Chapter 21-Sacrifice.
Mikaela looked over her shoulder and smiled when she saw the excited glow of Bumblebees blue optics, "I'm guessing from the look on your face, you're good to go big guy". Bee chirped, "Ready and waiting, beautiful". Mikaela smiled as she shared one last glance with Bee before his face was covered by his battle visor, which was her cue to slam the truck in reverse and hit the accelerator. Swinging the truck back out onto the street, Mikaela found herself once again thanking the gods for her unconventional babysitting activities, causing her to chuckle to herself and her chuckle became full-blown laughter as she heard the loud music blasting from Bee's stereo as he sent the wrecked cars that were in their way flying by whatever means he found easiest. Recognising the music that was blaring as a mix of Green Day and Linkin Park, Mikaela grinned to herself, and found herself singing along as she thought to herself, 'My boy has great taste in music'.
Bumblebee meanwhile had felt his spark lift as he realised he would soon be able to finally join the fight, and it lifted even further as he heard Mikaela's delighted laugh. Guessing correctly that she had heard his choice of radio station, Bee grinned and turned the volume up even louder, Mikaela's laughter doing wonders to his spark. However as they neared the battle zone Bumblebee needed all the strength he could gain from Mikaela as the lightness in his spark faded, as he was reminded of the last battle he was in. 'This is not Tyger Pax', Bee told himself, but he was unable to shake the uncertainty, though he was relieved when his uncertainty was replaced by a far stronger sense of duty as they approached the area where Lennox, Epps and the rest of the soldiers were pinned down by Brawls unrelenting onslaught. Bumblebee heard the distressed calls of the soldiers, and as he saw that their guns were having no effect on the Decepticon, Bee knew in that moment he could at least keep them safe from harm and it would release some of the tension he'd been feeling since his injury whilst doing so, and maybe by keeping them safe it would erase some of his demons from the past too.
Epps looked up as he heard the screech of brakes, and he felt his face break into a smile as he saw Mikaela and Bumblebee, "Damn it girl, we could have done with you sooner". Mikaela grinned down at Epps, "We were having some recovery time, but we're back now. Let him have it Bee". Bumblebee chirped enthusiastically, before releasing several plasma charges from his arm cannon towards Brawl who was unprepared for the Autobots sudden appearance, or for Bee's deadly accuracy. The soldiers cheered as Bee's shots managed to penetrate the Decepticons armour plating before detonating, causing the transformed tank to fall to the ground with a crash, his red optics fading to black as Bee's shots finally offlined the Decepticon.
'That felt good', thought Bumblebee to himself as he slowly lifted his battle visor, and he grinned widely when Mikaela jumped out of the truck and walked round to him, smiling shyly, "That was amazing Bee. You look pretty good when you go into battle mode". Bee chirped softly at Mikaela, unable to stop the sudden rush of heat that sped round his body, or the jumping of his spark as he gazed back at Mikaela, "Stop you're making me blush". Mikaela laughed, "Really?"
"Yes really, feel". Mikaela rested her hand on Bee's outstretched hand and felt the heat coming from him, and as she looked up at him, she could see his optics were a much deeper shade of blue than usual, "Ooooops". Bee chuckled as he watched the blush spread across Mikaelas cheeks, "At least now we match... though I'm glad it didn't scare you". Mikaela looked up at Bumblebee, her own blue eyes softening as she gazed up at the Autobot who had become so very important to her in such a short time, "Bee, nothing you do could ever scare me. I trust you". Bee scooped Mikaela up into his palm, and rested her close against him, his spark softly fluttering as he listened to her soft breathing, as somehow Bee knew Mikaela didn't share her trust easily. As he felt her rest her head on his chest plates with a sigh of contentment, Bee knew in that moment that he would do everything in his sparks power to make sure Mikaela never had any need to lose that trust in him, as he thought to himself, 'I trust you too my love, as no one else has ever made my spark feel the way you do'.
"Hey, save the smootchies for later. We still have some more of the bad guys to take out". Mikaela and Bee looked down at Lennox, who despite his sharp tone of voice was grinning at the pair of them, as was Epps who also called over to them, "That was some damn fine teamwork, glad you came back". Mikaela looked over at Epps and grinned, "We couldn't leave you guys to have all the fun, could we Bee?". Bee shook his head, before sounding a questioning chirp. Epps and Lennox shared a glance before Lennox looked up at Bee, "Sorry Bumblebee, we've not heard anything from Sam, since he left and we've definitely not seen the flare go off yet". Bee chirped sadly and as he heard Mikaela's intake of breath, Bee stroked his thumb over her back, "I'm sure Sam will be okay beautiful... We've managed to stay safe, and he has Ironhide and Ratchet to keep him safe".
