Saphira continued running through the street, her heart was racing in her chest and she feared the it was going to jump out of her throat. She clutched the Cube in her arm, making sure it could not slip out suddenly as she ran through the street, ignoring the other people around her trying to get away from the fight and the fires that were burning around her. She skidded to a stop when she saw the large, helicopter decepticon transform ahead of her.
"Watch out! Blackout, you pathetic scum!" Ironhide shouts at the bot, picking up a car to use as a shield at the decepticon fired at him, destroying the car and sending Ironhide to the ground.
Saphira managed to avoid Ironhide landing on her and she ran around him, ducking when the decepticon transformed and flew just above her. She was sure it nearly scrapped the back of her neck due to how low it was. She glanced back for a moment and gasped as she saw Megatron landing on top of a building above her, she noticed he had a small bot in his hands that he had split apart. She realized it was Jazz. However, she screamed as a truck drove out in front of her, causing her to skid and fall onto her backside, grimacing as she landed on her tailbone and looked up as the truck transformed.
"Optimus…" She breathed out breathlessly as the body stood above her.
He casts a glance down at her for a moment before raising his arms ready to fight Megatron. "Get around me Saphira, keep that Cube close!" He ordered to her before looking up at the building, narrowing his eyes as he locked eyes with Megatron. "Megatron!"
"Prime!" Megatron responded in a calm, playful tone, tossing the body of the bot aside and jumping off the building.
Saphira ran around Optimus to avoid whatever fight was about to happen, running towards the building only to stop and turn as she heard Megatron transform into his jet and fly straight towards Optimus. She watched Optimus launch himself at Megatron, grabbing hold of the wings and the decepticon spins around as he flies through the city. Saphira watched in disbelief, she had the urge to chase after them because she wanted to be sure Optimus was okay.
"Saphira, get to the building!" Ironhide's bark, snapped her out of her thoughts and turn to run towards the building. "Optimus can handle Megatron, keep running, punk!"
That brought zero comfort to Saphira as she worried about Optimus, even though the autobots had confidence that Optimus could fight Megatron. She could hardly think as she continued to run through the street towards the building, yelping loudly as Blackout lands in front of her and attempted to use the rotors to slice her as he cuts through vehicles. Saphira was able to dance around the attack and she heard Ratchet and Ironhide shooting the decepticon to damage him. She heard him transform again and fly away just as she glanced up and saw Starscream. Saphira stopped and ducked as the massive decepticon lands on the ground, his feet slid into the cars around her, throwing them into the walls and she ducked next to a car to avoid them.
"No!" Ratchet yelled, ducking and rolling, shooting at Starscream. "Run Saphira! Get to the building!"
Starscream shot a glance down at Saphira as the girl ran around the car, keeping herself low and glanced up at him for a brief moment. "Ah hah! The one with the green eyes! My master will be so pleased…" He stomped forward and shot at Ironhide and Ratchet, Saphira ran from the blasts towards the building. Starscream gasped and jumped over the cars, landing behind her and she trips from the thud on the ground. "Gotcha!"
Saphira screamed as the large hand slammed over her for a second, she curled herself around the Cube and gasped as she heard Starscream roar and move his hand away from her. She glanced up to see Ironhide dragging the bot by his leg away from her.
"Run now!" Ironhide yelled, slamming his fist into the side of Starscream's mouth as he spoke.
Saphira watched yellowish fluid fly from his mouth as she scrambled to her feet and ran away from them. She did not know if the decepticons were after her just because she had the Cube or what, but Starscream nearly grabbed her! And she definitely did not like that at all. It made her shudder in fear just at the thought of it. She ducked when Starscream flew over her after he transformed back into the F-22, he was clearly annoyed by the autobots and went somewhere else.
