FIC: Global Battles

[wicked3659.livejournal.com]

Title: Global Battles
Author: wicked3659 
Oneshot
Rating: PG 13
Movieverse AU
Warnings: Mild cussing and mild violence
Prompt: PJ June mini Challenge - World cup and 'Waka waka this time for Africa'
Summary: The fighting spirit is something that keeps you on your feet when you want to fall down and makes you keep trying when you think all hope is lost.

Health, happiness and success depend upon the fighting spirit of each person. The big thing is not what happens to us in life - but what we do about what happens to us. - George Allen

Match commentating taken from: Match summary
Lyrics: Waka waka This time for Africa - Shakira

Thanks to antepathy  for beta

 

There was an excited murmur trickling through the base. Soldiers who weren’t on patrol or in briefings were gathered in their rec. room with the match blaring on their wide screen TV. Epps leant back in his seat, legs propped up on a nearby table looking rather smug with himself.

“You got to tell me how you managed to get the guys up top to agree to this.” A young private smirked at the wide smile Epps shot him.

“Can’t be revealing all my secrets now can I?” He let out an amused laugh at the disappointed look on the young man’s face.

“What he means t’ say is; he asked Optimus t’ put in a good word and Prime just can’t seem t’ say no t’ ya folk.”

Epps shot Jazz a ‘Why you gotta rain on my parade man?’ look, before folding his arms with a mild shrug. “Big guy has a soft spot for a good game. Where is he anyway, I thought he was interested in finding out what all the fuss was about?”

Jazz smirked and made himself comfortable in the specially designed seating. “Ya know Prime. Work before play n’ all that.”

“Mm, that’s more than can be said for some.”

Epps’ grin widened at the newcomer as the seemingly stern response prompted the rec room to fall into disquiet. “Prowl, didn’t know you were interested in the beautiful game.”

The black and white quirked an optic ridge at the Master Sergeant before sitting himself beside the silver mech with an indignant flick of his door wings. “I was coerced.”

Jazz laughed at the flat reply. “Aw, don’t say that like ya didn’t enjoy yourself, Prowler.” He smirked and his visor blinked in his version of a wink at the gawping man.

“Dude, I really don’t need the TMI.”

Snickering, Jazz nudged the scowling mech beside him. “Come on, Prowl it’ll be fun t’ get in the spirit of this world cup they’re all talkin’ about.”

“That remains to be seen. It’s simply kicking a leather ball around a field. I really don’t see the point.”

Epps’s eyes widened at the black and white’s dismissal of the sport of football. “Man, seriously it’s waay more than that.”

“Hey guys what’s going on?” Lennox’s cheery voice filled the room as he slumped into the soft cushions of the sofa. “Man, what a day.”

“The Master Sergeant was just about to explain the meaning of this football world cup and why it’s so important.”

“DUDE!! Football?!” Epps stared at the black and white as if he’d just committed the worst kind of travesty. “Its soccer man, say it with me.”

Prowl visibly tensed at the man’s tone. “It’s a game played by kicking a ball with your feet. How is that not foot ball?”

“Aw man, are you going to be in for a long night.” Lennox chuckled sinking down into his seat as he turned up the volume on the TV.

Jazz chuckled beside his bonded and before Epps could burn out Prowl’s audio in his defence of the game being called soccer, he jumped in to divert attention away from his bonded. “Prowl what it’s called isn’t really important, it’s the game itself that matter.”

“But, Jazz it’s just a game.”

“Prowl you got to see it’s more than just a game.” Epps took the floor as Lennox shook his head in bemusement at his friend. “It’s about national pride and the world coming together to watch something beautiful happen. It’s a battle on the field man, fighting for honour, glory and all that. You have to get behind the team.”

Prowl’s optics flickered as he switched his gaze to the screen.

“Even the anthem’s represent the individual countries. Their chance for the world to see what they’re made of. I mean right there Cameroon are playing against Denmark, both of them are ranked right down at the bottom of the world team rankings. Most of us would never get to see these guys play and here we are watching them, putting our hopes on our favourite to win.”

