Welcome back everyone! I'm so excited to be presenting the next chapter to you all! I know the Darkness Rising ark can seem pretty slow sometimes, but trust me, once we're past that things are gonna be even better! Also, I realized that I keep getting confused on how to spell Anakin's name, but I think I got it now.
And now, the review of the century.
Guest: You have been reported for putting this story in the crossover section and put it in single story section instead. Expect a visit from the Fanfiction admins and that your story gets canceled. This is on you, not the readers. Anybody who says otherwise are currently sucking your 2-inch monkey c*** and balls/transgender t***. Again, this is on you.
Me: This comment has now since been removed from my review sections, as I do not tolerate transphobic or homophobic comments, even though I am a straight cis woman. Not only that, the original series of this reboot has been up since 2012, and was posted in the same manner I post now, and not once has my series been "cancelled." On top of that, you went on to insult my readers who have given me so much support over the years.
Alora: In no way shape or form do we here at HQ condone racist, homophobic or transphobic comments made by reviewers, nor do we condone any form of cyber bullying. All future comments like these will be deleted as we are just trying to have some fun with a fictional story and don't need such negativity.
Shall we continue?
-Chapter 5: Darkness Rising Part 5-
Jackson Darby sighed as he pulled up to the KO Drive In on his ten speed bike. Just yesterday he had the adventure of a lifetime, and now he was here having to deal with the Karen's that came through the drive through and up to the counters. Unfortunately, Karen's were everywhere, even in Jasper, Nevada.
"Nice bike.
Surprised, Jack turned around and saw Arcee parked in her vehicle mode in front of him.
"Arcee, really, Miko already tried. Tell Optimus and the Jedi I respect them big time, but if you're at war, there's nothing I can do to help," Jack explained apologetically.
"No one sent me and no one's asking for your help," Arcee said.
"Ok. If we both agree that I'm not warrior material," Jack acknowledged.
"Jack, I just lost someone I cared about. Maybe it's the grief talking. Maybe you're growing on me. Whatever it is, I'm just not ready to say goodbye," she confessed. Jack looked at her in surprise, actually feeling touched.
Maybe leaving had been the wrong thing to do. Had he jumped the gun and misjudged all of them?
"Optimus, I've pinpointed the location of Megatron's Space Bridge: high in Earth's orbit," Ratchet announced from his place at the computers.
"Out of our reach," Optimus sighed.
"Ok, so you guys don't fly. But can't you just ground bridge there?" Miko asked.
"The ground bridge has limited range. Stretched all the way into the orbit, its vortex could snap and scatter us to the stars," Ratchet explained.
Obi-Wan stroked his beard. "If anything, we may be able to help. We can alert the admiral and try to get some transport ships down here, but who knows how long that could take."
"Especially since this planet is very touchy about who enters their airspace," Anakinagreed. "Plus, those transports are small, it'll be a tight squeeze for the Bots, even in vehicle mode."
"Since Megatron is likely already in transit, I'm afraid we must take the risk of using the ground bridge. Reaching the Space Bridge first is our only means of stopping him," Optimus said.
"Couldn't we provide a distraction then? Make the Cons notice us instead of the Bots?" Ahsoka suggested.
Alora nodded. "That could probably work, I can take my squad, do a few fly bys near the Nemesis and get their attention."
Optimus had to keep himself from frowning at the idea of Alora potentially putting herself in harm's way. He had never wanted her to be involved in his war, but now he had no choice, especially now that she was fighting in a war of her own. "The help would be much appreciated."
"So it's settled then," Obi-Wan said and turned to Alora. "Go find Axel and tell him to get the rest of your squad ready."
Anakin put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll gather some of the 501st and Ahsoka and I will support you. You know, since Obi-Wan hates flying."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "It's not that I hate flying Anakin, it's just that I hate flying in the same space as you.
"You do tend to do a lot of crash landings, master," Ahsoka laughed, causing Alora to snort.
"I'll say."
"Oh, be nice, it can't be that bad," Anika said.
"Thank you, Anika!" Anakin said, "See? Someone gets it."
The sound of Arcee's horn honking drew everyone's attention away from the conversation and towards the outer entrance to the hideout, where Arcee came driving in with a certain human boy riding along.
"Jack?" Alora questioned.
Jack got off of Arcee and took his helmet off. "Hey, guess who's back."
