Elisa's POV

It was necessary for me to follow them this time. I had learned that I was much faster on all fours, and could keep up with them rather well in doing so, and learning of thing that looked way too familiar for my taste, I just didn't know where from. It was a large monument that, from above, looked like it was shaped like a keyhole, with a large pile of stones perfectly laid in the middle. Optimus had his version of a tricorder in his ape paw. I thought about taking mine, but the last time I did, the readings were so garbled that I couldn't make heads or tails of it.

"This isn't a natural stone formation," Rhinox concluded. "Somebody, somehow, built this thing…," Yeah, if this was natural, then I was a black belt in karate.

Rattrap, uncomfortably muttered.

"Yeah, well, uh, excuse my error message, but, uh… I thought this planet was uninhabited…," I piped up.

"Well maybe someone decided they wanted a vacation to this planet, and, um…," I thought for a second and shrugged "Got bored and wanted to build something? I don't know,"

"Something else is odd…," Optimus said, perplexed, "I'm getting an Energon reading," he gestured towards the center. "It's under that pile of rocks," that didn't sound good…

"Just like baitin' the mousetrap," Rattrap shuttered.

"Oh, the irony. Maybe you should go up there and check it out, RT," I chuckled jokingly, rewarding me a dirty look from him, and a light chuckle from Dinobot.

"I… second that motion," he purred, lifting his claw up in the air.

"Oh, ha, ha you two, real funny…," Rattrap groaned.

"I thought it was," I replied, getting a few more chuckles from the others, but as quickly as that lightheartedness came, it left. Dinobot getting closer to the rock pile.

"You know…," Rhinox began, "The Energon on this planet doesn't fit with its geology," he looked around "Hard to believe that it could form naturally…," Considering that this was very much an M-Class planet, and knowing that Energon looked more like a, what was it called, Cybertronian element, it would come to no shock that it was most likely not natural. But the question remained, who put it there?

Di grabbed one of the many rocks on the pile, and threw it to the ground, grunting as he did so.

"However it got here, we must remove it!" Di roared to particularly no one, "Before the Predacons do…," I… couldn't really argue with that logic… I was going to help walking towards him, but then… there was a loud thumping…

"Ah, Dinobot," a deep, sultry voice permeated the area. I voice that I didn't know… Oh, God… "That Predacon chip still ticks in your treacherous hide," there before us stood a large, violet, Tyrannosaurus Rex, he was bigger than even me. I felt my skin crawl as I looked upon him. While, when I met Optimus, I felt nothing, but kindness, and respect, but with this person, whom I presumed was Megatron, I felt nothing but hate, and malice melting from every orphus of his being.

Instinctively, I hid behind Di, but my movements had only privied Megatron to my presence.

"Oh. And what might that be?" he pointed towards me, I whimpered. Dinobot, protectively stood in front of me, growling.

"None of your concern, Megatron!" Optimus yelled, getting the other's to join Di in front of me. Dear Lord I was useless… "Whatever qualms we have, she's not part of it!" … WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT!? NOW I'M GONNA BE A TARGET! ...I'm so screwed…

"Right now, she doesn't matter to me, but whatever this is… I think we shall take it. Yes~," Four Predacons came behind him, all, literally, shouting their names while screaming "Terrorize!". Waspinator, Terrorsaur, Tarantulas, and Scorponok were their names, and screwing us over was there game.

I wasn't dumb enough to forget my phaser, again, but I wasn't sure how well I would do fighting these guys. All I knew was, I had to try.

As soon as they came out, we were under heavy fire. Me, Rattrap, and Di ran behind one of the pillars, while the others went behind the rock pile.

"Man, your old friends don't miss a beat, do they?!" RT groan, clearly agitated. Ignoring him, Dinobot yelled.

"Dinobot; Maximize!" both he and Rat transforming before my eyes. I could never get tired of that. I charged my phaser, ready to fight at any minute.

"Keep them away from the crystal!" Optimus ordered to us. "And protect Elisa!" Correction, ordered them. Rat, however, complained.

Oh, yeah, sure. Give us the dirty work!"

"I'll give you cover fire," I said to both of them. "I got your backs, if you got mine," they both nodded. Rat shot at Scorponok's feet, and Chi was helping him, giving me time to find a target of my own. They shot him down with ease, Cheetor even cheered a bit, but not before Tarantulas came in from behind. I took my aim, and fired, center mass. Making him go flying a few inches. Holy crap, I actually hit him! Chi gave me a thankful thumbs-up, and I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Fliers: Incoming!" Rhinox yelled, as Waspinator and Terrorsaur came in for the dive.

