Transformers Maximal Revolution

Chapter 10

When they exited the GroundBridge Destiny wasn't sure what to expect, but to find herself in some kind of destroyed building wasn't it. "What. . . is this?"

"This was our original base, Outpost Omega One," Optimus answered his companion with a grave look. "It was destroyed by the Decepticons."

"Is this what you wanted me to see?"

"No, what I want to show you will require flight." Optimus activated his jet pack and took to the skies, Destiny took on her Alicorn mode and quickly followed. At first it looked like nothing was around but desert and cliffs until a shadow appeared in the distance and she realized they were heading towards it. "Remember the Omega Lock?"

Optimus voice startled her, turning her head Destiny saw he was looking at the shadow they were approaching. She nodded, remembering it was a device Megatron tried to active. The more she heard about this Megatron the more she didn't like him. The Alicorn thought maybe she shouldn't be so judgmental about a mech she hadn't even met yet but Destiny knew Optimus wasn't lying. Before either could speak they arrived and what she saw left the Alicorn speechless, it was a human settlement completely devastated.

They landed near the town and Destiny transformed and looked around in dismay. "This is what I wanted to show you," Optimus spoke softly as he too looked around. "This is all that remains of Jasper."

She looked in horror at all the destroyed buildings, "What happened?"

"Megatron attempted to cyberform this world into a metallic planet like Cybertron."

"What. . . would of happened to this world?" When Optimus didn't answer she turned to find him looking into the distance grimly. "Optimus, what would of happened to this world, the people, the animals, everything?"

Finally he answered. "It would of destroyed all organic life." She looked at him in horror as he continued, "To save it I had to destroy the Omega Lock."

"Why. . . why would he have done this?"

"Megatron doesn't hold organic life in high regard."

"Does he hold anything in high regard?"

Optimus didn't answer right away, "One time he did."

They were quiet for a moment before Destiny spoke again, "This is where the humans lived isn't it? June and the cubs."

"Yes."

"What about the other humans that lived here?"

"When Darkmount appeared Fowler was able to evacuate the residents, but when their army tried to attack the citadel Megatron unleashed it's fusion cannons stopping them. It wasn't until a joint attack by us and Fowler's airstrike that we were able to take the fortress down."

Destiny thought this over before asking, "Why did you want me to see this?"

Optimus glanced at her, " I don't want to influence your choice but you need to know what you're going to face. And because sometimes one's word isn't enough, you need to see it for yourself." She couldn't argue with that. "Let's head to the fortress ruins," Optimus suggested.

The two turned away from the town though Destiny looked back as they walked away till it was out of view. She wondered how many humans lived there, how many families have lost a home. . . had almost lost their lives.

Following a trail the two walked in silence. Optimus turned to Destiny, "Are you alright?"

"It's just. . . so much to take in. This; this world, this war. . . even having a name," she admitted. He nodded knowing everything was still new and strange to her. "I'm just. . . I feel really over my head."

"I wish this was easier for you and that there was more time," Optimus explained, "But I fear something is about to happen."

"What?"

"That I don't know."

"This. . . Megatron," she asked hesitantly.

"Most likely," Optimus answered gravely, "Megatron has long had a thirst for power."

"There is more to the story isn't there? You said you were comrades working together, what else is there?"

Optimus returned her look, "Yes. Once Megatron and I, we were. . . once the best of friends, we consider the other brother. He was the one who inspired me to rebel against the system we lived under. We thought we could change our world."

"What happened?"

"When we went before the council Megatron lost his patience and he threatened the council to make him Prime. Worried I tried to defuse the situation and pacify Megatron's temper, I spoke of peaceful resolutions, an end to the caste system through peaceful means. My speech apparently moved the council who declared me the new Prime."

"Wasn't that a good thing?"

"Megatron believed I had used the situation to my advantage and he broke all ties, the next time I encountered him was as an enemy."

"But you now had a high position and could change things, wasn't that what he wanted?" Destiny asked bemused.

"No. He wanted to be the one to lead," Optimus answered gravely, "And he wanted things to change quickly. Viewing my ways as to slow to ever bring about real change."

"So he left you there to handle all that yourself?" Destiny thought she should probably be hesitant to believe him but she knew Optimus was telling the truth. Jasper was proof enough.

"Indeed. After my raising to Prime that's when Megatron's policies began to change," Optimus continued, "And soon led to war."

They fell into silence again but it didn't last as something else had been on Destiny's mind, "Do you want us to stay?"

Optimus turned to her, "Remember freedom is the right of every sentient being and that includes choices."

"I know and I appreciate that but I want to know, do you want us to stay?"

He was silent for a moment, "I suggest it would be easier to stay at our base."

Destiny thought this over, "I- I think I want to but the others. . . maybe if I could convince them, but. . . I don't know."

"Some of the others seemed like they wanted to stay, Optimus reminded her.

