Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers: RiD/Robots in Disguise (Car Robots), Armada (Micron Legends), Energon (Superlink), Cybertron (Galaxy Force), Beast Wars II or Victory. Read & Review, please!
Plot – Ga'Mede utilizes a weapon to free Kicker from the Neo-Dark Energon that M-Ai had infected on him earlier. During his time-off, Kicker takes Sally with Sideburn to a local cemetery by paying a special tribute to Misha's deceased parents after overhearing his father's conversation. However, Galvatron, M-Ai and the Decepticons have other plans in-store for them.
Chapter 18: The Thin Purple Line
Misha tries once again calling out to him. "Please, Kicker! Don't do it! It's me, Misha!" He didn't respond, nor hearing her and gripped his weapon tightly. As her eyes were expanded with despair, tears had flowed down on her cheeks. Before he made his move, she screamed his name out but even louder and shuts her eyes. "Kicker!"
As he thrusts the weapon down, Misha still had her eyes closed and believed to have been stabbed. When she opened them and lifted her head up, she sees an amazing sight: his Energon Sabre was on the pavement and it had missed her, by only five meters away. After that, he drops it and placed his hands on his head as he screams in pain. Everybody became really surprised of what's going inside Kicker's head.
"What's happening to him?" asked Alexis.
"He's trying to fight off the Neo-Dark Energon. He may be strong, but the evil Energon itself is stronger" Rad explained.
"What can we do? It's eating my brother's mind out! It'll take a miracle to get rid of it" cried Sally.
"If somebody asked for a savior, then allow me to deliver" A new voice had interjected.
They all overhear that familiar voice and it was none other than Ga'Mede. Only with new features on him. He's wearing a two-piece Photon Armor bandoleer that's wrapped around his back and chest-plate, a holster on his left and right arms, while carrying a Pulsar Photon Wave Rifle in his hands.
"Hey, that's some fancy stuff you've got there. But, how can you stop him?" urged Carlos with an answer.
By aiming his rifle at Kicker, Ga'Mede informs Misha to stay out of harm's way. In which, she did and joined in with the others. "All of you, cover your ears!"
"Wh-Why?" Sally asks.
He replied. "Just do it!"
With Kicker at medium range and everyone else covering their ears, Ga'Mede fires his rifle and it shoots out high frequency light blue waves that released a loud pulsating sound. The reaction from the sound waves was so strong and powerful, it made Kicker fall on both knees. Just then, the Decepticon insignia on his forehead had disintegrated and the Neo-Dark Energon was exiting out of his body due to the result from Ga'Mede's weapon.
However, he was starting to lose his concentration when his vision was becoming blurry. Upon viewing his condition of freeing Kicker, Misha stepped in, grabbed the Energon Sabre and with all of her might, she swung it right at the Neo-Dark Energon and vanished into thin air.
After that, she fell to her knees by feeling of how heavy the Energon Sabre was. For Kicker, it was no problem. But for Misha, she had difficulty of wielding it. Before long, Ga'Mede drops his rifle to the ground and at the same time, Kicker became weak from the Neo-Dark Energon that controlled him and falls flat on his stomach.
Misha was terrified and ran to his aid as she tries consoling him by shaking and calling out his name. "Kicker! Kicker, wake up! Please!" There was no response from him and her fear was worsening as tears of pain had filled up her blue eyes again. "No way! First my parents and now this? I can't live my life without him!" She tries again. "Kicker! Kicker! Please, hear me! Kicker…" Part of her tears had trickled down from her face and onto Kicker's cheek.
Feeling its wet moisture, he groaned weakly and re-opened his normal brown eyes at half-way.
"Kicker?"
He rolls over on his back and as he stood up on his shoulders, he re-sharpened his vision to see Misha staring at him. Believing that he had a headache, he placed his hand on his head and feels it. It was spinning slowly. "Damn! I felt like, I got run over by a Terrorcon or something."