Ahsoka laughed and playfully punched Ark in the shoulder. "Ha! You owe me ten credits!" He grumbled and reached into a pocket, pulling out the amount needed and handed it to her which she stuffed into a storage pouch on her belt.
"You took a bet? Seriously?" Anika asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Duh. Why wouldn't we?" Ahsoka smirked.
"Autobots, prepare for departure," Optimus said, shaking his head at the children's antics.
"Where to?" asked Arcee.
"The final frontier," Miko answered, trying to sound ominous.
"Space?" Jack gasped, "I thought they didn't have a way to get there."
"They don't, really," Raf answered as Bumblebee placed him on the ground. "The Jedi do, but apparently it still won't work."
"Be seeing you?" Jack asked Arcee uncomfortably, earning a nod in response.
"Be careful, Bee," Raf begged. Bumblebee nodded and bleeped a response of reassurance.
"I'm so jealous!" Miko pouted.
"Don't even think about following me," Bulkhead warned.
"Or us," Ahsoka said as she, her master, and Alora prepared to depart for their ships.
Jack blinked. "You guys are going too?
"Just to provide some cover, kid, don't worry," a Clone who was followed by some troopers said. Unlike the blue and orange colors that Rex and Cody's battalion wore, this squad had scarlet painted in various designs on their armor. This Clone wore his hair in the same buzz cut fashion Cody wore, but the difference with his looks was that a good half of his face had been distorted by what looked like scars from a horrible burn. He looked over and nodded at Alora. "The ships are prepared and waiting for you, Commander."
Alora nodded and smiled as she walked down the steps. "Captain Axel, thank you for the help. I always appreciate having you as my squad leader."
Axel nodded before turning to his squad. "Alright men, move out!" With that, the three Jedi and their squads left for their ships.
"Optimus, if you leave me stranded on the planet teaming with humans, I will never forgive you," Ratchet threatened after opening the bridge.
"Until we meet again, old friend," Optimus chuckled before sliding his battle mask into place. "Autobots! Roll out!"
Once the command was issued Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Optimus transformed and drove through the bridge.
"Maximum overdrive!"
This order gave them the boost they needed to get out of the green vortex and onto the ginormous space bridge.
"Autobots, transform and gravitize," Optimus commanded.
While still floating, the four Autobots transformed and floated towards the space bridge. Electricity cackled beneath their feet until they landed safely and were stable. Bulkhead wasn't as graceful as the others and stumbled a little before stabilizing himself.
"Don't look down. Or up. Or left," Bulkhead told himself.
Soon, there was a familiar sound of multiple engines. Looking up, they saw not only the Republic Star Destroyers, but the Nemesis with a few Separatist Cruisers tailing behind it. Alora, Anakin, and Ahsoka's squads flew out from their cruiser and made a fly by past the Autobots.
Anakin gritted his teeth at the sight of the Separatist ships. "Admiral Yularen, make a call to Admiral Block, sorry Obi-Wan, we're going to need The Negotiator. It looks like Dooku was in on Megatron's plan. I suspect that Grievous is on that ship."
"Right away, General," Admiral Wullf Yularen responded.
"This is where the fun begins," Ahsoka grinned, earning shouts of agreement from her squad.
"May the force be with us all," Alora said, which caused her own squad to whoop with excitement.
Arcee shook her head with a smile at the sound of them all before looking at Optimus. "So Megatron's packing enough Dark Energon to raise Cybertron's dead?"
"And since we don't possess ready means of disabling this space bridge, nothing gets in or out," Optimus proclaimed as he and his fellow Autobots unfolded the blasters from their arms.
Inside the Nemesis, Megatron stared at his enemies pictured on the Decepticon scanners and Separatist holograms.
"Optimus Prime never disappoints. Unlike you, Starscream!" Megatron snarled.
"Soundwave is locking onto Cybertron's coordinates," Ivy said.
"Per my instructions," Starscream piped in.
Ivy stepped forward and bowed before her father. "Please, father, let me join this battle. Let me make up for my mistake. I can have my own fleet up and running in moments."
Megatron looked over his shoulder at his daughter. "My dear, I know your loyalty is unwavering, however…"
"Now now, Lord Megatron, on the contrary, Lord Sidious believes that Ivy needs to step up and prove her worth as the reincarnation of your Sith Queen Violet," Count Dooku said through a hologram. "It would seem that Neve has submitted a report on your daughter's usefulness to the Separatist cause."
Ivy bowed her head lower. "Please, father."
