Epilogue- Time For Home

This is the last chapter.

There are three things Miko understands when it's spoken in Cybertronian: People's names, swear words, and threats.

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Life loves to throw curve balls. As soon as things start to fall into routine everything will eventually slip out of the normal. Some people took every measure they could to avoid that. Some were adaptable and learned to just go with whatever came, one step at a time.

The bots were valiantly in the latter category. After so much fighting, they had to be to survive. So learning that the kids they were guarding knew a ton more about their history and culture was one massive curve ball that knocked them down before they took it in stride. They were certainly handling it better than anyone else. Agent Fowler had been brought in to the fold because it wasn't worth the effort trying to hide it and the government man being aware would eventually be useful. He still wasn't quite sure he believed it and loudly gave his opinion but just threw his hands up like he did every time things with the bots went a little weird. Miss Darby was struggling to accept that her son wasn't quite as defenseless as she thought. Struggling, but coming to terms. The mother still had to be reminded that yes, Jack did know how to drive, and wield a gun, and a knife, and patch up minor injuries on the bots, and finish high school with flying colors if he wanted, and swear worse than a trucker if he really got going...

In her mind he was still sixteen, regardless of mentality, so he still had to behave like a sixteen year old outside of base. And keep swearing to a minimum. June mainly let that one go because Raoul and Miko cussed all the time and Jack didn't do it without good reason.

So everyone was learning to handle it. The kids were using the opportunity to expand their knowledge without having to creep around why they were curious about things they shouldn't know about. And everyone learned that when it came to stockpiling information, Rafael was a pack rat. The genius kept track of as much info as he possibly could and rewrote it every lifetime so he wouldn't forget. Occasionally details would get mixed up and he'd refer to one of the others if he could. The upside to all this; the bots would get to tell stories without having to constantly stop to explain things while getting access to information from other universes.

And Ratchet was top of the list for those guilty of constantly wanting to know. He was positively gleeful once he realized so much information was on Rafael's computer. But the medic couldn't get to it himself, not that he would without permission. Not even Soundwave could get into the laptop and Raf took measures to ensure that no one but him could open those files without them being destroyed.

"And Kalis?" Crouched to be optic level with the youngest boy, Ratchet had spent the last hour going over places on Cybertron to see what was the same and what was different.

Raf smiled and turned the screen back to him, "A city, usually heavy in the engineering industry. More than once I've heard there's a fusion reactor in the lower levels." The boy started to open the file he'd written on Kalis and made an annoyed sound as a virus warning popped up, "One sec."

He destroyed the infected coding and cut off the internet connection before Soundwave could try again. The Con had apparently taken Raf's continued resistance as a challenge and was absolutely determined to eliminate the boy's computer at the very least. So far Raf's firewalls had held up. Miko paused her game and looked over.

"Your new best friend?" A sarcastic inquiry when she already knew the answer.

Bumblebee whirred angrily, doorwings flapping up and down before muttering something rude about Soundwave. Whatever he said had the medic raising an optic ridge and sent the girl cackling.

"You know that's physically possible, right?" She grinned at the surprise on the scout's face, "Two words: Sideswipe. High-grade." Miko went right back to hysterical laughter as the other groaned and tried to ignore that mental image. Thankfully for them, said lambo was out on patrol with his twin and thus Ratchet and Bee were saved from an explanation they probably didn't want.

The alarm going off took away their attention. The lights flashed and the keening alarm was quieted as Ratchet straightened to get a good look at the screen. A shout brought Optimus and Mirage in from other parts of the base. "It's a communication link from a ship just outside Earth's atmosphere. They're hovering."

"Any sign of Decepticons?" Optimus inquired steadily.

Mirage frowned gravely, "If they're not there yet they will be soon."

The orange and white mech looked up at their leader "Permission to answer the link? It seems like they're waiting for a reply." A nod and Ratchet hit the keys to talk to the waiting Cybertronians, "This is Autobot Outpost Omega One, responding to communication attempt. Who am I speaking to?"

"Ratchet! It's so good to see you! Although I can't really see you, it's more like hear you but I'm glad to hear from you too! It's been forever since we found anyone else and this ship has been driving me a little stir crazy. I can't wait till Red says we can land safely 'cause I really want to drive. I haven't gotten a chance since-" A happy chatter filled the room as the bot on the other end forgot to introduce himself.

Mirage choked on a laugh and turned it into a polite cough while Ratchet face palmed. Then another voice, this one a horrified shrill, cut off the rambler's. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? Why are you telling them things?! What if they're not Autobots?! I leave for five seconds to check the defense grid and you're talking to..., do you even know who you're TALKING TO?!"

