Saphira glanced left and right at both Laserbeak and Dylan nervously. She knew she had to think of something quickly to try and get away. She moved closer to the shelves behind her, taking deep breaths as she glanced left and right. Dylan and Laserbeak said nothing, while Dylan was the one walking towards her. Laserbeak just stood there watching to see what would happen. Saphira grabbed a bottle of vinegar and threw it at Dylan. The man shouts in surprise, covering his face as the bottle hits his elbow and shattering loudly. She threw another vinegar bottle before she grabbed an oil bottle and threw it at Laserbeak. Laserbeak squawked loudly and jumped back as the bottle landed on his face and covered his body in oil.
"Ahh! And oil bath!" Laserbeak spread his wings and shook his body with a smile on his face. "That is actually quite nice…AAHH!" He grimaced as she threw another oil bottle at him, shattering the glass on his body again. "Oil does not hurt me, pest!"
She threw another vinegar bottle at Dylan as the man found a stand to hide behind to stop her from throwing vinegar at him, especially as droplets of the acidic liquid touched his eyes. With Dylan needing a moment, Saphira grabbed an oil spray bottle and threw it at Laserbeak. The decepticon was a little surprised, though Saphira began to run as she grabbed out her handgun and shot at the cannister. Several bullets was all it took before the cannister exploded into flames, and Laserbeak shrieked as his body was quickly covered with fire due to the oil on his body.
Saphira ran past Dylan as the man looked at her in bewilderment for having the thought to even do that. He looked back at Laserbeak as the decepticon flapped his wings and thrashed around the store. The fire didn't seem to be actually burning him badly, but he was disorientated. He looked back at Saphira and he frowned before he stood up and began to chase after her. She still had her handgun in her hand, and Dylan grabbed his out now that she has shown she has a weapon with her.
Saphira could hear Dylan chasing after her as she ran through the shop desperately looking for a way out. She did not know how many bullets she had left in her handgun, so she did not even try to fire at Dylan. Dylan also was not firing at her as causing harm to her would result in him being terminated, and he knew it. But the handgun would provide leverage for them when he did get close enough to grab her. And Dylan was determined to catch her.
Saphira ran to the other side of the store and she spotted glass windows that have yet to be shattered. She glanced around for a door, but she paid little mind as Dylan's footsteps were getting closer. She ran at the window, picked up a milk crate on the way and threw it at the window, and covered her face and head as she jumped through the window, hearing the crunch of glass underneath her shoes as she ran onto the street.
She shrieked and turned right as Soundwave leaned around the corner of the shop, and he grinned at her. "I have to say, this is by far the most exciting chase you are giving us. All the other humans have been so boring and annoying. You are actually earning my respect…surprisingly." He scoffed in amusement, and looked at the broken window as he saw Dylan jumping out of it. He narrowed his optics upon seeing the weapon in his hand. "Remember, insect operative, you are to not cause harm to the girl. Do you understand?" Dylan glanced back at Soundwave with a quick nod as he kept chasing Saphira. "I hope you do. None of us are going to care if we have to tear your limbs from your body. Megatron's orders are clear. She is to be brought to him unharmed!"
"I know, Soundwave!" Dylan shouts back breathlessly without looking back at him. "I know my orders! I will bring her to you! You have my word!"
Soundwave sneered at him with disgust. "Your word means very little. Just do as your told! Fail, you die. Hurt her, you die. So your only reward from this, will be your pitiful, little life! I hope you cherish it very much!"
Saphira could hear what had been said, and she was curious as to why Megatron wanted he brought to him unharmed. She didn't know if she even had cuts and scrapes while she's been running through the city. Her adrenaline has been pumping through her body so much that she was unlikely to feel any kind of pain until she stopped running. And she was unlikely to stop just yet. And she wasn't even sure if she should even try to run into a building again.
However, she spotted the bridge leading across the river, and Saphira could not help but think that she was closing in on Trump Tower. She glanced over her shoulder to see Dylan was still chasing her, and Saphira looked away as she thought about how she was going to get away from him. Starscream was still flying ahead, and Soundwave had stayed back to check on Laserbeak, but Dylan was determined to catch her. And she needed to get away from him as fast as possible.
