"And it was written in the Covenant of Primus that when the 47 spheres align a perpetual conflict will culminate upon a world forged from chaos, and the weak shall perish in the shadow of a rising darkness." Optimus explained. "No sky is raining fire?" Chromia asked.
"Goes without saying. It is a doom prophecy, after all." Ratchet said. "I think it's just a bunch of garbage." Cyclonus said. "The prophecy is not something that you should ever joke about, little man." Jetfire warned. "Will he ever stop?" Bulkhead asked. "He's made a good recovery. In time, Jetfire's mind will be back to normal. But, back to the subject: I'd always assumed the ancients were referring to our home planet, but being that Cybertron has been dark for eons -" Ratchet said. "- And considering what has befallen this planet since Megatron's arrival here." Optimus said.
"Whoa, whoa whoa, we've known about these superstitions for ages and never gave them a second thought." Cyclonus said. "Why now?" Chromia asked. "Because the planetary alignment to which the prophecy refers is nearly upon us." Optimus said. "And it would seem its end point is Earth." Ratchet added.
"Crazy coincidence, right?" Bulkhead asked. "How long are we talking?" Arcee asked. "A few days at most." Ratchet said. "However unsettling this revelation may be I am more concerned about those who might believe that the prophecy speaks to them alone." Optimus said.
Aboard the Nemesis, Megatron said, "I did not seek out the Blood of Unicron to simply keep my Spark aflame, but to rule undead armies and conquer worlds, and to accomplish that I require more than this mere sliver which lies within me." His Decepticon symbol glowed. "Elsa's powers have proven themselves, but I need more. So, where is MY DARK ENERGON?!" Megatron screamed at Knockout, his anger causing purple ice to surround the floor a little.
"Out there, Lord Megatron, just waiting for you to reach out and pluck it." Knockout said. Megatron glared at him. "But, you shouldn't push yourself so hard. You've had setbacks. You were in Stasis." Knockout said.
Megatron grabbed Knockout and yelled in his face plate. "Precisely why I must make up for lost time! I can see the future vividly, but I must ensure its outcome. For I am the rising darkness of which the prophecy speaks!" He said.
Night fell. In Autobot base, Jack, Miko, Raf, Elsa, and Anna were looking at a computer. "Pass." The oldest kid stated. "Uh-uh." Raf lowered the screen again. "Kid in a costume." Jack said. Raf searched again. "Balloon." Jack said. "Boring." Elsa said.
Then, the screen landed on Bee in his alt mode. "Hold! The camera sure loves Bee." Jack said. "What can you do? When you're a superstar, you're paparazzi bait." Miko said. "Wait, is that Bumblebee?" Ratchet asked from his station.
"On a conspiracy website where users post evidence of close encounters." Raf explained. "But, Raf's got it, Ratchy." Anna said. "We just scrub and replace Bee with." Raf switched the image for a singing cat meme. Ratchet couldn't hold it in. He laughed but caught himself.
"Did he just laugh?" Elsa asked. "I think so." Anna said. "Um, Optimus, you wanna see something funny?" Jack asked the Prime. "No." Optimus immediately responded bluntly. "Don't take it personally. Primes are built that way." Chromia said. "Yeah, I've never ever seen Optimus Prime laugh, cry, or lose it." Cyclonus agreed.
"While Optimus certainly keeps his emotions in check, I've known him far longer than any of you have. And he was different before he was made a Prime." Ratchet said. "Optimus wasn't always a Prime?" Raf asked. "On Cybertron, one isn't born into greatness. Rather, one must earn it." Ratchet said.
"So, how different was he?" Elsa asked. "Yeah, was he talking party animal different?" Miko asked. "No, no. Optimus was more like... Jack." Ratchet said. "What? I'm nothing like -" Jack started until Agent Fowler interrupted over the intercom. "Prime! Those tech heists my departments been tracking. We figured it was M.E.C.H. on account of their stealth tactics, intil moments ago a security feed at the Pennington Ebbs particle collider captured this." He showed them the crook.
"Soundwave." Jack said. "Raf can swap that out for you with a funny cat." Miko said. "The 'Con without a face made off with a cutting-edge phase conductor. Here's a punch of everything else we've confirmed stolen to date." Agent Fowler said.
"Plasma injector, Neutron shield, Tesserat?" Ratchet asked. "There's only one thing missing if they are intending to build -" At the same time on the Nemesis, Knockout said, "The Decepticon Space-Bridge 2.0 is nearly ready to launch. All we require is..." Soundwave's visor showed the last ingredient. "What Soundwave said. An ample power source." Knockout finished.
