Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Five years after the Battle of Chicago, the world is left in ruin. With the planet Cybertron still in the skies of Earth, home to the remaining Decepticon forces still online while the remaining Autobots try and rebuild the Earth. Sam and Carly Witwicky have now fully separated from the Autobots, except for Bee, and have gone onto live their own lives together.

The remains of Ironhide and Wheeljack were also given their final resting place in Chicago, along with a wall of every person killed in the battle. NEST was also disbanded and a new group called Cemetery Wind now exist to hunt down any Decepticons who enter Earth. As they are now banned from the planet. Or that was their intended purpose, instead they hunt down all Cybertronians, Autobot and Decepticon alike. For an unknown purpose.

That purpose was what the leader of the group named Harold Attinger was telling it's highest ranking members in a board meeting. Telling them about how all Transformers needed to be exterminated for the human race to feel safe. While a pile of kill cards sat on his desk. Featuring both Autobots and Decepticons. Ironhide, Shockwave, Soundwave, Loader, and Dino laid on a card each with a red X over their pictures.

Harold then picked up a remote controller and pushed a button while pointing it at the big screen in front of the group. "Now these are the Transformers we have hunted down since our group's creation four years ago."

On the blue screen were gray photos and names of Transformers, the names were Dino otherwise known as Mirage, Sideswipe, Bluestreak, Dirge, Thrust, Ramjet, Leadfoot, and Dreadbot.

"There are still plenty more on the run, both Decepticon and Autobot." Continued Harold before he clicked another button on the remote and the pictures changed to full color pictures of the Cybertronians still online. The list read Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, Barricade, Ratchet, Hound, Drift, Crosshairs, Nitro Zeus, and Mohawk among other high value targets. "Now our little associate is after the Prime and Megatron and we are going to give him them if it's the last thing we do."

Suddenly an Asian woman walked into the room and whispered into Harold's ear, Harold smirked before addressing the room. Talking about how they had found a new target. With Harold's team already at the location, with the Autobot hiding in an abandoned ship. The group quickly placed explosives on the boat before blowing it to pieces. The medic Ratchet flew out of the exploded ships smokestack, running for cover as helicopters above blasted at him.

Ratchet quickly jumped off of the boat and transformed into vehicle mode, racing away. But he wasn't able to outrun the helicopters who fired upon him and blasted him out of his vehicle mode before blasting his leg off.

"Hold fire!" Cried Ratchet as he tried to hop away, "can't you see I've been injured?"

"Identify yourself!" Boomed a voice over a loudspeaker as Ratchet fell to the ground.

"Medical Officer Ratchet, I'm a friend," he groaned. "I'm an Autobot."

"Then why are you running?" Asked James Savoy, the second-in-command of the group.

"Optimus, sent ... This distress message." Ratchet replied before clicking a button on his shoulder which played a message from the leader of the Autobots.

"Calling all Cybertronians, calling all Cybertronians. We are under target attack, cease all contact with humans."

"We are all hiding, all Autobots and Decepticons are being hunted, we are all in danger." Cried Ratchet.

"I lost a sister in Chicago," replied James, "you'll get no sympathy from me."

Suddenly a shot went off, hitting Ratchet through the chest before he fell backwards. Cemetery Wind opened fire on him and blasted him to pieces with bullets and missiles, as Ratchet only asked why they were attacking him. Eventually he couldn't take anymore and was left as a mangled body on the ground. Metal and Energon fell off of him as he had no more strength to move.

Suddenly a gray figure approached Ratchet, cracking his neck before saying, "he's mine now."

"L-Lockdown ..." Said Ratchet.

"Autobots, Decepticons, they wage a couple million year long war and think because they are in peace time that the blood they shed and the people the killed will just accept it and go away. If you did it before, you will do it again, and I will not clean up your mess again. So there is one way you survive, tell me where Optimus Prime and Megatron are."

Ratchet, with what little strength he had left. Looked Lockdown in the optics and said only one word. "Never."

"As you wish," replied Lockdown before his hand transformed into a circle of spikes that he drove into Rachet's chest before ripping out his Spark. Killing him before the Spark slowly faded away. As Ratchet went into the Well of Allsparks.

Meanwhile, far away in Texas. An old rusty truck was being looked after by a struggling inventor named Cade Yeagar. Who during the night he had spent working on the truck, had discovered it was a Transformer. He didn't know which one it was, but he was certainly surprised. He figured it wasn't a Decepticon as it had received a message from Optimus Prime. About going into hiding from humans.

Cade still wanted answers however, and in the morning approached his daughter Tessa and his friend Lucas Flannery about it. Who told him to get rid of it, but against Cade's better judgment he decided to finish repairing it with Lucas help. But during the repairs Cade pulled a missile from the trucks engine out, afterward the missile went off and flew into his house. Luckily not exploding.

"Dad!" Called Tessa as she hurried over to her father's barn, "there's a missile ... In the family room."

Before Cade could react, the truck suddenly transformed into robot mode. It was Optimus, badly injured as he struggled to stand. Yelling out for the humans to stay back or he'd kill them. Tessa ran into the barn, before backing away from Optimus as Cade shielded her from his giant cannon. Lucas tried to run, before Optimus knocked him to the ground with a blow to the head.

"Easy human," Optimus said as he used all of his energy to stand, with Lucas rubbing his forehead in pain.

"It's okay now, a missile hit your engine," said Cade, "and we took it out of you. You're hurt real bad, you're in my home now I'm an engineer, my name is Cade Yeager."

"Cade," said Optimus as he wiped Energon from his lip. "I am in your debt, my name is Optimus Prime. My Autobots, they're in danger!" Cried Optimus as he tried to leave before nearly falling to the ground to which a piece of his head fell off. Energon poured from his ear as he told Cade he needed to leave.

"How far do you think you're gonna get?" Asked Cade as he slowly approached Optimus, "what happened to you?"

"An ambush, a trap, set by humans." Coughed Optimus.

"But ... If you're on our side, why would humans hurt you?" Asked Tessa.

"They were not alone, my Autobots can ... Repair me."

"Yeah ... If you can reach them, what if I helped you?" Replied Cade as Optimus took a seat.

Meanwhile, an old MACK M915 Line-Haul Replacement Tractor was parked in a truck stop. Near the Texas and Mexico boarder. When suddenly it picked up a blip on it's built in radar. "I've found you," thought the Cybertronian in disguise before it drove away.

It took many hours before the truck arrived at Cade Yeager's house, to which it transformed into robot mode and with a shotgun blew a hole in Cade's barn doorway. Surprising Cade and Optimus from inside as Tessa watched from outside her house. Too scared to do anything.

"They've found me," said Optimus, "hide Cade!" Optimus stood up, armed and ready as Cade took cover. But Optimus soon lowered his gun as he saw the face of an old enemy turned friend of his. One he used to call his brother. "Megatron?" Asked Optimus.

"Yes Prime," sneered Megatron, "it has been sometime hasn't it?" The old leader looked very similar to how he did five years ago, but now sported a fixed face and black cloak instead of a tan one.

"M-Megatron?" Asked Cade as he nervously stepped out of hiding.

"Human!" Cried Megatron as he pointed his shotgun at Cade, before Optimus quickly told him to stop. "Why?" Asked Megatron.

"Because this human saved my life. I owe him and his family." Replied Optimus as Megatron shook his head.

"You don't owe these flesh-bags anything!" Retorted Megatron, "they've killed dozens of our kind, we should've killed them all back in Chicago."

"Why are you here?" Asked Prime, "I thought you went to find our home planet."

"I was, until I picked up your message. I returned to this planet with a few of my Decepticons and I assumed you were offline since I couldn't pick up your energy signature. But then I picked up your life sign, and I knew you were online. So I came here to find you."

"You ... have been looking for me?" Asked Optimus weakly.

"Yes, because I wondered what had happened to you and why you sent your message out."

"Who among your army is with you?" Asked Optimus.

"Barricade is, as he's my new second-in-command after Starscream perished at the Battle of Chicago. I have also been joined by Nitro Zeus and Mohawk, all of whom are helping me out here while Thundercracker is leading my army to find Cybertron. Have you found any of your Autobots?"

"No, I have not. I don't know if any of them are still online."

Megatron then peered down to Cade, "if you helped Optimus then you are my ally too. But don't think for even a second that I'll go offline for you. Do you understand?"

"Y-Yeah ... same goes for me then." Replied Cade worriedly.

Megatron smirked, "I like you human, you're easy to agree with. How are the repairs on Optimus going?"

"Well he can fight now, but I wouldn't recommend he do anything crazy." Cade replied as he heard his daughter yell from outside of their house.

Cade rushed outside as Optimus and Megatron hide beneath Cade's barn. Cade saw all black vehicles approaching, knowing it meant trouble. Unbeknownst to Cade, but his own friend had sold out Optimus to Cemetery Wind. Blow the barn, Optimus and Megatron could hear everything above, about how Cemetery Wind was looking for Optimus and how he had cost Amercan lives.

Optimus grumbled below the barn as dust flew onto him. "We should leave these humans, Optimus." Whispered Megatron, "they're not worth going offline for."

"These humans helped me," Optimus whispered back, "I will not leave them."

"As you wish, Prime," replied Megatron as the two suddenly heard the cries of Cade's daughter, begging for her life as Cade told Cemetery Wind not to kill his little girl.

But just as she was about to die, Optimus and Megatron exploded from their hideout. Hurrying outside and blasting at Cemetery Wind. Both going for the kill. "Here we are!" Cried Optimus as Harold was surprised upon seeing Megatron there with them.

"Get out of there!" Harold told his agents from HQ, "now! Let Lockdown deal with them."

The agents did their best to run and hide from Optimus and Megatron while the helicopters above fired upon them. Knocking Optimus to the ground before Megatron shot them out of the air. He helped Optimus to his feet before Optimus told Cade and his family to leave as they would die otherwise. Cade quickly complied, taking one of Cemetery Wind's drones he had found on the ground before running away from his house with Tessa and Lucas. Before a race car suddenly arrived with the driver telling them to get inside.

It was Tessa's secret boyfriend that she had been hiding from her father, the group hurried away from Cemetery Wind as Megatron and Optimus tried to outrun Lockdown. But it was fruitless and the two eventually arrived at a cargo depot where they began fighting with the bounty hunter. Doing a tag team sort of match, when one was knocked down the other would step in. They weren't trying to kill Lockdown just yet, but just trying to get him off of them. As they were in no condition to go all out just yet.

During the fight, Lockdown used his hook hand to stab Megatron's shoulder and throw him off of one of the buildings they were fighting on. With him landing on a few Cemetery Wind vehicles. Optimus used this opportunity to blast Lockdown off of the roof, disorienting him before he jumped off of the roof and told Megatron he was going to find the humans.

