Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter, and a long one at that! I hope you like it! P.S. Sorry for any grammatical errors. Enjoy!
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 56: Legacy
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
(Autobot Base)
"Stormracer!"
The femme nearly hit her head on the table as she woke up. She was so tired that she had accidentally dozed off while cleaning Ratchet's workstation. Now awake, she looked over to see her boss frowning at her.
"Y-yes, Ratchet?" she asked as she stood up straight.
"Do you mind staying awake while you work?" he sternly asked her.
Stormracer sheepishly chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry. Was a... was a long night last night."
Ratchet vented in annoyance. "I don't know what you do when you go out, but could you at least return at a decent hour? This is the second time this week I've caught you recharging on the job."
Stormracer shamefully looked down as her shoulders drooped. "Sorry. I'll try and do better."
"I should hope so." The medic said before walking away and shaking his head.
Stormracer vented as she tiredly held her head.
After she and Knock Out kissed, they found a spot to rest and just spent the rest of their time enjoying each other's company. She didn't realize how long she was gone for until Knock Out was summoned back to the warship. The femme couldn't help but smile as she thought about the red Decepticon. However, she knew she was in a dilemma.
She was finding it harder to keep their secret. The others were beginning to question where she was scurrying off to and why she would always return so late. She was running out of excuses.
"Storm?"
The femme snapped her head up to see Arcee standing there. "Huh?"
"Everything okay?" Arcee asked, "you look like something's bothering you."
"Oh uh, yeah! I mean no, nothings bothering me. I'm fine!" Stormracer lied as she gave the two-wheeler a fake smile. "Just uh... trying to remember if I need to clean the storage room today. You know how Ratchet gets when everything's messy."
The blue femme gave her a look.
They then heard the sound of engines approaching. Everyone in the room looked to see Bumblebee and Smokescreen driving into the main hangar before transforming. Bumblebee looked angry as he stormed passed Smokescreen.
"Come on, Bumblebee," Smokescreen said, "I said I was sorry."
"What happened?" Ratchet asked.
"Smokescreen thought it would be a good idea to go speeding," Bumblebee bleeped, "Not only did he almost cause a wreck, but he revealed himself to the angry driver who took a picture of us in our robot forms!"
"WHAT?!" Arcee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, and Stormracer exclaimed.
Bumblebee explained what had happened while Jack and Sierra tried finding the picture online.
"Found it!" Jack said once he brought the photo of Smokescreen and Bumblebee up on the laptop screen. "Old road rage didn't waste any time posting your mugshots. Raf will scrub this soon as he's back from house hunting."
"Not gonna lie, not a bad photo of you two," Sierra complimented.
Ratchet scowled at the new recruit. "Is this what you learned while serving Alpha Trion?! I highly doubt that he would have condoned such irresponsible behavior!"
"Blowing your cover is not okay," Arcee scolded.
"Sorry, guys," Smokescreen said apologetically, "I really messed up."
Optimus approached from behind the recruit. "While Ratchet and Arcee are correct, I believe that we are all equally responsible for this incident."
Everyone was shocked by this.
"Us?!" Arcee asked in disbelief.
"How?!" Ratchet exclaimed.
"We weren't even there!" Bulkhead argued.
Bumblebee bleeped.
"Well, Bee was," Bulkhead threw in.
The scout angrily elbowed him. "Seriously?!"
"Our recent efforts have been so intensely focused on obverting crisis, that we have overlooked simple matters, such as teaching Smokescreen how to best function on this planet," Optimus explained, "It is an oversight that must be corrected."
"Optimus, I'm honored to train under you, and will do whatever it takes to make things right," Smokescreen told him, "To make you proud."
"Perhaps the best way for you to learn about the human world is from a human."
"Smokescreen gets his own partner?" Arcee asked.
Ratchet scoffed. "Oh please! Isn't having four humans here enough?!"
The room was silent as everyone just stared in shock at the doctor.
Seeing the looks he was getting, Ratchet huffed before groaning and walking away.
"I was referring to the ones already among us," Optimus said as he turned to look at Jack and Sierra.
Both humans glanced at one another before looking back at the Prime.
"You want us to be Smokescreen's driving instructors?" Sierra asked.
"Um, sure, Optimus," Jack said, "robots in disguise, traffic laws, don't beat down humans. We can bring Smokescreen up to speed."
Bulkhead placed his servo on Smokescreen's shoulder. "We've all been on curbside duty," he said, "part of the gig."
