In Metroplex, the Autobots had just finished telling their human allies everything that's been happening lately from their discovery of the Omega Keys to Starscream stealing them all.
"You know, I might not be the first human on Cybertron, but I can still be the first human exchange student." Miko said with a smile while she was resting on Bulkhead's shoulder.
"Why didn't you tell us about the Omega Keys before?" Jack asked Acree about what the Autobots have been doing lately.
"You probably didn't notice, but things have been kinda intense around here lately." Acree admitted while gesturing around.
"Kinda intense?" Crosshairs questioned with his arms crossed. "Huh, try totally intense."
Raf looked to Bee and Windblade with a sad look, "So, you guys really could be going home soon?" He asked them.
"We were going to tell you once we had all the Omega Keys but then," Windblade explained before trailing off.
"Don't worry, Raf. You'll come visit." Miko assured as she turned to Bulkhead. "ONce we get our place set up, he can bunk with us. Right, Bulk?" She asked as Bulk gave an uncertain look.
"Uh, Miko…" Bulkhead started.
"You are taking me with you, right?" Miko asked in concern as Bulkhead stood quiet.
Jack then turned to Hot Rod, "So, Hot Rod, Optimus is really going to make you a Prime?" He asked, having been filled in on that topic as well.
"Yeah, but let's not rush it." Hot Rod said with his servo raised. "I'm still thinking over it. I was a bit over my head when I snapped after finding out Optimus was secretly testing me."
"It was not my intention to deceive you, Hot Rod." Optimus said to him as he stepped over. "Nor do I orchestrate your accomplishments, they are yours and yours alone."
"I know, Optimus. You never mean it." Hot Rod said to him. "I'm just… not sure if I really had what it takes to be a Prime. And after my outburst to you guys earlier, it got me and Smokescreen captured."
"Hey, at least it gave you the chance to get the two Omega Keys," Sideswipe said with a smile.
"Yeah, a lot of good that did when Scream snatched them right under our chassises." Hot Rod said with a shameful look. "And he might not even know what they were if I didn't let him get the third one."
"It's not your fault, Starscream having Red Energon wasn't something any of us factored into the equation," Elita told him.
"Yeah, kid. We were all fooled by Starscream." Kup said to him. "He's a slippery little scraplet. None of us couldn't have seen it coming."
"Aren't we veering from the main problem here?" Ratchet spoke up as they turned to him. "Not only do we lack any actual method of reaching Cybertron, but Starscream now controls the sole means of our planet's restoration." He mentioned.
"As far as we know," Jetfire pointed out.
"You're not suggesting that Starscream's has rejoined the Decepticons, are you?" Jazz asked him.
"He might have used the Omega Keys to buy back Megatron's favor." Acree added.
Ratchet gave a scoff. "Without first trying to sell the keys to the highest bidder, that wouldn't surprise me if he had the nerve to contact us and…" He started to say before hearing a beep noise coming from the main console, turning around to see it was receiving a message.
"Okay, that's Spooky." Whirl admitted.
"You think it's Starscream?" Chromia asked as Fixit check the monitors.
"No. It is Dreadwing." Fixit answered, which surprised them. "And he wants to meet in person."
"What why?" Rack'n'Ruin asked.
"He doesn't specify," Fixit told them as the Autobots looked to each other suspiciously.
"It could be a trick," Ironhide suggested.
"Dreadwing knows to pull up surprise attacks, but wanting to meet in person isn't like him." Prowl said to them. "Without the Omega Keys we have nothing to lose, I suggest we hear him out."
"Ratchet, Fixit, lock on for Dreadwing's coordinates," Optimus ordered them. "Autobots, take precautions."
At the same foggy mountain Team Prime trekked through before, a Ground Bridge opened up as Optimus, Elita, Acree, Bulkhead, Jetfire, Hot Rod, and Smokescreen came out of it. The Autobots transformed and brought out their blasters in ready.
"Drop your weapon!" Bulkhead ordered.
"Hands where we can see them!" Smokescream added.
"Stand down Dreadwing!" Jetfire ordered aiming his cannons.
All of them began to hear nearby footsteps and they turned ahead to see Dreadwing emerging out of the fog.
"I am not here to fight, but to give you this." Dreadwing said, gesturing to a familiar relic on the ground in front of him.
"The Forge of Solus Prime?" Arcee muttered suspiciously.
"Could be rigged to blow." Hot Rod suggested as Optimus retracted his battle mask.
"Dreadwing, what do you ask in return?" Optimus asked.
"Only that you use it wisely." Dreadwing answered.
"And the Omega Keys?" Elita questioned, already suspecting who had them.