"Their mine!" Optimus shouted, shoot in himself in the air to catch the Fliers. I didn't get to see what happened next, I was too busy covering Di's aft to notice that one of the Fliers had shot at the crystal, making it explode in the process. I was still hiding behind one of the pillars, so the brunt of the force didn't affect me.

"Terrorsaur! You fool!" I heard Megatron yell, "You've released the crystal's energy, it is useless to us now!" he growled. "Back to base, Beast mode!"

They ran, as we regrouped, hearing the crystal get louder and louder.

"Everyone Beast mode, we need to take cover, and prepare of an Energon wave!" Optimus ordered. He didn't have to tell me twice. They transformed and we hightailed it out of there.

We hid behind a few rocks, as the crystal sent out a shock wave, yes, but it felt very… specific… I saw a blue light fly into the sky and disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Like I said: those stones aren't natural…," Rhinox stated, I kinda glared at him.

"Anything else you'd like to point out Captain Obvious?" that fight must have fried my nerves, I usually didn't snap at people like that… the others looked at me confused as I muttered a simple "Sorry" and looked back at the rubble.

"Still what in the Galaxy was that?" Cheetor asked.

"It looked like it was a signal," Rhinox answered, looking a bit hurt as he looked at me. Why'd he have to make me feel like that? "But, to who?"

"Well, perhaps we'll learn the answer, someday," Optimus said, looking up at the sky.

OOooOOooOOooOO

We went back to the base, a little roughed up, but no worse for wear. I had a few scratches here and there. There was no need for me, or really anyone, to be in the CR chamber. Personally, I'd think that was a win. I was literally thinking of what to make for dinner, when Optimus came charging in.

"Get me Rhinox," I looked at him confused, I could only guess what had gotten him so worked up.

"He's up in the lab. Is everything ok?" Optimus simply nodded and went to go get our resident medic.

OOooOOooOOooOO

Dinobot's POV

I was in my quarters, practicing and honing my swordsmanship, when I heard someone at my door. I had always taking my studies in the arts very seriously, so when someone would so… rudely interrupt me, I tended to get very much on edge.

"What! I'm busy!" I growled towards the door. It opened, and in came Primal, an unimpressed look on his face.

"Hi, Busy, I'm Optimus. Now come out here, I need to talk to you," I rolled my eyes, but did what he asked.

"When, pray tell, did you start making 'dad jokes'," I questioned, to only get a sly response in return.

"When I realized I was leading a group of sparklings…," I ignored that blatented attack on my pride, and asked what he wanted.

"We found something headed straight for the standing stones, I need you to come with me to check it out, it might give us a clue on what it is," Honestly, I would have rather stayed and trained, but then again, this could be a way to defeat them. Or at the very least, weaken them. With a sigh, I nodded.

"Give me a moment," I closed the door to get ready.

OOooOOooOOooOO

We walked towards the pod. It looked completely alien, even to us.

"Yes, looks like somebody answered that signal," Optimus thought aloud "But, who?" I looked at him. About to say something, as well as he beginning to transform when, out of nowhere, he was shot, obviously by a Predacon. I turned back to see that it was Waspinator, and Megatron was not far behind. He sighed in a way that always made my skin crawl.

"Whatever this fascinating device is, we Predacons claim it as our own! Yes~," Megaron growled, staring down at me. Just like he did when we first met, he had always looked down upon me… I snarled defensively. "Megatron; Terrorize!"

"Dinobot; Maximize!" as he transformed I did as well, keeping myself close to my blade. I heard Optimus groan behind me, I checked, only for a moment, before I heard the pod begin to make a sound. I didn't have time to think before the thing unleashed a shock that made my body quake in pain and anguish. It felt like all of the Energon that was in me was tearing me apart! I… admittedly, screamed because of it. After what ever had happened, I looked to see where Optimus had been, with blurred vision I could see nothing, but a flash of light.

I lifted my hand to where he had once laid, a small hint of worry sparking through my processor. I whispered "Optimus…," before I blacked out.

OOooOOooOOooOO

Elisa's POV

When Dinobot nor Optimus had come back, we were starting to worry. Rhinox had told Chi and Rat to go find them, and when they did, they only brought back one. Di was nearing death's door when he came back. He must've transformed to conserve his energy while he was unconscious, because he was in beast mode when he came back to base.

I was so fearful that he wouldn't make it that I scooped him up on my back (Lord, please let him never find out) and thrusted him into the CR chamber. He laid there, for at least an hour. All of us waiting for him to wake up, and get some answers. Where was Optimus?

When he finally came to, he looked… scared, confused. His eyes widened as he screamed.

"Maximal torture chamber!" and ran out as quickly as he could. Literally jumping over and on Rattrap to get away. Thinking fast, I hopped on his back and bit down on his neck. Hard. He yelped in surprise, but calmed down after I let him go. His spark (as I learned it was called) had stopped beating rapidly, as he slouched just a little.

"H-hey, Dinobot, you okay, buddy?" Cheetor asked cautiously. Di was breathing a little heavy, but he was fine.

"Affirmative…," he groaned, as I got off his back. He looked at me, and rubbed where my tusks had bitten into his neck.

"First of all, Maximals don't have torture chambers!" Rat corrected, but then put his hand on his chin, "Although, you know, I could get behind that idea…," I rolled my eyes, and looked towards Di. Pulling his hand away from the two holes I had made in his skin. As I had suspected, they were already closing up.

"What did you do to me?" he asked, I just smiled.

"It's something I learned a while back, I have these glands in my tusks that secretes a chemical that can make even the most aggressive creature docile," I pointed to the two large bottom teeth that were too big for my mouth, "I can control the dosage depending on how long I bite you, and afterwards, my saliva has another chemical that closes up the wound within minutes," I then pointed at his neck, the abrasion was nearly completely gone.

"With that being said…," he muttered, gingerly pushing my hand away. "How did I get here?"

"We went looking for you after you and Optimus hadn't come back," Rhinox answered "You were alone, and Elisa was so worried after we found you that she didn't even wait for the platform to come up all the way before scooping you up and carrying you to the CR chamber," I blushed, and looked over at Di. he looked dumbfounded.

"You carried me?" he asked, and I simply nodded.

"T-that doesn't matter," I managed to stutter out, "What matters is that you were alone… what happened to the Big Bot?"

"Don't tell me Optimus just up and left ya?" Rattrap accused "Like a little orphan in a B-movie…," the sarcasm in his voice was very apparent. I glared at him.

"Can you please, for once give him the benefit of the doubt, Rat?" I groaned, "He literally thought we were gonna torture him! That should scrounge up some sympathy!"

"Oh, I think you're doin' enough 'scrounging' of the both of us," he retorted.

"What's that supposed to mean!?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Aqua Fresh… don't think I don't see it…," he pointed an accusing finger at me, and then at Di. "The only thing you haven't done is beg him to plow yo-," he was interrupted by a punch in the face by none other than Dinobot himself, who had transformed while running towards Rattrap. The others were nearly as quick to hold Di back from tearing into him.

"Take it back, you son of a bitch!" Di shouted, his voice booming through the Axelon.

"Dinobot, you need to calm down!"

"Hey, hey, cool your circuits, big guy!"

The others were doing everything in their power to keep Di from killing Rat, but I just stood there, flabbergasted. He was… defending me?

"You would dare dishonor her like that? You are no more than a vermin! A trash eating low-life who smells as if he sleeps in a barrel of piss!"

Holy… why was he doing this? I thought he hated me… yeah sure, his spark did do flips when I touched him that one time, but I was messing with him, he didn't actually have feelings for me. Did he?

"Yeah, well you're no better, Chopper Face," Rattrap finally growled back, rubbing the part of his face Dinobot hit. "Why don't you two get a Primus-damned room, and slag each other!"

"That's enough, Rattrap!" I had finally had enough, stomping my foot in anger. "Both of you need to knock it off, or I'll shove my foot so far up both your asses, the water from my knee will quench your thirst!" I looked at both of them threateningly, and then said "Or I'll bite you so hard, you'll be out cold for a week, you got that…," I was mostly talking to Rattrap. That was completely uncalled for.

We stood there for what seemed like an eternity, before I noticed Di had relaxed. His muscles looked like they laxed and the aura of death that was emanating from him had finally subsided.

"Now, I want both of you to apologize to each other," I continued.

"What? Why should I-,"Di began, before I interrupted him.

"Just do it, okay. Just shake hands and apologize," The two men groaned as they clasped each others' hands.

