Transformers Prime: No Autobots Are Idiots.

Chapter 27: Darkness Rising Part 4.

(Transformers Prime Universe #192,394,596,203,495,867,019,183, Saturday, July 3rd, 2010, third person POV...)

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

Megatron says even as footage of him leaving the Nemesis flight deck plays, "It's as if the Blood of Unicron the Destroyer flows through my veins!"

As footage of the Terrorcon Scalpel fight plays, Ratchet asks, "Dark Energon? It's so scarce as to be virtually non-existent."

Agent Fowler then says, "Contact with civilians!"

Agent Fowler then says later, "Okay. I'll go report to my superiors and the President my opinion about this. We'll see if we can make a workaround for this arrangement."

As footage of Soundwave deploying Laserbeak and the drone kidnapping Agent Fowler plays, Starscream says, "Fetch me this Agent Fowler."

In the brig, Starscream says, "Tell us the location of the Autobot base."

As footage of the away team rushing into the Ground Bridge plays out, Prima says, "It's an SOS from Agent Fowler."

Meanwhile, footage of Arcee, Cliffjumper, and Bumblebee arriving on the scene plays out, and an assortment of Vehicon Troopers aim their blasters at them.

The seven hundred and seventy-nine Autobots say in unison things like "Scrap." "Crap." Or "Nuts and bolts."

And finally, in the Grand Canyon, as Megatron's army of Terrorcons arises from their Earthy graves, Megatron's chestplate and optics glow purple and he bellows, "RISE, MY ARMY! BEHOLD, THE POWER OF DARK ENERGON!"

The Terrorcons snarl at Optimus, Saberfist, Ratchet, Balto, Adon, Helius, Gator, Kunta, Gemstone, Zeeva, Milita, Lulu, Daenerys, Clank, Chritopher, Kenwyn, Gadget, Rikku, Fang, Cloud, Racktooth, Pingear, Fangwheel, Cogtine, and Smokeedge.

(End of recap.)

The Terrorcons continue snarling and shambling towards the twenty-five Autobots hungrily.

Ratchet states, "Megatron has desecrated the resting place of our fallen ancestors and his own ancestors."

Smokeedge then says, "Unfortunately, only the Allspark and my machines can truly revive the dead, even if at first resurrected by Dark Energon."

Optimus adds, "Not even the dead are free from his warmongering."

From Megatron's vantage point, Megatron remarks as he notices his Decepticon symbol flashing between bright purple and white before ordering his undead army, "At last, symbiosis. I can feel it. I now possess complete control over my army. Destroy them!"

The undead army of Terrorcons shamble towards the twenty-five Autobots and Optimus, Saberfist, Balto, Adon, Helius, Gator, Kunta, Gemstone, Zeeva, Milita, Lulu, Daenerys, Clank, Chritopher, Kenwyn, Gadget, Rikku, Fang, Cloud, Racktooth, Pingear, Fangwheel, Cogtine, and Smokeedge unleash their combined full firepower.

But as even Ratchet can see, standard Energon bolts aren't doing jack squad against highly durable Terrorcon hordes.

Ratchet then asks, "Optimus, if our combatants are already deceased, how can we possibly defeat them?"

Optimus doesn't answer, as he doesn't know this himself.

Optimus then says after a few seconds of useless shooting, "Ratchet, all of you, retreat! Bridge yourselves back to base!"

Ratchet deploys his precision blades and answers, "No. I shall stand beside you, Optimus."

Saberfist, Balto, Adon, Helius, Gator, Kunta, Gemstone, Zeeva, Milita, Lulu, Daenerys, Clank, Chritopher, Kenwyn, Gadget, Rikku, Fang, Cloud, Racktooth, Pingear, Fangwheel, Cogtine, and Smokeedge also deploy their bladed weapons and Ratchet finishes, "You may require a few medics when this is over with."

The Autobots slice up the Terrorcons and Ratchet notices that slicing the Terrorcons to pieces means instant deactivation of their bodies and/or their limbs.

Ratchet then calls out to Optimus, "I recommend dissection!"

Smokeedge replies, "He's right; the smaller the pieces, the better!"

Optimus replies, "Sound advice, old friends."

Optimus retracts his Ion Blasters before deploying his non-heated battle blades before slicing up members of the Terrorcon horde.

Optimus decapitates one Terrorcon, impale-throws a second Terrorcon, back-kicks a third, and deflects a spear strike before impaling the fourth Terrorcon to the point of severing its head.

And the rest of the Autobots manage to cool their overheating circuits.

From his vantage point, Megatron remarks, "I have fully mastered Dark Energon. When you and your colleagues fall, Optimus, you too shall join my army."

Optimus replies, "I think not, you pathetic trash heap!"

Optimus, Saberfist, Ratchet, Balto, Adon, Helius, Gator, Kunta, Gemstone, Zeeva, Milita, Lulu, Daenerys, Clank, Chritopher, Kenwyn, Gadget, Rikku, Fang, Cloud, Racktooth, Pingear, Fangwheel, Cogtine, and Smokeedge then proceed to go all out in slicing the Terrorcons to pieces.

