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Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime. I only own the OC George Edwards/Bladewolf.
Optimus and I stood back to back as these manifestations or representatives of Unicron surrounded us. I unsheathed my swords from my back and got into a fighting stance. If Primus was God of all Cybertronian, creating them in his image... Unicron was the Devil.
"Optimus! Bladewolf! Have you recovered any further signs of Unicron's insurgence?" Ratchet asked on the comm link.
"Unicron is power incarnate! And you 2 – the last of the Primes – shall perish!" Unicrown announced, effectively answering Ratchet's question.
"I'll take that as a yes. We're on our way!"
I was quick to cut in. "No! Stay there! All of you!"
"Bladewolf is right. Unicron cannot be defeated by sheer force. He wants me and Bladewolf, Ratchet." Optimus agreed with me, wanting the others to stay at base for their own protection. Optimus deployed his 2 Path Blasters. "This fight must be ours alone."
Optimus and I deployed our battle masks, my visor sliding down and connecting with my mouth guard, before we sprung into battle. I slashed and sliced at Unicron's representatives while Optimus blasted them with his weapons. I used parkour-like skills to leap and avoid Unicron's attacks, slashing any enemy I saw in fight.
Optimus ran along the small cliff along the wall, shooting at any Unicron in his path. For one particular maneuver, he jumped high over a cliff with a Unicron representative standing upon it and shot at a weak point of said cliff. With only a few shots, the cliff fell along with the Unicron standing on top of it. Optimus landed on a rock nearby and began shooting at approaching representatives.
I was doing the same as Optimus on the left side of the wall, sheathing my swords and deployed duel Scatter Blasters, shooting at any Unicron manifestations around me as I ran across the wall, leaping through the air and spinning around while shooting. I landed in a circle of them and started kicking and shooting at the same time, aiming for the heads as I did so since it was usually the head you go for in these types of situations. I put away one Scatter Blaster in turn for a Riot Cannon, and fired it at the Unicrons while using one of my swords to slash and hack.
Suddenly I heard a very familiar surprised yell followed by a loud thud. Immediately, I turned around and saw Optimus falling to the ground. With Unicron!
"Optimus!" I shouted, transforming into jet mode and flew, transforming in mid-air and tackling a Unicron that leaped at Optimus. I rolled straight to my feet, deploying duel path Blasters, and fired relentlessly at any Unicrons I could see.
Optimus and I ended up back to back again as we fought off the enemy. After missing several shots, we were attacked from behind by other Unicrons. 2 Unicrons grabbed each of Optimus' arms, holding him there. No matter how many times he fired his blasters at them. 2 Unicrons managed to grab me and hold my arms back as I grunted and tried fighting back.
Optimus and I shared a look. This did not bode well for us both.
One Unicron jumped down from high cliffs to join us. He looked between Optimus and I, as if deciding who should die first. These were all Unicron, so they were connected to the big bad himself. He most likely saw through their eyes, all responding to his thoughts, his will.
I growled before transforming my face into Lockdown's face cannon from Age of Extinction and blasted Unicron in the face, then tried shooting the others but one grabbed and twisted, causing me to grunt in pain as another raised it's spiked blade to impale my spark.
Suddenly I heard a Groundbridge open and blaster fire strike the Unicron about to kill me, causing it to crumble. I looked to see the rest of the Autobots arrive. Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, Ironhide, Elita-1, Chromia, Flareup, Firestar, Jazz, Cliffjumper, Hound and Trailbreaker.
Arcee transformed into motorcycle form to drive off a cliff and then transformed, dropkicking one of the Unicrons holding me. This allowed me to get free and blast the others with my Riot Cannon as the Autobots dealt with the remaining Unicron manifestations.
"Did Ratchet not relay my command?" Optimus asked, clearly not happy his order had been disobeyed. Heck, I was a little annoyed too since we were trying to protect the family from Unicron. "Return to base!"
"Reinforcements will not prevent your destruction, disciples of Primus!" The Unicrons declared as more kept appearing.
"Optimus, you and Bladewolf are Unicron's targets. Maybe you 2 should return to base." Elita said as she stood beside her Sparkmate, firing her guns at Unicron.
"It wouldn't matter where we go. Unicron over here can locate us anywhere here. We can't hide in the base forever. Because after a while, even THEY can penetrate our base's cloaking devices. We can't put others at risk. Especially our family," I said, unwilling to endanger my family.
"Then fall back and let us take the lead. Just this once," Bulkhead suggested.
"Please! Listen to reason! If you 2 don't survive, I fear neither will this planet," Ratchet warned on the comms.
I looked at Optimus and we shared a look before nodding.
