A/N: Sorry for not updating yesterday. Microsoft is doing something (I don't know what). Thanks for the reviews! As I said before, Rising has some major plot changes; 1) Jack's history has been changed. He's now new to the whole ninja thing and will learn along the way. I kind of want to portray Jack as a Prime in the making. 2) As such, his history with Oroku Saki has been altered as well. Their animosity will build up as the story goes on.
Chapter 3
Arcee onlined her optics to find herself in a dark room, though it was large enough to hold her and the other Autobots captive. They were bolted to the wall by metal bands (no doubt the same ones they used on Breakdown). She looked around to find the other 'Bots coming online as well while the humans were being kept in a security cell. Fowler was pacing, Miko was on her knees, mumbling incoherently, and June was crying, Raf doing his best to comfort the woman. She looked around again; where was Jack?
Then it hit her; Fowler reporting that MECH had kidnapped the Prime Minister of Japan, the 'Bots rolling out to confront Silas, their human friends tagging along (thanks to Miko) and getting captured. The PM's betrayal and Jack being thrown over a cliff, his body disappearing in the fog. Arcee remembered calling after him as if it would stop his fall. For the third time, she'd lost her partner and was unable to do anything about it. There were a number of ways she could have saved Jack; she could've just shot Silas and even if the Prime Minister was killed, who cares; he was working with MECH anyway!
She closed her optics and replayed that moment in her head a thousand times, as if trying to convince herself that Jack had somehow survived. But there was no way he could've-
'Stop it!" she snapped at herself. She had to remind herself that Jack was no ordinary human. He'd done things that put even her accomplishment during the War to shame. In situations where others lost their cool, Jack remained strong in the belief that they would find a way out. That was why Optimus had chosen Jack to guard the Key to Vector Sigma.
When he, Miko, and Raf were trapped in the Shadowzone with a reanimated Skyquake, he managed to lead them through the maze of what Miko called the "4th dimension". When Optimus was sick with the cybonic plague and the others were certain there was no cure, he pointed out that Megatron wouldn't risk exposure to his own virus. When Optimus lost his memories and the 'Bots began losing it, Jack kept them afloat and devised a plan to get to Vector Sigma. Sure, it wasn't a perfect plan, but it was all they could go on at that point. It certainly wasn't easy to accomplish.
There was the matter of June, who didn't want her son to be placed in such danger, despite Arcee's promise that she would be with him at all times. The femme remembered the irritation in Ratchet's voice when he asked for her consent when they finally located the space-bridge. It was as if the medic was saying she didn't have a right to worry for her son's safety. Arcee was certainly worried enough; there was no telling what kind of "vermin" were wandering Cybertron now that it was dead. Unfortunately, the vermin was an Insecticon, a mindless creature that guarded the remains of Kaon.
The blue femme held off the creature while Jack reluctantly went on to Vector Sigma. Arcee proved no match for the creature as it knocked her out and pursued Jack. When she awoke and found out the creature had gone after her partner, Arcee raced into the depths of Kaon where Vector Sigma lay, fearing that Jack was being killed at that moment. Thankfully, Jack had managed to outsmart the creature and recharge the Matrix. After brief fight with Megatron, Jack had managed to restore Optimus' memories and the Autobots got their leader back.
Had Arcee not been in such a good mood, she would have pointed out to Ratchet about Jack's part in their mission's success, most of which he chalked up to Optimus' "spark never ceasing to be that of an Autobot" (however true the statement was). But she knew they weren't out of the woods just yet. Megatron, no doubt livid about the return of Optimus, would go after Jack for revenge sooner rather than later. There was also the fact that Optimus didn't remember a thing from his time as Orion Pax aboard the Nemesis. But none of that mattered anymore; now Jack was gone.
Arcee didn't want to believe it or admit it, but her partner, her best friend, her Jack, was gone. She wanted nothing more than to take out her anger on those responsible; Silas for setting the trap, Miko for being stupid enough to follow them and drag Jack along, The Japanese PM, Oroku Saki, for stabbing and throwing Jack off the cliff, and herself for not doing anything to stop any of it. She wanted cry; to relieve all the pain she was feeling by letting liquid flow from her optics, but she couldn't. Cybertronians didn't possess the same biology as humans and thus, could not experience the many things they took joy, anger, and sadness from.
"Arcee," the deep tone of Optimus drew the femme from her thoughts. "Are you okay?"
"I don't think they've done anything to us yet; so yeah, I'm okay physically."
The Prime's optics dimmed slightly, "I am sorry Arcee. Jack will be missed sorely."
"He will indeed," Ratchet said, his tone uncharacteristically sympathetic, "but we must focus on getting ourselves out of here. Since there is no one at base, ground-bridging is out of the question."
"That will be the least of your worries," Silas smug tone called as he and Oroku Saki entered the room, several MECH scientist following behind.
"Silas," the Prime narrowed his optics. "You have us; release the humans at once."
"I am afraid I cannot do that, Optimus Prime," the scarred man's grin never faded. "You see, MECH can't afford to have its planned ruined by witnesses who won't keep their mouths shut. Especially nosy special agents."