Meanwhile, the Vehicon Troopers aboard the Nemesis begin shooting at the Autobots, but they shoot back, and the additional Transpobot Troopers ensures that more Transpobots would join their ranks and rendezvous at their position.

Prima then says, "This is our moment, Autobots! Let's roll!"

The Autobots transform to their vehicle modes and they drive and fly to the Nemesis while the five new members of the Iron Legion fly alongside their fellow fliers to the ship.

The Autobot Grounders reach a specific space behind the Nemesis and they jump while transforming to robot mode before proceeding to climb the rock wall to a spike on the Nemesis.

They climb to the top, and Bulkhead rushes a Vehicon Trooper at full speed before bashing his head off with a wrecking ball.

A second Vehicon Trooper is then bisected by Prima's replica of the Star Saber.

Prima then asks, "Is anyone damaged?"

A chorus of negatives replies to him.

Nitrosmine then says, "I found an entrance hatch, Prima. It's right this way."

Just then, a third Vehicon Trooper tackles Prima and tries to claw at him from on top, but Prima throws the Vehicon Trooper off and rips off his head.

Just then, sixteen more Vehicon Troopers appear from the entrance hatch, and Nitrosmine goes all out War Machine on the drones, her weaponry tearing their armors asunder.

But then, from a second and third entrance hatch, two hundred and fifty-six Vehicon Troopers appeared.

Bulkhead spots the dish for the Nemesis ship's interstellar navigation system and rips it off before throwing it at the Vehicons, knocking them out long enough to be turned into Transpobots and multiplied by the dozens.

The Autobots then enter the entrance hatches.

Then, the Autobots start rushing into the hallways.

Along the way, they continuously reprogrammed numerous Vehicon Troopers into Transpobot Troopers.

Arcee then asks, "All right, where's Fowler?"

Prima answers, "In the brig."

Meanwhile, Whitebright Prime had just gotten finished with dealing with some Vehicon guards who were escorting him to the bridge when he tricked them into thinking he was attempting to join the Decepticons.

Whitebright whispers, "(Softly) Silversnake, I vow I will have your spark."

Meanwhile, in the brig, Starscream says to Agent Fowler, "My dear Agent Fowler, you do realize that the Autobots have abandoned you, don't you?"

Agent Fowler replies, "Bulls(bleep!). Like a true human soldier such as John Rambo, the Autobots never leave anyone behind."

Starscream replies, "Hmhmhmhm, believe what you want, but I am the only one you can rely upon now, so tell me and the rest of us what we want to know, or else..."

Starscream lights up the Energon prod and goes to shock Agent Fowler again.

Agent Fowler says, "Please, no more. They're in... secret government base."

Starscream replies, "Go on."

Just then, the sounds of laser fire and bullet fire are heard outside the doors.

Starscream sees the two attending Vehicon Trooper guards locking and loading.

Starscream turns back to Agent Fowler and asks, "Yes?"

Agent Fowler finishes in a smart aleck tone, "In the old steel mill. Or was it under that carnival funhouse?"

Starscream growls before shocking Agent Fowler again, making him yell in pain again before losing consciousness.

Starscream then demands, "Someone find out what is going on out there!"

The Vehicon Troopers rush out of the brig.

In one of the hallways, several hundred Vehicon Troopers continuously fire at the Autobots and their former comrades, but the shots either missed or disintegrated against the Autobots' force fields while their numbers continued to dwindle either by being murdered or by being turned into Transpobot Troopers.

After seconds to minutes of fighting Vehicon Troopers, Jack could feel his rage burning, like his armor was giving him a sort of Rage Mode that only he can control and allow himself to decide whether or not he wanted to continuously use it.

Iron Speedster then says as the last Vehicon Troopers are destroyed and turned into Transpobots, "We don't have much more time. Let's go."

Bulkhead then stomps onto the head of a dead Vehicon Trooper.

Meanwhile, Optimus, Saberfist, Ratchet, Balto, Adon, Helius, Gator, Kunta, Gemstone, Zeeva, Milita, Lulu, Daenerys, Clank, Chritopher, Kenwyn, Gadget, Rikku, Fang, Cloud, Racktooth, Pingear, Fangwheel, Cogtine, and Smokeedge are still fighting Megatron's first army of Terrorcons.

Optimus slices up some Terrorcons and shoots one in the head fatally.

As the Autobots regroup back-to-back, Ratchet grunts in exhaustion as he says, "Optimus, this prolonged exposure to the Dark Energon is sapping our strength."

Optimus replies, "We cannot falter now, we are half way done."

The Autobots went through the motion of slicing up Terrorcons and/or both slicing and shooting them up for those like Optimus.

Just then, a big number of Terrorcons start piling onto Optimus, overwhelming him.

Ratchet notices this and cries out, "Optimus!"

