On the Nemesis, Megatron looked to Shadow Striker and Deadend, "With Knock Out occupying New York City and Dreadwing leading Clobber and Lockdown in the Antarctic, it falls on you both and Astrotrain to retrieve the third Artifact on the continent know as Australia," Megatron told his two minions.
"Aw, it had to be Astrotrain," Deadend complained. "I hate that bot."
"Don't you worry, Lord Megatron. We will retrieve the third relic before the Autobots get there first." Shadow Striker said with a serious look.
"See to it hastily." Megatron said firmly. "For it is more than likely the Autobots are planning to attempt the same."
On Metroplex, Hot Rod, Bumblebee, Jazz, Prowl, Jack and Miko entered the ground bridge and left for New York. "So that's one team to the first relic, but who's going after the other?" Acree questioned with a hand on her hip.
"Elita, you, Chromia, Firestar, Moonracer, and Acree will go to the next set of coordinates to retrieve the next relic." Optimus said to her.
"Understood, Optimus." Elita nodded.
"The Shield of Solus back together again," Firestar said with a smile.
"Don't worry, Optimus. We'll get the relic." Chromia assured as she ready her blaster.
"Be sure to be cautious, for we do not know what this relic is or what capabilities it holds." Optimus warned. "And I fear the Decepticons will abuse it's capablities."
"Don't worry, Optimus." Elita said as she placed a servo on Optimus's chassis. "We'll get the relic as best we could and handle the Cons to prevent them from retrieving it."
Optimus sighed as he placed a servo on Elita's shoulder. "Tread carefully." He advised as Elita nodded as Fixit opened up a Ground Bridge for them.
"Alright, Autobots, roll out." Elita said as she and the other female Autobots transformed and took off through the Ground Bridge.
As the other end of the Ground Bridge opened up, the Females Autobots exited before they found themselves on the Australian safari reserve as they transformed and saw a plain grassy field as far as the optics could see and some animals around.
"Where are we?" Moonracer asked as they looked around.
"I heard and read about this continent, we're in Australia." Acree said as she looked around the environment. "It's the one continent with the least amount of human population."
"Which means we have less of a chance of any humans will see us." Chromia summarized.
"Which makes it easier to retrieve the relic." Elita said as she then picked up her scanner. "It seems to be north from our position. We better get going before the Decepticons dig it up."
"You heard her, let's roll." Acree said as they transformed and drove off to the relic's location. Acree then drove up next to Elita. "So, Elita, I may not say this often, but I'm actually glad that there are more femmes out there other than me. And Airachnid, since well, you know, being the only femmes in our fractions since Cybertron went dark."
"Think nothing of it, Arcee, I know you've endured a lot being alone," Elita said to her. "You have lost two partners and been the only femme on Optimus's team before we arrived on Earth. And I know how past demons from the past can shake your spark."
"Trust me, I've experienced it more ways than one." Acree admitted.
"I can tell." Elita said to her. "But don't worry. You're never alone. Now let's focus on getting that relic and pound some Decepticons. It might take your mind off things."
"That I agree fully." Acree said with a slight eager tone as the female autobots drove through the field to the relic's location.
In the Air, Astrotrain was flying over the Australian outback while Shadow Striker and Deadend. "We could've taken the Ground Bridge down." Deadend said with his arms crossed. "I hate riding with Astrotrain."
"That's because you two get on each other's servos." Shadow Striker said with a dull look while at the controls. "You're lucky Astrotrain doesn't argue with me, since I don't talk back to him and or have a problem with everything."
"That's because you were one of the best scouts in the Decepticon ranks before you were blown to pieces until Shockwave put you back together." Deadend said with a look, which made Shadow Striker growled at him.
"Don't you go there." Shadow Striker said with a look as she turned to Astrotrain. "Astrotrain, are we close to the relic?"
"It's just on that mountain," Astrotrain answered while showing a location of the mountain close by, which happens to be Mount Ulduru. "I'm a bit too big to land there, so it will have to be a labor job. The relic could be on the side of the Mountain. I can get you close to it, but you'll have to take it out by hand."
"Eh, it's better than being with you all day." Deadend waved off with his arms crossed. "I'll get the troops ready for digging." He said as he was about to get to the back, but Astrotrain shut the door, which he hit as groaned while Astrotrain chuckled. "I hate you." He growled as the door opened up and Deadend quickly entered it before Astrotrain tried anything else.
Shadow Striker gave a chuckle. "Nice to see you two are still getting along." She said in amusement. "Now, get us close to the mountain and hide out until we give the signal." She instructed. "And just in case any Autobots are nearby," She started as she brought up a screen with some flying Vehicons.
