Misgel: Sorry for the long wait, everyone! Summer has been hectic despite being stuck in quarantine. I have the next couple weeks off, so I hope to get more chapters updated for you guys.

Also, while you're here, go check out TheFriendlyCritiquer's new story, Brave New World - Gilded Earth. It's such an incredibly well-written story of Megatron successfully cyberforming Earth.

Rian: What she said! Brave New World - Gilded Earth has solid writing, characterization, plot. So give it a chance if you have the time!

"We have Shockwave's engineering capabilities to thank for this accomplishment," Megatron rumbled. "It will not take long for this Omega Lock to be fully operational. All it requires now is a power source."

He spoke as if it were obvious, but Raf's processor was still reeling. No, this was impossible...

"It-it wouldn't work," the youngling spoke at last, shaking his helm. "The Omega Lock isn't something you can make. It's… it's like magic. There's no way to scientifically replicate it!"

"But how will we know for certain, if we do not try?" Megatron retorted in a low purr. "And how can we not try, when the means finally lie within our reach?"

Raf wasn't even aware his frame was trembling as he whimpered, "Then why are you showing me this? What could you possibly need from me?"

"Alchemist Prime had the ability to bend the materials of the universe to his will—a power that has been bestowed upon you."

Raf blinked up at Megatron, staring at him as if the warlord had grown a second helm. Megatron merely smiled down at him, not unkindly, and offered a servo. The youngling didn't even register his own falling into the Decepticon leader's palm.

Megatron effortlessly hoisted Raf back to his pedes, explaining, "So only you are capable of generating enough energy to power the Omega Lock. You can control it. You are Cybertron's only chance of ever seeing life again."

"The last time you tried to use the Omega Lock to cyberform Earth! Why would I help you when I know you would just do it again?! Everyone would be like this!"

Raf gestured to his metal body for emphasis. If the power of Omega Lock turned him and his friends into Cybertronians, it would undoubtedly do the same to others. The young mech wasn't blind to Megatron's schemes.

He didn't want to save Cybertron. He wanted to enslave the entire Earth.

"My only desire is to create a new home, not only for the Decepticons, but the Autobots as well," Megatron trailed off when there was a glint in his optics. He stalked forward to loom over Raf. "Surely you want the same?"

Standing in the Decepticon's monstrous shadow, the youngling didn't know how to respond. "I— Y-yes, of course I do, but… no! I mean…"

"After all, it is your fault that Cybertron remains in its desolate state."

Raf froze. Some part of him wanted to refute Megatron's claim, accusing him of lying. But it wasn't a lie—Optimus had destroyed the original in order to save the children, sealing Cybertron's horrid fate.

"But… but that wasn't our fault!" Raf protested. "Optimus did it—"

"Because of you," Megaton interrupted harshly. "He chose you, over the future of our species. Had you not been present, had you not placed yourself in our war—"

"I didn't even want to be part of anything!"

Raf hated conflict. He hated seeing his friends hurt. He hated he was the one that somehow always got caught in the crossfire. That was why he preferred to stay in the base so often. He didn't want—

"Yet here you are," Megatron drawled. The Decepticon leader began to circle the little 'Bot, like a lion circling its prey. "And now, you have a choice, little one. Live the rest of your days knowing you were solely responsible for the death of a planet, or live in a new world that you created."

Raf took a trembling step back, away from Megatron and against the door. Create a whole world? H-he couldn't do that, could he? He wasn't that strong, he wasn't that capable—

But if he was, Cybertron would be restored. The Autobots would have a home again. How many times had Raf heard Ratchet talk about his homeworld? Of how beautiful the planet was in its golden age, beaming with life. How much pain had filled his voice?

Raf had seen it in the others, as well. They would try to keep a stoic mask, but he could always see the grief that would fill their optics. He even saw it in Optimus.

The mech still tried to refuse, "N-no, I can't."

Lost in his own panic, he didn't even notice Megatron had moved towards him until impossibly gentle talons cupped his face. He flinched at the touch, but the titan's grip was firm as he tilted Raf's helm to meet his intense, crimson optics.

