I do not own Transformers Prime.

Raf clicked the next memory. Optimus turned to Arcee. She was still fiddling with the orb.

Optimus Prime: Previously on Transformers Prime It is best that you three remain under our watch.

Megatron: Gaze upon Dark Energon! Legend tells that it holds the power to revive the dead.

Ratchet: Cliffjumper's signal popped back online.

Optimus Prime: Let's find Cliffjumper!

Arcee: Cliff!

Ratchet: What is this?

Arcee: Don't know. Cliff was covered in it.

Starscream: Wait! Lord Megatron! You do not know what it will do!

"We still don't know how that effected him." A soldier whispered.

Back to the present.

Arcee: Tighten your grip, Jack.

Arcee takes off down the road at high speed.

Jack: H-Hey! What's with you, Arcee?

Arcee: I thought you might actually enjoy the ride if you weren't getting shot at.

June was about to protest, but then she realized there wasn't much of a point since this had already happened. And Jack was clearly fine, so she let it slide.

Jack: Oh, bring it!

Many of the soldiers chuckled, they could see themselves doing the same thing at that age. Then the scene changed to Miko and Bulkhead at the edge of a drop off. The soldiers began to question Miko's sanity, even they wouldn't do something like this.

Miko: Ready, set-

Bulkhead: Miko, I'm supposed to be protecting you.

Miko: Bulkhead, I'm strapped tight inside ten tons of metal muscle. I'm protected.

With that, Bulkhead proceeds forward.

"I can't believe you let her convince you," Agent Fowler said to Bulkhead.

"Well this certainly isn't the last time. And even I can't believe some of the things she convinced me to do."

Scene switches to Raf and Bumblebee playing a video game. Bee knocks Raf's car off the road.

Raf: No fair, Bumblebee! You've been driving a lot longer than I have!

Scene changes to the base.

Ratchet: Thank goodness for peace and quiet! House guests can be such a bother!

Something clatters to the ground.

The crowd tenses.

Ratchet: Wha?

Another sound is heard, it sounds like something walking around. Ratchet looks back up.

"It's like a scene from a horror movie." Private Daylee says. "You're just waiting for something to jump out."

Ratchet: Optimus? By the Allspark!

The machine come to life jumps at Ratchet.

"Told you!" Private Daylee exclaims. Only to be shushed by several of the other soldiers.

Ratchet proceeds to hit the machine with a pipe.

"Go Ratchet!" Miko cheers him on. Jack and Raf soon start cheering alongside her.

The little machine breaks the microscope Ratchet had previously been using.

Ratchet: I needed that!

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at Ratchet's misfortune. "Is that like your catchphrase?"

The little machine jumps at Ratchet again, only to be shot by Optimus.

"Good aim." One of the few female soldiers there said.

It tried to get back up only to be stomped on by Optimus.

"Now see Optimus, that was what I was worried would happen to one of the children." Ratchet complained, the memory making his point for him.

"Hey we are all still here." Jack countered.

"Yeah, you shouldn't worry so much Ratchet. Relax." Miko added.

"Besides, you couldn't get rid of Miko even if you wanted too." Raf joked.

"Hey!"

Ratchet: And stay broken! Now, what could have caused that?!

Optimus Prime: I have a grave suspicion, Ratchet. Dark Energon.

"That's pretty scary if you think about it. The dark energon was able to take a piece of machinery, which had never been alive before that, and bring it to life." Many shivered slightly at the thought. The thought that their toaster could possible come to life one day and try to kill them was more than a little unnerving.

On the Decepticon warship.

Starscream: Lord Megatron?

Megatron: It's as if the blood of Unicron the Destroyer flows through my veins! As if I hear his very thoughts. I now know what I must do.

Megatron grabs another piece of dark energon, and turns to leave.

Starscream: And what can I do to assist you, Master?

Megatron: Quit groveling. And wait my command.

With that Megatron leaves.

Soundwave silently approaches Starscream.

Starscream: Soundwave! (Starscream slightly jumps at the mechs appearance.)

"It seems we're not the only ones scarred of Soundwave." General Bryce spoke up.

"Indeed." Optimus responeded. "Everyone has a right to fear Soundwave. Before the war, when Megatron was still a gladiator in the arenas no one ever came close to defeating him, no except for Soundwave that is."

