Hot Rod poured on the speed. \u201cMan, I hope the old bot can get out of there!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll pull through!\u201d urged Tails as he cradled the Allspark. \u201cHe\u2019s called Ironhide for a reason!\u201d An explosion then erupted in front of them and flipped Hot Rod over. He let Tails out and transformed, leveling the piping on his arms in front of his opponent, Megatron. He then got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKid, you get to a high building, board your new jet, and get out of here!\u201d he directed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWill do!\u201d replied Tails. As Hot Rod fired on Megatron, Tails dashed into the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll fall just as Ironhide did against Sideways,\u201d taunted Megatron. \u201cYou left the Autobots after Nyon and Ki Aleta, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus told me about Praxus being made of Nyon survivors and how my team survived Ki Aleta!\u201d snarled Hot Rod. \u201cI\u2019m not running from my mistakes anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s ALL Velocitronians do. Even Kup did that in some measure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You did NOT just call Kup a coward!\u201d Hot Rod charged at Megatron\u2026but Megatron was faster. He simply threw lightning at Hot Rod as if he threw a skipping stone across a lake. Hot Rod fell, groaning in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can call him worse.\u201d Megatron then shifted his attention to an alley and entered it before transforming and projecting his holo-form into the building. He appeared in what looked like a science classroom, complete with beakers and lab stations. A rush of orange yellow then blew by the door. \u201cGotcha!\u201d Megatron then ran out of the room and turned right to see a pair of fox tails disappear around a corner. \u201cI smell you, boy!\u201d called Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was the last thing Tails needed to hear. He twirled his tails in an attempt to increase speed. Unfortunately, he wasn\u2019t fast enough as Megatron was catching up to him fast! \u201cSTAY BACK!\u201d cried Tails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHand over the Allspark!\u201d called Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNEVER!\u201d declared Tails as he activated his arm cannon and fired at the ceiling. Megatron dodged the falling rubble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuch heroic nonsense!\u201d scoffed Megatron as he continued pursuing Tails. Tails dashed into a stairwell, saw that it had a wide opening in the middle, and leapt off the stairs, flying upwards to the roof at an accelerated rate. He made it to the rooftop door and ran outside, pressing a button on his wristwatch, nearly dropping, but reclaiming the Allspark in the process. Tails could faintly hear the sound of a Transformer changing shape but paid it no mind as he continued running. Pity that he paid it no mind, because Megatron\u2019s hand grabbed the roof! \u201cIs it fear or courage that compels you, Fleshling?!\u201d he cackled as he climbed up to the roof. Tails tripped over himself, trying to back away from the Decepticon Lord. \u201cI repeat my offer, Young Master Prower. Hand over the Allspark and you\u2019ll live to be my pet!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m never giving you the Allspark!\u201d declared Tails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh? So unwise!\u201d rasped Megatron as he activated his mace. As he swung, it flew upwards\u2026and gave the X-Tornado the opportunity it needed to damage Megatron. It arrived and fired a missile into his side, causing him to cry out. Tails got back up and flew onto the X-Tornado, cub first! The impact caused a surge of energy to overtake it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh no!\u201d gasped Tails. He activated his watch to check the X-Tornado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow that\u2019s what I call a birth!\u201d laughed a voice. Tails arched an eye-ridge as he could swear it came from the X-Tornado\u2019s external speakers yet didn\u2019t. \u201cHey, you might want to climb inside my secondary cockpit!\u201d urged the voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026X-Tornado?! You\u2019re alive?!\u201d yelped Tails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActually, Dad, if you don\u2019t mind, call me Scattershot!\u201d A two-tailed fox, colored like the X-Tornado, then climbed out of the secondary cockpit and offered his hand to Tails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell then, Scattershot,\u201d declared Tails as he climbed aboard, \u201cGot any ideas?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have control of the Ground Bridge,\u201d answered Scattershot. \u201cI\u2019ll get us out of the city, open a Bridge to the Vaults, throw the Allspark inside, then close it and rejoin the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo it!\u201d urged Tails. Scattershot fired another missile at Megatron as he leapt off the roof. The missile hit him, and the Decepticon Lord tumbled to the streets below. Scattershot then circled and made his way to Station Square\u2019s city limits and beyond them. He opened a Ground Bridge, then threw the Allspark into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAllspark retrieved!\u201d reported Teletraan. \u201cGood shot, kid! That was one in a million!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBack we go!\u201d called Scattershot as he returned to the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScattershot Prower,\u201d declared Tails, \u201cyou\u2019ve made me proud!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust doing what I can, Dad,\u201d replied Scattershot. \u201cNow, I need to hit the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust come back to me alive, you hear me?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLoud and clear!\u201d Tails left Scattershot and found Sonic and his friend fighting Eggman, so he joined the fight. \u201cSCATTERSHOT, TRANSFORM!\u201d As the holo-form vanished, the top of the thrusters separated and swung forward as fists came out. The bottom of the thrusters unfolded down to make feet as the wings folded onto the back and the nosecone joined the underside of the jet to make the robot. The head popped up to reveal a blue visor over his optics and Scattershot landed near Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeletraan told me what happened, Mr. Scattershot!\u201d called Optimus. \u201cHow can the Autobots repay you?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBy letting me join them, for one thing!\u201d answered Scattershot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHelp us beat the Decepticons back and you\u2019ll undergo the Rite of the Autobrand when we return to base and are healed up!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSounds good to me!\u201d Scattershot then drew a machine gun and fired at the Seekers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis has become one nightmare after another!\u201d snarled Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLord Megatron,\u201d called Thundercracker, \u201cwe have Eggman. His Egg-mobile\u2019s in pieces and he\u2019s in need of medical attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the Combaticons?\u201d asked Megatron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSame condition as Eggman.\u201d Megatron then pondered his next move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSoundwave, what is the status of security for both the moon base and Robotropolis?