"I'm sorry, Chopper Face… that was…," Rat groaned "It was very inconsiderate, what I said about you and Elisa…," he mumbled something else but I didn't hear.

"And I…," Dinobot reluctantly said, "apologize for… adding another dent to your face,"

"Good, good," I nodded approvingly, a smirk spreading across my face, "Now, kiss,"

They both responded with a "Slag, no!" letting go of the others' hand to my, Rhinox's, and Chi's light laughter. That was probably the best I was gonna get out of those two.

"Though, my question still stands…," I continued, "Where's Optimus?" Di went silent, then looked away. "Dinobot, honey…," I grabbed his shoulders, "Where's our Primal?"

"Optimus Primal…," he began "Has been terminated…," a small, evil part of me thought, for only a moment, that he was happy about that. But with another look, he seemed genuinely shaken by it. He almost seemed sorrowful, then again, that could have been my bias thinking that.

The others looked shaken by the notion, Cheetor gasping at the words. But Rat didn't seem too convinced.

"There is an alien probe that has landed at the standing stones…," he muttered "It emitted an energy burst during Optimus' transformation… he vanished…,"

"Wait a minute," Rhinox finally spoke up, "Why was he transforming?"

"A Predacon attack!" Di blurted out, "We have not time for further analysis now! We must make another attempt to secure the probe from the Predacons!" he stared at Rat. "Rattrap, come with me,"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait, stand by here. I knows you're still pissed about what I said to Aqua Fresh, but who died and made you Prime, scale-face?!"

"Optimus is certainly scrap, and I, as the most powerful of the group, shall replace him. Anyone who disagrees, may challenge me, now!" Di retorted, pulling his sword out, ready for battle. Still going for that leading role I see, Love

"You've been messing with the wrong mouse, Chopper Face," Rattrap's ice cold anger dripped venomously from his lips, as he pointed his gun strait at Di's face. Ah, heck no, you ain't doing that.

"Wait! We're not Predacons here," Rhinox interrupted, just before I could do anything.

"Either of you hurt each other, and I will bite both of you…," I muttered just loud enough for them to hear me.

"We'll settle the chain of command in traditional, Maximal fashion," he glared at both of them. "By secret ballot," that'd do it.

We all grabbed a data pad, having only two options; neither of them very good.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Di, and wouldn't mind if he became the leader (though he would probably make sure I'd never leave the Axelon) and Rattrap probably did have some semblance of good leadership skills… but still, the others were really no better…

I guess, just out of sense of loyalty, I decided to pick Dinobot, simply because I knew him a little better than Rat… also, Rattrap nearly called me a whore, so there was that…

A little while later, we all assembled in the main corridor of the ship. Each picked their preferred candidate.

"One vote for Rattrap," Rhinox began, as he read off his own data pad. Rat had a smug look on his face. "One vote for Dinobot. One more vote for Rattrap, and…," Rhinox looked shocked, checking his data pad again, and then looked up. "Two for Dinobot…,"

"What?!" was all of our, except Di's, reaction. What a twist… I didn't think anyone except me and himself would vote for Di… but I guess I was wrong. Heh, the universe is full of surprises.

"What the hell!" Rattrap yelled "Which one of you-you traitors voted for the Predacon?" he pointed an accusing finger at both Cheetor and Rhinox. I almost wanted to raise my hand, but then again, he probably already knew…

"It's a secret ballot, no-one has to say who they voted for," Rhinox answered. He then looked over to our, now, new leader.

"Also, he's not a Predacon anymore, Rattrap," I said with a smile.

To be honest, I expected Di to say something snarky, but instead, smirked and looked over to Rattrap. I, then, socked him in the shoulder.

"Congratulations," I said with a genuine smile, "Commander," he laughed, puffing his chest out proudly. "Don't screw this up," he looked back at me, an unamused look on his face.

"Rhinox, I need you to keep an eye on Elisa while Rattrap and-," he was cut short by a voice… Optimus' voice. God, dang it…

"Maximals, come in!" It sounded like it was coming from Sentinel. "Are you receiving! Maximal command base, this is Optimus!" Oh, really? I thought it was the tooth fairy…

Rhinox walked towards Sentinel, sounding happy to hear our leader's voice. "Optimus? Optimus, this is Rhinox, where are you?" there was static and then Optimus' voice again.

"Hard to say," he spoke "As near as I can figure, I-I have no body! My consciousness is intact, but my physical molecular structure's being stored and scanned inside the alien probe," Rat pushed his way through, forcing Rhinox to move.