The warlord sighed. "Go! Prove to us all what you are capable of."
"Well, what are they waiting for?" Ahsoka asked impatiently.
"Patience, little one," Anakin reprimanded gently.
"It appears the Decepticons have sustained serious damage to their interstellar navigation system," Optimus observed.
"Huh. That's my handy work," Bulkhead grinned.
"Great work, Bulkhead," Optimus complimented, "Without the dish, Megatron will be unable to aim the Space Bridge at Cybertron."
"Don't the Decepticons know where their own planet is?" Raf asked.
The remaining group stood around the computers and a large communication station that displayed various holograms as Obi-Wan stayed in touch with the Star Destroyers and the rest of the team.
"Naturally," Ratchet scoffed, "But Cybertron is many light years away. To reach their target, their aim must be astronomically precise."
"If Megatron went to the trouble of rendezvousing with his Space Bridge, he must have an alternate targeting system. A remote one."
"From what I know of Earth's technology, I doubt there'd exist a single radio telescope dish powerful enough to pinpoint Cybertron," Ratchet scoffed once more.
"What about a whole bunch of linked radio telescope dishes?" Raf suggested as he typed in various commands to a nearby computer, "Like the giant Sizer Ray in Texas?"
Ratchet tsked. "This is not child's play!"
"Good thinking, Raf. Ratchet, have Agent Fowler alert the array staff of the security hazard." Anakin said.
"You! Soldier! You're out of uniform! Put on some pants!" a very dazed Agent Fowler instructed of a nearby Clone Trooper, who was very confused because he was wearing the pants to his amor.
"That may be a challenge," Ratchet sighed.
"I can't get past the aray's firewalls. They're too thick," Raf groaned.
"You actually think you can actually keep the Decepticons out?" Ratchet scoffed in disbelief.
"Maybe, if I can get in," Raf answered.
"Wait, wait, wait. Raf, what if we can get you all the way in?" Ark asked.
"Yeah, like inside-the-building in?" Anika suggested following her brother's lead.
"I could log into their internal networking from the other side of the firewall," Raf answered honestly.
"The risk is too great. The Decepticons and Separatists will be there. Perhaps even on-sight," Optimus declined.
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement with the Autobot leader. "We can't continue to put you three in danger."
"Master Kenobi, with all due respect, Optimus said it himself. This is bigger than the safety of three humans," Jack proclaimed.
"Yeah! If we let the 'Cons win, we're fragged along with everyone else on our planet!" Miko added.
Silence followed as all eyes turned to the twelve year old human.
"Raf?" Optimus asked, giving Raf the opportunity to decide.
"I want to give it a shot," Raf decided.
"Very well," Obi-Wan said.
"Surely, Lord Megatron. The enemy is up to something," Starscream observed.
"Really, Starscream?" Megatron asked sarcastically before pressing a button on the console, "Crush them!"
Ivy grinned from inside her own ship. "Looks like it's my time to shine… All units, deploy!"
With that, droids and Vehicons with the ability to fly followed Ivy's ship out and began their attack while the Separatist Cruisers opened fire on the Jedi Star Destroyer.
"Here comes the welcoming committee!" Bulkhead shouted as another Star Destroyer jumped out from hyperspace and joined in the fight.
Anika and Obi-Wan found themselves escorting Jack, Miko and Raf through the ground bridge portal to the satellites in Texas. Of course, at this point, the Jedi Master and the Youngling were used to traveling through the bridge, the civilians however…
"That'll take some getting used to," Jack remarked, looking a little green.
"Whoa!" Miko gasped suddenly.
Before them was rows and rows of satellite dishes.
"Come on! We have to hurry!" Anika advised, and the group began to run in, hoping that the workers already inside were not harmed.
Earth's orbit was currently lighting up like a fireworks show as each side fought one another. Decepticons and droids swarmed the Autobots and the Republic squads.
Optimus shot one Vehicon, grabbed him and threw him at an oncoming Vulture Droid, destroying them both. Bulkhead switched his blaster for his hammer and started knocking heads off. Arcee, too, switched her blasters. But instead of a hammer like Bulkhead, she used the blades in her arms, slicing at the Decepticons she fought. Bumblebee looked over to Alora's squad and saw that there were droids hot on her tail, so he aimed his blaster and shot as many as he could until she could shake them.
"Security sure is lacking in this place," Miko remarked after she scanned the hallways.
"I'm in…and so are the Decepticons," Raf announced.
