Chapter 33: The Death of Airachnid
At Cybertron's Moon, Airachnid was feeding on the Energon of her Insecticon slave army. The Insecticons were under their Queen's total control as they couldn't fight her whenever she drained them of their Energon. Airachnid had been released from her imprisonment and then turned into a Terrorcon by Silas/C.Y.L.A.S who was turned into a Terrorcon thanks to Knock Out and Starscream's stupidity when they mixed Dark Energon with Synthetic Energon to experiment on Silas who was inside of Breakdown's broken body which resulted in half of the Decepticons aboard the Nemesis being turned into Terrorcons. As Airachnid continued to feed on the Energon of her Insecticon slave army, she suddenly felt a presence. A presence she had not felt since the beginning of the Great War.
A Cybertronian jet flew down to the moon before it transformed into robot mode and revealed himself to be Doomsayer, the Decepticon usurper who was banished from Cybertron and into deep space along with his followers by Megatron himself for his crime of treason. Doomsayer, the leader of the New Decepticons had finally found Airachnid and the Insecticons, half of which were turned into Terrorcons. This didn't concern the New Decepticon leader as he was given the power to control Dark Energon thanks to his god and master, Unicron the Chaos Bringer. Airachnid hissed as she and her infected Insecticons ran towards Doomsayer, only for him to stretch out his hand and he uses his Dark Energon powers to instantly paralyze those who had Dark Energon in their systems. Doomsayer's purple optics glowed as he spoke to Airachnid.
"Airachnid. It is I—Doomsayer. Your oldest friend." Doomsayer's demonic voice echoed through Airachnid, making her come to her senses. Airachnid shook her helm before she recognized Doomsayer and she had not seen him for millennia. When the Herald of Unicron ceased his blood-bending-like power to let go of Airachnid and the Insecticons, she immediately used her mind control to keep the Insecticons from attacking Doomsayer. "Doomsayer. It has been stellar cycles since I last saw you." Airachnid said to Doomsayer. "Indeed it has been, Airachnid." Doomsayer replied. "To what do I owe you for our reunion, my old friend?" Airachnid asked. "It's quite simple really. I'm here to make a trade with you...your Majesty. Give me half of your Insecticon army to add to my New Decepticon armada and we might be able to serve you and help you fulfill your wants and needs." Doomsayer proposed.
"Go on?" Airachnid asked.
"I will provide you with a chance to finally return from your exile on this accursed moon so that you can finally exact your revenge on those who have wronged you and if we can get rid of Blackarachnia and Tarantulas, then you will truly reign supreme as the true Queen of the Insecticons." Doomsayer told Airachnid, "And I will make sure that my army and I will certainly help you and your minions control the Dark Energon from within you so that we might be able to help quench your uncontrollable thirst for Energon. But most of all, if you give me half of your Insecticon army, then I will reward you by helping you succeed in extinguishing Arcee's spark for revenge so that you will finally be able to add her human partner's head to your collection as a trophy for sharing an alliance with us."
"Hmmmmm..." Airachnid paused as she smiled. "I like the way you put it, Doomsayer. Very well, I accept your proposal and I shall give you half of my Insecticon slave army. But how will I know that you will be able to quench my undying thirst for more Energon?" She asked. "Trust me. I'm a mech of my word. You can always count on me, my dearest friend." Doomsayer promised before he glared at his old friend, knowing that she might refuse to hand over half of her Insecticons. "But always remember—that I have the power to control Dark Energon and Terrorcons, especially if they're tainted with Synthetic Energon. If you reject my proposal, then I will be forced to turn you and your slaves inside out! Do we have an agreement?" Doomsayer said strictly to Airachnid.
"Y-Yes, Doomsayer." Airachnid replied, intimidated by the sound of Doomsayer's demonic voice and threat. "Good. Let that be a warning that there will be no takebacks while I'm around. Have we got a deal, Queen Airachnid?" Doomsayer asked.
"Yes. A deal is a deal." Airachnid replied. Doomsayer chuckled evilly. "Good..." he then hands Airachnid a portal device. "What is this?" Airachnid asked Doomsayer. "This is a portal device. Use it to open up a portal to where you will find Arcee's human partner and send your Insecticons to capture him so that you can use him as bait to lure Arcee into a death trap on this moon." Doomsayer told Airachnid before he hands her a glass container. "Once you've captured the human on Earth, put him inside of this container like a bug in a jar and then I will help you contact Arcee and when she comes to rescue her human partner, you will finally get the chance to kill your adversary." Doomsayer told Airachnid.