"If that's true then why is Sondwave only third in command? Why not second? He obviously would be a better choice than Starscream?" General Bryce asked.

"Not even i am sure as to why that is."

Starscream: I fear that when our Master reached for the stars he came down with a touch of space madness. Lord Megatron has not been sound on his judgment since his return. Increase global surveillance!

"I see what you mean when you said Starscream was just as or more dangerous than Megatron Agent Fowler. Any soldier who does not follow orders is a lose cannon. And Starscream is fully aware that he is disobeying his orders to await command."

Soundwave: (Using Megatron's voice) Quit groveling. And wait my command.

Shivers run through the soldiers once more. They couldn't help but agree with Optimus' words from before that everyone has a right to fear Soundwave. He was a Decepticon who commanded respect just by his mere presence.

Starscream: I'm not deaf! But if Optimus Prime lives I believe it is in Lord Megatron's best interest that we ensure his enemies destruction.

Back at the Autobot base.

Optimus Prime: If the residue Arcee found on Cliffjumper brought your broken equipment to life, it would stand to reason that the very same substance brought Cliffjumper back from the dead.

Ratchet: That would account for his life signal inexplicably coming back online, but Dark Energon? It's so scarce seems to be virtually non-existent. What would it be doing on Earth?

Optimus Prime: It was transported. By Megatron.

Ratchet: For what purpose?

Optimus Prime: To conquer this planet, by raising an army of the undead.

Ratchet: Well, Megatron would need to break quite a few toaster ovens. I mean, where on this world would he find that many cybertronian dead?

Just then the three younger autobots show up with their charges.

Jack:That was awesome!

Raf: Can we do it again?

Miko: Sweet!

"Hmm, I didn't realize we had just come in on a very important conversation."

"It is alright Jack." Optimus said.

Bulkhead makes a noise and pulls a guitar case out of his chassis.

Miko: Sorry! Must have left that in the back seat

Some of the soldiers chuckle silently to themselves.

Optimus Prime: Autobots, prepare to-

Optimus then looks down at the kids, changing his mind.

Arcee: Roll out?

Optimus Prime: Remain here. Ratchet, you'll come with me. Arcee, we'll be outside communications range for some time so I'm putting you in charge.

Miko: Dude, you're biggest. You should be the boss!

"It's not always about being the biggest." One of the few female soldiers there said. The other female soldiers nod in agreement. So did several of the men, who knew what could happen if you got on one of the female soldiers bad sides. Just the thought made them shiver.

Bulkhead: Err, he never picks me.

Arcee: Optimus With all due respect. Playing bodyguard is one thing; babysitting's another. Besides, Ratchet hasn't been in the field since the war.

Ratchet: My pistons may be rusting, but my hearing is sharp as ever!

Many of the soldiers laughed quietly, beginning to see what Miko had meant when she said grumpy was just Ratchets personality. Quite a few of them couldn't help but find Ratchet's grumpiness endearing.

Optimus Prime: For the moment it's only reconnaissance.

Fowler rolled his eyes, "'For the moment' being key words."

Arcee: And why do I hear an edge in your voice?

Optimus Prime: Arcee, much has changed in the last 24 hours, and we all need to adapt. Ratchet! Bridge us out!

Then they were gone, leaving through the ground bridge.

"That's still cool." Private Daylee said in excitement. The rest of the humans couldn't help but agree with him. They just wished they could see how if it would really work with humans as well. If only they had known they would get their wish.

Jack: OK, chief so, what's on the activities list?

Arcee: I'm going on patrol.

Bulkhead: But Optimus told us to stay.

"Hmm, maybe I should have left Bulkhead in charge." Optimus said, looking over at Arcee who used the orb to pretend she hadn't noticed his stare. She realized she had messed up, but she was also thankful she hadn't had to deal with Agent Fowler at the time.

Arcee: When you are in charge you can call the shots. 'Bee! With me! Bulkhead, you're in charge.

Then Bee and Arcee were gone. 'I should have at least left Bee' Acree thought.

Bulkhead: So uh, what's on the activities list?

Just then there was a loud screeching noise that had everyone holding their ears.

Miko: How about band practice?

Raf: But we are not a band.

Miko: Why so antisocial? Come on, Raf, do you play anything?

Raf: Hmm keyboard? Laptops and ensembles, good! Jack?

