Looking around a determined path was going to need to be decided upon. But not knowing where to go she looked at her leader. On very rare occasions would one see the leader of the Autobots confused but in this case that was what Optimus Prime was feeling. But he wasn't the only one, even Megatron was confused. There were tunnels and they had to choose one, luckily there were only three tunnels.
"Which way?" Hotshot asked.
"We'll divide in teams. Each group will go down a tunnel," Optimus suggested.
"I agree," Megatron said. "Cyclonus. You and Sideswipe will take one tunnel. Demolisher and Hotshot will take the second and we'll take the third."
"Yes, sir," the two Decepticons saluted.
Hotshot looked to his leader for support on the decision.
"Agreed," Optimus announced. "Keep in radio contact at all times and don't get separated. You will have to work together, no matter how much you don't want to. We need this to work."
"Let's go," Hotshot said. "Which one did you want to take?" he asked Demolisher.
"That one," Demolisher pointed.
The two Transformers agreed and walked away. Cyclonus and Sideswipe agreed to the opposite tunnel, leaving the middle tunnel for the last three to enter.
"I hope they won't get into too much trouble," Alexis mumbled.
Megatron came up behind her. "They are soldiers, they know how to take care of themselves."
Alexis turned to the Decepticon leader. "We are entitled to our own opinions. But I'm a person…mechanism who cares for her friends."
"Let's move," Megatron suggested. "Standing around here, flapping off the mouths isn't going to help us get rid of Unicron any faster."
"For once I agree with you," Alexis said. She moved towards the final tunnel with the two leaders with her.
As they began their journey, noises were heard from behind them. Every step they took, the sound got louder. Alexis seemed on edge, as did Optimus. Megatron, however, wasn't paying any attention to the sound. He figured it was some of the bulkhead, Alexis melted that was making the sound.
Before too long, the noise was on top of them.
"I don't like that sound," Alexis said nervously, looking back.
"What are you worried about?" Megatron grumbled. "It's probably just the melted bulkhead."
"If that was the case, then why is it getting louder as we venture further away from the opening?" Optimus questioned.
Megatron stopped for a moment to listen to the sound. "I believe you're right," he said calmly. "It sounds more like…"
"Laser pods!" Alexis yelled.
Megatron and Optimus turned in time to dodge the first onslaught of the pods. But as they dodged, Alexis quickly brought out her laser gun and blasted the closest ones to the two leaders. Optimus, after he jumped out of the way, brought his gun and began firing.
"Why won't these things leave us alone?" Megatron snarled as he fired.
"Unicron knows we're here," Alexis gasped.
-
"It's time for those spawns to come after us," Ultra Magnus announced.
"That will be dangerous at this point in time," Sideflare disagreed.
Ultra Magnus turned to the spawn traitor. "We need to get to the others as quick as possible. If we go into the battle, they will think that you were defeated."
Sideflare thought for a moment. "That might work. Adjust course to 8234 beta 4."
"That will bring us into the heart of the battle," Hot Rod pointed out.
"If you want to get into the think of things, it's always best to come at them in the front." Kup turned from his station. "I have been monitoring the static bursts. If we charge right in and then back quickly away, that may give us enough space to get to the other side."
"And with that attack, that may give the others the opportunity to get through as well," Ultra Magnus agreed.
"However," Sideflare interrupted. "That will make Unicron attack that small planet."
"Optimus and Megatron's ship are there to help out plus the Mini-Cons," Micro said calmly.
"Kup bring us about, we're going in," Ultra Magnus commanded.
"Yes, sir." The older soldier chimed. He had his fare share of battles and for some reason he seemed a little excited this time. Maybe it was caused from that they were not engaging the Decepticons this time, that it was another force stronger than all the Transformers.
Kup punched in the coordinates Sideflare gave him. The ship quickly veered away from the only opening that was left and charged right into the thick of battle. The static energy quickly disbursed in directions and regrouped, a little further away.
"Well that got their attention," Sideflare announced. Suddenly a silent surge went through her body. She turned to the computer, punching in a bunch of numbers in a sequenced order.
"What are you doing?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"I'm about to be discovered. I'm giving you all the coordinates you'll need. After I give the key coordinates, the battle is yours to do with what you please." When she finished she turned. "I am not betraying you. I want you to take me down, make it look as though you were battling me on the bridge and then hit me. With me out, they will think that you have gathered the plan yourself."
Ultra Magnus nodded. "I have a better idea. All our vital systems are here. Let's…"
"There's no time," she snapped. "Do it now or your advantaged will be gone. AHHHHH!"
The spawn female fell to the ground. Ultra Magnus looked up to see Hot Rod with his gun raised. "Now we don't have to shoot up the bridge, you kept her distracted while the others attacked from behind."
