Transformers Prime: No Autobots Are Idiots.

Chapter 25: Darkness Rising Part 2.

(Transformers Prime Universe #192,394,596,203,495,867,019,183, Friday, July 2nd, 2010, third person POV...)

Optimus Prime narrates the recap, "Previously on Transformers Prime..."

Arcee voices over as footage of the fight for the Energon deposit plays out in segments, "The Decepticons are back again, and our Nebraska away team could use some reinforcement in helping with an Energon deposit."

Jumpbee comes into the command center of the Autobot, 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.

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 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."

As footage of the highway drainage junction fight plays, 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.

As footage of the Vehicon Troopers shooting at the escaping Autobots briefly plays, 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."

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."

(End of recap...)

In the Energon mine in Nebraska, Starscream remarks, "Out of all of the Energon mines and Energon deposits we've located while you were away, Lord Megatron, this one is by far the second most significant, because we discovered the trick to plant and farm regenerative Energon. The drones have been mining without pause during your absence, and they managed to amass ourselves quite the stockpile."

Starscream then says to a Decepticon Miner, "You there, fetch me a sample!"

Megatron then booms, "Starscream."

Megatron steps out of the shadows alongside Shockwave, Flashblaze, Ahellona, Duskblade, 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, and Megatron continues, "Now that I have returned, I will issue the commands."

Megatron walks to the ledge as Starscream replies, "I-I understand, Lord Megatron."

Megatron replies before turning around to say, "Good. Now, allow me to clarify the new chain of command: while you will still be my first lieutenant in all military operations, Starscream, and while Ahellona, Duskblade, 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 will still be my two enforcers and my thirty Generals, Shockwave and Flashblaze will be my first and second lieutenants in all scientific endeavors."

Inkstorm asks first, "So, you are saying we are each required to answer directly to you in order to avoid punishment, sire?"

Megatron replies, "Affirmative, my son."

Starscream replies, "Respectfully, that is logical in my view, Lord Megatron."

Megatron replies again, "Good to hear, Starscream."

Megatron turns around to look over the Decepticon Miners working hard on mining the Energon.

Starscream then asks, "Then, as your first lieutenant, shall I assist in preparing the Space Bridge to bring forth the Decepticon army you regrouped during your three years in space, Lord Megatron?"

Duskblade then adds, "Yes, no offense, master, but we assumed that is what you were doing all this time."

Megatron replies, "Curiosity is no sin, you two. My army will come, but my time away has shown me a more... interesting way of materializing them: (He pulls out a shard of Dark Energon) the solidified form of the matter that ancient Cybertronian texts referred to as the Blood of Unicron."

Everyone looks shocked.

Flashblaze asks, "Unicron? The Planet Eater?"

Inkstorm adds, "The Bringer of Chaos?"

Duskblade adds as well, "The lord of the undead?"

Starscream adds as well, "The Destroyer of Worlds?"

Megatron answers, "All of the above."

Shockwave states, "It is said that Unicron's lifeblood is the Anti-Spark."

Starscream asks, "I don't understand. I thought that Duskblade and her sister Brightblaze were able to manipulate this stuff?"

Megatron answers, "That may have been true, to a limited extent, but these were plucked from the cosmic shores of the Andromeda Galaxy. Gaze upon... Dark Energon."

Starscream remarks, "Legend tells that it holds the power to... revive the dead as cannibalistic zombies called Terrorcons."

Megatron replies before saying to Gloomstorm and before asking Starscream, "Indeed. And before you ask, Gloomstorm, the version of Dark Energon I acquired aboard Trypticon and used to poison Cybertron's core during the final days of the War for Cybertron was actually the artificial variant. Now, we require a test subject to be certain of its properties. Are you willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, Starscream?"

Starscream nervously chuckles as he replies, "That, may not be necessary. If I may, Lord Megatron?"

Some Decepticon Miners present to Megatron the corpses of Ragebird and the clones of Overblades, Grizzstream, Groundblades, Roughsweep, Jetshot, Fangstalker, Smokefire, Flamestop, Voltswitch, and Rabidpummel.

Starscream remarks, "Consider them, eleven welcome home presents."

Megatron chuckles darkly as he pats Starscream on his back gently and says, "Well done, Starscream."

Megatron then notices Rowbackshade is absent and asks, "Where is Rowbackshade?"

Starscream answers, "Long story short, Rowbackshade saved the Autobot Jumpscreen from being terminated by me through usage of a thoroughly hidden and powerful enough EMP bomb, and they escaped in the confusion of the darkness."

Megatron scowls as he replies, "I see. If I ever find that traitor, his spark is mine."

In the Autobot base, Smokeedge says as the humans deactivate their Iron Man suits, "And that concludes your training."

Jack remarks, "Whoo. Who knew that training for six months in the past while keeping our ages stuck in place through age locking would be so beneficial?"

Miko replies, "To be honest, I don't think anyone did."

Jack then asks, "Okay, now can we go?"

Miko says hotly, "Are you insane?! I'm living a dream here in Bot-swana, and I won't allow you or anyone else to shatter it to pieces!"

Smokeedge says, "A-hem! Need I remind you that it's ultimately Optimus' call or my call as Lieutenant Commander to decide whether or not you can come and go outside of missions, and that it's ultimately Jack's call if he wants out? Miko, I'm gonna say this only once: this interplanetary civil war is not fun and games, and it's not something to enjoy getting adrenaline rushes of or something to enjoy taking part in. After all, how do you think you'd react as an old woman telling such war stories of your own experience to young kids and one of them is just like you at your current age, but to a more extreme degree with a criminal record?"

Miko looks downcast at that, not liking the example Smokeedge gave even though she knows he's right.

Optimus then says, "And it is best that all of you remain under our watch in the base or on patrol in case any Decepticons come looking for a fight. Especially since we now know Megatron's plans for the Dark Energon."

Ratchet then says, "Optimus, I don't mean any disrespect to the humans or to Smokeedge's former heritage that he took the time to explain in the midst of every other explanation, but the humans are in just as much danger here than anywhere else."

