//------------------------------// // Chapter 87-Facing Extinction // Story: Transformers: The Requiem // by JDPrime22 //------------------------------// “Rumble, Ravage, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Ratbat, eject!” The rubble erupted, spewing out slabs of shattered concrete and hurtling them across the remains of Manehattan’s train station. From the eruption came five miniature figures, all rushing towards the street. A fist burst out from the rubble, followed by the rest of the arm digging itself out of the debris. A red visor, slightly cracked, glowed fiercely inside the building’s remains, eyeing the warzone lying in front of it. To its right, there stood the five Mini-Cons doing battle with the resistance captain and his troops. Staring it in the face, in its shattered gaze, were three titans fighting for their lives. Two Alicorn princesses were amongst the titans. Soundwave pushed the rubble off of him, stepping out into the burning sunlight. He clenched his left fist, a short, purple Energon blade jutting outwards. His right arm morphed into his signature TechVolt, the end bursting to life with raw electricity. He was ready. Soundwave charged the lone standing Prime…only to be met with the end of his shield. Having deflected Shockwave’s attempts at blasting at his armor, Optimus found a weak point and sent a quick kick to the Decepticon’s abdomen. The force of the kick pushed Shockwave backward, though somehow making him land on his chest. Prime didn’t take a second to relax. He spun around and drove the tip of his shield right into the oncoming Decepticon’s head. Soundwave never saw it coming, and he was on his back in less than a second. Again, Optimus had no time to relax. Shockwave was on him while his back was turned. Soundwave was quick to join him, as if the powerful blow he received had never happened. The three tumbled amongst the building’s ruins, finally stopping near the War Machine continuing to drill into the planet’s surface. Shockwave was pushed from Prime’s back. He dug his only remaining fist into the debris until coming to a complete stop. There the Prime stood, sword and shield in tow, ready to continue the fight. Shockwave was beginning to feel his plans coming to a standstill. The one thing he didn’t want to happen, the one thing he needed to be prevented had just happened no more than a few cycles ago. Optimus Prime regained his Matrix, and in turn…his memories. At first, Shockwave couldn’t tell the difference, but as the fight raged on he could see revolutionary changes in the way Prime fought. He fought stronger, faster, more diligently, and much, much deadlier. It could’ve been so easy. He should’ve gotten rid of the Matrix right after Soundwave’s Mini-Cons brought it out of the Nemesis’ wreckage. Prime wouldn’t have regained it. He most likely would’ve been killed off by the combined strengths of Galvatron, himself, and Soundwave. Yet, as Shockwave stood amongst the wreckage near the only salvation for Cybertron’s future, he could actually feel the regret, the foolish decision-making he had done. But he was caught, caught in the glory of saving his home world amongst his reincarnated master. The glory had blinded him from making logical choices. Never again. Never ever again. Shockwave could see the Dark Spark continuing to tremble on the building outskirts. It would be needed soon enough. He lifted up his left arm and charged his cannon. Optimus kicked a piece of concrete right at him. The heavy piece of debris hit Shockwave’s cannon, knocking it to the side and allowing Prime to advance on him. Optimus lifted up his sword, driving it right for Shockwave’s exposed chest. Soundwave tackled him just in time. The two wrestled amongst the building’s ruins, only stopping once Prime sent a sharp kick to the Decepticon’s abdomen. Soundwave was launched upwards and on his back, allowing Prime the perfect opportunity to get back up. Once he stood, Soundwave was already there, poised for the kill. He jumped upwards and drove his Energon blade right for Optimus’ chest. Optimus brought up his shield just in time for Soundwave to scratch its touch exterior. Prime nearly lost his balance from the onslaught, allowing Soundwave to move in. The Decepticon almost got the upper hand in the conflict, but Optimus wouldn’t allow it. Once he was close enough, Optimus swung his shield in a slashing motion, clipping Soundwave’s left arm and spinning the Decepticon fully around. Prime roared as he rammed the back of the Decepticon, pushing him until they both came into contact with the nearest building side. Rubble rained from the crash on top of them, but Prime stepped back to allow the remaining contents to pour all over the wounded Communications Officer. Soundwave remained motionless as the pile rose higher and higher, burying him underneath. “Decepticon punk,” Prime growled, slowly turning around. A large piece of rebar was smacked against his right cheek. On the end were the remains of a piece of concrete. Shockwave tossed the piece of rebar aside, transforming into his alternative mode. He jetted outwards, ramming right into the Prime’s backside. Bringing Optimus off the ground while in flight, Shockwave transformed back and gripped the back of Prime’s head with his remaining hand. As they came down, Shockwave drove his right fist downwards, giving Prime a face full