A/N: If you are massively confused right now and wonder where chapter 7 is TURN BACK NOW AND READ THE AUTHORS NOTE IN CHAPTER 1! REWRITE HAS BEEN DONE TO THIS FANFIC, NO MAJOR CHANGES BUT STILL READ THE FIRST CHAPTER'S AUTHOR'S NOTE!
A/A/N: This is for you if you already read the first author's note. :) - For the rewrite in this chapter I pretty much combined the old Chapter 5 Shattered Glass and Chapter 6 Minutes of Life, it doesn't really have much changes, for my old followers the new stuff will be in the next chapter. ;) I PROMISE I WILL UPDATE BEFORE NEW YEARS THIS TIME! THINGS HAVE JUST BEEN SO BUSY! I also wanted to put up these three chapters to make sure people don't keep reading the old version :p Anywhoo! Maybe Chapter 4 will be a Christmas gift for you guys XD Sorry for the massive wait though ;; the next chapter will be pretty long and introduce interesting plot twists and ideas XD so you guys won't be disappointed.
Please Read and Review!
A pale orange glow illuminated the normally dark command center of the warship, the Nemesis. The light eerily reminded Sideways of the days long before the war. The same gentle glow that once had reflected against the metallic buildings of Cybertron. It was almost mocking; a haunting reminder of the Golden Age. Distaste coursed through his frame as he tried to shake the thought from his processor.
Suddenly, the sound of the command center doors opening took his attention. All thoughts of the sun set and the Golden Age quickly left Sideways as his optics met with a familiar silver mech.
"Lord Megatron," Sideways acknowledged, as he automatically kneeled down and bowed in respect.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Sideways?" Megatron hummed upon seeing the familiar mech in his presence. "It was quite surprised when you contacted the ship after I sent a convoy to investigate the crashed pod."
"I was never meant to be inside that pod, it seems fate lead me to you." Sideways explained, standing to his full height. Meanwhile, an image of a pesky white and blue autobot flashed into his processor.
"Elaborate," Megatron ordered, obviously intrigued as to how Sideways arrived to earth.
Sideways started by explaining he had been with the fleet to storm the Iacon Hall of Records. He also mentioned the autobot rookie that they managed to capture after storming into Alpha Trion's office. He kept the explanation brief until he got to the important part. "The autobot managed to escape from his bonds and tried to commandeer an escape pod. However, I stood in his way as reinforcements arrived. In his desperation a battle ensured which caused us both to fall inside the pod and slip into stasis until we crashed on this planet."
"It's fortunate you came to find us, as I recall, you are an indispensable asset." Megatron replied as he studied the decepticon before him, "You are an excellent warrior and I am intrigued by your wide range of knowledge on dark energon."
A light smirk formed on Sideways faceplates at the mentioned of his study. Back on Cybertron, Megatron had assigned him to research dark energon the moment it was discovered. During his researched he discovered dark energon could taint normal energon and turn it into dark energon with a single drop. With that knowledge it had been easier to infect Cybertron's core with the poisonous substance.
However, that was not the only thing he knew about dark energon. With all the time he's spent studying it, he's learned a great deal from the blood of Unicron. Unfortunately, Sideways never had the chance to share his findings with his commander before his disappearance after the Exodus. He learned more than he could ever imagine. In war, knowledge was power and he was determined to use it all to his advantage.
"I would like to use your skills to consult an issue we currently have." Megatron suddenly said, earning the silver and purple mech's attention. It was an understatement to say the news startled Sideways.
"There is dark energon on this planet, my Liege?" Sideways asked, his spark suddenly racing in excitement. It seemed he would be able to put his knowledge to use sooner than he anticipated.
"Not so much as on this planet but inside of it." Megatron replied with a light smirk and interest sparked in Sideways optics.
"Fascinating…" Sideways muttered softly as he took in the information given to him. So…he has finally arrived. Sideways thought, a light smirk forming under his mask. This was becoming an interesting stellar cycle. Suddenly, Sideways recalled the issue Megatron had brought up before. "And what of this 'issue'?"
"It's a specimen that had recently been recaptured but has remained unresponsive since its return. We are unsure what to do with it because of the…unique circumstances."
"Circumstances?" Sideways questioned but before Megatron could elaborate the decepticon commander's comm. link went off. Megatron answered the call immediately and an unfamiliar voice came from the other end.
"What is it, Knock Out?" said Megatron, though it sounded more like an order than a question.
"Uh, my Liege, there seems to be a serious problem in the brig…" the Decepticon Megatron addressed as Knock Out replied. In the background, Sideways could make out muffled sounds of crashing metal and frantic voices calling over gunfire.
"As you can probably assume the prisoner has awakened…" Knock Out replied, pausing slightly as a loud crash echoed though the comm. link. "I have yet to enter its containment cell but from what I can hear it's causing quite a lot of damage. Fortunately, the restraints are still holding but I am not sure for how much longer…"
Megatron found it ironic the specimen decided to act up at this precise moment. The exact moment he found his top expert on dark energon. As he recalled, an old friend once told him fate rarely calls upon them at the moment of their choosing. It seemed it was finally their moment…
"Understood, I am on my way." Megatron replied before shutting off his comm. link and heading for the door. He stopped for a moment and glanced back at Sideways and a light smirk formed on his faceplates. "It seems you will get to see the specimen's circumstances soon enough." He said as he motioned for him to follow.
...
Knock Out had become a bit unsettled when the gunfire and the screams silenced within the brig. He highly doubted the soldiers posted as guards in the prisoner's cell had contained it. Especially after tending to the soldiers the specimen had attacked earlier down below in the mine. Not to mention the stories he had heard of this particular mech.
He shuddered lightly at the thought of it before voices brought him out of his thoughts. Turning around, Knock Out could see Megatron arriving alongside another decepticon. It wasn't one Knock Out had seen before so he could only assume it was their new arrival.
"Who's this?" Knock Out asked as he stared at the new silver and purple mech. His horn helmet wasn't much for style but he did have a sleek finish.
"An expert, you can say." Megatron replied, "This is Sideways, our chief scientist on dark energon." Knockout lifted an optic ridge in response; this was the first time he's heard of an expert on the matter.
"We have a chief scientist on dark energon?" Knockout questioned before realizing he had spoken aloud, "Uh…right this way, my Lord." Knockout said, motioning toward the door but making no move to walk through it.
"Where are the guards?" asked Sideways, pushing away what Megatron had just told him about the prisoner. He clearly recalled there being the sound of gun fire when Knock Out had called. Now there was nothing but the silence. Something was seriously wrong…
"Still in there, no doubt." Knock Out shrugged, motioning back to the cell, "No one has gone in or out since I arrived." Knock Out replied, crossing his arms over his chestplates. Then, without waiting for further discussion Megatron went to the controls to open the door. The door opened with some resistance and it was immediately made clear as to why when a body of a vechicon stumbled out of the room and crashed by their stabilizing servos.
