This story is not dead...it's just been hibernating...

I know, I'm a terrible person.

Anywho, here is the 'final' chapter of 'Surviving the Beast Wars', so hold on to your butts!

Disclaimer: Y'all already know I don't own Transformers. Just my OC's

Update: This is my third time re-posting this chapter because I've been having some difficulties posting it earlier.

Chapter 22: Endgame, Part 2 (Nemesis, Part 2) - Finale

A deep rumbling chuckle reverberated off of the walls of the reconfigured earth surrounding us, effectively making my bones and organs tremble. If I had been anyone else, I would have been absolutely petrified by the bot's imposing height and demonic visage. But I wasn't, having already long since formed a relationship with the Predacon, albeit a rather odd one. Odd, but reliable, if the number of times that he's saved me was anything to go by. And although I wasn't the one to call upon him for aid, I would be a fool to turn it down. Especially when one of my friends was missing and the other -the one that had the foresight to call for Rampage's assistance- was fighting for her life up in the skies. A place where I was indubitably out of my element if my current position was any hint. "What is that look for? I thought you'd be happy to see me" Rampage's optics narrowed, his voice one of feigned hurt as I continued to gape at him.

I hate it when I do that.

"I am...my uh, my gaping was a demonstration of the extent of my relief" I gave a nervous laugh. Yeah, I know, real smooth stuff here. Did I ever mention before that I'm not good under pressure? Specifically the kind that involves world-ending scenarios and friends laying their lives on the line?

With a deep exhale to collect myself, and earn an 'eye roll' from Rampage, I dared myself to gaze back up into the piercing green optics. "I need -Transmutate needs- your help"

"Hm yes, I can see that" he 'frowned' as he saw Transmutate fly over us, oblivious to our presence as Megatron was hot on her trail. Both the flyers cutting through the air like wild missiles. "Might I inquire as to where your hot-headed friend is?"

"I don't know" I didn't hear the distinct roaring of flames lashing out, nor that of the tearing of earth and the howling of cyclones. Had they cancelled each other out? Perhaps they each were stalking one another through the scarred landscape, recuperating from wounds received. And then there was the obvious, but I tried not to think about that. I couldn't lose horse-boy, my 'older brother' so to speak, not when he had survived one supposed meeting with death. "I want to find him, but Transmutate is fighting off Megatron all by herself and-" dear Primus, I was tearing up. I didn't cry often, but when I did it came back with a vengeance. I didn't continue, just looked down at my arms as I willed them into blades, sharing that I had a means of defending myself but not my friend. Rampage hummed.

"She is strong, so very strong, and pure and innocent. But Megatron...Megatron is a monster"

It was weird hearing such a remark being uttered so softly from the crab Predacon. His optics were wistful too, but that was short-lived. I nearly jumped as he focused on me, optics as bright as the stars that dotted the sky. Only these 'stars' were vicious and green, and promised pain and death. And it was beautiful, to be quite frank. Something I could afford to observe without worry because such intent wasn't for me. "Tell me Cassandra, what do we use to fight monsters?"

I smirked, straightening my posture as the strange little creature named 'Confidence' came crawling back. "Other monsters?"

Satisfied, Rampage suddenly whipped around, pointing his rocket launcher to the sky. As a silvery-blue blur once again zipped over us, he squeezed the trigger. The rocket didn't go far as it collided with the large, red frame of Megatron. Effectively sending the transmetal dragon careening, forcing him off his intended path of passing over us to continue his pursuit of Transmutate. A blood-curdling roar was heard, a fine mix of agony and pure anger as it was then followed by the earth-shaking vibrations of a crash-landing. The sound of earth being once again forcibly parted as something (someone) with momentum proceeded to skid across it, the echoes growing fainter as Megatron slowed down and gained further distance.

In seeing that the threat to her life was temporarily dealt with, Transmutate wheeled around and hovered in front of us. Her face was one of great exhaustion and relief. "Someone's late to the party!" the flying-fox bat transformer switched, with some difficulty, into her bot form, a big mirthful grin on her face as she saw two of her favorite people. With a small whimper, she then landed with a soft thud and bounded over to us. I got the first hug, seeing as how I'm closer to her size. Once she was done nearly squeezing the life out of me, she moved onto Rampage, who was both watching us and where he assumed Megatron was. Despite his serious expression, he still hugged Transmutate back. "Oh please, we all know the 'party' doesn't start until I show up" even with the weirdly dark tone behind it, we both still chuckled at the crustaceous Predacon's effort to lighten the mood. All the more reason why I felt awful when I was the one to get us back on track.

"Transmutate?"

The she-bat leaped back down to my level after clutching onto Rampage's waist. "Hm?"

"I really hate to ask you this, being that you were fighting for your life and all, but while you were up there, did you see any sign of Trailblazer? Of 'Tarantulas'?"

I got a head-shake. Ah hell. "I'm so sorry, I scanned the area maybe five times, but still couldn't get a lock on either" red optics dimmed, a few 'tears' welling up beneath them. Being the guilty sort, I was the one to initiate a hug this time. "It's alright, we'll find him, alive and kicking and cursing like a disgruntled janitor-bot" I smiled, content that I had gotten a giggle as a response.

"I hate to break up this touching moment, but if that is the plan you ladies have, it would be for the better that you got right to it"

Rampage's optics were on the massive rocky arch to his right, prompting us to look over. Both me and the she-bat squeaked in dread.

Megatron was right there, glaring at us with all the fury a hellish tyrant could possibly muster.

"Go"

In perfect synchronization I leaped onto Transmutate as she transformed and carried us both into the air with great ease while Rampage engaged Megatron with both his weapons drawn out, covering for our escape. She didn't dare look behind her, or slow down in fear that the Predacon leader would be on us again, so I was the one to do so. Megatron was digging into his subordinate (or rather ex-subordinate) with teeth, claws, and fire, making that dreadful screeching that only his dragon-form could achieve. Although he clearly appeared to have the upper-hand, I knew Megatron would have his claws full. Because while he was more powerful being a stage-two transmetal, Rampage was immortal and very, very livid right now and had no one around to 'restrain' him. Such as Dinobot-II. I looked away as soon as Rampage kicked the dragon off of him with a manic laugh.

