Through the Shattered Glass Ch. 6

Optimus stands atop his tower looking out onto the barren landscape, long abandoned by the natives of this world. This tower was just the start, soon this planet would make for an exquisite Autobot base. Once his fellow Autobots, scattered to the stars by this war regrouped under his command once more, Megatron and his pathetic Decepticons will not stand a chance. The Dark Prime chuckle and grins, “Megatron has grown soft and weak with time.”

“How so?” Ratchet inquires, standing behind Optimus, his optics gleaming a vibrant purple.

“Humans,” Optimus answers simply, “He has given three humans refuge among his own. He cares for them, puts his mechs lives on the line to save the squishy, repulsive things.

Ratchet blinks, “Optimus, I must point out, the humans have begun to learn of our weak points. Bulkhead and Wheeljack's audios were damaged by the sound screecher one of them made, and the three he is sheltering, they know about us! About the Autobots. Does that not strike you as odd that three human children know our names! And one even had Arcee's com link!”

Optimus scoffs and turns to face the medic, “You worry over the little things to much Ratchet. Perhaps you should cut back on the Dark Energon.” He walks forward, red optics gleaming, lighting up parts of his dark face. He takes one hand and cups Ratchet's chin, tilting the medic's head to better look at him, “Purple isn't your color.” he then drops his hand and walks past his fellow Autobot back into the tower, “You worry about your experiments and keeping my mechs ready. I'll worry about keeping Megatron's army at its weakest.” The doors close behind him as the lift descends deeper inside and towards the core, several shutters closing to protect the shaft from outside attack.

Back at the central computers, Optimus brushes one broad hand across a keyboard then looks up at the screen, “Hrmf... more human military coming to perish. Will they ever learn?”

“Optimus, sir,” Arcee chimes in, “It's not just the humans, Megatron's ship had appeared forty klicks away and closing from the north east.”

“Strange,” Optimus mutters, “Wheeljack has reported Megatron's ship was following the human convoy heading East. Why turn around all of the sudden? Surely he's not thinking of attacking our base.”

Arcee laughs, “He'd get blown off the planet before he got close.”

Optimus says no more, but silently watches the radar, this was not like Megatron. Ever since the Autobots had conquered the western most area of this land mass the humans called 'America' Megatron had steadily kept flying further and further East, occasionally he would fly North or South in a polar orbit around this world, but never, not once, did he so much as nudge back to the West. Why now? “Autobots! Be on your guard. We will have more then just humans flies to swat at this day.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“How does that fit?” Knockout hums looking at the humans, each now wearing a silvery white hoodie with a prominent red Decepticon symbol on the back.

Raf tugs lightly and plays with the hem, trying to straighten out the metallic fabric, “Its pretty light for armor.”

“Kinda itchy though,” Miko complains adjusting the sleeves.

Knockout chuckles, “The terms, 'metal' and 'comfort' rarely go hand in hand.”

Jack tugs on the fabric and plays with the hood able to pull it down over his eyes, “The hood is a bit big, but otherwise, not bad for human armor. I'm amazed you could make human sized armor.”

Knockout puffs up proudly, “What I lack in fighting skill I more then make up for in medical expertise and metal work. Making these, what did you call them, 'hoodies', was no different then weaving together torn flesh or damaged internal mesh work.”

“If you're done gloating,” Starscream stood at the med bay door, “We are on a tight time frame here, doctor.”

“Calm yourself, Starscream,” the blue medic replies looking at the white seeker, “Megatron wishes for the safety of our human friends before we enter the fire.” he then holds out his palm, offering the humans to hop on, each of them happy to take up the offer, “I still think this is quite a crazy idea.”

Rafael looks at the medic offering, “All we have to do is get in, turn on the ground bridge, run through, solar flare hits, you guys run back out. Simple.”

“Easier said then done,” Breakdown remarks following behind them as they walk towards the bridge, “This is the Black Tower. Optimus's home base on this world. If it's anything like he had on Cybertron, even a fraction there of, this will not be easy.”

“More so with the Mad Doctor even crazier from the Dark Energon,” Arachnid adds walking across the ceiling.

Starscream turn back to look at them, “Did you not see that grin? That was from the gladiator Megatronus, any opponent who saw that grin did not last much longer. From what I've heard, even flashing the grin as he watched other battle near guaranteed that whoever he fought next would be floored in seconds!”

“Those were one on one, however,”Dreadwing points out over hearing the conversation, “I fear the only 'grin plan' he had was how to get inside. From there, its a toss up.”

Jack laughs, “If he's anything like the Megatron on our world, but in the good sense, this... should work.”

“And if Optimus is anything like your's but in the bad sense?” Knockout inquires.

Jack grows silent, he hadn't stopped to consider that. He opens his mouth to answer but closes it and place on hand on his chin to think. His eyes go wide before the youth swallows nervously, “Good point.”

Miko smirks, “There is no way Megs will let Dark Optimus get us! No way no how. We'll be home in time for s'mores and popcorn and movies in no time! Still plenty of Spring Break left!”

