EPISODE 2: THE GREAT PRETENDERS PART 2
Optimus looked at the battle that unfolded in front of him. The Decepticons
obviously had the upper hand. The Decepticon force outnumbered the combined
forces of the Autobots and the Micromasters by a large margin. 'This is bad.'
Thought the Autobot leader when he noticed a large group of Decepticons heading
his way.
The lead Decepticon landed in front of Optimus. It was Galvatron, the Decepticon
leader. "Hello Optimus, it's been awhile."
"Yes it has." Replied Optimus. He knew that Galvatron was the rebuilt version
of Megatron. He only had every little chance of battling Galvatron because not
long after his return, the Decepticons were defeated and sent off Cybertron.
"You must be wondering what took me so long to make a return." Said Galvatron
as Cyclonus, Scourge and the Sweeps surrounded Optimus Prime.
"Yes, I do." Replied Optimus calmly.
"Well, I've been laying low for the past two years so that I could make the
ultimate battle plan to destroy you infernal Autobots." Said Galvatron as he
stroked his chin. "Then, I found out that you were trying to get the inhabitants
of Micros to join you. I knew that if they were allowed to do so, then the war
would surely shift to your favour. So, I'm going to eradicate all the inhabitants
of this planet."
"You'll never succeed Galvatron, as long as I'm here to stop you." Said the
Autobot with fist clenched.
"That's right, that's why we end our feud here and now." Replied Galvatron
as he raised his clenched fist to eye-level.
"I take it you're challenging me to a duel." Said Optimus as his eyes narrowed.
"Like that many years before Optimus." Acknowledged Galvatron and the other
Decepticons scattered to give way for the battle to begin.
'If I beat Galvatron, the Decepticons may flee. I must beat him and end this
war for good.' Thought Optimus as his laser rifle appeared in his right hand.
"Let's begin Galvatron."
"Ha! Call me Megatron, Prime!" shouted Galvatron as he lunged at the Autobot leader.
Cloudburst knew the battle was not in their favour. Although they outnumbered
the Pretenders, they fought in incredibly fluid motion. Each Pretender and its
'shell' fought like one entity, which was essentially. This made it hard for
the Autobots to win.
Bomb-burst's pretender shell kicked Landmine to the ground. "Oof!" Landmine
landed on his butt. He then got up and unleashed a volley of laser blasts.
One of the blasts managed to hit Skullgrin's arm that was too close to Bomb-
burst Pretender shell. Skullgrin roared in pain while his Pretender shell stopped
its onslaught on Joyride.
"That's it!" shouted Cloudburst, "The Pretender takes all damage inflicted
on the Decepticons. Ignore the shells and get the Decepticons!"
Immediately, the Autobots turned their attention to the trio of Decepticons.
Volley after volley of laser fire streaked towards the Decepticons and the
attention of the Autobots were only broken so that they could defend themselves
from the invincible Pretender shells.
It was not long before the three Decepticon warriors could not withstand the
onslaught of laser fire. "I propose we get out of here before we get fried."
Said Submarauder. Bomb-burst and Skullgrin nodded their agreement.
"We need back-up here." Said Skullgrin into his comlink.
Almost immediately, the Decepticon Targetmasters appeared and released a volley
of laser fire at the Autobot forces. The Autobots immediately seek cover to
avoid getting blasted to atoms.
"Watch out," said Jazz, "looks like we got bandits where we don't want 'em."
"Well, that's bad." Said Sandstorm as he blasted a few shots overhead to try
to hit one of the Decepticons. However, all his shots missed.
Soon, the two Decepticon jets, Darkwing and Dreadwind appeared and added bombs
to the array of armaments that were been blasted at the Autobots.
Meanwhile, back at the battle between Optimus Prime and Galvatron. Both Trans-
former leaders' weapons were on the ground. It was a test of brute strength that
would decide the outcome of the battle.
"Oof!" Optimus struck the ground hard as Galvatron gave him a punch. Optimus
looked at his chest-plate and noticed the hole where his front glass panel used
to be. He then got up just in time to be knocked down again by a body tackle
from Galvatron.
As metal pieces flew through the air due to the impact, Optimus gave Galvatron
a backhand that sent the Decepticon leader reeling back. Optimus then pressed
his advantage by adding a few more punches to the Decepticon leader's face.