Megatron agreed to this and hurried away from Optimus, making sure Lockdown followed after him while Optimus found the humans. He quickly caught up to them in vehicle mode, honking his horn as they ran to him. But before they could all make it there, Lockdown appeared above them and threw a grenade before Megatron could tackle him off of the roof. The grenade went off, turning the ground around them into molten metal. Which killed Lucas in the process, however Cade, Tessa, and Tessa's boyfriend Shane managed to get into Optimus cab.

"You tried to save the humans before yourself? You bring shame to your cause." Said Lockdown as he pinned Megatron to the ground.

"I wasn't protecting them you fool, I was protecting Prime." Replied Megatron as he blasted Lockdown off of himself.

Lockdown went flying into a building before Megatron transformed and drove away. Lockdown was furious upon losing his targets, but found joy in taunting the now deceased Lucas in his vehicle mode. Meanwhile, Optimus and Megatron drove far away from the battle site. Hiding in the Texas desert. Once they made it to an abandoned gas station, Cade, Tessa, and Shane exited Prime before he and Megatron transformed into robot mode.

"My deepest apologies for the loss of your friend," said Prime as he bowed his head, "stay here till we make sure we weren't followed. We are all targets now." Optimus and Megatron then transformed into vehicle mode and drove away.

...

After hours of searching, they figured they had not been followed. Transforming to robot mode far away from where the humans were located. Neither saying a word to each other till that moment before Megatron broke the ice.

"I am sorry for what these humans have done to your troops, Prime."

"They are more than my troops, Megatron. They are my friends, my ... family. I would lay down my life for them."

"You already have before," chuckled Megatron, "remember?"

"Yes, yes, I do remember. It was not a fun day when I went offline."

"Mhm ... I'm sorry, Prime, for everything I have done to you and your ... family."

"Saying sorry is not going to fix anything, Megatron. I can never forgive you for the past, but ... I can thank you in the present."

"Thank me?" Asked Megatron.

"Yes, thank you for coming to my rescue. I appreciate it."

"Oh ... of course, Optimus. We may be shaky allies, but we will always be brothers."

"Yes, yes, we will Megatron." Replied Optimus as he looked up at the now darkening sky, as if he could see Cybertron in the sky. "I long to go home, Megatron. I miss our home."

"Me too, Prime," replied Megatron, "once we kill who's behind this and these humans ... then we can finally be free to return home."

Optimus turned to Megatron, "I will kill the person behind this for what he or she has done, but I will not allow one innocent human to die Megatron."

Megatron snarled at Prime, "when will you get it through that thick processor of yours, Prime? These humans don't care for you, and we will never be safe until they are all dead."

"No ... that's not the way this should end, Megatron." Replied Optimus as he looked at the ground.

"Maybe you don't think that now, Prime, but eventually ... you will." Replied Megatron as he transformed into vehicle mode and left to return to the humans.

Prime merely looked at his old brother, solemnly, thinking about how Megatron was wrong and that not all humans were evil. But in the back of Optimus processor, he was, for the first time in his life cycle. Second guessing himself and questioning if protecting these humans was truly the right thing to do.

Chapter Text

After regrouping with the humans, Optimus, Cade, Tessa, and Shane were surveying over an ATM with Cade using one of the drones he had taken from Cemetery Wind to try and use his credit card. As excepted it didn't work, signaling to him and the group that they truly were alone and cut off from the world. In any case the group made it out into the Texas desert where no one could find them. There Optimus sent out a message.

"Calling all Autobots, calling all Autobots." Said the message as Optimus later scanned a white Western Star truck transforming into the new vehicle as Megatron returned to the group. He had gone off on his own to scan a black Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit with purple windows. Megatron zoomed overhead as another jet zoomed right next to him. Cade, Tessa, and Shane were worried but Optimus reassured them that it was on their side. A voice then called out, echoing around the area.

"He's back! He's alive! Optimus is here!" Cried the voice of Hound as he shot into the sky.

"At last, there is hope, after all." Said Drift a few yards away from Hound before he transformed into his helicopter alternate mode and flew after Optimus.

Optimus and Megatron rode for a little bit longer, before stopping in front of a rock face where Crosshairs ran up to them. "Yeah! Mr. Leader of the free galaxy is back! I knew you'd make it, I never doubted you." Crosshairs said as Drift flew down to him before transforming and landing next to him.

Megatron suddenly flew down to them before transforming. To which Crosshairs and Drift backed away slowly. Surprised upon seeing the leader of the Decepticons.

"Never thought I would see your face again, Megatron." Said Drift.

"Ah, Deadlock," smiled Megatron, "I thought you went offline after you betrayed my army."

"I am Drift, and I didn't betray you, I just found the right path."

Megatron chuckled, "Drift is it then? Whatever, under my command you were Deadlock and so that is what I will call you." Drift crossed his arms as Crosshairs snarled at Megatron in response.

Cade, Tessa, and Shane exited Optimus as the figure of Bumblebee came over a hill and approached the group. With Hound walking over from behind Optimus, as the the jet came down and transformed into Nitro Zeus. Two other figure's could soon be seen behind Bumblebee, them being Barricade and Mohawk. With Barricade having a different body than what the Autobots were used too.

Optimus suddenly transformed to his knight-like robot mode after the group of Autobots and Decepticons surrounded him. "Humans have asked us to play by their rules," said Optimus, "well ... The rules have just changed."

"Human being's, bunch of back stabbing weasels." Said Hound.

"I'll second that," cried Nitro Zeus.

"Hound, find your inner compass. Loyalty is but a flower in the winds of fear and temptation." Said Drift.

"What the hell are you saying?" Retorted Hound.

"It's a Haiku," replied Drift.

"Cut the crap before I drop a grenade down your throat." Cried Hound as he grabbed Drift before Drift pulled his swords and pointed them at Hound's neck.

"Try it, you'll be dead." Replied Drift as Nitro Zeus chuckled.

"You know what, it'll save us so much some time." Said Bumblebee.

"Well raise your hand it your thoroughly disenchanted with our pleasant Earth vacation." Replied Crosshairs, "so who's the stowaways." He cried, pointing a gun at Cade and his family.

"Woah what's with the gun!?" Cried Cade as he held his hands up, as well as trying to block the gun barrel from Tessa.

"Stop Hound! All of you!" Cried Optimus as Hound and Nitro Zeus pointed their guns at the humans. "They risked their lives for mine, we owe them."

"Yes, lay off of the humans. They are apparently good ones." Said Megatron as he crossed his arms.

The group was surprised to hear Megatron say this, especially his Decepticons. "Whoa ... I never thought I'd hear you say something like that Megatron." Said Barricade.

"It's Lord Megatron to you Barricade, and I'm not defending these vermin, just stating the facts. They did help save Prime's life from being extinguished, so we do owe them. Whether we like it or not."

The group nodded before Optimus ordered Mohawk and Bumblebee to set up a camp. It took awhile for the sun to set, and during that time the last Cybertronians talked amongst each other. Talking about their stories and how they survived this long. Barricade told them about how he got his new body and new 1970's Ford Torino police car alternate mode. Before Hound told them about his, Mohawks, Drift's, and Crosshairs pleasant welcome visit to Earth. Being hunted down by Cemetery Wind.

Bumblebee also told the Autobots about his previous encounter with Lockdown, and how Sam and Carly were both dead. A fact Optimus suspected but, hoped wasn't true. Which led to Optimus asking the big question the Cybertronians were dreading. "So ... There's been no sign of any others?"

"No ... We are all that's left," replied Drift.

"They're picking us off one by one." Added Crosshairs.

"We're the last of the last, and you just joined the club." Continued Hound.

The humans also talked amongst themselves, talking about how they were going to survive and hide from Cemetery Wind. With Cade and Shane clearly not getting along. Before Drift told Optimus about how Bumblebee had taken command of the Autobots in his absence.

"Despite his total lack of anything resembling leadership." Drift added as Bumblebee rolled his eyes.

Megatron soon began laughing, catching the attention of everyone there. "This ... This ... Scout, took over your group, Prime? This is bad comedy." Bumblebee couldn't take the insults anymore and stood up, telling Megatron about how he was going to kick his ass. Megatron chuckled at this. "Bring it on buzz boy." Bumblebee threw a punch, one Megatron dodged before grabbing onto Bumblebee and getting him into a headlock on his knees, "and this is why you will never be leader."

Megatron then released him as Barricade, Mohawk, and Nitro Zeus laughed.

"Walk it off punk ass Autobot," chuckled Mohawk as Optimus grunted, silencing the Decepeticons.

"Autobots, Decepticons, we need to get serious now. Lockdown is hunting us, and humans are helping. We need to know why."

"Well I don't know why, but I think who." Said Cade before he showed the group the drone he had taken.

Through this drone, he projected the memory bank of the drone through Drift's vehicle mode. Showing the Autobots the deaths of Leadfoot, Ratchet, Sideswipe, and Dreadbot. Hound, Mohawk, Megatron, and Nitro Zeus held their hands over where their Sparks were hidden in respect.

"Savages," said Hound as Nitro Zeus nodded.

"You said it," continued Zeus.

Cade then explained how he had figured out that the dead Cybertronians were being shipped off to a company called KSI. Cade told them about how KSI was in Chicago and how they should raid them. To see what was truly going on in there.

"Autobots, Decepticons, I have sworn to never killed humans." Said Optimus.

"Big mistake," replied Hound.

Optimus ignored him, "But when I find out who's behind this, he's going to pay."

The Autobots and Decepticons shouted in agreement at Optimus words. The humans slept inside of Optimus that night, as the Autobots and Decepticons rested up for tomorrow, where they would travel to Chicago. It took many hours, but they eventually arrived in the big city. Hiding out in an abandoned church, while the humans spied on the company from afar. In order to better plan a secret brake in.

The humans and Cybertronians eventually made a plan to have Bumblebee and Barricade enter into KSI with the fake ID's Bumblebee had made them. Cade rode in Bumblebee while Shane rode in Barricade. Once inside KSI, they found the room of Stinger. A KSI prototype. Bumblebee was angry at the insults being thrown his way from the screen's around the room. Which talked about how Stinger was Bumblebee, but better in everyway.

Barricade laughed at Bumblebee's anger, which he took out by burning out around the room. Catching the attention of the KSI CEO, Joshua Joyce as he led a tour group past them. He luckily only told them off and didn't realize that Bumblebee and Barricade were Cybertronian. After Joshua left, Cade left the group alone to look around KSI.

Bumblebee and Barricade took this opportunity to transform, in order to better look at Stinger. Barricade commented about how Stinger looked like Bee to which Bumblebee knocked Stinger over after the screens around the room called him an antique. Bumblebee taunted Stinger before a group of KSI works neared the scene.

"You idiot, Bee!" Cried Barricade as he and Bumblebee transformed into vehicle mode, leading to Shane getting in trouble with a KSI worker.

...

Later, Joshua met with Harold Attinger outside of the melting room. Discussing with him about how he needed more Transformium to make his prototypes and how Lockdown should hand over an object called the Seed.

"There, might be a slight complication with that plan." Replied Harold.