"In Megatron's possession. Under heaviest guard." Dreadwing replied.
"Scream did make a deal with the Cons." Bulkhead whispered before all of them powered down their weapons/abilities.
"Why?" Optimus questioned the Seeker on his offering.
"A shadow of disgrace has been cast upon the Decepticons." Dreadwing said while lowering his head.
"You learned of Starscream's attempt to raise your Twin?" Elita questioned, having been told the fate of Skyquake from Optimus.
"Indeed. And for that, the Decepticon Cause is one I no longer wish to be part of." Dreadwing said solemnly.
"Then I appeal to you again, join us and help end this conflict once and for all." Optimus offered.
"Betraying my kind is not the same as accepting yours." Dreadwing replied as he turned around and began to walk away.
"Dreadwing, what do you intend to do now?" Jetfire asked the Seeker.
Dreadwing stopped as he slowly turned his head to them. "I shall settle one last debt, and no matter the outcome, just know Autobots, that it will be the last time you will see of me. I pray that good fortune shall come your way." He said to them before he transformed and took off into the sky.
The Autobots watched Dreadwing go as they realized what he meant as they looked down at the Forge.
Back on the Metroplex, Optimus was holding the Forge as it powered on by his touch. "Sweet Solus Prime. The Forge of Solus Prime." Moonracer said in awe.
"It's no Star Saber, but I bet it can shatter Megatron's blade and put some dents in that ugly mug of his," Smokesreen commented with a smirk.
"It's not that kind of hammer." Arcee told the rookie.
"With the Decepticons in possession of all four Omega Keys, a more appropriate use of the Forge would be to use it to replicate our own." Ratchet proclaimed.
"Even with such power, their reconstruction would require a level of expertise I do not possess," Optimus replied.
"The Forge may be able to make anything by thought, but even it has its limits." Elita added.
"Great, so it's useless to us," Crosshairs complained.
"I guess we better hope Megatron doesn't destroy the keys," Ruin started.
"To prevent anyone from ever going back home." Rack finished.
"Megatron may be evil, but I believe he will use the keys for their intended purpose." Optimus said knowingly, placing the top of the hammer on the ground.
"Well, I say we let him keep them and do all the work for us." Bulkhead suggested, making everyone look at him in disbelief.
"What?" Sideswipe asked.
"Excuse me?" Chromia added.
"Well I mean, what difference does it make who restores Cybertron?" Bulkhead asked in defense with a shrug.
"If Megatron revives Cybertron, he will no doubt use it to his political advantage." Optimus told the Autobots.
"Eh…I don't follow, Prime." Jazz said in confusion.
"In all likelihood, the leader of the Decepticons will portray himself as our planet's saviour and brand all Autobots as war criminals." Optimus explained.
"The grand deception continues." Windblade muttered.
"Megatron's so-called achievement could influence Cybertron for for eons to come, poisoning the Sparks and minds of its returning citizens." Ratchet said with a concerned look. "Hardly the ideal way to begin a new age."
"But there is hope." Optimus reassured. "For while Megatron may have the keys, he has yet to discover the existence of the Omega Lock itself."
"The Omega-what now?" Grimlock asked with a brow.
"Wait, now you lost me." Arcee said confusingly.
"What's the Omega Lock?" Whirl asked.
"That which the four relics were designed to activate. We must locate the device before Megatron does and secure it until we can recover the keys." Optimus explained.
"There are no more Iacon entries to decode." Ratchet reminded him. "This lock could be anywhere on Earth."
"Actually, it is on Cybertron." Optimus revealed.
"What?" The Autobots all said in surprise.
"How do you know this?" Elita asked the Prime.
"Alpha Trion revealed its location during the message conveyed to me by the Star Saber," Optimus explained, turning away from them.
"And you didn't think to tell us about this information?" Elita asked with a look while walking up to him. "You didn't think to tell me?" She added.
"Alpha Trion did not wish it so," Optimus said, turning to her.
"And was there anything else Alpha Trion told you that he wanted you to keep quiet about?" Elita questioned with a look.
Optimus simply hardened his gaze at Elita's tone as she did the same.
"Awkward." Hot Rod commented as the Autobots watched the tension. The Thrill Seeker Autobots then walked between his leaders, "Okay, so if we can get to the Omega Lock first we might able to get the keys back. But how are we gonna do that if we don't have a way of getting there before the Cons do?" He asked them.
After a moment of silence, Optimus spoke up. "Hot Rod is correct." He said as he walked towards the Ground Bridge hanger. "With the Forge of Solus Prime, we now possess the means of reaching Cybertron. I must work quickly on both sets of Ground Bridges as our tactical advantage over Megatron will not last long." He said seriously.
