And so we return...
This is probably the most dramatic chapter yet so be prepared (cue Scar singing). Sorry, I watched the Lion King last night.
BTW, I'm British, so if you see any 'realise' or 'apologise', it's because this is the English way of spelling it.
Enjoy!
"Until you realise how easy it is for your mind to be manipulated, you remain the puppet of someone else's game."
- Evita Ochel
Chapter Nineteen: When I stand...
Arcee allowed Bee to lean on her as they walked through the Ground Bridge. Both stayed silent as they were met by the others. Miko and Jack ran up to them, looking equally worried.
"Whoa, what happened out there?" Miko asked first.
Bee glanced away in shame, not wanting to explain to them how he'd failed Silver. He pulled away from Arcee and dragged himself towards the med-bay. The senior medic quickly sat him down and searched around for the tools he needed. Bumblebee just sat there, looking guilty.
Jack watched him leave before turning back to Arcee, "So? What's the damage?"
She folded her arms in defence and looked away, "The Decepticons...they got Silver."
Ratchet immediately looked up from mending Bee's wound, "'Got'? What do you mean by 'got'?"
"She means 'kidnapped', 'taken prisoner', 'captured'," Bee almost snapped at the medic, still refusing to glance up at anyone.
"They probably took her to the Nemesis," Arcee added, quieter than usual, "Optimus promised he'd find her while he and Bulkhead retrieve the battery the 'Cons took."
There was a slight silence after she finished. Ratchet nodded and continued to mend Bee's injury. At the end of the day, everyone knew that they had to have faith in Optimus as a leader. Even if he had made some mistakes.
"I see," The medic stated solemnly, "And what of Rafael?"
Bumblebee stared at him in confusion, "What do you mean? He was supposed to call you after I dropped him at the exit ramp."
He tilted his helm, "I haven't heard from him since the three of you left earlier."
"Hang on. Before everyone starts freaking out, let me try reaching him," Miko began, taking out her mobile.
She dialled the number, putting the phone to her ear, "...Raf? Where are you? Everyone's freaking...Oh...it is?...Okay, I'll let them know...Thanks."
She hung up the call and turned to the group, looking slightly worried.
"Well?" Jack asked her.
The pink-haired human shrugged, "That was his mom. He left his phone at home."
Silver's POV
I refused to stand as two Vehicons dragged me by my arms through the Nemesis. It would've been easy to use my powers against them, but I was pretty sure the charge I'd built up was the only thing keeping me alive.
Someone (I assumed Knock Out) had managed to bandage the wound over my chassis, but it still hurt like Pit. I didn't even care what shape I was in. I just needed to know if Bee was alright.
The two Vehicons finally stopped as we reached what I guessed was the main command centre. We were at the front of the ship, overlooking the Earth. I'm sure I would've appreciated the view a lot more if I hadn't just been shot and captured.
"I trust Knock Out has taken care of that wound."
Even if I wanted to, I didn't respond. The two Vehicons let go of my arms, allowing me to fall to my knees. The warlord strode over to my weakened frame.
"Now. She is our guest on board this vessel," He told the two, "Treat her as our own."
I refused to look up, "I'm not your guest. And nothing you say will make me join you."
The leader smiled, turning to the silent mech, "Perhaps we need to give her the incentive."
As if on cue, another Vehicon marched into the room. I didn't want to glance up. The Vehicon stopped next to me and glared. I just bowed my helm even more.
"S-Silver?" A small voice said from beside me.
My optics widened and my head shot up to see if I'd heard the voice correctly. It was Raf. Somehow, that 'Con had Raf in his clawed grasp. I felt the worry and anger rise within me knowing exactly how Megatron intended to get his way.
"Raf?" I tried to stand but barely kept my balance, "Are you okay?"
The spiky-haired boy nodded, "I'm fine."
"For now," Megatron reminded me, causing me to glare at him, "As a medic, you know how devastating an energon blast can be on a Cybertronian. I wonder what pain dark energon might cause a human."
I wanted so much to threaten him. But I knew it was pointless. Rafael and I were stranded on their warship, hundreds of miles from land, with no way to contact the others for help. There was only one thing I could do.