Smokeedge asks, "Let me guess: it's because humans outside of superheroes like Superman or like us aren't indestructible or invulnerable?"

Ratchet replies, "Exactly; they have no protective metal shell and they have no Cybertronian forms. If any of them goes underfoot, they will go... squish."

Ratchet stomps his right foot for added emphasis.

Smokeedge then asks, "Do you actually want that to happen because you're so obtuse with humans?"

Ratchet replies, "No, but admittedly, this was something I realized eighteen years ago that is associated with Decepticons."

Optimus says, "Then, for whenever our human allies are around us, Ratchet, we shall watch where we step."

Jumpbee then says, "I recommend we use our Mini-Forges to upgrade our danger detection sensors to allow us to detect our human allies, to detect danger from human criminals, and to detect any other humans about to see us."

Just then, before a consensus on such an upgrade can be made, the proximity sensor sounds and Jack asks, "What is that?"

Bumblebee answers, "That's the proximity sensor. Someone's on the roof."

Jack asks, "The proximity sensor?"

Bumblebee nods.

June asks, "Wait, how can we understand Bumblebee without being Cybertronians ourselves?"

Smokeedge answers, "Because of the non-optional software your battlesuits gently downloaded into your brains to be the closest equivalent to a combination of an augmented reality video game and a virtual reality video game, you're able to understand and speak any alien and human language, including Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Xhosa, Modern Greek, Haitian Creole, Autobot Neocybex, Kryptonese, and Klingon."

Ratchet then says, "It's Agent Fowler."

Jack inquires in confusion, "I thought we were the only humans who know about you guys, except for Kaylee?"

Smokeedge answers, "Special Agent William Fowler is our appointed liaison with the outside world and our appointed advisor for NEST. However, he does tend to visit whenever we have anything to report about our war with the Decepticons or whenever any of us in our fights or anything else in day to day life does something that risks exposing us to the public, so it's best if you don't meet him right now."

The humans activate their cloaking devices and they turn invisible.

Agent Fowler steps off the elevator.

Agent Fowler then says before asking, "Seven wrecks, thirty-four fender-benders, a three hour traffic jam, and of particular note, numerous reports of twelve speeding motorcycles of unknown make, two speeding ATVs, one speeding big rig, and over three hundred and fifty-two speeding muscle cars. Along with reports of over fifteen various unidentified military aircraft, and over sixty-eight various cars and trucks driving without drivers. And I'm not even gonna mention that there are reports that some people spotted a giant metal black and white dragon. SO, care to get anything off your tin chest, Prime?"

Optimus answers firmly before saying, "We have just had seven hundred and sixty-seven new recruits join us yesterday, seven hundred and sixty-seven Autobots by the names of Russet, Tawnybreak, Kingbreaker, India Bravo, Trinitrostopper, Sparkshank, Lifeclaw, Brightgrafter, Sablestorm, Cheerheart, Howlheat, Waterstrike, Lightsword, Guardbuild, Lime Samurai, Magenta Samurai, Salmon Samurai, Marineshade, Saberfist, Willow, Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, Echo, 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, Psychebreaker, Stalksneaker, Ragtime, Brimswipe, Raystreaker, Mindbreaker, Clinkerstorm, Salvia, Seeley, Juliett Prime, Dingysplicer, Chestnut, Lavenderninja, Cobaltshadow, Emeraldninja, Flattenleveler, Fiercefrost, Brothstrike, Snuffclaw, Inflameblade, Charcoalflame, Salmonninja, Gloniplug, Fuchisaninja, Bulletbomb, Coralninja, Ballrocket, Blushninja, Roundfuse, Clinkerflame, Conflagblade, Slayclaw, Juicestrike, Savagefrost, Wreckruiner, Oliveninja, Navyshadow, Amethystninja, Copperbrick, Dusksplicer, Quebec Prime, Scarlett, Aristeus, Coalstorm, Soulbreaker, Lightstreaker, Vergeswipe, Jiveswing, Nosehunt, Mulltrap, 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, 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. And we have the situation under control, Agent Fowler."

Agent Fowler asks knowingly, "They're back, aren't they?"

Optimus answers, "Yes. Our intel was correct again. I have had doubts that the Decepticons would stay idle for longer than three to five years ever since Arcee, Orange Beetle, Bluefly, Rockskipper, Taildog, Stormsmasher, Blazejet, Windout, Arcdegree, Tailgate, Cliffjumper, and the other latest recent arrivals came to Earth via Shockwave's Space Bridge on Cybertron. And Megatron has returned, with a big crystal of Dark Energon to raise an army of the undead. Your planet and all of its native life are in great danger if Megatron brings his undead army to the Earth."

Agent Fowler replies, "Then it's time to awaken NEST and the Pentagon."

Optimus replies back, "Respectfully, Agent Fowler, without our Mini-Forges to provide us with the proper upgrades, none of us are currently immune to the effects of the Dark Energon. Without any watches to activate an Iron Man suit, even the members of the Pentagon's military roster won't stand a chance against Decepticons, and in addition, Dark Energon is equally as poisonous to humans as regular Energon. We will need to put our heads together to think of a counter-offensive against Megatron's Dark Energon supply, and we will need to do it fast."

Agent Fowler replies back as well, "I agree, Prime. Time is of the essence, and if Megatron is planning to resurrect an army of the undead after testing its properties on a corpse subject, we'll need every edge against that bozo."

Optimus then says, "And Agent Fowler, with all due respect to your military, the only weapons capable of piercing Cybertronian armor are RPGs, SAMs, the weaponry of the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters, the weaponry of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, maxim machine gun ammunition, shock cavalry ammunition, 16th century cannon ammunition, Flintlock musket ammunition, full metal jacket bullets, jacketed hollow point bullets, LR bullets, Remington bullets, Winchester bullets, 9mm bullets, boat tail bullets, .30-06 Springfield bullets, 64mm bullets, 7mm Remington Magnum bullets, Gauge bullets, soft point bullets, Semi-Jacketed hollow point bullets, and Energon-fueled weapons among others. But for years, we've been the only ones who can stand a chance against the Decepticons. On the other hand, thanks to Smokeedge, Vector Prime, the other Primes, and the Nightowl Trines, your coworkers in NEST and us Autobots are humanity's best and possibly only defense against the Decepticon threat."

