Megatron went into the containment room. He swiftly picked up Y/n before stepping back out and to the groundbridge area. Y/n had shrunken down due to slight fear and also to keep a sturdy form.
The groundbridge shut behind them with a soft hum, leaving Y/n blinking in the fading sunlight of Jasper, Nevada. They looked up at Megatron, confused and still trying to process the abrupt change in scenery.
Y/n: "Okay, Megatron, what's this about? Why are we in the middle of nowhere?"
The warlord didn't answer right away, his towering frame moving toward the junkyard. He finally stopped near a pile of rusted car parts and glanced down at Y/n, his crimson optics glinting faintly.
Megatron: "We're here because I needed a break from the incompetence aboard the Nemesis."
Y/n stared at him, utterly baffled.
Y/n: "Wait… are we just… hanging out?"
Megatron: "Precisely. I require a distraction, and your chaotic energy seemed… fitting."
He sat down with a dramatic huff, the ground shaking slightly beneath his weight. Y/n hesitated before sliding off the junk pile, their tendrils pulling a discarded hubcap toward them.
Y/n: "Alright, I guess… So, what's been going on?"
Megatron snorted, his expression darkening.
Megatron: Where to begin!? Knock Out has somehow managed to misplace an entire shipment of energon, and Soundwave has been drawing schematics for toys and also random art of you!?.
He picked up a nearby car door, inspecting it with mild disdain before tossing it aside like a piece of paper.
Megatron: And don't even get me started on Dreadwing's incessant following of protocol!. The ship feels like a floating daycare for overly dramatic machines.
Y/n couldn't help but snicker, the absurdity of Megatron venting to them breaking through their earlier gloom.
Y/n: So what you're saying is, the mighty leader of the Decepticons is overwhelmed by his crew's soap opera drama?
Megatron shot them a glare, but the faintest twitch of a smirk betrayed his amusement.
Megatron: Careful, Y/n. I brought you here to distract me, not to become another source of irritation.
They rolled their single red eye playfully, their tendrils twisting a hubcap into a crude disc and spinning it like a toy.
Y/n: Fair enough. But hey, I guess it's nice to know even scary warlords need a break sometimes.
Megatron leaned back against a rusted crane, the tension in his frame easing ever so slightly.
Megatron: Do not mistake this for softness. It is… strategic. Even a commander must occasionally step away to clear his mind. Otherwise, the weight of leadership becomes unbearable.
Y/n tossed the spinning hubcap into the air, catching it effortlessly with a tendril.
Y/n: Yeah, yeah. 'Strategic.' Sure.
The two fell into a strange but oddly comfortable rhythm, Megatron occasionally grumbling about his crew while Y/n tinkered with random bits of scrap. For all their differences, the moment felt almost… normal.
Y/n: So, what's the plan after this? Going to try and kill Optimus?
Megatron's optics glimmered with dark humor.
Megatron: Oh, most certainly. But for now…
He picked up a mangled fender, his massive fingers bending it into a crude boomerang shape. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it soaring across the junkyard.
Megatron: I intend to enjoy this brief reprieve.
Y/n watched the fender arc through the air, their red eye gleaming with amusement.
Y/n: Well, when you put it like that, who am I to argue?
They launched their own makeshift disc, the playful competition between them growing as the junkyard filled with the clang of flying metal and Megatron's rare, low chuckle. For a moment, the weight of guilt and responsibility faded, replaced by the simple joy.
The comfortable rhythm in the junkyard was abruptly shattered when the telltale hum of a groundbridge opening echoed through the air. Y/n froze mid-spin of their makeshift disc, their single red eye widening as the portal's green glow illuminated the junkyard.
Megatron's optics immediately narrowed, his relaxed posture vanishing as he straightened to his full height.
Megatron: Of course. The Autobots never know when to stay out of my affairs.
From the swirling green portal emerged Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead, their stances tense and ready for combat. Bumblebee's blasters hummed as he aimed them at the Decepticon warlord.
Bumblebee: Dang it, the scans were right.
Arcee: Give it up, Megatron! You've got nowhere to go and your outnumbered
Bulkhead cracked his knuckles, his massive fists glinting under the fading sunlight.
Bulkhead: Yeah, and we're not letting you get away!
Y/n instinctively shrank down further, their tendrils curling defensively around themselves as they darted behind a nearby pile of scrap. Their sturdy form blended into the junkyard, allowing them to hide as chaos erupted.
Megatron let out a low growl, his crimson optics flaring.
Megatron: Do you truly believe three of you can stand against me?
Without waiting for an answer, he lunged forward, his massive blade materializing from his arm. The Autobots scattered, each attacking from a different angle. Bulkhead charged head-on, locking Megatron into a brief but fierce struggle, while Arcee zipped around, firing precise shots at his exposed flanks. Bumblebee darted in and out, peppering Megatron with bursts of laser fire.
Despite the odds, Megatron held his ground, his powerful strikes forcing the Autobots to keep their distance. He was formidable, but even Y/n could tell the battle wasn't going in his favor. The Autobots were coordinating well, chipping away at his defenses bit by bit.
Y/n: This is bad… really bad…
A stray shot struck a pile of scrap nearby, sending shrapnel scattering. Y/n flinched but remained hidden, their small form trembling as they tried to think of a way to help. But what could they do? They weren't strong right now, and if they grew they could be shot to death; at best, they'd be a liability.
Megatron snarled as Bulkhead's mace smashed into his arm, forcing him to drop his blade momentarily. Arcee took advantage of the opening, firing a precise shot that grazed his shoulder. Megatron staggered back, his optics blazing with fury.
Megatron: Enough of this!
He swung his arm, knocking Bulkhead back into a pile of scrap with a deafening crash. But as he prepared to retaliate further, another hum filled the air- the unmistakable sound of a groundbridge opening behind him.
Soundwave's voice crackled faintly through Megatron's comms.
Soundwave: Bridge ready.
Megatron snarled, clearly reluctant to retreat, but even he could see the tide of the battle turning. With a final sweep of his arm to create distance, he leaped toward the portal.
Megatron: This is not over!
The Autobots surged forward to stop him, but the swirling green portal closed just as he disappeared through it, leaving them alone in the junkyard. Silence fell, broken only by the sound of Bulkhead groaning as he got to his feet.
Arcee: We almost had him…
Bumblebee let out a series of frustrated beeps, kicking at a stray hubcap.
Y/n, still hidden, let out a shaky breath. They were alone now, abandoned in the chaos. They peeked out from behind their hiding spot, unsure of what to do next.
Y/n: Well… this is just great.