Transformer Prime 10 Chapter 5: Darkness Rising

Jack looked at the space that his aunt had just been occupying as he replayed the meeting in his head before Bulkhead spoke. "Pretty big bearings. For a human". The green giant commented before Optimus spoke up. "She is concerned for her race Bulkhead. As she should be". Bulkhead grunted and walked next to Ratchet's tool desk. "I dunno why she's worried. After Team Prime knows WHEN to use force"! Bulkhead shouted ripping a strange circular device off the table. "And how much to use". He growled crushing the tool. "Bulkhead, I NEEDED that"! Ratchet groaned, Bulkhead shrugged sheepishly. Jack chuckled before returning his attention to the Omnitrix taking a seat on the couch. After a minute of comfortable silence, the large computers suddenly started beeping rapidly. A few keystrokes later and Racthet's optics widened. "Blasted Earth tech"... The old Medic growled drawing everyone's attention. "What's up Doc Bot"? Jazz asked walking next to him. Ratchet looked at the Autobot SIC before answering. "The compute has detected a massive energon signal. But I know for a fact there is not a single source of energon that's as big as this one. It must be another bug". The head medic growled as Optimus took a look. "It may be another bug Ratchet, but we must be sure. Elita, Chromia, Ironhide, Bumblebee and Bulkhead come with me". Optimus said leaving no room for argument. Ratchet sighed and nodded activating the ground bride. The green, white and blue portal came to life as the selected Autobots shifted into their vehicle forms before driving into the portal.

Miko grumbled something as she plopped herself on the couch next to Jack.. The teen gave the younger girl an amused look before returning his attention to the Omnitrix. However it wasn't long before the Japanese exchange student, was suddenly on his shoulder looking at the Omnitrix with wide curiosity-filled eyes. Jack leaped back when he saw Miko appear before giving the girl an annoyed glare. After a second he noticed her hand reaching for the Omnitrix and he immediately stretched his arm out of her reach and gave Miko a stern look. "Don't even think about it Miko". The raven haired youth warned. Miko pouted and attempted to reach the strange watch again for Jack to lean out of her reach. "I said no Miko". Jack stated giving her a light glare. Miko sighed heavily and gave the older teen a half-hearted glare which he ignored before he once again returned his attention to the Omnitrix. Jazz leaned against the far wall and smiled at the scene that transpired in front of his optics. These kids were definitely gonna make life here a lot more exciting here. About an hour later Optimus's baritone voice echoed through the comm-link "Ratchet! Bridge us back now"! The Autobot leader commanded. Not wanting to argue Ratchet was instantly at the Ground Bridge controls. The portal instantly blazed to life as the six Autobots charged out of the portal in their alt-modes. Optimus had a large silver trailer on his back with the Autobot symbol on it. Ironhide and Bulkhead instntly shifted back into robot mode as the two large Autobots began unloading the rather large cache of energon from Optimus's trailer. After a minute a large pyramid of energon cubes about as tall as Bumblebee now stood in the far corner of the command centre. Optimus looked towards the three kids before stretching his hand toward the energon. "To answer your question, children, this is not the true form of energon and is instead more stable and refined form of it, make it easier to be consumed". The last Prime explained

The three kids nodded their heads in understanding before Miko noticed that the Omnitrix was now unprotected. Miko suddenly gained a devious smirk on her face before she slow inched towards Jack, and before the older teen could react Miko had already activated the Omnitrix and slammed the core down catching everyone's attention as Jack was enveloped in a green light. A faint outline could be seen as Jack got noticeably taller, and vines seemed to spread all over his body. After a minute the light expanded than vanished then revealed the newly transformed Jack. Jack's new form bore a bit of a resemblance to Heatblast, except that instead of molten rock this new form was covered in greenery and looked almost plant-like. And the stench coming off of him, made both Miko and Raf gagged as they backed away.

"Miko"! Jack shouted out in annoyance. His voice had become noticeably deeper and more stuffy and nasal. The Autobots blinked their optics in surprise. "A Methanosian". Ratchet finally said making Jack turn his head. "Is that the name of this guy's species? Huh...Guess I'll call this guy Swampfire then". He said crossing his arms. After several minutes, Jack or rather Swampfire heard the familiar alarm like beeping of the Omnitrix and looked down as the symbol began to beep red before he was surrounded in red light before shrinking down to his original human form and size. "Whoa...lets see what else he can turn into"! Miko shouted excitedly before, reaching for the Omnitrix and Jack promptly shoved the excited girl back onto the couch and crossed his arms. "My answer is still NO Miko". Jack said sternly. Miko pouted and suddenly gave Jack her best puppy dog face. "Please Jacky-kun"? She asked in her sweetest voice. Jack arched an eyebrow at her. "What do you take me for? Some kind of weak minded hormonal teenager"? Jack demanded. Miko sighed and crossed her arms. Jack rolled his eyes and sat on one of the chairs near the couch and once again began to fiddle around with the watch ignoring the looks from everyone.

