Darkness Rising Part 2 of 5
The Hyperion descended above a mountain, constantly sending Autobot miners in and out with piles of energon while they were protected by a lot of soldiers. On top of the mine, Ultra Magnus stood accompanied by three Autobots with the same red eyes: one of them was a female black and blue Heavy Pickup Truck named Strongarm; the other was black and orange just like Breakdown, but he was a Heavy Pickup Truck, but it wasn't like Strongarm, his name is Bulkhead; and the last one, who could turn into an ambulance and had toxic green and white color was Ratchet, the sinister Autobot medic and scientist, known by the Decepticons as the Doctor of Doom. Ratchet seemed to be talking with someone.
"So, this is our largest energon mine?" A new visitor asked inside the shadows.
"Indeed, my liege. Of all the energon deposits that we have located on this planet during your absence, this one is by far the most significant." Ratchet explained.
"The drones have been mining without pause and we have amassed quite a lot of stockpiles. You there, fetch me a sample, now!" Ultra Magnus shouted.
"Magnus!" Optimus said, emerging from the shadows. "Now that I have returned, I will issue the commands. Don't ever forget who is really in charge."
"I understand, Optimus Prime, master." Ultra Magnus said, turning back.
"Heh, it seems that the party is over for him." Bulkhead said. "But it's good to have the boss back."
"In the name of all the Autobots on Earth, welcome back, our liege." Ratchet added as he along with Bulkhead and Strongarm kneeled before Optimus.
"We missed you so much, Prime. We have remained loyal to your cause, some more than others." Strongarm said, looking at Ultra Magnus.
"And I'm pleased to know that you're still the same like those who fought long ago against the same adversaries, so there will always be deserved praise and rewards." Optimus said.
"Then shall we ready the space bridge to bring forth the Autobot army you have gathered during your time in space?" Ratchet asked.
"My army will come." Optimus replied, stopping at the edge, before glancing at the four Autobots over his shoulder. "But my time away has yielded a more...interesting means for materializing them." He diverted their attention to the glowing purple crystal in his servo, raising it in the process. "The solidified form of what the ancient texts refer to as...the blood of Unicron."
"Unicron the Destroyer? I thought it was only a legend." Ultra Magnus said.
"And it is said his blood is the Anti-spark." Bulkhead added.
"Plucked from cosmic shores, gaze upon...Dark Energon." Optimus said.
"Impressive, a new power source that can open us a lot of possibilities. I can't wait to begin all kinds of research with this substance, especially on test subjects from this world." Ratchet said sinisterly.
"Oh no old friend, this power is only for my personal use. Unless you have my permission, no one would dare to experience the same power than I, understood?" questioned Prime.
"Of course, Prime." answered Ratchet.
"Legend tells that it holds the power to...revive the dead." Strongarm pointed.
"We only require a cadaver to see if that is true." Optimus suggested before turning to all the Autobots. "Which one of you is willing to make the ultimate decision of sacrificing yourself?"
Ultra Magnus chuckled nervously dry. He didn't fear much, but the thought of him being terminated brought back as...whatever he would be if the legend was true, unnerved him to say the least. Fortunately, he had an alternative mind. "That will not be necessary. If I may, my liege." Ultra Magnus said.
An elevator connected to the Hyperion descended down. Two Autobot soldiers were escorting a floating berth, which had a familiar object laying upon it; the lifeless frame of Wildspark, a hole in where Ultra Magnus had buried his hook.
"Consider it a welcome home gift." Ultra Magnus cooed. Optimus' reply was a malicious grin.
Meanwhile in the Decepticon base
"And since you now know of our existence, I fear that as of last night, the Autobots know of yours." Megatron ended.
"Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911." Miko concluded. "Can we go now?"
"Are you insane? I'm living a dream here in Bot-swana, and I'm not going to allow you or anyone else to shatter it!" Jack warned.
"It is best that you three remain under our watch, at least until we can determine our enemies intentions." Megatron finished.
"Megatron, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here than as anywhere." Starscream commented.
"Children?" Jack asked.
"Starscream has a logical point. The humans have no protective shell; if they get underfoot they will go…" Shockwave trailed off, attempting to find the appropriate word.
"Squish." Starscream supplied for him, taking a step to prove his point.
"Then for the time being, Starscream, Shockwave; we must watch where we step." Megatron concluded.
