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 - Galvatron and Cryotek's latest acquisition is revealed to be Koji's late father: Dr. Kenneth Onishi. By witnessing Kicker risking his life to save her, Misha obtains her own armor transformation sequence (nearly resembling Star Saber from Transformers: Victory) and handled him with ease. But, Kicker has survived his ordeal and it has left everyone from both factions in total shock; except for Cryotek. Artemis feels so devastated to learn that Tim already has a wife and took off, while Jan and Illumina also depart with him. She then makes a costly mistake after she ran away.
Chapter 28: Paying the Ultimate Price
Koji and his mother couldn't believe their eyes. Standing before them is a white mystified ball of energy that contained the final remains of M-Ai.
"M-Ai? How did you become like this?" he asked her.
"I sacrificed myself to save Kicker's life. Right after that, the hooded figure began to drain all of my energy until Misha pitched in and prevented it. Sadly, I was already running out for time."
"And, that's when you turned yourself into energy?" Noriko pointed out.
"That's correct."
"M-Ai, the person that attacked you. Is it possible that it's really..." Koji allowed her to finish his sentence.
"There's no mistaken it. It IS him," she said.
Believing that it really is his late father, Koji hung his head down in shame. "I-I can't do it." He starts crying again. "I don't want to fight my own Dad."
"What you believe from Galvatron and Cryotek isn't true," she told him.
He lifted his head in astonishment. "Say that again?"
"I said, their plan of reviving your deceased father is slightly off. He is nothing more than a fake."
"A-A fake? You mean that my dead husband is actually…a clone?" cried Noriko.
"That's exactly what I mean" replied M-Ai.
"Good grief. What else is going to happen?" wondered Koji.
In the mean time, both Galvatron and Cryotek responded towards Optimus.
"Now, we're going to dispose all of you. But first things first." He snaps his fingers to the unknown figure and nods its head from underneath the hood.
It than spreads its arms out, where it shot out purple waves from its hands and starts draining the Neo-Dark Energon from the Spy-Changers. They all whelp in pain as a result.
"Galvatron, what are you and Cryotek think are doing?" Optimus asks them.
"We're taking care of business, Prime. Since the Spy-Changers have done their part with us, we're severing our ties with them."
"In short, we have no further use for them."
Right after their explanation, the unknown hooded figure was done zapping all of the Neo-Dark Energon from the Spy-Changers. Afterwards, they've dropped down to the canvas like dead weight.
The Autobots and everybody else are all left stunned of this sudden outcome.
"This has gotten completely out of control. First the Predacons, then Scourge, the Build Team, M-Ai and now the Spy-Changers. This is sheer madness" growled Rodimus.
"I couldn't have said it better than myself" replied Magnus.
Just then, the cloaked figure bent down on both knees and pumped its fists. Just then, a purple and black aura had wrapped around his entire body and in an instant, it lets out a vibrant purple flash that blinded both factions. Yet, they've managed to cover their eyes.
As the light had been cleared out, Kicker was the first to re-open his eyes. However, they were a bit blurry. "Huh? Who's that?" When he rubbed his eyes for a better view, he gasped in utter shock. "Wh-Why, that's..."
Standing tall and glaring back at him was none other than Koji's late father, Dr. Kenneth Onishi. Although his clothing remained the same, he's no longer wearing his eyeglasses, while his face and hands were covered with dark purple veins, along with his light purple eyes.
Optimus could feel his spark run wildly. "Galvatron! Cryotek! Both of you have gone way too far!"
"Say what you want, Prime. It will do you no good. Our ultimate Neo-Dark Energon soldier is prepared to take down your human accomplices, once and for all!"
"In addition to that, he's more powerful than M-Ai and the rest of those silly humans combined. On the flip-side, he has the same capabilities that M-Ai and Ga'Mede once had."
T-Ai gasped in sheer bewilderment after seeing Koji's father revived with a catastrophic result. "This is unprecedented! In all my years, I've never ever seen anything this atrocious!"
"I agree. Those ruthless tyrants!" grunted Dr. Jones with his fist clenched.
"I know but, why are they doing this?" says Artemis curiously.
"I'm with you. M-Ai once told me about Neo-Dark Energon and yet, she never told me the theory behind it all. Any ideas?" asked Stella to Alexis.
"Now's not the best time to explain it. I'm shocked of what I've just witnessed."
At the battleground, Galvatron made his next command to Dr. Onishi. "Time to bring the humans to its knees! Dr. Onishi! Annihilate them!"
