Here we go, guys. Sorry it took so long. I decided to get a quizilla account and get a Chester Bennington love story underway. Kill me now.
REVIEW REPLIES!
Sephiroth 200: No can do. Considering she's alive.
haloangel21: Is it sad that I can actually see it?
AlphaTrion3145:Don't you go starting that here!
Guest:Not yet. But I'm getting there.
Awesomo3000:Make me deaf, why don't ya?
Guest: uh…
Guest: I hear that.
Bee4ever: Thanks!
SapphirePrincess1020: When I know, I'll tell ya.
Awesomo3000: How many times do I have to tell you people? I ONLY USE SONGS THAT I LIKE! AND SINCE I PERSONALLY THINK THAT ADELE SOUNDS LIKE SHE'S IN PAIN WHEN SHE SINGS IT, I'LL NEVER USE IT IN MY STORIES!
Sephiroth 200: You'd be amazed at what they don't pick up.
The Mandarin: They will be getting married in this story. Not saying when. And…I'm thinking of possibly having Talida fall pregnant again. Despite me not being a fan of teenage parenting.
AlphaTrion3145: Blame Optimus.
Suggestion Man: Erm…how about only giving me suggestions when I actually ask for them?
C.L.U: Dude, I know. I watch the episodes.
Lancepm: I don't watch Rescue Bots.
Luna Uchiha666: Thanks!
Jenna: Chill. I'm on holidays. So I'm going to be extra fast.
Yorkmaniac89: And more you shall get.
Here we go, everyone!
Transformers: Prime rightfully belongs to Hasbro and The Hub.
© Talida Prime and other OCs rightfully belong to me unless I say otherwise.
Papercut rightfully belongs to Linkin Park and their respective record label.
Heads up! Easier to Run by Linkin Park will be used next chapter. PLEASE REMIND ME OF THIS FACT IN THE REVIEWS!
Am I the only one here that's in love with Chester at the time being? I mean…whoo…
WHAT THE HECK AM I SAYING?!
Anyway…
ENJOY!
"Why does it feel like night today?
Something in here's not right today.
Why am I so uptight today?
Paranoia's all I got left.
I don't know what stressed me first.
Or how the pressure was fed.
But I know just what it feels like,
To have a voice in the back of my head!
Like a face that I hold inside!
A face that awakes when I close my eyes!
A face that watches every time I lie!
A face that laughs every time I fall!
(And watches everything…)
So I know that when it's time to sink or swim,
That the face inside is hearing me,
Right beneath my skin!
It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back!
it's like a whirlwind inside of my head!
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin!"
Previously on Transformers: Prime…
"There is one that Prime seems to respect," Fowler mused.
"Dreadwing! There is another path!" Optimus called.
"Is there any point to your bluster, Prime?" Dreadwing asked.
"The download of the Iacon database may have been incomplete. But we now possess four sets of coordinates decoded by the ship," Ratchet decreed.
"If we are to have any hope of recovering the Iacon relics before the Decepticons do, we must divide our resources," Optimus decreed.
"Divide?!" Talida repeated in disbelief.
"But Optimus! When it comes to numbers, we are already at a grave disadvantage," Ratchet added to the objection.
"Dispatching multiple squadrons will allow us to pursue all four coordinates simultaneously," Megatron stated.
"Triangulate the coordinates of the other three relics. This is one race that we absolutely cannot afford to lose," Optimus rumbled dangerously.
"The coordinates indicate that the second of these four Iacon relics lies at the very bottom of this world," Megatron observed.
"I will journey to the ends of this or any other world to serve your will, Lord Megatron," Dreadwing vowed.
"Then return with my prize, Dreadwing. And prove that you are more worthy of being my second-in-command then those who have preceded you," Megatron requested.
"Innerstat, cross clemp, laser scalpel, durabelium drill and one slightly damaged but operational T-Cog courtesy of my traitorous clone," Starscream listed everything he had, "Everything I require to make myself whole again. A simple painless procedure. Nothing to it really, granted that one possesses the nerve…"
The closer the activated drill came to his chassis, the more his hand shook and the more whimpers that spilled from his mouth. During his time amongst the Decepticon ranks, Starscream was known as two things: a brilliant strategist. And a coward. The second fact was being proven at this moment as Starscream trembled at the prospect of the drill entering his body.
