Transformers Prime: No Autobots Are Idiots.
Chapter 24: Darkness Rising Part 1.
(Transformers Prime Universe #192,394,596,203,495,867,019,183, Thursday, July 1st, 2010, third person POV...)
Shadeskulker appears in the command center, stretching her metallic joints.
She looks at the clock, and her newly regained internal chronometer told her that it was now nine forty-five in the morning.
Shadeskulker then sees Ratchet working at the control console, and she says, "Good morning, Ratchet."
Ratchet replies before asking, "Good morning to you too, Shades. Did you recharge well?"
Shadeskulker answers, "Yes, I sure did, and I'm glad I did. Aside from the obvious fact that I needed the time to recharge my batteries, today's the day that the Decepticons fully return to acquire enough Energon to prove to Megatron upon his return tomorrow that they weren't being lazy, and Megatron's packing a big Dark Energon crystal he brought from the Andromeda Galaxy."
Ratchet's optics widened in shock and horror before he went over to the monitors to pinpoint the location of the Nemesis.
Ratchet mutters before saying, "Where are you...? Aha! Here is the coordinates of the Nemesis!"
As she looks on the screen in shock, Shadeskulker asks, "How'd you do that? The Nemesis has a high-tech molecular masking field that prevents Autobots from detecting it."
Ratchet answers, "Nightimus and Solus were able to upgrade the scanners of our bases to penetrate any form of Decepticon cloaking technology, high-tech or low, and with the benefit of even Soundwave being 100% oblivious to this."
Shadeskulker nods in understanding.
Suddenly, Shadeskulker feels Ratchet scanning her frame, and Ratchet says, "According to my scans, you are as healthy as can be expected from a perfect techno-organic."
Shadeskulker replies, "Well, even I have a policy about being on a strict nutritional diet and exercise regimen."
Just then, Tailgate comes in and says, "Good morning, Shades. Good morning, Ratchet."
Shadeskulker replies, "Good morning, Tailgate."
Ratchet replies as well before asking, "Good morning, Tailgate. Where are the rest of the troops?"
Tailgate answers, "They went to get their Energon rations from the Energon providing machines. And last I saw, Optimus was with the other Primes, his creations, and his mother refilling our Energon Storage Vaults and the power core rooms."
Ratchet nods in understanding.
Just then, Cliffjumper remarks loudly, "Good morning, Shades! Good morning, Taily! Good morning, Doc!"
Shadeskulker scowls as she walks up to Cliffjumper and slaps him hard.
Cliffjumper asks, "Ow! What gives?"
Shadeskulker replies, "Don't be that loud, you bucket of nuts and bolts."
Ratchet adds, "And don't call me doc!"
Cliffjumper replies, "I wasn't sure if you could hear me, doc."
Shadeskulker growls animalistically, making Cliffjumper squeak in fear.
Shadeskulker then goes on to greet everyone in the base, including her techno-organic family, and including her family's Iron Legion clones.
Optimus comes up and everyone assembles.
Optimus says, "Even though we have self-sufficient machines that can provide us with a close to unlimited supply of Energon, we must still patrol for Energon if only to prevent the Decepticons from getting suspicious. Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Abundplus, Accordion Bus, Adhoc, Aegis Vanguard, Airbrushed, Aquafend, Armorhide, Assault Star, you will patrol not too far from here. Cliffjumper, you along with Skimblock, Orange Beetle, Shadeskulker, Platinum, Meltcircuit, Afterbreaker, Afterburner, Afterburst, Air Prince, Akiba, and Alpha Bravo will patrol in Nebraska."
As Optimus continued giving out the directions while advising select members of the new Autobot army to stay in the base as reinforcements, the transformatted humans looked at each other before nodding discreetly in each other's direction, knowing that Cliffjumper will be safe since he was given the forewarning against engaging the Decepticons alone.
They sped through the Ground Bridge and came out in Nebraska on the other side of the portal.
Shadeskulker remarks, "Wow. I can't believe this. We're literally in the state of Nebraska, one of ten U.S. states that still have farms in the 21st century."
Cliffjumper asks through the radio commlinks, "Enjoying the view, Shades?"
Shadeskulker answers, "You bet so, Cliff."
Cliffjumper then says, "Let's see if I can find some good music on my radio."
Shadeskulker asks, "You ever listen to country music, Cliffy?"
Cliffjumper replies, "Yes, I have, and I love it a lot."
Shadeskulker instantly knew Cliffjumper's radio was playing Alan Jackson's It's Five O'Clock Somewhere with Jimmy Buffett.
Shadeskulker exclaims, "I love this song!"
Then they start singing the lyrics to the song in unison, "#The sun is so freakish hot and that oh-so old clock is still moving slow#
#And so am I#
#My work day passes like molasses in the winter time#
#But it's July right now#
#I'm getting paid by the hour, and I'm getting older by the minute#
#My boss has just pushed me over my last limit#
#I'd like to call him something#
#But I think I'll just call it a day#
#Please pour me something tall and strong#"
But unbeknownst to the two singers, Cliffjumper accidentally commed Arcee, and thus she was quietly snickering to herself in amusement and recording the singing party.
"#Make it a literal Hurricane before I go insane#
#It's only half an hour past twelve o'clock but I don't even care#
#It's five o'clock somewhere else#
#Oh, this lunch break is going to take all afternoon and half the night, I just know it#
#Tomorrow morning, I know there'll be hell to pay#
#Hey, but that's all right by me#
#I ain't ever had myself a day off in just over a year#
#Our Jamaican vacation is gonna start right here#"
Over the course of the song's duration, the twosome sang the lyrics in perfect harmony and in unison, both with each other and with the pace of the song playing on the radio along with the voice of Alan Jackson's voice singing the lyrics.
Shadeskulker and Cliffjumper shared a laugh as soon as the song ended.
But then, they froze as soon as they heard amused chuckling on Cliffjumper's radio.
Shadeskulker asks, "Arcee? Um, uh, how long were you on the radio for?"
Arcee replies in a fun-loving manner, "Oh, long enough to get a decent-sized recording."
Shadeskulker groans, "Damn it, I knew you'd say that."
Arcee asks, "Anyway, have any of you found anything yet other than the fact that Shades and Cliff love the same song?"
Shadeskulker replies, "If you mean a nice countryside in one of ten areas of the United States that still has farmlands in the 21st century A.D., then yeah. But if you're referring to any signs of Energon or Decepticon activity, then no."
Cliffjumper adds, "Yeah, nothing's popped up yet."
Arcee replies, "Yeah, I got nothing on my end either."
With Electrawing Prime, she asks somewhat sarcastically, "So, Arcee, how's the drive through the humid Nevada Desert with your cooling fans on overdrive and with no oil, Energon, water, or air conditioners to cool off?"
Arcee answers, "Hahaha, a big shipload of boredom, that's for sure."
Shadeskulker then asks, "Hey, Cliffy, you have any interesting stories to tell us now?"
Arcee says, "Hehehe, don't get him started on that, Shades."
With Cliffjumper, he answers, "Hahaha, okay, so, last Sunday, in New York, there I was in the Flat Iron District on the lookout, when out of nowhere, these high light beams light up my rearview. Then it hits me: I'm illegally parked!"
Arcee asks, "Another parking ticket?"
Orange Beetle remarks, "That'd be almost the sixth one this second week."
Skimblock remarks as well, "You have the best stories, Cliff."
Cliffjumper answers, "Better: the boot."
Skimblock answers, "Hahahaha, that big metal tire clamp that's a nightmare to get off of our tires?!"
Cliffjumper replies, "Bingo!"
Electrawing laughs heartily at that, and Arcee asks in concern, "Electrawing, you don't think it's that funny, do you?"
Electrawing composes herself and answers before asking Cliffjumper, "Sorry, it was just so funny. But anyway, Cliff, you really didn't pay attention to look for signs or red zone lines?"
Cliffjumper replies, "I guess I really didn't pay attention."
Skimblock then says, "I thankfully never got one, but one time, some kid spray painted my doors, and Ratchet and I were not happy about it."
Cliffjumper replies before continuing the story, "Yeah, even Optimus looked like he was trying not to blow a fuse. So anyway, the local po-lies does their thing, and I wait for them to get all the way down the block. That's when I kick off my new shiny shoe, and BANG!"
Arcee remarks, "New York's finest soil themselves."
Platinum remarks as well, "And then, next thing you know, the New York Police Department is all over your backside, trying to haul you in."
Meltcircuit then says, "Yeah, Cliffjumper, no offense, but Optimus, Smokeedge, Kaylee, and Agent Fowler made it crystal clear that we're supposed to keep a low profile because the rest of the human race will be enveloped in mass panic, mistrust, and civil unrest that the Decepticons wouldn't hesitate to use to their advantage and paint all Cybertronians in a negative light."
Cliffjumper replies, "Yeah, I got that the first two thousand times, but you know me, guys; mess with Cliffjumper – "
Arcee, Shadeskulker, Orange Beetle, Electrawing, Akiba Prime, Skimblock, Platinum, Meltcircuit, Afterbreaker, Afterburner, Afterburst, Air Prince, and Alpha Bravo reply in unison, "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns." "And you get the horns."
Skimblock then says, "You really do take everything by the horns."
Arcee asks, "Must you really crack jokes and take everything like a joke all the time?"
Skimblock then says, "Hey, I was about to say, '"no pun intended,"' but you cut me off."
Arcee huffs before Shadeskulker then says, "Anyway, Cliff, the others aren't the only ones who know you so well. After all, for example, my cousins and I heard you're quite the conversationalist."
Arcee replies, "Oh, don't get him started on that one either. Anyway, not sure how that run-in with the New York Police Department complies with Autobot rule number 1: keep a low profile?"
Cliffjumper replies, "Well, what can I say? Patrolling for Energon way out here in Dullsville gets lonely. Almost makes me miss the Decepticons."
Electrawing replies, "Yeah, I'm sure of that."
Airbrushed remarks sarcastically, "I'm sure they miss fighting us too, Cliff."
Cliffjumper replies, "They're probably missing all of us! They should come down for a party sometime!"
Akiba Prime asks before saying, "Like the town of Jasper is a good place to have a party with anyone? No matter if our biological families survived the War for Cybertron or not, we're alone wherever we travel on this planet, soldier."
Arcee adds, "She's got a point, Cliff."
Electrawing then says, "Respectfully, Commander Akiba, you're not alone. We have each other, and it wouldn't matter if we were the last ones on Earth or on Cybertron; there's ways of repopulation aside from just regaining the Allspark and aside from just using the Reformatting Module to make you guys into humans. And besides, I wouldn't care if we were the last ones of our kind, as long as I was with you guys till the ends of the Earth and time itself."
Akiba then says, "You sure know how to melt a cold heart."
Orange Beetle then says, "Um, I may not be siding with Cliff on missing the Decepticons, but things have been bland ever since we arrived, ever since the Decepticons made their way to Earth, and ever since that fight with the new Decepticon recruits and Megatron's clones a few months ago. We have to keep searching for Energon to power ourselves, our equipment, and our weapons, and we have to stay alert just in case our intel about the Decepticons returning today is true."
Just then, everyone's monitors picked up on a lot of Energon.
Cliffjumper then says, "Heads up, we're getting the same signal."
Arcee asks, "All of you need backup?"
Cliffjumper answers, "Yeah, and this time, I mean it. The Decepticons will be there along with the Nemesis."
Electrawing then says, "Hang on; I'm closest to your location, but I better use my signal jamming equipment and cut the comms so I can fly faster."
Electrawing's commlink clicks as she hangs up.
Electrawing activates her emergency turbines and rockets to the Energon deposit, following the navigation program after isolating the coordinates of her comrades' signals.
Airbrushed then says, "Be careful, guys."
Akiba Prime replies, "Always, soldier."
The fourteen Autobots speed to the signal's origin point, and they see a giant crater with lots of Energon crystals, about ninety-nine million of them to be exact.
Shadeskulker then says urgently as she sees the Nemesis approaching from behind, "Guys, Nemesis warship approaching, make a beeline for the woods, NOW!"
The fourteen Autobots head into the woods, with the fliers powering down their rotors and engines after sharply landing, and they hid behind several dozen to several hundred large oak trees, apple trees, cactuses, wild berry trees, almond trees, and wait-a-minute bushes among other things.
Then they transformed to robot mode to see the Nemesis hover over the Energon deposit and deploy several dozen Decepticon Miners and drilling machines.
Above Taiwan, the Predacon twins were flying over the country, thankful that they had excellent eyesight enabling them to see things far below them from twenty thousand feet in the air and thankful that their Forge given early warning systems allowed them to be notified of any nearby humans in airplanes, fighter jets, or helicopters.
Finch then asks over the commlinks, "Fly boy, fly girl, are you both still there?"
Saliha replies using his Predacon thoughts, "*Yeah, sorry, Finch, but we Predacons can't exactly talk in dragon mode. So, what was it that you and Starling were saying?*"
Finch answers, "I was saying, the cats and dogs in the state of New Mexico are something else. I saw a stray Abyssinian cat and a stray German Shepherd congregating near a Mexican restaurant plaza with an additional pizza parlor and with additional grocery stores and shopping malls. Can you believe it?"
Saliha answers, "*Considering what Sanaya and I have seen about this planet so far, I can't just say no.*"
Mainheart then asks, "So, what's the hub-a-loo about?"
Sanaya answers, "*Oh, Finch told us that she saw a stray Abyssinian cat and a stray German Shepherd dog in New Mexico congregating in a Mexican restaurant and pizza parlor plaza with additional shopping malls and grocery stores.*"
Mainheart remarks, "Really? Well, that's definitely something else."
Suddenly, there was a beep.
Sanaya says, "*I think this beep means something urgent is happening right now.*"
Every Autobot gets onto the main commlink channels and there was Arcee saying, "Arcee to all Autobots: the Decepticons are back again, and our Nebraska away team could use some reinforcement in helping with an Energon deposit."
Optimus replies before asking Ratchet, "Understood. Ratchet, do you have the Nebraska team's coordinates?"
Ratchet answers, "Yes, and I can see... twenty-one unknown Autobot signals heading towards them!"
Even Optimus looks shocked at that.
Just then, the Ground Bridge opens, and an away team of reinforcements consisting of Optimus, Ratchet, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Cranefly, Fallback, Outback, Kup, Hot Shot, Prowl, Huffer, Trailbreaker, Chromia, Outsider, Swagger, Sparkscape, Monsoon, Overclock, Ironhide, Triage, Macro, Moonracer, Impactor, Pyro, Rack, Ruin, Roadbuster, Hot Rod, Showdown, Ripraw, Rotorstorm, Topspin, Twintwist, Whirl, Doubletake, Scrounge, Elita One, Anomaly, Catapult, Front-Line, Sideswipe, Firestar, Smokeedge, Jumpbee, Overshard, Overhide, Mosssound, Smoketron, Bulkshard, Shockglitch, Cliffscreen, Bulksnap, Glassstorm, Blueshock, Aureola Speedster, Benign Soul, Adaptus Prime, Aeridash, Aeroazor, Aero Raid, Aimless, Air Raid, Airazor, Airwave, Alan, Alchemist Prime, Alpha Trion, Amalgamous Prime, Amazon Prime, Anion Storm, Aragon, Arc, Arcana, Arclight, Ardorseeker, Argent Raider, Armco, Artfire, Ashtray, Aspen, Astral Knight, Astrotorch, Atlan, Auburncrack, August, Aurora, Autoceptor, Autojetter, Autolauncher, Autonomous Maximus, Avalon, Avatar Brave, Axecharger, Azimuth, Backburner, Backfire, Backstop, Backstreet, Balkwhacker, Bangcrack, Bantor, Barksnap, Barrage, Barrel Roll, Basher, Battleway, B.B., Beachcomber, Beachtank, Beef Haul, Beta, Beta Maxx, B.H., Big Bang, Big Bump Prime, Big Daddy, Big Hauler, Big Shot, Binder-Nape, Birthwings, Blades, Blank Alley, Blast Master, Blaster, Blastwave, Blazejet, Blazemaster, Blazing Meteor, Blossom, Blowpipe, Bluebash, Bluefly, Blueshift, Bluestreak, Bluestrielle, Bodyblock, Boillink, Boltax, Bombast, Bombhit Blaze, Boomer, Bookbrow, Boundjack, Brainstorm, Brake-Neck, Braver, Brawn, Breacher, Breakaway, Broadside, Brontobot, Brontodrive, Brontoton, Brooke, Brownfuse, Buckshot, Bucketbutton, Bulkiron, Bumblejumper, Bumbleswoop, Bumper, Burdenweight, Burststorm, Bushelinet, Bustroll, Buzzshock, Caliburst, Callisto, Cameo, Camshaft, Cannonspring, Catilla, Celestiwarp, Cerise Wraith, Chainclaw, Chaindrive, Charcoalflame, Chargehaul, Chase Racer, Checkpoint, Cheedor, Cherub, Chevalier, Chipstream, Chromatron, Chromedome, Chrysothemis, C.L., Clampstop, Clash Chopper, Clash Steel, Clasppin, Clear-Cut, Cliffover, Clocker, Cloudburst, Cloudraker, Cloudskulker, Coaljack, Code Red, Cog, Cogwheel, Coldwelder, Condain, Condentrail, Conkout, Converter, Countdown, Counter Arrow, Cosmic Scratch, Cosmos, Cosmowing, Cracksmasher, Crankhandle, Crashbar, Crispbore, Croaking Arrow, Cromar, Crossblades, Crossclover, Crosshairs, Crosswise, Cruiser, Crumble, Crunch, Crushdash, Crystalcar, Cutrazor, Cyancloud, Cybaxx, D-Go, Daredevil, Darkshadow, Dashshot, Dashwaver, Daytonus, Deaddevil, Deadgripper, Deadthroat, Deceptor, Deep Blue, Deep Dive, Desire, Detritus, Devcon, Dibbleborer, Dimday Dancer, Dimicron Prime, Dimshot, Dion, Distempt, Doctor Steam, Dogfight, Doublecross, Doubleheader, Downclimber, Downshift, Drift, Drillcone, Drivetrain, Dropbomb, Drydock, Duros, Duskcover, Eagle Eye, Eagle Killer, Eclipse, Ectotron, Elder Balas, Electro, Elevatetower, Emberflame, Embolusblaster, Emperoralius Maximo, Ephemeris, Epistemus Prime, Erector, Eronus, Ether Walker, Euro Express, Evac, Falcatron, F.A.R.S.C., Fastback, Fastlane, Fire Prime, Firebolt, Fireflight, Firetrap, First Aid, First Sirener, Fisitron, Fixit, Fizzle, Flak, Flameblade, Flamewaver, Flanker, Flatiron, Flinghurl, Flintlock, Floodwake, Flutterbolt, Foulbreak, Foulrider, Free Force, Free Wheeler, Freeway, Fukutsu Prime, Full-Barrel, Fumehammer, G3 Prime, Galactica, Galactic Case, Galaxy Flare, Galaxy 'Questrian, Gale, Ganoh, Gauntlet, Gears, Gekisoumaru, Gelsealer, General Gentlecomfort, Geosensus, Geronimo, Getaway, Getsuei, Gigawatt, Gizmo, Ginza Prime, Glacialstar, Glasnost, Glazehead, Glitch, Gloom Begonia, Goldenwing, Gort, Grand Slam, Grandalix Maximus, Grapple, Gravitas, Grazecutter, Greaser, Greasestain, Great Dipper, Greenlight, Grime Boss, Grimsley, Groove, Grotesque, Groundbreaker, Groundpounder, Groundshaker, Gunrunner, Guardian Major, Guardian Prime, Gusher, Guzzle, Gust Off, Gyre Fightmover, Hakata Prime, Hale Strip, Halflightcloak, Halogen, Hammerbyte, Hardhead, Hashtag, Hasterush, Hauler, Hawking, Haywire, Hazmat, Heatrock, Heave, Heavy Load, Heavy Tread, Heavyhigh Whirlpool, Hi-Q, Highbrow, Highgear, Highjump, Hightower, Hiroshima Prime, Hishoumaru, Hoist, Holepunch, Horrorwing, Hosehead, Hot House, Hot Spot, Hot Zone, Hotwire, Hound, Hubs, Hubcap, Hubsnapper, Huffblow, Hunter, Hurricanus, Hydraulic, Ikebukuro Prime, Indy Heat, Inferno, Intutalluah Pax, Iro, Iron Claw, Iron Lump, Iron Roar, Iron Slag, Ironfletch, Ironside, Ironworks, Ishinomaki Prime, Itami Prime, J-One, J-Two, J-Three, J-Four, J-Five, J-Six, J-Seven, J-Eight, J-Nine, J-Ten, J-Eleven, J-Twelve, J-Thirteen, J-Fourteen, J-Fifteen, J-Sixteen, J-Seventeen, J-Eighteen, Jackpot, Jawbreaker, Jaze, Jazz, Jetbash, Jetbeetle, Jetfire, Jetstorm, Jettacker, Jettison, Jinbu, Joe, Jolt, Joyride, JP12, JP93, Junkheap, Junkyard, Kaen, Kaltor, Kawasaki Prime, Kenzan, Kick-Off, Kick-Over, Knifegash, Kranix, Kudon, Lancer, Landfill, Landmine, Laster, Launchermach, Leader-1, Leaf, Leo Prime, L.P., Liberate Force, Liege Maximo, Light Sword, Lightbounder, Lightspeed, Lightsteed, Lightstorm, Limerappa, Lionizer, Lionhack, Logos Prime, Longtooth, Lube, Lug, Lunaglow, Lunastream, Mach Alert, Mach Five Racing Prime, Machinegun, Magnitisha Prima, Magnus Prime, Mainframe, Mainspring, Mauverappa, Maverick, Maxitrek, Mechamaster, Mega Dozer, Mega Hauler, Mega Magnus, Mega Trion, Megaair, Melinda Prime, Meltdown, Mercury, Metalhawk, Meteorfire, Michelle Soothsayer, Micronus Prime, Midnight Express, Mindset, Miraclebus, Mirage, Missile Master, Mito Prime, Modus Prime, Monarchsteel, Moonrock, Mortilus Prime, Motor Load, Motormix, Mudflap, Mudslinger, Murdergraze, Muzzle, Nagoya Prime, Nanba Prime, Nancy, Natron, Navitas, Nebulon, Nemesis, Neo, Neurocell, Neutro, Neutrostar, Night, Nightra, Nightbeat, Nightcruz, Nightshade, Nightstick, Noisecracker, Nominus Prime, Nosecone, Nosedrill, Nova Magnus, Nova Prime, Null Storm, Obsidian, Oceanglow, Oiler, Onagerok, Onyx Prime, O.P., Orion Star, Ortega Maxine, Osseinbreaker, Over-Run, Overdrive, Overflow, Overhaul, Overload, Overquash Prime, Override, Overturner Chi Prime, Pattern Shredder, Peacemaker, Phantom Nova, Phaser, Pick-Up, Pilebot, Piledrive, Pileton, Pincher, Pinion, Pinpointer, Pipeline, Pipes, Pitstop, Playback, Pointblank, Poundjet, Power Digger, Power Run, Powerglide, Powertrain, Powervision Bravo Prime, Pral, Press Forefront, Prima, Primal Prime, Prime Nova, Primon, Prion, Prowloader, Pruner, Psychic Pointman, Psychic Shortstop, Punch, Punthind, Push-Button, Quickmix, Quickswitch, Quig, Quintus Prime, R.A., Raceflow, Rad, Railspike, Raindance, Raise, Rampart Punch, Rapid Run, and Rapido switched to vehicle mode and beast mode before going through the portal.
