Chapter 12: History Lesson
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers or Sailor Moon. They're the property of Hasbro, and Naoko Takeuchi respectively. Any other copyrighted material found in this story is the property of its respected owner. Good reading.
Two occupants disembarked their sedan, and walked through the growth of pine trees to a nearby clearing, their clothes well suited to deal with the cold wind that blew across the open space. A short distance away, a trio of large pine trees shook, then parted as a tall, mechanical being emerged from it's hiding place.
"I'm glad to see that you answered my request." Said Optimus Prime as he approached Serena and Darien. "Especially, considering what has happened some time ago." He then admitted. "How are the rest of the Sailors taking it?"
"They're taking it all in stride. Well, most of them anyway" Answered Darien. "Lita on the other hand, is taking it very hard. Her and Amy are very close."
The heavy hearted Serena sobbed at her husband's response. "It's my fault." She confessed. "I should've answered my phone and helped her."
"Serena, honey." Replied Darien in a calm tone. "It's not your fault. We were so exhausted, plus we had no idea it was a plea from Amy."
"It doesn't make it any better, Darien!" Snapped back the odango haired woman with a shaking lip. "Amy needed me, needed us! I put so much weight on her shoulders, wanted so much from her, and she delivered everytime." She wiped the tears, and struggled to compose herself. "And I throw her to the wolves."
Darien embraced his whimpering wife as she broke down. "It wasn't you. We all threw Amy away."
"I must admit, that I'm guilty as well." Added Optimus Prime, knelt before the human pair. "I should have assigned an Autobot escort for you two and the other Sailors, but after some thought, I decided against it."
Serena stopped crying, and slowly regained her composure. She wiped her tears, and looked up at the large mech before her. "Why did you decide against having an escort for us?"
Optimus briefly glanced away, and thought for a moment about how to answer her query. "My experiences with aliens has always lead to tragic ends."
"Exactly what do you mean by tragic ends?"
"As in those species have been completely wiped out." The large mech replied, then continued with the grim historical lesson. "In the past, both Autobots and Decepticons have made contact with aliens, many of which have sided with me or Megatron in our previous wars. Some stayed loyal to the end, others betrayed and switched sides once the devastation of our war ravaged their worlds. Megatron and I have even specifically targeted each others alien allies, mainly to prevent the other from acquiring whatever knowledge that world possessed, but also to prevent an ally from switching sides."
Prime could see the look of disbelief on the faces of Serena and Darien, obviously shocked and probably disgusted at the extreme measures of achieving victory. Although Prime preferred not to divulge such information, as it might damage the fragile partnership both parties have, Optimus thought the honesty might start mending the bruises of their, at times, un-easy relationship. They have to start trusting each other, especially for what was coming.
"I know this isn't what you wanted to hear from me. But, I thought it best to start letting secrets out." Admitted the Autobot mech. "If we are to defeat Megatron and Beryl, then we have to start trusting each other. And that is the reason I have requested this meeting."
"I...can't believe you were capable of such things." Articulated Serena in one breath, still in disbelief.
"In war, there are things that will be required of you. Not out of choice, but out of necessity."
She shook her head a little and ran a hand through her hair. It was a sad thing to hear, but Optimus was right though, they had to start trusting each other, otherwise Beryl will never be defeated and their conflict will drag on for who knows how long. "I want us to trust each other Optimus, I really mean that, but...I would like some questions answered."
"Of course, Serena. Fire away."
"Your Autobots freaked out when Mercury activated Starscream. Why is he so important to you?"
"Starscream is the most dangerous Cybertronian in recent history. Even the Decepticons are weary of having him among their ranks. He scares them. Starscream is ruthless, cannot be trusted, manipulative, psychotic, and prone to fits of anger and violence. A complete monster that is better off dead, for everyone's sake." Prime exhaled slowly, not out of exhaustion, but from the memory when Starscream was with the Autobots. "One day, he defected from the Decepticons and I welcomed him as one of my Autobots. The other Autobots protested, but I decided to give him a chance to prove himself. Then one day, Starscream showed his true colours by stealing all the naval codes from ONI, and delivered them right into Megatron's hands. What resulted after was the greatest lose of life in Autobot history. Countless millions of my Autobots died, and hundreds of ships were lost thanks to him. I will stop at nothing to make him suffer for what he has done."
