A/N Also I forgot to mention, WolfAssassin369 want to thank you for that Dark Saber idea...although it was the idea to use it AGAINST Unicron, I kind of did the opposite ^^' the opposite being Unicron using Ellen, using the Dark Saber to fight Optimus...but your idea brought me inspiration so thanks :D anyway enjoy...

Predacon Rising, My Last Impression

On board the ship Wheeljack was more concentrated in getting back to Cybertron then he had ever been before, but it was still distracting that Optimus had not spoken for a while, as secluded as his thoughts were was this was too secluded.

"So. What's your plan to stop Unicron?" he asked.

He lifted his head slowly, he had heard his voice but was too fixated on something else to respond fast enough, "It would be best to not discuss strategy, lest I risk Unicron become aware of It." he answered looking to the body in his arms.

"Right, who knows what he's capable of right?" he said looking to his panel, "We still have at least twenty-three minutes until we reach Cybertron. Huh, I guess Earth time is still with me." He then said looking at him, "It'll drive you mad if you keep thinking about it, just talk until we get there, about anything, you got a favourite pass time?"

"And what is it, you believe I to be dwelling on?" he asked.

"Come on Chief, I'm not getting soppy on you or anything but there are limits to how much you can hold onto. Revenge is pointless I know that from experience, its empty but I would do it again...probably." he said. "But being angry from something like this, to see comrades and you know er, fam- our guys, be harmed, terminated. It gets to you, like it or not, it does and I know it gets to you too. Even if she isn't, gone."

He cupped a hand around her helm, "Despite what has happened, be It personal or not. Now is not the time to be distracted." He told him.

"Distracted." He muttered, "Even if it isn't the time or place or if there is a solution, we can't help being sentient." He said his tone purposely changing to try and push him. "Bulkheads injury, was not a distraction…but this is what you call it, I'm sure she'd appreciate that, Unicron messed around with her, as a tool, abused. And then when he got where he wanted to be, he just cast her aside and the torme-"

"I only refer to the situation, If we remained focus we have a greater chance of success." He interrupted a little sterner then he expected.

"Hm." Wheeljack uttered slightly intrigued, "Alright then." Optimus watched the straight path of space as his optics kept locked for a glimpse of Cybertron, but Wheeljack was partly right, something was driving insanity and it was the wait. He looked to behind him to the Allspark and its container trying to attain focus, "You're a closed-door I'll say that. Then again, I don't know you like the Doc does." Wheeljack commented.

Optimus dipped his head, "Wheeljack, despite your opinion of myself. It is true that we are sentient, and I am Cybertronian like you, however everyone has different ways of expressing grief." He told him, "Sometimes in an instance I can be brought to the brink of endurance."

Wheeljack looked him over, "I know, I've heard, I just thought I'd push you a little. If I can get under the Commanders mesh I'm pretty sure I can with you, in fact I have If I remember." He grinned.

Optimus looked down as he placed a hand on the torso, "..."

Wheeljack frowned to himself "Sorry Chief, I should already know about limits, I'm just a very expressive bot thats all." he started fiddling with the controls, "Let's see if I can speed this old tin can up and bring a little reality to Unicrons plans. And to quote humans, Unicrons a piece of-"

Upon approach of Cybertron, they had made their way in direction of the well of Allsparks just about seeing what was happening in the distance down below. "What am I looking at?" Wheeljack awed as from their position the surface seemed to crawl there were so many undead Predacons.

"Desecration." Optimus said.

"There's...what I'm guessing is the possessed Megatron they were talking about." he added drawing in close as their presence was known. "Alright, we're good to go, now to deal with the moss coloured freak."

"We must keep the Allspark from Unicrons reach."

"I thought the container was indestructible?" Wheeljack questioned.

"Indeed, but if this vessel once trapped the Allspark, I fear that it can also be emptied of it." He then stood up, "Wheeljack." He said, Wheeljack understood the notion, as Optimus placed 'Starlight' in the co-pilot seat, "Keep her safe."

"You just deal with Unicron." He replied as Optimus exited the ship. "Hang on." He said making a sharp turn. He then looked to his panel as a loud beeping sound rung and a large purple icon heading their way fast. "Scrap." He hissed as he jolted forward to the fast impact. "N-eurgh…" then as the ship was heading for the surface Wheeljack took hold of Starlight...

