At the autobots base, Jack was meditating before his spirit went into the well of the allspark.
( well )
Jack opened his eyes and was greeted by Optimus.
" Jack. I have been watching you ever since you became a Prime. " Optimus stated
" I know, Optimus. " Jack responded
" Words cannot describe how proud I am of you. You proved that you are who I truly saw when I first met you. " Optimus said, placing a hand on Jack's shoulder.
" Even if I destroyed the Omega Lock ? " Jack asked
" Do not let this fill your soul, Jack. I would have done the same thing had I been in your place. In fact, I wanted to do it but you have been faster than I. " Optimus reassured the boy, who smiled a bit.
" Our time is coming to an end. Jack, I feel that a change is coming and that Shockwave's creations will play a role in it. Tell our family, I am so proud of them. Tell Elita that I'll be waiting for us to be reunited in the allspark. " Optimus asked him before fading into light
( real World)
Jack awoke, with a determined look on his face.
" I won't let you down, Optimus. " He promised
As he got up, he got out of the base and looked at the night sky. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a voice calling out to him.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" Jack turned towards where the voice came from and found Arcee standing in front of the entrance with a smile on her face.
" Yes it is, just like you Arcee. " Jack responded, resulting in a blushing Arcee, who came near him.
" You were communicating with Optimus, weren't you ? " She asked him
" Yes, he told me to tell everyone he was so proud of you all. " Jack answered
Arcee smiled and sat alongside her partner, before he picked her up and placed her on his lap.
" You're enjoying our size difference, aren't you ? " She stated
" And you didn't when I was a human ? " He asked her, raising an eyebrow
Arcee smiled and recognized his point. " Okay, I did. "
" Say Arcee, would you like to see something amazing ? Just the two of us ? " Jack asked
" Are you asking me on a date, Jack ? " She teased him
" Well, when you put it like that. " Jack said, rubbing his neck
Arcee was glad that underneath this body many fembots would kill to touch, he still was the same young man she once called her junior partner.
" I'd love to go on a date with you, Jack. " She answered, making Jack smile
The two then went towards the groundbridge when they saw Ultra Magnus.
" Sir, are you going somewhere ? " Ultra Magnus asked
" Yes, Ultra Magnus. You and Elita-1 are in command until we come back. " Jack responded, inputing commands in the groundbridge
" From where ? " Ultra Magnus asked
" Tell the others that Arcee and I are on a date, they'll understand. " Jack answered before activating the groundbridge and him and Arcee crossed it.
Unseen by all, June was watching them and she smiled at her son and Arcee.
( forest, Oregon )
Arcee recognized the forest as the first place where she and Jack met Airachnid.
" Jack, why are we here again ? " She asked him
" Because I wanted an isolated place to do this. " Jack answered before transforming into his dragon form " Climb on my back, our true date begins. "
Arcee didn't waste time and climbed on his back, held on his neck and he took flight.
Soon the forest was like a speck to them. Arcee was amazed, seeing all of this from this point of view. When they reached the sky, she let go of Jack's neck with one hand and caressed the clouds, feeling them dissipate against her. She then let go of the neck and spread her arms.
" I'm flying, Jack. " She said in joy
Jack smiled at her enthusiasm and maintained the trajectory for a moment.
Just then, Jack took a dive, making Arcee hold on his neck while yelling in joy. Seconds before touching the ground, Jack pulled up.
The two lovers flew like this for a while until he landed in Mountains.
" That was so amazing, Jack. Thank you. " Arcee said, petting his head, resulting in him purring.
" I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Arcee. " Jack responded before transforming into robot mode
They sat on the ground, Arcee on Jack's lap, and they watched the Moon. But they slowly began to look at each other.
" God, she's beautiful. " Jack thought
" He's so handsome. " Arcee thought
The two stared at each other for a while before they slowly brought their lips together and kissed.
" I love you, Jack. " Arcee said after they broke the kiss
" I love you too, Arcee. " Jack said
They fell asleep, with Jack wrapping his wings over Arcee, who slept on his chest, keeping her warm.