"What?" Jack gasped, grabbing the back of Raf's chair.
"How can you tell?" Miko wanted to know.
"Schematics," Raff replied.
"With the same equations we saw on the Nemesis yesterday," Obi-Wan added after taking a closer look.
"But this time, we can download it," Anika said as she took a USB plug out of her belts storage compartment and plugged it into the computer.
"It's gotta be the Space Bridge," Miko said.
"The Decepticons are syncing it to the dishes. But we can sync to them," Raf proclaimed.
"Will they know?" Jack asked nervously.
"Even if the Decepticons see that I'm in their system, they'll have no idea I'm in the house," Raf reassured.
"You still have to be careful. The Decepticons chief intelligence officer is far more clever than one would think," Obi-Wan warned.
What no one knew is that Obi-Wan was on to something, for just in the other room, sat Soundwave as he hacked into the satellite himself.
Going back to the epic space battle, the space bridge started to shift and vibrate violently, causing a few of the Autobots to stumble.
"What just happened?" Arcee asked as she steadied herself.
"The Decepticons are locking on to Cybertron," Optimus explained gravely.
"We need to give Raf a chance!" Ahsoka said.
Back on the Nemesis, Starscream was grinning.
"Lord Megatron, the Space Bridge is ready for activation," he announced.
"Finally," Megatron rasped.
"They're locked on to Cybertron," Anika observed as she looked at where the satellite dishes were displayed on the computer screen before Raf
"But not for long," Raf promised.
Once he had finished typing in his commands, the dishes, which were once pointed up, returned to their normal position.
Up in space, the Autobots and Decepticons felt the bridge move back to its original position. Bumblebee jumped up and down, cheering, as Optimus took down one last Vehicon standing before him.
"Indeed, Bumblebee. This can only be Raf's doing," he agreed.
"Starscream, what is happening?" Megatron demanded.
Starscream's optics widened nervously before he turned to the com-link system, "Soundwave, what is happening?"
Back on Earth, Soundwave went through the security footage of the facility until he reached the one of the control rooms where he saw the small group hacking into the systems as well. This wouldn't do at all, and so he extended one of his tentacle arms and went searching for them.
"The dishes are heading back towards Cybertron. I'll just undo that again," Raf sighed.
"What happens when the 'Cons realize they're being punked?" Jack asked curiously.
"It's only virtual combat. You know, like online gaming," Raf answered.
"Yeah, Jack. What are the 'Cons gonna do? They're probably like a thousand miles away," Miko grinned.
But something didn't sit right with Obi-Wan, he had this sinking feeling that something was coming after them. Turning to go check the hallway, he found that the door had been thrown open and the tentacle slithered in. He shouted for Anika as he drew his lightsaber.
Upon hearing this, the four looked over and yelled in shock. Anika quickly drew her own lightsaber and ran beside Obi-Wan, ready to defend the three civilians.
The clawed tentacle slipped in further, wrapping itself around Anika's waist and throwing her against the wall before moving to pull Obi-Wan's leg out from under him and moving on to make quick work of Jack and Miko.
Meanwhile, Raf raced to type in his commands faster. "I won't let them log on again!"
Then the tentacle went after Raf. Thankfully, he was able to unplug his USB containing all the data before dodging the claw.
Miko staggered over to where an axe was resting on hooks against the wall. With a battle cry, she ran forward and took a swing at Soundwave's tentacle, but he dodged the attack and threw her against the wall again. She landed next to Obi-Wan. Jack looked at the two worriedly before he and Anika noticed that Soundwave now had the axe.
"You handed it an axe!" Jack demanded in disbelief.
"Who's side are you on anyway!" Anika exclaimed.
"Not good," Raff gulped.
Obi-Wan stood and used the force to grab his lightsaber. He was about to take a swing before Soundwave could, but the tentacle froze and retracted itself out of the room and down the hall.
Soundwave redirected the satellites back to where he needed them, and used the axe to make sure that no one could meddle with the trajectory again by cutting the hard lines. He looked over his shoulder as the group of humans burst through the doors. Miko gasped and took a picture of him, you know, like any other human would do. So, in turn, he took one of the three civilians before transforming and taking off.
"Why is he leaving?" Miko asked.
Anika knelt before where the axe was and sighed. "He cut the hardline. The dishes are locked onto Cybertron for good."
"Now, Starscream?" Megatron asked impatiently.
