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Lost in the Mirror Ch. 6

Deviation Actions

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Smokescreen is escorted into the Nemesis, wrist bound together, cautiously following Starscream along the dark corridors. In silence, the young Autobot's optics dart around as he gazes at the pristine uniform paths and doorways. But, he notices something out of place, seeming to be a new addition, human sized walkways running the length of each wall, and a set of ladders outline each door. He raises one eyebrow at the observation slowing his gait for a moment.

“Keep moving,” Dreadwing speaks giving the Autobot a shove causing him to falter forward before resuming his previous pace.

Starscream stops in front of a doorway larger then the others and places one servo to the keypad, his talons quickly entering a code, too quick for Smokescreen to catch, and the door to the bridge slides open, “Megatronus Prime, at your request.” The sleek seeker speaks to his leader stepping to one side and letting Smokescreen walk forward, “I give you, the Autobot known as Smokescreen.”

“'Sup?” Smokescreen greets the Decepticon leader with a smile expecting to see the tyrant he knows all to well. Instead a different being turns to face him and his optics go wide as he gazes upon the Prime. He couldn't place it, maybe it was the reduced amount of scarring on Megatronus's face, but he felt an aura from him similar to that of Optimus Prime, “By the All Spark....” he softly whispers stunned at the sight of the large silver leader, the once confident smirk fades as his jaw hangs open slightly before snapping firmly close.

Megatronus takes a moment to look over their prisoner, his blue optics slowly travel across Smokescreen's frame as he makes several mental notes, the main one being the lack of complete fear coming from this young rookie. A look of utter shock dominates the prisoner's face, but the way he holds himself, standing at attention as though waiting an order, not trying to free his servos, optics forward instead of looking for an escape. If anything, Megatronus sees a nervous new recruit before him, trying to do everything just so he bends down to look at him optics to optic, “You are not afraid?”

“Should I be?” Smokescreen counters.

“You are on my ship,” the Prime points out looking to either side then back to him, “Surrounded and no means to call for backup.”

Smokescreen nods, “Yes, I am.” His speech lacks fear, instead  it is trying desperately to hide any hint of nervousness but fails in its job. The young Autobot's stance does not waver, and continues to remain as a statue.

Letting out a hum, Megatronus straightens back up before inquiring, “What do you wish to speak about with me?”

He doesn't answer at first; the forming sentence catches in Smokescreen's throat, a yell of 'traitor!' echoes in his mind. But, before him stands his best chance at getting home, he would have to say it and looks up at the Decepticon leader, “Megatronus Prime, I... I hereby kneel to you.” He speaks dropping to one knee and bowing his head to the Prime, “And, I ask...” he shakes his head, “No... I beg, for your help.”

“My help?” Megatronus questions watching the Autobot carefully, caught off guard by such an odd request from the enemy. Dreadwing, Knockout, and several drones move and locked their weapons on the prisoner. The Prime holds up one servo and the decepticons lower their weapons after a short hesitation, “What do you mean?”

Smokescreen raises his head to look at him but remains on one knee, “This sounds crazy, but I was told by three human children, where I'm from, that they were saved from Optimus the...” a sour taste rises in his throat at the thought of it, “The False Prime. I have seen for myself, those” his face then twist is disgust for a moment, “Are not the Autobots I know. The human children found refuge with a kind Decepticon, and his soldiers. With his help, these humans got back home.” He closes his optics and shakes his head in regret, “I did not believe them. Even as I held one piece of fabric like armor they claimed Knockout out made of them,” Smokescreen runs the digits of his right servo together, “hard evidence in my very servo and I did not believe them. By the All Spark I was so stupid. But now, I'm lost in the world, this world, they were once trapped in,” slowly reopening his optics, he gives the Prime a pleading look, “I seek your help in finding a way to get back home. Back to them. And, maybe, I can help you get Breakdown and Rafael, your Breakdown and Rafael, back here as well. I know you are looking for them, quite feverishly.”

