Next chapter! This story is almost done! This one will be a bit longer and set up differently than the other chapters, too.

{Blah} Shadows talking.

[Blah] Flashback

:Blah: Comm. link

:Blah: Twin bond

~Blah. Scene just switched.

'Blah' Thinking

"Blah" Normal talk

So, Disclaimer- I don't own Transformers or the Secret Saturdays.

Chapter 28

Iris sneezed into her shirt again. Why was it so cold in here? Oh yeah...cave...duh. Stupid question. As she trudged along, deeper into the earth, she let her mind wander. She had a feeling she knew how this was going to end, and she didn't like it. Like all the others before her, she would endure intense pain soon. Her loyalties would be put to the test, and so would her overall strength as a Keeper. She thought about what Simmons had said. Others before her...that would explain the shadows that were always with her, like Death Sniper, and Black Raptor. It would also explain why she knew so many other languages, like Russian and Irish. It explained her memories that were hers, and yet weren't.

It also explained the voices.

Someone who was similar to her always told her what she should do with her powers. That person was now insistantly speaking in her head.

{What are you thinking? Hurry up! Who cares if you end up like the rest of us! If that portal opens, the Shadow Keepers won't live on! Neither will the world! You have a task to complete, so complete it!}

'But...I don't want this responsibility, or this task. I never wanted any of this!'

{Too bad! You've got it, so suck it up and save the world! You're the only one who can do this! You're the strongest Keeper since...well, me!}

'Yeah, who are you anyways?'

{Who am I? WHO AM I? You're kidding, right? Please tell me you're kidding.}

'Uh...no.'

The voice in her head fell silent, and Iris was relieved. She was in no mood for a lecture. As the voice remained silent, Iris's thoughts began to wander again. She thought abaout Zak. Now that she had some alone time, she could think about what she felt and thought of him. So...well, he was nice...and he was...a hero. He kept fighting against his nature, despite what everyone else kept saying about his "Kur" powers. And he was...kind of cute. His powers were really cool, although, not very helpful in situations against Decepticons. And everytime he was around, she felt...nervous, like she was about to be tested on a combat drill that she'd been slacking on because she didn't think there would be a test on how well she did it. When he was around Wadi, she felt...mad, like Skids had just pranked Sideswipe for no real reason and failed, hitting her and Ironhide with the prank instead. Let's see...What had Lennox said she could and couldn't do when she didn't know how to respond to certain emotions...? Oh yeah.

When you're happy, smile. When you're sad, cry. When you're furious, you can't punch anything that moves, despite what Ironhide says. (Apparently, that's not how human girls act) When you're in love, don't let jealousy get in the way of friendship, and don't let your nerves lock you away. When you afraid, don't attack anything that moves...

Wait. Iris stopped walking as the thought occured to her. "Primus help me, I'm in love with Zak," Iris whispered.

{Hey! Concentrate on the task at hand! Save the world first! And you seriously need to learn about the Keepers past, by the way. At least you're not the strangest Keeper, though.} Oh, the voice was back.

'Are you going to tell me who you are?' Iris was seriously becoming frustrated with this voice in her head! If the voice wouldn't give her a real answer, fine! She wouldn't talk to it except to demand a real answer!

'...I really am going crazy.'

{I can hear you! And yes, I'll answer your question! Sheesh, you really have no patience. Start walking. We have a long walk ahead of us and I'll explain as you walk.}

Iris obeyed the voice in her head as the voice began the tale: {I'm the first Keeper. The Shadow Council wasn't made until later, so I kept all my memories, and my name. I am Isis. I used the shadows to lock away a very strong evil long ago in Egypt, but it killed me, slowly, though. My enemies made the sacrificial room we're walking to now. They used to worship the creatures I locked away. Despite my ill health, I chased them to Ireland, where Celtic people assissted both of us. Some sided with my enemies, others with me. With the help of my Celtic allies, I cast a spell and split the powers away from each other, to prevent the portal from ever being opened again. Of course, there is always a loop hole. A cryptid, Kur, got the power that bring the destructive portal open, and I still had the powers to keep it closed. My enemies placed a curse on a being that would be able to hold both powers to open the portal. However, the magician who placed the curse was destroyed, so my enemies kidnapped helpless victims for years and sacrificed them. Meanwhile, I returned to Egypt, where I was welcomed, only for the spells to catch up with me. I set my powers free, and then I died. The same time I died, there was an Egyptian boy who was born. The powers went to him. And so did my shadow spirit. I was with him when the Egyptians named me a goddess. Seth never said a word about any of this to anyone. He was a shy boy, never liked attention. That's how the line of Keepers came to be. Do you see now? You really are the only one who can save the world. So start hurrying!}