With a radiant glow from his eyes, he clenched his fists hard and roared with such vigour. It drew out a very strong gust of wind, when he channelled his newfound Neo-Dark Energon powers from within himself; not only that, it also shook the ground violently and destroyed two buildings with one hit.
Kicker and the others have managed to withstand the sheer velocity coming from Koji's resurrected father. "Holy crap! Such power!"
"So, I've noticed. I didn't anticipate it" told Ga'Mede.
"You really think so? The moment Koji sees him like this, he'll be devastated." Unbeknownst to Rad when the smoke was cleared, Dr. Onishi stood behind him.
Tactlessly, he turned around too soon and gets levelled by Dr. Onishi's fearsome punch where it sent him hurdling far into the debris of the wrecked buildings. It resulted of him being knocked out-cold.
"Rad!" cried Alexis.
Blood began to trickle on his forehead and could barely move his body, due to the high impact from Dr. Onishi's attack. Also, his battle armour suit is significantly damaged.
By witnessing Rad's early downfall, Ga'Mede realizes that Dr. Onishi has an upgraded amount of Neo-Dark Energon than its previous version. "His energy level is unlike anything that I've ever felt before. It's so strong and yet, terrifying. I'm not sure, if I'm capable enough of enduring its magnitude. I'll have to risk it."
He was nearly busy contemplating the new and improved Neo-Dark Energon that he was almost caught off-guard by Dr. Onishi's oncoming punch from behind. Providentially, he was able to catch it and then the other one until he transformed into his super form. "Ga'Mede, Transform! Super Mode!" It has now become a fierce grapple pushover between them. Their Dark Energon powers were almost evenly matched that differentiated each other. Ga'Mede manages to push Dr. Onishi further away, before levelling him in the gut with his knee. When that happened, Dr. Onishi groaned in pain and that's where Ga'Mede seizes the opportunity to strike him down. He conjured up his powers from within his fist and rocks Dr. Onishi straight to his face.
But then, he became deeply horrified to witness a horrifying sight: his punch to Dr. Onishi's face had no effect on him.
Dr. Onishi, himself, grinned from receiving his assault. He then grabs Ga'Mede's hand, twists it and pounded him in the stomach with his knee; followed up by a hard-hitting spinning heel kick right into Ga'Mede's face that sent him reeling far until he crashed into the wall. Thus, like Rad, he too is unconscious.
"Ga'Mede!" cried Sally with tears in her eyes.
"This is insane! They've turned Koji's own dead father into a cold-hearted vigilante with the newly upgraded Neo-Dark Energon!" Dr. Jones mentioned.
Carlos nervously asked. "Wh-What can we do now? He's already taken out both Ga'Mede and Rad!"
"Well, at this point, we need to come up with a miracle" says Bridget with her arms folded.
"Yeah but, how are we going to find one?" complained Kelly.
Back inside Koji's room with his mother, the conversation between them and M-Ai continued as she explained further on.
"I understand the troubles that I've committed and now, this is the right time for me to repay my mistakes. It will sound ridiculous but you must trust me."
Koji retorted, while having his arms crossed. "I don't think that I'm willing to accept your offer. You might take over my body afterwards and..."
M-Ai interjected him. "Not exactly. What I'm really saying to you is not a request. If you can grasp of what's left of me, you'll find out soon enough."
Before he proceeds, he turns to his mother, where she nodded her head in agreement. After taking a deep breath, he walked slowly towards the floating white orb that contained M-Ai's remnants and held it in his hands. Once he grasped it, the orb shined brightly on him. The light had only lasted for a few minutes until he re-opened them. When he does, he's meeting face-to-face with M-Ai's spirit.
For some odd reason, however, her attire has been altered. Her purple outfit is angelic light blue, her yellow amber eyes are now semi-dark brown and the scar on her face is no longer there.
He was utterly surprised of her newfound appearance but regardless, it's only temporarily. By crossing his arms again, he asked her. "Okay, M-Ai. What's this favour all about?"
She explained herself. "It's about me starting over. I slowly began to realize that much like Kicker's bond with Misha and Rad with Alexis, your bond with T-Ai is also unique. In return, I will assist you against the Decepticons. It really showed me the error of my ways."
"And, why do you expect me to believe you? You'll probably mess things up again by reverting back to your old ways" he said to her.
"In case you haven't noticed, I no longer have any Neo-Dark Energon on me. All of which are now in possession of your resurrected father."
"What?!" gasped Koji.
