Eureka Springs, Arkansas

The morning sun was rising once again, a new day falling upon the US. The little corner of Eureka Springs was very well known for its preserved Victorian buildings of its Historic District, including the Palace Bath House, Basin Park Hotel and Crescent Hotel, all of which were built around the city’s natural springs.

And in one of the studio apartments, a woman attempted to crawl out of bed. A woman with flowing long white hair, with dark grey-blue skin. She jumped out of her bed, feeling the cool air against her skin. She frizzled with her hair, trying to straighten it out from the raggedy mess it was.

Sticking her feet into a pair of slippers, she stumbled over to a chair where a robe was hanging. Finally concealing her nude body, she stumbled out of her bedroom and to the bathroom. After that pit stop, she swung around and almost fell on her way to the kitchen.

When she stumbled into the kitchen, the smell of fresh hot coffee hit her nose, almost snapping her out of it. And another sight was brought to her eyes; the small robot the size of a human baby which was pouring the coffee into the mug on the counter. The robot's body was mostly gray, but the biggest piece that stood out was the cyan head and yellow eyes that welcomed her.

"Ah, good morning mum! Here's your coffee, brewed to perfection!" The robot greeted with a very cheery British accent.

Sugarcoat smiled. "Morning Brains."

"Oh, and before I forget," the little robot rushed over, managing to grab the newspaper and just barely made it over to the coffee mug without dropping it, "today's newspaper, just delivered."

She took a sip of her coffee, with a delighted gasp of relief. Just the stuff she needed.

"Thank you." Sugarcoat took the newspaper and took a seat in the countertop chair, parking her shoulders on the marble countertop just near the stove. She unfolded the paper, looking to see latest news. "Alright lets see, lets see... What is new today..."

"Oh, how did that concert from that friend of yours go? What was her name, I swore I remembered it... Lemon Tart, Lemon Sweet, I almost had it."

Sugarcoat rolled her eyes, chuckling. "Lemon Zest. And it says... ah, as I thought. Her concert performance was top notch, and raised a lot of charity money for the children's hospital in New Orleans."

Brains chuckled too. "Even as a lady she still finds her way to keep herself young."

Sugarcoat laughed. "Yeah, I guess so. Brains?"

"Yes mum?"

"Did we get any mail today?"

"Oh yes, you got four pieces of mail today."

"Great, we do we got?" Sugarcoat asked as she took another sip of her coffee.

"You have a letter sent from Crystal Prep Academy asking if you're interested to make an appearance and talk to some of the students, the Bon Mot Peanut Butter Praline Crunch Bars six-packs are on their way, you have two bills, both from the Happytime Diner," Brains explained as he turned on the small TV in the kitchen. The little robot then parked himself on the kitchen table, near Sugarcoat.

As Sugarcoat finished the last of her coffee, she kept moving her eyes back and forth through the paper. There wasn't much else to read in the paper, just more politics and sports, nothing really that made her interested or want to keep the coffee in her stomach.

"So mum, what's the plan for the day?" Brains asked, peaking over her newspaper.

Sugarcoat looked back up, admittedly smiling. She gave the small robot a pat on his head like one would do to a dog.

"Well I need to go to the store because I'm running out of milk and eggs, and there's an office party I'm supposed to attend and apparently I'm the one who needs to bring in the baked goods. Did I forget anything?"

"Later, you are to call your mother. Its her birthday. Oh! I almost forgot, you did get one new phone message this morning."

Sugarcoat put her newspaper down. "Really? Who was it?"

"I don't know mum. There wasn't a clear indication, and I was afraid it was another telemarketing person trying to sell you snake oil. But I thought maybe you should hear it for yourself, just in case."

Brains' tiny finger pressed the button on the phone, playing the message that had been sent.

"You have one new message. To listen to your messages, press one."

Brains did just that.

"Calling all Autobots."

Sugarcoat's skin drew cold. She knew that voice. And that first sentence did not help her feel okay.

"This is Hound. I have reason to believe we are under targeted attack. If there are any Autobots out there, anywhere in the world, find any surviving Autobot within proximity, and keep in close contact. Best of all, do not let the Decepticons hunt you down. Stay safe, Autobots."

Once the message stopped, Sugarcoat placed her hand over her chest. She felt her heart start to race. The memories of the battles before fast-forwarded inside her brain.

"Mum? Are you alright? Your skin is looking rather pale."

Sugarcoat gulped and looked to Brains.

"Pack your things, we need to leave at once."

