A.N. This chapter's a bit shorter than the last few. Also, the first half of it covers two separate POVs of the same conversation.
Warning: Contains character deaths.
There were eleven humans strolling around at the recharge facility when she arrived there, guided there by Mirage's memories, but Witwicky was not one of them. Neither were the other Autobot pets. Thunderblast was tempted to take her frustration out on those fleeing creatures.
You assumed that Witwicky and his friends would still be there? a smug Mirage answered her thoughts. They didn't strike me as the type to just stand about and await our return.
Clever Autobot, letting me chase shadows, she responded bitterly.
Of course. Now stop being difficult and come back here.
---why?
Ignoring our bond won't make it disappear. Besides, there's really nowhere else you can go. You must realize that.
His tone was calm, perfectly reasonable, and it still riled her temper. Thunderblast paced back and forth, kicking over a tree in her agitation. I must find that boy! Lord Megatron will kill us both if I don't bring it to him.
Mirage sounded annoyed now. You're still convinced he'll win, even without the Cube?
I know him...more than I ever wanted to. Megatron will never give up, and your Leader is too much of a weakling-- she broke off, flinching at his burst of fury.
Optimus Prime is not weak! snarled Mirage.
Thunderblast stopped pacing and looked Eastward toward Washington. Do you truly believe that Prime will defeat Megatron?
Absolutely! Megatron will never have the Cube! he emphatically asserted.
This was absurd. While both sides' numbers have been greatly diminished since the Cube was lost, the surviving Decepticons were, for the most part, merciless warriors. Unlike the Autobots. She growled, angry with herself for almost letting him sway her. The Decepticons will win back the Cube. It was inevitable.
The only way to counter his prying was to not remember or think of anything, which was impossible. Sharing a spark with Mirage was fast becoming intolerable, and dangerous, since he was so adept at baiting her into revealing more memories to him. Primus, would you leave me alone?!
I don't think I will. Not that I could, anyway, he drawled. Now are you coming back or not?
I--don't know, Thunderblast thought back, confused and flustered. Mirage was annoyed and impatient, she could feel through their bond. There also seemed to be an odd sense of...interest? That was impossible. Or should be, at least.
There's really no where else you could go, is there? Mirage continued on. The other Decepticons will reject you, as they've always done, if they don't kill you outright.
Thunderblast glared up at the cloudy sky, resenting him for pointing that out. That is no concern of yours.
Unfortunately, everything is my concern, now that we're bonded.
And you're just ecstatic about it, she thought snarkily, and could almost feel him shrug.
Indeed, because you have such an amazingly pleasant disposition, he fired back, and was met with a stony silence. This is a new experience, for both of us, and will take some time getting used to.
Getting used to? Fists clenching at how resigned he sounded, Thunderblast scowled, hearing the sound of jets approaching. Just what she needed right now, humans coming around to harass her. What to do....what to do... she pondered, thinking fast, and trying her best to ignore Mirage's very existence. An alternative solution to her predicament occurred to her then.
Witwicky was beyond her reach now, obviously, but Wheeljack wasn't. That scientist would be in Washington, fighting alongside his fellow Autobots. He just may be enough of a prize to satisfy Lord Megatron.
You think you can capture Wheeljack? Mirage actually chuckled at her. This will be amusing.
We'll see, Thunderblast stiffly replied, and teleported back to Washington, D.C. in stages, returning far from where she'd left Mirage. No matter what, she simply hadto avoid another direct confrontation with him. Now, where might Wheeljack be? She began scouring the city.
The first Autobot she located was that yellow scout, Bumblebee. She had no interest in him, and continued searching. Mirage's warning growl had absolutely nothing to do with her decision, of course.
After a few more teleportations she came across four Autobots. Optimus Prime was one of them. There was no mistaking that one; Prime always did have a regal bearing about him. He was kneeling next to a prone Autobot, with Ultra Magnus right behind him, guarding his back. The fourth Autobot Thunderblast didn't recognize, but the one the ground was Prime's trusted diplomat-turned-medic. He was obviously dead and, judging by the condition of his corpse, it had been quite painful.
RATCHET!
