*REWRITTEN: 6/27/22*

Hey, y'all! I apologize for the long wait for this chapter. I caught the flu on Monday and then decided to take a break from writing for this week. I promise, there will be a new chapter up this Tuesday and Thursday.

Hope you like the chapter, and the reviews are truly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who commented, I love to hear your thoughts on the story!


(A-POV)

My hand flew to my chest, my fingernails digging into my skin through my shirt to ground me. I could feel the pain of the initial hit flare one more time before dissipating. By some miracle, I had managed to keep my breathing somewhat steady with the exception of a hitch after the initial fall. In reality, I could feel my heart racing. I heard Bee chirping, so I focused on the sounds and attempted to relax.

If Bee noticed me concealing my emotions, he didn't particularly care as I heard, "He'll… be… okay…"

"I know he will. Thanks, Bee."

We drove further into Misson City, the Cube still sitting idly in the backseat of the Camaro. With the military leading the way, an F-22 flew overhead. I sighed in relief. If we had backup in the skies, hopefully, it meant we had a fighting chance against the Decepticons.

All the Autobots screeched suddenly to a halt, and the three of us exited the car. The men clad in camo uniforms began falling into a defensive formation and looking towards the skies. We all watched as more aircraft soared above. They popped green smoke bombs to notify the aircraft of our location.

By the time it was too late to stop the smoke, Ironhide transformed and yelled, "It's Starscream!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Bee transformed as Ratchet and Jazz remained in their alt mode, speeding into reverse. Hide and Bee gunned to a truck that had been abandoned by its driver. As they lifted it to provide as much protection as possible, I heard shouts from both the soldiers beside me as well as from the civilians sprinting away from the scene.

"No, no, no, no, no! Move!" A man with short chestnut brown hair shouted. I guessed that this was the Captain in charge of the unit, for he certainly looked the part.

A gray jet materialized in the sky between the cityscape, and Bumblebee and Ironhide lifted the truck even higher. As it sped towards us, it shot and aimed missiles. One hit the truck head-on, and the two mechs were thrown backward from the blast. So were the rest of us.

I could only hear ringing in my ears as bits of asphalt and concrete rained down, and I blinked blearily, trying to get a grasp of my surroundings.

Lifting my head, I felt the burning return. I had an inclination before entering the city that I'd need to prepare to function with it constantly spreading through my chest. But after the absence of its strength for so long, I'd forgotten what it felt like in the middle of a warzone.

I stumbled to my feet, searching for Sam and Mikaela.

"Anybody hurt? Everyone okay?" Voices echoed down the street. "Clear the area!"

I found the two standing beside an overturned army vehicle, dust billowing from the damage. A large figure could be seen through it, and as the dust cleared, I saw that it was Bumblebee. I rushed over to where Sam and Mikaela were located, and to my horror, I discovered that Bee's lower half was crushed under a vehicle.

He crawled out, immediately collapsing to his forearms. Sam, who had now moved to stand in front of Bee, gasped.

Mikaela, on the other hand, was positioned on Bee's side. I glanced at her face, I watched as her hands flew to her mouth. As I joined her, the air was knocked from my body. His legs had been crushed under the weight of the truck. They were now completely detached from the rest of his frame.

"Bumblebee? No, your legs!" Sam stuttered. "Your legs. Here. Here, back, back, back, back! You all right?"

Bee's pain-ridden voice filled the air, and he reached desperately for Sam, but it was useless. His strength gave out from under him, and his fist met the ground. Bee's blue eyes flickered.

"Please get up, Bumblebee. Get up!" Sam whispered. Even Mik had tears in her eyes. "Ratchet!" You gotta get up, you're okay, you're okay. Come on!"

Bee was visibly rallying all his energy, and he began pulling his way out of the wreckage.

"Sam," I said. "He isn't okay. His legs are missing for god's sake. You need to give him a break!"

Tears fell down his face as I addressed the problem he didn't want to accept. I made my way around the scout, lowering myself to my knees and gently grabbing his faceplates. In his own way, Bee groaned in pain.

"I know, I know." I crooned. "Let me see if I can help." I shut my eyes, mentally mapping the source of his pain in my mind. While I'd never accomplished relieving physical pain on a metal being, I figured there wasn't a huge difference. So I tried anyway. I focused on the ball joints and sockets of his lower half, imagining wrapping them in soothing energy.

