It had been two days since the entire group had left for space, and Jen was not having a good day. She was sprawled across the bed in her room, surrounded by Gwen, Ilana, and Mikey, the girls busy playing Monopoly while she sulked.

"I want to be with Darling..." Jen mumbled, flopping dramatically onto the bed with a heavy sigh.

"You just left him two minutes ago," Gwen said, raising an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Two minutes is too long!" Jen whined, throwing herself back and forth on the bed like a child in desperate need of attention. "Since Rex and Zak came, he's been with them the whole time!"

Ilana giggled, clasping her hands in mock awe. "Wow! Miss Jen must really love Mr. Michael."

Gwen rolled her eyes, uninterested in Jen's over-the-top display of affection. "Can we just finish the game? You're distracting us," she said, focusing on the board in front of her.

Mikey, looking increasingly exasperated, piped up from across the room. "Ladies, please! Can we just continue the game? This is Monopoly, not 'How Much Can You Whine About Michael'!"

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the ship, things were much less peaceful. The arcade room was filled with the sounds of frantic button mashing and loud shouting as Michael, Rex, Zak, Bumblebee, Raphael, and Leonardo were all gathered around a massive screen, controllers clutched tightly in their hands as they played FIFA.

"Raph! Get the goddamn ball!" Leo yelled, his fingers rapidly pressing buttons as he fought for control.

"Shut up, Leo! I'm doing my best over here!" Raph yelled back, furiously mashing the controller as he tried to regain possession of the ball.

Bumblebee let out a string of angry beeps, nearly crushing his controller in frustration. Bee-beep-beep-beep! He was so close to snapping, but his mechanical fingers couldn't keep up with the speed of the game.

Zak and Michael, both screaming at Rex, were losing their patience. "Rex! Gib den Ball, verdammt noch mal!" (Rex! Pass the ball, damn it) Michael yelled, slapping his hands on his knees in disbelief.

"Yeah, pass the ball! What are you doing?" Zak added, his voice laced with irritation.

Rex, who was grinning like a maniac, just shook his head. "Nah, I've got this!" he said with far too much confidence. He tried to dribble past Leo, but Leo was having none of it.

"Not so fast, buddy!" Leo shouted, diving in and taking Rex out with a perfectly timed tackle.

"YOU KIDDING ME?! I WAS ABOUT TO SCORE!" Rex screamed, throwing his hands up in exasperation as his player was knocked to the ground.

Somewhere else on the ship, Kevin and Lance were elbow-deep in the engine of Kevin's prized car. The workshop was dimly lit, the hum of machinery and the smell of oil and grease filling the air as they worked in silence—at least until Kevin let out a frustrated grunt.

"Damn it!" Kevin muttered, his hands slick with engine oil as he wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve. "This thing is not cooperating."

Lance, leaning over the car with a wrench in hand, shot him a glance. "What's the issue now? Last time it was the exhaust system, and now this?"

"Yeah, well, the damn spark plugs are misfiring. And if I don't get it fixed, the car's gonna blow up on me next time I'm cruising." Kevin grumbled, clearly frustrated but still determined to get the job done.

Lance chuckled under his breath, spinning the wrench between his fingers. "Man, I gotta say, it's kinda hilarious that you're getting worked up over a car when everything else on this ship is far more complicated."

"Not the point, Lance. This car's a classic," Kevin snapped, his tone sharp. "I don't care if it's in space. I'll fix it if it kills me."

In the docks of the ship, the atmosphere was tense. Optimus Prime sat quietly, his optics dimming as he pondered Ironhide's question.

Ironhide, stood with his arms crossed, his large frame casting a shadow over the ground. Ratchet, busy checking his weaponry, gave a disapproving grunt at the conversation.

"Optimus, why do you trust Shockwave?" Ironhide asked, his voice gruff with concern. "He's been our enemy for as long as I can remember. His allegiance might be shifting, but how far has it really gone?"

Optimus' gaze remained steady, his thoughts clear but complicated. "Shockwave's actions speak louder than words, Ironhide. He's abandoned his previous alliances. His past with the Decepticons is behind him."

"Don't make the mistake of underestimating him," Ratchet added, a rare edge to his voice as he loaded his weapon with a sharp click. "Even a change of allegiance doesn't erase the potential danger he could bring if he decides to betray us. We've seen it before."