On the bridge of the Nemesis, “Megatron and Soundwave stand of the various computers, each of the screens popping up various things and just as quickly being clicked away. Hearing the bridge door slide close, Megatron speaks, “Starscream, have you gather everyone?”

“Yes, sir,” his second in command answers, “everyone is present and ready.”

Megatron continues looking at the screens, “And the humans' armor, Knockout?”

“As good as our own, but ten times as light. It will safe guard against debris and with the hoods pulled fully down, they won't get burned from the solar flare after math again. But, I cannot guarantee a hit from any energon blast. It's rip proof but a direct or indirect hit from a pulse rifle will cause severe harm.”

“Not unlike if would to us then,” Megatron concludes, “Dreadwing, I trust you have an ample supply?”

Dreadwing nods, “As your ordered.”

“Excellent,” Megatron hums finally turning from the computer to address his troops, “Decepticons! We have faced many dark times, but now, let us cast light back into our lives. Shift this war into our favor. We have two objectives to achieve in a short amount of time. First and foremost, getting to the core of the Autobot base. I have no doubt that is were Optimus has his ground bridge controls set up. Second, on my mark, we retreat from the black tower as swiftly as we swoop in and watch it fall to rubble behind us. We must weaken the Autobots! Force them to scatter. Divided in a time of war will make for easy pickings. No is no room for failure. Are you ready!”

A triumphant shout rings around the bridge, all present pumping one fist into the air, “Long live Megatron! Long live Megatron!”

Megatron nods and looks to Soundwave, “Soundwave, open the bridge. Everyone, divide into your groups. Rise up against the False Prime! Let's ride!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Arachnid silently sneaks closer to the outer edges of the Black Tower, keeping to the shadows of the high rock pillars, Knockout walking in a crouched stance close behind. Under the her walk Jack, Miko, and Rafael, hoods pulled over their heads trying to stay hidden in her shadow. The white spider sneers seeing the abundance of human military in the area, “The scrap are they doing here?” she whispers, “They don't think they can topple Optimus's strong hold do they?”

“They'll die trying,” Jack answers, “So how are we going to get inside?”

“We dig of course,” Arachnid answers then looks over her shoulder, “Ready, Knockout?”

“Does my answer really matter?” he replies shifting into his vehicle mode, “Hop in you three. Be quick  spider, they are going to hear you.”

Arachnid smirks as if challenged and purrs, “Speed is what femmes are known for~” She leaps into the air twirling her body like a drill and begins to dig her way into the rocky earth, Knockout quickly revs his engine and follows ignoring the rain of rock and dirt being tossed at him.

The human military jumps and turns, aiming their primitive rifles at the drilling sound but see only a cloud of dust, “Fowler! Silas! Attempted attack from below in process! Watch your feet!”

“What!” Silas snarls at his radio then looks to his feet, “Do they really think M.E.C.H. Will so easily be thrown by scare tactics?”

Fowler looks to the sky, eyes darting between the tower and various clouds, “I don't think that was the Red-Eyes doing. The Blue-Eyes are coming.”

“How can you be sure, Agent Fowler?” Silas inquires looking at his dark skinned friend.

Fowler silently points at the sky above, “Up there. Its hard to see, but I would bet Uncle Sam's hat one of those fliers is the same one that attacked us a few days ago.” He squints his eyes looking at the trio of Decepticon circling the tower like hungry vultures.”

Inside the Autobot base, these actions do not go unnoticed. Optimus looks at the screens and chuckles darkly, “Megatron, you have stooped to your old Gladiatorial tactics. Do you really think a full on assault on my base would go unnoticed? Your spider will never get in that way, nor will your fliers get the drop on us. What next! Are you going to come knocking on my front door!”

Ratchet narrows his optics, “Such a brazen move, what do you think he is planning Optimus Prime, sir?”

“To sign his and the Decepticon's Death wish!” the False Prime answers without hesitation, “Ratchet, remain here, make our flying guest take the vents, and have Cliffjumper ready. Bulkhead, Wheeljack, watch the front corridors. Arcee, Bumblebee, the rear. I will find Megatron and do what I should have when I gained the Matrix.” A sinister smile crosses his lips as his battle mask snaps into place, red optics full of glee as he draws his sword to prove his point, “If they wish to die today, then we will help them in that matter.”

“Starscream to Megatron,” the white seeker speaks as he, Dreadwing, and Soundwave circle above the tower, “I see no easy way in. This place is sealed tighter in the vaults of Iacon!”

Dreadwing offers, “I could blast our way in quite easily.”

Megatron hums in thought, “Have the Autobots attempted to engage in battle yet?”

“Negative,” Knockout answers as he continues to follow Arachnid in their underground tunnel, “Surely they've noticed our approach!”

“And we are within eyesight,” Starscream answers, “If the humans can see us Optimus surely can!”

Megatron remains silent blinking once then turns to look at Breakdown, the large red wrecker sits behind him awaiting orders, both of the crouched behind a rock wall “Dreadwing! Blast open the top. Arachnid, Knockout, go into a side hallway if you must. Breakdown, when Dreadwing drops the bomb we charge the front door.” Breakdown grins and nods readying his hammer.