Meanwhile down below to those who witnessed it, "Jackie!" Bulkhead exclaimed transforming as did Arcee driving to the shot down wreckage, Wheeljack emerged dragging his feet as he tried to keep himself up, holding the body up in his arms.

Arcee and Bulkhead transformed and they rushed over to help him, "Ellen?" Arcee said looking the body over placing her hand under her chin to see the damage as Bulkhead helped Wheeljack.

"I've been worse, just take the kid." Wheeljack said handing her over to Bulkhead who stumbled in the process.

"W-What was she doing here? I-I mean out th-there?" Bulkhead said with utter confusion as with the sound of thrusters, Optimus landed before them.

"So how are we going to get this thing to safety?" Wheeljack asked thumping over to the Allspark.

"By the only means available to us under these most dire of circumstances, the very survival of our species upon this or any world and its individual depends upon it." he told them moving past them to take hold of the Allspark, he then parted his chests plates as he unlocked the container. Then activating his jets took off without any notion to his intent.

"Ellen." came Arcee's voice rising in an anxious tone, "Wake up. If this is one of-..." she then turned to Wheeljack finding a source of blame in her fierce protective state, "Was this you?" she said pointing an accusing finger in his chassis.

"Arcee." Bulkhead loudly spoke. "Don't get so worked up, Optimus will fix this." he said calming her.

Arcee sighed and spoke calmly, "I'm sorry Wheeljack, I know you didn't do this. Just, tell me at least, that she's not...that she hasn't..." she said to Wheeljack her optics moving left and right at a fast pace.

"She, hasn't gone...wherever humans go." Wheeljack said. "By what you told us in your message, like Megatron, she's trapped in that body. that's all I can explain really, I don't understand it myself. but what about things on your side, any casualties?"

"No. We've got injured, but we're fine." Bulkhead reassured as he watched Arcee folding her arms as though she had a sudden chill. "You alright?"

"Fine. Just, suddenly thinking of Earth, that-" she started to say as a loud sound was heard from in front.

The Unicron possessed Megatron had chased after Optimus mid-flight shooting him down as he had been grounded. Unicron transforms from his alt form, walks up to him as he takes the Allspark container from Optimus' grasp, "Even when warned, you still fail. AGAIN. now I remain and I shall devour your Allspark, WHOLE." he opens the container to reveal the contents to be nothing. "What?! A trick!" and then engulfed in purple light a vapoury orb of the same color exited Megatrons body and was sealed inside the container and at the same time...

"Look." Bulkhead said as a purple vapour of smoke exited Starlights dark optics following its counterpart to be sealed within the container.

Arcee placed hands on her face turning it to examine her again, "Whats going on?" she questioned looking to Bulkhead who shook his head. she then looked to Optimus who picked up the container, "Lets go." she said running over to join up with the others.

"As a being comprised of pure energy, Unicrons anti-spark was vulnerable to this reliquary of the Primes." Optimus explained.

Smokescreen looks on confused, "But If he's in there where's- Ellen?!" he blurted looking to Bulkhead who his vision focused on in the foreground.

"Ellen?" Bee said in confusion to Smokescreen exclamation only to repeat himself lowly when seeing the issue, "Ellen..."

"Praise the Allspark!" Starscream entered with from the skies, transforming as he landed besides Megatron, online and looking physically and mentally fatigued. "Master your alive!"

"Indeed." Megatron replies holding a hand to his helm.

"Your new battle armour will take things to the next level my liege. Together we will reunite all Decepticons and once again grind Cybertron under your mighty heel." Starscream boasted triumphantly.

"No!" Megatron yells.

"What? Why?" Starscream asks nonchalant not given enough time for that to sink in.

Megatron starts to walk forward as he looks to Optimus briefly, "Because I now know the true meaning of oppression and have thus lost my taste for inflicting it."

Optimus looks him over with wary optics, but what he said...and what showed in his optics, of what true fear was, true chaos and that it never has a true goal, and that he meant this, unwillingly he felt a small twinge of hope in this statement nonetheless.

Starscream makes a nervous sound of a laugh, "You've clearly been traumatized master. a good power down and a stroll around the smelting pit will put you back in touch with your inner warlord."

