C.M.D: Originally posted on here, it was removed for reasons I'm still not certain as to why. This fic contains NO mention of sex and very little violence, and not graphic by any means. But no matter. Please enjoy~
Inspired by MoonlitRipples' "Consequences"
The war was over.
Hellbat stood at the bottom of the podium, fidgeting across from Greatshot, not for the first time wondering if he'd be able to slink away unnoticed. Above them, seated at a cracked and battle-worn table, sat Star Saber and Deathsaurus, currently starting the debates over a new peace treaty. Until called for, all other parties were to be kept outside of the council room. For the first time now, the reality of the situation was sinking in to the Destron.
The war was truly coming to an end.
Anxiously, the jet glanced up at his commander, dropping his gaze back to the floor quickly and folding into himself further. In all honesty, Hellbat didn't want to be here; he didn't want to be witness or advisor or whatever the slag he was supposed to be to Deathsaurus while the peace treaty discussions were proceeding, but with Leozack in medbay to have his wounds treated, there really was no other breastforce member to stand as aid and servant to the great dragon-former. Guyhawk was too sarcastic and would no doubt start a fight with Greatshot, Jallguar -while obedient- was, well... downright, stupid; Drillhorn, too out-spoken in general, and Killbison...
Just... no, just no...
Which, really only left Hellbat, a fact he was still bemoaning, even as he half-listened to what the two commanders were talking about. He just couldn't pay attention, as uncomfortable as he was, surrounded by three powerful mechs (who certainly held no love for him) and with his thoughts stuck on his comrade down in the lower levels of the fortress, being tended to by the best medics on hand. Was Leozack alright? That wound Star Saber had dealt him looked grievous...
Did they have the materials to repair him? And if not, did that mean Leozack might die? Hellbat raised a nervous servo to his face, fingertips scratching at his battle mask subconsciously in his worry. The thought of his superior dying was too much for the blue mech to speculate on! Especially after the months Hellbat had deliberated, wondering if now was good or if he should wait to see how the tides of war turned to approach Leozack and confess-
"Although I wish it, the seeds of hatred will not simply be extinguished by our united desire to end the fighting...," Star Saber's words cut through the spy's restless musings, catching Hellbat's full attentions. Looking upwards again, the Destron was surprised to see the supreme commander leaning across the table, his servos clasped before him worriedly and his shoulder armour hunched around his helm.
"No...," rumbled Deathsaurus in agreement, "They will not. I propose a sacrifice then -one 'bot, to be used as the container for the ill will and who's function shall cease to be afterwards."
The tension increased, if possible.
"Are you suggesting a scape goat?," Greatshot gasped in alarm, drawing everyone's attention. "To hold just one person responsible for the entirety of the wars' crimes and execute him in cold energon?! Supreme Commander, you can't-"
"There is... still discord, among the others, Greatshot," Star Saber interrupted, lifting a hand in apology to the younger warrior. "They... They wish for accountability, and moreso, I'm afraid, justice by martial execution. What Deathsaurus suggests is... is the only option to quell the mounting tension at the beginning of our peace, without casting us back into the heart of war."
The Cybertronian turned back to face his once great enemy. "Who... who do you propose then, Deathsaurus?"
The dragon-former leaned back in his chair casually, his servos resting easily in his lap. "To have the axe fall on one of our helms would be most impractical and would, as you said, only re-start the war," Deathsaurus calmly replied, "We are our people's leaders -the icons of strength and trust that they look to. Without us spear-heading peace, how will they come up with the effort to take such steps themselves? No... as much as I'm sure you'd gladly take to the gallows for unification Star Saber, we must take the next ranking officers... In this case, I refer to my own soldier, Leozack."
Hellbat felt as if the universe was up-ending over his helm.
"He is ambitious... ruthless... He has led much of the destruction that has laid to ruins your people, as I have myself. Though he does have his sister, no others are loyal to him and certainly, I'm sure many of your vengeful soldiers would like to see him punished for his crimes," the Destron commander continued. "Do not fret, rival. Lyzack will be taken care of in the days to come... but if you do not deal with my treacherous second first, you will never see the day of peace that you dream of."
Greatshot lifted a fist, stepping forward to his superior's side. "Sir, you mustn't-!"
