Chapter 19: Out of Focus
A few days after the Nightstream incident, Bumblebee called a team meeting…and got dozens of complaints from certain teammates. "Look, all I'm saying is that I think I should earn the right to make my own decisions on missions." Mirage explained. "If that means blades-for-brains here gets to decide to boss me around, then I request a transfer off this nutjob team!" Gears exclaimed. "And I'm tired of staying behind when we have missions near humans." Grimlock complained. Bumblebee closed his optics and took a deep breath. "The center of the storm is always still and it's easiest to find the solution from there. Team Bee, except Arcee, Smokescreen and Knock Out, were confused. "Beg pardon?" Grimlock asked. "Optimus always used to say it. When a Bot feels overwhelmed by something, he needs to find his focus." Arcee explained. "She has a point." Mirage said. "Okay, okay. But how does it get these convicts off my BUMPER?!" Gears exclaimed angrily. Suddenly, an alarm went off. "Lt. Bumblebee! Lt. Arcee! I have 4 Decepticon signals a few miles from here. Just look at all this flashing!" Fixit exclaimed, detecting 4 Decepticon signals all at once in the same place. "Looks like the team meeting will have to wait. Too bad, so sad." Bumblebee said, feeling actually pleased. "Okay. Since we've been gaining new teammates lately, we'll be taking a small group of you with us." Arcee said. "You heard her. Let's-" Bumblebee tried to say. "Rev Up and Roll Out." Gears said in annoyance. "Hey! I do the rallying cries around here!" Bumblebee exclaimed.
Later, Bumblebee, Arcee, Cinderray, Gears, Mirage, Grimlock, Red Alert and Skyblade, along with the Nebula Rangers, drove down a dirt road towards the 4 signals. "Gears, you do realize that you're breaking formation, don't you?" Mirage asked tauntingly. "Why? You afraid I'll get there first, convict?" Gears asked. "No. I'm afraid you'll blow your pistons trying to keep up with me." Mirage said. Just then, Gears drove up a ramp and sprayed Mirage's windshield with dust. "Hey!" Mirage exclaimed. "Gears, that was uncalled for!" Skyblade exclaimed. "Keep your opinion to yourself, Con!" Gears exclaimed. "Throttle back, all of you! This is a mission, not a race or an argument!" Bumblebee ordered. As they arrived at the site, Team Bee let the Nebula Rangers out and transformed. They found stasis pods that were completely smashed open. "Each pod appears to have been opened from the inside. Violently." Red Alert said. Bumblebee motioned to the others, preparing themselves for any confrontation.
Meanwhile, in the Realm of the Primes, Optimus Prime and Elita One were training with their new swords. "Check out Mr. and Mrs. Tough Bot, ready for anything." Micronus Prime, one of the first 13, said as he floated next to Optimus and Elita. "But are you and Elita One ready for anything, Optimus Prime?" He asked. "We are, Micronus. We have overcome all the challenges you and the other Primes have presented us with." Optimus said. "And with each test my Sparkmate and I have passed, we've only gotten better, faster and stronger." Elita said. "Trust me. The tests we've used to train you here in our realm are nothing compared to what you'll face once you're on Earth." Micronus said. "So, you keep saying. Yet you will provide few details regarding our mission…or anything else. These new swords for example." Optimus said, gesturing to his new sword. "Yes. These swords are quite amazing, but they don't appear to be anything special than my beloved's Star Saber." Elita said. "The Prime Decepticon Hunters are much more than just swords. But since you 2 are so impatient." Micronus said, raising his hand as it glowed. He had conjured a large hill. "Your test is to climb this hill." He instructed. "Surely, it cannot be this simple." Optimus said. "Yes. There's got to be catch." Elita said. Just then, Micronus raised his hand again and conjured 5 humans to the realm. "You brought defenseless humans to the Realm of the Primes?!" Optimus exclaimed in shock. "Optimus, look." Elita said, pointing to a certain person in the crowd. Optimus gasped as he saw who his Sparkmate was pointing at. "Octavia!" He cried, recognizing his own daughter, but as her 6-year-old self. "You brought our daughter to the Realm of the Primes?! Defenseless?!" Elita exclaimed angrily. "Intellect Bots, you 2 are definitely not. They're not defenseless. They have you 2." Micronus said. Optimus and Elita were stunned to hear that. Just then, a powerful armored Cybertronian marched towards them. Optimus donned his battle mask as he and Elita prepared for battle.