But one hour later, Arcee awoke as a strange feeling went through her whole body, making her shiver as Jack awoke.
" Arcee, what's wrong ? " He asked
" Don't know... But feels so good. " She moaned in pleasure
" Do you want me to call the base ? " He asked, feeling very worried
" No ! I want to feel all of it ! " She protested
" Okay..." Jack said, very confused
Arcee then went through a transformation : She grew in size until she was the same height as Jack. Solid armor began to form around her exposed arms and legs while engorging what was already there, giving them a bulkier, more 'muscular' look to them. Her hips jutted outwards in all directions by a good two feet and her thighs could now soundly smother an entire couch in between them. The armor covering up her aft had melded into it before expanding outwards, revealing two immense, rounded sapphire-blue ass cheeks. Her torso had also bulked up and armored up to where it now matched Jack's with solid armor, The biggest expansion resided up in her breasts though, as the soft-metal mammaries swelled up to be slightly bigger than her own head, thankfully her breast plate had also grown to keep them contained.
Jack watched in shock what was happening but it wasn't over as light emanted from Arcee, forcing Jack to close his eyes. When he opened them, his jaw dropped for the sight before him was mind-blowing.
Arcee was now green on her lower legs and shoulders, red on her upper torso, knees and feet, orange on her lower arms, hands and midrift, and light blue on everything else; She was tall and had muscular arms and legs. She had built in armor over her shoulders and her feet resembled high-heel shoes. Her face looked similar to before, but two small curved metal crests stuck out of the sides of her forehead. She also had green wings with red metal membranes sticking out of her back with two talons attached to the tops of them.
After recovering from his shock, Jack asked a question to Arcee
" Are you alright, Arcee ? "
The fembot opened her optics, showing they were orange now.
" Yeah, I feel more than alright. I never felt more alive. " She answered
" But how is that possible ? " Jack asked
" I think it might have to do with the fossil we retrieved and that you reduced to dust. " Arcee theorized " Some may have entered into my body. "
" Oh god, Arcee ! I'm so sorry ! " Jack said, feeling guilty
" No, no, no, Jack. Don't apologize. You couldn't have possibly known about this. I'm not mad at you, Jack. And besides, I like this. " Arcee said
" Wait, seriously ? " Jack asked
" Seriously. I feel like I could take on anyone. " She said, flexing her 'muscles' " I mean, look at me. "
Jack then teasingly smiled. " Oh believe me, I am. "
Arcee responded with a flirty smirk and went towards him, swaying her hips. Then she took his hand and placed it on her hips while she placed her other hand on his shoulder.
" May have I this dance ? " She asked
" I'd love to. " Jack answered
Arcee picked a song on her radio and the two began to dance a slow, with only the Moon and stars as witnesses.
( Shockwave's lab)
The mood was significantly less joyous as Megatron and Starscream entered Shockwave's lab.
" Lord Megatron, the predacon army is almost fully grown and they will be combat ready in three Solar cycles. " Shockwave reported
" Well done, Shockwave. " Megatron congratulated him.
But heavy footsteps were heard, they turned back and saw the predacon arrive.
" Unruly beast, you dear to roam free without permission ! " Starscream berated it, striking it on the face with a rod.
But the predacon roared, making the seeker back off in terror and fell on the ground. And something incredible happened : The predacon transformed into a robot almost as huge as Dracarys. His shoulders are adorned with large spikes, as is his back and head. His wings also appear to be present on his back.
