Hopefully, this and chapter 22 make it through. Hehe, rhymes.

Disclaimer: Transformers/Beast Wars does not belong to me.

Enjoy!

Epilogue:

I paced.

I twiddled my thumbs.

I played with my tail.

Anything I could possibly think of to ease my anxiety, and none of it helped. Why was I nervous, you ask?

I'll give you a single name:

Rampage.

I had already testified against the other Predacons, including Megatron. Dinobot-II was placed in what was definitely a vault after his testimony, Tarantulas also being granted the same treatment but his special containment unit was smaller and he was in a transformers equivalent of a straight-jacket no thanks to his threats and promises of a 'World Devourer' coming after us. Something I didn't take to heart because I was all too aware that Unicron had met his demise to the Autobots centuries ago. The Tripedicus Council was a shady bunch, and no doubt Tarantulas's employers, but it's not like I -or the Maximals if I decided to go through with such a decision- could butt heads with them. Not when the only 'evidence' I had to go on was either in pieces in the ocean back on Earth (we couldn't find Ravage's remains) or a raving lunatic in a cell. Inferno and Quickstrike's sentences weren't as severe as their compatriots, my account made sure of that. Inferno supposedly would have his Pred-programming removed, and then do community service afterward. Quickstrike was a special case, not really having Pred-programming itself but instead had violent impulses no thanks to a malfunction his stasis pod had upon his crash-landing in the Beast Wars. His sentence was similar to Inferno's, don't ask me to remember the details. Waspinator was laughably given a light sentence upon sharing that he defected (at the last possible 'minute'), turning in himself willingly when we had won and then went on this sob story about how he was always treated like slag before and during the Beast Wars while he was still in Megatron's ranks. But, he was still part of the original group that stole the golden disc and he was still Megatron's lackey for the near-entirety of the Beast Wars...so two (Earth) years regular jail time (minimum security prison) with parole afterward.

Dinobot, the original and my good friend, was also tried. Because like Waspinator, he participated in the golden disc's theft and had injured -but surprisingly had not killed- a handful of guards doing so. His trial was short and sweet as every Maximal and myself vouched for him. So, construction duty with parole. And a formal apology to the guards.

The Vok, Terra and Tempest, didn't receive a hearing. They were locked away in a bunker that was simply mentioned as 'The Bunker' by Optimus prior to the first Predacon trial. It's name and location still unknown to me, I only know that TigerHawk personally took charge of guarding them.

As for Megatron, I absolutely enjoyed watching him receive his verdict and be wheeled out of the room dressed in clamps, cable, and any restraining device you can think of.

But for Rampage, things were sure to be a challenge. The Predacon that went from a likely-hostile acquaintance when I first met him but went on to develop into a trusted ally and friend over the course of my time in the Beast Wars by saving my sorry hide time and time again for seemingly no good reason than that I was 'good company'; was also the same Predacon that was probably also itching to dig his hands into Optimus's neck.

The minutes ticked on as I ruminate over how to help the crab Predacon with just words alone. It was simple, right? Answer all the questions as truthfully as possible, giving a full and honest account. Problem was, a majority of my Maximal friends had already had their turns, sharing less than savory reports of their interactions with the Predacon during the Beast Wars: threatening their lives, destroying our first base, disrupting vital projects that would help end the war...and the list went on. Depth Charge's account was among the first and certainly the most damning, right next to Optimus's. The only bots (and human person) that haven't shared a story worthy of condemning the crab to death was Transmutate, Trailblazer, and myself.

The individuals that have not testified yet.

Just...tell them everything, and if it's not enough, just remember that you tried, I shivered, tears already welling up. And don't cry, damn it, my mind reprimanded. Fighting back more tears, I recalled Transmutate's reaction to every story. Face etched with undiluted concern, followed up by a head droop. I tried to comfort her every chance I got, but the truth was that I was upset and anxious too.

I heard footsteps. Shuffling footsteps. Looking up, I see the bot that I was just thinking about walking up to me with a small smile. "Break's over...and uh…"

"I'm up?"

I got a nod.

With a deep breath, I got up and strolled over next to her. I would have shuffled, being the sullen little creature I was, but my heels wouldn't let me. We both walked on in silence to re-enter the courtroom, our friends, acquaintances, and complete strangers already standing before their seats. Some (or rather all the strangers and some of the acquaintances) gawked at my tail, still perturbed by the sight although I had been coming here for weeks now. I could have very easily shrunk the appendage back into my body, especially around the time where my measurements were taken and I was presented with human clothes (that were no hassle to make on the fly, this being the ever industrious Cybertron and all) best suited for the trials that I was to participate in. If I had, I would have appeared as this little human woman all dolled up for court. But no, I kept my 'tail' because it was me. The swishing, the twitching, the balance that came with it was all natural now like it's been with me all along...even though that wasn't the case for the majority of my time in the Beast Wars.