"Kicker, are you okay?" she asked.
It didn't take long for him to reply back at her. "I-I think so. Considering from where I am."
She breathed a sigh of relief and knowing that he's not consumed anymore. "Thank goodness."
When Kicker was about to embrace Misha, he noticed a familiar person that caught his eye. Standing behind her was Ga'Mede suited up with a Photon Armor on his back and chest, while armed with a weapon that broke him free from the Neo-Dark Energon. Despite the circumstances, he wasn't in the mood of his appreciation. He managed to get back up and locked in his fighting position. "Stay back! I know, what you're after! So, put up your dukes!"
Ga'Mede countered by rolling his eyes. "Oh, lighten up. As much as I hate seeing you requesting a fight, I just saved both you and your girlfriend's lives."
"What? How did you…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Ga'Mede interrupted. "Thanks to my Pulsar Photon Wave Rifle, I was able to release the Neo-Dark Energon from inside of you. If you're eager to know, it was M-Ai and her Sword of Fury that infected your body."
The moment that he told him those startling news, Kicker gasped in total bewilderment and had a recent flashback. He recalled T-Ai's evil clone that battled him and inflicted some serious damage on his battle armor suit. He even remembered of how twisted his mind was when he was under Galvatron's control. By looking at his hands with fright on his face, he smacked himself on the forehead. "Wh-What have I done?"
Sally walked on over and explained. "You've done nothing wrong, Kicker. If it wasn't for him, you'd still be a freak on a leash. Oh, and Misha also saved you with the Energon Sabre."
"She did what?" As he gazed back at her, he asked. "Misha, I didn't know that you could wield it. I mean, it weighs more than a ton. How were you able to pull it off?"
"I was concerned for both you and Ga'Mede. But more importantly, I was afraid of losing you to the Neo-Dark Energon, just like my late parents."
Kicker still felt sorry for her previous loss. "M-Misha."
"You should give her some credit, if I were you. For a pretty woman, she certainly has a strong heart" informed Ga'Mede.
As Kicker sees her giggle from his compliment, he becomes very jealous. "Hey, listen! The last time you acted like this, you assaulted her! How can I trust you after all the crap that you've made?"
Misha taps his shoulder. "Kicker."
"What?" Without being warned, she slaps him right across the face. He staggered back and as he felt his cheek that has nearly left a red mark, he demanded an answer. "Misha, what did you do that for?"
She yelled back at him. "For being immature! If you haven't noticed, he's with us now since he's no longer under Galvatron's influence."
"Eh? He's not?" Later, he hears his Dad, Dr. Jones being carried by Rad, Alexis and Carlos after he was previously beaten down. As he heads over to his father's side and helping him up, he responds. "Dad, I'm so sorry about what happened."
"There's no need for that." Just as he was going to be escorted, they see Koji, T-Ai, Kelly, Bridget and company approaching them.
"Is everybody okay?"
"There was a loud bang from across the hall."
"We came as fast as we could. But I guess, we're a bit late."
Bridget folded her arms. "I take it that there was a ruckus going on, wasn't it?"
"Somewhat. It was when M-Ai infected Kicker with Neo-Dark Energon and almost went berserk" answered Rad.
"What? How?" thought Karl.
"It must've been that sword she brought out and damaged his battle armor suit. It's going to take awhile and getting a replacement" says Billy.
"You got that right. Especially that Kicker is being replaced by Ga'Mede, because of M-Ai's rampage" told Carlos.
This had angered Alexis, when he blurted out the truth. "Carlos, you idiot! You weren't supposed to say that!"
"Oops! I forgot!" He tried covering his mouth, but Kicker had already overheard it.
"I'm being replaced? What for?"
"Two things, Kicker. One, M-Ai has damaged you and your battle armor suit and two, you need to sit this out and re-cooperate your strength" Ga'Mede replied.
"Anything else that I need to know?" he wondered.
