I just want to apologize now for how much talking there is in this chapter. I felt like that's all I really did. Of course, I made this note pre-edits so I could have fixed some stuff up, but yeah, it was difficult. I'm trying to also use in my added characters and not just the ones from the episodes but again, difficult.
Next chapter is the season finale! Can you believe it took us this long to get here? I can't wait to mark it complete after eight long years. I might cry a little. Then again, I'm working on the rewrite now and second season is still a possibility. Not a guarantee but it could happen! Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Jess!
Chapter Twenty-Four:
When I reached the otherside of the groundbridge, Sunsreaker and Sideswipe were helping Optimus over to the medical berth. The rest of the Autobots stood back so that Ratchet could approach him. Prime looked weak, he was venting heavily and he could barely walk even with the support of the others.
"Easy, Optimus." Ratchet spoke soothingly, laying a hand on the younger mech's shoulder. "From the looks of things you've been exposed to a massive amount of dark energon."
I joined Ratchet's side and called forth my powers in hopes of healing him. Unfortunately it did no good. My guess was that because dark energon was said to be the blood of Unicorn, who was the opposite of the Allspark- who was granted its power from Primus. My powers had no effect on damage caused by something as dark and powerful as that.
Optimus paid me no mind however, his optics trailed on Raf, who was still in a nearby gurney with June fusing over him. I transformed into my pretender form and stood on the opposite side of her. "How's he doing?" I asked her, smiling reassuringly at my youngest friend.
"He's lucky to be alive." June replied, her tone angry. She sent Optimus a dark look, as if it were his fault that Raf had been hurt. Optimus looked away, a sad and guilty look crossing his face.
I felt a surge of irritation. "It's not his fault this happened to Raf." I snapped at Jack's mom. "The blame should lie with Megatron and Megatron alone. All of these guys have done their best to protect us since day one, but they can't protect us from everything."
June opened her mouth to retort, but Jack quickly interrupted. "Megatron found more of the dark stuff?" He asked in an effort to redirect the conversation before it exploded, something I could feel building up. Arcee replied that it was a volcano full, with Cliff following up saying that the question was how. "No. The question is, 'What?'. As in, 'What in the world is the blood of unicron doing here on Earth?'" Ratchet asked, though the question was rhetorical.
"The cons killed a unicorn?" Miko frowned in confusion.
I nearly laughed out loud at that, remembering how I wondered the same thing when I first heard the name Unicron. "Not unicorn, Miko, Unicron. You know how my powers were a gift from Primus right, who is basically like their God? Unicron is kinda like his opposite." I explained, though I looked to Ratch to make sure I was explaining correctly.
Ratchet nodded his agreement. "He's an ancient evil whose fossilized blood comprises the matter which we call dark energon, as Legend would have it."
"So you're saying that this Unicron is some kind of boogeyman?" June asked, looking as confused as the Autobots looked by that term. I couldn't help but chuckle when Miko explained what a boogeyman was.
"No Nurse Darby, Unicron is very real. Was. That is, well, I do believe he once existed. I just don't subscribe to the theory that his primordial life force is the substance which… harmed Raf." Ratchet explained. I didn't agree with him, though. Something about dark energon had always put me off, even back when I'd first encountered it because of zombie Cliff. Speaking of Zombie Cliff, I wondered how I was able to save him and bring him back to life when he literally was consumed by dark energon, but I couldn't heal Optimus who'd just been exposed. So many questions that made no sense.
June shook her head, waving her arms in disbelief. "I've heard enough. Jack, please, help me get Raf into the car."
Bee stepped forward, looking distressed. "What? Why?"
"Mom, I thought he was doing better?" Jack asked, running to catch up as June pushed the gurney toward her vehicle. I wanted to stop them, but there wasn't much I could do or say. I wasn't human, nor was I in any way a guardian figure for Raf. While I didn't necessarily believe June was either, she was also the only human nurse here. I had to respect whatever choice she thought was best for Rafael, even if I didn't agree with it.
"Raf needs to be examined by real doctors, and Raf's family needs to know what's happened. His real family." She told her son, her tone spiteful and cruel.
I growled, especially when I saw the look of utter shame and helplessness that crossed my Ratchet's face. "Oh hell no." I snapped, rushing forward to stand in front of June and Raf. She glared furiously at me, demanding I move. "You don't say those hateful words about my family, or my mech, and expect me not to say something. Do you have any idea that stuff Ratchet has seen and done in his time? He's not just a medic, he's a soldier who's dealt with more trauma and death than you ever have to worry about encountering. To say he's not a real doctor is not only untrue and insulting, it's disgusting and hateful and ignorant. You do not get to come in here and invalidate anyone just because they're not human. What happened to Raf was horrible, and I know they're all going to feel that guilt for the rest of their lives, but you do not treat them like that."
"Jessica, it's alright. Nurse Darby has a right to think what she does." Ratchet apprised me, his voice solemn but resigned.
I turned my fierce glare on him. "No. She does not, and you will not accept that, understand? You've done so much for me, for Lennox, and for Jack, Miko and Raf. Ms Darby has only been here a few weeks and I will not allow her to make snap judgements about my family just because you guys aren't human." I snapped, before turning my attention back to June- who looked absolutely flabbergasted. "And we are Raf's real family. Family doesn't end in blood. There's not a single person or bot here who wouldn't lay down their lives for Rafael. Raf's family cannot protect him, not like we can. Do not come into my home and treat our family with disrespect, or you will no longer be welcome here."