Fortunately for Starscream, the prospect of a slightly painful procedure was dissipated. The computers aboard the Harbinger began to beep and provide the same four sets of coordinates the Decepticon warship decrypted while it was fuelled by Dark Energon.
"Four detachments of Decepticons GroundBridging to four different coordinates at the exact same time?" Starscream observed before smirking, "Procedure delayed."
TRANSFORMERS PRIME
"I know I've got a face in me.
Points out all my mistakes to me.
You've got a face on the inside too.
Your paranoia's probably worse.
I don't know what set me off first.
But I know where I can't stand.
Everybody acts like the fact of the matter is,
I can't add up to what you can.
But everybody has a face that they hold inside.
A face that awakes when I close my eyes.
A face that watches every time they lie.
A face that laughs every time they fall.
(And watches everything…)
So you know that when it's time to sick or swim,
That the face inside is watching you too!
Right inside your skin!
It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back!
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head!
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin!
It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back!
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head!
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin!"
"Be on your guard, Bulkhead!" Optimus called to the former Wrecker as he raced his way through the GroundBridge.
After seeing Arcee, Jack, Talida, Bumblebee and Miko off to New York to retrieve the first relic, Bulkhead was the next to go chasing after the last set of coordinates. Very much like Megatron, they were chasing them simultaneously. Arcee, Jack, Talida, Bumblebee and Miko would chase after the first Iacon relic. Optimus would chase after the second relic. Ratchet would investigate the third (with some help). And Bulkhead would travel to the last set of coordinates. However, they knew that the Decepticons would still be at an advantage due to the fact that they possessed the entire Iacon database while they only possessed the four decoded coordinates.
"Rafael, lock on to the remaining coordinates. I will embark for the Antarctic," Optimus decided.
Immediately, Raf whirled around in his chair to face the silver laptop on the desk. Using his laptop, he tapped into the GroundBridge systems and began locking on to the two remaining coordinates while Optimus continued delegating jobs.
"As for you, old friend, I would prefer that you have company on your mission," Optimus said.
"There's no one left to join me, Optimus!" Ratchet immediately objected, "Even if Agent Fowler were alert…"
"Ohjemnoy," Fowler mumbled, proving Ratchet's point.
"He's human," Ratchet finished his sentence, proving that he still holds his point about humans being nothing but a nuisance.
"I was considering the only remaining Autobot alternative on this planet," Optimus confessed.
Ratchet stuttered and blubbered as he realized who Optimus was talking about, "You can't be serious! Wheeljack is insubordinate! A ruffian! Besides, he's Bulkhead partner!"
"Your expertise is scientific and Wheeljack is a highly capable warrior," Optimus reasoned.
"So is Talida! Can't you just call her back and she can come with me?!" Ratchet pleaded.
"There is a reason she went with Arcee, Bumblebee, Jack and Miko. While Jack is capable of covering Arcee and Bumblebee in terms of them being seen and Miko is very familiar with the subway network, neither of them know the city itself. Not like Talida does. You would be wise to welcome the temporary alliance," Optimus advised, indicating that there was no room for argument.
Ratchet just sighed and pinched the ends of his nose plates. He knew better then to argue with Optimus. He was right. His expertise is purely scientific. Unlike Wheeljack, he has next-to-no experience in the battlefield. Wheeljack was a member of the Wreckers and has seen plenty of action. And that wasn't just based on the stories Bulkhead told Talida growing up.
Ratchet didn't argue for another reason as well. He knew that there was a reason behind everything Optimus does. He couldn't exactly question that.
Starscream was somewhat satisfied with his work as he used a remote device to open a GroundBridge portal.
"Ah… A remote control for the GroundBridge. I love Decepticon scientists," Starscream smirked.
Since Starscream was no longer able to fly due to the loss of his T-Cog, he needed a different mode of transport to make his way through the Antarctic. And his mode of transport just happened to be the hovering Cybertronian equivilant of an old person's motorized scooter.
And it just happened to be one that didn't travel fast.
"I despise this planet! If it isn't a scorching desert, it is a frigid wasteland!" Starscream grumbled, shivering slightly in the cold, "Now where are the Decepticon berthing?"
As he pondered, Starscream looked ahead to see if he could find them. However, he was looking in the wrong place as they appeared from behind. When they noticed who was in the Antarctic with them, they turned around and opened fire. Starscream's motorized scooter couldn't travel fast enough as he whirled around and proceeded to make a not-so-hasty retreat.
"YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE OF TRANSPORTATION!" Starscream cried.
Starscream let out another yell as the scooter toppled and he tumbled in the snow. The flakes of ice and snow in his joints gave him a stiff and unpleasant sensation. However, he couldn't take the time to do anything about it as the Decepticons who were attacking him transformed into their bipedal mode and landed before him.
"Decepticons! Do you not realize you just shot down your ship's commander?!" Starscream roared, hoping that they would believe his little deception.
Hearing another thud behind him, Starscream turned around and almost gaped. Standing before him with his weapon ready to fire if necessary was Dreadwing. And Starscream was certainly in for a nasty shock.
"You command no one, deserter," Dreadwing objected.
"Skyquake?!" Starscream quivered, "You're…"
"You mistake me for my brother who is one with the AllSpark, as you are without doubt aware, former Commander Starscream," Dreadwing snarled, causing Starscream to quiver nervously, "Were it up to me, I would end this here and now."
Hearing the sounds of a clank, hiss and beep, Starscream looked down in confusion. To his horror, he saw that his hands were cuffed together and left unable to fight.
"But it is my duty as first lieutenant to Megatron to render all traitors to my lord and master for due punishment," Dreadwing finished.
"FIRST LIEUTENANT?!" Starscream screeched in disbelief, "THAT'S MY POST!"
Starscream grew to regret blurting that out as the Vehicons surrounding them unfolded their blasters and aimed them at Starscream. While all traitors were to be brought to Megatron to be dealt the appropriate punishment, they were still allowed to shoot first and ask questions later if their prisoner attempted to escape or posed a threat to a high-ranking Decepticon. And since he was first lieutenant, Dreadwing fell into that category.
"Was my post," Starscream relented sheepishly.
Not wanting to be shot for resisting their attempts of capture, Starscream followed the Decepticons willingly through the Antarctic on the hunt of the relic.
"Commander Dreadwing, this must be a very important mission if Megatron has dispatched his second-in-command. Scouting for Energon or something else altogether?" Starscream inquired.
"That is none of your concern," was all Dreadwing said as he continued ahead.
"If I knew what you were looking for, perhaps I could help," Starscream mused, only to gasp in pain as a Vehicon sharply pressed his blaster into his back.
"We have arrived at the coordinates," Dreadwing proclaimed.
However, to Dreadwing's horror, there was nothing there waiting for them. Nothing but a large cavern that was almost frozen over and a bunch of red flags. Clearly, someone had excavated the find and used the flags to mark the spot.
"The relic! It has been taken!" Dreadwing gasped.
"Relic?! What relic?!" Starscream demanded.
"Search the area!" Dreadwing immediately instructed.
Above them, Optimus stood on the ledge of a glacier. He had just arrived at the scene and noticed that the relic was excavated before either of them arrived. If it wasn't the Decepticons and certainly wasn't the Autobots, then…
Who took the relic?
"Commander Dreadwing, we have discovered vehicle tracks," one Vehicon reported, causing Dreadwing's eyes to widen in horror if they hadn't already.
"The Autobots," Dreadwing snarled as his fist clenched in anger.
"Perhaps. Though I've never known them to plant flags at the site of their victories. Although, if that annoying little techno-organic was involved," Starscream mused.
Dreadwing lifted Starscream into the air by his throat and warned dangerously, "Do not try me, traitor! I will leave your lifeless husk in this frozen waste!"
Dreadwing stopped when he heard the sound of a throaty engine approaching. Turning around, he saw a familiar red-and-blue truck coming closer to them. Immediately, he knew who it was.
"You two, guard the prisoner," Dreadwing instructed as he pointed to two random Vehicons as Optimus transformed and stood before them, "Optimus Prime! I will request only once that you surrender the relic!"
"I was going to request the same of you, Dreadwing," Optimus confessed.
"Then I would say that we were on equal footing…were it not that there were five of us and only one of you," Dreadwing shrugged.
"Six! If you'd relieve me of these ridiculous radicals!" Starscream gritted as he struggled against his cuffs to prove his point.
Optimus said nothing and he did nothing. Instead, he just stood there calmly. Dreadwing was right about one thing. The relic had been excavated hours before. And neither side was willing to admit that the relic had fallen into their hands. However, Dreadwing was right about something else he had stated before. Optimus was going to battle solo against five Decepticons. He'd count Starscream in the mix. But since he was cuffed, he didn't feel that it was necessary to worry.