(Intro)
The armored Cybertronian marched closer as Optimus and Elita glared heavily at it. "Remember, Elita, protect not just our Sparkling, but the other humans as well." Optimus said. "Of course. No one gets hurt." Elita said.
Meanwhile, back with Team Bee, Bumblebee had formed a hunch. "Fixit, I have a hunch. Run a check on the Alchemor's prisoner manifest. See if any 4 bot criminal organizations were imprisoned together on the ship." He said through his com-link. "Right away, Lieutenant." Fixit said. He pulled up the manifest and found a direct match to Bumblebee's request. "Skunkticons, sir. Led by Malidor. They spray liquid from their tails that temporarily disorients a Bot's sensory receptors. And they use this ability to keep officers at bay while the rest of the gang burrowed into businesses and robbed them." He explained. "I remember those little stinkers. They once robbed half the known business districts in Kaon City a few years ago." Mirage said. "Stay on point, everyone." Bumblebee said. "Hey, Bee. I found footprints." Raf said, finding a big footprint. "And they appear to be pointing north." Miko said. "That's where the automated dam where Steeljaw once set up shop is." Cinderray said. "Steeljaw letting more Cons into his little club? That's a party that definitely needs crashing." Grimlock said. "For once, I agree with you." Gears said as he and Grimlock prepared to head off. "Wait. We should go back for gear. To protect us from the skunk's toxin." Bumblebee said. "He's right. The effects last differently depending on the Cybertronian's species. Who knows how long it'll last on a Dinobot." Mirage explained. "And who knows how the toxin will react on humans." Shawn said. "Probably so bad, not even tomato juice could possibly help." Annika said. "Bee, do I look like a go back for protective gear wearer or a punch-happy dino demolisher?" Grimlock asked, pounding his fists. "And as much as I hate agreeing with Grimlock, I don't need anything special to either arrest or kill a butt-ugly Decepticon." Gears said. Grimlock bashed through the trees with Gears following. "Hey! You 2 are violating team protocol!" Red Alert exclaimed as she chased after them. "Yeah! And it's no fair that you're both far ahead of us!" Mirage exclaimed, following. "Ugh! It's like herding domesticated Earth felines." Bumblebee groaned. "No kidding." Miko said as she, Bumblebee, Arcee, Cinderray, Skyblade and the rest of the Nebula Rangers followed.
Meanwhile, back in the Realm of the Primes, Optimus and Elita ran over to Octavia and the humans, and prepared to defend them from the armored Cybertronian. "Bringing innocence to this realm is insane, Micronus." Optimus said. "As is bringing our daughter to this realm. Have you no shame?" Elita said in disgust. "You 2 think you'll never find yourselves in an insane situation? Better check your expectation meters." Micronus said. Optimus and Elita looked back at the armored Cybertronian as it stopped in its tracks, preparing to fight. It motioned its body and fired the 4 orbs in its arms. The orbs struck Optimus and Elita hard, knocking them both down. Octavia and the humans tried to run for it, but the orbs and the armored Cybertronian surrounded them. The orbs then transformed, revealing to be Cyclone Mini-Cons. Optimus and Elita recovered to see that one of the Cyclones was preparing an Energon Blast from its chest to fire on either Octavia or one of the humans. As it fired its blast, Optimus and Elita ran over and blocked the blast with their swords. The armored Cybertronian motioned his hand and the Cyclones all started firing blasts from their hands. Optimus and Elita deflected several blasts with their swords as Octavia and the humans ran to find cover. But then, one of the Cyclones fired another Energon Blast and actually knocked Optimus' sword right out of his hand. The sword landed in front of Octavia and the humans, causing them to stop running. The Cyclone fired another Energon Blast, aiming at Octavia and the humans, but Optimus leapt in the way and took the blast. "Optimus!" Elita cried with worry. Optimus recovered, but saw the Cyclone preparing another Energon Blast.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers had arrived at the dam. Bumblebee peaked around the corner, not seeing anyone in the generator room. "On my mark. Go!" He said. Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers ran into the generator room, but there was nobody there and the generators were active and producing electricity. "Fixit, we're at the dam. Are you reading any Decepticon activity in our immediate area?" Bumblebee asked through the com-link. "Negative, sir. But I remind you that Steeljaw and his pack disabled their signals. And even if they're near you, the Skunkticons' signals might be masked by the electricity generated by the dam." Fixit explained. "And it looks like Steeljaw's crew abandoned this place after the last time we fought." Arcee said. As Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers continued, Grimlock looked at the rotary on one of the generators. "Yeah, I knew a Bot who got too curious and stuck his hand in one of these things once. You know what happened to him? THIS!" Gears exclaimed, showing that his left hand was missing its fingers. Grimlock screamed at that. "So gullible." Gears chuckled. But then, Bumblebee grabbed his hand and twisted it, exposing his trick. "Ow! Hey!" Gears exclaimed in pain. "Will all of you knock it off?! We should be using this time to make a plan! We're still on a mission!" Bumblebee exclaimed in annoyance. "We've been on dozens of missions already, Bee, and we're doing fine. So, how about doing something smart for once and loosen the leashes, Scout Bot?" Gears demanded. Bumblebee glared heavily at Gears for saying that.
