Separation

Chapter 1: Alone

Among the fire of the fields, two mechs ran alongside. They were under fire. The red mech twisted around, pulling out his gun, and shot at the ones firing them. One of the five ships chasing them was shot down. The yellow mech nodded to his twin and continued running.

They hid under a small pile, the red attempted to catch his breath.

"We need to find shelter!" ordered the yellow.

"Sunstreaker! Speak up! I can barely hear you!" screamed the red.

"Sideswipe…I can't talk any higher. I can barely raise my hand let alone talk!" snapped Sunstreaker.

"Alright, alright! Where to?" Sideswipe chuckled.

"You think you're so funny, don't you?" growled Sunstreaker. Sideswipe nodded.

Crash! An explosion sent Sideswipe to his knees. He looked around hastily.

"Brother!" he screamed.

He couldn't find his twin among the smoke and flames. He looked around, gasping.

"Sunny!" Sideswipe called. No one answered. He staggered to get to his feet. He looked around more. Another bomb went off throwing him forward. He moaned. His back was well burnt. He slowly looked up. His optics were dimming. He was panting hard as he tried to get up but that failed. He collapsed to the ground.
"Sunny…" he called one last time. His system began shutting down. He groaned.

'This is the end,' he thought, 'I'm going off line without it.'

He looked around frantically one last time. He saw someone coming. He tried lifting his head but it was resting on the ground. The new mech was by his side. Sideswipe could barely see him through the smoke, flames, and failing optics. He groaned.

"Come on, Sideswipe! You can make it. You always do," the mech whispered.

"Sunny…" Sideswipe mumbled. The mech stood up and looked around.

"I don't see him!" wailed the mech.

"S…Sunny…" groaned Sideswipe, his system finally shutting down. The mech looked back down to Sideswipe.

"Come on, Sides. Ol' Blue's got ya!" the mech sighed, lifting up the fallen warrior. He started out for the base, not far from their location.

***

Sunstreaker choked on the smoke he was inhaling. He looked around, begging for help. He was wedged under a pile of an old building that had been blown down. he groaned and peeped through the only hole. He saw no light except the blaze of fire. He pulled back in and sat by his gun. He held onto his arm. it was blown to pieces. He mumbled under his breath.

"Sides…?"

***

"He's pretty banged up…" mumbled a voice.

"Yea but he can be fixed…can't he?" another one questioned. A door opened Sideswipe could hear everything but his optics failed to turn on.

"Ratchet, glad you could make it!" cheered a voice. Sideswipe gasped.

"So he can hear perfectly well but…" Ratchet hissed, pausing for an answer.

"He can barely move…" replied 'Blue'.

"And his optics are out…" explained another.

"Isn't he one of those twin bots?" Ratchet groaned.

"Yes," someone answered.

"Well, where is his brother?" Ratchet hissed. There was a long pause leaving Sideswipe scared.

"I couldn't see him…Prime sent out a search when I got back!" 'Blue' wailed. Sideswipe shivered.

"Well let's see what we got here…" Ratchet purred. Sideswipe felt cold hands touch his hood. He tilted his head on the berth. Ratchet growled.

"Don't move kid. It'll throw me off…" ordered Ratchet. Sideswipe struggled a nod and laid perfectly still.

***

Sunstreaker slowly opened his optics. He'd been sleeping for some time. He was still under a fallen building. He lifted his gun with his good arm. He aimed with a shaky arm. He groaned and fired. The smoke poured in and Sunstreaker fell to the ground. His bright blue optics glowed through the shady smoke.

He felt a tug on his arm. He felt a tug on his arm. He looked around to see none other than Starscream. Sunstreaker hissed and attempted to stand. Starscream pushed him back down. Sunstreaker groaned. Starscream snickered.

"Give up, Autobot!" he snapped.

"Ne...ver," grumbled Sunstreaker.

"You may have shot me down but I still have my Energon bombs!" Starscream bellowed.

"My brother…Where…?" mumbled Sunny.

"The red bot was taken a stellar cycle ago!" screamed Starscream.

"Sides…" Sunstreaker whimpered.