Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"No Decepticon activity for three solar cycles. It's too quiet."

Arcee skimmed the scouting report, a faint frown tugging at her lips. There are no signs of Vehicon patrols, no Starscream scheming, no Megatron declarations, and not even KnockOut's obnoxious gloating. It was as if the Decepticons had vanished off the face of the Earth.

Optimus stood nearby, arms folded as he studied the topographic maps on his display. His calm, inscrutable expression only added to Arcee’s unease. "Your concerns are valid, Arcee," he said in his measured tone. "Such silence could signal the Decepticons preparing for something far more dangerous."

His optics lingered on the scans before adding, "Or perhaps... this is the respite we've long awaited."

Miko leaned over the platform railing, her voice full of hope. "Maybe they finally realized they don't stand a chance against us."

Jack groaned and nudged her. "Miko, can you not?"

The sound of heavy footfalls echoed through the hangar as Bulkhead and Bumblebee entered, each carrying a stack of crates. Bulkhead dropped his load with a grunt and slapped Bumblebee's shoulder with a grin. "What d'you make of it, Bee? A whole three days and not a peep outta the 'Cons."

Whistling sharply and throwing one fist in the air, door wings bouncing in rhythm with his enthusiasm. Bumblebee chirped in agreement, his excitement mirroring Miko's sentiments.

For the first time in countless stellar cycles, the team had a rare taste of peace. But deep down, they all knew this lull was only temporary. The war had gone on too long for them to believe otherwise. True respite wasn’t possible—just these fleeting quiet moments between storms.

Raf adjusted his glasses and peeked around Bumblebee’s leg. "They have to be up to something, right? Megatron doesn’t seem like the vacation type."

"Maybe they found some really good energon?" Miko chimed in unhelpfully.

The others exchanged skeptical glances, some nodding or murmuring halfhearted agreements. There weren’t many plausible, let alone comforting, reasons for the Decepticons’ silence.

Optimus exhaled heavily. "Wherever the Decepticons may be, trouble is never far behind. Rest while you can, Autobots. I fear our hard-earned reprieve will not last much longer."

Bulkhead let out a hearty laugh and jabbed a thumb toward the rear of the hangar. "Yeah? Someone tell that to Ratchet, ’cause he hasn’t left the ground bridge controls in cycles!"

All eyes shifted toward the cantankerous medic, who was bustling between machines, his servos clicking and clanking with every frustrated movement.

Jack crossed his arms, eyeing the scene warily. "Uh, yeah. Speaking of which... what exactly is Ratchet doing?"

“Unclear,” Arcee replied curtly.

Ratchet suddenly froze, as if just realizing the weight of all the curious optics fixed on him. In one sharp motion, he stepped out from behind his computer station, pulling levers and pressing buttons with swift precision. The lights in their base dimmed, leaving the room awash in the cold, blue glow of their screens.

He paced with intent, moving briskly from one side of the console to the other before coming to an abrupt halt. Raising a finger, he declared, “To answer your question, Jack, I’ve been using this brief pause in activity to implement upgrades to the GroundBridge. An absolute necessity for a crew that sees as much action as ours does.”

Jack blinked, caught off guard that the medic had been paying attention to his idle comment. Then again, it was fitting—Ratchet was nothing if not dedicated, always pushing his gears to the limit regardless of the task at hand.

Bumblebee whirred a question, his gears ticking in curiosity.

Ratchet’s expression soured, crossing his arms in mock indignation. “Yes, thank you, Bumblebee, for reminding me…” He spun back toward the console, pressing a few more buttons with practiced precision. “Rest is well and good, but I’ve already finished my work.”

A swirling wave of green light burst from the GroundBridge, capturing everyone’s attention as its luminous vortex filled the room.

“I’ve successfully modified the GroundBridge to eliminate almost all delays in locking onto coordinates.” Ratchet puffed his chassis slightly, a rare grin spreading across his face. “Henceforth, our travel between locations and missions will be more streamlined. Not to mention—”

“Whoa! We can just go ?” Raf interrupted, his wide eyes reflecting the green glow.

Ratchet nodded with a small note of pride. “I’ll need to run a few more tests, of course, but yes—I see no reason this won’t function as intended.”

“Well, let’s get a move on then!” Miko chimed in, rubbing her hands together with excitement.

“Hold your horses, cowgirl,” Bulkhead teased, effortlessly scooping her up and plopping the squirming teen onto his broad shoulders. “Not until Ratchet says it’s okay. Don’t want anyone getting lost in the in-between.”

Miko groaned, slumping in mock defeat, while Arcee crossed the room, her optics narrowing at the glowing GroundBridge. “Is it really safe?” she asked, her tone laced with caution.

The bridge pulsed rhythmically, its swirling green energy tugging faintly at her metal plating, as though alive.

“My readings and scans come back fine every time,” Ratchet replied with a casual shrug. “But I’d like either you or Bumblebee to run a test cycle to confirm.”

Bumblebee paused, then flashed a confident hand sign.

Arcee glanced at him before nodding. “I’ll do it.”

Ratchet exhaled in visible relief as he prepared the controls. “Wonderful! Thank you, Arcee.”

She shot him a brief glare, unimpressed by his attitude, but said nothing. The others gathered to watch, their curiosity growing as Ratchet raised his controller.

“Just a five-second burst,” he instructed, his thumb hovering over the button. “The cycle will reset automatically.”

The swirling portal crackled with energy, its green tendrils lashing outward as if eager to be used. Taking a runner’s stance, Arcee called over her shoulder, “Ready.”

“Five.Four.Three.Two. One.”

CLACK!
Click!

Arcee took a step toward the portal, but before she could advance further, an alarm blared. The console erupted with flashing red lights, and warning signals lit up every screen.

“Destabilization imminent!” Ratchet shouted, his optics scanning the chaos as his hands flew over the controls. “The GroundBridge is not in safe transport mode. Everyone, get back!”

The swirling green vortex flashed violently, its energy tendrils lashing outward with unpredictable force. Optimus stepped forward, shielding the team with his broad frame. “Ratchet!” he barked.

“I can’t cancel the sequence!” Ratchet yelped, his voice tight with panic. “Without the time dilation stabilizer, shutting it down too quickly could have catastrophic consequences!”

Miko ducked behind Bulkhead and Bumblebee, her hands clamped over her ears as she winced. “Ugh! I thought you said it be fine Ratchet!” she groaned.

Arcee dodged a rogue tendril of energy, leaping back to avoid its crackling touch. But the pull of the unstable GroundBridge grew stronger with every passing second, dragging her closer to its core.

“Gah! Somebody get this thing under control!” Arcee shouted, her pedes skidding against the floor as she struggled to resist the vortex’s pull.

The portal surged, and with a final, ferocious tug, Arcee lost her footing entirely. A sharp gasp escaped her before the energy yanked her into the light.

Optimus lunged forward, grabbing hold of Arcee’s arm with one hand while anchoring himself to the ground with the other. “Ratchet! We need a solution now!” he commanded, his voice steady despite the chaos.

“Erm—ah—” Ratchet stammered, his optics darting between the displays. Finally, his hands steadied, and he pressed a sequence of buttons. “I’m initiating a manual override of the emergency shut-down process! Just hold on!”

Flipping switches and hammering at the keyboard, Ratchet’s optics darted between the flickering dials with furious precision. One by one, the meters dropped into safe zones, accompanied by a low, steady rumble. The swirling portal began to slow, its erratic energy dampening before the destabilized vortex gave a final heavy puff and collapsed in on itself with a sharp gust.

The force sent Optimus, Arcee, and the others sprawling onto their backsides. Silence followed as the GroundBridge went dark, its green vortex replaced with an oddly serene blue glow.

Arcee groaned, lifting her head off the floor and blinking. “Am... I still me?”

Ratchet exhaled heavily, his posture slumping against the edge of the console. He pressed a shaky servo to his forehead, his exhaustion palpable.

The others stirred in stunned silence, slowly picking themselves up off the ground. Optimus was the first to speak, his deep voice steady. “Children, are you unharmed?”

“Uh, yeah!” Jack answered, brushing off his dust-covered clothes. “Whoa—we’re all alive.”

“Talk about a rough ride,” Miko muttered, smacking at her arms and legs as if checking for bruises.

Raf trembled slightly, his voice quiet. “Th-that wasn’t fun at all. Are... are you guys okay too?”

Arcee sat up, rubbing a tender spot on her head. “Sore head, sore backside... but I think that’s the worst of it.”

While the others dusted themselves off and examined their scrapes, Ratchet’s optics remained glued to the GroundBridge, his fingers flying over the console as he ran a diagnostic to ensure its stability. The faint, calm blue glow emanating from the portal did little to quell his growing unease.

Arcee, on the other hand, was far less composed. Her optics narrowed, and she hissed under her breath, “You bit-brain, bootleg, burnout old hunk of junk!”

She punctuated her words with a sharp kick to a nearby tool rack, sending it flying with a loud crash.

The sound startled everyone but Ratchet, who remained utterly absorbed in his monitors, barely reacting to the commotion. However, the other Autobots froze in place, their optics darting between Arcee and the medic.

“Did you hear me?!” Arcee yelled, her anger boiling over.

Before Ratchet could respond, Optimus stepped forward, his deep voice calm and steady. “Arcee—”

“This glitched moron almost killed me! ” she snapped, jabbing a finger in Ratchet’s direction. “And the kids too!”

Optimus raised a hand, his palm outward in a calming gesture. His tone remained even as he addressed her. “I am confident Ratchet would not have proceeded with this test had he known it posed a threat to the children.”

“But—”

The look of patience on Optimus’ face was unyielding, cutting through her protests.

With a frustrated huff, Arcee rolled her optics and threw her arms into the air. “Fine!” she groaned, venting her irritation with exaggerated sighs before storming a few paces away.

Meanwhile, Bumblebee chirped and pointed toward the GroundBridge, his servos gesturing excitedly as he spun in place to grab their attention.

“Yeah, I was wondering about that too,” Jack said, watching intently. “Why does it look different now?”

Bumblebee clicked a few sequences as if adjusting an imaginary setting before halting and gesturing at the now-blue portal.

Bulkhead tilted his head and hummed thoughtfully. “Kinda pretty, though,” he mused, scratching the back of his neck.

Crossing her arms, Miko grinned. “Y’know, that kinda makes me want to go into it. Wonder where it would take us?”

Ratchet snapped his head in her direction, swatting the air near her. “Absolutely not, Miko!”

Pointing sharply at the now-stable structure, he grumbled, “Unlike a normal portal, there’s no telling where—or even if —the other side is safe. Any number of catastrophic things could happen to a person foolish enough to step through!”

Optimus crossed his arms, his optics fixed on the swirling blue tendrils in their perpetual dance. “What does the data tell us?”

Ratchet muttered under his breath, his fingers working furiously over the keyboard as he analyzed the readings. Arcee glanced at him skeptically, her tone sharp. “That’s assuming the data’s even accurate.”

The medic shot her a glare, muttering something unintelligible under his breath before raising his voice. “It’s hard to— I... No, it can’t be—no, it—”

“ Well? Spit it out already, Doc,” Bulkhead teased, leaning in with a grin.

Ratchet turned his back to the GroundBridge, one servo rubbing his chin as he mumbled. “That would...” He trailed off, moving to another console and pulling up more windows. The numbers and graphs before him painted a picture only he seemed to understand.

The others exchanged glances. Miko waved a hand in his direction, raising an eyebrow. “Uh, is he broken?”

Bumblebee clicked and chirped with amusement, prompting a small chuckle from Raf.

“He’s crazy is what he is,” Arcee muttered, arms crossed.

Sensing the growing impatience in the room, Optimus finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. “Ratchet, is there an issue?”

The grumbling stopped. The medic froze, staring down at his console as though he’d just completed the most complex calculation in existence. He remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Optimus took a step forward. “I trust all is well, old friend?”

“Primus, it can’t be,” Ratchet murmured, almost in awe. “But my tests have returned the same result every time.”

“What, Ratchet? What’s going on?!” Arcee snapped, her patience wearing thin as she clenched her fists.

Ratchet barely acknowledged her, his optics darting between the GroundBridge and his monitors. “It—it shouldn’t be possible,” he muttered, his tone caught between disbelief and excitement. “My calculations must be wrong... or perhaps an error crept in somewhere without my noticing.” He shook his head, gripping the edge of his console. “And yet!”

He stepped closer to the swirling anomaly, his optics burning with an intensity that made everyone uneasy. “Do you have any idea what this could mean ?” he exclaimed, his voice trembling.

Taking his helm in his servos, the medic looked on the verge of either tears or a total breakdown, utterly overwhelmed by the revelation before him.

Arcee, still trying to decipher his cryptic ramblings, crossed her arms and growled, “For the love of—just spit it out, Doc! Is it fixed or not?”

Optimus remained calm, his steady voice cutting through the tension. “Ratchet, old friend, perhaps you could enlighten us. What conclusion have you reached?”

Ratchet turned to face them, his optics wide, his expression a mix of joy and bewilderment. For a moment, he struggled to find words, as if the enormity of his discovery had rendered him speechless.

“It’s—” Ratchet began, then paused, glancing back at the glowing portal. Finally, he looked to the team, his face lighting up with excitement. “It’s extraordinary.”

“This...” Ratchet began, hesitating as he stared into the swirling blue vortex. Its unnatural, hypnotic pull seemed to draw him in deeper. He gulped and finally turned back to the group. “If the readings are correct... this is a cross-dimensional rift through time and space itself.”

Silence.

The Autobots exchanged confused glances, their heads tilting in unison. Jack finally broke the quiet, shrugging. “A what now?”

“In English , please, Doc-bot,” Miko added, raking a hand through her hair with exasperation.

Ratchet sighed, stepping away from the console and gesturing toward the portal. “Alright, listen carefully. The GroundBridge system we use employs a ‘delay’ feature. This minimizes distortions caused by the immense distances we travel. Without it, crossing such vast spaces could lead to catastrophic results.”

He pointed to one of his monitors, pulling up a graph. “Under normal circumstances, the system uses a precise time acceleration rate. Essentially, the space between the portal and its destination is offset to the real world by a factor of twelve, which allows us to perceive the journey as nearly instantaneous.”

He gestured to another set of scans, his tone rising with urgency. “But this—this portal doesn’t follow those parameters. It’s completely unbound by the delay mechanism. The distortions don’t just span vast distances—they connect entirely different dimensions. Possibly even alternate timelines.”

The group remained silent, their confusion palpable. Even Raf, typically the most scientifically inclined, furrowed his brow, trying to keep up.

Continuing his explanation, Ratchet gestured toward the swirling blue portal, its hue reminding him of an endless void. “This, however, is something entirely unprecedented. Based on its behavior, I’m inclined to classify it as a ‘lightning gate.’”

Jack tilted his head, scratching at his temple. “Which means...?”

Ratchet sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he searched for a simpler analogy. “Alright, think of it as a sort of... window, one that overlaps between dimensions. Allowing us to see what’s on the other side but reflective for the other.”

Miko’s brows shot up, her face lighting with recognition. “Oh! Like a two-way mirror?”

“Exactly,” Ratchet replied, giving her an approving nod.

Jack frowned thoughtfully, narrowing his eyes. “Wait, so if it’s a window... does that mean we can’t go through it? Or can we?”

Arcee crossed her arms, her optics lingering on the swirling vortex with trepidation. Its vast, empty depths seemed to taunt her, daring anyone to approach. 

Ratchet folded his arms, addressing Jack’s question. “Not likely. I used ‘window’ as a metaphor, but for practical purposes, it’s closer to a monitor. We’re able to view the world on the other side, but nothing can cross through. Unless...” He trailed off, his gaze flicking back to the scanner. “Unless my readings are incomplete.”

“So, basically,” Raf chimed in with a grin, “Ratchet accidentally made an interdimensional TV?”

Ratchet huffed, though he couldn’t entirely deny it. “Yes, something like that.”

Optimus crossed his arms, his presence commanding as he spoke with his usual deliberate tone. “Ratchet, can the GroundBridge return to its normal function should we require it?”

Ratchet glanced at the readouts on his console, his servos darting between switches and keyboards. “Ah, yes. I can recalibrate it in an instant if needed.”

“Then let’s hurry and get back to business as usual,” Bulkhead grumbled, casting an uneasy glance at the swirling blue anomaly. “This thing is creeping me out.”

“But Bulkhead, it could show us awesome stuff!” Miko protested, leaning over the railing with excitement.

Ratchet hesitated, his optics darting from Miko to Optimus. “Optimus,” he began, his voice laced with hope and conviction, “the opportunity before us is extraordinary. Imagine what could lie on the other side! Not only are we the only ones on this planet capable of accessing it, but think of what we might learn—or even acquire. This is a feat unparalleled in Cybertronian history!” His expression brightened, a rare glimmer of enthusiasm lighting his face.

Arcee scoffed, her skepticism palpable. “That’s great, Ratchet, but staring into some random universe isn’t going to help us beat the Decepticons.”

Ratchet straightened, folding his arms as he shifted from one foot to the other. “Perhaps,” he conceded, “or perhaps it could aid us tremendously. This is a chance to observe and learn. A window like this—an invaluable opportunity—could provide insights beyond anything we’ve ever imagined.”

His gaze burned with conviction, daring the others to see his perspective.

Team Prime gradually formed a loose circle, their voices overlapping as they debated their next course of action. Optimus, ever the thoughtful leader, glanced once more at the swirling portal before raising a hand to quiet the group. “Does anyone have objections to this experiment?”

“I vote against it,” Arcee stated firmly, crossing her arms and offering a pointed smile.

“I wanna see another version of me! Sign me up!” Miko exclaimed, thrusting her hand into the air. Ratchet mirrored her enthusiasm with a raised hand of his own.

Raf exchanged a look with Bumblebee and shrugged. “No complaints here. Let’s do it.”

Bee nodded and chirped his agreement, his door wings flicking in excitement.

Arcee turned to Jack, folding her arms and narrowing her optics. “Jack.”

Caught off guard, Jack blinked and rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, Arcee... Look, I get why you’re concerned and trust me; I have my own worries. But…” He hesitated, glancing toward the glowing portal. “You’ve gotta admit, the possibilities here are endless. Who’s to say we won’t find something— something —that gives us the edge against the Cons?”

Arcee exhaled sharply, throwing up her hands in frustration. “Ugh, fine.”

Bulkhead, who had been quietly observing, chimed in with a chuckle. “Look, I’m a simple bot. If Miko thinks it’s cool, that’s good enough for me.”

With the team having discussed the issue, the final decision rested with Optimus. Standing tall before Ratchet, he cast a glance from the medic to the swirling anomaly and back again. “For now, we will allow this experiment.”

Ratchet straightened, snapping a quick salute, his face lighting up with glee. “Thank you, Optimus!”

“But,” Optimus extended a finger, his voice laced with caution, “if the Decepticons make a move while we are observing your experiment, we will end it immediately.”

Ratchet’s mirth dimmed under the weight of the Prime’s words. He nodded solemnly, waving his servos in reassurance. “Of course, naturally, Optimus. I understand completely.”

“WOOHOO!” Miko cheered, thrusting a fist into the air. “Bulk, bring the couch! We’re in this for the long haul. Maybe we should make popcorn or something, too.”

“Heh, good thinking.” Bulkhead chuckled, effortlessly lifting the well-worn couch where the children usually sat and carrying it over to face the portal.

Once the couch was in place, the children eagerly climbed aboard, bouncing slightly as they settled in. The Autobots stood behind them, watching intently. At the control panel, Ratchet worked methodically, typing with precision.

“Now, remember,” Ratchet began, glancing at the group as he pulled a switch, “this portal is for observation only. We have no means of interacting with whatever we see on the other side.”

The portal flared to life, its swirling blue tendrils glowing brighter as the team prepared to witness the unknown.

The blues of the portal warped and shifted, dimming momentarily before flaring with an intense brightness. Ratchet squinted, shielding his optics as the anomaly solidified. The center contracted briefly, then expanded outward in a burst of light, revealing a vista of stars and the vast darkness of space.

"Any idea what we're about to see?" Arcee asked, her tone edged with skepticism.

"None whatsoever," Ratchet replied, stepping back toward the monitors. His fingers danced across the controls as he began to record the readings. "This is entirely uncharted territory."

The team stared into the cosmic expanse, a collective sense of curiosity and unease settling over them. Then suddenly a voice, eerily familiar, echoed from the other side. 

"Before time began, there was the Cube."

Chapter Text

Sharp eyes locked onto the screen, a sharp intake of breath breaking the silence. "Holy—" Jack whispered, awe in his voice.

 "Whoa. Is... is that?!" Bulkhead stammered, his optics widening in disbelief.

Arcee's gaze narrowed as she leaned closer, her tone edged with shock. "Optimus."

Miko, practically bouncing on the couch, jabbed her finger at the screen. "There's another you! That's so cool!"

Raf adjusted his glasses, his smile growing as he pointed at the image. "I had a feeling, but actually hearing another version of Optimus? It's blowing my mind."

The solemn voice of the other-world Optimus carried on, its deep timbre resonating through the room as the floating screen displayed a massive, mysterious object gliding through the infinite void.

"We know not where it comes from," the other Optimus intoned, "only that it holds the power to create worlds... and fill them with life."

The screen displayed a close-up of a strange, cube before zooming out to reveal the immense size of the AllSpark, drifting through the endless void of space. The voice continued, solemn and deliberate.

"That is how our race was born. For a time, we lived in harmony."

Bulkhead shook his head, his expression torn between amazement and unease. "Hearing another Optimus talk is really messing with me."

Arcee nodded, her tone mirroring his. "Yeah, I know exactly what you mean."

Optimus Prime watched the unfolding tale with a furrowed brow, his optics fixed on the screen. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he mused, "This is quite different from the AllSpark of our world

Ratchet folded his arms, his voice calm but firm. "Then it’s safe to say this truly is another universe."

The kids remained captivated by the scene, their eyes glued to the mysterious relic that supposedly held the power to create life. Miko, her head propped up on her hands, leaned forward. "Think they had their own Bot/Con war, or not?"

"But like all great power, some wanted it for good, others for evil. And so began the war, a war that ravaged our planet until it was consumed by death,"

Arcee scowled, placing a hand on her hip. "Well, that answers that. Poor Optimus, no matter the universe."

Raf hugged himself, his face reflecting both fascination and unease. "It sounds horrible. And yet... it’s so similar to what you've all been through."

The voice continued, steady and mournful. "And the Cube was lost to the far reaches of space. We scattered across the galaxy, hoping to find it and rebuild our home, searching every star, every world."

Ratchet, rested his chin on his hand as he listened with rapt attention. A deep sigh escaped him. "Are we always destined to lose our homes? Primus," he muttered, shaking his head. "History never ceases to repeat itself, even across time and space."

"Old friend," Optimus said softly.

Sensing the weight on his comrade's shoulders, Optimus placed a comforting servo on Ratchet’s back. His voice was resolute, filled with hope. "Do not lose heart. With every step forward, we grow stronger as one. The universe may test us, but I believe... Cybertron shall rise again."

Swallowing the swell of emotions bubbling within, Ratchet managed a half-smile and a small nod of gratitude. "I... ahem. Thank you, Optimus."

The voice from the screen pressed on, somber and unyielding.

"And just when all hope seemed lost, word of a new discovery led us to an unknown planet called Earth."

Ratchet felt his spark ache for the Optimus of that world. Their tale struck a chord—familiar yet painfully distinct. It weighed heavy to hear, but unlike their own seemingly dire predicament, this other Prime’s journey hinted at a possible solution. Perhaps hope wasn’t entirely lost in his own world either.

"But we were already too late."

The Autobots and the children leaned closer, utterly absorbed in the tale, tension thick in the room.

"Too late?" Jack asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Decepticons? Of course," Arcee quipped knowingly, crossing her arms.

Ratchet let out a small scoff. "Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest," he muttered, shaking his head.

The dark expanse of space faded from the screen, replaced by the sunlit expanse of an Earth desert. A shadow of a human aircraft skimmed across the dunes, its cargo—a group of weary soldiers—being transported through the blistering sands.

Miko grinned at the sight. "Looks like they’ve been roughin’ it."

Bee chirped in amusement, earning an eye-roll from Arcee. "Oh, hush up, you two."

As the voices of the American soldiers drifted through the portal, filled with reminiscences of better days, Ratchet flinched slightly. Their daydreaming reminded him of Cybertron before the war—when peace reigned, and life passed without conflict or sorrow.

The soldiers eventually landed at a military base, the tone shifting to one of relief and joy. They dispersed, reveling in the simple pleasures of safety—showers, warm food, and shared laughter. The veteran men soaked in the downtime, grateful for a reprieve from the unforgiving desert.

"Nothing like some downtime, right, Bee?" Bulkhead chuckled, throwing a friendly arm around the yellow scout’s shoulder.

