Crossing Over: Part 3

The Autobots and Decepticons battle once more, while Skyfall is stuck with the suspicious Cliffjumper.

Synopsis

Skyfall, having joined up with Optimus Prime and his Autobots, is wondering why he's charging into battle yet again, flying with the other Autobots to the site of the Decepticon's attack. Optimus Prime sends Jetfire forward to assist the RUNTs, while he and the rest land near the hole to the power source they've detected. Skyfall feels out of place, with the only two who trust him being Prime and Grimlock. In particular, Cliffjumper makes his lack of trust known, believing Skyfall to be a Decepticon. Before the argument between the two can get violent, Prime orders the two of them on recon. Cliffjumper objects, wanting to fight the Decepticons, but with Bumblebee back at the Ark, he and Skyfall are the only ones small enough to fit into the opening they've found; Prime needs Skyfall in there because his energy signature matches that of the power source, and he needs Cliffjumper in there to keep an eye on him, just in case. Overruled, the Minibot and the newcomer head down to their opening.

Jetfire engages Starscream and his crew, assuring the humans that he's here to help, but is nearly knocked out of the sky by Ramjet. Megatron orders Starscream to get down to the ground, while the Constructicons merge to become Devastator. Optimus Prime orders his Autobots to hold of the Decepticons while Skyfall and Cliffjumper can locate the source, and Grimlock plows ahead, with Mirage covering him. Soundwave sends Laserbeak and Ravage after the Autobot scouts, as Megatron forces begin their assault. The Decepticon Mini-Cassettes rush past Mirage and Rodimus into the hole, while Prime holds off against Megatron. Grimlock is knocked back by Devastator, but the brutish combiner accidentally causes the ground to sink in, sending Landquake, who has been hiding on the sidelines, tumbling down... right next to Skyfall and Cliffjumper. The Minibot, happy to get at least one Decepticon to himself, prepares to blast the downed Landquake, as Skyfall attempts to stop him...

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Notes

• Characters mentioned but not seen include: General Barnett, Wheeljack, and Bumblebee.

Continuity notes

• Cliffjumper was last seen shortly before the Underbase Saga; his profile would later state he was one of those knocked offline in the Marvel The Transformers comic issue #50. Laserbeak also met his doom in that issue, while Ravage was last seen in issue #75 on Cybertron, presumably returning with Soundwave.
• The Autobot's headquarters are at the Ark, presumably a new ship with the same name as the old one, as the Decepticons are using the original as their headquarters.

Transformers references

• Like everyone else introduced thus far, Cliffjumper, Ravage, and Laserbeak are based on their Classics toys.