As the darkness grew, points of light filled the void as both human and cybertronian gazed upon the night sky. They left the base shortly after, and no more words were said between them during their drive back to Jasper. The desert silence was only interrupted by the steady thrum of an engine. Soon arriving at the Darby residence, they pulled into the garage.

Jack dismounted, allowing Arcee room to transform as he put his helmet back on the shelf. The door opened from behind him as his mother stepped in to greet the two. "Jack, I didn't expect you home so soon before curfew. You still have a few hours. And hello, Arcee."

Arcee returned the greeting as Jack began speaking. "Well, I knew you'd be getting home early today, and you don't have an early shift tomorrow, so I thought maybe we could do something tonight. We don't get to spend as much time together as we used to."

He thought it would be easy to spend time with her, but after his conversation with Arcee, it became more challenging to look his mom in the eye and not break down. He had to keep up the impression that nothing was wrong in front of her.

"I'd love that. But you look exhausted. Maybe you should just head to bed instead. Have you been getting enough sleep?" June asked as she grabbed his face, inspecting the bags underneath his eyes.

"Moooom, stop that." He gently pushed her away. "I'm fine. I've just been busy with work, school, and the bots. I could also say the same for you. I'm not the one who just pulled a double shift, and I want this. I'd like to spend some time together."

"Alright, but what about Arcee? It wouldn't feel right cutting her out." June said while turning to look at the alien in the room. "And I still don't feel comfortable leaving you alone all night in this dark and dank garage."

"June, I already said I'm okay in here. I don't want to intrude on whatever you both do. It's fine."

"Actually, Arcee," Jack spoke up. "I was going to ask you to join us. I think it'd be nice, and it would be no trouble at all."

Arcee looked at him in confusion for a moment. "No trouble? Jack, how am I going to even get inside your house?"

"You could transform back into your bike form. You can fit through the door and hallways. The living room should give you enough room to transform, but you'd probably have to crouch." answered Jack as he shrugged.

Arcee stared at him momentarily before giving in. "Fine. What activity are we going to do?"

"Movie night." Jack said with a smile.

"I'll get the popcorn maker and no Jack. I'm not going to add butter."

He sighed in response as he watched Arcee collapse in on herself and walked her through the door, leading her into their quaint living room. She was careful to mind the ceiling and her surroundings as she transformed. Jack was right; she had to crouch to fit but found it comfortable well enough. Soon, popcorn was made, the lights were shut off, and the movie began playing.

Jack paid no mind to the crawling text in front of him, instead focusing on his mother's relaxed and peaceful expression. He wished so badly never to have this moment end and that he wouldn't be destroying her world in a few short months.

Jack then turned to Arcee, who looked invested in the movie. It was good that she was opening up more, willing to spend some time with him, compared to how she had first treated him.

She and his mom would take his leaving the hardest. He hated the tightness in his stomach when he lied to Arcee earlier as if he could discharge the contents of his stomach at any moment. It felt like he was breaking her trust. He knew it was illogical to keep up this ruse, but he couldn't find the courage to rip off the band-aid.

Everyone had their own problems. His mother worked to provide for both of them. The bots were fighting a war to protect their planet. He couldn't add more to their plate. More than he already added to Ratchet's anyhow. He needed to put it off as long as possible.

Arcee watched in silence as the movie played. She particularly liked the gold robot and his little friend. She continued watching until a floating head in the background of a bar caught her attention.

'Wait, the frag?'

"Jack, I thought humans didn't know aliens existed?"

"We don't. Why are you asking?" Jack asked with a slight face of worry, not liking what she might've been implying.

"That floating head," Arcee pointed at the screen. "is from a race called the Quintessons. They tried taking over Cybertron in the past."

Jack, too stunned to speak, stared at the screen in silence. Meanwhile, June mumbled that she did think that some guy named George always seemed odd.

Jack woke up and immediately took notice of the uneasy feeling in the pits of his stomach. He rushed to the bathroom, barely making it in time as his insides purged themselves. It was painful as he hadn't eaten actual food in days. The only things to come up were bile and small amounts of energon. He did his best to clean himself up and walked down the small hallway.

