Chapter Seven
(S1, Ep6) As the Kospego Commands:
Liz remembered Optimus one word as she walked to her quiet spot in the forest, she stared silently into the trees and patiently sat on a log. She held a orange tan guitar that she use to play a long time ago and started to gently strum it with her fingers.
She hummed to a song in her head as she thought about her talk with Optimus, she smiled as she thought, "He's right. I'll end this war….for good. It is my time."
She chuckled as she hummed to the tune of the guitar. She then heard a crunch of twigs and her posture automatically tensed up as she whipped around. She angrily stare at the distance and growled out, "Who is out there? Show yourself!"
No one came out, though Liz could feel she was being stared at but she could not sense a shade's presence. This slightly frustrated Liz, as she ordered once more, "Come out….NOW!"
Nothing again happened, until she heard Bumblebee shout from the Scrapyard that was close to her secret spot, "Liz!"
Liz looked around with a small glare, before she packed up the guitar in its case. Once it was safely stored, she again looked around her safe haven before she made her way to the scrapyard. She carefully carried the guitar in her right hand as she cautiously walked away, looking around. Her face contorted in fake happiness as she worriedly walked back.
Little did she noticed two ruby red optics staring at her figure as she walked away, before the mysterious being smirked and disappeared.
Liz walked back in, to see and hear him shout in fear as stasis cells began to fall, "Oh no. Oh no. No. No. No. AHH!"
Fixit flew past the other stasis cells as they were starting to crash to the ground, when he accidently hit others in his way to not be squashed. Liz winced each time a stasis cell crashed to the ground, but was more worried for Fxit. Once all the dust cleared, Liz saw Fixit roll backwards stopping in front of a large pile of stacked stasis cells in which he surveyed the damaged.
Liz walked over, "Stacking again?"
Fixit looked over to see Liz place her guitar on the shelf before he responded with a nod, he then sighed before he chuckled, "Phew! Nearly flattened because of a simple bump, heh."
He then bumped the side in which both looked up to see the top of the pile of stasis cells begin it's descend onto the pair. Liz saw a flash of yellow in the corner of her eye as she covered her head, along with Fixit who covered his when he muttered, "Oh, no."
Both braced for impact but it never came, instead Liz looked up to see Bumblebee with a worried look. Which relaxed when he realized that he was there in the nick of time to save both Fixit and Liz. He caught the stasis cell and brought it to the side of him. Before he picked up Liz, Fixit spoke as he gripped the stasis cell, "Many spanks-clanks-thanks, sir. I'll finish stacking these stasis pods immediately."
Bumblebee asked with a hint of confusion as he moved Liz to his left shoulder, "Fixit, didn't I ask you and Sideswipe to work on this together?"
Liz played with Lunar planning to do another alt mode to her figure as Fixit replied, "Well, yes, Sir, but Sideswipe's stabilizer is sore, so he thought it might be better if I did it myself."
Bumblebee and Liz looked up to see Sideswipe with a huge pair of headphones dancing to very loud music, to Liz it sounded like Pop music. Liz heard and felt Bumblebee sigh in exasperation, he added with a sad tone looking at Fixit without knocking Liz off his shoulder, "You know, I think Sideswipe might be taking advantage of you."
"Heh, hardly sir," Fixit replied, with an honest innocence he added with a bright smile at the end, "Sideswipe offered to cover my elephant cage cleaning duties for the next five cycles. Fair trade."
"Aw, Fixit," Bumblebee replied sadly before he told him with Liz still on his shoulder, "We don't have any elephants."
"Oh," Fixit realized softly, but as Bumblebee walked off, careful not to make Liz fall off, he shouted at them confusion, "Then what have I been cleaning?"
"I do not wish to know," Liz thought worriedly before she looked at Bumblebee, she studied him as she thought, "Hm...he does look handsome by this angle, the way his faceplates are created in such a perfect way and when he's in holoform, good god. What a man, I mean, mech. Wait-SNAP OUT OF IT LIZ! HE'S A GIANT ROBOT FOR SELENE'S SAKE! AND YOUR A WEREWOLF! THAT RELATIONSHIP WOULDN'T WORK OUT!"
"Sideswipe!" Bumblebee shouted as he stood by the dancing mech as Liz physically shook her head and regain focus on the situation, Sideswipe ignored him, he then shouted ripping off the robotic version of headphones shouting at the top of his lungs close to him, "SIDESWIPE!"
This earned Liz's sensitive ears a nice ring to them as she head his audio receptors screeched in annoyance, Sideswipe shouted from the annoyance, "Audio overload!"
"Yeah, ow," Liz muttered rubbing her temples at the now forming headache.
"Sorry about that," Bumblebee apologized but didn't even look at Liz as he scolded Sideswipe who was next, "You need to stop taking advantage of your teammates, and you-what are you listening to, anyway?"
