Author's Note: Thanks so much to my two reviewers! :D You know who you are!
/Words in Italics is communication through spark bonds/
Chapter 2
Much time had passed since Aethelgythe was sparked. She spent most of her time in the arms of one of her parents, recharging. Her mother was her primary caretaker whenever Optimus was busy attending to his duties as Autobot leader but whenever he had a free moment he would visit his sparkling and cherish every moment with his family.
Then came that tragic day, when word finally reached Optimus Prime's audios, regarding the status of his only son.
"Sir, we just received more Intel regarding Alpharious."
"What's the news?"
The Autobot soldier reporting in front of him, shifted nervously, and glanced away afraid to meet his leader's inquiring optics.
"He was spotted with the Decepticons…Sir."
"Is he hurt? Did they take him hostage? Where are they now?"
Optimus Prime did everything in his power to remain perfectly calm although his spark was beating wildly with anxiety for his son. He tried to reach out to his son with their parent-child bond, only to find that it was being blocked. There was no way for him to tell what his condition currently was.
"He went with the Decepticons willingly, Sir."
Optimus froze at those words, all of the energon in his body suddenly running cold. It felt like his spark was being dragged down by a heavy weight.
"He offered no resistance? Was he a captive?"
By now the Autobot scout averted his optics to the floor, voice heavy with sorrow as he forced himself to say the hated words…knowing without a doubt that what he was about to tell his commander, would break his very spark.
"He was aiding them in a raid in the Southeastern sector. He killed two Autobots guarding an energon supply shed."
Optimus sat down in his chair heavily, his face contorted into an expression of shocked anguish. He hung his head and brought his elbows up to rest on his knees, his face buried in his hands.
This wasn't supposed to happen. Where did he go wrong? He thought he had been a good father…he thought he had done what was right, thought he had done well teaching his son what was right! And now to hear of this?
His son joined the Decepticons willingly? How could this be?
He reigned in his tumultuous emotions with great effort and looked at the soldier still standing there, waiting for his orders.
"Report to the outpost in that sector and tell them to send a scout to find out more about my son. I need to know why he joined their forces, if he is being forced into service or if he joined them willingly. Dismissed"
The Autobot saluted and then departed hastily to carry out his orders.
Optimus sat there in stunned silence, thinking intently. He was surprised when the spark bond block was dropped and felt his spark immediately reaching for his son's. He was crushed when his son pulled away and felt his response.
I have found my destiny, father. Don't search for me. Megatron has shown me my potential.
Son, please listen to me! Megatron is a liar! Remember what I've taught you!
Optimus felt his son's genuine sorrow seeping through their bond at his next words.
I'm sorry father. I have made my choice.
Please don't take this path! ALPHARIOUS!
Optimus cried out to his son when he felt the block going up again, separating him from his eldest child. It hurt…to not feel his son's spark anymore. What hurt him the most was what he had said to him. He hoped beyond all hope that it wasn't true…that Megatron hadn't succeeded in brainwashing Alpharious with lies.
Optimus Prime vented a heavy sigh and stood up, feeling as if he was drowning in a sea of darkness and despair. His only son…whom he loved since the moment he heard his wife was carrying his infant spark, his son who was meant to one day take his place as Autobot leader, was gone it seemed.
Optimus walked back to his private quarters that he shared with his spark-mate and knew he had to tell her. Fortunately their daughter was recharging peacefully, unaware of the drama that was unfolding. Her parents held each other and grieved quietly for their son and the disastrous choice he had made.
"What will we do now?"
"I must face him. I need to try and talk him out of it. If he fights me…"
Optimus trailed off, unsure of how to continue. He really hadn't thought it through entirely. If his son fought him, he would of course defend himself, but could he really bring any harm to his now turned decepticon son?
"Please…don't hurt him if you can help it," Navina pleaded with him, expressing her emotions through their spark-bond.
"I will do everything in my power to save our son. You have my word," Optimus hugged his wife and then got up. He stroked his sparkling daughter's cheek tenderly in farewell before leaving the room.
A few hours later, Optimus Prime was at the outpost he had sent his Autobot scout to report in to. His soldiers saluted him when he entered and then returned to their duties.
"Prowl…is there any news?"
Prowl shook his head with a grim expression.
"I'm sorry Optimus. We dispatched two of our best scouts a few hours ago. They should be reporting back in soon."
True to his word, one of the two scouts reported in via a secured com-link channel to the outpost.
"Alpharious was last seen not too far from your location. He is about 40 miles southwest of you, near the border."
The border that separated Autobot from Decepticon halves of the planet. What would his son be doing hanging around there?
"I will go out to meet him. I need five volunteers who will accompany me."
Prowl had to stay to command the outpost but he soon got his five volunteers readily enough. Three of the five were seasoned warriors, one of which happened to be his best friend and comrade, Ironhide. Two of them were younger Autobots, fresh out of training. They were twin brothers that liked to cause mischief when off-duty according to Prowl but his tactician spoke highly of their combat skills. After one more appraising look at his freshly assembled team, Optimus gave them the order that began their mission.