Meanwhile, at the crater, because the Energon crystals wouldn't stop multiplying after three or so were cut for some reason, the Nemesis had deployed several hundred more Decepticon Miners.
Shadeskulker bemoans quietly, "(Softly) This is gonna be harder than we thought."
Just then, the Autobot Ground Bridge opens, and the Autobots go around either reprogramming the Decepticon Miners thanks to some reprogramming harpoon cannons and thanks to some V32 Cyber Corruptors fine-tuned to permanently turn Decepticons into Autobots as long as they don't have Dark Energon in them or just turning the Vehicons to scrap.
And with the other away team added to the mix, it was only a matter of time before the Nemesis deployed Car, Tank, Truck, Captain, Gunner, Scorcher, Bombardier, General, Lieutenant, Corporal, Warrior, Soldier, Brute, Artillery Specialist, Melee Specialist, Wrecker, and Heavy Soldier Vehicons.
Shadeskulker then directs Cliffjumper and some of the others in mining the Energon.
Shadeskulker helps out a great deal.
But as the Vehicons and other Decepticon troops continue firing at the Autobots, they notice Shadeskulker's group mining the Energon.
A Brute Vehicon charges and tries to smash the Energon with his hammer to blow it up, but he gets his head chopped off by Smokeedge's flying scimitars.
Just then, an Autobot decloaks and slices off Vehicon heads.
Optimus and some of the others instantly recognized the newcomer as Saberfist, a shared old friend of theirs who vanished from Cybertron 25 years ago.
From the trees and bushes, a figure emerges and snarls, "You dare try to blow up my sanctuary, Decepticons?! I'll make you all pay."
Then the figure disappears into thin air.
Just then, on the Nemesis, Starscream's brother Redspider growls, "The Energon, it's worthless to us now, Commander."
Starscream growls before saying, "Send in the regular Brutes, Destroyers, Cloakers, Rocket Soldiers, Shotgunners, Protectors, Heavy Soldiers, Leaders, Soldier Tanks, Titans, Wall Crawlers, and Seekers."
Just then, Megatron's sparkmate Blacksword comes up and says, "Starscream, you better have a good reason for waking me up."
Starscream answers, "As a matter of fact, my lady lord, I do. We've discovered an Energon deposit with regenerative Energon, and the Autobots have arrived."
Blacksword replies, "Then deal with it."
Just then, twenty Vehicons manage to bring in White Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Red Boa, Black Viper, Green Adder, Glimmerblade, Grayburst, Corbyflash, Strongblast, and Darkcover, ten more Autobots who had come to Earth just five days ago.
All of them were completely unaware of the ten mystery figures in the room, concealed from the visual spectrum.
Darkcover remarks, "Starscream. Blacksword. It's been years. (Coughing) So, where's Megatron?"
Starscream snarls, "Never mind him! I am my own master!"
Starscream rears his arm back, but Blacksword says, "Need I remind you that as Megatron's consort, I am in charge until he returns?!"
Starscream looks sheepish.
Starscream rears his arm back again, but then, an invisible force clamps onto his arm and twists it behind his back with a loud screeching noise.
Starscream howls in agony even as he shouts, "Get off of me!"
Starscream jerks forward and tries to maneuver his way free, but he gets kicked below the belt, dropping him to the floor.
And as this happens, the other invisible forces knock out the Vehicons holding the other Autobots captive as well as Blacksword and Redspider.
The invisible forces grab onto the Autobots' hands and they teleport out of the Nemesis.
As soon as White Rattlesnake, Copperhead, Red Boa, Black Viper, Green Adder, Glimmerblade, Grayburst, Corbyflash, Strongblast, and Darkcover opened their optics, they noticed that they were in a cavern.
They looked around the cavern lit by monitors and overhead lights combined with sun lamps, and they see ten figures outlined within the shadows.
The first figure then says, "Stay calm, all of you; we're not here to hurt you, not after we saved you from being terminated and/or potentially kept as prisoners. Just clear your intakes and your systems."
The ten Autobots manage to do just that, and then White Rattlesnake asks, "Can you please show us who you are, so we can see who our saviors are?"
The figures then step out into the lights.
The first femme was maroon and regular red, the second femme was teal and green, the third femme was mustard yellow and regular orange, the fourth femme was navy blue and regular blue, the fifth femme was light aloe yellow and regular yellow, the sixth femme was royal purple and regular purple, the seventh femme was light blue and dark brown, the eighth femme was light red and school bus yellow, the ninth femme was snow white and dark indigo, and the tenth femme was turquoise and dark blue.
The lead femme had a red optic and a blue optic while the others have normal blue optics.
And for the first femme, she had what appeared to be goat horns on the sides of her head, while the other femmes had horns on the sides of their heads resembling the horns of cows, bulls, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, markhors, scimitar oryxes, deer, blackbucks, antelopes, and ibexes, complete with bird wings, penguin wings, bat wings, dragon wings, dragonfly wings, emu wings, bee wings, beetle wings, ostrich wings, and butterfly wings capable of retracting out of their backs and allowing them to fly in robot mode.
The lead femme then says, "Please don't just stare at us; it makes us uncomfortable."
Copperhead replies, "Sorry, it's just that we haven't seen many more femmes for years."
The second femme replies back, "Okay, if you say so..."
Red Boa then asks, "What are your designations, femmes?"
The lead femme answers, "I'm Willow. These are Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, and Echo. And if we're being honest, nobody has asked us for our names for years. But now, we gotta take care of business with getting you to your Autobot friends and holding off the Decepticons for as long as we can while helping you mine the Energon, as much as you can afford to store."
The femmes clutch the Autobots' hands and they teleport above ground, with the teleportation repairing their damages.
At the battle site, as the outnumbering Decepticons rounded up the Autobots, two Vehicons holding Tailgate ended up losing their heads, literally, as blaster bolts powerful enough took their heads off, killing them instantly.
The Decepticon forces follow the blasts to see two femmes and two mechs with their blasters pointed at them, the first one being gray, silver, red, and green, the second one being yellow, white, black, and purple, the third one being blue, orange, gold, and platinum, and the fourth one being brown, cyan, magenta, and pink.
Then four more Vehicons drop dead, and behind them stand two more femmes.
The two cannons on the femmes' arms are also pointed at the Decepticons, and in no time, the Decepticons were taken out by the rest of the Autobots.
The first femme remarks, "Mess with a teammate, and the whole team comes after you."
The second femme adds, "You said it, sister."
The first femme then says, "Any other Autobots on this frequency, this is Mulltrap, please respond."
A female voice answers, "This is Roseninja. What can I do for you, Mulltrap?"
Roseninja is shown on the far west side of the countryside, driving towards the crater in her vehicle mode of a 2010 Mazda 3 sedan, driving alongside a green 2010 Audi A3 sports car, a blue 2010 Ford Focus sports car, a purple 2010 Holden Astra sports car, a yellow and purple 2010 McDonnell Douglas F-15DJ Eagle fighter jet, a black, white, red and green Xi'an JH-7 fighter jet, a dark red, scarlet red, dark green, bright green, black, and white 2010 LTV A-7 Corsair II fighter jet, a purple, yellow, black, and white 2010 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, a dark blue, sky blue, pink, and turquoise 2010 Kenworth T880 semi-truck, a red, green, pink, silver, gray, light blue, and dark blue 2010 Ferrari FF sports car, a red, gray, pink, and dark blue 2010 Morgan Aeromax sports car, an orange, blue, black, and white 2010 KTM Super Duke motorcycle, a black and white 2010 Honda CBR600RR motorcycle, a white, black, blue and orange 2010 Nissan Titan pickup truck, a red and green 2010 Honda Civic sports car, a blue and orange 2010 Toyota Corolla sports car, a purple and yellow 2010 Kia Forte sports car, a green and blue 2010 Mercedes AMG GT sports car, a golden and bronze 2010 Saturn Sky sports car, and a white and silver 2010 BMW NYPD police motorcycle.
Mulltrap answers the question as she sees White Rattlesnake's group being tended to while Willow's group explains things to Optimus and the others, "We have ten Autobots plus six hundred and forty-eight more combatting intense numbers of Decepticons in an Energon quarry just off the road leading to Jasper, Nevada, but they can only hold off the Decepticons for so long. And here's the strange part: the Energon is easily regenerative, meaning that every three crystals cut down means thirty more takes their places."
Roseninja replies, "Okay, stay there; we're on our way."
Roseninja and her companions Clinkerflame, Conflagblade, Slayclaw, Juicestrike, Savagefrost, Wreckruiner, Oliveninja, Navyshadow, Amethystninja, Copperbrick, Dusksplicer, Quebec Prime, Scarlett, Aristeus, Coalstorm, Soulbreaker, Lightstreaker, Vergeswipe, Jiveswing, and Nosehunt drove and flew on their way to the Energon crater.
The second femme then says, "Any other Autobots on this frequency, this is Roundfuse. Can anybot read me?"
A second femme voice answers on the commlink before asking, "This is Blushninja. What can I do for you, Roundfuse?"
On the north side of the road far from the Energon crater, a blush pink 2010 Volkswagen Jetta sports car drives alongside a lemon yellow 2010 Aston Martin Vantage V8 sports car, a vermilion red 2010 Lamborghini LM002 sports car, a silver pink 2010 Nissan 370Z sports car, and a dark purple and canary yellow 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide police motorcycle to the crater.
Roundfuse answers, "We have ten Autobots plus six hundred and forty-eight more combatting intense numbers of Decepticons in an Energon quarry just off the road leading to Jasper, Nevada, but they won't be able to hold off the entire crew of the Nemesis for long. And here's the strange part: the Energon is easily regenerative, meaning that every three crystals cut down means thirty more takes their places."
Blushninja replies, "We're on our way to your position."
Blushninja and her friends kick it into high gear.
The third femme says, "Any Autobots on this frequency, this is Ballrocket. Can anyone read me?"
A third femme voice answers on the commlink, "This is Coralninja. What can I do for you, Ballrocket?"
On the far south side of the same road leading to the crater, a coral pink 2010 Danbury Hyundai sports car drives alongside an amber yellow 2010 Lamborghini 350 GT sports car, a ruby red 2010 Ferrari 288 GTO sports car, a silver sand 2010 BMW 135i sports car, and an ebony black and cyber yellow 2010 Yamaha Raider S police motorcycle to the crater.
Ballrocket answers, "We have ten Autobots plus six hundred and forty-eight more combatting intense numbers of Decepticons in an Energon quarry just off the road leading to Jasper, Nevada, but they won't be able to hold off any bigger numbers of Decepticon reinforcements. And here's the strange part: the Energon is easily regenerative, meaning that every three crystals cut down means thirty more takes their places."
Coralninja replies, "Don't worry; Autobot reinforcements are en route."
Coralninja and her allies accelerate at high speeds to the crater.
The fourth femme says, "Any available Autobots on this frequency, this is Bulletbomb. Is anybot there?"
A fourth female voice answers on the commlink, "This is Fuchisaninja. What can I do for you, Bulletbomb?"
On the far east side of the same road, a fuchsia pink 2010 Nissan Sentra sports car drives alongside a saffron yellow 2010 Lamborghini Miura P400SV sports car, a cherry red 2010 Porsche 959 sports car, a silver chalice 2010 Mazda RX-8 R3 sports car, and a charcoal black and chartreuse yellow 2010 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide police motorcycle to the crater.
Bulletbomb answers, "We have ten Autobots plus six hundred and forty-eight more combatting intense numbers of Decepticons in an Energon quarry just off the road leading to Jasper, Nevada, but it's only a matter of time before the Decepticon forces regroup for reinforcements. And here's the strange part: the Energon is easily regenerative, meaning that every three crystals cut down means thirty more takes their places."
Fuchisaninja replies, "Okay, stay there; we'll be there shortly."
Fuchisaninja and her comrades accelerate at their vehicle modes' top speeds to get to the crater faster.
And along with that, Russet, Tawnybreak, Kingbreaker, India Bravo, Trinitrostopper, Sparkshank, Lifeclaw, Brightgrafter, Sablestorm, Cheerheart, Howlheat, Waterstrike, Lightsword, Guardbuild, Lime Samurai, Magenta Samurai, Salmon Samurai, and Marineshade drove and flew from the opposite side of the road where the away team arrived from, far from the crater but getting closer every second.
In the Energon crater, Willow says, "So, yes, they gave it their best effort to prevent themselves from being captured, but they were taken by surprise, and it can happen to any of us."
Echo then inquires, "And anyway, I presume all of you would love some assistance in mining more than enough Energon for sustenance and powering up your equipment?"
Optimus answers, "Yes."
Smokeedge then takes out of his subspace collapsible briefcases, and he presses some buttons on them, revealing Energon crystal storage barrel crates.
The Autobot forces get to work on acquiring more than enough Energon.
Just then, the thirty-six new Autobots appeared, and they helped out.
Optimus was shocked to see two more of his children, and so was Elita One, but nevertheless, they reunited with them over mining Energon.
Just then, as the Autobots filled up their five hundred and sixty-eighth barrel crate, over one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-six Vehicon Cars, Jets, Tanks, Helicopters, Trucks, Space Shuttles, Rocket Planes, Trains, Road Trains, Armored Cars, Bosses, Sentries, Scouts, Scientists, Leaders, Titans, Infiltrators, Warriors, Sergeants, Melee Warriors, Ranged Warriors, Lieutenants, Corporals, Soldiers, Captains, Scorchers, Bombardiers, Gunners, Generals, Shotgunners, Protectors, Rocket Soldiers, Brutes, Cloakers, Heavy Soldiers, Destroyers, Wall Crawlers, Artillery Specialists, Melee Specialists, Defenders, Medics, Aerialcons, Combaticons, Constructicons, Deployers, Elite Guards, Insecticons, Lightning Strike Coalition Troopers, Destructicons, Shifters, Decepticon Heavy Brigades, Arachnicons, Stunticons, Amphiboids, Buffaloids, Chompazoids, Corvicons, Croctobots, Lobstercons, Scavengebots, Sharkticons, Skunkticons, Snaketicons, Dreads, Hunters, and Commanders appeared, which makes one hundred and seventeen thousand, eight hundred and seventy-six Vehicons in total.
And among the Decepticons were the generals known as Inkstorm, Jetsquall, Dimstorm, Shadowystorm, Gloomstorm, Blackstorm, Shadysquall, Shadesquall, Leadenstorm, Unlitstorm, Hubbreaker, Centerbreaker, Corebreaker, Edgebreaker, Bosombreaker, Rootbreaker, Focusbreaker, Gistbreaker, Marrowbreaker, Pitbreaker, Demiseclaw, Endclaw, Expireclaw, Murderclaw, Killclaw, Drownclaw, Executeclaw, Poisonbreaker, Lynchclaw, and Crucifyclaw, thirty Decepticon General Fliers who serve only Megatron.
Of course, Inkstorm, Jetsquall, Dimstorm, Shadowystorm, Gloomstorm, Blackstorm, Shadysquall, Shadesquall, Leadenstorm, and Unlitstorm had one common goal: killing Optimus Prime for their shared father, Megatron.
Over the course of the fight, the additional reinforcements for the Autobots arrived, and the Iron Legion proved that allying with them and providing them with their own Iron Man suits thanks to the Mini-Forges was a superb good idea, as their rank positions, martial arts training, combat programs, and weaponry helped to tear the Decepticon numbers asunder.
And along with that, another 22 Autobots by the names of Stalksneaker, Ragtime, Brimswipe, Raystreaker, Mindbreaker, Clinkerstorm, Salvia, Seeley, Juliett Prime, Dingysplicer, Chestnut, Lavenderninja, Cobaltshadow, Emeraldninja, Flattenleveler, Fiercefrost, Brothstrike, Snuffclaw, Inflameblade, Charcoalflame, Salmonninja, and Gloniplug had arrived to even the odds.
Russet, Tawnybreak, Kingbreaker, India Bravo, Trinitrostopper, Sparkshank, Lifeclaw, Brightgrafter, Sablestorm, Cheerheart, Howlheat, Waterstrike, Lightsword, Guardbuild, Lime Samurai, Magenta Samurai, Salmon Samurai, and Marineshade also arrived to even the odds.
And if that wasn't enough bad news for the Decepticons, fifty-five new Autobots named Dynamine, Municharge, Buckmissile, Pastelninja, Ceriseninja, Orchidninja, Sparksword, Flashsword, Flaresword, Cokeflame, Cinderflame, Relicflame, Eraseclaw, Decimateclaw, Whackclaw, Vaporstrike, Chaserstrike, Coolerstrike, Demolishravager, Crushransacker, Annihilatewaster, Agrestefrost, Naturfrost, Ferocifrost, Limeninja, Peaninja, Grassninja, Cyanshadow, Saxeshadow, Royalshadow, Mauveninja, Lilacninja, Magentaninja, Browntone, Hazeltone, Hennatone, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Yankee Prime, November Prime, Lima Prime, Monika, Hannelore, Sookie, Eventide, Sunrise, Seiren, Ebonystorm, Ravenstorm, Onyxstorm, Brainbreaker, Headbreaker, and Psychebreaker arrived to even the odds even further than before.
As soon as the Decepticons' numbers started being reduced to the lesser hundreds because of their troops being reprogrammed or pulverized, Inkstorm calls out before snarling, "Decepticons, retreat! This isn't over yet, Optimus Prime!"
Inkstorm transforms to his jet mode and follows his comrades back to the Nemesis.
Arcee comes up and says, "Nice job getting the Energon, guys."
Everyone involved gave off various cheers.
Just then, Shadeskulker saw something leave the flight deck of the Nemesis as it retreats.
She notices that the plane looks like Starscream in his original Energon Seeker Class Scientist frame if he ever transformed into a Sukhoi Su-47 forward swept wing fighter jet, but with black and red all over in the same patterns as a ladybug, minus the black being the spots on a ladybug's shell.
Shadeskulker asks while pointing at the fighter jet, "Guys, what is that?"
The Autobot army looks up and Bulkhead asks, "Is that... Redspider?"
Optimus answers, "It is indeed Redspider."
Optimus brings out his blasters.
Elita One asks, "I know we wouldn't expect much from the older brother of Starscream, but why would Redspider come alone?"
Bumblebee beeps, "What do you think, Elita?"
Smokeedge then speaks up frantically, "He's gonna try to blow us up along with the Energon! Everyone back to base now!"
Ratchet quickly gets out the remote control for the Ground Bridge before opening a portal back to base.
