Transformers Prime: Princess of Cybertron

Chapter 25: A Truce With a Decepticon

Sari's POV

"Optimus, have you uncovered any further signs of Unicron's emergence?" Ratchet asked over the comms.

"We're kinda trapped over here, Ratchet," I said as I assumed my full Cybertronian form.

"Unicron is power incarnate, and you, the last of the Primes, shall perish, as well as my niece!" the Unicron avatars roared.

"I'll take that as a yes," Ratchet said. "We are on our way."

"Negative," Optimus said as his battle mask slid shut over his faceplates. "He wants me, Ratchet." He then turned to look at me. "I am requesting a GroundBridge for Sari."

<<Sorry, Optimus, as much as I want to go, I'm staying, and it isn't just because of my obligation to protect you,>> I said as I blasted several of Unicron's avatars to bits. <<Besides,>> I added with a smirk, <<I haven't had this much fun since I led our entire race to victory against the Quintessons.>>

The two of us fought, giving it our all as Unicron sent more stone avatars against us. I was eventually forced to begin rotating through all of my weapons, including a pair of blasters exclusive to my Cybertronian form. Suddenly, things started to go from bad to worse. Optimus was grabbed by several Unicron avatars, four of which grabbed onto his arms while a fifth one prepared to chop the Prime's helm off. At the same time, a much larger group of Unicrons dogpiled me, trapping me under their weight. Realizing that Unicron intended to crush me, I sent out a shockwave from my very spark, ripping the stone avatars to pieces. As I got up, I noticed that Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee had arrived. I managed to get up, while the others finished off the nearby avatars. Optimus, however, was not as pleased as I was to see the other 'Bots.

"Did Ratchet not relay my command?" he ordered. "Return to base!"

"Reinforcements will not prevent your destruction, disciple of Primus!" the Unicron avatars declared.

"Optimus," Arcee said as she blasted a Unicron avatar's helm clean off, "you and Sari are Unicron's targets. Maybe you should consider retreating to base."

"These manifestations of Unicron can locate us anywhere on Earth," Optimus said. "Even our base's shielding would only cloak our positions for so long. I will not put others at risk."

"Then fall back and let us take the lead," Bulkhead suggested. "Just this once."

"Please, listen to reason!" Ratchet exclaimed. "If you don't survive, Optimus, I fear neither will this planet."

"Very well," Optimus said. Arcee then turned to me.

"Would you like to do the honors?" she asked, eliciting a smile from me.

"Just so long as you're ready to be back under my command, even if it is temporary," I said. "Let's move, everyone! We need to get as much distance between us and Unicron's... whatever those things are." The six of us began to race towards the top of the canyon, destroying any avatars that tried to get in our way. Once at the top, we all transformed. Realizing that I was still the only one without an Earth-based vehicle form, I decided to try and make my own form as close to an Earth-based vehicle as I could, but what I ended up with was something very loosely resembling the Mach 5 from the Speed Racer movie. I chuckled at my own attempt, but nothing was said as we continued to drive. That is, however, until we were forced to transform as a 300-foot-tall Unicron emerged right in front of us.

"Seriously?" I asked. "He gets bigger as he gets stronger?"

<<Is this the real Unicron?>> Bumblebee asked.