Back at the base, the Autobots are all wondering how Dark Energon is coming from the same place where Cliffjumper was destroyed. It just doesn't make sense.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, Ratchet. How come there's Dark Energon in there? The place was blown to bits and with all the Energon, nothing could've survived there." Bulkhead was right as they knew that nothing could survive an explosion that was mixed with Energon.
"Except maybe Dark Energon." Ratchet said as he was double checking and the scan was still showing the same results as Arcee stood beside him.
"Ratchet, are you sure you got the right location?" Arcee glanced at the computers as Ratchet understood what she was thinking.
"I can understand your concerns, Arcee. But I assure you I've got the right location." Ratchet reassured her with a nod as Wheeljack spoke from the comms.
"You should also know that the Jackhammer's scanners are never wrong." Wheeljack spoke up through the comm link as he looked at the scanners on his ship.
"But what's the deal about this Dark Energon thingy?" Wheeljack sounded confused and curious.
"Despite the fact that the Dark Energon's nature is shrouded in myths and legends. Its power is very real. For it was once used to revive one of our fallen comrades." Optimus explained grimly as the kids looked at each other before continuing to listen to the conversation.
"And those who died in Cybertron." Bulkhead added as he remembered what happened after the space bridge incident back then before it detonated.
"Come on. You're not being serious are you?" Wheeljack sounded nervous but he sensed the seriousness in the atmosphere in the base through the comm.
"Yes.... we are." Arcee said gravely and as she hugged herself.
"Oh sorry my bad. So you're telling me that the legends about this Dark Energon being able to bring any Cybertronian back from the dead is true?" Wheeljack asked just to be sure as Ratchet nodded since he read something about it before.
"Sadly... yes." Ratchet nodded.
"Well I think we should go after it before the cons do." Wheeljack sounded excited to bash some cons.
"Easy, Jackie. The place is dangerous. It's an old Energon mine that once belonged to the cons. If we go there now, we'll surely get a surprise from them." Bulkhead did have a point there but from the looks of Optimus' optics, they had to go there, dangerous or not.
"I'm afraid that's a risk that we'll have to take, Bulkhead. Ratchet, prepare the ground bridge. Wheeljack, you will rendezvous with us at these coordinates." Optimus ordered as they nodded as they knew that it was time to act before the cons beat them to the location.
"Roger that, Optimus. Wheeljack out." Wheeljack said before he turned his comm link off as Ratchet turned the ground bridge on after setting the coordinates as the portal turned on.
"Ground bridge is online. Raf, you will take care of it while we're gone." Ratchet said as Raf nodded.
"Understood, Ratchet." Raf nodded as he knew from experience how to operate the ground bridge.
"Finally some action." Smokescreen grinned excitedly as he was about to join the others but Optimus puts his servo on Smokescreen's shoulder to stop him as the rookie looks at their leader in confusion.
"Smokescreen, due to your limited experience with Dark Energon. It might be wise for you to stay here and take care of the children." Optimus told him as Smokescreen looked like his Energon drink was taken.
"Guard duty? Come on, Optimus, there's cons out there you need my help." Smokescreen insisted but Optimus shook his head.
"You will provide a lot of help if you stay here." Optimus said as Smokescreen was unsure.
Smokescreen didn't like the fact that he has to stay here and do nothing but he must obey Optimus orders since they might need some back up. He sighed and nodded.
"Yes, sir." Smokescreen nodded as Optimus nodded back before he turned to Emily who had that look on her face that he knew.
"I'm coming with you, guys. I might be able to help." Emily said as she looked at them and they saw that there was nothing changing what she set her mind on.
"Knowing how hard it is to change your mind, it's best not to argue." Ratchet chuckled as Jack, Miko, Raf and Smokescreen looked at Emily in shock while she looked back at them with a smile.
"Whoa, hold on. So Emily can go with you but Smokescreen is the one who gets stuck here?" Jack pointed to the situation. He's only known Emily for a short amount of time and he saw that she was determined to help.
"Total bummer." Miko pouted as Emily punched her arm playfully and made the pink highlighted haired girl smile as she smiled back.
Emily went down the stairs to grab her motorcycle before she put her helmet on and started the engine as she looked up at Smokescreen with a smile.
"Sorry, Smokescreen." Emily apologized but Smokescreen just smiled at her.
"No big deal, Ems. Go out there and hit one for me." Smokescreen kneeled and offered a fist bump as he grinned as she grinned back.