"Arcee, place our collaborator in the brig until this is over and place force fields around her. We don't want anymore of these spawns getting on the ship and trying to break her out. She has asked for protection."
"And we need this to look like we have a prison and not a traitor."
"Exactly. From this point on, we will not speak of Sideflare as if she helped us."
Arcee, picked up the female robot and dragged her to the brig. When Sideflare was secure in the brig, with a force field, Arcee pondered if keeping Sideflare was a good idea. Sideflare could easily turn just as quick as Starscream did. But that was something she couldn't stop, if Ultra Magnus agreed to her terms then that's what was going to happen.
-
"Sir," Springer announced. "Ultra Magnus has engaged the enemy."
"So they weren't in that much trouble as we thought," Jetfire mumbled more to himself.
"Jetfire," Rad said. The huge robot looked down to where the kids were sitting. "There's the off set chance that Ultra Magnus might have had difficulties."
"I agree." Scavenger turned from his station. "What if Sideflare tried to get the better of them but failed like Sideways. And now they have been able to get into the swing of things."
"Sir," Springer called out. "He just went head first into the thick of battle, making the electric current disburse and regroup."
"He was looking for a strategic way into the mess, without taking too much damage. He must have been left alone because of Sideflare. With her distraction, they were able to come up with a plan. Good thinking."
"There's still nothing on the radar of our team on Unicron," Powerglide said.
"Damn!" Jetfire cursed. "I don't like it when Optimus does this. I should have been with him."
"Even if Optimus and Megatron get to the center of Unicron, they will not be able to get the Mini-Con weapons. They have been integrated into Unicron and they will not awaken to be released." Sideways came up to Jetfire.
Jetfire turned to the old Autobot. "Why didn't you say something before? You were once…"
"I know, I don't have to be reminded of it every time someone speaks to me. But you must realize that I have been living under Unicron's rule for so long that I don't know what's up from down."
"Is there anyway we can warn Optimus about the Mini-Con weapons?"
"There is a way, but it will be tricky and unfortunately the only ones able to get through will be the Mini-Cons."
"The Mini-Cons won't be the only ones who are able to get through," Rad piped up. The motorcycle looked down at Rad.
"You think you'll be going? I doubt the Autobots will want you to go on risky mission. They have always wanted to keep you out of the fight."
"Do you think that ever stopped us?" Rad challenged. "No. On more than one occasion, Optimus has told us to stay put, but we never listened. Although, Optimus was angry with us for disobeying, he was always grateful for our help."
"That," Scavenger said. "I will agree with. We have not always wanted you kids in the fight but you were anyway."
"I agree," Hoist jumped. "You kids are a big part of this team."
-We can't allow you to do that- Highwire announced.
Rad turned the Mini-Con. "Why?"
-We must be the only ones to venture in. We can reawaken the Mini-Con weapons-
"No! We won't let you do it alone. We're coming with you." Carlos clenched his fists. "We are your friends. Friends stick together."
"I agree," Rad said. "If you are doing this we're going with you."
"But we must stay here," Billy tried to reason.
"No, we don't." Rad began to raise his voice. "We have to help our friends. Optimus, Hotshot, Sideswipe and even Alexis could be heading into a trap. They will not know what needs to be done to awaken the Mini-Cons."
"Yeah. We came up here to help in what we can plus to give Alexis support." Carlos asked. "But how would we get to Unicron?"
"I have a way that you can get in without being detected," Sideways said. He pressed a button on his arm, opening his chest. Pulling out a small device, he handed it to the kids. "Use this. But be warned there is no atmosphere."
Rad nodded. "Let's go." Rad pressed his jacket up by his collar and a space helmet appeared. Pressing around his wrists, gloves appeared over his hands. The other three boys did the same.
"We're finally getting to do something," Carlos said excitedly.
"We're going to save Earth," Billy chimed in.
"Yeah and save the Mini-Cons," Fred chipped in.
"You boys be careful," Jetfire said. "I don't want to hear Optimus get mad that we lost you guys."
-We'll take care of them- Grindor said.
"How do we activate this?" Rad asked when he knew everyone was ready to help.
"Where it has been in my chest, all I've had to do is think about it and it would open. I'm sure if you were to clasp your hands around it, it will work the same way."
Rad did what Sideways suggested and within moments the four boys, Highwire, Sureshock and Grindor were gone.
"I hope I didn't make a bad mistake," Jetfire mumbled.
"You make a bad mistake," Sideways grunted. "I just helped you. These memories are starting to bug me."
"We have to have faith in the kids," Scavenger ignored Sideways for the moment. "They have never let us down yet." He turned to the motorcycle. "You might not like it now, but eventually grumbling about it will no longer be an issue."
