Femmes and Gentlemechs, this is where we start to turn things around. First off, I apologize for the last cliffhanger, I know it was on a dark note. But hey, it wouldn't be a Beast Wars without a dark cliffhanger. I also have events that echo the original series in this chapter, as well as two new Maximals. Although they'll have to go backwards to move forward. Enjoy.

*20 years in the future*

On the dead world of Cybertron, a six-foot technorganic rat and a technorganic tanuki raced across the desolate landscape with glowing yellow fuel rods strapped to their backs. Behind them a contingent of undead Terrorcons was in hot pursuit.

"Aw man." The rat yelled as he panted to keep up. "We can't pull this off without the rods, but if we keep the rods the zombots will get us. Either way we're all gonna die."

"Shut up Rattrap." Heinrad panted as he ran. As much as he hated to admit that his friend was right, he knew that they were too far from the base. Suddenly, a large figure rounded the corner in front of them.

"Rhinox, Maximize." Bellowed a familiar voice.

Seconds later a pair of energy beams shot forth and literally cleaved their pursuers in half. Stopping for a second to catch their breath, they saw that the Terrorcons were still trying to pursue them, only now they could only pull themselves along with their arms.

"That bought us some time." Heinrad panted. "Thanks uncle Raf."

Rhinox nodded. "Get to the lab and help me get those fuel rods connected!" He began. "Then prepare for the time shunt." As the two young Maximals took off Raf sighed to himself. "We have even less time to do this than I thought." He muttered.

Minutes later, Rhinox, Rattrap and Heinrad were all in Rhinoxs' makeshift laboratory. Most of the workspace was taken up by a large plexiglass dome with three chairs in it. The fuel rods had been connected by Rhinox while Heinrad and Rattrap transformed to help with the final adjustments to the time machine.

"Now remember." Raf began as he sealed the power core. "We need to make sure Optimus survives the battle of Unit-E. His death is what gave Unicron the advantage." He couldn't help shuddering at the memory of Optimus taking the blast from the Nemesis all those years ago. They'd lost so much that day.

"Yeah, we know what to do unc." Rattrap replied. His rat tail was now connected to the time machines' computer to do the final calculations. "Make sure the big guy keeps kicking fender so that none of this happens." While he wasn't the biggest fan of dying, if it meant everyone else lived, he could live with it.

"As long as we succeed, I don't care." Heinrad muttered, staring down at the two Blades of Time Raf had mounted in his chest years ago. They would be essential for the time machine to work. However, he silently hoped he could see his mom and dad. Even for a moment.

An alarm on the controls got all their attention. "We need to move, now!" Raf yelled.

A large shadow suddenly fell over the lab. Looking out a window, the three Maximals saw a sight that chilled them to the spark. Looming over the planet was a colossal orange and silver form with purple veins of dark energon that ran across the body. Unicron, had caught up with them at last.

"I'll set the timer, you two, into the machine!" Raf yelled. He ran back to the controls to initiate the time jump.

Heinrad and Rattrap ran into the machine. Sitting down in two of the three seats inside Rattrap attached his tail to the computer console in his seat while Heinrad felt a pair of cables connect to his chest. What caught the pair of them off guard however was the door to the time machine closing and sealing. A countdown began to echo across the lab.

"Chronal shunt in 10."

"9"

"8"

"Wait, uncle Raf?" Heinrad called as Raf continued his work. "Aren't you coming with us?"

"7"

"6"

Raf closed his eyes with a sigh. He knew it had to be done, and they wouldn't go if they knew. "I'm sorry boys." He explained, his voice shaking. "There's no place for me where you're going." He looked at them with tears in his eyes. "I love you kids."

"5"

"4"

"3"

"Goodbye." Raf whispered as Heinrads' Blades of Time began to spin backwards.

"2"

"1"

"UNCLE RAF!" The two screamed as the ceiling of the lab began to collapse.