---

Sunset Shimmer's eyes slowly opened up, adjusting to the light in her room peering in. When she looked down, she saw she was still wearing the same clothes the night before. No PJs, nothing. But she didn't even know how she got there. What even happened?

"Wait..." She looked at her clock on the wall. The time was set at 9:30 AM. "Oh scrap!"

She struggled to get out of the bed, fumbling with the sheets that were over her body. Nearly tumbling over some weights on the floor, she pushed out of the door. She ran out of her room, scurrying past a corner, trying to get to the lounge.

"Oh I'm late, I'm late, oh so very late!" She tapped the controls for the lounge doors, opening them up. But when she stepped through, she stopped. All of her friends, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were in the kitchen. All of them were cooking breakfast, and were very hard at work.

Applejack was the first to notice her awake. "Hey now, look who finally woke up."

"I... Oh," Sunset held her head.

"I hope you slept well, Spitfire said you haven't been sleeping these past few months," Fluttershy asked with some concern.

"No, I..." Sunset stopped. "I can't believe it, I actually slept this time."

"Good. You're gonna need your energy if we're going to kick some Decepticon butt," Rainbow smirked. She picked up a plate with some toast and bacon, and sat down at one of the tables.

"We thought after how tired you were from all the fighting yesterday, we would just let you sleep."

"And while you slept, we got to catch up with everyone here! Though Mohawk's kinda ranty," Pinkie Pie said with a finger drooped. "And Blitzwing's crazy! Even for me! Hehehe!"

"And Spitfire caught us up on how many Autobots are remaining, and who's free. You had a Decepticon named Steve, locked up?" Twilight asked, with a raised brow.

Sunset couldn't help but chuckle. "His real name is Unit ST3V3. We just call him Steve for sure, it's easier to remember. Plus for a Vehicon, he's actually really nice. He didn't complain when he was arrested, and he was actually pretty nice to his wardens."

Rarity passed Sunset a plate with a pancake, which she accepted.

"Well that's one more Decepticon we don't have to worry about," Pinkie Pie asked. "Now we just have... um... I don't know how many there are at this point."

"Neither do we," Rainbow shrugged.

After everyone else got their breakfast, they all sat down at the table, ready to eat.

"So Sunset, if you don't mind us asking," Twilight began as she sat down at the table. "Those Autobots that we saw last night... is that really all that's left?"

"Sadly, yes," Sunset frowned.

"Sooo... No Mirage?"

"No," Sunset bluntly replied.

"Gears?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nope."

"Beachcomber?" Rarity asked.

"Nada."

"Road Rage?"

"Left to do some Decepticon patrols in another state, we tried to contact her. Nothing. No response, no call, nothing," Sunset sighed, holding her face with her left hand, elbow on the table.

"Man, Sunset, you're not kidding. Best to my count, I only saw like 20 of ya'll at the most." Applejack exclaimed.

"Well, like I said, everyone decided to just drop out from the team," Sunset rolled her eyes. "Some of them, I swear, left without even saying why or giving us a reason why. I mean, I understood Hound, he wanted to stay with Indigo. Blaster, obviously, stayed with Lemon Zest. Smallfoot's..."

Sour Sweet tapped her foot. The girls turned their heads in shock, not even realizing she had entered into the room. Sour gave a deadpan expression to Sunset who was admittedly embarrassed. Sunset's cheeks went red and she immediately stopped.

"Well, um, we know she left the team cause it was her choice in the matter!"

Sour rolled her eyes and stomped away, leaving Sunset to sigh in relief.

"You heard the news right, about what happened to Sour?" Twilight asked.

The girls shook their heads.

"Those Decepticons from yesterday? They... they..." Twilight tried to say. "They killed Smallfoot."

"Oh no..."

"Oh..."

"Aw..."

"She's... dead?" Fluttershy whimpered.

Twilight nodded.

"Oh, that poor sweetie..." Rarity frowned. "And--oh, poor Sour..."

"Ya'll think maybe, maybe we should talk to her?" Applejack asked.

"No need," Spitfire said.

Their heads turned to look at Spitfire who came approaching them; dressed only in a tank top and pajama shorts.

"When she showed up, I somehow managed to tame the lion in her. She's let out all her tears. But let me tell you, she's impossible to talk to. Half the time she's nice, and then the next minute you get some grouchy or deadpan statements.

Pinkie giggled. "Sounds like Sour!"

"The point is... she's already clean. But she's taking it hard," Spitfire said, standing next to Sunset.

