I'm just going to say that I'm sorry for everything that happens below before it starts, okay?
Clouds of rust coloured dust rose up from beneath the approaching vehicles after being kicked up by their speeding tires. The yellow and black muscle car sped in front of the other two. All of them saw their leader patiently waiting for their arrival with another unknown bot beside him.
Bumblebee swiftly transformed as soon as he was within a few meters of the pair at the hangar. He approached Optimus with a barrage of worried clicks and chirps, as though asking if he was alright. Magnus couldn't exactly decipher everything that Bumblebee was saying, but he would slowly pick it up.
"Yes, Bumblebee, I am quite alright. Thanks to both Ratchet and Ultra Magnus. "The Prime grinned while reaching out and patting Bumblebee on his yellow shoulder.
The small scout's attention switched over to Ultra Magnus before Optimus could even say his name. Bumblebee looked at him with large, curious optics that shined brightly with admiration for the towering Commander.
"Greetings. "Ultra Magnus addressed Bumblebee warmly.
Within mere seconds, the two other bots that had been following close behind Bumblebee also transformed and strode up to their leader. Ultra Magnus wasn't familiar with the blue motorcycle -however, he did instantly recognize Bulkhead. Never would the Commander forget any one of his former crew members after everything that they had been through.
"'Ey! The ol' Boss Bot is here! I didn't know you were plannin' on visiting, Ultra Magnus. "Bulkhead said with enthusiasm.
"I hadn't planned on coming here, Bulkhead. I actually- "Magnus was cut off by the sound of a nearing Smokescreen.
"Optimus, "He vented with astonishment, "You're awake! Are you alright? You looked like you were in really bad shape when I came here. "
"Yes, Smokescreen. As I said to Bumblebee; I'm quite alright. "Optimus smiled reassuringly.
Ultra Magnus turned to look directly at Smokescreen with his own worried expression. When his azure optics locked onto the young Elite Guardsman, his white doorwings decorated with blazing 38s wilted like a dying flower in a winter chill. For Smokescreen could foretell exactly what Magnus was about to ask of him, and it hurt him to respond, even when he knew that he would have no choice but to do so.
"Smokescreen, what is Wheeljack's status? I'm concerned about him. "Magnus asked.
"Ratchet said that he'll be out for a couple of solar cycles. Apparently both the crash and the trip here did a number on his systems and he needs a long rest. Wheeljack will live, but we might not have a whole lot of spare parts or energon left after his repairs are complete. "Smokescreen informed as his doorwings drooped even lower down his back.
In response to Smokescreen's news, Ultra Magnus mimicked what Optimus had done with Bumblebee. He extended out his white servo and gave a gentle pat to the young soldier's shoulder, which had made Smokescreen flinch, "Thank you soldier. You acted very bravely and selflessly to retrieve one of my Wreckers out of Decepticon territory in our darkest hour. If I had something to give, I would reward you for your help. But alas, there is nothing I can give. "
"Ultra Magnus, sir, your thanks is all I could ask for at this very moment. "Smokescreen looked up at the titan and smiled.
It was Bulkhead who then shattered the warm moment.
"Wait, Wheeljack's here? Jackie's here and he's hurt? Where is he? "he asked with urgency.
Smokescreen waved Bulkhead over to the makeshift medbay where Ratchet had been working the night away when he had arrived the day before. With surprising speed, Bulkhead raced over and followed Smokescreen so that he could meet with his injured friend. Magnus had considered going with the two of them to check on his star warrior, but he was soon addressed by the femme beside Bumblebee. So he remained standing in his own spot next to Optimus so he wouldn't seem rude to her.
"So how are you liking Earth so far, stranger? "She asked with a hint of humor, "My name's Arcee. "
"It could be far worse, although recently I've been having to watch were I've been stepping more frequently. " He shot right back at her. All of them stared after realizing that the stoic Ultra Magnus had just said something akin to a joke.
