Author's note: Shout out to Aussie Guest for their kind reviews, so glad you are still with me on this journey! :-) And thanks to Leanisha Thomas for her kind review and. welcome aboard - hope you hang around for the long haul! As always, I really appreciate any feedback as it helps keep me motivated and writing, so thanks!

Also, before reading this chapter, I know there are differing lore's and opinions on how the Star Saber came to be, what happened to it and how it can be used. Same with Unicron and the way he manipulated Megatron/Galvatron. As for everything in the Transformers Universe, I am adapting it for my own purposes to suit my story. Which btw, you may have noticed the interaction between Phoenix and Megatron/Galvatron is something perhaps ''out of character,'' and off script.

Anyway, I hope you all stick with it until the end. We are getting there people – I promise! Definitely down hill run! 😊

Chapter 169 – Of Star Sabers and Gods

Phoenix P.O.V

I felt my helm snap back in surprise. ''Talk? About what? I can't imagine what you would want to talk to me about.'' I belatedly added, ''that doesn't involve missions of course.''

Megatron swept his optics back towards me, a sardonic grin on his dermas. ''Perhaps it is a mission I have come to talk to you about Phoenix.''

''I thought we were no longer collecting the crystals and your energon stores are at an all time high. What could you possibly send me on a mission for Megatron?'' I looked at him askance.

He took a step towards the edge of the platform, folding his arms across his chest. There was a faraway look on his face as he spoke. ''A mission of utmost importance and secrecy Phoenix. One that would be of great personal benefit for me and earn my deep appreciation should you succeed.''

/Okay, I'll bite, what could this be?/. I took a step towards him, coming to stand by his right side. ''Sounds interesting. I'm listening.''

He gave a deep chuckle. ''I thought you might be interested.'' He turned to face me. ''I am looking for an artefact, an ancient weapon that could help give me a distinct advantage in an upcoming battle.''

I somehow managed to maintain an indifferent façade despite the flicker of fear I felt. /With whom? The Autobots? Or whatever seems to torture his mind?/. ''What kind of weapon is it and who is the battle with?''

He scowled at me. ''I am not accustomed to 'questions' Phoenix, as you should well know by now, however, I have come to expect nothing less from you.''

I smirked at him which only deepened the scowl for a moment. "Correct me if I am wrong Megatron, but I thought you would appreciate such a diligent attitude when carrying out your tasks?''

''You are not wrong.'' He gazed back out over the horizon. ''Which is why I have specifically come to request you to head up this mission.'' He glanced back at me. ''I trust you Phoenix and I know you will not disappoint me.''

Guilt assailed my spark and I shifted on my pedes as I tried to disperse the unexpected feeling. /THIS WAS MEGATRON FOR FUCK SAKE! He has killed countless innocent lives, tortured many more, including Elita and he has sworn to kill the mech you love – Optimus Prime! Why the fuck do you feel guilty?/. I should have been thrilled to learn I had earned Megatron's utmost trust, that I had him where I wanted him, and yet – that is not how I felt in this moment. I dipped my helm. ''Thank you.''

He stared at me for a moment before once again shifting his gaze to take in the inky darkness before him. ''The weapon I am trying to locate is a sword. A sword, that legend has it, was once wielded by a Prime.'' He must have sensed my question, and he glanced briefly at me, his tone dripping with disdain when he pre-empted my question, ''No, not Optimus Prime, long before him.''

He began to pace about the deck. ''This sword was forged by Solus Prime, one of the original Thirteen Primes, and the only female amongst them…''

''Must have been tough on her, ya know, being surrounded by so many mechs,'' I interjected.

Megatron creased his brow in annoyance at being interrupted and I gestured for him to continue. ''As I was saying, she was a master designer and creator. It was she who was responsible for the creation of many of Cybertron's most impressive weapons and relics – the Star Saber and the Forge of Solus Prime, another of her creations used to make just about anything.'' He stopped pacing and turned about to see if I followed. I nodded. ''Eventually, Solus was killed and many of her artefacts and weapons were hidden away or cast out into space by the ancient Autobot Alpha Trion to prevent them falling into the wrong servos.''