"We'll have to put our differences aside and insure that the Earth, Cybertron and entire universe are safe from those two maniacs. Truce?" he offered Kicker his handshake, in which, he accepted.
"Truce…For now." Kicker narrows his eyes at him, where he performs the same thing.
Misha shook his head. "Oh, dear. I was afraid that this would happen."
"That's my brother, alright. Still reckless like the old days" added Sally.
At Decepticon HQ, Galvatron and Cryotek were none too thrilled about the upsetting news that M-Ai had spoken about her failed attempt on Kicker.
"We'd thought that you had infected him."
"Obviously, it was a slight mishap. If not worse, a distraction."
M-Ai pouted. "Indeed. It's that worthless girlfriend of his. If it weren't for her, he would still be under your influence."
"I see." Then, Galvatron grinned. "You just gave us an extraordinary idea. In order for him to rejoin us, we must use her. Once that happens, the Autobots won't have a leg to stand on."
"I completely agree" says Cryotek laughing with bliss.
Back inside Kicker's dorm, Kicker kept pacing back and forth after his chest and shoulder blade were now bandaged up. He was still irate, ever since he found out that Ga'Mede is replacing him from now on until he is fully recovered. "Man! This is a total rip-off! Not willing to use the Energon Fusion with Koji and Rad isn't a problem. But, being replaced? Now, that's stupid!" Just as he was about to let loose with his anger, there were a few knocks on the door and he went over there to see who it is. "Come in."
As the doors slide open, he became awfully surprised to see his father and Ga'Mede walking into his room with disgruntled looks on their faces.
"Dad? Ga'Mede? Wh-What's going on?"
"Just to rename a few things, Kicker. One, as mentioned before from Optimus, you'll need to be on the sidelines. Second, he's your replacement since he can't utilize the Energon Fusion with the other two. And lastly, I had a meeting with him regarding the connection between you and Misha."
"Why would you tell him about that? Is it because of the way, he was doing to her back when Galvatron was controlling him?" said Kicker with frustration in his eyes.
Dr. Jones wasn't appealed about his son's attitude, relating to him leaking the information to Ga'Mede about his relationship with Misha. "Shut your damn trap, already!"
Kicker was taken aback by surprise, when his father had yelled at him. "Sorry. I hadn't realized of how arrogant I was."
"That's what happens, when you run wild like a savage Tank-drone" replied Ga'Mede.
He sweat dropped, while his face became shallow. "I feel like I just got grounded."
"Now, then. As I was saying, I've recently discussed with him about Misha and from what I can understand, he's willing to assist us in any way he can. Furthermore, he gave us some extraordinary information relating to Galvatron's Neo-Dark Energon."
By raising his eyebrow in question, he asked his Dad. "And what might that be?"
"It's rumoured that they might try and use the Neo-Dark Energon with M-Ai on Fortress Maximus. That's almost more surprising than the Spy-Changers and the Build Team being contaminated. Does T-Ai know about this?" thought Ga'Mede.
"Probably." As Kicker folds his arms and leaned against the wall, he pressed forward. "She wasn't fully aware of it, when she was on their side. Once Koji exposes the truth, she'll be in a world of hurt."
After Koji tells T-Ai about her utilizing an old Predacon attack when she was infected, along with Galvatron acquiring both the Build Team and the Spy-Changers, she was reeling with regret and her eyes were filled with sorrow.
"I-I can't believe this."
"Yeah, I was pretty shocked myself." He sat down next to her by placing his arm around her shoulder and comforts her. "Listen, I know that this will be very difficult for both of us to handle the situation but, we've got to be strong."
"I understand, Koji. Yet, the Neo-Dark Energon is even stronger."
"That's because of the sheer hatred that burns from the inside" he said.
T-Ai felt scared after he verified about falling prey to Galvatron's devious weapon. "How horrible. He's turning us into cold-blooded machines for his own amusement." She then hung her head down. "Using the Build Team and the Spy-Changers is bad but using us, that's even much worse."
