Stuff's about to go down! D:
Chapter 16
The six Autobots had successfully taken back the Omega Keys and gotten away from the Decepticons. Having been able to retreat quickly and leave Megatron with few soldiers, they felt it safe enough to continue in robot mode without the need to keep driving, so transforming they continued on their way.
"Our head-start won't last long," Arcee reminded them, knowing Megatron would be sure to call in for reinforcements.
Smokescreen looked over at the others, "So this is the place where Alpha Trion said we'd find it, right?"
"These are the coordinates," confirmed Bulkhead.
Violetwind hung back at the rear as they walked, her helm hanging in shame at her behaviour during the battle. Sure Bumblebee had helped her, but it did not make her feel any better knowing that energon had been spilt around her and some of it by her own hand. The femme considered asking to not be involved in anything further that required fighting. She had no taste for it.
"Hey, you're looking a bit lonely back here," Smokescreen cheerfully broke into her thoughts.
Glancing at him briefly, the femme's optics returned to studying the ground in front of her as she walked, replying distantly, "Oh, um, I'm fine..."
"That doesn't sound fine. Something on your mind?" he prodded. When she did not respond he went on to poke her side.
"Hey!" she cried out, sending him a glare.
"Seriously, what's got you so touchy?"
She sighed, looking back at the rusted metal ground. "That was- that was the first time I've really attacked something. I didn't like it... I don't want to fight any more..."
The mech's optics softened. "Vi... I know it's not the nicest of things but we are doing this for a reason."
"I know that," she said quickly. "The Decepticons... They only want to control; rule over others with their heavy handed tactics. I just... Maybe my memory loss has just made me soft... Forgetting the hardness of who I once was..."
"Hey, you're not soft. You went after Starscream. Alone. That's not something just anyone would do," he tried to console her.
"That's different! I wanted answers. I wasn't out to kill him. I wasn't- I never really felt like I was in a war..." she glanced over at the mech, "I wasn't thinking wisely at the time either... The voice in my head and my dreams... They had been getting to me. There's just so much I don't understand even about myself..."
Smokescreen was silent, unsure of what to actually say. He could tell she needed support but was inexperienced on how to give it. Slowly he spoke, trying to come up with something as he went, "Violet... I don't think you should worry so much about that. I'm sure you'll get your answers eventually... Focus on what you do know, like your training and uh, your resilience and... your pleasant personality. Like, be glad your not like grumpy old Ratchet!"
The femme smiled, feeling a little better knowing that he was trying. "Thanks, Smokescreen. You're a good friend, even if your advice somehow manages to add 'not being like Ratchet' into it." She chuckled softly in amusement.
"There now, we have a smile, and more like the Violetwind we all know and love. And yes we should all be glad you're not like him. I'm not sure we could handle having another around, one Ratchet is plenty," he grinned, a jesting twinkle in his optics.
"Well, I don't think that Ratchet's as bad as he wants everyone to think," the femme replied, defending the old medic.
"Maybe, but you know, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt for him to act a bit more friendly."
"That's true."
Their conversation was brought to an abrupt close when Arcee's voice came from up ahead, "Is this it?"
"It doesn't look like much," Bulkhead commented with a lack of enthusiasm towards the object he was gazing upon.
The pair of stragglers quickly caught up to look at the unassuming mechanic object the others were focused on. Running her gaze over the object, Violetwind had to agree with the green mech. It did not look like much at all, just a sort of boxy metallic thing coming up to her chest.
Lifting a hand to the side of his helm, Optimus commed back to base to give their medic an update, "Ratchet, we have located the Omega Lock."
A deep sigh of relief could be heard from the other side. ::At last...:: he muttered, before the comm clicked off.
The Prime went on to address those present, "According to Alpha Trion, the Omega Lock is a conduit to the very All Spark itself..."
Stepping up to the mech, Smokescreen held out the Omega Key, "Optimus, an honour like this, it shouldn't belong to me."
Before he could even respond, the key began to glow, soon followed by the others. The bots stared at each of the white glowing objects in surprise. To further shock them the lock itself started to glow. Lines of this power spread around from the Omega Lock, the Autobots all taking steps backward as they beheld the sight before them with wide optics.
The glowing pattern spread out on the ground around them. Reaching out, they activated something underneath the surface. The ground itself began to transform, four large pillars growing out of it. Expanding upward these massive pillars reached into the sky at a size that was absolutely enormous even for the Autobots. At the tops of the pillars, they extended out to attach to one another. Upon linking up, a blue glowing liquid like substance appeared, floating above them in the Omega Lock's circle, ripples shimmering across its surface.
Team Prime were overwhelmed with awe at what had occurred before them. Not one of them said a word as they simply let their optics wander over the structure in amazement.