Agent Fowler replies, "I feel like you may be right again, Prime."

Agent Fowler then notices Smokeedge and asks, "Sonny, is something on your mind?"

Smokeedge answers, "My gut instincts tell me that Megatron in all likelihood is using Ragebird's corpse and the corpses of Overblades, Grizzstream, Groundblades, Roughsweep, Jetshot, Fangstalker, Smokefire, Flamestop, Voltswitch, and Rabidpummel's nameless clones to experiment the Dark Energon with."

This time, Optimus growled angrily, scaring even Agent Fowler.

Optimus then says, "Find out where Megatron is located. Autobots, never before have I had to say this, but some of you have said that I was a weak coward for not destroying Megatron for years even despite the fact that his lieutenants, enforcers, and generals would take his place as leader of the Decepticons. And those of you who have said those things are right. I was indeed a weak coward for not terminating Megatron for years ever since before and after he poisoned Cybertron's core with Dark Energon. But now, enough is enough. If I ever get my hands on Megatron, his spark and his head are mine."

Everyone either cheered over the revelation that Optimus finally intends to kill Megatron or shivered at the darkness and coldness in Optimus' tone.

Agent Fowler then says, "Anyway, I gotta get back to the Pentagon and report to my superiors. So, please handle this with NEST's help, Prime, under the radar. Or I'll have to do it myself."

Agent Fowler leaves and ascends in the elevator to the roof.

Bulkhead remarks, "Pretty big bearings, for a human."

Optimus replies, "Agent Fowler is merely concerned for his planet, Bulkhead, as he should be."

Willow then says, "But that doesn't change the fact that not every other Autobot showing up on Earth will be able to tolerate that fleshling chirping at you like a malfunctioning scrap droid just because some of us either did something wrong or otherwise almost put us on the worldwide news."

Optimus ex-vents, knowing that Willow is right, even if he might refuse to admit it at first.

In the Energon mine, Megatron says as he prepares himself, "Let us see if power born of darkness can reignite the spark!"

Megatron thrusts the Dark Energon shard onto Ragebird's chestplate and steps back.

The other Decepticons watch as the shard merges with Ragebird's spark chamber and he growls animalistically as he comes back to life as a Terrorcon.

His optics glow purple as he roars animalistically like a zombie can.

Terrorcon Ragebird struggles against his restraints before breaking free, making two Decepticon Miners raise their blasters.

The Terrorcon charges towards the first Miner, tackles him, and starts pounding its fists onto his face.

The Miner screams in pain and fear even as he tries to shoot the Terrorcon in the face.

But Ragebird dodges the blasts before eventually biting off the blaster and spitting it at Megatron's pedes.

Megatron slowly smirks in interest at the display.

Then Terrorcon Ragebird crushes the Decepticon Miner's head.

The second Miner shoots the Terrorcon rapidly multiple times, but only three shots connected and Ragebird doesn't appear to be affected.

Ragebird roars as he pounds on the second Miner and beats him to death.

Starscream exclaims aghast, "Master, that's your plan?! Bringing Autobots back from the dead to attack us?!"

Megatron explains coolly, "That, Starscream, is no longer an Autobot – just a mindless beast, and it's only instinct is to destroy every living organism in its path."

Ragebird snarls as he eyes Megatron and then charges.

Starscream jumps to the other side of the ledge away from Megatron while Shockwave, Ahellona, Duskblade, and the Decepticon Generals ready their weapons.

But unexpectedly, Shockwave deploys a saber in his right hand and slices the Terrorcon in an upper left diagonal slash.

Ragebird stops in his tracks at the edge of the ledge before the slash appears and his severed wires start sparking as his two halves fall apart and his upper half with only his right arm struggles to keep itself on the ledge.

Megatron remarks before saying as he walks over to the struggling Terrorcon's upper half, "Excellent work, Shockwave. Right there, Decepticons, is the rise of the ultimate seed of my army, the ultimate weapon to destroy the Autobots for good, the Terrorcons."

Ragebird snarls, but Megatron sharply places his left foot over the Terrorcon's face and proceeds to kick the Terrorcon off the ledge and onto a lower level.

Megatron finishes, "Once I learn how to control it. And once I do, Duskblade, Brightblaze and Electrawing Prime will be joining our cause very soon."

Duskblade replies, "I sure hope so, Lord Megatron, because if you're wrong and either of them kills me, you'll have to find someone to blame."

Megatron chuckles at that before saying, "Admittedly, I believe you're right."

Within Shockwave and Flashblaze's processors, Future Jack Darby and Future Miko Nakadai were aghast, and Future Miko was mentally hyperventilating because she finally realized that even if this is the past and her past self has not realized it yet, she was foolish the way she behaved throughout the remainder of her time with the Autobots.

Future Miko mentally says, "I can't f(bleep!) believe I even threatened him in the Autobot base, and I didn't even have my Iron Man suit with me!"

Megatron then says, "Shockwave, Flashblaze, return to your laboratory on the warship. I have matters to attend to."

Shockwave and Flashblaze answer in unison, "Yes, Lord Megatron." "Yes, Lord Megatron."

Shockwave and Flashblaze take the elevator to the Nemesis and make their way to their laboratory.

Blackstorm then asks, "Sire, do you require any more of the corpses to experiment the Dark Energon with?"

Megatron answers, "Actually, no. I want the rest of the corpses to be stripped down to their protoforms and multiplied by our Matter Duplicators and our cloning machines to create more Decepticons."

The Decepticon Generals reply in unison, "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!" "Yes sir!"