"Enough! The Decepticons are no more and that is final." Megatron states before transforming and flying off in no particular direction.

Starscream looked nervous and awkward as he tried to regain himself. "Yes, well, we all have plenty to think about don't we." he said also transforming and taking himself in his own direction.

Optimus kept his optics on the sky as he saw the two ex-cons make there own way out before looking down, "Wheeljack." he called.

Wheeljack shook his head at him motioning to the still lifeless body, "No change...Why the pit Megatron is given life is beyond me." he said clenching his fist.

Optimus shook his head with closed optics as he placed a hand over his chest.

While touching helm and limb, Smokescreen was coming up with his own conclusions, "Whats wrong with her? Is she sick? Recharge? power down? stasis? too epic to handle the situation so she fainted? Ha-N-No th-thats not funny!"

"Smokescreen." Bee said sympathetically with a finger on his helm.

"I told you we should have looked for her." he snapped.

Bumblebee looked around to the group, "I've contacted Ratchet, he said he'd be at our location soon."

"Swift thinking Bumblebee." Optimus said in a clouded weary tone as he watched Smokescreen hold his helm, mumbling to himself with how frustrated he was with himself. "Smokescreen, your intentions were that of a righteous spark, however you would not have located her the reason being that Unicron transported her to our location. This is no fault of yours, so do not dwell on it."

Smokescreens shoulders slumped, "But...I don't understand, what happened out-"

"Guys..." Bee then said pointing to the distance, Ratchet in vehicle form speeding to their location alongside Ultra Magnus whose driving was a little off centre due to him still recovering. Both bots transformed as Ratchet made a light nod to Optimus in this brief reunion but fell solemn as Optimus turned to Bulkhead who handed him the body.

"Ratchet." He said in a requesting manner.

His optics slightly widened with a tinge of fear as he sprinted forward, "Lay her down." He ordered as he checked her over physically, "tell me the cause, and current status." He asked his voice raising.

"Cause; Unicron." Wheeljack said.

"Current status…" Optimus started to say grimly as Ratchet lifted his head, "complete shutdown."

"S-Shutdown?" He said his head looking left and right, "Optimus, she must never be rendered into that state, the body could quite literally expel her from this form if it hasn't already."

"She, did this willingly." Optimus explained.

"I, don't understand, what did Unicron..."

"Old friend, she was in a similar situation as Megatron." he said.

"And something caused her to do this?" he questioned.

Optimus motioned to the relic behind him, "We managed to trap Unicron inside the Allspark container alongside the extension inside this body."

Ratchet looked the container over, "Then, for all we know, Unicron could have taken her with him…" he looked over the form. "Give me room, I need to examine her." He weakly said as he stood up, taking a step back.

"Optimus..." Arcee started to say as he raised a slow hand up to stop her continuing.

Ratchet made frantic scans of the body, each time the colour of the scan changing refining into underline problems, any detection of a chemical response, even opening the helm to the processor itself to examine it showing the obvious disconnection. "her psyche became a physical manifestation?" He summarised amazed.

he continued his examination and then attempting to, fix her.

one minute.

"Come on..." Arcee said.

two miniutes.

five minutes...

"You can make me functional, you can do this Ratch." Bulkhead said for encouragement.

eight minutes...

A long ten minutes went by, the longest examination he had ever done.

But as a last resort he decided to speak to her as with in the past perhaps something familiar sounding would help, "Ellen?" he said gently looming over her. "your physically fine, I've reconnected your main functions and checked over the cerebral er- no I mean the gravitonic sub part of the processor, I've even ran a scan of your systems to restore the processor, but you still won't come online!" he frustrated, his head bowed as he pinched his forehead, "I could logically determine, what would happen if the form were ever put in stasis or power down, even…terminated. I had a solution for every state, but shut down?" he said to her though it remained empty. "Unicrons will is gone, why aren't you coming online?" he questioned frustratingly. "Please come online…" he then said lifting her up by the helm. He shut his optics painfully as she lay there limb.

He then, though skeptically at first to his own reason took hold of her hand, the disturbing sight of black optics took its toll on any Cybertronian.

