TFP EMBLEM Chapter 3: Darkness Rising

I woke up to the sound of my iPods alarm. I groaned and drug myself out of bed. I changed into a pair of old jeans and a T-Shirt. I also grabbed my jean jacket. Even though I looked 3 times bigger in it, I still loved it. I brushed my blonde wavy hair so it slightly curled in certain places. I brushed my teeth and grabbed oimy lunch and back pack. I glanced at the clock, 7:10. Personal best. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down next to my mom and watched the Today show. Cody Simpson would be preforming in Rock A Fella Center. I had seen him when he stopped down at the Colorado Mills on Lakewood. He was super nice, a lot taller in person. Mom was drinking her coffee and having a smoke. I tied my shoes and sighed.

"Somethin' wrong Matts?" She asked. She and my brother always called me Matts while my dad called me 'Mad Maddy'.

"Tired" I replied. I was still a little dizzy from the Electric Rod. I glanced at the clock, 7:20. Time to walk down to the bus stop.

"Come on Keyghan!" I called for my little brother. He was only a year younger than me. Keyghan walked in with his back pack.

"Love ya mom. Be good Dingy" I said kissing my mom and pointing at my Shih Tzu, Mei Ling. We called her Dingy because she isn't the sharpest pencil in the box. She just looked at me as I stepped onto the porch.

"Bye guys! Have a good day at school!" Mom called after us. Keyghan and I walked down our dirt driveway and on to the dusty road. We where quite for a few minutes.

"So, how's school going? Like any of your classes so far?" I asked.

"It's ok. It's kinda boring." Keyghan said with a shrug. I nodded. The familiar stop sign that acted as our Bus Stop came into view. I became quite and adjusted the V- Moda Headphones that hung around my neck. I loved those things. Completely blocked out the world when I just wanted to escape for a little while. I tightened the strap on my Art Bag as I heard the bus come. It was a ways away, but the woods amplified everything. Keyghan looked at me.

"Are you nervous?" He asked.

"Naw, just anxious." I lied. I was thinking about the Autobots and what was going on. Was the Space Bridge built? Where was Megatron? What about the Dark Energon? Was it in use? And Scott. He seemed like a nice boy. But my hands shake around him.. What does that mean? My meditations where interrupted by the bus pulling up. Good ol' 119. The bus driver was Larry. Larry was an older guy, but he was really nice. He smiled and nodded to us.

"Morning Madison. Morning Keyghan." He said.

"Morning Larry." I said. I looked down the aisle for an empty seat and low and behold: Scott was sitting behind the wheel seat. He looked up and gestured for me to come and sit beside him. I smiled shyly and sat beside him.

"Hey Scott" I said. I slung my backpack into the rafters to make more room.

"Hey Maddy. What goes on?" He asked.

"Nothin much. How about yourself?" I asked as I propped my knees up against the bus seat. Scott did the same.

"Just moved to this neighborhood from Steamboat Springs." He said.

"Shut up, no way!" I said smiling at him. "Thats awesome! Where did you move to?"

"It's true. I moved up into the house that looks like it was made out of logs" Scott replied. I raised my eyebrows.

"I know that house. I knew the kid who used to live there. He was a good kid." I said remembering Luchei. Scott nodded.

"Cool beans" He said. I lowered my voice so no one would hear.

"I thought Arcee would take you to school?" I whispered. Scott shook his head.

"The Bots had to go on a big mission today. They wont be back until 3:10" Scott said. I raised my eyebrows.

"I hope they'll be okay.." I whispered. Scott nodded and took out his SkullCandy Earbuds. I adjusted my headphones and listened to my playlists. Scott and I had different schedules. We only saw each other at lunch. Scott found a seat over with the Jocks, while I sat with the Arts. The Arts where a group of kids who could either sing, play an instrument, dance, act, or draw very well. It was a little more complicated system but I fell into the Self Taught Artist categories. I glanced over at Scott, he seemed to be adjusting pretty well. Scott was trying to show the Jocks how many pieces of popcorn he could catch in his mouth. I half smiled and shook my head. The day carried on slowly. In Mythology, Scott sat next to me. I drew in my notebook as we listened to a lecture about the Olympians. Scott leaned over and looked at my drawing of a pegasus. He doodled a guy falling off the back. I giggled. The teacher paused in the lecture and gave us the Evil Eye. We cleared our throats and stopped. Scott smiled at me and I shyly bit my lip. Did I have a crush on Scott? The end of school came and Scott and I walked out to the parking lot. Optimus was waiting and Arcee was parked down the road a little ways.