It was at this point that an alarm went off, causing Soundwave to turn to the computers.
"What on earth?" Raf asked with concern.
"Nothing to worry about. It's the proximity sensor, which tells us when someone's on top." Megatron said.
Soundwave then showed an image of special agent William Fowler on his mask.
"Ah, Agent Fowler. Sooner than I expected." said Megatron.
"I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys!" Jack exclaimed.
"Special agent Fowler is our liaison to the outside world." Megatron began as he turned around to face the human trio. "He tends to visit only when there are issues."
"YOU THREE! GET OUT OF SIGHT! QUICKLY!" Starscream exclaimed, and the kids hid behind some metal boxes.
The elevator made it's descent to the main haul. The doors opened and Agent Fowler entered the base, but he did not seem very happy.
"I'll sum it up; landslides, speeding motorcycles, spider webs all over the road, and a particular note; rumors of a giant mountain lion!" Fowler said, walking up to the railing and gripping it, looking at ravage, before turning his attention to Megatron. "Anything you care to get off your tin chest, Megs'?!
"Ah...you didn't get my message then?" questioned Megatron.
"Oh I got your 'text.'" answered Fowler.
"*SIGH* Agent Fowler, we have the situation under control." said Megatron.
"They're back, aren't they?" questioned Fowler.
"If you're referring to the Autobots, I had doubts that they ever left. Your planet is too valuable." answered Megatron.
"Then it's time to alert the Pentagon." replied Fowler.
"Agent Fowler, we are your best, possibly your only defense against the Autobot threat." said Megatron.
"Are you sure of that?" questioned Fowler.
Jack wanted to get a closer look but Miko pulled him back while he shouted. "URF!" Which caught Agent Fowler's attention to the metal box.
"What was that?!" questioned Fowler.
Then ravage blocked the metal box.
"Nothing!" answered Ravage.
"Oh, really? A shout is nothing is it?" questioned Fowler again.
"A shout? Maybe you should get your hearing checked, fleshy." replied Rumble.
"It's just the base." added Frenzy.
"It's old." Ratbat commented while hanging from the ceiling.
"You get odd noises all the time." stated Laserbeak.
"Oh, really?" Fowler questioned again.
"Hey fleshy!" Breakdown cut in, getting Fowler's attention. "Did anyone get splattered or come out hurt from last night?" The Stunticon challenged. "The Decepticons know when to use force." He grabbed hold of a mechanical arm and tore it off. "And how much to use." He declared, applying pressure to the arm until it broke, to make his point.
"Breakdown, I was gonna use that!" Knock Out screeched.
"Enough!" Megatron shouted before redirecting his attention to Fowler. "Military involvement would only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, agent Slade. I, on the other hand, however, cannot."
"Then do us both a favor, Megatron, and handle this. Under the radar." Fowler said as he walked back to the elevator. "Or I will." He warned as he pressed a few buttons, causing the doors to close.
Starscream walked up to Megatron's side and folded his arms across his chest. "Hmph, for a human, he has some pretty big bearings." The seeker commented.
"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Starscream, as he should be." Megatron replied to his second in command.
Meanwhile inside the energon mine, Optimus was going to test the dark energon on Wildspark's body.
"Let us see if power born of darkness can reignite the spark." Optimus decreed.
With that said, he slammed the shard into Wildspark's chest. The shard dissolved completely into Wildspark. After that, the dead was alive, but it was very different from the being that he was before. It had purple optics, and let out a horrific screech before breaking free from his restraints and attacking the nearest Vehibot. He was destroying him slowly as another Vehibot tried to shoot him, but the hits didn't make a single scratch and it went for him after finishing the first one. Optimus was impressed, not like his followers who were terrified.
"That's your plan?!" Bulkhead asked terrified. "Bring back our dead enemies so they can attack us again?!
"That is no longer a Decepticon." Optimus corrected as Wildspark came out of the shadows. "It's just a mindless creature, it's only instinct to destroy anything in it's path."
After finishing the troopers, the zombie lunged at Optimus and his Autobots, but the tyrant was fast enough to cut it in half with his sword, making it fall off the ledge.
"There, Autobots, rise the indestructible seed of my army: Terrorcons. The ultimate weapon." Optimus explained.
