Chapter 10: The Decision
Starscream: This is your last chance. Tell me where the Geass stone is or your friend here dies.
Arcee: I keep telling you, I don't know where it is!
Starscream: (sigh) We're not going to get anything out of her. Airachnid extinquish his spark.
Airachnid: My pleasure.
Arcee: No! Please! Please!
Springer shuts his eyes as Airachnid was about to kill him, but then somebody shoots Airachnid. Everybody looks up and see's Optimus Prime, Hot Rod, Goldbug and Ultra Magnus has finally arrived. Starscream jumps aside to avoid enemy fire and watches his commrads take on the Autobots. Ultra Magnus shoves Tankor aside to free Jazz and Cliffjumper. Ultra Magnus lifts up Tankor and throws him. Goldbug rushes to check on Blurr, luckily he's alright. Optimus free's Springer by turning his hand into a small laser and burns off the web. Hot Rod kicks Jetstorm and free's Arcee doing the same thing.
Hot Rod: ( helping Arcee back to her feet) Are you alright Arcee?
Arcee: I'm fine now that your here. Thanks. ( see's Springer with Optimus) Springer!
Arcee rushes over to Springer and hugs him.
Springer: Hey relax Arcee. I'm fine really.
Arcee: I was just so worried about you.
Goldbug: Are you okay Blurr?
Blurr: I'm fine. Really, really, really, I'm okay. Took a bit of damage from that Decepticon, but still functiong. Thank you for asking?
Optimus Prime: I'm glad to see all alright.
Arcee: I'm glad that you made it. We thought we were all...( Galvatron and his men land behind Optimus and it startles her along with Springer and Blurr) GALVATRON!
They pull out their weapons ready to fire, but Optimus calms them down.
Optimus Prime: Hold your fire. Galvatron and his Decepticons are with us.
Arcee: (confused) What?
Springer: Optimus did you hit your head or something?
Ultra Magnus: We formed a temporary alliance with him so we can stop Starscream.
Cliffjumper: An alliance? With him?
Hot Rod: Believe me, I don't like this as much as you do.
Scourge:( whispering to Cyclonus) Not as much as we do.
Spike: Arcee, where is Carly and Daniel?
Arcee: Don't worry Spike. I had Wheelie drive them far away from Autobot City as far as possible.
Spike: ( sighs in relief) Thank God.
Galvatron: Who cares?! Where is Starscream?
Starscream: Over hear Galvatron.
Starscream lands and his Decepticons join up with him.
Starscream: ( last line is spoken in a dissapointed expression) Galvatron, I'm surprised to see you...alive.
Starscream then see's Optimus Prime.
Starscream: Ahhh, Optimus Prime. How wonderful to see you again.
Optimus Prime: Leave this planet at once Starscream.
Starscream: Not a chance Prime! Not until I get what I want.
Optimus Prime: You'll never have the Geass Stone.
Starscream: Tell me where it is or I'll... Oh wait I forgot.
Starscream takes out his blue geass stone and uses it on Optimus Prime. But when he asks him where it is, the stone had no affect on Optimus.
Starscream: What? Is this thing even working?
Hot Rod: ( in his mind) The Matrix, it's protecting him from it's power.
Jetstorm: Not this again.
Airachnid: It should have unlimited power. Something is protecting the Autobot.
Starscream: Nevermind I'll try it on someone else.
Starscream instead uses the stone on Ultra Magnus.
Starscream: How about you Ultra Magnus?
This time it starts to take effect on him.
Ultra Magnus: ( yells as he tries to resist) NO, NO, NO, NOOOAAHHHHHHHH!
Optimus Prime: Ultra Magnus!
Arcee: What's happening to him?
Starscream: Ahhh now it's working. Ultra Magnus destroy Optimus Prime.
Ultra Magnus: Yes Lord Starscream. I will destroy Optimus Prime.