Jack and Sierra made their way down the ladder. "Don't worry, Smokescreen," the latter said once she hopped off, "we'll make sure you're a pro in no time."
Stormracer happily squealed as she looked at Smokescreen and Sierra. "My two best friends spending the day together? Yes!" She looked at Smokescreen. "Now you listen to what Sierra and Jack tell you. And promise me you three will stay out of trouble, okay?"
Smokescreen chuckled. "Hey, don't worry. I'll be the perfect student as always."
The femme raised her optical ridge as she folded her arms. "You mean when we were in Mister Rivet's class, and you glued his supplies all over the classroom?"
Smokescreen laughed. "Now that was funny."
Stormracer playfully swatted his arm. "Come on, I'm serious."
The recruit chuckled. "Okay, okay. I promise we'll stay out of trouble." He looked down at the two teens. "Let's go for a drive, Teaches."
Soon as Smokescreen transformed into vehicle mode, Jack and Sierra hopped in before the three sped off to the exit.
Arcee watched them leave before looking at the Prime. "Optimus, with all due respect, Agent Fowler is out relocating Raf's family because the Cons discovered where he lives," she said as she approached him, "meanwhile Smokescreen, in all his wisdom, chooses a vehicle mode with screaming double 38s on the doors, making him an easy target. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't more than concerned with Jack's safety."
"Don't be so hard on Smokescreen," Stormracer said, "he's still new to everything. But I know he'll keep Jack and Sierra safe. I trust him."
"I get that he's your friend, Storm, but he's still inexperienced," the two-wheeler argued, "and making him make a promise doesn't change that fact."
"Nonetheless, the fact remains that our new recruit is in need of instruction," Optimus explained, "I believe that Smokescreen's spark is in the right place, and that he now understands the necessity of protecting human life."
Arcee sighed at this, still very unsure.
(Time skip)
(Jasper, Nevada)
Meanwhile, Jack and Sierra had Smokescreen drive through Jasper as they taught him the rules. Smokescreen did his best to listen to his teachers as he drove around town. After a while, it was time to test him.
"Okay, intersection," Jack said as they approached a traffic light, "let's review. Light's green?"
"Green means go," Smokescreen answered as he drove through the green light. He headed towards another traffic light that turned yellow.
"And yellow?" Sierra asked.
"Go faster!" Smokescreen said as he accelerated.
The two passengers immediately got nervous as they held on.
"Whoa whoa, Smokescreen!" Jack yelped.
"Slow down!" Sierra fearfully exclaimed.
The light then turned red, making the two kids worry even more.
"SMOKESCREEN!" both shouted in unison.
The recruit immediately hit the brakes, making him skid across the pavement before coming to a complete stop at the light.
Smokescreen laughed at the humans' reactions. "Just messing around!"
Realizing he was only trying to scare them, Jack and Sierra frowned at him.
"Ha, ha," Jack dryly laughed.
"Not cool," Sierra said.
Just then they heard a car loudly driving up from behind. Jack and Sierra looked over their shoulders to see a familiar looking vehicle approaching. Both of them immediately tensed up.
"Uh oh," Jack said as he slid down his seat.
"Oh great," Sierra groaned as she tried to hide as well.
Jack immediately rolled up the window as Vince pulled up in the lane beside them and stopped.
"What is it?" Smokescreen asked, "Cons?"
"Worse," Sierra grumbled as she tried to hide the side of her face with her hand.
"Just someone from school we rather not talk to," Jack added as he slid further down.
However, their attempts were in vain as Vince recognized who was in the car beside him. Mischievously smirking, he reached into his KO burger bag.
"Drive!" Jack said quietly.
"Red light, Teach," Smokescreen reminded him, "no can do."
"Come on, come on," Sierra impatiently grumbled as she looked at the red light. "Go green already!"
Wondering what the bully was doing, Jack sat up and looked out the window. Next thing he knew, a burger was thrown at the window, causing it to splatter all over the glass.
Sierra fully looked at the bully in disbelief. "WHAT THE HECK, JERK?!"
Vince laughed at them before the light turned green, allowing him to speed off through the intersection.
"Seriously?!" Smokescreen exclaimed.
"Ooh, he makes me so mad!" Sierra angrily growled.
"Just let it go, you two," Jack said.
Smokescreen accelerated through the intersection. "Are you kidding me? Where's your self-respect? We gotta stand up for ourselves."