"Yeah. Ratchet." That answer was surprisingly short and simple considering the previous run along. Sighing, the medic himself spoke up.

"Bluestreak knows who I am Red Alert. And yes, I'm still an Autobot."

"How do I know the Decepticons aren't just using a manipulation of your voice right now?" The apparent Red Alert snapped. The bots were busy staring at the screen and didn't see the kids behind them. Rafael's face positively glowed with how wide his smile was while Miko jumped up and pelted out of the command center and farther into base, going as fast as a starving dog after a bone and twice as enthusiastically.

Optimus chuckled lightly and let Red know he was here, "I highly doubt Ratchet would ever help the Decepticons, Red Alert. And Hydrax." The big mech added the code word to let the security chief know it really was him. Unfortunately, one code word wasn't enough.

"Twist." The mech responded.

"Pillar."

"Are you guys doing that top secret codeword thing-" Bluestreak was once again cut off as the other mech growled at him.

"Don't interrupt!" A quiet apology was heard in the background, "Solar."

"Axalon." Optimus replied easily. It was silent for a second before the grumbly bot huffed through the comm link.

"Alright. But if we get down there and you're not Optimus, then I'm shooting you and changing the code words." That statement was met with an optic roll from Ratchet and a dubious look from Mirage. Speaking up, the noble questioned the logic of that plan.

"Hypothetically, if this is not Optimus, how would the real Optimus know you've changed the codewords?"

He was met with silence as Raf giggled quietly and Optimus gave Mirage a look, shaking his helm. Do not argue with Red Alert if you can help it. Just go with the light and easy security because it could be much worse and arguing is not worth the headache that comes after. Growling, Red replied quickly, "Permission to land sir? There are a few of us and I don't want to stay here where the Decepticons can get some easy shots in."

"Permission granted." Prime smiled, giving him the coordinates, "We'll open a bridge in a moment."

By the time Miko had found Jack and was dragging him to the command center, the incoming bots were just stepping out of the ground bridge and into base. The first mech through, a somewhat short, round white and red bot with helm horns similar to Sideswipe's, studied the Prime up and down for a few seconds before relaxing just slightly. "Prime. It's good to see some friendly faceplates."

"It's been forever!" Behind Red was a bot about Bumblebee's size. Doorwings seemed to be constantly moving in one direction or another, brushing against curved gray armor. Here and there, dull red poked out of the monochrome shades while headlights and tires said this bot had a vehicle alt mode. A red chevron graced his forehead. It was similar to Ratchet's but wider and curved. The mech gave a wide smile and waved enthusiastically at Bumblebee when he saw the bot, making a curious expression when he caught sight of Raf. "Oh hi! I'm Bluestreak. You're an organic, right? Well, I mean I can see you are, but what species are you? We haven't had a lot of time to find out stuff about this planet because we just landed. Oh! Sorry for rambling! I only do it when I'm nervous or excited and I'm really happy right now because it's been foooorrrrreeeevvvveerrrrr since we saw anyone else!"

The 'we' referred to two others behind the first two newcomer. The third mech was similar to Bluestreak with his color pattern but the gray was a much lighter shade and there was more red. He was only about Arcee's size and had much boxier armor than the chatterbox's curves. Scratching his red helm for a second, he took in everyone in the room with calm blue optics before turning to salute Optimus.

"Windcharger, Sir. It's an honor to meet you."

Tilting his helm in a solemn nod, the Prime smiled gently, "I thank you. I am glad you have made it here safely."

From behind everyone else, an annoyed posh tone rose, "Can you please move?" He punctuated the statement with a light push to Windcharger. "I don't want to stand in the ground bridge for the next hour thank you very much."

The bridge was actually shut down but that didn't seem to matter to the tall mech. Body armor a brilliant shade of cobalt blue, the bot was polished to a shine. Smooth white metal curved here and there that only helped to accent surprisingly red faceplates. What really grabbed attention was the small wings gracefully arching to either side from his back and visible tires and headlights, which made everyone else question his alt mode. The mech was beautiful and judging from the expression on his face, he knew it.

Jack and Miko looked at each other, twin expressions of joy rising. Miko started to whoop, jumping in the air with a fist raised. The others turned to stare at her confused but the flashy mech just lifted an optic ridge in amusement.

"Well, someone knows beauty when they see it. Since I'm sure you're all wondering, I'm Tracks."

A laugh startled out of Raf, causing Optimus to give the children a suspicious glance as to what exactly they knew and why they were so excited about the last mech showing up. Before he could ask however, the girl looked at Jack who jerked his head toward the hallway in a light nod and she was off again. The bots just traded looks at the weird behavior. Huffing at the interruption, Red Alert put his servos on his hips and continued.