"Very well." Optimus said as we all stood ready to fight.
"Let's move!" Elita said as she took off running. I was running beside Arcee and Cliffjumper, shooting at any manifestation of Unicron that appeared.
As we scaled the rocks and cliffs, we transformed into our vehicle modes and rammed into the Unicrons, causing them to crumble quicker. At least we were in a more open area and out from the canyon. As we drove ahead, a VERY GIANT Unicron emerged from the ground, causing us all to grind to a halt and transform, looking at the very giant construct.
"Is that Unicron?"Bumblebee asked.
"No. Not Unicron himself. But another of his manifestations," Optimus answered.
"If we can't beat Unicron and we can't outrun him, what exactly are we supposed to do?" Cliffjumper demanded.
I shrugged. "I got no other ideas except this one: destroy them as they appear, until we find a way to destroy him WITHOUT destroying the planet we're on."
Everyone agreed with that as we deployed our guns and fired at Unicron. Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Ironhide transformed and drove for the giant Unicron's legs, where they transformed and shot at the legs from behind, but nothing seemed to do any damage to the massive manifestation. Unicron turned his attention to Bulk, 'Bee and Cliff, then ran his bladed hand along the ground, heading towards the 2. No matter how hard they tried, Bumblebee and Bulkhead couldn't outrun him. They felt sharp pain on their backs as Unicron knocked them off of the ground. After flying for several feet, they landed roughly on the ground. Unable to fight.
The rest of us continued to fire on Unicron. I transformed into jet mode and flew around, firing rockets, machine guns, anything I could at the massive giant but it merely just seemed to be like a fly to him. Unicron stomped his foot hard to send the others flying, then focused on me as I flew around, continuing to shoot him. But I didn't see his arm raising and slammed into it, causing me to veer out of control and crash into rocks, transforming back.
"That hurt." I groaned before I heard a stomp and looked to see Unicron was right in front of me, looking down at me while raising his foot to stomp me like Metroplex slammed his fist down on Megatron in Fall of Cybertron.
"I am this world's past and its future. And as of this moment…"
"NO!" I heard Arcee shout, feeling her fear through our bond. I cut my end off so she didn't feel this. If this was the end... it'd been one hell of a ride.
'Dammit, wasn't something meant to happen here again?'
"All Primes are simply past-"
Suddenly, Unicron was shot from behind through the neck by purple shots. Unicron came crumbling down. Finally defeated… well, his representative at least. I frowned in confusion.
"What the Primus just happened?" I asked myself.
"I happened!" A very familiar voice announced and we all looked to see, standing on top of the destroyed and crumbled Unicron giant, like a warrior who had defeated a big opponent... was Megatron.
Megatron leaped and landed on the ground.
"Megatron?" I heard Jazz say in shock and surprise.
"King 'Con's there too?" Miko said on the comms.
"He has aligned himself with Unicron." Ratchet informed the humans.
"I doubt that, Ratchet." Firestar said.
"Yeah, Megatron just saved Bladewolf's aft." Flareup added, most likely shocking everyone at base.
I shoved a rock off my legs when a shadow fell over me and I looked up to see Megatron staring down at me blankly with his purple optics before he aimed his fusion cannon at me, causing the other 'bots, including Optimus, to aim their weapons at Megatron. But to everyone's surprise, even mine, Megatron didn't fire... he offered a hand up. I was honestly surprised, considering our interactions since Megatron and I met when I ventured into his brain, and he came back in mine.
But I did take the hand and Megatron pulled me out of the rubble. The 2 of us stared each other down as Optimus approached. Megatron regarded us both before chuckling. "It is rather ironic considering our last encounter." He turned to us both. "If memory serves, you both wanted to extinguish my spark."
"That option remains very much in play." Optimus warned him.
Megatron just looked amused. "I would expect nothing less, especially from you, George." He told us both before looking at the crumbled Unicron. "However, I have a proposal." he looked back at us. "Join me in destroying our shared enemy... Unicron the Chaos Bringer."
"Ha!" Ratchet scoffed on the comms. "Absurd! Unicron is evil incarnate! If he were to take any side why would it be ours!?""
"Because Megatron's pride is never gonna allow anyone other than himself to rule this planet. His ego wouldn't accept it." I said with narrowed optics at Megatron, who just smirked.
"You know me too well, George." He said with amusement.
'Yeah, all the media about you, as well as our interactions, have shown just how much pride you have, as well as how big your ego is.' I thought.
"You lead a whole army of Cons. Why come to us?" Bulkhead asked aloud.
"That's what we all want to know." Jazz said preaching to the quire.