Mirage's near-shout made her spark contract. Optimus lifted his head then, a ferocious look crossing his face when he noticed her there. Ultra Magnus reacted more violently, firing his cannon. She escaped an astro-second before the blast would have struck her.
Primus, would you be more careful!
Stop distracting me! Shaken by the close call, Thunderblast sat down on the roof of a music store she'd teleported to.
Then stop hunting for Wheeljack, countered Mirage. ...I can't believe he's dead...
She closed her optics at the anguish that swept through their bond. The medic's demise was a devastating blow to Mirage, almost as devastating as Tracks' had been. It compelled her to seek to alleviate part of his grief, by recalling finding Shrapnel's corpse.
What is that?
That is what's left of Shrapnel. He was killed during our first visit to this place. Mirage's confusion grew as he absorbed her revelation.
But...how? And why are you showing me?
He angered Thundercracker. Thunderblast paused, then added, As for why...You should know that the last of those sadists is dead. That was a foolishly weak thing to do. Firmly ignoring Mirage's surprise, tinged with gratitude, she stood and looked about, and spotted something moving, nearly a quarter of a mile down the long street she was at. Whatever it was, it was small. Human-sized. Her spark pulsed faster with renewed hope as she extended the range of her visual scanner.
It was Witwicky!
WHAT?
Mirage's astonishment matched her own. How did Witwicky travel from Indiana to here in mere cycles? It can't have been Thundercracker; after giving the Autobots the All Spark, she very much doubted he would then go against their wishes concerning the humans. Skywarp, on the other hand, delighted in wreaking havoc. I shall have to thank the fool.
Thunderblast! Let him be! ordered Mirage, just as she teleported to Witwicky's location and plucked him up.
The Witwicky boy yelled and wriggled in her hand. The it fell silent when it saw who had grabbed it. This creature can save us both! Thunderblast insisted. You must understand that!
Don't! Enough innocents have been butchered in this Pit-cursed war!
Innocents... She looked down at the frightened human, wavering. Mirage's displeasure was overwhelming. "Lord Megatron would reward me greatly for this boy," Thunderblast said aloud, torn between the Autobot's influence and her fear of Megatron.
"I'm sure he would."
A hand closed around her neck, and the end of a fully-charged cannon pressed against her back. Thunderblast froze in place.
"Put him down. Now!" Sunstreaker menacingly ordered.
The queasy feeling melted away into relief. "You heard him!" Sam boldly gave her wrist joint a solid kick. "Put me down!"
Let the boy go! Mirage echoed. Who else is there with you?
One of your Autobot friends. She slowly lowered her hand to the ground and released Witwicky.
I can't actually hear what you're hearing! Which Autobot?
I don't know!
Sam had grabbed his chainsaw and made a beeline for Sunstreaker. "Thank you for coming back!"
"No, thank you, Witwicky," Sunstreaker responded, not taking his optics off Thunderblast. What a stroke of luck this was! He shoved his cannon harder against her when she started to slowly turn around. "Don't move!"
Thunderblast froze again. If she teleported, she'd take that Autobot with her, which would provoke him into firing. Her only other option was to talk her way out of this dilemma. "I surrender."
"Really?" Sunstreaker mocked derisively. "Now why should I believe you?"
"Your Leader would. Optimus Prime would spare me," Thunderblast quickly said, though she wasn't so sure about that claim; she'd never seen Prime look so furious.
"Yes, I know he would."
What is going on? demanded Mirage.
"What the hell are you doing, chatting her up?!" Sam interrupted, glaring daggers at Thunderblast. "That psycho bitch killed Glen!"
"The boy does have a valid point there, and I'm not as noble as Optimus." Sunstreaker tightened his hold on her neck.
"NO!" She tried to throw herself forward to break his grip, but the Autobot was too strong. The blast tore through her armor, shattering the spark casing.
"Whoa..." Sam jumped a good foot in the air when Sunstreaker blew a big hole in that monster's back -- and the gold Autobot had a creepy little smile on his face, too. "Uh...Ok.."
That is a huge favor you owe me, Mirage. "Are you all right?" he asked Witwicky; the boy was trembling.
"---Ask me that later, when I get out of therapy." Sam quipped, though he was clutching the chainsaw so hard his knuckles ached. She had it coming, dammit, just like Sixshot did.
