Chapter 28: Save the World from Unicron
My hands, my feet, my whole body was reacting to the danger that I was facing. Grenades were shooting at the moving stone statues of Unicron. Or what I assume it is. I'm pretty sure it's Unicron. But I'll ask for confirmation later. The 'Bots and I are shooting and hitting against them so that is all that I need to remove any doubt about destroying them to free Optimus, which we did in a few moments.
Vaguely I take notice that lilac sparks are surrounding my body, but I have my attention in protecting the Autobots and not getting hit.
I may be thicker skinned, but I know that if I get hit by those moving statues it will hurt. A lot.
Just as I jumped off the cliff that I was running, the wind picks me up and I transform Dolores into her war hammer form and I swing as hard as I could at the stone head of the closest Unicron stone clone. The head crumbles into tiny pieces and the body stands still before it falls forwards. The clone body breaks into chunks of debris, but in that time I was already smashing the head of a different clone.
I think I had smashed my sixth head before the wind suddenly cuts me off and I am thrown right in the middle of a dozen Unicron statutes.
This is going to be a little more difficult, but not impossible.
I look behind them and I see Optimus, Bee, Arcee and Bulkhead all fighting their own clones. They seem to be in a discussion. Doesn't take a lot to guess what they are going to talk about. It's best that I pay attention to my own problem.
I narrow my eyes and I see the statues putting their hands in front of them, all aiming at me. I quickly put Dolores into her rest mode and put her back in the holster before grabbing Vengeance.
I try to call the wind but it doesn't budge. I wonder if Unicron controls the weather and is conscious that I am using it. The pounding under my skin is still active, but it has yet to hinder in my combat ability.
Before I could start on using lightning speed, white hot lightning bolts comes out of every single statue and it is aimed directly at me.
I stand straight as I feel the lightning bolts all come at me in different directions. It courses through my body and it feels like I'm taking a dip in hot springs after being exposed to the winter chill. When the lightning stops coming at me, I stand still as I let the energy run through my system.
Then I crouch slightly and I run at lightning speed. This time, electric sparks cover my body and I run faster than I have ever run before.
I zigzag and leap around them, all the while slashing them with Vengeance's blade. By the time I was back at the center, the statues were still for a while. Then, one by one, their limbs start detaching from their body and they all crumble to the ground. If I ever have to guess, I think it took around less than ten seconds.
I move on and continue to use the mega lightning speed boost that Unicron unintentionally gave me. The sucker.
Vaguely, I take notice that my senses are also working at high speeds and that they have faster reactions. My brain throbs just a little at the information overload that my eyes and other senses are receiving. I am not just seeing in front of me, I take notice of all around me using my eyes, ears, nose and the vibrations under my feet. It's almost like I have a 360 view of what's happening around me.
I run towards Bulkhead and destroy a few statues that were behind him and then move on to Bee and then Arcee and then finally Optimus who is facing a lot more than the rest of them.
I took turns to cut different Unicron clones as they are too slow to catch up to me. Then I stop as my speed boost comes to an end. I'm huffing as I fall back from the fast driving 'Bots. They quickly speed ahead gaining a lot of distance.
"Now that was a warm-up." I state dryly as I regulate my breathing. Vengeance is in her sniper form and I use her as an improvised cane. My legs are sore and throbbing meanwhile my thigh muscles twitch every few seconds. Unfortunately, my whole body still has the pulsing feeling and it has increased more than the last time I paid attention to it.
Just as I finish taking a third deep breath, my body stiffens and my gut gets cold just a second before the plateau ahead transforms into a gigantic Unicron golem. My heart speeds up as well as the pulsing. I feel sweat on the palm of my hands.
I see the 'Bots transforming back to bipedal modes and I quickly zoom and stand next to 'Bee, switching Vengeance for an armed and ready Dolores.
"Is that Unicron?" Bee asks in disbelief.
"No, not Unicron himself, but another of his manifestations." Optimus quickly explains as he takes a few steps forward before stopping.
"If we can't beat Unicron and we can't outrun him, what exactly are we supposed to do?" Bulkhead asks and I can hear the small desperation in that sentence.
Unicron finally takes his first steps towards us. My finger is ready to pull the trigger in any second.
"All we can do." Optimus states. "Neutralize his vessels as they appear, until we find a way to destroy him… without destroying the very Earth upon which we walk."
Optimus changes his arms for his cannons as he starts walking towards the Unicron titan. The rest of the 'Bot follow his example and are running in battle, however, I run at Bulkhead and land on his shoulder.
"Anya?!"
"Throw me as high as you can!" I order. His eyes look at Unicron before he look at Dolores and his nods before transforming his right arm back into hands. I keep still as Bulkhead grabs me around my waist and then throws me like a spear up high in the air.
My hair whips behind me as I continue gaining altitude. I move my arms and my fingers press the trigger several times, each one hitting Unicron, it only causes small chucks to fall. It barely made a difference.
My anger rises as he slaps away Bee and Bulkhead like they were nothing. So I target only his neck area and try to hit the same area each time.
But I just as I hit my highest point, I am quickly falling down. Damnit. I continue pulling the trigger, but I had to switch from Dolores to Vengeance since Dolores ran out of grenades.
I still continue to try to communicate to the Wind to carry me or help me but there is no response.
Guess, I have to do it the old fashion way. I position Vengeance's muzzle downwards and shoot to slow my momentum as I land a bit more roughly on my feet.
I put Vengeance away. I was farthest from Unicron. Bulkhead must have thrown in in a straight vertical path.
I grit my teeth as I see Arcee now throw across the field.
I put my hands in front of me and gather up as much as electricity in them. Soon a sphere of plasma form between my hands. It is similar, no, it is the exact same thing that I did when Raf, Jack, and Miko were in the Decepticon's ship. It seems like a lifetime ago now.