Ultra Magnus then engages into combat with Optimus Prime. Optimus was holding back mainly because he doesn't want to hurt his friend. But Ultra Magnus doesn't care since he is under Starscream's control.
Hot Rod: Optimus!
Arcee: Hot Rod, wait!
Hot Rod runs over to save Optimus and tries to talk to Ultra Magnus. Optimus is on the ground and as Ultra Magnus walks towards him to finish him off, Hot Rod jumps in front of him.
Hot Rod: Ultra Magnus stop! Optimus is our friend!
Ultra Magnus: No, I only obey Starscream. And you will die as well!
Ultra Magnus punches Hot Rod knocking him to the ground with Optimus.
Optimus Prime: Hot Rod!
Optimus gets back on his feet and tackles Ultra Magnus. This time he tries fight back, but not so hard that it would fatally harm him. Arcee rushes to Hot Rod and helps him get away from the fight.
Galvatron: This is getting stupid.
Galvatron now getting impatient aims his cannon at Ultra Magnus.
Springer: No!
But before he can fire, Springer moves his arm away causing him to miss his target.
Galvatron: You fool! What are you doing?
Springer: What am I doing? You were about to shoot Ultra Magnus!
Galvatron: He is under Starscream's control. There's nothing you can do.
Springer: That doesn't mean you should destroy him.
Cyclonus: How dare you interfere the great Galvatron.
Godbug: More like the sociopathic Galvatron.
Cyclonus: Stay out of this runt.
Jazz: You want try and start a fight cone head.
Cyclonus: Why you...
Hot Rod: Would you all cut it out? We gotta help Optimus.
Blurr: But what can we do? Utra Magnus is too strong. Not to mention won't listen to us. Not without that stone, but Starscream has the stone. What to we do? What do we do?
Optimus continues fighting Ultra Magnus. Optimus knocks him to the ground and locks Magnus's arms, as he does so he tries to talk to him.
Optimus Prime: Ultra Magnus snap out of it, this isn't you. Your a Autobot, a warrior, and a friend.
Ultra Magnus: Liar! I have no friends. I serve only my master.
Ultra Magnus breaks free. He punches and kicks Optimus sending him to the ground and begins to strangle him and prepares to finish him off.
Optimus Prime: ( gasping for air) U-Ultra ...Ma-Magnus...
Ultra Magnus: Die Optimus Prime.
Hot Rod: Ultra Magnus, no!
Starscream: That's it Ultra Magnus finish him off. Bring me his head.
But then Starscream gets hit in the back a fire blast and drops two of his Geass Stones ( the green and blue ones).
Starscream: Who did that!?
Grimlock: Me Grimlock say leave friend alone.
Grimlock appears behind him ready to fight.
Starscream: The stones! Get them!
Tankor tries to get the geass stones but is blocked by Grimlock. Tankor shoots Grimlock and Grimlock breathes fire at Tankor. Tankor punches Grimlock, but he bites him on the arm and the hits him with his tail. Grimlock transforms into robot mode so he can have an actual hand to hand fight, both seem to be equally matched since they are the strongest of the two groups.
Tankor: Give up lizard, you're no match for the power of Tankor!
Grimlock: Me Grimlock stronger than bozo Decepticon. Me Grimlock will win!
Tankor: You're the bozo!
Tankor punches Grimlock and then uppercuts him. But Grimlock sweeps Tankors leg. Grimlock grabs Tankor and throws him into a wall, he then charges right at him, but then he is blasted by Tankor's turret, but Grimlock gets back up and pounds him into the ground. Tankor gets back up, but is immediately shot by Grimlock's laser gun and falls off the cliff of the city.
Hot Rod mangages to get the blue stone, but the green stone is taken by Jetstorm. Hot Rod begins to fight Jetstorm. Since Jetstorm can hover in the air, he constantly dodges Hot Rod's lasers.
Hot Rod: ( trying to shoot Jetstorm, but constatly misses) Hold still will ya?