Dreadwing chuckles, “I'll blow this place back to Cybertr- whoa!” He quickly swerves away from his target as a human jet opens fire on him, “Oh you have to be joking!”

“Not again!” Starscream groans as a helicopter appears and fires at the trio causing them to scatter.

Fowler laughs, “Hey come back Blue-Eye! We didn't get to finish playing last time!”

Dreadwing growls, “Your friends just had to engage us didn't they.”

Soundwave easily whips around the humans machinery in a blurr of gold sending a  message to his fellow fliers before releasing Laserbeak to join in the aerial dance as the natives of Earth continue to fire at them.

Dreadwing growls back, “Soundwave are you mad! We can't afford to lose you!”

A quick response, nearly a hiss, was spat back to the bulky flier.

“Right, time is against us,” Dreadwing growls, “Starscream?”

“You heard him, Dreadwing,” Starscream answers, “Fall back.”

Dreading growls again, but none the less, the green flier pulls a retreat from the tower. Starscream and Soundwave seem to exchange a nod, both flying under the human jets and ramming the underbellies, jarring the humans with in. Laserbeak skirts around the gun fire and  rams the tails of the helicopters making them momentarily spin out of control.

Fowler snarls fighting to regain control of his jet, “So! You really are no different from the Red-Eyes! After them men! We out number them!” The human then leads his aerial armada  after the blurs of gold white racing towards the heavens.

Dreadwing swoops back in under the humans as they speed away and plants several bombs around the top of the tower. Ratchet blinks watching the screen intrigued then laughs, “What a fool! Does he really think we haven't planed for his little bombs! Oh Dreadwing I know exactly what you're up to, and it will not work!”

Dreadwing spins around the tower transforming and shouting at Starscream and Soundwave, “Now!” Peppered from fire, the duo suddenly transform, surprising their human assailants, Laserbeak quickly returning to his right place on Soundwave's chest. Together, Soundwave and Starscream arch backwards and enter a face first free fall towards the tower. Dreadwing watches nervously as the humans regroup then spies a human air vessel carrying what he needs, “You humans are so blind you couldn't hit us with a missile! Come on! Aim right here!”

His taught easily gets the young gun's attention, “I'll blast you off the face of the planet you damn alien!” With the push of a button the missile is launched from under one wing aiming dead at Dreadwing, easily passing the other two Decepticons. Dreadwing quickly jet's out of the way, pressing the button on his detonator.

A series of loud explosions is heard. First from the missile hitting a weakening part of the wall, followed by Dreadwing's bombs as they detonate in a quickly line around the top of the tower. A groan of metal cries out as the top begins to weaken and kneel to one side. The humans shout in fear and pull back. Soundwave, and Starscream quickly take flight once more circling to the growing gap at the top of the tower. It begins to tumble away as a veil of dust and metal shrapnel form a circle marking it's break. Dreadwing drops back down to join his fellow fliers in the ever growing gap and newly made entrance. The humans go wide eye the the crunching of metal, the snapping of steel is heard, and the top falls from its perch, spinning end over end before hitting a lower, wider portion of the tower and sinks into it forming a gaping hole in the wall before sliding out of the indent. The black top comes to rest with a might crash mere inches from the front door kicking up another veil of dirt and debris.

“We got the fliers!” Fowler shouts in victory, “Three less aliens to worry about!”

The inside of the tower quivers and rumbles, dust and metal scraps fill the central shaft and spread through the vents the thunderous noise echoing throughout, the floor rattles as the top crashes into the Earth outside, “What the scrap was that!” Arcee shouts in shock.

“Seal the elevator shaft!” Optimus orders in anger. Using the humans arrogance to their advantage, a trick well played Megatron.

Before the dust has a chance to settle, a thunderous noise comes in the direction of their front door. Ratchet quickly switches on a screen, “By the All spark!”

“Now what!” Optimus snarls.

“They're knocking on our front door!” Bulkhead answers standing in the corridor leading toward the entrance, stunned but such a foolish tactic.

“You... you are joking with me!” Optimus growls in disbelief, “Megatron and Breakdown, are literally trying to knock down our front door!” In anger the False Prime turns and races for the entrance.

Above the central room, a loud clang is heard, Ratchet switches to another camera, “I figured you three would get in, but you will get no further! Yes,” he chuckles watching as the fliers separate, “Scatter! Like the bugs you are!”

At the back of the base, Arachnid breaks through the floor and hops out momentarily off balance, “Nothing was said about an ground-quake.” she groans shaking her head.”

Knockout pulls himself out of the hole letting the kids out before standing up, “That was Dreadwing's handiwork if I ever heard it.” He remarks dusting himself off, “Alright you three, anything look familiar?”

Jack, Miko and Rafael look around in slight awe, they were expecting the remains of a human missile silo, but this... the interior look as though it had come from Cybertron itself! Only one thing look memorable to the Autobot base they knew, “The ceiling height,” Miko finally remarks.

“Scrap...” Knockout and Arachnid groans, they should have known the Black Tower would be different to a human missile silo.

Rafael chirps, “It looks different but maybe the bottom floor lay out is the same. Let's just start looking.”

Jack nods, “Yeah, something has got to look familiar eventually. And we won't find it standing here!” He walks over to the door, Arachnid reaching over to force it open.

