Seeking Solace - Ashes to Ashes
Chapter 1
"We are spinning our own fates; good or evil, never to be undone."
The Decepticons once again hungered for conquest. Commanded by a new leader; an unknown mech calling himself, Kryax. Peace once again was stolen and war burned all in its path. This time, the Decepticons were playing for keeps.
The Autobots fought hard, matching force with force; but they struggled against the far more deadly Deceptions and their new lust for destruction. Their foot hold to victory slipping with every attack. Cities fell, the peace shattered, and innocent lives caught in the chaos. Humans joined the new war in full assault alongside their long-time allies, but even they could not turn the tide.
Under the reign of Kryax, the Decepticons had no order of control. Their cause was unknown. Attacks began as random, small units attacking power plants. The odd group causing disarray in human cities. The organic world became a never ending battlefield. It was clear the Autobots were losing; and Earth was paying the price.
Then what little hope there was, began to crumble.
PLANET EARTH: YEAR 2356, 3 Vorns after Unicron
The air was thick with noxious smoke, the scent burned the olfactory sense as fires ravage the area. Gunfire echoed. Screams of the dying chilled the core. Casualties were high as both blood and energon stained the ground. The sky darkened with thick clouds of ash and cinder as the sense of time seemed all but forgotten. It was chaos. It was war.
Making the mistake of being separated from the rest of the force, Rodimus Prime was in a fight for his life. Kryax striking first, disarming the Prime. His rifle sent skittering across the soil before resting only metres away. The Decepticon without hesitating fired once more, the shot meeting its target into the centre of Rodimus' chest. A melted hole where once was the proud Autobot sigil. Stumbling from the impact, Rodimus barely had a chance to fend off the Decepticon as he came charging.
The two grappled for control of the fight. Rodimus desperately resisted the overpowering strength of the black mech. The Prime could not fight the scream of pain as clawed hands pulled at the damaged plating of his chest. Rodimus tried pulling at the invasive hands. The black mech loomed over forcing the Prime to his knees. Murderous glee in Kryax' violet optics as the screech of metal tearing and groan of being forced to bend. Pain ripping through Rodimus' sensors.
Kryax leaned closer to his victim, relishing in the torture. Soon he will have his prize in hand. Toying with the Autobot's life and the promise of death. Enjoying the sweet lingering taste of prolonged agony. Kryax easily overpowering the burgundy mech, he continued tearing through the flame emblazoned playing. He was so close.
Close enough, Rodimus though. Barely able to think through the onslaught of his processor trying to control the influx of screaming data. Freeing and arm, Rodimus struck at the Decepticon. The punch was solid, all his focused strength into the action. Only, to the Prime's dismay, it was easily stopped inches from Kryax' face.
A blood lusting and gleeful smile graced the black mech's lips as the Prime once more shout in pain. Plating of his arm creaked and groaned in the crushing grip of the Decepticon. Yes, do struggle.
Rodimus Prime yelled as metal bent and ripped away from their welding. Pain receptors burning as if aflame. The Decepticon tearing into the Prime's armour, revealing the protective casing of both the spark core and the ancient artifact. It's brilliant blue light peeking through where it could. Unable to keep speaking his anguish, the Prime struggled to remove Kryax' grip.
Kryax held his grip on the red mech's arm, reveling in the screams of tortured pain he inflicted. Amusement briefly flashed across the dark mech's features as Rodimus tried to free himself, hoping to turn the fight in his favour. The Prime's other arm fighting off as Decepticon continued to tear through his chest.
Dental plating grind as Rodimus tried biting back another yell as more armour is ripped away, wires tearing, and fuel lines severed. Metal on his restricted wrist cracking under the pressure. The exhaust piping bending under the strain. The Prime was losing, his energy leaving him as the grass beneath wilt and burned away as the corrosive energon spilled to the ground.