"Have there not been attempts on his life? If he is so dangerous to everyone, friend or foe, then why hasn't anyone killed him?" Queried Darien.
"There have been attempts, Darien. Believe me." Replied Optimus. He paused momentarily to shift to his other knee. "Starscream has...a mutated spark that is extremely resilient to damage and shock. Data files from Cybertron's massive medical network documented on several occasions the virtual destruction of Starscream's spark, then over time, rebuilt itself without any outside assistance. Cybertronian medical experts remain dumbfounded to this day." The big red machine took a deep breath and continued with the time of antiquity. "Ever since his creation, his mutated spark randomly sends power surges throughout his CPU, which causes alot of pain and makes him very prone to those fits of anger and violence. He is so unbalanced that even a simple off colour comment can incur his cruel wrath. "
"Starscream's spark should've been destroyed during its infancy, as per Cybertronian law, but his very misguided parents protested and rebuffed any and all efforts of enforcement." Interrupted Prowl as he walked to Optimus' side.
The unexpected arrival startled Prime and the humans. Darien and Serena grabbed their chests and felt the massive thumping from their hearts, and the big red machine grumbled at the suprised arrival, but quickly calmed himself.
Prowl looked down at the fleshling pair, and went on. "Sparklings that have mutated or unbalanced sparks are a danger to themselves and everyone around them. Once they reach maturity and their sparks are installed in adult bodies, they become FAR more dangerous, and have killed many people. Friends, family, doesn't matter, any who happen to be near them is a target." The black/white Autobot paused momentarily to gather is final thoughts on the issue. "They cannot be cured or controlled. That's why we have a law to have those sparks destroyed. Starscream's parents blatantly broke that law, a decision that millions of Cybertronians and aliens paid for with their lives."
A sense of irritation came over Serena. She was annoyed at the mech's, in her view, arrogant words. "Of course Starscream's parents stood against you. A mother would do anything to preserve the life of her offspring."
"It's a long standing law, that was obeyed by all. What made her think she was exempt from it?" Spat back the ever logical Prowl.
Anger flooded the odango woman. She can't believe that such an advanced being could disregard the life of an infant like it's a scrap of paper. "She saw a law that was completely absurd, and fought against it! Why should a child be punished because they were born different?! Just because they don't meet your view of perfection!?"
"Enough! Both of you!" Spat out Optimus as he glanced at both verbal combatants. "Prowl. Do you have a reason to be here?"
The black/white mech calmed himself and regained his relaxed composure. "Yes, Prime. Bumblebee found an old abandoned church just outside of Tokyo. He has confirmed the presence of numerous Decepticons, such as: Barricade, Blackout, and Thundercracker. The Dark Kingdom generals Nephlite and Jedite were spotted as well. Optimus, I believe this place is their forward base of operations. If we can take it out, their operations will be hampered."
"Finaly, some good news." Said a more optimistic Optimus. "Anything else, Prowl?"
"Yes. One of our deep space sensor posts has picked up a Decepticon transport vessel just outside this solar system. Multiple contacts were fired from it, and from their trajectory, those contacts are heading for Earth."
"Decepticons?" Queried Optimus, not liking what he's being told.
"Yes, Optimus."
"How many?"
"....alot."
Darien blanked out from an unexpected flood of imagery. The very same images from his previous dream. The whole city set aflame, machines rampaging and fighting each other throughout the mangled streets, but at the end, something was amiss, some new imagery came up. A giant, black coloured, sphere shaped object hung just over the flamed city, casting a colossal shadow over everything underneath, and numerous large vessels spewed blue/white, comet shaped projectiles that burned the ground into lechatelierite, rivers and lakes evaporate and the atmosphere began to boil away.
