A/N: Not too many reviews for the last chapter, but that's fine. Foxbear: You're right, Moms do trump all. VFSNAKE: Megatron would be impressed by anyone who could bring down one of Soundwave's Deployers (assuming they're as strong as their master). MELessSmasher: Jack's dependence on Sunny will play a role as the story comes to a close. I think there will be at least 50 chapters, maybe less.

Chapter 38

In the command center of the Nemesis, Megatron waited for the return of Dreadwing, Knock Out, and Soundwave. The trio was supposed to return with both Starscream and the dark energon shard he'd stolen. Megatron racked his mind with whatever tortures he would inflict upon the Seeker as soon as he set foot in the command center. Despite his eagerness to punish Starscream, he could come up with nothing he hadn't done before. It almost made him wish Airachnid was still with them (almost).

For all of the treacherous things she had done, she was the only one whose mind was as twisted as his own when it came to torture. He shook his head slightly, banishing the thoughts so he could focus on extracting what information he could from the Seeker. Megatron had a feeling he had something to do with the Autobots finding their space-bridge. Thinking back to that night was still enough to make his energon boil. If Starscream had provided the Autobots with information, he would pay dearly.

"Lord Megatron," one of the Vehicons called. "Commander Dreadwing, Knock Out, and Soundwave have returned. They've requested that you meet them in the hanger." Looking at the trooper a raised optic ridge, Megatron walked out of the command center and headed for the hanger. It was unusual that any of the Decepticons requested to meet with him. Normally, he would find them and beat them within an inch of their life for such insolence (and by "them", he meant Starscream). However, since Dreadwing had proven to be one of his more loyal second-in-commands and Soundwave had provided them with vital intel, he decided he would make an exception.

Entering the hanger, he found the three Decepticons standing at a attention for their master. Looking around the hanger, Megatron snarled, "Where is Starscream?"

"That is why we requested that you meet us here, Master," Knock Out said. "We didn't find him."

"Did you not inform me that he was still carrying the dark energon shard he'd stolen from, Dreadwing?" he turned to his SIC.

"We tracked the signal to its source Lord Megatron, but we did not find any sign of the deserter," he replied.

"So he abandoned it?" Megatron growled. Before the others could respond, a familiar pain filled his head as he clutched it tightly. His optics changed from blood red to dark purple.

'Your scanners were correct,' a voice echoed in his head. 'But they were locked on to me, 'mighty' Megatron.' Megatron opened his optics as Dreadwing helped to his feet. His gaze landed on a human standing in front of him, his arms crossed.

"How did this filth get on my ship!"

"I take offence to being called filth by a creature with a bucket for a head," the human replied. Megatron's optics widened slightly as he recognized that voice.

"You are the one who carries the dark energon shard?" he asked.

"No, not a shard," he unsheathed his sword, which emitted a purple glow. "A sword forged from this 'dark energon'. It is my blade, Uramasa and I am Oni-Kage."

"What brings you to my ship and why should I allow you to live?"

"Because I can serve as a counter-measure to your human problem," the ninja spat. Before the Lord of the Decepticons could respond, Oni-Kage continued, "The dark energon in my blade grants me access to the shard that is embedded in your chest. I have quickly scanned all of your recent memories."

"How could possibly do something like that?"

"Because I have mastered every aspect of the material that makes up Uramasa," he stated. "Unlike you, who claims to have mastered it. You have not yet tapped into it fullest potential."

"And how is it that a lowly human such as you could master it when I supposedly could not," Megatron said, his optics narrowing. "If you have indeed read my mind, then you know that your kind does not react well to direct exposure."

"I am not like the humans of this generation. They rely on technology and machines to do their work. I hail from a time where we relied on nothing but our hands. That is what allowed me to master Uramasa and live for this long."

"And how am I to truly master dark energon?" Megatron asked.

"I cannot tell you without a promise of compensation," Oni-Kage replied.

"And what is it you want in return?"

ShadowStrike Rising

In all of her life, June Darby had witnessed many horrible things that would leave her in tears, but this was by far among the most tragic. Her son, Jack, had just finished explaining what he had done during the five months he was absent from her life. From his training with the Ninja Tribunal to his romance with Chikara. From their death at the hands of the Shredder to his arrival as the small village where he met Sunny. To the death of her family at the hands of a gang to their arrival to in Tokyo (though June was curious as to what became of the gang, noticing Jack's silence on the matter).

Now they were here in the Autobot base, just after Agent Fowler had attempted to have Sunny taken into foster care. She knew that Fowler might try something later, so she wanted to gauge just how close Jack and Sunny were before voicing her opinion on the matter. She could already tell from watching how his hand never left her back that they had formed quite a bond. Then again, it would make sense considering Jack was probably the closest thing to family she had left in the world. To lose that might damage her psychologically as well as emotionally.