"Complication? No, at KSI we don't use words like that." Joshua laughed off.

"This is serious, a human group harboring the Autobot leader captured one of our drones. Meaning, they may know of your involvement."

Joshua's face went slack, "what?" He asked.

"There's more, the Decepticons have returned to Earth, and have made contact with Optimus Prime's crew. Meaning our two biggest enemies are now one."

"Then you've got a problem on your hands, so go deal with it." Joshua replied before hurrying away.

...

Meanwhile, Cade had found the melting room of KSI. Where they were making their prototypes and something they called Transformium. There Cade also saw the melted head of Ratchet. A grizzly sight that he shared with the other's nearby KSI. Bumblebee and Barricade rode up to the group with Shane inside of Bee. There they got to see Ratchet's melted head. Along with the other melted remains of Leadfoot and Sideswipe, their faces now unrecognizable due to them being too melted down.

"They ... They slaughtered Ratchet ... I'm gonna tear them apart!" Cried Optmius as he destroyed a nearby lamppost. Bumblebee and the others sped away after Optimus told them to go to KSI. Megatron transformed into robot mode to consult Optimus. Telling him to calm down. "No ... He ... He was my friend," cried Optimus.

"I get that, Prime."

"No you don't, you don't have any true friends. Your soldiers are just disposable goons to you, not your long time friends."

Megatron tried to respond, but he knew Prime was right. The only true friend he ever had was Prime himself. But their friendship was beyond strained after Megatron turned against his old brother-in-arms. Optimus transformed and raced after his soldiers before Megatron did the same, tailing behind them.

Unfortunately for the group, Cade had been found out and was being currently interrogated by Harold Attinger after being captured. Harold asked him where Optmius Prime was. But Optimus was closer than Harold had originally thought. As below the building, Bumblebee in his new SS-2014 Chevrolet Camaro concept alternate mode and Barricade in his new New-look Ford Mustang police car alternate mode smashed into the KSI lobby with Drift taking Bumblebee up to the floor Cade was on.

Causing Harold to take cover as Bee kicked in the window from the elevator shaft, allowing Cade to jump onto him. Below the duo, Optimus, Hound, Crosshairs, Megatron, Nitro Zeus, and Mohawk crashed into a different part of the KSI building. Destroying whatever they could find along their way. The group eventually made their way inside of the building room for KSI bot prototypes.

"Autobots! Destroy the lab!" Cried Optimus.

"Yeah let's kick their asses!" Cried Nitro Zeus as an old ally of the Autobots called out to them from inside a clear box.

"Guys! It's me! Break me outta this Frankenstein box!" Cried Brains.

"Hey!" Called a voice as countless KSI workers ran away from the Autobots and Decepticons. The voice came from Joshua Joyce as he approached the group. "Stop! That's company property!"

"They're not your property!" Cried Optimus, silencing Joshua. "They were my friends."

Megatron and Hound quickly held their guns on Joshua as Brains climbed across Hound's arm. "Oh you ain't talking so much now. You got Hound and Megs in front of you, huh?"

"Go ahead," replied Joshua, "show us your true colors once and for all."

"I've heard enough, you'll die for what you have done to my army!" Cried Megatron as Optimus told him to stop.

"I want to hear him out Megatron." Optimus replied as Megatron growled.

"I technically haven't done anything to your army, and even if I did it was inevitable." Replied Joshua.

"What do you mean?" Asked Optimus as he leaned down to Joshua.

"What I mean is that ... You all came here, without our approval and then you brought your war here too. Killing hundreds if not thousands of us. Finally you bring your planet here, it has become clear to me and many other people that you don't care what happens to us as long as it benefits you."

"That is not true, me and my Autobots defended you humans. Some of them even died for your species." Retorted Optimus as he stood back up straight.

"That may be true, but one of your Autobots also lead to the deaths of countless innocent people. If you remember, your mentor. Sentinal Prime."

Optimus stopped talking, remembering what Sentinal had done to both his Autobots and the humans of Earth. He had killed so many, but he was defeated by Optimus and Megatron. Although this did not change the fact that thousands were dead and Optimus closest friends, Ironhide and Wheeljack, were now one with the Well of Allsparks.

"Don't listen to him, Prime," Megatron cut in, breaking Optimus from his thoughts. "we stopped Sentinal Prime, we defended these worthless people and this is how they repay us. By hunting us down."

"You may have killed Sentinal Prime. But you yourself were once evil and what would happen if another powerful Autobot turned against you, Prime, and tried to kill us all over again? That is why our race will never be safe until you are all gone."

Optimus leaned down to Joshua, thinking of his next words carefully. "The world will know what you're doing here, and they will hate you for it."

"Hate us for it?" Asked Joshua, astounded at Primes words. "The world will approve, we can make you, you know. Don't you get it? We don't need you anymore."

Optimus stood back up straight again, unable to respond to the words he had heard. "... Autobots ... We're done." Prime said as he began to walk away.

"What ... We're just going to leave him here!? He killed our brothers!" Cried Megatron.

"I don't care Megatron, killing him isn't going to bring them back. Besides, I'm tired of fighting. Now is the time for us to leave these people alone."

"But, Prime-"

"We're leaving, let's go Autobots." Optimus interrupted as Megatron stopped talking.

Megatron looked down to Joshua before scoffing and leaving with the rest of the Autobots.

"Megatron, we're ... We're not just going to leave these skin bags alive?" Asked Nitro Zeus.

"Yes, and if you question my orders then you'll pay. Do you understand?"

Nitro Zeus immediately went silent, nodding to Megatron before he and Mohawk followed their leader out of the laboratory. But Harold wasn't finished with the Autobots, telling Joshua about sending out his new prototype to go kill the Autobots and Decepticons.

"No, it's never been tested in a situation like this." Replied Joshua as he and Harold walked down a KSI hallway, with employee's scurrying around to try and asses the aftermath of the Transformer invasion.

"Down there was an attack, a targeted attack. This is now a CIA-military OP. You need to respond!" Replied Harold sternly as the two stopped walking.

Joshua paused, realizing Harold was probably right. He needed to show the Autobots and Decepticons that it was the humans world. Not the Cybertronians. Joshua turned to a nearby employee. "Go bring up Stinger, and Galvatron."

"Right away sir," replied the nervous employee as he hurried away.

Chapter Text

Both the Autobots and Decepticons were racing down the highway, but unbeknownst to them, KSI was watching their every movement from the skies. With two of their most powerful prototypes in hot pursuit. Galvatron and Stinger. The two were only a few miles ahead of the group of Cybertronians. Being controlled by the humans, they stopped moving before Galvatron was programed to transform. Splitting into thousands of small cube shaped pieces that reshaped from truck to robot. He slid a crossed the highway road, and missed multiple cars before coming to a stop.

"What the hell is that?" Asked Shane from inside of Bumblebee as Tessa from the backseat and Cade from the driver's side watched Galvatron appear before them.

Galvatron then stood up before his right arm reshaped into a gun that fired a barrage of missiles at the Cybertronians. They all scattered as Optimus and Megatron ordered their troops to disperse and confuse the enemies. Mohawk, Drift, Hound, Barricade, and Crosshairs raced away from Stinger as Nitro Zeus transformed and began firing upon Galvatron. But the bullets didn't do much against Galvatron who blasted Nitro to the ground, prepared to finish him off before Megatron tackled Galvatron to the ground.

"Nitro! Get the Decepticons out of here! Now!" Screamed Megatron as he pinned Galvatron to the ground.

"Aw come on I was just getting started!" Nitro fired back as Megatron held Galvatron upright and blasted him through the chest. Causing Galvatron to fall to the ground as pieces fell off of him.

"Go you idiot!" Megatron cried as he stared into Nitro Zeus eye. Scarring the poor Decepticon into retreating.

Megatron then peered down at Galvatron who's chest began to regenerate back into itself. "This fool won't go down so easy it seems." Thought Megatron as Galvatron kicked Megatron onto his back. Galvatron quickly stood up before preparing to finish off Megatron by blowing his head to pieces.

"No! Don't kill him!" Cried Harold from the KSI control room.

"What why?" Asked Joshua.

"My asset needs him and Prime alive, tell Galvatron to go for Yeager and his family."

A tech looked to Joshua before getting approval to pull Galvatron back. Galvatron retreated from his fight with Megatron to go after Optimus, Bumblebee, and the Yeagar family. Megatron was stunned before realizing why this machine would retreat.

"No ..." Megatron said, before transforming and racing after Galvatron.

But he was far behind the KSI robot's enhanced speed, speed which allowed him to catch up to Prime and Bumblebee in no time. Firing missiles at the two, they missed but caused Optimus and Bumblebee to jump in the air to avoid them. Transforming into robot mode, with Bee tossing Cade, Shane, and Tessa to Prime as he crashed through a semi truck's trailer.

Optimus transformed into vehicle mode with the humans, while Bumblebee stayed behind to fire at Galvatron. Who dodge the cannon fire by transforming from robot mode to vehicle mode. Completely bypassing Bumblebee. Bumblebee was in complete surprise at the scene, before Megatron caught up to him. Transforming to robot mode and asking Bumblebee what had happened.

Bumblebee explained to the best his voice box would allow before Megatron nodded. "Go find the other's, I'll deal with this misfit." Megatron replied before transforming to vehicle mode and racing away.

But he wouldn't get there in time, as Optimus was already being fired upon by Galvatron. Who used the last of his missiles to blast Optimus back into robot mode. Causing Tessa to eject behind him while Cade and Shane escaped out of the side door of Optimus.

Optimus glared daggers at Galvatron before equipping his battle mask and engaging with Galvatron, doing his best to keep Tessa out of the crossfire. But Galvatron was tough for a man-made machine. Pushing Optimus to the ground before Optimus punched him back off of him. Pulling out his Energon Blade, Optimus engaged with Galvatron once again. Stabbing at him, but the stab only going into Galvatron's rotating chest hole.

"You have no soul!" Cried Optimus as Galvatron sneered at Prime before grabbing his head and throwing him to the ground.

Galvatron then fired upon Optimus, who managed to endure the gunfire before punching Galvatron a crossed the face. Stunning him enough for Optimus to overpower him and knock him to the ground. Optimus repeatedly landed blow after blow onto the prototype's head, ready to go in for the kill before the shell of a bullet went through his chest. Energon flying out of his back as he cried out in pain.

Tessa, Cade, and Shane looked over to see the figure and spaceship of Lockdown. Slowly walking towards the damaged Prime with his Gun Head Mode. Lockdown fired another blast at Optimus, severely wounding him and sending him onto his back.

"That's the asset I was talking about," Harold said in the KSI Tech Facility. "Pull Galvatron back."

"Do it," Joshua immediately replied before a tech did so. Recalling both Galvatron and Stinger back to KSI.

Galvatron raced past Prime as Lockdown reshaped his head back to normal. Tessa crouched near Prime's head, telling him to get up. But Prime shook his head.