In the Autobot base, the monitors beep as they show Ragebird's corrupted life signal.

Ratchet then says, "Everyone, Ragebird's life signal has just popped back online!"

Smokeedge snarls, "Megatron will f(bleep!) pay for this."

Optimus replies, "Indeed."

Optimus looks at Thaumas and Steelwolf.

Steelwolf says, "If you're going in there to both retrieve Ragebird's corpse and to acquire as much Energon as possible, you'll need to use your trailers to haul the Energon and the two pieces of Ragebird's corpse after putting him out of his misery."

Thaumas adds, "And you'll also need to hurry; the longer you guys spend fighting Decepticon Miners, the more time it gives to notify Starscream and thereby cause him to notify his master and get ordered to blow up the mine with a bomb."

Optimus nods before saying, "Ratchet, you and the others prepare the sickbay and prepare Smokeedge's machine. We will go and bring Ragebird home. And be sure to help us with unloading the Energon from my trailers."

Optimus and every other Autobot with a battle mask slides them on even as Smokeedge, Jumpbee, Overshard, Overhide, Mosssound, Windblade, Silverbolt, Air Raid, Jetfire, Fireflight, Skydive, Slingshot, Airazor, Perceptor, Warpath, Alpha Trion, Alpha Bravo, and some of the others come back into the command center with thirty of Optimus' trailers.

Smokeedge then says, "Hmm. If we're going to be hauling thirty trailers of Energon, we'd have to make them connect to each other like a road train somehow."

In no time, it was decided that all Autobots who transform into semi-trucks without trailers would be hauling the trailers instead of having the trailers connect to each other like a road train.

Miko then asks, "Hey! What can we do to help?"

Optimus replies, "Remain here with Steelwolf, Thaumas, Ratchet, Cablepipe, Elixdote, Hitchlink, Sublive, Digbury, Firster Aid, Clutterion, Shivskiver, Kaltor, Kaput, Medix, Rest-Q, Moonline, Flatheart, Bumpup, Buildback, Cogcrusher, Remedy, Cogwheel, and all of our other medics."

Miko whines, "Aw!"

Smokeedge then says, "Hey, no whining unless you want to sit out the next mission."

Miko clams up before straightening herself out.

Ratchet activates the Ground Bridge, and Optimus says, "Autobots, roll out!"

Optimus, Volcaniblaze, Volcaniblush, Volcanibright, Volcaniburn, Volcanicaust, Volcanifire, Volcaniflagration, Volcaniflame, Volcaniflare, Volcaniflash, Volcaniflush, Volcaniglare, Volcaniglint, Volcaniglow, Volcanihot, Volcaniignite, Volcanikindle, Volcanilight, Volcanioxidize, Volcaniredden, Volcanishine, Volcanisparkle, 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, Noah, 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, Abundplus, Accordion Bus Prime, Acidgazer, Acidscare, Adaptus Prime, Adhoc, Aegis Vanguard, Aeridash, Aeroazor, Aero Raid, Afterblaze, Afterbreaker, Afterburner, Afterburst, Air Prince, Air Raid, Airbrushed, Aircrack, Airfall, Airazor, Airwave, Akiba Prime, Alan, Alchemist Prime, Alpha Bravo, Alpha Trion, Amalgamous Prime, Amazon Prime, Amphipod, Anion Storm, Anomaly, Apeblast, Aquadealer, Aquafend, Aquawire, 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, Beachcomber, Beachtank, Beef Haul, Benign Soul, Beta, Beta Maxx, 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, Bluebash, Bluefly, Blueshift, Blueshock, Bluestreak, Bluestrielle, Bodyblock, Boillink, Boltax, Boltshift, Bombast, Bombhit Blaze, Boomer, Bookbrow, Boundjack, Brainstorm, Brake-Neck, Brandblade, Brandflame, Brandflash, Braver, Brawn, Breacher, Breakaway, Breakfire, 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, Callisto, Cameo, Camshaft, Cannonspring, Cannonstorm, Carpenter Bee, Catapult, Celestiwarp, Cerise Wraith, Chainclaw, Chaindrive, Charcoalfire, Charcoalflame, Chargebreaker, Chargehaul, Charglint, Chase Racer, Checkpoint, Cheedor, Cherub, Chevalier, Chipstream, Chromatron, Chromedome, Chromia, Chrysothemis, Cinderbeast, Cinderbite, Cinderblade, Cindercharge, Cinderglare, Cinderstop, Cinderstrike, Circuitswitch, Cinderways, Clampstop, Clash Chopper, Chronojumper, Chronoscare, Cicadabot, Clash Steel, Clasppin, Clear-Cut, Cliffglider, Cliffjumper, Cliffover, Cliffscreen, Clinkerflame, Clinkershine, Clinkerstorm, Fallback, Kup, Hot Shot, Prowl, Huffer, Outsider, Monsoon, Overclock, Ironhide, Macro, Moonracer, Impactor, Pyro, Hot Rod, Doubletake, Elita One, Front-Line, Perceptor, Firestar, Jumpbee, Overshard, Overhide, Jumppine, Mosssound, Glassstorm, Aimless, Aragon, Arc, Arcana, B.B., B.H., Blowpipe, Caliburst, Catilla, C.L., 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, 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, 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 Machete, Lightbounder, Lightsaber, 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, Neo, Neurocell, Neutro, Neutrostar, Nexus Prime, Night, Nightra, Nightbeat, Nightcruz, Nightshade, Nightstick, Noisecracker, Nominus Prime, Nosecone, Nosedrill, Nova Magnus, Nova Prime, Null Storm, Obsidian, Oceanglow, Oiler, Onagerok, Onyx Prime, Orange Beetle, Orion Star, Ortega Maxine, Osseinbreaker, Outback, 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, 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, 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, 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, Sigil, Silencer, Silverbolt, Silverbrake, Siren, 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, 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, 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, Ultra Trion, Umbrashape Killer, Umeda Prime, Underclash, Valorous Prime, Vanguard, Vaultquake, Vectorium, Vector Prime, Veilhide, Vergeswipe, Vermilion Thunderbolt, Vibes, Victory Bomber, Victoryside, Vigorstrike, Volt, Voltswitch, Vraz, Vroom, Vulture, VX-Prime, W.A.R.S., Warpath, Washwake, Waver Daybreak, Waverider, Wavetackle, Wavetacker, 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, X-Brawn, Yellowheart Prime, Yoketron, Yokohama Prime, Yukikaze, Yūrakuchō Prime, Zephyr Clash, Zephyrblades, Zeta Prime, Zetar, Zinnia, and Zulu Prime all transform to vehicle mode and they drive and fly through the open Ground Bridge portal.