"The interplanetary alignment set for-" June muted the television from her position in the kitchen as she heard Jack enter from the hallway, spotting the dark lines underneath his eyes.

"Morning, Jack. Are you feeling better today? You still look like you need more sleep."

"I'm fine, Mom, don't worry about it." He said as he poured himself a cup of orange juice. It always helped him feel better after throwing up when he was younger, hoping it'd still bring back that feeling.

"Then how 'bout some breakfast?" she inquired as she turned toward him with a plateful of brown disks.

"Tofu pancakes… yum. I'll pass, not really hungry right now."

"Jackson Darby, I woke up bright and early to make this, and you're just going to turn it down? And look at you! All skin and bones, have you been eating enough?"

Jack reluctantly took a seat. "Alright, guess I'll have a few."

He doubted he'd even be able to stomach these. Chances were they would end up down the drain within the next few hours. He mindlessly emptied his plate as he stared at the television from the kitchen table, noticing his mother observing him from the corner of his vision.

'Does she suspect something?'

He certainly hoped not. It'd be easier to keep his secret longer if she wasn't looking for answers. But moms always, somehow, always knew when something was wrong. He put off that train of thought, attention going back to his plate and quickly finishing it.

Before she could ask more questions, he cleaned his plate in the sink and rushed to his room. He hurriedly changed into his usual outfit and walked back past the kitchen, opening the garage door. "Bye, Mom, heading to the base now. I'll be back before curfew."

"Hold on just a minute," June called out, halting him in his tracks. "You're leaving already? I have pretty much the whole day before I have to head to work. After last night I thought you wanted to spend more time with me. Especially on one of the rarer days when I'm not busy."

He turned around but did his best not to look at his mother in the eye. He thought spending time with her and having an enjoyable memory was a good idea, but it was too much. He couldn't relax around her. The tension he felt became too much the longer he spent around her. The amount of time left for him was decreasing daily, and he didn't have the strength to tell her the truth.

Before he could even utter a word, however, Arcee spoke. "She could come to the base with us. It'd be no trouble bridging her back here before her shift."

The idea enthused his mom, and it was decided when Jack had no honest counterargument. Once June was ready, the trio headed for the military silo.

Jack was right. Less than an hour after arriving at the base, he had to rush to the restroom to empty his stomach. He was lucky his mom was too distracted lecturing Miko on her foul language.

'Watch your language. It doesn't matter that you just got out of jail. You still have to pay for landing on Raf's property.'

His mother had insisted on keeping them all occupied so they weren't in the bots' way and to make sure Miko didn't run off somewhere. That's how the day went from the moment he and his mom arrived—playing board games and watching age-appropriate movies for everyone involved.

Before last night, he would've enjoyed the thought of her hanging out with them at the base. Even if Miko kept complaining to him about his 'helicopter mom' and for ruining everyone's fun. Now though, he knew better. It was hard to stay in the same room as her for more than a few minutes without feeling like his heart would explode out of guilt. He could hardly look her in the eyes when he spoke to her. His practical side told him it was his conscious telling him to stop with the lies, but he hadn't been listening to that side lately.

Like a gift from Primus himself, Jack was called away from the group by Ratchet. That relief was almost immediately filled with regret when he remembered what it usually meant. The bright blue liquid stood before him mockingly. As if for thinking he could get off that easy. He hesitantly grabbed the container, ignoring the slight burning and horrible feeling it left in his mouth.

"This stuff is disgusting." He put the container away as he looked at Ratchet. "What tests are you planning to run today?"

"No tests today, Jack."

There was one good thing about today, then. Jack hated being subjected to scan after scan by the medic and the way the needles-

"But Optimus did want to speak with you for a moment. He's in his quarters."

Oh.

"What for? Is it about what's happening to me? I thought you already explained to-"

"Ep, ep, ep. I told him you were suffering from a sickness and that he'd have to ask you if he wanted more information. And now he's asking you." Ratchet interjected.

June watched as Jack walked off to help Ratchet with whatever he was called for, only to start heading toward the Autobot's quarters after a few minutes.