M-Ai countered. "As disturbing as it may seem, you'll eventually overcome it with my assistance. So, please Koji. Take my hand." Her eyes glistened and made a small smile on her face.
Koji felt very perplexed of not just her unusual offer to him, but also her change of attitude upon reading her facial expression. He even spotted some small tears in her eyes. "That's weird. I've never seen her this way. Even though she is willing to fix her mistakes, I'll have to be very cautious."
At that precise moment, he grasped her hand firmly and closed his eyes. As he re-opens them, he was back in his dormitory with his mother.
Noriko asked. "How do you feel?"
By flexing his fingers and later tightening his fist, he replied to her. "I feel fine but somehow, different."
"What do you mean?" Noriko wondered.
"I'm not sure. Whatever it is, I'm hoping to find that out for myself. Anyways, why don't we head over to the Main Monitor and see what's happening back there?"
"Of course, Koji."
Elsewhere, Kicker has been getting hammered by Dr. Onishi for quite some time and hasn't been able to counterattack due to the pure advancement of Neo-Dark Energon. But then, he was strong enough to land a swift kick right onto Dr. Onishi's face and it made him stumble a bit. This has given Kicker the opportunity to strike back at him. He steadies his Energon Sabre carefully and launched it. However, he gasped in horror to witness a shocking surprise: Dr. Onishi had blocked his oncoming attack with the Sword of Fury. Evidently, it's the very same weapon that Scourge and M-Ai once had.
When that occurred, Dr. Onishi pushed Kicker away with his own sword.
Kicker managed to land on his feet until Dr. Onishi charges in to pounce on him. Luckily, he was smart enough to block it with his Energon Sabre and it's now become an ensuing struggle between him and Dr. Onishi. Both combatants kept pushing each other with their swords, back and forth. That is, until Dr. Onishi head-butted Kicker on the head that caused him to lose his balance. As Kicker becomes dazed, Dr. Onishi goes in for the finishing blow.
Nonetheless, right at the same time, Misha dives in and manages to block his move with her Sword of Purpose. This resulted of the friction between the two swords building up some very serious sparks.
Both Galvatron and Cryotek became not only intrigued, but also baffled with the sudden conflict surrounding Dr. Onishi and Misha's swords.
"Amusing. Their weapons are fiercely entangled. All the same, I'm sensing a very strange feeling coming from that woman's sword."
"Anything in particular?"
Galvatron pressed on. "Yes, a very familiar energy anomaly that I haven't felt for millennia."
For Kicker, on the other hand, he slowly struggles to stand up and once he does, he became mystified of seeing Misha defending herself. "I've never seen Misha fight before." As he got back up on one knee by holding onto his Energon Sabre, he shouted back to her. "Hey, Misha! Run! It's too dangerous!"
"No, I won't! I'm not running away anymore!" She quickly turns to him. "And besides, you're very important to me and I don't want to lose you like my parents."
He became aroused by her strong words. "M-Misha."
Galvatron grunted. "Bah! I'm getting really tired of this heroic nonsense."
Cryotek agreed with his opinion. "And so do I. Dr. Onishi! Eliminate that annoying pest!"
By relaying his command, Dr. Onishi makes his move: by holding the Sword of Fury steadily with one hand, he releases the other by throwing a hard right cross into Misha's face.
This causes her to fall to the ground, but not until she stood up with one knee and her newly advanced Sword of Purpose in-hand.
Dr. Onishi seizes his moment and prepares to take her out by stabbing her in the stomach. His sword connects and some blood had come out. Conversely, much to his chagrin, along with everybody, it didn't go through Misha's. It went through somebody else's: Kicker.
When Misha had unfastened her eyes, she gasped in terrifying fear and her whole body froze like ice after what had transpired. Kicker had stepped in and took the blow that was originally meant for her.
He coughed out some blood from his mouth, before Dr. Onishi pulls out his Sword of Fury from Kicker's stomach and it's now covered in his blood. Upon feeling the heavy wound that he received, he dropped his Energon Sabre and fell lifelessly onto the pavement.
Everybody at the Autobot base became very horrified of this tragic turn of events. But no one was more upset than Misha.
With hot tears running down on her cheeks and her eyes widened in horror, she turns him over and tries calling out to him. "NO! Kicker! Kicker, please respond! I beg of you!" She kept shaking his body. "Kicker! Kicker!" Sadly, much to her grief and sorrow, he didn't answer and soon realizes that he's no longer with her. "Kicker…" She traces back to her fond memories of him such as the Energon war with Unicron, the black hole incident that strengthen their relationship and his proposal to her after Kicker's mother had passed on from M-Ai's influence. As she kept on crying, her teardrops went onto her simplified Sword of Purpose and isn't aware that it began to glow vibrantly. "Why?"