Upon staring at her miserable complexion, he now knows of how dangerous the Neo-Dark Energon can be, whenever the victim becomes tainted. "There has got to be a way to get rid of it. The problem is, how?"
Somewhere on the balcony of the Autobot base, Misha stands there all alone with her long brown hair blowing from the wind and looked up at the sky that's completely blue and covered with white clouds and the sun shining down brightly on her. As she reflects on the times she's had with Kicker and the involvement with Neo-Dark Energon that's causing some serious friction, she placed her hands to where her heart is and felt it. It was beating a few times until it resumed to its normal state. She closed her eyes and gave herself a moment to think about whether her feelings towards Kicker will ever come out. Before long, someone was calling out to her.
"I'd assume that you were here."
She turned her head to see Dr. Jones walking towards her path. Fortunately, she had nothing to say and looked back at the sky above. She feels his hand being placed on her shoulder.
"You're still deeply worried about my son, aren't you?"
By nodding her head in agreement, she briefly answered. "Y-Yes."
"You know, it's very obvious that you two were meant for each other."
Misha can feel her heart beat at every minute relating to her ongoing relationship with Kicker.
Unknown to both of them, Kicker is standing against the wall and a few feet away from them while he overhears their conversation.
"You see, just long before you first met him as kids, he had a lot of phobias such as meeting the Autobots. Until one day, he ran away and met Primus by accident."
"So, he was afraid of them? I didn't know that."
He continued. "Indeed, but that was then and this is now. I also apologize for the harsh mistreatment towards my son by using his special ability to find stashes of Energon, let alone straining your relationship with him. So, I would like for you to spend more time with my son other than me."
Her eyes were filled with astonishment. "Dr. Jones, are you serious?"
He replied by smiling back at her. "Most definitely, yes."
Kicker shook his head in disbelief and walked off with his head down by stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I know that losing her parents is one thing but, does he really have to tell her about my past fears? Why couldn't it be someone else? Wait a minute. Sally doesn't know. I'll go and tell her."
Now back inside his dorm again. Only with his sister and explained everything that he heard from their father's conversation about Misha and himself.
"And, that's the whole story. Too bad our Mom isn't here to know this. Give yourself a moment of how long it's been, since that time."
"Oh, my gosh. I'm…speechless. I had no idea that you ran off like that as a kid."
He replied. "At least, he's allowing her to be at my side. But, it's going to get even harder, when the time comes."
She later made a small laugh. "Well, I can already hear the sound."
"What sound? The alarm?" he asked.
"No, when you and Misha tie the knot at your wedding" answered Sally, while she giggled.
Not only was Kicker embarrassed, he was also angry at her joke relating to his relationship with Misha. "What? Why, you…" Just as he's willing to punch her, she responded back.
"Relax, Kicker. I was only kidding. But, you should show some compassion to her since she's the last member of her family. And besides, you really need to get a grip on yourself."
"That's easy for you to say. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be heading out somewhere." When he was about to leave the Autobot base, she clutched his arm.
"Hold on! You're not thinking of getting sighted by the Decepticons and get brainwashed again, are you?"
As he released her hold on him, he clarified. "Of course, not! It's something that I have to do and if you're thinking of coming along, I won't stop you."
Sally smiled. "Yay! Alright!"
Elsewhere in the outskirts of outer space, Mo-Vor, the space shuttle Decepticon was busy tracking his enemies from above Planet Earth had detected a familiar sight. A blue sports car with orange and yellow flames on its hood was driving along the highway. He became confused as to why one member of the Autobot Brothers is out on his own.
"That's odd. What's Sideburn up to this time instead of chasing little red sports cars? I'd better report this to Galvatron, right away."
As Mo-Vor had passed on the message to Galvatron and Cryotek, they too were curious about one of the Autobot brothers traveling by himself. "What are your orders, sir?"