"But you can," Megatron insisted. "I have every confidence in you, Rafael."

Raf winced at his own name, spark growing hot in his chest as the mech's words circled in his helm over and over. What if Megatron was right? What if he really was Cybertrons only hope? Could he really leave a world to a desolate state forever... when he had the power to change it?

….No. He couldn't do something like that.

"I...I'll do it," Raf said, so quietly that it was barely audible. He dared to look up at the warlord, only to see Megatron's triumphant sneer. "But... you already knew that, didn't you?"

"Of course," Megatron admitted shamelessly. "It is in your nature, after all."

What had he done?

The question kept repeating in Raf's helm over and over as Megatron guided him through the Nemesis. Guilt ate away at his very spark. He should be trying to stop the Decepticons, not helping them! Or was this really the right thing to do? Did he ever have a choice?

Raf could see it now—this had all been Megatron's design. From the moment Soundwave was "captured" to the moment he conceded to the Decepticon lord's demands. And he had fallen for it.

Even now, instead of demanding where Megatron was taking him, Raf was following him around like a dog. Bumblebee would be so disappointed in him.

His depressing train of thought was interrupted by blaster fire.

Raf winced at the sound. For a split second, he thought the Autobots had made it onto the ship, that they had come for him. But that wasn't right. It didn't sound like Bumblebee's cannons, or anyone's from the team.

Soon the human-turned-Cybertronian became aware of other harsh sounds—the clangs of metal on metal, accompanied by grunts and shouts of fury and pain. As the noises became louder, Raf became more bewildered. If it wasn't Autobots, then what was it? Was it the Predacon?

Megatron seemed unbothered by the commotion, calmly stepping up to a door and entering a code. The sounds of fighting were coming from behind the door. Only when it yawned open, Raf gasped at the sight that greeted him.

Jack and Miko.

But something was horribly wrong.

Miko's servos were in the shape of battle-axes, parrying an oncoming strike from one of Jack's daggers. A shower of sparks flew when their blades dragged against each other, heels grounding into the floor as they pushed against their opponent. Jack ended the stalemate when he shifted his free servo into a blaster and aimed at Miko's side.

Before Raf could let out a shout, Jack fired. There was a sharp crack, followed by a whoosh of displaced air as Miko disappeared and reappeared behind Jack, axe raised to cleave him in two. As if he foresaw the attack, the mech spun on his heels in the flicker of an optic, raising his blades to meet hers. There was a sharp sound as metal met metal, Jack forcing Miko's axes apart—leaving her torso exposed.

Taking advantage, Jack sheathed his blade and curled his servo into a fist. He slammed into the femme's helm. She let out a cry of surprise and pain as she was sent to the ground. Before she had the chance to recover, Jack lunged forward, placing a knee on her chest with a dagger at her throat.

"Yield," he demanded, the blade so close he merely had to twitch and it would draw energon.

Miko's opened her mouth to spit out a retort when she caught a flash of bright orange in the corner of her vision. Her helm snapped in Raf's direction, mouth falling agape. Jack frowned in confusion before following her gaze, his own optics going wide in shock.

"Raf?!" Miko exclaimed, drowning out Jack's own gasp.

The mech frozen as his gaze shifted from the youngest mutant to Megatron towering behind him. His dead weight did little to deter Miko, who practically shoved Jack off of her and scrambled to her pedes.

As if she wasn't covered in dents and scratch marks, the femme closed the distance between them in a few hurried steps. Raf gasped as he was practically tackled. Miko's arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace and his pedes left the ground as the burly femme effortlessly lifted him up.

Raf could only wheeze helplessly as his vents were crushed, "Gah! Miko, ugh, can't breathe!"

"Oh, sorry."

Miko dropped him onto the floor. Raf had to stumble back to catch his balance, his cooling fans turning on with a quiet click. The femme only gave a sheepish, apologetic smile.

