Prime had gotten to his feet, watching Megatron intently. “I appear to have underestimated you, Ricochet…”

“Ain’t no thing, my liege. You wan Megs t’ blow his own core processer out? Jus’ say th’ word!”

“Oh, no. He is mine. You stole one of my weapons, Megatron… fair is fair.” Prime grunted as he lifted Megatron’s drone-tank, attaching it to his forearm and activating the neutronic blade. Kicking Rampage out of his way, he charged Megatron with a scream of unbridled fury…

…and Megatron spun, bringing his possessed arm right into the swing. The room lit up as the blade sunk through Megatron’s wrist, severing the hand cleanly.

The severed member and Nightstick went clattering to the ground.

Megatron gritted his teeth, managing a smile through the pain. “Thank you, Prime, I can always count on you,” he growled, bringing the stub around to smack Prime across the faceplate. “Rumbler, release!”

The tank emitted a mechanical chirp and released its magnetic clamps. The vehicle popped from Prime’s arm and launched into the air with a cannon-blast. With the barest hint of effort Megatron swung his stump into place and the tank latched on with a loud clang and a mechanical hiss. At the end of the motion the cannon was aimed directly at Prime.

Optimus wiped mech fluid--whether it was his own or Megatron’s he wasn’t sure--from his faceplate. The tension was interrupted by the low chirp of a communicator. Prime kept his gaze on the cannon pointed at his chest.

“Go ahead, Prime, answer it.”



- Do Over