Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter already!
One of you asked me about the Megatron and Stormracer scene from the last chapter and I want to respond to that. The reason why Megatron was impressed with Stormracer is because she made a hologram projector, showing she can make things that can be used in battle, and he is reminded of how smart she is. He is not obsessed with her or anything, he just sees her skill as something he can use as an advantage because at the moment, he lacks a scientist aka Shockwave (Knock Out is more of a medic than a scientist in my opinion lol). I hope this explanation makes sense and if not, I can go back and try and fix it. I do thank you for bringing this up. I am always open to constructive criticism. As for your other questions, I cannot answer them for spoiler reasons lol.
Also, I might as well ask the rest of you, did the Megatron and Stormracer bit make sense, or did it just seem off? Please let me know so I can correct it if I need to.
Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. PS, sorry for any grammatical errors.
Transformers Prime: The Medic's Assistant
Chapter 58: Alpha/Omega
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime
Everyone watched as the Prime stood there staring at the sword. They were curious as to what the message was.
"Optimus," Ratchet said, "what is Alpha Trion saying?"
Optimus didn't say anything as he continued staring. After a while, the Star Saber powered down as Optimus fell to his knee. He let out a groan as Ratchet and Stormracer rushed to his side.
"Easy, Optimus," Ratchet said.
Optimus got back on his pedes as he held up the Star Saber.
"So, did Alpha Trion ask about me?" Smokescreen asked.
Bulkhead only pulled the recruit away. "What was the message?" he asked the Prime.
"It is paramount that we recover the final four Iacon relics," Optimus said, "the Omega Keys."
"Keys?" Arcee asked.
"To what?" Ratchet asked.
"To the regeneration of our home planet," Optimus answered.
Everyone's optics widened in shock.
"You mean... we can revive Cybertron?" Stormracer asked.
Optimus explained more on what Alpha Trion told him. By the time he finished, everyone was full of excitement at the thought of returning home.
"Pack your gear!" Bulkhead exclaimed happily, "we're going back to Cybertron!"
"I still don't believe it!" Bumblebee bleeped.
"I know, me either!" Stormracer squealed excitedly, "We're actually going home!"
Ratchet laughed. "Well believe it now, you two! Civilization at last!"
"But I just got here," Smokescreen said.
"Remember oil baths?" Arcee asked, "first thing I'm going to do planet side is soak for an entire solar cycle."
Bulkhead laughed. "I can't wait to tell Miko!"
That's when it dawned on all of them.
"And... Jack," Arcee said sadly.
"Raf," Bumblebee bleeped sadly as well.
Even Stormracer sadly drooped her shoulders. "Sierra." All the excitement she had left at the thought of having to say goodbye to her human friend.
Meanwhile, Optimus was at the computer trying to decode the last set of coordinates when Smokescreen approached him.
"Uh, Optimus. Keys open doors," the recruit said, "can they really revive an entire planet?"
Optimus turned around to look at him. "While I am unfamiliar with the lore of these Omega Keys, Alpha Trion knew many secrets. And the ancients possessed technology that is long been lost to what we consider modern science."
Everyone else gathered around as Optimus continued.
"Whatever their function, this much is certain. We cannot restore Cybertron without all four Omega Keys in our possession."
"Which means we can't afford to lose a single one to Megatron," Arcee said.
"Four sets of coordinates from Alpha Trion remain encrypted," Optimus continued, "it is logical to conclude that each corresponds to the location of one of the Omega Keys. I must not waver until I decode them all. The future of our home world depends on it."
(Time skip)
Time went by as Optimus continued trying to decode the remaining coordinates. As he worked, Ratchet was making his leader an attachment for the Star Saber.
"You shall require a more practically means of carrying such a blade," the medic told the Prime.
Optimus didn't say anything as he brought his focus back onto the computer.
Meanwhile, Stormracer and the others were off to the side talking amongst each other.
"I feel funny for saying this, but I'm not sure I want to go back," Arcee said.
"Me either," Stormracer agreed.
"Who knew we'd ever get so used to our new home," Bulkhead added.
"I don't want to leave Raf behind," Bumblebee bleeped.
