Jack, Miko and Nakala are on top of rocks near an energon mine that has been abandoned by the Decepticons. It's strange that they're searching the mine because of its abandonment, but their scanners picked up energon coming from it. While Arcee, Airachnid and Bulkhead went inside, the humans with them waited outside. After doing some stretches, Nakala decided to lighten up the mood with his flute and played a beautiful song. It's at least 10 seconds shorter than the other one, but it's still beautiful.

(A/N: This 1 hour version is the only video of it I could find.) Miko: "We're supposed to be at a rock concert. But all I see is rock." Jack: "[yawns] Relax, Miko. The show doesn't start for two hours." "Do you know how long I've waited to see Slash Monkey." "Uh..." "Forever!! And it's their only U.S. date!" "[sarcasm] There's a shock. I mean, who doesn't love obscure Bulgarian shriek metal." Nakala: "I sure don't." Footsteps are heard as the the three look over to see Airachnid, Arcee and Bulkhead walk out. Airachnid: "This mine is clearly stripped clean. There is nothing here." Bulkhead: "But I'm getting a signal. It's faint, but it's definitely energon." Miko: "[quietly] Whoa!" she says as she looks at the Darby brothers. They already know what she's gonna do as Jack sighs and Nakala forces his back on a rock. Nakala: "Ow." Arcee: "Doesn't make sense. This operation has been abandoned four, maybe five years. And Decepticons never leave energon behind." Jack: "Uh, guys?" The three look at Jack, who points at Miko disappearing in the cave. Miko: "Cool!" Arcee: "She went in. Unbelievable." Jack: "Really? Have you...met her?" Bulkhead: "[groans] Miko, get back here!" he calls out as he runs in after her.

Airachnid: "[to Nakala] Why didn't you stop her? I know you could've." Nakala: "It's Miko. She's the biggest innocent liability I've ever met. If she wants to completely ignore how fragile she is in the face of a giant robot war and get squished or blown up, fine by me." Jack: "Nakala!!" "Don't give me that. It'll be one less 1-brain celled human being for anyone to deal with. She won't change at all." he says before he continues playing his flute. Airachnid chuckles at how heartless Nakala is being towards an innocent human. She didn't think he had that side of him. Jack: [sighs] Anyways, it would be kinda interesting to see. You know, if it were--" Arcee: "Safe? A stripped mine can be structurally unstable, Jack." "I promise to step lightly." "[thinks] Just don't tell your mom." she says as they walk in the cave. But little did the group know that three other people are showing up. Up in the sky, two jets zoomed down and transformed as they landed in front of the cave. Megatron and Starscream have unexpectedly arrived.

 Megatron and Starscream have arrived at the same abandoned mine that the Autobot and humans went in, but Starscream doesn't know why they're there. Starscream: "Uh, Lord Megatron, far be it from me to question your intentions, but I do no understand why we've returned here after all this time... alone." Megatron looks at Starscream with a sideways glance without saying anything before moving forward. Starscream got worried 'cause he is hiding something in the mines he doesn't want Megatron to know about. He's still wanting to plot against him, but he's now scared for his life if it has been discovered already. Starscream: "Uh... Every last trace of energon was extracted from this mine. There's nothing left." Megatron: "[turns around] Indulge me, Starscream, won't you." Starscream hesitated for a moment before following Megatron in the cave. He has to hope there's nothing in the mine that'll give away his treachory.

From within the cave, Bulkhead is still looking for Miko. Bulkhead: "Miko! Mi--" Miko suddenly appears. Miko: "Check it out! Now this would make an awesome rehearsal space! [echoing] Hello! Hello, Cleveland! Are you ready to rock?! Whoo-hoo-ow!" The energon scanner started going off around the area they're in. Bulkhead: "[comms] Arcee, found something." Arcee is having a hard time hearing him, though. Arcee: "Bulkhead? Bulkhead, do you read?" She gets nothing but static. "Scrap. The mineral composition down here is causing interference." Miko: "Okay, maybe the acoustics aren't perfect." Bulkhead: "[sighs] Well, we're here. Ratchet's gonna want a sample." he says as he brings out a mace and starts smashing rocks while being sure not to bring the whole cave down on them.

