Author's Note: I am super excited and extremely nervous about posting Chapter 7. It wasn't writer's block that was giving me problems; it was just putting this Chapter into words. Well, I really, really hope you guys like this Chapter and I apologize for any lack of coherence. Please R&R and tell me if you think it was good or not.
Just so things don't get confusing, thefirst segment of this Chapter is in Optimus's POV. The rest of the story will flow normally.
Also, I want to thank to my SPECTACULAR followers and people who have favored this story. Without you guys, this story probably wouldn't even exist.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Transformers in any way even though it would be awesome to. I just love to write stories about them.
~sweettea1
Chapter 7
I knew the keen blade would be able to cut right through my armor; be able to reach my spark and end my life. My own foolishness got me into this position. I was so bent on stopping Unicron that I was blind to the possible danger that awaited me. I didn't learn from my mistake with Sentinel.
I have made many mistakes in the past, but two were the worst. Two mistakes that would and did cost the lives of many. The mistake with Sentinel cost hundreds of thousands of human lives along with some of my soldiers' lives. This mistake with Unicron, however, will probably…no, more like will cause complete human extinction and the Autobots, although valiant, would be overwhelmed.
Even if I am able to survive this; even if I am able to 'cheat death', as the humans put it, would it even matter? Would I make the difference if I lived? I don't even know what I would do. Unicron was once defeated by the Thirteen. That was why Primus created them; to protect the universe from Unicron's all-consuming evil. That was centuries ago, though. The Thirteen is gone and all that's left is me.
I am not fit to lead. I have failed so many times and now death is my punishment. This time, I can't be saved. My death will be permanent. Whether I will be missed or not, that I cannot tell. Many are already furious with me for my mistakes, but some will miss me dearly.
One thing did bother me, though; who would rise up and stop Unicron? Would anyone do so? Without a Prime to lead them, the Autobots might not even know what to do. They were not irresponsible or inconsiderate, but they would not know what to do themselves. A leader is what they need. If I am not there, though, who will lead them?
It hit me hard. They needed me. Even for all of my mistakes and all the deaths I let happen, they still needed me. They believed in me; yet, here I am, at death's hand.
How could the Primes choose me to be the next Prime? What made them so sure that I was fit to lead? A mistake…I am a mistake. If I am a mistake, though, wouldn't the Primes have left me to die two years ago when Megatron extinguished my spark? They must have saw something in me. They saw some hidden greatness.
'A Prime may be born, but greatness is something you earn, Orion. Everyone makes mistakes and faults, but the thing you must remember is that for every mistake, there is a lesson to learn. Remember that, Orion.' Alpha Trion had spoken these words to me a long time ago; something I forgot. Something I need to make up for.
I cannot fail again…
Looking at the incoming sword, seeing that wicked blade coming down towards me, something sparked in me. Unicron may have control in the Matrix, but he is no Prime. This is not his place to rule. My optics flared in determination as I forced my arm to work and grabbed Unicron's blade with my hand. Rising to my feet while still holding that 'death blade', I looked into Unicron's optics. I saw shock and rage flash across his features as he tried to regain control of me.
Twisting the blade out of his hands, I said with the authority and courage of a Prime, "Not today Unicron. This is not your domain to rule. Here, I rule."
Unicron's grip on his mighty sword was lost as the last Prime pulled it away. His words rang around the Chaos Bringer. The Prime's optics flared and he straightened to his full height. Unicron stared at his opponent, knowing that his advantage was lost. His control over the Prime was lost. He must continue on with his plans with slight changes.
"This isn't over, Prime," Unicron rumbled, glaring at Optimus. "This is just the beginning. This war has only just begun…" Unicron did have some power left while inside the Matrix. Reaching out his hand, his sword came back to him. He still had his telekinesis ability. Unicron's image faded away as he exited the Matrix. This battle was lost and he knew it. "This is far from over," Unicron rumbled before he disappeared.
Optimus did not intercept. He knew that there was no point. They would meet again; but next time, Optimus would be prepared.
Looking at the fading light in the horizon, Optimus knew there was not much power left. The Matrix was the only known thing to stop Unicron; now, that power was gone. Something else would have to be done.
Closing his optics, Optimus let his mind find its own way out of the Matrix. The Matrix's realm blurred away as Optimus exited the Matrix.
There as still much to be done.
Optimus on-lined his optics, thankful to find that he was back in his living quarters. Sitting up, Optimus looked at the Matrix in his hand. It had a faint glow to it, but it still was low on power. Unicron had drained almost everything.
Returning the Matrix to chest compartment, Optimus exited his living quarters. As he walked, he could feel a deep ache in his body; no doubt injuries from his experience in the Matrix. He ignored it and walked into the base 'command center.' It wasn't the most organized or nicely built command center, but it was only temporary.
"Optimus. It's about time you showed your face," came the sharp voice of Charlotte Mearing. Optimus looked at the raised platform in the middle of the command center. The platform enabled humans to talk to the Autobots on an eye-to-optic level. Standing on the platform was Charlotte, crosser than ever.
"Charlotte," Optimus greeted. "Is there a problem?"
