Author's note: Get comfortable people... another long one... sorry! Hang in there!

Chapter 176 – Unholy Alliance

Phoenix P.O.V

Staring out amongst the surrounding battlefield, I raised both arms up, sending both Autobot and Decepticon rising into the air above the ground. With a broad sweep of my left servo, I sent the Decepticons in one direction, dropping them in an unceremonious pile to the left of me. With a broad sweep of my right servo, I did the same to the Autobots, sending them to the right.

Optimus Prime knelt on the ground before his Autobots, Megatron before his Decepticons. Their optics still locked on each other. The motionless, charred form of Starscream lay between them, a stark reminder of their violent actions.

Flames swirled about me and the ground stopped trembling as I came to stand before them all. I shook my helm and eyed both Optimus Prime and Megatron, Autobot and Decepticon. My voice was harsh and filled with reproach as I addressed them. ''Is this what you both want? To annihilate your soldiers,'' I fixed Prime with a steady gaze, ''your friends?'' He blinked his optics and looked away. I turned to Megatron, ''to destroy your only chance of finding freedom? And for what? For revenge? For honour? For arrogance?''

I stepped closer to them all, my optics darting between Autobot and Decepticon alike, between Megatron and Prime before they rested on the bleeding and battered form of Megatron. I sent him a fierce and determined gaze. ''Megatron, you have a choice to make. Let your hatred and anger towards me, towards Prime and the Autobots stop you from the opportunity to be free of Unicron's manipulation and control. Or work with us to get rid of this common enemy and win your freedom.'' Megatron's blood red optics narrowed in disgust, though I could see the faint stirrings of the battle within him.

I pressed on. ''As mighty as you and the Decepticons are Megatron,'' behind me I heard some of the Autobots grumble in anger and protest at my choice of words, I ignored them. ''You know you stand no chance to defeat Unicron without us.'' Megatron sneered, his sharp and shattered denta bared maliciously at me. I continued un-phased. ''Without the Matrix, without the Star Saber and without the might of the Autobots and Prime, you can not possibly succeed. You need us..'' The grumbling of the Autobots ceased as some of the 'Cons began to mutter and curse amongst themselves.

Undaunted, I continued, sending Prime a knowing look. ''And whether we like it or not, we need you too. Help us – so you can help yourself.'' I looked around at the faces gathered before me. I allowed some of the flames to die down as I implored them all, my voice raised in frustration as I made a desperate plea for reason. ''For Primus' sake! Just this once. Work together to save yourselves!'' Both Megatron and Prime had gotten to their pedes, and I moved to stand before them. The lack of trust, anger and indecision from both sides was palpable, as every bot gathered wrestled with my words and the seeming insurmountable challenge placed before them.

I was not a fool. I knew I could not eradicate eons of hatred, violence and mistrust in a few well-intentioned and impassioned words. I knew it would take more than that to heal the rift and the pain on both sides. If it could indeed ever be healed, but someone had to take the first step. I knew in Megatron and Prime their respective soldiers would follow their lead, perhaps begrudgingly, but they would follow. All it took was for one of them to take the first step when the opportunity presented itself.

I waited.

Out of nowhere the cold, calculating voice of Soundwave broke the silent tension. ''Lord Megatron. She is right. This is the only logical and viable option. I humbly request you..''

Megatron held up his servo and Soundwave fell silent. Megatron's optics locked on mine, and I stood like a loaded spring, ready to react should the need arise. He continued to stare at me, through me, calculating. Prime stepped forward, closing the distance between both he and Megatron. His optics were no longer cold and filled with bloodlust, but they flicked warily from Megatron to me, as if he too was anticipating a final act of retribution from the Warlord.

''Phoenix is right Megatron,'' Prime's deep voice rumbled to life for the first time in what seemed forever. ''An even greater threat bares down upon us and seeks to destroy everything on this planet – Autobot and Decepticon alike.'' He slowly extended his dented and energon soaked servo and held it before him. ''I am willing to put aside our grievances and work together to stop this common enemy.'' He levelled Megatron with a very serious and unwavering stare. Megatron's optics flicked from Prime's pro-offered servo to his face. Though the corners of his broken denta curved into a smirk, he did not rebuke the suggestion.

Prime's optics shuttered and he ex-vented deeply, as if trying to expel the last vestiges of anger and ill will. ''I propose a truce between our factions as we work together to eliminate this impending treat.'' His voice paused and he extended his servo further towards Megatron. ''What say you Megatron? Will you accept and honour this truce?''

