Arcee ran down every stairwell and jumped each overhanging platform she could find until she reached one section that had Cybertronian scripture reading "Smelting Pit Access." She knew there had to be a special elevator or way down to it so no accidents occurred. Taking the longer but, arguably, easier way down, she came to a narrow shaft of platforms that lowered to the middle of Darkmount's core and had quite an opening to it.

The top half of the citadel lay above her held up by multiple giant black pillars. In between each pillar was a view of Cybertron's outside environment. She continued running across the platform as a signature orange glow was coming into view. She heard a banging noise behind her, no doubt Rockrider following. Turning back, she suddenly slid to a halt.

Arcee almost fell off the edge of Darkmount's platform, right into the smelting pit that still waited for some poor, unfortunate soul to be engulfed by its flames. She felt a little woozy peering down at its molten center, but she hardly feared it.

"Where are you going, Arcee? It's not like you to run away! What happened to the fierce warrior I sought to eliminate? Did she already die on the isle?" Rockrider scowled from the entrance to Darkmount's shaft leading back up.

Knowing she was backed into a corner, Arcee stood her ground. "No, she just needed a plan."

"A plan? Is this your plan? I can't believe I once idolized you, but I learned a long time ago how foolish you and the other Autobots were. So soft on a planet that needs bloodshed to keep going. Notice how our entire existence is often for misery? And here you are, trying to think up a plan instead of fighting to the death like everyone else. Afraid I might win or are you just not a Cybertronian anymore?"

"Our existence isn't for war. That's what people like you, people like Megatronus Prime and-and-and Liege Maximo thought all we were worth and that's why other planets like Velocitron, Caminus, Charr, and Kanjis look down on us like we're nothing but mindless demons. It's always been people like you that ruin this planet! Maybe Megatron was right at first, but he got caught up in it too, the same as what you have become," Arcee said. "You tell me something, Rockrider, because I'm just dying to know! Why did you do it? Why did you really turn against me? What did I ever do to you?"

Rockrider giggled, "You want to know why? Because you were weak. Cybertron needs its assertion, that's how we as a species survived for so long. People like Megatron wanted to tear it down. I was always a fan of the old system...because it worked. Sure, not everyone was free, but we thrived. It was through that tough love we beat the Quintessons the first time, we built big things, made the greatest living weapon in the galaxy; we were immortal. And then you come in.

"A pretty, little fool who took a page from a pathetic organic planet and made Cybertron into a free world where we are nothing but a laughingstock now. You see, I can't have that. I worked under Alpha Trion as his apprentice. I was perfectly content with what I had but you and that gladiator ruined it for everyone. So, I decided to take matters into my own servos and did what you couldn't."

Arcee slowly shook her head, "So, all of this was for you? You try making it sound like it's for the people and yet, it's an inconvenience for youso it's wrong?"

"I am the people! ME!" Rockrider screamed.

The sudden outburst made Arcee's foot slip slightly and a piece of old metal on the platform broke off to fall to the fiery pit below. She kept quiet with nothing other than a glance of discomfort.

The larger femme sneered, her optics dark with a condescending raise of the brow in her wake. "The caste system was placed for a reason. We are made for exactly what we are assigned to make our survival meaningful. Just because you were given a title after a war, Arcee, doesn't make you a queen. You should have just stayed a beautiful dancer, a show girl because that's all you were ever good for."

The bubbling of the smelting pit, the faint wind creeping through the open tower chilled her, but not as much as Rockrider. And yet, she had no shame in her former career, not anymore. It was through that she learned to survive, be strong. True, no choice was in it, but had she not been a dancer, had fate been kinder...who would she be other than Arcee?

"You're right...but at least I wasn't a failure in the end."

"I'm not a failure," Rockrider gritted through her dentae.

Arcee bit back, "Really? Because your way of life sucks, your rule sucks, and you couldn't even hold up to Alpha Trion when you were his apprentice because he made no mention of you. I guess you were that much of a disappointment that he would rather pretend you didn't exist than embarrass himself with the likes of you."

"Don't you dare say that! I am queen here! I'm the savior of Cybertron!"

"No, you're not! You're just a pathetic delusionist and a fraud! You're nothing and will never be anything other than failure."

