"All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall."

~Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers

>>•<<

Arcee felt the energon drain from her helm as Jack- now Megatronus -let out an amused chuckle, chest rumbling softly in the silent hallway. She held June close to her chest plates, and slowly moved her head to look out of the underground vents, seeing a pair of pedes facing away from them. Larger pedes were somewhat hidden from her vision, but the color, size, and voice all pointed to one Decepticon Megatronus could be talking to.

"Its been a while since I have seen you out and about." Megatronus continued. "What brings you prowling through these halls?"

"I have only recently heard the news of Lord Megatron's demise by your hand." Predaking rumbled, bright yellow eyes drilling in Megatronus. "After the Autobots destroyed my brethren, I was promised by him that he would avenge their deaths; and I have come to entrust you do the same."

Arcee felt her spark drop, looking at June in horror. She felt the overwhelming urge to do something, stop the incoming reply. The woman didn't deserve to hear what her son had become-

"Of course." Came the smooth reply. "I have every intention to do the same. I entrusted my humanity, and my mother to them, and now both are gone. I have no sympathy or ties to the Autobots any longer."

June covered her mouth with a hand, fluid leaking from her eyes and down her cheeks. She was crying, but for what exact reason Arcee was not sure.

"Do you not also feel hatred for the Decepticons? They were the ones who destroyed your 'humanity.'" Predaking pointed out.

Megatronus laughed softly, cruelly. "That will come later. But first, I will use their ship to get rid of the Autobots once and for all- What is it, Soundwave?"

The quiet steps of the communications officer padded across the floor, Arcee able to see his slender pedes stop before Jack. After a moment of silence, Jack shifted and resumed speaking to Predaking.

"It seems we are almost to the Autobot base. Excuse me while I go to the bridge; I want to witness the destruction of what I once held dear." And with that Megatronus turned and stalked off, leaving Predaking to continue wandering the halls, Soundwave standing there briefly. There was no doubt in Arcee's mind that he knew she was there, as creepy as it was.

"Jack . . ." June spoke softly. "What have they done to him?!"

Arcee shook her helm. "The only theory we have is that Megatron's spark piece tainted and twisted him into becoming like Megatron. That's why we need you; he won't listen to reason, but he will listen to you."

"And if you hand me over to the Decepticons, they will take me to him?"

"Yes. I can't do it now." Arcee gazed in the direction Megatronus disappeared to. "Judging by we just heard, I need to keep up the ruse that we're in the old base; otherwise he might go searching for us again. Or worse, use me to find the new base's location."

June buried her face in her hands, sniffing. "My poor Jack . . ."

Arcee said nothing, instead holding the woman close, and beginning to crawl back to the Decepticon's meeting place.

>>•<<

Megatron paused briefly to stare at the monitors before he began tapping away, clawed servos quick and precise. Ratchet was somewhat unhappy that the warlord was hogging his computers, which he had been using to try and complete the Synthetic Energon formula, but apparently that was not of the upmost importance right now. According to Primus, according to Megatron.

It was no secret that Optimus was shocked, and perhaps even hopeful, about this new development. He was completely fixated on Megatron as he worked, though more so on his optics. When Primus had restored him, he had flushed out the Dark Energon, and wiped hatred's corruption from his spark, rendering his eyes a steely yet gentle blue again. He did not act different from his usual self, and so Optimus concluded that Primus was forcing Megatron to work for change, instead of simply instilling it upon him himself. He gave Megatron a step in the right direction, but it was not going to be easy for him.

"Wait, so if you help us get Jack, and restore Cybertron, and restore Cybertron's government, Primus will give you the title of Prime??" Bulkhead spoke aloud, Ratchet rolling his optics. Five minutes after the gladiator explained everything, and the Wrecker was still fixated on that?!

"Yes." Megatron spoke simply, tapping a few more buttons.

"Why would he entrust you the title of Prime?" Smokescreen demanded, a hint of anger in his voice. He saved Optimus, who was going to give Smokescreen the Matrix of Leadership, and Primus chose Megatron to become Prime?

"Because if I were to amend my ways, and change for the better, I would be worthy of the title." Megatron replied as he scanned the computers again and typed something else in. He was attempting to locate the warship, but Soundwave's constant changing of the frequencies was making it difficult. He had to hand it to his third in command; his ability to follow and maintain orders beyond perfection was admirable.

"So that's it? You just change your ways?" Smokescreen looked unconvinced.

Megatron paused in his search to look over, where Smokescreen was standing in front of a timid Bumblebee, who was standing in front of the two experiments- kids.

"Though you make it sound easy, I assure you, it will hurt my pride immensely to stoop to such levels." Megatron replied.

"Changing for the good of other beings is not going below your level, but above." Optimus replied, interrupting Smokescreen before he could angrily retort. "We all have the capacity for changing to better ourselves. And if Primus is convinced that Megatron is worthy of the title of Prime, then we are in no position to question it."