Saphira heard Ratchet and Ironhide following her again, the heavy steps of their feet was rather comforting to say the least. She didn't even have to glance back at them to know, she saw their shadows looming on the ground as they followed her. As she kept running though, she heard Megatron's jet approaching from the sky. She widened her eyes with worry, wondering where Optimus was because she last saw him flying away with Megatron. She heard a heavy thud behind her and she felt her adreneline spiking in her, allowing her to keep running.
"Give me that Cube, girl!" Megatron yelled at her, throwing a car aside and running after her.
Saphira did not turn around, however, she heard Ironhide stop and pick up a truck to throw at Megatron to slow him down. She heard him roaring angrily in frustration. She gasped as she dodges a car and trips again, she glanced down briefly as she felt a burst of energy from the Cube. She didn't know what that was as she scrambled to her feet and ran. There was no way she was going to stop and ask questions.
"Marvelous!" Megatron's voice echoed through the streets, she had no idea what he was talking about, but she glanced back and gasped as she saw random electrical equipment transforming into decepticons.
She realized she accidentally activated the Cube's energy that it transformed some of the technology around her. That was not good. She also saw Ironhide and Ratchet were shoved out of the way as Megatron only had one focus. The Cube. She ran through the open gate of the old building and towards the doorway, she did not know if this was going to work with Megatron chasing her. But she would try. She glanced around quickly of the massive room and she was able to see his shadow running closer to the building.
You're not gonna get me!
Saphira ran for the stairs, she knew there were so many flights of stairs to run up, but she had no choice. She managed to reach the second floor as she heard Megatron slamming through the windows below, he roared loudly as he stood in the room big enough for him to stand up in.
"I smell you, girl!" Megatron roared, his voice echoed loudly through the building. "You think you can run from me, fleshling?" Saphira did not answer as she ran through the hallway with statues either side, only to yelp as Megatron bursts through the floor, clawing towards her trying to reach her. "Maggot!"
Saphira felt the tip of his fingers barely scrapping down her back, slicing the back of her blouse causing her to gasp in shock as she ran to the stairs. Taking a brief glance upward, she huffed at how many flights she had run up, but she did not hesitate. It was the only chance she had to make this right. She was still managing to clutch the Cube in her arm as she ran, she was glad that the Cube was not heavy or this would be a much harder situation.
"I hear your feet patter up those stairs!" Megatron mocked loudly, she grimaced hearing him smashing through the floors to try and catch her. "They will end, and I will get you in my grasp, little thing!"
Saphira did not stop even with those threats. Not even the burning in her legs and lungs could stop her now, she had to keep running. Everyone was counting on her, she was not going to let Megatron stop her. Even if he was a massive being who could kill her in an instant. But, she was afraid of him. She would not say she was being brave right now, she was in panic mode at the moment. She wanted to just stop and take deep breaths right now and calm down, but with the constant breaking of the floors beneath her, she couldn't.
She was relieved when she was able to reach the last floor and saw the sunlight seeping through the windows. She ran towards a door leading to the outside, she gasped loudly as she stopped suddenly when she saw the sandstone barrier in front of her. She glanced around quickly and spotted a ladder, she climbed it as quickly as possible, pushing the Cube to the top floor and picking it up once her feet were on the ground. She ran across the roof of the building, finding the wide-open area of the building and pulling out the flare from her back pocket. She slammed the flare into a wall, causing it to spark and she was able to see the helicopters approaching. She held up the flare, running along the top of the building so they could see her. She did not see Starscream landing on a building across from her as she ran and smiled as a helicopter rises from the end of the building.
Finally!
The man in the back of the helicopter extends his hands to grab the Cube, Saphira ran forward and held the Cube out towards them. However, she turned her head when she saw movement and gasped as she saw Starscream taking aim. "WATCH OUT!" She screamed at the men, they spot the missile, but it was too late to avoid it.