Lennox raised his eyebrows at Epps who was clearly on a roll, even as the second national anthem finished. “Aw man you had to ask didn’t you?” He shot an incredulous look towards Prowl who returned his look with a blank expression.

“Come on its about the world coming together for one cause, each time fighting for that chance to be recognised. Their shot to be champions!” Epps’s excited fervour increased with the start of the match. More soldiers and Autobots filed into the room.

“It’s a battle worth fighting, Prowl.” Epps grinned, finally stepping off his soap box.

The police car shook his head with a faint sigh as the match kicked off. “But it’s just a game.”

The room resounded with groans and dismissive waves of the onlookers to quieten down as Epps was about to start another tirade. Prowl’s door panels rose high on his back, only to droop down again when Jazz gave a subtle squeeze of his hand.

{Don’t worry about it love}

Prowl frowned at his bond mate. {I don’t see why they get so worked up about a sport though}

Jazz smiled fondly and turned his attention to the game. {It’s not about the sport, Prowl; it’s what it represents for the countries taking part. A chance t’ be noticed put their country on the global map for a brief moment in history.}

{And how do you suddenly know so much about this hmm?}

Jazz’s smile widened to a knowing grin and he shot a side long glance at his lover. “They’re fascinating, Prowl see how much spirit they have.” He gestured to the room when it quite suddenly burst into cheers and hollers of encouragement.

“Cameroon takes the lead in the 10th minute, Cameroon’s Captain Eto'o showing Rommedahl how it’s done. That’s a bad defensive error by Christian Poulsen.”

Prowl shook his head. He understood the concept of football but not really why humans seemed to get so worked up over a tournament that was over a simple trophy. They sat and watched the ups and downs of the game. Shouts and curses over referee decisions and missed chances echoed through the room in the early hours of the morning as the match progressed.

The game had just broken for half time when the alert rang out through the base. Lennox swore and threw down his snack. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” He exclaimed as Optimus’s resounding voice filled the base.

 “Decepticons at this time of night?” Epps cursed softly. “Well shit, they sure know when to pick their moments.” The men abandoned the TV, with the world cup song, ‘Waka waka’, playing through its speakers, and their food and sprinted to their duties.

Well-trained, they were soon aboard the cargo plane and heading out. Epps rapped his knuckles on the silver sports car with a smirk. “Man are they gonna pay for making me miss the game. I haven’t caught one yet.”

Jazz chuckled through his speakers, his voice although light had a solemn twinge to it than none of those aboard who knew the silver mech, missed. “Just make sure ya stay alive t’ catch the next one then.”

“Amen to that.” Epps returned with sincerity.

The plane landed and the soldiers and Autobots filed out, immediately on the alert and following the orders barked out from their respective commanders.

****

The battle was long and hard, the Decepticons were pressing harder than ever before. They had grown desperate since the defeat of the Fallen and with Megatron still incapacitated, Starscream led the Decepticons to win and to take no prisoners. 

Ironhide roared in rage as he tackled his opponent, his cannons booming as he rolled along the ground and fired with deadly accuracy. He heard Prowl’s ever calm voice through his comm. giving instructions and directions even under fire, when his audio suddenly burst with static making him wince with a snarl.

He shot round to stare at where the mech was located, letting off another shot as he sprinted back. “Jolt, Sideswipe, we got trouble behind the lines.”

“’Hide, stay where ya are. The humans need ya firepower!” Jazz commanded, already transformed and heading back to the plane.

“Prowl’s back there!” Sideswipe yelled his energon blades making short work of an attacking drone.

Jazz’s voice was low and dangerous as he leapt for the incoming seeker, tackling it head on. “He can handle himself, hold the line.”

The ‘bots shot each other a glance, grim faced and worried, before more ‘cons attacked with relentless ferocity. 

“Let’s do this!” Epps took aim and started firing, leading the Autobots into the fray as they followed their small allies into battle.

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle

****

The match kicked off once more, the screen blaring out the horns from the supporters as an early lead was stolen from the African side.