Unlike the Autobots that became remorseful for this upsetting loss, Galvatron and Cryotek began to insult Kicker's demise.
"So much for that pathetic scumbag."
"Yes, indeed. He was nothing more than a scrapped up Quintesson."
Misha's expression quickly turned from sadness into rage by turning her head at them. Not only was she appalled of their disrespectful remarks relating to Kicker's bravery, but also Magnus, Optimus and Rodimus.
"You're going to regret those words, when we're done with you!"
"That's right! His sacrifice for Misha was an act of honor! Not in vain! We will see to it that even with your combined strength and efforts, you will never defeat us!"
"And for what you've said, you will never be forgiven!"
Galvatron was hardly amused and continues insulting. "Oh, how endearing. It's a pity that little wench can't fight on her own without that miserable chump."
"That's enough of that!" yelled Optimus.
"So, what? That worthless brat got what he deserves," told Cryotek. Adding yet another insult towards Kicker.
As soon as Misha heard every word coming from both Galvatron and Cryotek involving Kicker's defeat, she tightened her grip on her sword, grinds her teeth and muttered from underneath her breath. "That…does it!" She gradually hoisted herself up and shouted back at the two Decepticon leaders. "Hey, you!"
They heard her calling out to them and turned to the young woman. Her expression was filled with anger and determination. Yet regardless, it didn't bother to either Galvatron or Cryotek.
"If you're willing to suffer the same fate as he did, the pleasure is all ours."
"To be brief, it's your funeral."
"I'm not ready to give up and I intend to keep it that way until the very end! I won't let you harm my family and friends any longer! And for those reasons, I will fight!" Due to her dramatic speech, a bright white glow emanated from her Sword of Purpose. "Huh?"
"Now what?" Galvatron asks.
"How should I know? This might understand the energy anomaly coming from her weapon" replied Cryotek.
Soon, a mysterious voice came from the light within Misha's sword. "It is time. Shout out your name with these words: 'Combat Ascend'. And remember, use it wisely." Subsequently, the light had vanished.
With a slight nod, Misha held her sword in the air and chanted her name with a new sequence: "Misha, Transform! Combat Ascend!"
The instant she uttered that slogan, the Sword of Purpose glowed again with a brighter light and it wrapped around her body. That's when her newly adapted armor transformation began to take shape.
First, her long dark brown hair turns into ruby red; her eyes became light crystal blue, her armor, feet, torso and shoulder pads became pure red, her hands became black, her legs became pure blue with her leg pads turning part blue, yellow and white, while her arms became chalk white and a yellow V-shaped symbol appeared on her red armour. Likewise, her Sword of Purpose had also transformed into a straight curve blade with a blue grip and red, white, yellow thrust that resembled a very familiar weapon belonging to a nearly forgotten legendary Autobot supreme commander. When she revealed her new features by striking a pose, everybody became visibly stunned.
The first ones that witnessed it were Galvatron and Cryotek.
"Wh-What?!"
"No way! Dr. Onishi! Get her!"
By communicating the inputted command from Cryotek, Dr. Onishi bolted right into Misha's path. The minute he swung his sword at her with all of its power, Misha immediately blocked it while being pushed further away and holding onto her brand new sword.
After awhile, her weapon remained intact and it didn't even flinch. Misha's eyes glowed with a newfound vigour and responded back. "My turn." As she kicks him in the abdomen, she leaped high into the air and performs a downward sword attack onto Dr. Onishi's Sword of Fury with her newly upgraded Sword of Purpose. "Energon Impulse Sword!"
Although he blocked it, his sword quickly began to form cracks and in an instant, it was immediately shattered. But that didn't stop there for her. She right away stabs him in the chest and after that, she plucks it out from him and that made Dr. Onishi fall down to one knee. Therefore, she has avenged Kicker.
The Autobots, Decepticons and even everyone at Autobot base couldn't believe that Misha in her newly obtained armor transformation has easily beaten Koji's resurrected father. They all stood in sheer silence until it was broken off by Galvatron and Cryotek.
"Unbelievable! She not only managed to destroy his sword, but defeated him with ease!"
"The complex of this battle has definitely changed in their favour."
"Excuse me?!" yelled Galvatron at Cryotek.