"No...," Star Saber said, waving a servo to Greatshot, silently requesting that he step down. "This... action must be taken, and a punishment dealt. Very well, Deathsaurus. I agree to your choice and to this motion of 'goodwill'... however misguided and incorrect, it really is. Notify Leozack and have his sister Lyza-"
"Sir..."
At the timid interruption, the red and white mech paused in his words; his helm and the other two, turning to face Hellbat, who was silently shuffling forwards.
"Sir... if I may," the soft-sparked Destron requested, his dim optics turned up to the large Cybertronian, "I would... allow me to take Leozack's place. I am just as responsible for the same crimes as he is; I have no family or other ties. The people will have their execution and... and a young femme will not have the only family she possesses stolen from her. This is fair, is it not?"
Star Saber was silent, his optics searching Hellbat's face, uncertain. His pitying gaze was too much to witness, let alone receive.
"Please, Star Saber, sir," the spy pleaded, bowing, "...I will not be missed... Grant me this chance to bring about a time of harmony for the young ones to experience. Let them for once have their shot at freedom and peace."
Venting softly, Star Saber stared down on the blue Destron -brave, gentle, sacrificing mech- before he straightened in his chair, looking determinedly over Hellbat's lowered helm to keep the sorrow from touching his vocalizer. "Very well. You may take his place..."
Hidden behind his mouthguard, Hellbat smiled brokenly, even as he felt the weight of his choices settle onto his shoulder plating.
xxXxXxx
"Jan! Wait, you gotta-"
Jan laughed as he zipped around the corner, pressing his foot down on the front of his hoverboard; increasing the energy output and shooting ahead, just before Holi could reach out and grab him. Huffing, the microbot transformed, speeding after his retreating friend. "Jan! We're not supposed to be running around here!"
The little boy ignored his companion's words, flying through the Destron Fortress hallways, his head whipping back and forth as he stared in wonder at everything that came within sight. Though it was unlikely he'd get over what the evil 'bots had done after all these years so soon, it was still exhilarating Jan found, to be in the very heart of their legendary space shuttle. Even more amazing, to know that the Destron's had families, just like him and Holi. Despite Star Saber's wishes, Jan really wanted to explore this new territory and maybe even meet some of the other 'bots, face to face.
"Jan!," Holi yelled from behind him again, this time desperation obvious in his vocalizer. "We're going to get in trouble!"
"Where's your sense of adventure, Holi?," the boy laughed back, leaning to the far right as he shot around yet another corridor. "This is- woah!"
Jan's words were cut off as he cut to a sudden stop; Holi racing around the corner and screeching to a stop as well, but not before knocking the human out of the sky and off of his hoverboard. The police car quickly transformed and caught his tumbling friend, both of them whipping their helms back up to the sight that had first startled them.
Cuffed and surrounded by a Cybertronian guard, Hellbat was being marched down the hallway. The strange Destron was quiet, staring dead ahead; his optics dim and his wings stiff behind him.
Jan and Holi quickly stepped back as the group of mechs approached, their faces turned upwards in confusion and trepidation. Finally, Hellbat seemed to respond as he caught a glimpse of the two. The jet turned his helm slowly to the younger ones, drawing to a pause. His rear guards, Laster and Braver frowned at the action; the yellow mech took a step forward to shove the Destron into moving again, but his partner quickly grabbed his servo, halting him. Glancing at them momentarily, Hellbat bent lower to the floor, his optics shutting in a half-smile.
"Hey...," he said in a hoarse hush, "Having fun there? That looks like a pretty neat hoverboard..."
Holi stepped back an inch, tempted to hide the human behind him. But Jan did not tear his eyes away from the larger mech, feeling that if he did... he would never see Hellbat again. And for some strange reason, that idea terrified him.
Hellbat crouched a little closer, his servos lying uselessly on the ground as he leaned towards Jan. "Could you tell him that I'm... sorry?," the blue mech requested, in a quiet whisper loud enough only for the two young ones to hear. "For everything? I never wanted to fail him..."
"What are you morons standing around for?! Get the criminal to the auditorium!," Blacker barked, turning the corner farther down the hall. Immediately, Hellbat was yanked back up, and pushed forwards; his guard tightening around him and marching on silently.
