A/N: I'm back from Florida! I got a sun burn, but I'm otherwise okay. Thankfully, I got back in time to catch the new episode of TF: Prime tonight! Thanks to all those who reviewed. This chapter will set up a suggestion I was given by Panther-Strife to further Jack's training. So you may not hear from the Primes for a while.
Chapter 16
Time seemed to stand still as ShadowStrike watched, in horror, as Arcee's stomach was hit by a blaster shot. It wasn't like energon blast, in which the 'Bot hit would just get knocked down. The blast shot left a gaping hole in Arcee's stomach, her parts everywhere. She coughed up energon and collapsed to the ground, her optics wide and dim. ShadowStrike stood, returning to his human form.
"ARCEE!" he cried. He ran over to her and nudged her (not that it helped), "Arcee, wake up! Please wake up!" The other 'Bots charged out of the ground-bridge and saw what had happened. The looked up on a hill to find none other than Megatron himself, but that was the least of their worries. The source of their horror was what was in the Lord of the Decepticons hands; the Requiem Blaster. It one of Cybertron's most powerful, as well as most infamous, weapons.
On the suggestion of Megatronus Prime, the Thirteen took a vote as to whether or not have Solus Prime forge a powerful weapon. The vote was cast in favor of forging said weapon; and so, Solus Prime created the Requiem Blaster. However, mere moments after its completion, Megatronus used it to extinguish Solus' spark. This act would lead to the first break in the Thirteen and would earn Megatronus the title "the Fallen". It was ironically fitting that Megatron, Megatronus' "descendant", was now in possession of the blaster.
"The Requiem Blaster!" he laughed. "True to its name, it is indeed a weapon to be feared!"
"Megatron," Optimus narrowed his optics.
"You fragger!" Bulkhead aimed his blaster at Megatron. "You'll pay for what you did to Arcee!"
"The femme deserved for her part in ruining my plans. She and that human returned Orion Pax to Optimus Prime. I don't forget such acts and I don't forgive. And it would seem that the human has gained some new abilities." Megatron aimed the weapon at Jack.
Jack hadn't moved from that spot since seeing Arcee be attacked. She laid there motionless while he watched, unable to do anything. A whirlwind of emotions filled the boy's mind at the moment: Anger, Despair, and Regret. He was angry at the Liege Maximo for using his anger and insecurities for his own entertainment. He was horrified at the sight of his partner, his Arcee, lying there on the ground.
And most of all, he regretted that he'd ever accepted this power. All it had done was provide the 'Bots with more trouble than they needed. He'd let Maximo use his anger to hurt the 'Bots, to hurt his family, to hurt Arcee. Now, Optimus gathered her in his arms and carried her though the ground-bridge. Jack quickly followed, but not before meeting Megatron's gaze.
ShadowStrike Rising
In the realm between the Living and the Dead, the Liege Maximo's cackles could be heard throughout the area. It had been millennia since he'd had such fun torturing others. This was enough so that he could continue "training" their human Prime without further distraction (if he wasn't too busy balling like a sparkling at the moment). His brothers watched him in pure disgust (not that he ever cared how the viewed his actions).
"I cannot believe he would do such a thing for so little a reason," Nexus shook his head.
"He is the ultimate evil," Alpha Trion spat. "He was even more of a monster than Megatronus himself and because of his actions, the Decepticons now have Requiem Blaster."
"Why did I ever agree to make such a weapon?" Solus faced the ground, "It has proven to be my greatest mistake and now Arcee may die because of it." Prima placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Come now, sister," he smiled. "What have we, other than our mistakes, to pass on to them? Arcee is strong, like her ancestor. And I believe I know of a way to help her. I have already dispatched Zangetsu to make sure of it."
ShadowStrike Rising
The ground-bridge vortex opened in the Autobot base to reveal the 'Bots and Jack stepping through. Optimus carried Arcee in his arms and was directed by Ratchet to med bay. Now the others lied in wait, hoping to hear news of her condition. Jack sat in a corner, his knees up to his chest and his hands on his head, trying to make sense of all of this. How could he allow the Liege Maximo to manipulate him like this?
The ultimate evil manipulated Jack's anger and turned him against the 'Bots before he left to battle the 'Cons and Foot Ninja. He let his anger dictate his actions and killed the ninja and Vehicons before Dreadwing arrived. Megatron's new SIC proved to a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Luckily for Jack, the 'Bots arrived and saved him, only for Arcee to be incapacitated. Now, he was lying in wait, trying to learn of Arcee's condition.
The sound of footsteps from med bay drew everyone from their thoughts. Jack's heart pounded against his chest and he felt his anxiety rise. Time slowed down as the footsteps came closer and closer. When Ratchet and Optimus stepped out of med bay, Jack realized he'd been holding his breath and released it.
