World Beyond Time
See Through the Darkness
"What is wrong with this guy!" howled Hot Shot, staying close to the others.
None of them had seen Sonic Blast as he had snuck up on them. Rapid firing began quickly. The three slowly retreated into a wall, running low on patients. Side Burn continued to look to X-Brawn for explanation and commands, but his brother wasn't helpful. Hot Shot glanced in the last place he'd seen Optimus but the bot was nowhere to be seen. He snarled.
"He left us," Hot Shot growled.
"He wouldn't leave us," snapped Side Burn.
"Not his style," chuckled X-Brawn.
"Oh? How long have you known him?" Hot Shot huffed.
The brothers exchanged looks. Side Burn smiled, offering a shrug. Hot Shot rolled his optics, turning away. Side Burn sighed, glancing at X-Brawn once more. His brother was focused on the attacking Con. There was a nervous feeling inside Side Burn. What if something happened to X-Brawn? He couldn't live with himself if both his brothers were lost because of this jerk of a Decepticon.
"So if he didn't leave us, where is this friend of your?" grumbled Hot Shot.
"Sonic Blast!"
The gunfire stopped as all optics fell on the bot in question. Side Burn smirked, nudging Hot Shot. The latter grumbled again, standing up straight to get a good look at the bot. His battle mask was up, and his optics were pale. Something about him seemed different. A sudden feeling of trust and hope began to bubble. Slowly Prime stepped forward, forming a tight fist.
"What do we have here?" whispered Sonic Blast.
"Your battle is with us!"
"Us?" repeated Hot Shot, looking to Side Burn and X-Brawn. The two shrugged.
"Ah," smirked Sonic Blast. "I see. You've reestablished your connection with those fools of your namesake."
"We will no longer put up with the horrors you've caused. You have crossed a line!"
"So sue me," shrugged Sonic Blast. "Like you lot did anything to stop me."
"The young prime will fix what you have destroyed!"
Sonic Blast frowned, rolling his optics. He crossed his arms, regaining his smile.
"Now, now," he hummed. "I believe you're cheating using this connection. My battle is with an Optimus Prime, not all of them."
"Optimus?" repeated Hot Shot, again looking again to the Autobot brothers. They avoided eye contact. Side Burn even smiled. "He's Optimus Prime!"
"An Optimus Prime," shrugged Side Burn.
"Different dimensions can be so confusing," nodded X-Brawn.
"Different dimensions!" gasped Hot Shot.
"We have grown tired of waiting."
"Then wait no longer," smirked Sonic Blast. "Prepare to die…"
Hot Shot tried not to gasp or sound surprised but it was surprising. He felt like he was the only one who saw it. The weapon simply materialized in Prime's hand. It shimmered white frame, then grey out, and finally a black pistol. No one seemed surprised. Hot Shot grumbled, thinking maybe he was just surprised by things common place for different dimensions. Glancing at the weapon a second time, he recognized it. The pistol was that of his own Optimus Prime.
Whether or not the gun was from his world of not, Hot Shot knew Sonic Blast didn't stand a chance. The Decepticon fired like it was part of his reflexes. Optimus didn't even flinch. Inches before the blast killed him in the spark chamber, Optimus simply stepped to one side. Side Burn's mouth dropped. Hot Shot smirked, nudging him.
"What…" whispered Sonic Blast.
"Together we are stronger than you."
There was a flicker. Optimus groaned, closing his optics, and kneeling. Sonic Blast smirked, stepping closer. The Decepticon soon began to run, arriving at the young Prime and kicking him onto his side. Hot Shot jumped up in rage, but Side Burn held him back. Sonic Blast laughed, walking around the fallen Optimus. The young Prime slowly stood back up, dodging another attack.
"You can't maintain a connection! I pains you to keep it intact!" howled Sonic Blast, knocking him out at the knees.
"We…don't need to remain connected…to stop you!" argued Optimus, jumping up and tackling Sonic Blast to the ground.
"We need to help him!" called Hot Shot, slipping out of Side Burn's grasp. "He needs help!"
"Hot Shot!" pleaded X-Brawn. "Side Burn! Why'd you let him go!"
Side Burn was looking off in another direction, completely distracted. X-Brawn nudged him gently, waking his brother from the daydream. Side Burn smiled, pointing out in the distance. X-Brawn focused his optics. There was a shimmer. With a look of pure surprise, he turned back to Side Burn.
"I believe that is our exit," smiled Side Burn.
"I'll help Hot Shot get Prime and we'll get out of here!" nodded X-Brawn, chasing after Hot Shot.
X-Brawn came into the battle as Optimus had stumbled back and Hot Shot was firing back. Sonic Blast was playing defense but it was easy to tell he wasn't going to play it safe for much longer. Quickly, X-Brawn helped Prime up and was leading him away. Hot Shot covered them, slowly backtracking as X-Brawn led the way.
"Where are we going?" questioned Hot Shot.
"To another world. We need to find a special one to save all the others," answered X-Brawn.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Sonic Blast howled, running after them.
Hot Shot stopped firing, glancing back to X-Brawn for help. The bot was nowhere to be seen. Side Burn, the so-called Optimus, all were gone. Startled and alone, Hot Shot fired a few more shots at the ever approaching Sonic Blast. Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder and he was pulled backward.