Therapy? Sunstreaker shrugged and strode away down the street. "Let's go. We still have a drone to find," he called back to Witwicky, using a harsh tone to snap the boy out of the stupor he seemed to have fallen into.
"Uh-huh. Sure." Sam started up the chainsaw, just in case, and took a closer look at Thunderblast. Reassuring himself that she was very dead, he hurried off to catch up with Sunstreaker.
She has to be the most obstinate, aggravating Femme the All Spark ever created!Mirage decided, turning invisible and storming down the street after Thunderblast vanished. Her intense disappointment over not finding Samuel Witwicky did improve his mood somewhat, though. You assumed that Witwicky and his friends would still be there? They didn't strike me as the type to just stand about and await our return.
Thunderblast growled at him. Clever Autobot, letting me chase shadows.
Of course, he readily admitted. Maybe that will convince her to give up on her insane plan.
Now stop being difficult and come back here.
---why?
Mirage rolled his optics at her wary response. Ignoring our bond won't make it disappear. Besides, there's really nowhere else you can go. You must realize that.
She was quiet for half a cycle. I must find that boy! Lord Megatron will kill us both if I don't bring it to him.
You're still convinced he'll win, even without the Cube? Primus, obstinate didn't even begin to describe Thunderblast. Or maybe it was fear that drove her.
I know him...more than I ever wanted to. Megatron will never give up, and your Leader is too much of a weakling--
He angrily cut her off. Optimus Prime is not weak!
Do you truly believe that Prime will defeat Megatron? Thunderblast asked, at length.
Absolutely! Megatron will never have the Cube!
Primus, would you leave me alone?!
He could sense that she was starting to doubt Megatron's supposed invincibility, and wasn't about to let up now. I don't think I will, not that I could, anyway. Now are you coming back here or not?
I--don't know.
There's really no where else you could go, is there? Mirage inquired, almost smiling to himself at her confusion. The other Decepticons will reject you, as they've always done, if they don't kill you outright.
That is no concern of yours, Thunderblast angrily replied.
Unfortunately, everything is my concern, now that we're bonded, he dryly stated the obvious.
And you're just ecstatic about it.
What was that bit of sarcasm about? Did she think he'd be pleased at being bonded to a renegade Femme? Indeed, because you have such an amazingly charming disposition. Thunderblast gave no response to that, so he continued, This is a new experience, for both of us, and will take some time getting used to.
Now she was angry again. Primus, her constant mood changes were going to make him dizzy. Cross a large empty parking lot, Mirage's attention was drawn to something flying above a grove of trees. It was Ratbat, which meant that Soundwave must be nearby, somewhere. This was a remarkable stroke of luck. Mirage changed direction and headed that way.
-- She actually believes she can capture Wheeljack? Bemused, Mirage couldn't resist mocking her delusion.
We'll see, Thunderblast said in answer to his taunting.
She would take that as a challenge. Well, Thunderblast has a nasty surprise in store for her if she goes hunting for Wheeljack. And she was. He could sense that she was closer, no more than five miles away, but determined to avoid him.
Mirage debated over whether to continue on, or look for Thunderblast out of pique over being ignored. As much as the former appealed to him personally, taking down Megatron's invaluable Communication's Officer was the rational choice. A couple cycles later he came to a break in the trees. There was Soundwave, approximately one hundred yards to his left. The Decepticon was sitting beside a large oak tree, and had obviously been in a hard-fought battle.
There were over a dozen rows of various-sized tablets between Mirage and his enemy. It was a cemetery, where the humans typically buried their dead. How ironic that a Decepticon would choose this particular stretch of land to take cover in.
The recent rainstorm made the ground soft, muffling his footsteps, so all he had to do was avoid bumping any of those stone markers. Mirage stepped around a statue, and stopped abruptly. That Femme had found a group of Autobots. Wheeljack wasn't among them, but Prime was, and her blatant attraction to him irritated Mirage. He was about to snipe at Thunderblast when her attention shifted to another Autobot, one that was dead, according to her indifferent observation. It was---
RATCHET!