"Whoa." Knock Out replied as he glanced up from the cold shell of the dead soldier and into the room. The lights were flickering constantly on and off from the damaged circuitry. In the visibility available between flickers, the three Decepticons caught glimpses of bodies everywhere. Knock Out knew it this bot would be trouble but he never imagined this much.
Glancing down, Sideways stared at the cold shell of the vechicon for a moment; the thing appeared to be mauled and disfigured beyond recognition. Had the prisoner really done this kind of damage while it was restrained?
Then without second thought, Sideways took a step inside the cell without hesitation, making his way to the restraint prisoner.
"Uh…you think that's such a good idea?" asked Knock Out as he watched the silver and purple mech walk across the large pool of energon stretched across the entire floor; obviously showing no concern for his life as he approached the prisoner, who was still suspended in the air by restraints.
As expected Megatron followed in suit and Knock Out unwillingly followed behind. They disregarded the bodies scattered on the floor as they made their way to a lone figure in the middle of the room.
"Looks like a scene of a bad horror movie…" Knock Out muttered as he looked around the poorly lit room. Megatron merely ignored the medic while Sideways seemed to stare at him questioningly but said nothing.
"Is it still online?" Megatron asked, not taking his optics from the prisoner that was still restrained by energon cuffs in the middle of the room.
"It would appear so," Sideways replied as he inspected the prisoner almost curiously as he circled him outside of possible attack range. Upon first inspection the prisoner was completely motionless. It wasn't offline or its armor would have turned ash grey, it seemed to have just slipped into stasis lock.
"This is indeed an interesting specimen…" Sideways replied, noting the energon dripping off the prisoner's armor and listening to the gentle plops as it hit the ground.
The specimen was covered from helm to stabilizing servo in an iridescent blue of life energon. Sideways wouldn't put it past him that most of that energon belonged to the guards scattered around them. He could just barely make out the red tint of its armor from beneath all the energon.
"You've made this a very interesting solar cycle, haven't you?" Megatron said as he took a step towards the prisoner. The prisoner said nothing in response and Sideways could see why. There was a fresh wound behind the prisoner's helm that appeared to have been reopened recently. Exposed circuitry stuck out of the pierced armor from what Sideways could see. Taking another look, Sideways could see more damage running all along the autobot's entire frame.
"It can take a lot of damage, I give it that much. Not to mention how much damage it can dish out." Sideways replied, he had to admit he was impressed. A flicker in the light above gave Sideways more light to see the prisoner and something caught his optic.
"What are the prisoner's energon readings?" Sideways asked suddenly, though it was clear he was directing the question at Knock Out. Sideways knew the specimen had been discovered in an energon mine prior to its capture due to Megatron's briefing. However, he needed to be sure before he came to any conclusions.
The scarlet decepticon withdrew a small scanner and took a scan of the mech in question at a reasonable distance. Once the scan was complete, Knock Out withdrew back behind the lines of safety before answering the horned mech. "Nearly depleted,"
Interesting…Sideways thought before Knock Out continued with his report.
"I had considered administering energon into his system to keep him functioning when he had arrived..." Knock Out added before pausing and taking a look around the room, "However, there was concern amongst the soldiers as to what the effect of the energon would do…and for good reason." Knock Out explained as he motioned around him at the destruction left by the mech.
"It was after energon, whether it was raw or life energon," Sideways concluded before turning back to the energon covered mech. He stared at it calculatedly as he took a step closer, "and it was going to find it by any means necessary…"
Suddenly, without warning, the prisoner's optics shot wide open, revealing unnatural purple optics. An energon curdling screech escaped it voice capacitor and before either three mechs in the room could react it lunged forward to Sideways.
Sideways quickly took a step aside as the prisoner lunged for him. Before it had a chance to attack again, Sideways extended his servo and jabbed it straight into the autobot's spark chamber. The prisoner seized for a moment as his optics began to flicker back and forth from purple to its natural aqua green optics. Without a second thought, Sideways ripped his clawed servo out from its chest and with it a shard of dark energon.
The prisoner gasped out in pain and just stared at Sideways as his optics turned blue. Moments later his optics shut off and his body went limp. Sideways watched the autobot for a moment before looking down at the shard and placed a servo over his neck cables.
"Did… that thing bite you?" Knock Out asked in horror as he stared at the servo over Sideways' neck and the energon slowly trickled out from beneath his servos.
"It was after energon," Sideways replied as he removed his servo and stared at the life energon if it was the most normal thing to say. "He feels his body is depleted but…" Sideways continued before staring at the wound he had given the Autobot. Suddenly, dark energon began to seep out of the wounds, infecting the life blood covering its frame. That confirmed his suspicions.
"That's impossible." Megatron stated as he watched the energon seep out of the wound. Knock Out was just as shocked as he dared to take a closer look.
"The scanners read he was dried out." Knock Out said, shaking his helm.
"It seems he's creating his own energon; an ability impossible to Transformers." Sideways added, "Yet, his body has not grown accustomed to the change. He still craves energon and from what I can see it's made him weak and ill not to have it." Sideways said as he stared at the bleeding wound. Looking back down at the shard in his servo Sideways broke it in two and inserted the smaller of the two pieces within the spark chamber of the Autobot. Suddenly without warning the edges of the damage armor began to fold back as the armor began to reformat.
"What is happening?" Megatron demanded as he along with Knock Out watched in awe as the marvel unfold before them. Sideways watched curiously as the wound began to heal miraculously. As the wounds began to heal, he could still see the Autobot's reanimated spark pumping within its spark chamber before it closed completely.
The autobot's optics flashed on but this time one optic was purple while the other was blue. The autobot appeared dazed as he looked around the room. His optics locked on Sideways almost immediately and they narrowed at him in anger.
"You Unicron spawn…" he spat weakly before his helm slumped forward and he slipped into stasis once again. Sideways couldn't help but laugh at the Autobots remark before turning to his commander.
"The properties of the dark energon are astounding…" Sideways muttered softly, "Its regenerative abilities are amplified, not to mention it has the ability to create more of the unique dark energon."
"It has never shown this affect before and why does it appear to have a consciousness?" Megatron asked and Sideways recalled what he had told him of the briefing. Dark energon only seemed to have the ability of revival, rage, and control but never consciousness. Then Sideways recalled the explosion the Autobot had been caught up in.
"It must have mutated during the explosion somehow. I am unsure of why it seems to have a consciousness of its own…" Sideways replied before adding, "Other than that I have only seen this type of dark energon form once before. It is extremely rare. Simply extraordinary…"
"Knock Out, I want the prisoner moved to the med bay." Megatron stated as he stared at the energon covered autobot.
"Are you serious?!" Knock Out asked in shock and one look from his commander told him he was.