Back with the Shield, they were driving across the Outback, "Are we getting any closer?" Moonracer asked Elita.
"Yes, but not there just yet," Elita said as they continued following the signal, "It's only a few meters from here, but it also says it's up on that mountain close by." She said as she looked towards Mount Ulduru.
"Wait, the relic is on that mountain?" Firestar questioned.
"It must have landed before the mountain was ever formed," Elita deduced, "And with the passage of time, it became buried within it."
"So we need to start digging our way down there?" Acree questioned with a brow before Elita's scanners are picking the signal.
"Well, I don't know about digging, but my scanners are picking up an entry point somewhere at the top of the mountain." Elita said while gesturing to the mountain. "Perhaps we should start there. It could lead us underground."
"Heh, talk about luck." Chromia said with a smile.
"Alright, let's get climbing, girls." Elita said as the female Autobots then started climbing up the mountain while trying to keep their balance.
"You know, this reminds me of that time we journeyed to the top of the Manganese Mountains to investigate a Decepticon Laboratory," Moonracer commented, "Can you believe they were actually trying to copy the art of Combining?" She questioned.
"I know, everyone knows that's just an old legend," Firestar commented.
"So was Unicron, and look how that turned out." Acree said with a brow. "Like Optimus said, there can be truth in some legends."
"Well robots combining is no less unbelievable as City sized Cybertronians, beast shifters or the literal blood of the Chaos Bringer himself," Chromia stated.
"So you believed it might be possible?" Moonracer questioned.
"From what we've experienced, anything is possible, Moonracer." Elita said with a serious look. "Optimus has taught me that as long you believe it is possible, it's real."
"You know, Elita, you never did tell us your history with Optimus," Firestar noted.
"Or rather, your history with Orion Pax," Chromia corrected.
"Come to think of it, Optimus never told us his story with you either." Acree stated, having the same feeling as the others. "What is your history with each other."
Elita gave a sheepish and uncomfortable look. "It's… a complicated tale." She muttered as she kept climbing.
"Well, while we're climbing, how about you tell us?" Chromia suggested as they kept climbing.
"Not while we're on a mission. We need to keep our guard up in case any Decepticons try to attack us." Elita reminded them.
"That bad, huh?" Arcee asked as Elita gave her a look, "Spend enough time with humans you tend to learn that people don't talk about bad memories," She shrugged.
"Commander, it will be a quick tale." Chromia said to her. "It would be nice to hear the origin of you and Optimus."
"You femmes are not gonna stop until I tell, are you?" Elita questioned with a brow while they kept climbing.
"Afraid not, Ma'am," Chromia answered.
Elita sighed tiredly. "Okay, fine. But if Optimus finds out, I'm not covering for either of you." She said firmly to her team.
"Yes, Commander," The four Femme said.
"Okay, as you know of Optimus's backstory, it was the twilight hour of the Golden Age…" Elita started as she remember her backstory with Optimus.
Eons ago…
"As you all know, Optimus wasn't always a prime when he was Orion Pax, an archivist, and as you know, he and Megatron, well, you know." Elita narrated as she remembered her backstory. "Back then, I was known as Ariel, way before I was called Elita One. I was manual labor captain of the Energon mines," She added as a pink femme was in the caverns mining energon with a few bots helping her.
"Okay, bots! Keep it up! We must be ready to ship and process these energons in the next 2 cycles!" Ariel ordered with a firm tone.
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" The bots called as they continued working.
"Back then, I never approved of any breakage in protocols. I was quite firm and rathered a bit hard headed." Elita said as Ariel was leading a group of bots into a mine cavern that just opened up.
"Here we go, this one won't be open long! Brace it up!" Ariel ordered as every bots then braced up the mines and they drilled as many energon crystals as they could. "Come on, let's roll it out!" She called before she heard screaming before she looked back and saw an energon explosion, which made her eyes widened. "Evacuate!" She called as she and a few other bots were flung back. "Everyone out, evacuate immediately! This tunnel is closer! I repeat, the tunnel is closing!" She called out as the bots were running out of the cavern.
"Then one day, during an cave in, one of the miners became trapped in the rubble," Elita explained as Ariel saw one miner trapped beneath debris, "Protocol stated that I needed to stay with my troop, but in lapse of worry and selflessness, I disregarded it go rescue my fellow Cybertronian."
Ariel was conflicted a bit before she rushed up to the miner and tried to move the debris. "One of our own is stuck, I'm falling back and assist!" She called out.
"Ariel! You're breaking protocol!? That's crazy!" Another Miner called through the comms as Ariel still tried to push the debris.