"Follow him. I'll be sending Mega-Octane and the others to join you. There could be a possibility that human Kicker is with Sideburn."
"And while you're at it, take M-Ai and Bruticus along for the ride. It'll increase our chances of turning him to us."
"Excellent. You heard our orders, Mo-Vor! Get going!" Galvatron commanded.
Mo-Vor returns the favor with a salute. "Yes, sir!"
Back down on the road, Sideburn was still cruising down with Sally and Kicker as his passengers. Later on, he asked Kicker a couple of questions by seeing him holding a bouquet of flowers. "Hey, Kicker. I hate to be a spoiled sport and all but, where exactly are we going and what's with the red roses that you're holding?"
"It's for a special occasion." That's when Kicker spots his destination and tells Sideburn to hit the brakes. "Stop right there!"
As he halted, both Kicker and Sally got out of Sideburn's car and headed for an unusual place: The Cemetery. It has thousands of tombstones with names of the people that were lost, due to accidents, diseases, illnesses and many other unfortunate causes.
Kicker didn't mind walking past several gravestones, along the way. But as for Sideburn and Sally, they were irritated of the site that they're at.
"Man, this place creeps me out. It's almost similar to the ones that we've lost back on Planet Cybertron."
"Don't remind me." She asks her brother as to why they're brought out here. "Kicker, what's the idea with those flowers?"
"I've already told you, it's for someone special. Well, here we are" he said by making his way up a small hill and peers at a family tombstone. It contained his best friend's last name on it, in which, he's staring at her parent's gravesite. He then placed the bouquet of red roses in the center of their tombstone and performed a silent prayer to himself.
During his time, Sally had caught up with him and witnessed that he's praying. As she looked at the names of a deceased family on its grave mark, she gasped in shock to see of whom Kicker is dedicating. "That…That last name!"
With a slight nod of his head, he replied. "Yeah. You're looking at Misha's dead parents."
Sally's eyes were covered with sadness. "Oh, no! This explains why she worries about you, so much. She hates losing you, just as much as…" Before she was about to cry, he interrupts her.
"I'm already aware of it!" He shouts. After his prayer, he held his head up high and turned to her. "I've made two vows, during this. One, I promised to them that I will look after her from then on. And two…" With his heart beating a few times, he unveiled his answer. "I'll be spending the rest of my life with her."
Her eyes grew in amazement, while some tears had appeared. "Y-You mean…"
He smiled. "That's right. I'll have her hand in marriage."
After wiping her tears, she too smiled. "I'm so glad."
"Oh, don't thank him yet for such an empty promise!" a loud booming voice had interjected them.
As they all turned around, they see Ruination, Bludgeon, Dreadwind, Axer and even Bruticus blocking their path.
Due to what happened from his previous battle, Kicker remains unarmed to fight. "Aw, come on! Can't you all just mind your own damn business?"
"Unlike you, we don't take Energon breaks" Ruination answered.
"How can I avoid this without both my battle armor suit and Energon Sabre? I'm completely defenseless, here!" he thought.
"I see that you broke my hold on you" says a feminine voice.
He turns his head a little too late and gets cloaked hard by an oncoming punch from someone that rocked him. He was down, but not out yet and gets up before he recognizes the individual that attacked him from behind. "M-Ai! I should've known that it was you who twisted my mind. You almost made me destroy Misha!"
"Destroy?" she laughed. "You've got it all wrong. Who says that I wanted you to do that?"
Kicker's eyes were widened and upon not knowing of what he was really doing while being controlled, he was left shaken to speak up. "Then, that means…"
"Yes. If you were still used as Galvatron's play-toy and stabbing her with your Energon Sabre, she would've become a useful asset in his army."
The instant that he understood his true actions with the Neo-Dark Energon and M-Ai berating him, he clenched his fists tightly and his anger was starting to rise. "You take that back! Nobody mistreats her like that and gets away with it! Especially, you!"