Bee whistled in agreement, his optics bright as he watched the scene unfold alongside his fellow Autobots.

But the serenity didn’t last. The screen shifted back to the desert sands, where an ominous black helicopter loomed, circling the sky like a predator.

"Looks like their break’s gonna be cut short," Arcee growled, her tone low and wary.

Back at the base, the command room was alive with urgency. The buzz of activity filled the air as soldiers scrambled behind their desks, their hurried tones betraying the growing panic. Monitors flickered with data feeds, and the tension grew as the unidentified bogey was tracked across the skies.  

The commander, standing tall amidst the chaos, barked orders with precision. His voice cut through the noise as he commanded two jets to be scrambled to intercept and identify the target.  

In the control room, staff worked frantically, their voices overlapping as they relayed information and analyzed the situation. The weight of the moment hung heavy, reflected in every frantic movement and clipped command. 

"Well they take potential threats seriously," Jack added.

"Good thing." Ratchet hummed.

Miko furrowed her brow at the tense scene on the portal. Barely able to make out the words being thrown between the staff members, she gestured, "Mm yeah, guess no one gets a break from war.” 

Meanwhile, the helicopter in question remained steadfast, its ominous presence unshaken. The jets arrived swiftly, closing the distance with practiced ease, their engines roaring through the desert skies. They performed a precise aerial display, tailing the target closely, their presence an unmistakable show of force.  

Back at the base, a young soldier behind one of the desks began to research the helicopter’s serial number. His brow furrowed, and his face paled as he double-checked the database. His voice was neutral as he relayed his findings to his superior: the numbers matched. The aircraft had been shot down three months prior.

"That's weird. If it crashed, how's it flying now?" Miko voiced the question lingering in everyone's mind, her tone tinged with curiosity and suspicion.

"Indeed," Ratchet agreed, his optics narrowing as he scrutinized the scene.

Arcee’s fist clenched, tension radiating from her. "Knowing Decepticons, it’s got to be one of them. The real question is, which one?"

To everyone's surprise, after receiving orders from the jets to follow them back to the base, the aircraft compiled without resistance.

Miko leaned back, chin in her palms. "Huh.. maybe it's not even a 'Con."

Bee's short burst of beeps earned a nod from Bulkhead. "Exactly. If it was, they'd be living up to the name by now."

Ratchet's sigh was half irritation, half resignation, and Arcee's muttered reply carried more bite than warmth. "Not sure want to see where this road leads."

As night fell, the scene shifted back to the military base. The helicopter descended onto the landing pad, its engines revving one last time before stopping. The rotors slowed, their spinning motions ceasing as the craft finally came to rest.

Around the base, the monitors flickered erratically. Screens shut off or glitched out entirely despite the frantic efforts of the soldiers to stabilize them. Amid the chaos, one soldier managed to identify the source of the interference: the helicopter itself.

Alarm flickered in Raf's voice. "Wait...did he just jam the whole base?"

"Unfortunately"' Ratchet replied optics fixed on the portal. His tone was sharp, analytical. "That level of disruption means their tech is at least on par with ours... perhaps even superior."

On the landing pad, troops gathered en masse. Machine gun-mounted Humvees rolled into position, forming a tight perimeter around the grounded aircraft. Weapons aimed squarely at the dark vehicle, the soldiers braced for anything.

Jack glanced at the impressive display of human firepower and scratched his neck uneasily. "So... I’m guessing the military doesn’t have any Autobots on their side?"

A shadow crossed Arcee’s expression as she watched the scene. "No," came the quiet answer, heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Despite the overwhelming presence of armed forces, the helicopter remained unsettlingly still. The tension was palpable as if the entire base was holding its breath, waiting for the first move.

From the command room, the base commander surveyed the standoff. His voice was sharp and commanding as he issued an ultimatum through his headset. "Have your crew step out or we will kill you."

As if mocking the threat around it, the chopper’s engines roared to life. In an instant, the machine began to shift and contort before the soldiers' astonished eyes. Panels folded and molded, turning over and sliding into place as the helicopter transformed into something far more menacing.

"Open fire!" a soldier shouted, breaking the spell of shock that had frozen the troops.

Gunfire erupted loud blasts echoing through the portal. Ratchet jerked back, glaring at the screen. "Oh, it’s certainly a 'Con, no doubt about it."

"No kidding," Miko muttered, hugging one leg to her chest. "And a big one, too."

The transformation continued with deafening screeches of steel twisting and grinding into place. Gears slid and locked, and the black metal monstrosity rose to its full height. Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off its thick, obsidian armor as glowing red optics blazed down at the soldiers.

"Any idea who that is?" Arcee asked, her tone sharp as she scrutinized the towering figure.

Ratchet pinched his lip plates, his optics narrowing as he examined the unfamiliar design. "None. There are too many potential candidates to make a solid guess."

"Ugly piece of work, that’s all I know," Bulkhead remarked, arms crossed as his door wings tucked in uneasily.

With its transformation complete, the mechanical giant unleashed its arsenal. Missiles roared from its launchers, followed by a relentless hail of gunfire that tore through the ranks of soldiers. The scene was one of utter devastation; the military’s once-imposing presence was now reduced to chaos and fear.

The soldiers yelled as they dove for cover, scrambling to avoid the relentless onslaught.

"Frag..." Arcee muttered under her breath, her optics narrowing as the chaos unfolded on the screen.

Beside her, Miko clung tightly to Bulkhead’s leg, her usual bravado silenced by the horrifying scene. Raf had his face buried in his hands, unable to watch as the carnage unfolded, while Bee glanced toward the kids, a flicker of worry crossing his visor.

The fighting on-screen only intensified. The towering robot unleashed its arm cannons, sending shockwaves of devastating energy rippling through its hapless foes. One particularly powerful blast shattered the glass of the command room, flinging shards and debris in all directions.

"They’re getting shredded," Jack muttered, cringing at the unrelenting destruction.

Ratchet jabbed a digit into the portal, his frustration palpable as he shook his head. His voice was sharp, his words laced with bitterness. "This is exactly why humanity shouldn’t be involved. Such an invasion brings nothing but ruin and death."

Optimus remained silent, his gaze locked on the massacre unfolding before them. This was his greatest fear—the reason he had fought so hard to keep humanity out of their war. The sight of innocent lives being dragged into a conflict that wasn’t theirs weighed heavily on him, a grim reminder of the cost of their battle.

Fleeing from the epicenter of destruction, several soldiers from the earlier scene sprinted toward tmany cover they could find, shouting profanities at one another as they attempted to escape the chaos. Behind them, the towering menace pursued relentlessly, leaving devastation in its wake.

Arcee clenched a fist, her expression darkening as she watched the scene unfold. "Primus damn 'Cons..." she muttered grimly.

Although its primary focus seemed to be the humans, the Decepticon directed a significant portion of its firepower toward the command center of the base. With precision, it unleashed blast after blast, demolishing an entire section of the roof.

Miko frowned, leaning forward as she observed the destruction. "Hold on... does the 'Con want something in there?"

Arcee’s narrowed optics followed the display closely. "By its reaction, it seems likely," she said, her tone measured but tense.

Through the darkened, smoke-filled gap in the roof, the Decepticon’s massive hand reached inside, gripping the server room. Cables from terminals and hard drives latching onto his arm. The remaining soldiers frantically attempted to sever the connections, but their efforts seemed futile against the invader’s actions.

"He’s stealing information?!" Raf blurted, his voice rising in alarm.

 "Why would a 'Con even care about something like that?" Bulkhead finally asked, head still cocked in confusion.

"The other Optimus mentioned info about the cube.." Raf's voice picked up speed as the thought clicked. "Maybe that's what it's after?"

Ratchet’s optics focused intently on the portal as he nodded in agreement. "Yes, a sound hypothesis."

Jack tapped his fingers against his lap, frustration evident in his posture. "Wish there was something we could do to help them."

Gripping an axe tightly, the human leader swung with precision, slicing into the cables connecting the Decepticon to the database. Sparks flew as the severed wires recoiled, and the link was broken.

The Decepticon roared, its deep, metallic bellow reverberating through the portal. Infuriated by its failure, it withdrew from the shattered roof, redirecting its wrath elsewhere.

"Way to go!" Miko cheered, snapping a finger gun into the air with enthusiasm.

Their brief celebration was abruptly cut short as the 'Con resumed its rampage. The massive machine unleashed its arsenal, raining destruction upon the remaining military forces with brutal efficiency.

"Practically a walking warship," Arcee muttered, her scowl deepening as she waved at the portal.

Leaning forward, Miko huffed. "Dang. He’s mowing those dudes down."

Jack chewed his lip, his gaze fixed on the screen. The bloody, harrowing battle unfolding before them filled him with helpless frustration. After seeing this, after knowing what was out there... was there truly no way they could help?

The scene shifted to the group of soldiers from earlier taking cover under a row of tanks. Though shaken and exhausted, they were miraculously still alive. The near encounter with the Decepticon left them battered but determined to survive.

Cautiously, they slipped out from beneath the tanks, deciding their best chance was to abandon the site altogether and retreat into the desert sands.

"Those guys have some luck on their side," Bulkhead remarked, his tone a mixture of relief and admiration.

Bee chirped in agreement, his optics glued to the screen, watching every detail unfold with unwavering attention.

As the fleeing soldiers disappeared into the desert, the unknown Decepticon spotted the humans. Determined to eliminate any remaining survivors, it unleashed another weapon. From its back, a smaller, scorpion-like Cybertronian detached and burrowed fluidly into the ground, its sharp movements hinting at predatory intent as it began to follow the retreating group.

"Or maybe not," Bulkhead murmured grimly, his optics narrowing.

"He's like Soundwave with that irritating drone of his," Arcee muttered, her expression hardening as she watched the smaller machine’s unsettling movements.

Ratchet squinted at the screen, his disdain evident. "Ugh, annoying," he grumbled under his breath.

Meanwhile, the larger Decepticon charged its cannon, gathering immense energy before unleashing multiple devastating shockwaves. Their blast tore through the base, obliterating it in a fiery explosion. All remaining forces caught within the area were annihilated.

"Frag... those guys are…," Miko muttered, as she stared at the smoldering wreckage displayed on the portal.

Jack swallowed hard, tapping a fist against his knee. "Well, that set the mood, huh?"

"No kidding," Miko muttered, her usual enthusiasm replaced with a frown.

"Those people never saw it coming..." Raf said quietly, lowering his head.

Bumblebee turned away from the screen, sensing Raf’s distress. Gently, he rested a servo on the boy’s head, ruffling his hair with a soft touch. His bright optics conveyed comfort in the way only Bee could.

Arcee, arms crossed, shifted her gaze to their leader. "You’ve been pretty quiet since the portal showed us that other world. How’re you holding up, Optimus?"

Optimus’s silence finally broke. "A world without an Autobot presence… is troubling. One where the Decepticons act without challenge, free to impose their will." His gaze stayed distant. "This is the future I have always feared Megatron would bring."

"So… no Autobots there? Not one?" Jack asked, hesitant.

A sharp tap of metal on metal punctuated the reply. "If there were," Arcee said with certainty, "they’d have been there defending those soldiers."

"You’re not wrong," Ratchet admitted, his voice laced with reluctant agreement.

"No bots? Not even another Optimus?" Raf asked, his tone tinged with disbelief.

Optimus remained quiet for a moment, his thoughts heavy. "I would not presume to have a counterpart in every reality," he said at last. "But the fact remains: the fate of this Earth has been left unguarded."

Jack tilted his head, puzzled. "But we heard your voice in the opening narration. Isn’t that proof you’re there?"

Ratchet sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It could’ve been a pre-recorded message," he suggested.

"And if it wasn’t?" Bulkhead interjected, huffing. "Then where the heck is he?"

That question hung in the air, heavy and unanswered. If Decepticons had infiltrated a base and annihilated it without resistance, then the absence of Autobots to intervene was glaring. The screen’s grim display only deepened the unease within the room. Where were the heroes to save the day?

Chapter Text

The swirling portal on the screen shifted, unveiling a new scene—a high school located somewhere in America.

“Ugh, school? Seriously? I can’t deal with this,” Miko groaned, slouching deeper into the sofa.

“Miko, come on,” Bulkhead chided, his large green frame leaning slightly toward her. His tone was firm, and his frown showed his disapproval. “We need to watch. It might not seem exciting, but there could be something important going on.”

Pouting, Miko crossed her arms with a huff. “Fine.”

“Talk about whiplash—military base to a high school,” Raf muttered, his eyes glued to the screen as several teenagers strolled past the entrance of the building.

Jack nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. “Yeah... What could this place possibly have to do with the Decepticons?”

Bee buzzed thoughtfully, his servos resting on his hips as he tapped a pede against the ground in rhythm.

The faint sound of a teacher calling out a student’s name from the display caught the team’s attention, pulling their focus back to the portal.

“Witwicky?” Jack repeated, raising an eyebrow. “That’s a weird last name.” He scratched his chin, glancing at the others for their reactions.

Arcee shrugged casually. “Not the strangest one I’ve heard.”

Ratchet let out a gruff huff. “Agreed. You humans have quite the collection of odd names.”

The scene shifted, revealing the now-identified Witwicky: a boy hastily emptying his backpack onto his teacher’s desk. He spoke rapidly, clearly setting up a presentation of some kind.

“Well, at least this kid has a plan,” Jack quipped with a teasing grin. “Unlike some kids I know…”

Arcee chuckled and nudged him lightly. “Oh? Care to name names?”

Bulkhead joined in with a hearty laugh. “Yeah, Jack—let’s hear it!”

Miko shot a glare at the black-haired teen, puffing out her cheeks in defiance before sticking out her tongue. “I get good grades too, you know!”

Bumblebee let out a series of amused beeps, his door wings bouncing playfully.

On the screen, Witwicky flinched as a rubber band struck his neck, cutting off his speech. Rubbing the sore spot, he glanced over at a group of students laughing in the background. The teacher quickly intervened, scolding the class before gesturing for him to continue.

Shrugging off the annoyance, Witwicky resumed his presentation, diving into the subject of his ancestor—a ship captain and one of the first to navigate the Arctic Circle. As he spoke, he revealed an old pair of antique spectacles, a relic passed down through his family.

“So his great-whatever-grandfather was a captain. Big deal,” Arcee remarked with a shrug.

Jack frowned, his gaze narrowing at the screen. “I’m sure this is important, but why are we seeing this?”

“Perhaps the Cube mentioned earlier is hidden somewhere within the Arctic Circle,” Optimus suggested, his tone thoughtful.

Raf nodded in agreement. “Yeah, that makes sense. It could be a clue.”

As the boy continued recounting his ancestor’s tale, he seamlessly transitioned into trying to sell some of his belongings mid-presentation. This earned him a sharp reprimand from the teacher, who called him out by his first name. His antics and rapid-fire chatter drew laughter from the class.

 Even Miko, who allowed herself a small smile.“Huh, this Sam guy is kinda funny,” she admitted.

Jack raised an eyebrow. “You think so?”

Miko shrugged. “A little. He’s got spirit.”

Sam raised a stack of papers dramatically, pressing on with his story. He mentioned how his great-grandfather eventually went mad, scribbling strange symbols and speaking of a “giant ice man.”

“Hey! Look!” Raf exclaimed, leaning forward.

The boy’s rough sketches were covered in odd markings—unmistakably Cybertronian text.

“Now why would a human have knowledge of Cybertronian language?” Optimus mused, his tone contemplative.

Jack crossed his arms, shaking his head. “If that really is Cybertronian, then his grandfather had either been in contact with a bot or a con.”

“That ‘giant ice man’ might not be so imaginary after all,” Ratchet murmured, squinting at the screen and stroking his chin. “How... fascinating.”

The bell rang, cutting Sam’s tale short. He managed to squeeze in a few more words before the class began filing out. Left standing before the teacher, Sam eagerly asked what grade he’d earned.

“Eager, isn’t he?” Bulkhead observed with a chuckle.

Arcee nodded in agreement. “Wonder why?”

Receiving a B-, Sam Witwicky slumped in disappointment and began grumbling about it. He complained loudly that his father had promised to help him buy a car if he managed to save two thousand dollars and get three A’s.

Ratchet rolled his optics, unimpressed. “He won’t get what he wants by trying to bargain for a higher grade.”

The display shifted again, now showing Sam sprinting toward a waiting car where his dad sat. He yelled triumphantly about getting the A’s they needed for his new ride.

Arcee smirked and elbowed the medic in the side, gesturing smugly at the screen. “What was that again, Docbot? Oh, that’s right—you said he wouldn’t get it.”

Miko groaned dramatically, throwing her head back. “Ugh! That would never happen to me!”

Raf chuckled, trying to hide his smile behind his hand. Bumblebee let out a series of sympathetic beeps, sounding almost apologetic for her plight.

As Sam climbed into the passenger seat beside his dad, the car pulled away from the school.

“I wonder where they’re headed,” Jack mused aloud.

Optimus stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Most likely to a car dealership or lot.”

Arcee huffed, leaning back slightly. “Gotta admit, this isn’t exactly riveting.”

“Not everything has to be high action all the time, ‘Cee,” Bulkhead said with a grin, earning an annoyed glare from her. 

“If the portal remains focused on this boy, then he must hold some importance,” Ratchet pointed out.

The scene shifted to a car dealership with gleaming, high-end sports cars displayed prominently. Sam lit up with excitement, practically bouncing in his seat. However, his enthusiasm was quickly deflated when his dad turned the car away, heading toward a much older, more run-down lot nearby.

“Oof, that’s gotta hurt,” Miko winced, watching Sam’s expression fall.

Ratchet snorted, his tone dry. “It’s also a valuable lesson. A clunker builds character.”

Jack smirked and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, sure, Ratchet.”

Arcee let out a short laugh. “Right.”

As they pulled into the run-down car lot, a beat-up yellow and black Camaro, seemingly driverless, followed closely behind.

The Autobots immediately stiffened, their optics narrowing. The kids gasped, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. They exchanged bewildered glances before exclaiming in unison:

“Bumblebee?!”

“Hey! Whoa! Look!”

“Is that really—?”

“What’s Bee doing there?”

“Can it be?” Raf breathed, pointing at the Camaro.

“Well,” Ratchet said, his voice calm but laced with surprise. “It seems not all Autobots are missing from this world.”

The Camaro rolled past Sam and his dad as they stepped out of their car, parking itself casually among the other beat-up vehicles in the lot. Unaware of the strange occurrence, Sam and his father began browsing the selection of old cars.

Raf leaned closer to the screen, his gaze fixed. “Bee, what are you doing there?”

Bumblebee let out a string of chirps and whistles, clearly intrigued as he watched alongside his companions.

Meanwhile, Sam’s dad, throwing a playful yet pointed look at his son, reminded him of the old family motto: “No sacrifice, no victory.” Sam responded with a pout, his expression filled with reluctant sass.

As Sam and his father strolled through the lot, they were greeted by the salesman, a dark-skinned man with a broad grin and a booming voice.

Bulkhead smirked in amusement. “He’s a smooth talker.”

“No, he thinks he’s a smooth talker,” Arcee retorted, rolling her optics at the salesman’s exaggerated pitch.

Optimus remained silent, observing the scene with a contemplative expression. His thoughts were tangled, trying to make sense of the puzzle pieces forming before him.

The salesman led the pair around the lot, enthusiastically showing off various cars. That was until they reached the yellow and black Camaro—the same one that had followed them onto the property.

Sam’s eyes lit up as he pointed to the Camaro, noting its racing stripes and saying how much he liked it. Meanwhile, the salesman hesitated, looking genuinely perplexed. He scratched his head and admitted he didn’t remember having that car on the lot.

“That’s... suspicious,” Ratchet muttered, crossing his arms. “This isn’t like Bumblebee. Why is he trying to get the boy’s attention?”

“Do you think he’s trying to get them to buy him?” Bulkhead asked, his curiosity piqued.

The salesman turned to one of his workers, asking about the Camaro’s origins. The employee shrugged, just as clueless as his boss. The confusion lingered, but the Camaro sat there, unmoving and unassuming—yet undeniably out of place.

Ignoring the ongoing conversation between the staff, Sam climbed into the Camaro and began inspecting its interior.

His fingers brushed over the steering wheel, pausing as he noticed an unfamiliar logo etched onto it—the unmistakable Autobot symbol. Unaware of its significance, he traced the strange markings with curiosity.

“Whoa,” Miko muttered, her eyes glued to the screen.

Raf glanced at her, his voice barely above a whisper. “I still can’t believe that’s really Bee.”

“Me neither, kid,” Arcee admitted, shaking her head in disbelief.

The salesman, meanwhile decided to sale the unknown care anyway, confidently asking for a price of five thousand dollars, but Sam’s dad quickly shot him down. “No, I'm not paying over four. Sorry.” he insisted.

With a broad grin, the salesman gestured for Sam to check out a nearby Volkswagen Beetle instead. Opening the Beetle’s door, he plopped into the driver’s seat, trying to make a sales pitch. Reluctantly, Sam exited the Camaro to humor him.

As soon as Sam stepped out, the Camaro reacted. Its passenger door swung open forcefully, slamming into the side of the Beetle and leaving a noticeable dent.

The team watching from the portal stiffened.

“Well,” Bulkhead chuckled nervously, “I guess Bee has opinions about what car they should buy.”

“Uh… that was intentional, right?” Jack asked, his brows raised in curiosity as he watched the screen.

Arcee crossed her arms and hummed thoughtfully. “Yeah. What other reason would he have to do that?”

“How very mature of you, Bumblebee,” Ratchet grunted, his voice laced with sarcasm.

The yellow scout emitted a blend of whines and chirps, his tone laced with defensiveness.

Back on the lot, the salesman climbed out of the Beetle and began rambling about other cars when the Camaro’s radio suddenly sprang to life. It cycled through multiple channels before producing a piercing high-pitched frequency. The sound shattered every window on every car in the lot.

“Bee...!” Raf gasped, his eyes wide with shock. “Did he really just do that?”

Miko burst out laughing, pointing at the screen. “Did you see that? He smashed all those windows!”

Arcee groaned, face-palming. “Primus, Bee, you can be so immature sometimes.”

Bulkhead sniggered quietly, while Jack couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Gotta admit... that was kinda funny.”

Having ducked for cover, the salesman popped back up, his expression one of pure horror. He quickly pivoted toward Sam’s dad and held up four fingers. “Four thousand!” he shouted, his desperation palpable.

The portal began to swirl and shift, its blue hues dissolving into the next scene.

“Bee was certainly persistent there,” Ratchet muttered, his tone tinged with disapproval.

Optimus hummed softly, his voice calm and measured. “So it appears.”

Raf glanced up at Bumblebee, his brow furrowed. “I don’t get it. Why would Bee do something like that?”

Bumblebee chirped and shook his head, clearly unable to explain his counterpart's actions.

Arcee offered a faint smirk. “You and me both, kid.”

“At least we know Autobots exist in that world,” Jack said, his voice thoughtful.

Bulkhead scratched his chin, his tone more serious now. “Yeah, but we don’t know if anyone else is there with Bee.”

“There’s gotta be more bots... right?” Raf asked hopefully, his gaze shifting between the others.

Arcee sighed her expression, one of cautious optimism. “Bee wouldn’t be so reckless if he didn’t have some kind of backup. I’m sure there are others on Earth, too.”

“Or maybe he’s the only Autobot there, and the isolation has driven him to act more brash and daring,” Ratchet added, his tone clinical and matter-of-fact.

Optimus nodded solemnly. “All are possible theories.”

The kids frowned at Ratchet’s suggestion, clearly uneasy with the idea. Bumblebee buzzed softly in discomfort, shifting from one foot to the other as his door wings drooped slightly.

Their attention shifted back to the portal as the image changed, now displaying the country’s capital. The bustling city life and crowded streets transitioned into the interior of the Pentagon’s intelligence center.

The view settled on a large briefing room filled with dozens of military officials. All stood at attention as the Secretary of Defense entered the room before taking their seats once he gestured for them to do so.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Raf asked, squinting at the screen.

“Something tells me it has to do with that Con who attacked earlier,” Arcee muttered, her arms crossed as she observed.

“Agreed,” Ratchet said, nodding as he watched the officials discuss something with grim expressions.

The Secretary of Defense gave a curt greeting before launching into the grim report: a military base in Qatar had been attacked, leaving no survivors. He added that the attackers had attempted to hack into the military network.

Arcee’s fists clenched tightly, her scowl deepening. “Fragging Cons,” she growled.

“Those poor soldiers…” Raf murmured, his expression heavy with sadness.

The Secretary speculated that, having failed to extract the information they needed, the unknown threat would undoubtedly strike again somewhere else. Their only clue was the unique signal used to hack the base’s mainframe.