The group of four marched inside of the hangar. Arcee mainly spoke of what happened after Ratchet sent them through the Ground Bridge, with Bumblebee interjecting at certain parts. She told all about her journey that she shared with Jack, and about how she never stopped moving until the military finally caught up with her in the middle of Iowa. After assuring her that they were going to take care of Jack and the other children, they turned her in the right direction to where the Autobot's temporary base was located. Although she was reluctant to let her partner go, Arcee knew that she couldn't allow Jack to be placed in further danger of the growing Decepticon threat. The same went for the other two Autobot guardians. So after a few solar cycles of travel, all three of them regrouped and further traveled south until they came here.
After completing her story, she then asked Ultra Magnus what he was doing on Earth and how he came here with Optimus. To which Magnus summed up their own story to the best of his ability. He spoke about how his own Spark had guided him to Optimus' exact location close to the heart of the Decepticon activity, and about how they escaped on his spacecraft until they met with Agent Fowler. Then they made their way here and waited for the other Autobots to arrive at their location. It wasn't nearly as long of a story, but Arcee was satisfied by it.
"Never knew that the Prime had any relations, "She quirked a metal brow, "Why didn't you tell us about him? "
"It's a long, complicated story, Arcee - One that we might not have time for. "Optimus' smiling faceplate had disappeared, leaving a more saddened look.
The Autobots had been swapping stories for so long that day had shifted into late dusk; the sun was already dipping downward into the rusty horizon. In the time in which they had been talking, Bulkhead had been pacing in and out of the medbay with Smokescreen speaking comforting words behind him. It was obvious too all of them that the large bot was genuinely upset at Wheeljack's misfortune. Optimus Prime stood after the long conversation after feeling the need to stretch his slowly recovering leg. Magnus observed him as he limped once more towards the entrance of the hangar, the darkness of night seemingly engulfing him as he continued forward.
Ultra Magnus stood and briskly followed almost instantly after he stepped outside. He didn't want to leave Optimus alone for one minute after everything that had happened and for good reasons too.
Megatron thundered through the darkening skies with Predaking by his side, flapping his enormous wings. Both Master and Hunter blazed ahead of the other group of Decepticons, mainly out of fear of the two powerful bots ahead of them.
Starscream could even admit to himself that he feared Megatron more than he ever had before with that monster at his side like his own personal pet. Even when Dreadwing had perished at the hand of Megatron, Starscream merely put on a show so that he would gain Megatron's trust, and should he show any disloyalty he would only have received a quick beating and that would have been the end of it. Now with Predaking, Starscream dared not to step a single inch out of line.
The same when for the other Eradicons that made up Starscream's armada. They had all witnessed what happened to their dear friend, Jeff, after he had been unwilling volunteered in the demonstration of Predaking's ruthlessness. Poor Jeff the Eradicon, each of them felt so sorry for him.
Predaking himself was excited to finally be outside in the cool night air with devious ambitions regarding his unknowing prey. However, he still knew all too well that Megatron would stop him at the last second before he would initiate his quest to destroy the Autobot scum. Yes, he would humor his Master because it's what he had been programmed to do, but he wanted nothing more than to spill energon as fast as possible.
"Patience, Predaking, we are almost there. Tonight, we shall not kill. Perhaps maim one or two of them, but not exactly kill. We will aim to dampen the hopes of the Autobots, and if Optimus Prime still lives, he shall be our first target. "Megatron said to his pet.
What luck the Decepticons had as Autobot signals began flashing on their radars, one of which was foolishly out in the open. Predaking's heads let out a single shrill war cry and swiftly dived down out of the air to strike its unsuspecting target below.
Ultra Magnus was staring in horror at the scene that lied before him; Optimus Prime underneath the claws of a gigantic beast with three ugly heads and huge flapping wings. Its roars of victory clawed at Magnus' audios, nearly shutting them down.
Other Autobots began streaming out of the hangar's entrance when they heard the shrieks of the dragon that pinned their leader into the desert sands. Bumblebee let out a torrent of alarmed clicks and whirrs, and Arcee gave a single gasp of disbelief at the beast that stood before them.