She glared her eyes at him with a cunning grin on her face. "Oh, really? Mind if I give you a treat?" Her hand was glowing black and purple, while performing a fist.
"You wish" he grunted.
Back inside Autobot HQ, Optimus, Magnus and Rodimus and among others have overviewed the situation that's happening right now.
"I'd thought that I prohibited him from going into battle. He's still in no condition to fight and Sideburn is all by himself."
"It gets worse. Sally is with him."
"What?"
"There's no time to discuss. We've got to help out my son and daughter!" says Dr. Jones pleading to them.
"X-Brawn! Prowl! Your brother needs assistance right away and we'll take Team Bullet Train, SnowCat, Demolisher and Scavenger with us" Optimus said by giving out an order to his men.
Before they could head out through the Space Bridge, Magnificus and Ga'Mede stepped in and issued a request.
"Optimus, wait! Let us help."
The Autobot leader turned to them and sees that they're both armed and ready for battle. Ga'Mede was already suited up in his Photon Armor and geared with a variety of weapons. At first, he originally denied but after observing their true intentions, he responded. "Okay, than. Make sure that Kicker doesn't get infected by M-Ai with Neo-Dark Energon. Is that clear?"
"Yes, crystal clear" Magnificus nodded.
As Ga'Mede loads up his arsenal, he replies. "We'll have him and Sally back in no time."
"Just to let you know that Koji and Rad are still injured, since they were assaulted by M-Ai." That's when Rodimus had detected an item on Ga'Mede waist. "Hmm? Why are you still wearing that belt Galvatron and Cryotek created for you?"
By looking at it, he retorted. "Oh, this? No need to complain about it, because I've recently removed the battery component."
"Then, let's be on our way. Misha! Open the Space Bridge!"
"Yes, sir, Optimus." Although she still feels very worried about Kicker, she manages to punch in the co-ordinates of the location that he's at and opened the Space Bridge.
"Autobots, Transform and roll-out!" As Optimus changes into a red fire truck and through the Space Bridge, he's followed by X-Brawn, Prowl, SnowCat, Demolisher, Team Bullet Train, Scavenger and even Magnificus with Ga'Mede on-board.
After the portal was closed, Magnus had remembered something. "Hey, wait a minute. Aren't we forgetting about Galvatron's new playmates?"
"His new…" That's when it hit Rodimus right into his memory bank and gasped. "Oh, crap! We almost forgot that they have the Spy-Changers and Team Landfill! Misha, try and re-open the Space Bridge! There could be an ambush!"
"I'm on it!" She re-opened the Space Bridge and as it re-appeared, Rodimus called forth his teammates.
"Daytonus! Nightcruz! Skid-Z! Hauler! Let's move out! Rodimus, Transform!" As he changes into a red and yellow flamed car, he enters the Space Bridge with his selected crew members and headed out to catch-up with Optimus, in order to foil the waylay.
When Misha closes the portal once again, she made a sigh of disbelief and hung her head down. "Kicker, please be safe."
Magnus was left curious and so, he asks Dr. Jones. "Hey, doc. Is she always like that?"
He nodded. "I'm afraid so. Ever since she lost her parents as a kid, she also doesn't want to lose him."
"Well, that's certainly worse than Koji losing his Dad. Yet, for some reason, your son is almost acting a lot like me." He smiled. "Heh. Looks like, I've found my equal."
Whilst Magnus was busy learning about Kicker's motives by comparing it with his own, back on the cemetery, things were becoming mighty bleak for Kicker, Sally and Sideburn as they try to fend off the Decepticons.
Sideburn tries valiantly to fire back with his weapon, but with the numbers stacked against him, he wasn't able to pull the trigger. "Slag! There's too many of them. How are you holding out, Kicker?"
Subsequent to getting punched in the face by M-Ai, he rejoined. "Not good." He then gets kicked in the stomach, where it caused him to breathe heavily and when she was going to clobber him even further, someone taps her on the shoulder and as she rotated her head, she gets slapped in the face and then, gets tripped over from her feet where she fell to the ground.