However, I concentrated more to make the sphere bigger, about the size of a large basketball. Last time it was half of that size.
Then I released the pressure and the lilac lightning bolt headed straight into the titan. The power was too much, but it still hit it. The left arm was blasted off and it crumbles once it touches the ground. My breathing becomes heavy and I let my arms limp at my sides with the occasional twitching.
My eyes widen in horror when I see Unicron still going after Optimus. The remaining arm morphs into a spiked club. Unicron then swings his arm and it hits the ground, pulling out chunks of earth. The large debris lands on Optimus. From where I am standing I can see him still moving and trying to get the large boulders off of him.
With pained effort I lift my arms and let loose lightning bolts. They are continuously streaming out of the palm of my hands. I have never done this before. However the power behind my bolts were slimming down.
"I am this world's past and its future." Unicron says as his foot is looming above Optimus. "And as of this moment all Primes are simply past." I scream in pain and regret as I let my arms down, cutting off the bolts.
Time seems to go in slow motion when I command my body to move my legs, and before I could do anything, something unexpected happened.
Megatron appeared and he destroyed the large Unicron golem. Yeah, I think I might be hallucinating.
But I see the titan of earth fall back and when it touches the ground, I lower my head and close my eyes as the dusty wind hits me. So, either I am having vivid hallucinations or this really is happening.
When it dies down, I slowly raise my head and see Megatron on top of the fallen golem. "I happened." Megatron bellows as he raises his arm, reminding me of a gladiator.
Steadily, I make my way towards Optimus to help him, but it seems that he got out from under the rubble without help.
"Optimus," I whisper as I try to hurry him as I pull on his arm.
The familiar whirring sound of a plasma canon makes me turn around and I ready Vengeance and point it at Megatron. Before I could pull the trigger, Megatron shifts his hand and it's in a position of offering his hand to help Optimus.
Gritting my teeth, I put Vengeance away on my holster. I move away from the two leaders, but my eyes never left Megatron.
Megatron moved his optics and looked at me and he smirked. I snarl and narrowed my eyes, but I didn't make any attempts to attack him, yet. My anger is boiling and the clouds are forming around us. Some lightning strikes at me before thunder roars, making the earth shake slightly. Electric currents cover my body in warning.
Megatron then looks at Optimus and Optimus took his hand. Megatron pulls him up and they both stand facing each other. I never thought I would see the day that they both will be in this close proximity without fighting each other.
The seconds were tense as they stare down, but they seem to come to an agreement and they stand side by side looking at the rest of the Autobots.
"It is rather ironic, considering our last encounter." Megatron states as he walks forward. But then he stops and turns around to look at Optimus. "If memory serves, you were desperately attempting to extinguish my spark." He then looks at me for a second before his attention went back to Optimus.
"That option remains very much in play." Optimus replies in almost threatening tone as he went up to Megatron and stare him down.
"I would expect nothing less." Megatron retorts. He then moves away. "However, I have a proposal." He stops and looks at the last Prime. "Join me in defeating our shared enemy—Unicron, the Chaos-Bringer."
Involuntary a shiver passes down my spine and the pulsing on my skin increases in intensity, but not in pace. Quietly, I make my way towards Bee and the rest. Bee looks at me worriedly, but I nod at him telling him that I'm okay.
Ratchet must be talking through the comm link because Optimus says, "Because Megatron's pride would never allow anyone other than himself to rule this planet."
"You know me all too well, Optimus." Megatron replies in almost taunting voice.
"You lead an army of 'Cons. Why come to us?" Bulkhead makes a point.
"Because this particular endeavor requires something beyond the realm of my command – the power of a Prime." He waves his hand in the direction of Optimus.
"Then I guess we don't need you." Bulkhead again points out. However, my gut is telling me the opposite.
"On the contrary, Optimus may be the only one who can defeat Unicron, but I remain the only one who can guide you to him. Unicron's lifeblood runs through me. Only I can hear his thoughts, anticipate his movements." I look at my hands and I see the lilac veins had reached my fingers.
I have the Chaos-Bringer's lifeblood inside of me as well. But… I can't hear his thoughts. If I could do that, then we wouldn't need Megatron.
"Optimus, our past alliances – Autobot, Decepticon – no longer matter, not while Unicron lives." Megatron continues his speech.
"A truce between Autobot and Decepticon. How long do you expect us to believe that will last?"
"Only as long as it's mutually beneficial."
"And when our proposed shared mission is complete?"
"I will conquer this Earth… my way." He then looks at my direction and we make eye contact. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you… Anya. I still intend to keep you as mine."
Bee steps in front of me in a protective stance and I can feel the death glare that he is giving Megatron. Arcee and Bulkhead also take a stand next to my guardian.
"Do not worry, for now. This is a truce and right now this is a trial to test if Anya is as powerful as I hope she is." He smirks. "I saw when you managed to damage the giant manifestation of Unicron. Something that the rest couldn't do."
"Brutal honesty of a Decepticon," Arcee says dryly.
"Do you think you've witnessed the full power of Unicron? Those foot soldiers were nothing more than a taste. Unicron has yet to fully awaken.
"With each passing moment, the Bringer of Chaos evolves, mutating Earth from the inside out. What we have witnessed until now is but a prelude of the utter devastation his rising will wreak upon your world."
"Like your quest for power destroyed Cybertron?" Arcee asks angrily.
"Make no mistake. This time, there will be a planet left for me to rule." Megatron replies with equal or more anger.
"Even if we agree, Unicron's all the way down at the center of the Earth. How are we supposed to get there – drive?" Bulkhead yells.
"There is only one way." Optimus replies in an ominous tone.
Ratchet was yelling, that much I could tell. I could vaguely hear his voice through the 'Bot's comm link. I could only catch the part where Ratchet mentions that Optimus and the rest have not built up immunity like Megatron has. I suspect that he was talking about dark energon.
