Through the Shattered Glass Ch. 5

At long last, a way back home. Back to their side of the mirror, a way to once more shatter the glass. Jack and Miko run up to Rafael, picking up the youth and spinning him around in victory praising his genius. How blind they had been, not to even check if the flow of time was the same in this world as it was back home.

"Raf you are a genius!" Miko squeals grappling him to a tight spinning hug

Jack cheers excitedly, "This can work right? We can really get home?"

Rafael nods and readjusts his glasses, "It makes sense! Its the only logical way we could have gotten here in the first place," he points at the screen as Soundwave begins to run the simulation again, "When we were in the ground bridge, a solar flare, basically a strong burst of radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, in other words, something powerful enough to disrupt a ground bridge hit Earth. Solar flares been proven to cause problem to all forms of electronics from radios to even the most advance technology on Cybertron! Stars are quite powerful you know. Anyway, while we were in the bridge, the solar flare hit Earth, in just the right spot to come in brief contact with the ground bridge. Such power was more then enough to distort it and send its occupants elsewhere. Now normally, a device warns when a solar flare is about to hit allowing a brief amount of time for everyone to evacuate the area and get away with a small burn. However, Earth computers, more so the ones Ratchet has to work with, well, aren't that great. He saw it but too late to warn us."

"So it hit while we were inside the bridge and sent us here," Jack finishes getting the idea.

"Correct!" Raf nods getting free from Miko's grip, "That has never been tested, it simply could not. Solar flares are too random to predict. The solar flare combined with how the ground bridge already warps space sent us flying to this world. The force of the blast ejected us from the ground bridge on this side. To get back is simple, we just have to repeat the process, and wait for the solar flare to hit and, hopefully, a repeat will occur and fling us back home!"

Dreadwing chuckles, "You humans are smarter then you look!"

Soundwave nods in agreement looking down the the youth. Rafael blushes and lowers his head, "Hey now, Soundwave did help. I can't take all the credit."

Miko begins jumping around again, "I can't believe it! Haha! Oh man I can't wait to tell Bulkhead and Wheeljack!

Jack scoffs, "They won't believe us! Arcee would think I'd lost my mind."

"Oh man! Bumblebee!" Raf suddenly realizes, "We've been missing for so long, he must be worried sick about me! And Ratchet!"

"Oh! Fowler too!" Jack adds, "He must know we're missing by now. And... and Optimus! We've made them all worried!"

"They'll be ecstatic to see you three in good health," Arachnid replies, "If, they are how you have told us they are."

Jack looks at then walks back over to the white spider, "She'll be mad that's for sure. But, she will be happy.." he then looks at the crowd of blue-eyed Decepticons, "I, guess we'll have to say good bye to all of you. We would never see each other again."

Starscream hums, "Don't you worry about us, Jack. We've survived this long without help from the humans. We'll be okay."

Breakdown huffs, "You kidding me! Those other three humans will be looking for us now!"

Megatron suddenly interjects, "It would be best if we returned our humans interaction to minimal. He then looks down at the three organics, "As useful as they have been, this is not a war the humans should have any part in. Once we send them home, we will return to actively hiding from the natives of this world."

"Yes, Megatron," came the collective answer from the Decepticons
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jack sits on the white spider's shoulder as she walks through the corridors of the Nemesis, "I still can't believe it." Jack finally speak.

"That you can get home?" she questions.

"Well, that," Jack admits, "But, that another universe aside from our own exists! And how different, but similar they are."

Arachnid giggles, "Strange isn't it. If your Arcee is how you have said, then she might be like me."

The youth blinks and turns to look at her, "What did happen between you two? I mean, in my world, you two are arch enemies."

"Let me guess, I killed her partners?" she inquires.

Jack swallows, "Y-yes. That is true. Did.... did Arcee...?"

"Before the war I didn't even know Arcee," she begins, "The name had no meaning to me. But, during Cybertron's fall. Arcee and Tailgate captured me. Got me from behind. I woke up in stasis cuffs, unable to move any of my limbs. Tailgate got cocky and started teasing me, punching, kicking, to get me to talk about something I had no knowledge of. One of his swings got wild enough to break one of the cuffs binding my legs." One long slender leg arcs over her back and across Jack's shoulder making the human jump, "And, well... a girl has to do what a girl has to do. I did attack Tailgate, but with no intention of killing, only to stun. But I did, accidentally, hit him in the spark. He fell to my feet, Arcee went mad with rage and pounced at me, going for the kill. Had Breakdown and Dreadwing not shown up when they did, we would not be talking."she then withdraws the slender limb back to its resting spot.