"It won't awaken when it's at half of its current energy capacity," Sideways assured the medic. "The med bay would be an ideal place to study it and its energon."
"Why don't we just terminate the pit spawn and collect its energon?" Knock Out asked, crossing his arms.
"We would have an unlimited supply if the prisoner is kept alive." Sideways replied and Knock Out couldn't argue to that.
"Once the prisoner has been moved I want a full report," Megatron stated before adding, "Also, preform a psychic patch once its processor damage has healed."
"Understood…but why exactly do you want a psychic patch preformed on the prisoner, my liege?" Knock Out asked curiously, glancing back at the autobot.
"I want to know where our old friend has been." Megatron replied, taking a step towards the autobot. "It may reveal more as to how his dark energon had been mutated." The two Decepticons saluted in understanding to their commander.
"I will need some help moving him." Knock Out sighed softly before as he reached for his comm. link to call for more Vechicons to aid him in the prisoner's transfer.
"What do you mean you're not coming down here?! Things are under control this time! Yes I'm sure! We have an 'expert' who handled it." Knock Out sighed; it took some time but he finally managed to convince the group of Vechicons to come to his aid.
Shaking his helm, Knock Out glanced over at his commander who was already walking out of the cell with Sideways. The two were busy talking about the prisoner and the dark energon. However, Knock Out couldn't help but feel something was wrong.
He felt Sideways knew more than he what he was telling them. He just wasn't exactly sure what he was hiding. Shaking his helm, Knock Out figured he was looking into this too deeply. Then just as Sideways walked past the Decepticon medic, Knock Out noticed something odd. He only caught a glance at the neck wound the Autobot had given him but if he wasn't mistaken it already appeared to be healing faster than he had expected. Or was it already completely healed?
...
"How is the investigation proceeding?" Megatron asked upon arrival to the med bay. It had been some time since he had left Sideways and Knock Out to their work on the autobot prisoner.
"Do you want an honest answer?" asked Knock Out as he looked up to his commander. Things haven't gone exactly smooth in the time they've been investigating the autobot. It had also taken them a while to wash off all the spilled energon covering the autobot. The only plus side in all of it is that the prisoner hadn't awoken or made a single sound in the past few mega cycles.
"Progress has been slow, unfortunately." Sideways replied as he looked up from his work, "It seems the head wound the prisoner received is taking longer than expected to heal."
"Not really sure why," Knock Out shrugged lightly, "Considering after what we had witnessed earlier with his rapid healing abilities."
"It may be due to the fact that he had been attacked repeatedly on the head so many times it may have delayed the healing process." Sideways suggested, recalling the extensive damage he had seen on the autobot. It was the only thing that made sense.
"And what of the prisoner's brain waves?" Megatron asked the silver and purple mech. In response, the decepticon scientist brought up a screen filled with scans of the prisoner's processor. The results weren't exactly what Megatron expected.
"They're all over the place from high and active to nearly nonexistent." Sideways replied, casting a glance down towards the autobot restrained on the examination table. "We won't be able to perform a safe psychic patch until the processor damage is fully healed."
"When will it be fully healed?" Megatron asked, locking his optics on the crimson autobot. If the wound doesn't heal there will be little to no chance to discover where the autobot had been in its time alone. There were too many things that didn't add up. He had to be sure what really happened that day. The only way he could do that was with a cortical psychic patch.
"If my calculations are correct, at the rate of his current regeneration I'd say in two solar cycles, perhaps three." Sideways replied, Megatron hissed in anger, obviously not pleased to hear that information. Luckily he decided to change the topic.
"Sideways, what is your report on the dark energon?" Megatron asked, hoping to hear better news on that part of the investigation.
"From what I managed to learn from scans, the dark energon within the autobot is rather stable compared to its original pure form."
"Have you discovered why that is?" Megatron asked as he stared at the shard Sideways had extracted from the prisoner.
"The energon was mutated by the explosion and seems to be some sort of mix with raw energon, dark energon and another unknown substance." The expert explained as he cupped his chin and seemed to be in deep thought. "I am currently trying to discover what that unknown factor is but it will take time."
Sideways then remained silent as he observed the dark energon shard in his servo.
The blood of Unicron, once considered a myth meld deeply into ancient stories of Cybertron's past that no one believed it even existed. The mystery of it is what compelled Sideways into studying dark energon all those centuries ago back on Cybertron. It intrigued him, uncovering things once thought to be lost by time.
However, there was something strange about the dark energon within the autobot.
Normal dark energon would turn the dead into a mindless beasts but this was different. The autobot had somehow retained his consciousness, his soul perhaps. As a result, it allowed him to remain alive and functioning almost normally for at most an earth year. Though, there was no telling exactly how long the autobot had been up and running without a cortical psychic patch to give them answers.
Unfortunately, that was beyond reach until the autobot's injured have fully healed. Perhaps returning a bit more of the dark energon to his spark would speed the process? Sideways thought, though he couldn't return all of it, he still needed to study it.
"What are you doing?" asked Knock Out as he watched Sideways return some of the dark energon shard back into the autobot.
"I don't need all of this to study on." Sideways said in a matter-of-factly tone before looking up at Megatron. "Returning some of the shard would help the healing and speed things along. We need to know where he's been."
Sideways only needed to take a glance at Megatron to know that he agreed. The origin of the autobot was an upmost priority as of now. He also knew there was something in particular Megatron wanted to find out about the autobot. Megatron needed to know how he could have survived the energon explosion. However, there were several factors that intrigued Sideways.
The autobot may have a consciousness and have somewhat of a control to it but the effect of the dark energon was clear. Sideways could see the caged animal within the dormant autobot. It was laying hidden deep within him waiting for the time to strike again. What a day that would be, Sideways thought with a smirk as he tapped the side of his neck.
"There is something I would like to test." declared Sideways suddenly. "I would like to observe the results if we were to infuse a dead Cybertronian with the dark energon from the autobot."
This caught Megatron's attention as he glanced down at his dark energon expert. "You believe the mutated dark energon would revive an empty shell and possible transfer the abilities of the energon."
"It's a theory but we won't know until we test it." Sideways replied, cupping his chin as he drifted back into deep thought.
"Do you really think something like that is a good idea?" Knock Out replied, his thoughts drifting back to standing in front of the autobot's cell, hearing energon curdling screams from behind its locked doors.
"If the test is successful the decepticons could merely revive their fallen." Sideways replied before adding, "Those who are revived will keep their consciousness and retain their usefulness to the decepticons."
"Have you forgotten the beast that awoke within the autobot that killed half a dozen of our troops while being restraint?" Knock Out pointed out, not being able to hold back a shudder.
"With the dark energon within me, I can control the beast within." Megatron replied as if saying that made things any better. Knock Out wasn't that convinced but it wasn't his call.