Airachnid nodded before Doomsayer turns to look at half of the Insecticons who were turned into Terrorcons, "Insecticons! Transform and follow my lead!" Doomsayer bellowed to the Insecticons. The Insecticons shrieked and roared as they all transformed into their beetle modes as they started flapping their wings and Doomsayer stretches out his own wings before he begins to take flight with half of Airachnid's Insecticon army. "LET'S RIDE!" Doomsayer told the Insecticons before they fly off into space. Starscream opens up a space bridge portal for them all to enter inside the New Decepticon warship called The Devastator.
Back on the New Decepticon warship, Starscream remembered when his master, Doomsayer talked to him about capturing Orion Eclipse and interrogating him into revealing the location of Unicron and where the Autobots are holding him prisoner. Starscream looked at the Dark Star Saber and he smiled as he intended to use the evil sword to kill Megatron and his son for revenge. So, the Air Commander went to his room to come up with a plan to find Orion Eclipse and capture him so that he can force him to reveal where Unicron is.
However, Starscream had second thoughts and he then changed his mind about helping Doomsayer rescue the Chaos Bringer from his imprisonment. He knew how dangerous Unicron was and how he might destroy Cybertron, Earth, and then the universe if he were to be restored to his original body. It was then that Starscream decided that he should try to get Orion Eclipse on his side and turn him against his father, Megatron, and the Autobots in hopes that the young bot would help him betray and usurp Doomsayer as the Seeker had no intention to free Unicron in the first place. When Doomsayer returned to the Devastator with half of Airachnid's Insecticon armada, he added them to his New Decepticon army just as he had added Predaking and his Predacons to his army as Doomsayer had his evil plans to build an army large enough to crush the Autobot scum. Meanwhile, the Decepticon Cyclonus decided to go solo as he wanted nothing to do with serving Doomsayer since his evil plan to find Unicron and revive him might result in the Chaos Bringer destroying the universe.
Back on Cybertron's moon, Airachnid was sitting on her throne when she held the portal device that Doomsayer gave her and she made a malevolent grin as she opened up a portal to Jasper, Nevada before she ordered her Insecticons, "Insecticons! Go to Earth, find Arcee's human partner, Jack Darby, put him inside this glass jar, and bring him to me alive. So that we can use him as bait to lure Arcee to this moon to seal her doom. Do not fail me." One of the Insecticons who were under Airachnid's control responded, "Yes, my Queen." Airachnid smiled before she pointed at the portal to Jasper, Nevada. "GO!" She said. The Insecticons shrieked as a few of them flew into the portal and traveled to Jasper, Nevada on Earth to find Jack Darby so that they can capture him, bring him back to their Queen and use him as live bait to lure Arcee into a trap on Cybertron's moon.
Back on Cybertron, Arcee was spending time with her new partner, Knock Out. They had started dating in the past few days as they developed a bond with each other. Ratchet and Wheeljack were also dating as they became lab partners while Hot Rod and Springer were getting along quite well as they were also dating while training at the Autobot Academy with Kup. Megatron was spending time with Nightbird while training her while his son, Orion Eclipse was spending time with his girlfriend, Altair Comet. At Autobot City, Arcee and Knock Out were having a drink of Energon while having a conversation with each other. "It was so nice of you to invite me out for a drink, Knock Out," said Arcee. "Well, I wanted to spend some time with my lovely lady." Knock Out said. Arcee chuckled. "You're so sweet, Knock Out." She said before she raised her glass of Energon wine for a toast, "Cheers." Arcee and Knock Out made a toast before taking a sip of their Energon wine. After they were done with their drink, they held each other's hands while walking through the streets before they sat on a bench. But then Knock Out started to feel worried as he spoke to Arcee, "Arcee?"
"Yes, Knock Out?" Arcee asked. "I'm a little worried that Doomsayer and his army would eventually find the vault where we've kept Unicron inside of that Allspark Reliquary for over five years since the Great War ended. If he gets his hands on it, then he'll bring the Chaos Bringer back to life and we'll all be doomed." Knock Out said in concern. "He won't find it," Arcee told her boyfriend. "Are you sure? Because what if he finds out where we're keeping Unicron in that canister?" Knock Out replied. "Don't worry. We'll make sure that he won't..." Arcee was about to say when she suddenly received a call from someone. "Excuse me real quick." Arcee said to Knock Out before she answered, "Hello, this is Arcee." Arcee answered her commlink when she heard Ultra Magnus' voice. "Arcee, this is Ultra Magnus. I've got some bad news." The Autobot leader said. "What is it?" Arcee asked. "It's your human partner, Jack Darby. He's been kidnapped!" Ultra Magnus informed Arcee. The fembot's eyes widened with shock. "What!? Who kidnapped him!?" Arcee asked. "Meet me at the base and I'll explain who kidnapped Jack." said Ultra Magnus.
At the Autobot base in Retoris...