Suddenly, Team Bee heard footsteps approaching as the doors opened, revealing the Skunkticons. "We got here faster than the skunks?" Cinderray asked in surprise. "Naturally. Skunkticons aren't exactly the speediest kind of Cybertronians." Mirage said. "We may not be built for speed, primitive one, but we are built for the dismantling…of Autobots." Malidor said sinisterly. The Skunkticons turned around, raised their tails and started spraying. "Scrap." Bumblebee mumbled.
Grimlock transformed and leapt in the way of the Skunkticons' spray, getting hit. "Grimlock!" Arcee cried. The spray dissolved inside Grimlock's body as he recovered. But as he looked around, everything he saw looked all fuzzy and blurry. "Where'd everybody go?! Skyblade?! Cinderray?! Gears?! Mirage?!" He shouted as the others got hit by the spray. "What's happening to them?" Sierra asked with worry. "Remember what Fixit said? The Skunkticons' spray is messing up their senses!" Raf exclaimed. Bumblebee and Arcee prepared to attack, but they got sprayed too. Their visions became disoriented as the Skunkticons walked towards them. But then, the Nebula Rangers leapt in the way, ready to fight. "Leave them alone, stinkos!" Miko exclaimed. "Stand aside, fleshlings. You have no place among us." Malidor said. "Wanna bet?!" Shawn exclaimed, throwing a fire spear at Malidor. The fire spear struck him in the face. "Ouch! Why you little!" Malidor exclaimed. The Skunkticons sprayed the Nebula Rangers with their spray. But they were unfazed by the spray's effects. "Impossible! How are they resisting our spray's effects?!" Malidor exclaimed. "Your spray might disorient Cybertronians, but it doesn't work on humans. Especially superpowered humans." Jack said, raising a cosmic fist. "Then let's see what you're made of." Malidor said. The Skunkticons charged towards the Nebula Rangers as they started attacking with their powers. During the fight, Malidor walked towards Grimlock. "Bumblebee?! Arcee?! Am I walking?! Am I running?! Anyone?!" Grimlock shouted. "Bring him. The bigger the hostage, the more his friends will think twice before interfering with our plans." Malidor said. The Skunkticons managed to knock the Nebula Rangers aside and picked up Grimlock. "I don't know what's going on!" Grimlock exclaimed as they carried him away. Unfortunately, they were unaware of the trail that Grimlock's tail was leaving. But as they reached the elevator, they had trouble trying to fit him through the door. "Push, you fools!" Malidor ordered. Finally, they managed to push him through. Malidor moved his tail before getting in too. The elevator went up, leaving the disoriented Bots and recovering Nebula Rangers. "This is bad." Jack groaned as Gears accidentally tripped over Red Alert.