Megatron, Starscream and the rest of the Eradicons transformed and landed right beside Predaking, all laughing menacingly at them. Their leader in particular strode over to Predaking's large claws and stared down at him with fiery optics.
"So, it's true that you survived, Orion. I can't say that I'm surprised after all we've been through. Allow me to ask; do you happen to like Shockwave's latest project? Predaking is certainly one of his greater creations. "He asked condescendingly as he touched the dragon's massive shoulder with his own clawed servo.
Optimus didn't respond to his foe's mocking glance. Instead, he reached out to Ultra Magnus through the bond they shared. On the other end of said bond, Magnus felt Optimus' feelings of pain and defeat as he struggled beneath the claws of the fierce beast. In response, Magnus sent back feelings of confidence and care to somewhat strengthen his mind.
"Now, I have an offer for all of you, "Megatron enticed the other Autobots, "I will be taking your precious leader back to the Decepticon fortress to do battle against Predaking, is there one of you who may want to go in his place? "
"Like HELL any of us will go with you! "Smokescreen was fuming with unbound anger at Megatron's words, "You won't be taking ANY of us! Not Optimus, not Bee, nor Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Wheeljack, or myself! "
The Decepticons laughed at the puny Autobot who thought he was a threat to them. This caused Smokescreen's rage to overflow, and he took off like a shot with his arm cannons unfolded. Megatron permitted the young, foolish soldier to come close enough to where Smokescreen would have thought that he had a clear shot for one of them, but instead he got something far more different.
Megatron unfolded his own plasma rifle that had once been attached to Optimus Prime's arm, and took his own shot. Hitting Smokescreen point blank just a few mere inches below his Spark chamber, causing the young Guardsmen to fly back a few meters to where he had originally ran from. Bumblebee was the first one to run to Smokescreen's side, the others were in far too much shock to move.
"SMOKESCREEN! " Optimus shouted out to them.
Ultra Magnus could feel his burning rage and growing fear as he still struggled to get loose from the beast's grip. The giant Autobot stood forward with barred toothplates as he stared down Megatron.
"And you are? "He questioned.
"I am Ultra Magnus, "the mention of his name made the Eradicons and Starscream back away a few feet, "I volunteer to replace Optimus Prime. "
"You are quite the prize indeed, Magnus. For I have heard of your countless victories against Shockwave's defenses in my absence on Cybertron. You strike fear in the Sparks of my warriors. Yet, I am not convinced as to why I should take you and not my arch enemy. "Megatron told the former Wrecker as Optimus tried to convince Magnus not to go through their bond. Magnus ignored his pleas even though it pained him to do so.
"If you must know, I am the brother of Optimus Prime. "Now this piece of information changed the game as Megatron quirked his own large metal brow with optics that blazed with the look of confusion, and then came a flash of opportunity.
"I thought you said Magnum was dead, "he said down to Optimus, "One of the many lies you must have told me. Ultra Magnus, I accept your offer. Release the Prime, Predaking. "
The dragon did as it was told and lifted its claw off of Optimus' chest. Optimus quickly rose up from the rusty sands and looked towards Magnus who was currently being surrounded by Starscream's armada. A feeling of calmness graced his Spark as Ultra Magnus gave smile number five at him.
:: Everything will be alright. ::
Predaking grabbed a hold of Ultra Magnus, just barely managing to carry the huge Autobot in both clenched claws. Magnus didn't once try to fight Predaking's grasp as he was lifted, nor did he make a single movement as the beast flapped his wings and took off to the starless skies above. The other Decepticons transformed and followed closely behind Predaking. Ultra Magnus could only watch as the Autobots and their base quickly disappeared behind grey clouds, although he could hear and feel Optimus as he cried out both of his brother's designations.
The Autobots could only watch as Ultra Magnus vanished with the Decepticons. All of them had gathered closely around the gravely injured Smokescreen. Optimus Prime hoped that his brother could hold on until they would be able to rescue him.
For now he could only watch as Bulkhead lift up the limp little soldier and carry him back inside of the hangar.
Did I forget to mention that I'm sorry? Thanks for the support guys! It's nice to know you're enjoying this! (: