Nebulous saw something and disappeared in puff of fog.

* * *

A cloud appeared next to a Combiner, whom dutifully stopped and waited for Nebulous to step out. Nebulous looked up at him, "So, you must be the fourth combiner?" he asked. He stepped forward, holding out His hand. The Combiner accepted and shook His hand. "Nebulous." He stated.

"Ratite." the Combiner replied, "And aren't you forgetting a little something from your name?"

"Uh-huh?" Nebulous non-chalantly asked. "Honestly, the last thing I want is to be treated like a Prime."

The Combiner broke apart into five piece, each bearing kibble with heavy armour. A mid-sized one offered his hand, "Axel." he stated as they shook. He then pointed to the far right, "That's Bugaboo, Tigerstripe." he said, and then looked to the left side, "And that's Haresight and Moody."

All four moved in to shake hands, which Nebulous did with alarming alacrity. He then turned back to Axel, "So, who recruited you?"

"Rumours of Japheth Prime's return." Axel stated.

"An independant?" Nebulous asked, "The I'll give you the quick rundown. Aurea is going to reactivate Trypticon."

"Reactivate?" Tigerstripe asked.

"Acting like it's so simple." Haresight uttered.

"The reconstruction is one thing..." Moody uttered.

"Sparks are something only Prima and Solus understand." Nebulous stated. "Solus how to make them, Prima how to read them." He paused a moment, "With Her forge and foundry, She can build Titans." He paused another moment, "And rebuild them." He paused again, looking between everyone's faces, "The plan is to try and NOT kill Trypticon." He looked between the faces again.

"Wait until He sees our alt. form while combined." Haresight uttered.

"I'm not expecting Trypticon to instantly be converted to the path of puppies and sunshine, so we're trying to slow him down until, I don't know, Japheth can talk some sense to him?"

"A question?" Moody asked.

"My kind of plan." Bugaboo added.

"Whatever the plan, we can provide more long-range firepower." Haresight neutrally added.

"The long of the short of is," Axel stated, "is that Terra has had wars greater than we could possibly imagine. The biggest was World War II."

"So, you're historians?" Nebulous aksed.

"We studied war." Tigerstripe stated, "in case war ever came back to Cybertron."

"Close enough." Moody stated.

"Fan out is pretty simple." Nebulous stated, "You guys are on your own. Raiden will be showing up, also on his own. Warmachine is with the Wreckers, while Victoria is waiting for an orbital drop with Japheth." He then looked around, "The Elite Guard have supply and medical stations around, and Rodimus has the militia holding a perimeter. If anything happens, don't be afraid call for help." He then looked up at the Seekers flying overhead, before looking back to Axel, "And air superiority."

"And a Titan in overwatch." Axel stated. He paused a moment, "Any chance you could hook me up as a foward observer?"

"Talk to the big guy yourself." Nebulous stated. He looked to the side as if He heard something and once again disappeared into a cloud.

* * *

Japheth cuddled with Victoria floating above Cybertron. He opened his comm. link and felt something deep down in His Spark. "Who am I speaking with?"

"This is Axel." he stated.

"Leader of - Combiners?" Japheth asked.

"Our reputation preceeds us?" Axel asked, and Japheth paused in reply.

"I'll need to talk to you when this is over."

"We'd be honoured." Axel stated.

"So, what did you need?" Japheth asked.

"I was wondering if you could hook me up as a forward observer for Orion."

"Yes." Japheth instantly stated, leaving Axel stunned.

"Uh, thank you. Axel out."

* * *

"What's a few warcrimes?" Megatronus asked. Nebulous reappeared in an burst of mist.

"Just so you know, Megabutt, I'm always tapped into her comms."

Megatronus gave Aurea a wicked look, "Spying isn't exactly a great way to build trust."

Aurea gave Megatronus a dismissive wave.

"Yeah, she agreed." Nebulous stated. "I was worried about her, and if we left her alone, she might spend a decade in her underground foundry."

Megatronus looked between them, deep in thought, "Does that mean He heard your confession?"

"Yeah..." Nebulous dismissively stated, "No accounting for taste."

"That's it?" Megatronus wickedly asked.

"You're not MY Sparkmate." Nebulous dismissed, "And if She sees good in you, maybe there is?"

"Or, at the very least, She sees fit to not throw me out with the slag." Megatronus said with glee.

"Her - and Japheth." Nebulous stated. "So, we doing this?"

"I'm ready, if you two are done puffing out your chests." Aurea stated.

At this, Nebulous puffed his chest out even more. "Ehn, this might take a while, might as well start right now."

* * *

"Bringing him out of stasis." Aurea stated.

Nebulous looked on with concern while Megatronus looked on with wicked glee. The great Robot-form began to move. First, the tiniest movements, at least relative to his titanic frame. But then his head started to move about with purpose. First just in recognition that he was awake, and capable of moving. He then started to look around, to figure out where he was.

"I sense great Sparks around me." Trypticon's great voice bellowed.

"You don't recognize your master?" Megatronus asked him.

"I - do not." Trypticon's great voice replied.

"Trypticon!" Megatronus screamed.

"Your Spark is - brighter - but more contained." Trypticon added. He slowly started to sit up. The ground shook for kilochords around. Megatronus tried to run towards him.

"Nope." Nebulous stated, "Hold it right there."

"You suddenly think yourself my equal?" Megatronus asked.

"I think myself your opposite." Nebulous replied.

"Do you think you can stop me?" Megatronus asked.

"I think I don't have to." Nebulous stated.

"Megatronus." Aurea admonished, and this stopped Him in his tracks.

Trypticon turned to try and look back at them, "Hm?" his great voice travelled for a kilochord. "What happened to the tyrant that commanded absolute control with his iron fist?"

"Everyone get on the platform." Aurea stated. Megatronus turned back and moved towards it. Nebulous disappeared in a cloud, reappearing in a new one on the platform. Megatronus quickly transformed and flew to the platform before transforming into a landing. The platform started to float into the air and flew around in front of Trypticon.

"I lost the Great War, was enslaved by Unicron, saved by my greatest enemy, and redeemed by Primus." Megatronus said with a sincerity that Nebulous thought He lacked.

"Redeemed?" Nebulous asked.

"I was chosen - by Primus?" Megatronus wickedly asked.

"That sounds more like Him." Nebulous uttered, and looked Trypticon. "He still tries to do what he can get away with."

"And, you deign to call yourself my master?" Trypticon asked Megatronus.

"Make no mistake!" Megatronus shouted. He threw his right arm out, and his great blade extended, "I am even stronger than I was, before!"

Trypticon simply watched as Megatronus did not move, "That is what I thought." He paused a moment, "If you won't be my master?" he asked, "Who would be?" He then looked at Aurea that did not even look up from her console, and then Nebulous.

"I don't want a titan as a slave." Nebulous stated, and paused a moment, "And neither does Japheth."

"He already has Orion." Aurea said dismissively, and then finally looked up, "He honestly doesn't consider himself a slave."

"If He is the Prime of Primes, then what would he want me to do?" Trypticon asked her.

"Be yourself?" Aurea asked, and Nebulous smacked her upside the head.

Trypticon then transformed, looking about at the massive army that surrounded him.

"Can you think about what you do - for like a second?" Nebulous asked.

"Uh-huh?" Aurea dismissed, "Because that is what you do, isn't it?"

"That's why I'm here." Megatronus said, and jumped into a transformation.

Nebulous sighed, "And that's why Japheth is in orbit." He then looked at Aurea.

"Redeeming Sparks is not exactly my strong suit." Aurea simply stated. "There's a reason I asked for everyone's help."

"For the record, don't tell a giant rampaging Kaiju to be himself!" Nebulous exclaimed, and dispeared into a cloud that disappeared just as quickly afterwards.

Megatronus made a strafing run at Trypticon's head. He flew around the right before quickly banking left. Trypticon turned to look at Him before letting out an incredibly plume of corrupted Energon. Megatronus pulled into a climb beforehand to escape it.

* * *

Nebulous appeared beside Scalar and the Tankbots. "So?" Axel asked.

"Oh, nothing." Nebulous simply stated, "Aurea just told him to be himself."

"Well, that's a sticky wicket." Moody non-chalantly added.

"What do we do?" Tigerstripe asked.

Nebulous thought for a moment, "I'll play the fool to distract him. You guys can try to contain him. If he moves too far out, the Wreckers will encircle him." He thought for a moment before looking to Scalar, "Could you tell Predaking?"

Scalar simply stood there like an unmoving pillar.

"Scalar?" He asked.

"I apologize, but Predaking and I have never truly mended our relationship."

Nebulous sighed, "Yeah, genocide does kind of do that to people." He then turned back to Trypticon, before raising His right hand to His ear.

* * *

"Japheth's house wife." Arcee stated.

"How about the Lady of Orion?" Nebulous playfully asked. He could hear her rolling her eyes in reply. "Alright, here is, can you ask Predaking to CONTAIN Trypticon. Move in, frustrate his movements, move out. Never stay too long. We don't want him to get hurt."

A pregnant silence followed, "And, he knows what this is?"

Another pregnant silence happened as Nebulous thought this over. "Alright, how does Japheth do this?"

Ominous silence followed.

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Nebulous said with a sigh.

"I'll talk to him." Arcee stated, "Not making any promises."

"Stay safe." Nebulous stated, and then appeared in front of Trypticon. He raised his Path Blaster at Trypticon's head and shot him. The great head turned towards Him, and Nebulous simply watched. Trypticon opened his great mouth as Nebulous disappeared in a cloud. The corrupted Energon shot through the cloud.

"He really has the gall to say that." Arcee huffed as she drove off.

Ratite, in his Landkreuzer form short his tremendous cannons at Trypticon, and then quickly broke apart and scattered. Trypticon's great breath hit where they had been moments ago.

-----

Ratite: Combined form of the Tankbots.

Combined Transformation: Landkreuzer Ratte

Each of his components has completely different battle strategies, and Ratite can switch between them several times in a second.

---

Tigerstripe: King Tiger/Right Leg

Trans: Cannon, Forearm Blades

Vehicle Armaments: Heavy Cannon, Autoblaster

Victory is a matter of armour, firepower, and mobility. When you have that, all you have to do is fight through the enemy. Injury prone, despite his heavy frame and armour.

Moody: Churchill AVRE/Left Leg

Armaments: Various Explosives (stored internally and in kibble)

Trans: Multipurpose Tool, Blaster

Vehicle Armaments: Heavy Carronade, Autoblaster

Victory is a matter of careful planning, deligence, and ball bearings made of titanium. His heavy hull maintains a wide variety of explosives that he can use in Robot mode. Or his allies can reach into his side hatches to use. He is an engineer, both in the military sense, and the civil sense.

Axel: Sherman V RMASG/Torso

Trans: Cannon, Seax

Vehicle Armaments: Cannon, Autoblaster

Victory is a matter of universal training and adaptability. When a situation produces itself, you can exploit it fully.

Commander/Forward Observer (vehicle mode only)

Bugaboo: T34/Right Arm

Armaments: Axe

Trans: Triple Blaster, Knuckle Dusters

Vehicle Armaments: Cannon, Autoblaster

Victory is sometimes a matter of planning and precicion, but other times through mass conscription, and crude pieces of barely functional iron. Quantity has a quality of it's own. Prefers rapid, close-quarters attacks.

Ratite can transform his right hand into Triple Cannons.

Haresight: StuH 42/Left Arm

Armaments: Sniper Rifle (carried in 2 pieces in his bag), Blaster Pistol

Trans: Heavy Longshot Blaster, Arm Blades

Vehicle Armaments: Heavy Multipurpose Blaster Carronade

The sniper of the group. The heavy cannon provides incredible firepower, but his low profile and lack of turret make it much more useful for him to setup in ambush, or aim his gun howitzer while hiding in defilead.

Ratite can transform his left hand into his Gun Howitzer.

-----

Japheth stood on the podium of the Great Mall, with all of His Cybertronian combatants around Him. "We are en-route for Cybertron!" Japheth exclaimed.

"So, you're done keeping us in the dark?" Wheeljack called out.

"No." Japheth said with a bright smile.

"Don't slagging ruin this for us." Jumpstream stated.

"The fact that He never explains the plan is the best part." Dust Up stated.

"Well, I wouldn't say that." Jumpstream uttered.

"I could take it or leave it." Seaspray stated, "But He has to tell us, eventually."

"What cog-brained plan has He come up with this time?" Sandstorm asked.

"What makes you think it was my plan?" Japheth asked, "I'm just trying to help Her out."

"Her who?" Impactor asked.

"Arcee?" Miko asked.

"What?" Arcee asked, "I'm trying to be a housewife." she sardonically replied, "It's honestly a LOT more work than I was expecting. Not complaining."

Bulkhead turned to Miko, "It wasn't you, was it?"

"Uh-huh?" Miko asked, "Like we would spend so much time talking about it ahead of time."

"Good point." Wheeljack said to her.

"What of His spiders?" Rector asked.

"We've been on best behevious." he heard from beside him, but when he looked she had disappeared.

"Windblade?" Seaspray asked her.

"Mayhap we should ask our Prime?" Windblade asked.

Japheth looked about, making sure they were done speculation. A cloud appeared beside Him, revealing Nebulous.

"The answer is Aurea." Nebulous stated, and silence reigned.

"What slag-for-brains idea did she come up with?" Wheeljack asked.

"Resurrecting Trypticon." Japheth stated, and it felt as if all air was sucked out of the massive concourse. He then turned to Nebulous, "Why don't you tell them how big the army was that won the great war?"

Nebulous thought for a moment, "Do I include you and Miko?"

"No." Japheth stated.

"Bullscrap." Miko pouted.

"Optimus, Ratchet, Arcee, Bumblebee, me, Wheeljack, Bulkhead, and Ultra-Magnus." Nebulous uttered.

"Two Forged, two Elder Insecticons, three Transtectors, four Combiners, four Cloud Knights, five Primes, Starscream with an armada of Seekers, and Predaking." Japheth stated. "We had far less when we fought Unicron, but it was really the Matrix of Leadership that did it."

"What am I, chopped live?" Arcee asked from just below the dias.

"You'll be leading the rescue efforts." Japheth said to her.

"Uh-huh?" Arcee asked, "Women's work!"

"Could you, you know?," Miko asked, "not be so excited by that."

"Could you , yow know, not have a big brother crush on my husband?" Arcee asked.

Wheeljack gave Miko a powerful clap on the back, "You earned that one, firecracker."

"Slag off." Miko stated.

"What happened to all of your colourful Terran insults?"

"She's too embarassed to do it in front of Japheth." Arcee added.

Miko gave her a crossed look, "You know what?" she asked, "That was pretty cool."

"Thank you." Arcee replied.

"It only took a decade married to Jack to give you a sense of humour." Miko replied.

"To be fair, I have one," Arcee stated, "just not a good one."

"Sandstorm, and Roxie are obvious. Seaspray I want in the rescue team. Phantom Rider on the outside.

The light in Phantom Rider's eyes narrowed at Japheth.

"Because you are too busy thinking about everyone else's safety." Japheth stated.

Sudden realization appeared on Phantom Rider's face. He looked around until he found Moonracer.

"Exactly." Japheth stated.

"I am, you know, a sniper?" Moonracer asked.

"In overwatch." Japheth stated. "Which you do to keep everyone safe, not to assassinate someone."

"Honestly?" Moonracer asked, "True."

Japheth turned to Windblade, "Don't kill him." Japheth stated.

Windblade simply glared at Him, "You act as if I will have a choice?" Windblade asked.

"You are the only one that has a choice." Japheth stated, "If he dies from injuries, it's one thing, but we don't need anyone going for the throat." Japheth then looked to Rector, and the Seven Minicons, "Rector?"

"Understood." Rector replied.

"Understood, what?" Impactor asked.

"We try not to kill." Gaylord stated. "We're kitted for lethal combat, but the rules are a bit different for a Titan."

Japheth looked to Pyra Magna, and then the other Rust Maidens, "Victoria and I will hold station in orbit."

"The Wrath of the Prime will fall heavy on the Titan's head."

"Orion will be in overwatch." Japheth stated. "Ion and Rodan will be on the ground, with the Skyfall waiting in orbit."

"It sounds like we're really doing this." Sandstorm stated.

"What the scrap did you think we were doing?" Wheeljack asked him, "Holding hands."

"There's a huge difference," Phantom Rider stated, "between being told you are going to fight a Titan, and actually facing one." He paused a moment, "Titanic, even."

"For the record," Japheth stated, "I'm not saying we're going to actually fight him."

"You're just getting an army ready." Wheeljack sardonically replied.

"Not exactly the kind of thing you want to learn about after the fact." Seaspray uttered.

"Look," Bulkhead stated, "this is Jack we're talking about. He pulled out tailpipes of the smelter a few times, and He did it without fighting."

"Keep telling yourself that." Impactor replied.

"You do realize we were actually there." Wheeljack replied. "I'll admit, when I got there, I didn't think that much of the tiny little ball of sunshine."

"Lies." Japheth stated.

"That I didn't think much of you?" Wheeljack asked,

"That I'm a ball of sunshine." Japheth said with a smile.

"Anyways," Wheeljack harshly said to Japheth, and turned to Impactor, "Bulkhead did. And Bulk's opinion on you means more than anything else. I mean, seriously, he loves me, which means there has to be something good to love."

"I did recruit you." Japheth said, with narrowed eyes.

"Are you regretting it, yet?" Wheeljack asked.

"Not for a moment." Japheth stated.

"I must be losing my touch." Wheeljack sardonically replied.

"And the Cloud Knights?" Pyra Magna asked Nebulous.

"My Cloud Knights are knights." Nebulous replied, "Like the Wreckers, they don't need to be told what to do."

"There will be a lot going on," Japheth continued, "so Arcelia will be monitoring everyone's vitals, and trying to keep everyone coordinated."

"Don't tell me that Siren is going to?.." Arcee asked.

"Eye in the sky." Japheth stated. "Obviously, she will not be getting close enough to actually get involved."

"And what of your shadows?" Boo asked.

"Skittering in the shadows" Japheth simply replied. "You don't have to trust them, but trust me. They are my most loyal warriors."

"Seriously?" Miko asked.

"You are prone to running off on your own." Arcee admonished.

"Hey!" Miko replied, "I usually take Bulkhead with me."

Arcee looked at Japheth, "Wait, what about me?"

"Housewife?" Japheth asked.

"I can live with that." Arcee replied.

"And?" Stormburst asked.

"Us?" Skyclash added.

"You have something to live for, other than me." Japheth replied.

"Barely." Rust Dust stated.

"Wait?" Bulkhead asked, "Math is not exactly my strong suit, but I can still count to five. Doesn't five Primes mean?.."

"You have got to be out of your slagging mind!" Wheeljack shouted.

"I'm not the one that made him a Prime." Japheth stated.

"I know you've got Starscream by the warm crankshaft, but MEGATRONUS?!" Wheeljack asked.

"There is a very good chance that he will stab someone in the back." Japheth stated, "Maybe literally. I'll have Predaking fight beside Him."

"You really think Predaking can stop Him?" Miko asked.