Arcee and Knock Out traveled from Autobot City to Retoris where they went inside the Autobot base to meet with Ultra Magnus. "Arcee, Knock Out. I'm so glad you could make it on time." Ultra Magnus said to the fembot and the Ex-Decepticon medic. "Ultra Magnus. Who kidnapped Jack Darby?" Arcee asked. "Was it Doomsayer and his New Decepticons?" Knock Out guessed. "No. Jack was kidnapped by...Insecticons." Ultra Magnus said. "What!? But it cannot be. I thought that Soundwave had transported the Insecticon Hive over to one of Cybertron's moons along with Airachnid." Knock Out exclaimed. "Was that how the Insecticons and Airachnid disappeared before the end of the Great War?" Arcee asked Knock Out. "Yes. But how did those Insecticons manage to take a space bridge over to Earth to kidnap just one human?" The red medic asked in confusion. "How, where, and when did you find out that the Insecticons kidnapped my partner? Where have they taken Jack?" Arcee asked Ultra Magnus worriedly.
"It happened earlier today when Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Smokescreen, and I took a space bridge portal and we traveled over to Earth to visit our human friends in Jasper, Nevada. But when we drove over to visit June, Jack, Rafael, and Miko, in their neighborhood, a portal suddenly opened and a group of Insecticons appeared. We fought against them to protect our human friends, but then one of the Insecticons grabbed Jack, put him inside a glass container, and then they told us that they were sent by their Queen, Airachnid, to bring Jack to her alive. We tried to save Jack, but the Insecticons ran to the portal and they took Jack over to one of Cybertron's moons." Ultra Magnus explained to Arcee and Knock Out.
"Oh, no," Arcee said as she began to fear for Jack's life. "My nightmares are starting to come true!" She cried. "Calm down, Arcee. We'll find Jack and we'll bring him back home safely. We just need to find him." Knock Out told Arcee. "But what if Airachnid does something horrible to him!? I cannot lose my partner, Jack just as I have lost my partner, Tailgate to Airachnid!" Arcee said. "The Insecticons told us that their Queen won't harm Jack. Airachnid will only be keeping him hostage until you arrive on one of Cybertron's moons to fight her and her Insecticons to rescue your partner." The Autobot leader, Ultra Magnus told Arcee. "Then...I must go." Arcee said. "You cannot fight Airachnid and her army of Insecticons on one of Cybertron's moons alone, Arcee. I suggest that you bring backup." Ultra Magnus replied.
"If I may, Ultra Magnus, sir. I should go with Arcee to help her rescue her partner." Knock Out said. "Are you sure?" Ultra Magnus asked. "Of course I'm sure. But I won't be the only bot who's going to help Arcee rescue Jack. There are two royal Insecticons that I know of who can help us rescue Jack, defeat Airachnid and free the Insecticons from her control." Knock Out said to the Autobot leader. "And who might those two royal Insecticons be?" Arcee asked. "Blackarachnia and Tarantulas." Knock Out answered.
The Autobots began to be confused about this at first, wondering how Knock Out would know two Insecticons and in the matter to add, where would they be now? Knock Out soon began to then reach for a commlink device that was next to the operating table he and Ratchet used, and begin to see if the connection to the Insecticons was there. "Blackarachnia and Tarantulas, are you there? Please respond, it's me, Knock Out." Knock Out said speaking to the device as a screen lids up. Within seconds, a voice was then heard. "Knock Out? Is that you? It's been cycles since we've last spoken. Is everything alright?" The voice speaking to Knock Out was Tarantulas. His appearance, he looked like a human Tarantula spider in the shade colors of purple, dark, and light green, with yellow spots over his body. There were eight like spider legs as they were his shooters on his back while his arms and hands were like spider claws, loaded with missiles to attack enemies with.
Standing beside him was his queen Blackarachina as she was beautiful with red eyes and in the colors of magenta, black, and gold. she held a kind of blaster in her hand which seem to show her finished training, but like Tarantulas, she had shooters on her back too plus the ability to use strong telekinesis to defend herself and others. "Sorry for that, but we truly need your help. A human friend of ours named Jack Darby has been kidnapped by Airachnid. He is held prisoner and we are in need of help to rescue him. Plus, I recalled that Airachnid and Blackarachina are not very close for Blackarachina has more kindness to many Cybertronians, even to those who aren't like us." Knock Out then began to tell the news, after recalling the differences between the two femme Insecticons. "Hmm...I see that she is still alive, plus I can sense that she has changed. Please, do care to explain the events for what became of her, and Tarantulas and I shall come to you through our space bridge to discuss the rescue attempt. Besides, I have a score to settle with Airachnid for what she tried to do to my family and friends in the past." Blackarachina said, clutching her left hand tight in wanting revenge on the traitor Airachnid of the Insecticons. "You know, so do Knock Out and I. We cannot allow her to commit any more murders on those we love. So yes, please come over and meet with us at once." Arcee said, agreeing with Blackarachina for her first time in this team-up with Blackarachnia and Tarantulas.