“The Danes are back on level terms just after the half-hour mark at Loftus Versfeld stadium. Cameroon goalkeeper Souleymanou Hamidou did well to deny Tomasson earlier but he could do nothing about that equaliser as his defence was cut open far too easily.”

 

With the game equalised the empty room watched on as the Cameroon team upped their game and began to fight back and fight back hard. 

You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious
We're getting closer
This isn't over

 

****

Prowl growled lowly as he heaved himself from beneath the concrete rubble. The ‘cons had ripped through the freeway, sending debris flying from the explosion. Optimus was already running for the attacking seeker. Prowl’s rocket launchers deployed striking a second seeker, one Prowl hadn’t yet seen on Earth. He ran after his leader as Jazz’s fear and panic flickered through their bond. 

{Love?} 

{I’m alive.}

Relief quickly flooded the bond at Prowl’s reassurance, quickly followed by a burst of pain and then anger.

Prowl’s optics widened as his bond quietened. {Jazz!?}  

He couldn’t help the on rush of terror that fired through every circuit in his body as another explosion rocked the skyline, exactly were Prowl knew the others to be holding back the incoming attack. “Jazz.” He whispered.

****

Just over half a mile away Jazz cried out as agony ripped through his body. His metal frame slammed into the steel and concrete of the tower block as he was flung like a rag doll through the air. He landed with a grunt feeling something tear in his body. “Frag.” He winced and glanced up as the dark blue seeker landed and its chain gun was aimed at his face.  

“This time make sure you stay dead, runt.” Came the aggressive snarl.

Jazz’s visor flickered as a shot rang out. He felt no pain as the screams filled his audio. His mouth dropped open as the sharp blade pierced the thick armour. The flyer dropped like a dead weight before Jazz and the silver mech looked up slowly to find the blue optics of Sideswipe laughing down at him.

“Bit soon to be laying down on the job aint it Jazz?” The mech grinned and skated off on his wheeled feet to give Ironhide a hand with the swarm of drones.

Jazz glared at the fallen ‘con and a low growl rumbled through his chest as he heaved himself to his feet. Agony shot through him, but it didn’t matter, he wasn’t going to die today.

The pressure's on; you feel it
But you got it all; believe it
When you fall, get up, oh oh
And if you fall, get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa 

**** 

The game blared out into the empty room, none to see the two sides battling out. Each team wanted a win, needed a win. This match was to be a decider, either one could be eliminated depending on the outcome. It was a fight to the death.

“It’s an all-action encounter continuing apace here at the start of the second half. Stephane M'bia and Kjaer have both brought fingertip saves out of their opposing goalkeepers.

Cameroon striker Pierre Webo is blazing a decent opening high into the stands but oh he’s also being denied by Sorensen as the African side looks to be taking control.”

The considered underdogs of the match were gaining the upper hand, it all looked to be going in Cameroon’s favour, this was a battle the players began to realise, they could win after all.

Cause this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa 

**** 

The fight raged on, both sides taking injuries, neither side gaining the upper hand. Decepticon against Autobot, with the humans picking up the slack.

Prowl had ran the distance, once he’d known his leader could handle his opponent. It had taken a direct command from the peterbilt to get the police car to leave his side and check on the others close to the chaos of the second explosion. 

He couldn’t succumb to the fear that was permeating his very spark. The bond was silent still and Prowl didn’t hesitate in whispering a few words to Primus to keep his beloved safe.

“You won’t take him from me again... I won’t let you.” Something inside him, told him not to worry, not to panic. He hadn’t travelled across the expanse of space just to lose Jazz a second time. The only comfort he had at the moment was that his spark didn’t feel like it was being ripped from his chest. He held on tightly to that hope. Jazz was alive, he was fighting.

{Prowl...} 

The bond rippled and Prowl gasped, ducking missiles from above as he picked up his pace to reach his bond mate. {I’m coming, Jazz.}

Listen to your god; this is our motto
Your time to shine
Don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo

He quickly attacked a ‘con head on that was gunning for a small contingent of soldiers. They all opened fire, thankful for the back up as the small alliance made short work of the screeching ‘con. Prowl turned to Lennox, his face devoid of any emotion, his processor focused on staying alive and finding Jazz. “The others?" 