"Optimus, Ratchet," Bulkhead walked up to them. "How's Arcee?"
Ratchet pinched the bridge of his "nose" and sighed, "the damage caused by the Requiem Blaster is far too extensive. I have done all I can, but Arcee's body is far too damaged. The only possible way too repair her body is to place her in stasis lock and that would require too much energon and our stock pile is low at this time. We don't have the time to locate anymore. I am afraid that Arcee will not make it."
The news hit everyone in the room, their faces shifting from shock to despair, Bulkhead's shifting to rage, "This is all your falult!" He stomped over to Jack, who suddenly felt very small, "You hit Miko, insult us, and leave withoupt permission!"
"Bulkhead," Optimus said calmly.
"We protect you, let into our lives, tell you all our secrets, and this is how you repay us! Well thanks! Now Arcee's gonna die because of you!"
"Enough!" Optimus said, his voice uncharacteristically angry. Bulkhead continued to glare at Jack, whose eyes traveled across the room. He was met by glares from Bumblebee and Ratchet, meaning they blamed him too. He looked over to his mother, Fowler, Miko, and Raf, who could not (or would not) meet his gaze. Finally, he let his gaze fall on Optimus, hoping that Prime would be able to understand.
He too looked away, unable to say anything. This left Jack horrified; the person he considered a father would not look at him and tell him everything was okay. Jack couldn't take it; not again. He couldn't have another father reject him. He stood and ran down the corridor, unsure of what to do.
"Go on then!" Bulkhead roared. "Run like a coward!"
ShadowStrike Rising
It had been hours since Ratchet relayed the news of Arcee's impeding off-lining and Jack running off into a deeper part of the base. Each of the 'Bots had a chance to say their goodbyes to the femme. Bumblebee told Arcee that he would always remember everything she taught him. Bulkhead told Arcee he loved her like a sister and promised to make Megatron (and Jack) pay for what they'd done. Ratchet thanked Arcee for going the extra mile when Optimus lost his memories.
Optimus thanked Arcee for all of her dedication and service to the Autobots cause, apologizing for not being able to properly bury her body when the time finally came. He asked her to send her sister, his sparkmate, Elita-1 his love before departing. The humans said their goodbyes and left, staying with the 'Bots for the night. Med bay was quite, except for the machine that monitored Arcee's sparkbeat. From the shadows, Jack emerged, having hid there and waited for everyone to say their farewells and leave.
Finally making sure no one would enter, Jack walked up to his partner. He'd seen her on a medical berth before, but never like this. She was hooked up to all kinds of machines that did her functioning for her. Her optics were closed, a peaceful look adorning her face. It reminded Jack of when the Autobots returned from destroying Megatron's space bridge.
Jack gave a small chuckle about how placing his hand on her servo wouldn't change anything, but he continued walking. He wrapped his hand around her finger, unable to look at her peaceful expression, knowing what was going to happen at any moment.
"Arcee," he said, his voice just above a whisper. "I don't know if you can hear, but I want to say just how sorry I am for what happened. Everyone can say it was Megatron, or the Liege Maximo, but we, and Bulkhead, all know the only one to blame for this is me. If I hadn't listened to that monster, you wouldn't be lying here right now. I just want you to know that it's been a privilege to know you and be your partner."
He paused for a moment, looking to her for a reaction, hoping that his words were somehow stirring her from the brink. When nothing happened, he continued, "I'm so sorry for what I said, even if I did feel it. You're the best friend I've ever had and I don't know how to survive without you. I-I-I love you more than life itself." He stepped onto the berth and walked up to her head, looking into the reflective surface. "If you survive, I'll never hurt you again." With that he gently pressed his lips to hers for a brief, blissful, moment before leaving.
ShadowStrike Rising
Jack space-bridged to a forest in an unknown location and began walking, not knowing where he was going, not that it mattered. In just a few hours, the bonds he'd forged with the Autobots were destroyed, being replaced with hatred. His family hated him and that hurt more than any physical wound. He could still see the hate in the 'Bots eyes and the uncertainty in the others, especially Optimus'. Jack's heart lurched in his chest as he remembered how the Prime avoided his gaze.
The look in his optics was something Jack couldn't translate; his greatest fear was that it was shame. Optimus was ashamed of the young man for what he'd done. He threw away the bonds he built because of his hatred and now the 'Bots hated and Arcee was going to die. Now, no one wanted him or loved him; he had nothing.
ShadowStrike Rising
The alarm in the med bay blared, summoning everyone. They ran in and found a human woman lying on top of Arcee's body. She was curled up like a ball and whispered, "Jack."
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Next time: Who is this mysterious woman? And after weeks of traveling the forest, Jack comes across an interesting group of people."