Staggered by the Chief Medical Officer's death, Mirage accidentally scraped his foot against a headstone. Soundwave's head turned sharply in his direction. Primus.. He edged away from the marker. It was difficult to stay completely still; there was a burst of fear from Thunderblast, and got the distinct impression of cannonfire. Apparently she'd let Optimus and the other Autobots see her. Would you be more careful! he berated her. If she's killed, how would it affect him? He did not want to find out!
Stop distracting me!
Then stop hunting for Wheeljack. He crouched down as Soundwave sent two drones to investigate the noise, and created the illusion of a squirrel scampering across a few of the graves to misdirect them. ...I can't believe he's dead... Mirage thought, despondent, and received another surprise. Was that genuine sympathy he sensed from her? It hardly seemed possible, but then she sent him a baffling image. What is that? he asked, unable to identify the lump of twisted metal.
That is what's left of Shrapnel. He was killed during our first visit to this place.
Shrapnel.. Mirage remembered that Decepticon well, and that demented laugh of his. Bewildered, he didn't know how to respond to Thunderblast at first. But...how? And why are you showing me?
He angered Thundercracker. Thunderblast paused, then added, As for why...You should know that the last of those sadists is dead.
His first assumption was that it was some sort of trick, but that made no sense at all. Could it be the Femme wasn't completely corrupted and beyond redemption? I--- Thank you,Mirage said, trying hard to discern what Thunderblast was feeling, besides disgust with herself for showing weakness. There was some amount of regret there. Both emotions were suddenly replaced with a flood of triumph. She'd found Witwicky!? WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?
Thunderblast was equally astounded to see that boy in Washington, and wasted no time snaring him. Thunderblast! Let him be! Mirage ordered her, his optics narrowing angrily at her gloating. How did that boy travel all this way in a matter of cycles? If this is Skywarp's doing, he will pay dearly for it!
This creature can save us both! You must understand that!
Why did she cling so doggedly to her belief that Megatron will win? Mirage hastily began to retrace his steps back to the trees. Soundwave can wait. He had to stop her from taking Witwicky to Megatron! Don't! Enough innocents have been butchered in this Pit-cursed war!
His entreaty actually seemed to have some affect on her; he could feel her conviction falter. But before he could say more to sway her into releasing Witwicky, he felt a surge of fear from Thunderblast. Someone was threatening her. Witwicky wasn't alone after all.
It couldn't be Jazz; he wouldn't let his human roam about loose in a city full of Decepticons.
Let the boy go! Mirage urged Thunderblast, alarmed by the very dangerous situation she was now in. Who else is there with you?
Who do you think?! she answered, her voice stressed with trepidation. It's one of your Autobot friends.
I can't actually hear what you're hearing! Frustrated by the limitations of their newly-formed bond, Mirage quickened his pace, heedless of the tree branches he brushed past. Which Autobot?
I don't know!
Mirage quickly reviewed everything he knew of his fellow Autobots. Who among them had never encountered her before? It wasn't something that had ever come up in casual conversations. Whoever it is would not believe Thunderblast if she were to reveal that they've bonded. She knew that just as he did.
Thunderblast was on the verge of panicking now, and he reached out, willing her to stay calm. Her fear abated somewhat, and he hoped to get more information now so he could intervene. What is going on?
There was a brief flash of anger toward the Witwicky boy, then an even stronger surge of fear followed by an explosion of agony.
"AHH!" Mirage cried out. It felt like his spark was being ripped out of his body. He crumpled to the ground, losing control of his disguise of invisibility. For a long moment all he could do was lie there, fingers digging into the damp earth. Primus...She'd dead! He killed her!
The pain gradually faded to a throbbing, hollow ache, but it still took a huge effort to force his limbs to function. Mirage started to rise when something large and heavy pushed him back down to the ground.
//Ratbat, Laserbeak,// Soundwave called them to him as he brought his foot down on the fallen Autobot.
Mirage made himself invisible again on reflex, but knew that that wasn't going to save him. Not this time. If Thunderblast had just listened! He let go of the illusion, routing the extra power to his weapons.
"You caught an Autobot!" Ratbat chirred excitedly.
"Yes, but there may be more coming." Soundwave took his foot off the Autobot and picked him up. "We cannot stay here any longer."
