Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, no matter how wonderful they are.

Previously- "Do not forget yourself Megatron, while we may have worked together now for the good of the Decepticon forces, I still rank higher than you...as for Prime...he will not be a problem...I have fought against a Prime before and this one shall be no different. We attack at dawn"

"Fine...I will inform my forces that they fight with you tomorrow"

27 September 1986, The Ark...

The Autobots were prepared for an attack on the Ark, unfortunately for them though, they were not prepared for the ferocity with which their opponents fought. Never in the entire time that these new Decepticons had been on Earth had they been led into battle by anyone other than Megatron. It seemed that this femme commander and her forces fought more viciously and with less restraint than their Nemesis counterparts. For once, the Autobots were not confident in fighting against the Decepticons.

Prowl fought against the some of the more familiar Decepticons and having already taken out the triple-changer Blitzwing, he had now engaged in a battle with Ramjet. Prowl's battle computer was working overtime, assessing weaknesses, weaponry and data relating to his opponent. He had already rendered Ramjet temporarily flightless, shooting out one of his thrusters but he himself had also been injured in the process. Looking up at his opponent he was surprised to see Ramjet withdraw from their battle. Prowl was then overcome with a sense of relief that perhaps the Decepticons were in retreat. Unfortunately this was short lived when an all-encompassing feeling of dread came over him.

"Hello brother," a voice dripping with venom addressed him from behind.

Turning, Prowl came face to face with his brother Barricade and his mate. It was the moment that Prowl had dreaded...he had no wish to encounter Barricade on the battlefield. He remembered when he had last seen his younger brother...that had both fought against each other at Praxus and had no wish to repeat that battle. It was times like this Prowl really hated the war. It had pitted friend against friend, brother against brother...and all for nothing.

"Barricade...,"Prowl addressed his brother and then turning to acknowledge Barricade's mate, "Shadowblaster...it has been a while...since Praxus I believe..."

" You are correct brother...still fighting for the wrong side I see?"

"No 'Cade...I still fight for what is right...it is you and your mate that have lost your way"

"We did not lose our way," growled Shadowblaster, "we were used and cast aside without a second thought. In the optics of the council, we were all expendible and after we left we were not missed. The rest of you were no different...that is why no one was send to aid Praxus when we invaded...that is why so many had to die"

"And yet you let me live"

"We are bound by the bonds of kinship...we will not kill you but I assure you, you shall not get in our way...my apologies brother"

That is the last Prowl heard before he was hit with a stun blaster, courtesy of Shadowblaster, causing his systems to shut down and go into temporary stasis.

Meanwhile...

Ironhide had been right. The young seeker that had been taken from Vos after the massacres had returned. His death was coming toward him on glorious white wings...she had found him and she knew him to be the last. As she landed in front of him, Ironhide dropped his weapon and stood straight and tall before addressing his doom.

"Nitrofire...it has been a long time"

"You have no right to call me by my name, "the femme seeker hissed, "not after all you have done. You are the last of those that came to Vos with thoughts of death and destruction and now, you shall pay...the sparks of those you killed shall be avenged"

"There isn't a moment that goes by that I don't regret it..."

"Your regret comes too late and now you shall join all the others that I have executed avenging those that have fallen"

"I won't stop you Nitrofire...I have waited too long for you to come and get me. I will be haunted by the past no more"

"So you will not fight you old fool? Pity...I would have enjoyed watching you struggle"

Ironhide offlined his optics and opened his arms out wide waiting for his death blow. His death came swift as the seeker drove her hand through his chassis and tore his spark chamber out with her bare hand. His body smoked as it hit the ground.

Minutes later...

Optimus Prime knew the femme seeker was leading the battle. He had seen her fly over himself and knew exactly who she had been looking for...Ironhide. Prime had hoped to find his old friend and get him to safety before the seeker got to him. He got to Ironhide too late...he found him just as the femme seeker tore his spark out with her hand and saw the light fade from his optics. Ironhide had been right about the seeker, Prime could feel the rage and hate against the Autobots radiating off her.

Optimus Prime saw the femme carelessly drop his comrade's lifeless shell to the ground before turning her attention to him.

"So...the great Optimus Prime. We meet at last. I can't say I'm sorry about your friend. We had some unfinished business to attend to and as you can see...well he has paid his due"

"Nitrofire...I would say that it is a pleasure to meet you, but that would be a lie"

"Shame"

"Perhaps it would be best if you and your forces leave now...let us mourn our dead"

"Ah but I am not finished yet Prime...", Nitrofire said menacingly before she raised her modified null-rays and sent a few shots at the Matrix-bearer.

Optimus Prime rolled out of the way, crouching and then returning fire at the seeker. Nitrofire leapt into the air and continued to fire at Prime. Optimus, seeing himself at a disadvantage threw himself towards the seeker and grabbed her ankle before twisting and slamming her into the ground, one of her wings buckled and crumpled under the force. Optimus hoped that he now had her at a disadvantage, considering that in his experience, seekers did not fight well when grounded. He forgot one important detail though...never underestimate your opponent. Optimus was surprised when Nitrofire got to her feet and grinned at him ferally, energon leaking from the side of her mouth.

"Is that all you've got Prime? I must say I am disappointed...your predecessor put up a much better fight than this"

Prime had no time to contemplate this statement when the seeker pulled out twin energon blades from the attachments on her wings and slammed into him, glass smashed and blades sliced through his armour and creating gaping wounds in his side and leg. It took Optimus a moment regain momentum before Nitrofire came at his again, enveloping her hands with his larger ones, he managed to halt the progression of the blades towards him.

"There is no need to continue this Nitrofire...why do you fight?"

"I will continue to fight Prime until your kind are destroyed...had your kind not interfered, seekers would not be on the verge of extinction. It is the fault of your kind that this war has gone on for as long as it has...a self-fulfilling prophecy I believe the humans call it...the Cybertronian council wanted so badly for us to be aligned to the Decepticons that when they massacred our people that is exactly what we did...we did what was expected of us"

"Please...reconsider...you don't need to fight anymore"

"Too little too late Prime! You haven't had to feel the agony of having familial bonds torn from your spark in sparklinghood. My family is dead because of your kind!"

"I'm sorry, if we could just..."

"Your pathetic apologies mean nothing Prime!"

"Put your weapons down Decepticreep", a shout erupted from amongst the Autobots who had come to aid their leader

"You Autoscum put down your weapons first", more shouts erupted from gathered Decepticons who had also come to the aid of their own leader

Both sides continued to jeer and curse at each other as their respective leaders remained at a standstill. Then slowly, as if by silent agreement, Nitrofire and Optimus Prime backed away from each other.

"Autobots , let them go...there is no need for anymore energon to be spilt on this day"

The Autobots lowered their weapons to let Nitrofire and the Decepticons by, the Decepticon forces taking to the air until only Nitrofire and a few other seekers remained.

"This is not over Prime...the Autobots and Decepticons shall come together in battle again soon...only one shall come out victotious"

Soon the Autobots were left standing alone as the Decepticons flew over the horizon. It was then that Prime knew that all would be decided soon and that the losses would be heavy on both sides.