"Let's roll out!"
The six Autobots transformed into vehicular modes and raced off to the last known location of Optimus Prime's son. When they got there, it was deserted, not a spark in sight.
They transformed back into battle mode and Optimus's battle mask slid into place. He held his gun in one hand and signaled his Autobots to fan out so they weren't all clumped together as an easier target.
:Expect Decepticon resistance. Be on high alert, Autobots:
His troops acknowledged him through their com-links and proceeded with caution, slowly sweeping the area and investigating, looking for any signs that Alpha had recently been there.
Optimus bristled when he heard an all too familiar, chilling voice.
"Optimus Prime, so good of you to join us"
His optics narrowed as he turned his head around to meet the cold, calculating stare of his arch-nemesis.
"Megatron, where is my son?"
"Right here, father."
Alpharious stepped out of the shadows of a nearby building to stand beside a smirking Megatron. His son's optics were now red and he wore the Decepticon insignia on one shoulder.
"I'm so glad I could make this father-son reunion possible, Prime. As you can see, your son now works for ME."
At those spoken words, about seven other Decepticons appeared around Optimus and his five Autobots, surrounding them in a loose circle.
"I believe your son has something he would like to say…"
Megatron's glowing red optics burned with the hate he felt for Optimus Prime and he gestured for Alpharious to proceed.
"I challenge my father, Optimus Prime…to a one-on-one duel to the death."
Optimus Prime stood in stunned disbelief. He hoped his audios had deceived him but his son's expression confirmed the challenge.
"Son? What is the meaning of this?"
Alpharious growled, glaring daggers at his father as he stepped closer to him, with rage emanating from his spark. This time the bond block was removed entirely and Optimus cringed at the rage his son was directing at him.
"Megatron has shown me true power! He has shown me the TRUTH. And once I've killed you…I will be free. I won't have to walk in your shadow anymore!"
"Do you accept your son's terms, Prime?"
Megatron was practically crowing with delight at the prospect of watching Optimus and his son fighting each other to the death. If Alpharious was victorious, then the evil Decepticon leader finally succeeded in destroying his arch-rival. Then on the other hand, if Optimus Prime won, he would be free of a future liability in the event that Alpharious ever turned on his Decepticons. Even if he didn't share his father's point of view…he was still his father's son and was therefore, still deemed a threat. As an added bonus, if Optimus did destroy his son, then he would succeed in destroying his foe from within. To Megatron, this fight was going to be a win-win scenario for him.
Optimus stood rigidly, optics darting from his son to Megatron then to his Autobots and lastly to take in the number of Decepticons that had grown, while he was distracted, to watch the spectacle.
"Make your choice, Prime!"
Optimus turned sad pleading optics on his son who was now pacing back and forth in front of him like a caged animal.
"Son, what lies has he told you?"
"Lies? Ha! You don't know the meaning of the word. NOW FIGHT ME!"
Optimus turned to regard his troops behind him, taking silent note of Ironhide shaking his head slowly with a grim face, silently asking him to decline the challenge.
He turned to regard Megatron and his son, directing his words to his offspring as he conveyed his pain and sorrow to him through their bond.
"NO. I will not fight you Alpharious. Please…come home with me. It's not too late!"
"Megatron was right! You are weak! You're a bigger fool than I ever believed!"
With a snarl, Alpharious charged his father with gun drawn and shot wildly at him in his rage. Optimus dodged the first few shots, thanking Primus silently that his troops had been smart enough to join the decepticons on the sideline before the fight began.
"Son, please…we don't have to fight!"
"Yes, we DO!"
Optimus performed a take-down maneuver on his son and disarmed him, destroying his weapon.
Alpharious rolled back up to his feet and charged his father again with a drawn sword that slid from his wrist guard and assaulted him, Optimus barely managing to ward off his attacks. He heard Megatron's sickening words from somewhere nearby, too focused on defending himself to pay any attention to the Decepticon leader. His Autobots would warn him if he tried anything treacherous.
"You see Optimus? Your son is more powerful than you are! Alpharious has true strength…and you will always be weak."
In the middle of the fight, Optimus was taken off guard when his son dropped to his knees, clutching his head in pain. He hesitated and reached down to help him when he heard his son's plea through their spark-bond.
Father help me! I don't want to hurt you!
Then Alpharious took a swing at optimus's leg, cutting a gash in his shin plating. He fell to one knee and blocked the next attack with his own sword.
"Alpharious…what have the Decepticons done to you?"
He caught a brief flicker of despair in his son's red optics before his son pushed him back with a well delivered punch to his middle.
"I don't want to fight you, Alpha. Please…tell me how to help you!"
"Your son doesn't want or need your help, Optimus! He wishes to be rid of you…forever!"
Optimus responded loudly for all to hear as he parried another blow before delivering a stunning leg sweep on his son.
"That is YOUR wish, Megatron! You have turned my own son against me. But your plans will still fail!"
"From where I'm standing…my plans are going exactly as I imagined they would!" Megatron cackled madly with triumph.