Oh yes, he was going to be fine.

"Dear merciful Primus" Transmutate murmured.

Dear merciful Primus was right.

The whole general area of where Trailblazer and his opponent were last seen was completely unrecognizable, even from the last time I had laid eyes on it. The earth was even more upturned and scorched, pools and rivers of lava everywhere while some obviously earth-bent spires towered in the sky. Other sections were gaping holes, which I could clearly see had led to caverns, all while being framed by steep cliffs and lava falls. I even saw a whole plateau. "Now this...this is some extreme landscaping" I grimaced, having a hard time finding humor in even my own joke. Transmutate shot me a sideways glance, but said nothing. I saw a very tiny grin though. "All the more reason why we should watch our step" she stretched out her hand, helping me across a crevice as we continued our search for Trailblazer, all while wary of Tarantulas and the Vok that resided in him.

We decided to investigate a cavern after some time of -unsuccessful- searching on the surface. Sure, it was but one of many that would take days to individually search, and that was with the assumption that Trailblazer was in any of them. In one of them alive. I shivered, even though it was sweltering in here. Damn my nervousness and my morbid thoughts, and damn perspiration. Transmutate looked at me, worried. I could understand why, what with all that's transpired coupled with the heat, I probably looked miserable. "Hey" she slowed her pace to match mine. "I know this sounds crazy, but I just know we'll find him in here"

"This is a large cavern...in a valley riddled with caverns as potentially big" I hated to be pessimistic in the face of Transmutate's optimism. She's been doing a fantastic job of concealing her fear and doubt, if there even was any, and wearing a smile this whole time, often sharing a joke or two. Or reiterating my 'landscaping' joke from earlier whenever she saw some formation that was particularly impressive.

"I know it's just a hunch, but I'm sure you feel it too. Feel it in your heart"

"You know I can practically dine off of the cheese you're dishing out right now" something in my heart stirred a little as my nose wriggled. She was right, I was feeling something within my soul...something that had been long since merged with the Vok, 'Aqua'. And my oh my, my humor had returned...something that had been tucked away early on in our search. Had I been quiet this whole time? Yes, yes I have. I had seriously been morose this whole time and she had somehow coaxed me out of it. She shot me a big smile after seeing her success.

"Cheese is good for the soul"

My stomach rumbled. "Great, now I'm hungry"

Transmutate tittered.

We heard him before we saw him. His grumbling and sharp retorts seemingly directed toward himself (but we knew better) echoing off of the scorched walls as we ventured deeper into the tunnels and chambers. As Tarantulas -and the Vok- drew closer, me and Transmutate found it would be simpler and more convenient to just find someplace to hide and let him pass. Because if Tarantulas and the entities he was carrying within him just incapacitated Trailblazer while horse-boy was at full strength (being a 'Vok' himself, I'm positive it was a very close fight) I shuddered to think what the outcome would be if me and the she-bat tried to take him on. Now, that, and the challenge we'd face if we wanted him -them- alive. Yeah, we had more pressing matters and very limited time.

Letting the spider pass, we saw -from behind unnaturally made stalagmites- that there were no distinguishable colors on him anymore. Just black and gray from the intense scorching he had received from his showdown with Trailblazer that probably ended either minutes or hours ago. I couldn't be any prouder of the hot-head, even if he was likely KO'd at the moment. With bated breath, me and Transmutate waited until well after Tarantulas had left our field of vision before continuing down the long tunnel. Streams of lava were our only illumination as the corridor got eerily darker.

Trailblazer was alive. Thank Primus and every other deity out there.

Holding in our cries, me and the she-bat ran over to examine the extent of Trailblazer's injuries and to give him a hug, even if he was unresponsive. The only way to tell he was alive was the rhythmic inhales and exhales emanating from his vents, still cooling him down from the fight that had put a lot of strain on his systems. His ruby optics were dimmed while his head remained pointed downward. Even if he were conscious, he'd likely still keep that position with the knowledge that he lost to the spider -though no one would hold it against him, it was technically a three-on-one fight. The power of storms and the very earth itself against fire...with some cheap tricks thrown in by the spider himself was hardly a fair fight. However, cheap tricks weren't just in Tarantulas' playbook it would seem. Massive protrusions of rock kept Trailblazer's limbs restrained, and they were layered and melted in a way to show that every time Ignis (Trailblazer's 'real' name) tried to melt his way out, Terra -the 'earth' Vok- would just envelop it with more earth. I could only imagine how much stress and frustration Trailblazer endured, eventually tiring him out and leaving an opening for a cheap shot and-

What are those weird little dents in his armor? I frowned upon seeing one on the back of his neck. Several more around other crucial joints. Now what in the-

I blanched as I remembered something:

Terra bends earth...metal is earth, just refined…

If that was the case, why put in so much effort and time to fight an opponent that you could easily render helpless? I mean, Trailblazer was stubborn and tough, but just how many times had Terra-rantulas used 'metal-bending' on him? It wouldn't take much, they could simply make his body collapse in on itself and crush his 'spark' -er, Vok-soul-thingy…

As I mulled this over, I gave Transmutate an inquiring glance to see if she was having the same thoughts as myself. After all, she also saw the dents and peculiar parting of Trailblazer's armor in some places, getting a good long look at them all as she was repairing him. The look she gave me just screamed 'we are so screwed if we're caught'. So, not wanting to be here any longer than I needed to, I went to work, morphing my hands/forearms into a hammer and chisel as I swiftly chipped away at Trailblazer's little rocky prison. "How is he now?"

"He's stable, I just need to-" Transmutate paused, looking over at something to her right. Her face contorted into pure dread upon seeing who was now in the large chamber with us.

"You just need to, what?" Tarantulas snickered, arms crossed in an infuriatingly smug way. I glared at him, picturing that behind that yellow visor Terra and Tempest were watching with utmost satisfaction.

"This was a trap" I sighed. Should have chiseled faster…

"My, what an acute observation you just made, care to share any more?"