"At first, we thought that our Neo-Dark Energon soldier would give us the upper hand. But because of what happened to the female's partner and thus resulting of gaining her own armor transformation, it's a stalemate. Dr. Onishi, stand down!"
Upon listening and a few flashes on the Decepticon insignia coming from his forehead, he stood up and walked back to them.
Originally, Galvatron was about to yell out in anger due to his failed attempt of breaking the bond between the Autobots and their human comrades. However, by recalling the sword fight with Misha and Dr. Onishi earlier on, he realizes that there's something more from within the young woman's updated sword than both he and Cryotek had anticipated. "That energy. It's awfully familiar. There's no doubt about it." He turns his attention to the Autobots. "You may have won this day, but your victory is hollow since that insignificant brat of yours is dead!"
Suddenly, a very familiar voice intervened. "Wh-Who says that I'm dead, you jerk?"
As soon as Galvatron heard it, he gasped in astonishment and as he turned to the individual's direction, he became very shocked. "I-Impossible! You still live?!"
Once Misha slowly turned her head around whom Galvatron is referencing, she instantly became relieved and surprised to see Kicker alive. "Kicker!" She immediately transformers back to her normal self.
Inside Autobot HQ, everybody also felt amazed that Kicker has miraculously survived from his fatal wound.
With tears in their eyes, both Dr. Jones and Sally became overjoyed upon witnessing Kicker's survival.
"My son."
"Thank goodness."
Whereas T-Ai, Alexis, Carlos, Artemis, Kelly and Bridget, they all felt shocked and puzzled altogether regarding this strange outcome.
"Oh, my god."
"I don't believe it!"
"Holy frijoles!"
"That's so unreal!"
"I thought, he was a goner."
"So did I."
Stella narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Kicker, how did you manage to come back after getting fatally stabbed?"
The same goes for Lori, Coby, Bud and Tim as they too became stunned.
"It's not possible."
"But, how?"
"My thoughts exactly. How did this happen?"
"I can't say for sure."
As for Jan and Illumina, however, they too felt very happy to witness Kicker alive as they embrace each other.
"Alright! He's alive!"
"I'm so glad!"
A few minutes later, Koji and his mother, Noriko joined in.
"Hey, guys. What did we miss?"
While everyone turned around to see Koji feeling better, back on over to the battlefield, Galvatron questions Kicker's odd survival.
"How did you manage to withstood Dr. Onishi's Sword of Fury?! I want answers!"
He raised his eyebrow in question, while he scratched his head in confusion. "Huh? I just woke up and you're asking me of how I came back to life?" That's when he realizes the stab wound on his stomach he received from earlier is no longer there and he too couldn't believe his eyes. "What the hell? It's gone!"
As Kicker, Galvatron and everybody else are left with so many questions about Kicker's fatal injury mysteriously disappeared, Cryotek is the only one that might have solved this bizarre outcome.
"Oh, I know exactly what happened."
Galvatron turns to him. "You already have?"
The large aqua blue dragon nodded and revealed the truth. "When he sacrificed himself to save his female companion, I've detected some Energon anomalies from within him. By mixing the Sword of Fury contaminated with Neo-Dark Energon, his armor transformation sequence and his hair turning brightly gold whenever he sensed a large amount of Energon, he has gained an unusual ability: a healing factor!"
"What did you say?!" cried Kicker with his eyes widened in shock.
"Well, that's convenient" says Rodimus.
"Decepticons! Fall back!" Galvatron motions to Optimus. "Today's your lucky break, Prime. But the next day won't be so fortunate for you and the Autobots."
Soon after Galvatron, Cryotek and the Decepticons have departed, the Autobots have a lot more worrying about than just pursuing them.
"Let them be. We've got more important matters to take care of. Send the Spy-Changers, Rad and Ga'Mede into the infirmary right away" commanded Optimus to his troops.
"Yes, sir!"
Rodimus lets out a deep sigh. "First Koji's father being resurrected, T-Ai's evil clone, Misha's armor transformation from her sword, Kicker acquiring a healing factor, what's next?"
Magnus turns his head away with his arms crossed. "Don't ask me, pal. I haven't gotten a clue."
As Kicker makes a sigh of relief, he hears Misha calling out to him while running.
"Kicker!"
Once he does, he turns around and calls out her name in return. "Misha!" But, he wasn't ready to see her throw her arms around his neck and feel her warmth.
She starts shedding tears of joy to see him alive and well. "I'm so glad! You're still here, Kicker!"
