problems," said Elita. "Because I don't think my brother and swallow his pride and ask for help."
"I'll look out for your brother, I promise."
"It's time for us to head home," said Optimus.
Bumblebee then opened his compartment and pulled out the plasma dynamic thruster, and they vanished in a transwarp field. Primal looked at the empty area for a few seconds before turning around and making his way back to the ship.