Blackbirds of My Remains

**The Red Line of Clarity**

Music: Thomas Newman- Ghosts (Aaron Static & Fort Road Remix)

Upon reaching the abandoned complex, I gazed sadly at the once proud structure, now in total disarray. Time stood still, only a slight breeze that drifted through the complex alerted me to the very reality around me. Slowly, I slid off of 'Blade, taking my helmet off as well. I stared into the emptiness that yawned before me. Darkness reached every corner of the inside, shadows consumed what used to be. I walked forward, into the darkness meeting the chaos that laid inside. I clenched my hands, as I came to the stagnant body of Ironhide. A sob suddenly pierced the air as I tried to hold back my tears, failing miserably. I dropped to my knees, bringing my leather gloves hands to my face and wept. Fireblade laid down beside me and gently pushed his head against me. Gladly, I reached out and hugged his muzzle.

"Oh, Ironhide, I'm so sorry." I mourned. I felt as though I had failed, what I didn't know. Nemo had told me that something like this would happen but, she also told me that I couldn't interfere, not until Megatron and Sentinel were offlined. It still hurt know that I could have done something, but at the same time knowing my hands were tied. Deliberately, I rose from my stupor on shaky legs, feeling determination rise from within me. I walked closer to the once noble, proud, battle hardened warrior. I took a deep breath in, calming my nerves, allowing me to concentrate.

"Are you sure you can do this?" 'Blade asked from behind me. He too, had gotten up and followed me closer. I turned and felt the corner of my lips turn up a bit.

"We won't know until I try." I replied quietly as several more tears escaped down my cheeks.

I held my hands out in front of me. A blue glow emitted from them as arches of what appeared like lightning, flowed from them. They danced along the frame of the Autobot, weaving in and out of the negative spaces that Ironhide's frame was riddled with. Another deep breath in and I forced out more energy. A voice, that sounded so distant, so far away I could barely make out the words the voice spoke.

'Alice, what are you doing?!' It seemed to cry. I shoved it to the back reaches of my mind and focused at the task at hand. I concentrated harder, the energy now running in a controlled chaos of madness. The wind picked up, blowing debris around in a violent circle around the warrior. More tears leaked from my eyes as I forced every ounce of control and discipline into what I was trying to do. Through them, I watched as the body lifted up off the ground, I could feel the power leaving me now as it worked to reassemble the rusted frame. I could hear the ripping of metal as I could only assume it came off the buildings, combining to form the resistant armor of the Cybertronians. I opened my closed eyes and watched as the power of the All-Spark that coursed through me undid the decay.

Time was lost to me, nothing made sense, nor did it matter. The light was blinding, the heat felt as though I were standing on on the sun, but the pain that started in my head and flowed through the rest of my body felt like I was on fire. That voice came back to me, I still couldn't make out the words, or understand them.

Suddenly everything stopped. My ears were filled with the humming silence that surrounded me. Ironhide's frame was whole once again. Slowly, it drifted back down to Earth. I was in autopilot I walked forward to meet the giant Autobots' body. Not knowing what was propelling me forward, I climbed on top of the frame, closing my eyes, concentrated once again.

I sifted through the endless rift filled with sparks, searching for the the one. It didn't take long since his will to live was still strong. I continued to concentrate on bringing the spark forth into this realm of existence. I could feel the power leaving my body even though there was no more power to give. A high pitched scream pierced the silent air around me. It sound familiar to my ringing ears. The pain was excruciating, since I realized there wasn't enough power in my body, it began ripping it from within my bones, stripping it from my blood and ravaging my cells for any glimmer of the All-Spark's power. It brought me to my knees. I fought off the darkness that danced around the edge of my vision, the darkness that wanted to wash over me and swept me away. The soundlessness that had surrounded me gave way to chaos. Everything slowed down to almost a stand still as I took it all in.

Nemo was screaming at me to stop, trying to push her way through the barrier.

Fireblade was begging me to stop the madness I was ensuing.

Jazz was yelling my name as he ran towards me.

The triplets and Jolt were close on his heels.

I blinked, fighting tears once again.

I knew this darkness that was seeping in to my body. This darkness that threatened to consume what was left of me. This darkness that loomed at the brink of my sanity and being. This darkness that gathered at the edge of my edge of my vision. Death threatened to consume what was left of me.

With the spark in my hands I leaned a bit further down, and collapsed altogether. The spark in my hand fell into place as I blinked tears away from my eyes. All I could do was watch in astoundment, like watching it for the first time all over again, the systems flood with life once more, and the spark chamber closing.

I breathed a shallow breath, hoping to cling to reality. However, death and I were old friends, I knew him well. I knew he would lead me gently into the darkness and wait with me until the moment came where he would reluctantly give me back. As I closed my tired eyes one thought eluded me.