Something was bothering Jack. No matter how well he tried, she could tell. At first, she thought it was just the guilt of lying to her about hanging out with aliens after school. When it continued, even after discovering the truth about the Autobots, she knew something was eating away at him. The constant bags under his eyes were a clear sign, and he looked to be getting skinnier by the day.

He was hiding something from her again, pushing her away.

She wanted to help him, but he wouldn't come forward to ask for help. Whatever it was, he was keeping it a secret. If anyone also noticed something wrong with Jack, it would be his friend.

June walked over to Arcee, who stood positioned near the main computer. Greetings aside, it was best to get straight to the heart of the matter.

"Arcee, have you noticed anything that might be bothering Jack? He seems to be putting me at arm's length after last night, and he doesn't look like he's been taking care of himself."

"You noticed it too?" Arcee gently asked.

"Of course, I did," June quietly huffed. "I'm his mother. What do you think it may be? Has he told you anything?"

Arcee took a knee to be more eye-level with her as she spoke. "We actually spoke about it yesterday evening. He told me he was suffering from nightmares he's been receiving frequently. They're about Airachnid."

It was odd how different yet similar the two species were. Even being entirely mechanical, June could see the emotions hidden in the optics that stared back at her. Optics that looked laced with sadness.

"It's my fault. I wasn't there to protect Jack from her." Arcee continued as she turned her head away in shame. "I understand if you don't want me to be his guardian anymore."

"Truth be told, I'd feel better if he didn't spend as much time here as he does. It's dangerous, and these nightmares prove that. But you've kept both him and me safe. He trusts you, and I thank you for that. I don't blame you for this."

Arcee turned her helm back toward June. "Thank you. I told him I'd be here if he wants to talk, but I feel there's more I could do to help."

"There are plenty of ways we could help him with this." June said with a small smile.

Jack stood before the large door, nervous about taking the necessary steps forward. He'd hardly been inside the bots' quarters, and now he was about to head into Optimus'. His heart felt uneasy, and his mind raced with possibilities. Unsure of what to expect once he crossed that threshold.

Standing around would only delay the inevitable, however. There was no use standing around. Decision made, he stepped forward and knocked.

The large shutter door rose quickly in response, and Jack walked in, taking in the contents of the sparse room. He could see a berth and what looked like a small desk that Optimus was standing at. In his hand and across the desk's surface looked like tablets, or datapads as Arcee had told him.

Optimus put the datapad he was reading down, facing the human teen as he entered. "Jack, thank you for coming. I wanted to ask about your well-being. Ratchet informed me that you were suffering from a human disease. I wanted to know if there was anything we could do to aid you. If it is alright with you, of course."

Jack felt his body slightly relax. He could talk about this. It technically wouldn't be a lie. Just as long as he didn't pry further. "It's fine, Optimus. It's called Hemolytic Anemia. It means my body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. It can make me feel a bit tired, but it's nothing I can't handle. Ratchet's been a big enough help."

"I see." Optimus was silent as he contemplated what he would ask next. "And are large dark circles under your eyes part of the symptoms?"

"Um, they're just because I have trouble sleeping sometimes. I'm not always getting enough."

As Jack responded, he rubbed the back of his neck. An evident trait the Prime had noticed about the boy that signaled he was nervous. His refusal to look at him in the optics for more than a few seconds didn't help.

He was lying.

"Are you sure? There isn't more that's bothering you?" Optimus pressed further.

Jack tried to reassure Optimus, but it was difficult not to crack under his calm, steely gaze. His heart clenched when he lied to his mom, and it hurt just as much not to look Optimus in the eye and lie to him too.

"I'm sure. Really, I'm fine. Nothing else is going on."

There it was. The nervous glance and denial to look him in the optic. "Jackson, we are here to help. Please do not lie."

Jack didn't say anything, fidgeting underneath his watch as the minutes passed. He continued to shuffle slightly in front of the Prime, who stood still. The silence between them was beginning to make him uncomfortable. Jack knew that it was unlikely Optimus would let him go without him saying something. Or maybe he would? Freedom is the right of all sentient beings and all that. No, that'd just be kicking the can down the road. It'd have to be picked up eventually. Maybe he could tell Optimus and work up the courage to tell the others. He could trust him to only tell everyone else once he was ready. He stopped moving and stood directly in front of the large bot before him.