But that proves to be a mistake, as three Terrorcons pile onto Ratchet, and one of them busts up his right arm and right shoulder, making him yell in pain.

Saberfist notices this but he continues to slice up Terrorcons.

From his vantage point, Megatron grins as he chuckles evilly, thinking that he finally won.

But then, as more Terrorcons pile onto Optimus, he blasts and slices his way out in one go with a roar of anger.

Optimus shoots another Terrorcon in the head for a quickly added measure.

Optimus notices Ratchet in trouble, so he shoots down the first Terrorcon and bashes the other two Terrorcons' heads together before helping Ratchet get up.

Megatron remarks, "After all these years, Optimus, you're still at the top of your game."

Optimus and the others charge towards the remaining Terrorcons.

Megatron then says, "My legion, finish them!"

The twenty-five Autobots continue slicing up the Terrorcons and this proves difficult for Ratchet to do with only one good arm.

Just then, Willow, Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, and Echo appeared, and they took out their respective scythe, Nichirin Blade, First Blade, Death's Scythe, Black Sword, Yellow Sword, Chipped Dual Swords, Red-Orange Sword, Blue Sword, and Dual Cleavers before they let all hell rain loose on the Terrorcon hordes.

Ratchet says, "Those weapons... those are weapons from that human cartoon Demon Slayer! They must've been upgraded to deal with both demons and zombies!"

Megatron roars, "What is this?! Ten more Autobots?! Destroy them!"

The Terrorcon hordes shamble towards the ten femmes, but every Terrorcon cut down increases their momentum, and the other 25 Autobots took advantage of this surprise attack to help out.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Nemesis, a banging on the door is heard.

The attending Vehicon opens the door and the Autobots take him out before taking out the other Vehicons in the room.

Prima then says while pointing at a computer terminal with schematics for Megatron's Space Bridge, "Nitrosmine, take a picture of that, please."

Nitrosmine does so and the Autobots continue to the brig.

Inside the brig, Starscream says to Agent Fowler, "Wake up, you pathetic lump of flesh!"

Agent Fowler says deliriously, "Mm, Grandma, is it cookie time?" before losing consciousness again.

Starscream sighs in frustration.

Just then, banging is heard on the doors.

The door opens and a Vehicon stands stiffly, with Bulkhead concealed behind it and shaded by shadows.

Starscream demands snappishly, "Well?!"

The Vehicon Trooper falls over and Bulkhead guns down the next Vehicon Trooper.

The Autobots pile into the room and aim their blasters at Starscream, but he aims his Null-Ray blaster at Agent Fowler's head and says, "Not so fast."

Starscream feels a blaster tap his head and he looks up to see Arcee on the top light leading to the ventilator shaft.

Arcee says, "I wouldn't."

Starscream replies, "Oh, but I might."

Just then, a male voice Starscream is familiar with resets their vocalizer, making him and everyone else look behind him, and who they see is Arcee's oldest brother, Alpha Safety, his brother Delta Peril, their sister Bravo Rescue, and Arcee's sparkmate, Omega Danger, easily looking the same except for their paint jobs and frame classifications despite not being related to each other.

Soon, a Mexican standoff is had, and Starscream says, "Now, Agent Fowler and I will take our leave."

Agent Fowler then says deliriously, "The emu says yeah!"

This gives the Autobots the opportunity to shoot at Starscream, and pretty soon, because of the amount of Autobots shooting at him in different directions, he gets pelted by Energon bolts and bullets.

Starscream then jumps into the air, transforms to his jet mode, and blasts off out of the room.

Alpha Safety then says, "Let's get this man out of here and back to your base."

The Autobots get the chains off of Agent Fowler and they switch to vehicle mode with Bumblebee carrying the Autobot liaison.

Meanwhile, the Autobots meet up with Whitebright as he finished his score with Silversnake, and when Arcee asked, "Where have you been?," Whitebright answered that he had a score to settle and he settled it, unveiling Silversnake's voice box, his spark, his transformation cog, his weapons, and the schematics needed for Smokeedge's Decepticon to Autobot Inversion Machine.

On the way out the Nemesis, Agent Fowler then says without delirium for once, "Thanks, guys. But I've been, poisoned with Energon, from a prod. But I didn't reveal anything."

Bulkhead says, "You did the right thing, Agent Fowler."

The Autobots drive and fly out of the Nemesis and they call for a Ground Bridge back to base.

Meanwhile, Optimus, Willow, Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, Echo, Saberfist, Ratchet, Balto, Adon, Helius, Gator, Kunta, Gemstone, Zeeva, Milita, Lulu, Daenerys, Clank, Chritopher, Kenwyn, Gadget, Rikku, Fang, Cloud, Racktooth, Pingear, Fangwheel, Cogtine, and Smokeedge slice through the last few Terrorcons.

After the last Terrorcon goes offline, Optimus looks up at Megatron.

Megatron remarks, "Bravo, Optimus, but this is only a prelude. You may wish to save your strength for the main event."

