Ten
The run from where the Autobots and the military had set up camp to the building Lennox had pointed out felt like a death sentence. Ironhide and Ratchet had followed them, tearing apart any Decepticon that got too close, but they didn't manage to stay with them. They were about halfway to the building when Karma heard a loud screech that sounded like metal clashing together. Considering they were in the middle of a giant battle between warring sides of a metallic race, that wasn't too uncommon. But something about the screech seemed off.
Karma didn't know what made her do it, but it was like an unknown force traveled through her body and forced her to turn slightly, her eyes catching sight of Jazz. The poor mech was torn in two, the energon from his body glinting in the mild daylight. Karma felt her stomach twist and coil. Above him, perched like a bird inspecting its prey, was Megatron.
That same feeling in her chest warred with her fear. The Allspark was warm in her hands and she felt herself walking forward. Towards Megatron and Jazz. Behind her, Sam was speaking, but it felt like everything was under water. The Allspark started buzzing slightly the closer she got to the offline Autobot. A glow was coming from one of the runes on the artifact.
Suddenly, bolts of blue-white lightning shot out from the Cube, connecting to Jazz in a brilliant show of color. Karma could feel the zapping, tingling sensation of the lighting flitting across her bare arms and hands. She knew she should've been scared, but something about the light show almost… calmed her. She didn't have the slightest clue as to what was happening, but it was amazing.
Slowly, so slowly, Jazz's halves were pulled together by the lightning. The more she watched the more incredible it became. Around her, the battle had come to a complete standstill, winds still whipping through the city, blowing dust up, Karma's hair tangling with some of her dried blood. Unknown to her, her deep blue eyes had started to glow. It was such a brilliant blue that it almost seemed white.
The closer Karma got to Jazz, the brighter the lightning became, seeming to become more powerful. Every eye and optic was on the teen, not entirely believing what they were seeing. The Allspark might have been of Cybertronian descent, but not even they had seen what it was capable of. And here it was, this ancient, powerful artifact, something from the original Primes' age, being used almost effortlessly by a human.
Jazz's frame shuddered violently. Slowly, his dead and gunmetal armor gained back its silver hue, the life entering him once again. It took a couple of minutes, but soon, Jazz was back to what he used to be. He wasn't torn in half, the dents and scratches in his armor had completely disappeared. And suddenly, his optics came online, shining a bright white before coming back down to their cool blue.
Karma took a sudden, deep breath of air, coughing blood onto the concrete. "What. The. Fuck?" She muttered to herself, looking into the optics of a mech who should've been dead.
"That same question is running through my processors too, lil' lady. But, I say, for now, we put those questions on hold. We got some ass to kick, aye?"
With that simple statement, Jazz threw himself back up, one of his arms shifting into a gnarly gun. He took shots at Megatron and then the battle was back to full volume. The mech bent down slightly, offering his palm to Karma and Sam. Immediately, Karma knew what the mech was offering, giving a small smile in return before climbing into his hand. She gestured towards Sam, who gave a groan of denial before he took the offered hand, climbing up and sitting next to his cousin.
"Now, where are y'all headin'?"
"That white building across the way. We needa get to the roof to get the Allspark outta here."
Quick as a flash, Jazz transformed around the cousins, his interior caging them in. He took off, weaving through rubble and other ruined cars. It took less than five minutes for them to reach the correct building, the spy having shaved down about three fourths of the time it would've taken the two humans to run there. Tires squealing, Jazz threw himself into a quick fishtail, stopping before the entrance of the building and opening his doors. The humans were quick to climb out of the mech, allowing him to speed off towards the brunt of the battle.
Each took a deep breath before glancing at the other. Karma gave a small nod, one that Sam returned, albeit, more hesitantly. They bolted into the building, running through the grandiose lobby before bursting into the stairwell. Taking two at a time, they ran as fast as they could, panting and gasping for breath by the time they got somewhere in the middle of the floors. Without warning, a giant hand punched through the wall, claws wrapping around nothing before pulling back out.
"Megatron." Karma growled.
She took hold of Sam's arm and continued running, pulling the boy behind her.
"I can smell you, humans."
Karma ran through a door, sunlight piercing her eyes. She heard Sam grunt behind her, but she paid him no mind, running to the edge of the roof. Behind her, Sam hit the flair on some bricks, the bright red-pink light coming to light. She could hear choppers in the distance and looked up, spotting one of the military helicopters coming closer. Finally.
Before she could say anything, a missile hit the chopper, sending it sailing, smoke plowing out from its roaders. A deep, dark laugh came from behind her, and suddenly she was being shoved into a corner, behind a statue. Sam had his body against hers, trying to keep the both of them quiet. It was no use, and she knew that. Megatron had already said it, he could smell them.
"Is it fear or courage that compels you, fleshies?" The warlord sneered, his talons scraping across the statue they hid behind.
