Disclaimer: Thanks for the support so far. In all modestly, this might actually be my most ambitious project to date. Then again, I did three Spider-Man stories so it's kind a toss up. I'll leave that up to you. I don't own the rights to Transformers.

Chapter XXIII

Quintessa-

There was hardly anything left of the horde of Sharkticons that swarmed the court chamber. Breakaway was busy rummaged through the wreckage, while the Dinobots were feasting on it. Quickstrike in particular was busy ripping into the remains of the Predacon Strika. The sight of it disgusted Breakaway as he went to reunite with Hotrod and Kup. They too were busy trying to clean up the mess of steel and wires, dorsal fins and teeth.

"I can't leave you guys alone for five cycles," Breakaway said. "What did you do to get into this kind of trouble?"

Hotrod glared at the Autobot Seeker. "It's a long story. We'll tell you about once we get off this planet… if we get off this planet."

"For what it's worth, I think the problems here will be solved very shortly with the Quintessons gone." Kup said.

"Yeah, but what about our problem," Hotrod said. "We need a ship and I doubt Breakaway can carry all of us."

"Thanks a lot, you jerk." Breakaway snapped.

Hotrod shrugged and then felt a tap on his leg. He looked down and saw Wheelie. "You get a ship, if I get a trip."

"Who're you, kid?" Kup asked.

Before Wheelie spoke, Grimlock hoisted him up on his head. "Him, Wheelie. Him, friend. Him, help Dinobots find Hotrod and Kup."

Hotrod and Kup looked about ready to die laughing and Hotrod said, "He'll be our friend too, if he can find a ship."

"I know the way, so we can leave today," Wheelie said and pointed. "If you happen to stare, you'll find a ship way up there."

Hotrod, Kup and Breakaway glared in the direction Wheelie was pointing. They saw a short distance, a spiral shaped structure. Hotrod was about to turn back and question Wheelie before he saw a tiny shimmer. Near the top of the structure, there appeared to be glass, not unlike the glass of a vessel. Astonishingly, the spiral structure was indeed a ship, although Kup was still mentally questioning it as such. Soon, his doubts became verbal.

"That's a ship?"

Hotrod couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Who cares as long as it flies?"

"A great ship you now see, and it's all thanks to me." Wheelie said and enthusiastically rushed onward.

Breakaway cocked his head and said, "Aw, can we keep him?"

While Hotrod and Breakaway went to round up the Dinobots, and Kup and Wheelie headed toward the ship, Elita One was moving through the mass of scrap. She found Blackarachnia, down on her knees, hands shaking. Elita wasn't sure she could believe that the Predacon in front of her was actually Chromia, nor that Strika was once Firestar. Strika was already destroyed by Quickstrike. Elita thought for a moment about it, and she realized Quickstrike simply did Strika a favor. But Blackarachnia was left behind to suffer. Now, Elita had so much more reason to hate the Quintessons. She approached Blackarachnia slowly and silently, noticing a tremble in her steel body. There was hesitance in Elita, as she wasn't sure if she wanted to lay a hand on the Blackarachnia's shoulder. Elita took that chance. Blackarachnia didn't respond, or even acknowledge her presence.

"Chromia," Elita whispered. "It's me, Elita. You can still understand me, right?"

"Why? Why did they do this to me?" Blackarachnia said clearly.

Elita wasn't sure how to answer. "I'm sorry, Chromia. I should've saved you and Firestar. I failed."

Blackarachnia continued to tremble. Then in a sudden flash, Blackarachania lunged, grasped Elita One by her throat and pinned to the wall. The impact was loud enough for those nearest, Hotrod and Breakaway, to hear it. Blackarachnia glared at Elita, her crimson optics seemingly filled with the venom of her alt form name sake. Hotrod and Breakaway rushed to the commotion with their unique weapons, Hotrod's energy crossbow, and Breakaway's sniper rifle. Blackarachnia refused to acknowledge the Autobot's presence. Elita did notice the Autobots and gave a look; an I'll handle this look. Hotrod and Breakaway got the message and lowered their weapons.

"You let the Quintessons turn me into this… this thing," Blackarachnia said accusingly. "You abandoned me."

"I didn't," Elita said. "I would've saved you and Firestar if I could."