"We also have to follow Optimus' rule," Jack told him, "It's not just about protecting humans, you can't harm them either."
"Who said anything about harming?" Smokescreen asked mischievously, "I'm just thinking we give him a taste of his own medicine."
Sierra thought for a moment then grinned. "You know what? I'm with Smokescreen on this one. Let's get even with that jerk."
"Heck ya!" Smokescreen cheered, "what do you say, Jack?"
Sierra looked at her boyfriend with a smirk. "Yeah, Hotshot. You in?"
Jack glanced between the two before sighing.
(Time skip)
(Autobot Base)
Soon as Stormracer finished her work, she tried distracting herself with her hologram projector.
With her device attached to her arm, she made holographic duplicates of herself, even making them transform and drive around her. She then made them disappear before trying out her disguise setting. Pressing a couple buttons on the projector, she was soon covered in a hologram of Bumblebee.
She studied her disguise as the hologram followed her movement. Getting into a fighting stance, she threw a couple punches and a kick, making sure her disguise stayed intact and in sync. Happy with the results, she deactivated the disguise and took off the projector. She looked down at the device and flipped it over. On the one side was a thin metal layer hiding the message Knock Out wrote. She rubbed her thumb over it as she smiled.
"Storm."
Stormracer jumped in surprise before turning around to see Arcee standing there. She let out a small laugh. "You scared me." She held up her projector. "I-I was just testing out my holograms to make sure they're convincing. Ooh, check out what I added!" She pressed a button before disappearing out of sight. "Stealth mooode!" she sang, "this took forever to figure out." She reappeared with a grin on her face. "Cool huh? I really had to step out of my comfort zone to make this. I even had to go through a whole lot of notes on mechanics and-"
"What's wrong, Storm?" Arcee interrupted.
Stormracer's smile dropped. "What do you mean?"
"You've been quiet lately. Like you're hiding something."
The medical assistant nervously chuckled as she forced a smile. "Whaaaat?" she asked as she began walking away, "I'm not hiding anything. Everything's fine!"
Arcee wasn't buying it as she followed her. "Then why are you so jumpy? And why have you been going out way more and always return late?"
"I told you; I go driving and I just lose track of time," the femme lied as she stopped near the platform.
Arcee stopped as she looked at her friend. "Storm, whatever it is, you can tell me."
Stormracer's smile was gone as she glanced at her. She really wanted to tell her what was going on. But she knew she would never see Knock Out again if she did.
"It's nothing, Arcee," she said, "I just... have a lot on my mind."
Arcee was about to ask what before they heard a vehicle driving down the corridor. Both looked to see Smokescreen, Jack, and Sierra had returned to base.
The three of them were laughing their heads off as Jack and Sierra hopped out. Smokescreen transformed as they all looked at an image on Jack's phone.
"Oh, I am so posting this tonight!" Jack laughed.
Everyone just looked at them in confusion as the three continued laughing.
"Hey, Storm, Arcee!" Sierra chuckled, "check out what we did to Vince's car!"
"The bully," Arcee said as she and Stormracer walked over. Both knelt down and looked at the picture on the phone. On it was Vince's car... covered in fast food from Jack's work.
"Oh... wow," Stormracer said, unsure of how she felt about it, "that's uh... messy."
Arcee looked displeased by the image.
Jack laughed as he looked at the picture. "Hey, Vince, did you want fries with that?" He continued laughing along with Sierra and Smokescreen.
"Let me get this straight," Arcee said as she stood back up, "so you taught Smokescreen everything he never needed to know about fast food."
"He passed driver's ed," Jack said.
"Work hard, play hard," Sierra added.
"Yeah," Smokescreen said as he stood up, "no humans were harmed in the making of these photos. Honest."
Stormracer stood up and looked at Smokescreen. "I thought I told you to stay out of trouble."
"We did," he mischievously said as he nudged her arm, "we didn't get caught." He then walked away with the two humans as they continued laughing.
Arcee gave Stormracer a look. "Still trust him?"
The teal femme looked at her. Though she didn't like the prank they pulled, she gave Arcee a sheepish smile. "I mean, it was just a little prank. No biggie, right?"
The two-wheeler's expression didn't change as she just stared her down.
Stormracer awkwardly chuckled. "I'm just going to see if Ratchet needs me." She said as she went to leave.
"Storm," Arcee said, making the teal femme stop, "we're not done with our conversation."
The medical assistant vented as she turned around. "Everything's fine, Arcee," she said, "I just... need time to myself. Nothing's wrong. I swear."