Megatronus Prime says nothing, his face holding a stoic look as he hears out the young Autobot. The other Decepticons look amongst each other in disbelief and doubt, “Tell me then,” Megatronus speaks, “What are the names of these humans I supposedly helped? And where did I first and last cross paths with them?”

Smokescreen bows his head in thought for a moment, then looks back up, “Their names, are Jack, Miko, and Rafael. You first crossed paths with them outside of a town called Jasper. Which Optimus the False Prime and his Autobots had leveled.” he shudders briefly at the thought, “You last saw them as they stood waiting in a ground bridge, inside the Autobot's Black Tower. They were waiting for a solar flare to hit and hopefully send them back home. You had Knockout make them hooded armor for the dangerous journey.”

“H...how do you....” Knockout's mouth hangs open in shock.

“You can't be!” Starscream suddenly shouts.

“This is a trick!” Arachnid quickly states.

Megatronus Prime holds up his servo once more, silencing his troops, “So, you are not a rouge Autobot. You are Smokescreen, the Autobot, from their world. This is your claim, am I correct?”

“It is,” he answers with a nod, “and I am.”

“And yet, though you claim that you are a friend of the humans,” Megatronus continues, “But mere moments earlier, you were seen quite clearly taunting a militant group of them.”

Smokescreen's optics go wide and his speech stumbles in an attempt to explain his methods, “I... I-”

“However,” the he continues causing Smokescreen to go silent, “You had an open chance to harm a human child when you engaged Dreadwing and Arachnid. But you did not. You attempted to protect him, did everything possible to avoid harming him. You have been seen fleeing from the Autobots and engaging them, therefore you are clearly on sour terms with them.” He pauses for a second watching Smokescreen closely. Seeing only a pleading panicked look still present he continues, “You went to the remains of the Black Tower. That is not something any Autobot of this world would do. Now, correct me if I am wrong, the Autobot base in your world, sits in the same location which now lays in ruin?”

Hesitant to answer, Smokescreen forces himself to nod, “That is correct. But.... how would you know that?”

“Logic, Smokescreen,” Megatronus answers, “You have been lost here. In total confusion, on the verge of madness, willing to be captured and brought here is evidence enough of that, you sought out a physical structure, hard evidence of anything to prove you had not lost your mind. I can only imagine the sorrow that over took you when you discovered the ruins.”

Smokescreen let's out a sigh, lowering his head to hide his sadness, “You are right. I was certain I had gone mad. But now, looks like I owe a very large apology to the humans of my world. If I can ever back there.” He then looks back up, “Please, Megatronus, sir. You are the only ones who can help me. Will you?”

One large heavy servo suddenly comes to rest on Smokescreen's shoulder causing him to jump and look at the large clawed servo then back to Megatronus, “I will help you get back there.” the silver leader speaks in a matter of fact tone helping Smokescreen to stand, “In return, I ask any you can tell us everything in regards to Breakdown and Rafael's whereabouts.”

“Of course! Thank you,” Smokescreen speaks in relief as he mentally celebrates

Knockout looks between the two of them in disbelief, “You are serious. You are serious about this?”

“I am,” Megatronus answers removing Smokescreen's cuff, “Knowing Optimus Prime would extend the same to any of you trapped in his world. Good doctor, give our guest a look over. If you will. Starscream, Soundwave, pull up any and all data we have in regards to the 'mirror' between our worlds.  Arachnid, Dreadwing maintain lookout. Smokescreen, this one anyway, is one of us. And will treated as such. Understood?”

“Yes, Megatronus Prime, Sir,” comes the collective answer, the Decepticons standing at attention and saluting their leader.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Inside the Autobot base, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Ratchet watch the swirling bridge with a sinister gaze. Rafael cling to the guard rail looking at it nervously. Two humans left, but three return, Jack and Miko racing ahead, Jack pulling Rafael's mirrored version along behind him. The leather clad youth goes wide eyed as he enters the base and nervously sticks closer to the other two as his eyes dart between the towering aliens. Behind them march in two Autobots and one Decepticon. Arcee leads the way in followed by Optimus and Breakdown reluctantly following the Autobot leader.