Jetstorm: Miss me! Whoops, miss again! Tell you what I give you a free shot on me. ( But dodges another laser) Aww, so close!
Hot Rod: ( thinking to himself) He's too fast, how am I gonna...wait a minute.
Hot Rod notices a tower behind Jetstorm, he instead shoots the tower causing it to collapse.
Jetstorm: Missed me, missed me! Now you gotta kiss me!
Hot Rod: (said smirking) No I didn't.
Jetstorm: Say what?
Jetstorm gets crushed by the tower.
Jetstorm: AAAUUGHHH! I can't get out. I'm stuck.
Hot Rod: ( taking the green geass stone) I'll take that thank you.
Jetstorm: No fair! You cheated!
Hot Rod: No, you just talk to much.
Airachnid: So do you.
Hot Rod turns around but is shot by Airachnid's web. Hot Rod's whole body is now stuck to the ground.
Airachnid: You boys are so weak, I thought men were strong?
Airachnid takes the geass stones.
Arcee: Stop! Give those back.
Airachnid: Why don't you make me?
Arcee: I will.
Arcee and Airachnid engage in combat. Arcee punches Airachnid in the face and kicks her in the stomach sending her flying towards a wall in the process. Arcee quickly rushes to Hot Rod trying to free him.
Hot Rod: Don't worry about me, go get the stones.
Arcee: Right.
Arcee rushes to the stones, but Airacnhind jump kicks her sending her to the ground. She tries to get back up but Airchnid pulls her leg and throws her to the otherside.
Arcee: Auugghh!
Hot Rod: Arcee no!
Springer: Arcee!
Springer springs into action. He charges Airachnid shooting her, but she manages to dodge quickly. As he got closer he tries to punch Airachnid, but she jumps and lands right behind him and blasts him in the back. Springer falls to the ground.
Airachnid: Trying to save the dansel in distress again? Cute, but cliched and pathetic.
As Airchnid was about to finish him off, Arcee in vehicle mode drives at top speed and off a ramp. She flies up and hits Airachnid really hard that she drops the geass stones falls off the edge of Autobot City and into the water. Arcee transforms back into robot mode.
Springer: Are you alright?
Arcee: ( talks while panting) Yeah, a few scrapes and bruises here and there, but I'm fine.
Springer: Thank the Allspark your alright.
Arcee: Oh no! I forgot Hot Rod.
Arcee and Springer rushes over to help Hot Rod out. Springer uses his laser to cut through the web.
Hot Rod: Thanks.
Springer: Don't mention
Hot Rod: Do you have the stones?
Arcee: Got it right here.
Arcee shows the the geass stones.
Hot Rod: Quickly, stop Ultra Magnus before its too late.
They run towards Ultra Magnus who is still fighting Optimus Prime. Arcee uses the blue geass stone and has Ultra Magnus to stop fighting.
Arcee: Ultra Magnus stop fighting Optimus Prime.
Ultra Magnus: Kill Optiumus... wha-what am I doing? ( looks down and see's his hands around Optimus's throat and lets go) Optimus! What have I done?
Optimus Prime: It's not your fault. I know you wouldn't do it on purpose old friend.
Starscream: No! Those are mine!
Optimus Prime: Give it up Starscream, we have three of your stones, surrender your last one to us or we will take it by force.
Starscream: I got a better idea Prime, lets play a game.
Starscream uses his yellow geass stone. With it it allowed him to create shadow clones of himself. He made three copies of himself.
Hot Rod: Oh great, quardruple trouble.
Starscream and his clones: See if you can find which one is the real me. Ahahahahahaha!
Blurr: This is not good, which one is the real one? I don't know maybe it's him or him or him, oh I don't know. Now I'm just confusing myself.
Galvatron: I don't have time for this! Die!
Galvatron tries to shoot Starscream and his clones but misses.
Starscream and his clones: Na, ah, ah. You can't break the rules Galvatron.