"I can't, stay hidden." Prime replied as Tessa hid behind a nearby damaged car.

"I feel sorry for you Prime, with these humans and all. The trouble with loyalty to a cause, is that the cause, will always betray you." Lockdown said as he bent down to Prime.

"Who ... Who sent you here?" Prime asked, still hurt from his wounds.

"Where do you think you came from?" Chuckled Lockdown, "you think you were born? No ... You were built and your creators want you back. We all work for someone." Lockdown then turned around to see Megatron approaching him. "Ah there's the other one." Smiled Lockdown as he stood up.

"Megatron run!" Screamed Optimus as Megatron transformed and tackled Lockdown to the ground.

"Megatron never runs!" Cried the gladiator as he and Lockdown wrestled on the ground.

Blasts and fists went flying as Tessa took this opportunity to run from the car towards her father. Cade and Shane embraced Tessa before Cade cried for Tessa to look out. All three barely dodging Lockdown being thrown at them by Megatron.

"Leave humans! This is no place for you!" Cried Megatron as Lockdown pulled out his hook hand and grabbed onto Megatron. Throwing him to the ground with it before blasting him backward.

"This is no place for anyone right now." Said Lockdown as he turned to the humans. "Harold said I could eliminate you if I found you, so I will." Sneered Lockdown as he reloaded his gun before aiming it at the running Yeager family.

He was first aiming at Tessa, Shane noticed this and in a split second decision. Turned to Tessa and pushed her out of the way after calling out her name. Lockdown soon fired, blowing a hole through Shane, as his body went flying into a nearby embankment. He was dead before he hit the ground, Tessa cried out in anguish through tears in her eyes as Cade looked on at the dead man. His mind trying to process it all.

But Lockdown wasn't giving him the chance to think, instead trying to fire upon Cade before Megatron blasted him to the ground. Lockdown turned to Megatron.

"Your fight is with me bounty hunter." Megatron snarled as Lockdown rushed towards his combatant. Knocking him to the ground.

"And so it is," Lockdown said as he transformed his hand into a blade before stabbing Megatron through the chest. Not fatally wounding him, but injuring him greatly. Megatron fell to a knee before Lockdown blasted him through the chest. Greatly wounding Megatron as Energon dripped from his wound.

Cade and Tessa hid below an embankment near the road, watching as Lockdown put nets around Optimus and Megatron that were shot from his spaceship. Capturing the two as he flew away soon after.

Cade and Tessa waited in that embankment for many minutes, not thinking of anything other than the death of Shane and the capture of Optimus and Megatron. Tessa wouldn't even speak, too traumatized by the event. Her silence was like a burden on Cade's own heart, seeing how much pain his daughter was going through. Eventually though, the roar of engines and the blare of a police siren were heard. Walking out of the enbankment, Cade and Tessa saw the approaching Autobots and Decepticons. They all transformed to robot mode, with Crosshairs asking the two what had happened.

"They're gone," said Cade as Tessa turned away from the Cybertronians. "That guy took them."

"Lockdown," said Drift as Hound shook his head.

"Son of a bitch," he said, "damn wuss had to leave."

Barricade then noticed the dead body of Shane, lying with his eyes now closed and a burnt hole through his clothes and stomach.

"He killed your human friend didn't he?" Asked Barricade to which Tessa nodded.

"Damn savage," Hound added.

"So where do you think they are?" Asked Crosshairs.

"Could be anywhere now," replied Mohawk, "damn mofo is a bounty hunter after all."

Suddenly a voice came through Barricade's communicator. "Nitro? Nitro Zeus is that you?" Asked Barricade.

"Yeah it's me, listen, I've been tracking Lockdown for awhile now and he's heading to Chicago. He has boss man and Prime with him."

"Yeah we know, great work tracking them. Keep an eye on him while we get there."

"Copy that chief." Replied Nitro as he hung up.

"We're moving out guys," called Barricade, "to Chicago."

The group began walking away before Bumblebee turned to the humans, asking them what they wanted to do. Both the Autobots and Decepticons waited in anticipation as to what the humans would say.

"We're not going," said Cade, "it's too dangerous."

"No, no we're going." Replied Tessa, waving her dad away.

"No we're not Tessa," replied Cade.

"Shut it dad! He killed my boyfriend! He's going to pay!" Tessa cried through tears, "besides we're still targets so what else are we supposed to do."

"Me and Bumblebee can keep you all safe," said Drift as Bumblebee nodded.

"No I'm going onto his ship." Tessa said before Cade grabbed her by the shoulders.

"No you're not! I'm not losing you! Shane died to protect you! Do you really want all his hard work to go down the toilet!?" Cred Cade with tears beginning to flow from his eyes.

Tessa paused, unable to answer, before bursting into tears and embracing her father. Bumblebee and Drift surrounded the humans as the rest of the Cybertronians left to rescue their friends.

On Lockdown's ship, Lockdown was walking with the downed Megatron and Optimus. Taking them to their new cells. "You two remember this ship right? The Knight's Temenos. For all you knights, you great crusaders. To explore the universe. Well I've commandeered it, it's my personal prison now!"

"You have disgraced it," mumbled Prime as he and Megatron were thrown into their cells.

Lockdown grabbed onto Prime's chin, "the creators want to sweep their chessboard clean, all this species mixing with species. They don't like it. It upsets the cosmic balance. That's why they want you two, and the Dinobots back. To do Primus knows what with you." Lockdown then stood up. "Unfortunately I couldn't gather Sentinel Prime due to you two, nor can I fix this planet's involvement with our kind. The creators are merciful, they don't want to bring harm to this retched planet so they told me to leave it alone and help it's development."

Megatron then laughed, to which Lockdown exited Prime's cell and entered his. "What is so funny fugitive scum?" Asked Lockdown.

"That you think the creators don't want to kill you after this is all done?" Megatron smiled before Lockdown put a hook hand to his chin.

"They created me to deal with your kind, I didn't betray them nor will I ever."

"What about my Autobots, why don't the creators want them?" Asked Optimus to which Lockdown exited Megatron's cell and approached Optimus.

"They don't want them because they see no point in having them back. So they want me to kill them."

"I ... Won't let them," Optimus replied as Lockdown chuckled.

"We shall see ... Prime," replied Lockdown as he walked away.

Optimus and Megatron were left alone with Grimlock, Slug, Scorn, and Strafe. Left to think of the future, Megatron kept his usual non caring persona on full display. But on the inside processor he was extremely worried about dealing with his creators that he had never known before. He knew about Primus, but not about any other creator. So he had a Spark feeling of worry.

Optimus was the same, although he showed his worry. Worry for his friends and comrades, the Autobots. He was worried for their safety and for what the creators would do to them. He had already lost so many to Cemetery Wind, so to him, even Primus himself could not stop Optimus from saving the remaining one's. That was for certain.

Chapter Text

Lockdown's ship was currently floating over the city of Chicago, making everyone below panic, with the helpless citizens thinking it was a Decepticon attack. But Lockdown's ship stayed stagnant, with the Autobots and Decepticons approaching the ship below the city.

James Savoy and a group of Cemetery Wind agents were flying near Lockdown's ship in a helicopter. They were watching the ship and awaiting orders from Harold to go inside. Suddenly James pressed down on a button on his earpiece before hearing orders from Harold to go inside the ship.

"Copy that sir," replied James before he signaled to the helicopter pilot to go inside of Lockdown's ship.

The pilot nodded before maneuvering the helicopter near an opening in the side deck of the ship. Below the ship, the Autobots and Decepticons drove toward a part of the ship that was close to the ground. They all transformed into robot mode before staring up at the ship as the people around them ran away from them.

"Should we go up in there?" Asked Crosshairs towards Hound.

"Yeah, let's move." Hound replied as the Autobots and Decepticons hurried up the building near where the ship was hovering.

Above them, the Cemetery Wind agents begun landing into Lockdown's ship with a huge black wrap to carry some kind of special object. Lockdown soon approached the group, with Nitro Zeus watching from afar within Lockdown's ship.

"As much as I've enjoyed the hunt, I won't miss your wretched planet. Our deal is done, two leaders for one Seed." Lockdown said, kneeling down and handing the agents a big metal seed-like object. "Handle it with care," Lockdown continued as he stood back up and the Cemetery Wind agents put the object into the wrap before loading it onto the helicopter.

"I don't believe it," Nitro Zeus thought to himself, "it can't be one of those things."

"I hope your species is ready," Lockdown told James Savoy.

"Don't worry about our species," was all James said in return as Lockdown scoffed.

"Farewell then, Earth."

The agents left the ship soon afterward and Nitro went into hiding, prepared to share his discovery with the others. Who by this point had infiltrated Lockdown's spaceship, crawling in from an exhaust port above.

"We're behind enemy lines now," cried Hound, "Lockdown's ship has booby traps, eyes open."

"Beware of all the death traps this guy's got," added Barricade before a tentacle from one of Lockdown's prisoners tried to wrap itself around him. But Barricade reacted quickly, dodging the tentacle before shooting the creature. "I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" Cried Barricade as he killed the creature.

Crosshairs shuddered before sighing, "well we looked, they're not here, let's go."

"Where do you think you're going?" Asked Mohawk.

"I'm doing the smart thing and leaving before I join the Well of Allsparks." Replied Crosshairs before he turned away, however he didn't get far as Hound held a gun in front of his face.

"The smart thing, would be to stay, before I put a bullet in you. We're getting the bosses back, copy?" Hound muttered as Crosshairs backed off.

"Yeah, yeah ... we're good." replied Crosshairs as Hound scoffed.

"This guy's on your team?" Commented Barricade as Mohawk chuckled.

"Of course you're talking so much when you got big guns over here." Said Crosshairs as he approached Barricade.

"At least I ain't a coward like you, I wouldn't leave my boss to die."

"Oh yeah, some boss of yours Megatron is."

"What is that supposed to me?" Barricade asked, squinting his eyes as he and Crosshairs stared each other down.

"Alright little girls, break it up, we're wasting time. Prime and Megs are in danger and Lockdown is gonna leave this planet. We can't have that, Mohawk and Barricade, I want you two to go sabotage the ship's launching sequence, keep it on the ground."

Barricade and Crosshairs turned towards Hound before scoffing. "Come on Mohawk," replied Barricade as he and Mohawk headed to the ship's engine room.

"Crosshairs, you're with me."

"Where are we going?" Asked Crosshairs as he and Hound began walking.

"We're gonna find Nitro, see if he's got any intel for us that'll lead us to boss bot and Megs."

"Alright, let's hurry then." Crosshairs replied as he and Hound soon hurried away.

As Hound and Crosshairs went looking for Nitro Zeus, Mohawk and Barricade headed to the engine room. Hiding from the guards and Steel Jaw's at Lockdown's disposal. They eventually made it, with Mohawk climbing the giant shaft of the engine while Barricade kept guard below.

"Hurry Mohawk, before we go into space."

