Jack parked his bike into a bike rack as he stepped off of it. He sighed deeply. "Nice bike," a familiar voice said and he turned to see Arcee.

His shoulders slumped a little. "Arcee... really. Miko already tried. Tell Optimus I respect him big time but if you're at War with the Decepticons, there's nothing I can do to help," he said.

"Optimus didn't send me and no one's asking for your help," Arcee said. "Okay, if we both agree that I'm not warrior material," Jack remarked.

"Jack, I just lost someone I cared about. Maybe it's the grief talking. Maybe you're growing on me. Whatever it is, I'm just not ready to say goodbye," Arcee said.

◊◊◊◊

Paige leaned against the railing, watching the Autobots. Her fingers were crossed as she hoped that Jack would come back soon.

"Optimus, I've pinpointed the location of Megatron's Space Bridge: high in Earth's orbit," Ratchet announced.

"Out of our reach," Optimus said." "I thought Galatria was between Earth and Cybertron," Firestorm said, confused.

"It is but not where Galatria can actually reach Cybertron," Ratchet huffed.

"Okay, so you can't fly, but can't you all just Space bridge there?" Miko asked. "The ground bridge has limited range. Stretched all the way into the orbit, its vortex could snap and scatter us to the stars," Ratchet explained.

"Since Megatron is likely already in transit, I'm afraid we must take that risk. Reaching the Space Bridge first is our only means of stopping him," Optimus proclaimed.

Paige whirled around to the sound of revving engines as Arcee drove into the base with Jack on her vehicle form.  When the femme stopped, Jack took off his helmet and gave a small smile, "hey. Guess who's back."

Paige ran downstairs and over to Jack. "Autobots, prepare for departure," Optimus said.

Jack smiled softly as Paige hugged him. "Where to?" Arcee asked.

"The final frontier," Miko said with a smirk. "Space? I-I thought they didn't have a way to get there," Jack said.

"They don't... really," Raf said as Bumblebee knelt down and lowered his servo to the floor so the twelve year old boy could jump down.

"Be seeing you," Jack said to Arcee, a small smile on his face. Arcee returned the smile and nodded.

"Be careful, Bee," Raf said. "I'll be okay, Raf. I promise," Bee said reassuringly.

Miko looked to Bulkhead, "I'm so jealous!" "Don't even think about following me," Bulkhead said.

"Optimus, please be careful," Paige said to the Prime, "and that means all of you." "We will," Primrose chuckled, gently patting Paige's head wifh a digit.

"Optimus, if you leave me stranded on a planet teeming with humans, I will never forgive you," Ratchet said.

"Until we meet again, old friend," Optimus said with a slight smile before he activated his battle mask, "Autobots, roll out." Upon his command, the other Autobots transformed into their vehicle forms as Optimus transformed into his vehicle form and the Autobots drove through the bridge.

"Maximum overdrive," the Prime instructed. High in Earth's orbit, the space bridge opened and the Autobots drove out of it.

"Autobots, transform and gravitize," Optimus said. Whilst floating in space, the six Autobots transformed and floated towards the Space Bridge. Electricity cackled between their pedes and the portal until they landed safely and were stable. Bulkhead wasn't as graceful as the others. He stumbled with his footing and would've drifted off into space if it weren't for the gravitational stabilizers all Transformers had in their pedes.

"Don't look down. Or up. Or left," Bulkhead instructed himself quietly.

They heard the sound of a familiar engine approaching them. They turned around and saw the Decepticon warship known as the Nemesis approach them.

"So Megatron's packing enough Dark Energon to raise Cybertron's dead?" Arcee asked in disbelief.

"And since we don't possess ready means of disabling this Space Bridge, nothing gets in or out," Optimus proclaimed as the six Autobots unfolded the blasters from their arms.

◊◊◊◊

Inside the warship, Megatron watched the Autobots through a video feed. "Optimus Prime never disappoints," he chuckled before he glared at Starscream, "unlike you, Starscream." Said Seeker smiled nervously and his wings twitched.

"No need for concern Master. Soundwave is locking on to Cybertron's coordinates per my instructions," he said with a nervous smile. Megatron only turned back to the screens, his optics narrowed.

