The devil within

Chapter 6

"Megatron..."

Optimus's faded voice slowly brought Megatron back to reality. He opened his optics and groaned, feeling his whole body ache. "I.... tried to stop... I tried to! But I just couldn't...." he muttered, feeling tears building up in his optics. Great, now he was crying in front of Optimus. "Did I hurt you?"

Optimus helped him sit up against the berth and sat down next to him, too hesitant to get any closer. He glanced off to the side, wondering if he should tell him or not.

"Well?" Megatron demanded, his voice cracking as the tears flowed down his face.

"No, you didn't hurt me..." Optimus finally replied, sighing heavily.

Megatron grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him straight in the optics. "You better not be lying to me." He had a genuine look of concern on his face as he stared into those bright blue optics.

Optimus sighed again and shook his hands off his shoulders. He moved his arm, revealing the small gash in his side that was slowly leaking energon.

Megatron gasped, seeing the damage he dealt. He instantly felt horrible and turned away, burying his head in his arms. "Now you're hurt because of me... I'll never learn..."

"Megatron, we both know that wasn't you. There is someone in your head that's making you do this."

"There is? Is that where the voice is coming from?"

"I think so. Ratchet said that Unicron may have invaded your mind. I think that's why you've be acting strangely lately." Optimus said, glancing over at him. "It would be best if we scanned your mind to see if we could do something about it."

"No, I need to drive him out by myself. I need to prove to myself that I'm not evil anymore.." Megatron groaned, leaning back against the berth.

"Why do you want to do that?" Optimus asked, tilting his head.

"I want to make it up to you. I've been feeling bad for what I've done in the past. I want to change, Optimus... I want it to be like old times, remember?"

Optimus stared at the floor and closed his optics. "You would do that for me? I.... I never knew you felt this way..." he opened them, gazing at Megatron.

Megatron huffed, pushing himself up from the floor and stretching. "Well, might as well get this over with..."

Optimus nodded, standing up as well. "Please be cautious, I'm not sure how the others will react to me bringing you out there. And for your own sake, please control your temper. I can't stop them from hurting you even if I tried..."

Megatron frowned for a second and then nodded, slowly lumbering towards the exit to the cell. It had been a while since he'd been exposed to light, so the light in the hallway was bright and annoying.

Optimus fell into step behind him as they slowly made their way to the main area where the others were conversing amongst themselves. When they heard Megatron approaching, all optics were on him in an instant.

"What is he doing out here?" Arcee muttered, widening her stance.

"All alone? I thought Optimus was with him." Bulkhead huffed, banging his fists together.

When Optimus walked out from behind him, they gasped in confusion. Megatron continued to walk over to Ratchet's Medbay, ignoring the looks he got from them.

Optimus silently followed him, nodding to the others as he went over to Ratchet.

"What's he doing?" Ratchet asked, confused on why Megatron was out of his cell.

"He's driving Unicron out of his head by himself." Optimus muttered, watching as Megatron sat down and closed his optics.

"But that could have terrible consequences! He could destroy his own mind!" Ratchet exclaimed, staring with wide optics.

"He just has to withstand Unicron for long enough until he can fight back. He knows what he's doing." Optimus replied, ushering the others to step back.

"Come at me, you fool..." Megatron snarled, gripping his hands into fists.

"How dare you call me a fool!" Unicron responded, immediately entering Megatron's mind and taking hold of his spark.

Megatron growled in pain, his sharp denta bared as Unicron gripped his mind. A light purple flame appeared around his frame, causing Ratchet to gasp in awe.

"You ignorant worm! You shall pay for such treachery!"

Megatron screamed as Unicron tightened his grip on his spark, threatening to destroy it. "No.... I won't let you control me! No one controls me!" He roared, rallying his mind and fighting back against Unicron.

"I have to help him..." Optimus muttered, stepping forward.

"Optimus no! Who knows what could happen if you touch him!" Ratchet tried to stop him, but it was no use.

Optimus placed his hand on Megatron's shoulder, wincing at the burning sensation from the fire. He felt his mind being pulled into Megatron's and it blinked into it, leaving his body.

"Who dares interrupt me?" Unicron boomed, searching Megatron's mind for the intruder.

"Megatron, I am here to help." Optimus said, combining with Megatron's mind to become more powerful.

"What are you...." Megatron huffed, trying to withstand Unicron's attacks. He felt strength return to him as Optimus joined the battle, feeling more confident.

"You can't defeat me, pathetic insects! Prepare for your utmost destruction!"

With their combined powers, Megatron and Optimus fired all they could at Unicron's essence. Both of their bodies in real life began shuddering uncontrollably as the power was drained.

"No.... NO!!!" Unicron screamed as he was blasted apart by the combined power of Megatron and Optimus.

Afterwards, the battle was over and Optimus withdrew from Megatron's mind. They both collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

"Optimus!" Ratchet rushed forward and knelt down beside him, checking for a pulse. He sighed in relief when he found it, wiping his brow.

Megatron slowly awoke and coughed, his mind finally feeling open and clear. "Optimus..." he looked over at his brother, who was yet to rise.

When Megatron said his name, Optimus's optics flew open and he sat up. He breathed heavily, turning to look at Megatron. "We.... We did it..."

For once in his life, Megatron smiled a true smile. "No, you did it.... You saved me from the darkness inside of me."

Optimus stared at his brother for a few seconds before mustering the courage to ask him something. "So... does that mean we can be brothers again?"

"Yes.... a thousand times yes..." Megatron sighed, pulling Optimus in a tight hug.

Optimus closed his optics and smiled, wrapping his arms around Megatron. "It's good to have you back..."

"It's good to have myself back..." Megatron mumbled, never wanting to let go of Optimus again.