"I know but he's my best friend, and almost family to me, and I'm still worried about him. I know you're worried about him too, and I'm guessing that somewhere in that spark of yours, you're worried about the others too". Bee nodded and chirped quietly in response, he was desperately worried about Sam's safety and it still caused an ache in his spark that Sam was all alone; and although he knew Ratchet, Jazz and 'Hide were well able to look after themselves, as was Optimus; Bee couldn't ignore the concern that was lodged deep in his spark for them. Just as Sam was almost family to Mikaela, so were the rest of the Autobots to Bumblebee, especially Ironhide who Bee was closer to any of the others, as 'Hide had always been there for Bee, even as a sparkling, and the thought of anything happening to the gruff weapons specialist caused Bee's spark to ache painfully. However he was unable to think on the situation any further as he heard Lennox calling for help as Blackout advanced towards then, "Bee, need some help here". Mikaela shared one last glance with Bee, and they shared a quick kiss before she hopped down to join Epps, allowing Bee to fire up the smaller cannons by his shoulders. As he released several rounds of fire towards the Decepticon, Bee saw Lennox running for an abandoned motorcycle and switched fire to cover the soldier, who jumped on the bike, calling out to Bee as he did so, "Bee keep him occupied, I should be able to get him from underneath on this. Epps, I am getting home to see my little girl, call down that rain fire". Bee nodded and switched his attention back to Blackout, who glared at the injured Autobot with red optics that glowed maliciously, "Maybe I will be able to finish the job that my master started, and finish you". Bee chirped defiantly, "Not while I still have a spark that s beating", as he launched another blast rocking the Decepticon on his feet. However the blasts that Bee aimed at the Decepticon, and Lennox's well-aimed Sabot rounds into his undercarriage were nothing compared to the devastation that was wrought on the Decepticon by the fire that was launched at him by the military's planes. They too had been fitted with the all important Sabot rounds, and as they rained down from the sky, they burned through the Decepticon, causing Blackout to shudder and fall to the ground, his red optics dark and unfocusing as he offlined. Lennox lay on the ground by the fallen Decepticon breathing hard, until he heard the frantic chirps and calls from across the street. Struggling to his feet, Lennox looked over at the rest of the team, "I'm okay". Epps yelled back at him, "We know that, look up there". Lennox followed their gaze to the point they were all watching through concerned eyes and optics, and he quickly realised he could see red smoke. Lennox breathed deeply as he hoped and prayed that Sam still had the flare and it was him wielding it, as he called back to his sergeant, "Epps. I need you to get those birds that are in the air over to that building, and get them there as quickly as possible. We need to get that cube out of here".
oOoOo
Sam had indeed finally reached the top of the building, and he lit the flare with a sense of triumph as he continued to head towards the edge of the roof, the cube still clutched tight to his chest with his other arm. Sam looked up as he heard the steady thud of rotor blades nearby, and he slowed before cautiously approaching the edge of the roof. Much to his relief, the helicopter that appeared was not Blackout, but the Black Hawks that Lennox and Epps had promised earlier. Sam felt a smile cross his face as he sprinted across the last section of the rooftop, however as he neared the helicopter; Sam felt his smile slip as he was buffeted by the downdraft from the rotor blades, and he found himself thinking, 'I should have known it wouldn't be easy. Nothing else has been so far'.
Putting the last of his fading strength into fighting the wind that was trying to knock him over, Sam was focused only on the outstretched arms of the awaiting soldier in the helicopter and didn't see the sunlight glinting off Starscream until the last minute. Realising that the Decepticon had fired a missile towards the helicopter, Sam called out a warning to the pilot, but it was too late as the missiles made contact with the helicopter. Sam was blown backwards by the blast and he watched in horror as the Black Hawk began to spin out of control, its rotor blades digging into the concrete of the roof. Sam rolled away, unable to fight the cry of fear that ripped from his throat as the blades skimmed past him, before he gained his feet and ran to the furthest point of the roof. However as he reached the edge Sam realised he could go no further, and he was forced to climb onto the platform of one of the roofs decorative statues, clinging to it as best he could whilst still holding the cube. His already racing heart however plummeted as he saw the massive form of Megatron burst through the roof before standing up, his red optics quickly locating Sam's precarious position, "I admire your courage, but it is over. Give me the All-Spark boy, and I will let you live as my pet". Sam edged round the statue as Megatron neared him and he felt his stomach flip as he realised just how far he was from the ground, but he still called out defiantly to the Decepticon leader, "I am never giving you the Cube". Megatron narrowed his optics and growled at the young earthling in a low and menacing voice, "Fool, so unwise", before he swung his mace at the statue that Sam was clinging to causing it to shatter and sending Sam flying backwards towards the ground.