Tentatively, the group walk into the hallway, to the right was a dead end, leaving left as the only way to go. With their sense on high alert, Arachnid takes the lead, being a former bounty hunter lent itself very will to keeping themselves from being ambushed this deep behind enemy lines, “If any of you notice something familiar just say so. We don't have much time to walk in circles.”

Suddenly a venomous giggle fills the hallway, “Looks like we have a small spider infestation!” It's owner, a silvery blue hinted with red femme rounds the corner.

“That looks familiar!” Jack shouts in panic.

Arcee giggles again and readies her blades, her glowing red optics hungry for spilled energon “And your brought your pets to die with you! I'll slice them up and your medic once I'm done with you!”

“Over my dead body!” Arachnid snarls and charges at her.

“That's the idea!” Arcee taunts back and runs ahead engaging her fellow femme in what the humans would call a cat fight.

Knockout quickly scoops up the humans, “Keep her busy Arachnid!” The blue medic quickly runs pass them holding the humans close to his chest, arms crossed to protect them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With one final roar from Breakdown and a swing of his mighty hammer, the front door bends and gives way, bouncing down the front corridor slightly, “Knock knock!” The red wrecker calls down the corridor, “Who ordered a hammer to the face?”

“You did!” Bulkhead comes charging down the hall, engine roaring and his wrecking ball raised. Breakdown echoes the roar and swings his hammer to meet Bulkhead's weapon. The impact forces both of the former wreckers back.

Breakdown shakes off the hit and charges again, but Wheeljack with blades drawn, suddenly jumps over the acid green Autobot, “Gotcha now 'Con!” Wordlessly, Megatron steps forward, drawing his own blade and catches Wheeljack's attack. The red and green Autobot gasps in shock, “Megatron!”

“You two make for lousy gate guards,” Megatron then takes a step forward and easily knocks Wheeljack away and back down the hall.

Bulkhead watches as Wheeljack goes sailing pass then back to the Decepticon leader, “Oh scrap...” Too distracted by the former gladiator, Bulkhead misses Breakdown's sneak attack and suddenly finds himself hammered into the wall. The Decepticons race ahead, bounding over Wheeljack, Megatron firing his canon at the ceiling and blocking their opponents off, just in case.

“What now, sir?” Breakdown inquires running behind Megatron.

Megatron simply states, “We secure their ground bridge! Hurry!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Knockout continues his mad dash through the black tower, the human children holding onto his arm for dear life looking for anything familiar. “Knockout! Take a left!” Rafael suddenly orders. The blue medic digs his peds into the ground sliding and spinning to the left before taking off back at full speed.

“Now right!” Jack orders. Knockout obeying rounding the corner with another sliding drift.

“I hope you know where I'm running,” the titan like alien remarks.

Miko nods, “The outside looks different but this part still looks the same! Head straight!”  Together the three humans quickly look around for any sort of landmark telling them they were closer to the central room. The tower was like a maze of hallways, but one thing stood out, remains of human handiwork. From a construction stand point, it was easier to leave what they had for a foundation in tact and build upon it. The more human like the structure became, the closer they were to the center. Time was running out quickly however they did not have much time to find and secure the ground bridge, a solar flare would not, would never wait for them.

Suddenly, a battle cry consisting of beeps and whirs echoes down the hallway gaining their attention. Rafael goes wide eyed knowing the speech patterns all to well, “Bumblebee!”

Knockout grits his teeth in annoyance, “Scr- ow!” The young scout suddenly appear from around the corner delivering a sucker punch to the doctor knocking him down a separate hallway. Knockout flips and catches himself, digging his feet and one hand into the ground, hunching his back to protect the humans. He shakes off the hit and let's the humans down, “You three keep going! I'll handle Bumblebee!”

The black and yellow Autobot charges again, Knockout transforms his right hand into a buzz saw and engages the scout, tackling him to the ground and pinning him long enough for the humans to get back on track to the central room. Bumblebee grabs Knockout's right wrist and seems to snarl at the medic letting lose several angry beeps.

Knockout chuckles holding his prey down, “Oh no my dear scout! You are as blind as the rest! Now prepare for surgery!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With a loud roar Dreadwing breaks through a weaken panel in the floor and drops down another level. He wasn't sure how high up he started but he wagered there was still a ways to go. All around he saw was could have been worthy of any architect on Cybertron. He was puzzled as to how the Autobot's had built this, they must have broken down their own ship for parts. “Where is everyone else? Feels like I'm going in circles! I can't be to far from the ground floor by this point.”

Fearing the worst, Dreadwing plants another bomb on a support beam, then pulls out his cannon like gun, carrying it at his hip and cautiously walks the hallways. Maybe it was his mind hearing things, but he swore he could here something growling like a rabid beast. His grip tightens as the sound grows louder at one point sounding like it was behind him, “Show yourself coward!” Dreadwing snarls spinning around and walking backwards at one point.

