Alright here we go the start of season 3 and the next chapter of my story, right after the destruction of the Autobot's base. Like always I have to say that I do not own Transformers Prime because I don't want to have my holidays ruined by jail time ;) Enjoy.
Chapter 17
It had been a week since the Decepticons had destroyed the Autobot base and declared dominion over the small town of Jasper and most of the surrounding area. In that time June Darby had been staying at a military base helping the doctor's in there infirmary. Despite being kept busy she was worried not only for her son Jack, Amber and the other unaccounted for children but the Autobots themselves. Though she had been against her son being involved with the huge alien robots, they had grown on her, as had the rough around the edges girl that had come to live under her roof. It did not help that when a news report came out about something going on in Jasper June had received a call from Amber's aunt and uncle who were understandably worried.
Casper had been helping somewhat with her loneliness and kept her focused by simply being there when she needed him most. That day when it all went to hell June had arrived at the house and found Casper still there it had surprised her since he always went with Amber to base. Well June had been trying to get in contact with both teens, she had been frowning at the German shepherded. Casper, a usually chilled and well behaved dog, was whining and fidgeting in worry at her feet. If Casper was worried it made her worried, which was why June had not hesitated to bring him with her when she headed towards the base.
She did have to commend the dog's tenacity to not be afraid of anything when the seeker landed right in front of her car and started to bark at it. Of course she was grateful when Fowler took that con out and picked the two up. She had been devastated when the base was destroyed and held Casper close, crying into his fur. Not once since arriving at the base had Casper left June's side, even now well she went to Fowler's office to find out where some medical supplies were.
"Agent Fowler those medical supplies still haven't arrived. We have wounded men who need-"
"Doing the best I can Nurse Darby. Been a little busy juggling a bunch of nuke happy generals who don't seem to care if they blow Nevada sky high. And a Decepticon war lord who wants to make nice now that the Autobots are in the scrapyard. Megatron's opinion not mine. He is feeding me a load of shit trying to break our spirit." Fowler snapped making Casper bark at him, Fowler shot the dog a look but took a calming breath anyway.
June looked on the verge of tears after hearing all that and Casper didn't like seeing her so sad. He leaned against her legs in an attempt to calm her some well she asked. "Still no word from anyone?"
Fowler looked at her and saw a worried mom who simply wanted to know that her child was alive and safe. "Listen no contact only tells me that the main comlink went down when the base was pounded into pancake batter."
"But if I could just call Jack or Amber-"
"You know it's too risky." Fowler reminded her. "So do the bots. The cons could trace any cell phone signal."
"Then take me and Casper home. If Jack can't call that's where he'll look for me." June tried to plead, wanting desperately to find Jack.
"Jasper is under complete lock down. Nobody is getting back in there. The only ones who can fix this mess are Prime and his bots. I'm sure they're out there, keeping a low profile. They've got to be." June could see that he truly believed that and hoped he was right but she had to laugh softly when a thought occurred to her. "What is so funny?"
"I was just thinking that Amber is most likely fighting alongside them." June said finally kneeling to give Casper a scratch behind the ears.
"You're probably right about that. Amber may not know it but she is a lot like her mother and the mech she sees as a father figure. Though I hate to admit it she has been trained by one of the best Special Forces officers that our government ever had. She'll be fine and she will be sure to get back along with the others in one piece."
-o0o-
Smokescreen was sitting and waiting patiently, not really sure what to do now that he had not only gotten Optimus to safety but Amber as well. When he had spotted Optimus in the wreckage of their base Smokescreen had figured that Ratchet had taken the girl off base and hopefully to a medical facility. It was only once he had settled Prime against a rock wall of the underground cavern he had located that he heard a human groan from Optimus's chest. Surprised Smokescreen leaned in close to Prime's chest and nearly jumped when he heard Amber's labour breath.
Optimus himself groaned and his chest plating opened revealing the girl nestled in the Prime's sparkling chamber. The protective energy sphere was gone but the Scythe of Amalgamous Prime had branched out and secured her inside the chamber. It almost seemed like she was in a sort of hammock and it looked surprisingly comfortable. The blood that covered her had dried some but it was wet where she was sweating. Adjusting his scanners some Smokescreen was able to run a scan on her and realised that she had a fever and that the wireless heart monitor was still stuck to her chest. It took a bit of figuring but he was able to tap into it and realised that her heart was beat was steady but it was weak.