Jack: I, sometimes mess around on the harmonica.

Miko: Do I look like I do country?

"Not in the slightest, you look like a crazy rocker." A random soldier said.

Miko smiled, "I take that as a compliment."

Miko: Just cover yourself in fake blood and jump around screaming. Bulkhead! Percussion! We'll go for a big industrial sound. DIY, we are a band! You just need to learn the songs. This one's a ballad, 'My fist, your face'.

She starts playing and Jack, Raf, and Bulkhead all cover their ears.

"Ah come on! I can't be that bad." Miko complained.

"Hey, you know I like your music." Bulkhead said. "It's just that you had the volume so loud that our ears were ringing for the next few hours."

Just then the proximity alarm went off, and Bulkhead had to stop Miko.

Many in the audience were greatful.

Miko: Come on! You can't handle raw power?

Bulkhead: Proximity sensor. Quick, hide!

June spoke up, "I don't think hiding behind bulkhead was the best choice kids."

"Yeah, we realize that now."

Agent Fowler: Prime!

Bulkhead: Agent Fowler. Uh. He's not here. Nobody's here. Except me, of course.

Agent Fowler: Wh-, where did he go? Wait, don't tell me, He's out pankacking a mini-mall! Now, I don't know what language you 'Bots speak on your planet, but Prime promised he would handle the Decepticons, and blowing a crater in the middle of Nebraska is not what the word 'handle' means to me! So, you tell prime-

During his little speech, Miko's guitar started making noises since the cord was pulled taut.

"Why didn't you just leave your guitar?" Raf questioned. "We wouldn't have been discovered if you had."

Seeing that upset Miko, Jack came to her defense. "Hey, it's okay. We would have been discovered eventually, even if we hadn't been caught then. It was just a matter of time."

Agent Fowler: Since when are you, 'Bots, electric?

Realizing they were caught, the kids walked out from behind Bulkhead.

Jack: Hey! How are you doing?

Agent Fowler chuckled looking back at how calm Jack had been. "Really Jack?"

Jack just shrugged, "What was i supposed to say?"

Agent Fowler: Contact with civilians! Team Prime has really gone off rules this time. Wait, don't tell me! You are running a day-care center?

Bulkhead: Hummm- (Bulkhead looks down at the kids for help)

Jack: We are interns.

Raf: Student interns.

Jack: Earning extra credits in auto shop!

Miko: -Robotics!

"I shouldn't have said anything."

Raf roll his eyes, "I don't think it would have made a difference Miko whether you had said anything or not."

Agent Fowler: OK Let's move! I'm taking all three of you into federal custody. For your own protection.

Bulkhead stomps his foot in front of Agent Fowler. Keeping him away from the kids.

"You know, you were asking for it there big guy." Agent Fowler mildly glared at Bulkhead.

"Hey, what good is all this extra weight if you can't throw it around every now and then."

Agent Fowler just chuckled.

Bulkhead: We are protecting them.

Agent Fowler: Is that so? Well, maybe you can explain that to my superiors at the Pentagon!

Agent Fowler went and picked up the phone as he said this.

Bulkhead: Don't use that phone! It's-

Bulkhead crushes the phone with his finger, preventing Agent Fowler from making the call.

Bulkhead: -Out of order.

Everyone got a laugh out of that. "'Out of Order'? Is that really what you said? That's hilarious!" The black soldier said through his laughter. Even Ratchet piped up, "It seems your knack for breaking things comes in handy every now and then."

Agent Fowler: This isn't over, Big Foot, not by a long shot!

With Optimus and Ratchet in a desolate looking canyon

Ratchet: Optimus, what do we hope to find here?

Optimus Prime: The site of the largest Cybertronian battlefield in this galaxy.

That gave all the humans pause, "What?!"

Ratchet: On Earth? You must be joking!

Optimus Prime: Do you recall the period late in the war, when both sides began hiding their energon spoils off-world?

Ratchet: Of course, that's the reason energon deposits exist on planets such as this one.

Optimus Prime: It is also the reason battles came to be waged on planets such as this one. And I fear Megatron's memory is as long as history.

The scene changed back to Agent Fowler leaving the Autobot base in his helicopter.