" Strike me again and I will bury that rod in your spark ! " The predacon threatened Starscream
" I- I didn't realized that the beast was capable of transformation. " Starscream stated, backing off
" Nor did I. " Megatron added, glaring at Shockwave
" I am no beast ! " The predacon yelled, before walking towards one of the pods containing predacon clones
" The ability to transform is a fundamental part of Cybertronian biology. We simply didn't possessed evidence that the predacon species ever reached that evolutionnary stage since they went extinct in the great cataclysm." Shockwave stated
" And now, we know. " Starscream dryly said
" So, the rumors are true, I will no longer be alone. " The predacon said
" And I see you've been keeping secrets. " Megatron stated
" It was not my intention to deceive you, Lord Megatron. I only recently became aware of my abilities. All I remember of my beginning is hunting and battle, and the wounding of my pride. Thus I began to burn with questions : Who am I, where did I come from ? The warpship's data banks provided historical facts but still I possess no memory of my own past so I began to reconsider my own place in the present. And wonder, Could I be like the others ? That now I know. " The predacon explained
" Yet you are unique, miracle science, cloned by Shockwave, from Cybernucleic acid recovered from the remains of your mighty ancestors. " Megatron stated
" It is with my deepest gratitude for my creation that I pledge undying obedience to you, my one true master. But with more of my species soon to stride among us, I beg your permission to in turn lead them as a Predaking. " The predacon asked
" Your vision is boundless. " Megatron said
( Autobots base )
Ultra Magnus and Elita-1 were busy talking with their new liaison, Colonel Lennox.
" Is Dracarys Prime here, commander ? For I desire very much meeting him. " Lennox asked
" We apologize, colonel, Dracarys Prime went somewhere with scout Arcee on something he called a " date". " Ultra Magnus answered, making Elita and Lennox surprised
" Well, I guess you can tell him to call back when he returns. " Lennox said
" Excuse me, but what exactly is a date ? " Ultra Magnus asked
" Well, when two people really love each other, they go somewhere to confirm their feelings towards each other. " Lennox explained as best as he could.
" Are you saying that our leader and Arcee are lovers ? " Ultra Magnus asked, now understanding
" That's what he's saying commander. " Elita answered
" Well, as long as it doesn't affect their abilities, I guess we cannot complain. We will tell Dracarys to call you back, colonel. " Ultra Magnus admitted
" Understood, Lennox out. " The colonel said before cutting off the coms.
But as they turned, they saw the rest of the team, who apparently heard everything.
" I knew it ! Finally they hooked up ! " Miko yelled in joy
" I think everyone knew it, Miko. " Ironhide stated
June was crying in joy, which was unnoticed by all except Elita and Smokescreen.
" June, is something wrong ? " She asked
" No, Elita. Everything is all right. " June responded with a smile
" But I thought humans cried when they were afraid or sad. " Smokescreen asked, confused
" It's possible to cry when we are very happy. And I'm so happy that Jack and Arcee are finally together. " June said, drying her tears, with her hand.
" Oh, please. " Ratchet scoffed " What is there to be happy for ? I fail to understand what she see in him. "
Everyone glared at him, but no one more than June.
" And I fail to see who my son's dating is your business, Ratchet. " June said
" My business is that Arcee will not be the lover of the one who is responsible for Optimus's death and Cybertron's ruin. " Ratchet coldly said
" Still on that same old tune ?! Jack is not responsible for any of this, old jackass. If you want culprits, look into the mirror. " Miko said
" I was not the one who destroyed the Omega Lock ! " Ratchet yelled back " It is that freak of nature ! Arcee should have let Airachnid kill him ! "
June was becoming more enraged by Ratchet's insults and a strange feeling coursed through her veins. She held her body as she was transforming under the shocked eyes of everyone. She began to grow in size until she reached Megatron's height.
Dark green metal began to cover her whole body, her legs fused together to form an elongated serpentine tail. June now had slender arms and spiked plates on her shoulder, claws at the ends of delicate fingers, and a notably busty chest.
But it was her head that was the most interesting : The face was feminine, slender and strong but shorter than Airachnid's, in comparison and crowning over her head was a mass of cables, dancing as if with a will of their own and it took a moment longer to realize that each cable had a serpent head at the end of them. They all hissed and took in their surroundings, then fanned down into a slender crest, imitating June's ponytail. Another detail about each cabled snake was that their backs were lined with serrated spines, giving the ponytail a deadlier appearance. When June opened her eyes, they shined with the same golden color as Jack's.
