Optimus stood firm. He looked at Megatron.
Megatron looked back. He stepped over the shattered remains of a city bus. His foot crushed the metal. He let his fusion cannon hum. "Look at this place, Prime," Megatron hissed. "A world of insects," he remarked. "A world of dust. Is this the hill you've chosen to die on? For these things?" he said.
"These insects made you fall," Optimus responded.
Megatron looked angry. "They got lucky, Prime," Megatron shouted. "Something you will not," he added.
"They have a right to choose their own path, Megatron," Optimus replied. "They have proven themselves already," he said. "Like you once did at the halls of Iacon? You were a champion then. You stood for the oppressed," he added.
Megatron let out a hollow, metallic laugh that shook the surrounding glass. "Lacon is a graveyard. And I am the one who buried it," he replied. "You speak of the past because you are too weak to face the future. You always were," he said. "You spent your life hiding behind 'honor' while I was forging the destiny of our race in fire," he added.
Megatron lunged forward. "I don't just want the Cube, Optimus," Megatron snarled. "I want to feel your spark go cold beneath my fingers. I want to see the light of the core fade from your eyes as you realize that everything you fought for, every 'innocent' life you protected was for nothing," he said.
Optimus Prime`s plates on his cheek covered his mouth like a mask. "Then you have forgotten the most important lesson of the past, Megatron. A leader does not rule through fear. He leads through sacrifice," he said.
"Enough of your sermons," Megatron bellowed as his right arm began to rotate and compress. "Today, you join the rest of our dead world," he added.
"Optmius, here it is," Sam said as he ran towards them.
"Get back Sam," Optimus shouted as he watched the boy run towards them.
Megatron's arm plates began to compress and rotate with a violent whine. "Fusion Cannon," he bellowed as he fired a massive pulse of white-hot power. It flew through the air and went towards Optimus and slammed it on his chest.
Optimus who looked away for a second got hit with the blast on his chest. He was sent flying backwards and hit a building. The glass of the building shattered upon impact.
"You should focus," Megatron said as he started to run towards Sam.
Sam stopped and saw the towering robot coming towards him. "No, no, no," he shouted.
"Prime Ion Cannon Blast," Optimus Prime said as he raised his right forearm. It shifted and compacted into a cannon. He fired a glowing blue blast of ionized energy that slammed into Megatron's back and forced the tyrant to fall down. "You should as well," Optimus said.
Megatron plummeted. His massive frame collided with the asphalt. A deafening, metallic thunderclap echoed through the city streets as the ground buckled beneath his weight. The impact sent a violent shockwave rippling outward which shattered the windows.
Sam got hit with the shockwave. He fell down and the impact sent the All-spark skittering away down the street. "No," Sam said as he watched the All-Spark go tumbling down. Sam was about to get up when he saw Megatron charging towards him.
"Out of my," Megatron said as he went charging forward.
"Prime Justice Slam," Optimus said as his back-mounted thrusters ignited. He leapt high into the air and brought both fists down and hit Megatron in the back. "I am here Megatron," Optimus said as he dropped the towering mechanical life form once more.
Megatron fell to the ground hard once more. The ground cracked, and the shockwave knocked Sam back once more. He hit the ground and was knocked unconscious.
"Sam," Maggie said as she came running towards him.
"Get Sam out of here," Optimus said as Megatron kicked him in the chest.
Optimus staggered back as Megatron looked at him. "I will kill you first," Megatron shouted as he charged forward.
"Let's do it," Optimus responded. He charged forward.
Meanwhile, James was running through the street until he spotted a familiar silhouette.
"Lefi," James called out as he rushed toward her.
Lefi stood amidst the ruins. Her face was red. She was lost in thought. Her sensitive ears twitched. She thought of those noises from last night. James and her were making those noises. She thought those were baby noises. Her face went red. Her eyes swirled.
James reached her side. "Are you alright?" he asked as he looked like she was red. James smiled. "I know you are," he said. He thought Lefi was the Queen of Dragons. She was really strong.
