Disclaimer: We do not own Transformers Prime or its canon characters; Hasbro and the Hub do. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns Skye Shelsher and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Caliber, Speedway, Air Raid, Jetfire, and Blackout.

Theme Song: Scared by Three Days Grace

Skye examined the wound in the mirror against her wall, running her fingers along the edge. Jack's mother had said she could stop wearing the bulky gauze over it, since she was past the fear of infection. It looked bad, but not as bad as the first day. It was definitely going to scar, though.

She sighed, packing up the supplies and returning them to their hidey-hole, hoping she would never need it again. She closed her eyes and shook her head, a slight smile pulling at her lips once the first aid kit was put away. She'd had a rough time of things the past few years. Losing her leg, losing her prosthetic, now having a new scar? There was bad luck, then there was whatever Skye had.

She looked in the mirror again, lightly biting her nail. Scrap, she thought explaining her relationship would be tough. How would she talk this away? She could of course come up with some crazy story that would be an entertaining deflection, but what was crazier than an alien robot who could transform into a car scratching her out of revenge for scratching his finish?

She turned toward her door, figuring it was about time to join today's brand of crazy.

After a couple steps she heard a strange whirring sound and she almost fell as her prosthetic didn't land where it should've. Skye looked down and saw that it was frozen, partially bent. Scrap. Well, at least the architect was here and not some hospital. She limped to the door, opened it, then quickly limped to the railing and grabbed on before she could fall.

Darkstorm immediately ran over to Skye's position. "Skye! What's wrong?"

Skye tried to bend her knee again to no avail. "Just a little malfunction. I think."

Darkstorm frowned slightly and nodded as she went over to grab some tools. She activated her holoform and immediately set to work. A few moments of tinkering passed before Darkstorm reattached the protective plate around her charge's knee. "There. I think that should do… Try it and see."

Skye bent and straightened it several times before smiling at her guardian. "Much better. Thanks, Dar'sain."

Darkstorm returned the smile. "You are most welcome, Ski'ri."

"Don't worry, Skye. I think you totally rock that prosthetic," Smokescreen grinned, trying to encourage the human girl. "Just like 'Bee owns that voice box Ratchet slapped in his throat."

Once the words escaped his mouth, Darkstorm could feel Bumblebee's anger and despair through the bond. Bumblebee's facial plating lowered and Darkstorm mentally reached out, trying to comfort him.

"U-Umm, I mean everyone understand you just fine," Smokescreen tried to back pedal. "W-Why would you consider getting it fixed now, right?"

His eyes narrowed dangerously at the rookie. "I don't consider getting it fixed because it can't be! Ratchet already tried. I'll never get my old voice back again…" He stomped away angrily. "And I guess I'll have to be content with that, right?"

Darkstorm glared at Smokescreen before running after her sparkmate.

"Whoa," Miko said, watching the exchange, before turning to Raf. "What'd he say?"

"Bee still misses the sound of his own voice, his original voice," Raf answered.

Smokescreen vented. "Man, I… I really messed up again, didn't I?"

Skye winced. "It could've gone smoother. But hopefully he'll be fine, it's just . . . it takes a lot to put what you've lost out of your mind. I still get heartaches when I see volleyball matches."

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset them," Smokescreen said sadly.

"I'm sure they'll be fine but… kid, you haven't known Bumblebee and Darkstorm for as long as I have. You gotta learn to be careful not to do or say anything to either of them without thinking. They're two of the kindest bots I know, but they're fiercely loyal, and protective, of each other. And unless you like the idea of being strapped to Ratchet's operating table, I suggest you apologize," Bulkhead added.

Smokescreen looked at Bulkhead before venting and making his way towards where Darkstorm and Bumblebee were.

"Bee… I know you are upset. Quite frankly, I am too, but…" Darkstorm vented. "There is nothing that can be done."

Bumblebee was silent for a few moments before he finally answered. "I know… I just miss it, you know?" He chuckled wryly. "I know it may be hard to believe but I used to be just like Smokescreen. Cocky, so sure of my future, and I had a mouth that got me in trouble more often than not… That's why Megatron ripped out my voice box at Tyger Pax. I couldn't just shut my mouth and refuse to give him his information. No, I had to mock him and because of that… he ripped out my voice box, saying he wanted to make an example out of me… Not a day goes by when I don't wish I could have changed the outcome."