The members of Team Prime plus the generic troops carried the Energon barrels into the portal and the Autobots scramble into the large portal sixty at a time.
Vector Prime uses Smokeedge's universal remote to make the Autobots successfully move fast enough by pressing the remote's Fast Fast Fast Forward Button.
The last Autobots had gone into the portal just as Redspider fired his missile payload.
The portal closed before the Energon blew up, and in the Autobot base, Vector Prime pressed the Normal Motion/Play Button, making the movements and speech patterns of the subjects return to normal.
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Nemesis, Starscream looks over the Energon from the deposit easily regenerating and he says, "Ahh. This is wonderful for the Energon to be a regenerative kind."
Streamtrail then comes up and says, "Indeed it is, Starscream."
Just then, Starscream is presented Ragebird, an Autobot soldier, gunner, and Cyber-Ninja who resembles Cliffjumper in his old and current frames combined with the Tyran cluster Nightbird, complete with her winged jetpack.
Starscream remarks, "Ah, Ragebird. We meet again."
Ragebird snarls weakly, "Starscream... how I wish you were dead."
Starscream cackles before saying, "Murderous to the end, aren't you?"
Ragebird asks, "So, where's your master?"
Streamtrail answers, "That is a matter which won't be your concern for longer than necessary."
Ragebird softly growls.
Starscream states, "To answer your previous question – "
Starscream purposely leaves the sentence open-ended and frees his claws before saying, "– I am my own master!"
Starscream stabs the Autobot Cyber-Ninja in the chestplate, going for his spark chamber.
Ragebird roars in agony like a lion being electrocuted.
Starscream asks rhetorically, "Any more questions?"
Ragebird doesn't respond as when Starscream removes his servo, the Cyber-Ninja gunner fell to his knees, and collapses onto his front side like a decapitated body does, signifying that Ragebird has gone offline.
Starscream then says, "Clean that up."
The Vehicons then picked up the fallen Autobot and dragged his corpse away as some other Vehicons arrived with cleaning supplies.
In Shockwave's laboratory, Shockwave and Starscream's older twin brother Flashblaze were both doing their important work, both of them humming along to a lyrical AC/DC song on the monitor.
For this is because Shockwave is possessed by the spirit of Jackson Darby from one hundred years in the future, having died an old man years after the Autobots won the war and returned to Cybertron, only to end up dealing with Cyclonus' fake High Council, the Decepticon inmates of the Alchemor, and other kinds of sinkhole wrinkles in the new era of peace between Autobots, Decepticons, Maximals, and Predacons.
And if that wasn't enough, when Shockwave cloned himself and when he cloned Flashblaze before crashing – system crashing to be precise – because he had Jack Darby's spirit inhabit his body, Shockwave's clones and Flashblaze's clones ended up being possessed by the spirits of Miko Nakadai, Rafael Esquivel, Agent Fowler, June Darby, Sierra Winchester, Vincent Landon, General Bryce, the members of NEST, Denny Clay, Russell Clay, the Burns family, and the Autobot allied superhero group consisting of Jack's family, Miko's family, Raf's family, June's family, Agent Fowler's family, Denny's family, the Burns family relatives and friends, Vincent's family, Sierra's family, and the families of the NEST personnel known as the Krypton Legion.
Now, they were working in secret alliance with the Autobots in the present to take over the Decepticons from the inside after getting rid of Megatron, Soundwave, Cyclonus, Skyquake, Dreadwing, Skywarp, Thundercracker, Slipstream, and the rest of Megatron's inner and outer circles if in the event they aren't terminated sooner and if in the event that they can't be convinced to change sides.
Just then, the monitors beeped with the words, "Incoming message from Starscream" flashing.
Shockwave pauses the music and answers the video call request.
Shockwave asks, "Commander Starscream, how can I help you?"
Starscream answers, "I require your presence on the bridge, alone."
Shockwave replies back, "Affirmative. I am on my way, sir."
Shockwave ends the video call and makes his way to the bridge.
Starscream asks, "How goes your progress on our new Space Bridge?"
Shockwave answers, "Current status of the new Space Bridge being completed is 99.7% complete. All we require is enough Energon to fuel it."
Starscream replies, "Excellent, and don't worry about finding any Energon, the deposit we have is full of regenerative Energon crystals."
Shockwave asks in shock before saying, "What?! An Energon deposit with regenerative Energon crystals sounds highly illogical, as such a thing is not widely known."
Starscream then inquires, "Soundwave, can you please show him our evidence?"
Soundwave replies in an imitation of a female spider from a children's book based film, "(Filtered; with Soundwave's voice) Well, since you said please..."
Soundwave taps a button and the main screen shows the Energon deposit in question, along with the screen showing Shockwave just how regenerative the Energon crystals really are.
Shockwave remarks, "Fascinating. An Energon deposit with regenerative Energon crystals should be more than enough to not only power up our forces and our Space Bridge, but also allow us to reboot Cybertron's core."
Just then, after the Vehicons cleanup the Energon and after Shockwave finishes his observations about how much Energon would be needed for the Decepticon cause, a few Vehicon Trucks come up carrying another Autobot.
Starscream remarks, "Two Autobots in one day? This must be my lucky day."
Starscream then notices that this Autobot wasn't anyone he knew on Optimus Prime's roster on Earth.
Starscream asks, "What is your name, Autobot?"
The Autobot answers, "Name's Cliffshard. Remember it well, for when I get out of this, you and your lackeys are f(bleep!) dead!"
Starscream smacks the Autobot in the face, and Shockwave says, "Starscream, if I may? This Autobot has knowledge of the location coordinates for the Autobot base. If we pluck the information out of his neural net, we can find out where the Autobot base is and launch a full-scale assault."
Starscream smirks as he replies before ordering the Truck Vehicons, "Ooh, I love the sound of that. Clean up his wounds and get him to his cell; we want him looking his best for the interrogation."
The Truck Vehicons comply and haul Cliffshard off.
Starscream then says, "Shockwave, return to your laboratory. I will call upon you when I need you again."
Shockwave replies, "Understood."
Shockwave heads off to his lab.
Just then, some Space Shuttle Vehicons haul into the bridge an Autobot by the name of Jumpscreen.
Starscream remarks, "They said it couldn't be done; the one called Jumpscreen is too rapid in hyper speed and too evasive to take prisoner. Well, here you are now."
Jumpscreen remarks, "By the time Megatron returns, you won't be able to twiddle your thumbs anymore."
Starscream roars as he goes to strike Jumpscreen, but then, Soundwave's lieutenant Rowbackshade detonates a hidden EMP and whisks Jumpscreen away in the total pitch-black darkness.
Starscream then says, "Someone get the lights back on! Now!"
The lights turn back on, and Starscream notices Jumpscreen is gone!
Starscream then shouts, "Someone find Jumpscreen and Rowbackshade!"
Just then, eight Vehicon Brutes haul another ten Autobots by the names of Overblades, Grizzstream, Groundblades, Roughsweep, Jetshot, Fangstalker, Smokefire, Flamestop, Voltswitch, and Rabidpummel to the bridge.
Starscream smiles widely as he realizes that this is an opportunity to show Megatron that he has indeed reduced the Autobots' numbers.
Starscream kills the Autobots either by blowing holes into their spark chambers, ripping their heads off, or puncturing their spark chambers.
Of course, what Starscream and the others don't know is that the ten Autobots he killed were nameless clones of Cliffjumper and Smokeedge made in the same images of the real Overblades, Grizzstream, Groundblades, Roughsweep, Jetshot, Fangstalker, Smokefire, Flamestop, Voltswitch, and Rabidpummel sent to the Nemesis to lure Megatron and Starscream astray while the real ones were safe and sound in the Autobot bases.
In the Autobot base, Optimus says, "Thank you, Vector Prime."
Vector Prime replies, "Thank Smokeedge; if it were not for his ingenuity, he would not have invented the universal remote in the first place."
Smokeedge takes a bow at that.
Zeta Prime then says, "So, that was a previously untapped Energon deposit with regenerative supplies of Energon."
Bulkhead adds, "The only one of its kind, and who knows what might be left of it."
Ratchet says, "This is the first Decepticon activity in three years, one month, and twenty-four days."
Optimus adds before saying, "That we know of, even outside of our army's newfound intel on the future. If they're scouting for Energon, they may be preparing for his return."
Shadeskulker adds, "And that's literally bad news, because our intel says Megatron is packing with him a huge crystal of Dark Energon."
Everyone in the Autobot ranks who wasn't a transformatted human being from the Quadwal cluster with intel on the future still knew who Optimus meant: Megatron, the leader of the Decepticons. And they also knew in an instant thanks to meticulous studying of the legends of Primus and Unicron that if Megatron is packing Dark Energon, he's likely to try conquering Earth with not just his Decepticon army, but also an army of undead Terrorcons.
Optimus then says, "Everyone stand at attention and sound off!"
The primary ones sounded off, "Russet!" "Tawnybreak!" "Kingbreaker!" "India Bravo!" "Trinitrostopper!" "Sparkshank!" "Lifeclaw!" "Brightgrafter!" "Sablestorm!" "Cheerheart!" "Howlheat!" "Waterstrike!" "Lightsword!" "Guardbuild!" "Lime Samurai!" "Magenta Samurai!" "Salmon Samurai!" "Marineshade!" "White Rattlesnake!" "Copperhead!" "Red Boa!" "Black Viper!" "Green Adder!" "Glimmerblade!" "Grayburst!" "Corbyflash!" "Strongblast!" "Darkcover!" "Betabite!" "Bladelash!" "Cerebeak!" "Crossshock!" "Daysaur!" "Blightonus!" "Drysteel!" "Darkdock!" "Dive Aid!" "Grimbros!" "Alpha Maxx!" "Defenflight!" "Fortresslock!" "Firsttower!" "Highfill!" "Landhide!" "Ironnight!" "Fangcruz!" "Night Omega!" "Ratblade!" "Fright Express!" "Redjaw!" "Rapidwing!" "Gore Alert!" "Rookback!" "Side Attack!" "Heart Swipe!" "Hunways!" "Lazer Lynx!" "Skidking!" "Preda-Line!" "Towclaw!" "Rip Trion!" "Ultrasnapper!" "Rot Magnus!" "Gut-Brawn!" "Air-Ket!" "Ser-Hammer!" "Air Claw!" "Southlynx!" "Southstalker!" "Tanrazor!" "Apextrum!" "Arastrike!" "Twingon!" "Vertesanrin!" "Autobreak!" "Weirdwulf!" "Beachrazor!" "Beowing!" "Anttron!" "Bigagony!" "Blacknid!" "Jackadis!" "Archablast!" "Bladecrusher!" "Autoslash!" "Blaststreak!" "Bluearachnia!" "Blurbolar!" "Bolt Bite!" "Bugtax!" "Buzzboomer!" "Bossbomb!" "Bozo Saw!" "Brainclaw!" "Broadclysm!" "Catside!" "Bulkacon!" "Crazyhead!" "Bumblecutter!" "Cryobee!" "Bumpereye!" "Bus Punch!" "Doubleshaft!" "Chain Bit!" "Drillclaw!" "Chromewar!" "Flamedome!" "Fracdown!" "Circuitdart!" "Clampboil!" "Gimjumper!" "Hardcut!" "Headbase!" "Dagjector!" "Dazzlestorm!" "Jet Cover!" "Railnight!" "Midrun!" "Rapidracer!" "Overtankor!" "Swindleload!" "Overrail Express!" "Deftatron!" "Magmastrike!" "Delta Ray!" "Manfight!" "Dogalligator!" "Megaheader!" "Onyxshift!" "Dragopinch" "Poweryell!" "Dukestrike!" "Eagle Horn!" "Ram Eye!" "Ectopage!" "Ejectclaw!" "Reptiltor!" "Faststorm!" "Feedtooth!" "Saberlane!" "Fire Clamp!" "Sawbolt!" "Sandguard!" "First Panther!" "Sea Aid!" "Shadowlock!" "Shockstar!" "Flintaract!" "Flash Shadow!" "Flakbolt!" "Silverup!" "Flarewasp!" "Skyflame!" "Snapfizzle!" "Flip Skold!" "Soundsides!" "Getbyte!" "Gigascream!" "Spitwatt!" "Gnawgrave!" "Goldsaur!" "Steeltop!" "Grandtulas!" "Greasequito!" "Greenpredacus!" "Armorlight!" "Gripscout!" "Bat Hog!" "Groundcrusher!" "Bonepounder!" "Coladbreaker!" "Gunbat!" "Convorunner!" "Guzzleshark!" "Handle Charge!" "Dinobars!" "Haulout!" "Hayrad!" "Heinrock!" "Heat Beam!" "High Tread!" "Heavebreaker!" "Heavyrat!" "Lab Tread!" "Highquake!" "Landbrow!" "Lionjump!" "Holearm!" "Motorpunch!" "Hoseglider!" "Night House!" "Hubshriek!" "Nitro Rod!" "Nyxcap!" "Hypershoot!" "Over Spot!" "Orcandrive!" "Interhug!" "Polarclad!" "Ironrat!" "Packnuncio!" "Jackulus!" "Joybeast!" "Razorworks!" "Junktrap!" "Rhinoride!" "Kaltorbuster!" "Rockyard!" "Kick Edge!" "Scuba-Off!" "Sharpmine!" "Lifepoint!" "Shatterframe!" "Mainwave!" "Sonartrek!" "Machgap!" "Stinkhawk!" "Mellonblade!" "Stopicus!" "Switchplex!" "Metalbot!" "Metrohawk!" "Missilemutate!" "Tigamaster!" "Tigerracer!" "Moondon!" "Dracorock!" "Mudcranius!" "Trislinger!" "Muzzlefinger!" "Wingtrex!" "Paleobeat!" "Novatonite!" "Racback!" "Outstrike!" "Hammerhaul!" "Overhorn!" "Slugwave!" "Kickpit!" "Sky End!" "Mindrunner!" "Squawkstreet!" "Mix Aid!" "Birdcrusher!" "Blastdragon!" "Motor Maximus!" "Squawkhammer!" "War Leo!" "Denfenpath!" "Afterrock!" "Redtrain!" "Buzztrain" "Searchheader!" "Blastplay!" "Scatter Twist!" "Blackstuff!" "Air Saber!" "Stranglejaw!" "Airdance!" "Moon Shop!" "Doublepick!" "Bombjump!" "Banzaidragon!" "Joyspeed!" "Pipecone!" "Splashspan!" "Chromejack!" "Slugbeat!" "Banzairaker!" "Blastcrusher!" "Wheelion!" "Wing Spot!" "Rippercrunch!" "Cut Aid!" "Melthold!" "Takejet!" "Needlegrin!" "Beachbreaker!" "Motorstreaker!" "Gold Alert!" "Treadfeather!" "Grandout!" "Catbox!" "Meltheader!" "Holeflight!" "Skullscream!" "Ironstreet!" "Finhandler!" "Treadblank!" "Star Aid!" "Rollclaw!" "Flyplay!" "Backcrusher!" "Hardfest!" "Banzailock!" "Birdjumper!" "Sideplay!" "Mainfeather!" "Quicklord!" "Bristle Spot!" "Cliff Alert!" "Bumblelock!" "Octoplay!" "Cam Rod!" "Bombout!" "Sidewipe!" "First End!" "Dog Strip!" "Powerjump!" "Slug End!" "Streettrack!" "Smoke Strip!" "Cloudfest!" "Bristleclaw!" "Meltblock!" "Flysaur!" "Roadfill!" "Splashwave!" "Cinder Shot!" "Razor Cloud!" "Crank Leo!" "Freewave!" "Slinghopper!" "Wildfight!" "Streetgut!" "Power Haul!" "Pointtron!" "Sparkhandler!" "Doublebar!" "Powerspray!" "Six Strip!" "Bristlerunner!" "Hacksaur!" "Terrordown!" "Grimsnarl!" "Airadon!" "Knockstone!" "Take Aid!" "Gut Hauler!" "Beastpipe!" "Highcomber!" "Road Rod!" "Holocaust!" "Grasper!" "Flintgut!" "Slugfeather!" "Omega Raid!" "Catpunch!" "Holeblades!" "Streetblank!" "Blowplay!" "Stone Leo!" "Snapsnapper!" "Firstpipe!" "Sparkmarauder!" "Hotsor!" "Countbee!" "Victory Cloud!" "Aimshot!" "Wildlion!" "Clodmass!" "Clemengiver!" "Bellow!" "Thwack!" "Chiselbane!" "Cranitron!" "Squallreign!" "Tarragonicus!" "Fixtor!" "Crosssnarl!" "Axe Knight!" "Kinghowl!" "Electrovolt!" "Dynabolt!" "Bonelance!" "Flame Rod!" "Sureshift!" "Darkjet!" "Stormpath!" "Counterspin!" "Finmaster!" "Starsaw!" "Headbrow!" "Headbeak!" "Starhappy!" "Squawkshock!" "Surgeleech!" "Pearlpale!" "Pellucid!" "Crashroar!" "Frayclash!" "Prodigy!" "Blitztop!" "Point End!" "Soundwolf!" "Topburner!" "Azurefeather!" "Firerock!" "Euphiox!" "Splitback!" "Steeleye!" "Santaox!" "Battle Raid!" "Blaze Chief!" "Roadstar!" "Glide-Up!" "Flashride!" "Freecover!" "Chockstop!" "Hefty Load!" "Talltower!" "Shortarm!" "Groundstorm!" "Calfhorn!" "Flashgate!" "Iceout!" "Cherryboost!" "Streethound!" "Quickdance!" "Radslinger!" "Scissorcron!" "Sandraker!" "Smokestreaker!" "Pointmos!" "Icedasher!" "Powerhoof!" "Thunder End!" "Pushbird!" "Phaseodon!" "Terranpointer!" "Pinline!" "Pipe-Wrecks!" "Airblank!" "Delita One!" "Stunracer!" "Sparkstar!" "Piker!" "Jadelight!" "Mensane!" "Moonlight!" "Snowwind!" "Waterfist!" "Shōkū!" "Fire!" "Fenderspike!" "Swift Run!" "Midday Express!" "Sixspeed!" "Metro Rail!" "Transit!" "Dusker!" "Courager!" "Resister!" "Fistjump!" "Splashpunch!" "Squash-Bull!" "Trencher!" "Stat Arm!" "Steel Lift!" "Jumbling!" "Trudger!" "E-Go!" "Ian!" "Jonah!" "Needleflag!" "Darktime!" "Graindrop!" "Pinewish!" "Archer!" "Metamorphose!" "Heaverear!" "Bare D-Go!" "Breezy!" "Street Police!" "Roundloop!" "Conpatch!" "Float!" "Blaze-Wheel!" "Alaarm!" "Handcuff Gun!" "Tarser!" "Faceter!" "Rocket Run!" "Flattener!" "Hypersonic!" "Sky Lynx!" "Nobelpaddle!" "Dillo Finder!" "Peaceraptor!" "Raptimaker!" "Palebolt!" "Breeze Raid!" "Stringshot!" "Azuredive!" "Flareflight!" "Ultra Hauler!" "Ultra Dozer!" "Mecha Load!" "Mechamix!" "Weight Digger!" "Azurehook!" "Shriekwing!" "Rivettail!" "Darkprowler!" "Amelatron!" "Birchhide!" "Diskcaster!" "Riddlepike!" "Mechaarm!" "Hardstalker!" "Triggerburner!" "Cuckoobee!" "Ironarm!" "Sidestriker!" "Zordlock!" "Chebot!" "Cliffshell!" "Guileraker!" "Cloudstrong!" "Halfblades!" "Crossbeak!" "Fuelfire Magna!" "Squallclash!" "Heavenburst!" "Hopstream!" "Rot Dust!" "Grime Up!" "Dourlock!" "Poundswipe!" "Mudslush!" "Snapbark!" "Sweepspeed!" "Grimgator!" "Afterfang!" "Light Grip!" "Nosespeed!" "Scatterrazor!" "Rocketthrasher!" "Poisontron!" "Offstreet!" "Counterkick!" "Ghractyl!" "Apesaw!" "Fortresswarp!" "Omegafeather!" "Flatfest!" "Dreadspray!" "Longbeak!" "Squall Jet!" "Azure Shadow!" "Earthdive!" "Trackshot!" "Breezerazor!" "Deceaseclaw!" "Quietusclaw!" "Slaughterclaw!" "Lovebreaker!" "Navelbreaker!" "Kernelbreaker!" "Bleachstorm!" "Snowystorm!" "Milkystorm!" "Existclaw!" "Liveclaw!" "Survivalclaw!" "Amorebreaker!" "Carebreaker!" "Cruxbreaker!" "Chalkystorm!" "Ivorystorm!" "Silverystorm!" "Marginswipe!" "Lipswipe!" "Skirtswipe!" "Margeswipe!" "Bournswipe!" "Brinkswipe!" "Flarestreaker!" "Shinestreaker!" "Baskstreaker!" "Tanstreaker!" "Brownstreaker!" "Warmthstreaker!" "Scarletninja!" "Vermilionninja!" "Rubyninja!" "Cherryninja!" "Wineninja!" "Carmineninja!" "Lemonninja!" "Amberninja!" "Goldninja!" "Blondninja!" "Saffronninja!" "Tawnyninja!" "Gingershadow!" "Ochreshadow!" "Coppershadow!" "Paprikashadow!" "Orangeshadow!" "Flameshadow!" "Rhett!" "Hunter!" "Wycliff!" "Dusty!" "Regan!" "Moose!" "Sparksaber!" "Lightsabre!" "Flashsaber!" "Flaresabre!" "Conflagsaber!" "Blazesaber!" "Glowflame!" "Liveflame!" "Cinderblaze!" "Ashfire!" "Residueblaze!" "Clinkerblaze!" "Uniform Prime!" "Romeo Prime!" "Oscar Prime!" "Whiskey Prime!" "Kilo Prime!" "India Prime!" "Oceanstrike!" "Lakestrike!" "Lochstrike!" "Pondstrike!" "Poolstrike!" "Riverstrike!" "Docilefrost!" "Tamefrost!" "Gentlefrost!" "Mildfrost!" "Trainedfrost!" "Meekfrost!" "Constructforger!" "Shapeerector!" "Moldassembler!" "Modelraiser!" "Fashionmaker!" "Fabricatecreator!" "Ilirhaeya!" "Riverwish!" "Vedette!" "Sunfeather!" "Ravyn!" "Melisandre!" "Switchfoot!" "Kostya!" "Haytham!" "Scorpio!" "Pollux!" "Arcturus!" "London!" "Bliss!" "Jun!" "Sun!" "Pan!" "Hydra!" "Shinesplicer!" "Lightsplicer!" "Vividsplicer!" "Blazingsplicer!" "Dazzlesplicer!" "Glowsplicer!" "Rhythm!" "Tripjump!" "Chillsonic!" "Dubmaestro!" "Discmeister!" "Funkplayer!" "Roamlurker!" "Strollskulk!" "Slinksnoop!" "Rovecruise!" "Rangesidle!" "Stealstalker!"