It was just like the ones she would give him all the time. When they were still human. Now, it looked displaced. Especially now with her crimson gaze.

Raf gasped, "Miko, y-your optics…"

"Oh, that," Miko brought a servo to her faceplates, as if to shield them, but thought better of it and offered another smile. "Trying out a new look."

Raf stared, suddenly not recognizing the femme in front of him. She was covered helm to pedes in scars and her optics were filled with hate.

"What… what did they do to you?" he whispered, so low only Miko could hear.

The femme visibly flinched at his question. She opened her mouth as if to respond, only to pause when she noticed the silver figure looming over them. Megatron had watched the exchange with an inscrutable expression, not even reacting when Jack slowly joined the group. Raf's optics widened when the mech bowed his helm and raised his fist to his spark—mirroring the salute the drones had given their lord as he walked by.

"Master," he greeted.

Although it was Jack's voice, the word sounded foreign coming from his lips. Even more so when Miko copied his movement, though it was stiffer than his.

"Lord Megatron," she muttered.

"I see your training is progressing well," Megatron mused, observing the two with a critical optic.

Raf balked at the word. Training?! They looked like they were about to kill each other! Whenever the Autobots sparred, each hit was careful and light, hardly leaving a dent. And if the training sessions got a little rough and left damage, it was immediately treated by Ratchet, who would verbally (and sometimes physically) express his disapproval. That usually served enough as a deterrent for the Autobots to keep from seriously hurting one another.

Raf's thoughts were interrupted by a flicker of movement in the corner of his optic. He glanced over, only to be greeted with a dark figure stepping forth from the shadows. Soundwave.

The youngling instinctively stiffened. He hadn't even noticed the spymaster at first. Soundwave was still sporting fresh welds from his capture, yet he hardly seemed bothered. Meanwhile, the memory was still fresh in Raf's mind. He shivered when he felt that blank stare bore into him. What was Soundwave doing here? As third-in-command, surely his duties didn't involve overseeing training sessions?

Lost in his own thoughts, Raf didn't hear Jack replying to Megatron. However, the Decepticon leader's deep hum was enough to bring him back to the present.

"Very good. Soundwave will continue to oversee your training. I expect results."

"Yes, Master," Jack hummed, bowing his helm.

It was then Raf realized that Miko was not the only stranger standing before him. Jack's vibrant violet optics flickered between the youngling and Megatron. His unspoken question was obvious.

Like Megatron could read his mind, the warlord spoke, "I am sure you would like to reacquaint yourself with your young friend," he then turned to his third-in-command, calling, "Soundwave, come."

Without hesitation, the third-in-command moved forward. With that, the pair of Decepticons left the room, leaving the three human-turned-Cybertronians alone. Raf realized it was the first time they had been together since the Fall of Darkmount. The mutant had long lost track of the months, waiting for the day he would finally be reunited with his friends. This was nothing like he envisioned it. He had wanted to see them be rescued by the Autobots, to reunite within the safety of the base.

"Raf," Jack said in a soft voice.

It was almost timid, nothing like the strong, confident boy that Raf looked up to. The elder mech slowly and cautiously wrapped his arms around Raf, as if the youngling could fall apart at any moment. Raf carefully returned the embrace. Yet it ended too soon was Jack suddenly pulled away.

"What are you doing here?" the mech demanded in a quiet hiss.

"I… um," Raf stuttered, not knowing where to begin. So much had happened.

As the young mutant tried to find his words, Jack narrowed his optics when realization dawned on him. "It was Soundwave, wasn't it?"

Raf bit his lower lip and after a moment of hesitation, nodded. Jack's grip tightened on the youngling's shoulders, but not painfully so.

"Were you hurt?"

"N-no…"

Raf avoided his friend's gaze as he spoke, ignoring the lingering ache in his struts. But Jack always knew when he was lying.

"Tell me the truth," he ordered, his voice filled with an authority that Raf never heard before.

He flinched slightly, but confessed in a mutter, "A little. He shocked me."