Stormracer continued walking away as she tried to ignore the frown Arcee was giving her.
(Time skip)
Optimus was at the computer decoding the Iacon Data base while Ratchet and Stormracer watched.
"I am nearly finished decoding the next Iacon coordinates," Optimus said as he continued typing.
Just then an alert went off on the computer, gaining everyone's' attention.
"You may not need to complete your task, Optimus," Ratchet said.
The computer brought up a signature on the screen.
"An Iacon locator beacon," Optimus said.
"It seems the Decepticons have already excavated the next relic," Ratchet said.
"Scrap," Stormracer said.
"Ratchet, triangulate coordinates and activate the groundbridge," the Prime ordered.
The medic did just that. Once the groundbridge was activated, the rest of the team joined Optimus.
Bulkhead punched his fists together. "Bring on the cons!"
Optimus noticed they were short a bot. "Where is Smokescreen?" he asked.
"Out training again with Jack and Sierra," Arcee answered.
"I'll call him back to base," Stormracer offered.
"We cannot wait," Optimus said as he turned to face the groundbridge. "Autobots, transform and roll out!"
The team transformed into their vehicle modes and drove through the portal.
Time went by as Ratchet and Stormracer stood by the computer. Stormracer didn't say a word as she fiddled with her projector.
She knew Arcee was getting suspicious. She wasn't surprised. Arcee was very good at reading others. She had to be more careful.
Ratchet looked at his assistant. "Is everything alright?"
Stormracer snapped her head up and looked at him. "Oh uh, yeah," she said as she gave him a fake smile, "just hoping the team is doing okay out there."
Just then another alert went off on the computer.
"Another relic?" Stormracer asked.
Ratchet tried contacting the team. "Optimus, I just picked up a second Iacon locator beacon."
However, there was no response.
"Optimus, do you read?"
Nothing.
"That's weird," Stormracer said, "what could be causing the interference?"
"I don't know," Ratchet said, "but if the Decepticons unearthed another relic, we have to reach them."
"Let me go check out the beacon," Stormracer said.
Ratchet turned around and looked at her. "Absolutely not," he argued, "what if the Decepticons see you?"
Stormracer smirked as she held up her hologram projector and pushed a button. She turned invisible before the medic's optics. "They won't even know I'm there."
Though hesitant, Ratchet let out a vent. "Alright," he said before pointing in her direction, "but you are only going down there to observe until I can reach the others. Do you understand?"
Stormracer was already at the groundbridge before she reappeared. "Got it!" she said with a thumbs up.
Realizing he was pointing at nothing, Ratchet dropped his arm and frowned. "That projector is going to give me a processor ache," he grumbled as he walked over to the groundbridge controls.
Once activated, Stormracer made her way through the groundbridge portal and found herself in a forest. She heard movement up ahead near the rocks.
"Here we go," she said as she rushed over towards the noise.
Taking cover behind the large rocks, she looked down below to see the decepticons digging out a large mountain. She looked closely before seeing the relic sticking out of the rock. A sword.
Stormracer frowned. "Why does that sword look so familiar?" she asked herself.
Wanting a closer look, she let out a shaky vent. "Stealth mode, don't fail me now." Turning on the cloak, she made her way down towards the site.
(Autobot Base)
Meanwhile back at the base, Smokescreen and the two teens returned as he sped down the corridor and came to a screeching stop. Soon as Jack and Sierra stepped out, the recruit transformed as the three of them laughed about their latest prank.
"Oh, dude, my boss is going to freak!" Jack laughed.
"That thing we stuffed in his tailpipe, what's it called again?" Smokescreen asked.
"Pizza!"
They continued laughing.
"Ooh, we should get Coach Rivers next!" Sierra suggested with a grin.
"Will you three keep it down?!" Ratchet snapped from the computer. He was still trying to get a hold of the team as he brought his attention back to the comm unit. "Arcee? Bulkhead? Can anyone hear me?"
"Ratchet, what's going on?" Jack asked as the three walked over to the medic.
"Our sensors detected a second Iacon locator beacon," Ratchet said, "but I can't reach Optimus. Stormracer is down there to get a visual, but we need the others."
"I'll go," Smokescreen said.
"Alone?!" the medic asked.
"You have a better option?" Smokescreen asked, "besides, you said Stormracers down there. She might need back up."
Knowing he had a point, Ratchet vented. "Fine," he said. He started up the groundbridge for Smokescreen before returning to the computer.
