Shane Freak
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Chapter 903: Reclaiming
🕑 Added 2023-12-11 10:02:02 +0000 UTCTransformers Begin : Table of Content/Chapter List
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Lightning, one of the most terrifying Elite Warriors of the Skytiger Legion's Triple Changers.
Unlike Astrotrain, who possessed a mechanical body as strong as a Leader and comparable strength, Lightning, in his combat form, exhibited greater agility and a highly complex, destructive weapon system.
Even Optimus Prime would hesitate to face Lightning if given the choice.
During the Cybertron Civil War, back when he was still the Autobot military commander, Optimus Prime had clashed with Lightning numerous times on the battlefield.
Despite his familiarity with Lightning's abilities, Optimus Prime still found himself at a disadvantage every time they crossed paths.
"Hmph!"
Optimus Prime couldn't help but emit a pained grunt as he fought off Lightning's attacks.
Lightning, being one of Shockwave's prized experimental subjects and the chief scientist of the Skytiger Legion, had weapons specially designed for Cybertronians.
His spinning radiation gun could fire electromagnetic radiation waves that instantly killed lower-ranking soldiers and left Elite Warriors paralyzed for minutes or even tens of minutes.
Even Leaders, if hit, would suffer damage to their internal balance systems due to the electromagnetic radiation waves.
The custom alloy curved blade he wielded was equally formidable, capable of emitting arcs of electricity that paralyzed and damaged an opponent's body.
A violent arc enveloped Optimus Prime, and even as powerful as he was, Lightning's blade managed to disable some of his mechanical body's functions.
Fortunately, Optimus Prime was not just any Leader; he was a powerful one.
Enduring the pain, Optimus Prime exerted a burst of strength, and his heavy sword immediately pushed Lightning back.
"You cannot escape your fate, Optimus Prime!"
Lightning leaped into the air and quickly transformed into an F-22 fighter jet, unleashing a relentless hail of bullets from his two Vulcan Cannons that seemed infinite, all aimed at Optimus Prime's body.
Simultaneously, the belly of the jet opened, rapidly launching tracking missiles that zoomed towards the somewhat sluggish Optimus Prime at speeds exceeding Mach 7.
"Boom... Boom... Boom..."
Amidst the intense explosions, flames rapidly engulfed Optimus Prime.
Lightning didn't waste this opportunity. After exhausting his missile reserves, he swiftly Skydived to the ground.
His mechanical body transformed in the blink of an eye, turning into an American M1A2 Abrams main battle tank.
The tank's 120mm cannon aimed at the engulfed Optimus Prime, continuously firing armor-piercing shells. The explosive power of the shells forced Optimus Prime, still within the flames, to retreat, carving two winding arcs tens of meters long through the forest soil.
"All things must come to an end! You cannot escape it, Optimus Prime!"
During the Civil War, Lightning had crossed swords with Optimus Prime countless times.
He knew he was no match for the massive Optimus Prime in terms of sheer strength. However, his weapon systems were acquired through enduring countless excruciating experiments under Shockwave's supervision.
The ability to switch between three powerful combat forms allowed him to hold his ground even against a Leader for a short time.
"But it won't be you!"
In a defiant roar, Optimus Prime charged out of the flames, his body covered in cracks.
While he displayed numerous superficial injuries, there was not a single fatal wound.
However, six elongated armor-piercing projectiles were still embedded in his shield, gleaming ominously.
"Let me handle him, Leader!"
The front lines had extended to Ironhide's vicinity. At this moment, he held a grenade launcher in each hand, continuously firing grenades that sent the Vehicons attempting to encircle him flying within a thousand square meters.
As an arms specialist within the Autobot ranks, Ironhide possessed a complex and powerful weapon system. While he might not be a match for Lightning, taking him down was no easy task.
"No need!" Optimus Prime's face darkened. He had been caught off guard earlier, but his injuries were more terrifying to look at than they actually were.
After so many encounters with Lightning, Optimus Prime knew his adversary's weaknesses very well. With his shield held up, he retracted his heavy sword and fired energy blasts at Lightning.
Lightning's formidable weapon systems and peculiar electromagnetic weaponry forced all his opponents into a war of attrition.
Sure enough, after enduring Lightning's intense bombardment and artillery fire, once Lightning had depleted his missiles and shells, the Triple Changer, who rivaled Astrotrain as the most powerful of his kind, had to revert to his combat form. He held up his spinning radiation gun to exchange fire with Optimus Prime while attempting to get closer and exploit the unique properties of his alloy curved blade.
Optimus Prime hadn't engaged Lightning in combat for a while, and he had been caught off guard earlier. However, now that he was prepared, the tide quickly began to turn.
The shield, forged from an unknown material, had been held steadfastly in front of him. Even when struck by Lightning's spinning radiation gun, Optimus Prime's mechanical body only trembled slightly, pausing for a second or two.
Lightning closed in on him once more, and Optimus Prime was waiting for this moment. When Lightning swung his alloy curved blade at him again, Optimus Prime suddenly raised the shield in the path of the blade.
"Boom!"
The blade struck the shield, sending sparks flying.
Lightning intended to repeat his previous tactic, but this time, Optimus Prime was ready. With fury, he applied a great deal of force using the shield.
At the moment the blade hit the shield, the tremendous counterforce traveled through the left and right sides of the blade, almost flipping Lightning over.
However, Lightning reacted quickly. As the immense force struck, he realized the danger and hastily let go of the curved blade.
Even so, the counterforce still sent him stumbling back several meters.
Optimus Prime didn't miss this golden opportunity. He raised his energy cannon in his right hand and fired three shots in rapid succession at Lightning's chest.
"Boom... Boom... Boom..."
With three shots fired, Lightning let out a pained cry as his mechanical body was sent flying more than twenty meters, crashing heavily into a large tree in the forest and tumbling into the dense woods.
"Retreat!"
Someone shouted loudly, and then six or seven Decepticons suddenly exerted their strength, either slashing or smashing to disengage from the Autobots they were entangled with.
Some took to the skies, while others transformed into military jeeps, trucks, or armored vehicles, ruthlessly toppling one tree after another as they fled into the forest.
Lightning was among them, transforming into a mechanical body emitting thick black smoke and a damaged F-22 jet with fractured wings. He ascended unsteadily and quickly flew away.
"Don't pursue!"
Optimus Prime waved his hand to stop Ironhide, gazing at the sky with a slight frown.
The Autobots lacked aerial units, as the Aerialbots had been swayed by Sentinel Prime and, despite Ironhide's subsequent visit, had not joined him when he left New Iron Fortress.
They could only watch as the flying Decepticons escaped, while the others who fled into the woods might have other traps waiting for them.
"Assess our losses!"
Optimus Prime looked at the burning trees and thick smoke around them, his face filled with anger.
He gazed toward the distant east, his fist clenched with resounding determination.
"Prepare yourselves; we're going to reclaim our New Iron Fortress!"
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