Raf swore he saw Jack's optics flare, but it was so quick he might as well have imagined it. Then that violet gaze dulled.

"I'm sorry, Raf," the elder mech murmured softly. "You shouldn't have to be a part of this."

"Neither should you," Raf replied. He lowered his voice, as if they were being watched, "We need to get out of here."

He tried to fill his tone with resolution, yet he was surprised when his friends only grimaced at his words. Miko wrapped her arms around her middle and a single shudder coursed through her frame.

"What? What is it?" asked Raf.

Miko stepped away, turning her back to the mechs. Jack avoided the youngest's gaze as he answered.

"We can't go back, Raf," came the chilling proclamation. Raf could only stare at Jack in shock.

"What do you mean?!"

"We can't. I'm...bonded to Megatron. The dark energon… it's—"

"He's using it to control you," Raf finished when Jack faltered. When the mech just looked away, he insisted, "But the 'Bots can help! They can flush the dark energon from your systems, like they did for me when I was human!"

"And then what?" Jack's optics furrowed into a scowl. "They'll lock me up!"

"Optimus would never—"

"I killed people, Raf!" The youngling flinched as Jack's voice rose into a yell. "I was there, at Las Vegas! If they knew the things that I've done… If you knew..."

Jack quickly turned away, wings flat on his back. Raf stared after him in shock. What had happened? What did Megatron do to his friend?

"I don't care about that," Raf insisted, stepping forward. "You're still my friend. Both of you are! We're like family! The Autobots, they're our family, too!"

"Yeah, right," Miko scoffed from where she stood, arms crossed over her chest.

Raf blinked at the venom in her voice. "How could you say that? What about Bulkhead?"

"Yeah, what about him?!" The femme rounded on him, crimson optics glowing brilliantly. "He left me, he shot me, he tried to blow the lab with me in it!"

"No, you don't understand," Raf corrected, shaking his head. "They were there to save you!"

"They had a funny way of showing it."

The orange mech widened his optics at Miko's bitter tone. He turned to Jack for help, but the mech only fixed him with a solemn frown.

"We're not leaving," Jack murmured quietly.

Raf's optics widened in disbelief. He could only stare at the strangers in front of him, that took the place of his best friends. His spark froze as he saw the bold and proud Decepticon sigil on each of their pauldrons.

He stepped away from the pair as if they were carrying the plague, crying out, "...Wh-what's wrong with you two?! Can't you see that the Decepticons are manipulating you?!"

Jack's optics darkened. "We don't have a choice. We're bound to the Decepticons. They're our family now."

Raf couldn't believe the words he was hearing. He felt his despair morphing into rage, pouring out as he spoke, "B-but—you can't just... give up! Megatron wants me to help him rebuild the Omega Lock! Don't you know what that means?!"

"The Omega Lock…?" Jack stared, his dark expression becoming one of surprise. "That's why he brought you here? To fix it?"

"He wants to build it! And I know he's going to use it on the Earth!" Raf looked away as his optics watered again. "A-and... I said I would."

"You what?" Miko screeched. "Do you know what that thing did to us? Everyone else will change, if they're not flat out killed—"

"But the Autobots, they would have a home again!" Raf insisted, but it sounded weak to his own audios.

"What about our home?! It was our planet until they came and ruined everything!"

"Listen, maybe I can stall the project, make enough time for the Autobots—"

"Stop!" Jack suddenly barked, stepping forward.

"But they can find us!"

"Raf, just shut up!"

Raf started at Jack's violent tone, even stepping back as the mechling clasped a servo over his mouth. Jack quickly looked around and eyed the door, as if he expected Megatron to come barging in. When the barriers remained still, he lowered his voice to a whisper.

"You listen. This isn't like the base back at home. Everything you do, everything you say—the 'Cons will know about it. We can't escape." Jack stressed the last sentence, and Raf's optics widened when he finally understood the gravity of the elder's words. However, effectively silenced, he could only listen as Jack went on, "Just… just do as they say."