A life for a life, at least death was fair.

"Are you positive? And the location?" there was a pause in the cabin. "Fuck, alright thanks." Colonel Lennex hung up his phone.

"What seems to be the matter?" Optimus asked clearly seeing the distress on the young man's face as he slammed he cellular device.

"There's a huge energon reading at the NEST base, it blew out the ones on the perimeter of the base and signals are being detected as far away as the White House." Lennex replied. Optimus was silent for a second as he connected with Sideswipe and Bumblebee.

"Already on it boss." Was Sideswipes response before Optimus could speak.

"Sideswipe and Bumblebee are already within the city and on their way to the location." Optimus replied to the Colonel. He nodded his head and rubbed his eyes with one hand and sighed.

"Just when I thought it was all over…"

"The reading is not a Decepticon, if that helps." Optimus reassured.

"What is it then?" The Colonel asked.

"Unknown, but it seems to have a signature like the All-Spark."

"But I thought that we destroyed it?"

"Correct, however its power and knowledge can never be destroyed. The cube was merely a vessel for it." Optimus answered.

Bumblebee and Sideswipe were startled awake by a tremendous power that shocked their frames. Already awake they head towards the epicenter of the power. No sooner had they started out did Optimus com them .

"Already on it boss." was Sideswipes reply.

Their radars were leading them directly to the NEST base, it was with some reluctance that they continued to push forward. A scream reverberated off of the buildings that surrounded them. Darkness, surrounded the area, but bright lights flashed to and fro in the night. They both transformed ready for whatever laid around the corner, but they weren't expecting to see what they saw.

A young girl collapsing on Ironhide's reformed frame.

A Cybertronian quadruped standing on top of several crates that were still intact.

Jazz gently grabbing the young girl as Ironhide's systems roared to life.

Jolt taking the young girl and laying her on the ground, away from the event that was transpiring.

A holoform flickering into existence hovering over the girl.

Ironhide sitting up as his optics on-lined.

The pair stood there, unsure of what to do with themselves. Sideswipe looked over at Bumblebee, they stared at one another. Looking towards the scene again and cautiously took a step forward, then several more. Both watched the chaos unfolding before them.

"Dammit Alice!" Jolt's holoform raged. Something seemingly like electricity gathered into the palms of his hands. The surge course through the body of the young girl, it convulsed but nothing happened. Jazz's holoform appeared on the other side of the girl. The quadruped, in one bound, lept to the ground to lay in front of the girl, its head leaning against her own.

"Alice, please!" he cried. All traces of a playfulness gone. Jolt gently pushed him back as the electricity formed in his hands again.

"Ironhide! Please calm down. It's alright." Chromia soothed. Ironhide had been whirling his head around, searching for an enemy that wasn't there. At the sound of her voice, his he whipped in her direction, his optics wide.

"Chr-Chromia..." he all but whispered. She smiled brightly at the meche.

"Yes, it's me." she whispered to him as well. She helped him to his feet as her sisters looked on. Happiness spread through the like never before, but concern shadowed behind. They all turned their attention to the girl.

"Come on, Alice. We can't do this without you." Jolt whispered as he shocked her one more time. A second passed before a bright white, glowing sphere flickered and grew above her chest. Then the orb slowly seeped into her chest, lighting up her whole body. The light grew brighter, but just as quickly, it faded.

The girl's mouth opened and she sucked in a large breath of air. Coughing, she drug another breath in, and coughed again. There was a silent release of tension and the air relaxed. With the help of Jolt, she sat up, only to be quickly snatched up by Jazz in a giant hug.

"Aw, man Alice, what in the Pit were you thinking?" Jazz questioned as smothered her. His playful gangster-like voice already back.

"Sorry, I didn't know what was going to happen... besides you know why I did it." was her muffled response, Jazz only held her tighter. Jolt's holoform vanished and his original form began to move.

"You've completely depleted your system." Jolt sighed as he knelt down to her. "You should be alright in a week or so."

Jazz helped Alice onto her feet, she peered up and was startled a bit at the two pairs of bright blue eyes that shone through the darkness.

"We have an audience..." Alice whispered to Jazz. He looked up and a genuine smile appeared on his face.

"Sideswipe! Bumblebee! It's been awhile." he chuckled letting go of Alice as she steadied herself with the help of the quadruped that appeared beside her. She clung to him and rested her head on his side, he in turn gently set his head on hers. Jazz's holoform sizzled out as well. However before he didn't get very far, Alice's body started to tilt at an odd angle, and he quickly caught her as she fainted.

"Uh, yeah." was Sideswipes slow response as both he and Bumblebee stepped forward into the light that was being illuminated by the others forms.

Caught up in what was going on it, it was Ironhide who spoke up about the familiar noise of rest of the Autobots.