Balling his restricted hand into a fist, desperate determination flashing in his optics. Restrained as he was, Rodimus was not without defense. Pain raked through his processor disrupting any focus he could muster, one thought filtered through it all. At this range I can't miss
The barrels began to gradually glow, light building up and energy levels peaked. Then just as it could no longer be held back, it was released.
Kryax released his grip on the Prime. Barely avoiding as highly charged photon erupted from the tri barrel weapon that had only moments ago been inches from his face. The Decepticon glared as Rodimus managed to elude his demise.
For the moment...
Air intakes rattled as overheated systems fought to cool down. Forced to his knees Rodimus tried and failed to stand. Refusal to give in flashed momentarily on the Prime's features, only to lose its hold as once again his processor flared with pain. Forcing his systems to obey, Rodimus finally stood up and faced his opponent. Not taking his sight off the Decepticon the Prime backed away. Hoping to reach his rifle that laid nearby. Only a few more steps.
He never reaches it. Processor exploding in white hot agony as a tidal wave of data. His face contorted, processor barely registering the hit. Sparks scattered, and metal melted. Rodimus was thrown from his feet. Vocalizer shorted as the cry of pain reverberated through the air. Smoke and fire erupting from the Autobot's chest.
Through the blood soaked and scarred field, Kryax stalked, a mech proving to be far darker, far more deadly than Megatron ever had been. The Decepticon leader stepped closer, his violet optics blazed with a victorious glint. His still smouldering rifle once again charged to fire. "It ends."
The flame emblazoned body of the Prime laid supine. The hole in his chest sparked and smouldered, revealing the ever delicate spark core chamber. Housed within, unhindered, and flared the light of the Matrix. Rodimus Prime groaned in pain as receptors screamed as signals of intense damage relayed reports to his processor at an unending rate. Various fluids and energon spilled from severed lines. The Prime struggled to roll over, coughing up energon as it seeped into his air intakes. The pink liquid bled out unhindered as he eyed the approaching black mech.
"I want the Matrix."
Rodimus bit back the yell, taking in sharp intakes of air. "Never," he replied. "As long as my spark still pulse I will never give it to you."
The Prime Staggered to his feet, determined once more to meet the Decepticon leader head on. Placing a hand over the wound to try and stem the flow of fluids.
Kryax could hear the Autobot leader's systems struggling from where he stood. "You can't even stand, let alone fight." The Decepticon sneered. "Allow me to end your suffering."
He was right, Rodimus hated to admit. His systems were red lining as his Heads-Up Display filled with warnings. His legs no longer could support his weight, forcing him to a knee. Fans staggered to pull in cooling air to overheated systems. The Prime steeled himself. Back up was nearby, if he could just hold out until it arrives. His fizzled with the static of the others attempting to contact him with no avail. Rodimus glared at the dark mech.
"I'll die trying." His answer.
Kryax looked almost disappointed as he pulled the trigger. "Then, so be it."
Time seemed to slow as the hot plasma emerged from the barrel. Rodimus knew he had not the energy to dodge. He shuttered his optics and waited.
This is it, he thought. The air sizzled as the blast streaked across the distance.
Kryax roaring in anger caused Rodimus to reactivate his optics. The shot didn't reach its target, having been forced off course. The Prime followed Kryax' angered gaze. The Decepticon obviously infuriated for having been denied his chance to extinguish Rodimus' spark.
On the nearby ridge knelt a battle worn human, blonde hair marred with mud and blood from a head wound. Long strands catching the orange glow of the flames. Poised in hand was a large hybrid rifle, tendrils of smoke seeping from the barrel. Standing over the human was an equally scraped from fighting mecha beast. It was a cydrake, its massive bulk dwarfing the organic being. Its four red optics flared in an intimidating primal rage, energon dripping from the saber long fangs.
The human fired the rifle once more, forcing the Decepticon to distance himself away from the injured Prime. In a fluid motion as if in response to an unseen signal the cydrake crouched down, waiting only a moment. Barely long enough for the human to sling back the rifle and vaulting onto the mecha beast's shoulder as it charged down the ridge. Tension of mechanical limbs released instantly, catapulting the cydrake to a full run. Four powerful legs causing the ground to tremble under the impact of several metric tons.