"Bluestreak is correct. We came into this planet's orbit just a little bit ago and while I've compiled some data about this planet, it's not enough. I'd also like to look at the security of this base and make sure it's up to standard so we don't have any of those Decepticons sneak-"

Unfortunately, the security mech was cut off by a loud exclamation from down the hall and out of sight. Everyone turned to silently listen. Hurried words that were too low and far away to be understood were followed by a yelp and then a thud. Footsteps thumped in a drumming pattern as the eldest teen raced into the room, leaping over the open supply crates as he cut the curve and scrambled to a stop in front of the ground bridge. Breathing hard, Raoul stared at Tracks with eyes as wide as saucers.

He didn't notice that some strands of his dark hair had escaped from the tie he'd used to pull it back or that Miko gingerly stepped into the room after him. She muttered 'Glitch' as she passed him although the corners of her lips were turned up in the beginnings of a smile as she went to stand by Jack.

Tracks seemed to think all this was funny, "These organics do seem to realize who's the best looking around here." He smiled, "I doubt they've seen any automobile or mech as good looking as me."

"I don't know. We have Sunstreaker on base." Raf shrugged at Tracks' raised optic ridge. While the mech's helm was turned away, the street dancer's expression went from shock to nonchalant and unimpressed boredom. Raoul snorted through his nose.

"I've seen better."

Taken aback, the mech looked down at him indignantly, "Excuse me?! You were just staring-"

"I was excited to see new arrivals." Shrugging, the boy passed it off as if Tracks hadn't been just about the only thing he'd been looking at in the room. He's spent maybe a second glancing at everyone else. Probably less.

Said new arrivals looked at the earth bot's for an explanation to this. Only a few silent and confused shrugs answered them. Ratchet and Bumblebee looked at the kids who only smiled back blithely, with the exception of Raoul, innocence nearly pouring from them. It didn't really work though. Most of the bots present had dealt with Sideswipe more than once after all. Raf just wiggled his eyebrows at Bluestreak. Gobsmacked, doorwings shot straight up as the mech realized human faces were that flexible and he started to giggle. Optimus interrupting the beginnings of the Tracks and Raoul argument gained their attention.

"The first order of business is to find alternative modes so as to blend in with the humans." The Prime explained so the newcomers would know what the organic species was called, "We are guest on this planet and the general public does not know of our existence."

"Want me to help with that?"

Bumblebee whirred surprise at Raoul's question. He turned to the medic who shook his helm, a strange expression on his face. Prime raised an optic ridge and glanced at the humans in turn. He would have preferred one of the others. Raoul rarely volunteered to help with anything unless he was extremely bored or had an interest in the outcome. He also didn't listen very well to anyone, not even the Twins who were sort-of guardians. None of them officially held that title since there hadn't been a need thus far and the boy was difficult on the best of days.

On the other hand, it was possible he'd fit better with one of the new arrivals. The leader wasn't sure what was going on between Raoul and Tracks but he suspected is had to do with the children's previous lives. They'd explained a lot of things but he knew there were some subjects they purposely did not bring up. Beyond that, Raoul knew cars and models better than the rest of of them. And by the body language of Jack, Miko, and Rafael, they wanted Raoul to do this.

Placing his trust in all four of them, Optimus agreed, "That would be most appreciated. Red Alert," he turned to the shorter mech, "I would prefer it if you would stay here so we can talk and you can get a new alt mode later."

"Gladly." Red sighed. He needed a break from the other bots and a chance to talk with his old friend.

"Right then mechs." Raoul clapped his hands, a sly look climbing his face. "We're off to the city for a few hours." With that, he turned and started walking towards the hall that lead out of base. Windcharger and Bluestreak shrugged at each other, folding down into their Cybertronian alt modes. While Bluestreak open his door to offer the boy a ride, Tracks showed off by transforming and then gunning his engine to zip out of the main room. The others followed right after.

Two seconds of silence prevailed as the party left before Ratchet turned to the kids, well aware of what Optimus wanted to explain to Red Alert before anything else. "I thought you said they were close."

"They were. I just never said they got along." With a toothy smile, Jack chuckled.

Miko smirked and picked at her nails absently, "Don't worry Doc. Raoul will bring down Tracks' ego soon enough and Raoul will stop being such a brat now that his favorite person in the universe is here."

"Optimus, what are they talking about?" Scowling, Red looked up at the bigger mech. "We just arrived. How could that organic, human," he corrected, "know Tracks?"

Grimacing at his teammate's lack of tact, Prime sighed, "There is something we need to discuss."