Jack let's out a whistles, "Then... what about Cliffjumper? Did Starscream-?"

"You would have to ask him," she cuts him off, "I don't know what happened during that mission. Only that Starscream came back, one servo covered in energon, obviously not his own, and told me Arcee says 'hello'."

Jack then hangs his head in thought, "Truly a mirror verse. Many things are similar, but at the same time so different."

There was a long silence before Arachnid stops and gently plucks Jack from her shoulder letting him sit in her hand, "Jack. I, don't think I want to meet me from your world. But, do know. I'm forever grateful to have met you. You humans, aren't all that bad. Tad reckless, but such is the way of curious beings. In that sense Human and Cybertroians are not so different. And, I will miss you, Jack." Her lips curl into a soft smile

The humans sits there then smiles and leans in closer to her, "I'm going to miss you as well, Arachnid. I'll be able to sleep easier knowing a good version of you does exist, in this world." He smiles sweetly back at her, Jack had had horrid nightmares of the black she spider ever since their first encounter.

"Smile!"

Suddenly there's a bright flash making both of them jump, Arachnid holding up on arm protectively in front of herself in Jack, "Knockout!" she hisses at the blue medic.

Knockout laughs, holding up a camera "Sorry. Hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

They both groan as Arachnid drops her guard replacing Jack on her shoulder. Jack raises an eyebrow at the intruding doctor, "Why do you have that, Knockout?"

"Well," the medic states, "You said it yourself. The Autobots of your world will never believe you. But pictures are worth a thousand words." he then holds up the camera again, "And videos even more. So, my idea is simple. I will take take several recording of, well, us, and give it to you three to show your Autobots."

"Not a bad idea," Arachnid notes with a smirk, "Just, so long as the Autobots here don't get it."

"I assure you they will not," the medic answers, "So, want to help me?"

Jack nods, "You bet! Let's go find Miko and Raf! The more we are in it, the better proof it'll be!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Miko! Breakdown!"

"What?"

Another flash of light from Knockout's camera followed by the medic chuckling with glee, before he holds it towards them, now back on video, "Smile for the camera you two!"

Miko suddenly gasps, "This is an awesome idea! Videos of the good 'Cons!"

"You're recording us?" Breakdown questions pointing at Knockout.

Arachnid giggles and walks out from behind the doctor, "What better way to prove to the Autobot's of their world that this really occurred?"

Miko nods, "Yeah! This is the perfect idea! She turns back to the camera and waves, "Hey Bulkhead! Don't worry! Big Red Breaky here has been protecting me." Breakdown groans and draws the palm of his left hand to his face.

Jack follows the idea, motioning to Knockout to film him, "Sorry to worry you Arcee. But don't worry about this spider. She's on our side!" Arachnid looks over to camera giving it a wink.

Knockout chuckles, "Excellent. Now we just need-hey!" He cries out as one of Soundwave's tentacles take the device from him, "Soundwave! Give it back so I can film you."

A series of lines travel across Soundwave's face plate. Rafael laughs from Soundwave's shoulder, "What do you mean! Its a great idea! Over here!" Soundwave complies twisting the camera to his human friend and himself, holding it far enough away to capture them both, "Hey Bumblebee! I'm okay. Soundwave here has been watching out for me. We'll back to racing as soon as we can, I promise. Alright?"

Knockout jumps up trying to take the camera back but Soundwave only moves it higher and points down at the doctor, "Now really Soundwave? Playing keep away? These humans have brought out your playful side haven't they." What comes of as a teasing remark crosses the silent mech's faceplate. "Okay you've had your fun, return it to me!" He leaps again but Soundwave continues to keep it captive.

"Ah let him keep it," Breakdown remarks, "You should be in the shots also."

"Let's go find Starscream!" Miko suddenly announces, "He's got to be close by."

"Yeah!" Raf cheers, "Let's go! Soundwave can record for us."

Knockout let's out a short vent in surrender, "Very well. I saw Starscream can't be to far from here." With that, the group sets off, Knockout taking Rafael while Soundwave records the various Vechicons and Eradicons they pass taking care to switch the focus back to the humans and his fellow 'Cons.

Miko had taken the forefront for narrating the video, "As you can see, in the Mirror Verse the Decepticons are the good guys! Trying to save Cybertron. They found and saved us from the evil Autobots of this world. Hey Knockout, any chance you could put in clips of the Autobot's of this world in this thing?"