"Captain, it's closing!" The trapped miner called to her. "Just grab your pack and go!"
Ariel then had an idea. "Hey, good idea." She said as she rushed back.
"What?! No! I didn't mean it!" The miner pleaded before he saw Ariel returning and using her jetpack and powered it on as it moved the boulder as Ariel used all her strength to move the debris and quickly moved the miner out, which causes the pack to explode as she took a breath.
"You okay?" Ariel asked the miner.
"Y-Yeah, thank you Captain," the Miner said graciously.
Ariel transformed and carried the miner to the end of the tunnel just before it collapsed as she quickly skidded to a stop as she transformed and turned to the other medics. "Medic! This miner injured, he needs medical attention, now!" She said as a couple of medic bots came in and carried the injured miner away.
"We'll take good care of him, captain. You may have broken protocol, which is quite shocking for all of us, but you saved his life." The medic said as they carried the injured miner away for medical attention as Ariel smiled at the compliment
"Naturally, my act of disregardment met with stiff penalties," Elita explained further before Ariel heard a stomping sound before a giant bot came to her.
"Captain Ariel, you're fired." He said firmly.
"What?! Wait no, you don't understand!" Ariel stated desperately. "A Miner was trapped! I only broke protocol to save him!"
"Breaking protocol is as far as you go. Now get out of my sight before I call security." The boss said before every miners began to complain.
"You can't do that!"
"She was only trying to help!"
"She's a great captain!"
"She only broke protocol once!"
"Enough! Get back to work, all of you!" The boss yelled firmly as the miners flinched and stood quiet as he turn back to Ariel. "What are you standing there like that?! Out!" He yelled as Ariel frowned before she made her way to the exit with a scowl.
"After that, I lost my job and after seeing what has occured, the mining operation was shut down due to sudden numbers dwindling and protesting for how things worked there and how I was treated. Which was good, but after that, I had nowhere else to go as I wandered across Iacon." Elita explained with a solemn tone.
Sometime later, Ariel was walking down the streets of Iacon, which she groaned as she looked at her wrists and saw how low her energy levels were. "Low on energon. I knew I should've pack some before I left." She muttered with a sigh.
"Knowing I needed Energon, I headed to the only place I knew would welcome a bot like me." Elita continued before Ariel then walked up to a building where she noticed the Iacon Hall of records.
"I hope Alpha Trion can spare some energon." Ariel said hopefully as she entered the Iacon Hall of Records as she saw many bots either reading or going on about their business while seeing many records while Ariel walked past them as she walked down the halls to find Alpha Trion.
"And then, I met him," Elita said as Ariel soon met one particular archivist cataloging some files, "Orion Pax."
"Excuse me, sir?" Ariel asked, which made Orion turn to her while still looking through some files. "I was wondering if Alpha Trion is here."
"He is currently attending a High Council matter, I'm afraid," Orion explained to her. "He will not be back until much later."
"Oh, Scrap." Ariel muttered with a sad look as she groaned while rubbing her head.
"You seem depleted friend, what is your occupation?" Orion asked.
"I was captain of a mining operation. Or… I was until I broke protocol." Ariel said with a sad look, which made Orion frown in sympathy for her.
"What caused you to break protocol?" Orion asked.
"A mine was on the brink of collapse, but one of my miners was about to get buried underneath the energon mines, so I rushed in and I took him out before the mine completely collapsed." Ariel explained.
"Why, I see no problem in that. You saved a bot's life. They should be grateful for your selflessness" Orion said with a small smile.
"Oh, they were, but my boss didn't think so." Ariel said while still rubbing her arm. "He fired me for breaking protocol, and right now, I have nowhere else to go."
"Why, that' is that's just not right." Orion said with a frown. "Yet another example of the corruption within Cybertron."
"What?" Ariel asked confusedly.
"Come, let me offer you some Energon and what I've learned occurring in the shadows of our society," Orion said, taking Ariel's hand and leading her further into the halls, which surprised Ariel a bit as she looked at Orion in curiosity.
"Even back then, Orion was such a gentlebot and willing to help me as he showed me the archives, about Cybertron's corruption from high places." Elita said as a bit of time, Orion offered some energon to Ariel, which she accepted as he began to show her the archives of what he learned. "My experience at the mines being the most recent addition to the list. Eventually Orion convinced Alpha Trion to accept me to work at Iacon Hall of Records and I was offered a place beside Orion."
"As the cycles passed Orion and I became close friends, we trusted each other, had each others' backs," Elita continued as Ariel and Orion were seen working together and exchanged smiles from time to time while sometimes they bump into each other, which caused them look at each other with sheepish chuckles as they chattered or muttered each other embarrassedly as they continue their work. "Over time, our feelings grew stronger and we felt some sort of… connection with each other."
