Author's note: I would like to apologise in advance for the incredibly sketchy translation of Prime's ''Cybertronian''. Once again, I implore you to just go with it. :-)

Chapter 136 – The Legend exists

Optimus P.O.V

::Optimus, what are my orders with these humans? Can I squish the bald guy?:: Hound's voice flared to life over my comms.

The tone in his voice concerned me and I cast Jazz a worried look. ''They're in trouble.'' I shifted on my pedes as I silently deliberated my actions. /Perhaps it is time/.

Jazz gave me a half smile, his visor flashing as he placed his servos on his hips. ''Time for the cavalry is it Prime?''

Behind me I heard Crosshairs erupt in frustration and anger as he agitatedly paced about. ''No, this isn't our fight! I'm done being an underdog. Underdogs suck! I say they get what they deserve. What's the play, Prime?''

I did not reply, I merely turned on my pedes and began to walk back towards our wrecked ship. ''Hey! Where are you going?'' Crosshairs shouted with some irritation after my disappearing form.

''Sensei?'' Drift's voice questioned my actions too.

I spared them both a quick glance as I strode purposefully towards the ship. ''It's time for reinforcements.'' /I just hope they are agreeable to the terms I offer them/, the thought flashed through my processor as I climbed the ramp and headed towards the weapons vault. There was something I needed to do first.

Approaching the room, I noted the myriad of weapons before me. Everything from blasters to swords, shields, and everything in between. Though I already had my own impressive arsenal of weapons, several swords caught my attention. Striding towards them, I noted the Cybertronian runes along the blade of the largest - ''Sword of Judgement''. /How appropriate/. ''Recognise one of your Primes,'' my words echoed around the cavernous room as I grasped its hilt firmly in my servos and strained to lose it from its bonds.

Breaking free in a shower of sparks, I hefted it in my servo, feeling the weight of responsibility for what lay ahead settle firmly on my shoulders. As I turned to leave the room, my optics caught sight of a large shield attached to the wall. /That could be useful/. Pausing briefly as I walked past, I removed it and placed it upon my back before I broke into a run as I set out to achieve my task.

Even at a distance I could feel those read optics burning into me, watching, willing me to set them free. I picked up my pace and held my sword aloft, grasping it in both servos. /This was it, there was no turning back now/, I warned myself.

Charging at the largest containment cell, I swung the mighty blade down, shattering the beast's bonds. Its huge head was thrown back and it gave a guttural growl as it sensed its freedom was near. I stepped back, twisting the sword in my right servo as I spoke in my native tongue of Cybertronian to the mighty warrior before me, ''vorst tuhmmet mast, neetah ohfin ehquar''. /The Legend exists/.

I felt a flash of concern as my optics darted about the room, focusing on the occupants of each cell with awe and trepidation. /The Legend may exist, but can they be reasoned with? Can and will these ancient and fierce warriors actually listen to what I have to say? Or has countless years imprisoned within their bonds, their minds focused on anger, revenge and hate, destroyed any chance I have at reasoning with them?/.

Around me, the other massive warriors grew impatient and began to bellow and growl, thrashing about in their cells eager to taste freedom in Primus knows how long. As I noted the blood lust and pent-up fury, a new thought formed in my processor. /It may not be a case of will they listen, but rather making them listen to what I have to say/.

I drew my dermas together tightly in distaste as I realised, with a great deal of irony, that while I was about to offer them their freedom, in order to obtain it, they would first have to do my bidding and fight alongside me in a battle not of their making. Though it did not sit well with me, offering one thing in one servo only to snatch it away with the other, I was out of options. I knew my brave Autobots would fight to the death and although Phoenix and her powers provided a much needed bolster to our forces, we needed reinforcements and we needed them now!

Before I moved to oblige and finish freeing them, I stood back to address them all, most notably whom I assumed to be their leader. His beady red optics bore into mine. I lowered my sword in a gesture of peace and extended a servo. ''Mighty Warriors, I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. I free you from your bonds so you might join with me in defeating a great threat and in doing so, earn your freedom.''

The leader seemed to tilt his massive helm to the side as he stared at me, the others looked to him for his reaction. He gave none, other than to continue to stare at me. I took his lack of reaction, his seeming impassivity as indication he was listening. Though he seemed to lack the capacity for speech, it would seem he could understand.

