A/N: Heeeyyy guess who's back~! Here's the latest chapter for Beyond the Darkness sorry for the wait summer was really busy. I have the next chapter almost ready just needs some editing so yay! Okay have fun enjoy
Silence settled between both the physical world and within Jack's psyche as the Thirteenth Prime's form completely manifested from where Jack and Stargazer once stood. No one on either side knew what to make of the faceless demigod.
"Is…Is that Jack?" Jaden asked so quietly he wasn't sure if anyone had heard him.
"No, Jaden this is a very ancient Cybertronian. One of the first transformers created, the Thirteenth Prime in his true form…" Ratchet said softly, not once looking away from the screen.
Ratchet also didn't understand why Jack did this. Why he chose to manifest this form or how he knew of the Prime. The only logical explanation he could think of was that the data from the Matrix brought forth this manifestation and that Jack did this in order to protect himself from Megatron and the chaos tormenting his mind.
"The eye of the storm is always still…" The ancient Prime sighed deeply as he found his voice, his voice light and gentle as if awaking from sleep. "And it's the easiest to find a solution from there…"
"He sounds just like Optimus…" Jaden added. There was no mistaking it, the voice of the Thirteenth Prime mirrored Optimus' yet somehow had a younger, softer tone as he spoke. It was almost as if Jack's voice was melded with it.
"That is Optimus…" Ratchet replied, never in his life did he ever think he would see Optimus' true form with his own optics.
"Well, didn't see that coming." Miko replied, staring at the ancient being in awe and curiosity. "Plot twist."
…
"What an unexpected turn of events," Megatron hummed coolly as he observed the Prime standing before him before glancing briefly at Optimus. "You never mentioned your lineage to me before, dear Orion."
Optimus said nothing in response and Megatron smirked a bit. "No matter, I shall continue what I started. I will have that data even if I have to claw it out piece by piece." He grinned a bit before activating his sword and charging straight for the Thirteenth Prime.
"Megatron, stop!" Optimus yelled, reaching out in hope to stop the crazed Decepticon commander.
Megatron let out a roar as he charged towards the ancient Prime. Thirteen remained motionless until the last moment as he jumped into the air, high above Megatron's helm as beams of energy erupted from his back, forming wings as they spread around the Prime.
"Megatron!" The ancient Prime called out as he soared through the air before he clasped his hands together, his hand crackling with energy as an orb of blue and red light generated between his hands. "Be gone!"
And with that, the orb of energy shot straight down at Megatron, hitting the Decepticon commander point blank. Megatron roared in pain as the energy exploded again him and light engulfed him until his psyche shattered into dust as Thirteen landed gracefully on the ground and silence stretch across the battlefield of that very short battle.
"Is…he dead?" Optimus asked uncertainly, his voice barely above a whisper, staring at the spot where Megatron once stood.
"No, but he is gone from Jack's mind." Thirteen explained rather calmly, taking the smaller Prime's servo to help him to his feet. "His psyche has merely returned to his own mind."
"I see…" Optimus said after he let the thought sink in before he looked up at the ancient Prime. "Do...Do you know who I am?" He asked a bit hesitantly and Thirteen tilted his head a bit curiously.
"Yes. You are me and I am you but…I have also become one with Jack." Thirteen explained calmly as he rested a servo over his spark before flickering his optics back down to Optimus, "Jack is safe for now and I owe him my life. It is through his actions that have allowed my dormant psyche to finally awake."
"You have been dormant all this time?" Optimus asked curiously.
"Yes. When the Key to Vector Sigma had been destroyed, the knowledge of the Matrix, as well as I, melded with Jack's mind in an attempt to avoid our destruction. As a result, Jack became our vessel." Thirteen explained calmly as he took a step away from Optimus to look at what remained of the star field. "My form became scattered within Jack's mind and I had little influence over it, save for a small aspect through Jack that he has referred to as Stargazer."
"Stargazer?" Optimus asked, not exactly sure who Thirteen was referring to until he remembered the sparkling that had been with Jack during the patch.