"That's understandable," Sunset cooed. "But wait, why are you here? I thought you would be having breakfast with the rest of the Wonderbolts right now."

"Yeah, well... your friends pulled some guilt-tripping on me. I thought about what I said yesterday, and, I think I said some things that were out of line. I told you to take a vacation, and you did. You didn't know about the Decepticons coming, and neither did any of us. So... I'm sorry. Boss." Spitfire attempted to say.

Sunset smiled. "It's fine."

"No, its not. I came at you with a lot of anger and that was unnecessary--"

"--Captain. You were stressed out, and trying to juggle too many things at once. I know how that feels." Sunset said. "But look, my friends, myself, we're all here now. We're here, we're going to find out who's leading those Decepticons, and we'll figure out what they're planning. Okay?"

Spitfire said nothing but nodded. Sunset smiled and opened her arms up, offering a hug to the captain. She just looked confused.

"W-What are you doing?" Spitfire blanked.

"I'm offering you a hug."

"Eh..."

"Oh come on," Sunset moved closer and gave Spitfire an actual hug. She patted her back, and then pulled out. "Now just promise me you'll relax, and stay calm?"

Spitfire took a deep breath, sighing in and out. And she tilted her head back at Sunset.

"Good. Now you just go get breakfast, I'm just going to have my food here with my friends."

Spitfire saluted and simply walked away. Sunset just watched her leave, and took another sip of her coffee.

"Ah, that's the stuff... So, um, where were we?"

Sunset reconnected her thoughts, and continued to speak. The girls all listened in, and eventually the conversation started to derail. But it didn't matter to them. Sunset just felt happy to have her friends there, all there for her to talk to and communicate with again. And knowing they were going to stay and help take care of those new Decepticons, her hope for the future grew brighter.

---

What Sunset didn't realize is back on Hawaii, the Decepticons were already up and at em, getting work and prepared for the day. Everyone was up and at 'em, and they were eager to get a start on their next attack on the Autobots.

"Grubber."

The small human looked up to the cold metal husk.

"My Decepticons will be departing this island for the first piece of the machine. I need you to stay here with Shockblast and anyone else who decides to stay. And above all--

"Tempest?"

Tempest was agitated from the interruption, but her body didn't move from its current spot. But regardless, she listened.

"If its okay with you, I wish to stay here and watch over the boy. Someone should watch over him and keep him distracted after all," Cyberwarp offered.

Tempest still didn't move. "Very well. As long as you make sure the boy doesn't escape your watch. I have no interest in harming the runt, but he's seen too much. He can't leave this island."

"I know, I won't. Thank you, ma'am," Cyberwarp nodded before walking away. Tempest didn't even see the small joyous smile on Cyberwarp's face.

"Never mind, Grubber. Just make sure nothing goes wrong while I am gone."

"Got it boss!" And Grubber vanished in a puff of smoke.

The Decepticons however weren't so calm and collective as Tempest and Grubber were. A stench hit the air, making Shatter and Dropkick cringe.

"Whoever's stench that is coming from, could you please take an oil bath?" Shatter asked, calmly while holding onto her nose, or what would have been her nose.

"Hey!" The Terrorcon Blot whined. "I can't help the stench, it's not my fault!"

"Could you at least stand over there?" Dropkick pointed to a corner of palm trees, far from where they stood.

"Even if you tell him to, there's no point. But don't worry, you won't get that from me. Unlike him, I don't stink, and am far superior," Rippersnapper quipped with his hands on his hips.

"You are not superior," Hun-Gurr growled, stomping towards him. Rippersnapper looked up, feeling a bit smaller than he was, compared to his boss's size. "And I would save your boasting skills for when we face the Autobots."

Hun-Gurr stomped away, letting Rippersnapper watch. He just held his arm and mumbled to himself. "I'm superior in every way, I know it..."

"Decepticons! May I have your attention?"

The Decepticons, hearing Tempest's call, stopped whatever they were doing and came to the main center of the base. All stood up straight, facing Tempest and little Grubber who was next to her. And to everyone's surprise, the Terrorcons went from angry savages to calm soldiers in a split-second. But no one would pay attention to it for long, Tempest had the grounds now.

"Decepticons," Tempest addressed. "I know most of you are getting adjusted to your new surroundings, especially with five more of our visitors, but we have much to do today. While some of you were getting acquainted I received some new information from the one who calls for us..."

"Who? Who is it, Megatron?" Blackout asked.