"W-what... what's going on?," Jan asked, watching the Destron and his wardens disappear ahead, before turning his bewilderment to the approaching Cybertronian.
He was ignored. "Holi," Blacker scowled, drawing to a stop in front of the two adventurers, "You're not supposed to be in these hallways. Should I inform the supreme commander that you are incapable of looking after Jan?"
The microbot lowered his helm contritely. "I-i'm sorry, Blacker, sir, I-"
"Blacker!," Jan yelled, interrupting his friend. "Where are they taking Hellbat? Why is he cuffed? I thought the war was over!"
A tense silence fell. Holi, catching Blacker's look, felt his engine turn over sickly and set the boy onto the floor. "These are matters that don't concern you young ones," the second-in-command replied, his usually curt voice uncharacteristically tender. The larger mech bent over, turning Holi and Jan around and pushing them gently forwards, towards the hallway they had come from. "Don't worry about things better left unknown. Go play."
The boy had no choice but to walk forwards, glancing first at the strangely tense Blacker and then his equally as quiet friend, before staring at the floor beneath his shoes.
xxXxXxx
It was quiet in medbay.
Lyzack glanced up from her brother's berth, watching with hooded optics as the small staff of medics walked around her, a random Cybertronian here and there among them. The two sides stayed well enough away from the other 'bots, tension still high between them. The sudden declaration of peace had only been several cycles before... much too early for any sense of comfort and trust to have settled in yet. At the moment, having the Cybertronians slowly exploring and studying the various levels of the Destron Fortress already had their people on edge.
They couldn't squash the irrational thought that the enemy should not be seeing the bowels of their most private sanctuary.
Could they really hope to have peace and tranquility when such things still lingered within their sparks?
To save herself from her troubled musings, Lyzack turned her gaze back to her brother; venting softly as her worries narrowed to concern only him. She had always hated the fact that Leozack had been granted permission to fight and not her... even more so, because it meant that her brother was always out of her reach, and she did not know what became of him each time. The tell-tale dings and scratches in his plating -buffed down but not erased entirely- showed the horrible wounds he once bore; pain and suffering she knew nothing of and could not ease him from.
Cocking her helm to the side, the femme glanced around the room discretely again, wondering if Hellbat would come to see Leozack. Since the lieutenant commander had been brought to medbay, his various troops had been coming in to visit him. Speaking with each of them a little, Lyzack had learned that her brother had held a great standing of power within Deathsaurus' army -being his right-hand man, by all rights- and commanded five more of the most sufficient soldiers in the Destron forces. Drillhorn, Jallguar, Guyhawk and Killbison were... interesting mechs within their own right, but Lyzack was most curious to have a face-to-face meeting with the infamous Hellbat.
That blue Destron had been the only one to rush into the room when Leozack had been knocked down by Star Saber's blade.
His optics had been so... concerned...
Stroking Leozack's mane, Lyzack pondered on why Hellbat had looked like that, and what sort of relationship her brother had with the strange mech. Did the other teal Destron only hate him and long to get rid of Hellbat like the others said?
The sound of medbay doors opening distracted the thoughtful femme; turning, she watched as the room tensed further, as the Cybertronian Braver stepped through the doorway. He looked around the crowd somberly, his servos limp by his sides. "Supreme commander Star Saber and Lord Deathsaurus ask that the chief medics accompany me to the auditorium," he announced. It was evident in his vocalizer that he struggled to speak the words. "A... the treaty talk has drawn to a close. An execution will take place in the next cycle, as a sign of unification and the end of century's worth of hatred between the two leaders."
Gasps escaped everyone present.
Not willing to explain further, Braver turned in the doorway, marching away slowly. Three of the medics hesitated, before hurrying after the mech.
Spark withering painfully in her chestplates, Lyzack turned her attention back to the unconscious Leozack, her slim fingers tightening around his forearm tightly. Someone... someone was being executed? But why? The action seemed entirely detrimental to the peaceful future both Deathsaurus and Star Saber had agreed upon, and yet they were still going through with it?!