Barely able to move -- Soundwave's grip was like a vise -- Mirage forced himself to go limp, and wait.
Ratbat landed in his shoulder and peered down at the blue and white Autobot. "Dead?"
"Not yet." Soundwave examined the Autobot. There were no physical injuries, but something had caused him to scream and collapse. Ahh. A scan revealed a weakened spark, pulsing erratically. There was only one explanation for this. "What is your designation, and who were you bonded to?"
"Go rust!" was Mirage's defiant reply. Soundwave wouldn't expect him to willingly tell him anything.
"It does not matter," decided Soundwave, partly because he did not have the energy to spare to forcefully extract information.
"He's yours," Soundwave told Laserbeak and Ratbat. They needed to vent their grief and rage over Buzzsaw's death, and the Autobot was a convenient outlet for that.
"...rmph..." Mirage grunted when he was dropped onto a tree, the broken stump jabbing into his side. Now that he had the chance to use it, he immediately charged his rifle. Flipping over onto his back, Mirage drew his rifle, taking aim at the jagged hole in Soundwave's left side. Just the right angle, and the darts should puncture his spark chamber.
"Look out!" Ratbat shrilled, and dove down to block the shots.
"Ratbat!" Soundwave caught him as he fell.
That Pit-spawned drone! Mirage fired several more times, but the opportunity was gone. The darts struck Soundwave in the arm. The other drone dived at him, clawing at his rifle. A shot from one of his blasters forced it to retreat, but now Soundwave was looming over him. He kept shooting. I will not make this easy for them.
Growling as the darts pierced his armor, Soundwave placed the twitching Ratbat in the designated compartment under his armor, then caught hold of the not-so-helpless Autobot again. "I'll kill you for that!" He wasted no time making good on that promise, crushing his captive with both hands.
He tossed the dead Autobot aside and checked on Ratbat. Where were Ravage and Hook? Ratbat was badly injured, mewling pitifully.
Laserbeak flew up and clung to Soundwave's undamaged arm. "Ratbat?"
"He'll last until Hook finds us," he estimated. "We need to find cover elsewhere, now."
"Yes, yes." Laserbeak held on tightly as Soundwave strode through the trees and out onto a street. "Over there?" he suggested, pointing a wingtip to a tall building a few blocks away.
Soundwave surveyed the structure. It's roof had collapsed, the walls blackened from fire, but it would serve his purpose. "That will do. Thank you, Laserbeak."
"Welcome." Pressing his head against Soundwave's chest, Laserbeak hummed with worry over Ratbat.
"He'll be all right." Soundwave assured him, resting a hand on his back. Once inside, he glanced around, surveying the large room. There were at least one hundred broken and overturned wooden chairs, and a wide walkway running through the middle of them
Humans came to places such as this to worship. Primus willing, it will provide them with a safe refuge. He retrieved Ratbat, who was now offline, and repaired what he could while waiting for Hook.
"Who hurt Ratbat?!"
Soundwave and Laserbeak turned to see Frenzy charging down the aisle towards them; he was alone. "Did you and Ravage find Hook?"
"Hook will come when done with Sixshot." Frenzy repeated his question. "Who hurt Ratbat?"
"An Autobot who is now dead," Soundwave informed him. The sound of jet engines drew their attention. It was the Youngling Seekers, and one of them appeared to be struggling to fly. "Laserbeak, tell them that Hook will be here shortly, if they need repairs."
Laserbeak bobbed his head and relayed the message. The squadron swung back around and descended.
'Barricade' was the wounded Seeker. Frenzy watched him transform and set down awkwardly. 'Barricade' limped into the building. His left hip joint was severely dented and scorched black. A plan formed.
"I can help you," Frenzy announced, moving closer to the impostor. "I helped first Barricade sometimes when he was hurt."
Barricade blinked down at the small Decepticon, surprise by the offer, since Frenzy had previously been hostile to him. "Is that true?" he inquired, turning to Soundwave.
Soundwave regarded Frenzy for a moment. There was but one inevitable conclusion to this vendetta against the new Seeker. "Yes, it is. Frenzy came to this world with Barricade, and was devoted to helping him find the All Spark." Frenzy's optics glowed brightly at his compliance. "The rest of you find Megatron, and ensure that the other Autobots do not interfere on Prime's behalf," Soundwave told the other Seekers, so no one will witness what Frenzy was about to do.