The dark shades of Cybertron's night combined with the faint light of the smelting pit made Rockrider's faceplates demonic, her blue optics not the bright bubbly orbs they once were. Now, they were as sharp as jagged-cut sapphires with a twinge of gold and topaz outlining the lifeless pupils staring down Arcee.

She sighed, still holding the blade though her grip seemed shaky, "Well then, I guess...I can succeed at one thing no one else could."

Arcee remembered she still had Dagger Prima on her back and shifted her backside to let it loose to fall into her awaiting servo hidden behind her. Her gaze never left Rockrider's and the latter latched onto hers just as intensely.

"The murder of the uncapturable Arcee, the bot that the Decepticons believed to be unmatchable," she hissed. "If I'm going to rewrite history in my favor, I'm just going to have to do the impossible."

With her brows furrowed, Arcee sneered, "Greater bots than you have tried."

"There's always a first for everything."

Swiping her sword down, Arcee twirled away from it as it embedded into the platform. But Arcee found Rockrider wasn't as much of a slouch in speed as she assumed when the femme pulled her weapon free in seconds and managed to catch her.

Arcee clutched her lower chest armor as a large gash was present. It wasn't deep enough to damage anything vital, but it stung like hell. She had mere seconds to dodge out of the way of another swipe aiming for her head. Rolling nearly under Rockrider, she made a swift rotation of her legs, and the other femme tripped up off her feet slamming on her back. Backflipping upright, Arcee took her pose, this time with Dagger Prima at her side. It had been a while since she saw the need to use it but now was a perfect time she believed.

"Rockrider, I'm giving you one last warning! Stop this madness and turn yourself in!"

Rockrider snarled sarcastically, "Oh, how noble! Can't finish me off like the warrior you always say you are?! What happened to that fire in your optics?! I thought you wanted to kill me?!"

"You have no idea," Arcee hissed back. "But the difference between killing out of revenge and proper justice is choice and every choice defines you. I'm willing, despite everything you've done, to give you a fair trial unlike what the caste system used to do."

"Ha! Didn't know I was fighting a walking self-help article!" Rockrider yelled as she lunged again. Arcee jumped back when one swipe almost gutted her. "But what can I expect from Optimus' prized lieutenant?! He is a plague upon Cybertron! All this until-all-are-one load of scrap is just him admitting that he can't do anything worthwhile and that he must rely on drones like you to get his stupid message out which means nothing!"

"Optimus had his spark in the right place which is why we knew it was a chance to make things better, especially when Megatron lost his way!"

"Then they're both idiots!" Rockrider said.

Arcee brought Dagger Prima to counter one swipe of her sword that nearly threatened to behead her. Pushing back, she said, "No form of government can survive without its people! That's what the caste system never got and that's why it is nothing but a slave system. Bots like me and Megatron went to suffer for years in our forced professions we were assigned the moment we were born that we had to take unethical alternatives to survive and gain respect while bots like you were born to opportunities we could only dream of. That's not a fair system and that's what Megatron fought against; he was right all along. Alpha Trion preached similar, but he never did anything but speak because he only cared for Iacon and a select few other cities. He was wrong."

The mention of Rockrider's former teacher made her see red and she broke their stalemate before punching Arcee. That almost made Arcee drop the dagger, but she kept a hold of it knowing there was more to come and she, for one, did not want to be with a weapon.

As they clashed again, there was a small glow in the far distance, but it disappeared as soon as it came. It was enough of a distraction for Rockrider to backhand her to roll to the edge of the platform. She blinked and saw the smelting pit boiling below. The more she saw it, the more flashbacks of Megatronus' fiery grip came to her mind as if she expected him to jump out of the molten pit to grab her and drag her down to the afterlife with him.

She heard Rockrider move and rolled to the side to avoid the blade coming down again just where her helm was less than a second prior. She leapt back up and ran full force at Rockrider, kicking her with both pedes away from her weapon embedded in the platform.

Suddenly, the platform creaked. The part closest to the edge with Rockrider's sword started to break at the seams. Arcee remembered a conversation Megatron and her had that lead to Darkmount's construction very early on the isle. He had taken some short cuts to quickly build it though he only mentioned wiring. Upon becoming aged, the structure's stability wasn't made to last forever apparently.

"Damn!" She said, running away from the collapsing piece.