And then the rest of them all went in alphabetical order: "Abundplus!" "Accordion Bus Prime!" "Acidgazer!" "Acidscare!" "Adaptus Prime!" "Adhoc!" "Aegis Vanguard!" "Aeridash!" "Aeroazor!" "Aero Raid!" "Afterblaze!" "Afterbreaker!" "Afterburner!" "Afterburst!" "Aimless!" "Air Prince!" "Air Raid!" "Airbrushed!" "Aircrack!" "Airfall!" "Airazor!" "Airwave!" "Akiba Prime!" "Alan!" "Alchemist Prime!" "Alpha Bravo!" "Alpha Supreme!" "Alpha Trion!" "Amalgamous Prime!" "Amazon Prime!" "Amethystninja!" "Amphipod!" "Anion Storm!" "Anomaly!" "Apeblast!" "Aquadealer!" "Aquafend!" "Aquawire!" "Aragon!" "Arc!" "Arcana!" "Arcdegree!" "Arcee!" "Arclight!" "Ardorseeker!" "Argent Raider!" "Aristeus!" "Armco!" "Armorbumper!" "Armorhide!" "Arsonsaber!" "Artfire!" "Ashglow!" "Ashtray!" "Aspen!" "Assault Star!" "Astral Knight!" "Astroflight!" "Astrotorch!" "Atlan!" "Atropos!" "Auburncrack!" "August!" "Aureola Speeder!" "Aurora!" "Autoceptor!" "Autojetter!" "Autolauncher!" "Autonomous Maximus!" "Autotracks!" "Avalon!" "Avatar Brave!" "Axecharger!" "Azimuth!" "Backburner!" "Backfire!" "Backstop!" "Backstreet!" "Balkwhacker!" "Bangcrack!" "Bantor!" "Barksnap!" "Barrage!" "Barrel Roll!" "Basher!" "Battleclaw!" "Battleway!" "B.B.!" "Beachcomber!" "Beachtank!" "Beef Haul!" "Benign Soul!" "Beta!" "Beta Maxx!" "Beta Supreme!" "B.H.!" "Big Bang!" "Big Bump Prime!" "Big Daddy!" "Big Hauler!" "Big Shot!" "Bigload!" "Binder-Nape!" "Birdthroat!" "Birthwings!" "Black Aphid!" "Blacksun!" "Blades!" "Blank Alley!" "Blast Master!" "Blaster!" "Blastwave!" "Blazejet!" "Blazemaster!" "Blazing Meteor!" "Blitzdome!" "Blossom!" "Blowbrow!" "Blowpipe!" "Bluebash!" "Bluefly!" "Blueshift!" "Blueshock!" "Bluestreak!" "Bluestrielle!" "Bodyblock!" "Boillink!" "Boltax!" "Boltshift!" "Bombast!" "Bombhit Blaze!" "Boomer!" "Bookbrow!" "Boundjack!" "Brainstorm!" "Brake-Neck!" "Brandblade!" "Brandflame!" "Brandflash!" "Brave Maximus!" "Braver!" "Brawn!" "Breacher!" "Breakaway!" "Breakfire!" "Brightsaber!" "Brimswipe!" "Broadside!" "Brontobot!" "Brontodrive!" "Brontoton!" "Bronze Termite!" "Brooke!" "Brothstrike!" "Brown Mark!" "Brownfuse!" "Buckshot!" "Bucketbutton!" "Bulkclutch!" "Bulkhead!" "Bulkiron!" "Bulkshard!" "Bulksnap!" "Bumblebee!" "Bumblejumper!" "Bumbleswoop!" "Bumper!" "Burdenweight!" "Burnépée!" "Burnsteel!" "Burststorm!" "Bushelinet!" "Bustroll!" "Buzzjack!" "Buzzshock!" "Caddisfly!" "Caliburst!" "Callisto!" "Cameo!" "Caminus!" "Camshaft!" "Cannonspring!" "Cannonstorm!" "Cargohold!" "Carpenter Bee!" "Catapult!" "Catilla!" "Celestiwarp!" "Cerebros!" "Cerise Wraith!" "Chainclaw!" "Chaindrive!" "Charcoalfire!" "Charcoalflame!" "Chargebreaker!" "Chargehaul!" "Charglint!" "Chase Racer!" "Checkpoint!" "Cheedor!" "Chela!" "Cherub!" "Chestnut!" "Chevalier!" "Chipstream!" "Chromatron!" "Chromedome!" "Chromia!" "Chronojumper!" "Chronoscare!" "Chrysothemis!" "Cicadabot!" "Cinderbeast!" "Cinderbite!" "Cinderblade!" "Cindercharge!" "Cinderglare!" "Cinderstop!" "Cinderstrike!" "Circuitswitch!" "Cinderways!" "Citadel!" "Citadel Secondus!" "C.L.!" "Clampstop!" "Clash Chopper!" "Clash Steel!" "Clasppin!" "Clear-Cut!" "Cliffglider!" "Cliffjumper!" "Cliffover!" "Cliffscreen!" "Clinkerflame!" "Clinkershine!" "Clinkerstorm!" "Clocker!" "Cloudburn!" "Cloudburst!" "Cloudfist!" "Cloudjaw!" "Cloudkick!" "Cloudraker!" "Cloudrunner!" "Cloudskulker!" "Coaljack!" "Coalshiv!" "Coalstorm!" "Cobaltshadow!" "Cockroach!" "Code Red!" "Cog!" "Cogwheel!" "Coldwelder!" "Cometdrive!" "Condain!" "Condentrail!" "Conflagblade!" "Conkout!" "Converter!" "Copperbrick!" "Countdown!" "Counter Arrow!" "Cosmic Scratch!" "Cosmos!" "Cosmowing!" "Cracksmasher!" "Crankhandle!" "Crashbar!" "Crispbore!" "Critterpyro!" "Croaking Arrow!" "Croaton!" "Cromar!" "Crossblades!" "Crossclover!" "Crossflare!" "Crosshairs!" "Crosswise!" "Crouton!" "Cruiser!" "Crumble!" "Crunch!" "Crushdash!" "Crystalcar!" "Cutrazor!" "Cyancloud!" "Cybaxx!" "D-Go!" "Damselfly!" "Daredevil!" "Darkshadow!" "Darkwar!" "Dashshot!" "Dashwaver!" "Daytonus!" "Deaddevil!" "Deadgripper!" "Deadthroat!" "Deceptor!" "Deep Blue!" "Deep Dive!" "Delta Supreme!" "Denfenrunner!" "Denseshot!" "Desire!" "Detritus!" "Devcon!" "Devisiun!" "Dibbleborer!" "Dimday Dancer!" "Dimicron Prime!" "Dimshot!" "Dingysplicer!" "Dion!" "Dirtblaze!" "Dirtpunch!" "Distempt!" "Divetrack!" "Doctor Steam!" "Dogfight!" "Doublecross!" "Doubleheader!" "Doubletake!" "Downclimber!" "Downshift!" "Drabstorm!" "Dragonfly!" "Drift!" "Drillcone!" "Drivetrain!" "Dropbomb!" "Drydock!" "Duros!" "Dunelift!" "Duskcover!" "Dusksplicer!" "Dustblaze!" "Dustblush!" "Dustbright!" "Dustburn!" "Dustcaust!" "Dustclash!" "Dustfire!" "Dustflagration!" "Dustflame!" "Dustflare!" "Dustflash!" "Dustflush!" "Dustglare!" "Dustglint!" "Dustglow!" "Dusthot!" "Dustignite!" "Dustkindle!" "Dustlight!" "Dustoxidize!" "Dustredden!" "Dustshine!" "Dustsparkle!" "Dustwar!" "Dweller!" "Eagle Eye!" "Eagle Killer!" "Earwig!" "Eclipse!" "Eclipsecrusher!" "Ectotron!" "Épéelight!" "Elder Balas!" "Electrawing Metalfemme Prime!" "Electro!" "Elevatetower!" "Elita One!" "Emberflame!" "Emberkindle!" "Embolusblaster!" "Emeraldninja!" "Emissary!" "Emperoralius Maximo!" "Ephemeris!" "Epsilon Supreme!" "Epistemus Prime!" "Erector!" "Eronus!" "Eta Supreme!" "Ether Walker!" "Euro Express!" "Evac!" "Falcatron!" "Fallback!" "Fangstalker!" "F.A.R.S.C.!" "Fastback!" "Fastlane!" "Fiercefrost!" "Fieryray!" "Finch!" "Fire Prime!" "Fireblade!" "Fireblush!" "Firebodkin!" "Firebolt!" "Firebowie!" "Firebroad!" "Firecleaver!" "Firecutlass!" "Firecutter!" "Firecycle!" "Firedagger!" "Fireépée!" "Fireflight!" "Firehack!" "Firemachete!" "Fireponiard!" "Firerapier!" "Firesaber!" "Firescimitar!" "Firesheath!" "Fireshiv!" "Firesight!" "Firesling!" "Firestar!" "Firesteel!" "Firestiletto!" "Firestylet!" "Firesword!" "Firetrap!" "Firewar!" "Fireyataghan!" "Firmshot!" "First Aid!" "First Sirener!" "Fisitron!" "Fistburner!" "Fistviper!" "Fixit!" "Fizzle!" "Flak!" "Flameburner!" "Flamedagger!" "Flamejaw!" "Flamesaber!" "Flamescimitar!" "Flamescream!" "Flamestop!" "Flamewaver!" "Flamewing!" "Flameyataghan!" "Flanker!" "Flarelord!" "Flarerapier!" "Flashfeather!" "Flashflight!" "Flashlight!" "Flashraid!" "Flashscope!" "Flashstylet!" "Flatiron!" "Flattenleveler!" "Flea!" "Flinghurl!" "Flintlock!" "Floodwake!" "Flushbroad!" "Flutterbolt!" "Flydome!" "Forceblade!" "Fortress Maximus!" "Foulbreak!" "Foulrider!" "Free Force!" "Free Wheeler!" "Freesplitter!" "Freeway!" "Freezeraider!" "Freezescrap!" "Front-Line!" "Frostpounder!" "Froststuff!" "Fruitfly!" "Fukutsu Prime!" "Full-Barrel!" "Fumehammer!" "G3 Prime!" "Galactica!" "Galactic Case!" "Galaxy Flare!" "Galaxy 'Questrian!" "Galaxywire!" "Gale!" "Gamma Supreme!" "Ganoh!" "Gauntlet!" "Gears!" "Gearsnarl!" "Gekisoumaru!" "Gelsealer!" "General Gentlecomfort!" "Geosensus!" "Geronimo!" "Getaway!" "Getsuei!" "Gigawatt!" "Gizmo!" "Ginza Prime!" "Glacialstar!" "Glaresheath!" "Glasnost!" "Glassstorm!" "Glazehead!" "Gleamkill!" "Glitch!" "Gloniplug!" "Gloom Begonia!" "Gloomcut!" "Glowbodkin!" "Goldbug!" "Goldenwing!" "Gort!" "Grand Slam!" "Grand Maximus!" "Grandalix Maximus!" "Grapple!" "Gravitas!" "Grazecutter!" "Greaser!" "Greasestain!" "Great Dipper!" "Green Botfly!" "Greenlight!" "Greyling!" "Grime Boss!" "Grimshaft Prime!" "Grimsley!" "Grindstuff!" "Grizzcase!" "Grizzhide!" "Grizzstream!" "Groove!" "Grotesque!" "Groundblades!" "Groundbreaker!" "Ground Cloud!" "Groundfight!" "Groundpounder!" "Groundshaker!" "Gunrunner!" "Guardian Major!" "Guardian Prime!" "Gusher!" "Guzzle!" "Gust Off!" "Gyre Fightmover!" "Hailblades!" "Hailspin!" "Hailsplitter!" "Hakata Prime!" "Hale Strip!" "Halflightcloak!" "Halogen!" "Halonix Maximus!" "Hammerbyte!" "Hardenshot!" "Hardhead!" "Hardstreaker!" "Hardstriker!" "Hashtag!" "Hasterush!" "Hauler!" "Hawking!" "Haywire!" "Hazmat!" "Hearthcutlass!" "Heartcore!" "Heatrock!" "Heave!" "Heavy Load!" "Heavy Tread!" "Heavyhigh Whirlpool!" "Hi-Q!" "Highbrow!" "Highgear!" "Highjump!" "Highmercy!" "Highspin!" "Hightower!" "Highvortex!" "Highwise!" "Hiroshima Prime!" "Hishoumaru!" "Hoist!" "Holepunch!" "Holewise!" "Hornet!" "Horntail!" "Horrorwing!" "Hosehead!" "Hot House!" "Hot Shot!" "Hot Spot!" "Hot Zone!" "Hotbite!" "Hotflame!" "Hothead!" "Hotkindle!" "Hotlight!" "Hotsaber!" "Hotsiren!" "Hotwire!" "Hound!" "Housefly!" "Hoverfly!" "Hubs!" "Hubcap!" "Hubsnapper!" "Huffblow!" "Huffer!" "Hunter!" "Hurricanus!" "Hyperbolt!" "Hydraulic!" "Iaconus!" "Icecast!" "Icerazor!" "Ignitestiletto!" "Ikebukuro Prime!" "Impactor!" "Indy Heat!" "Inferno!" "Inflameblade!" "Intutalluah Pax!" "Iongazer!" "Ionscare!" "Iota Supreme!" "Iro!" "Iron Claw!" "Iron Lump!" "Iron Roar!" "Iron Slag!" "Ironfletch!" "Ironhide!" "Ironside!" "Ironstreak!" "Ironworks!" "Ishinomaki Prime!" "Itami Prime!" "J-One!" "J-Two!" "J-Three!" "J-Four!" "J-Five!" "J-Six!" "J-Seven!" "J-Eight!" "J-Nine!" "J-Ten!" "J-Eleven!" "J-Twelve!" "J-Thirteen!" "J-Fourteen!" "J-Fifteen!" "J-Sixteen!" "J-Seventeen!" "J-Eighteen!" "Jackpot!" "Jawbreaker!" "Jaze!" "Jazz!" "Jetbash!" "Jetbeetle!" "Jetfire!" "Jetshot!" "Jetstorm!" "Jettacker!" "Jettison!" "Jinbu!" "Jiveswing!" "Joe!" "Jolt!" "Joltspot!" "Joyride!" "Joysaur!" "JP12!" "JP93!" "Juicestrike!" "Juliett Prime!" "Junkheap!" "Junkyard!" "Kaen!" "Kaltor!" "Kappa Supreme!" "Kawasaki Prime!" "Kenzan!" "Kick-Off!" "Kick-Over!" "Kindlemachete!" "Knifegash!" "Kranix!" "Kudon!" "Kup!" "Ladybug!" "Lancer!" "Landfill!" "Landmine!" "Laster!" "Launchermach!" "Lavenderninja!" "Lawburst!" "Leader-1!" "Leaf!" "Leafcutter!" "Lemonette!" "Leo Prime!" "L.P.!" "Liberate Force!" "Liege Maximo!" "Light Machete!" "Lightbounder!" "Lightcutter!" "Lightjump!" "Lightsaber!" "Lightpounder!" "Lightspeed!" "Lightsteed!" "Lightstorm!" "Lightstreaker!" "Limerappa!" "Lionizer!" "Lionhack!" "Liveredden!" "Locustwing!" "Lodestar!" "Logos Prime!" "Longtooth!" "Lube!" "Lug!" "Lunaglow!" "Lunarstalker!" "Lunastream!" "Lunartracks!" "Mach Alert!" "Mach Five Racing Prime!" "Machinegun!" "Macro!" "Magenta Bug!" "Maggot!" "Magmafeather!" "Magnetracer!" "Magnitisha Prima!" "Magnus Prime!" "Mainframe!" "Mainheart!" "Mainspring!" "Mauverappa!" "Maverick!" "Maxitrek!" "Mayfly!" "Mechakill!" "Mechamaster!" "Mega Dozer!" "Mega Hauler!" "Mega Magnus!" "Mega Trion!" "Megaair!" "Megaflame!" "Megalopolis!" "Melinda Prime!" "Meltblast!" "Meltcircuit!" "Meltdown!" "Meltsiren!" "Meltswitch!" "Mercury!" "Metalclaw!" "Metalhawk!" "Meteorfire!" "Metro Off!" "Metrobase!" "Metroplex!" "Metrotitan!" "Michelle Soothsayer!" "Micronus Prime!" "Midnight Express!" "Mildheart!" "Mindbreaker!" "Mindset!" "Miraclebus!" "Mirage!" "Missile Master!" "Mite!" "Mito Prime!" "Modus Prime!" "Monarchsteel!" "Monsoon!" "Moonbane!" "Moonracer!" "Moonrock!" "Mortilus Prime!" "Mosssound!" "Motor Load!" "Motormix!" "Mudflap!" "Mudslinger!" "Murdergraze!" "Muzzle!" "Nagoya Prime!" "Nanba Prime!" "Nancy!" "Natron!" "Navitas!" "Navyshadow!" "Nebulon!" "Needleway!" "Nemesis!" "Neo!" "Neo Brave Maximus!" "Neurocell!" "Neutro!" "Neutrostar!" "Neutroways!" "Nexus Prime!" "Night!" "Nightra!" "Nightimus Prime!" "Nightbeat!" "Nightblade!" "Nightcruz!" "Nightscope!" "Nightshade!" "Nightstick!" "Noisecracker!" "Nominus Prime!" "Nosecone!" "Nosedrill!" "Nosehunt!" "Nova Magnus!" "Nova Prime!" "Novagazer!" "Novascare!" "Null Storm!" "Obsidian!" "Oceanglow!" "Oiler!" "Oildrift!" "Oliveninja!" "Omega S.P.R.E.E.M.!" "Omega Supreme!" "Omegabox!" "Onagerok!" "Onyx Prime!" "O.P.!" "Optimus Maximus!" "Orange Beetle!" "Orange Midge!" "Orion Star!" "Ortega Maxine!" "Osseinbreaker!" "Outback!" "Outsider!" "Over-Run!" "Overblades!" "Overburn!" "Overclock!" "Overcloud!" "Overdrive!" "Overfire!" "Overflow!" "Overhaul!" "Overhide!" "Overload!" "Overquash Prime!" "Override!" "Overshard!" "Overturner Chi Prime!" "Pattern Shredder!" "Peacemaker!" "Perceptor!" "Periwinkle Mosquito!" "Phantom Nova!" "Phaser!" "Pick-Up!" "Pilebot!" "Piledrive!" "Pileton!" "Pincher!" "Pinion!" "Pinpointer!" "Pipeline!" "Pipelock!" "Pipes!" "Pitstop!" "Platinum!" "Playback!" "Plum Frostflame!" "Pointblank!" "Pointhold!" "Poundjet!" "Powderblaze!" "Powderblush!" "Powderbright!" "Powderburn!" "Powdercaust!" "Powderfire!" "Powderflagration!" "Powderflame!" "Powderflare!" "Powderflash!" "Powderflush!" "Powderglare!" "Powderglint!" "Powderglow!" "Powderhot!" "Powderignite!" "Powderkindle!" "Powderlight!" "Powderoxidize!" "Powderredden!" "Powdershine!" "Powdersparkle!" "Power Digger!" "Power Run!" "Powerdash!" "Powerglide!" "Powertrain!" "Powervision Bravo Prime!" "Pral!" "Press Forefront!" "Prima!" "Primal Prime!" "Prime Nova!" "Primon!" "Prion!" "Prowl!" "Prowloader!" "Pruner!" "Psuedoscorponok!" "Psychic Pointman!" "Psychic Shortstop!" "Punch!" "Punthind!" "Purple Gnat!" "Push-Button!" "Pyredagger!" "Pyro!" "Pyroflow!" "Pyrolane!" "Pyromine!" "Pyroside!" "Quebec Prime!" "Queen Bee!" "Quickmix!" "Quickstrong!" "Quickswitch!" "Quig!" "Quintessa!" "Quintus Prime!" "R.A.!" "Rabidpummel!" "Raceflow!" "Rack!" "Rad!" "Ragtime!" "Rageépée!" "Rageflight!" "Ragehammer!" "Ragekick!" "Ragerazor!" "Ragesaber!" "Ragescimitar!" "Ragespin!" "Ragestuff!" "Railspike!" "Raindance!" "Raise!" "Rampart Punch!" "Ramracer!" "Rapid Run!" "Rapido!" Rapidmine!" "Rapidreaper!" "Rapidspeed!" "Raystreaker!" "Razorwing!" "Re-Cycle!" "R.E.S.!" "R.E.V.!" "Recoil!" "Red Alert!" "Red Five!" "Red Hot!" "Reddenblade!" "Reddenblush!" "Reddenbodkin!" "Reddenbowie!" "Reddenbroad!" "Reddencleaver!" "Reddencutlass!" "Reddencutter!" "Reddendagger!" "Reddenépée!" "Reddenhack!" "Reddenmachete!" "Reddenponiard!" "Reddenrapier!" "Reddensaber!" "Reddenscimitar!" "Reddensheath!" "Reddenshiv!" "Reddensteel!" "Reddenstiletto!" "Reddenstylet!" "Reddensword!" "Reddenyataghan!" "Redeem Force!" "Regulus Prime!" "Relicignite!" "Relieve Force!" "Remedy!" "Repugnus!" "Rescue Force!" "Residueflare!" "Retro!" "Rev!" "Revo!" "Rhinoworks!" "Ricochet!" "Riftbreaker!" "Rigid Tooth!" "Ring Bug!" "Riotsteam!" "Riphack!" "Ripraw!" "Road Rocket!" "Roadblock!" "Roadburn!" "Roadburner!" "Roadburst!" "Roadbuster!" "Roadhandler!" "Roadtrack!" "Robustshot!" "Rockskipper!" "Rocket Plume!" "Rocketbot!" "Rocketflame!" "Rollbar!" "Roller!" "Rollout!" "Rook!" "Roseninja!" "Roserappa!" "Rotor High!" "Rotorstorm!" "RoughEdge!" "Roughfire!" "Roughrime!" "Roughsweep!" "Rubbish!" "Ruin!" "Ruinblaze!" "Ruinblush!" "Ruinbright!" "Ruinburn!" "Ruincaust!" "Ruinfire!" "Ruinflagration!" "Ruinflame!" "Ruinflare!" "Ruinflash!" "Ruinflush!" "Ruinglare!" "Ruinglint!" "Ruinglow!" "Ruinhot!" "Ruinignite!" "Ruinkindle!" "Ruinlight!" "Ruinoxidize!" "Ruinredden!" "Ruinshine!" "Ruinsparkle!" "Rum-Maj!" "Rumblemine!" "Saberfist!" "Sablesquall!" "Safety