"See you in a few minutes" I said with a wink. Scott smiled.

"See ya Maddy" He said. I walked out to Optimus.

"Hi Optimus" I said with a smile.

"Hello Madison" Optimus said as the door swung opened. I hopped in and buckled up.

"How'd the mission go?" I asked. Optimus was quite for a few minutes.

"We tried to save a comrade in one of Megatrons Energon mines, but we where too late." Optimus said sadly as we drove down the road.

"I'm sorry. What was their name?" I asked.

"Cliffjumper." Optimus said. I froze up for a minute. If the mine battle happened, then that meant.. Oh boy. We drove onto a dirt road and the Ground Bridge opened. When we arrived back to Base, everything was quite. Not a Bot in sight. Well, except for Optimus. I hopped out and looked around. It was way too quite. I set my stuff down by a set of stairs. Optimus transformed and offered a hand. I gladly sat in it. He lifted me up to his shoulder, I eased myself onto a strip of metal.

"Thank you" I said with a smile. Optimus half smiled and walked forward towards the large corridor. Ratchet walked out of Sick Bay carrying a Data Pad. He looked up and glanced between Optimus and I.

"Where are the other's?" Ratchet asked.

"I believe that they are out with our human friends" Optimus answered. Ratchet nodded and walked over to a large desk. Well, large from my perspective.

"So, what are we gonna do?" I asked. Before Optimus could answer Ratchet called over.

"Optimus, we got an Energon signal." Ratchet said. Optimus walked over to the screen. I stood up.

"No way. Machu Picchu! Ancient city of the Incas! Can I come with?" I gasped. I looked at Optimus with the best Puppy Dog Eyes I could muster. Optimus half smiled.

"Of course. Ratchet, lock onto the coordinates and prepare the Ground Bridge" Optimus said.

"I'll get my bag" I said happily. Optimus offered a hand and lifted me down onto a platform. I hurried down the stairs and grabbed my Art Bag and left my back pack. The Ground Bridge warbled to life and we walked through it. The next moment, the climate changed dramatically, it was damp. We where on a small ledge on a mountain. I hurried over the edge and climbed up one of the rocks to get a better view. I could see the ruins of the once great city Machu Picchu.

"Cool" I said happily. Before I knew it, I began talking about all the things I learned about the Incas. I stopped myself when I got to the part about Cortez and his conquistadors.

"Oh my, I was rambling wasn't I?" I looked up at Optimus. He looked at me as though he was waiting for me to continue.

"I'm surprised that you know that much information on a civilization." Optimus said. I shrugged.

"I know a lot, but I don't know everything. I like to learn about history but in short spurts, not all packed into one lesson. Do you like to learn?" I asked as I slid off the rock. Optimus nodded.

"As much as I can. Knowledge can be a valuable tool." Optimus said. I nodded. Optimis pulled out an Energon Reader.

"The signal is three clicks from our position." Optimus said. He put it away and gestured me to follow him. I half jogged, half ran to keep up with him.

"What did you do on Cybertron during the Golden Age?" I asked, but I already knew about Optimus' history. (A.K.A Orion Pax)

"I was a Data Clerk in the Iacon Archives." He answered as he looked down at me.

"What was Iacon like? Was it like any of our cities on Earth?" I asked.

"Iacon was a peacful metropolis, always something going on. Weather it be Star Studies or Story Tellings from thoses who traveled across the Galaxy. Sometimes the Gladiators would visit from time to time." Optimus said fondly.