"Not all of them," Destiny muttered.

"It doesn't hurt to speak up," Optimus looked her in the optic, "As I said, being a leader isn't easy. You will be questioned and doubted. But it also helps to listen to others, being a leader is serving the people."

"I guess I didn't think about it like that," she admitted.

"You can't please everyone, in some cases you should see what the majority want?"

"The majority?"

"Yes."

They fell silent as they neared their destination, Darkmount. "Are there other bots, besides the Decepticons here?" Destiny suddenly asked, "I know you said there were others in space."

"There are other Autobots on this planet," Optimus nodded, "But most of them are too young to battle against Megatron's forces."

Before he could tell her more another voice suddenly shouted from nearby, "How much more do we need." Destiny didn't recognize the voice but it made the energon in Optimus lines run cold.

The red and blue mech held a hand out stopping the white femme, "Destiny I need you to stay here."

"But-"

He turned to her and she saw the concerned look in his optics, "I'll be back, you need to stay out of sight. Can you do that for me?"

". . . Yes."

He nodded and took off in the direction of the voice, it was harder for him to maneuver in his bigger frame but he was able to get close to the crater and peered down to see what was going on. Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave surrounded by several working Vehicons, it looked like they were gathering materials from the ruins.

Whatever they were doing couldn't be good, Optimus considered contacting his team but he worried Soundwave would detect him. Instead he observed what they were doing, clearly they were gathering materials for something.

Suddenly a noise caught Optimus attention.

Unknown to the Prime Destiny was making her way over. When she lost sight of him she grew nervous and curious, on instinct Destiny reverted to beastmode and crept close. Nearing the crater the ruins were in she spotted a silver-gray mech almost as massive as Optimus standing two smaller ones as several smaller bots she recognized as Vehicons were sorting through the scrap.

A slender winged mech looked over a datapad. "According to Shockwave's estimates this should be enough."

"Good," Megatron said. He wanted this done as soon as possible.

While trying to move closer Destiny accidently knocked a small rock down with her hoof.

She froze but the three bots below didn't move leaving her to think they hadn't noticed. . . until Megatron suddenly whirled around firing in her direction. The blast struck the cliff under her feet causing Desstiny to plummet down before she could move, the Alicorn didn't have a chance to spread her wings before she slammed into the ground.

As she laid there dazed a voice shook her to full wakefulness. "Well what do we got here." Destiny looked up to see Megatron and the others facing her and the silver warlord had his fusion cannon pointed at her glowing ominously.

"It appears to be one of the wayward Predacons," the one she assumed was Starscream sneered.

The other bot didn't say anything but this close Destiny saw his face was covered with a visor. Soundwave she realized.

"Indeed," Megatron replied then he fired.

With a grace and speed the Decepticons hadn't expected Destiny transformed back into her bot mode while jumping out of the way of the blasts. She quickly spun to face them, Megatron and Starscream watched her with surprise thought she couldn't tell what Soundwave was thinking.

Megatron was the first to recover, he didn't lower his cannon though he moved closer to her with a toothy grin, "Surprising thing aren't you, it's sad you didn't know which side to join and threw your lot in with the Autobots-"

"Oh save it Megatron!" She snapped, if he was surprised she knew his name he didn't show it. "I've heard all about you, I know I may be naive but I'm far from stupid!"

If anything his grin got wider, "Are you sure of what you've heard? Optimus has ways of fooling others. How do you know he's not the aggressor?"

To his surprise instead of doubt or confusion her optics narrowed at him. "If I doubted it before I see the truth now," Destiny countered, the ruins of Jasper and Dark Mount were more than enough proof.

"Hmm, a sharp one I see," Megatron said, he didn't move closer and didn't lower his cannon. He would never admit it to anyone but the look in her optics was a little anxiety. She was reminding him to much of a young bot he once knew. Destiny was also unnerved by Megatron, everything about him scream power and dominance. He was so different from Optimus, she knew she couldn't show weakness to him. Megatron then grinned, "Optimus has taught you well." He powered his cannon up, "It's a shame really. I like your spirit, but-"

The warlord was promptly cut off as Optimus slammed into him sending the Decepticon leader slamming into the cliff face.

"Destiny go!" Optimus shouted. She hesitated before transforming and ran before the Vehicons could activate their weapons. Optimus then turned his attention to his nemesis as he pushed himself up.

The two stood they facing each other, it was Megatron who poke first, "We meet again Prime."

"What are you doing here?" Optimus didn't really expect an answer but better to have Megatron's attention on him and not Destiny.

Megatron grinned, "That would be spoiling the surprise." No more words were spoke as the two titans charged each other.

"I'll save you master!" Starscream who was closest shouted aiming at Optimus. Before he could fire Destiny appeared besides him, with all their attention on Optimus they hadn't noticed she hadn't gone far concerned for the Prime. She bite down on the Seeker's arm and before he could do anything she started shaking him around like a ragdoll. Despite her herbivore appearance Starscream quickly discovered she had very sharp denta in beastmode.