Seeing Ratchet not paying attention, Smokescreen looked at the two teens. "He says fine," he said, "but I don't think he really wants me to go alone."
Both humans were surprised as they glanced at one another.
Next thing Jack and Sierra knew, they were hopping out of the portal at the location.
"Did we just pull a Miko?" Sierra asked.
"Yep," Jack said as he held his head.
Smokescreen stepped out of the portal and punched his fist into his servo. "Let's go grab a relic." He said before rushing off.
"Hey, wait up!" Sierra said as she and Jack ran after him.
Down at the site, Stormracer carefully walked by the vehicons with her stealth mode on. None of them suspected a thing. The projector was working. Still, it didn't stop her from feeling nervous. She stopped in her tracks as a couple vehicons walked by in front of her. She even ducked down as an insecticon flew over her head with a large rock in its grasp. Soon as she made it past the workers, she approached the sword. She studied the hilt and blade before her optics widened. She recognized what sword this was.
"The Star Saber," she quietly murmured.
Looking around, she grabbed hold of the hilt and tried pulling it out. But it wouldn't budge. After a while of trying, she backed away and looked at it.
"Wow, that's stuck," she commented.
Just then Megatron appeared from the side. Immediately she went quiet and backed away as the warlord approached the sword. She wasn't expecting the Decepticon leader to be here. She was beginning to have some doubts about her being there as he stood five feet away from her.
Megatron just stood there glaring at the sword before a vehicon ran towards him.
"Sir!" the vehicon said before stopping beside his master. "We were able to get around the relic's protective shield. It will be ready for transport soon."
Protective shield? Stormracer thought as she quietly eavesdropped.
"Make haste," Megatron ordered, "it is only a matter of time before Optimus learns he is chasing a decoy. We must have the Star Saber transported before he can claim it."
"Yes, Lord Megatron," the vehicon said before hurrying off.
Megatron then started moving towards Stormracer, making her immediately step out of the way. The Decepticon leader stopped however, as if sensing something. He looked in Stormracer's direction.
Stormracer could hear her spark beating as he looked at her, making her fear he could see right through her cloak.
However, Megatron only glanced around, unable to see the Autobot. Frowning, he continued walking away, allowing the femme to relax.
"I have to tell Ratchet," she said.
Around the same time, Smokescreen, Jack and Sierra ran to the large rocks where they could see the site down below. It didn't take long for them to spot the relic sticking out of the mountain.
"Whoa," Jack said, "it's a sword."
"Not just any sword," Smokescreen said, "that looks like the Star Saber. A legendary weapon forged by Solus Prime... as lore would have it. It's rumored to wield the power of the Matrix." He grinned. "I'm gonna make Optimus proud."
"Not a good idea," Jack said.
"Why?" the recruit asked.
"Because Megatrons here."
Sierra and Smokescreen looked to where Jack was pointing. Sure enough, there stood the Decepticon warlord giving orders to a couple vehicons.
Smokescreen frowned. "Dark lord himself." He then grinned. "He won't know what hit him." He punched his fist into his servo before getting up.
"Smokescreen, wait," Jack told him, "Something isn't right. Why doesn't Megatron just take the Star Saber?"
"Germaphobe?"
"Seriously, we need to wait for back up," Jack said.
Sierra looked around. "Wait, Ratchet said Stormracers here. But I don't see her."
"Maybe she's laying low elsewhere," Jack said.
Wanting to move quick, Smokescreen hopped onto the rock. "You two go look for her. I got this."
"Smokescreen, we should really wait for-"
"You heard Ratchet. Backups not available right now." He then leaped down and made his way towards the dig site.
"Smokescreen!" Sierra said, only to be ignored. She and Jack glanced at one another, both having a very bad feeling.
Now knowing the situation, Stormracer went to slip away to report to Ratchet. Just then Megatron loudly spoke, making her stop in place.
"ENOUGH!" Megatron ordered his subordinates. "Commence transport!"
Stormracer looked up to see the warship hovering over the mountain. A claw came down from the ship and latched itself on top of the dugout rock.
"Scrap," she murmured. Time was running out and the bots still weren't there. She tried to think of a way to stall for time before she heard the sound of blaster fire.
Turning around, Stormracer's optics widened when she saw Smokescreen charging into the scene as he fired at the vehicons. He even let out a battle cry as he slid across the ground and shot two vehicons trying to return fire.