''Of course he slagging won't Prime!'' Ironhide burst out, his servo clenched in a fist and his voice filled with disgust. I shot Ironhide a scathing look and Prime merely held his other servo up to silence him. He never took his optics off Megatron. His servo remained before him.

Megatron snarled in Ironhide's direction before he returned his gaze towards Prime and his extended servo. I felt myself hold my breath even though I had no need of such an action. I could feel every bot around me seem to do the same as they awaited Megatron's response.

Megatron said nothing, he simply stared at Prime's servo. ''Please Megatron.'' My voice was soft, almost a whisper as I made my final plea. ''Help us. Help me.''

His helm snapped towards me, his optics flicking over my battered and energon soaked appearance, silently searching. For what, I had no idea, but I held his intense gaze. All at once, he slowly raised his servo towards Prime's, a snarl erupting from his dermas and his voice held an icy tone to it. ''Though it pains me greatly to do this, for the greater glory of the Decepticons, it seems I must accept your offer of a truce Optimus Prime.'' Megatron slid his servo into Prime's and the two shook on their deal.

I felt my optics close in momentary elation at the monumental break through. Though as quickly as it had happened, Megatron withdrew his servo and rounded on Optimus and I. ''We still have unfinished business Optimus Prime, and you,'' he stared menacingly at me, ''do not think I have forgotten your treachery Phoenix. Your life is still forfeit as far as I am concerned but, for now, as you have pointed out, we have an even greater enemy.'' Beside me Prime bristled at the not so veiled threat Megatron issued me, though he made no move to act on his feelings.

Megatron redirected his attention to Optimus, his optics boring into him. Prime returned his stare. ''DECEPTICONS!'' Megatron bellowed to those assembled behind him without even turning around to address them. He knew they were listening. ''Hence forth we have a truce with the Autobots.'' He sneered at the wholly unpalatable and distasteful word as it left his dermas. ''We will be working with them for the time being. There is to be no fighting until such time as the cease fire is terminated.'' His optics narrowed and an unforgiving look settled on his energon-stained face. ''Anyone who breaks this truce shall themselves, be terminated.'' Megatron took a step back from Prime towards his followers. ''I have spoken. My word is law.''

Prime's baritone voice rang out in reply. ''AUTOBOTS! You heard the terms of the truce. We shall honour the cease fire and work with the Decepticons to defeat Unicron.'' Prime half turned to face his soldiers and folded his arms across his barrel chest. ''Though I know I can count on your loyalty and honour, anyone who breaks this truce, shall answer to ME!'' His optics gazed steadily over his soldiers.

I felt myself fight back a smile at the difference between the two leaders. As night is to day and yet, there were similarities to be found. Megatron backed up a pace before he half turned his battered body. Though he was no doubt in pain from the wounds inflicted in his battle with Prime, he held himself with pride and refused to let any weakness show. ''Remember Prime and Phoenix, this truce is in effect until such time as Unicron is vanquished. After that….'' His red optics burned as he glowered at us. He turned on his pedes and barked at his followers, ''DECEPTICONS! To the skies.''

Taking several large strides, he transformed into his jet mode, albeit with less grace than usual, and led his soldiers back to their base. The lifeless and charred form of Starscream lay where he fell, abandoned and forgotten. Megatron's callous and indifferent treatment of his warriors caused a ripple of concern to wash through me. /Will he indeed honour the truce if he discards his own warriors so casually?/.

I was so lost in my own thoughts, I flinched and gasped at the sudden feel of a large servo gently grasping my shoulder. ''Easy Phoenix,'' Prime tried to soothe me. His voice was soft, and his optics filled with pain as he took in my appearance and my reaction. ''Have you forgotten what my touch feels like?''

I shook my helm and made a small whimper as I launched myself into his arms. ''OPTIMUS!'' I clung to his neck and pulled him tightly to me, wincing as some of the pain that had subsided while the power of the Phoenix coursed through me, made itself known again. All the spark ache, the longing, the pain, the fear I had been repressing, all of it, worked its way out of my shattered dermas and I sobbed loudly into his neck. Now I could fall apart because, at long last, he was here to pick up the pieces.