Her eyes flickered to Jack, silently begging him to say something in her defense, but he just looked away, rubbing his arms sheepishly. Then she looked up at Optimus, who was staring at me pensively. However he must have felt the force of her stare, because he looked back at her. "June, it deeply grieves me that I have failed. But I will do everything in my power to ensure that no harm comes to our human friends… or any human ever again." He said as he stood up and limped over to us.
June closed her eyes tightly, a range of emotions seemingly going through her tense body. "Optimus, they're children. They do not belong in your world. They should be worrying about grades, prom dates, pimples. Not their own survival!"
"Mom, dark energon is pouring out of the Earth. It doesn't do that. This could be about everyone's survival, not just ours." Jack tried to reason with her.
June was having none of it. "You're coming with me, all three of you, and they will not be coming back." She declared, before moving the gurney around me and continuing to her car. Miko crossed her arms, glaring defiantly after her while Jack just looked lost and afraid.
"I understand." Optimus acknowledged, resigned.
Miko practically exploded. "That's it?" Optimus looked down at her as she ran over to stand in front of him. "After all we've been through together? 'See ya'? What about our freedom to choose?"
June and Raf had reached her car and she was helping him into the back seat. "That may fly on their planet, but not here on Earth. Get in." She demanded, waving at the open back seat door.
Miko huffed and crossed her arms. "Do you really expect me to ride in a non-transforming vehicle?" She asked, voice dropping with attitude. June told her she was serious, but Miko just leaned forward, hands on her hips. "You're not my mother." She sassed. Bulkhead walked up behind her and said her name warningly, but Miko just pivoted around, pointing at him and shouting, "Neither are you!"
June stepped forwards, walking towards Jack. "Well, I am yours. Let's go Jack." He hesitated, torn. Arcee approached him, a sad look on her face, but was resigned when she told him that June was his mom. Still, he didn't move. Finally, he took a deep breath and stood up straight, "I'm staying. I'm sorry." He looked away, feeling guilty but resolute in his decision.
June just stood there for a moment, shocked, before glaring and her son and turning away. She climbed into her car to drive away, Raf tucked in the back seat. Optimus asked Ratchet to activate the groundbridge, but June told him no thanks before speeding away out of the tunnel. I could see Raf through the back window, tears in his eyes as he watched us all shrink away. Bee beeped sadly, looking defeated.
We barely had a moment of silence when Will's voice suddenly came over the monitor. "Prime, do you copy?" He asked and Optimus gave him the affirmative. "Been watching the news? Mother nature's got a twitch in her britches." Optimus informed him that we knew about the volcano. "And the quakes? Seven major tumblers of the exact same magnitude at the exact same time as a volcanic eruption. All over the globe on different tectonic plates, in theory, unrelated, if they hadn't happened…"
"At the exact same time." Ratchet finished his sentence gravely.
"Check it out, more good news." Miko caught our attention. She had turned on the tv, raising the volume so we could hear what was being said.
It was a newcast. "Freak storms unlike any the region has seen. Tsunamis threaten the Canadian coast while lightning storms pummel the Gobi desert. Meanwhile, electromagnetic anomalies plague urban power grids. These abnormal global phenomena are leaving most to wonder why now and what's next?"
"Don't tell me your cons have built a weather machine?" Will remarked unimpressed.
Ratchet waved the thought away. "One that powerful, highly unlikely."
"I do not believe the appearance of dark energon at this point in time to be coincidental." Optimus informed us all soberly.
A thought struck me then. "Guys, if all this weather stuff is going on right now, what do you think outside looks like?" I asked my thoughts on June and Raf. Jack understood what I meant immediately and I saw the panic in his eyes. Bee also understood and, before anyone could blink, he transformed and took off.
Everyone was silent after that as we all took in what had just happened. I decided now would be a good time to talk with Ratchet, so I transformed into my bipedal form and led him to the far side of the room for some privacy. "Is everything alright?" He asked me once we reached our destination.
"I'm fine, but are you okay, love? I know what June said got to you, I could see it in your optics. I need you to understand that you did the best you could in an impossible situation. None of us could have foreseen Megatron's attack, nor could we have been prepared for it. I understand that you must have felt helpless, I did too." I expressed to him. I grabbed one of his servos with mine. "It was a scary situation in general."
Ratchet vented a shaky breath of air. "I hadn't felt that useless since the beginning of the war, when I was first training to be a medic. I was telling Optimus earlier about how we welcomed these humans into our lives, yet I've learned so little about their science or medicine. My stubborn pride got in the way. I've come to deeply care for all three of the human children, if anything happened to them on my watch, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."
"Honey, you're not alone, please remember that. You and I are a team. I understand though, I was in school to be a nurse, but even I felt lost on how to help Raf. I'd only gotten so much training before I had to drop out of college. I focused my studies so much on Cybertronian matters, and neglected my human matters. For that, I feel an immense amount of guilt. However, you and I did the best we could, and you figured it out. You saved Raf's life, not Ms Darby. If she had taken him like she tried to first do, I have zero doubts Raf would've died. But he didn't, because of your quick thinking. I'm proud of you, my love." I spoke, my voice warm with love and understanding.
Ratchet smiled back at me, caressing my face with his free servos. "Thank you, sweetspark. And don't sell yourself short, either. You're quick thinking too try and stabilize Rafael no doubt helped prolong his life until I could think of the solution. It was indeed a team effort." He raised up my two servos that held his and kissed them gently. "Besides, do you have any idea how utterly captivating you were when you were defending me. I think I fell a little more for you at that moment. That, and when you pulled rank over Sunstreaker to rescue Optimus. I always knew you would do great things, as both an Autobot and our Allspark. Now I know everyone does as well."
