As the dead continued to rise, Ratchet and Optimus knew they were going to have problems. "Megatron has descicrated the resting place of our fallen ancestors. And his own!" Ratchet proclaimed.

"Not even the dead are free from his warmongering," Optimus said.

"At last. Symbiosis. I can feel it possess complete control over my army. Destroy them!" Megatron instructed his powerful army.

But before the undead could even reach the two Autobots, Optimus unfolded his cannons from his arms and fired away. But even his blasts didn't provide them that much help.

"Optimus, if our combatants are already deceased, how can we possibly defeat them?" Ratchet asked as the army came even closer.

"Ratchet! Retreat! Bridge yourself back to base!" Optimus instructed his friend.

"No! I shall stand with you, Optimus!" Ratchet decided as he unfolded his surgical blades from his servos, "You may require a medic when this is all over with."

Together, the two friends ran towards the oncoming army ready to attack. Optimus continued firing shots from his blaster cannons while Ratchet decided to slice and dice the dead Transformers. Whenever he slit them with his blades, they fell down dead.

"I recommend discection! The smaller the pieces, the better!" Ratchet advised Optimus.

"Sound advice, old friend," Optimus complimented before trading his blaster cannons for his blades.

"I have mastered Dark Energon. When you fall, Optimus, you too shall join my army," Megatron proclaimed.

Optimus ran in and started slicing and dicing Megatron's army.

◊◊◊◊

The Vehicons that had spotted Jack, Raf and Paige started to fire at the three. Primrose leapt out and stood above them, a pair of white wings spread out and the blaster fire merely bounced off of them.

Bulkhead drove over to the kids. "Get in! Now!" He instructed as he opened his passenger side door. The three quickly jumped inside of the Autobot and once his door was closed, he took off with Primrose following.

"Thanks, Bulkhead," Jack and Paige panted.

"Yeah. Thanks," Raf agreed. "What are you doing out here?" Bulkhead asked.

"We were worried about Miko," Jack said, "have you seen her?" "What she look like?" The three turned to see Miko poke her head out behind them.

"Everybody out! And this time, PLEASE wait here!" Bulkhead pleaded his friends as he finally got them some cover.

Once they were out, Bulkhead and Primrose drove towards the Decepticon warship. It was a daring maneuver. But something had to be done if the Autobots were ever going to rescue Fowler. Bulkhead jumped into the air and transformed just before he crashed into the cliff face. Once his grip was secure, he started scaling the cliff face before reaching one of the sharp points that was part of the design of the warship. Immediately, he jumped and used that sharp point to climb aboard the Nemesis. When he noticed a Decepticon above him, he simply grabbed the guy by the ankle and threw him off the ship before jumping on. Immediately, the Decepticons fired.

Primrose charged at the Decepticons before she sent out a wave of energy at them, sending them flying back into the wall.

Bulkhead and Primrose finished the Vehicons and Bulkhead looked towards the kids only to realize that there was only three of them. "Where's Miko?" He asked.

His response was banging from inside his chest compartment. He opened the compartment and Miko popped out, taking in huge gulps of oxygen as she did.

"Miko?"

"I heaved on your floor mats. Sorry," Miko apologized before gagging once again as she surpressed the urge to empty even more stomach contents onto Bulkhead's interiors and climbed out of Bulkhead, "Remind me to never do that again."

"Don't do that again," Primrose said, keeping the annoyance out of her voice. The door opened and Vehicons came out. Primrose's optics turned red and without a moment's hesitation, the young Prime blew fire at the Vehicons.

The Vehicons screamed as they were burnt, their plating melting. Miko widened her eyes in shock and bewilderment.

Bulkhead and Primrose ran into the warship with Miko following.

Down below, Paige, Raf and Jack were still hiding behind the rock, their faces filled with uncertainty.

"Think they forgot about us?" Raf asked. The three whirled around to see two Vehicons coming towards them.

◊◊◊◊

Inside the Nemesis, Bulkhead ran through the hallways finding somewhere safe for Miko who was sitting in his hand looking as though she was going to empty her stomach contents once again. However, it's not an easy task. Decepticons noticed them and began to attack the duo. Bulkhead threw Miko underneath them. She exclaimed in surprise as she slid across the floor and right underneath them while Bulkhead took them out with his hammer.

