Note: References to Tyroth Darkstorm's Fanfics 'Preparations' and 'Regenesis' appear in this chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Confrontation
Back on the Nemesis, Starscream and Megatron saw Soundwave had locked onto Cybtron, and this time, it was staying there. Megatron glowered at the screen then at Starscream.
"Now, Starscream?" Megatron asked and the second in command con could hear annoyance and impatience in his voice.
"Now." Starscream replied with a smirk as he pushed a button, activating the Space-Bridge.
No sooner did that happen than the Autobots in the midst of their fighting the flying Decepticons felt the bridge roar to life, and it appeared as a large swirling green and blue vortex!
Optimus felt his spark sink as that happened then looked over to the top of the Nemesis where he saw Megatron was standing on the top of it holding a entire chunk of Dark Energon on his back.
Ironhide blinked his optics.
"By the Allspark..." he breathed hopelessly.
"At last!" Megatron shouted he then threw the huge chunk of Dark energon into the Spacebridge vortex.
Optimus leapt into action and tried to shoot the chunk hoping to destroy it or push it off course!
Ironhide and the other Autobots did the same but they were tackled by a few Decepticons who got up again after being shot down earlier.
Optimus tried again to fire at the Energon but it went straight through the Vortex!
"NO!" Ironhide yelled.
"Scrap..." Bulkhead and Arcee said together, yet Bumblebee whirred along with them.
"We're too late..." Optimus muttered as he could only image what was going to happen as soon as that large mass of crystals hit Cybertron.
Back on the top of the Nemesis, Megatron could feel the power of the Dark Energon through his spark and he could tell that the Crystals were doing their work and the dead had awakened and were ready to fly through the bridge.
"Arise my legion!" He commanded.
Back at the base, the Hamato Clan had returned and informed Ratchet with heavy hearts what had happened.
Master Splinter, April and Casey were horrified to hear this news, as was Fowler as he had regained consciousness before the clan had returned and had almost fainted with worry, yet April kept him standing.
Ratchet vented as well as looked at the screens in worry to see some purple figures surrounding a digital form of Cybertron flying towards the Space Bridge.
He wasted no time in messaging Optimus to report what he saw.
"Optimus, I'm registering a rapidly large growing mass in their Spacebridge vortex, one with a Dark Energon signal." He informed the Autobot leader.
The Hamato Clan looked at the screens as well and despite not knowing exactly what Ratchet could see, they could tell it was bad news.
"Ratchet, we must destroy the Spacebridge." Optimus's voice was heard "There is enough live Energon coursing through it to achieve detonation. But we lack the firepower to ignite it."
Ratchet frowned at the screens.
"If I knew how the Space Bridge was engineered, I might be able to find a technical way to accomplish that." Ratchet stated.
"Hey!" Donatello's voice was heard from the raised platform, and he held up the flash drive he had used back at the Array.
"Would schematics help?"
Ratchet looked at the drive as hope rose in his spark, but then he felt it sink as he knew that if the space bridge was destroyed, it meant they were trapped on Earth.
"Optimus, I must say, the Spacebridge is our sole hope of ever returning to Cybertron. Are you certain its destruction is our only option?" he asked hesitantly.
"I'm afraid so." Optimus replied on the com-link.
"Then by all means, let us light our darkest hour." Ratchet said.
Splinter looked over at Donatello and placed a paw on his arm.
"I'm so proud of you, my son!" he smiled.
"You're a genius Donnie!" Monalisa said.
"You clever turtle you!" April grinned running over and kissing the purple masked turtle on the cheek and hugging him gratefully.
"Horary for Uncle Don!" Pandora cheered.
Raphael and Casey joined in as well to praise Donatello for his quick thinking yet Kemeko even though she smiled proud for her uncle, she still felt worried that the plan wouldn't work and whether the Autobots would be alright when they carried out that plan.
Leonardo noticed her look and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He too was worried.
Even though there was a plan in action, there was still the 50/50 chance it wouldn't work.