"Yes, in a sense, Stargazer was created when the knowledge of the matrix and Jack's mind merged to become one." Thirteen replied thoughtfully and the light surrounding his face flickered a bit as a smile formed on his lips. "I have been with Jack, watching over him long before he named Stargazer. Still, in that form I befriended Jack after he…stumbled upon me so to speak."
"But why did you appear in the form of a sparkling?" Optimus asked a bit curiously.
"A child was a familiar concept to Jack and since the matrix also embodies my Cybertronian essence, Stargazer was formed." Thirteen explained, before sighing weakly. "When I first awoke within Jack's mind I was injured, Stargazer's form was damaged due to the data transfer being cut off so abruptly and Jack was dying due to his own injuries and we stumbled upon each other in the dark."
"That's incredible…" Optimus said softly, taking a moment to let the information sink in.
"And yet, I find it unfortunate that things have come to this..." Thirteen spoke softly as he turned his gaze from Optimus.
"What do you mean?" Optimus asked, puzzled by the ancient Prime's tone. For a moment, Thirteen said nothing. Despite not having a face to express himself, Optimus could see Thirteen shift his weight from one of his legs to the other, something he himself did often when met with a difficult decision.
In a way, it felt odd to Optimus observing this Prime who, at the same time was him, or rather a different him. It was also a version of himself that Team Prime needed more.
"Jack's mind is dying," Thirteen said quietly once he found his words, dimming his optics slightly as he turned away from Optimus to scan the desolation around them. "If Jack were to awaken from the Patch in his current state he would not be able to survive for long in such a fragile state and I do not possess the ability to help him."
Optimus said nothing, the very words left him unable to speak and he felt as if he was struck by a shot from Megatron's cannon.
This wasn't happening.
He'd promise Jack's family that he would bring him home.
"There...There must be something we can do for Jack." Orion pleaded, at last finding his voice, he did not want to think that there was the possibility that he would be bringing a corpse back to Jack's family. He could not accept that. "Jack deserves none of this. Is there any way we can save his mind?"
"All that remains of Jack that hasn't been tampered with by the patch is one with me but even then he has grown very weak and I sense his life force flickering between life and death." Thirteen said softly, hovering his hand over his spark once more and it wasn't until now that Orion realized the reality of the Thirteenth's Prime's words.
Jack has really become one with the Last Prime. Optimus saw it happen with his very own optics when the data cocooned around Jack what seemed like centuries ago.
"But is there any way to heal his damaged memories? Any way to heal Jack's...essence? His spirit?" Though, Optimus wanted to say spark but humans didn't have sparks in the manner they did or a particular word that translated the term properly, "Surely there must be something that can be done."
"It is unclear if such an option exists with so little available." Thirteen sighed as he turned away from Optimus, his chest rising and falling much like a human would when they breathed.
"Then what options do exist?" Optimus asked, not satisfied until they've exhausted every possibility.
Thirteen glanced over his shoulder at the smaller Prime, his optics calculative as he began to run through his head what could be done to fix things. Then his body seemed to tense when an idea came to mind.
"The clearest option I can see is that I separate from Jack to meld my mind with yours." Thirteen began to explain. "This case scenario will result in the full restoration of the Matrix and in the return of our memories and ensures that the collective wisdom of the Primes is secured."
"But…what becomes of Jack with this process?" Optimus asked warily, troubled that Thirteen did not mention what this would result in for Jack.
Thirteen did not say a word and he simply turned his head slowly away from Optimus, refusing to make eye contact.
"No, that is unacceptable!" Optimus yelled, staring at the ancient Prime in utter shock, "How could you even suggest such a thing?!"
"Something troubling has been occurring…" Thirteen start to explain calmly, "Jack has been receiving visions through his dreams from the matrix. The visions are distorted and vague in his mind because the message is meant to be understood by a Cybertronian mind, not a human's."
"Jack has never told me…" Optimus muttered weakly. If Jack was seeing visions from the matrix why hasn't he told him?
"We all have our secrets and Jack is very good at hiding things that trouble him behind a mask…" Thirteen said softly as a damaged memory flickers around them.
The memory was difficult to see but Optimus could see a young dark haired boy around Raf's age, sitting on the ground, clutching his head. Glass and twisted metal covered the ground where he sat and beside him laid another dark haired child. The child on the ground was quiet while the boy sitting up just sat there, humming a quiet melody as if trying to comfort the boy on the ground but soon his song was drowned out by sirens coming from the distance.