Ratchet's optics grow wide at the sight, “By the Allspark... you did it.”

“You have got to be fragging kidding me,” Bulkhead growls fighting the urge to draw his wrecking ball at the sight of Breakdown.

But Bulkhead's voice was all that was needed to provoke the on edge 'Con, Breakdown turns to the hated sound and growls, quickly drawing his hammer, “Shouldn't you be hunting down defenseless medics with Wheeljack?”

Bulkhead next draws his wrecking ball, “Said the traitor standing in my base!”

“Bulkhead! Breakdown!” Optimus speaks firmly looking between the two former, “We are under a truce. Both of you lower your weapons.”

“Him first,” Bulkhead growls moving into an attacking stance.

“Bulkhead!” Miko calls out to him, “Wrong Breakdown! We're helping them! Remember?”

Breakdown squares off to face his rival pulling his heavy hammer back. Mirror Rafael look up and yells at his friend, “Breakdown! Don't! He's not the Bulkhead that lead the attack on Knockout! Truce! Remember?” Breakdown looks down to his small friend and puts away his hammer, clenching his fist in its place.

“Better,” Bulk huffs in victory lowering his wrecking ball before getting a gruff snort from Breakdown.

Bumblebee places one servo on his head, shaking it and beeping and chirping. Arcee shoots him a look, “You're telling me?”

Dispite the almost duel between the former wreckers, Rafael's brown eyes remain glued to the new human, who could very easily be his identical twin, “Is that... are you, mirror me?”

Mirror Raf turns, swearing he had just heard his own voice and looks up to the raised platform holding a small human living area. He gaps slightly and trots forward looking up at the other human in the base, “Wait.... are you me?”

“I must be,” Raf answers, “Come on! It's safer up here then on the floor.”

His mirrored self nodding following Jack and Miko up the stairs, “This is weird... I don't think I saw you when you three were in my world.”

Raf shakes his head, “We didn't meet. I found it was safer to stay on the Nemesis then chasing after Miko and Jack when they followed Breakdown and Knockout. Can you do something for me when you get back.”

“Sure” Mirror Raf nods, “If I can.”

“Tell your Jack thanks for mentioning the one week difference,” he answers, “That was the last piece Soundwave and I needed to solve the puzzle of traveling between the two worlds.”

The leather clad youth pauses raising one eyebrow then laughs, “Wow you really are mirror me! You sound just like the Miko I know.”

“I do?” he asks adjusting his glasses slight, perplexed that Miko could be anything like him.

Breakdown huffs, “Leave to Miko and Soundwave to figure something like that out. But...” he turns to look at the children and smile, “It is good to see, that you three made it back here in one piece.”

“Ratchet,” Optimus speaks looking to the medic, “Take a look at our guest. I imagine being on the run for so long as worn them quite considerably.”

“Of course,” the old doctor speaks pulling up a separate screen and turning to Breakdown, “Hold still for a moment.”

The large red 'Con turns looking at Optimus then to the medic and begins to back away all to soon hitting a wall. Breakdown checks what he has hit then grits his dental at the medic, “What do you think you are doing?”

Ratchet narrows his optics, “Don't be a stubborn sparkling. I rather not know what I am like in your world. The images the humans brought back are enough to sour my taste. But, here I am a humble medic in charge of keeping everyone in this base at their peak. And that now includes the two of you. All I am going to do is scan your systems then perform minor repairs if needed.”

“The boy can fix me,” Breakdown speaks grabbing and pushing Ratchet's arm down and away, holding it tightly. He turns his head slightly to the humans talking amongst each other, laughing, giving his young charge both food and water. To see such a sight made his spark feel at ease for a moment and a smile cross his face.