Darkstorm embraced her scout, spark nearly breaking as she felt his turbulent emotions, feeling them as her own. And when Bumblebee laid his helm against her shoulder plating, she too shared his tears.

"My dear scout, there was nothing you could have done and it most certainly was not your fault. It was Megatron's and Megatron's alone. I know this is hard… but you are not the same mech that you once were. You have a home, a family who loves you… and you have me. Is that not enough?" Darkstorm whispered.

"Storm, it's more than enough… I just…" Bumblebee vented. "I can't help but feel incomplete."

"Don't say that. We… We just have to have faith. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you, for us. Everything will work out in the end. We must have faith that it will," Darkstorm stroked his doorwings soothingly.

Bumblebee shakily exhaled. "You're right…" he weakly smiled. "Thank you, 'Storm."

"You would have done the same for me," Darkstorm smiled before gently lifting his helm, kissing him. She silently celebrated as she could feel Bumblebee's spirits soar, reveling in his happiness. She eventually pulled away. "Now, come. Where did the optimistic scout that I adore so much go?"

Bumblebee smiled and held onto one of Darkstorm's servos, still resting on his chassis. "He's still here."

Darkstorm beamed before turning as she heard someone approaching. This time it was Bumblebee who silently comforted her as Darkstorm's spark alit with anger at the sight of Smokescreen.

Calm down, 'Storm. He didn't know any better. There's no need to be angry anymore, alright?

Darkstorm took a deep breath before nodding. Very well.

"Bee… I… just wanted to say that I'm sorry for bringing up your voice box like that. It was really insensitive of me. I know you must miss it," Smokescreen began guiltily.

"It's fine, Smokes," Bumblebee smiled.

Smokescreen smiled hesitantly before turning to Darkstorm. "And I'm sorry for upsetting you, Darkstorm. I know how protective you are of 'Bee."

"You are lucky Skye cares for you," Darkstorm chuckled. "But you are forgiven."

"So… you won't strap me to Ratchet's operating table?"

Darkstorm seemed a bit taken aback by the comment. "Who in the Allspark told you I would do that?"

"Er… No one."

She crossed her arms over her chassis and raised an optic ridge. "It was Bulkhead, wasn't it?"

Smokescreen's twitching doorwings only reaffirmed her suspicions. "Bulkhead! She found out!" he yelled before running back to the others.

Darkstorm spark warmed as she heard Bumblebee's contagious laughter. "As if I would ever do that… to Smokescreen," she scoffed. "... Now."

"Like you haven't thought about it," Bumblebee smirked.

"Hmm, I hold him down and you punch?" Darkstorm grinned.

"Ah, in a perfect world…"

Darkstorm laughed. Oh, she had the most beautiful laugh, Bumblebee thought.

I heard that, she turned towards him with a smirk.

Maybe you were supposed to, he silently replied.

Darkstorm grinned, her cooling fans activating subtly, and held onto Bumblebee's servo. Flattery will get you nowhere.

It got me you, didn't it?

What can I say? You grew on me, she replied as she leaned her helm against his shoulder plating. Now come on. We should head back before our charges become too worried.

Sounds like a plan, he smiled before kissing her buccal plating.

"Predaking, we shall soon execute our strike against the Autobots and punish them for the massacre of your kind," Megatron addressed his follower.

"While I fully intend on exacting my revenge, Project Predacon would have only yielded a squadron, not an army," Predaking began, trying to fight his turbulent emotions.

"I see," Megatron stated.

"My liege, if you truly wish to restore our home world, then I have every faith that you will resurrect the entirety of the Predacon race from the remains which lie there so that I may lead them against any and all of our shared enemies," Predaking proposed.

"Megatron cannot give the dead true life, only I can do that. He has been lying to you, Predaking," a voice whispered in the back of his mind.

Predaking brushed it aside, not paying it any mind. Megatron would not dare lie to him. He would see his race restored and the Autobots vanquished and that was certain.

"I shall see what can be done," Megatron replied slowly, masking an internal fear that crawled into his spark. He would never let that happen and risk being dethroned by the beast. Never.

Later, Megatron travelled down to Shockwave's laboratory. The mech was still recovering from his wounds at the hands of the Autobots, having barely escaped the explosion through the aide of a ground bridge provided by Soundwave. Still, he knew he could not rest. There was still much work to be done.