"Hey, we'll come and get ya, just keep static!"

"Just beware of a Predacon attack," Optimus continued "they'll be coming after you, now that you're outnumbered. Rattrap, You're in charge!" First of all: thanks for letting me know I'm useless Commander… and second: Oh, no no no no no! I wasn't gonna let this stand, we had a vote, and by God, I was gonna stick to it.

"Optimus!" It was my turn to push my way through. "Sir, we had already had a vote before you called and Dinobot was the winner of said democratic vote," I looked over to find Rat glaring at me, and mouthing something like "I'm gonna kill you, Aqua Fresh…". The silence on the other line was deafening.

"Rhinox, is this true?" The way Optimus said that almost sounding like he wanted to be a practical joke.

"Yes, sir. Elisa speaks the truth…," said Rhino answered. Once again, there was silence…

"Alright, fine, we really don't have time to argue, Dinobot!" Di raised his head to the Commander's words. "Bring my team back in one piece, please…,"

"The likelihood of me killing off your troops is… unlikely," Di answered, then looked at me, "I have been told that it is not tactically sound…,"

Almost immediately, blaster fire could be heard, hitting the hull of the ship. I yelped, falling onto Rattrap. He made an "oof" sound as I toppled over him.

"Hey, so this is what it's like down here," I tried to joke.

"Shut up and get off of me!" Rat yelled, pushing back into an upright position.

"Come," Di shouted, "we don't have time to waste," he was so cool… did I really just think that? "We shall go for frontal assault, if we stay here, we'll be buried alive. But the likelihood of survival is… minuscule…,"

"Well, ain't you a bucket of laughs," Rattrap muttered.

"Rhinox," Di continued "as much as I would hate to say this; find out how to extract Optimus Primal from that alien probe," Rhinox nodded, though a little on edge. "Elisa, I need you to come with us," I was surprised.

"What? Why?"

"Because, you give us numbers. And your toxic tusks may come in handy," another boom resonates through the halls, when I looked at him worried. "You have my back, I have yours," he said, assuringly, I looked at him with more confidence, and nodded.

"C'mon, guys, we gotta go, NOW!" Chi finally shouted, as we left the building. Unbeknownst to me, I had left my only weapon in my room. I ran out their completely defenseless…

OOooOOooOOooOO

The blaster kept coming while we lowered down to the ground, and immediately, ran towards our assaulters full force. Me finally realizing I wasn't armed. Crap!

"Ah," I heard Megatron shout, "they've come to meet their deaths face to face!" Honey, if anyone was gonna die today, it sure as hell ain't gonna be us!

Di ran first, hitting a striking blow to Megatron's face. Knocking him down on the process. I decided to follow Cheetor and Rattrap, knowing I was no match for the Leader of the Predacons. If it were possible that Dinobot needed help, I would be the first to give him a hand.

I ran quickly. Dodging as may lasers as I could, having only a few graze my skin as I ran at Tarantulas from the side. My jaw unhinged, I aim to pounce, only to get backhanded into a rock behind him. I felt the back of my head begin to pound. I shook away as much pain as I could, deciding to attack while his back was facing me.

But there was no point, because Terrorsaur stood before me.

"Nuh, uh, uh. I don't think so toots," he pointed his phaser- blaster at me. "I thought I smelled something different when I walked around the Maximal base," he came closer to me, twitching his finger, trying to startle me. "Who would have thought it was a weird fish thing," I unhinged my jaw once more and pounced.

This time, I finally had the drop on him, biting into his neck and holding on tight. My tucks digging deep into his flesh, he squealed like a pig. Or, at least, I assume he sounded like a pig, never really heard what they sounded like, so… at any rate, he screamed.

"Hey! Stupid female! Get off of me!" He started punching my head, but that only made me bite even harder! In what felt like an eternity, but was really only a few seconds, he dropped. I growled, kicking Terrorsaur's unconscious body.

"My name is Elisa you twat…," and ran to help the Dinobot.

I realized that I needed to change tactics a bit. I couldn't just keep pouncing or I'd get predictable, so I ran up to Megatron, and grabbed ahold of his waist, surprising him.

"Oh, ho, you again, yes~," Megatron's voice made my blood curdle. He grabbed hold of me, and lifted me a few centimeters in the air, I saw Di quickly run at Megatron, hitting him with his sword.