"Yet another strong argument for soliciting my guidance." Megatron says calmly.
"You can provide Unicron's exact coordinates?"
"If you transport us to this planet's core, I can lead you directly into Unicron's spark… the very heart of his darkness." Again, the chills.
"Even if we survive the jump, how are we supposed to stop Unicron?" Arcee asks.
It was silent and Megatron looks at Optimus knowingly.
"With the Matrix of Leadership." He answers.
What is that? It sounds powerful…
"It was the combined power of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago, the very reason he now seeks to destroy you." Megatron answers.
So… the Matrix has the power of the Primes. It is implied that Optimus has it since he is the last Prime. Or at least knows where it is.
"It would follow that unleashing the power of the Matrix directly into Unicron's spark would return his to stasis." Optimus reveals.
I gasp as the pulsing that what was once going weaker now suddenly picked up the pace. The rocks that littered around us started moving toward where the fallen golem lays.
I jumped over a rolling rock, but Bee catches me in his hands before my feet touch the ground.
"We got another one." Bulkhead states uneasily as the trio of 'Bots take a few steps back. My jaw dropped a little when I see that this golem is twice bigger than before.
"Ratchet, set the Ground Bridge." Optimus calls out urgently.
More rocks continue rolling and the wind picked up in strength. Bee is holding me against his chest protectively as they all try to stay in place.
The portal opens and the intensity of the wind lessen.
"We're opening up a direct path into our base with Megatron standing right there?" Arcee says in disbelief as she points an accusing finger at him.
"And seriously, he's gonna risk his own spark to save us?" Bulkhead adds.
Megatron bellows in laughter. "Hardly my nature." He states in dark humor. He then turns away to a different direction.
This time my heart stops when we all finally see the titan in front of us.
"Consider my offer. I shall keep it busy." Megatron says to Optimus before he transforms into his aircraft mode and flies toward the titan, shooting at it relentlessly.
At that moment Bee goes inside the Bridge and I know nothing more of them.
Once the portal closes, Bee looks down at me and says worriedly, "Does it hurt?"
"What do you mean?" I ask him. Arcee, Bulkhead, Optimus, and Ratchet then all get close to me.
Ratchet eyes go wide and he immediately scans. "Do you feel weak? Anything wrong?" He asks hurriedly.
"Well, my muscles are sore, but that is to be expected. I have not gone to speeds as I did in the battlefield." I state analytically. "What is happening?"
The 'Bots are silent before my father says in a deadpan tone, "You are undergoing a mutation."
"That's one way of putting it." Rather mumbles.
"Let me check on her." Father states seriously and Bee quickly, but gently puts me near my father where all of the humans were at. Jack and Raf inched closer to me, but they held themselves back as Father stands in front of me.
"Is it the purple veins?" I ask him as I show him my hands. My eyes widen, "They turned a shade darker!"
"They have spread more." Father informs as he takes out his phone and he gives it to me. I hold it and the camera is on. I see myself and I do not like it. The purple veins now have crept over my neck and have settled on my cheeks. "You skin is cold like Russian winter." He states as he takes away the phone and pulls me into his arms.
I quickly hug him back, "Father..."
"Shh… don't worry. We will figure it out." He says comfortingly. "But we have more serious things to worry about." I then let him go and I nod in understanding.
I stand next to Father and we stand ram-rod straight as we look at Optimus. "What are we going to do, sir?" I ask as we have a mask of neutrality.
It seems to arouse Ratchet as he turns to Optimus, "I know that desperate times call for desperate measures, but bringing Megatron here?"
"How can you even think about letting that monster near these children after what he did to Raf and Anya?!" June exclaims. "Especially what he said earlier about kidnapping Anya?!" I could feel Father stiffen beside me, but he calms down, slightly.
"He will be closely monitored and only allowed to linger long enough to send us on our journey." Optimus calmly answers before his words harden. "Not one moment more."
"What's gonna stop the 'Con from calling in an air strike if he knows where you live?" Fowler asks.
"By Ground-Bridging Megatron here, he will be unable to get a fix on our coordinates." Optimus explains.
"Optimus, what's gonna happen to you when all your Matrix energy is released?" Jack asks. I felt my mask crumble as I look worriedly at Optimus.
"The power with the Matrix has not previously been utilized in this particular manner." You don't say.
"But you have an idea, don't you?" Jack asks.
After a few seconds of silence Optimus speaks, "Autobots, if humankind is to be saved… I have no choice but to proceed. But you do." He refers to the rest of the 'Bots.
Again, the silence.
"Well, I don't know about humankind," Bulkhead starts, "But I'm willing to do it… for Miko."
"For Jack."
"For Raf and Anya."
The four of us step forwards and smile fondly and gratefully at our guardians and at Optimus.
Optimus nods and then he went towards the controls. "Megatron, we are sending transport."
:: You can always be relied upon to listen to reason, Optimus.:: Megatron's voice carries.
"Father, please do not confront him." I told him.
"W-what?! He wants to take you away!"
"And that is why I want you to never meet him. I want you safe. You do not have protection of the Autobots at a daily basis." I told him urgently as I hold his hands. "Otets, por favor. For my peace of mind and conscious."
His sapphire eyes darken before he closes them and sighs tiredly. "Alright, for you, moya zhemchuzhina."
"Thank you," I whisper as I give him a hug which he returns just as fiercely. He kisses the top of my head and I slowly let him go.
He nods firmly before he leads Raf, Miko and June away. I make my way towards Jack and he holds my hand and squeezes it.
"I was worried." He whispers.
"I was too," I answer honestly as I squeeze back. "It was nothing that I have ever fought before." I say quietly.
We all hide in the tunnel where we all could see the entrance of the Ground Bridge. It activates and Megatron's thunderous footsteps are heard as he is getting closer.