Tilting his head, Bulkhead hummed. “Think there’s any way the humans can track it down?”

Ratchet huffed, his tone skeptical. “It’s not outside the realm of possibility, but given how complex Cybertronian signals are… they’d need a miracle.”

On-screen, the Secretary issued orders to analyze and trace the signal, urging everyone to do whatever it took to uncover its source. His parting words carried a grave weight: This is as real as it gets.

“At least they’re taking the threat seriously,” Arcee grunted, her arms crossed.

Bulkhead shrugged. “Yeah, but what’ll they do when they find a Con at the end of their search?”

Jack swallowed hard, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He thought about the countless lives that would be at risk if humans tried to face the Decepticons directly. “They won’t stand a chance,” he murmured.

Raf glanced up at Optimus, his voice hesitant. “Optimus…”

The Autobot leader’s calm tone belied the unease in his spark. “We can only hope that these humans are equipped to handle the threat.”

Changing locations, Team Prime found themselves viewing the vast, desolate desert once more. The same group of soldiers from before continued their journey, their weary feet sinking into the endless expanse of sand, until they finally came to a halt beside an destroyed tank, its once mighty form now reduced to ruins.

“Oh, these guys again,” Miko hummed, folding her arms.

Ratchet nodded thoughtfully. “It appears they’ve survived.”

“Thankfully,” Raf sighed in relief, his shoulders relaxing.

On-screen, the soldiers began discussing the strange events they had witnessed, speculating that the Pentagon might have answers about what had happened.

Unbeknownst to them, the smaller Cybertronian from earlier stirred beneath the sand. Its glowing optics locked onto the group as it slithered closer, biding its time.

“Oh, scrap,” Bulkhead muttered, tension tightening his voice.

Arcee narrowed her optics, her tone sharp. "It's still tailing them!"

Bee let out a series of urgent beeps, his concern clear.

After consulting with a young boy from a nearby village, the group agreed to head there and attempt to call for reinforcements. Meanwhile, the small bot lurking behind them continued its pursuit, burrowing through the sand with unsettling precision.

"Looks like it's biding its time before it strikes," Jack muttered with a frown.

Miko waved her arms, her expression grim. "Those soldiers are toast!"

"Yeah..." Raf murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

The portal shimmered once more, distorting the view before it materialized into the new sight of the Witwicky home. On the screen, Sam was preparing to take his new car out for a test drive.

Raf leaned closer, watching the teenager with curiosity. Bee made a low sound of acknowledgment, his optics briefly flickering in interest. Jack, however, remained skeptical, folding his arms tightly across his chest. "Wonder where he's planning to go."

"Hopefully somewhere that doesn’t spell trouble," Arcee replied, her tone laced with dry humor.

As Sam climbed into Bumblebee, he casually mentioned that now that he had a car, getting a girlfriend couldn't be far behind. He waved goodbye to his parents and their little chihuahua, Mojo, before revving the engine.

"Oh, it's trouble, alright..." Jack groaned, slumping back into his seat.

Ratchet rolled his optics with a sigh. "Kids..."

When the car started, a plume of black smoke billowed out from the exhaust before Bumblebee sped off down the road.

Arcee shot a glance at their own Bee, who stood quietly behind the couch. "You know, the other you should probably fix that issue."

The yellow mech let out a series of amused chirps and beeps, clearly entertained. Arcee, however, remained unimpressed, leveling him with a pointed stare.

Meanwhile, Miko leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands with a sly grin. "Hey, Jack, speaking of girls... How's your progress with Sierra?"

Jack felt a wave of heat rise to his face and glared at her. "She’s just a friend!"

"Uh-huh," Miko hummed, her tone dripping with playful disbelief.

At a lakeside gathering, Sam and his friend Miles stepped out of the car to join a small group of people hanging around. Among them was Mikaela, the girl who had captured Sam’s attention.

Trying to mingle and act cool, Sam's attempts were interrupted by a group of his bullies who were annoyed by his presence. With sneers and dismissive comments, they decided to leave for a party where Sam and Miles weren’t invited.

"Looks like he’s not exactly popular," Jack remarked, his tone neutral.

Miko scoffed, crossing her arms. "Screw those dudes. Total jerks!"

"Agreed," Raf added with a firm nod.

After a heated argument with one of the boys, Mikaela decided against joining them and opted to walk home instead. Sam watched from a distance as she left, unsure of what to do—until his car’s radio suddenly blared a song about giving someone a ride home.

"Wait... is Bumblebee playing wingman ?" Miko gawked, staring at the screen.

"Sure looks like it," Bulkhead chuckled, clearly amused.

Arcee shook her head slightly, arms crossed. "Seems like Bumblebee’s the same no matter the universe."

Ditching Miles without a second thought, Sam quickly jumped back into Bumblebee and followed Mikaela, who was still walking along the road. After a few awkward exchanges and some bumbling attempts at conversation, Mikaela finally agreed to let him drive her home.

The kids shared a few quiet giggles at the awkwardness playing out on the screen, while the Autobots remained largely indifferent.

"I can’t believe I’m actually watching this," Arcee muttered, shaking her head again.

Ratchet shrugged and huffed. "It’s important... for some reason."

On the screen, Bumblebee faked a breakdown on a hill, his radio playing romantic music to set the mood for Sam and Mikaela. The little yellow bot was doing his best to make the moment last for them, even if it bordered on cringeworthy.

Sensing that the scene was going to drag on with even more awkwardness, Miko stood up from the sofa and stretched her legs. "As funny as it’d be to watch this boy not get the girl, I’m getting snacks and drinks. Anyone else want something?"

"Oh! A soda would be great!" Jack said, raising a hand.

"I’ll help—popcorn sounds nice too," Raf added as he jumped off the sofa and hurried after Miko, who was already heading out of the room.

"Hey, wait for me!" Jack called, scrambling to follow the other two teens.

Arcee rolled her optics and sighed. "Fine. But don't take too long.”

As the screen continued to showcase more human courtship rituals, Arcee shot an exasperated look at Ratchet, who simply shrugged in response.

Meanwhile, Bumblebee and Bulkhead couldn’t hold back their amusement, snickering and laughing both at the awkward scene unfolding on the portal and at Arcee’s visibly unimpressed reaction.

Chapter Text

 Raf, Jack, and Miko returned, their arms full of snacks, drinks, and popcorn. The trio settled onto the sofa, eager to catch up.

“Did we miss anything good?” Miko asked through a mouthful of popcorn.

Bulkhead shook his head, and Bumblebee chirped in response.

Jack shrugged, taking a sip of his soda. “Guess not.”

Returning back to the Pentagon, high-ranking military officials were locked in tense discussions about recent events. Analysts worked tirelessly in the background, trying to decrypt an unidentified signal. Various countries were suggested as possible culprits behind the attacks.

“Iran, China…” Arcee repeated thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on the portal.

“They’re wrong,” Ratchet said with a frown.

“I don’t see how they’ll figure out they’re dealing with a Cybertronian threat,” Bulkhead added.

“Not without visual confirmation,” Ratchet agreed.

Optimus hummed, his tone grave. “We shall see.”

The portal shifted to show Air Force One, where passengers carried out their routine duties. Beneath a man’s seat, a small radio began to twist and contort, its metal reshaping ominously.

“Uh oh,” Jack said, his eyes widening.

“Is that...?” Miko frowned, leaning forward.

Arcee narrowed her gaze. “Looks like another small Con.”

Bumblebee chirped in concern, while Raf silently watched the scene unfold.

The man, too engrossed in his newspaper, didn’t notice the Cybertronian crawling out from under his seat until it was right beside him. The tiny robot, child-sized with long, spindly limbs and a thin, wiry frame, moved with unsettling grace. It sneaked past him, unnoticed.

“That Con is so small,” Bulkhead muttered.

Raf nodded, eyes fixed on the screen. “He’s barely bigger than a human...”

To Team Prime’s shock, the Cybertronian moved through the plane’s halls, effortlessly slipping past other passengers and avoiding detection.

“For the love of Primus,” Arcee muttered, her tone sharp.

Miko gasped. “What the heck! How are they not seeing that little guy?”

“It is exploiting its small size,” Ratchet observed, his frown deepening.

“And the humans’ carelessness,” Optimus added gravely.

In another part of the plane, a flight attendant entered a cramped elevator, assigned to gather snacks for the president. She glanced down and froze when her eyes landed on the out-of-place radio sitting in the corner. Though curious, she didn’t recognize it for what it truly was.

“Is it going to kill the president?” Miko asked, her voice rising with alarm.

Jack shook his head, his brow furrowed. “I don’t know what it’s planning, but it’s definitely not good.”

Arcee’s jaw tightened as she squinted at the screen. “We’re about to find out.”

Optimus remained silent, his optics narrowing. He suspected the Decepticon's mission extended beyond the assassination of a human leader. So far, their enemies in this unfamiliar world seemed far more interested in acquiring knowledge and information than destruction.

As the elevator came to a halt, the flight attendant picked up the strange radio, setting it on a nearby container before moving on to her duties. Unbeknownst to her, the radio transformed back into a diminutive, Cybertronian, its movements swift and silent.

Bulkhead huffed. “Cocky little fella.”

Ratchet shook his head. “They clearly don’t see humans as a threat.”

Nearby, the flight attendant accidentally dropped a snack. It rolled across the floor and came to rest mere inches from the Cybertronian. Remaining perfectly still, the alien blended seamlessly into its surroundings. The woman, oblivious, picked up the snack and walked away, none the wiser.

Jack ran a hand through his hair, groaning. “I think I’m having a stroke watching this.”

“I feel the same,” Raf muttered, looking uneasy. “How does no one notice? It’s not that small!”

Miko threw up her hands in frustration. “Everyone on this plane is driving me crazy!”

Once the coast was clear, the tiny Cybertronian scurried toward what appeared to be a server room. It froze momentarily at the sound of laughter echoing down the hall before carefully inserting itself into the computer system.

“Looks like it’s after the same thing as that helicopter Con,” Ratchet mused, stroking his chin in thought.

Optimus nodded in agreement. “That would be the most logical conclusion.”

Arcee crossed her arms, her expression darkening. “No doubt trying to uncover more about the AllSpark.”

“Darn Cons…” Bulkhead grumbled, mimicking her posture.

Inside the Pentagon, a team of analysts worked quietly until one woman suddenly froze, her attention caught by a strange signal. Her mind raced as she tried to decode its origins, the cogs of her brain turning rapidly.

Her team fell into a tense silence, all eyes fixed on her as they waited to see if she could crack it.

Miko bounced eagerly in her seat. “Oh! She’s got it! She’s almost there!”

Ratchet’s brow plates lifted in surprise, his focus shifting toward the screen.

Arcee watched intently, her breath held, while Raf perched on the edge of his seat, anxious to see the outcome.

Meanwhile, aboard Air Force One, the Decepticon continued his digital infiltration. He sifted through various files before pausing on one titled “Project Iceman.”

“Project Iceman?” Bulkhead echoed, his head tilting in confusion.

Raf hummed thoughtfully. “Like the one Sam’s ancestor talked about?”

Optimus nodded. “It very well could be.”

As the Decepticon injected a virus into the plane’s mainframe, continuing his hack through Air Force One’s security systems, back at the Pentagon, the analyst who had uncovered the strange signal turned to her colleagues, explaining to them that the unknown threat was attempting once again to gain access to military files.

"Yes!" Jack grinned, his excitement evident.

Raf cheered, "She did it!"

Arcee’s lips twitched into a small smirk. "Nice work."

"Go, girl, go!" Miko beamed, clapping her hands.

Realizing that Air Force One had been breached, a senior analyst immediately issued an order to contact the plane and inform them of the situation.

Armed guards began sweeping the aircraft, searching for the unknown intruder. Meanwhile, the tiny Cybertronian continued to download data at a rapid pace, trying to finish before the guards could locate him.

Jack frowned, his eyes narrowing as he observed the screen. "It looks like he’s got a bit more to go."

The woman who had first discovered the threat now urgently suggested that they should cut the server hardlines and stop whatever was trying to access their systems.

Ratchet nodded, approving the idea. "That’s one way to prevent further damage."

Miko punched the air triumphantly. "That means the Con can’t get any more data!"

Agreeing with the woman’s suggestion, the hardlines were cut, and it appeared the virus was halted before it could inflict any damage. The little Decepticon froze, and his download abruptly stopped.

Jack let out a sigh of relief. "Whew! That was close."

Buzzing and beeping in agreement, Bumblebee mirrored Jack’s relief.

The last thing the Decepticon saw before angrily headbutting the screen was a glimpse of Sam’s grandfather and the last name Witwicky.

"Uh... that little guy knows Sam’s last name. Is that going to be a problem?" Miko asked, looking concerned.

Arcee sighed and pinched her lip plates, clearly worried. "It very well might be. If the Cons are after something, they won’t stop until they get it."

The door to the server room slid open, and two guards stepped inside, scanning the area. Without warning, the nimble Decepticon leaped from its hiding place, extending blades from its body as it attacked. In seconds, the guards were down, their lives cut short without hesitation or mercy.

Raf grimaced at the brutal sight. "Oh..."

Jack swallowed hard, leaning deeper into the couch cushions. "Yikes..."

Bulkhead shook his helm in disbelief. "He might be small, but he's still a Con."

Optimus’ expression darkened, his thoughts heavy. Another two human lives were lost.

The Decepticon poked at one of the fallen bodies when a bullet suddenly struck from behind. A guard had appeared out of nowhere. Without missing a beat, the Decepticon fired back, killing the new threat in an instant.

More guards appeared, but by then, the Decepticon had already transformed into his radio form, evading their notice as he made his escape.

"Slag," Arcee hissed, frustration in her voice.

Bee buzzed, clearly alarmed.

Miko’s eyes were wide, her voice trembling as she spoke. "That... that was intense!"

Ratchet’s tone was grim. "It’s only going to get worse..."

Time seemed to leap forward as Air Force One touched down at its designated runway.

The little Decepticon was already sneaking through the plane’s landing gear, casually walking among the busy ground crew, blending in as if he belonged. No one seemed to notice.

"Ugh! He just strolls right through, and no one cares!" Miko scowled, pointing at the screen.

Jack whistled low, his tone awed. "Yeah... it’s kinda scary how he gets by without anyone noticing."

Ratchet exhaled sharply. "Indeed."

Bulkhead grunted, his frown deepening. "That's just plain luck on his part."

Optimus hummed in agreement, his arms crossed in thought.

A police car rolled to a stop next to the plane. Opening the door the little bot hopped in, the unmistakable Decepticon symbol proudly displayed on the police cruiser’s side.

Arcee scowled. "So he’s got a partner."

Raf swallowed hard. "That makes... what? Four different ‘Cons so far?"

Bumblebee beeped sadly in response.

The kids nodded quietly, absorbing the information, while Arcee clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. Bulkhead sighed, slouching. Ratchet shook his head, clearly unsettled by the situation.

"And just one Bot..." Jack mumbled aloud, shaking his head.

Optimus’ frown deepened. The unfolding events were increasingly troubling.

The little Decepticon now spoke with its partner in Cybertronian, their conversation focused on finding any descendants of Archibald Witwicky. The search led them to Sam's eBay page, where they zeroed in on a pair of glasses he was selling.

"Uh oh," Miko gasped, her eyes widening in realization.

Jack cursed under his breath. "Not good..."

Raf, trying to stay hopeful despite the tension, spoke up. "Bumblebee will protect him."

Bee chirped loudly in agreement.

The wheels of the Cybertronian police vehicle screeched as they sped off, intent on their next objective.

As the portal shifted, the other Bumblebee began to stir, his engines rumbling loudly in the quiet night. Meanwhile, a sleeping Sam was abruptly awakened by the noise. Panicked, Sam's mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that someone was attempting to steal his car. He jerked upright, heart racing with alarm.

Arcee snorted, a small grin tugging at her lips. "Hey, nice to see you haven't forgotten how to be sneaky, Bee."

Bulkhead grinned. "As quiet as a mouse."

Sam rushed to his balcony, shouting at what he thought was a thief making off with his car. His eyes widened in disbelief as he watched it drive away, confusion flooding his mind.

Ratchet frowned, his tone laced with disbelief. "He's just going to leave Sam?"

Miko shrugged, her curiosity piqued. "Wonder why?"

Rushing downstairs, Sam grabbed his bike, shouting at his parents to call 911 and telling them someone had stolen his car. He raced down the street, tailing his car while calling the cops on his cell, reporting the theft.

"Ah, this'll be entertaining," Arcee couldn’t help but smirk, watching the unfolding drama.

Jack chuckled. "Poor Sam."

"He's got guts," Bulkhead laughed.

Miko grinned. "He's gonna regret chasing after Bee though."

Bumblebee let out a series of chirps as if expressing some sort of amusement. Raf smiled in response, but his voice was tinged with caution. "Yeah... it's not a good idea," he affirmed. The yellow scout seemed to acknowledge the warning in Raf's words, his door wings twitching slightly in agreement.

Sam followed his car to a rundown, deserted junkyard. As he neared, he froze, ducking behind a pile of trash when he spotted a large yellow robot standing with its back to him.

"Whoa..." The kids gasped in awe.

"Oooh, Bumblebee’s alternate mode!" Miko cheered, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"Wow!" Raf breathed, clearly impressed.

Jack laughed at the stunned look on Sam’s face. "Sam’s freaked!"

Bulkhead chuckled. "Wouldn’t you be?"

"They were," Arcee pointed out, a glint of amusement in her optics as she remembered the first time they encountered humans and how terrified Jack had been.

As they watched, the yellow Cybertronian looked up into the night sky and shot a large beam of light into the air, the Autobot symbol shining brightly for the world to see. It was a beacon.

"A signal?" Raf muttered aloud, piecing things together.

Optimus nodded solemnly. "He's calling for help."

Arcee and Bulkhead shared a nod, their expressions focused. Ratchet crossed his arms, watching intently. Bumblebee buzzed in acknowledgment, his wings flicking behind him as he stood ready.

Ducking back down, Sam frantically recorded a final message on his cellphone, speaking to his parents and his dog, Mojo. He turned the camera toward the yellow robot, desperately trying to capture the moment and show the world who his "murderer" was.

Jack chuckled, his voice laced with dark humor. "At least he got it on video."

Miko raised an eyebrow, pondering aloud. "Think anyone would believe it’s real if he showed it to them? Or would they just think it's fake?"

Raf shrugged. "It’s hard to say..."

Bulkhead snorted, a wry grin forming on his face. "I’d say most wouldn’t."

Sam, trying to sneak a better look at his car, accidentally triggered two guard dogs. The animals barked and began chasing him. Panicked, Sam ran into a nearby ruined building and jumped on top of a barrel for safety, watching in fear as the dogs tried to climb it, eager to reach him.

Ratchet huffed in frustration, rolling his optics. "That boy’s going to get himself killed."

Arcee shook her head, though there was a hint of respect in her voice. "You’ve got to give him points for trying, though."

Suddenly,Bumblebee—back in his car mode—crashed into the building, scaring the dogs off and driving circles around Sam to keep them at bay.

"Bumblebee, the other you is pretty bad at not scaring poor Sam half to death," Miko snickered, poking fun.

The scout whined and buzzed in reply, his optics lowering in a hint of remorse. Arcee's optics sparkled with good humor, struggling to suppress a grin at Bumblebee's playful antics. The Autobot's endearing personality was contagious, bringing a lighter mood to the otherwise confusing atmosphere.

Sam, now terrified and out of breath, threw his keys at Bumblebee before running out of the building. Unfortunately, he ran straight into two officers who mistook him for a criminal and immediately arrested him.

"Oh great... cops," Jack groaned, his tone dripping with exasperation.

Miko threw her hands up in the air, exasperated. "Now they’re after him? Can’t catch a break, can he?!"

Raf smiled slightly, trying to find some comfort in the situation. "At least they'll get him back home safe..."

"After a night of questioning, probably," Jack muttered under his breath, not convinced.

Arcee shook her head, watching Sam as the police cuffed him. "That boy..."

"Bumblebee..." Ratchet grumbled, face-palming at their friend's counterpart’s actions. "What is he thinking?"

Switching back to the Pentagon, the Secretary of Defense was informed that the virus implanted into Air Force One hadn't been stopped and was now adapting itself.

As they listed off the nations capable of such a feat, North Korea and China were mentioned as possible suspects.

Arcee rolled her eyes. "It’s not either of those countries."

Ratchet huffed, his tone filled with frustration. "But the humans won’t believe it’s an alien species until they see it for themselves."

Jack nodded slowly, conceding the point. "True..."

Meanwhile, Maggie, the analyst who had detected the hack, sneaked into the briefing room. She was quickly discovered by guards and was about to be escorted out when she mentioned her achievement in finding the unknown threat.

"Whoah," Raf smiled, surprised. "Didn’t expect her to speak out."

The Secretary of Defense raised his hand, allowing Maggie to present her theory. She suggested that the threat was a living computer organism capable of hacking into any system and adapting to its environment. However, her idea was met with skepticism and scoffs from the rest of the room.

Arcee smirked slightly, her confidence in Maggie’s theory unwavering. "She’s got it right, though."

Bulkhead nodded, his tone serious. "Yeah, but like Ratchet said, they won’t believe in Cybertronians until they’re staring one in the faceplates."

The kids glanced back at their large friends, who all nodded in silent agreement.

Time and space shifted once more, and Sam and his father found themselves in a police station, being questioned by officers. Of course, the officers didn’t believe anything Sam said about giant alien robots, instead assuming he was high on drugs.

Ratchet frowned, his expression darkening. "I do not doubt that Sam’s parents think he’s making this up, too."

"Which will be pretty bad for him," Arcee pointed out, her voice tinged with concern. "They won’t believe anything he says."

Jack sighed, the weight of the situation settling on him. "Nope."

Miko pouted and crossed her arms. "Poor Sam!"

"At least Bumblebee's cover hasn’t been blown," Raf mumbled, trying to find a silver lining.

Bulkhead hummed thoughtfully. "Not yet, anyway..."

Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the group of soldiers who had survived the Qatar raid were nearing the edge of the village they were heading for.

Arcee growled at the sight. "That fragging Con is still out there. I can feel it."

Bee buzzed in agreement, his optics narrowing as he sensed the same danger.

One of the soldiers, Epps, knelt by a well and drank from the fresh water, trying to find a moment of peace. The group, unaware of the threat lurking beneath the sand, relaxed momentarily.

Then, a tremor rippled through the ground, knocking a nearby metal structure over. It nearly crushed a soldier, missing him by mere inches. Looking back casually, the soldier asked another, "What the heck was that?" unaware of the danger still hidden in the sand, waiting to strike.

"Are they really going to ignore that?" Raf gawked, his disbelief evident. "It's obviously the Con!"

Miko threw her hands up in frustration. "Ugh! Come on, people! Can't you see that was suspicious?!"

Arcee shook her head with a huff. "They're gonna get themselves killed."

Jack remained silent, his lips pressed into a thin line as he observed the unfolding situation.

Lennox, the leader of the small group of soldiers, examined his rifle, oblivious to the large scorpion tail rising from the ground and creeping toward him, getting dangerously close.

Bulkhead grimaced. "Oh, man..."

Bumblebee beeped urgently, his chirps betraying his concern as his door wings fluttered apprehensively behind him. The Autobot's usually cheerful demeanor was overshadowed by a sense of alarm, his optics widening with worry. 

Arcee and Ratchet watched with clenched fists, their concern palpable, while Optimus remained still, his gaze unwavering as he focused on the portal.

Spotting the tail just in time, Epps screamed at the top of his lungs to warn Lennox. The tail quickly retracted back underground, and Lennox, startled, danced around in fear of what might still be lurking beneath. His men fired into the sand, desperately hoping to hit something.

Jack exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

Miko scowled, her frustration building. "Freaking Cons... can't wait until they're blasted by these soldiers."

The scorpion-like Decepticon dove in and out of the sand, evading the barrage of gunfire with ease. Lennox barked orders, yelling for everyone to settle down and keep their guard up.

The soldiers scanned the sand nervously, the weight of the unknown pressing on them. Every small movement seemed to heighten their paranoia, their eyes darting around, waiting for the inevitable strike. Finally, the Con revealed itself.

Rising from the sand, the Cybertronian loomed large and vicious. With deadly precision, it impaled the nearest soldier with its scorpion tail, killing him instantly.

"Slag," Bulkhead muttered, his voice filled with frustration.

Arcee scowled, shaking her head. "Another one..."

Miko gritted her teeth. "This is getting freaking old! Those darned Cons!"

Jack nodded grimly, while Raf remained silent, his eyes glued to the screen, watching the chaos unfold.

Optimus watched stoically, his hands clasped firmly behind his back. Ratchet remained just as quiet, his focus on the situation.