Jack took a deep breath and began speaking before Optimus could ask again. "I didn't want to burden you or the team with my relatively small problems. You're fighting a war that's been going on for longer than humanity has existed. You're fighting for your freedom and to protect my home."

Optimus listened as he spoke, but Jack's gaze never left the floor. Now though, blue eyes met blue optics as he paused in his explanation. Optimus stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

"There are bigger problems that you should worry about now than me. Me dying shouldn't be one of those problems."

While Optimus suspected that Ratchet wasn't telling him everything about Jack's health condition, he hadn't expected it to be this severe. "What is killing you?"

"It technically wasn't a lie when Ratchet said I was suffering from a disease, more of a half-truth. It's an extremely severe case and not normal. My blood cells are mutated and attacking my normal ones, slowly replacing every cell in my body." Jack finished with a sigh.

"Do you happen to know what caused this?"

"Airachnid. Her acidic venom infected me."

Optimus' spark ached at that answer. Many innocent lives were lost during the war. Both cybertronian and other alien species were dragged into their conflict. Optimus felt responsible for each death that occurred as a result of his accepting the title of Prime from the council, and it would seem that another would be added to his growing list of those he failed.

"I deeply regret that I failed in allowing this to happen to you. My intentions never were to cause harm. I thought keeping you and the others under our watch was the safest option. I should've stopped Megatron all those eons ago. No human should have to pay for my mistakes."

Jack shook his head as he crossed his arms. "This is why I preferred to keep this to myself. You'd find a way to blame yourself. It's not your fault, and you didn't know this would happen. You were just trying to keep us safe. And you told me, reassured me that I made the right choice with Megatron. He'll be held responsible for his actions, but two wrongs don't make a right."

Sighing in frustration, Jack continued. "Can you please just not tell my mom or anyone else? I don't want anyone else to feel guilty or feel they need to do something on my behalf. Ratchet is already doing his best to help me, and I feel terrible about that already. He should be focusing on the rest of you, not me. I'll tell everyone eventually. Can you please promise me this?"

Optimus frowned slightly. "You shouldn't be keeping this from her, Jack. It will only worsen the situation the longer you choose not to inform her."

"That's not my intention. I want to keep her happy. I can't handle seeing her cry, and when I tell her, I know it will break her. I want to put it off for a bit longer. Could you please not make me tell everyone?"

Optimus observed Jack's pleading expression as he mulled over his words.

"I do not agree with your choice Jack," The human in question, shoulders slumping in defeat. "But it is yours. I will respect it if that is your wish."

Jack relaxed, grateful. "Thank you, Optimus."

"However," Optimus added. "It is important to remember that we are all here to help our friends. Do not exclude yourself from that group."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you again." Jack replied quietly as he left the room, the large shutter closing behind him.

As Jack entered the Command Center, he approached the human area. Finding his mom talking with Arcee, both Miko and Raf gone. Most likely out with their respective guardian.

June noticed him approaching. "Jack, I was about to go looking for you. I'll be leaving for my shift soon, but we need to talk about something. Arcee and I talked while you were gone."

'Ah jeez, what is it with everyone wanting to talk about this with me today?' Jack thought to himself.

Arcee grabbed him out of his thoughts. "I told her what you told me. That you've been suffering from nightmares. It's been affecting your sleep, your health."

Having to hear this twice in one day, Jack groaned in response.

"Don't give me that, Jack. This is serious. How long have you been keeping this to yourself before yesterday?"

"Few weeks. Around the second time, I broke curfew." Jack responded as he rubbed his face.

"You can talk with us, Jack. We can help. Arcee told me what happens in these dreams. Does it always end the same?"

He didn't like thinking about those dreams. It always ended the same. He always jolted awake in the middle of the night, having to remind himself it wasn't real. He was captured, defenseless, and useless. Arcee couldn't help him. She never made it on time. He could never fight back. Though, sometimes, it was different, and he hadn't told Arcee this.

