A/N: We are one day; I repeat: one day away from Season 2! Thanks to all who reviewed "Curse of the Prime", but this is a preview of my Jack/Ghost Rider story. I'm gonna being working on "Curse of the Prime" for a while so I wanted to get your thoughts. This is based off the trailer for "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance", which came out today. I can't go see it this weekend because I'm sick. .

Transformers Prime: The Rider.

The Autobot base sat in silence, its occupants trying to take in what had just happened. After forging a rather uneasy alliance with Megatron, Optimus and the others traveled down to Earth's core to stop the awakening of Unicron, the Chaos Bringer. Despite everyone's objections, Optimus knew better than to allow personal history to cloud his judgment and agreed to a temporary truce. Entering Unicron's spark chamber with Megatron, Optimus surrendered the Matrix of Leadership to place the titan back in stasis. However, he did so at the cost of his own memories.

Being the opportunist he was, Megatron took advantage of the memory impaired 'Orion Pax' and convinced him to return to the Nemesis with, declaring the Autobots their mortal enemies. Now, the Autobots stood without a leader, pondering on what to do next.

"When Optimus surrendered the Matrix," Ratchet said, "He lost more than the collective wisdom of the Primes; he lost himself."

"So what do we do?" Arcee asked.

"We must get work finding him if we have any chance of initiating his contingency plan."

"Contingency?" Arcee raised an optic ridge.

"What Contingency?" Bulkhead asked.

Ratchet shifted his gaze to Jack, "The only way for us to restore his memories is to use the Key to Vector Sigma, which has been passed to Jack." Everyone turned their attention to Jack, shock and concern evident on their faces.

"How am I supposed to use this thing?" Jack eyed the Key, "Besides; shouldn't one of you be the ones to do it."

Ratchet shook his head, "Optimus chose you Jack; the Key won't for any of us because only a Prime has the power to pass the Key to another user."

Jack turned his attention back to the Key, wondering what he was supposed do. The Key began glowing, shocking everyone.

"What's going on?" June moved to her son, but was stopped by Ratchet.

"They Key is showing Jack what he must do in order to bring back Optimus' memories; we shouldn't interfere." The Key's glow increased as it showed Jack visions. There were flashes of someone dressed in a black jacket and black pants. In his black gloved his, he wielded a chain. Jack looked on in horror as he gazed into the person's face, a flaming soot covered skull.

"Jack," the creature called, "You know what must be done." The creature stepped toward Jack, who backed away in fear. The Key returned Jack's mind to normal. He dropped it and backed away from, nearly falling over the railing. Jack breathed heavily, eyes wide with fear.

"No," he gasped, "It can't mean I have to do that. "

"Jack," June placed her hand on his back, rubbing it gently, "What did it show you?"

"Something I can't do," he whimpered, still shaking.

"Jack," Ratchet picked up the Key placed for Jack to grab, "Whatever the Key showed you, you must do it. There is no other choice."

Jack glared at the medic, "You have no idea what will happen." Of course they didn't know, but they wouldn't understand. Jack couldn't unleash that thing; it would be catastrophic for everyone.

Bulkhead stepped up, face a mask of anger, "It doesn't matter. What matters is that we get Optimus back!"

"Bulk's right," Miko chimed in, "We can deal with the consequence, or lack thereof, later. Right now, we need to get Optimus back and you're only one to do it Mr. "Honorary Prime". So get off your ass and get the job done!" Bumblebee chirped angrily in agreement.

"No," Jack growled, "If I do what the Key told me to do, than everyone would suffer; do you think Optimus would want that done in his name?"

Bulkhead growled, "You little-" Arcee stepped between them, ready to defend her partner.

"Back off Bulkhead," she hissed.

"You know for once, I think Optimus got it wrong," the Wrecker glared at Jack, "Jack's no Prime; not even close." Bulkhead stormed off to his quarters, Bumblebee doing the same.

Miko glared at Jack, huffed, and followed Bulkhead to his room. Raf just shook his head in disappointment and followed 'Bee. Ratchet glared at Jack before returning to his computer. Jack sighed before walking off to another part of the base.

The Rider

On the Nemesis, Orion Pax and Megatron walked into the command center.

"You have a been a captive of the Autobots and locked in stasis for some time, Orion," Megatron rasped, "Long enough for us to be in exodus on another planet."

"Exodus?" Orion gasped, "Why?"

"Because the War Lord Ratchet's thirst for power resulted in this," Megatron waved a hand and an image of a dead Cybertron appeared, shocking Orion.

"Cybertron," the archivist gasped, a feeling of anger taking over him, much to Megatron's delight. Orion could not believe his optics. He had never thought Ratchet would be capable of such horrors. He had a hard time believing Megatron when he said the medic had betrayed Orion, but this proof was undeniable.

"And to think," Megatron said, "The Doctor of Doom's mad quest for power continues; he and his marauders chased here to this planet. We feel its species are not yet ready to behold us."

"Now please Orion," Megatron said, arms behind his back, "There will be plenty of time for catching up; rest and prepare yourself." He turned to leave when Orion spoke up again.

"A question Megatron; why are we called 'Decepticons'?"

Megatron smiled, "It was a name the Autobots used in attempt to demonize us, but we embrace it as a badge of honor, for if speaking the truth is deception; then we are gladly guilty." Orion nodded and turned back to Cybertron, a feeling of anger rising.

"Megatron," the archivist spoke up, "I will do everything in power to end Ratchet's acts of aggression. This I vow with all my spark." Megatron nodded and turned around to leave, a wicked smile on his face.

The Rider

Jack was resting in a storage room. After what happened earlier, he was in no mood to deal with everyone acting like they knew better than him. He felt sleep taking over him, his eyes growing heavy.

"Awaken Jack Darby," a voice echoed, "Awaken." Jack woke to a world of blue energy, flashes of what looked Primes surrounded him. He looked around for the voices source, but found nothing.

"Who's there?" he called.

"I am Primus young one," the voice boomed, "I have summoned your spirit here to the core of Cybertron."

"Optimus told me about you," Jack said bowing in respect for the ancient spirit, "He told me Cybertron's core was healing and that your planet won't be capable of sustaining life for millions of years."

"And millions more to come," Primus sighed, "I am still weak from Cybertron's poisoning; it was only made worse when Megatron hurled a large quantity of Unicron's blood toward the planet's surface."

"Then why are you talking to me," Jack asked, concerned, "You should be saving your strength."

"I have called you here to discuss what the Key to Vector Sigma instructed you to do."

Jack's blood ran cold in his veins, that same feeling of fear rising in him, "If you know what the Key showed me, than you know why I can't do it."

"Yes," the spirit said, "Zarathos is difficult one to control, even for my brother; his creator." Jack eyes widened, but he quickly recovered. It made sense that Unicron was responsible for this.

"I can't let him out," Jack whimpered, "I've spent years reining him in. If he's freed, no one will be safe."

"I am aware of the consequences, but you fail to account for one thing; Unicron and I have similar abilities." A blue energy swirled around Jack, entering his body. The boy felt a calming sensation coming over him.

"Jackson Darby," Primus boomed, "In order to restore Optimus Prime to his former self, you must embrace Zarathos' power. I will help you control him as best I can, but have faith in your own strength of will. In exchange for this, I am prepared to offer you what you desire most in this world."

"What I want most?" Jack repeated, confused by the spirit's meaning. The world around him began to fade.

"Restore Optimus' memories and I will lift your curse."

Jack woke up, his closed drenched in sweat. He wanted to think it was dream, but there was no denying it. He would have embrace the power he feared for so long in order return Optimus back to the Prime they needed.

The Rider