Author's note: denotes flashback thoughts
Chapter 158 – No Going Back…
Phoenix P.O.V
/Oh, Primus what have I done? What have I done?/, the thought kept looping through my fuzzy processor.
I felt like emptying my tanks, purging myself of the pain and the absolute horror of what I had just happened. /You had to; it was part of the plan/. I tried to reason with myself, but my spark twisted painfully in my chest and, had I been capable of crying, rivers of tears would have been cascading down my cheeks.
/I just attacked Optimus Prime!/.
I willed my spark to slow down, to stop beating so erratically. I tried to calm myself enough to stop my frame from shaking as the gravity of what I had done – of what was about to possibly happen - sunk in.
I landed atop one of the rugged, blue mesas in the Petrified National Park in Eastern Arizona. I had sought the solitude and desolation of this place after I put ''the plan'' into motion. The plan that would allow me to defect from the Autobots to the Decepticons as convincingly as possible – without anyone being killed.
Perched atop the mesa, I gazed out over the vastness of the landscape before me as I folded my wings back beside me. It was stunningly beautiful in its desolation. The colours of the sand and rock as the light began to fade from the land was a painful reminder Prime's kind optics and, yet again I felt my spark lurch.
I closed my optics and replayed the scene in my mind.
''Phoenix! Stand down – the humans will get hurt!'' Prime bellowed to me as I sent fireballs towards the 'Cons who had attacked the Oil Refinery in Phoenix, Arizona – of all places.
Intel that Lennox and NEST had been gathering the past few weeks suggested 'Cons were targeting such facilities to perhaps restock their depleted energon supplies following the battle at Beijing. It did not take long to pinpoint their next possible target and intercept them.
There were several explosions as the fireballs found their mark and one of the 'Cons, Barricade, was hit, sending him flying backwards and landing roughly on the ground. I growled in frustration and yelled back towards Optimus. ''What do you mean stand down? We have the advantage; we should take them out now!'' To emphasise my point, I advanced on the fallen ''Con, flames engulfed my figure and danced in my servos as I strode towards them. A savage glint in my optics. The sound of humans screaming out in shock and fear were ignored as I focused on what had to be done – so much depended on getting this right!
In the distance I could see Bumblebee, Ironhide, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker and Jazz taking on Onslaught, Dreadbot, Nitro Zeus and Starscream. I growled and transformed into the Phoenix, launching myself into the air with tremendous beats of my wings, I rose swiftly and steeply into the sky. I circled back around above the melee below and selected my target.
Starscream, has since transformed and was moving in fast from a south easterly direction to attack the Autobots. I tucked my wings back behind me and dove. The ground hurtled towards me, but I did not take my optics off my target. Starscream had been so focused on taking out Optimus that he did not think to look above him.
Several fireballs found their mark along the F-22 Raptor Jet's fuselage, causing Starscream to transform mid-flight and cast his optics about to see who had dared attack him. It was then that I slammed into him with a loud metallic screech of anger. I punched him in the face several times before I spread my wings, momentarily slowing our descent. I released him and he crashed into the ground, tumbling several times in a cloud of dust and splintering metal.
Swooping down upon him, I transformed back into my robot mode, my sword drawn and fire dancing in the palm of my servo. I sent a volley of fireballs towards him, and they exploded all about him as he skittered and clambered to get away from me. I fell upon him and brought my sword up to his throat preparing to sever his vital fuel and energon lines when I felt a strong servo on my arm.
''Phoenix, enough! They are beaten. The humans, we must make sure they are safe!'' Prime's deep voice rumbled pleadingly.
I did not take my optics off Starscream's face. ''Not beaten enough Optimus Prime. This one still functions. Don't you mean to put an end to ALL Decepticons? Is that not your goal?'' My sword blade slid dangerously along his throat and a trickle of blue energon leaked down. Starscream glared at me, but he stilled. From what I had heard of this prick, he knew how to survive. He was no fool.
''Well yes Phoenix, but our primary goal is always preservation of life – not destruction. That is what separates is from them.'' Prime nodded at Starscream, who glowered at him, his red optics aflame with utter hatred.
Ironhde and Jazz had since walked towards us, hovering on the periphery – ready. Prime began to pull on my arm, at the same time it was like a caress, a final touch between us. I closed my optics for a moment and that was when it happened.
I growled out loud in utter frustration and anger, rounding upon him and raising my sword at Prime instead. ''No, what separates you from them is your lack of action Optimus Prime!'' Prime had released my servo and taken a step back. Ironhide and Jazz trained their weapons on Starscream and the Seeker froze, his optics watching with delight the scene unfolding before him.
''Phoenix… Please...'' Prime began to speak to me, but I would not be silenced.
''NO! Enough! Galvatron was right! I can see now you do not deserve to have the likes of the Phoenix as your ally.'' I felt my spark twist. ''You are weak Optimus Prime. I fought for you in Beijing and I nearly died and for what?'' I strode towards him, sword raised and a feral glint in my optics. My voice raised with each poisonous word that left my dermas. ''So, you might keep me on a tight leash?'' I swung my sword at him, and he blocked it with his own. I kicked out at him, and he stumbled back a few paces but kept his footing. ''YOU KNOW I AM MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU!'' Flames sprung to life along my arm… ''YOU'RE JUST JEALOUS OF ME AND YOU WISH TO CONTROL ME.'' I paused momentarily in my advance. My soul ached.
