Guest #1: Hmm, we'll see how things play out.

Yubel578: Thanks, I was slightly disappointed with a few things in RID as well.

CaptainShort19: Once, I refused to ship any parings when it came to Transformers, but now, well, I changed. Yes, several characters will be returning, as of right now, their roles are currently minor, but I plan to change that in the future.

Just A Guy From Earth: I think I've read nearly every single Arcee/Jack story I can find in a matter of a month, and if things play out that way, then this story may very well end up as one.

Guest #2: I can see where you came from, if it does end up happening, it'll be because the plot played out that way.

Drager: No fake prime, I think the war changed everyone's opinion on a prime who wasn't gifted a relic of the Primes from Primus himself.

Guest #3: If things play out that way, then sure, it will be a Arcee/Jack story, but that is up to the plot, and me brain.

A Relic Lost

Arcee groaned as she emerged from stasis. The first thing to greet her optics was a blinding light. Voices echoed about. Her surroundings started to come into shape, her vision blurred. A figure kneeled before her, checking something upon his arm.

"How is she, Skydive?" Silverbolt's voice reached her audio receptors. She noticed the Aerialbot commander, hand resting upon Skydive's shoulder.

The Aerialbot medic sighed, blue optics meeting Silverbolt's gaze. "I'm no Lifeline, so my medical expertise is limited." Skydive began, checking his scanners. "Operating systems are fine, Energon levels are stable. There's nothing wrong that I can detect with my internal scanners."

Silverbolt nodded. "That'll do." He said, moving around as he kneeled down beside Arcee. "How are you holding up Ma'am?" He asked, helping the female bot to her feet.

Arcee placed a hand to her head. "Other than a pounding within my memory banks, I'm fine." She replied, glancing over her team. She glanced at Air Raid, then back at Silverbolt. "Silverbolt, head back to base and prep the Trion for launch. Air Raid, Skydive, with me."

Silverbolt watched Arcee closely, something had happened to her. That much he knew. Their plan had been to go in with the team. "That wasn't the plan Ma'am." He said, stepping forward.

Arcee shook her head. "It's the plan now, so roll with it." She responded, a small hint of annoyance in her words. "Air Raid, Skydive and I will retrieve the relic and return to Iacon, we'll join up there."

Silverbolt frowned, something wasn't right. But he'd have to get answers later. "Alright Ma'am. Aerialbots, Chromia, return to the Trion." He said, taking to sky, body shifting as he blasted away.

Chromia eyed her twin closely. "Be careful." She said, and with a nod from Arcee, took off.

Arcee turned to face the remaining two. "Let's hurry, the sooner we get this relic, the quicker we can be on our way." She said, walking forward.

Air Raid glanced at Skydive. "Nothing wrong huh." He muttered, heading after Arcee.

Skydive rolled his optics. "Nothing wrong that I could detect with my own scanners, Air Raid." He mumbled to himself, trailing after the two.

Crystal City wasn't what they thought. The city itself was a giant fortress. The statues that decorated its walls stood tall, each of them ancient in their own right. The gates towered above them, the words of the ancients written all over.

"I thought we were headed to Crystal City, not a fortress." Air Raid said, optics sweeping the massive structure built into the crystalline towers.

Arcee paused in her steps, optics narrowed as she observed the gates. "The city itself is built beyond the vaults." She explained, pressing a hand against the gates. "We just need to get inside without activating any security measures left in place by the ancients."

Air Raid rolled his optics. "Joyful." He muttered, observing the wall closely. "So how do we get in?"

Skydive narrowed his gaze, stepping close to the gate. "If I may Ma'am, these doors appear to be quite old and fragile. A little extra force should get us inside.."

Arcee glanced at Skydive, his idea was sound. Another look over the ancient walls reveal the place to have no energy flow. "No power." Air Raid thought aloud.

She nodded in agreement. "No chance for alarms or auto turrets to go off." She went on, noting their luck. "Come on, let's get these doors open. The sooner we get this relic, the better."

"Place already gives me the creeps." Air Raid muttered, moving to help the others.

The large gates swung inwards, revealing a large courtyard. Several fallen remains littered the place, all of them rusted from eons spent alone. Empty fountains stood dormant, long dried up of any Energon they might've once used.

"Wonder what caused the ancients to abandon the city?" Skydive wondered, taking in all the details he could.

Air Raid shook slightly. "I don't really want to know the reason." He replied, optics falling upon the heavily damaged bodies, all mutilated to the point of being unrecognisable.