"No." Japheth stated, and silence reigned, "But he can slow him down enough that we can shift to stopping Megatronus."

"What if he corrupts Trypticon?" Seaspray asked, "I mean, he already did that, once?"

"He has the liar's tongue." Japheth stated, "I have the angel's spark. Optimus couldn't stop him, but Primus created each of the Primes for different reason."

"You're saying you can?" Wheeljack asked.

"I'm saying I don't have to." Japheth stated, "Trypticon will. All you have to do is buy me enough time so I can convince him."

"And you just gave me a chill down to my Sparkchambre." Wheeljack uttered.

"Are you regretting it, yet?" Japheth asked.

"Not on your life, Jack." Wheeljack proudly replied.

"And, the Council?" Arcee asked.

"Ultra-Magnus will hold the perimeter," Japheth stated, "while Rodimus will lead the irregular forces. But, let's face it, if Trypticon gets passed us, there's not much anyone else can do." He paused a moment, "Ultra-Magnus will have medical tents and supply caches, though." Japheth stated. "If you get low on Energon, don't for a second think you need to stay in the fight. Get out, get fixed, and get back in. We can't exactly stop a Titan by pulling on his ankles."

"What about the Dinobots?" Miko asked.

"They are the one thing that could potentially could stop Trypticon." Japheth stated, "If we fail. Not saying it's a good option, but it's better than letting Trypticon break Cybertron. By now, Chromia's messager will have reached them."

"You sure they'll help?" Wheeljack asked.

"Two things to know about the Dinobots," Nebulous stated, "They like to fight, and they like Jack."

"Carron also worship Him." Royce added, "No relation."

-----

The doors to the house opened up. June looked over and saw Japheth stepping in.

Mom, I'm home." He chided.

"Do you even have a home?" she warmly asked, walking towards Him.

He slowed and stopped as he thought it over. June walked up the great steps in the centre and pulled Him in for a great hug. A hug He was eager to return.

"Among the stars?" He asked.

"You always have a home here." June said, "And New Kalis. And Orion. And on Jett. And Primus knows that Maximus would love to have you." She let him go and looked at him, "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need to spend time on Caminus." Japheth replied, "I love this house."

"You did have it built for you." June stated. "With a lot of privacy..."

"That's a good point." Japheth stated, "When Arcelia gets here, I'll have her re-key the top floor for you."

"You're too sweet to your mother." June chided, and He just nervously looked away. He steeled himself and looked back at her, "Up for a movie tonight?"

She thought for a moment, "How about Up?"

Japheth sighed, "Because you want to see if Cybertronians can cry. Alright. Miko won't be too disappointed she missed it. I have a lot of phonecalls to make."

"Anything I could do to help?" June asked.

"Contact the Forged on Caminus and tell them about Jett?"

"Oh!" she exclaimed.

* * *

Orion came out of the warpgate in the Sol system, turning to make a pass at Terra.

* * *

There was a knock on the door. Fowler hobbled down the stairs and made his way to the door. His Vehicon seemed suspiciously giddy and excited. He looked passed her to the door as he slowly approached it. His Vehicon looked at him nervously, "I can help you." she admonished.

"I'm not dead - yet." Fowler replied, hobbling to the door. He finally reached it and opened it. He peered through seeing black legs. He leaned out, seeing a great, purple form above him. "Well, what are you doing down here?"

Japheth smiled at him and leaned down.

"Cut the crap, and get to it."

"Very well." Japheth said, His smile never dimming. "But you are the one that taught me to use a gun."

"Uh-huh?" Fowler asked, "And if that was true, you wouldn't be calling them guns."

Japheth rolled his eyes, "For some strange reason, my perspective has changed on it."

"Yeah, yeah, I guess every firearm you can use with your giant robot hands counts as a gun. So, what you doing slumming in my neck of the wood. Not a lot of headroom."

"We're back at Terra."

"Uh-huh?" Fowler dismissively asked.

Japheth rolled his eyes again, "With the way things are going, this might be the last time..."

"Do you think I don't know that?!" the elderly Fowler shouted, "Of course I know that. I'm the one that taught you time appreciation."

"Uh-huh?" Japheth dismissed, "Want to come up to the Command Center, one last time?"

Fowler dismissively waved his hand, "That place just reminds me of paperwork."

"How about a trip to the range?"

Fowler thought about this for a moment, "Help me set it up in a rig, and I'd love to." He then turned back into the house, "Just give me a few minutes. I'm not as young as I used to be." The door then slammed shut.

"I've got all of the time in the world!" Japheth bellowed.

He heard grumbling from the other side of the door.

* * *

Orion received a radio signal, "Unknown ship, this is the U.S.S. Enterprise. Identify yourself."

"I am Orion, bearer of Japheth Prime." Orion's great voice replied.

"Welcome back to Terra, Bearer of Japheth Prime."

"Thank you." Orion stated. "I am detecting more ships, are they all yours?"

"Correct, Orion, they are the Columbia, Adventure, and Apollo." Enterprise replied.

"I fear your progress is greater than that of Cybertron." Orion replied.

"We don't have the luxury of waiting." Enterprise replied.

* * *

Japheth drove up to his old house outside of Jasper. He came to a stop, opening his doors and flaps. Arcee, Arcelia, and Sirenia all stepped out. He reverted to Robot form as a couple of Caminoan Femmes walked out with brilliant smiles on their faces. One of them, by her dress, was an archivist. The other someone more active.

"Come without your cortege?" the archivist asked.

"The Rust Maidens want to explore with Enterprise." Japheth said with a smile.

"I knew..." Arcee uttered, having trouble looking at the Femmes. She found His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her in beside Him.

"They've been caring for our house." Japheth stated, "It's not made out of waut."

"I know..." Arcee uttered. She stepped out of His grasp, and bowed her head, "Thank you." she said with sincerity. She looked up at them, "This place means a lot to me. This was the first place that Jack and I had on our own."

"It is our honour." the other Femme added.

Arcee sent the signal to get the garage doors to open, and they started to slide upwards. "Let's head inside."

"We wil leave you with privacy in the master bedroom." the other Femme stated.

Japheth looked to the archivist, "Arcelia?" he asked, as he walked to follow Arcee inside, Sirenia eagerly following them.

"The summary," Arcelia stated, "is that we need to contact every Forged on Terra." She paused a moment, "And it's great to see you, again."

"You really did it, didn't you?" the archivist asked, looking back as Japheth walked into the house. She looked back to Arcelia, "Before He was even a Prime?"

Arcelia thought for a moment. "It depends on how you define Prime." She then looked at Japheth, "And His existence challenges our very definitions of it."

"You're saying He was a Prime before He as chosen?"

"He was chosen by Optimus." Arcelia stated, "At the mere suggestion He seek Vector Sigma, He seemed compelled. He was drawn to it. He seemed to hear the Spark of Primus himself." She paused to let the archivist consider it, "Would you classify that as a Prime?"

The archivist thought for a few moments, "Would Megatron be a Prime before be became Megatronus?"

"He was not chosen by a Prime." Arcelia stated, and paused a moment, "If He was chosen, it was by Aurea. I suppose by the same logic, at that time He was a Prime, even if He did not know it, yet."

"And Aurea?" the archivist asked.

"She was chosen by Smokescreen, whom was chosen by Japheth, under the same circumstances that He was chosen, Himself."

"And his spiders?" the archivist asked.

Arcelia closed her eyes for a moment to steel her mettle. She opened them again, "Those are two catastrophically long stories."

"Will we have time?" the archivist asked.

"We have - all the time - in the world." Arcelia whistfully stated, and sashayed to the house.

"You've really come out of your shell." the archivist stated.

Arcelia turned back just enough to flash a brilliant smile, "His love will do that to a Femme." she said, and turned back. "But that is part of the story."

* * *

Japheth leaned back on His bed. Arcee and Sirenia were standing off to the side.

"No Arcelia tonight?" Sirenia asked.

"She's having the time of her life." Arcee sardonically replied.

"She really is." Sirenia eagerly added. She then looked to Japheth, "This just brings back memories."

Arcee looked at Japheth, "Back when He honestly did not think I'd let him sleep with someone else."

"I was young and naïve." Japheth uttered. "Anyways, for old time's sake..." He paused a moment and they looked at Him eagerly, "Let's power down together."

"You really know how to get me revved up." Arcee sarcastically stated as she walked towards the bed, Sirenia eagerly following her. "I guess we can visit Raf tomorrow."

* * *

Orion flew through the Warp Gate with Cybertron in view. Japheth walked up to the Great Mall as the space distorted. Scalar and Aurea appeared before him.

"Prime of Primes," Scalar stated, "Alpha Trion has told me of times when you will accomplish great things. This is one of those times."

"Thank you." Aurea replied.

"It was only - logical." Scalar stated, and then disappeared.

Japheth gave Aurea a curious look, "So?" he earnestly asked.

Aurea took a moment to collect herself before replying, "I want to revive Trypticon."

Japheth's eyes grew wide with shock and horror. His mind raced, and He refused to speak until He would say something other than insults. He finally collected himself, "Not without my Wreckers."

* * *

The Skyfall landed on Jett. The ramp lowered, Japheth walked down. A cloud appeared and disappeared, leaving Nebulous, Sierra, and Ilia behind.

"So?" Nebulous asked, and Japheth sighed.

"I should not be surprised." He stated.

"So?" Nebulous eagerly repeated.

"I have to talk to the Lion and Serpent." Japheth simply stated.

"And then?" Nebulous eagerly asked.

"Aurea wants to resurrect Trypticon."

"And all she needed was a little push to step out of my shadow." Nebulous stated. The cloud reappeared, and when it dissipated, He was gone.

Arcee stepped down the ramp, "It's hard to cast a shadow when He always disappears like that."

