Wow, I can't believe it! With this fic I've passed the amount of chapters and word count of my fanfic Aftermath!
Well I'm not surprised really as I've writing the first season of Transformers Prime crossed over with TMNT! And I've still got a way to go! lol!
That's a new record!
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Dark Energon on the Move
A couple of hours passed in the silo and the Knights had gotten to know the Autobots and Fowler after he had gotten over his shock meet each one of the Mutopians and learnt their backstories.
Jake and Amber wondered whether to speak of their relationship but decided not to after what they had been told by Raphael when Fowler had learnt of his and Monalisa's relationship then of course the existence of Pandora.
Fowler luckily didn't faint, although he did get rather pale when he learnt of Amber's story and her relationship to Tyroth as his younger sister.
After he had learnt everyone's names and took down their details to report back to his superiors, he decided to leave the base, despite the concern whether he was alright to fly his jet home to which he insisted he was fine and left the base to return to his superiors and that he would be in touch soon.
After the agent left, Kate pulled Michelangelo aside and glowered at him.
Michelangelo swallowed hard as he looked at his viper girlfriend and he wondered what she was going to do or say to him about keeping secrets from her regarding the Autobots.
"So," she said at last making the poor turtle jump slightly.
"This is what you've been hiding from me hmmm?"
"Kate, baby, honey." Michelangelo said sweating "Trust me when I say, I wanted to tell you, but Leo and sensei told me to keep my beak buttoned, just following orders you know."
Kate listened to Michelangelo and a curl of a smile appeared on her face.
"I know silly!" she said reaching out and pinching her boyfriend's cheek and Michelangelo looked relieved.
"Aww man, I thought you were going to strangle me with your whip there!"
"Awww you silly boy!" Kate cooed affectionally, "I wouldn't hurt you! You didn't do anything wrong; you were just doing as you were told." She hugged her boyfriend close "Needless to say, I'd be the same if I were in your shoes!"
Michelangelo hugged Kate back and sighed with relief that she wasn't mad with him.
"Again I'm sorry Kate." He said, "But I'm glad you're here and you've gotten to meet them too!"
"Likewise sweetie!" Kate said kissing Michelangelo who kissed her back and nuzzled her.
Freya and Loki meanwhile sat with Pandora and Kemeko along with Bumblebee and Bulkhead.
He had asked the two girls and the Autobots endless questions about what they had been doing since they met and the two girls talked about the incident on the Nemesis when they had to rescue Fowler, Monalisa and Leonardo, to the dark energon, The Space-Bridge incident, the scraplets, transporting the Dingus with Agent Fowler, the incident with Mech, the break in at the museum in Chicago and everything else than lead them to the present.
"So you guys have been getting up to all sorts of stuff with these guys, transporting a dangerous weapon, fighting bad guys on a train, breaking into a museum to secure an artifact?" Loki was asking to which Pandora and Kemeko nodded.
"By Odin." Freya said, "Back in Chicago half the missions we go on are nothing compared to what you've been through!"
"What's Odin?" Bulkhead asked scratching his head.
"Norse God." Pandora explained "Freya and Loki are descended from the Vikings."
Bumblebee then bleeped at Bulkhead as he explained.
"Oh right, I remember now, we found energon in the Northern part of Sweden and we came across some Viking Stones there." Bulkhead remembered.
"Trust me guys!" Freya said, "We can teach you a lot about Viking History!"
Bumblebee bleeped in thanks at the young Geckoling.
"We look forward to it very much." Bulkhead agreed "I have already learnt so much about Earth Culture from these two!" he pointed at Pandora and Kemeko who smiled up at the wrecker.
"Pandora," Loki said "I know we get on your tail about the trouble you get into, but this? Wow! This is the best thing your curiosity has led you!"
"Thanks, I think?" Pandora said looking a little confused.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that little brother." Freya said, "Praising Pandora for accidently finding the Autobots."
"I never intended for this to happen." Pandora said, "I keep saying to Kemeko." She glanced at her Asian human cousin/honoured sister "We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time!"
"More like the right place at the right time!" Loki said "Man I wish I had been with you! Then experienced what you've done with these guys!"