" Er, Mrs Darby. Are you alright ? " Rafael asked
" I am fine, Rafael. And I'll be better after this. " June answered, before coiling around Ratchet and squeezing very hard.
" Now you will listen here, you no-good, filthy piece of junk ! It's your fault we are even in this predicament! If you would've picked the kids and myself up, none of this would have happened. I won't tolerate anyone insulting my son when he's not here ! This isn't about your precious Cybertron, it ceased to be when you all came to our planet. You can deny it all you want but the reality remains that your refusal to do what all the others did in being friends with the kids and taking care of them cost us our base, Jasper and Optimus. He would be so disappointed in you." She berated the medic before releasing him
The autobots were stunned to see this side of June but they could understand her anger.
" Now I feel better. " June said
Just then Jack began to call them.
" Guys, Could you send us a groundbridge ? " He asked
" On it, boss. " Jazz said before activating the vortex
" Just promise us, you won't scream. " Arcee precised
The two lovers arrived and everyone's eyes widened seeing Arcee's new form. And Jack and Arcee saw June, and their jaws dropped.
" What happened in there ? " Jack asked
" That's the thing, boss. It just happened right now. She just finished yelling at Ratchet who still blamed you for everything that happened the last few days. " Wheeljack said " And what happened to Arcee ? "
Arcee and Jack told them about their mission where they found a predacon bone that they destroyed.
" So the cna must have altered Arcee to what she is now but that doesn't explain June's state. " Bulkhead said
" Actually, I think I know : When Knockout captured Fowler and I, The box containing the talon broke apart and I cut my hand on the fossil. There must have been enough Cna to transform me. " June corrected him, before moving to the groundbridge controls
" What are you doing, mom ? " Jack asked
" Opening a groundbridge to Ratchet's new exiling ground : The harbinger. " She responded
" What ?! You can't do that. " Ratchet protested
" I'm sorry Ratchet, but she's right. We can't trust you anymore. I told you the only reason I wasn't banishing you is because you are the only medic around. Well now, you aren't anymore. My mother has been studying Cybertronian medicine and Raf can handle groundbridge control. " Jack said
" Optimus wouldn't have wanted that. " Ratchet sighed
" Yeah but I'm not Optimus, I'm Dracarys. We'll still send you energon but as long as you have not think about everything that happened, we won't allow you to return here. " Jack said
Ratchet turned towards the other autobots but Wheeljack, Smoke, Ironhide and Jazz glared at him, Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Elita were not looking at him, and Ultra Magnus looked at him with disaproval. So Ratchet sighed and went into the groundbridge.
" Know that nobody is taking any pleasure to it, Ratchet. " Jack said
" I know. " Ratchet muttered before disappearing.
( Nemesis )
Megatron, Starscream, Shockwave, Soundwave and Knockout were talking about Predaking.
" A former beast may fully believe himself to be a loyal servant but trust me, at a moment our royal highness realize his army is mightier than mine. We may have the vehicons and insecticons but predacons are a whole other power. " Megatron stated, speaking of his own experiences
" Evolution will lead to revolution. " Starscream added
" I am left with no other choice but to eradicate the predacon clones before they are provided with the opportunity to eradicate us. " Megatron decided
" Lord Megatron, you are not saying you intend to pull the plug on Shockwave's beloved experiments. " Knockout stated
" Your conclusion is most logical, my liege. " Shockwave stated
" But what'll happen when that big fire-breathing brute discovers our treachery ? " Knockout asked
" Why assume that we will be the one who will do the deed ? After all, if the pretty king was to discover that, Say, the autobots were responsible for wiping out his comrades, our resident beast might in turn destroy our hated enemies for us, or they destroy him. " Starscream suggested
Megatron thought about it and smirked at Starscream to show his approval.
( later, autobots base)
Jack and Arcee were helping June to adjust to her new body.
" I think I got it, even if I'll miss wearing high talons. " June said, slithering on the walls.
