Disclaimer: I am so sorry for the wait everyone. This is entirely my fault. School and work slammed into me and it made it difficult to work on this. But, now we can get started. I hope you all enjoy this next installment of this amazing epic!

Shadow: If you can ever update regularly.

Me: I try!

Shadow: *smirks* I know.

Me: *frowns*

Both of us: We hope you enjoy this! *both sit on couch with popcorn to watch the excitement*

I felt like the weight of the world was slamming into my wings as I flew next to Megatron. I felt like I had just ripped out a piece of my very being and I was never going to get it back. But, I didn't have a choice. While I knew that Shadow as probably in immense pain right now, I had to do this if we were going to complete the mission that Alpha Trion gave to us. However, that didn't mean that the guilt weighing down on my soul would go away anytime soon.

Flashback:

When the five of us walked out of the bridge and stood at the opening to the mine, I barely held back a shiver. This had to be it. This was the day that I was going to have to do it. After my self-revelation during the whole bomb incident, I had gone through all of the possible list of episodes I had known about when I was human and, unfortunately, determined that the best time to leave the Autobots was going to be during Crossfire. Didn't mean that I liked it though. I knew that this was going to hurt everyone and I would never forgive myself for the pain that I was about to cause them all.

"Proceed with extreme caution." Optimus advised before we all went into the cave after him.

The climb down was quiet, almost too quiet. It let me have a moment to focus on what I was planning and, honestly, I was hoping to hold off as much as I could. The Autobots were my friends; Shadow was my best friend, and I knew that this was going to be excruciatingly painful to do this to them all.

…Frag it this is why I didn't like silence! It let my mind make me feel guilty before I had even done the act.

Once we got to the opening of the main cavern, we all crouched down and watched as Megatron and the Insecticon duked it out. Honestly, if this was any other time, I would be amazed at the sheer brilliance of the fight that I was watching. This fight truly exhibited the qualities of Megatron's time in the gladiatorial pit….back when I respected the Decepticon cause and what it stood for. It still bothered me as to why Megatron lost his way and began to act as the Council, fraggers, did.

"Woah! 'Scream never said anything about Megatron." Bulkhead gasped.

"It would seem that Starscream orchestrated this convergence in the hope that all his enemies would destroy each other on his behalf." Optimus stated. Well, that wasn't quite right Prime. As much as I wanted Starscream to take the fall for this, I knew that the idiotic robot chicken hadn't actually counted on Megatron being here as well. He probably thought that Airachnid and her Insecticon would fight the Autobots and that they would both wipe each other out and just leave his only obstacle; Megatron.

"Well, you can have whatever's left of Megatron." Arcee growled. "Airachnid's mine."

"Arcee! No!" Optimus tried to stop her but the blue motorcycle femme didn't listen and launched herself off of the ledge and at Airachnid. Sometimes, I found it amusing how similar the Autobots and Decepticons were. Both had strong willed leaders, both had somewhat insubordinate followers, though Starscream was much worse than Arcee, both had speed junkies, both had power hitters who enjoyed the thrill of the battle, and both had medics who had some pride in either their paint job or their work.

Returning my mind from that strangely accurate comparison, I watched as Megatron continued to fight the bug. It really was quite a work of art, battle. When Megatron started to look around, I suddenly had a strange feeling pulling at me. What was it? His optics soon went from where Airacnid had previously been to where we all were now and, after they scanned everyone else, his blood red optics stopped on me and our optics locked, sending a shiver down my back plates. In that look, I could see so much of Megatron and it felt strange.

"So many surprises." The leader remarked, his optics not leaving mine and mine not leaving his. Honestly, I felt frozen in the position. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. With the decision that I was about to make, I would soon be seeing those optics more than I had been up until now.

When the insecticon started to sneak up on him, I felt this strange pull to warn him. Where had that come from? Something wasn't right. Of course, there were many things that wouldn't be right about this day but that was something unexpected. However, like in the episode, Megatron reacted in perfect timing and, after some more fighting, I watched as Megatron sliced the helm off of the insecticon.