Coolant was filling the femme's optics before she could quell it. She wished her brother was awake, simply so she could hug him and be comforted with his voice. Lyzack supposed the only saving grace among all this madness was that it wasn't Leozack who was about to meet their Maker, but that only made her wonder which poor soul had been selected then.
And for some reason, a cold shiver ran down her spinal struts in foreboding.
xxXxXxx
For the first time in his life, he felt truly scared.
"You are gathered today to act as witnesses to the end of centuries of war," Deathsaurus was announcing to the small crowd standing silently along the far walls. Hellbat stood alone in the centre of the auditorium; his servos still bound and his helm bowed weakly.
He couldn't bear to look up at people he had once called enemies and comrades as his Emperor spoke damnation over him. It took all he had not to crumble to his knees and let the tears of terror fall.
"For the price of freedom, this mech stands before you -no longer friend or rival- but a criminal, for the trespasses he has committed against all," the Destron commander continued, his voice lowering into a gravelly roar to silence any objections. No one spoke up in retaliation; not even Star Saber, who balled his fists tightly at his sides, his jaw locked as he forced himself to look out towards the witnesses. Deathsaurus took a step down from the erected podium, his giant claws pointing accusingly at his blue minion.
"Destron Hellbat accepts and confesses to all crimes of mayhem and discord. The evil he has sown he alone stands here for. With the extinguishing of his spark, let the lingering doubts and cruel demands for revenge be put to rest so we may step into a new and bright future for both of our kin. Let none of us hold onto the pain and horror of this past war once this criminal has been served his justice... lest we begin to brew discontent once more, and we lose the peace we gain this day." The dragon-former stared at the gathered 'bots coldly, before he turned his helm up to his long-time enemy.
"What shall it be, Star Saber?" The callous words cut through Hellbat's torrential thoughts, making him flinch in fear. "Will you do the honors of being executioner?"
Intakes beginning to wheeze, the blue mech lifted his helm an inch, staring up at the two commanders meekly. He did not care that his knee joints were slowly weakening, letting him sink an inch or so toward the floor, while coolant glazed his optics thickly. Anyone would have to be out of their processor not to feel some sort of overwhelming terror as the point of their execution drew closer... But despite how much he wanted to scream and cry- begging for some sort of clemency; the sparing of his miserable, little life- Hellbat wouldn't.
No, he couldn't.
Because, if he didn't stand here now, then it would be Leozack that would have been preparing to meet Primus.
His lieutenant commander did not deserve to be slain by their Emperor's twisted machinations.
Forcing his trembling back some, Hellbat stared up at Star Saber flatly, deciding it wasn't important if the Cybertronian looked horrified at Deathsaurus' casual question. Leozack would live, the Destron told himself. He'd die...but the teal mech would have another day to make his own.
Hellbat smiled sadly beneath his mouthguard.
He hoped Leozack would be happy.
"The way to peace is a long and... rough journey, my dear friends and new allies," Star Saber started shakily, slowly stepping down the podium. He passed Deathsaurus, pausing for a moment, sparing the Destron a disappointed, almost angry look, before continuing; sharing his forlorn gaze with the crowd. "I wish that the beginning could be made without anymore bloodshed... but the pain we have caused each other over these vorns can never be erased. We all wish for some sort of justice, to ease the memories of all the loved ones we lost. But, it's obvious that a new start cannot begin without one last sacrifice..."
The supreme commander drew to a stop before Hellbat, staring into the Destron's blank optics with all the sympathy within his spark.
"For the bravery and love you show today coming here freely," Star Saber said directly to the blue mech, resting a servo on the other's slumped shoulder plating, "I thank you. The gift you give us all today will never be forgotten nor mocked."
The spy almost wanted to laugh. He wasn't doing this for any of them, and certainly not for Deathsaurus' sick amusement either. He was doing this to save the only one he treasured... the very mech who could change all the worlds, but to whom Hellbat meant very little to. Still...
To die for Leozack was a much better fate than to live without him.
From behind them, Deathsaurus scowled, crossing his arms before his chestplates. "Now that you have all been informed of this 'bot's presence here, let us no longer deliberate," the Destron announced loudly, to the chagrin of Star Saber, "Destron Hellbat, for acts of murder, sabotage and treason towards your people and our allies, you are hereby sentenced to death without appeal. Let the execution begin!"