Starscream and his clones flew around in circles to confuse the Autobots and split up.
Optimus Prime: Hot Rod you head further down to the city. Ultra Magnus take the exit, Galvatron the mountains, I'll head towards west on the city.
Spike: I'm coming with you Optimus.
Optimus Prime: Very well Spike. Arcee, you Grimlock and everyone else help the others. Transform and roll out!
Arcee: Good Luck guys. Come on, we gotta help everyone else.
Springer: Don't go anywhere without me.
Grimlock: Me Grimlock go help other dinobots.
Goldbug: Come on Jazz lets get to the defense towers.
Jazz: Alright time to kick some more Decepticon butt, you coming Cliff?
Cliffjumper: You know I am! Let's go Blurr.
Blurr: I'm coming, I am coming, don't leave me behind wait for me! Wait for me!
Everyone transforms and heads chases after the clones. Ultra Magnus chased one of the Starscreams to the exit, Ultra Magnus drove at full speed and transforms. He runs and tries to shoot Starscream.
Ultra Magnus: He's too high, I can't land a single shot at him.
Starscream: Hahahaha! Is that all you got Magnus?
Suddenly a stream of sonic boom waves was hitting Starscream.
Starscream: Wait whats happening? I'm losing control.
Starscream loses altitude and crash lands to the ground.
Ultra Magnus: What just happend? Who did that?
Blaster: Who do you think?
Blaster and Kup appears.
Kup: We saw you chasing that dirty Decepticreep so Blaster here messed with his flying.
Ultra Magnus: Thanks for the help.
They then see Starscream disappear indicating that it was one of the clones.
Blaster: What the? He just vanished!
Ultra Magnus: No, that was a clone.
Kup: A clone?
Ultra Magnus: I wonder if the others have any luck yet.
Meanwhile Galvatron along with Cyclonus, Scourge and the sweeps chase after Starscream. Since they were able to fly, they were able to catch up a little better. However they were having a hard time as well.
Galvatron: Stop him! Bring him down but don't kill him. He's mine.
Cyclonus: Yes lord Galvatron.
Scourge: He's going to pay for making me his servent once.
Cyclonus and Scourge were up ahead chasing Starscream and trying put him down. As they fired continuously Starscream did a somersault and was now behind them and shot them down.
Starscream: For two of Galvatrons elite Decepticons, your pretty weak.
Galvatron:( getting frustrated) Do I have to do everything around here?
Galvatron starts shooting aimlessly, after many missed attempts, he finally hits Starscream and crash lands to the ground.
Scourge: Lord Galvatron, you got him!
Starscream's body vanishes.
Cyclonus: Wait, what just happened?
Galvatron: Isn't obvious? That was a clone. Damn it, Prime better save the real one for me along with those Geass Stones. Let's get back to the city.
Meanwhile Optimus Prime is chasing Starscream or one of the clones.
Starscream: You can't get me Prime. I can fly while you're stuck on the ground.
Optimus Prime: I may not fly, but I do have a plan. ( contacting Spike through communicator) Are you ready Spike?
Optimus Prime was in vehicle mode, but his trailer was not attached to him. The trailer was hidden inside one of the buildings and it transformed into it combat deck mode and Spike took control of it.
Spike: Ready Optimus.
Spike locked onto Starscream. Once Starscream was close in range, Spike fires the laser guns and sends Starscream to the ground. Optimus arrives and transforms into robot mode, but the clone disappears.
Optimus Prime: It was a clone. I hope Ultra Magnus and Hot Rod are doing better.
At last Hot Rod is chasing the original Starscream down further in Autobot City. Even though he can't fly, Hot Rod is pretty fast and he's able to catch up better than Ultra Magnus or Optimus Prime.
Hot Rod: You can't run forever Starscream.
Starscream: Oh is the Optimus want-a-be going to try to stop me?( In a sarcastic way) I'm so scared.