"But you didn't," Blackarachnia said venomously and dropped Elita. "You were my leader, my sister, my friend. And you left me behind to save yourself. But as much as I hate you, Elita, I hate the Quintessons even more." With that, Blackarachnia turned and walked away.

"Chromia, wait," Elita said. "I can make this up to you. Firestar too! Please, Chromia."

Without turning, Blackarachnia said, "Don't ever call that again. I'm willing to let you live, so don't make me change my mind." Blackarachnia continued to walk.

"Where will you go?"

This time, Blackarachnia turned her head to face Elita. "I'm going to hunt down the Quintessons; I don't care if it takes me the rest of my cursed existence. But if you ever, ever try to find me, I'll tear your Spark out."

With that, Blackarachnia assumed her black widow form and leapt away. This time, Elita One let her go. She owed Chromia that much and it wouldn't have done her any favors to go against her wishes. It still didn't make it any easier. Hotrod, who'd been watching it all unfold, could attest to that. He gave a nod to Breakaway, who started to move the Dinobot to the spiral ship, and walked over to Elita One. Elita could hear Hotrod approaching but said nothing or even reacted as Hotrod closed the distance. He looked to where Blackarachnia had gone. She was indeed long gone by that point.

"I'm sorry." Hotrod said.

"So am I." Elita said.

Hotrod went silent to try a find the right words. "Look, we've got a way off this planet. I think you should come with us," When Elita didn't answer, Hotrod continued. "We're trying to get to Cybertron and find our friends along the way."

"To what end? The Decepticons are still in control of Cybertron. I've lost my friends and my home and Optimus. So what does it matter anymore?" Elita said despondently.

Hotrod narrowed his optics. "That's it? You're just going to give up after what the Quintessons did to your friends, and what they almost did to you?"

"Almost," Elita stepped directly up to Hotrod's face. "What could you possibly know about it? What do you really know about anything I've experienced? What I've lost?"

Hotrod didn't falter. "I know more than you'd expect. I've lost friends too, back on Earth, including Optimus Prime, because I either made a mistake or I didn't act quickly enough. I'd extinguish my own Spark to bring back Optimus and everyone I've ever let down."

Elita was, and she wouldn't admit this, impressed by Hotrod's tenacity. "Speak for yourself, kid."

Elita turned to storm off but Hotrod grabbed her shoulder. "I was speaking for Optimus. This isn't about you, or your petty obsession for revenge. This isn't even about me. This is about saving Cybertron," Hotrod pointed to the stars above the court chamber. "Cybertron, Elita. That's our home, and it's in trouble. What do you think Optimus Prime would do?"

"You're not Optimus Prime, kid." Elita snapped.

"No I'm not, but Optimus wouldn't stand by and watch as his home, our home, is ripped apart," Hotrod said. "He wouldn't stand by while countless other worlds are destroyed by Unicron. I can't ever bring Optimus back no matter how much I could try, but I can at least honor his memory by defending the freedom of everyone he'd fought and died to protect."

Elita turned right back and glared at Hotrod. "You really think so, don't you," Hotrod nodded. Elita realized just thoughtless she'd been. "You sound just like Optimus, so unwilling to give up. Never faltering," There was a tense stare down between the two Autobots and then Elita said, "Okay, you made your point. Let's get off this Primus-forsaken planet."

Hotrod nodded and started to walk off. "I'll see you on the ship."

"Hey kid, Hotrod," Elita said, halting Hotrod. "You know, it took a lot of Spark to stand up to me," Elita herself walked passed Hotrod. "You might actually make a great leader some day." With that, Elita continued on toward the spiral ship. Behind her, Hotrod smiled a bit and went to join her.

It took some time and effort, but Springer, Outback and Blur managed to heave the covering clear of the alcove in which they'd taken cover from the Decepticon assault. The obvious familiarity of the Planet of Junk was there to greet them, along with the eerie sound of silence. As Outback and Blur helped a wounded Perceptor out of hiding and Daniel followed, Springer and Arcee assumed alt form. They lost contact with Ultra Magnus only a short while ago and according to Outback, he'd stay behind to fight off the Decepticons. That was the last they'd heard from him. Springer was worried as he hovered in helicopter form over the landscape with Arcee below him. At that point, Springer detected a signature not far, very, very faint. Too faint. Arcee suddenly transmitted an electronic message that sounded frantic. Springer doubled his efforts and found Arcee, in proto form, standing over the remains of Ultra Magnus. The other Autobots joined Arcee there as Springer assumed proto form beside them, and even he was in shock.

