Megatron had sent his forces to track any of the autobots and humans who had escaped the destruction of the base. But he didn't know he had been really close to find his sworn enemy, Optimus Prime.
( in a cave )
Smokescreen was dragging a heavily wounded Optimus until they reached a more open space in the cave. The rookie then placed Optimus against a wall.
" Easy Optimus, I got you. " Smokescreen reassured his leader.
" Smokescreen ? How ? " Optimus asked
" When Ratchet used the groundbridge to send me away, I immediately turned back and I hide using the phase shifter. But when I returned, the base was already destroyed. I took you away while they were busy digging up the Forge and Airachnid. " Smokescreen explained
( On a road )
Arcee was heading towards a building, with Jack and Sierra on her vehicle mode.
" I need to stretch my circuits, guys. " She said, before they got off her and she transformed into her robot mode. The three then sat against the wall.
" I'm sorry you were pulled into this mess, Sierra. " Jack apologized
" Don't apologize Jack, I know none of you are responsible for this. I'm more worried about my parents well-being. " Sierra answered
" I'm sure they are fine, Sierra. Agent Fowler would have his forces evacuate the town. " Arcee reassured her.
Arcee and Jack then explained to Sierra how it all bagan
( On Cybertron )
Knockout and some Vehicons were seeking the Iacon artefacts that were still on the Omega Lock's location.
" So far we have the polarity Gauntlet, the immobilizer and the Apex Armor. Still no trace of the phase shifter ? " Knockout asked
" Not yet, Commander Knockout." a vehicon answered
" Too bad, I liked that trinket. " Knockout shrugged
" Something is coming towards us. " Another warned them
The Decepticons then took out their weapons when a cybertronian tank arrived and changed into robot mode. A very tall cybertronian, grey and purple with a cannon replacing his left arm and a single red optic on his square head.
Knockout, shocked, recognized him in an instant.
( With Smokescreen and Optimus )
Smoke returned where he left Optimus.
" I seeked everywhere but I couldn't find any of Ratchet's medical supplies. " Smokescreen explained
" The Forge..." Optimus struggled to say
" What ? " Smoke asked
" The Forge... of Solus Prime. " Optimus clarified
" Of course ! You could use the Forge to heal yourself. I'm going to find it. " Smokescreen said before going out.
( With Megatron )
Knockout returned from his scavenge hunt.
" Knockout, I could really use some good news. " Megatron said
" My Lord, I found some things on Cybertron, and someone. " Knockout responded, stepping aside.
The cybertronian Knockout found walked through the spacebridge, earning a look of terror from Starscream.
" He is alive ?! " The seeker asked
" Shockwave. Just the tactical advantage I need. " Megatron stated, smirking
" Lord Megatron. " Shockwave greeted, bowing
" Shockwave, I thought you perished on Cybertron. " Megatron said, looking at Starscream
" Reports of my demise were exagerated. I pursued two autobots inside my Spacebridge, but I miscalculated my chances. I was left for dead, blinded on our dead planet. For three stellar cycles, I continued my projects until my computers detected the activation of the Omega Lock. I journeyed there and met Knockout and his escort. " Shockwave explained before turning towards Starscream " Which left me to wonder why was I left for dead ? "
" Well, the core of the spacebridge was unstable and the last thing we saw was you entering it, we never saw you come back. " Starscream answered
" Your answer seems logical. " Shockwave stated
( With Jack, Arcee and Sierra )
The trio were continuing their way when a cybertronian space ship arrived and landed in front of them. Arcee took out her blasters while Jack took the Star Saber and placed Sierra behind him. The ramp of the ship opened and four cybertronians got out.
The first was one Cybertronian with a black and white scheme and a blue visor over his optics. He was as tall as Smokescreen.
The second was a bulky red bot as tall as Bulkhead and looking heavily armed.
The thid was a pink fembot as tall as Optimus with a horned helmet.
And the last was a blue bot as tall as Optimus, having large shoulders and looking stern.