Sideways turned away from Scavenger and walked over to an unoccupied seat. He wasn't sitting it long before Starscream came over.
"You better not be sending those kids into a trap. Not only will Optimus and Jetfire be furious but I'll be as well. Those kids can be annoying but they have helped the team out on many occasions."
"Are you telling me that you care for those brats?"
"They are not brats," Starscream hissed. "They are growing humans. And yes I do care for them, considering I'm in love with their former human friend."
Everyone one the bridge stopped and looked at Starscream at his declaration. They all knew he loved her and she loved him back. And they all knew they were not hiding their affections but it was just plain shocking to hear Starscream say the words. He was not the type Transformer to voice his feelings other than his frustrations.
Satisfied that Sideways wasn't going to speak anymore, he turned and noticed everyone was looking at him. "What are you looking at?" he snapped.
With shrugging shoulders, everyone turned back to their duties with smirks, that was the Starscream they knew, snapping his comments at everyone.
-
"Optimus!" Alexis yelled over the laser fire. "I have an idea!"
"I'm all ears."
"We pull our laser fire in together. That may make an explosion and destroy the pods."
Megatron looked at Optimus. "I'm gamed if you are?"
Optimus nodded. The two leaders made their way to Alexis as she was the furthest away from the pods. The two lined themselves on either side of the female Autobot.
"On my mark, pull your fire in towards mine." For several seconds Alexis watched as she continued to fire. When she saw an opening she yelled. "MARK!"
When the light cleared from the three laser blasts combined together, there was nothing left.
Megatron looked at the girl. "That was a good idea. I was skeptical of that working. I'm sure you had help in conquering up that plan."
"At least it worked." Alexis moved quickly away from the Decepticon leader. "Let's get moving."
-
As Hotshot and Demolisher walked down the tunnel, they kept getting the feeling of being watched but they couldn't figure out from where. But they knew not to drop their guard. Finally Hotshot brought out his weapon.
"What are doing?"
"I have a feeling we're going to have company."
"Well there's no sense in drawing them towards us."
Suddenly a sound came from behind. The two Transformers turned in time to see the tunnel closing up with doors at every ten feet intervals. Hotshot looked up to see they were standing under a doorway. He quickly pushed Demolisher out of the way just before the door hit them.
"What did you that for?" Demolisher growled.
"It was either that or you would have been crashed." Hotshot pointed.
Demolisher gasped inaudibly as he saw a door, quickly turning into a wall, blocking the path behind them. He turned to Hotshot. "I…I guess I owe you my life."
"Let's keep going. I'm sure Unicron knows were here now and is trying to stop us. I wonder how the others are doing."
"We can't even help them so why wonder. Let's worry about our own necks first."
Hotshot nodded in agreement. He stood and was about to help Demolisher when a rumble from underneath them. "I don't like the way that feels."
Demolisher jumped to his feet. "Let's get out of here." He took one step forward when suddenly a door slammed down in front of them, leaving them trapped in the ten-foot space.
-
Sideswipe and Cyclonus continued their walk, not realizing that they were being watched. Cyclonus, however, was ready for anything. He didn't trust anything or anyone. He might have to work with the Autobot but he wasn't going to drop his guard down.
"This tunnel keeps on going and going."
"Well than let's stop it from going straight." Cyclonus stopped and aimed his guns at the floor. He fired before Sideswipe at the chance to protest.
"What are doing?" Sideswipe questioned.
Cyclonus looked at the Autobot. "Getting out of this tunnel. Chances are Unicron already knows we're here and I'm not taking any chances." He jumped down the hole, not looking to see if Sideswipe followed.
When Sideswipe jumped down, they saw they were trapped in a ten-foot room. "What the…"
"Unicron knowing we're here." Cyclonus aimed his guns and fired at one of the walls but nothing happened.
"Why don't you help and see if you can get ourselves out of this box."
Sideswipe, annoyed at Cyclonus, did what was asked. He pulled his own gun out and began to fire on the same spot Cyclonus was firing at. After a few minutes the two started to have a small hole. It wasn't even big enough for their Mini-Cons to fit through.
"This is going to take a while," Sideswipe whined.
-
Hotshot and Demolisher were sitting on the floor, trying to think themselves a way out. Suddenly, from behind them, a noise was heard. Hotshot turned in time to see a small spot begin to melt. When it was melted away, he turned on his infrared to see what was on the other side. To his surprise, it was Cyclonus and Sideswipe.
Hotshot stood and quickly ran to the spot. "Hey you guys. We're trapped on the other side. Mine and Demolisher's weapons are not strong enough to melt away the wall in front of us."