Ratchet raises one eyebrow and turns to look at the children as well. He huff regaining Breakdown's attention, “And I suppose you are going to tell me you can fix him?”

“Knockout has more knowledge of human medicine then I,” Breakdown speaks turning back to the old bot before roughly shoving him away, “But do not that think for a second that means I trust you with his care.” The red Decepticon growls his engine at the medic, not trusting what he saw as the Doctor of Doom, right hand to Optimus at the destruction of Cybertron, to so much as run a harmless scanner over him. He looks over to the humans making sure this wasn't some illusion then back to the orange and white medic, “How about we discuss a method of getting Rafael and myself back home. You will excuse that I only trust Knockout looking at my systems.”

“Do you honestly think I have any intention of harming either you,” Ratchet asks in slight agitation, it was beginning to sound as though Breakdown was mistaking his human charge with a sparking “When you may be the only hope we ever have of ever seeing Smokescreen back safe and sound?”

“Smokescreen?” Rafael asks swallowing the last of the much needed meal, “He is the one missing from here?”

“Yes,” Arcee answers. She steps forward slightly, perhaps Breakdown would be more trusting of someone half his size. She speaks softly looking at both of the them with a gentle caring gaze, “We have been painstakingly looking for Smokescreen ever since he vanished into thin air. We have even enlisted the help of human allies, and the children helping in any manner they can. But, at every turn we have found nothing. I am willing to bet it was you and your Rafael we saw fleeing from the Decepticon warship. You are foes to Megatron of this world, which makes you our friend. And, I am sure Knockout and the Decepticons of your home are just as madly looking for the two of you as well. So, please, Breakdown and Rafael, if you will,” she begins to plea, “Give us any information you know so we can get everyone back where they belong.”

Breakdown growls his engine low at the femme then looks around the base again, “Hate to admit it, but this is closest thing I've felt to being at home ever since we ended up here.”

Mirror Rafael smiles and nods at Arcee cheerfully, “Of course! We came here because you three,” He looks at his friends standing with him, “are the only ones to have successfully breached the mirror blocking our worlds. Twice even. We'll help anyway we can. Won't we Breakdown?”

“Feh!” Breakdown huffs in disagreement causing mirror Raf's cheerful smile to wane into disappointment.

Jack turns to Breakdown, “Hey! Breakdown! You helped us, and we can return the favor is if you tell us what happened!”

“Jack,” the leather clad youth speaks nudging the older teen, “It's no use. Once he gets like that he refuses to talk. But, I'll tell you what I know. He smiles and looks to Optimus Prime, “It won't be much. But it is a place to start.”

“Any help,” Optimus speaks, “In returning Smokescreen to us, and both of you to Megatronus we will gladly take.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Knockout hums turning off his scanner, “Well, other then some rocks under your armor and minor scratches and dents, you've done quite well for someone who's been on the run for quite some time.”

“Well what did you expect?” Smokescreen answers proudly, “I'm part of the Elite Guard. The best of the best.”

“And assuming by your age you haven't graduated the academy yet,” the blue medic notes ushering for the rookie to follow him.

“Hey!” he sips back following the medic, “It's not my fault war struck before I had a chance to properly finish.”

Knockout simply laughs as he leads the rookie back to the main bridge, “So, tell me then. How sure of your plan, to ask us for help, were you?”

“Honestly,” Smokescreen answers, “I thought I was going to lose my spark. But I rather at least lose it having made an attempt to get back home then running around waiting for that other me to come find me again. Man am I'm glad I was wrong.”

“If this really does get Breakdown and Rafael back to us, I will be as well,” Knockout speaks opening the door to the bridge once more. Megatronus stands at the central computer looking over several reports in mild confusion. To his right Starscream is typing madly, his slender talon dancing over the keyboard in fluid motion. On his left Soundwave's types at a far slower pace, one tentacle plugged into the computer relaying information back a forth between himself and the console, various screens flashing across his face plate before quickly flashing away.