He snapped back upon hearing his name and feeling his arm being nudged.
"You Ok?" Asked Serena. "You looked out of it for a little bit."
He gently grabbed his wife's arm and pulled her close. Noticing that Optimus and Prowl were concentrated on their own conversation, Darien whispered to her. "Let's cut this short."
"But why? I still got some questions for Optimus. Besides we have to figure out on how to find Amy." She replied with a hushed voice.
"Just trust me on this."
"OK, we'll go." She replied with a whisper. The odango then set her concentration on the two machines before her. "Optimus!" She called to the big red machine. "I'm sorry, but I gotta go."
"Very well. Thank you for coming, especially in this trying time." Said Optimus with a nod. "I want to formulate an attack plan against the enemy's base. Perhaps we will find Sailor Mercury there."
"I'll call a meeting of the Sailor Soldiers and let know you after." She rebutted then went on with her husband.
Moments later, Optimus and Prowl watched the human pair leave. Prime thought it odd that Serena would just end a meeting like that, especially since he wanted to start building a trust with them. However, he knew his human allies were going through a hard time and decided to let it go. He had to figure out what to do with the impeding situation. Decepticon reinforcements were heading to Earth and will arrive later tonight. Prime's own reinforcements won't be arriving until about a day after. He was greatly concerned for this, but calmed a little after analyzing the data. It'll take the Decepticon arrivals a day or so to be fully organized, and by the time that will happen, his own reinforcements will be planet side.
"Prowl, contact fleet admiral Broadside and tell him to have the Dreadnought Fleet ready for deployment at a moments notice." Ordered the Autobot master. "When we get back I want to have a talk with Pluto."
"The Dreadnought Fleet. You think it'll come to that, Optimus?" Replied an inquiring Prowl.
"Remember what Sailor Pluto told us about Beryl and her Dark Kingdom?"
Prowl nodded, fully knowing what the Dark Kingdom was capable of, and having such an ally would be a huge advantage for the Decepticons. Optimus found such an arrangement absolutely un-acceptable.
"I will not allow Megatron to gain such an ally." Assured Prime, then changed his tone to something more somber. "If the Sailor Soldiers fall, rest assure, their enemy will not survive the conflict either."
Serena flopped down on the couch, and slowly exhaled. Darien walked over and gave her a glass of wine, much to her delight. Luna, and Artemis came in through an open window, and gracefully strolled into the room where they sat next to the odango haired woman.
"How was your meeting with Optimus Prime?" Asked Luna.
"Eye opening." Replied a tired sounding Serena. "The Autobots found a base where the Decepticons and the Dark Kingdom are operating from. He wants to attack, but I told him I'd meet with the other Sailors first." She took another sip and leaned her head against the back of the couch. "Optimus said that Amy might be held up there."
"She could be, Serena." Replied the wise, purple feline.
"Artemis. How's Mina?" Queried Darien as he sat on the couch opposite the one occupied by his wife and the guardian cats.
The white tomcat huffed, not out of annoyance, but out of sadness. "She's concerned for Amy, and wants her back as much as any of us. But that's where it ends. She's still distant, keeps alot to herself, and won't let anyone get close, even me. I'm really concerned for her health too, the headaches are getting more frequent, I thought she was going to collapse from the last one. The girls got together when you two were gone to see Optimus Prime, and talked about how this could've happened. It wasn't long before Mina and Raye were arguing with each other. Lita had to keep them apart, Mina stormed out, and Raye fumed for a while longer." He huffed again, and gave a grim conclusion. "If it keeps going like this, we're not gonna make it."
"Don't talk like that, Artemis." Countered Luna with a little force in her tone. "It'll work out in the end, just like Sailor Pluto said it would. We will defeat Beryl and her Dark Kingdom, a new Silver Millennium will come of it, and Serena and Darien will rule as Queen and King from a new capital city, Crystal Tokyo."
