Chapter 19: Clash between Sires

Optimus' optics wandered over the countless vehicons standing high above them, their blasters humming with steady intent if the situation should permit it. Letting his optics then rest on Megatron, Optimus knew for a fact that the Decepticon leader's intentions were far from simple.

There had to be more to the challenge than simply fighting one other bot in a one-on-one showdown to the death. Megatron may be a power hungry tyrant whose pride and ego matched the sheer mass of Cybertron; but still he was no fool. He was a brilliant strategist and knew better than the most the internal workings of a battle field. However, Optimus was not new to his scams and means of trickery.

There HAD to be more to this than what Megatron was initially letting on.

Charging the blaster activated on his right arm, its energy humming with anticipation of an inevitable fight to ensue, Optimus deactivated the shield over his mouth, as so that Megatron could see his lip plates moving. "And if I refuse to fight?"

Waving to the mass of vehicons surrounding the area, Megatron's laugh boomed through the cavern. "What do you think Optimus?! If you so choose not to fight than that only proves that you are a coward. And you and your foolish Autobots with surly die at the hands of my Decepticons."

Clenching his left hand into a fist, Optimus growled loathingly. "And just who is this bot I am being forced to fight?"

Chuckling, Megatron slowly moved away towards a large opening in the cavern, motioning inside with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "Oh I believe you and this mech have met before."

Arching and optic ridge, Optimus couldn't help but feel puzzled. He's fought many mechs in his past, most of which had lost their lives at the end of his blade. Who could Megatron possibly have in his ranks that he's fought before?

Megatron must have somewhat sensed Optimus' bewilderment and found much amusement from it.

"Puzzled Optimus? As you may already know Optimus, I discount you for your actions. Mating with a human…is truly a sick and vile action if there ever was one. But openly accepting human youth as your own offspring?"

Megatron chuckled lowly, letting the repugnance in his words sink in with ever vocal spoken. "But even worse Optimus; taking another male's offspring as your own without so much as allowing the biological sire to give his consent? I thought you to be a more considerate mech then that... "

Furrowing his metallic brows, Optimus suddenly felt uneasy. There was something about Megatron's prattling that was making him feeling very uneasy.

Megatron saw this, and felt giddy over the fact that he knew he was backing Optimus into a corner. Now all he needed to do was wait for the right moment…and strike.

Looking down the long dark tunnel in the cave's wall, Megatron's voice teethed, dripping with intent. "Perhaps now would be as good a time as any for…said sire…to make his peace with your actions?"

Slowly, almost as though to build the feelings in the cavern to a boiling climax, a tall black mech with orange optics and green graphics on his chest and shoulders slowly came into the light looking at everything going on.

The mech's optics immediately met with that of Optimus' and immediately a loathing hatred emanated from the black mech's stare.

Stiffening his own stance, Optimus couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Could it really be? It just wasn't possible…was it?

Cackling with intent and pleasure, Megatron stood beside the mystery mech with his hands resting casually behind his back, looking at the bot with what could only be described as a "toothy" grin. "I take it you have already been introduced to our own Optimus Prime?"

Lowering his gaze, the mech slowly nodded, letting a more than evident growl escape his vocal processor. "Oh yes…we've met."

Looking back down to see the bewilderment in Optimus' optics, Megatron roared in laughter. "Optimus, you look as though you've never seen this mech before in your life. How sad, and here I thought you were always well equipped with placing names with face plates."

Motioning down to Optimus who watching from the sub-level, Megatron grinned. "Remember our wager human. If you defeat Optimus Prime, then I will allow you to take your young and leave this world and continue to live unscathed, and you will also receive quaint compensation for your devotion to the Decepticon cause. Should you fail me, and everything you've worked to achieve will be reduced to a burning pile of ash. Do I make myself clear?"

Bowing his head respectably, the black mech kneeled before Megatron, humbling himself. "Yes, Lord Megatron."

Smiling menacingly, Megatron motioned to Optimus. "As difficult as it is for me, I will allow you the pleasure of taking the life of the bot who ruined you."