"Eventually our time spent outside of Iacon lead us to the movement of Megatronous," Elita continued before Ariel and Orion then heard news about how Megatronous railed a gathering of followers and wanting Cybertronians to be an equal. "Orion saw that his ideals aligned with Megatronous and decided to help in anyway he could, the two became as close as brothers,"
"And let me guess, it didn't end well?" Acree questioned, knowing what happened next.
"Yes, I was there when Megatron showed his true colors and how Orion moved the sparks of the Council and moved my own," Elita went on as she and Orion watched Megatron demanding the High Council to stand down and become the next Prime and then when Orion spoke to the council as Ariel gave a proud smile, "The High Council saw that Orion was fit to be the next Prime, but only if it was earned by the Matrix of Leadership. And that was when Megatron cut all ties with Orion and the Council, It was the first time I saw Orion so saddened." She continued as Orion and Ariel watched Megatron storm out of the High Council building in fury as Orion looked on solemnly and Ariel placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"You did what you had to do, Orion." Ariel said to him softly. "Megatron made his own choice, but you have proven that you are worthy. We can still make a difference. I promise everything will be okay."
"Oh, how wrong I was," Elita muttered since she knows what happens next. "Soon after that day, Megaron and his newly formed Decepticons started the war. Which soon caused warfare to consume Cybertron." She added when she remembered how Megatron and his Decepticons first started the war as she remembered the destruction and chaos it brought.
"But over the war, when Orion first journeyed to Cybertron Core, Primus himself, and returned with the Matrix of Leadership, now known as Optimus Prime." Elita said while in an Autobot base, Ariel and a few other Autobots were waiting for Orion's return while Ariel gave a concerned look.
But then they saw a large red and blue bot walking in proudly, with two the Autobot symbols on each shoulder as the Autobot troops looked at him in awe, muttering among themselves.
"Whoa."
"Who is he?"
"Is that?"
"It can't be."
"Is that…?"
Ariel, the most awestruck, approached the large Autobot slowly until she was right in front of him, "Orion?" She whispered breathlessly as Orion stepped forward.
"Hello, Ariel. And I was once Orion Pax, but now, I have become something else." Orion said as he opened up his chest, which revealed the Matrix of Leadership, which made the Autobots look in awed.
"The Matrix of Leadership?" Ariel asked stunned before looking to Orion, "Then, you, you're a…"
"I am, Optimus Prime." Optimus revealed, which made everyone looked in awed.
"The Council were right. You do have potential as a prime." Ariel said in awed. "Alpha Trion may be gone, But Cybertron still has a Prime."
"Yes, but I alone cannot free Cybertron from Megatron's thirst for power. The Primes have shown me that truth strength comes from within and from those you trust, and you, Autobots, are where my true strength resides." Optimus told his fellow Autobots, "Together, I know that we overcome this tyranny and restore Cybertron to it true glory."
"You know we're right by your side, Optimus." One of the Autobots said to him.
"Then I ask you all, to lend me your Sparks and fight back against the Decepticons!" Optimus said before raising a fist, "Till All Are ONE!"
"Till All Are ONE!" One by one, the Autobots all exclaimed in unison with their fists raised as Optimus looked around with a smile as he then turn to Ariel.
"Ariel, I cannot lead the Autobots alone, and I would be honored if you would help lead them by my side." Optimus told his old friend with a smile.
"Me?" Ariel asked in surprise before she shook her head. "No, no I-I couldn't possibly…"
"Ariel, you were once a captain in the Energon Mines, and from old records, you were a very well experienced one." Optimus said with a warm smile. "You have a marksman of a leader. So, I believe you've earn a promotion. How's Elite Major Ariel sound?" He asked, which surprised Ariel.
Ariel looked at Optimus for a moment before she thought for a moment. "How about Commander Elita One?" She asked with a smirk, which made Optimus give a smile.
"A perfect name." Optimus said with a smile as the newly named Elita One and Optimus looked at each other as they stood back to back as their Autobot allies all cheered them on as they shared warm smiles and held each other servos.
"And from that point, Optimus and I have stood together ever since, before and during the war." Elita said with a small smile as she and the other female Autobots managed to climb up from the mountain and onto a platform after Elita finished her tale.
"Wow. And I thought Optimus's backstory with him and Megatron was shocking." Acree commented in awe, as were the other femmes.
"You were once a miner, who broke protocol to save one's life, and then got fired before you met Optimus?" Moonracer asked in surprise.
"That's… an interesting tell." Firestar commented.
