I AM SO SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I UPDATED THIS! I've been held captive by two other fics I've been working on (Son of the Stars and Pool Party) both of which will tie into this fic. So without further ado, I give you Darkness Rising: Part 5.

My Characters-Trans Counterparts Mentioned in this chap.

Dusk Greyman (Skyfyre Ivorra/Prime)- None

Karrick- Bumblebee

Silver Greyman (Silverstar Ivorra)- Arcee

Healer- Ratchet

Moranthi Ivorra- Megatron

Tomosal Ivorra- Optimus Prime

Nightiron-Bulkhead

Sonicbeam- Soundwave

(Human Counterparts: Same first, different Last)

Jack Wheeler- Jack Darby

Miko Tanikawa-Miko Nakadai

Rafael Cortez-Rafael Esquivel

Legend: "Cybertronian"

"Cybreian"

Chapter 5

I'm Movin' Into Your Atmosphere

Dusk POV

Cybertron…

Megatron was bringing his army from the home of my family.

He was desecrating their burial sites!

"What are we going to do?" I asked Dad.

His jaw set in a hard line.

"We cannot allow Megatron to send dark energon through his Spacebridge," he growled, "If we fail…the dead of Cybertron will rise, swarm through its vortex, and invade Earth…bending humankind to Megatron's twisted rule."

He turned towards us.

"We cannot allow this to happen," he finished, "We must stop Megatron at any cost,"

I just hope that 'any cost' didn't mean losing my Dad.

I jumped from Ratchet's shoulder and started walking back to my room. I sat down on my bed and put my head in my hands.

"Please do not let me lose my father," I whispered in my native language, "I have lost my mother and my true father…do not let me lose Optimus, do not let me lose my family…"

I felt tears slide down my face as I looked skywards.

"Maker of All…please do not let me be alone once more,"

Jack POV

I coasted up the street and into the KO parking lot the next morning. I couldn't get what Miko and Dusk had said the night before out of my head.

Miko told me I was born to do so much more than just being a "normal" person, Dusk said that I was the lucky one to have the choice to remain.

I pulled into the bike rack and looked sadly at the handles of the 10 speed, remembering the smooth, cool metal and leather of Arcee's alt mode, the sense of slicing through the wind, that nothing could stop me…

Who am I kidding?

I missed it. I really did.

The hurt look in Arcee's optics when I announced I was leaving, the sad expressions on both Skyfyre's and Optimus' faces…

They all looked like I had slapped them.

And Raf telling me to go ahead, staying behind…

I sighed, shaking my head.

Stop, Jack. Just stop. You left because it was too dangerous. If Mom knew, she'd say that you made the right decision.

"But what if you didn't?" came that little voice in the back of my head.

I did. I know I…

"Nice bike," a voice said from behind me.

I whipped around just to see…

"Arcee, really…Miko already tried," I sighed, "Tell Optimus I respect him big time…but if you're at war with the Decepticons…there's nothing I can do to help."

"Optimus didn't send me, and no one's asking for your help."

"Ok…" I started warily, "So…if we both agree that I'm not 'warrior' material I…"

I stopped. Something about that statement wasn't right…

"Jack," Arcee said, interrupting my train of thought, "I just lost someone I cared about. Maybe it's the grief talking…maybe you're growing on me…"

She sounded a little uncomfortable…

"Whatever it is," she resigned, "I'm just not ready to say goodbye,"

I walked over to her and placed a hand on the seat, a slight tingling feeling flooded through my arm.

"Arcee I…"

"Darby!" I heard a booming voice shout.

I turned to face my boss.

"Yessir?" I asked.

"Get in here and get ready to work!" he ordered.

"I'm coming," I said.

He nodded and went inside.

I looked around and knelt next to the blue femme.

"Truth is…I'm not ready to say goodbye either," I whispered, "I've got to go…pick me up at the end of my shift?"

I almost bet if she was in her bi-pedal form…she'd be smiling.

"Count on it,"

Ben POV

"You find it yet?" I asked, leaning against the railing.

"Not yet, Ben," Ratchet sighed.

