Megatron snarled as Knockout attempted to help him stand up from the ground when the Autobots arrived, and attempted to push Knockout away when the medic insisted, though this just caused him more pain. He was in horrible condition, much of his armor was missing, and the little that was still on him was covered in claw marks. The ground where he had laid was drenched with spilled energon, and Knockout's arms were much the same, though for different reasons.

Optimus, at the head of the Autobots, was clearly worried. Those who knew him could tell by the tenseness in his shoulders and his battle mask, though others would never be able to tell. He stopped a few meters away from where Megatron now stood, the two facing one another.

"Optimus, always the do-gooder." Sneered Megatron. Optimus Prime simply ignored the leader of the Decepticons and instead started speaking.

"Old friend," Megatron snarled, though Optimus once again ignored him. "We are currently facing a threat far greater than any we have before. These 'Chosen' could end the rest of our species. They threatened to kill us all, regardless of whether we are an Autobot or Decepticon. They have aligned themselves with Predaking, a mech capable of holding his own against any one of us. Our numbers are dwindling, Megatron. Neither the Autobots nor the Decepticons can take on this threat ourselves. Will you join with us once more, in our darkest hour, to save our species?" Optimus held out his hand which, after a moment's hesitation, Megatron stepped forward and took. It was at this point that Ratchet interjected.

"Why would you need another medic? Doesn't Knockout have everything you need on the Nemesis?"

Megaton whirled - and flinched from the pain - to glare at the Autobot's medic, before growling his reply.

"Do you think I would still be here, bleeding out, if I was still able to access my ship?! Those fraggin' 'Chosen' slaughtered my mechs and took Soundwave. For some reason, they left us alive."

"You don't look so well to me. Why's Knockout, Shockwave and the rest of those Vehicons unhurt, but you're half-dead?" Asked Arcee, stepping forward. Megatron clenched his fists in an obvious attempt to not hit anything.

"Soundwave and I fought Predaking and one of those Chosen. Roulette," Megatron snarled the name. "Is the mech's name. Soundwave killed him. He should have died. I watched Soundwave's sword go through his Spark. Or where his Spark should have been. But that insane fragger broke apart and fixed himself. He had no Spark. The battle ended when he blew Soundwave and I up. After that, the human threw a grenade into the pit we were fighting in that caused us to fall into stasis."

"Optimus! They're all covered in Tox-En!" Shouted Ratchet, finally realizing what he was scanning. He was more alarmed to learn that a mech as large as Megatron had received a dose large enough that he had clearly started to hallucinate.

The rest of the Autobots backed up in alarm, though Knockout was the first to yell.

"Do you think I wasn't aware of that?! Those 'Chosen' had a -pardon the expression- knockout gas made of the stuff. I understand hallucinations are a common side effect of high concentrations of Tox-En before offlining, but none of what Megatron said is a lie. That mech… I haven't seen anything like him - it -ever. However, that boy. That human that's working with the Chosen is powerful."

"We need to speak with your human. Primus sent him to… help us. He may be…" Megatron paused, a flash of pain wracked his features just in time to hide the wince from what he had to say. "Important."

He fell into a violent coughing fit, doubling over and covering the ground beneath himself in the bright blue of Energon. Knockout and Ratchet rushed forward at the same time, Knockout because Megatron was his leader, and Ratchet because he took his job as a medic to Spark. Both medics started poking and prodding the leader of the Decepticons, all the while sharing observations about their patient's conditions.

"We are still in the area the the Chosen left us in." Reminded Shockwave. "I calculate a 34% chance they may still attack. We should leave before such an event occurs."

"Rafael, please open a Groundbridge to our location. We require immediate medical assistance." Said Optimus, not wanting to risk his Autobots. A Groundbridge opened up, and the Transformers went through.

XxXxXxX

(The next morning, 6:30)

Zane got up, almost as good as new. He teleported to the Transformer Resting Area and walked up to Predaking. Zane winced upon seeing him. Predaking was scratched up and dented everywhere. His left optic was pierced and offline. A wound on the hind leg was covered in dried Energon, and his left hand was almost torn off. As Zane stepped closer, Predaking looked up and growled.

"I am so very sorry Predaking. I thought you were strong enough to handle them by yourself, let alone with some help. You may need to train, I have a way in mind. However, you appear to be hurt, to say the least. So, please, hold still as I heal you."

Predaking laid back down as Zane glowed purple and closed his eyes. Predaking started glowing too, and Zane opened his eyes. They shined a purple as deep as the ocean and reached his open hand toward Predaking. He then clenched it and opened it back up. There was a purple orb that he threw towards Predaking. It was absorbed into Predaking and a bright purple flash went off. When Zane could see, Predaking looked as good as new. Predaking transformed, and looked surprised. He looked himself over, then spoke.

"Thank you, I suppose. Now, what is this training you mentioned?"