"Oh, it most certainly was." Elita said with a fond smile. "It hurt to lose my job, if I hadn't broken protocol, I wouldn't have met Optimus. It's just as he says, all things happen for a reason, including how Iacon Relics and Decepticon Weapons were jettisoned to this planet."
"You're not wrong." Chromia said with a smile. "Speaking of which, are we any close to that relic?" She asked as Elita took out her scanner and moved it around before it got a signal to a nearby cave.
"Looks like the relic is in this cave." Elita said while the female Autobots walked close to the cave as the signal got stronger. "Whatever this relic is, it's definitely powerful."
"You think the cons are already inside?" Acree questioned with a suspicious look.
"Well, judging by that squad of vehicons coming our way," Moonracer said with a serious look as the femmes turned and saw the flying Vehicons flying towards them and started firing at them, which the female Autobots barely dodged. "I'd say yes!" She called as he fired at a couple of seekers, taking them out.
"Definitely the place!" Chromia called as she fired her blasters and took out a Vehicon.
"Alright, girls, let's show these Mechs that femmes are superior!" Elita called as she drew her blasters as the rest of the female Autobots ready their blasters and then they started a shootout with the Vehicons.
"Elita, we got this! You and Arcee get in there and get the Relic!" Chromia said, pulling out her shield to block most of the fire.
"She's right, commander. The relic is more important, and they seem to have the fort covered." Acree said with a smirk as she and Elita saw how the rest of the femmes were taking down the Vehicons.
"You're not wrong." Elita said with a smirk. "Keep 'em busy, girls! We'll be back!" She called out as she turned to Acree. "Let's roll, Acree." She said as she and Acree transformed into their vehicle mode and drove into the cave while Firestar, Moonracer and Chromia covered them.
"Haha, just like old times!" Firestar said with a grin.
"That us femes are together again to secure a sacred relic from Megatron's servos, or the fighting cons thing?" Moonrancer asked with a smirk.
"Both! And It's great to work as one again." Firestar said as she fired a con down.
"These cons have surely gone soft on us." Chromia said as she fired more vehicons with her blaster. "And let's hope Elita and Acree get that relic."
Inside the cave, Deadend and Shadow Striker are standing by while some Vehicon miners are using their drills onto a wall. "Ugh, how much longer for us to strike the payload?" Deadend questioned impatiently with his arms crossed.
"Quick complaining, Deadend. They're almost there." Shadow Striker said as she looked at her scanner, which was beeping like crazy. "My scanner is going off the meter, whatever this thing is, it unlike anything we've seen before."
From behind some rocks, Arcee and Elita were spying on them. "Shadow Striker. And, Deadend?" Elita muttered in surprise.
"Okay, I get Shadow Striker, but Deadend?" Acree questioned with a brow. "When did he get here?"
"He must've arrived around the time of Aircanid's attack on the Nemesis. While he's not a threat, he has an attitude." Elita said with a look. "Looks like they're nearly finish digging up the relic."
"Ma'am, we've found it," A Vehicon reported, "But it doesn't seem to be in a pod."
"Well bring it up then," Shadow Striker said as a miner then took out the relic and then showed it to the two Decepticons, which they looked in wonder as it was a strange diamond shaped with a rainbow colored aura over it circuit-like markings and round core.
"That's it?" Deadend said with a brow. "All that digging for whatever this is?"
"It looks like it was made from the stuff as the Forge of Solus Prime." Shadow Striker noted.
Elita's optics widened when she saw the relic, "By the Allspark." She muttered, which Acree noticed.
"Elita, you know what it is?" Acree asked.
"Acree, that's one of Cybertron's most ancient and powerful relics, the Enigma of Combination." Elita muttered. "Optimus told me about it once."
"Well, do you know what it does?" Acree asked in wondered.
"I do, and it's very important the cons don't get," Elita said urgently, "It's a powerful artifact, created by Nexus Prime,"
"The Prime who created the Art of Combining?" Arcee questioned.
"Yes, and it says that if at least five Cybertronians come in contact with the Enigma, will become greater than the sum of their parts," Elita said seriously. "Or in other words…"
"Combining," Arcee muttered in shocked worry, "We need to get that relic." she said as they saw Shadow Striker holding the relic.
"Whoa. Megatron will flip when he sees this thing." Deadend said in awed. "Maybe he'll know what this thing is."
"Then let's get it out of here before any Autobots show up," Shadow Striker told him.
Just then, the two miner Vehicons were blasted back, shocking the two Decepticons as they turned and saw Elita and Acree standing at the end of the tunnel while aiming their blasters at them. "Not gonna happen, cons!" Acree said with a glare.