The audience's tension mounted and their silence was a clotting cloud of bitten back words. Seeing that this charade of fair judgement had finally drawn to a close, Hellbat leaned back, physically removing Star Saber's servo from his plating. Stunned, either by his ex-enemy's quick verdict or by the smaller mech's cold retreat, the supreme commander took a moment to respond; venting a heavy intake as he unsheathed his blade. At the signal, the spy lowered onto his knees, keeping his trembling servos before him determinedly, even as Hellbat bared his chest willingly for his executioner.
Optics glazing with coolant, Star Saber aligned his sword, the cabling in his shoulder tensing in preparation for the thrust.
xxXxXxx
"Hey, you're not supposed to be-"
"What?! Grab those ki-"
"Jan! Woah, servos off!"
"Who do you think you are? Just-"
"I'm not doing anything bad! Please, I just-"
"QUIET!," Lyzack shouted, whirling away from her diligent vigil at her brother's berthside, turning to see what all the commotion was about now. She shuttered her optics in surprise when she saw her fellow Destrons freeze at the command; one, little Cybertronian and a strange organic creature staring up at her as equally stunned. The human, Lyzack's processor supplied an astrosecond later, broke out of his daze the fastest, running out from between the cage of servos that had just been closing around him and zipping towards the femme.
"Hey!," shouted one of the medics angrily, "You're not-"
He instantly bit back the rest of his protest when Lyzack sent him a glare. Huffing and panting, Jan skidded to a stop before the crouching Destron, ignoring Holi who tripped behind him as he hurried to get away from his jailers to rejoin his friend. "You... you're not Leozack, are you?," the boy asked, looking Lyzack up and down curiously.
The femme did not take the question personally. "No...," she answered softly, leaning in closer to the human. She paused to point at the berth above. "There is my brother... but I am afraid you will not be able to see him. He is still recharging; recovering from the battle."
"Your brother?," Jan gaped, his curious eyes glancing from Lyzack then up to the berth where he could now see a glimpse of the terrifying lieutenant commander.
Lyzack left the boy to his wonder and confusion for a moment, before she could quell her curiosity no longer and politely interrupted him from whatever thoughts filled his little head. "Tell me: why are you looking for my brother? What could a being such as yourself need of him?" The femme did her best to keep her disdain from her vocalizer, but she confessed quietly to herself that she wasn't doing a very good job. The battles on Earth had kept her separated from her brother for so long, after all.
The microbot stiffened, but her strange guest did not even blink at the slightly rude question. Instead, his very demeanour seemed to sadden and the child balled his fists at his side. "I ran around, even though I wasn't supposed to, asking everyone I could find. I had to know who he wanted me to give his message to, because... because it seemed so important. I don't even know why and-"
"W-wait? Who?! Who's message?," Lyzack interrupted, feeling her fuel tanks roil uneasily at the rising tears in Jan's eyes; that shiver of ill racing down her spinal struts a second time.
Jan opened his mouth, but nothing came out at first. Lowering his head, he mumbled, "Hellbat, h-he..."
"Just what has that idiot been whining about now?"
The grunt shocked all three of them; leaping to her pedes, Lyzack turned to her brother, pressing anxious servos on his chestplates as Leozack slowly sat up in his berth. "Please, brother, you mustn't move just yet! Your fuel lines have just recently been sealed and the medics have only just finished welding the rest of you. You're not-!"
The mech glared at her, and Lyzack instantly quieted. Letting her servos lower, she stepped back a step, allowing Leozack to sit upright completely, his glare now focused on the two young ones before him. "Well?," the lieutenant commander growled. "What did he say? Out with it, you little pipsqueaks! I must go see Deathsaurus."
"B-brother...," Lyzack hesitated to say, but steeled herself against whatever wrath might reflect in her twin's optics; knowing already that he was never really angry with her. He did care for and protect her... even if his methods were somewhat callous to others. Keeping her face devoid of any smile or apology (because she knew Leozack would appreciate neither), the femme said, "I don't think you'll be able to see him right now... Lord Deathsaurus and Commander Star Saber have... They have finished their treaty agreements. An execution is taking place in the auditorium at this very moment."