He hadn't been this one edge since being lost behind enemy lines back on Cybertron. Walking through a ruined city trying to find his twin. He'd give anything to have Skyquake at his back right now, curse the False Prime and his Scout to the pit for what they did to his brother! Though he had not witnessed it himself, Starscream took upon himself to tell such a horrid tale. He should have known, he had felt Skyquake's spark go out, a feeling he would never forget, “Brother, if you can hear me in the Well of All sparks.. I hope you're watching over me right now.”

A loud screech, Dreadwing jumps and turns towards the sound, “Come out!” He snarls into the darkness.

Again the screeching roar comes, this time behind him. Dreadwing spins again, “I grow tired of your game! Face me like a true warrior!”

Dreadwing's audios were soon flooded with the voice of the Mad Doctor, “You foolish flier! My game has just begun. And my creature likes the dark. After all, he was born from Dark Energon itself!”

The wind across the bulky green 'Con's back makes him bristle, he turn again and finds the source of the horrid screeching, his blue optics go wide at the sight. Before him stood a being deprived of rational thought, a being that knows only battle, rage, and blood lust. Cast in a purple shell, purple optics devoid of life filled only with want for carnage, Dreadwing knew the beast identity in an instant, “Cliffjumper...”

Cliffjumper roars again, Ratchet's test subject for Dark Energon, brought back to life as a mindless terror-con with Ratchet holding the leash. Dark Energon flows through his veins, the wound left by Starscream glowing brightly of the purple hue, even the once proud warrior's inner jaw had taken on a purple shade.

Cliffjumper charges at Dreadwing, who stands momentarily paralyzed in fear, allowing Cliffjumper to knock him away, forcing his opponent to drop his weapon. The rabid beast doesn't let up and continues his blind attack on his prey. Dreadwing regains himself and grabs hold of Cliffjumper soon realizing he was in a wrestling match for his life.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Arcee holds Arachnid against the wall, one blade at her throat, Arcee laughs, “Oh how long I have waited for this moment. And to think, your downfall all thanks to a bunch of useless humans!”

Arachnid snarls but says nothing, the blade too close to her neck to risk a move, “They are more useful then you wretched Autobot's could ever imagine.” she snarls back.

“Really?” Arcee purrs, “Then tell me Arachnid, why bring something so helpless, so small, to the throne of Optimus Prime? Did they ask for death? Or has their primitive minds made all Decepticon's loose your common sense? Whatever were you thinking bring them here? Much less coming here yourself. Megatron must be at wits end, this war has gone on for far too long.” Arcee's face suddenly seems to lighten, “Oh! Maybe that is it. The gladiator is tired of fighting. He's come to surrender, at long last. And would rather the rest of his team be killed before they see him kneel before Optimus Prime.”

“Optimus... is not a Prime!” Arachnid growl, “Megatron is the true heir to the Matrix. Optimus stole it from him! Only Megatron can lead Cybertron back to life. Back to the golden era!”

Arcee laughs again, “And that is why I am an Autobot, and you a Decepticon. The golden era was full of corruption. Optimus will fix that, and lead us into a new ear of light.”

“He will lead you to ruin,” Arachnid counters, “Cybertron will remained poisoned so long as he has the Matrix. Only Megatron can cure our home and the All Spark!”

“That,” Arcee states pushing her blade closer to Arachnid's neck, “Is where you are wrong.”

“Get your hands off of her!” Starscream drops from the ceiling and kicks Arcee in the chin causing the Autobot to fly backwards and skid across the floor, “Saved you again.” He notes offering a hand to Arachnid.

“As flashy as ever I see,” Arachnid remarks back, “Come on let's hurry! Knockout took the kids and ran!” She runs up to Arcee, seeing the Autobot knocked out cold from the surprise attack, “After one little task.” She raises on slender leg, aimed at Arcee's spark.

Starscream catches the leg and looks at Arachnid, “Would Megatron?”

Arachnid narrows her optics at the seeker, how dare he deny her this! There would be no better chance. But alas... he was right. Megatron would wait for his opponent to get back up. Even if that opponent was Optimus. He always did, “We can't waste anymore time,” Arachnid finally speaks and leads Starscream to Knockout.

Their medic was easy to find, the sound of battle between him and Bumblebee could be heard further ahead. Bumblebee had regained the upper hand in the fight, forcing Knockout back. With such close quarters, weapons proved more cumbersome then they were worth, as noted by several saw marks in the wall. Bumblebee stands fist balled and hopping from one ped to the next shouting various taunts at the medic.

Knockout keeps a tighter stance slightly crouched over, shoulder's rolled. He knew little of hand to hand combat aside from what Breakdown had shown him. But he knew he couldn't just break for it, Bumblebee would shoot him in the back in an instant, “Come on little scout. Is all you have left are words!”

Bumblebee quickly charges forward swinging a left then a right, Knockout scuffling backwards trying to steer to fight away from were the kids had ran, the last thing he needed was to be outnumbered, he knew he was already out matched. Bumblebee seems to laugh at the medic and taps his fist together.

“If you are so eager for surgery then hold still so I may begin! Working on a moving target is quite a pain!” Knockout snarls back, were was help when you needed it.

