CHAPTER SIX
--Necroworld--
"Optimus Prime." Prowl gave a sharp salute as he stepped down the ramp of his ship. "It's good to see that you are well."
"At ease, Prowl," Optimus replied, standing with Rodimus to greet the white and black Autobot. "I'm just glad you're here to help me sort things out. It's been a while since I've had a rational processor here to advise me."
"Yeah, there's sure been a distinct lack of dourness around here," Rodimus said, arms folded. "Good thing you're here to remedy that."
Prowl stopped to regard the Autobot captain. "Rodimus. Are Skids and Getaway nearby? I need to speak with them."
"They're sure to be around, but I haven't seen either of them," Rodimus said. "Why, did they do something bad?"
Waving him off, Prowl returned his attention to Optimus. "I'm sure you're aware of Megatron..."
"Indeed. He's being watched over by Ratchet right now."
"Why?"
"It's... a long story." Optimus gestured to the assorted Autobots and Decepticons that were present on the Necrobot's grounds. "A lot of this is, to be honest."
"Well, you can tell me all about it." Prowl glanced back at Rodimus. "Be on the lookout for Skids and Getaway, will you? It would be appreciated."
"And Brainstorm," Optimus added. "He's gone missing as well."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get on that." Rodimus waved a dismissive hand. "You guys go on and do the rational thinking without me. I wouldn't want to cramp your style."
Optimus and Prowl exchanged glances before transforming and driving back to the Necrobot's fortress. As the two drove off, other Autobots from the Secret Service stepped off of Prowl's ship, moving to join the crowd.
Rodimus let his optics drift around, hoping to catch sight of Skids, Getaway, or Brainstorm. When he looked back... he suddenly realized there were a lot less bots than he thought there had been....
* * *
"Viral?!" Skids exclaimed, staring at the spindly Decepticon in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"The same reason as you, presumably," Viral answered. "Messing around with the future. I was wondering when you would finally show up; you're as guilty as I am."
"Hey, I remember you," Brainstorm said. "You led us into that trap on Talrus. I'm surprised they let you live."
"They did," Viral said. "Overlord, on the other hand, wasn't so keen on letting me get away. Convenient, then, that Vector Prime chose then to bring me to 'justice.'"
"So you've been here for over a month," Skids said. "I wonder why he waited so long to move on to us."
"Who can say? These Primes all have their reasons for doing what they do. Best not to question it."
"Just so we're clear," Brainstorm murmured, "there is no way out of here, correct?"
"Would I still be here if there was?" Viral replied.
"Well, I don't know. I mean, you're the one who locked himself up in a coffin. I think you just like hanging around in cold, dark places."
Viral sighed. "No. There is no way out of here. If it were that simple, then--"
He was abruptly cut off when a body came flying out of nowhere, colliding into him. The newcomer flailed around for a bit before finally slowing his propulsion. After orienting himself, he looked around the infinite void before finally noticing the three bots with him.
"Oh. Hey, Skids."
"Hey, Swindler," Skids answered. "Let me guess: Vector Prime?"
"Yeah. S'crazy, man."
Brainstorm narrowed his optic. "I'm sorry; he's a time traveler too?"
"He was the first to test the Transwarp technology when we got out hands on it," Skids explained. "Although... you didn't do much when you were in the future, did you, Swindler?"
"I dunno, man, I was high on propex back then. Who knows what kind of scrap I got up to."
Viral grunted as he recomposed himself. "Evidently, our Prime friend is not very selective in terms of apprehending bots. Even if you so much as stepped foot into the future--"
He was cut off by another bot colliding into him, followed shortly by another. Then Brainstorm was hit by one. Then Swindler. Then Skids. In quick secession, what had once been merely one had become a dozen.
"Geez," Brainstorm said, spinning uncontrollably. "How many bots did you have test the Transwarp tech?"
"A few," Skids muttered. "A lot more than I remember."
"And to think I thought you Autobots knew better than to meddle with things far outside your control," Viral remarked.
Brainstorm rolled his eyes. "Please, you don't know the half of it. I'm just waiting for Prowl to finally show up. He's the one who decided to use the Transwarp tech."
"Give it time, Brainstorm," Skids said. "Give it time."
* * *
"I am terribly sorry for being so sudden about this," Vector Prime said, standing before Prowl and Optimus Prime, the latter who had been frozen in time. "I've been preoccupied recently and only now have I been able to catch up."
"What's going on?" Prowl asked, looking incredulous. "What's the meaning of all this?"
"Surely you knew this was coming. You've had over a century to prepare yourself."
"Prepare myself for what? What are you talking about?"
Vector let out a drawn out sigh. "Honestly, must I keep-- Did you really think you're constant use of Transwarp technology would have little to no repercussions?"
Prowl blinked. "Wait... is that what this is all about?"
"Of course it is!" Vector exclaimed, gesticulating dramatically. "I am the Guardian of Time and Space! Did you really think I wouldn't notice?"
"Well, it took you this long...." Prowl murmured.
"Oh, forget it." Drawing his sword, Vector prepared to open another dimension gate. "I hope you have an eternity to spare, because you're going to spend a long time...."
The ancient Prime trailed off, as if something had interrupted him. Prowl heard nothing even as Vector's face fixed into consternation.
"The Matrix...?"
Without warning, Vector vanished from view and time resumed normally for Prowl. Optimus continued walking, only to stop when he noticed Prowl had stopped following him.
"Prowl? Is everything all right?"
Prowl slowly shook his head. "Prime... I think I know what happened to Skids and Brainstorm."
* * *
"Easy, Megatron." Ratchet stopped the former Decepticon leader from rising from his repair slab. "You're still low on energy. Try to conserve it."
"What... happened?" Megatron asked, rubbing his head.
"I have no idea; I wasn't there for any of it. Just try and get some rest while I--"
The doctor abruptly paused mid-sentence. Megatron glanced at him, only to see that he appeared to be frozen in time. That was when he noticed the blade being pointed at his neck and the regal-looking mech who held it.
"The Matrix," the ancient bot said darkly. "Where is it?"
"Vector Prime?" Megatron murmured, almost in awe.
"Ah, good. People do still remember me." Vector inclined his head to the Decepticon. "Now, the Matrix."
Without thinking, Megatron opened his chest panels, revealing the relic in question. Vector stared at it for a moment before returning his gaze to Megatron.
"You are Prime," Vector stated.
"No," Megatron said. "Optimus is."
"But you carry the Matrix."
"Yes, but... only because it's the only thing keeping me alive."
"Is that right?" Vector raised an optic ridge. "And you know this for a fact?"
"How else can I still be alive?" Megatron growled. "My spark chamber is empty!"
"Is it now?" Vector chuckled as he sheathed his sword. "Let us test that theory, shall we?"
Finding himself unable to move, Megatron could only watch on in horror as the ancient Prime reached into his chest and tore out the Matrix....
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