A sharp cry of dismay cut off whatever response Leozack might have made. Helms whipping about, the two Destrons turned to the young human, watching as Jan took a step back in horror; his eyes wide and filled with tears as sick realization flashed across his face. The boy was quick to step away when even Holi tried to come forward and comfort him.
"T-that's why!," Jan choked, the tears trickling down his cheeks now. "That's why h-he wanted me to tell you th-that he was sorry; th-that he'd never w-wanted to fail you! T-that's why h-he...h-he w-was c-cuffed up, an-and, a-and h-he... They, they're going t-to kill H-hellbat!"
The human buried his face into his hands, sobbing loudly now. "H-how can th-they do t-that! It's w-wrong! I-i-i don't-"
"Leozack! Brother, wait!," Lyzack cried as the mech leaped off of the berth, marching to the door quickly; one servo clutching his side tightly in pain, yet he neither slowed down for his healing injuries or her pleas.
Casting one fretful glance at the distraught human, who was still crying at the vague message he'd been forced to deliver and the horrid reasoning behind it just recently discovered, Lyzack quickly turned and ran from the medbay, trying to catch up with her brother. Confusion warred within her (why were they executing Hellbat? What had he ever done? What did his function mean to Leozack? Why did her brother move as if death was chasing at his own heels?) fighting for place among her nausea, her terror and the grasping sorrow that was quickly clawing its way up into her spark, making the femme feel as weak and helpless as a lost sparkling among the darkness.
Yet, without any more answers to help clear some of the fog filling her processor, Lyzack had no choice but to run; constantly several feet behind her twin, desperate to catch up before it was too late.
xxXxXxx
How dare that moron decide that he could die?!
Leozack pushed himself to run faster, stuck in a limping gait as he hurried down the hallways, climbing, trying to get closer to the auditorium. In the back of his processor, he could still hear his sister calling for him to stop, but the mech couldn't quit.
How dare Deathsaurus demand that someone die for some stupid, Cybertronian-controlled peace?!
The lieutenant commander gritted his denta sharply as pain shot from his damaged side, forcing him to stumble and fall for a second. Cursing himself loudly in his helm, Leozack pushed back up onto his pedes, doubling his pace. The closer he approached the auditorium, the more he could feel his anger increase, shadowing the rising panic that sent his spark sputtering and the fear that turned his jog into a mad dash through the last of the corridors.
In the deepest part of his being, in a corner of secret things constantly overlooked by the Destron, a plea was made...
And was quickly squashed the moment Leozack slammed through the auditorium doors, his optics flashing in horror.
"Lionbreast! BREAST ATTACK!"
xxXxXxx
Star Saber was shaking, trying to peer into Hellbat's optics -possibly to apologize for everything- but his vision was beginning to swim with tears and the Destron had already offlined his optics, his helm tipped back slightly in a mockery of rapture. The Cybetronian could only speculate as to what the condemned mech was thinking...
The longer he hesitated to deal the final blow, the more the supreme commander felt that this whole execution was wrong. He could feel everyone's optics on him though; Deathsaurus' glare burning hotly at his backstruts, the demand for some sort of justice served howling like ghosts in the air.
His arm shot forward just as the auditorium doors were thrown open; the clatter of their banging against the wall like a signal, overwhelming the gurgle of pain Hellbat gave as the sword pierced through his chestplates, his optics onlining and flaring brightly one last time before darkening entirely again.
"NOOOO!," a voice roared, "Lionbreast! BREAST ATTACK!"
Star Saber grunted as he was viciously thrown to the ground, his servos flashing up to his face, trying to push back the snapping jaws intent on ripping off his face. It was a miracle he was even able to throw Lionbreast back, but the commander wasn't so quick to believe that his troubles were over yet. Leozack, whenever he had arrived, stood above Hellbat's fallen form, his optics flared and his servos trembling lightly at his sides as he stared down upon his comrade.
"Leozack...," Deathsaurus rumbled lowly behind them, "How kind of you to share with us your presence on this glorious beginning of peace."
The lieutenant commander stiffly turned his helm to the two leaders, his bloody glare brightening the snarl forming on his lip components. "You...," he growled, servos withdrawing his electromagnetic nunchaku from subspace, "To the pit with you and your peace!"