I felt my cheek plates warm at his compliment and smiled shyly. "I really hope I live up to your expectations."
"Sweetspark, you already have." He pulled me in for a hug and I rested my processor against his chest. I could hear his spark humming inside and it brought a sense of comfort. I was so very thankful in that moment to have such an amazing mech as my partner. He always had a way of building me up and making me feel better about myself. I hoped I did for him as well, he deserved that and more. If I could help him even a fracture of the way he helped me then I would be happy.
The sound of an approaching vehicle broke our spell. Ratchet and I rejoined the others, servo in servo, feeling much better than we had moments before. We watched relieved as Bee pulled back into the silo, and, when his doors popped back open, Raf and June got out.
Raf grinned nervously at the surrounding Autobots and humans. "Uh, we're back." He chuckled nervously as he hopped out of Bee's alt-form.
"And we are glad." Ratchet assured him. I transformed down into my human form and ran over to hug him. I took his face in my hands, squishing them slightly and kissed both his cheeks. He laughed, attempting to push me away but not using much effort. I was so happy to see that he was okay.
Bee transformed and, on the other side of him, I could see June and Jack embracing. I was happy to see their relationship wouldn't be affected by what had happened. Though judging by the strange look she sent me, I wondered if ours would be strained once more, like it had been when we first met. I didn't regret my words, but I hoped I hadn't burned a bridge. June had been becoming sort of a mother figure to me, I would hate to lose that. But what she had said was wrong and I had to correct it, I'd never feel bad about protecting my family.
'World leaders are classifying these bizarre weather patterns as a global emergency.' Everyone turned their attention back to the news. I followed June and Jack back up the stairs to watch the tv. 'And scientists believe the phenomena to be somehow related to the current planetary alignment.'
The elevator dinged and Will came stomping through the door. "What have you learned, Prime? And you better not blow smoke in my oven." He was saying, before he paused in surprise when he noticed June. "Ms Darby." He chuckled nervously. "What a nice surprise."
"Special Agent Fowler." She nodded towards him, her arms crossed but she was smiling. I sensed that something might be occurring between those two. I wasn't sure what to think about it, but really I just wanted them to be happy, especially Will. He'd helped me through a lot in our months together on Team Prime. I appreciated him more than he'd probably ever know.
Ratchet spoke up then, drawing their attention. "We have learned this, as with the so-called magma from the volcano, these earthquakes originated far below the Earth's crust, from the very center of the Earth's core, in fact." He pushed some buttons, pulling up schematic onto the monitor as he spoke.
"Quakes don't start there. Do they?" Will asked, turning to an approaching June with a questioning shrug.
"Tiny tremors rising and falling in a consistent pattern, almost like…" He trailed off, staring at the data in front of him. I jumped down and transformed so that I could stand beside him and lay a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face me with a look of pure astonishment. "By the Allspark." He gasped, turning back to the monitor. "If I convert these data points to audio files… listen."
A sound began to play and at first I was confused. But slowly realization dawned on me, and a quick scope around the room showed me that the others understood as well. There was a mix of confusion and terror on everyone's faces. "Is that a heartbeat?" I queried with a disbelieving frown. "How is that possible?" Somehow though I knew the answer. Just like Primus made up the core of Cybertron, and his energon was the lifeblood of all Cybertrons, it would stand to reason that Unicron may very well make up our own core. That explained why there was dark energon coming from the Earth.
"The blood of Unicron." Raf gasped, coming to the same conclusion as myself.
Everyone sat in stunned silence for a minute, but it didn't last long. Miko, who was sitting on the back of the couch in front of Bulk, spoke up, "Okay hold up, you mean to tell me something's living down there, inside our planet?"
"If Primus is the core of Cybertron, what are the odds that Unicron is the core of Earth?" I wondered, almost fearing the answer. "Human science has always suggested that magma is what makes up the Earth's core. Now I'm thinking it might actually be dark energon. Seriously, what are the chances of this happening, out of all the planets?" I muttered, shaking my head in pure disbelief.
"The odds are incredibly low, but here we are." Ratchet observed. "But I agree with you. And if we're hearing a spark, then Unicron is the rising darkness that the prophecy foretold."
"What a blow that must be to Megatron's ego." I vented a puff of air, slightly amused by the thought. Will then asked how we could stop Unicron from rising but Optimus informed him that that was not foretold. June then asked how something could be in the Earth's core and be alive.
Optimus then explained how such a thing was not unprecedented. "Before the beginning, there was Primus and there was Unicron. One, the incarnation of creation, the other of destruction. For eons, Primus and Unicron battled, the balance of power shifting between them more times than could be counted. Only by creating the 13, the original Primes who preceded me, was Primus finally able to defeat Unicron and cast him out. Primus became one with the very core of our planet, creating life through the well of Allsparks, while Unicron was never to be heard from again… until now."
"Hold on, well of Allsparks? Isn't Jessica the Allspark, how does that work?" Jack asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
I perked up. "I actually know this, thanks to the Allspark. So the Well of Allsparks was what it sounds like, a giant well that created Cybertronian life. When the war reached the point of the Fall of Cybertron, Primus cast out the Allspark in hopes of preserving his creation. Originally she was in a cube form that floated through the cosmos for billions of years until she somehow found her way here, to Earth, where I found her. Which again, is one Hell of a coincidence. Is there some kind of roadway through the stars that connect Cybertron and Earth?" I wondered, shooting Ratchet a curious look.
