Alright. Here's another chapter of this story. Like I said, I will follow the series, but there will be some added parts and some twists.

So enjoy reading.

Chapter 12: Darkness Rising, Part Two

Somewhere in a forest, away from civilization, the Nemesis ship descends from the skies and into the mountain. The ship's hatch opens and lower down its tube-like platform inside the mountain where Decepticon Miners are working on mining a vast amount of crystal-like Energon. And by the looks of things, it would have appeared that they have been working for a very long time.

"Of the Energon deposits we have located while you were away, Lord Megatron," Starscream began to inform, "this one is by far the most significant. The drones have been mining without pause during your absences, and have amass quite a stockpile. You there," he pointed at a Miner, "fetch me a sample!"

"Starscream," the said 'Con jumped in surprise as he turns to see Megatron appearing from the shadows, "now that I have returned, I will issue the commands."

"I...understand, Lord Megatron." Starscream bows as he backs down from his commanding post. "Then, as your humble servant, shall I ready the SpaceBridge to bring forth the Decepticon army you have surely gathered during your three years in space?" Starscream's tone drips with sarcasm.

"My army will come." Megatron said, ignoring the sarcasm from Starscream. "But my time away has yielded a more intriguing means of materializing them. The solidified form of the matter the ancient text referred to as the Blood of Unicron." Megatron introduces Starscream of the shard he holds in his hand.

Starscream walked up to stare at the purple shard that Megatron is holding. "Unicron the Destroyer. But it is said that his blood is the Anti-Spark."

"Pluck from cosmic shores, gaze upon... Dark Energon."

"Legends tells that it hold the power to...revive the dead."

"We require only a cadaver to be certain." Megatron then looked at Starscream with a dangerous gleam in his optics. "Are you willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?"

Starscream chuckled nervously. "That may not be necessary. If I may, Lord Megatron?" At that moment, the platform lowered to where Megatron and Starscream are and two Vehicons appeared with the corpse of Cliffjumper.

"Consider it a 'Welcome Home' present."

"And since now you know of our existence, I fear as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours."

"Got it. If we spot any strange vehicle, call 911." Jack joked. "Can we go now?"

"Are you insane?" Miko hissed quietly at Jack. "I'm living in a dream here in Botswana, and I will not allow you or anyone else shatter it!"

"It is best that you three remain here under our watch." Optimus declared. "At least until we can determine our enemy's intention."

"Optimus," Ratchet called, "with all do respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere."

"Children?" Jack, along with the other two humans, felt insulted for being called 'children'.

Ratchet ignored them and continued talking to Optimus. "They have no protective shell! If they get underfoot, they will go...squish." He gave a meaningful stomp in the direction of the three humans in which three responded back by taking a small step back in fear.

"And what about Sam? Will he be squished if he gets underfoot?" Arcee asked.

Ratchet scoffed at her for her stupid question. "Of course not, Arcee. What a preposterous thing to say."

"Oh? And why is that?" She asked in challenge with her servos on her hips.

Ratchet open his mouth to answer, but then closed it. He opened it again, and then closed it again. After a few seconds, he replied. "He's different from these three here." He pointed at the humans.

Arcee sighed for his lack of answer. It's true that Sam is different, but that isn't a valid answer. "Then for the time being, Ratchet, you must watch where you step."

Before Ratchet can retort back, the base's alarm went off and green light began flashing.

"What's that?" Jack asked with a slight panic.

"It's a proximity sensor. We have an incoming visitor." Bumblebee buzzed.

"Proximity sensor." Rafael translated for them. "Someone's on top."

Ratchet typed until they got a visual contact on their visitor. "It's Agent Fowler."

"I-I thought we were the only humans who know about you guys." Jack said in confusion.

Optimus turned away from the computer to look down at him. "Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. As he tends to only come when there are issues. It may be best if you do not meet him at this time."