However, they did not get the chance to marvel for long. The sound of a jet reached their audios, which could only mean one thing. Megatron. Turning towards the sound, Optimus grabbed the Star Saber from his back. Running forward they prepared themselves to defend the lock from the Decepticon leader.
Swooping down in an acrobatic display, Megatron transformed to land some distance in front of them. A malicious grin showed off his sharp teeth as he stood tall. "Autobots," he addressed the group, "I suggest you put a halt to your task and hand over the keys."
"And why would we do that?" challenged Smokescreen.
The silver mech did not answer, instead a space bridge opened up behind him. Out stepped Starscream, Soundwave and Knockout each carrying a large glass container. Held captive inside these containers were their three human companions, much to all the Autobots dismay.
Finally having acquired his bargaining chips, Megatron answered the rookie's question, his voice threatening, "So that I may hand over the humans."
Optimus' optics narrowed into a glare at his enemy as he tightened his grip on the Star Saber. "And if we refuse?"
Calmly striding over, the Decepticon grinned having eagerly anticipated this question. "Then I will have no choice but to open the pods, exposing your pets to Cybertron's toxic atmosphere." By now Megatron had walked right up in front of Optimus, getting right up in the other mech's face, "And then we can all watch them instantly perish, together..."
Kicking fruitlessly at the glass of her prison, Miko lamented, "Not how I wanted to spend my first trip to Cybertron..."
"He wouldn't really do that, would he?" whispered Violetwind worriedly sharing a glance with Smokescreen.
The mech dipped his head in a slight nod, knowing that Megatron would and have no qualms about doing so either.
Having heard her, the Decepticon looked down at the purple femme standing to the right of Optimus and slightly behind the mech. His harsh red optics sent a chill through her as she stared back with her fearful blue ones.
"Shame about those Immolilizer bombs not working, what did you leave out of them my dear?"
"I-I- th-they were the failed prototypes..." she stammered, recalling what her voice had said during the incident earlier.
"I see..." He grinned, leaning back, "You still have some deviousness in you. Perhaps I should offer you the chance to rejoin the Decepticons once again?"
Swallowing her fear she spoke up as bravely as she could, only the slightest waiver in her voice, "I will never join the Decepticons. I will never work under you or help you build any of your stupid weapons! Under Optimus Prime and with the Autobots is where I belong!" Her optics shone with a ferocity she had not felt before but she knew to be aided by her inner voice, which she silently thanked.
Megatron only chuckled in amusement. "A shame, really. You would have made such a fine Decepticon. But if that is what you wish, then know this: You will not last. You and your little Autobots have lost."
"Are you finished, Megatron?" Optimus growled, not pleased with the silver mech's harassment of one of his team.
Stepping back he grinned maliciously, letting out a simple call to rattle his enemies. "Starscream..."
The seeker lifted his pod to grin at it's occupant. "Jaaack," he sang, "time to come out and plaaay." Using his sharp fingers, Starscream scraped them across the surface causing a horrible shrieking noise.
Jack winced in the pain the sound caused to his ears but as it stopped he turned to glare up at the seeker with defiance. "Go ahead," he told his captor firmly, "The Autobots were prepared to sacrifice themselves for my planet. I'll do the same for theirs."
"Me too, creepy!" Miko glared at Knock Out as he held her own pod.
Raf was less outspoken compared to his friends but he too muttered a 'mhmm' and a glance at Soundwave. The younger boy was much more afraid compared his friends and not as bold.
Looking back at Optimus, Megatron smiled, "Perhaps we should oblige them?"
The red and blue mech knew he could not and would not risk the lives of their human friends. The restoration of their planet would not start the way it previously ended: with death. "If my decision dooms the future of the Autobot cause on Cybertron, so be it. But I will never forsake our human allies," he declared. Lifting his Star Saber, Prime stabbed it into the ground, stepping backward to stand more in line with his fellow bots.
Arcee made an angry grunt as she removed the Apex Armour. She then proceeded to toss the circular plating over to the Decepticons. The two wheeler felt a rage within her boiling up towards them for having kidnapped her partner. They would pay for what they had done.
Bumblebee made a displeased whir as he too tossed over his item, the polarity gauntlet, not willing to do anything which might see Raf harmed.
Smokescreen followed suit, removing his favoured phased shifter and adding it to the pile.
Looking at the Immobilizer in her hand, Violetwind considered using it on the Deceptions. It would be such a simple motion to accomplish. A mix of emotions swam through her but ultimately she knew the risk would be too great. If anything were to go wrong and something happen to the three humans because of her she would never be able to live with herself. So with a sigh of defeat, the femme also threw over her device.