Optimus sighed, his voice calm but resolute. "I understand your concerns, but Megatron's reign of terror is over. Shockwave has shown no signs of returning to his old ways. If he wanted to, he could have attacked us already. But he hasn't."

Ironhide growled, shaking his head. "That's easy to say when he's playing nice. But trust doesn't come easy when it's someone like him. We're dealing with a lot more than just old enemies now, Prime. The universe's fate's on the line, and one wrong move—one wrong ally, could be the difference between life and extinction."

Ratchet turned to face Ironhide, his hand still on his weapon but his expression softened. "We've been through this before. But right now, we don't have the luxury of making enemies when we might need every ally we can get."

Prime's gaze softened as he locked optics with his two comrades. "I understand both of your concerns. However, the stakes are higher than ever. We don't have time to be divided over past animosities. We must focus on the larger threat ahead—together."

There was a pause, the silence heavy in the room. Ironhide and Ratchet exchanged looks, both unconvinced but reluctantly agreeing. They had no choice but to trust Optimus' judgment, for now.

"Alright, Prime," Ironhide muttered, his voice low but filled with respect. "I'm not sayin' I'm buying into it, but if you believe in him, then I'll stand by your call."

Ratchet nodded, albeit reluctantly, his optics narrowing. "I'm watching him. But if he shows even the slightest sign of betrayal—he's fair game."

Optimus gave a small nod, understanding the distrust but also feeling the weight of their unity. "Fair enough. We'll all keep our eyes open."

In the control room of the ship, Octus and Donatello were both fixated on the vast array of monitors before them. The cameras dotted across the ship's expansive hull provided real-time views, and the ship itself was a masterpiece of technology, something beyond anything they had ever seen before.

"Wow, this ship almost has everything," Donatello murmured, his eyes wide with awe as he studied the complex machinery surrounding him. It was unlike anything he had ever worked on.

Shockwave, who stood stoically at the controls, didn't seem as impressed. "Of course, anything less than this would have been an insult to a genius of my caliber," he said, his voice as cold and calculated as ever. His hands moved deftly over the ship's controls, adjusting speed and trajectory with expert precision.

Octus, having adjusted to Shockwave's attitude, nodded in agreement. "It's definitely a marvel of engineering. But what's the power source for all of this? I can't even begin to fathom what it would take."

Shockwave glanced at the radar screen, his optic narrowing slightly. Without missing a beat, he pressed a few buttons on the console. "The Chaos Emeralds," he said, his voice betraying just a hint of pride. "To power a machine like this, it would be impossible without them. Their energy is limitless. It makes perfect sense to harness that power."

Just then, Shockwave's optic focused on something on the radar, and he immediately pressed another button. The ship's speakers hummed to life, the deep voice of the Decepticon commander cutting through the ship's bustle.

"Attention, everyone," Shockwave's voice echoed over the intercom, steady and commanding. "We have found an emerald on the planet Solara."

The announcement hit like a thunderclap. Those in the ship's common areas tensed.

Back in the arcade, Rex kicked the console in frustration as the game flashed a "GAME OVER" sign, completely unaware of the importance of the moment. The others, equally distracted, continued their squabble over the game, oblivious to the sudden shift in mission.

As the ship touched down on the scorching surface of Solara, the hatch slowly opened, releasing a wave of dry, suffocating heat into the cabin. The crew stepped out onto the golden dunes, the air shimmering with relentless waves of heat. The sky above was a pale orange, the sun hanging ominously overhead, baking the terrain below.

For some, the brutal climate was nothing more than an inconvenience. Kevin, Shockwave, the Autobots, and Octus all remained unaffected by the extreme temperatures, their bodies or armor shielding them from discomfort.

For everyone else, however, it was a different story.

Gwen and Ilana groaned almost in unison, the heat unbearable. Without hesitation, they stripped off their tops, leaving only their undershirts, which clung to their sweaty skin. The sight made the guys quickly avert their eyes, some coughing awkwardly.

Zak and Lance, who had always been used to more humid environments, hastily removed their clothes, letting out a breath of relief. Rex and Michael, despite their endurance, also shed their jackets, opting to wear sleeveless shirts to keep from overheating.