So now, when I walked in the room, toward the seat next to the judge, I was a young 'human' woman with a grey metal tail doing her absolute best to ignore the stares.

"Court is now back in session, everyone take your seats"

We all did as instructed, with the exception of the High Council, whom of which were already seated.

"Alright. Ms. Sparks, are you ready to begin?" the judge looks at me with soft optics, his voice professional but gentle. The High Council, seated on a higher platform behind the judge, watches with interest.

"Yes, your Honor"

"From what I gathered from accounts prior to this one, the Predacon before you, Rampage as he is called, is a threat that deserves severe retribution. And while the outcome of this trial seems rather obvious, I would like to know your thoughts -your story- regarding this bot"

I shifted my gaze from the judge, to the crowd, and then to Rampage. He wasn't staring me down expectantly, nor was he growling and staring at the floor. His green optics were watching me sure, but with curiosity, and his face and stance were calm. Rampage was being respectful. Definitely more respectful than most bots in the courtroom.

"Your Honor, this may be hard to believe, but…" I took a deep breath and scanned the room, preparing for the inevitable shit-storm. "But this bot, Rampage, is my friend"

Not even cyber-crickets chirped during the silence that followed that statement. And trust me, Cybertron was lousy with the little buggers.

The sound of a metal chair screeching made everyone wince as a blue, winged-bot with slanted red optics shot up. "Cassie, what the Pit are you doing?!" Depth Charge hissed out, the menace in his voice carrying rather nicely across the room. "Is this a joke?! Are you joking right now, because if you are it's not-"

"That is enough!" the judge pounded his gavel, voice booming with authority. The High Council looked on in silence. "ex-Omicron Marshal Depth Charge, might I remind you that your own trial for disobeying the High Council is next week? Or do you wish to be tried right now?"

The manta maximal grumbled, plopping himself back into his seat. His narrowed gaze still on me.

"Go on, Ms. Sparks" teal optics landed back on me, the judge's fury completely evaporated.

Deciding to get to the point before any more interruptions could happen and likely end with me breaking down with stress, I peered up at the judge: "He saved my life, your Honor. Numerous times" I regarded a shocked room (including the High Council) briefly before refocusing my attention back on the judge. "With no other reason that I can think of other than that he simply wanted to"

"Was there anyone else around whenever he saved you?"

"I'm positive a couple of my comrades can vouch for me" I looked to see Transmutate grinning and Trailblazer's 'vacant' look as he was probably mulling over past situations. Everyone else that was on Optimus's team was looking at me with bewilderment.

"And you don't suspect an ulterior motive?"

I considered this, but that only last for a few seconds before I replied "No" with conviction.

At the back of the room, I could see DC plant his face in his hands. A great wave of guilt washed over me at the sight of my distressed friend by laying this all down now of all times. Though I refused to put such guilt on display. This was the truth, whether my friends liked it or not.

"Hmm, interesting…" the judge scanned the room, then looked at me. "I am sure the jury is as curious as I am to hear this story, perhaps you can share all your interactions with the Predacon from start to finish?"

"Of course, your Honor..."

I then proceeded to recount what the judge had requested in full detail.

…

I was sitting outside, nibbling on some grade of energon 'chips' that had a sweetened taste. Something that earned more dumbfounded stares from passerby and quite a lot of whispers in conjunction with the sight of my tail. "Take a picture, it'll last longer" I called out one group of 'young' bots gawking at me from where they were on a balcony nearby, more interested in me than the party I was sure they were attending. I sighed when they didn't get the hint, packing up my snack to head on inside.

"Excuse me, ma'am" an unfamiliar voice echoed out 'charmingly'. Figuring it would be rude to ignore them, even if they sounded off, I turned around to see a bot with bland coloring jog up to me, smile on his face upon seeing that he had my attention. "I have a few questions!" he stopped at a respectful distance of four feet, his height not very intimidating as he appeared to be only a foot taller than my short frame.

"Okay" I responded curtly, wanting this to be over with so I could go back inside.

"It's for an academy project of mine, it's about Earth and its indigenous" he pointed a thumb over his shoulder. "Is it okay if we talk over there, that's where I left my recording equipment"

"You don't have any built into you?" I asked. Everything about this discussion was setting me on edge, from the way he approached me to how he said 'indigenous'. And also by how he looked at me when I asked such a question.