◊◊◊◊

"Well, what are they waiting for?" Firestorm asked impatiently.

"It appears the Decepticons have sustained serious damage to their intersteller navagation system," Optimus observed.

"Huh. That's my handy work," Bulkhead recalled.

"Great work, Bulkhead," Optimus complimented, "Without the dish, Megatron will be unable to aim the Space Bridge at Cybertron."

"Don't the Decepticons know where their own planet is?" Raf asked.

"Naturally," Ratchet scoffed, "But Cybertron is many light years away. To reach their target, their aim must be astronomically precise."

"If Megatron went to the trouble of rendezvousing with his Space Bridge, he must have an alternate targeting system. A remote one."

"Hmph. From what I know of Earth's technology, I doubt there'd exist a single radio-telescope dish on powerful enough to pinpoint Cybertron," Ratchet retorted. "What about a whole bunch of linked radio-telescope dishes?" Raf asked as he typed in various commands, "like the giant sized array in Texas?"

Ratchet suddenly zoned in on the four, blabbering gibberish before saying, "this is not child's play." "Good thinking Raf," Optimus said, much to the Autobot medic's surprise, "Ratchet, have Agent Fowler alert the array staff of the security hazard."

"You! Soldier! You're out of uniform! Put on some pants!" a still dazed Agent Fowler instructed before passing out.

"That may be a challenge," Ratchet remarked. "I can't get past the array's firewalls. They're too thick," Raf proclaimed.

"You actually think you can actually keep the Decepticons out?" Ratchet scoffed in disbelief.

"Maybe. If I can get in," Raf answered. "Wait, wait, wait. Raf, what if we can get you all the way in?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. Like inside-the-building in?" Paige suggested.

"I could log into their internal networking from the other side of the firewall," Raf answered.

"The risk is too great. The Decepticons will be there. Perhaps even on-sight," Optimus declined.

"Optimus, with all due respect you said it yourself, this is bigger than the safety of three humans," Jack said. "Yeah, if we let the 'Cons win, we are fried, along with everyone else on our planet," Miko piped in.

"Raf?" Optimus said. Paige looked to Raf who had a thoughtful look on his face before he looked back at the others. "I wanna give it a shot," the twelve year old said.

◊◊◊◊

"Surely, Lord Megatron. The Autobots are up to something," Starscream observed. "Really, Starscream?" Megatron said sarcastically as he stood up close and personal to his SIC who gave a nervous chuckle.

Megatron sneered before he turned back to the monitor and slammed his fist on a button, "crush them!"

Vehicons flew from the Decepticon warship and towards the Autobots. "Here comes the welcoming committee!" Bulkhead remarked.

◊◊◊◊

In Texas, a ground bridge opened behind the security fences of a facility. Jack, Paige, Raf and Miko jumped out. Paige looked well and fine. While her friends looked a bit woozy.

"That'll take some time getting used to," Jack groaned, placing his hand on his head. "I feel fine," Paige said, tilting her head. Miko and Raf looked at each other before the four kids ran into the facility.

◊◊◊◊

Back in Space, in Earth's Orbit, the fight between the Autobots and Decepticons was hectic. Optimus shot at a Vehicon, Bulkhead used his hammer to slam it into another. Arcee activated her arm blades and charged at other Vehicons.

Primrose unlocked her blade and swung at another Vehicon.

◊◊◊◊

"Security sure is lack in this place," Miko remarked after she and Paige scanned the hallways.

"But we still wouldn't be able to escape through the front door that easily," Jack retorted as they watched Raf work his computer magic. "I'm in...and so are the Decepticons," Raf announced.

"What?" Jack gasped. "How can you tell?" Miko asked. "Schematics," Raf replied. "With the same equations we saw on their ship yesterday," he added. "But this time, I can download it," Raf said, pulling out a USB.

"It's gotta be the space bridge," Miko said. "No duh, Sherlock," Paige said, earning a glare from the other girl. "The Decepticons are syncing it to the dishes but I can sync to them," Raf said.

"Will they know?" Jack asked nervously. "Even if the Decepticons see that I'm in their system, they'll have no idea I'm in the house," Raf reassured them.