Zane smiled a smile that would give a psychopath a heart attack.

"I am so glad you asked." Zane purred. Predaking's optics narrowed as he took a step backwards. Before he could say or do anything else, the two disappeared in a flash of purple

Predaking opened his optics and looked around. He was in the middle of a canyon, tall cliffs on either side. A figure jumped off of one of the cliffs and landed in front of Predaking. The figure was Zane, and he let loose a hearty laugh.

"Ha, I guess that makes me a cliff jumper now, huh? Now, Unicron had made some avatars out of rock, so I wish to try that. Destroy as many as you can and I will... do something. Remember, I have faith that you will last a long time. So, go!"

Zane teleported away in a flash of purple as Predaking shot a pillar of flame at him. A second later, a humanoid form came out of the rocky wall and walked toward Predaking. It was a perfect replica of Zane, albeit rocky and as tall as Stinger. Predaking immediately blasted it with a burst of flame. The avatar fell backwards and crumbled into dust. Predaking walked over to it and sniffed. All of a sudden, a loud rumbling noise could be heard. He looked around to see dozens of the replicas come out of the cliff walls and turn towards him. They rushed him, so Predaking took to the skies and looked down. He sent down a few more blasts of flames, and growled when the smoke cleared.

The stone avatars now had bright purple armor that looked as if it were made of Dark Energon. They also had each gained a cannon on their left arm, which they aimed at Predaking and fired. He then flew higher, attempting to dodge each one. He pulled a few corkscrews and loop-the-loops, but soon got hit in the wings and helm. He flew higher, but soon succumbed to the universal law: what goes up must come down.

Zane stared in horror as he watched Predaking plummet to the ground. Apparently he had given Predaking too much, too soon. He would have to keep that in mind for future reference, unless...

Zane started glowing purple as he slowed Predaking as much as he could. However, Predaking just kept going down. A loud "thump" was heard as he hit the ground, causing a rather large dust cloud soaring up into the air. Zane couldn't help but flinch as that happened, and soon felt sorry for the mech. After all, he wasn't much older than a few months. Physically, that is. Mentally, Predaking was as old as Optimus Prime, even if he had a habit of letting emotions cloud his logic. Not that Zane could blame him, he could easily understand how one who was created by the Decepticons had anger issues. When Zane finally realized Predaking may need some help, he walked down the cliff as if there were an invisible staircase that led down the cliff.

When he finally reached the bottom, and by extent Predaking, all he could do was wince. Predaking looked even more slagged than when he went up against Soundwave and Megatron. His legs were decimated, and Zane had a hard time figuring out which were peds and which were servos. Predaking's wings were peppered with holes, making them highly unlikely to ever be air-worthy again. Zane started talking, making what he needed to say as simple and concise as possible.

"That did not go well for you. Luckily, this was a… a, dream, if you will. None of this damaged you, as you are still in recharge. Now, I will take it upon myself to download a few maneuvers to help you fight better, both in the air and on land. In both forms. It will take some time, though I can assure you that they will make you a far greater fighter. But I will do so only with your permission."

Predaking sneered, but nodded. Zane disappeared into green zeros and ones, a smile evident on his face. The next thing Predaking knew was darkness.

XxXxXxX

Zane stumbled back from Predaking, a bit disoriented from what he just did. A few minutes passed before a single thought hit him like a bullet train.

"Soundwave!" He blurted out. He scanned the immediate area for any who may have heard him. Not seeing any, he shrugged and teleported to the Science Lab. There, on a table big enough to hold even the largest of Transformers, was the body of Soundwave, mangled and unrecognizable. Zane paused in thought for a moment as he wondered what to do.

"I wonder what to do with him. He is loyal to Megatron only, and that loyalty is unwavering. I would have to offline him to keep him away from the Cons... I wonder... What happened to make him loyal to Megatron... I know what to do! Although, I may need to fix him slightly. He needs to remain alive for this."

Zane floated up to the body of Soundwave, stuck in stasis. He put his hands on Soundwave, and watched as Soundwave glowed a faint purple and was rearranged into a recognisable shape. A few of the dents came out and some of the Energon lines were fixed, but Soundwave remained in a damaged state.

Zane called Boss and Two-Head in the room to watch him, and they soon entered. Zane started pulling cords and other assorted items to hold Soundwave down to the table, and pulled out his ipod. He jacked it into Soundwave's wrist and started doing some coding. Upon seeing the confusion on Two-Head's and Boss' faceplates, Zane started discussing what he was doing.

"You see, I am going to start digging around his processor, watch some memories, and see his past. As you know, he is basically a technopath. Think a telepath, except for machines, computers, and the like. Now, this virus I am making will weaken that. You two are here to make sure he doesn't hurt me and/or escape. And... Done. Understand your jobs...? Yes? Good."