The soldiers, now fully aware of the danger they were facing, yelled in shock at the horrifying sight before them. The Decepticon retreated back into the sand, and Lennox immediately ordered everyone to head toward the nearby village. The tension and fear were thick in the air as the soldiers made their retreat, knowing they were far from out of harm's way.

Firing behind them, the soldiers ran as fast as they could, hearts pounding in their chests. The Decepticon pursued closely, surfacing from the sand intermittently in a deadly game of cat and mouse, striking whenever a soldier fell behind.

Bumblebee buzzed softly in dismay, his door wings drooping low in response to the chase. Arcee sighed deeply. "I know, Bee."

The kids were all silent, watching with wide eyes. Miko leaned forward, her brow furrowed, lips pressed in concentration. The tension in the air was palpable as the situation escalated.

Ratchet grumbled under his breath, arms crossed tightly, his focus never wavering from the unfolding scene.

As the soldiers ran, villagers, startled by the commotion, quickly fled to safety. A few brave souls emerged from the crowd, armed with their weapons, trying to assist the soldiers in fending off the relentless Cybertronian.

"Whoah..." Raf breathed, his eyes wide in awe. "They're trying to help!"

"Yeah!" Miko cheered, her voice rising with excitement. "Go, villagers! Get that Con!"

Jack nodded, a small grin forming. "That's cool."

Arcee shook her head, a serious expression taking over her features. "They’re not going to be able to defeat that thing, though."

Optimus stood still, watching the scene with intensity, while Ratchet pursed his lip plates tightly, knowing the danger that still loomed.

With its ambush tactics failing, the Decepticon fully emerged from the sand, revealing its deadly form to the humans. The soldiers fired on instinct, unleashing everything they had in a desperate attempt to take the enemy down.

Lennox, following the village boy who had been guiding them, approached the boy's father, urgently asking for a phone to call for help.

Ratchet shook his head, his voice low but firm. "They’ve only got a few minutes until they’re out of time."

Jack nodded, concern creeping into his expression. "At least they’re calling for backup."

Miko bounced in her seat, her energy matching the urgency of the moment. "Yeah! Come on, guys, blast that Con!"

The Cybertronian spun its claws menacingly, charging rockets before unleashing them upon the humans taking cover throughout the village. Explosions tore through structures, leaving destruction in their wake.

Jack swore under his breath, his eyes fixed on the carnage. "That is so unfair."

Arcee’s scowl deepened, her optics narrowing. "Fragging cheat."

Bulkhead nodded in agreement, his expression grim. "I’m with you on that, ’Cee."

"They don’t have much time," Ratchet muttered, the weight of the situation clear in his tone.

Bumblebee whirred mournfully, his door wings drooping lower. Optimus remained silent, his gaze unwavering as he observed the chaos.

A heated exchange with a telephone operator. And with the use of a credit card, Lennox finally managed to get through to a military official. The call quickly climbed up the chain of command, reaching the top brass at the Pentagon, which immediately triggered alerts amongst the Secretary of Defense and other key personnel.

"Hopefully, they’re sending help," Raf murmured, his hands gripping the edge of his seat.

Ratchet gave a curt nod. "They’d better."

From a nearby air base, the Pentagon launched a drone, providing a live feed of the unfolding battle in the village. The sight of the massive mechanical alien left the officials in stunned disbelief.

Arcee scoffed at their reactions. "They’ll get used to it. Soon enough."

Jack nodded in agreement. "I mean... we did pretty quickly."

Raf glanced up at Bumblebee with a small smile, and Bee chirped softly in response.

Miko grinned, laughing lightly. "You guys made a pretty awesome first impression!"

Bulkhead chuckled, grinning down at her. "Thanks, Miko. Back at ya."

With the threat now confirmed, the Pentagon wasted no time, issuing the order for a full-on assault.

As the A-10s rained fire upon the enemy, Lennox and Epps exchanged a glance of relief. Reinforcements had arrived, and the relentless barrage was hitting the mark. Explosions tore through the area as the Cybertronian struggled to hold its ground.

Miko shot up from her seat, punching the air. "Yes! Get him!"

Jack remained silent, his intense gaze locked on the screen, his jaw tight with tension.

Arcee smirked, her optics narrowing. "Hit it where it hurts."

Bee buzzed in agreement, his wings flicking with anticipation.

When the dust settled, the Cybertronian was still standing. Its armor was mangled, sparks flying from exposed circuits, but it refused to fall.

"Ugh!" Arcee growled, her fists clenching. "Come on!"

Miko groaned loudly and flopped back onto the couch, arms crossed. "He's still not going down!"

Bulkhead exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "Tough scrapheap..."

Epps, not wasting a moment, grabbed his phone and called for additional firepower. The order went out for a nearby AC-130 gunship to deploy sabot rounds, a heavier, more devastating payload.

Ratchet nodded grimly. "This should finish it."

Optimus remained silent, his piercing gaze never leaving the screen. The kids leaned forward, their eyes wide as they held their breath.

The AC-130’s sabot rounds pounded the Cybertronian mercilessly. Each impact tore through its already battered frame, sending shards of metal flying in every direction. The creature let out a deafening metallic screech as it staggered under the relentless assault. Finally, unable to withstand the onslaught, it collapsed onto the sand.

Miko cheered, sitting up. "Yes! They got him!"

But the celebration was short-lived. Despite its injuries, the Cybertronian began to drag itself toward the sand. With its strength waning, it managed to burrow underground, the tip of its scorpion-like tail snapping off as it disappeared from sight.

Arcee sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging. "Well... they got it running, at least."

Miko scowled. "Yeah, but it’s not dead!"

Bulkhead shook his head, his expression grim. "Let’s just hope it stays gone..."

 Back with the secretary of defense, he informed his team that a full-on investigation of what they had just witnessed would begin. And for them to gather the soldiers and bring them home.

"About time," Arcee muttered, crossing her arms.

Miko huffed in frustration. "What about the Con? They’re just gonna let it go?"

Raf shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "I don’t think we’ll be seeing that one again anytime soon. Not after the beating it took."

Jack glanced up at the towering Autobots, his expression serious. "Think they’ll finally start taking this threat seriously?"

Ratchet let out a gruff sigh, his optics narrowing. "I would certainly hope so. They can’t afford to ignore it anymore."

Optimus, his presence commanding yet calm, nodded solemnly. "Indeed. Let us hope they understand the gravity of the situation now."

Chapter Text

Back with the teams of analysts, Maggie and her colleague stared at the perplexing code displayed on the screen before them. They desperately tried to decipher it, but their efforts were in vain. The unfamiliar language only deepened their growing sense of frustration. The thought of reaching out to a hacker who was renowned for his skills did occur to her, but she knew the government would vehemently disapprove of sharing sensitive information with someone outside their organization.

"I wonder how much Maggie will figure out about the Decepticons," Raf murmured, his brow creased in thought.

Miko shrugged. "She seems smart, but... can anyone figure them out?"

"Maybe," Jack mused. "She seems pretty determined."

Arcee exhaled deeply. "She’d better not do anything stupid."

As the command center buzzed with activity, Maggie inconspicuously slipped an SD card into one of the computers. She quickly downloaded the classified data, her movements deliberately discreet to avoid detection. She then carefully navigated through the labyrinthine halls, keeping a vigilant eye out for any potential observers until she reached an elevator. 

"Oh..." Arcee muttered, her expression darkening. "She’s gonna regret that..."

Miko's face lit up with excitement. "Oooh, sneaking out! She's bold!"

Jack, on the other hand, seemed less impressed. "Not exactly subtle..."

Raf watched intently, his eyes narrowing. "I don't think she realizes how much trouble she could be in..."

With a swift taxi ride, Maggie arrived at a quaint suburban house and knocked firmly on the door. Not wasting a moment, she swiftly pushed her way inside, ignoring the hacker known as Glen's protests as he tried to defend his sanctuary from her unannounced arrival. He blabbered on about how this was his place of zen and serenity and that she had no right to just barge in without warning. But Maggie remained unflinching, marching straight into his room while ignoring his loud complaints. She could faintly make out Glen yelling at his grandmother in the background.

"Grandma?" Raf laughed slightly. "That’s... an interesting family dynamic."

Miko smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "So his place of zen is his grandma's place? That's kinda cute!"

Jack shook his head, chuckling softly. "Zen, right... he seems like a bundle of calm to me."

Maggie and Glen sat before the computer, Glen still grumbling about her unannounced entrance. But the mention of classified government files piqued his interest immediately. Swiftly kicking out his cousin, who was playing DDR on a separate TV, Glen quickly refocused his attention on the task at hand. He positioned himself before the computer, ready to delve into the intriguing files, eager to see what secrets they held.

Finding a message embedded into the signal sent out by the Cybertronian, Glen picked out a few key phrases, the first being 'Project Ice Man.'

Arcee's brow plates lifted in surprise. "Again with Project Iceman?"

Ratchet frowned, his optics narrowing. "Whatever this project is, it must be important to the Decepticons if they're still searching for it."

Sector Seven and Sam's grandfather were two other phrases that stuck out to the pair, confusing Maggie further. Despite her doubts, her mind was spinning with theories and possibilities. Who was Sam's grandfather? What did Sector Seven mean?

The kids exchanged puzzled glances, their curiosity piqued.

"I have no idea what any of this means," Raf confessed, his brows furrowed in thought.

Jack leaned back in his seat, scratching his head. "Yeah, me either... any guesses?"

"Beats me," Miko shrugged, her eyes still fixed on the screen.

Glen was in the middle of typing something on his computer when he heard a noise behind him. Turning around, he found his grandmother peeking through the door, asking if he was still playing on his computer. Suddenly, the peaceful household was shattered as FBI agents aggressively stormed in, guns drawn and moving with precision throughout the space. Without warning, they swiftly began making arrests, leaving Glen stunned and his grandmother utterly confused.

"Oh, scrap," Arcee muttered.

Miko's eyes widened, her expression one of shock. "Whoah, that escalated quickly!"

Raf watched anxiously, his hands gripping the edge of the couch. "This isn't good..."

Bulkhead shook his head, his optics narrowed in disapproval. "Took them longer than I thought, but... guess they finally caught on."

Glen's cousin's attempt to escape was thwarted by an FBI agent, who tackled him into the outdoor swimming pool. The hacker's protests rang out loud and clear, but they fell on deaf ears as the agents cuffed both him and Maggie, forcefully leading them away.

The scene shifted to focus on Sam, with the blue portal showing him awakening and heading downstairs. Sam's loyal chihuahua greeted him with excitement as he approached the fridge. He opened the door and took out a jug of milk. However, just as Sam began to pour himself a glass, the loud and familiar roar of Bumblebee's engine echoed outside, startling the young teen. Filled with shock and confusion, Sam reacted instinctively by quickly hiding behind the kitchen island, seeking cover.

Arcee couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Well, that’s one way to wake up in the morning..."

"Right?" Jack snorted, suppressing a grin.

Miko let out a loud laugh, slapping her knee. "Oh, man! That's hilarious! Sam looks like he's gonna have a heart attack!"

Bumblebee whirred sheepishly at his counterpart's actions, his door wings twitching in embarrassment. Raf patted him on the leg, offering a reassuring smile.

Ratchet rolled his optics, a mix of amusement and irritation on his face. "Bumblebee... sometimes you..."

Optimus merely watched in silence, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly in what might have been a suppressed smile.

Calling his friend Miles on the phone, Sam panicked about the situation, mentioning how Satan's Camaro was stalking him.

The kids exchanged amused glances at the comparison to the Devil's car.

Arcee quirked a brow, smirking slightly. "Satan's Camaro?"

Bulkhead chuckled. "Suits Bee, I guess. He's definitely a force to be reckoned with."

Bumblebee buzzed in agreement, his door wings fluttering proudly. Arcee couldn't help but laugh softly. "Don't let it go to your head, Bee," she warned gently, a warm smile on her face.

Ratchet huffed, his gaze fixed on the screen. "Focus, everyone. We need to pay attention to what's happening."

"Ratchet's right," Optimus agreed, his tone firm. The room quieted down, everyone's attention back on the events unfolding before them.

Sam, fueled by a mix of fear and determination, dashed outside, seizing what seemed to be his mother's bicycle. With the other Bumblebee in close pursuit, the young teen pedaled away urgently, the crowd watching in stunned silence as the bizarre scene unfolded before them.

"Oh! This will be entertaining!" Miko giggled, her voice full of mischief. "Sam's gonna freak out even more!"

Jack couldn't help but grin, watching the scene unfold. "Poor kid."

The chase was on, Bumblebee in hot pursuit of the panicked Sam. The teen's voice rang out, filled with fear, as he desperately pedaled his bike to increase its speed. As they weaved through the neighborhood streets, Bumblebee stayed close behind, cautious of causing no harm.

The kids watched with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of excitement, concern, and amusement.

In an unfortunate turn of events, as Sam desperately tried to evade the pursuing Bumblebee, he hit a damaged piece of sidewalk, launching him off his bike and landing hard on his back, wincing in pain. Bad luck had it that he had fallen right in front of Mikaela and her friends, who were now taken aback by the surprising sight before them.

"Oh no...of course." Jack groaned, his hand going to his forehead.

Raf grimaced, his face scrunching up in sympathy. "Ouch, that's gotta hurt."

Miko chuckled. "Oh, man. Sam really can't catch a break, can he?"

Arcee's brow furrowed in confusion before recognition dawned. "Ah... Mikaela."

As Mikaela expressed concern and asked if Sam was alright, the embarrassed teenager quickly brushed off her concern. Hurriedly getting back on his bike, he muttered to himself about going insane, his face blushing a deep shade of red. Without a glance backward, he pedaled away as fast as he could, hoping to put the humiliation behind him.

Mikaela, genuinely worried about Sam's condition, bid farewell to her friends. With a determined expression, she hopped onto her scooter and revved the engine, quickly setting off in the direction Sam had gone. 

"Uh oh," Miko murmured.

Jack's eyebrows furrowed. "She's gonna follow him?"

Arcee nodded. "Looks like it."

Ratchet sighed. "She's only going to get herself caught up in this mess."

Bumblebee stayed in hot pursuit of Sam, his presence looming closer. The desperate panic on Sam's face was evident, visible even as he peddled furiously.

 Back with Mikaela, she was forced to abruptly slam on the brakes, causing her scooter to come to a screeching stop as a police car interrupted her path. Annoyed, she waited for the vehicle to move, unbeknownst to her that it bore the insignia of a Decepticon. She watched as it sped off in the same direction Sam had headed, leaving her behind.

The children watched, their tension palpable. Optimus stood silently, his gaze fixated firmly on the screen before him, his face betraying no emotion. Arcee and Ratchet exchanged apprehensive glances, their concern growing with each passing moment. Bumblebee emitted a soft, worried chirp, his worry evident. Bulkhead clenched his fists so tightly his joints ached, his expression darkening as the perilous situation unfolded.

Miko's voice wavered as she spoke. "This is getting intense..."

Raf nodded, his eyes glued to the screen. "Yeah... it's hard to believe this is happening in another world."

Jack leaned forward, his jaw clenched. "They're all in danger," he muttered, a mix of anger and concern flashing in his eyes.

Sam, still on his bike, ducked low as he rode underneath a highway bridge, determined to elude Bumblebee. Thankfully, the yellow Camaro passed him by, and Sam let out a sigh of relief as he watched it drive away.

Believing his ordeal was finally over as blaring police car sirens filled the air. Sam rode his bicycle over to the cop car, intending to explain the situation. However, his words were abruptly interrupted as the door of the cruiser flew open, forcefully knocking Sam's bicycle to the ground and causing the teen to fall off his ride.

"Oh, scrap," Ratchet cursed.

Arcee's optics narrowed, her expression fierce. "Get away from him!"

Bumblebee tensed, his door wings fluttering anxiously as he buzzed with concern.

Bulkhead clenched his fists tightly, his face darkening in anger. "I hate this!" he seethed, his voice charged with frustration. The kids were also visibly on edge, their bodies taut with anxiety, their eyes widened in worry.

Raf swallowed hard. "He's in trouble," he whispered, his voice trembling. Jack nodded grimly, his gaze never leaving the scene unfolding before them. Miko, usually so energetic, sat still, her eyes fixed on the screen.

Optimus remained stoic, his face betraying no emotion as he watched silently. But there was a flicker of something in his optics, a hint of concern and anger at the unfolding situation.

Grudgingly getting back up, Sam leaned against the hood of the police car, attempting to catch his breath. Convinced that the door bump was a mere accident, he gathered his composure and started explaining to the officer that his car was pursuing him.

The ominous sound of the Decepticon's engine revving filled the air as it moved forward, forcefully knocking Sam to the ground. In a state of panic, the boy hurriedly scrambled backward, desperately trying to put distance between himself and the menacing police car. The vehicle continued to edge closer, its engine revving like a predator toying with its prey.

"Damnit, Bee, where are you," Arcee muttered under her breath, her optics widening with a mix of fear and concern. Bulkhead let out a low, rumbling growl, his anger rising as he watched the events unfold. Ratchet's brow plates furrowed, his jaw clenched as his optics narrowed, focused on the screen.

Fear gripped Sam tightly as the situation escalated. Terrified, he shouted at the police car, desperate to understand its intentions. In an unsettling transformation, the vehicle's panels shifted and rearranged until the towering Cybertronian stood ominously over the young boy. Panicked, Sam did as any rational person would: he ran away, screaming hysterically. The Decepticon pursued him relentlessly, closing the distance between them with each powerful stride.

"Run, Sam, run!" Jack yelled, his fists clenched tightly in his lap. Miko, her eyes wide with fear, couldn't take her gaze off the screen, her breathing quickening as she watched the scene unfold. Raf was silent, his mouth pressed into a thin line as he stared at the display, his hands gripping the fabric of his pants tightly.

The Decepticon swiftly narrowed the distance between them, moving at astonishing speed. With a quick flick of its arm, it effortlessly catapulted Sam through the air. The boy found himself slamming against the windshield of an abandoned car, instinctively shielding his face in pain and terror as the Decepticon continued its approach.

Arcee's jaw dropped in shock. "Bee, you better get here fast."

Bumblebee buzzed worriedly, his optics fixed on the screen, his concern for Sam palpable. He was just as invested in the unfolding drama as the rest.

The menacing Decepticon pounded his fists against the sides of the abandoned car, looming aggressively over the trembling Sam. In a surprising question, the Con demanded to know if Sam was LadiesMan217, but the petrified boy vehemently shook his head. Despite the dire circumstances, there was something almost humorously absurd about the exchange.

"Wait, what? Who?" Miko's voice was filled with confusion and disbelief. Jack's eyes narrowed in concentration, trying to make sense of what was happening.

Raf furrowed his brow, "I think that's his eBay username," he said thoughtfully, piecing things together. Arcee and Ratchet exchanged puzzled looks, the terminology unfamiliar to them.

The Decepticon's relentless insistence grew fiercer, its voice becoming increasingly demanding as it repeated the query. The bot's optics bore intently into the trembling Sam, unyielding. Finally grasping the meaning behind the Decepticon's words, Sam hurriedly affirmed it - yes, he was LadiesMan217, the eBay seller.

The Con's intense gaze remained unyielding as it posed the question: where were the glasses? Sam, still trembling with fear, struggled to form a clear response, his words stumbling amidst his distress.

"Glasses?" Bulkhead echoed, his voice filled with incredulity.

Miko scoffed. "What glasses?" she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. The kids were all equally confused, their eyes darting between their Cybertronian friends and the screen.

Arcee, her optics narrowed in concentration, tried to piece together the puzzle. "The eBay listing... the glasses, the ones from his school project…?"

Optimus nodded, his expression grave. "Indeed. But what is their importance?"

Overwhelmed by adrenaline and terror, Sam swiftly slid away from the disabled car and sprinted urgently. The Decepticon responded with a powerful flip of the vehicle, the screeching sound of metal scraping against concrete filling the air as it pursued him relentlessly, closing the gap with each step. 

Sam ran with all his might, panic clouding his thoughts. In the distance, he caught sight of Mikaela on her scooter, and he urgently screamed at her to leave, desperately flailing his arms in an attempt to deter her. However, Mikaela continued to drive towards him, her confusion evident but her concern overriding any sense of self-preservation.

The Cybertronians watched in tense silence, their attention fully on the unfolding drama. Arcee's fists clenched as she leaned forward, her optics burning with a fierce determination. Bulkhead stood, his massive frame towering over the others, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the screen.

Sam, caught in the moment, slammed into Mikaela, causing both of them to go crashing to the pavement. Rising to her feet, Mikaela angrily questioned him, demanding to know what his issue was and why he had been shouting at her to halt. Disoriented, Sam staggered upright and urgently pointed at the enormous alien robot bearing down on them from behind.

"Oh, no…" Jack mumbled, his voice laced with worry.

Raf, his eyes wide, nodded in agreement. "They're both in danger now..."

Nearing the pair of humans, the Decepticon's metal feet thundered against the pavement, causing the ground to shake beneath their feet. Terrified, Sam grabbed Mikaela's hand, urging her to run without him.

Miko's eyes widened. "What?! No way!"

Arcee's expression darkened. "That's not how you save someone; you have to stick together."

Bumblebee chirped in agreement, his optics narrowing in concern for the two teens.

Bulkhead grumbled under his breath, his arms crossed over his chest. "Sam's got guts, I'll give him that, but... he needs to think smarter."

The sound of tires peeling against the road drew everyone's attention back to the screen, revealing Bumblebee's car form drifting in front of them. Slamming into the Decepticon, he knocked the other Cybertronian off balance and sent it crashing to the ground.

"Yes! Bee to the rescue!" Miko cheered, her fist pumping the air excitedly. Jack grinned, a wave of relief washing over him. Raf, equally thrilled, clapped his hands together with a broad smile on his face.

Bulkhead chuckled, "Attaboy, Bee!"

Arcee smiled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Way to go, scout."

Ratchet huffed, trying to hide a hint of a smile. "I suppose that was well done..."

Opening his passenger door for the teens, the yellow Autobot waited, the sound of his engine revving eagerly. Gazing into the opened door, Sam and Mikaela exchanged glances, their faces filled with a mix of shock, fear, and uncertainty. Sam's brow furrowed as he weighed his options, his hand still tightly holding Mikaela's. He swallowed hard before convincing himself and the girl that they should go in the car despite all the crazy events of the evening.

Hope flickered in their eyes, and they quickly hopped inside. Bumblebee raced off, leaving the police car behind; the Decepticon slowly rose, his optics blazing with fury as he transformed back into his vehicle mode and gave chase once more.

"Go, Bee, go!" Jack yelled, his voice urgent and encouraging.

Miko cheered alongside him, "Get out of there!"

Raf watched intently, his eyes fixed on the screen. Arcee, Ratchet, and Bulkhead remained silent; their attention focused on the high-speed pursuit playing out before them.

Optimus, ever the leader, stood tall, his gaze never wavering from the screen. Despite the tense atmosphere, there was an undeniable sense of unity and purpose among the group as they rooted for their otherworldly counterpart to escape unscathed.

The Decepticon was hot on their heels, but Bumblebee managed to drift around a corner, his wheels screeching against the pavement, leaving dark skid marks in his wake. The yellow car accelerated, weaving through the streets in an attempt to lose its pursuer. Sam and Mikaela, their adrenaline levels spiking, held on to each other tightly, their faces etched with terror.

Miko, her voice filled with excitement, cheered, "Yes! Show that Decepticreep who's boss!"

Jack couldn't help but smile, his nerves still on edge. "Go, Bumblebee!"

Crashing into an abandoned building that appeared to be an old warehouse, Bumblebee spun, tires screeching against the concrete flooring. The Con followed close behind, copying the spin less impressively.

The cop's tires spun in place for a moment, creating a cloud of dust and smoke behind him before he was able to straighten out and give chase once more. Sam and Mikaela screamed, their hands still tightly gripping each other, their bodies tensed with fear and anticipation as the car they were in sped away.

The transformation to night painted the surroundings with a dark hue as a factory became visible. Bumblebee, ever cautious, carefully parked his vehicle, his engine now hushed. In the distance, the police cruiser could be seen patrolling the area, its searchlight intermittently fl:ashing, scanning its surroundings relentlessly.

Miko's voice was tense as she urged Bumblebee on. "Keep going!"

Arcee, her brow furrowed, watched with a mix of concern and admiration.

Ratchet's optics narrowed, "What is Bee planning?"

Bulkhead, ever the optimist, smiled. "He's got this, guys."

With keys trembling in anticipation and doors locked tight, Mikaela and Sam found themselves trapped within the confines of the vehicle. Their escape route was thwarted, and they were bound to endure the deafening silence, waiting and hoping against hope that the Decepticon would not discover their hiding spot.

"I hate waiting," Jack muttered, his fingers drumming against his leg in a nervous rhythm.

