I actually really like this episode which is why I'm annoyed it isn't longer :(

Chapter 9:

Shadowzone

We were not back at base.

I inhale and I exhaled. Just, fucking, great.

Today was going just fine. Lovely in fact!

All I wanted to see was if I could purge dark energon and here I am, stuck in some—mirror dimension because Miko decided she wanted in on the action.

And you know what else would just make this day even better?

"Skyquake's awake," I remarked dryly. The kids followed my gaze, "What's the bet he's in this place with us?"

We stood silently as Skyquake tried to swipe at the Autobots to no avail.

"I really hoped you were wrong," Raf whimpered, grabbing the back of my shirt. I reached behind and squeezed his shoulder.

Skyquake turned his attention to us when his attempts at killing the Autobots didn't work.

"If we aren't ghosts now, we will be soon," Miko squeaked.

"Run!" I yelled.

Promptly, we did so.

It wasn't even two minutes before Raf tripped, I scrambled back, pulling him to his feet and round the next turning in an attempt to break eye line with Skyquake.

"My glasses!" Raf cried.

Fuck!

"Way too dangerous," Jack rebuffed.

"I can't see without them!"

"What are you, ninety?"

"Not helping!" Jack hissed

I peered around, worrying my lip. Miko rushed forward, and I yanked her back, "Don't be any more of an idiot today!"

Miko gapped.

I rushed out to fetch the glasses, swooping them up. I dove out of the way of Skyquake's pede, rolling back to my feet and dodging the other as I ran back to the children.

"Rude much!" Miko huffed.

"Miko," I snapped around to her, and she faltered, "I won't say it again. Don't be any more of an idiot today."

I turned to them all, "Now, let's go!"

We ran again.

"We could set a trap, try to crush it!" Miko suggested.

"With what?" Raf scoffed, "Nothing around here is solid except us and the ground."

"We can't run forever," Miko rebuffed, "But maybe we can hide?"

That was as good of an idea as any other.

The children heaved for air.

I sat down, crossed my legs and slowed my breathing.

"The best thing about zombies, is they're slow-moving," Miko grinned.

"What are you doing?" Raf questioned.

"I recently learnt how to deal with dark energon. In theory anyway," I answered, "I need a clear head to access the information. If I can do it, then I can stop Skyquake."

"Whoo!" Miko cheered, "Then we won't have to run every five minutes."

Then, a ringtone blared.

"Is that your—" Raf started.

"Phone!" all of us finished in unison.

Jack fished it from his back pocket, "Hello? Arcee? Hello? Arcee?" he lowered the phone, the only noise static, "Nothing."

"Gee, imagine that," Miko said sarcastically, "The fourth dimension has lousy cellphone reception."

I sighed, absently listening to the teens and I relaxed, easing my muscles and letting myself float. Only that didn't last long.

"Can you type and run?" I asked, pushing myself to my feet, "Because we're about to have company."

The heave footsteps of Skyquake grew more audible.

I turned my arm into a blaster, firing one shot at the zombie's helm, it didn't do much beside stumble him, but it was the distraction we needed. We ran again, backtracking through the preoccupied Skyquake's legs.

"Daja vu!" Miko cried suddenly.

"What?"

"This doesn't look familiar to you?"

"Not really."

"We just ran one big circle!" I commented, turning a corner we were promptly met with Starscream's forearm, huh.

"Sweet," Miko cheered.

"Whoa." Jack.

"It must have gotten trapped in here during the explosion, too," Raf gasped for air.

"Well, if it's solid, we can use it," I, then with the help from the kids, pushed Starscream's forearm so that it was facing Skyquake, servo first.

"Anyone know how to fire this thing? I don't see a trigger."

"Starscream curls a finger," I explained and sat back down. The kids were more than efficient enough to figure out and use the arm.

I inhale and exhale, regaining that floating sensation. The All-Spark welled up inside me, it tingles my fingers, both flesh and metal. Could feel the way it moved beneath my skin, the warmth it extruded.

Images flash before my closed eyes, I sieve through the endless knowledge I was submerged within.

Purification. Dark energon. Keywords. Cleansing…cleansing…cleans—there! Ahah! I wheeled it in, absorbing it. The information burned; the heat flushed my body. Symbols rapidly danced across my vision. My fingers itched to draw them.

"We have one shot. We need to make it count," Jack said as they got into position.

Skyquake came stumbling around the corner.

They fired the missile. It hit dead on.

I stretched the All-Spark out, opening my eyes, vision tinting golden at the edges.

"What the—"

I couldn't tell if Miko said that at the fact Skyquake clambered to his feet again or because I was glowing. Doesn't matter.

Golden tendrils escaped from the glow, lashing out at Skyquake as he crawled closer.

I could sense his agony, that pull on his spark even from the Well. I would not allow this disrespect to continue. Damn you Starscream.

I left the feeling of corporal being behind, delving deep within the frayed tether. He had no desire to return, he had found peace in beyond and I wasn't going to let that peace be disturbed any longer.

The dark energon felt repulsive, sickening. My stomach churned but I pressed onwards.

I sank deeper and deeper.

Rest, I hummed, feeling the All-Spark eat away at the poison, you can rest again.

Thank you, the impression whispers, falling back into peaceful dreams within the Well of Sparks. He awaited the day his twin would join him.

"Zelda?"

I was yanked back, coughing as iron invaded my senses. The All-Spark died down, I felt empty, drained. My head throbbed and I rubbed my nose.

A nosebleed.

"What just happened?" Raf questioned, voice wavering.

I swallowed, mouth full of cotton, "I cleansed the dark energon," I croaked, eyes falling upon the now still frame, that vile purple gone.

I staggered to my feet; Jack slung my arm over his shoulder.

"Anything happen while I was out?"

Starscream promptly arrived. Why? Did the dark energon shard he have sense something?

A ground bridge opened. Hope at last!

I didn't even bat an eye before darting for the Ground Bridge.

The kids yelled after me but ultimately followed.

"You—" Starscream balked at the sight of me, then the children, "Where did you vermin—"

The original portal closed. Another opened and out came Optimus.

"Thank the lord!" I cried, scampering over. Optimus knelt and I collapsed into his servo, exhausted. I choked on a sob at the pain. I hardly registered us all retreating back through the Ground Bridge and arriving at base.

"Here, here," Ratchet scooped me from Optimus' servo, "I'm taking a wild guess and saying you achieved what it was you were trying to do?"

I giggled, slurring: "I cured Skyquake of dark energon. Fuck you Starscream."

Thoroughly exhausted, I didn't even bother trying to hear what the kids were saying, most comfortable curled up in Ratchet's servos against his chassis.

"—And that," I smiled, "Is what happened."

Soundwave stared at me; I could feel his bewilderment. His holoform's expression barely twitched.

"What?" I pouted.

He sighed, :Sometimes I do not understand how such things happen to you.:

I laughed, petting Lazerbeak's helm when she preened up into my hand, "My life's always been…peculiar."

He eyed me warily through those dark glasses. Lazerbeak chirped and he looked away, a finger tugging at the collar of his shirt. Lazerbeak tittered and got comfortable.

I got the distinct smug feeling from the symbiote. I wonder what she said for Soundwave to get all shy.