As Kicker gradually recovers, he became awfully surprised that Sally had not only interfered but also saved him from M-Ai's savage attack.
"You didn't have to save my backside, you know."
"Yeah, well, it's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it."
He frowned with disgust on his face. Luckily, it didn't last long when he noticed M-Ai rising to her feet and hoping to pounce at Sally from behind. With some fast thinking, he shoves her out of the way and performs a spear right onto M-Ai's stomach where her head gets knocked onto the tree.
She tried to get up, but because of the full force that Kicker had delivered, she passed out.
As soon as Sally stood up, she became upset from what her brother had done. "Hey, what was that for, anyways?"
He responded. "I had a suspicion that she would possess you. Trust me, I can tell by that look in her eyes."
"Hey, guys!" called Sideburn. "I could use some help over…" Unfortunately, he gets cut off when he got distracted and gets blasted by Ruination.
"That takes care of Mr. Side-breath. Now for the humans!"
"Think again! Blaze Blaster!" A mysterious light-red projectile appeared and blasts him on the chest, where he stumbled to his knees.
"Eh? That could only mean one thing…" Bruticus whirled around and found out who prevented their human capture. When he does, he was furious to see Optimus and his troops with him. "Ah! The Autobots! Curses!"
Both Kicker and Sally were overwhelmed with joy, when they've arrived on-time.
"Sweet! I knew they'd showed up."
"And not a moment too soon."
Bludgeon was infuriated. "Damn it! They're here!"
"Alright, Autobots. Let's give 'em, what we've got" told Optimus.
X-Brawn and Prowl tend to their brother's aid.
"Hey there, bro. You could sure use a hand."
"How about we send those chumps packing?"
As they carry Sideburn to his feet, he responds. "Sounds good to me. But, we need to stay alert, because I'm getting the feeling that they're out here somewhere."
"You mean the Spy-Changers and Team Landfill?" asked X-Brawn. That's when he felt a screw loose in his body that made him jolt with quiver. "Holy Toledo! Optimus doesn't know that we're walking into a trap!"
"Aw, nuts! What now?" complained Prowl.
"Leave that to us."
The Autobot Brothers turned to hear another familiar voice that called to them, just as the Space Bridge had come into view and out came Rodimus with some fortifications.
"I hope that we're not too late. Any sign of them?"
"Nope, not a trace. If we don't occupy them soon, the Decepticons will have their way of manipulating Kicker" informed Sideburn.
"Rodimus, sir. The Spy-Changers are known for their stealth techniques and co-hesive teamwork. We need to be very cautious from where they come out" told Skid-Z.
"Yes, I understand that. But if I were a Spy-Changer, where would I hide?"
As Rodimus ponders his thoughts, a black car with light yellow and red flames on its hood had emerged from behind the tree and aims its rifle on him. He slowly positions his target and by pulling its trigger, it releases a small but loud clicking reaction and one Autobot had overheard the sound. It was Nightcruz.
With a quick turn of his head and grabbing hold of his weapon, he shoves Rodimus and fires his weapon on the unforeseen enemy before he could draw the bullet and falls to the ground.
Rodimus demands an explanation, considering Nightcruz's actions. "Nightcruz! Why did you…" But as he looks over to spot one of the enemies that Nightcruz had fired on, he became awfully surprised. It was Hot-Shot from the Spy-Changers and was out like a light. "Nice aim. How did you figure out that he was there?"
"I've recently studied them during my training routine, back on Planet Cybertron. Thanks to Skid-Z, that provided me, Daytonus and Hauler for their basic…" He stops himself, when he detects another Spy-Changer behind Rodimus and immediately fired his weapon on the enemy right on the chest and was knocked out. Then, a few more had popped up and with some assistance from Daytonus, Hauler, Skid-Z, Rodimus and even the Autobot bros., they've all managed to take down all of the Spy-Changers.