" I think there's still hope. Guys, I present you Jazz, Ironhide, Elita-1 and Ultra Magnus." Arcee stated
( With Smokescreen )
While the decepticons were busy, Smokescreen had taken the Forge of Solus Prime after having a jump scare because of Airachnid's stasis pod. He dragged it back into the cave.
" Optimus, I have the forge, we can heal you. " Smoke said, with joy.
" Not for me. " Optimus said
" What ? Why ? " The shocked Smokescreen asked
" The Forge must be used to repair the Omega Lock... to restore Cybertron. " Optimus explained
" No Optimus, we need you. We need the last Prime. " Smokescreen denied
" There will be a new Prime. And we both know him. Smokescreen, take the Matrix, find our family and the Matrix will be passed on. " Optimus said before his optics went offline.
" Optimus, no ! " Smokescreen yelled
Optimus's torso opened and Smokescreen saw the Matrix of Leadership
" This is not how the story is supposed to end. " Smokescreen stated before dragging the Forge and placing its handle into the hand of Optimus, but nothing happened.
" No, Please, work, save him, please. " Smokescreen begged
But there was still nothing. Optimus Prime was truly dead and nothing would bring him back. Smokescreen fell on his knees and closed his optics.
( minutes ago, Optimus's mind )
Optimus was talking with Alpha Trion.
" Optimus, my old student. The time is near. Take my hand and come to rest in the well of the Allspark. " The old Prime stated
" I cannot Alpha Trion. There will be no more Prime after my demise. " Optimus refused
" You are wrong Optimus, there is another who is worthy. You choose him yourself. " Alpha Trion responded
" This burden will be far too heavy for him. " Optimus protested, knowing who it was
" As was carrying the Key to Vector Sigma, your memories and the Star Saber, and yet he did it. Trust him like you always did. " Alpha Trion responded
Optimus realized his old mentor was right and he took his hand.
( Real World )
Smokescreen was still mourning Optimus death when Alpha Trion's Ghost appeared before him.
" Smokescreen. " Alpha Trion called
" Alpha Trion ! " Smokescreen responded
" You have grown during your time on Earth. You have proven yourself as an autobot warrior. Take the Matrix and the Forge of Solus Prime and find the others. " Alpha Trion asked Smokescreen before sending him the coordinates of the Harbinger.
( With Jack, Arcee and Sierra )
Jazz was walking towards Arcee and hugged her.
" Hey there, CeeCee. " Jazz said
" Hey Jazz. Long time no see. " Arcee responded
" CeeCee ? " Jack asked, making Arcee turn towards him.
" Only him, Cliff and you can call me that and not being hurt. " She explained
" I'd like to talk with good old Cliff but we have issues. " Jazz said
" Just who are they ? " Sierra asked
" Jazz was Cliff's old partner in the War, Ironhide is our greatest weapon specialist and Elita-1 and Ultra Magnus are Optimus seconds in command. Magnus is really by the Book, just go with it. " Arcee explained
" Soldier, we were travelling past this system when we detected a strange energy signature. we tracked the signal, leading us to this planet, finding Autobots signals." Ultra Magnus said
" Yours was the nearest, Arcee, so here we are. " Elita added
" We also detected decepti-scum signals and their fortress. " Ironhide said
" They destroyed our base and forced us on the run. " Arcee explained
" Then time is against us. Come. " Ultra Magnus said
They all entered the ship and went towards two other autobots signals. They then saw a huge blue smoke erupting.
" Yeah, that's Wheeljack, Bulkhead and Miko all right. " Jack said
They saw the three were attacked by...
" A dragon ?! Where did the decepticons found a dragon ? " Sierra asked
" What's a dragon ? " Jazz and Ironhide asked
" That ! A Giant lizard that fly and breath fire. " Jack answered
Magnus opened fire on the dragon, making it crash on the ground, then he placed his ship near the ground and opened the ramp, which let Bulkhead and Wheeljack run in the ship, with Miko being carried by the green wrecker.
Magnus then closed the ramp.
" Jack ! " Miko yelled
" Arcee ! " Bulkhead said
The two hugged their friends while Wheeljack saw who were with them.