"Well, if you want a corpse to preform your experiment on there's a whole cell fill with them." Knock Out replied, crossing his arms over his chestplates.
"The bodies have already been disposed of." Megatron replied. Knock Out hadn't realized that, they have been working on the autobot for an entire solar cycle.
"We'll have to find another test subject." Sideways added before sharing a look with Megatron. He then looked back at Knock Out with a hidden smirk beneath his mask. It was a look that read, 'we all have to make sacrifices' and Knock Out immediately cringed back.
"Don't look at me!" Knock Out yelled, jumping back in fear. Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "What about Silas?" They needed a body; he was the next best thing they had lying around.
"Silas?" Megatron replied surprise was clear in his voice like he hadn't considered it. A part of him wondered if Knock Out thought they were actually serious about using him as the test subject. Knock Out, being the decepticons only medic was indispensable to them at times like these. Or perhaps Knock Out had other motives?
"You'll have to dissect him." Megatron replied after moment and Knock Out let out a sigh in relief.
"I don't follow." Sideways replied, raising an optic ridge in confusion. "Dissect?"
"It'd be easier showing you than explaining it," said Megatron as he and Knock Out began to walk off to another part of the med bay. Sideways decided it was best not to ask any more questions and followed after them.
This 'Silas' Megatron and Knock Out referred to was not too far from the main room of the med bay. He was bulky blue and silver mech, strapped down on an examination table, seemingly unconscious. Upon first look at the decepticon, Sideways didn't see anything special about it. He certainly didn't see anything that would require dissection.
"Wakey, wakey, Silas," said Knock Out as he taped Silas' only good optic. In turn, Silas awoke with a start and looked up at Knock Out. He visibly cringed back in fear as he tried to make as much distance from him and Knock Out as possible.
A light smirk danced across Knock Out's faceplates as he moved to the monitor beside Silas. Knock Out immediately began to type in the proper codes to override his systems to open his spark chamber. Sideways, as well as any normal Cybertronian would have expected to see a spark when Silas' chestplates slide away. That's was stunned Sideways when he saw the battered human connected inside the lining of the spark chamber.
"Say hello to Silas," said Knock Out.
"What is this?" asked Sideways, his voice held hints of both disgust and curiosity.
"Weren't you paying attention?" Knock Out sighed, shaking his head. "This puny fleshy is Silas."
"He's a human who lead a group interested in experimenting on Cybertronians. Unfortunately, when he finally discovered the secret to our technology he suffered a fatal accident." Megatron explained as his optics flicked over to Silas. "However, he was able to survive due to a procedure that resulted fusing himself with the body of our fallen comrade, Breakdown."
"I see…" Sideways replied as he gazed down at the human Silas, trying to take in everything he's been told. The inhabitants of this planet were fascinating indeed. Looking up at Megatron, Sideways nodded in approval. "He'll do."
"You may proceed with the dissection, Knock Out." ordered Megatron.
"Wait, what?!" cried Silas as he looked back and forth between the three decepticons frantically.
"It'll be my pleasure." Knock Out grinned as he activated his surgical saw.
…
It took a while for Knock Out to remove Silas and the cables connecting the two. Not to mention the clean up afterwards. Humans were such messy creatures, Sideways concluded. Though, it somehow fascinated him how much Silas had squirmed and begged for mercy.
Are all humans that pathetic?
"Alright, that should do it." said Knock Out as he set down his buffer. Sideways expected to begin the test once the cleaning was done but Knock Out had insisted on buffing Breakdown's armor as well before they commenced the experiment.
"Then let us begin." Sideways replied, approaching Breakdown's lifeless body with the dark energon shard at hand. Taking a glance at Knock Out, Sideways smirked. "You might want to take a step back."
"Err, right…" replied Knock Out as he stepped back and went to Megatron's side.
The smirk remained on Sideways' faceplates as he returned his attention to Breakdown's remains and the dark energon in his servos.
He'd have to use the remainder of the dark energon shard he extracted from the autobot but he can obtain more once the autobot was fully healed. Then, without a second thought he thrust the shard into Breakdown's open spark chamber.
The reaction was instantaneously as a purple flame busted Breakdown's empty spark chamber. The flame grew until it filled the chamber and Breakdown's chestplates snapped shut. Breakdown's body began to tremble as old wounds began to heal, including his damaged optic socket. However, instead of healing over the optic began to regenerate. Once it was done a dark purple optic stared back at them.
The moment his optics opened, Breakdown let an energon curdling scream. The scream of a terrocon if Megatron was not mistaken, he knew the sound anywhere. He could already feel the dark energon shard within him pulsing at the presence of Breakdown's reignited spark. However, he felt something else. The autobot, he was reacting to Breakdown's reanimation.
Sure enough, as the three decepticons watched the resurrection of their fallen comrade the autobot's dark energon was pulsing softly.
He heard it, the scream. Where's it coming from? The autobot thought as he looked around in confusion. He knew he hadn't imagined it, he heard it the moment that strange feeling came over his spark.
Now the screaming wouldn't stop and it was driving him insane. Then he felt it, another presence in the room but it wasn't like someone had entered the room. This was different; he felt this presence in his spark. Then, before he could knew it the screaming stopped.
The process of the dark energon was complete and Breakdown's screams suddenly died down to his real voice.
Confusion took over him as he looked across the room. Where was he..? Wasn't he just in pursuit of Arachnid…? Why was he in the med bay?
Breakdown's optics suddenly widen as memories shifted in his head. Wasn't I…?
Breakdown's optics widen before growl escaped his voice capacitor. "What's going on?! What happened?!"
His optics darted around the room as his anger seemed to boil. It was boiling to the point that he wanted to tear something apart. He tried to move but was met with resistance from the energon cuffs bounding his wrists.
"And why the frag am I restrained?!" Breakdown practically roared before unintentionally breaking through one of his energon cuffs.
Knock Out just stared at him in complete shock while Megatron observed him with interest.
Meanwhile, only a smirk began to curl on Sideways' faceplates.
The test was a success.
Something wasn't right. Optimus couldn't explain it but felt it deep in his spark something was wrong. Optimus stopped typing on the monitor and glanced around the room, as if trying to find the cause. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary upon first glance. Everyone seemed to have something to occupy themselves with as they waited for everyone to arrive. Today was finally the day they go on the big trip he had planned for them.
Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee were standing beside the human sector as Miko attempted to teach Rafael how to play music from her guitar. Smokescreen and Jack were nowhere in sight, the two had gone out to search for a vehicle form for Smokescreen and hadn't return yet.
"Is something wrong, Optimus?" asked Ratchet as he glanced at the half finished coordinate Optimus had been typing.
Slowly returning his gaze to the monitor Optimus stared at the incomplete coordinate and coordinate and shook his head. "No, nothing is wrong, Ratchet." At least that's what he hoped as he finished typing the coordinates.