"Ok…how 'bout now?"

"No Ben,"

"Now?"

"Do I have to break out that new wrench I just made?" Ratchet threatened.

"Ah, ah, ah," I reprimanded with my 'teacher' voice, "Prime's rule: Don't harm humans,"

"I won't be…if you stop talking!"

"You know that's physically impossible, Ratchet," Jolt muttered, looking everywhere but me, "For any human…especially Ben and Amber."

Ratchet shook his helm as I glared daggers at my guardian.

"I know where you live," I threatened, "Sleep in fear tonight, Autobot…I know a prankster who would love to get her claws on you,"

"That's the reason she hasn't pranked him yet?" Amber asked.

"Because I'm her boyfriend," I smirked.

"Yet she still happens to prank you every year."

"Because he always does something stupid," Dusk sighed.

"Will you three pipe down!?" Ratchet snarled, "I'm trying to work here!"

"Uh, Ratch?" Dusk asked.

"I'm trying to find the Spacebridge before Megatron fires it up…"

"Ratchet…"

"And summons up his army of the undead and…"

"HATCHET!" Dusk shouted.

"WHAT IS IT!?" Ratchet shouted just as loudly.

"Check over African airspace," Dusk growled, coldly, "and search high up in the atmosphere. I was flying the other day and I thought I sighted something,"

Ratchet glared at her but did as she asked.

She was a Prime after all.

"What made you…?" I started, but Dusk cut me off with a hand.

"And a one…and a two…and a…" she gestured over at Ratchet as the medic's optics widened.

"OPTIMUS!" he shouted, "I've pinpointed the location of the Decepticon Spacebridge...high in Earth's orbit."

"You're welcome," Dusk huffed.

"Doesn't really give you credit for anything does he?" Amber asked.

Dusk's face grew thoughtful…

Oh no.

"What are you plotting…?" I asked.

"Let's see…" I heard her mumble, "I need paint…brushes…glitter…"

I shuddered.

She was plotting her April Fool's Day prank…

On Ratchet.

Dusk was merciless when it came to pranking. And it was never without reason when she did it.

"Out of our reach," Optimus growled.

"Ok…so you guys don't fly," Miko started.

"Well, except for Skyfyre," Amber added.

"But can't you just Groundbridge there?" the exchange student asked.

"Groundbridge," Dusk muttered, "It's not called a Groundbridge for nothing,"

Apparently Ratchet felt the same way.

"A Groundbridge has limited range," he sighed, "Stretched all the way out into orbit, its vortex could snap and scatter us to the stars. I'd like to stay in this universe…not be transported instantly to Cybres!"

"What's wrong with Cybres, Hatchet?" Dusk demanded, "It's not that bad especially since I…er…Skyfyre used to live there!"

Ratchet glared at her. I saw Prime give her a stern look and Dusk shrugged, looking innocently at him.

They must have had one of their 'Father-Daughter Prime' talks.

"Since Megatron is likely already in transit…" Prime then said as Dusk gave a soft grumble under her breath, "I'm afraid we must take that risk. Reaching the Spacebridge first is our only means of stopping him."

Dusk's form shone for a brief instant as Skyfyre took her place…

Right as a horn honked from the main entrance. I saw Arcee speed into the main hall…

With Jack riding.

My eldest student got off, taking off his helmet as Arcee transformed.

"Hey," the raven haired teen started, sheepishly, "Guess who's back…"

I could have sworn I saw a brief smile flicker across Prime's faceplates before…

"Autobots, prepare for departure," Optimus ordered.

"Where to?" Arcee asked.

"The final frontier," Miko confirmed.

"Space?" Jack asked.

"These are the voyagers of the Starship Enterprise," Dusk mumbled.

I facepalmed.

My girlfriend, the Trekkie.

"Sky…!" Amber moaned, "Star Trek? Really?!"

Dusk grinned smugly as she stood by Optimus' side.

"I thought they didn't have any way to get there!" Jack stuttered.

"They don't…" Raf started, "Really…"

"I'll…be seeing you?" Jack asked, looking up at Arcee.

She smiled, giving him a small nod.

