Prompt: Song "Humbling River" by Puscifer
Chapter summary: "The sounds of the battle were drawing closer again; a nearby building evaporated in a deafening explosion, and the fusion cannon began to shake."

Can't Cross This River

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I've conquered country, crown, and throne
Why can't I cross this river?

"The Humbling River" by Puscifer

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The Autobot skittered several paces across the floor, metal screeching over metal. For some astroseconds he struggled to get up again, but the feeble attempt remained fruitless, and he sank back with a groan, finally staying down where he belonged.

Panting through wide-open vents, Megatron assessed the situation. The Autobots were still putting up a decent fight, but Starscream and his Seekers had gained air superiority and were beginning to scatter the enemy forces all over the city area.

Retracting his blades, Megatron stepped forward to get a better look at his adversary. The Autobot had managed to prop himself up on one elbow, energon and sparks of electricity leaking from several deep wounds.

Megatron dropped to one knee and grabbed the other mech by the throat, fingers viciously clamping down onto one of the main fuel lines. The sound the other produces as he was pulled up was somewhere between a gagging and a moan, but Megatron didn't stop until their faceplates were almost close enough to touch.

"Your martial arts have improved," he said.

The Prime's optics flickered. "I will take that as a compliment," he whispered roughly.

Hindered by the facemask, Megatron couldn't see if the other was smiling, but he sensed a hint of amusement in Optimus' field, and tinged with bitterness as it was, it still irked the Pit out of him. His fusion cannon came to life with a click-whirr, and the next moment he had the barrel pressed point-blank against the Prime's head.

"Too bad," he purred, "that it won't save you."

Optimus went limp in his grip. The initial spike of stressfeardefiance in his field evened out almost immediately, replaced by a sad resignation interspersed with regret. He did not speak, nor did he try to defend himself.

Their frames pressed so close, Megatron sensed the gentle vibrations from the Prime's inner workings. Drafts of warm air graced his faceplates, and even through both their chest plates he could discern the spinning of a familiar spark.

Shoot, you fool!

The red 'Fire' button on his HUD blinked obnoxiously, but he kept staring into the blue optics beneath him. The sounds of the battle were drawing closer again; a nearby building evaporated in a deafening explosion, and the fusion cannon began to shake.

Consumed by a sudden, blinding rage, Megatron shoved the Prime back down, jumped to his feet, and then he shot shot shot until there was no charge left in his weapon systems.

The dust settled painfully slow, and when it finally did, Optimus peered up at him from amidst a field of smoking craters.

"Get out of my city, Prime," Megatron growled.

Optimus struggled to his feet. A long moment passed with them staring at each other, blue optics against red ones. Then Optimus turned and started to limp back into the fray.

The nearby wall cracked ominously under the impact of a black fist as Megatron's roar of anger rose up to the smoke-blackened night sky.

*Fin*

Word count: 497
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