"That sounds a lot like Ancient Greece." I said. Optimus raised an eyebrow at my remark. "Ancient Greece or more specifically, Athens was once a powerful Empire. It was world renowned for it's Philosophers, literature, music, architecture, and stories of heroes, gods and goddesses, monsters, ect. But sadly the Empire collapsed due to invading armies. And the Golden Age came to an end. I could go on for a long time about Greece. " I said while making hand motions. Optimus nodded.

"I take it that you know a lot more about things then you let on." Optimus said. I half shrugged and kicked a nearby rock.

"Not that many people will listen to me. I tend to keep to myself anyways. I'm just used to people not listen to me. I mean, my parents listen but I think that they just listen to make sure that I was paying attention in class. I do pay attention but I also like to draw. I do my best art while listening to someone talk. I still hear and follow along but sometimes I'm not that interested in the subject." I said. It was so easy to talk to Optimus, it just kinda, spilled out. Optimus nodded.

"I listen to you and I think your a very bright young girl. Drawing is a good way to show your creative side but you must try to balance your attention and your urge to draw. Which subjects do you find uninteresting?" Optimus said. I smiled at his complement.

"Well, in science last year we where studying rocks. I know there important 'n all but I could care less about how they where formed or where they came from. As long as I can shoot em in my sling shot, there good. And theres math. I like Algebra and Economics, and I'm told that I'm good at them but fractions, area, and diameter always get me. And when I start to feel confidante in the work I do, I'm almost immediately shot down. But I just pick up the pieces and try again. Gym is good but the boys are sexist and the girls just stand around and chat. I can run the entire length of the football field three times easy. I may not be the fastest but I can get good distance if I concentrate on something. All the other subjects are pretty good. Spanish A1 is not easy though. But my parents told me that I have to learn a second language. All that put together and I get stressed out and a little too tightly wound." I said. Optimus pondered a moment on what to say. I hopped over some roots as we walked across the fairly large path.

" Madison, school is not easy at this time. You just have to be patient and do your best. You'll have to study subjects you will not like in some points in life but you will get through it. Try to find a calming activity. Stress, as I've heard, is not good for children." Optimus said. I nodded. Even though I preferred to be called a Teenager, I would let it slide just this once. I was about to say something but I heard someone.

"Commander Starscream demands that this Energon is to be ready for pick up in twenty Kilcks." A deep voice boomed. (A Kilck is the equivalent to 1.2 Earth minutes) Optimus extended his Battle Mask and lowered a servo down to me. He lifted me high into the air and onto a sturdy ledge.

"Remain here" Optimus said quietly. I nodded. He slowly climbed up the side of the mountain. I leaned on a large boulder and I suddenly found myself falling. I yelled as I fell down a long winding slide. I landed on a hard surface.

"Ow.." I looked around the large room. It was damp and a little warm. I could hear some water gurgling in the distance but I couldn't much of anything. The only light that shone was that of the entrance, fifty above me. I hugged my knees close to my body, I was terrified of the dark, and what was in it.

"Optimus?" I squeaked, wondering if he could here me. Something then lit up the room with a faint blue light. I looked up to see a strange object. It did not look of this Earth. So I guessed it was Cybertronian. It was a small crystal. It was electric blue. I gasped.

"Energon!" I said excitedly. It was only a tiny crystal. I was curious to see what it felt like I began to reach out but I remembered what Ratchet had said in One Shall Fall: that Energon was harmful to humans. I drew back and decided to leave it alone. I stood up and dusted myself off. I saw a make shift ladder before me. It lead back up to the entrance. I eased on one of the wooded pegs. It groaned but held. I climbed up a few steps but then one of the steps snapped, the ladder began to fall so I jumped off and landed on the hard floor.

"Uff!" I grunted as I landed on my side. I looked up to meet a skull. I shrieked and jumped back.

"OPTIMUS!! HELP!! DEAD BODY!!!" I screamed. I clawed at the wall and screamed again. When nobody answered, I looked back at the body. It wore Conquistador armor... With an arrow through the helmet. He was clutching a picture. It was laid across his torso. I uneasily looked at it and was shocked by what I saw. Cybertronian symbols and a sketch of a Decepticon. I could tell because of the Insignia.