Roxana raced towards the ship. She hit the ramp and transformed, being caught and cradled by Japheth.

-----

The Ion and Skyfall descended towards Caminus, while the Rodan descended towards Yvonnia.

A great fireball in the sky fell towards the paramount of Caminus. It turned out to be Victoria craddling Japheth Prime. The Mistress of Flame watched them slow to a gentle landing. Victoria put Japheth down upon the ground.

"Certainly a way to make an entrace." the Mistress of Flame said, trying to hide her smile.

"I wanted to avoid the crowds." Japheth stated.

"For the record, a giant fireball tends to draw more attention than, say, a ship." the Mistress of Flame tried to neutrally state.

Japheth looked into the Temple of the Primes, "We need to talk." he said, and started walking towards it. The Mistress of Flame moved her staff foward and walked to catch up to Him. Victoria broke apart and walked to follow them. Without looking back, Japheth raised His right hand and spoke to them, "Don't - touch - anything!"

Pyra Magna stopped as the others walked passed her. She developed a dour look as she watched them.

"No touching." Dust Up stated.

"Got it." Jumpstream added.

"Do you think the Mistress of Flame wants to be touched?" Rust Up added, and Pyra Magna grabbed her by her kibble as she tried to walk passed.

The Mistress of Flame turned around, looking the Rust Maidens in the eyes, "I would be honoured."

"Nope." Japheth stated, and slowed down, turned around without breaking stride, and walked backwards into the temple, "No offence, but I have MORE than enough concubines." He then thought for a moment, "And it would be a conflict of interest for Caminus." He then turned back around.

"That was my assumption." the Mistress of Flame stated.

* * *

The stone doors closed into a solid wall as the Rust Maidens quickly spread out to the furthest reaches of the temple. "DO - NOT - TOUCH - ANYTHING!" Japheth's great voice echoed about the halls.

The Mistress of Flame smiled as they almost ran off before turning to Japheth.

"The Humans want to worship me." Japheth stated.

"And, for we on Caminus, you simply told us not to?" the Mistress of Flame asked.

"Did it work?" Japheth rhetorically asked, "Of course it didn't. You were going to worship me, but at least I could mitigate it. Caminus already had traditions..."

"Ah." the Mistress of Flame affirmed, "The Humans do not. You do not want to encourage them, do not want to deny them, but if you do not provide at least a guide, you do not know what form it will take?"

Japheth sighed, and the Mistress took this as confirmation.

"With us, you said you wanted veneration instead of worship." the Mistress of Flame replied, "So a focus on your deeds and history?"

"Frame veneration of me as a study of the past?" Japheth asked.

"Lest you wish to define your morals into a catechism for followers to emulate?" the Mistress of Flame asked.

"My morals?" Japheth asked, and sighed. "Everything I do is... finding the best path through grey and complex circumstances."

"Then, a teacher?" the Mistress of Flame asked.

Japheth thought this over.

"My morals are for survival, forgiveness, redemption, and the condemnation of those that would destroy society if they refuse to change."

The Mistress of Flame developed a wicked smile that disturbed Japheth. She then kneeled before Him. "We can now venerate you appropriately. We can now spread your word to the stars, to Orion, and Terra, and all other places."

Japheth sighed, "This is exactly what I thought would happen."

"And yet you still came here?" the Mistress of Flame asked.

"It's a destiny I cannot avoid." Japheth uttered. "There are no coincidences with Primes."

She developed a look of absolute awe and devotion as He said this.

"Oh, and a gift." Japheth stated, "Stand." He commanded, and she quickly stood. He then looked up into the air to shout, "Girls, get over here!"

The sound of the Rust Maidens rushing towards them could be heard from all quarters. "We didn't touch anything." Jumpsteam said as she rushed in.

"She touched herself." Dust Up replied.

"Slag off." Jumpstream replied, before snapping her head over to looking at the Mistress of Flame. "Uh?.."

"Prime outranks the Mistress." Rust Up said as she walked in.

Japheth simply smiled, looking between all of them. The Twins appeared out of nowhere flanking Him. Pyra Magna was the last, sauntering in. Japheth looked between all of them again, "This does NOT leave the temple." he stated.

"Because we are so well known for our self-restraint." Rust Dust stated.

"There is one that can get us to hold our tongue." Pyra Magna said with a bright smile.

"HE is showing us..." Skyburst stated.

"HIS favour." Stormclash added.

Japheth paused to find his mettle, "I am a descendant of Prima. Scalar is of Vector. Aurea is of Solus. Megatron is of Megatronus." He paused, knowing how hard the next thing would be to say, "Nebulous is of Liege - Maximo."

He swore the air was sucked out of the room, even if none of them actually breathed.

* * *

Japheth walked down the great ramps, surrounded by the Rust Maidens.

"So, uh?" Dust Up asked.

"Can't talk about it." Japheth stated.

"I mean, it's a fucking BIG deal." Dust Up continued.

"It's as much of a deal as we want to make it." Japheth added.

"but, He?!.." Jumpsteam asked, and Japheth turned to glare at her.

"For the rest of this conversation," he stated, "We're talking about the Thirteen, not their descendants."

"Alright?" Dust Up asked, "Liege Maximo betrayed the others!"

"So did Megatronus." Japheth replied.

"The first one, or?.." Jumpstream asked.

"Even Megatronus has his place." Japheth stated, "Without Megatronus, we could never have defeated Unicron."

"Okay, yeah, but, He did, you know?.." Dust Up asked.

"Solus Prime forgave Him." Japheth stated, "Which most Femmes from Caminus think is romantic."

"Yeah," Jumpsteam replied, "and how often did we spend time on Caminus?"

"Usually because I'm here." Japheth stated, and a pregnant silence followed.

"True." Rust Dust stated.

"Where are we headed?" Jumpstream asked, and Japheth turned to look at the statue of Royce at the city's paramount.

Japheth then looked at Jumpstream, "Want to tour the new statues?"

"Wait, does that mean WE GET ONE?!" Dust Up asked.

"We did pose with Him." Pyra Magna replied.

"We will..." Skyburst stated.

"...need a local..." Stormclash added.

"...to guide us." Skyburst added.

"How long have we been living on Caminus?" Rust Dust asked.

"I think it only really counts if we actually spend time here." Dust Up replied.

"I sure half of the Femmes from Caminus would drop to their knees and thank me for the priviledge." Japheth uttered, "Anyone have an idea of one that won't?"

"Wasn't there one you met on your first time here?" Pyra Magna asked.

"What, Zebrastripe?" Japheth asked. "Did I tell you about Zebrastripe?"

"She talked about you." Pyra Magna said with a smile. "I'll give her a call."

* * *

Zebrastripe drove up and transformed, "You think I'll just come when you call?"

"Thank you." Japheth simply said, and she was stunned, trying to play it off. "I was hoping you could show us the new statues?"

Zebrastripe nervously looked at Pyra Magna, "Yeah, sorry, yours is not done yet."

"Japheth will just have to save another colony." Pyra Magna said with a smile.

Zebrastripe thought for a moment, "So, where did you want to start? Your sparkmate? Your mother?"

"Let's start with my mother." Japheth replied.

"Not Arcee?" Pyra Magna asked.

"Because I plan to harass her over it." Japheth said with a smile.

* * *

The statue of was Cybertronian June wearing her old nursing scrubs from Terra, and in the bed below her was a scaled up Jack Darby.

"Mother of Primes..." Japheth uttered, but even he did not know what he meant by it. "I hate the fact that this is so apropos."

* * *

The Statue of Arcee was overlooking the main entrance, welcoming those coming to the city.

"I am so taking a picture of this." Japheth stated.

* * *

Arcee opened the comm. link, "Miss you." she said with a smile.

"Whereas I have you to watch over me." Japheth said, and turned the camera to the statue, trying his best to not snicker over it.

"Very funny." Arcee sardonically replied.

"The first thing visitors see is your smiling face." Pyra Magna chided.

Arcee looked at the scowl on the statue, and it reminded her too much of herself. "I swear Miko taught me the Human word for this?" Arcee thought, "Resting Bitch Face."

"You are beautiful." Japheth stated.

"Me, or the statue?" Arcee asked.

"Both?" Japheth replied.

"Uh-huh?"

"What, I'm thrilled you will be the first thing visitors see."

"Alright, fine, I'll come down when the Skyfall makes it's next shuttle run, so we can take a picture under the statue."

* * *

Seaspray was flying through the lower basin, when he turned and angled his fan to bring him to a halt. Something dark and treacherous lurked in the shadows. He transformed, harpoon gun at the ready in his right hand. He stepped closer, and it turned out to be a statue of Charon.

"Honestly. Yeah."

"Thank you." he heard echo about, and then quickly looked around to find the source of the skittering.

* * *

June walked up to her son's house. The first sight she saw was her son, with his hand on Victoria's ass, as she loomed over him, her incredible sword angled to protect Him. The worst part is that she knew it was the idea of the half-dozen daughters-in-law to have His hand there. Het eyes caught movement, and turned to see a wolf rushing up to her. The wolf rubbed against her leg before reverted into Vera. "You've returned!"

June pulled Vera into a powerful hug. "And I think I'll be staying." she said, letting Vera go. "The trouble is how to I tell my son?" she distantly asked.

Vera thought this over deeply, but quickly. Soon her eyes locked on June, "By trusting Him. He adores you dearly..."

"And you." June smiled, and Vera looked shocked, "He counts on you to protect me." she stated, and Vera quickly thought this over. "That said, we found a planet of the Beastformers, if you wanted to..."

"I want to spend my life guarding you." Vera quickly stated. Vera then looked at the house, "Or your house."