A small organic voice suddenly speaks up over near Starscream, “Whoa! Hey! Its you! I don't believe it!”

“Jack!” Smokescreen speaks turning towards the voice finding the human teenager standing on a raised platform, “Jack! It's you! You're here! Oh thank Primus.”

“Huh?” a female voice speaks from near Soundwave, “Oh! Hey Smokescreen!”

“Miko!” Smokescreen answers looking to her as well, “Awesome. You're not figments of my imagination.”

Starscream looks up, “You have met him already?”

Jack freezes looking at the white seeker, “Um, well, maybe.”

Miko looks around, “Um... well, he may or may not have been in that cave.”

Knockout plants one servo on his face and groans, “By the Allspark....”

“Told you we should have inspected it,” Starscream speaks looking at the medic.

Megatronus stands silently watching his troops then locks his gentle optics on Smokescreen, “Our guest is in good health I would assume.”

“All things considering,” Knockout answers, “He is in fine health.”

“Excellent,” the Prime nods and walks forward slightly, “Now then Smokescreen. The last time we helped someone get back across the barrier, we had to use both a ground bridge and a solar flare. However he turns to Soundwave who pulls up a picture of Smokescreen laying in the dirt with his mirror counterpart, “Neither of these were used in getting you here and thus neither can be used effectively to return you home.”

“Why do you have a picture of me in stasis?” Smokescreen questions perplexed.

Knockout answers, “You and the you of this world were the next thing I saw after Breakdown and Rafael's disappearance.”

“Now then,” Megatronus continues, “We have not a clue as to how you arrived here. Our dear medic was blinded by a bright light at the crucial moment. If you will, tell us the events leading up to you arriving in this world.”

Smokescreen blinks looking at the Prime then crosses his arms to think, “Alright. But just remember, I'm talking about the 'Cons where I'm from. Bumblebee, Rafael and I had gone on a drive to show me bits of Earth. We stopped at an abandoned farm house so Bee and I could stand up. Then out of no where Knockout appears and tries to pick a fight. I engage and Bee carries Raf off to safety.” The white rookie pauses and looks at his door wings, “Then things get weird. At one point I thought I hit something solid but only thin air was behind him. It hurt a bit like an electric shock. Next thing I knew Knockout had me pinned against the invisible wall.” He cringes at the memory, door wings twitch slightly, “It felt like I was on fire. White hot electricity zipping through me from helm to ped. It had to be more then that stun prod of his. Then the pain suddenly stops, and I fall to the ground unconscious. When I woke up Arcee was standing over me and that other me was with her. That's all I know.”

Megatronus Prime nods then turns to Soundwave, “Add this new information to what Knockout has given us.” Soundwave nods quickly compiling the information along with Miko, “Now then, Knockout. If you will recall the events leading up to Breakdown and Rafael's disappearance.”

“Certainty,” the medic answers and looks at Smokescreen, “Breakdown, Rafael, and I had gone for a drive and stopped in a similar location as you did. Smokescreen then ambushed us and momentary took Rafael hostage. Breakdown easily got our human friend back. But, the invisible barrier you spoke of. Breakdown was holding Smokescreen against something similar. He appeared to be in horrid pain from the screams he gave off as well as the amount of sparks flying from his back. Then Breakdown, well, was Breakdown, and head butts his foe. That is when I was blinded by the flash of light. When I got my vision back all I saw were two Smokescreens laying in the dirt and neither of my allies in sight nor on radar. It was like they had vanished into thin air.”

Starscream hums in thought for a second, “That bright burst of electricity, I wonder. When I saw both Smokescreens dueling, it looked like a repealing barrier made of it appeared between the two of you.”

“Huh?” Smokescreen questions looking at the seeker, “You saw it also?”

“That's real?” Miko asks.