"The damage to the Omega Lock was quite severe. I urge the selective use of Earth technology for retrofitting its systems would be far easier than building it from scratch," Shockwave advised.

"Then do provide Starscream with your wish list," Megatron smirked before turning to his Second in Command. "Since Shockwave must see to the stabilization of our cybermatter, you will be in charge of acquisitions."

"As you wish, Lord Megatron," Starscream bowed as Megatron walked past, but shot a glare at Shockwave once he was out of sight.

He would find a way to win back Megatron's favor and then that one-opticed wretch will be the errand boy.

"Prime, we have trouble brewing!" Agent Fowler yelled as he ran out of his office. "The 'Cons staged a smash and grab at the Los Alamos nuclear power plant late last night and made off with twenty tons of control rods."

Optimus took on a solemn expression. "What are the Decepticons attempting to build?" he mused to himself.

"Nothing good, that's for sure," Flareup crossed her arms over her chassis.

Meanwhile, back at the Nemesis, Shockwave was informing Megatron of a new discovery.

"Lord Megatron, I have determined that the synthetic energon provided by Knock Out is the source of the cybermatter's instability, simply because the formula for the substance is incomplete."

"Then make all haste and complete it. I require not only enough cybermatter to rebuild one planet… but to remake another. For I have realized that Cybertron and Earth are forever linked. To rule only one would be to rule neither," Megatron said before moving to exit the room. "Make sure I am not disappointed, Shockwave." He then exited the laboratory.

"Prime, it's 'Cons again. In progress this time," Agent Fowler reported.

"Coordinates received, Agent Fowler," Ratchet replied before activating the ground bridge.

The Autobots said goodbye to their human friends before entering the ground bridge, the more wounded that still needed recuperation staying behind. When the Autobots entered the battlefield, they found whatever Insecticons Megatron still had and Soundwave making off with several pieces of equipment from yet another human nuclear facility.

The grounders moved to apprehend the Insecticons whilst the Seekers took to the skies, trying to apprehend Soundwave before he could remotely activate a ground bridge.

It seemed to be too late for that. As Dreadwing pursued Soundwave, he had already activated the ground bridge. Luckily, not many Insecticons were able to get through thanks to the soldiers on the ground.

Meanwhile, Darkstorm and Skybreak dodged cannon fire from Lazerbeak as his master was otherwise preoccupied. Skybreak returned fire.

Dreadwing too attacked his quarry. The two performed several complex aerial maneuvers before it seemed the larger Seeker gained the upper hand. A blast from one of Dreadwing's cannons ravaged Soundwave's wing. Smoke and a small fire escaped from the wound as the Seeker plummeted towards the ground.

Lazerbeak, seeing Soundwave down, increased its speed, outmaneuvering Darkstorm and Skybreak.

Once the Soundwave crashed on the desert floor, Dreadwing descended. And, seeing as their pursuer escaped, Darkstorm and Skybreak too descended.

When the others approached, Soundwave weakly tried to get up, sparks encompassing his damaged frame. He shuddered before finally collapsing. Darkstorm could tell that the damage was severe, but not too severe. The Seeker would live, given the proper repairs.

She turned to Optimus, a hidden question in her optics. Optimus nodded slightly before comming the base. "Ratchet, reopen the groundbridge but make sure that the humans are kept at a safe distance. We will be returning with a Decepticon prisoner."

Ratchet tried to caution the children to stay away but, despite his warning, they curiously huddled near the ground bridge to see who exactly the Autobots had captured.

They found their answer when Soundwave was carried in and was laid on a medical berth. Darkstorm and Ratchet set to work on carrying whatever mechs that were still in the med bay to a safer location. After that was done, they restrained their prisoner before they began repairing him.

"Dude!" Miko exclaimed, moving to get closer to the unconscious Decepticon. "You guys captured Soundwave?!"

"Miko, stay back," Jack held her back.

"Listen to Jack, Miko," Bulkhead added. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt in case things go south."

Miko grumbled but eventually complied, choosing instead to snap some pictures of the 'Con on her cell phone.

"And that's…?" Skye asked Smokescreen.

"Soundwave, Communications Officer and Third in Command of the Decepticons. Not a mech to mess with," Smokescreen replied.

"H-How did you guys manage to capture him then?" Raf asked tentatively.