"Then you will always have a place here." June said with a smile. "How have things gone?"

"I was used to living in the Dark, having no thoughts, no control." Vera simply replied, before looking up at the beautiful night sky. She then looked back to June, "With the statue of The Prime himself, and His Wrath, thousands of Sparks and hundreds of thousands of souls have come to glimpse Him."

"And what did you do?" June asked.

"Let them." Vera replied. She then looked up at the house, and the shimmering field around it. She looked back to June, "The forcefield is there for obvious reasons. Anyone that does not respect it must face the Battle Sisters of Caminus. They - do not take kindly to disrespect to The Prime."

"Why do you keep?.." June tried to ask.

"Because they do." Vera soundly replied, "He has shown unconditional love and care for Caminus. Without Him, Caminus would never have reached it's potential."

She looked over to Yvonnia that was nearing it's peak, before looking over to Illyria, or at least the bare platform that would become her. She then looked back to June, "Caminus is more vibrant than it has ever been before. Love flows like wine through it's basins."

-----

The Skyfall approached Orion as the great docking bay opened up.

"We're really doing it, aren't we?" Arcee asked, and Japheth gave her a brilliant smile, "How is this NOT abandoning them?"

"Oh?" Japheth asked, his smile not breaking, "We are."

"Which was the plan." Siren said, as she sat on the couch beside Arcee.

"We did the same thing on Master, did we not?" Arcelia asked.

"Yeah, but we..." Arcee said, and looked back to Japheth, "He - is not finished yet."

"I putting slack into the puppet strings before I cut them."

Arcee gave him a blank expression, and then looked at Sirenia.

"He is talking about a traditional Terran form of entertainment, in which you have little dolls on strings." Arcelia stated, "The strings let you manipulate the dolls into a simulacrum of life."

"So, he's - puppeting them?" Arcee asked, "That's the word?"

"I'm trying not to." he lovingly replied.

"OOOoooh!" Arcee exclaimed. "You are giving them time away to do things on their own, but promise to come back, so they they're not afraid of isolation."

"Guilty." Japheth replied.

"And you're sure you don't want to sit down?" Arcee asked.

He turned to give her a weak smile, "If I sit down, I'm not going to want to stand back up."

"So?" Arcee asked, "It's not like we have any place to be?"

Japheth let out a heavy sigh.

"Ah, Prime stuff." Arcee voiced, and paused, "Does that include housewife work?"

"Probably." an exascerbated Japheth replied.

"Scrap." Arcee voiced, and Sirenia leaned into her move fully. "Thanks, Siren."

* * *

Japheth stood in the Command Centre, looking down at a Magnus Alfred with 10x the grey hair he had when He left. "How has the Orion been in my absence?"

"Food production now greatly exceeds capacity. Scalar Prime gave us stasis units to preserve food for... esssentially ever. Time still passes within them, but extremely slowly. I have been studying the technology, and seems to work off of relativity. Socially, an Esprit de Corps has formed around the Great Pursuit of the Great Prime. The years we've spent here to aid you have almost become a religious fervour."

"Almost?" Japheth asked.

Magnus let out a great sigh, "I promised to speak with you about those that wanted to worship you."

"You - KNEW - it was going to happen." Royce wickedly said from the ceiling, and Japheth sighed as He looked up at her. He then looked back to Magnus.

"I can't run from it anymore." He said, and paused a moment, "I'll need to speak with the Mistress of Flame."

"So, we make for Caminus?" Magnus asked.

"And then Terra." Japheth replied.

"And before you settle in, Baron Lyman would like you to inspect the troops."

"Assuming there is a hall I can do so." Japheth stated.

"The Grand Mall, of course." Magnus replied. In reply, Japheth simply looked annoyed, "You had hoped it would be for public use."

"Yes?.." Japheth asked.

"And this is what they decided on." Magnus said with a wide smile. "Every - single - man - woman - child - and Cybertronian on this ship is here because of you. You would rather I phrase it another way, but they worship you. Or, at the very least, the upmost respect for the one who brought them paradise."

Japheth thought for a moment, "Caminus built the paradise."

"Caminus is a paradise for Men because of you." Magnus retorted.

And Japheth paused and thought, afraid it was true.

"The Caminoans kept their world beautitful, but were stagnant." Magnus replied. "It's not that they didn't want to change, but could not even conceive of what this might be. Nevermind the obvious love Micromasters have for you, and it shant be long before the Beastformers worship you, as well."

Japheth looked distant, as he thought it over. It was moments or minutes before he looked back to Magnus.

"You should have Pyra Magna attend the inspection."

Japheth silently, distantly nodded.

* * *

Japheth walked the Medicaeron and up to a colossal desk, manned by the secretary he had first met in the Medicaeron in Caminus. He gave her a questioning look.

"Here to kidnap your mother again?"

Japheth just stared at her, "Yes, actually."

Her brilliant smile raised His mood as she moved her hand to the comm. unit.

* * *

"Ja..." June stated, and paused mid-phrase. Even after all of this time, he was still her son, still her Jack, "Japheth?"

He rushed forward and scooped her up into a hug. He put her down, and she rested her head on His shoulder.

"I missed you, so much." she uttered.

"I missed you, too, mom." Japheth replied. He let her go, and the two stepped apart. "So, how is life on Orion?"

June thought this over for a moment, "Academic?" she asked, "Sorry, the same thing happened on Caminus, I just got caught up in work. We worked out preliminary textbooks for Human and Cybertronian Biology. We have Humans training to do doctorates in Cybertronian Biology, and a couple Femmes from Caminus are Medical Doctors."

"That - is - amazing!" Japheth replied, "It's going even better than I had expected." He paused for a moment, "Are you up for a movie night later?"

"Of course!" she eagerly replied.

* * *

Japheth felt fear, a palpable, haunting unlike anything He had felt since becoming a Prime. It gnawed deep in His Spark. He steeled Himself, and turned just enough to see Pyra Magna behind Him. She smiled a brilliant, loving, supporting smile. She gave Him the courage to continue. The door opened in front of Him, and the vastness of Orion's interior was before him. If it were a city on terra firma, it could easily house a million Humans. Far less, with the space for Cybertronians, but still, it daunted Him. He had never realized how large it was. He paused as He thought of what Humans must think of it. It had been so long since He had been Cyberrized, since He had become the Prime of Primes, that He scarely remembered what it was like to be Human. He struggled to remember what it was like, being a small, unarmed Human, walking among titanic monsters that would kill Him before He could breathe, if they felt the urge to. Much of their surival was simply being overlooked.

This is what his Rangers were facing. This is what his Rangers were training to face, to end Sparks and save lives. Despite his warm demeanour, He was alike the very monsters He had once faced. He remembered looking into Megatron's eyes, and choosing to save him.

And all His Rangers wanted was simple recognition. He hated the doting and deference, and most of all the worship... but all they were asking, after literal Terran years, was a single moment of recognition. He raised his right hand to his ear, and connected to the command centre.

"My Prime." Magnus replied.

"The Rangers that served on Jett need a medal." Japheth stated.

"We have a few ready." Magnus replied, "We were going to talk to you about it after you settled in."

"Well..." he uttered, "I'll stop by the command centre after the ceremony. Japheth out." He lowered his hand.

"What about the Wreckers?" Pyra Magna asked.

"I would probably get punched." Japheth uttered.

"By who?" Pyra Magna asked with a brilliant smile.

"That part I'm still trying to figure out." Japheth replied.

"But being punched you have no doubt about?" Pyra Magna chided. He turned to look her deeply, soulfully in her eyes.

"And what about you?" Japheth asked, and turned towards her. His arms brought up to craddle her face.

"Well," she bashfully replied, "on one hand, you did declare us the Wrath of Japheth Prime. On the other, you give us something more more sacred." She ran her hands up and town His torso. He kissed her passionately.

* * *

Japheth drove towards the Great Mall, Pyra Magna seated inside Him. He stopped beyond a pair of motorcycle Vehicons that were blocking the road. He opened his right flap and then door, and Pyra Magna stepped out. He then transformed and walked between the Vehicons, towards the ranks of soldiers. The Rangers up front, followed by the Militia behind them. Each row was three ranks deep, and at least thirty abreast. 6 of Rangers, and another 12 of Militia, with various Knights in front of the individual groups. He walked up to the dais, on which stood Fowler, held up by a cane. Beside him was Lyman, more salt than pepper, but otherwise upright. And beside him stood... his son? Japheth looked down at him.

"Knight George Lyman." the man said, and he saluted. Japheth stood up and returned the salute. Fowler braced the cane under his left armpit, stood up as straight as he could, and saluted. Every knight joined the salute, and every soldier thereafter.

Japheth turned back to the soldiers. Pyra Magna walked up beside Him.

"You are Rangers." Japheth said, looking at the first block of ranks. "You are here for one simple reason, to face those infinitely your better in every way, except morality. I hope you were taught this, but if not, it will need to be added to the training. Cybertron is as developed as the Earliest Human cities. Ur, Uruk, Akkad, Ashur, Babylon, Nimrud, and Nineveh. Our lifespans are in aeons, and we can spend Aeons in statis-lock, only to be revived. How do you beat a being such as this?" He paused for a moment, "By having skill and discipline greater than Cybertron could ever imagine. Humanity has had to fight, every step of the way, simply to survive. Survival is far from guaranteed. Food, water, a sudden change in temperture. Humans have to struggle for survival to not slip through their fingers, and not just you, or your children, for their children, and the children beyond them. If the chain is broken, the light of Human civilization will simply - go out. The Rangers and the Militia train to fight them, not just to struggle, but to win. Because the Human light will not simply be snuffed out. It is difficult to describe just how proud you should be to be standing here, to be risking everything to help bear the torch of civilization. The Rangers that went down to Jett, returned! Every - single - one."