Meanwhile, Dreadwing was walking through the Nemesis's corridors, untit…"Dreadwing, I have been searching for you." Megatron called him from behind.
Dreadwing's face showed that he was not pleased, but he had to maintain appearances, so he turned at his leader. "I am at your service, Lord Megatron."
"I recognize that Starscream's return to our ranks may be…difficult for you." Megatron said to him. "Given the loss of your twin under his command, but your cooperation is essential: we Decepticons will be best equipped to rule a restored Cybertron only if we are united."
"Understood." Dreadwing said to him with a nod. "And if it pleases you, master, I intend to reach out to our comrade…personally." He promised as he walked away.
Megatron watched him go as his commlink activated, "Lord Megatron, I have something you might want to know about," Astrotrain spoke as Megatron listened carefully.
Meanwhile, in the med lab, Starscream was lying on an operational berth unconscious. "Rise and shine." Knock Out called, waking him up. "Your T-Cog transplant was a success. Yes, I am just that good." He bragged, having installed Starscream's T-Cog during the surgery.
"Ah, finally. I can't wait to take flight and sore above the clouds." Starscream remarked in happiness, having longed to take flight again.
"Starscream, I regret to inform you that you'll not live to spread your wings…ever again." Dreadwing said from the lab's entrance, pulling out his cannon and charging it. "HYAAAAAH!" He opened fire, but the shot missed Starscream's head. He ran to a corner, while the Seekers scattered through the room and Knock Out went near the exit.
"Knock Out, help me!" Starscream begged, but the red Decepticon simply ran out of the room.
Next, Dreadwing dropped his cannon and pulled out his sword, while Starscream picked up a durabyllium drill to try to defend himself.
"Dreadwing, what has gotten into you?" Starscream asked, right before Dreadwing sliced the drill easily. "No, wait! This is about Skyquake, isn't it? I thought we had put that behind us."
"So have I!" Dreadwing said before he took another swing, but Starscream dodged.
"Cautalites, are an unfortunate consequence of War!" Starscream explained frantically, "But I assure you your twin met his end with Great Honor!"
"Which you disgraced, by raising him from the dead!" Dreadwing snarled.
"Oh, you know about that." Starscream said sheepishly that Dreadwing knew the true fate of his twin before he went into a pleaded expression. "There must be something I can do! Some form of reparation I can offer to alleviate your anguish!"
"Your spark will suffice!" Dreadwing yelled as he raised his sword.
"DREADWING!" A voice called from the entrance: it was Megatron. "Stand down!" Megatron ordered.
"This desecrater, which you brought into our ranks, must pay for his actions!" Dreadwing yelled while pointing at Starscream.
"You call this loyalty, Master?!" Starscream cried out in high-pitch panic while pointing at Dreadwing.
"I said stand down! That is an order!" Megatron ordered Dreadwing with a look.
"One which I cannot follow!" Dreadwing growled before he raised his sword with a yell as Starscream screamed for the hit, but Dreadwing stopped as he felt something hit him from behind as he looked down and saw that there a hole in his spark chamber, which Megatron used Dreadwing's cannon to shoot him as Dreadwing fell to his knees before dropping to the ground as he was now offline.
Starscream panted while feeling over himself, "I'm alive?! I'm alive!" He said in relief before bowing to Megatron. "Lord Megatron, you have my eternal thanks."
"Do not ever make me regret which one of you I've spared." Megatron warned, in a very threatening tone before he looked down at Dreadwing. "And I didn't terminate Dreadwing to spare your life. It was punishment for his other betrayal."
"W-What sort of betrayal?" Starscream asked in wonder.
"I have gotten word from Astrotrain." Megatron said while clenching his fists. "Dreadwing took the Forge of Solus Prime and didn't return with it."
"Y-You, you don't suppose that…" Starscream trailed off, realizing what Megatron was saying.
"He has given the Autobots an advantage." Megatron said with a growl.
A bit later, after finishing up Metroplex's Ground Bridge, some of the Autobots returned to the Autobot Base so that Optimus could do their Ground Bridge just in case. The other Autobots were having a private discussion among themselves.
"Is it my imagination or has Optimus been acting differently since that message from Alpha Trion?" Arcee questioned.
"I've noticed it, too." Bumblebee replied.
"Yeah, he has been keeping things from us." Bulkhead admitted.
"Even Ratchet and Elita are out of the loop." Acree stated as he gestured to Elita and Ratchet at a console.