"Now," Starscream grinned as he pressed the button.
Behind the Autobots, the space bridge had activated and all Optimus could do was stand and watch. Megatron, in the meantime, climbed to the top of the Nemesis, carrying the large mass of Dark Energon.
"At last!" he exclaimed before he threw the Dark Energon at the portal.
Alora saw this as a last chance to put a stop to things and redirected her blue and silver star fighter to follow the Dark Energon where she attempted to open fire on it. But, out of nowhere a missile hit Alora, knocking her out and sending her spiraling out of control in a blaze of fire.
Optimus watched the whole thing in horror and looked around to see what shot at his daughter, only to find Ivy flying by, and if you looked closely, you could see her laughing in victory. Republic radio chatter came to life instantly.
"Mayday! Mayday! Commander Thettaskiff has been hit and is going down!"
"Draw their fire! Ahsoka and I will try to guide her to land as safely as we can!" Anakin shouted.
He and Ahsoka flew to catch up with Alora until they were both side by side with her on either side.
"Alright, Snips," Anakin directed, "We gotta squeeze in and try to launch her into the landing bay. Her landing is going to be rough, but at least the troopers can put her out and drag her to get some medical attention."
After Ahsoka gave a response acknowledging that she understood, the two rammed into each side of Alora's starfighter so that she was wedged tightly between them. Once it was clear that she was secure, the two guided her as fast as they could towards the Negotiator docking bay where they pulled away at the last second making the starfighter use velocity to launch into the bay, where it scraped painfully loud all the way to the back before coming to a stop against a wall. Troopers were on Alora in seconds, putting out the fire, and opening the cockpit to pull her out and get her on a gurney.
Unfortunately, the whole thing distracted both the Autobots and the Republic enough that the Dark Energon had time to disappear into the portal. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee fell to stand next to their commander and watched as the Dark Energon fell towards their dead planet, landing with a bang. In an instant, all of Cybertron came back to life, and not in the way the Autobots had hoped.
"Arise my legion!" Megatron bellowed from his spot on the Nemesis.
"So, how do we beat a whole planet of the undead?" Bulkhead asked nervously.
"Optimus! I'm registering a rapidly expanding mass in their Space Bridge vortex! One with a peculiar energy signature!" Ratchet announced.
"Dark Energon. Ratchet, we must destroy the Space Bridge. There's enough live Energon coursing through it to achieve detonation. But we lack the fire power to ignite it," Optimus explained.
"If I knew how the Space Bridge was engineered, I might find a tactical way of accomplishing that defeat," Ratchet replied, glancing over at Obi-Wan, who was now in contact with the medics on the Negotiator, trying to find out about Alora's wellbeing.
"Um, would schematics help?" Anika offered as she held up her USB.
"Optimus, I must say. The Space Bridge is our sole hope of ever returning to Cybertron. Are you certain its destruction is the only option?" Ratchet asked.
"I am afraid so," Optimus answered.
"Commander Thettaskiff is in stable condition, she suffered minor burns and a head wound. Although still unconscious, she'll be resting in the med-bay," a medic told Obi-Wan.
Ratchet couldn't help but overhear, and it gave him what he needed to say. "Then by all means, let us light our darkest hour!"
"Autobots, take your positions and follow Ratchet's lead. While I make my stand," Optimus instructed before they went off to do so.
Optimus was certainly ready to make his stand. In his vehicle mode, Megatron flew towards the Space Bridge. Once he was directly above, he transformed to land on his feet. It was time for the final battle.
"Your fellow Autobots are wise, Optimus. They know when to retreat," he remarked.
"I hold no illusions about engaging your army, Megatron. But I might derail its objective…by removing its head," Optimus warned as he unveiled his blade from his arm.
"Highly unlikely, Optimus, as I am infused with their very might!" Megatron announced pulling out his one blade.
"One shall stand! One shall fall!" Optimus proclaimed.
And so, the epic sword fight between the two began.
Fowler had finally come out of his dazed stupor, for good this time, and sat himself before the monitors, watching as all hell broke loose. "These things are getting closer! That's bad, right?"
"Ratchet, we're in position," Arcee informed.
"Arcee, pay close attention," Ratchet advised.
The fight continued. Megatron punched Optimus in the face before trying to slash his stomach. He just kept coming at him until Megatron's own sword split Prime's in two and sent him flying. But, before Optimus could get too far, Megatron grabbed him by his leg and slammed him down. Everything was looking bad for Optimus until…
"Father?"