Saphira ducked and covered her face with her arm as the helicoptor spin out after it was hit. She gasped, feeling the air of the rotors passing by her body as the tail slid across the side of the building and fell towards the ground in a fiery mess. Saphira took deep breaths, looking around in disbelief and the sting of her sweat in her eyes blurred them. She jumped and scrambled back as Megatron punches through the roof and pulled himself on top of it.
Megatron sneered in delight upon seeing the girl on the ground. "Is it fear or courage that compels you fleshling?" He questions as he scrutinizes her with his red eyes. Saphira pressed her back against a box, glancing around in fear and looking at Megatron with wide eyes. He drops down to one knee and lowers his hand to her, she grimaced at him. "How is it Optimus came across such a fine specimen? Hmm…" He trailed his fingers over her body gently, Saphira shifts to try and avoid his touch to her body and clutched the Cube tightly. "I thought my optics deceived me when I saw emeralds looking back at me when I was frozen."
Saphira was confused as he spoke to her and she was disgusted by him. "It's just an eye colour…" She managed to spit out hoarsely, ducking away from his hand again and scrambling to her feet, running towards a statue at the edge of the building.
Megatron chuckled softly and stood back up, watching the girl scramble behind the statue, even though she could lose her footing at any moment. "Give me the All Spark and you may live to be my pet…a fine specimen like you who can bear many sparklings for me."
Saphira felt her stomach twisting in a knot upon hearing those words as she glanced around her, not knowing what she could do. However, there was no way she would ever accept Megatron's offer. She glared at him from behind the statue. "I am never giving you the All Spark! I would rather die than be your pet!"
Megatron just grinned at her, narrowing his eyes slightly to mock her. "Oh, so unwise…and such a waste!"
Saphira widened her eyes at Megatron as he raised his hand, slamming the mace down onto the edge of the building and breaking it apart. Saphira screamed as the force of the slam threw her off the building. She clutched the Cube as she fell, she felt her body spinning and she clenched her eyes shut as she fell.
A gentle, metal hand catches her and the fingers curl around her protectively. She opened her eyes and looked up to see Optimus, he was clutching both buildings with his feet and hands, he had expected her to be thrown off the building. "I've got you girl!" She was relieved that he was alive! He moved her close to his chest and she grasps onto him tightly, not intending to slip off again. "Hold onto the Cube!"
Saphira tensed her body as Optimus held her, he threw himself down, jumping from building to building to soften the fall. She was barely able to see Megatron jumping from the building above to chase after them, he did not brace his fall like Optimus did though and he was catching up to them very quickly. She yelped loudly, feeling Megatron's body slam into Optimus and pull him downward, causing them both to fall to the ground hard.
Saphira took deep breaths, trying to calm her heart as she lay against Optimus's chest. She heard Megatron getting up and grunting in disgust. "Disgusting!" She did not see him flicking a human away from him as if they were an insect.
She jumped as Optimus's fingers uncurl around her and she looked up at his blue eyes. "Saphira…" She watched his face mask lower so she could see his lips as he spoke. "You risked your life to protect the Cube?"
She nodded at him and swallowed, her throat was feeling extremely dry right now. "No sacrifice, no victory…you did say I had to help save this world."
"Not like this." Optimus shakes his head and blinked at her, his lips curling into a slight smile. "If I cannot defeat Megatron, you must push the Cube into my chest. I will sacrifice myself to destroy it." She felt a pang in her heart when he told her what he wanted to do. No way would she let him do it! "Get behind me!"
She slid off his chest and ran away from him, slipping down into a broken drainage and breathed heavily, placing her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. Optimus was willing to die to save this world! But if the Cube could kill him, then it could also kill Megatron!
"It's you and me, Megatron!" Optimus challenges as he pushed himself off the ground, preparing to fight Megatron who was already standing and watching them.
"No, it's just me Prime," Megatron responded with a sneer, smirking at him. "When you are dead, she will be mine!"
Optimus narrowed his eyes at Megatron, clenching his fists as he did not know why Megatron had a keen fascination for Saphira. "At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall." He threw the first punch, slamming his fist into Megatron's cheek. "Whatever interest you have with that girl, I can only imagine for evil reasons!"