The ninja turtles were by far the worst off, their cold-blooded nature making them sluggish and miserable. Mikey practically collapsed onto Donnie. "Bro, I think I'm melting!"

"Y-Yeah... this is a nightmare," Donnie wheezed, fanning himself with his hand.

Leo and Raph fared no better, their bodies desperately trying to regulate temperature in a place so unsuitable for them.

But none suffered more than Jen.

The moment she stepped off the ship, she felt her energy drain. She barely had time to remove her top and pants, leaving herself in nothing but a thin tank top and shorts before her knees buckled.

Her breath came in short, desperate gasps as she clung onto Michael for support. Her skin burned, and inside her, Venom writhed in agony.

'This... this is hell,' the symbiote groaned in her mind, feeling like it was turning into soup within her body. It had never experienced heat this intense, and it hated every second of it.

Michael quickly wrapped an arm around her, concern in his eyes. "Jen, you okay?"

She weakly shook her head, burying her face in his chest. "T-Too hot..." she murmured, her entire body trembling.

Kevin, who was completely fine thanks to his mutation, glanced at her and smirked. "Wow. Never thought I'd see the day where you're actually too hot to handle."

Michael shot him a glare. "Not the time, Kevin."

"Darling help me," Jen whimpered dramatically, still gripping Michael like her life depended on it.

Shockwave, unbothered as always, simply watched the scene unfold before stating in his usual monotone voice, "Your suffering is irrelevant. We have an emerald to find."

Michael wiped the sweat from his forehead, adjusting his grip on Jen as she rested limply in his arms. "The emerald should be straight ahead," he said, his voice steady despite the oppressive heat.

Optimus Prime nodded. "Then let us split up."

The suggestion caught some off guard.

"Why?" Octus asked, tilting his head.

Optimus turned toward him, his expression unreadable. "Some of us will focus on locating the Chaos Emerald, while others search for any traces of Iblis. If this being is already here, we cannot afford to be caught off guard."

The group exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

"Alright, me, Rex, and Jen will go after the emerald," Michael declared.

Without wasting another second, he activated his Ultimatrix, shifting into Big Chill. His ghostly, insect-like wings unfurled, and a wave of cold energy washed over Jen, offering her a brief moment of relief. She clung to him, exhaling in gratitude.

"Couldn't agree more!" Rex grinned as he transformed his legs into a high-speed bike. "Let's go!"

With that, Michael took off into the sky, carrying Jen, while Rex sped forward, kicking up a trail of sand behind him.

Optimus Prime turned to his Autobots. "We will head north."

Without hesitation, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Ratchet shifted into their vehicle forms, kicking up dust as they sped off across the dunes.

"We'll take east," Lance said, tightening his grip on his rifle. Ilana and Octus exchanged nods before following him, their determination set.

"Then that leaves us with south," Shockwave stated. His single optic turned toward Kevin, who stood with Gwen on his back.

"You good back there?" he asked.

Gwen sighed, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Just drive, Kevin."

The turtles decided to stay back.

Michael led Rex into what looked like an old Wild West town, the buildings made of sand-colored stone and wood, their edges worn by the brutal desert winds. He stopped just outside the town gates, his wings folding in as he shifted back to human form.

Rex rolled up beside him, skidding to a stop before his legs shifted back to normal. "What's the hold-up?" he asked, eyeing the nearly deserted streets.

Michael furrowed his brows, scanning the area. "The emerald is here somewhere... but something's messing with my ability to track it."

In his arms, Jen whimpered softly, her body weak from the relentless heat. Venom, usually a formidable force within her, felt sluggish—almost liquefied by the unbearable temperature.

"We need to do something about this heat," Rex muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. His gaze landed on a small vendor's stall selling long, flowing cloaks. A smirk tugged at his lips as he elbowed Michael. "What do you think, amigo?"

Michael followed his line of sight before nodding. "Ich denke, sie werden funktionieren," (I think they will work ) he murmured.

Five minutes later, the two of them stepped out of the shop draped in lightweight cloaks and topped with wide-brimmed sombreros.

"Now this is a look," Rex grinned, adjusting his hat. The fabric shielded them from the harsh sunlight, instantly making the heat more bearable.

Michael carefully repositioned Jen onto his back, making sure she was secure. Though the cloaks helped, she was still struggling. He could feel her grip tighten around his shoulders.