On another side of the cave, Megatron and Starscream make it to an area of the cave and find mining drills. Megatron: "How intriguing." Starscream got nervous and quickly tried to think of a way to save himself. Starscream: "[chuckles nervously then groans angrily] Incompetent fools!" he says as he walks forward a few steps. "This mining equipment should have been relocated. Why is it still here!?" "A most valid question." "[inhales sharply] My apologies, master. I believe Soundwave was in charge of coordinating transport." Megatron simply growls in response. Starscream: "But in fairness, during your interstellar travels, we all had to assume additional responsibilities. Clearly, mistakes were made." Megatron: "Yes. Clearly." he says before punching through a wall. Starscream gasps in fear as Megatron pulls out some energon that Starscream knew was there. If Starscream wasn't feeling scared for his life before, he certainly is now.

Megatron: ""Every last trace of energon extracted?" Starscream: "Lord Megatron, I can explain." "Explain what? That you've been hoarding a supply of energon for your personal use?" he asks as he drops the energon. "No! Not exactly. You see, I--" Megatron doesn't let him finish as he crushes the energon. "Do not take me for a fool, Starscream!!" Starscream could do nothing but stammer at this point. He had a bad feeling that he's done for. Megatron slowly walks up to him as he continues his ramble. "I have been wise to your transgressions from the beginning. Not only did you pluck the dark energon from my chest in a failed attempt to snuff my spark, but you tried to raise your own undead warrior with it. It's no secret that you lost an arm in the process, which you've since had replaced." This shocked Starscream to his core. How does Megatron know about that little secret? Starscream: "You know about that?!" he asks in shock as he's backing away from him.

"Soundwave is quite competent at surveillance, I can assure you. The fact is, Starscream, despite your treachery, I've allowed you to carry on this long because I took a certain delight in following your string of failures. But you've finally become tiresome, predictable. You've hit rock bottom." "[whimpering] Master, please! Give me one more chance! I beg of you!!" he pleads as he gets on his knees. Little do they know that Arcee, Airachnid, Jack and Nakala are heading their way. Megatron: "You have ceased to be of use to me, Starscream. So you shall simply cease to be." Before Megatron could fire, the sound of an engine is heard and the two, along with the other four, look over and see a familiar vehicle approach. It transforms and everyone sees that it's Breakdown, who is looking surprised. Breakdown: "Lord Megatron?" Megatron: "Breakdown?! What are you doing here?!" Starscream: "Breakdown. Thank the AllSpark you came! Help me!" Megatron put two and two together and realized what is going on.

Megatron: "You knew I was going to find your secret stash of energon and terminate you on the spot, so you called for backup. [laughs] Oh, Starscream. I never understood why I made you my second-in-command in the first place." Starscream: "Breakdown! Please, help me! Remember I went to save you from those humans! It's time to return the favor!" Megatron: "I thought you said you escaped from those pesky humans by yourself!" Breakdown: "Uh, well-- Actually, I didn't." Breakdown knows Megatron is already angry enough, so he rather lie again instead of saying that the Autobots freed him. He doesn't know how he'll react to that info. "Co-Commander Starscream came to my rescue." Starscream: "Exactly!" he said playing along with the little lie. Megatron deemed you not worthy of rescuing since you were taken down by humans! But I didn't!" Breakdown was shocked by this info. Breakdown is stronger than vehicons, yet Megatron deemed him useless? It wasn't his fault. None of them knew about MECH. Breakdown: "You didn't want me saved??" Megatron: "If any Decepticon allows themself to be captured by those smaller than them, weaker than them, they deserve whatever fate awaits. But, if you terminate Starscream for me, I just might forget about that little...incident." Starscream: "Don't do it, Breakdown!"