With that, the larger mech cautiously lifted his servos off of Raf, leaving the youngling to gape at him.

"I... what? Why?" Raf stammered, optics going wide.

Jack wanted him to do what Megatron said?

"I don't want you to get hurt, Raf. If you just listen to them, you'll be safe."

"Are you insane?" Miko snapped harshly at Jack.

"Because I want Raf to stay in one piece?" he snapped back just as irritably. "No, I don't think I am! I don't have a choice!"

"Like you didn't have a choice to cuddle with Megatron?"

"So how are things working with you and Shockwave? Sleeping in the same lab and all?"

"Why you little—"

Raf didn't hear the rest, their words drowned out by the growing roar of his cooling fans. As their yells became louder, he felt panic rise higher in his chest. He tried to cycle air into his system, to gain control of himself, but his vents came out faster and faster. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop it!" Raf screamed, curling in on himself with servos over his audios.

Jack and Miko ceased their bickering as they glanced at their young friend, only for their optics to widen when they realized he was in hysterics. Tears of coolant were starting to fall from behind Raf's visor.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, little guy," Miko cooed quietly in assurance, laying a comforting servo on his trembling shoulder.

Raf just couldn't see how it was.

"No, it's not! It wasn't supposed to be like this! You shouldn't be fighting each other!"

The elder mutants looked at each other. His vision blurred with tears, he couldn't pick up the emotions exchanged between them. Their fields were pulled in tight and unreadable. Finally, it was Jack that broke the silence, taking Raf's servo in both of his and giving a gentle squeeze.

"I know," Jack admitted solemnly. "But we're going to get through this. No more arguing. We're together again, and that's all the matters."

"Yeah," Miko agreed, her voice soft. She gently pulled the mechling into a tight hug. "We've got your back, Raf. We're not going to let anything happen to you."

She carefully pulled away, but Raf refused to lift his helm as he wiped away the coolant from his faceplates. Jack sighed and tried again.

"If… you do what Megatron says, he won't hurt you," he explained cautiously, trying not to raise his voice to frighten Raf further.

"I don't... what if I can't do what they tell me? What if they hurt me anyway?"

"It won't come to that," Jack assured him firmly. "You're the smartest person I know, Raf. You won't disappoint."

Raf didn't feel as confident. He wondered what the Decepticons had in store for him and what would happen to him. In a matter of months, Miko and Jack were transformed into hardened soldiers. Just for how long could he last before the Decepticons changed him, too?

Ratchet was sore. An ache reverberated across his frame, all the way down to his struts. No doubt there was damage to his neural net, thanks to Soundwave's electrical attack. The pounding in his helm was even worse. That was courtesy of Shockwave.

The medic groaned as he groggily opened his optics as the cortical psychic patch was terminated. His processor was reeling from the invasive procedure, desperately trying to recalibrate systems and recover files that were torn apart from Shockwave's callous attempt to pry non-existing information from his helm. Ratchet went to bring a servo up to his faceplates, only to find he wasn't unable to move. With a gasp, he glanced down only to find energon restraints pinning his limbs to a berth. It was then orientation finally returned to him.

He was on the Nemesis.

Frag.

It was then Ratchet's vision was filled with a titanic, silver figure. He was met with gleaming, vermillion optics and a triumphant sneer.

"Good evening, Doctor," he greeted with saccharine pleasantry. "I do hope you find your stay comfortable."

The old veteran did fall for the façade, pulling his lips back in a snarl as he demanded coldly, "Are you through poking around inside my head? You didn't find what you wanted, did you?"

Megatron rolled his optics in exasperation at that. "Apparently what I want, does not yet exist."

"And that would be?"

"We would very much like for you to complete your work on the formula for synthetic energon."

Rather than a noise of shock, Ratchet scoffed. He figured as much. He could only recollect bits and pieces of the memories that Shockwave had ripped from his helm, but most of them involved his unfruitful experiments with the artificial fuel source. Experiments he had long put behind him. There was only one reason why the Decepticons would be interested in them.