I sighed and glared at the ground, "What do you want from me?"
The Decepticon leader knelt down. His servo lightly grabbed hold of my chin as he lifted my helm to face his evil grin.
"That," He snarled, "The very power that drains the blue from your optics. The ability that has allowed a scared, weak Autobot such as yourself to make fools of three of my best soldiers. If you do as I say, then I will allow your human pet to live."
Until Raf was safe and I had enough strength to fight, I had no choice but to play along.
"I'll do it," I agreed reluctantly.
Whatever it was they needed me for, at least I'd be protecting Raf. Megatron grinned and extended his arm. I was going to refuse the help before seeing what he was holding.
The circular pendant I'd seen from what must've been months ago. I'd almost forgotten about it. But it was different: purple in color and with no chain attached.
"This was recovered from the devastion of the battle at Sigma Seven," He explained.
I recognised that battle. I'd been caught in it along with my team-mates after Ultra Magnus' orders.
"It's a holographic image projector," He explained, "During the war's time on Cybertron, these were used to carry messages through to different squadrons and record events. As I recall, some were even used for final words."
Then what could've been on the one I'd seen months ago?
"Why are you telling me this?" I demanded.
He narrowed his optics, "Perhaps you don't believe me. But will you believe the words of you're own leader?"
I was too drawn in to ignore the information being offered. If what he was saying was true, I needed to know.
Meanwhile, somewhere else on the Nemesis . . .
Optimus and Bulkhead had found the main centre of power for the warship. No more than five Vehicons were left to guard the source, all being quickly neutralised. The battery lay close next to the glowing central chamber. Knowing they had only a few moments to act, Bulkhead quickly picked up the 'Bot-sized battery.
The taller mech placed one digit to his audio receptor, "Ratchet, we have found the battery. How is Bumblebee?"
"He's panicking, Optimus," The medic informed him from the other side.
"He needs not to worry," He responded, "Silver Sun will be able to hold against the Decepticons until we reach her."
Ratchet sighed, "Yes, but more than that. We can't find Rafael. He was last seen just before her being taken."
Optimus' optics widened with something akin to fear, soon falling back to their serious tone. It was one thing to kidnap Autobots, but humans? Children?
"Copy that, Ratchet," Optimus said solemnly, "Send a ground bridge to our coordinates. I will do what I can to locate them both."
The normally grouchy medic sighed. Not a minute later, the green portal materialised in front of them once more, shining in the dark room. The green mech lugged the battery over.
"Bulkhead, return to base," Optimus ordered, voice taking on a steely tone, "Inform the others that there is something I must do."
The Wrecker looked at his leader in confusion, "Where are you going?"
"Foremost, to locate our missing comrades. If they are anywhere aboard this ship, then I will do my best to find them," He told him, growing serious in his expression, "After that, I will finish what I should have eons ago..."
Optimus looked to the fallen Vehicon soldiers, "I have failed to accept what history has proven time and time again. That Autobots and Decepticons will never mend their ways. If there exists no diplomatic solution to this...perpetual conflict, I cannot not allow more darkness to fall upon this or any other planet." He unsheathed his sword and turned towards the hallway.
"Megatron must be destroyed."
The Brig/holding cell . . .
Raf's head lifted cautiously as a few sounds came from in the distance. Maybe the 'Cons were watching an action movie?
The shots continued, growing closer. Okay, then probably target practice.
Sounds of a battle were raging right outside the door to the cell now. Several blasts could be heard. Metal clashed against the walls. But it soon came to a stop.
A clanging noise could be heard from the door. Someone was trying to get in. Raf's eyes darted around the room, looking for a place to hide but the room was basically empty. He could only back further against the wall.
Eventually, the door broke down, falling to the ground with a deafening crash. Raf's eyes widened in surprise as he saw the tall silhouette in the doorway.
"O-Optimus?" He called, "Is that you?"
The red and blue mech stepped through into the room and kneeled down to the boy's level. He extended his servo.
"Are you hurt, Rafael?" The mech asked softly, not in the tone of someone who'd just layed waste to multiple Vehicon troops.
The spiky-haired human shook his head, "No. B-But I can't say the same for Silver."
