A/N - It's been ages since I last updated and I'm so sorry! I've been swamped with school and stuff, and I'm so sorry. I've also gone off it a little bit and I'm not as motivated to write, but I think it's coming back, so don't dear! This one's pretty short, but I felt I should leave it here. Also this ones a bit angsty. ^.^' Sorry about that, but it's a sort of pivitol point where Tiffany realises a few things and tries to 'evolve' into a better person... You'll see. Anyway, enjoy!
*Disclaimer* I do not, nor will I ever own Transformers, any characters or anything. I only own my OC's and the made up places and e.c.t. I apologise if any of this material offends anyone in any way. I assure you it didn't mean to offend anyone in any way, shape or form. This story may contain coarse language. Based off the 2009 sequel.
Chapter 10 – Death of a leader.
Starscream slammed his robotic hands on the pavement, leering down at us and spurting liquid from his mouth. I paled and shrunk back as best as I could, but, as I neared Mikaela, a deep rumble sounded behind us and Megatron raised his red eyed face to our level. My heart beat increased dramatically and I felt like I was going to pass out. My body was wracked with fear as Megatron's steely gaze slid over all of us and landed on Sam. "Come here, boy," he rumbled deeply. Sam complied with the giant's order and walked cautiously over, his hands raised in submission. I gulped and shakily watched my brother walked closer to the Decepticon. "S-Sam," I whispered under my breath.
Megatron growled like some sort of wild animal and demanded Sam closer. My brother began to creep down the set of metal stairs. "You remember me, don't you?" Megatron asked.
"I did what you said, okay? Just don't hurt us," Sam pleaded. Megatron sneered and snapped his claw-like hand forward.
"Shut up!" Megatron swatted Sam like an irritating insect and sent him flying. He screamed as he flew through the air and landed hard on the concrete.
"SAM!" Mikaela and I screamed in unison, me rushing forward and clenching the metal rail tightly. My knuckles turned white from the force.
Sam writhed in pain on the floor while Megatron muttered to himself as he turned towards the helpless human. His hand outstretched, his clawed fingers reaching down and pinning Sam helplessly to the floor. Megatron let out a snarling laugh and almost cheered, "It feels good to grab your flesh!" I swallowed thickly, feeling all my blood drain as I watched my brother struggle. Powerless. We were absolutely powerless. There was nothing I could do. There were no tricks or stunts I could pull to somehow save my brother. I had no weapons and a gun wouldn't have achieved anything anyway. This time the Autobots weren't here to save us. And this realisation slapped me in the face with a cold hand.
"I'm going to kill you," Megatron announced with pleasure, clasping his other hand tightly. "Slowly, painfully," he continued, "But first, we have some delicate work to do." Mikaela joined me at the rails and laid a hand on my shoulder. She squeezed it tightly as we both watched the scene play out before us, like spectators to a play. Megatron glanced over his shoulder at something nearby. "Doctor, examine this alien specimen." Movement caught my eye as a tiny robot scuttled along the ground towards Sam. It leapt onto his stomach and crawled menacingly towards his face. I heard a faint, high voice but couldn't make out any words. I was now aware that Leo had approached my other side and all three of us were watching this, horrified. Mikaela was close to tears, and had to clasp her mouth tightly to prevent any sobs escaping. "Sam..." I whispered. "Sam... Please... someone, help..."
An engine sounded behind us as two smaller robots flew over head, holding a wriggling, worm-like creature. They delivered the small creature onto Sam and flew away, giving me new fears. What was happening down there? I was having trouble working out detail and couldn't hear the small robot's high voice. A picture appeared, created by the smaller robot. It looked like a projection, and I could see moving pictures as well as red symbols, ones that Sam had painted earlier. I heard Megatron mention something about them being able to lead them to an Energon source. His deep, cold and heartless voice echoed through my body, resonating within me and encasing my insides in an ice cold fear. It was gripping me in a clawed hand, and my mind screamed out for someone, anyone to help us. Please! Bumblebee! I need you, now! Bumblebee! I pleaded in my mind, wishing that somehow a miracle would be bestowed upon us. I realised that this whole time I had been nothing but a bystander, just someone watching in on others. I had done so little, achieved less. Now, I was cursed to stand here, too scared to do something. I screwed my eyes shut as tears pricked at them. Tiffany! Why can't you do something? Look at you! Your brother is down there being torn apart, and you're just standing there, doing nothing! My insides were twisting, the thought of losing my brother tearing me apart. Sam... why... Sam!
My eyes snapped open, a new fire burning within them. I snapped my head up, teeth gritted and fists curled at my side. "SAM! Hold on! Optimus will come! Don't worry, they're on their way!" All eyes were turned to me, Megatron's steely orbs narrowing as he looked at me like I was some disgusting insect.
"Ah, yes, I remember you," he rumbled, pivoting his upper half towards me and reaching out with his spare hand. I was trembling but the anger and adrenalin that was currently coursing through my veins weight it out. "Yeah... You're the fleshy that decided to play that trick on me," Megatron chuckled dryly. There was no humour present. Suddenly his hand lashed out and snatched me up incredibly fast, bruising my sides in his vice like grip.
"O-ow..." I squeaked, my eyes closing in pain. Megatron snarled and growled, bringing me closer to his face.