Megatron's dark chuckle after that reverberated through my chassis and it made me feel like flinching before he raised his arms up in victory before he shouted, "Let that be a warning to anyone who dares to cross a gladiator from Kaon! Be they Decepticon," We all then jumped down from the edge, keeping with the episode, and surrounded Megatron. He glanced at us before finishing. "Or Autobot." He then looked to me, which shocked me, before he started to speak to me, which scared me more. "Ah, femme. You do not have to be an Autobot you know. I can look at you and tell you have the bearings of a Decepticon. Join us."

I mentally flinched when he proposed that to me. I couldn't find my voice to answer him. I couldn't. It was like he knew. As I stared into his optics, I realized that, somehow, he did know. It scared me but, at the same time, it made me relieved. I wasn't sure why and these emotional tug of wars were not helping my mind any.

"No chance Megatron. She's staying with us." Shadow answered for me…though I wasn't sure if that was the correct answer. And, from the look in his optics, Megatron knew that too.

Megatron narrowed his optics before charging at Optimus. We all tensed up but Megatron only made it a few steps before he collapsed from his injuries. It didn't seem to faze him through as he slowly looked up at Optimus. "It would seem as if I am unarmed and at your mercy." Megatron remarked coldly in a sort of challenge. "So tell me Optimus, do you intend to take me alive or end this here and now?"

Optimus didn't say anything for a minute. Finally he aimed his ion displacer at Megatron's helm. Megatron glared in to the barrel of the weapon like he didn't fear death, and I had a feeling that he didn't. But, I did. This was the time. It was time to break my bonds with the Autobots and continue the mission that Alpha Trion gave to Shadowstalker and myself. So, I lowered my weapons and set them to fire…

At Optimus Prime.

The blaster fire coming from above told me that Dreadwing and the Decepticons were coming. But, that didn't faze me. I couldn't have cared less if they showed up. However, what did faze me was one bot, and the look of utter betrayal on her faceplate.

"The surprises never cease." Megatron commented.

"Oh scrap." Bulkhead mumbled.

"Pandimala?" Shadow asked me, her voice slightly shaky probably due to the shock at what I was doing.

I couldn't force myself to look in her optics.

"Mala, what are you doing?!" Bulkhead asked with pain and confusion laced into his vocals. Each word that was shot at me made this harder and harder to do. But, I had no choice. Shadow would never be able to even think of betraying the Autobots, especially with her relationship with Cliff, so I was the only one left to take on this burden, and it hurt. I sent a silence prayer to Primus to give me strength.

Realizing that I had to answer quickly or risk suspicion from Megatron, I glared at Bulkhead and gave a blunt response. "I'm making my choice."

"The right one, I assure you femme." Megatron remarked to me. Even though he was at the mercy of Optimus, I could see the light of victory blazing in his optics and I knew that this was what he wanted. To tear the Autobots apart at my betrayal. But, as much as I wanted to take it back and explain everything, I knew that I couldn't.

"'Mala?" Shadow's voice came out in a pain filled whisper. I forced myself to look at her as she continued. "What are you doing?" I could feel the pain of my betrayal through her voice and see it in her optics, which looked on the verge of crying in sorrow, and my body immediately moved to explain to her. But, I stopped myself. I had to keep her in the dark about this. As much pain as she was in, I had to make sure that Megatron saw that. This was not some plan that we created to get me into the Decepticons. This was my choice free of any Autobot influence…and that included Shadowstalker. So, I simply shook my helm and looked away from her, not able to take the onslaught of pain coming from her betrayed look.

"Return Megatron to us and I will allow you to live." Dreadwing stated.

"Never trust a 'Con! Kick buckethead's bucket!" Bulkhead roared.

I wasn't wanting this to drag out and, thankfully, Optimus was ready for a peaceful way out of this. "Dreadwing, do I have your word?" Dreadwing was silent for a moment before putting his cannon away and holding out his arms.

When Bulkhead moved to take Shadow away from me and toward Optimus, I felt like this was going to stay quiet and I might be able to recover from the pain I was going through at betraying them all.

But, it didn't, and I deserved what came.

Her growl caused me to step back. "That's it, huh?!" She yelled, pure anger and fury pouring out of her. "Years of friendship only for you to turn your back on me and join the 'Cons?! What about me, huh 'Mala?! Were we ever really friends?!" Every word she said cut deep into my spark and I felt as it crumbled as she asked me each and every question. We were supposed to be friends to the end of time and I had been the one to betray her and destroy what we had. Every single pain filled word was like a sword through my spark and it was hard to not start crying. But, I deserved this. So, I stood and kept on my emotionless façade as she was pulled toward the Autobots.