"I don't know a lot about human biology but your clearly not doing so good but hay at least you're not dead like Ratchet feared. But what do I do now?" he asked out loud.
Suddenly a message appeared in his coms window and opening it he saw a list of things that could help her and where to find them, at the hospital in Jasper. Not wasting any time Smokescreen left the two of them and discretely headed into Jasper. He was able to make it to the hospital and drive right into the ambulance bay. Using his holoform he gathered the supplies on the list, oxygen tank with mask, IVE drip that had a hydrating solution, bandages, some disaffecting wipes, bottles of water and all the snacks he could grab. Placing all in the thickest blanket he could find he put the bundle in his back seat and headed back to their hiding place.
Upon returning he received another message on how to attach the IVE and the steps to clean and wrap her wounds. Smokescreen wasn't sure where the messages were coming from but in that moment he didn't really care well he did his best to tend to Amber. Cleaning the blood off her face Smokescreen had to wince when he saw the nasty gash on her face. Not being able to stitch it up, he used some butterfly strips and bandaged her head the best he could with the Scythe secured around it.
Once he was done treating Amber the best he could, the oxygen mask secured over her mouth and nose, he was just putting the blanket over her when she woke up. "Sm-okes-creen? Wha-"
"Don't speak Amber. You're in pretty rough shape." Smokescreen said grabbing one of the bottles of water, and carefully helphed her to take a few sips, then he than tried to get her to eat. She only had a few Ritz crackers before she said she was done, quickly falling asleep again. Making sure once again that the oxygen mask was secured on her face, he let his holoform go and transformed again, sitting down to wait.
It had been hours since than and neither of his two injured team mates had moved or made much of a sound. Keeping an optic on the monator happy to see it was steady. Smokescreen was just thinking of going tops side to check things out but than Optimus woke up. Like Amber he was a bit out of it when he spoke to the rookie but that was to be expected. Smokescreen told Optimus about using the faze shifter to avoid getting hit by the blast that had taken out the base. "I'm sorry I defied your orders. We're safe down here but we're down so deep no one can pick up our signals. I'll have to scout above ground if we're going to have any hope of finding Ratchet."
"No… no hope." Optimus muttered tiredly.
"What do you mean?" Smokescreen demanded. "The doc is the only one who can get you patched up."
Optimus didn't responded seeming to fall into recharge but then he noticed that Amber muttering, making he lean in closer to her. It wasn't clear at first what she was saying since she was so quiet but than her voice became louder. "You must destroy before you can rebuild. You must destroy before you can rebuild." Smokescreen almost couldn't believe what he was hearing, because she was specking in Cybertronian.
Smokescreen stared at her not really sure what was going on but then a thought ocrued to him and taking a chance he said. "Solus Prime is that you or Amber speacking?"
Amber's eyes shot open and he took a step back in shock seeing her blue eyes a glow with an amber-gold sort of light. "Did we succeed in destroying the lock and save innocents?"
It took Smokescreen a few moments to recover from his surprise to answer her because it was just not her eyes thar were different but also her voice. It sounded like Amber and another speacking together, saying the same thing at the same time. "Yes my lady you did." Amber smiled softly before her energy gave out, the glow leaving her eyes and she fell asleep once more. "So it is true. You are Solus's reincarnation."
Saying this Smokescreen knew that he had to get both Prime and Amber the help they needed but how could he without drawing the attention of the cons. "Best to focuse on healing one of you at a time and no affence Amber but Optimus takes prority. I know you would say the same if you were awake." With that in mind Smokescreen went back to the wreckage that was once their base and carefully searched for any Cybertronian medical supplies.
-o0o-
Back with the rest of Team Prime who were scattered, they had slowly started to find each other and regroup, in hopes of fighting back. Raf was able to avoid the cos thanks to Bumblebee changing the paint job on his ault mode. Using the net he had located Ratchet and the three had gone to the abandoned Decepticon ship The Harvenger. Well they scavenged what technology Starscreem had left behind Arcee and Jack had been picked up by the newly arrived Ultra Magnus, the mech who had served as Optimus's second in command during the war.