Optimus allowed the small human to climb onto his servo, "Do you know where she is?"
"She went with Megatron through a ground bridge," He shrugged, "But I don't know where."
The Autobot leader sighed, "I see. I will contact Ratchet to alert him that you need a ground bridge."
Raf nodded but then fidgeted with his hands, "Y-You might want to know something..."
He tilted his helm, "What's wrong?"
Rafael hadn't exactly seen what the hologram-projector had shown. But if it really was as bad as Megatron claimed, there was the risk of Silver Sun giving in to his corruption.
The boy began hesitantly, "Well..."
Silver's POV . . .
This was a mistake.
I didn't know why I'd been brought to this place, but I knew it was a mistake. On my part.
Raf was still on the Nemesis. Probably in the brig. I didn't doubt that Megatron would stay true to his promise to hurt him if I tried anything.
In front of where I stood next to the Decepticon leader, a volcano rose nearly three times at tall as the base. It continued to flare and spit out chunks of molten rock. The landscape around us was dark and I'd never seen Earth's sky that shade before.
"The flaming mountain in my visions," He murmured, grinning, "It's as if it summoned me here. Guided me."
He really was going mad.
The dark energon didn't seem to take the same toll on Megatron as it did on me. Although, my healing abilities had began to take effect. He stared at the scene almost in pride.
"This is the place where I am to build my space bridge. To harvest dark energon," He turned to me, grinning, "The place where you will fulfil your destiny as an Enhanced."
I glanced away, silently worrying about what his 'master plan' was. As I did so, a recognisable voice bellowed through his com-link, just loud enough for me to hear it.
"Megatron, I am hear on your ship," Of course it was Optimus, "Come and face me."
Even though I was far from over what he'd done to the other Enhanced (I'll explain later), he was still my leader. And if he was on the ship, that meant he might have gotten to Raf in time.
"The place where I am to defeat the last of the Primes," Megatron's purple optics widened as he responded, "Hear this! Any Decepticon who lays a servo on Optimus Prime will answer to me! Soundwave, lock onto my coordinates and lead my opponent to his destiny."
He ended the call, then turning back to me, "As for you, you will play your part in this endeavour."
I didn't catch on. Then the familiar glint of purple in his servo caught my optic.
No one's POV . . .Not even two minutes later, Optimus Prime stepped through the Decepticon's ground bridge. His stoic expression remained as he looked out over the devastation around him.
"Megatron," He began, "Today, you answer for your crimes against Cybertron and against hu..."
He couldn't finish his statement as he saw what stood before him.
The Decepticon leader was waiting for the Prime, grinning as he did so. His servos dripped with energon. Optimus didn't understand why until seeing the silver frame lying still as stone behind him. The ground she lay on was stained blue.
Megatron stepped forward, gesturing to the lifeless Autobot behind him, "This is what you wanted, isn't it? Control over Enhanced?"
Optimus could barely answer through the shock, "This...this is not what I wanted."
"I showed her what you said about her kind," Megatron snarled, "She died knowing that her leader hated her."
"I did not hate her," Optimus began to regain himself, fueled more than ever to obliterate the war-lord.
"Nevertheless, part of the prophecy has stayed true. The weak shall perish."
"Do not believe everything you read," Optimus glared at the Decepticon, "One shall stand-"
"And one shall fall," Megatron completed, purple-energon powering his every word, "You, Optimus Prime!"
The two charged for each other, each rearing back their fists to punch before finally meeting each other in the middle.
Meanwhile, at the Autobot Base . . ."Bulkhead, you let Optimus face Megatron alone?" Arcee raised her voice to the green mech.
The Wrecker put his servos up in defence, "Hey, it's not like I had much of a choice!"
"Regardless, it could be a trap," Ratchet interjected, "I'll try to get a fix on his coordinates."
Silver Sun's life signal hadn't shown up since she'd been taken. Even on the Nemesis, it should've been faintly on the radar. But no one wanted to admit what could've happened.
"I'm locked on to Optimus' signal," Ratchet told them, then looking closer at the screen, "Wait...this...this isn't possible."
"What? What is it?" Arcee demanded, worry clear in her tone.