Stormracer shrieked as she ducked down to avoid getting shot at. It wasn't long before she realized he was heading straight for the relic.
"Smoke, WAIT!" Stormracer shouted.
Smokescreen didn't hear her as he leaped towards the sword and tried to pull it out. But of course, it wouldn't budge for the recruit no matter how hard he pulled.
"Scrap!" he said as he backed away, "it's really in there tight."
Stormracer noticed a vehicon about to shoot him from behind. Activating her EMP, she fired four pulses at the con. The fourth one hit its target in the helm, causing him to grunt as he fell to the ground. This gained Smokescreen's attention as he turned around to see the con out of it.
The femme vented in relief, but soon learned her attack gave her away. She jumped as shots fired in her direction. One managed to hit her side, causing her to grunt as she fell to the ground. Her stealth mode then deactivated, revealing the medical assistant to the enemy. She groaned in pain before looking up to see a couple vehicons aiming their blasters at her.
"Hey, leave her alone!" Smokescreen shouted as he went to help his friend. However, he didn't get far as a shot hit him from behind. He grunted as he fell forward, revealing the vehicon that shot him. He too was soon held at blaster point as more vehicons surrounded him.
Sierra and Jack watched in horror as their friends got captured.
"Scrap!" Sierra exclaimed.
"No, no, this is so not good," Jack said. Immediately he pulled out his phone and called Ratchet. "Ratchet, you gotta get Optimus here now. Smokescreen went for the relic. It's called a Star Sab-"
Just then Sierra let out a scream. Looking behind, Jack's eyes fearfully widened when he saw an insecticon towering over them.
"Run!" he yelled. Grabbing Sierra's hand, he pulled her along before the insecticon could squish them.
They kept running as the giant bug gave chase. They managed to avoid being crushed by a fallen tree as they leaped out of the way.
Jack tripped and dropped his phone as Ratchet's voice spoke through.
"Jack, where in the name of Cybertron are you?" the medic asked.
Sierra helped Jack up before the latter picked up his phone. The two humans were too focused on not getting squished as they kept running. Just then another insecticon stepped in front of them, making them skid to a stop.
"Scrap!" Sierra exclaimed.
They leaped out of the way before the insecticon could squish them.
"This way!" Jack told Sierra as they ran in another direction.
However, they soon came to a dead end. Turning around, they saw the insecticon knocking over a tree as it charged at them. Immediately they dodged as it brought its claws down where they stood. The bug tried to squish them as the two ran between its legs.
The other insecticon was right behind the other as it tried to swipe at the humans. Jack and Sierra avoided the servo but had to leap out of the way to avoid being stomped on. Jack helped Sierra back up before the other pede could stomp down on them. The teens kept running as the two insecticons continued chasing them.
Stormracer was back on her pedes with two vehicons restraining her by the arms. She could only watch as the insecticons secured the claw on the mountain before the ship began raising it off the ground.
She looked at Megatron who was in front of her watching the transport. She frowned at him. "It doesn't matter where you hide the Star Saber," she said bravely, "Optimus will find it."
Megatron evilly laughed as he turned around and looked at her. "Still hopeful as ever I see. Though I am more intrigued about this." He held up her projector and studied it. He pushed a button, revealing her holograms. "I don't recall this relic being in the Iacon Data Base. In fact, it looks like it was made from mere scraps." He pressed the button again, deactivating the holograms before holding it up in front of Stormracer. "Where did you obtain this?"
Stormracer grunted as a vehicon shoved his blaster into her side, telling her to answer his master.
"I... made it," she confessed.
Megatron was even more impressed as he looked at it. "Fascinating." He then placed it on the rock beside him before approaching his prisoner. "I've forgotten how resourceful you are. It is not too late to reconsider joining my ranks. You would make an excellent scientist."
"I will never join you," Stormracer said as she glared up at him.
"We shall see," he said. He then looked at the vehicons holding Smokescreen at gun point. "Bring him to me," he ordered.
Stormracer worryingly looked over at Smokescreen as the vehicons picked him up by the arms and dragged him over.
Jack and Sierra ran into the rocky area with the insecticons still close behind.
"Jack, over there!" Sierra said as she pointed at a human sized opening between a couple boulders.
The two rushed over towards the rock pile with the insecticons getting closer.
"You first!" Jack said as he helped Sierra in.
Once she was inside, the boy immediately followed behind as a clawed servo slammed down close to him.