Rockrider, however, tried to free her weapon in time but she couldn't get it out from its deeper position in the metal than previously. At the last second, she bailed and barely made the edge. Climbing up, she hit her fist angrily on the currently stable remainder of the platform as the piece that broke off fell right into the smelting pit with a burst of fire.

But Arcee couldn't talk down Rockrider as the latter instantly sprinted at her and tackled her. They both hit the ground with a few bounces but in the bronze femme's fury, she spat, "I'm going to kill you if it's the last thing I DO! How's the royalty in your head, Arcee? Still think you're a queen in there?!"

Arcee suddenly had to clutch her throat when Rockrider maliciously wrapped her servos around her neck to break it. With the other bot on her legs, she had no room to move except she remembered she was holding Dagger Prima. Squeezing her arm holding the dagger from where it was caught, she immediately whipped the blade right into Rockrider's backside.

Seeing the shock and stall of confusion and horror, Arcee couldn't help but smirk as Rockrider tumbled backwards with the dagger embedded in her. She tried reaching back but Arcee was quick to run at her and get behind her, ripping the blade out of a spot right beside the spine. Rockrider's arm started having trouble moving upon this and Arcee took the advantage she had to move in front of Rockrider without much fear of being attacked.

"You always doubted me. But like everyone else, now you know why being as small and agile as I am has given me many opportunities. Thank the dancing career you seem to regard as low-class for that. Maybe it wasn't for me, but many friends of mine did it just as long if not longer than I have, and they are the toughest bots I know. They are better bots than you."

Rockrider was close to tears wincing as each movement of her left arm caused agony. She tried to stand up but just as she did, Arcee shoved Dagger Prima right into her abdomen. Her right arm still working held Arcee's shoulder as she stumbled with a moan. Peering down at her wound and all the Energon bubbling out, she watched it ooze out her shaky servo.

"I would have saved you, but I don't think I can, not anymore." Forcing her to a kneeling position, Arcee stood over her, merciless and cruel. "By the way, Rockrider, you're right about one more thing. I'm never a queen in my conscience; I'm a damn warrior," Arcee snarled, twisting the blade deeper.

Rockrider whimpered as a cascade of Energon ruptured from the wound. Arcee removed the dagger from her and pushed her off the ledge. However, her leg was caught by Rockrider and she was dragged over the side too.

The traitorous bot tried to paw at Arcee to keep her close with a snarl. Arcee was above the other and tore herself from Rockrider's frantic grip as they fell before the former grabbed the bronze, bloody torso and growled, "Tell Alpha Trion...you failed!"

Arcee didn't waste a second, even in the threat of death, to enjoy the surprised look Rockrider gave her when she forced herself upright and delivered a kick right into Rockrider's helm, cracking her neck and pushing her farther down to buy Arcee some spare seconds of airtime before plunging to her own death. The bewildered and crazed expression of terror Rockrider had falling into the smelting pit satisfied Arcee enough to accept her fate alongside the other.

The smelting pit ruptured with newfound energy as it consumed Rockrider, a spray of molten fire spewing out and missing Arcee by inches. The heat was getting far too intense the closer she got. Arcee held out her arms, ready to hit the fiery pool.

She felt herself stop. Confused, she peered down to find herself hovering just above the pit. She grew uncomfortable being exposed to the heat but suddenly, she was pulled upward by an unknown force. Maybe she already died, and her soul was going to the Well?

"Not yet, I'm afraid," laughed multiple voices in unison.

Arcee looked up as she was brought before the Allspark coming down from Darkmount's side. She slowly drifted upright and was forced to levitate in front of it a good distance away from the smelting pit.

She said in disbelief, "You saved me?"

"You saved me. Why shouldn't I return the favor? And besides, there is someone waiting for you. I normally don't like to interfere with lives, but I can make exceptions under certain circumstances. You finally destroying the basis of the remaining corruption on Cybertron as I failed to do is more than enough for me to do this. You're braver than I am, Arcee."

The Allspark had her hovering in view of the access door and the damaged platform both her and Rockrider had fallen off. A banging on the door to the lift had the Allspark and Arcee turn to see what was making the noise. Several dents appeared one by one until the lift's door was broken and flung past both beings down into the pit. Arcee smirked as she saw The Matriarch stretch.

"We got stuck in the lower floors in some sort of hidden chamber. Where's Rockrider?"