" Hey Iron, It's been a while. " He said to the red bot
" Glad to see you again, Jackie. " Ironhide said, before Wheeljack saw Magnus
" You ?! " The white wrecker said
" Ultra Magnus, Elita-1 ? It's a great honor. " Bulkhead greeted
" A great honor, Commanders. " Magnus corrected
" Don't mind him, Bulkhead. " Elita said
" The dragon is still behind us. " Jack said, before invoking his armor and opening the ramp
" What are you doing, kid ? " Jazz asked
" What he does best. " Arcee said.
Jack then swinged the Star Saber, making an energy wave that strucked the metallic dragon and sent it to crash on the ground. The ramp then closed.
" You're awesome, Jack ! " Miko said, awestruck with the blushing Sierra nodding
" Good job Partner. " Arcee said with pride
" Good one, Jack. " Jazz said
Ironhide smirked and let out huge cannons on his arms. " Feeling lucky, punk ? "
" Ironhide ! " Elita scolded
" Just kidding, I wanted to show that soldier my big cannons. " Ironhide explained
" If my dad was here, he would beg you to let him use them. " Jack commented
" Jack, thank you for saving us. " Elita said
The ship continued its way until they arrived near the Harbinger where were waiting Ratchet, Bumblebee who now had a new color scheme, June and Rafael.
Everyone got out of the ship and June hugged her son while Raf and Miko hugged each other
Bumblebee hugged Arcee and Bulkhead while Ratchet greeted the new autobots. They were soon joined by Fowler, whom Ratchet contacted earlier.
" Our team is near whole, only Optimus and Smokescreen are missing. " Bulkhead said
The sound of a loud engine roaring toward them was heard. Most of the autobots took their blasters until the car was visible.
" Wait, It's Smokescreen. " Arcee said
Everyone put their blasters away. Before long Smokescreen was in front of them with the Forge of Solus Prime on the roof of his car mode. Though instead of his usual fast transformation from vehicle mode to bot, he seem to shift at an extremely slow pace, as if he did not wish to face them. By the time he finished transforming, everyone knew that something weighed heavily on Smokescreen.
" Smoke, what's wrong ? " Jack asked
Smokescreen refused to meet anyone in the eye as his gaze shifted downward. "Optimus...is dead." he sadly stated
A heavy silence hung throughout the area as everyone seemed to try and process that particular peace of information. The bots all could not seem to fathom such a thought. Ratchet was muttering "Optimus...we needed you.", Fowler hanged his head in sorrow, June had tears welling up in her eyes while covering her mouth in shock. Miko and Raf were hugging each other, for some amount of comfort and they were crying. Jack was silently letting tears fall from his eyes, while Sierra was hugging him.
" How did you know ? " Ratchet asked
"I...returned to base soon after I evacuated the base. I was to follow Optimus' orders, but I just couldn't do it. So I managed to sneak back to base with the help of the Phase Shifter that I managed to sneak back from Cybertron, only to find that the base had been totally flattened. I managed to find Optimus, badly damaged in in severe need of repairs. I knew I couldn't drag Optimus without being caught, so I brought him deep underground where our signals would not be found. I waited for Optimus to regain some amount of strength so that we could head out and find you guys, but before he could, he told me to...take the Matrix of Leadership from him and pass it on." Smokescreen explained, before pulling out said Matrix, glowing lightly under the setting sun. "After that he said that there would be a new Prime...before he offlined."
Suddenly the Matrix of Leader ship began floating out of Smokescreen's hands and towards the ground. Similarly, the Key to Vector Sigma also began floating towards the Matrix, causing Jack to be dragged along before pulling the chain off of himself.
A sudden voice boomed throughout the clearing. "Kneel, Jackson Thomas Darby." The voice commanded. Jack did so without hesitation, his head bowed. "I am Primus, I speak to you now from across the cosmos. Though Optimus no longer stands among the living and his spirit has joined with the AllSpark, I have sensed within you the very same traits that I once saw in Orion Pax." Primus spoke.
Behind Jack, every single person stood in awe and disbelief. Primus, the very life giver of their kind was speaking to Jack from across the cosmos. Even the humans were in awe at the fact that their Autobots own version of god was speaking to Jack.