"Because this particular mission requires something beyond the realm of my command. The power of a Prime." Megatron gestured to Optimus, making a point.
Flareup scoffed. "Then we don't need you."
Chromia shook her head in agreement. "No argument there."
"On the contrary, Optimus may be the only one to defeat Unicron. But I remain the only one to guide you to him." Megatron informed us before explaining further. "Unicron's very lifeblood runs through me. I am the only one who can feel his thoughts and anticipate his movements." He turned to Optimus. "Optimus, our past alliances-Autobot, Decepticon-no longer matter. Not while Unicron lives."
There was a slam on the comms. "THE PAST ALWAYS MATTERS!" Ratchet growled. I didn't blame him, considering Megatron's quest for power destroyed Cybertron, something no Cybertronian would forget. It's something that would always matter.
"A truce between Autobot and Decepticon. How long do you expect me to believe that will last?" Optimus asked his former brother.
"Only as long as is mutually beneficial." Megatron said without care.
'Yeah right, Megatron likes to make sure things benefit HIM in the end.' I thought with a roll of my optics.
"And after we've defeated Unicron, what then?" I asked with an expectant look.
Megatron smirked, practically knowing what I was really wanting to know. "I will conquer this Earth... MY way."
"And there it is." I muttered with a headshake.
"Brutal honesty from a Decepticon?" Arcee tried not to laugh.
"Aligning with the lesser of 2 evils is still siding with evil!" Ratchet remarked.
"Do you really think you've witnessed the full power of Unicron? Those foot soldiers were nothing more than a taste! Unicron has yet to fully awaken." Megatron warned. "With each passing moment, the bringer of chaos evolves, mutating the Earth inside out. What we have witnessed until now is but a prelude of the utter devastation his rising will wreak upon your world."
"Like your quest for power destroyed Cybertron?" Elita snapped.
Megatron glared. "Make no mistake! This time there will be a planet left for me to rule!"
"Even if we agree, Unicron's all the way down at the center of the Earth." Ironhide pointed out.
"How are we supposed to get there, drive?" Bulkhead asked sarcastically.
"There is ONE way." I said knowingly.
Ratchet was quick to add in his opinion. "OBSOLUTELY NOT! Groundbridging into space or on a moving train is hard enough. But plotting a blind jump into a sentient being? Besides, exposing yourself to that much Dark Energon will debilitate you! You haven't built up an immunity like Megatron has!"
"Yet another strong argument for soliciting my guidance." Megatron pointed out.
Optimus and I exchanged a look before looking at the Decepticon leader with me asking him. "So you're saying you can provide Unicron's exact coordinates?"
"If you can transport us to this planet's core, I can directly lead you into Unicron's spark. The very heart of his darkness," Megatron swore.
"Optimus, even if we survive the jump, how are we supposed to stop Unicron?" Elita asked the question on everyone's mind. It took him a moment or 2 before he spoke up.
"With the Matrix of Leadership." He answered.
"It was the combined power of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago. The very reason he seeks to destroy YOU both and all you care about." Megatron stated to Optimus and me.
"It would follow unleashing the power of the Matrix into Unicron's Spark would return him to stasis." Optimus pondered out loud.
I then looked to where the giant pile of rocks were and saw that there were moving. "We got trouble." I said, causing everyone to look and see the giant Unicron assembling once again. "Ratchet, we could use a Groundbridge right now."
Ratchet complied as the vortex opened up for us and the bots began running through but Arcee, Bulk, Bee, Cliff and I stopped.
"Wait! We're opening a direct path to our base with Megatron standing right there?" Arcee stated in which Cliff added his own thoughts to the statement.
"And he's willing to risk his life and spark for us? Seriously, I highly doubt that will be fun for either of us." He said.
This caused Megatron to laugh. "Hardly my nature." He replied before turning to Optimus and I. "Consider my offer you 2, I shall keep it busy." He said before transforming and taking flight, battling the giant Unicrons.
Optimus and I shared a look before following the others back into the portal to base.
"I know desperate times call for desperate measures, but bringing Megatron HERE?" Ratchet said in disbelief to me and Optimus.
"How could you even think of bringing that monster near the children, after what he did to Raf?" June said sternly to us.
"Megatron will be closely watched for any sudden movement. And the base's shielding will prevent him from informing the Decepticons of his location, and our base at the same time." I reassured the humans.
"Optimus, what's gonna happen to you when you unleash all your Matrix energy?" Jack asked wondering what would happen.
"The power within the Matrix has not been previously utilized in this particular matter." Optimus answered.
"But George, you have an idea, don't you?" Jack asked me, making their attention being brought in my direction.
