Author's Notes: I feel bad that I've neglected this fic for so long. This is such a good idea and you guys have definitely supported it, so I don't know why I took so long besides having too many fics at once. Sorry ^_^'
One good thing about working on "If Only For a Moment" is that with this story being set in an alternate TF Prime dimension I can add in elements that otherwise wouldn't be there. The world building on this fic has been fun, though right now I don't know where the story will go beyond certain concepts and scenarios. If there's anything specific you want to see let me know. I can't guarantee it'll fit, but I'll certainly consider it. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy this chapter :)
Chapter 3
The Bash Brothers
"Ow! Ratchet, be careful!" Arcee groused as she tried to squirm away from the good doctor's reflex indicators.
"Alright, that's the last test," Ratchet said in an analytical tone, "Now to see if we can figure out what's going on..."
"Oh, come on Doc!" Cliffjumper exclaimed impatiently, "She's not a Decepticon, she's not a clone, and she's not trying to kill us. Can't you tell it's Arcee? Nobody else acts like her. That's the genuine article right there."
"Mhm," Ratchet hummed distractedly as he peered into a microscope.
"I've noticed the base seems kind of sparse," Arcee pointed out, "Where is everybody, Cliff?"
"Well, Optimus is in the training room, Bumblebee's over there with the kids, and Ratchet's right here. That's about it."
"There's only four of you?" Arcee asked in shock, "What happened?"
"Nothing happened, besides the obvious," Cliffjumper shrugged, "Not too many 'Bots answered Prime's distress signal. We did have a former Wrecker come by here a couple months ago, but he didn't stay. Shame, too. That Wheeljack really knew how to lob a ball."
"What about Bulkhead?" Arcee asked as dread threatened to overwhelm her spark.
"What, tall green and ugly? Don't worry about him," Cliffjumper dismissed with a wave of his servo, "He's useless alone."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Arcee asked; slightly offended for Bulkhead's sake.
Cliffjumper was about to answer her, but then they heard Ratchet exclaim "By the Allspark!". They decided the conversation could wait since it was clear the medic had found out something important.
"What is it, Ratchet?" Raf asked as he and Sierra rushed over to the edge of the balcony to see what was going on.
"I thought Skyfire's infinite parallels was only a theory," Ratchet whispered as he looked at the data.
"Sky-who's what?" Sierra asked in confusion.
Bumblebee beeped the answer, and Raf translated by saying "Bee says Skyfire was a scientist that specialized in space/time theories. He apparently believed in a multiple universe theory similar to Everett's interpretation of quantum mechanics."
"Okay, now I'm lost," Sierra replied in befuddlement, "Ratchet, what's going on with Arcee?"
"Apparently this is indeed Arcee, but not the one that we once knew," Ratchet replied gravely.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic, Doc," Cliffjumper interrupted as he tried to act nonchalant even as his processor screamed in denial, "How can she be Arcee and yet not Arcee? That doesn't make any sense."
"It does when you account for Skyfire's infinite parallels theory," Ratchet explained, "It states that every decision made leads to a different outcome, and there are an infinite number of dimensions where those decisions have been made. What I'm trying to say is that this is Arcee, but from another dimension; one where you died instead of her."
"That stupid portal sent me to another dimension!?" Arcee asked in disbelief, "As if I didn't already want to kill Starscream."
"Good news, I already did it for you," Cliffjumper reminded her with a smirk, "Well, you might not be my Arcee, but you're as close as we'll ever get, so I'm still glad you're here."
"Yeah, oddly enough, me too," Arcee reluctantly admitted, "I know I need to find a way to get back to my own universe, if there is a way, but I guess I wouldn't mind hanging around for a little while."
Bumblebee whirred, and Raf translated by saying "Bumblebee says Optimus is coming, and he wants to meet Arcee."
"Well, looks like we have some explaining to do," Cliffjumper smirked, "Come on partner, let's go talk to the big guy."
Arcee had been stunned when she first met this dimension's version of Optimus. Everyone else had looked the same as her friends in her own dimension, so she was surprised by what she saw when the large, bulky, red blue and steel colored Autobot leader came sauntering in. His armor was rougher and more aged, his face had several cracked scars on it, and while his blue optics were still kind there was a hardness to them she wasn't used to seeing from the Prime.
Once he spoke to her however, Arcee was instantly comforted by the fact that his voice sounded the same. That deep soothing baritone let her know that this wasn't a complete stranger; this was still Optimus Prime.
"Another dimension? Are you certain?" Optimus asked Ratchet curiously.