At the curse, Lionbreast roared, pouncing forward once more; racing towards the weaponless Star Saber. The supreme commander hurried to scramble back up to his pedes, his soldiers Braver and Laster shooting forwards to help him. The breastanimal tackled Star Saber to the floor again before they could get close, sinking his teeth in deep and ripping at whatever he could reach of the supreme commander. Deciding weapons would be more beneficial, Laster pulled his gun out of subspace, shooting the 'bot before he could chew a bigger hole into the Cybertronian's plating. Lionbreast gave a wounded roar as he pulled back from Star Saber, glaring up at the two attackers, all of his weight placed on his uninjured side.
While his breastanimal dove for Star Saber, Leozack dashed across the room, bellowing his rage as he charged for Deathsaurus. The Destron Emperor sneered, unleashing his own two breastanimals, who lunged for the lieutenant commander in return. Spinning on his pede, Leozack dodged the first's attack, sweeping his nunchaku's up off the floor and catching the second under its stomach. Tigerbreast cried out in agony as the electric charge shocked his circuits, crashing to the floor and twitching as the current sent violent spasms through his frame.
Eaglebreast screeched in outrage, thrusting into the air and diving again for the teal mech. Leozack ran to the side, keeping wide, even as he twisted his nunchaku's in one servo, preparing for the breastanimal's attack. Eaglebreast cawed, rocketing towards the lieutenant commander, slyly dodging Leozack's attack and instead ripping the Destron's weapon from his very servos. Spitting in contempt, Leozack threw his arms before his face, grunting as the breastanimal followed up his defense with a volley of sharp shots that dinged and cut across his plating shallowly. As Eaglebreast closed in again, the lieutenant commander quickly withdrew his spear next, twirling the staff and thrusting its deadly tip forwards. The breastanimal attempted to spin away from the sudden attack at the last moment, but reacted too late, Leozack following his retreat and digging the spearhead deep between chestplates and wing junction. Shrieking in pain, Eaglebreast crashed to the floor as well, his little helm twisting slowly in agony as the impact sent the blade deeper.
Deathsaurus didn't even flinch.
Enraged further, Leozack lunged for the dragon-former finally, servos outstretched in grasping claws as he left both his weapons where they had fallen. Deathsaurus stepped left, right, back, dodging each of the flimsy swipes nonchalantly, before taking another step back and spinning around; throwing the teal mech back with a roundhouse kick. Leozack tumbled and rolled across the floor, snarling as he pushed himself back up, ignoring the energon seeping from a re-opened wound or two as he ran back for the Emperor.
"Brother! NO!," Lyzack shouted, racing into the auditorium that very moment, watching in terror as her brother threw himself at Deathsaurus. The Destron commander grunted, hissing as his red optics flared angrily, the both of them clattering to the floor. Worried, the femme ran into the chaos erupting all over the place, falling to the floor as she slipped on a pool of energon. Trembling, Lyzack pushed herself up, confusion turning to outright ill as she stared at the crumpled form of Hellbat; the mech's face turned into his own pool of energon, and a Cybetronian blade protruding from his chestplates.
For the first time she could see, as she snapped her helm back up to the battle unfolding within the room, that Lionbreast was viciously attacking Star Saber while Leozack rolled and snarled, trying to tear a wound into Deathsaurus' plating. And Lyzack thought, dropping her glazed optics to the fallen Hellbat, she could fathom a guess as to why...
"Stop this!," the femme shouted, trying to be heard over the din as she gathered the dead Destron into her arms, "P-please! STOP!"
A roar wrenched the air as Lionbreast was shot by a yellow Cybertronian, stumbling off of Star Saber and hissing in defiance as he was forced to retreat. Another cry of pain cut through the air as Leozack, feeling the phantom shot via his breastanimal, was knocked back viciously by Deathsaurus during his moment of weakness; the Destron Emperor slamming a heavy pede on the choking mech's chestplates. Lyzack screamed in terror as the dragon-former unsheathed a black sword, directing it towards her twin's throat.
"DON'T KILL HIM, PLEASE!"
"Deathsaurus! Stop!," Star Saber shouted, lifting himself up off the ground, with the help of his comrades.