Suddenly, the sound of a loud car engine filled the room, breaking the silence and catching both autobots' attention. A white and blue sport car that could only be Smokescreen entered the main room of the base and opened his passenger side door to let Jack out.
"Sorry we took so long, guys." said Jack as he stepped out of Smokescreen. Though for some reason he kept his eyes to the ground.
"Uh, it took us a while to find this." Smokescreen replied, referring to his new vehicle form. "Like the new look?" Smokescreen asked, remaining in vehicle mode for them to see.
"You're supposed to be keeping a low profile." Arcee groaned, shaking her head.
"Hey, it took us a while to find this one. Not giving it up now!" replied Smokescreen as he transformed into robot mode.
However, the moment Smokescreen transformed a thin layer of dirt gusted up from his armor. Jack couldn't help coughing as the cloud of dirt settled to the ground. Once the cloud settled, Jack kept his eyes on the ground and rubbed the back of his head while Smokescreen seemed fascinated by anything but the others.
Optimus raised an optic ridge and gave the two a look. "What happened?"
"Uh well…" Jack began, looking up at Smokescreen for support.
"Uh, Jack just almost drove us into a ditch…" replied Smokescreen as he rubbed the back of his helm. "No biggy, didn't even get a scratch!" Smokescreen shrugged with a sheepish smile.
"How'd it happen?" asked Arcee as he approached the two, giving the two a stern look.
"Oh…" Jack muttered as he rubbed his arm. "I don't know, I guess the old war wounds were acting up again. I jerked too hard on the wheel."
"Smooth Jack," said Miko, as she walked down the stairs of the catwalk with Raf following close behind.
"Hey, it's not like I meant for it to happen. It was an accident." muttered Jack.
"Like you when you broke my guitar string?" added Miko.
"You're not going to let that go are you?" Jack sighed.
"The important part is that either of you are harmed, is that correct?" said Optimus as he looked down at the two. The human boy and autobot nodded and Optimus was pleased by the answer.
"Seems everyone is present it is time for our departure." said Optimus as he turned to address the group.
"What about Wheeljack?" asked Raf. "Isn't he coming with us?"
"I have sent him the coordinates; he will rendezvous with us at the location." Optimus reassured the boy as he made his way back to the monitor.
"So, where are we going?" asked Jack.
Optimus couldn't help but offer a small smile before activating the ground bridge. "You're going to have to go through the ground bridge to find out yourselves." He replied as he turned to the group.
Jack, Raf and Miko only shared a look before Miko grinned widely.
"Race ya!" She said before taking off in a full sprint towards the open ground bridge.
"Hey, no fair!" Raf called out as he and Jack raced to go after her.
"What's not fair about it?" Miko called back laughing before she went through the ground bridge.
As the three of them passed through the iridescent vortex of the ground bridge, the base melted away behind them. In front of them the familiar cement and metal walls of the base changed and opened up to a bright blue sky. Looking around, they were rather surprised to be surrounded by canyons.
It wasn't exactly new sight; canyons surrounded Jasper from all sides. What amazed them was the color. Stripes after stripes of reds, oranges and cream trailed along every canyon side and rock face. Some of the striped formations even curved and almost looked like waves.
"Hey…I think I know this place." Raf muttered before Bumblebee appeared behind them from the ground bridge, followed by Smokescreen and Arcee. Jack couldn't help but smile at the surprised expressions of the three autobots. The view was completely breathtaking, the trio almost forgot to get out of the way as Bulkhead walked out of the ground bridge.
"Hey, keep it moving guys! We're trying to get through," said Bulkhead, snapping the three back to their senses.
"Right," Smokescreen chuckled as he moved on ahead while Bumblebee muttered an apology.
"So, where are we genius?" Miko asked Raf, remember he mentioned knowing where they were before the bots came through the ground bridge.
"It kind of reminds me of the Valley of Fire. I've seen pictures of this place and it looks just like it." Raf replied as he adjusted his glasses.
"That means we're still in Nevada," said Jack as he took a look around.
Then, a familiar sound of turbines filled the air as the Jackhammer appeared in the sky. Miko couldn't help but squeal in delight at the sight of the ship.
"Wheeljack!" Miko called out before running off to where the ship was landing. The others soon followed behind to her to greet the Wrecker.
Jack chuckled as he looked up at the bridge once more. Optimus and Ratchet hadn't come through yet. Fortunately, not a second later the ground bridge hummed as someone passed through. Jack was relieved to see Ratchet was the first to appear and Jack couldn't help but laugh at the look on Ratchet's face.
It was clear Ratchet wasn't pleased about being there at all and moments later, Optimus appeared beside him. A soft chuckle escaped from Optimus voice capacitor as Ratchet seemed to glare at him. "Being outside of base won't harm you, old friend."
Ratchet muttered something inaudible to him and Optimus simply placed a servo on the medic's shoulder in reassurance. Jack couldn't help but smile at the two as he noticed the ground bridge deactivate behind them.
He was just about to ask the two what had taken them so long; no doubt Ratchet had to convince Optimus to allow him stay at base. Then, without warning Jack was blinded by both darkness and light. At first it made no sense to him and it took him a moment for his eyes to readjust to the sudden change in environment.
After a moment, he realized he was still staring at the ground bridge but everything around him was darker. The ground bridge was usually loud, not to mention bigger.
Jack looked around and was confused when he noticed the others were nowhere in sight. That is except for Optimus who remained facing towards him. Jack couldn't help but think something felt familiar until Optimus spoke.
"Are you certain I am worthy?" Optimus suddenly asked him and Jack froze.
"You have no idea…" He caught himself saying without meaning too.
Looking down at his hands, Jack realized he was holding the Key to Vector Sigma in his hands. It was such a simple task, returning Optimus his memories and then he would be back with them. This was supposed to be the moment everything would be brought back to normal.
Looking up at Optimus, Jack unconsciously presented him the Key.
Only…things didn't exactly turn out that way…
Jack felt himself unconsciously lunge back in fear at the sound of the gunfire. He gripped his injured arm as it flared in pain, the ghost of a memory. He opened his eyes again, only to be blinded by the sun shining in his eyes.
When Jack's eyes readjusted again, Optimus and Ratchet were still in the same place as before as the sound of a closing ground bridge faded away. Taking a look around, Jack realized everyone else was still making their way towards the Jackhammer.
It was as if no time had passed at all.
Sighing softly, Jack slowly began to walk towards them. Why did I see that…?
Nothing like that's ever happened before, he's seen the ground bridge activate several times before. What made this time different? Sure, it's not like he hasn't had dreams of what happened but this was completely new to him. It just felt like he was there again, living through the biggest failure of his life again.
"Is something wrong, Jack?" a voice called from behind him. Jack turned around to see Optimus regarding him almost curiously, yet at the same time concern was clear in his optics.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Jack muttered softly, almost too softly for the autobot commander to hear as he cast his gaze to the ground.