Raf nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It's like... the calm before the storm."

Driving by their hiding spot, the Con stopped and slowly began to back up.  Panic quickly consumed Sam and Mikaela, the boy's gaze dropping to see Bumblebee slowly turn the key. Screeching forward, Bumblebee roared past the astonished Decepticon before drifting and opening his passenger doors, forcefully ejecting both teens out. The yellow Camaro then began to transform, its form shifting and morphing until the Autobot Bumblebee stood before them in his robot mode, ready to confront the fearsome Decepticon.

Charging forward, the Con transformed as well, kicking Bee and knocking him backward

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Miko chanted, her face a picture of fierce determination. 

Standing tall, Decepticon ejected his little partners from his chest. The miniature Cybertronian screeched with excitement, eager for violence. Sam and Mikaela ran, the little bugger chasing after them as Bee and the Con fought.

"Slag, I forgot about that little punk," Arcee grumbled, a note of frustration in her voice. She clenched her fists, clearly itching to jump in and help.

Ratchet sighed heavily, a mix of annoyance and concern etched on his face. "Indeed... that pest will cause trouble for them."

The rest of the group held their breath, their attention glued to the screen as they watched the fierce battle unfold.

Slamming and rolling across the concrete floor, the Con and Bee traded blows. Their metal bodies clashed with a deafening clangor as sparks flew.

As the two robots grappled, the small con Frenzy continued to chase Mikaela and Sam. The little robot screeched as it charged, his claws flexed and ready to strike. Grabbing Sam by his leg, the Decepticon pulled him down, dragging him across the floor and pulling off the boy's pants in the process.

"Get off of him, you scrap heap!" Bulkhead roared, his voice thundering with anger and frustration at the sight of the Decepticon attacking the human teens. His anger was palpable, and it only grew as he watched the scene unfold before him.

Miko echoed her partner's emotions, her eyes blazing with a mix of concern and anger. "That little creep!" she hissed, her voice filled with fury.

Arcee frowned as she watched, a deep sense of protectiveness swelling within her.

With panic coursing through her, Mikaela darted into a small tool shed, her hands trembling as she frantically searched for something, anything, to help defend both herself and Sam from the Decepticon that was currently assaulting the boy. Her eyes fell upon a reciprocating saw, and without hesitation, she snatched it up. Armed and ready, the girl rushed out of the shed, determination etched on her face as she prepared to confront the little robot.

Ratchet's brow furrowed. "Don't tell me she's going to..."

"Wait... is she?" Jack started.

The kids looked on in awe as Mikaela charged forward.

Sam, his pants now gone, was reduced to his underwear and shoes as he continued to fight off Frenzy, struggling against a fence.

Miko's eyes widened, her voice an excited whisper. "She's gonna fight?!"

Arcee watched with a mixture of surprise and admiration toward the human girl.

Mikaela swung at Frenzy with the saw, slicing through its metal exterior with surprising force. The little Decepticon let out a screech of pain, recoiling from the attack.

Miko gasped, her eyes widening. "She's actually doing it!"

Raf watched in awestruck silence; his hands balled into tight fists as he cheered on Mikaela's unexpected display of courage.

Ratchet's optics widened, a look of disbelief crossing his features. "By Primus... that girl is something else."

Slicing limbs off Frenzy, the Con let out another pained screech before collapsing in a heap. His head, now separated from its body, the Decepticon twitched as it crawled along the floor.

Regaining his bearings, Sam punted Frenzy's head like a soccer ball across the yard.

Jack couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected action. "Nice one, Sam," he remarked, a small smile playing on his lips. Raf nodded in agreement, his expression one of admiration and relief.

The head of Frenzy landed near Mikaela's dropped bag, which had spilled open, its contents scattered on the ground. Although dazed, Frenzy, still cognizant, used his small claws to slowly make his way toward the bag. With a determined effort, he began to search through its depths, desperately searching for something.

"What's that little scrap doing now?" Arcee grumbled, her optics narrowed.

Miko squinted, trying to get a better look. "Is he looking for something?"

Bulkhead shook his head. "Nothin' good, that's for sure."

The two teens cautiously made their way toward the area where the two colossal robots had been engaged in a fierce battle. Their eyes widened with awe and amazement as they beheld Bumblebee's imposing figure, his footsteps resounding heavily as he approached them with purpose. 

"Did Bee win?" Miko asked hopefully.

Raf nodded. "I think so."

Sam hesitantly approached the towering Autobot, a peculiar blend of cautiousness and awe etched across his features. Mikaela, cautioning the boy that the robot could be a potential threat, found her words dismissed by him, with Sam convinced that Bumblebee had a specific goal in mind.

"He does," Ratchet agreed, his voice filled with certainty.

Arcee nodded, her optics fixed on the screen. "Bee would never harm innocent humans... he's one of the gentlest bots I know."

Optimus, still standing with his arms folded behind him, spoke in his deep, commanding voice. "Indeed. Bumblebee has always shown remarkable kindness towards organic life forms."

Bulkhead let out a low laugh, his optics twinkling. "Yeah, ol' Bee's a real softie."

Sam, curiosity piqued, posed a question to the towering Autobot, inquiring if Bumblebee could communicate and understand him. In response, the yellow robot emitted a buzzing sound and cleverly utilized the vehicle's radio to convey his message, confirming that he was indeed capable of speech. Upon seeing the boy put the pieces together, Bumblebee enthusiastically clapped his hands in agreement, acknowledging the accuracy of Sam's deduction.

Raf smiled, his face lighting up with understanding. "He's using Earth's technology to communicate!"

Jack nodded. "Smart move, Bee."

Arcee's face softened, a trace of amusement flashing across her optics. "That's our Bumblebee... always finding a way to make things work."

"Yeah, but it's a bummer that he can't speak in this world, too," Miko added, her tone filled with sympathy.

Bulkhead gave a thoughtful nod, his expression reflecting his understanding of Bumblebee's plight.

Questioning Bee about the beam of light from the other day, the yellow Cybertronian did his best to explain. Shifting through different radio frequencies, Bee mentioned something about a message from the stars. With Mikaela asking out loud if he was an alien, the bot merely nodded and transformed back into his car mode.

Jack chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Talk about a 'not-so-subtle' way to break the news."

Raf grinned. "Well, at least he confirmed it in a way that left no room for doubt."

The group of humans and Cybertronians exchanged knowing glances, sharing in a moment of amusement despite the gravity of the situation unfolding before them on the screen.

The door opened, and he waited for the two humans to enter, slightly apprehensive about getting into a giant robot. The teens did so anyway.

Miko laughed. "Yeah, like, who wouldn't want a free ride from an alien?"

Jack shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe they're doing it."

Arcee crossed her arms. "Well, curiosity sometimes wins out over caution, especially when you're a human teenager."

Dragging out a phone from the bag, Frenzy began to shift and transform. Taking the phone's form, just as Bumblebee pulled up to allow the teens to pick up their things, the con snuck inside the bag and remained in hiding.

Ratchet's voice was laced with concern as he observed the events unfolding on the screen. "They've got a stowaway."

Miko's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she watched the sneaky Decepticon infiltrate their belongings unnoticed. "Oh no... that can't be good."

"He's persistent I'll give him that," Arcee scoffed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She crossed her arms, her gaze fixed intently on the screen.

Sam and Mikaela, their discomfort palpable, reluctantly squashed themselves into the same seat, neither of them wanting to assume the driver's position. Their bodies pressed uncomfortably against each other, and they fidgeted awkwardly, trying to find a comfortable arrangement. 

Miko grinned. "This’ll be interesting."

Jack raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Talk about a tight squeeze."

Raf laughed. "I mean, at least they're sharing the ride?"

With Mikaela perched on Sam's lap, she took the opportunity to ask a question, her curiosity getting the better of her. Looking at Bumblebee's Autobot form, she wondered aloud if he was indeed an advanced alien robot, then why did he always transform into a piece of crap Camaro?

"Hey!" Miko protested, her tone indignant. "Bee has great taste in cars! I mean, come on, he's a cool bot."

Arcee's voice held a note of annoyance as she defended Bumblebee's choice of alt mode. "Well, maybe Bee just appreciates the style and functionality of the Camaro. Not everything has to be flashy or over the top."

Bumblebee beeped in agreement, his door wings lifting slightly as if to emphasize his point. Raf laughed, his voice light with amusement. "Yeah, Arcee's got a good point."

The other Bee seemed to take offense; the bot came to a stop, his engine rumbling in what seemed to be anger. Opening his doors, he forced both teens out and drove off.

Head in his hands, Sam's expression was a mix of disbelief and annoyance. Watching his precious four-thousand-dollar car leave him and the girl behind. Turning to Mikaela, he expressed his anger, stating that she had aggravated him and that Bumblebee was sensitive. Mikaela, however, simply rolled her eyes and scoffed at Sam's words.

Miko grinned. "And here I thought Bee was the laid-back type."

Arcee chuckled softly. "Looks like our otherworldly friend has a bit of a temper after all."

Bumblebee chirped in agreement, his optics twinkling with amusement.

With a daring display of skill, Bumblebee performed a risky maneuver, balancing the vehicle on just two tires. He weaved through the traffic, keeping a keen eye on the cars around him. Finally, his gaze fell upon a car that caught his fancy.

The roar of engines filled the air, drawing Sam and Mikaela's attention. They turned to see that Bumblebee was no longer the old, used Camaro but had transformed into a sleeker, newer model. His paint gleamed with a fresh shine, looking much more polished and vibrant than before.

"Aw yeah, Bee got himself an upgrade!" Miko exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

Raf smiled, nodding in approval. "That's one cool-looking ride."

Arcee couldn't help but smirk. "Well... it's certainly an improvement from the last one," she conceded.

Pulling their Bumblebee into a headlock, Bulkhead ruffled his head affectionately. "Got your feelings hurt over an alt mode, huh?"

Bumblebee whirred and buzzed, wiggling out of Bulkhead's grasp.

"I'm sure he just wanted to impress Mikaela," Ratchet chuckled, his tone laced with amusement.

Getting into the new Camaro, the teens shared a smile before they took off once more.

Chapter Text

A shot of the Earth from space was shown, four comets burning through the atmosphere, traveling in a tight formation.

The group watched in awestruck silence as the scene unfolded on the screen. Miko's eyes widened with excitement, and Raf leaned forward, his expression one of intense concentration.

Arcee's brow furrowed in concern, her optics glued to the display. Bulkhead and Bee exchanged apprehensive looks, their metallic faces etched with worry. Ratchet's expression was contemplative, his processors whirring as he tried to analyze the situation.

"Asteroids? No... Autobots. They've finally found him," Optimus whispered, his voice filled with a mix of relief and determination.

"Reinforcements?" Jack asked, noticing the Autobot leader's unusual response. "Who is it? Bulkhead? Ratchet?"

Miko exclaimed in surprise, her eyes sparkling with hope. "We're gonna see the other versions of you guys?"

Bulkhead grinned widely, his optics twinkling. "Aww, yeah! The cavalry's here!"

Arcee's expression remained stoic, but her voice held a note of excitement as she commented, "About time Bee got some backup."

Ratchet let out a small chuckle. "Well, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. There are so many other Autobots scattered across the stars... It could be any number of them."

"Come on, Doc Bot," Bulkhead retorted. "Who else could it be?"

"Yeah, Bulk's right, four of them and four of you guys... It's gotta be!" Miko chimed in.

 Bumblebee's radio crackled with an affirming tune.

Driving through a locked gate, Bumblebee came to a halt outside of a large building. Exiting the car, the teens’ attention was drawn to the sky above, four comets burning through the atmosphere and passing overhead at high speed.

Spreading out into the surrounding city, each comet landed in different locations. One landed somewhat near Bumblebee and the teens, an open field allowing the comet to land without issue.

With a sense of wonder, the kids watched as the comets streaked across the sky. Their eyes widened with amazement, and they exchanged nervous but excited glances.

A second comet landed in the middle of a baseball stadium knocking a piece of the roof off as it made impact before skidding across the field and into a wall.

"Oh, man, the local team isn't gonna be happy about that!" Jack exclaimed a hint of amusement in his voice despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Well... at least they'll have a story to tell," Raf added, trying to find the silver lining.

Inside the city a group of teens were hanging out inside a dinner when suddenly a third comet struck the building behind them, causing debris and dust to fly everywhere.

The kids couldn't help but gasp as they watched the destruction unfold on the screen. Their expressions mirrored a mix of shock and awe as they witnessed the sheer power of the impact.

Meanwhile, in a small suburb, a little girl sleeping in her room was jolted awake when The sound of the fourth comet impacting her backyard resounded loudly, knocking several items off her shelf and windowsill.

Miko let out a small chuckle, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Talk about an explosive wake-up call, huh?"

Arcee's brow creased with concern. "It's a good thing that didn't hit the house... That would've been even more chaos."

Bulkhead shook his head in disbelief. "That's one way to make an entrance, all right."

Sam and Mikaela ran through the field, hoping to see what exactly had fallen from space.

Back in the city, the group of teenagers cautiously exited the diner, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious event that had occurred moments ago. One of them, held a camera, recording everything that was happening. His friends watched anxiously, their eyes wide with anticipation, as they followed him into the unknown.

Reaching a hill that overlooked the crash, Sam and Mikaela found their voices silenced with awe, the scene before them nothing short of astonishing. There, just a short distance away, a large mechanical pod began to transform, its metal panels shifting and rearranging until it assumed the form of a gigantic metallic creature.

Looking around its surroundings with worry, the Cybertronian ran away from the crash, disappearing into the night.

Miko let out a gasp. "Was he naked?!" she blurted out.

Jack raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well... I...umm... Ratchet what did we just see?"

The medic waved his hand dismissively. "Just a protoform... Standard process when a Cybertronian lands on a foreign world with no alt-mode to scan."

Shifting back to the city the teenagers slowly approached the burning building where their comet had crashed. The camera focused on the flames and smoke billowing out of the wrecked structure, capturing the chaos and destruction left in its wake. A few first responders began to move the group along as the boy with the camera mentioned movement inside, but they were brushed off and moved along.

A yellow Hummer retrofitted as a rescue vehicle drove away from the scene, sirens blaring. As it made its way through the city streets, an disappeared into the night.

Miko couldn't contain her excitement. "That's the Doc Bot's counterpart, right?" she asked.

"Seems that way," Arcee replied, her voice brimming with curiosity.

Gripping Ratchet's shoulder tightly, Bulkhead grinned. "Welcome to Earth, Ratchet!"

 Bumblebee gave a quick, static-filled nod, watching as Ratchet's face turned from one of concern to a hint of embarrassment.

"Yes Bumblebee yellow does look good on me- Wait, we don't even know if this is my counterpart for sure!" Ratchet huffed.

Jack raised an eyebrow. "I dunno, Doc, you both have the same taste in alt modes..."

"It could be Red Alert or Fixit," Ratchet replied.

Arcee rolled her optics. "Sure thing Doc."

On top of a car dealership's roof, a protoform hopped down to examine its surroundings. Its large, metal form loomed over the rows of vehicles, scanning each one intently. Finally, looking over its shoulder and spotting a Pontiac Solstice. The protoform quickly scanned the car, its body starting to change and morph before assuming the form of the vehicle.

Bulkhead let out a low whistle. "Wow... Talk about an upgrade! Wonder which 'Bot that is?"

"Is that something you'd transform into Arcee?" Jack asked with curiosity.

"Maybe, who knows? Maybe Ratchet's right. Could be a couple of different bots," the blue Autobot replied.

Back in the suburban house, the young girl walked alongside her pool where the comet had made an impact. She watched in amazement as another protoform emerged from the water, scanning her before walking away to find a new alt-mode.

Lifting a small pouch, the girl asked if the protoform was the tooth fairy, her innocent question echoing across the now-quiet backyard.

Miko chuckled. "Tooth fairy? Adorable."

Raf couldn't help but smile. "I wonder what bot this is?"

Bulkhead scratched his head. "Hard to say... A wrecker would be a great choice though!" he chuckled.

Ratchet sighed. "It's anybody's guess, honestly..."

Bumblebee beeped in amusement, watching as his teammates exchanged playful banter and speculation. It was clear they were all eager to discover which Autobots would be joining them on Earth, even if they had to wait just a bit longer to find out.

The girl's parents walked up to see what was going on, her father chastising the girl for not being asleep until he saw the damage to their pool. In shock, he asked aloud what had happened.

The protoform sneaked away and scanned the first car it came across, a black GMC Topkick. Its form began to change, transforming into the truck as it drove away.

Jack raised an eyebrow in interest. "That truck looks like a heavy-duty vehicle... Big, strong, and sturdy."

Bulkhead nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a perfect match for a Wrecker! That's totally me!"

"Easy there Bulkhead," Ratchet scolded, "we still don't know for certain."

Arcee shrugged. "Well... we'll see..."

Standing at the edge of a Road, a protoform looked around, before spotting its choice of vehicle. A large red and blue semi truck with flames painted onto its side passed by, the Cybertronian scanning it before transforming into an exact duplicate.

"I think we all know who that one's supposed to be..." Jack commented, his voice filled with excitement.

Arcee nodded, her optics glimmering with anticipation. "It has to be... There's no mistaking it."

Miko pumped her fist in the air. "Alright! We're gonna see Boss Bot's counterpart!"

Optimus Prime watched silently, his expression stoic but with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He nodded once, acknowledging the presence of his counterpart on the screen. The team continued to watch intently, eager to see how their leader's counterpart would navigate this new and unfamiliar world.

Driving into an alleyway, Bumblebee parked and allowed both teenagers to exit his vehicle. Sam and Mikaela watched as a semi-truck drove from the other end of the alley. Sirens from behind caused them to jump, the pair looking to see three other cars pulling into the alleyway behind them.

"Here it comes!" Miko exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the screen, their anticipation building with each passing moment. They were all curious to see how these new arrivals would interact with Sam and Mikaela, and how their presence would affect the events unfolding before them.

Semi truck coming to a halt. The Autobot logo was emblazoned on its grill, and the vehicle began to transform and shift, metal plates clicking and whirring into place. The semi unfolded, towering over the group as it assumed the form of an imposing robot, its optics glowing bright blue.

With awe-filled eyes, Sam and Mikaela watched as the colossal being shifted and transformed before them, its mechanical parts interlocking seamlessly into a humanoid shape.

Arcee let out a small gasp, her optics bright with admiration. She glanced at Optimus and gave him a nod of respect, acknowledging the power and presence of his otherworldly counterpart.

Miko grinned, her excitement evident as she bounced on the balls of her feet. "Whoa... talk about making an entrance!"

Bulkhead let out a hearty laugh. "That's the boss-bot! Always knows how to make an impact."

"He's huge!" Jack exclaimed, his voice tinged with awe.

"Wow ..." Raf whispered, his eyes wide.

Ratchet's face remained stoic, but a flicker of pride shone in his eyes. He had always held Optimus in high regard, and it was evident that this respect extended even to the leader's alternate self.

Optimus Prime's optics remained locked on the screen. Though the display before him was striking, he held his composure, his thoughts concealed beneath a mask of quiet reflection.

Looking up at the giant, the teens were astonished, Sam's jaw-dropping in shock. As other cars pulled in they transformed as well. Causing the teens to whip their heads around in amazement as Bee and the three new Cybertronians appeared before them.

Miko couldn't contain her excitement as she watched. "This is so awesome! I wonder what their personalities are gonna be like ?"

Arcee smirked, her optics twinkling mischievously. "Knowing our luck, they'll probably have some quirks just like we do."

Raf chuckled nervously. "Yeah, but I'm sure they'll be friendly, right?"

Bumblebee’s engine rumbled in agreement.

Bulkhead grinned widely. "Oh, I bet they'll be a riot! Can't wait to meet 'em!"

Ratchet rolled his eyes, trying to hide a hint of amusement beneath his gruff exterior. "Let's just hope they don't cause too much trouble..."

Crouching down, the other Optimus looked at both Sam and Mikaela. The two teens shared a nervous look, neither sure of what to make of these towering mechanical beings. But their curiosity outweighed any apprehension, and they couldn't help but gaze up at the colossal machines in wonder and awe.

Arcee couldn't help but chuckle softly. "They must be feeling pretty small right about now..."

Jack nodded in agreement. "Yeah... It's not every day you get to stand next to giant alien robots."

Miko grinned. "This is so cool! I can't believe we're seeing it happen in another world."

The Autobot leader spoke."Are you... Samuel James Witwicky? Descendant of Archibald Witwicky?" The colossal robot spoke, his voice a deep, commanding rumble.

Confirming his identity with a nod of his head, the other Optimus introduced himself; "My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron."

The yellow bot standing next to Optimus spoke up next. His voice was lighter and friendlier as he told the teens that Autobots was a simpler term.

Jack laughed. "Well, that's one way to introduce yourself, Optimus!"

Raf chuckled. "Yeah, not exactly subtle, is it?"

Miko grinned. "Talk about cutting to the chase! I like it!"

Arcee's brow creased with a mixture of amusement and concern. "They're going to have a hard time trying to keep up..."

The small silver Pontiac Solstice introduced himself next, his voice filled with enthusiasm and energy. Even calling them "little bitches". His eagerness seemed a little overzealous but well-meaning nonetheless.

"Woah there, easy buddy..." Jack said with a nervous chuckle.

Raf looked slightly taken aback by the other bot's forwardness. "Uh... I don't think he means to be rude..."

Arcee raised an eyebrow. "He sure has some personality, that's for sure."

The other Optimus introduced him as Jazz; his first lieutenant.

"Jazz! Alright!" Bulkhead roared, his excitement contagious. He pumped his fist in the air. "Man, If he's anything like the Jazz back home, this'll be awesome!"

"Oh, what's he like in this world?" Miko asked eagerly.

Arcee shrugged her shoulders. "Pretty laid-back for a high-ranking Autobot."

Bee chirped and nodded his agreement.

Ratchet huffed, his expression thoughtful. "That laid-back nature can get him into trouble sometimes, but he always pulled through in the end."

Curiously, Sam asked how they learned English, his brow furrowed in genuine curiosity.

Optimus replied, explaining that they'd learned it through the internet.

Jack couldn't help but smile at that. "The internet, huh? That makes sense..."

Arcee rolled her eyes. "Yeah, no surprise there... I'm just hoping they don't pick up too much weird stuff from that thing..."

Miko laughed. "I bet there's some crazy stuff on the internet in their world, too!"

Ratchet muttered under his breath, "Primus knows we have enough trouble with that here." His expression was a mixture of amusement and concern.

Bulkhead let out a booming laugh. "Aw come on, Doc! Don't tell me you haven't found something interesting on the internet?"

Ratchet's response was a grumble and a dismissive wave of his hand.

The black GMC Topkick was introduced next, his forearms shifting and transforming into two cannons. The teens raised an eyebrow in concern, stepping away from the heavily armed bot as he was introduced as Ironhide, the weapon specialist of the group.

"Woah, heavy artillery there," Jack commented, his eyes widening.

"Ironhide..." Optimus murmured, his optics glimmering with a bittersweet emotion. The mention of his old friend seemed to bring back a rush of memories and emotions that the Autobot leader quickly pushed aside.

The medic sighed deeply. "That brute... Always ready for a fight."

Arcee and Bumblebee exchanged a knowing look, their expressions tinged with sadness and fondness as they remembered their own battles and camaraderie with Ironhide.

Bulkhead chuckled, shaking his head. "If you kids wanted to see a veteran of the Cybertronian War, that's your bot right there."

Miko nodded in awe, her voice filled with admiration. "Look at those cannons! Man, he looks like he could take on an entire Decepticon army by himself."

"I couldn't imagine Vechicons standing in his way," Raf commented, his eyes wide with amazement.

Scolded by the other Optimus, Ironhide sheepishly transformed his weapons back.

Next up, the fire rescue hummer was introduced as Ratchet, the medic of the group.

"See? What did I say? I knew it was him!" Miko said excitedly, her grin wide with pride.

Arcee smirked at the medic's counterpart. "Well, well, looks like we got ourselves another Ratchet... Let's see how different he is from ours," she added playfully.

"Yeah, let's see if he's just as much of a grouch as Doc Bot over there!" Bulkhead joked, earning him a sharp glare from Ratchet.

"Very funny, you overgrown bucket of bolts," Ratchet grumbled, crossing his arms. "We'll see who's a grouch when I have to patch you up after another one of your brawls."

Bumblebee just buzzed and chirped, clearly enjoying the light-hearted banter between his comrades.

Sniffing the air the other Ratchet looked to the teens and proclaimed that Sam's pheromone level suggested he was interested in mating with the Mikaela.

The room erupted into laughter, led by Miko and Bulkhead. Even Arcee couldn't help but let out a chuckle, while Jack couldn't help but share in Sam and Mikaela's embarrassment.

