The noise of the blast roared in my ears as I flew backward, blown away by the force of the explosion. I landed hard on my back, chest aching as the breath was knocked out of me. A second later I felt a heavy weight land on the left side of my body. I groaned- I think, my ears were still ringing- and turned my head to look at what had landed on me.
A soldier, one I didn't recognize, lay atop me covered in blood and small debris. His eyes were closed and a stream of blood trailed down his face. My heart leaped in my throat and I lifted my right arm. Carefully, I managed to slip my trembling fingers between his helmet and vest. Heady relief filled me when I felt his fluttering heartbeat.
I wiggled and squeezed myself out from under him, heaving myself to my feet. I could faintly hear people shouting, but I couldn't make much of it out. I looked around, surveying the scene around me. Soldiers were quickly regrouping and ducking behind large piles of rubble and burned out cars. I glanced down at the unconscious soldier laying out in the open and grimaced.
I bent down, hooking my arms under his, and began to drag him along the ground. I stopped after a few feet, panting from exertion. I spotted another burned out car a couple feet away and got back to work. I thought I heard Sam calling for Ratchet, and began to double my effort. I made it behind the car where another pair of soldiers were already crouched behind it.
"I'll just… leave him here," I gasped out to them. One nodded and helped my drag his unconscious comrade behind the car. I smiled somewhat awkwardly and turned tail. The ringing had stopped now and I could hear Sam's voice again. I ran towards it, only stopping when I saw the back of his head poking out above the rubble.
"I'm not gonna leave you," Sam promised sadly. When I saw Bee, I understood why. I clapped a hand over my mouth when I saw the state my new friend was in. He was dented and dusty, but the worst part was his legs. Or lack thereof. His legs from the knee down had been completely blown off. As I moved closer I could hear his small whines with every movement. I crouched next to Bee and caressed his chin. I tugged lightly, turning his face towards mine. I stared directly into his eyes, dim with pain, and spoke with a conviction that I didn't have.
"You're gonna be okay. We're all gonna make it out of this alive." As soon as I finished my sentence, a white tow truck screeched to a halt next to me. Mikaela jumped out and began ordering us around. The four of us maneuvered Bee onto the tow truck and secured him with chains. Distantly we heard a deep roar and loud explosions. I think I may have heard Megatron's name, but I couldn't be sure. Sam was just finishing attaching the chains to Bee's frame when Lennox ran up to us.
"Where is the Cube?"
"It's right there," Sam gestured to where the object in question sat atop the rubble. He continued working on the chains near Bee's head. Lennox nodded and gestured for him to come down. Sam, after checking over his work, complied.
"Okay," Lennox began. He set down his weapon and pulled something out of his belt. "Alright, I can't leave my guys back there, so I need you to take this flare," Lennox shoved it in his hands and picked up the Cube. He continued briskly, "Okay, there is a tall white building with statues on top, so get to the roof, light the flare, signal the chopper-"
"No, I can't-" Sam interrupted Lennox's ordered to begin his litany of panicked babbling.
"Listen to me!" Lennox shoved the Cube in Sam's arms and grabbed his shoulders. "You're a soldier now! I need you to take this Cube…" I drowned the rest of Lennox yelling as I saw a half transformed Megatron fly past, a furious Jazz grasped in his silver talons. My heart jumped in my throat and I slipped away without a word.
I dashed through panicking crowds, trying to get there in time. I had to do something! Anything! I couldn't stay back, not with Jazz's life on the line. I'm no idiot. I know that Megatron intends to kill Jazz. I just don't know how, or whether or not I can prevent it.
I glimpsed a sliver of silver atop a nearby building, and I stopped. I glanced up at Megatron and looked at the entrance of the office building right next to me. I burst through the doors, the workplace already empty, and ran for the stairwell. I rushed through the heavy door and up the stairs.