Bumblebee rears back his left fist to swing again then let's out a startled beep finding his fist suddenly glued to the wall by sticky webbing. He whirs and pulls against the webbing turning to see the white spider who launches more web rooting the scout in place

“Need a hand, doctor?” Arachnid teasingly asks holding her hands ready to launch another glob of web.

Knockout sighs in relief, “I nearly gave up on you!”

“Where are the humans?” Starscream suddenly asks.

“Ran ahead.” Knockout answers running pass the trapped scout and races towards the central room.

Starscream goes wide-eyed, “You let them go alone!”

“And not get squished!” Knockout snarls back, “Now hurry! This way!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Soundwave quickly darts through the Black tower trying to find his way to the lower levels. He had enough of crawling through a too tight air vent. By some strand of luck he finds a small security monitor, perfect! Soundwave sends out one tentacle and connects to the device quickly gaining access to the cameras inside the tower. He scrolls through each of them on his eye screen one by one. Bulkhead and Wheeljack digging their way through a cave in, empty hall ways,  Arachnid, Knockout, and Starscream running, the humans nearing the central room alone, another-

He pauses and flips back to the previous screen, the humans were alone and ever closer to... who was in the central room. He quickly scrolls through the screen, Ratchet! By the All Spark they were about to be alone with the Mad Doctor of Doom! Primus knows what he would do to them. Quickly, where were the others. Starscream's group was close, surely they could catch up in time.
Dreadwing, Megatron, Soundwave quickly scrolls through looking for either of them, but instead finds Optimus the False Prime. Optimus makes no movement standing in a hallway leading towards the central room, his rifles at the ready, waiting for someone to round the corner. Who was he hoping to ambush? Megatron?

That had to be it Soundwave concludes and searches frantically for his leader. But another dire sight crosses his screen. Dreadwing locked in a heated losing battle with... Cliffjumper! No! Cliffjumper was dead! Or at least was, this must be the power of Dark Energon. Experimenting on one of their own, this was a new low indeed! Dreadwing was losing badly, no matter how many times he knocks Cliffjumper down the beast jumps back up.

Soundwave tries to stay focus holding that screen and looking for Megatron. There! Him and Breakdown were still running through the maze of hallways. Using the various camera, Soundwave constructs a crud map showing Optimus, Megatron, and Dreadwing. He wasn't sure if he should praise the Allspark and curse the Pit, their paths did not cross. If he tried to help Dreadwing, Soundwave knew if the bulky flier was having trouble with a raging beast he needed his help and soon. But Megatron was on the dead path to a sneak attack. If Megatron's spark was lost, so was the war and hopes of seeing Cybertron ever again. But to lose an ally such as Dreadwing, after the lost of Skyquake.

Soundwave looks between the scenarios running the endings in his head multiple times. Then deciding, he nods sends them away from his screen. Laserbeak drops away and flies to the right, Soundwave darting to the left, his fellow Decepticons needed him, and he needed them.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dreadwing let's loose another yell of pain as Cliffjumper tosses him through another in a long series of wall. He had heard stories of how this Autobot liked to give his opponents the horns, and it truly did feel like he was up against a rampaging bull. He was no longer sure where his weapon was, probably several rooms back. He staggers to his feet again as Cliffjumper cries out again and charges once more.

Dreadwing leaps to one side, did Dark Energon have no limit to the energy it gives this beast! Surely it does at some point. His blue optics dart around the darken room as he backs away then run in a full sprint back the way he came, his mind racing, how does one kill something that is already dead, his bombs only angered the beast further.

Choom!

Dreadwing dodges to the right as a blast from his gun flies past and hits Cliffjumper in the chest, knocking the purple beast onto its back, “How in the Pit?” Dreadwing turns to the front seeing Soundwave standing offering the large gun to its owner, “You have no idea how happy I am to you.” Dreadwing sighs in relief taking his weapon, “Have you seen the others.”

Soundwave moves to answer but gets cut off as Cliffjumper let's loose another screech. Even with a new would in his chest, the zombie Autobot gets back up. Soundwave quickly taps Dreadwing's closest arm and point to the wall to their right.

“That way?” Dreadwing asks puzzled by the request. Hearing another snarl he choose not to argue and fires at the wall creating a new hole, and at long last finds some light, “Lead on then!” He pushes Soundwave ahead of him and both take off towards the hole and dart down the hallway. Cliffjumper charges and gives chase determined not to lose his prey.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Elsewhere, Megatron and Breakdown run ever closer to the central room and Optimus's trap. Waiting with both rifles charged, Optimus holds a smirk in his optics, “Just a little bit more. Come closer, Megatron, let's end this war here and now shall we.”

Laserbeak quickly swoops down the hall in hot pursuit of Breakdown and Megatron, Breakdown turn to look of his shoulder hearing the familiar humming, “Laserbeak? How did you-?”

He doesn't have time to finish his question, Laserbeak darts ahead of them and then lands, pushing what little he can on Megatron's chest. Intrigued, Megatron slides to halt, “Laserbeak wh-”

Ch-pow!

Megatron instantly throws himself against the wall pushing Breakdown with him, blue optics locked on the energon burn of the wall facing into the adjacent hallway. That was almost him! The silver leader looks down at the small golden drone sitting on his chest, feeling Laserbeak trying its best to keep a hold on the unfamiliar spot, “Soundwave sent you. I owe him another.”