"Well things just got a bit more interesting." he grunted as everyone's head looked up at a familiar red and blue semi-truck stopped at the entrance to the base.

Lennox jumped down, and stood shocked at the sight before him. If it weren't for the years of war that had hardened him, he would have been in tears at the sight of one of best friends alive again. So, no one questioned him as he ran over to the black armored veteran.

"Ironhide..." Lennox almost choked, "It's good to see you again." He held it back but on the inside he was crying with joy and happiness.

Ironhide looked down at his comrade in arms, and smiled, a real smile. "It's good to see you again as well, my friend."

Optimus who had transformed, looked on the scene, realizing that the bonds they forged with the humans would last for generations to come. The sound of the rest of the Autobots transforming, caused him to look away from the sight. Ratchet, Mirage, Que, Leadfoot, Topspin, and Roadbuster all stood staring at the sight before them. Fireblade jumped upon a semi trailer, and spoke aloud.

"Greetings, Optimus Prime, and fellow Autobots. It is an honor to finally meet you all. My designation is Fireblade, over with Jazz is Alice, my creator, and the embodiment of the All-Spark."

Nightmares plagued Alice's once peaceful dream world. Memories of her own life and those of the Cybertronians clashed together in a mass smorgasbord of chaos. The lives of Cybertronians and her own meshed together and her mind worked furiously trying to separate the two. Nothing seemed real, yet the line that separated this from reality was blurred so everything was real. Images of her past flashed before her as she was forced to re-live them along with others.

It was a warm dark night. Alice could feel that her body was smaller than it was now, and recognizing the surroundings, she was horrified to realize it was Los Angeles. She wanted to turn around and run but she had been in this sequence many times before, there was never any getting out of it. Being dragged along, the younger Alice was roaming the sketchy streets and alleyways wanting to go anywhere but home. A clatter ahead of her to her right along with a muffled scream caused her to sneak up to the corner in front of her. Peering around the corner, somehow through the darkness, she could see a large male figure struggling to keep his hold on a smaller figure of a woman. She could barely make out her desperate cries as they were muffled. The woman struggled against her captor's strength. Looking around Alice saw several glass bottles laying around and picked them up. Grabbing a lid to a plastic trash can, she boldly decided to help.

Taking a deep, shaky breath she ducked into the shadows and prepared herself to attack. Everything sped up at that point. She threw the bottle at the man's head but missed causing him to look up. Alice threw the next bottle and this one collided with his face. His grip loosened on the frightened girl and she was able to get away.

"GO! Run, I got him!", Alice yelled at the girl who stumbled past her. She nodded her head and took off running. Angered the man charged after the girl but Alice intercepted him, ramming him into the brick wall. Both of them staggered to get up. Alice tried to get up but pain entered her body and she was forced back down on the ground. Laying on her stomach she tried to push herself back up but was met with the same pain. Weight was on his side but she quickly elbowed him and was able to turn over to face her attacker.

Time slowed down as she saw the blade reflect off of a dim street lamp. Too dazed for her mind to recognize the object, Alice was helpless as she watched the memory continue to , life sped up again as the cold knife ripped through her flesh and pushed past the bones of her rib cage. It stopped firmly with the hilt touching her skin. Pain sliced through her body and mind. It became her reality. As soon as the blade made contact with her skin a scream ripped through the night's seeped and spread through the open wound in her chest. Pain pulsed with each long painful beat of her heart. She tried to control her breathing, as it came up in ragged gasps, but stopped trying when breathing became too difficult. He covered her mouth as he continued his bombardment. Suddenly lights filled the air and the man's hand was removed. Lights, noises were clouded over by the mass amount of pain that consumed her.

"Oh my god! Jim! Get over here. This is ..." Noises and lights were blurred together in a mass collaboration of confusion. All that was left of time became lost in the dark space that surrounded them. With each beat of her heart, life ebbed away from her body. Clinging to the pain, she tried to say conscious and aware of the commotion around her. She closed her eyes, but was bombarded by noise. Noises started to fade. Darkness clouded her mind as terrible pressure was placed over top of her chest. She tried to scream but was sure that all that came out was a whimper.

"Come on sweetheart you gotta stay with me..." a voice entered through all the confusion. She opened her eyes to see that she was inside of an ambulance and there was a woman standing over her. Her mouth was moving but she couldn't hear anything other than what she had already said.

Alice's mind was working overtime with the lack of blood flow to her head and in her veins. Her mind was starting to shut down. Blackness slowly spread across her consciousness. Soon she heard nothing. Then saw nothing. Felt nothing. Sensed nothing. She felt suspended in time and space. Like floating in water, everything was a peaceful bliss. The substance that surrounded her was warm, unlike her cold, blood drained body. She relaxed and let her body drift peacefully in the timeless black limbo.