Jack asks in shock, "Wh-what just happened?"

Ratchet answers, "I transported them to the designated coordinates via the Ground Bridge."

Dylan asks, "Is it some sort of teleportation device designed to act as a sort of doorway portal to far away places on Earth?"

Ratchet answers, "Yes, it is."

Thaumas adds, "And unfortunately, before the Autobots got their hands on their other resources, they didn't have a Space Bridge to teleport them to distant galaxies."

Jack surmises, "So, for eighteen years, you've been stuck here on Earth."

Ratchet replies, "With the likes of you, yes."

Steelwolf then says, "Watch what you say, Ratchet; I've tried to be patient with your dislike of humans, but my patience is wearing thinner."

Steelwolf flashes his Shredder claws for added emphasis, making Ratchet gulp nervously.

Ratchet then explains further, "But I constructed the Ground Bridge to enable travel from here to anywhere on your planet."

Rafael asks in amazement, "Whoa. Does it work for humans too?"

Thaumas answers, "Yes, but it'll take some getting used to the first few times around."

Miko then inquires excitedly, "So, with that in mind, does that mean I can shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?"

Ratchet then says, "Within moments, but we'd have to make it as discreet and vague as possible if anyone asks. In fact, allow me to send you there immediately, all of you."

Steelwolf then says, "Don't bite off more than you can shred with your dental plates, Ratchet."

Ratchet then starts doing his own thing, and Dylan asks, "Ratchet? Can you please show me how the Ground Bridge works?"

Ratchet looks at Dylan in shock, and Dylan explains, "I'd always been fascinated with learning new forms of technology thousands to millions of years ahead of what we humans are currently capable of inventing."

Ratchet replies, "Well, on Cybertron, we had the best forms of superior technology ahead of other civilizations. Sure, I suppose I can teach you how the Ground Bridge works, especially since you're among the few to be respectful to aliens on your world."

Ratchet then spends the next fifteen minutes explaining to Dylan how the Ground Bridge works.

And all the while, in the Energon mine, the Autobot away team consisting of one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine strong emerges from the Ground Bridge portal in the area that starts leading to where the Energon starts growing.

The Autobots transform to robot mode and activate their blasters.

Bulkhead takes note of the Energon crystals dead ahead and remarks, "Whoa. This is an Energon mine."

Optimus then says, "It appears that our intel was once again correct, and judging by the scale of this Energon mine, the Decepticons apparently have been tunneling here for quite some time."

Some of the Autobot Miners get to work on mining the crystals, and one of the Miners says as he observes the same regenerative Energon crystals growing in place, "Whoa! These are the same regenerative Energon crystals you guys encountered in that crater two days ago."

Optimus then says, "Then let's get to work on mining more than enough Energon to sustain ourselves and power our equipment and weapons."

In no time, thanks to Smokeedge's Remote Control, the Autobots filled up all thirty-three thousand of Optimus' trailers except for the thirty-three thousand and first with the Energon.

Optimus then says into his commlink, "Ratchet, we have all but one of my trailers filled with Energon. Can you please ensure that you and the others transport our gains back to base?"

Ratchet replies, "Understood, Optimus."

The Ground Bridge opens and Ratchet along with the Iron Legion and the reserve Autobots help to transport the Energon back to base, thankfully because of the fact that among their generic troops includes Leader Class Autobots that, like Optimus, Ratchet, Ironhide, Zeta Prime, Soundwave, Onslaught, Swindle, Grimlock, Hound, Ultra Magnus, and even vehicle versions of Hardshell, are able to transform into all manner of Earthly trucks capable of hauling trailers.

Optimus then says as the portal closes, "Let's find Ragebird. Smokeedge, I want you along with our Targetmasters and your troops to reprogram as many Decepticon Miners as you can. The rest of us will provide covering fire."

Everyone chorused their agreements.

Optimus leads the charge, and in the tunnel with the Decepticon Miners, they notice the Autobots because of them running, and they start taking pot shots.

But considering the fact that the regenerative Energon crystals takes fifteen minutes to grow without being cut down, and considering the fact that the amount of Energon blown up would cause a chain reaction that can obliterate the entire mine and everyone in it, the Autobots with blades and swords resorted to making sure that they get up close and personal to mutilate the Decepticon Miners while those like Steelfist, Saberfist, Optimus, Arcee, and Sparkleshout either dismembered the Miners or waited until they were close enough to actually shoot.

Bulkhead smashes a ramming drill out of his way with his right hand wrecking ball.

Arcee nimbly dodges Energon laser blasts and jumps high in the air towards a Decepticon Miner, shooting him offline.

Another Decepticon Miner tries to shoot her, but she jumps high in the air and lands on the Decepticon Miner's shoulders.

Then she spins around so hard and so fast in unison that her feet literally decapitated the Miner.

Meanwhile, Bumblebee speeds towards two Decepticon Miners in vehicle mode before switching back to robot mode and gunning down the both of them.

Then Bumblebee immediately moves out of the way of another ramming drill machine.

Optimus catches the drill and holds it up right before shooting it and the driver offline.

Optimus runs forward and shoots another Decepticon Miner running towards him before jumping out of the way of Bulkhead coming up in vehicle mode, only for the Wrecker to switch to robot mode and smash another Miner into the ground with the same wrecking ball.