"Well give me one good reason Optimus couldn't trust his own teammates. Why he couldn't have told us about the Omega Lock?" Bulkhead demanded with a frown.
"Because if he had, Megatron would've pulled it out of our heads with his patch." Smokescreen answered reasonably as he and Hot Rod approached the group.
"Yeah. Trust me." Hot Rod said while rubbing his head. "Not fun."
"Like it matters. The Cons are holding all the keys anyway." Bulkhead said miserably.
"Hey, hey, hey." Hot Rod said as he stepped between them. "We may not have the Omega Keys, but as long as we have means of reaching Cybertron, we'll get them back before Megatron has a chance to use them. And Optimus may keep secrets from us, trust me, I know, he has his reasons. Because it was my reckless behavior after finding out he was testing me to see I'm worthy as a Prime that caused me and Smokescreen to get captured. If it was any of you, you would understand why he kept it from us. Right?" he asked as he looked at the Autobots around him.
"Sure, we all have secrets, but that's nothing new. Even Alpha Trion has secrets when he puts the final key in Smokescreen. But there are some secrets that are better left closed, and we have to respect that." Hot Rod told them, "So we can't let that distract us, not when Cybertron's hanging in the balance."
The Autobots looked to Hot Rod in amazement at his words, "Okay, how did we not figure out sooner Optimus was gonna make you a Prime?" Bulkhead questioned.
"You were busy finding the relics and crashing cons to even notice." Hot Rod said with a smirk. "But don't push it. I'm still second guessing the whole Prime thing."
"Well, one thing for sure, you got the speech of one, buddy." Smokescreen said with a smirk.
"You definitely got the touch." Bumblebee commented as Hot Rod gave a chuckle and rubbed his head.
Back on the Nemesis, Starscream, Knock Out, Shadow Striker, Lockdown, Clobber, Skye-Byte, and Deadend were busy studying the Omega Keys to figure out how they can be used to restore Cybertron. Knock Out inspected them with a scanner device.
"Tick tock, friends. Tick tock! Megatron's expecting results and given how our former most trusted warriors has betrayed us, I would say that we cannot afford to disappoint our master." Starscream said urgently.
"We? Unless nagging counts, I haven't seen you or any of the others lift a finger." Knock Out retorted.
"Hey, we don't have much science experience compared to you, pal." Deadend said with a look. "We only know that these keys can restore Cybertron, but we don't know how."
"Well, for keys, they unlock something, but for what, no clue." Shadow Striker said while rubbing her chin.
"Besides, Starscream, at least we're thinking. You haven't laid out a single piece of help." Lockdown said with a look.
"And the ancient Cybertronians' tech is too advanced for us to understand." Skye-Byte admitted. "But still, Lord Megatron is desperate to know how they function."
"Besides, I was the one who brought him the keys. Do I really need to prove myself further by deciphering on how they operate, too?" Starscream questioned.
"Well, perhaps if my research hadn't been sidelined by someone's cosmetic surgery, I might be further along right now!" Knock Out argued, pointing one of the keys at Starscream.
"Just give me that!" Starscream demanded as he shook the key and slammed it down on the table.
"Oh gee, why didn't I think of that?!" Knock Out asked in sarcasm.
"Oh yeah, real effective." Shadow Striker said sarcastically. Starscream then swung the key at Shadow Striker with a yell, which slashed at her chassis as she growled. "Oh, it's on!" She yelled as she grabbed the second key as she and Starscream clashed, but shockingly, the keys intertwined with each other as they glowed.
"Whoa." Clobber said in wonder.
"They, come together?" Deadend asked in surprise.
"Do you think…?" Knock Out asked them in wonder.
"Maybe," Sky-Byte added as he and Knockout to the other keys, "Ready, go!" He said as they clashed their keys with the others two as they reformatted into a hologram caster as they made a projection of Cybertron and revealed the location of the Omegalock.
"And that is why Dreadwing is pushing up lugnuts." Starscream said with a chuckle.
"And we are not." Knock Out said as the Decepticon group watched with smirks.
"I'll inform Lord Megatron of this." Shadow Striker said with a smirk.
After Shadow Striker got back with Lord Megatron, he eyed the map as he came to the same conclusion. "Of course. Keys are useless without something to unlock." Megatron said as he turned to his followers. "Target the Space Bridge to Cybertron."
"By your wish, Lord Megatron," They all said, bowing their heads.
Meanwhile, The Autobots was beholding their now fully-upgraded Space Bridge that Optimus created from their Ground Bridge with the Forge of Solus Prime.
"Yet another astonishing convergence of magic and science. Courtesy of the ancients." Ratchet said marvellously, looking at the controls.
