Transformers: Honor and Loyalty

Chapter 15: Battle's End

{Ultra Magnus and Tarn, several minutes earlier}

Ultra Magnus leaps back, narrowly avoiding Tarn's blades before swinging his hammer at Tarn's head. The Decepticon ducks slightly, letting the hammer head to harmlessly fly over his head just for Magnus to drive the end of the handle into his face. Tarn stumbles back with a groan before his legs are suddenly swept out from under him.

Tarn lands on the ground with a loud crash, but immediately rolls to the side as Magnus slams his hammer repeatedly into the ground, missing his opponent by the slimmest margins, much to Magnus' chagrin.

The Decepticon gains a bit of luck as the hammer got caught on a piece of heavy machinery, hurrying to his feet and swinging his blades at Magnus.

The Autobot manages to free his weapon and swing the handle up to block the attack. Maintaining momentum, he kicks Tarn's arm away before spinning around and landing a blow to his back with the hammer. Unfortunately, all this did was cause Tarn to stumble forward a few steps.

Magnus hefts his hammer, gritting his teeth. He has to end this quickly, before he grows too exhausted to continue.

To that end, he spins around and aims his hammer at Tarn's legs again only for him to block the hammer with his blades. Tarn kicks the hammer away from his weapon and brings his blade over his head and down to strike Magnus' head. Acting fast, Magnus raises his weapon's handle and blocked the blades. Tarn leans his full weight against the hammer, and Magnus begins to succumb to his exhaustion, the hammer falling inch by inch. He spares a glance at Tarn only to see his enemy seemingly unaffected by the battle.

Tarn's strength forces Magnus down to a knee as he valiantly continues trying to push back the blades that are inching towards his face. Tarn makes sure to continue the pressure of his full weight.

Thinking quickly, Magnus lets go with his right hand, allowing the weight of the hammer head to drop to the ground.

Caught off guard, Tarn's blades slide along the length of the handle, leading him to lose balance and stagger forward, nearly toppling over completely. With his opponent off balanced, Magnus tries to knee Tarn's face, but is quickly blocked by his enemy's other hand. Tarn pushes Magnus' knee back and stands upright while thrusting his elbow into Magnus's face, making him drop his hammer, his blades snapping toward the Autobot's neck with barely any time for the Autobot commander to react.

Magnus raises both his arms up in defense and barely stops the blades before they make contact with their intended target. Magnus then kicks Tarn in the abdomen, sending him back a few steps, just enough for him to retrieve his hammer and back up to give himself some more room.

He barely has enough time to rest as Tarn lunges forward, his blades poised to strike.

Just in the nick of time, Magnus raises his hammer up and planted the head on Tarn's right shoulder in order to keep him back. But Tarn snarls and grabs the back of Magnus' head, beginning to pull him towards the blades.

As much as Magnus holds firm, he starts to feel the handle of his weapon slowly slip through his grasp, bringing the blades closer to his face. Magnus groans as he tries to back up and keep the distance, but Tarn is not going to allow him that luxury.

Suddenly, from somewhere in the distance of the construction site, the battling mechs are distracted by a large explosion, the combatants turning their heads to see a large plume of smoke and fire rising over the incomplete rooftops of the site.

Taking the initiative, Magnus crouches down and steps out of the way to allow Tarn to stagger forward once again. Magnus felt himself stumble as well; the fight has taken a lot out of him. More than he'd ever admit. But he can't let that stop him. He knows if he gives up, or allows Tarn to leave, he would not rest until he had destroyed everything Magnus holds dear. Optimus, the Autobots, Moonracer. Magnus can't allow that, no matter the cost.