"You're a slagging creep" Transmutate interjected flatly. Tarantulas 'tsk'd at this, setting his smug gaze on me.

"You are a bad influence"

"Very…" I replied bitterly. Best to know where this was headed as soon as possible so I could face it with some dignity. "Why didn't you kill him?"

Tarantulas flinched at this, but it wasn't of his own volition. His visor glowed purple as Tempest spoke. "Despite his betrayal, we don't wish to end his existence, he is still very much our creation...our responsibility, much like you are. We find punishment more fitting when the one receiving it can learn from the experience and put it to use"

"You do realize that he'll be even more motivated to fight back right? And once he wakes up, he'll make you sorry" Transmutate growled, actually sounding fairly intimidating. A far cry from her usual demeanor.

"That may take a while" Terra piped up "Even with his internal repair system and your efforts, he will not wake on a whim". Tarantulas suddenly regained control, clicking his mandibles and cackling. "Until then, he is useless to you. And all three of you wretched little trouble-makers will be coming with us" the spider sauntered closer, approaching with all the cockiness one would have when 'blessed' with mighty beings that granted power over two elements. I made an attack first, arms morphing into blades as I rushed toward the spider. But, I only made it half-way before my whole body seized and fell to the floor, skidding across it like the buttered idiot I was. As I came to a halt (the force gone), Tarantulas put his foot on me, adding enough pressure to keep me down.

And to give me the perfect shot.

I got a few blasts in before that dreadful 'hold' came back, this time forcing my arms upward like a cross and making my fingers loosen their grip on the blaster. Coming to my aid, Transmutate was forcibly restrained much like I was, only her jaw was secured shut, disabling her use of the oral laser that she favored. Oh, balls.

"Please stop fighting Aqua, we do not enjoy this-" Terra's voice was followed by Tarantulas' cackle. "Oh, yes we do-!" but that cackle was cut short as Tarantulas then held his head and screeched. A sign that Tempest and Terra disapproved of his behavior. The glowing visor settled back on me. "Once the Nemesis wipes out the Maximals, we will destroy the Predacons and then the ancestors of both factions afterward. Once that is done, we are bringing you and Ignis back home...and depending on how cooperative you both are, we will perhaps grant leniency and spare the bat-Maximal"

I grunted, looking over just in time to see Transmutate pass out. Her body floated off the ground, levitating over toward us as Terra-rantulas' visor glowed, making one thing for certain:

The Beast Wars was drawing to a close, and if I didn't find some way around Terra's metal-bending BS everything and everybody I worked for was going to be wiped out.

I ignored Rampage's harsh glare and Dinobot-II's snickering as I was deposited roughly into the contraption that would ultimately bring me to the Nemesis, Transmutate and Trailblazer beside me. I tried to think of all the ways I could apologize to the crab, but everything was shot down every time I looked up and saw Megatron standing there, smirking at me. He was in very rough shape, and probably would have even had his spark snuffed out at some point if Tarantulas hadn't intervened, presenting us before him and Rampage mid-battle. Of course, the crab Predacon was not prepared for Terra's metal-bending, and once being rendered immobile, he received retribution from his livid 'leader'. 'Ashamed' was the light way to describe how I was feeling. But, I suppose not everything could go perfectly; that was the nature of the universe for misfortune to balance out fortune. "Why?" I asked 'Tarantulas', "Why wait? Why didn't you just crush us all at the beginning of our little confrontation and be done with it?!"

"Yesss, why is that 'Tarantulas'?" Megatron eyed his 'ally' skeptically. "Or should I even call you that?"

"It's still me, Lord Megatron. It's just that an accident has granted me these powers, energy left over by the Vok that had perished in my experiment. I can assure you I would never permit myself to be controlled by such wretched beings"

"Mhm" even with that non-convincing sound, I could see that Megatron was indeed satisfied with the answer. It's not like he could be too skeptical, he wasn't there after all.

"And, no offense, but I wanted them alive Megatron. And I could only do that when they were separated from you. Once I isolated the hot-head from the other two I planned accordingly…" even while it was Tarantulas speaking, I knew that Terra and Tempest were also answering, as if such an explanation would assuage my agitation. Like parents trying to calm their child. Real cute stuff huh?

"And set the trap, I see" Megatron studied me with slight distaste, not paying any attention to the unconscious forms on either side of me. They weren't a threat. "Can you explain Rampage then? Why I needed to keep that freak from tearing my spark out?" the dragon asked (demanded) testily. Said crab bot snarled but kept his distance. Dinobot-II was right next to him, watching.

"I had nothing to do with that, my Lord. The she-bat must have called for him before I set up the meeting"

Megatron said nothing else, didn't even nod, as he then stomped his way into the large pod, making the whole damn thing shake. "Damn Megsy, did you get fatter?" I mumbled.

"Shut your mouth, wench. The only reason you're still alive is so the spider can dissect you"

The situation was a grim one, but that didn't mean I was going to give in. I was going to be childish to the end. And speaking of which:

"Hey, Rampage?"

Everyone (that was conscious) looked at me like I grew two heads. Including the crab bot himself.

"Please play nice with DC and tell him I said hi, okay?"

Trailblazer snarled, attempting to use his flames to melt his restraints, but was only met with clicking, the irritating sound of his systems trying to engage such a function. Even when Transmutate had repaired them back in the cavern, 'Terra'-rantulas (that seems to be the favored Vok of the spider even while Tempest is the Vok 'leader') just disabled the weapons systems again minutes before the horse-former finally woke up. Ugh. "Lemme out of these binds and face me like real bots you yellow-bellied sons-of-"

"Dinobot, it would appear our guest is being rowdy, please do deal with it" Megatron remained focused on the main -pilot's- console he was situated behind, not sparing a glance as his lackey walked over and delivered a swift blow on the back of Trailblazer's head. Sending the horse-bot into a stupor rather than knocking him out. Transmutate yelled something, but her voice was muffled by the clamp on her mouth. So I voiced her displeasure for her. "You will pay for that, maybe not now, but that's the thing with karma…" I glowered at him, Megatron, and Tarantulas, taking my sweet time with each so the menace in my eyes could sink in. "She always finds you"