"Yes, Soundwave," they responded, transforming and flying off.
Barricade considered it. Lord Megatron trusted Soundwave, so he had no reason to do otherwise. "If you can repair me, then do so," he told the drone, and knelt down.
Chortling silently to himself, Frenzy slipped under the armor covering the imposter's hip joint. And didn't stop there. He clawed past cables and gears that blocked his path to his real goal, the spark casing.
"What are you doing?!" Barricade leaped to his feet, pulling apart two plates to try to yank that drone out.
"Noooo!" screeched Frenzy when the impostor caught hold of his legs.
Two shots from Soundwave's blaster knocked Barricade down onto his back. He stared up at the elder Decepticon, bewildered, and convulsing in pain. The drone had reached his spark chamber. "WHY?"
"Not Barricade!" Frenzy hissed, ripping apart the casing.
"Because I value him far more than you," was Soundwave's only explanation. The Youngling would not understand Frenzy's vendetta against him. This could all have been avoided if Megatron had just given him a new designation, he thought with a flash of ire toward his Leader's callousness. The first Barricade was a loyal soldier, and deserved some measure of respect.
Frenzy crawled back out, looking extremely satisfied.
"Lord Megatron will terminate us all," Laserbeak quavered, stunned that Frenzy murdered a fellow Decepticon, and that Soundwave allowed him to.
"That's true enough," Hook spoke from the pile of rubble that was the back wall of the Cathedral. A wide-opticked Ravage was crouched next to him.
Soundwave immediately leveled his blaster at the medic. "You should have taken your time repairing Sixshot," he told him in a strained monotone.
"Lord Megatron ordered me to use him for spare parts." Hooked waved a dismissive hand.
"Now put away your weapon."
"--you won't tell others?" Ravage looked hopefully up at him.
Hook gazed steadily at Soundwave. "I helped you build bodies for your small friends, after your Companion was lost, and helped you bring them all before the All Spark to be given life. Or have you forgotten that?"
He did? Ravage's ears perked up with interest.
"No..." Soundwave said slowly. "That was long ago. Much has happened since then."
"You think I'd sacrifice them for the sake of this inferior creation?" Hook was insulted. "He's not even worth salvaging for parts. Lord Megatron will not learn of this from me."
Laserbeak blinked rapidly in surprise. "Why help us?"
"I assumed that your loyalty is to Megatron," added Soundwave.
"It is, to a certain extent," Hook told them. "Once the All Spark has been recovered, I shall leave the Decepticons."
"Leave?" Soundwave repeated, astonished by his decision. "Why?"
"Because of that." Irritated by his colleague's obtuseness, Hook gave the Seeker's corpse a sharp tap with his foot. "Most of my team is now dead -- only Scrapper and Scavenger have survived, so far -- and I don't believe Lord Megatron can be prevailed upon to resurrect them. As was the case with the real Barricade," he added with a nod to Frenzy. "His plan is to create the largest army the universe has ever seen; he'll therefore have no further use for me."
Soundwave could not deny the truth of that blunt assessment. "Where will you go?"
"I'll search the galaxies until I find a world with a fairly advanced race, one that is far from Cybertron. Scrapper and Scavenger may even choose to join me there."
"I know of two, from my own travels; I'm certain they'll greatly appreciate your talent," Soundwave commented. Hook looked pleased, but then he always did have an substantial ego.
Ravage looked dolefully up at the medic. "You won't come back?"
Hook cocked his head at the drone's peculiar expression. "Unfortunately, no. Lord Megatron won't forgive my defection, whether I'm needed or not."
"If it ever is safe for you to return home, I will send word," Soundwave promised the medic.
"I doubt it will be, but thank you." Hook pulled out various tools. My last two Cybertronian patients, he reflected when, at Soundwave's insistence, he began mending Ratbat first.
Ultra Magnus cursed when the evil Femme vanished. "Almost got her!"
"Thunderblast will be dealt with later." Optimus scanned the sky. There were a few jets in the distance, Seekers, but Megatron was not with them. Yet. I'll know soon enough what he's planning... He sank to one knee and rested a hand on Ratchet's chest, covering the empty spark chamber.