Prime!" "Saitama Prime!" "Saliha!" "Salmonninja!" "Salvia!" "Samielstorm!" "San D-Go!" "Sanaya!" "Sandstorm!" "Sapporo Chūō Prime!" "Sapporo Prime!" "Savagefrost!" "Savior Force!" "Scamper!" "Scarab!" "Scarlett!" "Scarlet Wing!" "Scatterbullet!" "Scattergun!" "Scattershot!" "Scoop!" "Scoriaglow!" "Scorchblade!" "Scorchhack!" "Scorpionfly!" "Scoutjet!" "Scoutlauncher!" "Scoutslasher!" "Scoutstinger!" "Scrapdust!" "Scrap Iron!" "Scrapheap!" "Scraphook!" "Scrounge!" "Sea Aid!" "Seablades!" "Seaclutch!" "Searchlight!" "Searcleaver!" "Searoxidize!" "Seaspray!" "Seawatch!" "Seeley!" "Seizan!" "Sendai Prime!" "Sensuimaru!" "Sentinel Alnair Prime!" "Septimus Prime!" "Shadeblades!" "Shademesher!" "Shadeskulker!" "Shadowcase!" "Shadowcatcher!" "Shadowfall!" "Shamsting!" "Shapestrip!" "Sharp Storm!" "Shavefang!" "Shearbolt!" "Shine Sprinter!" "Shineponiard!" "Shockglitch!" "Shockwise!" "Shouki!" "Showdown!" "Showerdrvie!" "Side Burn!" "Sideswipe!" "Sidetrack!" "Sights!" "Sigil!" "Sigma Supreme!" "Silencer!" "Silverbolt!" "Silverbrake!" "Siren!" "Sise!" "Six-Gun!" "Sizzle!" "Skids!" "Skipjumper!" "Skimblock!" "Sky High!" "Sky Lynx!" "Skydive!" "Skyfall!" "Skyfeather!" "Skyhammer!" "Skyhook!" "Skyhowler!" "Skymaster!" "Skysledge!" "Slackbright!" "Slagsparkle!" "Slammer!" "Slapdash!" "Slayclaw!" "Sledgehammer!" "Slide!" "Slingshot!" "Slingstick!" "Slitmark!" "Slow Poke!" "Smokebird!" "Smokeblush!" "Smokeedge!" "Smokefight!" "Smokefire!" "Smokestealer!" "Smokestuff!" "Smoketron!" Smoldflush!" "Snaphole!" "Snipper!" "Snuffclaw!" "Soaring!" "Solidshot!" "Solomus Prime!" "Solus Prime!" "Sonic Bomber!" "Sonic Ronin!" "Sootblaze!" "Sootblush!" "Sootbright!" "Sootburn!" "Sootcaust!" "Sootfire!" "Sootflagration!" "Sootflame!" "Sootflare!" "Sootflash!" "Sootflush!" "Sootglare!" "Sootglint!" "Sootglow!" "Soothot!" "Sootignite!" "Sootkindle!" "Sootlight!" "Sootoxidize!" "Sootredden!" "Sootshine!" "Sootsparkle!" "Sou!" "Soulbreaker!" "Soundfall!" "Space Drummer!" "Spacebeetle!" "Spark!" "Sparkblaze!" "Sparkblush!" "Sparkbright!" "Sparkburn!" "Sparkcaust!" "Sparkfire!" "Sparkflagration!" "Sparkflame!" "Sparkflare!" "Sparkflash!" "Sparkflush!" "Sparkfoot!" "Sparkglare!" "Sparkglide!" "Sparkglint!" "Sparkglow!" "Sparkhot!" "Sparkignite!" "Sparkkill!" "Sparkkindle!" "Sparklight!" "Sparkoxidize!" "Sparkredden!" "Sparkshine!" "Sparksparkle!" "Sparkscape!" "Sparkscraps!" "Sparklebowie!" "Sparkleshout!" "Sparrowdeath!" "Speckmetal!" "Spectaclelight!" "Spectercover!" "Spectrosynth!" "Speedbreaker!" "Speedwatch!" "Splashdown!" "Spoilsport!" "Springer!" "Sprocket!" "Squallracer!" "Squashmash!" "Squeezestreaker!" "S.S.!" "Stakeout!" "Stalker!" "Stalksneaker!" "Stalwartox!" "Star Crusher!" "Starbolt!" "Starbuster!" "Stardust Wanderer!" "Starling!" "Starrystorm!" "Starsling!" "Stealth Bomber!" "Stealth Saber!" "Steelburst!" "Steeldagger!" "Steeldevil!" "Steelfist!" "Steelflame!" "Steelgripper!" "Steellock!" "Steelthroat!" "Steelwhip!" "Stegobot!" "Stegohowl!" "Sterachange!" "Stiffshot!" "Stinkbug!" "Stiletto!" "Stirmaster!" "Stokeblaze!" "Stokeblush!" "Stokebright!" "Stokeburn!" "Stokecaust!" "Stokefire!" "Stokeflagration!" "Stokeflame!" "Stokeflare!" "Stokeflash!" "Stokeflush!" "Stokeglare!" "Stokeglint!" "Stokeglow!" "Stokehot!" "Stokeignite!" "Stokekindle!" "Stokelight!" "Stokeoxidize!" "Stokeredden!" "Stokeshine!" "Stokesparkle!" "Stormglitch!" "Stormhammer!" "Stormpest!" "Stormrunner!" "Stormshot!" "Stormsling!" "Stormsmasher!" "Stormsong!" "Stormsteam!" "Stormweather Warrior!" "Stoutstriker!" "Strafe!" "Strangeeagle!" "Stratosphere!" "Streamhead!" "Streamtackle!" "Street-Tron!" "Streetsmart!" "Streetstar!" "Streetwarp!" "Streetwise!" "Strictlock!" "Strikedown!" "Sturdshot!" "Stylor!" "Suiken!" "Sunblast!" "Sunbreaker!" "Sundash!" "Sunlighter!" "Sunpower!" "Sunrunner!" "Sunstreaker!" "Sunthing!" "Sunwarp!" "Sureshot!" "Surge!" "Swagger!" "Swarmflow!" "Swashplate!" "Sweeppounce!" "Swerve!" "Swindler!" "Swirlflow!" "Syncol!" "Tachikawa Prime!" "Tacklewaver!" "Taildog!" "Tailsnapper!" "Tailspin!" "Takasaki Prime!" "Takedown!" "Tamayatron!" "Tearknocker!" "Tempest Spin!" "Templar!" "Tempo!" "Termite!" "Theta Supreme!" "Thrash!" "Thunderbane!" "Thunderbird!" "Thunderblight!" "Thunderbuffer!" "Thunderclap!" "Thunderfight!" "Thunderhowl!" "Thunderstealer!" "Tick!" "Tidescream!" "Tiga High!" "Tightdevil!" "Tightgripper!" "Tightlock!" "Tightthroat!" "Tindersmallsword!" "Tipdance!" "Tomahawk!" "Tombdigger!" "Top-Heavy!" "Topspin!" "Topstrong!" "Tornado Dancer!" "Torque!" "Torrentcrack!" "Tote!" "Tow-Line!" "Tracer!" "Tracks!" "Trailbreaker!" "Traillugger!" "Trampcrusher!" "Trashbin!" "Trashmaster!" "Tread Bolt!" "Triage!" "Trinitarian!" "Trip-Up!" "Truestrike!" "Tsarsaber!" "Tuneup!" "Turbo Board!" "Turbofire!" "Twincast!" "Twindrift!" "Twinferno!" "Twintwist!" "Twitch!" "Typhoon Stalker!" "Tyrannitron!" "Ulma!" "Ultra Trion!" "Umbrashape Killer!" "Umeda Prime!" "Underclash!" "Valorous Prime!" "Vanguard!" "Vaultquake!" "Vectorium!" "Vector Prime!" "Veilhide!" "Vergeswipe!" "Vermilion Thunderbolt!" "Vibes!" "Victory Bomber!" "Victoryside!" "Vigilem!" "Vigorstrike!" "Volcaniblaze!" "Volcaniblush!" "Volcanibright!" "Volcaniburn!" "Volcanicaust!" "Volcanifire!" "Volcaniflagration!" "Volcaniflame!" "Volcaniflare!" "Volcaniflash!" "Volcaniflush!" "Volcaniglare!" "Volcaniglint!" "Volcaniglow!" "Volcanihot!" "Volcaniignite!" "Volcanikindle!" "Volcanilight!" "Volcanioxidize!" "Volcaniredden!" "Volcanishine!" "Volcanisparkle!" "Volt!" "Voltswitch!" "Vraz!" "Vroom!" "Vulture!" "VX-Prime!" "W.A.R.S.!" "Warpath!" "Washwake!" "Waver Daybreak!" "Waverider!" "Wavetackle!" "Wavetacker!" "Waypoint!" "Weathershower!" "Wedge!" "Weirdmagic Prime!" "Weta!" "Wheel Blaze!" "Wheelgrim!" "Wheelie!" "Wheelstand!" "Whirl!" "Whitebright Prime!" "White Crossbill!" "White Mothfly!" "Wideload!" "Widerange!" "W-Ride!" "Wildwheel!" "Wind Shooter!" "Windblade!" "Windbreaker!" "Windcharger!" "Windfall Gatherer!" "Windlight!" "Windout!" "Windsight!" "Windy!" "Wingbomb!" "Wingdaze!" "Wingdive!" "Wingmach!" "Wingpick!" "Wingtacker!" "Wipewaster!" "Wolfang!" "Wrath Thunder!" "Wreck-Gar!" "Wreckruiner!" "Wreckviper!" "Wuji!" "X-Brawn!" "Yellowheart Prime!" "Yoketron!" "Yokohama Prime!" "Yukikaze!" "Yūrakuchō Prime!" "Zephyr Clash!" "Zephyrblades!" "Zeta Prime!" "Zeta Supreme!" "Zetar!" "Zinnia!" "Zoom!" and "Zulu Prime!" among others.
Just then, Jumpbee comes in, looking devastated as she is holding three large sections of Ragebird's jetpack.
Smokeedge says, "No..."
Smokeedge checks the monitors for Ragebird's life signal, but it fades from the scanners even though the scanners can penetrate through the Nemesis' molecular masking field without even alerting Soundwave thanks to Forge/Mini-Forge upgrades.
Smokeedge exclaims before saying, "No! No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no, NO! Ragebird's life signal has just gone offline!"
In that instant, Bulkpine held Polbolt, Cliffwing, and Overbee's servos as the four male and female friends grieved over the loss of their best friend who was like a brother to them.
Even Martha couldn't hold back her tears for long.
Optimus did everything he could to comfort his middle oldest daughter, but it was gonna take some time before she regained control over her emotions.
Just then, Echo and her allies come into the base through a teleportation portal, hauling a restrained Rowbackshade and a repaired but still alive Jumpscreen.
Smokeedge then says, "Take Rowbackshade to his cell."
Overshard complies and takes Rowbackshade to his normal cell, in a row of millions of other cell block rows full of billions of prison cells that combine jail cells with electrified doors with jail cells that have doors unlocked by combination codes and keys, along with combining them with standard iron bar jail cells with the bars electrified with raw Energon powerful enough to knock out a Decepticon loyal Predacon.
Meanwhile, in Jasper High School, the main teacher says to his class over the school bell, "Alright, class, remember that your assignments are due on Friday, no exceptions!"
Sierra Winchester picks up her textbook and starts heading out the door.
The teacher then asks, "Ms. Winchester? May I have a moment of your time?"
Sierra looks up and hesitantly makes her way to his desk.
Sierra asks, "Yes, Mr. Burton?"
Mr. Burton says as he pulls out a sheet of paper with a lot of check marks on it, "I just finished grading the marks on yesterday's chemistry test. Yours hit 100% again."
Sierra looks at the paper and remarks, "Well, well, looks like hard work really does pay off."
Mr. Burton replies, "Yes, indeed, Ms. Winchester. Keep it up, and you'll be able to pass this class in no time."
Sierra replies, "I will, and I mean it."
Sierra makes her way to her locker and sighs happily, knowing that her grades are up, and she briefly scowls at the reminder from her parents and from her godfather that she'll have her privileges taken away until her eighteenth birthday if she didn't pass her classes.
Sierra looks around and notices nobody around.
Sierra shrugs her shoulders and goes to the gymnasium for cheerleading practice.
On the Nemesis, Starscream is monitoring the window screen, fully satisfied that he finally got to kill at least eleven Autobots.
Just then, the thirty Decepticon Generals appeared from the doors, bruised, scratched up, and tending to mesh wounds.
Streamtrail then asks, "Generals, what happened?"
Jetsquall answers, "We were defeated by the Autobot army's newest recruits, including humans wearing what their fictional entertainment calls Iron Man style battlesuits."
Streamtrail remarks, "Hmm. Interesting."
Inkstorm asks, "Any word yet from Lord Megatron?"
Streamtrail answers, "Nothing still. But just so you know, I'm itching to take orders from him again."
Inkstorm replies, "Yes, you and me both, Lieutenant."
Starscream growls, "I thought I ordered you to destroy all of those Autobots!"
Streamtrail backhands her younger brother as she replies, "You must have a loose screw, Starscream; our Generals take orders only from Lord Megatron, and they stick to any orders he has if he goes offline or if he is absent for long periods of time unless he's in person or on the commlinks or he uses Soundwave to say otherwise."
Inkstorm then grabs Starscream by his neck and snarls, "Lord Megatron may not be here, but you must still follow his orders: that you shut your Energon trap, get your aft off of that Cyber-horse, and let me take charge, for I am Lord Megatron's true heir and true lieutenant general!"
Starscream shrieks and chokes as he feels his throat armor constricting.
Soundwave then approaches them, and puts a servo on Inkstorm's shoulder plate.
Inkstorm nods before setting Starscream on his pedes gently.
Inkstorm asks, "What do you have to report, sir?"
Soundwave plays back a recording of Akiba Prime saying, "(Filtered; with Soundwave's voice) Like the town of Jasper is a good place to have a party with anyone? No matter if our biological families survived the War for Cybertron or not, we're alone wherever we travel on this planet, soldier."
Starscream remarks, "Ahh. The one called Akiba Prime. Why slay just eleven Autobots when we still have the advantages of surprise, of our cloning machines, and of our forces being able to multiply through our Matter Duplicators and the said cloning machines? Hehehe."
Jetsquall orders, "Send twenty-six Vehicon Troopers to intercept her while we still have the advantage of surprise."
Hubbreaker points out, "Respectfully, General Jetsquall, the Autobots already know we're back, and because of this, it won't really be an actual surprise attack."
Killclaw adds, "Oddly enough, I agree with the both of you. We should attack this two-wheeler, but we must maintain awareness in case any humans attempt to get involved or attempt to publicize us, and we must be extra vigilant just in case the Autobot Town Commander is not alone."
Soundwave then plays a second recording, this one of Airbrushed: "(Filtered; with Soundwave's voice) Be careful, guys."
Streamtrail snarls, "Airbrushed."
Then a sinister smile creeps its way onto her lip plates and she starts marching away.
Starscream snarls, "And where do you think you're going?!"
Streamtrail answers, "I have a score to settle, and you aren't welcome to accompany me."
Streamtrail exits the bridge.
Soundwave lightly face palms before saying in Megatron's voice, "(Filtered; with Soundwave's voice) I swear she is going to be the off lining of me."
On top of the roof of the Autobot base, as the sun sets, Optimus says, "We must not allow our anger over the loss of Ragebird to cloud our judgements. As of today, only we six hundred and eighty-seven thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven Autobots remain on this Earth. We owe it to ourselves, to the memory of Cybertron, to any other Autobots in any galaxies seeking safe harbor, to humankind, and we owe it to the memory of our fallen comrade to survive."
Bulkpine looks up at the sky before placing the components of Ragebird's jetpack onto the ground.
Optimus starts to say, "Bulkpine – "
But Bulkpine snarls, "Starscream will f(bleep!) pay for this. If I ever find that (bleep) son of a (bleep!), I'll kill him myself, no matter what the Autobot Code dictates."
Smokeedge says, "You're acting like Arcee's original timeline counterpart in the exact same situations with both Starscream and Airachnid right now."
Arcee exclaims in slight offense even though she knows it's true considering what she was told about the original timeline, "Hey!"
Bulkpine barks back before saying in a warning manner, "So what?! Even if it's against Autobot honor to take a life for vengeance, I won't rest until Starscream is dead! And if any of you try to stop me, I'll kill you myself."
Alpha Trion and Smokeedge look at each other before Smokeedge literally tosses some Electro-Shock Stasis Cuffs onto Bulkpine's wrists, shocking her into stasis lock.
Smokeedge says, "Mosssound, get her to her cell."
Mosssound replies, "Hhhaaa. Yes sir."
Mosssound hoists Bulkpine up and drags her in beast mode to Garrus-20.
Polbolt then says, "If Bulkpine wants vengeance on Starscream and is being imprisoned for it, then what's the point of upholding the Autobot Code of Honor if you refuse to do a little bit of bad to do a whole shipload of good in the future, Optimus, especially because you're the only one who believes that even high-ranking Decepticons like Starscream deserve the capacity to change for the better when he clearly showed time and time again he's beyond redemption?"