"You think you can get away with this Si," Fowler growled, shifting his gaze to Saki. "And you! Killing a 16-year-old won't go well for next election." Saki merely studied the computers, walking from one to the other, "You hear me, Mr. PM? You're through! Uncle Sam's gonna lock you up and throw away the key!" Fowler was about to continue snapping when Saki turned to him, his dark eyes piercing the special agent. Being a former Army Ranger and dealing the 'Bots every day, there was little that caused the special agent to shrink away in fear, but something about Saki's gaze did just that.
"Special Agent Fowler," the man rasped. "You will find that I am not the type to be easily provoked by threats. You, that woman, those children, and these machines are nothing to me. And your prattle is tantamount to less than nothing. So please, stop embarrassing yourself." The special agent was left stunned, unable to think of anything to say.
"Now that that's out of the way," Silas grinned. "Shall we begin?"
ShadowStrike Rising
Darkness; there was only darkness as Jack's body lay limp. He remembered being stabbed in the chest by Oroku Saki and being thrown over a cliff. The last thing he remembered was Arcee's scream as he lost consciousness; or was he dead? Perhaps he'd hit his head on something during the fall that killed him instantly. Or maybe he landed on his head.
All he knew was that he couldn't register anything around him. His head was spinning like crazy and his body ached with pain, so maybe he was still alive.
"Awaken fleshling," a deep voice growled. Jack stirred but didn't wake up. "Are you deaf? Awaken or I will submit you to the Pits!"
"Enough," another deep voice called, this one more peaceful. "It is clear he is still recovering."
"Clearly," Another voice called, this one feminine. Jack felt a large hand on his back, "Wake up, young one." Jack opened his eyes and was met by the sight of three Cybertronians he had never seen before.
"Where am I? Who are you?" Jack's eyes darted from each Transformer to another.
"We are the Thirteen," another voice called from behind Jack. The young man turned and came face to face with several Cybertronians, their optics locked on him. The Thirteen were the original Primes who preceded Optimus and the first of their kind. Created by Primus to defeat his evil twin, Unicron, the Thirteen banished the Titan to farthest reaches of space. Only for him to become the core of the planet Earth.
"I thought I was dead?" Jack sighed.
"Oh no," the one with a deep, growling voice spoke, "You are quite dead." Jack didn't know what was more surprising; the fact that he was head or the fact that this Prime had said it so causally.
"However, there is a chance for you to live again," the one with a peaceful voice said. "I am Prima, leader of the Thirteen. We have been watching you for some time."
"How?" Jack asked.
"Through the Matrix of Leadership," the female said. "When you recharged it at Vector Sigma, it kept your genetic code on record and allowed access your memories. We have seen how you have risen above and beyond the call of duty."
"Indeed," another, older voice called. "You have all the traits of a certain data clerk I once knew. I am Alpha Trion, the Chronicler." Jack looked up at the Prime; he appeared to be quite old and had a metal equivalent to a beard.
"Why am I here?"
"As we have said," the Prime with the growling tone replied, "we are here to present you with a chance to live again, but in exchange, you must do something for us."
"What?"
"That is not important at this time," a new voice entered the conversation. Swirling black energy surround Jack as it took the form of a spirit, its eyes white. "I am Zangetsu. Do not mind my brother, the Liege Maximo. As you know, the human cult known as MECH has captured Optimus Prime. If they damage the Matrix with their experiments, then all will be lost."
"What can I do about it?" Jack asked.
"We have seen fit to bestow upon you power that others could only dream of," Liege spat. "Consider yourself honored, fleshling."
"What kind of power?" Jack wondered. "What will happen if I accept it?"
"You'll be stronger!" the demonic being roared. "That should be more than enough reason to go through with this."
"What Liege means is that you will be able to save your friends if you take this power. All you need do is follow your instincts when using said power. Do you accept?"
Jack was deep in thought, trying to figure out what was going on; he'd been killed and was now being offered a second chance by the Thirteen. The promise of power beyond most men's dreams was interesting, but Jack shouldn't trust them, even if they were hailed as ancient heroes in Cybertron's history. But his friends needed him. He knew if MECH got their hands on anymore Cybertronian biology, it would spell trouble for everyone.
"All right," he sighed. "What do I have to do first?"
"Just sit back," Zangetsu and the other Thirteen swirled into energy and merged to form a sword. Its hilt had a four pronged guard and its blade was pitch black. It glowed with a black, red outlined, energy. Jack hesitated before grabbing it. Energy swirled around him and changed his appearance.
He was wearing a black, metallic, suit with ninja tabi boots, shin and forearm guards. There was a sheath on the back of costume for the sword. The mask resembled Todd MacFarlene's Spawn character, save for red eyes and long wolf ears. On his chest was red wolf symbol with a T-visor and fangs on the snout. Jack awoke to find himself at the base of the mountain and said suit on.
"How are you feeling?" Zangetsu's voice echoed in Jack's head.
"Fine,"the boy checked his pocket for the Key. Once he was sure it was safe, he looked up the mountain and thought about how he was going to get back up. Before he knew it, he was climbing the mountain using kunai knives.
"How?"
"Just follow your insticts, remember?" Zangetsu said.
ShadowStirke Rising
A/N: Not sure how I feel about this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Disclaimer (Since I didn't do this before): Transformers: Prime is owned by Hasbro. Ninja Gaiden is owned by Team Ninja and Tecmo Koei. Oroku Saki is owned by Mirage Comics. Zangetsu is owned by Tite Kubo. Next Time: Can Jack save his friends before it is too late. Reviews are appreciated!