We Built This City
Egypt...
With the majestic Pyramids in the background, two forces of sworn adversaries struggled in mortal combat. The Maximal known as JawBreaker, a close-combat specialist, wrestled with his Predacon opponent, Retrax, a disturbed warrior who specialized in desert demolitions. "Looks like it's you and me, ugly!" JawBreaker shouted at his unattractive opponent. He activated his magnetic field generator, located between his shoulders, and began drawing Retrax towards his deadly spinning deltoid blade. "Good for me, bad for you!"
"Why take the slow approach, Maximal?" Retrax snorted while fighting to remain fixated a few meters away. "Let me speed things up a bit!" He tucked his body into a ball and began speeding towards JawBreaker with the intent of sudden impact. The act caught JawBreaker off guard, and sent him crashing to the ground.
Autobot communications officer, Blaster, traded blows with an unfamiliar Vehicon, Blast Charge, who was a superb soldier no matter the location of the fight. The Vehicon had a definite advantage in strength, and easily tossed the larger Autobot around. Never one to back down, Blaster kept looking for a proper opening to attempt a comeback.
But perhaps the most intense battle was being waged by two sub-groups of different realities. The Constructicons, possibly the most legendary combiner unit ever brought online, unloaded their firepower against the Build Team, a well-rounded collection of Autobots from an alternate universe.
Collectively known as the Build Team, the four Autobots serving under Fire Engine Prime were led by a reckless yet protective being known as Wedge. Seasoned veterans Grimlock and Hightower stuck close to their eager commander, trying as always to ensure his survival. The final member of Build Team, Heavy Load, was the backbone of the team. He had incredibly thick armor and had been declared the strongest Autobot on the team. Aside from having virtually no fears, Heavy Load was also the most skilled martial artist to have a dump truck for an alt-mode!
"You're outnumbered, Autobots," Scrapper yelled, "Make it easy on yourselves and give it up!" He lunged at Build Team member Wedge, knocking him down hard to the sand covered ground. His hands reached down and wrapped around Wedge's neck, squeezing with all his might. A few more seconds, and Wedge's cerebral circuits would have been damaged beyond repair. The only thing that saved him was a well-timed laser blast from fellow teammate Hightower. Scrapper released his hold on the young Autobot and redirected his attention. "You're going to die, and deep down you know it!" Constructicons Hook and Bonecrusher ran and tackled Hightower, knocking his weapon from his hand upon impact. Scavenger, Long Haul, and Mixmaster traded blows with the other two Build Team members, Heavy Load and Grimlock.
The Constructicons were comprised of six devious, intelligent, and under-handed warriors that took pride in their talents and frowned upon failure of any sort. Each had an established role in building various projects, from space-bridges to energy plants. Their most impressive feat occurred each and every time they formed the walking tower of doom known as Devastator. "They don't seem so tough to me," Heavy Load shouted after connecting with a strong thrust kick to the side of Mixmaster's head. "I think these guys are heavily overrated!"
A few hundred meters away, it appeared JawBreaker had gotten the edge over Retrax and was ready to end it. Moments before his spinning deltoid sword sent the Predacon into the void, JawBreaker's attention was diverted as he turned to witness commotion coming from the two sub-groups. Seeing an opportunity arise, the nearly defeated Retrax got to his feet and tossed the Maximal a short distance away. At that moment, Blast Charge had managed to down Blaster temporarily and noticed JawBreaker in the distance. The Vehicon launched a plasma ultra rocket, his target being the aggressive Maximal. It was a direct hit that served two purposes; one being it saved Retrax's life, the other being it ended JawBreaker's.
A fit of rage overtook Blaster, and he quickly resumed his one on one battle with Blast Charge. But with Retrax now without an immediate opponent, he joined in on the battle and Blaster found himself on the losing end. "You have a lot of fight in you, Autobot," Retrax mocked. "Too bad it isn't going to do you any good." A hard punch to Blaster's head sent him reeling backwards, staggering until he lost his balance and fell.
"You haven't won yet!" Blaster cried out. As he tried to regain his strength, Retrax and Blast Charge each approached him and grabbed an arm. They held him in place, and forced him to watch from the sidelines.
"Really?" Blast Charge laughed, "Can you be so sure?" As the Predacon and Vehicon continued to chuckle, Blaster's optics witnessed a beating unlike any he had ever seen. Instead of watching a gang fight, he now viewed one giant destroying another giant. The Build Team had merged into the massive tower of power known as Landfill, but was unable to gain an advantage over Devastator, the combined form of the Constructicons. Despite being in Cyclone Mode, which traditionally had allowed Landfill to overpower any foe, it did little to help in his current struggle. As individuals, the Build Team had a fighting chance to pull out a victory. But their combined form was no match for the Decepticon giant.
The might of Devastator was simply too much, even for the awesome strength of the Build Team combiner, or gestalt as they were also known as. "Prepare for destruction," Devastator roared, his tone deep with confidence. The green monster raised Landfill high above his head, as though showing him to some unseen gods, then slammed him down across his knee. The force broke Landfill in half, severing the shared power link and resulting in each individual expiring. "Obstacle removed."
Blaster contemplated making a last ditch effort to escape, a mad dash at perhaps surviving this ordeal. The odds were anything but in his favor. Instead, he silently accepted what was to come. With each step Devastator took in his direction, his optics dimmed. His thoughts drifted back to a few hours prior, and in Devastator's place, now stood a lone tree. Its branches were swaying back and forth, an indication of what his human friends... of what his friends... referred to as a slight breeze. As Blast Charge and Retrax stepped aside and let the Constructicon juggernaut finish Blaster off, a final image flashed in Blaster's memory banks. It was of him and Jazz, trying to learn how to do the human dance known as "The Robot". Seconds before he was destroyed, one last smile fell across his face.
end of chapter 20