◊◊◊◊

As the Autobots continued their battle against the Decepticon drones, they felt the Space Bridge they were standing on shake and shift. "What just happened?" Firestorm asked nervously.

"The Decepticons are locking onto Cybertron," Optimus said gravely. "Lord Megatron, the Space Bridge is ready for activation," Echo announced.

"Finally," Megatron rasped.

◊◊◊◊

"They're locked onto Cybertron," Raf said, "but not for long." Once Raf had finished typing in his commands, the dishes which were once pointed up high returned to their normal position towards the sky.

◊◊◊◊

Up on the Space Bridge, the Autobots and Decepticons felt said bridge move back to its original position under their pedes. Bumblebee jumped up and down throwing his fists in the air victoriously, "Raf did it!" Optimus punched one Vehicon away.

"Indeed, Bumblebee," the Prime said, "this can only be Raf's doing."

◊◊◊◊

Echo touched her servo to her audio receptor, "Brother?"

"Starscream, what is happening?" Megatron demanded. Starscream stuttered for a moment before he turned to the screens, "Soundwave, what is happening?"

◊◊◊◊

Back on Earth, Soundwave went through the security footage of the facility until he reached one of the control rooms where he saw Jack, Paige, Miko and Raf hacking into the systems.

"The dishes are heading back towards Cybertron. I'll just undo that again," Raf sighed.

"What happens when the 'Cons realize they're being punked?" Jack asked nervously.

"It's only virtual combat. You know, like online gaming," Raf answered.

"Yeah, Jack. What are the 'Cons gonna do? They're probably like a thousand miles away," Miko scoffed.

"Don't be too sure about that," Paige said. Unbeknownst to the four, the door silently opened and Soundwave's tentacle loomed over their heads. Jack slightly turned his head and yelled in surprise. Soundwave's tentacle grabbed Jack and whacked Miko and Paige away, the three yelling in fear and surprise.

Raf started to type rapidly, "I won't let them lock on again." Jack grunted as he hit the wall. Miko and Paige hung onto Soundwave's tentacle which was flailing about wildly. Miko yelped as she hit the wall next to Jack. Paige held onto the tentacle, shutting her eyes tightly as if she was on a ride. She kicked her legs, trying to hit the tentacle only to yelp when the tentacle slammed her into the floor. There was a small crack and the girl hissed in pain.

The tentacle slithered over to Raf. The twelve year old quickly jumped onto the desk and grabbed the USB before he jumped off the desk. The tentacle whacked the computer and the keyboard aside as Raf ran over to Miko and Jack. Paige scurried to her feet and ran out of the room.

Miko took the axe out of it's compartment before she charged at Soundwave's tentacle. With a battle cry, she swung at it only for the tentacle to simply whack the girl away, sending her flying back into the wall again. Jack and Raf looked at her in worry before they saw that the tentacle was holding the axe.

"You handed it an axe?!" Jack asked Miko in disbelief. "Not good," Raf said nervously. Before the tentacle could strike, it paused and slithered out of the room. Paige ran into the room Soundwave was in and she skidded to a halt. She looked up at the silent Decepticon and her eyes glinted for a quick moment.

Soundwave looked down at her before his tentacle struck the hard line with the axe. The dishes were locked onto Cybertron for good. The silent TIC climbed out onto the roof. Paige stared at Soundwave bewildered as Miko, Raf and Jack ran into the room and Jack pulled Paige behind him protectively. Soundwave looked back at the kids. Miko took out her phone and snapped a picture of the Decepticon. Soundwave's visor took a picture of the kids before he transformed into his aerial form and flew up into the air.

"Why is he leaving?" Miko asked. Raf knelt down and looked at the broken hard line where tiny sparks were flying from the cut. "He cut the hard line," Raf said solemnly, "the dishes are locked onto Cybertron... for good."

Paige and Jack looked at each other.

◊◊◊◊

"Now, Starscream?" Megatron asked impatiently.

"Now," Starscream nodded as he pressed the button.

Behind them, the Space Bridge Activated. Optimus turned and saw that it was indeed alive and ready to go. He didn't notice Megatron climb up onto the roof of his ship carrying his entire supply of Dark Energon.

"At last!" Megatron cheered before he threw the Dark Energon towards the portal.

