A/N: I will try to see if I can keep this fic alive, but it will require major changes to the plot.

Chapter 8

The Autobots exited the ground-bridge, their optics peeled for any sign of enemy activity. The latest relic had been discovered, its location a mystery without Jack to determine where it was. Determining there was no present threat, the Autobots moved onward in search of the relic. All the while, they were ready for anything the Decepticons might throw at them. Arcee and Chromia took the higher ground while the mechs continued onward into the canyon.

Silence before battle was not uncommon to the Autobots, but this quiet calm was for a different reason; Terra Breaker. The Decepticon formerly known as the Autobot, Sky Flash, had already left an impression on Team Prime by having dealt with Bulkheadn and Bumblebee. And that was only the surface of the potential the young mech held thanks to his modifications. They couldn't help but wonder how such abilities had once provided them with an advantage during the War for Cybertron. Sky Flash's talents put to waste thanks to Sentinel Zeta Prime's paranoia.

But that was the past and this was the present; they would retrieve this relic and keep far from Decepticon reach. They moved deeper into the canyon, Their scanners on the lookout for anything that might lead them to the relic. Just as they turned a corner, Ratchet radioed in, "Optimus, Jack has sent us the Nexus staff for safe-keeping while he remains in New York."

"Why would he want to stay there?" Arcee asked.

"Something about working with the 'Spider-Man'," Ratchet replied. "In any event, he informed me of the coordinates of the next relic. You are several miles away. Within driving distance."

"Understood," Optimus shifted into vehicle mode, followed by the others, and drove out of the canyon. The coordinates uploaded into his scanner, he led the Autobots to their latest find. All the while, his thoughts never left Arcee, who was in no doubt in distress. Both from the situation with Terra Breaker and Jack's absence. Though the femme would never admit willingly, she relied on the human for emotional support.

He had become her emotional core, only to be corrupted by the Liege Maximo and the Shredder. However, he remained unchanged, and the Prime was grateful for that, wanting his second-in-command to find peace at last. Still, there were many more trials for the two to face along the way, and Terra Breaker was their most daunting yet. The young mech was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield thanks to Megatron's experiments. And Optimus feared how those skills would be used in battle.

His scanners alerted him to relic's proximity and he, and the others, shifted into vehicle mode, stopping just behind a rock. Gathering together, the 'Bots watched as the Decepticon miners were hard at work sorting through the rubble shielding the relic from view. Stepping out from behind their cover the Autobots deployed their blasters and attacked. The Vehicons and miners were quickly dealt with, leaving the relic for their taking. Nearing the dig site, Optimus stopped momentarily to survey the situation; never had it been so easy clearing a mining site of Decepticons.

As they ventured closer, Bulkhead caught the familiar of sight of several blue and gold winged explosives, "Back! Back! Back!" The bombs went off in succession, forcing the Autobots back as the Decepticon Lieutenants and Eradicons descended upon them. It wasn't long before another explosion forced the 'Bots apart, leaving them easy prey for the 'Con.

Terra Breaker

It didn't take long for Bumblebee to shake off the shock of the blasts and regroup, realizing he was separated from the others. He really hated explosive devices; he couldn't count the number of times they made scouting all the more difficult. Regaining his bearings, the scout looked up and was met by the sight of the femme, Slipstream. Taking his stance, he prepared himself for a fight. Despite being Starscream's sister, she shared none of the Seeker's cowardly inhibitions or his knack for sneak attacks. She preferred to fight an opponent head on, something Bumblebee couldn't help but respect.

"The Autobot scout," she sneered, taking a fighting stance of her own. "This should be fun. Especially since you can't use your wheels so freely in here." The scout gave the area he was in a second glance and realized he'd been trapped in a narrow canyon. Large enough for a fight, but too small for his vehicle mode to be used effectively. And the only way out was through the femme Seeker. Recomposing himself, Bumblebee charged and threw a punch her way.

She dodged and answered with a kick to the scout's midsection, sending him flying back. If Terra Breaker's plan worked, then this would be easy. She didn't like being without the ability to fly, but she took pride in the fact she didn't depend on it so fervently like her brother. Bumblebee threw another punch, but she countered with a knee to his stomach and a fist to his face. The scout backed up to get some distance and deployed his blasters.

He was determined to use the narrow space to his advantage as well, firing several shots at her. Using her nimble frame, she dodged each one in succession, much to the shock of Bumblebee. It was times like this, Slipstream was proud to be femme. Her slimmer frame allowed for nimbleness and agility. As the scout fired more shots, she quickly dodged while getting closer to him.

Finally getting close enough, she used a judo throw to send Bumblebee over her shoulder and towards the opening. She delivered a powerful kick to the scouts face, sending him out of the canyon and into unconsciousness.

Terra Breaker

Bulkhead shook off the residual effects of the blast and deployed his weapons, ready for a fight. His challenge was answered when none other than Dreadwing appeared before him. He gritted his denta; he'd been looking for a little one on one time with the Seeker since learning of Seaspray's death at his servos. His near-death at the 'Con's servos only worsened his hatred for him. Shifting his blasters into maces, he slammed them together before charging. With a powerful roar, he swung his right mace down at the Dreadwing's head, only for the blue and gold mech to dodge effortlessly.

Swinging one fist after the other, Bulkhead continued to unsuccessfully deal damage to the 'Con, but came up short each time. Finally, Dreadwing caught Bulkhead's fist and punched the Wrecker in his gut before tossing him overhead. With a smirk, he drew his blade and prepared to deal with the Wrecker once and for all, but remembered his role in Terra Breaker's strategy, "It would seem fate has smiled upon you this day, Wrecker."

Terra Breaker

Optimus and Ironhide remained close to one another, trying to figure out how the Decepticons managed to separate them so easily. Ironhide knew a thing or two about explosives to admire how well placed they were. Even for someone as calculating as Dreadwing, this was too well planned. He could tell Optimus was thinking the same thing as him: Terra Breaker. Looking around for the others, he addressed his leader, "How you do you want to play this?"

"We must regroup with the others and form a proper counter-attack," the Prime replied. He had feared something like this would happen, and wasn't surprised in the least. Ratchet had told him that Terra Breaker's gift for strategy would surpassed by few, his own included. Part of the Prime could not help but respect the attack on the perceived flaws in the Autobot's strategy. Still, this had to be stopped before any of his men were killed.

Terra Breaker

A/N: I apologize that all of my chapters lately have been short. Maybe ShadowStrike Rising took too much out of me. Next time: the Autobots must regroup against the Decepticon's new stragety.