"Jack?" Optimus asked softly as the memory began to fade and much to his surprise, the boy looked up at him as his name was called and Optimus could see his face. Jack's face was significantly younger in this memory and his face was bloody and bruised. His big grey eyes were rimmed red from the tears streaming down his face.
It was a bit unnerving to see such a familiar face so broken and hopeless but now that Optimus thought about it, Jack didn't look so much different from what he looked like in the memory compared to what he looked like in the med bay, also bloody and bruised.
Then, just as the old memory was about to flicker out the boy's face changed into the face of the sparkling that had been by Jack's side and suddenly the sparkling was falling alongside Jack. Jack immediately reached out to try to grab for the sparkling but could not get close enough.
There was a loud crack and Optimus looked to see a massive Cybertronian collapse to the ground. His optics widen when he recognized the being as Primus and the moment the Cybertronian god fell, darkness began to consume him and the memory of Jack could only watch in horror as the darkness began to consume him and the sparkling as well.
All the two could do was scream as the darkness consumed him, until Jack woke from his dream with a start and was met with the sight of Miko and Raf looking down at him concerned before the memories faded away into nothingness and he and Thirteen were alone again.
"What…Was that?" Optimus asked quietly, having been quiet for a long time to gather his thoughts.
"A dark time in Jack's past and a fragment of a vision the Matrix had tried to send to Jack. As you could see, the vision appeared to Jack as a nightmare and he learned nothing from it. Not enough to consult with either of us." Thirteen explained as his expression softened.
"The Matrix is trying to warn us of something. A looming darkness but due to its scattered state the message has become distorted and unclear. If the Matrix were to be restored it would also restore the message." Thirteen added as he knelt down to be at eye level with Optimus. "Something is going to happen but it is unclear of what exactly. It is this uncertainly that makes it imperative that the Matrix is restored."
"Is this message worth Jack's life?" Optimus asked bitterly as he glared at the Thirteenth Prime, before his expression fell and Optimus realized in the long shot his answer would have been yes.
If a new threat was rising with the potential to destroy everything in its path then his mindset for the decision would be that the lives of many outweigh the lives of a few; leaving Jack as being one of the few. Yet, Optimus could not settle for that and he knew in his spark that Thirteen would not be able to settle for that either since they were one and the same.
"No, I won't allow for this." Optimus replied softly.
"I am glad you believe this but I must warn you, there may be unforeseeable consequences for your actions in the future to not heed the call of our creator." Thirteen replied and Optimus merely gave the Prime a stern look.
"Is there a way to save Jack's mind?" Optimus asked a bit more firm than he liked but he wanted to get his point across. Thirteen tilted his head a bit as he appeared to go into deep thought. He was quiet for a few moments before an idea came to mind.
"The only way Jack can be saved is for me to withdraw back into a scattered form and reconnection with Jack's memories. However, this still leaves us with the Matrix scattered and unable to receive the message and there is still a chance that Jack's mind will be too weak to survive the process" Thirteen sighed softly.
"You said the Matrix needs to be restored in order to receive the message and the burden of the Matrix may be too much for Jack's mind?" Optimus asked Thirteen after a moment, allowing his mind of an archivist organize through what they already knew. "Alright, if this burden is too much for Jack to bear on his own then let me, let us, share that burden."
"Are you suggesting creating a link between the two matrix halves within yours and Jack's mind?" Thirteen asked, regarding his counterpart curiously. Optimus swore that Thirteen even seemed a bit in shock of the whole idea but they were desperate and had little to no options.
"Will it work?" Optimus asked and Thirteen met his eye before briefly turning away to scan the chaos around them.
Letting out a deep sigh, the ancient Prime turned to face Optimus, hope flickering in his spark for the first time in a very long time. "Yes, I believe so. I would have to return to my original state and you must form a connection with your half of the Matrix through Jack's psyche. This could allow Jack's shattered memories to be renewed and reconnect but it will take time for him to fully heal as well as for the Matrix to reform, but…"
"What is it?" Optimus asked, taking a step towards the Prime.
