From a dark corner of the city, where the streetlights couldn't reach, Barricade stood motionless, silently observing everything. His crimson eyes gleamed in the darkness, reflecting the position of Bumblebee, who was parked in front of Sam's house. He didn't need to get any closer—the tracking device he had planted on Bumblebee during their last encounter had done its job well.
The conversation between Optimus, Sam, and Mikaela transmitted directly to the signal receiver in his system. Every word about the AllSpark, the incantation, the defense mechanisms, the notebook… all of it had been recorded.
He clenched his jaw, realizing that Optimus Prime knew far more than he had expected. If the Autobots truly had a way to harness the power of the AllSpark, the Decepticons would lose their greatest advantage.
Without hesitation, Barricade immediately activated an encrypted transmission, sending a signal to the one currently in command of the Decepticons since Megatron's disappearance.
[Starscream, I have important news. Optimus Prime is here, at the residence of a human named Sam Witwicky. They have the original Covenant of Primus, and that human—he can read the ancient language of Cybertron.]
On the other end of the transmission, a sharp, hissing growl resonated, as if Starscream was both enraged and intrigued.
[He can read the Covenant? How much does he know?]
[More than I expected,] Barricade replied. [The AllSpark is not just a relic. It has a will of its own, defense mechanisms that even Megatron himself once fell victim to. And most importantly… to activate it, an incantation is required. Not to mention, that brat is in possession of a notebook containing knowledge of ancient Cybertronian.]
The transmission went silent for a few seconds. Starscream was deep in thought. He understood the significance of the AllSpark, but he had never imagined it had so many layers of protection. And now, Optimus held the most crucial piece of the puzzle.
Finally, Starscream's voice came through, cold and sharp as a blade:
[I see. We cannot allow Optimus and the Autobots to gain the upper hand. Keep watch on them, but do not act recklessly. If necessary, I will come personally.]
As soon as the transmission with Starscream ended, Barricade quickly sent out another signal—an urgent mission directive. But this time, not for an army. It was meant for a single individual.
In a secluded part of the city, where flickering streetlights barely illuminated an abandoned construction site, a small excavator sat motionless, as if forgotten by time. But beneath its rusted exterior, a pair of glowing eyes suddenly flickered to life as it received the encrypted message from Barricade.
Objective: steal Archibald Witwicky's notebook.
Not a warrior, not a butcher—she was a master thief, an escape artist unlike any other. If something needed to disappear without a trace, no one could do it better than her.
She lazily rested her arm on a nearby rock, her treads shifting slightly as Barricade's voice came through the comms.
[Buckethead, I have a job for you. No combat involved. Just take something and vanish.]
Her eyes gleamed mischievously, her engine humming as if she had just heard an amusing challenge.
[Ooooh, sounds fun! So, what's the prize?]
[Archibald Witwicky's notebook. It holds Cybertronian ancient knowledge. The Autobots have it.]
Buckethead blinked. The playful smirk on her face faded slightly.
[Huh? Wait… what?]
[You heard me,] Barricade's voice remained as cold as ever. [It contains lost Cybertronian codes, possibly even information about the AllSpark. The Autobots cannot be allowed to access it.]
Buckethead raised and lowered her excavator arm, as if weighing her options.
[Hey hey, Barricade, do you even realize how valuable something like that is? If I kept it for myself, I could trade it for my own fortress! Or at the very least, a lifetime supply of Energon!]
[Don't push your luck,] Barricade growled. [Do the job, and Starscream will be generous with the rewards.]
Buckethead let out a giggle, her tone playful and teasing.
[Oh my, did you just say "Starscream will be generous"? Hee hee! Now that sounds promising! Alright… but tell him I'll be taking my payment before delivery. Got it?]
[No need to remind me,] Barricade muttered. [Just remember one thing—Optimus Prime is there too.]
The signal cut off.
Buckethead shrugged, lowering her excavator arm as if this was nothing more than another amusing game.
[Stealing something from Optimus Prime, huh? Heh, now this is gonna be interesting.]
With a soft rumble of her engine, her treads began to roll. Silent as a shadow, the small excavator vanished into the night.
—-
Witwicky House – Midnight
— Aren't you supposed to be home by now?
— Don't worry, I told my dad I'm staying over at a friend's place.
No more stalling. Sam bit his lip as he stood in front of his house. He had braced himself for everything—Decepticons, secrets about the AllSpark, Autobots tracking his every move. But there was one thing he would never be ready to face: his parents when he got home late.
He placed a hand on the doorknob, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.
Immediately, footsteps echoed from the kitchen.
— SAMUEL JAMES WITWICKY!!!
He froze.