By viewing them one-by-one, Rodimus became very pleased with Nightcruz's sharp aiming and detection skills. "Nightcruz, I'm impressed! Thanks to you, we were able to take down the Spy-Changers."
"You said it. It looks like, we're back in the green" says Sideburn.
Daytonus, however, disagreed when he points an oncoming enemy behind his and the brother's backs. "Actually, we're still in the red."
Uncertain from what he meant, they took his word and whirled around to see Landfill standing in-front and shoot its rifle on them, where it sends the trio flying to the canvas.
Back to where Kicker and Sally are, they were being assisted by Ga'Mede earlier. During his brawl with M-Ai, she head-butts him on the head and snatches the shape-shifting belt that he was wearing.
She wraps it around her waist and by adjusting the centerpiece, she can feel her Neo-Dark Energon powers increasing as purple bolts of electricity surge through her body.
When Ga'Mede quickly re-cooperates his minor injury from her, his eyes were widened with surprise. Whereas Kicker, his hair glowed brightly gold by sensing and feeling the full force of Neo-Dark Energon from M-Ai.
"Yeow! That smarts!"
"Kicker, what's wrong?" asked Sally about her brother's reaction.
"Th-The Neo-Dark Energon. It's…It's growing!"
"So, you have noticed it, didn't you?" M-Ai smirked at him. "Let's see, if you still have some fight left in you."
"Oh, yeah? Prove it!" says Ga'Mede.
As M-Ai laughed, she continues to build up her strength from the belt that she attained from him by stealing it and then, her whole body was covered in a black, red and purple glow. Suddenly, the whole ground was shaking heavily and everyone is feeling the sudden trauma beginning to manifest.
"By the all-spark, what is happening?" gasped Optimus.
"Look over there! It's M-Ai and…No way!" That's when Magnificus remembered the tool that Ga'Mede was once wearing, which is now in the hands of M-Ai. "Good grief! I know, what it is. It's that belt she's using!"
She continued to roar with delight and determination as the Neo-Dark Energon rapidly burns through her, in and out. After that, she levels her arms to her chest and formed her hands in the size of an orb. It was big enough for her to carry on and as she charges it, she yells out the name of her new acquired attack. "Neo-Dark Energon Tsunami Blaster!" She fires right past the group and heads into an abandoned warehouse from across the lake, where it explodes within seconds and was completely obliterated.
The Decepticons were startled of how much strength M-Ai had conjured up from the newly advanced powers of Neo-Dark Energon. That includes the Autobots as well.
"Whoa! I've never seen such power!" says a surprised Ruination.
"Yeah. It just took out the whole building!" added Axer.
"In the name of Primus..." Optimus was at a loss of his words upon seeing the devastating power from M-Ai.
As bolts of purple, red and now black lightning surge through M-Ai's body, she forces someone to take the first blow. "How do you like my new strength, now? I'm twice as powerful as I was before! So, go ahead, make your move. I dare you!"
Sally was already feeling frightened upon seeing her new appearance. Kicker was stiff as a board and tries to notify Ga'Mede to back off from her challenge.
"What are you waiting for? Let's get out of here!"
"No! I'm not going anywhere!" Ga'Mede clenched his fist and pressed forward. "I've been played around from those jerks for far too long and now, it's time for me to get some payback!"
"If you're willing to hit me, then be my guest" stated M-Ai as she starts playing mind games on him.
"You wouldn't have said that, if I were you." As he constructs his hidden strength from within, his hands were strangely glowing crimson white, while his body was crimson yellow, his hair was platinum grey, his eyes were light green and his Photon Armor on his back and chest had turned black.
Kicker blinked his eyes in shock and is stunned of witnessing Ga'Mede obtaining a new form. "H-How is this possible?" He looked at Sally.
"D-Don't look at me."
That's when they hear a new message from him. "Ga'Mede, Transform!"
To Be Continued…
End of Chapter 18