"Your actions and descisions, while not always right, were done so in order to protect others from harm. You have shown tremendous amounts of courage, resourcefulness and the will to never back down. Though it pains me to burden you with this responsibility, I know that you will rise to the occasion, just as Optimus did; to become someone worthy of being called a Prime." Primus stated, causing everyone to drop their jaw in amazement and shock.
But one wasn't in agreement with Primus.
" Lord Primus. We can't allow that human to be the next prime. Surely you know that it is him who destroyed the Omega Lock and condemned you too remain as you are. It is because of him that Cybertron will remain lifeless and Optimus is dead." Ratchet protested, earning outraged looks from everyone
" Silence Ratchet ! I know perfectly well what Jackson did. I would have done the same thing. I prefer to stay in my current state than being heal at the price of another planet being destroyed. " Primus said
" Hum, excuse us but just what happened ? " Jazz asked
Primus showed him, Ironhide, Wheeljack, Magnus and Elita what happened on Cybertron while Team Prime was glaring at Ratchet.
" Ratchet, "Let me get this straight. You didn't pick Miko and Raf up from school while we were away? "
"Do you really think I had time babysitting a bunch of humans, when the fate of Cybertron was in our hands?! Besides, what were all of you thinking, surrendering the keys to Megatron? We had one shot in fixing all of this. ONE SHOT! And yet, you threw it all away to save them! You should've declined Megatron's offer and regenerated the planet, like we were supposed to do." Ratchet contested
" And let our friends and Sierra die in the toxic atmosphere of our planet? You expected us to do that?" Bulkhead said
" In an effort to save our home and the surviving Cybertronians and end the war that lasted centuries long. Let me guess… YES! " Ratchet spat
Rafael began to cry, making Sierra hugged him while the rest of the team were shocked by Ratchet's statement
" So that's it then huh? That's it?! After all they have done for us, all the risks and sacrifices they did for our cause, you want us to forget about them? They've done everything for us ever since they came into our lives and they made us feel like we were a part of their family. Yet you expect us to restore our planet while they die on it? Can you imagine the guilt we would have if we brought Cybertron back to life, yet our friends won't be around to see it?! " Arcee asked in anger
" And what about my mom ? Do you think I would want to move on with my life with her death floating around my conscience?! I already lost my father and my cousin! I would never lose my mom over an old bastard's compulsion to come home ! " Jack added, shocking those who never saw him angry. Which means everyone
" Guess what, Doc ?! Our home is already here. I am here for a few days at most and I already considered this world another home. But you never knew it because you never wanted to get out of the base. " Smokescreen said
" For the past three years, we've seen amazing places our planet doesn't have while we made great friends with the kids, while you spent most of your life stuck on monitor duty and in the med bay. You never cared about this planet, or its inhabitants, or even the kids to begin with. All you care about is your precious Cybertron and how you wanted to return when it was restored. Well guess what… That choice you made in not taking the kids has cost us EVERYTHING! We now lost a centuries long war, the only chance in restoring our planet is gone, our base is destroyed, Jasper is nothing more than a mere wasteland, and Optimus, has now joined the Well of the All Sparks. Now the Decepticons have a fortress on this planet doing who knows what and Shockwave is back. All this because you didn't want to do the most basic task we've been doing for months. You're no Autobot Ratchet… What you are is an overly obsessive, selfish, cranky, home sick, sparkless, miserable piece of scrap! Worse yet… You are nothing more than another Starscream…" Bulkhead added
" And now you have the gall to blame Jack for your bullshit. You're pathetic. " Arcee finished
The other autobots had finished to see what Primus wanted them to see and Primus dragged the Forge of Solus Prime.
" Jackson, touch the forge and fulfill your Destiny. " Primus said
Jack did what Primus said and was filled with power unlike anything he ever felt before.
( Inside Jack's mind )
Jack was now standing in front of Prima, Solus and Onyx.
