EPISODE III: OLD RIVALS AND RETURNED LOVE
�What is this about?� Rodimus Prime asked.
He had just entered the communications room. A moment ago, Blaster had sounded a call to Rodimus to get to the room at once. Usually that meant bad news was coming in.
�All I know is Marissa wants to talk to you, Prime,� Blaster said. �She said she would only speak to you, and it was real important.�
�Okay,� Rodimus said. �Thanks Blaster.�
He walked out to give his commander some privacy. Rodimus spoke into the radio.
�This is Rodimus Prime, Marissa. What�s going on?�
�Bad news, Rodimus,� she said. �Apparently Cobra�s back. They hijacked some uranium a few days ago and left a note stating that they had returned. Lots of bravado.�
�Cobra? As in the terrorist organization?�
Marissa sighed. �Yeah, them.�
�What do you need me to do?�
�Actually, I wish it were as simple as that,� Marissa said, clearly distressed. �Cobra was well within my range. They can be handled. But they aren�t the only ones who returned. Rodimus, I�m sorry, but Megatron is back.�
�Megatron?!? You�re not serious!�
�I am serious, unfortunately. He and Galvatron have been raiding the country, and quite systematically too. They have been leading the Decepticons around on several attacks.�
�What are the Autobots at Metroplex doing?� Rodimus asked.
�They�re trying to handle it,� Marissa said. �But this kind of war can�t be fought with just Metroplex. The Decepticons have been using too much stealth; we can�t track them. No offense, but I think it would be best if we used someone to get them out in the open. I have a feeling they want you.�
�Well I�ll be damned if I�m going to let them get the best of me,� Rodimus said. �It sounds like a trap frankly. Galvatron bringing Megatron back coupled with Cobra�s return can�t be a coincidence.�
�I know, I know,� Marissa said. �But we need your help Rodimus. Don�t you know of something that you can do to fight them?�
�Two on one,� Rodimus said. �I don�t like those odds, Marissa.�
He paused for a moment, then smiled.
�But something tells me I can even them out.�
Washington DC: the next target for the Decepticons. Megatron and Galvatron led the troops straight for their newest onslaught.
�So, how much longer?� Megatron asked. It had been a few days since they had first shown themselves to Earth. Every time they began an attack, they retreated as soon as Metroplex appeared. They left so quickly; not a soul could follow them.
�He�ll be here,� Galvatron said. �I guarantee it.�
The Decepticons began terrorizing America�s capital city. They wiped out buildings, smashed cars; did whatever they could to attract some attention. Only this time, they did not realize what lied in wait for them.
As soon as a Sweep was about to crush a nearby car, it transformed into Goldbug. The small Autobot tackled the Sweep and screamed.
�Autobots! Attack!�
The Autobots had laid low in the city, keeping Metroplex far away. They knew to defeat the Decepticons, they had to keep a low profile themselves. Hiding out in DC for days, they waited for their enemies. Their only problem was that their reinforcements hadn�t arrived yet. Still, they fought as hard as they could.
Galvatron and Megatron had chosen not to be involved. They took a backseat, watching their troops in combat.
�Shouldn�t we help?� Megatron asked.
�Eh, why not have some fun?� Galvatron said, smiling.
The two Decepticon commanders aimed their cannons at the fray. Just as they were about to fire, though, they heard a ship�s engine. They looked up to see Rodimus Prime hanging out the side of an Autobot shuttle, brandishing his photon rifle.
�Autobots! Attack!� he cried, firing off a few shots at the Decepticons.
Several other Autobots leapt out of the shuttle, each on gliders to guide their way to the surface. The shuttle touched down near Galvatron and Megatron, and they saw Rodimus Prime.
�Hello,� he said. �I believe you two have been causing some trouble. I�m here to make sure you don�t harm another soul again.�
The two Decepticons laughed. �You really expect to fight both of us?� Galvatron scoffed. �You can barely handle me, Prime!�
�Actually I only expect to fight you, Galvatron,� Rodimus said, smiling. �And my pilot will handle your counterpart.�
He stepped off the ship as another figure appeared in the doorway. Even though the two Decepticons were counting on him to come, it was still an awesome sight to see.
�Something always told me you�d cheat death again, Megatron,� Optimus Prime said. �I�m just glad I am here to send you back.�
�Hello Prime,� Megatron said. As he spoke, Galvatron hit a button on a small transmitter he had. �I�ve been looking forward to seeing you again. This time, I will use my bare hands: the satisfaction will be much greater.�
�Just as smug as ever,� Optimus said. �Apparently you don�t remember why you had to use other means to defeat me last time.�
Optimus and Rodimus stepped toward their two adversaries. Then the four Transformers lunged at each other, soon locked in a fight to the finish.
