Chapter Sixteen
Starscream and Megatron went into a head-over-heels tumble, taking them past Veris and almost to the remains of the base. There wasn't much either could do. Between the somersaulting roll and their grip on each other, they were reduced to a rather primitive catfight. For once, Veris had a slightly amused expression on his face. Starscream had bought them the few moments they needed to work a miracle.
At the same moment that the two Decepticons came to a halt, Barricade, Blackout, an the other Seekers attacked Megatron, pulling him off of Starscream and hauling him backward away from the Seeker. The Decepticon leader was cursing up a storm, but none of the grim-faced mechs backed away from his threats.
Veris took off, racing for the fallen building with every intent to help his comrades find their youngling. Ironhide and Jazz had forced their way back to Optimus's side and all three were now advancing on Megatron, not intending to interfere, but willing to do so if it would rid them of Megatron.
None of them made it.
A brilliant violet light pulsed from the building, freezing all the mechs in place with its power. It only pulsed for a second. When it dimmed, Rae was standing just outside the ruins of the base, glowing with the power of the AllSpark. The cube, now roughly about ten inches square, hovered just above her hands and cupped gently against her chest like a child. Case's optics widened in shocked comprehension.
Rae's grey eyes burned as she surveyed the battling mechs. "This has gone on long enough." she hissed, her voice sounding deeper and much more mature that it should have. Prime tensed, suspicion of what Case already knew beginning to crawl through his CPU.
The human was channeling the AllSpark.
She walked forward, pausing every few moments in obvious pain. Her broken arm was visible to all, but no one could see any internal damage just yet. All that was clear was that the AllSpark was making its presence known through a broken organic vessel. It was a slap in the face to the mechs who thought only they could control it, and a double-edged sword to the Neutrals who had raised Rae. They had done their job too well, it seemed.
Rae scowled at the mechs. "All this time, and you've exiled your allies and killed your brothers." Her voice was changing even as she spoke, shifting towards her own voice that still held a hint of metal in it. Like a Transformer. "Is there anything worth fighting for anymore? Even your homeland is destroyed! I made you to be brothers and yet you kill each other to control me! It ends now. This is ENOUGH!"
The power flared, and suddenly Megatron crumpled to the ground, his spark extinguished by the AllSpark's power. Rae turned to Starscream. "You are now the rightful leader of the Decepticon faction." she said quietly. "For showing this youngling kindness and desiring her safety above yours." Starscream nodded, taking the compliment in stride. This was not Rae speaking at all. Besides, if he was honest with himself, it was true.
Rae smiled at him and turned her focus to Optimus. "Optimus Prime. How I hoped that you and Megatron would unite the Transformers under your joint rule. I was mistaken."
Surprising all, Prime spoke. "I felt the need to counterbalance my brother's actions." he said quietly. "Megatron became a danger to all."
The AllSpark nodded. "As did you." Prime looked startled. "Did you think your actions against Veris were for the good of the Transformers? He prevented you from making a grievous mistake, and you punished him for it." She sighed and shook her head. "You must promise me something, Optimus Prime. You must promise that you will work with Starscream to end the fighting between the Decepticons and the Autobots. Will you do that?"
Prime glanced at Starscream, at the dead mech who had once been his brother, and finally at the mechs who surrounded him. He knew of his own desires, that he would kill himself if it meant the end of the war. He nodded. "I will."
The AllSpark graced him with a smile and turned around, disregarding the others in favor of Barricade, Ironhide, and Jazz. A pale indigo light surrounded them, and in an instant their wounds were healed. At their confused looks, she flashed them a grin. "A favor to Rae. And now it is time to go home."
The aura of power faded, and Rae's eyes closed as her body went limp, the AllSpark falling from her hands. Harbinger jumped forward and grabbed her before she hit the ground, carefully cradling the injured girl to her chest. Anger and pain shone from his optics as he surveyed everyone on the field. No words were spoken, but Prime knew the former Decepticon laid the blame on Prime's shoulders.
Veris walked up behind Harbinger and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's time to go home." he said quietly. Looking around, Veris watched as his fellow Transformers gathered around him, Case now holding the small AllSpark cube. "Roll out."
Instantly they all transformed and rode off, Veris waiting until Harbinger had transformed into alt mode before lightly setting Rae into his cab and watching him take off, careful not to jostle his precious cargo. Veris was about to follow suit, but Jazz stopped him.
"You'll let us know how she is, right?"
He hesitated. "You have my word."
A few minutes later he was gone, and it was as if they were never there at all.
/---/
AN: A bit short, but this is pretty much it. There's one more chapter left.
Be honest – who saw that coming? (grins)
