Asking Too Much
Chapter 8
Note: I'm terribly sorry... As I read through this.. I feel as though I'm failing you, my readers... If this chapter is not up to par please say so.
Note2: I'm terribly sorry as well for the very late update.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. What I DO own though is a couple of OC's.
Pairings: Optimus X Sam, Ironhide X Will, Bumblebee X Mikaela, Ratchet X OC Autobot femme, Megatron X Huntress
Notes: I am now using, with permission of course, Mrs Bumblebee's OC character Huntress.
The fight that started was brutal. Defensor was battling Devastator. Since the battle at the Pyramids reduced the number of Decepticons in the Sol system and the fact that the Autobots had a number boost, they were equal in the sense of numbers. But the Decepticons were brutal in their attack. There was some sort of drive that pushed the Decepticons further. And for what amounted as astroseconds, some Autobots noticed flashes of black light that came from the optics of the Decepticons. Punch turned into Counterpunch and allied himself with his true faction in the middle of the fight but as the battle raged it seemed that both sides hadn't truly taken a true hit, no one was down yet. Sure, they were all damaged to some point but it seemed that no one was dealing death blows to each other.
Even if it looked as they that both sides were giving their all, somehow the Decepticons were holding back as were the Autobots. The Autobots did what they did because of what Sam said to them, "… it doesn't matter anymore does it? We are few in numbers now… If we kill off each other what will be left of us?" But there was no explanation for the Decepticon's actions. Sam observed from his perch on top of a building, away from the fight. He had managed to escape the guards and climbed up from the underground bunkers. He didn't worry for the others being underground, his AllSpark induced knowledge of Cybertronian construction made sure that the underground city that was being built would be safe no matter how much stress there is up on top. Sam also didn't worry for himself. He knew, somehow, that he wouldn't be hurt. But he also knew that he was putting everyone in danger for exposing himself since, as he heard, Soundwave knew that the AllSpark exists in the base.
Sam watched the battle, his eyes indifferent but he felt anguish in his soul.
'No, don't fight. It's pointless, useless. You're not the enemy of each other. Please.' was the resounding prayer in Sam's heart. Unnoticeably, Sam's eyes would flash blue every time he would pray to himself.
But above all, he knew. That he was needed. So he would wait.
Sam watched and waited.
The battle was mostly a one-on-one battle though some would battle two or three at a time. The Autobot flier team and Vortex were soaring high and fighting Starscream and his trine, Dreadwing, Shockwave and Blackout. The sky was littered with smoke clouds as they try to gun each other down.
On the ground Barricade, Bumblebee and Swindle were battling the rest of the Combaticons, Brawl, Blast-off and Onslaught. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were battling Runabout and Runamuck. Bluestreak usually was a long ranged sniper but this time he was out of his field and was in the heat of the battle alongside his creator, Prowl, Ironhide, Ratchet, Arcee (in combined form) and Jolt held their ground against Devastator. Defensor was also up, fighting against Menasor, the stunticon combiner team. Shockwave and Soundwave faced off with Red Cross, Wheeljack, Perceptor, Skids and Mudflap.
But the main battle was what captured Sam's attention. Optimus versus Megatron, the pair-up had already occurred thrice in Sam's presence. First Megatron died, then Optimus died and then Megatron lost. Sam didn't want the pattern to follow through.
Then Sam felt it, a strange sensation that wanted him to move. But it was too late; Ratbat already had him in his claws and was flying towards the battle. The Autobots immediately noticed but somehow they did not panic. Something was guiding them, same as the Decepticons.
As Ratbat descended, he dropped off Sam in front of Megatron, flashes of black would appear in Megatron's optics.
"Well, well, it looks like the little fleshling holds yet another prize for me. Tell me, fleshling, how am I going to get all that power from inside you?" He asks as he looks down at Sam. Sam, on the other hand, felt strength and courage like never before. It was time.
"Megatron, stop this. Stop fighting. What are you fighting for? The senate is gone, there is no more corruption on the Cybertronian system, for there is almost nothing to corrupt anymore. Can't you see? This mindless killing of your own race is what you were fighting against once and now… look around you Megatron. What do you see? There are so few of you left. What is there to fight or fight for? What you're doing is what you were once fighting against. You've become what you hated, can't you see that?" Sam asks as energon tears drip from his eyelids. That shocked them but more so what he was saying.