"And our leader." Smokescreen added.
"It's hard to believe. A few swings of that hammer and BAM!" Bulkhead remarked as they all looked at their new Space Bridge.
"Now both our Ground Bridges are now Space Bridges." Arcee said.
"Both here and on Metroplex." Hot Rod added with before going to his comms. "Hot Rod to Metroplex, is the Space Bridge operational there? Because the one in Autobot Base is operational. Just wanted to let you all know."
"Indeed. It is amazing how the Forge can turn our Ground Bridges into Space Br-br-br-br-" Fixit glitched before smacking sounds can be heard. "Bridges."
Just then, the alarm went off around the Base. "Ratchet, what is happening?" Elita asked the medic.
"Our sensors are detecting a massive Energon burst occurring outside Earth's atmosphere. A surge of that kind can only mean one thing." Ratchet said while looking at the monitors. "Activation of another Space Bridge."
"Megatron has discovered that the Omega Lock is on Cybertron." Optimus announced, approaching the group.
"That means we lost our hope of Megatron not discovering the Omega Lock." Elita said with a frown.
"But he doesn't know that we have Space Bridges now." Hot Rod reminded.
"He is corrected." Optimus said with a determined look. "The element of surprise remains in our favor." He said as he looked at all of them. "We must embark on this mission with every resource at our disposal."
"So, Autobots, grab every weapon and any Cybertronian relics we have." Elita said to them. "They will give us the edge against the Decepticons." She added while on the comchannel.
In the vault, the Autobots are gathering the relics they have, the Immobilizer, the Shield Generator, the Polarity gauntlet and the Apex Armor.
On the Metroplex, the Autobots present gathered the Spark Extractor and the Enigma of Combination while also equipping themselves with other weapons they gathered in their adventures in space, ready for the fight of their lives to save their home.
In space, the Nemesis flew close to the Space Bridge with the Decepticons gathered to head to Cybertron, "We're ready, Lord Megatron," Astrotrain told their leader.
"Thank you, Astrotrain." Megatron said before turning to Starscream. "Starscream, assume command in my absence." He said, which made Starscream smile in surprise by that.
"I would be honored, master." Starscream said gratefully.
With the Dark Star Saber on his back, Megatron transformed into his Cybertronian jet form and flew into the Space Bridge with Sky-Byte and many of his Vehicons doing the same thing while Astrotrain, with some Decepticons who couldn't fly inside him, followed after as they entered the Space Bridge.
Soon, the Autobots all gathered at Metroplex's Ground/Space Bridge hanger, all geared up and ready, while Ratchet remained behind at the Autobot base to monitor from there and watch the children, "Is everybot ready to do this?" Hot Rod asked them.
"You know I am, kid." Crosshairs said as he pulled his pistols out and twirled them around.
"We're gonna restore our home before bucket head even gets the chance." Ironhide added with a smirk.
"Either we restore Cybertron, or we join the Allspark trying," Windblade declared, drawing her Stormfall Sword.
"Then let go home." Sideswipe said with a smirk as he drew a sword Jazz gave him.
"Fixit, activate the Space Bridge." Elita said as Fixit nodded and powered up the Space Bridge, but before either of them could go in, they stopped when they heard pounding, indicating that Optimus is still using the Forge.
"What's Optimus forging now?" Strongarm wondered as the Autobots stopped.
"We're about to find out." Prowl said to them.
When the smashing sounds ended, Optimus walked out of the room and was revealed to be holding the Star Saber, now fully repaired from its destroyed state. The Autobots looked on in awe from seeing Optimus' legendary weapon being restored.
"The Star Saber," Elita said in awe.
"Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost." Optimus announced before he placed the Star Saber on his back and stood next to Hot Rod, "Hot Rod, would care to do the honors?" He asked the young Autobot.
"Whoa, me?" Hot Rod asked in surprise.
"You have shown great ability of offering inspiring words to Autobots." Optimus said with a smile, which made Hot Rod give a sheepish chuckle.
"You heard that?" Hot Rod asked while rubbing the back of his head. "W-Well, I'd be honored." He said as he cleared his throat and turned to the other Autobots. "Autobots, transform and roll out!" He declared.
The Autobots smiled with determination as they all transformed and rode through the Space Bridge as they vanished, on their way to Cybertron.
On Cybertron, Megatron, his army, along with Lockdown, Astrotrain, Clobber, Shadow Striker, Deadend, and Skye-Byte were walking through the ruins of their deceased home with four Vehicons each carrying the Omega Keys. They soon stopped in front of a destroyed bridge.
"Where are we heading, Lord Megatron?" Skye-Byte asked their leader.