I ran as fast as I could, lungs burning and pumping my arms. Breath escaped me in huge gusts of air and I tried not to cough as I ran. I took the stairs two steps at a time, trying not to trip on the cold concrete. The stairwell was ominously silent and the fluorescent lights flickered.
I slammed against a heavy door, labeled the third floor. I had finally made it. I couldn't stop to catch my breath, I just shoved my body through the opening and ran to the windows. Just above my head, on the neighboring roof, Megatron pinned Jazz. The Decepticon leader's clawed ped dug into my new friend and I felt a spark of protective anger in my chest. I liked Jazz, he was funny and considerate! To think that Megatron was going to kill my friend was unacceptable.
Thinking quickly, I grabbed the nearest heavy object, which happened to be a metal three-hole-puncher and threw it at the window. The glass shattered easily, and my view was clear. Gently wind carried through the now open window, but it also carried the scent of smoke, dust, and burning ozone.
I groped at my lower back, pulling out the handgun I stole from Sector 7. I checked the magazine and found it full. I kissed the side of the magazine and shoved it in place. I clicked the safety off and aimed up. I carefully steadied my arms, settling into the position my father taught me all those years ago.
I looked down the barrel, through the sights, and at Megatron. I took a deep breath, resting my finger on the trigger. I adjusted my aim and held my breath.
I pulled the trigger, and the bullet glanced off of the metal monster's face, skidding across his cheek. Megatron jerked his face away reflexively and grabbed the pinned Autobot. Jazz continued pelting the behemoth with everything he had, not noticing the extra help as he yelled insults in an alien language.
"Come 'ere you little cretin," Megatron flung the bot lazily.
"You wanna piece 'o this? HUH? YOU WANNA PIECE?" Jazz goaded still squirming and shooting.
"NO," Megatron growled adjusting his grip. I could see his arms flexing with some effort as he began to tear my friend in half. I couldn't let this happen! I took aim again and breathed out. I jerking my finger on the trigger repeatedly. The gunshots echoed in my ears. "I WANT TWO-AGH!"
Megatron's war cry was cut off as one of my bullets successfully lodged itself in his eye, the others scratching his cheeks. He dropped Jazz and clutched his face. His remaining eye roved wildly, looking for the source. I stilled in terror as his red eye found mine. I could hear him growl, even from here.
I dropped my gun and turned to run. I had barely made it a few strides when I heard an awful whining noise of something charging. I didn't stop.
There was a thunderous noise, a concussive blast throwing me off my feet, and crushing pain followed by nothing.
Optimus POV-
Optimus groaned where he had landed on the asphalt. The human boy- Sam -lay still on his chest plates. Worry wormed its way through him until the boy (because he was just a boy- JUST a BOY) wiggled out from under his protective hand. Brown eyes looked at him, peering through a bloodied and dusty face.
"Sam," Optimus rumbled worriedly. The boy's earlier declaration ran through his processor.
'I'll never let you have the AllSpark!' The boy had very nearly died for it, and Prime couldn't help but feel grateful.
"You risked your life to protect the Cube," he continued softly. The boy's eyes met his, and Optimus could see the seed of understanding and wisdom within them.
"No sacrifice," The boy stood shakily- still clutching the AllSpark. "No victory." The surety of how he said it, that simple phrase, burned into his processor.
"If I cannot defeat Megatron, you MUST push the Cube into my chest," Optimus ordered. "I will sacrifice myself to destroy it." Age beyond his years shown in the brown eyes of the small organic, and Optimus wondered if the boy knew, exactly, what he was asking of him.
"Get behind me!" Optimus set down the boy, and got into a defensive stance, addressing his opponent and buying more time for the remaining humans to clear out of the area.
"It's you and me, Megatron!" The Decepticon leader roared and launched himself at Optimus.
"No, it's just me Prime!"
"At the end of this day, one shall stand-" Optimus could feel the power in his words. No, not HIS words… "-one shall fall!" Megatron snarled and threw him away in disgust.