"Glad to see you came to your senses," Dusk said, kneeling down in front of Jack.

He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down…and maybe it was because of the lighting…

But I could've sworn his eyes changed color.

"Be careful 'Bee…" Raf said to him.

"Don't worry," 'Bee whirred softly as he stood up and proceeded towards the Groundbridge.

"I'm so jealous!" Miko said to Bulkhead.

"Don't even think about following me," he firmly told her before he too walked towards the Groundbridge.

"I'll be feeling a little alone around here while you're in space," Dusk sighed, looking innocently around.

"I would never leave you alone my daughter," Prime stated.

"I'd feel better if I'd get to go with…"

He looked at her critically.

"Isn't my punishment of not telling the three who I am bad enough?" she hissed softly.

"Very well," Prime growled after much debate, "You may come."

"Yes!" Dusk cheered.

"But you are staying where I can keep an optic on you," he growled.

"Optimus, if you leave me stranded on a planet teeming with humans I will neverforgive you," Ratchet said coldly.

"Yeah! Go motivational team spirit!" Amber sarcastically cheered causing Dusk to smirk.

"Until we meet again old friend," Prime replied back, his battlemask engaging, "Autobots! Roll out!"

They all transformed and drove towards the portal; I bit my lip hoping they would make it through.

"Autobots, transform and gravitize," Prime's voice ordered from the comm. system.

"And she sticks the landing," I heard Dusk laugh.

"Whoa! Don't look down…or up…or left…" Bulkhead mumbled.

Jolt shook his head while Ratchet facepalmed.

Arcee POV

We all looked forwards as the Nemesis came closer and closer.

"So…Megatron's packing enough dark energon to raise Cybertron's dead?" I asked, skeptically.

"It doesn't really take that much…trust me…I know," Dusk growled.

"And since we don't possess ready means of disabling the Spacebridge…" Optimus started, flicking out his blasters, "Nothing gets in…or out,"

I pointed my own blaster at the Nemesis, I couldn't help but think about the 'Cons inside…we were outnumbered.

But that didn't mean I'd go down without taking as many as I could down with me.

There was nothing.

"Well…?" I asked, "What are they waiting for?"

Optimus lowered his weapons.

"It appears that the Decepticons have sustained serious damage to their intersteller navigation system," he said.

"Gee, I wonder how…" Dusk asked, immediately looking over at Bulkhead, "You have any idea Bulk?"

"Heh…" he shrugged, "That's my handiwork,"

"That's what you Wreckers do best!" Dusk chuckled, "Love to break stuff,"

A smile tugged at Bulkhead's mouth.

"Great job, Bulkhead," Optimus congratulated him, "Without the dish, Megatron will be unable to aim the Spacebridge at Cybertron,"

Amber POV

"Without the dish, Megatron will be unable to aim the Spacebridge at Cybertron,"

"Don't the Decepticons know where their own planet is?" Raf asked.

"He does have a point," I added.

"Naturally," Ratchet snorted, "But…"

"Cybertron is many light years away," Jolt finished, "To reach their target…their aim must be astronomically precise,"

"Like shooting an apple off of someone's head…from a mile away," Ben muttered.

"Yeah!" I smirked, "One wrong move and the person who has the apple on their head…is toast."

"If Megatron went through the trouble of rendezvousing with his Spacebridge…" Optimus continued, "He must have an alternate targeting system,"

"A remote one," Dusk added.

"But what would he use?" I asked Ben, "It's not like he has a rifle with a super zoom crosshair piece,"

"No…" Ben frowned, shaking his finger, "But…that big satellite field they were talking about on the news…"

"Hmm, from what I know of Earth's technology…I doubt there exists a single radio telescope dish on this planet powerful enough to pinpoint Cybertron," Ratchet said.

"What about a whole bunch of linked radio telescope dishes? Like the giant size array in Texas!" Raf suggested.

"You talked about it in class, Mr. Castora," Jack nodded.

"What class was that?" Miko asked.

"The one you were sleeping in," Ben growled.

"I do not…well, maybe…sometimes," Miko admitted under her teacher's glare.