"Alright, Rex," he said, tightening the strap of his cloak. "Let's split up and cover more ground."

Rex gave him a two-finger salute, flashing his usual cocky grin. "Don't hog all the action if you find it first!" he called before dashing off into a side alley.

Michael watched him go, then exhaled, adjusting his hold on Jen. Time to get to work. With steady steps, he walked further into the dusty, sunbaked town.

As Michael walked through the dusty streets, his Ultimatrix suddenly glowed, and in a flash of light, Shadow the Hedgehog materialized beside him. To Michael's surprise, Shadow was also wearing a sombrero and a matching desert cloak.

Michael raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing out here?"

Shadow crossed his arms, his expression as stoic as ever. "I wanted to look around."

Michael sighed but didn't argue. He glanced toward a nearby building with wooden double doors and a faded sign above it. Pushing the doors open, he stepped inside and quickly realized it was a combination restaurant and bar. The interior was dimly lit, offering a cool respite from the blistering heat outside.

The place was nearly empty, save for a few scattered patrons. A ceiling fan spun lazily overhead, providing just enough air circulation to make the heat tolerable.

"Maybe we should let Jen rest," Shadow suggested, nodding toward a worn-out couch in the corner. A cloaked woman was already lying there, seemingly asleep beneath the fan.

"Hopefully, she won't mind," Michael muttered as he carefully laid Jen down beside her. She barely stirred, the exhaustion and heat taking their toll.

Leaving her to rest, Michael and Shadow made their way to the bar. Michael sat down at the counter, only to realize he was next to someone else wearing the same wide-brimmed hat and desert cloak. The stranger was sipping from a glass, their face partially obscured by the shadows cast from their hat.

Beside them stood a companion—the same height as Shadow, dressed in an almost identical outfit.

Michael raised his hand, signaling the bartender without looking. A cold bottle of beer slid across the counter and stopped in front of him. Without hesitation, he grabbed it and took a long sip.

At the exact same time, the man sitting next to him did the same.

The sound of both bottles hitting the counter echoed in perfect synchronization.

Golden eyes met crimson as Michael and the stranger locked gazes. There was something oddly familiar about this man—his posture, the way he held himself, the intensity in his stare. Neither of them looked away.

Then, in perfect unison, they both slammed their bottles down.

"ANOTHER ONE!" they shouted at the same time, their voices overlapping.

But the moment the words left their mouths, they froze.

A realization struck them both like lightning.

I know that voice...

A tense silence filled the air as Michael and Shadow tensed up, their muscles coiling like springs. Across from them, the man and his smaller companion reacted in the exact same way.

Then, in a flash, all four figures leapt backward, kicking up a gust of dust inside the bar.

Michael's hand flew to his hat, yanking it off as his cloak billowed behind him.

The stranger did the same.

And when their faces were finally revealed, the world seemed to come to a standstill.

Michael's golden eyes widened in shock.

The man's crimson eyes mirrored his expression.

A heartbeat passed.

Then, in perfect synchronization, both of them roared—

"ALBEDO?!" / "MICHAEL?!"

Their voices exploded through the bar, causing chairs to scrape against the floor as a few patrons scrambled for cover.

The tension between them snapped like a breaking dam.

Their hands slammed down onto their Ultimatrixes at the exact same moment.

A bright flash of red light erupted from both of them, casting massive shadows against the walls as their bodies expanded.

Within seconds, two towering behemoths stood in the center of the bar, their colossal forms barely fitting within the building.

Humungousaur.

The wooden walls groaned under their sheer size as the entire building trembled.

Michael clenched his massive fists, baring his sharp teeth as he glared at his longtime adversary. "Du schon wieder?! Was zum Teufel machst du hier?" (You again?! What the hell are you doing here)

Albedo sneered, cracking his knuckles. "Das sollte ich dich fragen!" (I should be asking you that!)

The moment their fists connected, the entire restaurant exploded outward.

Albedo's shoulder slammed into Michael's chest with enough force to send him crashing through the wooden walls like a wrecking ball. Dust and debris filled the air as Michael skidded across the sand, leaving a deep trench in his wake.

Albedo wasted no time. With a snarl, he lifted his massive foot and aimed a crushing stomp straight for Michael's skull.

But Michael wasn't