Prime stared at me, his face emotionless, hidden behind his battle mask but his optics – they pleaded with me. /YOU MUST DO THIS!/.
Behind me, I heard Ironhide's gruff voice yell out, ''Optimus! Look out.''
I sent those fireballs towards him. I sent them colliding into his shoulder, his chest, and the ground about him. I screamed as they flew towards their target as dust and flames erupted around him. To anyone who did not know what was truly happening, the scream would have sounded like one of effort and anger. To those who knew what was happening – it was the sound of a soul shattering and a spark torn in two.
He fell.
My limbs felt like leaden weights, and I could hardly move. My voice hitched in my throat as if the words I were about to speak were so traitorous, they refused to leave my dermas. ''YOU DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO ANYMORE! I AM DONE WITH YOU! WITH THE AUTOBOTS! I DENOUNCE YOU ALL!'' The sting of a blaster shot finding its mark in my shoulder snapped me back to reality as Jazz fired a carefully aimed shot. I spun about and sent a wall of flame towards both Ironhide and Jazz as they advanced upon me. /I'm sorry!/. Starscream was nowhere to be seen.
Transforming into the Phoenix, I beat my massive metallic wings and took to the sky, only vaguely thinking of scanning for Starscream's presence. The others had fallen back before I had attacked Starscream. For a moment I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. I just had to get away. I could not look back. I could not go back. I just had to leave – to get as far away from here as I could.
IF the plan were to work.
The sound of a jet engine roaring past snapped me back to attention, and I cast my optics skyward. Rising to my full height, I unfolded my wings and narrowed my optics as a familiar F 22 Raptor Jet made a pass and circled back. Every nerve was on edge as I was consumed in flames. /He could be coming back to seek revenge/.
Starscream landed a distance away from me. For a moment he simply stood, watching me, his helm tilted like that of an eagle as it sized up its prey. After a moment of indecision, his servos were raised in front of him in supplication. ''Phoenix, I do not wish you any harm.'' He muttered under his breath as he spat fluid, and I failed to catch the words, though I am sure that was the intent. ''I come with an – invitation.''
I stared at him, my optics flashing dangerously. ''And WHO extends this invitation?''
Starscream's own optics narrowed slightly as he spat out the words distastefully. ''Lord Galvatron humbly requests your presence Phoenix so he might – talk with you.''
I gave a low chuckle. ''I do not believe there is anything humble about your Lord Galvatron.'' Starscream's optics gleamed brightly for a moment as if he too shared my opinion, though he said nothing. ''What is it he wishes to speak about? I am in no mood for games.'' The flames began to die down as I aimed to show Starscream my interest was piqued, and I too meant no harm – for now.
The Seeker's optics burned brightly with disgust for a moment and he to seemed to have trouble allowing the words to tumble from his dermas. ''Lord Galvatron… wishes… to speak with you about possibly… allying… yourself to the Decepticons now that you have become aware of the Autobots pathetic weakness.'' He took a step forward and I felt myself tense up. Sensing this he stopped.
My own helm tilted thoughtfully towards the deceitful Seeker. ''And what makes Galvatron think I would want to join the Decepticons? I beat you soundly enough didn't I?'' I felt my optics shine with mirth. Starscream's long talon like servo snipped together as he tried to contain his utter indignation and disgust. ''What can he offer the likes of the Phoenix?'' I took several steps towards Starscream, my flaming 40-foot frame and 200-foot wingspan looming over him, and he cowered slightly. Again, I fought the urge to smirk.
Starscream averted his gaze for a moment, before lowering his helm in a gesture of ''respect.'' ''Perhaps that is a conversation best had with Lord Galvatron himself – if you are interested that is.''
I took one more step towards the sniveling Seeker. ''Oh, I am interested – whether or not I remain interested is yet to be seen.'' Starscream nodded his helm, a glint in his optics. ''Very well….'' I raised an optical ridge, feigning ignorance as to his designation, much to his annoyance.
''Starscream. My designation is Starscream,'' his optics narrowed and for a moment it looked as though he might say more but he wisely chose to refrain.
''Very well – Starscream – lead on.''
The Seeker nodded his helm and with surprising grace, leapt off the mesa and transformed mid air into the F22 Raptor.
Following suit, I took several large strides towards the mesa's edge and leapt off. My massive wings propelled my body as I locked onto Starscream's signature and followed the Decepticon.
I was now truly alone.
As I soared through the sky, I cast my mind back to my time on Wrangel Island. /Perhaps, my time spent in solitude there will help me survive what I am about to go through?/. A small, mocking thought snaked through my processor as we banked in a south easterly direction, making for the Gulf of Mexico. /NOTHING will prepare you for this… nothing/.
My spark began to ache, and a wave of utter sorrow swept over me as the image of Prime falling to the ground flashed through my processor. /Please Primus! Let him be okay, let this work. It HAS to work!/.
As the ocean loomed ahead, a steadfast resolve and a calmness settled about my broken spark. Clinging desperately to it, I sped onwards in the wake of the Seeker. /Whatever the outcome – there is no going back now/.
Author's Note: In my story line Starscream did not get killed by Sam, he continued ''following'' Galvatron's orders (as they suited his designs too). As I said a while back, my story line differs a bit now from Bayverse offerings. Once again, I implore you to just go with it!