"0"

The time machine lurched before vanishing in a flash of white light into the past as Unicrons' hand crushed the lab, destroying the last of the Maximals.

*Present*

Ratchet groaned as consciousness returned to him. How the pit did he end up here? Hearing another groan, his memories came flooding back to him. The alarm, the decoys, the Decepticons and retrieving the injured. His optics widened. The kids!

Opening his optics, Ratchet pushed himself up off the ground. Looking around he saw that they had landed in a cavern far larger than the one that had housed the Lost Light. Looking up, he could see that the ceiling of the cavern had been part of the floor of the one the ship had sat on, and they'd fallen through it. Hearing the groan again, Ratchet began to look for the source of it.

Sidestepping various pieces of rubble and parts from the base and the ship, Ratchet found the source of the groaning.

Optimus Prime had never looked worse. He was laid out on his chest and his left arm and leg were just gone with part of his chest and abdomen. The rest of his body was horribly burned and mangled and a soft glow from his chest showed that his spark casing was breached. The fact that he was still alive at all was a miracle.

"Oh no, not this, not again." Came a whisper that made Ratchet jump. Looking to his right he saw Smokescreen had regained consciousness as well. He was a little banged up, but otherwise fine.

"Ratchet? Ratchet where are you?" Arcee called from another part of the cavern. "I found Bee and he's badly hurt." She added, struggling to carry Bumblebee over to them while limping.

"So is Optimus." Ratchet replied, wincing at how much of the mesh on Bumblebees head was burnt. Parts of his brain casing were visible now. "And I don't know how I'm going to even stabilize either of them without supplies."

"Wait. Where're the Maximals?" Smokescreen realized that the trio were missing. "Maybe you and Raf can work together to help them."

"Well lay Bumblebee next to Optimus." Ratchet ordered. "Then go out and find them, they can't be too far. I'll see what I can do here."

Setting Bee down, the two set off in the direction opposite form where Arcee came. While the cavern was enormous, the area they fell through was not. Thankfully it didn't take long to find a familiar lion, falcon and rhinoceros. Apparently, they'd separated in the fall.

"Jack." She began, shaking her partner. "Raf, Miko, wake up. Come on, please be okay." She added giving the other two a brief shake as well.

"Ugh." Jack groaned as he rolled back onto his paws. "Arcee?" He asked as he transformed and stood up. "Where are we?"

"I think we're somewhere under the Lost Light Jack. Or what's left of it." She answered as she moved to help Raf up. "There was a second cavern beneath the one the ship was in."

Jack bent over to help Miko get back on her feet. Suddenly Jack remembered what they'd seen before the ground collapsed. "Wait, what happened to Optimus?"

"He's hurt badly, and so is Bumblebee." Arcee answered, checking Raf over for damage. "Smokescreen, take Raf over to." She stopped when she realized said bot wasn't around. "Smokescreen where are you? This is no time to get sidetracked."

"Arcee!" Smokescreen called from a bit further into the cavern. "Come over here, you've gotta see this!"

Slightly annoyed, Arcee ran over to Smokescreen. "What are you?" Her question and annoyance trailed off. In a valley down below them was what looked like a giant Cybertronian fortress. And not just any fortress.

"Is that who I think it is?" Arcee asked. Obviously, she'd seen pictures of them while she was a history teacher, but to see one in person.

"Woah." Miko whispered in awe. "How long has this been down here?"

"Where the pit are you all?" Ratchet yelled as he came running into view. "We need to." He cut himself off as he took in the fortress. "By the allspark." He breathed. In that valley was a bot he'd seen only once, back when he was the kids' age. "That's Maximus. The titan Fortress Maximus."

An echoing groan from Optimus shook him from his shock. "Come on and help me move Prime and Bumblebee. The Titans were all well-equipped and there should be medical facilities there we can use."