Jack, Miko and Rafael got what he's saying and quickly ran to hide so that they won't get the Autobots in trouble with the government if this Fowler person found out that they are harboring three humans.

As the three humans hid, the door to the elevator opened and Fowler stepped out looking very upset as usual everything he comes here to complain or to check up on Sam.

"Seven wrecks," Fowler began reporting to Optimus, "thirty-four fender benders, a three hour traffic jam, and a particular note, numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make, and a black and yellow custom muscle car." Said motorcycle and car looked at each other knowingly. "So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?"

"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler." He answered.

"They're back, aren't they?"

"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts they had ever left. Your planet is much too valuable."

"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon." Fowler suggest.

"Hear me, Agent Fowler. We are your best, possibly your only defense against the Decepticon threat."

"Says you." Fowler glowered at Optimus.

"Hey, fleshy!" Bulkhead interrupts. "Did anyone get splattered on that freeway? Team Prime knows when to use force," he yanks the medical claw off the Sickbay's workstation, "and how much to use." Bulkhead assured Fowler by crushing and breaking the tool with his hand to judge how much force they can use.

"Bulkhead, I NEEDED THAT!" Ratchet yells out in dismay.

"Enough!" Optimus ordered before turning his attention back to Fowler. "Military involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."

"Then do us both a favor and handle this, Prime. Under the radar." He ordered as he heads back the elevator. "Or I will." He threaten him before the door closes on him.

Bulkhead walks up besides Optimus. "Pretty big bearings, for a human."

"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead. As he should be."

Megatron walks up to the dead body of Cliffjumper that Starscream has graciously killed and given him. "Let us see if power born in darkness... can reignite the spark." Megatron stabbed the shard onto Cliffjumper's spark chamber. The Dark Energon shard began to glow and entered inside Cliffjumper's spark.

At the same time, Sam was harshly awoken by a huge sudden pain in his chest once again. He felt something evil crawling inside to his heart.

The body of Cliffjumper began to tremble while the power of Dark Energon flows through his body. Cliffjumper's now purple optics optics snaps open and snarls loudly like a savage beast. He fought off his restraints and began attacking one of the Decepticon soldier.

Cliffjumper pins the Vehicon down and began delivering blow after blow. The Vehicon frantically began shooting at him in which Cliffjumper responded by biting off the weapon. He crushed the 'Con's head and went to attack the other.

"That's your plan?!" Starscream cried out in terror. "Bring Autobots back from the dead to attack us?!"

"That is no longer an Autobot." Megatron corrected. "Just a mindless beast. It's only instinct to destroy anything in its path."

The undead Cliffjumper snarls and charges at Megatron. Megatron takes out his blade and slices Cliffjumper in two. But that didn't stop him as he continues to snarl and hangs on the edge.

"There, Starscream, rise the indestructible seed of my army. The ultimate weapon." Megatron walks up in front of the hanging Cliffjumper and place his foot on his face before pushing him off the edge. "Once I learn to control it."

Sam began heaving for air as he felt pain and emptiness in his heart. He grunted in pain when he felt like his whole body has been cut in half. Trying to gather up his strength, he got out of his bed and slowly walks down the stairs and out the door. He needs Ratchet's help, even if he doesn't know human science and medicine.

A loud beeping grabbed Ratchet's attention and Cliffjumper's picture popped up on the computer screen. "Blasted Earth tech." He cursed. "Cliffjumper's life signal just popped back online."

"Who's Cliffjumper?" Miko asked.

"How is that possible?" Optimus asked in disbelief.

"It isn't." Ratchet corrected. "Another bug. The system's chuck full of them."

"If there's any chance Cliff's alive..."

"Ratchet, prepare Sickbay. We may need it." Optimus orders as he puts on his battle mask.

"Hey!" Miko cried out to Optimus. "What can we do?" She eagerly asked.

"Remain with Ratchet." He told her.

"Aww!" Miko complains, followed by a similar response from Ratchet.