Megatron smirked a little in satisfaction as Optimus spoke, ignoring the initial jab and returning his attention to the computers. Finally, he sighed, somewhat displeased. "Soundwave is doing his job a little too well. Knock Out! Do you have his current private frequency?"

"I-I can bring it right up, Lord Megatron." The medic replied, slinking over and waiting for Megatron to give him the O.K.  before typing it into the computer, Soundwave immediately picking up.

The Autobots watched the exchange with distaste. Megatron ruled through fear and bullying, which was made too crystal clear with the interaction they just witnessed. Bulkhead would have Optimus pinned to the ground in less than half a second if he ever treated any of his comrades that way.

"Soundwave," Megatron spoke, not giving the communications officer much time to recover from whatever shock he may have, if any. "Lower the warship shields. We no longer have any reason to hide from the Autobots. Maintain shielding from human frequencies only."

There was a slight pause, and then the Nemesis' energy signature came online, showing that it was almost upon the Autobot location in Nevada.

"Excellent work, Soundwave. I will soon Groundbridge up there, as well as Knock Out."

"Ooooh no you don't!" Ratchet snapped. "Not with Arcee and June up there! That was the deal!"

Megatron glared at the medic, clearly not liking being told what he could or could not do. But after a long pause, the warlord spoke to Soundwave again.

"It seems it will just be me, then. Keep the Predacon locked in a storage compartment, I will deal with him once Jack has been taken care of." He looked at Optimus Prime, blue optics glittering. "Unless you want to join, Prime?"

"If Jack does not wish to see reason, then it would be best if I was there to help subdue him." The Prime stated, confirming in the positive that he wished to go.

"Alright then. Ratchet, if you would be so kind as to activate the Groundbridge." Megatron turned away from the computers, letting the Autobot medic have his place at the controls again, pausing when a Vehicon scurried around him to remain at Ratchet's side, averting his gaze.

I wonder where they picked that drone up from.

He did not linger on it, instead waiting for Ratchet to type in the coordinates and turn on the Groundbridge.

"W-wait! I want to go too!!" Miko darted around Bumblebee and Smokescreen, Bulkhead jerking to put a hand in front of her, putting a part of him between her and Megatron. "Jack is my friend! I should be there for him."

Optimus' optics softened just a little. "Miko, as much as I understand your desire to help a friend in need, Jack may not have a mutual feeling. It would be best if you and Rafael remained behind."

The femme frowned, crossing her arms. "Fine." I'll just sneak off again.

Nodding, Optimus and Megatron turned to the activated Groundbridge, the latter going first before the former followed, a sense of deja vu going through the Autobots. Ratchet hoped that this time, they would gain an Autobot instead of losing one.

>>•<<

"L-Lord Megatron?! You're alive?!" Starscream stuttered, wings lowering as he straightened his posture, trying to play off the fact he took it as a nasty surprise. "Thank the Allspark!"

"Save your groveling, Starscream." Megatron growled, servo curling into a fist. "We have little time for such pleasantries."

"Of course." The Seeker bowed a little. "Once we restore you to your former glory-"

"There will be no former glory!" The warlord barked, snarling in distaste. "Once peace has been made with Jack- Megatronus, Optimus Prime and I will collaborate to recreate Cybertron, as Primus intended."

Starscream paused, realizing with a start that his master was serious. "Ah, I see."

Megatron turned his gaze to Arcee, who had the human woman clutched close to her chest plates. The situation had been explained, and Optimus' presence somewhat relaxed the female warrior, but she was still wary. Though Megatron didn't blame her.

"The female, please." He extended a servo.

Arcee took a half a step back, glaring. Megatron could crush her in half with just a careless flick of his wrist. There was no way in Unicron she was going to let June back in his servo-

"Arcee, please." The timid woman looked up at her pseudo-guardian. "It's the only way."

"Why can't Starscream take her to him?" Arcee snapped. "If Jack lost control, we'd all be rid of a problem!"

The offended Seeker made to retort, but he was cut off again by his master.

"If Jackson sees me alive, and his mother, the odds of him angry will be lower due to his initial shock. If he tries to attack me, or take his mother by force, I have a better chance of subduing him."

"I will serve as back-up." Optimus clarified once again. His voice became more gentle as he spoke to Arcee, knowing the delicacy of her situation. "Arcee, no harm will come to June again, not while I remain here."

The femme nodded slowly, reluctantly, sighing. "Fine, fine." She extended her servos to Megatron, and gently dropped June on his waiting palm. "But if something does happen-"

"Believe me, I have already been told what the consequences of my own actions will do." Megatron assured her, claws lightly curled around June to keep her from slipping out of his palm. "Now, shall we go pay Jack a little visit?"

Optimus nodded, allowing Megatron to step out first, following behind him with his mask in place and servos warmed up, prepared for a fight. The ship rocked a little as it switched into hover mode, Jack preparing to fire the weapon onto the empty Autobot base.

"Soundwave has already tampered with our weapon, so that it will malfunction." Megatron threw over his shoulder. "Let us hope that doesn't put Jackson in a terribly sour mood."

June glared. "Knowing you, it will."