The zombie upper half was still hooked to the ledge, but then Optimus kicked it off down to a lower level of the cave.
"Once I learn how to control it." Optimus finished.
AT THAT MOMENT IN THE DECEPTICON BASE, THE COMPUTER SHOWED AN IMAGE OF WILDSPARK AND A PULSE.
"Megatron, Wildspark's life signal has appeared back online." Wingthing reported, shocking the Decepticons and confusing the humans.
"Who's Wildspark?" Miko asked.
"How is that possible?" Megatron asked, surprised.
"Unknown." Wingthing said.
"It could be a bug, the system is full of them." Shockwave added.
"There may be a chance Wild's alive." Airachnid said, hope blooming in her.
"Shockwave, prepare sick bay, we may need it." Starscream said and the Decepticon nodded.
"Hey!" Jack shouted to Megatron, getting his attention. "What can we do?"
"Remain here with Shockwave." The gladiator said, causing Jack to groan while Shockwave nodded.
The Decepticon scientist activated the ground bridge.
"Decepticons, transform and mobilize!" Megatron declared as the Decepticons accompanying him transformed and entered the ground bridge.
"What just happened?" Jack asked, amazed.
"I transported them to the designated location via ground bridge." Shockwave told him.
"What's a ground bridge?" Rafael asked, curious.
Shockwave was more than happy to explain. "It's a scaled down version of space bridge technology. It allows to connect two destinations across the universe and creates a tunnel enabling two way travel. But since we do not currently possess the means or the energon required for intergalactic travel…"
"You're stuck here...on Earth." Jack said.
"Correct. So Soundwave, Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Ratbat, Buzzsaw, Garboil, Wingthing, Howlback, Glit, Enemy, Flipsides, Overkill, Slugfest and I constructed the ground bridge to enable travel from here to anywhere on your planet." Shockwave said, looking at the ground bridge vortex.
"Wow, does It work with humans?" Raf asked, astonished.
"Naturally, you three would be the first to venture through should you ever choose to." Shockwave said.
"You mean I can just shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?" Miko asked.
"There, or as I said before, anywhere on your world within moments." Shockwave explained.
The ground bridge opened, and the eight Decepticons either drove or flew out of it, and all transformed, activating their weapons.
"Energon mine." Starscream stated as he took in the scene around him.
"And for it's size, the Bots have been here for quite a while." Knock Out deduced.
The eight Decepticons took cover behind some rocks, and observed the scene before them. Dozens of Vehibot miners drilling away at the crystalized energon.
Megatron stood up. "Let's find Wildspark." He declared as the other Decepticons followed him.
The Vehibots noticed the eight intruders and armed themselves, as did the Decepticons. Sure enough, a firefight broke out. Some of the miners started to use the drills themselves as weapons.
One driller vehicle made the mistake of charging towards Breakdown, who converted his right fist into a hammer and smacked the vehicle, putting it out of commission permanently.
Airachnid charged toward the enemy, blasting away. She performed a spin to avoid being hit while still firing, hitting a couple of miners. She once again leapt in the air and dived down toward a miner. Locking her feet around his helm, Airachnid twisted the head clean off the body.
Three miners were firing away, hoping to hit their targets. But Knock Out, Stinger and Steve flew into the air in their alt modes. They transformed in midair with Stinger and Steve shooting all the way down while Knock Out retracted his blaster in favor of his buzz saws. The three Decepticons crashed down on their enemies, finishing them off with their respective weapons.
"Woah!" Knock Out exclaimed as he, Stinger and Steve barely moved out of the way from an incoming driller.
But said driller went toward Megatron, who used his brute strength to smack the vehicle out of the way before charging forward unopposed. One miner decided to foolishly go for the Decepticon leader, but Breakdown in his alt mode slammed into said miner.
Starscream tore his way through the enemy, using his two swords to slice the enemy in half. He effortlessly dodged a lazy claw swipe from a miner before using his sword to make a slash at the enemy. He then delivered a powerful kick to another miner's chest before finishing him off with a missile.
Soundwave was doing extremely well against his current opponents. Every punch, claw swipe or kick they would send Soundwave's way, the Decepticon would either dodge or block every blow. Soundwave then decided it was time to end his attackers, and did just that by ejecting Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Ratbat, Buzzsaw, Garboil, Wingthing, Howlback, Glit, Enemy, Flipsides, Overkill and Slugfest from his chest.