" We meet again, Jackson Darby. " Prima stated
" We come to you at the turn of the tide. " Solus said
" The clone of my children is one of many Shockwave could create if their remains were to be found. " Onyx Prime added
" The dragon ? " Jack asked
" Yes. He is a predacon, the lifeforms who predated the cybertronians like the dinosaurs predated humans. " Onyx explained
" We give you those gifts to continue the fight against Megatron. " Prima stated
The three Primes waved their hands and the young man was refformatted. The Star Saber entered his body, his wrist blades were now binded by chains.
( Real World )
The Key then floated towards the still kneeling and head bowed Jack, where it allowed itself to be hung around from Jack's neck from the metal chain it was attached to. The Matrix then began glowing until it blinded everyone from what was going on. The sound of shifting metal was heard until it stopped and the light dimmed to the soft glow that came from a now shrunken Matrix. This Matrix however, was not the same shape it was in before, rather it had a orange hollow shell where a large ball of blue crystal was held within. On either side of the shell were two handles that had four holes where fingers would presumably slot in.
Jack was now a giant even by Cybertronian standards. Ultra Magnus estimated Jack was now head and shoulders taller than Megatron himself. Jack was heavily plated with a strange black scaly armor that looked almost completely organic and yet shined like metal. The Robot's chest was adorned with a bizarre set of corkscrewed horns attached to what appeared to be the skull of a reptile. Its shoulders fanned out with more horns and curved up like blades. His arms were muscular-looking and ended with clawed hands. Like his arms, its legs were thickly spiked and ended with three massive claws for feet.
On his back were two folded appendages that looked like serrated swords folded in. Upon his head was a helm that coiled up into two corkscrewed horns with a few bladed edgings that made up a forehead protector, giving the helm a crown-like resembles. The face was red and his eyes had started to open to reveal glowing golden optics.
Everyone was awed by this transformation.
" Arise, Dracarys Prime. Leader of the Autobots, Key Bearer of Vector Sigma and Blademaster of the Primes. May you lead the Autobots to victory." Primus intones before the Matrix of Leadership slammed into Jack's open armored chest before it slammed shut.
Arcee came near her now gigantic partner, being barely above his knees. She was in awe of his powerful body, his golden optics.
" What do we do now, Sir ? " Magnus asked with respect
Jack stayed silent for a moment before speaking in a way deeper voice that sent shivers down the humans spines. ( Smaug's voice )
" We destroy the fusion cannons and Megatron's fortress. " Jack said
" And how are we supposed to do that ? " Smokescreen asked
" Wheeljack, do you think you could make a strong explosive ? " Jack asked
" If we had time and means, I could but we have neither. " Wheeljack answered
" Sir, if I may. I carry in my ship a stockpile of weapons and explosives for such an occasion." Ultra Magnus spoke up
" It's a given when I am aboard. " Ironhide added, smirking
Jack nodded in understanding. " Very well. Mom, Miko, Raf and Sierra, you will be Groundbridging to different parts of the globe to pull as much of the Decepticon's forces away from Darkmount. Once that's done, we will split into two teams; Bulkhead, Ironhide, Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus, you will cause a distraction that will pull the Decepticon forces to you. Arcee, Smokescreen, Jazz, Elita and Bumblebee will be infiltrating Darkmount with the bomb to disable the Fusion Cannon while Ratchet will be handling the Groundbridge and communications."
" Are you sure we can trust him, sir ? He commited a grave fault by his neglect. " Ultra Magnus asked
" The only reason I am not banishing him is because he is the only medic available. " Jack answered before turning towards Fowler. " Agent Fowler, you think you can gather enough pilots to destroy the fortress once the Fusion Cannon is down?"
" We'll do that with great pleasure, Jack. " Fowler answered
" What about the predacon ? " Jazz asked
" Ratchet, you will open a groundbridge to send it to Antarctica, Ultra Magnus will bait it with his ship. " Jack said
"What about you, Jack? What will you be doing?" June asked.
"Occupying Megatron's attention." Jack answered
Everything was going according to plan. After June, Miko, Sierra and Raf revealed their position to the Decepticons across the globe, he sent the distraction team in first, with Ultra Magnus quickly sending the dragon to Antarctica. Once he had confirmation that it was a success, he sent in the infiltration team. Now he was watching as his plan was coming to fruition.