"And I'll do the explanation." Grinning evilly, the medic grabbed Red's shoulders in a tight no-nonsense grip. This was definitely revenge for Red Alert not believing he was actually talking to Ratchet on the comms earlier. Squawking and suddenly off-balance as the mech started to pull him out of the command center, Red looked at Optimus for help. The Prime opened his mouth but a sharp look from the medic made him shut it. Ratchet was going to have this discussion with Red Alert or a certain Prime was going to have an earlier virus checkup this month. Maybe a full systems flush with it.

Once those two disappeared out of sight, Bumblebee shivered. It was never fun to be on the receiving end of Ratchet's hard stare. Bad things always followed. Optimus just rubbed his faceplates tiredly as noise told the lot of them that the explanation was not going smoothly.

Red Alert tried to walk back into the main room, expression in the freaked-out zone and a steady stream of words pouring from his mouth, "Nopenopenopenopenope-"

With a quick snag of his servo, the medic latched onto the chubby bot's arm and started to drag him back. "You cannot 'nope' your way out of this situation."

"-nonononononononononono-"

While they once again disappeared, Red Alert's face that of someone about to face something extremely unpleasant, Rafael climbed down the stairs to floor level and set some quarters on the crate nearest to them. "One dollar Raoul convinces Tracks to pick a terrible alt mode by telling him it's popular here."

"You're betting?" One part incredulous, three parts horribly amused, Bumblebee clicked and buzzed at the short boy. Optimus just watched silently, a weary smile starting to show, although it would only be noticeable to those who knew to look for it.

A large grin graced Raf's face as he beamed up at the yellow mech, "It's only a dollar."

Jack moved over to set two of his own quarters on the small pile, "Dollar fifty he shows him the flashiest vehicle in the state."

"Two-fifty it's a firebird corvette." Miko held up paper money and rolled hazel eyes at her companion's expressions, "What? Males are sentimental too. You all might pretend otherwise but you are."

While the others didn't have the courage to disagree to her face, Miko added her bet to the pile.

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Breathe in. Breathe out.

Feet slammed into the ground, pushing off and propelling him forward. How many times had he done this? Too many times to count. He'd lost track a long time ago.

For a split second, he couldn't recall exactly where he was, which Autobots were at his back, and which Decepticons he was running from.

-short/silver/sharp Frenzy/ going to kill him/ running/ Mikaela next to him/ fence/ move/ Barricade's fighting Bee/ things just started/ Sam/ can't die this early-

-clawed/onyx black/servo clawed the air just above his head/ duck/ Skywarp/ don't let him catch/ grass/plains/big sky/ run boy run/ he'll warp to base/ run-

-city/buildings/tall/burning/fire/ things on fire/ screaming/ dont' stop now/ it's not over yet/ acrid smell/smoke/oil/concrete/ they're still after you/ can't stop-

-blaster fire/ walls of the base shaking/ roaring/roaring/was that explosions or screaming?/ lights above flickering/ Hoist urging them to get to the room ahead/ Gizmo had secured it/ just a little farther/ Decepticons at their backs-

Scatterings of images and memories pelted Jack as they bolted away from the fight. A desert, a mountainside, an empty road in the dark as bare feet dug into the pavement and left drops of blood, small towns and a towering metropolis, a barren metal world abandoned in the wake of war as the two factions once again clashed and he ran to secure the space bridge before Shockwave could shut it down.

It was supposed to be an easy day. Just go check out a faint signal with Arcee, Miko, and Bulkhead. They hadn't realized a scrambler was set up to block their comm links until they'd spotted Starscream and the Vehicons. They hadn't meant to drive right into a trap.

Miko was ahead by only two feet. When had her hair gotten that dark or short? She usually left it down...

Right, Miko. Not Carly.

Legs pumping, lungs grasping at whatever air they could hold and working like bellows, Jack leaped up the hillside. Adrenaline burned through his muscles and left them with a hazy numb feeling, like they were someone else's limbs that were moving so fast. He tried to ignore the sounds of battle below and behind them. Crashes and echoing rings rent the air as metal hit metal, high pitched whines of charging weapons opposed bellows of pain or taunts. Just a little farther. They just had to get to the top of the short hill and down the other side. Out of sight, out of mind, and hopefully away from the fight.

Breathe in, breathe out.

How many times had he run for his life. He couldn't remember any more. Did knowing the answer even matter?

There was a loud crash, no more distinctive than any of the other crashes. But on it's heels came a muffled sort of silence that only lasted a second. The kind that was the body's way of saying something was wrong. A shadow fell over him, a shout in the distance.

Something heavy hit Jackson Darby in the back as he ran.

