//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: Transformers Prime: A Brave New World // by The Carolean //------------------------------// Applejack and Rainbow Dash made their way through the Everfree forest. Rainbow Dash was wearing a black, hoody-like jumpsuit, the same one she’d used to break into the town’s hospital. Applejack instead chose to cover herself in mud to shroud herself as she crept along the forest floor. “Alright Rainbow, Starscream should be right ‘round here, so be careful,” Applejack whispered. “It’s fine AJ, this’ll be a breeze,” Rainbow assured her as she drifted through the treetops. --------------- Optimus stood at the base of a large mountain, gazing upward at the summit. “The relic isn’t far; I hope you’re prepared for a climb,” he told the princess standing next to him. She smiled, leaping into the air and hovering. Prime grinned back, slowly making his way up the mountain, Celestia flying beside him as he climbed. The two quickly reached the top of the mountain, discovering a small blue and silver container buried in a pile of rubble. Upon seeing this, Primes smile disappeared. “What’s the matter?” Celestia asked. “Something is not right here,” he told her as he strode up to the relic. He lifted it out of the rubble, slowly and carefully removing its lid. Without warning, something jettisoned from the capsule and instantly latched onto Optimus. “Greetings Optimus,” a voice said from within the relic’s container. “In the event you are somewhat confused by this turn of events, allow me to explain. You see Prime, there is no relic. This was all a trap; a ploy to lure you away from your Autobots, then dispose of you.” Optimus’ eyes widened as he realized what was happening. “The bomb attached to you will detonate in roughly thirty seconds; farewell Prime.” Optimus grabbed the bomb, calling upon all his might in an effort to remove the bomb from his chest, but to no avail. “Celestia! Get out of here now!” he ordered. The alicorn stood frozen, watching as the triangular bomb on Optimus’ chest ticked down. Rather than obeying his order, the princess got closer, looking over the explosive.“Celestia, there isn’t time.” “No, there’s got to be something I can do,” she said as the timer neared its end. Without warning, Optimus pushed her away, desperately trying to keep her alive. He closed his eyes and waited for the bomb to kill him, but death never came. And continued to wait. He slowly opened his eyes again to find the bomb enclosed in a golden aura, stopped with two seconds left. Celestia righted herself, breathing a sigh of relief as she carefully removed the device from Primes chest, then threw it high into the air where it exploded harmlessly. Suddenly, Optimus’ face contorted in anger. He “Are you alright?” Celestia asked. Optimus sighed, touching two fingers to his forehead. “I’m unharmed, thanks to you,” he answered, causing her to blush slightly. “So, what now?” the princess asked again. “I do not know. Something seems wrong here” he said. “Normally Megatron would choose to face me personally, or at the very least bear witness to my potential demise. It is almost as though the explosive was not meant to kill me-” Prime suddenly froze in place as his eyes widened in horror. “The changelings!” he shouted, causing Celestia eyes to widen as well. He quickly changed forms, the threw open his door, allowing Celestia to leap into him. --------------- As the two drove towards the gate to the Enclave of Free-Love, they saw smoke in the distance. The gates had apparently been blown apart according to the burning splinters scattered about. Slain warriors dotted the village, their corpses burned and mutilated. Green blood stained the earth, the heat radiating from it combined with it's acrid smell forming an almost tangible atmosphere of death. Suddenly, Celestia vomited violently, overwhelmed by the stench of death. Prime lowered his head, deeply saddened by the display. As they continued, they discovered it was not just the Warriors who lay dead. Without warning, a squad of Vehicons descended from the sky, lead by Dreadwing. They surrounded Prime and Celestia, trapping them. The princess righted herself, standing back to back with Prime. She glared at the Decepticons surrounding them, snorting as she stapped one of her front hooves. “Welcome Optimus. You look surprisingly well for one whom recently exploded,” Megatron said as he strode forward, Starscream at his side. “Starscream?” Optimus said in shock. “Yes, it would seem I was mistaken, at least in part, about Starscream’s intelligence. At least he has the sense to join the winning side,” Megatron said. Celestia felt her blood boil as the tyrant and his treacherous commander neared her. She moved to charge him, but Optimus held her back. Megatron raised his hand, flicking his wrist twice. Another group of Vehicons stepped forward as they held the Shrapnel, Bombshell, and Kickback at gunpoint. Shrapnel had apparently survived the blast, though she was far from unscathed. Her jaw was partially metal, and half of her body was badly burned. In addition, one of her eyes was now milky white, rather than the normal blue of the changelings. The chansellor seethed with anger, to the point that it was nearly tangible. Bombshell was equally angry, but Kickback was seemed much more cool and collected. “Megatron, let them go,” Prime ordered, stepping forward. “Your quarrel is with me, not them.” “Would that I could, Prime, but alas, Dreadwing must have his revenge, so I must ensure he will have it,” Megatron said. The aforementioned Decepticon stepped forward, smiling and drawing his sword as he neared Prime. “Now you will pay for slaying my brother,” he told Optimus. “Your brother?” Starscream questioned. “Prime did not kill Skyquake, the scout did.” Dreadwing instantly came to a halt. “What?” “Prime aided him, but in the end, the Autobot scout dealt the killing blow,” Starscream