The human children had their hands pressed against the glass, watching in horror as their Autobot friends gave up their weapons because of them. Yet there was nothing they could do about it. Their enemies held all the cards.
The Decepticons on the other hand, looked on in triumph. How easy it was to get the Autobots to see reason when their little human friends were threatened.
"Now if you'll please," Megatron extended a hand, "The Omega Keys. One at a time."
Knock Out walked forward first, holding up his tube with Miko inside. "You first, big boy." He taunted the mech and gestured for him to come closer with his finger.
The girl's guardian glanced down at the key in his hand, knowing that he had to give it up. Miko meant too much to him, but it also meant giving up the restoration of Cybertron to the Decepticons. Glancing to his left, he shared a worried look with Smokescreen, though this only lasted a moment before he looked up to Optimus. The leader gave Bulkhead the nod to go ahead, receiving a nod in reply from the green mech.
Slowly walking forward, he met Knock Out and narrowed his optics in a glare. "If I don't get the girl, I'll make you eat this key," Bulkhead growled, slamming the key into the red mech's hand.
The medic grinned smugly, "You're welcome." He handed over the pod containing Miko, earning a low grumble from the bot.
"Get scrapped!" the girl yelled at the Decepticon as they returned to the other Autobots.
Bumblebee was the next to go up, glaring and beeping angrily at Soundwave as he approached and handed over the key. Taking Raf, he looked down at the boy, whirring with concern, 'Are you alright, Raf?'
The pre-teen smiled up at the yellow mech, feeling much more confident now that he was in safer hands. "I'm fine, Bee."
Optimus let out a deep vent as he glared at Megatron, the silver mech staring back at him a smirk easily slipping onto his face.
He turned to look over his shoulder at the final human to be traded over. "If this human was important enough to entrust with the matrix of leadership, he's worth two Omega Keys."
The Autobots were all looking at their leader expectantly. Without any other options, the red and blue mech gave a nod to the two remaining key holders, Arcee and Smokescreen. They proceeded to walk forward, prepared to exchange the keys with Starscream.
Watching on, Violetwind was very glad she did not posses one of the keys and did not have to go any closer to the untrustworthy Decepticons. She did, however, wish there was something they could do. Her door wings twitched nervously unable to hold in her distress over the situation as she watched.
Placing the pod down, Starscream grinned wickedly, "No tricks!" He raised his missiles at the pair bringing over the keys, "The keys if you please." The mech then upturned his palms to accept the ransom.
The pair grudgingly handed over the objects he demanded. Arcee bent down to look at Jack, the boy gazing up at her with worry. However, the femme smiled impressed by her partner's courage.
Not a moment later a space bridge opened up and vehicons piled out of it. Arcee quickly scooped up Jack's pod, and she and Smokescreen dashed back to the rest of their comrades. The Autobots were quickly surrounded, the sound of the troopers arming their weapons filling the air.
Bulkhead and Bumblebee's grip on their charges' pods tightened protectively. Arcee clenched her fists, glaring at the troopers surrounding them, wishing they could fight back. Similarly, Smokescreen wanted to do something other than stand there but knew better than to push his luck this time. Violetwind just stared back at the Decepticons in fear, wanting to hide behind something. Their enemies had the drop on them again.
Meanwhile the red and blue mech glanced at the vehicons around them, hands ready for battle yet knowing that with the children present it was too dangerous. Optimus' spark ached at being unable to do anything. They had been so close to restoring Cybertron only for it to be snatched from their grasp.
Taking an Omega Key from Starscream, Megatron and the mechs under his command surrounded the Omega Lock. Lifting the key he grinned, "Now bear witness as a new era dawns on Cybertron." He proceeded to insert the key into the lock, the others following his example.
Immediately the lock radiated light, glowing brightly before a holographic map of Cybertron appeared above the lock. Electricity like sparks arced their way up the structure into the rim at the top and into the rippling blue cybermatter.
"Behold! The age of the Decepticons!" shouted an ecstatic Megatron. Pressing a button on the lock's holographic screen, the lock began to charge up.
It did not take long for it to build up energy and fire a beam at an old run down Cybertronian building. A steady stream of energy kept up for a few moments before stopping. When it had finished everyone, Autobot, Decepticon and human, looked on in wide-eyed amazement with slack jaws. The Omega Lock had turned what had been rusted and broken and restored it to new. The building shone out in stark contrast to the blackened wreckage around it.
"By the All Spark," Optimus muttered.
'Woah,' chirped the yellow scout.
All the humans uttered, "Woah," in unison.
"Instant makeover," Miko added, summing up the Omega Lock's powers.
Knock Out looked upon the building with an eager gaze and lopsided grin. "Shiny," he commented in approval.