Strong arms moved to envelope me gently, and I felt him kiss my helm as he simply held me. For a moment, everything that had come before vanished from our thoughts. For a moment neither of us spoke, overcome with relief and joy at being reunited with the one who possessed our spark. Until, finally, a strained and muffled voice shattered the moment between us as Prime could no longer contain the thought that haunted him. ''Phoenix..I thought he was going to kil...'' Prime silenced himself as he held me close, unable to finish that terrifying thought. I could feel the tremors of rage and almost blind panic sweep through his powerful frame as he clung to me. I could feel the erratic pulse of his spark as he fought to control his emotions.

He pulled back from me, ever so gently clasping my damaged face in his large servos. I placed my bloodied servos over his own as his optics flicked anxiously over my shattered features. At once both a terrible anger and a terrible guilt swirled within them, and a painful groan was torn from his dermas as he closed his optics and leaned his helm against mine. His voice was both bitter and mournful as it whispered against my audial, ''Look what he did to you my beautiful Phoenix…'' He kissed me yet again and placed a servo protectively behind my helm as he slowly rocked me side to side in a bid to soothe not only my broken and bleeding spark but his own. ''Forgive me. I'm so sorry.'' He pulled me possessively against his body yet again, and I cried out loud as pain that refused to be ignored any longer, tore through me. Immediately, Prime released his hold on me and stepped back, aghast that he had caused additional pain to me. ''Phoenix!''

I gave a small chuckle as I grasped his servo tightly to steady myself. ''It's okay Prime, I.. I guess my body's just trying to remind me of what we got up to earlier today.''

Prime's optics never left mine as he bellowed, ''RACHET! NOW!''

Not a second later the flash of yellow and red appeared off to his right. ''So NOW she wants medical assistance?'' Rachet had a scowl on his face as he moved to assess me and make emergency field repairs.

I made a small grunt as I looked sheepishly towards him. ''I ah… I'm sorry Rachet. There were more pressing matters at hand at that point in time.''

He snorted, ''More than a gaping hole in your chest, several large gashes across your abdomen, shattered denta, broken dermas, a dented and damaged helm that looks like it was one squeeze away from….''

At each uttered injury, Prime had flinched, and I allowed a low growl of annoyance and frustration at Rachet's lack of tact to rumble free. ''YES Rachet! Even more so than all you have listed.'' I paused a moment, mirth suddenly dancing in my optics. ''Good to see you again too my friend.''

He halted in his assessment and glared at me before a small smile tugged at the corner of his dermas and he grunted, returning to his work patching up any major energon leaks and damaged circuitry.

''Besides,'' I tried to smile through my shattered dermas. ''It was all worth it because we have secured a truce with the Decepticons and they are going to assist us in defeating Unicron.'' I felt a small amount of pride fill my spark as I looked between Rachet and Prime. ''Things are looking up.''

Once again Rachet merely grunted derisively and Prime ex-vented deeply. ''While what you achieved just now Phoenix is indeed both remarkable and important, time will tell if it was indeed worth it.'' His optics swept my battered form again. ''Though I struggle to see the value in anything that results in you being injured.'' He brought his servo up to gently brush my face and I leant into his touch.

''Prime, Phoenix,'' Jazz's cheery voice interrupted our moment as he approached. ''Ain't you two tagether again a sight fa sore optics!'' Jazz's grin was infectious as he reached out and gently laid a servo on my arm. ''It's so good ta see ya again lil' lady.'' He shook his helm. ''I knew ya'd do it. I knew ya could stick it to tha 'Cons an' survive.'' His grin faded somewhat as he took in the multiple injuries I had sustained. ''Ahh, well mostly.'' He winked at me and tapped my arm.

I laughed at him and squeezed his servo. ''Thanks Jazz. It is so good to see you all again.'' My laughter faded slowly, and a heavy feeling engulfed me as the thought of the previous several months washed over me. ''I… I missed you all so much. I..''

Sensing my change in mood Prime stepped in, ''Jazz we are indeed both relieved and grateful to have Phoenix back with us, though she is understandably tired and in dire need of repairs and rest.''

Jazz nodded and stepped back. ''Of course Prime. Jus' comin' over ta say hello an' ta see what ya orders are.''

Prime cast his gaze out over his troops and the damage the brief but intense battle had wrought. ''Our primary objective Jazz is to ensure any humans in the vicinity are safe and that they receive medical attention if that is necessary. I would also like for you to arrange a detail for those more functional bots to do what they can to stabilise the area and clean up any larger debris. This will aid our human emergency contingents that have since arrived.'' Prime nodded towards several firetrucks, ambulance and police vehicles that had since come screaming into the area, their respective sirens blaring.