"Bro?" Sideswipe questioned. An idea popped in his head. "Concentrate on firing at the melted hole. We need to make the hole bigger so we can fit through, then we can help you."
"Good idea." Hotshot looked at Demolisher and found he was already standing and was ready to fire. Hotshot moved into position beside the Decepticon and began to fire. On the other side Sideswipe and Cyclonus did the same. Before too long there was a big enough hole so Sideswipe and Cyclonus could fit through.
"I need a break," Cyclonus puffed. "That was tiring."
"I know what you mean," Sideswipe agreed.
-
A warp gate opened, and four kids and three Mini-Cons walked out of it. When it closed Carlos took a quick look around. "This place is trashed."
"Tell me about it," Fred said. He looked and something caught his eye. He ran over to it and picked it up. "Hey look this you guys."
"A piece of Cybertroian rock," Rad said. "It's Alexis. We're on the right path."
"From looks of this place," Carlos said. "They were here not too long ago. The laser burns are still quite fresh. "Let's keep going."
-
The Three Transformers continued their walk until they came across a huge room. In the center of the room was a huge odd-looking ball, with holes all through it. On either side of the ball was two of the Mini-Con weapons and third was directly in the middle.
"What is that?" Alexis asked.
"This is it?" Megatron said quietly.
"No doubt about it," Optimus agreed. "The heart of Unicron."
"Optimus look, it's the Star Saber Sword." Megatron began to walk forward to the closest one and tried to pick it up.
"Megatron, no!" Alexis yelled.
As Megatron's fingers began to almost close around it, live tentacles sprang out from the floor, swaying as if wind was hitting it.
"We have to be careful in here," Optimus said calmly. "Unicron's body is like one big booby trap after another."
Megatron looked around room and saw the other two weapons. "There's the other two."
A sudden laugh came out of the ball. "I'm surprised you make it this far."
"Who are you?"
The ball began to glow and a body forming out of it.
"Sideways?"
"How can that be?" Megatron said. "He's…"
Alexis jumped in. "It's Unicron taking the shape of Sideways."
"How observant of you, my dear." The voice sounded like Sideways. "Sideways was a fool. He had been in my services for millions of years and he never bothered to realize that parts of his body was missing."
"What do you mean?" Alexis asked, stepping forward.
Megatron was about to ask Alexis what was she talking about, but Optimus placed a hand on him. They already knew about Sideways. For a quick moment he gave Optimus a glare and then turned to the woman as he realized what Alexis was doing by making Unicron think they knew nothing about Sideways true identity.
Unicron laughed again. "He was once one of you. He was an Autobot under the command of Optimus Prime. But that isn't why you three came. You came to prevent me from destroying that miserable blue planet. You surprise me Megatron, working with the Autobots and all."
"Only to stop you. I know you already know that we are powerless without each other's help."
"Your right. I do know that. But I'm surprised you would start working together so easily. I have watched your battles for eons and absorbed your energy, making myself stronger. And now I'm strong, I have come to take my rightful place as the supreme leader of all the Transformers."
"You only absorbed our negative energy."
"Precisely. I guess you aren't as stupid as I was led to believe. You allowed Sideways into your group, without checking out where he has been first. That is not good leadership in my opinion. And Megatron, you did the same. You allowed your greed for power to cloud your judgment that you did not bother to check to see if Sideways was an Autobot or Decepticon spy."
"Why you…"
"Megatron," Alexis turned. "Don't let him cloud your mind. The negative energy is what fuels him."
"You know Optimus, I figured you would have known my existence by now, but your clouded judgment allowed me to grow stronger right under your very nose. I even sent signals to you, wanting to know if you would guess me out, but you didn't. And you call yourself Autobot leader, holder of the matrix."
-
With finally a hole burned through the last wall, the four Transformers were able to continue their search for their leaders. Sideswipe was little exhausted but he would manage. He knew that his strength would come back to him by the time they found Optimus. And that would only happen if there no more traps.
"Everyone ok?" Hotshot asked.
"If you're asking," Demolisher answered. "Are we still alive, the answer is yes."
"That was quite the wall," Sideswipe stated. "It's thicker than anything I've ever seen."
Cyclonus looked at the young bot. "That's because it was made to keep us from getting to Megatron."
Hotshot turned towards their destination. "We should keep going. I get the feeling that we're getting close to Optimus and Megatron. Up until now, we didn't have to worry about traps. Unicron must be trying to stall us."
The four Transformers continued their way down the tunnel, hoping to soon find some sign of where Optimus and Megatron were. They had no idea how close they really were or that the kids were also on their way. But most of all they didn't realize that they just helped each other and they were now giving each other the respect that was deserved. But how long would that respect last, considering no one knew the respect was given?