"Zip, ep, ep, ep, this is not child's play!" Ratchet said totally throwing off the idea of kids knowing something.

"Good thinking Raf," Optimus said, "Ratchet, have Agent Fowler alert the array staff to the security hazard,"

"You!" Fowler yelled from his bed, making us all jump, "Soldier! You're out of uniform! Put on some pants!"

I tried to keep a calm composure…I really did.

Fowler's crazy babble: I can handle.

The looks on both Jolt and Hatchet's faceplates: Not so much.

I started laughing.

"I…just died…" I chuckled, hanging onto Ben for support, "Maybe we should let him get shocked more often?"

Ben shook his head.

"That…may be a challenge," Ratchet growled.

Raf turned back to his laptop and started tapping furiously on the keyboard.

After a few seconds he spoke.

"I can't get past the array's firewalls…" He muttered, pounding his tiny fists onto the table, "They're too thick!"

"You actually think you can keep the Decepticons out," Ratchet snorted, slightly patronizing.

"Maybe…if I can get in," Raf said.

"Wait, wait, wait," Jack started, "Raf…what if we could get you all the way in…like inside the building in?"

"I could log into their internal network on the other side of the firewall," Raf said.

"The risk is too great. The Decepticons will be there…perhaps even on site," Optimus objected.

"Optimus," Jack said, determined, "with all due respect…you said it yourself this is bigger than the safety of three humans,"

And the Prime gets owned by the human!

I never thought I'd see the day.

"Yeah if we let the 'Cons win," Miko added, "We're fragged along with everyone else on our planet,"

"MIKO!" I shouted, "LANGUAGE! Who even taught you that word!"

She didn't answer.

"Raf?" Optimus asked.

We all looked to the boy for an answer.

"I wanna give it a shot," he said confidently.

Dusk POV

"Hope they'll be ok," I muttered.

"They'll be fine, Raf knows what he's doing," 'Bee said, confidently.

"He's twelve!" I snapped back.

"And a quarter,"

"Ben, if you die, I'm bringing you back from the dead just so I can kill you myself," I growled into my comm. "Am, same with you!"

"Hey, guys…" Bulkhead warned.

"What?" I demanded.

"Here comes the welcoming committee," he growled.

I looked up…just to see a whole battalion of Eradicons swooping towards us.

"Remember," Dad growled, 'Nothing gets in…or out,"

I nodded.

"Let's annihilate these turkeys," I grinned, battlemask engaging.

Ben POV

Ratchet transported us to the designated coordinates. I jumped out first, Amber following.

"Okay team! Let's do this!" my friend said abruptly.

Her response was moans and groans.

"I forgot the kids aren't used to Groundbridging," Amber shrugged, making me shake my head.

"That'll take some getting used to," Jack groaned.

"Whoa…" Miko breathed.

I shrugged.

"How come it doesn't affect them?" she demanded.

"We've been doing this a lot longer than you," I admitted.

"Like how often?" Jack asked.

"Every time they have a mission," I growled, giving Amber a pointed glare.

She smiled innocently.

"Who, moi?" she asked.

"Oui, toi," I retorted, "Don't forget, Am, you and I were in the same French class for two years,"

"Yeah, 'til you turned traitor and joined the Spanish class!"

"What can I say!" I shrugged as we walked towards the building, "Gotta embrace my heritage!"

I looked at the door.

It had an electronic lock.

"Hey, Ben…you still have those whips Dusk and Jolt gave you?" Amber asked.

I grinned, taking what seemed to be two innocent looking pens from my pocket. I pressed the buttons on the side of the pen and two thin cords snaked out from the top, crackling with electricity.

I flicked them experimentally before cracking the barbed ends against the lock, the lock short circuited and the door sprang open.

"Whoa…" Miko breathed as the whips retracted and I put the pens in my pocket.

"See, I'm not always boring," I smirked.

"Where can I get one of those?" she asked.

"First you have to have like five years of weapons training, then if you're really good to Dusk, Skyfyre, Jolt, and Ratchet…"

"Eh, never mind," Miko mumbled, "It's more fun to annoy the scrap out of Ratchet the Hatchet,"

"Someone's learned his nickname," Amber smirked.