"You really wish that?" Kemeko asked cocking her head "Wait a minute, who are you?"
"Loki?" Loki said shrugging his shoulders "Same Geckoling dude you know and love?"
"Loki, with a hint of Pandora in him!" Freya quipped.
"Hey!" Pandora objected "I resent that!"
Kemeko just laughed.
"It's true though!" she said.
Just then a bleeping sound was heard from the screens and Ratchet called Optimus over to observe.
At the same time, everyone else turned to look and Loki sat up straight and looked over.
"Looks like Ratchet's found something." Kemeko stated.
"Really?" Loki asked excitedly.
Kemeko was right that Ratchet had found something as he was observing a purple beacon moving on the screens on a map.
"I had hoped my growing expertise on the subject would remain purely academic." Ratchet muttered as he watched the screens "but though faint, this is clearly a dark energon signature and it's moving fast!"
"Megatron." Optimus said in a low voice.
"Whoa man!" Michelangelo cried looking over "The Big dude's fresh out of his coma and moving already?"
"Where did he find more of the bad stuff?" Arcee asked.
"What's he gonna do with it?" Bulkhead asked, "Recruit a new army of the Undead?"
"Undead?" Kate asked in surprise.
"Long story babe." Michelangelo said.
Devina frowned.
"Like me?" she asked.
"Not exactly." Donatello said and was about to explain but Optimus cut him off.
"We cannot rule out the possibility." Optimus said, "Especially since Megatron seems to be heading to a familiar site."
Monalisa, and Leonardo looked at the screen and the map showed them something familer.
"Wait!" Monalisa pointed out "Is that...?"
"The resting place of Skyquake!" Leonardo exclaimed.
"The very one." Optimus nodded and Bumblebee bleeped and whirred in agreement.
"As Michelangelo has started," the Prime spoke "Megatron has barely emerged from Stasis and it seems he's already making up for lost time."
He turned to the Autobots.
"Ironhide, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Ratchet, prepare to roll out!"
Ratchet was a little surprised Optimus was asking him to come along.
"Me?" he asked in question.
"If we are dealing with dark energon, I may well require your expertise." Optimus explained.
"Arcee?" he turned to the Femme who spoke before he could ask.
"Bridge Operator, got it!" she winked and walked over to the controls.
"Hey Prime?" Tyroth asked and Optimus looked over to him "May I make a request?"
Optimus frowned in question as he looked at the dragon then at the Knights and the Hamato Clan.
"What do you wish to request Tyroth?" Optimus asked.
"Is that myself and the Knights accompany you and watch from afar so we can see what our friends have seen and what we are to expect when you are fighting this war?"
"You what?" Ironhide asked in surprise.
Bumblebee bleeped in shock.
"You sure Big T?" Leonardo exclaimed.
Tyroth nodded.
"I feel we need to see what you guys have observed before we were made aware." Tyroth explained "So we can understand what we're up against."
Upon hearing his father's request, Loki's eyes lit up.
"Oh wow!" he said, "Can I come too?" he begged.
Freya was surprised at her young brother's behaviour as normally it would be Pandora who would be begging to tag along although the hybrid was standing with Loki asking the same question, so she wasn't surprised, yet at the same time, she too was curious about what the Autobots were about to face.
Bulkhead looked at Optimus.
"You think that's a good idea?" he asked.
"It might be dangerous for them Prime." Ironhide agreed "Given that it's Dark Energon we're dealing with! Not just Bucket Head!"
"Bucket-Head." Michelangelo chuckled "Like Shredder!"
"Shush!" Raphael hissed.
"Look," Tyroth reasoned getting the Autobot's attention and he opened his wings and flew up in front of them.
"Given how small we are, despite our strength, we know we can't be much help, but we do promise we will keep our distance, and follow your orders should there be any trouble, I swear on my honour." He then turned to the other Knights "Right guys?" he asked and at once the Knights nodded and replied with their own words in unison.
"Sure!"
"You bet!"
"Yes Chief!"
"Aye Aye Sir!"
"Okie Dokie!"
"Of course!"
"Absolutely."
"I swear on the Divines!"