"If Soundwave grants me access to the files, I'd be happy to," the blue medic replies.

Rafael nods, "Yeah! We should. They'll wonder what they are like here."

"There's Starscream!" Breakdown announces spying the silvery seeker.

Starscream turns hearing his name, "What in the Allspark's name are you lot doing!"

"Starscream!" Arachnid runs ahead and grabs the seeker's arm allowing Jack to jump from her to the seeker, "Pose for the camera."

"I beg your pardon?" Starscream inquires watching carefully with Jack now on him.

"And here is Mirror Starscream!" Jack announces to the camera, Soundwave moving it closer to the startled seeker, "Miko! Raf! Get up here!"

"Wha-what!" Starscream sputters in protest but soon finds himself held down, allowing the humans to climb onto his shoulder, "What's going on here."

Arachnid giggles, "Simple. We are getting video proof for our friends that we do exist."

"And us sitting on you helps the proof," Miko explains.

"Get off of me," Starscream partly growls, he may have grown slightly attached to the humans but he was not yet willing to let them use him as a mode of transport around the ship.

"Party pooper," Miko grumbles back to him, but none the less the humans do slide off the seeker.

Starscream the groans and shakes his head, "Have you all gone mad! Filming our ship! What if an Autobot gets it!"

Knockout tries to calm him, "Now, now. The point is that this will not stay in our world, but travel with the humans back to their side of the mirror."

Soundwave makes a notable image on his screen, and shrugs one arm.

Starscream gives him an incredulous look, "Help them not prove they are insane? Their entire species is."

"And don't you forget it!" Miko states.

"What's with all the arguing?" Dreadwing suddenly comes around the opposite corner.

"Dreadwing!" Rafael shouts in glee, "Smile for the camera!"

Dreadwing then looks up seeing Soundwave holding the device, "Photo proof?" Dreadwing smirks, "A clever idea!"

"Thank you," Knockout remarks.

Dreadwing then looks at the camera and offers a short bow, "To whichever Autobot exist on the other side of the mirror separating our worlds, know that we have kept your young friends safe these past several days. No harm has come to them. Am I the last one you've recorded, Soundwave?"

Knockout speaks up, "We still need Megatron."

"You are wanting to rope Megatron into this charade as well!" Starscream speaks in disbelief.

Jack shrugs, "Hey why not. I don't think they'll believe without Megatron in the recording somewhere."

It was easy to find Megatron, their leader and one time gladiator stands at the helm of his ship watching optics closed, lost deep in thought of how things once were. The sliding of metal doors brings him out of his trance, the benevolent leader turns and looks at his group of followers, crystal blue optics shifting almost instantly to the camera in Soundwave's tentacle, "Soundwave... what are you doing? And why are all of you here? You should be resting."

"As should you, Megatron," Dreadwing points out.

Knockout explains his idea, "Megatron, sir. What we are doing is quite simple. When the humans return to their own world, no Autobot in a right state of mind would believe that they found shelter with Decepticons from a mirrored universe."

"So you are getting photo proof," Megatron smirks catching on, "A wonderful idea." He slowly walks forward and holds out his one hand, "Jack, Miko, Rafael. If I could have you three sit on my shoulder for a moment."

"Sure thing!" Miko answers leading the way as she hops into his hand, Jack cautiously walking behind her and while pulling Rafael up.

The silver leader smiles at the humans and gently places them on his right shoulder before taking a few steps back so the camera may see them better, "Optimus Prime. If you are seeing this, then young Rafael's theory of our worlds is correct. When these three are safely returned to your world, know for the one week they have been missing, I have taken great care and precaution regarding their safety, even if they have little for their own. I have a dreadful feeling, that if the me of your world, is anything like the Optimus of my world then it would seem we are in the same sort of trouble. My only wish is that you believe our young friends," he briefly raises one hand to gesture to the humans peacefully relaxing on his shoulder, "My brother, though separated by a mirror that lays between our worlds, our goal seems to be the same. I wish you great luck in accomplishing your feat, both of us knowing the high stakes if we should lose. Till all, are one, Optimus Prime."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With the recording safe in Knockout's servos, the Decepticons retreat to rest, all save for Megatron, their mighty leader would often refuse recharge, wanting instead to insure the safety of his troops. Though at times, Dreadwing or Starscream were able to talk him into recharge, neither had such luck on this night. On a wide shelf coming to about waist high on an average Cybertroian, Miko and Rafael sleep in a makeshift bed consisting of sleeping bags and a rather large cushion Arachnid had salvaged from one such human campsite.