"I'm certain," Ratchet nodded firmly, "Her molecular structure is all wrong. It's hard to explain in layman's terms, but she doesn't...fit, with anything else in the known universe. That would indicate she isn't from our universe at all. The only explanation for that is Skyfire's infinite dimensions theory."
"She also claimed I was dead in her universe," Cliffjumper added as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed; Arcee close by his side, "In her universe Starscream killed me instead of her. That seems to be the difference."
"Well, it's not the only difference," Arcee piped up to clarify, "For one, my Optimus Prime wasn't a miner, he was a data clerk. Megatron was the miner before he became a gladiator in my universe."
"Megatron was never a miner," Optimus practically growled, and Arcee was shocked by the sudden change in his attitude, "Such a mech doesn't understand the plight of the working caste, no matter what he claims. He was born a gladiator, and amassed enough wealth to rise in his station to the elite caste. He thought his riches could buy him the Primacy, but he was wrong. The matrix chose me, and while I still doubt that I am worthy of such an honor, I know for a fact that Megatron is not. He has sought to rip the matrix from my chassis ever since."
"That doesn't sound so different from my universe, at least in tone," Arcee replied, "However, my Optimus was once friends with Megatron, before Megatron betrayed him and all of Cybertron by forming the Decepticons."
"Friends with Megatron? Ha! That will be the orn," Optimus scoffed, and Arcee was once again surprised by how much more scornful and boisterous this version of Optimus Prime was.
Before more comparisons could be made, however, an alarm blared throughout the base and Ratchet was quick to try to identify the source of the problem.
"Decepticons," Ratchet bit out through gritted dental plates, "They're attacking a power plant in Mexico."
"A power plant? Why?" Arcee asked uncomprehendingly.
"Because several months ago Shockwave invented an insidious device," Optimus explained, "That allows the Decepticons to make energon out of other forms of energy."
"Shockwave is still alive in this universe?" Arcee asked in dread, but then in a calmer yet somewhat stunned voice asked, "Wait, they know the key to synthetic energon?"
"I'm afraid so," Optimus replied ruefully, "We do not have much time. Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Ratchet, you're with me. Rafael, man the ground bridge."
Raf nodded dutifully and went over to a human-sized lever built in the wall below where the 'Bot-sized lever was. Sierra gave Cliffjumper a worried look but made no move to follow them. Arcee was so used to Miko trying to tag along she just assumed all human females were reckless, and was surprised by Sierra's restraint.
"Wait, Optimus!" Arcee called out just as the ground bridge surfaced, "Shouldn't Ratchet stay here in case of a medical emergency?"
"We are all that stands between the Decepticons and the destruction of this planet," Optimus replied gravely, "Every Autobot is required."
"Then I'll go too," Arcee replied resolutely, "If you need everyone, then you need me."
"Alright! Let's kick some 'Con tailpipe, partner!" Cliffjumper cheered as he practically dragged her by the servo to the ground bridge.
Optimus wanted to object to an unknown element running helm-first into the line of duty, but she did have a point; they really did need everyone they could get...even if she wasn't supposed to be there.
"Aww, what's the matter squishy?" Knockout taunted as he held a trembling power plant worker in his servo, "Are you afraid I'll drop you?"
"You'll never get away with this, you evil machines!" The man's voice was high pitched with fear, yet he didn't flinch before his captor, "I don't know what country sent you, but we will never bow before you!"
"Ugh, seriously! Why does everyone think we're earth robots?" Knockout asked in disgust, "Last week we were Russian, the week before that it was North Korean. One time a flesh creature called me Frenchie! Frenchie! Do I look French to you?"
"How should I know? I just work here!" The man yelled back helplessly.
Even as Knockout had fun with his new captive, a group of Vehicons hooked Shockwave's new transfer cubes to the machines in the power plant to collect the energy. It was a slow refining process, but it meant even once the crystals ran out they would still have power. Sure the Autobots attacked them a few times, but there were so few Autobots left they were practically a non-issue.
As if on cue with Knockout's thoughts there was a ground bridge opening behind him, and soon not four, but five Autobots ran out of it ready to strike; including a new addition Knockout had never seen before.
"Well, I don't know how Optimus Prime convinced you to join a lost cause," Knockout addressed Arcee directly, "But I'm sure I can think of several ways to convince you to join the Decepticons. I haven't seen such lovely features on a femme since I worked on Windblade."
"Is he flirting with me?" Arcee muttered in Cliffjumper's audial.
"Heh heh, I think so," Cliffjumper quietly chuckled, "Just don't get too distracted. He likes to talk, and he likes to show off."