MEANWHILE AT THE DECEPTICON BASE
"What's this?" Jack asked, referring to a piece of equipment.
"Something that requires repairing. Please do not touch it." Shockwave requested. Jack then went to touch it again. "I mean it." He said without even looking at him, causing Jack to move his hand away.
Miko walked up to join Jack. "Is there anything we can touch?"
Shockwave didn't answer her as he was attending to the computer system that he was trying to operate, but it only displayed an error message. Shockwave was used to encountering problems in his work. He is a scientist after all.
"How come you guys are using human computers?" Raf asked.
"Unfortunately, we did not have a choice. This missile silo was the only thing we could claim as a base of operations. Soundwave, Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Ratbat, Buzzsaw, Garboil, Wingthing, Howlback, Glit, Enemy, Flipsides, Overkill, Slugfest and I made modifications to adjust it to cybertronian network. But as you can see, the procedure has proven to be more difficult than I had anticipated." Shockwave explained as more error messages displayed on the screen.
"I think I can fix that." Raf said.
"Can you now?" Shockwave curiously asked, truly wondering if Raf could accomplish the task. The young boy plugged his laptop into the server and he typed away on his laptop for a few seconds before looking at the scientist.
"Try it now." Raf replied.
Shockwave looked back at the computer terminal and lo and behold, the error messages were replaced with access granted ones. The Decepticon scientist looked at Raf with amazement and respect. "Astonishing. How is it someone as young as you possesses such knowledge?"
"I have a lot of free time." said Raf.
BACK AT THE ENERGON MINE
Breakdown brought his hammer upon an incoming driller vehicle, causing the operator to fly forward, allowing Megatron to shoot him out of the air. The Decepticon leader deactivated his fusion cannon as his friends came to join him.
Yet another wave was coming, so they decided to travel by fast way.
"Maximum overdrive!" Megatron said as he and the other Decepticons changed to vehicle mode and passed through all their enemies.
They reached the center of the mine, so they changed form again and hid behind some crates. They could see several levels ascending high above, and more Vehibots patrolling those levels.
"Quite an operation they have here." Breakdown said before they were bombarded by the Autobots shots, but they began to fire back.
INSIDE A ROOM IN THE HYPERION, OPTIMUS STOOD BEFORE AN ENTIRE CHUNK OF DARK ENERGON
"Blood of Unicron." He began to croon, gripping the railing that surrounded the tube. "How might I fathom the depths of your mystery? Become worthy of wielding your astonishing power?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a computer terminal lit up, the screen revealed Ultra Magnus, Bulkhead and Strongarm.
"Prime, intruders have been detected in the mines." Strongarm reported.
"Decepticons?" questioned Optimus.
"Yes, Megatron is with them too." said Bulkhead.
Optimus stood up away from the railing. "I need more time to organize an appropriate reception for my old friend." He said before turning his attention back to the screen. "Prepare the ship for departure."
"But all the energon we've mined, the Decepticons will seize it." Ultra Magnus shouted.
"Then blow the mine." Optimus responded.
INSIDE THE MINE THE GUNFIGHT WAS STILL GOING ON. AIRACHNID SPOTTED A FIGURE LYING ON THE THIRD LEVEL
"I have a visual on Wildspark! Third level!" Airachnid exclaimed.
"We'll cover you! Go!" Starscream shouted.
She used her spider mode to avoid the laser shots while the others managed to make a path for her. She used her webs to swing and reach the third floor. She saw Wildspark missing his lower half. Some shots of the Auto-troopers hit the pillar supporting the floor, making it collapse.
"Wild!" She shouted as she managed to grab him with her webs. The two Vehibots that were shooting at her were shot down by Megatron. "Hold on partner, we'll get you home."
Wildspark looked at her, but his face was now so terrifying that it shocked her. Then he ripped off her web and fell.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" shouted Airachnid.
The other Decepticons watched in horror, while Megatron ran up.
"WILDSPARK!" Megatron shouted.
Wildspark fell into a spike full of energon, killing him instantly. Concerned, Megatron looked up to where Airachnid was. She grunted, then everyone's attention was diverted up when they heard a maniacal laughter, coming from Ultra Magnus, who had a bomb in his left hand.
"Megatron!" He yelled down to them.