"Uh no, never really bothered to install them. My body already has enough mods as is"

I raised an eyebrow at him, but conceded. "Alright"

I suppressed a shiver at the sight of his triumphant grin as he led me toward his 'spot'. Once there, behind a statue of the great Optimus Prime himself, the bot whirled around and gripped my throat. As he pinned me against the cold metal pedestal, a vicious sneer contorted his features. I couldn't cry for help, and the spot we were in was well concealed by the statue, the benches, and the walls that were built around the back (and sides) of it. As the bot squeezed my throat some more he leaned in and asked:

"First question; how's it feel being organic scum?"

I pointed to my throat. He let up just enough for me to speak.

"How's it feel to be bitch-slapped?"

Before he could respond, my tail lashed out and struck him across his face, making him stumble to the side. His forearm morphed into a weapon, a standard blaster, but I was quicker as my 'special' vision kicked in, responding to the threat in front of me. With practiced focus, I used his own body against him as I forced all the fluids backwards, and straight into the wall with a resounding 'clang'.

This caught the attention of whoever was nearby, hurried footsteps rushing toward us. Hands out, I jogged out (trying not to twist my ankles) from behind the memorial of Optimus Prime, making myself look as least threatening as possible. The two maximals to greet me were individuals I was well acquainted with shortly after arriving at Cybertron, and were among the few that had not gawked at me like I was an exotic species during the hearings prior and present.

"Cassandra? What happened, you look distressed" the black and white fem-bot with bright pink optics asked, glancing past me for any sign of my assailant while keeping one servo on her hip-mounted gun.

"I was attacked by some crazy xenophobic bot" I winced. "Lured me in by saying he had questions pertaining to a project of his…" with a quick glance behind me to see if said bot was going to make any more attempts, I turned my attention back on the two maximal cops. "I had a hunch something wasn't right, but I still went through with it because I wanted to know what he was really truly up to" I rubbed my neck. Not sure if it was worth it though...ouchie

"...and, did he reveal anything?" the tall sleek maximal (who was all black save for the sliver of pale metal behind that mouth-plate of his) that was beside the fem-bot inquired, one of his icy-blue optics narrowed.

"Not much, just called me 'organic scum' and crushed my throat. I'm sure he wasn't interested in saying anything else so I uh…took care of him"

The sleek bot chuckled at this while his partner gave me a small smile. "Will you lead us to him?"

With a nod, I showed them where I last saw the bot. He was still there, face-down and groaning in pain. Serves you right you little racist shit, I smirked at seeing a rather large dent on the back of his helm, sparking and leaking some mech-fluid. The sleek bot whistled, crouching down to get a better look. "You still job-hunting? Because if you are, we could use you in our ranks"

The fem-bot gave an exasperated sigh. "Shadowflare, she's said before that she will consider it, now stop pestering her" small white servos cuffed my assailant, eliciting another groan from the creep. "And you, you be quiet" the fem-bot yanked the bot onto his feet, and proceeded to shove him toward Shadowflare.

"Really Foxtrot?"

"Yes, really" Foxtrot pouted as she looked up at her partner. She was my height, so her reaction was kinda justified. "When he gets rowdy, you'll be able to handle him much better than I" she put her digit to her comm-link, reporting what happened as she continued to stare down a chuckling Shadowflare. I started to chuckle too, observing all this. Once she was done, she looked over to me. "We're heading back to HQ, will you be fine walking back from here?"

I glanced at the High Council's Grand Court building which was only a hundred or so feet away. I gave a sly smirk. "Knowing me, I'll probably find some other nonsensical trouble to get into"

Foxtrot rolled her pink optics. "I'll take that as a yes"

As she and Shadowflare transformed into their vehicle modes (the idea of beast forms was still being murmured about among the public) I walked back toward the High Council's Grand Court. As I did so, I shot a glance back at my assailant before the maximal cops escorted him out of view.

He was glaring daggers at me.

I glared at him back. There was no way I was going to be distracted now, not when my friend needed me. So, I flipped him off and made my way into the building.

I had heard earlier that Transmutate was up next.

I know that fans of a certain crab are eager to hear of his fate.

BUT, since I have an evil side about me, I'll save it for the sequel (Which will be called 'Surviving Cybertron' when I get to writing it) where other events will start unraveling around that time :)

I hope I wrote a decent epilogue, although I was already sure what it meant, I still looked it up. I hope I wrapped up things well enough from this story while also 'subtly' hinting toward what may be in store for the future.

Thank you to anyone for sticking with this story to the very end! Your patience is astounding XD

Also, I hope my 'court' scene is accurate, it's been a long while since I watched Law and Order SOOO I kinda guessed what the Cybertronian 'justice system' was like.

The maximal 'cops' at the end are OC's of mine, as you probably already guessed.