Dusk POV

The Eradicons came down in waves. To put it simply, it wasn't fun. Not fun at all.

Ok, I'll admit, 'Bee and I were having our competition again.

"Ten," I thought as I gunned another down, "Eleven…"

"Fifteen!" I heard 'Bee shout.

"I have you both beat," I heard Dad growl, "Thirty five…six,"

"This is our competition! Stay outta it!" I shouted, making Dad give a grim laugh.

"Thirty seven, thirty eight…"

"STOP IT!" I ordered.

"Daaad!" 'Bee whined, "This isn't funny!"

"How is he getting so many?" I asked my brother.

"Because he's Prime. 'Cons always go after the Prime…"

"But so am I!" I stated, "And they're not…"

A barrage of shots pinged around my pedes.

"You were saying?" 'Bee whirred.

"Shut up," I growled, shooting the 'Cons down.

More landed, and I resorted to hand to hand, unsheathing Sunscorcher and drawing slender lines of molten metal upon Eradicon faceplates and sparkchambers.

Amber POV

We led Raf to the computer room. So Raf began his work which took him seconds.

"Security sure is lax in this place," Miko snickered as she came back in from her security check.

"I'm in…but so are the Decepticons," he said gravely.

"What?" Jack asked.

"How can you tell?" Miko demanded.

"Schematics, with the same alien math we saw on their ship," Raf started, he then looked at the computer and grinned, "…but this time I can download it,"

He then proceeded to plug his flash drive in.

"I have to be on my guard this time," I thought.

"It's gotta be the Spacebridge," Miko said.

"The Decepticons are syncing it to the dishes, but I can sync to them," Raf explained.

"Will they know?" Jack asked, concerned.

"Even if the Decepticons see that I'm in the system…they'll have no idea I'm in the house," Raf explained further.

Optimus POV

The Spacebridge moved suddenly under my pedes.

"Is it just me or is the 'Bridge moving?" Dusk demanded, holding onto Bumblebee for balance.

"What just happened?" Arcee asked.

"The Decepticons are locking onto Cybertron," I sighed.

We failed.

Raf POV

"They're locked onto Cybertron…but not for long," I smiled.

I attacked the computer again.

Bumblebee POV

The Spacebridge moved again, this time away from Cybertron.

"Raf did it!" I shouted.

That's my charge.

Optimus straightened up after putting another 'Con under.

"Indeed, Bumblebee," he said, "This can only be Raf's doing,"

Amber POV

He was totally in his area.

It seemed to have worked.

"The dishes are heading back to Cybertron…I'll just undo that again," Raf said.

"You might be stuck in endless combat," I said

"What happens when the 'Cons realize they're being punked?" Jack asked.

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Jack here," Ben agreed.

"It's only virtual combat…you know like online gaming," I explained, "Like LOTRO,"

"Yeah you two, what are the 'Cons gonna do?" Miko jested, looking at the two older males, "There probably like a thousand miles away,"

Jack didn't look convinced, his eyes caught the light from the computer, turning a light bright blue.

I suddenly felt a light breeze against my neck…

Jack yelled.

"Get down!" he shouted.

I turned around, right as Jack pounced on what looked like a tentacle.

"Amber!" Ben shouted, "Soundwave!"

"You mean that 'Con 'Bee pounded into scrap!?" I demanded, "He's still alive!?"

Miko and Ben helped Jack, latching on the rogue tentacle trying to lead it away to buy Raf enough time to finish the download.

I put my hand on the back of Raf's chair.

"Hurry Raf!" I shouted.

"I won't let them lock on again!" he muttered, typing faster and faster.

'Wave's tentacle smacked into me, throwing me against a wall. Ben and Jack were thrown off, Jack hitting his head on the wall while Ben's connected with my gut. Miko was thrown off not but two seconds later.

"Ben, I love ya like a brother…" I groaned, "But get. OFF!"

Ben's head snapped up.

"RAF!" he shouted.