"According to the landmarks displayed by the keys, the object we seek is located deep within the Sea of Rust." Megatron said, looking out into the metal wasteland ahead.
"We've got a lot of ground to cover," Lockdown commented.
"Then let's get moving," Shadow Striker said as they started moving out.
Meanwhile, in another area, The Autobots exited their own Space Bridge and transformed into their Bot forms and looked at their devastated homeworld, "Oh, by the Allspark," Elita muttered solemnly.
"Cybertron, it's even worse than remembering it," Prowl said softly.
"Our home." Strongarm muttered while seeing what's left of their home.
"What's left of it." Sideswipe muttered.
"If this is what Alpha Trion kept me from, I'm starting to see why." Smokescreen said with a frown.
"There's nothing left," Kup said with a frown.
"Optimus, do you really think the Omega Lock can undo, all this?" Hot Rod questioned, gesturing to the lifeless land around them.
"I am certain, Hot Rod." Optimus said with a determined look as he eyed Cybertron. "Let us find Megatron and retrieve the Omega Keys."
"Do you even know where they went?" Crosshairs questioned with a brow. "For all we know, they could be anywhere here."
"I know where they are going." Optimus said as he stepped forward. "Let us stop Megatron."
"Well, we better get started." Whirl said as he transformed into his helicopter form and took to the air.
"Okay, I'm ready to put the hurt on the cons." Kup said with a determined look.
"And I'm ready for some punching." Grimlock said with a smirk as he transformed into his dinobot form. "Boomshakalaka!"
"Now, Grimlock, remember to try and keep your Beast Rage contained in the fight." Elita advised.
"Yeah, we don't want a raging dino to attack us as well." Jazz added.
"Don't you worry bots, I got it totally dialed in," Grimlock assured.
"Then let us proceed to the task at hand." Optimus said as they then rolled out while Grimlock followed behind.
In the Autobot base, Ratchet was patiently pacing back and forth to wait for any communication from the rest of the team. Just then, the main console started receiving a call and Ratchet quickly answered it.
"Optimus?" Ratchet asked, but the voice was that of a certain boy.
"Uh, no, Ratchet. It's Jack." Jack's voice spoke up.
"Is something wrong?" Jack asked as he, Raf, and Miko were waiting on the stairs at school "Cause school's been out for almost an hour and no one showed to pick us up."
"That is because the entire team is rather…indisposed at the moment." Ratchet replied, not wanting to put them on edge with the entire story. "I suggest you obtain an alternate method transport."
"What's he saying?" Miko asked as she got close to Jack.
"The Bot's are busy." Jack answered. "And from the looks of things, all of them are busy."
"Then tell Ratchet to come get us." Miko said with a frown.
"It's not like he has anything else to do!" Miko added, which Ratchet heard as he gave a frustrated look from that while keeping his temper in check.
"Just go home! I will be in touch later." Ratchet said before he ended the call.
"H-Hello?" Jack asked before he realized Ratchet ended the call as he looked at his phone. "He hung up."
"What crawled up his tailpipe and died?" Miko questioned.
"Did Ratchet tell you what's going on?" Raf asked Jack in worry.
"No. They seemed to be keeping us in the dark a lot lately." Jack noted suspiciously. "And from the looks of things, their mission must be big if all of them are out."
Back on Cybertron, Megatron checked his map and saw they were getting closer to the Omega Lock as he and his troops continued to moving before Smokescreen rose up out of the ground as he fired at the Vehicons, which got their attention as they ready their weapons and aimed at him.
"What the?" Deadend questioned as he and the other followers and Megatron turned.
"What just happened?" Megatron questioned as they saw Smokescrean taking out some Vehicons with Hot Rod, Strongarm and Sideswipe helping him before running off in different directions to avoid the shots.
"Hot Rod and the Rookies!?" Shadow Striker questioned in disbelief. "But that's impossible!"
"How'd they get her?!" Lockdown questioned. "The Autobots don't have any way to get Cybertron!"
"They used the forge to turn their Ground Bridge into a Space Bridge." Megatron growled, knowing how the Autobots could be here as they turned and saw a big chunk levitated over with a sphere before dropping onto some Vehicons while Jazz and Windblade took out any that remained.
Megatron looked up and saw Bumblebee team before they rushed off. "Crush them!" He yelled as the Vehicons all of their blasters at Bumblebee and he transformed to drive away. Bulkhead aimed the Immobilizer at the Vehicons and fired a ray at them, making some Vehicons get frozen in their place as the dark-green Wrecker jumped down from his position with Kup, Crosshairs, and Grimlock with him.