Jack nodded, but before June could say anything, he began speaking. "I didn't tell Arcee this yesterday, but even though it always ends the same, the dream isn't always the same."

Arcee was puzzled by this. She thought he had told her everything about the dreams. "What do you mean by that?"

"Sometimes, I'm not the only one there," Jack grimaced. "Sometimes, Raf, Miko, and even you, Mom, are there. And I can't do anything to stop Airachnid from what happens. It's always the same."

Arcee's optics widened in shock, and June ran to her son, quickly wrapping him in a hug. "Jack, why didn't you tell us anything? I worry about you enough, I-"

"This is why I didn't want to say anything." Jack interrupted. "Because I know you worry. Everyone already has their hands full with something. The Autobots have a war to fight; you fight to keep a roof over our heads. It isn't a big deal."

"It's a very big deal, Jack." Arcee retorted. "It's our job to worry about you. Let us help you."

"You already said you'd be there for me, and I like that. But what else could you do to help?"

"Image rehearsal therapy," June answered. "Change the ending of your dream to a positive one. Arcee saved you and me in the real world, so change the ending to fit reality. Every night, before you go to bed, tell yourself that if you begin to have the same bad dream, it will instead be replaced with a dream of Arcee rescuing you."

"Does that really work?" Jack questioned.

"Many people who've used it said that it reduced the severity and recurrence of the nightmares." Said June as she took a glance at her watch. "I'm going to be late if I don't leave now, but I'm serious about this, Jack. Please talk with us more, and do the rehearsal before you go to bed tonight. If you need more information about it, I'm sure Ratchet could be of help."

"Goodbye, I love you." She said as she pulled him into a hug and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Bye, love you too." Jack watched as she descended the stairs and spoke with Ratchet, the ground bridge activating shortly after and his mom vanishing in the bright light as she walked through.

Jack turned his attention to Arcee, grabbing her attention as he approached her. "Thanks for looking out for me. I'll keep what you both told me in mind."

"I told you yesterday, Jack. We're partners. We have each other's backs."

"Well, thanks anyways. I'm gonna be taking a nap now, though, if you don't mind."

Arcee hummed in response as she turned to walk to her quarters. "By all means, knock yourself out."

Jack listened as Arcee's pedesteps got farther away and muffled as he settled onto the stiff, worn-out couch. Having a conversation like this twice on the same day wouldn't be just a coincidence. Perhaps a sign, trying to push him in the right direction and tell everyone the truth. Optimus already knew the truth, and everyone else would eventually. Jack knew they all cared and that he wouldn't be able to use the excuse of not wanting to be a burden for much longer. It was becoming apparent that, in reality, soon was getting closer to now.

As his eyelids became more heavy, Jack thought about what he'd do once he woke up. Probably try scouting that conspiracy website with Raf. Seeing all the so-called 'evidence,' people posted was always pretty funny.

Maybe tomorrow would bring along a better day.

"Ugh, no! My tools, they're all wrong!" shouted Ratchet as he threw his tools across the laboratory.

Jack watched as Raf lay on the medical bed, his breathing shallow and uneven and his skin an unhealthy color. He did as much as his limited medical knowledge from his mom could help, but it hardly did anything. Bumblebee wailed in despair, Ratchet was doing his best, but it wouldn't be enough. They needed professional help.

Jack pulled out his phone and dialed her number, hoping she wasn't loaded with work and would pick up. "We need to call my mom."

"Your mother may be a nurse, but does she know anything about the effects of energon on the human body?" Ratchet sharply asked.

Jack quickly whirled around to face him. "Ratchet, we don't have time to argue! I know you've been trying to learn, but that isn't enough. We need my mom."

The dialing tone on his phone disappeared and was replaced with his mom's voice, asking what the call was about. "Mom, it's urgent. Raf's been hurt really bad. He was hit with something. We need you here ASAP."

"I'm on my way, tell Ratchet I'll need a ground bridge."

It was a relief when Raf woke up, looking much better. Jack couldn't imagine what it'd be like without him, how they'd explain it to his family, or how Bee would handle it.