My hand automatically went to grab Vengeance, but Jack is holding it in place. He has a tight grip on me and he doesn't even notice.
I squeeze his hand and he looks at me apologetically as he realized what he did. Jack kisses the back of the hand that he is holding and pulls me closer, hugging me on his side. I lean on him, telling him without words that I forgive him.
We are all silent as Bee, Arcee and Bulkhead ready their weapons and aim at the Bridge. Then Megatron finally appears and his optics roams the chamber.
"So, this is where the magic happens. Quaint." He states. Is he seriously really trying to make small talk?
"Raf!"
"Rafael, no!"
Raf runs towards Megatron and I quickly stop him when he was halfway there.
"You!" Raf exclaims as he struggles against me. Jack, Miko, June and Fowler follow behind. I am thankful to the stars that Father obeyed my wishes.
"Ah! You're looking much better than the last time we met, little one. Humans… resilient." Megatron says in an almost bored fashion. I let go of Raf as I suddenly got angry at those words. Purple sparks surround my body, but Raf ignores it as he boldly walks closer to Megatron.
Jack thankfully stops him as I am trying to calm down the burning angry inside of me.
"Come on, Raf. He isn't worth it." Jack says as he pushes Raf towards June. Raf looks at Megatron with hatred. Someone that Raf has never seen on someone before.
"Anya died because of you!" Raf shouts before he lets June lead him away.
Megatron looks at me curiously, but I simply do not look at him instead I look at Jack as he was about to lead me away.
"And you." Megatron states causing us both to freeze in place. "I never forget a face – even that of a human." Jack turns his head, but I simply walk forward as Jack gently pushes me ahead. Jack quickly catches up to me.
"You double-cross anyone, mine is the face you'll never forget. Never!" Miko yells. I stop and turn around and see that Fowler actually is restraining her back.
Good. That means I have my hands free.
"Is it true that you died, Anya?" Megatron asks as he takes a step forward but Bee quickly intercepts him.
"Yes," I say simply. Then I pull down the hoodie to reveal my purple veins that have most likely have covered the majority of my face. "It came with a secondary effect." I deadpanned before walking away in silent steps.
"Ratchet, obtain the destination coordinates from our guest." I hear Optimus say. It was mainly silent except from the loud footsteps and the clicking of buttons.
Jack and I walk side by side as we are the last in the group. My father is in front leading everyone deeper in the hallway.
"Jack… Anya…" Optimus says causing us to stop to look at him. We stay quiet as Optimus looks behind him before bending down to be closer to our level. "Will you both keep something for me?"
"Sure," Jack answer while I nod softly in agreement.
Then almost out of thin air, a silver and blue metallic object appears from his hand. Then as he gets it closer to us, it compacts into a smaller size.
Jack and I grab it at the same time, but I let Jack hold it. He then looks at me before looking at Optimus.
"What is it?" I ask.
"It is the key to the Ground Bridge Power Supply." Optimus answers. My gut feels tingly, but nothing alarming.
"Okay, but shouldn't Ratchet have this?" Jack asks.
"Perhaps. But I've been impresses by how much you have matured since we first met." Optimus says to Jack before he looks at me. "You have surprised me many times about how strong humans could be when it comes to protecting others. As such, I feel you both have earned the responsibility of safeguarding this important device until I return."
"I won't let you down." Jack answers.
"You can be assured that it will be protected under my watch." I answer seriously. The Autobot leader nods at us before he stands up to his full height and leaves towards where the other 'Bots are.
When Megatron first enters the portal, we all gathered back towards the Autobots. They all look at us, our guardians saying goodbye to us and we do the same.
"Please, come back to us." I whisper before the Bridge closes.
It was silent for a few moments before Miko tentatively asks, "So, how was the fight?"
I turn towards her and look at her with a neutral expression, "Intense."
"Okay, so I know that you have… super powers," June starts as she looks at me. "But I can't believe it."
"No kidding. But for some reason I am not really surprised." Fowler admits. "You have a pretty strong grip." He says as he rubs his ear. I try not to smirk at the memory.
"It is difficult to digest this information." I start as I take a step back from everyone. "But it is true." I then feel the familiar heat of my fingertips and put them in front of me. Purple electric currents are dancing between them and spreading to my arms and eventually to my whole body.
"I-I can see what you are doing, but- this is so surreal." June huffs as Jack went next to her and pat her back comfortingly.
"Like giant alien robots are not surreal enough for you?" Jack humors lightly. June just lightly smacks his shoulder.
"Anya, Raf told me what you were feeling on your skin." Father says as grabs my hand and gets a closer inspection. "When I touch it I feel something usual."
Ratchet then takes the moment to bend down close to our level and scans me again. "Dark energon is taking over your system, but it seems to be intermingling with your own system." He states grimly.
"My blood is mixing with dark energon?" I ask in disbelief. "Wouldn't that be killing me?"
"Frankly, it should have." Ratchet announces with a wince. "But you are no normal human and in all honesty I hope that it is not killing you. I- we wouldn't want that to happen."
I shudder and hug myself. I feel… cold? Numb? No, I feel empty. Like something is missing inside of me. My body is yearning for it, but it doesn't know what it needs.
"What's wrong?" Father asks.
"I'm feeling weird." I say bluntly as I shudder again, but this time more intense. "I'm going to rest for a while."
"I'm carrying you." Father says in a no-nonsense tone. He scoops me up in his arms bridal style and holds me close to his chest.
I shudder again and I could feel his arms tighten around me. He walks up the stairs and sits me down at the sofa. His hands are covering mine and he brings them close to his mouth and breathes on it. Father did that to me when I was a lot younger, back when Mom was alive, back when I felt truly cold when I was outside during the winter in Russia. Almost ten years ago…
"I'm better, thank you Otets." I say softly as I stop him. He says nothing as he sits next to me and pats my knee. Jack sits down next to me and he holds my almost purple covered hand.