"None that I'm aware of." He replied with a shrug.
"What if we just find the hole this uber-con left, when he dug himself all the way down there and fill it full of explosives." Will suggested.
I shook my helm. "Will, Unicron isn't buried in the Earth's core, he is Earth's core. My guess is that over time debris from other asteroids and planets collided and collected around the slumbering titan, forming Earth as we know it."
Arcee came to the conclusion that he was only awakening now due to the magnetic pull created by the planetary alignment. "Okay, well, what happens now when Unicron wakes up from his billion-year nap?" Lennox asked, speaking up for the first time. He had mostly just been observing the chaos happening around him, unsure of what to do or how to help. "Does he do a little stretch and then, poof, Earth gone?"
No one answered him. All the bots, including Optimus, looked away with sad optics. "You don't know, do you?" June finally asked.
"My guess is that Unicron has transcended physical form as we know it. Nonetheless, we must find a way to ensure that this force of nature never fully awakens. The fate of your planet depends upon it."
XxRebelWriterxX
There wasn't much we could do. Outside the walls of the silo, it almost seemed like the end of the world due to the intense weather. Inside, we could only wait and try to figure out a course of action. I knew there was potentially only one way we could get some answers, and that was through Primus himself.
I've talked to Primus multiple times before in the past, either because he sent me a vision or he visited me in my dreams. However, all of these were initiated by him. I had no clue how to actually get a hold of the titan.
But I had to try, for both my family and the planet we currently called home.
I informed Ratchet of my plans, but no one else. I didn't want to get anyones hopes up when there was no guarantee that I would have any luck. Then I walked back to Ratchet and I's room for some privacy.
Once I was in there, I wasn't sure how to start. I'd never been one for prayers. Growing up the way I did, I never put much stock in religion. After all, what kind of God would allow a ten year old girl to be abandoned on her birthday? Now that I've actually met a God, and became possessive of an ancient power that allows me to create and heal life, religion was kind of a moot point. I guess in a way I myself had been deified, which was a weird concept that I chose not to think about because who in their right mind would ever think it's a good idea to deify me?
But none of that really mattered right now. I needed to focus on trying to reach Primus and hoped he would be willing to speak with me.
"Primus, I don't know if you can actually hear me or not, but I need to talk to you. Surely you're aware of the evil that currently makes up my home planet's core. I need your help to save my people from total destruction. I know you chose me to save Cybertron, and I'll do everything in my power to do so. But until then, I need to protect this planet. So please, talk to me. Tell me how I can defeat Unicron." I felt a little silly, talking to the air. And I still wasn't totally sure he could even hear me, and if he could, would he even help me? I didn't know and that scared me.
I closed my optics and took in a deep breath of air. 'Please.' I begged in my head.
When I opened my optics, I was no longer in my room. In fact, I was no longer on Earth. I was on Cybertron. And before me stood a very familiar mech. "Primus." I greeted with a relieved smile.
"Hello, Jessica. Becoming one of my children has suited you. You look lovely as a Cybertronian." He complimented me. His red optics were bright with happiness and love. It instantly put me at ease. "I understand you need my help." He vented some air. "To think, my old enemy lives, transcended he may me, to cause trouble on the same planet my chosen Allspark resides on. Fate is a funny thing."
"That it is. Please, tell me there is a way to stop him from gaining full power and destroying my home?"
Primus laid a soothing hand on my shoulder. "Of course there is, child. Unicron is weak at the moment, so that means he can be sent back into his slumber. And you already possess the means to do so. Or at least, someone among your team does."
"Really? Who?" I was intrigued. If it wasn't me who had the power to send Unicron back into slumber, who did.
"My disciple, of course. Optimus Prime." He looked out into the stars, a fond smile on his face. "Optimus has grown so much since I bestowed upon him the title of Prime. I know what a burden it can be, but he has taken it in stride. I knew he was the correct choice." He looked down at me once more. "Please, make sure to tell him how proud I am of him."
"Of course, sir, but please, how can Optimus stop Unicron?" I asked, desperate for the answer.
"With the Matrix of Leadership. It holds the collective power of the Primes. That much power should be enough to send Unicron back into a slumber, hopefully for good this time. Though I must confess, I do not know what will happen when he does use it. It will not harm him, of course, but I cannot say there won't be lasting consequences. But that is a risk he must take in order to save your home world."
I wasn't sure what the Matrix of Leadership was, but I'd imagine Optimus did. It was a relief to know there was a way to stop Unicron from rising. Now I just needed to figure out how to get Optimus to Unicron so that he could use said power. "Thank you, for helping me save my family and my home."
Primus smiled before leaning forward to lay his helm on mine, like a human would lay their forehead on another's. "Of course, you are my child. And Unicron is the destruction to my creation. I would do anything I needed to do to stop him. It's time for you to go now, and remember I am so proud of all you've accomplished already."
I closed my optics and basked in the moment with the ancient titan. When I opened them once more, I was back in my room.
Now that I had a small semblance of a plan, I felt a bit better. I knew I needed to find Optimus right away and tell him everything. Quickly, I stood up from my berth and left my room to head back to the control room. When I arrived, I immediately sought out Optimus. He was standing next to Ratchet, watching as my partner did something on the monitor. I walked straight over to them and gently grasped the Prime's shoulder. "Optimus, may I speak to you, in private?" I asked him.