Serena huffed, and took another sip from her glass. "I can't wait for that time to come. Put away all our worries and troubles for good."
"Man, can't wait for that time also." Agreed Darien.
Artemis narrowed his eyes, and glanced at the, so-called, future monarchs. And I can't believe this fabrication still works. Thought the white feline.
"Serena. Artemis and I will go and inform the others of the time and place for your meeting. You could use the time to rest." Said Luna as she got up and jumped off the couch.
"Thanks, Luna."
The feline guardians leapt out the open window nearby, and went on their way. Serena looked at her hubby, whom was looking back at her.
"Alright, honey. What was so urgent?" Queried the odango haired woman.
"I had that same dream again. The one where the city was set aflame, machines fighting all over, but this time, more was shown." He declared. "This huge, black coloured....sphere like object hung just over the city. I mean this thing was huge, probably kilometers in diameter. And there were these...starships by the looks of 'em. There were also these bright coloured, comet shaped things that were...fired I guess from those starships, they burned the ground into what looked like glass, and...."
"Honey, that's enough." Interrupted Serena, troubled by the descriptions. "You're scaring me." She went for another sip, but her lip trembled so much she could've get a good hold of the glass's rim so she set it down on the table. "Your dreams become more detailed the more the Autobots and Decepticons get involved."
"Serena. Hush." He replied with a soft, and reassuring tone. "You heard Sailor Pluto on many occasions. It'll be alright in the end. Once we defeat Beryl, a new Silver Millennium, a new era of peace, will come. Our troubles will be over. For god's sake, Pluto is the guardian of time and space. She knows all this."
Serena got up and slowly strolled to the balcony, sobbing all the way there. She looked at the sun setting behind the mountains, and closed her eyes. A pair of arms wrapped themselves around her, she leaned her head back a little and rested it on Darien's chest.
Darien pointed to an object streaking across the early evening sky. "Honey, look. A comet." He stared in awe at the object as it passed behind a hill in the distance, followed by a loud boom.
"Sounds like it crashed." Declared Serena suddenly a little more alert. "Let's go check it out."
In the vast, cavern like, room where the entity known as Matellia resided, the body of the captured Sailor Mercury quivered. It has been three days since Jedite brought her broken form to the Dark Kingdom, and upon seeing her, Beryl and Megatron were very displeased by her condition. Some thought she might not survive, but she was too important to just let die, especially at the lenghts it took to get her. Thus, Beryl had the Sailor Soldier thrown into Matellia's room and forbid anyone from entering, save for a lone sentry.
Blackout stood guard inside the large open room, and merely observed Mercury. She laid on the ground, and surprisingly, the body was completely healed of all wounds, a procedure that Blackout fully witnessed, but couldn't comprehend even if he tried. All he knew was that a purple mist originated from the Matellia entity surrounded the stricken woman and steadily healed her, then retreated back to the fiery object.
The sound of doors opening cauth the attention of the tall Decepticon. He looked back to face the intrusion, and was surprised to see who it was. "What are you doing here, Shockwave?" Queried Blackout. "No one's allowed in here, but me. Beryl and Lord Megatron's orders."
"You are wanted else where, Blackout. I'm taking over sentry duty here." Replied Shockwave, all the while keeping focus on Matellia, and the fallen Sailor Soldier. He walked next to the helicopter mech, and stopped by his side. "Your presence is no longer required."
"I was never told about this. Besides you can't just barge in here and order..." Rebutted Blackout, but suddenly silenced himself at Shockwave's glare.
"Leave." Commanded the mono eyed mech.
Blackout said nothing and just stared momentarily at the imposing Shockwave. Though he didn't have a visage in the traditional sense, it was quite intimidating when Shockwave looked at someone from a certain angle, and when he did, it was best to do as he requests and say nothing. Blackout nodded slowly, and left his post.