"Dreadwing. It seemed he had a lucky aim because next thing we knew, Soundwave was taking an emergency crash-landing," Bumblebee explained. Raf translated what he said to the other humans.

"Whoa, that's super cool, Dreads," Miko grinned at the solemn Seeker.

"I take no pride in my actions today. I simply did what I ought in order to end this war," Dreadwing replied.

"Still, your aim ain't too bad," Moonracer grinned. "Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be as good as me."

"I sincerely doubt I could ever match your skill," Dreadwing's lip plating tugged upwards in a smile.

Moonracer's grin widened and her cooling fans activated. "Well… it takes practice. That's all."

After the repairs on the Decepticon were finished, he awakened several hours later. He seemed to gaze around the room though it was hard to tell due to his visor which disguised his facial plating. His helm tilted downwards and to the side as if expecting his bonds before he tugged on them. When they would not budge, he began to tug more frantically. Darkstorm pitied him. She never personally knew Soundwave but she felt that he was not as emotionless as everyone claimed. And she could feel that he was afraid.

"Because we had the foresight to shield our new base, our captive will be unable to transmit his coordinates to the Decepticon warship," Ratchet said.

"Nor will they, in turn, be able to pinpoint his location," Optimus turned to Ratchet and replied solemnly.

"Looks like we have all the time in the world to make Mr. Personality spill everything he knows," Wheeljack smirked.

"A 'Con surveillance chief must know a lot, right?" Jack asked the others.

"But Soundwave doesn't speak… does he?" Miko countered.

"I'm not sure he even has a face," Raf said.

"On the contrary," Darkstorm spoke up. "Soundwave has both a face and a voice, though both were badly damaged when he was still in Kaon's gladiatorial pits." Soundwave slowly turned his visored helm towards her. Darkstorm could have sworn she saw two crimson optics glaring at her from underneath the black plate.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Flareup cracked her knuckles. "Let's make the slagger talk already."

Elita One gave her a disapproving look. "It is not the Autobot way to torture needlessly. We resort to violence only when necessary, and especially not in front of children." She gestured towards the humans.

"Elita is right. Autobot interrogations always start off with respectful questioning. We do not harm others unless given no other choice, Flareup," Optimus said.

"But even after all he has done-?" Flareup protested.

"Flareup, it is not the Autobot way," Elita replied, her tone serious and commanding. Flareup's optics flared and she looked about to retort something but decided against it. She vented and nodded her helm compliantly.

"Yes, Optimus, Elita. I understand."

"Then let us proceed," Optimus said before turning to their prisoner. "Soundwave, why is Megatron stealing human technology? What is he attempting to build?"

Defiantly, Soundwave played Optimus' voice back to him, several techno beats mixed into the recording. He seemed to be mocking the Prime despite his current state.

"Whoa, Optimus Prime the remix," Miko said.

A smiley face icon then appeared on Soundwave's visor, a recording of the troll face song wafting through the base.

"Oh, yeah?" Bulkhead activated his wrecking ball. "Why don't I wipe that smile right off his face?"

Optimus exhaled sharply before straightening himself. "Soundwave, we have treated you fairly. For the sake of the natives of this planet, tell us what Megatron is attempting to build… before we are forced to use less civil methods of interrogation."

Everyone covered their ears and audio receptors however as Soundwave released a high frequency recording, so high a frequency that it caused severe pain to the listener.

The recording finally ceased.

"Scrap this!" Ratchet snarled. "Soundwave is no ordinary Cybertronian inside or out. So I strongly suggest opening him up so we can have direct access to the information stored on his drives." The Vehicons and miners in attendance took on a pained expression, bad memories of their life on the Nemesis ravaging their processors.

"No!" Everyone turned to Darkstorm, some surprised at her outburst and others thankful. "What you are suggesting is dissection, pure and simple. You would be no better than Knock Out if you dared to perform such a procedure." Bumblebee tried to comfort her through the bond but Darkstorm could feel that he was for Ratchet's decision, and it only angered her further.

"I'm with 'Storm here," Moonracer hesitantly spoke up. "I mean, I know he's a 'Con but… doesn't that seem a bit much? There has to be another way."

"It would not be… honorable," Dreadwing added.

"And count me in too," Drift said. "I believe I speak for all Vehicons and miners when I say that an Autobot should never resort to such an action."

"But, we have tried everything," Optimus said. "It is clear that Soundwave will not willingly give us any information. And, for the sake of our human allies, something must be done."