"Of course, Jessica. We can go to my office." Optimus agreed. Ratchet cast me an questioningly look and I just gave him a slight nod to indicate I had reached Primus. He looked relieved, though also curious as to why I needed to speak with the Prime alone.
I followed Optimus to his office and shut the door behind me. "So I went to my room in an effort to try and reach Primus. I figured if anyone would have a clue on how to defeat Unicron, it would be him. And it worked, Primus actually granted me an audience with him. And while I was there, he told me what needed to be done."
Optimus looked surprised. "You spoke with Primus?"
"Yes, sir. Which he wanted me to tell you that he's proud of you. He really thinks you're doing a great job, and he said you were definitely the correct choice for Prime." Optimus looked positively stunned by my confession. "But anyway, Primus said to defeat Unicron, you would need to use something called the Matrix of Leadership. Apparently it has the collective power of the Primes and that should be enough to knock out Unicron for good."
Optimus laid a hand across his chest, looking deep in thought. "I should have known. It makes sense, of course. Now the only issue is getting down to Unicron to use it."
"Yeah, unfortunately I don't have an answer for that. But Optimus, I have to warn you, Primus did say there would be consequences to using the Matrix of Leadership. He doesn't know what they are, just that they exist and that you'd have to be willing to face them." I explained to him, worriedly.
"I am prepared to face whatever I must in order to protect Earth and its people. Do not worry, Jessica. We will save our home." Optimus tried to reassure me.
"I just hope we don't lose you in the process."
XxRebelWriterxX
Optimus was rather pensieve after our chat. When we returned to the front, Ratchet kept shooting questioning glances at the both of us. I mouthed to him that I would tell him later, but I knew he wasn't satisfied. For a medic, he sure could be impatient sometimes!
There still wasn't much to do without having a way to Unicron, so Optimus decided to check out some of the sites where the Earth cracked open due to the many, many quakes the world had been having. However, he was still weak from his time around dark energon and I didn't think it was a good idea for him to go out alone. When I told him this, he tried to dismiss me.
"Optimus, you made me a Medical Specialist, remember? While I am unable to heal you, I can still sense how weak you are. If you were attacked, I don't think you could last long. You need someone to go with you. And that someone is going to be me." I told him sternly.
Much the same as Ratchet, I could overrule Prime when there was a medical concern. Ratchet could easily have overruled me, considering he was the Chief Medical Officer, and I was only a specialist. However, I knew my partner agreed with me. So as irritated as Prime was with essentially getting a babysitter, he said nothing as Ratchet opened the groundbridge to the first coordinates.
We went to multiple fault openings, each one teeming with ore. When we reached the last one, I could especially feel the presence of Unicron. Optimus looked around before calling back to Ratchet on the comms. "Ratchet, this epicenter is consistent with the findings of the others. Its terrain is rich in ore."
"So what does that tell us?" Will's voice came over the comm system. Ratchet explained that the natural metals in the earth would be extensions of Unicron, his limbs that is. "So he did have his morning stretch, which is why these quakes happened." June added on.
Ratchet didn't reply to them however, instead I could hear what sounded like beeping on the monitor. "Optimus, I'm detecting a swell in Unicron's spark activity."
"Rest assured, Ratchet, we will proceed with vigilance." Optimus assured him. However, as soon as he said that, there was a loud rumbling coming from the rocks. Optimus and I turned around to see what was causing the noise, and were shocked by what we saw.
A face appeared in the stone wall, his glowing purple eyes glaring furiously at us. "Do you know me, followers of Primus?" It asked, sending a shiver of fear down my back. It was quite obvious who he was, and Optimus and I answered his name in unison- Unicron, the chaos-bringer. "Good." He growled before there were more rumblings as the rocks all around him split open and fell. A body formed from the wall, tall and wide with huge freaking horns on his head. Optimus and I took a cautionary step back. "Now know me as Unicron, your destroyer!" He shouted at us, his stone weapons held high as he attacked.
Optimus and I quickly transformed our servos into our weapons and met his attack head on. The stone titan was strong, and quick. It took all of our skills to parry each blow, though we remained on the defensive, unable to attack ourselves. After a few hits from Unicron, Optimus took a step back and retracted his weapons. "I humbly request your ear, Lord Unicron."
Unicron paused his attacks, though he remained scowling at us. "And what would a Prime be so compelled to say to me?"
"I make this appeal not for myself, but for this planet which you constitute and the beings who inhabit it. Humankind relies upon you for life, sustenance. Your resurrection will only result in the destruction of a species which evolved from the seeds of your very greatness." Optimus attempted to sway the titan.
"So, this humankind of whom you speak, you consider them my progeny?" Unicron asked, to which Prime answered with the word 'indeed'. "Parasites! They, too, shall know my wrathful hand, once I am finished with the two of you!"
Unicrons weapons shifted into hands that shot sparks of electricity at Optimus and I. We flew backwards several feet, groaning at the sudden pain. "Seriously?" I growled, now understanding how the Decepticons felt when I hit them with my electrified katanas. Then again, they deserved it.
The titan stomped towards us while Optimus and I weakly attempted to stand back up, but were unable too. "The line of Primes has grown weak in my absence. And to think, the one who holds Primus' own power in her hands cannot even properly wield it? Disgusting. And thus, you two shall fall." He snarled at us, his servos charging up once more with purple electricity.
"That outcome is inevitable." Optimus started to say as we both pushed ourselves up. "But not today, motherfucker." I finished with a sneer before pulling out my guns and shooting at him, Optimus following my lead. Unicron took several steps backwards before he started crumbling into dust.