"I'm already on it," Mohawk replied as he pulled a piece of the engines Dark Matter Drive apart, stopping the launch sequence before the anchors of the ship were launched.

"Who fired the anchors!?" Cried Lockdown from the ship's cockpit as the ship lurched suddenly. "Who's on my ship, we have a loose prisoner." Cried Lockdown as he stood up from his throne. He then cried out to his guards and Steel Jaw's to go find the culprit's.

Meanwhile, Hound and Crosshairs were near the prison chamber when they felt the ship lurch.

"They got it!" Cried Hound as he held his hand up in triumph.

"Better hurry though, because Lockdown's gonna be on our tails now that he knows we're on here."

"You're right, let's move!" Called Hound as he and Crosshairs began running towards the ships cell block.

Once near it they found Nitro as he turned a corner, "Hound! Crosshairs!" He called as he skidded to a stop.

"Nitro, are you all good?" Asked Hound as he and Crosshairs relaxed, thinking Nitro was a guard at first.

"Yeah, I'm all good, but Prime and Megatron need rescuing and I've got some big intel on Lockdown." Replied Nitro as Hound waved him away.

"We'll have to hear about it later, right now we need to get Prime and Megatron out. Crosshairs, call in to Barricade and Mohawk and have them meet us at the cell block."

"Copy that," replied Crosshairs as he did just that, while Hound and Nitro Zeus prepared to enter the prison chamber. "Alright let's rock."

"Don't chicken out on us," replied Hound as Nitro got the door controls working, allowing the doors to open. "Big boy comin' through, move, move, move!" Cried Hound as he, followed by Nirto Zeus and Crosshairs, burst into the prison chamber.

They quickly scanned the area before being surprised at all of the creatures Lockdown had captured in his time.

"Wow ..." was all Crosshairs could say as Hound peered down at one of the prisoners.

"Hound don't do it," said Nitro as Hound shrugged him off.

"Oh he don't look so bad," Hound said before he got a full look at the spider like creature with a mouth at the center of it's body. "Oh that's ... festering ugliness." The creature then spat at Hound, who fell over in surprise, crying about how it was acid and he was down. That was until he found it to be some kind of goop. "Ugh, it's just shizzle."

"Eugh!" Cried Crosshairs as Nitro Zeus laughed.

"I hope that's not contagious," Zeus chuckled as Hound wiped all of the shizzle off.

"Oh I gotta hurt ya now, you're just too disturbing to live." Hound then retrieved one of his shotguns before aiming it at the creature. "Take that, bitch!" Hound then fired a blast at the creature, killing it instantly. "Oh! ... you're dead."

"Hound! Hound is that you!?" Cried an all to familiar voice.

"He's alive!" Screamed Hound as he, Nitro, and Crosshairs went running in the direction of the voice.

"Optimus sound off!" Cried Crosshairs.

"In here!" Cried Optimus and Megatron as the trio broke into the cages and attempted to free Prime before Megatron.

"No Hound, we have no time, this is a separate ship. We can use it to leave." Called Prime.

"Where's the cockpit, right or left?" Asked Hound as Optimus told right, "I'm on it boss." Hound quickly ran to the cockpit seat spitting out his cigar while Nitro Zeus and Crosshairs tried to free Megatron and Prime. "I'm there boss!" Cried Hound as he tried to get the ship up and running.

"Where are the other's?" Asked Megatron as Nitro freed him from his cell.

"Barricade and Mohawk are on their way here sir," replied Nitro, "and Deadlock and Bumblebee are with the humans."

Crosshairs then freed Prime, helping him out of the cell. "What should we do with the other's boss?" Crosshairs asked, referring to the Dinobots.

"Leave them, we can worry about them later. For now we need to get this ship out of here." Prime replied, running over to Hound. "Are we ready to leave yet, he's launching."

"All over it chief," replied Hound as he prepared the ship for separation.

"Are Barricade and Mohawk almost here?" Asked Megtron to Nirto as they watched from the doorway.

"I don't see them yet sir," replied Nitro before he saw the vehicle modes of Barricade and Mohawk driving down towards them.

"I see my crew Prime! Launch it!" Replied Megatron.

"You heard him Hound," replied Optimus as Hound launched the ship.

"I'm a sucky pilot, let's give it a whirl. Hell yeah!" He cried as the ship separated from Lockdown's main one, with Barricade and Mohawk barely making it on in time before the ship seperated.

With the anchors now gone, Lockdown headed into deep space, none the wiser about his escaped bounties. Said escaped bounties ordered Hound to fly to where Bumblebee, Drift, Brains, and the humans were hiding out. Which was an abandoned train yard a few hundred miles away. The ship arrived in no time, before landing a few feet away from the yard, Bumblebee and Drift headed outside, thinking it was Cemetery Wind but were surprised when they found the Autobots and Decepticons exiting the ship. The humans and Brains soon came out too, upon hearing from Drift that the coast was clear.

"Let's give Bumblebee and Drift the good news, we got a ship now, and we're leaving." Said Crosshairs happily as Optimus grunted.

"You humans, after everything we've done for you, you don't know what you've brought upon yourselves."

"What? What are you talking about? I mean I'm doing stuff out of my league here!" Cried Cade Yeager as Megatron chuckled.

"Yeah and we've had our race nearly brought to extinction from you all. Yes human, you've really suffered."

"Be quiet! If you would've kept your war away from us then we would've been fine!" Cried Tessa, "but no ... You had to come here and ruin our lives!" Tears began to fall from her eyes as she said this.

Megatron was about to say something else before Optimus put a hand onto his brother-in-arms chest. Silencing him.

"In any case, we're done defending you. We're going to leave you here." Replied Optimus.

"Without any protection? Are you kidding me?" Asked Cade as Optimus sighed.

"I cannot allow another member of my squad, my family, to die. You can come with us if necessary."

Megatron and most of the other's turned to Optimus after he said this. "Prime," said Megatron, "we cannot allow these ... flesh bags to ... to come with us."

"We can Megaton, they defended and protected me and so ... I will do the same."

"That's not fair, you cannot have all the say in our groups decisions, we are both leaders here."

"Megatron don't let your personal opinion of humans, lead you to make such a rash decision."

"I'm not Prime, but after all these pieces of filth have done to our race, why should we help these two?"

"Because boss bot said so," replied Hound as Megatron turned towards him.

"Oh and that makes it final? Why should Optimus word matter more than my own when we are both the leaders?"

"No one is saying that Megatron," replied Optimus.

"Well it sure feel's that way Prime, and I don't like disagreeing with you." Cried Megatron as he turned and pointed at Optimus.

"Hey if I may add something!" Cried Nitro Zeus as everyone turned towards him. "We can't leave this planet just yet."

"Oh? And why is that Nitro?" Asked Megatron, "are you getting soft towards these humans?"

"No sir, I just ... Well the humans have a weapon that we must get back."

"A weapon? How long have you known this for?" Asked Hound.

"That's what I wanted to tell you guys back on the ship. They have the Seed."

"The ... The Seed?" Asked Drift as Nitro Zeus nodded.

"Wait what's the Seed?" Asked Cade as the Cybertronians turned towards him and his daughter.

"Listen, sixty-five million years ago give or take an eon." Began Hound before Optimus cut in.

"Thousands of planets were cyberformed with what we call Seeds. They turned your organic worlds into our elemental metal." Continued Optimus.

"Our creators, destroyed worlds, to build our shells." Finished Megatron.

"But why would humans want the Seed?" Asked Mohawk.

"Isn't it obvious?" Asked Megatron, "they're going to use it to build more of those robots of theirs. If that happens then we could all go extinct."

"But if we have a ship, why can't we just leave?" Asked Drift.

"The Seed is a dangerous weapon, we cannot continue to allow these KSI individuals to keep this bomb." Replied Optimus, "the humans will destroy themselves and their world if they continue to have weapons of this magnitude."

"Why should we care what happens to these humans? After all they have done to us?" Asked Megatron.

"Sounds like good payback to me," added Mohawk.

"Because it is wrong to let the genocide of a species to occur, we will not be like our creators and wipe them out without a care. Autobots, we will find the Seed and retrieve it, but then we're done defending the humans."

"And what about the Decepticons?" Asked Bumblebee through his radio voice.

Everyone turned to Megatron who merely groaned in annoyance, "we will fight along side you Prime. But then we are going to leave these humans behind. Understand?"

"After that we will," replied Optimus, "then we shall find our home brother."

Megatron nodded before Optimus ordered Drift to find where KSI was taking the Seed, it took a few hours before Drift intercepted a communication that Joshua Joyce and KSI were moving all of their assets to their China facility. This included the Seed.

"Autbots, move out." Ordered Optimus.

"Decepticons, rise up!" Called Megatron.

"We're going to retrieve the Seed." Continued Optimus as he and Megatron let everyone board the ship. "But then we're going home."

Bumblebee, Barricade, Drift, Hound, Brains, Nitro Zeus, Mohawk, Crosshairs, and even the humans were joining the leaders on their journey to retrieve the Seed from KSI. Knowing there was going to be bloodshed along the way.

But unbeknownst to them all, in the far reaches of space, Lockdown had discovered that Optimus and Megatron had escaped his clutches. So he ordered his men to return the ship to Earth.

"Those two, they think they can get away with this? Taking my trophy case? I'll make them feel my wrath!" Lockdown said to himself as his ship headed back towards Earth.

Chapter Text

The ship the Autobots and Decepticons were ridding was nearing their destination in Hong Kong, flying closer and closer to the region. While both factions were either arming themselves up or talking amongst each other on the journey. But Optimus was the only outlier, sitting alone in thought. Watching his crew from a distance, in silence, before Cade approached him.

"Hey Prime," called Cade as Optimus nodded.

"Hello Cade, I'm sorry for involving you all in this."

Cade nodded, "Its too late for apologies, Prime, I did what I thought was right to protect you." Optimus nodded in response as Cade thought of his next words. "You didn't mean what you said, right? About not defending us humans."

Optimus sighed, "how many more of kind must be sacrificed, to atone for your mistakes?"

Cade sighed, "I get not defending the evil humans Prime, but look at me and Tessa, there are good one's out there that deserve protection."

"I know that Cade, but I can't risk more of my kind being killed."

"Yeah, so be gone human and drop this argument." Added Megatron as he walked over to the both of them.

"Easy Megatron, we don't need to be hostile." Said Optimus as Megatron sat next to him.

"Maybe we do," said Cade causing Megatron to smirk. "I mean, why do you hate all of us so much. At least Optimus saw the good ones, you never saw us as anything other than bugs."

"Because that's all you are human scum!" Cried Megatron, as Optimus held him back. The other troops looked over to Megatron, Prime, and Cade after hearing Megatron's voice. "You are all nothing but wastes of genetics. You think you are so high and mighty due to your intelligence, but you do nothing with it besides destroy each other."

"Well so have you!" Cried Optimus, surprising Megatron, Cade, and everyone else in the ship. "You've personally killed billions and caused a major war that led to your own friends leaving Cybertron and the destruction of our home world."