I pulled back and opened my eyes after hearing Bee heavily sigh. "That's all I can do for now. Is that better?" Bee's eyes looked brighter as he dipped his head and whirred.

The sound of a large shot drew my attention behind me, where I saw a large tank barreling over cars and heading in our direction. Soldiers began grabbing missile launchers and guns as Ratchet, Jazz, and Ironhide sped forward to deter whichever Decepticon was targeting us. The soldiers followed behind as fast as they could manage.

Sam instinctually began to follow before remembering who he was leaving behind. He suddenly collapsed onto an uplifted piece of pavement. I saw Mikaela run to an abandoned tow truck out of the corner of my eye.

"I'm not gonna leave you," Sam said. Bee was still trying to crawl closer to us. He handed Sam the Cube with a dejected whir, and I damn near burst into tears at the sight.

Sam only stared at the relic in his hand. I whipped my head around after hearing a loud clanging sound coming from the direction of the rest of the Autobots, hoping to see a familiar red and blue paint job. Instead, all I saw was metal gray and a pair of glowing red eyes.

"It's Megatron. Retreat!" Jazz shouted, followed by Ratchet's, "Move!"

Mikaela and the tow truck suddenly appeared beside us, and as she hopped out of the driver's seat, she said, "Guys, help me with this."

We began pulling at the cabled hooks and began securing them around Bee's frame. Before we could finish the job, the same man with the brown cropped hair yelled Sam's name. "Where's the Cube?" He questioned.

"Right there." Sam pointed to where it was lying in the bed of the truck.

Another burning sensation came over me quicker than ever before, this time it originating from my midsection. I screamed and hunched over in pain, feeling like something ripped me in half. As soon as it appeared, it was gone again.

Mikaela rushed over to me. "Alestia? Are you okay? What happened?"

"I'm fine," I muttered and swatted her away. I picked my head up, looking for any sign of the Autobots. I couldn't see any of them. I began to panic until I briefly saw a glint of yellow from behind the corner of a building. Ratchet. I squinted closer and managed to make out the arm of a black bot. That must be Ironhide.

Two down, one to go. As hard as I tried, I couldn't spot the first Lieutenant. "Has anyone seen Jazz!" I called. "Jazz!"

"Alestia," Mik started, "What's going on?!"

"I can't find him anywhere." I looked around wildly. "Have you seen him?" I gripped her arm and she shook her head. "Fuck. Fuck!"

I glanced behind me but only saw the presumed leader heading back over to us. "Okay." He said.

"What?" Sam questioned.

"All right, I can't leave my guys back there, so here," He handed Sam something. "Take this flare. Okay, there's a tall white building with statues on top. Go to the roof, set the flare-"

"No." Sam interrupted.

"Signal the chopper and set the flare." He continued.

"No, no, no! I can't do this!"

The man grabbed Sam's collar and pulled him closer to his face. "Listen to me! You're a soldier now! All right? I need you to take this Cube. Get it into military hands while we hold them off." Handing Sam the Cube, he let go of the boy. "Or a lot of people are gonna die."

I quickly read his nametag and saw that his name was Lennox. I also spotted the patches he wore, and they confirmed my suspicions of him being the Captain.

"Sam," I said, turning to him. "If you're not all in, then don't do it. I'll go in your place on one condition. You find Ratchet, and you look for Jazz. Don't stop until you find him, alright? Can you do that?"

He gave me a little nod of his head, but I could tell that he was shaken up.

Lennox then focused his attention on Mikaela, but I didn't hear what he had to say because I was tugging on Sam's arm; ushering him to run to the other bots who were now fast approaching. "'Hide! Sam and Ratch are going to look for Jazz. He needs dire medical attention. I'm gonna try to get this Cube into military hands."

"Alestia, I will protect you," Ironhide swore.

"Don't fail me, Sammy!" I shouted over my shoulder as I began sprinting, Cube and flare in hand, towards the target building.

Decepticons were shooting at me right, left, and center. Just as Ironhide promised, he was cover firing for me. I'd never been grateful for those cannons as much as I was at that very moment.