A snarl of anger and Optimus's position is given away, “It seems I underestimated you Megatron! And here I thought you had gone completely mad, invading my base as such. Well, no matter,” a loud horrendous screech rings down the hallways, “Sounds like Cliffjumper found one of your friends!” With that Optimus turns and runs back toward the central room.

Megatron clenches his fangs and turn to face the hallway firing his cannon but only hits the far wall, “Coward!” With a snarl he chases after Optimus, Breakdown close behind his leader, Laserbeak drops away from the silver mech in favor of flying between the duo. Optimus may be slightly smaller, but Megatron was faster he quickly gets his rival in sight and opens fire.

Optimus dives into a side hallway then turn the corner and rushes towards Megatron, sword drawn, “Tell me! Why have you come to my lair?”

Megatron growls and locks swords with his opponent, “Breakdown! Follow Laserbeak! He must know the way!” The red 'Con quickly nods and turns from the dueling rivals looking over his shoulder briefly then chases after the dull gold and silver drone. “And to answer your question, Optimus,” I have come to stop you once and for all!”

Optimus let's out a dark laugh, “You will lose all your followers, but only after I make them watch as I take your spark!” Optimus's red optics suddenly dart towards the approaching foot steps, “Bulkhead! Wheeljack! Head to the core! Stop the other 'Cons at all cost!” Not a sound is made, aside from the metal footfalls, a quick flash of acid green and red are seen as the former wreckers hunt down their one time comrade.

Megatron merely laughs, “You underestimate us, Optimus! But why not, this war has gone on for too long, one last duel, and I assure you, only one of us will emerge from the remains of your fallen tower!”

“Do not be so hasty to celebrate, Megatron!” Optimus remarks back as they break away from each other  only to charge forward once more, firing at each other but only succeeding in blasting away the walls of human handiwork.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Jack, Miko and Raf's spirits lifted the closer they got the more and more familiar the ground floor became. Just a few more yards and they found it, the central control room at the heart of the Black Tower. Massive computers sit within taking up a majority of the space, large screen of titan proportions form a portion of a circle, sitting atop the computers. And standing near the center, was Ratchet.

The trio goes wide-eyed then ducks behind the computers. So far, it seems their presence in the room had gone unnoticed. With Jack taking the lead, they tip toe and climb over the large power cables, stealing glances from the shallow separations between each computer. Praise whatever higher power of this mirror verse, they had found the ground bridge! Just as they remembered. At long last, the end of this Spring Break gone wrong, the end to an adventure they would not soon forget, a mountainous story to tell when they get back, and proof of there adventures sitting in Rafael's pocket. Just one last hurdle, Ratchet the Mad Doctor.

Raf adjusts his glasses, squinting to see ahead then looks up at the computers and the massive cables feeding them, “The ground bridge control is just on the other side,” the youth whispers then draws the hood of his armor like jacket over his head, “But Ratchet will see us in a heart beat.”

“What if we distract the docbot?” Miko suggest, “Set off an alarm somewhere else in the base, make him get lost.”

Jack sighs looking at his cellphone clock, “We have twenty minutes left, how are we going to distract him for that long?”

Rafael gets an idea, “If these computer are the same as the ones back home, and they should be, I can cause a distraction then lock him out of here then we turn on the ground bridge and wait for the solar flare.”

“Sounds good to me,” Jack answers. They hop onto the large cables and begin to shimmy up them, gym class seemed to be paying off at long last.

But Ratchet was ever attentive to his duties. His optics dart between various screens watching the various battles and as some of the groups get ever closer to him. He grits his dental, purple optics seeming to burn into the screens, “Come on Cliffjumper! You're faster than that! And so are you two you blasted Wreckers! You got him out numbered! Hurry and finish him! Arcee get your aft up! Bumblebee if you don't get a move on I swear to Primus I'll finish off what's left of your voice box! Optimus you are on the home field, finish Megatron once and for all!” The medic growls towards the ceiling then turn to focus on the screens again.

He then blinks and looks to his left and right, “Who's there!” He strains his audios and optics, “Fragging tech! Now where are those human pest.”  He continues to tap away on the keyboard, the trio of human youths climbing up the cables, thankful for the foot and hand holds the thick covering provided. They just have to stay out of sight and they would be in the clear.

Miko grits her teeth trying to pull herself up the final strech, the rubber covering was slick, and her hands sweaty from the heat it gave off. Jack and Rafael had made it to the top, Raf leaning over one hand outstretch to help Miko up, Jack holding tightly to Raf's hoodie. Miko looks up and makes a jump for Raf's hand, their palms connect but only result in a signature smack of skin on skin. Attempts at a grip fail and Miko quickly grabs onto the cable again with a short gasp.

“What the!” Ratchet suddenly speaks and peers around the screen, “Aha! There you humans are!”

Caught and now fearful, Jack makes a reach for Miko to try and pull her up as Ratchet slides one servo around the monitor reaching for the organics “More test subjects, excellan! Hey!” The medic suddenly looses balance as his servo becomes engulfed in the sticky webbing, gluing him to the top of a computer panel.