"Surrender the hostage, Knockout!" Optimus boomed when he saw the human in Knockout's grip.
"I don't think so, Prime. Oh, boys!" Knockout called out smugly as he stepped back a few paces.
The walls on either side of the Autobots were suddenly smashed in, and standing on both sides of Knockout were two large mechs ready to fight. Once the dust cleared Arcee saw that on the right was Breakdown and on the left was...
"Bulkhead...?" Arcee asked too quietly for anyone to hear; too shocked to speak up any louder.
Yes, Bulkhead and Breakdown were working together. In this universe Arcee had been afraid Bulkhead was dead, but no. He was a Decepticon, and the glare of his red optics was enough to let Arcee know that even though this mech looked like her friend, he was nothing like him.
"Bulkhead, Breakdown, take out the trash," Knockout ordered sinisterly.
Immediately the two brutes rushed toward the Autobots; their hammers and wrecking ball fists ready to crush their enemies. Optimus crashed into Breakdown with so much force that the entire building shook when they fell, and Cliffjumper started shooting at Bulkhead. Bumblebee chased after Knockout, and Ratchet tended to some injured humans. This version of Ratchet seemed to know a great deal about human physiology, which was strange considering how her Ratchet thought it beneath him to research such things.
Arcee's thoughts were interrupted when Cliffjumper was thrown against the wall and Bulkhead ran toward him to go in for the kill. She knew she had to save Cliff, so she jumped up and landed on Bulkhead's back. She whipped out her blades and began to slash them across Bulkhead's armored back, which wasn't enough to injure him but certainly more than enough to annoy him.
"Ahh! Get off me you crazy glitch!" Bulkhead roared savagely; a stark contrast to anything Arcee was familiar with, "Breakdown! I need some help over here!"
"I've got problems of my own, wrecking ball," Breakdown replied quickly as he dodged a kick from Optimus Prime, "Apparently Pit Spawn Prime thinks he can take me down."
"Talking during battle? I'm surprised you can do two things at once," Optimus growled before punching Breakdown in the abdominal struts, "Ratchet! Grab the cubes!"
"No!" Breakdown cried out as he angrily tried to hammer Optimus in the helm; missing every strike.
Arcee continued to struggle on top of Bulkhead as he tried in vain to reach her so he could pull her off. Cliffjumper stood up and aimed his gun arm at Bulkhead's midsection. He fired, and Bulkhead toppled backwards. Arcee hopped off just in time to avoid being crushed by the big galoot. Cliffjumper pointed his cannon at Bulkhead's helm, and the big green Decepticon sneered at the red Autobot.
"Go on, do it! I dare you!" Bulkhead snapped, and then sneered as he said, "It won't matter. We've already won."
Cliffjumper huffed as he aimed his weapon; ready to take the shot.
"Cliff, no!" Arcee pulled his cannon toward the ceiling at the last second, and it went off; causing plaster to fall onto all of them.
"What are you doing, Arcee? He's a 'Con!" Cliffjumper barked at her.
"Heh, what can I say?" Bulkhead chuckled as he slowly stood up, "Femmes love me."
Just then, Knockout came running back into the room with Bumblebee practically riding his bumper.
"Soundwave! Send a ground bridge, now!" Knockout shouted aloud into his comm as he transformed, pulled Breakdown away from the Prime, and ran toward Bulkhead.
The ground bridge opened, and Knockout and his posse retreated from the fight. They left the green energon cubes behind, and Optimus ordered his team to take the cubes with them.
"Wait, shouldn't we give this energy back to the humans?" Arcee asked even as everyone else started grabbing cubes.
"Once the energon is converted it cannot be restored," Optimus explained, "The important thing is the Decepticons do not get the energon and the humans do not suffer needless casualties. Ratchet, how are the hostages?"
"No fatalities," Ratchet reported even as he bandaged a man's leg, "The foreman said those were the only 'Cons in the area besides the Vehicons, and they're long gone."
"Stay here for the next 30 hours to ensure no more Decepticons harm these people," Optimus ordered Ratchet, "Autobots, you performed admirably today. Let's get this energon back to base."
Arcee took a cube and went through the ground bridge with everyone else. Ratchet stayed behind to tend to the wounded, and Arcee sighed helplessly as she realized how little she actually knew about this universe. The Decepticons of this dimension were brazen enough to openly attack humans, and Fowler had not been heard from; indicating the human governments were not involved with the Autobots. Bulkhead was a Decepticon, and Cliffjumper would have killed him without a second thought. It was a lot to handle all at once, and Arcee feared before she could return home that she would be in for even more unwanted surprises.