Knock Out and Arcee began to tell Blackarachnia and Tarantulas of Airachnid and how she now controls an army of their Insecticons Hive and how Soundwave put them in one of Cybertron's moons where they are right now. Blarachnia and her king told Knock Out and Arcee to meet them outside of Retoris. Ultra Magnus told the medic and the two-wheeler to be careful on their mission to team up with Blackarachnia and Tarantulas to rescue Jack Darby and destroy Airachnid once and for all in order to free the Insecticons from her control and he tells Arcee and Knock Out good luck before they travel outside of Retoris and they arrived in Corumkan to where they will meet the Insecticon King and Queen. But on their way there, Cyclonus spots them while flying in his jet mode.
"Thank you for coming with me, Knock Out," Arcee told her boyfriend. "Of course, Arcee," said Knock Out. "You never told us that you knew Blackarachnia and Tarantulas," Arcee told Knock Out. "Well, let's just say that I'm an old friend of theirs. Plus, I figured that if there's anyone I know who could help us rescue your junior partner, Jack, and free the Insecticons from Airachnid's control, then it would be her older sister." Knock Out said. "Sister?" Arcee asked. "That would be Blackarachnia, the Queen of the Insecticons. She is Airachnid's older sister." Knock Out said. "I didn't know that Airachnid had a sister," said Arcee. "Well, now you do. Blackarachnia apparently has a LOT of siblings since most Insecticons can lay up to ten thousand eggs and she definitely had a sibling rivalry with Airachnid since the beginning." Knock Out told Arcee as they continued to walk far away from Retoris until they were at an alleyway.
Suddenly, a purple jet flew down, transformed into robot mode, and landed on the floor. It was the Decepticon, Cyclonus. Both Arcee and Knock Out were startled by him as Cyclonus looks down at them. "Well, well. What do we have here? A femme Autobot and an Ex-Decepticon medic. What an unexpected surprise." Cyclonus said. "Cyclonus?!" Knock Out exclaimed as he recognized the purple Decepticon. "What are you doing here?" the former Decepticon medic asked. "Glad you asked. I've heard that you renounced the Decepticons and became an Autobot, Knock Out. I'm surprised Starscream and Doomsayer haven't told the Decepticon Justice Division to add YOU or even our former master, Megatron, to their list...yet!" Cyclonus told Knock Out. "No matter...I'll just kill you now," Cyclonus said in a threatening tone as he approaches Knock Out to kill him with his Lightning Gun, but Arcee stands in front of the medic before aiming her blasters at Cyclonus. "You'll have to go through me first, 'Con!" Arcee hissed. Cyclonus growls before he begins to fight against Arcee and Knock Out. Arcee fights Cyclonus with her arm blades and blasters and Knock Out fights the big Decepticon with his buzzsaw. Then Cyclonus hits Knock Out hard on the head, nearly making him unconscious before grabbing Arcee and pinning her to the ground. Cyclonus aims his Lightning gun at Arcee as Knock Out struggles to stay awake and help his girlfriend fight off the Decepticon, but he collapses to the floor.
"Looks like I hit the jackpot! I get to kill a femme Autobot, deliver Knock Out to the DJD and then I will find ways to restore the Decepticon Empire my way." Cyclonus said as he laughed evilly while pinning Arcee to the ground and grabbing her throat, nearly choking her. "N-No! I won't...I will NOT lose Jack and then lose Knock Out just as I have lost my partners, Tailgate and Cliffjumper!" Arcee said. Cyclonus stopped choking Arcee when he heard the name 'Tailgate' before he asked, "Wait...Tailgate? Did you just mention the name, Tailgate?" Cyclonus asked in a quiet tone as he became surprised and confused. "Yes. Tailgate was my partner before he died. You knew him?" Arcee asked Cyclonus. "Knew him? Yes, I did. Tailgate and I were very close before he died." Cyclonus told Arcee. Knock Out groaned while lying on the floor and he tried not to lose consciousness as Arcee became confused as to how Cyclonus and Tailgate were very close. "What do you mean by that?" Arcee asked Cyclonus. Cyclonus disarms his weapon and he paused before he sighed and confessed, "Tailgate...was my secret lover." Arcee gasped with shock. "What?!" she exclaimed. "It's true. Forgive me, I did not know that you were Tailgate's partner." Cyclonus apologized as he drops his weapon. "Tailgate never told me that he dated a Decepticon during the war," Arcee said. "That's because he and I never told everyone about our relationship. I never told Megatron that I was in love with an Autobot and Tailgate never told Optimus or any of his fellow Autobots about his romance with me." Cyclonus told Arcee.