"You got it." She fist bumps him back and they turn to the portal.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus said as they ran to the portal before transforming into their alt modes as the kids and Smokescreen watched them go.
Emily waved to the others goodbye before following suit. She then revs her motorcycle at full speed and goes through the portal. On the other side of the portal, the Autobots finally arrive outside of the old Decepticon mine and see that there are explosion marks everywhere they look. The place was totally destroyed from the looks of it. To get a better look, Emily takes off her helmet as she whistles slowly in shock.
"It must've been quite a fight." Emily noted as Arcee transformed back first into her robot form as she looked around with a somber look.
"It was... but we lost." Arcee muttered sadly.
The other Autobots transform back into their robot mode as Optimus turns to Ratchet who has his scanner with him.
"Can you tell where the Dark Energon is?" Optimus asked as Ratchet took out his scanner.
"Let me check my scanners." Ratchet said as he turned his scanner on and checked it to see where the Dark Energon was located.
"It's right ahead of us." Ratchet pointed in front of them as Emily put her helmet back on.
"I'll go in first." She told them and Arcee looked down at her in surprise.
"Emily, wait up!" Arcee said but it was too late as Emily revved up her motorcycle in full power and left the others as they just watched in surprise as Arcee transformed into her alt mode and tried to catch up with the 18 year old.
"Emily, wait! It's dangerous! Slow down!" Arcee continues to warn her as she was right behind Emily and she knows that the others weren't too far behind.
Emily started to slow down and finally reached a place that was full of rubbles and in the middle of it all, there was a burned metal body that looked all too familiar.
"Whoa, what is that? Arcee, are you seeing... this?" Emily hid her motorcycle somewhere and looked at the burned metal body before looking towards Arcee, who looked away sadly, while trying not to shed a tear from her optics.
Emily was wondering in concern why Arcee isn't looking. Then she looks back at the burnt body and figures out that this burned metal body was Cliffjumper's remains as dread and sadness welled up in her.
"Oh no." Emily whispered before she went to Arcee and looked up to her sadly.
"Arcee... this is... what's left... of Cliffjumper...?" Emily asked her hesitantly as Arcee nodded as she hugged herself to pull herself together
"Yes..." Arcee said as she blinked away the tears as Emily watched her sadly.
"I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have rushed in like this." Emily apologized but Arcee just shook her head and smiled down at her sadly.
"It's okay. It's not your fault. In a way, you did what we did back then." Arcee told her softly as she looked up to her mother figure.
"Really?" Emily asked curiously as Arcee nodded as she explained what happened.
"Yes. A day after Cliffjumper died, our scanners detected his signal popping back online. When we came here, we stumbled upon this Energon Mine full of cons. They started hitting us with everything they had but we were able to repel them and when we advanced, we found Cliffjumper. I rushed in to save him and when he was about to fall I grabbed his servo just to see that he wasn't himself anymore. Megatron had used Dark Energon to revive him and turn him into... a monster." Arcee whispered the last part before she fell to her knees when she felt them weakened as Emily put a hand on her arm in comfort.
"Arcee, you don't have to feel bad about this." Emily told her as Arcee wiped a small stray tear that fell.
"I know but... I just ask myself how things could've been if he was... still here. This never would've happened if I'd come earlier to help him when I could." Arcee let out a shaky breath as Emily looked up to her with a small smile.
"You know there's a human concept when we think that the people we loved are still with us inside our hearts... even in death." Emily pointed to where Arcee's spark chamber is as the others drove in and transformed into their robot forms and Optimus walked forward to them.
"A very sentimental concept. One in which I agree. For even in the Allspark. Those who were our allies, our friends, our brothers. Will still be with us as long as we remember them." Optimus said as Arcee smiled at them both as she stood up.
"You're right, Optimus. Cliffjumper is still with us. And he always will." Optimus smiled back as he looked at Emily with a thankful look as she just smiled up to him before Ratchet's scanner was detecting something near Cliffjumper's burnt body as shock was in his optics.
"By the Allspark. It's... impossible. The Dark Energon is coming from... Cliffjumper's corpse." Ratchet said in shock as they looked to where the body of their dead comrade was.
They all saw how Cliffjumper's corpse was emanating Dark Energon and Emily had to shake her head since it was getting a little hazy. The shard that was used to revive him is still intact and was producing more of its dark matter.