Lefi turned to him and gave a sharp, stiff nod. Her stomach let out a low, traitorous growl. She immediately pouted. "I am right, well, naught is amiss," she said. She gave a short, breathless laugh to cover her hunger. "Thy concern is misplaced, though I find it not unwelcome," he added.
James smiled. "Don't worry," he promised as he held her. "As soon as we're out of this mess and back home, we're having a feast. The biggest one you've ever seen," she said. He thought she was cute.
"Food," Lefi said as her tongue stuck out and she started to drool.
James smiled. "You are so cute," James said as he wiped her drool. He looked at her. James thought she was beautiful. His heart started to pound.
Their eyes locked onto each other. "James," Lefi said. Her heart beat skipped a few beats. Her face went red.
"Lefi," James said.
Lefi thought they were close. His lips were close. She thought she would do it. He will kiss her. She wanted it.
At that moment a sharp, metallic clatter could be heard. James and Lefi turned their faces towards the noise. They saw the All-Spark which was tumbling down the street. It bounced off the asphalt before skidding to a halt nearby. As it hit the ground, a pulse of energy surged outward and struck several nearby appliances.
With a sickening screech of twisting metal, the objects shifted and grew. It transformed into jagged, hostile mini-robots. They hissed and their red optics locked onto them.
Lefi looked at them. "No," Lefi said as she let out a ferocious roar that shook the very air. Her roar sent a compressed wave of air towards the robots and they were instantly destroyed. She reduced the robots to piles of useless scrap in seconds.
James watched her. His grin widened with genuine admiration. "My lover is so strong," he said.
Lefi froze. Her fierce expression melted into a deep, flustered blush at the word lover. She huffed and looked away to hide her face.
James thought she was adorable. He walked towards All-Spark. He knew the power of the artifact and it was going to be destroyed in the crossfire of the battle. "Lefi, the box," he prompted.
She reached into her bag and handed him a lead-lined container she had been carrying.
"Tis a thing of great might," Lefi said. "I can feel the very air ripple with its presence. It breatheth forth a strange and ancient power, the likes of which I have ne'er encountered," she said.
James carefully maneuvered the pulsing Cube into the box and snapped it shut. "This should mask its energy," he said. "And yes you are right, you saw it brought things to life," James added.
"What is our intent for this thing?" she asked.
"Well, I am not sure," James responded. "Right now, we need the Elite Female Transformer," he added.
He looked at the heavy container for a moment. He thought he was going to get it one way or another. "I am going to help Optimus finish Megatron off," James said with a smile on his face.
"Typical," Lefi pouted.
James smiled." Keep that safe and regroup with everyone," James said as he opened the faceplate. He saw the silhouette. It was of a broad-shouldered alien covered in armour plating on his back, shoulders, and the backs of his arms. It had four claws on both of his hands.
"Perfect," James said. He slammed the faceplate. His body was engulfed in a brilliant, pulsating light. The air crackled with energy. James' body distorted, his limbs elongated. In a surge of radiant energy, James` features reshape, his arms got wider, his legs got thicker, his eyes narrowed and his body got larger. James had transformed into Cannonbolt. He had hulking, broad-shouldered, covered in natural, yellow armor plating on his back, shoulders, and the backs of his arms. He was mostly white with black on his upper half and had four claws on both of his hands. "Cannonbolt," he said.
"Flufly," Lefi remarked as she looked at his body.
Cannonbolt pressed the Ultimatrix symbol. A bright green light engulfed his transformation into the ultimate form. The yellow plating on his back and limbs turned into a cold, metallic cyan, hardening into reinforced shells studded with lethal spikes. His white skin shifted to a pale, steel-blue, and his physical bulk nearly doubled. The air screamed as the energy output peaked. "Ultimate Cannonbolt," he bellowed.
"Not fluffy," Lefi said.
"I am plenty fluffy," Ultimate Cannonbolt remarked as he stepped forward. "I will be back soon," he added as he tucked his massive limbs inward and spun forward and went up the streets.