~flashback~
"During the Great War for Cybertron, Tailgate was fighting a group of Decepticons when he got separated from his Autobot comrades after a massive explosion." Cyclonus began telling Arcee as he narrated. "You see, Tailgate was my archenemy and when I found him lying on the rubble, he was in stasis. When I picked him up, I received a commlink call from Megatron who asked me if the Decepticons and I were able to find more Energon and I told my former master how we got into a fight with the Autobots. Originally, I was going to take Tailgate hostage, but the commlink was cut off before I decided to take my archenemy back home to my house where I took care of Tailgate's injuries instead of taking him back to Kaon with me as my prisoner for interrogation."
"When Tailgate woke up inside my house, he was shocked to see that he was in my custody. I was going to call Megatron but then I changed my mind as I thought about asking Tailgate to join the Decepticons by treating him with kindness and hospitality. Of course, Tailgate declined my offer, but instead of terminating him, I chose to let my archenemy stay in my home to recover from his injuries until we soon got to know each other a lot better and we started to get along for hours until I changed my mind about wanting to convince Tailgate to renounce the Autobots and become a Decepticon. I eventually set Tailgate free and over time, we visited each other privately before we soon changed from enemies to friends, to forbidden lovers. I still remember our first kiss. Three stellar cycles later, I finally decided to ask Tailgate to be my conjunx-endura and I asked him to run away with me. He accepted my proposal, we sparkbonded, and then, a few months later...Tailgate gave birth to our son, Gearspin."
Tailgate and Cyclonus kissed each other and they smiled at their newborn son.
Cyclonus then continues his narration as he explained to Arcee what happened next, "But then, when Megatron and the Decepticons found out that I fell in love with an Autobot and sired a half-Autobot and half-Decepticon sparkling with him, I knew that I was going to face the dire consequences of my actions. I told Tailgate to take our son and flee and when the Vehicons arrested me and brought me to Megatron, I begged for his forgiveness and he had me punished. After going through weeks of imprisonment and torture, Megatron eventually gave me a second chance to redeem myself before I got the news that Tailgate's spark was extinguished. I learned that he was killed by a Decepticon, but I was never told who it was. I eventually found my son, Gearspin, took him in and I raised him as a single father until he grew up to be a Decepticon like myself. The Decepticons treated my son as an outcast because he was half-Autobot. Gearspin eventually moved to a new home when he reached adulthood. I promised Tailgate that I would avenge his death by finding the Decepticon who murdered him so that I can terminate him or her for revenge."
~flashback ends~
Arcee remembered that it was Airachnid who killed her partner, Tailgate before she told Cyclonus, "I know someone who killed Tailgate...it was Airachnid. She killed him right in front of me many stellar cycles ago." Cyclonus was shocked before he became angry. "Airachnid." he hissed. Arcee then told Cyclonus, "I can help you terminate Airachnid. She's on one of Cybertron's moons and she's captured my partner, Jack. Will you help us defeat her so we can avenge Tailgate's death, rescue Jack and free the Insecticons from her control?" the two-wheeler asked. Cyclonus hummed as he replied, "I accept." Knock Out got up and he was about to attack Cyclonus when Arcee told him to stop. "Wait, Knock Out! Put your buzzsaw away. Cyclonus is on our side now." she said. "Are you crazy?! He tried to kill us!" Knock Out exclaimed. "He and I share the same partner. Tailgate was Cyclonus' conjunx-endura and he was my partner before Airachnid extinguished his spark." Arcee explained. "Well, Airachnid terminated my partner, Breakdown. But what makes you think that we can trust Cyclonus in helping us defeat our shared enemy to avenge the deaths of our partners? I thought that we were going to get help from Blackarachnia and Tarantulas!" Knock Out said. "We are. But we haven't got much time. Cyclonus is going to team up with us to save Jack, destroy Airachnid and free the Insecitcons from her control." Arcee replied. "But—but...okay. But I still don't trust Cyclonus." Knock Out said. "I know," Arcee said.
Cyclonus joins Arcee and Knock Out on their rescue mission and by the time they meet Blackarachnia and Tarantulas in Corumkan, Arcee, Knock Out, and Cyclonus tell them of Airachnid and the Insecticons before the two royal Insecticons agree to help the trio as they come up with a plan to destroy Airachnid, free the Insecticons and rescue Jack Darby. When Blackarachnia, Tarantulas, Arcee, Knock Out and Cyclonus find a space bridge portal and travel over to one of Cybertron's moons, they split up so that Blackarachnia and Tarantulas can try to free their subjects from being under Airachnid's control while Cyclonus kills off a few Insecticons who were turned into Terrorcons while Arcee and Knock Out make their way to rescue Jack. But then they get captured by Insecticons before Arcee and Knock Out were being brought before Airachnid and they were forced to kneel before her as Jack watches in fear inside the glass container next to Airachnid and her throne made of stone.