"Your battle is with me, Megatron!" Di yelled, twisting his sword around to get Megatron's attention. I took this opportunity to remember what Dinobot had said that time we fought. Legs. I pulled said legs up, and kicked Megatron square in the face, making him drop me and fall right onto Di. I roared.

"My name is Elisa Stargazer Jackson! And I will kill anyone who hurts my family!" I ran towards Megatron full force, noticing something beside me. Di was next to me, holding his sword like a spear, shouting a battle cry. I joined him, and like a symphony of death, me on all fours, jaw unhinged and tongue flapping in the wind, and him roaring with nothing but vengeance on his mind. We were like an unstoppable force.

Dinobot did something I'd never seen him do. His eyes went white and then turned green as two emerald beams shot from his eyes. They hit their intended target as I sunk my tusks into Megatron's shoulder. With his tyrannosaurus rex head grabbed my leg and tried to pry me off, he bit so hard I could feel my leg begin to break, and felt the warm blood oozing from the holes that created. I groaned in pain.

"Just give up, little one, you can't-,"

"Elisa! Let go!" I heard Di's wonderful voice flood my ears as I did as he asked. He grabbed Megatron's tyrannosaurus head, prying it open allowing my leg through. I pulled it away, and unwillingly screamed from the pain that shot through my leg. It was snapped in two.

Dinobot wrapped his arms around Megatron's other head (he he, see what I did there) and threw him a few meters away from the Axelon.

The Predacons talked with themselves and then ran as quickly as they came. The pain that didn't register before, certainly came at its full when things began to settle. I felt… sick.

I saw my family look like they were getting electrocuted, and reverted to their beast modes. Each of them walked to me.

"Oh, Primus! Elisa, your leg!" Cheetor shouted it terror… it hurt so bad. I tried to look at it, but as quickly as I had, Di put his claw over my eyes.

"Don't look," was all he said, only then learning that Cybertronian's sweat… Rattrap headbutted Dinobot's side and hissed.

"This is your fault, she should have stayed behind and helped Rhinox, but no! You had to add her!" Rat growled at Di, then added, "Now, we're down a team player! I knew I should have gotten Optimus to change his mind!"

"And do you think you could have done any better, Rattrap!?" Di retorted, baring his teeth and growling. He took his hand off my eyes. "If she had stayed inside, we would have been outnumbered!"

"Then why didn't you let Rhinox-,"

"Please… stop," I begged, lifting my hand to touch Di's shoulder. "Optimus is in danger, and bickering won't help… I'll be fine if you just go…," I try to move, but grunted, feeling the dulling pain spread through me. The familiar thump of Rhinox's running footsteps ringing through my ears.

"Rhinox! Thank Primus, E's hurt, her leg is busted!" Cheetor exclaimed hysterically, I was flattered that they cared so much. "We just need to put her in the CR chamber, right?" Rhinox only took one look at me before shaking his head.

"No can do, we put her in there the way she is now, her leg will never work the same, again" Rhinox looked over at a confused Cheetor. I decided to try and elaborate.

"If my… leg heals all crooked like that… it'll stay like that…,"

"We can't risk the CR chamber, it has to heal naturally," Rhinox looked up at a very worried Dinobot, who cleared his throat.

"Rhinox, are you finished with the machine?" He looked over his shoulder. Rhinox nodded. "Good, Rattrap; go find some long tough grass. Cheetor; find two similar long sticks that could hold Elisa's weight," the others nodded and went their separate ways. He then looked back at Rhinox. "Go get the machine," with that, we were alone. I had a feeling he made both Chi and Rat leave is because he wanted to be alone. He grabbed my broken leg, and looked up at me.

"That was idiotic, charging at Megatron like that…," he muttered, then suddenly, I heard a loud "CRACK!" and I screamed, I had given up on not crying from the pain a long time ago… I whimpered when I noticed that a raptor face was blocking the sun. I looked up at him, wondering if he thought that I was weak. Did he? He continued, I felt one of his claws stroking my jawline. "If I thought it was possible to keep you inside, I would have done it, but that doesn't mean I allow you to fight the most dangerous enemy we have. I only kept Rhinox in because he would know how to make something to save Optimus…,"

Tears still streaming my face, I smiled, "Gee, what are you saying? That you… like me or something?" He turned away, I would consider that a "yes" I painfully chuckled.

"You put yourself on too high a pedestal, Star Fall…," he mumbled, my eyes widened. A wide smile spread across my face.