Breakdown didn't know what to do. He was feeling conflicted. His master saw him as a liability and the one that didn't is in danger. What should he do? He could save Starscream, but it involves having to fight Megatron. If he sides with Megatron, he could gain more of his trust, but also be seen as a liability again if he fails him in such a way again. Before Breakdown could make a decision, he looks over and sees Arcee and the others. Megatron and Starscream follow his gaze and see them as well. Starscream: "Autobot! [gasps] And Airachnid?!" Megatron looked at them with anger clear on his face. Not only is there an Autobot and her pet humans here, but one of his high-ranking officers joined the Autobots. Megatron growls before turning his attention away from Starscream and blasting at the group. Nakala used his tentacles to pull him and Jack behind a rock pillar just before the first blast hit. Arcee and Airachnid take cover with them. Arcee: "Stay down!" she told Jack as Nakala ran out and went in his cybertronian form this time to fight Breakdown. Megatron walked forward a bit while still blasting to not give the Autobot and traitor a chance to come out. Starscream took advantage of this and started to run away. However, he foolishly let out a scream as he did, which caused Megatron to turn around and see this.

Megatron: "Starscream! You dare abandon me?!" he said as began firing at the fleeing Starscream. Starscream got launched up a bit before transforming into his jet mode and speeding towards the exit while dodging more blasts. Arcee peaked around the rock and took a breath before shooting at Megatron. Megatron took two to the back before turning back around to shoot at her, but Arcee shot at Megatron's blaster in response. It caused Megatron's blaster to aim up and shoot at the ceiling instead, which caused a big rock to fall right on top of him. However, the impact of that mass started the cave to collapse on itself. Arcee: "Scrap." she said at her mistake as the ground opened up and everyone fell deeper in the cave. The cave-in didn't end there, though, as rocks started to fall around Bullhead and Miko. Bulkhead groans while Miko holds her hands up to protect her noggin. A rock pillar lost its support and started to fall on Miko. She screamed as Bulkhead got in the way and tanked the rocks for her. Meanwhile, Starscream is zooming for the exit while dodging every rock and pillar he can. Unfortunately, he got hit by two of them and he spun out of control, causing him to transform and land flat on the ground. Starscream: "What? [echoes] NO!" he screams as he watches the exit get closed off by more rocks while others fall on him.

After what seems like forever, the cave-in settles down and is over with. Jack is seen pushing his way out of the rubble while covered in dust with little to no injuries. He steps off the rocks as he coughs before looking around for his friends. Before he could call out to anyone, he hears the rocks behind him begin to move. Out of those rocks came Airachnid, which Jack never thought he'd be happy to see. Jack: "Airachnid! Are you alright?" Airachnid: "I'm fine. I'm surprised you care. And that you got out of this with no injuries. I guess you humans aren't as squishable as I thought." Jack nervously chuckles before looking for Arcee and Nakala, but he can't see them. "[echoing] Arcee? Arcee! Nakala!" he calls out only to get no response from them. "Oh, scrap." he says before he and Airachnid see an opening and make their way through to find their friends. In another part of the cave, Miko and Bulkhead are safe sound as well. Well, more or less. Miko got covered in cave dust as well and coughed as she recovered from what happened. Bulkhead: "Did I do that?" Miko: "Don't think so." "You okay?" "Natch. What about you?" she asks as she turns around to see Bulkhead is holding up a gigantic rock. "Peachy." he says. He knows he's not gonna last forever, but he doesn't want to give Miko false hope.

Miko: "Whoa!" Bulkhead: "Don't worry, Miko. I got it under control." "What do you think caused the cave-in." "[sighs] Who knows? I just hope Arcee and the others are safe, 'cause we could definitely use an assist." "Just keep raising that roof, Bulk. I'll get us out of here." she says as she goes over to the pile of rocks and tries to remove them one by one. Outside the mines, Starscream manages to break through the rocks blocking the entrance and make his way out while coughing. He looks back at the rubble and realizes that Megatron has been left behind in there. Starscream: "[laughs evilly] Predictable, master? Is that what you called me? Well, now who has hit rock bottom? What's that? I'm sorry -- I can't hear you beneath all that rubble! [laughs evilly] Farewell, Lord Megatron. May you rust in peace!" he says before he starts to walk away. But quickly realizes something. "But you have survived far worse. If you managed to free yourself, you would blame me for your setback, and there's nowhere that I could possible escape from your wrath. Or, worse yet, your mindless followers will come looking for you and take credit for your rescue -- credit that could rightfully be mine! Raaaah! MEGATRON!"