"Neither. It's us wanting to see your ugly mug, of course." Karma snapped, the tension getting to her.
A growl was her only answer before the mech spoke again. "I'll make you a deal. Give me the Allspark, and you may live to be my pets."
It was Karma's turn to growl, sneering at the warlord. "Never."
In a flash, Megatron had snarled and hit his hand harshly against the statue, causing it to dislodge from its position. The two teens fell with a scream. Karma drew the Allspark closer to her before grabbing Sam's arm and hugging him tightly to her. Normally, she wasn't one for this type of physical touch, but seeing as how they were likely about to die, she figured it would be fine for now.
Death never came. Instead, the two landed with harsh thuds on something metallic and yet, strangely warm. Slowly, Karma opened her eyes, not entirely believing they were still alive. Surrounding them, was a silver hand, some of the armor a familiar red and blue. She looked up, her gaze locking on cerulean optics. Optimus had caught them.
"Oh, thank the gods. I really don't think I was prepared to die like that." Karma said, relief flooding her voice.
"I gotcha." The Prime rumbled.
Karma's stomach went into her throat as the Prime let go of the building he held onto, dropping down onto the street below with ease. Something told her that she wouldn't be able to go back to the amusement park for a while after this.
Once the Prime was on the ground, he bolted to a main street. Suddenly, the two were flying again, only this time, they landed on the concrete. Karma and Sam each rolled a good bit away from Optimus, ending up slightly apart from each other. Karma had ended up closer to the battling robots. Megatron had ambushed Optimus, shooting him in the back. Now, the two were grappling on the street, the warlord overpowering the worn out Prime.
The cousins watched with wide eyes as the giants went toe-to-toe, one moment one of them was in the lead, and the next moment, they switched. Karma knew this wasn't gonna end well. The Prime had been fighting for a good couple hours more than Megatron had, so he was already tired. In her arms, the Allspark buzzed, becoming hotter by the second. It was almost too hot, but she refused to let it go.
Shove it in his chest. What the fuck? Did Karma just think that? But… she hadn't even been trying to think something like that. Somehow, she knew the Allspark was the one commanding her, and was the feeling of thought in the back of her mind. Right now, she didn't really have any other option as to how to end this fight. Nobody else was gonna die today. Not on her watch.
Karma slid to her knees, placing her weight on one of her hands to help her stand. She felt taller than ever, and the pain she'd been feeling had dulled. But, she knew it was still there. The fresh blood staining her bandages and the rest of her clothes being proof. Sam called out to her, trying to get her to go to him. Once again, it felt like some other force was taking control of her body.
Megatron and Optimus were locked in battle, the Prime pinned under the warlord. She ran. Karma ran at the two mechs, watching as both pairs of optics locked onto her form. She heard Optimus call for her, trying to get her to run away, to shove the Allspark into his chest. She didn't listen. When she was close enough, standing by Optimus' helm, she stood as tall as she could and reached up, the Cube in hand. She shoved it into his chest, watching as it mixed with the energy of his spark.
Lighting lit up around them, nonexistent wind picking up dust and her hair. She felt and heard herself screaming, agony racing through her veins, down her arms, into her torso and legs. Above her, Megatron shrieked in rage and pain, his blood-red optics latching onto the glowing white of Karma's eyes. He never thought a human would be his end. It was almost funny. Almost.
He felt his life leaving him, his spark going dark. The last thing he saw was the human. And he swore to himself that when he inevitably returned, she'd be the first to die by his servos. Followed by their oh-so-precious Prime.
It was a weird feeling, the feeling of Megatron dying. She shouldn't have been able to feel it, and yet, here they were. Optimus stood to his feet slowly, a hand coming to rest at his waist, clearly in pain.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way, brother. But you gave us no choice." He said quietly.
Moments later, the rest of the Cons were dispatched of; some either being killed in the battle while others like Starscream and Barricade turning tail and running. The rest of the Autobots and soldiers gathered around their Prime and human charges. Michaela came running up to Sam, throwing herself into his arms and kissing him. Karma gagged.
"Today, we have gained new friends and allies. Thank you, all of you. You honor us with your bravery and courage. Let this day mark the first of many, of Autobots and humans working together for the greater good."
"Wow. You're great at speeches." Karma stated, her voice becoming wobbly.
"You okay Karma?" Michaela asked, worry lacing her tone.
"No." Was Karma's short answer.
"What happened?" That was Sam.
Everything was becoming blurry, and it felt like she was in molasses and underwater all at once.
"I think I lost too much blood." Karma takes her hand away from her ribs, watching as blood stained her hand through the fabric of her shirt and bandages.
"Shit!" Sam shouted, grabbing his cousin when she stumbled.
"Mmmm… I think… I'm gon' pass out now."