"No wait! Go back! I need to know more about earth being the site of the largest battle in this galaxy!" Private Daylee was letting his emotions get the better of him, but the rest of the soldiers agreed with him. They wanted to know more.

Agent Fowler: Sir! Agent Fowler. We have a situation. I'm en-route from the Autobot base. I'll brief you in person.

Close-up on Soundwave in the Decepticon warship

Soundwave: (Using Fowler's voice) Agent Fowler, I'm en-route from the Autobot base. I'll brief you in person.

Agent Fowler shivered, "It's strange hearing my voice coming from Soundwave."

Starscream: Autobot base, say! Humans. Always the weak link. Fetch me this 'Fowler', So that he may brief us instead.

Sound wave releases Lazerbeak.

"What the heck is that?" Asks Private Daylee.

"That is Lazerbeak." Ratchet stated. "He's a mini-con who only listens to Soundwave, his master. If Soundwave ever decided to switch sides in this war, than Lazerbeak would be a package deal. He's a surveillance drone. Extremely useful, and quiet deadly. Just like his master."

Back with Agent Fowler

Agent Fowler: Hey! Big bird, I'm flying here! What in uncle Sam's beard!?

Some of the soldiers looked at Agent Fowler strangely after his on screen self's comment, "Never heard that one before."

The mini-con is flying at him head on.

"Dang, he's bigger than I thought." Said the blonde soldier.

"Yeah, his wingspan is bigger than the helicopter." Commented General Bryce.

Agent Fowler: First the freeways aren't safe, now air travel?!

Lazerbeak rams into the helicopter, tilting it off balance. Flying ahead, Agent Fowler slows done, allowing the mini-con to get in front of him.

Agent Fowler: You wanna dance, 'Con? I'll lead!

Then he starts shooting. A few shots hit their target, but din't seem to do any good. Lazerbeak flips in the air, coming behind the helicopter to take off its tail rotor. The helicopter rapidly descends with Agent Fowler inside.

Soldiers watch on in tense silence. None of them had been informed that any of this had happened, and they were worried of the outcome.

Agent Fowler: Never an Autobot around when you actually need one!

Agent Fowler continued in a downward spiral. Lazerbeak followed, releasing his tentacles which broke into the helicopter and grabbed Agent Fowler. As he was being pulled out, Agent Fowler was able to press the emergency button before the copter crashed. Agent Fowler was carried off by Lazerbeak.

General Bryce stood up, "I had no idea any of this happened! Why was i not informed soldiers?!"

Agent Fowler calmly stated, "I informed superiors at the Pentagon and made a statement. I left them to inform who they thought should be aware of the situation."

General Bryce sat back down with a heavy sigh.

At the Autobot base, an alarm going off

Raf: My ears!

Bulkhead: It's an S.O.S. From Fowler.

The alarm stops before Bulkhead could do anything.

Raf: Did you trace it?

Bulkhead: Location scan was incomplete. - Oh, well.

Agent Fowler is shocked by Bulkhead's statement. "Oh well? Seriously?!"

Jack: Oh, well? Seriously?

Everyone looked between Agent Fowler and Jack at their comments being the same. Someone might have said something if the situation hadn't been so serious.

Bulkhead: Fowler's a jerk!

Jack: Wow! Whether you like the guy or not the Decepticons may have him!

Raf: And Agent Fowler knows your location. (Then Raf realizes something else) Our location!

Miko: And did we not just witnessed how fast Fowler backs down from a 'Bot; The 'Cons will totally make him squeal!

"Hey, I did not squeal! Thank you very much."

Bulkhead: But we lost the transmission. Fowler could be anywhere.

Raf: Maybe I can near it down. About five years ago the Government started microchipping their agents. You know, like owners do with pets.

Everyone except for Bulkhead, Miko, and Jack looked from the screen to Raf and back again shocked that he knew that.

Raf: What? I saw it on TV. Anyway, if I can hack into the Fed's mainframe maybe I can pinpoint Fowler's coordinates.

"You know how to hack into the Federal mainframe?!" All the soldiers yelled. A soldier leaned into General Bryce and whisper, "Just what all can these kids do?" General Bryce was wondering the same thing. It would be very handy to keep a closer eye of these kids as well as the bots throughout the rest of the memories. Especially since it seemed the kids were apart of the Autobot team. He was supposed to be evaluating the whole teams loyalty after all.