Optimus goes to respond to that but he doesn't get the opportunity as Polbolt, Cliffwing, and Overbee rip off their Autobot symbols, transform to their respective jet modes and ground vehicle mode, and leave.
Optimus ex-vents.
Smokeedge grunts in frustration.
Smokeedge goes to the cargo elevator.
Smokeedge then says, "Jumpbee, is the Cybertronian Maker Machine finished with our eight new projects?"
Jumpbee answers, "Yes, sir."
Smokeedge then welcomes an assortment of eight Autobots: the first one is dark blue, dark pink, and dark purple, the second one is old maroon red, gray, and light yellow, the third one is medium light green, light yellow, and Greywacke grey, the fourth one is washed teal, coffee brick brown, and orange red, the fifth one is orange yellow, blue green, and orange red, the sixth one is whiskey sour yellow, turquoise, and light blue, the seventh one is green, orange, and dark saturated red, and the eighth one is light orange, saffron yellow, and citrus green.
Smokeedge remarks, "My fellow Autobots, please say hello to our new recruits: Sprayshard, Silverpine, Bulkshock, Smokewave, Soundglitch, Hotfist, Bumbletron, and Hotair."
Optimus then says, "Welcome to the Autobots, Sprayshard, Silverpine, Bulkshock, Smokewave, Soundglitch, Hotfist, Bumbletron, and Hotair."
Sprayshard replies, "It's a true honor, Optimus."
Just then, the other five Autobots return, with Mosssound hauling all of them on her back, having had an attitude adjustment.
Optimus then says, "I still do not condone your methods, Smokeedge."
Smokeedge replies, "Again, it's absolutely necessary to instill discipline in potential murderous vigilantes and potential deserters."
Optimus ex-vents before saying, "As I reiterate what I was saying, we must not allow our anger over the loss of Ragebird to cloud our judgements. As of today, only we six hundred and eighty-seven thousand, seven hundred and fifty-six Autobots remain on this Earth. We owe it to ourselves, to the memory of Cybertron, to any other Autobots in any other galaxies across the cosmos seeking safe harbor, to humankind, and we owe it to the memory of our fallen comrade to survive."
Dingysplicer comes up and hugs Arcdegree, and she hugs him back.
Optimus looks over at Arcee, wondering why she seems so quiet.
Optimus asks, "Arcee?"
Arcee then says as she walks away, "If Ragebird is gone, then we need to retrieve his corpse so we can see if Smokeedge's machine works, even if Ragebird is resurrected by Megatron as a Terrorcon first. So unless anyone minds, I'll get back to protecting humankind."
Arcee transforms to her vehicle mode and drives off, followed by Brightgrafter, Steelwolf, Sunbreaker, Thaumas, Pruner, Smokesound, Bluesnap, Shockstorm, Smokeveil, Goldedge, Thundersound, Silvershock, Purplestorm, Orange Beetle, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Rockskipper, Taildog, Bluefly, Windout, Cliffjumper, Tailgate, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Airbrushed, Akiba Prime, Saberfist, and Steelfist.
Ratchet then says, "Optimus, helping humans will only result in more tragedy."
Optimus replies, "Your opinion is noted."
Kaylee growls at that before firing a plasma bolt at Ratchet's left shoulder with her repulsor.
Ratchet exclaims, "Ow! What was that for?!"
Kaylee replies angrily, "For being so insensitive to humans! Don't you realize that only a few hundred of we humans have been nothing but patient with most of you regardless of whether or not we live under the same roof?! If we weren't so patient with you, let's just say you wouldn't appreciate being even in my position right now with what you just said!"
Kaylee activates her battlesuit and flies away.
Ratchet looks at Smokeedge, and the only thing he has to say is, "You brought this and Primus' lectures on yourself, old man."
Smokeedge jumps down in vehicle mode and drives into the auxiliary base.
In Jasper, Jackson Darby says to his next-to-last customer, "Come again."
The car leaves, and the bell dings to signify the last customer has arrived.
Jack says before asking, "Welcome to K.O. Drive-In, where every patty's a knockout. May I take your order?"
A voice similar to the school bully Vince answers, "Uh, two super combos, extra fries."
Jack replies before inquiring, "Okay, two number twos. Anything else?"
Jack puts the food in the bags and the voice replies, "Yeah, some advice: how do I get an awesome job like yours?"
Jack scowls as the two boys in the microphone start laughing.
Remembering his lessons from his boss and from his friends, Jack leaves the food off to the side away from the window and says without making a witty comeback, "So, that's two super combos with extra fries. That'll be $5.59., sir."
The voice replies, "Okay, five dollars and fifty-nine cents; I'll pull up now."
The car pulls up and the boy says while handing Jack thirty-five dollars, "That's thirty-five dollars, as payment and tip. You can keep the change."
Jack numbly hands the bags over and says, "Enjoy, guys."
The teenage boy in the driver's seat nods before driving off.
Jack sighs in relief before saying, "Thank God I remembered my lessons."
Amanda Hamilton replies, "Good to know that you're a good listener thanks to those lessons from our friends and from your parents."
Jack replies back, "I know, Amanda. But know that I enjoy your company even outside of working here."
Amanda side-hugs Jack briefly before returning to her job.
Just then, Jack's three older paternal male cousins James, Harry, and Thomas Darby come in, along with Jack's four older maternal male cousins Ben, William, Luke, and Max Darby, Jack's five older paternal male second cousins Michael, Ryan, Daniel, George, and John Darby, Jack's six older maternal male second cousins Matthew, David, Joseph, Robert, Andrew, and Liam Darby, Jack's seven older maternal female cousins Emily, Emma, Grace, Mary, Sarah, Olivia, and Kate Darby, Jack's eight older paternal female cousins Lucy, Molly, Hannah, Sophie, Lily, Jessica, Ella, and Lauren Darby, Jack's nine older paternal female second cousins Chloe, Ellie, Megan, Amy, Charlotte, Anna, Elizabeth, Jennifer, and Claire Darby, Jack's ten older maternal female second cousins Rachel, Alice, Rebecca, Maggie, Ava, Samantha, Holly, Ruby, Julia, and Georgia Darby, Jack's nine older brothers Tyler, Ethan, Brandon, Jacob, Logan, Kyle, Austin, Justin, and Dylan Darby, and Jack's eight older sisters Madison, Taylor, Ashley, Alyssa, Kayla, Amber, Morgan, and Jasmine Darby.
Jack then takes their orders, and the money ensures that Jack gets a bigger paycheck from his boss.
Meanwhile, Arcee, Steelwolf, Sunbreaker, Thaumas, Brightgrafter, Pruner, Smokesound, Bluesnap, Shockstorm, Smokeveil, Goldedge, Thundersound, Silvershock, Purplestorm, Orange Beetle, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Rockskipper, Taildog, Bluefly, Windout, Cliffjumper, Tailgate, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Airbrushed, Akiba Prime, Saberfist, and Steelfist drive away from the base.
Arcee then asks, "So, Steelwolf, Thaumas, we Cybertronians are really fictional in your universe?"
Steelwolf answers, "Yes."
Thaumas adds, "Yep."
Steelfist asks, "And we're part of a cartoon called Transformers Prime?"
Steelwolf answers, "Yes. And unfortunately, over the course of three seasons, there's only eleven Autobots, but the first nine are only seen on Earth: Optimus, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Arcee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Smokescreen, and Ultra Magnus. And well, you already have been told what would've happened to Cliffjumper just a few hours ago if it wasn't for Sunbreaker a few months ago."
Saberfist asks, "And who are the final two Autobots in Transformers Prime?"
Thaumas answers, "Tailgate and Alpha Trion."
Arcee then inquires, "So, Steelwolf, who's your favorite Autobot?"
Cliffjumper remarks, "It's gotta be me, right? After all, who's as #awesome# as me?"
Steelwolf answers, "Actually, my favorite Autobot is Optimus."
The others ask in unison, "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really?" "Really!"
Steelwolf answers, "Yeah. I mean, what's not to love about that mech? He's wise beyond human years, he knows the differences between right and wrong, he knows how to offer insight on anyone's bad days, he knows how to pass the time when it really matters, he knows Megatron like the back of his servos, he knows how to keep his emotions in check even when the world is coming to an end, and most of all, he knows when to make sound judgement calls. Like seriously, such qualities in a war hero and a team leader are hard to come by in both real life and in fictional stories."
Akiba Prime then says, "I'm pretty sure Optimus would have to kick his cooling fans into overdrive upon hearing that."
The thirty-two Autobots share a quiet chortle at that.
Then, the thirty-two Autobots approach the city limits, and Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Brightgrafter, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Airbrushed, Steelfist, Saberfist, and Akiba Prime activated their holoforms.
Just then, the twenty-six Vehicon Troopers pulled up behind them.
As he looks in his rearview mirror, Smokesound remarks before saying, "Twenty-six Vehicon twins. We gotta lose 'em."
They sped up and pulled into the drive-in at the next intersection, making sure that their holographic clones would have the twenty-six Vehicon Troopers follow them to the farthest end of the town.
Seeing the plan working, Thaumas remarks before saying, "That did it, but it's a matter of time before they find out where we are."
Arcee replies, "Let's take five, guys."
Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Brightgrafter, Airbrushed, Steelfist, Saberfist, and Akiba Prime deactivated their holoforms and deployed their kickstand stoppers.
Jack, his relatives, and Amanda walked out of the fast food restaurant, and then Jack's cellphone began to ring.
Jack picks up and says, "Hey, Mom. I just got off. No, I'm not going to the dance, and I don't think any of the others would be interested. Besides, experience suggests that I shouldn't ever cut any rugs unless I'm installing a carpet. (June Darby: Indistinct talking) Be careful? Seriously? This is Jasper; crime rarely happens here. But I do get what you're saying."
Just then, Jack and the others caught sight of the thirty-one Autobots.
Jack remarks to Arcee before saying to his mother hurriedly, "I love you. Uh, yeah, I love you too Mom, gotta run."
Jack immediately hangs up and walks up to Arcee.
Jack remarks, "Hello, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?"
Jack remarks again as he runs his hands over the seat, "Nice."
Steelwolf asks Cliffjumper privately, "We're not letting her forget this, are we?"
Cliffjumper answers, "Not a chance."
Just then, a girl clears her throat, and everyone turns to see Arcee's human partner, Melinda Dutton, standing there with her arms crossed and with a fixed stern expression on her face.
Jack asks nervously, "Is, is this your bike?"
Melinda answers, "Yes, it is. You should know better than to touch a transportation that doesn't belong to you, regardless of whether it's a motorcycle, a car, or a big rig. This one right here, cost me and my old man fifty-five thousand dollars, with an additional twenty-five thousand dollars for the paint job, and that makes eighty thousand dollars."
Jack replies, "Sorry; it's just that it looked so beautiful."
Melinda replies in a calmer tone before asking, "Ah, it's all right, kid; I get that a lot. You're hoping to get one of these yourself?"
Jack answers, "Yes, to win the heart of the girl I love."
Melinda then asks, "Do you even know if the girl you're crushing on is in love with you too?"
Jack answers, "No?"
Melinda takes out a notepad and says while handing it to Jack, "Read this; I wrote down the ways that girls show they're in love with someone."
Jack takes the notepad and reads it, " '"Top Twenty-Five Ways A Girl Is In Love With Me: Number one, she maintains eye contact at all times."' Okay, so, she maintains eye contact at all times. Fair enough. '"Number two, she smiles at me even without needing to."' Didn't know that. '"Number three, she makes sure to remember my name even when we are in different classrooms in school or college."' Okay, well, Sierra obviously doesn't remember my name, now that I think about it. '"Number four, she laughs at my jokes regardless of whether or not any of them are funny."' Okay, I'll remember that. '"Number five, she draws attention to her legs."' Don't know why they'd do that. '"Number six, she plays with her hair. Number seven, she starts any conversation just to hear me talk and just to get details about me, even when she doesn't need anything from me."' Ooh-kay. '"Number eight, she makes sure to sit next to me, school classes included and aside. Number nine, she compliments me. Number ten, she notifies her friends either through signs or through private discussions, even if they'll already know."' Hmm. Didn't know that either. '"Number eleven, she licks or pouts her lips. Number twelve, she leans towards me. Number thirteen, she blushes even without thinking about me. Number fourteen, she mimics me. Number fifteen, she mirrors me. Number sixteen, she asks me questions. Number seventeen, she tries to impress me. Number eighteen, she dresses up often. Number nineteen, she fidgets or looks awkward. Number twenty, read her body language in terms of her holding her open hands together end to end on top of each other, pointing her feet towards me while standing still with her feet on the ground, and among other things, the question of whether her posture is open or closed."' Okay, didn't know either of those either. '"Number twenty-one, she makes excuses to touch me. Number twenty-two, she notices little changes. Number twenty-three, she tilts her head. Number twenty-four, she makes herself pretty to make me love her more. And number twenty-five, she attempts, whether subtly or outright, to ask me out on a date."' Wow. That's a lot of signs."
Melinda asks, "And has your crush done any of these to signify she loves you?"
Jack thinks hard for half a minute before answering reluctantly now that he remembers, "No..."
Melinda inquires again, "And has any other girl exhibited these signs in regards to you? Think very carefully, young man."
Jack thinks hard for fifteen seconds before reluctantly answering, "...Miko Nakadai, a very annoying Japanese exchange student at my school who's obsessed with rock and roll music and who's rebellious against authority."
Knowing that Jack said this to keep Gislene's existence a secret even though Jack doesn't know about Melinda and Gislene's backstories yet, Melinda then says, "No matter if your interests and hers are different and regardless of how much she hates being told what to do, she loves you, mister. If I were you, I'd start dating her before something unforeseen happens and it may be too late."
Jack nods fiercely before replying to ask, "What's your name, miss?"
Melinda answers, "Melinda Dutton."
Jack replies, "I'm Jack Darby. These are my relatives, James, Harry, Thomas, Ben, William, Luke, Max, Michael, Ryan, Daniel, George, John, Matthew, David, Joseph, Robert, Andrew, Liam, Emily, Emma, Grace, Mary, Sarah, Olivia, Kate, Lucy, Molly, Hannah, Sophie, Lily, Jessica, Ella, Lauren, Chloe, Ellie, Megan, Amy, Charlotte, Anna, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Claire, Rachel, Alice, Rebecca, Maggie, Ava, Samantha, Holly, Ruby, Julia, Georgia, Tyler, Ethan, Brandon, Jacob, Logan, Kyle, Austin, Justin, Dylan, Madison, Taylor, Ashley, Alyssa, Kayla, Amber, Morgan, and Jasmine Darby, and this is my friend Amanda Hamilton."
Melinda replies before saying, "Nice to meet you all. Now, if you don't mind, I need to take my bike because, for some reason, some stalkers are looking for me."
Arcee and the other Autobots look in their rearview mirrors to see the Vehicon Troopers have finally found them.
Arcee mutters under her breath, "(Softly) Scrap."
The Vehicon Troopers shine their lights on the humans, and the humans are essentially forced to climb into the cars and onto the motorcycles.
The Vehicon Troopers speed forward and attempt to ram the Autobots, but the motorcycles pop a wheelie, turn around, and speed off while they and the cars split up to cover more ground, and Jack is stuck with Dingysplicer while Dylan, Michael, Samantha, Amanda, James, Harry, Thomas, Ben, William, Kyle, and Luke are stuck with Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Steelfist, Saberfist, and Akiba Prime.
Dingysplicer squeezes through a small gap between the first two Vehicons, and Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Airbrushed, and Akiba Prime do the exact same as he does in unison, and the chase is on.
Dingysplicer says, "Do not let go, kid!"
Jack replies, "Not arguing with that!"
Pruner says to Kyle, "Hang on tight!"
Kyle exclaims in fright, "Who said that?!"
The first two Vehicons catch up to Dingysplicer and they try to slam into him in unison, but he brakes in reverse at the last second and lags behind the troopers, making them smack into each other.
The Vehicons pull apart, and Dingysplicer speeds off and turn to an alleyway, with Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Akiba Prime, Dylan, Samantha, Michael, Amanda, James, Harry, Thomas, Ben, William, Kyle, and Luke joining in.
One of the Vehicons says into his commlink, "Commander Starscream, targets sighted, accompanied by seventy-two human youths."
Starscream replies over the commlink, "What is it with humans and Autobots?! Destroy them all!"
Airbrushed tries to rendezvous with the others, but he hears the sounds of a jet engine closing in on him.
Airbrushed looks in his rearview mirror and he sees Streamtrail following him.
Airbrushed changes directions and leads Streamtrail to a closed off road.
Streamtrail remarks, "Dearest Airbrushed, it's been a – "
But then, the real Airbrushed shoots a high explosive incendiary lock-on heat seeking rocket at Streamtrail, and the next instant is Streamtrail gravely wounded to the point where she slips into stasis lock.
Airbrushed then says into his commlink, "Airbrushed to all Autobot units at base: we have a situation, in three segments."
Meanwhile, as Whitebright is recharging, he received a vision of Pruner being chased by Vehicon Troopers and they begin shooting at her.
Whitebright abruptly wakes up and sees Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Sparksword, Flashsword, Flaresword, Conflagblade, Fireépée, Reddensteel, Flamescimitar, Brandblade, Fireblade, Firescimitar, Firesteel, Firesaber, Firecutter, Fireyataghan, Firemachete, Firestiletto, Firebodkin, Fireponiard, Firesheath, Firestylet, Firebowie, Fireblush, Firebroad, Firerapier, Firecutlass, Firecleaver, Firehack, Firedagger, Fireshiv, Reddenépée, Reddenscimitar, Reddenblade, Reddensaber, Reddencutter, Reddenyataghan, Reddenmachete, Reddenstiletto, Reddenbodkin, Reddenponiard, Reddensheath, Reddenstylet, Reddenbowie, Reddenblush, Reddenbroad, Reddenrapier, Reddencutlass, Reddensword, Reddencleaver, Reddenhack, Reddendagger, Reddenshiv, Épéelight, Brandflame, Hotkindle, Lightmachete, Burnépée, Burnsteel, Steelflame, Flamedagger, Flamesaber, Steeldagger, Rageépée, Ragesaber, Ragescimitar, Arsonsaber, Hotsaber, Lightcutter, Flameyataghan, Kindlemachete, Ignitestiletto, Glowbodkin, Shineponiard, Glaresheath, Flashstylet, Sparklebowie, Smokeblush, Flushbroad, Flarerapier, Hearthcutlass, Tindersmallsword, Searcleaver, Scorchhack, Pyredagger, Coalshiv, Sparkkill, Gleamkill, Ragehammer, Cinderblade, Cinderbeast, Roughfire, Flamewing, Afterblaze, Flamejaw, Pyrolane, Cinderstrike, Rageflight, Hotbite, Flashraid, Icecast, Starsling, Sparkfoot, Firesling, Flameburner, Aquadealer, Froststuff, Hotsiren, Frostpounder, Oildrift, Smokebird, Cloudrunner, Smokefight, Magmafeather, Hothead, Freezescrap, Cloudjaw, Flashfeather, Seaclutch, Sunthing, Icerazor, Sparkscraps, Aquawire, Firecycle, Meltsiren, Fistburner, Ragespin, Dustwar, Sunblast, Aircrack, Overfire, Flashlight, Starbuster, Sundash, Cloudkick, Fieryray, Hotlight, Meltblast, Flashscope, Ragerazor, Seablades, Firewar, Cinderstop, Smokestuff, Lightpounder, Cinderbite, Thunderblight, Thunderbird, Ragestuff, Highvortex, Cloudburn, Breakfire, Scorchblade, Firesight, Flashflight, Pyroside, Windsight, Dirtpunch, Dustclash, Freezeraider, Overburn, Hailblades, Astroflight, Lightjump, Thunderfight, Cindercharge, Cloudfist, Dunelift, Stormrunner, Overcloud, Windlight, Crossflare, Flamescream, Zephyrblades, Torrentcrack, Pyromine, Dirtblaze, Flameblade, and Emberflame leaving the base in vehicle mode, and with the first two hundred and twenty-three members of the Blades of Light using their ground vehicle modes.
Whitebright says, "*I better follow them.*"
Whitebright takes off in flight while in dragon mode, making sure to activate his internal cloaking shield to avoid attracting attention to himself.
Meanwhile, Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, and Akiba Prime and the others pulled a U-turn and they let their passengers off.
Jack asks, "Do I even wanna know what you are?"
Arcee replies threateningly, "We don't exist. Tell anyone about us and I will hunt you down."
Jack replies, "I got it, but I ain't a snitch."
Jack runs off into another alleyway with the humans who rode the motorcycles following him.
Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, and Akiba Prime turn around and they drive off just as the Vehicon Troopers appear.
In their rearview mirrors, they see one of the Troopers drive into the alleyway that the humans went into.
Murksplicer states, "Sh(bleep!)"
They pull another U-turn and they jump over the second Vehicon Trooper.
In the alleyway where the humans ran into, Jack and Dylan readied themselves, and when the Vehicon came into range, at the last second, they jumped and planted their feet hard onto the windshield.
The windshield cracked and the Vehicon exclaimed, "Primus fragging scrap!"