"Autobots, Roll out!" Optimus, along with the others, transformed into their vehicle form and drove into the GroundBridge.

"What just happened?!" Jack asked perplex as he watched the Autobots disappear into the bridge.

"I transported them to the designated coordinates via the GroundBridge." Ratchet explained.

"What's a GroundBridge?" Raf asked.

"A scale-down version of SpaceBridge technology." Ratchet sighed as he turned back to the computer. "Since we don't currently posses the means or the Energon require for intergalactic travel."

"You're stuck here... on Earth." Jack stated.

"With the likes you, yes!" Ratchet said rudely. In truth, while they may be stuck here on Earth with the humans, in secrecy, Ratchet enjoys being stuck here if it means staying close to Sam. "But I constructed the GroundBridge to enable travel from here, to anywhere on your planet."

"Whoa." Raf said in awe. "Does it works for humans?"

"But of course. Sam has been going through the GroundBridge with no problems at all."

"I've been meaning to ask," Jack interrupts, "where is Sam by the way?"

"Oh yeah. Who is this Sam?" Miko asked. She heard that name this afternoon when she overheard the conversation between her and Jack. Hearing it again perks her curiosity.

Before Ratchet could answer to their question, Sam walks in with his hand on his chest.

"Ratchet, I need your help." Sam groan in pain.

In a flash, Ratchet carefully picks up Sam and set him on the Sickbay's slab. "What seems to be the problem?" He began scanning Sam for any problems. "It's your chest again, isn't it?"

Sam gave a nod. "This time I felt something crawling into my heart, something cold and evil."

"When was this?"

"Few minutes ago."

Few minutes ago? Few minutes ago is when Cliffjumper's life signal went back online. It must be a coincidence. But he may have a theory, but first he needs a little bit information. "What do you feel? In your heart." He asked.

Sam closed his eyes and concentrated on the strange feeling in his heart. "It's cold, so empty. There is a dark essence flowing through my heart and into my body. And then, I felt as if my whole body was cut in half. What could it mean, Ratchet?"

Ratchet hummed in thought. "I need to analyze the information you have given me. So until then, don't do anything strenuous, ok?"

"Alright, Ratchet." Ratchet nodded and went to his Sickbay to work on analyzing the information that Sam has giving him.

Sam lied down on the berth and closed his eyes. When he heard small footsteps coming his way, he sat back up and to his surprise, he saw Jack with the same boy from yesterday. But who's that girl and why are they here?

"Jack." Sam smiled. "And, um..."

"Hi. I'm Rafael. But call me Raf." Raf greeted politely.

"My name's Miko."

"My name is Sam. Nice to meet you all."

"So, nice place you got here." Jack commented.

Sam forced a chuckle. "Thank you. But if someone had informed me about your arrival, I would have come out decent and perhaps prepare something for you guys." He glared at the direction where Ratchet is. Ratchet just waved him off.

"So, what brings you here to my humble abode?" He jumps off the slab and leads them to the couch and Tv on the catwalk. Surprisingly, they have never seen that when they arrived.

Miko jumps on the couch and sighed in relax. Standing all day made her feet tired and hurt. "They said that we need to be here because the Decepti-creeps might come after us since they mistaken us as the Autobots' allies or something."

Sam sighed sympathetically. "I know the feeling."

"Are the Decepticons after you as well?" Raf asked as he sat down on the couch.

"Yeah, but not of the same reason."

Jack looked at Sam confusingly. "What do you mean?"

Sam was hesitant, debating whether or not he should tell them about his reason. He's afraid that if he tells them, they might think of him as a freak. After a few thoughts, he gave him. He unsheathe his new blade from within his jacket – which was a surprise for him that he was able to sleep well with his blade still strap around his arm – and cut himself with it, ignoring the cries from companions.

