Author's note: Minor swearing...

Chapter 141 – Hurt

Phoenix P.O.V

I rose higher into the sky, circling about to fly past Ironhide and the others and check on their status. Several blocks away the remaining Autobots were finishing off any prototypes that lurked about and were securing the area. I was about to comm Ironhide and Rachet when my spark stilled.

Having been so focused on Optimus and our first words to each other in over five years, I had momentarily forgotten the approaching ship. I silently cursed myself as it hovered dangerously close to the odd convoy as it processed out of the city. Huge cargo bay doors opened beneath the belly of the craft and a blue glow emanated from within as steam circled about. /This does NOT look good!/. I changed my path and began to head towards the spaceship.

Almost immediately, large chunks of debris, great sections of buildings, cars, buses, boats all begun to float up towards the maw of the ship. ''It's sucking everything up!'' I shouted out loud in horror to myself as the ship left a trail of destruction in its wake. As I watched several massive ships from the harbour get bodily lifted from the water, the sound of car alarms blaring, people screaming and metal groaning and creaking as it was rend apart, I realised with utter terror that it was specifically sucking up everything metal. /It's a giant bloody magnet!/.

I sped towards the massive craft, taking great care to fly above the reach of the magnet. ::PRIME!:: I yelled down the comm more panicked than I wished to let on as I surveyed the ship, ::That ship, it has a massive magnet sucking everything up and it is headed right for you. Take immediate action!::

::Affirmative Phoenix! Stay back!:: Prime replied, his voice filled with concern.

/Stay back! Like hell Prime/. I flew above the craft and began to rain down fireballs upon it, screeching in anger. Circling around I flew alongside it and hurled fireballs into its sides, everywhere, in a bid to try and stop it. Although several fires burned along the deck and I heard the satisfying sound of groaning metal as my fireballs found their mark, nothing major seemed to happen. I was about to resume my assault when I noticed several small craft being deployed from a side cargo bay door. /SHIT! NOT what I was hoping to achieve!/. I flapped my wings and climbed higher, trying to draw their attention away from my friends – and Prime - on the ground. They followed.

I thread my way amongst the high rises, the sound of bullets whizzing past me. Rounding back towards the large ship, I growled out loud. /ENOUGH! You're the Phoenix for Primus' sake. End this!/. I felt the flames begin to burn brightly and intensely along my body until I was a fiery comet streaking towards the ship. When I was satisfied I had them within range, I spun about abruptly on the spot so I was facing the incoming craft. Screeching in rage and defiance, I sent a wall of flame towards them, racing out in an arc towards the ship. The fireball collided with the ship, causing it to groan and rock slightly and the small assault craft were incinerated.

/All but one/, I noticed with annoyance as it dove steeply towards the city below, locking onto a new target. A flash of yellow and black atop the massive, winged Pterosaur made my spark still for a moment. /Bumblebee!/. The ship had ceased using the magnet and now drifted ominously towards the city. Tucking my wings up beside me, I dove down following the path of the assault craft in an attempt to take it out of commission before it could fire upon Bumblebee and his mount.

But I was too late.

As I swooped down between the buildings above a green parkland area, the craft had opened fire upon Bumblebee and the Pterosaur, sending them crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks and groaning, twisting metal. The craft spun about and began to strafe further targets, none other than….. /PRIME!/.

''Get cover!'' his voice ordered above the sound of bullets ricocheting off metal.

Before I could even retaliate, the massive, frilled Triceratops creature leapt high in the air and tore the machine gun from the ship, sending it crashing to the ground in a hail of sparks, smoke and flame. It held the gun in its massive jaws like a proud metallic dog holding a prized bone.

I screeched a warning as I sailed over head and climbed skywards once again. The ship had returned. ::Prime! It's coming back, look out!::

::Phoenix! Get out of here!:: Prime growled out in frustration as he desperately fought to hold onto something to try and anchor himself to the ground. ::GO NOW! That's an order!::

I only just managed to clear the area before I noticed with terror that the magnet had pulled Prime and the large dinosaurs up off the ground, drawing them inexorably closer to the opening in the ship. Thankfully, Bumblebee and the humans had managed to escape with the Seed. I watched helplessly as Prime, and the beasts scrambled to purchase hold of anything to halt their assent.

Shattered glass and rubble rained down upon the streets below. The building they clung to was being decimated, torn apart by both the magnet and those it sought to retrieve. As I flew alongside the craft, the sound of Prime straining and groaning with tremendous effort as he fought to avoid capture, tore at my spark.

He was directly under the magnet, grasping at the ledge of the building, his body being pulled upwards. His right arm with his shield was extended out beside him, pointing towards the maw of the ship. His grip was loosening, his strength fading, and any moment he would be sucked up into the cavernous ship. While I did not know who was aboard it, I could only assume it was Lockdown and that he had returned for his bounty.