She ran onto the road along the river, and she spotted Trump Tower. She was happy to see it, but she did not see Sentinel or Megatron. This meant that Dylan was likely staying in Trump Tower itself, but the main action was indeed nearby the tower or whatever location that they had chosen to act out the plan. Without an explosive with her, Saphira did not know what she was even going to do. She could not even make a molotov cocktail, as that would be the next item she would use if she even had the right ingredients.
While she seemed to be in the right place, Saphira had to keep running, making another left turned and running towards the steps leading down into the walkway by the river. She jumped from the last few stairs to the bottom as she continued to run. She was honestly surprised by how long she was able to force herself to run at this point, but she was determined. She had the will to survive, and she also had a sparkling within her that she needed to protect and ensure that it would also survive.
As she ran along the walkway, Saphira shrieked loudly and covered her head as she heard blasts being shot at her from above. Though she realized they were being shot in front of her to stop her from running. She glanced up as she saw Starscream, and he was laughing gleefully at making her come to a stop. Saphira frowned as she took deep breathes, unhappy that he had managed to stop her. But also because Dylan could grab her down.
Saphira yelped as she felt Dylan grab her wrist, though she quickly elbowed him in the side, hit him in the side of the head with the handle of her handgun and kicked him in the crotch for good measure. The man stumbled away in pain, disorientated as she ran back to the stairs to run back up them to find some other way to hide from him. She needed another breather, and she wasn't able to get it right now.
"You little bitch!" Dylan shouts angrily as he began to follow her again. "Stop! You are surrounded by a burning city! Are you seriously going to keep running?!" Saphira did not answer as she ran up the stairs and spotted a hotel, deciding to run towards that as another way to hide. "Ugh! Not again! Stop her from running into another building!"
Starscream just chuckled at him. "I would risk hurting the girl. I am afraid you need to use your wit and nab her." Starscream lands heavily on the road, making Saphira shriek and duck away as he tried to snatch her, and she ran through the broken door of the hotel. "Whoops!"
Dylan shook his head angrily at him. "You're letting her run away on purpose! Aren't you?" Starscream shrugged nonchalantly, and he rolled his eyes. "You are unbelievable…I do not understand you decepticons! This is a stupid game!" He groaned loudly as he ran into the hotel. "This had better not last too much longer!"
Saphira had run through the lobby of the hotel and she found the small staffroom. She took advantage of the moment as she filled a glass with water, which was luckily still clean, and hid underneath the counter, curling her knees and closed the doors to keep herself hidden while she drank the water. She was starting to feel her energy running out. She had been running for so long. She didn't know how long she had been running for, but it really felt like a long time.
She jumped as she thought she felt something in her bond with Optimus. A familiar sensation was reaching out to her, and it scared her. She began to think she was losing her mind, so she blocked off the sensation rather suddenly as she knew that Optimus was gone. That sensation was likely her mind's way of trying to distract her, and she did not need that right now. Even if she would want to feel his presence right now.
She heard Dylan slam the door of the staffroom open, glance around and turn to run away. Saphira was relieved as she was glad she was able to fit underneath the counter, and that Dylan was not that smart. He was a billionaire, but clearly lacked the brain needed to check under the counter before he continued. Saphira used that to crawl out to refill the glass to drink more water. She desperately needed it after all. She even poured some water onto her head, letting it drench her face and shirt. She grabbed a paper towel to wipe her face, and she grimaced as black dust and debris was wiped from her skin. She had no idea what she would see if she was to look in the mirror.
She took deep breaths as having no windows in the staffroom allowed her a moment of peace. She was really grateful to have that moment as she needed to take time to regain some of her strength. She braced herself on the counter as she took deep, controlled breaths. She rubbed her stomach gently as she thought about her next steps. Now that the decepticons and Sentinel were fully aware that she was here, even if they lose her, they will be actively looking for her. She didn't know if Sentinel would, in case he was needed to remain with the control pillar.
