“Yet another astonishing convergence of magic and science. Curtesy of the ancients.” Ratchet spoke, staring at the GroundBridge’s layout on the screen.

“And our leader.” Smokescreen added to Ratchet’s words.

“It’s hard to believe. A few swings of that hammer and – Bam!” Bulkhead said, before they all turned to look at the GroundBridge.

“Our GroundBridge… is now a SpaceBridge.” Arcee said, before green lights flashed. Mirage looked up in surprise from where he sat. He jumped off of the berth and exited the medical bay to see Ratchet frantically working on the computer.

“Our sensors are detecting a massive energon burst, occurring outside Earth’s atmosphere. A surge of that kind could only mean one thing. Activation of another SpaceBridge.” Ratchet informed.

“Megatron has discovered that the Omega Lock is on Cybertron.” Optimus said, entering the room.

“It appears we have lost our advantage of location.” Ratchet said.

“But with Megatron unaware that we now possess the means of interstellar travel, as well as our new comrade, the element of surprise remains in our favour.” Optimus said. “We must embark on this mission with every resource in our disposal.” The others nodded, going down a hall to regain their resources. Mirage stayed in the main room, one servo clenched. Optimus noticed this and turned to him.

“You need not worry, Mirage. We will succeed on this mission, as well as regaining your memories.” Optimus informed him. Mirage wanted to scoff at him, but it would be against his nature. Instead, he responded.

“I know, Optimus. But I cannot help but worry for my own fate, as well as you Autobots. I fear I might become more a nuisance than help on this mission. All I really can do is turn invisible, cowardly. Last time, it was lucky shots which I fired, for it was I who had the element of surprise back then. I could easily aim at them from a close distance. Now, they might be expecting me.” There was slight hesitation.

“Mirage, I believe you have hidden potential under your hood. May it be for Autobot or Decepticon cause, you can only decide that; just as you can decide if you wish to leave, or come with us to save Cybertron. But know, nuisance you are not.” Optimus said, choosing his words carefully. He then turned and left the scene, taking the forge with him. The others entered the room then, Iacon relics at servos. Ratchet entered coordinates for Cybertron, before activating the SpaceBridge. The sound of Optimus forging entered their audio receptors.

“What’s he forging now?” Bulkhead questioned. The sound stopped and Optimus entered, Star Saber at hand.   All looked at him with wide, shocked optics.

“Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost.” Optimus said, swinging the saber onto his back before rushing forward, other following. They transformed into their altmodes as they rose through the portal. Mirage only hesitated for a few astroseconds before remembering Optimus’s words. He ran forward, Ratchet’s optics following his movements. He transformed into his Bugatti Veyron and rode through; just as he went through he became invisible, plan at mind. As he appeared, he saw the Autobots watching the Decepticons from a distance, generating a plan.

“[Mirage isn’t here.]” He heard Bumblebee beep as he neared them.

“We shouldn’t have trusted him so blindly.” Arcee mumbled, clenching as fist.

“Whether Mirage chooses to be here or not, is his own choice. We cannot force him.” Optimus told them, before staring out at the Decpticons. “Autobots, start the plan.” And so they did. As they ambushed the Decpticons, Megatron staring with wide eyes, Mirage made his way down into the Sea of Rust. Guns shots and rolling wheels were heard as battle brewed.

“Defend the keys.” Megatron ordered, troopers forming circles around four Decepticons. The Autobots crushed their way through, Megatron and Optimus clashing in an epic battle with sabers. Bumblebee and Bulkhead, along with their relics, managed to get all four keys. Now, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Smokescreen each had one at servo. Not yet, Mirage told himself. He knew that if the Autobots were convinced he was not there, then maybe Megatron could be fooled as well. Mirage would appear only later. If the Autobots didn’t safely secure the keys and left, and rather the Decepticons got hold and tried to use the Omega Lock, only then would he interfere. By that time, all would be convinced of his absence. During the fight, Mirage had to quickly run from the scene as Smokescreen used a weapon called the ‘Spark Extractor’. Mirage barely missed the blast radius, and vented in relief. However, the blast continued growing and almost reached him, if it was not for Megatron who threw his Dark Star Saber into the device. He jumped down from his position on the mountain he was thrown at earlier. He retrieved his saber and walked through the field of offlined Decepticons.

“Starscream! The Autobots have seized the Omega Keys. Send reinforcements immediately!” He yelled through their comlink. Mirage decided not to stay on the scene and followed the Autobots. They later appeared at the Omega Lock.

“Our head start won’t last long.” Arcee informed.   

“This is where Alpha Trion said we’d find it, right?” Smokescreen asked.

“These are the coordinates.” Bulkhead said. As they neared a strange device in the desert of rust, Mirage grew wary.

“Doesn’t look like much.” Bulkhead said. Optimus moved his servo over the side of it.

“Ratchet, we have located the Omega Lock.” Optimus said through the Autobot comlink; which Mirage was not yet apart of. He could only imagine Ratchet venting in relief.