Running back to the injured, the three hybrids had to fight not to cry at the sight of their friends. Thankfully the path into the valley was a gentle slope. With effort Arcee, Smokescreen and Ratchet were able to carry Optimus while Jack, Miko and Raf carried Bumblebee to the entrance.

"Hang on a nano." Ratchet said as he looked at the wall. "There should be an opening right about. Here." He said, pushing on a panel. A door large enough to accommodate someone the size of Bulkhead opened, and the group trouped inside.

Smokescreen looked at a sign on the wall. "Great, does anyone know how to read ancient cybertronian?"

"Ancient my aft." Ratchet grumbled. It was just an older dialect and he could read it just fine. Sort of a Cybertronian equivalent of cursive.

"Just follow me." For what seemed like an eternity but was only minutes. They followed the old medic through the halls of Fortress Maximus. Finally, they came to a door with a red stylized cross symbol on it. "Here we go."

Opening the door and entering the dark med bay, the group were astounded by the various berths and equipment. "A little out of date but it should suffice." Ratchet interjected, leading Arcee and Smokescreen to a large berth where they gently set Optimus down. "Set Bumblebee down over there." He ordered. The Maximals carefully set the injured scout down.

Heading over to a computer console, Ratchet booted up the lab facilities. Once the lights were on and the computer had booted up, he received another shock. "Sweet Primus!" He exclaimed softly. His mentor Remedy had told him rumors about a second one, but to actually find it? Today may just be a day for miracles as well as devastation.

"What is it Ratchet?" Raf asked. He'd been holding Bumblebees' servo in an attempt to comfort the unconscious bot.

"Teletraan." Ratchet whispered.

"Teletraan-1?" Arcee asked. "But I thought that was destroyed with the Ark."

"It was." Ratchet replied as he ran through the screens looking for the diagnostic protocols. "This is the backup the primes made, Teletraan-2. Maximus must've taken it with him when." Optimus gave another low groan. "Never mind, starting patient diagnostics."

From the foot of each berth, an arch of metal emerged and followed a track up and down both patients, each pass the scanners' light changed to a different color. At the head of both berths a hologram display of each of the patients came alive with a 3D replica of the patient. Looking at both displays and the readout on the computer, Ratchet sighed.

"Alright." Ratchet began. "Rafael, I need you to work to stabilize Bumblebee. His injuries are critical, but you do have the power and tools to accomplish it. Smokescreen, assist him." He ordered before swallowing. "Use the scanner readout and picture it as another test and you will succeed."

Raf looked like he wanted to throw up. "This is one test I can't afford to fail." He looked at his partners' head. "Hang on Bee." He whispered as he deployed his tools and set to work.

"What about Optimus?" Arcee asked, turning away from the surgery.

Ratchet gave a sigh. "I'm not sure." He responded sadly. "His spark is already so far gone that the surgical trauma could extinguish it."

"Can we move it?" Miko asked.

"A Cybertronians' spark can't exist outside a living body." Ratchet explained irritably. "And we don't have anything in here to hold it while we do." Unfortunately, the technology to do so was developed after Maximus left Cybertron. There was a beat of silence.

"I'll be the container." Jack answered resolutely, stepping forward.

"Jack no!" Arcee argued. "A Cybertronian can't hold two sparks in their body, it's physically impossible."

"We're not pure Cybertronian." Jack answered.

"Optimus' spark has the Matrix with it. It's too powerful." Ratchet argued. "It could destroy you."

"Do we have a choice?" Jack asked, climbing onto the berth.

"What if we wait for Raf to finish with Bee, then we combine into Magnaboss." Miko suggested.

An alarm sounded from Optimus' display. "I don't think we'll have the time." Jack answered.

Ratchet looked at the display and grimaced before nodding. "We don't, spark death will happen before I can repair his spark casing, even with Rafaels' help. And I'd be afraid of Bumblebees' condition deteriorating from lack of treatment either way." He gave a sigh and looked at Jack. "Alright."

