Summary: There's still a few problems with M-21's transformation.

Set after 347 and before 351.

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By Dark Ice Dragon

"Let's go," Tao said, Dark Spear's presence settling over his skin, prickling and making it feel stretched at the same time. They were on a time limit so they had to-

M-21 leaped off the helicopter pad.

In the wrong direction.

"Hey!" M-21 didn't react to his shout, landing on the closest rooftop and bounding away as soon as his feet touched the ground. Where was he going? The EMP had been… Oh, dammit.

'He's not thinking.' Takeo's thoughts swirled with his own and Tao nodded, chasing after M-21. It had been weird at first when they found out there was a link between their minds, but it hadn't taken too long to get used to it.

On the other hand, things had moved too fast and there hadn't been enough time for the three of them to spar; Tao had hoped after they'd left M-21 with Karias he had full control over his transformation, but it didn't look like it.

And Tao was moving better than before, his jump taking him further with less effort.

Takeo still beat him to M-21, stopping right in front of him and blocking his way. M-21 skidded to a halt and by the time Tao reached them, M-21's high-pitched whine reached his ears.

M-21's eyes were wide and he was bouncing on his toes, looking like he was about to bolt off again.

"We know," Tao said, and he saw M-21's tense shoulders relax at his voice. "We know you're worried-" They all were, especially when they had no idea what was happening. "-but we can't rush off like that."

M-21 ducked his head, no longer standing on his toes and Tao reached over to ruffle his hair. M-21's hair practically wrapped itself around Tao's hand, it was so thick. M-21 huffed, closing his eyes and leaning into his touch.

"We need you to transform back, M," Tao murmured and M-21 opened his eyes to blink at him, making a questioning sound.

"Just for a little bit," Takeo added.

M-21 looked between them and then gave them a slow nod. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, the fur on his cheeks receding.

Tao took his hand back just as M-21 sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes flying open. He whirled around and Tao kept his body language as non-threatening as possible, his hands up.

"What-" M-21's eyes flicked over them, checking for injuries, his nostrils flaring. "What happened?"

"You're…going to have to transform closer to the fight, heh," Tao said, slinging an arm around M-21's shoulders.

M-21 stiffened, staring at him. "I attacked you?"

Whoops, he should have realised M-21 would have interpreted it that way. "Nah," he said, waving a hand, "you didn't. You just jumped the gun a little bit – we're s'posed to be going in that direction." Tao pointed past the helicopter.

"…Oh. Sorry."

"S'fine." Tao patted his shoulder. "C'mon, it's time to go!"

The other two nodded, heading off in the direction of the dead zone. Tao hated not knowing what he was rushing into, not being able to check or see. They would have to make a plan on the fly when they got there and saw what was going on.

Hopefully they wouldn't be too late.

M-21 could be doing a two-tier transformation but leave me to my xeno. 8D