Another servo appears, this one white as snow and carries the human out from behind the machinery. Arachnid smiles at them glad to see them safe. An explosion is heard followed by the sounds of metal and rock falling, blocking where they came from. Starscream backs from the rubble pile keeping one arm aimed at the blockage, just in case Bumblebee and Arcee managed to dig their way through. Knockout races ahead and places his buzz saw against Ratchet's neck, “Now, now, doctor. These humans are not for testing.”

“Just in time!” Miko cheers as Rafael darts to the ground bridge controls.

“Now I just type in the coordinates, and we'll be home in no time!” the blond cheers.

Ratchet watches in disbelief, “You came all this way, to use our ground bridge!” He then whimpers as Knockout turns on the saw.

The blue medic chuckles, “Don't you worry about that. Just worry about keeping me from taking your head.”

Another blast is heard followed by Laserbeak suddenly flying in through the dust, landing on the computer and connecting to it. A shout is heard followed by the sliding and clanking of metal doors. Breakdown slides into the room and coughs, his entrance sealed shut by the solid steel door, “Thank you Soundwave,” he mutters.

“Scrap!” Bulkhead could be heard from the other side of the door pounding away on it, “Ratchet! Disengage the door! Ratchet!”

Breakdown gets back up and forces his back against the door to hold it in place, “There anit no way I'm letting you two in here!”

Ratchet growls in disbelief, his optics then flare a bright purple hue, “Cliffjumper! Come to my aide!”

A horrid screech is heard echoing around the core followed by Dreadwing shouting, “How's about I blow your head off!”

Another loud shot fills the room, Ratchet goes wide eye and calls out again, “Cliffjumper! Cliffjumper!” But his beast does not answer.

Instead, Soundwave and Dreadwing drop in from up high, Dreadwing, covered in scratches from that monstrosity, turns and slams himself against the door to aide Breakdown in keeping it steady, “Sorry we're late!” Dreadwing speaks.

“Soundwave!” Starscream speaks, “Hurry! Open the bridge!”

The gold and sliver 'Con nods, Laserbeak returning to his owner, he turns the computer and begins to type in the coordinates, aiming the bridge towards the Andes Mountains. There were already far too many variables in what they were about to try, best to aim the bridge just as the Autobots had when the humans were back in their own world. With high hopes, Autobots beating at the blockades, and neither Megatron nor Optimus in sight, the humans race towards the ground bridge, pulling the hoods over their faces.

Rafael turns and runs backwards, “Goodbye Soundwave! Thank you! For everything!”

“Goodbye Breakdown!” Miko calls out over her shoulder, “Keep the others in line for me!”

Jack stops halfway down the ethereal tunnel and turns, “Goodbye Arachnid! Thanks for saving us when we first got here! Goodbye everyone! Tell Megatron Goodbye for us!”

“Will do!” Arachnid calls out.

“Goodbye humans!” Breakdown and Dreadwing call out.

“No offense, but don't come back!” Knockout orders.

“Get to the other side!” Starscream snaps as a warning comes up on a screen, “The solar flare!”

Ratchet stands in mass confusion, solar flare, their world, all this trouble just to let some humans use an Autobot ground bridge, had the Decepticon's gone crazy!? The medic snarls then cries out, “Optimus! Help!”

His cry is quickly answered, a fourth crash and Megatron goes flying into the room. The humans briefly stop to look back as the bridge begins to distort in color. Optimus charged in sword held high. Jack gasps, “Megatron look out!”

The ground bridge turns red and collapses on itself, seeming to consume the human youths once more as the solar flare hits, distorting the already space warping tunnel. A massive blast of hot air shoots out of both sides. With Optimus dead in the path, the Dark Prime cries out in pain as the blast knocks him off target and into the computers. Knockout gasps and backs away to avoid being hit. Megatron groans from the intense heat on his frame then shouts, “Dreadwing! Blow this place to Cybertron!”

Dreadwing pulls out his detonator and presses the button. An echoing of beeps suddenly fills everyone's audios.

“Ah scrap!”

“Run!”

“This place is going to blow!”

“Hurry! Fly!”

One by one the bombs detonate spewing metal and stone all around as the tower begins to erupt from the inside working its way out. Any capable of flight quickly transform and flee for the heavens. The ground based ones burn rubber racing through the newly made holes. Ratchet pulls himself free and races away leaving only Megatron and Optimus inside the collapsing core. Megatron gets up and attempts to transform but Optimus quickly grapples him from behind, “If I'm going down! I'm going to take you with me!”

“No!” Megatron yells, breaking the grapple. But it is too little to late, the one time brothers are quickly consumed by the collapsing tower and buried under tons of rubble.

The remaining humans outside go wide eye in shock watching as the aliens flee in all directions paying them no mind. It doesn't take long for the once mighty sign of death and desolation to be reduced into rubble burying the leaders of Civil War. The Autobots flee without stopping but the Decepticons pause noticing they are one member short. They regroup atop a rock pillar watching the collapse finish, and their leader, their savior, the one who could cure Cybertron, the one who could relight her, devoured before their eyes.

“Megatron!”