The boy was just about to get grabbed by 'Wave.

Miko got to her feet, grabbed an axe, and ran towards the tentacle wielding said axe.

"Miko, don't!" I shouted.

As she swung the axe, the tentacle quickly dodged it and swiftly out-bested her, sending her to be reunited with Mr. Wall and Mrs. Floor.

The tentacle then picked up the axe.

"You handed it an axe!?" Jack yelled.

"Not good!" Raf yelped.

And just when it looked like it would use the axe on us…it went out of the door.

"Let's get 'im!" I yelled, unsheathing my blades as Ben flicked his whips out.

We quickly pursued 'Wave, bursting through the doors…

Right as 'Wave was about to leave.

Jack stood protectively in front of us and I was instantly reminded of Dusk.

Miko then took a picture of Soundwave, it happens.

Soundwave then did the same and then retreated.

"Why's he leaving?" Miko asked.

Then Raf ran over to the source, Soundwave used the axe to cut the cables.

"He cut the hardline…the dishes are locked onto Cybertron…" Raf said regrettably, "for good,"

Dusk POV

The Spacebridge fired up behind us, loudly.

"We're toast," I whispered, "Dad…Megatron's going to make his move soon! Get ready!"

He nodded…right as something very large and very fast…and violet…came shooting towards us.

"SHOOT IT DOWN!" I screamed, "HE'S MADE HIS MOVE! STOP HIM!"

Dad started shooting…

But it was too late.

The massive amount of dark energon disappeared into the Spacebridge…

And onto Cybertron.

"ARISE! MY LEGION!" Megatron shouted from the Nemesis.

"So…" Bulkhead asked, staring at the 'Bridge, "How do we beat a whole planet of the undead?"

"Optimus!" Ratchet's voice called over the comm. "I am registering a rapidly expanding mass in their Spacebridge vortex…one with a peculiar energy signature."

"Dark energon," he confirmed, "Ratchet, we must destroy the Spacebridge. There's enough live energon coursing through it to achieve detonation,"

"Boom?" I asked 'Bee.

"Big boom," he confirmed.

"But we lack the firepower to ignite it," Dad finished.

"If we knew how the Spacebridge was engineered," Jolt said, "We might find a technical way to accomplishing that feat."

"Umm," I heard Raf's voice ask, "Would the schematics help?"

'Bee's optics lit up in pride.

"Optimus," Ratchet started, slowly, "I must say, the Spacebridge is our sole hope of ever returning to Cybertron. Are you certain its destruction is the only option?"

"I am afraid so," Dad replied.

The resent and sadness coming from him nearly broke my own spark.

"Then by all means…" Ratchet growled, "Let us light our darkest hour!"

Dad turned to us.

"Autobots, Autaris," he ordered, "take your positions and follow Ratchet and Jolt's lead!"

He turned towards the Nemesis…

And as I left with 'Bee…I heard him say one last thing.

"While I make a stand,"

"You think he'll be ok?" I asked my brother.

"He's Dad. He'll be fine,"

"That's what we said last time," I muttered.

I could still see that moment in my mind.

Megatron sneaking up behind Dad and…and stabbing his bayonet through Dad's spark and s-shooting…

"It won't be like last time," 'Bee reassured me.

I knew he was trying to help…

But it didn't.

Miranda POV

"These…things are getting closer!" Fowler shouted, "That's bad…right?"

"Ratchet, we're in position," Came the voice of Arcee over the comm link.

"Arcee, pay close attention," Ratchet said.

Raf was looking for a solution with the data he obtained on his flash drive.

"The Spacebridge's power supply is by your current position, about 2 clicks to your right," Jolt instructed.

"Found it," the femme replied.

"Now. Follow the line from the flow regulator to the Energa pump…there should be a valve," Ratchet then said.

"I see it," Arcee confirmed.

"Good, to turn all that power against itself, all you need do is reverse the current," Jolt instructed.

Then we heard Arcee struggling.

"C'mon, Arcee," I whispered, "You can do it…"

There was a loud clang.

"Current reversed," she sighed relieved.

"Yes…right?" Fowler asked.