Warpath hobbled over to them. "Optimus?"
"Sometimes I wonder how different everything would be if I'd made more effort to reason with him." He wearily thought of all who'd died during the war.
"There is no reasoning with Megatron," stated Ultra Magnus, also tracking the Seekers. "He'll never be satisfied with anything less than complete domination over us all, and would always see you as an obstacle to that."
"I know." He nodded, but that did not make what had to be done any easier.
Ultra Magnus tensed. Those Seeker dove down, approximately three miles away. "They must have found one of us."
Optimus stood, praying that Prowl and the other Autobots were still in groups, and haven't been scattered throughout this city. The Seekers may be lacking in genuine battle experience, but they'll have inherited Megatron's brutal nature. He swung around, hearing the sound of another, louder engine from the opposite direction. Megatron.
Flying low, Megatron abuptly landed as well, just six blocks away. He's using the what was left of the city's skyscrapers to mask which direction he'll come from. //Hiding? Such cowardice is not like you, 'brother',// Optimus used the Decepticon link Thundercracker had given him to goad Megatron into revealing himself.
//Cowardice?// he snarled. //Tell me, are you still lamenting the death of your precious Ratchet'?//
Optimus refused to let on how much that jibe pained him. //He will be brought back with the Cube, along with everyone else you've killed.//
//Never! You and your kind are finished!//
My kind.. There was a time when we all were not so different. Optimus firmly dispelled the melancholy that thought gave him. Megatron was very close now; he could feel it.
"Prime!" Ultra Magnus warned, pointing west. The Seekers, minus one, had taken to the air again, speeding toward them. They were within two blocks when they dropped out of sight again.
So that's where Megatron is now. He drew his ion blaster, glancing briefly at his friends. There was a chance the Seekers will attack with or without orders from Megatron - Younglings can be very impulsive. He sent out an unobtrusive signal, calling all available Autobots to him as a precaution.
"We're ready," declared Warpath; both he and Ultra Magnus had their cannons charged. The Decepticons had spread out to encircle them, and were making no effort to silence their footsteps.
Ironhide was the first to answer the summons. //I'm on my way, Prime, with Arcee, Grapple and Huffer. Hoist is repairing Prowl. His logic center overloaded when--//
//Please hurry,// Optimus broke in, hastily giving Ironhide his coordinates before severing the link. Megatron had chosen that moment to stalk out of an alleyway directly to his left, and the Seekers simultaneously emerged from between various tall buildings. Whatever had befallen his Second Lieutenant would have to remain a mystery for now.
"Stop!" Megatron commanded his minions when they started to close in on the other Autobots. "I want those two to die slowly, while Prime watches!"
//Do not engage him,// Optimus told an affronted Warpath, and gestured for him and Ultra Magnus to move back when Megatron came toward more Decepticons, Scavenger and Scrapper, appeared out the same alley. He resolutely faced his brother. "Are your processors malfunctioning? Nothing you do will compel me to give up the All Spark." He didn't wait for more threats, and fired.
The missile struck Megatron in the chest and sent him skidding a few yards. Deep trenches were gouged in the pavement as he regained his footing, then rushed Prime.
Optimus got off another shot, damaging Megatron's right arm, before leaping forward to meet his charge. They slammed into each other with armor-denting force.
"Tell me where it's hidden!" Megatron raked his claws down Optimus' chest. A powerful blow to the face repelled him, but only for a moment. Wielding his mace now, he swung the spiked weapon at Prime, forcing him back this time.
"Kill the filthy Autobot!" hissed the Seeker behind Ultra Magnus. He spun around, ready to forcefully remove the offender's vocals when something odd happened. All of the Seekers shuddered violently as they felt Barricade die, and reacted to it, leaping onto the Autobots in front of them.
Fear lanced through Optimus' spark. Ultra Magnus was able to throw off one of his attackers, but Warpath had crumpled under the Seekers' greater size and weight.
"I told you to wait!" Megatron was also distracted by the fights, and furious. How dare they disobey me!
"Barricade is dead!" Heedless of the rebuke, the Seeker jumped up and launched himself at the Autobot again.