"Magnus." Starscream sneered.
"I'd stick around and chat, but I'm late for a meeting, so I left you this present for you." He said activating the bomb and dropping it into a pile of energon while he went aboard the warship's elevator.
"It's a bomb, the timer is almost out!" exclaimed Starscream.
"This place is gonna blow!" Knock Out shouted.
"Decepticons, let's get out of here!" Megatron ordered.
They transformed and went back to their base, just as the bomb went off, creating a massive explosion.
"Soundwave, bridge us back. Use the arrival coordinates, now!" Megatron ordered.
Soundwave opened the ground bridge and the twenty-two Cons got through in the nick of time.
Shockwave, Jack, Miko and Raf watched as the Decepticons came in at high speed, followed by the explosion. As soon as Megatron was in, Shockwave deactivated the portal.
"Whoa/Wow." Miko and Raf said in awe, while Jack had an amazed look on his face.
"Cutting it a bit close." Shockwave stated. "Where is Wildspark?" He knew the answer when his fellow Decepticons lowered their helms in sadness.
Jack gripped the railing. "What was that explosion? Was there a fight? Can I come with you next time?" He asked excitedly.
"LOOK!" Airachnid said angrily.
Jack got startled, then Miko came up to him. "Jack, let's go see what the Cons hide in the back storage."
"Okay." Jack said.
"Airachnid, what did you see?" Megatron questioned.
"Not Wild. At least, not anymore." She began, distressed. "He was mutated, butchered. Something like those Bot experiments back on Cybertron during the war." She then fell, supporting herself on a crate.
"Airachnid! Are you hurt?" Stinger asked worried.
"I'm fine, just dizzy." She said.
"Robots who can get dizzy?" Miko questioned.
"Robots with feelings and emotions." Raf added.
"Robots...Who can DIE!" realized Jack.
Knock Out scanned Airachnid with a blue light all over her body, and suddenly he got a red reading on her right hand.
"What is this?" Knock Out asked, observing the strange and steaming, purple ooze substance.
"I don't know, but Wild was covered in it. And he was leaking it too." Airachnid answered as Shockwave came over with an experiment blade.
"I want to know exactly what this thing is. Let me take a sample." Shockwave requested. Airachnid nodded and allowed Shockwave to scrape the ooze off.
"You should take a decontamination bath. Stinger, give me a hand." Knock Out said.
Stinger helped Knock Out to carry Airachnid to the sickbay.
"Uh Megatron, I hate to bug, but, no bars." Miko said, showing her phone.
"A security precaution: the silo walls isolate all radio communications, prevents our enemies from locating us." Ravage explained.
"Well, if I don't call my mom like now, I'm pretty sure the cops would be out looking for me." Jack said.
"Have you broken the law?" Starscream asked worried.
"Uh, no, curfew. It's after 10 pm." Jack answered.
"I better get home too, or I'll be grounded for a year." Raf expressed.
"Earth customs." Megatron said, chuckling a bit. "I hadn't considered. But your safety remains our top priority. Breakdown, accompany Rafael home. And maintain covert surveillance in vehicle mode."
"Curbside duty. Got it, Megatron." Breakdown said, as he transformed into his alt mode and went off with Raf.
"Soundwave, Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Ratbat, Buzzsaw, Garboil, Wingthing, Howlback, Glit, Enemy, Flipsides, Overkill and Slugfest, you all will watch over Miko." Megatron said.
"Understood, Megatron." Laserbeak said as she, Soundwave, Miko and the other minicons looked at each other happily.
"Knock Out…" Megatron began.
"Starscream, Stinger, Steve and I are busy helping Shockwave with the analysis." Knock Out said.
"Airachnid, you'll accompany Jack." Megatron called since she finally returned from the bath.
"Oh, I'm still dizzy." Airachnid feigned, hoping to get out of this, but Starscream saw through the act.
"You're fine, don't think of any excuses." Starscream reminded, causing Airachnid to groan.
Airachnid drove through the neighborhood carrying Jack who was enjoying riding on an alien robot.
"WOOOOOO!" yelled Jack.
Airachnid was moving very fast because she just wanted to get this over with so that she could be alone. Soon they finally arrived at the house.
"That's it! My house!" said Jack.
"OFF!" yelled Airachnid as she threw Jack off of her.
"WOAH!" exclaimed Jack.