Optimus retracts his swords and climbs up to Megatron while saying, "You will not prevail, Megatron – (wheezing) – not while Energon still flows through my veins."

Optimus stops short of Megatron's perch as Megatron kneels to Optimus' eye level to say, "Fitting, for it is Dark Energon which flows through mine."

Optimus tries to grab Megatron while climbing to his perch, but Megatron jumps out of the way and transforms to his jet mode before flying away.

Optimus tries to shoot down Megatron with his rocket launcher, but Megatron flies continuously out of range.

Optimus helps Ratchet up and the others climb up to the same perch.

As the twenty-five Autobots observe the carnage, Ratchet inquires, "If this wasn't Megatron's endgame, then what is?"

Optimus stays silent, but the expression in his eyes signified that he had an inkling what Megatron's endgame really was.

Just then, Willow, Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, and Echo came up, and Ember snarls, "You stupid idiots! What in the ever-hating Pit of Unicron gave you the idea to come out here and face Megatoilet without additional reinforcement?! Have you lost your minds?!"

The ten femmes put away their weapons on scabbards attached to their backs, and Sage says, "You all better be grateful that we got here when we did, otherwise you'd have been scrap metal by now, especially if Megatron ever had the brilliant idea pop into his head about using his own Matter Duplicator to clone the Terrorcon hordes into millions, and then you'd all be too exhausted by long-term exposure to the Dark Energon to fight!"

Ratchet replies, "Well, excuse us for not knowing that Megatron would actually do this in spite of what little intel we had about the event that just took place right now!"

Hazel inquires, "Seriously? You seriously didn't expect Megatoilet would do something only Unicron would do?"

Before Ratchet can retort, Optimus questions, "I'm sorry, what did you just call Megatron?"

Hazel answers, "What? I called him Megatoilet. Yeah, I could've called him something else, but I shouldn't. It would be just as mean, and it would've been messy if I called him Mega Alley Cat, wouldn't it? Ugh."

Optimus made a face that signified he agrees with Hazel.

But before Optimus can say anything else, Ratchet burst out laughing, and Saberfist had to catch him to prevent from falling over and increasing the pain in his right arm.

Echo then summons Energon magic in her hands and opens a Ground Bridge portal to the base, and the base is easily seen on the other side of the portal from the inside.

Echo then says, "By my calculations, I summoned a portal to our base. Let's go; you guys might need Energon and repairs."

The thirty-five Autobots walk through the portal and Hazel is attempting to calm Ratchet down, but considering how much he was laughing because he thought that Hazel calling Megatron by the insult Megatoilet was that funny, it'd be a miracle if Ratchet can survive his gut gears aching despite the fact Cybertronians don't breathe like humans do.

In the base, as they all come through the portal, Hazel says as she notices everyone staring at Ratchet, "Come on, Ratchet, I know it's funny, but it's not that funny."

Hazel then starts giggling in spite of herself and soon, she's cackling with hysterical laughter as well.

Cliffjumper asks first, "What's funny, Doc?"

Ratchet answers, "Heh – Hazel – haha – Hazel just called Megatron a funny insult!"

Arcee asks, "What did she call him?"

Echo answers, "She called him Megatoilet!"

In that instant, literally everyone except for Optimus burst out laughing, including the humans and their Cybertronian clones.

Hazel remarks at the end, "Ooh, boy, I needed that. Laughter is said to be a healing elixir for stress."

Hazel then notices the humans and says, "Oh. I didn't know that the humans were here."

Optimus asks as he notices Agent Fowler on a hospital bed with an IV full of water, "What happened?"

Solus Prime answers, "Agent Fowler came to chirp at you like a malfunctioning scrap droid over the Energon mine being blown up because it was in a crater in the state of Nebraska, and the exact words between Prima and Agent Fowler before he cut himself off when he saw Miko's guitar were, and I quote, '"Optimus left to investigate a lead in the Grand Canyon, and Smokeedge put me among others in charge of things here. Want me to pass along a message?"' '"As a matter of fact, Prime Sr., I do. Now, I don't know what language you bots speak on your planet, but Optimus promised he would handle the Decepticons with help from both Autobot personnel and from NEST, and blowing up a crater in the middle of Nebraska is not what the word '"handle"' means in English!"' '"First of all, watch what you say, young one; this may be your planet, but your attitude is not gonna be tolerated by any Autobot with as much of a bad temper as Megatron. Secondly, modern Cybertronians speak Neocybex, a modern Cybertronian language. And thirdly, that crater in Nebraska was blown up because the inside was actually an Energon mine, and a recently-returned Megatron ordered Starscream to blow it up along with our forces. But I do get the underlying meaning of what you're attempting to say."' '"I should hope so, and you tell Optimus – Since when are you bots musicians?"' Then, when Agent Fowler saw our new human friends, he went to report to his superiors at the Pentagon, but what he didn't know was that by actually telling his superiors that he was en route from the Autobot base, that made him a target for Starscream and Soundwave since Soundwave was eavesdropping on the transmission from the Nemesis. Then when we received the SOS from Fowler's destroyed helicopter, Prima assembled a team which included Dylan, Jack, Miko, Raf, and June to rescue Agent Fowler. And they were almost too late, as Agent Fowler had been shocked by Starscream numerous times with an Energon prod to the point where he talks nonsense. Like, for example, (As Agent Fowler; deliriously) Grandma, is it cookie time? (Normal) So, we had Fowler strapped to this IV full of water to help purge the Energon from his bloodstream."