Jack, however, lays wide awake, the idea of going back home was becoming a lot to wrap his mind around. He couldn't wait! Arcee must be worried sick for him. She wouldn't let him out of her sight for the next year. And his mom, Primus help him if his mother had found out. But, at least for now, the Spring Break School Trip charade would cover them, for a little longer. They just had to hope this work, then they would get back in time and be able to act like nothing happened. Business as usual when it comes to knowing of giant robot aliens. But... another thing troubled him, Megatron had called Optimus brother. And Jack recalled from a story Ratchet had told, that Optimus and Megatron did, once upon a time call each other brothers. So... what happened in this universe. What made Optimus go mad with power instead of Megatron? He just had to know! His eyes harden with a resolve to find out, he crawls out of the makeshift bed and makes his way towards the bridge, with a little help from a passing Eradicon to operate the doors.

"Thanks," Jack nods to the Eradicon who nods in return before looking at Megatron standing silently at the helm before turning to leave. Jack turns and begins his walk up to the silvery white mech. Once upon a time the tyrant of silver and purple would have made him turn tail and ran. But now, he was willing to walk up to him knowing no harm would come to him. His mind briefly goes to Optimus and how the gentle giant casted a similar aura. But the Optimus Prime Jack knew is quickly replaced by the black and red tyrant that ravaged Cybertron. Jack pauses and shakes the image away then looks up the the much taller alien, "Megatron?"

"Jack?" Megatron inquires lifting one foot and looking down as Jack walks forward, passing under him, "You should be in recharge."

"Can't sleep," the humans answers, "Mind if we chat a bit?" the youth offers.

Megatron tilts his head curiously, "I do not see why not," He kneels down and lifts the human to sit in his hand, "What is on your mind?"

Jack stands up once Megatron returns to his full height, looking closely at the blue eyed decepticon leader, "You called Optimus your brother. On my world, Ratchet said you two were like brothers. Is that true here as well?"

Megatron hesitated to answer, first looking over his shoulder to make sure they were alone, "How much of that story do you know?"

"You were like brothers, Optimus, well, Orion Pax, was a librarian, and you, Megatronous a gladiator. And you approached the council. In hopes to change how things were. But the council was instead, moved by Orion Pax's words and he was chosen to be the next Prime,"Jack explains.

Megatron holds up one hand to stop him, "And there do our stories differ. Yes, I once called myself Megatronous, and later changed it to Megatron. I was a gladiator, and Orion Pax, a librarian. And archivist if I recall correctly." He looks away unsure of the claim, it had been too long, "Orion and I shared, what I thought was a similar idea. Too improve Cybertron. The Golden Age was coming to an end, things needed to be changed, what worked ages ago no longer did. Many silently suffered, the council blind to such things. Orion approached them first but they scoffed at the idea. Then I tried," he closes his blue optics, "I know not what I said differently, but the council, I held them with each word I spoke," Megatron reopens his optics, "Orion became furious and stormed out quick as a flash before I could stop him. The council wished to deem me the next Prime. An honor for sure, but I was a gladiator, surely someone else would be better suited. It was a foolish thought. Orion Pax disappeared after that, and began to rally his followers. He spoke lies and soon, war erupted. He claimed himself the rightful owner of the title of Prime, calling himself, an Autobot. To demonize those who stood against him, he gave us the title, Decepticon. It would seem my former brother's true colors had been shown. The planet was dying, I heard a call to travel to the heart, to the Allspark. I think it may have been Primus himself calling for me. When I arrived, I saw the fabled Matrix, once thought lost forever."

"Do you have the matrix?" Jack asks intrigued.

Megatron lowers his gaze and shakes his head, "Sadly no. The Matrix was presented to me, Orion must have followed me. The prize was snatched from my grasp, and Orion forced the Matrix into his own spark. I tried to stop him but was too late. The Allspark cried in pain from Orion's poison. He gave himself the title of Optimus Prime. Afterwards, he fled and I gave relentless chase. Cybertron was growing darker and weaker beneath our feet and the False Prime's poison leeched from his own spark and into the Matrix!" Megatron briefly bares his fangs in anger caused by the memory, clutching his free fist, "I blame myself. Had I been just a couple seconds quicker!" Megatron growls then shakes his head lowering the aggressive stance, "No, that is the past. What is done is done. I cannot change that. I know that I must get the Matrix away from Optimus and take it as its rightful owner."