"Dinobot"

Said transmetal clone just walked over and stomped down on me, the claws of his foot scraping the floor inches from my head while the sole dug into my abdomen. He stayed poised above me, making it abundantly clear that he liked where he was. Megatron certainly had no complaints. Man, they even put a clamp on my tail so I can't smack his stupid face

I'm sure I heard a soft, unearthly growl from 'Tarantulas' though. The spider was doing a check-up of the primary and auxiliary systems on the Nemesis, visor firmly glued to the monitors. Although any knowledge I had of the 'story' was moot at this point, I was certain that it was Dinobot-II that was supposed to be at those particular computers. I shuddered. Maybe saving Tarantulas -and by default the Vok possessing him- was a mistake? Had I really undid everything I worked so hard for with a single decision. Yes, yes that had to be it. And now, everyone (perhaps save for Trailblazer and that one bot that will be 'spared' if we behave) will perish. Even the Autobots and Decepticons, who had done nothing to ruin the Vok's project, were guilty by association. As I continued to ponder, I started to tear up a little at the thought of Rampage's and DC's confrontation that I had but the smallest inkling was supposed to be their 'final' one. It was all I could do to give Rampage the subtle warning back in that hidden bunker. If he ignored it, he and Depth Charge would cancel each other out (something I absolutely did not want), but in turn would indirectly give the Maximals an advantage. If he were to strike a deal with DC and the two worked together (yeah, what a pipe dream) to stop Megatron -and 'Tarantulas'- then it would be just him and the manta ray facing down the leader of Predacons, an immortal subordinate that could easily control one of them with but a squeeze, and a three-in-one adversary that could bend metal.

I groaned, both with the pressure on me (specifically my arms that were bound) and with all the ways this could go wrong.

"Tarantulas, how close is the ship's propulsion systems to being fully powered"

"They are at 70%, Lord Megatron"

"Hmm, yesss, what is the estimated time it will be done? I have no doubt the meager Maximals and their sorry excuse of a leader have caught on to us by now, and I do not wish to still be in the ocean when they decide to intervene"

"Ten minutes, my Lord-"

Something collided with the ship, explosive in nature and was heard more than felt. Megatron didn't look worried as he looked at the ship's main monitor. "Ahh, it appears that a Maximal has decided to join us…" malicious pink optics shifted over Dinobot-II, then to me. "Bring her over" he ordered, the transmetal velociraptor complying without so much as a blink of an optic. I grunted as I was carried like a football over toward the main console. Once there, I got a good view of DC and Rampage fighting, almost dancing in the deep waters like the pressure was non-existent as they evaded each other's missiles and fists.

"You see what I see?" Megatron leaned in so his face was right beside mine. What a creep.

"AwwwWWW they're playin'"

I could feel the dead stares of the bots closest to me. Megatron sighed.

"Joke all you like, but I know you fear for the lives of both"

My right eye twitched. I was still thinking up a response when the dragon Predacon chuckled darkly. "Your silence just confirms it, yesss"

As if on cue, Dinobot-II started snickering.

"Dinobot, make sure she watches every second of that fight" with that command, Megatron walked over to observe what looked to be the radar. "Tarantulas, how are the weapons systems?"

"There are a few bugs present, they'll be fixed immediately my Lord"

"Good, because it looks as if our other 'guests' will be arriving soon"

I wish I could glare holes into Megatron's smug wings, but true to Megatron's word, Dinobot made sure my gaze was firmly fixed on the fight that was going on outside the Nemesis. By tightly gripping my head with a single servo. The clone snarled close to my ear. "I wonder which one of your boyfriends will win? Oh, what I am saying -it won't matter when the winner gets blasted away"

"It's so easy to talk slag when your opponent is bound isn't it? Because it's the only time where you can do so without the fear that I'd just stick another grenade in that horrid mouth of yours" I practically hissed that last part out. 'Dinobot' just snorted.

"And that is the closest to victory that you will ever get with me, young lady" he cooed with mock affection. Yeah, I just remembered how much I hated being at this bot's mercy.

As the minutes ticked by, I could see DC getting worn out. I also saw he and his opponent's mouths move often during their fight, and I wished that I could hear what he and Rampage were saying. Was the crab taunting the manta? Was he trying to 'reason' with him, to have him instead turn his attention on the Nemesis? Perhaps both, knowing Rampage. I watched with great interest as there was a momentary pause. Rampage was telling DC something, and the manta was listening. Guns were down, and stance rigid. What was so important, more important than DC's original goal, to gain his attention? Bright slanted ruby optics whipped around to face the Nemesis, and funnily enough, DC's focus was on the right surveillance camera. Making it appear that he was looking at whomever was behind the monitor. He turned back to Rampage, mouth moving, and with a swift movement blasted the crab onto his aft. He transformed and made his way toward the Nemesis.

Dinobot-II snarled at this. "Megatron, we have a problem"

The Predacon tyrant stomped over, already irate at the mention of a 'problem'. His scowl deepened upon seeing DC approach. "Tarantulas!"

"Weapons are still unavailable, one of the bugs is proving to be more persistent than I had assumed"

As Tarantulas was reporting, something small, fast, and red slammed into DC, exploding on impact and sending him hurtling out of view. I certainly hoped that wasn't a fatal shot, because if this all somehow worked out, my foot was meeting with a crustaceous ass. Megatron smiled at the sight of my frown deepening. "Ah, it would appear the matter has resolved itself, yesss". I strained against Dinobot-II's grip, glaring as best I could without having to move my head, not wishing to risk getting it cut against the velociraptor clone's vicious claws. And as I found my temper flaring up, I discovered something else:

I heard something swishing and sloshing, much like how water -or any liquid for that matter- did when travelling through pipes. I also faintly heard a spark-beat, fans whirring, actuators clicking, and other things but they were nowhere near as loud as the movement of liquid. And it wasn't just coming from Megsy, Dinobot-II too, being pressed against me and such.

My vision blurred and refocused as a lavender hue, something that I was all too familiar with as it had happened before.

Megatron, on the other hand, had never seen anything like it. "What in the -what is happening to her eyes?!"