The three humans saw the hesitant look on Sam's eyes, and wonders what is he hesitating on. They were all amazed to see a silver blade come out of his jacket sleeve, but was really shocked to see Sam cut himself with it. What's even more shocking is seeing a blue liquid coming out from that wound instead of blood.

"This is why." Sam gesture to his wounded arm. "Unlike humans who have red blood cells, I have Energon blood, the same as both Autobots and Decepticons. I'm sure they told you about Energon already." The three children nodded. "The Decepticons found out that I have Energon as blood and went after me when I was a newborn baby."

The kids noticed that he's beginning to tell them his life story and kept quite.

"That all happened almost seventeen years ago. Luckily, the Autobots saved me and my mom from the Decepticons and raised me after my mother passed away. Since then, the Decepticons have tried to capture me, but failed every time. That is, until three years ago that Megatron came and captured me." Sam almost told them about his torture during his time with the Decepticons and when he dead and brought back to life. It's better if they don't know about it just yet. "But thankfully, the Autobots found me and rescued me from the Decepticons' clutches. With the help of Jack of course."

"Me? What did I did to help?" Jack asked confusingly.

"Remember the time when you came to Arcee about where I was?"

Jack nodded, remembering when he had asked Sadie, or rather Arcee about Sam. "Yes, what about it?"

"You practically told her how to find me since their warship has a cloaking device that prevent detection by either Autobot or human system. So thank you for helping the Autobots in finding me." Sam has always wanted to thank Jack for helping the Autobots in finding him, and know, he has a chance to do so.

Jack looked away sheepishly. "Y-you're welcome, I guess."

"So tell me, Sam. How does it feel to live with the Autobots? I bet is cool." Miko asked with excitement.

"It is." Sam agreed. "I'm happy to have the Autobots as my family. And speaking of the Autobots..." Sam looked around the base to see that it's practically empty. "Where are they?"

Ratchet froze at the question. He worries for Sam's health if he finds out that Cliffjumper might still be alive and that the Autobots left to go save him. But Miko had to open her mouth.

"They went somewhere to rescue this Cliffjumper guy." She informed.

Sam stared at her with shocked eyes. "Cliffjumper? He's alive?" He turned to Ratchet to see if she's telling the truth. "Ratchet. Is she telling the truth?"

Ratchet sighed and stopped what he's doing. "Yes, Sam. His life signal went back online few minutes ago. Optimus and the others went to go save Cliffjumper. But don't get your hopes up." He advised. "We don't know if he really is still alive because the system is infected with bugs."

Without wasting any time, Sam rushed to the human size computer and typed. It's true what Ratchet said. Cliffjumper's life signal did went back online, but an error message popped up on the screen. Cursing out loud, he began working on debugging the system.

"Hey, Ratchet?" Miko called out. "You never answered my question. Who is Cliffjumper?"

"Cliffjumper is a member of our team, and Sam's uncle."

"So, what happened to him?"

Ratchet looked at Sam to see that he's busy debugging the system. He began to speak lowly so that Sam wouldn't hear. "Cliffjumper was killed just yesterday afternoon before the freeway incident. His death struck Arcee and Sam very hard. Out of anyone here in the base, the two happens to be very close to him."

"I'm guessing that's why he didn't came to school today." Jack stated.

"Yes. Since yesterday, he locked himself in his room and neither of us couldn't get him to open."

Jack, Miko and Raf cast a sympathetic look on Sam, knowing that he's doing his best to withhold the pain of losing a loved one.

"Finish!" Sam called out which got the others' attentions. The error message on the screen disappeared and Cliff's life signal popped up. "It was no bug. Uncle Cliff's life signal did went back online." Tears of happiness flows down his cheeks to have finally found out that his uncle Cliffjumper is alive. He always knew Cliffjumper will survive through anything.

"Now we wait for the others to bring him back." Ratchet spoke with unease.

"Blood of Unicron, how I might fantom the depths of your mystery, become worthy of wielding your astonishing power!" Megatron marvels at the sight of a huge chunk of Dark Energon that he had found.