A hint of redness was formed on his cheeks. "Misha..."
Immediately back inside Autobot HQ, Kicker was put onto a scanner machine to verify if Cryotek's theory was correct. After several minutes, the on-screen monitor revealed the exact results and it has left everyone in the Autobot base completely shocked.
"This is beyond belief. Cryotek was right. Kicker really did gain a healing factor. Except that it's minor" says T-Ai after reading the scanner log.
"But, he can't handle more than two abilities. It could overwhelm his entire body" informed Dr. Jones.
T-AI continued. "Not quite. Based on these tests, it has also purged the original Dark Energon from within himself. If he becomes infected again, it will become null and void."
"Yes but, what does that mean?" asked Sally.
She answered. "It means that he has become immune to it."
"That's amazing!" Stella smiled. "I have to admit, he might be stubborn but he's very brave of putting himself in the face of danger. No matter what."
Both Bridget and Kelly nodded their heads in agreement.
Whereas Misha, she scowled at Stella's response relating to Kicker; believing that she may have developed a new rival.
Outside of the Autobot base, Bud, Lori, Coby and Koji send their farewells to Tim, Jan and Illumina while being escorted inside a black limousine.
"Stay safe out there, brother."
"Yes. Send our regards to Colonel Franklin and Lucy, along with their newborn baby."
"That includes your wife too."
During their confrontation, Artemis peeked her head out and overheard everything. She was left shocked and devastated to learn that Tim isn't really single after all. "He was already taken? I'm lonely again."
Tim smiled to all of them. "I'll keep that in mind. It's too bad that Artemis isn't here to see me leave."
"Yeah. She was kind of cute" says Jan.
Illumina pouted. "Jan!"
Koji retorted. "Hey, take it easy. I'm sure that it was just a joke." He turns his attention to Tim. "But, how come they're coming with you?"
"They asked me to drive them back home, since they're the ones that found Misha's sword in the middle of New York City and that's where they currently live. Also, Koji..."
"Yes?"
By giving him a thumbs-up, he responds. "Keep up with your connection with T-Ai and that goes for the rest of them. I'm very certain that she'll make a great wife to you."
Koji's face turned completely red. "Huh? S-Sure, I will."
Everyone laughed at Koji's embarrassment towards his current relationship with T-Ai. Afterwards, Jan and Illumina hopped inside the limousine followed by Bud and Coby's older brother, Tim as they leave from the Autobot base.
Koji sighed with a faint smile. "It's just like what happened with Jenny and Karl, along with Billy and Fred. Except they were escorted with Scavenger and Tow-Line."
"I'm sure they're doing just fine as we all are" says Coby.
"Let's go inside and join up the others" told Lori as they all walk back inside Autobot HQ without realizing that Artemis is hiding behind the wall and sulking after learning about Tim's status.
When Artemis sees them walk back inside with the corridors closing behind, tears appeared in her eyes and her heart filled with misery. Not wanting to share her problem with the Autobots and everyone else, she walks out and into the downtown area.
Meanwhile, inside Kicker's room with Dr. Jones, he became awfully perplexed to learn about not only his newfound ability, but also Misha's armor transformation after he sacrificed himself to save her.
"You've got to be kidding me, Dad!"
"No, I'm not kidding. While you were presumably gone, Misha stood up to Galvatron and Cryotek by obtaining her own armor transformation and even handled Koji's revived father without breaking a sweat."
Kicker was at a loss for words. "Is it because I took the hit and not her?" He starts sulking. "This would've been much worse, if I hadn't gained the ability to sense Energon whenever my hair turns brightly gold by meeting Primus back when I was young and not being alive."
"Don't be so hard on yourself! You've already come this far, so why stop now?" he asked his son.
He was just about to reply back until Alexis and Carlos come running in with some upsetting news.
"Kicker! Dr. Jones! We've got a problem!"
"It's Artemis and we can't find her! We've looked everywhere but nothing!"
"You mean that she ran away?" Dr. Jones narrowed his eyes. "This is serious."
Immediately at the Main Monitor System, Optimus and his crew have pinpointed Artemis' location. "According to our surveillance footage, she's been spotted in the downtown area and it's highly possible that the Decepticons might try to capture and infect her with Neo-Dark Energon. But the main question is, why would she head over there?"
"Do you think that it had to do with Tim?" asked Koji.
"Huh?" says Coby, Lori and Bud altogether in confusion.
"What are you saying, Koji?" thought T-Ai.