Dinobot-II growled, spinning me around to get a good look. I ignored him, still keeping my eyes on Megatron, listening intently to the sloshing sound just a few feet away. The lavender hue grew more saturated, and then the weirdest thing happened:

I could see it.

I could see the fluids essential to a healthy, functioning transformer coursing through the tyrant.

"I don't know what she's doing but make her stop!" Megatron barked out. The flow of mech-fluid near his spark sped up.

He was afraid.

I can end this, by Primus, I can end this right now-!

"Cover her eyes, and do it with the thickest material you can find!"

No, no! Shut up Tarantulas! With a growl, I focused on the lines around Megatron's spark, pulling their contents against them, tightening around the spark-casing. I did not want to be the tyrant's executioner, not when he hadn't really gone through a proper trial, but I was desperate. I was going to drown his spark with his own mech fluid, the results of which were guaranteed fatal -wait.

The original Megatron's spark…

I felt like an idiot.

I was just about to eff this up even more, what is wrong with- I hissed in pain as instead of finding something to cover my eyes, Dinobot-II made due with throwing me to the ground. I gripped my head, laying on the ground pitifully as the lavender in my vision blurred away. As I tried to at least rest on my posterior, Dinobot-II seized me by the arm and yanked me up, holding me still as Tarantulas walked over and used a very thick cloth that he got from Primus-knows-where and wrapped it around my eyes.

"When I get outta these restraints, you're going to wish 'karma' got you first you miserable pile of slag!" I heard Trailblazer threaten (or promise) Dinobot's clone menacingly. Transmutate shrieking against the clamp that muffled her. "You, Megatron, Tarantulas...even you daddy and mommy 'dearest'. I'm going to drag you all to the Pit kicking and screaming!"

"Dinobot, shut him up!"

I heard Trailblazer grunt in pain, followed by a thud as he collapsed.

"Ah, finally some peace and quiet"

"Lord Megatron, flight and weapons systems are ready"

"Then get us airborne, Tarantulas"

"Yes, Lord Megatron"

I listened on with horror as I heard the ship power-up, the floor beneath me humming with life as the systems underneath and all around me got to work. Dinobot-II held me still as my body wanted to fall backward from the sudden force of lift-off. The gradual rising of the ship became smoother as it's propulsion began to better counter the ship's weight and the weight of the ocean upon it. In a matter of minutes, I could hear the parting of water as the Nemesis broke the ocean's surface.

This was it.

I failed.

"Yesss, yessss! Nothing can stop me now! The Maximals are finished and Cybertron will be mine-!"

The shattering of 'glass' interrupted Megatron from any further gloating. The sound of jets belonging to a small aircraft zipped around the room, as if the pilot had difficulty controlling where they wanted to go exactly. "By the Pit, are you going to get off or not?! Because just so you know, you're fragging heavy!"

"I'll get off when I feel like it, now stop your whining and start shooting!"

Dear God.

Dear Primus.

This was actually happening. I couldn't contain my happy squeal. "Be quiet, woman" Dinobot-II snarled, throwing me to the side to engage Megatron's 'guests'.

"Why I oughta-!" DC grunted with effort. That effort's purpose became clear as I heard Rampage shout obscenities, coupled with the crushing and crunching of something metallic. Chaos erupted shortly thereafter, the crab yelling incoherently, Megatron growling and grunting and screeching (meaning he had shifted into dragon form), the sound of transformation belonging to someone close-by (likely Dinobot's clone), and Transmutate's excited shouts. Missiles, plasma disks, and regular gunfire whistled by, some too close to my liking as I stayed low, focusing on the voice that was clearer than everyone else's. "Yo, Depth Charge, help a brother out will ya?!" there was some scraping and shuffling, and then there was a comforting presence behind me. "Cass, you okay there sis?" Trailblazer nudges me, continuing to get closer until he is practically pressed against my smaller form. It took me a few seconds to realize he was acting like a shield. "Get your Primus-damned water-logged ass down here now and cut us loose!"

I winced at the horse-former's volume.

"I'm a little busy right now -erk!" gunfire, probably from Tarantulas, cut DC short. I heard a crash. There were more explosions, followed by Tarantulas' pained shriek. The ground shook a little as someone large ran toward us. I felt Trailblazer tense.

"Whoa, whoawhoa! Stay the hell back!" I felt Trailblazer shoulder his way around me to be in front. There was a snarl.

"I'm trying to help, idiot"

The cloth that was blinding me was ripped away, exposing my vision to just how messy this battle was. And the ghostly figure sneaking up on Rampage. By sheer newfound instinct, my lavender vision came back, and came back strong. So strong, the damn thing made me think I actually went blind for a moment. Eyes already on Dinobot-II's spark, I focused on the hydraulics that controlled the compression of the spark casing, causing those lines to burst and thus disable the clone's ability to 'control' Rampage. Dinobot-II howled, clutching at his chest and shooting me the most evil glare. Rampage whipped around and fired a rocket, preventing the transmetal velociraptor from carrying out whatever gruesome fate he had in mind for me. Weapon still out, he leaned down and swiftly removed my and Trailblazer's restraints. I hurried over to Transmutate while the two bots went to assist DC. Removing the clamps as swiftly as I could with my own hardware, I looked over to see 'Tarantulas' struggle in fending off the two Maximals and one Predacon, even with the mini-cyclones and obvious metal-bending. The cyclones require little effort, but they can only focus on one target at a time when it comes to metal manipulation, I grinned. All was not lost! Yay!

At the corner of my eye, I saw Megatron rush toward us in dragon form, preparing to use his fire breath.

Not yay!

"Look out!" Transmutate grabbed me, yanking us both out of the way of Megatron's fiery wrath. We both split directions as the dragon Predacon made to lunge at us, claws out and teeth bared. Transmutate fired her beam, pouring all her frustration into it as she knocked Megatron onto his side. While he recuperated I locked onto his arm, 'liquid vision' kicking in again as I forced the fluid to gain pressure in a few points and burst out of its lines, spilling it all over onto the actuators responsible for a functioning arm. Many of them shorted out, causing the tyrant to roar and stumble to one side.

