Hi everyone! Hope you all are enjoying the summer! Thanks for all the reviews and favorites!

I don't own Transformers Prime as the show is owned by Hasbro.

Ch. 22: Near The Finish Line

"Hey Optimus did something happen to the blue dragon?" Smokescreen asked curiously. Optimus paused for a moment, unsure how to answer.

"Her name is Elisa and she's Megatron's younger daughter." He explained without looking at him.

"Daughter? How did that happen?" Smokescreen said shocked.

"I'd rather not say." Optimus replied quietly.

"How did she get that brace on her leg?"

"I am not sure Smokescreen."

"Do you think she'll be alright?"

"I certainly hope so. Nothing is more dangerous than a parent filled with rage, especially when that parent is Megatron."

Xxxxxxxxxx

"But I might wield that power if I were to control such a hand."

Carrier requested to be left alone after the devastating blow by the Star Saber. Elisa knew that he hadn't recharged that night because he was thinking of a plan. She stayed by the door of the bridge and dozed off every now and then until the doors finally opened and Carrier came out along with Dreadwing. He gave her a short smile to show that he had been quite in coming to the bridge in first place.

"Did you stay there all night?" Megatron asked with concern.

"Yeah, I was worried." Elisa said with a small yawn.

"Oh my little one." Megatron said with a gentle sigh. "Go back to your berth. I have a plan that can change things." He explained.

"Can I come and help?" She asked quickly.

"Dreadwing will accompany me as I plan to go to Cybertron." Megatron answered. She tilted her head curiously at the name of her supposed home world as the home she had ever know was the Nemesis, but she considered Earth to be a beautiful world in it's own right too.

"Ok be careful Carrier." Elisa said. He nodded before heading toward the deck.

"Oh Elisa, please get that leg check will you?" Megatron said with sincerity.

"Ok Carrier…but only because you asked." She teased with a wink. He let out a chuckle before heading towards the deck.

"She worries about you." Dreadwing said.

"I know. It's not healthy for her as that is my duty." Megatron said slightly saddened. "But she makes so very happy." He added quickly.

"What about Phoenix?" Dreadwing asked.

"We have our disagreements."

With that Dreadwing instantly dropped the subject because he knew better.

Xxxxxxxxx

"Your leg looks fine Elisa." Knockout announced happily.

"Thanks, I did take a hard hit from that autobot the other day." She explained.

"Ooooh a new autobot. What's he like?" Knockout asked with fascination.

"He's about your size and probably a speed demon like you." She pointed out.

"Moa!?" Knockout said innocently making Elisa giggle.

"He's got the number 38 on his door wings." She added.

"Oooohh shiny." He winked.

"Have you seen Phoenix at all?" She asked more seriously.

"To be honest with you Elisa I avoid her at all costs." Knockout said quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said, but he waved it away. "Are you holding up ok?" She asked.

"It felt good to do some experiments on that…insect." Knockout snapped. "I'm keeping him alive to give him as much misery as possible." He said proudly before his optics went sad with guilt. "But the thing is pretty girl…I don't feel any different." He said with tear going down his face. Elisa wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his helm while purring in comfort. He had to laugh and he gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "Thanks."

"Knockout can I trust you with something?" Elisa asked seriously.

"You can trust me with anything Elisa." He answered instantly.

"I think Phoenix is conspiring with Magma." She stated making Knockout's optics go wide.

"Are you serious?" He gasped and she only nodded. "How do you know?"

"I don't have any proof, but Magma was there when I tried to kill Airachnid and I found some footage of her telling someone I was off the ship, but there was no reply." Elisa explained.

"Not to mention that she keeps arguing with Megatron left and right." Knockout added.

"Knockout I don't want to be right." Elisa said sadly.

"I know pretty girl." He said patting her shoulder.

"Also, how did he get on the ship in the first place?" She asked pointing to her brace. "The warship is always cloaked. Someone had to let him and his tribe in."

"You think it was Phoenix?"

"I don't know…maybe."

"Why don't you like Magma?"

"He hurt my Carrier for one and two his energy is black and cold. It's unnatural and dangerous. I don't want him near me." Elisa explained.

"Good enough for me." Knockout chuckled.

"Besides he thinks mechs like you and Carrier are inferior and that they should be under the dragon's control. That's not right." Elisa said firmly.

