Chapter 48

As the battlefield raged with chaos, Devastator's artillery fire thundered across the landscape, shaking the ground and filling the air with dust and debris. Alexander charged toward Brawl with relentless focus, his voice low as he muttered to EVE, "Change to Speed Mode."

In a flash, his armor shifted. The nanotech rearranged and slimmed down, giving him a sleek, streamlined appearance. The elongated helmet jutted forward like a spear, its blue streak glowing faintly on his forehead, while the black and blue markings on his shoulders and arms glistened in the sunlight. His entire form radiated speed. The armor hugged his frame, designed for pure agility. His boots, now equipped with sleek, tennis-like soles, barely touched the ground as he moved. Alexander's face was hidden behind a visor and mask, the only sign of him left being the faint blue blur streaking across the battlefield.

With a sonic boom, he exploded into motion, his speed surpassing the human eye's ability to follow. As he closed the gap with Brawl, the massive Decepticon loomed like a fortress. Alexander zigzagged, dodging incoming fire with ease, his reflexes heightened by the suit. Sparks flew as Devastator's shells crashed down, but nothing could touch him.

He leapt onto Brawl's turret with the precision of a predator, his body a blur of movement as he began his assault. From the cannon embedded in his arm, a sonic blast roared out, striking the Decepticon's rocket launcher pod. The impact sent a shudder through the metal behemoth as the pod crumbled, smoke and debris flying into the air. Brawl roared in frustration, but Alexander was already moving again.

"Switch to Strength Mode," Alexander commanded, his voice calm despite the chaos.

His armor transformed once more, bulking up in an instant. The once-sleek design expanded, reinforcing his body with thick plates of armor. His shoulders broadened, his arms thickened like battering rams, and his legs became powerhouses of strength. He was a walking juggernaut, now built for raw power. His footsteps thundered across the ground, each step leaving cracks in the earth beneath him.

With a surge of strength, Alexander grabbed hold of one of Brawl's massive arms. His muscles tensed, veins bulging beneath the armor. In one brutal motion, he ripped the arm clean off, the screech of tearing metal echoing through the battlefield. Brawl staggered back, half of his faceplate shattered as Alexander's next punch landed with devastating force. Sparks erupted as the Decepticon's face caved in, his mechanical body collapsing under the assault.

While Alexander kept Brawl at bay, Jazz revved into action, leading the Autobot charge with precision. He shifted into vehicle mode, his sleek form racing toward the now-crippled Decepticon, weaving through the chaos. Ironhide wasn't far behind, his Radial Missile Launcher firing in rapid succession. Each missile found its mark, slamming into Brawl and driving him back with explosive force.

On the ground, Lennox, Epps, and their squad unloaded a barrage of high-caliber sabot rounds, each bullet a small piece of the overwhelming assault. The combined firepower was relentless, leaving Brawl no chance to recover. His hulking form was finally thrown back, crashing into the dirt with a massive thud. The Decepticon lay still, smoke rising from his battered body as the Autobots and soldiers regrouped, victorious.

Amid the dust and wreckage, Alexander stood tall, his armor gleaming, watching as Brawl remained down, the battle tipping in their favor.

But they were not alone. A massive pulse blast from an unseen source struck Jazz, knocking him to the ground and out of the fight. Looking upward, Lennox and his men retreated as rapidly as they had just advanced. Something truly massive was coming around the corner. Megatron.

The battlefield was a storm of fire and metal as Alexander's voice rang out, sharp and urgent, "It's Megatron! Retreat!"

From the horizon, Megatron emerged like a nightmare, his towering form reflecting the chaos around him. The ground trembled beneath his steps, debris swirling in the wake of his massive frame. His red eyes glowed with malice, and the battlefield seemed to still for a moment as the infamous Decepticon leader surveyed the carnage before him.

Alexander's eyes narrowed as he muttered to his AI, EVE. "Get me the Plasma Caster."

EVE's voice chimed in his ear, calm amidst the chaos. "Plasma Caster ready."

From a hidden slot on Alexander's thigh, the plasma caster deployed with a sleek mechanical whir. The weapon gleamed under the smoky skies, its angular, compact design radiating deadly precision. He grasped it firmly, feeling the power humming within its core. The barrel, elongated and sharp, pointed forward with purpose. Around the rotating mechanism at its center, ridges and grooves signaled its readiness to unleash a concentrated blast of destruction.

In the distance, Megatron moved with lethal intent toward Jazz, his massive frame cutting through the battlefield like an unstoppable force. Alexander wasted no time, raising the plasma caster and taking aim.

The plasma caster began to charge. A glowing orb of bright, electric-blue energy formed at the weapon's tip, starting as a small flicker before growing into a blinding ball of light. The hum intensified, a high-pitched whine of raw energy ready to be unleashed. The weapon felt alive in his hands, vibrating with power.

With a deep breath, Alexander pulled the trigger.

The plasma bolt streaked through the air, a dazzling beam of blue light that cracked through the smoke with the speed of lightning. Electrical arcs danced along the trail, a visual testament to the weapon's immense power. The bolt slammed into Megatron's chest, erupting in a brilliant explosion of blue and white. The blast sent shockwaves through the battlefield, sparks and debris scattering in all directions.

Megatron roared in pain as the plasma tore into his armor, exposing the vulnerable machinery beneath. His chestplate shattered, and the force of the impact threw him back, stumbling under the blow. His massive frame groaned as the damage spread across his side, his armor barely holding together.

Sensing danger, Megatron's optics flickered with rage and survival instinct. He quickly transformed, shifting into his **jet form** with a cacophony of grinding metal. With a deafening roar, he shot into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke in his wake. Moments later, he transformed mid-air, his sleek frame perching atop a towering skyscraper, like a predator stalking its prey from above.

Alexander watched him retreat for now, but he knew this was far from over.

He turned and sprinted back toward Mikaela, who was working with Bumblebee. They were trying to get the injured Autobot onto a tow truck, Bumblebee's metal limbs sparking as he struggled to move. Mikaela glanced up, relief flooding her face as Alexander approached. His armor shifted, the faceplate retracting to reveal his human features beneath the battle-worn suit. He smiled, catching his breath.

"That was a good plan," he said, nodding toward Bumblebee. "I don't think Bee would've been able to hold up much longer if more Decepticons showed up."

Mikaela returned his smile, her eyes flickering with both exhaustion and determination. "We couldn't leave him behind. And now," she pushed the **Cube** into Alexander's hand, her expression growing serious, "It's better you take it. You're faster, and the armor makes you our best chance."

Bumblebee gave a weak nod from the tow truck, his voice crackling with static. "She's right. You're smaller. They won't be able to track you as easily. And you're quicker than I am now."

Alexander nodded in agreement, his fingers closing around the Cube. He could feel the weight of responsibility settle onto his shoulders, but the strength of his armor — and his resolve — held steady.

With one last glance toward the battlefield and Megatron lurking in the distance, Alexander knew this was just the beginning of the fight.