As Ratchet went to open Optimus' chest, Miko climbed onto the berth, Arcee close behind. "Jack wait, what if this kills you." Miko asked.

"Jack, I don't think Optimus could live with himself if you died for him." Arcee pleaded quietly.

Jack looked at them. "I'll be all right. Both of us will be." He reassured them.

A hiss caught them all off guard. The three looked to see that Ratchet had opened Optimus' chest and his damaged spark chamber was now exposed.

Ratchet looked at him. "It's now or never Jack."

Jack nodded before kissing Miko deeply. Breaking the kiss, he looked at Arcee while holding his girlfriend close. "I swear, I will be all right."

Releasing Miko, Jack turned around and felt his chest shift, exposing his own blue spark. "Ready."

Opening Optimus' spark chamber, Jack stood over him. Silently, He reached out with his spark and connected with Optimus' own dying one. It seemed reluctant to move. "Come on Optimus, please." Jack begged.

Optimus' spark flared briefly before a beam of energy connected the two sparks. Jack gave a cry of pain as the power of both spark and matrix flooded him. The process took seconds although it felt like hours before Jack was forcefully blasted backwards by the end of the beam, his chest slamming shut around both sparks.

"What have I done?" Ratchet whispered to himself. Optimus' body beginning to turn gray brought him back to reality. Reaching under the berth he unraveled a cable and connected it to Optimus' neck. "Auxiliary life support systems, on." Flipping a switch, the color rapidly changed back from gray to red and blue.

"Arcee, help me with Optimus. Miko try to keep Jack comfortable and calm." He ordered. "Even if everything goes perfectly it'll take about six hours for me to stabilize Optimus and Jack will need to hold his spark that long."

Arcee turned away from the berth she'd set both Jack and Miko on and picked up a surgical array. "Then let's not waste time." With that, the surgery began.

Meanwhile on Cybertron, a ragtag group of Autobots and Maximals were scattered around one of Shockwaves' old laboratories. The fact that G.B. Blackrock and the Maximals could breathe easily here was a shock. Lightbright irritably explained while she was being repaired that when they sent the cybermatter through the space bridge on the nemesis, they sent it from Earths' atmosphere to the well of all sparks. Meaning that the planet Cybertron was now recreating the Earths' atmosphere due to the cybermatter absorbing some of it. She hadn't spoken since.

Vince walked up to Lightbright, who hadn't moved from the communications array since she'd been patched up. "Any news from Earth Lightbright?" He asked cautiously. Rewind had reported that she was both sad and irritable from what had happened on the Lost Light.

The femme gave a sigh. "Please let everyone know, that they'll know, when I know. And to please quit pestering me about it." She answered with a little heat to her voice.

Vince gulped. "Yes ma'am." He answered timidly before running off.

Lightbright mentally kicked herself and made a note to apologize to the young Maximal later, but she was just so spark broken over Sparkstalker. She only hoped he could survive whatever would happen to him.

Minutes later Vince had caught up with everyone else and conveyed Lightbrights' message.

Hoist grumbled. "She doesn't have to be nasty about it."

"Easy Hoist." Chromedome interjected. "We all know she and Sparkstalker are crazy about each other." He looked over at Rewind. "I'd honestly say I would probably react the same way."

"She needs to work through it herself." Rung supplied. "I only hope she can cope with it healthily." He sighed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to look in on a couple of my patients."

Heading to another part of the lab, Rung came across the Blackrocks and Nightbeat. Sierra and Garrison had both tried to console Allison over the loss of Trailbreaker, but she was practically inconsolable. Seeing the young Maximal curled up in a tight ball, Rung decided to step in.

"Nightbeat, Garrison." He began. Why don't you take Sierra to find something to help her? I'll talk with Allison." Ever since they got here Sierra had felt sick. This might've had something to do with the fact that Cybertron, with no organic soil, was inhospitable to plant life. And Sierra was suffering for it.