"The fragment I currently carry of Jack is very small. He remembers very little of his life and I believe the returning memories will cause him a sensory overload. He will re-experience both good and painful memories in his life. So, he will need your assistance if he is to survive the process." Thirteen explained as he placed a hand over his spark.
"He will need your help as well." Optimus replied with a ghost of a smile at the edge of his lips, "If all goes well, this connection shall lighten the burden of the knowledge and offer Jack necessary time to heal. Then, perhaps with both connections established the matrix may be reunited in a way giving me access to the knowledge; our memories and the warning."
Thirteen gave Optimus a light nod before he rose to his full height. "Let us hope so…Nothing like this has ever been performed before, especially with a being of another species but perhaps it can be done since you both carry halves of the matrix...However, I am not certain of the probability of success."
"I believe it's a chance we should be willing to take if it gives Jack a chance at life." Optimus said firmly.
"Yes, perhaps you're right. However, this will require time you two will not have while on board the decepticon ship. I may be able to temporarily revive Jack's memories for him to awaken but my connection to him will not last long, you will need to complete the connection once everyone is safe." Thirteen explained, looking down at Optimus. "However, be aware that if this works it will be a new experience for Jack. He may not understand what has happened to his mind when he awakes. Guide him, he will need it. The best I can speculate is that your connection will be similar to a bond since your minds while be linking and since Jack is a child by human standards the bond will be similar of that to a caretaker and sparkling."
"I…understand." Optimus replied, letting that thought linger for a moment.
Yes, it would be better for him and Jack to create the link with the matrix once they were safe back at base. That much he understood. Still, either way a connection of their minds will be created just by Thirteen keeping Jack's memories from fading.
Still, if the connection they plan to make caused a bond between them, Optimus was a bit hesitant. There was a lot in his mind that he'd rather not have Jack exposed to, such has the war for Cybertron but he'll just have to help Jack through such things if they prove too much for his mind. "Yes, I understand. I'll do it."
"Good, keep this in mind and before I go promise me something," Thirteen replied, gently clasping his hand on the smaller Prime's shoulder.
"Of course. What is it?" Optimus asked, tilting his head a bit curiously.
"Keep them safe." Thirteen whispered softly as images of different autobots, both familiar and unfamiliar entered Optimus' mind. The faceless Cybertronians flashing in Optimus' mind brought to him in emotions.
Red, stubbornness.
Blue, calm.
Orange, energetic.
Green, gentle.
It was such an odd set, yet Optimus couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort before the images drifted from his mind.
"I will." Optimus answered Thirteen's final request as the faceless Prime seemed to almost give him a smile before the veins of data keeping his form began to strip away. Optimus watched in silence as the veins unraveled piece by piece and spread out across Jack's mind, not yet intertwining with the veins of Jack's mind that they had been ripped from. They were waiting.
Soon, the veins were gone and all that remained in Thirteen's spot was Jack. Stargazer, the sparkling that Thirteen had mentioned was nowhere in sight, though Optimus could see Jack's psyche was damaged. He was cracked and damaged, yet threads of knowledge appeared to wrap around Jack as if embracing him, keeping him from falling apart even further. Optimus could also suspect this is what remained of Stargazer after he had become part of Thirteen.
Letting that thought linger, Optimus knelt down beside Jack and once he got a closer look, he noticed Jack's eyes were closed as if he were asleep.
"Jack?" Optimus called out to the sleeping boy gently.
Jack's eyes fluttered a bit at the sound of his voice and he struggled to open his eyes. The danger was gone. He could feel it and the voice calling for him, it sounded familiar but he wasn't sure from where. Finally, Jack forced his eyes open and the first thing they focused on was on a hazy blue being.
"Are you alright?" The being asked him as his features slowly began to sharpen as Jack's vision improved. Jack could only just stare at this being for a moment, part of him wondering what he was and other telling him he's met him before. The feature that stood out the most to Jack for this titan was his bright glowing eyes.
"Do you know who I am, Jack?" asked Bright Eyes, Jack decided refer to that name to him as since he didn't know this being's real name and it was only until now that Jack realized he had never answered his first question.