"Yeah," Bulkhead agreed, "I don't think I'd ever want to leave Miko."
"We made friends here," Arcee said, "family."
"It doesn't feel right to just leave them after everything we've been through together," Stormracer added.
"We could always text them!" Ratchet yelled to them before resuming his work.
"Besides, I've been fighting for so long I don't know if I can do anything else," Bulkhead said.
"You can go back into construction," Ratchet suggested, "the power of the ancients may breathe life back into Cybertron's core, but our war-ravaged cities will surely require rebuilding."
"I wouldn't make any travel plans just yet," Arcee said, "we still have to locate these Omega Keys and secure them before the Cons do."
"Yeah, like that will be a problem," Smokescreen said smugly, "Optimus has the Star Saber now. Megatron's end is in sight."
Time went by as Stormracer sadly thought about Sierra. How was she going to break the news to her? How would she take it?
Her thoughts were interrupted when Smokescreen approached her.
"Sure is crazy to think we can restore Cybertron," Smokescreen said with a smile, "pretty cool, huh?"
Stormracer glanced at him before looking away. She was still upset about earlier and was not in the mood to talk to him.
Smokescreen's shoulders sadly drooped. "You're still mad at me, aren't you?"
She refused to answer as she avoided looking at him.
"Look, Storm, I really am sorry about what happened. I shouldn't have taken Sierra with me. Humans are fragile; I get that now. I don't blame you for hating me."
Stormracer was silent for a moment. She then let out a vent and looked at him. "I don't hate you. I'm just... angry. Sierra is like a little sister to me. I trusted you to keep her safe, but instead you took her to a Decepticon dig site. War isn't a game, Smoke. It's bad enough you both almost were..." she let out a vent, "I've already lost friends. I don't want to lose anymore. Human and Autobot."
Smokescreen sadly looked at her, understanding why she was upset. But before he could say anything else, the computer made a sound, gaining everyone's attention.
Everyone gathered to see Optimus managed to decode one of the relics.
"Autobots, I've decoded the first set of the final four coordinates," he said, "divide into teams in the event that I may be able to decode another before the first team returns."
"I'm on team one," Smokescreen volunteered, "who's with me?"
"I'll go," Arcee volunteered before walking over to the bridge.
"After you, sir," Smokescreen said as she walked past him, "ma'am... commander?"
Arcee didn't even look at him as they both approached the groundbridge.
"This should be interesting," Ratchet said as he put in the coordinates.
Everyone watched as the two disappeared through the portal.
More time went by as Stormracer sat down and collected her thoughts. This time she thought about Knock Out. She wanted to tell him the news. However, she knew her team would never forgive her if she did. Besides, they didn't have the Omega Keys yet. But if they did have the opportunity to win the war, would Knock Out switch sides?
She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Arcee's voice coming through the comm unit.
"Arcee to base," the two-wheeler said. Though her voice sounded upset, "I need a bridge."
Once the groundbridge was opened, Arcee walked through. Alone.
Stormracer grew concerned as she approached the two-wheeler. "Where's Smokescreen?"
Arcee sadly looked at her. "I'm so sorry, Storm."
The light in Stormracer's optics dimmed as dread filled her.
Arcee sat down as she told everyone what had happened. She and Smokescreen managed to find the Omega Key in underground ruins, only to be greeted by Megatron outside. The warlord had a weapon of his own, similar to the Star Saber which he used on the two. During the battle, Megatron had used the sword to send Smokescreen flying back into the pyramid...
"And then Smokescreen was just... gone," Arcee finished, "like he turned to dust."
Everyone sadly lowered their heads.
Stormracer had tears welling up in her optics. No, she whimpered in her head, not Smokescreen too.
"Poor kid," Bulkhead said sadly.
"Arcee, do not blame yourself," Ratchet told the blue femme, "It could just as easily have been you."
Bumblebee and Bulkhead both angrily activated their blasters.
"I say we go claim a piece of Megatron's miserable metal hide!" Bulkhead said.
"Yeah!" Bumblebee bleeped as they angrily made their way towards the groundbridge.