"I'm gonna heave again," Miko proclaimed as she surpressed the urge to once again.

However, she didn't have the time to empty her stomach contents onto the floor of the Nemesis. Bulkhead scooped her into his hand once again and ran through the various corridors, looking for Miko's safe harbour.

◊◊◊◊

"Bring them to the brig. Commander Starscream is keeping the other human there," the first Vehicon said. Paige and Raf looked at each other nervously.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Bumblebee and Firestorm knocked over the Vehicons and Arcee jumped over them, transforming into her bipedal form from her vehicle form. She managed to catch Jack and Raf as they fell. Paige landed in Jack's lap, knocking the wind out of him. The three of them panted as Arcee set them to their feet.

"Bumblebee!" Raf said happily. "Glad you're okay, Raf," Bumblebee said.

"Appreciate you opening the front door for us. But storming a Decepticon warship was NOT on the activities list," Arcee said. "Tell me about it," Jack sighed.

Arcee ran down the corridors with her blaster charging up. When she reached the end, she pointed her blaster at what she thought was a Decepticon. But in actual fact, it was Bulkhead pointing his own blaster at her.

"Friendly!" Arcee proclaimed.

"Hello!" Bulkhead greeted.

"Brought the humans, huh?" Arcee guessed as they folded their weapons back into their arms.

"You try getting them to stay behind!" Bulkhead retorted.

"We need to find Fowler and get them out of here," Arcee decided.

"Uh, he's in the brig!" Jack, Paige and Raf told them.

◊◊◊◊

"Agent Fowler. You do realize the Autobots have abandoned you," Starscream mocked, "I am the only one you can rely upon now. So tell me what I want to know or else." He began to slowly edge the Energon prod towards Agent Fowler.

"Wait. No more," Fowler pleaded weakly, "They're in a secret government base."

"Yes?" Starscream pressed. "In the old still mill? Or was it under that carnival house?" Fowler joked.

Starscream growled in frustration as he struck him with the Energon Prod once again. "Someone find out what is going on out there!" The Seeker instructed.

Immediately, both Vehicons who were inside guarding the door ran out to do just that.

◊◊◊◊

Outside, the firefight between the Autobots and Decepticons was still ongoing. And Jack, Paige, Miko and Raf were caught in the middle of the little firefight. Bulkhead stood in front of them and fired back a few shots of his own. All three of them were destroyed by the shots he fired. On their other side, Arcee was doing a good job as well when it came to taking down the Decepticons that kept on attacking them. Same with Bumblebee. Whenever the four humans tried to get away, the Decepticons would open fire on them. The firefight was becoming too much for them. It was suffocating. They needed to get out of there. Now. Right now. So they literally melted in relief when Arcee took down the remaining Decepticon in their little fight. Immediately, they took off running. Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee immediately followed them.

◊◊◊◊

Optimus and Ratchet weren't having that much luck themselves. Whenever they took down members of Megatron's army, more swarmed around them. They were nowhere close to having a facedown with Megatron himself. It was suffocating. And there was an undead Cybertronian ancestor everywhere they turned. There was no way out. Eventually, Optimus and Ratchet stood back-to-back as even more Transformers surrounded them.

"Optimus, this prolonged exposure to Dark Energon is sapping our strength," Ratchet observed.

"We cannot falter now," Optimus proclaimed as they raced ahead.

More undead Cybertronians were surrounding them faster then they could take them down. Eventually, they piled onto Optimus, pinning him to the ground. Ratchet didn't fail to notice.

"OPTIMUS!" he cried as he, too, was buried under the undead Cybertronians.

As much as they tried to fight, it was useless. They were consumed by the undead Cybertronian army. Above the scene, Megatron watched in delight as his enemies were brought down by his army. But it didn't stay that way for long. Optimus managed to free himself from the pile with both his blaster and his blade. He turned and saw that Ratchet was pinned down by the enemy. And wasn't doing so well in fighting back. So Optimus decided to help his old friend. He grabbed one possessed Cybertronian in each of his hands and simply tossed them aside like after smashing the two together and actually turning them into scrap metal. Once they were taken care of, Optimus helped Ratchet to his feet. Ratchet's earlier obversation was becoming clear. The two Autobots were slowly losing their strength the longer they exposed themselves to the Dark Energon that surrounded them.

