Lockout: A Transformers Story

Chapter 18: A Crack in the Glass

Energon spilled from deep wounds, the mech I battle before my predicament, had escaped. My body aches, vision blurred, audio receptors pierced with deep ringing. A new cut had cleared itself upon my optic, bearing a form of gore. I couldn't see through the energon which leaked through the wound. I calmed myself only as a small scent of violet rose petals strode passed me.

"Lockout?" I heard a small voice whisper, coming from a corner of the room. The same tiny voice that emitted the petal scent. I coughed harshly, sunny optics fading to a dull color. Something soft pressed itself against my facial features, I gazed down at where the hand met a body. Liz.

She made little sounds of worry, she was too young to watch someone die. She was too young. "Liz..."

"It's okay, you're going to be okay," she squeaked. A soft groan slipped through cold, bleeding lips. I wasn't-I didn't feel okay. I just wanted to sleep. Sleep would help me. "Lock-" the small voice was fading from my own hearing. I wished to get up, but I was so... tired.

A snarl echoed in my helm, my optics flashed red and I gripped the metal ground. Get up! Get up you idiot! Midnight growled, causing me to pull my body to my knees, clawing the ground in deep pain. Energon filled my throat, causing me to spit and cough, the blue liquid draining from my mouth. Liz stepped out of the way before the liquid hit her.

"You're doing it!" The little girl smiled, encouraging me. "You're okay!" I collapsed once more, groaning harshly. My whole frame hurt. Her smile fell, the soft pink night dress she wore hugged her body as a breeze ruffled through the hanger. "Y-you almost had it, Lock-"

"I can't," coughing again, I began to heave deep breaths. It was so cold. "It hurts."

"Let me use your-"

"No." She wanted to help, I know. I couldn't let her. I couldn't let Megatron know of such an innocent creature. Especially not the fact that she knew about Jetfire.

"But-"

"They would kill you..."

Not all of us were kind. Her large indigo eyes glistened, wavy blonde hair resting on her shoulders. I raised my cut, bruised hand to my comm. "Lockout to-" A dark cough slipped through my busted lip. "Help..."

At the last bit, I curled up next to Liz, shivering from the cold, shivering from the fear, from the pain. Liz brought a small blanket to my helm, causing a wince from my lips. She applied a deeper pressure. I hadn't heard the ground bridge open.

"Lockout!" Shockwaves familiar voice soothed my mind as I slipped to darkness. He gazed down at Liz, listening to her plea.

"Lockout, stay awake now, stay awake."

"Let me," Shockwave breathed, kneeling to my side. Liz stepped out of the way, the large mech removing the blanket from my optic. He gazed at the wound, allowing me a soft groan and a few tears. He slowly shushed me, resting a hand against my arm. "I've got you now."

The mech lifted me into his arms with gentle movements. His hold was warm and gentle, like a bath, like a warm hug.

"Thank you," he whispered finally to the small girl, then left.

Lockout?

I stirred, there wasn't any pain, terror, there was nothing. Leave me alone. Leave me to die.

Lockout?

Why can't I die? Past few chapters I could've, why not now? Why not ever?

Lockout.

Shut up! Shut up! Just leave me alone!

Lockout!

Jolting, I opened my optics. I wasn't in pain yet. Had I arrived to the allspark?

"No, but this is the world of which prophecy unfolds. To where I finally get to speak to you again." Stars circled the remarkable place, I got to my feet, nervous to stand in the celestial structure of a world. Crystals flew toward me, flew past me, formed a mech. I stopped them with my power, the mech appearing.

"Why haven't I died?" I snarled.

"Do you truly desire death? Do you desire anything? You are more than you believe, Lockout." The mech was tall, white and blue. He began to stride before me, silverish ice orbs gazed upon me. "You have much more to suffer of I can see, more pain to inflict, pain to be inflicted upon, to desire, to lose. You have much more life to witness."

"How can you see a future for me? I thought I controlled my own fate."

"I cannot explain how that occurs for you."

"And why not?"

"You are far more dangerous than you believe."

"Tell me," my vocal tone lowered. "Speak!" The snarl which rumbled deep in my throat was far darker than I believed.

"Much like your father," the unknown mech breathed, pacing around me like I was art to be admired.

"Don't speak of that murderous sack of bolts." I glared at the mech, nearing my hand to where my blaster rest. Did I know I wasn't like Megatronus? Could I really confirm that?

The world was fading.

"Wait, you haven't told me yet."

The mech came closer, pressing a hand to my cheek. "You already know."

Oh I knew. Fuck. I knew.

"Primus-"

"Shh," he breathed. "You'll be alright." As the world around me faded, the mech flickered to gore.

"No, no! Don't leave! Don't go!"

"Stop Unicron."

Don't let me go...