Darkness swallowed him faster than the pain could and he knew nothing more.

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He walked for quite awhile before he stopped to wonder why he was walking.

It was pleasantly warm, not too cool and not too hot, for what appeared to be a desert. The only reason he noticed the temperature at all was because he expected it to be scorching. But the sun above was not turning his skin a ruddy shade of sunburn red nor were the sands blistering the bottoms of his feet.

In fact, the sand grains felt nice scratching between his toes and across his skin. He sank his bare feet into the little dunes just to enjoy the feeling.

With nothing else to do, he continued walking. Besides the little grooves in the sand, it was quite flat, wherever this place was. So flat that it just seemed to go on forever and ever. Only distant mountain ranges and rolling hills showed that he was actually heading somewhere. The strangest part of it all was the sky though. He kept glancing up to study the strange color that was almost faded blue but not really blue.

It took him a moment to realize someone was walking with him.

"Lennox." Sam smiled, happy to see the older man next to him. Dressed in his weekend clothes, Will wore a loose tee shirt and cargo pants with standard army boots and a ball cap to shield his face from the sun's rays. Short brown hair stuck out from under the hat like it didn't want to stay down while hazel eyes warmed.

The man pulled his hands from his pockets and clapped a hand on Sam's shoulder briefly in greeting as they slowly trekked forward, "Hey kid. Been staying out of trouble?"

An exasperated sigh, "Not really. It always seems to find me."

Will laughed, crows feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes like they always did when things were calm and the team was goofing off or acting like idiots. "Funny, that seems to be the way the world works."

Words stuck in the boy's throat. He wanted to ask about Sarah and Annabelle but wasn't sure if that was a topic he should bring up, considering he didn't know where they were and how they'd got there. Instead he just requested a favor, "Will you tell your wife and Annie I said hi?"

"You bet." That had apparently been the right thing to ask because the soldier continued to grin.

They were silent for a time, just ambling along with no real destination in mind, no place to be or hurry in their steps. It was nice, to be next to Lennox. Sam had missed him a great deal but he wasn't going to say it of course. Mushy stuff was not his forte. Besides, the amiable quiet said enough for him.

"Do you ever think about the End?" Will asked calmly, boots sinking an inch or so into the tawny sand.

Sam said nothing at first, letting his mind wander among the carved hills and open sky. "Yes." Thinking it over, the boy scratched his ear absentmindedly before admitting, "I used to be afraid of it."

"And now?"

Looking at what seemed to be William Lennox but might be something else, Jack sighed. Maybe it was his friend after all. Whether he was or not, whether this was real or not, didn't seem to matter all that much. "I don't know. I don't know if there is an End. Maybe it will always be another beginning. Maybe we will just end and there will be nothing at all after." Gazing into the distance, the boy who was far too old to be a boy continued.

"I'm tired Will. Everyone I've cared about except for the other three has ended. I think I'd like to know what Ending feels like."

Moving at a steady pace, the two wandered. Will appeared to be thinking, mouth turned down into a firm line and eyes constantly surveying their surroundings. Soldier training never really left. Realizing there was nothing to lose, Jack stopped and turned to the taller human.

"Are you really Will?"

Wry amusement lifted the shadow's in the man's face. Apparently he been expecting that sooner or later. "Yes. They thought a familiar and friendly face would make you happier."

"They?" The teen asked warily, following Lennox's pointed finger to see tall figures standing in the distance near the closest mountain. Light glinted off metal. It was impossible for Sam not to recognize the large strangely shaped Cybertronians. He breathed a sigh, not exactly surprised. "The Thirteen."

That actually explained a great deal more that it didn't. On the upside, at least he knew he wasn't dreaming. Most likely. This didn't tell him if he'd died again though. Carly was going to wring his neck if he died and left them now. They'd all just gotten together again and his death would hurt the Autobots, and June... Jack closed his eyes and breathed deeply, winding the grief into a stone and dropping it down with all the other stones in his mind. There were a lot.

He never saw the humans again once he died. The bots always showed up, slightly different or drastically different but always there. Even if they didn't know him. But the human people in his life, they were not like the four young adults. They never came around again.

Jack sincerely hoped he hadn't died yet. He wasn't ready to leave June. She was one of the best mothers he'd ever had and his death would break both their hearts.

"I can't stay long." Will broke in softly, knowing the boy had been lost in his own thoughts. Sam startled a little, glancing over at the man who'd stopped walking. His shoulder's slumped. Lennox smiled sadly and thumped the boy on the back like he'd done a hundred time before, "Chin up kid. It'll be okay."