"After all these years, Optimus, still at the top of your game?" Megatron tormented as Ratchet and Optimus prepared for another attack, "My legion, FINISH THEM!"

◊◊◊◊

In one of the main computer rooms on the ship, the Decepticons heard banging coming from outside. Once one of the Vehicons opened the door, he was shot in the chest by a blaster from the Autobots. In a matter of moments, Arcee, Firestorm, Primrose, Bulkhead and Bumblebee had taken care of the Vehicons inside. Outside, Jack, Paige, Miko and Raf waited for the all-clear.

"All clear," Arcee proclaimed.

Once they heard the all-clear, the four friends immediately ran into the computer room.

"Wait here," Arcee instructed, earning bleeps in objection from Bumblebee, "They're slowing us down and easy targets. They'll be alright in here as long as they stay put."

The five Autobots ran out of the computer room. Once they were clear, the doors shut and locked themselves.

"Man, that was intense," Miko said, placing her hands on her hips. "Was?" Raf repeated.

"It's your fault that we're stuck in this intensity," Jack hissed, "what were you thinking Miko!?"

"Did I ask you to follow me?" Miko demanded. "You wanted us to be in a band," Jack said, "doesn't that usually mean staying together?"

"Well maybe I decided to go solo," Miko said. "Well maybe I have some concern for your safety," Jack said.

"Oh I'm sorry, is your name Optimus!?" Miko snapped, "You can leave my safety to Bulkhead, thank you very much." "Stop it! Both of you!" Raf said as he hurried away. Paige frowned at Jack and Miko before she walked after Raf.

Paige sat down beside Raf as Miko and Jack came over. "Hey, Raf, everything will be okay," Jack said.

"Yeah, the bots will protect us and come back," Miko said gently. "How do you know?" Raf murmured sadly.

Paige's eyes saddened and she looked towards a screen. She tilted her head, "hey, Raf? What do you make of that?"

Raf lifted his head and saw the screen. "It's important," he said, standing up, "really important."

◊◊◊◊

Blaster shots sounded outside the cell. Starscream, now infuriated with Agent Fowler's constant oblivion and drowsiness, turned to said agent. "Wake up, you pathetic lump of flesh!" He snapped angrily.

Fowler drowsily lifted his head, muttering incoherent words before his head drooped. Starscream growled in frustration and he turned to a Vehicon trooper who stood in the doorway.

"Well?" He demanded. Instead of answering, the trooper fell to the floor dead and Bulkhead, Firestorm and Bumblebee aimed their blasters at Starscream who aimed his blaster at Starscream.

"Not so fast!" The Seeker growled, only for something to tap on his helm and he looked up to see Arcee aiming her blaster at him as she stood on a shaft. Primrose aimed her blaster at Starscream, "I wouldn't."

"Oh but I might," Starscream smirked.

◊◊◊◊

"We gotta get this to Optimus," Raf said. "How do you know it isn't just a recipe for space nachos?" Miko asked, earning a weird look from Paige.

"I know math when I see it," Raf said, "and that is one serious equation." "Can you download it?" Jack asked.

"I've got a flash drive," Raf said as he dug it out of his backpack, "But I don't see anywhere to plug it in. This tech is way alien."

Paige looked around before she heard pedesteps and turned to see a Vehicon. "Guys," she whispered harshly, "we need to hide. Now!"

The kids quickly hurried away to a dark corner. Raf skidded to a halt and he looked to see his backpack. He quickly hurried to it and picked it up. The Vehicon saw him and aimed his blaster at the boy. Raf yelped, his eyes widening in fear. Paige hurried to Raf and quickly shielded him.

Unbeknownst to her, the markings on her body glowed dimly. A large black wolf leapt at the Vehicon and tackled him. "Miko, take a picture!" Paige said.

"Gotcha! Hey, you!" Miko shouted. The wolf and the vehicon glanced at her and she took a picture. "Not of that! Of that!" Jack exclaimed, pointing to the screen. The vehicon punched at the wolf only to scream as the wolf clawed and bit at him.