Fortunately, the Optimus managed to hear him and it troubled him upon hearing melancholy in the teen's voice. It gave Optimus the impression Jack did not want to be there. "I assumed you would be more pleased to be here," said Optimus, regarding the teen carefully.
"Oh, I am!" Jack replied, looking up at the Prime quickly, offering him a forced smile. Jack only hoped he was convincing enough for Optimus not to worry.
"Is something wrong with your arm?" Ratchet spoke up, pointing to the arm Jack was still caressing with ease.
"Huh?" Jack muttered softly as he looked down at his arm before drawing his hand away. "You know the war wounds again." Jack shrugged like it was no big deal. Though, he could still feel a dull ache in his arm.
"It seems odd your injuries have affected you twice today." Ratchet added, giving the boy a look. He didn't want to think there could be any nerve damage that was causing Jack's discomfort.
Jack just shrugged it off, "Some days it's more stubborn than others, but you know got to take healing one step at a time."
"Have you notified your mother about this?" asked Optimus.
"Of course I have and she still checks up on it now and then to make sure nothing's wrong." Replied Jack and he couldn't help but smile for the concern Optimus had for him. Sure, he was getting a little sick of it from everyone else all the time but it was different with Optimus. It was like he had a real father figure talking to him…
"Alright, but don't be hesitant to say if anything is wrong," said Optimus before his voice became gentler. "Anything at all."
"Alright," Jack replied. Optimus is definable like a father figure, or at least how one should be.
"Thanks," Jack called back to the Prime as he glanced back at him with a light smile before walking towards the others as Wheeljack's ship touched down.
Optimus watched him go and he couldn't help but admire Jack. A month ago Jack had almost paid the ultimate sacrifice to bring him back. After that he had to go through weeks of rehab and endure the pain inflicted on him.
"I can't help but think he's too much like you for his own good," said Ratchet as he glanced up at his old friend as they began to make their way to the rest of the group.
Optimus raised an optic ridge at his old friend. "Care to elaborate?"
"He's putting on a brave face for everyone when he's obvious still dealing with the pain." Ratchet explained as he watched Jack meet up with Raf and Miko. "It may also mean he may be holding back greater pain." He suggested.
Optimus remained silent at this. When he had asked Jack if something was wrong it didn't sit with him well when he told him it was just the pain. Optimus felt there had to be more to it that he couldn't see at the moment.
When Optimus thought about it, in the month he's known Jack and in the shattered fragments of his memories, Jack reminds him a lot of himself. He would understand if Jack's holding back his pain so he does not have to share his burden.
"What do you suggest he is holding back?" asked Optimus.
"Nothing good," Ratchet stated bluntly. "I only hope it doesn't consume him."
Optimus silently agreed with Ratchet. He knew Jack was strong but he knows the feeling when there comes a point where a burden is too hard to bear. Optimus did not want to see any more harm brought on to Jack for his valiant deeds. Jack saved his life, even if the download hadn't been complete, so he owes Jack his life. It's because of that, Optimus needs to do everything in his power to protect him.
"Jackie!" Bulkhead called out within earshot of the two autobots as Wheeljack emerged from his ship. Not a second later, Bulkhead scooped up the Wrecker into a bear hug. Wheeljack wasn't much for hugs but considering Bulkhead was his best friend he was the only exception.
"Dude, where have you been? We haven't seen you in ages!" said Miko as she ran up to the two.
"I've been around, seeing the sights." said Wheeljack as he detached himself from Bulkhead's bear hug. "Making sure the cons aren't going astray."
"Sweet but you need to come around more often." said Miko as she smiled at the white and green Wrecker.
"Miko's right, Jackie. We've got to keep the band together," said Bulkhead as he patted Wheeljack's shoulder.
Wheeljack simply nodded. He'd been meaning to visit his best friend and the girl who saved his life. As it turned out, Optimus called him to tell him about their little trip. Wheeljack didn't see how it could hurt coming.
"So, how are my two Wreckers?" asked Wheeljack, grinning widely at the two.
"Wait, Miko's a Wrecker?" asked Smokescreen, rather surprised such a small human could be a Wreaker. Not that he was looking down at Miko for her size or anything.
"Don't underestimate her, she can wreck with the best of us," said Wheeljack as he regarded Smokescreen for the first time. He quickly realized he didn't recognize him from his last visit. "You're the rookie, right? I'm Wheeljack, in case you didn't catch the name."
"I'm Smokescreen." Smokescreen replied as he straightened before grinning widely. "Wow, this is amazing! First I end up on a planet with Optimus Prime himself and now I'm with two Wrecker legends! It must be destiny." Smokescreen grinned excitedly.
"Destiny?" Arcee asked, raising an optic ridge at the rookie.
"Anyway," said Wheeljack as he gave Bulkhead a quick look before turning his attention to Optimus. "Where are we, Chief?" asked Wheeljack as he took a look around. He had to admit the place was a sight to see, despite all the places he has seen in his sightseeing.
"This is the Valley of Fire." Optimus replied as he took a look around the canyon. "I came across here once on a drive shortly after returning to base."
"Hmm, Jasper's not too far from here..." Raf considered as he took a look around as well before something came to mind. "Hey, did you come here that one time you were gone for the whole day and didn't answer your comm. link?" asked Raf, looking up at the Prime.
"Ratchet nearly had a spark attack that time." Jack added with a light chuckle as the medic grumbled weakly under his breath.
"And then he scolded Optimus like he was a teenager." giggled Miko. Ratchet an autobot medic scolding Optimus, the Autobot Commander as if he were a child. When you thought about it, it was pretty amusing.
"I swear Optimus if you do something that reckless again I will personally put you under forced stasis lock." Ratchet practically growled in a way it seemed threatening to anyone but Optimus. The autobot commander didn't even flinch.
"Despite what you think I can take care of myself, Ratchet." said Optimus as a light smirk formed on his faceplates before disappearing just as fast. "Even with my impaired memory."
Ratchet simply shot Optimus a murderous glare and remained silent. The Prime merely gave the medic a look of understanding and a smile in return. That only seemed to make Ratchet even angrier by the fact Optimus had the nerve to smile at his threat.
Jack couldn't help but smile himself at the two mechs' interactions. He found it quite amusing, considering there would be times Optimus seemed to more of his Orion half. Since the download of the Key was incomplete Optimus was somewhat caught between Optimus Prime and Orion Pax. At least, it appeared that way at times when Optimus nature seemed to soften and become curious for information.
"I still find it a little crazy Optimus doesn't remember anything about earth." sighed Smokescreen as he took a look at the landscape before him, "I mean who can forget all of this? Earth is amazing! And I've only been here for what? A solar cycle and I love this place!"