"Shadowstalker, stand down." Optimus quickly said, a relief that I didn't feel I deserved.

"My liege." Dreadwing addressed Megatron as I came and stood by them. Once Megatron stood, he smirked and I knew that this was going to be the last time that I saw Shadow for some time, so I made sure that I took a good look at her.

"Dreadwing may have given you his word but I didn't. Femme, come along." He ordered me before he addressed the rest of his troops. "DESTROY THEM!"

Immediately, I jumped and followed Megatron and Dreadwing as the drones held off the Autobots as we escaped. I had done it. There was no turning back now. Instead of being a netural…I was now a Decepticon.

End of Flashback.

"Dreadwing." Megatron started, causing me to focus on their conversation, "You disobeyed my orders in following me here." He then paused and I could almost hear the smirk in his voice as he continued. "You will make a fine first lieutenant." Good, so I didn't miss anything. I didn't want to be on the bad end of Megatron's anger and zoning out would probably be a very bad idea. I would have to remember that in the future.

Thankfully, I was paying attention as Megatron addressed me. "While I am most pleased by your switch to our side femme, remember that I am in command and my orders go without question. Is that understood?"

A test right off the bat. Thankfully, I knew to answer him quickly. "Understood Lord Megatron." It felt strange, addressing him as Lord. But, I had to make sure that my defection was complete and that included addressing Megatron as Lord Megatron. It was going to be a long night.

Our flight to the Nemesis was shorter than I expected and the three of us hovered in the air for a second before Megatron transformed, landing on the ship. Dreadwing and I followed his lead and I ended up on Megatron's left. Once we made it a few steps, the bay doors opened and out walked Knockout and I would not exaggerate in saying that he was shocked to see me standing next to Megatron.

What was surprising though was that I felt none of the fangirl feelings that I had before all of this mess with Unicron. While it was a little sad to think about it like this, I realized that I must have just had a fangirl crush on the bot. Oh well. Guess Shadow would have been happy that I wasn't getting with him.

The sound of a blaster caused me to freeze when Knockout pointed his blaster at me. Well, that was until I realized that he must think me as an enemy still so I sighed and was going to say something when Megatron spoke. "Knockout that is no way to greet our new comrade. Pandimala here has left the Autobots and seen that we are truly the side worth fighting for."

I nodded in response. "It is an honor to fight for you and the Decepticons, Lord Megatron."

The warlord seemed pleased at my response for he motioned to me before saying, "Knockout, take our new ally to the med bay and give her our mark. I want the entire universe to know that this femme is now one of us."

It was hard to not shutter my optics in shame. While I admit that I was more a fan of the Decepticons than the Autobots, this was definitely not the way that I had thought I would be supporting them. The weight of my betrayal of the Autobots…of Shadowstalker, was still heavy and, once I had a moment alone, I knew that it would come crashing into me.

But, until I was alone, I had to keep the portrayal of a now loyal soldier under the warlord's command. "Of course Lord Megatron. Follow me femme." I looked to Megatron, to make sure I had permission to follow him, and I did so once the…my leader nodded toward me. Knockout and I were alone as we walked toward where I assumed the med bay was. "So, why did you turn from the Autobots?" He asked me once we stopped at a door and he started to punch in the code.

Once the door opened, I followed Knockout inside and laid down on the med berth he motioned me to before saying, "Because, after I talked with Lord Megatron during that whole Unicron mess, I realized that he was right. The Autobots were using me and I was not trusted with them. So, I decided that they no longer deserved my loyalty and I would go with our leader and to where I truly belonged." While part of that had helped me make the change, the only real reason I was here was because of Alpha Trion's mission. If it wasn't for that, I would have never hurt Shadowstalker like I knew I had.

"This might hurt." Knockout muttered as I heard the welding torch turn on.

I winced slightly as I felt heat by my wings and I looked to him as started to etch the Decepticon insignia into my right wing. Guess this was another test from Megatron. He knew how sensitive wings were and knew that I would have to be completely loyal to him to have the insignia placed there. So, I decided to solidify my allegiance to them…at least as far as Megatron was concerned. "Don't forget to put an exact copy on my other wing. It would look wrong to only have one wing with the insignia."