"Ancient One, Yoshi, Tang Shen, Karai, Chaplin..." he prayed softly "Please let this work...please..."
Fowler also shared Kemeko and Leonardo's worries, yet he placed a hand on Leonardo's shoulder.
"I commend your brother there Turtle." He said, "I commend all of you for what you've done in in the past few hours, including saving my bacon."
Leonardo smiled softly at Fowler.
"You're welcome, Agent Fowler." He said with a nod of his head.
"Call me William." Fowler said with a wink.
Back on the Space Bridge the Autobots prepared themselves for the next step. "Autobots, take your positions and follow Ratchet's lead." Optimus ordered. "While I make my stand."
The Autobots were reluctant to leave their leader to deal with Megatron, but they had to follow Ratchet's orders to destroy the Space-Bridge before any of the undead could get through the vortex and endanger Earth.
He soon saw a purple light in the sky and as it got closer, he saw it was Megatron's jet form.
He stood his ground as the jet flew towards the Space Bridge and transformed into the evil grey warlord and landed a few yards away from Optimus.
"Your fellow Autobots are wise, Optimus." Megatron taunted "They know when to retreat."
"I hold no illusions about engaging your army, Megatron." Optimus snarled narrowing his optics. "But I might derail its objective, by removing its head."
He unfolded one of his swords and got into a fighting stance.
"Highly unlikely, Optimus," Megatron cackled "As I'm infused with their very might!" He boasted.
"One shall stand, one shall fall." Optimus declared and he got ready to fight to the death.
Megatron released his own sword and went straight for Prime, he attempted to slice at him, but Optimus was quick to block it.
Optimus then tried to attack the Warlord with his own blade, but Megatron took a step back to avoid the attack.
They fought with the swords clashing against each other, sending up sparks and scraping whilst trying to find an opening.
Megatron soon saw his chance and elbowed Prime!
Prime staggered and Megatron lifted his sword to finish him.
But Optimus recovered quickly and blocked the blow with his sword.
He tried again to strike Megatron, yet the warlord blocked the sword with his very arm.
As the two cybertronian warriors continued to fight, the undead of Cybertron was getting closer to the vortex.
Back at the base, everyone continued to watch the screens and how the purple signals were advancing more to the space-bridge.
Donatello sat at the smaller computers with the schematics up ready to detonate the Space-Bridge.
"These things are getting closer!" Agent Fowler said, "That's bad, right?"
"Not just bad..." Raphael said, "We're fucked!"
Fowler gulped.
"Come on guys..." Donatello said as he continued to type
Michelangelo started to sweat.
"You know guys, if this is the end and Earth really is doomed, you think we should inform Mutopia and carry out our escape plan Tyroth mentioned after Diablo's betrayal?"
"Escape to Skyrim?" Monalisa asked.
"How quick do you think we can get there?" Casey stammered.
"Don't start the flight plan yet guys!" Leonardo reminded them.
As he said that, Arcee was heard over the com-link.
"Ratchet, we're in position."
"Arcee, pay close attention." Ratchet said sternly.
The Hamato Clan and Fowler jumped slightly and turned their attention to the screens again.
"Please work...please...please..." Leonardo pleaded silently, and the others bit their lips and crossed their fingers in hope.
Back on the Space-Bridge, Megatron and Optimus continued their brawl.
Megatron threw a punch at Optimus' face, then sliced his torso with his blade.
Optimus once again staggered back and before he could defend himself, Megatron simply sliced off his sword!
Optimus was alarmed and Megatron saw his chance and did an uppercut slice into Prime's jaw sending him flying airborne.
Megatron then grabbed Optimus's leg and threw him to the ground, slamming him over and over then threw him to the side!
Optimus slid over the metal bridge, sparks flying from his joints!
The Prime tried to pick himself up and saw Megatron approaching him with his sword ready to execute him.
He lifted his sword to bring down on Optimus, but suddenly Starscream's voice was heard over the com-link.