Ultimate Cannonbolt. He rolled forward up the streets and stopped. He unrolled and saw Megatron and Optimus punching each other in the face. "I am here Optimus," Ultimate Cannonbolt rumbled as he uncurled. He immediately tucked back into a ball, "Ultimate Comet Crash," he said as he launched himself forward. He rolled forward and slammed into Megatron's flank.
"Who are you?" Megatron said as he was in the hand. The metal plates ripped apart from the force as he was knocked off balance.
"Prime Ion Cannon Blast," Optimus Prime said, his right forearm shifting and compacting into a cannon once again. He fired a glowing blue blast of ionized energy that slammed into Megatron's chest and forced the tyrant back a step.
Megatron's arm plates began to compress and rotate with a violent whine. "Fusion Cannon," he bellowed as he fired a massive pulse of white-hot power. It went towards Optimus.
"Prime Vanguard Shield," Optimus said, a massive, circular alloy shield expanded from his left arm. The beam hit the shield. There was an explosion and a large black cloud. Optimus was sent skidding back on his feet. He skidded out from the smoke cloud.
Ultimate Cannonbolt was rolled up a skyscraper. "Ultimate Ricochet Rampage," Ultimate Cannonbolt shouted as he bounced off two buildings. He went left and right and hit the buildings and came down. He struck Megatron's back force. There was a shockwave from the impact. Megatron spinal gear shattered.
"Get off me," Megatron growled as he slammed his foot into the ground. "Kinetic Discharge," he said as a massive burst of energy rippled outward.
Ultimate Cannonbolt was hit by the shockwave and was sent flying into the air. He tucked himself into a ball and landed on the ground.
Optimus retracted his shield. He charged towards Megatron. "Prime Energon Battle-Axe," Optimus said as a translucent orange blade erupted from his wrist. He swung the weapon in a powerful overhead cleave and sliced through Megatron's heavy shoulder plating. The axe split cleaved through the metal. There were sparks and fluid leaving his arm.
Megatron roared. On the other hand, his hand started to transform. "Internal Decimation," he said as he formed a massive double-ended blade. He spun the weapon and sliced Optimus' stomach.
Optimus jerked his head forward. The axe cut his stomach and fluid started to leak.
Suddenly, the spiked sphere of Ultimate Cannonbolt tore through the streets. "Ultimate Comet Crash," Ultimate Cannonbolt said as he launched himself forward like a cannonball and hit Megatron`s head. The spikes hit his head and a crack formed.
Optimus took his blade out. His back-mounted thrusters ignited. "Prime Justice Slam," he said as he slammed his body into Megatron. Optimus crashed into his body with force. Megatron spat fluid. The metal plates on his cracked,
Megatron used his free hand and grabbed Ultimate Cannonbolt and threw him towards Optimus.
Ultimate Cannonbolt got chucked and crashed into Optimus. Optimus quickly caught Ultimate Cannonbolt and he skidded back a few feet before stopping. "Are you okay?" Optimus asked.
"I am," Ultimate Cannonbolt replied as he got to his feet. He thought Megatron was strong.
"Fusion Cannon," Megatron bellowed once more as he charged the barrel. He fired an energy blast
"Ultimate Shield-Wall," Ultimate Cannonbolt said as he turned his back to Megatron. The energy blast hit Ultimate Cannonbolt`s back. The impenetrable, spiked plating of his shell took the hit. There was a big explosion and a large smoke cloud was created.
"That tickles," Ultimate Cannonbolt said.
"You are indeed formidable," Optimus remarked as he saw Megatron. "Let us end this," he said.
"Sure," Ultimate Cannonbolt said.
"Prime Sentinel Strike," Optimus said as he drew a silver-alloyed Greatsword as he went forward.
Megatron looked at Optimus Prime coming towards him. "Internal Decimation," he said as he formed a massive double-ended blade. He spun the weapon with terrifying speed.
Optimus closed the distance and Megatron unleashed a horizontal cleave. Optimus dropped his shoulder and slid beneath the arc of the blade as it whistled inches above his helm.
