(Disclaimer: I don't not own Transformers. Kryptonight and Slugbug are my original names. S4 was created by Serenity Fortune. This will have interspecies relationship. Don't like don't read. I don't own Cinderella either and this story popped into my mind when watching the movie one time. Written off an rp between Serenity Fortune and I.)

S4 was grubby and dirty from just having cleaned the floors yet again for the fourth time this week after the master's pet dogs, pet cats, and four bratty children made them messy. S4 knew it didn't blame the dogs or cats. She knew they didn't know what they were doing, but the children did it deliberately. She had been forced into being a slave to this family after losing her mother and father. S4's father was murdered and her mother died of a common illness that S4 had been lucky to survive.

S4 never complained, as she had learned early on that complaining not only brought more work, it brought more severe beatings. She had already suffered a broken arm and multiple cuts and bruises from her cruel and ruthless master but she silently took each beating and worked hard to please him and his arrogant nasty wife, who had helped raise their four children to be spoiled brats. The oldest of the four children was the only girl of the four, and she worked especially hard to make S4's life difficult. S4 didn't know but this daughter felt threatened by S4 as S4, even while dirty and grubby and injured was far more beautiful and intelligent than the daughter.

And as S4 went to her next duty, the arrogant daughter came rushing in all excited, not expecting to see S4. Felicity ploughed S4 over, knocking the smaller girl down, as Felicity went to tell exciting news to parents.

"Mom, dad" Felicity shouted. "You'll never believe what good news I just heard."

"What now, felicity, can't you see we are busy" her father sternly replied, not liking this brash disturbance to his normal peace and quiet.

"Prince Slugbug has been unable to find a mate for himself. His guardian, Optimus Prime, is holding a ball to bring in all the single maidens in the kingdom. He will choose his bride to be from those that come."

The mother and father looked to her. "Who told you this?" the father asked, wanting to see if this was truth or a lie.

"The Prince's messenger, Prowl, just announced it town square today. The ball will be held at the castle four weeks from now." Her mother and father were suddenly more interested in the whole conversation as they saw how it could benefit them.

"Hmmm…..this could be very beneficial….for all of us" the father said, a sinister smile on his face.

"You're right….we have to make sure he chooses our beautiful daughter" the mother said, thinking only of the wealth this could bring their family.

Meanwhile, in the other room, just coming to after being ploughed over, S4 had missed the announcement. She got back to work, fearing that her stopping would cause a more severe beating. She worked hard to finish all the tasks that she was assigned to that day.

A few hours after all the excitement, S4 finally had the one hour to herself that she treasured. It was a huge reward and she didn't get it very often, but with the family thinking of other things, S4 was rewarded this night, more likely so that she didn't overhear anything about the upcoming ball that Felicity had mentioned.

She quietly left the house to head to a back ally to dig for food that had been thrown away by the family she served that she had wanted to taste but was thrown away because the family was full and, according to her master, "slaves don't eat what the masters get". And as she was digging around, someone bumped into her. A big someone and someone who felt like metal and not human.

"Forgive me" said the bot. "I did not wish to startle you."

S4 looked up. This bot looked like no other she had met before. "Forgiven. What brings you out here? Are you lost?" She asked quietly, constantly watching to make sure that they weren't caught by her cruel master.

"You could say that. My kind master works on the other side of town, and he let me take a walk. I've never been to this part of town before." The strange bot stated, observing all that was around him.

S4 tried to study him but it was too dark. But when she moved into the light, the bot could see marks on her arms and on her face. "Has your master beaten you?"

S4 looked at him. "It is only a punishment for not doing my best for him and his family. It will heal in time" S4 said.

The mech didn't like hearing that, and made a suggestion, "Come with me, my master is kind."

"NO…I dare not run away. I did so once, I nearly died from the beating he gave me. Here is a map….go, before they find us talking." S4 tried to push the bot away. HE slowly sauntered off and thankfully for S4 neither had been spotted. And while S4 headed back home to get a couple hours of sleep before she had to start working again, the strange mech headed home.

The strange mech snuck back into the castle and changed into his usual form – it was Prince Slugbug. HE had gone out as he often did to see different parts of the kingdom and see if all was as good as it should have been without others knowing that it was him around. This particular night, Prince Slugbug was not happy about what he had encountered.

"Welcome home, Prince Slugbug" Messenger Prowl stated. "You are out late."

"Matters of this kingdom come at any and all hours. You know that, Prowl" Bug said, still upset by his encounter with the young female slave.

"The young Prince does seem troubled" Prowl stated.

"I am. Is it the rule in this kingdom that masters can beat the living daylights out of young female slaves?"

"No, there is no rule that allows for that, but when you have salves around, not all masters will be kind. And young females usually are on the brunt of that."

"Unacceptable" Bug stated.

"I guess that your optic has fallen upon this slave and you wish her for yourself?"

Bug thought about it and thought long and hard, as he had so many slaves, though he made sure all were treated well. "Yes, I want her and I won't take no for an answer. I am sending you to go get her for me. This is her description…." Bug stated, talking about S4, though Bug didn't know the name. Prowl groaned. "What was that groan for?"

"The maiden slave you just described sounds a lot like a female slave in the homes of one of your lords who help you oversee the land. He is a shrewd man and is not easily convinced to give up what is his."

Bug's optics showed a bit of rage at Prowl for insinuating that Bug was weak. "You will get her for me or I will replace you. And you know I always keep those types of Promises."

"Yes, Prince Bug" Prowl stated and headed off, just as Bug's twin came in, having overheard the whole conversation.

"Wow, Bug, it's rare to see you get so worked up."

"And you rarely come unannounced" Bug retorted.

"Touché" Krypto stated with a smiled. "But seriously, Bro, what's up?" Bug told Krypto of what he had seen on his outing. And even Kryptonight was a bit disturbed by the whole thing. "That is not right, but what can we do?"

"I sent Prowl to talk to her master so that I can have her. Very few bots refuse when I want something, as I rarely want anything"

"Best of luck to you, bro. I gotta go. My mate is sparked and very cranky if pampered often enough" Krypto said, which caused bug to smile.

"Thanks. And I hope this upcoming ball will bring me someone special like Primus brought you, though I hate the attention this will bring me."

"Good luck" and with that Kryptonight left his twin alone to hope that Prowl brought back the sought for slave. Little did Bug know that this whole thing wouldn't be as easy as he hoped it would be.