Oh yes.

Payback was imminent.

I felt something drip out of each nostril. Now what in the-

"Cassie, your nose is bleeding!" Transmutate cried out.

Oh, come on!

"She's about to bleed out of many more places once I get my claws on her!" Dinobot-II shrieked, poised in velociraptor form as he charged in from the left. In panic mode, I focused on all the fluids in his body, tossing it all to one side, effectively sending the raptor flying into a wall. I would have said something snarky, but I was feeling light-headed. I needed to pace myself.

"Tarantulas!" Megatron bellowed, displeased with the turn this battle was taking. "Set the weapons to automatic lock-on, I don't want any more surprises! And charge the ray cannon while you're at it!" there was an awkward pause. "And for the love of Cybertron, get this ship moving!"

'Tarantulas' nodded, sending bolts of lightning into the three bots bearing down on him, sending them back far enough so he could carry out his orders uninterrupted. Laser turrets were already firing away, driving off whomever was coming to our aid. My guess was TigerHawk and Optimus. The floor below me hummed with great intensity.

Ball-bearings.

Dinobot-II was closing in on us again, having already shaken off his stupor. "Rampage!" I cried out, Transmutate throwing herself in front of me as the raptor hissed and crouched down. Although he was actually not as close as DC and Trailblazer, he was still on Dinobot-II so quick one would think he was right beside Transmutate. The crab beat his 'half-brother' back, hesitant in attacking any further. I decided to enlighten him. "He can't hurt you anymore, I disabled the compression hydraulics!" when he heard this, the crab smiled at me, as in a genuine smile. With a manic roar, Rampage tackled the raptor, their strength evenly matched as they wrestled across the room.

The miffed look Megatron gave me would be implanted in my mind forever. I smiled and flipped him off.

With a shrill roar, he charged up his fire breath, but not a flicker left his maw when an onyx colored servo nearly materialized beside him and sent his head snapping to the side. "Ya know, I was looking forward to fighting fire versus fire. But I think I'll just pummel you instead!" Trailblazer sent a swift kick when Megatron tried to bite him, deflecting the attack as he hoisted himself onto the dragon Predacon's back. With a snarl, Megatron began acting like a bucking bronco (even with a bad arm), moving away from me and Transmutate. I was going to help Trailblazer, but seeing as how I was wobbling like a Jenga tower before collapse, I let Transmutate support me as she ushered me toward a random console. "Stay here and stay down, I'm going to help DC" with a pat on the back, she ran off, firing her laser at Tarantulas as the spider was fighting Depth Charge. I watched with concern as DC was struck by a cyclone, having been temporarily stunned by metal bending just seconds before.

Transmutate shrieked and held her throat. All the while Tarantulas cackled and resumed working at the computers, likely watching the progress of the ship's movement as his other hand remained stretched out.

Oh, hell no!

I fixed my focus on that arm, manipulating the fluid this way and that. 'Tarantulas' of course fought this, and it was all I could do to coil his arm around and connect his servo with his face. This caused his visor to stop glowing as he was stunned stupid by 'hitting himself', freeing Transmutate from his control. The spider caught sight of me, mandibles contorted in a frown. "You little witch" he spat, sending his arm out and seizing me with Terra's metal bending. Which pretty much could have been confused with 'the Force' as he pulled me toward him at great speed. And thus, I was a hostage.

Again.

DC and Transmutate stayed where they were, weapons aimed but not firing. It was at this moment something beeped very close by. "Megatron, the ray cannon is ready!"

Megatron, this time in bot form and still fighting Trailblazer, bellowed back. "About time!"

"Do you have a target in mind?! Perhaps-"

"Not now, I want to get as close as possible to Mount St. Hilary! I want to see, up close, the destruction of the Maximals and Autobots!" as the tyrant said all this, his voice took on a darker and more twisted tone. Sheesh, we really ground his gears, and to drive my point home, Trailblazer delivered a successful upper-cut that sent the tyrant staggering back with an enraged shout.

And as this was happening, Rampage threw Dinobot-II across the deck.

The only part of this battle that seemed to be at a standstill was where Tarantulas had me in a head-lock.

Wait.

That meant I was nice and close -and the metal-bending was no longer active on me as the spider's focus was on the two bots in front of us, trying to decide who to bend first. Big mistake on his part. With a grunt, I ducked as I sent the tip of my tail straight into where I thought Tarantulas' visor was. All three beings in one body let out a shrill cry, dropping me and allowing another opening. With a sharp exhale I swiped a blade across his left knee, and sent a swift and (surprisingly) strong kick that sent him falling onto his sorry metal butt. The force of my own kick coupled with my pounding headache made me back-pedal. "Transmutate, do something -anything- to give the bots back home a fighting chance" I felt two large servos scoop me up before I could fall flat on my sorry butt. "Easy there, short-stack" DC murmured, firing plasma 'pizzas' at Tarantulas when he tried to metal-bend again, Transmutate blasting him with her oral laser for good measure. The she-bat threw herself at the computer, already digging into the system with a strategy cranking in the cogs of her mind.

"Now I just need to scan this...open this…"

I kept my gaze on Tarantulas as he tore himself out of a gigantic metal chair, one side of his visor still intact and glowing. DC fired his remora-rounds at him, but the spider dodged. "Send this file…" Transmutate continued to whisper to herself. Tarantulas' visor glowed green as 'he' focused on the she-bat. And although my head was pounding something fierce, I forced myself to focus on the spider's whole body. With my 'blood' streaming unhealthily out of my nose, I proceeded to slam Tarantulas back against the chair, down into the floor, against the chair again, and then into the furthest wall. "Come on, come on come on comeoncomeoncomeon-" a loud beep resonated out of the computer, "Yes!". Transmutate bounced on the balls of her feet, happy as can be. Then she looked at me.

"By the Allspark -Cassie!"