Optimus nods in understanding.

Optimus then helps Ratchet apply a metal brace for his damaged right arm.

Shadeskulker asks, "Are you alright, Ratchet?"

Ratchet answers, "I'll be fine, Shades, but I'll need to wear the brace for two days."

Platinum then says, "Boy, am I thankful that most of us are Cybertronian robots. Humans would need to wear an arm cast or a leg cast for up to a month, depending on the amount of damage."

Ratchet nods, having done his research.

Miko asks, "What happened to you guys anyway?"

Ratchet answers, "We fought an army of undead Cybertronian cannibalistic zombies called Terrorcons."

Miko exclaims, "Zombies?! You fought zombies and I missed it?!"

Dylan smacks Miko in the back of her head and says, "Miko, you stupid, oblivious, adrenaline-loving piece of sh(bleep!), f(bleep!) show some respect; those zombies used to be the ancestors of both the Autobots and Megatron before he desecrated their graves to pave the way for a bigger army to conquer the entire Earth."

Optimus adds before saying, "While I do not condone what Dylan did just now, he does have a point, Miko. And Prima, you exercised poor judgement in allowing the five humans to accompany you."

Prima says, "Optimus, with all due respect, it was either allow them to accompany us or have to watch over Miko, Jack and Raf because Miko chose to sneak through the Ground Bridge. I had to make a judgement call."

Miko then says before pulling out her phone with the picture of the schematics, "Yeah, he's right, Optimus. And besides, we got recon."

Optimus looks and says, "Hmm. Ratchet, have a look. It could be of importance to Megatron."

Ratchet takes a look and asks, "These are engineering schematics for a Space Bridge. How did you get a photo of these schematics?"

Miko answers, "There was a computer terminal in the front section of the ship's inside that had the schematics on it. Prima ordered me to take a picture, and I did it."

Rafael then says, "All the same, I'm thankful to God and Primus that you guys are okay."

Russet then asks, "And why are you thankful to God if you aren't a Jew or a Christian?"

Rafael blushes as he replies, "My momma raised me to believe in God while practicing both Jewish and Christian practices."

Miko then says, "My host parents raised me to be a Christian with elements of Roman Catholicism."

Jack adds, "And my mom raised me to be a Christian like her, her paternal grandmother, and her maternal grandfather."

The rest of the humans say similar things, and Primus then says, "Well, I will have you know that Christianity is the ultimate religious belief worshipping both your God and His only begotten Son, and even though humans are not exactly one hundred percent required to practice any religion, outside of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution saying that American citizens have freedom of religious belief, it is still advisable to follow Christianity all the way until either you die or until the end of days to be amplified a hundred fold."

Even the Autobots knew in spite of Primus being a god in his own right, he was right about the humans being sort of required to follow the Christian religion.

Iris then says, "Anyway, Raf, I'm glad we're all right too. We nearly got bitten once or twice, but we managed to pull ourselves together to win. And, I know this is gonna be a shock, but me and my sisters are permanently immune to Dark Energon."

Ironhide remarks, "That's such a rarity that hasn't been a thing to be given to even Primus himself ever since the Forty Primes defeated Unicron ten billion years ago."

Iris replies, "Yes, and with the proper upgrades from Solus Prime's Forge along with Onyx Prime's Nephrite Smasher and our Mini-Forges, all of our Autobot forces on Earth so far will be permanently immune to Dark Energon even after being destroyed."

Solus Prime then says, "I concur, Iris. I'll get my Forges right now."

Solus goes to retrieve her two Forges.

Onyx Prime then says, "And I'll get my Nephrite Smashers."

Onyx Prime goes to get his four Nephrite Smashers.

Willow, Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, and Echo then glance at Optimus and River asks, "Optimus, are you and the others thankful that we managed to help you out with the Terrorcon hordes?"

Optimus answers, "I have to admit, we would most assuredly have been overwhelmed if it weren't for your on point assistance and since Megatron had not brought his Matter Duplicator Blaster to multiply the Terrorcons. So, thank you, all ten of you."

Wren replies before asking, "You're most welcome. Now, we have some valuable information. Would you like to know it?"

Optimus replies, "Yes. Go ahead."

Wren then says, "My sisters and I, we were given by Primus a fully translated replica of the Covenant of Primus, and it's pages foretold that upon the afternoon hours tomorrow, Megatron plans to send Dark Energon to Cybertron to revive an army of the undead using the corpses of every Cybertronian who has ever died before and after the War for Cybertron."

Every Autobot and human gasps while the Primes only looked shocked.