"What do you think should happen?"

"I know Carrier might not agree, but everyone should be equal, decepticon or autobot." She answered truthfully.

"That's a good moral to go by." Knockout said proudly. They paused when they heard footsteps walking by the medical bay.

"See you later Knockout." Elisa said before she hurried out of the room.

"Spoken like a true Prime." Knockout smiled when she was gone.

Outside in the hall Elisa saw Phoenix walking away.

"Phoenix where are you going?" She asked as she hurried after her.

"Going for a fly." She answered.

"But Carrier told us to stay here." Elisa protested.

"But he's not here…is he?" Phoenix snapped before leaving Elisa frowning.

Xxxxxxxx

"Yes, I can do it Lord Megatron, if you're certain that's what you really want." Knockout said cautiously.

"Like nothing I've ever desired before doctor." Megatron answered darkly.

"I shall induce stasis." Knockout said quickly.

"No!" Megatron snapped. "I wish to bear witness as you attach my new appendage.

"You do know Elisa will be horrified." Knockout said seriously.

"I know, but I cannot afford to lose this battle if she is to survive in the future." Megatron said firmly. Knockout only nodded.

"Coming up."

Xxxxxxxxx

THUD!

Elisa heard the noise coming down the hallway so she cautiously stepped closer and closer until the door opened. She saw Knockout and Dreadwing in front of Megatron as he hammered away at something with the Forge of Solous Prime. However something was off about her Carrier.

She let out scream of shock when she saw her Carrier's new arm.

Before Knockout Dreadwing could stop her she ran over to him in a panic.

"Carrier…wha-what happened?" She cried.

"It's alright Elisa don't worry." Megatron said gently.

"Are you hurt?" She cried out again with fear.

"I'm not hurt Elisa. Just calm down so I can explain." He said gently. She took a few deep breaths, but was still shaking. "I know possess the power to control the power of the Primes because this came from the body of a Prime." He said holding out the red arm. Elisa didn't like it at all.

"Carrier…I…I…" She didn't dare protest against it for fear of his anger and disappointment.

"I know you don't agree with the idea Elisa, but as long as Optimus has the Star Saber desperate measures must be taken if we are too survive." He said firmly. Elisa only nodded. She looked down at the table and saw the dark energon crystal and it made her flinch.

"I'm sorry…I can't stay here." She said before she quickly backed away and left the room.

"I told you it would upset her." Knockout argued. Megatron frowned at him before he continued his task.

"The Forge of Solous Prime possesses the ability to create anything from raw material." Dreadwing said curiously.

"And in this case said raw material would be a chunk of dark energon." Knockout said.

Xxxxxxxx

"Tell Optimus Prime that if he wants this relic he must come and claim it himself!"

The wait wasn't long and Optimus appeared through the sand with the Star Saber in hand.

"Claim your prize Optimus if you can." Mergatron teased flexing his new arm.

"By the Allspark Megatron what have you done?" Optimus gasped.

"This? I find it affords me certain advantages, such as the use of the Forge of Solous Prime." Megatron boasted before flew the deadly blade. "My first creation, fashioned from the very blood of Unicron, I call it the Dark Star Saber. Slayer of Primes if you will."

And with that Megatron let out a battle cry and charged.

Optimus charged forward as well as they dodged the energy waves of both blades until they collided. The blue and purple blades hit each other hard until a temporary stand still occurred.

"At last we take our rightful places Optimus as Gods wielding the power of the Cosmos." Megatron said too gleefully before he slammed Optimus into the rock wall by the throat.

"I am but a solider Megatron and you are prisoner of your own twisted delusions." Optimus argued back fiercely before he shoved Megatron off and he landed hard on the ground. "And you put Elisa in the middle of this didn't you?" Optimus demanded. Megatron roared in fury before he waved his blade and Optimus had to dodge an energy wave.

"Leave her out of this!" Megatron shouted before he tried to strike again. The first three blows were blocked before he twirled and landed a swipe on Prime's arm. The wound was an ugly black. "My Dark Star Saber has tasted one spark tonight. It still thirsts for that of a Prime." Megatron teased before his blow was blocked yet again. Only this time he landed a hard punch right across Prime's face and he landed hard on his stomach. Prime looked up to see megatron approaching him, breathing hard, until finally he roared again for the final strike.