Optimus sent shots at the large Dark Energon cluster. But every shot missed. Before anyone could do anything about it, the Dark Energon disappeared into the portal. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee fell to stand next to their commander. They watched as the Dark Energon fell like a meteor towards the dead planet before landing with a bang. In an instant, all of Cybertron came back to life...along with the fallen soldiers buried within.

"ARISE, MY LEGION!" Megatron bellowed.

"So, how do we beat a whole planet of the undead?" Bulkhead asked nervously.

"Optimus! I'm registering a rapidly expanding mass in their Space Bridge vortex! One with a peculiar energy signature!" Ratchet announced.

"Dark Energon. Ratchet, we must destroy the Space Bridge. There's enough live Energon coursing through it to achieve detonation. But we lack the fire power to ignite it," Optimus explained.

"If I knew how the Space Bridge was engineered, I might find a tactical way of accomplishing that defeat," Ratchet replied.

"Um, would schematics help?" Raff offered as he held up his USB.

"Optimus, I must say. The Space Bridge is our sole hope of ever returning to Cybertron. Are you certain its destruction is the only option?" Ratchet asked.

"I am afraid so," Optimus answered gravely.

"Then by all means, let us light our darkest hour!" Ratchet proclaimed.

"Autobots, take your positions and follow Ratchet's lead. While I make my stand," Optimus instructed. Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Firestorm and Primrose quickly hurried away. Primrose looked back at Optimus nervously but she kept running.

In his aerial form, Megatron flew towards the Space Bridge. Once he was directly above the floor, he transformed to his bipedal form. "Your fellow Autobots are wise, Optimus. They know when to retreat," Megatron remarked.

"I hold no illusions about engaging your army, Megatron. But I might derail its objective...by removing its head," Optimus said as he unsheathed his blade.

"Highly unlikely, Optimus. As I am infused with their very might!" Megatron announced.

"One shall stand! One shall fall!" Optimus proclaimed.

◊◊◊◊

"These things are getting closer! That's bad, right?" Fowler asked. "Mhm," Paige said with a small nod.

"Ratchet, we're in position."

"Arcee, pay close attention," Ratchet advised.

◊◊◊◊

The battle between Optimus and Megatron was quite fierce. Megatron wasn't known to be the Gladiator of the Pits of Kaon for nothing. He punched Optimus in the face and swung his sword at the Prime's abdomen.

Optimus dodged the swing with his own sword until it was broken in two. Megatron punched the Prime in the face, sending the other flying only to be grabbed by his ankle and slammed into the ground.

Sparks flew from Optimus' frame as he laid still for a moment. Megatron loomed over him and raised his blade, ready to deliver the final blow.

"Uh, master?" Starscream called through the commlink.

"Starscream, what is it?" Megatron growled irately.

"I do not wish to question your all-seen wisdom. But I believe the Autobots are up to something again. Beneath your bridge this time," Starscream warned.

"Ah, misdirection, Optimus. You would have made a fine Decepticon," Megatron complimented before swinging his blade down only for Optimus to block it with the little bit of blade he had left.

"I chose my side," Optimus growled before he threw Megatron towards the space bridge. The Prime switched his blade to his blaster and fired at the Decepticon gladiator.

Megatron transformed into his aerial form and flew closer to the Space Bridge as his army drew near.

"Starscream, my army approaches. Rendezvous with the Space Bridge for pickup."

◊◊◊◊

"Now follow the line from the flow ingulator to the Energon pump. There should be a valve," Ratchet said.

On the underside of the Space Bridge, Bulkhead, Firestorm, Primrose and Bumblebee stood guard while Arcee followed Ratchet's instructions to disable the Space Bridge.

"I see it," Arcee announced.

"Good. To turn all that power against itself, all you need do is reverse the current."

It took most of Arcee's strength to complete the task. But she managed to reverse the current. As soon as she let go of the handles, electricity cackled from the wiring of the Space Bridge, searching for stable ground to cling to.

◊◊◊◊

"Current, reversed," Arcee said. "YES!" Fowler cheered before staring at Raf nervously, "right?"

"I'll activate the ground bridge," Ratchet said.

◊◊◊◊

The Autobots started to fire at Megatron the instant they saw his aerial form shooting at them.