“They’re over that way, they’re blocking communications.” Lennox’s face was filled with concern as he barked orders and turned back to Prowl. “We lost contact with Epps’s team, find them.”

The black and white gave a short nod and sprinted in the direction indicated by the Lieutenant.

People are raising their expectations
Go on and feel it
This is your moment
No hesitation

****

The home side put up a good fight, the supporters shouting their cheer and encouragement from the stands. The ball was kicked from left to right in a battle of wills and determination. It would only take one mistake to decide the leaders in this battle and time was running out.

“It’s Denmark who have got the next goal through the dangerous Rommedahl in the 61st minute!”

“Bendtner's pass has put Rommedahl away down the right and the 31-year-old has cut inside Jean Makoun he’s curled a low left-footed shot past Hamidou. Oooh that’s left Cameroon staring World Cup elimination in the face, and they almost fell 3-1 behind in there in this the 71st minute, Hamidou coming to their rescue to superbly keep out Tomasson's effort.”

The commentator’s excitement could be heard reverberating through the base. The skeleton team left behind paid no attention, they’re focus locked onto tracking the progress of the battling teams and monitoring communications as their friends and allies were in another part of the world, fighting for their survival and unknown to the rest of the world, for theirs too.

Denmark pressed the advantage as Cameroon’s fighting spirit wavered towards the end of the game.

Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way,
Believe it

****

The silver mech could almost feel his spark floating when he heard the steady voice of his bonded taking command of the field and turning the tide in their favour. The extra fire power had been sorely needed and with now him and Ironhide both injured, Jazz had started to fear the worst.

“You’re injured.” Prowl was by his side in no time at all, taking aim and blowing a handful of drones to kingdom come.

M’ fine, nothing that Ratch’ can’t fix.”

Prowl nodded, his optics focused on the battle in front of them. “I was worried.”

{Not goin’ anywhere love. I have too much t’ lose.} Jazz grinned and let off a few rounds with a shout of victory as the ‘cons began to fall back. “Looks like the ‘cons have lost their fighting spirit.”

“Press the home advantage boys!” Epps hollered leading his team forward weapons ripping off rounds, holding the line as Optimus arrived to strengthen the Autobot side. “I got me a game to watch.” He smirked, his finger squeezing over his trigger.

If you get down
Get up oh, oh
When you get down,
Get up eh, eh

****

Comments

[prancingtiger86.livejournal.com]

lol I gotta agree with Prowl, I don't see why everyone gets so worked up about it, and I loved Epps coming to the defence of the game when Prowl simply dismissed it. absolutely loved it! :)

[wicked3659.livejournal.com]

aww thank you very much ^_^ I'm glad it made sense, not being a fan myself I wanted to paint football in a good light, really pleased you like it.

[artemis10002000]

What a beautiful story!

I love what you did with this prompt. The light-hearted beginning with the squabbling over football and then the switch to the battle worked very well. Especially with the views into the empty rec room and the parallels between the football "battle" and the very real battle for their lives the Autobots and NEST soldiers were fighting.

The police car shook his head with a faint sigh as the match kicked off. “But it’s just a game.”
*giggles* That's one of my favourite lines in this fic. Prowl's exasperation is so adorable!

[wicked3659.livejournal.com]

It really is he he ^_^ I do so love it when humans perplex him. Thanks for the lovely comments, I'm glad it made sense XD. I was worried about the football parts ^_^;; glad they came across as I wanted.

[artemis10002000]

Yeah, the football lines came across very well. If you hadn't said so in the author's notes, I wouldn't have realized that you aren't familiar with football.

[renegadewriter8.livejournal.com]

Ohooo I loved this! I love playing football but not watching it. Except Argentina! I just can not miss a game! MUST. WIN AND CONQUER ALL! MUAHAHAHA (sorry, too much sugar... XD)

[wicked3659.livejournal.com]

No apologies necessary it's good to hear someone enthuse! ^_^ Glad you like it *blushes* thanks for the kind comments