" If we're going to send you on the field, June, we may have to find you a new name. " Arcee said
" I thought about it. I'm like a Gorgon or something…" June said
" I don't think 'Medusa' will be a good name. " Jack said
" No, I actually thought about it : Nightviper. " June said
" That's actually a good name. " Arcee said
" That will be my new name. Nightviper. " June stated
( later, energon mine )
Jack, Arcee and June were exploring the mine, while the others were gathering the energon that they detected. But when they arrived in a more open space, they heard a moan of pain and its owner shocked them.
It was Airachnid, but she was in a really bad shape : Her left Optic had been ripped off, the left side of her face was melted, her legs were bent in ways no legs should be and several of her spider legs were impaling her arms and lower body.
" Airachnid ! " Jack yelled, running towards her.
" J-Ja... Jack. " She weakly said
" What happened, who did that to you ? " he asked
" Megatron... He used me... to vent... his anger. Shockwave... used me... as template... He used Dreadwing... Breakdown... Hardshell... and Silas... to create... predacons. " She explained
Arcee and June arrived and couldn't bring themselves to hate the spiderbot after seeing her state.
" Please, kill me. It's too painful. " Airachnid begged them
" No, we can help you. " June protested
" Too late... Shockwave... injected tox-en... in me. I don't want... to die like this. " Airachnid revealed " I'm sorry... for everything. "
Jack couldn't let her suffer like this, so he took one of his blades and stabbed Airachnid in her spark.
" Thank you, Jack... I love you. " She said, before her optics went offline.
" Rest in peace, Airachnid. " He whispered
The three then dug a hole, placed Airachnid inside and buried her.
But then a massive explosion was heard followed by a powerful roar.
" WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ! "
Jack and the girls ran as fast as they could towards the sound but even their speed couldn't guide them in the mine fast enough.
After minutes of wandering, they arrived in the ruins of a lab, with several pods destroyed and on the ground, were Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus, who had his hand crushed, struggling to get up. A huge robot they never saw before was walking towards Magnus, ready to finish him.
But Jack transformed into his dragon form and rammed into the robot, sending him into a wall. Dracarys then breathed fire at the ceiling, making it fall on the enemy.
He then allowed Wheeljack and Magnus to climb on his back and they all ran towards the exit and the groundbridge.
Predaking got out of the rubble and saw the killers of his brethren escaped with this unknown enemy.
" Raaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggghh ! You won't escape me ! I will kill you all, autobots ! " He roared
( autobots base )
The mood was really somber. All were waiting for June to give them news about Ultra Magnus state and she came back.
" I did all I could. I even called Ratchet but even he tells me that this is way beyond reparation so I had to give Ultra Magnus a prothesis. " June explained " But he will live and be ready to go in the field in at most three days."
" That is good to hear, June. " Jazz said
" I wanted to tell you something ever since we came back from our date but the events of the day stopped me to do so : I talked to Optimus in the well of the allspark. He told me tell you, that he was proud of all of us. Elita, he told me to tell you, he is waiting for you two to be reunited in the allspark. " Jack said, bringing back smiles on everyone's face.
( Shockwave's lab, secret room )
Deep in the Appalachian Mountains far from anyone the side of one of the mountains rocks blocking a cave began to move as something struck them from the inside, after several minutes the pounding got more intense. Finally the boulders fell away revealing a tunnel within. Several large shapes emerged and found themselves in the sunlight for the first time in their short lives.
The two largest among them raised their heads and basked in the breeze, they were finally free. Free from the pain, the darkness, from the confined spaces they had been trapped in. From the intense heat and shaking that had almost ended their lives. In a way it had been what had freed them.
Now finally free in this strange world they found themselves in. They gazed about in wonder before the largest members motioned for them to move so they could find a safe place to take shelter. A place safe from the red optic being that had caused them so much pain and fear.
an : Another chapter completed.
Next Time : The autobots and Decepticons meet the survivors of Shockwave's lab.