"Allison? It's Dr. Rung." He began softly. Allison tensed slightly. It wasn't much, but it was an indication that she wasn't blocking the world out.

"I'm going to be blunt with you Allison." Rung began. "I'm sorry about Trailbreaker, but you must remember that he was both a soldier and an officer. Dying in the line of duty is a possibility regardless of which job he was doing." He winced slightly as Allison curled up a little tighter.

"I shouldn't've left him to die." She whispered.

"And had you stayed, you'd have been killed too." He continued. "You were outnumbered, and for all of Trailbreakers' self-perceived faults, was never a selfish mech. He'd have wanted you to live for yourself, your family, and your happiness rather than die there with him."

Seeing her flinch a little at the mention of her happiness, Rung decided to press a hunch. "You're worried about Slash too, aren't you?" He asked. He knew about Allisons' feelings towards the small Dinobot, and wouldn't be surprised if they were mutual. "Well don't be, she's with the other Dinobots too and I'm sure they'll find a way to contact us to make sure we're alright."

Rung was relieved to see Allison uncurl a little. "You, you really think that?" She asked. While losing her partner hurt, she didn't think she could tolerate losing her crush too.

"I believe both, and when we get back, she can help us honor his memory and lay Trailbreaker to rest." Rung confirmed, placing a comforting hand on her. "Now come on, I think you and your sister could use each other's support until we get back to Earth."

Back on Earth, Galvatron was directing the Vehicons and Predacons in excavating the wreckage of the autobot base. He'd hoped to find the bodies of both the Maximals and Optimus Prime. Unfortunately, luck was evading him on that front as all they'd recovered was one Autobot corpse and a couple of Prime artifacts. While he was happy to recover the Chimera stone and the Enigma of Combination, he really wanted the other bodies as proof of his conquest.

He was pulled from his pleasant daydream of sitting on a throne made from Megatron and Optimus Primes' corpses by a guitar riff and a series of gunshots. "What in Unicrons' name was that?" He yelled at the nearest Vehicon. Unbeknownst to him, his Dark Matrix glowed slightly brighter at the chaos bringers' name.

Not too far away, June and Tonebot came to a stop behind some debris from the base in insect mode. Junes' spark and mind were still filled with grief and rage. Her family may be gone, but she swore that she'd make this a pyrrhic victory for the Decepticons. Thankfully she still had Fowler, Tonebot and a plan.

She would take Tonebot with her and use its' powers to stun a few bots at a time, allowing Fowler to take them out with his sniper rifle. Thankfully Fowlers new drone, which he'd dubbed 'Wing Thing' was able to help her pick her targets. It wouldn't be fast or easy, but she swore she'd take every Decepticon with her that she could. "I may not have been able to save you." She breathed, choking back tears before transforming and taking up Tonebot again. "But I will make them pay."

The Vehicon led him to the source of the commotion, Galvatron found two Vehicons with holes right through their heads and sparks. Realizing what must've happened, Galvatron growled. "So, it would seem we have some survivors. Very well, the bodies can wait, cease all recovery efforts for now and focus on terminating our attackers!" He bellowed.

"NO!" Came an ethereal voice that rang through his head.

"What the?" Galvatron cried out in surprise as the world around him blurred and faded to black. "What is the meaning of this?"

"THE PRIME STILL LIVES." The voice spoke from behind him. Turning around, Galvatron gave a start. Looming over him was the gigantic orange and silver form of.

"Unicron?" Galvatron cried out in surprise, taking a step back. "But, how? The chaos cybermatter should've."

"THAT IS UNIMPORTANT." Unicron replied. "THE PRIME STILL LIVES, AND SO LONG AS HE DOES, MY PLANS TO RETURN ARE IN JEOPARDY."

"How?" Galvatron asked. "I crushed Optimus Prime with my bare servos?"