Ironhide jumped onto the metal structure and blocked all of the blaster shots with a huge energy shield from the Shield Generator to provide cover as the rest of the Autobots came in as Jetfire and Whirl came in and took out some Vehicons from the air as the Autobots regroup behind the Shield Generator.
"Autobots, Engage!" Elita ordered as she brought out the Enigma and the other Femmes, except Windblade, came over to her as they Combined into Elita-Infinity and started taking Vehicons as the other Autobots came out of hiding and attacked as Kup got into the Apex Armor as they all charged charged at the Decepticons.
"It's an ambush!" Clobber yelled out as she smashed her fists.
"And they got their relics with them!" Shadow Striker yelled as they ready their weapons and returned fire at the Autobots.
"Defend the keys!" Megatron yelled with a fierce look as some Vehicons surrounded the ones holding the Omega Keys in a protective position while the Autobots had the advantage as they are taking out many Vehicons while using their skills, weapons, and relics to their disposal.
"Attack!" Skye-Byte yelled as he took to the air while the others charged with the Vehicons as Megatron took the lead with the Dark Star Saber ready as they charged at the Autobots as both sides clashes as Optimus quickly drew the Star Saber and sliced as many Vehicons with ease while also blocking their shots.
Megatron shouted loudly before they locked blades with each other like before in Egypt. "I bested your little blade once, and I shall do it again!" Megatron declared.
Optimus and Megatron swiped their blades against one another as they each kicked each other back in the process. The Autobots took out as many Vehicons as they could before the Decepticon lackeys started taking their attack. Elita-Infinity took on Astrotrain, Jefire, Windblade and Whirl took on Sky-Byte together, Bumblebee, Jazz, and Hot Rod took on Deadend and Shadow Striker, Ironhide, Kup, Reck'n'Ruin and Prowl took on Clobber and Lockdown, Strongarm, Sideswipe, Grimlock, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee and Smokescreen are still fighting off the Vehicons while Grimlock punched and smashed them or whack them away with his tail.
"I got the leg!" Sideswipe yelled as he cut a couple of Vehicons legs and Strongarm jumped over and fired at them.
"Gotcha!" Strongarm shouted as Sideswipe then did an air spin and sliced off a few Vehicon heads with his sword.
"Ah, their drone heads." Sideswipe said with a smirk as Grimlock chuckled.
"Doesn't get any better than that." Grimlock said with a smirk as he lifted his tail up and smashed a few Vehicons before charging and taking out some more.
Crosshairs dodged the laser fire from the Vehicons before he climbed up a tall wall to the top, jumped off and used his parachutes to glide down and fire at the Decepticons, "Oh yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" He cheered as he kept shooting.
Kup shielded his team in the Apex Armor from the laser fire as he mowed the vehicons down like grass before he grabbed two with his servos, "Oohh, you're not gonna-" A Vehicon said, knowing what the old Autobot was gonna do.
"Ya got that right, leadheads," Kup smirked before he smashed the vehicons heads together and tossed them away Prowl, Ironhide and Rack'n'Ruin fought off Clobber and Lockdown.
Elita-Infinity kept fighting Astrotrain, who was fighting a losing battle as the femmes worked together for the stake of their home planet as they managed to grab Astrotrain and flung him over a distance as a hard crash was heard. "Elita, we gotta get those keys." Acree said in Elita's head.
"I know. We need to clear the way for the Keys." Elita said with a serious look. "Follow my lead!" She called as they rushed towards the Vehicons and started smashing them away with ease as she made their way to the four with the Omega Keys. "Bulkhead, now!"
The Vehicons were about to fire in defense, but Bulkhead froze them with the Immobilizer This allowed Bumblebee to use the Polarity Gauntlet to pull the Omega Keys out of the hands of the frozen Vehicons as they were flown into the Servos of Hot Rod, Windblade, Bumblebee and Prowl.
Megatron saw the Autobots now had the keys, but Optimus pushed him back in their clash and launched a powerful energy wave that sent his old enemy crashing onto a metallic wall. The Autobots began to retreat, Elita-Infinity decombining, and transformed into their vehicle modes before driving away, while a few Vehicon flyers pursued them. Megatron recovered and he glared down at his soldiers with the Dark Star Saber still in his hand.
"I will have those keys, or I will have your Sparks!" Megatron yelled in anger.
The Decepticon lackeys, who are beside Megatron, and the Vehicons cringed just as Smokescreen came up in the middle of the Vehicons, who aimed their weapons at him. "I can help with the last part." Smokescreen said with a smirk as he held up the Spark Extractor.