Iris started to walk faster, yet still quietly, down the cold tunnel. As she walked, she hoped she wasn't too late, and hoped Skids hadn't screwed up the simple task she'd given him.

~'Okay, this is easy. Just open a comm. link and...' :Skids to Autobot base: :Skids? Where the frag are you? And where is Iris? You idiot! When I find you...!: Ratchet let the threat hang over the comm. line and Skids shuddered. :I'm sorry! Iris would have gone whether I went with her or not!: Silence over the line. Then, in a dangerously calm voice, :Skids, where the frag are you two?: :Just outside Dungiven, Ireland...: More silence. Then Ratchet roared, :WHAT? How did you two get there? I'm going to dismantle you when you two get back here, and Iris is going to be grounded for life! You tell her that!: :Um...she kind of...went ahead of me to save Mudflap.: There was silence again, this time longer. Skids wanted to whimper at what that implied, but he remained silent.

:You get in there and you keep her safe! I'll send all the search parties in your direction! I would assume there are a bunch of 'cons around. Right now, the closest Autobots are...Ironhide, Sideswipe and...ugh, Sunstreaker.: :Thanks Ratchet. Tell them to hurry! I don't know how long Mudflap's got! Oh, and tell them it's inside this huge cave and...you know what, just give them my coordinates. Skids out:

With that, Skids cut the link and raced into the cave. He hoped his brother was okay. He'd never forgive himself if Mudflap got hurt. Mentally, Skids was currently cursing his stupidity. Mudflap was in danger, and probably feeling forgotten and alone. Skids had made a promise to his little brother a long time ago, and now he was going to keep it.

[A small little Cybertronian clung to his older brother, whimpering everytime he heard an explosion, no matter how distant it was. The older one patted the younger one's head reassuringly. The two younglings stood among the greyed frames of their Carrier and Creator. They had both died to keep the two hidden, and the older was determined to make sure they survived, so their Caretaker's deaths would not have been pointless. The younger one wasn't thinking of anything such as that, however. He was just thinking about how there was so much energon everywhere, and how violent the attackers had been, and how life was so scary. He heard another explosion, this one closer, and voices shouting reached their audios. The younger clung tighter to his older brother and gave another whimper. :Skids?: The older brother glanced at the younger one. :Yeah Mudflap?: :Don't let them hurt me! Please protect me! Please don't ever leave me alone! I'm scared, I don't want to be alone or forgotten or useless or be turned into scrap! Please, Skids-: :Mudflap, I ain't ever gonna leave yah or forget yah. You're my twin and no one ain't gonna hurt yah while I is around. Yah got that? Don't forget it.: Mudflap nodded and clung tighter to his twin as he heard another 'bot approaching.]

Desperately, Skids threw a single thought down the twin bond :Hang on Mudflap. I'm coming. No Decepti-creep is gonna hurt you while I'm around:

~:But Ratchet, how did she get out here?: :Pit if I know. Just get to those coordinates fast. Ratchet out.: The link was cut and Ironhide growled in frustration. Why did the medic always do that? Then a thought occured to him. Sunstreaker had split away to search around the nearby town. He was closer to Iris. Ironhide sent over a comm. link the coordinates and a simple message :Get there and save my daughter!:

Ironhide and Sideswipe both drove just a little faster. They had to save Iris!

~His tires flew over the muddy ground. This slagging mud was ruining his paintjob! But right now, that was a minor detail. There was a human girl who was in trouble and needed help from his amazing self! He hoped he wasn't too late. He transformed as he reached the entrance to the cave and didn't even pause before running in. He tried to stay as quiet as possible, but he wasn't good with stealth. So he just ran. Maybe if he got there in time and saved her, Sideswipe would realize he'd changed for the better. Although, he wanted to save her anyway. Despite his hatred for most humans, he'd grown to respect, and maybe even like this human,maybe, just a little. But he'd never tell anyone that. Couldn't have the others thinking he had gone soft.