One of the shots hit Arcee hard, sending her drifting back towards the darkness of space as she fell unconscious. "Arcee!" Firestorm shouted.

Megatron flew back to the Space Bridge and transformed into his bipedal form. He looked around before he saw that his ship was nowhere in sight.

"Starscream, where is my ship?!" "We would never make it, Lord Megatron! Don't be a fool! Take flight and retreat!" Starscream begged.

◊◊◊◊

"Optimus! The GroundBridge is ready and waiting!" Ratchet said.

"We need to jump," Primrose said sternly, "now."

◊◊◊◊

Optimus jumped into the ground bridge. With explosions of chaos following behind them, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Primrose followed. Firestorm ran up a spike and jumped. He caught Arcee into his arms and he leapt into the ground bridge. It quickly closed behind him.

"My legion." Megatron said quietly. They were so close...just a few more seconds and they would be home free. He blinked when explosions sounded above his head and he looked to see the bridge exploding from the inside out. "No." He whispered. He reached out to the legion. They were just millimeters away.

So close.

Then everything went black.

"Decepticons it is with deep sorrow that I note for the log...Megatron's spark has been extinguished," Starscream said, shaking his helm solemnly as he stood in the control bridge. A smirk appeared on his faceplates as he looked at the screen darkly. "All hail Starscream."

◊◊◊◊

"Do you think they're...?" Raf asked nervously from Paige's embrace.

"Five life signals. One very faint," Ratchet said. Paige bit her bottom lip nervously and she and Raf hurried down the stairs with Jack and Miko following.

"Bulkhead!" Miko said in relief as she ran over to the wrecker. Raf hurried over to Bumblebee. Paige walked over to Primrose as Optimus walked out of the ground bridge. Jack froze as Firestorm walked into the base with Arcee unconscious in his arms.

Jack's shoulders slumped sadly as he stared at his guardian. Miko placed her hand on his shoulder in comfort as Paige and Raf walked up beside their friend to comfort him.

"We've already lost one this week," Ratchet said, "by the Allspark, don't let it be two." Paige walked over to Arcee with Jack following.

Paige rested her head against Arcee's arm, closing her eyes. Jack placed his hand in Arcee's servo. 'You're not done,' Paige thought and she rubbed Arcee's arm. She sighed softly and closed her eyes, 'Cliffjumper will always want you to live; you have Jack now. Remember that.'

Arcee slowly opened her optics and she looked to Jack. "Arcee," Jack murmured, almost close to crying.

"Jack, really?" Arcee said with a soft chuckle, "there are other motorcycles in the world." "Well you're my first," Jack chuckled. Paige smiled softly as she stepped back.

"And Megatron?" Ratchet asked. "Not even he could have survived ground zero," Optimus said and Paige and Firestorm could detect the solemn tone in his voice.

"Prime!" Fowler called, gaining everyone's attention as the agent stood by the elevator, ""I didn't get to thank you bots for the save. I owe you one. We all do." With that, he walked into the elevator and the door closed behind him.

"Is this the part where you have to say goodbye and tell us to forget we ever saw you?" Miko asked Optimus nervously.

The Prime smiled softly, "no." Paige and Raf smiled happily as Jack sighed in relief and Miko cheered happily.

◊◊◊◊

The next day, Miko sat on the steps at the high school waiting for her new friends. As she thought of them, Raf ran towards her from the footpath and Jack and Paige exited the school building. They smiled and shared their laughs. Then they turned to their three Autobot protectors waiting for them. Bulkhead, Primrose and Bumblebee opened their doors and the four flashed their lights. Miko climbed into Bulkhead's passenger seat while Raf did the same with Bumblebee and Paige did the same with Primrose. Jack climbed on Arcee's vehicle form and put on his helmet.

Then they all took off, riding away through the desert as the sun disappeared below the horizon.

"Without a means of leaving this world, we Autobots take strengths in the bonds we have forged with our four young friends. True warriors. If not in body, then in spirit. My name is Optimus Prime. And I send this message. Though we did not choose to be of Earth, it would seem that we are here to stay. If you approach this planet with hostile intent, know this: we will defend ourselves. We will defend humanity. We will defend our home."