Miko: You know how to hack? But you're like two years old!

Raf: Twelve. And a quarter.

With Agent Fowler and the Decepticons

Starscream: Welcome, agent Fowler.

The soldiers all growled under their breath.

Agent Fowler: You treat all your guests this nice?

Starscream: Any friend of the Autobots.

Agent Fowler: Autobot? That one of them coin operated wash-my-own-car places?

This got smirks from many of the soldiers, all who were cheering him on silently.

Starscream: Oh, so that's how it's going to be, hmm? Apparently no one has told you I have no appreciation for human humor.

Starscream turns his attention to Soundwave.

Starscream: Make our guest comfortable.

He then leaves Agent Fowler with Soundwave who clenches his fist and approaches the Agent.

Back at the Autobot base

"Wait, what happened to Agent Fowler?" Several soldiers murmured to each other.

Raf: Latitude 39. 5, Longitude 116. 9.

Bulkhead starts up the ground bridge.

Bulkhead: OK, wait here.

Miko: Ow, don't break up the band!

Bulkhead: Uh Jack, you're in charge!

With that Bulkhead is running through the ground bridge, leaving the three kids at the base.

"Good to know you didn't take her along on purpose." Arcee said, gaining many confused looks from the soldiers as well as June. "Just keep watching, you'll see."

Jack: Guess we three have run out the place. Miko? Miko?

General Bryce sighed and placed his head in his hands. 'Just great, she's gone. I knew she was a troublemaker.' He thought. He could tell if he had to take any drastic action towards the team it would most likely be because of her. Maybe he should just remove her from the team? For her own safety as well as others.

With Bulkhead

Bulkhead: Fowler? Uh oh. The whole Decepticon shebang.

Bulkhead slowly moves in closer to the Decepticon warship.

Miko: Alright! What's the plan? (Giving Bulkhead a thumbs-up)

Bulkhead: (Gasps) Miko!

Everyone else yelled out "Miko!" as well, before turning disapproving eyes on her. She tried to look innocent, not fooling anyone.

She had been to loud. A Decepticon heard her, and came over.

Miko: Oh, unwise.

Bulkhead: Miko, get down!

Miko ran.

Even though they were not happy with her being there, everyone was glad she did not get hurt just then. They thankful Bulkhead would protect her.

The Decepticon got off a shot before Bulkhead tackled him, and started punching. Bulkhead brought him to the ground. Miko pick up a rock and slammed it into the Decepticons head.

Miko: Hold him still!

It did nothing. Bulkhead picked her up, and placed her out of the way.

Bulkhead: Miko, look away!

Miko: But-

Bulkhead: Turn your head away!

Bulkhead finished off the Decepticon by pulling his internal workings out of his chassis.

Miko: Wow. (In awe)

Bulkhead sighed, "And of course you didn't look away."

Many soldiers felt for Bulkhead. He had not wanted her to see that. There were certain things they wish they could forget or unsee, but that was part of being a soldier.

With Arcee and Bumblebee

Bulkhead (over the com): Arcee, Bumblebee, do you read?

Arcee: Loud and clear, Bulkhead.

Back with Bulkhead, hiding behind a rock with Miko in his hand.

Bulkhead: I have a situation.

"Yeah, no kidding." A soldier said sarcastically.

Back with Arcee and Bumblebee

Arcee: Bulkhead, they're children. Humans, just do whatever.

Arcee and Bumblebee drive a little further down the road before coming to a screeching halt.

Arcee: You're where?! She's where?!

"Watch out everyone! Arcee's in mamma mode!" Miko said, trying to alleviate some of the tension she had caused. It worked, but only slightly.

Back at base with Jack and Raf

Raf: What should we do? Bulkhead may have not even realized she followed him.

"Um ok, you said this was your memories. So how are we seeing them at base? None of you are around?"

Optimus answered the soldier, "Cameras inside and around the base."

"Ah."

Jack: Miko hasn't seen the 'Cons in action like we have. She has no idea.

Raf: Those are the coordinates. Their destination is still locked in.

Jack: Um. You're in charge!

Private Daylee raised an eyebrow, "In charge of who?"

Raf: In charge of who?

This time the crowd laughed.

Raf activated the ground bridge, and followed Jack. They both went through. Back over at the computer, Arcee's voice can be heard.