Jazz nodded his helm. ''Sure thing Prime. At a quick glance, most of us are at least 60- 70% functioning. 'Bee is possibly the most damaged amongst us,'' he nodded his helm at smiled at me, ''present company excluded of course.''

All at once Prime removed his servo from around me, his optics searching the field until they came to rest on a bright yellow Camero that was almost as battered and damaged as I. ''Phoenix, though I am loathe to leave your side even for a moment, I must go and check on the well-being of my brave scout.''

I tried to smile at him and nodded. ''Of course Prime, please go.'' I quickly added, ''You would have been so proud of how 'Bee handled himself before you arrived. I know I was.''

Optimus smiled back at me. ''I would expect nothing less from my young scout, but I shall be sure to pass on your praise Phoenix. I know he holds you in high regard so it will mean a lot to him.'' With that Prime's optics swept over my form quickly as if conducting his own assessment of Rachet's repairs and my well-being, before he turned and made his way in the direction of his loyal scout.

''Well, I betta go an' carry out Prime's orders.'' Jazz sighed. ''Is Phoenix gonna be alright Rachet?''

Rachet spoke again for the first time since he began patching me up. ''While she needs to see the Med Bay as soon as possible,'' I groaned out loud earning a reproachful look from the grouchy medic, ''I dare say she'll survive.'' His optics softened. ''Though she is lucky. If Megatron's blade had pierced your chest any more to the right Phoenix, your spark casing would have been breached and….'' His voice fell silent.

For a moment all three of us stood quietly as the gravity of what Rachet had just imparted to us hung heavy in the air. After a moment I spoke up. ''Well, lucky he has shit aim hey?''

Both Rachet and Jazz chuckled at the tongue in cheek comment before Rachet sobered again. ''Megatron doesn't normally miss Phoenix, so again, you are indeed lucky.'' He smiled fondly at me, his previous irritation at my actions seemingly forgotten. ''WE are indeed lucky.''

''Awww…. Hatchet! That was lovely man,'' Jazz taunted his friend as he pretended to wipe tears from his optics. ''Who knew ya were such a softie!'' Rachet's optics narrowed icily at him, and he raised both an optical ridge and a wrench in his direction.

I began to chuckle as Jazz held up his servos and backed up. '''Hey man, no offense meant. I can take tha hint.'' Jazz waved as he turned on his pedes. ''Later Phoenix!''

I continued laughing for a moment as I watched Jazz approach Ironhide and the Twins who were standing above Starscream's burnt remains, talking amongst themselves. My laughter died on my dermas as I watched Sunstreaker suddenly growl and kick Starscream, sending one of his twisted and burnt appendages flying. I felt sickened.

Almost immediately, from beside Bumblebee, Optimus Prime's voice rang out, disgust and rebuke ringing in his tone. ''SUNSTREAKER! Where is your honour? That is not how the dead should be treated. Autobot or Decepticon.'' Some of the Autobots nearby turned to watch the interaction with interest. I am sure more than a few of them wanted to do what Suntreaker did, though they seemingly knew better.

Sunstreaker glowered at Prime and looked to be about to backchat when a withering glare from Prime silenced him. ''Any bot who conducts themselves in that manner under MY leadership, will find they no longer have a place within the Autobot ranks if they can not uphold the core principals and values that make us Autobots!'' Prime paused as he continued to stare at Sunstreaker, drawing himself up to his full imposing height. ''Do I make myself clear?'' He raised an optic ridge at his yellow frontliner, silently questioning his choices and his allegiance.

Sunstreaker nodded slowly and silently stalked away from where Starscream lay. Prime's optics followed him for a few moments before he quickly cast a glance towards me, smiled softly and then returned his attention to his scout.

I stood there, shocked. My processor raced at the exchange and a part of me could not ignore the incongruous image of Prime bloodied with Megatron's energon as he stood censuring Sunstreaker over honour and morals. I felt a shiver run through me as the image of Prime, a feral and cold look in his optics, repeatedly and violently punching Megatron, ignoring my please to stop, flashed unbidden through my processor. The image of him snarling in Megatron's audial that I was his before he ran his energon blade through him in an almost execution style, seemed burned in my memory banks.

''Phoenix? What's wrong?'' Rachet's voice drifted up to me and I shook my helm. He followed my gaze as I stared fixedly at Prime. ''Don't worry Phoenix. Prime's said a lot worse to Sunstreaker before. The yellow devil needs pulling into line once in a while.''

