Chapter Text
The Warworld, proving exactly which side of this particular conflict it was on, began unleashing a full bombardment upon The Fallen.
A singular jet, of a clearly ancient frame type, launched from the Warworld, and a tiny form, barely visible at a distance, was launched from the jet as the bombardment ended, bashing into The Fallen with enough force to send the ancient demigod tumbling off his perch atop the pyramid as the jet looped around and scooped the tiny figure up.
"Op, local military incoming!" He heard Lennox tell him, just in time to see Egyptian Jet Fighters launch their payloads at The Fallen. The distraction almost cost Optimus dearly- only the fact that Volcanicus was cognizant of his surroundings and shifted his stance at just the right time saved the truck-frame. The two combiners were locked in combat, Devastator trying to punch his counterpart into submission as the dragon-like combiner roared in fury, biting and clawing at him.
It was Spark-stutteringly horrible to watch, as monsters as tall as a star cruiser fought for supremacy. Devastator had the reach, yes, but Volcanicus had the range, as evidenced by the two rapid fire missile launchers that quickly sprung up under and above each of his four wings.
There was a cry of pain, over the coms. He could hear Ironhide calling out "Medic down!," but it was drowned out by the roar of rage from a certain Autobot combiner. It was a terrifying sound, all the components of Volcanicus fiercely protective of their sire. A punch from Devastator sent the Dino-combiner nearly to the ground, only for him to come back with a vicious uppercut and knock the construction-based monstrosity aft-over-teakettle, blasting him with a spray of plasma that melted the sand under him into glass.
A massive, saurian foot crashed into Devastator's chest plating and pressed down, even as the simian combiner screeched in agony, sending static across Optimus's optics for a moment. Volcanicus applied more and more pressure, ignoring the massive hands scrabbling at his ankle until finally the metal gave, and his foot sank in with a crunch, the sound of metal squealing as it tore filling the air. The battle stopped for a moment as everyone watched the end of the combiner war, Volcanicus giving a triumphant roar that shattered several windows on kibble and rendered Optimus deaf for a moment.
The Fallen screeched with rage, but there was very little he could do to bring Devastator back to life, and instead Optimus pulsed his EM Field, getting Volcanicus's attention. "Vulkanakata! Gah keshta! Gah keshta Ta Mekatrohnous!"
Roaring, Volcanicus tore one of Devastator's arms off and threw it, striking The Fallen, sending him sprawling into the sand. Optimus transformed, revving his engine, and charged, ramming into the ancient Prime as he tried to stand. Two of his tires were shredded as he ran them over his opponent's face, and the nanites fell off, disintegrating into the sand as he transformed once again, stabbing his foe with his freshly repaired arm blade. It broke off, making him wince internally at the thought of Ratchet's Wrath.
The Fallen growled, grabbing Optimus's arm by the shoulder and pulling, making Optimus cry out as his arm was pulled off at the root. The two Primes fought like angry cats, every movement causing more and more damage to their frames.
"You cannot kill me," The Fallen hissed, nearly spitting in Optimus's face. "I will crush you, and make you my slave, as Megatron was! I will make you watch as this planet dies, make you laugh with joy at the sight of the frozen wasteland it will become! I will corrupt you, to the very center of your Spark!"
"Corrupt… this! You!... sla...ggggr!" Optimus heard from behind them, audio clips playing rapidly before Bumblebee shot The Fallen in his face from behind, knocking off his mask and hitting him in the neck. It wasn't enough to do any major damage, but it distracted the ancient Prime enough for Optimus to pull away.
Optimus pushed Bumblebee behind him, and The Fallen snarled, summoning his staff.
"You will pay for that, insect," he rasped, only to screech as he was attacked from behind. It wasn't from pain, necessarily, more from shock, for climbing up his back, digging in his claws, came Ravage. The cyber-panther clawed, scratched, shot, and bit his way up, foot by foot, The Fallen slapping himself almost comically to try and catch Ravage.
Soundwave approached Optimus, then gave him a small package.
"Soundwave: Is Decepticon. Optimus Prime: Autobot. Autobots: Enemy."
He turned to watch the fight.
"The Fallen: A Greater Foe."
And then he charged forward, firing off round after round of super-heated thermite bullets. It took Optimus a moment to realize what it meant. Soundwave. Soundwave, the epitome of 'Decepticon Loyalty', Megatron's Right Servo… was willing to reach across the divides of The War, to stop the being responsible for the slaughter.
"Bumblebee. Where's Sam?" Optimus asked, taking full advantage of the reprieve Soundwave had gifted him.
"With Ratchet and Wheelie. Ratchet is ok, just missing both his legs. Pulled a me", the Scout joked. "He's got Jetfire and some guy named Cyclonus on bodyguarding, right now."
"Good. Go to him. I…"
The Matrix pulsed, affirmation filling his Spark.
"I believe that he has an even greater part to play yet in our futures."
Bumblebee nodded deferentially, saluting his Sire cheekily. He ran off, and Optimus drew his weary frame to its full height. This… this would be the end of The Fallen, one way or another.
He charged, ready to give his life if it was needed, but then… something, he couldn't have said what exactly, happened. The Fallen caught Ravage, threw the tche feline to the ground, and stabbed down with his staff. There was a soul rending yowl…