"By Primus, what'd they do to him?" Outback whispered as Perceptor gingerly kneeled beside the remains.

Ultra Magnus appeared to have been completely dismembered, his limbs having been violently pulled out. "Perceptor, what can you tell us?" Springer asked.

"He's is stasis lock, but with the damage, he may be too far gone for me to repair him." said Perceptor even as he cringed from his own injury.

"The-Matrix-is-gone. The-Matrix-is-gone. Without-it-there's-no-hope-no-hope-no-hope-no-hope-at-all." Blur chattered in distressed. Outback glared at Blur but said nothing.

"This can't be happening, Springer," Arcee said shaking her head. She'd yet to notice Daniel wandering off. "First Optimus and now Magnus. What do we do, now?"

"I don't know, Arcee. I just don't know." Springer said honestly.

Arcee looked down and saw that Daniel wasn't beside her but a couple feet away. "Daniel, what's wrong?"

Daniel turned to Arcee. "I saw something," he pointed to the west. "Out there."

Arcee looked to where Daniel was pointing. She didn't see anything at first, but then she saw the visage of a machine. Springer had joined Arcee and also noticed the machine's movement. Then came the sound of a motor, likely from a motorcycle. More of the same rumblings from the west and soon, a gang of robots appeared riding motorcycles. Springer got a great look at the big up front, and he didn't have the Decepticon insignia on him. These robots, these Junkions, were clearing natives of the planet. There were five of them altogether and they circled the Autobots, brandishing varying weapons from axes to chains. The leader of the group twitched as he rode around.

"Shock jock play list Number Two. It's time to play, 'End of the Line, My Valentine,'" The Junkion leader, who was known as Wreck-Gar, chattered and twitched. "Ready, ready, ready… CHARGE!"

"What are thing guys?" Outback shouted.

"Doesn't matter. Outback, take Daniel and Perceptor and get them to safety," Springer said. "Arcee, Blur, you're with me."

Outback took Daniel and Perceptor to cover, being completely ignored by the planet natives. Springer, Arcee and Blur assumed alt form and raced off with the Junkions in hot pursuit. The Autobots separated and went in different directions. Of the five Junkions, they split up; two grunts each going after Arcee and Blur individually while Wreck-Gar singled out Springer. Blur's pursuers flanked him on both sides, and one produced a capture net. That Junkion threw the net over Blur to the other Junkion, who caught it and they dropped the net onto Blur. Blur however was able speed off, thus ripping through the net like it was nothing. In doing so, one of his pursuers was yanked clear of his bike and dragged across the ground. Blur turned sharply and the Junkion careened into a weakened structure, losing an arm in the process. His bike slid next to him and crashed into the same structure. Blur sped and rammed into the other Junkion, flipping him up and over.

Arcee was having a slightly tougher run with her pursuer. One was riding at her left side, an axe in hand. He attempted to strike Arcee repeatedly but the rough terrain of the planet made it more difficult to score a shot. It also worked against Arcee, who was having trouble staying straight. As a result, the Junkion manage one or two attacks. The other Junkion rode up behind Arcee and tried to jump from his bike onto her. Arcee revved up her engine and banked forward, and that Junkion missed his target and face-planted the terrain. Then Arcee activated a wheel spike, jammed the wheel of the bike and sent the rider flying. The resulting crashed caused the rider to lose an arm and the bike in turn slammed into him. Something happened that neither Arcee nor Blur expected; the Junkion riders reattached their limbs and transformed into bikes, with the bike becoming new riders.

"These guys can repair themselves," Arcee shouted. "Their indestructible."

"That's-not-fair. How's-that-fair? Can-you-tell-me-how-that's-fair-cause-that-doesn't-seem-fair-to-me." Blur chattered louder than Arcee wanted.

"Just shut up and drive, Blur."