"YOU EXAGGERATE, AND I AM UNSURE." Unicron answered. "THIS IS MY COMMAND. YOU ARE MY AGENT, MY ANTI-PRIME. YOU SHALL DO AS I SAY, FOR I OWN YOU."

"I am nobody's' puppet, gah!" Galvatron gave out a scream of pain as he felt like his entire being was being pulled apart.

"THEN YOU WASTE MY TIME." Unicron answered. "AND I SHALL SEND YOU ON YOUR WAY TO OBLIVION."

"Wait, no, I shall do as you ask!" Galvatron cried out through the pain.

"EXCELLENT." Unicron replied. Almost immediately the pain stopped. "CONTINUE THE SEARCH AND ELIMINATE OPTIMUS PRIME." With that, the world faded back into view. It seemed that no time had passed during their entire conversation.

"Belay that order." Galvatron cried out. He rethought his options and found a compromise that would hopefully keep the chaos bringer at bay. "Predacons, seek out our attackers. Vehicons, continue excavations, I want those bodies found." He ordered.

As the groups set out to perform their tasks Galvatron began to wonder what was wrong with the Dark Matrix. He'd have to have Tarantulas remove and repair it so Unicrons influence could be completely blocked. Yes.

Back in Fortress Maximus, Ratchet and Arcee were operating as quickly as possible. They'd been able to seal the rupture in Optimus' spark casing, but restoring both his energon reservoir and distribution systems was proving to be troublesome. It took time to restore the pathways and Ratchet was flummoxed on how to even patch the reservoir. A replacement might be more practical.

Ratchet looked up from the pathway leading through Optimus' neck into his brain. Taking a glance at Rafael, he couldn't help smiling a bit at his young protégé. Despite how bad Bumblebees' head was, he was still making sure that there was no other damage to account for that could be fatal. Taking another glance, Ratchet threw out a suggestion that would hopefully expedite both surgeries.

"Smokescreen." He called out. "In the cavern we fell in were some of the Insecticon parts we salvaged a while back. Rhinox can manage on his own for a little while, and we need those spare parts for both our patients." It wouldn't be a perfect fit in Optimus' case, but it would suffice.

"Sure, thing Doc bot." Smokescreen answered. "Be right back." With that he took off to get the parts.

On another berth in the med bay, Miko was doing her best to comfort Jack. She had both of her arms wrapped around him to keep him from thrashing about. Further complicating matters was that Jacks' body seemed to be mutating.

"Come on Jackrabbit, you got this." Miko encouraged. "If you can destroy a spiderbitches' spaceship and go to another planet, you can handle Optimus' spark." She felt a hand on her arm and looked to see that one of Jacks' hands had grown larger and taken on a blue coloration. The other hadn't changed yet. A second later she heard a crack and saw one open on his chest as it expanded, a white light emanating from the fissure. Jack had bitten down on his lip to keep from screaming in pain.

"Aw man Jack." She whispered. She tightened her embrace as she watched his right leg begin to thicken and lengthen. "What's happening to you?"

A few minutes later Smokescreen returned with several Insecticon parts. "Alright Ratchet, which parts do you need for." He was cut off as a white flash lit up the med bay. On the far side of the room a large dome appeared. From a door on the side of the dome emerged what looked like a giant technorganic rat and what looked like a technorganic cross between a raccoon and a dog which Miko recognized as a Tanuki.

"Did we make it?" The Tanuki asked.

"Well, if we didn't." The rat replied. "We'd be shakin' hands with great aunt." The sound of blasters deploying caught their attention. Turning, they saw Arcee and Smokescreen had trained their blasters on them. "Er, hey?"

"Who are you, how did you get in here?" Arcee demanded, stepping between Ratchet and the newcomers.

"Woah, hold up, we're Maximals!" The rat responded.

"We're from the future!" The Tanuki added.

"Yeah, right, and I'm Solus Prime." Arcee rebutted.

"Oh, for bootin' up cold. My name's Rattrap, he's Heinrad." Rattrap argued as both Maximals transformed.