In said empty vessel, Ellen's conscious lay limp in a void, as dark as cold as space itself, she looked deathly on through the vessels optics, Ratchet spoke and she somewhat heard as though she were underwater, "I can't…I can't reach you." She echoed through her head, she couldn't move, she couldn't speak only lay there. She was able to see what had happened when she shutdown her robotic form, the Allspark, a possessed Megatron. "at least I've, I've paid for my mistake, Oh damn what am I saying? This is me now, forever? I don't know, p-probarly…but…I've hurt them." She said forced to only see this pained look in Ratchets optics. "I know I have from this look alone...and Arcee, I've never heard her so fearful for my life before."

"When will, all this stop?" she said, "I want to tell him its okay, I'm fine…" she stuttered, "k-kind of…but I might never see any of them again, afterlife, another life, which ever, because I found something worse, this place."

She watched the face that peered in, "Ratchet…I told you that you didn't have to be distance with me because I'd be fine." She lifted her hands "I wish I could reach you." she looked at her arm that still dimmed a gentle glow, "I was able to escape Dark Energon with this, it, even provided me a shield against its polar opposite, c-can't you, get me out of here now?"

her arm hummed, "Can't you...act, as some kind of-" she sighed, "I'm always talking to inanimate objects, but its only because I'm, scared most of the time..."

Ratchet went over in his processor what could have happened to her mind, expelled or wandering the very particle matter in the air searching for its original vessel. "Sc-ared…" came a dying robotic sound as he looked over the form, it was uncomfortable to see the form babble words, it seemed that it was physically functioning but for a more frank definement…brain dead.

"Primus…" he said as the optics seemed to try and focus.

"C-Can't B-ring m-m-e…h-h-have to…g-gr-r—go now…a- - -alr- -ight?" it glitched with her distorted voice.

He placed a palm over his forehead disheartened to what he was hearing, "This, wasn't supposed to happen." He sighed, he watched the form as he lifted the torso up in a sitting position. "I only made this form for you, because that's what you wanted, I've, only ever wanted to help you. I was only being, like this, to help you survive for your sake...and Optimus' but I've only take you away! because of its imperfection! my...imperfect skills..."

"D-Da-ad…sc-sc-sca-ared." It repeated over and over again. He placed a hand on its shoulder as his expression cringed dipping his head.

Optimus slowly approached as Ratchet was sceptical to look at him, Optimus watched for what he grimly wished not to happen, Ratchet slowly shook his head looking at the floor. "I am sorry, old friend." He said shamefully. "her mind was already loosely tied to its processor…she's, gone." He said. "now it just speaks what was gained from previous spoken words through the vocal processor." He hit a palm to the floor, "I don't know how we can rebuild a civilisation, on the fact that the extension of a another races child, was a contributor." He said as Optimus just stared at 'Starlight'.

Then he walked besides him, kneeling down, "You did all you can old friend." He said slowly placing a hand on her helm, "The Allspark and the essence of our life bearer and all the wisdom we have gained over the eras has got to this point because of her." He said. "But I do believe, that the future needs to be preserved not sacrificed for time to remain the same, change occurs to move forward." He said his voice rising in tension. "I should have been able to save her, I should have seen, but I could not, I saw only optics, her eyes, they defined her very being. I could not see past that to realise Unicron was taking refuge behind the light."

"Some, 'God' cowardice incarnate is more suited." he hissed as 'Starlight' sat there unmoving. Optimus placed two hands on its shoulder as he pulled it closer, "Optimus, she can neither feel nor hear you." Ratchet said with a tinge of confusion to his action.

"I am fully aware Ratchet." He said pulling the form closer nonetheless, there was silence but also denial, confusion, unsure of what had occurred, "I told you much, now at this point, I wish I had told you of myself." He thought speaking to her In this way, "It does not stand anymore but, there was once what you may call an amusement park, the Six Lazers Over Cybertron, you can almost see it just past the horizon. Many times I, and my friends, wished to indulge in this place. However Cybertronians such as myself at that time were not permitted. It will never be restricted to certain Cybertronians again, no matter the function, or frame, finally we can have equality. After reconstruction I suggest you go ins-" His optics shut scolding how foolish he sounded, "I know you would find perspective amusement in that, of a certain 'imagery'." He shuffled her form a little, "A note of mockery." he weakly smiled to that comment as his optics dimmed, "please speak a witticism…"

He brought her close, resting her against his torso, and remained there for a long while, then felt his own processor play tricks on him, as he thought of the N.E.S.T base, most of the bots complained with the conditions the human government would 'dump' them at, but after only a short time would harbour many experiences and memories.