I snorted. ''Like Decepticon servos I am assuming?''

He sneered at me before his sneer turned into a grin. ''Yes. Something like that.''

I arched an optical ridge at him as I folded my arms across my chest. ''How is it you know so much about Autobot history given you are a Decepticon and have vowed eternal damnation to anything affiliated with the Autobots?''

Megatron's smile faded, but his optics shone brightly with amusement. ''I was not always a Decepticon and have you never heard the Earthen saying, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?'' A fleeting stab of fear lanced through me at that comment and the thought he knew of my origins, but I quickly dismissed it. ''By knowing such things about my enemies Phoenix, I afford myself the best chance of finding a means to achieve my goals.''

I shuttered my optics, taken aback by his logic. ''Fair point Megatron. Continue.''

He nodded his helm before he continued pacing. ''Legend has it the Star Saber is one of the most powerful Cybertronian weapons as it once housed the Matrix of Leadership as part of its hilt. Legend has it, The Star Saber has the ability to level mountains and extinguish stars…''

Internally I shuddered, /If Megatron got his servos on this…/, outwardly I whistled appreciatively. ''Extraordinary! That is some sword Megatron.''

Megatron ceased pacing and began to walk over towards me. ''Indeed, Phoenix. However,'' he came to stand before me, ''it is most effective in the servos of a Prime, otherwise it is just a sword.''

A small part of me felt relieved. /There is no way Optimus Prime would wield that sword for Megatron or allow it to fall into his servos if it was within his power to prevent it!/. ''So, if that is the case Megatron, why do you task me with searching for it?'' I gave a derisive snort. ''I can assure you now that Optimus Prime will never…''

''I was not thinking of him!'' he growled out through piranha like gritted denta, his frustration evident. His optics gazed thoughtfully at my face, tracking down along my neck and I felt the energon in my lines freeze. His dermas curved up into a smirk as his purplish, red optics flicked from my distinct markings to lock onto my own brown and gold flecked optics. ''Those markings along the side of your face and your neck, do you know what they mean?''

I paused a moment considering if I should tell the truth or not. ''Yes, I do. Optimus Prime told me. The ancient Cybertronian runes indicate the Mark of the Primes. They appeared after the battle of Chicago; he was the one who noticed them. I had no idea what they were,'' I paused a moment, ''and even less of an idea as to why they appeared. I am no Prime I assure you!'' I snorted angrily and my optics narrowed. ''I do not even know how I can be one, when there is already one insufferable Prime leading the Autobots already. It makes no bloody sense!'' I allowed some of the fear I felt to mask itself as confusion and anger.

Megatron regarded me carefully before he continued. ''Perhaps Phoenix. Stranger things have happened.''

I stared defiantly back at him, irritation coursing through me. ''Such as?''

Megatron gestured at me. ''Yourself.''

I froze yet again. ''H.. how do you mean?''

He smiled at me, ''You have apparently come from nowhere, you possess powers never before seen in a Transformer. You do not appear to truly affiliate yourself firmly with any one faction and you bear the Mark of the Primes. You,'' he took a step closer towards me and I automatically tensed. His optics swept over my form and came to rest on mine again. They stared intensely into mine for an interminable moment before he continued. ''You, my dear Phoenix, are truly unique. A possession as valuable as any Cybertronian relic or weapon.''

The flames, previously a flicker, leapt into the air fiercely and my voice growled in utter contempt. ''I. AM. NOT. A. POSSESSION! LEAST OF ALL YOURS!''

A dark shadow swept across Megatron's face, and his optics flashed dangerously at my words and the ferocity with which I spoke them. For a moment two wills clashed silently in the dark before Megatron bowed his helm reluctantly, his optics never leaving mine. ''Perhaps I – misspoke.''