"This one lies within a highly fortified location, by human standards. I could tunnel in." Airachnid said. "The time of prophecy is nearly upon us!" Megatron shouted. Airachnid backed towards Knockout a little. "We can no longer afford stealth." Megatron finished.
In Autobot base, Agent Fowler called again. "Prime, the 'Cons really stepped in it this time. They hit a U.S. military lab. Our boys in green will fend them off 'till your team shows." He said. "Agent Fowler, I fear that Megatron's desparation may be at its zenith, and you know that I cannot condone even a single human casualty." Optimus said.
"Fowler here, evacuate all personnel immediately." Fowler said.
The soldiers evacuated the area as Vehicons emerged from the particle collider, carrying the power source for the Space-Bridge. Then, the Ground-Bridge opened, and Optimus, Bulkhead, Arcee, Cyclonus, Chromia, and finally Jetfire emerged. "Miss me?" Jetfire asked as he sliced a Vehicon in half. The carriers drop the power core to attack.
They were backed by dozens of flyers. Optimus shot ine down, and the rest of the Vehicons transformed and surrounded them. They all fired at each other.
"Lord Megatron, package secured. But the Autobots have arrived." A Vehicon contacted the Nemesis. "Prepare the warship for rendezvous. The package will be ready for pick-up!" Megatron growled. He transformed and left the Nemesis.
Bumblebee drove down the highway with Raf and Anna in the back. "Bumblebee, the team may require backup. They're 3 clicks north from your position just off the highway. If you drop Raf and Anna at the exit ramp, I can bridge them back to base from there." Ratchet said.
"But I wanna race!" Anna pouted. Bee buzzed in agreement. "It's okay, guys. We'll go racing another time." Raf said.
What they didn't know was that Megatron was flying in the sky, and he spotted them. "Well, well. A foolish scout has strayed from the ranks." He started firing at them. Bee tried to dodge until one shot hit him from the top.
As soon as Megatron was gone, Bee buzzed in concern. Raf and Anna's arms fell limp in his rearview mirror.
The Autobots continued battling the Vehicons. Jetfire beheaded one. Cyclonus and Chromia ripped another apart. Optimus shot a third in the helm. Soon, no Vehicon was left standing. They heard jet engines, and Megatron flew into the battlefield. The tyrannical overlord transformed and landed in front of them.
"Optimus." He said. "Megatron, do you not see the folly in trying to force a prophecy to fruition?" Optimus asked. "Why leave matters to fate when one can forge one's own destiny? Ah, speaking of fate." Megatron said. They heard heavy footsteps and turned around. Bee gently carried Raf and Anna, and both were unconscious. Optimus felt his Spark flicker. "Kids!" Cyclonus shouted.
He and Arcee gently took Raf and Anna. "They're breathing. Barely." Arcee said and took Raf while Cyclonus held Anna. "Ah, It would seem I've swatted a bee and squashed some bugs." Megatron said. Bee buzzed hatefully and pointed his double cannons at the warlord.
"Bee, no!" Bulkhead said. Megatron snickered. "I'll kill you!" Jetfire screamed and readied his axe. Megatron raised a servo, and a blast of purple ice magic burst from it and froze Jetfire's arm. "Gahh!" He groaned.
Megatron loved his new powers. "Ratchet, bridge us back now!" Optimus ordered. "We must have an Autobot down." Ratchet mumbled. He activated the Ground-Bridge. "Arcee, Cyclonus, attend to Raf, Anna, Jetfire, and Bumblebee." Optimus said. They entered.
Megatron glared at Optimus and Bulkhead, then saw the Nemesis descend. He looked back at Prime and the Wrecker, but they were already in the Ground-Bridge, which closed. A yellow elevator lowered and carried Megatron and the cargo into the ship.
The Autobots sadly entered the base. Raf and Anna were still unresponsive. "Raf!" Jack said. "No!" Miko gasped. "Anna!" Elsa cried.
"What happened?" Ratchet questioned. "Megatron happened!" Chromia hissed. "Quickly into my laboratory!" Ratchet ordered.
The Nemesis took off. Bulkhead and Optimus were never in the Ground-Bridge. They held onto one of the wings of the ship.
Raf and Anna were hooked up to medical equipment. Their skin was getting paler by the minute. "Neither of them are responding! We must run diagnostics of their assemblage... vital statistics... grr, my tools, they're all wrong!" Ratchet yelled and threw his equipment away.
