Forever Alone: Transformers Prime

Chapter XIV

Arcee looked like she was still very skeptical about everything, not that she blamed her for it. This Megatron seemed like nothing, but a weasel. "Optimus, even if we survive the jump, how are we supposed to stop Unicron?"

Optimus looked at the team, then looked back at Megatron. The Prime was silent for a moment, before looking back at Arcee. "With the Matrix of Leadership."

"It was the combined power of the Primes that defeated Unicron so long ago, the very reason he now seeks to destroy you." Megatron said, as he walked towards Optimus.

"It would follow that unleashing the power of the matrix directly into Unicron's spark would return him to stasis." Optimus said, looking down at his servos.

"What will this do to you? If anyone should sacrifice a source of power, it should be me?" Ethera cried. "The way you say it makes it sound like you are sacrificing yourself when you have people that rely on you."

Then there was the sound of clicking from behind her, where she saw the rocks rolling around and starting to form from the large rubble, another replica. It was rebuilding itself. "We got another one." Bulkhead said as he, Arcee, and Bumblebee started to back away from it.

"Ratchet, set the Groundbridge." Optimus cried out.

A groundbridge opened up beside them. They looked at it, and Arcee turned sharply at Optimus. "Wait, We're opening up a direct path into our base with Megatron and this femme standing right there?"

"This femme is on your side, and always has been. Maybe you should figure that out, Arcee." Ethera said. "Do we really believe that Megatron is going to risk his own spark to save us? To save the planet?"

Megatron laughed. "Hardly my nature." He looked at the replica coming towards them and back at the bots. "Consider my offer. I shall keep it busy." He transformed into a jet and shot at the replica.

She looked up as she heard more rocks crumbling, but not because of the replica breaking apart, but because another one was forming. Two titan replicas emerged from the ground while Optimus was still standing there. "Optimus, you need to get out of here."

Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee ran first into the bridge, while Optimus and Ethera still stood nearby, watching Megatron before they also went into the bridge. Ethera runs right behind Optimus in the process.

"I know that desperate times call for desperate measures, but bringing megatron here?" Ratchet cried.

"How can you even think about letting that monster near these children after what he did to Raf?" Julie asked.

"He will be closely monitored and only allowed to linger long enough to send us on our journey. Not one moment more." Optimus answered.

"What is supposed to stop the cons from calling in an airstrike if he knows where you live?" Agent Fowler asked.

"By groundbridging Megatron here, he will be unable to get a fix on our coordinates." Optimus explained.

"Optimus, what is gonna happen to you when all your matrix energy is released?" Jack asked.

"The power within the matrix has not previously been utilized in this particular manner."

"But you have an idea, don't you?"

"Autobots, if humankind is to be saved, I have no choice, but to proceed." Optimus exclaimed.

"Yes you do have a choice. Surely my power is more than enough to stop this. If I direct all my power into the enemy, it will destroy the danger we are at risk of." Ethera said.

"Who the heck is she?" Arcee asked.

"It's Julie." Bulkhead replied. "How did you not know? It was obvious."