"Oh," Miko said before she took another picture- of the screen this time. "Let's go!" Paige said as she helped Raf to his feet and the four kids hurried out of the room.

The wolf watched the kids go. The lights flickered on and off and the wolf was out of sight, leaving a dead Vehicon in the room. The Autobots drove over to their charges who immediately got in. "I told you to stay put," Arcee said sternly before she and the other Autobots drove away.

◊◊◊◊

Meanwhile, Optimus and Ratchet were still battling Megatron's undead army of Cybertronians. Optimus had found his way through the undead and glared up at Megatron.

"Bravo Optimus," Megatron said, impressed, "but this is just a prelude. You may wish to save your strength for the main event."

"You will not prevail, Megatron," Optimus said, "not while energon still runs through my veins." "Fitting, for it is Dark Energon which flows through mine," Megatron said with a grin.

Optimus swung his fist at him only for the Decepticon leader to dodge it before he transformed into his aerial form and flew up into the air, avoiding the blaster shots flying from Optimus' blaster. The Prime stopped firing and he transformed his blaster back into his servo.

"If this wasn't Megatron's endgame... then what is?" Ratchet asked although he was afraid to find out.

◊◊◊◊

Back at the Autobot base, the Autobots and humans were recovering from the events. "What happened to you guys anyway?" Miko asked worriedly.

"We engaged an army of undead Cybertronian warriors," Ratchet said. "Zombies? You fought zombies and I missed it?" Miko asked with a pout. "We were on a God forsaken warship and that's what you're mad about?" Paige asked as she gave her friend a blank look.

"Bulkhead, Primrose, you exceeded extremely poor judgement in allowing the humans to accompany you," Optimus said sternly. "It won't happen again, Optimus," Bulkhead sighed. "We promise," Primrose said, looking away.

"But it wasn't Primrose or Bulkhead's fault," Miko said immediately. "Miko, please," Bulkhead whispered, giving his charge a pleading glance. The girl pulled out her phone and showed it to the Prime, "and check it out. Recon."

Optimus looked at the picture on Miko's phone before he looked to Ratchet, "Ratchet, take a look. It could be of importance to Megatron."

"Wait, Megatron's back? Th-that's really bad news right?" Jack asked nervously. "Apparently," Firestorm said. Ratchet looked at the picture on Miko's phone before a look of confusion came across his faceplates. "I don't understand," the medic said, confused. Confused herself, Miko turned her phone to take a look, "whoops. That's the con who tried to blow Paige and Raf away. At least that's what he looked before that wolf appeared out of nowhere and rearranged his grill."

"A wolf? What wolf?" Primrose asked, confused. "Miko... Raf and Paige were almost killed," Jack said angrily, "this isn't a game! When are you gonna get that through your thick skull?!"

"Um, we were all almost killed Jack," Miko shot back, annoyed, "you, me, Raf, Paige- even them!" "Well, if this was just an average day with the Autobots then I don't wanna be a part of it, not anymore," Jack snapped.

"Jack, putting you in harm's way was never our intent. However It is no longer the safety of you four that is at risk but the safety of all human kind. We will respect your decision if you wish to leave," Optimus said.

The sound of the ground bridge opening caught everyone's attention as Ratchet had activated the coordinates. "No point in long goodbyes, here's the door," he said. Paige frowned as Jack turned to her and Raf, "come on,guys."

Raf glanced over at Bumblebee who lowered his helm. Raf looked back at Jack, "I'll be okay Jack. See you at school." "Sure thing," Jack said.

"I'll go home by myself," Paige said to the boy, "I need... some time." Jack nodded to her before he walked downstairs. He stopped when Arcee stepped up to him. He gave a small smile, "I know. You don't exist."

"Don't make me hunt you down," Arcee said playfully but her smile faded as Jack disappeared through the ground bridge.

◊◊◊◊

"Please Lord Megatron, I meant no-aahhhhhh!" Starscream shouted when Megatron hit him right in the face causing sparks to fly. Megatron clenched his fist with a dark growl.

"I ordered you to await my command." Megatron shouted and hit Starscream yet again, making him to fly across the room. "Instead your mindless agenda resulting in the disabling of my ship and the delay of my plans!" Megatron roared as he advanced towards the seeker. He flung himself back and started to crawl away as Megatron continued forward.