"Drop the Relic and we'll leave minimal damage," Elita ordered.
"Uh, yeah, how about, catch!" Shadow Striker called as she tossed the relic up and then started blasting at the two femme Autobots, which they avoided the shots as Deadend quickly caught the relic. "Did you forget I was the best scout and warrior in the Decepticons?!"
"And I am the 2nd in command to Optimus Prime." Elita shot back as she started firing at the Cons.
Deadend quickly avoided the shots while carrying the Enigma. "Whoa! Shadow, how about taking this somewhere else?! There's barely enough room for cover, let alone for a fight!" He exclaimed.
Shadow Striker narrowed her eyes and saw the confined space, "Vehicons, cover us!" Shadow Striker ordered before she transformed.
Some Vehicons then went forward and provided cover fire as they blasted at the two femmes, who duck for cover as they tried to return fire. "Good. Now let's go before we're scrap." Deadend said as he transformed and put the Enigma into his driver seat and took off with Shadow Striker following.
"Scrap!" Arcee called as they watched the two Cons driving off.
"Chromia! Deadend and Shadow Striker has the relic and heading your way! Stop them from leaving with it!" Elita called out to her commlink as she and Acree fought the Vehicons. "Repeat, stop them from leaving with the relic!"
Outside, the cave, the rest of the Female Autobots have taken down the rest of the Vehicons while their defeat enemies are scattered around. "Understood!" Chromia replied as they faced the cave with their weapons out.
"Let's hope they didn't expect us." Firestar said as they heard revving sounds as Shadow Striker and Deadened came out of the cave, which they stopped when they saw the three femmes and transformed in front of them while Deadend held the relic.
"Oh, come on! More femmes?!" Deadend questioned while Shadow Striker gave a warning growl. "Uh, present company excluded." He said sheepishly.
"And Mechs are supposed to be the superior model." Firestar commented
"Get out of our way, Autobots!" Shadow Striker demanded as she armed her blaster at them. "We found this relic fair and square!"
"Yeah, not happening. Now, girls!" Chromia called as Moonracer and Firestar quickly charged as Chromia fought Shadow Striker while Deadend was caught by surprised as Moonracer and Firestar did a double team and knock him down as Moonracer caught the relic in her servos while Chromia got the upper hand and tossed Shadow Striker next to Deadend.
"Ugh, I hate Female Autobots." Deadend muttered as Acree and Elita drove in and came up to the group.
"Hey, didn't leave a punch for us?" Acree asked with a smirk and a hand to her hip.
"Nice job retrieving the relic." Elita said as Moonracer held the relic. "And sorry you cons are gonna leave empty handed."
"Grr, we're not finish yet!" Shadow Striker exclaimed with a glare.
"Uh, you're outmatched and outnumbered." Moonracer said with a smirk. "You might be a good fighter, both you and Deadend, but even you two are no match for the Shield of Solus."
Shadow Striker looked up and smirked, "Oh yeah, and what about him?" She asked, pointing behind them.
"Him?" Arcee asked with a brow.
Then suddenly there was a loud thump causing the Femmes to jump in surprise before slowly turned and saw a big Decepticon Seeker towering over them, bigger than Optimus or Megatron put together as he glared down at the group.
"Oh Scrap," Firestar muttered in worry.
"Hello there, ladies. It's been a while." A familiar voice spoke up, which made the Female Autobots look in shock.
"Astrotrain?!" Chromia questioned in shock.
"You're on Earth too!?" Moonracer questioned in shock.
"Seriously, is there any con who isn't on this planet?!" Acree questioned in frustration.
"Now, I believe you femmes have something that belongs to Lord Megatron," Astrotrain said with a smirk as he looked at Elita with the Enigma of Combination.
"The Enigma of Combination will never belong to Megatron!" Elita told him firmly.
"The Enigma of Combination?!" Shadow Striker asked in shock and awed. "So that's what it is." She added with a smirk.
"Sorry, femme, but you are clearly at a disadvantage," Astrotrain said with a smirk. "Because with my side, I will squash you bots like insects. So unless you give me the relic, you will be scrap."
"Commander, what do we do?" Chromia questioned. "Every Autobot before was nearly wiped from Astrotrain, and we don't have the firepower or the numbers to defeat him."
"We can't just give them the Enigma." Elita reminded them. "If Megatron were to get this, he would be impossible to defeat."
"Well, if we don't do what they say, the only thing we're gonna be combined into is a pile of scrap." Arcee told her with her arm blades out.
"Tick tock, Autobots." Deadend said with a smirk as he and Shadow Striker stood some distance from them. "Because the big guy means business, even when he's annoying."