Jack then says, "Optimus, if this is an average day with you guys, I need time to clear my head. But don't think of this as me quitting; Smokeedge made it clear that this isn't something I can just walk away from, not while Megatron and his lieutenants are still alive. I just need time to process everything we've been told and everything we've been through as of now."

Optimus then says, "Jack, putting you and your family and friends in danger by recruiting you and giving you your Iron Man suits while cloning you to turn your clones into Cybertronians for additional reinforcements was never our true intentions. However, it is no longer the safety of the three hundred and twenty-five that is at risk, but the safety of all humankind. We will respect your decision if you wish to clear your head."

Ratchet then says as he activates the Ground Bridge, "No point in long or short goodbyes; here's the door."

Shadeskulker then snaps at the top of her intakes, "COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE ANY MORE SPARKLESS, RATCHET?!"

Shadeskulker snarls like an angry lion as she stomps away, leaving even Ratchet scared of her.

As Shadeskulker goes to her room, Jack then goes with Dylan and June among their relatives to their homes.

Sierra then says, "Girls, I hate to say this, but any arguments between Miko and Jack might possibly make Raf afraid of a potential physical fight."

Bumblebee buzzes, "Then why don't we take all of you home?"

The humans get inside the vehicle modes of their guardians and they get taken home.

Willow then says, "I may not enjoy saying this, but I hope those humans are okay."

Ratchet notices that Willow is slowly shedding lubricant tears and he asks, "Are you alright, Willow?"

Willow answers, "Seeing this many humans reminds me of my first human friend. She was spunky like Miko, but also responsible like Jack and intelligent like Raf. Then my dear friend was kidnapped by MECH, a human terrorist organization founded by former U.S. Colonel Leland Bishop, codenamed Silas."

Willow wipes her tears and downloads into the computer every file she and her sisters have on MECH, and the more that the Autobots read in the files, the more they realized that MECH would be a persistent and big problem for both them and the Decepticons if they ever met.

And with that, Smokeedge and the transformatted humans took the time to explain to the Autobots all the ways that MECH has crossed uncrossable lines all across the Transformers Prime Multiverse and the ways that they'll cross the line here in this universe if they ever get the opportunity to salvage Cybertronian technology from any Cybertronian ship on Earth or if they learn about how to fuse Cybertronian biology into a human being to create their own techno-organic super soldiers among other things.

And this truly made Optimus start to reconsider his vow to never kill humans.

Back on the Nemesis, Starscream says, "Please, Lord Megatron, I meant no – (Smack!) Ow!"

Megatron snarls, "I ordered you to await my command!"

Megatron backhands Starscream across the command center once, making him bounce once before landing on his front.

Megatron then says as he approaches his treacherous lieutenant, "Instead, your mindless agenda resulted in the disabling of my ship, the delay of my plans, and the liberation of 4 of our most dangerous Autobot prisoners!"

Starscream scurries backward as Megatron approaches, and Starscream says, "Ah! My intentions were pure, Master. I only wanted you to be rid of Optimus. Ah!"

Megatron stomps on Starscream's head and begins putting pressure on it as he snarls, "Nobody rids me of Optimus Prime but me! Not even my children! Do you understand? Do you?!"

Starscream chokes a bit before saying, "Lord Megatron, I will make things right. I swear! I know how to set your plans back on course!"

Megatron removes his pede and grabs Starscream by his neck before saying dangerously, "Explain, Starscream, quickly."

Starscream replies quickly, "We'll use a remote controlled targeting system for the Space Bridge."

Megatron hums in interest.

Meanwhile, in the Autobot base, Shadeskulker in her room is meditating, having done her research on how to relieve stress and how to curb her anger.

Twenty-five minutes later, Shadeskulker is meditating hard when Optimus enters her room, having knocked and heard nothing but zen-style humming.

Optimus asks, "Shades?"

Shadeskulker opens her optics and replies, "I ain't apologizing to Ratchet if that's why you're here."

Optimus replies back, "I agree wholeheartedly that Ratchet should've been more respectful in the situation in spite of his obtuse dislike of humans, but that is not my reason for seeking you out."

Shadeskulker asks, "Oh?"

Optimus explains, "I was about to go on patrol while Ratchet analyzes the Space Bridge schematics, and I wanted to ask if you would like to accompany me."

Shadeskulker replies with a small smile, "Sure. Let's go."

Shadeskulker gets up and the two Autobots walk to the command center.

Ratchet, Arcee, Cliffjumper, Bulkhead, and Solus look at the twosome, and Optimus explains, "Shadeskulker will be accompanying me on my patrol."

Solus then says, "Have fun, young woman."

Shadeskulker nods, and she and Optimus switch to vehicle mode before driving out of the base.

A few minutes into the patrol, Optimus notices Shadeskulker is unusually quiet.

Optimus asks in concern, "Are you alright, Shades?"

Shadeskulker answers, "No. I just remembered something important happening upon noon tomorrow."

Optimus asks, "What is it, Shades?"