"It seems you cannot control your spawn," Optimus remarked in a withering tone, drawing Megatron's attention back to him.
Megatron growled, baring sharp teeth, and went after Prime again. It was time to give his dear brother a little surprise.
Drawing his sword, Optimus cleaved the mace in half and stood his ground when Megatron closed with him. Instead of ripping with his claws again, Megatron stopped short, raising his left arm. An unfamiliar weapon sprang up, and a large gout of plasma erupted from it. The plasma struck his face and melted the protective mask, and damaged both optics. Optimus stumbled back, groaning and shaking his head.
"PRIME!"
Ironhide was at his side an instant later. "Help them.." Optimus waved him off to Warpath and Ultra Magnus.
Always the sentimental fool. Megatron tried to fire another stream of plasma at his brother. As Hook had warned, Shortround's blaster was no longer functional. Useless. He ripped it out of his arm and discarded it.
"Get off him!" Ironhide blasted away at the Seekers, the shots knocking them off Warpath, while Huffer and Arcee went to Ultra Magnus' aid. //Optimus! Star---Oof!// Ironhide grunted, his attempt to warn Optimus about Starscream cut off when the largest of the Seekers jumped him. They landed in a heap of flailing limbs, and no sooner did he pin that Seeker down than a second one landed on his back.
"Piece of scrap!" On his feet again, Warpath seized the Decepticon by the wings and yanked it away from Ironhide.
A trio of well-placed blasts from Huffer's cannon terminated the Seeker that Warpath was grappling with.
//You're hurt, Ironhide!// exclaimed Arcee, worried for her old mentor, somersaulting out of the path of a missile.
//Not too bad. I'll live - unlike this slagger,// Ironhide told her as he struggled to subdue the thrashing Seeker underneath him.
Disregarding the other battles raging on, Megatron clapped his arms together to form his fusion cannon and fired at Prime.
The shot caught Optimus in the shoulder. He was spun around, almost colliding with Warpath.
"Sir?!" Warpath steadied his Leader, horrified by the wound. Where had that plasma weapon come from? Megatron did not have one in his arsenal back on Cybertron. He was up to something, just as we'd suspected!
"I'm....all right.." Optimus gently but firmly pushed the loyal soldier away, relying on external sensors to pinpoint his foe.
Megatron was quick to take advantage of the lapse and renewed his attack, claws scoring his brother's marred face.
Rather than shutting down his receptors, Optimus embraced the pain in order to stay focused. Unsheathing both of his swords, he slashed at Megatron. Chunks of metal flew, along with half of a forearm.
"AHRR!" Surprised by the sudden burst of aggression, Megatron fell back, viciously kicking Scavanger when the smaller Decepticon got too close for his liking.
Optimus went after him, carving a piece of armor off his back. Megatron reacted with his usual vitriol.
"I'll rip that boy apart when we catch him!" he swore, and fired more blasts that staggered Prime. A flash of bright grey, caught by his peripheral vision, startled Megatron. He spun around to face the two Seekers who'd unexpectedly appeared. It was that treacherous cretin, Skywarp, and with him was---- "YOU?!?"
We're all definitely doomed now, was Huffer's dire conclusion.
Ordering Skywarp to bring Thundercracker here next, Starscream surveyed the battles before him; the lesser Autobots were preoccupied with those new Seekers he'd been told of. Prime's upper body was blackened by powerful ion shots, his face even more marred. Megatron, on the other hand...besides missing half of an arm, and a few sections of armor which were already regenerating, he looked to be far less damaged than Wheeljack had predicted. He stifled the dual urges to cringe and flee. I will not give up now, no matter what happens! "Lord Megatron," he greeted with the shallowest of bows. "I've brought you a gift."
"A gift?" Megatron repeated, overlooking his former Second's insolent manner, for now. The All Spark! he assumed, exultant. "Give it to me!!"
"Of course, Lord Megatron. Right away, Lord Megatron." Removing said gift from inside his chest, Starscream tossed it to him.
Megatron took a half-step back as the object bounced along the ground, rolling to a stop at his feet. His mouth falling open in recognition, he gaped in disbelief at Shockwave's head.