DC stiffened as the she-bat flew over (literally) and gently plucked me from the manta's arms. I could feel something that was not regular tears build up under my eyes, Transmutate's sniffling and distraught expression just confirming that I looked as bad as I felt. "Oh, Cass, I'm so sorry-"

There was a crackling and the sound of ripping metal as Tarantulas, entrance all dramatic, pulled himself out of the indent he left in the wall. Only instead of half his visor being green (Terra) or his normal yellow, it was a bright purple. Electricity crackled around his being as he hovered toward us, gusts of wind swirling to support his weight while there appeared to be dark clouds forming around him.

Tempest regarded me with a judging optic, but there was something else behind that glare.

"Why, why do you do this Aqua?" his voice resonated seemingly everywhere.

With a weak voice I replied. "I already explained it to you" please don't make me repeat myself, I can hardly stay awake, I thought bitterly.

"You did, but I simply cannot fathom why you put so much strain on yourself to protect them…" his glowing purple optic glared at all the bots in the room with distaste, Trailblazer being the exception. "'The Coalescing' Project was to prepare any of the more deserving life-forms that we had nourished on this planet for a reunion, a meeting of intelligent and ambitious minds ready to make a positive mark on this universe through great effort and cooperation…" Tempest addressed the whole room, voice a monotone, but with underlying contempt. I was beginning to see the Vok in a new light with this elaboration of 'the project' that was mentioned often by the aliens but never really explained. And from what I've heard a small while ago, even Trailblazer (Ignis) had forgotten what it was. "It was the humans that showed great promise-" he looked at me. This earned a derisive snort from Megatron, who was currently pinning Trailblazer to the ground with his foot. Tempest's response was to shoot a bolt of lightning, sending the tyrant flying back. As Trailblazer chuckled, the Vok leader resumed speaking. I had no problem with this, it was better than having to stop him from murdering everybody that wasn't a fellow 'Vok'.

"As primitive as they were, their ability to adapt, to work together to accomplish common goals -namely that of survival- was truly noteworthy. Unfortunately, they could not be tested properly because of the destruction of their 'future trials'"

"You mean Stonehenge? The ruins? The island? The ship? The transmetal driver?" Trailblazer was the one to ask with great vigor, sounding much like an eager kid.

"Though that is not what such contraptions are designated as exactly, we understand what you are referring to. Respectfully, 'the island' is named The Isle of Power, where, despite the mention of 'Power' was really a trial of responsibility to one'e self and their comrades. The tower was the final portion of the test, granting great power, but keeping a watchful eye to observe how the 'victor' wielded it…"

Tempest then went about explaining the functions of the other Vok installations, almost lulling me into sleep as he droned on. At some point, Megatron got tired of this and fired an ice beam at the Vok leader. Which, much to my amusement and Megatron's chagrin, was just dispelled with a crackle of lightning. Tempest, though, did not share my amusement. He looked back over to me.

"It appears that I have spoken too much, and that it has fallen on deaf 'ears'. I suppose what I truly wanted to tell you before I got side-tracked, dear 'daughter', is that you and your brother shouldn't help beings that are so entitled, so undeserving of your efforts…" Tempest floated toward us. Trailblazer and Rampage made a charge at him, but were thrown back by wide wind gusts. Megatron and Dinobot-II comically tip-toed closer to the main computer, only to be blasted back as well. As this all happened, I heard the laser turrets firing away outside again after being quiet for the duration of Tempest's monotone rambles. "And so foolish as to allow me to stall long enough for this opportunity"

Wait, does he mean-? I blanched as I saw him levitate over behind the command console, looking intently at the monitors. "Although I wished to be 'up close and personal' so to speak, I will make due with being in range" his clawed hand hovered dangerously close to a red button, making a grand old show out of it. However, before such an effort could yield more 'productive' results, two large shapes barreled through the DC-made opening that led to the deck. Optimus bombarded Tempest with missiles, machine gun fire, and a whole lot of insults as he made his entrance. As Tempest crashed into the floor, Optimus landed and strolled up to him, grabbing him by the neck. "Good evening, is this party open invitation?" the transmetal ape grinned, then driving his massive fist into the possessed spider's face. Repeatedly. And with the final punch, sent him flying into a waiting TigerHawk. Recovered from the wind gust, Megatron lunged at the Maximal leader, but was met with a vicious upper-cut that must have been significantly more painful than Trailblazer's. As Megatron was sent flat on his back, TigerHawk attempted to rip into Tempest, who was still very much active. The two cast lightning at each other, putting some space between the other as their power almost seemed equal.

As TigerHawk seemed to be losing ground, Rampage fired a rocket at the spider-Vok's back. I gave a weak giggle when I heard Rampage utter a "You're welcome".

"YOU METAL FIENDS WILL ALL PAY!" Tempest and Terra snarled in unison as what appeared to be a mini storm was summoned, the whole deck shaking in conjunction with the frightening sight. Everyone looked on with horror as the atmosphere darkened and the floor, walls, and ceiling twisted and turned, taking on the forms of clawed arms. This time, there was no more fighting among Maximals and Predacons as bots in both factions (that were present) made to tackle the beings that threatened their whole existence -save for Transmutate, who was still holding me like I was an injured kitten.

And while the effort was commendable, they were all restrained. The only bot that had managed to evade the unnatural snares was TigerHawk, the fuzor doing an ample job of maneuvering through the chaotic space that was the command deck. "C'mon buddy! Sock that sorry-!" Trailblazer encouraged, but was shortly muffled by a strip of metal. But, this only pumped up the Maximals as they began to cheer for the fuzor that was the fusion of Airazor and Tigatron (Megatron and Dinobot-II were quiet, sour-pusses) as he -or they- dipped and swerved around any incoming claws. As Transmutate cheered for the tiger-hawk, several snares snaked maliciously toward where we were, the Vok having taken notice that we were also free of their hold. "T-TigerHawk!" I yelped, clutching onto Transmutate as she leaped away. The triple 'T's' were now fully focused on us, giving a small opening for TigerHawk as he reverted to bot form and dove toward the menace that loomed over us all.