Eventually Jack checked his phone. As soon as he saw the time his eyes widened and a strong of loud curses escaped his mouth catching Prime's attention. "Is there something wrong Jackson"? Optimus boomed getting the teens attention. Said teen whipped his head up in surprise before he spoke. "I actually need to get home now Optimus, or my mom's gonna kill me for breaking curfew". Jack explained as Raf and Miko approached them. "I better get home too, or I'll be grounded for a year". Raf added as Miko released an over-dramatic sigh. "I gotta get home, other-wise my host parents'll freak out and call my parents in Tokyo". Miko said. Optimus looked at the three children before nodding his helm. "Earth customs. I hadn't considered". Optimus boomed before straightening up. "But the issue of your safety remains. Bulkhead. Accompany Miko home". He said getting a nod from the green Wrecker as Miko wooped happily. "Awsome! My host parents'll freak"! She exclaimed happily before Optimus cut that excitement down. "And remain covert surveillance, in vehicle form". He said as Bulkhead looked at the hyper-active girl. "Curb-side duty. Got it". Bulkhead said nodding before shifting into vehicle mode as Miko let out a groan before hopping into the car that was Bulkhead as he drove out of the base. "Bumblebee, you'll watch over Raf". Optimus said looking at the young scout who in turn did his best to smile with his faceplate on at the young boy. Raf smiled back before Bumblebee shifted to vehicle mode and allowed Raf to hop inside as he drove out leaving Jack the only one remaining, in the base. "Arcee. You'll acompany Jack". Said teen's eyes widened and he rubbed the back of his neck nervously as Arcee's helm shot up to look at her towering leader, her optics as wide as dinner plates. "Wha-Optimus you can't be serious! I'm a warrior, not a babysitter"! She objected. Jack scoffed and crossed his arms not that she heard him. But Optimus certainly did and so did Chromia and Elita. Before Optimus could say anything the mentioned femmes approached him. "Optimus, with all due respect, I don't think it's a paticularly...good idea for you to pair up Jack and Arcee. Elita and I haven't been assigned anything and neither has Ironhide, Jazz or Cliffjumper". Chromia pointed out. Optimus raised an optical ridge and placed a servo on his chin as his Optics drifted to the mentioned autobots before drifting over to Jack. Finally after a moment Optimus finally nodded.

"Very well. Chromia, you'll take charge of Jack first". Optimus stated. Chromia nodded and shifted into a silver and blue flamed Harly Davidson chopper, with chrome plating and two large exhaust pipes, that shot upwards at a 90 degree angle. The wheels themselves were also pretty big, almost up to Jack's knees. Jack himself blinked when he saw Chromia's Vehicle mode and smiled, nostalgically which didn't go unnoticed before Jack hopped onto the seat as Chromia revved her engine and shot into the Ground Bridge. After a minute or two the bridge finally closed leaving the base in silence once again.

Jack smiled as the wind blasted past his face. Everything he saw as a blur as Chromia shot through the streets weaving in and out of traffic with an almost practiced grace. Finally Jack spotted his house. "Just over there Chromia, on the next turn-off. Chromia lightly revved her engine in response as she slowed down into the drive-way, and allowed Jack to open the garage door. As Jack wheeled Chromia's vehicle mode into the garage, the femme took that chance to scan the small room. All around the walls and around the floor were what looked like chopper parts, with bodies and chassis of different varying sizes and colors lied around the garage. Near the door leaning against the wall was an incomplete black and silver chopper. So far it was only a small part of the body and the engine which was nearing completion. Suddenly Chromia and Jack heard another car engine. But just before Chromia could shift to robot mode and arm her cannons Jack almost instantly placed his hands on the handel bars. "No! No, no its alright! Its just my mom...She's a part of the plumbers too". Jack said, and Chromia finally settled down as she shifted her mirrors to get a look at the teal car. When June stepped out, Chromia's optics would've widened if she had been in robot mode. "June..."? She muttered in surprise as Jack went over to her. She saw them converse for a little bit before Jack stepped blinked in surprise then looked over, back at Chromia before his shoulders sagged and he motioned with his hand for his mother to follow him. They returned to the garage. "Alright, its all cool, Chromia...Um she kinda already knows about Cybertronians". Jack said, and just like that Chromia instantly sprang into robot, mode. June's eyes widened when she saw the familiar process of the gears and parts seemingly fall apart before reconstructing as Chromia leaned down on one, knee trying to keep her ear like protrusions from scratching the roof of the garage. "So...Mom you already know Chromia I'm guessing so no introductions needed". Jack said leaning against the wall before Chromia spoke. "Its great to see you again June...its been what, four maybe five years since I last saw you, Ben and Jack"? She asked. Jack blinked when he heard his name and arched an eyebrow. "We've met before"? Jack asked getting a nod from the femme. "Yeah. It was such a long time ago though"... She said trailing. "About ten years. How've you been Chromia"? June asked smiling. As the three got into a long, nostalgic conversation that went through the night.