* * *

Japheth stepped into the Command Centre, when He got a comm. signal. He raised his right hand to his ear, "Fowler?" Japheth asked.

"That was one hell of a speech." Fowler replied, "And I hate to do this, but..."

"Your resignation?" Japheth asked.

"I think that salute was the last one I had." Fowler replied.

"You've certainly earned your retirement, old friend." Japheth stated.

"And to think, I wanted you to be a Ranger." Fowler added.

"And you were surprised I wanted to return the favour?" Japheth asked.

"I need to thank you, son." Fowler stated, "You have helped me accomplish more than I thought I ever could."

"In return, you did give me Rangers." Japheth simply replied, "So I think we can call it even."

"Yeah, well, I'm retired now." Fowler replied, "I think we've both had enough of this formal b.s. for a lifetime. Unfortunately for you, your lifetime is going to be a lot longer than mine."

"I could still?.." Japheth asked.

"Last time it was paperwork, but now, I've done too much. I think it's time to rest these old bones on my laurels, and leave some things for the younger generations."

"George has grown up incredibly." Japheth replied.

"Well, we have you to thank as much as anyone else." Fowler replied, "You gave them something to fight for."

"All of this love..." Japheth stated.

"You're still the shy boy that stood up when he had to." Fowler replied, "It's been an honour, sir."

"It's been an honour." Japheth replied, "Are you going to stay on board?"

"It might take me a while to walk back to my cabin with this cane of mine." Fowler stated. "I started my golden years here. I might as well finish them."

"Godspeed." Japheth stated.

"And that means something, coming from you." Fowler replied.

-----

Lothar walked into Pride Rock.

* * *

Lothar, less his kibble, stepped out of the landed starship titan behind him, with several others following.

* * *

Bluestreak ran towards the ship, as dozens of Transformers moved about.

* * *

Bluestreak ran up to Lothar. "Report." Lothar said to him.

"Life is primitive here." Bluestreak replied.

"How - primitive?" Lothar asked.

"Not single-cell, but still nothing we can use. Most of the complex ones don't even move."

"Then why in Primus' name did Onyx choose this place?" Lothar asked.

"Wasn't it Alpha Trion?" Bluestreak asked, and Lothar simply looked distant, trying to think of what they could do.

* * *

Lothar watched primitive arthropods skitter about the shallows. It had been an aeon to get to this point, and it would be aeons more until they turned to beasts. What were they, Insecticons?

* * *

A tripod a microchord tall strode from the waters. Lothar looked on with vague interest, while Downburst looked enraptured.

* * *

The striders towered above the trees, walking over mountains and through the great shallows. The air had been growing bitterly cold over the last millenium. The striders claimed all territory, as the Transformers tried to build. Another millenium, and conflict would erupt, as they needed territory before theirs was lost in snow.

* * *

The war was not going well, if you could call it a war. The Sodden Ones had fled, and they had no weapons that could work on striders. They could strike the ankles of the tripods with their tails and beastclaws. They could strike them with stones, either in hand, or thrown. This is when Karasen had reappeared, body shrouded in black feathers. The last millenium, he had been mining and forging. He brought weapons that allowed us to wield magic. I cloaked myself in a forcefield while Sunstrider detonated massive fireballs and Stormrage struck them with lightning. Bluestreak could strike with the force of a storm.

* * *

The war was being won. The striders were being pushed back, as we managed to push our way out of the frozen wasteland. The Maiden chose to stay. She wanted to stay with Abominus, who's form had not moved for aeons. He was buried beneath the black earth of Jett. Honestly, this was the last time we saw her. She disappeared into the white snow, and we did not see her until Japheth rediscovered it.

And that was when the Predacon appeared. He had been on Jett since our arrival, but we had a tacit peace. His wings could take him anywhere on Jett, and we did not leave our continent until it started to become locked in snow. If only it were so pure.

* * *

The Sodden Ones had killed the Predacon, and clad themselves in his bones. As you expect, they became the Bog Wraiths. They threw off the shackles of civilization, and became headhunters and cannibals. But, they did not kill the Predacon in response, it was their attacks that aroused his ire. They had picked the fight with him, and his wrath made us almost lose the war.

* * *

The scorched earth still burned as the glacier formed behind us. While a Predacon might be a being of pure wrath, this was worse. This was people we thought we knew. They might not have friends, but we WERE comrades. Until we found the bones cast off from their feast. Shale had been our friend, and he was no more.

And WHAT was I to do? Let my pride pull me into rage?! Would that satisfy our anger? Even if I COULD unleash it upon them. They disappeared back into the swamps. Even if we pursued them, it would take aeons, and cost us how many lives? What - was I - to do? Give into my pride? Turn it into wrath and vengeance?

"Humans have an equivalent of The Fallen," Arcelia simply stated, "he was once the paragon of their angels. He grew prideful, and that is why he fell."

"You had to break through them?" Arcee asked.

I used my pride to shield my friends.

* * *

Bluesteak flew over the terrain in every fashion.

* * *

The white and gold lion lead the group. The orange and gold bird with short wings and powerful legs followed him, with a great red hart behind them in the woods. Lightning crackled as a pegasus flew passed them, dancing across the canopy.

* * *

The pegasus flew up to the Strider, striking his head with his hooves in passing. Sunstrider struck a knee with his talons, gripping the knee as he pulled the beast over. The Strider started to list. Sunstrider let go as a great bolt of lightning struck through the Strider.

* * *

The lion lead a giant wolf, lemming, and brontothere.

* * *

The lion lead a giant cheetah, a dragon-horse, and a giant flying ray.

* * *

The bodies of the Striders riddled the ground, as the Beastformers fought the world's vapid masters.

* * *

The Striders have become subsumed by the forest, their bones now appearing as mounds.

* * *

The lion and orange bird walked up to the pegasus, throat slit, bled of Energon. They would protect the body until Downburst could come to retrieve him.

* * *

Bluestreak put down a net full of Energon cubes before landing on the ground.

* * *

We had enough Energon for Aeons. It seemed like it could last forever. It lasted just long enough, until the Bearer of the Matrix came to save us.

Arcee looked behind her, at Sirenia trying to not say something.

"Say it." Arcee sardonically said to her.

"There are no coincidences with Primes."

Arcee looked back at Lothar, "It's getting harder and harder to not believe it."

"It's His will made manifest." Lothar stated, and a pregnant paused followed.

"Primus or Japheth?" Arcelia asked.

"That - is the question." Lothar uttered. "But, I have regaled you long enough. Now, I must go and meet my destiny."

* * *

The lion, in beastform, crept up to the round table, afraid of what was to come. A white and rose spider dropped down beside him, "Do not mock me for my retiscence."

"Oh, I quite enjoy it." Royce wickedly stated. "It reminds me of when Jack wasn't quite the bot he is now."

"You knew Him before He became a Prime?" Lothar asked.

"I knew Him when he was Human." Royce wickedly added, and Lothar instantly stopped. The gears were turning inside his head as they started to fit together.

"Anything is possible with Primes." Lothar stated.

"Anything is possible with Primus." Royce wickedly asked. When he turned to look at her, she had disappeared.

* * *

Lothar transformed to walk the last distance to the table, the weight of his pride and future weighing down his shoulders. Japheth was there, waiting for him. Along with Wind Blade and Pyra Magna. Colossus was near, lingering, seemingly as afraid as he was. A cloud appeared, and out walked Smokescreen and his pair of Femmes. Karasen landed as he approached his seat. Sunstrider and Stormrage were already there. Zuo as a Headmaster had his Transtector sit down.

A red ant climbed into a chair, and transformed into Pyrrha.

Lothar looked at Japheth as he sat down, "Still with your secrets."

"Secrets implies I am hiding them from you." Japheth said with a brilliant smile.

Lothar thought for a moment, "Either you are not hiding them, or not hiding them from me?"

Japheth smiled brilliantly and leaned over the table, "Oh, I like you."

"You are grooming him for royalty." Wind Blade firmly stated.

"There's a difference between trusting my instincts, and having them confirmed." Japheth simply replied. He then turned to Lothar. "Ask your question."

"What - will I find at the end of my quest?" Lothar asked.

"Yourself; your future; your past." Japheth stated and paused, leaving nought more than the sound of the wind. "That question is not for me to answer."

Another pregnant silence followed, before Lothar dared to speak, "Then who will answer it?"

"You?" Japheth asked, "That is what you will find at the end of your quest." Another pause followed, "And if you do not complete it, you will never complete yourself."

"Are you buying this?!" Sunstrider asked, and again, silence reigned.

"He knows it to be true." Japheth stated, "He knows it deep down in his Spark."

Lothar's head somberly lowered.

"Ask me a question I can answer."

Lothar slowly raised his head, and looked about the table. He focused on Colossus back away from the table.

"He wants to stay on Jett." Japheth stated, and Colossus' head quickly snapped towards him. Japheth simply smiled at him. "You are afraid I would judge you." Japheth stated, "But I agree with you. I wasn't sure how to bring it up." He gestured to the nearest chair. Colossus lumbered over, and sat down, eyes never leaving Japheth. "You have done more for me than I thought possible."

"I used space on the ship for my own hobby?" Colossus uncertainly asked.

"A hobby that brought everyone together, and even created my sword." Japheth said with a bright smile.

Colossus simply stared into nothing for a moment before his eyes focused again.

"You will be missed, but your Spark wishes to be here, and this is where you can do the most good." Japheth stated.

"Assuming Lothar wants him to stay." Sunstrider said, looking at Colossus, and then to Lothar. Colossus followed his gaze.