I pumped my legs as fast as they would go. I ducked out of the way as he ran in front of me and held up a car to block the missile aimed for my head.

"Keep moving, Alestia!" Hide shouted. I weaved in between cars and trucks, hoping that I would make it in time. A Decepticon chose to appear at that moment and split one of the cars in half. He then aimed it for me, but I ran out of the way and it hit a window instead. Come on Alestia, run faster. Make them proud.

Against my luck, Starscream landed and transformed right in front of me. His eyes were seemingly only for the Autobot as he landed, launching the surrounding vehicles high into the air. As Ironhide fought the mech, I stayed low to the ground. Hopefully, he wouldn't spot me anytime soon and I would be able to continue the task at hand.

"Give me the Cube, girl!" An angry and hate-filled voice roared from behind me. I didn't even have to look for me to know it was Megatron. Since I was running head-on into oncoming traffic, I attempted to avoid the cars driving at me. I dodged one car, but I got hit by another black van. Ignoring the pain, I stood up and carried on sprinting.

In the process, the Cube sent out a pulse of energy and I heard the mechanical whirring of multiple transformations. Don't look back, don't look back. There is no time.

After what felt like years, I finally made it into the building. I looked around, desperately trying to find a staircase I could ascend. As I took off, Megatron broke through one of the floor-to-ceiling windows and shouted, "I smell you, girl!"

"Oh, Lord. Oh my God." I whispered over and over, heart pounding in my ribcage. I quickly found the staircase and ran up to the second floor.

"HOLY SHIT!" I screamed as Megatron burst through the floor and swung at me with his large, metallic arms. I went up the first few stairs and looked up. Oh my god. There are literally 500 flights. This is where I die. Death by stair, and not by the Decepticon on my ass.

I ran up flight after flight, feeling my legs groan in pain. Pushing myself even harder, I tucked the Cube close to my chest, finally making it to the roof. Hurdling over pipes and under pieces of sheet metal, I heard the sound of the chopper heading to pick up the Cube. I peeled the flare from my back pocket and ignited it by banging the bottom against the side of a wall.

I ran to the edge of the building and the chopper awaiting my arrival. A man reached out for the Cube, and I tried to hand it to him. I inched closer, and I would have been successful if it wasn't for the missile Starscream shot at the helicopter. "Watch out!" I yelled, rolling backward and out of the way of any shrapnel.

"Hang on Alestia!" A familiar voice shouted. Optimus. I got up and ran away from Megatron, who had exploded out of the roof and climbed his way onto the top of the building. I raced around, trying to find a hiding spot, and jumped onto one of the statues.

"Is it fear or courage that compels you, fleshling?" Megatron sneered. I tried to get a better hold on the statue and almost slipped right off the edge of the building. "Oh, no," I muttered. "Oh hell no."

"Give me the AllSpark and you may live to be my pet."

Gathering up the courage, I shouted right back to him. "Why don't you go ahead and fuck right off!"

"Oh, so unwise."

In retaliation, Megatron swung his chain mace down onto the roof. Everything exploded around me as I was thrown off the edge of the building from the force of the hit. Before I could open my mouth to scream, a giant metal hand caught me. "Optimus!"

"I got you, girl. Hold onto the Cube!" His battle mask slid into place over his mouth. Prime turned, releasing his hold and dropping to the ground below, jumping from wall to wall to slow his descent.

A roar sounded from above us, and I glanced up to see a flash of silver metal and a huge body barrel into us. I gripped onto both the Cube and Optimus' chest plates as I felt us falling. Megatron, Optimus, and I hit the ground hard.

I took a moment to clear my mind from the shock of the fall but whipped my head back to Optimus as a groan sounded from him. "Are you alright?"

He looked at me and slid his battle mask out of the way. "You risked your life to protect the Cube." There was a hint of wonder in his tone that I dutifully overlooked.

I snorted. "You ignored my question, Prime. Besides, I promised that I would help you revive your planet, no matter the cost."

"If I cannot defeat Megatron, you must push the Cube into my chest." His eyes glanced down to his spark. "I will sacrifice myself to destroy it. Get behind me."

I narrowed my eyes at his words but did what he asked anyway. Running and ducking for cover nearby, I frantically eyed everything around me. Spotting a crack in the ground, I jumped in, trying to stay as close to the two Cybertronians as I dared.