"Talk about lacking tact... That's definitely not our doc bot." Jack said with a grin.

Arcee smirked. "Well, at least they both share a love for bluntness."

Raf chuckled nervously, his cheeks flushed with secondhand embarrassment. "I don't think Sam and Mikaela wanted that information shared so openly..."

Miko laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh man, that was hilarious! I wish we had that Ratchet here. He'd make things way more interesting!"

Meanwhile, Ratchet grumbled and rolled his optics. "Unbelievable... Clearly, this other version of me lacks any sense of decency."

Shifting gears, Optimus reintroduce Bumblebee to his charge. Shadowboxing as music from his radio blasted, the yellow bot was trying his best to impress.

"Okay... That's a bit over the top," Arcee said with a raised eyebrow.

"Bee's laying on the charm thick, huh?" Jack commented, chuckling.

Ratchet scoffed. "Typical Bumblebee... Always trying to make an entrance."

Bulkhead grinned. "Hey, let him have his fun! He's just trying to impress his humans, after all."

Oh, we're all aware of you bending over backward to try and impress Miko," Arcee shot back with a smirk.

The Wrecker's face lit up in embarrassed protest. "H-Hey! I don't bend over backward!"

"Sure you don't," Ratchet muttered under his breath, earning a glare from Bulkhead.

Meanwhile, Miko giggled and smiled smugly at her guardian.

The other Ratchet's arm shifted into some type of device; pointing it at the yellow bot and shooting a laser at the bot's throat as he began to cough. Explaining to the teens how his vocal processors were damaged in battle.

Raf looked crestfallen, his expression mirrored by Bumblebee. "Poor guy."

Bee chirped sadly, his optics dimming.

Jack frowned. "I'm sorry, guys... It's tough dealing with something like that."

Miko looked back at the yellow bot. "But hey, look on the bright side - you two still manage to get your point across, right?" she added with a comforting smile.

With the introductions out of the way, Mikaela turned her attention to Optimus and questioned him about their mission on Earth. The Autobot leader looked down at both teens and explained that they were looking for the AllSpark and getting it before Megatron could find it.

Confused Sam asked who this Megatron was, his brow furrowed with concern and curiosity. In response, Optimus tapped his head and projected a hologram of a war-torn Cybertron.

Miko gasped. "Wow... That's... Wow."

Raf's expression was somber as he watched the holographic display. "So that's Cybertron..."

Arcee's gaze darkened as memories of her homeworld resurfaced.

Bulkhead's optics dimmed with a mixture of nostalgia and pain.

Ratchet's expression remained stoic, but his eyes reflected a deep sadness. Bumblebee, on the other hand, buzzed sadly, his gaze fixed on the image of their ruined planet.

The visage of this universe's Megatron was shown, Optimus explaining he was the leader of the Decepticons and his betrayal led to the war and the fall of Cybertron.

"Boy, I thought our Megatron was bad... That guy looks even more terrifying," Jack said, a shiver running down his spine.

"If the word ugly had a picture in the encyclopedia it'd be Megs. No question!" Bulkhead joked.

As the other Optimus continued his story, he revealed that Megatron had followed the AllSpark to Earth in search of it. Unfortunately for him, he crash-landed in the Arctic before he could find it and froze, eventually being discovered by Archibald Witwicky.

Ratchet frowned as he listened to the tale. "So that's how it started here... A chance encounter with a human explorer."

Jack furrowed his brow. "And then the glasses with the map to the AllSpark..."

Optimus nodded grimly. "It seems even across universes, some events are destined to unfold similarly..."

Bumblebee buzzed thoughtfully.

Miko's eyes were wide as saucers. "Wow... So this Archibald guy played a pretty big role in all of this."

Bulkhead let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, who knew one guy's curiosity would lead to all this?"

As Optimus wrapped up his tale, the other Ratchet explained that if the Decepticons found the Allspark, they'd use it to transform Earth's technology and build a new army. With Optimus stating that the humans would be extinguished alongside their home.

Jack swallowed nervously. "No pressure or anything..."

Miko nodded solemnly. "They can't let that happen."

Arcee's expression turned serious. "They won't. Not if Optimus and the others have anything to say about it."

Bumblebee beeped in agreement, his voice filled with determination.

Standing tall, the Autobots stood over the two teens. With Optimus proclaiming that Sam held the key to Earth's survival.

Chapter Text

A Boeing C-17A Globemaster III soared gracefully through the skies over the Atlantic Ocean. Its massive frame, a testament to human engineering, glided effortlessly among the clouds, its engines roaring as it carried out its mission.

Inside the aircraft, the soldiers from the desert went about their business, the tension of their recent encounter still lingering in the air. Epps and Lennox stood over the detached tail section of Scorponok, their minds racing with questions and theories about the strange creature that had attacked them.

Lennox's gaze was intense as he stared down at a hole in the steel, where sabot rounds pierced its armor, and theorized that extreme heat could be effective.

Raf raised an eyebrow. "Do you think that information will be helpful?"

Arcee nodded thoughtfully. "It could give the humans an edge in battle against the Decepticons, if they can exploit that weakness."

Bulkhead grinned. "Yeah! Show those 'Cons what happens when they mess with Earth!"

Ratchet's voice was tinged with doubt. "I'm not sure it'll be that simple, but any advantage they can get is worth exploring."

Bumblebee beeped in agreement, his optics scanning over the image of the damaged tail section.

The conversation suddenly shifted, as the tail twitched violently, writhing as if still alive. The soldiers reacted quickly, pinning it down until it stopped moving.

Miko couldn't help but gasp. "Whoa! That thing’s still kicking?! That’s metal!"

Jack looked unsettled. "Okay, note to self—Decepticon body parts don’t just die when you cut them off."

Crossing her arms Arcee frowned. "Typical ‘Cons overly dramatic even when beat."

Bulkhead's optics brightened his fists clenching. "Bet that gave 'em a scare. Shoulda just smashed it flat.”

Bumblebee spun on his heel, his door wings snapping up in alarm, and unleashed a frantic series of beeps and whistles, servos whirring as he dramatically mimed the tail's lashing motion.

Miko's grin turned feral as she twisted in her seat. "Hey, Bulk!" She jabbed a finger toward the screen. "What happens if your arm gets chopped off? Does it start breakdancing or something?”

The Wrecker shook his head. "Nah. Just goes limp. Maybe twitches a little. Not exactly showstopping."

Ratchet groaned. "Must we really delve into such macabre discussions?"

Epps and Lennox shared a nervous laugh, the captain suggesting that they inform Command to install sabot rounds on all gunships for future battles.

"That might just be what they need to tip the scales in their favor," Optimus mused, his voice deep with contemplation. "Perhaps this encounter has given them an edge they sorely needed."

Miko's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Oh man, just imagine it—a whole fleet of human aircraft blasting 'Cons outta the sky! I bet Starscream wouldn't see that coming!"

Arcee smirked. "It's a sound strategy... but let's not get too confident. The 'Cons won't go down without a fight."

 Bumblebee trilled a low, wary note, his optics dimming slightly in solidarity with Arcee's warning.

Now showing a dark interrogation room, the portal focused on Glen and Maggie who sat anxiously, their faces etched with worry as they awaited their interrogators. A plate of donuts was laid before them. Maggie, arms crossed, sits stiffly in her chair while Glen immediately grabs for the sweets and devours most of them. He offers Maggie a single piece and then eats it himself, licking his fingers with exaggerated satisfaction.

"Dude, what a pro! Snacking under pressure like that? He's got nerves of steel," Miko exclaimed, her eyes widening with admiration.

Arcee raised an eyebrow at Miko's enthusiasm. "Let's not forget he's still in trouble here... But yeah, I'll give him credit for keeping his cool."

Raf chuckled, amused by Glen's antics. "He seems like the type to stay calm no matter what... I wish I had that kind of composure."

 Bumblebee's optics brightened, and he gave Raf an approving chirp followed by an enthusiastic double-tap of his fist against his chestplate.

Glen leans in, whispering about how they put the plate of donuts there to see if the pair were guilty of anything. If they didn’t touch them, they were guilty, but if they did, then they weren’t. He lifts the plate showing it's empty as he speaks before placing it back on the desk.

Bulkhead snorted, "This guy’s either a genius or an idiot. No in-between."

Dryly, Ratchet shook his head, "Oh, he’s definitely an idiot."

Suddenly, the door opens, and two FBI agents stride in—one circling the table menacingly while the other stands by. Glen keeps a poker face until a file is suddenly slammed down onto the table.

Immediately Glen cracks, his cool demeanor now completely gone. Pointing an accusing finger at Maggie, he claims it was all her fault and that he had nothing to do with any of this.

Miko couldn’t contain her laughter. "Just like that huh?! That’s cold, dude!"

Jack shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips despite the seriousness of the situation. "Talk about loyalty."

Raf frowned slightly at Glen's swift betrayal. "Well...at least he's honest?"

Bumblebee buzzed a firm agreement, then let out a descending whirr of disapproval, shaking his helm as if Glen's lack of support physically pained him.

Arcee's face darkens at Glen's cowardice. "That's not how you treat an ally—no matter the circumstances."

Maggie voices her disbelief at Glen's quick betrayal and attempts to defend herself, but Glen continues his tirade, standing up and admitting that he's illegally downloaded music and movies in the past.

The agent quickly seats him back down in the chair, leaving him to squirm nervously.

"Man, he folded faster than a deck of cards," Miko remarked, her grin widening.

Jack chuckled, "He might be an idiot...but he's entertaining."

Ratchet huffed. "Entertaining or not, he's still a liability in this situation."

 Bumblebee vented a quiet sigh, his whirrs taking on a grudging tone as he nodded at Ratchet, his door wings drooping slightly.

With Glen temporarily out from a sugar rush, Maggie attempts to take control of the interrogation, telling them Glen had nothing to do with what happened.

"Nice one, Maggie!" Miko cheered, pumping her fist in the air. "Show 'em who's boss!"

Arcee smiled approvingly. "Taking all the heat onto herself? She's got guts, I'll give her that."

Optimus Prime nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Her loyalty to her friend is admirable."

Reinvigorated by Maggie's admitting that she was guilty, Glen rose up once more hoping he could now be let go. But was once more forced back into the seat.

"Seriously, this guy's a mess," Bulkhead scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

The doc bot let out a long sigh. "Incompetence seems to be his middle name..."

Bumblebee buzzed and beeped, amused by the human's antics despite their dire situation.

Maggie tries to plead with the agents that whoever hacked the government pulled files on a man named Witwicky and a group called Sector 7. As she spoke she mentioned that she needed to speak with the secretary of defense before the country went to war against the wrong country.

"Whoa... She's really stepping up her game," Jack observed, impressed by Maggie's sudden assertiveness.

Arcee raised an eyebrow at the mention of Sector 7. "Wonder if they're anything like MECH in our universe..."

Bumblebee whirred thoughtfully as he considered the possibility.

"The faster they learn of Decepticon involvement, the better for Earth," Ratchet declared, his voice laced with concern.

Optimus gave a solemn nod. "Agreed. They cannot afford any misdirected hostility in this conflict."

Portal shifting team Prime was now shown  a suburban living room, Sam’s parents sat together on the couch watching a news report of one of the 'meteors' that crashed in the city.

Ron was on the phone, speculating with a friend about what it could have been, while Judy reminded him to call Sam before he’s late and gets grounded.

"Prioritizing domestic squabbles over potential extraterrestrial contact," Ratchet muttered under his breath, the words laced with that particular blend of exasperation and precision that could only belong to their resident grumpy mechanic. "Typical human shortsightedness."

Bulkhead's deep chuckle rumbled through the room. "Hey, at least they're consistent. The world could be ending and moms would still be worried about curfews." The Wrecker's eyes twinkle with a hint of mischief. "Remember when June grounded Jack for being late after that whole 'Con ambush thing? That was classic."

"Classic, sure," Jack interjected with a roll of his eyes, though a smirk played on his lips. "But not exactly my idea of fun."

Meanwhile, Sam and Mikaela arrived in Bumblebee, parking in an alley with the other Autobots hidden nearby. Sam tells Mikaela to stay with them while he retrieves the glasses.

"I wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now," Raf commented, his gaze fixed on the screen.

Arcee tilted her head. "What, you don't think you could handle the fate of the world on your shoulders?" Her tone was light, but her expression held a hint of worry. "I mean, I've seen you handle worse... Like that time you... Never mind."

Jack shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Miko's probably the most fearless out of all of us. Pretty sure she'd leap into saving the world before the rest of us even blinked." 

Miko slammed her hands on the couch’s armrest, nearly vaulting out of her seat. "Damn right! Try and stop me!" 

Bumblebee trilled in agreement, his door wings flicking up, then dipped into a hesitant warble, his optics darting toward Jack as if to say, "But maybe with some backup ?”

Sprinting through the yard, Sam ignored the path, prompting his father to call out from the screen door about walking the newly done path. The winded teenager reaching the door offered a breathless apology.

Ratchet’s grip tightened on the console, his optics narrowing. “We’re about to have more problems than trampled grass.”

Bumblebee whirred, his door wings flicking upward in alarm, while Arcee shifted her weight, unimpressed. “At least the biggest threat right now is an angry homeowner.”

“For now,” Ratchet grumbled, the click of his jaw emphasizing his irritation.

Bulkhead cracked his knuckles, a fierce grin spreading across his faceplate. “Bring it on, ‘Cons. We’ll be ready.”

Jack, Miko, and Raf exchanged glances, their eyes darting between the Autobots and the unfolding chaos on the screen.

After some back and forth with his father Sam eventually convinced his father to go back inside the house, only to then see the Autobots shift and begin to freely roam in his backyard.

"Uh-oh... this can't be good," Miko mused aloud, her eyes narrowing as she watched the Autobot movements on the screen.

Arcee cocked an optic ridge, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "What's their play here? Surely they know it's too risky to just waltz into someone's backyard like that."

Bulkhead chuckled, a deep rumble emanating from his chassis. "Guess subtlety ain't their strong suit. Reminds me of my early Wrecker days."

Optimus Prime's voice carried a note of concern. "Let us hope they proceed with more caution than your typical Wrecker operation."

Trying to stop them from moving, Sam frantically waves at Optimus who steps onto his father's path and newly built fountain, destroying both in the process.

Ratchet groaned, rubbing his temples like his processor was seconds from overheating. “Optimus, I understand the urgency, but—” He gestured wildly at the portal. “Robots in disguise, remember?!”

Optimus vented a slow sigh, his optics flickering with the weight of leadership—and mild exasperation. “I am aware, old friend. I’m certain my counterpart is as well.”

Bulkhead’s laughter boomed through the base, his massive hand slamming his knee with a metallic clang! “Ha! Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

Jack pinched the bridge of his nose, but the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him. “And there goes our ‘low profile’…”

Raf peered up at Bumblebee, eyes wide behind his glasses. “You’d never trample my mom’s yard, right?”

Bee chirped instantly, dipping his helm in a solemn vow, then added a playful series of whirs—as if promising to personally guard the flowers.

Running to Mikaela, Sam frantically argues with her about how they were supposed to stay out of sight. But as he spoke the barks of his dog Mojo caught his attention as it ran around the Autobots.

Miko snorted. "Oh Mojo... you're so clueless. But that's what makes you adorable."

Stopping by Ironhide's foot, the dog lifts its leg and relieves itself on Ironhide's shiny metal toe. Looking down, the weapon specialist groans, flicking the dog away and aiming his cannons at the animal.

"Hey, hey! Watch it, Ironhide!" Bulkhead booms, a stern look crossing his face. "We're tryna keep the humans on our side, remember?"

"Excessive force is never the answer," Optimus agrees, his tone one of disappointment. "Even for minor inconveniences."

Bumblebee buzzed in agreement while the kids exchanged a look, laughing at how ridiculous this whole scene was.

"Remind me not to piss off Ironhide," Miko whispered jokingly to Raf, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

Diffusing the situation as quickly as possible Sam picks up the dog, chastising Mojo and calming down the massive black robot warrior who looks away, grumbling about his foot potentially rusting.

Miko stifled a laugh. "Man, big bad Ironhide, scared of a little dog pee. Who knew?"

Jack shook his head. "This is going from bad to worse."

Swiftly urging the Autobots to hide, Sam runs into the house to begin searching through his room for the glasses.

Ratchet nods in approval. "At least the boy has some sense...for now."

"Yeah. We'll see how long that lasts..." Arcee muttered under her breath.

Bumblebee buzzed and beeped, as if saying, 'At least he's trying'.

Digging through his room, Sam tries to find the glasses. As he searches, Optimus Prime lifts Mikaela up to the window, surprising him. She explains that the Autobots really want those glasses.

"Talk about an unexpected elevator ride..." Arcee commented, her eyebrows rising.

Bulkhead vented a tired sigh, rubbing his forehead. "Well, at least Prime's got a gentle touch. Could've been a lot messier.”

Together the pair searched the room. Frenzy's severed head peeked from Mikaela’s bag, watching the two work. The alien robot remained silent and hidden as Sam continued his frantic search.

"That damn con!" Ratchet growls, his optics narrowing in anger. "Plotting something, no doubt."

Bulkhead cracked his knuckles threateningly. "I wish I could reach through the portal and teach him a lesson or two."

Optimus rested a steadying hand on his shoulder, his voice deep and measured. "Easy, Bulkhead." His gaze never left the screen. "Our priority is observing, not engaging ghosts."

Wanting to make sure the Autobots weren't causing any trouble Sam paused his search to gaze out his window. To his dismay, he discovered their idea of staying hidden was to transform into their vehicle's alt-modes, turning his parents' backyard into an impromptu truck stop.

"Oh, for the love of Primus," Ratchet hissed, throwing up his hands in exasperation.

Arcee rolled her optics. "Seriously? How are they supposed to maintain cover when they stick out like sore thumbs?"

Optimus heaved a long-suffering sigh. "It seems discretion is not their forte..."

Jack chuckled nervously. "Well we know who didn't read the 'How to Blend in With Humans' guidebook..."

Raf glanced at Bumblebee with a raised eyebrow. "I guess... it could've been worse?"

Bumblebee beeped a bit sheepishly in response, almost as if apologizing for the antics of his alternate universe counterparts.

After several more minutes of frantic searching, Sam froze as Optimus Prime's massive silhouette suddenly filled his bedroom window. Heart pounding, he rushed over and peered out-only to stare in horror at the wreckage below. His mother's once-pristine garden had been trampled into a chaotic mess.

The gathered group could only groan and laugh in disbelief, watching the scene unfold.

Apologizing for the damage, Optimus pleads with Sam to keep searching and orders the Autobots to fall back.

Shuffling and arguing amongst each other, the Autobots all begin to move away.

Distracted and clumsy in his haste, Ratchet stumbled blindly forward—only to crash straight into a power line. A violent surge of electricity arced through his frame as he reeled, toppling backward onto a neighbor’s garden with a thunderous crash. Sparks spit from his joints as the current coursed through him, leaving him twitching helplessly in the grass while nearby streetlights flickered wildly.  

Arcee couldn't help but let out a snicker. "That's what you get for not paying attention."

Bulkhead's jaw dropped, his voice booming in disbelief. “Seriously?! How did he not see that coming?!”

Earth shaking from the massive robot's movements, Sam's father mistakes the impact and electrical malfunction to be an earthquake, telling his confused wife to run under the table.

Optimus let out another heavy sigh, his optics dimming slightly.  “I fear this situation is only going to grow... Increasingly complicated.”

Raf adjusted his glasses with a quiet huff. “Yeah... because they weren't already drawing enough attention.”

Dazed but recovering, Ratchet staggered to his feet and lurched away from the wreckage—just as the entire neighborhood's power grid shorted out. Streetlights, windows, and porch lamps blinked into nothingness, plunging the street into sudden, heavy darkness. 

Ratchet dragged a servo down his faceplate with a metallic scrape. "Of course, my counterpart would turn a simple operation into a scrap-heap spectacle.

Arcee crossed her arms, her voice drier than a rusted gear. "Subtlety's clearly not in his vocabulary." 

Bumblebee's voice box hiccuped in a suppressed laugh, his optics brightening with silent mirth.

Worried about their son and not being able to see in the darkness, Sam's parents decided to check on him. Lights in hand, they made their way up the stairs.

"Oh, man..." Miko winced. "This isn't going to be pretty."

"Someone's in trouble..." Jack murmured, watching as Sam's parents approached his room.

Arcee raised an eyebrow. "Let's see how he's going to talk his way out of this one."

Bumblebee beeped in concern, his optics following the parents on the screen.

Confused at a strange light coming from the boy’s room, the pair call out to Sam.

Inside, Sam and Mikaela continue their search, the other Optimus ordering their Ratchet to shine his light into the room, much to Sam's protests.

"I have a bad feeling about this..." Raf muttered under his breath.

Miko snickered. "Oh, it's gonna get worse before it gets better."

Knocking on the door Sam's father tells him to open up, twisting the door knob but finding it locked. He then orders his son to open the door. Proclaiming that no doors were to be locked in the house.

"Man, they have some strict rules," Miko commented.

Arcee shook her head. "Yeah, well, they're about to get a real surprise if they bust in there..."

The yellow scout buzzed softly as if he were muttering 'Uh oh.'

Sternly counting down from five, Ron demands that Sam open the door or he will. At the very last second, the teenager pries the door open just enough for him to look at his parents. With his parents wondering why he looks so nervous and sweaty Sam explains he's a teenager and that this is normal for them.

Neither parent was convinced, their suspicion only growing as they demanded answers about the mysterious voices and eerie glow coming from Sam's room.

"Talk your way out of this one, dude..." Jack muttered under his breath, his eyes glued to the portal.

When Ron followed him inside, Sam immediately tensed up, his posture turning defensive under his father's relentless interrogation.

Arguing in circles with his father, the teen tries to explain that he wasn't hiding anything, while also attempting to stop the man from looking anywhere else in his room.

Exasperated, Sam's mother eventually steps forward, wondering if Sam was just masturbating and that was why he was being so weird. Both Sam and his father stare at her in shock and disgust.

"...Did she just say that?" Raf gasps, his cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

Grabbing a pillow from the couch, Jack covered his face, groaning loudly into it. "I think I just lost ten years off my lifespan."

Bulkhead scratched his head in confusion, "And what exactly does 'masterbating' entail?"

The room fell into an awkward silence as the gathered Autobots turned to Ratchet. The medic stiffened, his optics flickering with embarrassment.

"Perhaps... we should move on from this topic," Ratchet muttered, clearly uncomfortable with explaining the intricacies of human reproduction to the group.

Immediately, the father-son duo launched into a tirade of disgust, proclaiming that it was a topic reserved for men only. The mother, however, was having none of it and suggested that if they were embarrassed about the act, then maybe they should call it something different. Going so far as to list a few possible names for it.

Miko, who'd been silent for most of what was transpiring, screamed covering her ears and kicking her legs on the ground. "Can't we fast forward or something!? I do NOT need to hear this! Eww!"

Bulkhead looked around at the others with a mix of curiosity and discomfort. "Uhm... Is it that big a deal?"

Shrugging her shoulders, the two-wheeler glanced over at Optimus, who seemed as stoic and impassive as ever. "I think it's just a human thing, Bulk."

Ignoring his wife's frantic chatter, Ron kept searching the room- even checking inside Sam's bathroom. Nearby, Optimus barely managed to duck his head out of sight just in time. As he pressed against the house's outer wall, the impact sent another tremor through the building. Ron, assuming it was just another aftershock from the earthquake, hopped into the tube and urgently shouted at his wife and son to take cover.

Jack, Miko, and Raf exchanged confused glances. "He... really doesn't know there are giant robots outside, does he?" Jack asked incredulously.

Miko snorted in disbelief. "Talk about oblivious..."

Raf bit his lip nervously, "But he's gonna find out eventually, right? I mean, Optimus is right there!"

Bumblebee buzzed and beeped softly as if to agree with Raf's observation, while Arcee nodded solemnly. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," she murmured, her optics fixed on the portal.

Bulkhead grunted. "Better for everyone if they don't have to deal with that mess."

Realizing the parents might investigate the backyard, Optimus Prime urgently commanded the Autobots to conceal themselves. In a frantic scramble, Ratchet and Ironhide pressed against the house's exterior, Jazz and Bumblebee folded themselves into the cramped patio space while Optimus leaned his massive frame against the corner of the house, barely staying out of sight.

"Well...this is going about as well as expected," Arcee muttered dryly, shaking her head.

Ratchet scoffed. "And what, pray tell, did you expect from a bunch of giant alien robots trying to hide in a suburban backyard?"

Optimus Prime frowned, his deep voice laced with concern. "I can only hope our counterparts exercise more caution in the future...for the sake of all involved."

