Transformers Until one

Chapter Two - Part Twenty three

    Explosions thundered, echoing across the skies of Paradron. Beams of laser cut through the gray smoke in rippling waves, as if the sky itself were crying flames. The Decepticon army surged forward like a raging tide, charging relentlessly, like a horde of bloodthirsty metal beasts.

    The clash of metal rang loudly, shaking the ground and buildings. Debris and smoke filled the air, blurring visibility until almost nothing around could be seen. The battlefield seemed to be scorched alive, fear and despair spreading through every corner.

    The stomping of their feet pounded the ground with deafening force, sending tremors through the city's core. Buildings shook violently, glass shattering everywhere. Frontline fortifications began collapsing one by one. The Autobot turrets fired back with their last strength, but the explosions and destructive power of the Decepticons were far superior. Blast waves tore through smoke and debris, knocking many Autobots down or forcing them to retreat in hopelessness. Everything felt crushed, and even the smallest hope began to fade amidst the chaos.

"They're too many... we can't hold them!"

    A lone Autobot soldier shouted at the top of his lungs amid the maelstrom. His armor was scorched from plasma fire, yet he still stood his ground. His hands trembled from the surrounding blasts, but his eyes remained fixed on a hope that had yet to appear. His body shook from the impacts, but his heart remained steadfast, refusing to give up.

"Prime! Where's Prime!?"

    The shouting barely rose above the din of explosions. Many soldiers scanned the smoke for their leader, but only the faint red dust-colored shadows of the approaching enemy crept steadily closer.
They... were retreating.

    Above, the sky was dotted with the dark forms of Decepticon flyers. "Ha ha ha! Die! Die!" Vortex's insane laughter pierced the air, while Brawl's tank barreled through the lower defensive walls, recklessly destroying the Autobots' lines.

    Autobots were pushed back behind buildings one after another. The field medics hurriedly evacuated the wounded, but some... didn't make it. There remained only one hope yet to appear...
"Damn it, why is Optimus so late? We can't hold them much longer!" Elita gasped, exhausted, struggling to fend off the relentless enemy. Before she could catch a breath, a massive claw lunged at her, slamming her against the wall.

"You pink bot, you made quite the mess last time," the red-optic Op looked down at her with a chilling glare. Even just his eyes conveyed raw vengeance.

Elita slammed against the wall but remained unshaken, gripping the claw while kicking Shockwave's midsection as if daring him.

"Oh? So angry, huh? Daddy Wendiggo, you're so dramatic," she said with a teasing grin, driving Shockwave nearly mad with rage.

"You little brat! Let's see... if I peel your face off, will you still annoy me?" Shockwave swung his arm to rip at her face.

At that moment, a massive fist struck Shockwave square in the face, sending him flying. Elita slipped free from the claw and fell to the ground.

"Nice, straight punch, Ultra Magnus," she praised the blue-and-red giant. Magnus lifted her back to her feet.

"Alright, soldier, get up. We still have bugs to deal with," he said.

Elita smiled and nodded. "Lead the way, partner." She readied herself for battle.

At last, everyone's hope arrived...

    The roar of an engine pierced through the smoke of war. A red-and-blue fire truck gleamed amid the fire, smoke, and scattered metal debris. It plowed through the Decepticon ranks, sending them flying with immense force, before transforming into a towering robot in an instant.

The sound of transformation echoed across the battlefield, announcing the return of hope. As he stood at full height, his eyes glowed with a cold blue light, and he drew his Energon axe with elegance.

Whoosh—Clang!

    The blade glinted with electric blue as Optimus swung it at a Decepticon. The enemy was cleaved in half instantly, metal crashing to the ground. Autobots who had been on the brink of despair froze, then erupted into cheers.

"PRIME IS HERE!!! PRIME IS HERE!!!"

    Despair transformed into exhilaration in an instant. The Decepticons turned pale at the sight of the axe. The light from Prime's blade reflected on every soldier's face, like a beacon of victory.
"Sorry I'm late. Is everyone alright?" Prime asked, concerned.

"Took you long enough, Prime," Megatron sneered. "Late because you were afraid of me, huh? Huh!"

"Better late than never, Megatron," Optimus replied solemnly.

    The two faced each other, standing tense. When the Decepticon soldiers saw Megatron charging his massive cannon, they quickly cleared the area for their leaders. Autobots stood puzzled, and Optimus was equally confused. Wheeljack, observing, followed the cannon's charging beam with his eyes, then shouted.

"Everyone, take cover!"

Boom!

    Before Wheeljack finished, the cannon fired, obliterating everything in its path—not sparing the unlucky Autobots. Lives were lost in an instant. Explosions echoed across the battlefield, sending debris and collapsed buildings flying. Smoke and metal fragments filled the air, nearly blinding all who remained.

    The beam was more powerful than anything seen before. It cut through towering buildings, toppling them with thunderous crashes. Shockwaves slammed into the Autobots' lines, pushing them back helplessly. Many were injured or knocked unconscious before they could react.

    The battlefield became a hell of fire and metal. Hope was nearly extinguished in the eyes of the survivors.

    Optimus narrowly avoided the beam, slowly rising to survey the cannon with a face full of despair. "Oh no... this battle's going to be tough," he muttered.