"I told you we should have just beat the slag out of him," Flareup muttered. "Would've been a lot easier, and less painful, for us."

Everyone's attentions were diverted however as several metallic noises resounded from Soundwave. Lines of Cybertronian glyphs flickered across his visor.

"Oh, no," Arcee said.

"Well, look who finally decided to cooperate," Skybreak smirked.

"No, he is erasing data!" Ratchet's optics widened and he immediately ran over to the prisoner, trying to induce stasis so as to prevent further loss of data.

He arrived too late. When he finally had the syringe in hand, all of the Cybertronian glyphs had disappeared from Soundwave's visor. A haunting, metallic voice echoed through the base. "Soundwave: superior. Autobots: inferior." Soundwave's true voice.

Wide optics and eyes could be seen across the entire base. A few more metallic noises were heard coming from the Decepticon before his visor slowly turned black once more. Soundwave's helm fell and all tension was released from his frame.

"I-Is he-?" Moonracer asked tentatively.

Darkstorm checked his vitals and vented. "No. He is online, but he forced himself into stasis."

"So, what are we going to do with him now?" Smokescreen asked.

Optimus too vented. The leader of the Autobots seemed… weary. "We wait." He turned to return to his quarters. "Darkstorm, Ratchet, alert me if there is any change in his condition." He walked down the hallway.

Elita One's brow furrowed in concern and she followed after her sparkmate.

Meanwhile, Darkstorm turned to Ratchet. "Would you have truly cut him open in order to get access to his drives?" she whispered.

"Darkstorm," Ratchet vented. "Don't look at me that way. I only suggested it because we had no other choice! We had the opportunity to find out Megatron's plan. Why shouldn't we have taken it?"

'Storm, maybe Ratch is right. We would only be doing it to protect the humans, Bumblebee tried to explain through the bond. He winced slightly, still feeling her hurt and anger.

Don't you think I want to protect the humans as much as you? But that would not have been the way. I would not allow the Autobots to stoop so low as to follow Knock Out's practices, Darkstorm defiantly replied. She frowned slightly however as she felt her scout's sadness.

You think we were worse than Knock Out? For suggesting that?

My beloved scout… I have had enough of torture. I have seen enough of that for more than one lifetime. Do not ask me to go through it again. When Bumblebee's sorrow did not ease, Darkstorm attempted to comfort him. Forgive me for my outburst… I did not mean to upset you.

Bumblebee eventually sent his forgiveness and love back. I know… and I'm sorry, too. I know how touchy the subject is for you… and for your friends.

Well, Soundwave is still under our care. Perhaps, we can talk with him again when he awakens. Bumblebee nodded and Darkstorm smiled slightly in return.

Skye studied the 'Con from her spot on the platform, chin in her hand and elbow on the rail. She certainly didn't hold the same distaste for him as she did Starscream or Knock Out-she'd never even seen him before, let alone interacted-but is sounded like he was fiercely loyal to the Decepticon cause. Which meant that he stood with every decision or action that brought harm or danger upon Skye and any other humans.

At the same time, she saw Darkstorm's point. Knock Out had taken revenge, however minor, upon Skye, and it would be a grim reminder for the rest of her life, physically as well as emotionally. While this situation wasn't exactly the same, it was certainly enough to bring such issues into the light. At what point could they neglect their morals for the "greater good"? And how many tyrants had fallen from grace in such pursuits?

She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her fingers. This was all getting so complicated so fast. The events leading up to this didn't help the team's clarity, either.

"I have finally found a device on this world that can provide enough raw power to rebuild the Omega Lock. A particle collider," Shockwave informed Megatron.

"Excellent, Shockwave," the warlord praised.

"However, the successful completion of the Synthetic Energon formula is proving more difficult than I previously anticipated," Shockwave added. Starscream did not even try to conceal his triumphant smirk.

"Knock Out found this from the Autobot medic, did he not?" Megatron questioned.

"That is my understanding."

"Then the very means to completing the formula lies in recruiting that medic."

"Kidnapping the one Autobot who hardly ever leaves their base," Starscream scoffed. "A base we cannot even find."

Megatron turned to face his Second in Command. "You forget that we currently have an agent inside their base."

"Lazerbeak can reconnect to him, and possibly reestablish communications," Shockwave suggested.