"It's not like he forgot everything, Smokescreen." said Jack, smiling at his energy and enthusiasm. He could understand his enthusiasm with being on a new planet. He felt the same when he went to Cybertron.
"Things come back to him now and then." added Raf. "Like for my birthday party, Optimus got me a snowball."
"What's a snowball?" Smokescreen asked curious as he looked down at the young boy.
"You just have to see it for yourself, Smokescreen." Raf chuckled, not really sure what else to say considering he wasn't sure how to explain to someone what snow was. "Wait until it's Christmas or until you go to the arctic."
"Alright..." Smokescreen sighed before giving Raf a look. "What's Christmas?"
"Sheesh, you just got here and you want to know everything about earth?" sighed Miko as she gave the rookie autobot a look.
"You can't learn everything in a day," said Jack.
"And besides, we have a whole summer to explain everything to you," Miko added before pausing, "Well maybe not all of us but Jack will be here." said Miko.
"Are you and Raf going somewhere?" Smokescreen asked the two children.
"I'm going home to Japan for the summer," explained Miko before pointing over to Raf. "Raf's going on a family trip and were both leaving after exams which is in about a week."
"That is precisely the reason I decided to take everyone out here today." Optimus added in, getting everyone's attention. "I thought it would be good for everyone to spend time together before the children part ways and we continue our search for the relics."
"Really?" Jack asked, looking up at Optimus, rather surprised by that.
Optimus nodded silently to the older teen before looking over the group. "The anti-virus I have placed on the Iacon Data Base should clear up by this evening and we shall continue the search without further delay."
"That's great," said Jack. There have been more than enough interruptions in finding the relics. It was nice to know they were finally going to be getting somewhere soon.
"I have been meaning to share this place with you all since I discovered it. This seemed to be our last opportunity for everyone to be together," said the Prime, a hint of a smile curled on his faceplates as he looked over the landscape.
This place held special meaning to him. When he had returned to base he was a stranger to this world. Optimus merely stumbled across this place out of pure coincidence. The Valley of Fire simply captured his spark with its unique beauty and mystery.
Glancing back, the Prime was confused why he didn't hear anyone. Turning around, Optimus was a bit surprise the other autobots and the children still hadn't moved from their spots. Had they been standing there the whole time? Had they really taken what he said to spark? A soft chuckle rang from Optimus' voice capacitor, surprising the group. "What are all of you waiting for?"
"Uh, nothing, I guess." Jack shrugged as he looked over the group and back at Optimus.
"Then, go on, enjoy yourselves," said the Prime with a smile so light it almost seemed nonexistent but it was still there.
Everyone in the group exchanged looks before a grin formed on Smokescreen's face as he looked down at Arcee and Jack. "Race ya to the bottom of the canyon!"
Jack and Arcee only shared a look before Arcee transformed and Jack got on. "You're on!" they said as Jack grabbed his motorcycle helmet from the storage compartment and slipped it over his head.
"The loser owes the winner a case of axel grease!" said Smokescreen before calling out a quick countdown and the two autobots took off down the canyon before anyone could even blink.
"Hey! Wait up you two!" Bulkhead called to the three, wanting to join in the race.
"Yep, yep yep yep!" said Ratchet as he grabbed for Bulkhead before he could transform and follow the two autobots and teen. "You're still healing, no racing for you, Bulkhead."
"Come on, Ratchet, just this once?" asked Bulkhead and Ratchet only shot him a glare.
"You know the doc's right, Bulk. Racing on this terrain probably isn't the best for you right now. Gotta take it easy for a bit." said Wheeljack as he walked over to his friend and patted his shoulder.
A sigh escaped Bulkhead's voice capacitor as he visibly deflated in defeat. Miko couldn't help but smile at her guardian. She knew he was itching to get back into the action.
Wheeljack felt the same for his old friend and hoped Bulkhead would be in top fighting condition in no time. Then a flash of orange darted past Wheeljack's optics, surprising the mech until his optics focused on a tiny Cybertronian bird.
"Meet Nightbeat, Wheeljack." said Raf from where he sat on Bumblebee's shoulder. "Ratchet made him for me for my birthday."
"Cute." Wheeljack chuckled as he looked over at Ratchet and back to Nightbeat.
Raf grinned lightly before looking to where Smokescreen, Jack and Arcee had disappeared off to. "Well, they're long gone by now, Bee. Let's go check this place out." Raf suggested and the yellow autobot chirped in agreement before he started to make his way down to canyon.
Nightbeat regarded Wheeljack for a moment longer before following Bumblebee and Raf.
Wheeljack watched them leave with mild amusement as he began to follow them down before noticing Miko hadn't moved from her spot.
"You coming, Miko?" He called back to her, getting Bulkhead's attention.
"Uh, I'll catch up to you guys later." said Miko as she glanced back at the two.
"Uh, alright then." Bulkhead shrugged. "Give us a call if you can't find us."
"If I can get signal out here," chuckled Miko as she watched her fellow Wreckers head down to the canyon. Ratchet followed close behind the two, obviously still concerned for Bulkhead's health considering Bulkhead was still healing from the Tox-en exposure.
Taking a look around, Miko saw only she and Optimus were left. As she watched the Prime she decided to flip out her phone. Miko made a mental note to herself to take a group picture before they left as she took a picture of the Prime.
Looking down at the snapshot she took of Optimus, Miko was glad she took the picture. It was definably picture worthy by how calm Optimus looked, watching over the cliff, down below at others like some kind of guardian angel.
"What are you still doing here, Miko?" Optimus asked almost curiously when he finally noticed that the human girl. He had expected her to have gone off with Bulkhead and Wheeljack down the canyon by now.
"I figured you needed some company," Miko shrugged. "You look a little lonely." she added as she stared at the picture a little longer before flipping her phone shut.
Optimus raised an optic ridge a bit. Did he really look that lonely to her?
"So, how's life on earth so far?" Miko asked as she slipped her phone into her pocket and approached Optimus.
"It's different." Optimus replied, though it was obvious he didn't mean it in a negative way. "There is a lot I have yet to learn, or perhaps relearn would be the proper term."
"I guess." Miko replied with a shrug. "You'll get pretty bored with earth pretty quick."
"Is that so?" Optimus asked, offering her a smile. He liked to think he begged to differ. There was something about earth that captured him and fascinated him. How would he ever get bored? "Perhaps it is different for you because you have lived on earth all your life, Miko."
"Exactly, that's why I wanted to go to Cybertron!" exclaimed Miko.
"If I am not mistaken, only Jack has journeyed to Cybertron, correct?" asked Optimus as he watched the girl curiously.
"Don't remind me." sighed Miko. "The closest I ever got to Cybertron was a solar system model Ratchet made for me for my science fair project."
"I see," said Optimus, offering her a weak smile. "Would you like me to tell you about Cybertron?"
"Hmm, how about you tell me a war story?" Miko suggested. She was in the mood to hear some action.