The human didn't wait for the mecha beast to slow before taking hold of the fibre optic mane and repelled down the side of the beast. Dropping to the ground and rolling out of the way of massive feet, the human rushed to the Prime's aid. The cydrake let out a terrifying bellow of a roar as it lunged at the black mech. The human hoped the strength of the cydrake would distract Kryax long enough for the rest of the reinforcements to arrive.
Growing closer to Rodimus, the ground seem to drop from under the human. The Prime's injuries were far worse up close than what could be seen from the ridge. Sparks jumped and flicked around the large hole in the mech's chest as still live wires had been severed. Lines spilled a mix of energon and system coolants as it leaked from the wound, seeping into the ground below. Fans whirled and shuddered loudly. Struggling to cool down overheated components. Rodimus' imitation of breathing was ragged and raspy as he tried to draw in air to his intakes. He needed a medic, right now.
Reinforcements were not far behind, but from what the human made out from the scrambled communique, it wouldn't arrive soon enough. Having only minimal knowledge of Cybertronian repair the human went to do what could be done to help the Autobot leader. Between administering first aid and fending off the Decepticon, the human worried about failing. Shaking away her anxious thoughts the human picked up pace to be at the side of the Prime. Fluid spilling down into the soil beneath him. Dropping the rifle as the human made way to the wound, determined to at the very least stem the continuous trickle of energon.
"No." Rodimus rasped, a grey hand stopping the human's approach. Fans shuddering under the stress. The Prime collapses, his arms barely able to hold him up.
"Prime, I need to stabilize your systems until First Aid can arrive." The human said, distressed.
Rodimus took a shuddering intake of air and grimaced as the action itself proved painful. Kryax's attack had gone so deep that his auto-repair system was failing to activate. "No...Gwen...it's too late." The Prime grimaced once more. "The wound is...too severe."
Struts buckled, sending the mech to the ground, unable to hold up the battered Autobot any longer. The flame adorned mech forced onto his elbow, eliciting a shout from the immense pain. Intakes of air becoming sporadic and laboured.
"Don't give up!" Just what was the Prime saying?
Azure optics flickered as power to illuminate them began to fade. The plating around the sparking wound slowly turned the sickly lifeless grey of dead metal. "...the Matrix must be passed..." Vocalizer shorted as it too was losing power to function, leaving the mech's words broken. "...to you."
The roar of an angered cydrake cut through, drawing grey eyes towards the mecha beast's struggle with the Decepticon leader. The Primal strength and fury of the mecha beast holding against the black mech. The beast charged at the Decepticon with sharp claws poised. The cydrake had gotten a few good strikes, marring the ebony finish of Kryax's armour.
Another charge at the Decepticon, dodging blasts of laser fire as Kryax regained his fallen weapon. Beast and mech grappled. The cydrake trying to get its teeth into its opponent's neck. Animalistic growls and snarling mixed with struggling grunts and angry shouts, they continued fighting. For the time being with attention held away from the dying Prime.
Though, Gwen could see Kryax was beginning to overtake his primal opponent. If the cydrake failed, she would not be able to defend the dying prime.
"The Matrix...must...not perish with...me." Rodimus gave a shuttering cough, vocalizer flooding, and bringing Gwen's attention back to the Prime.
Fans began to grind and motors whined. What were left of the iconic flame emblazoned chest plate shifted and opened to further reveal the Matrix. Carefully and determined, the Prime removed the artifact and in his hand laid it before the human. "I...entrust to...you."
Gwen's eyes widened. "But I'm human." She said. "Surely I can't
Optics flickered once more, barely lighting. Vocal unit crackled with static. "Once...human carried the...Matrix...not chosen as Prime...charged...safe keeping..."