It wasn't over, however.
The ground began to rumble once more, this time all around us. Multiple stone Unicrons burst through the stone all around us, weapons drawn and ready to fight. They were all speaking in unison as they appeared. "Yes, disciples of Primus, on this very day, for Unicron may be one, be we are all Unicron!" There must have been forty or fifty that appeared, greatly outnumbering us. I looked all around, feeling just a smidgen of fear.
"Optimus, I have a feeling this is about to be the biggest fight for our lives." I told him, readying my katanas to fight. Electricity sparked, ready to take down the threat before us. It was not going to be easy, but Prime and I would not go down easy.
"I have a feeling you are right, my friend." Optimus replied gravely. Our backs were to one another, and we stood defensively, waiting for the first attack. "It has been an honor fighting beside you." He told me, in case this was his last chance to.
I smiled just a bit. "You too, Optimus Prime. Now let's go kick some stone ass."
"Optimus, have you uncovered any further sign of Unicron's emergence?" Ratchet's voice came over the comm system.
"Unicron is power incarnate, and you, the last of the Prime's and you, the holder of Primus' powers, shall perish." The tens of Unicron's said, once more in perfect unison. It was very creepy how they did that.
"I'll take that as a yes. We are on our way!"
My spark stuttered at the thought of Ratchet being anywhere near this monster. I shot Optimus a pleading look, begging him to stop them from coming. "Negative." He ordered the bots back at the base. "Unicron cannot be defeated by sheer force. He wants me and Jessica, Ratchet."
"The fight must be ours alone, my love." I spoke into the comms.
And then they attacked. All at once we were swarmed by the Unicron clones, each more stronger than the last. But Optimus and I never faltered. We fought hard, blowing them to pieces with our guns or slicing them apart with our swords. It was especially satisfying to down one with electricity after the shock we'd been given earlier.
We fought without mercy. They surrounded us from all sides, separating us with ease. I tried not to panic as the numbers increased, overwhelming me to the point I knew I was losing. I couldn't give up though. I fought, kicked, slashed, shot, flung, jumped and ducked attack after attack after attack. We leapt across canyons, striking our enemies true as we advanced through the masses. There was no end in sight, everytime one would fall, two more took its place. I knew there was a high chance we wouldn't make it out of this alive.
But we kept fighting.
Some of our attacks hit the stone walls, crumbling them behind us. However we did not stop moving and did not worry about the destruction. Staying alive and killing these guys were our only objectives.
But they just kept coming.
Soon enough we were both surrounded on all sides, and they were hitting us with everything they had. I watched as Prime was grabbed by them and held tightly by his arms and legs. My distraction cost me and soon enough I was held captive as well. We had lost. One of the Unicrons leapt forward to stand in front of Prime, raising its weapon high to bring down on his spark. "OPTIMUS!' I cried out, unable to believe I was about to watch him die.
The Prime met my eyes, sharing a silent goodbye.
When suddenly the Unicron was struck down by gunfire, shattering into pieces. I gasped in surprise and turned my head to see Arcee, Cliff, Bulk, Bee, and the twins come running out of the groundbridge, weapons shooting at the many stone titans.
Cliff reached me first and he quickly disposed of the Unicrons holding me. "I hope you know Ratchet is going to kill you when you get back to base." He told me with a grin, offering me a hand to pull me up. I hugged my guardian around the waist, thankful he had come to save us despite their orders not to.
"Did Ratchet not relay my command?" Optimus asked, anger in his tone despite the fact that they just saved our bacon. "Return to base."
"Reinforcements will not prevent your destruction, disciples of Primus." The Unicron collective informed us.
"Optimus, you and Jessica are Unicron's target. Maybe you guys should consider returning to base." Arcee suggested even as she shot at multiple warriors.
I dodged a Unicron, before shoving my sword through its middle and shattering it. "We can't simply return to base, unfortunately. These manifestations of Unicron would be able to find us wherever we went. The base's shielding would only cloak us for so long. And we cannot risk the lives of the humans in our care by returning to base." I explained to her before lunging away to take out another Unicron.
"Then fall back and let us take the lead." Cliffjumper suggested.
"Please! Listen to reason, both of you! If you don't survive, Optimus, I fear neither will this planet. And Jessica, you are the only hope we have to restore Cybertron, we cannot lose you." Ratchet took a deep breath, his voice shaky on the comms. "I cannot lose you."
Optimus and I exchanged looks, both coming to the realization that they were right. As much as we wanted to protect the others, we were currently the ones in need of protecting. Our lives were too important to risk. Prime and I were leaders to a fault, risking our lives for others is what we thrived on. So stepping back and allowing others to do the fighting was, for lack of a better word, difficult. But we knew we had too. "Very well." Optimus finally said, and we stepped back, allowing the others to cover us from the front.
"Let's move!" Arcee ordered, taking command. And with that, the fight began anew. This time it seemed a lot less overwhelming with more Autobots in the fray. Everyone was able to help cover each other so no one got swarmed.
We moved from the canyon, leaping from stone pillar to pillar, shooting and/or slicing any Unicron clones that got in our way. Cliff stayed close to me, taking out any clones that I might have seen just a second too late due to another attack. I was grateful for the extra back up, even though I feared it wouldn't be enough. Unicron would continue to throw everything he had at us and who knew how long we could all last against him.