The insecticon tried using its claw to grab the humans, only making them go further down into the crack.
Though out of the insecticons' reach, the two teens knew they were trapped.
"What do we do now?" Sierra asked fearfully.
Jack wasn't sure. Taking her hand, he held it tight as he protectively stood between her and the insecticons.
Smokescreen grunted as the vehicons threw him to the ground in front of Megatron.
"What is your name, Autobot?" Megatron asked the recruit.
"Why?" Smokescreen asked, "who wants to know?" He smirked at the last part.
This of course infuriated the Decepticon leader as he angrily growled and went to strike him.
"Don't!" Stormracer exclaimed, "he doesn't know any better."
"Hurtful," Smokescreen told his friend.
Megatron looked at him before bringing his attention to Stormracer. "Perhaps this will make you reconsider my offer." He activated his sword and pointed it at her friend.
Stormracer's optics widened in horror.
"You will join the Decepticons, or he will join the Well of the Allspark," Megatron threatened.
"No!" she exclaimed. She struggled to break free as the vehicons tightened their grip on her. "Leave him out of this!"
Smokescreen refused to show fear as he bravely glared at the warlord. "Don't do what he wants, Storm," he said, "I can take it."
Megatron evilly grinned at Stormracer as he kept his blade inches away from Smokescreen's face. Just then shots were fired, making the warlord lower his weapon as he looked to see his vehicons firing at something.
Smokescreen and Stormracer looked over at the commotion. To their relief, Team Prime appeared through the smoke as they fired back.
Megatron frowned when he saw no sign of the Prime. "Where's Optimus?" he asked. He looked around the site before looking up at the mountain.
Optimus was already making his way up the mountain straight for the Star Saber. He wasted no time as he drove up the slopes before transforming back into bot mode. He leaped from rock to rock rapidly as he got closer.
Megatron ran towards the mountain. "Keep Prime from the relic!" He ordered his fliers. He and his fliers then transformed and flew off to stop Optimus, leaving just the three to guard the prisoners.
Smokescreen went to fire before a vehicon aimed his weapon at him. The vehicon then grunted as a shot was fired at his chest, offlining him. Two more shots were fired from behind the two vehicons restraining Stormracer, offlining them as they let go of the femme.
Both autobots looked to see Bulkhead with his blasters out.
"I got your backs," he told them.
Stormracer smiled. "Thanks Bulk!" Now free, she grabbed her projector from the rock and placed it back onto her arm.
Seeing a couple vehicons heading towards her, Stormracer activated her hologram projector and made three holograms of herself before she and them transformed. This confused the vehicons as the four teal cars sped around them. They tried attacking, only to get the fake Stormracers instead as they disappeared before them. Soon as they shot the last hologram, one vehicon was then hit with an EMP blast while the other was shot by Arcee.
The real Stormracer, now in bot mode, stood beside the blue femme and smiled at her. "Glad you could make it."
Arcee looked around. "Where's Jack and Sierra?"
Stormracer's smile disappeared as her optics widened in shock. "They're here?!"
The two femmes heard a sound, making them look to see two insecticons throwing large rocks away from a rock pile. Both thinking the same thing, they hurried over.
Jack and Sierra could hear the insecticons still trying to get to them. The latter fearfully held Jack's arm as the boy protectively stood in front of her.
It wasn't long before the insecticons moved all the rocks away, exposing the two humans. But before the one insecticon could grab them, a large rock slammed into it, knocking it out.
The other was shot in the helm with an EMP pulse before Arcee leaped over and kicked it away from the humans. Both Arcee and Stormracer approached their charges while the others dealt with the giant bug.
"Arcee!" Jack said.
"Storm!" Sierra said.
"What could you have possibly been thinking?!" Arcee scolded them both.
"Are you two okay?!" Stormracer asked worryingly, "What are you doing here?!"
"We uh... tagged along with Smokescreen," Sierra said.
"You what?! Why didn't Smokescreen send you back?"
"Actually... it was his idea."
Stormracer looked at her in disbelief. "Say WHAT NOW?!" she angrily exclaimed.
Optimus transformed and drove up the mountain as Megatron and his fliers fired at the truck. The Prime managed to avoid getting hit as he got closer to the Star Saber. The large rock was held up in the air far away from the Prime, leaving a large gap between him and the relic.
Soon as the vehicons and insecticons were dealt with, the team regrouped as they rushed over and watched their leader.