"Sorry Fowler I forgot to cheer," Amber said.

"I'll ready the Groundbridge," Ratchet said, reusing the arrival coordinates.

The 'Bridge flashed to life.

"Optimus, the Groundbridge is ready and waiting,"

Dusk POV

"OW! Frag it all!" I shouted as a stray blast hit my wing, "Primus slag you Megatron!"

"DUSK!" 'Bee snapped.

"It hurts!" I screeched, "You try having wings…it friggin' hurts when they get shot!"

"No…" 'Bee whirred sarcastically, "Ya don't say!"

"Jerk!" I growled.

Right as Arcee was shot in the back.

Arcee…

Mom…

"'BEE!" I shouted, "GRAB HER! NOW!"

"Autobots! Autaris!" Optimus shouted, "Jump!"

"Wha? Jump? But…"

I rammed into him, sending him yelling off the 'Bridge.

Jack POV

We all eagerly waited for their return through the Groundbridge.

"Do you think they're…?" Raf said.

"Four life signals…one very faint," Ratchet whispered.

My heart raced.

"Who?" I thought.

Then Optimus came through the Groundbridge, stumbling a bit as Skyfyre ran into him from behind.

"Sorry Dad," she whispered softly.

"Oh thank God!" Ben said as he flopped against the railing.

Then Bulkhead came through the Groundbridge and Miko's face lit up.

"Bulkhead!" she shouted before running up to him and giving his hand a hug.

That left just Arcee and Bumblebee…

Oh no.

Bumblebee ran in…cradling my guardian in his arms. I ran up to them both, taking in the damage.

I felt like someone took my heart out and dashed it to pieces.

Ben, Amber, Raf and Miko each put a comforting hand on my arms.

She was…gone?

"We lost one this week by the All Spark don't let it be two!" Ratchet pleaded.

I placed my hand in Arcee's. She opened her optics slightly.

"Arcee," I whispered.

"Jack really? There are other motorcycles in the world," my guardian lightly jested.

"But, you're my first," I answered.

"And Megatron?" Ratchet asked Optimus.

"Not even he could survive ground zero," Skyfyre growled.

"Prime!" Came the voice of Agent Fowler.

Everyone looked at the Agent.

"I didn't get to thank you 'Bots for the save; I owe you one…we all do," he said and made his way up the elevator.

As we watched Arcee find her feet, Miko wandered over to Optimus and Skyfyre.

"So is the part where you say goodbye and tell us we need to forget we ever saw you?" Miko asked.

He paused and looked on at human and guardian.

"It seems that you have all formed strong bonds with your guardians and so, it would not be right in severing those bonds," he said and walked away heading up top.

"So is that a no? Or a yes?" Miko asked confused.

"It's a yes Miko," Skyfyre confirmed.

"Sw-eet!" she cheered.

"Where is he going?" Jack asked.

Skyfyre shrugged…right as Ratchet dragged her towards a berth, her wing smoking.

"You're injured, and you're not getting out of a checkup!" he ordered.

"But Hatchet!" she whined.

"Primus, Dusk, do you have to make everything difficult!?"

"Wait…Dusk?" I asked.

The gold Prime winced.

"Ummm…I guess it's a little late to say 'pay no attention to the man behind the curtain'…isn't it?" she asked.

"A little," I answered, crossing my arms.

"Fine," she sighed as her form lit up with a blue light…

And Dusk sat on the med bay, her…wing…smoking.

A feathered wing.

My jaw hit the floor.

"Explanations can come later," Ratchet growled, "I can't repair you when you stay in that form!"

Dusk stuck her tongue out at Ratchet as her form lit up again, leaving Skyfyre Prime in her place.

"Killjoy," she muttered.

A/N Finally done with Darkness Rising! Thank God! So, the kids now know about Dusk...and let's just say, next chapter, things are going to be a little interesting...

Dusk's little prank on Ratchet occurs in Son of the Stars. If you want to see what she's plotting...you'll have to read it. I will not tell :)

Title from Tobymac's Atmosphere

Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please R&R! :)

Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

Elhini Prime signing off.