Meanwhile, Steelfist and Saberfist were working well in hand, dismembering several of the Miners.

Then, Saberfist has an idea.

He stabs three Decepticon Miners on the same elongated blade together and tosses them to an assortment of Energon crystals before shooting at the Energon crystals, blowing them and the Miners to pieces in a small enough fireball.

Saberfist remarks, "Never play with fire, kids; you'll end up getting burned."

Steelfist and Cliffjumper chuckle morbidly at that.

And all the while, Smokeedge and his troops used the Targetmasters and Weaponizer Mini-Cons known as Wingflight, Windcase, Needleburst, Counter End, Chopframe, Mixscream, Fistjaw, Headtop, and Slugstorm as reprogramming harpoon cannons and reprogramming laser guns to reprogram as many of the Decepticon Miners as possible. And so far, they have already got sixty-eight of them.

In the Autobot base, Miko approaches a piece of machinery and asks, "What is this, anyway?"

Ratchet says at the monitors with his back turned, "Broken. Don't touch it."

Miko goes to touch it anyway, but Dylan stops her and says, "Miko, if someone says not to touch anything, even if it's not broken, you should do as that person says, unless you want to destroy the base in a big Energon fire?"

Miko slumps at that.

Jack asks, "Is there anything in here that we can touch?"

June answers, "I'm seeing several computers, a sixteen inch flatscreen TV, some video game consoles, and some video games. Along with books of different kinds."

Just then, the computer monitor displays an error icon.

Ratchet scowls.

Purplejumper then asks, "How is it possible that the computer has an error in it despite the upgrades provided by the Forge of Solus Prime?"

Ratchet answers, "We certainly didn't intend to use human computers by choice. They were handed down from the previous tenants when we inherited this former Cold War missile silo. I make modifications as I see fit."

Ratchet presses a button, but the errors all appeared on the screens.

Ratchet groans in annoyance.

Rafael then says, "I think I can fix that."

Rafael hooks up his laptop to the computers and starts typing a few lines of code even as Ratchet asks skeptically, "Oh, really? You do know that this is complex technology, don't you? I mean, seriously, it isn't a child's toy."

Rafael presses the Enter button and says, "Try it now."

Ratchet presses a button and the error icons are replaced with check mark icons before the monitors returned to normal.

Ratchet looks at Rafael in shock and awe.

Redsnap says, "Never judge a book by its cover, Ratchet; a mind like Raf's can easily be full of surprises."

Ratchet nods in understanding.

Back in the Energon mine, another driller machine tries to ram into Bulkhead, but he smashes his wrecking ball down onto the drill hard, making it rise upwards and launching the driver towards Optimus.

Optimus dispatches the Miner with an Energon bolt that dismembers it and sends it offline.

The Autobots regroup and deactivate their weapons.

As they begin the slow march, a bigger army of Decepticon Miners plus Energon Drillers appeared, marching on the opposite side.

Just then, the Autobots begin sprinting and Optimus calls out, "Maximum Overdrive!"

The Autobots transform to their vehicle modes, and the Grounders begin driving faster than what their vehicle modes could.

The Decepticon Miners attempt to shoot them, but the Autobots use every driving maneuver in the book to dismantle their numbers.

One of the Miners ends up losing both an arm and a leg, and the Drillers end up being deactivated.

At the end of the tunnel, in the main chamber of the Energon mine, the Autobots quietly transformed back to robot mode and hid themselves among the giant amount of Energon barrel crates.

As they look upon the mine and Decepticon Miners loading the Energon onto the Nemesis, Drift then uses his Blade Dash ability to slice up the Miners, and Smokeedge's troops manage to salvage all of the corpses with Vector Prime's help, making sure that more than enough Decepticon troop corpses can be salvaged for Autobot service or for spare parts.

Just then, several thousand more Decepticon Miners appear with Energon to load, and Bulkhead remarks with a quiet whistle, "(Whistling) Phew. Quite an operation."

Suddenly, the Decepticon Miners open fire, having heard Bulkhead.

The Autobot start shooting back, and the fliers took to the air, attracting the attention of many more Decepticon Miners along with some Vehicon Troopers.

Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis, Shockwave and Flashblaze are still working in their laboratory, and Megatron contacts them from a monitor.

Shockwave walks over and presses the accept call button.

Shockwave asks, "Yes, Lord Megatron?"

Megatron replies, "Shockwave, come to the storage room where I keep my Dark Energon supply. I wish to speak to you, alone."

Shockwave answers, "I am on my way, Lord Megatron."

In the storage room in question, Megatron asks Duskblade, "It's beautiful, is it not?"

Duskblade answers, "Yes, it is, master. Still, I find it hard to believe that such a thing exists and is the lifeblood of me, my sister, and Electrawing Prime."

But of course, Megatron and Duskblade are assuming that Electrawing Metalfemme Prime had been created by Unicron, but they don't know about the existence of Unicron and Primus' middle twin, Belus, as this information was wiped from the minds of nearly all Cybertronians except Optimus Prime, who went on to pass such teachings to all of his Autobot troops, past and present.

Megatron replies, "Ah, but Duskblade, the thing about myths and legends is that sometimes, they are true."

Duskblade then asks, "So, what else am I supposed to know?"

Megatron answers, "Patience, Duskblade; all good things come to those who wait."

Megatron then asks the Dark Energon crystal, "Blood of Unicron, how might I fathom the depths of your mystery and become worthy of wielding your astonishing power once more?"

Shockwave enters the room and asks, "Lord Megatron? You wished to speak with me?"

Megatron answers while turning to face Shockwave before asking, "Indeed, Shockwave. Do you recall when I ordered you to make an army of Predacon clones to terrorize any Autobot forces on this planet and then guard the Energon here while waiting for my arrival several millennia ago?"

Future Jack Darby now knew the full details thanks to Shockwave's memories, but he still knew that he had to secretly invent Autobot loyalty programming codes into the future Predacons starting with Predaking, so that when the time is right, the Predacons will help destroy the Decepticons.