"That would still only work if we knew the location of their base," Starscream added, still skeptical and still trying to outdo his nemesis.

"It… is my understanding that Soundwave kept surveillance of more than just the human children."

"Prime, these recent 'Con heists have had General Bryce breathing down my neck. So, I'm going back to the barbeque for another grilling," Agent Fowler commed the base.

"Understood, Agent Fowler. And, rest assured, if our prisoner should return online, we will resume our interrogation," Optimus replied.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll try to get back to the base as soon as possible," Agent Fowler replied before terminated the comm link.

Darkstorm and a few others frowned in disapproval but said nothing. Optimus did say interrogation. Perhaps, he would let her speak to Soundwave, she thought. She could attempt to get through to him, without any threats of dissections or torture.

She prayed however that he would cooperate. If not… she was afraid she would not be able to stop the others. True, she wanted to protect them, the humans especially, but she feared what would happen if she should fail.

Predaking walked onto the main bridge of the Nemesis proudly. "You summoned me?"

"I require your services, since we anticipate an Autobot presence at our next event," Megatron replied, choosing his words carefully.

"I welcome any opportunity to face those murderers again, warrior to warrior," Predaking said.

"But I would advise caution. I lost a great supporter today and the Autobots continue to gain power. Do not fail me… or yourself."

"I would rather be terminated than ever fail in my quest for revenge, Lord Megatron."

Agent Fowler commed the base as he made his way back to it. It was late at night and only Skye and the Autobots remained inside, as well as Soundwave who was fastened tightly to the berth with stasis cuffs.

"I'm on my way but, Prime, I just got word that some 'Cons broke into the Solaris Particle Project at the South Pole."

"Understood. Autobots, prepare to roll out," Optimus ordered before turning to Bulkhead, Smokescreen, Dreadwing, and Ultra Magnus. "You four shall stay behind with Ratchet and guard Soundwave until we return."

"Will do, Optimus," Smokescreen grinned and saluted.

Optimus smiled slightly before entering the ground bridge.

"Try to take care of the boys while I am gone, will you?" Darkstorm smiled at Skye.

She returned the gesture. "I'll try, but you know the trouble they can get into."

Darkstorm shook her helm amusedly, Smokescreen especially coming into mind. "All too well," she muttered before she too exited through the ground bridge.

Soon the entire team had left besides those that were ordered to stay behind.

"Can we put a tarp over him or something? He's creeping me out," Bulkhead asked.

"Yeah. It's like he's watching…" Smokescreen said as he swayed back and forth, staring intently at Soundwave's visor. "Everywhere you go."

"Can we focus less on what Soundwave can or cannot see and more on what he did not tell? For example, why would Megatron want a device that can produce enough energy to create a black hole?" Ratchet replied irritatedly.

"Even if he's a warlord, what good would it do Megatron to destroy the known universe?" Skye looked at the medic, shrugging as she did so. "It wouldn't do him any good to destroy himself in the process."

"Yes, but something tells me Megatron would rather build than destroy in this case," Ultra Magnus said.

"And, there is only one thing he would be interested in rebuilding. The energy could possibly be used to rebuild the Omega Lock," Dreadwing added.

"The Omega Lock? Makes sense. But Optimus stopped him once, he can do it again," Smokescreen said. "Right?"

"But… if it means another chance to restore our home, why should we not let him?" Ratchet replied slowly.

"Ratch, you saw what he tried to do last time. Once our home was restored, he'd only attempt to cyberform Earth, killing any organic life. I for one wouldn't want that to happen even if it meant not seeing Cybertron again," Bulkhead said.

"Of course… Still, I cannot help but want to see Cybertron restored to its former glory."

"I would too if I was in your shoes," Skye said sympathetically.

"Well, Earth isn't that bad," Smokescreen grinned. "I mean, Cybertron was our home but if it's to protect the humans… and you, I'd say its worth it."

Skye's cheeks reddened slightly. "W-Well…" Skye welcomed the interruption when Agent Fowler finally arrived at the base.

He looked worn out from the meeting but otherwise, fine. He held a file in his hand and was about to enter his office before…

Something entered the base with him.

Lazerbeak open fired at the Autobots. Smokescreen moved to shield the humans as the others attempted to shoot down the enemy. Dreadwing hit his target and clipped off a part of his wing but no more than that. Lazerbeak's flight pattern was too erratic for anyone to take it down.