"Not now, Deadend." Shadow Striker said with a look. "So, make a choice." She said to the Femmes with her arms crossed as Elita was conflicted on what her choice would be before she realized she was holding the Enigma of Combination, before remembering its name.
"Wait," Elita said in thought.
"10 seconds before I start pounding." Astrotrain said as he smashed his fists together.
"Girls, I'm about to do something risky, but you'll have to trust me." Elita said to them as she held up the Enigma. "Come together, now!"
"W-What?" Firestar asked in confusion.
"Do it now!" Elita ordered firmly, which they flinched as they came close to Elita and she held the Enigma out, "Everyone, place your hand on the Relic!" she told them.
"What good will that-" Firestar tried to ask.
"Time's up." Astrotrain said, raising a fist up.
"Trust me, this is the only thing that will save our sparks!" Elita told the Femmes.
They looked uneasy before they then placed their hands on the relic, at the same time Astrotrain started slamming his fist down as Elita's and the rest of the Shield's optics glowed and they were enveloped in a dome of light as they came together.
Shadow Striker and Deadend shielded their eyes against the light before Astrotrain felt something catch his fist. His optics widened as he saw a bot who resembled Elita, her left leg was sea-green, her right leg is orange/red, her left arm is light blue with a shield on it, and her right arm is dark blue while Elita was in the middle, while her face remained the same but had a new headset while the Autobot logo was shown in the middle of the body while she was the size similar to Astrotrain.
Elita was using the left arm to grab hold of Astrotrain's fists as she gave a smirk. "Sorry, but it's impolite to hit a femme." She said with a smirk.
"W-What?!" Astrotrain exclaimed as he struggled to break free, before Elita grabbed hold of him and tossed him to the side, which he crashed into the mountain as he fell to the ground as Shadow Striker and Deadend watched in shock.
"W-W-What just happened?" Deadend asked in fear as he backed away a bit.
"T-They combined. Into… some sort of… Mega Autobot?!" Shadow Strike stated in complete shock as Elita looked at herself.
"Elita, what's going on?" Acree questioned as Elita heard her voice in her head while her right arm moved a bit. "My optics are down."
"So are mine." Moonracer said as the left leg moved a bit. "Wait, why can't I transform?!"
"What's going on? Are we crushed?" Firestar asked as the right leg moved.
"By the Primes, it worked!" Elita cheered.
"What do you mean it wor-Wait, did we use the relic?!" Chromia asked as the left arm shook a bit.
"Yes, and it's combined us into one giant form," Elita explained as there was silence for a moment.
Just then, Elita heard the femmes screamed in panic as her limbs moved around while Deadend and Shadow Striker watched in amusement. "Okay, that is funny to watch." Deadend said with a smirk.
"Ditto." Shadow Striker said with a smirk.
"Now, girls, just try… and stay calm to…" Elita tried to say but the constant flailing kept her from finishing, "Everybody quiet!" She yelled out firmly, which caused her body to go stiff.
"Okay, when you said that the Enigma makes bots greater than the sum of their parts, you under-sold it." Acree said in her mind.
"Listen, I didn't have a choice. It was either that or we get crushed from Astrotrain." Elita said to them. "Listen, we don't have much time, we need to beat Astrotrain and then leave with the relic before they can use it.
"But that would be a problem since we can't see, or even do anything right now." Firestar said to her.
"We work as a team, like we always do. Let's listen to Elita." Chromia spoke up to them.
"Yes. Just follow my orders. We don't have long until Astrotrain recovers. Send the command to your actuators." Elita said to them. "Acree, you're the right arm. Chromia, you're the left arm. Firestar, you're the right leg. Moonracer, you're the left. Just follow my lead and move in sync."
"Okay./Got it./Understood./Check." The Femmes all said.
"Okay, so stand ready." Elita said as Astrotrain stood up and glared at the Mega Femmes.
"Okay, that was lucky! But let's see if you femmes can handle being up close!" Astrotrain yelled as he charged at the Elita-Infinity with his fists raised.
"Chromia, raise yourself up for protection," Elita instructed. Soon, the left arm raised up and crossed as its shield blocked Astrotrain's punch. "Acree, uppercut!" She added as the right arm had claws extended from it before it swung up and punched Astrotrain in the chin, knocking him back.
"I can't see, but it felt like I hit him." Acree said with a gleeful tone.
"I guess we just need to coordinate our attacks to fight Astrotrain and keep him back." Firestar said to them.
"Then let's make sure Astrotrain learns to respect us femmes." Elita said with a smirk. "Now, Moonracer, Firestar, rushed straight towards Astrotrain!"