"What do you know, little fleshling? You do not know what we've gone through… How many…" But Starscream was cut-off by Sam.
"How many you lost, I know! I know and I know something that can help. They're not dead. They're still out there, waiting. You've got to believe me…" Sam trailed off as he saw Dreadnaught, his eyes fully black and charging up his plasma gun. No one noticed it until he shot it.
Underground Bunkers
Will and Mikaela were fretting, Sam was missing and they knew exactly where he was. Those who were underground couldn't hear the fight above but the tension around them was palpable.
Then there was this harsh pain that went through Will and Mikaela's chest. Only one thing went through their minds.
"SAM!" They shouted and raced to the elevators. The guards tried to stop them but one glare from Lennox and they were let through. Time wasn't on their side as the elevator climbed up in a sickeningly slow pace towards the upper earth. As they rush out of the building that the elevator was hidden in, they see a combination f Autobots and Decepticons holding down an unidentified mech, with Optimus on the ground, horrible sounds came from the grieving leader as Mikaela and Lennox smell the stench of burnt human flesh.
"No…" Mikaela whispers as she runs to the grieving mech, to look down gaping hole with blood splatters. She looks up at the Prime only to realize that he was holding something or rather, someone.
"RATCHET!" Mikaela screams as she looks at the Medicbot only to see him shake his helm in a negative fashion.
Will, who was beside her, made a devastated roar-like sound.
It was after Will's roar that Dreadnaught made his first noise since he was brought down.
A hoarse and insane laugh came from Dreadnaught's vocal capacitors.
"Poor little people… Crying after the death of one simple little human being… A speck in this entire universe… Of course, he's made special than the others ain't he? The new AllSpark." Dreadnaught would laugh more, the insanity in his vocals seem to awaken all the other Decepticons.
"You fool!" Starscream shouted. "If you knew he was the AllSpark you shouldn't have…" but Starscream was cut-off by Dreadnaught with a sick laugh. "Does it matter little Decepticons? I've done my deed, the master shall be pleased…"
"Master… who else do you serve besides me Dreadnaught?" Megatron asked, his attention piqued.
"Oh you thought that you were my master? Oh no… I serve no one but the great dark one… The one that will bring ALL of PRIMUS'S CHILDREN TO THEIR GRAVES." Dreadnaught laughs even harder.
Then there was a wave of energy that stopped him laughing, he looked to the two humans with them, their eyes glowing Autobot blue.
"You and your master will not prevail. Sam has seen through your actions and we shall stop you and your master." To the surprise of everyone, Will and Mikaela spoke as one, their voice, reverberating with power.
"William/Miks?" Ironhide and Bumblebee asked at the same time. The two would look at them and smile.
"Do not worry Bumblebee… I am just borrowing the body of your mate. I shall return it once this is over." Mikaela said to Bumblebee.
"Yes, Ironhide. As she said, we will return their bodies after. Isn't that right Terra?" Will looked at Mikaela, his eyes dancing with mirth.
"True, Pyrus." Mikaela would agree and look at the entrapped Decepticon. (1)
Dreadnaught sputters in rage.
"YOU TWO!" was all he could say before a surge of power goes through Dreadnaught and he manages to push away Prowl, Thundercraker, Barricade and Soundwave off of him. He charges and fires his two cannons once more, and hits its mark again, both humans fell to the ground, scorched and dead.
A sound of rage comes from Bumblebee and Ironhide but before they can move, a shot of light comes from the body that Prime was cradling and hit Dreadnaught in the chassis. There was a shrill cry from Dreadnaught as his body crumbles away into dust.
"Optimus… my love… You know what it is you must do…" Sam's voice would float over them.
"Don't worry Bee… I'm right here… I'm not leaving you." Mikaela's voice joins
"As am I, Ironhide." Will's voice too joins their voices.
Prime would make sounds of mourning but he would stand straight and lay the charred body of his beloved next to Mikaela and Will. He would look to his brother with a solemn face.
"What is it that you want to do now brother?" Optimus asks.
"I… sense that truth will come from the boy… but now the truth is out of reach…" Megatron would say in a low voice, mourning as well as he feels a familial bond coming from the boy weaken.