After jumping off and getting himself ready as the Vehicon tries to ram them again, Dylan takes out his service revolver and fires a shot at the Vehicon's upper right tire, making it pop.
The Vehicon exclaims, "Ow! What the?! You pathetic miserable human meat bag!"
The humans rush off again, and due to the blown tire, the Vehicon Trooper is having trouble catching up.
Kyle shrieks, "We don't even know them!"
Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, and Akiba Prime catch up and match with the humans' paces as they say, "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" "Hop on!" in unison.
Jack, Dylan, Amanda, James, Harry, Thomas, Ben, William, Kyle, and Luke jump onto the seats and the motorcycles speed off again.
Arcee pulls into the highway, with Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, and Akiba Prime following behind, and Steelfist, Brandon, Jacob, and Saberfist join up with them.
The twenty-six Vehicons activate their vehicle blasters and they start shooting at the thirty-one escapees.
The Autobots dodged the blasts and Jack covers his head as best as he can.
Jack then asks Dingysplicer, "You wouldn't happen to have any guns on here, would you?"
Dingysplicer answers, "I got none that you can use, kid. Just hold on tight!"
The twelve Autobots pull up their rearview mirrors and they see Bumblebee, Sparksword, Flashsword, Flaresword, Conflagblade, Fireépée, Reddensteel, Flamescimitar, Brandblade, Fireblade, Firescimitar, Firesteel, Firesaber, Firecutter, Fireyataghan, Firemachete, Firestiletto, Firebodkin, Fireponiard, Firesheath, Firestylet, Firebowie, Fireblush, Firebroad, Firerapier, Firecutlass, Firecleaver, Firehack, Firedagger, Fireshiv, Reddenépée, Reddenscimitar, Reddenblade, Reddensaber, Reddencutter, Reddenyataghan, Reddenmachete, Reddenstiletto, Reddenbodkin, Reddenponiard, Reddensheath, Reddenstylet, Reddenbowie, Reddenblush, Reddenbroad, Reddenrapier, Reddencutlass, Reddensword, Reddencleaver, Reddenhack, Reddendagger, Reddenshiv, Épéelight, Brandflame, Hotkindle, Lightmachete, Burnépée, Burnsteel, Steelflame, Flamedagger, Flamesaber, Steeldagger, Rageépée, Ragesaber, Ragescimitar, Arsonsaber, Hotsaber, Lightcutter, Flameyataghan, Kindlemachete, Ignitestiletto, Glowbodkin, Shineponiard, Glaresheath, Flashstylet, Sparklebowie, Smokeblush, Flushbroad, Flarerapier, Hearthcutlass, Tindersmallsword, Searcleaver, Scorchhack, Pyredagger, Coalshiv, Sparkkill, Gleamkill, Ragehammer, Cinderblade, Cinderbeast, Roughfire, Flamewing, Afterblaze, Flamejaw, Pyrolane, Cinderstrike, Rageflight, Hotbite, Flashraid, Icecast, Starsling, Sparkfoot, Firesling, Flameburner, Aquadealer, Froststuff, Hotsiren, Frostpounder, Oildrift, Smokebird, Cloudrunner, Smokefight, Magmafeather, Hothead, Freezescrap, Cloudjaw, Flashfeather, Seaclutch, Sunthing, Icerazor, Sparkscraps, Aquawire, Firecycle, Meltsiren, Fistburner, Ragespin, Dustwar, Sunblast, Aircrack, Overfire, Flashlight, Starbuster, Sundash, Cloudkick, Fieryray, Hotlight, Meltblast, Flashscope, Ragerazor, Seablades, Firewar, Cinderstop, Smokestuff, Lightpounder, Cinderbite, Thunderblight, Thunderbird, Ragestuff, Highvortex, Cloudburn, Breakfire, Scorchblade, Firesight, Flashflight, Pyroside, Windsight, Dirtpunch, Dustclash, Freezeraider, Overburn, Hailblades, Astroflight, Lightjump, Thunderfight, Cindercharge, Cloudfist, Dunelift, Stormrunner, Overcloud, Windlight, Crossflare, Flamescream, Zephyrblades, Torrentcrack, Pyromine, Dirtblaze, Flameblade, Emberflame, Steelwolf, Sunbreaker, Thaumas, Smokesound, Bluesnap, Shockstorm, Smokeveil, Goldedge, Thundersound, Silvershock, Purplestorm, Orange Beetle, Rockskipper, Taildog, Bluefly, Windout, Cliffjumper, and Tailgate coming up behind the Vehicon Troopers.
Bumblebee and Dirtblaze back-up ram into the first two Vehicons, sending them both spinning out of control.
Jack asks, "Let me guess: surrogate family?"
Arcee replies, "You guessed right, kid."
Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Steelfist, Saberfist, and Akiba Prime see in their rearview mirrors that Bumblebee and the others are trying to block the two Vehicons and one of them slips next to Bumblebee and manages to ram him into the nearest guard rail.
Cliffjumper states, "Ooh, that's gonna leave a mark."
Taildog replies, "No crap, Sherlock."
Just then, the Autobots spot the silhouette of Whitebright flying in dragon mode and he breathes fireballs at the Vehicons, causing them to swerve out of the way, and the fireballs cause potholes.
Arcee exclaims, "Primus! What is he thinking?!"
Off to the side, Bulkhead says, "Smokeedge, tell Agent Fowler he's gonna have paperwork to fill out."
Smokeedge replies, "Copy that, Bulkhead."
Bulkhead then gets stuck in a series of car lines and he groans, "Oh, great. Traffic jam."
Off the side to the freeway, Rafael Esquivel is playing a remote control car race with Dash Eagleburger and his brothers Rex and Ace while their older sister Kai watches.
Raf's phone rings and he says, "Hi, Momma. Racing remote control cars, right up the street. Okay, five more minutes?"
He hangs up and continues the race with the other three boys.
Meanwhile, Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Saberfist, Steelfist, and Akiba Prime accelerated to the end of the highway.
Then they jumped over the guard rails and flew over the bridge.
Jack screamed at the top of his lungs in fright and clung to Arcee's handlebars while the other humans on the other motorcycles did the same.
And at the same time, the car Autobots arrived and their passengers gripped onto either the steering wheels or the backs of the front seats.
On their back wheels, Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Saberfist, Steelfist, and Akiba Prime landed on the hill and jumped again to land on the ground in front of Rafael and the other teenagers.
Rafael drops his remote control in awe.
Of course, Tailgate couldn't help but do a stylish spin in the air before landing on his tires.
Thaumas huffs, "Hmph! Showboat."
Tailgate remarks, "I prefer to call it having an exceptional sense of style."
Arcee asks, "What are you, Jazz?"
Tailgate exclaims, "Hey!"
Akiba Prime then says, "Knock it off, you two; we got company coming in sixteen seconds."
Rafael remarks as the others exit the Autobots, "Whoa."
Jack replies, "Yeah, whoa. You guys have no idea, and neither do I."
Ben adds, "Or us either."
The Vehicon Troopers appear and they drive down the hill before launching off of the edge like a ramp and proceeding to transform to robot mode, activating their right hand blasters.
Dash, Rex, and Ace say in unison, "We're so dead." "We're so dead." "We're so dead."
Arcee, Arcdegree, Kickstand, Dingysplicer, Dusksplicer, Shadowsplicer, Pitchsplicer, Murksplicer, Pruner, Saberfist, Steelfist, Akiba Prime, Thaumas, Steelwolf, Cliffjumper, Tailgate, Taildog, and Rockskipper transformed to robot mode and Whitebright emerges in the sky, shocking everyone and horrifying both the Vehicon Troopers and the humans.
Whitebright gently lands and transforms to robot mode before deploying his greatsword.
Whitebright snarls, "This ends here and now, Decepticons!"
The nineteen Autobots charge and the Vehicons start shooting.
But their terrible aim combined with Whitebright's nigh-invincibility combined with the speed, agility, and size of his comrades means that the Vehicon Troopers kept missing shots.
Arcee jumps into the air and kicks one drone in the chestplate before dodging a blast and jumping to do a spinning kick to another drone's face.
Akiba Prime punches a Vehicon before kicking the same one in the gearbox, dropping it to the floor in pain.
The humans watch the fight in shock and awe, as well as slight fear because they saw a giant metal dragon turn into a robot.
Rafael asks, "Wh-what are they supposed to be?"
Jack answers, "Talking cars and animals that turn into robots."
Amanda corrects him by saying, "No, no, it's the other way around."
Kai inquires, "How do you know?"
Amanda answers, "The ones with the bright colored paint jobs not in purple and black, they took me in and raised me when I was born and abandoned by my now dead parents."
Even Jack winced in sympathy.
Arcee growls as she kicks and punches a Vehicon in the gut before punching it in the face four to six times as she says, "Rrrr! This. One. Is. For. Ragebird!"
The Decepticon soldier looks back at her and its optics glowed brighter as it growls at her.
Arcee starts doing backward handsprings to avoid getting shot at, and she takes a round to the chest that was immediately deflected by a deflector force shield.
Arcee chortles at the Vehicons' shocked expressions even as she remarks, "Never underestimate an Autobot's paranoia."
The instant Whitebright took out one of the Vehicons by stabbing it in the spark chamber and then bisecting it in an upward direction, another twenty-six Vehicons turned up.
Just then, Bumblebee, Sparksword, Flashsword, Flaresword, Conflagblade, Fireépée, Reddensteel, Flamescimitar, Brandblade, Fireblade, Firescimitar, Firesteel, Firesaber, Firecutter, Fireyataghan, Firemachete, Firestiletto, Firebodkin, Fireponiard, Firesheath, Firestylet, Firebowie, Fireblush, Firebroad, Firerapier, Firecutlass, Firecleaver, Firehack, Firedagger, Fireshiv, Reddenépée, Reddenscimitar, Reddenblade, Reddensaber, Reddencutter, Reddenyataghan, Reddenmachete, Reddenstiletto, Reddenbodkin, Reddenponiard, Reddensheath, Reddenstylet, Reddenbowie, Reddenblush, Reddenbroad, Reddenrapier, Reddencutlass, Reddensword, Reddencleaver, Reddenhack, Reddendagger, Reddenshiv, Épéelight, Brandflame, Hotkindle, Lightmachete, Burnépée, Burnsteel, Steelflame, Flamedagger, Flamesaber, Steeldagger, Rageépée, Ragesaber, Ragescimitar, Arsonsaber, Hotsaber, Lightcutter, Flameyataghan, Kindlemachete, Ignitestiletto, Glowbodkin, Shineponiard, Glaresheath, Flashstylet, Sparklebowie, Smokeblush, Flushbroad, Flarerapier, Hearthcutlass, Tindersmallsword, Searcleaver, Scorchhack, Pyredagger, Coalshiv, Sparkkill, Gleamkill, Ragehammer, Cinderblade, Cinderbeast, Roughfire, Flamewing, Afterblaze, Flamejaw, Pyrolane, Cinderstrike, Rageflight, Hotbite, Flashraid, Icecast, Starsling, Sparkfoot, Firesling, Flameburner, Aquadealer, Froststuff, Hotsiren, Frostpounder, Oildrift, Smokebird, Cloudrunner, Smokefight, Magmafeather, Hothead, Freezescrap, Cloudjaw, Flashfeather, Seaclutch, Sunthing, Icerazor, Sparkscraps, Aquawire, Firecycle, Meltsiren, Fistburner, Ragespin, Dustwar, Sunblast, Aircrack, Overfire, Flashlight, Starbuster, Sundash, Cloudkick, Fieryray, Hotlight, Meltblast, Flashscope, Ragerazor, Seablades, Firewar, Cinderstop, Smokestuff, Lightpounder, Cinderbite, Thunderblight, Thunderbird, Ragestuff, Highvortex, Cloudburn, Breakfire, Scorchblade, Firesight, Flashflight, Pyroside, Windsight, Dirtpunch, Dustclash, Freezeraider, Overburn, Hailblades, Astroflight, Lightjump, Thunderfight, Cindercharge, Cloudfist, Dunelift, Stormrunner, Overcloud, Windlight, Crossflare, Flamescream, Zephyrblades, Torrentcrack, Pyromine, Dirtblaze, Emberflame, Flameblade, Smokesound, Bluesnap, Shockstorm, Smokeveil, Goldedge, Thundersound, Silvershock, Purplestorm, Orange Beetle, Bluefly, and Windout appeared.
Bumblebee and the others transformed in midair and Bumblebee lands on one Vehicon before delivering a huge sparking right hook to another drone.
Orange Beetle engages another drone and takes it out with a haymaker and upward cannon kick combo in unison.
Bumblebee steps on the Vehicon's head and puts pressure on his head in a "Don't get up; I'll just knock you down again" manner before stepping back.
Then, he heard a crunch under his foot, and as he buzzes in confusion, "What? Oh... Uh-oh." he looked to see that he accidentally stepped on Rafael's remote control car.
Bumblebee looks at the humans and buzzes, "I'm so sorry, little guy."
Rafael replies assuringly, "It's not a problem. Really."
Just then, the first Vehicon fires an Energon laser, and Bumblebee's armor deflects it.
Bumblebee shoots back, scoring a fatal head shot.
Just then, one of the other Vehicon reinforcements shoots Bumblebee from behind and kicks him at the same time, but the laser thankfully is muddled by the deflector shield, and Bumblebee stumbles.
The Vehicons then prepare to finish him off, and Rafael shouts, "Leave him alone!"
The Vehicons turned their guns on the humans in response.
Rafael gulped before asking weakly, "Please?"
William leans to Raf and says, "Bad idea calling them out like that.
One of the Vehicons starts marching towards the humans, but he gets decapitated by Whitebright.
Whitebright then snarls, "If you wish to harm humans, then face your truest enemy – as a dragon!"
Whitebright transforms back into his dragon mode and unleashes fireballs at the Vehicons, but only two of them get burned.
One of the other Vehicons calls out, "We don't stand a chance against a Predacon! Decepticons, retreat!"
The Vehicons transform to vehicle mode and flee.
Whitebright then notices the humans staring shakily.
Whitebright transforms to robot mode again and approaches the humans in a friendly, chivalrous manner.
Whitebright then says, "Easy, humans. My friends and I don't mean your kind any harm."
Jack inquires nervously, "Y-you're not gonna kill us, are you?"
Whitebright answers, "No. Those purple and black car robots, they're the ones who want to kill you. And because you've seen us and they've seen you, you're in serious danger of being killed by those generic same-looking robots."
Ace then questions, "You mind if we tell our parents about this, with evidence? Chances are they might get captured if those other robots find out about our families and if they kidnap all of us to lure you into the open or into a trap."
Whitebright looks at Arcee and Akiba Prime, and they nod in unison.
Back at the Autobot base, Smokeedge explains to the new humans, "Before the beginning of time, the universe was made up of both good and evil, in the body of an extra dimensional being known as The Source. When he heard about the universe being born, he created his firstborn son, Unicron. And no, it's not unicorn; it's Unicron. The Source created Unicron to be the ultimate form of evil, destruction, and chaos rolled into one. Then, The Source subvided Unicron by creating his polar opposite and twin brother, Primus. While Primus was fascinated by the early development of the universe, Unicron was disgusted just because he was the ultimate source of evil. Primus and Unicron were created as the first of the Gods of Light and Gods of Darkness. The Age of the Gods of Light and Darkness was far from concluded, and fledgling life in all of its shapes, forms and sizes, had started to spread all over the vastness of the universe. However, before Primus could join with the Omniversal Matrix, he had one final mission: he had to kill the last God of Darkness: Unicron himself. But it wasn't easy, even for someone as powerful beyond measure as Primus. It was sorely because of the fact that even in physical and energy forms, Unicron was a god, and thus he couldn't be killed so easily. Along with that, because Primus and Unicron were polar opposites, they never could overpower each other for longer than less of a day. Unicron started attacking the universe, and Primus set out to stop his brother's goals of destroying the multiverse and becoming the never-ending ruler of endless nothingness. Unicron lived only to destroy everything, and he became a professional at doing it as time passed. For eons, Primus and Unicron have fought each other, with the balance between the twosome shifting more times than anyone would be able to count and keep counting. But unfortunately, during their final battle, Primus got the snot beaten out of him in his physical form, and his energy form fared no better against Unicron's energy form. With his lifeforce all but drained, Primus fled back to the physical realm, with Unicron closing in, eager for the chance to kill his brother once and for all. But Unicron was too eager, and that mistake resulted in Unicron being ensnared within a lifeless asteroid next to the one trapping Primus' own essence. Their physical forms melted into spirits inhabiting lifeless space rocks, Primus thought that he won. As time passed, Primus learned all by himself how to live with his sacrifice of his alien humanoid form and he learned how to psionically reformat his metal prison into the planet Cybertron itself. But then, Primus sensed Unicron's awakening and realized that Unicron was bound to learn the exact same trick that his brother learned just because of the fact that Unicron was mentally linked with Primus' thoughts and vice versa, and Primus also realized that this literally meant the war between good and evil was not over yet. So, Primus began to manufacture his last line of defense from Cybertron's soil – soldiers of different kinds that he called Transformers, able to transform from their humanoid robot forms into alternate forms in the same designs as machinery, weapons, and vehicles, specifically including some of the likenesses of specific machinery, weapons, and vehicles that humans would be capable of manufacturing in the far future after centuries of learning how to advance their own technology. Primus hoped that in time, his nigh unlimited children would grow strong enough to finally destroy Unicron. Primus installed part of his life force into an artifact of the Transformers so that way new generations of Transformers would be created and given life of their own, an artifact made of pure energy called the Allspark."
Sierra asks, "The Allspark?"
Celestiwarp answers, "Yes. The Allspark is part of Primus' main lifeforce that gives a spark to all Cybertronians. And a Cybertronian spark is a digital soul which keeps all Transformers alive while their body's systems are powered by Energon."
Juliett Prime explains further, "As Unicron shaped his prison into a giant planet-devouring planet that can transform into a giant robot in the likeness of his former humanoid self, Primus learned to do the same. But at the same time, he also learned how to put together a smaller frame in his likeness to combat Unicron on solid ground. In the final days of Primus' war with Unicron, Primus created the first 13 Transformers known as the Thirteen original Primes. They consisted of the following Cybertronians: Prima Prime, Alpha Trion, Vector Prime, Solus Prime, Onyx Prime, Amalgamous Prime, Quintus Prime, Alchemist Prime, Micronus Prime, Nexus Prime, Liege Maximo, Megatronus Prime, and Optimus Prime. Prima the Alpha Prime is the leader of the Thirteen, and the first bearer of the Matrix of Leadership who also wields the Star Saber, a powerful sword connected to the Matrix of Leadership and can only be used by genuine Primes, in addition to being capable of snuffing out entire stars and crumbling anything on any planet surface to dust. Vector Prime is the keeper of time and space, always looking for disastrous timelines to change and to fix any timeline damages caused by either Unicron, by Megatron, or by someone else who is just as bad as either of them. Alpha Trion is the chronicler of the Primes, using his Quill and the Covenant of Primus to record events of the past, the present, and the future. Micronus Prime is the conscience of the Primes and the first Mini-Con, a race of worker robots who can perform jobs too small for ordinary Cybertronians as well as the fact that Mini-Cons, especially including Weaponizer Mini-Cons who transform into weapons and pieces of armor, can combine with larger Transformers for power boosts, and Micronus himself is capable of linking up with and amplifying the powers of his brethren through the use of his Chimera Stone. Alchemist Prime is the student of the elemental structure of the natural world, aided by his Lenses that are permanently built into his robotic eyes. With those Lenses, he can see the future and he can see any material and spiritual senses. Nexus Prime is the first combiner, a gestalt formed by any number of Cybertronians coming together to form a bigger robot. And Nexus is able to separate himself into five different smaller forms and give birth to new combiners through the use of the Enigma of Combination. Solus Prime is the first female Cybertronian and is the blacksmith of the Primes, able to forge all manner of relics and weapons through the use of her incredible Forge powered by White Energon and the Creation Lathe. Onyx Prime is the first Cybertronian with an animal form, his beast mode being a centaur-style dragon, and is the king of the Predacon race. He's also a spiritual being, capable of watching other timelines, other locations, and even watching the afterlife through the usage of his three-faced Triptych Masks. Onyx Prime is also capable of using the power of his own spark to transform any organic species such as humans, Kryptonians, Betazoids, Cardassians, Daxamites, Thanagarians, the Green Lantern Guardians of the Universe, the Kree, the DC Comics New Gods like Darkseid, the Marvel Comics Olympians, the Shi'ar Empire, the Skrulls, and Klingons into full Cybertronian Predacons and even techno-organic Predacons with the ability to switch between their natural organic forms and their metallic Cybertronian forms so they can access their dragon modes and their original forms much easier. Amalgamous Prime is the jokester of the Primes, and is the first Shifter, a Cybertronian able to transform into different things, including replicas of other people on Cybertron or of similar Cybertronian origin. His ultimate ability was the ability to transform into practically EVERYTHING that existed or didn't exist yet. And his first relic was the basis of all Cybertronian life in later centuries to come: the transformation cog, an organ built into all newborn Cybertronians making them capable of transforming from vehicle mode or beast mode or weapon mode or object mode to robot mode and back again, in addition to allowing them to access any form of integrated weaponry they have in their military frames or civilian frames. Amalgamous Prime's second and third relics are his Phase Shifter and his Scythe. The Phase Shifter is a relic which allows you to phase through solid objects and vice versa like a ghost, and his Scythe is able to change into any form of matter. Quintus Prime is the daydreamer of the Thirteen and a perfectionist who became a scientist. His artifact, the Emberstone, allows him to create any form of mechanical, organic, and techno-organic life, as well as the ability to alter any organic or mechanical organisms and turn them into the likenesses of the opposite species. Liege Maximo is known to be the biggest liar of the Primes and a black-hearted manipulator whose lies sparked a tragic war within the Primes that resulted in the death of Solus Prime and the creation of the Well of All Sparks where Cybertronians can emerge from when they're created. Liege Maximo's artifact, the Liegian Darts, contain powerful Cybertronian toxins designed to incapacitate his targets and enemies in any way possible once they enter the bodies of the targets. The 12th Prime used to be called Megatronus Prime, and he was the user of the Requiem Blaster, a powerful two-handed gun that was used as part of the final push which sent Unicron into stasis lock. But sadly, prolonged exposure to Unicron's spark opened up dark sides within Liege Maximo and Megatronus among other Transformers. As a result of that, Liege Maximo's lies manipulated Megatronus into accidentally murdering Solus Prime and prompting the other Primes to imprison Megatronus in another dimension, making him become known as The Fallen Prime and the First Decepticon in Cybertronian history. But thankfully, lots of assistance from Primus and from future Primes taking the places of the original Thirteen ensured that Solus would live and ensured that Megatronus and Liege Maximo would be purified of the darkness brought on by exposure to Dark Energon. And the Thirteenth Prime is Optimus himself. He was the most powerful of the Primes in those days, with powers capable of measuring up to the likes of godlike beings like Primus and Unicron. When the Primes were losing against Unicron, Optimus used the power of his own spark to defeat Unicron and send him into stasis lock. Unfortunately, because of this, Optimus was sent into a coma and the Primes knew if they awakened Optimus right then and there, he would end up returning corrupted. So, Vector Prime used his artifact, the Blades of Time, to create a time loop that still sent Unicron into stasis and still cast him out to the stars but spared Optimus from his terrible fate. When the War of the Primes ended, Optimus plunged himself into the finished Well of All Sparks to become reborn as a civilian by the name of Orion Pax. His goal was to live among the Cybertronian race to see how well they'd be able to live their lives with and without the guidance of the Primes."