Ratchet didn't explain, but quickly turned back to face them, "We need to get Optimus out of there. Now!"
Back to Optimus and Megatron . . .The battle had been brutal. And now Megatron was triumphing. Optimus' optics began to close as he forced himself to stay alert, but Megatron had him pinned against the ground. Behind them, the volcano had began to spew shards and chunks of dark energon.
"Why is dark energon erupting from the earth?" Optimus breathed quietly.
Megatron snarled, "A question, Optimus, that you shall take to your grave!"
The warlord raised his sword in the air preparing to end this lifetime-old conflict. Optimus closed his optics, realising that this fight would not be won by him, especially when his oppponent had a mountain-full of darkness to fuel him.
Megatron brought down the blade. But before he could reach Optimus, a streak of pure silver launched him away from the mech. The Autobot leader opened his optics, wondering what had stopped Megatron.
He saw the familiar shape of a small frame standing in front of him, glowing white. She had her back turned, but it was clear who it was.
"It can't be," He spoke in disbelief.
Megatron struggled to regain his balance a few metres away. The warlord looked up and grinned at the sight.
"If you wish to die a second time, I will happily oblige!" He growled.
Silver Sun didn't reply. He charged as she took slow steps towards him.
Behind Optimus, the ground bridge portal appeared, sending through the green mech and blue femme. They'd made it just in time to see the silver Autobot raise her servo once more and send a bolt of charge straight at the Decepticon. He flew back once more and crashed to the ground, groaning in pain and fury.
Arcee watched in shock at seeing what her little sister was capable of, but was quickly snapped out of it by Bulkhead and Ratchet.
"Hurry! We need to get Optimus out of here!" Ratchet called as he and Bulkhead carried their leader through the bridge.
The blue femme ran to her sister, "Silver! Come on!"
Silver Sun refused to turn back, only glaring ahead at Megatron, "You need to leave."
"Yeah, and so do you," Arcee said, reaching for her sister's servo, "Come on-OW!"
A spark of electricity shot between her and Silver.
"You shouldn't be around me," She spoke, "Just leave."
Arcee walked around to face her, but her optics were shut, "Silver, look at me."
She sighed and opened her optics. Arcee's shoulders sank. Her own blue optics widened. Silver's were purple. As is dark-energon purple. A little way away from them, Megatron's laughter could be heard.
"They will not accept you as an Autobot anymore," He snarled as he struggled once more to get up off of the ground.
"Look, we can figure this out later," Arcee told her, "Right now, we need to get Optimus back."
"You saw the recording," Megatron continued, "Would they really take you as their own now?"
Silver looked at Arcee through tearing optics, "I know what happened to the others like me. What if...what if the team hates me? What if Bee hates me?"
The blue femme allowed herself to give a reassuring smile, "Your my little sister, Sil. I won't let anything happen to you, and neither will Bee. I just wish we could've proved that to you today."
The white glow to Silver's frame lessened. Arcee exhaled and offered her a servo. Her sister hesitated for a minute, but gratefully took it. The two exchanged reassured glances.
"GUYS, WATCH OUT!" Bulkhead's voice called from over at the bridge.
They both turned to see Megatron charging at them.
"Drive?" Silver asked.
Arcee nodded, "Drive."
The two transformed into their bike modes, both bolting towards the ground bridge. Arcee made it through first. Silver Sun leapt through just as the gap between her and Megatron closed in. The portal immediately shut, leaving him slashing at empty space.
The Decepticon warlord would've been enraged at the prospect of losing a key player, but then looked at his surroundings. He began grinning. Then chuckling. Then laughing to an insane measure.
"Enjoy your small victory while you still can, Optimus!" He called into the empty landscape, "For I now possess enough dark energon to reanimate Unicron himself!"
End of chapterPrimus Almighty! That was awesome to write.Just to clarify: Raf is back at base. Megatron didn't kill Silver fully, but stabbed her in the spark with a dark energon shard, hence why she's still in control of her actions (for now, at least).I'll explain what Optimus said about Enhanced soon, but for now thanks to everyone who's still reading this far.'Til All Are One,GreyroseLegacy