Chapter 17: The Autobot Tragedy
"My dear compatriots, this is the final battle of the Autobots on Cybertron!
For our home, for the honor of the Autobots stand with me!
We, the vanguard, will open the way for you. But from here on, the future rests in your hands.
You all know the tactics never surrender unless absolutely necessary!"
Those were the final words of Optimus Prime.
The Autobots were a peace-loving race by nature. Aside from Optimus Prime, Ironhide, and Ultra Magnus who wore heavy armor most Autobots only possessed civilian-grade plating.
Their Decepticon enemies, on the other hand, were uniformly outfitted with top-tier alloy combat gear. In terms of firepower, there was simply no comparison.
It was, quite literally, like throwing metal against stone.
Even with Optimus Prime leading dozens of well-equipped Autobots to clear a path for the others, the outcome seemed inevitable.
Megatron never took prisoners.
Whenever a captured Autobot fell into his hands unless they held special rank he would extract their Supreme Spark. Then, using Decepticon Spark technology, he would wipe their memories completely, turning once-kind Autobots into terrifying machines forced to fight their own comrades.
It was a fate worse than death.
But the Decepticon army was already at the gates. There was no time for the weak to grieve only the brave could endure what was coming.
Even if just 1% of the thousand Autobots managed to escape… that 1% would carry the last Spark of hope.
In truth, the situation wasn't quite as hopeless as Optimus Prime feared.
Within the Decepticon ranks, subtle fractures were beginning to form. Those who worried they'd lose their purpose once the Autobots were wiped out had quietly withdrawn parts of their forces.
The most obvious example was the massive dinosaur-type Decepticon, Sarath, and his subordinates.
Starscream's actions were far more discreet.
On the surface, he appeared to be flattering Megatron deploying the Central Army to give his leader a chance to face Optimus Prime head-on.
But in reality, Starscream's maneuvers had crippled the Decepticons' air superiority.
Megatron, basking in his arrogance, didn't suspect a thing.
"Commander Megatron, Starscream's flattery grows more shameless by the day! Cowardly as ever!"
The one speaking was Shockwave unlike most Decepticon warriors, he despised open combat. His preferred form was that of a giant mechanical worm, burrowing underground and ambushing enemy Autobots from below. A typical Decepticon tactic.
"Hahaha! Shockwave, don't mind Starscream he's always been that way.
Go on, show me your true power. After this final battle, your name will replace Starscream's!"
At Megatron's promise, Shockwave's single optic flared red.
"Great Commander Megatron! Now watch my performance.
I'll crush all who stand in my way and deliver Optimus Prime, my final prey, straight into your hands!"
As he spoke, Shockwave's body shifted and twisted, transforming into a long silver-white metallic worm, bristling with spikes. Then he burrowed into the ground with a thunderous roar
"ZZZZZRRRRT! KRRRKKK! KRRRCHHH!"
A moment later
"What's that? Something's moving under our rear lines! Do you feel that vibration?"
Ironhide was the first to react. He had fought Shockwave before he knew that sound. But this time, as Optimus Prime's second-in-command, he was holding a critical defensive line. If he left, a massive gap would open… and the enemy would pour through.
"Shockwave… no! He's going after the civilian convoy!"
Suddenly, about 500 meters behind the Autobot front line, the ground collapsed.
A massive, drill-like object burst out of the earth, spinning at terrifying speed, showering dirt and metal shards everywhere.
Who else could it be but the vile Shockwave himself?
Right at that spot, nearly eighty civilian Autobots were retreating toward the Ark. Shockwave's massive worm-body slammed into a giant transport bus, flipping it violently onto its side.
"Invincible Bus, transform!"
The massive vehicle unfolded, revealing a towering transport-type Transformer.
Aside from a giant hammer, it had no defensive weaponry. Worse, the attack was so sudden that at least thirty passengers hadn't even had time to evacuate.
Shockwave showed no mercy.
His rotating tail drilled straight through the bus's chest, piercing the fuel conduit. White and black oil sprayed out in arcs, while sparks crackled from the ruptured circuits nearby.
"No! I'm going to blow! Everyone, get out! Jump! Hurry!"
BOOOOM!
"AAAHHHH!"
It all happened in an instant. In less than five seconds, the giant bus-type Autobot was consumed in a blazing fireball taking thirty innocent civilians with it.
The explosion's force sent dozens more Autobots flying, scattering gears, tires, and fragments across the battlefield.
Two mechanical heads flickered weakly amid the wreckage their life signals fading fast.
And thus, the first shot of the decisive battle between Autobots and Decepticons was fired.
"Damn you, Shockwave! We'll make you pay!"
"You Decepticon scum attacking civilians directly? Have you no honor left?"
Furious at the massacre before their eyes, over a dozen Autobot defenders drew their weapons and unleashed a barrage of fire at Shockwave.
The Battle of Cybertron's End had begun.
(End of Chapter)