"It is not too late brother; the truth is in reach…" Optimus puts his servo on Megatron's upper servo. Then the Prime would turn to all that was there. "Call up General Morshower and Secretary Keller, have all the original NESTs come forward, call also Agent Simmons, Agent Spitz and Annabelle Lennox they deserve to come and go to the Autobot hanger, no one else is to be allowed in." Optimus says as he picks up the fallen body of his beloved once more with more dignity and grace and gestures Bumblebee and Ironhide to do so as well… With great difficulty on their sparks, the two mechs did as they were gestured to do and followed Optimus to the Autobot Hanger.
The Autobot Hanger is another underground structure built to house the Autobots and serves as their second home and Command center. It was fashioned to be like the Arc. With the help of Sam they managed to replicate the arc as an underground base.
The Decepticons followed closely, wondering what will happen now that things took a twist for a turn. It was Sideswipe, Ratchet, Prowl and Bluestreak who went back to the underground barracks to gather the aforementioned humans. Once they were brought to the Autobot Hanger, they were shocked to see the bodies of three human beings. It was Bobby Epps who first recovered.
"No way… that ain't my man, Will… It can't be… Ironhide… just tell me it's not him…" Epps's voice was pleading but as he looked at the hollow optics of the Autobot, he knew that his best friend was gone. In his arms was little Annabelle Lennox, he turned quiet and closed his eyes as tears come down his cheeks.
"Daddy…" Annabelle says softly as she clung to Bobby, her tears apparent. She raises her hand to Ironhide reaching for him. Ironhide picked her up gently and laid little Annie on his hand and close to his spark.
"Papa… Daddy is… Daddy is…" Annie sniffled but mostly let her tears show that she was grieving.
"Samuel and Mikaela… It cannot be…" Secretary Keller's voice was old and weak. He did not want to believe such youth would perish. He too closed his eyes and wept. Leo's voice could be heard screaming and Simmons's cursing. It was General Morshower who noticed it. "The Decepticons… Optimus…"
"It is alright General, they are here because they need to know and witness it as well… the dawn of a new age." Optimus said in such a determined voice that everyone looked to him in awe. There his sparkmate lay dead in front of him and yet he spoke as if it didn't matter, like they'll come back.
"Of course I'll come back… we just have to make sure that Samuel James Witwicky is dead." This made everyone jump their bones. The voice of the supposedly dead Sam just echoed through them.
"Knocked your socks off didn't he? Well… I think I did too…" Will's old laugh echoes through the gigantic hangar they were in.
"Daddy?" Annie's voice echoed in the hanger.
"Sweetspark… Daddy's still here…" Lennox's voice echoes.
"Ratchet, bring Jazz's body here." Optimus ordered and Ratchet though incredulous followed his leader's order and brought out Jazz's offline but in perfect condition shell.
"You are a great medic, Ratchet… I've torn that shell into two and yet he lies there as if I hadn't done it." Megatron said in a quiet voice, knowingly provoking them. Some engines revved but no one moved. "We must move pass it… I miss my bondmate Megatron but that does not mean I cannot forgive you." Prowl said in a hollow tone. "For what's it worth, Third in Command Prowl… I do know the agony of losing a bondmate." Megatron answered with the same type of hollowness in his voice.
"And yet, Lord High Protector Megatron… that agony shall end soon" Mikaela's voice rang out, causing Megatron some shock. "For the truth is near. Let everything set its course of path and everything shall be known." There was knowledge in her voice that ignited the thirst of wanting to know in those who were present.
Optimus faced the living humans with them. "Declare Samuel James Witwicky, Mikaela Banes and William Lennox dead by human standards and we shall proceed." This of course ignited more curiosity in everyone. It was obvious to those that witnessed it, that Optimus was completely heartbroken about Sam's death and yet he asks the other humans to declare his human dead? Something was up.
Bumblebee and Ironhide seemed to straighten up and a glint of something was in their optics, hope.