Using his ships scanneres they located not only the group at the Con ship but the recently escaped Wheeljack, who had joined up with Bulkhead and Miko. However well picking up the three Wreakers they found themselves being chased by a robot dragon called a Preadacon. It took some fancy flying and running the beast into a cannian wall that allowed them to escape. Regrouping with the rest of the team at the Harvenger the three humans had a happy reunion which was made better when Fowler and June arrived. "Your families are safe. Agent Fowler saw to it that Jasper was evacuated in time." June told both MIko and Raf after giving the three tearful hugs. It was then she looked around a realised that they were short a human. "Where's Amber? Is she with Optimus?'
Jack exchanged worried looks with Miko and Raf. "Mom, Starscream hurt Amber, badly. Before we left base Ratchet tried to help her and it wasn't good."
"How badly?" June demanded turning to Ratchet, worried.
"She was diying June. I'm sorry, there wasn't much I could do given the sercomstances." Ratchet said depressed. In the time since leaving the base Ratchet had thought long and hard on Amber's condition and what they had all learned before their scattering.
"I still can't wrap my head around learning that she is Solus Prime's reincarnation." Bulkhead muttered.
"You saw what happened back on Cybertron." Arcee said sadly. "She was surronded in an energy form of the 4th Prime before she used that energy to distroy the Omega Lock."
"What the hell are you bots going on about?" Fowler demanded confused.
"I find myself agreeing with the native life form. Who is this person that you believe is a rencarnation of Primus's fourth?" It took a bit of telling on all of their part but those who were on Cybertron told them about Solus's sudden appearance and destroying of the one device that could restore their home Planet. Though he did not show it the commander was a bit taken back by the information, finding it hard to believe.
"Dispight this knowledge there are more important matteres to disguse." Ratchet reaminded them.
"Right but where are Optimus and Smokescreen?" Bee asked.
"The only signals that Ultra Magnus was able to isolate are standing right here." Arcee said.
"Maybe his scanners faulty." Wheeljack said bitterly.
"So the kid is unacounted for." Bulk said.
"Smokescreen bridged out unacompaned, only Optimus knows where and he and Amber remaind behind. To distroy the ground bridge, to insure that everyone else made it to safety." Ratchet said sadly.
"I watched the base go down." Fowler said bitterly. "No one or thing walked out of there."
"Not that we could see." June added.
"Even if Prime and Amber survived, I'm not sure we can wait for him to show up. Not with Megatron holding our planet hostage from his high and mighty perk at Dark Mount." Folwer said.
"I would once again be inclinded to agree with the native life form" Ultra Megnus said stepping forward. "We must stop Megatron. With or without Optimus Prime. We must do everything in our power to insure that Megatron's downfall but we will need to be smart about it."
"Whoa who put shoulder pads in command?" Wheeljack asked clearly not happy.
"Temprary command." Jack said knowing that Optimus was still the one in charge,
"Ultra Megnus is the only logical choice." Ratchet explained. "He was trained by Optimus and served as his commanding officer through out the war for Cybertron."
"Now unless there is any furhter objection soldier?" Ultra Megnus asked Wheeljack, who had nothing else to say. "Please follow me."
"Aye Aye captain." Whelljack muttered well he and the rest of the bots went into Ultra Megnusis ship where he opened his weapin locker, offering new weapons to the entire team. "Now your speaking my languege… sir."
-o0o-
Back in the cavern where Smokesceeen had hidden away Prime and Amber, Smokescreen was not having a good day. After an unsuccessful search in the remains of the base, he had gone and retrieved the forge of Solus Prime from the cons warship at Optimus's promting. Upon his return he had intened to give it to Optimus so he could use the power from it to repair himself.
However Optimus had other ideas. "That is not the reason I had you retrieve the relic."
"What?"
"I don't understand the power of the forge but it is not unlimated. Its energy has already begun to ebb." Optimus explained slowly, his voice tired.
"So its running low, who cares. All we need is enough juice to get you back into fighting shape. Besides something tells me that Amber will be able to repower the thing once shes back on her feet." Smokescreen said checking the heart monator and he felt his own spark stall. Amber's heart beat was slowing down again, like it had back at base when Ratchet said…
"Whatever powers reamains must be used to rebuild the Omega Lock. To restore Cybertron." Optimus said gaining Smokescreens attention again.
"But that would mean-?"
"The fate of all our kind is vital then that of any one of us. Including me." Optimus said weakly.
"Optimus the forge is a relic of the Primes. We can't use it to restore Cybertron, not without a prime. Not without you." Smokescreen reminded him.