"Skyquake!" I whispered. He must've come to Earth thousands of years ago. It'd made me want to get out even more. I slid down the side of the wall and waited. I heard Optimus' heavy footsteps approach.

"Madison? Where are you?" Optimus called. I stood up.

"Optimus! I'm in here with a dead guy! Help!" I yelled. I heard a sudden rumbling sound from outside. The rocks fell away and revealed Optimus. I ran over to him.

"Optimus, I fell down here and then I saw him!" I said pointing to the Conquistador. Optimus retracted his Battle Mask and looked down at me.

"Are you hurt?" He asked.

"I think I bruised my arm but other than that, I'm fine." I said. Optimus gave his rare half smile.

"I'm glad that you are unharmed. Let's return to Base." Optimus said.

"What happened to the Vehicons?" I asked.

"They where miners. They did not mine a significant amount of Energon." Optimus said. He tapped his ComLink.

"Ratchet, send a Ground Bridge to our coordinates." Optimus said. The Ground Bridge warbled six feet to our left. We walked through and into Base. I climbed up to a platform.

"Thank you Optimus, that was great." I said.

"Your welcome." Optimus replied. Suddenly, Ratchet cried out in surprise. I ran across the catwalk over to Sick Bay to see Ratchet trying to fend off a small robot looking thing. It jumped up, ready to get Ratchet, when BOOM! Optimus shot it down. It fell onto the floor. I thought it was dead but it twitched and jumped up again, then Optimus stepped on it.

"And stay broken! Now what could've caused THAT?" Ratchet said looking at Optimus. I gulped hard.

"I have a grave suspicion Ratchet, Dark Energon." Optimus said retracting his battle mask. I looked over the platform and gasped.

"The blood of Unicron" I shuddered. I growled nervously. I knew what was going to happen now.. Terrorcons. Optimus raised an eyebrow at me but then looked back at the mini Terrorcon. Ratchet grabbed something that looked like tongs and picked up the crushed thing. Then he placed it in a containment unit.

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

"Like a zombie." I said. Optimus looked at me curiously.

"A dead guy who comes back from the dead. But not the same." I explained. Optimus nodded and Ratchet scoffed.

"It would explain for his Life Signal comming back online, but Dark Energon? It's so rare it's practically nonexistent. What would it be doing on Earth?" Ratchet asked.

"It was transported, by Megatron." Optimus said grimly.

"For what purpose?" Ratchet asked.

"To conquer this planet, by raising an army of the undead." Optiums said. I griped the bar tightly, not only an army: but an entire planet of undead warriors. Ratchet merely let out a dry laugh.

"Megatron will have to break a lot more toaster ovens and waffle irons to get an army. Where on Earth would he find that many Cybertronian dead?" Ratchet asked.

"Cybertron" I muttered under my breath. A few engines signaled the others return. The other kids seemed really happy. As they transformed, the Bots seemed pretty amused too. A loud banging noise erupted from Bulkhead's chest. He actually opened his chest and picked something out of it: a deep green guitar case. Mandy laughed.

"Whoops, sorry. Must've forgot it in the back." Mandy said as she grabbed it. Optimus walked forward.

"Autobots, prepare to.." Optimus began but he paused as he looked at us.

"Roll out?" Arcee asked.

"Remain here. Ratchet, you'll come with me. Arcee, we'll be out of communication range for some time, so I'm putting you in charge." Optimus said. There was an edge in his voice. Mandy and Bulkhead spoke quietly to one another. I ran to the main platform beside the Ground Bridge controls.

"Optimus," I began. Optimus turned to me. " please be careful." Optimus nodded to me.

"I will Madison. We'll be back soon." He said.

"Optimus, with all do respect, playing body guard is one thing baby sitting is another. Ratchet hasn't been in the field scene the war." Arcee said. Scott sighed and joined Mandy and Dallas by the stairs. I growled at her 'babysitting' remark. I'm 14 for cry'n out loud!

"My pistons maybe rusty, but my hearing is sharp as ever!" Ratchet snapped from the Ground Bridge controls.