Starscream shoots down a building which blocks Hot Rods path.
Starscream: Hahahahah! Farewell Autobot!
Hot Rod: You really think blocking the path will stop me, guess again.
Hot Rod turns around and takes another path, although it may look like Starscream is going to get away, the path Hot Rod takes is a short cut. He drives higher to upper grounds and just off the edge of the cliff was Starscream flying. Hot Rod manages to catch up and drives off the cliff. He transforms back into robot mode in mid air and grabs Starscream and the both of them fall to the ground. Optimus and Spike and see's this.
Optimus Prime: Hot Rod! ( transforms into truck mode and rushes over)
Spike: What do you think happened Optimus?
Optimus Prime: I'm not sure Spike, but whatever it happened right there, I hope Hot Rod has Starscream and I hope he's alright.
Galvatron and his men see's it as well.
Cyclonus: Lord Galvatron did you see that?
Galvatron: Yes, it appears that one of the Autobots have caught my prize.
Starscream emerges out of the collapsed metal of the building.
Starscream: Owww...my head. My Geass Stone, where is it?
Starscream looks around for his Geass Stone but see's Hot Rod behind him, holding the yellow geass stone. He now has four of the geass stones which leaves Starscream only with his blasters.
Hot Rod: Looking for something? ( shows Starscream the yellow geass stone)
Starscream: My Geass stone. Give it back!
Starscream shoots Hot Rod, but manages to dodge it and summons the Red Geass Stone that shoots a powerful plasma blast. Starscream is shot through his left shoulder and bleeds energon from the wound.
Hot Rod: ( while pointing the red Geass Stone and Starscream) You really want to go that far?
Starscream: ( speaks as he begs for his life) Wait Hot Rod! Please don't do this, surely we can work something out. Oh I know, spare me and we can rule the galaxy together!
Hot Rod: Forget it Starscream. It's all over.
Starscream: What are you going to do kill me?
Hot Rod: No, but I am going to turn you in.
Airachnid: I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Hot Rod see's Airachnid behind Starscream near the top of another building, but with her was Daniel, Carly and Wheelie tied up together in her web.
Daniel: Hot Rod!
Carly: Please help us!
Wheelie: We can't get out!
Hot Rod: Daniel, Carly, Wheelie! Let them go!
Airachnid: Of course, after you give us back the Geass stones.
Hot Rod: What?
Airachnid: Or they're going bungee jumping but without the cord to hold them.
Starscream: Haha! Excellent Airachnid, so what's going to be Hot Rod, the Geass stones or your human friends?
Hot Rod: ( looks down and speaks in his mind) What do I do? If I don't give him the stones they'll die, but if I do the whole universe will be in grave danger.
Optimus, Spike and Galvatron arrive at the scene.
Optimus Prime: Hot Rod, what's going on?
Starscream: Stop where you are Prime, or your friends will fall to their deaths.
Optimus and Spike looks up and see's Airachnid holding Carly, Daniel and Wheelie. Spike's expression turns into fear and horror as he watches his family in danger.
Daniel: Dad, Optimus help!
Carly: Spike!
Spike: Carly, Daniel, No!
Optimus Prime: Let them go Starscream! They have nothing to do with this!
Starscream: That's for your young Autobot to decide, not you.
Hot Rod faces back at Starscream.
Hot Rod:( speaks in a defeated tone) You win.
Starscream: What was that?
Hot Rod: I surrender.
Optimus Prime: Hot Rod...
Galvatron: What are you doing?!
Hot Rod: If I give you all the Geass Stones I have, you have to let them go.
Starscream: Deal.
Hot Rod gives Starscream all the geass stones he has. And Starscream flies back up with Airachnid.
Starscream: Thank you for your patronage. Now Airachnid...drop them.
Optimus Prime: NO!
Spike: No, please don't!
Hot Rod: You liar! You said you would let them go.
Starscream: I never said alive. Do it Airachnid.