"She won't be bothering us anymore," Arcee said. "Where are the others?"

The Matriarch was surprised to hear the news but then answered Arcee's question. "Uh, well...Grimlock and Predaking got stuck in the entry way following me and Shockwave got stuck behind them. I was already out so I scoured Darkmount looking for you and Megatron."

Arcee pressed her fingers to her lips to cover some laughter before turning to the Allspark. "Do you think you could do us one more favor today and, uh, help us get our friends unstuck?"

The Allspark turned purple with compassion and gave a gleeful cry while twirling around Arcee.

Megatron sat cross legged at the base of his ruined throne. He saw the Allspark appear briefly before diving down and as much as he wanted to pursue, he still couldn't fly. He hoped Arcee was okay as he had found her and Rockrider gone in his distraction after dealing with Wrathzone.

Then he heard the laughter of a thousand voices and eleven orbs of light came up from past the edge of Darkmount's platform and quickly came to him to circle him. All eleven danced around him with their ghostly voices. Each one was a wisp of the gems he helped save.

They seemed to be considering something among their whispers, but he wasn't sure what. But then they lifted above him and spread out among the ceiling still in a circular pattern. Rotating in high speed, all their energy met in the middle and with a flash, the Predator's red gem appeared but now it was glowing, smaller than previous and was connected to a silver chain. As it floated down, Megatron held out his servo to let it hover among it.

It appeared like a small necklace, and it now held the same gem color as Arcee's red gem on the pink crest on her helm. He smirked at the coincidence until he thought about it and realized the Allspark was giving him a present to give to Arcee to confirm his love for her. It was not an expected gesture, that's for sure, but he appreciated the gift.

"Megatron!" Arcee's voice called.

He immediately stood up, peering around all sides of the peak platform anxiously. The Allspark abruptly shot upward with a call and leveled out to the platform, then he saw her. Arcee did a twirl in the air, instinctively flapping her winglets despite them not being the reason she was flying. Then he smiled watching Grimlock running like mad being lifted in thin air, but he went no faster than a snail's pace and Predaking keeping completely still unsure of the magic keeping him afloat. Shockwave held The Matriarch's servo as they both floated up, to the latter's amusement, before landing on the platform.

Arcee did one final front flip before bouncing on her pedes on the stable ground upon landing in a cheerful mood. "Did you miss me?"

"More than you think. Rockrider?"

The Matriarch answered for her. "At the bottom of the smelting pit."

Megatron chuckled, "Now, you see why I had that pit installed in Darkmount? You never know when it might come in handy."

Arcee shook her head humorously, "I still think it's overkill."

Clearing his throat, he held the necklace behind his back to attempt to show it to her as a surprise. "I, uh, have something for you."

"Really?"

As they drew close to each other, the Allspark, the three faction leaders, and Shockwave all huddled close to watch the exchange.

Megatron got down on one knee and brought the necklace to Arcee's delight. Upon instinct, she reached her helm crest and touched her red gem seeing the other gem before putting her servos together in front of her mouth.

Predaking narrowed his optics and whispered to the others, "Isn't this what humans do when they find their sparkmates?"

All three bots plus the Allspark turned to him annoyed at the distraction from the moment they were trying to witness.

In his defense, he put his servos up. "Just a question."

"Megatron, I don't know what to say. How did you...?"

The warlord smiled, "A friend."

Arcee looked towards the Allspark who glowed nearly white pleasantly with a chuckle, swaying from side to side. She gave it a nod and then turned back towards Megatron. "Thank you."

"I said I hoped to express what I've felt for some time in case one of us didn't make it today. But now that I can see you again, I will say it once more. I love you."

She leaned close and touched their noseplates together with a purr. "I love you too."

Four of the audience members made soft "aw" sounds but then The Matriarch said, "Ew."

This time it was her turn to get multiple looks. However, she merely looked at them and scoffed, "Romance disgusts me."

Shockwave tilted his head confused. "We...we're together in a romantic relationship, are we not?!"

"And our romance is good. I appreciate you and me. I just normally don't care much for anyone else's relationship."

Predaking facepalmed, the Allspark remained silent, Shockwave just stared at her, and Grimlock looked to the side unsure of how to respond. Then the Dinobot asked, "What-what is the logic behind that?"