Starscream contact Megatron from the mines. "Lord Megatron, intruders have been detected in the mines."

"Optimus?"

"Indeed."

"I need more time to prepare an appropriate reception for my old friend. Ready the ship for departure."

"Bu-but the Energon I've mined! The Autobots will seize it!"

"Then blow the mines!"

Optimus and the others took cover over some crates and began shooting at the Decepticons drones. While shooting, Arcee surveys the area for Cliffjumper until she sees something red on a higher level of the mines.

"It's Cliff. I have a visual!" She informs Optimus.

"We'll cover you! Go!" He replies back.

Arcee transforms into her vehicle form and made her way up the ramp while the others takes down the Decepticons. She transforms back and grabs on the elevator platform. She used her quick agility to climb up the platform while dodging all the attacks and lands on the same platform where Cliffjumper was, covered in purple liquid. As she got closer, the spot where Cliffjumper was laying gave away and started to fall.

"Cliff!" She rushed to his side and grabbed him by the hand. "Let's get you home, partner!" She smiled.

Cliffjumper's only responds is a snarl. Arcee let out a cry of surprise and lost her grip on Autobots watches in horror as Cliffjumper fell down, crashing onto the lower levels before making his way down to the bottom floor. They heard a cackle coming from the upper level of the mine.

"Prime!" Starscream greeted. "I'd stick around, but I'm squeamish." Starscream lets go of a beeping bomb in his hand and fled in his jet mode.

"The joint's gonna blow!" Bulkhead cried out.

"Autobots, roll out!"

Everyone transformed into their vehicle and drove down the tunnel where they came from. Behind them, the bomb exploded.

"Ratchet, bridge us back! Use the arrival coordinates... Now!" As Optimus said that, the GroundBridge opens in front of them and drove in. Ratchet closes the bridge as soon as Optimus arrived safely.

"What was that explosion? Was there a fight? Can I come with next time?" Miko asked excitedly.

Arcee growl at Miko. "Look..."

"Hey, hey, hey," Jack intervene. "Miko, let's go see what the 'Bots hide in their sock drawers." He pulled Miko away from the Autobots, already know that they need some time to themselves.

"Arcee, what did you see?" Optimus asked gently.

"Not Cliff." She began. "At least... not anymore. He was mutated, butchered, like something from those 'Con experiments during the war." She suddenly collapsed and held herself on the crates next to her.

"Arcee, are you okay?" Bumblebee buzzed in worry.

"I'm fine." She quickly reassured. "Just... dizzy."

"Robots who get dizzy?" Miko wondered quietly.

"Robots with emotion." Raf stated.

"Robots who can die." Jack said sadly.

The kids jumped when they heard a crash behind them. They turn to see Sam with his blade on a smashed computer screen and tears falling down.

"Sam.." Jack walked slowly towards Sam, knowing that he's hurting again for losing his uncle again.

"Stay away!" He snarls at him with a broken voice. He remove his blade from the damaged computer and heads towards the elevator.

"Sam..." Optimus calls out this time.

"Leave me alone!" He demanded before the elevator door closes on him.

The Autobots stares at the door sadly before turning back to Arcee who was being scanned by Ratchet.

"What is this?" Ratchet stares at the purple sludge on Arcee's wrist.

"Don't know." Arcee answered. "Cliff was covered in it. Leaking it."

Ratchet scraped off the sludge with his scalpel. "Go take a decontamination bath. Now."

Bumblebee helped her stand and led her to a sealed chamber.

"O-Optimus, I hate to bug but, no bars." Jack said as he showed him his cellphone.

"A security precaution. The silo walls isolate all radio waves."

If that's true, then how come Sam was able to talk to him if his cellphone can't get signal here? How strange, Jack thought. "Well, if I don't call my mom like, now, I'm pretty sure I'll be grounded till the next year."

"Have you broken a law?" Optimus asked.

"Uh, curfew. It's after 10pm."