Neither of the Primes could suspect what the Decepticons were really up to. Their plan did not have anything to do with their current situation; it had everything to do with Cybertron. At that very moment, a small ship was flying right at the Transformers� home planet. It was Snake, now completely immersed in his old identity: Cobra Commander.
He had built the craft shortly after his return to Earth. Using some of the Decepticons� technology, it was quicker and unable to detect on radar. It didn�t matter much, though. Few Autobots were on the planet, and none of them were even patrolling where he was headed: Vector Sigma.
The small craft flew through the gateway with ease. Within a few minutes, he had arrived at his destination. Cobra Commander gasped. It was his first time on Cybertron, and the sight of the life-giving supercomputer was enough to mystify him. Then he saw his target.
About ten feet from Vector Sigma was a large container with a glass window. It was dark, but Cobra Commander could barely make out a face. So this was Elita-1, Optimus Prime�s longtime love interest. It really was rather sweet.
Realizing that time was of the essence, the Commander quickly flew the small ship up to the top of the stasis pod. He hit a button, extending a small towrope that hinged onto the pod. Then he put the craft into full throttle. The ship had just enough power to lift the Elita-1 and her stasis pod up and out the door. As he quickly made his escape, Cobra Commander flew out of the Vector Sigma gate, off Cybertron and straight for Charr.
Back on Earth, the Autobots were beginning to prevail over the Decepticons in their battle. With Optimus Prime back in action, every one of them felt especially motivated. The battle had been going on for hours; still they didn�t show even a little fatigue.
Rodimus had been able to handle Galvatron successfully. As opposed to their last one on one battle, Rodimus was able to match his enemy in strength and stamina. The two traded punches and kicks for what seemed an hour, with no clear victor. Galvatron was surprised at his adversary�s skills. Rodimus Prime had trained well.
The real battle was the one between Megatron and Optimus Prime. After years of being isolated with his thoughts, Optimus had trained himself for this moment. He knew the day would come when he would have to leave the chamber, when he would need to fight again. So he used the time to heighten his mind and soul, to become the ultimate warrior. It showed.
Megatron was fighting with everything he had, and nothing could bring Optimus Prime down. He had tried hand-to-hand combat; Optimus simply blocked every blow and countered with a strike of his own. Then Megatron decided to use his fusion cannon; he couldn�t hit Optimus once. Now he was simply mixing his skills.
As the two Transformers were locked in a test of strength, Optimus started speaking to his enemy.
�You can�t win, Megatron. It doesn�t matter how you returned. You and Galvatron could never defeat the Autobots, and you never will.�
Megatron was straining, but confident. �And how do you figure that, Prime? We Decepticons were created for combat. It is our life.�
�That may be true,� Optimus responded, �but you do not have our resolve. Six years ago, we were in a similar situation at Autobot City. You had me beaten, the Autobots beaten. Yet we still drove you and your Decepticon horde off. Hot Rod fulfilled his destiny and Cybertron has been ours since. We won�t let you win; we�ll die first.�
The two of them remained nearly motionless for what seemed like an eternity. Just as one seemed to gain an advantage, the other put it back into equilibrium.
Rodimus and Galvatron�s bout was much different. Instead of being locked in a struggle, they were throwing punches and kicks mercilessly. Galvatron�s rage had been stirring for months on Mars; he wanted the death of the Primes and the Autobots.
Suddenly, a large blast came near the four Transformers. They all paused for a split second to see a small Autobot shuttle come down with a smoking cannon. It then landed nearby and a figured emerged. Optimus gasped in disbelief.
�Megatron! Galvatron! Your time is finished!� Elita-1 shouted as she ran forward. She brandished her laser pistol and fired.
The shots nailed Megatron right in the chest. He flew back off his feet and hit the ground hard, lying motionless. Galvatron gasped as he realized that Megatron was not functioning. He knew that he alone faced three Autobot commanders: it was wise to retreat. Galvatron sweep kicked Rodimus Prime and picked up Megatron�s body. He then fled and went to the main battle to prepare the Decepticons for escape.
Optimus Prime was still standing with a look of shock on his face. Rodimus was shaken as well; he had never expected Elita-1 to ever be revived.
�Elita�� Optimus stammered. �How�when?�
�I don�t know Optimus,� she answered. �I just awoke in my stasis pod and stepped out. I then went to the surface and found a few Autobots remaining on Cybertron and asked where you had gone. They simply said that you went with Rodimus to Earth to fight Megatron and Galvatron. I left immediately and, well, here I am.�
Optimus was in such a state of joy that he could not express it in words. He ran to his love, and embraced her.
�I�ve missed you so much,� he said.
�I know,� she replied.
Rodimus spoke. �He�s barely left your side, Elita-1. Only in emergencies like this has he been willing to leave you.�
Elita-1 smiled warmly. �Well, I�m back now. Let�s go help out your troops.�
They rushed off toward the battle in DC, which was now heating up. Rodimus was almost as happy as Optimus, but could not shake off a strange feeling he had about Elita-1. Her return was a little suspicious, but there wasn�t time to investigate it at the moment.