"Crap… Mom's still awake!"
Judy Witwicky stood at the kitchen entrance, hands on her hips, her gaze as sharp as a razor. Next to her, Ron Witwicky crossed his arms, looking calmer but still clearly unimpressed.
— It's midnight! MIDNIGHT! What do you think you're doing outside at this hour?!
— Uh…
Sam stammered. He had faced a robot that wanted to snap his spine in half, but his mom? No way.
Mikaela stepped in behind Sam, but instead of blending into the background, she became the new focus when Judy shifted her attention to her.
— And… who is this?!
Ron tilted his head, giving Mikaela a once-over before raising an eyebrow.
— Oh… Sam, aren't you going to introduce us?
Sam opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Mikaela stepped forward with a polite smile.
— I'm Mikaela, Sam's friend.
— Sam's friend? — Judy squinted, then suddenly, her eyes lit up. — Or Sam's girlfriend?
Mikaela stiffened.
Sam nearly choked on his own breath.
— MOM!
His dad chuckled, patting his son's shoulder meaningfully.
— Not bad, kid. I like this one.
— IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!
Judy ignored Sam's protest, turning to Mikaela with a curious smile.
— How did you two meet? What do you like about him? Is he nice to you? Does he talk nonsense all the time?
Mikaela blinked, trying to process the barrage of questions. She glanced at Sam, only to see him standing there, looking like he wanted to vanish into thin air.
But this was a perfect opportunity. It would keep his parents distracted so they wouldn't notice the group of giant alien robots standing outside their house. Mikaela quickly caught on and decided to roll with it.
— Oh, it's a long story…
She started telling a completely harmless version of events—just enough to keep Sam's parents engaged but not revealing anything about the Autobots or the AllSpark.
Meanwhile, Sam used the distraction to slip out of the living room and head straight upstairs. He needed to find his great-great-grandfather's journal before anyone realized there was a squad of alien robots gathered outside.
But as soon as he entered his room, a deep voice called from outside his window:
— Hurry, Sam.
Sam jumped, spinning around—only to see Optimus Prime standing just outside, towering over the house, his optics glowing with quiet intensity.
…This was insane.
He stood frozen at his bedroom door, his heart pounding. Optimus Prime—a 30-foot-tall alien robot—was right outside his window.
This wasn't just crazy anymore. This was an entirely new level of apocalyptic.
— Hurry. — Optimus' voice was low, rumbling through the night.
Sam's mouth fell open, then he rushed to pull the curtains shut, glancing around in panic as if someone could see him talking to a giant alien outside his window. He quickly locked his bedroom door, then turned back to the window.
— What are you doing?! — Sam hissed. — Standing right there?! Right outside my window?! What if my mom looks out and sees you?!
Optimus, as usual, was completely unbothered.
— I have activated my camouflage mode. They will not see me.
— …Are you sure?
Sam peeked through the curtains—and nearly had a heart attack when he saw Ironhide crouched in the front yard, looking like a predator ready to pounce. Jazz was leaning against the garage, while Ratchet was scanning the ground with a yellow beam from his wrist, seemingly checking the security of the area.
Sam shut the curtains immediately, swallowing hard.
— No, Optimus, I don't think this counts as "camouflage"!
— We must ensure that no Decepticons have followed you.
— But you guys are literally giant robots standing around my house at midnight! Do you realize this is a residential neighborhood?!
Optimus remained as composed as ever.
— Our actions are necessary, Sam.
Sam let out a defeated sigh, dragging a hand down his face.
Why was his life like this?!
But he didn't have time to dwell on that. The journal.
While Sam frantically searched for it, Bumblebee and the other Autobots remained outside, doing their best not to make any noise. They all understood that breaking the silence was not an option, especially in a neighborhood like this. However, staying discreet wasn't exactly easy for them.
Ratchet tried to step lightly, but with his massive size, the ground trembled under his weight. A stone bench in the yard nearly collapsed when his foot accidentally nudged it.
Jazz, always restless, couldn't help shifting around as if he was trying to keep his balance, causing a few potted plants on the patio table to wobble dangerously.
Only Bumblebee was truly adept at moving silently—he was the most familiar with the house's surroundings.
— Careful! — Ratchet whispered harshly, waving his hand.
The Autobots continued their delicate movements, avoiding anything that could make noise. But with their sheer size, it was almost impossible. A few pots teetered, some gardening tools got knocked over, and at least one item hit the ground with a soft thud.
Mikaela quickly noticed what was happening. She positioned herself near the front door, deliberately engaging Sam's parents in a conversation about her car, making up a random story to keep their attention away from the strange noises. At the same time, when she spotted a fallen pot, she discreetly picked it up and placed it back in its spot, covering up any signs of disturbance.