"Even if I were capable, do you think that I would hand you a limitless supply of fuel and ammunition, just so you can turn it around and use it against the Autobots?" Ratchet ground out before adding hatefully, "I will never cooperate."

"Oh, I strongly recommend you reconsider your decision. That is, if you care about your former human pet."

Human pet? Was he talking about Jack and Miko? What did the slagger do to them? Then the energon in Ratchet's veins froze when he realized. Megatron said his pet. Meaning—

"Rafael!" the Autobot exclaimed. "What have you done with Rafael?"

"Safe. For now."

"I don't believe you."

"No? Perhaps this shall convince you."

Megatron raised a clawed servo—a gesture. The shadows beside the Decepticon shifted and a slim, dark shape stepped into the light. Ratchet bristled at the sight of Soundwave, but he was only greeted with the sight of his own snarl being reflected back at him.

That was until Soundwave's visor flickered into an image. Ratchet almost let out a sigh of relief as he saw Rafael, unscathed and unrestrained. The poor thing still looked terrified and confused, despite his company. Jack and Miko didn't look that ecstatic, either. Ratchet was surprised Megatron had allowed them to have contact at all. Just what was he playing at?

"If you hurt any of them, I swear—" Ratchet started to threaten, but was interrupted by Megatron's dark chuckle.

"You swear to what? You are in no position to make demands here. I could snuff your spark right here and now. Or.." It was then the demon's sneer widened in a nasty grin. "I can make you watch as I tear out young Rafael's."

The medic's processor stalled at the warlord's cruel words. His first instinct was to refute Megatron's bluff. Ratchet had heard so many of his lies, he had learned it was better not to listen to a word. The Decepticon leader obviously went through a lot of trouble to capture Rafael. He wouldn't take the youngling only to terminate him.

At the same time, the war veteran had seen Megatron slaughter countless Autobots and even his own troops. What was to stop the sadistic warlord from destroying Rafael as well? Or to have him tortured?

Just the idea sickened Ratchet to his core. No, not Rafael. Not after everything he had been through. The medic had finally managed to patch him together. He wouldn't allow Megatron to tear the mutant apart all over again.

No. Rafael didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve any of this.

The Decepticon lord must have taken Ratchet's silence as permission to continue, saying, "Unless you offer us your assistance."

Ratchet narrowed his optics. "For what purpose?"

"A little science project."

Something in Megatron's voice told it was not "little," but the medic kept that sentiment to himself as he listened to the mad mech's zealous rant. Only to find himself being filled with more and more dread with each word.

"I intend to use your formula for the purpose of creation, not destruction. We have fortuitously discovered that your Synth-En, when combined with Cyber nucleic acid, may in fact form the bases for an alternative cybermatter."

The former scientist caught on almost immediately. "You're attempting to rebuild the Omega Lock."

"We stand on the verge of a great moment in time, you and I," Megatron acclaimed, forming a fist in triumph. "The resurrection of our very homeworld."

The proposal only filled Ratchet with disgust. "Collaborate with the barbarian who essentially destroyed our planet in the first place? Who sadistically crushed Bumblebee's voice box while looking him in the optic? No, thank you."

With that venomous hiss, Ratchet looked away from his captor. He wished he was unbound, so he could turn away completely or better yet, punch Megatron right in the faceplates. Now the proud medic only looked like a pouting youngling. He hoped to at least make it clear he was no longer interested in the conversation. But of course, Megatron went on anyway.

"Then I present you with a choice. Complete your research, or…"

There was the sound of light pedes nearing Ratchet and that accursed visor showed a video feed of Rafael, Miko and Jack. The threat went unspoken, but it was still deafening in Ratchet's audio receptors.

Megatron was right. He didn't have a choice in the matter.

Still, it took several long moments for Ratchet to utter the words, "...I'll do it. As long as Rafael remains unharmed."

Megatron's grin turned victorious and his crimson optics brightened maliciously. "You have my word, Doctor."