"Arcee!" Jack yelled as he looked at Arcee. "You came!" he said. "Jack!" Arcee said as she sees her junior partner inside the glass container next to Airachnid. "Ahh, Arcee. It's been years since I last saw you. I was hoping that you would come over to Cybertron's moon to rescue your partner. Tell me, how does it feel to being forced to kneel before the Queen of the Insecticons?" Airachnid gloated.
"You are no Queen, Airachnid!" Arcee said as she and Knock Out glared at Airachnid. "You're a false Queen! Blackarachnia is the true Queen of the Insecticons! Now let Jack and the Insecticons go! I'm the one you want!" she told Airachnid.
"DO NOT MENTION MY SISTER'S NAME IN MY KINGDOM!" Airachnid yelled at Arcee when she mentioned the name 'Blackarachnia'. "I have waited a very long time for this moment! To see you again so that I can finally make you suffer. I see that you've brought your partner, Knock Out. I look forward to terminating him after I terminate you first, Arcee." Airachnid told Arcee. "How were you able to create a portal to Earth to abduct Jack?!" Knock Out asked. "I'm glad you asked, Knock Out. Let's just say I got a little help from your ex, Doomsayer." Airachnid answered. "Doomsayer?!" Knock said in shock. "You won't succeed in killing one of my partners again, Airachnid. Your sister and Tarantulas are working on freeing the Insecticons from your control." Arcee told Airachnid. "Is that so? Well, I would love to settle old scores with Blackarachnia. But for now, I have plans to have you and your partner executed before I even add Jack's head to my collection or make him into a wet specimen. Take them away!" Airachnid ordered her Insecticons. "Yes, my Queen!" said one of the Insecticons. "ARCEE!" Jack yelled as he sees Arcee and Knock Out being taken away.
While the Insecticons have Arcee and Knock Out imprisoned inside a tunnel, Airachnid orders her Insecticons to find her sister and brother-in-law and destroy them before they would start a rebellion. "Find my sister and Tarantulas and destroy them! I want their heads just as much as I want Arcee and Knock Out's heads!" The Insecticons nodded. "Yes, your majesty!" they said.
"You won't get away with this!" Jack told Airachnid. "Silence! Unless you want to die in outer space." Airachnid replied in a threatening tone.
"Once I have your partner, Arcee and her partner, Knock Out executed, I will add your head to my collection, Jack...or I can make you my King." Airachnid told Jack. "Wait, what?!" Jack exclaimed. "After all, every Queen needs a King and you'll do just fine, handsome." Airachnid said in a seductive voice as she looks at Jack with a lustful grin while Jack looks at Airachnid in disgust. "Sorry, ma'am. But you're not my type! And FIY, I'm already engaged to my fiancé, Miko. Go find someone else to be your King!" Jack told Airachnid.
"You have no choice in the matter," Airachnid told Jack.
Meanwhile, the Insecticons found Blackarachnia and Tarantulas and they had them surrounded. But they were able to free their subjects from Airachnid's control before the Insecticons sided with their true king and queen. Cyclonus managed to kill all the Insecticons who were turned into Terrocons by Airachnid before he went to search Arcee and Knock Out so he can help them. Cyclonus found out that the Insecticons have Arcee and Knock Out imprisoned inside a tunnel within Cybertron's moon. They trapped the two inside an empty space and they closed the entrance with a large boulder. Arcee tries to use her blasters to break out, but it was no use. "We're trapped!" Arcee exclaimed. The Insecticons guarded the arena where they had trapped Arcee and Knock Out behind the boulder before Cyclonus came inside the tunnel and he takes down two of the Insectcons before using his Lightning gun to destroy the large boulder.
The boulder blew up into pieces, creating an exit for Arcee and Knock Out to get out of their prison cell that the Insecticons threw them into. "There you are!" Cyclonus said to Arcee and Knock Out. "Cyclonus! Where is Blackarachnia and Tarantulas?" Arcee asked Cyclonus. "They're busy freeing the Insecticons from Airachnid's mind-controlling influence. I...killed a bunch of Insecticons who were...turned into Terrrocons." Cyclonus explained. "Wait, what?!" Knock Out exclaimed. "How did THEY get turned into Terrorcons?" Arcee asked. "Silas must've infected Airachnid and she got turned into a Terrorcon after he freed her and tried to suck on her Energon." Knock Out said. "Pardon?" Cyclonus asked. "Well, you see...many years ago, I injected Silas with some Synthetic Energon when he was inside of Breakdown's broken body and Megatron wanted me to use Silas as a test subject. Then Starscream came up with a foolish idea to inject Silas with some Dark Energon. Then Silas got turned into a Terrorcon, Starscream and I ran for our lives and Silas turned half of Megatron's crew aboard the Nemesis into Terrorcons, then Airachnid got freed, she mind-controlled the Insecticon Hive, and Soundwave transported Airachnid and the Insecticons into one of Cybertron's moons like this one we're at right now, then we found out that Silas died and we got rid of his corpse as well as Breakdown's broken body." Knock Out explained before he mad a sad expression.