Arcee: Arcee to base, come in. Jack? Listen up, we need you to bridge us back. Hello?

"Sorry Arcee!"

"It's fine Jack. You did what you thought was best under the circumstances, which was get Miko. But you should have left someone at base, how were you planning on getting back otherwise."

"Yeah, I hadn't thought that far."

Arcee: Bumblebee, metal to the pedal!

In the Decepticon warship with Agent Fowler, who is in chains hanging off the ground

Starscream: Agent Fowler, I have one single request that would save your family the pain of grieving. Tell me the location of the Autobot base.

Agent Fowler: No problem. But I need to ask you something first.

Starscream: Yes, I'm listening.

Agent Fowler: I've got an issue with the customer service around here. Can I speak to the manager?

"Ha! The look on Starscream's face is priceless!" No one could help laughing.

Starscream: I make the decisions here. I am in charge! Bring the prod.

That got everyone to stop laughing, even those who had been about to make a comment about Starscream being 'in charge'.

Outside the warship with Bulkhead

Bulkhead: What's taking Arcee and Bumblebee?

Miko: Dude, the cons could be putting the clamps on Fowler right now. Let's just storm the joint!

Bulkhead: They're here!

"Sorry Bulkhead, it's just us." Raf said.

Jack and Raf jumped out of the ground bridge.

"Hey, it works!" Private Daylee said.

Miko: Why don't those guys hang with their own 'Bots? This is our one-on-one time.

Raf: Are your bones vibrating?

"Hmm, well that's interesting to know."

Raf and Jack are in plain view of the Decepticon warship and are soon spotted.

Vechons: You there!

Bulkhead and Miko: Scrap!

"You do realize Miko, that probably none of this would have happened like this if you had stayed at base like you were supposed to." June asked. "Bulkhead would have had that backup he needed, the boys wouldn't have just been spotted by Decepticons, and Bulkhead might have been able to get to Agent Fowler sooner and prevented him from being tortured."

Miko didn't say anything as she looked at Mrs. Darby. She hadn't thought of any of that when she went through the ground bridge. She had just wanted to be apart of the action.

June knew she was probably being to harsh on Miko, but Jack had put himself in harms way because of her. She was just trying to get Miko to think.

Back on the warship

Starscream: I'll ask nicely one last time. - The Autobot base!

Agent Fowler: Sure thing buddy right after you eat my star-spangled shorts!

Starscream had had enough. He pulled out the prod and jabbed it into Agent Fowler, who screamed.

Everyone winced, especially Miko who say that this might be her fault.

Starscream: As I imagined. Energon and human nervous systems don't mix.

"Starscream really is dangerous." General Bryce said. "He didn't even bat an eye at what he was doing. And he seems to enjoy inflicting pain."

"Tell me about it, I should know." Agent Fowler said. He could still feel imaginary pain coursing through his body at the site of that prod.

With Optimus and Ratchet on a old ravaged Cybertronian battlefield

"I had almost forgotten about them."

"Yeah, a lot has happened in this memory." Another soldier responded.

Ratchet: For the first time in my life, Optimus I had hoped that you were wrong.

"I wish I had been as well Ratchet." Optimus said as Megatron appeared onscreen.

Megatron: Optimus! Been well? I see you brought your trusty watchdog. I was certain he'd be convalescing in a scrap yard by now.

Ratchet: (Clearly offended)Why don't you invite him down here for a chat?

Others agreed, clearly offended on Ratchet's behalf. A soldier was a soldier, no matter what.

Optimus Prime: I know why you're here, Megatron.

Megatron: Hardly a surprise, Optimus. After all, you and I have been at this a long time. And your time has come to an end!

Megatron pulled out the shard of dark energon and threw it into the old battleground. The dark energon seeped into the ground, which began cracking with glowing purple veins. Megatron also began to glow even more.

Megatron: Rise, my army!

A glowing dark purple optic is shown before Cybertronian undead rise from the ground.

Everyone was enraged and felt sick to their stomachs at seeing what was happening to these poor lost souls.

Ratchet: By the Allspark!

Megatron: Behold the power of Dark Energon!

That's all for now. Thank you to everyone who has suggested names for the soldiers. I will not be introducing them until after the end of Darkness Rising, so anyone who still wishes to suggest a name feel free to do so. Please review.