of concrete and debris. Shockwave skidded to a halt, allowing the Prime to continue until he came to a complete stop. Still, he got up. Shockwave’s eye burned bright. He pointed his cannon right for Prime’s back. A coward’s act, but an effective act nonetheless. Optimus spun around, launching his sword right for Shockwave’s cannon. The blade impacted the weapon neatly, slicing the right of it and even grazing Shockwave’s left arm. The Decepticon hissed in pain, bringing his cannon down only slightly and firing blindly. The blast missed, of course, and it gave Optimus all the time he needed to retaliate. The Prime charged forward, watching as Shockwave lifted up his head to encounter his assailant face-to-face. He lifted up his cannon once more, attempting another shot. Optimus wouldn’t allow it. He already acquired the advantage, and he wasn’t about to give it up so quickly. Using the momentum he gained while rushing forward, Optimus brought his shield back as far as he could. Doing a simple two-step, Optimus jammed his shield right for the Decepticon, the only target remaining in front of him. It was at that moment did he connect his shield against Shockwave did the Decepticon actually fire his weapon. The result was devastating. The impact from Prime’s shield and the force of the blast from Shockwave’s cannon launched the Decepticon scientist backwards into the nearest building side like a missile. Optimus was blown back a few feet as well, skidding to a stop rather easily. He brought his optics over to the large hole in the buildings, narrowing them only slightly. Shockwave would not get up so easily after that. However, he still had no time to recover. He was in a war, and while in war he always had to be on his toes, always be vigilant. He couldn’t allow little distractions to get in his way. The main reason he arrived to the crash site was to get rid of the Decepticon rule. A painful scream came from behind him… His mission was far from over. Optimus spun around to witness Galvatron taking the upper hand in the fight against the Royal Sisters. They swarmed him like two buzzing insects, sending spell after spell against his tough exterior and sometimes flying in close to jab their weapons into what they presumed to be weak points. They, like Prime at one point earlier on, had underestimated the hybrid’s speed and agility, and they paid the price. Galvatron swung his left fist outwards, hitting Princess Luna with the bottom of his sword. Prime’s optics grew wide as Luna screamed in pain. She flew over and knocked her head against a tipping pillar, knocking her out instantly. She fell slowly to the earth, her helmet falling off and skidding to the rubble alongside her longsword. Princess Celestia was horrified. “Luna!” she cried, sticking out her foreleg towards her sister, as if believing her reach would protect her. Her sudden action of fear over her sister’s fate had left her open, and Galvatron capitalized on her suffering with a cannon blast straight to the heart. Celestia screamed in agony, the heat of the blast launching her straight into a large pile of rubble. Her spear danced amongst the pile, resting at the bottom as her magic slowly faded away from it. The reincarnated Megatron laughed in amusement, his laughs nearly identical to the past leader of the Decepticons. Optimus brought his optics over to Galvatron. He could see nothing but red. For some reason, Prime seemed to lose touch to the newfound power resonating within his Matrix. He allowed something else to take command, something bellowing with rage and fury. He didn’t try and stop it. It wouldn’t be the first time he had the feeling. Optimus yelled in anger, catching the attention of a certain Decepticon. He ran forward, scooped up his sword, and tossed his shield right for his purple foe. It wasn’t smart to get rid of his only bit of defense, but Optimus didn’t seem to have a clear state of mind. Maybe he was just furious over the fates of his two friends. Maybe he was tired of seeing Galvatron continuing to hurt those so innocent. Maybe he just plain had enough. His shield struck Galvatron’s left shoulder, embedding itself through his foe’s armor. “GAH!” Galvatron growled, reaching up to dislodge the heavy shield. Optimus was already on him, swiping and slashing at every angle he could acquire. Galvatron deflected very few shots with his own sword, still trying to break off the shield still skewered in his shoulder. Prime punched him across the right side of his face. Galvatron staggered backwards, allowing Optimus to move in for the final blow. The Decepticon lifted up his cannon and fired. “Autobot wretch! How dare you lay your hands on me!” Galvatron bellowed, finally ripping the shield off his shoulder. The heavy metal dropped to the earth with a loud clang. The Decepticon lifted up his head, growling in anger at the Autobot struggling to stand up. “Even with your precious Matrix you still fall before me!” the Decepticon yelled, charging Optimus while he was down. He bent down and drove the side of his blade right for Prime’s head, the metal grazing Optimus’ forehead as the force of the hit launched him backwards. Galvatron continued the onslaught, not stopping for a second. “Oh, how it must burn you to witness the fall of your insignificant pony allies,” he taunted, standing above Prime as the injured Autobot struggled to stand