He responded. "Well, after he departed with Jan and Illumina, I spotted Artemis in the distance. She looked so sad and when she muttered his name, it's obvious that she was eavesdropping on our conversation with him by learning that he was already married."
"You can't be serious?" cried Lori. "She went out there, because she liked him and didn't know that he's already in a relationship up until now?"
"Sadly, yes. At least, she hasn't fallen for me." He made a small laugh to himself until he noticed T-Ai's angry face with her arms folded. He quickly cleared his throat and retorted. "Still, we need to find her before the Decepticons do."
Kicker and Misha looked at each other and nod their heads together.
Rodimus replied. "I completely agree. However, since Rad and Ga'Mede are recovering in the infirmary, I will only need Kicker and Misha on this mission. You'll remain here, Koji."
This left him very shook up. "Is it because I don't want to confront my dead father?"
Optimus answered. "That's exactly it. If you do, the results would be catastrophic." He turns to his fellow teammates. "Autobots, our main objective is retrieving Artemis back to Autobot headquarters and we leave immediately."
"Yes, sir!" they all said in unison.
"Autobots, transform and roll-out!" the leader of the Autobots transforms into a red-fire truck, followed by Rodimus with Kicker and Misha on-board and the other Autobots such as the Autobot Brothers, Ultra Magnus, SnowCat, Demolisher and Team Bullet Train.
Meanwhile in the downtown area, Artemis is sulking on the bench after learning about Tim already married. The thought of it has made her feel very sad and lonely, ever since the unfortunate demise of her long-time rabbit partner, Moon. "I cannot believe that he didn't tell me about it sooner rather than later. What's the worst that could happen to me?"
"By becoming a new member of the Decepticons!" shouted a new voice.
As soon as she lifts her head up, Galvatron and Cryotek with their legion of Decepticons landed hard on the city streets as the entire crowd runs away for their lives. The two Decepticon leaders gloat at their frightened prey.
"Just stay still. In a matter of moments, you will succumb to the Neo-Dark Energon!"
"And there's nowhere left for you to hide!"
"That's where you're wrong!" yelled a familiar voice that both Galvatron and Cryotek knew already.
As the Space Bridge was opened, out comes Optimus Prime and his Autobot teammates as they transform and confront the Decepticons.
"Optimus Prime, Transform!"
"Rodimus, Transform!"
"X-Brawn, Transform!"
"Prowl, Transform!"
"Sideburn, Transform!"
"Rapid Run, Transform!"
"Rail Spike, Transform!"
"Midnight Express, Transform!"
"Demolisher, Transform!"
"SnowCat, Transform!"
"Ultra Magnus, Transform!"
"Ah, Optimus Prime. Just in time for us to add another specimen" told Galvatron.
"Put it on your future goals list. That's not going to happen!"
"Then, we'll take her, the hard way!" yelled Cryotek.
"Come get some!" says Ultra Magnus taunting them.
"Decepticons, attack!"
"Autobots, countermeasure!"
The ensuing battle for Artemis became very fierce as the two factions kept throwing missiles, punches, lasers and all sorts of tactics. In the heat of the fight, Kicker and Misha managed to bring Artemis out of harm's way. Once they do, they confront her about taking off from Autobot HQ without giving an explanation.
"What were you thinking, Artemis? Have you lost your damn mind?"
"We found out what happened to you."
Artemis turned her head away slightly. "What's the point? I'm better off living by myself without anyone."
Knowing that she has already given up, Kicker became infuriated and then, he slaps her right across the face. "Now, cut that out! You need to be loyal to your own peace of mind. Just because of what happened to your partner and Tim doesn't make you selfish. Besides, you can't let your bad days trick you into thinking you've had a bad life. I mean, there's nothing wrong of starting over."
Misha was moved by his words towards Artemis. "Kicker..."
As Galvatron and Cryotek tackle down Rodimus and Omega Prime, they've spotted Kicker, Misha and Artemis in the distance. Assuming that their mission has been deemed as a failure, they both became furious and by locking onto their targets, they fired their missiles towards the unsuspecting trio.
"For that, you will all suffer!"
"Enjoy your last breaths!"
Horrified to see the incoming missiles towards his son, Misha and Artemis, Dr. Jones quickly tries to warn him. "Kicker, run!"
By hearing his father's desperate call through his wrist communicator, both he and Misha turn around quickly to see the oncoming missiles. In a last ditch effort, Kicker grabs Artemis by the hand followed by Misha and they all managed to evade the dual Decepticons' missile barrage, just as it blew up the pavement with a huge bang.