"How does it feel? To be slowly crushed to death?" he asked. I wracked my brain for a witty comeback or retaliation but it drew blanks, all thoughts made impossible by the burning pain. I had never felt anything like it! My lungs were compressed leaving me devoid of air, making my head feel like it was going to explode. "S-shut... u-up-p," I managed. Megatron boomed with laughter, enjoying my pain and torment.
"Tiffany!" Mikaela's scream cut through the air and I managed to peek at her.
"M-Mik... Keala..." I sighed, feeling my body scream with protest and my head spin.
"Tiff!" Now I could hear Sam screaming. Black dots filled my vision as I felt my body grow weaker, giving up against Megatron. "Tiffany!"
Suddenly a loud bang reached my ears and my world spun. Dust and rubble filled the air, as well as gun shots and screams. Megatron dropped me carelessly, discarding me to the cold, unforgiving floor. I feebly watched the floor approach before a warm, metal hand caught me. This one was different. This one was gentle; this one cradled me like I was precious, this one wasn't slowly crushing me. My mind began working again as air filled my lungs. I was no longer being crushed, but held and shielded. I blinked a couple of times, my conscience screaming at me. The Autobots! They came! My eyes widened and I struggled to my hands and knees. I rubbed my eyes, clearing my vision and realised where I was. I was sat in Bumblebee's hand, his fingers curled around me protectively, held close to his body. Bullets clinked off his metal body, making me flinch slightly, but I was too happy to really notice. My body swelled with emotion. They had come for us! I noticed Optimus was also in the fight, taking Megatron on valiantly. Starscream retreated, laving Bee free to flee from the battle and get somewhere safe.
Bumblebee whirled and suddenly transformed into his car form, keeping me in his hand until I was suddenly seated in his luxurious leather seats. I blinked a couple of times as a few tears pricked the corner of my eyes. "Bee..." I whispered, grinning down at the steering wheel.
The radio spoke to me, "Are you... OK?" I nodded and chuckled slightly, ignoring the pain shooting down my ribs.
"Yes, now that you're here," I answered. "We can t-talk more later, but first, let's get o-out of here!" Bee started up his engine and moved, tearing down the road and sliding up near the other end of the abandoned factory. I watched as Mikaela and Leo appeared, as well as a girl I did not recognise. Who is she? I thought, eyeing her carefully. She was holding Mikaela and Leo's arms, dragging them towards Bumblebee. All three of them piled in the back, the mysterious girl slamming the door shut and shouting, "Go!" Bee did just that and he sped away, to an unknown location. I didn't fail to notice that Sam was missing. As soon as we began to move Mikaela leapt forward and gripped my shoulder. "Tiffany! Oh my god, are you OK?" she gasped. I turned around in the seat and nodded, giving her my best reassuring look.
"Y-yeah, I still hurt a little but I'm fine." Mikaela and I made eye contact and I tried my best to show I was being honest. She nodded and gulped, sitting back in the seat and running a hand through her hair. Meanwhile, I turned to the mysterious girl beside her. "Erm... hey, I don't think we've met," I said.
The girl had long, light brown hair, with light hazel coloured eyes. She was wearing what appeared to be military style clothing... perhaps she was from N.E.S.T? "You don't recognise me? It's me, Selene Trinity," she said, giving me a small smile. Realisation dawned on me and I laughed, hurting my ribs.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't think," I said, smiling at her. She just gave me a small one back before staring out of the window.
"The other Autobots are here, Bumblebee," she said, her voice hard and commanding. I sat back a bit, a little shocked. She seemed so much nicer by text.
I looked out of the window and saw we had in fact joined with other Autobots and together we were speeding towards somewhere. I noticed no Optimus and no Sam. I closed my eyes in a moment of silent thought, wishing Sam safe. He must be with Optimus, I thought, opening my eyes slowly and looking at the Autobots. Worry and fear had left my body at the arrival of Bumblebee and Optimus but it was now knotting itself inside my stomach again at the absence of my brother and the heroic Autobot leader. This wasn't over yet. My hands went out to steering wheel and gripped it tightly. I stared down at it, thinking over everything. I was still cowering in the revelation at just how powerless and reliant on the Autobots we are, and how real this war was. I closed my eyes. Just please let Sam be OK.
The Autobots were heading into a woods, following a curling path and eventually coming off and driving along a grassy forest past. I could feel a crushing sensation rise up in my throat. All was silent in the car but echoing bangs and vibrations could be heard and felt. Something bad was up ahead. Suddenly we broke out into a clearing and it was all hell. Ironhide, Ratchet, Jazz and a few others had transformed and were firing at an attacking Megatron and Starscream. I spotted my brother tearing his way down the slope and towards Bumblebee, sliding in the mud and tripping over his own terrified feet. Bee's door opened automatically, letting Sam jump in. He brought with him the stench of forest and sweat. "Bumblebee, get them out of here," Ratchet ordered. Bumblebee complied and began driving forward, out of the forest. "Sam!" There were a chorus of shouts at my brother, Mikaela and I leaping forward to touch him, comfort him, anything to confirm that he was still alive. He was, though he looked like he had been through hell. "Sam! Sam!" I cried, grabbing my brother's arm and shaking it slightly. His head was out of the window, gazing at where we had just come from. "Sam! Are you OK? What happened? Where's Optimus?" I barraged him with questions, desperate for information, anything. Sam slowly turned to me, his face dirtied and his breathing ragged.
"He's dead."
My face fell and insides lurched.
"Optimus is dead."