Meanwhile, back in the Realm of the Primes, Optimus was about to be blasted by the Cyclone's Energon Blast. But then, Elita grabbed the Cyclone and slammed it into the ground. Unfortunately, its Energon Blast, which was still charging, sent both of them flying. "Elita!" Optimus cried. "I'm okay." Elita said as she recovered. They glared as they saw the armored Cybertronian and its Cyclones chasing after Octavia and the other humans. Optimus transformed into his truck mode and Elita transformed into a Cybertronian motorcycle, both driving towards their enemies. But the armored Cybertronian and its Cyclones turned around and started shooting at them. But they endured the blasts and bashed right through them. They transformed back, retrieved their swords and ran back to protect Octavia and the humans. As they recovered, the Cyclones started shooting at them again, nearly knocking them down with Energon Blasts. As they stopped shooting, the Cyclones started advancing on the 2 Primes. Optimus and Elita stared at their swords, trying to think of what else they can do. "Micronus, we cannot this test by employing these weapons merely as swords! Tell us what else they can do!" Optimus demanded. "Learning to handle new weapons, protecting human lives, facing off against a powerful threat. It sure is a lot to deal with, isn't it, Optimus. Especially when one life you're protecting…is an accident." Micronus said. Suddenly, before Elita was about to shout at that, one of the Cyclones rocketed itself at Optimus, grabbing his right arm. "Optimus!" Elita cried. Optimus struggled against the Cyclone, but another one grabbed his left arm. "Hold on! I got you!" Elita exclaimed. She was about to strike, but the armored Cybertronian punched her and knocked her out. It then started punching Optimus repeatedly as the other Cyclone chased after Octavia and the humans. Optimus and Elita recovered, and saw them. "NO!" Optimus exclaimed. He used all his strength and slammed each Cyclone holding him into the armored Cybertronian, knocking them all out. "Are you okay?" Elita asked. "Yes. Quickly!" Optimus exclaimed. They ran after the Cyclone as it was preparing another Energon Blast. Optimus tossed his sword, but the Cyclone fired its blast before it was stabbed. The blast hit an old man and apparently disintegrated him. Optimus and Elita looked on in horror.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Bumblebee and the other Bots rubbed their eyes as they felt the Skunkticons' spray wear off. "Bee! Are you okay?" Raf asked. "I'm okay, Raf. The effects appear to be wearing off." Bumblebee said. "Where's Grimlock? Did the Decepticons take him?" Cinderray asked with worry. "We have to find them! Go that way!" Mirage exclaimed, pointing the way the Skunkticons came in. "No way! I'm going that way!" Gears exclaimed. "STOP!" Bumblebee shouted, finally having enough. "You're fighting about things that don't matter! And being distracted is what got us into this mess in the first place! Now, instead of just running everywhere and hoping we get lucky, let's see if we can find any clues to where the Skunkticons might be heading!" Bumblebee ordered before looking around. The rest of Team Bee nodded before they started looking too. But Gears just glared at how tyrannical Bumblebee was getting. "Wait, Bee. Check this out." Teresa said, spotting the trail left by Grimlock's tail. "Grimlock left us a trail." Bumblebee said. "I got it." Red Alert said. She was about to push the button, but then the elevator crashed down, startling the team. Bumblebee and Arcee pried the doors open and saw that the control panel was sabotaged. "Looks like some bots didn't want us following them." Arcee said. "But there's only one floor above this." Bumblebee said. He drew his blaster and blew a big hole in the roof. He leapt up first with Arcee and the Nebula Rangers following. "Come on." Bumblebee said. Gears shoved through his teammates before leaping up first. The rest of the team soon followed. Bumblebee and Arcee looked at the cables that connect and control the elevator before looking up. "Grab on and start pulling." Bumblebee said. He, Arcee, Cinderray and Mirage each grabbed a set of cables and started pulling.
As they reached the upper floor, Bumblebee and Arcee pried the doors open and looked around, eyeing the dam controls and the windows. "Stay alert. We know the Skunkticons are somewhere on this level." Arcee said. "She's right. Skyblade, Cinderray, I want you both over here-" Bumblebee tried to say. "Gears, flank the stairwell door." Mirage ordered. "You flank it, little Miss Slice-a-Lot! Seriously, this convict is a monster and I demand you do something about it!" Gears demanded. "Didn't you hear what I said downstairs?! We can't let anything distract us from capturing the Skunkticons!" Bumblebee exclaimed. "Oh, that was supposed to be directed at me?" Gears asked, obviously not listening. "Honestly, Gears, I've put up with your insubordinate attitude for so long because we saw potential in you. But now, you're really testing my patience by ignoring my orders!" Bumblebee exclaimed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. I-was-chosen-by-Optimus-Prime-to-protect-this-excuse-of-a-planet! I guess I must've forgotten that I was talking to a useless Scout Bot who should've remained VOICELESS!" Gears exclaimed angrily. That made Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers gasp in shock. Bumblebee and Gears glared at each other. Bumblebee was about to say something. "Skunkticons." Malidor's voice said. Team Bee turned to see the Skunkticons walk in with Grimlock. They slowly backed away as the Skunkticons dropped Grimlock and aimed their tails at him. "Keep moving back. You don't want to find out how many blasts it takes to permanently damage your massive friend." Malidor threatened. "No, we don't. We can figure this out, Malidor." Bumblebee said as the team continued backing up. "Oh, I don't actually care, freak. Now put your hands up!" Gears exclaimed, pulling out his blaster. "Gears, no!" Bumblebee exclaimed, grabbing Gears' blaster.