back up. Galvatron continued. “I know it must be eating you up inside. You know you could’ve saved them from me, but yet here you lie like the scum you always were.” Optimus lifted up his head, staring straight down the barrel of Galvatron’s cannon. “Now…join them in oblivion.” It was too fast. Galvatron just could not react quickly enough. Optimus drove his fist right into the barrel of Galvatron’s cannon, shattering it into a million pieces. “I am not lying down!” Prime stated firmly, ignoring the surprised look stretch across Galvatron’s features. With his free hand, Optimus swung his sword right for his enemy’s head. Galvatron ducked nearly at the last second. “I am not giving up!” Optimus charged forward, swinging his sword in ways that would make Drift proud. Galvatron did his best to deflect the slices and stabs with his own sword, yet he found it to become increasingly difficult as Prime pushed on towards him, closer with each swipe. Their swords connected. The two leaders stared each other down, neither willing to break contact. Amongst the rubble of the shattered building side, Shockwave crawled out and watched the unimaginable take place. He watched Optimus Prime win. “I am here to end your reign!” “You are but a pestering fool lost in time! Feel the wrath of the reincarnated Megatron!” And then they fought. The battle between the two leaders tore apart what remained of any surviving remnant in the train station. Galvatron swung madly with his left hand, his blade in tow. Optimus ducked, but instantly felt the backlash of Galvatron’s strike whip around and hit him square in the face. Galvatron was fast, much faster and much more agile than Megatron ever was. But Prime knew better. He knew there was always a weakness. Megatron had it, so Galvatron definitely had to have it. Without his cannon to ensure a quick demise for the last Prime, Galvatron resorted to traditional methods. He would rip Prime’s head off and show it to the world. He tackled Optimus, planting the Autobot firmly to the ground and raising his sword above his head. Optimus brought his eyes quickly to the left. He reached there, picked up a heavy item resting amongst the rubble, and smashed it against the side of Galvatron’s head. The Decepticon tumbled but quickly regained his balance. He stood up to witness Prime regain his shield, the item he used to save himself just then. The Decepticon roared in anger, charging the Prime at full speed. Optimus Prime and Galvatron punched, slashed, stabbed, kicked, tackled, and mutilated each other until they were directly near the War Machine’s legs. The devastating machine was still going at it, never stopping its beam of energy digging straight through the crust and mantel of the planet. Several thousand pieces of dirt and rock spewed outwards from the beam, dancing across the feet of the two leaders. Time and time again, Galvatron would continue to go for Prime’s neck with his sword, shouting curse after curse whenever his sword would glance off of Optimus’ shield. It would be a rarity if Prime even managed to swing his blade out to draw the Decepticon back, but he just kept coming at him, closing off all opportunities. This wasn’t like Megatron. He wouldn’t frantically try again and again with such feeble attempts at slaying Prime. Then again, it wasn’t technically Megatron. There was something behind it all, something Optimus needed to find out fast. There was something behind it after all…behind him. Optimus spun his head back for a quick second to witness his back about ten or so yards away from the purple beam burrowing into the ground. The War Machine’s legs remained stuck to the earth, leaving an open path between him and the beam. That was Galvatron’s attempted plan. He was trying to push him into the beam, ensuring a quick death. Prime lifted up his shield one last time to defend himself. He felt it was needed for defense just one more time. Galvatron jumped in the air, drove his sword straight forward and tore right through the top of Prime’s shield. The blade nearly shredded Prime’s right optic. Nearly. Galvatron reared back. He stopped. The blade was stuck. The Decepticon glared at Optimus, but soon found his optics losing all sense of rage when he continued to stare into Prime’s powerful gaze. It was that moment that he knew he made a mistake. That moment he stared into Optimus’ blue eyes…he knew he left himself open. And he suffered for it. Roaring his battle cry, Optimus twisted his shield to the right, ripping Galvatron’s sword free from his hand. The blade skidded amongst the rubble, leaving the Decepticon leader defenseless. Optimus ducked as Galvatron fell atop of him. The Decepticon quickly regained his footing, turning around to battle Prime hand to hand if he needed to. All he could see was Optimus remaining low to the ground. Another fatal mistake. Galvatron forgot where he was standing. Optimus Prime spun around, yelling as he smashed his shield against the Decepticon’s chest. Galvatron went flying from the force of Prime’s blow. He went right through the machine’s beam plowing into the earth, not his entire body…just his left arm. The Decepticon screamed in agony as he landed on the other side, his severed arm joining him soon. He looked up. Optimus Prime was walking right towards him, his sword and shield equipped. Galvatron had to get up. He had to continue the