Jack and Airachnid continue making their way through the destroyed cave and have found no sign of their friends. Jack: "[echoes] Arcee! Bulkhead! Miko!" he calls out to them again, only to get no response. Right after that, the sound of rocks being smashed is heard. They look over to see a pile of rocks being moved by the smashing and see a cybertronian hand break through. Jack: "Uh-oh!" he says as Airachnid gets in front to protect him, which is an odd feeling for her. It might have to do with the fact that he's Nakala's brother. With one last smash, the rocks fell apart and they see the one responsible is Breakdown. Airachnid was about to strike, but she stopped when she saw who came out from behind him. Jack: "Nakala!" he said in relief. Nakala went back in his human form and ran over to Jack to hug him. Nakala: "Are you alright?" "Don't worry. I'm okay." "[sighs in relief] That's good. Air?" Airachnid: "It'll take more than rocks scrap me. [points to Breakdown] But what is he doing with you?" "For now, he's with us. You absolutely sure you don't want to join the Autobots after learning the truth, Breakdown?" Breakdown: "Knockout is with Decepticons, so therefore, I should stay with them." "Very well. Spot is open whenever you change your mind."

The sound of a small rock falling is heard and everyone looks over to see a Decepticon mining drill. Jack: "Well, that could come in handy." he says as they go over to see if it works. Meanwhile, Miko is still trying to remove all the rocks to free herself and Bulkhead. But not only did she realize that it'll be hard for him to get out while also making sure the rock doesn't crush him, but Miko is using up her air. When Miko picked up one rock, she fell backwards due to that. Bulkhead: "Miko!" Miko: "[sighs] I'm feeling strong! [sighs]" "No, you're not." "I just need to [groans] rest for a second, that's all." she says as she tries to stand up, only to drop back down to her knees. "Miko, listen to me. There's no fresh air down here. If you use up the oxygen too fast..." "We could suffocate!" "Not "we," Miko. You. Autobots don't need to breathe, remember?" "[panting] Right. Smack-down in outer space. [chuckles] That was cool. [groans] Okay. What if I just slowed down, breathed...less..." she says as she crawls over to try picking up another rock. Due to her lack of strength for two different reasons, she struggles. "No. You need to stop, now." "I can't, Bulk. I have to get you out of here." She tries to lift the rock again, but fails and collapses on the rocks. She's getting weaker and weaker. "Miko, please. Don't worry about me. [straining] I'm fine." he says, even though he's now struggling himself.

Meanwhile, Jack climbed on the drill and began to look around for a way to turn it on. Breakdown: "Do you even know how that works, human?" Ignoring his question, Jack started to push a few buttons 'til he pressed the middle one, which turned the drill on. Things started lighting up and the console turned on while the drill part started turning. Jack: "Roll out." he said as they moved onward to find their friends. Breakdown: "I guess he does." Airachnid: "They do surprise us." The sound of the drill echoed throughout the cave, so Bulkhead and Miko heard it as well. Bulkhead: "[groaning] Do you hear that?" Miko: "Sounds like...drilling." "Got to be Arcee and the others." "We're in...here! [straining] Here!" Miko, grab something, and bang it on my foot. Can you do that?" Miko looks at him before grabbing a rock and walking over to Bulkhead. "I don't want to hurt you." "I know it's hard to believe, but I'm tougher than I look. Now give it all you got." Miko says nothing else and starts banging Bulkhead's foot. They have to hope their friends hear the sound of metal clanging.