He saw Bulkhead, WheelJack and Ultra Magnus hold their own against Shockwave and his forces from behind Ultra Magnus' ship. He looked up to see that the Nemesis was still docked at the top of the fortress. A little further below he saw the large cannon, awaiting orders to fire.
Jack placed his fingers on the side of his head where the comms were. "Dracarys Prime to Infiltration Team; what's your status?" he asked.
"Security is slightly tighter then we were hoping, but we're closing in on the weapons control. ETA to target is 7 minutes." Arcee responded as he heard blaster fire.
"Understood Arcee. Send your confirmation to Agent Fowler when your done so that he can begin his own phase of the plan." Jack stated before shutting off communications. "Now, to keep Megatron busy."
Jack then was groundbridged by Ratchet near the Battlefield and ran towards the tower. He jumped, launched his blades, pulled which ascended him higher, took his blades and climbed until he reached the top.
Once there Jack took out his wrist blasters, now looking like Optimus's old blasters, and began shooting at whatever Vehicons stood in his way. Once the area was clear, Jack grabbed onto the Vehicon's wrist where the communicator was and spoke clearly.
"Megatron! I know you're in there, come out of your ship you coward!" Jack said, hoping to push Megatron into a fight.
A GroundBridge open in front of him, with Megatron slowly stepping out.
"Who are you to call me a coward?" Megatron asked, with a look of fury upon his face.
" I'm actually hurt that you don't remember me, Meg. After all, you told me to seize the day while being pinned down by rocks in that mine. " Jack responded
Megatron's optics widened. " Jack. " He whispered
" Now that's Dracarys Prime. And you'll answer for all your crimes. " Jack stated
Megatron stared at him for a moment before cackling. "You? A puny human became a Prime ? Tell me where Optimus is and I might let you live." Megatron offered.
" Optimus is now one with the Allspark. I am his successor. " Jack answered
" Optimus Prime doomed your planet if he named a human as leader of the autobots. " Megatron taunted
" Even now, you remain an arrogant piece of scrap. " Jack responded
Megatron snarled and took out his sword arm and charged at Jack. He then brought down his sword but Jack caught it with his bare hands.
" Megatron, be gone. " Jack said
He then broke the sword and cut off Megatron's right arm with it. He then stepped on Megatron's cannon, breaking it. Then he punched the warlord sending him against his throne.
BOOM!
That was the first thing that Jack registered before the sudden shaking of the entire fortress followed. He could only hope that the Infiltration Team had done their job.
"Arcee to all forces, The Fusion Cannon has been neutralized. I repeat, the Fusion Cannon has been taken care of, We are going to help the distraction team." Arcee's voice radioed over the comms.
"This is Agent Fowler, we copy Arcee. SkyStrikers, take off and destroy Darkmount." Fowler ordered.
A scream of rage was heard behind him. Jack quickly turned around and saw that Megatron was quickly getting back to his feet and rushed towards him. But Jack gave him an uppercut, then he slammed him on the floor and threw him from the tower.
Dracarys then jumped from the tower and landed behind Shockwave, who was fighting Ironhide and Bulkhead. He seized the Cyclops and threw him away. At this moment, jet fighters arrived and shoot missiles, which destroyed the tower.
" Ratchet, we need a groundbridge. " Jack called
A groundbridge opened and the autobots went through it.
( days later )
The team was reunited inside a military base where everyone was celebrating their victory.
" Jack, Optimus made the right choice by trusting you with our most important relics. I'll be willing to follow you to the end of the universe, as I had been to follow Optimus. " Elita said
" She's right, Jack. You led us through this like Optimus would have. He'd be so proud of you. " Arcee added
Not far from here, June was still wrapping her head around everything that happened when Jazz looked at her.
" What your son did was the bravest thing I ever saw. You should be proud of him. " He said
June looked at him and responded " I am. "
Nobody knew what the future would give them but they would face it together.
Next Time : The predacon's evolution.