"For the moment, it's only reconasense." Optimus said.

"Why do I hear an edge in your voice?" Arcee questioned.

"Arcee much has changed in the last 24 hours, and we all need to adapt. Ratchet, bridge us out." Optimus said firmly. The Ground Bridge warbled to life and Optimus and Ratchet vanished within it. I joined the others at the bottom of the stairs. Arcee looked a little ticked off.

"I'm going on patrol. Bee your with me. Bulkhead, your in charge."Arcee said. Bumblebee beeped disappointedly as he joined Arcee. They transformed and zipped out of Base.

"Well, she seems nice." Mandy said sarcastically.

"She's just worried." I said. I looked up at Bulkhead.

"So, what's there to do around here?" I asked folding my arms across my chest.

"Um, what do you guys like to do?" Bulkhead asked. Mandy snapped her fingers.

"Let's play a game!" She said.

"What game?" Dallas asked. Scott glanced at me.

"Um, Marco Polo?" Scott suggested.

"Soccer?" I said hopefully.

"Hide and go seek?" Dallas suggested.

"I'm down." I said. Scott and Mandy nodded.

"What's hide and go seek?" Bulkhead asked.

"It's a fun game where everybody hides, and someone tries to find them." Mandy explained.

"Not it!" I declared.

"Not it!" Mandy and Dallas said in unison. That left Scott. Scott covered his eyes with his hands and started to count back from twenty. I dashed into Sick Bay, beneath a Medical Bed. "

Where are you guys going?" Bulkhead asked in confusion.

"Hiding. I gotta find them." Scott said when he finished counting. While I waited, I thought about Optimus and Ratchet. They where exploring that huge canyon, then Megatron would show up and raise a bunch of Zombiecons. Wait, while that happened on the TV show, Agent Fowler showed up at Base. That meant.. Oh no. The Proximity Sensors went off without a hitch.

"It's Smith!" Bulkhead called. I peeked out from my hiding place to see Scott dashing beneath the stair case. The elevator doors opened.

"PRIME!!" Smith's voice boomed. Bulkhead straightened.

"He's out." Bulkhead said. Smith stepped out of the elevator.

"Let me guess, he's out destroying an overpass. Tell him that blowing a crater in Nevada is not handling it! Tell him that.." Smith stopped. He walked down the staircase and picked something up.

"Oh scrap.." I muttered. It was my art bag!

"What in the blue blazes?" Smith asked as he went through it. I had to bite my tongue to keep from calling out.

"Um.. That's uh.." Bulkhead began searching for words.

"This belongs to Madison Otten, if found please return to.." Smith said trailing off. He set the bag down and crossed his arms. "Alright Madison, come out NOW!!" Smith bellowed. I obeyed and walked to the doorway of Sick Bay. I looked down. Scott, Mandy, and Dallas drifted out from their hiding places as well.

"Contact with civilians! You four are coming with me into Federal Custody for your own protection." Smith growled as he started towards me, but Bulkhead stepped in front of him.

"We're protecting them." Bulkhead said firmly. Smith recoiled a little.

"Is that so? Maybe you can explain that to the Pentagon. This isn't over two ton, not by a long shot!" Smith said as he retuned to the elevator. We where all in silence. The only sound was the elevator. I glanced over at Scott. Scott hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. Mandy walked over to Bulkhead and leaned on Bulkheads foot. Dallas looked down in dismay. Bulkhead groaned.

"We cannot give up. We must stay strong. He can't hurt us if we just stand together" I said. Bulkhead just shook his head.

"I hope so Maddy. I hope so.." He said trailing off. Scott looked at me. And muttered something under his breath. I couldn't help but feel that this was my fault. I wonder how Optimus would react? Optimus. I hope he and Ratchet are okay. An alarm sounded. Bulkhead walked over to a screen.

"It's a distress beacon from Smith." Bulkhead said. Oh Primus. Here we go..

To be continued..
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[link] Chapter 1
[link] Chapter 2
[link] Chapter 4
[link] Chapter 5
[link] Chapter 6
[link] Chapter 7
[link] Chapter 8