It was the closest thing to an apology I would get from him. I allowed the flames to die down slowly as the volatile rage I had felt subsided. ''Perhaps you did.'' I looked away from him out over the dark expanse of ocean I knew rolled and crashed below me before I turned back to face him. Some of the fire I felt moments ago still blazed in my optics as I spoke again. ''Though I warn you, do not speak of me in such a manner again, or you shall see what I am capable of – Star Saber or not!'' It was a bold threat to make but in that moment I did not care.

For a moment, the silence between us was deafening. The only thing that forced me to open my dermas and continue speaking to him was the thought of letting Prime and the others down. I ex-vented deeply to expel the irritation I felt towards him. ''So, connecting the dots here Megatron. You plan to use ME to locate the sword, which may not even be here on Earth. If it is, you then plan to use ME to wield it for YOU against Optimus Prime and the Autobots allowing the Decepticons to vanquish their accursed foes once and for all? Am I right?''

Megatron regarded me for a moment as if weighing something up. ''You are partially right Phoenix.''

''I assume the upcoming battle you referred to previously is your final assault against the Autobots.'' I paused a moment. /Time to get more information/. ''I mean, that meddlesome Prime is surely your greatest enemy? Who else could possibly be a threat to you?'' I stared at Megatron carefully, waiting his response.

He said nothing for a moment. Simply stared out into the darkness, his optics shifting between purplish hue and red. ''Unicron.'' It was one word. Had I not already been informed of who this entity was, I would have been utterly perplexed. However, I thought it wise to plead ignorant.

''I'm sorry, what did you say?'' I allowed confusion to seep into my tone.

Galvatron continued to stare out to sea, watching intently as a storm began to brew on the horizon. ''Unicron. Are you familiar with this name?''

I shrugged my shoulders. ''No. Should I be?''

He grunted out loud as a cynical smile formed on his dermas. ''You will be.''

''And why is that? Who is this Unicron to me? To you for that matter?'' I challenged.

His voice was low and almost devoid of emotion as he spoke. ''He is the Chaos Bringer, the Anti-Spark, the devourer of planets and - a God.'' Megatron turned to face me, his cynical smile turning to a sneer. ''His essence, his blood, is the Source of Dark Energon.''

I peered more closely at his helm, at the mark that had appeared there a few weeks ago after that day. His optics seemed to alternate between purple and red. I furrowed my brow as I tentatively spoke to him. ''Is… is HE the one who tortured you that day? Are you under his contro….''

''I AM SLAVE TO NO ONE!'' He turned on me savagely, his optics flashing a brilliant red, his servo poised to strike me. ''I AM MEGATRON!''I stared defiantly back at him, refusing to flinch or move. With a loud growl of rage, he lowered his arm, clenching both servos by his sides as he fought to control himself.

I stood there watching him. I said nothing. I waited.

After a moment, his gravelly voice broke the silence between us. ''As I mentioned to you that day in the storage cell, while Dark Energon can be a gift, it comes at a price.'' He turned to face me, and I saw some of the torment lurking in his optics as they shifted in colour yet again. I was beginning to understand what price was being exacted from the leader of the Decepticons.

''So, instead of fighting the Autobots and Optimus Prime, you would have ME wield the Star Saber to try and bring an end to Unicron's,'' I paused a moment as he arched an optic towards me, ''tyranny?''

A small smile began to tug at the corners of Megatron's dermas. ''Despite my hatred of Optimus Prime and his pathetic Autobots, for now, there is a greater threat.'' His optics shone brightly as he implored me to understand his meaning.

I allowed an answering smile to spread across my dermas, ''A mutual enemy?''

He gave a low chuckle, '''Precisely.'' His optics flashed brightly again in warning. ''Do not mistake me Phoenix, I intend to end the Autobots and Prime once and for all, but first there is a rather large loose end to tie up.'' He took a step towards me, ''that is where you come in.''

I felt myself subconsciously tense as he drew nearer. ''Megatron, I must be brutally honest with you..''