Cyclonus moved, red optics watching the shadows for movement. He wasn't sure why, but Skywarp deployed him to Crystal City, to play fetch of all things. He was a warrior, not some pet for others to send on errands that a meager drone could do. Granted, the Seeker had contacted him with great risk of the Autobots detecting the message.

Behind him, Demolishor walked, the Con was one of Megatron's most loyal followers during his rise to frame. A deadly foe, but not without his annoyances. "You have any idea why the boss wants this… what's it called again?" Demolishor questioned.

Not far behind, Barricade moved. The Con had been a part of Megatron's spy network, routing out defectors, spies and traitors. After Cybertron went dark, he and Demolishor struck up a partnership, continued to rout out rogue Cons throughout the stars, all the while, keeping an eye out for Megatron. "Emberstone." He supplied, providing his partner with the word he looked for.

"Yeah, any idea why the boss wants the Emberstone?"

Quake growled menacingly, his clawed hands clenched tightly, optics narrowed as he pushed past the two, making his way for Cyclonus. Quake was one of those silent Cons, not by choice either. Before the war, the council had subjected him to torture, hoping to figure out the source of his unnatural strength.

Barricade smirked, watching the events before him. "Nice going partner, you managed to annoy big bad silent."

Demolishor rolled his remaining optic. "Not like I insulted him."

Cyclonus listened to the bickering, he groaned internally. "Be quiet." He snapped, pausing in his movements, optics narrowed as a smirk formed upon his lips. "The Autobots are here, no doubt after the very same relic we are."

Quake growled, making a display of activating his weapon systems, a red glow illuminated him. Cyclonus shook his head. "We have the element of surprise, Quake. Unless we it is necessary, we will not engage the Autobots."

Quake powered his weapons down, growling in disappointment. Barricade stepped forward. "You'll get your chance, Quake." Quake growled in response. Barricade sighed. "We can't go out in the open like we use to. Our forces are limited, weakened in number and strength." He explained.

Quake nodded, optics moving over their small force of Vehicons. He hated all the sneaking and silence, not being able to fight the Bots head on. He annoyed him to no end, his joy and passion, his revenge against those who had tortured him during the so-called Golden Age of Cybertron had to be put on hold.

"Quit reflecting and hurry up, if we linger here too long, the Autobots will get the Emberstone before we do." Barricade called, knocking the silent Con from his thoughts.

Arcee frowned as she paused in her steps. Something wasn't right, nothing was right. She had a feeling, her spark was pulsing hard, warning her of something. Glancing around, she tried to find what was causing this feeling of unease.

Nothing caught her sight, only the thick, metal plating of the vault walls was around. Skydive and Air Raid close by, both of them in their own worlds. The turrets had long been deactivated, blown to bits by some unknown force.

"You ok ma'am?" Skydive asked, coming to her side.

Arcee nodded. "Yeah, just that something doesn't seem right."

Air Raid rolled his optics. "We're walking through an ancient vault, it's security turrets blown to bits by some unknown power, of course something doesn't seem right."

Skydive sighed. "Cut it, Air Raid. Our commander's gone through worse than we have."

Air Raid stepped forward. "I know that Skydive, I wouldn't be serving under her command if I didn't."

"We served under others, not knowing what they've been through. The least you can do is learn to be silent." Skydive retorted.

Air Raid stood in front of Skydive, optics narrowed as he leaned in. "I can be silent when I wish. But no one's around Skydive, there's no one to hear us, to give our presence away to."

Arcee sighed in annoyance. "Enough, the both of you. Bickering like siblings won't get us anywhere." She crossed her arms, optics narrowed. "We've got a relic to retrieve, and a ship to get back to. You can continue your argument there."

Her words silenced the two, Arcee turned fast, moving further into the vault. The silence continued to linger, but so did the feeling of unease. Of being watched by someone. Slowly, the three entered a larger chamber. Optics glued to the massive statues that lined the walls. The many computer terminals, long outdated were smashed.

Whoever was responsible for their destruction was nowhere to be seen. Yet the unease grew. Someone was watching them, someone dangerous. "Someone's watching us." She said, alerting the other two to another presence.

"Indeed Autobots." A voice spoke out, a chilled, icy cold voice said. A pair of red optics lit the darkness. "You are brave to come here while we still roam." He went on.

Air Raid frowned. "Show yourself Con!" He said, arming his weapon as he aimed into the darkness.