explained. Dreadwing stopped smiling, calmly sheathing his sword. “It seems I have been seeking revenge against the wrong Autobot,” he said as he turned around. “Forgive me, my lord.” “You are forgiven commander,” Megatron told him as he turned to Prime. “Trooper, seize the pony,” he ordered. A Vehicon suddenly grabbed Celestia, causing Optimus to draw his weapon. He turned to face the Decepticon, only to watch as Celestia summoned a brilliant beam of light from her horn, then used it to sever his arm. The poor soldier writhed in pain as his comrades took aim, but before they could fire, Megatron motioned for them to stop. “Impressive,” he muttered as he chuckled quietly. “Enough games Megatron. What do you want?” Optimus angrily questioned. “You see, it‘s quite simple. All I want is a duel,” the warlord explained. Optimus shot a quick glance towards Celestia, who was shaking her head at him. He considered his options, choosing ignore her as he slid on battle mask. “Good,” Megatron growled. Both warriors faced each other, glaring as they both drew their blades. Suddenly, the two charged each other, sparks flying from their swords as their blades clashed. The two became a tempest of blades, sending energon flying as they cut into each other. Megatron was the first to deal a serious blow, slashing upward and cutting into Primes chest. However, he allowed Optimus to duck under his arm, then quickly sliced his back. Megatron turned suddenly, smashing his ark into Primes his face. Optimus fell to the ground, recovering just in time to roll away from Megatron’s stab. He stood, slashing his opponent’s shoulder. Then he brought his blade down, delivering a shuddering blow to Megatron’s weapon. As the two locked blades again, Megatron threw a punch at Prime. He only brushed his chest, but the blow was enough to throw him off a balance. He lifted his leg with shocking speed, kicking the Prime in the torso. He flew backwards, smashing into a rock. He unleashed several salvoes from his fusion cannon, only to have Optimus deflect each shot. Then the massive Decepticon rushed forward, smashing Prime’s head into the stone. “Hm. You disappoint me Optimus; perhaps after I’m finished with you, I’ll challenge your pet,” Megatron said as he drew back his blade, ready to deliver the final blow. “At least she might give me a feeling of a compliment when I slay her.” Those words awakened something within Prime. He retracted his sword, grabbing Megatron’s arm with both hands, and, using both feet, kicked him in the abdomen. Megatron shuffled backward as a wicked grin spread across his face. “Now this is the Optimus I-” Megatron was cut off mid sentence as Optimus’ fist slammed into his jaw. He punched Megatron in the gut, then in the face again. As he bent over, Optimus curled his fists together and brought them down on his back. He fell to the ground, landing on his hands and knees, only to have Prime deliver a stirn kick to his lower chest. Before Megatron could recover, Optimus was upon him. He drew his sword, pointing its tip at Megatron’s spark. Megatron could only laugh. He looked Prime dead in the eyes, grinning, despite seeming to be on the verge of death. Optimus looked around them. Suddenly, he realized why Megatron was smiling. He retracted his blade, slowly standing, his head hung low in defeat. Megatron righted himself, flicking the dirt from his person as he did so. Then, he slowly curled his left hand, before he delivered a hard blow to Prime’s abdomen. Optimus doubled over in pain, forced to remove his faceplated as he coughed up energon. The light blue liquid splattered on the ground as he fell to his hands and knees. Upon seeing Prime fall, Celestia dashed towards him, only to be stopped by two Vehicons. Her horn glowed as she prepared to dispatch the two Decepticons, until she noticed Optimus holding his hand up. “Stop” he wheezed, causing the golden aura surrounding her horn to dissipate. “Ha! You’ve trained your pet well,” Megatron commented. Optimus glared up at him in disgust, energon dripping from his jaw. The warlord raised his foot into the air, before using it to slam Prime’s head into the ground. Optimus went still, and had it not been for the faint blue glow his eyes still emitted, Celestia would have thought he was dead. Another pair of troopers stepped forward, each one grabbing hold of Prime’s arms; the princess called upon all her determination to resist the urge to vaporize them both. The Decepticon warship descended from the skies, no longer covered by the clouds that shielded it from sight. A yellow tube descended from the ship. “Take him back to the Nemesis, and have Knockout perform the surgery,” Megatron ordered. The pair entered tube, their captive in tow, where they were lifted into the ship .Celestia felt a twinge of guilt in her chest as she watched Optimus ascend to the ship, helpless to do anything to save him. As soon as Prime reached the Nemesis, the remaining Vehicons changed forms, along with Dreadwing. Megatron was the last to leave, cackling as he relished his victory, before he readied to take flight. “Megatron.” The warlord turned to see Princess Celestia standing firm, looking him in the eyes. “You’ll be sorry for this,” she threatened. “I’m sure I will be,” he 'assured' her as he changed forms. As he flew off, Celestia turned away, marching into the woods behind her. “Where are you going?” the newly freed Shrapnel questioned. “To save my friend.” --------------- Applejack and Rainbow Dash had found the location where Starscream had been; no doubt about it. Gigantic footprints scarred the ground, and the tops of one of the trees were scorched by what had to be his jet engine. And yet, the Decepticon was nowhere to be found. “Where could he be?” Rainbow asked. “Heck if Ah know,” Applejack answered. “I think I might know,” a third voice chimed in. The two mares turned to see Knockout looming behind them. “...well if that ain’t the-”