~Iris crouched behind one of the few stalagmites that hadn't been destroyed and peered into the room. Mudflap was chained to that horrible alter and light from the rising moon was pouring in through the skylight. Megatron himself had come to witness this moment, and also to claim control over the creatures. {This idiot obviously doesn't know these things CAN'T BE CONTROLLED!} Iris didn't even flinch when she heard Isis speak inside her head again. Isis had had the great idea to have the past shadow keepers, who Iris called the shadow generals, scout around and see for advantages to help them defeat evil. {Nothing here.} Athena reported. {They have a blind spot on the left side of the chamber. It's a small alcove where someone could come in or out easily. Like another tunnel.} Black Raptor called. {Iris, someone is coming.} Death Sniper came back to Iris and pointed back the way they came.

Moments later, footsteps were heard, and then Iris saw Skids. The Autobot saw Iris as well and crouched down beside her in the shadows. "Got a plan?" Skids whispered, never taking his optics off Mudflap. Iris listened as Isis started speaking. {Perfect! Your friend, Black Raptor, and Athena can cause a distraction. We sneak through the shadows and free the other robot and then we escape through the skylight!} {Uh, hello, what about me?} Death Sniper jumped in. He seemed to be pouting. {You're lookout.} Isis responded. Death Sniper started muttering to himself as Iris told Skids about the plan. The green twin agreed and Black Raptor and Athena took Skids over to another area to put the plan into action. Iris didn't see where exactly, because she activated her own powers and became a shadow. Iris snuck through the Decepticon ranks until she was close enough to Mudflap that she could actually reach out and touch him.

However, Skids didn't act fast enough. The two powers contained within Mudflap activated suddenly, clashing together to destroy each other, but then calmed and started working in harmony. A portal swirled to life, screechs and snarls could be heard, and the shadows of the things from someone's worst nightmares could be seen. A commotion started. Skids had attacked. Whenever a Decepticon tried to get near Skids, the shadow form of Athena or Black Raptor would slash through them. Iris returned to human form and used another shadow to cut through the chains binding Mudflap to the alter. The red Autobot struggled off the alter and pulled the power back into himself.

Despite this, the portal remained open. {Iris, manipulate the shadows and use them to physically close the portal!} Isis screamed frantically. Iris returned to shadow form, grabbed the edges of the portal with her hands, and started to wrench it closed. She looked into the portal. Why wouldn't it close faster? The creatures were coming into view. She could see their sharp teeth, their pitch black eyes, their bloodied skin and fur. With one final tug, the portal snapped closed, just as the first creature would have jumped through.

There was a roll of thunder. The ground began to shake. The alter split clean in half. Stalagtites began to fall. The Decepticons were retreating. Just as he would have fled, Megatron turned back and collapsed the exit, leaving him trapped in the room with the Twins, the shadows, and their Keeper. "You ruined my plan! I will kill you!" This was it. She was actually going to die. {Iris! Transfer the shadows!} Isis screamed. {It's time.} Several other shadows murmured. A shadow shield protected Iris as she went into a meditative state. A circle of shadow generals formed around her.

Iris began to speak, "Long I held the shadows, long have I fought. Fought to keep their cause alive. Now, as the others before me, my time has come to an end. One last strike. Shall the shadows grant me it? The strike to destroy Megatron forever! My wish is said. I fufilled my use. Release me from these human binds!" The shadows replied as one, in every language, {We, the shadows, are honored by your service. Your wish shall be granted. Come now, it is your turn to join us. Leave the work of holding the shadows to another.} Iris smiled and fell to the ground. Shadows struck out against Megatron, and rocks fell from the ceiling to crush him. A wall burst apart and Sunstreaker ran in. He took in what happened at surprising speed. He lifted the younger twins out through the roof, picked up Iris's dead body, and followed the two through the roof. More rocks fell from the ceiling, and the cave collapsed. The cursed chamber was no more, but the war for power was not over.

It never would be.

That's it for this chapter! It was soooo long! All that is left is the epilouge thing!