"How are you holding up?" He asks quietly.
"Not very well," I state bluntly. "But I could be worse." I say to him with a small twitch of my lips. "I trust in the 'Bots."
"You and I both," He says as he brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles. Then he pulls out the key Optimus gave to us and he starts fiddling with it.
"Do you want water, moya detka?" I fight down the blush that wanted to come up. Baby girl… my father doesn't use that term a lot. He must be very worried.
"Yes, please." I said softly. He nods and kisses my forehead before he stands up and looks for a water bottle. I think they are in one of the rooms of the hall. Jack thankfully wraps his arm around me and I lay my head on his shoulder and let silence take us.
My gut is telling me that something is going to happen and I am not going to like it.
"More than 60 volcanoes are erupting worldwide, and downtown Honolulu is under six inches of snow. Scientists continue to devise theories connecting these unprecedented natural disasters with the planetary alignment, which-" And with that the news broadcast is cut.
We all were watching that upon Fowler's request. He was getting anxious about what was happening.
"So, who wants to play a game?" June asks, trying to be cheerful.
Raf, Jack and Miko are not in the mood.
I wasn't in a good mood. My gut keeps bothering me, but I didn't tell Father about it. He probably feels it too and it could only mean about the approaching doom that is occurring in the core of our planet.
"That tears it!" Fowler exclaims as he is heading towards the elevator.
"Where are you going?" June demands.
"I can't just sit on my hands while the world spins out of control." Fowler answers aggravated.
"And what exactly is it that you intend to do?" Ratchet asks in an almost condescending tone.
"Anything! Hook up with my boys at the Pentagon, figure out a way to bury that monster for good." Fowler exclaims.
Father actually rolled his eyes and I let out a scoff.
"In the event Optimus can't?" Ratchet questions the agent.
"Don't you mean Optimus and Megatron?" Fowler retorts. That was quite childish. I know no one likes the arrangement, but it needs to be done to save Earth.
"No one here is thrilled about this arrangement, Agent Fowler, myself included, but with Optimus and Megatron together again-" Whoa, whoa, whoa. Excuse me?
"Whoa, wait. Again?" Jack asks the question in all our heads.
"Megatron was an Autobot?" Raf asks. It was hard for me to believe that.
"Optimus was a 'Con?" Miko asks. That was even harder to believe.
"No on either count," Ratchet starts as he faces them. Father is still sitting next to me in the couch and observing my status on purple veins. "But there was a time back on Cybertron in the twilight hours of the Golden Age when Optimus and Megatron were not sworn enemies." Oh background story where we are going to learn something interesting about the two leaders of enemy factions.
"Do you recall when I mentioned that Optimus wasn't always a Prime?" Ratchet asks us, but we didn't have to answer. "Well, he wasn't always Optimus, either. He was once a clerk in the Iacon Hall of Records named Orion Pax.
"But as he learned more about Cybertron's past, he grew increasingly concerned about the present corruption in high places and inequality among the masses.
"Orion became inspired by the words and ideas of a gladiator – one who had named himself after one of the 13 original Primes – Megatronus.
"Megatronus vowed to challenge Cybertron's leadership and demand that all Cybertronians be treated as equals. This gladiator-turned-revolutionary rapidly gathered a loyal following, Soundwave chief among them.
"Orion began corresponding with Megatronus, who came to be something of a mentor to him. As Megatronus left the gladiatorial arena for the political, he saw fit to shorten his name.
"Before long, Megatron appeared before the high counsel to propose his vision for a just society. And it was here that he began to reveal his true colors, proclaiming the need to overthrow the old guard with force and arrogantly demanding to be named the next Prime.
"But Orion did not believe in violence as a means of achieving justice. The sparks and minds of the counsel were moved by Orion's words. Here, for the first time since Cybertron's Golden Age, stood someone worthy of being a Prime. But that honor could only truly be achieved by earning the legendary Matrix of Leadership.
"His ambitions thwarted, Megatron spitefully severed all ties with Orion and the counsel and came to wage war on all who opposed him, through his growing army of followers, which he named Decepticons. He vowed to claim the Matrix for himself, wherever it might lie.
"In time, warfare consumed Cybertron, poisoning the planet to its core. Orion journeyed there, hoping to reverse the ill effects and found himself before the very spark of our life giver, Primus himself.
"The ailing Primus sensed the innate nobility within Orion and bestowed the Matrix upon him. It was thus that a surprised and humbled Orion Pax came to be Optimus, the Last of the Primes."
Goosebumps rise on my skin after that revelation.
"So, Optimus got the Matrix from Cybertron's core, and now he's gonna give it to Earth's?" Miko asks. I gladly surprised that Miko paid attention to Ratchet.
"What's to stop Megatron from just claiming the Matrix for himself this time around?" Jack questions.
"Only his greater desire to save this planet so that he may in turn conquer it, as he so compellingly argue, provided the Lord of the Decepticons can ever be fully trusted." Ratchet answers.
Jack then walks towards me and sits at my side again once Father left to do something.
He takes out the key to the ground bridge out and we observe it. In different moments it glows a light blue that reminds me of energon. I gave it back to him and he kisses my cheek before he stands up just when my father comes back.
Even in times like this, Jack is still wary of my father. I have faith that the Autobots will be successful. I know Earth is going to see a tomorrow for a long while.
"Communication links are down, as expected." Ratchet comments to no one in particular as he observes the main screen. "But we've lost their signal."
"But doesn't that mean…?" Raf asks fearfully.
"Usually, but a more likely explanation would be the severe interference caused by these electromagnetic anomalies." Ratchet explains confidently.