Megatron stood straight up and looked out into space for his daughter. "Ivy? What is it?"
"I do not wish to question your all-seen wisdom, but I believe the Autobots are up to something again. Beneath your bridge this time," Ivy warned as she flew past them.
"Ah, misdirection, Optimus. You would have made a fine Decepticon," Megatron grinned, raising his blade.
But Optimus blocked it with the little bit of blade he had left. He has to keep fighting. He had to get back to Alora. He had to tell her the truth and make things right with their family before it was too late.
"I chose my side!" he roared as he threw Megatron towards the giant portal.
Optimus replaced his destroyed blade with his blaster. He began firing shots at the Decepticon Tyrant.
Megatron transformed and flew closer to the portal, watching as his new army came closer.
"Starscream, my army approaches. Rendezvous with the Space Bridge for pickup. Ivy, return back to the ship, you did well today."
"Now follow the line from the flow regulator to the Energon pump. There should be a valve."
On the underside of the space bridge, Bulkhead and Bumblebee stood guard while Arcee followed Ratchet's instructions to disable the bridge.
"I see it," she announced.
"Good. To turn all that power against itself, all you need do is reverse the current."
It took almost all of Arcee's strength to turn the wheel before her, but she managed to reverse the current. As soon as she had done it, the bridge started giving off signs that it worked.
"Current, reversed."
"Yes!" Fowler cheered before looking at everyone, "Right?"
"I'll activate the ground bridge," Ratched declared. "As soon as everyone is back, we can go and check on Alora."
While the Autobots ran back to meet up with one another so that they could bridge home, Ivy decided that before she returned home herself she would try and pick off one more person, and she had her sights set on Arcee.
Arcee didn't suspect a thing until Ivy's fired shot hit her right in the center of her chest. The femme yelled in pain as she blacked out, and the knock back caused her to demagnetize from the ground and float away.
Ivy grinned in satisfaction and flew back to the Nemesis before it got too far away. However, Ivy found it a little odd that the ship was going in the opposite direction of where Megatron had wanted it.
Megatron had noticed this as well.
"Starscream! Where is my ship!?"
"We would never make it, Lord Megatron! Don't be a fool! Take flight and retreat!" Starscream begged of his master.
"Optimus! The ground bridge is ready and waiting!" Ark declared.
"Autobots, jump!" Optimus commanded before he and Bulkhead did just that.
Bumblebee, however, took the scenic route and climbed up a jagged rock to give him enough leverage to grab Arcee when he jumped. She was his older sister, and even though they were both adopted, family meant the world to him, so he wasn't going to let her go that easily.
Meanwhile, Megatron turned to the large portal where his army was almost through. "My legion…"
One of the zombies reached its hand out to him, but before he could take it, the space bridge began to explode.
"No!" He cried as he reached back, but it was too late, the bridge exploded taking him and all the undead with it.
Back on the Nemesis, Ivy had made it back in time to witness the whole thing. All she could do was stop and stare in horror as her father was caught up in the explosion. Through their family she could feel his spark fade away.
"Decepticons, it is with deep sorrow that I note for the log that the spark of our leader, Lord Megatron, has been extinguished. All hail Lady Ivy!" Starscream proclaimed upon seeing her in the doorway.
The rest of the troops began to chant "All hail Lady Ivy!" And it made her head spin.
No. This wasn't right. Her father, who had cared for and loved her when no one thought he would, who encouraged her throughout all her training, taught her everything she knew about their world, who believed in her every step of the way when her mother didn't, who, despite everything, was the best father one could ask for, dead?
Tears made her vision blur, and she failed to cover her mouth in time before she let out a shrieking sob as she fell to her knees. The crowd immediately fell silent in shock. It was so rare for anyone to witness Ivy break down, save for the team that ran the medical center. She could hear someone transform and use their holoform to make their way to her.
"Everyone! Leave!" Starscream demanded before kneeling in front of Ivy, placing his hands on her shoulders. "My lady?" He spoke softly.
She looked up to meet warm brown eyes filled with worry. Sobbing again, she threw her arms around him. He simply sighed and stroked her hair before picking her up bridal style and leaving the command center.
"Do you think they're…?" Raf asked nervously.
"Anakin and Ahsoka made it back to the ship with most of their squads intact, Alora…" Obi-Wan sighed, "Alora is a fighter, she's going to be ok."