Maybe Robert was right…ugh…one C4 wasn't enough…but it is a little too late to go back. I am here now. Maybe I can find enough ingredients to make a molotov…but that is a stretch.
While Saphira was thinking about he next steps, she drank some more water, and drenched her body some more with water to cool herself down, and wash off some of the sweat from her body. She began to feel a lot better after a few minutes as well. She smiled a little as she was able to think clearly without being chased. And since she now knew she was close to Trump Tower, she now needed to work out where Sentinel was based.
Though her thoughts were soon interrupted as she heard Dylan's footsteps again. She thought about hiding under the counter again, but with the water on the ground, it was a give away she had been here. She quickly and quietly put the glass down before she ran over to hide against the wall beside the door, holding her handgun as she prepared to shoot the man. There was another chemical extinguisher beside her, and she could use that against Dylan. It would affect him more than the other extinguisher had affected Starscream.
Dylan opened the staffroom door again, and he took a deep gasp when he saw the water on the ground. He stepped into the room, and Saphira watched him silently, somewhat hoping that he would turn and leave without seeing her. But she saw his face hardening and he prepared his handgun to fire. She was surprised as she knew what the decepticons had told him, and he would be foolish to try and shoot her. He would be a dead man.
Dylan turned his head in her direction, and she jumped when they lock eyes. He stared at her angrily as she stared back at him nervously. She had no idea what he was thinking and he turned his body towards her. "I am kind of impressed by how stupid and brave you are right now, Saphira. Any good parent of an unborn child would ensure they remain safe all the time. But I guess you aren't the type. But…that does come from someone who hasn't had good parents to begin with."
Saphira grimaced as she had not realized he figured out who her biological parents were, but she no longer cared for them. "My sparkling won't be safe while the decepticons and Sentinel Prime exist on this world, Dylan. Stopping them is the only way I deem for my child to be safe. And so…" She aimed her handgun to Dylan suddenly, and he aimed his at her. "I think you're breaking the order there, Dylan."
Dylan scoffed. "I don't think you understand. I don't care if they kill me. They win, regardless. But…" Saphira tensed as she felt the barrel of the handgun against her stomach. "You will lose one more thing precious to you if you do not come with me right now. Megatron is expecting you. And I think it will be wise to not keep him waiting."
Saphira was shocked he was aiming at her stomach. But she could see that Dylan did not care at all. He was willing to die to let this world fall into ruin. And she did not understand why he would do that. This was his world after all. She guessed that he did not see any other way out of this, since he would have inherited this responsibility from his father. So it was definitely like a trap for Dylan when she thinks of it that way. But she also did not care for him either.
While she thought about what to do, she shrieked as the wall beside them was suddenly destroyed as Laserbeak busted through the wall, breaking the wall into pieces. Saphira had accidentally fired as well, which the bullet almost hit Dylan and as she ducked away from Laserbeak, she felt the handgun get snatched from her roughly. She yelped and tried grabbing it back, only to recoil as she felt the hot metal from Laserbeak's body. She stared as she saw he had the weapon, and he chomped down on the gun with his teeth. Steam was rising from his body, with slight charring to his metal from the fire and the oil that was leftover.
He grinned at her as Saphira once again felt the handgun against her stomach. "Using flammable liquids to your advantage was not something I expected from a mere human." Laserbeak chuckled gleefully as Saphira let tears fall from her eyes. "But now…" Laserbeak stepped closer and she tensed as she felt the heat radiating from his body. "You are to walk nicely with our insect operative out of this building. Soundwave is waiting for you. And so is Lord Megatron. Don't keep him waiting!"
Saphira felt so much disbelief right now. She could not believe this was happening. She grimaced as Dylan grabbed her shoulder roughly and forced her to walk out of the room. "Let's get going! I am tired, I am sweaty and my legs are going to kill me for the next few days…" She frowned as Dylan began to complain about how he was feeling. "And you really pissed me off. So thank you very much for the long, long chase."