Bumblebee and Liz looked at the blaring sound of pop music as it blared from the earphones. Once the question was out, Bumblebee then put the earphones on and listen to the music. He then smiled as he bobbed his head, he then shouted, "Oh! Oh, I love this song!"
He then hummed it as he let Liz down, before he started to dance, "Break down, unh!"
Both Liz and Sideswipe got over their shock and smirked, Liz in a humorous way as Sideswipe smirked in shock and amazement. Bumblebee paused and looked before he cleared his throat. Causing Liz to almost melt into happiness by the tone as he chuckled, "Uh, the music on this planet is pretty great."
Liz smiled as he added, "The melodies are complex and the lyrics frequently have multiple meanings."
Sideswipe then excitedly told them, "I like the oonce-oonce parts."
"You mean what every teenager would like," Liz asked chuckling as well.
"Yeah," Bumblebee replied, then he told Sideswipe, "Well in any case, we need to help our teammates, okay? We don't get the better of them."
As Bumblebee finished, the bell for customers rang in which Denny and Russell ran over. Liz pushed off of leaning on Bumblebee's right leg, which made Bumblebee's spark pulse and hum in sadness. Denny told the confused bots, "Customer!"
The two transformed in which, once Bumblebee stopped transforming and was in his alt mode, Liz sat on his hood and waited for the customers. Behind them Fixit did a pose as a statue, Denny and Russell stared for a moment before they turned their attention to a light blue car which stopped.
Liz watched with amused eyes as she watched three human males struggle to get out of the car, each one wore a red shirt with a blue jeans and grey shoes. A blue skirt and a neck scarf were around each member making them seem like a pack or a cult, causing Liz to narrow her eyes in scrutiny. The main detail of the three were the pair of blue metal antlers with a black helmet.
One of the three was a black man in his late twenties that had black hair and very dark blue eyes almost an onyx color. Another one had much wider eyes and he was a white man in his early thirties as he had black hair and light blue eyes. He seemed to be the stupidest as he looked almost awestruck as the black man seem to be slightly smarter.
The last was another white man that had orange hair and brown, he was in his late twenties and seemed to be the leader. He did hand gestures in which got the other two in order, confirming Liz's thoughts. The leader walked up and brought out his right hand and point in their general direction.
He then spoke, "Give us what we desire."
He was then cut off by his antlers tilting to the left, which caused the man to give an irritated look as he straighten them out, he then resumed as he shouted, "Or the Kospego shall destroy you all!"
Russell gave a weird look as Liz gave one out of worry, he then asked confused, "Kospego?"
"Local legend," Denny replied to his son, Liz cast a glance in his confusion as he visually demonstrated as he talked, "Some kind of giant cranky elk-like creature, walks on two legs, and has the strength of a thousand humans, right?"
The last part, the question, was aimed at the leader as Liz rolled her eyes. She knew the falsity of the legend better than anyone. If anything the Kospego was a myth an urban myth. She chuckled, "The 'Kospego isn't real Denny. We all know that it's a myth."
"I too thought the Kospego was but a myth," The leader spoke until with utmost positivity he added, "Until I saw it!"
Denny had an unimpressed look as Russell cocked his head to the left side in a nice way of saying your nuts. The bird on a cuckoo clock went off making the bird cry out as Liz checked him over, once the bird was finished Liz asked, "That explains some of it. Sir, did you accidently hit your head on a brick wall on the way here?"
Russell stifled a chuckle as Liz felt Bumblebee's hood warm up in humor, Sideswipe radio quietly sputtered in humor. The leader looked at her before he sighed to her answer, "I had that question as well."
"Anyways, the Kospego said, 'I need stuff, and youse gonna get it for me. Or else I'm gonna break some junk. And by junk, I mean youse'." The man went on into his story, "I shared the story with others. They came to witness the Kospego, and now they too are believers!"
"We must all follow the Kospego's commands or," the leader finished his speech by imitating cracking bones. Which Liz had heard multiple times in her life so she wasn't fazed.
Liz rolled her eyes as she thought to herself, "It's the end of the world as we know it."
Denny forced a small smile as he asked, "Uh-huh. And will the Kospego be paying cash?"
"Oh, no. Arnold will. Uh, that's me," the leader, Arnold, replied with a chuckle.
Denny asked, as Liz closed her eyes in exasperation sliding off of the hood so now she was leaning against it, "Then what can we get for you and the Kospego, Arnie?"
Arnold snapped his fingers in which caused Liz to look up, the black man had a scroll in which he came forth with the scroll. Arnold grabbed the scroll and rolled it out, in which everyone watch as it rolled in front of Sideswipe, Liz, and Bumblebee along with the two human males. Arnold then told the three humans and two autobots, "We have found many things, but the Kospego still demands."
"Fifteen pounds of soldering lead, four hundred forty two inch nails, thirty seven yards of steel cable and one high voltage electrical generator," He read off with reading glasses on, then the black pointed at the very end in which Arnold read silently to himself before he added, "And the human female name Liz."