Shadeskulker answers, "Megatron's Space Bridge is high above Earth's orbit, in the middle of the journey from Earth to the moon. If it weren't for the Ground Bridge being supercharged into a Space Bridge, we'd be risking over-extending the Ground Bridge range to enable travel to the middle of the journey to the Moon just to reach Megatron's Space Bridge. And in addition, Megatron plans on raising a planet-sized army of the undead using the various Autobot, Decepticon, Neutral, and other Cybertronian corpses on Cybertron to conquer Earth and wipe out both Autobots and humans."

Optimus replies seriously, "I see."

Shadeskulker says, "And to top it off, among the things happening at the Space Bridge includes the Nemesis roster welcoming the dangerous Decepticon Triple Changer duo Shatter and Dropkick aboard when they come through the portal from Cybertron to this solar system."

Optimus vents, clearly not liking the fact that he remembers his last encounters with Shatter and Dropkick.

Shadeskulker then asks, "So, I ask you, do you really believe that any Decepticon like Shatter, Dropkick, Starscream, Acid Storm, Afterburner II, Afterburner III, Autoclave, Bitstream, Blackout II, Blast, Blazewake, Blitzwing, Cloudcover, Contrail, Cyclonus, Dirge, Dreadwing, Guyhawk, Fortress, Hellbat, Hooligan, Hotlink, Ion Storm, Leozack, Nacelle, Nova Storm, Ramjet, Ransack, Red Wing, Sandstorm II, Skyquake, Skywarp, Slipstream, Space Case, Sunstorm, Thrust, Thundercracker, Wheezing Arrow, Wingstun, Soundwave, Scourge, Lugnut, Astrotrain, Tidal Wave, Demolishor, Spyglass, Viewfinder, Spectro, the Constructicons, Barricade, the Decepticon Justice Division, the Stunticons, Jallguar, Drillhorn, Killbison, Scorponok, Vinepionica, Moonspinner, Agoraptor, Oceanglide, Weirdwolf, Axer, Backbite, Darklight, Double Punch, Hydra, Nightbird, Thrashclaw, Umbra, Caliburn, Crumplezone, Fasttrack, Borehole, Buzzclaw, Clench, Crasher, Cy-Kill, Astro-Hook, Astro-Line, Astro-Sinker, Axor, Lockdown, Oilmaster, Starcatcher, Archforce, Magnificus, Megaplex, Salvo, Scrapface, Shothole, Soundblaster, Straxus, Zaptrap, Radar, the Predators, the Construction Team, the Destruction Team, the Airwave I, the Dinoforce, Roughstuff, Slugslinger, Triggerhappy, Misfire, the Triggercons, Cement-Head, the Pretender Monsters, the Seacons, Terror-Tread, the Stormtroopers, Black Shadow, Blue Bacchus, Ferak, Loudpedal, Nucleon, Overcast III, Sixshot I, Sixshot II, Skybolt, Caliburst, Aimless, Blowpipe I, Darkwind, Dreadwind, Greasepit II, Monzo, Fracas, Grax, Krunk, Nightstick, Spasma, Vorath, Zarak, Mindwipe, Skullcruncher, Skullgrin, Megaempress and her 4 Guards, Brimstone V, Roadgrabber, Apeface, Snapdragon, Beastbox I, Incinerator, Banzai-Tron, Bludgeon, Bugly, Grinder, Venom I, Venom II, Decepticharge, Kobushi, Oil Slick, Flatline, Scalpel, Riggorous, Demus, Gutcruncher, Needlenose, Sunbeam, Zigzag, Krunix, Slinger, Brushguard, Lokos, Runamuck, Runabout, Space Case, the Firecons, Squeezeplay, Catalycon, Killswitch, Foldspace, Reptilion, Rossum, Finback, Flattop, Shortround, Sonar III, Storm Surge, Thunderblast, Undertow, Diveplane, Octopunch, Stranglehold, Seawave, Submarauder, Divebomb IV, Horri-Bull, Sharkticon, Hardtop, Flamewar, Makeshift, Malignus, Triton, Terror-Daxtyl, Skyjack, Treadshock, Riotgear, the Dreads, Windburn, the Generation 1 Terrorcons, Hoodwink, Fenris, Brouhaha, Carnivac, Dauros, Killjoy, Iguanus, Gilmer, Roadblock I, Snarler, Spacewarp, Fangry, Nitro Zeus, the Aerial Warfare Subjugation Taskforce, the Air Strike Patrol, the Airborne Hunter Squad, the Auto-Rollers, the Combicons, the Commandos, the Corvicons, the Cybercomrade Sect, the Cybertron Guards, the Dark Skies Patrol, the Phantomstrike Squadron, the Phantom Fleet, the Monstercons, the Military Patrol, the Microcons, the Mayhem Attack Squad, the Maraudicons, the Lobstercons, the Jet Corps, the Infernocons, the Genericons, the Duocons, the Destructicons, the Destrons, the Conclave, the Decepticon Air Corps, the Decepticon Gladiator Corps, the Decepticon High Command, the Decepticon High Council, the Decepticon High Justice, the Decepticon Rescue Squadron, the Decepticon Secret Service, the Decepticon Syndicate, the Decepticon Vengeance Division, the Decepticon Warriors Elite, the Ultracons, the Triumvirate, the Tremorcons, the Trakkon, the Titan Hunters, the Sweeps, Squadron X, the Sports Car Patrol, the Snaketicons, the Skyscorchers, the Skunkticons, the Silver Company, the Robot Conversion Troops, the Resource Exploitation Taskforce, the Rainmakers, the Race Track Patrol, and the Decepticon Real Gear Robots would be able to be convinced to change?"