Optimus accelerated and drove up a ramp like slope. He was then airborne as he flew towards the rock. Megatron and the others continued firing as they desperately tried keeping Optimus away. A shot did hit the Prime, but he only transformed and reached out for the hilt. He managed to grab hold as he held onto it. The firepower didn't cease as the fliers fired and missed.
Just then the sword began glowing a bright blue and made a humming sound. Optimus' optics widened as the power of the Star Saber activated. It then slid right out of the rock, causing Optimus to fall.
"Optimus!" Stormracer shouted.
Dust filled the air once the Prime made contact with the ground. But once it cleared, it revealed the Prime was alright as he pulled the sword out of the ground. It glowed brightly as he held it up.
"I loosened it for him," Smokescreen said.
But then to everyone's horror, the cable released the mountain in the air. It tumbled to the ground and was rapidly rolling towards Optimus.
"Optimus, retreat!" Arcee warned.
"NOW!" Bulkhead yelled.
But Optimus didn't run. As the mountain got closer, he turned around and swung the Star Saber.
All optics/eyes widened as the Prime sliced the mountain in half. Both halves rolled right passed him before coming to a complete stop.
"Did he just..." Bulkhead went to ask.
"Uh huh," Bumblebee bleeped in shock.
"No way," Jack said in amazement.
"Whoa," Sierra added.
Optimus then looked up at the Nemesis. Letting out a battle cry, he ran before spinning around swinging the sword, releasing a huge wave of energy. The wave went straight up into the sky and hit the ship, causing it to shake from the impact.
"It can do that?" Smokescreen asked.
The Nemesis immediately retreated as smoke emerged from the beating it took.
(Autobot Base)
Soon as Ratchet opened the groundbridge, everyone returned to base. Smokescreen was still excited over the battle.
"How epic was that?!" Smokescreen said as they went through the groundbridge. "Oh, I saw it with my own optics." He spun around and swung his arms as if he was holding a sword, "but I still don't believe it."
Arcee angrily approached him. "You know what I don't believe? That after everything you've been told, you still put humans at risk."
"A-Arcee, it wasn't his fault," Jack said in the recruit's defense, "we shouldn't have g-"
"Don't you even start with me!" Arcee scolded her charge. "We'll talk tomorrow!" She looked at Ratchet. "Send Jack and Sierra home."
Smokescreen looked at Stormracer, noticing she had an angry look on her face as well. "You're not mad at me too, are you?"
Stormracer glared at the mech in disbelief. "You put Sierra in danger! What do you think?! You were supposed to keep her and Jack safe!" She folded her arms and turned away from him. "I trusted you."
Seeing he had upset his friend, Smokescreen shamefully looked down.
"Stormracer, please don't be mad at him," Sierra said, "Jack and I knew better, and we still went along."
The teal femme looked at her human friend. She vented as the glare disappeared, but she looked disappointed at the girl.
"Go home, Sierra," Stormracer said, "We'll talk later."
Sierra shamefully looked down.
Ratchet reactivated the groundbridge for Jasper. Jack tried to say something else, but the look Arcee was giving him made him go quiet. Both Jack and Sierra walked over to the groundbridge before stopping to look at Smokescreen.
"Green for go," Smokescreen told them.
The two gave him a small smile before they continued and disappeared through the portal.
Once the bridge deactivated, all optics turned to Smokescreen.
"We've been in need of another autobot in our ranks," Arcee scolded him, "not another child."
"Look, Arcee, Stormracer, I was wrong," he confessed, "and I'm sorry... again. And if you need to kick me off Team Prime-"
"Disregard for human safety, or anyone's safety, will not be tolerated," Optimus sternly told the recruit, "Do you understand?"
"Fully, Sir," Smokescreen said sincerely.
"We must never lose sight of the fact that upon this Earth we are titans," Optimus told everyone, "And such power must be used wisely."
Just then the Star Saber began glowing as it made the strange humming sound. Optimus turned the sword around as he looked at the glowing blade. His optics widened as the sound continued.
"Whoa," Bulkhead said.
"What's it doing?" Stormracer asked.
Optimus continued staring at the Star Saber as Ratchet approached him.
"Optimus, speak to me," the medic said.
The Prime kept staring as he listened to the sound.
"Optimus."
"I am receiving a message," Optimus finally answered.
"From whom?" Ratchet asked.
"...Alpha Trion."
And that was Legacy! I hope you all enjoyed it. Next chapter will be Alpha/Omega. Hopefully I will update again soon. Until next time! God bless!