Outside, the Autobots held their breaths—or at least pretended to—as they continued moving like shadows in the night.
Sam's parents remained blissfully unaware that the girl in front of them was doing everything she could to protect a group of giant alien robots stealthily maneuvering through their backyard.
—-
Sam was still searching for the notebook, his heart pounding at the thought of what might happen if the truth were exposed. He knew that it wasn't just him—his entire family would face unimaginable consequences if the Autobots were discovered here.
He glanced out the window instinctively, where Optimus Prime stood silently, observing. The feeling of safety had been replaced with an unshakable fear—he no longer knew how to face this reality.
Mikaela, unable to contain herself any longer, turned to look at Sam's parents, smiling like a close family friend. Meanwhile, outside, Ironhide had accidentally snapped a large tree branch. It felt like they were trapped in a giant game where even the smallest mistake could ruin everything.
Mikaela felt as if she were acting in a play where the tension was almost unbearable. She had to keep herself calm to avoid revealing anything suspicious to Sam's parents. Meanwhile, Sam was completely absorbed in finding the notebook, as if he were being pulled into a world even he couldn't fully comprehend.
Sam's parents, though slightly annoyed that he had come home late, weren't too strict about it. They had always cared for their son, and tonight was no exception. However, a growing unease spread within them. Sam had never acted this way before—from bringing Mikaela home to suddenly running up to his room in silence. All they could do was try to rationalize this odd behavior in the most normal way possible.
Sam's mother spoke first, her voice gentle yet laced with concern.
— I wonder if Sam is okay. What was he up to tonight? Maybe I should check on him.
Mikaela quickly interjected, pulling Judy's attention away from Sam.
— Oh, Mrs. Judy... — She smiled naturally, though internally, she was on edge. — Sam just had a long day. I think he's just a little tired. We had a science experiment at school and had to stay up really late. That's probably why he's exhausted.
Sam's father watched Mikaela's explanation with suspicion. As a father, he could sense even the slightest change in his son's behavior a moment ago, and right now, something didn't feel right.
— Maybe I should go check on him. — His voice was serious but still filled with concern.
Mikaela swiftly steered the conversation in another direction, determined to keep Sam's parents focused on her rather than questioning anything unusual.
— Oh, right! Sam mentioned that his car was haunted. Is that really true? — She smiled, as if she had just remembered something important. — I think I should take another look at it. You never know, there might be something interesting…
Judy and Ron exchanged puzzled glances but eventually nodded.
Although they weren't entirely convinced, Sam's parents didn't press further. However, they couldn't help but notice how strangely anxious their son seemed.
Meanwhile, outside in the yard, the Autobots were struggling to remain unnoticed. Optimus Prime stood silently in the shadows, meticulously observing everything. He knew this wasn't the right moment to reveal themselves, but his instincts as a warrior and a leader urged him otherwise, as if he were standing at a crossroads of fate.
Ironhide was trying to suppress his frustration after accidentally crushing a bush underfoot. Jazz, usually cheerful, could feel the tension in the air. He glanced quickly toward the house's window, where dim light spilled outside, then back at Mikaela, as if silently asking how much longer they had to keep this up.
— Just a little longer, Jazz. — Ratchet whispered anxiously, glancing at the other Autobots. — We can't let things be exposed now.
Mikaela had just finished talking to Sam's parents when she hurried outside. She looked up, seeing the Autobots still moving cautiously in the yard.
— Is everything okay? — She asked in a low voice, just loud enough for them to hear.
Ironhide nodded reluctantly, but he could feel the tension thick in the air.
— Yeah, Mikaela. We just need to wait a little longer for Sam. — Jazz replied with a small smile, carefully stepping away from any noise-prone areas.
Mikaela turned back toward the house, sensing the shift in atmosphere. Sam was still buried in his search, completely unaware that outside, the Autobots were fighting not just physical challenges but also a battle of patience.
---
Sam's steps would never be the same again—he was stepping into a journey where nothing would ever return to how it once was.
In his small room, Sam rummaged through everything. His heart raced, breath quickening as his hands flipped through drawers and stacks of old schoolbooks. Mikaela stood by the door, anxiously keeping watch to ensure Sam's parents wouldn't walk in unexpectedly.
— It has to be here somewhere... — Sam muttered, his eyes scanning desperately.
He knew this notebook wasn't just a simple family heirloom. It was the most crucial clue—the key to secrets that both Autobots and Decepticons were desperately searching for.
Finally, hidden among his history books, a weathered leather-bound notebook emerged. The pages inside had turned yellow with age, some edges torn by time. On the cover, the name Archibald Witwicky was deeply engraved, a reminder of his great-great-grandfather.