/You will NOT get him!/. I dove down and under the ship, pivoting about so I was facing upwards into the ship's belly. I felt the strong pull of the magnet and let out an almighty screech as I sent several fireballs flying into the bowels of the craft. At the same time, I heard Optimus give a tremendous yell of rage as he also fired several shots in the same direction. Almost immediately, our shots found their mark and I watched in great satisfaction as the magnet exploded, sending fire and a series of impressive explosions racing through the underside of the craft.

My sense of satisfaction was short lived however, as the magnet's hold over us and all it had been sucking up, failed. Debris of all sizes rained down in a deadly hail, crushing all in its path. Bits of concrete and metal pelted my body. I began to climb once more, beating my massive wings and righting myself, trying desperately to retreat from immediate danger. A car sailed past me, narrowly missing my helm and I stalled briefly, turning sharply to the right to avoid it. As I did, I noted that the mighty dinosaurs and Prime had fallen heavily to the ground, sending up clouds of dust and dirt. But they were safe, and relief filled my spark.

Large sheets of metal siding from the ship plunged to the ground around me, like massive metal hail. I did my best to navigate the dangerous minefield and had almost made it out the other side when I loud creaking and groaning sound caught my attention, and I chanced a glance upwards.

I instantly regretted that decision.

Before I could once again do anything to protect myself, the twisted and battered frame of the bow of a ship collided with my helm, my right shoulder and my back. I felt a sickening crack and I almost blacked out as my helm was dealt a massive blow. Roaring in pain, I faltered slightly before I began to plummet towards the ground. I was vaguely aware that there was going to be a rather painful collision with the ground and seconds later – it happened!

I slammed into the ground, ploughing a huge furrow through the earth as my left shoulder and wing absorbed the impact. Tumbling over several times, my huge body sent earth, dust and smoke spewing into the air. I screeched in pain as I felt the fine metallic membrane on my wings tear. After what seemed an eternity, my momentum dissipated, and I slowed to a halt, laying deathly still.

I felt my spark pulsing erratically in its casing and, as I slowly opened my optics, my vision was blurry. Multiple error codes were flashing through my CPU. I groaned as I tried to move myself. Partially transforming, I freed my arms and began to push up off the ground but quickly bit back a scream as a stab of pain tore through my right shoulder and my helm. /Fuck's sake Phoenix! What the hell have you done to yourself?/.

I lay back down quietly for a moment, focusing on cycling air through my intakes as if ''breathing'' to help calm me down. I knew I could not stay in this position, but I knew transforming back into my bi-pedal mode would be – painful – to say the least. I wasn't even sure I should do it lest I caused more injury to myself. I hesitated a moment weighing up my options before I made my decision. ::Rachet, it's Phoenix. I hate to bother you but I ah, seem to have done myself a mischief::

There was a split second of silence before the familiar and much-loved voice of my friend and our medic erupted down the comm line. ::YOU WHAT? HOW? WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION?:: he barked in rapid succession, clearly equally concerned and annoyed my first words to him for weeks were to seek help for an injury.

Despite my pain, a smile formed on my dermas. ::Well let's see in answer to your questions; I hurt myself when a boat crashed into me after I helped Prime destroy the magnet and then I crash landed on the ground and I think I buggered up my wing. My location is – well -the ground:: My vision started to blur again and I felt groggy, like I needed to shut down and reboot my systems. I would have shaken my helm, but it would have hurt.

::Very cute Phoenix. Seriously, send me your coordinates so I can come and help you:: he sounded a bit annoyed.

::That's the thing Rachet, I don't know how to do that. I can't remember what to do.. it hurts.:: despite my best efforts I winced out loud as my helm moved slightly.

I was vaguely aware of the guttural growls and clicks of Cybertronian flowing down the comm line. ::Can you at least activate your transponder so I can search for you that way?::

I wanted to sleep. ::My what Ratshit? Do I have one of thosh?:: /Hang on, do I sound like that normally?/. More Cybertronian.

::Phoenix, stay where you are. We are on our way to find you. Rachet out::

::Sure Ratshit. I can do that, no worries! Over:: I gently laid my helm down and felt my optics shutter slowly. So tired. /Prime is likely going to be pissed at you!/ the random thought drifted through my cloudy processor.

''Well, well. What do we have here?'' a deep metallic voice that sounded both intrigued and malicious addressed me.

I slowly raised my helm confused, /How did he get here so quick?/. I cast my optics about, trying to find who spoke to me. I paused a moment. A tall, powerfully built figure similar in height to Optimus, but with one major difference, loomed into view. I felt my optics squint as I tried to focus on his face. ''Who are you? You aren't Rachet.''

There was a low growl of disgust, ''I most certainly am not!'' The words were spat out as if the notion he could be Rachet was wholly distasteful.

I felt myself tense up slightly and a wave of irritation, followed by a wave of intense pain swept over me. I stilled momentarily to let them both pass before I replied, trying to raise myself off the ground as I did so. ''Well, if you aren't Rachet, WHO the bloody hell ARE you?'' His optics were red. His dermas twisted in a strange grin and his chest. His chest looked like it had a massive gaping hole in it. /He seems familiar, where have I seen him before?/.

He gave a low rasping chuckle before he spoke. ''I am Galvatron.''