"We need to call mom." Elsa said. "Your mother may be a nurse, but does she know anything about the effects of Energon on the human body?" Ratchet asked. "Do you know anything about a human?!" Elsa retorted. Jack grabbed his phone and dialed June.
"Mom, it's urgent!" Jack said as soon as June answered. "The weak will perish. Be strong, children." Ratchet whispered.
Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune were beginning to align.
Aboard the Nemesis, Knockout said, "The power source will be rigged in no time, Lord Megatron. We are nearly at the construction site."
"Nearly isn't good enough. The spheres are aligning. I must not miss my moment to -" Megatron gasped when he had a vision. He saw the face of the Devil, then a giant volcano. "Lord Megatron? Are you alright?" Knockout asked. "Yet again. It is as if I can hear Unicron's thoughts." Megatron said.
"Unicron? The Chaos Bringer?" Airachnid asked. "They say Dark Energon is his blood." Knockout said grimly. Then, he said, "Whatever."
"Complete the Space-Bridge. There is something I must attend to." Megatron walked away. "Does he seem to be losing it?" Knockout asked. "A bit." Airachnid said.
In Autobot base, Elsa began to have a similar vision. She saw a giant horned face with purple eyes, then a volcano. "Elsa, are you okay?" Jack asked. Her eyes turned purple. "I saw a giant face then a volcano." She said.
The Ground-Bridge opened, and June drove through. "Mama, there you -" Elsa started. "Grab my bag." June instructed. Ratchet scanned Raf and Anna. "Measuring the extent of the absorption should determine the proper course of treatment."
"If I don't get this boy or my daughter stabilized right now, neither of them will leave this table alive. Do you understand me?" June growled.
Jack brought her her medical equipment. Bee buzzed furiously and punched a wall. "Bee, listen! You think I don't know how it feels to watch a partner... harmed? Revenge won't help Anna or Raf right now. You need to keep your emotions in check." Arcee said. Bee looked solemnly at the injured children.
Aboard the Nemesis, a guarding Vehicon heard a clatter. Behind him, Bulkhead jumped down and bashed the Vehicon in the chassis and did the same to another. A third pointed his gun, but Optimus landed on him and stabbed him. He shot the fourth Vehicon away.
"Ratchet, how are the children?" He asked. "It is too soon to know." Ratchet said. "They're in good hands." Optimus said. "Not mine. Curse my Cybertronian pride! We've accepted these humans into our lives, yet I've bothered to learn so little about their science or medicine." Ratchet muttered.
"Pull yourself together, old friend. Anna and Rafael need you." Optimus said. "And I have grown to need them." Ratchet admitted.
"Lock onto my coordinates and activate the Ground-Bridge." Optimus said. "Ready." Bulkhead said with the power core. "Bulkhead, return to base. There is something I must do." Optimus said. "You serious?" Bulkhead asked.
"I have been foolish not to see what history has proven, over and over again, that Autobots and Decepticons will never mend their ways. If there can be no diplomatic solution to this perpetual conflict, then I must not allow more darkness to fall upon this or any planet. Megatron must be destroyed!" Optimus vowed.
The planetary alignment was about to happen.
Optimus then emerged from the ship's vault. "I have come for Megatron and him alone. Stand down and be spared." He said and prepared his cannons. The Vehicons aimed their guns. Optimus shot at them.
Megatron circled around the growingly active volcano. "The flaming mountain in my visions!" He landed at the base and transformed. "As if it summoned me here. Guided me! This is where I am to position my Space-Bridge. The place from whence I am to harvest Dark Energon!" He said.
"Megatron, I am here on your ship. Come and face me!" He heard Optimus say. The Prime used a dead Vehicon's comm link to send his message.
"The place in which I am to defeat the last of the Primes. Here this: Any Decepticon who lays a hand on Optimus Prime will answer to me. Soundwave, lock onto my coordinates, and lead my opponent to his destiny." Megatron ordered.
Raf and Anna were getting worse. "Jack, Elsa, help me get the kids to the car. They're going to the emergency room." June said. "Nurse Darby, your doctors won't be able to comprehend what's afflicting them. Not without a decade of study." Ratchet said.
"I don't have time to argue." June said. "The effects of an Energon blast on an Autobot can be devastating enough, but these are humans." Ratchet said, then realized why there were no readings on Raf or Anna. "I'm not getting any readings. How could I not have seen this?" He said. "See what?" Elsa asked.
"Rafael and Anna have been infected with Dark Energon!" Ratchet said in horror.