"The Spark Extractor!" Megatron exclaimed in horror as the Vehicons fired at Smokescreen as he fought off a couple and phased through the ground, which activated the Spark Extractor as it released an energy field, which the Vehicons tried to get away, but they were caught in the blast as their sparks were extracted and they became offline as they fell to the ground.
The field then expanded as it made its way to Megatron and his lackeys. "Uh, that thing is getting closer!" Deadend exclaimed in panic.
"We can't get out of its radius in time!" Lockdown yelled out.
Megatron yelled out and tossed his Dark Star Saber directly at the Spark Extractor, hitting it and destroying it as its field faded. The Decepticon lackeys sighed in relief as they watched Megatron jump down and pull the Dark Star Saber out of the ground as they followed as they walked around the deactivated Vehicons.
"They took out all of our troops and they have the keys." Skye-Byte said with his fists clenched.
"At least we don't have to worry about the Spark Extractor anymore." Clobber said as she kicked the destroyed relic.
"But with those other relics they have, including the Enigma of Combination and the Star Saber, they'll scrap us before we can bust an inch!" Shadow Striker cried out.
Megatron knew they were right as he growled in frustration as he went to his comm, "Starscream, the Autobots have taken the Omega Keys! Send reinforcements!" He ordered to their troops on Earth.
"Actually, Lord Megatron, Soundwave has been briefing me on recent developments." Starscream replied on the main deck as Soundwave stood beside him. "And we might have a more effective solution." He said with a smirk as he brought an image of the children's school.
The Autobots drove, flew or ran across the Sea of Rust as the rust storm began to subside, "Optimus, are we getting any closer?" Elita asked her Sparkmate.
"We are nearly there, Elita." Optimus answered as they reached a certain.
"Great, because our headstart won't last long." Ironhide added as they transformed and started walking.
"This is where Alpha Trion said we found it, right?" Smokescreen asked.
"These are the coordinates." Jetfire answered while saw a strange metal object in front of them.
"That's it?" Whirl said in surprise.
"Doesn't look like much." Jazz commented.
Optimus wiped off some dust from the object and saw an ancient Cybertronian symbol on it.
"Ratchet, Fixit, we have located the Omega Lock." Optimus said on the base's communicator, making the Autobot medic sigh in relief.
"At last." Ratchet said with a smile.
"Great Primus!" Fixit cheered through the comm channel.
"So, what do we do now?" Sideswipe asked.
"How does this work, sir?" Strongarm asked next.
"According to Alpha Trion, the Omega Lock is a conduit to the very Allspark itself." Optimus answered. "Once all four Omega Keys have been inserted, the Omega Lock shall use its power to restore life to Cybertron."
Hot Rod then walked forward. "Optimus, an honor like this, it shouldn't belong to me. You are more worthy of it." He said as he held out his Omega Key to Optimus, which began to glow, which surprised them as Windblade, Bumblebee, and Prowl's keys began to glow as well as and so did the Omega Lock before the entire area around the Autobots started transforming by itself.
Four giant pillars rose from the metallic ground and they shifted themselves to combine with each other, creating a large ring with raw Energon in the center of it. However, the Autobots didn't get the chance to activate the Omega Lock as they heard a familiar jet noise and saw Megatron, Sky-Byte and Astrotrain flying towards them. The Decepticons landed as the Terrestiral Decepticons exited Astrotrain as he, Sky-Byte and Megatron transformed as the Autobots brought out their weapons or relics.
"Autobots, I would suggest that you put a halt to your task and hand over those keys." Megatron told them as his servants stood behind him.
"And why would we do that?" Sideswipe questioned with a look.
"Oh, you're about to find out." Shadow Strike said with a smirk as a Ground Bridge opened up behind them as Starscream, Soundwave, and Knock Out came through, but that's not all, they have JAck, Raf, and Miko inside cylinders, which shocked the Autobots.
"So that I may hand over the humans, of course." Megatron said with a smirk as the humans and Autobots gave horrified looks.
"And if we refuse?" Optimus questioned as Megatron stepped forward.
"Then I will have no choice but to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere." Megatron started as Knock Out tapped Miko's cylinder. "And then, we can all watch them instantly perish, together." He added as Optimus gave his arch enemy a glare, seeing that he now had an ultimatum on which to choose:
The future of Cybertron or their human friends' lives.
Talk about out the frying pan and into the fire.
Just when things were finally looking up for the Autobots, things go downhill fast as the Autobots worst fear has come true, the Decepticons have forced them to choose between saving their world or saving their humans.
Stay tuned, because things are about to get so much worse for the Autobots as they are forced into what truly is their "Darkest Hour".