He came to stand directly before me, imposing in his proximity. ''Good, I would hope you would be Phoenix.''

''Even as the Phoenix, with all the power I possess in that form, and even with the aid of the Star Saber, should we be able to find it, what chance do I stand against a GOD? I mean, how do you know the Star Saber will be effective in battle against Unicron?''

Megatron looked down at me, a knowing smile playing on his dermas. ''Because Phoenix, it has been used against him before, by Prima, the first Prime. There is no reason to think its effectiveness has diminished.'' His smile broadened. ''Especially when one such as yourself, a Prime AND a Phoenix, wields it. Who knows what it, and you, are capable of.' He darted his optics out to sea, watching the lightning that raked the sky. As the sound of thunder rolled across the ocean, he turned back towards me. ''He knows of your existence Phoenix.''

I shuttered my optics in shock. ''But… how?'' My spark pulsed erratically in its casing for a few beats as I processed this information and its implication.

Megatron's smile faded slightly. ''Because I told him.''

I felt the white-hot flash of anger tear through me, and I narrowed my optics at the betrayal I felt. As if sensing my feelings, Megatron continued. ''It was not done willingly I assure you. He can tap into my thoughts, access what I have seen or – felt.'' Megatron turned away from me and stepped to the edge of the platform.

I stood there confused as I considered what we had been discussing. ''If that is indeed the case Megatron, how is it Unicron has not attacked you by now, given the nature of our – discussion?''

He shook his helm, ''I do not know. Perhaps he will any moment now. Especially seeing as I know.''

I stepped towards him a little closer, my curiosity piqued. ''Know what exactly?''

A loud rumble of thunder heralded the approaching storm and beneath me I could hear the waves crashing into the pylons of the structure. Megatron had a distant look upon his face and his voice was low, so low I had to strain to hear it. ''You are a weakness.''

For a moment I tried to process what he had just said. ''I am a weakness? To whom? Unicron?''

Megatron simply stood there for a moment, his optics flashing a brilliant red against the inky darkness of the night sky. ''He does not want you to fight against him.'' He turned about to face me. His optics shifting from red to purple. ''He has tasked me with preventing that from happening.''

I felt a ripple of concern wash over me. /No prizes for guessing what that means!/. Every sense was heightened as I prepared for Megatron to launch his attack against me.

But it did not come.

He simply stared down at me, his optics fading from purple back to red again. ''In exchange for sparing my life, he wants yours Phoenix. I am to terminate you before he arrives.''

I nodded my helm slowly in understanding. ''I see. And Optimus Prime? What of his life?''

A sneer formed on his dermas, exposing his razor sharp denta. ''His too! Though I confess, that is something I am not opposed to.''

I chose to let the anger I felt at his blatant hatred towards Prime, wash over me. ''Then I shall have to watch my back it would seem, lest you stab me in it.''

Megatron's gaze softened slightly, and he started to raise his right servo towards me but then drew it back by his side, a scowl forming on his face. ''Succeed in your mission Phoenix. Do not disappoint me, and we shall both have no need to watch our backs.''

I decided to make one last play for information. ''Those horns that sprung up around the Earth. Are they to do with him? The Autobots were wondering what they were just before I left. But you KNOW, don't you? Are they something to do with Unicron?'' I stared expectantly at him.

Megatron nodded his helm as the heavens opened and the rain began to fall. ''They are. He knows what Prime carries within him for it contains the essence of Primus, Unicron's arch enemy and polar opposite. When they used it to bring him back to fight the Fallen, and again to revive Sentinel, he sensed it.'' Megatron stared out into the storm, rivulets of rain cascading down his broad chest. ''Wherever he senses the essence of Primus, he seeks to destroy it. He wishes the obliteration of everything but most especially, anything to do with his arch nemesis.''