"He will not be a burden." Lothar stated, "He - will - build. I want us to be a society again, even if a bit rough around the edges."

"I..." Colossus stated, "will endeavour - to be - rough around the edges."

"Is that the best he can do?" Sunstrider asked.

"That is." Stormrage stated, and then looked over at Pyrrha.

"She wants to join Lothar on his quest." Japheth simply stated, and Lothar looked distant and absent. "You will need their aid. Only the Elders are sapient. The reason for their conflict is access to Energon."

"With Energon," Pyrrha stated, "we do not need to fight, but we can grow complacent."

"You can talk to them all, individually."

"How - many?.." Lothar asked.

"Four want to stay." Japheth stated, "One of which can see glimpses of the future."

Lothar thought about this deeply, before turning to Zuo.

"I am forbidden from remaining on Jett." Zuo stated, "My two choices are to return to Master, or join you on your quest. If you would have me."

Lothar looked to Nebulous Prime.

"I just want to see what's going on." Nebulous Prime stated. He paused a beat, "I won't join you on your quest, but I will send one of my Cloud Knights."

"And what of Jett, in your absence?!" Sunstrider harshly asked.

"Perhaps a mix of fire and wisdom?" Stormrage asked.

It took Sunstrider a moment to catch on. "Wait, US?!"

"Any part of Jett will have to survive my absence..." Lothar distantly stated. He paused for a moment before turning to Japheth,

"Humans do not live for Aeons. Orion will have to travel to Caminus and Terra. But afterwards, I would love to help."

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Pyra Magna uttered, "It's a Human expression."

-----

Sunstrider looked at the stars in the night above them, his patience finally depleted. He looked at Lothar, "Why?"

"Can you not see how distraught he is?" Stormrage asked as he walked in.

"Over what?!" Sunstrider asked, "Our victory?! Our coming salvation?!"

Lothar slowly looked over at him. His great white body turned, the golden trim glimmering in the night. "When last we stood here, what colour was this place?"

Sunstrider glared at him, pulling his glaive to the side to look away.

"Afraid of the answer?" Stormrage asked him. Sunstrider transformed and thrushed away as Sandstorm flew overhead, the Seven Minicons fast roping down.

Lothar nodded his head at them. He then turned, and ducked as Sunstrider's glaive flew passed him. Lothar stood up, staring him in his eyes, and the robot-form caught his returning glaive, glaring at him. "You were expecting them?!"

"Expecting is a strong word." Lothar uttered.

"He sent his Wreckers?!"

"You should have learned by now that He does not - send - his Wreckers." Stormrage calmly added.

"It's kind of more of pointing." Seaspray non-chalantly replied, "And maybe tug on our leash once in a while."

Sunstrider transformed and fluttered down, landing hard, completing the square. He then turned to the Seven Minicons, and Rector took a couple of steps forward, "Our Sparks compel us."

"A conspiracy?" Sunstrider asked.

"As a Combiner, even if one not born, but wrought by His hands, our Sparks remain attuned to each other. Combiners require a common Spark, an Esprit de Corps. And we all felt that we are needed here."

"HE." Karasen spoke. His black form appeared from nowhere, transforming into a landing. The black bot drew a full NO-Dachi from it's sheath, with the rest wrapping around his torso as a sash. Glistening Energon dripped from his blade, "My sword is wetted with Energon for the first time in aeons, so will SOMEONE tell me to whom HE refers?!"

"Quench your anger, old friend." Lothar replied.

"Friend?" Karasen asked.

"I asked you here for your counsel." he firmly stated.

Karasen glared at him, their eyes intently focused on the other's, until he finally lost his mettle. He swung his sword away, the Energon flying off. He grabbed the sash, which turned back into the sheath, and he resheathed his sword.

"And He will be revealed once our quest is fulfilled."

Karasen huffed in defiance.

"This is not His quest." Stormrage calmly stated, and looked at Lothar "This is his."

"Jack is just pointing you in the right direction." Seaspray breezily said. "It's what He likes to do."

"Pointing - in the right - direction?!" Sunstrider shouted, "Is that what He did?! Without Him, none of us would be here!"

"Lothar was the only one that could stop the conflict." Rector added.

"He burns the sky as He summons His wrath!" Sunstrider exclaimed.

"Could He beat you?" Rector asked, and the Minicons combined.

"Yes." War Machine finished. "Could He kill you?.." he trailed off.

Sunstrider's reply was to scream.

"Could He get us to cooperate?" Stormrage calmly asked.

"He - Has!" Sunstrider screamed.

"And then why are you here?" Lothar strongly asked, and Sunstrider turned to stare into his eyes. Sunstrider honestly could not answer the question. "Because beneath your fire is the most intelligent of the sons of Onyx Prime."

Sunstrider harshly looked at Karasen.

"I have learned skill." Karasen simply replied, "You have the head on your shoulders, if you can stop long enough to use it."

Sunstrider spun the glaive above his head, an explosion erupting around him.

"Does he always do so well with compliments?" War Machine asked.

"Yes." Lothar, Stormrage, and Karasen answered at the same time.

Lothar then looked to Sunstrider, "And cease dodging my question."

Sunstrider gave him a harsh look, "It was covered by snow and ice."

"It was on the pole." Karasen stated. "Not the equator."

"We have seen it drift for aeons. We have seen beasts rise and fall." Sunstrider strongly replied. "We have seen beasts as lofty as Downburst and as petty as Gila."

"If it wasn't for the Sirens," Lothar stated, and looked at the white stone or alabaster buildings, curved and sloped for the Sirens to play in gayly, "I would have assumed it was some other place. But, while this place still haunts us, let us away before the wraiths do the same."

* * *

A gaggle of birds spiraled down. Lothar planted his greatsword in front of himself, laid his hands on the hilt, and stood proud. War Machine broke up, and the seven Minicons gently spread out, weapons slung. Seaspray made sure the holsters for his harpoon guns were closed and gently walked out.

Sunstrider planted his glaive in the ground and stepped back, unable to temper his aggression. Sandstorm had the same problem, and so chose to sit down. Stormrage transformed and gently looked about. Karasen did the same, fluttering up to a perch.

The birds landed about in a half-arc in front of them. Once they were all standing, they kneeled down, "My king." the barn owl said with a feminine voice.

Lothar held his right palm upward and lowered his hand, "Transform." he said, and they all turned into Femmes. "It is as we suspected. You walk like the Daughters of Solus Prime, but fly like the sons of Onyx?"

"Do you not remember them?" Stormrage calmly asked.

"And you do?!" Sunstrider shouted.

Lothar looked distant as the flashbacks returned. Brief glimpses of a past nearly forgotten. Of the emergency aboard the ship. Of the Maiden and her Hand Maidens. He flashed back to the bridge, with the Maiden guiding them... him. His eyes widened as it struck to his core, his eyes focusing around him. HE was the master of the ship. This crash was HIS failure. The Maiden did everything she could so allow them to survive the landing. They did; Abominus did not.

"I am Shandris," the Barn Owl stated, "and you are remembering?"

"Remembering my failure!" Lothar bellowed.

"Then you do not remember enough." Shandris added.

"What of the Maiden?!" Lothar asked.

"She is safe." Shandris said with a wry smile, "But for now, we need you to remember."

"I do not..." Lothar uttered, hand on his head, struggling to stand upright, "did not..."

"Remember your history; remember your destiny." Shandris continued.

"My destiny was failure..."

"Ehn?" Seaspray dismissively asked, "Jack can see your Spark. If He trusta you, it's for a reason."

"I failed!" Lothar shouted at him, and Seaspray non-chalantly shrugged.

"If any Beastform can do this, it is you." Stormrage calmly added.

"What about you?!" Lothar urgently asked.

"Leadership is not my strong suit." Stormrage simply replied.

Lothar looked up at Karasen.

"I am happy with my role." Karasen replied.

Lothar quickly looked back to Sunstrider.

"Yes, put the pyromaniac in charge." Sunstrider snidely replied.

Lothar grumbled but acquiesced. "Very well." he said. He drew his sword from the ground and began to sheath it. He then tied the sheath to his belt, and hung it behind him.

* * *

Lothar walked up to the edge of the lake, and paused, looking all about it before his gaze fixed on the island in the centre. Atop it was a crystal coffin. He then looked back at the water. Seaspray and Sandstorm transformed. The Seven Minicons rushed to the helicopter and climbed on. Karasen and Sunstrider took wing. Stormrage transformed and climbed into Seaspray's bed. Lothar shook his head before transforming and jumping into the water.

* * *

The Seven Minicons fast roped from Sandstorm and spread out about the island. Karasen orbitted about as Sunstrider landed and transformed.

* * *

The great white lion pulled himself from the waters, and shook to shed as much as water as possible. He transformed and stepped away from the water, as Rector stepped out to him. "It appears to be a stasis unit. She requires extensive medical treatment, beyond what Morpheus can give."

Karasen trarsformed into a landing, "If only you had access to medicine we've never had before." he sarcastically voiced.

A cloud appeared beside them and Nebulous appeared with Sierra and Ilia. "Lucky for you, he can fly." he stated as he raised his right hand up to his ear.

* * *

Wind Runner slowed and stopped on the shore, with Ratchet dismounting. Seaspray blew over the water with a transformed Roxana on his back. Skytalon let a transformed Japheth go 100 metres or so above the ground before flying off. He reverted, left hand on his left hilt, using it's gravity to soften his landing. Gella breezed in off the water. They all reverted to robot mode and stepped inside. Japheth was the first to stop, staying away from crystal coffin, "I just want everyone to know that the only reason I'm here is that you'll need someone that can read the language of Primes."

"Rather than playing the hero?" Knock Out asked.

"Playing?!" Sunstrider harshly said.