The Matriarch just crossed her arms with a sigh. "Forget it! Forget I said anything."

The scientist still looked at her before rotating between watching Megatron and Arcee and then peering back at his own sparkmate. "You and I are going to talk about that. You have got to work on your wording of things."

With the Allspark's help, Arcee and Megatron's team were all transported back to the Crystal Palace's infirmary where the bots they rescued were being checked out and treated. Scythe was the most notable of injuries with his knuckles broken hitting the wall of the cell prior. To Arcee's delight, Haywire seemed to refuse to leave the lead guard's side.

When they all were able to regroup and talk to Arcee, she promised them the story of her return along with Megatron and that's exactly what she gave them.

"So, let me get this straight. You two were fighting monsters and many sworn enemies of the Cybertronian, human, and other cybernetic races alike while we were attempting to get you back home including Megatronus Prime, Tigressa, Quintessa, and a Cybertronian Predator?! And you did all this and survived?!" Bumblebee said with an astounded expression.

"Sounds cool, huh?" Arcee smirked, fist bumping Megatron who equally shared her amusement. She laughed, "Told you once nothing would kill me, but I had help too, especially with one bot who is no longer with us, Bolt. He saved both Megatron and I on the very first day on the isle. Oh, and Shockwave?"

The Decepticon scientist perked up at hearing his name.

"Hate to say this, but I killed your stupid pet Driller. It was in my way. I'm sorry but at the same time, and I can't stress this enough, why do you have so many abominable pets?!"

"Because I could," he answered deadpanned. The tone of his voice made it very apparent he was not happy upon receiving that information. What he was plotting went unsaid but Arcee could tell he was formulating a plan to do something.

Moonhunter stood on his hind legs and kneaded Arcee's torso with a purr as she excitedly scratched the cat.

"And you two became the best of friends...uh, maybe more I'm starting to see, through this Allspark-infused journey? I feel like I missed a lot," Scythe said as both he and Haywire exchanged glances.

Optimus grew his very own smile. "It seems fate has tested you, Arcee, and you too, Megatron. In the face of incredible danger of implausible magnitude, you have prevailed where even I don't think I would have. That is a feat unlike anything I could ever know, and I am proud of you, Arcee. You have truly earned your title as queen if not already before this. I knew you were destined to be something more than even I could imagine which was why I never accepted the chance to be king here and how I knew Bumblebee would take the Autobot leader position instead."

Arcee widened her optics. "You mean, you knew about the whole...?"

"No, not Rockrider's betrayal or your banishment to the isle. I was given a vision by what I believe was another Prime in the Well or the Allspark itself that you would bring Cybertron together more than I did. We may have revived our planet, but we were still not whole. Everyone knows you are a great ruler which was why when the time came to protect your legacy did, we all unite because you made that impression on us, and you proved it even more upon your time on the isle."

Megatron turned to her then and said, "Optimus is right, Arcee. It was thanks to you that I now see there is so much more to my meaning in life than just a warlord. I did like my destructive behavior, sure, but fighting by your side helped me overcome many of my faults and for that, you have my undying loyalty. I will forever be indebted to you as your humble servant...and now your friend forever."

He bowed and Arcee forgot she was supposed to be acknowledged in such a way. It felt unnatural to see Megatron do this not out of mockery but as a genuine gesture of respect. Of course, their relationship just recently getting an upgrade meant they could either hide it or admit what they were. She smiled and gently gestured for him to stop before leaping up to his shoulder to sit on it with her legs crossed and one arm leaning on top of his helm.

"Nah, we learned together how to handle our flaws. Without you, I may not have survived as well as everyone thinks. We started this adventure together and we'll end it together. Isn't that right, partner?"

Megatron was ecstatic and flashed a fanged smile, one she had come to adore. They both looked towards their peers for approval. Optimus was the most pleased by their union and silently offered his blessing with a nod.

Shockwave rested his servo against his arm cannon and chuckled, a rarity to hear. "I never thought I would see the day you, Lord Megatron, would be truly happy."

"It's just Megatron now, Shockwave, remember? I'm no longer a lord of anything. The Decepticon faction from a political stand is in good hands with you and The Matriarch in charge, I aim to stay retired. I've had my time as its leader. It is now time for someone else to take the helm."