Jack uses the drill and seems to have hit an entrance, so he backs up and puts the drill in a position to see inside the hole he made. They all looked in and saw a face they didn't want to see. Breakdown was still unsure at the moment, but his mind is made up. They all see the glowing red eyes of Megatron looking back at them. Airachnid: "[chuckles] Well, this is quite the predicament for you." Megatron: "[growls] I suppose helping those less fortunate would be completely out of the question." Jack says nothing as he backs up a bit while Nakala gives Megatron a cold look. He feels his anger rising just by looking at him. He's very sensitive when it comes to those he holds very close to his heart being in danger or threatened. "If that's the case, you might as well use your drill to finish me. I guarantee you will never have a better opportunity than right now." Airachnid: "He's right, you know. Take the chance while we have it." she tells Jack. Jack looks at her before looking at the drill then back at Megatron. Megatron: "Well? What are you waiting for? Think of the glory. Seize the day. Optimus would." Jack: "No, He wouldn't. Not like this." he says with a serious face and tone before starting the drill back up. This surprised Airachnid, Breakdown and Nakala that he wouldn't take the one chance of helping the Autobots come closer to winning the war.

Nakala: "I would." he says quietly, but loud enough for Airachnid to hear since he's standing right next to her. He clenches his fists as he shakes in anger while also hesitating to kill Megatron in anger. Killing someone in anger will only remind him of his younger self. "But not right now." he says before using his tentacles to climb on the ceiling. He goes with Jack while Airachnid looks back at Megatron for a bit before following the two Darby brothers. Megatron: "I will be sure to share the details of our little conversation with Optimus; the day I rip out his spark!" Megatron notices that Breakdown stayed behind. He's contemplating on whether he should help his master or not. "Breakdown! If you save me now, and help me find that traitor, Starscream, I just might forget about your failure against the humans." Breakdown thinks for a bit before making his decision. He decides that he will help his master to hopefully be closer to him so he won't be either terminated or kicked from the Decepticons. Also, Knockout is his best friend and he doesn't want to leave him. He brings his hammer and starts smashing the rock.

Meanwhile, Miko is still banging Bulkhead's foot with a rock. She had to pick it back up after losing more of her strength. Bulkhead: "Thatagirl." Miko does one more bang before dropping to her knees. She then hears the sound of metal groaning and is concerned. Miko: "What was that?" Bulkhead: "Nothing. Go on. Keep banging." he says, only to start grunting as he's now struggling to keep the rocks up, which Miko takes notice of. "Bulkhead, what's happening? Tell me!" "My arms. ...They're starting to give." Miko's jaw is in a gape at what she just as heard as she watches Bulkhead struggle. "Does it hurt?" "[grunts] A little." The sound of his arms losing strength is heard again as more small rocks begin to fall. "Bulkhead!" "Help's coming. We just got to guide them here. Hit me again." Miko keeps looking at Bulkhead with concern written all over her face. "Miko, do it!" Miko gives in and bangs Bulkhead's foot a couple more times before falling to her knees again.

Bulkhead: "Are they any closer?" she asks as they hear the drilling. Miko: "I can't tell. The sound is all -- unh! -- freaky in here." Then the sound of rocks being smashed are heard and the two look over at the rock pile blocking their only way out. Their hopes rose as they thought Arcee had finally found them. Bulkhead: "[laughs] Yes!" Miko: "[laughs] Arcee found us!" They were soon proven wrong as some of the rocks get destroyed and a familiar evil laughter is heard. Starscream: "[laughs evilly] Put any doubt of my allegiance to rest." he says as he looks through the hole he made. He thought Megatron was in here, but he sees that it's Bulkhead and his pet human. Miko: "What's he doing here?" Bulkhead: "Miko, get behind me; now!" Miko runs behind Bulkhead as Starscream smashes through all the other rocks. "Well, well, if it isn't Bulkhead and his pet vermin. My, you do have your hands full, don't you, Autobot?" "Do whatever you want to me, Starscream, but let the kid go!" "No! [strains] I'm not leaving you." "It appears that the human wishes to remain." he says as he teases them by reaching out for Miko. She gets more behind Bulkhead to get away from the 'con who's just playing with his prey at this point.