The Star Saber shattered instantly.

Prime's optics went wide as he collapsed to his knees and saw the pieces of the ancient sword disintegrate. He felt the heat of the dark energon on the back of his helm.

"And so it ends just as I envisioned with your head beside my new trophy." He raised the blade high and…

"Oh you mean this. Finders keepers." Smokescreen announced with the key in his servo.

"You!" Megatron snapped ready to go at him, but Optimus caught him by surprise and punched him. They struggled for blade as Smokescreen ran towards them.

"Smokescreen fall back." Optimus ordered as an energy beam went right towards. He easily jumped out of the way in time to see Optimus slam Megatron to the ground. It didn't last long as Megatron landed another hard punch and knocked Optimus away. Another energy wave came right towards him, but Smokescreen got in front of him and the energy went right through them both.

"No!" Megatron shouted.

"Missed us." Smokescreen teased as they both ran towards the groundbridge. He ran after them with a shout and sent another wave their way, but the bridge closed before it reached them, but Megatron had to laugh as the sand settled.

"Run Optimus run. Those trinkets from Iacon will not save. Not when I possess the power to TEAR THIS WORLD APART!"

Not a second later Megatron twirled around sent another energy wave in the direction of his new opponent. The dragon yelped and flew out of the way but when it exploded he landed on the ground hard. "Magma." Megatron growled. The dragon only growled in reply before he tried to get up, only for Megatron to kick him hard and send him tumbling. Magma was forced to act fast and fired his red heartay at him, but much to his surprise Megatron blocked the fire with his blade and it forced Magma to back off quickly. "Stay away from us. Do you hear me!?" Megatron shouted in warning.

"I only wanted to see how little Elisa was doing." He teased before he quickly flew off into the clouds. Megatron huffed in aggravation before he returned to the Nemesis.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Elisa watched with curiosity as Soundwave started to decode the remaining coordinates on the bridge. It was fascinating to watch him and Laserbeak kept flying overhead of her every once and while to be playful. Knockout was appointed the task of retrieving the next relic, but Elisa tried to pay no mind to the hard conversation between Carrier and the doctor.

"Carrier I…" Elisa started but then thought against it.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Nothing Carrier, I'm sorry. It's not my place." She said quickly.

"Just tell me." He said gently.

"I thought you were a little harsh on Knockout." She said quietly.

"It's alright Elisa, but I can't afford a battle of a bigger ego when too much is at stake." Megatron explained.

"Fair enough." She said before Laserbeak plucked at her again playfully.

Luckily Knockout returned with the relic, but looked just like the other that was taken by Prime. Dreadwing was up next and went to retrieve the next relic. Too bad he didn't and not only that but the last coordinates weren't coordinates at all, but an image of…Smokescreen.

Xxxxxxxx

"Wakey, wakey." Knockout teased darkly as Smokescreen woke up. He instantly started to struggle against his bonds on the med berth. "If you're looking for your phase shifter finders keepers." Knockout said showing it on his wrist.

"Enough prattling Knockout, hand me the final Iacon relic now." Megatron demanded. Smokescreen blinked in surprise to see Elisa also in the room staring at him curiously.

"Yeah I can't really help you. That's the only one I was packing." Smokescreen answered.

"Soundwave."

He started to show the image on the visor.

"You got the wrong guy chief. Optimus Prime's the one who can decode the Iacon database." Smokescreen added not getting the motive.

"Aaaah, but you miss understand. The final entry has been decoded by us!" Megatron said proudly. "And according to our findings, it would appear I do indeed have the right guy." Megatron mocked darkly.

"The question is what is it that you are still packing?" Knockout said holding a scanner up. "Why hidden treasure of course." He said gleefully.

"Yet another of these identical relics. Remove it swiftly." Megatron ordered.

"With pleasure, I do resent a finish flashier than my own." Knockout said before he brought the saw closer to him. Elisa was about to protest, but he quickly brought his servo back. "Made you squirm." He teased to Smokescreen before he teased out the phase shifter. "Trippy." He said making Elisa quietly smirk. "And intuitive, proper grounding ensures that its user won't phase through the floor."

"I said swiftly!"

"Aaah get your stinking hand out of my gears!" Smokescreen protested.

"And gotcha!" Knockout said before pulling the relic out making Megatron sneer in annoyance. Elisa stared at it curiously as she thought she saw speckles of energy around it.