He raised an optic ridge at me but said nothing until, after a few minutes, I noticed that he moved the welder from my right wing and moved to my left. "So, how did you betray the Autobots?" Knockout asked me as he worked on the second one.

Great. While I loved the character of Knockout, I wasn't really in the mood to talk about it. But, I knew that a regular Decepticon wouldn't hesitate to brag. So, while I wasn't going to brag, I figured that I had better tell. "Pointed my cannons at Optimus when he pointed his blaster at Megatron. I was going to fire them too but Dreadwing got there before I got that opportunity." It went quiet for another moment before I realized that Knockout was probably just trying to pass the time by talking. So, I figured I could help out and avoid topics that I didn't want to talk about. "So, what do you all do up here for fun? I mean when we aren't going to be blasting at Autobots."

He sent me a quick glance before saying, "Well, we just keep to ourselves mainly. Sometimes the drones study up on human culture, though they think that I don't know about it, and Soundwave spends a lot of time in his room. But, stay on your guard. I don't know who it is, but every so often, one of the drones get stuck in a prank, and Starscream did too before he defected, and it seems like no one is safe from them."

Pranks? I couldn't think of any Decepticons in this dimension that would have the affinity to pull off pranks. "Those sound like a good time." The sound of the welder turning off told me that Knockout was done was with both wings and so I glanced at them and studied the insignia's that were now a part of each of my wings. This was permenant. I was now a Decepticon, and that meant that this was my home. "So, where am I going to be staying?"

Motioning for me to get up, Knockout started to lead me out of the room. "While I was giving you your insignias, Lord Megatron contacted me and told me that he wanted your room close to the west side of the ship."

"What's over there?" I asked him. I had a feeling that Megatron was wanting me close.

"The only things really over there are Soundwave's room and Lord Megatron's room." Knockout answered me.

So, it was obvious that I was not trusted yet. Megatron was probably keeping me close to make sure that he was nearby if I tried to cause trouble or, if he wasn't there, then Soundwave would be next. Oh well. At least they weren't making it obvious that I wasn't completely untrusted. If I was, then I would probably have a troop of drones watching me wherever I went.

Once we arrived at a door at the end of the hall, I assumed we were at my room due to Knockout stopping and motioning to the keypad. I made sure to watch carefully as he punched in the numbers so I wouldn't forget. The numbers were one, six, zero, and seven before he punched in a 'w'. It didn't take my mind long to realize that the 'w' probably stood for warrior. If I had thought I wouldn't have to fight Shadow, well…that hope was now extinguished. "Thanks for walking me." I stated before walking into the open door.

I saw a flash of surprise show on Knockout's faceplate, though I wasn't sure as to why yet, before he returned to a neutral look. "Well, you should probably rest up. I know that Lord Megatron is going to want to look for more relics and you will need to recharge." He then walked away.

Once he was gone, I closed my door and, once I heard it shut, I felt myself start to lose it. My legs were shaking slightly and I felt like my spark was constricting. What had I done? I knew that I needed to betray them. I had to betray them. If I didn't, then we would not be able to complete our mission from Alpha Trion. But, that did not stop the crushing force of guilt from slamming into me.

A feeling of something cool on my cheeks snapped me back to my senses. It was a single tear. I could not afford to cry. Not now and not ever. It would make all the pain I was going through worthless. So, while I still was in pain, I stood up straight before moving to what I assumed was my berth. I wasted no time in laying down and I was glad when the berth was much more comfortable than the ones at the Autobot base. Of course, the Decepticons were used to housing aerial mode bots like myself much more than the Autobots.

It did not take me long to start my shut down procedures and I soon found myself in a dreamless recharge.

And this is what happened after all of our fun with Pandimala's betrayal! Looks like she is struggling with this more than she is wanting everyone to know. I know that this isn't very long but I hope that you all enjoy this and, as an Autobot two-wheeler once said, "Quality, not quantity." So I am hoping that the quality makes up for this. I am so sorry for the wait for this chapter but I hope that this was a good update. Next chapter will be written and posted by Shadow!

Shadow: You take way too long.

Me: I know…but I am trying?

Shadow: *shakes head* Is that a question?

Me: Maybe?

Both of us: Goodbye for now everyone and good luck in all you do! *tries to surf on a sea of energon*