Airachnid: ( in a sinister tone) With pleasure.
Airachnid drops Daniel, Carly and Wheelie. Hot Rod and Optimus runs over to save them, but they're too far away to save them. It looks like it's the end for them. That is until Arcee, Springer and Grimlock arrives and saves them. Arcee catches Daniel, Springer catches Carly and Grimlock has Wheelie.
Daniel: ( yells happily) Arcee!
Arcee: Don't worry Daniel, I got you.
Springer: You okay Carly.
Carly: I'm fine Springer. Thank you.
Grimlock: Me Grimlock have Wheelie.
Wheelie: You caught this dime in the nick of time.
They all sigh in relief except for Galvatron and his men for they don't care. But now Starscream is about to retreat. Tankor and Jetstorm reunites with him.
Airachnid: What took you two so long?
Jetstorm:( speaks as he raises his voice) Well I was trapped underneath a pile of scrap metal and I had to wait for him to get me out!
Tankor: Well it's not Tankor's fault that He can't transform into something that can fly.
Jetstorm: You're a Decepticon! You can fly in robot mode!
Airachnid: Forget it. We got what we need.
Starscream: Hahahahaha! Fools, choosing a couple of humans and weak Autobot over power? You Autobots are even more stupid than I imagined. And you were once a Prime? We got what we came for. Retreat!
Starscream and all the other Decepticons retreat back to Charr. Ultra Magnus, Blaster and Kup catches up with the others.
Ultra Magnus: Optimus what happened? Did we win?
Optimus Prime: No, Starscream has four of the Geass stones and there's only one left.
Hot Rod: ( faces down in shame) Optimus, it's my fault. I failed the mission. I put the whole galaxy in danger. I'm a disgrace to the Autobots and to the Primes.
Optimus Prime looks at him and places his hand on his shoulder.
Optimus Prime: No Hot Rod. You did what you had to protect our friends.
Spike: You were trying to protect my family. I am grateful for that.
Galvatron: Did what he had to? He practically just gave up. He had him right there and we had the advantage until he just surrendered just to save two worthless humans and tiny transformer.
Optimus Prime: Our friends come first before our goal.
Galvatron: Friends? Friends?! They're nothing but low life forms. Weak and perishable!
Optimus Prime: They may be small, but they've always helped us in the past.
Galvatron: Oh so the great Optimus Prime going to lecture me. You're just weak has your little substitute leader. You know what your problem is Prime? For someone as big and strong for a leader, your soft.
Hot Rod: Shut up! Atleast he shows compassion for others and inspires us, unlike you who's just a psycopath who shows little to no respect to your comrades.
Galvatron points his arm cannon at Hot Rod.
Galvatron: Watch what you say prime killer.
Hot Rod's eyes opens wide as he remembers several years ago when he interfered with Optimus Prime's fight with Megatron which resulted in Prime dieing from his wounds. And the only one to blame was himself.
Hot Rod: No, I-I didn't...
Seeing that his friend is being threatened, Optimus tackles Galvatron, grabs him on the throat and holds him down onto a wall and stares at him with dead serious eyes. Everyone watches in worry while Scourge and Cyclonus takes out their weapons getting ready to attack.
Optimus Prime: What did I say about threatning my friends?
Galvatron: Do it then. Go ahead kill me. Rip out my spark and crush it. You'll never have to worry about me ever again.
Optimus Prime stares at him for a few more moments and lets him go.
Optimus Prime: No. I'm not like you. ( turns around to Ultra Magnus) Ultra Magnus get Omega Supreme ready for launch, we're heading back to Cybertron to find the next location of the last Geass stone. And we have to get it, no matter what.
To be continued...
Author's notes: That's it with this chapter. Sorry if it's been a while. I originally intended for this and the last chapter to be one, but since this went on for way too long, I divided it into two. I'll update the next chapter as soon as I can. And we're probably half way through the story. Anyways I hope you enjoyed and please review.