"Tell me the function of these relics." Megatron ordered.

"Door stops, shavers, bling beats me." Smokescreen teased making Elisa roll her eyes as she knew this would not go well for him.

"Hmmm a pity this little gadget won't allow me to just reach into his brain pan and pluck out the info." Knockout said irritated.

"Fortunately we possess a device that can." Megatron said with a dark smile. The cortical physic patch did not fare well for Smokescreen, but it got the job done.

"That's a wrap." Knockout said before releasing Smokescreen.

"The power to remake Cybertron as I see fit. I will pry the other two keys from Optimus Prime's lifeless fingers. We must find the exact location of the autobot base, patch in and tear apart Smokescreen's mind if you must." Megatron ordered Knockout.

"Me?" He said confused.

"Who else. Do you think I would entrust you to see this key safely to the vault with the other one." Megatron said darkly.

"Once more onto the bridge." Knockout said with a sigh.

"No, not again, stay out of my head." Smokescreen protested.

"Knockout, give me a moment with him please." Elisa finally spoke.

"Fine, but only a moment." Knockout huffed before exiting.

"Why did you apologize?" She demanded.

"It sounded like it hurt and you wouldn't be in a brace for no reason." Smokescreen answered. "Optimus is worried about you." He added.

"Why me?"

"I don't know, but I think he really doesn't want you to get hurt." Smokescreen explained. "And quiet honestly, now that I've seen you like this I don't either." He added.

"Why is that?" She snapped unamused.

"You're too pretty a dragon first of all and you don't seem like a killer." He said. Elisa blinked in surprise and stared at him in surprise.

"I don't know if you'll get out of here alive, but if you do than tell Optimus to watch out for Phoenix. She's been talking to Magma." She said before she started to leave.

"Who are Phoenix and Magma?" He called out.

"No one important to you, but Optimus will know." She answered before she left the room and turned to Knockout.

"He's all yours." Elisa said to him.

"Oh goody!"

Xxxxxxxx

Elisa jumped when she heard an angry roar from her Carrier.

"Uh-oh." She said to herself. That could only mean that Smokescreen did get out. She hurried to the deck to see Megatron toss two troops off. She nearly burst out laughing when one was a vehicon and not a flier. Phoenix jumped off along with two more fliers before Elisa hurried over to him.

"The autobot jumped." He stated.

"That's a long way down." Elisa said poking her head down.

"Stay here." He ordered before he took after him.

"I guess that's Phoenix." Smokescreen said to himself as a red dragon dived after him. He activated his shifter and she went right through him.

"What the-aaahhh!" She shouted in surprise when he fired right at her back and sent her stumbling through the clouds. He couldn't do the same when Megatron knocked him off course from a ground bridge. He did managed to phase through the ground and avoid being splattered before he returned to base with three keys.

"Hey Optimus Elisa gave me a message for you." Smokescreen said quickly.

"What? What for?" Ratchet demanded.

"I don't know." Smokescreen shrugged.

"Go ahead Smokescreen." Optimus said calmly.

"She says she thinks Phoenix is talking to Magma." He said confused. Prime and Ratchet's optics went wide and then they looked at each other.

"Wait isn't Magma Phoenix's Sire?" Bulkhead said confused.

"Yeah so what's the big deal?" Arcee said just as confused.

"Because Phoenix is with Megatron." Ratchet answered.

"Beuuph?" Bee said.

"So…that means Phoenix is conspiring against Megatron." Optimus explained.

"Why not let Magma do the dirty work for us?" Arcee asked.

"Because Magma hates beings like us. He calls us humans and he hates us. He thinks we should be the slaves to the dragons as they are the superior race." Ratchet explained rather loudly.

"Oh that's bad." Bulkhead said.

"And if Magma extinguishes Megatron's spark along with the decepticons only us autobots stand in the way of Magma's enslavement."Optimus stated.

"Maybe we should talk to Elisa." Smokescreen suggested.

"But how do we reach her?" Arcee asked the obvious question.

"I do not know." Optimus said gravely.

Xxxxxxx

"Been there done that."

"Starscream!" Elisa called out in surprise. She tried to go to him, but Megatron grabbed her shoulder and stopped her.