Grimlock slowly started recovering and saw a blurry vision of Bumblebee and Gears struggling. "We can't risk hurting Grimlock! No Bot has to get hurt here!" Bumblebee exclaimed. "What do you care?! That clumsy dino only slows us down anyway!" Gears exclaimed. "Bee?! Gears?! Guys, can you hear me?! I am over here! Guys! My voice! Come to my voice!" Grimlock exclaimed, still under the spray's effects as he knocked over the Skunkticons. Gears shoved Bumblebee aside before charging back into the fight. Skyblade and Mirage followed him into the fray. "What's the plan? There is no plan!" Bumblebee exclaimed in annoyance. As Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers started fighting the Skunkticons, Bumblebee tackled Malidor and struggled against him, being careful not to get sprayed. "Bumblebee! Am I walking toward you?! I cannot hear you!" Grimlock exclaimed, unable to see where he was going. Just then, Gears was shoved into him. "Get out of my way, dino-freak!" Gears exclaimed, shoving Grimlock down the steps and nearly out the window. "Skyblade! Miko! Mirage! Anyone! Help a dino out, would you?!" Grimlock exclaimed. But then, he tripped and accidentally fell onto a control panel. "Emergency flood release activated. Dam lock opening initiated. Please ensure that all downstream residents are safely evacuated." The automatic P.A. reported, making everyone stop fighting. "No!" Bumblebee said in horror. Malidor took advantage of the distraction and slammed Bumblebee into the wall. As the rest of Team Bee fought with the other Skunkticons, Malidor sprayed them and knocked them and the Nebula Rangers down. Gears, being the only other one unsprayed, grabbed Malidor by the tail. "Don't make me rip out your spark, Con!" He exclaimed. But Malidor managed to throw him off and knock him down too. "We must depart! Others may have heard the alarm!" Malidor exclaimed. Bumblebee groaned as he recovered, seeing the Skunkticons get away, most of his teammates exclaiming under the spray's effects and the dam about to unleash a flood. "Alert! Alert! Alert! Alert!" Bumblebee looked on in horror.
Back in the Realm of the Primes, Optimus and Elita, still horrified from what happened, looked over to the armored Cybertronian and its remaining Cyclones recovered. They ran up, with Optimus grabbing his sword, and got between Octavia and the remaining humans. The armored Cybertronian and the Cyclones marched towards them as they started blasting again. Optimus and Elita deflected the blasts with their swords. "Curse you, Micronus! You must help! How do we unlock our swords' full potential?!" Optimus exclaimed. But Micronus stayed silent, not caring at all. "No test is worth the loss of human life, Micronus! Humans are our friends, not our playthings!" Optimus exclaimed. "Humans…are a universal mistake." Micronus said. "How dare you?! And you call yourself a Prime?! You're supposed to be bent on protecting all sentient life in this universe! And yet you turn away from humans?! And our daughter?!" Elita exclaimed. "It is the will of the Council of Primes to rid our universe of its mistakes and accidents. That includes your abomination daughter." Micronus said, turning away from his students. "GO!" Optimus ordered. Octavia and the humans made a run for it. But the armored Cybertronian walked up and grabbed Optimus and Elita by their wrists. The 2 Cyclones chased after Octavia and the humans, preparing their Energon Blasts. "NO!" Optimus exclaimed, his voice echoing as the blasts took out the 4 humans, leaving only Octavia. As they started chasing Octavia, Optimus and Elita, in a fit of rage, grabbed the armored Cybertronian's arms with their legs and flipped it onto its back. They then leapt towards the Cyclones, preparing to slash them with their swords, but the Cyclones hit them with 2 more Energon Blasts, knocking them down. Octavia tried to keep running as the Cyclones prepared 2 more Energon Blasts, but the armored Cybertronian, having recovered, stepped in front of her, trapping her. Optimus and Elita recovered and looked on in horror at what was about to happen.