"You got it!/Right!" The two said as Elita Infinity charged at Astrotrain before she punched with her right fist, followed by her left.
"Firestar straighten and spin us around, Moonracer, lift up and extend!" Elita ordered as they then did a roundhouse kick to Astrotrain's head.
"Ugh!" Astrotrain yelled as he rubbed his head and staggered back. "How are you bots doing this?!" He questioned.
"When Autobots come together, there's nothing we can't overcome!" Elita told him as they gave a double punch to the giant Decepticon's chassis, stunning him before they grabbed him by the shoulders, "Acree! Chromia, toss him over the shoulder, and Firestar, kick as hard as you can! She called out.
Soon, Astrotrain was tossed over before Elita Infinity kicked him in the air, which then the merged Autobot jumped up and slammed him down to the ground, which made him groan before the ground began to crumble, which made him nervous. "Oh no." He muttered before the ground collapsed, causing him to fall down with a scream as he tumbled down the mountain.
Deadend and Shadow Striker looked down to Astrotrain in shock before Elita Infinity stepped up behind them, making them turn to them, "Surrender and leave in peace Decepticons, or in pieces," She said with a smirk, "Your call."
Shadow Striker and Deadened looked at each other before they nodded. "Time to cut and Drive." Shadow Striker said.
"Lord Megatron won't be happy." Deadend said with a frown.
"But at least he'll leave us in one piece," Shadow Striker retorted before the two Decepticons transformed and drove down the mountain as they went down to where Astrotrain crashed.
"So, this is what Optimus meant when he said 'Til All are One'." Elita said with a smile. "Excellent job, Shield of Solus." She complimented.
"Uh, quick question though," Moonracer spoke up, "How do we get out of this combined form?"
Elita gave an uncomfortable look. "That… I'm not sure. I think either we somehow separated or just wait until this wears off and-" She said before there was a bright flash and soon the five femmes were separated, groaning on the ground with the Enigma of Combination in the middle, "Okay, the latter apparently," She said while rubbing her head.
"I don't mean to be a bragger, but despite it feeling weird, that was amazing!" Firestar cheered with a smile. "We merged into one giant Super-bot!"
"I felt ready to take on even Megatron himself!" Moonracer added.
"Now don't get cocky, you two. We were lucky to even control that form." Chromia advised as Acree walked up to Elita, who picked up the Enigma of Combination.
"I gotta say, using the Enigma was risky, but clever." Acree said with a smirk. "And becoming one, we know that motto, but to literally become one, that adds a whole new meaning to it."
"The Enigma is one to behold with." Elita said as she held the relic while the Female Autobots gathered around. "And it showed the art of combination really is possible. But I don't know if it requires this relic or… something else."
"Well, what matters, we have the relic." Chromia said with a smile. "And Megatron doesn't."
"Imagine if he got his rusty claws on this." Moonracer said with a shiver. "He would've combined his Cons into something powerful enough to turn us all into scrap."
"All the more reason to keep this out of Decepticon reach," Elita said before reaching to her commlink, "Elita to Metroplex, we're requesting a groundbridge." She called.
"Elita! Return to base immediately!" Ratchet called urgently.
"R-Ratchet? What's going on?" Elita asked as the other Female Autobots were just as worried as she was.
"No time! Just hurry! I'm opening a Ground Bridge!" Ratchet said as he opened the Ground Bridge that appeared in front of the Female Autobots.
"What was that about?" Chromia wondered.
"Something must be wrong back at base," Elita deduced in concern, "Come on, let's go before any more cons show up," She ordered as they went through the Groundbridge.
Though when they came out from the otherside, they were shocked by what they saw, "Sweet Solus Prime," Arcee whispered in horror.
"Oh no." Elita muttered in dread as they looked down at something smoking while the Autobots looked down in shock and horror at what they were seeing.
Here we are folks, my first original chapter.
First off, Elita's backstory was here to help extend the story a bit, I mixed some pieces of it with some inspiration from Transformers One to fit with the Aligned Continuity.
Next up, her team was composed of the original members of the Shield of Solus from the original Transformers.
Also, surprise surprise, the relic they found was the Enigma of Combination, I find it strange how this relic was never shown despite it's important role in the combining of Cybertronians. More forward, The SoS's combined form is based on a real Elita-One combiner called Elita-Infinity and as you can see, can go head to head with Astrotrain.
As for what the girls saw when they returned to base, well you'll just have to wait and see.
Post in the comments what other combiners or bot Combos you'd like to see. Stay tuned for Ratchet's group are searching for their relic but have to deal with inner problems as well as outer ones in "Triage".