"You still fight for the weak!" Megatron sneered and shoved him down. "That is why. You. LOSE!" Optimus let out a small grunt as Megatron kicked him in the faceplates. The Prime went flying, his large body crashing down hard. Optimus glanced up in time to catch the eyes a small human femme. She clutched a child to her chest, trying desperately to protect the young being any way she could.
The moment froze, seeming like an eternity. Optimus allowed himself to examine her; his optics tracing the outline of her dark hair to her shaking shoulder. He met her eyes again, vibrant blue meeting glistening grey. He nodded minutely at her and moved. Optimus summoned his battle mask and whipped around catching Megatron by surprise. The enormous duo exchanged more blows until they threw each other way. Sam- the brave, foolish boy- darted between them. Megatron crawled closer to the human, even as Optimus struggled to get up.
"AllSpark! Mine!" The Decepticon Leader's voice was slurred from exhaustion and pain, but it still held enough malice to chill even Optimus' spark. Sam fell back, desperately scooting away. Terror shot through his frame and Optimus tried to reach for the boy.
"Sam! Put the Cube in my chest! NOW!" Optimus watched in horror as something sparked in the boy's eyes and he stood up. "Sam! No, Sam!"
The human boy ducked under Megatron's grasping servos and reached up. Sam gritted his teeth and raised the AllSpark, shoving it into the spark of his former brother. There was a brilliant flash of light, but no noise and no explosion. It was simply… gone.
Sam shakily collapsed next to Megatron's body as it convulsed. Optimus heaved himself to his peds, his entire body creaking with protest. He was vaguely aware of the human soldiers approaching from behind but he gave them no mind as he stared at his fallen enemy.
"You left me no choice, brother," He murmured mournfully. He wouldn't miss the tyrant, but he would miss who Megatron used to be. Where had it all gone wrong? He sighed, stretching to his fullest height, and looked around at the destruction they had wrought. Upturn cars burned in the streets, and bodies of the injured or dead lay around them. It tore at his weary spark.
Optimus turned and knelt so he was face to face with Sam.
"Sam, I owe you my life. We are in your debt." Sam's companion drove up with Lieutenant Bumblebee strapped to the back of her vehicle. His friend was obviously in pain and missing his legs, but the happy bot still shot the human girl a thumbs up. Behind the soldiers, the rest of his small unit lumbered closer.
"Prime," Ironhide's gruff voice was suspiciously hoarse. " Ratchet was able to save him, but…" The black mech cradled the broken frame close to himself. Jazz was a mess, simply put.
His torso was nearly severed from his lower half, and his visor was missing, showing dark optics. He was missing a hand and covered in dents and scratches.
"Oh, Jazz," Optimus murmured. He reached out and gently caressed the injured mech's helm. The large Autobot looked around himself tiredly. "We almost lost a great comrade today, but we have also gained new ones." Optimus nodded at the human soldiers still nervously milling around them. The bot knelt, gravity lacing his tone. "Thank you, all of you. You honor us with your bravery."
Captain Lennox, the soldier that had run beside them and led his men into battle, stared at him with understanding in his eyes.
"Permission to speak, sir," Bumblebee spoke up from his perch, his vocoder spitting out the words painfully.
"Permission granted old friend," Optimus nodded at the yellow Autobot as Sam whipped around to stare at Bumblebee with awe in his eyes.
"You speak now?" Sam blurted excitedly, and Bumblebee nodded at him cheerfully before turning back to address his Prime.
"I wish, to stay with the boy," The words were slow and awkward from him, but they held meaning all the same. Optimus smiled softly.
"If that is his choice." This time, his words were directed at Sam. The boy whipped his head back and forth between them and released a great gust of air.
"Yeah," Sam beamed, nodding vigorously. "Yeah." The bright smile faded from his face, and something akin to horror took its place. He looked around, his eyes fervently searching the crowd. Sam's small voice piped up two words that pierced the hearts of everybody in the vicinity.
"Where's Kat?"