The gathered group watched with a mix of amusement and apprehension as Ron looked out the window, peering into the darkness and seeing all the destruction caused by the Autobots. To their surprise, Sam's father mistook the wreckage for damage caused by the earthquake and expressed his dismay.

"I guess it all worked out in the end..." Raf remarked hesitantly.

Jack shrugged. "Luck...or just sheer ignorance?"

Miko couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter. "Oh, man... that's so freaking hilarious! Their clumsiness actually saved their tin cans!"

The blue scout shook her head, a small smirk on her lips. "Well, I suppose there's a first time for everything."

Frustrated by the parents' relentless snooping, Ironhide's arm transformed with a menacing whir, his cannon humming to life as he glanced at the other Optimus asking his leader if they could simply take them out.

"No! Absolutely not!" Raf shouted, horrified.

Arcee's voice was sharp. "What kind of solution is that, Ironhide?"

Bumblebee buzzed rapidly, expressing his concern and disapproval of the proposed action.

Whispering harshly to his companion Optimus chastises his friend for even thinking about killing humans, demanding he conceal himself once more.

Unaware of the heated debate raging outside, Ron and Judy continued to bicker with their son about the mysterious events occurring in his room—until Mikaela, who had been hiding behind Sam's chair since his parents burst in, suddenly stepped into view.

A stunned silence filled the room as the parents gaped at the unexpected presence of such a striking young woman. Recovering quickly, Ron grinned and gave Sam an approving fist bump, while Judy gasped in delight, shaking her son excitedly before showering Mikaela with gushing compliments.

"Oh boy..." Jack muttered under his breath. Every embarrassing situation he'd ever dreaded was unfortunately falling onto Sam.

Miko snickered, nudging Raf's arm playfully. "Hey, at least his parents are happy to see Mikaela."

Adjusting his glasses nervously, Raf managed a weak smile. "I guess... that's a good thing?"

As Ron and Judy fussed over their son's new love interest, Sam brought up his glasses and if his parents had seen them. Judy, still starstruck, casually mentioned that they were currently downstairs in the kitchen.

"Well," the wrecker grumbled, crossing his arms over his massive chassis, "at least they can finally wrap this mess up."

The medic scoffed. "After everything that just happened, I'll be surprised if we don't see more collateral damage on our way out."

Optimus Prime, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "Let's not jump to conclusions, Ratchet. We must hope for the best."

Miko laughed. "Yeah, Ratch, chill out! We might get lucky this time."

Raf, ever the optimist, chimed in, "It could always be worse...right?"

Jack shrugged nonchalantly. "Fingers crossed, Raf."

Outside Sam's house, a convoy of black SUVs and vans screeched to a halt, their occupants clad in black suits piling out of the vehicles with military precision. The newcomers swiftly set up a perimeter around the property, their movements swift and practiced.

"Lucky huh?" Ratchet snorted. "Well, that just went out the airlock."

Chapter Text

 Arcee's optics narrowed, focusing on the portal. "Who are those guys? They sure don't look like your typical government agents."

Jack glanced over at his guardian. "Arcee...they kind of remind me of..."

 "MECH?" Miko cut in, finishing his sentence. 

Raf shivered involuntarily, his mind flashing back to when they faced the menacing organization. "They look a little more official than MECH."

Bulkhead grunted in agreement. "But no less dangerous. Let's hope they don't cause as much trouble."

"They might not be the ones we should be worried about." Ratchet huffed, his gaze darting between the portal and the gathered Autobots.

"What do you mean, Doc?" Bulkhead asked, confusion etched across his faceplate.

But Ratchet simply shook his helm, his attention returning to the unfolding scene. "If Ironhead keeps up his trigger-happy antics, it won't matter who these men are."

Bumblebee buzzed softly, his concern evident in every chirp and click.

"Right, if Ironhead was willing to go after a dog and parents so easily..." Arcee paused, her voice tight. "It won't take much provocation for him to unleash havoc on these agents."

Optimus Prime nodded solemnly. "Let us hope my counterpart can keep him under control." He added, his gaze focused on the portal. "But we must not forget the Decepticons could be lurking nearby, too."

As the team studied the portal it zoomed in on a man striding forward with a determined expression, before the scene shifted back to Sam's kitchen.

Inside, Sam found his glasses resting on the kitchen counter. Beside him, Mikaela gathered her hair into a loose ponytail, a small smile playing on her lips. She remarked how nice his mother was. Neither noticed the shadows shifting beyond the kitchen window.

Miko snorted. "Nice? More like totally embarrassing!"

Raf adjusted his glasses nervously. "Is it really that bad? I mean, Sam's family seems pretty supportive..."

Jack shot him a look.

Outside, the relentless ding-dong of the doorbell echoed through the house as the shadowy figure crouched low, peering through the mail slot with unnerving intensity. When Ron finally yanked the door open, the agent didn't hesitate, he snapped into action like he owned the place.

With practiced efficiency, the man flashed a badge, Sector Seven, and addressed Ron by name, though he butchered the pronunciation of "Witwicky." The agent informed Ron of his imminent house inspection, while a squad of commandos swarmed around the house like a swarm of insects.

"So this is the organization Maggie mentioned earlier..." Raf observed thoughtfully.

"Looks like they mean business," Jack muttered under his breath, watching the swift, coordinated movements of the men.

Arcee's optics narrowed. "Something about these agents sets my processors on edge."

Bulkhead cracked his knuckles, the metallic sound echoing ominously. "They better be careful who they're messin' with."

Collecting anything that gave off a reading to the agents' devices, Sector Seven combed every inch of the Witwicky's home, even going so far as to uproot flowers in Judy's backyard for inspection. The agents' leader continued to interrogate the bewildered parents, asking about any flu-like symptoms when Sam and Mikaela appeared in the entryway, glasses in hand, looking completely confused by what was happening. Before they could say a word, the agent turned his attention to the two teens.

"Uh-oh...this can't be good." Ratchet groaned, his optics tracking the agents' movements with growing unease.

Optimus Prime's deep voice resonated through the room. "Indeed, old friend. I fear we are about to witness a confrontation that could jeopardize their mission."

Bumblebee whirred and clicked anxiously, his door wings fluttering with apprehension. He hoped Sam and Mikaela wouldn't provoke anything that would draw more unwanted attention to the Autobots.

Getting between the agent and the teens, Sam's parents demanded answers and just what kind of agency Sector Seven was. His face twisting into a deceptively charming smile, the agent went back and forth with Ron on how there seemed to be something fishy going on in his home. When Ron asked him what exactly that meant, another agent moved in to whisper something in his boss' ear. The words "direct contact" made the leader's eyes light up.

"Direct contact? How'd they figure that out?" Raf asked, his brows furrowing in concern.

Arcee shrugged. "Maybe it has something to do with those readings their devices keep picking up."

Bulkhead grunted, his voice laced with irritation. "Or maybe it's 'cause of our idiot counterparts trampling around outside, attracting more attention than a scraplet infestation."

Grabbing the device from his subordinate's hand the leader stalked up to Sam. His smug demeanor morphed into one of seriousness as he raised the detector to the boy's chest, causing it to emit rapid, clicking sounds. With a confident air, he declared that the device was detecting radioactive signatures from Sam and gave the order for his team to tag and bag the teens.

Ratchet's optics narrowed as he reviewed the human scanners' erratic readings. "Fascinating. Their crude instruments are detecting residual energon signatures. Our counterparts' very presence seems to emit trace radiation."

Bumblebee buzzed worriedly, his optics fixed on Sam's terrified face.

"Oh man...this just went from bad to worse." Raf winced, watching as the men moved in on the bewildered teenagers.

"Uhm, guys? Shouldn't Optimus... You know... Get involved?" Miko asked hesitantly. She glanced between the Autobots, looking for any sign of reassurance, but found none.

Jack spoke up. "But if he reveals himself now, who knows what these agents will do?" His voice was tight with worry. "They could escalate things and make it even worse."

Arcee shook her helm, her voice firm. "Prime won't put the humans at risk like that. I'm sure he's got a plan... We just need to have faith in him."

Bumblebee beeped and clicked in agreement, his trust in Optimus shining brightly in his optics.

Ratchet sighed heavily. "You're right, Arcee. Optimus wouldn't go in without a strategy." He glanced back at the portal, a hint of concern creeping into his expression. "But let's hope his plan doesn't involve any more property damage..."

Bulkhead nodded in agreement, his voice gruff. "Yeah... At least the others can keep everything under wraps, it counts most."

Grabbing the entire family, the S-7 agents escorted the parents into a separate van from where Sam and Mikaela were taken. Even Mojo the dog was rounded up, barking frantically as he was leashed and pulled away by a pair of agents.

Miko gasped, her eyes wide and mouth full of half-chewed chips. "Boo! Boo, you jerks! How dare you take Mojo like that!"

With a bit of advice from his father to not say anything without a lawyer present, the van doors slammed shut and the convoy raced off into the night.

Raf watched anxiously as the portal flickered and shifted, following the convoy of S-7 vans as they sped through the darkened streets. "Where are they taking them?"

Arcee's voice cut through the tense silence. "Well, wherever it is, I'm sure the other Autobots aren't too far behind."

Bumblebee chirped in agreement. His optics fixed on the portal, scanning for any sign of his counterparts' vehicle modes.

Inside the van, the agent addressed Sam by his eBay username of Ladiesman217, which earned a choked laugh from the kids who were reminded of the boy’s absurd username that started this whole mess.

Visibly sweating, Sam scrambled to explain, his words tumbling out in a nervous rush as he tried to wave it off. His constant stuttering and forced smile betrayed his desperation to dismiss the whole thing as some ridiculous misunderstanding.

Cringing in his seat Jack looked around at the others, "Something tells me the cat's already out of the bag on this one..."

"Yup!" Miko agreed with a sharp nod. "And it's not going back in any time soon."

Optics glued to the screen, Bumblebee watched intently, noting Sam's discomfort and distress. Despite their limited interaction, the yellow scout felt a pang of sympathy for his counterparts’ charge.

Unfazed by the awkward situation, the agent laughed causing everyone in the SUV and even the two teenagers to chuckle at the absurdity of it all. The leader's face darkened, suddenly serious, as he asked what they knew about aliens. Sam and Mikaela stared at each other in stunned silence before shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Yeah, partner," Arcee looked down at her human companion, "These agents know more than they're letting on."

Jack nodded thoughtfully. "I wonder how long they've known about Cybertronians, and what their goals are?"

Raf frowned, his mind racing with possibilities. "It seems like they have a lot of resources and technology at their disposal..."

Shifting from one leg to the other Ratchet grumbled under his breath, "This is getting more complicated by the astrosecond..."

With a serious expression, the agent whipped out his badge, explaining that it was a 'Do whatever I want and get away with it’ badge. His cold gaze bored into the teenagers as he threatened to lock them up forever.

"Okay, that's not cool!" Miko shouted angrily. "They can't just go around threatening people like that!"

Bulkhead grunted in agreement. "I'm with ya, Miko. These guys are starting to get on my nerves."

Raf frowned. "It's like they think they can do whatever they want because they have this badge..."

Jack shook his head, watching as the scene unfolded before them. "This whole situation is messed up..."

Trying to stand up to the agents' threats, Mikaela garnered the agents’ attention. Her attempt to stand up for Sam quickly fell apart when the agent began to reveal the details of her past. From her father's criminal records to her own juvie records.

Miko's eyes widened. "Wow, Mikaela has a bit of a dark past..."

Arcee glanced down at Miko. "Well, everyone has their secrets, Miko."

The yellow scout looked to Wrecker who seemed just as surprised by Mikaela's secret.

As the agent finished up his speech on Mikaela's past, he turned back to Sam asking him to start talking about those aliens. Completely unaware the device he was using to read radiation signatures off of Sam was suddenly going off.

Raf adjusted his glasses, looking between the device and Sam on the screen. "Guys... Look at that! I think the device is picking up something!"

Rubbing her hands together, Miko looked up at her Wrecker friend, her eyes shining with mischief. "Oh yeah! You know what that means, Bulk?"

With a wicked grin stretching across his faceplate, Bulkhead cracked his knuckles. "Time for some action!"

The resident Doc could only shake his head at their eagerness for trouble. "You two would be excited about this..."

The portal's view suddenly jerked from the speeding van transporting Sam and Mikaela to a massive, armored leg slamming down onto the asphalt, blocking the road like an immovable steel barrier. The Sector Seven SUV had no time to react. Tires screeched, metal crumpled, and the vehicle plowed into the Autobot leader's shin with a deafening crunch.

The rest of the convoy came screeching to a halt as a bright light shone onto the lead vehicle and Optimus's massive figure was shown.

Jack let out a low whistle. "Well, there goes the element of surprise..."

Arcee shrugged, her optics fixed on the portal. "If the big guy thought it was time to reveal himself, who are we to argue?"

Bulkhead grinned. "Besides, this should make things more interesting."

Bumblebee watched, his attention divided between the Autobots' counterparts and their human allies. He knew Sam and Mikaela were in good hands with Optimus Prime by their side, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of protectiveness towards them.

Large hands grabbing the car, Optimus lifted the vehicle by the roof and began to tear off the doors like a kid unwrapping presents. Inside, the agents and teens panicked as the van's roof gave way, causing the van to plummet to the ground below. With its doors ripped off and roof gone the van crashed down onto the road.

"You wanted aliens, agent? There you go!" Raf remarked with a hint of smugness in his voice.

Arcee chuckled, her optics sparkling with amusement. "I guess they got more than they bargained for."

Jack smirked. "It's not every day you get to see a giant robot grab a van like that."

Bulkhead huffed. "If it were me, I would have just punched it..." His optics flickered to the portal screen. "But I gotta admit, Optimus knows how to make an entrance."

Optimus frowned at his counterpart's brash actions, but perhaps they were necessary given the situation.

Gawking at the massive robot looming over them Sam introduced the agents to his friend Optimus Prime. The agents from the rest of the SUVs poured out of their vehicles and formed a protective circle around the lead car, each brandishing weapons that were quickly trained on Optimus.

Looking down at the humans who were now aiming their weapons at him, Optimus calmly proclaimed that talking to the children was a bad idea, before calling out to his fellow Autobots to relieve them of their weapons. In an instant, the small team of Cybertronians leapt from a bridge that overlooked the street and surrounded the convoy.

Bulkhead whistled in admiration. "Now that's how you make an entrance! These guys are showing some style."

Arcee scoffed, her arms crossed as she watched the other Autobots. "They're certainly not lacking in flair, I'll give them that."

Ratchet's optical ridge furrowed as he studied the portal. "But let's hope they don't get too carried away... The situation is already volatile enough."

The Autobots landed, weapons ready, with Jazz stepping forward and activating some short of device that sucked up the humans' guns, leaving them completely defenseless.

Crouching to their eye level, Optimus noted that they didn't seem to be surprised by their presence. The agent, slightly fazed and still trying to maintain his composure, responded by saying that there were procedures for this kind of thing.

"Procedures?!" Raf scoffed. "They're clearly out of their depth here..."

Jack nodded in agreement, watching as the agent tried to maintain control of the situation. "Yeah, they're just trying to save face at this point..."

As Optimus barked orders for them to exit the vehicle, Mikaela positioned herself behind Sam, her fingers working deftly at the handcuffs around his wrists. Yet another unexpected skill to add to the growing list of revelations about her that night.

Her voice carried a sharp edge as she muttered about her criminal record, the result of refusing to turn in her own father. The words dripped with bitterness as she threw Sam a loaded glance, challenging him to compare his comfortable, consequence-free existence to the hard choices she'd been forced to make.

Jack winced sympathetically. "Harsh... But I guess she's got a point."

Raf glanced over at Jack. "Yeah, I feel bad for Mikaela. It must have been hard for her, having to deal with that."

"I knew a few Wrecker's like her. Their life wasn't a pleasant one." Bulkhead admitted, remembering the countless faces of those he had served beside in war.

Ratchet shook his head. "War is like that, it forces you to grow up too quickly and make choices you'd never think of otherwise..."

Going up to the agent who had threatened him and Mikaela earlier, Sam began to question the man on Sector 7 and what he knew about the aliens. The agent played hardball and refused to divulge any info, only adding that the boy was now in a world of trouble.

"Dang," Miko exclaimed. "Can't they play good cop, bad cop with this guy?"

Bulkhead let out a snort. "I doubt those tactics would work on him, Miko."

"It's not like they know we don't hurt humans," Ratchet muttered, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Ratchet." The voice of the Autobot leader cut through the air.

"I didn't say we should! But they could have scared him a little bit..."

Seeing Sam annoyed by the agent's lack of cooperation, Bumblebee ejected a can from his body, bouncing off the man's head before a stream of liquid shot out from the Autobot's crotch and drenched the agent from head to toe in a spray of liquid.

Bumblebee blinked in surprise at his counterpart's actions, the scout's door wings fluttering anxiously.

Arcee and Bulkhead's jaws dropped, while Ratchet sputtered, "What in the AllSpark?!"

Jack stared at the scene in bewilderment, then turned to Miko and Raf. "Did he just..."

Raf adjusted his glasses. "I think he did."

Miko burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as tears streamed down her face. "Oh, man! That was hilarious! Go Bumblebee!" She cheered enthusiastically, still shaking with laughter.

Bulkhead couldn't help but join in with a deep chuckle. "Well, I guess that's one way to get their attention!"

Jack shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe that just... they can do that..." he looked back at Arcee. "You can do that?" He asked with wide eyes.

"What!? NO! Jack, that is not... That is... We can't do that! I mean, I suppose we COULD, but we WOULDN'T! It's not how our bodies work!" The blue motorcycle sputtered, her words tumbling out in a rush of embarrassment and outrage. "That's just... ridiculous!" She finished with a huff, crossing her arms over her chassis defensively.

"Ratchet," Optimus's voice held a note of amusement, "perhaps you can enlighten us as to how that is anatomically possible for our counterparts?"

Ratchet's expression contorted in a mixture of bewilderment and disgust as he grappled with the question. "Well, I suppose they could have modified their fluid filtration systems to incorporate a more efficient waste disposal mechanism. But that doesn't explain the...the..." The medic trailed off, rubbing his forehead with a frustrated growl. "It doesn't matter!" He gestured to the gathered group of Autobots, focusing on their yellow scout, "The point is, children, we cannot do that! It is NOT how our bodies work!"

Bumblebee buzzed nervously, visibly shrinking under Ratchet's glare.

Miko rubbed at her eyes, wiping away tears from her laughter and sniffling slightly. "But it was so funny! Our Bumblebee should totally do that sometime."

Jack's face reddened as he held up his hand in a placating gesture. "Miko, please... That's just… It's not... No! Just... no."

Raf adjusted his glasses, his face still flushed with embarrassment. "I... I think I need to wash my brain now..."

Bulkhead snickered, earning himself a sharp glare from Arcee. "Sorry, sorry! It's just... You gotta admit, that was pretty hilarious."

Arcee rolled her optics and huffed. "Can we get back to the situation at hand?"

After Bumblebee's unique method of humiliating the agent, Mikaela stepped forward, ordering the man to strip to his underwear and handcuffing him to a pole. As she stepped away to rejoin Sam.

"That's what I'm talking about! Way to show them who's boss, Mikaela!" Miko cheered enthusiastically, pumping her fist in the air.

"She's definitely not someone to mess with.." Jack's voice carried quiet admiration as he shook his head, arms folded across his chest.

Ratchet grumbled. "They're lucky our counterparts are here to protect them. Who knows what those agents would've done otherwise?"

"C'mon, Doc!" Bulkhead chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. "Seems like those kids are more than capable of taking care of themselves."

Handcuffed to the same pole as his superior, one agent leaned in and muttered to his commander that reinforcements had already been called.

Right on cue, the distant thrum of helicopter blades cut through the air as a convoy of black SUVs roared down the road, speeding toward the Autobots' position. Sam and Mikaela didn’t hesitate, diving behind Bumblebee’s towering frame just as Ironhide swung one of his cannons downward. The weapon struck the pavement with a thunderous crack, sending a shockwave rippling outward. Tires burst, SUVs swerved violently, halting their charge as they collided with one another.

Ratchet hissed, his voice laced with exasperation. "At least they're trying to minimize collateral damage..."

"See old friend?" Optimus spoke up, a hint of pride in his voice. "Our counterparts are capable of restraint when necessary."

Miko couldn't help but grin. "That's what I'm talking about! Boom!"

Bumblebee beeped and clicked in agreement, relief washing over him. He hoped this would put an end to the standoff quickly.

Letting out a brisk 'roll out', Optimus picked the teenagers up with surprising gentleness. The other Autobots shifting into their alt modes, revved their engines and sped off in different directions, evading the pursuing vehicles and leading them away as Optimus carried the two teens to safety.

Ratchet grunted in approval. "About time they got out of there... Hopefully, now, things will settle down."

"Indeed, Ratchet." The Prime nodded, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "Perhaps now, we can focus on their own mission."

Jack stared at the scene unfolding on the portal. "They aren't out of the woods just yet... That agent isn't going to give up so easily."

Running through streets and across roofs, Optimus managed to elude Sector 7's choppers which combed the city for any sign of the Autobots.

Moving underneath a bridge that went over a drainage ditch, the Prime climbed up onto a beam, before carefully planking his body across and placing Mikaela and Sam on top of his shoulder plates. Quietly waiting for Sector Seven's helicopter to pass as they flew under the bridge.

Miko leaned forward in her seat, her eyes glued to the portal. "That's it, Prime! Hide and seek is our specialty!"

Arcee glanced at Miko and then back at the portal. "Let's hope it stays that way... We don't want any more trouble than necessary."

Bulkhead grunted. "Especially not with those Sector Seven guys breathing down their necks..."

As Optimus shifted his stance to regain balance, the sudden movement sent both teens scrambling for a grip on his metallic surface. Mikaela slipped first, a sharp gasp tore from her throat as she lost her footing entirely, plummeting off the Autobot's shoulder.

Sam reacted instantly, his own slide turning into a desperate lunge. One hand seized a protruding ridge of Optimus's armor, fingers clamping down. His other hand shot out, catching Mikaela's wrist mid-fall with a jolt that nearly wrenched his shoulder from its socket. For one suspended heartbeat, they dangled over empty air, their combined weight testing the limits of Sam's grip before Mikaela began to slowly slip from his grasp.

"Oh, no!" Raf gasped, his eyes widening in shock. "He can't hold them both...!"

Bulkhead tensed, watching intently. "C'mon kid, don't let her fall..."

Arcee's optics flickered nervously. "The weight differential... He's not going to be able to maintain it for much longer."

With a roar of his engine, Bumblebee tore onto the scene, his tires kicking up gravel as he launched into the drainage ditch at full speed. In a flash of shifting metal, he transformed mid-motion, his massive robotic form unfolding just in time to thrust his arms upward.

Sam and Mikaela tumbled through the air—only to be snatched from their freefall, each clamped securely in one of Bumblebee's servos. The force of the catch sent his armored frame grinding against the concrete ditch, sparks erupting as his plating screeched against the rough surface. The impact jolted through them, hard enough to send Sam’s glasses spiraling off his person, lost somewhere in the chaos below.

"Alright!" Miko pumped her fist in victory. "Way to go, Bumblebee!"

Raf let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, adjusting his glasses as he watched the scene unfold with wide eyes.

Arcee nodded in approval. "That was close, but our scout came through in the nick of time."

Bulkhead wrapped an arm around their own scout teasing, "Nice catch, 'Bee!"

The young scout beeped and buzzed sheepishly, his door wings flicking in a mixture of pride and embarrassment. He wasn't used to being congratulated for another version of him saving the day.

"Yes, but now the glasses are at risk," Ratchet muttered, his optics narrowing.

Exposed in the open, Bumblebee barely had time to set Sam and Mikaela down before the whirring blades of a helicopter cut through the air above them. The searchlight locked onto the Autobot just as a harpoon gun fired—a metallic thwunk echoed as the barbed hook clamped around his left forearm, cables snapping taut.

Before he could react, a second helicopter swooped in, its own harpoon lashing out like a viper. The steel claw seized his right arm, yanking him into a brutal stretch. Servos strained against the tethers as the twin aircraft hovered, their engines roaring in unison, dragging the warrior’s limbs wider.

"No!" Raf shouted, jumping up from his seat, fists clenched at his side.

"Slag!" Bulkhead roared. "They've got him!"

Arcee's jaw clenched, her fists tightening in anger. "Those scrap heaps..."

Miko leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "There's gotta be something they can do!"

Raf and the others watched in dismay as Bumblebee was brought down by the force of Sector Seven's helicopters.

Trapped between the two helicopters' relentless pull, Bumblebee stood immobilized, his servos straining against the metal cables. The thunder of approaching engines grew louder as two waves of black SUVs screeched to a halt from opposite ends of the ditch, their doors flying open in unison.