"So, if we can't track them and they can't contact us…"
"How are we gonna know when they're ready for pickup?" Miko finishes for Raf.
I hear silence from Ratchet but I hear Jack clanging the key softly against the catwalk as I look at him from the couch.
"Where did you get that?" Ratchet asks.
"Optimus gave it to us." I answer immediately. Ratchet's eyes widen as he looks at both of us.
"Yeah, I don't know why he would give us the key to the Ground Bridge Power Supply." Jack answers with a shrug.
"Jack, there is no key to the Ground Bridge." Ratchet states.
"Well, then what is this?" Jack asks for the both of us.
"That is the key to Vector Sigma."
"The what?"
"You are holding one of Cybertron's most important relics." Ratchet informs.
"I shouldn't have this." Jack quickly says as he straitens his posture and motions to give to Ratchet and then me. I gently shake my head and motion to Ratchet.
"Optimus entrusted it to you, Jack and Anya." Ratchet announces as he looks between us.
"But that doesn't make any sense. Why?" Jack asks and my gut already gave me an theory that I didn't want to hear.
"Because he doesn't plan on coming back." Ratchet announces.
At that moment my breath hitches as I feel as something was physically poking my heart.
"Anya, what's wrong?" Father whispers worriedly, but that still allowed for everyone to hear.
"My heart…" I say as the poking feels more intense. My breath hitches again and to stop a groan of pain from coming from me.
I hear the familiar sound of Ratchet's scanners and I look up at him. His face tells me that something's bad.
I looked at my hands earlier and saw that my skin had become a light purple and spreading.
"What is it Ratchet?" Jack asks worriedly as he runs back to my side.
"Anya, your red and white blood cells are diminishing. The dark energon is taking over your body." He answers me gravely. "It's just a matter of an hour or so before it finally completes."
"But that could finally kill her!" Father exclaims worriedly. "Her organs could deteriorate in a matter of minutes!"
"I'm dying," I say emotionless. "There is nothing that we can do." I told them as I stand up. My breath hitches as the uncomfortable sensation in my heart starts again.
"No! You can't die!" Raf shouts as he runs and tackles me in a strong hug. I immediately hug him back. "You just came back!"
"Yeah! You are Anya! The strongest girl alive!" Miko says as she looks at me with so many emotions. She was trying not to cry.
I blinked away the tears that were threatening to spill. "Even the strong have to fall so that stronger ones can rise after." I state. I bend down and kiss the top of Raf's head. He only hugs me tighter and I could feel his tears rolling down his face. I stroke his hair in a gentle manner.
"Anya Maria Tatiana," Father says softly but stern. Raf slowly breaks away and Father envelops me into a bear hug and kisses my forehead. "You're going to be okay. You have to be okay. I don't know what I would do if-" He stops and I could feel one tear drop landing on my cheek.
"I'm not leaving." I tell him. "I need to go outside." I say, suddenly feeling the yearning in my body intensify. "I need to go outside…" I say this time more emotionless. I break away from my father's hug and absently kiss his cheek.
I walk towards the elevator, but Jack stands in front of me. I blink slowly and gave him a serene smile. "I need to go outside…"
"Anya, it's raining hard outside. You'll get wet and the wind is very strong." He tells me as he places his hands on my shoulders.
Raising my arms, I grab my ribbon and untie it. I quickly show it to Jack. I grab his right hand with my left and using my right hand I place my ribbon on his hand. "Take care of it for me." I tell him.
Before he could say anything I quickly place my arms around his shoulders and kiss him. His hands go to my waist and it brings me closer to him.
Then I break away and I smile serenely at him. "I need to go outside…" I repeat and I push Jack out of the way. I feel hazy...
He stumbles and falls to the ground.
When I press the button to the elevator, I hear something cut off. I gently turn my head and see my father had disconnected the elevator's controls.
Something inside me changed and I spoke in a different language that left my vocal chords aching.
"You cannot stop me from going to my Lord of Chaos, my Creator." I state coldly.
My skin and blood boiled to such intensity and I feel myself dissolving, traveling away from inside the headquarters.
Normal POV
"What was that?!" Fowler demands as everyone looks at Ratchet whose face is stunned in disbelief.
"Anya just spoke in Cybertronian." He says numbly. "She believes that Unicron is her lord. She intends to go to him."
"But- how- what is wrong with her?" Jack asks urgently as he holds tightly at Anya's trademark black ribbon.
"The dark energon in her blood is affecting her brain and making her believe that she is one of Unicron's creations." He mutters angrily. "We need to stop her!" He exclaims as he prepares to exit, but the ground starts shaking.
The humans take shelter. The adults take the children and follow their lead as they all sit down and cover their heads.
"You!" Ratchet yells, transforming his hands into blades.
They all gasp as they see Unicron's face in the stone wall near the exit. His eyes trained at Ratchet only. "Creation of Primus, do not dare stop my creation! She shows promise from the first moment I saw her fight. She is worthy of carrying my blood!" He announces loudly.
"She is a human! She will not survive!" Ratchet exclaims.
"She is no human! She is a goddess! She manipulates and creates the chaos of the heavens! A mere human cannot do that. She is my true heir even if she dies in the effort to go to my spark…" And with that last dark comment, Unicron's face crumbles to the floor, leaving everyone stunned.
"My daughter!" Dr. Volkov cries as he runs to the elevator doors and forces the doors to open to a bit of effort. "She's walking to her death!" He cries desperately as he tries to grab the elevator's cable, but electric sparks shoot out, electrocuting the doctor and make him fall to the ground.
"Ratchet, what can we do?!" Jack asks desperately.
"There's nothing that we can do!" He yells anxiously as he presses some keypads and soon the screen shows what is happening outside. "We can only watch and pray for a miracle. Pray for Optimus and the rest to make it." Ratchet says somberly.