...

He recalled a day, he sat on the edge of his berth one of his headlights were on in the darkened room, it rained and thundered outside and the base was suffering continuous blackouts for the lighting as Ellen lay there with her blanket draped over as she made different signs with her hands but got frustrated.

"Wait…wait, I-I-I can do it. no-no wait, no wait." She repeated anxiously she ended up her fingers got tangled as a shadowed image appeared on the wall as a sort of splat with limbs. "Yay…?" she said grinning awkwardly.

Optimus looked over the imaged and made a look, a kind of look you give when a friend says he/she is entering a singing contest and whose singing voice is on par with tonsilitis but you don't really know how to let them down gently without hurting their feelings. "Its roadkill isn't it?" she said.

He wavered his hands, "Only at the untrained optic, this imagery tells of a troubled small mammal embracing the factual of his existence and goes on to explore his origins." He said with mixed tones.

Ellen tilted her head before lightly smiling, "Thanks Dad." She then made a shoved push on his leg, "Now you." she said.

He looked at his hands, "I do not think shadow puppetry is my greater strength." He argued.

"Just make up anything, and justify its something else, I know you can do that already, with my 'origin finding mammal' ." She grinned knowingly. He looked at his hands again thinking of an image as he arranged his fingers into a particular shape, then raised it to the light producing a stag onto the wall, he made its head tilt and its hooves dig at the floor. Ellen exhaled in awe, "Aw wow a deer."

"A Stag is the term for a male of various deer species." He corrected as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I took note of one I passed in a previous mission. I was curious and alas I found myself performing research."

Ellen scrunched her face up as she looked at his hand, not looking anything in shape to produce such accuracy, "Ho-How you doin' that? How you doin' that?" she said.

He adjusted his hand to produce another shape, without consistency just something random, "Is this more acceptable?"

"Now that's a stag with issues." She declared impressed starting to laugh before a loud booming sound of thunder was heard. "Ah!" she yelped throwing her blanket up as she darted for his leg climbing over it and taking cover. "N-No, Pr-Pr-Problem I'm-I'm not sc-sc-scared." She stated a little shaken. He cupped a hand around her as she calmed. "I know, its just sound." She said meekly. "But just in case…"

"I'm here." He reassured as she straightened up sprawling her arms over his leg, "Shall we continue our activity?" he asked gently rubbing her back with the back of his forefingers.

She smiled reassured, "Can-can you do the, stag again? I wanna call you out on your so-called 'sorcery'." she looked to the ceiling, "And er, don't leave me with the thunder, It might, you know take on a physical form and blow my eardrums."

He shook his head humoured, "I will stay until the storm passes." he told her.

...

"Haunting thoughts?" Optimus thought shutting his optics, his hold on her tightened before finally, "I know you cannot hear me, or my thoughts, but I hope you can see, so watch the skies…" he lay her down gently, he clenched his fists standing up. "Watch…the skies, and I will show you that you were not lost in vain." He looked to the sky a build up of frustration boiled in him and wanted out. "In vain? ...It should have never occurred at all."

"Optimus." Bumblebee then said as he looked down looking the group over, "Whats happened? She can't be…"

That frustration subsided as he looked over Bumblebee his large optics beckoning answers, he looked at the sky again, "I failed you. I could- tried protect you from danger, comfort you, teach you…but one thing I knew I could not save you from, an unconditional encounter." He looked on at his bots as he started to walk forward. "But, I do not regret it, I can never regret it."

Bee and Smokescreen then ran over to Ratchet when he didn't respond as they knelt to her, in disarray to what was happening as Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Arcee Ultra Magnus and presently Knockout as well understood completely without the details or despite how it happened, they just knew. "Wait, no..." Smokescreen was the first to say, "Is that it? you can't be serious."

"Smokescreen…" Ratchet started.

"No, you can't let it end for her." he interrupted.

"Not like this." Bee added starting to think, "We can take her to one of the bays, you can examine her better with the unused equipment there right?"