Turning to meet the Decepticon overlord's gaze, the mech bowed his head respectively. "Thank you, Lord Megatron."

With a running start, the black lunged off of the platform from which Megatron stood upon.

Hitting the ground hard, the strange, black mech kicked up dirt and debris, fragments that when slowly settled, revealed his kneeling figure. Standing slowly, he stared at Optimus with pure loathing and hatred. "You—."

Hardening his fists and shoulders, the black mech's engine hummed with the evidence of overpowering desire to kill and destroy. Rage and thirst for vengeance glazing over in his optics. "You will pay for everything you've done to me!"

…

The black mech was the first to strike.

His movement where sloppy, hacking-like and full of rage. He was fighting purely out of anger; anger born of failure.

Optimus did nothing to try to strike back. He merely dodged and deflected the blows of the enraged mech chasing him, hammering him down desperately trying to extinguish his spark.

Blocking a blow aimed at the chest, Optimus used the sudden proximity breach to grab the thrashing mech and hold him. "Who are you?! I don't understand, why are you doing this to me?!"

Kicking Optimus back with his stabilizing servo, the black mech hissed and snarled. "What's the matter Optimus?! You don't remember me?!"

Recovering from the blow, Optimus quickly shifted to the right to dodge yet another forceful blow which only landed in the dirt. The mech wielded his hand up and slashed at Optimus over and over again, spitting the words out as he swung. "Don't you remember that night I showed up at Jacklyn's front door?! Don't you remember how I tried to see my kids, but you wouldn't let me?! Don't you remember how you made a FOOL out of me in front of my own SON?!"

Throwing the blade down against Optimus' at the word "son", the mech snarled and spat, shaking from the anger and loathing he was feeling toward the Autobot he now fought.

Staring up at the mech that now rest his blade against his own, Optimus widened his optics slowly. "Clayton Steamstra?"

Grinding his dental plates, the black mech bellowed has he hammered down against Optimus, this time actually leaving a fairly noticeable gash in the Autobot's arm. "So you DO remember me you son-of-a-bitch!"

Again, lashing out in a series of fairly uncoordinated maneuvers, Clay hammered at Optimus' slightly larger frame, hoping to knock him off guard or trip him up on one of the large rocks scattered around the cave floor.

Transforming his arm from a blade into a heavy duty ion cannon, Clay let fly a barrage of weapon fire.

Rolling over to take cover behind a massive boulder, Optimus watched as energon blasts rained down around him, kicking up dust and debris from the cavern floor.

Shaking, and air being pulled heavily through his intakes Clay bellowed looking around the make-shift arena. "Where are you coward?! Come out and fight me like a BOT!"

Optimus knew he could use this environment to his advantage; he knew he could disorient Clay long enough simply by talking and then sneak around to flank him on the right. The cave walls were dome-shaped and would bounce off any noise repercussion. Clay couldn't locate him among the boulders simply by listening for his voice. Not only that but his fighting style was sloppy, uncoordinated, and completely spur of the moment.

Optimus knew for a fact that he could take Clay in this battle. He had more fighting experience than Clay could ever hope to have, and Megatron knew this.

Unfortunately, Megatron also knew that Optimus couldn't offline Clay.

As much as it frustrated Optimus, he couldn't kill Clay. Regardless of his feelings toward the man-turned-machine, he could never live with himself knowing that he intentionally killed the biological father of the children he loved. He wouldn't ever be able to look them in the optics so long as he lived if he did such a thing…and that was what Megatron was counting on.

Optimus knew that if he didn't end this here and now between Clay and himself, then Megatron would surly grow tired of the game and order all Autobots on the premises to be shot. But if he did offline Clay, Megatron would undoubtedly order the strike against Optimus and the other Autobots regardless of the deal he had previously made. Either way the scenario was approached, it was a win/win deal…for Megatron.

Inhaling air through his intakes slowly, Optimus activated his battle mask and spoke. "Clay, why are you doing this?! What could you possibly gain from aligning yourself with the Decepticons?!"