I glanced around at the other captive warriors before my gaze once again rested firmly on the leader's face. ''If you are interested in siding with me and accepting my offer, I will be waiting outside the ship.'' I immediately set to work breaking the bonds of the remaining warriors, their shrill screams and excited rumbles of anticipation filled my audials. As the last bond was broken, I turned on my pedes and jogged towards the exit of the ship, large footfalls not far behind me as the warriors followed my path.

Descending the ramp of the battered craft and walking out into the verdant clearing, I was greeted by expressions of horror and awe on Jazz, Crosshairs and Drift's faces as they gazed up at the hulking warriors that thundered behind me and then back at me. ''You've got to be kidding me!'' Crosshair's voice was laced with disbelief as he addressed my apparent madness. Jazz and Drift simply looked on with stunned expressions.

''Legendary warriors we must join forces or else be annihilated by a common enemy,'' I once again twisted my sword in my servo, becoming accustomed to its weight and the way it felt in my servos before I grasped the hilt and stabbed the sword into the ground before me. ''So today you stand with us OR,'' I looked determinedly towards the leader, ''you stand against me!''

A spark beat later, the leader gave a fierce bellow that echoed off the cliff face as he swung a lethal spiked club at me, crashing into the ground and sending clods of earth flying. I dodged the blow, jumping and rolling to my right, springing to my pedes again instantly before a second deadly weapon was brought down with such power and aggression, it shook the earth about me. /So, against me it is/, the thought flashed through my processor as I prepared to counterattack.

I should have been terrified. I should have perhaps never set them free. I should have done a lot of things but right now, the only thing that mattered was somehow making this behemoth listen to me. The massive warrior swung his club around in an arc and I once again leapt clear. While he had brute strength on his side, I was somewhat more agile and used that to my advantage. Dodging the wicked spiked mace as it slammed into the ground, I jumped upon it, ''Only together,'' I yelled out pleadingly as I quickly leaped upon his shoulder, his massive servo reached back to try and capture me.

Pushing off from my precarious position, I launched myself high in the air, ''can we survive!'' As gravity pulled me back towards earth and my enraged opponent, I balled my servo into a fist and channelled my momentum and body weight into he punch I landed on the beast's face. 'LET ME LEAD YOU!'' I implored as energon from shattered face plates flew through the air and spattered on my paint work. I fell to the ground with a loud grunt, quickly rolling to my pedes again and hefting my blade in my servo.

I scowled as the creature as its body began to shift and transform into a massive, prehistoric bi-pedal animal. In my periphery I was aware of Drift and Crosshairs retreating to a safer distance. Jazz, meanwhile, had stood his ground, his face a mixture of awe and concern as the metallic dinosaur sent a ball of flame spewing from its maw. Jazz's optics once again found mine, waiting for any indication to assist.

None would come.

I reached for my shield and attached it to my left forearm as I shifted on my pedes, finding my balance and my centre. A low growl of annoyance rumbled from my dermas. ''COME HERE!'' I challenged as the enraged Tyrannosaur beared down upon me. His red optics locked on me, steam snorting from his nostrils and fire erupting from its cavernous mouth. I shifted on my pedes again as I took up a battle stance.

I was frustrated. Frustrated that this hulking mountain refused to listen to reason. Frustrated at my own hypocrisy as I beat down someone I was trying to help but mainly, I was frustrated that I was HERE and my Autobots, and most importantly, my Phoenix, were in the city fighting with out me.

''WE'RE GIVING YOU FREEDOM!'' I bellowed as I twisted my body, preparing to slam my shield with all my might into the side of the dinosaur's head. As it connected with brutal force, sparks ignited as a metallic clang echoed loudly and I gave a massive yell of exertion as I released my pent-up frustration and anger.

The ''dinobot'' was bodily knocked off his pedes and sent soaring through the air. He landed heavily, rolling several times and once again sent great clods of earth flying into the sky as his massive body gauged great tracks in the ground. A loud metallic screech and rumble of shock and pain reverberated around the valley as the great beast's body twisted and slowly slid to a halt, a cloud of steam and soil enshrouding him.