Wow that's incredible...
You said it.
Cybertron can be restored and everyone will have somewhere to return to, the voice muttered excitedly.
I donno about that. The Decepticons are in control right now... She reminded her voice.
We're so close but! We can't just give up now!
The purple femme did not respond as she was scared, knowing the voice meant more fighting, not something she really wanted to be involved in...
"You have what you want, Megatron," Optimus called out, stepping forward, his fists clenched in anger and determination, "This conflict is between Autobots and Decepticons. Allow me to return the humans to Earth."
Megatron smiled turning to face the mech, his optics showing great amusement at the Autobot leader's request. "Oh, I wouldn't recommend it. They'll be safer here," he spoke, earning a glare from the opposing mech. He turned to his second in command, "Is the space bridge locked on target?"
Starscream laid his hand across his chest in false humility, "Per your instructions, lord Megatron."
"Excellent," he responded, "Why rule only one world, when I can rule two?"
Above the Omega Lock appeared the large swirling blue-green vortex. Pressing a button on the lock once more, electricity arced around the lock's rim and a beam fired off, this time straight through the space bridge which was directed at Earth.
Horror and fear for Earth and its people tore at Optimus Prime's spark. "Noo..." he vented, his optics wide as he watched.
"If the Omega Lock can restore Cybertron, it'll do the same to Earth, right?" Miko questioned, not realising the danger of Megatron's actions.
"No," the red and blue mech replied, "It will cyberform your planet in favour of its new matrix. Destroying all indigenous life in the process..."
The grave news was difficult for them to take and was not at all aided by Megatron's taunting. "Such raw power!" He smirked and jeered at them, "What shall I call my new domain? New Kaon? Or perhaps gilded Earth?"
Violetwind glanced up to see the haunted look in Optimus' optics. Dread was rising up in her pwn spark and she looked back to the Omega Lock. The device made to revive Cybertron was going to destroy everyone and everything on Earth. They could not let that happen.
"Noo!" shouted Jack, banging against the glass in protest.
Miko added her own cries, "Leave our planet alone!"
In that moment, Violetwind knew she felt as they did, like a hand crushing her very spark. But everything looked hopeless. Reaching out a hand, she lightly touched their leader's arm, looking fearfully into his optics. "Optimus..." she silently pleaded with him.
Staring into the femme's gaze along with the human's outcry, the red and blue mech knew what he had to do. Turning back to Megatron and his Decepticons who were all laughing in triumph, his optics narrowed in anger and determination.
Unsheathing his left sword, Optimus slashed at the closest vehicon and flung him backward into Knock Out. Before their enemies had any time to respond, he dashed towards where he had embedded the Star Saber into the ground. Retrieving it, he immediately spun around, sending an energy wave at the three troopers who had foolishly tried to stop him.
Noticing the Autobot leader trying to fight back, Megatron gave a roar, running forward to take on his opponent with the Dark Star Saber once more. He was the only one able to take on Optimus when he wielded the powerful weapon of the Primes.
The old opponents clashed swords and as the pair recoiled from the initial hit, Optimus was quick to raise up his blade only to bring it down on Megatron's right arm, slicing off the deceased Prime's limb that he had stolen.
Not wasting any time, Optimus continued to race forward to the lock, using the Star Saber to deflect the shots fired at him by Soundwave and Knock Out. Even Starscream's missile could not stop him, the mech dodging out if its path with ease. Leaping upward, Optimus stepped on the seeker's face gaining extra hight in his jump and bringing his sword down on the Omega Lock itself.
The slice resulted in a large explosion, the force pushing back everyone surrounding the lock.
Through the smoke and fire of the destruction, Ratchet called in through the comm link, his previously downed communications back online with the destruction of the Omega Lock's cybermatter beam. ::Optimus, can you read me?::
"Ratchet," the mech responded, though he sounded winded, "Please open... a space bridge."
Fire burned around the site from the explosion, everyone slowly recovering from the blast and rising wearily to their pedes.
Unprepared for the shock wave, Violetwind had been knocked off her pedes. Getting up she looked around to see that a space bridge had opened up nearby. Arcee and Bumblebee were quick to head into it carrying their human partners. Bulkhead soon entered as well, holding Miko's pod close.
The purple femme followed their example running over, meeting up with Smokescreen. He shot her a reassuring look as they both entered. While Optimus brought up the rear.
She felt herself relax a little as they traversed the glowing tunnel and let out a sigh; she believed that they and Earth were safe. How wrong she was.
Really hope I captured some of the amazingness of that scene when the Omega Lock appeared, even a small amount would be great. (Seriously go watch that scene again.) Plus so many emotions I tried to capture in this chapter. *faints*