"Master?"
"Starscream, what is it?" Megatron asked furiously.
"I do not want to question your 'all seeing' wisdom, but I believe the Autobots are up to something again Starscream informed him, as on the Nemesis, Starscream was observing Bulkhead, Arcee, Ironhide and Bumblebee.
"Beneath your Bridge this time." he reported.
"Ah, misdirection, Optimus?" Megatron said with an amused smirk.
"You would have made a fine Decepticon."
He rose his sword again to bring down on Optimus, but the Prime used his broken sword to block Megatron's.
"I chose my side." Optimus countered.
He pushed away Megatron's sword then switched his arm sword to his arm cannon and before the Warlord could attack him, Optimus shot him back several times sending him drifting in space.
The Warlord then transformed into his jet form and retreated.
"Starscream, my army approaches," he roared "Rendezvous with the Spacebridge for pick up." He ordered.
On the other side on the Spacebridge, Arcee was working on the controls hidden in the debri whilst Bulkhead, Ironhide and Bumblebee were standing guard around her, and Ratchet was talking her through it on the com-link.
"Now follow the line from the flow regulator to the Energon pump. There should be a valve." He instructed.
"I see it." Arcee said before she activated it.
"Good." Ratchet continued. "To turn all that power against itself all you need to do is reverse the current."
Arcee pulled on the lever with all her strength, and it moved into the designated spot.
"Atta girl Arcee!" Ironhide grinned as he watched the femme.
Back at the Autobot Base, everyone anxiously waited for Arcee's response.
"Current reversed." She informed.
"Yes!" Fowler cheered. "Right?"
He looked at everyone else who remained quiet, it was only the first step.
"I hope so..." Donatello said, "Now everyone's just got to get off before the whole thing blows to pieces!"
"I'll ready the Ground Bridge." Ratchet said and He quickly moved over to the Ground Bridge controls to pick the Autobots up.
Back on the Spacebridge, Megatron came flying in at the Autobots hoping to stop them from twarting his plans.
At once Ironhide, Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee tried to shoot him down, yet he evaded the blasts and began shooting back.
One of his shots struck Arcee and she cried out in pain as she was sent flying backwards and drifted up into space.
"Arcee!" Ironhide shouted in worry.
Just then, the Space Bridge began to shake, and small explosion began all over.
Optimus rushed for the edge to look for his teammates and get them away.
Meanwhile Megatron flew back to the vortex, his army was almost through!
He transformed to robotic form and noticed that the Nemesis was nowhere in sight. "Starscream, where is my ship?!" He demanded.
"We would never make it, Lord Megatron!" Starscream argued from aboard the Warship, which had retreated to a safe distance.
After he saw what Arcee had done, the second in command realised that the Space-bridge was going to blow and he had to get away.
"Don't be a fool! Take flight and retreat!" he shouted.
Optimus ran and dodging the explosions until he made it to the edge and saw his comrades nearby.
"Optimus, the Ground Bridge is ready and waiting." Ratchet said on the com-link.
"Autobots, jump!" Optimus ordered and he leapt off the space bridge and into the vortex.
The other Autobots followed suit and Bumblebee jumped even higher to grab Arcee and he followed the others into the vortex before it closed!
As that happened, Megatron hovered before the vortex as the undead cybertronians got closer.
He wasn't ready to give up, not when he was this close.
"My legion." He said with despair.
The closest zombie Cybertroinian reached out its hand for Megatron who reached back to touch its fingertips as it just made it through the vortex.
"No..."
Just as their fingers touched, the Spacebridge imploded with an incredible bang followed by a wave of Energon that was released into the atmosphere and disappeared in a flash.
On the Nemesis, which had gotten a good distance away before it could be blasted away, Starscream stood before the navigation system and bowed his head.
"Decepticons…" he said heavily "It is with deep sorrow that I note for the log that Megatron's spark has been extinguished."
He then look up and smirked as his eyes flashed.