"What are you saying?" Asked Megatron as he stood up and glared at Optimus.

"I'm saying that even though you are my brother-in-arms, you are still evil, deep down in your spark. So do not think you are so high and mighty Megatron, you've made mistakes too."

"So have you Prime! You've let this war corrupt your ways, you used to preach about peace and freedom. Now you preach death and destruction."

"You're a liar!" Called Bumblebee in his radio voice.

"Am I? Everyone here has slaughtered my troops, you preach about freedom is the right of all sentient beings, Prime. But what will it take to get you there? How many must die for peace?"

Optimus huffed before glaring into Megatron's eyes, "how many must die until your quest for power has been satiated? At least I am fighting for a noble cause, I admit you are correct in saying I have lost my ways during our conflict. But I at least fight for a reason, you fight to satiation your hunger for power and domination."

Megatron went silent after this, knowing Prime had won, why did he always have to win? He was chosen as Prime, he ultimately won the war, he even helped to end Megatron's lifecycle before, and now he was winning a simple argument against Megatron. No matter what he did, he was always in the right, and Megatron was always in the wrong. It didn't seem fair to the Decepticon leader.

"I'm going to be alone now," was all Megatron said in response, "don't bother me." Megatron then proceeded to walk away from the group before Cade caught his attention.

"Hey Megatron!"

Megatron stopped in his tracks before turning around, "what human?"

"Just a thought, maybe you should try protecting life for once. Instead of ending it so much. Maybe you could be like your brother-in-arms. Like a true friend."

Megatron snarled before turning and leaving the group alone. The automatic sliding door to the room slamming shut as he left. Optimus wanted to console his friend, believing he had pushed him too far. But alas he decided against it, knowing his brother-in-arms needed to be left alone for the time being.

...

The group eventually made it to China, nearing the China Facility of KSI. All of them were armed and ready to battle. Cade and Tessa even found some human sized weapons in ship's armory. Optimus had contemplated letting the Dinobots out, but decided against it for the time being. He already had so many under his command, giant legendary warriors that would fight for leadership was not what he needed at the moment. So as he gathered his men up to make a battle strategy, suddenly Megatron arrived, approaching them.

"Lord Megatron?" Asked Barricade.

"Brother, are you alright to fight?" Asked Optimus.

"Of course, the great Megatron is always ready to fight." Smirked Megatron.

"Good," nodded Optimus, "now Hound, Nitro Zeus, Bumblebee, and Mohawk will head out first. Followed by Crosshairs and Drift, as Barricade will provide cover fire with the ship. Then you and me will exit the ship, Megatron."

"Sounds like a good plan, but what will we do when we're out of the ship?" Asked Megatron.

"We will raid the building, take the Seed, and leave. No killing any humans, drones are fine, but no humans."

"Not to question your orders boss," proclaimed Hound, "but aren't these the people who are melting our friends down for spare parts?"

Optimus sighed, "yes, that is true Hound. But this mission is ultimately to protect the humans, so killing them in order to achieve that would be wrong and hypocritical."

"Understood boss," nodded Hound.

"Hey boss bot," called Crosshairs from the cockpit seat. "We're approaching the drop position."

"Good, everyone load up and be ready to fight."

"Yes sir!" Called everyone except for Megatron, Cade, and Tessa. As Megatron only smiled at his friends words.

...

Inside of the KSI facility, Joshua Joyce had finally arrived with his assistant, Su Yueming. Once there, he headed up to his office, where Harold Attinger and James Savoy were waiting. James sitting by Joshua's desk, and Harold standing proudly. A screen playing different cycling images on glass around the office.

"Ah, Mr. Joyce, it's a pleasure to see you've finally arrived."

"Yes, Harold," replied Joshua, "do you have what I wanted."

"Yes, we have the Seed just as you asked. Together we're going to make our own automotive US Army and end human warfare. Think of all the American lives we're gonna save." Harold smiled.

"Yes," nodded Joshua as he sat behind his desk.

"But before that can happen, I am going to need my down payment. Five million shares of the company. Just as promised."

"Of course, it's yours, I just need to get the Seed into my possession and my company will personally send you the money owed."

"That's good to hear," replied Harold, "my agents are already sending it up as we speak."

"Excellent," replied Joshua before he turned and looked outside of the window behind him. Looking at the reflection of himself in the window.

He knew these two were evil, they had hunted down the Earth's defenders and slaughtered them with this bounty hunter of theirs. But Joshua wasn't a villain, sure he allied with them. But he was trying to protect others with his KSI prototypes. Besides, the Autobots were just machines. Unfeeling and soulless, nothing like a human like him. Or at least that's what he thought before Harold caught his attention with the arrival of two of his agents and the object they were carrying.

Despite it being in a black sash, Joshua knew what it was, the Seed. He smiled proudly at it, thanking Harold before looking over at the nearby Sue to begin giving Harold his down payment. That was until a loud explosion could be heard from the office.

"What the hell was that?" Asked James.

"It couldn't be," said Harold.

"Couldn't be what?" Asked Joshua as Harold ignored him and went to the nearby window. Looking out and seeing a spaceship approaching the facility.

"What is it?" Asked James as Harold remained silent.

"Harold! What are you not telling me?" Blurted Joshua as Harold looked over at him.

"It's the Autobots," he replied.

"What?" Asked Joshua.

"What the hell do they want?" Asked James.

"They must be after the Seed." Replied Harold as he turned back to Joshua and James, "you've got to use your prototypes Joshua."

"But only Galvatron and Stinger have had successful tests. The other's haven't." Replied Joshua before Harold grabbed onto his collar.

"If you don't do something, we're all going to die and all of our hard work will be for nothing. Now shut up and fight for your country man!" Cried Harold as the worried Joshua looked over to Sue behind Harold.

"Unleash them all," said Joshua.

"All of them?" Asked Sue.

"Yes, all of them."

Sue nodded quickly before getting on the phone with the KSI Facility heads in order to activate the drones.

...

Downstairs, the orders to activate the drones was given. They all awoke with a start before standing. Instead of a pilot taking control of them from a control room. A few orders were implanted into the drones upon their activation. Destroy any Autobots or Decepticons, and prevent them from killing any KSI workers and getting the Seed. The drones quickly moved out, with the silent Galvatron pointing in different directions, as if ordering the troops around through the link they all shared with each other.

...

Outside, the ship the Autobots and Decepticons were using hovered a little ways above the ground near the facility. Hound, Bumblebee, Nitro Zeus, Mohawk, Cade, and Tessa stood near the entrance. On guard and scanning the area around them.

"Looks like we might have company!" Called Hound.

"Then we don't have any time to lose," replied Optimus as he and the other troops approached the ship doors.

But they were too late, as a rocket from a KSI drone blasted into the ship. Causing the humans, Hound, Bumblebee, Nitro Zeus, and Mohawk to all fall out of the ship.

"We're hit! We're hit!" Called Hound as they fell out of the ship and onto the ground around the KSI building below.

The ship then flew out of control from being hit with a few more blasts. It began to fly towards the mountains of China. Crashing into a hill before rolling down said hill. It eventually rolled to a stop on the ground below.

"Optimus! Autobots! You alive!?" Called Hound as he tried to get a signal out to them. "No good, Nitro! Try and get ahold of them!"

"On it!" Replied Nitro Zeus as he attempted to get ahold of the group.

"Now what do we do?" Asked Tessa.

"Stay behind us," replied Hound before gunfire struck his shoulder, "damn!" He called as he looked where the shot came from, finding the drone before blasting at it with his heavy machine gun. "Come and get some you little bitch!" He called as he blasted the drone to pieces.

"We're getting surrounded yo!" Called Mohwak.

"No good Hound, I can't get a signal out." Nitro said.

Hound scoffed, "alright, Bumblebee and Mohawk move eastward, Nitro, you and me will stay with the humans."

"Copy that, Chief," replied Mohawk as he and Bumblebee hurried away as Nitro Zeus and Hound came under fire from the drones on the roof of the KSI facility.

"Take that!" Called Hound happily as he and Nitro fired upon the drones, while Cade and Tessa took cover behind a nearby car. "I'm a wicked warrior robot!" Hound continued as he rolled to the side, maneuvering out of the way of gunfire. "Nitro! Get in the air and provide some air cover."

"Understood!" Replied Nitro Zeus as he transformed into vehicle mode before flying away.

"It'll take him a while to get back," said Hound to Cade and Tessa, "you two go find the Seed. I'll provide cover."

"You sure Hound?" Asked Cade.

"Hell yeah, it'll take more than some human made crap to take me down."

"If you say so," replied Cade as he and Tessa hurried inside the KSI facility. Watching as Hound continued to blow apart every KSI drone that either fired upon him or approached him.

...

On the other side of the facility, Bumblebee and Mohawk were fighting their own battle. Bumblebee took on the bigger and more powerful drones while Mohawk took on the low level grunts. Easily maneuvering around them as he blasted their heads or limbs to pieces.

"Aw yeah, nobody messes with the hawk!" Mohawk cried happily as Bumblebee finished off another drone by stabbing through it's head and blasting it to pieces.

Bee rolled his eyes at the sight of Mohawk, he had never thought he'd find a happy and giddy Decepticon. But now he had really seen everything it seemed. Surprising him even more was that Mohawk and him had great synergy. Despite being polar opposites and never working together before. No KSI robot stood a chance against genuine Cybertronians. That much was clear.

...

Inside the KSI building, Cade and Tessa ran, carrying their small rifles that could transform into blades, as they looked for the Seed. Passing by dozens of KSI workers as they continued to look. But finding nothing.

"Where do you think they'd keep a bomb like this at honey?" Cade asked his daughter.

"Mhm ... probably somewhere important, only for the higher-ups." That was when it clicked with both of them.

"The CEO's office!" They cried as they hurried to find the office.

That was when gunshots went off, nearly striking Cade as he turned and tackled his daughter to the floor. There stood James Savoy from a nearby hallway, aiming a pistol at the two.

"I'll take care of them," he spoke into a radio, "you two just get that Seed out of here."

He returned the radio to his pocket as Cade turned to face Savoy, blasting at him with his weapon as James jumped to the side, firing at Cade. Cade had to move in order not to get hit. He knew he would have to get close and disarm James if he ever wanted to win.

"Honey!" Give me cover fire!" Cried Cade as Tessa held her gun close and began to fire at James, missing every shot but ultimately making sure he was in no position to fire back as Cade ran towards him.

He transformed his gun into a blade before turning and slashing at James chest, creating a big gash on his chest which destroyed his clothes and caused blood to pour onto his clothes. But this did not put him down. As James retaliated by punching Cade, causing him to drop his weapon. Before he could react, Cade was gut punched by James. Cade then retaliated by punching James in the eye. Disorienting him and allowing Cade to grab ahold of him.

"You think you can come after my family, and get away with it?" Cade asked as he held James in a headlock.