"So if Airachnid's been turned into a Terrorcon by Silas, then...she must have been feeding on the Energon from the Insecticons to keep herself alive while being trapped on this moon for five years!" Arcee said. "Then that would explain why half of the Insecticons on this moon were turned into mindless-Energon-sucking Terrorcons!" Cyclonus replied. "We must act quickly! Jack's life is at stake." Arcee told Cyclonus and Knock Out before the three ran to find their way out of the tunnel to search for Blackarachnia and Tarantulas so that they can help them destroy Airachnid and save both Jack and the Insecticons from her.
Meanwhile, Airachnid got off her throne to stretch out her legs when she saw her Insecticon army approaching her with Blackarachnia and Tarantulas. Airachnid recognizes her big sister and she glares at her hatefully. "Hello, sister." Blackarachnia said to Airachnid. "Blackarachnia...It's been over a millennia since I last saw you." Airachnid told her sister as she sneered at her. "We've come to get our army back from you, Airachnid!" Tarantulas said. Airachnid scoffed. "Your army? Oh, please. What makes you think that my Insecticon Hive will obey you? After all, I am their Queen and the Insecticons are loyal to me!" Airachnid said. "Not anymore. The Insecticons are finally freed from your control and your mockery of a reign is over, Airachnid." said Blackarachnia before she told the Insecticons, "INSECTICONS! Rejoice for your rightful King and Queen have returned to free you from this false queen! DESTROY HER!"
The Insecticons screeched as they all turned against Airachnid. "NO! Don't listen to her! I am your Queen! Obey me! NO!" Airachnid screamed in a panicked tone as the Insecticons attacked her before she shoots her webs at them in self-defense. The Insecticons and their King and Queen tried to kill Airachnid, but she makes a run for it as she is starting to get outnumbered by the Insecticons who were now on Blackarachnia and Tarantulas' side before Airachnid drills herself underground to make her escape. "She's getting away!" said Tarantulas. "We'll find her." Blackarachnia told her husband.
The Insecticons were happy that they were finally free from Airachnid's control and they were happy to finally be reunited with their true King and Queen. Blackarachnia and Tarantulas approached Jack as he was still locked inside a giant glass container before asking him, "Are you alright, little one?" Blackarachnia asked. Jack replied, "I'm fine. Where's Arcee?" He asked. "They've been imprisoned inside a tunnel." One of the Insecticons answered. "Then we must find them before Airachnid finds them and kill them!" Blackarachnia said.
Cyclonus, Arcee and Knock Out made it out of the tunnel and they were about to search for Blackarachnia and Tarantulas when suddenly, Airachnid drilled herself up from underground and appeared in front of the trio. "Airachnid!" Arcee yelled as she sees her archenemy. Airachnid glared angrily at Arcee before telling her, "My sister...she turned my armada against me! The Insecticons tried to kill me! This is your fault! You...you brought my sister and her sparkmate here to destroy me! And now...I'm going to kill you and your partners!" Airachnid hisses before she transformed into a Terrorcon.
"By the Allspark!" Cyclonus exclaimed. Airachnid jumps on Arcee and she tries to suck on her Energon, but Arcee manages to get Airachnid off of her as she kicks her before telling Cyclonus, "Cyclonus! You go get help while we handle Airachnid!" Cyclonus nodded before he transforms into a jet and flies off to go get help from Blackarachnia and Tarantulas while Arcee and Knock Out fight against Airachnid. Airachnid attacks Arcee, but Knock Out lunges at her and then he quickly grabs Airachnid by the throat before violently ripping the Terrorcon plug out from her mouth, causing her to shriek in pain as she bleeds Dark Energon from her mouth.
"That was for Breakdown!" Knock Out told Airachnid as he threw away the Energon-sucking Terrorcon plug that came from Airachnid's mouth.
Meanwhile, Cyclonus kept flying in his jet mode to search for Blackarachnia and Tarantulas for help when he decided that he should just head back to help Arcee and Knock Out destroy Airachnid as Cyclonus has a score to settle with the false Insecticon Queen for killing Tailgate.