fight, lest he dare feel…afraid. No, he wasn’t Megatron. That coward died for his foolish actions that cost him his life. He was Galvatron. He was perfection. He would fight his most hated foe until every last bit of him was torn from his very being. Galvatron would not give up. His mindset was brave, yet his actions were foolish. With one arm, Galvatron had little to no advantage while battling the fully equipped Optimus Prime. Still, he swung his right fist outwards for Prime’s head. Optimus ducked, of course, but he knew where he would pop up. Galvatron spun around, about to bring down his fist on Optimus’ head. He stopped. He gasped. A searing pain tore through his chest. Time seemed to fade away. The picture he was building within his mind faded. Galvatron slowly began to bring his gaze downwards, his breath becoming ragged when his optics connected to the object that foiled everything. It was unreal. It was completely, totally, unbelievably unreal. It stood as a testament of his foolish actions, a remnant that would forever bore into his mind and spirit. Optimus Prime’s sword dug deep into Galvatron’s chest. He was perfection. Optimus ripped out the blade, sending fresh, liquid Energon across the ruins. He was death reincarnated. The Prime rammed his fist into Galvatron’s open wound, digging until he ripped out a bright object. The Crystal Heart, fully intact in its metal shell. Prime let it fall from his Energon-covered hand. He was Cybertron’s savior. The Decepticon slowly fell to his knees. He looked up one last time to stare into the eyes of his oppressor. Optimus Prime did nothing but narrow his optics. He did not speak. He did not make a heroic comment. He stood there, his sword slowly rising above his own head. He…was…Galvatr- Optimus swung downwards, a sickening slice resounding through the air. Then silence. Sweet, tragic silence. Galvatron’s head fell, and his limp body joined the extremity in its final resting place: the ruins of the world it swore to destroy. “It’s illogical…” Stepping out of the rubble that consumed him, Shockwave stepped into the light. He scooped up the Dark Spark that remained on his far right, the relic shivering in his fist. Slowly, the surviving Decepticon limped closer and closer to the lone Prime. His optic was not on the Autobot…but on the fallen hybrid. His master. And his head that lied near his torn corpse. Shockwave stopped. A massive being appeared out of the smoke and ash, and it revealed to be Omega Supreme. He stomped behind the buildings behind Optimus and the War Machine. His chest did not bear the Decepticon insignia, sadly it bore the Autobot. Just as Shockwave expected. The beam from Prime’s Matrix must have given every Autobot their memory back. A shame. This was not part of the plan. It was not meant to end like this. Shockwave gazed over the remains of his creation, and slowly brought it up to Optimus. The Autobot leader stared him down, his sword and shield held tightly in each fist. Omega Supreme locked his haunting, red eyes onto the lone Decepticon scientist. That would need to be taken care of. Shockwave, with his free finger, pressed just one button on his blaster. Doing just that caused the earth to tremble. It didn’t tremble like it was currently with the War Machine continuously digging. No, it was larger, stronger, and much…much bigger. It was a tremor that all of Manehattan felt. The Nemesis, where it crashed, began to rise. It transformed, rising higher and higher behind Shockwave. Optimus Prime stared in absolute shock as the Nemesis morphed and changed into recognizable body parts. Without his memory, Prime would’ve been terrified and had no clue on what the beast that stood before him was. Thanks to his Matrix, Optimus could watch clearly as the mighty Trypticon rose amongst the smoke and ash. But it stopped. Optimus brought his gaze back to the other Decepticon he knew for certain was still a threat. He may not have been afraid watching Trypticon rise where the Nemesis once lay, but he was absolutely horrified when Shockwave placed the Dark Spark inside his open chest compartment. The effects were instantaneous. Electric currents soared over Shockwave’s body, emitting a powerful scream from the Decepticon. He slowly hovered above the ground, a strange, purple mist overcoming his body. Prime could do nothing but watch as the darkness consumed Shockwave. He gripped his sword even tighter. As he descended back to the ground, all that remained on Shockwave’s chest was but a simple, purple crystal. His body shuddered fiercely dark, that same purple mist fading off his shoulders and chest. Small strands of electricity coursed through his arm, blaster, and legs, all joining together around the dark crystal dead center in his chest. Shockwave stuck his right hand out. Galvatron’s sword levitated off the rubble and flew into the Decepticon’s palm, joining in the pulsating lightning currents flowing through his veins. “The war is not over, Optimus Prime,” Shockwave spoke, his voice nearly ten times fiercer than it ever was before. “It is not over as long as I’m standing.” Optimus stared at him, completely shocked. He then looked up to the mighty Trypticon. The beast screeched into the air, it’s newly formed red optics glaring into the eyes of Omega Supreme. The War Machine kept on drilling into the planet, growing ever so closer to the core.