With that everyone watch the screen and Raf points one where there is a lot of lightning in one area.
They see a small speck, but it was with no doubt that it was Anya. But it was in their horror that they saw the army of Unicron golems that were coming at her.
She hadn't unstrapped one weapon from her and it was Vengeance and they could see how the scythe blade glinted from the lightning.
The heiress of Unicron fought against the golems, cutting off limbs and heads with ease. They noticed that she had used the new ability that she demonstrated a few moments ago.
She can now turn her body and the items with her into pure lightning.
She moved fast and sliced and hacked and occasionally shoots at the golems. By the time they touched the ground, she was on a different opponent.
Then it seems that it was over after she cut off the last golem. It was still, except for the storm that is still pouring rain and lightning.
However, the crumbled golems all come together and they form into a titan that is as tall as the plateau.
"Oh my God," June whispers.
"May Primus help her," Ratchet prays.
Anya bravely shoots at the titan, but it does nothing of damage. She puts her weapon away and raises her hands and out shoots streams of pure white lightning. The titan stumbles back, but it raises it's own hands and from the dark clouds about dozens of lightning bolts all strike around her trying to hit her, causing her to stop her attack.
She tries to dodge but it has surrounded her. They see the exhaustion on her body and see that her legs and arms are trembling from the stress.
"Come on, Anya, I know you can beat him." Miko whispers to herself.
More lightning comes down, blinding the spectators for a few moments. But they could see how Anya somehow redirects the lightning with her hands, to face at the titan's direction.
It did hit the titan, but it did not make enough damage to hamper it.
Then, without a warning all the lightning directed themselves all to the same point: at Anya.
Everyone yelled from inside. The light blinded them so they couldn't see what was happening.
It lasted for ten seconds. They would never hear Anya's screams of pain as it was drowned by the roaring thunder.
When it finished, they all search where Anya was, but all they could see nothing.
Dr. Volkov falls to his knees as he stares at the screen. "Moya detka… moya detka…" He whispers sorrowfully. Some tears fall from his eyes, but he wipes them away because he doesn't want many people to see him grieve. Especially, when the majority are strangers.
"Look!" Raf says hopefully as he points to the top of a plateau. There they see a small humanoid figure, but they knew that it was the one and only Anya.
"How is that possible?" Fowler asks in awe, but no one replies.
Anya raises her hand and then a lightning bolt strikes her, but when it disappears, she disappears. However the next bolt that came crashing down, Anya appears in a crouched position and she stands up, looking at the titan defiantly.
The titan shakes his body, like it was laughing. Anya takes a few steps back as the titan claps his hands and then it stops suddenly.
The titan goes down on a knee and punches the ground. His hand melded to the earth and before Anya could react, a clawed hand forms from under her and grabs her.
The hand is sinking down to the ground, taking a struggling Anya with it.
She had managed to break a finger, but by that time, her body was already half-way swallowed as the earthen hand formed around her.
She looks around and seeing that there was nothing was could help her she takes a deep breath and covers her face. A sort of egg-shaped cocoon covers her before the earth finally swallows her.
Unicron finally took her.
Anya's POV
I don't know how long I held my breath. I know that I am capable of holding my breath for five minutes average. It could have been a bit longer, or it could have been a bit shorter. My racing heart does not measure time.
It was fortunate that when the cocoon closed around me, some oxygen came with it, so I greedily took another deep breath, before I held it in.
I was not going to waste oxygen now that I had a vague idea where I'm being taken.
My thoughts wandered as I continue to descend to the center of the earth.
Unicron managed to convince me to go outside. He manipulated my body to yearn to be with him to prove myself to him. I felt his thoughts of utter destruction and it left me with an ice cold sensation that travelled throughout my spine.
He is a monster.
I am his monster. He deemed me as important enough for him to test me, to lure me where I could fight his golems.
I hate that he was proud of me. I hate that he thinks that I am his true heir. He compared me to Megatron and he said that I am the better of the two that could represent the chaos that he is.
It felt, still feels, dirty.
I don't want to be seen like that. I don't want to be seen as a chaos bringer. I don't want to be seen as someone dangerous. I want to be good. I want to be seen as someone who brings in peace, who brings in safety.
I think that is why I don't want Raf, Bee, Jack, Miko and the rest of the 'Bots to know my ugly truth. But I know that I have to tell them someday. It's just… I want to be seen with eyes shining in admiration… like I was their hero. I know that it sounds conceited, but is it bad that I wish the people that I deeply care see me as a good person? That is something I wish to see after they know my truth. It's only wishful thinking.
My heart would break if they saw me as an evil person. I don't think I would be able to stay in Jasper when that happens. I would probably graduate high school early just so that I could travel with my father and take on the assassination missions that the government or some top security agency asks of me. Just for the sake of forgetting the heartache. I don't think vodka would work in forgetting the pain.
I already know that I am going to serve in the U.S. army when I'm 18 and serve a full year in the Middle East and take on all the high risk missions. They believe that I can survive that since I am not "human".
That word it's been said a lot to me by those people and more that I have started to believe that I am not human.
But that is left forgotten when I'm with Jack, Bee, Raf and the others. I can be human. I have feelings. I can get hurt both physically and emotionally. I can die.
Exhale. Deep inhale. Hold breath.
I wonder how much longer I will have to wait before I get to the Earth's core. It is a pretty long trip…
The air is forced out of my lungs once I suddenly free-falling. My body automatically twists and turns so that I could land better on my two feet in a crouch.
I did do that, but I quickly fell forward.
I desperately was gasping for air. There is no oxygen down here.
I am going to die. Oh gods, I'm dying.
My heart starts accelerating in fear. My mind is filled with horror. I am trapped inside the center of the earth.
I let my body become limp and tried to move my head to look at my surroundings.