We reached the top of the canyon's crater and immediately transformed, speeding off and running over any Unicrons that got in our way. We finally got past all the clones, leaving them behind in the dust and for just one moment I thought we were safe.
Then a rocky cliff in front of us began to break apart, revealing a monstrous size Unicron. We pumped our breaks and transformed, staring up at him in horror. "Well, now you guys know what it feels like to be human around Cybertronians." I muttered in a weak attempt at a joke. To be honest, even that was a stretch. The sheer size of this thing would put some skyscrapers to shame.
"Is that Unicron, as in the actual titan?" Bee buzzed, tone mildly concerned and perhaps a bit fearful.
"No, not Unicron himself, but another of his manifestations." Optimus explained, warily. Bulkhead then asked what exactly we were supposed to do if we couldn't beat him or outrun him. "All we can do. Neutralize his vessels as they appear, until we find a way to destroy him without destroying the very earth upon which we walk."
The Mega-Cron approached us swiftly. I vented deeply, and raised my katanas defensively. This was not going to be easy. We ran towards battle once more, half the team choosing to transform to speed forward, and the other half covered with gunfire. I chose to transform and, when I reached his legs, I transformed again and brought my katanas swiftly forward in hopes of neutralizing him with electricity.
Mega-Cron bent down and swept across the dirt with his weapon, sending rock and debris at us. I was knocked off my feet and sent flying several yards. I tucked and rolled, landing a little unsteady by still on my pedes. I transformed my servos and grabbed my guns, shooting them at the Titan. It was almost like he absorbed the attacks however. Nothing we did was causing any damage. We just kept getting thrown around like ragdolls.
I landed near Optimus with the next launch and he quickly helped me back up. We raised our weapons, shooting desperately at the titan, but to no avail. Mega-cron once more swept the ground, sending dozens of boulders at us, burying me and the Prime alive. "Shit!" I gasped as warnings began popping up in my processor. I tried to wiggle free but couldn't escape. I did manage to hit something metal and quickly realized it was Optimus' hand.
I couldn't see him, but I grasped onto him as if he were a life support. I sent my powers through that touch in hopes of healing any damage the fight had inflicted on him so far. We needed a Prime who was on top of his game. Even if it didn't matter because Mega-Cron was now standing right above us, legs raised to squash us as if we were bugs.
"I am this world's past and its future. And as of this moment, all Primes are simply past." Unicron declared as he prepared to offline Optimus and I.
My optics closed as I prepared for my second death. I couldn't believe this was the end, after everything I had been through. I'd barely even had time to truly cultivate the relationship I shared with Ratchet and now I would never see him again. It simply wasn't fair. I was the Allspark from Primus sake, how could I be taken out by a bunch of fucking rocks. Even if those rocks wore the face of Primus' greatest enemy.
Optimus squeezed my hand, a show of comfort in our final moments. He, too, was tense and prepared for the end.
However, it never came.
There was the sound of a jet and gun fire from above began crashing through the titans face, crumbling it into pieces. It fell backwards, thankfully not in the direction Optimus and I were trapped, and smashed into the ground. There was a wave of dust and smoke, and when that cleared, it showed that the Mega-Cron had been utterly wrecked.
I released Optimus' hand and tried once more to push off the boulders that had piled on my body.
"Ratchet?" Arcee's voice came over the comm system.
"What is it? What happened?"
"I HAPPENED!" A familiar voice boomed. Shards of ice pierced through my energon lines when I realized who had saved Optimus and I. There was a loud crash that shook the ground and the boulders that I still hadn't been able to wedge myself free from.
"Scrap, is that Megatron?" I groaned, now desperately trying to free myself. I had managed to get most of the rocks off me, and twisted around to see the Decepticon warlord right there in front of me. I could hear the others still talking, but I was no longer listening. All of my attention was focused on Megatron.
He smirked as he stalked closer, red eyes glinting dangerously. He didn't stop in front of me though. He raised his cannon, leveling it right at Optimus' face. "No!" I growled and fully freed myself. I went to attack when he did something I never expected to see, he lifted his servo up to Optimus to help him stand.
Prime was stunned. He froze for several seconds before finally accepting his enemy's offer. I watched wary, quickly rushing to Optimus' side and raising my own weapon defensively. "What is this?" I asked, suspiciously.
Megatron smirked at me, his sharp dentas flashing. "It is rather ironic, considering our last encounter. If memory serves, you were desperately attempting to extinguish my spark."
"That option remains very much in play." Optimus threatened, stepping closer until he was directly in Megatron's face. I remained slightly behind him, though my weapons were raised and ready to fire if Megatron so much as flinched.
The Deception leader just seemed rather amused by Prime's words. "I would expect nothing less. However, I have a proposal. Join me in defeating our shared enemy, Unicron the chaos-bringer." He turned away and walked several feet from where Optimus and I stood. We watched him, optics narrowed with suspicion
"Hah, absurd! Unicron is evil incarnate. If Megatron was to take any side, why would it be ours?" Ratchet asked, irritated.
"Because Megatron's pride would never allow anyone other than himself to rule this planet." Optimus replied.
Megatron twisted around, a delighted grin on his face. "You know me all too well, Optimus."
"You lead an army of Cons, why come to us?" Cliff asked, hatred spewing from the tone of his voice.
"Because he needs us, specifically Optimus." I replied, causing Megatron to look at me intrigued. I held his gaze, refusing to be intimidated by him. "To defeat Unicron, we need an artifact that can only be used by a Prime."
His face twisted into a cruel smile. "I see you have already figured that little detail out. Perks of having the Allspark by your side?"