"I...No...I'm…Everything's fuzzy...All I can see is pieces, images…a bunch stuff that doesn't make sense…"Jack muttered weakly as he rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his head and to make sense of his fragmented memory.
"The knowledge of the Primes, yes but don't force yourself, Jack." Bright Eyes insisted as his voice remained calm. "You've been hurt and I'm going to help you."
"How do you expect me to trust you if I don't even know who you are...?" Jack asked softly, though it came out a bit more confrontational than he wanted. Still he couldn't shake the memory of seeing a being like Bright Eyes before, a silver one with red eyes that tried to hurt him. Someone he couldn't trust.
"Oh. Well..." Bright Eyes replied, shifting a bit bashfully as he straightened up a bit before offering his hand to Jack. "I am Orion Pax but...you knew me by the name Optimus Prime."
Jack perked a bit at Optimus, a bit surprised by the honesty in his voice but he hesitated to return the greeting.
"I know it must be difficult for you not to be able to remember, Jack. I understand what you are going through since I have been going through a similar…situation. I also do not recall as much as I should from my life." Optimus explained, offering Jack a reassuring smile. He needed to know he wasn't alone in this.
"Really?" Jack asked, rather surprised by that, though he could have been lying to him but Jack couldn't help but think Optimus was being honest.
"Yes and perhaps we could help each other somehow." Optimus replied, his hand still stretched out towards him, waiting for Jack to take it.
Jack was silent for a moment and stared at the massive metal hand. Then, he raised his own hand and placed it over one of Optimus' fingers since his hand was too small to take his whole hand. "I'm Jack…but you already knew that…"
"It's good to meet you again, Jack." Optimus smiled and then as their hands touched, energy briefly sparked between then as the veins containing the knowledge of the Matrix started to intertwine with what remained of Jack's memories, serving as a lifeline.
Jack's eyes energized as memories started to flash before his eyes. Several expressions went across his face as he watched each memory. Some memories caused him to smile, others caused him to turn away as if he hadn't wished to see those memories again while others made him laugh.
When the process had ended, tears streamed down Jack's cheeks before he briskly wiped them away. Then, memories briefly flashed across Optimus' mind, memories that helped fill the gaps caused by his incomplete memories. Optimus dwelled on each of these memories briefly before he opened his eyes and looked down at Jack.
Optimus remembered that the return of these memories for both of them were only temporary at the moment but if they return to base and complete the connection then perhaps they could both keep their full memories.
Still, it was surprising to see how only a few years of memories could affect Jack in such a way.
"How are you feeling Jack?" Optimus asked after a moment, despite already beginning to faintly sense Jack's emotions through Thirteen.
"Better…I think…Everything's still a little hazy but I can feel my memories coming back…" Jack replied, before looking around them and unconsciously placing a hand over the veins keeping his psyche together.
"Good, it won't stay like that for long but I'm going to help you fix everything that was damaged." Optimus replied as he rose to his full height.
"What do you mean…?" Jack asked, not quite understanding what he meant. "…Are we still in the patch?"
"It's…hard to explain." Optimus replied, in a sense they were since Jack had not disconnected from it. "Megatron is gone but we are still on board the decepticon ship. I will explain everything in time. I believe it's time we go home."
"Sounds good…" Jack replied as everything around them began to disintegrate and fade much like when Bumblebee's patch was disconnected. It was a relief to Jack really, he's never felt so desperate to wake up.
"And Jack?" Optimus mentioned, pulling Jack from his thoughts as the star field around them faded.
"Yes?" Jack asked, keeping his voice leveled to keep the Prime from knowing how shaken the whole experience has made him.
"Someone is waiting for you to wake up." Optimus replied, offering Jack a smile as he disappeared. An image of a dark haired boy flashed across Jack's eyes and before he had the chance to even process what he saw he woke up to a world of pain.
Jack groaned loudly as the pain from all his injuries seemed to rush back all at once. Not exactly what he'd expected when waking up. The pain made it hard to focus. Jack could hear frantic voices around him trying to ask him questions.
Jack tried to look around to see who the closest person was but he could barely see with blood blinding one of his eyes. Though, then his intact eye finally focused the first thing Jack could see was a familiar Cybertronian bird looking down at him with wide, curious eyes.