Megatron roared and immediately reversed the momentum. He drove the trailing end of the staff toward Optimus's midsection.
Optimus pivoted on one heel and dodged the attack once more.
"Hold still, Prime," Megatron hissed as he brought the staff down in a devastating overhead strike.
Optimus saw the opening. He stepped to the left and the massive blade slammed into the asphalt. Megatron struggled to pull the weapon from the buckled ground.
Optimus brought the Greatsword around in a vertical arc. The blade sliced through Megatron's right wrist-joint. The Decepticon's massive hand was severed completely and spun off into the debris in a spray of black hydraulic fluid and dying sparks.
"My hand," Megatron said. "You will pay for this," he added.
Optimus pivoted on one heel. "Prime Sky-Launch Kick," he said as his hydraulic-powered foot caught Megatron in the midsection. He launched the Decepticon leader into the air.
"Ultimate Orbital Strike," Ultimate Cannonbolt roared as he rolled on top of a tall building. He then launched himself off and collided with the airborne Megatron like a spiked wrecking ball. He drove him back down toward the earth.
Megatron's back hit the pavement first. Ultimate Cannonbolt's spikes pierced Megatron's chest. The Decepticon's reinforced sternum plating buckled and shattered. The internal structural supports of his torso snapped like dry twigs and sent shards of jagged metal piercing into his core systems. Thick, black energon erupted from Megatron's mouth-grill as his cooling fans shrieked. The secondary armor on his hips disintegrated under the sheer weight of the descent. His left leg twisted at an unnatural, sickening angle. The hydraulic lines severed and sprayed pressurized fluid across the smoking crater.
Megatron lay pinned in the center of a massive web of cracked concrete.
Ultimate Cannonbolt jumped off him and untucked himself. He stood on his two feet.
"I am not done," Megatron said as he raised his cannon towards Ultimate Cannonball.
Optimus planted his feet firmly into the ground. His internal core hummed at maximum output as he aimed upward. "Prime Final Stand," he said as he leveled his cannon. The barrel glowed white-hot as he unleashed a continuous beam of energy that hit Megatron in the face. The beam melted his face.
"Prime," Megatron whispered as his voice was a distorted, mechanical rasp.
The beam continued to pour into him. His internal structural integrity reached its breaking point. The superheated metal of his neck and chest turned to slag. With a sickening, wet sound of melting alloy hitting concrete, Megatron's body finally collapsed. His massive shoulders slumped forward, and his limbs folded inward,
The once-mighty tyrant was reduced to a blackened, faceless ruin. His spark flickered one last time before going silent.
"Megatron my old friend," Optimus Prime said. "Why did it come to this?" he asked.
At that time, Ultimate Cannonbolt reached up and pressed the Ultimatrix symbol on his chest. A brilliant surge of emerald light erupted from his core. The giant, armored frame began to shrink and the spike disappeared. As the light faded, James emerged.
James walked up beside the towering Autobot. "Life throws all sorts of curveballs," James said as he looked up at Optimus. "It's unpredictable. Sometimes the people we start the journey with aren't the ones who make it to the end," he said. "Choices are made and he just stopped being the bot you knew," he added.
Optimus turned his head slightly toward James. "A tragic truth. He sought to preserve our race by destroying its soul. He chose a path of shadow, and in doing so, he left me no choice but to extinguish his light," he said.
James nodded. "You made the right decision," James said. "He was so obsessed with power," he remarked. "That he forgot how to actually live it. At least now, he doesn't have to carry that hate anymore," he added.
"Perhaps," Optimus replied. "But the cost of this victory is a weight I shall bear until I, too, join the Well of All Sparks," he said.
"Thank you James, you were a great ally," Optimus said.
"And so were you," James replied. "It was an honour to fight beside you," James added. He thought it was true. Optimus Prime was a legend.
"The honour is mine," Optimus said.
High above the sky Goddess Starscream watched everyone die. "They are all dead," he remarked. At that moment, black smoke enveloped his body. It slithered around his wings and body and curled around him. The vortex thickened until he vanished within.