Hearing a blast of energon fire hit one of the boulders across the cavern, Clay screamed. "I'm doing this because you ruined my life! You made my kids hate me; you made me lose my fiancé, my job, MY WHOLE LIFE! My future was resting on the fact that I needed those kids! And YOU took away any chance I had at becoming a success!"

Just then, energon fire blasted yet another boulder to bits, this time, much closer to where Optimus was hiding. Clay looked around, frustration dripping from his clenched dental plates. "Because of you, I lost any chance I had at starting over, starting fresh."

Activating the blaster on his right arm, Optimus sat for a long time simply staring at the fully charged weapon.

Clenching his fist, he cursed himself…there was just no way he could fire on Clay.

Powering the weapon down, Optimus sunk down farther behind the boulder. "It wasn't my fault Clayton that your life seemed to fall down the wrong path. What happened between you and I was simply fate."

Wheeling around, Clay fired yet another barrage of fire on a number of boulders, completely obliterating them to mere pebbles. "FATE?! You think FATE did this to me?! Oh no Optimus, if anyone is going to hold the blame for my short comings…it's YOU!"

Hammering the boulder that Optimus was behind, Clay growled loudly in victory after seeing a flash of red and blue transform into semi truck and barrel toward the other side of the cavern.

Reeling his cannon up, Clay let loose several rounds of fire. "Where do you think you're going?! Come back and FACE ME!"

Fish-tailing around, Optimus transformed in midst of doing a summersault and released several rounds of fire on the cavern wall, just behind where Clay stood.

The Vehicons on the walkway just above the wall scrambled and transformed as to clear the avalanche of falling rock and debris.

A cloud of dust drifted up, completely leaving the entire cavern in a thick smog.

Clay stood on the defensive, cannon at the ready looking around for any evidence of movement.

He could no longer see the crowd of vehicon soldiers hollering and cheering, nor could he see Megatron's watchful optics.

Now, it was only him and Optimus.

"You do not have to do this Clayton."

Wheeling around suddenly, Clay fired into the think smog seeing only the reflection of light off his energon fire fading. Growling Clay looked around bellowing into the haze. "You can't hide from me forever you sorry sack of tin! This dust will settle eventually, and when it does my blade is going straight through your CHEST!"

"Clayton, I never INTENTIONALLY tried to take your children away from you. It just HAPPENED that way. I'm sorry that everything went so wrong for you. Truly I am. But what would your children say if they saw you now, letting your anger get the better of you?"

"SHUT UP!"

Wheeling around in a complete three hundred and sixty degree turn around, Clay let loose yet another large barrage of fire, only cause more dust and debris to be kicked up, further thickening the smog.

"Clayton, what would your children think of you if they saw aligning yourself with the Decepticons? What would they think of you intentionally trying to kill someone JUST to settle a grudge? Clayton we both know that you are better than this! Don't let your anger mask the reality of what is going on! Megatron is just using you! As soon as he gets what he wants he will not hesitate to dispose of you and the children! It's not too late Clayton! You can still make the right choice!"

"I SAID SHUT UP!" Wheeling around yet again, Clay let lose a few blind shots into the cloud of smoke, then he suddenly heard a cry of agony followed by the sound of metal hitting the ground hard.

Following the sound, Clay stopped just beyond Optimus foot, seeing him laying on the ground holding his side, bright blue energon seeping from a wound.

Holding his blaster up, Clay grinned menacingly. "Megatron will undoubtedly reward me well for disposing of you…and I can sleep easy now knowing I settled the score." Letting his cannon power up completely, Clay held it up aiming straight for Optimus' face.

"However…" Just then, his cannon started to power down. Looking up, Optimus was surprised to see Clay staring down at him, his face displeased. "It's not very sporting of me to kill you without you having given me some sort of a fight."

Looking away, Optimus growled. "I will not fight you Clayton. I will not be the one responsible for killing Cole and Kira's biological father."

Turning up his face in disgust, Clay held his cannon up again, letting it resume to full power. "Then I guess this is just the way it has to be."

"NO!"