"Yes, Megatron," Shockwave said.

The Matriarch playfully nudged her sparkmate who gleamed back at her proudly at receiving Megatron's rare approval.

Arcee pursed her lips before giving a sly grin. "Well, maybe you won't be a lord anymore but...what about a king?"

Megatron froze with a surprised side eye. "I...wouldn't think you would trust me with that after everything I've done. Consort, yes, but king? And what about my sentence?"

"True, but technically, I'll still oversee the planet. You'll just have the title and I promised I would take care of you after this, didn't I? I can technically overrule any sentence if I have proof of your service, and don't we ever."

At first, he seemed neutral on the idea, but he lit up with a shrug. "That's fair."

"Well," Windblade started, "you two had your adventure. Let's just say we had ours. Let me tell you about this mess from start to finish with a proper explanation, Arcee."

The blue femme was all too eager to hear their story, Megatron as well. Moonhunter let himself be picked up by Optimus who stroked the cat's spine while he listened.

Getting back into the groove of things and getting all the damage repaired was the least dignifying experience she had to go through. Multiple bots servicing her, pampering her up like a doll she didn't miss one bit and neither did Megatron who had to get the scratches and deep claw marks fixed to look pristine as her high king consort.

He urged though to keep his facial scars as they were a reminder of his past. After some heated arguments, the staff finally relented, and he was proud of himself. She made sure his original weapons were reattached and his T-cog was replaced. Watching him soar around the exterior of the palace like a kid on a bicycle gave her one big laughing fit.

His crown was barbed with some jewels like his personality and upon touching the tips, he smirked, "It's funny. After all this time, I sought to rule Cybertron and then Earth in my own twisted fashion only to find more comfort in having the true ruler of Cybertron do so while I am content as their consort. From a miner to a humble king...I never would have imagined this."

"See what happens when you do good things?"

"Oh, don't think I'm reformed entirely," he laughed. "I still have a mean streak if someone pisses me off."

"And I wouldn't have you any other way," Arcee said, placing her servo on his.

Megatron made a genuine smile and closed his optics pleased.

Unlike Arcee, he didn't have to go through a whole lot of modifications aside from repairs. The only thing that changed was special designs patterned on his chest, limbs, waist, and helm. Little cosmetic changes.

Wearing the pristine white and pink highlight armor over her normal blue felt heavier than she remembered as did her new crown, but Haywire assured her that it was just like last time when she was first coronated. The fact that there had to be a second coronation made her wince inside. One person who could probably make it seem better was Bolt with his jokes to take her mind off things.

Speaking of whom, that sent Arcee into a sad state. He died helping her and she couldn't thank him enough for his insights that led to many of her victories against the creatures of the isle and against the Allspark itself. She wanted nothing more than to keep her promise to make him part of the Iacon Hall of Records team. She didn't even get the chance to tell him how much he meant to both her and Megatron.

Sitting on her throne again with Megatron by her side on his very own, she pondered what to do. The Allspark came back as she convinced it to, making up for its abandonment by helping restore much of Cybertron's wildlife and wilderness that had been destroyed during the war. It talked to her occasionally as it promised, and she knew it knew she was still frustrated by a few things.

Repairing Rockrider's damage to the system took Perceptor's and Shockwave's help and for that, she was eternally grateful. Windblade and the citizens of Cybertropolis were more than willing to help her with any demands she needed, mostly as the true friend Windblade was to her.

Haywire and Scythe both watched her with interest petting Moonhunter sleeping on a fancy pillow between the two chairs before the latter approached solemnly upon receiving surprising news.

"If I may, my Queen, we have word that the Allspark wants to meet with you, something about a gift for your valor. I can schedule an appropriate time."

Megatron looked at her, not daring to answer on her behalf like he may have long ago.

She sighed and shook her head, "No, I...I'll go meet with it now. I've got a lot on my mind, you know?"

The red mech bowed, "Understood. You can find the Allspark in Crystal City's Garden Plaza. It will be there all day tending to the recent vegetation moved there from the isle."

Arcee nodded and closed her optics. It was just another day of peace and that's all she wanted.

AN: Don't go anywhere, next up is the last series of stories to tie together the perspectives of characters and then the last chapter will be after that! I didn't plan on releasing this on the 4th of July. The timing just kind of worked out conveniently.