“According to Alpha Trion, the Omega Lock is a conduit; to the very AllSpark itself.” Optimus spoke.

“Optimus, an honour like this shouldn’t belong to me.” Smokescreen said, removing the key from his back. However, the key started glowing in his servo, as did it in the others’. The conduit glowed as well, the entire Omega Lock revealing itself. Over their helms were now what looked like a turquoise portal, bubbling. Optimus suddenly drew his saber and charged to the incoming jet, Megatron. The others followed. Megatron transformed and landed. Autobots prepared their weapons.

“Autobots. I would suggest you put a halt to your task, and hand over those keys.”

“And why would we do that?” Smokescreen retorted. An uneasiness brewed in Mirage as he stared at the sight from a distance. A sudden portal appeared behind them, three Decepticons entering. In their servos were the humans in containers. Mirage’s, as the others’, optics grew wide.

“So that I may hand over the humans.” Megatron said, sly smirk on his faceplate.

“And if we refuse?” Optimus questioned.

“Then I will have no choice than to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron’s toxic atmosphere, and then, we can all watch them instantly perish. Together.” Megatron spoke, moving closer to Optimus with determination. He smirked, before moving away.   

“Starscream” Megatron ordered. He lifted the pod up.

“Jack. It’s time to come out and play.” The silver con said creepily, scratching his nails over the side.

“Go ahead. The Autobots were prepared to sacrifice themselves for my planet. I’ll do the same for theirs.” Jack said with confidence.

“Me to, creepy.” Miko said, looking at the red con. Raf merely nodded at the black and purple con with a visor over his face plate.

“Perhaps we should obliged them.” Megatron said.

“If my decision dooms the future of the Autobot cause on Cybertron, so be it. But I would never forsake our human allies.” Optimus said, pushing his saber into the ground before retreating backwards. The other Autobots followed and threw their weapons.

“Now, if you please. The Omega Keys. One at a time.” Megatron spoke. Bulkhead reluctantly gave over the key, getting Miko. Bumblee got Raf, and both Arcee and Smokescreen had to get Jack, seeing as that he was important enough to be intrusted the Matrix of Leadership, he’s worth two. Another portal opened, Decpiticon trooper running through, guns armed. They circled around the Autobots, while Mirage was outside of the circle. If I don’t so something soon…

“Now bare witness as a new era dawns on Cybertron.” Megatron said, enetering the key. The other three Decepticons followed his movements. Light emitted from the Lock, before a layout of Cybertron appeared.

“Behold, the Age of the Decepticons!” Megatron screeched. Scrap!  Miragen then tried to make his way over to the lock, keeping his peds silent and trying to dodge standing troopers. In little time, Megatron managed to revive a large building nearby. It looked as good as new.

“By the AllSpark…” Optimus mumbled. The humans gasped in astonishment.

“Shiny.” The red con said.

“You have what you want, Megatron. This conflict is between Autobot and Decepticons,” and I am neither… “Allow me to return the humans to Earth.” Optimus requested.

“Oh, I wouldn’t recommend it. They’d be far safer here. Is the SpaceBridge locked on target?” Megatron questioned Starscream.

“Per your instructions, Lord Megatron.” He answered, making a little bow.

“Excellent. Why rule only one world, when I can rule two.” He said, evilly. Mirage’s optics went wide as he tried to speed up, swiftly and silently. He had been watching the scene from afar, and now he regrets not being close. He made it too late. Megatron had created a large Decepticon base on Earth.

“Such raw power. What should I call my new domain? New Kaon? Or perhaps, Guilded Earth.” Optimus’s optics went wide. He then drew his blade form his arm, and started to fight. He threw back two troopers and ran towards the weapons, drawing his saber once more. In this time, while all optics were wide and on Optimus, Mirage managed to snatch one of the Omegae Keys, making it invisible. The Omega Lock instantly went grey and the turquoise bubbling portal slowly disappeared. Megatron charged at Oprimus with his blade, not yet noticing the deactivation. Optimus managed to cut off Megatron’s arm, before rushing to the Lock. All fired at him. Mirage managed to get two other keys as well, the last guarded by the visor- wearing con. What Optimus did next, surprised everyone. He jumped up and drove his saber into the lock.

It exploded.

Mirage, Optimus, one trooper, the red mech and the visor-wearing mech were thrown back. Only Optimus and the visor-wearing mech managed to gain footing, while the other three were thrown far back. The keys escaped from Mirage’s hold as he flew back. He was thrown over the mountain top, and another great distance. He fell into what once were known as the Sonic Canyons. He managed his optics open for enough time to see the Omega Lock completely destroyed. Fire was in the sky, Decepticons and Autobots ran from the scene. The Autobots managed to escape, while some Decepticons were caught up in flames. Energon explosions happened after the Decepticons were put aflame. The sky was a mixture of red flames and blue energon explosions. Complete and utter destruction. His sight turned black as he couldn’t manage his optics open no more, and fell into stasis.

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Dedicated to Agentcalypsoqueen for being my first reader! Thanks!