Getting up suddenly, Optimus pushed the cannon up, forcing Clay to fire at the ceiling of the cavern.

Gripping the cannon with one arm and Clay's arm with the other, Optimus stared at Clay with aggressive optics. "Clayton, I do not want to kill you, but I also cannot allow those children to fall victim to Megatron's tyranny. If I HAVE to take your life and force myself to live with that regret, then it will all be worth it if in turn those children are protected!"

Twisting the cannon over in his hand, Optimus activated his sword and quickly made short work of it by slicing it off from the rest of Clay's frame.

Screaming in furious agony, Clay activated his arm mounted blade and blindly struck at Optimus.

Optimus in turn, shifted his weight so that he was holding Clay from behind only to in turn, tear off his other arm.

Falling to his knees, Clay cried out in sheer agony, screaming from the pain rippling through his receptors. Moving quickly to face Clay from the front, Optimus held his blade up…flush against the muscle cables of Clay's neck.

The two stood still for many long moments before finally; Optimus released air through his intakes, simply staring at Clay.

Kneeling to meet Clay's optics, Optimus spoke slowly…softly. "I'm sorry that it had to end this way Clayton."

Scoffing Clay snarled and spat stray energon in Optimus' face. "I'm sure you are."

With that, and a swift shift of the blade…it was done…

Clay's spark was extinguished.

"Bravo Optimus…"

Looking up, Optimus realized that the dust and debris had no only just cleared enough to allow the Decepticon spectators to finally see the outcome of the fight. Jumping down from his make-shift stone pedestal, Megatron slowly approached, holding his arms out in a crude gesture of 'congratulations'.

"It seems as though you were able to move past your little…need to liberate…and did what simply needed to be done. Perhaps you WOULD have made a fairly decent gladiator in Kaon."

Holding the relic in his hand, and then looking at Optimus with a fiendish smile Megatron shrugged casually. "Too bad you lack some of the other…fine qualities… needed to be a Decepticon. Like the ability to lie and deceive when need be."

Growling, Optimus' shoulders lowered ominously, as did his gaze. "You were never intending on handing over the relic OR letting my Autobots go…where you Megatron? All of this was just a scheme for you to make me suffer through having to take the life of my sparkling's biological sire, wasn't it?!"

Chuckling loudly, Megaton bellowed. "You catch on quickly, don't you Optimus?!"

Turning to address the masses, Megatron teethed with sheer entertainment from the afternoon's events. "Decepticons! Finish them!"

Just then, another barrage of artillery fire rained down, but NOT from the masses of Decepticons stationed around the cavern…but instead, from a Decepticon ship recognized only by the Autobots as being…The Jackhammer…

…

…

…

"For the love of the All Spark, how in the pits of Kaon does Optimus quiet you?!"

Looking down at the fidgeting blue and purple sparkling lying on the berth, Ratchet rested his thumb and index digit on the bridge of his olfactory sensor.

Looking at one another Cole and Kira both decided that they didn't want to be the ones to have to tell Ratchet that when Melody cried and screamed like this that it was either because she wanted energon, or just wanted to be held. Not to say that they didn't TRY to tell him that, it's just that they quickly learned that you don't tell Ratchet what to do because he's a medic…whatever it is that needs to be done, he already knows how to do.

Watching Ratchet for a long time, and then looking to Cole, Kira leaned over and whispered. "Do you think we should say something before Ratchet gets mad and throws something?"

Shaking his head, Cole screwed up his face plates, obviously opposed to the idea. "Are you kidding? I don't want to be the one to tell him he's doing it wrong. Otherwise he's going to be throwing things at me!"

Scowling Kira huffed looking at Melody, who was still fidgeting on the berth just behind where Ratchet was standing. "Well we have to do something! Little Melody needs something, and she sounds really unhappy about it."

Shrugging as he turned to Kira, Cole nodded sympathetically. "I know that, but Ratchet INSISTS that he knows what he's doing. He won't even let us near Melody. So how are we supposed to help her if we can't get anywhere near her?"