Saphira did not respond to Dylan as she was forced to walk through the hotel with a gun to her stomach. She had hoped she could keep going, but her luck had run out. She did not know what was going to happen, but a sense of dread filled her core, as she knew she was going to be brought to Megatron. She honestly could not believe it and she began to feel weak at the knees. She did not know if this was because of her fear, or the fact she had been running without resting for a long time, but she began to stumble.
"Woah, woah!" Dylan was shocked and used both hands to steady Saphira as she almost fell to the ground. Laserbeak hissed and watched with a frown as he watched the man keep Saphira to her feet. "Hmmph! Looks like the adrenaline has stopped for this girl." He glanced back at Laserbeak as he glared at him. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she gets out. Even if I have to carry her."
Saphira definitely did not want that to happen, but she honestly felt very weak in the knees. She wanted to just lay down and go limp so that it would be more difficult for Dylan to even pick her up and move her. She knew that might not necessarily work, as the decepticons could just break through the hotel and grab her that way, so it wouldn't be effective like she would hope. But as she was stumbling, it did make the walk so much longer through the hotel.
Why? Robert was right…I should have listened to him. Optimus, I am sorry…I tried. I tried to find the pillar to stop Sentinel. I tried…
Saphira kept repeating those thoughts over and over again as she stumbled through the hallway and into the lobby of the hotel. She had thought about trying to cause a scene with Dylan to try and pull herself away so she could avoid being forced to sit inside Soundwave's vehicle mode. But she honestly did not feel like she had the strength to resist. Not anymore. Plus, the gun was still against her stomach, even with Dylan needing to help her walk along to the exit.
Upon reaching the stairs of the hotel, Saphira almost fell down them, even when Dylan was careful in having her walk down the stairs. He was more frustrated with her because of this as he walked her towards the road. The Mercedes AMG was waiting for them with the doors open. Saphira stared at Soundwave and she whimpered a little, not wanting to get into the car as she knew that it was a one-way trip to Megatron.
She jumped and looked up as she heard Starscream laughing at her. "Seems like your little legs can no longer carry you any further." He leaned down as he sneered gleefully at her as she was dragged closer to Soundwave. "It was a great pleasure to play this game with you. It was a lot of fun." His shoulders slump as he glanced away. "Now it is back to patrolling and shooting down random jets and drones your military send. Pah! If only they would just stop!"
Saphira did not respond as she was forced to sit in the passenger seat. Once she was in, Saphira shrieked as tendrils wrapped around her chest, waist and legs tightly to prevent her from trying to get out. She was worried he would squeeze tightly, but he thankfully did not. But he was preventing her from struggling, and making sure she could not run. But Saphira doubted she could as she would likely stumble and fall if she did try to run. Her body was exhausted, and now that she was not running, she was really starting to feel it.
Dylan sat in the driver seat, feeling satisfied that he had brought Saphira to the decepticons and Soundwave closed the doors before he drove away. Dylan looked at Saphira and saw she was staring ahead with fear in her eyes. "You should really look at this as a new partnership, Saphira." She flinched as he began to speak to her. "With Optimus gone, it practically now leaves you available to be snapped up by any decepticon of your choice. But Megatron has had his eye on you ever since Sector Seven. You really should open up and see that he isn't that bad." Saphira did not respond as she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to say something she would regret. "Well, for me, you have to stand on the side of progress if you want to make history."
Saphira scoffed angrily as she listened to him. "You make me sick." She shook her head, gazing out the window as Soundwave drove by the destroyed vehicles, damaged buildings and bodies of humans that were laying around the city. "You call this history? Is a massacre."
Dylan shrugged a little as he glanced around. "Yeah…maybe. But you really should reconsider your feelings towards Megatron. You never know. He might be as good, or better, than Optimus Prime. You just have not had the chance to experience it."
Saphira shuddered as she felt her stomach twisting as she listened to Dylan. She did not want to listen to him any further. He was making her sick to her stomach. She couldn't believe he was telling her to allow herself to become a sparkmate to Megatron. She refused to do that. She only had one sparkmate, and he was dead again. Saphira didn't not know if this hurt more than watching Optimus died in the forest. But they both hurt terribly. At least she could revive him before. Now, even if she had the Matrix, she would need to put him back together just to bring him back.