"So wait, that's the Dark Energon signature that we detected earlier?" Bulkhead looked at Ratchet in shock as he moved a bit forward but didn't go near it.
"Yes." Ratchet nodded before the scanner started beeping like crazy indicating that the Dark Energon signature is starting to increase even more.
"And it's worse than we thought. The Dark Energon signature is off the scale." The others became worried before Emily sensed something below them and she happened to look down and her breath caught in her throat.
"Uh, guys? I think there's something below us." Emily walks backwards towards Arcee as they look down and are all shocked.
The Autobots all saw that below their pede, there was an intense amount of Dark Energon and it was large as they just stared at it in shock and disbelief.
"Ratchet? What's going on here?" Bulkhead said as he was getting a little nervous.
"It would seem that the Dark Energon has multiplied and created a vast vein. It seems that this whole place is full of Dark Energon." Ratchet told them in shock as they couldn't believe it. How could one shard create this massive amount of the dark stuff?
"Why is this Dark Energon emanating from the floor like that?" Emily noticed how it almost looked like the Dark Energon was pulsing and she had to stop a shiver up her spine.
"Maybe because the one who's able to release its power is already..." Ratchet said in worry as Arcee knew who he meant.
"You mean Megatron?" Arcee asked and saw Ratchet nod as Bumblebee beeped worriedly.
"I think I hear something coming." Bulkhead perked up after hearing what sounded like a ship approaching.
The Autobots and Emily all look up to the sky and see that it was the Decepticons' warship, the Nemesis, is approaching which means that cons will soon be coming down any moment and they need to hide fast.
"Autobots, find cover and stay hidden." Optimus ordered them as they nodded.
The Autobots and Emily start hiding before the Decepticons come down and spot them. Arcee was hiding with Emily, Bulkhead went with Bumblebee and Ratchet went with Optimus as they watched from their hiding spot as the Nemesis stopped above them.
Meanwhile on the ship, Megatron and his team were getting ready to retrieve the Dark Energon to harvest.
"Lord Megatron, are you sure it's wise to retrieve this Dark Energon?" Knock Out was only curious as Megatron had his back turned to them but was smiling evilly at the thought of having more of the dark crystals.
"It is necessary, doctor. This substance is the very source of my strength. Imagine what we could do with a full supply of Dark Energon. We will be unstoppable." Megatron had an evil grin on his face-plate as the others thought on how it would be like when they have all the Dark Energon that they wanted.
"I like the sound of that." Breakdown smirk as Airachnid just rolled her optics at him.
"What makes you think that Megatron will share his beloved source of power with you, Breaky?" Airachnid taunted.
Breakdown brought out his hammer and was about to squash Airachnid with it when Knock Out stops him by putting a hand on his shoulder with a look.
"Not worth it." Knock Out told him and he calmed down but he gave Airachnid a sneer as Starscream looked down at the mountain that once was an Energon mine.
"So this is where our future supply of Dark Energon awaits for us to harvest. It will be an honor to witness such a glorious moment." Starscream smiled before Megatron gave him a look and a sneer.
"Starscream, you are to remain on the ship." Megatron ordered and it looked like Starscream just got slapped on the face-plate.
"What... but... but... but, master, as your devoted servant I must bear witness to one of the most glorious events in Decepticon history." Starscream insisted only to receive a glare and growl from their leader and he backed down quickly.
"My decision is final. For your own sake, you better do as I say or else face my wrath." Megatron growled dangerously as Starscream shuddered slightly in fear as he imagined the beating Megatron will give him if he didn't follow his orders.
"Yes of course, Lord Megatron." Starscream bowed before throwing the trio at the back who were snickering a glare.
"I'm ready to serve as you see fit, master." Dreadwing, their new recruit, saluted but Megatron shook his head at him.
"Dreadwing, you will remain on the ship as well. You'll be on standby in case we need assistance." Megatron told him as he nodded.
"Yes, master." Dreadwing bowed before getting up as Megatron turned around.
"Everyone else come with me." Megatron said as they all walked to the elevator.
They all soon get in the elevator when suddenly Airachnid starts humming the Itsy Bitsy Spider song and causing everyone to look at her weirdly as she glances at them with a shrug.
"It's very catchy." She said as Knock Out covered his audio receptors as the elevator went down.