"Yes, I do." Replied James before he elbowed Cade in the gut, which caused Cade to release his hold on James.

James then kicked Cade into a nearby wall. James smirked as he began to wail on Cade, repeatedly punching him over and over again in the stomach and face. Cade tried to fight back, but James superior training allowed him to make sure that didn't happen. James then pulled a knife from his jacket, aiming it Cade's neck.

"It's tough luck Yeager," he snarled, "we all have family."

A voice then cried out no before James was blasted back. He landed on his back, with a hole through his chest as blood dripped from his lip. He was limp and unmoving, clearly dead, but Cade did not yet know the cause. He then looked to his side, from where the shot had originated from. It was Tessa, shaking but gripping her weapon tightly. Cade instantly ran to her, embracing her in his arms and trying to calm her down.

"It's over sweetie, he's gone." Cade continued to say as Tessa cried into his arms.

...

Outside, laid the offline bodies of KSI drones. But Hound was beat, Nitro Zeus had passed by twice already, providing air cover. But it was clear that Hound was still being overwhelmed.

"Running out of guns, and ammo!" Hound called as he was now using his shotguns. Taking a few shots here and there as he called out. "Bumblebee!" Into his communicator, "how are you doing!?"

"Could be better," replied Bumblebee from his side of the factory.

He was backed into a corner, with Mohawk on the other side of him. Taking cover behind some overturned vehicles.

"Damn," called Mohawk, "we're pinned down."

Suddenly an explosion went off in front of Mohawk, blasting him and his cover backwards, getting him stuck under the weight of the truck he was hiding behind. Bumblebee's optics widened, but he was unable to move from his position due to the gunfire. Nitro Zeus then flew overhead, firing a barrage of missiles at the drones and giving Hound and Bumblebee some time to breath and move.

Bumblebee instantly ran to Mohawk, the force of the truck had crushed his body and legs. He now couldn't move as he Bumblebee put a hand under his head. Allowing him to look at Bumblebee easier.

"B-Bee?" Asked Mohawk as he squinted his optics at Bumblebee, who nodded back at him. "Aw damn, I-I think I'm gonna g-go offline." Bumblebee moaned a sad noise towards Mohawk, as if trying to tell him he wasn't going to go offline. "I-I can feel it Bee, m-my Spark Chamber is crushed, I-I'll join my Decepticon brothers soon. Although I d-didn't expect my li-life cycle to end like this. In the hands of an Autobot of all things." Bumblebee looked at Mohawk with saddened optics, a strange feeling for him as he had never thought he'd feel sympathy for a Decepticon. "I-I know you feel the same way, Bee." Replied Mohawk, "it's a weird feeling, b-but I hope this alliance will continue." Bumblebee looked puzzled and surprised, something Mohawk noticed, smiling as a result. "Cuz even though I like fighting you guys, you ain't a bad crew to hang with."

At the end of that sentence Mohawk's life force faded and the lights in his optics went out. His body became stiff as Bumblebee slowly laid him down to the ground. He was now offline, joining with the rest of the fallen Cybertronians. Bumblebee saluted his fallen comrade, despite being on different sides for millions of years. Bumblebee was not above showing respect to a comrade.

"Bumblebee, I'm not detecting Mohawk's energon signal. What's up with him?" Asked Nitro Zeus over their communication line.

Bumblebee merely stayed silent, signaling to Nitro that his comrade was offline. But Hound wasn't silent, instead he groaned in frustration.

"Optimus! We need support! If you're out there we need you!" Hound screamed as a new wave of KSI drones approached him.

...

Far away from this, in the Chinese mountains, Optimus, Megatron, Barricade, Crosshairs, and Drift were standing outside of their destroyed ship. Hearing the cries of Hound loud and clear from Optimus communications line.

"We need to help them," Optimus said.

"Ah this isn't our fight!" Called Crosshairs, "I'm done being an underdog, underdog's suck, I say they get what they deserve. What's the play Prime?"

"Yeah Lord Megatron, what's the play?" Asked Barricade.

Megatron and Optimus stayed silent for a moment as if psychically thinking of a battle plan.

"What shall we do, Sensei?" Asked Drift.

"It's time for reinforcements," replied Optimus as he and Megatron headed inside of their ship.

"This is a dangerous idea, Prime, and I don't care too much for it." Said Megatron as they headed to the prison ward, with Optimus retrieving the Sword of Judgment.

"It must be done, brother," replied Optimus before he and Megatron hurried over to Grimlock's cage.

With one sword swipe Optimus destroyed it. Grimlock roared out, to which the rest of the Dinobots roared out in unison.

"Recognize, two of your knights." Said Optimus as he and Megatron stood before Grimlock.

Chapter Text

"You've got to be kidding me," said Crosshairs as he, Drift, and Barricade noticed Optimus and Megatron leaving the ship with the Dinobots in toe.

"Legendary warriors," began Optimus, "the powers that created us, now want us all extinguished." Optimus then jammed his sword into the dirt as Grimlock stepped forward to listen to Optimus. Pushing past the other Dinobots. "We must join forces or else forever be their slaves."

"So today you stand with us, or you stand against us." Glared Megatron as Grimlock roared.

Grimlock then swung his spiked mace down to the ground in front of the two. Destroying it as the Dinobots and Autobots watched on.

"Well ... we'll let the boss man's figure this one out." Commented Crosshairs.

"Very wise," added Drift.

"Agreed." added Barricade as the trio walked towards a nearby rock face.

"Only together, can we survive!" Cried Optimus as he and Megatron dodged another strike from Grimlock before Optimus climbed up Grimlock's arm and leaped towards him. Punching him in the face. "Let me lead you!" He cried as energon flew from Grimlock's mouth.

Optimus then rolled on the ground and away from Grimlock as Megatron blasted Grimlock back with his Fusion Shotgun. Grimlock slid for a moment before slamming his arms into the ground and transforming into dino mode and roaring loudly.

"Oh great," said Barricade.

"I was expecting a giant car." Added Drift.

"Come here!" Cried Optimus as Grimlock rushed towards him.

"We're giving you freedom!" Optimus screamed as he smacked Grimlock away with a shield he took from Lockdown's ship. With Grimlock rolling on the ground before Megatron jumped into the air and landed onto his back.

Grimlock huffed as Megatron held his Fusion Shotgun to the back of Grimlock's head. As Optimus then approached the two, "you will defend my family."

"Or die," added Megatron as he growled down to him.

Grimlock then huffed before Optimus jumped on the back of him. With Megatron pulling Grimlock up as the Dinobot roared fiercely.

"Autobots, Decepticons. We are going to prove who we are," cried Optimus as he raised his sword into the air. "And why we're here!"

"Damn, you just wanna die for them. Now that's leadership, or brainwashing or something." Said Crosshairs as he, Drift, and Barricade approached the remaining Dinobots.

"No," replied Drift, "that's Optimus and Megatron." He smiled as the Dinobots cried out before transforming into their dino modes and roaring loudly.

"Autobots," began Optimus.

"Decepticons," added Megatron.

"Roll out!" They both roared as they raced away with their troops not far behind them. Crosshairs on Scorn, Drift on Slug, and Barricade on Strafe.

...

Hound, Nitro Zeus, and Bumblebee were boxed in, using whatever remaining weapons or ammo they had left to fight back against the KSI drones. Cade and Tessa remained inside of the KSI facility to not get caught in the crossfire. Watching through the window as the Autobots and Decepticons put up a fight.

"I've got some bad news guys," said Hound, "I'm running out of guns and ideas."

Little did the trio know, but the remaining Autobots, Decepticons, and Dinobots were nearly there. Running through the Chinese mountains and hoping they wouldn't be too late to save their comrades.

"Go! Faster!" Cried Optimus as Grimlock continued to charge forward.

From the KSI facility, Hound then noticed the group approaching. A surprised smile adorned his face, "he's here! Optimus is here!" He yelled before being tackled by a two headed KSI drone.

"Hound!" Cried Nitro Zeus before he and Bumblebee came under fire from various KSI drones. Hound groaned as the drone pushed him into the ground. Hound then spat his cigar out, which flipped it the other way around as it reentered his mouth. Allowing Hound to shoot a bullet from it and blow through the drones duel heads.

"Get off me!" Hound cried as he pushed the drone off of himself.

"Come on, Hound!" Cried Nitro Zeus, "get up!"

"I can't go on," Hound sighed.

"Look, the boss bots are here! If we die here, then everything we've done would have been for nothing! Now get up and keep fighting!" Replied Nitro Zeus.

Hound sighed, "alright, maybe I got a little left inside of me."

"That's the spirit you ton of bullets," chuckled Nitro Zeus as Hound groaned.

"Now, don't push your luck." Hound retorted as their friends neared their location.

Grimlock was first, with Optimus and Megatron jumping off of Grimlock and towards the KSI drones before them. Optimus threw his sword at one, which pierced through its chest. As Megatron then blasted an approaching one through the head with his Fusion Shotgun. Optimus then retrieved his sword, before slashing through two more drones.

"I'll kill you all!" He cried before jumping onto a nearby building's roof and slashing his way through five more drones as Megatron blasted a few more below.

The rest of the Dinobots then rushed behind Grimlock. All of them eating or stomping their way through various KSI drones.

...

Up above, in the KSI facility. Joshua and Harold were watching the battle taking place. With Joshua cursing to himself that this could be happening, as Harold retrieved a Cybertronian communicator from inside of his suit. Pressing a few buttons before getting in contact with Lockdown.

"Where are my escaped bounties!?" He cried through the communicator.

"They're close, at my location. Do whatever you have to." Replied Harold.

"I intend to." Replied Lockdown from his ship, as he neared Earth.

...

"Hound!" Cried Optimus as he and Megatron, now again riding on the back of Grimlock, approached him.

"Hey, Optimus! Looks like you found yourself a friend." Hound chuckled as Megatron looked over him, Bumblebee, and Nitro Zeus. Noticing one soldier was missing.

"Nitro Zeus, where is Mohawk?"

"Well ... Lord Megatron ... he's ... offline." Replied Nitro Zeus somberly.

Megatron growled before striking the back of Grimlock. "I'll kill these humans for this! It's all their fault!"

Optimus held a hand up to Megatron, to calm him down. But Megatron merely batted his hand away in anger.

"Where is the Seed?" Asked Optimus, "did the humans retrieve it?"

"They should have, as far as we are aware." Replied Hound before Cade and Tessa approached the group, both carrying the Seed.

"Autobots, Decepticons, let's move this bomb out of this area and away from any humans that could be caught in the crossfire." Cried Optimus as a large spaceship soon loomed overhead.

"Is that ..." began Nitro Zeus.

"Lockdown," replied Megatron sternly.

"Everyone, let's roll out!" Cried Optimus as he, Megatron, and Grimlock raced away. With Hound, Bumblebee, and Nitro Zeus transforming to vehicle mode and doing the same. Riding close behind them as the humans rode inside of Bumblebee.