And my skills in transformer autonomy won't help, no matter how much Ratchet taught me…though…I suppose my mechanical skills would help if we were able to find all the parts.
The very idea of rebuilding Optimus though still made her feel sick. She doubted it was possible. She felt as though that even they, once their bodies were unable to be revived or repaired, would die and fade into history just like anyone else. It wouldn't matter how many pieces were put back together, no amount of magic or power would bring him back. The body would be a lifeless husk, memory.
Dylan was shaking his head as he thought about it all. "To be honest, I really don't get why you attract transformers. But then again…" He glanced at her and looked over her body. "I kind of see why." She tensed and frowned deeply, knowing he was eyeing up her body. "I don't think I've met another girl or woman, and I can easily pay for plenty, who is as unique and attractive as you." Saphira almost gagged as she listened to him. She didn't want to hear what more he had to say, but she was forced to. "The fact that someone like Optimus Prime wanted to become your sparkmate, and…get busy with you, is quite impressive. It makes me jealous, I must say. I should have offered you a job much sooner."
Saphira took a deep breath and kept her mouth closed. There was no way she could stand sitting in this car listening to Dylan's remarks. They were making her angry, and she wanted nothing more than to beat his ass. But she could not. She was trapped inside a decepticon. And Soundwave was not going to let her go. He was intently on bringing her to Megatron, and especially now that he had her in his grasp.
She glanced up as Soundwave began approaching an older building, 35 East Wacker. She gasped as she saw Sentinel standing at the top of the building. The control pillar was inside one of the gondolas at the top of the building. He was looking down, watching Soundwave approaching. He seemed to have a sad expression, though she could not tell. Megatron was next to him. Seeing him sent shivers down her spine. He definitely was a lot worse for wear, the battle in Egypt was still a clear scar on his body, and he had found some kind of fabric to wear. It made him look a little weird, and menacing at the same time.
When Soundwave came to a stop, Dylan stepped out of the car and looked up at the two of them. "Your excellency, it was a lot of work, but we were able to capture and bring Saphira to you." He walked around the car, and Soundwave released Saphira before he opened the door and she was pulled out to her feet. "I must say, she put up quite a fight. As you can see…" He points to his head as he had a red mark from her hitting him with the gun. "She didn't hold back."
Soundwave transformed with a grin on his face. "She gave us quite the sport. It was highly enjoyable." He chuckled as he stretched out his arm and Laserbeak lands on it. He bowed his head to Megatron politely. "Lord Megatron, aside from the obvious dust that she is covered in from the destruction of this city, there is no visible injuries that we have caused."
Megatron hummed a little as he looked down at Saphira. She was trembling as she stared back. "You bring me great joy in bringing her to me. Finally, without Optimus, she will be mine." He looked at Sentinel who was giving him a hard frown. "You cannot tell me not to proceed, Sentinel Prime. Death disrupts the spark bond, making Saphira mine to take."
Sentinel looked down at Saphira who was shaking her head as she silently pleaded with Sentinel. He hummed and looked back at Megatron. "I get the feeling she does not want to make the bond with you, Megatron." The decepticon growled and narrowed his optics at him. "While it is true Optimus is gone, but I care deeply about what happens to her."
"Oh, do you?" Megatron glanced back down at Saphira with a thoughtful expression before looking back at Sentinel. "Are you going to stop me from attempting to woo and court her?" Sentinel clenched his fists as he thought it over. "We are some ways before we can activate the pillars to bring Cybertron here…" Saphira blinked and frowned when she overheard what he said. "Allow me some grace, Sentinel Prime. I promise that I will not bring harm to her."
Please, please, please don't believe him, Sentinel. I know, deep down, you know that he will hurt me. He could kill me.
Sentinel was thinking deeply about it before Saphira shouted at him. "Please, Sentinel!" Sentinel looked down at her while Dylan glared at Saphira. "Please…I…I came because you are the last connection I have to Optimus…" She let tears fall from her eyes. "I suppose it is…a disgrace on my part, because I still love him. He's gone, and it is because of you. But…" She paused as she thought more about Optimus. "He would not be Optimus if it weren't for you. And then…this is a twisted fate I have right now. Please, I am begging you. Don't listen to him."