"There will be a new Prime." Looking at Amber Smokescreen wondered if it was her Optimus was speacking of but the monator beeped at him. Amber's heart was barily beeting now and she was only just breathing, her life was sliping away and there was nothing he coud do about it. Feeling helpless Smokescreen turned to grab the forge but Optimus stopped him. "The time for a new leader is upon us. In my spark I believe that leader stands before me right now."
Realsation hit Smokescren like a ton of bricks just as Amber flatlined.
-o0o-
Amber's Pov
I was no where and I was everywhere.
I was alone but not alone.
I wasn't sure who I was.
One moment I was running around in the feild behind the farm house chasing my cousins, like that time Optimus and I spent the weekend at my Aunt and Uncle's farm. The next I was with the rest of the theirdteen fightig against Unicron… now I was taking my first steps towards my mom, grabbing her tight once I reached her. Back and forth it went between Solus's memeories and mine, it finally ending when I witnessed her take a direct blast to the chest from the Requium Blaster.
Then I was standing on a plain that was void of anything but starlight. It was like I was out in space with planet in view but I swear I could feel something soild under my feet. I looked around for anything to tell me what I was doing there, when I felt him appear behind me. I stood still, not because I was afraid but because I was nervous and confused. 'If I'm right there is someone standing right behind me and if it is who I believe it is then why is he here? Wait why am I here, where ever here is. How do I even know-'
"Are you going to stand there and pretend that you have not noticed my presence or are you going to turn around so we can talk?" he said and from his voice alone I knew it was him. I turned and smiled at Primus weakly who raised an eye ridge at me.
Every time I had heard Primus talking to me I had always imagined a vey tall, noble looking mech that scowled all the time because he had to be serious. The mech that stood befor me was a bit of those things but he was smiling at me, much like Opimus did when he was having one of his father moments with me. His armor wasn't all that intimidating but his whole body radated with unseen power and strangth. His main armor color was a bronz with a hit of red in it, which was accentuated by the royal blue that covered the rest. I smiled at him nervously as I slowly approch him, finding it odd that I was reaching his shoulder. "Now I think that I better introduce myself even though I know you know who I am but I'm hoping it will brake the ice as you humans say. I am Primus the creator for all Cybertronians and was previously yours in your first life Amber."
"Ah yeah I know all that but I am wondering what am I doing here with you?" I asked him too nervous to really be respectful. He didn't seem to mind because he smiled at me again before he waved his hand and the area around us changed to the yard behind my families cabin. We took seats in the old wooden lawn chairs that I needed to replace and I feard when Primus sat in his that it would give way under him. It didn't but it did look odd to see him, the god of all Cybertronians, sitting on a wooden chair.
"I brought you here because I wanted to explain a few things to you and to appoligise." He said well starting a fire in the nearby fire pit.
"Appoligise? For what?"
Primus sighed, not really looking at me. "I chose Candace and Lealand Bishop as your parents in this life not only because of their strong desires to serve their fellow people but because Candace had the makings of a wonderful mother. I could not have forseen her death and how it would affect Lealand's heart and mind. I had never intened for you to become as hard and untrusting as you have been. Though I am glad that being with Optimus has brought about a good change in you and your old talents have been shining through more and more."
I stared at him in shock having not expectig him to say anything along those lines but after a moment I understood. "You know what I think now that I'm older and since Fowler read me the report on my mom's death, I feel diffrently about it. I don't feel any resetment towards Summers, Silas and you for her death because she chose to give her life to save her team and the people they were saving. She was a strong leader and caring, that much I can rememeber from my childhood but that does not excuse Siles choices regarding me. That being said its in the past and that is where I want to leave it. What is it you wanted to explain to me?"
Primus smiled at me proudly but it faded when he became serious. "I knew when I could no longer support the lifes of those I had created that my forth created would alone would have the skill and wisdom to restore me and to reunite all of my children. And I feel I must emphasize all of them." He gave me a look when he said that but before I could ask what he was getting at he continued. "Now the young mech designated as Smokescreen will soon use the forge to save Optimus and you. The energy will not only heal you but I am using it as a catalist to bring you back to life and change your body.
"Now I want you to know it will not be easy and you will take some time to ajust but you will not have too much time before you have to reveal yourself and start seting certain things in mostion. You need to get the crystal that you retrived from the cave where you gained your brother's scythe. It will be needed to repower the forge, which will be out of energy once it has healed you and Optimus. It will be needed to be refuiled before you can rebuild the lcok completely and I can be restored. Also you needed to know that when you feel diffrently about him, trust your feelings and know it is ment to be. However you will not rememeber meeting your fellow Primes, your actions on Cybertron or this conversation. Only when you know of the change and learn who Astari Prime is will you rememeber it all."