They had a war to win.
The battle had grown almost out of control. Fortunately the Autobots had been able to lure the Decepticons from the city into an unpopulated area several miles from DC. Now the two Transformer factions were situated a mile from each other, firing their weapons. Metroplex had arrived, but was kept from helping by Scorponok. The two Primes and Elita-1 arrived just as the Autobots seemed to be pushing forward.
�I want to see if I can get a little closer,� Elita-1 said. She transformed and took off, giving Optimus no chance to protest.
�Can�t keep her down, can you?� Rodimus said, watching her drive away.
�No,� Optimus replied, almost sounding proud. �All right, let�s drive these Cons off.�
Both Optimus and Rodimus transformed and drove straight toward the fray, hoping to psyche their opponents out. Suddenly Rodimus was hit in his trailer, and quickly transformed and fired back. He then ducked and rolled away to find some cover.
Optimus, however, did not seem to be touched. He drove straight up and over the Decepticons� bunker and slammed a few. Soon joined by several Autobots, Optimus had led his soldiers back into another apparent victory.
�Decepticons!� Galvatron�s voice was heard overhead. �Retreat!�
Scorponok took a cheap shot at Metroplex, buying him some time to transform into ship mode. The rest of the Decepticons boarded the Headmaster, and they were flown away immediately. The Autobots cheered.
Every Autobot was in jubilation, and Optimus joined in the celebration. Rodimus walked up with a smile, and hugged his fellow Autobots. Then he grew puzzled.
�Hey Optimus, where is Elita-1?� he asked.
Optimus suddenly grew concerned. �I haven�t seen her since we got here. Autobots! Split up and find Elita-1!�
They did, and it wasn�t long before Perceptor called over to Optimus Prime. He ran up and his face grew ashen.
�What happened?� he asked. She was lying on the ground, practically motionless.
�It�s not fatal,� Perceptor said. �What damage has been done can easily be repaired. She was shot in the shoulder by a long range photon blast.�
Rodimus Prime was shocked. He himself had a photon rifle, and specifically remembered firing at this area earlier. There was no question that the injury had come from his rifle, but he could have sworn he saw someone shooting him from there. Could it have been�?
Elita-1 sat up. �What�what happened? Is everything okay?�
Relieved, Optimus Prime kneeled down. �Everything is fine, now. How do you feel?�
She looked around, and almost immediately saw Rodimus. �NO!!! Get him away! He tried to kill me!�
�What?� Optimus said, shocked.
�I was making my way around to the Decepticons� bunker and noticed that someone from the center was firing at me. I looked, and saw Rodimus aiming at me, firing!�
Every one of the Autobots looked on in amazement, not believing what they had heard. It had to be a mistake on someone�s part.
Rodimus knew he had to say something. �Optimus,� he began, but was stopped.
�Don�t even start making excuses, Rodimus,� Optimus Prime said in a voice that cut through Rodimus like ice.
�No! Optimus, you have to listen��
�I don�t want to listen!� The chilling tone had changed to hot anger. �You shot her. Accidental or intentional it happened.�
Optimus then cooled down for a second. His friend would never do something like this. He was overreacting due to Elita-1�s fright. Calming down, he realized that maybe this was a sign, a sign to stop. Optimus could not rationalize risking Elita-1�s life again. He had to stop for her sake.
�I�m sorry,� he said, turning to Rodimus. �I know it was accidental, but I know now that I cannot bear losing Elita-1 again. It is time for us to leave the Autobots.�
The crowd howled in disfavor at his remark. Rodimus looked as shocked as ever, not believing what he had heard.
�Optimus, you can�t do that!� he said. �I understand why you feel this way, but you�re not thinking clearly.�
�No, I believe for the first time in my life I am of sound mind,� Optimus said, his voice suddenly sounding older and tired. �I�ve always thought about leaving, and now is the time. Megatron has fallen for good, the Decepticons� forces are broken. You can repel them without me from now on. Come along, Elita-1.�
She rose from the ground, still clutching her shoulder. Glaring at Rodimus, she walked with her counterpart to a nearby shuttle and entered. Neither of them looked back as the ship took off.
Every Autobot looked at Rodimus Prime. They all knew that the incident was accidental, yet it amazed them at how quickly Optimus had chosen to leave. He had not even given a chance for anyone to argue, nor did he seem to rationalize his thoughts. Even the departure was rushed. It just wasn�t like him.
�Why would Elita-1 allow Optimus to leave?� Rodimus said aloud. �I know that she would never stop fighting�she�s clouding his judgment, but why?�
He looked at the ground with a feeling of dismay. �Optimus, I hope that I�m wrong about this instinct I�m getting.�
TO BE CONTINUED