Optimus slows down and pulls over to the side of the road, with Shadeskulker doing the same.

Shadeskulker then says, "I get that there are chances that some Decepticons can be convinced to change, but that all depends on a number of factors preventing them from becoming Autobots, among them being their mental health over the centuries of war allied with Megatron, the numerous times they attempted to take over as Decepticon leader such as Starscream, those like the Vehicon Troopers that are clones of an unknown Decepticon created by Flatline, those like Vinepionica and Moonspinner, near-religious fanatics like Lugnut, being permanently programmed into Decepticon servitude like the Robo-Smasher did with the Constructicons, being programmed into Decepticon servitude by Megatron himself like with the Stunticons and the Combaticons, joining Megatron out of a desire to avoid being destroyed and to learn how to control Dark Energon, also such as Starscream, and being followers from the very beginning of Megatron's terrorist warmongering such as Soundwave. And the more that the war continues to the endgame without enough dead Decepticons, the more the chances of the Decepticons I mentioned regrouping at a later date to restart the war after Cybertron's restoration with and without Megatron among others dead increases a thousand fold. But that doesn't mean we Autobots should kill all Decepticons indiscriminately."

Optimus replies, "I know what you mean, Shades. And you're right; as of now, effective immediately, if any Decepticons cannot be persuaded to change sides even as prisoners, then it'll be every Autobot's priority to kill said Decepticons."

Shadeskulker and Optimus spent the rest of patrol bonding with each other and sharing Earth and Cybertronian jokes.

Of course, Shadeskulker was surprised, not just because one of her oldest friends normally never joked around, but also because the jokes Optimus was sharing were as hilarious as a human on laughing gas for two minutes.

In the Darby residence, Jack is doing some fine-tuning of his watch and Iron Man suit, thankful that he studied mechanics and mechanical engineering in secret.

Just then, Bulkhead turns up in vehicle mode and Miko steps out.

Miko says, "Hey."

Jack asks sharply, "Don't you have anything better to do, Miko?"

Miko flinches as she replies, "Yeah, I deserve that. Listen, Jack, I know I'm not the best person to hang around with, but my life in Tokyo and my life in Jasper before we met the Autobots was boring. I hate authority, yes, but I'd rather not incur my biological parents' wrath or the wrath of the Jasper P.D. And yes, I'm an adrenaline jockey, a disobedient (bleep!), all of those things. But if I could, for one moment, change my life for the better, I'd give up those traits. But I can't because such a thing requires either magic power, divine power, personality reprogramming, or simple mind control. I know that doesn't sound like much of an apology and I know that simple apologies are just words, but I want you to know, I care about you, Jack. I... I love you, Jack."

Jack mentally remarks, "I knew it. So, it looks like Melinda and I were both right on the money."

Jack then says, "Miko, I don't know how else to tell you this, but I'm in a relationship with Gislene, and well, I haven't exactly been in a polyamorous relationship before."

Miko replies, "I understand, Jack. See you around."

Miko climbs into Bulkhead's vehicle mode and the Wrecker drives off.

Along the way, Miko couldn't help but let loose a few tears over Jack's gentle rejection/gentle explanation about how he didn't know how to be in a polyamorous relationship, let alone the fact that he didn't know if he was ready for one.

Later, in the Autobot base, Ratchet is at the monitors, his right arm fully repaired, and he says, "It can't be. Optimus!"

Optimus comes up along with the entire Autobot army.

Ratchet says, "I was right; these are engineering schematics for Megatron's Space Bridge."

Vector Prime adds, "And our intel says that ever since Arcee and her group blew up Shockwave's Space Bridge on Cybertron, the Decepticons discreetly stole Earth technology to reverse-engineer them into Space Bridge parts when they first came to Earth. And now, Megatron plans to bring his undead army to Earth."

Optimus replies, "Indeed, Vector Prime, and as Shadeskulker, Willow, Sage, Ember, Hazel, Ivy, Iris, Wren, Autumn, River, and Echo have surmised, there is only one place in the galaxy Megatron intends to use to dump his entire Dark Energon supply for his undead army: Cybertron."

Every other Autobot made various remarks that signify they were in shock and they were horrified.

To be concluded...

(Author's notes: See you all in chapter 28: Darkness Rising Part 5.)