"Now THAT'S what I call a ride. You even thought of racing?" asked Jack.
"No." answered Airachnid.
"What, why not?" questioned Jack.
"Because, I'm an Insecticon, a warrior, not some supercilious velocitronian athlete." replied Airachnid angrily.
"But…" Jack began.
"JUST GET THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN!" yelled Airachnid furiously.
Jack didn't want to have any more trouble with her so he did what she said and opened the garage door.
"It's op…" He began as Airachnid just went in. "en."
"Now what makes you say that, we'd make a great racing duo! Ooh I'd love to see Vince's face when he and his gang eats our dust!" Jack explained.
"If you think I'm going within a klep of another human you've got another thing coming. You three kids are bad enough! But a gang of spotty adolescents...URG...I feel my armor itching just thinking about it." Airachnid replied.
"AWW, COME ON, we'd win every time!" said Jack as he lowered the garage door.
"There is no WE! Soundwave, Laserbeak, Rumble, Frenzy, Ravage, Ratbat, Buzzsaw, Garboil, Wingthing, Howlback, Glit, Enemy, Flipside, Overkill, Slugfest and Breakdown might be fine with babysitting, BUT I'M HERE BECAUSE MEGATRON SAID SO!" yelled Airachnid furiously as she transformed into her robot mode.
"YOU JUST STAY ON THAT SIDE OF THE ROOM AND WE'LL BE FINE!" Airachnid said angrily.
"Fine, fine, I'm not moving." Jack replied but he was curious. "What is an Insecticon anyway?"
"Some cybertronians turn into animals rather than vehicles. Insecticons are beast-forming cybertronians with multiple eyes and many legs in beast mode." Airachnid explained.
"We turn into shapes resembling the animals you call arthropods...Err...Spiders, scorpions, crustaceans, insects, centipedes, that sort of thing." Airachnid finished.
"But, you turn into a motorcycle not a bug. And you've only got two eyes." replied Jack.
"I'VE GOT 159 OPTICE IN THREE OPTICAL CLUSTERS! WHAT DO YOU THINK THE YELLOW GLOWING THING IN THE CENTER OF MY HELM IS? PRETTY DECORATION?" yelled Airachnid.
"*SIGH* I used to turn into a spider. A proper spider, not the half-form I do now. I'm an Arachnicon, or at least I was." explained Airachnid.
"Was?" asked Jack.
"My sister, Blackarachnia, and I were forged as part of the insecticon hive, warriors sworn to protect our queen." she explained.
"When our hive collapsed during the war, we traveled to the old colony world of Athenia. It's an old world full of caverns and ancient caves, perfect for our kind. We wanted to find somewhere safe, somewhere we could establish a new hive, away from the war. Instead we found an Autobot science station. They were attempting to weaponize a disease known as the rust plague, a disease for cybertronians. The bots working there were immune to it as they'd developed an antidote. Realizing they were discovered, the bots abandoned the base and released the plague into the facility. I survived...but my sister didn't." Airachnid explained sadly.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. How did you survive Airachnid?" questioned Jack.
"Blackarachnia found a small sample of the antidote the bots had left behind. She used some on me and kept the rest for the other Decepticons to replicate. My sister saved thousands of lives that day. As for me, the rust had done critical damage to my original transformation cog and other core systems. I needed new parts and the only suitable donor they could find was a two wheeler. Diabla was her name. She'd been shot down during the battle on the hydrax plateau. A transplanted t-cog, new kibble and well here I am now.
"Airachnid, I just want to say that I'm sorry for your loss. I share your pain." Jack said.
"I don't understand." said Airachnid.
"When my dad died, that was the hardest time in my life. My family was a mess, but my mom? She had so much strength. She stepped up and took on so much responsibility. She helped fill the void that was left by my dad." explained Jack.
"I guess I never thought about that." said Airachnid.
"I'm gonna tell you something crazy. I never told anyone this before, but honestly? I'm not sure I can remember what my dad looked like. It really seems like my whole life, Mom's been the one looking out for me. She's always been the one that's there. And now, when I try to remember my dad, Mom is the only face I can picture." explained Jack.
"Jack, I know sometimes June does act motherly, but that's not always a bad thing. She's compassionate and kind, and she actually cares about you. [Wipes away tears from her left eye.] You know, the real you. That's more than my own mom." explained Airachnid.