"'Star Fall'? I like it… it's a lot more creative than 'Dinomight', heh heh- ow!" He quickly looked over at my leg, I learned my lesson in not looking at the damage, unless I wanted another eye full of sweaty reptile hand… then again… I, instead, pulled my head back in pain, as he touched my leg.

"It took me days just to think of that moronic name, and stop moving! It's not helping anything," he answered, but I shook my head.

"No, no, I love it! It's the most adorable, cute-," I looked up at his disgusted face, I chuckled awkwardly, "I mean, the most magnificently warrior-like nickname-,"

"Pushing it, Elisa…," he moved away from my leg, seeming to notice the sweat beading from my forehead. It was strange, I was a mix of hot and cold-blood, I loved the heat like a lizard, but could sweat. I wondered if that was normal for any reptile. At any rate, I was sweating so much that my hair was sticking to my forehead, covering my eyes. Dinobot, with a clawed finger, moved it to the side, before he could pull it away, however, I grabbed it.

"Di…," I began, my mind racing, I didn't even know why I had grabbed him. I held his raptor claw with only one of mine, it was kinda funny looking, if I were to be completely honest. He looked back at me, tilting his head, as if to ask me to continue, but before saying anything, Rhinox came out with the machine, both me and Dinobot letting go of each other. I could almost see a hint of a blush on his face as he turned away from me.

"I have it ready, Commander," Rhinox looked at both of us, I could just see a little bit of his face, as he mused an "Mm hmm~," making Di clear his throat.

"Good, now we must wait for the others," and we did, Cheetor came first. Dropping two good thick sticks next to my leg. Rattrap came next, after wrapping my leg, Di spoke again, "Cheetor, take St-," he stuttered, then tried again, "Elisa inside, make sure she's safe, then catch up with us, do you understand?" Cheetor nodded, grabbing my waist, letting me limp to the platform. Before I was on it, though, I turned back.

"Dinobot!" I yelled, making him turn around, I was unsure about his expression, "Come home to me safe, okay?" I smiled "It would really suck having to find a new bodyguard…," he stood proudly, giving me a sharp-toothed grin.

"Don't miss me too much, Star Fall," with that, the last thing I saw was a dumbstruck Rattrap, and a ready Rhinox heading to the standing stones.

OOooOOooOOooOO

Dinobot's POV

She was safe. I was an idiot, allowing such an unskilled fighter in battle. Especially against Megatron, she was no match for him. She was lucky to only come out of that with a broken leg, she could have lost it, had Megatron not wanted to go easy on her… just like me… she could have died… and it would have been my fault…

Why do I care?! She was just a pawn of war! A thing… to be… sigh… I was growing soft… I hated that I knew what was happening; I was falling for her! The cursed nickname, the need to know that she's alright, the constant singing in my processor, her smile… her voice… damn it all! Damn these Primus-forsaken feelings! She was driving me mad! I had never felt this way about anyone, and it angered me, to the point I didn't even try to acknowledge it. My fragging spark couldn't handle the pain of it all.

We made it to the standing stones, Cheetor had caught up to us as quickly as I had expected. We transformed, while Rhinox tinkered with the machine. He sighed.

"I'm not sure if this thing's going to work, but it's as ready as it's ever going to be," I saw Rattrap sniff about, blaster in hand.

"Eh, it's too quiet here," he muttered quietly "I thought for sure the Predacons would go for the probe," of course, just as the vermin had said that, I heard a familiar voice.

"Ah, ha, excellent prediction, Rattrap," I looked over to see that stupid smug smile on his face, "Oh, and let us not forget, 'Commander Dinobot', yes~. How's your little pet, I hope I didn't hurt her too badly…," I growled, the bastard… "I wonder, how much you'll fail this time. Predacons, attack!" He, and his lackeys, ran quickly towards us, shooting at me and Rhinox. The leader and the worker, of course.

There was nothing but chaos, I ran for Megatron, barking orders for Rhinox to stay behind the probe, and telling Rattrap and Cheetor to cover him.

"Why don't you go and cover him, boss," not now, Vermin!

"Do as I say, Garbage Breath, or I shall throw you on front of Megatron as a distraction!" That shut him up, he growled and kept the other Preds busy. Megatron slammed into me, grabbing my neck and squeezing. I began to choke.