A swarm of Sector Seven agents poured out, clad in tactical gear and armed with heavy weaponry. Within seconds, they formed a tightening circle around the defenseless Autobot and the two teens. Weapons snapped into position, barrels leveled directly at them.

Jack looked at his guardian with a mix of concern and faith in her optics. "Arcee, what do you think? Will he be able to escape?"

Arcee didn't speak, but the fierce determination in her optics spoke volumes as she continued to watch the portal

Ratchet growled, his optics gleaming with barely-contained rage at the sight of Bumblebee being held captive by the human agents.

"Those cowards!" Bulkhead's fists clenched. "They think they can just take our 'Bee like that?!"

Arcee's voice was sharp and laced with concern. "If they do anything to harm him..."

"Bee..." Raf whispered, his eyes filled with worry.

Behind him, Bumblebee emitted a soft whir, his door wings drooping slightly in sympathy for his counterpart's plight.

With rough efficiency, the agents clamped cuffs around Sam and Mikaela’s wrists before shoving Sam forward to stand before their newly recovered commander. Now fully dressed and oozing smug authority, the agent smirked as he snapped orders for the teens to be thrown into the back of a car.

Turning his attention to Bumblebee, he barked at his squad to begin immobilization. The agents raised specialized weapons, their barrels hissing as they unleashed a thick, white vapor that billowed out in an eerie cloud. The mist coiled around the Autobot’s limbs like living frost, seeping into his joints. Almost immediately, Autobot's movements turned sluggish, his plating shuddering as if weighed down by invisible chains.

 Raf's fingers twisted the hem of his sweater, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is that.. nitrogen?”

Ratchet nodded grimly. "It appears to be a form of cryo-freezing technology. Highly effective against our kind."

Jack frowned, his gaze shifting back to the portal. "I don't understand, I get knowing you guys exist but how could they know so much about Cybertronians?"

Arcee's optics narrowed. "It's not something we want to ponder too deeply. But it's a definite possibility that they've encountered our kind before..."

Bulkhead grumbled under his breath. "Yeah, and it looks like they've been busy studying us."

On the bridge that overlooked the scene, Ratchet, Ironhide, and Jazz arrived watching as Bumblebee struggled to remain standing. His movements were growing increasingly stiff as the cold mist enveloped him more and more.

"About time the cavalry showed up!" Bulkhead boomed, his massive fists clanging together as his optics lit up.

Despite their friend's encouraging response, Optimus and Ratchet didn't share his optimism.

With a swift transformation, Jazz shifted into his sleek robotic form and held up a hand to halt Ratchet and Ironhide. Without hesitation, he scaled down the bridge, his agile frame moving with precision until he reached Optimus. Frustration crackled in his voice as he demanded answers as to why they were just standing by while Bumblebee was being taken?

Optimus's response was heavy with resolve. Engaging now would mean collateral damage, human lives at risk, and that was a line he refused to cross. Jazz's fists clenched, his loyalty to Bumblebee warring with his duty to obey. But the Prime held firm, his gaze unwavering.

"They can't just stand there!" Raf pleaded, looking up at his guardian with wide eyes. "They've got 'Bee!"

Bumblebee beeped sadly at Raf's concern.

"That's it!?" Miko growled, throwing her hands up in frustration. "He's just going to sit back while our friend gets frozen and hauled off?" She spun to face their own Optimus, her expression a mix of fury and disbelief. "Tell me you wouldn't do that!"

Optimus met her fierce gaze, then looked to see the rest of team Prime looking to him for guidance; Arcee looked conflicted, Ratchet was tense, Bulkhead's fists were clenched so hard they were shaking, and even Bumblebee's bright blue optics were clouded with worry. He could understand their concern. In their reality, he had already lost too many of his own comrades, but this was different. This was a parallel reality where another version of himself was calling the shots.

"I cannot speak for my other self's decision-making," he began carefully, his voice deep and steady. "They face a different set of circumstances than we do. But know this.  If the situation were such that our Bumblebee or any one of us was at risk, I would never hesitate to act. We are Autobots, and our unity is our greatest strength. There may be times when difficult decisions must be made for the greater good, but never at the cost of abandoning one of our own." He looked each of them in the eye before continuing, "As we watch, I understand your frustration. But we must remember that this is not our reality; these Autobots have their own protocols and reasons for their actions. We can only offer our support as observers, and hope that in time, they will find a way to rescue their friend."

As he spoke those words of assurance, his gaze lingered on each member of his team, emphasizing his commitment to them. His resolve to protect and defend them was unwavering, etched deeply into his spark. He would lay down his own life before allowing any harm to befall those under his charge.

Miko's fists uncurled, but her expression remained fierce. "Well...at least someone's got some sense around here..."

Bulkhead relaxed his posture slightly, though his optics still burned with a simmering anger at the situation unfolding before them.

Raf looked up at Optimus, a small smile forming on his lips as he turned his attention back to the portal screen, his fingers tapping nervously on the edge of his seat.

Bumblebee's servo came down to ruffle Raf's hair affectionately, the worry in his optics softening at Optimus's words but still lingering as he glanced back at the portal. He knew that if he were in the same position as his counterpart, he would be counting on his team to come to his rescue.

Ratchet crossed his arms over his chassis. "Yes, well...let's hope they'll find a way to extract him sooner rather than later."

Jack nodded in agreement, the tension in his shoulders easing as he exchanged a look with Arcee. "They will," she said firmly, her voice carrying a hint of steel that echoed Prime's words about never abandoning one of their own. "They're Autobots, after all."

Picking up the glasses Sam had dropped, Optimus and the Autobots were now one step closer to locating the AllSpark.

Chapter Text

The GroundBridge rippled abruptly, the portal now revealing the sterile, high-security interior of a room inside the Pentagon. Defense Secretary John Keller sat rigidly in a briefing room, flanked by top U.S. military officials. Maps and satellite feeds glowed on screens around them as analysts delivered their report in terse, clipped tones.

Russian and Chinese forces had been detected encroaching on American operational zones, and at any moment, things could escalate into full-blown conflict.

A man in a black suit moved briskly through the crowded government facility, his stride purposeful. He approached Defense Secretary John Keller, who was engrossed in monitoring the escalating military tensions displayed across the briefing room screens.

 Introducing himself as Tom Banachek and identifying his affiliation with Sector Seven. Keller, unfamiliar with the organization, dismissed him with an impatient wave, his attention fixed on the urgent geopolitical developments unfolding before them.

“Whoa, so not even the higher-ups of the government know about these guys?" Miko blurted out in surprise.

Jack nodded thoughtfully. "It seems like they operate independently, outside the normal chain of command."

"Sounds dangerous," Raf remarked with a hint of concern.

Arcee crossed her arms. "It's a lot of power to have without proper oversight. You wonder where their loyalties really lie..."

Defense Secretary Keller tried to resume his work when every screen in the briefing room suddenly flickered and distorted. He turned to a nearby officer, demanding an explanation. The officer responded that their entire network had gone dark.

Before Keller could react further, Agent Banachek calmly announced he would be taking a seat, unfazed by the disruption.

The officer continued, clarifying that the outage wasn’t isolated, it was global. Satellite feeds, landlines, and all communications were down. Keller snatched a nearby phone, listening for a dial tone, but only silence answered.

"Global scale? That's..." Raf began, his eyes wide with surprise.

Ratchet nodded. "Frenzy. That devious Decepticon. His virus is wreaking havoc on a massive scale."

Optimus watched intently, his voice resonating with gravity. "Indeed, this is a grave development..."

Trying his cell phone, Keller found it as dead as the rest. Agent Banachek finally interjected, his voice steady as he explained that the President sent him to brief Keller on their situation, gesturing to the briefcase in his hand.

"Okay, so the President is in the loop..." Jack mused, his brow furrowed.

Miko leaned forward, intrigued. "What's in the case? Something important?"

Raf sat up straighter. "I think we're about to find out..."

Bulkhead snorted. "It better be good...they're causing enough chaos already."

Entering a secluded area within the government facility, Agent Banachek set his briefcase on the table before him. His eyes met Defense Secretary Keller’s with a piercing gaze as he explained that Sector Seven had been founded by President Hoover eighty years ago. He reminded the defense secretary of a NASA mission involving the Beagle 2 Mars Rover, which was thought to have been a failure when it stopped working shortly after its landing.

But that wasn't the case, instead, it had encountered something not of their world, something that attacked it. Banachek opened his briefcase to reveal photographs showing the robot attacking the rover. Defense Secretary Keller's expression shifted from skepticism to shock.

"Oh boy..." Arcee sighed, rubbing the sides of her head. "So they've been in the know for quite some time..."

"An entire secret agency dedicated to handling Cybertronians? This could complicate things." Ratchet noted with concern.

Jack glanced up uncertainly. "Arcee... you don't think they've already had to deal with Decepticons, do you?"

Before she could answer, a dismissive snort came from Bulkhead. "Pfft, please. Those creeps probably bailed with their tailpipes between their legs at the first sight of a ‘Con."

"Still," Optimus rumbled, his optics narrowing, "this organization wields considerable influence. Their actions, whether motivated by fear or self-preservation, could have far-reaching consequences."

Bumblebee beeped in agreement.

Agent Banachek continued, informing Defense Secretary Keller that since the Cybertronians know humanity can hurt them, they've knocked out all communications to disrupt humanity's ability to coordinate when they attack next. Defense Secretary Keller's expression shifted from one of disbelief to one of grim realization as he recognized that the situation was far beyond his control.

Keller immediately sprang into action, his officers were to contact all fleet commanders via shortwave radio, recalling vessels to home bases. Every command was to be alerted and prepared for potential hostilities.

"And now the panic begins..." Ratchet muttered under his breath.

Optics narrowing slightly as the humans scrambled into action, Arcee leaned forward. "Finally taking the fight seriously. Let's hope it sticks."

From where he stood, Optimus gave a thoughtful nod. "Proactive action is encouraging. But without strategy and unity, it may not be enough.”

The scene changed to Nellis Air Force Base, where Lennox and his surviving team were swiftly intercepted by Sector Seven agents. Without delay, the agents ushered them into waiting black SUVs.

The view then switched to Maggie and Glen, still confined in an interrogation room. The door abruptly opened as agents entered with Defense Secretary Keller, who informed Maggie she would now serve as his advisor. She immediately pointed to Glen, declaring him her own advisor, prompting Keller to order his release as well.

"Converging paths..." Ratchet mused, stroking his chin.

Miko pumped her fist. "Yeah! They're going to team up!"

"They're starting to understand," Optimus said, voice low but firm. "Only through unity can they withstand the Decepticons."

With a crooked grin, Arcee nudged Bulkhead. "Guess even humans can figure out how to be a team."

"Yeah, for now," Bulkhead rumbled with a chuckle. "Let’s see how long that lasts once metal starts flying.”

Helicopters flew across the sky, their rotors beating in a steady rhythm. Inside, Sam and Mikaela sat across Glenn and Maggie.

Maggie, eyeing Sam and Mikaela with curiosity, asked why two teenagers were mixed up in the situation. Sam shrugged awkwardly before explaining he'd just bought a used car, and it happened to be a giant alien robot in disguise.

"That's one way to put it..." Jack remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Miko nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, that's pretty much the short version of what happened."

Ratchet huffed. "A bit oversimplified, but... essentially correct."

The helicopters touched down near Hoover Dam's main entrance, their rotors kicking up dust as agents hurried to unload their passengers.

Elsewhere in the facility, Sector Seven operatives dragged a heavily restrained Bumblebee through dimly lit corridors, his metallic limbs straining against the thick chains binding him.

Arcee glared as the flickering portal reflected across her plating. "They’ve got him locked down tight," she muttered, fingers tapping a restless rhythm against her arm. "But we all know that won’t hold."

A low grunt from Bulkhead followed. "Give him five minutes, our Bee’s cracked nastier setups in half the time." He flexed his servos with a grin, clearly imagining the inevitable escape.

The sharp clang of Ratchet’s servo slamming into the console cut through the room. "Not if they keep dousing him with nitrogen like that," he snapped. "He’s not a science experiment, they’re going to damage something critical at this rate."

Bumblebee said nothing. He hadn’t moved since the scene began, frozen in place, his blue optics locked onto the screen. Concern warring with quiet determination as he watched his counterpart struggle. He'd get out. He had to.

On the couch, Raf was barely breathing. His fingers had twisted the sleeves of his sweater almost to the point of tearing. "Maybe… maybe Sam could explain? They’re on the same side now, aren’t they?"

Jack, arms folded tight, rubbed his forehead like the beginnings of a migraine were setting in. "Yeah… maybe. But I doubt Sector Seven gives up their ‘finds’ just because a teenager asks nicely."

"They've got him tied down like some kind of lab rat!" Miko seethed, fists clenched tight enough to make her arms tremble. "If I could reach into that screen I'd show them just what happens when someone messes with an Autobot!"

Energy flickered across the vortex as the perspective changed. Optimus and his team of Autobots stood hidden atop an observatory, with glasses in hand, the leader of the Autobots scanned the frames with his optical sensors. The code etched into the glasses’ surface pointed to the AllSpark’s location. Just 230 miles from their current location.

"Looks like they've got a solid lead," Arcee commented, trying to calm herself for her friend's sake.

Ratchet nodded curtly, a faint flicker of relief crossing his weathered faceplate. "Hopefully it's correct and puts an end to this madness."

Given the way the world was currently going, the other Ratchet voiced his worries that the Decepticons would soon mobilize in full force. Jazz spoke up, ignoring the potential threat of the Decepticons and the good news that they were now closer to locating the AllSpark, instead bringing up Bumblebee's capture by the humans and the need to rescue their fellow Autobot.

"Yeah! What he said!" Bulkhead slammed his fists together, the clang echoing through the room.

Miko echoed the sentiment with a fierce jab at the air, her twintails whipping with the movement. "That's what I'm talking about! Those creeps can't get away with this!"

The gateway pulsed, as Jazz voiced his frustration, images of Bumblebee struggling against his restraints flickered across the surface.

Arcee couldn’t help but flinch. Raf struggled to hide his emotions as he watched the portal, hugging his knees up close to his chest.

Ratchet's expression darkened with every passing second.

Optimus' counterpart hesitated before informing them that their primary mission was to locate the AllSpark, and that Bumblebee's sacrifice would be for nothing if they didn't accomplish this task.

"Wait... he's just going to abandon him?" Jack looked at the Prime, confusion and concern in his eyes. "He can't just leave 'Bee there!"

Miko's cheeks were flushed, her brow furrowed in a deep scowl as the Autobots on the portal continued to discuss their mission. "Is Prime even hearing himself?" she snapped. Bee is out there! They've got to go save him!"

Raf remained quiet, his face pale as he stared intently at the flickering portal. Beside him, Jack placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Not even able to stomach the situation, Bulkhead closed his eyes and shook his head, letting out a frustrated growl.

Arcee's jaw clenched, her fists curling so tight that the joints creaked under the strain. She couldn't believe what she was hearing from the other Prime's vocal processor. Even when it didn't look good for Cliffjumper, Optimus still tried. For this version of him to just... abandon their scout was unacceptable!

"Optimus, I know you said that there were other circumstances in play here," she started, her voice carrying a sharp edge as she turned to face the Autobot leader beside her. "But how could any version of yourself say something like that?"

Prime's blue optics narrowed as he looked down at the two-wheeler. "Arcee... This is not easy for me either," His deep baritone carried a note of sadness. "But we must consider the variables at play here. The other Prime has to weigh the greater good against the immediate needs of one of his comrades. I do not condone his decision, but I understand it."

Arcee huffed, crossing her arms over her chassis. "It's still... It's not right." She muttered.

"I know, dear friend," Prime said, placing a comforting servo on her shoulder.

Shifting back to the observatory, Ironhide argued with the other Optimus wondering why they were fighting to save the humans. Proclaiming them to be a violent and primitive species.

Looking away, Prime could only respond by stating that Cybertronians were once considered the same way. He went on to explain that, although young as a race, humans had the potential for so much more.

"I would agree with that sentiment." Optimus mused aloud, nodding in approval of the other's words. "Though their path has not always been clear, the capacity for growth and change is one of humanity's greatest strengths."

Swirling the vortex's image now showed Sam, Mikaela, Glenn, and Maggie being led out of SUVs and into the Hoover Dam facility. Sector Seven agents surrounded the four, leading them to another area. Meanwhile, Optimus explained to his team that the only way to truly end the war with the Decepticons was by destroying the AllSpark. By merging the Cube with his own spark, he would end the conflict forever.

Ratchet turned sharply towards Optimus. "Destroying the AllSpark by merging it with your spark? Optimus, if this cube is as powerful as it seems, then suicidal can be added to this other you’s foolish decision-making process."

At the words of suicide, the gathered team tore their eyes from the portal and looked to their own leader with shock.

"Wait, wait, wait! Let's just pump the brakes here!" Miko interjected, raising her hands as if to physically halt the discussion. She looked up at Optimus and then back at the swirling portal where his counterpart had outlined a plan that seemed... extreme. "I might not agree with this guy's call on Bumblebee, but... that doesn't mean I want him to off himself too!"

Bee buzzed in alarm, his optics wide as he tried to comprehend what his leader's counterpart was suggesting. He couldn't even begin to imagine losing their Prime.

"Optimus, you're too important!" Bulkhead boomed. "And I can only imagine in a world like this you're even more so!"

Arcee shook her helm in disbelief. "Seems like we've jumped a few pages, there has to be another way."

With worry creasing their faces, the three teens exchanged glances. A world without Optimus felt wrong, even if it wasn't their own reality. Looking up at their Optimus, the three of them saw a deep sadness in those usually wise optics, and knew he was contemplating the weight of such a choice.

Not wanting the humans to pay for the mistakes of his race, Prime vowed to destroy the AllSpark to protect Earth. No matter the cost. Giving out a crisp 'roll out', the Autobots shifted into their vehicle forms before speeding away from the observatory.

"There has to be another way..." Ratchet muttered to no one in particular.

"I hope..." Arcee started, but trailed off as she watched the Autobots leave the observatory. "I hope so too." Her voice was barely above a whisper as the portal's image began to shift.

Back at the Hoover Dam facility, Defense Secretary Keller met with Lennox and his squadron. While Agent Banachek and the agent who'd given Sam a hard time reintroduced himself in a far more amicable manner, identifying as Agent Simmons and wondering if he could make Sam's stay at their base more comfortable after their previous incident.

Banacheck added that anything the teen knew would be greatly appreciated since the fate of their planet was on the line.

Sam looked around the group and stated that he'd only help if Mikaela's criminal record was deleted and if his car was released back into his custody.

Bulkhead’s laughter rumbled through the room. "Heh, gotta hand it to the kid. Takes some serious guts to square up to government suits like that."

"Right?!" Miko leaned forward, practically bouncing. "Total power move. Dude’s negotiating like a boss!"

From her spot behind the couch, Arcee kept her arms crossed, the faintest smile tugging at her lip despite herself. Whatever reservations she still held about the other Prime’s world… Sam was proving himself. More than she’d expected.

Behind them, Ratchet gave a quiet snort, but there was no real bite in it. "Reckless, perhaps," he muttered, then added, almost fondly, "but undeniably brave."

Jack nodded in approval, while Raf looked on with admiration. Bumblebee beeped cheerfully, clearly enjoying seeing Sam stand up for himself and their kind.

With everyone distracted with pleasantries, Frenzy took advantage of the situation and slipped away unnoticed. The severed head slipped, falling off the edge of the dam.

"Do you think that fall killed him?" Jack asked.

"We aren't that lucky," Bulkhead grunted. "I guarantee that scrapheap's still kicking."

"Then they're going to have a big problem soon," Arcee said warily.

Down a corridor within Hoover Dam, Agent Simmons led the group, which consisted of Defense Secretary Keller, Lennox, and his squadron, as well as Sam, Mikaela, Maggie, and Glen. The group made their way deep into the facility, scientists and engineers scurrying around as they passed by. The sound of machinery filled the air as they ventured further inside.

"Man, they've really set up shop here, haven't they?" Miko commented, glancing up at Bulkhead. "Wonder what other secrets they've got hidden away in a place like this?"

Bulkhead grunted, arms crossed as he watched the unfolding scene on the portal. "Whatever it is, I doubt it's anything good."

Entering a chamber the group found a frozen Megatron. Around him, teams of engineers and scientists moved with quiet urgency, their tools clicking and hissing as they scanned, measured, and probed the frozen titan. 

"Okay... so that's... unexpected." Jack blinked at the sight of the once menacing Decepticon frozen in a solid state.

Arcee's eyes widened, her mouth falling open for a moment before she regained her composure. "I can't believe it! They've got Megatron on ice? How is that even possible?"

Bulkhead laughed heartily. "Serves the rust bucket right! Maybe he'll stay that way!"

Optimus' optics narrowed, his expression unreadable as he stared at his longtime adversary. "Megatron... to see him like this is..."

"Justice." Ratchet's voice cut through the air with an icy edge. His optics gleamed with a cold fury at the image before him. "It's what he deserves after everything."

The team fell into a tense silence, a sense of relief mixed with unease settling among them. They had seen firsthand the devastation Megatron and his army were capable of. To see him frozen, seemingly neutralized, brought a momentary calm.

But there was an underlying tension, a shared understanding that Megatron wasn't one to be held down for long. A frozen Decepticon leader might buy the humans some time, but the Autobots knew that it wasn't if he'd break free, it was when.

Arcee eyed the medic. "Agreed. But let's not pretend this is over."

Ratchet huffed. "You're right about that. Megatron's never been one to stay down for long."

Agent Simmons walked ahead of the group, explaining that Megatron was known as N.B.E.01. He went on to explain that almost all technology in the 21st century had been reverse-engineered from his icy form.

Raf leaned in a little, his voice quiet but certain. "So that's how they've known about Cybertronians for so long... makes a lot more sense now."

Ratchet folded his arms, his plating creaking slightly as he shifted his weight. "And it sheds light on the tech they've been fielding" he muttered, a note of distrust curling in his tone. "Some of that didn't come from clean science."

Sam, however, was quick to interject, correcting Simmons by telling him that Megatron was N.B.E.01's real name and he wasn't just any alien. He was the leader of the Decepticons and his sole purpose was to find this cube called the AllSpark.

Agent Simmons and Banachek exchanged a glance, one of surprise and concern. Reading their expressions, the teen realized they knew exactly what he was talking about. They had the AllSpark. They had it here.

Entering a small observation room overlooking a vast chamber, the group found themselves looking down at a sight none could have ever imagined: the AllSpark, a massive cubic relic unlike anything they had ever seen.

"Whoa..." Miko breathed, leaning forward as her eyes widened in amazement. "That's...that's the AllSpark?"

Raf adjusted his glasses, staring at the cube with an intensity that belied his young age. "It's… It's incredible," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've never seen anything like it before."

Next to him, Jack looked just as mesmerized, but his expression held a hint of apprehension. "It's giving me... I'm not sure how to describe it... A really weird vibe." He glanced around, as if expecting someone else to share in his unease, but everyone seemed too awestruck or concerned about what was happening on the portal.

Agent Banachek explained that the carbon dating of the cube indicated it had been buried here since ten thousand B.C. and that the dam was built around the artifact to mask the energy signatures coming from it.

"The AllSpark," Optimus's voice rumbled through the room. "This world's Autobots only hope to restore our own home."

The team fell silent, a sense of awe and trepidation filling the space. Miko, Raf, Jack, Arcee, Bulkhead, Ratchet, and Bumblebee all exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of emotions, each lost in their thoughts about the significance of this discovery.

Energy flickered across the vortex as the portal's perspective changed. Having infiltrated Sector Seven's Hoover Dam base, Frenzy entered the large chamber where the AllSpark sat. Somehow tapping into its rich power source, his head pulsed with energy before rebuilding his body from nothing.

"Amazing..." Ratchet whispered under his breath, his optics glued to the scene. "That kind of regenerative ability is unheard of..."

Optimus glanced down at him, a mixture of admiration and concern in his gaze. "And in the hands of the Decepticons, incredibly dangerous."

Now fully repaired, Frenzy didn’t waste a single spark of energy. A faint whir of servos accompanied his movements, he immediately began to send out a coded message to the waiting Decepticons.

"Uh oh. Not good," Miko's eyes were wide, her voice tense as she watched the little monster send his signal. "Looks like the ‘Cons just got their invite to the party."

"Yeah, but who's actually gonna come?" Bulkhead grunted, leaning forward. "Don't think Megs will be joining us any time soon."

"Even without him," Arcee murmured, optics narrowing in thought, "there's one ‘Con in particular I'd bet my wheels is already on the way..."

Confirming her intuition, the portal shimmered. Under the hard glare of the afternoon sun, an unmarked military base baked in silence. From the shadowed mouth of a hangar, a sleek jet eased forward.