"Well, I know what it's like to lose a family member." said Jack.
"I guess we've all lost someone we love." said Airachnid.
Then they saw lights shine through the garage door windows.
"IT'S MY MOM! HIDE, HURRY!" Jack said before he opened the garage door.
"Jack?" said June as she got out of the car.
"Mom." Jack chuckled as he approached his mother. "Don't freak out, I can explain."
"Can you?" June inquired before shaking, then proceeded to walk toward the motorcycle. "Jackson Darby, we've talked about this."
"Yeah, I know and-"
"You don't know." June cut him off, walking back to her son. "I worry about you when you're not here. Now I have to worry about you driving a motorcycle?"
"I'm sixteen, I can't be riding a ten speed forever." Jack stated as he passed his mother.
"How did you even afford this?" June asked, confused, of how her son was able to purchase a motorcycle of this design.
"Actually it's borrowed from a friend, he said that I don't need to learn how to drive her, she's automatic. But the point is I maybe was a kid when I dreamed of driving a motorcycle, but I'm not anymore. You always told me to make responsible decisions, well, I choose her, and I'll be responsible, I promise." Jack explained.
"Her?" June blinked a few times. "I didn't think you'd be bringing girls home just yet."
"Uh, I like to think she brought me." Jack said, rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, I'm glad you have a reason to wear your helmet every single time you ride! You will take me for a spin every now and then?" June asked as she headed for the door.
"We'll see. She's kind of temperamental." Jack concluded as he followed his mother.
Jack pressed a button on the wall, turning off the lights and closing the garage door, leaving Airachnid alone for the night.
The next morning, Jack was awakened by Airachnid's noises.
"Shh, are you crazy?! You'll wake up my mom!" Jack said.
"Grab your helmet, time to go." Airachnid said.
"Uhhh. It's Saturday." Jack groaned.
"Don't be mad, you can watch cartoons back at base with Stinger." Airachnid retorted.
"Ugh, cartoons. I'm sixteen." Jack grumbled before going off to get his stuff.
"And leave a note for your mom, she worries!" Airachnid called out.
ABOARD THE HYPERION, OPTIMUS PRIME AND THE OTHER AUTOBOTS WERE STANDING IN FRONT OF THE DARK ENERGON
"I don't think you need to worry about further Decepticon interference, master. Not with Megatron gone." Ultra Magnus said.
"What makes you think that, Magnus?" Bulkhead asked.
"I destroyed the mines, as our liege instructed, and there is nothing which can survive that kind of explosion." Ultra Magnus answered.
"I'm not sure Megatron is gone." Strongarm said.
"Strongarm is right; Megatron doesn't go down that easily." The prime said. He knows the gladiator better than others. "We have eons worth of combat and his time as the Champion of Kaon to prove that." He said while contemplating the dark energon.
"Maybe you should take a break, my liege. Maybe too much contact with the dark energon might allow it's properties to greatly affect you." Nautica added.
"Or perhaps, I have not permitted myself...enough contact!" Optimus said, ripping off a piece of dark energon.
"No!" Strongarm said knowing what was inside her master's mind.
"Are you mad?!" Ultra Magnus shouted.
"Optimus, wait! Not your spark chamber! Dark energon has never been fully studied, it's properties have never been unlocked. You don't know what it will do!" Ratchet said, but it was too late.
Optimus placed the shard in his spark chamber. Soon his whole body was consumed with dark energon. Meanwhile in the Decepticon base, Shockwave was finishing his analysis about the purple substance.
"Hmmm, 45% energon, 15% cosmic radiation and 40% unknown. The base elements of this substance are unlike anything I have ever encountered. It must be extremely concentrated if it was able to affect Airachnid so swiftly. Perhaps minor decontamination will yield more profitable results." Shockwave recapitulated as he used tongs to pick up the glass that contained the substance. "Unfortunately, complete final results have been delayed due to the lack of proper diagnostic tools. Thank you, Breakdown."
However, Shockwave failed to notice that a drip of the substance slid off and landed on the same piece of equipment, which was surprisingly still on the floor. It glowed for a few seconds before twitching, coming to life. It grew multiple sharp spider-like legs, and had a singular purple optic. It wandered around for a bit, before dashing off into the base.
To be continued...