Shortly after, Optimus returned through the ground bridge, severely wounded and held up by both Bulkhead and Ratchet. Soon followed by an explanation by Ratchet that, no, the Decepticons did not kill a unicorn to get their hands on more dark energon. It seemed his mother had heard enough because she was ordering him to help her load Raf into her car while angrily stating that Raf needed the help of real doctors.

Jack thought that was harsh, especially to say that in front of Ratchet after he'd done so much for him and done his best with Raf. He tried to point out that the Autobots were the only ones who could protect all of them, hoping she'd listen. Jack turned his attention to what sounded like struggling hydraulics and machinery as Optimus eased himself to a standing position, limping toward his mom.

"June, it deeply grieves me that I have failed. But know that I will do everything in my power to ensure that no harm comes to our human friends or any human ever again."

Jack didn't fail to notice the glance Optimus' optics made in his direction. He knew he should've just stood his ground and not told him. Anyone he told the truth would feel responsible for his pain.

"Optimus, they're children," June spoke sorrowfully. "They do not belong in your world. They should be worrying about grades, prom dates, pimples. Not their own survival."

'Bit late for that.' Jack morbidly thought to himself. What his mom said had stung him a bit. It didn't ease his guilt in lying, and he realized that what happened to Raf would only make it harder for him to come forward with the truth if this was his mom's reaction. He didn't want to be the cause of any tension, guilt, or blame that came as a result. He'd been too engrossed in his thoughts to hear the shouting between his mom and Miko, only catching the tail end of his mom's order to get in the car. He looked to Arcee behind him, hoping she would say something to help make his decision.

He already knew she was his mother, though, and he knew she was looking out for him, for all of them. All she wanted was their safety, but it would come at the cost of their friends. She spent his entire life caring for him alone, and it took a lot out of her. Getting good grades and staying out of trouble was the least he could do. But these were his friends; he couldn't just leave them because, for the first time in his life, despite the circumstances, he actually had friends. Not classmates that barely gave him the time of day or childhood playmates that would turn into bullies. She didn't know, but he needed them.

"I'm staying. I'm sorry." He could barely look her in the eye and see her face of slight anger as she turned back to her car and slammed the door shut. He watched as she drove off, Raf's hand pressed against the glass, face filled with sadness as they got farther and disappeared through the tunnel.

They both almost died if not for Bee. They both ran to each other once she stepped out of the muscle car, Jack profusely trying to apologize for what he last said. Words that could've been the last between them. She stopped him, embracing him in a hug. Being grounded until he was twenty-five was a small price to pay for having both his mom and Raf back safe.

However, learning that a primordial being was living inside the planet was a much bigger drawback. Jack could still vividly hear the thumping of the beating spark that lay at the core of their world.

Optimus had left to investigate a nearby epicenter only to be attacked by the vestiges of the chaos bringer. The rest of the team hurried to aid their leader in combating Unicron, but from the sound of the comms, it wasn't going well.

It came as a surprise when Megatron suddenly appeared, saving Optimus and offering an alliance. Of course, it only served the purpose of allowing the warlord to rule this planet for himself. His pride wouldn't even entertain the thought of allowing someone else the pleasure. Ratchet was very verbal when he made his thoughts about the proposed alliance known. His mother argued similarly when Optimus and the others returned.

It didn't help Jack feel any more comfortable when he voiced his concern to Optimus about what would happen when he released the energy of the Matrix. The Prime had stood silent, evading the question and instead making his decision on the matter clear.

As the rest of the team followed suit, preparations were made for their guest's arrival. Miko expressed her displeasure loudly as all five of them were shuffled into a nearby hallway as the warlord's heavy pedesteps began to be heard through the ground bridge. They peered around the corner, watching as Megatron stood before Optimus. Raf suddenly broke free from Jack's grasp on his shoulder, running toward the titan.

Megatron looked down at the source of the disturbance. Spotting Raf as the rest caught up to him, amused at the sight. "Ah, you're looking much better than the last time we met, little one. Humans, resilient."

"Come on, Raf. He isn't worth it." Jack gently pulled Raf away, guiding him back to the hallway with his mom.

"And you," Megatron called out, halting Jack in his steps. "I never forget a face. Even that of a human."