Turning away with her bottom lip plates jutted out, Kira scowled. "I don't know. But there has to be something we can do! We know what's wrong with her; we just have to get Dr. Grumps-A-Lot out of the way so that we can do something!"

Kneeling down closer to Kira, Cole smiled intently. "What did you have in mind?"

Leaning over to Cole, Kira quickly whispered something into his audio receptor then pulled away to make sure Ratchet wasn't watching before she finished what she was saying.

Raising an uneasy optic ridge of Kira, Cole huffed. "What makes you think something like that will even work?"

Glancing over her shoulder at the medic who now resorted to scanning the screaming sparkling, grinned and looked at her brother, her optics full of mischievous intent. "If it's Ratchet who we're doing it to…then it has to work."

…

…

"Why do I have to be the one to break it?!"

Holding the massive pipe wrench in her tiny, petite digits, Kira stared up blankly at Cole who was carefully surveying the scene. "I can barely hold this stupid thing let along swing it around to break a pipe!"

Looking down at Kira, Cole huffed shaking his head. "Hey, this was your idea! So since it was your idea, YOU have to break the pipe!"

Lifting the wrench so that it was resting in both of her arms, Kira whined. "Cole, it's too heavy! I can't swing it!" Handing it over to Cole, she huffed. "Here, you do it and I'll take the blame for it."

Groaning, Cole heaved the wrench up so that it was resting snugly on his shoulder. "Now, you're absolutely sure that this plan is going to work?"

Smiling, Kira gave the thumbs up and a wink. "Of course it will work, as soon as Ratchet see's the mess, he'll HAVE to leave Melody and come fix it. Once he leaves, you can get Melody and get her what she needs!"

Groaning Cole rolled his shoulders and looked at the pipe in front of him with skeptical optics. "Now, you're SURE that this is a water pipe and not something important like, I don't know, a main energon fuel line for the ground bridge, right?"

Shrugging, Kira huffed with a high squeak. "How should I know?! I'm only seven, remember?!"

Grumbling out loud, Cole wound up his arms getting ready to strike. "Okay, stand back! I'm gonna bust this thing wide open!"

Just then with as much force as he could muster, Cole struck the pipe.

Nothing happened.

Staring at it for a moment in disbelief Cole remained silent. "What the heck? Not even a scratch?! But I hit the pipe as hard as I could?!"

Leaning forward slightly with her hands behind her back, Kira nodded and looked at Cole smiling. "Why was I supposed to stand back again?"

Snarling, Cole pushed Kira's face away and huffed. "Shut up and get back. I'm gonna try again."

"What do you two think you're doing with my pipe wrench?"

Wheeling around suddenly, Cole did the instinctive thing and immediately hid the pipe wrench behind his back, knowing all too well to whom the voice that just spoke belonged to.

Staring up and smiling sheepishly, Cole and Kira spoke slowly, steadily and in unison. "Hello Ratchet."

With a now content and happy sparkling nestled in the crook of his arm, Ratchet stared at the too younglings with dangerously skeptical optics. "Let me ask you again. What do you two think you're doing with my pipe wrench?"

Looking around, Cole swallowed the lingering energon in his mouth and smiled sheepishly. "W-What pipe wrench?"

Lowering his gaze to that of one of un-amused intent, Ratchet huffed. "The one you're so desperately trying to hide behind your back."

Pulling it out, Cole acted as if he was suddenly shocked and mortified to find Ratchet's pipe wrench in his grasp. "What?! H-How did this thing get here?! I swear Ratchet, I have no idea how this got here. One minute me and Kira were sitting here minding our own business, the next you know, you came up and BOOM! Here's the pipe wrench!"

Looking up Kira nodded, trying desperately to make the far-fetched tale seem more credible. "It's true Ratchet! I think we might have ghosts on base who think it's funny to take your stuff and then give it to us!"

With the same lingering un-amused glance, Ratchet scowled and pointed in the direction of the main terminal. "Both of you get your small Cybertronian skid plates BACK to the main hanger before I drag them there myself."

Watching Ratchet as they rounded him and started moving towards the main terminal, Cole looked at Kira and scowled. "This is all your fault you know."