"Why should I show myself, when you are not the only threat to our mission?" The voice asked, a flapping of wings echoed in the shadows.

Arcee glanced over the chamber. "Other threat?"

"The one who betrayed my master is near, and I do not wish to delay in our mission." The voice echoed again, the sound of wings flapping grew louder and louder.

Another pair of optics glowed in the darkness. "We're running out of time Mindwipe."

Mindwipe chuckled darkly. "So we are Astrotrain." His attention turned to Arcee. "Be sure to give Ultra Magnus our greetings. Our lord looks forward to his demise." A red bolt flew through the air, the hiss of pain echoed as a Cybertronian bat flew out. Mindwipe screeched loudly, grunts of pain echoed from his form as he crashed to the ground with a thud.

The Cybertronian warrior hissed as he shifted forms, fists slammed into the ground as a red visor fell upon a figure in the shadows. "You will pay for that, betrayer!" He snarled, claws clenched tightly as he rose from the ground.

"All who betrayed Lord Megatron that day, should've perished." Cyclonus spat, smoke rising from his blaster as he emerged from the shadows, aiming at Mindwipe's chest.

Mindwipe rolled his shoulders, a dark grin forming upon his lips. "The fire still burns in you, Cyclonus." He noted, shifting his feet, Astrotrain moved into the corner of his vision. "I look forward to informing our lord about your continued existence."

Cyclonus narrowed his gaze, taking a step forward, he allowed a grin of his own to form. "And I look forward to the day Lord Megatron rips out his spark."

Mindwipe chuckled, a sinister sound rested upon his laugh. "Our lord will enjoy tearing you apart for your betrayal."

Cyclonus growled, weapon glowed as he fired several shots off. Mindwipe dived back, the wings resting along his back moved to shield his frame. "You forget, Cyclonus, the Mayhem Elite rarely travel alone." Mindwipe crackled darkly.

Cyclonus allowed his optics to widen briefly, the towering form of Astrotrain burst from the shadows. Punching Cyclonus to the ground. "We're leaving now!" The triple changer exclaimed, leaping into the air.

Plates shifted as Astrotrain primed his weapon systems. Targeting the doors, Astrotrain unleashed several missiles. In the chaos, Mindwipe leapt up, claws grasping Astrotrain tightly. "Blast for it, Astrotrain!"

Cyclonus growled, fists slamming into the ground as the rest of his team arrived. "Shoot them down!" He sneered. Quake growled, weapon systems powering up as he locked onto Astrotrain.

Barricade smirked. "Bombs away, traitor." He said, weapons firing.

Demolishor slammed into the ground, plates shifting as his body reconfigured into a hover tank. "Got you in my sights Astrotrain." He cried, firing the quad cannons mounted upon his tank.

Astrotrain grunted as the explosions knocked him off balance. "Better hold tight, Mindwipe, cause we're blasting out of here!"

With an ear shattering boom, Astrotrain shot down the hallways. Arcee dived to the side, the two Aerialbots behind her doing ducking. Arcee, narrowed her optics. "After them!" She ordered, shifting forms to initiate pursuit.

The two Aerialbots nodded. "Don't have to tell us twice." Air Raid cried, racing after Arcee, Skydive trailing behind him.

Cyclonus hissed as he pushed himself up, he glanced back at his comrades. "Why are you just standing there?" He demanded. "Those traitors have the Emberstone!" A single clawed finger pointed the way Mindwipe and Astrotrain had gone.

Barricade leapt forward, shifting forms as he began chase. The Vehicons following his lead. Cyclonus glanced back, optics locked upon the empty vault.

Growling to himself, he leapt into the air, shifting forms to follow his comrades. With speed, he blasted forward, soaring downing the hallways. Speed increased with every turn he took. "We'll never catch up to them before they make it to the surface."

Blasting into the air, Cyclonus shifted forms, optics falling upon the retreating forms of Astrotrain and Mindwipe. He clenched his fists, snarling in rage. "Curse you to the pits, traitors!"

Barricade made his way to Cyclonus' side. "The commander won't be pleased with our failure." He noted.

Cyclonus could only agree, Skywarp didn't tolerate failure much these days. Knowing that they had failed would only build up and ruin his reputation. "The Autobots are no doubt going to inform their high council of our existence." He muttered.

Barricade glanced at Cyclonus. "Then I suggest we retreat while we still can."

With nothing but a growl of annoyance, Cyclonus turned away, taking to the skies.