His spark flaring a bronze color, Rattraps' forelegs folded into his back as a pair of seemingly mechanical legs emerged from his stomach, each with what looked like a shield on his hips. His rat head retracted into his body as the lower half unfurled into a slender torso and pair of arms, red ribbing adorning it with a Maximal symbol in the center. Finally, a human head with what looked like some kind of mask sitting on top of it like a ball cap emerged as his tail moved flush with his back, seemingly fusing with his spine.

Heinrad transformed with a golden flash of his spark. Rearing up on his hind legs, a pair of arms unfurled from his belly, exposing a silvery grey chest with an analog clock mounted in it. His Tanuki head flipped back and disappeared like a hood revealing a human head with a somewhat familiar face. Lastly, a pair of legs descended from his beast legs, bringing him up to standard Maximal height.

"Does that satisfy ya?" Rattrap asked.

"He's got a point." Raf said, looking the two over from where he was still working on Bumblebee. The two newcomers turned and stared at their young and very much alive 'uncle'. "A technorganic Maximal like what we are would be almost impossible to fake."

"Jack and Miko have matching scars on their arms where Airachnid poisoned them after you told them about your history and met Cyclonus." Heinrad added, turning back to Arcee. "And Allison and Slash are probably dancing around each other."

He looked at Smokescreen. "The first time you and Jack went out you trashed Vinces' car. After becoming a Maximal he told you about finding Vector Sigma and restoring Optimus' memories. Right before you three fought Vince in a cavern."

Arcee and Smokescreen glanced at each other. They both knew he spoke the truth. Nodding they retracted their blasters.

"Okay, not that we're not happy to have you here, but this is seriously the wrong time to show up." Arcee commented. She picked the surgical array back up and got back to work on Optimus.

"No, it's the perfect time." Heinrad replied. A scream of pain from Jack cut him off as the mesh on his elongated leg finally shredded and fell away, revealing a new leg and a clawed foot with a red and blue color scheme. Heinrad stared at the two, breathing heavily and seemingly caught up in the moment.

"Yo Rad, snap out of it." Rattrap said, stomping the Maximals' foot. This brought him back to the present.

"Right sorry." He said looking to Ratchet. "We were." He gulped. "Sent back in time to this day to stop Optimus and several others from dying." He explained.

"So, this surgery really is in vain." Ratchet sighed.

"No." Heinrad answered. "The problem is you were right; Optimus Primes' spark was too powerful to be held for more than a few hours." He explained. "Any other spark yes, fine, but in our future." He swallowed again. "Jack was forced to eject Optimus' spark or die with him."

Horrified, Ratchet looked at Heinrad. "You wouldn't tell us this if you didn't have a plan."

"Yes." He answered. "Like the other Maximals, Rattrap and I have 'Maximized' abilities. I can control the flow of time around me, which is amplified by these." He explained, gesturing to the clock in his chest which housed two of Vector Primes' Blades of Time. "So, if I create a bubble of accelerated time around you and Optimus while you operate."

"I could complete the surgery in the blink of an eye." Ratchet said wide opticed.

"Closer to thirty minutes, but yes." Heinrad replied.

Ratchet straightened himself up and looked at Arcee. "Bring the replacement fuel reservoir and a refill for the surgical array." He turned to Heinrad. "Get ready to maximize."

Nodding, Heinrad turned to Raf. "Un, er, Raf. Before you do anything else. Galvatrons' bite tore part of Bumblebees' fuel line in his neck near the base of his skull. In our time he died because it was missed in the scan, and he essentially bled out into his brain."

Rafs' eyes widened as he checked the area Heinrad indicated. Seeing the injury, he turned to him. "Bee and I owe you one." Moving to his partners' other side, Raf began working on the tear.

"Alright, we're ready for you." Arcee called.