Lazerbeak shot at Soundwave's bonds and they eventually deactivated. It swooped downward and landed snugly on Soundwave's chassis before the mech awakened.

Hearing the commotion, several human soldiers and miners came out of their buildings and began to aide in the battle. They were surprised at how much strength the thin, lanky mech truly held. He downed foe after foe like a true gladiator of Kaon. All around Skye echoed the sounds of ripping metal and screams of pain.

Skye watched the fight with fearful eyes. She wished to help but knew it would be futile. What chance would she stand if all the others fell at his servo?

When his enemies were either unconscious, offline, or too wounded to stand against him, Soundwave approached the Autobot medic, who was lying unconscious on the ground. He roughly grabbed his neck cables and dragged him through an awaiting ground bridge.

"No!" Skye yelled, running towards the ground bridge but arrived too late. It had already closed.

It was then that she had time to glance around her. Blood and energon stained the floor where the battle had taken place and the fallen were littered everywhere. Tears welled up in her eyes as she beheld them. She ran over to Smokescreen and felt for his pulse just like she had seen Darkstorm do.

She shakily sighed. At least he was alive…

But the others. She trembled as she ran a hand through her hair and ran for the base's computer. She was unfamiliar with the technology but she had seen Ratchet work it plenty of times to know how to contact the others.

"Yes, Ratchet? Has Soundwave-?" Optimus asked, thinking it was his senior medical officer. He stopped short however and his optics widened as he heard Skye's hysterical sobbing voice on the other end.

"Skye?" Darkstorm's spark hammered and Bumblebee felt her fear as his own. "Skye?! What happened?"

"P-Please! You have to come back!" was her desperate cry.

"Skye, you must calm down. Activate the ground bridge and we shall return," Optimus said calmly, though he too feared for the human femme. All thoughts of their failed mission immediately left everyone's processors as they pondered what could have possibly happened to cause such a response from Darkstorm's charge.

Skye managed to calm herself to shakily type in the others' location once Optimus provided it. She carefully climbed onto the large lever that operated the ground bridge and pushed it with all the strength she could muster. Thankfully, it went all the way down and the ground bridge was activated.

The others ran through as quickly as they could and gazed in horror at what they found. Darkstorm felt as if she would purge… It was the scene of her darkest nightmares and it had come to the Autobot base. Still, she pushed those thoughts aside and ran towards her charge.

She picked Skye up in her servo and cradled her to her chassis as her charge's tears began anew. "Oh, Skye… Thank God you are unharmed," she said tearfully, her own optics threatening to spill over with coolant.

Flareup watched as Moonracer ran towards a badly wounded Dreadwing, coolant freely dripping down her facial plating. Flareup followed her. "Dreadwing!" Moonracer knelt next to him. "Please… You have to be okay. Please… Please be okay."

Flareup frowned and placed a servo on her friend's shoulder plating. "He's alive, Flare. Just badly wounded. There's no need to cry… Darkstorm'll take care of him."

"I… concur. I will… survive," Dreadwing weakly said. "Please, do not weep… I would… have you smile…"

This did nothing to ease Moonracer's cries as she laid her helm against his spark chamber. "Please… Please… Don't you dare leave me."

"I… would never dream of it," Dreadwing weakly placed an arm around Moonracer's frame.

Drift, Shiv, and Jolt knelt next to a downed miner who looked like he was on the brink of death. His optics were blurry and a huge gaping hole marred his chassis. The miner glanced up at them weakly.

"What the pit happened here?" Jolt asked him.

"So-Soundwave…" was his barely intelligible reply. He wheezed and spasmed, coughing out energon that had pooled inside his mouth.

"Be at peace, my brother," Drift said gently as he held onto the miner's servo. "It's all over now."

"Y-You're right… It's… a-a-all over f-fo-for me," he rasped. "And… I-I'm scared. I-I never wa-wanted it… to e-end like this."

"There's no need tah be scared," Shiv whispered. "If ya trust in God, you'll be going tah heaven… where He'll be waiting for ya. No more pain or cryin'... It ain't so bad."

A weak smile tugged on the miner's lips. "N-No more pa-pain…" He spasmed once more as more energon spilled from his mouth, his optics growing ever more dim.

"Say hello to Him for us," Drift softly said. One more weak smile graced the miner's facial plating before his optics turned dark. He slumped downwards, all tension leaving his body.