Sam was unable to stop the scream of terror that ripped from his throat as he hurtled towards the ground, and he found himself thinking that he wished he'd had the chance to say goodbye to everyone who mattered to him; especially his parents and Mikaela, though oddly enough he found himself thinking that he was sure Mikaela and Bumblebee would help his parents through everything. However his thoughts and his scream were cut off as he was caught in a large metal palm, and Sam felt a momentary flare of panic before he looked into the reassuring optics of Optimus Prime. Looking at the Autobot leader, Sam allowed himself to take some deep breaths, "Optimus am I glad to see you". Optimus looked back at Sam, "I am also glad to see you too Sam, though I am sorry for the danger we have placed you in". Sam looked back at Optimus, "If you can get me out of it, I may just forgive you". Optimus nodded, and Sam saw the small smile that crossed his lips, "I will do my best Sam, so you had best hold on, I fear we will have company soon". Sam turned to look back at the building where Megatron stood, a look of disgust on his metal features as he saw Optimus holding Sam, "Still protecting the insects I see Prime. They are unworthy of it, they should be exterminated like the pests they are". Optimus glared back at Megatron, Sam noticing the way his optics darkened at Megatron's words, "They deserve to have the choice Megatron".
"Then prepare to fight". Optimus looked down at Sam who felt his heart begin to race again as he watched Megatron quickly jump from the roof and head towards them at speed, "Sam hold on to the Cube. Do not let it go". Sam barely had time to nod before Optimus threw himself off the building, and Sam closed his eyes as Optimus headed towards the ground, using the buildings around him to slow his descent. However Sam's eyes popped open as he heard the growl of Megatron's voice from nearby, "Optimus, hes closing on us". Optimus turned, saw Megatron and quickly morphed his arm into a cannon, firing a shot at Megatron's approaching form. It wasn't enough to hurt or stop the Decepticon leader but it was enough to slow him and knock him off course, so that when the two robots landed on the street, they landed apart from each other saving Sam from being crushed.
Blinking as the dust cleared from the street, Sam crawled out from Optimus's palm as he slowly uncurled his giant fingers; and as he heard Optimus's low whisper of his name, Sam turned to look into Optimus's half closed optics as Optimus continued to talk in a low voice, "Sam you risked your life to protect the cube, why sacrifice yourself". Sam looked back at Optimus, and suddenly the words he had heard his father repeat over and over echoed through his head, "No sacrifice, no victory. The Witwicky family motto".
"Thank you Sam. I will protect you as just as you have protected the Cube; but if I am unable to stop Megatron you will need to place the Cube into my chest, it is the only way to destroy it". Sam looked back at Optimus with stricken eyes, "But it will destroy you too". Optimus looked at Sam with optics that glowed and in that moment Sam knew he would be unable to destroy that all important glow, however as he looked over at the red optics of a slowly moving Megatron, Sam realised he would feel no such qualms about their glow being extinguished, and he began to formulate a plan in his head, one that would keep Optimus safe from harm.
oOoOo
As they heard the approaching footsteps, Bumblebee chirped a warning and fired up his cannon, shielding Mikaela and the soldiers who were having a well deserved break. However when he realised the footsteps belonged to a weary looking Ironhide, who was being supported by an equally tired looking Ratchet, Bumblebee looked at Mikaela with worried optics, before he chirped a greeting. Ironhide met Bumblebees gaze, his spark settling slightly as he saw his youngling was no more injured than he had been when they'd left, before answering, "Its okay youngling, it's just a scrape that hurts a bit more than it would usually". Mikaela moved around Bee, and looked up at the two larger bots and chuckled as she saw Ratchet raise his eyebrows at Ironhide, who just shrugged his shoulders in reply. Bumblebee also saw the exchange and quickly asked Ratchet if Ironhide really was okay over the comm-link. Ratchet smiled at the younger 'bots devious tactics, and quickly replied that 'Yes Ironhide is fine. He's finding it more painful than usual as it caught some of his wiring". Bee chirped in relief, before he shared a puzzled look with 'Hide and Ratchet, "Where is Jazz?". Mikaela also looked round and belatedly realised there was no sign of the Pontiac, "Yeah where is he guys?". Ironhide and Ratchet shared a look, which caused both Bee's spark and Mikaela's heart rate to race, before Ironhide answered, "Jazz is fine, however he got into some trouble with Megatron". Bumblebee was unable to help the sharp chirp that escaped him, and Ironhide rested a gentle hand on Bee's shoulder, "Easy youngling, I managed to stop Megatron this time, so Jazz has been dismissed from the battle to keep him safe". Mikaela noticed the way Ironhides voice dipped and the way