Meanwhile, back at the dam, Bumblebee continued looking on in horror as Team Bee continued to walk blindly, calling out to each other with no effort. "Dam locks opening. Complete the evacuation of downstream residents immediately." The automated P.A. warned. Raf groaned as he and the Nebula Rangers recovered from the Skunkticons' attack. "Bee, what do we do?" He asked. Bumblebee thought long and hard about the decision he hand to make before getting a determined look. 'The center of the storm is always still. And it's easiest to find a solution from there. The Skunkticons aren't fast. Chasing them can wait. The dam controls are on a countdown so there is time to intervene. But my teammates could fall at any moment. That has to be first priority.' He thought. He leapt for the others and steadied himself, careful not to fall out the window, brought out his Decepticon Hunter, and slammed Grimlock into the others. "My bad." Grimlock said. Bumblebee hurried over to the console and started pressing the buttons. "Bee, what're you doing? Those skunks are getting away!" Miko exclaimed. "No. He knows what he's doing." Jack said. "Fixit, I'm at the dam's control console. I need instructions for shutting down the dam's lock release." Bumblebee said into his com-link. "Understood, Lieutenant." Fixit said. "Countdown complete. Locks opening." The automated P.A. warned as the locks started opening. "NOW, FIXIT!" Bumblebee shouted. "Oh! Well, you might have mentioned. Transmitting to your terminal screen." Fixit said as he transmitted the instructions. Bumblebee pressed the necessary buttons and reactivated the locks. "Locks closing." Bumblebee sighed in relief. "Every Bot back to normal?" He asked as Team Bee returned to normal. "We're all good, Bee." Arcee said. Team Bee all agreed. "Define normal." Gears growled as he recovered.
Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers walked up to the tubes. "The Skunks took this tube. So, we'll take this one." Bumblebee said. "Why?" Cinderray asked. "Because I remember the schematic for this facility. And this tube runs parallel to that one." Bumblebee said. "And that's good…how?" Mirage asked in confusion. Bumblebee just glared at her, until she realized. "Oh. Right. Focus." She said. They transformed and followed Bumblebee down the tube. But Gears stood his ground and shook his head with disapproval before running down the middle tube to try and catch the Skunkticons.
Meanwhile, back in the Realm of the Primes, as Optimus and Elita recovered, they looked on as the armored Cybertronian and its Cyclones surrounded Octavia. "Micronus, we will not reach our daughter! Please, help us!" Optimus exclaimed. "You have no idea how special Octavia is! Stop floating there and help us save her!" Elita demanded. "Before this test began, you were focused on your mission on Earth. After the test began, you were focused on battling the enemy. But Optimus and Elita, what was the test?" Micronus asked. Optimus looked at his sword before realizing that he and Elita were too focused on helping their daughter and fighting their enemy before turning back to the hill. Elita saw what he was thinking, despite wanting to help her daughter, turned back to the hill too. Octavia looked between the 3 Cybertronians surrounding her, thinking all was lost. As they reached the top of the hill, Optimus and Elita looked down and saw a strange hieroglyph with their swords carved on it. Realizing what it meant, they took their swords in both their hands and the blades started to glow bright blue, generating electricity. They both fired electric blasts at the armored Cybertronian and its Cyclones, deactivating them for good. Octavia looked up at her parents and smiled. Optimus and Elita looked at their swords before smiling back at their daughter. Suddenly, Micronus motioned his hand as it glowed white, and Octavia disappeared. "Octavia!" Elita cried. "The humans! None of them were real! But why?" Optimus asked after they realized. "You needed to believe they were real so the test could deliver the proper lesson. Focus will mean everything amidst the storm to come. You both are going to be faced with all manner of distractions, from trivial to personal, to life-threatening, which will include your daughter. For she will also be the key to helping you both achieve your greatest power." Micronus explained. "The center of the storm is always still, and it's easiest to find a solution from there." Optimus said. "So, those things you said about the humans, and our daughter?" Elita asked. "A mere act. Even we Primes have come to respect all sentient beings as equals. Including humans. They have much to offer for a better future. And your daughter is no abomination. She is but the start of a brand-new beginning for the future of the universe…and beyond." Micronus said. Elita smiled at that. "Shall we get back to your training?" Micronus asked. Optimus and Elita looked at each other with determined smiles.