"And the Bots?" Ark asked.
"Four life signals. One very faint," Ratchet read gravely.
That made everyone turn to the portal and wait in anticipation.
Optimus had been the first to walk through the bridge, followed by…
"Bulkhead!" Miko squealed as she ran down the steps to hug his extended hand.
Jack and Raf ran down to meet their respective guardians anxiously, only to be greeted by Bumblebee carrying an unconscious Arcee. Bumblebee knelt down and one of Arcee's hands fell from her side. Everyone immediately surrounded them.
"We lost one this week. By the All Spark, don't let it be two," Ratchet begged.
"Arcee…" Jack's voice cracked as he touched her hand.
Her optics slowly fluttered open and she gave a weak smile when she saw him, "Jack, really? There are other motorcycles in the world."
He smiled sadly at that. "But you're my first."
"And Megatron?" Ratchet inquired.
"Not even he could have survived Ground Zero," Optimus answered.
"Prime!" Fowler called out,as he adjusted his suit jacket, "I didn't get to thank you all for the save. I owe you one. We all do." With that, the agent left.
"Is this the part where you have to say goodbye and tell us to forget we ever saw you?" Miko asked nervously as Bumblebee helped Arcee to stand.
"No, Miko, this is not the end, merely the beginning," Optimus said before turning to Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi, is there any way your ship can get into closer range so that we may see Alora? I believe it's time she knows the truth."
Ratchet gasped. "You're going to tell her now?"
"It's better she knows now rather than later," Obi-Wan said. "I will send word now."
"The truth?" Jack asked, "The truth about what?"
Alora groaned softly as she began to finally wake up. Groggily, she looked around at the white sheet that was pulled up to her chest, the iv that was attached to her non-bandages arm. This scene felt all too familiar to her, almost the same as the day she first woke up in the Jedi temple after she had been rescued from Neve and Count Dooku at the battle of Geonosis. She pulled off her oxygen mask and looked over to where Obi-Wan was sitting, and began to sit up herself.
"Master..?"
Obi-Wan gently helped her to sit up. "Easy now, you have visitors?"
Alora blinked and looked up to find both teams gathered into the room, the Autobots in their holoforms. "Oh… Hey, guys…" She smiled sheepishly, going to scratch the back of her head when she noticed the bandage on her arm. It wasn't the bandage itself that confused her, but rather the color of her blood that had begun to seep through. It was a bright blue. It was Energon blue…
"What the..?"
Ratchet sighed. "Let's let Optimus and Obi-Wan explain in private, since we all know the details." The others nodded in agreement and filed out, Ahsoka offering to give Jack, Miko, and Raf a tour.
Alora frowned. "What's going on? Why am I bleeding Energon?"
"Alora," Optimus began as he sat on the foot of her bed. "There is so much that I need to tell you."
She paused and looked at Optimus with his holoforms deep blue eyes and blue-black hair. "Um, alright…?"
"As you know, your mother was tasked with the mission to give birth to the reincarnations of Arkius, Aloria and Anakania. Ark being Arkius, you being Aloria, and Anika being Anakania," Optimus explained.
She nodded, "Yes, it's why we were named the way we were."
He nodded in return. "Yes, and by the time we Autobots had arrived on earth, your mother and Jedi Master Jaid Tears were already occupying headquarters, and Ark had already been born at that point."
"Not only was your mother tasked with having you and your siblings, but she also has to choose your fathers," Obi-Wan added. "We don't know who Ark and Anika's fathers actually were, but Nola had revealed to me and Master Tears who yours was."
Alora sat up straighter, heart pounding in her chest. "You know who my father is? I-I always thought…" She shook her head. "When Ark, Anika and I were forced to train under Neve, she had told us that Count Dooku was our father."
"No, that is not the case," Optimus said before taking her hand. "Alora, I am your father."
Her eyes widened. "You..? This whole time..? How did I not know!"
"You did, Alora, however, when we found you and took you to the medical center at the Jedi temple, we found that your brain displayed signs of memory loss," Obi-Wan explained, "But it was more like your memories had been tampered with."
"And it made me forget that I'm a techno-organic? That Optimus Prime is my father?" Alora asked.
"And," Optimus said, giving her hand a squeeze. "About your sister."
Alora raised an eyebrow at that. "My sister? I remember everything about Anika."
"But not of Amaris, your twin sister," Optimus corrected.
"My what?"