Megatron scoffs out a laugh and blocks another punch from Optimus and threw him into a building. "You still fight for the weak! That is why you lose! And yet…" He glanced towards Saphira who watched them from the drain. "It is no different to your interest."
Optimus growled, his right arm transforms into a glowing, red sword and swings his arm to slice Megatron. The decepticon just laughed, drawing out his own sword and slamming his against Prime's sword. Saphira did not believe Optimus would have any sort of interest in her, he has not indicated that he does. But Megatron definitely has and Saphira was disgusted by it. Optimus and Megatron continue to clash swords together, Megatron was throwing harder punches at Prime than Optimus was but he was managing to hold himself again the decepticon.
"Perhaps she could help you with your low, autobot population!" Megatron mocked Optimus, the commander autobot growled and slammed his fists into Megatron's right side, his hands dug in to try and pull-out parts. "After all, you don't have many femmes! Oh, I forgot, I ripped Elita apart!"
Optimus roared loudly, steam hissing from his vents as he sliced his sword into Megatron's right arm in an attempt to rip it apart. "You are a fool Megatron!"
Megatron groaned as parts of his arm was sliced out and he slammed his fist into Optimus, causing him to fly backwards a few feet and he stomped towards Prime, eager to continue this fight. She saw movement in her right eye and gasped as she saw Blackout approaching with his weapons ready. She grumbled as that was not fair! This was a fight between Megatron and Optimus! However, he was quickly distracted and turned his head, firing behind him and she saw Lennox speeding towards the bot on a bike. She watched with wide eyes and saw missiles flying towards Blackout, hitting his chest and Lennox crashes the bike to slide underneath the decepticon, shooting up at his body. It seemed the military found the weakness in the decepticon armor as Blackout went down very easily.
She was relieved and looked back at Optimus as he is kicked to the ground, he groaned loudly as he pushed himself back up to keep fighting. However, Megatron grabs him and throws him into a building again, roaring at him and glancing down at Saphira. She scrambled to her feet and ran from Megatron as missiles slam into Megatron from behind and she hears Lennox and his men shoot the decepticon. Megatron's damaged arm snaps off and he roared, clutching his abdomen and glaring at Saphira, running towards her to grab the Cube. Saphira ducked as Optimus swings out his arm to trip the decepticon and Saphira looked up, seeing the angry, red eyes glaring back at her.
"I'll kill you!" Megatron sneered, slamming his hand beside Saphira, crawling towards her with every intent on killing her. "Mine! All Spark!"
"Saphira! Put the Cube in my chest, now!" Optimus yelled to her as he turned his body over, he saw Megatron crawling towards Saphira to kill her.
Saphira glanced at Optimus for a moment. "No, I can kill Megatron with it too!"
Optimus widened his eyes slightly as Saphira glared at Megatron. The decepticon raised his hand to slam down on Saphira, she pushed herself forward to avoid it, running underneath Megatron and the decepticon snapped at her as she raised the Cube to his chest. She watched as pieces of the Cube absorbs into Megatron's spark, the heat radiating from the Cube nearly burned her fingers as the Cube burns into Megatron's chest. The decepticon cried out in pain and his body shuddered, she stepped away once the Cube was gone from her hands and watched as Megatron reached for his chest, only to find he had no strength left. He fell to his knees, twitching and his eyes meet with hers briefly before he fell onto his back, going completely limp.
Saphira stared at him in disbelief, smiling that it worked. She heard Optimus pushing himself from the ground and watching the eyes of the decepticon go dark. "You left me no choice, brother…" Optimus said in a sad tone. He drops down to his knees, lowering his head to look at Saphira. She knew she looked like a sore sight with ash on her skin, messy hair and a near completely torn blouse. "Saphira, I owe you my life." His expression was filled with kindness as he smiled at her. "We are in your debt. It was quick thinking of you to kill Megatron with the Cube instead of me."