"Please pardon my announced visit Lord Megatron." Starscream said with a bow. Elisa backed away as Dreadwing pulled out his gun, but Megatron stopped him too.

"I have come bearing a peace offering." He grinned holding all four keys.

"Carrier…he's got all four." Elisa said shocked. Starscream tried to hide the fact that her leg was in a brace was disturbing him greatly. Not to mention that she was limping and must be in great pain. He cautiously laid all four keys on the ground and let Megatron approach.

"Few things of value come without a price. So tell me Starscream, what is that you wish in return?" Megatron demanded.

"Only to become a decepticon once again." Starscream answered kneeling down.

"Dreadwing is my first lieutenant now."

"And I accept that much has changed during my absence. I only wish to serve you, my one true Master, in any way that you deem fit." Starscream said sincernly.

"I am deeply impressed by your accomplishment Starscream and know that your offerings will be put to good use. Whatever the outcome."

"Outcome…of what?" Starscream asked afraid and confused.

"See to it that Knockout is extracted from the wall." He ordered Dreadwing. "Elisa stay away from him until my decision." He said to her. She slumped in sadness but nodded and stepped away from him. "And you as well Starscream." He growled deeply, remember all the pain his absence brought to Elisa. He nodded quickly and did as he was told. Elisa stayed in the bridge as Megatron and Starscream went to the medical bay.

"What will we be fishing for today my liege?" Knockout asked.

"Starscream's true motives."

Xxxxxxxxx

"Oooh does this mean…" Starscream said excitedly.

"Yes…I will allow to return to our ranks. If only because you are valuable beside me than against me." Megatron stated.

"Oh thank the Allspark!" Starscream shouted with joy.

"Infighting has nearly destroyed the decepticons during your absence. We must operate as a united front we are to revive and conquer Cybertron. That means each and every one of us…Knockout." Megatron said darkly.

"So…may I ask what happened to Elisa?" Starscream asked cautiously. Megatron glared down at him with a sneer before the bitter memory appeared. Starscream's optics went wide before he covered his audios when Elisa screamed in pain from Magma's deadly strike.

"LOOK!" Megatron shouted at him as he forced Starscream to watch the pain he endured. Tears started to come down the seeker's face as he watched Megatron sob and cradle Elisa. The memory soon faded and he was spun around to face Megatron again. He pointed to another memory that appeared. His jaw dropped when he saw Elisa argue with Phoenix about him. He was shaking with guilt when Megatron pushed him away. "She defended you when you turned your back on her!" He snarled in his face.

"I didn't turn on her!" Starscream protested.

"You left the decepticons! When you do that you turn your back on everybody." He argued.

"I'm sorry Master. It won't happen again I swear!" Starscream begged on his knees.

"I don't want your apology. Apologize to Elisa." He snapped. "Knockout cut the patch." He ordered. When he woke he walked Starscream to the bridge where Elisa was waiting. She looked up at him and he nodded. Elisa smiled and laughed happily as Starscream walked up to her. She couldn't' hold back anymore and she pulled Starscream into a tight hug that he gratefully returned.

When the hug ended and he stepped away she slapped him hard.

"Why did you leave?" She sobbed.

"I…I wanted more." He said sadly.

"You wanted my Carrier's power." She stated bitterly.

"Yes."

"I trusted you and I feel like an idiot, but I still do." She cried out.

"You're not an idiot Elisa and I am truly sorry." He said sincerely.

"Do you mean it?"

He tried not to flinch at her rightful accusation.

"With all my spark my Lady." He said with a bow and she laughed.

"Don't do that. You know how much I hate that." She chuckled. Megatron let out a crack of smile as so much pain was instantly erased from Elisa's mind. He could feel more warmth coming from her bond as she felt so much happier.

"I hope your leg gets better in time." Starscream said.

"Unfortunately this is as good as it's going to get. Knockout couldn't do anything more because there was too much nerve damage." She explained.

"Oh Elisa, I'm so sorry." He said deeply.

"I'm getting used to it. It doesn't hurt as much anymore."

"I'm sorry to cut this short Elisa, but we have plans to follow through." Megatron said.

"Yes Carrier."

"Perhaps now I can give you a chance to give you the home I always wanted for you." Megatron said gently.

Elisa smiled up at him with pride.

Yaaayyyyy! Starscream's back! Things are a little bit different between Elisa and Starscream, but not much.