There is a huge floating light that was pulsing. Wait… that looks like a spark… the Cybertronian version of a heart…. The pulsing under my skin is sync to the pulsing of the spark in front of me. This is just another horrifying fact that Unicron is associated with me.
My lungs burn as I still continue to gasp for air.
Optimus and the rest must be heading this way soon. My brain thinks up. After Optimus puts back Unicron to sleep, he and the rest of the 'Bot will take me back to Base. Where there is oxygen…
However, a morbid thought sneaks in my brain and pure instincts take over. The 'Bots might be taking my corpse instead…
Normal POV
Optimus and Megatron had entered Unicorn's spark chamber however they did not notice Anya's struggling body.
Optimus already fell weak as he went towards Unicron's spark, the dark energon radiating off affecting his health.
Megatron struggles to take control of his actions as Unicron takes over his mind to kill the Last Prime.
With a mighty roar he yells, "Megatron is commanded by no one!" However, Megatron's defiance causes Unicron anger to emerge, causing more natural disasters upon the Earth's surface.
Optimus moves his face and just in time to see Anya moving her face to look at him. Her face had turned into an ashy blue-violet, her mouth opening struggling to get in the much needed oxygen in her lungs.
That gave Prime the strength to stand up and try summoning the Matrix of Leadership.
However before he could, Unicron possessed Megatron's body.
"I have transcended to physical being. By my will alone, all upon this world shall fall into chaos!" The possessed Megatron exclaims.
"Not while I still function, Unicron. The power of the Matrix will light our darkest hour." This time Optimus summons the Matrix as Unicron in Megatron's body tries to stop him.
A large beam of light comes out of Optimus' chest and it hits the center of Unicron's spark.
Unicron yells in agony as the power of the Matrix finally puts him back into dormancy. His spark is gone in a flurry of sparks, some of them landing over Anya's body.
All is silent as the forces of nature in the surface calm down and disappear.
The Autobot has fallen, while the Decepticon rises and sees his enemy in a vulnerable state. But then, he spots the human that grabbed his interest.
"Unicron told me how you were his worthy heir. Sad to see that the effort he took to take you down here is your death." Megatron says coldly. "If you survive, then I will definitely put more of an effort to capture you."
Anya says nothing, still trying to grasp non-existent oxygen, but she lets out lightning bolts out of her body to attack the 'Con. Megatron barely dodges but he chuckles as he smirks at her. "Yes, I will definitely put the effort."
Megatron walks away as his prepares his blade and heads straight towards the Autobot.
However he stops as the Autobot leader asks him, "Where are we, Megatronus?"
His is surprised but pleased as he found that he could take this to his advantage. He helps the confused Autobot to his feet. "Don't you remember, old friend?"
Optimus still confused says nothing.
Suddenly the entrance of the chamber is broken and Bulkhead asks, "Optimus, are you okay?"
"Why did he call me that?" Optimus asks, making the Decepticon leader scowl, but he erases it from his face.
"What did you do to him?!" Arcee accuses.
"Who are they?" Optimus asks but before anyone can answer a Ground Bridge is opened.
"Our mortal enemies." Megatron answers. "We're outnumbered! Go! I'll cover you!" Megatron states as he pushes Optimus towards the portal. He starts shooting, making the 'Bots to break formation and escape from the plasma balls.
Optimus stops to look at the yellow scout, but he goes inside the portal, Megatron quickly following behind.
The 'Bots are stunned, but the crackling of electricity gets their attention. They all raise their weapons towards the sound, but they quickly lower it as they see a wet-to-the-bone Anya lying on the ground.
Bee immediately runs towards her and lowers to his knees as he gently scoops her in his servos.
"Anya, how did you get here?" Bee asks quickly. "What's wrong?!" He asks panicked as his sees the unnatural color of her skin.
Arcee and Bulkhead come over. "She can't breath! There's no oxygen for her here!" Arcee exclaims. She then presses her comlink. "Ratchet! We need a Bridge ASAP at our coordinates!"
A few seconds later the portal opens and Bee rushes in with Arcee and Bulkhead on his tail.
"Have you- Anya!" Nicholas yells. Bee quickly goes to him and gives him Anya, nothing caring if he gets wet.
She gasps in a huge lungful of air and continues to do so, her skin slowly becoming normal. He quickly puts her on stretcher.
June comes over and checks on her vital signs. "She was going through asphyxiation, but she's recovering. Just let her have some space to breathe."
Nicholas and June move away while the children and Fowler hover behind them. However, after a moment Jack went towards Anya and holds her hand with both of his.
"Is Optimus…?" Ratchet asks as Anya's skin color was no longer an ashy blue-violet.
"Dead? No," Arcee answers.
"But he looked right at us without recognizing us. Didn't even know his own name." Bulkhead adds.
"When Optimus surrendered the Matrix of Leadership, he lost more than the collective wisdom of the Primes. He lost his own memories."
Anya's coughing made everyone's attention go to her. "Moya detka, take it steady."
Anya takes in paced long breaths before she looks at everyone. "He lost his memories as Optimus. He referred Megatron as Megatronus." She informs as her breathing is still labored.
Without warning her body becomes limp.
AN: Yes, I am still alive, though it doesn't feel like it. Shit happens and that's all I have to say for myself. Also, I hoped that you all enjoyed this chapter. I have seen a lot of human OCs that are connected to Primus, but not one that is to Unicron. Well, that I have read anyways. *shrug*
A million thanks to OfLifeDeathAndAllBetween, Balance2000 (guest), Gipsy Prime, Sakura9544, Guest (1), Guest (2), Road warrior (guest) and ladybug02 for reviewing.
I am going to be honest with you all and say that I am going to update probably not soon. And if I am, it's a miracle. I am not abandoning this story, it means a lot to me.
Thank you again for reading and I hoped that you enjoyed this chapter.