This resulted of sending all three of them careening into the concrete wall hard. Misha barely managed to stand up, while Kicker and Artemis do the same. However, Kicker drops down to one knee and clutching his injured shoulder that's already trickling blood.
"Kicker! You're hurt!" cried Misha.
"Yes, I know! Damn it!"
Artemis felt sorry for what has transpired and while she and Misha are left visibly shaken by witnessing Kicker's shoulder injury, Galvatron takes an opportunity to launch his Neo-Dark Energon laser beam straight at them. By aiming carefully, he charges it at full power, locks onto his target and pulls the trigger right into their direction.
Dr. Jones gasped in horror. "Oh, no! Kicker! Misha!"
Feeling helpless and unable to move, Kicker can only look on in utter shock to see the Neo-Dark Energon beam coming towards him. So does Misha.
As the Neo-Dark Energon draws ever closer, Artemis acted quickly in order to make up for her unintentional mistake. In just mere seconds, she shoves both Misha and Kicker out of harm's way; just as the Neo-Dark Energon made direct contact onto her body. A surge of dark purple and black lightning surrounded her as she screamed in pure agony.
When Omega Prime and Rodimus tackled down both Galvatron and Cryotek with Rail Racer's assistance, they witnessed to see Artemis getting consumed by the Neo-Dark Energon.
"By the all-spark, no!"
"What has she done?"
After several minutes of experiencing the full extent of the Neo-Dark Energon, Artemis's body felt limp as she fell down on her stomach.
Kicker turned his head away in shame to see another fellow comrade risking their life to save his once more. "Crap! Why, me?!"
But then, Misha saw something extraordinary that even she couldn't believe. Artemis has stood herself up and shook the cobwebs from her head. "Incredible! Kicker, look!"
"Huh?"
Not only was he baffled to see Artemis survive the pain, so did both factions and everyone else in the Autobot base.
"That's very peculiar. Shouldn't her eyes become purple and the Decepticon insignia appearing on her forehead?" thought T-Ai.
"Yeah, I thought so too. Something's not right here" added Dr. Jones.
Whereas Galvatron and Cryotek, they were also left puzzled to see Artemis not turn herself evil much like with his previous victims.
"How bizarre. Why hasn't she fallen under our command?"
"Perhaps, an interference that has caused a delay?"
Uncertain if Artemis is really herself, Kicker calls out to her. "Hey, Artemis! Are you sure that you're alright?"
She turns to him with a brief smile. "I think so. When I shoved you and Misha from that beam, my hand got covered in your blood by accident." But much to her dismay, her hand that had Kicker's bloodstain has strangely disappeared. "What? It's gone? But, how did..." Suddenly, she felt something very strange happening inside herself and placed her hands to where her heart is. "Ah! Wh-What's happening to me?" Before she knew it, a mysterious light purple aura has wrapped her entire body and starts flashing brightly.
Both Misha and Kicker look on in shock to see Artemis wincing in sheer pain.
"Wh-What's wrong with her?"
"Don't ask me."
As they watch helplessly, Artemis feels something very odd inside herself.
By looking at her hands, she becomes very terrified to see them turning from robotic into human flesh, along with the rest of her body features. "Wh-What in the name of Planet Gaea is going on?" As she clutches her stomach, her entire body was now wrapped in a pure white aura and then, she screamed very loudly before blinding everyone.
Fortunately for everyone, they all managed to cover their eyes.
"This wasn't suppose to happen!" yelled Galvatron.
"How should I know? This is different from before!" added Cryotek.
"Omega Prime, what do they mean by that?" asked Rodimus.
"It's hard to tell."
What it seemed like to be an eternity, the strange ominous light had finally subsided.
Kicker managed to rub his eyes slightly and so did Misha as they approach Artemis. But once they do, both of their eyes were widened in awe and their mouths had dropped.
That also followed by Omega Prime, Rodimus, Rail Racer and the Autobots.
"In the name of Vector Sigma!"
"Sweet Primus!"
"Good heavens!"
Even Galvatron and Cryotek couldn't believe their optic sensors as well to see a very startling sight from Artemis.
"What the hell?"
"It cannot be!"
Inside the Autobot base, everyone also felt shocked of witnessing the results of Artemis's unusual transformation.
"T-T-Ai, are you...seeing what I'm...seeing?" said Koji feeling very shook up with his mother by his side.
"Y-Yes, I do. Artemis, she's...human!"
To Be Continued...
End of Chapter 28