And not just her, but Jack as well. He could deny it all he wanted, but June could tell that her son had all but adopted this young girl as his own. He wasn't as open with her as he should be, but he still cared about her. June didn't know what to make of this; she wasn't exactly ready to be a grandmother just yet, but at least it wasn't because Jack had gotten a girl pregnant. She was also kind of glad; she could tell that Jack was struggling with feelings for Arcee.

Her natural biology made the possibility of grandchildren outside of adoption rather unlikely. Still, she would not be called a grandmother just yet or someone would get a crash course in medical training. She shook away such thoughts, now ready to address the matter at hand, "It looks like you've become quite attached to little Sunny."

"You're imagining things," he said.

"Then why is your hand still rubbing her back even though she's fast asleep," June smirked. Jack noticed this and quickly removed his hand and crossed his arms. "I guess I have one powerful imagination if I could make you do that. It's obvious that she's developed an attachment to you and vice versa."

"Now, you're imagining things," he replied.

"Then why did you get all 'Jack the Ripper' on Fowler when he tried to put her in foster care?" she asked.

"Because I made a promise to protect her," he answered curtly.

"She'd be safe in foster care," June suggested.

"And how many kids come into your ER after 'falling down the stairs' or 'running into doors'?" Jack countered. "She'd be in just as much danger if foster care. I don't care if these people passed some test on screen."

"That sounds like fatherly instinct to me," June smiled wryly.

"More like your imagination running wild again," Jack frowned. "I'm not looking to be a father just yet and I'm sure you don't want to be a grandma just yet." He caught her right eye twitch as an unusually calm smiled graced her face.

"You can deny it all you want, but I know that you need her just as much as she needs you," she stood and left the room, stopping at the doorway. "And don't think you won't be paying for that 'grandma' comment later, Jackson." With that, she left.

"I think I'm gonna need to stay here for the next few days," he said to himself, suddenly feeling cold.

ShadowStrike Rising

Agent Fowler entered the military headquarters where General Bryce was currently staying, having been summoned there to report on his assignment to see young Sunny into foster care. The former Army Ranger was not looking forward to informing him that she was still with the Autobots thanks to Jack Darby's stubbornness. He could understand that he probably cared about the girl (not that he saw from how aloof he acted around her), but Fowler had orders and he had to follow them. He just hoped it wouldn't involve kidnapping her or bringing in a team to deal with Jack. Neither option would end in the best of results, particularly the latter.

He parked his car in front of the building and exited it, walking inside. He returned every salute he received from the soldiers he passed by in the hall. He entered General Bryce's office and saluted the man before taking his seat, "Agent Fowler here to deliver my report, sir."

"Judging from your use of formality, I assume it didn't go as planned," the General replied.

"Not exactly sir," Fowler said, looking slightly older not that he dropped his composure. "There was a little speed bump."

"Such as?" Bryce raised an eyebrow.

"Jack Darby," Fowler sighed.

"One of the civilians under the Autobots protections who went missing only to wind up in Japan." Bryce said. "And how is he an issue?"

"It would seem he has formed an attachment to young girl and vice versa. He was adamant about her staying with him, not caring about the family who passed out tests. He made a threat that if we try to use force, it wouldn't end well for us."

"And you think the five stars are gonna like the idea of a sixteen-year-old pushing them around?"

"Not as much as the idea of sending a SEAL team to get one little girl, sir."

Bryce sighed, now looking a little older himself, "Bill, you know as well as I do that we have orders to get that girl out of there before the Decepticons become aware of her presence among the Autobots."

"I know, sir, but do we really want to turn this into some big ho-rah? She doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger and it's not like she'd follow the 'Bots onto a battlefield."

"Bill," Bryce said.

"I understand sir," he sighed. "I will try to talk to Mr. Darby one last time. If that proves unsuccessful, then I will consider a more forceful option." With a final salute, Fowler exited the building and headed for his car. Pulling out of the parking lot, he drove to edge of the base, where he was met by a soldier. "At ease, soldier," he replied as the man saluted him. Once the gate was lifted, Fowler drove away from the base, ready to get back home.

As he drove down the road, he decided that a little music might help him clear his head, so he put on Stan Bush's "The Touch". Humming along to the song, he failed to notice a semi approaching from the rear until it rammed into him.

"Hey, watch it!" he shouted back, knowing the driver couldn't hear him. The semi rammed into him again, meaning that whoever was behind the wheel had it out for him. Fowler swerved, only for the truck to do the same and ram into him again. He looked back to get a good look at his attacker. He noticed it was red and blue truck…with the Autobot symbol on its grill.

"Prime?" he gasped.

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: Next time: Optimus is attacking Fowler? What is going on?