The first missile screamed past Optimus shoulder and exploded against the side of an abandoned building.
Optimus turned slowly, smoke drifting from the impact. His optics narrowed.
“Identify yourself human” He could see the man inside the machine.
War Machine hovered above the street, repulsors blazing. Tony Stark’s tech hummed through every plate of the armor—new reactors, new targeting systems, Stark’s last generation of weapons. Rhodey’s HUD locked onto the towering Autobot below.
“You know exactly who I am,” Rhodey said. His voice teetering on the verge of cracking.
Optimus tilted his head slightly. “I do not.”
Another barrage fired—micro-missiles this time. They detonated across Optimus’s chest, forcing him backwards.
“You’re with that psycho with the arm canon..and he killed Tony!!!!”
Optimus’ voice lowered in contempt. “Megatron.” “You’re wrong. I’m an Autobot, sworn to protect and defend against all Decepti…”
“Save it.”
War Machine dove, shoulder cannon spinning to life. Stark-designed smart rounds hammered into Optimus’s armor in precise clusters—Tony’s old combat algorithms now running through Rhodey’s suit.
Optimus caught the next punch of gunfire with his forearm plating.
“I mourn a fallen friend as well,” he said, voice heavy. “Bumblebee—”
“I don’t care!!!!” Rhodey shouted with unseen tears falling with great volume.
He slammed into Optimus at full speed, boosters roaring, repulsors firing point-blank into Prime’s chest. The blast lit the street white.
Optimus staggered back, anger finally surfacing.
“I have just lost a brother,” he said, voice sharpened like steel. “I am not your enemy here.” Prime pleads to the man filled with rage.
War Machine hovered again, weapons primed, Stark tech glowing across the armor.
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re all the same” Rhodey replied coldly. “Just another alien from the sky I have to put down”.
Optimus raised his ion blaster.
“Then it seems,” Prime said, optics burning brighter, “Afterlife or AllSpark for one of us.”