Megatron awaited his oldest rival, who then stepped through a Ground-Bridge. "Megatron, today you answer for your crimes against Cybertron and against Humanity. One shall stand," Optimus started. "And one shall fall. You, Optimus Prime!" Megatron finished.
They let out a battle cry and fought.
"If Dark Energon is devouring Anna and Raf from the inside out, we must expel it and fast. The only possible way I know. I need Energon!" Ratchet said and grabbed two viles.
"Wait, you said Energon was devastating to humans." June reminded. "Under normal circumstances, quite, but I am relying upon the dark matter currently invading their bodies to meet it head-on." Ratchet explained.
Optimus and Megatron's servos met each others face-plates. They fired their guns. Optimus kicked Megatron. Megatron pushed Optimus' cannon aside and tried to shoot, but failed. Optimus broke from Megatron's grip. They aimed their cannons at each other and fired, knocking both leaders away.
Optimus charged at him, and Megatron used his ice powers to try to freeze him. Optimus dodged and deflected with his sword. Megatron created a large purple sword out of ice, and their weapons clashed. "Your defeat here was foreseen by the ancients. What was it they wrote? 'The weak shall perish'?" Megatron asked. "Do not believe everything you read." Optimus said. They continued their battle.
Raf and Anna's pulses began to drop. Ratchet drew Energon from Bee and Arcee, then attached them to two ports. "I need them over here now!" He said. June and Miko pushed Raf and Anna into the decontamination shower.
Ratchet typed something into the keyboard, them pushed a lever. The room was filled with a brilliant blue light, and then it ceased.
Ratchet opened the room, and the humans and other Autobots ran in to check on Anna and Raf. "Pulse rates are stabilizing." June said happily. "Elsa? Mama?" Anna weakly asked as she awoke. "Bee?" Raf asked. Miko leaned over the table to hug Raf. June and Elsa did the same with Anna.
"Optimus, we did it." Ratchet said.
Optimus and Megatron clashed their weapons together. Megatron punched Optimus and summoned a powerful wind that blew Optimus away. The Prime growled and transformed, drove at Megatron, who shot at him.
Optimus drove off a ramp and collided with Megatron. The warlord fell to the ground below. Optimus yelled and began grinding his tires against Megatron's face-plate. He managed to grab Optimus and throw him off.
Optimus began punching Megatron. An uppercut made him cough up Dark Energon. Optimus punched him in the face-plate again. Punched him in the gut. And delivered another punch to Megatron's face-plate.
Megatron saw Optimus let out another battle cry and punch him one more time, sending the warlord skidding to a stop.
Lightning flashed as Optimus approached him, servo turned into sword. "My destiny..." Optimus stomped on him. "This isn't how it's supposed to end!" Megatron groaned. "On the contrary, Megatron, I could not have allowed this to end otherwise." Optimus said as he slowly raised his blade.
Megatron stared at him in fury. The volcano erupted as Optimus brought his blade down. Much to his surprise, Megatron caught the blade between his servos. The tip inches from his helm. They stayed still for a moment, and then Megatron opened his optics, which were brighter purple.
"Bulkhead, you let Optimus face Megatron alone?!" Chromia demanded. "I didn't have a choice." Bulkhead defended. "It could be a trap. We need to get a fix on his location." Ratchet said.
Megatron yelled and pushed back against Optimus while still gripping the sword. He pinned the Prime against a rock. Optimus struggled to push back. "How was it that you put it, Optimus? 'I could not have allowed this to end otherwise'?" Megatron repeated his words.
The warlord then broke the blade in half and stabbed Optimus in the shoulder with it. Optimus tried to punch him, only to get punched in the gut. He got a hit in on Megatron, but the warlord punched him again, then used his magic to summon another blast of wind, blowing Optimus away. He skids to a stop.
He weakly saw the Moon block out the Sun. The planetary alignment was upon them. Megatron's optics flashed with the lightning. Optimus pulled the blade out of his shoulder and tried to get up, but Megatron stomped on him.
"I'm locked onto Optimus' signal. Wait. How is this possible?" Ratchet questioned. "What? What is it?" Jetfire asked. "We need to get Optimus out of there now!" Ratchet said.
The volcano erupted with purple lava. Dark Energon. Megatron laughed. "Well, well. It seems the Blood of Unicron I've been seeking is not out there, but rather, right here!" He said.
Optimus stared with shock. "Dark Energon erupting from the Earth?" He questioned. Megatron unsheethed his wrist blade and raised it high.