Shockwave thoroughly scanned the still unconscious Sailor Mercury. Whispering sounds caught his attention and he stared at the fiery orb. Matellia spoke to him again, always in whispers, just like their first encounter long ago during the Silver Millennium and after his re-activation.
"Yes Matellia." Said Shockwave after several whispers in his audio receptors, and listened at several more. "I will have something for you." More hushes followed, but the mech kept his composure. "I found it. You'll have my gift when it is ready, and after your release from this slumber."
Shockwave looked down at Sailor Mercury, and scanned her yet again. He looked at the entity again and pointed at the sleeping Mercury. "Her?" Asked the mono eyed mech. "I need to observe her kind in battle."
A purple hazed from Matellia surrounded the stricken Mercury, her shivers steadily stopped, breathing slowed, and once the rest of her life signs normalised, the mist vanished. Shockwave recorded the entire event and stored the information in his databanks.
"What is the meaning of this, Shockwave!?" Demanded Megatron as he stormed into the cavernous room.
"Greetings my Lord." Replied the mech.
"Beryl and I have specified that entry into this room is prohibited. And you have been tasked with finding Project: Unicron. That is your priority." Explained the Decepticon master with an assertive tone. "Explain yourself."
"My Lord, I'm here to see how much more life energy is required to awaken the Matellia entity from its slumber, and too observe Sailor Mercury's condition. Something Blackout is incapable of comprehending." Said Shockwave to his master and commander. "And yes Lord Megatron. I have found Project: Unicron. I have dispatched a specialized science vessel to assess its present condition. I expect results from the craft in a few days time."
Megatron stayed silent for a moment, he never expected Shockwave's long lost work-in-progress would be found this soon. "Very well. Keep me updated on this." Relented Megatron after hearing the reason, but he still didn't like his instructions disobeyed. "However, I do not like my orders countermanded and I expect you to follow them like every other Decepticon. Is that understood?"
"Completely, Lord Megatron." Submitted the purple mech, then began to leave the cavernous room. "She's ready."
Megatron stretched an arm across Shockwave's path. "What are you up to Shockwave?" Queried the calm toned Decepticon.
The mono eyed mech stared down his master, and remained silent for a moment as he contemplated his answer. "I serve the cause of all Decepticons, my Lord."
"And what might that be?"
The purple coloured mech stayed silent for a moment yet again. "To ensure our survival, Lord Megatron." His telekinesis then gently brushed aside Megatron's arm from his path. "And our legacy."
Shockwave exited the large, cavernous room, and left Megatron by himself. Lord Megatron began to suspect something was up. Shockwave didn't disobey orders for the fun of it, or out of spite, and using his telekinesis ability against Megatron was a level of bravery that no Decepticon would even think of doing. Even Shockwave's answers where a little on the odd side; To ensure our survival. and our legacy. Just what did that mean?
A bright flash of light from the Matellia entity brought Megatron's attention to the fiery object. He looked at it for a moment or two when his attention was interrupted by the small sounds of movement and groaning. The silver mech looked down at a waking, albeit slowly, Sailor Mercury, and suddenly remembered another of Shockwave's replies; She's ready.
Lita glared up at the clear, night sky and pondered with heavy heart about her closest friend. It has been three days since Mercury's disappearance. She blamed herself the most since she had the closest bond with her, a blame that Serena and Optimus Prime admitted that was shared equally among everyone.
The tall brunette looked down at the heavily wrinkled picture in her hands, the one she picked up off the floor of Amy's trashed apartment, and tried to smooth it out. It was the only picture in Amy's dwelling that was crushed, and once she unfurled and recognized the image, Lita knew that Amy blamed her the most. I'm sorry Amy. Thought the teary eyed woman. I'm so sorry. Please comeback to me. She buried her head in her hands and let it out like she has for some days now. Lita remained that way for several minutes, completely unphased by the sudden activity in the sky above.
On the roofs of nearby buildings, people gathered and pointed to the heavens where, what looked like, meteors streaked across the sky, dozens of them, above the city and all over the world.