“Yes,” Smokescreen answers, “When I first encountered my mirror self, we found out we couldn't touch each other. Something was stopping us. I have no idea what. Ratchet, or whoever the scrap that mad medic, was tried an experiment on us. The barrier only formed when we tried to touch. When he forced our servos too close to each other, the burning returned and we were blasted away from each other by it.”

“Wait, hang on,” Jack chimes in, “If the point of that thing is to force you apart, then you shouldn't have gotten here. Right?”

Soundwave nods in agreement causing Megatronus to hum in thought this time, “Did anything else happen before you woke up here? Even if its small.”

Smokescreen shakes his head, “Not really. Rafael got zapped by static but that's it.”

Knockout suddenly turns to him, “Your Raf was zapped as well?”

“Huh?” Smokescreen raises one eyebrow, “What are talking about?”

“Right before we were ambushed, Raf was zapped by static,” Knockout answers, “Or at least we thought is was static.”

Miko snaps her fingers, “I got it! The mirror exist to keep us apart, so if someone from opposite sides tried to interact by touch, then is plausible that a barrier would prevent it. And, while it was quite some time ago, what if the barrier is still damaged by Smokescreen's Jack, Miko and Raf and allowed a shock to occur when they are in a same place on the other side of the mirror.”

“What?” asks Jack and Smokescreen confused by the explanation.

Starscream shakes his head, “By that logic, assuming what happened to Breakdown and Rafael is that they went through the barrier, shouldn't have Rafael mirror self repealed him to staying on our side. And more so Breakdown's.”

“Okay, you lost me,” Smokescreen admits.

Knockout tries to reword it, “Think of it like a magnet. Similar poles repeal. North repeals north. Smokescreen repeals Smokescreen. Rafael repeal Rafael. Breakdown repeals Breakdown. Therefore, through the repulsion causes by the barrier, no one should have been able to get through without stellar interference such as a solar flare. Simply put, you shouldn't have been shoved through the barrier, nor should have Breakdown stumbled through.”

“It should be possible,” Miko finishes, “In theory.” A series of screen flash across Soundwave's face plate showing several graphical planes, computer generated details of the two worlds and the barrier blocking them. Miko nods, “Exactly. It would take something quite drastic to open a doorway.”

Smokescreen's optics go wide, “What about, if one of the poles is missing? What if there wasn't a Breakdown to repeal Breakdown.”

Knockout laughs, “Oh please. I'm sure in both our worlds Breakdown would be right behind me if I engaged the enemy.”

“No, he couldn't have,” Smoke answers, “The Breakdown in my world is deactivated. Returned to the Allspark.”

“What!” The Decepticons and humans suddenly shout in shock.

Knockout stumbles back in shock, “He's deactivated in your world!”

Smokescreen slowly nods, “Gone and turning into rust as we speak.”

“That changes things,” Megatronus Prime speaks, “When Breakdown went to head butt Smokescreen, the barrier, already under stress from both Smokescreen's being pressed against it, and I'm certain still wounded from three humans traveling across it. Perhaps, for a brief moment-”

“He shattered it,” Starscream speaks finishing the thought.

Jack suddenly begins bouncing eagerly, “We have to go! Now!”

“Where?” Miko asks her friend.

“To the farm house!” Jack answers sliding down a ladder, “If Breakdown broke it, then maybe a physical part of the barrier is still there.”

Starscream suddenly places one foot in front of the human blocking his path, “We don't even know if Breakdown and Rafael will be there. We have no way to contact them.”