Optimus and Megatron tried to regroup their forces together, due to most of the KSI drones being already killed. But that was when, as they neared Hong Kong, the Cybertronians found themselves being pulled upwards. It was slight, but the force pulling them was strong. The force was magnetic, and being created from the underbelly of Lockdown's ship. With a giant magnet underneath it pulling the Cybertronians upwards.

Some of the Dinobots were being caught by it, which included their riders. Optimus noticed this, and instantly jumped off of Grimlock. Only to be pulled upwards and towards the magnet. Dozens of building pieces and hundreds of vehicles were being pulled with him, as Grimlock, Megatron, Hound, Nitro Zeus, and Bumblebee tried to avoid being pulled up by the magnet.

Optimus cried out in pain as the magnet continued to pull him up, he then used his newfound shield to blast at the magnet. Creating a huge fireball that destroyed the magnet and sent everything it pulled upwards spiraling down to Earth. Luckily none of Optimus troops were injured very much due to this, but Optimus knew one thing, he would have to finish off Lockdown himself.

"It's you and me now," Optimus declared as he followed Lockdown's ship to an abandoned power plant a few miles away from the city of Hong Kong.

Megtron noticed this, deciding to get off of Grimlock and telling Hound over the radio to get the Seed out of the area.

"Where are you going, sir?" Asked Nitro Zeus over the radio.

"To assist Prime." Replied Megatron as he headed after Optimus.

"Stop the car, Bee." Called Cade as Bumblebee did just that.

Cade then tried to leave the car before Tessa stopped him, "what are you doing!?" She cried.

"I'm going to help Optimus, he and Megatron have helped us before. It's only fitting I pay them back."

"No, don't go you'll die!" Tessa cried.

"I'll be fine, now, Bumblebee, protect her with your life. You understand?"

"Copy that, Chief." He replied as Cade embraced his daughter in a hug before hurrying after the two Cybertronians.

...

Optimus finally arrived at the power plant, with Lockdown's ship hovering overhead. A voice then cried out Optimus' name before Lockdown could be seen jumping down from his ship. Blasting the area around Optimus, disorientating and knocking him to the ground. Optimus tried to get back up, before Lockdown stabbed his shoulder with his hook hand and slammed him into a corner of the power plant. Optimus broke lose from his hook, however, and jabbed his sword at Lockdown.

But Lockdown dodged, and retaliated by blasting at Optimus. Though, Optimus saw this coming and blocked it with his shield before jabbing his sword downwards at Lockdown. Which he promptly shot out of Optimus hand. With it landing on the ground next to Optimus. Lockdown then dove at Optimus, striking him across the face before Optimus threw his own punch at Lockdown in retaliation. Lockdown saw this coming, however, and grabbed onto his arm before spin kicking Optimus back.

Lockdown soon came under fire from Megatron. He blocked his gun blasts as best as he could. Before being kicked in the face by Optimus, sending the bounty hunter back. Lockdown rolled back onto his feet before quickly thinking of a strategy to beat his two opponents. He knew Megatron was the more physically powerful one, but Optimus had more firepower and abilities.

So, Lockdown decided to go for Optimus first. He dove for Optimus sword, missing a punch from Optimus before grabbing onto the sword and flipping around. Quickly blasting Optimus leg, and causing him to stumble backwards for a brief moment. This is exactly what Lockdown wanted, he then leapt at Optimus in this brief moment. Stabbing the sword into his chest and causing him to fall into a wall of the power plant. The sword was deep enough through him that it would keep him stuck where he was, as it also stabbed into the building itself.

"No!" Cried Optimus as Lockdown turned to Megatron.

"One down, one more to fall." He sneered before rushing towards Megatron, his superior speed being allowing him to dodge his gun blasts effectively.

But his power was lacking, as when he tried to jump onto Megatron, he was easily grabbed by Megatron's free hand and thrown to the ground. Lockdown managed to roll away and blast at Megatron, who did his best to block his gunfire. That was when Cade arrived, armed with his sword gun and watching the battle intently. He noticed Optimus was down and decided to give Megatron some aid. Firing at Lockdown when he could. This allowed Megatron to get in more blows to Lockdown, he didn't appreciate getting help from a human of all things. But he wasn't in a position to argue much.

"That's enough, Cade." said a voice from behind Cade.

It was Harold Attinger, with a pistol trained on the back of Cade's head. "What do you want?" Cade asked.

"Like you don't know, I've defended this country for years without any recognition and I'm not going to let some garage junkie from Texas ruin my chance at recognition." Harold growled. Megatron managed to knock Lockdown away, before noticing the situation Cade was in. "You should know by now, there are no good aliens or bad aliens, Yeager. It's just us and them ... and you chose them."

Harold was about to fire and kill Cade, but then something happened. Something everyone, including Megatron, never thought would have ever happened. Megatron jumped near Cade and Harold and fired at Harold. Blowing him back and killing him instantly. It took Megatron a few moments to even realize he did such an act. He, the great and tyrannical leader of the Decepticons, saved a lower life form. It was inconceivable that he would do such a thing, why he had done it, he didn't know.

But as he heard Cade say the words: "Anytime." It told Megatron that he had made the right decision.

Suddenly, he was knocked back by Lockdown. He slammed into the power plant behind him, breaking through a wall of the building with his weight. Before he could get back up, he was stabbed by Lockdown, he cried out in pain as Lockdown grabbed his head.

"You saved the human instead of saving yourself? You bring shame upon your cause, and to us all." Lockdown sneered before Cade called out to him. Firing multiple gunshots at the bounty hunter.

Megatron then kicked Lockdown back, releasing Lockdown's grasp on him and allowing Megatron to engage with the bounty hunter once more. The two warriors punched, kicked, and blasted at each other. With Cade getting in any shots to Lockdown that he could. Megatron then grabbed onto Lockdown and threw him towards Cade, allowing Cade to shoot Lockdown's left eye out. Lockdown cried out in pain as he grabbed at his eye. Before turning and blasting Megatron back.

"You see my face, your life is done!" Cried Lockdown as he swung his arm out and blew dust in Cade's face. Disorienting him and allowing Lockdown to jab his gun at Cade's face.

But Cade managed to block this attack, only for Lockdown to grab onto and throw Cade's weapon away. Leaving him defenseless. However, Optimus had been watching the fight this entire time. Trying to free himself in order to help Cade and Megatron out. Luckily, his sword was not very deep inside of him. Thus, he was able grab onto the hilt and little by little, managed to pull it out.

Optimus then jumped towards Lockdown upon freeing himself, and noticing Lockdown attempting to kill Cade. Optimus then threw his sword into Lockdown's back with it going through his chest. Causing the bounty hunter to be pushed forwards and barf out energon as the sword forcefully jammed itself into the dirt in front of Lockdown. Optimus then rolled towards Lockdown before pulling the sword upwards, slicing the top half of the bounty hunter in two. As Lockdown finally fell to the dirt, offline.

Megatron roared in delight upon seeing this as Cade looked up worriedly to Optimus. Who nodded down to him, "honor, to the end." Optimus told Cade as Megatorn approached his two comrades.

"We should leave now, Prime. I fear more of those KSI drones are coming this way."

Optimus nodded, "agreed, Brother. Let's retreat for now." Optimus then removed one of Lockdown's grenades from his body.

"What are you doing?" Asked Megatron.

"I'm setting off Lockdown's grenade to cover our tracks," replied Optimus as he activated the grenade, picked up Cade, and grabbed onto Megatron. Before Megatron flew the trio away.

The grenade then went off, creating a massive explosion that decimated the area and killed the approaching KSI drones who neared the area. The trio then flew back to the Chinese mountains, calling out to the rest of their team to do the same. Not noticing Galvatron and Stinger watching them from a nearby hillside. The two then silently retreated, after being ordered by Joshua to pull back.

...

Megatron soon landed in a huge forest, with the rest of the Autobots, Decepticons, and Dinobots arriving one-by-one. They all then transformed to robot mode before Hound gave Optimus the Seed. Optimus then looked to the Dinobots.

"Brave warriors, thank you, you are free!" He called as the Dinobots roared out in triumph before transforming to dino mode and retreating into the distant forest.

Cade then looked over and saw Tessa, who ran over to him and embraced him in a hug. Crying as they were happy to see they were both still alive. Optimus nodded at the sight before turning to Megatron.

"Thank you, Brother. For everything today."

"Don't mention it, Prime, just do not speak of it to anyone."

"Speak of what?" Asked Barricade.

"None of your concern, Barricade." Cried Megatron as Barricade decided to keep his mouth shut.

"Now then, this Seed here belongs to our creators. Whoever they are. There also remains a price on me and Megatron's heads. We endanger you all if we stay." Said Optimus, as the Autobots, Decepticons, and humans looked saddened to hear this news.

"But, but Lockdown is dead ... isn't he?" Asked Crosshairs.

"Correct, but our creators will no doubt send more bounty hunters to find us. So ... we and this planet will never truly be safe unless we strike first." Optimus replied.

"Will ... will we ever see you guys again?" Asked Tessa through tears.

"Who knows," replied Megatron.

"But, just know this, my friends. Whenever you look to the stars, think of one of them, as my soul." Said Optimus.

"That was corny, Prime." Megatron muttered under his breath.

"Thank you, humans, for your help too. I am so very sorry you have been involved in this, humans will still hate you and us for everything. That much is clear to me."

"So ... we won't get our life back, huh?" Asked Tessa.

"Not now, Tessa. But ... maybe one day you will. The future is uncertain, and, from what I have seen from today. Anything can happen." Optimus smiled, as he glanced at Megatron. Who glanced back at him, knowing what Optimus was referring to.

Megatron then stepped forwards, "I have something to say to my fellow troops," he began, "from this day onwards I have decided to officially dissolve the Decepticon army."

"What!?" Cried both Nitro Zeus and Barricade.

"Yes, we are one race again. There is no point to be living as if we are still two different factions in a war. So, from this day forward, all Decepticons will officially join the Autobots."

"But ... we are commanded by you, Lord Megatron." Said Nitro Zeus.

"That, is correct Nitro Zeus. If Optimus will allow me to, I would like to be co-commander of the Autobots."

All eyes and optics were now on Optimus, waiting for an answer. An answer, that came as a hand towards Megatron. "I, would like that a lot." Optimus said, as he shook hands with Megatron.

Megatron smiled, "Autobots, there are still many more Decepticons and Autobots out there. You all must stay here and find and help them. To keep our race alive."

"As well as defend our human allies here, defend them, for all they can be." Added Optimus.

Optimus then grabbed onto Megatron before Megatron flew into the air. With everyone watching them ascend into the sky. Quickly leaving the atmosphere. A message was then sent out into space, received by everyone on Earth as well.

"There are mysteries to the universe, we were never meant to solve. But who we are and who we choose to be. Are not among them, those answer's, we choose ourselves. I am Optimus Prime, and this message is to my creators. Leave planet Earth alone. Because, me and Megatron, are coming ... for you."