After a few moments in a Mexican standoff, the Decepticons made the first move. The Vehicons unfolded their blasters and Dreadwing unveiled his own weapon. They all began opening fire on the Autobot leader. Effortlessly, Optimus began dancing around to avoid the shots while returning fire himself. In the space of a few moments, he managed to take down two Vehicons who dared to come closer.
Dreadwing bared his denta in frustration. He swore to Megatron that he would return with the relic and keep it out of the hands of anyone else. He also swore to himself that he would personally punish those responsible for his brother's death.
Starscream, because he was in charge of the Decepticons when his death happened.
Bumblebee, because he was the one who ripped out most of Skyquake's vital cables.
And Optimus, because he, in a way, held a hand in the death of his twin brother happened.
So when Optimus managed to hit him in the arm, he saw red. He changed ammo. Instead of the regular blaster fire, he began shooting explosives. Optimus decided to do what Talida did frequently to avoid fire in the battlefield. He jumped in the air and flipped as the explosives whizzed past beneath him. When he landed in a crouched position in the snow, the explosives detonated behind him.
Dreadwing wasn't going to let this end with the Autobots emerge victorious. So he unsheathed his sword and went to strike the approaching Optimus. Optimus, however, had unsheathed his own swords and blocked the oncoming attack. A swordfight occurred between them. Each one either making or blocking attacks.
Eventually, they tired of that fight and decided to upgrade to hand-to-hand combat. It began with Dreadwing tackling Optimus. However, he tackled him so hard that they ended up toppling over the edge of the glacier. To those standing far from the glacier's edge – namely Starscream and the surviving Vehicons – the drop would appear to be significantly high.
In reality, the drop was nothing more then a few meters and Optimus and Dreadwing were relatively unharmed. In fact, they continued their fight. Dreadwing essentially gained the upper hand and knocked Optimus to the ground. In retaliation, he transformed his hand into his blasters and fired at the glacier behind him.
This amused the loyal Decepticon, who crowed, "Your aim is poor."
As usual, the Autobot made the Decepticon first lieutenant eat his words. Looking up when he heard the all-too familiar sound, he saw the glacier begin to crumble. He only realized too late what Optimus had just done.
"That is only a matter of perspective," Optimus retorted as he stood and backed away.
"NO!"
Dreadwing's cry echoed around the Antarctic as the glacier came down on top of him, burying him alive in the cold and dark.
"A stalemate would leave us…where?" Starscream pondered in confusion as they arrived at the scene.
"Commander Dreadwing!" a Vehicon called to the approaching shadow.
Very much like Dreadwing did, they learned in horror the real situation. However, unlike Dreadwing, they were quick to learn how to retaliate. Starscream backed away as he saw the Vehicons and Optimus duke it out. Glancing at the Vehicon opening fire next to him, an idea formed in his head.
He grabbed the Vehicon's blaster and roughly pulled it away from Optimus. The other Vehicon noticed and decided to open fire on Starscream instead. Quickly, the Decepticon rogue pulled the struggling Vehicon in front of him and use him as a shield. The Vehicon he held was killed instantly. Now he had one more Vehicon to take care of.
BANG!
Or not.
Optimus walked forward with smoking blasters. It was clear that he was the one who fired the shot after finishing his battle with the drones. Slowly, cautiously and dangerously, the Autobot leader approached the rogue.
"What a team we make!" Starscream pretended to crow as he approached Optimus, "And I am so glad that you prevailed, Optimus Prime! That wretched Dreadwing was going to terminate me! Now if you could just remove my bonds, I can lead you straight to the relic!"
One thing that Starscream didn't expect was for Optimus to turn his blasters against him and rumble dangerously,
"You will lead me there regardless."
"You're welcome," Starscream grumbled with a slight scoff.
As the wind picked up, Optimus and Starscream walked through the snow. Starscream lead the way as Optimus stood a few feet behind him with his blaster unfolded. If Starscream tried anything or mentioned his family in the wrong way, he was a popsicle.
"Be reasonable, Prime! This cold will freeze both our articulators!" Starscream stated, "And you do have a spark mate, daughter and son that depend on you!"
"The current temperatures aren't extreme enough to effect our biology," Optimus retorted, "And if you value your life, I would keep my family out of this. Otherwise, you'll be fine."
