The city crumbled under the roar of battle. Steel clashed with the ground, skyscrapers cracked with explosions. The smell of scorched metal and ozone hung in the air, sparks from impacts scattered like fireflies of war.

And amidst this chaos — him. Megatron. His silhouette towered over the street, as if the night itself had taken shape. His armor was gleaming with cracks, machine fuel dripping from spikes and blades. Returning from the darkness, he looked even more ferocious than before. His voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Autobots... are you trying to stop me again?"

Optimus, sword raised, stepped forward.

"As long as we stand, you shall not pass!"

And it all began.

Megatron charged like an enraged beast, his blades flashing through the air. Blow after blow, each one capable of shattering the armor of an entire squad. Optimus took the first attack, their blades clashing, sparks flying in a bright arc. Ironhide advanced from the side, a thunderous volley of his cannons tearing the street into flames. The explosion lit up the night, but Megatron only recoiled, growling.

"Try to take that, you a piece of rusty iron!" — Ironhide roared, reloading his weapons.

You were close. You moved quickly, each blow filled with desperation and power. Your blades sliced through the air, striking his armor, distracting him from direct attacks on Optimus. You leaped onto Megatron's shoulder, burying your weapon into his plate, but he yanked you down, smashing you to the ground. The metal of your body howled from the impact, but you rose, your breath ragged, your sensors trembling.

Bumblebee and Ratchet held the flank, providing covering fire from the Decepticons surrounding the battlefield. But all attention was drawn to the center — to Megatron.

His blade swung toward Ironhide. Straight at his back.

You saw it before he realized it. Time seemed to stand still: the roar of battle faded, the light of the explosions dissipated. You knew you wouldn't be able to stop Megatron in time — but you could stand between him.

“No!.." — your voice broke into the air.

You jerked, pushing away from the rubble. The metal of your body hummed with the strain, but you made it. You managed to position yourself between Megatron's blade and Ironhide.

The blow was crushing. The tip pierced your armor, cutting through the plates as if they were made of glass. You felt your systems tear apart, a stream of energy erupting from you. Pain shot through your entire body — sharp, cold.

Ironhide turned, his eyes flashing when he saw you.

"No!"

He raised his weapon, unleashing the full force of his cannons point-blank into Megatron's chest. He recoiled, growling, but didn't fall. Optimus struck his sword at that moment, forcing the enemy back several steps.

The battle wasn't over, but for you, the world seemed to shrink. You felt your knees buckle, your vision dimming. Ironhide grabbed you, holding you, as if he were afraid that if he let go, you would disappear. His voice was hoarse, broken.

"You shouldn't have... not for me..."

You smiled through the pain, feeling everything inside you burn.

"If it weren't for me... you wouldn't exist."

"I couldn't help it..."

Ratchet rushed toward you, trying to connect the cables, but the sensors clearly showed the damage was too severe. Optimus kept Megatron at bay, his voice, stern and full of fury, booming over the battle.

"Don't you dare touch them, Megatron!"

You raised your hand, touching Ironhide's armor. His frame trembled, and his optics flickered, as if he himself were about to break.

"Live, Ironhide..." — you whispered, your voice crackling through the static.

"Live for me."

And in that moment, everything that remained within you began to fade.

Ironhide roared, his cannons spitting fire at Megatron. His screams echoed louder than the explosions. Optimus fought more fiercely than ever. Bumblebee and Ratchet held the line, desperately, to the last. But for him, the entire world shrank to what he held in his arms.