Scowling back, Kira stuck out her glossa and then growled. "Hey, my plan was perfect! If you would have just hit the pipe harder and broke it on the first try, we wouldn't be in this mess."

Walking right behind the two, hearing every word they said, Ratchet huffed. "If both of you would have done as you were told and stayed out of trouble, you wouldn't be in this mess! I swear; if you'd tell any bot who didn't know you two better that your sire was Optimus Prime, they would have to chain you up and shoot you into empty space for plain having gone mad."

Looking up Kira huffed putting her hands on her hips. "What's that supposed to mean?!"
Watching Kira out of the corner of his optics, and then looking up at Ratchet, Cole sighed. "He means that if anyone was told that we were the kids of a Prime, that they wouldn't believe us because of the way we behave."

Squawking, Kira whined. "We behave good! We just sometimes get a little too rowdy that's all."

Scoffing gently, Ratchet carefully placed Melody back on the berth as they came into the main terminal. "That's putting it mildly…"

Staring up at Ratchet, Kira huffed. "Ratchet, why do you gotta be so mean?"

Shrugging, Ratchet moved back towards the main communications monitor. "I'm a medic; I'm not required to be nice."

Sitting up on the berth taking Melody into his arms, Cole huffed. "But I thought doctors were supposed to have good bedside manners?"

Looking over his shoulder, Ratchet smirked at the trio, now sitting side by side, with the exception of Melody who was sitting contently in Cole's lap. "Not this medic."

Looking at one another, Kira sighed loudly and fell backwards laying sprawled out on the berth. "Ratchet I am super bored! When is daddy and the other Autobots coming back home?"

Looking at the monitor, Ratchet shrugged. "They are currently in a subterranean environment, and a signal cannot penetrate the cave walls that surround the Decepticon space bridge."

Sitting up Kira growled. "That doesn't answer my question Dr. Grumps-A-Lot."

Suddenly standing up straight, Ratchet cranked himself around sharply to glare at Kira. "What did you call me sparkling?!"

Watching Ratchet with wide optics, Kira realized she made the one mistake that no living bot on the Autobot should make. Never…no matter what…call Ratchet names when in immediate proximity of him. ESPECIALLY little pet names that mocked his title of residential medic.

Quickly jumping off the berth, Kira screamed making a beeline for their quarters with Ratchet hot on her tail with his infamous wrench of doom.

"DR. GRUMPS-A-LOT?! LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE SCRAPLET, I'LL TEACH YOU TO CALL ME ANYTHING BUT MY NAME! YOUR SKID PLATES WILL BE SO SORE BY TIME I'M FINISHED WITH YOU THAT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SIT ON THEM FOR AN ENTIRE SOLAR CYCLE!"

Cringing at the thought of Ratchet's threat, Cole flinched after hearing the sudden crash of metal on metal and Kira's pleading cries for mercy against the medic's wrathful hand.

Shaking his head, Cole sighed looking down at Melody who was staring up at him with concerned optics. Laughing sheepishly he shrugged. "You'd think she'd learn after the first seven times…"

…

…

…

The battle was fierce.

Megatron had tried to make a retreat with the relic in his possession, but Optimus couldn't allow such an action to take place. All Autobots were busy fighting the multitude of Decepticons that had previously been distracted after Wheeljack's surprising arrival.

It turned out that Wheeljack had been watching said space bridge location for quite some time, and JUST SO HAPPENED to stumble upon the little "party" taking place.

As he put it, he felt a little left out at not being invited so he decided to crash the festivities instead.

A multitude of weapon fire and mêlée combat was raining out in sounds of clashing and scraping metal from almost every crease of the cavern.

Slamming his blade down against Megatron's Optimus growled. "You know I cannot let you leave with that relic, Megatron. I would as soon give my own spark then allow more innocent beings to fall under your tyranny."

Laughing, Megatron shoved Optimus aside, bringing his sword around a number of times, trying to get a hit onto Optimus' frame. "Strong words Optimus, but your intentions are futile. Once I'm through with you, this and every other world will be mine for the taking!"