"Fine. Miserable. And I cannot believe you'd take our alliances for granted after all I have done for the Autobots! Helping to restore your memory, saving the lives of your spark mate and daughter…," Starscream trailed off slyly.
"While you have at times proved beneficial to us, it has been only to improve your own interests," Optimus retaliated, causing Starscream to snarl in frustration.
"Well, we all can't be as selfless as you, can we? I mean, even your own daughter is second best compared to you," Starscream sniped.
"I do believe that I have warned you to keep my family out of something that doesn't involve them. And you don't know my daughter. So stop pretending that you do," Optimus rumbled dangerously.
Eventually, even Optimus had to admit. While this place was no Arctic, the Antarctic still had its own bitter winds that were biting at their joints. Fortunately, Optimus was radiating enough warmth through his large body to survive. He also remembered a trick that Talida had told him about. About how when she, Jack, Arcee and Alpha Trion were in the monorail on Cybertron and she couldn't stay warm.
"Whenever I feel cold, I just close my eyes and think of the warm memories. I think of all the times I would spend with you, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Cliffjumper; and believe it or not, Ratchet. I'd think of the campfires Jack and I used to have in the backyard. I'd think of your hugs. Sometimes, I'd just remember warmth in general."
So Optimus took his daughter's advice to spark. He thought of warm memories. He thought of every hug he had shared with Talida. From a baby to a young woman. He thought of every moment with his family. He thought of…well, everything he held dear.
"Ahhh…," Starscream's hum broke Optimus from his thoughts of happy memories as they arrived at a hill overlooking a small building, "As I suspected, humans. We will find the relic here. So let us reclaim what is rightfully ours."
Starscream took a few steps closer to the edge of the hill to continue the journey, only to be roughly yanked back by Optimus as the Autobot leader grabbed his wings in a painful manner. The Decepticon rogue almost cried out in pain at the harsh treatment.
Then again, he couldn't help but think he deserved it in a way after all he's done.
"We cannot just simply enter a human facility in search of Cybertronian relics," Optimus objected, unwilling to put any human in harm's way.
"Not even if they stole it?" Starscream asked wryly.
"Nor can I expose any humans to a dangerous Decepticon," Optimus added as a final note on the matter before he opened his commlink, "Rafael, has Agent Fowler regained consciousness?"
"I'm here, Prime," Fowler answered on Raf's behalf, "What's your situation?"
"I require access to a search facility at my current coordinates," Optimus clarified.
"Let me make a call."
The sound of a yell and ice breaking could be heard around the glaciers. A slightly-frozen hand reached up into the ice to pull the remaining body free. Dreadwing had freed his way out of the icy grave and immediately began walking. When he saw the fallen Vehicons as he grabbed his sword, he knew what happened.
The footprints in the snow were another indicator. It would also lead him to where he needed to go.
So he transformed into his jet mode, hoping he would arrive before it was too late.
"Are we really going to wait out here in the freezing cold completely at the mercy of human bureaucracy?!" Starscream asked incredulously.
At that moment, they turned around and saw three helicopters taking off. They didn't need Fowler's next message to tell them what they already knew.
"Base is clear, Prime. Try not to wreck the joint."
"Many thanks, Agent Fowler," Optimus thanked as he and Starscream moved forward.
With little effort, Optimus pushed the doors wide open and walked inside. Naturally, Starscream was hot on his heels. Standing there in the centre of the room was the relic. The good news is that they finally found the relic. The bad news is…
"The relic is still incased in ice," Optimus observed.
"I knew of your questionably honors, Starscream! But aiding the Autobots?! THAT is a capitol offence!" Dreadwing growled as he appeared in the doorway.
"What?! But I left tracks for you! On purpose! So you could rescue me from my captor!" Starscream objected.
"Dreadwing, I cannot allow you to leave here with this relic," Optimus decreed as he stood between Dreadwing, Starscream and the relic, unwilling to let the relic get away.
"I know that, Prime. But I do not intend to give you a choice," Dreadwing retorted.
The firefight began between the two enemies once again, despite Fowler's earlier instructions that they were not to wreck the place. As Optimus tackled Dreadwing, the gun that the Decepticon favored so dearly slipped from his grasp. It skidded across the ice for a few feet before coming to a stop close by.
Smirking as he watched the two fight, Starscream turned to face the relic. Essentially, Optimus and Dreadwing would learn the grave mistake they had made.