“We do not have a better lead,” Megatronus speaks placing one servo on Starscream's shoulder, “But with any luck, perhaps we can contact them if the barrier is truly still broken. Decepticons! And Autobot. Move out!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mirror Rafael bows his head, hands clutching at the metal railing as he rattles his memory of what happened, “Breakdown, Knockout, and I, we were near an old abandoned farm house. When out of no where, the Smokescreen of our world ambushed us. He knocked Knockout out of his way and held me tight in his grip. I remember banging against his hand trying to pry it open and free myself.” He looks back up, “Breakdown came to my rescue, pinning him against something. I had no idea what. All I knew his is grip slipped and I ran down Breakdown's arm and hid in his spare tire. Knockout must have taken a hard hit, I saw him get back up and yell at Breakdown for us to run. Smokescreen was letting out some kind of horrid agonized scream. He sounded like he was in a lot of pain. Then, it felt like we were falling forward. I was holding onto that tire and Breakdown for dear life. The world suddenly turned a viscous red and felt extremely hot. I heard and saw angry sparks coming for me, if it hadn't been for that rubber tire they might have gotten me. Breakdown landed with a thud and me still in his tire. The world swam back to normal and that horrid electricity was gone.” He reaches up and rubs a spot on his head at the memory, “My head was pounding, and I felt ready to throw up. I took a moment to stand up and look around, and I saw Knockout standing before us.” he sakes his head, “I guess it was the Knockout of this world. I saw Bumblebee for a moment before he ran away. After that I passed back out.” he closes his eyes and cringes, “Next time I woke up, we were running from those,” he opens his eyes, face twisting into anger, “Those so called Decepticons. They were going to kill me. That's all I remember.”

Bumblebee scratches the back of his head whirring and beeping in confusion.

“You didn't see him?” Raf asks.

Mirror Raf looks at the yellow bot in confusion, “What did he say?”

“He said...” Raf begins but trails off looking at him, “Wait, you can't understand him?”

The leather clad youth shakes his head, “Sounded like computer beeps to me.”

Arcee speaks up, “He said 'I didn't see you. Only Breakdown and Knockout.' I guess that no good medic was blocking his view.”

Ratchet sighs placing one servo next to his keyboard, “I'm afraid that only tells us what we already know. Jack and the others mentioned that each time they traversed 'the mirror' their world became quite hot and turned a violent red.”

The blond slumps over, “So that didn't help any then....”

Miko speaks up, “Well, we didn't see any sparks. That's a difference.”

“A minor one,” Ratchet speaks, “Currently of no value.”

“Scrap...” mirror Raf speaks in defeat, some help he was.

Rafael turns to his counterpart, “Hey don't worry. Cheer up. We just need to look at this from a different angle. Okay?” He reaches over and gently pats his mirror self on the arm. The brief moment of contact causes an unusual reaction.

Bzz-ZAP!

“Ow!” Both of the Rafaels cry out jumping away from each other.

“Raf!” everyone else cries out, “Are you okay?”

Breakdown quickly strides over to his friend looking at the small burn mark on his arm, Ratchet moving to quickly examine his young friend's burnt hand.

Rafael stares at his hand in disbelief, slowly turning and flexing his left hand, “I... I shocked you.”

“We got burned,” mirror Raf quickly adds looking at the burn mark on his right arm.

“How by the Allspark could two organic beings cause an electric burn to each other?” Ratchet muses to himself.

“Maybe because you are from the other world?” Bulkhead question.

Mirror Raf shakes his head, “It can't be. I could touch Jack, Miko, and Optimus with no issue.”

Rafael's brown eyes suddenly grow wide as an idea quickly forms. He readjust his red glasses then takes one sleeve, pulling it over is hand, then balls up the end and holding it in his fist so that his limb is completely covered by the fabric, “Mirror me. Do this. I have to test an idea.”

Mirror Raf simply raises one eyebrow pressing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose, “What idea?”

“Trust me,” the youth simply answers.

Mirror Raf unsure sighs but done the less copies the method, completely covering his arm as well, “Now what?”

“We shake,” Raf answers holding out his covered arm. Still unsure, his counterpart complies and tentatively touches his covered arm to it.

