I wanted to look behind me to see how close Megatron was, but I refused to. For all I knew he was breathing down my neck. Fear was the last thing I needed right now. However, there was a strange feeling in my chest, as if something very bad was about to happen. I pushed passed it and kept running strong. As I was nearing the building, the ground vibrated and shook like there was an earthquake. I kept a strong grip on the cube as my senses got jumbled. The shaking stopped, followed by shouts of joy. When I could clearly think, I saw the soldiers rejoicing over a great victory of bringing a decepticon down. They soon got to work, seeing as though there were still more running amuck. I smirked happily, and for a moment slowed my pace, only regretting it moments later.
Just as I entered the building, Megatron burst through the stone wall.
Holy crap! Was all I could think. I ran through the building until I reached the stairs. Fortunately for me, they were spiraled. I spread my wings, ignoring the pain, and shot straight up. My wings very nearly touched the side rails of the stairs. I yelled to myself in my head to keep going, to not black out.
You're almost there! Just a few more flaps! You can do this! Don't black out! Keep going!
"Give me the cube!" Megatron yelled, quickly climbing after me.
I looked down to see him gaining altitude almost as quickly as me. He looked like a rabid animal chasing some innocent creature. My breath hitched in fear as his claws grazed my foot. I flapped my wings harder and looked up. There was an intricate stained glass ceiling above me.
If I could see I may have appreciated its beauty, but I had neither the time, not the ability to see color, so it meant little to me as I crossed my arms around the cube near my torso, tucked my wings and let my momentum brake me through. The glass sliced my skin, but I kept moving. When I reached the outside, I landed in a crow roll and shot up, running again. I took the flair Sam had given me and hit it against the wall. The only indication to tell me it was lit was the slight heat it gave off. The loud thud of helicopter blades alerted me to the approaching pick up team. I ran to the edge and watched as the machine rose. A soldier held his arms out for the cube. I was prepared to jump on with the Allspark when a high pitched whistle stopped me. I stumbled back.
"Watch out!" I yelled and pointed a little too late. The blast wave from the exploding machine knocked me back. The people on it were vaporized instantly, "No!"
"Ra!" A familiar voice yelled.
I coughed and sat up. The kid was faster than I gave him credit for, "Sam, we gotta get out of here. Megatron, he's-"
The said 'con burst through the roof.
Sam pulled me up into a standing position. I hand to lean on him for a bit, "Can you walk?"
"Yeah." I clutched the cube to myself and we hid behind the statues, "How'd you get past him?" I whispered.
"Elevator." Sam replied. I shrugged then quieted.
Megatron approached us, "Is it fear or courage that compels you, fleshlings?" The gravelly voice of Megatron made me wince.
"Ra," Sam whispered, "Hand me that." I gave him the cube, "Will you be able to fly me down?"
My wings ached, I was bleeding from multiple wounds, but I said, "I can try."
"Give me the Allspark," Megatron bargained , "And you may live to be my pets."
I snarled, "We are never giving you this cube!"
"So unwise." I sensed, just in time, Megatron swinging a chain mace at us.
In a split second decision, I picked up Sam and jumped. My wings did not take to this kindly. Over the past 24 hours they'd received such a beating that I had trouble keeping us aloft for even a few seconds. It wasn't long after I jumped that I heard that sickening snap, my vision faded out in pain. Before I knew it, we were spiraling downwards. My arms were protecting Sam, for he held the cube. Just as we were about to go splat, something big, red, and blue slammed into us. A hand held us close to a metal chest as we kept falling.
As soon as we touched the ground, Optimus Prime set us down. I stumbled a bit. Sam caught me.
"You risked your lives to protect the cube." Optimus spoke with gratefulness.
I coughed, blood spilling from my mouth, "Quote from Sam's book: No sacrifice. Hnh." I clutched useless wings, "No victory."