"Hush. Child"

"No-" TigerHawk snarled as they grappled onto 'Tarantulas'. "You hush"

An odd blue light on both of the fuzor's hands glowed, TigerHawk's expression one of confusion before morphing into one of understanding. "I always wondered what this did...but now, I know its purpose as clear as a bright sunny day" the glow brightened, radiant and comforting to me and likely to anyone watching. However, the same couldn't be said for Tarantulas and his Vok hitchhikers when they started thrashing. And for once, I could see a look of fear on Tarantulas' face that wasn't Tarantulas. As if the Vok knew exactly what was being used against them, but hadn't really considered the likelihood of it being used until now.

"No, no! Get off, you wretch!" the booming voices were fluctuating. And seconds later, I could see why.

TigerHawk pulled his arms back, two bright streams of light trailing from his hands to his opponent. As he kept pulling, two ghostly creatures, one with green eyes and the other with purple, were ripped out of Tarantulas as they appeared to be semi-merged with the blue rays of light. With a final tug, TigerHawk yanked the Vok free from their host, earning a look of awe from everybody. Tarantulas collapsed to the ground, twitching, while TigerHawk made an odd motion with their arms to create a bright blue sphere around Terra and Tempest. As the glow died down to give the sphere a more corporeal look, the storm dissipated and the metal claws formed from the Nemesis drooped. Though everybody was still restrained, they were able to blast their way out of their 'prison'.

Megatron, all too happy to abuse such a moment, rushed toward the main computer. His evil little digit was over the red button-

But, whatever intent he had was foiled when Optimus looked up and shouted "Incoming!", prompting the Predacon tyrant to see just what was interrupting his moment of glory this time. Everyone left the area where Megatron was in a great hurry. Even Dinobot's clone.

Both me and Transmutate squeaked like scared little girls and ducked as a standard Autobot escape shuttle busted through DC's 'entrance' shattering any remaining glass and pretty much nearly that whole side of the command deck as it plowed straight into Megatron and destroyed the main console and continued on its merry way out the other side.

Woo boy, when the original Megatron wakes up he's going to be pissed

Alarms started blaring everywhere, a sure sign we needed to evacuate and pronto. Optimus, being the good leader he was (and I don't mean that sarcastically), grabbed Tarantulas and tossed him over his shoulder as he transformed. "Everyone out, let's go!" he hovered near Rampage and Dinobot-II, both of which were laughably too confused to start attacking each other. "And I mean everyone, unless-" OP didn't finish as the crab Predacon grabbed his half-brother and hurled him atop the Maximal leader's alt mode before jumping on himself. Depth Charge also transformed, his manta ray form already in flight mode as Trailblazer hopped on.

TigerHawk glanced over in our direction as he too switched to beast mode, maneuvering the sphere with the Vok between his wings. This prompted Transmutate to give a thumbs-up. "It's fine, I got her. You guys go on ahead!" switching to bat form, she hoisted me onto her back. Almost in single file, we all retreated from the command deck of the Nemesis as the dreadful ship continued to tilt towards the ocean, rapidly descending to its new destined resting place for the coming four million years.

It was a project, but we finally wrangled in the remaining Predacons (except for Waspinator, who came willingly) and had them secured within another compartment of the Autobot shuttle. When it came to Megatron, Optimus actually asked me if I could help with the procedure to free the original Megatron's spark. I agreed, helping the Maximal leader (and good friend and 'uncle') keep the Predacon dragon still as Rhinox surgically removed the Decepticon leader's spark. As this was happening, Rampage and Dinobot kept Dinobot-II away from the other Predacons, while Depth Charge kept a close optic on Rampage. Although the crab seemed pretty docile and wasn't bothered with the Maximal victory, the Maximals surely would not let their guard down. Not when Cybertron was but a warp away.

For the Vok, TigerHawk kept them close. As in carried them everywhere in that little sphere of theirs, not daring to set them down even for a moment.

When it came to picking up any remnants left over by the war (stasis pods -either empty or blank, scrap, scrap, more scrap -and oh, the burnt husks of Terrorsaur and Scorponok, poor bastards) it took perhaps around four weeks, maybe more. I was in too much of a haze to accurately keep track of time. Of course, we weren't really thorough, not when everyone was eager to go to Cybertron. That, and the secured Predacons were driving us nuts with their complaints.

And...Rampage. Just his presence was unsettling to anyone who wasn't me or Transmutate.

Anyway, after some more time of packing whatever we needed and wanted from home base, Maximals and Preds alike were all buckled up.

"You all buckled in Cassandwa?" Rattrap asked in a baby voice, as if I was the toddler.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up Rattrap"

This earned chuckles from everyone. "Careful rodent, she just might strangle you with those seat restraints" the original Dinobot grinned evilly upon seeing the rat Maximal cringe and mumble to himself.

"Oh really? I thought she was going to wait until we got to Cybertron to beat him up" Blackarachnia added her input, also grinning. Silverbolt was next to her, smiling at the spectacle that was our shenanigans. "I'm not one for fights among comrades, but I wouldn't mind watching such a thing" he adds, earning approving nods from anyone listening.

"If he tries to run away, I'll hold him down" DC pipes up.

"I'll bring the oil and energon munchies!" Trailblazer joins.

Rattrap listened in horror as Transmutate pitched in. "Can I join you Cass? I have some pent up frustration that needs to be vented"

"Of course, the more the merrier"

"Well, if that's the case I'll join too!" Cheetor cat-grinned over at the rat Maximal.

Rattrap's jaw dropped significantly. Dinobot laughed, the hoarse sound making some bots jump.

"Is everyone ready?" Rhinox asks, giving us all a small smile.

We all nod.

"Bring us home, old friend" Optimus says this with finality as he gazes ahead.

As the ship lifts off, all I can think is:

Cybertron, here I come

And that's it for this story folks! This chapter being extra long to make up for my absence!

If I missed anything, specifically failed to answer any questions that you may have about any head-canon nonsense that I introduced in the story, please let me know so I can fix it -I don't mind :) Other feedback is also welcome!

Y'all stay beautiful.

P.S. Should I write an epilogue? Because I do have a sequel in mind, but I'd also like to list this story as 'Complete' and save whatever I have planned for the sequel for the actual writing of that story.

P.S.S. I really wouldn't mind writing an epilogue ;)