Optimus was silent for a moment, yet he thought it over.
He was concerned about their new friends, and that they now had more organics to watch over, but at the same time, he wanted them to be aware of what enemy they were fighting and to be fair, the Hamato Clan had seen a lot and he felt he shouldn't deny them the chance to observe, and given how he had seen what Tyroth could do with his fire power and magic he could protect his friends and family, and he was sincere in his words when he promised he and the others would remain at a safe distance.
"Be careful Jake." Monalisa said hugging her brother who hugged her back.
"Don't worry sis." Jake said, "I'm in safe hands!"
"He's safe with me Mona." Amber winked as she held Jake's hand.
Monalisa nodded trusting the marine iguana girlfriend of her human brother then she looked at Pandora and Kemeko.
"Girls." She said, "As much as you can observe and keep Freya and Loki company, both of you stay safe and listen to Tyroth."
"Especially you young lady!" Raphael said pointing at Pandora.
"Yes dad." Pandora said fervently "I'm not gonna be stupid and rush into anything, after what I've experienced, I have learnt my lesson you know!"
"I should hope so!" Raphael said.
"Don't worry Uncle Raph." Loki piped up "Me and Freya will keep Pandora safe."
Pandora groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Thank you Loki." Monalisa said then hugged Pandora again "We love you Tigeress." She said and Raphael joined in the hug also.
Leonardo meanwhile held Kemeko close.
"Be good!" he said, "I love you so much."
"Love you too dad." Kemeko said.
Finally, after everyone said their goodbyes and made promises to stay safe, Optimus gave the all go to leave the base.
James, Old George and Dahlia remained behind, and the chimpanzee and wolf said they would set up a medical bay if it was needed which Tyroth thanked them and said it was a good idea.
"Autobots! Roll out!" Optimus commanded as Arcee fired up the Ground-Bridge and the Autobots transformed into their vehicle forms and the Knights, Freya, Loki, Kemeko and Pandora got in.
Jack, Sharky, Heather and Sarah got into Ironhide's van form.
Kate, Jun, Amber and Jake got into Bulkhead's truck form.
Pandora, Freya, Kemeko, Loki and Sonia got into Bumblebee's car form and Tyroth, Devina and Sephie climbed into Optimus's vehicle form then they drove through.
Watching them leave, the Hamato Clan wondered what their friends would make of what they were about to witness.
"Megatron is a dangerous guy, not to mention scary." Donatello said, "Even when he was laying there in a coma when we went to find that cure for Optimus, it was scary enough."
"I'm interested to know how Tyroth finds him." Leonardo said, "He may be an all-powerful Dragon and has taken down many enemies, even those twice his size, but Megatron?"
"Guess we'll find out when they return." Raphael shrugged "But it's gonna be no walk in the park I can tell you that."
"Agreed hun." Monalisa said as she watched the Ground-Bridge power down.
Meanwhile, in the canyons where Ratchet has spotted the Dark energon signal, Starscream flew over in his jet form towards where Skyquake's body was buried after his battle with Optimus and Bumblebee.
He soon found it and he hovered above the site before transforming into his bipedal form.
He landed on the ground and stared at the mound of earth clutching the dark energon shard he had stolen and stashed from Megatron.
"Ah, the gravesite of the Mighty Skyquake." He smirked "So quick to reject my authority while you lived!"
"But..." he mused as he held up the purple shard "As the first of my reanimated warriors, you shall bow to my command!"
He snapped the shard in two then he threw one half into the grave, and it glowed giving off a purple light, then he plunged the other half into his chest letting the dark energon merge with his spark.
He gasped as he felt it's power.
"Ahhh." He vented "yes! Power of Dark Energon! Be mine!" he shouted as he stood up and felt the power of the crystal run through his veins and he started to glow in purple flames.
He cackled as he felt a strong sense of power and energy run through him.
"Symbiosis!" he shouted, "I CAN FEEL IT!"
Ratchet has spotted the dark energon moving, and Optimus has plans to investigate, yet he and his soldiers are not going to be alone as the Chicago Knights are joining them to see what they're up against.
For those of you who've seen the show, you can only guess what's coming!