"My intentions were pure master. I only wanted you to be rid of Optimus." He pleaded. Echo flinched when Megatron stomped his large pede down on Starscream's chestplates and helm, causing him to scream and creating more sparks.

"No one rids me of Optimus Prime, but me. Do you understand? Do you?!" Megtron shouted and pressed his pede further into Starscream's metal.

"Lord Megatron I will make things right I swear. I know how to set your plans back on course." Starscream pleaded before he gasped in relief when Megatron released the pressure, only to grab his throat. "Explain Starscream. Quickly," he growled.

◊◊◊◊

Back at the Darby residence, Jack was fixing his bike. He was surprised to hear the sound of engines as Bulkhead drove up to his driveway. He wasn't surprised to see Miko hop out of her guardian's vehicle form and she walked into the ground bridge.

"Now I understand why you had to rush home," Miko said. "Don't you have something more exciting to do?" Jack asked.

"So, this is where you hang, huh? Back home in Tokyo, I have loving parents and two purebred cats, Chi Chi and Ding Dong. I went to the best school, took piano lessons since I was three," Miko recalled her past life in sadness and happiness at the same time.

"How nice for you," Jack sighed uninterestingly.

"No! How boring!" Miko corrected, causing Jack to look at her in surprise and interest in what she had to say, "It wasn't me. Why do you think I jumped at the chance to transfer here?"

"To Jasper, Nevada? The entertainment capital of the world?" Jack scoffed in disbelief.

"Yeah, well, the brochere lied. Piano lessons were starting to look pretty good in fact," Miko remarked before saying on a lighter note, "And then, the last couple of days happened."

"Do you have a point?" Jack asked impatiently.

"You bet! I saw what you did today. When you saved Raf and Paige. When you came to save me!" Miko said.

"I was raised to be responsible. To my schoolwork, to my mum, my best friend, my job!" Jack explained bitterly as he placed the wheel back on his bike.

"Dude, hear me out!" Miko begged him, "You're no fry cook! You're a rock star! Stop trying to pretend you're normal, Jack. You'll never fit in. You were born to do so much more."

"Thanks, Miko. But I think normal suits me fine," Jack sighed. Miko sighed softly before she turned and walked out of the garage and over to Bulkhead. Jack stood still for a moment as he listened to Bulkhead drive away. He sighed softly and looked back over his shoulder.

◊◊◊◊

Paige sat on the windowsill, staring at the starlit sky and the moon. It was her favorite time of night. She pulled her knees to her chest as she thought of Jack's words. She hadn't seen him so angry and scared before. It almost made her more than anxious.

The news of Megatron being back made her terrified more than anything. She closed her eyes tightly. Her markings started glowing brightly, almost as bright as the moon.

"Paigey?" She jumped and looked to the door as her mom walked into the room. "H-hi Mom," she said quietly. Tasha sat down and hugged her daughter close, gently running her fingers through her hair.

Paige buried her face into her chest, slowly calming down, listening to her mom's heartbeat. 'What adventures did you go on today, love bug?' Tasha thought curiously and worriedly.

Paige smiled sleepily as she climbed into her bed and pulled the covers over her. Tasha kissed her forehead, "night, baby."

"Night Mama," Paige said with a tired smile as she slowly fell asleep. Tasha smiled softly before she looked at the window with a frown. The markings on her body glowed a deep blue and her eyes narrowed as they flashed blue.

She walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

◊◊◊◊

"It can't be!" Ratchet gasped, "Optimus, these are engineering specs for a Space Time Vortex Generator!"

"Megatron is building a Space Bridge. If he hasn't already," Firestorm said gravely.

"The sooner he leaves, the better," Bulkhead remarked as he and Bumblebee approached them.

"Bulkhead, a Space Bridge runs in two directions. Megatron may not be using it to leave Earth. But to bring through his conquoring army," Optimus proclaimed gravely.

"The main event Megatron referred to. But the only place Megatron could possibly recruit that many fallen soldiers is...," Ratchet trailed off as it all dawned on him.

"Precisely," Optimus agreed before finally voicing it aloud, "Cybertron..."