''It's not that Rachet. It's,'' I paused as I searched for the right words. ''Did you see Prime when he was fighting Megatron before?'' I turned my helm to look at my friend. Rachet's dermas closed in a thin line as he nodded his helm slowly in acknowledgement. ''Rachet, he was NOT the Optimus I know and love with all my spark. He… he was someone else. Something else!'' I physically trembled as I recalled the look in his optics. ''I have never seen him like that Rachet.''

A knowing smile played on Rachet's dermas. ''Because of you Phoenix.'' I turned to face him and tilted my helm as Prime often does, searching for a further explanation, which Rachet provided. ''The thought of Megatron harming you again, touching and torturing you as he threatened to do. Knowing what pain he had already inflicted upon you,'' Rachet shook his helm. ''I suspect, or at least would hope you know how much he loves you Phoenix, so can you not see why Prime acted that way? Do you not blame him?''

I frowned as I contemplated my apparent skewed morals. ''When you put it like that, no I guess not. But Rachet, you shouldn't have to lose yourself, your principles your beliefs, the essence of what makes you YOU, to save another. Especially not for the one who loves you for them!''

Rachet scoffed at me and my apparent naivety. ''You mean to tell me that if the situation was reversed Phoenix, and you had to listen to a femme equivalent of Megatron talk to Prime like that, abuse him and all but kill him before your optics, you yourself wouldn't act in a similar manner?''

The thought of another femme touching Prime as Megatron had done to me sent a jealous flare off within me that took me by surprise at its ferocity and depth. /Perhaps Phoenix you are full of shit and would do exactly the same as Prime - perhaps worse!/. I ex-vented out loud. ''Well, when you put it like that, it is very possible yes. I guess you are right.'' I gave a small snort as Rachet made his final patch repairs and stood beside me, ''I hope I never get presented with the opportunity to find out!''

''I hope not either Phoenix.'' Rachet was silent for a moment before he continued, his tone laced with bitterness. ''I still do not know why you prevented Prime from killing Megatron. It is no less than he deserves and, with Starscream taken care of, it would have ensured the Decepticons no longer posed a threat to us.''

''Perhaps Rachet. All I know is, Megatron had the opportunity to kill me and yet, he didn't. He killed Starscream in my stead.'' I furrowed my damaged brow. ''That alone was reason enough for me to intervene.'' I looked at Rachet who had nodded once, though my decision still clearly did not sit well with him. I hesitated unsure if I should mention the next thing.

After a spark beat, I continued. ''Besides Rachet, Primus spoke to me again.'' At this declaration, the medic raised his optic ridge at me questioningly, though he did not interrupt. ''He wants Megatron and Prime, Autobot and Decepticon to work together against Unicron.'' I ex-vented softly as I recalled his words. He told me, ''That which seeks to tear us apart will unite us - IF we let it.''

Rachet snorted, ''I assume whatever it is that seeks to tear us apart is a reference to Unicron and not some new slagging threat?''

I nodded. ''It is Rachet. Perhaps through this truce, by working together against Unicron, maybe SOMEHOW, both Autobots and Decepticons can find common ground and start to move forward together in some semblance of peace.''

Rachet burst out laughing. ''HA! That'll be the slagging day Phoenix! Wish that I should live so long as to see that happen with my own optics. You're slagging well dreaming!''

For a moment I stared at my friend and then cast my gaze towards the towering, handsome blue and red mech that was making his way back towards us, Bumbebee limping beside him. I smiled as they approached. ''You know, I'd be inclined to believe you Rachet.'' I paused for a moment as I recalled a time not so long ago. ''Except for the fact that once upon a time, a human woman by the name of Orianna Connors dreamt that she would one day find a way to win the affections of one Optimus Prime and be as dear to him as his beloved Autobots.''

Beside me Rachet's laughter had ceased, and he was staring at me with an indecipherable look. I felt what was left of my cracked and damaged dermas slowly form a smile. ''And now, my dear Rachet, that once human woman is not only as dear to Optimus Prime as his Autobots, but she has the honour of holding his spark.'' I turned to face my friend, my smile growing. ''He is hers, just as she is his.''

Rachet nodded slowly, though he refrained from speaking.

I fixed my gaze on Prime once more, feeling that familiar warmth permeating every part of my being at the very sight of him. ''Sometimes Rachet, what seems to be the wildest, most unattainable of dreams can come true. You just gotta believe it can and don't give up until it does!''