Meanwhile, as Team Bee continued down the tube, they stopped and transformed as Bumblebee pressed his ear against the wall, hearing the Skunkticons' footsteps. "I can hear the Skunkticons coming. We can trap them if we time it just right. And focus." He said. "So, what do we do, boss?" Skyblade asked. "Grimlock, when I give you the signal, smash your way through the part of the wall right beside you." Bumblebee instructed as he motioned most of Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers to move ahead. But Grimlock felt a little uneasy. "I don't like small dark places. You don't think they have any of those Earth cats in here, do you?" He asked fearfully. "Huh? He's scared of cats?" Miko asked in confusion. Liana and Henry just shrugged. "Grimlock!" Bumblebee exclaimed quietly. "Sorry. Focused and ready to rip." Grimlock said. Bumblebee and Arcee nodded to each other and readied their Decepticon Hunters. "On your signal, Bee." Arcee said. Bumblebee closed his eyes and waited for the right moment, listening to the sounds of the footsteps. "Now!" He called, donning his face mask. Team Bee and the Nebula Rangers burst through the wall and cut off the Skunkticons, surprising them. The charged towards the Skunkticons and attacked. Bumblebee swatted one of them and knocked him into Malidor, knocking him out. The Skunkticon recovered and started to run. The other 2 tried to follow, but Cinderray and Mirage grabbed them by their tails and slammed them into each other, knocking them out. "Grimlock, now!" Bumblebee called on the com-link. Before the last Skunkticon could get too far, Grimlock burst through the wall and cut him off, roaring loudly. But then, the Skunkticon sprayed him in the face again. "Oh, not again!" Grimlock cried before falling backwards. "Hey! Don't mess with the big guy!" Miko exclaimed as she ran up and knocked the Skunkticon out with a chi kick. "Nicely done, Miko." Jack said. "That's how we do it, team. If we just maintain our focus, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to." Bumblebee said. "Spoken like a true leader. Optimus would be proud." Arcee said. "MADAY! MAYDAY! DINOBOT DOWN! HELP!" Grimlock cried, the spray affecting him again. "You might wanna say it again to Grimlock when the toxin wears off." Mirage said. Just then, Gears drove up and saw what had happened. "WHAT?! How did you guys get here before me?!" He exclaimed in shock. Bumblebee and Optimus both smiled, knowing that they both accomplished something great today.
Later, as Team Bee returned to the scrapyard, those who stayed prepared stasis pods for the Skunkticons. "Let me guess. You're gonna want to speak with me about my actions. You may as well spare your words, Bee. You're no Optimus Prime and you'll never will be." Gears said as Bumblebee and the others placed the Skunkticons in their stasis pods. Suddenly, Octavia pounced on Gears and knocked him down. She had her Cyber Blade ready. "You think Bumblebee being silent was a good thing, funny Bot?! Well, let's see how you like it!" She exclaimed, stabbing Gears right in the throat, making him scream in pain. Everyone tried to move, but Bumblebee and Arcee stopped them. Just then, Gears' voice went dead as Octavia pulled out her Cyber Blade.
Later, Red Alert looked over Gears while Bumblebee and Arcee talked to Octavia. "Why did you just attack Gears like that, Octavia?" Arcee asked. "We heard what he said about Bumblebee staying voiceless through the com-links. And I just…I just got so mad! So, I waited until you guys got back and…pounced." Octavia said. Just then, Red Alert walked up. "How's he doing?" Arcee asked. "Not so good. Gears' voice modulator was completely destroyed. There's no way to repair it. Not unless you brought a sample of Ratchet's Synthetic Energon." Red Alert explained. Gears tried to exclaim, but all he made was an odd mechanical sound. "Huh? What happened?" Strongarm asked as she and the others walked up. "Since Octavia destroyed his voice box, Gears had to develop a new way to talk like I did." Bumblebee said. "Though it does sound a bit weird and more annoying." Mirage said. Gears angrily continued making the mechanical noise, making everyone laugh as he stomped around.
Man, wasn't that something? While Team Bee was dealing with their own problems while hunting down a group of Skunkticons, Optimus and Elita were training in the Realm of the Primes under the tutelage of Micronus Prime. But things started getting bad when the Skunkticons disoriented the team with their spray attacks, and Micronus brought humans and a 6-year-old Octavia into imminent danger. But thanks to an old saying Optimus used to say, both sides managed to accomplish their goals. But then, due to hearing Gears insult Bumblebee about staying voiceless, Octavia stabbed his voice box with her Cyber Blade and destroyed it, leaving him voiceless as Bumblebee used to be. Will Gears ever regain his voice? Will Optimus and Elita achieve their destiny during their training? Leave a review if you'd like.