Now Megatron was gone, he could now lead the Decepticon Army, and do things his way and maybe even succeed and finish what Megatron started.
"All hail…Starscream."
Back at the base, everyone waited for the Autobot's return.
"I hope they're alright." Pandora said softly.
"I hope so too Geisha." Michelangelo agreed.
Ratchet looked at the life signals on a screen on his arm.
"Five life signals, one is very faint." He reported.
"Oh no..." Monalisa whispered as she along with the others looked to the vortex.
Optimus was the first to arrive, followed be Bulkhead, then Ironhide, all covered in slashes as well as burn marks but otherwise alive.
It was a question to the Hamato Clan and Fowler that it was either Bumblebee or Arcee wounded.
That question was soon answered when Bumblebee appeared with Arcee in his arms.
"We lost one this week." Ratchet murmured as his mind went back to Cliffjumper.
"By the AllSpark don't let it be two."
Raphael paled, as did Monalisa and the couple ran down the steps before anyone could stop them.
"Arcee?" Raphael asked quietly as he placed his hand onto her servo, Monalisa looked ready to comfort her mate if it was bad news.
Arcee opened her optics and looked down at the turtle.
"Raph, really? There are other motorcycles in the world." She chuckled painfully.
"True, but I could never find a better ride." Raphael said, "As well as a friend!"
Monalisa nodded in agreement.
"We care for you Arcee." She said, "Please be okay."
Arcee smiled again at the couple.
Ratchet meanwhile looked at Optimus.
"And Megatron?" he asked.
"Not even he could have survived Ground 0." Optimus declared in a sad voice.
Ironhide looked sympathetically at Optimus, yet he glared at the empty ground bridge tunnel.
"He was a fool." He said, "and his stubborn foolishness got him offlined!"
"The important thing is, you all made it home safe." Splinter spoke up "Safe and alive."
"And you saved our planet too!" Casey added "Thanks guys!"
"Prime!" Fowler spoke up and everyone turned to see him heading for the elevator.
"I didn't get to thank you bots for the save, nor the treatment afterwards from you mutants." He said, "I owe you one!"
"You're welcome, Fowler!" Donatello said.
"Wait, William, What about your superiors?" Leonardo asked.
"Don't worry about it tonight, Leonardo." Fowler replied winking "I will return to discuss it further once we've all gotten some rest."
"Thank you, Agent Fowler." Splinter said gratefully "We will await your return."
"Goodnight." Fowler smiled before the doors closed and the elevator went up to the surface.
Michelangelo yawned as he leaned on the railings.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm beat."
"Me too!" Pandora agreed.
"And me..." Kemeko added.
Leonardo looked at his daughter then at Optimus.
"It sure has been a rather eventful day, if not an intense one."
Optimus nodded.
"Noted Leonardo." He said, "It is best you all get some rest, and so should we after all we have encountered."
"Darn tootin Prime!" Ironhide agreed "Some need more rest than others!" he looked at Arcee who Bumblebee carried to the medical area so Ratchet could look her over.
"Get some rest all of you." Ratchet ordered "That includes you Optimus." He looked at the Prime who stood looking dreamily upwards.
"In a moment Ratchet." He replied as he vented, and the medic realised how Optimus was feeling about what had transpired.
He nodded understanding before turning his attention to Arcee whilst the Hamato Clan started to get settled to sleep and the other Autobots retired to their quarters in the silo.
Optimus's message Log:
Without a means of leaving this world, we Autobots take strength in the bonds we have forged, with our new friends, three humans, and six mutants, true warriors, if not in body, then in spirit.
My name is Optimus Prime, and I send this message.
Though we did not choose to be of Earth, it would seem we are here to stay.
If you approach this planet with hostile intent, know this, we will defend ourselves.
We will defend the humanity.
We will defend our home.
And we've gotten to the end of the pilot episodes! Can't believe it took me over twenty chapters! But now we're moving onto the other episodes, yet how will those be written?
Well, you'll have to tune in to find out!