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSecurity systems from both locations have stood down when witnessing the Combaticons\u2019 defeat,\u201d droned Soundwave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cExcellent. Gather up the Combaticons and their creator. We need to show them who\u2019s where in the hierarchy. Open a Ground Bridge back to Robotropolis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs you command, Megatron.\u201d After gathering near Megatron, all Decepticons sounded off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDecepticons, retreat!\u201d The Cons followed the order and dragged Eggman and the Combaticons through the Ground Bridge. \u201cOptimus, know this! You have committed a grave blunder!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI say it\u2019s YOU who were about to commit an error!\u201d retorted Optimus. \u201cWe\u2019ve gotten quite a bit of info from Sideways and Rodimus Unicronus! Rodimus Prime confirmed everything! You would have misused the Allspark and that would have woken up Unicron!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have no proof of that!\u201d snapped Megatron. \u201cFarewell!\u201d He followed the Decepticons and the Ground Bridge closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about Sideways and Rodimus Unicronus?\u201d asked Hot Rod.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey fled the instant they lost the Allspark\u2019s signal,\u201d explained Perceptor. \u201cThank Primus for the signal dissipators in the Vaults.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll get them later,\u201d declared Optimus. \u201cFor now, we must check on Ironhide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a tense moment at the Autobot base as Optimus and the Autobots waited with their organic allies to hear the news from Ratchet. After what felt like an eternity, Ratchet slowly came out, his expression full of grief. \u201cHe\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s too far gone,\u201d he choked, \u201ceven for stasis lock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow\u2026how long\u2026?\u201d asked Chromia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA few minutes, at best,\u201d explained Ratchet, \u201cbut they\u2019re going to be painful last minutes. He\u2019s only staying alive long enough to talk to you and Optimus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Come on, Sir,\u201d insisted Chromia. \u201cWe need to tell him that the mission was a success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight,\u201d sighed Optimus. They entered the Repair Bay, following Ratchet\u2019s finger as he couldn\u2019t bring himself to approach Ironhide\u2019s repair slab again. It was clear Ironhide was in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTh\u2026the\u2026\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe did it, Ironhide,\u201d answered Optimus. \u201cThe Allspark is safe from the Decepticons and Unicron.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You\u2026you know?\u201d asked Ironhide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSideways sang like a Soprano at the opera,\u201d replied Chromia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry\u2026I can\u2019t\u2026help you against\u2026\u201d strained Ironhide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll take care of Unicron in your name,\u201d assured Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid\u2026did Hot Rod\u2026?\u201d grunted Ironhide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s beating himself up about this, but I know it wasn\u2019t him who did this to you,\u201d answered Chromia. \u201cI refuse to blame him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs do I,\u201d affirmed Optimus. Ironhide then laughed weakly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my wife and kid,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cI\u2019ll\u2026I\u2019ll give Firestar your love, Chromia, Sweet-spark. Prime, you keep fighting the good fight, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery victory, I will dedicate in your name, Master Sergeant Ironhide,\u201d answered Optimus. \u201cRest easy, soldier. You\u2019ve more than earned it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Goodbye.\u201d Ironhide\u2019s optics then flickered before they faded completely, and his body turned gunmetal gray. Optimus and Chromia declined their heads\u2026until Ironhide\u2019s body shifted to alt-mode!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWHOA!\u201d yelped Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get your hopes up,\u201d directed Chromia as she recovered. \u201cIt\u2019s a reflex. Rigor-morphis. The body assumes its preferred shape. Yes, sometimes, it\u2019s the alt-mode. Witnessing it will never get any easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s probably a blessing in disguise. \u2026Are you coming, or do you want to stay here a little longer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m coming with you, Sir. Hot Rod needs both of us to stop him from beating himself up.\u201d They got up and walked out of the Repair Bay. Hot Rod was at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSir, Chromia, I can\u2019t begin to\u2026\u201d he began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHot Rod, I\u2019m ordering you not to blame yourself,\u201d directed Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus doesn\u2019t blame you,\u201d continued Chromia, \u201cI don\u2019t blame you; NO ONE blames you for Ironhide\u2019s death. We\u2019ve gotten his final mission logs. You made sure the mission was a success, so we should all dedicate future victories in his name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatever contempt we have,\u201d called Optimus to all the Autobots, \u201cis reserved for Sideways for deceiving us all and for being Ironhide\u2019s real killer. Death will only be an escape for him as Terrorcons fear failure more than death. We must make sure he continually faces the music.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Damn straight, we do!\u201d hissed Hot Rod. \u201cSir, I request to be part of the Autobot force here as a full-fledged Autobot once again! I\u2019m not running away from my past anymore. This time, I\u2019m running towards my future! I will see to it that Unicron\u2019s schemes never come to fruition!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my boy!\u201d called Kup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Then you and Scattershot will undergo the Rite of the Autobrand together,\u201d declared Optimus. \u201cFor now, though, we must observe funerary rites. We must grieve Ironhide\u2019s loss as I\u2019m sure the Decepticons are grieving Rumble\u2019s loss.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hot Rod poured on the speed. \u201cMan, I hope the old bot can get out of there!\u201d \u201cHe\u2019ll pull through!\u201d urged Tails as he cradled the Allspark. \u201cHe\u2019s called Ironhide for a reason!\u201d An explosion then erupted in front of them and flipped Hot Rod over. He let Tails out and transformed, leveling the piping […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,235],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-3047","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-11-seconds-of-speed","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3047","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3047"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3047\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3048,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3047\/revisions\/3048"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3047"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3047"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3047"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}