Lifeline mumbled under her breath as she finished the last of her repairs to Whirl. The Wrecker had a tendency to injure himself in the most bizarre ways. "I've managed to patch you up." She said, stepping back. "Now try not to injure yourself again, the amount of rust you picked up on you last adventure was painful enough to clean as it was."

Whirl rolled his single optic, swinging his legs out over the side of the berth. "Not my fault a bunch of bugs thought I'd be a nice snack." He muttered.

Lifeline sighed. "I worry, you know."

Whirl paused in his movements, hand resting upon Lifeline's shoulder. "As any partner should." He paused in his words, glancing into her optics. "I know you hate violence."

"I'm a pacifist at spark, Whirl. When we made those promises to each other before the war, I had prayed that things would settle down before they escalated." Lifeline glanced down, shoulders falling slightly. "Megatron ruined any dreams of peace I had when he started the war."

Whirl nodded. "The council didn't help the efforts for peace either."

Lifeline leaned against Whirl's chest. "I know, Whirl, I know. I wish they had seen the issues posed by the caste system before it created monsters."

"Alpha Trion was the only one who saw the issues…" Whirl began.

"It was too late for something to be done, the monsters had already been forged in the pits." Lifeline interrupted. "All it needed was a gentle push to be unleashed."

"And the council gave that push." Whirl sighed. "The wars over, and while some of us are having trouble adjusting to this new life, I have you by my side, ready to help whenever possible."

Lifeline chuckled. "You can be so strange when you're all love struck, and I like that. It's the side of you I get to see most."

Whirl nodded. "I suppose so."

"Lifeli…" Silverbolt paused, optics wide. "Uh, did I interrupt anything?" He asked, watching the glare Whirl gave him.

"Silverbolt, we weren't expecting you back for another few cycles." Lifeline said, pulling away from Whirl.

Silverbolt nodded, optics looking anywhere but the two. "There was a change of plans. Arcee's on her way back now with Skydive and Air Raid."

Whirl shook his head. "You left her with the twins?"

Silverbolt shook his head. "She ordered them alone, Whirl."

"I'm guessing things didn't go as planned." Lifeline said, watching Silverbolt closely.

"Things went to the pit the moment they reached the vault chambers. I don't know the whole story yet, but from the way she spoke, it sounded like the Cons aren't as finished as we initially thought." The Aerialbot commander explained.

Lifeline and Whirl exchange a glance with one another. "You mean, someone's out there, rounding up the Cons under new leadership?" Lifeline asked, her spark pulsing faster with fear that the war might reignite.

Silverbolt nodded. "Sounds like it, who's doing the herding is unknown. But I can guarantee you that they have something big planned."

Whirl turned, optic locked upon the wall. "Haven't the Cons done enough to the universe as it is?" He screamed. "Adjusting to peace was going well, now the Cons decide that they don't want peace, just endless war?"

Lifeline frowned, reaching out to calm Whirl. "Easy Whirl. Remember what I've taught you about containing your anger."

Whirl nodded, resting himself upon the ground. "Violence out, peace in." He muttered.

"I have a feeling the commander's going to want a word with us all." Silverbolt said, taking his leave.

Slipstream soared downwards, moving faster then she ever had. The ruins of Darkmount. Around it, several Vehicons and Seekers worked, shifting through the wreckage. Shifting forms, Slipstream landed with grace by a dark yellow seeker. "My brother want's things finished quickly, Sunstorm. We're leaving in 30 cycles."

Sunstorm turned. "The commander asks the impossible. There's so much here that we couldn't possibly gather everything he requires for his plan?"

Slipstream narrowed her gaze, stepping forward, she eyed the team Sunstorm had brought with him. "I'm here to give you all some motivation to hurry the scrap up!"

Sunstorm held his hands up, backing away slightly. "On second thought, the remaining data might not be relevant to the commanders plan. Yeah, we can be back on the ship within the next 20 cycles." He said, laughing nervously to himself.

Slipstream merely rolled her optics. Sunstorm was too joyful, so happy, it sickened her to see just how bright he could be. "Just get it done. We've wasted enough time on this mudball as is it."

"Ah, not like that scrapheap!" A voice cried, the sound of metal slamming against metal could be heard.

Sunstorm groaned. "Not again." He muttered.

Slipstream raised an optic. "Not again?"

Sunstorm sighed. "Thrust and Dirge are at it again. Thought I told Ramjet to keep his squad from killing one another."