Shockwave replies, "Affirmative. I recall it like the back of my good servo."

Megatron says, "Good. I want you to make a new army of Predacon clones to supplement my army of Terrorcons."

Shockwave replies, "Yes, Lord Megatron. All I require is the bones of ancient Predacon clones scattered around the world."

Just then, a computer monitor appears to turn on by itself and Starscream says, "Lord Megatron, over four thousand, five hundred and sixty-seven intruders have been detected in the mines!"

Megatron asks, "Optimus is there? And have the troops found the three Predacons?"

Starscream answers, "Indeed, Optimus is there, and yes, the troops found the three Predacons, but they appear to have strong loyalty to the Autobots, and Shockwave's logs indicated an error in installing Decepticon loyalty command programs in them, in spite of his one of a kind intellect."

Duskblade remarks, "Well, neither of this is good news."

Megatron replies, "Indeed, Duskblade. I need more time to prepare an appropriate funerary reception for my old friend. Prepare the Nemesis for departure."

Starscream protests, "But the regenerative Energon I've mined and have yet to mine – the Autobots will seize it all!"

Megatron replies, "Then blow the mines to smithereens!"

Meanwhile, the Autobots continue shooting at the Decepticon Miners and/or reprogramming them and then secretly using the Matter Duplication blasters to greatly multiply them.

Bulkpine then spots Ragebird's corpse, and she says, "It's Ragebird's Terrorcon corpse! I have a visual!"

Optimus then says, "Arcee, we'll cover you! Go!"

Arcee sprints to the ramp before transforming to vehicle mode for a speed boost.

She drives to the top before jumping and then transforming to robot mode, and she proceeds to flip and somersault her way to Ragebird.

Arcee then makes her way to Ragebird's platform and she gasps in shock and horror.

Arcee then puts a blaster bolt into Ragebird's spark chamber before removing the Dark Energon shard and then crushing it to pieces, thankful for Smokeedge's Mini-Forge upgrades beforehand.

Some Decepticon Miners then shoot at Arcee, but she and Bulkpine successfully manage to get the two halves of Ragebird's Terrorcon corpse.

Bulkpine then says, "Let's get you home, partner."

Just then, the Autobots hear one of their old numbers scream in pain and a laugh similar to a combination of Starscream's old voice, his new voice, and Megatron's voice cackling.

Everyone turned their attention to Silversnake, a silver version of Redspider, puncturing Steepfrisker, one of Cliffjumper's clones, in the spark chamber.

Silversnake says, "It's been a while since I last got to kill an Autobot, and you, you just made my day."

Steepfrisker snarls weakly, "F(bleep!)... you... Snake."

Silversnake replies, "You talk too much."

Silversnake removes his servo and Steepfrisker falls into Smokeedge's hands.

Silversnake exclaims, "What?!"

Smokeedge deploys one of his rocket launchers and fires a rocket at Silversnake, making him shriek as he flies away in jet mode.

Smokeedge then says, "This isn't over, you motherf(bleep!) son of a (bleep!)."

Just then, after the Autobots load Steepfrisker and Ragebird's corpses into Optimus' final trailer, they hear Starscream cackling.

Starscream appears and says, "Optimus Prime! And what's this? Saberfist and Steelfist are still alive? You were supposed to be corroding in space."

Saberfist then asks, "How ya doing, femmebot?"

Some of the Autobots start snickering.

Starscream then says, "I'd stick around, but I'm squeamish."

Starscream arms an Energon bomb and dives down the hole before transforming to his jet mode of a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet and then blasting off to the Nemesis.

The bomb drops safely in some Energon crystals, and Bulkhead calls out amidst the bomb's beeping noises, "The joint's gonna blow!"

Optimus calls out, "Autobots, roll out!"

All of the Autobots are hit by the Fast Fast Fast Forward Button and they drive and fly at super speed out of the mine.

On the outside of the Nebraska crater, the Play Button is pressed, and the Autobots are returned to normal as the Energon mine explodes thanks to the bomb detonating.

Optimus then says into his commlink, "Ratchet, requesting Ground Bridge back to base."

The Ground Bridge opens and the Autobots are transported back to base.

As soon as all the Autobots are safely back in the base, Ratchet looks over Steepfrisker and Ragebird's corpses, and some of the Autotroopers take the corpses to Smokeedge's machine.

As the Autobots finish transforming back to robot mode, Miko then asks, "What were those corpses? Was there a fight? Can I come with next time?!"

Megatronus Prime aims his blaster at Miko and he snarls, "Shut the f(bleep!) up, little girl; we just returned with the corpse of someone we thought was dead and was resurrected as a zombie, as well as the corpse of someone who was just murdered just now, so you better show some respect for our war unless you want to be kicked out of the base for good."

Jack asks, "Hold on, is that even necessary?"

Vector Prime then says, "Necessary, yes, but not in the way you think, Jack. We may be visitors on your planet, but we do have that kind of authority in our primary base. As long as you're within our living quarters, you either follow our own rules or you are evicted. Simple as that."

Miko slumps before walking away with tears in her eyes.

June comes up and hugs Miko, and the young girl lets it all out.

Megatronus lowers his blaster and walks away.

Optimus then moves on as he asks, "Arcee, what did you see?"

Arcee answers, "Not Ragebird... at least, not anymore. He was mutated... resurrected by Dark Energon, and butchered by Megatron, like something from one of those old 'Con experiments during the war on Cybertron. Oh."

Arcee clings onto a crate for support.

Bumblebee buzzes, "Arcee, you okay?"

Arcee replies, "I'm fine, just dizzy."

Miko asks, "Robots who get dizzy?"

Rafael adds, "Robots with emotions."

Jack adds further, "Robots who can die."

Thaumas states, "How freaking dense are you guys?! If you put our anatomies aside, Cybertronians and humans are just as similar to each other as much as they're different!"