"It's you and me Megatron." I heard Optimus say.

"No, it's just me, Prime." Megatron taunted.

"At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall."

Optimus was thrown into the side of a building. "You still fight for the weak! That is why you lose!"

As the red and blue mech was tossed to the side once more, I pulled out my gun, surprisingly still secured in my back pocket, and decided to try and help. I was just about to fire when I caught the sound of a helicopter transforming behind the fight. I swore, putting my gun back, and glanced at it. He was slowly trudging toward the battle, most likely intending to jump Prime when his back was turned.

I looked behind him and spotted Lennox's team on the ground. I could use all the help I could get, right now. Besides, they had more effective weapons.

Moving in between rocks and pavement, I finally made it to them. An African American man was talking into a walkie-talkie when he spotted me. I rushed to his side and waited for him to finish giving instructions to the Air Force. He turned around and jumped slightly.

"What the hell are you doing here? Why do you still have the Cube?"

"Megatron reached the choppers before I could," I replied. "They didn't make it. Prime found me before I could join them."

"Goddamn it! What's the plan now?" He looked to Lennox for an answer, but I responded before the Captain could.

"We cover Optimus. The Decepticon cannot reach him. I won't allow it."

He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off, regardless of the consequences. "What's your name?"

"Sergeant Robert Epps. Why?"

"Epps, I have military training and my skills will be able to aid you. Plus, I know their weak points. "

He looked at me skeptically. "How many years?"

"Twelve years, Sir. Though I can't inform you of the details, I can tell you he was a total bad-ass."

He gritted his teeth. "Alright," Epps said, sighing. "You can help. But you need to follow orders. Do you understand that?"

"Absolutely."

Lennox took that moment to poke Epps in the shoulder and said, "Bring the Rain, alright?"

"Afternoon, Captain. Nice to finally meet you. I'll be joining you for a while."

"You're just a kid. What are you, like, seventeen?"

"Agent Alestia Barone, at your service." I dipped my head, rendering him speechless. "Aim for under their chests and their eyes if you can."

"This is one of the craziest days of my life," Lennox muttered. He handed me a gun nonetheless. "Let's kill these things."

I trailed behind one of the men whom I hadn't met yet. Mirroring his position, I waited for Lennox's command. "Armor is weak under the chest! Aim for the eyes if possible!" Lennox repeated my earlier words, climbing onto an abandoned motorcycle.

"He's cool as fuck." I whispered.

I wasn't as quiet as I thought because Epps chuckled beside me. "Right?"

The Seargent shone a green laser onto the target, providing a visual for the air support. "F-22s, we're still waiting."

As the 'Con loaded his cannons, the laser crept up his arm. It appeared in just the right area which allowed the Decepticon to notice it. He turned suddenly.

"Move out!" Epps shouted. Everyone got up and ran as the mech aimed and shot at us. I rolled out of the way and started to shoot for his eyes. The planes that flew overhead must have been friendlies because they shot missiles at the Decepticon and he soon fell.

About fucking time.

Gripping the Cube in my hand, I ran for Optimus and Megatron. Missiles from the F-22s pelted Megatron, pushing him further back. I ducked underneath an overturned car for cover, and as I did so, I spotted Prime lying on the ground a little further back.

I met Prime's gaze, and his eyes widened upon spotting me.

Megatron landed heavily on the ground. I spotted my opening and slid over to Optimus. Megatron stumbled up, trying to catch me before I reached his enemy, but tripped and landed face-first thanks to the arm Prime shot out. I would have laughed if I wasn't severely concerned about being trampled.

"I'll kill you!" Megatron bellowed. I inched away from him as he tried to reach out and grab me. "Mine! AllSpark!"

"Alestia!" Optimus called. "Put the Cube in my chest, now! Alestia!"

If putting the Cube into his chest would kill Optimus, then it would surely do the same to Megatron, right? Either way, it was time to find out.

I looked over my shoulder and smiled. "Give the Autobots my thanks."

"No, no!"

I stood up, and with a rallying cry, I pointed the Cube into the Decepticon's chest. As I did so, bursts of energy rippled up my arms, shooting straight for my sternum. Electricity danced in my vision until all I saw was a searing blue light. I screamed and shut my eyes as Megatron's chest plates were forced open and the Cube began to rip apart.