For a moment I was struck with the parallels between Megatron and Optimus and their war that had been raging for millions of years with no end in sight. /If Unicron desires the obliteration of everything, what is there left to have dominion over? At what point is enough, enough? Or will it ever be enough?/. ''So, those horns, they are like…''

''Both massive homing beacons, transmitting to him where he might find the thing he despises the most, and a means to travel there.'' He turned to face me. ''Unicron can traverse the Universe, go anywhere, any time.'' His face took on a serious expression and his optics shone brightly. ''He is coming. Even as we speak Phoenix, he draws ever nearer. I can sense it.''

A thought struck me. ''The monitor, that day I entered the Command Room, Soundwave switched it off. You were using your satellites to detect any anomalies that might indicate his arrival. Weren't you?''

Megatron's optics softened as he gazed down at me, and his voice had a tone to it I did not recognise. ''Yes Phoenix, you are correct.'' He paused, his voice dropping to a whisper again. ''A weakness indeed.''

The rain pelted down around us, and the thunder rolled above us. The storm had well and truly arrived. Yet neither of us moved to take shelter. There was something freeing and empowering holding your ground as the elements raged around you. ''How long do you think we have until he arrives? Days, weeks, months..''

Megatron broke his steady gaze and looked out into the storm. ''I would say we have less than two lunar cycles before he arrives. Perhaps less.''

I nodded my helm. ''That does not leave very long for me to locate the Star Saber and prepare for battle with him. Perhaps I should leave now?'' I made to take some steps towards the edge of the platform when I felt a strong servo grab my shoulder.

Megatron's optics shone brightly as he once again gazed down at me. '''Wait until the storm passes Phoenix. There is time.''

I shrugged his servo off. ''Megatron with all due respect, a storm that far surpasses this,'' I waved my servos about us as lightning raked the sky, ''is on its way here as we speak, hell bent on destroying this planet. Everyone we care about. Everything – gone!'' I paused a moment staring directly into his optics. ''Including YOU. Do you really think Unicron will spare you even if you accomplish your task and end mine and that snivelling Prime's life?''

He stared at me for a moment, a look of irritation descending on his features at a femme that dared to challenge him. But he did not reply.

I shook my helm slowly. ''If you think he will, then you are not as smart as I believe you to be.'' I stepped to the edge of the platform, ignoring his sneer. ''Send me the coordinates you have for the Star Saber's possible locations and have the Seekers meet me there.'' Without waiting for any further orders or confirmation, I transformed into the Phoenix and leapt off the platform.

The sound of the waves crashing below, and the feel of the saltwater spume washed over me as I skimmed the surface of the waves before I pulled up, climbing higher into the sky. My flames burned brightly along my frame and to any that saw me, I would have looked like a brilliant fireball streaking across the storm lit sky.

As I flew further and higher away from Megatron, my thoughts turned to Optimus and the Autobots. /I had learned much tonight, much that needed to be relayed without delay. Do I risk contacting Bumblebee to set up a meeting?/. I had to let them know. A sharp beeping noise indicated my GPS had received new coordinates. Accessing the information, it appeared the first destination was the Great Smokey Mountains and a second possible location included The Sierra Nevadas. /Either way, that's quite a distance for Bee to get to in time. Perhaps I am best to set up a meeting with him back near Houston somewhere when I return from my first mission/.

I hesitated a moment. Starscream has been more of an arsehole than usual lately. /Is it worth the risk? If Bee or I get caught.../. Megatron's voice flooded my processor again. /We have less than two lunar cycles before he arrives. Perhaps less/. We had less than two months until Earth would face the greatest threat it had ever known and Primus willing, would ever know. Every second counted and here I was wasting precious time deliberating on something that was in essence, straight forward. /Bee knows what is at stake/.

With a new determination surging through me, I activated my comms and entered the override protocols Rachet had given me should we need to initiate phase one of the fail-safe plan. As I messaged Bee the location and approximate time to rendezvous so I could relay to him all I had learn, I could not help feeling a wave of concern wash through me. /I just hope we don't need to get to phase two of the failsafe – Optimus himself!/.