The three humans looked like they were seeing the face of pure evil, as evidenced by their respective expressions of fear.

Thaumas huffs before leaving the command center.

Smokeedge says, "Maybe it was a mistake to bring the humans here."

Optimus replies, "No, you did what you knew was right, Smokeedge."

Ratchet runs his scanner over Arcee, and his scanner highlights the Dark Energon splotch in a red light.

Ratchet gasps, "Oh no. Dark Energon."

Ratchet scraps the blot off and says, "Arcee, go take a decontamination bath, now."

Cliffjumper helps Arcee to the decontamination chamber.

Jack then speaks up as he says, "Primes, I hate to interrupt, but I have no phone service."

Prima Prime answers, "It's a security precaution to prevent the Decepticons from finding us. The silo walls isolate all radio waves not of Autobot origin."

June then says, "Well, if Jack can't call me, I'd be worried."

Prima asks, "Curfew?"

June answers, "Yes, plus schoolwork and grades."

Smokeedge then says, "Then I suppose it's a good thing that you humans have clones as Cybertronians to help us in the field if in the event you have school or sick days to deal with, ain't it?"

Jack replies, "Yeah, but it's still freaky."

Jack then says, "Bulkpine, is it? I'm very sorry for your loss."

Bulkpine nods before Arcee asks, "What could you possibly know about loss?"

Ratchet answers for Jack, "Based on what Kaylee told us, ever since the so-called Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, and ever since the first hunters and empires, humans have experienced loss by either natural causes, by illness, by accidents, by house fires, by being caught in nuclear explosions, by natural disasters, by being casualties of war, or by murder."

Arcee replies, "Oh. Now I get it."

Optimus then says, "But the issue of the humans' safety remains. Bulkhead, accompany Miko home, and maintain curbside duty surveillance in vehicle mode."

Bulkhead replies, "Got it, sir."

Miko whines, "Aw!"

Dylan points out, "Miko, if the Autobots are publicized, there'll be mass panic, civil unrest, mistrust from the governments, and public scrutiny."

Smokeedge adds, "And on top of that, if the Decepticons continuously attacked cities of religious, cultural, or historical importance, all Cybertronians on Earth, dead or alive, Autobot, Decepticon, Maximal, or Predacon, will be hunted down and potentially butchered and experimented on by the dozens to hundreds, if not thousands."

Miko shivers a bit at what the twosome revealed.

Vector Prime then says, "Bumblebee, you will be Rafael's guardian."

Bumblebee and Raf looked pleased with that arrangement.

Optimus then starts to say, "Ratchet – "

But Ratchet says with a talk to the hand gesture, "Busy."

Optimus then says as Arcee walks out of the decontamination chamber, "Arcee, you will accompany Jack."

Arcee replies, "Sounds fine to me, Optimus."

In the Darby residence, Arcee drives into the parking garage, and the Darbys emerge in their pajamas.

Jack says, "Goodnight, Arcee."

Arcee replies, "Goodnight, guys."

Arcee powers down for the night even as the garage door closes.

The next day, Arcee wakes up early and revs her engine.

Jack comes in and says harshly, "Shh! Are you crazy?! You'll wake up everyone else!"

Arcee replies, "Grab your helmet; it's go time."

Jack says, "It's Saturday, you know."

Arcee deadpans, "Teenage and adult humans require eight hours of sleep at an appropriate bedtime. You can watch cartoons back at the base with Bumblebee."

Jack scoffs loudly, "Cartoons? I'm sixteen and I don't watch cartoons anymore."

Jack goes back into the house and Arcee calls out, "And leave a note for your mom; she worries!"

Meanwhile, on the Nemesis, Starscream says, "I don't think you'll need to worry about further Autobot interference, Master, not with Optimus and his Autobot army gone."

Megatron questions skeptically, "And what evidence do you possess of this fact?"

Starscream replies, "I destroyed the mines, as you ordered."

Duskblade says, "That statement only makes you sound naïve for your age, Commander."

Starscream questions, "And what makes you say that, Duskblade?"

Megatron explains, "She is right; Optimus is not so easily destroyed. We have millennia worth of battles behind us to prove it."

Megatron turns to face the Dark Energon crystal.

Shockwave then inquires, "Lord Megatron, don't you think it would be more logical to spend some time away from the Dark Energon crystal?"

Starscream adds, "For once, I agree with Shockwave; we worry that too much contact with the Dark Energon might allow its properties to adversely affect you."

Megatron replies, "Or perhaps, Starscream, I have not permitted myself contact enough!"

Megatron rips out a small sliver of the Dark Energon and raises it above his head.

Duskblade exclaims, "Master, what do you think you're doing?!"

Starscream protests, "Wait! Lord Megatron, no! Not your spark chamber! You do not know what it will do to you!"

But their protests fall on deaf audio receptors as Megatron shoves the shard into his spark chamber.

As purple smoke envelops his chestplate, Megatron shudders loudly as he convulses while his spark accepts and fights the influence of the Dark Energon.

Then, his optics turn purple and he screams in pain.

Shockwave, Duskblade, and Starscream immediately flee quietly.

In the Autobot base, Ratchet says as he observes the Dark Energon blot, "Hmm. The basic elements of this Dark Energon goo are unlike anything I've encountered in my nine million years of life. It must be so extremely concentrated to have affected Arcee so rapidly, since this is Dark Energon."

Ratchet takes out a pair of pliers and carefully moves the petri dish to the decontamination chamber while saying, "Fortunately, fast results are fast-coming with the use of proper diagnostic tools. I once again thank Primus for being able to deliver more tools for me and for the rest of the medics from the past and the future."

But unbeknownst to Ratchet, a splotch of Dark Energon infected one of his replicas of the same tool Bulkhead broke in the original timeline, and the tool replica comes to life as a Transformers Prime Terrorcon replica of Scalpel.

The Terrorcon scurries to the viewer camera before cutting to black.

To be continued...

(Author's notes: See you all in chapter 26: Darkness Rising Part 3.)