"In all honesty, He is the leading man, in so many ways." Knock Out eagerly replied. He then looked into Japheth's eyes, and saw His displeasure. Knock Out turned back to Sunstrider, "Except in this case he's trying to take the back seat."

"What can I say?" Nebulous asked. His Femmes walked towards Him, "I learned from the best." he finished, as all three disappeared into a cloud.

"And reminder to everyone here," Japheth stated, "I'm not a doctor, at all. I'm still getting used to have mesh and kibble." This caused curious glares from most of the Beasts, and a furious one from Sunstrider.

"I will need something more concrete." Gella stated.

"Treat him like He has no idea what he's talking about." Knock Out stated.

"Very well." Gella continued.

"Medically." Knock Out stated, and Ratchet scoffed.

"He can read Sparks." Ratchet grumbled, "How could he possibly not have any knowledge about what happens inside a Cybertronian?"

"I can read Sparks," Japheth stated, "including the one of Abominus, that we are standing on." Most eyes grew wide with shock, dumstruck by the power of his statement, "Once you release the Maiden, everything else will become clear."

------

The Energon was spilt, with the bodies of the Bog Wraiths rusting in their bogs. The morass lead to a head overseeing an estruary, with Japheth standing at it's peak. Beyond the waters lay another headland that turned into a forest behind it. He barely see the glint of the light reflecting off the dark mirror of the lake surface. On the lake was an island. Around the island flew waterfowl, that were Cybertronian, but not naturally so. They were akin to the miraculous Combiners that followed him. "Royce?"

"Coordinating with Orion. Give me a moment." she replied over the comms. "And I might be stealthy, but I'm pretty sure the pretty birds will notice me."

"They already have." Arcee replied over the comms. from Pride Rock.

"That's it." Royce stated, "The Maiden of Snow White. What do you want to do?"

"Plot a route for Lothar, best speed." Japheth replied.

"Isn't this where Autobots rush in to save the day."

"We're not Autobots anymore." Arcee stated.

"Being an Autobot is a choice." Ratchet said over the comms. "In your Spark, you know it to be true."

"Okay, I mean..." Arcee stated.

"It's the reason I'm here." Royce stated. "If our dear - JACK - was the stupid glorious type to charge in without a thought, I probably would have rather stayed in my cage. At least then I could wait for the scrap to hit the fan and then escape."

"You're saying you could have gotten out?" Arcee stated.

"From - JACK?" Royce wickedly asked, "No. From any other Autobot?.."

* * *

Lothar strode through the forest, faster than his robot form, but still prudent and reserved. Sunstrider fluttered and thrushed between tree branches and cliffs alongside him. "You know, I could probably make it over the water. At least with a little help."

A pregnant pause followed.

"What?" Sunstrider asked.

"With - little - help?" Lothar asked, and a pause followed. "How you have changed." Another pause followed.

"Perhaps I am simply remembering?" Sunstrider uttered.

The beauty of ancient history flashed before Lothar's eyes, and glimmer of what was forgotten. He did not miss a single pace.

* * *

A great purple mushroom floated up from the headland and over the estuary.

"I remember when I was purple." Royce stated as she transformed into a landing on the headland behind him.

"I am like the mushrooms of Master." the floating mushroom replied. "I cannot be a threat."

"Then why pick that form? I mean, you BUILT them, right?"

"Because that is how things work on Master." Mycel replied.

"How - very - BORING - for machines designed to explore a deathworld." Royce replied.

"Yes, explore." Mycel stated.

"Nonthreatening is not exactly what I would call myself." Royce stated, "I'm more a dangerous dog brought to heel."

"You enjoy it, don't you?" Mycel asked.

"The danger - or the leash?" Royce wickedly asked. A moment of silence followed, "To be fair, I do like both."

"If your master wanted you across, he would have told you so." Mycel replied.

"I know." she breathlessly stated. "But what good is a guard dog without teeth? Besides, I am not his only one."

"He is also strong enough to turn Twin-Strike into an ally." Mycel added.

"He didn't want to come along?" Royce wickedly asked.

"He knows how much - Jack - likes diplomacy." Mycel replied, "And admits that it's not his strong suit."

"And that's why I'm on this side of the water." Royce replied.

"Does your counterpart show more restraint?" Mycel asked.

"She is better at - playing - nice." Royce wickedly stated. "She is pretty enough to play the face, until you find her legs in your Spark chambre."

"And you?" Mycel aksed.

"My - shining - personality tends to come through." Royce replied, "The only reason it worked with Decepticons is that everyone is treacherous."

"How could a society function?" Mycel asked.

"Oh, don't kid yourself, it didn't." Royce wickedly replied.

"So, it's true?" Mycel asked, "Cybertron went dark?!"

"Optimus gave his life - to save Cybertron." Royce stated, "To be fair, Jack - tried, but Optimus stopped him." She looked down, "I never thought suicide could hurt me so. I blame it all on - JACK!"

"You sound angry?" Mycel asked, "I thought you?.."

"What?" Royce asked, "I was a giddy cheerleader? Don't let the pink paint fool you, I'm just as vicious as I once was."

"Then why?.."

"Why do I work for - JACK? Because what he thinks of me is more important that anything else I've even seen. I learned - first hand - what it was like to have someone actually protect me. To have someone that would not stab me in the Spark chambre and cast me aside the moment I became an inconvenience. I have never felt anything like it, and likely never will..."

"So, what happens... if?.."

"Oh, that's simple." Royce stated, "My Spark be damned. Let it be denied entry to the Matrix, let it be annihilated, but I would destroy EVERYONE that did that to my precious - JACK. The whole of the universe should suffer for letting anything happen to him."

"That doesn't exactly sound like an Autobot." Mycel replied.

"Oh, don't kid yourself, I'm not." Royce stated. "I have him wrapped around my little finger."

"He? Brought you to heel?" Mycel asked.

"Oh, honey, it's easy." Royce replied, "All I had to do to get everything I never even KNEW I wanted was be nice to him." She paused, and looked down, "It took me long enough to realize it."

"It took you short enough." Mycel replied, "My Transtector has let me watch Master for aeons. In the span of our lives, your reform might as well have been in the blink of an eye."

Royce looked up with confidence, "Of course, I can thank - JACK - for that."

* * *

Japheth felt a warm Spark behind him, and turned to see Stormrage in Beastform silently approaching him.

"A storm roils around you, but you rest calmly in it's eye." Stormrage stated.

Japheth accepted that statement, and looked back foward towards where the river was close enough to cross.

* * *

A great, eight-legged horse dashed across the waters, alongside Seaspray, as they raced to the other side.

* * *

Lothar slowed as he approached the edge of the lake. He smelled the foul stench of a wraith. His ears caught the sound that he had so briefly become acustomed to, as Seaspray flew up, and then transformed. Lothar roared and transformed himself, speaking to Seaspray without looking at him, "I should have known it would be you whom appeared."

"What can I say?" Seaspray casually asked, "Diplomacy is not exactly our forté."

"And you?" Lothar asked.

"Ehn?" Seaspray asked, "Unlike the others, I can wait in the background while you do your thing."

"Yes, well, that placidity will have to wait." Lothar grumbled.

"Let me guess, another Wraith?" Seaspray casually asked.

"Indeed." Lothar grumbled.

"Anything more you can tell me?" Seaspray asked.

"Not in the time we have before it strikes." Lothar uttered, "But, beware the mists."

"I am better acquainted than you might think." Seaspray said, diving into a transformation, racing off to avoid the great burst of fog flying towards them. Lothar activately his light/physical shield and stood as the heavy air roiled around him. As it dimmed he drew his great sword. Seaspray turned around as the great monitor crept into sight. He fired a harpoon that deflected off of the creature's scales as Lothar rushed towards it. The creature was surprised as it looked at Seaspray, only turning at the last second, watching himself be struck by the greatsword. He fell down, but did not falter. He transformed into a form that daunted even Lothar, only to have Seaspray kick him in the back of knee. He bowed, only to find the lion's sword as his throat. It did not slow as it cleaved through him, letting out a great wash of Energon.

"Your buddy not want to help?" Seaspray asked, and turned to watch Sunstrider flutter down. He transformed and stormed up to him.

"He has a tendancy to cause collateral damage, and we did not want to risk harm to the Maiden," Lothar stated "nor to these magical birds."

Royce landed beside them, "From my master, they could only have been created by the hands of Primes."

"And, then HOW does - Jack - know so much about Primes?"

"Nice try." Royce said with a bright smile, "But I'm it won't be long."

"You have so much confidence in our victory?" Lothar asked, turning towards the lake.

"No." Seaspray simply stated.

"I have confidence in - Jack." Royce added. "The galaxy could stop turning, and I would still believe in him."

A great, black eagle with a ghostly green trim from every fourth feather or so, transformed into a Transtector, with it's Headmaster transforming into the head. Out of the woods, another transformation happened, with another Headmaster walking in to join them.

Lothar turned to look at them, "Names?"

"Skytalon." the eagle replied.

"Wind Runner." the former eight-legged horse uttered.

"Remain here." Lothar stated, and looked over to Seaspray, "Seaspray will come with me."

The Headmasters gave him a dour, stark, questioning look.

"And that's why." Seaspray dismissed, and the looks grew even more grim. "Because I'm easy-breezy, and you act like the weight of the world is on your shoulders."

The two Headmasters looked at each other before looking at him, "It is." Wind Runner harshly voiced.

"But, if you let it, you'll crack under the pressure." Seaspray replied.

"How can you be so flippant in the face of planetary catastrophe?" Skytalon asked.

"Oh, that's easy." Seaspray replied, "The world is always dying. If that stopped us, we wouldn't have gotten Cybertron back."

-----