The Destron commander glanced coolly, first at the Cybertronian and then the weeping femme, before letting his blade trail across the floor and away from Leozack's neck cables. "Take this scum to the dungeons. Let him rot there until a deserving punishment has been decided for mechs who would dare attack their leaders and kin like himself," he ordered, turning away from the battered Destron.
"D-don't...," Leozack growled, struggling to rise. Other Destrons stepped forward quickly, hurrying to comply to Deathsaurus' command. "Don't y-you turn your back o-on me! Even if you lock me up, I will find a way out! You dare to call this a fair justice, the cold murder of some scapegoat...T-this mockery of peace will not last; I will not allow it! War will continue! Even if I should be the only one to go against your twisted preachings of goodwill!"
The lieutenant commander was dragged, kicking and screaming, out of the auditorium, spitting up energon and his optics flared wildly in outraged insanity. Lyzack watched for as long as she could, until her aching spark could bear the sight of her tortured brother no more and she buried her face in Hellbat's neck cables.
"Supreme commander...," Braver started softly, his optics glued to the sparking wound in Star Saber's side. Lionbreast had ravaged the plating and surrounding circuitry terribly before they were able to get the breastanimal to retreat. "Sir, your wounds need tending, and-"
"Later," Star Saber cut in tiredly. He grunted, swallowing back his pain, as he gazed regretfully at the femme weeping loudly in the now silent room. "...What have we done?," he mumbled to himself, helm lowering in sorrow.
"Medics," Deathsaurus cold voice called, "Remove the deceased."
Hesitating only a moment, the Destrons stepped forward, slowly approaching Lyzack and Hellbat. One mech kneeled beside the femme, resting a sympathetic servo on her shoulder plating. Sniffling, Lyzack lifted her helm, turning her tear-streaked face to the medic as her mouth opened in grieving protest. It quickly clicked shut as she whipped her helm back down to the mech in her arms, trembling fingers padding around the plating surrounding the piercing blade. "N-no! Wait! He's still alive!," she shouted in tearful disbelief, "Hellbat is still alive!"
The medics erupted into a flurry of motion. Pushing Lyzack onto her pedes and away, they quickly surrounded Hellbat; easing the sword out, servos clasping to press down on the ruptured fuel lines as others hurried to pry open the damaged chestplates. With a creaking groan, the metal gave away, and thin, purple light glowed from within the exposed chamber. Gasping, one of the medics lifted his helm towards the two commanders. "It's true! It's weak... but his spark still burns."
"What?," Deathsaurus snarled, stepping forward. He tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze darkening as he marched towards the Destron and his medical staff.
Star Saber quickly limped forward, standing between the Destron Emperor and his dying minion. "No more, Deathsaurus," the supreme commander intoned, forcing power into his vocalizer, even as he felt faint from the energon seeping down his side. "If we wish for this peace to last us for the generations to come, there must be no more bloodshed this day or any day forward."
The watching crowd waited anxiously, waiting to see how either mech would respond.
After a klik, Deathsaurus finally sheathed his sword for good. "Do whatever you wish," he said, the hint of a sneer in his tone as he stepped past the battered Cybertronian. "Medics!," he growled as he marched for the door, "Tend to the wounded and prepare a berth for my breastanimals to recover on."
Those who weren't already busy trying to keep Hellbat from bleeding out all over the floor, quickly bounced forwards, rushing to help either Tigerbreast, Eaglebreast or the wounded supreme commander. Waving the assistance off, Star Saber limped for the door, his own soldiers following after him quietly. "We need to assure that Hellbat recovers," he told them, "An execution was never the right path of action to seal our peace... It is by Primus' saving grace that he lives still. Let us hope his health sustains."
"Sir... what about Leozack?," Braver asked.
Star Saber did not reply straight away. "... if Hellbat does perish for good, then I have no doubt that peace will never be attained," he confessed quietly, "For what Hellbat means to Leozack, I will never know, but I do not doubt his need for vengeance if his comrade's death should forever lie on our servos."
C.M.D: I am aware that the Autobots are referred to as "Cybertrons" in the original show, but because it sounds awkward, I have lengthened their title to "Cybertronians".