"I don't think you're the one Optimus mentioned…" Jack muttered weakly as Nightbeat started to peck at the helmet as if trying to help Jack take it off. Good idea Jack thought as he immediately grabbed the helmet as he sat up and flung it as far as he could, satisfied when he heard the dreaded thing shatter on the ground into a million pieces.
"Jack!" Jaden cried out as he embraced his brother and Jack immediately froze.
Oh. This is who Optimus meant.
Jack just sat there, his mind reeling as his arms remained stretched out and he wasn't quite sure if he should hug his brother back but that thought immediately went out the window as Miko joined in on the hug and a wave of pain racked through Jack and he cried out in pain, pushing the two away as he tried to will the pain away.
"Oh, sorry Jack! I forgot you were hurt!" Jaden cringed, immediately looking away in regret as he wiped his eyes. Jack immediately felt guilt for pushing Jaden back and for the first time he wasn't sure what to do. They've been separated for so long Jack wasn't sure how to deal with his brother.
"Oops, uh, how you feeling Jack?" Miko asked, trying to change the subject when she saw the tension fill the air.
"Sorry about that, shoving you guys away…Um, everything hurts…I guess that happens when you escape a burning house…and getting thrown off a motorcycle…and having a warlord rip apart your mind." Jack replied, offering them a weak smile, though it came out a little harsher than he meant. He flinched, trying to ignore the pain but it was difficult to do when even breathing hurt.
"You remember what happened?" Jaden asked hopefully.
"Yeah, some of it..." Jack replied honestly before gently embracing his brother. He was already in pain, it's not like he had anything to make it better now. Jaden was a bit surprised by the gesture but gently wrapped his arms around is brother as he tried to wipe his tears with his sleeve. "It's good to see you…Even though I have no idea why on earth you're even on the Decepticons' ship or how you even know the bots but I guess now's not the best time to ask."
"Probably." Jaden replied with a smile.
"I missed you, Jade…" Jack muttered softly as he held onto his brother, burying his head in his shoulder to hide the tears that were starting to form. Jaden let out a soft sigh and held onto his brother. He had been terrified for so long at the thought he'd lose another brother but now Jack was safe and they could go home.
Optimus watched the reunion between the two brothers briefly. It was a bittersweet reunion. So much time has passed and the Decepticon warship was not the best place for recollections. Still, Optimus gave the two a moment as he scanned the room. They were not out of danger yet and they needed to get off the ship. Optimus perked as his audios picked up on a low groan and he looked over at the source. His optics stopped on Megatron who appeared to be coming to from the patch.
Had no time passed since he had spoken to Thirteen? At this rate anything was possible.
Glancing over the room, Optimus noticed Ratchet giving Jack a quick medical scan before Jaden stood to help his brother to his feet. Optimus' spark skipped a beat when he saw the look of shock and joy in Jack's eyes while he stared at Jaden. It struck Optimus that Jack had not seen Jaden walk since before the accident and it brought a smile to his lips, watching Jack embraced his brother despite his injuries, laughing as tears streamed down his face.
"Sir?" Smokescreen asked, getting Optimus' attention as the young rookie helped his commander to his feet. Optimus' mind was reeling with the rush of data he hadn't even realized he was on the ground.
"Yes, Smokescreen?" Optimus asked as he rose to his full height.
"Sir? Uh, how are you? Your memories…" Smokescreen asked, his sentence trailing off as he looked over to the others on the team. "What happened in the patch? After Megatron was forced out everything went black and then you guys just woke up. Ratchet said Jack's memories were gone beyond repair, what happened?"
For a moment Optimus said nothing. He had been aware during the patch that his team had heard him admit his memories never fully return. No doubt they all had questions, but now was not the time for answers.
"…I…got better. Jack as well. For now." Optimus said after a moment, not sure how else to explain in in so few words. The brief connection they were currently sharing return key memories to them but not all.
"I shall explain once we return to base." Optimus sighed, shaking his head, Optimus looked to his team and then to Jack. "I apologize, this reunion must be cut short. Ratchet? How is Jack? Can he be moved?"