Zane walked up to Soundwave's head and placed his hand on it. His hand, and where it touched the Decepticon Intelligence Officer, glowed a deep purple, and the next thing Zane knew was blackness.

XxXxXxX

(Soundwave's memory: 999 vorns old)

"... Good. Next time be quicker. I had time to down a few shots of High Grade and still retaliate. If you are not more careful, you will be offlined quicker than you can say 'slag'." Said the mech in front of Soundwave. He was probably taller than Megatron, yet was very thin and had spindly limbs. He was a silver color, yet could absorb all the color and heat in a room whenever he was angry. He was covered in runes that supposedly dated back to the time of the ancient Primes. The mech was older than any mechs could remember and was rather old-fashioned, so Soundwave was inclined to believe the rumors.

They had just finished sparring, using an unnamed relative of Crystalocution, Pit Fighting, and even Diffusion. Crystalocution focused on striking the fracture points, while Pit fighting was rather improvisational and lethal, and Diffusion was a nonlethal technique where one used the opponent's attacks against themselves. Using this combination was supposed to help keep the users from falling into patterns while following through with the missions they were given. Both the other mech and Soundwave himself were covered in dents and scratches.

"Yes, Master Cipher." Soundwave said, looking down at the floor, thinking how unfair it was. Ciph- Master Cipher, Soundwave mentally corrected himself, was so much older and stronger. Stronger, that is, for only the beginning of Soundwave's apprenticeship. Soon, Soundwave would reveal just how much he had truly grown, unbeknownst to his master. After a few moments of thought, Soundwave realized Cipher was still lecturing.

"... of my seven students I have been working one on one with, you are my favorite. I've practically raised you for the last 499 Vorns. In thirteen Orns it will be your Sparkorn, and you know know what that means."

"Yes Master Cipher. I will get my final upgrades and will then fight somebot to see if I am still worthy of being taught by you."

"And why is that?"

"Because the Council wishes to have only the strongest of the strong when they attack. And when they take over Cybertron, the weak will perish."

"Good, now, let us practice your technopathy. You try to breach my defenses while defending against me. Ready, go!"

Soundwave turned inward, while focusing on Cipher. Soon, he could feel his presence. Soundwave first tried forcing his way into Cipher's mind, but felt as though he drove straight into the statue of Sentinel Prime that could be found in every city. Then, splitting his attention in two, continued trying to force his way in while also subtly making a small hole in Cipher's firewalls. Feeling Cipher trying to get in his firewalls, he divided his attention again between the three tasks of defending, attacking, and making the small hole to slip in. After what had to be an unbearable eternity, but was only a few astroseconds, Soundwave broke in and started going through Cipher's thoughts, finding one that was clearly never supposed to be seen by any bot else.

Cipher was in a small room with a few other bots, ones that were vaguely familiar. They were partially obscured by shadow, and their features could hardly be made out. One was yellow, standing regally with a large, sword-like protrusion on his head. A second was blue and bland, rather reminiscent of the Constructicons. The most bizarre was a purple mini-con with wings that stayed close to the yellow mech. Before Soundwave could look further into the room and memory, Cipher realized what was happening and quickly ended the lesson.

"Enough!" Yelled Cipher, jolting Soundwave out of what he was doing. Soundwave looked back up at Cipher and cocked his head in confusion.

"What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing," growled Cipher, "you did just fine. I'm sure you'll pass the test with flying colors. But did I ever say you could go digging around my processor?"

"No, you did not. But you would do the same to me, and you have. After all, you are the one who always says life isn't fair. It is not my fault I am better at it."

"Return to your dorm. I do not wish to see you until tomorrow's lesson. Be gone."

XxXxXxXxX

I am so sorry for the very late update, I have been very busy. On the plus side, I am now an Eagle Scout. I am going to address some comments, so read on, if you so choose.

PrimalScreamer: I know my character is very Gary Stu-y, and that is because I want to have fun with him. I can assure you, any shipping of any kind are not going to be in this story. Some allusions, sure, and perhaps as a way to antagonize cartoon character, but none that is going to be important to the story. Third, as Stu-y as my character is, I hate goody-two-shoes. He will have a decent goal, but you will soon see what he will do to achieve that. He is more of an... unfortunate character. You will see just how much he truly doesn't know soon.

cartoon lover 2016: No, though you will soon see why I gave him such a name.

There was also a guest by the name of Supervisor, and for you, I recommend writing your own story. However, I don't want to change Cliffjumper's death. Soon, you will see that what I want was highly influenced by Saw, 1984, and the Lonesome Road add-on for New Vegas.

Other than what I have said, I would like to thank all who left comments. It was thanks to all of you that I kept the will to continue fixing and writing my story. Please, I desire all of your criticisms and praise. Also, if you notice a reference to popular media or another fanfiction, please leave a comment on it. You will get a point redeemable at any diner on Cybertron.