"Given all the fuss, this relic must be special," Starscream mused as he tapped the ice case.
Laughing in glee, he got creative as he used his cuffs to smash the ice.
Hearing beeps and seeing Dreadwing holding a remote, Optimus looked down and saw one of Dreadwing's trademark bombs strapped to his chassis. Quickly, he threw the bomb away and ran off before he was caught in the explosion.
Once Starscream had smashed through the ice, he took the relic in his hands and pulled it out.
"Armor of Decepticon origin," Starscream observed as he glanced at the armor in his hands.
Immediately, he placed the icon on his chassis. The armor began to form around his body. When the sleeves reached his wrists, the cuffs broke into two pieces. Starscream seemed to grow taller as he stood upright and his head was encased in a helmet once the encasement was complete. Standing there, Starscream smirked.
Optimus and Dreadwing won't know what's coming.
Optimus grunted as he found himself face planting the cold, slippery ice. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Dreadwing hold the sword in his hands and hold it up. However, Dreadwing would never get the chance to strike Optimus down. A mysterious bang made sure of that. Turning around, they saw Starscream standing there encased in a strange armor. It didn't take them long to realize that the armor encasing Starscream was in fact the Iacon relic they were searching for.
"The Apex Armor," Optimus rumbled in observation.
"A perfect fit," Starscream boasted happily.
"You dare to claim that which belongs to Lord Megatron?!" Dreadwing exclaimed.
"And what do you intend to do about it, Commander?" Starscream challenged with a smirk.
Never one to back down from a fight, Dreadwing charged at Starscream. Starscream's thick chassis knocked back Dreadwing's sword with ease, causing Starscream to cackle in glee as he easily knocked Dreadwing away with one hand.
"Not so big and strong now, are you?!" Starscream taunted, "I haven't had this much fun since I punched that hole in Cliffjumper! Allow me to reunite you with your beloved twin!"
Despite the two of them being on different sides, Optimus wouldn't let that happen. He easily knocked Starscream to the ground and the tractor he had picked up flying into the air, which narrowly avoided Dreadwing as it landed. Easily, Starscream blocked Optimus' next attack.
"And you, Optimus Prime, I will beat the living spark out of you! Just so I never again have to deal with your bon trifurcating! Allow me to reunite you with your dear friend! I believe that her name was Princess Rayna. Oh! And don't worry about your precious family! They'll soon be joining you!" Starscream vowed.
Before Optimus could retaliate, Starscream threw him into the pile of crates. Very much like Optimus did for him, Dreadwing retaliated on Optimus' behalf. He used his recently-retreated gun to fire Energon blasts at the Decepticon rogue before making another attempted swipe with his sword. This time, to his head. The glass that made up Starscream's helmet didn't even make the tiniest crack. Eventually, Starscream threw Dreadwing into the same crates Optimus was rising from.
"Dreadwing, our battle remains unfinished. But if we do not unite against our common foe," Optimus began.
"Starscream would destroy us both," Dreadwing finished with a knowing sneer.
If there was one thing Dreadwing hated, it was the fact that his enemy was right. He knew this was true by the way Starscream approached them with a chuckle.
"I will draw his attention," Dreadwing decided as he handed Optimus one of his bombs.
Transforming into his jet mode, Dreadwing flew away and made sure Starscream saw so that their little plan would work. He eventually turned around and flew back towards Starscream, firing multiple bullets with his already-installed guns. The bullets raining down upon him didn't faze the Decepticon rogue. His armor protected him from any threat. In fact, he raced forward, jumped and hit Dreadwing hard enough to send him hurtling to the ground.
"Might beats flight!" Starscream boasted.
Behind him, Optimus jumped onto Starscream's back and performed his part of the plan. Just as quickly as he did with Dreadwing, Starscream sent the Autobot leader hurtling through the air and onto the cold ice a few feet away. With their common foe distracted by Optimus, Dreadwing looked up and smirked as he stood.
"You should be the one to join with the AllSpark!" Dreadwing crowed as he pressed the button on his remote.
As he heard the familiar rapid beeps, Starscream's optics widened in horror. Once again, he realized too late the situation he was placed under. As he turned around and tried to remove the bomb, it detonated while it was still attached. Cautiously stepping forward, Optimus and Dreadwing surveyed the damage.