"He's stable for the moment but weak from the patch but we should be able to get him out of here." Ratchet replied as he picked Jack up along with Miko and Jaden, placing the three in his chest compartment for safe keeping. "I suggest we get out of here so I may check both of you." He added, giving Optimus a look and Optimus knew it wasn't a suggestion, it was an order.
"Of course, Ratchet." Optimus sighed before briefly looking back at Megatron once more. "Autobots, move out."
"Yes, sir." Smokescreen replied as he moved with Bumblebee to the main door to check if the coast was clear.
Optimus kept his optics on Megatron, as well as Sideways and Knock Out to make sure none of them would interfere with his team's escape. Megatron still appeared dazed from the patch yet, he was usually quiet. It was strange of him, it wasn't in his character to remain so quiet. Suddenly, a light smirk curled on Megatron's lips and his optics glinted and Optimus knew something was wrong.
"Optimus? What's wrong?" Ratchet asked, noticing the Prime hadn't moved from his spot.
A scream tore through the air, coming from the main area of the Med Bay, followed by the sound of gunfire and the unmistakable sound of a grenade exploding as the ground shook. Not even a moment later, Bumblebee bolted back into the small medical room, half dragging a barely conscious Smokescreen inside while Wheeljack shot at an unseen enemy.
"Smokescreen!" Jaden cried out, staring at Smokescreen with widen eyes when he saw the exposed wiring and twisted metal on his back from where one of his doorwings once was.
"Get inside!" Wheeljack ordered, shoving Bumblebee inside before quickly returning into the room and slapping the doors shut.
"Reinforcements?" Ratchet asked as the door snapped shut, immediately closing the compartment holding the children before he kneeled down to inspect Smokescreen's injury as Bumblebee brought him over. His optics widen at the severely damaged metal fibers and wiring. He could immediately knew this wound wasn't from being shot at. Smokescreen's doorwing had been ripped off by force.
"What happened?" Optimus asked while Ratchet looked over Smokescreen.
"A con came out of nowhere when we opened the main doors. Smokescreen was the closest and he grabbed for him." Wheeljack explained quickly as he activated a lockdown procedure to secure the room, hopefully giving them some time to keep any more cons from getting in. "The attack damaged the phase shifter, it's not going to help us now." Wheeljack added, briefly glancing down as electricity crackled along the cracked surface of the ancient relic."
"Can…get it to work…" Smokescreen muttered weakly, "I'm sorry…Let you guys down…Can't get us out of here…" Smokescreen said weakly as he tried to remain conscious.
"You did what you could Smokescreen, this wasn't your fault." Optimus replied, trying to reassure him.
"Smokescreen! Are you alright?!" Jaden cried out, his voice muffled from within Ratchet's chest compartment before he force the compartment open to get a look at Smokescreen.
"J-Jaden…?" Smokescreen muttered weakly, his voice turning to static as the pain overwhelmed him before a loud bang came from the door. The team turned their attention to the door, startled to see a fairly large dent on the heavy duty door.
Another crashed echoed from the door, causing the metal to cave in until a fist broke through.
"Autobots, get back!" Optimus ordered as he activated his weapons and stepped between the door and the team before a shriek tore through the room, coming from the other side of the door before purple optics peeked inside the room. A grin curled beneath the glowing optics before the hands tore through the metal, breaking through the large door as if it were paper.
"Leaving so soon? We were just starting to have some fun." Breakdown chuckled as he stepped into the room, dragging Smokescreen's severed door wing behind him. His grin only widen as he simply discarded the door wing, tossing it inches in front of Ratchet and Smokescreen.
…
A/N: As a side note I'm sticking with the headcanon that door wings for TFs are extremely sensitive so getting one ripped off is very painful so yeah. Poor Sideswipe. ;;
Also! I hinted at new characters showing up in this chapter I wonder if any of you can guess who. I was VERY vague but I'm curious if anyone can guess XD I can give you a guess: colors. *muffled theme song playing in the back ground* OKAY I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED THE CHAPTER.
Please review I appreciate it thanks so much and for being patient!
I have the next chapter ready just getting it looked over first, should have it up within a day or so, I'll see.