Protect the Matrix? There was no way it could work. She tried to deny it, but even the human was aware that the nearest Autobot that could take her place, would not arrive in time. There was no other option. Before her the Matrix glowed, the light within the crystal almost beckoning to her, to convince her.
Rodimus' systems shuttered and spasm as pain raked though his battered body. The grey overtaking the mech's armour. Time was running out, accept or let the matrix die.
Tears welled in her eyes as she raised a trembling hand to the symbol of the Prime, dwarfed by the size of the artifact. It was instant, just the slightest touch of her fingers graced the gold encased jewel. Ancient power flowed into the smaller being in a rush. She felt as if she were drowning in it. It was too much.
Azure optics fade with their final light as the spark of the Prime diminished. Body turned grey and cold. His voice full of static. "Forgive this burden I leave to you."
"Rodimus." Gwen gasped. Her cheeks wet with spilt tears. She could feel the life leaving the Autobot as his spark returned to the Allspark. The body of Rodimus no longer resisting, went limp and collapsed.
A whisper on the wind was the last thing the human heard as grey eyes rolled back. Gwen faints, laying supine next to the former Prime. The Matrix having vanished from Rodimus' hand.
In the midst of the fight, the cydrake paused. Sensing a change. Cybertronic instincts drew the beast's attention to the direction of the Prime and human. Something was wrong. Abandoning its fight with the Decepticon. Neither human nor Autobot moved as the cydrake thundered to their side. Giving a minute whine when the human was unresponsive, nudging the female gently with one of its clawed hands. Its four optics flared brightly as protective coding overrode the beast's processor, giving it a single goal. Protect. Taking a protective stance over the human, saber fangs bared as the cydrake snarled. Eyeing the Decepticon leader's every move, tensing up to lunge should Kryax dare step forth.
Sensors flashed in warning. The Decepticon lunged aside as a barrage of laser fire rained down on him. Kryax grit his dental plating in a mute growl. Autobot reinforcements finally arrived, greatly outnumbering the black mech. Ultra Magnus heading the charge, shouting out orders to chase the Decepticon leader away from the Prime. Forced to distance himself from his goal, Kryax escapes the onslaught. Not before turning his rifle onto the Prime. Cydrake crouched to use its heavily armour body to take the hit.
Defensor, landing in the path, used his massive bulk as a shield instead. Relays burned as the gestalt is struck in the leg. All five components shared the pain, the shock forcing the combiner to disassemble. The Protectobots were immobile as they each filtered out the pain from their shared bond. With a shout First Aid collapsed offline, having taken the full brunt of the shot. Hotspot and Groove quickly grabbed the fallen medic. Pulling him behind a makeshift barricade, Streetwise and Blades made from debris. The four mechs did everything they could to protect their fallen teammate, the Prime, and human. The Autobots continued to bombard the Decepticon leader, fuelled on by a force drawing them to fend off Kryax with all they have.
The rest of the Decepticon army retaliated, as their leader visibly struggled under the fury of the Autobots. On his own, even Kryax could not completely defend against the onslaught of firepower. Resentment against the distraction showed on Kryax' face. Denied his prize the black mech retreated to the air, leaving the Autobots to their minor victory.
Vowing it to be short lived.
The battlefield grew silent as the Decepticons followed their leader and fled. But there was no cheering, the victory came with too much of a price. Too many lives had been lost. The Autobots gathered in silence, human soldiers picked their way through the destruction. All optics and eyes were on the grey form of Rodimus Prime. No one said anything, they did have to. The cydrake let out a mournful howl that echoed. A sad and lonely sound. All that heard it knew what it meant.
Ultra Magnus delegated duties of retrieving the injured and having them sent back to the city. The Dead were collected and names added to the list of fallen. First Aid, and the human, Gwen, were among the first to be air lifted. Sky Lynx patiently waited to shuttle wounded. His spark heavy in mourning as the body of Rodimus Prime too shared the flight.
News filtered through the ranks as walking wounded readied to return home.
Rodimus Prime was dead