"Be safe Will." Sam wanted to say so many other things but wasn't sure what applied to this situation, "Happiness find you." He finished with the Cybertronian luck phrase. Tipping his cap at the boy, Will smiled. Sam nodded to himself and flicked a glance at the waiting Thirteen. When he looked next to him again, Lennox was gone.

He kept going. No reason not to, really. This time, he was more aware when someone started to walk with him. The crunch of footsteps gave it away.

Spike looked over to see his dad walking beside him.

He nearly fell over, eyes widened to the point of comical as he gasped. John Witwicky, nicknamed 'Sparkplug' by the bots, stopped too when he saw his son staring at him. Thicker set and heavily muscled from years of work in an auto repair shop, the man would've looked like someone you didn't want to get in a fight with except the easy smile and calm attitude showed his true nature.

"Dad..." The boy couldn't get another word out, pain and grief choking him off and tears blurred his vision. It had been forever. Forever since he'd seen his dad.

Sparkplug pulled the teen into a tight hug, murmuring in his ear, "Come here son. I missed you." Burying his face in the once white grease-stained shirt, Spike trembled silently, holding on like his father would disappear if he let go. It was impossible to tell how much time passed before he'd calmed down enough to step back, still standing very close and unable to make himself get any farther away. The father just smiled and wrapped an arm around his son's shoulder as they started moving again.

Furiously scrubbing at his face to hide any evidence that he'd cried, Spike couldn't help but study the man's face. He mapped out all the lines and marks he'd forgotten, the tiny white star near his father's left earlobe that had scarred from an accident at the shop, the parallel lines scoring his collarbone and disappearing beneath the shirt, the slightly crooked bent of his nose that had been broken and never healed right. It's been like that as long as he could remember.

"Dad... I'm sorry." Spike said, when he couldn't hold back the any longer. "I'm so sorry and-"

The man shook his head, reaching over to ruffle light brown hair with his other arm, "Don't be sorry. Don't. I'm so proud of you, of all four of you, but really, I never expected to have a son as brave as you."

A work roughened hand cupped his cheek and rubbed the top of his cheekbones, the same thing he'd done when Spike was five and he'd fallen off his bike time and time again with bloody knees and scraped hands. Something hard and painful inside the boy eased, remembering the feeling of someone he knew and trusted telling him that it wasn't as bad as he thought. It had been a long time since he'd felt like a child and let the responsibility fall to someone else.

"I left. I made that deal, Dad." He tried to explain the guilt that had been eating at him for awhile. "I just wanted to help them."

"And I am proud of you for making that choice. You did something most people don't have the courage to do. Don't regret and don't be sorry. I'm proud of you." Sparkplug gently squeezed his son's shoulder.

Ahead, the mountain was much closer than it was before. Spike could make out the distinctive shapes of the different Primes. Suddenly worried that that his dad would leave too quickly like Will had, the boy asked, "Can you tell me what Ending feels like?" It was a plaintive question, the fragile hope of a child asking a parent if everything would be alright.

"I'm afraid I can't son."

He wasn't surprised and nodded at his father's sad reply. Sparkplug's eyes conveyed how much he wanted to reassure his boy but could only do so much. "Don't worry though. After everything you've been through, it won't end badly. I promise you that." Steel rang in his words, truth and belief in them getting Spike to grin.

"Thanks Dad. You know, I would bet it feels like Beginning. They're pretty similar. In fact, I'm not sure I could really say what the difference is."

Smile growing at his son's words, the elder Witwicky's eyes twinkled, "Sounds good to me."

Below their feet, the ground sloped up, tall pillars of rock and stone formations stretching above their heads. As the two humans came closer, several of the Thirteen knelt so they could be optic to eye. When they finally reached the metal giants, Spike decided that even though he'd been raised to be polite, sometimes bluntness was the best way to get answers.

"Am I dead?"

"Nope. Well, not yet. Eventually of course." One of the Thirteen answered. Jack wasn't sure which one it was because while some kept the same shape, half their number like to change their armor every time he saw them, so he never knew which was which unless they told him. By the voice though, he suspected it was Amalgamous. Yep, he could see the shapeshifting mech changing forms off to the right. The big mech smiled at him and waved.

The answer though allowed him to give out a breath of relief. He wasn't dead which meant Miko wasn't going to punch him. He wouldn't have to say good bye to Raf or Raoul, the bots, or June yet.

Solus knelt and craned her helm closer to him, stating kindly, "We wished to speak with you regarding the favor you have done us and the Cybertronians of the multiverse."

"What do we need to talk about?" Jack asked slowly. Crossing his arms, Sparkplug stood straight as an arrow just to the left of him, waiting to see how things played out. The boy couldn't tell what his dad was thinking besides the fact that he was wary of the Thirteen.