"Please Secretary Keller and General Morshower, declare them dead. It is needed." Ironhide whispers in small voice. If anyone knew Ironhide, they knew that he is going through an emotional upheaval right now. And that it is taking a lot of courage and hope for him to talk about his bondmate being dead. Bumblebee nodded his assent to his superior officer's comment. Little Annie's sniffles would stop and she says, "Please Uncle Sam? Uncle Jon?" (2)
The high ranked men looked to each other and nodded. "I'm afraid to say this but three brave people died today in an unfortunate backstabbing." Keller would look at Megatron and Optimus, looking for a confirmation to which he was replied with an assent. "These souls are Captain William Lennox, who I now promote to Lieutenant Colonel for a job well done in his lifetime as a soldier and NEST officer. Mikaela Banes and Samuel James Witwicky are two souls that fought bravely beside NESTs as they battled the former enemies, the Decepticons in two major clashes aptly named the Mission City and the Egypt. They were key individuals that saved mankind though none but those who are involved and high ranking officials of the world know. These three souls shall be given awards for their services to their country and their planet as soon as possible." Secretary Keller said in an unwavering voice but it was apparent it was hard on him to declare some of his favorite people dead.
There was a prevalent silence that took over the Hanger, the sniffles of some people, accepting the three were dead… at least in a human perspective. Then there was a coughing and wheezing sound that came from Ironhide, specifically Annie. Ratchet and Red Cross goes over and takes the little one in their hands.
"It has to be done…" Was all Lennox said before Annie's coughing stops and all the Autobots and Decepticons hear the little one's heart stop.
"What the frag? William don't you dare tell me that…" Ratchet's voice was terribly angry but he was cut short by Sam's voice.
"It's alright Ratchet… Calm down… you'll see in a minute… Optimus… It's time." Sam's voice was resolute as ordered, Optimus opens up his chest compartment… Showing how he absolutely trusted the Decepticons. Ironhide took little Annie and placed her still warm body next to William's.
Everyone watched as the Matrix went from Optimus's chest compartment to his hand and it floated. Everyone could feel the power behind the small dagger. It floated down to the 4 dead humans and the shell of Jazz. One by one as if the Matrix inspected them. Then it flew high to the ceiling, the earth quaked suddenly as metal floors burst and soil rushed to them, the soil hung in the air and compressed, the air was starting to get super-heated.
"The air is not good for the humans!" Ratchet turns into his alt-mode and lets in most of the soldiers in while Optimus let the Secretary and General inside him and Skids let Simmons and Leo inside him. The air was hotter than ever, the insulation provided by the Autobots saved the humans or they would have burned like a match stick. The other mechs just stood and waited. Somehow the bodies of Sam and the others didn't burn as they should have as observed by some of them.
In a flash of light, too bright even for the optics of the Cybertronians, they all had to shut down their optics on in some cases, had to literally make their wind shields into metal walls so as to not make the humans go blind. After a few minutes, they all felt it safe to online their optics and let the humans out. Once they were all out, they all stared in surprise and awe at 4 additional Cybertronians laying in front of them, one of them, a foundling. Jazz's body stirs as hydraulics and various systems online for the first time in 3 years. Jazz, onlined his optics and instantly searched for the one he knew was waiting for him.
Prowl's circuits would've fritzed if he hadn't stopped himself. In a blink of an eye, Prowl was by Jazz's side and holding the formerly fallen mech.
The two would hug each other and mutter in Cybertronian. "Missed you so much…" "I love you…" "Never ever leave my side…"
It was a heart-warming scene.
Optimus, stared at one of the mechs on the floor, all of them in protoforms. But it was obvious who was who. Taller than the rest and seems to have a slightly more complex build was Sam. Mikaela had a femme's build shorter than Bumblebee by a half a meter. Will had a build that was bigger, almost to Ironhide's. And the foundling, Annabelle, looked very fragile.
Ratchet, Red Cross and First Aid, went forward to inspect those that the Matrix revived. Ratchet went to check on Jazz first, declaring him weak and need recharge and refuelling. Annabelle was in a clean bill of health as Red Cross announced. So were Sam, Mikaela and Will.
"So why are they still in stasis?" Megatron asked.
"They are still adjusting; we need to move them to the recharge berths." Ratchet said calmly. The event was unprecedented. They had no idea what will happen and only time will tell.
(1) The Dynasty of the Primes are talking through Mikaela and Will… Pyrus and Terra are two of them. There are also: Prima, Metallon, Aquius, Ouranous and Lumio.
(2) Secretary Keller's name is Sam while General Morshower is Jon.
Whatever your reaction is good or bad...
Please Review!