He looked back to face him for just a moment before turning around and walking away without uttering a single word. He would've kept walking, even despite Miko's shouts, when he heard Optimus' deep voice call out his name.

He turned around to see Optimus spare a glance over his shoulder before kneeling in front of him. "Will you keep something for me?"

Jack shrugged and replied in confirmation, watching Optimus pull out a large, thin piece of metal intertwined with blue markings. It shrunk down in the Prime's hand as he held it out to Jack, now a size more suitable for him to hold.

The blue markings pulsed slightly in response as Jack grabbed hold and inspected the object. "What is it?"

"It is… The key to the ground bridge power supply." Optimus never looked him in the eye, averting his gaze to everywhere in the hallway except him. All things Jack knew did when he lied, meaning Ratchet was right about that between the two of them at least.

"Um, okay… But shouldn't Ratchet have this then?"

"Perhaps," Optimus replied as he returned his gaze toward him. "But I've been impressed by how much you've matured and your actions since we first met. As such, I feel you have earned the responsibility of safeguarding this important device. Until I return."

"I won't let you down."

It'd been nearly an hour since the bots and Megatron left to journey to the planet's core, and Jack was bored. He leaned against the railing, absent mindlessly tapping the key against the rail while Raf and Miko spoke with Ratchet. The medic became frustrated with the constant tapping and turned to Jack to ask him to stop when he noticed what the boy was holding.

"Where did you get that?"

"Optimus. Honestly, I don't know why he gave me the key to the ground bridge power supply. If it even actually is that, he was acting weird about it." Replied Jack, holding the key out for Ratchet to take.

"There is no key to the ground bridge. That is the Key to Vector Sigma."

"The what?"

"You are holding one of Cybertron's most important relics."

"I shouldn't have this." Said Jack as he tried the hand the relic off to the bot.

Ratchet shook his helm in response. "Optimus entrusted it to you, Jack. It is yours to protect."

"But that doesn't make any sense. Why?"

Ratchet's face turned grim as he responded. "Because he doesn't plan on coming back."

"What!? What do you mean by that?"

The ground shook violently, and debris began to fall from the ceiling before Ratchet could say something back. He ordered all the humans to cover as he shielded them with his body as lights flickered in and out, and rubble pelted his frame. Jack held Miko and Raf close to himself as everything not nailed down to the floor toppled over. It felt like an eternity had passed before the rumbling ceased, and the lights stayed on. Jack eased the three of them back up slowly at the heed of his mother's warning of potential aftershocks.

The monitors glared back to life, re-establishing communications with the team. Ratchet quickly performed a systems check, ensuring that no significant damage was done to the equipment. Satisfied, he opened a ground bridge and watched as three figures slowly walked through.

Jack ran forward, together with Miko and Raf, excited to see their guardians were safe. But the absence of someone filled Jack with worry. "Arcee, glad you're safe, but where's Optimus? He's not-"

"Dead? No." Arcee finished for him.

"But he looked right at us without recognizing us. Didn't even know his own name." Bulkhead added.

"When Optimus surrendered the Matrix of Leadership. He lost more than the collective wisdom of the Primes, he lost his own memories." Ratchet solemnly said.

Jack wasn't sure what to think about that. Optimus had saved their planet and had sacrificed himself to defend his people from an ancient evil. But now, who would help protect them from the Decepticons?

Review Responses

RocKHord- It wasn't my intention to lay down the groundwork for a JackXArcee story, to be honest. Was kind of going for a more best friends kind of thing. I don't know how I'd fair trying to write romance, but if enough people want it, maybe I'll try?

Juxshoa-Yup, he will. But he can't get it through his thick skull that they're all there for him.

Guest- Thank you! It honestly helps me immensely.

Zevren- I'm happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for the encouragement.

noor12xx- Welp, as you can see, Jack did explain it to Optimus. I originally planned on him just finding out at the same time as everyone else, but I feel it fits better here. And I like to think of Ratchet as a grumpy grandpa. Rough, but he cares.

Thank you all for reading, and please leave your reviews. Thoughts, criticisms, or questions about the story, I really appreciate them.

5/11/23