"You have done more than expected." One of the mechs near the back spoke up.

Jack replied bitterly, "We failed at times."

"Failed?" An amused but admiring tone, like the speaker was trying to teach a particularly slow youngling they liked. That was definitely Vector Prime. The mech shifter closer, pale wing and shoulder plates clicking quietly. "The war did not always finish while you were living in certain places but you did not fail boy. You did not allow Unicron to devour Cybertron or Earth in any life, nor did you allow our fellow Cybertronians to fight themselves to extinction. And you tried you hardest to help as many as you could. Spike Nathaniel Witwicky, you and the others did better than expected and more than we could have hoped for. Primus was right in choosing you four to aide us. We thank you for it."

The praise was good. It made the weight in his heart lift just a little bit, from all the times he'd screwed up and someone had died. But he still didn't have his answer.

"Why am I here?"

Tilting their helms and faces to look at each other, the Thirteen paused before Prima explained, "This life, as Jackson Darby, is your last. So too with your companions."

"Oh."

And that was all he could say. It wasn't surprising, not really when he knew that eventually they would not be reincarnated. And Will had been asking him about Ending. But to hear it spoken as a fact made his lungs still. "Why this time?" At least now he most likely knew why all four of them were together. It was so they could be around each other one last time.

"There are other humans in other universes to aide the Cybertronians who reside there. You have done more than expected and deserve rest."

His lips pursed, the urge to sit down and just not get up again ticking along his limbs. He should have stayed in bed this morning. "So I won't see the bots after I die this time. It's the last one." Nexus tipped his helm.

"We didn't say you wouldn't see them again." A sly look crossed the mech's face and Jack narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"But I won't be reincarnated!" He threw his hands up for emphasis, not even caring that they were nearly seven times his size and very close to him, "They'll be living in a different universe and-"

"Jackson, sparks do not normally cross to different dimensions. While on a rare occasion a spark will slip from the Well to another place it shouldn't be sparked to, it is not a usual occurrence. The Cybertronians you know now will go to the Well of Allsparks when their time is finished and they will wait to be reborn in their universe again. They will not move to a different one."

The implications took a few seconds to really sink in. When they did, the boy threw his head back and laughed. They'd been wrong. They'd thought the bots hadn't remembered them but really, they shouldn't have because they weren't even the same sparks. Jack suspected the only reason Optimus had memories of the other lives was because the Matrix had shown him. But they weren't really Optimus' memories. At least, not that Optimus.

When he'd gotten his emotions under control, Jack brushed his too long hair out of his face and looked up at the ancient Primes. "What will happen after? Am I allowed to know?"

"We cannot tell you." Several of them spoke at once. It was rather annoying when they did that because then he couldn't figure out which ones spoke and couldn't glare at the speakers. But one of the taller ones, Onyx with his clawed servos and giant plated wings, shifted down onto his paws and crouched so that his beak was only inches from the boy's face.

A solemn raspy tone grated out, "Those living may only know they may pass on to the Well of Allsparks."

Jack stared for a long moment, mind working furiously before he stated, "Sparks go to the Well. Not humans." A very strange feeling was gathering in his chest and a buzz lit behind his eyes. He felt lightheaded.

"When you agreed to Primus' proposal, your spark, or 'soul' as you call it, came to our jurisdiction." Nexus smiled cheerfully, "Which means you have a spark and you're going to the Well. Your friends too. Long story short, that includes eventual regular reincarnations in your original universe but without the memories, like the usual Cybertronian sparks."

A blink. "Oh." Again. That was all he could really say. "But you can't tell me anything other than that, or what the Well is like."

"Correct." Prima straightened and took a few long strides a little higher up the ground, stopping at a space between two large formations and looking down over the ledge. He gestured for Jack to come look. The boy did, his dad following. At the edge of the rock, Jack could see that the hill dropped off down the other side to form a steep wall of rock that was actually a mountainside. The land continued downward into a deep and wide valley that spread out into a flat grassy plain. Below, what looked like Cybertronian buildings pressed against the rocky hills next to a bronze colored ship that was sticking out of the mountain.

Sparkplug gently touched Spike on the elbow before briefly squeezing his hand. He didn't have to say 'see you'. The younger human could read it in his light brown eyes. As the man turned to amble down a small path cut into the grass and rock slope, heading down toward the valley, Spike whispered, "Bye Dad."

