Chapter 49

The battlefield erupted into chaos once more as a second colossal machine tore through the fencing, sending debris flying in every direction. Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots, was charging forward, his massive diesel engine roaring as he transformed mid-run. His metallic frame shifted with precision, every gear and piston working in unison as he gained speed.

Megatron caught sight of his ancient rival. He knew what was coming. With a sneer, he transformed in reverse, his jet form already lifting off the ground. But just as the alien aircraft began to ascend, Optimus launched himself through the air with a powerful leap, both arms extended. His outstretched hands latched onto Megatron's frame, the sheer force of the collision sending a shockwave through the ground below.

The combined weight of the two titans was too much to stay airborne. Both machines plummeted, crashing into the side of a nearby building with a deafening roar. Glass shattered, steel beams crumbled, and the structures around them quaked under the force of their impact. They landed in the center of an intersection, sending cracks through the pavement like spiderwebs.

Megatron was the first to recover. He leaped onto his brother, eyes burning with hatred as he snarled, "Humans don't deserve to live!"

Pinned beneath the weight of Megatron, Optimus Prime looked up, his voice resolute. "They deserve to choose for themselves."

With a growl, Megatron hurled Optimus aside like a ragdoll, sending the Autobot leader crashing into a wall, cracks spreading through the structure. The Decepticon leader rose to his full height, towering over the broken street below. "Then you will die—with them!" Megatron roared, his voice reverberating through the air, a menacing growl following. "Join them in extinction!"

As Megatron's words echoed through the destruction, his telescopic Fusion cannon began to take shape. Emerging from concealed compartments in each arm, two smaller pistol-like cannons slid into place and seamlessly combined, forming one massive, lethal weapon. The mechanical whir of the transformation was punctuated by a sharp click as the fusion cannon locked into place, perfectly balanced in the center of his forearm. The weapon was as imposing as its wielder, designed for devastation.

A low hum began to resonate from the cannon, the air around it shimmering as energy built within, readying itself for a shot that could obliterate anything in its path.

But Optimus Prime was quick to react. In a blur of motion, he reached over his shoulder, where his ion blaster was stored within his back. In one fluid movement, the weapon unfolded in his hand, the sleek barrel gleaming under the smoke-filled sky. As soon as it was ready, the blaster began to charge, radiating a blue glow as it condensed energy into a single, volatile ball. This was no ordinary blast—it would release a wave of destructive radiation that could reduce steel to molten slag.

Without hesitation, Optimus fired.

The burst of energy rocketed from his blaster, crossing the battlefield with deadly precision. The shot hit Megatron square in the chest, and for a split second, the Decepticon leader faltered, his armor sizzling and sparking from the impact. He staggered back, his optics flickering, but his expression quickly twisted into a sneer of rage. He was far from defeated.

Using the momentum of the hit, Megatron spun with a roar and unleashed the full power of his fusion cannon. The air around him seemed to warp as the cannon discharged its deadly payload. The sound was deafening, like the crack of a thousand thunderstorms all at once. A streak of molten, blue energy cut through the battlefield, a blinding lance of destruction.

The blast struck Optimus Prime with brutal force. The impact sent the Autobot leader hurtling backward like a ragdoll, crashing through the facade of a nearby building. The structure buckled and collapsed under the force, sending a cloud of debris and dust cascading over the battlefield.

In the midst of the war-torn streets, Alexander clutched the Cube against his chest, his pulse racing with the weight of what he carried. The ground trembled beneath his feet as explosions rocked the battlefield, but he didn't have time to look back. Every moment was precious, and the fate of the world rested in his hands. With a quick breath, he activated his Speed Mode. His armor shifted, the sleek, aerodynamic plates adjusting for maximum velocity. In an instant, he became a blur of blue light, tearing across the streets like a bolt of living lightning.

Buildings and explosions whizzed by in a chaotic blur as Alexander sprinted through the carnage. Fires blazed, cars lay crumpled in twisted heaps of metal, and abandoned vehicles lined the streets like tombstones. Behind him, Ironhide fired relentlessly, covering Alexander's retreat. The Autobot's guns roared, filling the air with the booming sound of pulse blasts.

Suddenly, a powerful pulse blast slammed into Ironhide, sending the hulking Autobot flying across the street. He smashed into a building with a resounding crash, rubble raining down around his fallen form. For a brief moment, Alexander looked back, heart pounding harder, but there was no time to stop.

Then, a high-pitched roar filled the air. The sound of jet engines screamed down the avenue, and from above, the menacing figure of Starscream appeared, descending from the sky in his F-22 jet form. As he hit the ground, the Decepticon transformed with brutal grace, landing in a crouch. His glowing red optics locked onto Alexander instantly.

Starscream's mechanical voice echoed through the chaos, laced with malice. "You cannot outrun me, boy!"

Alexander's legs moved faster, the Speed Mode pushing his body to the limit as he raced down the street. But even at his sonic speed, he could feel Starscream tracking him with unsettling precision. The Decepticon fired a barrage of missiles in his direction, and explosions erupted all around him—bricks, asphalt, and debris flew into the air, forming clouds of dust that momentarily obscured his vision.

Reacting on instinct, Alexander dodged left and right, weaving through the destruction. His reflexes sharpened by the armor, he narrowly avoided the blasts. The streets blurred around him, but the sound of Starscream's pursuit grew louder. Alexander knew he couldn't risk getting hit by a pulse blast, so he veered off, darting down a narrower side street in a flash of blue light.

Up ahead, he spotted an old office building under reconstruction. Scaffolding, paint cans, and plastic sheeting cluttered the space, offering little shelter. Alexander shot forward, bounding up the main staircase with desperate speed as the building shook from the shockwaves of nearby detonations. Every step felt like a marathon, but he pushed on, his mind flashing back to high school—running the bleachers, the coach's voice in his ear, yelling that he'd never make the team. But this wasn't high school, and this wasn't just a game.

Suddenly, a massive crash tore through the floor beneath him. Alexander skidded to a stop, his heart leaping into his throat. The entire building shuddered as a gigantic, skull-like head burst through the floorboards, dark, menacing lenses locking onto his small figure. Megatron.

"Give me the Cube, boy!"Megatron's voice boomed, shaking the very air. His monstrous hand surged upward, fingers like steel columns reaching for Alexander. "You aren't strong enough to defy me!"

Alexander leaped, narrowly avoiding the massive hand as it smashed into the stairs behind him, sending splinters of concrete and steel flying in every direction.

Alexander quickly ran once again Turning into a blue blur and climbed the stairs to the top of the building.