Alpharious was slowing down, unable to keep up with his father's endurance and stamina, not used to fighting for such an extended period of time.
By now, both father and son had a wide array of scratches, dents, and gashes covering their bodies and still no one had claimed victory.
"I love you son…we don't need….to fight anymore!"
Alpharious screamed back at him from where his father had him pinned to the ground.
"You are a LIAR! You wanted to replace me with that stupid brat! You NEVER loved me!"
"I'm sorry you were duped into believing such an untrue thing, my son. I've loved you since the moment your mother told me she was carrying your infant spark."
Optimus flooded their parent/child bond with all the love he had for his child but his son initiated another bond-block. Alpha managed to kick his father off of him and rolled back up to his feet, sword at the ready. Once again he had another episode and he fell to one knee, while one hand clutched the side of his helm. His face was scrunched up into one of absolute agony.
He…I can't…stop myself. Please…end this, father. I don't want to hurt you anymore!
Alpharious got up and ran at Optimus again, once more clashing swords only this time, Optimus had the upper hand as his son continued to weaken during the fight.
Optimus thought fervently, trying to figure out what his best option was to save his son from Megatron's control. As if in response to his silent musings, Megatron laughed madly with wicked delight.
"Now you finally understand… There is no saving your son now. He has been one of our first few subjects under a new coercive persuasion and thought reform program that Soundwave so cleverly constructed to help our new recruits get a better handle on Decepticon beliefs. I must admit that he fought our control for some time but we soon found his weakness…"
Optimus's optics widened and his spark was filled with fear and dread at what the Decepticon leader said next.
"So, I hear rumor that you have spawned another child. I suppose congratulations are in order," Megatron spat venomously in disgust.
Optimus was so distracted by Megatron's words concerning his sparkling that he did not have a chance to parry or dodge his son's next strike. He cried out in pain when Alpharious managed to stab him through one of his shoulders. With a pained cry, he wrenched the sword free and rolled away from a kick that had been aimed at his head.
"I WILL find a way to save my son, Megatron!"
"Noble words but pointless. Admit defeat and your death will be swift."
"NEVER!"
Optimus turned his attention back on the fight but was stunned to see his son leaping at him in mid-air with sword poised, ready to pierce him through his cranial unit. Optimus barely dodged the blow and was tackled to the ground and pinned down by his son who was now crying uncontrollably. His sword arm was shaking as he struggled to fight the Decepticon control and brainwashing. His sword was mere inches from piercing through his father's spark chamber.
Father…please help me! FREE ME! End this now, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
Alpharious screamed with the agony of being torn in two, his decepticon half struggling to eliminate the enemy pinned beneath him and his Autobot half fighting to save his father. His sword was now mere centimeters away from his father's chest armor. He now had Optimus Prime in a completely helpless and vulnerable position and they both knew it. He was at the mercy of his son.
Son, there MUST be a way I can save you! Anything but this!
Arrrghhh! Can't...fight it...much longer. HURTS! Save yourself, please...I'm begging you! I don't want to kill you!
It was getting extremely difficult holding his son's sword arm back with his injured shoulder hindering his strength. He had to use both of his hands just to keep the blade from destroying him. In the background both father and son could hear the sickening sound of Megatron's grating laughter. Optimus Prime finally understood that it was going to be either his son or him...
It was in that horrifying moment that he knew what had to be done. He didn't want to believe this was it but he couldn't bear to watch his son suffer anymore. He couldn't bear the thought of his child living out the rest of his life as a decepticon slave...forced to do horrible things against his will. Optimus knew that Alpharious still had a pure spark...he could feel it. With a shaking hand Optimus slid his sword out of his weak arm, using his remaining reserves of strength to hold his son's killing blow at bay with his good arm.
Forgive me, Alpharious…I love you so much, my son.
With an anguished cry, Optimus brought his own blade up and pierced his son through with his sword. He did everything he could to give him a quick death, making sure he didn't miss his son's spark.
Alpharious fell, cradled in his father's arms, looking up at him and reminding Optimus of when his son had been but a sparkling. His optics reverted back to blue in those final moments and he whispered with tears running down his face as his father held him.
"Fa…ther…please…for…give…me."
Optimus was sobbing now, as he watched the last of his son's life drain away in his arms, helpless to save him. What had he done?
I forgive you, son. Please…forgive me. Forgive me for my failure to save you.
Alpharious smiled with his last dying breath and whispered something his father would never forget.
"You…saved me."
With those final words, Alpharious's head fell limply against his father's chest and the light in his optics faded away. The pain that Optimus had already been feeling from the wound he had inflicted upon his child intensified to crippling levels as he felt his son's spark extinguish, ripping their parent-child bond apart into nothingness. Optimus's head fell back to gaze at the sky and with a big intake of air, he screamed his anguish to the heavens.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note: Megatron is an evil manipulative liar and Soundwave is the douche responsible for warping people's minds! T.T -hugs Alpha- poor thing. Things should get a little better from here. Please review!