"Seems to me like we don't need you." Sunstreaker sneered.
"On the contrary, Optimus may be the only one who can defeat Unicron, but I remain the only one who can guide you to him. Unicron's lifeblood runs through me. Only I can hear his thoughts, anticipate his movements." Megatron informed us. I shifted uncomfortably. It was true, we had no way of locating Unicron. Primus hadn't been able to help me with that tidbit. "Optimus, our past alliances- Autobot, Decepticon- no longer matter, not while Unicron lives."
"The past always matters!" Ratchet practically roared.
"A truce between Autobot and Decepticon. How long do you expect us to believe that will last?" Optimus asked in obvious disbelief.
"Only as long as it's mutually beneficial." Megatron replied nonchalantly. Optimus then asked what would happen when our shared mission was complete. "I will conquer this Earth, my way."
I snorted, feeling a rising sense of derision. "So you just expect us to trust you?"
Megatron smirked darkly at me. "I don't see what choice you have." My optics narrowed, but I conceded his point. Ratchet didn't seem to agree and even told us that aligning with the lesser of two evils was still siding with evil. "Do you think you've witnessed the full power of Unicron? Those foot soldiers were nothing more than a taste. Unicron has yet to fully awaken. With each passing moment, the bringer of chaos evolves, mutanting Earth from the inside out. What we have witnessed until now is but a prelude of the utter devastation his rising will wreck upon your world."
"Like your quest for power destroyed Cybertron?" Arcee growled, unconvinced. I could see a range of emotions on the other Autobot's face but I knew none of them wanted to work with Megatron.
"Make no mistake. This time there will be a planet left for me to rule." Megatron snarled back at her, stepping forward threateningly.
"Even if we agree, Unicron's all the day down at the center of the Earth. How are we supposed to get there- drive?" Bulkhead intervened.
"There is only one way."
"Absolutely not!" Ratchet suddenly yelled, interrupting Optimus. "Groundbridging into space or onto moving trains is difficult enough. But plotting a blind jump inside of a sentient being?! Besides, direct exposure to that much Dark Energon will debilitate you. You haven't built up an immunity like Megatron has."
The Con in question sneered. "Yet another strong argument for soliciting my guidance."
"You can provide Unicron's exact coordinates?" I asked him, still feeling quite weary about the whole situation but understanding that we might not have a choice.
"If you transport us to this Planet's core, I can lead Optimus here directly into Unicron's spark. The very heart of his darkness."
"Jessica, even if we survive the jump, how are we supposed to stop Unicron? You never did tell us that little detail." Sideswipe asked, looking as unsure as he did pissed off. It was a look mirrored by most of the other Autobots.
Optimus and I exchanged looks, a silent conversation engaging between us. I wasn't sure if I truly wanted Megatron to know that I could sometimes communicate with Primus. However it was important that the other members of our team had all the facts. It was just rather unfortunate that Megatron was here to hear them. Still, I gave Optimus a barely perceptible nod, giving him the go ahead to tell them whatever he deemed necessary.
I didn't miss the interested look Megatron gave me and, by the way Optimus slightly stiffened, I knew he saw it as well. However, he pressed on. "With the Matrix of Leadership."
"What is that?" Will asked Ratchet back at the base.
He replied with, "A vessel of pure energy, the collective wisdom of the Primes." Jack then asked if we had time for a scavenger hunt and where Optimus was supposed to find the Matrix. "Optimus does not need to find it. He carries it within him."
Megatron gave a slight nod. "It was the combined powers of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago, the very reason he now seeks to destroy you." His optics flickered to me. "Both of you."
"It would follow that unleashing the power of the Matrix directly into Unicron's spark would return him to stasis." Optimus agreed, though there was a hint of reluctance in his voice. I knew part of it had to be because of the conversation we had earlier. Using that power would work, Primus already told us it would. But there were consequences that he could not foresee. It could very well cost Optimus his life. And I wasn't too sure if I would be able to bring him back.
There was more conversation going on back at the base, but our attention was brought to more rumbling as rocks began rolling in one direction towards the Mega-Cron. It was reforming its shape, ready to attack once more. "Scrap, we got another one!" I gasped, weapons raising in anticipation of another fight.
"Ratchet, set the groundbridge!" Optimus commanded. We all took several steps back as dust and rocks flew past us. The portal opened, but before anyone stepped through, Arcee spun around and asked why we were opening a direct path to our base with Megatron standing right there. Cliff added that he didn't believe Megatron would risk his own spark to save us.
Megatron began to laugh harshly. "Hardly my nature!" He sneered, purple eyes glinting dangerously. We all turned to face the Mega-Cron once more, who was leering down at us. "Consider my offer. I shall keep it busy." Megatron told Optimus and I before he transformed and flew away to attack.
Everyone ran into the bridge, with Optimus and I hesitating for just a moment. I could see the look of consideration in his optics. He didn't necessarily believe Megatron but he knew we might have no choice. I reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder in solidarity. He nodded his thanks before we finally followed the others through the portal. I knew we had a big decision to make on the other side.
I went back and forth between making this the final chapter, just extra freaking long, or cutting it into two. If I posted this, that means I decided to split them. Next chapter is the finale. I got some thoughts for it but I don't think anything too major will happen. But I guess we'll see!
Don't forget to check out the rewrite on AO3! Same username, same title.
I'll see you all in the finale! I haven't finished writing it yet, and this weekend we're going camping so it'll probably be sometime late next week before I publish it. Keep an optic out!