Arcee and Knock Out fight off Airachnid, Knock Out swings his buzzsaws at Airachnid, and Arcee uses her arm blades and blocks Airachnid's blows. They kept dodging Airachnid with every blow she made as this frustrates her, she uses her spider leg and struck Knock Out's shoulder "Aaah!" Knock Out yelled as he holds on to the wound then he kicks Airachnid in the face. Airachnid growls at him "You dare to kick a lady!?" she shouted. "You are no lady!" Knock Out retorted as he kicks her again and Arcee punches her too. They kept fighting her off until Airachnid webs them to the wall near the tunnel as Airachnid approaches the trapped Knock Out. "Do what you like with me, Airachnid, but let go of the Insecticons. I'll even let you extinguish my spark!" Arcee begged as Airachnid grinned as she has her spider legs out "Oh, I won't extinguish your spark, Arcee. But, I will let you watch, as I make you suffer the loss of another partner" Airachnid explained as she has her spider legs ready to strike Knock Out "Scrap." he muttered.
"Knock Out!" Arcee shouted in fear "Arcee...!" Knock Out shouted in fear too "And then...I'll add BOTH your heads to my collection" Airachnid said as she was about to strike Knock Out until a shink sound was made as Airachnid gasped in pain as she was leaking Dark-Synthetic Energon from her mouth and a blade was impaled through her stomach that was from behind her. It was Cyclonus, who had stabbed her and gripped her shoulder "This is for Tailgate!" he shouted as he yanks his sword out as Airachnid fells to the ground and dies. "CYCLONUS?!" the surprised Arcee and Knock Out exclaimed "You came back! You...You killed Airachnid to save us and to free the Insecticons. Why?!" Arcee asked as Cyclonus holds himself from crying as tears came from his optics "Because it's what Tailgate would've wanted" he said as he frees Arcee and Knock Out.
While freeing the pair, Cyclonus kept silent while keeping himself from shedding tears in front of them. "I also am sorry for the loss you both went through. To this, I pay my respects to pray for them to rest in peace and know that Arachnid is finally dead. However, I suggest that you do not inform your Autobot friends of me helping you until the time is right. Let's say...I do not feel comfortable being mentioned too soon." He spoke, being honest of not wanting to be discovered sooner than later.
Arcee could understand how he felt about Tailgate, just wanting to get revenge on the murderer who killed him during the war and caused much terrible pain to those who witness what Airachind has done. "I understand. We won't let them know until it is safe for us. Plus, we need you, Tarantulas and Blackarachnia to have the Insecticons in custody for testing and to see if neither of them are affected by Airachnid. Trust me, it's better to not have any infected like zombie Cybertronians in the ship." Arcee said, recalling what Knock Out faced during the experiment of the super soldier with Starscream, yet she knew to never mention or bring it up. Cyclonus didn't say anything, but when looking at the Inceticons for a moment, and back to Arcee and Knock Out, he nodded to agree with her.
Later that day, after Airachnid had finally been killed an defeated, Blackarachnia and Tarantulas thanked Cyclonus, Arcee and Knock Out for helping them get their Insecticon army back from Airachnid before they found the portal device that Doomsayer gave Airachnid and the Insecticon King and Queen used it to transport them and their army back to Cybertron before Blackarachnia and Tarantulas would make sure to have their army in their custody while checking to make sure that Airachnid hasn't infected them. Cyclonus volunteers to accompany Blackarachnia and Tarantulas while helping them make sure that their Insecticon army haven't been infected by Airachnid on Cybertron and they accept.
Blackarachnia hands the portal device to Arcee so that she and Knock Out can use it to transport Jack Darby back home to Earth in Jasper, Nevada. Once Blackarachnia, Tarantulas, Cyclonus and the Insecticon went through the portal to leave Cybertron's moon and return to Corumkan on the planet Cybertron, Arcee and Knock Out used the portal device for them to bring Jack back home. Once they brought their human friend back to his family and friends, Jack Darby was happy to see his fiancé Miko Nakadai and she and Jack's mother, June Darby were relieved and thankful that Arcee and Knock Out were able to rescue Jack from Airachnid.
"Jack! I'm so glad you're okay!" Miko told Jack as she hugged and kissed him. "Thank you for saying my son, Arcee." June told Arcee. "You're welcome, Mrs. Darby." Arcee replied. "Although I wouldn't of been able to rescue Jack, free the Insecticons and destroy Airachnid for good if I didn't get any help from Knock Out and his friends." She said. Knock Out blushed.
After saying goodbye to their human friends, Arcee and Knock Out used the portal device to leave Earth and travel back to Cybertron. Once they returned to Cybertron, they told their Autobot friends how they were able to rescue Jack Darby, destroy Airachnid and help Blackarachnia and Tarantulas get their Insecticon army back from Airachnid. They even told their Autobot friends of how Airachnid got turned into a Terrorcon, but Arcee and Knock Out didn't inform their Autobot friends that they got help from Cyclonus to defeat Airachnid as they knew that they shouldn't mention it until the time was just right.