Optimus was a little taken back by her request. "Is there any particular reason why you requested a war story?"
Miko just shrugged, "We didn't really know anything about you back then until Unicron showed up and Ratchet told us about 'The Life and Times of Orion Pax'. I'm just curious about what it was like before you guys came to earth. Stuff like that."
Optimus nodded silently as he considered her words.
"So, do you remember any good ones?" Miko asked, sitting down on the ground and kicking her legs over the edge of the cliff. She hoped Optimus wouldn't back down from telling her a story. Her doubts melted away when a light smile appeared on Optimus faceplates as he sat down beside her.
"I may know a few." He replied as he looked down at her.
"Awesome!" Miko cheered excitedly.
"Now let me think..." muttered Optimus and he reached back into his memory for a good story to tell.
"How fascinating." Sideways muttered, breaking the silence as he observed the newly reanimated Breakdown. He was certainty pleased by the result of the experiment. Just by uttering a few words it seems Breakdown still possessed a consciousness.
"I can't believe that worked…" Knock Out muttered softly as he watched his old friend struggle against the other three cuffs that remained holding down his limbs.
"Answer me!" Breakdown suddenly demanded, the anger within him began to rise as he locked his optics on the first con he saw. Looking around, that con happened to be Knock Out.
"Uh, well you see, Breakdown, that's a lot to explain at the moment." Knock Out explained as he glanced over at Breakdown's spark rate monitor that miraculous remained attached. He didn't like how quickly it seemed to be rising along with his anger. However, he was astonished by the healing abilities the dark energon had given him.
"You didn't answer me!" Breakdown roared before tearing his arm free from his restraint. Knock Out took a few steps back as Breakdown continued to free himself from the examination table. As Breakdown tore apart the restraints the spark rate monitor only got louder.
"He seems to hold more anger within him," Sideways hummed, glancing up at Megatron for a moment as he observed the destructive decepticon. "More than what was expected."
"Is he supposed to act like this?" Knock Out asked in a panic as he glanced over at Megatron and Sideways. Meanwhile, Breakdown began to rip through the wires connected to him. Then, without warning the spark monitor machine flew past them before shattering into pieces against the wall.
Sideways seemed a bit indifferent as he watched the piece of equipment fall to the ground. Megatron's expression was emotionless while Knock Out's face read of pure shock.
"Breakdown, I needed that!" Knock Out yelled, his optics widening in horror at the destroyed equipment. If Breakdown lost his temper because of the spark monitor blaring out of control he didn't need to throw it at them. Something was definably going wrong here. Then again, things always go terribly wrong when it involved dark energon.
"Now would be an excellent time to control the beast." Sideways suggested to Megatron as Breakdown turned to them, rage was clear in his purple optics as he began to pick up another piece of equipment to lob at them.
"Enough Breakdown!" Megatron ordered as his optics flashed purple and he took a step towards the reanimated decepticon. Breakdown seemed to hesitate for a moment. A low growl emanated from his voice capacitor as he stared at his commander.
"Stand. Down." Megatron ordered a bit more forcefully as he stared at Breakdown dead in the optic. Then, without any resistant, Breakdown collapsed to his knees and remained motionless. A soft groan escaped the blue decepticon as one of his good optic faded back into its original gold color.
"Now it is confirmed the abilities transfer with merely an energon transfusion." said Sideways as a grin formed on his faceplates.
"Is there any reason Breakdown appears more hostile than the autobot?" Megatron asked, looking back at Sideways.
"I can't say. There could be several theories as to why." Sideways replied before seeming to slip into deep thought.
"What are you talking about…?" Breakdown asked weakly in a much calmer voice than he had used before. Knock Out perked lightly as he looked down at his old assistant and he took a step towards him. He completely ignoring the fact how savagely Breakdown had acted as result of the dark energon.
"What happened to me?" Breakdown asked, repeating the questions he asked before as he tried to get back on his feet. This was the complete opposite of the beast that trashed his med bay only moments ago. That Breakdown was a savage; this one just seemed broken and exhausted.
"Take it easy, Breakdown." Knock Out said as he knelt down beside his old friend. "You're body has taken a heavy toll up to this point and the dark energon is still in its healing process. Not to mention your energon reserves are low."
"You didn't answer me..." Breakdown growled weakly as his gold optic began to turn purple again. Knock Out was getting a sense of déjà vu but he didn't move away from his friend.
"Calm yourself Breakdown." Megatron ordered and Breakdown's optics quickly turned back to gold. "To make a long story short you fell in battle and you were recently reanimated by dark energon, though it is unlike anything any of us has ever witnessed."
"Dark energon?" Breakdown asked, he remembered they used dark energon to poison Cybertron's core but that's all he knew about it. He had no idea it had the power to reanimate the dead. If that was so how exactly did he…die?
"The last thing I remember…is going on that mission with Dreadwing to take out Arachnid…" he muttered weakly as he clenched his fists and he could feel the rage starting to fog his vision. He tried to calm himself but the rage swelling on the surface. "I followed Arachnid but she led me into a trap, after that there was nothing…" he said, almost whispering as he unclenched his fists and the rage seemed to die away.
"His optics…" Sideways muttered softly as he slipped from his train of thought, Breakdown's optics caught his attention.
"What about them?" Knock Out asked as he looked up at Sideways and back to Breakdown.
"His optic color seems to coincide with the primal rage of the dark energon." Sideways explained, "When the rage is not controlled his optics are the same color as the dark energon. When it is controlled his optics returns to its original color. However, the rage cannot fully be extinguish from the spark so one optic remains dark."
Breakdown glanced up at the silver and grey decepticon a bit confused. He had noticed him before but didn't recognize him at all. "Who are you?" Breakdown asked, not having caught the new decepticon's name.
"I am Sideways and I'm the reason you're alive." Sideways replied simply before turning to Megatron. "Lord Megatron, I wish to speak to you in private." Sideways muttered to his commander.
Megatron seemed to catch the usual edge in Sideways' voice and nodded. However, before making his way to the door Sideways, Megatron glanced back at Knock Out. "Knock Out, be sure to brief Breakdown once he's regained his strength."
"Yes, sir." Knock Out replied as he stole a glance at Breakdown as both his commander and the newly recruited decepticon left the room. Once they were gone Knock Out let out a sigh. "This has been a crazy solar cycle…"
"You're telling me that…" muttered Breakdown.
A/N: Now wasn't that exciting? 8D What did you think of that guys? Anywhoo! Please review and tell me what you think.
Oh yeah, I thought this would be a pretty good song to play along during Breakdown's resurrection: Dubstep | Instrumental Core - Minutes Of Life. The song's really awesome :3
A/A/N: I promise I will update soon! Winter break is coming soon and if relatives are bugging too much I will have more time to write! XD I will finish this long fanfic if it's the last thing I do!