The chase resumed as Arcee and Blur raced off with the Junkions following. Meanwhile, Springer, even in his helicopter form, was having problems with Wreck-Gar. Wreck-Gar had in his hands, an iron chain, and he attempted to snag Springer. He caught the Autobot by his tail and tried to pull him down. Springer pulled back and won the Tug-o-War, yanking Wreck-Gar clear of his bike and causing him to slam into the ground. Wreck-Gar was up, undamaged, and his bike assumed proto form into another Junkion. Wreck-Gar produced what looking like a cross between a boomerang and a throwing star and hurled at the green helicopter. Springer made a single, subtle movement and the projectile missed him entirely, and then retaliated by clipping the leader down. Springer assumed proto form in mid-flight, morphed his rotor blade in a saber and charged at Wreck-Gar.

"Let's see how tough you really are, freak."

Wreck-Gar brandished an axe and twitchingly said, "We check in, but we don't check out. Five yard penalty for foul language."

Springer and Wreck-Gar closed the distance and then clashed. Springer threw the first strike as his saber struck a glancing blow to Wreck-Gar, knocking him back. He fell to knee and was back up and retaliated with a wide swing. Springer hopped back and went for another strike and missed. Wreck-Gar attempted an overhead swing that Springer blocked. Springer pushed back and Wreck-Gar righted himself. They circled, waiting to see who would made the next move. It was Wreck-Gar who charged and tried to sweep Springer, but Springer saw it coming and leaped. He leaped high, very high. He came down and leaped again directly over Wreck-Gar, who tried another wide arc and missed. Springer back flipped and landed on the side of an outcropping and threw himself right back. This time, he struck a blow to Wreck-Gar's shoulder, but answered with a hard fist to the chin. Springer staggered back dazed and was then rocked a second time by Wreck-Gar. This second blow knocked Springer down onto his back. Springer shook his head and saw Wreck-Gar charging at him, and he assumed his hover car mode and sped backward. Wreck-Gar missed his mark by inches.

"Cheater, cheater, scrap eater." Wreck-Gar cackled and charged again. "Even the people at home saw that one, Bob!"

"What is wrong with this guy," Springer muttered as he backed up. "And who's he talking to?"

He ran into a problem when he hit a portion of terrain and couldn't back up. Wreck-Gar was closing fast, so Springer assumed proto form and resumed the fight. They went back and forth until Wreck-Gar won out, literally snapping Springer's saber in two. He reared for the kill before he suddenly bashed in the head by steel beam. Springer looked up and was stunned to see Daniel with the beam. Daniel shrugged and Springer nodded as the other Autobots joined them. The problem was that the Junkions all regrouped and Wreck-Gar recovered relatively quickly, and they surrounded the Autobots. Outback helped Springer and they, along with Arcee and Blur, formed a circle around Daniel and the wounded Perceptor. They waited the Junkion to make a move. There were about ten of them now, as the bike themselves were also Junkions.

"What're they waiting for?" Arcee asked.

"Us, to make the next move." Springer answered plain.

"I say we give it to 'em." Outback said.

"I was afraid you'd say that, Outback." Perceptor said with a cringe.

The Junkions, Wreck-Gar at the head, started to close in on the Autobots. But then a loud boom sounded from up above the battlefield. A shadow loomed overhead and everyone, Autobots and Junkions alike, looked upwards at the strangest looking ship ever witnessed. It was no Autobot shuttle, nor was it Omega Supreme come to the rescue. It spiral shaped told otherwise. Springer had a bad feeling in his Spark about the ship that had appeared.

"Steady as she goes, Bob. Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" Wreck-Gar chattered almost without pause.

The ship began a vertical descent until it touched down and a series of landing clamps held it in place. A ramped lowered down to the surface and hatch opened. For a few very tense moments, the Autobots though it might be the Decepticons again or something far worse. They tensed when they saw silhouette of a winged figure. Their fears turned to relief at the sight who appeared from inside the ship, and who else appeared soon after…

"Hey guys! You miss us?"

Author's note: Again, I stop right there for now. Don't get all bent out of shape because I keep leaving cliffhangers. Every storyteller does that; it's normal.

Everything in this chapter is pretty much the same as in the movie, except for the interaction between Elita One and Blackarachnia. And after that, Hotrod really stepped up and seems to have earned Elita's respect. And, Breakaway gives us the Line of the Day: "Aw, can we keep him?"

Let me know what you think and…

"Hi, is your name Bob?"

"WHATHUH? Wreck-Gar, how'd you get here?"

"Nice story you got here, Bob!"

"Get back in there, damn you!"

"Surely, you can't be serious!"

"Well, I am serious. And don't call me Shirley. Or Bob!"