Optimus however stopped them. "No. We have already lost another one of our own today. I will not risk more lives. Given what Arcee witnessed, it stands to reason that Megatron now possesses might to equal the Star Saber, which means only I have a chance of recovering the Omega Key."
"The fate of Cybertron rests upon its retrieval," Ratchet said.
"Whether Megatron knows it or not," Bulkhead added.
Grabbing the Star Saber, Optimus departed through the groundbridge to face Megatron.
Stormracer's tears were still streaming down her cheeks. Smokescreen was gone. Her friend was gone. And she spent the last second with him being upset for something she knew he was sorry for. Her spark ached badly as she wrapped her arms around herself.
Arcee looked at the teal femme, seeing how much she was hurting. "I'm sorry, Storm," she said, "I should have done more."
Looking at Arcee, Stormracer wiped away her tears. "No. It's not your fault," she told her, "Megatron took him. Not you." She got beside the two-wheeler, "let's get you patched up." But the tears refused to cease as she helped Arcee.
Time went by as the team waited. Though the tears had finally stopped, Stormracer was still depressed as she stood off to the side.
Seeing how upset she was, Arcee and the others approached her.
"We're really sorry, Storm," Bumblebee bleeped, "we know you and Smokescreen were close."
"I'm sure Optimus is kicking Megatron's aft right about now," Bulkhead said, trying to make her feel better.
Stormracer looked up at them before sadly looking down. "I was still upset with him about what happened... even after he apologized. I should have just..." She shut her optics as more tears started forming.
Arcee placed her servo on the teal femme's shoulder as she and the others tried to comfort her.
Soon Optimus' voice came through, urgently ordering for a groundbridge. Ratchet wasted no time as he activated the bridge. Everyone gathered around as they watched the Prime enter the base. But to their shock, the Star Saber was broken, missing a large chunk of its blade.
Optimus didn't say a word as he kept walking... revealing someone behind him.
Stormracer's optics lit up. "Smokescreen?"
"Aand, Omega Key number one," he said as he held up the Omega Key.
Stormracer didn't even give him a chance to explain as she ran over and nearly tackled him. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she tightly hugged him.
"We thought we lost you!" she cried, refusing to let go.
Smokescreen smiled as he hugged her back. "Hey, it's going to take a lot more than an evil sword to get rid of me."
Stormracer pulled away before wiping her tears away. She smiled back at her friend; happy he was alright.
"But... how?" Arcee asked in shock, "I mean I saw you."
"I uh, decided to borrow the phase shifter," Smokescreen confessed as he showed the relic attached to his arm.
Ratchet was scanning Optimus' wound before looking at the recruit in shock. "Again?!"
"Good thing too. The wave from that blast hit me like a wrecking ball. The impact must have activated the shifter. I don't know how long I was unconscious, but when I made my way back outside, Optimus and Megatron were deep in an epic throwdown. I waited for the right moment to make my move."
"You're learning," Arcee said with a small smile.
Smokescreen looked at Ratchet as he held up the shifter. "So, can I keep it? I mean it is really working out for me."
"Fine, fine," Ratchet said.
"Yes!" Smokescreen cheered, "signature weapon!" However, his smile faded when he approached the damaged Star Saber. Everyone gathered behind and looked at it.
"You got yours," Bulkhead said, "Optimus lost his."
"The balance of power shifted again," Arcee said grimly.
"While he may have wielded the power of the ancients for only one day, Optimus does not require it to be the mightiest of warriors," Ratchet told them all.
Everyone looked at the Prime. Optimus was already back at the computer decoding the next set of coordinates, looking completely unfazed by what had happened.
"Ratchet's right," Smokescreen agreed, "Optimus can handle anything."
Stormracer looked at her friend and smiled. "Yeah," she agreed, "especially since he has all of us watching his back."
The recruit looked at her and smiled, happy she was on speaking terms with him again. The two grinned as they shared a fist bump.
And that was Alpha/Omega! I hope you liked it. Hopefully I will post the next chapter soon, though I have a question for you all. For the next chapter, do you want me to just go straight to Hard Knocks, or should I squeeze in one more SR/KO chapter before the finale? Let me know in the reviews what you think I should do. Until next time! God bless!