"No," Tempest deadpanned. "He is known as Megatronus, I hope you are all familiar with his name?"

No one replied.

"Not one of you?" Tempest waited. She shook her head, but kept talking. "But to keep it short, Megatronus is the first Decepticon, from the dawn of time. And we have to free him. We will be hunting the parts we need to build his machine which will get him and all of you off this planet and back to your own kind. And once he's freed... I will have my body restored to its former glory."

The Decepticons couldn't help but grin at the idea. Not at Tempest's body being restored, but dreams of finally getting off of that mudball Earth. They could only hope to get off. But their slow excitement was quickly stopped when Steve spoke up.

"So let me get this straight. We're talking about a Decepticon no one has seen in several million years, a Decepticon who's been around since the dawn of time; and now you want to bring him back from wherever he's trapped? Am I the only one who sees a problem?"

All eyes and heads turned to stare at the generic Vehicon who questioned the practicality of her plan. Some of them snickered like he was a buffoon, others stared at them with unamused glares, calling him an idiot on the inside.

"Oh come on, I can't be the only one, can I?" Steve asked.

No reply.

"That's an excellent point, Steve," Tempest finally said.

"... Wait, you're actually agreeing with me? But you're the one who wants to bring him back."

"Yes, but even then, you raise a valuable point... and I know just what we're going to do. Everyone, gather your weapons. We must prepare for departure."

"Tempest."

Tempest and her crew stared at the cold and souless Shockblast who summoned her.

"I have good news and bad news. Waspinator will not be functionally apt for your mission. But that is why I am deploying my finished creation..."

Tempest and her crew gave confused looks. As they all gathered close, they watched the newest Decepticon slowly stomp towards them. Everyone gasped at the sight.

"Shockblast, what did you do to him?"

"Dear heavens, he, he... he looks like me," Slashmark gasped.

"You could be twins!" Thunderblast squeed.

---

After an hour or two, the Decepticons were already on their way to the first location. Their heist had begun, and they were ready for action. Spacewarp had to come along for this journey, as she needed to carry everyone's weight over to their first stop.

Luckily for all of the Decepticons, her alternate mode was a shuttle that enlarged to just the right size to carry all of them. The Cons often compared her to Astrotrain or Skyfire, with her massive shuttle size.

Inside the shuttle, Tempest and her crew all sat along the sides, sitting on the benches inside her cabin. Tempest sat near the front, peering through the cockpit glass. Lined up on the right side on the bench was Shatter, Thunderblast, Barricade, Bludgeon, and Steve. While on the other end there were the five Terrorcons, Dropkick, Flamewar, Slashmark and their newest addition to the team.

Everyone for the most part was quiet as they took off, alas not Steve.

"That's an excellent point, that's an excellent point," Steve mocked, "Remind me again, why are we going through with this? How does she even know if whoever she's calling is going to go through on the deal?"

"I don't know, I'm not the one to ask," Barricade replied.

"We're getting close guys, almost there!" Spacewarp called to the entire crew within her.

Once Spacewarp made that call, Steve spoke again, this time sounding a little worried. "I hate to interrupt but, is anyone else a little nervous about the Autobots coming back?"

"Look, Stan—"

"Steve!"

"I know you haven't been out in the field in a decade, but relax, you've been chosen by higher powers!

Slashmark looked at Hun-Gurr with a deadpan look. "Did that Earth-loving glitch just refer to herself as a god?"

"Yes, yes she did."

"Couldn't I have stayed back at Hawaii and watch over our hostage?" Steve panicked.

"You're going to be fine, Steve, stay calm! And actually... everyone, we have arrived."

The entire shuttle stopped, just miles high above the sky. And after a few seconds, a hatch on the floor slid open, creating a big drop-off point for fliers to jump and take off.

"Okay guys, its just a single skydive and then we will be at our destination!"

"I-I don't know guys, I'm scared of heights," Steve shivered. "Can't we just land down there?"

"I don't care what we do, just get off the plane!" Tempest snapped.

"But there's a high chance of--"

Dropkick stomped on Steve's foot, and then gave a swift kick to his knee.

"OW! Dropkick, you son of a--AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

That single kick made him fall, and fall he did. He fell straight through the open hatch, hurling through the clouds and towards the drop point. Everyone watched as he fell, and giggled a bit.

"Everyone!" Tempest ordered. "Go! Go! Go!"

Next Chapter: Chapter 21: Terror On Refinery Grounds Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 22 Minutes