Both men nodded, "If I cannot defeat Megatron, one of you must push the cube into my chest. I will sacrifice myself to destroy it." Megatron jumped down, "Get behind me." Optimus ordered. Blacktop flew at us from where Megatron hit the ground. Sam had to drag me. I was vaguely aware of the giant robot showdown going on around me, but I couldn't focus. That seemed to be happening to me a lot lately. I must be out of practice. Sam was trying to get my attention, but something else had me. Standing all around me was my family. All of them. They smiled to me, motioned me to follow them. I tried to, but Sam held me here. Sam and that which he was holding.
"Ra." His voice filtered through, "I need your help."
I looked between him and my family. They smiled again and began to walk away.
"Ra!" Sam slapped me in an attempt to snap me back to the present.
It worked. My family disappeared. Adrenaline flowed through my body. I blinked my sightless eyes and quickly pushed Sam to the ground. Megatron went flying above us. He got back up and tried to get at us. Optimus hit him back, only to be flung to the ground.
"Sam! Put the cube in my chest." Sam hesitated, "Now! Sam!"
He moved to do so and a plan erupted in my mind, "Wait! Give it to me." Sam's hands froze, so I wrenched it from his grip. I turned around, "Hey! Megadouche!" Metatron turned to me, "Yeah, I just said that! Come at me bro!" The con began running towards me. I simply slipped through his legs. He turned and I did it again.
"Stop moving, insect!"
I stuck my tongue out, "You wish!" I began weaving in and out of his limbs. With one short, painful flap of my wings, I was on his back. "Hey, guess what? You can't get me!" Megatron tried to reach me, but his bulky arms couldn't bend that way. I looked to Optimus and shot him an apologetic look. He put together what I was going to do, "Rahab! No!"
"Sorry but you were right. Not all humans are bad. They deserve to live. They deserve a chance to prove themselves." With that, I took my sword and pole vaulted myself to Megatron's front. The cube was pushed into his chest in one swift movement. It began to melt and he screamed. He tried to claw it out, but only succeeded in pushing it further in. In that frenzy, I was knocked off. Sam was right where Megatron's body would fall. I angled myself and landed right next to him. With a tight grip, I jumped as far as I could (which wasn't far considering my wounds.) Just as I had suspected, Megatron landed belly up, right where Sam had been.
When his cries died out, Optimus leaned over Megatron's body, "You left me no choice, brother." His body became lifeless. A single tear escaped my eyes. It was sad to think I had been the one to end his life, even though he was evil he was still a life. And, I hated ending lives. It was something the school had made me do on multiple occasions. I was designed to survive, and to kill. I was a weapon to them. The reason I hated killing was because I did not want to be the monster I was designed to be. After the other decepticons made a break for it the soldiers began to regroup near us. Before anyone could comment, I sniffed and wiped my eyes, clearing any trace of my tear.
"Sam, Rahab." Optimus turned to us, "I owe you two my life. We are in your debt."
A wave of pain rushed over me as the adrenaline in my blood faded, "Uh-huh." I cringed, "Am I the only one who feels like passing out?" That earned a few laughs. But, they were soon cut short.
Ironhide walked over, Jazz in his arms. "Prime, we couldn't save him."
Optimus took his Lt.'s severed body and looked at him with sadness. "Oh Jazz." He sighed, "We lost a great comrade today. But gained new ones as well. Thank you. All of you. You honor us with your bravery."
Bumblebee who was still hooked up to the truck made a noise, "Permission to speak, sir?" It sounded as if it weren't coming from the radio.
"Granted , old friend" Optimus nodded.
"You speak now?" Sam asked.
The 'bot nodded, "I wish to stay with the boy."
"If that is his choice." Optimus allowed.
"Yes." Sam replied happily.
"Nice happy times." With that I started to walk away.
Rachet was the one to notice my agonizingly slow departure. "Where are you going?" He asked.
Human and Autobot eyes alike landed on me. I stopped and sighed, turning back to the ragged group, "Someplace to sleep. To tell the truth I am beat. My wings are broken, and I'm starving."
"Stay with us." Optimus offered, "We can protect you."
"From what?"
"Did you not say before that your creators were trying to kill you?" Ironhide stated.
"I did." I replied, "I guess I could stay a little while. Just until I'm better."
The autobots agreed.