"You bet there is a problem," Charlotte replied, glaring at the Autobot leader. "At 03:00 hours, sightings of an unidentified spacecraft was spotted by one of our satellites not too far from Earth's atmosphere."
One of Charlotte's assistants typed on a computer and pulled up the satellite's picture. Optimus zoomed in his optics on the small screen and studied the picture. It was a spacecraft alright; and by the looks of it, it was Cybertronian technology. Eagerly, Optimus searched the picture, looking for an Autobot sign. Unfortunately, there was no Autobot sign. Rather, there was a Decepticon sign. "It…is a Decepticon ship. More than likely Decepticons that have been wondering the galaxy for cycles," Optimus said gravely.
"Or more like invaders on a mission," Charlotte snapped. "After only a couple of hours after this photo was shot, several sightings of 'alien invaders' have been spotted around the globe." Charlotte nodded towards the assistant, urging him to pull up the next picture. The assistant pulled up the next picture, this one quite hard to make out. Sparks covered most of the picture, but Optimus saw the blood red optics of a Decepticon in the very corner.
"This sighting was reported in London. Got a great deal of complaints from the Prime minister," Charlotte said, mumbling on the last sentence. Optimus studied the picture, but could not make out who the Decepticon was. The picture was soon replaced by another one. This picture showed the backside of another robot, no doubt Decepticon as well.
"This one was from Berlin," Charlotte continued, not showing any emotion.
The pictures continued like this, all of them never getting a clear shot. Optimus counted a total of five sightings. London, Berlin, a little town in Montana, somewhere along the coast of Florida near Miami, and one in Delaware. What were they all doing here; and why were they so dispersed?
"Since the one in Delaware was not too far away from Washington, D.C., the President has been moved to another part of the country," Charlotte said, frowning. "And there is one last one. This was something…much clearer." Charlotte hesitantly said, motioning for her assistant to pull up the final picture.
Optimus was a little taken back by the picture. Like Charlotte said, it was definitely clear. A large Decepticon which looked heavily armed was reaching towards whoever was shooting the picture. Its red optics shone bright and Optimus could vaguely see a smirk on its face plates.
"Where was this one?" Optimus quietly asked.
"Litchfield, Illinois; approximately 245 miles from Chicago," Charlotte replied. "Whoever that Decepticon was did the most damage." For once in her life, Charlotte didn't have that sharpness in her voice when she said that last sentence. Optimus figured what that meant; another Chicago incident. How could one Decepticon, Megatron or not, destroy a city in a matter of hours and nobody knew about it until now?
"When was the sighting in Litchfield reported?" Optimus asked, turning back to Charlotte.
"We received the photo at approximately 07:00 hours. When it was taken is unknown and we haven't been able to track any of the Decepticons. However, it is believed that the one who crashed in Litchfield is making his way towards Chicago," Charlotte reported, sternness returning to her features. "Did you know about any of this, Prime?"
Optimus's expression hardened. "If I would've known about any Decepticon attacks, I would have had my soldiers ready for them," Optimus said, narrowing his optics at Charlotte.
Charlotte sent her own menacing gaze towards the Autobot leader. "Well now we have six Decepticons running loose on our planet for who knows what reason. Not only that, I have several unhappy governors and world leaders running me into the ground," Charlotte complained, gathering up the files and CD's that contained the classified images.
"I cannot resolve the problems with the leaders of this world," Optimus said coldly. "I can only try to stop these Decepticons before they cause more damage. What they want can be many possible things, but I don not have the answers. The only thing I can tell you is to have patience." Optimus's patience with Charlotte had worn thin and he wanted to leave before he completely lost control.
As Optimus walked away from the platform, he sent a comm. link to his Autobots, telling them to meet him in the training area. Soon, all his fellow Autobots had joined him in the training room.
"What seems the problem, Prime?" Dino asked once all the Autobots had arrived.
"Charlotte has just informed me of six Decepticon sightings," Optimus answered plainly. "Three in the United States and the other Two in Berlin and London. However, the one that concerns me the most is the one who landed in Litchfield; about 245 miles from Chicago."
"Six sightings?" Ratchet asked in surprise, cocking an eye ridge. "And why so diverse? You would think they would be more unified."
"Unless they're looking for something," Sideswipe reasoned. "Think about it; they aren't complete idiots."
"Yeah, but wouldn't they need someone to make the plan and lead the assault? Who's leading them?" Ratchet countered. "Megatron is dead and tightly locked up with the rest of his soldiers off in another state."
"Who cares? Let's go kick some Decepticon tail pipes!" Roadbuster proclaimed, transforming his hand into a photon rifle.
"We can just run into battle like that; we need to know what they're after," Dino said, rolling his optics at Roadbuster.
It suddenly hit Optimus. They didn't need a leader; they were after their original leader. "They are scattered for a purpose. They are looking for Megatron," Optimus said, coming to the startling conclusion.
"But they…can't bring…back to life," Bumblebee stated.
"What 'Bee said," Sideswipe agreed. "They can't bring Megatron back to life."
"Because they don't need to," Optimus murmured. Looking at his fellow Autobot's expressions of confusion, Optimus revealed to them without thinking, "Unicron can do it for them."