A brief flash of a smile before John Witwicky continued walking and the boy stayed at the top of the ridge, looking down. There were people below, bots of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Most he recognized. Among them, Spike caught sight of a few humans but he was too high up to really get a good look at their features. One large mech with wings, Skyfire by the colors, stopped to help one of the humans carry somethings. By the open door of the Ark a tall red and blue mech, Optimus, leaned against the wall and talked with Ironhide. Glimpses of ones he knew to be Decepticons walked with the Autobots like they didn't care to fight anymore.

It was strange and surreal, both familiar and so very different than anywhere else he'd been before.

What caught his attention more than anything was a flash of black and saffron yellow metal as a minibot drove through the streets before stopping at a corner to transform. Even from where he stood, Spike could see the tiny points of helm horns and recognized the figure. It was his best friend.

Heartache so strong that it hurt left him breathless, hands covering his mouth as he closed his eyes. The ache sang in his bones. He wanted to go home.

Spike wanted it so badly. To help his Dad in the shop and play with Daniel outside, to greet the bots every day and chat with them, surprise Chip by sneaking up on the guy and then running because he knew his friend would get him back later. He wanted to hear Carly arguing science with Perceptor and Wheeljack in the labs. He wanted to go drive around with Bumblebee wherever the road took them just to feel the wind on his face and warm laughter as they talked and had fun. He wanted home more than he wanted anything else in the universe.

When he opened his eyes, the atmosphere above the valley took his sight and kept it. It was more blue here. It seemed someone had fixed the sky.

Even as he watched it, the boy realized that the shade of blue wasn't a faded tone but had also shifted to a completely different color of blue altogether. And that all he could see was the sky. Jack blinked, squinting as he looked up. There was green up there. Those were leaves. What...?

Another two blinks and the boy realized he was lying flat on his back beneath a tree, fluffy white clouds in a pastel sky and leaves filling his vision until he turned his head to see Arcee sitting next to him on the hill, staring around to keep an optic out for Decepticons. He swallowed and tried speaking. "Arcee...?"

She jumped, turned to stare at him with wide pink and blue ringed optics, "You're awake! Thank Primus!"

As he tried to sit up she used a servo to carefully push him back down. "Don't you dare move! Miko wrapped the cuts with some bandages but you're still bleeding and you might have a concussion."

"What... what happened?" He was still trying to figure out where he was. But Arcee was here and she was blue. Which meant he was still in the universe where the base was in Nevada. Expression tightening into a scowl, the motorbike explained.

"We were fighting and I told you and Miko to run."

Jack nodded and winced as he felt pain flare along the back of his neck and head, "I remember that. Something hit me."

A very low and angry engine growl answered him, "Bulk threw a Vehicon. He hit some boulders and rocks went flying. One hit you on the back."

Musing over that fact, Darby hummed and carefully felt his forehead, fingers deftly examining the sides and barely brushing against the back where wetness met his fingers. It stung but it wasn't too bad. Trying to move as little as possible, he took in their surroundings. He recognized the land as where he'd been before he'd had his little chat with the Thirteen. Looking up at his guardian, he replied promptly, "Well, I probably do have a concussion."

She stared at him for a long moment, expression confused, worried, and just a tiny bit incredulous, "You're taking this rather well."

"Jack!" Miko yelled, running up the hill to stop next to him and sit, eyes flicking back and forth to make sure he still wasn't about to bleed out, "Don't scare me like that! I can fix the bots, not humans!"

Bulkhead slowly plodded up behind her, footsteps hesitant and a cringe on his shoulders as he looked at Jack. But the big green mech relaxed when Darby gave a crooked grin and wiggled his fingers in a wave to show he wasn't upset. Miko narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why are you smiling?"

"It's a good day to be alive." He gestured calmly upward at the towering plant above them, branches giving shade while allowing slanting rays of golden light down. A warm breeze tugged at their hair and clothes, whistling over the curves in the bot's armor while the musty smell of wild flowers scented the air. The other three looked at each other before Miko put her hands on her hips and tapped an impatient finger. Jack's smile widened.

"When we get back to base, we need to talk with the others." She nodded, suspicions confirmed. Something important had happened while he'd been unconscious.

Arcee, however, was pretty sure the head wound was talking, "You have a concussion." she sighed, "Don't move. Bulkhead's going to find the scrambler so we can contact base and get Ratchet."

Making a noise of agreement, the boy let his eyes fall to half-mast and started to hum a song. After a few notes Miko joined in, reaching a softer higher pitch. Bulkhead moved around them to search the other side of the hill, his deep bass lending a beat to the old song the bot's hadn't heard in quite a while. By the time they hit the first verse, Arcee was leaning back against the tree and singing softly in her native language as they waited and rested.

The Cybertronian lullaby rose and fell in soft waves around the hill as the sun moved toward evening.

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End.