AN: This is such a shit chapter, I am so sorry. But there are only a few chapters left, and while I was originally going to post this as one massive multi-chapter update, I feel really bad about just leaving you guys with nothing for so long. So have the massive build up for the final battle, and that battle will be spread out over another two chapters, most likely.
If you're curious as to what's gotten my attention, check out my profile on AO3 (same username) and realize that I went to see Venom, and have currently fallen straight into symbrock hell.
when ashes fall
The city is quiet.
That makes Starscream very nervous.
Blackout has the same misgivings. "Seriously, I think Iacon was more crowded than this place. Are the humans just that quiet?"
Starscream shakes his helm. "Thermal scans show nothing. Just a few stragglers that are keeping indoors." Which is probably for the best, considering what he suspects is about to happen. "I told Megatron this is a trap."
"Yeah, well, he still thinks he's going to win this war." Blackout says darkly. "Which, yeah, maybe – if the damn team hadn't followed us here." Starscream nods in assent but doesn't say anything.
Megatron walks up behind them, a small (to them) cube held in his hand. "You underestimate the AllSpark, Starscream. Even that team can't stand against us now."
Yes, because drones stand against them so well, Starscream thinks sourly, but has the sense not to say. Megatron walks past them into the city. Everything about his posture and stride screams confidence, and Starscream almost finds himself encouraged by it.
That lasts about five seconds.
Whatever Megatron was planning to do with the AllSpark, he doesn't get the chance. He holds it up in the air, and the cube begins to glow –
And that's when someone decides to throw a sonic grenade at them.
The high-pitched shrieking that completely deafens the group of Decepticons actually has no effect on the humans who have allied with the team. Lennox leads them in, shouting orders while his ops team fan out around the group. Megatron screams in agony –
And drops the damned cube.
Before any of the Decepticons can react, a human races forward, grabs the cube, and is gone again in the maze of buildings. Megatron growls. ::Get it back!:: Blackout transforms and takes off into the air.
::Look alive, he probably still has the bug on the ground!:: Mirage calls out over their comms. It comes over the humans' radios as well. ::Sing, watch your six.::
::I've got him!:: Bee says cheerfully.
::I've got my perch.:: Blue announces. ::I'll make sure you get there.::
Lennox nods. "Come on – let's keep these assholes busy so our boys can get out!" he shouts. "Stringer, you got your perch?"
"Locked and loaded." comes over the comms. "Just waiting for the order."
::Do it.:: Prowl says. ::We need to keep them as far out of the city as we can.::
Right as the Decepticons start to recover from the grenade, Lennox and the team open fire. Hot lead pings off of ankles and shins, occasionally hitting sensitive wiring, while Stringer uses her own sniper perch to aim for the optics.
Prowl and Jazz watch, hidden in the alleys between the tallest buildings they could find, and Prowl smiles. "This appears to be working." he says quietly. Jazz snorts.
"Here's ta hopin' we don' have ta implement phase two." he mutters. Prowl inclines his helm in agreement. ::Raj, ya an' Hound in position?::
::Almost, boss.::
::Good. Let meh know - ::
"Grenade!"
Lennox's desperate scream has Prowl and Jazz moving. They race into the street just as a very human grenade lands in the group, exploding a bare second later even as the human team scatters. Prowl scans the other side of the street, back inside the city, and scowls.
"Mercenaries. Great."
"Ah think Ah spoke too soon about phase two." Jazz snarls. ::Change o' plans, boys an' girls – we'll take care of th' Decepticons. Bee, there's gonna be humans on yer ass too.::
::Great.:: Bee mutters darkly. ::So what do I do?::
::Get rid of them.:: Jazz says bluntly. ::If ya gotta, it's yer life first. Yers and Sing's.::
::Roger that.::
With that, Prowl and Jazz explode from their hiding places, blades flashing in the early dawn light. They place themselves between the Decepticons and the human team, giving them the chance to disappear into the alleys. No one seems to be seriously hurt. Prowl grins.
"Only three of you and some humans?" he taunts. "Weak, Megs."
Megatron snarls and barks a command. Ten more drones appear behind him. They look half-assed, barely holding together. Jazz scowls. ::Looks like he's hopin' ta outnumber us.::
::Too bad we don't care about the odds.:: Prowl says dryly. His smile never fades, though, and that makes Starscream take a half-step back. From behind him, he can hear other humans vanishing into the alleys and side streets. Some of them seem to be gathering behind them. He's guessing whoever threw the grenade, probably the mercenaries. "Well, at least the odds are a little more in your favor."
Megatron snarls.
"Destroy them!"