Slipstream, moved forward, making her way towards the two cone heads. "Thrust, Dirge." She called, voice full of authority. "What in the name of Unicron are you two doing?"

Thrust rubbed the back of his head nervously. "We were, just…"

"Moving some of this wreckage." Dirge piped in.

Thrust groaned in annoyance, backhanding Dirge into the nearby debris. "No we weren't scrapheap!" He growled.

Slipstream watched the two bicker in amusement. "If you're done fighting like protoforms, boys. I suggest you get back to work before I do something much worse than just scratch your paint."

The two were quick to back off, moving in separate directions. "Those two scrapheaps fighting again?"

Slipstream glanced back, optics falling upon Ramjet. "Ramjet, I suggest you keep your squad under close watch, and ensure they work together rather then bicker all the time."

Ramjet nodded. "As Ma'am." He sighed. "Those two just don't act like the Decepticons they should be." He grumbled, marching away

Within the Shadowzone, Soundwave watched them. Silent as ever, he moved about, curious as to what they were up to. He hadn't seen Slipstream, or her twin, Skywarp, since before the Kaon prison breakout.

Their presence on Earth meant few things, most likely searching for Megatron, not that they'd find him. His master fled Earth months ago, heading into the far reaches of the universe. If he could somehow inform them of his presence, perhaps a way to escape the prison would present itself.

Walking among them, out of sight, felt strange, Laserbeak was in need of repairs, the damage caused to his partner couldn't be done in this realm of shadow, he needed materials, materials he couldn't find in this forsaken place.

Soundwave watched Slipstream take to the skies, a thought occurred to him. Perhaps they have a ship in orbit. Without a second thought, he took after the Seeker.

The world was barren, that much could be said about it. Astrotrain soared above the lifeless deserts, ignoring the cruel breeze. His destination was ahead of him, the remains of the Revenge, his master's warship.

The Revenge was identical to the Nemesis, Astrotrain couldn't be more sure of that. But the once grand warship of his master, was nothing more than a relic of an age long passed. Mindwipe released his grip upon the triple changer, landing upon the ground with grace.

A figure moved from the shadows, red optics watched the two closely. Blue plates covered his frame, a small white beard shifted every now and then. "What took you so long?" He questioned.

Mindwipe glanced back at Astrotrain. "Ran into a few obstacles along the way. Nothing we couldn't handle." He replied.

"If you count the Autobots and Cyclonus as obstacles then go for it. Not even the vaults security measures could stop us." The triple changer sneered, walking forward.

"Don't worry Scourge, we haven't failed our master yet, and don't plan to." Mindwipe spoke.

Scourge frowned. "Be careful with what you say, Soundblaster is ever listening. And always reports back to our master."

Astrotrain moved, the three of them heading side the wreckage. Within the shadows, the remains of Vehicons lingered, all of them strung up along the walls as trophies, a few Autobots among them. Entering a small room, Astrotrain fell to his knees, Mindwipe behind him.

"We have returned in succuss master." Astrotrain said, presenting the Emberstone to someone.

In the shadows, resting upon a throne, two red optics opened. "Soon my loyal disciples, soon we shall have an army that even my brother could only dream off." He said, his voice echoed like a madman.

He moved, standing tall as he entered the light. His body was identical to Megatron, save the purple and orange colour scheme. Three horns reached high above his head, a sadistic smile formed upon his lips. "The universe will tremble before me, the Emperor of Destruction, rightful ruler of the Decepticon Empire and the mightiest warlord the universe has ever seen."

Scourge bowed. "All hail Galvatron!" He said, tilting his head forward.

Galvatron crackled in laughter as he raised his arms. "For my eternal glory!" He screeched.

The room erupted in yelling. All of them, saying the same words.

"All hail Galvatron!"

No idea what my brain was thinking when I wrote Whirl and Lifeline, it kinda surprised me a little when I went back over the thing. Oh well, guess we got some lovers in the plot now. (Am I the only one who thinks a pacifist in love with a wrecker is a little strange?)

Galvatron, he is the main big bad, and he aren't Megatron reborn, nor does he have anything to do with Unicron... but that's for Ratchet to explain later down the line.

Barricade and Demolishor, these two are the Knock Out and Breakdown of this story, you won't find one without the other.

None of favorite human characters this chapter, don't worry, we'll be seeing them next chapter. Oh, and just to make things clear, Skywarp and Slipstream are twins, just as Skydive and Air Raid are(Seeing as they shared the same mold for their CW figures, I figured I'd make them twins here.)