Bumblebee had flinched at the thought of Jazz being injured, and she suddenly realised that it must have been Megatron that had caused Bee's injuries in the earlier battle Optimus had mentioned the night they had all first met, and that Ironhide somehow felt responsible. However she sensed that now was not the time to ask questions, and instead raised her eyes to look at Ratchet, "So what happened with Sam? How come you guys are here and not with him?". Ratchet sighed deeply and Mikaela felt bad for asking the question but she needed to know, "We were attacked by Blackout and then by Starscream, and it was then that Ironhide got injured, and unfortunately we were unable to help Sam any longer. However we believe he is with Optimus as we know he is here in the city". Mikaela looked over at Ironhide and saw the defeated look in his blue optics. Taking a deep breath, Mikaela crossed over to Ironhide, "Ironhide?". Ironhide looked down at Mikaela, "I am sorry Mikaela". Mikaela continued to gaze at Ironhide, and tentatively rested her hand on his leg, "You don't need to apologise. You did your best and I'm sure that without you Sam would not have made it as far as he did, so for keeping my best friend as safe as you did, I have to thank both you and Ratchet". Mikaela smiled up at Ironhide who felt a little of the tension he'd felt in his spark ease as he looked down at the young woman who had kept his youngling safe, before answering in a low voice, "Thank you Mikaela, and I must thank you for keeping my youngling here safe from harm also. It seems he has chosen well with his sparkmate". Mikaela blushed and looked back at Bee, who chirped at her softly, before dipping his head slightly with embarrassment.
However the moment was spoilt by the sound of a sudden and massive explosion, and Mikaela grabbed for Bee's steadying hand as the ground shook beneath them. Bee looked over at Ironhide, his optics wide and worried as he voiced a questioning chirp. Ratchet also looked over at Ironhide with worried optics, "I sense that the earth tremor is related to the battle somehow but the only thing that could cause a tremor of that intensity is..."
"Megatron and Optimus". As he spoke, Ironhide lifted his head, and saw the worried looks on the faces of his fellow Autobots. He also looked at Mikaela, and at the two human soldiers that he recognised from earlier, and saw the fear in Mikaelas eyes but saw the light of battle in the eyes of the two soldiers, which he approved of highly. As Bee gazed at Ironhide, he felt a twinge in his spark which caused him to chirp in confusion, and as he looked at Ironhide and Ratchet he saw that they were looking just as confused. Bee was aware of Mikaelas worried voice calling to him, and he gently stroked her hair his fingers, but he was unable to reply to her as he was too busy listening to the message that was being sent over his comm-link. As he listened to the quick message Optimus was transmitting, Bumblebees hand stilled and he felt his spark almost freeze. As the message ended, Bee found himself shaking as Optimus's words sunk into his circuits and as he looked over at Ironhide and Ratchet, he saw that they too looked shaken. Bumblebee heard Mikaela worriedly calling his name, and he somehow managed to reply to her with an almost silent chirp. Mikaela rubbed his hand as she felt him shaking, "Whats wrong Bee?". Bumblebee looked at her and quickly lifted her up to his chestplates, needing to feel her close to him. Mikaela sensed Bee's need and slowly traced her fingers over his chest, Bee slowly calming under her soothing touch but as soon as he looked over at Ironhide and saw the distressed look in his optics, Bee's spark quickly began to race again as he chirped at Ironhide, and as Ironhide nodded sadly, Bee's worst fears were confirmed. Mikaela felt Bee slump and looked over at Ratchet worriedly, "Ratchet please, whats wrong?". Ratchet looked at Mikaela, and spoke in a quiet voice, "We have received a message from Optimus, and he has informed us that to keep the cube safe he will sacrifice himself by merging it with his spark". Mikaela looked back at Ratchet with wide blue eyes, "But he can't". Ratchet looked back at Mikaela, and his shoulders slumped as he looked back at her, "It is the only way he can destroy the Cube and keep Sam safe at the same time, Mikaela. He has no choice". Mikaela looked back at Ratchet, and as she curled closer to Bee's chest, Mikaela wished there was some other way that the cube could be destroyed without Optimus having to destroy himself, and she could only hope that Sam would find someway to save both himself and Optimus.
oOoOo
A/N: Happy Birthday to me ;) Anyway after that shameless plug, finally got the new chappie out! I've pretty much changed the battle timeline as I think it makes more sense and is far easier to write the way i have done it, as the actual battle scene in the movie is quite confusing, and very difficult to keep up with, which was confirmed when I watched the film again for like the millionth time last nite, and its like way longer than my usual chapters but couldn't break it down anymore. Anyway hope you all enjoy, please review as love reading what you guys think xx