Madison inquires, "So, what's the story of your interplanetary civil war between Autobots and Decepticons?"
Nexus Prime then explains the beginning of the Great War thoroughly, "Let me start at the beginning. When Cybertronian society was being formed, Optimus' predecessor Sentinel Zeta Prime was promoted to High Chancellor of Cybertron's ruling government, the High Council. As he got overwhelmed by the various guilds of Cybertron, he created his caste system that quickly dominated Cybertronian society millions of years before the Great War. But his caste system that is eerily similar to a portion of Earth's countries drove Cybertronians of different types into different working classes and took away most of their freedoms. Including in particular the freedom to choose one's own sparkmate – or husband or wife in human terminology – and the freedom to choose the kind of job anyone on Cybertron really wanted. This coincidentally brought Zeta into conflict with Alpha Trion, the only other remaining Prime on Cybertron. In particular, Orion was eventually assigned to work in Iacon's Hall of Records as a librarian. But as he learned more about Cybertron's ancient and long-thought to be forgotten past, he grew increasingly worried about the corruption in Cybertron's government, and the growing inequality among Cybertron's population. Orion soon got the idea to preach his ideas to the High Council, as that inspiration came from the words and ideas of a former Energon miner who became a gladiator, who named himself after the original first name of the former Fallen Prime: Megatronus. The second Megatronus vowed to challenge Cybertron's past-tense current leadership and he vowed to demand that every Cybertronian be treated as equals. This gladiator-turned-revolutionary soon gathered a loyal following that consisted of his fellow gladiators, his fellow disgruntled Energon miners, and those who worked in the lower castes. Orion began corresponding with Megatronus, who became a bit of a mentor to him. As an added measure of their friendship, Megatronus took Orion under his tutelage and trained him in standard forms of Cybertronian combat, including pit-fighting. As Megatronus left Cybertron's gladiator arenas to pursue politics, he saw fit to change his original declared name to Megatron. When that day came, Megatron appeared before the High Council to preach his vision for a peaceful society. And then, he revealed his true colors by declaring the need to overthrow the old guard with force and arrogantly demanding to be named the next Prime, as a Prime in those days was nothing more or less than a title used to determine Cybertron's leader. But Orion didn't believe in violence as a means of accomplishing justice. Orion preached a more non-violent approach to the High Council, requesting that Cybertron's population be granted the opportunity to vote for Cybertron's leader and then proclaiming for the first time in millions of years that freedom was the right of all sentient beings. The sparks and minds of the High Council were motivated by Orion's words. Right then and there, for the first time since Cybertron's Golden Age, stood someone worthy of becoming a Prime. But that honor could only be achieved by earning the Matrix of Leadership."
June questions, "What is this Matrix of Leadership?"
As he briefly shows the Matrix of Leadership in his chestplate to the humans, much to their shock and awe, Optimus answers, "It's a vessel of pure energy that contains the collective wisdom and knowledge of the Thirteen original Primes who fought alongside me during the first Cybertronian Civil War, formed from the spark of our creator-god, Primus himself."
Jumpbee then continues, "With his ambitions thwarted and because he quickly lost his temper and patience over being told to respect Optimus after he was given his new name by the High Council, Megatron spitefully attempted to gun down High Councilor Halogen and that prompted the Elite Guard as well as Optimus' Autobot forces to hold Megatron's forces at gunpoint. But Optimus demanded everyone to put away their weapons as the High Council Chambers were sacred grounds and that fighting in the chambers was strictly forbidden. Megatron left the chambers reluctantly and he eventually progressed to wage a deadly war on all who opposed him with his growing army of followers which he christened as Decepticons. Megatron vowed to claim the Matrix for himself, no matter where it may lie. In time, warfare consumed Cybertron, culminating with Megatron unintentionally poisoning Cybertron's core in a failed and foolish attempt to control the planet's nigh-unlimited energy supply and in a misguided attempt to revive Cybertron's Golden Age. Optimus journeyed to Cybertron's core with a big assortment of other Autobots and they found themselves facing the spark of Primus himself. The ailing god of the Cybertronian race informed Optimus that it was already too late, and that his spark was thoroughly corrupted. In order for Primus to repair himself, he has to shut down his systems completely for one million years. But during that extensive time period of stasis lock and internal repairs, Cybertron would be left cold, barren, and devoid of all forms of life and energy. Because of this, Optimus declared for the first time that the Autobot army would have to leave Cybertron and find a new home among the stars in order to survive, potentially traveling to any planet in the cosmos seeded with Energon sufficient to serve their fuel needs without encountering any alien species that also relies on Energon to live. And the other sad reality is, if anyone were left behind in the massive Great Exodus with anyone else, they'd have to resort to extremes like cannibalism in order to survive. Anyway, Primus sensed the innate incorruptibility within Optimus and bestowed the Matrix of Leadership upon him. It was thus that Optimus became the Thirteenth Prime once again, became the supreme leader of the Autobot army, and regained his memories."
Jack then asks, "And what happened to Unicron?"
Optimus looks at Smokeedge and his Lieutenant Commander nods.
Optimus explains, "I am afraid that when Unicron wound up in the middle of where the Earth's magma core was supposed to be formed, the debris of the Earth collected around the slumbering planet-sized titan, making him become the Earth's core instead."
The humans looked at each other and the leader of the Autobots in shock and horror.
Ratchet then says, "I am afraid Optimus is right. Since Unicron is the Earth's core, that means that attempting to remove him from the Earth's center will not only be extremely difficult, but it would also be a bad idea, as tampering with your core could negatively affect the magnetic poles and worsen the natural disasters that the world leaders on that day were attempting to remedy. Sadly, humans, Unicron is your planet's very seed. He always has been, and he always must be in order for your planet and its native forms of life to live."
After more explanations and after questions asked and introductions had, Arcee then says, "Anyway, I don't mean any disrespect when I say this, but those Vehicon Troopers would've been scrap metal if we hadn't been occupied with the humans."
Smokeedge then says, "With all due respect on my part too, those humans showing up at that time was meant to happen, according to the chronological order of our universe as described by the Nightowl Trines and also according to the scriptures written in the Covenant of Primus. And if any of us attempted to avert meeting the humans in any way possible, different ones might take their places, and not a single one of their timeline replacements would possibly be friendly or understanding of our boundaries. So bear that in mind, Arcee. (Turns to Ratchet) And the same goes for you too, Ratchet."
Optimus then says, "Now, if the Decepticons are targeting us, anyone perceived as our allies will be at grave risk of being kidnapped, murdered, or attacked."
Vector Prime adds, "And like Whitebright Prime said, since the lot of you know of our existence, as of tonight, the Decepticons now know of yours."
Jack replies, "Got it; if we spot any strange purple and black vehicles, call 911."
Steelwolf then says, "No offense, Jack, but that's a bad idea. With the exception of powerful shotgun and assault rifle rounds in such shotguns and assault rifles merged with railgun technology, aside from Energon-fueled weaponry, and aside from high-heat sabot rounds, human weaponry won't do jack squat against a Transformer, and unless a human being is enveloped in a Cybertronian metallic battlesuit in the same height as a Transformer, not even a highly skilled Kung-Fu police officer like Larvell Jones from Police Academy would last long against a Vehicon Trooper."
Elita One adds, "Steelwolf is right, you'd be putting your law enforcement and military in danger of being murdered or potentially experimented upon."
Jack then says before asking, "Okay, I get it. Can we go now?"
Smokeedge then says, "Jack, I'm gonna say this only once: this kind of alien civil war, regardless of whether or not you want to get involved and regardless of whether or not you get involved by choice or by chance of fate, is not something you can just walk away from. Even if you had the proper protection against Vehicon Troopers or against any Decepticon lieutenants, it's only a matter of time before any of you get taken prisoner, stripped of your weapons and protections, and potentially experimented on among other things. Besides, now that Megatron is returning at noon tomorrow, with a big crystal of Dark Energon to raise an army of Cybertronian zombies at that, let's just say that the entire Earth's safety is now at stake, and not everyone is able to handle such stressing matters with a cool head. And besides, all that is necessary for evil forces to succeed is for heroes like us to sit back and do nothing."
And so, after much debate, the humans all got their own Iron Man suits while their similarly named and differently named clones were given the names of Purplejumper, Redsnap, Mossshard, Sprayglitch, Circuitburst, Riftshock, Gravitygazer, Chronodreamer, Circuitbust, Snapbite, Goldscream, Starback, Deepbrawl, Magnadealer, Afterheap, Ragebang, Icebutton, Oilguard, Quicksplitter, Shadecut, Rhinoburst, Bulletclaw, Widebeam, Rotorlight, Slipray, Gearquake, Tigerdrift, Swiftglitch, Acidtrap, Iontrap, Novatrap, Hydrauswitch, Scorchwar, Hotglitch, Soundair, Bumbleair, Bluemetal, Polglitch, Megapine, Polbee, Bulkair, Soundmetal, Hotpine, Purpleglitch, Purplesnap, Ironsound, Purplescreen, Cliffmetal, Jumpwave, Flamesmith, Jumpveil, Polhide, Glasstron, Megametal, Hotveil, Spraypine, Brakeveil, Smokepine, Blackscreen, Ironedge, Bulksound, Grandbuster, Flyshift, Rapidstuff, Viceframe, Firerunner, Doomray, Speedvortex, Hangrazor, Rapidpoint, Backscope, Hydralift, Jawhammer, Groundbrawl, Boulderscraps, Magnalock, Avianfist, Hangcase, Duneclutch, Gloommine, Brakebrawl, Brakescope, Tigerpounder, Dreadtracks, Doomjump, Deepwire, Darkbird, Silverwise, Smokeway, Bonefist, Viceburst, Bullmine, Topsweep, Rapidpoint, Bulkclaw, Bulkwhip, Heavyglider, Shadowsling, Turborunner, Ionspot, Novaspot, Deepframe, Savagebeam, Shadeways, Doomburn, Megakick, Dreadlane, Brakebuster, Hardbrawl, Bulkbang, Meltdrift, Meanblitz, Dinorazor, Dunecrush, Hydrapunch, Wreckcrush, Flatbeast, Geardome, Hypersteel, Fieryshift, Soundjump, Hydrahorn, Heliswitch, Tigafist, Botaniscrap, Shadowspike, Roughlight, Autoback, Autostream, Flatboom, Scorchscraps, Meanburst, Wildblight, Guncircuit, Gearwise, Gloomburst, Leocrusher, Swifttrack, Gloomcast, Solartracks, Magnatrack, Razorspot, Lazerrunner, Apefist, Astrobot, Soundsteel, Rapidglide, Cliffshot, Savagewar, Shadespike, Hydrablight, Bombdome, Silvertrap, Gearrake, Roughline, Freesight, Goldmaster, Wideframe, Bombblight, Wildglide, Dreadbrawl, Rhinoflight, Grooveray, Bodybolt, Rapidcircuit, Doomscrap, Powercircuit, Boulderslide, Vicecharge, Strikeblitz, Rapidtron, Astrosnarl, Voltwhip, Avianwheels, Doomfeather, Growlbeast, Nightcharge, Flightdive, Grandmine, Astrocycle, Depthsling, Tigerscraps, Wildstop, Halfflow, Topdome, Razorrazor, Botaniclutch, Shadeswitch, Quickcharge, Roughbang, Rumblelock, Rhistalker, Jawhead, Silverflow, Broadwhip, Joltjaw, Freezelift, Grandway, Doomglide, Quickboom, Meanburn, Tigerbolt, Magnarake, Savagewing, Doomblades, Junkhammer, Tigerviper, Lunarjaw, Blowblaze, Viceglitch, Hydralock, Botaniscrap, Hydraflash, Quickthing, Halfworks, Bulletload, Afterjump, Crossbang, Rainimus Prime, Twinimus Prime, Flintimus Prime, Stoneimus Prime, Squawkimus Prime, Pipeimus Prime, Packjump, Smokehammer, Titanless, Phoenixsaber, Acidball, Ionball, Novaball, Clawking, Gunnercall, Thundermay, Keeperpower, Corefire, Roadstreamer, Streamthunderer, Tanksquare, Blazeiron, Chopperwave, Bladeact, Headcore, Neoimpact, Tanglerrage, Ironmax, Breakshifter, Shiftrhier, Finfin, Primeaxe, Fist-720, Naruspartan, Spartanfist, Slamfighter, Wind-832, Sounderrage, Impactsounder, Windimpact, Spiniron, Coreiron, Ironpine, Fireshaft, Spinblack, Nistreak, Streakfist, Crashwise, Wingbattle, Gutcore, Jetgut, Minejet, Spinstuff, Cutfin, Finwatch, Skycore, Bihandler, Coregut, Primegut, Conelord, Banzairoad, Ratheader, Groundstalker, Rollface, Jumpwing, Nititan, Wingfist, Helperhammer, Phoenixwing, Zercore, Nicall, Kaiball, Maystreamer, Kingwall, Shotstreamer, Onyxpower, Predashadow, Stormdancer, Beastdiver, Indocloud, Copperhigh, Steelhigh, Skytone, Flashknight, Sabertide, Tygerfire, Evorun, Red Rex, Sabergunner, Smokeion, Thunderprima, Aqua Pax, Ghoststream, Burnfin, Fangnic, Direflash, Hornbuck, Blazeduke, Soarblaze, Chasewave, Bowblaze, Jakefin, Streetcloud, Fangyin, Wingbolt, Rawfun, Tinquake, Airqast, Burstsized, Knifestorm, Autoout, Knockulate, Downnel, Steelshark, Stormshell, Chockshot, Corebome, Shellfang, Headkick, Axejet, Zilaace, Titdie, Axeiris, Fingquick, Poweriest, Coreenter, Mazewall, Jetshear, Wingjet, Sonicend, Reverfix, Frontterra, Zergier, Wingcore, Zauniky, Terinne, Reverend, Articcrack, Blademark, Kagewax, Sparblade, Streetsave, Waveswift, Medfix, Jacktec, Dangerwind, Jumpcaller, Star-111, STF-Wing, Hammermaker, Makerarm, Shadowup, Rexaxe, Jumprex, Gridcore, Mayfist, Damblade, Triclank, Clankfun, Lightmind, Stardanger, Steelreaper, Riftbeat, Gunraid, Doomslinger, Grandmine, Oilbutton, Savagehead, Dreambringer, Proserpina, Terpsichore, Rotaikey, and Gyrawhirl.
The next day, at Jasper High School, Jack looks over from the entrance steps and sees Gislene, Rafael, the triplets, their older sister, and some of the others at the nearby tree.
Jack walks over to them and then says, "Hey, guys. Look, let's do what Kenneth said and keep yesterday's events to ourselves, okay?"
Everyone nods.
Just then, they notice Miko sketch drawing Arcee's vehicle mode.
Jack says in a whisper, "(Softly) We'd... better make sure Miko doesn't get involved."
Everyone else quietly complies in agreement.
They signal Arcee to follow them and to make sure to outrun Miko so that she doesn't attempt to follow them, in addition to telling her in Autobot hand signals to make sure that Miko doesn't see her in robot mode; but instead, stay in vehicle mode until they all get inside the base.
Miko looks down at her sketchbook for a minute so Arcee can flash her headlights twice as a sign of understanding.
The Iron Legion members then discreetly enter their rides and ride off.
Miko then says as she continues sketching, "Coolest. Bike. Ever."
Miko's phone then rings.
She looks at the caller picture and says, "Host parents? Ignore."
Miko hangs up her phone and goes back to sketch drawing Arcee's vehicle mode.
Just then, Miko looks up again and sees the motorcycle is gone!
Miko groans in annoyance before seeing Arcee's holoform driving her away.
Miko runs after her.
After a few minutes of dodging in vehicle mode through nooks, crannies, and alleyways, Arcee makes sure that the Japanese exchange student is not following her anymore before driving back to base.
But if the Nightowl Trines, Sunbreaker, Thaumas, Steelwolf, and the other transformatted humans know one thing about Miko, among other things, it's that she's resourceful and stubborn, never giving up.
And so, Miko pushes herself to find Arcee, and spots her driving into the desert.
Miko follows Arcee using her tactical long-range binoculars, and spots Arcee driving to and entering Autobot Outpost Omega One.
Just as Arcee enters the base, Miko pushes herself to enter the base before the doors closed.
In the base, after settling upon rules for Miko to follow before giving her her own Iron Man suit which is similar to a mixture of War Machine's Marks I through VI suits, Rescue's Marks I through V suits, Ironheart's suits, and Iron Monger's battlesuit along with all other Iron Man suits, Miko then asks Jack, "So, you got stuck in this, too?"
Jack answers, "Yeah, and it's like I have no say in this."
Smokeedge says slightly sharply, "I thought I said you'd only have a say in this when the Decepticons are permanently defeated and when Cybertron is restored?"
Jack sighs heavily.
But Gislene says while holding Jack's hand in comfort, "Hey. Your parents and I are right beside you, every step of the way."
Jack smiles slightly before he and Gislene kiss passionately.
Meanwhile, onboard the Nemesis, Soundwave comes up to Starscream and plays back intergalactic signal transmissions on his screen.
Starscream knew what this meant, and he hoped against fate that it wasn't Megatron returning.
Starscream remarks before asking, "Those transmissions are emanating from deep space. I would hate to waste the Energon, unless you are absolutely certain?"
Soundwave nods, and the techno-organic known as Duskblade says, "Soundwave is never wrong in his calculations. You know that, Commander."
Starscream sighs as he replies before saying to a Vehicon Trooper at a computer monitor, "Hhhaaa. Very well, Duskblade. You there, lock onto those transmission coordinates, and activate the Space Bridge."
The Vehicon Trooper, despite having only six fingers, three on each hand, manages to type in a command code in the computer to activate the Space Bridge high above Earth's orbit.
At the Space Bridge, a large portal opens and out flies a futuristic-looking silver and purple fighter jet.
After flying a good distance away from the mechanism, the fighter jet transforms into a thirty-two feet tall Cybertronian robot with the purple Decepticon symbol on the middle of his chestplate.
And if the transformatted humans and Smokeedge's unit are to be believed, Optimus would be horrified to learn that they were right: Megatron has indeed returned, and he has indeed packed with him a big crystal of Dark Energon.
Megatron bellows before saying, "DECEPTICONS! ...I have returned."
To be continued...
(Author's notes: How do ya like them apples? See you all in chapter 25: Darkness Rising Part 2.)