— Found it! — Sam exhaled sharply, carefully picking it up.
He opened the pages, his eyes widening as he saw strange symbols running alongside detailed notes on decoding them. This time, the ancient script didn't just appear as meaningless characters—instead, their meanings began forming in his mind almost instinctively.
Standing by his bedroom window, the dim glow of his desk lamp cast shadows on Sam's tense face. His hands gripped the notebook tightly, palms damp with sweat. The aged pages had been worn down by time, yet they held secrets that no one but him could unlock. Sam stared at the book, feeling as if he were standing on the edge of something too immense, too important to turn back from.
Suddenly, an uneasy sensation crept over him. A vague yet undeniable thought—someone might be listening. He couldn't be sure, but his instincts warned him that if they weren't careful, everything they were doing would no longer be safe. He realized he could only share this information with Optimus.
He quickly pulled back the curtain, a powerful feeling surging through him—what he was about to do would change everything. Sam took a deep breath, fully aware of the gravity of the situation before making his decision.
— Optimus! — Sam whispered, his voice low but clear enough to carry outside. He was certain that this notebook held the answers they needed.
The other Autobots, standing nearby, listened but didn't move yet. Sam raised his hand, signaling for them to stay back. His eyes were firm, as if saying, "Only Optimus. Stay back."
The Autobots exchanged glances. Seeing Sam's seriousness and determination, they didn't question his decision.
Optimus Prime, standing at a distance, noticed Sam's signal and immediately gestured for the others to step back. He understood that this was a moment where Sam needed to face something on his own.
A resolute look from Optimus silenced any remaining doubts among the Autobots, and they withdrew to their positions, leaving Sam and the Prime alone in the quiet night.
Even though he couldn't see Optimus in the darkness, except for those glowing blue eyes, Sam knew that Optimus Prime was always watching, always there when needed. Moments later, the familiar silhouette of the Autobot leader slowly emerged, as silent as a ghost in the night.
However, at that very moment, there was something Sam failed to notice—a small excavator creeping toward the house from a distance, gliding through the darkness like a phantom. None of the Autobots nor Mikaela paid any attention to it. The excavator moved lightly, its sounds so faint that they were almost imperceptible in the still night. It seemed to be watching, a figure that did not belong to this world, before slowly fading into the void, as if it had never existed.
Had anyone taken notice, they might have realized that the excavator was not an ordinary machine. Though its shape and size appeared familiar, there was something off about it. It lacked the usual signs of presence—no engine sound, no mechanical hum like other vehicles. And after disappearing, it left behind an eerie sensation in the air, as if an unseen force was waiting for something.
Sam continued trying to relay the necessary information to Optimus, unaware that the excavator was merely the first sign of an unexpected confrontation awaiting the Autobots. Tension was rising, and the darkness around them was growing thicker.
Less than a minute later, Optimus stood right beneath Sam's window, his eyes glowing like stars in the night. He looked up, locking eyes with Sam, the light from the room casting a soft glow around him—a presence that was reassuring yet undeniably serious.
He took out the Covenant of Primus and opened it to the page on the Allspark, making sure Sam could see:
— Sam, I am ready. Tell me what you have found. — Optimus' voice was warm but carried undeniable authority.
Sam nodded, feeling a brief sense of relief. But almost immediately, a wave of unease washed over him. Something was happening—he couldn't pinpoint what—but he had no choice but to continue.
He steadied his voice as he read from the Covenant, translating for Optimus through the window, though his mind was still reeling from what he had just discovered:
— When the Allspark is fused with the Spark of the right individual, it will grant them power akin to a god—the ability to alter the fate not just of a single planet, but of the entire universe.
Optimus remained silent, but Sam could feel the tension rising from the other side. This book was clearly more than just an ancient relic.
Sam paused at a particular line, then glanced up toward the window. He could sense the weight of the words on Optimus.
— There's one more thing.— Sam said, his voice slightly uneasy. —At the same time, the Allspark will open the gateway to controlling other relics, serving as a means to gather and harness immense energy...
A long silence followed. Sam looked at Optimus, whose eyes were filled with unspoken questions.
Taking a deep breath, Sam felt as if he was standing before a force far beyond his understanding—something that could destroy everything if left unchecked.
— So… what do we do next? — Sam asked, staring at the book as if it held the key to all the choices ahead.
Optimus responded with unwavering determination:
— We must protect it. We cannot allow the Decepticons—or Megatron—to wield its power for their own ends.
But Sam knew that if the book contained everything Optimus had just said, then the real battle was only just beginning.
---
End of Chapter 9.