Obi-Wan sighed. "From what I know, shortly after your mother's death, Master Tears was asked to bring you, Ark and Anika to the Jedi temple so that you may live and train there. Amaris was the only one out of you and your siblings that was not force sensitive, so she was not to go with," he frowned. "But she was there, along with the Autobots to see you off."
"We were attacked, and the three of us were kidnapped as a result," Alora nodded.
"Yes, but Amaris has been caught up in the explosion, and took a nearly fatal wound to her head," Optimus continued. "She lived and healed, but it wasn't until afterwards that we realized that the injury resulted in her losing her memories as well. All she could remember was the nickname your mother gave her."
"Starlet," Alora whispered in slight recognition. "Mother had always referred to one of us as "My little Starlet."
"Yes," Optimus said before sighing sadly. "I loved your mother so much, and she loved me, even though she wasn't allowed to. I had made a promise to her that I would never let anything happen to you and your siblings, but I had failed not only her, but you as well."
Her eyes softened, and she squeezed his hand just like he did.
"I had been so ashamed of what had happened, that I sent Starlet away, to recover and live happily and safe from harm," he explained. "She had been all i had left of our family, and as much as it pained me to send her away I couldn't risk losing her too."
"You did what you felt was right," She whispered. "No one can blame you for that…"
"I had planned on bringing her back one day, but I wanted to wait until you returned to earth."
"But plans changed once I had informed the Autobots of your missing memories," Obi-Wan explained. "So there was never a good chance to reintroduce you two."
"I now had to wait for a moment to tell you everything," Optimus said. "My only regret is that I did not tell you sooner."
Alora shook her head. "What matters is that you're telling me now." She smiled up at him, tears pricking her eyes.
Optimus's deep blue eyes softened, and he carefully pulled her in to hug her. "I swear, Alora, I will fix this. I will find your sister, and we can try to be a family again."
"At least as good of a family as we can be with three Jedi kids," she giggled.
He smiled at that. "Yes, that is true."
Alora had been released from the med-bay the next day, and over the next couple of days her time was balanced between school, training and finding her sister.
She had learned that Starlet lived in Los Angeles, California with two other techno organic children, one of which was Ratchet's own daughter, named Talia Waters, and the other belonged to Ironhide, another Autobot who had been on earth awhile ago, her name was Autumn Summers. Together, the three lived with Talia and Autumn's mothers named Emily and Kimberly. It turned out that Jack, Miko and Raf hadn't been the first civilians to come in contact with the Bots, as Ratchet admitted that he had loved Emily very much, but when Fowler found out, he had them removed and sent to California and was banned from ever seeing them again. The only time they had been able to contact each other was when Emily had informed Ratchet of Talia and Autumns birth, but since Emily and Kimberly were being watched by the government, Ratchet and Ironhide never got the chance to meet their daughters.
After pulling some strings, Alora managed to convince Agent Fowler to let Talia and Autumn come live with them at base once Starlet was brought home. Should they want to, at least.
There was also something else Alora was dealing with. Shortly after Optimus, or rather, her father, had been done explaining everything to her, the others were let back into the room. Everyone had been happy to see that she was doing alright, but Bumblebee had been happiest most of all.
In fact, he was so happy that he had marched up to her and kissed her. In front of everyone. And to make matters worse, Cybertronian symbols, that later were translated into their names, glowed as they etched themselves onto the tops of their hands.
"It's a sign of betrothal," Ratchet had sighed after inspecting their hands, "The last time I saw this was when Princess Anteia and Prince Akos were betrothed to each other. It was a trick Aloria had developed, and it would seem that she has used it on you both as well. As far as I know, there's no way out of it."
Bumblebee and Alora had both been blushing messes, and Ark found it to be hilarious despite the challenges that were sure to come from this.
Unfortunately, this had to be reported to the Jedi Council, which is what Obi-Wan had been trying to do at that moment.
And so a new adventure began, and Optimus thought about all of this as he sent a message into space…
"Without a means of leaving this world, we Autobots take strength in the bonds we have forged with our three young friends. True warriors. If not in body, then in spirit. My name is Optimus Prime. And I send this message. Though we did not choose to be of Earth, it would seem that we are here to stay. If you approach this planet with hostile intent, know this: we will defend ourselves. We will defend humanity. We will defend our home."
And so the Darkness Rising ark finally comes to a close and the rest of the story may begin! I hope you guys really enjoyed this! Please let me know with a review! I will see you next chapter!