Author Note: I hope you are all still with me! We are on the down hill run, hang in there!

/denotes Unicron speaking/.

Chapter 167 - Weakness

Galvatron P.O.V

''But you just said how dangerous it was. Why would you want to use it?'' Phoenix questioned me incredulously.

I ceased pacing to stare at her, a very serious expression on my face. ''To defeat Optimus Prime and his accursed Autobots and because the benefits far outweigh the detriments. Dark Energon is a source of power, great power. It enhances your strength, your speed, your stamina. It makes you almost indestructible and impervious to damage whilst it flows through your system. It is a gift.''

Phoenix furrowed her brow in confusion. ''A gift? From whom?''

''From him.'' I felt a spiteful sneer form on my dermas at the thought of whose blood flowed through my lines, of whose thoughts tried to control my own. My voice sounded distant as I spoke. ''Though it comes at a price..''

Phoenix folded her arms across her chest, that look of defiance I was coming to enjoy watching settle on her features as she challenged me. ''But you said no Cybertronian has been able to control it once it was injected or ingested into their body. I fail to see how it can be a gift when…'' Suddenly, she paused. I could almost see the realisation dawn on her face and my dermas curved into a knowing smile as she reluctantly asked the question that clearly concerned her. ''Galvatron. Do you mean to tell me that…''

''I have managed to find a way to control Dark Energon?'' A conceited smile spread across my dermas. ''Yes, Phoenix. I have.'' I closed the distance between us, gloating in my own achievements. ''For the first time in the history of our race, I have found a way to control Dark Energon!'' I stood before her, looming over her. There was something about the look on her face that fed my need to impress upon her my abilities. ''I alone can harness its powers. It does not control me I control….. ''

Without warning, a familiar intense pain tore through my body, radiating out from my helm. It was as though I was on fire from the inside out and every wire, circuit and cable was being incinerated. I clutched at my helm as my face contorted in agony. /It was him!/.

/Galvatron! You dare boast about having power over me?/.

His voice boomed through my processor, vibrating through every fibre of my being. The very lifeblood that flowed through me boiled in my lines and I ground my denta together in a bid to hold the scream of pain at bay.

Out of the periphery of my blurred vision I saw her. I became aware that I was not alone. That she was still here with me to witness my silent oppressor punish me. She began to tentatively reach out towards me. ''Galvatron? Are you..''

I rounded her, snarling my frustration and pain at her. ''LEAVE ME!'' I barked the order in angry desperation. I could not stand to see her of all bots witness my manipulation and torture.

Once again, his voice echoed through my processor, grating at my sanity. /You forget your place Galvatron! I hold dominion over YOU. My blood flows through your circuits, through your spark. It is MY blood that will give you the strength and power to achieve domination over this wretched planet and that troublesome Prime/.

''What is wron….'' she began to take a step towards me, concern etched on her pretty face. That look. It tore at my spark.

''GO - NOW!'' I gave a deep, guttural growl and dealt her a savage backhand across her face that sent her staggering backwards to the point she almost lost her balance. She gasped out loud, no doubt from both pain and shock, and a part of me cringed as I watched energon track down her cracked cheek plate. /What have I done?/.

For a moment Phoenix stood there, dazed and confused, clearly deciding what to do. Despite my order, despite the way I just treated her, still she stood her ground. She did not immediately scurry away as so many others would. I extended a servo towards her briefly, beseeching her to understand and forgive me for my actions.

/You belong to ME, and you will do MY bidding. This Phoenix is a distraction to achieving your task. She is a weakness/.

I snarled and turned my back on Phoenix, clutching desperately at my helm to try and stop it from tearing in two. I was only vaguely aware of the sound of her pedes as she ran out of the room. I fell to my knees as his voice echoed through processor and spark.

/Get rid of her…and that Prime and that accursed Matrix before I arrive. They are NOT to be allowed to stand against me together. Fail in this task and you will NOT be spared. You have been warned. Now go!/.

A yell of agony reverberated around the room, and I smashed a servo into the ground, leaving a dent as I fought a wave of pain. ''Yes, Unicron! As you wish.'' All at once the pain dissipated and I sunk to the ground in relief, ex-venting deeply as I began to regain control of my own thoughts.

His manipulations and tortures were becoming more frequent and more intense. As I lay there, my face pressed against the cool metallic ground, the thought I may have an even bigger problem to worry about than that self-righteous Prime and his slagging Autobots, crossed my processor. /Do I chose the lesser of the two evils?/. I growled and began to sit up as I regained control of my own limbs.

My thoughts returned to Phoenix and what I did to her. /I just slapped her in the face!/. ''She even reached out to me in concern, and I hurt her!'' For the first time in the longest time, I felt – regret - wash over me. In the short time she has been here, Phoenix has proven herself an asset. It was true that she possessed many fine qualities and skills that made her a powerful ally and a most welcome addition to our Decepticon cause. /But there was more to it than that/.

I brought myself up into a kneeling position. He said Phoenix was a weakness. /Though he did not say whom she was a weakness for?/. ''Was he referring to me or to himself?'' I growled in annoyance at myself for hurting one of the few bots I trusted and for allowing myself to feel anything but indifference towards this Phoenix.

/Yet there is something about her…/.

I rose to my pedes and cast my optics towards the door I saw her flee through. /Perhaps I can use her powers to help me?/. I quickly silenced my own thoughts, lest he become aware of my intentions. ''That will not do now, will it?'' I felt a calculating smile spread across my dermas.

I had made a decision, but first, there was something I needed to do. ::Soundwave, acknowledge::

::Yes, Lord Galvatron:: came the immediate reply.

::Do you know where Phoenix went? Do you have her present location?::

::Negative Lord Galvatron. Current location, unknown. Her signature is not registering on base::

There was a moment's silence as I deliberated on what this could mean. /Where could she have gone? Did she go to the Autobots?/. I clenched my servo tightly and growled down the comm line. ::Find her, NOW! Bring her to me. That is all::

::Yes Lord Galvatron. As you command::

I agreed with my oppressor, Phoenix was indeed a weakness – and it was time to use that weakness and turn it into a strength.