Memento Mori

Being clean helped.

As the water washed away the grime of the past few days, he could feel a heaviness that he hadn't realized was there lifting away as well. Jace could feel his mood lightening with each drop glistening, and taking away the dirt.

Things were far from settled, but at least they were moving in the right direction. For the first time since he'd awakened in the hospital, he felt as though he was in control of something. His future.

The clothing that had been given to him was clearly meant for someone a little larger than his slender frame. Somehow the idea that he was a bit on the small side didn't bother Jace half as much as he'd thought it would. The distinct lack of what Danni had termed 'GQ' style bothered him more than the size.

It was clean, however, and not torn in a dozen different places.

As he stepped out of the small room, Jace felt almost like a new person.

Calm.

Collected.

Composed.

Mikaela was waiting for him near the door.

Sunshine and cool breezes called from just beyond the portal, and Jace didn't bother resisting. He stepped out into the late afternoon warmth, and sighed. It was almost heavenly.

"You survived Mission City," Mikaela spoke before he could ask her why she'd looked so surprised earlier. "I didn't realize how many people were really there."

"Lots still living there, I'm told" Jace shrugged, "You were there too?"

"Right in the middle of it, actually," He'd almost expected her to be just another bystander; and yet somehow it didn't surprise Jace. Mikaela didn't really seem like the kind to sit around and just watch a disaster without doing something to help.

"So, it was giant alien robots," Jace said softly. The serene landscape seemed so distant from the threat of violence and the smoke of destruction. "Their last battleground was in the middle of a populated city."

"It probably wasn't the best idea in the world, but it was a decision made by a human. Not one of them. We brought the battle to the city." Mikaela had lost whatever patient smile she'd been trying to keep on her face, "People died before Mission City because of them. People got hurt. It wasn't... an easy decision. And now the government has made sure that most of us don't know that they even exist."

"How did you get involved in all of this?" Jace wanted to see the smile again. It was a whole lot nicer than the serious expression. "You seem kinda young..."

"My boyfriend bought a car. Turned out to be one of those giant alien robots." The smile returned briefly, "Then we got caught up in that million year old war. Couldn't just let the bad guys win, you know."

The city was devastated.

Everyone in it, forced to either switch sides and become conquered slaves, or die.

Most had chosen death.

Was this what the future held for all those who opposed this mighty army?

He couldn't claim to know the future, but by all that lived, he would not let it be an easy victory for Megatron–

"Megatron was destroyed." Mikaela told him through the sudden rush of images and sounds. Her hand was on his arm, as though he'd just stumbled.

"Megatron?" Jace almost feared the answer.

"You said his name a moment ago. He was the leader of the Decepticons. Kept prisoner by the humans in Sector Seven for about a hundred years–" Mikaela frowned as she peered at his face a little closer, "You know, maybe you should still be resting. Your face just turned–"

"I'm fine." Jace shugged off the hand, "I just– I don't remember what happened in Mission City or why I'd know the name of Megatron–"

"You want a piece of me, Megatron?" he yelled defiantly, voice rasping and hoarse from the volume he was forced to use.

The others were still too close, and Optimus Prime still too far away. He himself was caught, however. He could hope that one of his shots would loosen the grip on his legs, but it was against the odds right now.

And he'd seen what usually happened to those who got this close to Megatron. He'd never expected that he'd be one of them. The moment he'd fallen in the street. The moment the dreaded shadow had touched him, he'd known.

He was as good as dead.

Claws flipped him into the air and talons snagged him instantly, biting through his legs and back.

"No." The horrible voice said distinctly. "I want two."

"Jace?" The feminine voice was calling a name. It wasn't his, was it? "Jace– Ratchet, you

gotta wake up. Something's wrong with–"

"I–" He found himself kneeling on the rough dirt outside the door. Mikaela had a grip on his shoulder, preventing him from pitching forward. "Don't wake Ratchet, he's probably been awake for far longer than he should have been."

"Jace–" She tried to keep him from standing, but he'd stand on his own– or someone else's– two legs. "What the hell?"

"The Allspark– where is it?" The memories that were trickling through were alien to the environment, to his body, but familiar. "That's why Barricade was looking–"

"The cube was destroyed." Mikaela's expression was unreadable, at least by him, "How do you know about it?"

"Destroyed..." the man known as Jace breathed, "Then Optimus..."

Failed. As he had failed. The scout was nowhere to be seen, nor was the leader he'd so desperately tried to...

He'd failed.

He knew who he was, and it wasn't... possible...

"Jace?" Mikaela was still at his side, and caught him before he could fall yet again. The world was spinning, and showed no signs of slowing down.

"I was afraid this would happen." The rumbling voice from behind them echoed in the warehouse along with the sound of transforming metal. "His blood pressure is dropping again, Mikaela. Please allow me to –"

He never heard the rest of the sentence.