Jack let's out a low whistle, "But, the poison. If its in the Matrix, and you take the Matrix, wouldn't you get poisoned?"

"That is a risk I will take," Megatron answers, "I will either be poisoned or cure the poison. One or the other. The others have spoken a similar worry." He looks down at Jack then smiles, "Do not worry about that however. I will get the Matrix, and save my Cybertron. Tell your Optimus, if he truly is anything like the brother I once knew, that he will surely succeed. I would rather see Cybertron gone then under a tyrant's rule."

"Don't you worry," Jack answers, "I'm sure Optimus has some plan for bring Cybertron back to life. And if not..."

"He'll think of one," Megatron answers, "Orion always did have a quick wit. Now, go get some recharge. That's an order." He turns on his heel and carries Jack back to the sleeping quarters.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The following morning, Rafael goes over his theory again but finds a small but serious flaw "Scrap!" he shouts, his cry echoes throughout the bridge as he looks at the screen in horror.

"What's wrong?" Jack asks looking at the screen.

Raf turns to look at Jack, "We... can't use Soundwave's ground bridge to get back home."

"Why not?" Dreadwing asks looking at the screen trying to find the problem.

"Indeed," Starscream questions, "Why not?"

Soundwave turns quickly explaining to those present, Megatron's optics suddenly going wide, mouth parting slightly, "Are you certain!?" Megatron demands, Soundwave nodding sadly.

Miko growls, "What! What is it!"

Rafael inhales deeply, "Short version. If we use Soundwave's bridge, its of Decepticon origin. Wherever we get spat out, back on our side, we will be much closer to Decepticons then to Autobots."

Jack still looks confused, "Wait, how do you know that?"

"Soundwave and I have been going over some numbers," Rafael answers, "When we arrived, we arrived in a spot close to the last coordinates of an Autobot bridge. Because the bridge we initially went into was of Autobot origin. Why do you think Arcee was so close when we emerged?"

The color drains from Jack's face as realization hits him, Miko still stands hands on her hips and face still bearing a confused look. Jack finally mutters, "Ah scrap... you mean, if we go through a ground bridge of Decepticon origin, we'll end up right next to a Decepticon."

"Maybe even on their ship!" Rafael adds.

Miko finally goes wide eyed, "Well, what are we suppose to do Einstein! Go knock on the Autobot's door and ask if we can use their ground bridge!?"

Arachnid points out, "If we get anywhere close to the Autobot base, Primus knows what kind of tricks Ratchet has built in there! We'll be killed."

Jack groans and holds his head, "Okay, okay. Let's think about this. If we risk a Decepticon bridge, we could end up at Megatron's feet. And in our world, that's a death sentence. If we're lucky, they might not notice us."

Starscream barks a laugh, "You're joking right? If Soundwave picked up on your arrival to this world from a brief, second, Autobot bridge, the Soundwave of your world could do the same and most likely quicker with it being a Decepticon bridge. They would be on you three in a nanoklik."

Megatron hums in thought, "Starscream has a valid point. Using our own bridge is to dangerous. Soundwave, how much longer until the solar flare?" Soundwave's digits seem to fly across the keyboard pulling up a timer with little more then a day and a half left on it. "Right around thirty-six earth hours...." Megatron remains silent, then a long forgot grin tugs at one corner, the leader forming a plan in mintues, just as he once did as a gladiator, long ago, "Knockout, our human friends are going to need light armor with durability equal to that of our own."

"Sir?" Knockout asks confused.

Megatron continues, "Dreadwing. Starscream. Soundwave. You are my best aerial units. It would be best if we found a way in through the top and directly to the core. Blow the roof away if you must!"

Dreadwing gets taken, "Sir! Are you suggesting that..."

"Arachnid," Megatron continues undaunted, "An underground path into the core that we can get the humans into. Find a weak spot in the foundation."

Arachnid stammers, "S-sir! Are you-!

Megatron turns once more, "Breakdown. You and I will knock. Eradiacons, Vechicons, distraction in any way shape or form."

"You're not serious! Sir!" Breakdown speaks up.

Megatron's smirk goes wider followed by a soft chuckle, "Let us dethrone Optimus the False Prime! Destroy whatever means of a base he has made in that Black Tower. And above all else get our human friends back home safely. Deceptions! Prepare yourselves! Tomorrow! We bring down the Black Tower and the False Prime with it!"