Bright blue sparks form between them causing the limbs to bounce away from each other. They repeat the movement, each taking turns, looking like children play fighting they attempt to bash their arms against each other. Each time a small array of blue sparks appear forcing them away, no matter what part they used. They next tried to hit each other with their shoulders but once more they bounce away from the mystical force.

“Whoa...” Mirror Raf breathes, “That... those looked like those sparks!”

Miko tilts her head, “How the scrap did you two cause that to happen?”

“I have no idea,” Raf answers, “But, its only happening when we touch.”

Optimus suddenly hums in thought capturing the base's attention. The large red and blue Prime turns to a computer and begins to quickly type recalling information he had seen long ago in the data bases of Iacon, “Both of you are physically the same. Though your minds and fields of interest are different, the very base of you is the same to the final atom that makes up both of you. Therefore, only one of you should occupy that portion of the Universe. Not two.”

“You lost me,” Mirror Raf admits.

Jack snaps his fingers, “Wait I get it. If you are each other's reflection, so to speak, then only one should be on either side. Not both on the same side.”

“Exactly, young Jack,” Optimus answers, “But, because you both now occupy the same side. Those sparks are the only thing keeping you from touching each other. You were never intended to meet. To cross that barrier. A solar flare mixed with the power of a ground bridge is enough to break the blockade. But alone...” he trails off, “I do not see how you two could have gotten here. Nor a way to send you back.”

Breakdown finally speaks up, “What if it was under stress?”

“Come again?” Ratchet asks.

Breakdown look between the old medic and the Prime, “When I had Smokescreen pinned, I was holding him up to thin air. Red sparks flying from his back. Knockout gave the order to fall back, but I wasn't about to let that fragger go without a reminder to never come near the humans again. So, I head butted him. But, something went wrong.” He turns away to think then looks back, “It felt like I was falling through a hot red void. I pushed Smokescreen out from under me  and landed face down in the dirt. When I looked back up, Knockout of this world was standing before me yelling at Bumblebee to get lost. He acted like I was dead, but I didn't see any sparks.”

Bulkhead notes, “Well, in this world, you have been deactivated.”

“I've been what!” Breakdown shouts looking at Bulkhead, “By your hand I'm assuming?”

Bulkhead laughs, “I wish. M.E.C.H. got you first.”

“M.E.C.H.?” Breakdown questions, “They are allies!”

“Not here,” Arcee notes, “We haven't seen them in quite some time, but here all they wanted to do was dissect any Cybertroian they got their hands on.”

Ratchet's optics suddenly go wide, “That's it. That must be how you got through. The barrier was already under stress I'm assuming from keeping both Smokescreens on their side. The means to repeal you is gone to rust, Breakdown. And beings of Cybertron are far bigger then most beings of Earth, that's how young Rafael was able to pass through. Smokescreen must have fallen through the hole you momentarily created.”

“Ah bolts!” Breakdown suddenly cries out gripping his head, “By the Allspark why! This is my fault we got stranded here! Rafael forgive me! I should have pulled back when Knockout said so!” The red Decepticon cries out in anguish, “Now we're stuck here!”

“Not quite,” Optimus answers causing the distressed Decepticon to look back at him, “I have an idea, but it is a long shot. If you do not mind me asking, who holds the Matrix of Leadership, in your world?”

Breakdown and mirror Raf freeze up at the question, exchanging a quick glance debating on answering what seems like a loaded question. The small human urges his large friend to answer. Breakdown winces then turns back to the Prime, “Well.... Megatronus Prime, has the Matrix of Leadership.”

Optimus nods, “Then I hope Smokescreen has gone to him for help. Ratchet, open the ground bridge to Smokescreen's last known location. Autobot's! And Decepticon. Roll out!
Extending the olive branch of peace will that be enough to solve the puzzle of getting back home

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LittleKunai's avatar
so what does that mean when is dead? should this breakdown be filling a void here? will having two of the same on one side screw up the fabric of the mirror world? will there ever be a merge?