"Arrgh!" shouted Galvatron as metal struck against his optic circuits. "You
will pay for that Prime." Galvatron uppercut the Autobot leader's head. Optimus
struck the ground with a metallic 'thud'.
Optimus then used his right leg to sweep Galvatron off his feet. Galvatron
struck the ground hard as well. The two Transformers then slowly got up. The
strain was starting to get to them.
Suddenly, Optimus transformed into his vehicular form and rammed into Galvatron,
knocking him off his feet and into a wall. There, Optimus tried to crush the
Decepticon with pressure.
The strain showed on Galvatron as he grimaced in pain. He then punched a hole
through the top of Optimus's vehicular form. Optimus transformed back and rolled
around in immense pain. The hole had just missed his head compartment by a few
millimeters.
"You have grown weak Prime." Said Galvatron as he slowly stood up.
"You are no worst for wear Galvatron." Said Optimus as he got up. "It is time
we ended this." Galvatron nodded his agreement.
Cloudburst screamed in pain as his right arm was sneered off by an explosion.
Landmine immediately ran to his side and blasted at the Targetmasters. He turned
to survey the battleground.
The two Decepticon jets had been knocked for a loop and were lying on the
ground, damaged to an inch on their lives.
The Autobot Targetmasters and Pointblank were battling the Decepticon Pretenders.
They were too preoccupied to help the remaining Autobots battling the Decepticon
Targetmasters.
"Well, this is bad." Said Goldbug as he ducked under a volley of laser blast.
"There's got to be a way to blast them." Said Waverider.
Suddenly, Sandstorm came up with a plan. "Give me some cover fire. I'll transform
and whack 'em from the air."
Getaway, Joyride and Jazz gave a thumbs-up while the Autobots prepared to
unleash a volley of laser fire.
"Now!" shouted Jazz and the Autobots immediately unleashed energy bolts into
the air. The Targetmasters avoided most of the shots and all those that did hit
caused minimal damage.
Meanwhile, Sandstorm transformed into his helicopter mode and hovered into
the air, unseen by the enemy.
Suddenly, Sandstorm appeared behind the enemies and blasted away with his
laser turret. The fifteen shots directly struck each opponent and all three
Targetmasters spiraled to the metallic ground below.
Optimus and Galvatron started to strangle each other. The only difference was
that they were trying to pull out each other's head. Finally, Optimus changed
his left hand into an energy axe. He slashed Galvatron's chest-plate, causing
the Decepticon leader to fall backwards.
Galvatron, in retaliation, ripped out a handful of circuits from Optimus's
chest-plate. This made Prime grimace in pain. Optimus then kicked Galvatron in
the abdominal area, creating a hole and exposing some circuits. Galvatron roared
in pain.
Galvatron staggered backwards and covered the hole with his right hand. "You
shall pay for that Prime."
"Send me the bill." Replied Optimus in a monotonous voice. This was no time
for jokes.
Galvatron and Optimus stood only feet away from each other. Both were ready
to release their final blows on each other. The servos in their exoskeletons
could be heard churning. Finally, the two released their final blows. Metal
smashing against metal could be heard.
Hot Rod straightened suddenly. Arcee noticed and asked, "Are you okay?" she
placed her hand on his rigid shoulder.
"Optimus..." muttered Hot Rod softly. He then kneeled down suddenly and shouted
loudly, "Optimus!"
"Decepticons! Retreat!" shouted Zarak. He then looked at his instruments and
smiled. His plan was forming as expected.
Landmine looked in astonishment as he saw the Decepticons retreat. "They had
us on the ropes. What made them give up?"
"Maybe they have already gotten what they wanted." Replied Quickswitch as he
transformed from his jet mode to his bot mode.
As the Autobots tried to figure out what to make of this battle, the Rescue
Patrol arrived at where Optimus and Galvatron had battled.
"Is that who I think it is?" asked Stakeout as he transformed from his police
car mode to his bot mode.
"Optimus." Said Seawatch softly.
There, in front of them, was the inactive form of both Optimus Prime and Galvatron.
The two greatest leaders laid... inactive for what would surely be an eternity.
END OF EPISODE 2