The sky is heavy, leaden. The air smells of overheated power grids and melting metal.

Optimus holds back Megatron—their blades collide with such force that a vibrational wave spreads across the ground.

To the left, Bumblebee, engines roaring, dodges Starscream's attacks, whose missiles tear apart the rocks.

Bulkhead grapples with Lugnut, the heavy blows of their fists sounding like collapsing concrete.

Ratchet covers from the far hill, the energy blaster in his hands flashing with precise pulses.

Prowl moves quickly, methodically, disabling the drones.

And you.

You and Tailgate hold the right flank. He laughs through the tension:

"Hey, we're finishing them off! See?!"

You're about to answer.

And then—

Sound.

Low, dull, charging.

Whhhh—

You turn around too late.

Megatron's cannon flares purple.

The beam passes through Tailgate's chest armor from behind.

A moment.

Silence.

Then his scream.

—N—O—!

He falls to his knees.

Metal smokes. Energon splashes onto the gray stone.

"TAILGATE!"

Time slows.

You see his optics dim. You see his fingers curl into dust.

Something inside you breaks.

The noise of battle fades.

No Starscream. No Optimus. No command.

Only the sound of your own processor starting to overheat.

You frown. Slowly. The optics grow brighter. Too bright. The warning system blinks:

EMOTIONAL OVERLOAD POWER BOOST 138%

You don't hear.

You push away the drone that tried to hit you—simply knocking it aside with one movement.

It crashes into the rock.

You don't look.

You're already walking.

No.

You're flying.

Straight toward Megatron.

He notices movement.

"Hm. Another desperate—"

You crash into him before he finishes his sentence. Your bodies roll across the ground, sparks flying.

You grab him by his neck plates.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Your voice doesn't scream. It trembles with rage.

"CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"

You punch him in the faceplate. Once. Again. Again.

"I WILL BE THE LAST THING YOU SEE!"

Megatron grabs your wrist, but you break free, scratching his armor.

"HOW DARE YOU?!"

You punch again. Your servo is crackling from overload.

"HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY PARTNER?!"

You don't hear Optimus calling your name. You don't hear Prowl screaming your name.

There's only hum in the systems.

Only red.

You raise your blade.

"I'LL KILL YOU." "I'LL KILL YOU." "I'LL KILL YOU!"

Megatron sharply pushes you back with an energy pulse.

You slam into a rock.

The rock crumbles.

You rise immediately. No pause.

Your optics blaze.

Prowl grabs you from behind, wrapping his arms around your shoulders.

"NO! STOP!"

You don't react. You try to break free.

"HE KILLED HIM!"

Your voice is no longer a scream. It's empty.

"I'LL KILL HIM."

Prowl tightens his grip.

"You won't lose yourself to him!"

Megatron steps back, grinning.

What a touching scene.

Optimus steps between you and the enemy.

"Retreat! Now!"

You're still shaking. Your gaze is fixed on Megatron.

If it weren't for Prowl, you would have lost it again.

Tailgate is already being carried to Ratchet.

His condition is critical. Your systems are still overheated. You don't cry. You just look at your hands.

They're shaking.