However, as they heard Starscream's chuckles and the smoke began to clear, they saw that there was little to no damage done to Starscream.
So much for Plan A.
"That tickles!" Starscream cackled, "Fools! Not only am I intelligent! I AM INVISIBLE!"
"Yet you cannot fly!" Optimus called out.
"Nobody's perfect," was Starscream's response as he approached Optimus, "Now tell me of the other three relics. Are they as powerful as my shiny new armor?"
Dreadwing watched as Starscream backhanded Optimus in a way that sent him flying. Inside his mind, an idea formed in his head.
But would it work? At least, better then their last attempt?
"They were hidden away precisely to keep them away from the likes of you!" Optimus snarled as he repeatedly pounded at the Apex Armor protecting Starscream, the anger about the earlier remarks Starscream made about his family fueling each hit.
"He is far too powerful, Prime!" Dreadwing called in warning, "Fall back!"
"Cowards!" Starscream roared as Optimus transformed and drove to stand next to Dreadwing, "You will not escape my might! Wait! You two are up to something!"
All Dreadwing did was hit that same button on that special remote of his and once again, Starscream heard the familiar sounds of the rapid beeps. Multiple rapid beeps from multiple sources. Glancing around, he saw that Dreadwing had planted bombs in a circle around his position. As Optimus and Dreadwing began making a hasty retreat…
KA-BOOM!
They were knocked off their feet by a strong gush of wind and the force of fire. Starscream let out a long, drawn out, pain filled scream as he fell into the dark abyss. Optimus and Dreadwing walked forward to survey the damage. For once, they had caused the damage they had intended to cause. There was a dark icy hole where Starscream once stood. They knew that the hole had swallowed him whole.
"Now that our alliance has served its purpose," Dreadwing began as he unsheathed his sword.
"Starscream is gone and the Apex Armor with him," Optimus stated as he transformed his servo into his sword, "Is there any need to renew battle when the goal has been lost?"
"We have other unfinished matters," Dreadwing snarled.
"I bore Skyquake no malice. I regret the role that I played in his demise," Optimus swore as he transformed his sword back into his servo before beginning his plea, "So I will appeal to you as I once did your twin. Turn your back on the Decepticon cause and help me end this war. For his sake and all that have fallen."
Dreadwing thought on the offer for a moment, before placing its sword back into its sheath and saying, "You have saved my life today. I will terminate you the next time we meet. Be sure to give my best regards to your spark mate, your techno-organic and your sparkling."
With those words said, Dreadwing transformed into his jet mode and flew away into the Southern Aurora.
"So be it, Dreadwing," Optimus sighed.
On the seabed below the ice, a figure marched across the sandy ground. Its footsteps heavy. Its body bulky. Its snarl filled with malice and vengeance. Red optics filled with dangerous intentions.
It was Starscream.
"The face inside is right beneath your skin…
The face inside is right beneath your skin…
The face inside is right beneath your skin…
The sun… Goes down…
I feel the light betray me…
The sun… Goes down…
I feel the light betray me…
(The sun...) It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back!
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head!
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
(I feel the light betray me…) It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin!
(The sun…) It's like I'm paranoid lookin' over my back!
It's like a whirlwind inside of my head!
It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
(I feel the light betray me…) It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
(The sun…) It's like I can't stop what I'm hearing within!
It's like the face inside is right beneath my skin!"
In the words of Bulkhead…
HA HA! JACKIE'S BACK!
Wheeljack: You might wanna hold onto something.
Show the Jackhammer crashing into a cliff edge before flying on.
Next time on Talida Prime: Rising Storms…
Wheeljack: We've got a bogey on our tail.
Show the Jackhammer in a crash dive
Megatron: RETRIEVE THE RELIC!
Show Soundwave with a cracked visor
Show Soundwave and Wheeljack in a Mexican standoff on a cliff
Show Wheeljack holding his swords in his hands as Soundwave unveils his own
Show Wheeljack in his vehicle mode flying over the edge of the cliff
Show Wheeljack and Soundwave fighting
Show Wheeljack's sword scraping Soundwave's visor
Show Ratchet holding a small glowing cylinder
Wheeljack: I'll be there in two minutes.
Ratchet: More or less.
Show Soundwave's claw clutching Wheeljack's chassis
Ratchet: Wheeljack?!
Talida Prime: Rising Storms
More to come soon…
Only on FanFiction…
Well, BYE!