"You think I don't know what all has gone on?' a voice said from behind them. Turning, they saw a human-sized, human-shaped figure yet one that looked like an Autobot. "Well?'

"Who are you'!' Metalhawk demanded. "What are we both doing here'!'

"Where are we?' Koji asked. "This isn't normal.'

"It should be to you,' the figure said. "This is the dimension of all dreams and imagination, where reality ceases to exist.'

"In other words, the Twilight Zone?' Metalhawk asked.

"You two *are* the Twilight Zone. Koji Onishi, a bright teenager with one remaining semester of school and a bright future in front of him. Metalhawk, the physical embodiment of everything he wishes to be and yet everything he fears, released from the subconscious by sheer accident.'

"Get to the point.....' Metalhawk growled.

"To put it simply, we can't have your antics anymore. This is from Prime himself.' Slowly, the figure detached the Autobot emblem from his torso and threw it at them. Not thinking, both of them went for it.

*****

Tai's eyes opened wide as the spray of cold mist hit her face. Somehow, she was in Antarctica, clad in a heavy oversuit. It was bulky, but she didn't seem to mind. Something was nagging at her. She turned to see Floyd wanting her to keep moving. For a stuffed penguin, she realized, he was getting rather pushy.

But there was nowhere else to go, so she walked over the small ridge with him. Her eyes went wide as she saw the sight below her: a penguin jamboree in progress. Rushing, she leapt into the middle of the group and into a small body of water. With a few practice flips she found herself soon able to swim with the best of them, Floyd right beside her. She hadn't had this much fun in ages!

They sang and danced all through the day and evening, playing games and telling stories along the way. For once, she felt like she was part of the crowd, like she was one of many. One of them even gave her a little wreath! How she loved it all! How she wished it would last forever!

*****

"Well, this sucks,' Metalhawk said as the two continued to float around. "Whoever that weird guy was left us sitting here. And I don't know about you, but that Autobrand on my chest hurts like hell.'

"You think I'm thrilled about my hands'!' Koji yelled, raising the backs of both hands for Metalhawk to see. "They hurt, too!'

"Yeah. Whoever that guy was, he needs to do some talking. And, like, now.'

"But, he isn't here and we are.'

"I know man. Why'd he just dump us here?'

"I just don't know.'

"Got any cards?'

"They're in my backpack. And my backpack is still in Tai's room. Speaking of which, what the hell were you trying to make me do in there'!'

"I think you were the one who was wondering how soft those bunny jammies really were against her. This time, it was your mind in the gutter.'

"You *are* a gutter.'

"It's your fantasies, pal. I'm just along for the ride.'

"You wish. As of right now, --' A piercing scream cut off their arguing; someone was in trouble.

"What was that'!'

"I don't know; I don't..... wait! There's a rift of some sort!'

"Get in, kid! Sounds like trouble!'

*****

Tai screamed as Predaking stepped towards them. He had already smashed the ice apart in several places and had forced her and the penguins to huddle together to try and flee. As the behemoth surged forward to fire, she closed her eyes and began to scream again.

The sounds of jet engines and roaring missiles drowned her out. When she opened her eyes, she saw that she was in the cockpit of some sort of aircraft which was strafing Predaking hard and fast and repeatedly. The massive gestalt appeared to be little more than annoyed, but it had still stopped his advance.

Then Tai realized where she was. "Metalhawk'! What's going on here?'

"Ask Koji,' he said, rotating the front seat around. Except, Koji wasn't in it.

"Koji!!'

"Huh' Where'd he.....' Son of a..... He's down there with the penguins!' Tai looked out the cockpit to see Koji standing in front of the penguins, some sort of energy shield eminating from the Autobot sigils on his hands.

"Koji!!!!!'

"Hold on tight, sweetheart. That shield won't last five seconds if freakshow gets his act together. I've got to end this now!' Breaking hard, Metalhawk transformed in a split second. Tai felt the rush of the motion and nearly passed out, but still held on. She began to scream as Predaking looked up.

She went silent as she felt a large amount of energy building up inside of Metalhawk. A small display appeared in front of her as twin blades extended from Metalhawk's arms and rotated in front of his hands. Vents opened to shunt around the excess power. A blue wreath of flame enveloped him.

Tai's face went stark as she saw what the display was reading. Demon Fire Mode, full power. Metalhawk raised his arms in front of him, and with a scream rushed faster than light at Predaking.

Metalhawk landed on his feet, some distance behind Predaking, who was now engulfed in the blue flames. Tai could see where the blades had connected all over the gestalt's body. The gestalt disappeared in a hellish mushroom cloud, letting loose a bestial scream.