As I strode purposefully towards him, sword drawn and ready, the great beast tried to lift his battered body from the ground, but he faltered, still dazed from the blow he received. His blood red optics blinked slowly, and he snorted steam from his nostrils as a pained and defeated groan rumbled from deep within. A small part of me was moved to pity for the creature as I approached the fallen beast, and a brief stab of guilt tore through me. Though that feeling was almost immediately replaced by anger as an image of Phoenix, arm outstretched and a look of horror and fear etched on her face, flashed through my processor. /He WILL listen to what I say, I cannot delay any longer/.

I felt a scowl once again descend on my face plates as I raised a pede upon his neck, ''You defend my family,'' I placed my sword at his neck, a small spray of sparks ignited at the contact of metal on metal, ''or die!'' My own voice sounded cold and distant to my own audials, and my threat hung heavily as the cold mountain air settled around us. I did not care.

Without waiting for any indication of assent, I climbed aboard the beast's neck and sheathed my sword. The gigantic dinobot rumbled his acceptance and rose to his pedes, slowly turning about to face my Autobots and the other warriors, who had thankfully refrained from entering the fight. ''We need to get back to the city immediately,'' I directed all before me. The Tyrannosaur roared again and took a step towards his warrior brethren. At once they transformed into formidable looking creatures themselves.

From down below Jazz gazed up at me with a huge grin on his face and clapped his servos together. ''Well, this is a first I mus' say Prime! While I know I said it was time for tha cavalry, I didn't quite have this,'' he gestured to the waiting dinosaurs as they shuffled about impatiently, ''in mind, but hey, I'm game! Bags the horny one!'' he shouted out with a grin as he ran over to the waiting Triceratops who lowered his colossal head.

Crosshairs and Drift, who had watched on from a more sheltered position, approached cautiously. ''I had been expecting a giant car,'' Drift eyed the towering spikey dinosaur with trepidation, though he moved to climb aboard.

Crosshairs froze on the spot, shaking his helm. ''No frigging way and I getting on that thing!'' he shouted definitely, folding his arms across his chest.

''Oh, come on man! Don't be a pussy,'' Jazz goaded from atop his ride. He gave the dinosaur a pat as it shook its massive, frilled head. ''Jus' think of it as ridin' a really big Cybertronian Wolf.'' He gave Crosshairs a teasing grin, ''one with fuck off fangs brother.''

I kicked my beast to move him forward towards Crosshairs and he lowered his head and roared as he moved to comply. Before I could even say a word, a look of horror flashed across Crosshair's face and he bolted towards the dinosaur Drift had climbed aboard, muttering under his breath.

I felt my battle mask slide into place and surge of urgency burned within me. /So close… I am so close to seeing her again, my Phoenix/. We had wasted enough time already. I raised my right servo in the air as I turned my mount around towards the entrance to the valley. ''Autobots, we charge together!'' I kicked the Tyrannosaurus, spurring him into motion as he lunged forward and roared. ''Now roll out!'' I yelled as I punched my fist in the air in anticipation.

The great beast's strides ate up the ground and behind me the ground shook as my Autobots and their dinosaurs followed closely behind. I gripped the neck of the Tyrannosaurus tightly as it crashed through trees and raced down the mountains towards the city skyline that loomed in the distance. Plumes of smoke rose into the sky and as we drew near. Above the screeching of the dinobots as they sensed battle nearby, I could hear explosions and the sound of screaming from humans fleeing the battle zone they had unwillingly found themselves in.

I reached behind my back and grasped my sword, brandishing it high in the air as I urged the dinobot on towards the chaos before us. My thoughts focused on reaching my Autobots, hoping they had not suffered too badly in my absence. I kicked the sides of the great beast again. /One more ridge!/.

As we crested the final ridge and slid down the rock face into the streets below, I prayed to Primus I was not too late. I prayed to Primus that the Seed was safe. I prayed that somehow, somewhere amongst all the death and destruction I would find her. I would finally get to see her again and maybe, just maybe, I would get the chance to tell Phoenix what I have waited five long years to say. /If she would even let me speak/.

I gave a low growl of frustration at the thought and smacked the blade against the side of the hulking beast, ''FASTER!'' I demanded as we tore down the streets towards Hound's, and the Seed's, last known location.