He choked on the raw power, clawing at his spark as he fell onto his knees and collapsed.

Trying to catch my breath, I stepped over to Optimus and eyed his body for any injuries. He walked over to the dead Cybertronian, and I distantly heard him murmur, "You left me no choice, brother."

My gaze was no longer trained on the Prime. Rather, it was on the small bolts of electricity shooting down the length of my arms to my hands. I held a palm up to my face, wiggling my fingers, watching as the electricity danced and weaved between them. As quickly as they had appeared, they were gone.

Optimus, who had finished saying his goodbyes, bent down to my size. "Alestia, I owe you my life. We are in your debt."

"I told you, Prime. I wasn't going to let you die today. I swore it for a reason."

Optimus shook his head in amusement. "You're one of the most stubborn creatures I've ever met."

I only grinned in reply.

Mikaela pulled up to the scene in the tow truck, Bumblebee still strapped to the back. He chirped when he saw me. I waved as Mik climbed out of the truck, ran towards me, and motioned to wrap her arms around me. "Ow! You shocked me."

"Must be the Cube's residing energy."

"Where did it go?" She looked around for it.

I glanced at the fallen Megatron. "It's gone now, along with any hope of reviving their planet."

Mik lightly touched my shoulder. "It's not your fault."

"I know," I replied sadly.

"Prime," I heard Ironhide say. "We couldn't save him." With a sinking in my heart, I turned to face the mech.

The sight I beheld moved me to tears. This time, I didn't bother wiping them away. In his arms lay Jazz, split in two. His arm hung limply and his head was lolled to the side, almost as if he were sleeping. He looked so small in Ironhide's massive arms.

It wasn't right.

"Jazz." The Autobot commander lamented as he took the body from his Weapons Specialist. He clutched the body close, addressing those around him while keeping his eyes trained on his fallen Lieutenant. "We lost a great comrade, but gained new ones. Thank you, all of you. You honor us with your bravery."

"Permission to speak, sir?" I whirled around after hearing an unknown British voice. To my shock, it came from Bumblebee.

Optimus looked as surprised as I did when he replied, "Permission granted, old friend."

"You speak now?" Sam shouted.

"I wish to stay with the boy."

"If that is his choice."

We all looked to Sam, but he only had eyes for Bee.

"Yes." He said with a grin on his face. Looking at Optimus, I watched as he carefully handed Jazz's body to Ratchet. He bent down, pulled a shard of the Cube out of Megatron's chest, and gripped it in his hand. Not wanting to intrude on the moment, I called softly, "Optimus?"

He turned to me with regret in his eyes.

"I do not mean to intrude, but you're injured. I know I seem like I can't help, but I might be able to. Come closer." He followed my request, and I pressed a hand to his cheek. I closed my eyes and willed my powers to work. They mobilized faster than when I helped Bumblebee earlier.

I didn't see Optimus widen his eyes in awe, nor did I see the sparks reappear at my fingertips where they made contact with the warm metal of the Prime's face.

After a moment, I finally felt the familiar burning feeling move from my chest, down my arm, into my hand, and into Optimus.

He cycled in a breath. I opened my eyes and looked at where his wounds were. Seeing that they were healed, a contented hum slipped from my mouth, relieved to feel the weight in my chest dissipate.

"How..." He began, but I quickly cut him off.

"I'll explain later." Glancing around, I added, "There are too many people here."

I motioned to return to the rest of the group, but quickly I gripped my side as agonizing pain shot through my stomach. I fell to my knees, groaning in pain. Seeing black spots in my vision, I tried to get up but failed miserably. I quickly lifted my shirt to see that my side was bruised and bloody. There was a deep gash, one I didn't even realize I had, that was gushing blood. I lightly prodded it and nearly passed out.

"Alestia!" I heard Optimus shout.

I started to fall forward, but I was unconscious before my head hit the pavement.


And there we have it! The last chapter from the first movie! Hope I didn't get you guys too upset with the cliffhanger! There's way more to Alestia's power, so look forward to that in the upcoming chapters!

*ADDED 6/27/22: And though I don't intend to spoil anything... there may be a possible return for the fallen Autobot in the future. You'll just have to keep reading to see :)