He had offlined.

"I thought we had a deal, Prime!" Blackout turned on Optimus angrily. "The miners are not warrior class. They should have been far away from here. Don't you think they have endured enough?!"

Blackout's anger was only quelled when Caliber stated why exactly they were there. "I talked to one of the miners, Will I believe his name was. He said that he and his company willingly helped the humans and our allies… It was not yours or Optimus' choice to make," he said solemnly.

Blackout vented shakily and clenched his servos into fists. "They still should not have been here… They had no training. They could have never won."

Optimus surveyed the scene sadly before turning to the others. "This tragedy is my fault and mine alone. I should never have brought Soundwave here, even in hopes of discovering Megatron's plan." To everyone's astonishment, Optimus' lips trembled and he seemed to crumble only to force himself to straighten. "There will be time later, to mourn. If Soundwave was able to escape… and one of us taken, then the Decepticons know the location of our base. We shall evacuate to another location… and then grieve for this fateful cycle."

"Please." Skye's voice was hoarse but somehow retained its volume. "Not again. Don't say we have to split up again." She looked at an unconscious Smokescreen. "I'm not sure I can take it a second time."

"Shh," Darkstorm whispered, embracing her charge with a servo. "That won't happen… Not again. We simply need to move, but we will do so together." She hesitantly placed her charge on the ground before turning to the others. "Now, let us hurry. The others are in dire need of medical attention…"

D/N: I know, I know. You're probably thinking that Minus One was a pretty dramatic episode on its own but this… takes the cake. You're absolutely right xD Stuff gets real in our fanfic, bro.

However, I do admit it was rough writing it at some parts. Especially that poor miner dying. But, he is in the Lord's hands and that is something to celebrate. And poor Skye… She saw gnarly stuff because of the war before but this may have just tipped her traumatic scale. But, Soundwave is Third in Command of the Decepticons for a reason and he survived the gladiatorial pits of Kaon for a reason. I figured that this would be a more realistic take of what would happen if Soundwave was taken prisoner and escaped. Sorry if it was too hard core, however. ^^"

But, anywho, we hope you enjoyed this intensely dramatic and feely chapter and we humbly ask that you would give us feedback. A big thank you to all of you who had previously reviewed and for all of your guys' support. We really appreciate it. You are partially what inspires us to write. That and our own personal enjoyment and, of course, God.

(from P.S. God Loves You! By Connie Witter)

I know the troubles you are facing. Come to Me with confidence, because you are My beloved child. Then I will give you mercy for your failures and grace to overcome in your time of need.

"So let us boldly approach the throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it" Hebrews 4:16

To Savvy Orion: Aw, thanks. xD We're glad that you liked the section on Flareup and Wheelie?! :D Hey there. Nice to finally see you. 'S an honor… even if you are kinda stuck in a purse lol. And you like Linkin Park and Imagine Dragons, too? Dang. We will get along just fine, you and me. As for them being sparkmates, no. Predaking and Flareup may have had children but they never bonded. The only reason they had children because Shockwave used both of their reproductive cells to create more Predacons in his lab. It's nice to see that, too! As for Minus One… well, here it is. We do hope you enjoyed it and thank you for the long, totally amazing reviews. They always make our day. And you're thinking of getting your own account? Awesomes! I'd be interested to see what fics you'd write. And if you ever need any help or advice, Blondie and I are more than happy to help.

To Savvy Orion (From The True Meaning of Freedom): That's how we were created, as equals, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Sad to say we haven't exactly been upholding that but… There is hope. One day Christ will return and things will be perfect under His reign. There will be no more oppression because He will be and is the perfect King. And lol, I totally know. He sees the room after everyone is finished and probably freaks xD Well, on the inside.

May everyone have a fabulous weekend and may God bless each and every single one of you! We love you.

Until next time, Dream'sRealm

B/N: Gyaaaa. Feels. And dramaaaaa. Now this, unfortunately for those involved, is more like what war is. They don't show the darker side in the show-they cater to an audience of kiddos, after all-but I was glad we can explore it here. Though, Skye may just be a nervous wreck after all this :'D oopsie. Hope we didn't overload you guys with this level of feel-killing ;n; is it sad that a certain pleasure was to be derived from writing it?

In any case, hope you have a great weekend (if great with dead feels) and we look forward to next time *laaaa*