Blocking a heavy blow from above, Optimus snarled. "Not while I still function Megatron!"

Activating a blaster in place of the blade that had been on his right hand, Optimus opened heavy fire onto Megatron, to whom steadily deflected with his sword.

Pulling his sword back into his arm, Megatron roared as he charged at Optimus, tackling him over the edge upon which they had been fighting, falling together several feel into the sub level of the cave; in the process, dropping the relic on the ledge they had previously been fighting on.

Both rising quickly, Megatron pulled air into his intakes slowly, watching Optimus with extreme revulsion. Optimus' gaze was mutual.

Straightening his stance, Megatron cracked his neck muscles and snarled. "You never grow tired of sabotaging my plans, do you Optimus?"

Rolling his shoulders in response, Optimus simply huffed. "Not if your plans ultimately lead to sentient beings losing their right to freedom."

Growling ominously in both frustration toward Optimus and the series of event to pass, Megatron clenched a fist raising it o his chest. "This will be the last time YOU or ANY Autobot gets in my way!"

Bursting into a full sprint, Megatron hammered into Optimus, trying hard to knock him off balance. Thus doing so, activating his sword again, Megatron ripped into Optimus' abdominal armor, fairly close to where Clay had earlier shot him.

The pain rippled through Optimus like fire as the energon around the wound grew hot. Ignoring it to the best he was capable, he too activated his sword and continued to deflect Megatron's powerful blows while also trying to lay a few deadly strikes himself.

The switch from sword to fist against fist mêlée was intense and prolonged. There had been a number of times where the odds had shifted from one warrior to the other, but both just seemed to not have it in them to quit.

Blocking a swipe intended to injure him in the abdomen again; Optimus looked at Megatron and growled.

Laughing Megatron held the pressure of his blade against Optimus' and smirked. "To think but only a few short years ago, you and I were fighting a much similar battle like this for the exact same relic now in MY possession. Too bad said relic isn't here to save you by sending you to an alternate universe...again."

Using his other hand to hold his blade steady, Optimus looked up with a shadow draped over his burning blue optics. "I don't need the relic to defeat you Megatron; you've already sealed your own fate."

"OPTIMUS!"

Looking from the bottom of the cavern, both Megatron and Optimus gazed up to see Smokescreen, with the relic in his hand.

"WHAT?!" Widening his optics in anger and disbelief, it was only then that Megatron realized he had indeed dropped the relic before plummeting down to the sublevel he was no on.

Using this distraction to his advantage, Optimus with all the strength he could muster, punched Megatron into the cavern wall opposite of where he was standing, then shot into a sprint before jumping to scale the wall as quickly as possible.

With a loud growling bellow of anger, Megatron quickly recovered and began to open fire on both Optimus and the Autobots that now stood together on the upper level above him.

Activating their own blasters, the Autobots present opened a heavy barrage on the stone arch just above Megatron, shattering it causing it to crumble down in an avalanche of rock and debris…right on top of Megatron. However in doing so, the sudden stability of the cavern was compromised and the walls and ceiling themselves started to break and crack.

Grabbing Optimus' hand as he came up over the edge, Bulkhead quickly activated his comm. link. "Ratchet, we need a ground bridge ASAP!"

Just then the bright blue flash of a ground bridge vortex illuminated the dark collapsing cavern.

Looking to Wheeljack, who was running in the opposite direction, Bulkhead practically screamed over the sound of the falling boulders. "Wheeljack, what are you doing?! The ground bridge is right here!"

Yelling over his shoulder, Wheeljack called. "I aint leaving the Jackhammer behind Bulk!"

Pushing Bulkhead, Arcee called. "He'll be alright Bulkhead, but we need to go before we get buried."

Nodding, Bulkhead helped Optimus who was limping through the ground bridge portal right after Arcee, Bumblebee and Smokescreen, all to whom already went through.

Mere seconds after entering the ground bridge, the entire cave's cavern collapsed in on itself kicking up dirt and debris that probably could have been seen from five miles in the sky.

Then everything fell silent.

…