Megatron growls at her and causes her to stop. The elevator soon reached the ground and they all got out. They were all amazed at what they were seeing as Breakdown to take a closer look.
"Whoa, what is that?" He couldn't help but ask curiously as Knock Out took out his scanner as he scanned it.
"It looks to be a vein entirely made of Dark Energon." Knock Out informed them as they were amazed by this.
"How big is it?" Breakdown asked as he stood back up as Knock Out sent them all a grin like they hit the jackpot.
"Really big." Knock Out then put his scanner away as his optics had a glint to them.
"From the looks of it, the vein reaches the whole mountain. With no end in sight." Airachnid purred as she could feel the energy coming from it.
"An unlimited supply of Dark Energon. Hahahahahahaha... HAHAHAHAHA!" Megatron started to laugh evilly as they hit the mother-load of unlimited supply.
While Megatron was laughing at the sight of his future unlimited supply of Dark Energon, the Autobot were all watching from their hiding places as they heard the conversation.
"We can't just stay here and do nothing while Megatron gets his hands into an unlimited supply of Dark Energon." Ratchet whispered as they agreed to what he said but they can't blow their cover now.
"We won't but for now it is best to keep our cover." They nodded and continued to watch their enemies.
"What are you waiting for? Begin the mining process." Megatron looked to Breakdown impatiently as he nodded.
"Yes, Lord Megatron." He nodded before turning his commlink.
"Commence mining sequence."
The Decepticons miners all started bringing down the drills and all the equipment they needed. After that, they start mining the Dark Energon as the others watch helplessly at the sight before them.
"Won't be long enough before they find us." Bulkhead whispered nervously as Bumblebee beeped quietly in agreement.
"Yeah. Get ready, Bee, things are about to get ugly very soon." Bulkhead looked to where the others were as they were trying to stay completely hidden.
Emily and Arcee were both trying to keep a low profile while avoiding being found by the Decepticons.
"This is not good." Emily whispered-groan in dismay since it won't be long before they are caught.
"They have the whole place covered. Sooner or later they'll find us." Arcee said as Emily groaned silently at the thought. As much as she likes to kick the Decepticons today, she was not in the mood since she doesn't wanna think of the prospect of them being captured.
"Let's try not to think about that." Emily whispered and looked at Arcee who shrugged.
Emily accidentally hits some small rocks that started falling and make a sound upon hitting the ground and this caused the others to look at her as she looked back at them with a rather nervous look. They are so fragged. Knock Out, Airachnid and Breakdown all looked up when they heard it and wondered what caused it.
"What was that sound?" Knock Out asked as his body went tensed and ready for battle.
"It must've been some rocks." Airachnid shrugged but was curious.
"I'll go check it." Breakdown said as this caused Arcee and Emily to look at each other nervously.
"Scrap." They cursed silently.
Breakdown went to see what caused the sound and to see what that weird sound is all about. Arcee and Emily were both trying not to move or make any sound. Breakdown was getting closer to them and Arcee prepared her guns as Emily had her sword when they suddenly heard the sound of a ship approaching fast. Breakdown went back to the others and Arcee and Emily both sighed softly in slight relief as the cons saw something coming towards them.
"A ship is coming. Ours or them?" Knock Out asked curiously as he tried to see what type of ship it was as the Autobots followed their line of sight and Bulkhead grinned knowing who the ship belonged to.
"I think I know that ship." Bulkhead grinned to the others as they had a pretty good guess who it was.
The cons were trying to figure out who's ship was coming towards them and suddenly they realized it was an Autobot ship when they saw the insignia on the hood.
"Eat this, Decepticreeps!" Wheeljack yelled as he started to fire.
Wheeljack then started to shoot the cons down in the mountain to stop them as the other Autobots watched him do that with smiles.
"Destroy that ship!" Megatron shouted as he saw it and was very pissed off.
The Decepticons then start shooting back to hopefully bring the ship down.
"That's my Jackie. Always having a finger in the trigger." Bulkhead couldn't help but laugh as he watched the battle happening before them.
"Is Wheeljack trying to get himself sent to the scrapyard?" Ratchet groaned while asking as Optimus put his battle mask on as the others knew what this meant as they all got ready for the command.
"No time to ask questions." Optimus told Ratchet seriously before he turned on his comm-link to tell the Autobots and Emily that it was now or never.
"Autobots, engage battle!" Optimus ordered as they all came out of their hiding spots and joined in the battle that was upon them.