"I better get home, too. Or I'll be grounded for a year as well." Raf interject.

Optimus nodded in understanding. "Bulkhead, accompany Miko home."

"Awesome! My host parents will freak!"

"And maintain covert surveillance in vehicle form." Optimus finished.

"Curbside duty. Got it."

"Aw!" Miko cried out disappointed.

"Bumblebee, you'll watch over Raf. Ratchet..."

"Busy." He called out.

"Arcee, you'll accompany Jack."

Arcee sighs dramatically. "Still dizzy."

"You're fine, says your physician."

Arcee sighs again before she left with Jack.

With Ratchet busy and everyone else gone, Optimus took this time to head to the mountaintop of the base to soothe his upset Sam. As he reached there, Sam was sitting at the edge of the cliffside, right near where Cliffjumper's horn is. He made his way to Sam's side and sat down beside him, staring at the stars.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone." Sam told Optimus.

"I can't leave you like this while suffering so much." Optimus defended.

Sam didn't say anything else. He stared at the stars with those lifeless eyes.

"I'm sorry." Optimus began.

"For what?"

"I couldn't bring Cliffjumper back home. I made you sad because of it."

Sam let out a small smile. Once again, Optimus Prime is blaming himself again, is all about Sam's well being. Sam scooted a bit closer to Optimus and rest his head on Optimus's hand. "It's going to be different around the base, ya know? Now that Uncle Cliff's gone and three human friends came to join us."

Optimus hummed in agreement, enjoying this special alone time with Sam.

"Did you send them home?" He asked.

"Yes. I had Bulkhead take Miko, Bumblebee with Raf, and Arcee with Jack."

Sam snuggled a bit closer to Optimus. "I hate to admit it, but I'm jealous."

"Oh?" Optimus looked down in curiosity. "Why is that?"

Sam covered his blushing face. "It's just that, with those three joining us, I feel like I don't want to share with them. I just want to keep all you guys to myself instead of sharing with you guys with Jack, Miko and Raf."

Optimus let out a small chuckle. Seems that Sam is a bit possessive and don't want to share his family with the children. He understands that feeling all too well. He doesn't like to share his Sam as well. And now that they have three new humans, they might try take Sam's time away from him.

The two continues to watch the stars together until it was time for Sam to head back inside and head for bed.

"I don't think you need worry about further Autobot interference, Master. Not with Optimus gone." Starscream informed Megatron.

"And what evidence do you possess of this fact?" Megatron asked skeptically.

"I destroyed the mines, as you instructed."

"Optimus is not so easily destroyed. We have millennia worth of battles behind us to prove it."

"Maybe you should take a break, My Lord. I worry that too much contact with the Dark Energon might allow its properties to adversely affect you." Starscream advised while pretending to sound so concerned for Megatron.

"Or perhaps, Starscream, I have not permitted myself contact enough!" Megatron grabbed a sliver of Dark Energon and raised it up high.

Starscream noticed what Megatron is going to do and tried to convince Megatron not to do it. "Wait! Lord Megatron, no! Not your spark chamber! You do not know what it will do!"

But it was too late. Megatron plunged it into his own spark and his whole body began to shake and glow in dark purple.

Back at the base, Ratchet is perplex over the finding of the purple sludge. "The base element of this goo are nothing I've ever encountered. Must be extremely concentrated to have affected Arcee so rapidly. Unfortunately, complete results are slow coming without the use of proper diagnostic tools thank you very much, Bulkhead." He grumble the last part in anger as he moves the sample to another part of the lab.

Unbeknownst to Ratchet, a small portion of the goo drips on the broken tool that Bulkhead broke. Unseen by Ratchet, the tool twitches into life, turning into a one-eyed, spider-like creature.

I hope this turns out good. Now it's going to be hard for me to write this story from now on.

So I hope you guys enjoyed it, even though you all seen the episodes already. So review and tell me what you think so far.