She smirked at him. "Of course, you told me exactly what I needed to do when you said you'd sacrifice yourself to destroy it. That isn't gonna happen on my watch." She took a deep breath and stumbled back, bracing herself against a car and Optimus's expression quickly turned to concern. "I am so tired…"
Optimus hummed gently in amusement. "You are very young Saphira, I have no doubt these past couple days have been the hardest in your life. You will be rewards with much needed rest."
"And food," Saphira said with a smile. "I haven't eaten properly in two days."
"For someone running low on fuel, you had enough energy to keep going and run from the decepticons." She turned her head upon hearing Ratchet, he approaching them with Bumblebee leaning against him and limping. "It is very impressive."
"Probably because I had something I believed in for a change." She glanced to Ironhide who was beside them and her eyes widen in shock upon seeing Jazz, split in half in his arms. "Oh no!"
"Prime, we couldn't save him," Ironhide said, holding up the dead autobot to Optimus who took the small bot into his hands, gazing at him sadly.
"Aw, Jazz…" Optimus held the autobot gently as Ironhide bowed his head in grief and respect. "We lost a great comrade, but gained new ones. Thank you, all of you." He glanced down at William who walked up to him and saluted him. "You are the one they call William Lennox?"
"Yes sir, that is me!" Lennox responded with a polite smile. "It was a pleasure battling alongside you. Thanks to Saphira, of course, we never would have guessed which side to choose." He glanced over to Saphira and frowned as he saw she fell to the ground, bracing herself against the car. He ran over to the girl and knelt down. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Just tired and hungry." Saphira responded with a sniffle, her eyes were wet with tears. "But…" She glanced up at Optimus as he gazed back with concern. "I will never be able to repay Jazz for protecting me from Megatron."
"You did by defeating Megatron Saphira, he would be proud of you." Optimus smiled kindly at her, lowering the dead autobot to the ground and gazing at Megatron's dead body. "You inspired me, Saphira. With your young spark of resilience."
Saphira chuckled a little, not believing a work he said and watched Optimus drop to one knee and pull out a fragment of the All Spark from Megatron's chest, crushing it with his hand. "I doubt I inspire anyone."
"Of course you do," Will said to her with a smile, pulling out a water cannister, holding it out to her to take. "You're brave, just like us. Yeah, it was a bit unfair I get it, but you did a great job soldier. Now drink up, we need to do a big cleanup."
"May I remain with the girl?" Bumblebee asked through his radio as he sat against a burned bus.
Optimus looked at Bumblebee and gave him a nod. "If that is what Saphira wishes." He looked at Lennox as the man stepped back from the girl as she drank the water. "I suspect there will be a meeting with your leaders soon?"
"Yes I am afraid." Lennox glanced at Bumblebee. "And I apologize, you cannot go with her straight away. Someone will take her home once she's had an examination and signed some paperwork."
Saphira grimaced a little, she knew she had no house to go back to. She wasn't complaining though. She had her garage, which was more of a home to her than that house ever was. She looked up at Optimus. "I would like it if you all hung around, not just Bee."
Prime gave her a polite nod with a smile. "Of course, I never doubted that you wouldn't want to spend time with us. I do not wish to cut contact."
That was good, Saphira would hate to lose her newfound friends in an instant because a war was over. That would not sit right with her. Saphira drank the water and she was helped up from the ground and into an SUV to leave Mission City. She was taken to a hospital where she was checked and given the all clear, and she had to sign legal documents regarding the autobots and battle in LA. During this time, she wasn't able to see them, and that bothered her. William told her it was because the government were still negotiating, and she had to wait. That was a nuisance. Saphira was able to return to the house as her parents weren't released yet. She gathered her things from the house and moved them to the garage where she would stay for several weeks waiting for Bee to come back while trying to figure out her life from here on.