Sentinel processed Saphira's words silently. He did not know if what she said was true about wanting to come here to find him being the last connection she had with Optimus. Saphira actually did not know if he had been told about her sparkling, she had a feeling he did not know. Sentinel softened his expression a little as he was also well aware that he was the reason Optimus was the way he was. He had trained him after all. A part of him was guilty of what had happened.
But he closed his optics and intakes heavily. Sentinel glanced at Megatron who was staring at him patiently. "Saphira is right that Optimus became who he was because of me." The decepticon frowned a little as he listened to the Prime. "She is right that Optimus turned out that way…if I had made him listen to our deal, this might have worked out differently." Saphira hoped that Sentinel would turn him down, and it almost sounded like he was going to turn back, but she felt she was wrong. "You will listen to me, Megatron. Just remember, that we are not partners. One wrong mistake, and I will do what Optimus failed to do, and rip out your spark so it may never be reignited." Megatron growled softly while he listened to him. "If you can, somehow, convince Saphira of your inner feelings…which I highly doubt…" Saphira widened her eyes in shock, feeling another sense of betrayal through her core. "And bond with her properly without harming her, I will overlook this." That made the leader of the decepticons smile deviously. "But…" Sentinel raised his finger to stop him from cheering. "If I sense, hear or believe you are going to hurt her, the chances will be zero for you. Do you understand, Megatron?"
Megatron nodded affirmatively. "With my life." He turned and jumped from the building, making Saphira stare fearfully as he lands on the ground heavily, making her stumble back. Dylan prevented her from falling onto her back as Megatron gazed her. "It brings my spark joy to finally be given a chance. And you will see…" Saphira grimaced as she felt Megatron's finger gently brush strands of hair from her sweaty face. "I will make a fine sparkmate."
That made Saphira heave rather suddenly. Dylan lets her go and his sleeve was covered in vomit, and she heaved heavily on the ground. "Ugh…gross…" Dylan looked at his jacket and pulled it off before tossing it into a burning pile of rubble, leaving his white, undershirt one. He looked down at Saphira before looking up at Megatron. "Shall I take my leave and let you two be alone, your excellence?"
Megatron watched Saphira vomit on the ground, well aware of what was within her womb, before he glanced at Dylan. "You are to take Saphira back to that glass tower you have been cowering in. Ensure that she is clean from head to toe, and in a plain piece of clothing. If you find a single, shred of a scratch on her body, inform me. I want to know if it will be because of you, Starscream, Laserbeak, Soundwave or one of my many other decepticons in the city, so I may provide the proper punishment…"
"Understood."
Dylan reached to grab Saphira as she was still heaving. "I am not finished, insect, and allow her to empty the contents within her stomach." The man retracted his arms from Saphira and looked up at Megatron. "Prepare a small room. A room that can be locked from the outside, and make sure the door is guarded until I make my arrival. You will be given two hours at most to ensure she is clean, with no spec of dirt or sweat on her body. If I arrive, and I find she still unclean, I will personally cleanse the whole building of your filth, and do it myself."
Hell no! No, no, no! Why, Sentinel, why?!
Saphira placed her hand on her stomach and looked up at Sentinel. He was looking away from her, keeping watch of the city and she wanted to shout at him, but nothing came out. Dylan grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to Soundwave as he transformed back into his vehicle mode. "Let's get going, Saphira. I suppose I should start calling you the bride for the leader of the decepticons."
She grimaced and let out some more tears as she was forced back into the AMG. This time, Soundwave did not restrain her. He was confident that Saphira would not try to flee this time. Not while Megatron now had permission to spend time with her. Saphira was trembling fearfully as she sat in the car, ignoring Dylan as he sat with a stone, cold expression on his face. She looked out the window, looking at the sky wishing Optimus was still alive right now. She would believe he would save her. But she knew that hope was not there, and she was terrified now. As far as she knew, Megatron was going to kill her. And Sentinel basically turned a blind eye.