Heinrad walked over to where Optimus was being operated on. He looked at Rattrap. "Start work on the next phase." He then turned to Miko and Jack and smiled. "Hang tuff you two, we'll be done soon." He closed his eyes. The two Blades of Time in his chest shifted to the 'twelve o'clock' position as a bubble of energy formed around the berth, and everyone around it.

"Heinrad, Maximize!"

On the surface, things were coming to a head.

Galvatron smirked as Spittor and Waspinator dragged a struggling June towards him. It had taken the Predacons a little while and cost him several more Vehicons, but they caught her in the end.

"Sorry it took so long boss." Spittor growled as he threw Kumara at Galvatrons' feet. "There was some kind of mini Insecticon that was helping her. It got away but I'm sure we'll catch it eventually."

"Excellent work everyone." Galvatron answered.

Looking down at June he smirked. "Step into my parlor miss spider. Yes." He taunted. "You ran us quite the merry chase."

Galvatrons' voice hardened. "However, it is now time to erase the last of the stain that was my sorry siblings' existence." Powering up his cannon, he took aim at Junes' head.

"Survive, Maximize!"

Galvatron was caught off guard as a large Maximal with bulging arm muscles leapt up from some nearby wreckage, grabbed his cannon, spun, and threw him skyward.

"Hit it soldier!" Survive yelled as Infernus and Iguanus tackled him to the ground from behind, his power fading. Seconds later a series of plasma disks connected with Galvatron, knocking him down into the dirt.

With a roar of fury, Galvatron looked skyward for his second attacker. Spotting a blue and silver flying manta ray he growled. "Dreadwing."

"Sorry I took so long you two." Depthcharge called. "New York to Nevada takes a while, even at Mach 3."

As the Decepticon turned Maximal banked around to attack again, Galvatron fired a steady blast from his cannon, successfully following Depthcharges' barrel roll he blasted one of the rays' wings off and sneered as the flyer transformed to bot mode and landed in a heap in front of a restrained June and Fowler.

"Well, that was invigorating." Galvatron said as he strode over to the three Maximals, kicking Depthcharge in the head so he'd stay down. "Now, on to the executions!" He called as he powered up his cannon again and leveled it at Junes' head. "And as the humans say, ladies first." He grinned.

Before he could fire, however, the ground started to rumble. "Now what?" Galvatron roared as a burst of light exploded some of the rubble outwards, creating a hole in the Earth. From the hole emerged a familiar looking bot on a pair of falcon wings.

Their overall look was mostly unchanged, there were still a few notable differences. For instance, the cannons in the chest had been replaced with a mounted chain gun on each arm. This left room for the wings to fold down over the shoulders to the hip. The biggest change of all, however, was their chest. Now red, silver and blue like Optimus' own, there was an extra window in the middle with a single white spark shining as brightly as the other three.

Holding up their hand and concentrating, the Star Saber appeared in a flash of burgundy light. Placing their hand upon it, the sword shrank to a size they could wield. Taking the blade, Magnaboss landed in front of the captured Maximals, causing the Predacons to release them before turning to a stunned Galvatron while pointing the sword at him.

"Galvatron." They spoke, a familiar fourth voice joining the usual trio.

"One shall stand, one shall fall."

A/N: From one cliffhanger to another? Why not! What happened to Magnaboss? What will happen to Jack and Optimus Prime? Who are these new time traveling Maximals? You'll find out in two weeks.

I based my version of Rattrap on the deluxe Best Machines toy of him. Mostly because that toy has actual legs and something akin to weapons. Heinrad is my take on the Beast Wars Neo character of the same name. Their exact origins, as well as Magnaboss new form, will be explained in the next chapter.

Survives' Maximized ability allows him to become strong enough to take on a bot Bulkhead or Optimus Primes' size for a few moments. Unfortunately, like all technorganic Maximals, using it burns a lot of energon.

I'll see you all in two weeks, until then, fave, follow and review. Happy Writing.