"There is nothing left to examine, the circumstances are different and no amount of advanced equipment can change that..." Ratchet said.

"You can't sound so, so, hopeless." Smokescreen frustrated.

The term itself struck a nerve, "It is not a form of giving up, It's just fact. What do you want me to do?" Ratchet said simply. "I do not possess powers that go beyond normal comprehension. I-Its always some, second rate alternative."

Bumblebee gave him a look of sympathy, "That's not true you turn every misfortune into an opportunity, a second chance, but your right I'm...just not thinking straight. You've done everything you can, but this was, not you this was Unicron." He argued.

"Unicron?" Smokescreen said.

"But…she's gone?" Bee asked weakly.

Ratchet held his head, "You two, these things happen, lives are lost. Even, allies, our family. We never wish for these things to happen, but it does as hard as it is, it happens."

"It wasn't her life." Smokescreen interrupted, "I think I get it. with all this mention of Unicron, she's lost." He said. "She's lost and she can't find us, not in the Allspark, not among the stars, not in wherever her species goes, everyone belongs somewhere, e-even after…but she's trapped and that burns me up."

"Smokescreen." Ratchet interrupted. "There are things you have learned on Earth, and here. but now, you have to learn to say goodbye and sometimes goodbyes are forever." He told him.

"I…" he stood up as he shook his head, "There…There must be someway?" he asked wearily as he turned suddenly desperate, "Anyway. A-A relic, may-maybe the Allspark can help."

Bumblebee took a grip on his leg, "Smokescreen…stop." He told him calmly as he knelt back down.

Smokescreen stared at her, trying to comprehend that, this was it. But had a hard time doing so, he looked over Ratchet and Bumblebee, there tired expressions, hurt and solemn but, almost used to the situation, and he couldn't stand it. he then groaned in slight pain as he gripped his chest a sickly sensation he felt when looking at those dark optics, empty and hollow the same as witnessing it in another scenario and never wanted to see this again. "No solution. Confusion, why does it have to be this way?" He looked liked he was struggling to breathe as Bumblebee placed a hand on his shoulder, "I knew I should have went out to look for her." He frustrated. "Bee, how do you, I don't know what to do. I've always been able to find a solution, an idea. Maybe by accident I don't know, but there was always something."

"You don't, do anything." Bee said trailing his fingers into the palm of the still form as he link fingers. "What i've realised, is that it doesn't matter how much armour or protection you have, any life is fragile, and you'd be surprised how easily, and fast you can lose it." he pinched the bridge of his nose, "Unicron deserves worse then imprisonment." he stated bitterly. "We have to return her to Earth, she has friends and family that have not made contact for a while."

"She is on Earth." Smokescreen said.

"I just mean, that maybe we don't have a solution now." he said.

"Despite what he told Smokescreen, he still expresses denial." Ratchet thought sympathetically. "I admit however that I carry the same thoughts be it denial or not, I'll have to keep trying I've only tried a few techniques after all. There must be some way, even if she's gone, there must be a way to return her, I'll check through records, Shockwaves experimental notes if I must...now i sound ludicrous."

A/N "We still have at least twenty-three minutes until we reach Cybertron" I'm terrible :P

Um, so, yeah, bitter-sweet? like the end of the movie itself really, kinda, except its a double whammy...

Also I'm getting the Kishimoto fever pretty badly with all these flashbacks O_o

Okay, so now after putting words into my head, I demand an image of Optimus riding a ferris wheel! my image search begins for this wonder, internet, this better exist :P

But what you read here is only half of the document I somehow lost and only managed to upload what i could, sorry about that i didn't want to make you suffer long with wait on purpose plus this doesnt need to be dragged out with the way its going anyway, but the good thing is that I have a pretty good memory and am not likely to forget what I wrote and I'll probably take advantage of this and get to make another title.

So yeah, we'll get to the inevitable...

On another note I have to keep watching Prime to remember how 'this' Optimus acts, because er, I recently saw Transformers 4 and er...holy moly Optimus O_o I don't like him like this TTwTT maybe you already know by the info given and the trailers but he is literally hounding for human blood :P

So. please R + R also I'm currently trying to figure out an appropriate title for the prequel I'm making for this but I'm a little lost at the moment hopefully I'll think of one :S