After slamming the seeker into several hard surfaces Destiny then spun and released Starscream's arm at the same time sending him flying. Soundwave sidestepped out of the way as the Seeker sailed by slamming into a Vehicon that wasn't as fast.

Not too concerned with Starscream Soundwave turned to the Alicorn. Destiny watched this new bot uneasy, something about him sent a chill down her backstruts. She tried circling him but he moved with her keeping her in sight, the Alicorn could see her reflection in his visor. Destiny knew he was studying her.

Soundwave knew this femme was studying him just as intently as he was her. He could appreciate that. Destiny was the first to move charging him but Soundwave dodged her, she tried to charge him again but he kept dodging her attacks. Soundwave wasn't second to Megatron as a Gladiator for nothing.

Finally Soundwave lashed out with his tentacles and struck her several times but Destiny's armor was strong and she shrugged them off. He tried to strike her optics but Destiny was faster catching one in her mouth. She expected him to attack with the other but to her surprise some of his chest armor detached into a slightly bird-like creature. With a shriek it flew right at her. Laserbeak begin attacking with his own tentacles, Destiny took several strikes to the face but she refused to let go of Soundwave who tried to use her distraction to pull free.

Finally Laserbeak latched onto her face. Destiny tried to shake him off but he used his electrical charges, even a bot her sized should be affected.

Soundwave took a step forward to finish the job when he noticed she was not reacting how he had expected. Instead of being overwhelmed she was still standing thought it was clear she was in some pain, but the biolights on her neck were glowing. Her horn was starting to glow as well and he realized she was absorbing the electricity and rechanneling it through her horn. That must mean, uh oh. . .

Soundwave barely dodged the blast she shot, but it did succeed in striking the wall and bringing a ton of rocks down on the Vehicons.

The blasts caught Optimus and Megatron's attention and they watched as half of the cliff face came down.

"Your new pet's very powerful," Megatron said almost approvingly not taking his optics off the Equinoid femme.

Optimus narrowed his optics, he didn't like that look. Throwing his weight forward he slammed into Megatron causing the warlord to stumble back.

Seeing that Soundwave tried to move to Megatron's aid forgetting one of his tentacles was still in Destiny's grip. Biting down she yanked as hard as she could and Soundwave was jerked back landing hard on the ground. Before he could get up Destiny bit down on one if his arms and threw him into a large bolder.

Both Optimus and Megatron turned when Soundwave went down. Megatron was impressed, even for her size she was still new to the world with little experience. Taking down Soundwave, even for a short time was impressive.

Optimus on the other hand was becoming more worried, at first the Deceptions considered her a nuisance but she was quickly showing herself to be a lot more capable.

Suddenly Megatron used his distraction against him, grabbing Optimus arm the warlord quickly knocked the red and blue bots peds out from under him and yanked the startled Autobot down. Before Optimus could move Megatron stomped a ped onto his chest pinning him.

"Goodbye Optimus," Megatron hissed raising his arm blade. But before he could deliver the blow something slammed into his back sending the warlord sailing over Optimus and face first into the ground. Pushing himself up Megatron spat out a mouthful of dirt and turned to find the Alicorn standing over Optimus almost protectively. "Well Optimus it seems you've made a new friend, I'm hurt," he said in a mocking tone.

Destiny laid her Audio shells flat against her helm and growled at him. Optimus pushed himself up and moved in front of her pulling his blaster out and firing at Megatron who dodged the blasts. "GO!" Optimus shouted at the Alicorn.

Destiny hesitated for only a moment before launching herself into the sky. Optimus quickly followed. He expected the warlord to give chase but when he dared to look back Megatron gave him a cruel smirk then whirled around and fired at Destiny. She screamed in pain as the shot struck her wing and found herself falling.

Optimus quickly changed direction and pulled up beside the panicking Alicorn. "Destiny! DESTINY!" Optimus cried trying to get her attention. He couldn't get close because of her flaring legs but they were getting closer to the ground, he flew in close getting a hard kick to the chest but grabbed her horn forcing her to look him in the optic. "DESTINY! TRANSFORM NOW!"

The tone in his voice was not one to ignore and Destiny forced her transformation systems to begin. Soon she was in bot mode, "Okay how is this better?!"

She then found herself in Optimus arms. Using his jetpack he slowed their descent and gently lowered them to the ground. He discovered Destiny was lighter than he had expected. As soon as his peds touched the ground Optimus turned in the direction of the Decepticons but Megatron hadn't given chase, he just watched them from the cliff top. The two shared a look, their optics narrowing before Optimus commed his team, :Ratchet, I need a GroundBridge:

Soon the glowing green vortex appeared and Optimus turned away from the warlord and carried Destiny into the GroundBridge.