Bulkhead: "Starscream, don't push me!" Starscream: "You like playing with the bug robots, don't you, little girl. Miko moves around Bulkhead and back in front while panting. She needs to get out of there and have fresh air. She looks back and sees Starscream standing over her. He tries to grab her, but is kicked away by Bulkhead, who lost more strength in his arms. Starscream shakes off the pain and gets up, growling at Bulkhead's actions. "That's it, Autobot! I will--" "What?? You'll what?! Make me bring down the ceiling on top of all of us?! Run, Miko!" Miko shakes her head as she hugs his foot. Starscream: "Yes. Run, Miko. I would love to see you try. Really, I would." The sound of drilling continued and the rocks started to crumble and fall, distracting Starscream. He looked up before looking to his right in time for the drill to ram him down. The two look to see that it is Jack operating the drill with Airachnid right behind him. Nakala, who's still on the ceiling, looks on and sees how Bulk is before turning to Starscream. He sets himself down on the drill and uses his tentacles to hoist Starscream up right next to Bulk.

Nakala: "Raise your hands now, Starscream. Unless you want to be crushed." Starscream stutters and gives in, knowing he has no way out. If he does any sudden movement, he's going to get shocked. If he lets Bulkhead's arms lose all their strength, he's going to get crushed. Then again, he'll be crushed whether he holds it up or not, but might as well prolong the inevitable and hope a miracle happens. Starscream holds his hands up and Bulkhead lets go. Starscream holds up the rock and Nakala lets go of him so they can all leave the area. Bulkhead: "Thanks for the save. You guys okay?" Airachnid: "We're fine, big guy." Miko: "Where's Arcee?" Arcee: "Right here." The group looks over to see Arcee walking to them. Jack: "Arcee!" Nakala: "[sighs in relief] Thank the angels above you're okay."

The group heads outside and looks back at the cave as they - except for Airachnid - transform. Bulkhead and Miko were filled in on what happened on their side of the cave and how the cave-in happened. Arcee: "We could finish them here and now." Bulkhead: "Shame we didn't bring any grenades." Jack: "Would Optimus...finish them?" Arcee: "No. He probably wouldn't. Not like this." Airachnid: "Even if it's an easy chance to win the war with no consequences?" Miko: "But Optimus wouldn't rescue them, either, right?" Bulkhead: "Let's go home." Nakala opens a ground bridge portal for them and they all walk on through. Arcee stops for a moment and sighs as she looks back at the mines before continuing. Nakala also stops as he too looks back at the cave. He wishes he finished off Megatron when he had the chance. But he didn't want to kill someone out of anger 'cause it'll trigger the bad memories and have a mental breakdown. He sighs before feeling a hand on his shoulder. He turns around to see Airachnid kneeling closer to him. Airachnid: "I told you about my past. I believe it's fair if you told me yours." Nakala does a few light nods before following her in the portal.

Back in the cave, Starscream is struggling to hold up the giant rock and is already losing strength. Just when he was about to lose hope, he looked over and saw Megatron and Breakdown. Starscream: "[gasps] Breakdown?! Master! You're alive! Thank the AllSpark!" he says in relief as he gives a smile. But Megatron does nothing as he simply stares at Starscream about to become one with the AllSpark. Breakdown charges up his shoulder turret and aims it at Starscream. Breakdown: "Just say the word, master." Starscream couldn't believe that Breakdown chose Megatron over him, so he had to save himself here. "I...I did not abandon you, master. I returned -- to save you!" "Save me?" Starscream lost more strength in his arms, so he had to be fast with his words and hope. "Look into my spark, Lord Megatron. My intentions were true. Please! Have mercy!!" Megatron again says nothing but gives a slight, evil grin before making his choice.

TO BE CONTINUED...