I looked at Optimus, and he at me. We both knew what will happen in the end once Optimus uses the power of the Matrix against Unicron. But we both know that it will all be worth it in the end.
Optimus decided to change the subject. "Autobots. If humankind is to be saved, George and I have no choice but to proceed. But you do." He said to his family. Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee as well as Cliffjumper were the ones that were thinking about it the hardest. Until Bulkhead spoke up for all of them.
"Well, I don't know about humankind but I'm willing to do it... for Miko." Bulkhead said, looking at his charge.
"For Jack and George." Arcee said next, sending me a smile then looking at her own charge.
"For Raf." Bumblebee added.
"For George." Cliffjumper said as we shared a brotherly look.
"For all of us." Elita stepped forward. "We're family."
'Fast and Furious reference, anyone?'
I looked at Optimus. "You wanna call Megatron or should I?"
He responded by putting his fingers to the side of his helm to contact Megatron. "Megatron, we are sending transport." He said to the warlord.
I looked at the humans, the adults specifically. "June, Fowler, get the children out of here. We don't want them ANYWHERE near Megatron."
June and Fowler nodded and did so, Miko complaining along the way as Ratchet had to gently push her out of the room with the other humans since she was stubborn and wanted to see Megatron. Geez, she's wanted to do so since Raf, Jack and I have seen Megatron in person; Jack and I actually having spoken to said 'Con.
The Groundbridge sprung to life and soon enough the leader of the Decepticons walked through it. He looked at his surroundings completely dismissing that over half the Autobots were aiming their weapons at him.
"So, this is where the magic happens." Megatron stated more than asked. "Quaint."
I narrowed my optics at him before I heard small footsteps and looked to see Raf run out of hiding with the rest of the humans in tow.
"You!" Raf yelled as he ran up to the warlord. The said warlord turned his attention to him but I moved in front of Raf with my gun aimed at Megatron, who just seemed amused as he addressed Raf.
"Ah, you're looking much better than the last time we met, little one. Humans… Resilient." He said.
"Leave." I ordered the humans and watched Jack urge Raf along when Megatron spoke again.
"And you." Jack paused and I watched Megatron regard him. "I never forget a face, even that of a human." he then looked at me. "Or a Techno-Organic."
I just glared at him, knowing he was referring to when he was stuck in the rocks and both Jack and I had the chance to kill him, but we didn't go through with it.
"You double cross anyone! Mine is the face you'll never forget! NEVER!" Miko screamed at him as Fowler grabbed her and pulled her away with the others. I watched them, making sure they were out of the room before focusing on Megatron who just looked amused at Miko's outburst.
"Ratchet, obtain the destination coordinates from our guest." Optimus requested. Megatron and Optimus shared a look as they passed one another, Megatron going to give Ratchet the coordinates while Optimus walked over to the humans and gave something to Jack before he walked over to me. "George, there is something you must be told."
"Okay." I said with a frown.
"If something happens to me... you and Elita are in charge in my absence." Optimus said, which shocked me.
"Are you sure? I mean, I know what's going to happen down there." I said with concern as to why Optimus would put me in charge in the event of his absence. "And I'm not exactly leadership material."
Optimus had a small smile on his faceplate as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "I disagree, my friend. Like Jack, I've been impressed by how much you have matured since we first met. As such, I feel you have earned the responsibility of leading this team, this family, until I return. Your Creators would be proud of you, and you would make a great Prime one day."
'Okay, that's motivating.'
I nodded and watched Optimus walk away while I digested what he said and almost felt like crying. Dammit, why does Optimus have to be that big dad figure everyone loves? I mean, seriously, even as a kid, Optimus had been this father figure even though he's fictional character.
Soon the Groundbridge was powered up and we were all ready to go.
"Locked and ready." Ratchet informed us.
Elita looked at Megatron who waited. "You first." She told him with a glare.
"As you wish." He said bowing with a hint of sarcasm in his tone of voice before walking through the bridge with the Autobots in tow. The last to go was Optimus and I, the two of us looking back at the humans and Ratchet. We then went through the Groundbridge and came out to the center of the Earth... and it wasn't what everyone would expect.
The core was a dark place. No light dared to break through the heavy shields. Dull, lifeless greys and purples filled the place. Designed like multiple veins and chambers of a heart and the human body. Various paths flashed a bright purple in time with Unicron's spark beat.
We all glanced around before Chromia asked. "So, how long until Unicron knows we're here?"
Megatron didn't look back as he said. "Make no mistake, he already does."
Megatron walked forward, us following him, while all that was heard was the sound of Unicron's heartbeat...