I couldn't help but stare at him after he had told me all this, mostly because he didn't make much since save one possablity. "Whoa, hold on a minuet, back up. Are you telling me that…"
"Sorry nope I'm not explaining anything more to you because the best way to grow is to learn. Also we are out of time because your heart stopped some time ago and you will have been dead too long to be brought back without permanent damage." Primus stood from his seat, pulling me from mine right before he plunged a servo into my chest. I was surprised that it didn't hurt, in fact it was warm but that does not exscuse the fact HIS SERVO WAS IN MY CHEST! Looking down I noticed that his arm was glowing and that glow was spreading into me. Looking back at him, Primus was smiling at me once again before he placed a kiss on my head before whispering in my ear. "You are the hope for the future my fourth."
With that everything once again faded to darkness.
End of Pov
Optimus blinked up at Smokescreen from where he lay on the floor of the cavern, feeling better than he had a short time ago. He slowly stood and was caught off guard when he discovered he was now taller. Looking at Smokescreen his gaze falling on the limp form of Amber who was wrapped up tight in the blanket but he could saw how pale her face was. "Is she-?" he couldn't bring himself to fully ask the question fearing the answer.
"She was but the forge seems to have brought you both back but shes still asleep." Smokescreen looking abit worried. "What do I do with her?"
"Protecting her is your number one priority till you regroup with the others and Ratchet can see to her." Optimus ordered, activating the Fazeshifter for Smokescreen and led them both top side. Once up above ground Optimus gently took Amber from him so Smokescreen could transform and then place her into the passenger side of his vehical form. After that he took to the sky ready to once again fight Megatron and save the earth.
It was perhaps an hour and a half later when Smokescreen received a conmunication from Ratchet with the location where the others were gathering after the battle. He drove as fast as he could to that location, greatful that none of the humans soldiers stopped him from going through the gate and over to where the others were waiting.
"A little late to the party Smokescreen?" Bulkhead asked the rookie with a raised eye ridge but that turned to dread when Smokescreen transformed and they all saw Amber in his hands.
"Primus, is she still alive?" Ratchet asked walking over to the young mech carefully taking the injured teen in his own hands. He scanned her while Fowler called for a medical team. Ratchet was still scanning her when Optimus arrived startling many of the soldiers that were around, but he paid them no mind well he approached Ratchet. "By the Allspark." Ratchet muttered, his voice full of surprised awe.
"What is it old friend?" Optimus asked concerned well he looked down at his daughter.
"Before we evacuated base I could not scan the extent of her injuries but visually I could see that her left arm, leg and side were damaged. The Scythe of Amalgamous Prime had been supporting her broken bones and I suspected a cracked skull. Now however her injuries are all gone, healed and I'm picking up something strange but my scans are still being blocked."
It was about then that the medics arrived with a gurney, June and Casper among them and they all stood out of the way, allowing Ratchet to put Amber down. Once he backed up June and the doctors took her away to the infirmary, all of Team Prime watching till they were out of sight. It was then that Fowler asked all of them to head to the hanger that was to become their new base of operations.
"On behalf of the President and the joint chiefs, I thank you all for your selfles heroisum in defence of this planet. I'm only sorry that the world can't yet know of your undying dedication because I for one owe you my life, my libraty and my future." Fowler's speech was a moving one which made all of them proud. Soon after Ultra Magnus returned command of Team Prime to Optimus and the commander was offically welcomed to Team Prime.
"Ok someones got to say it. Optimus 2.0 is rad." Miko said in true rocker fastion before she spoke to Ratchet. "Imagine what the forge could do or your bod."
Ratchet just scoffed at her before saying. "Is it true that the forge has been drained of its power?" Optimus nodded. "Then any hope of rebuilding the Omega Lock has truly been lost."
"I- did what I felt was right." Smokescreen sounded a bit down on himself for the choice he made.
"And your instincts have once again have proven to be quite sound. For you saved not only Prime but Amber as well." Ratchet assured him. "Only time will tell if there is any lasting effects after she wakes up."
A/N: Alright so this is my last chapter for the year and possably for some time as I am turning my focus to a writing contest in my home town. I have a very good story idea that is also dear to my heart. So until next time, Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.