"Hello, 'Commander Dinobot'," My former leader spoke, with his smile never leaving his face. "Going up in the Maximal world, I see, why? Was it to hard to get ahead in the real world?" I kicked him away, and slashed at his abdomen, he groaned at the pain using his Tyrannosaurus head to bite at me, I moved away quickly before he touch me. There was a question that was gnawing at the back of my head.

"Why were you not shocked when you saw Elisa?" I thrusted my sword towards him as he slammed it away, and shot at me, scathing my armor from the heat of the blast. He chuckled.

"Oh, did you really think you could hide that little secret from us? We've known about her from the beginning," I landed a upper cut on him, he staggered, ran at me and kneed me in the gut. I gagged, tasting the acid from my stomach in my mouth. "But thank you for giving us your little pet's name, she'd be a wonderful prize of war-,"

I rammed my head into his chest, slamming him into one of the standing stones, screaming in his face as I used his head as a punching bag. That pissed me off… I charged my laser eyes, I was going to melt this bastard's face off, but he moved his head just in time.

"Rhinox!" I yelled, Megatron had pushed me off of him, dents and a missing tooth noticeable on his face. "Any time you'd like to get Optimus out would be appreciated!"

"The damn thing isn't working! I need more time!" He shouted back at me, the frustration in his voice obviously. Megatron was getting ready for another attack, raising his right hand and aiming it's canon at me, I didn't have time to dodge. He sent me flying, slamming me against the pod in a daze. I heard Rhinox say something about the standing stones being a single device, and saw in a blur someone coming closer to him.

Then, there was the sound of his mini gun going off, that's as much as I could see before being kicked in the head by Megatron. I coughed up energon as he grabbed ahold of my neck, forcing me to stare at him.

"You honestly thought you could win? Against me? Even Optimus Primal himself couldn't beat me, not indefinitely," an explosion. That shut him up, the standing stones and the pod began to rumble and quake, the pod itself opening up. I forced myself out of his grip, watching in awe as the pod let out a beam of light to reveal Optimus Primal, himself.

"Look who's back," Optimus said smugly, "and feeling prime!" He began shooting at the Predacons, leaving them unconscious on the ground. We all surrounded him, even I was relieved to see our leader return.

"Way to go, Optimus! Welcome back!" Cheetor exclaimed, a wide smile plastered on his face. We saw Megatron begin to get up. He groaned.

"The day, and the probe, is yours Optimus, yes… just beware not all aliens are beneficent after all," he limped away, like a scared dog with his tail between his legs. I had half a mind to power up my optics and shoot him, but I knew that wouldn't have done anything productive. I looked over at Optimus, he had a proud smile on his face as he spoke.

"Dinobot, you commanded well today. I'm glad I listened to Elisa and you as well," I had to admit, I enjoyed the short time I was leader. The others had to respect me, and it seemed I was able to get a hold of them. But at the same time, Elisa had made me weak, she had been my priority when the Predacons had a lead on the standing stones. If it had been anything else time sensitive or life threatening, the whole operation would have been shot, or worse. She was my weakness, but then again, how was I to deny such praise.

"Then I shall be waiting for the day to keel over and die, knowing now even you have my back," I gave him a sharp toothed grin as he glared daggers at me, but then, surprisingly, smiled.

"It'll be a very long time before that happens, Dinobot," before anything else could be said, the probe began to evaporate, confusion wisping through the party as it vanished… Damn it.

OOooOOooOOooOO

Elisa's POV

I was so worried when I finally heard the proximity alert, they were back! And they had Boss Bot with them! Oh, whatever holy power was in this world, thank you! With my poor broken leg I quickly wobbled towards the door as I waited happily for them as they came in. My tail swishing back and forth and my ears perked high. When I saw them ascend, I jumped onto the nearest bot that could hold my weight, and it just so happened to be Optimus.

"You're back!" I said, my smile never leaving me as I attached myself to Optimus, wrapping my arms and legs around him. He looked surprised by my hug, standing there confused for a moment before hugging me back.

"Um… I- I'm glad you missed me, Elisa, but could you please let go…," he muttered, as I slowly got off of him, looking back to see the reactions of the others.

Rhinox didn't seemed to fazed by it, Rattrap and Cheetor had their mouths so open you could stick a rifle in them. But then there was Di… I couldn't tell what his emotion was, his face looked blank and had a thousand mile stare… it worried me to be honest…

I saw Optimus look down at my leg, his brows furrowed.

"Elisa, what happened to your leg?"