Liz eyes were closed but then she heard her name and the demand and automatically tried to stand up but fell. At the same time she tried to stand she let out a choked, "Hic-a?"
Denny narrowed his eyes at the last demand but then he bounced back to his normal self, "Okay, just, uh, stay here, and we'll see what we can find fo you. But I will not give my employee to you. That is her decision and that is final."
The men automatically froze as Liz looked between Denny and Russell to the Kospego worshipers. In her mind, her thoughts ran rampant as she watch them leave, she then heard Bumblebee mutter to himself, "Fourteen relay switches?"
As Russell walked by, Bumblebee told him, "Russell, don't give them the generator. I'll explain later."
Russell gave a nod before he asked Bumblebee, as Liz dusted herself off and went to the men who were beckoning her over, "Can you protect my sister?"
"Don't worry, Liz will be fine," Sideswipe confirmed as he deactivated his holoform along with Bumblebee.
Liz walked towards the men as Arnold asked, "What do you say about seeing the Kospego, hmm Miss Liz?"
"Don't call me a Miss, Madam, or any other words of formality," Liz told the men firmly, "Liz. Easy to say and stick to it. Now what do you want with me?"
Arnold looked her over before he chuckled, "The Kospego has good taste in women, I must say. I just want to ask if you would come with us?"
Liz sputtered at the first sentence as she didn't see nor hear the two autobots holoform's activate nor walk in a quick manner towards her as she raised her voice, "Excuse me, kind SIR, I do not need nor want you to 'check me out'. You, you, PERVERT!"
Bumblebee heard the sentence come from Liz in which a low possessive growl came from his mouth as Sideswipe ran onto her left side, his arms crossed as he glared at the leader. Bumblebee brought Liz to his left side in a quick and possesive way and glared at the men as well.
Liz fit perfectly on his side and gasped silently as she heard the rumbles come from Bumblebee's chest. Arnold asked with a small ounce of curiosity but mostly annoyance, "And who are you two?"
"My name's Ben," Bumblebee replied with a small snippet of anger as he nodded towards Sideswipe's holoform, "That's Sam."
"We're good friends of Liz," Sideswipe added with a hint of annoyance as Arnold looked between the two men.
The stupid one of the group asked, "What are we gonna tell the Kospego?"
"We'll tell him we can't get her, due to her….friends in the way," Arnold replied staring into Ben's, Bumblebee's holoform's, eyes, he then turned away, "We're done here. You can leave, but be warned."
Liz looked at Arnold who gave a look of sadness in her direction, "Whatever the Kospego wants, he will get. No matter the cost."
Liz felt a shiver go down her spine not from a shade but from fear, in which Bumblebee felt. He gruffly told Sideswipe's holoform, "Sam, let's go."
Bumblebee walked off as Liz pressed into his side started to slowly calm down. Sideswipe replied as he finally turned his gaze away from the two men as they went into the direction of the dinner, "Got it, Ben."
As they got closer to their alt modes, they opened their doors with their holoforms activated, in which Liz opened Bumblebee's passenger side, before closing the doors on the driver side Bumblebee asked, "What happened?"
Liz stared silently at his dash, as Bumblebee closed his door. He then drove around with Sideswipe around the scrapyard with Liz in his passenger side. He closed the comlink down so he could talk personally with her, "Liz?"
"Bee, didn't you hear the warning?" Liz asked once she was prompt, the holoform sighed before he allowed Sideswipe to drive ahead as he slowed driving down, "You did, didn't you?"
"'Whatever the Kospego wants, he will get. No matter the cost,'" Bumblebee stated, in which Liz looked at him, he turned to her replying, "I did."
"I'm scared Bee, I don't want to go with him," Liz muttered putting her arms around herself in a worry look she added, sending shivers down his spine, "Those words, bring up….memories of sorts."
"Liz?" Bumblebee asked, but her gaze was distant, he then slowed to a stop and leaned over and brought her into his lap in one motion.
Liz snapped out of her daze as Bumblebee continued driving, Liz added, "When my family was murdered, the murder was hunting for someone or something. As I went on my own investigation to find my family's murderer, I found out something. What they were hunting for was….me."
Dread filled Bumblebee's spark as she continued, "I know those words, I uttered them myself. But this time. Arnold. Means it. The Kospego will find me and take me, and I'm scared. No, I'm terrified of losing….you."
She looked at him in which Bumblebee's spark clenched painfully, "What am I going to do?"
"Nothing," Bumblebee replied, "You'll be staying by Strongarm's, Grimlock's, or myself's side. He isn't going to get you. Not without having a little resistance."
"You'll do that for….me?" Liz whispered as she felt tears spring to her eyes, Liz has always been the one to be there for everyone. If something was after her she would deal with it, but this gut feeling she was having that it was dangerous and if something went wrong she could die. She was alone, to have Bumblebee by her side made some of the fear subside.
Bumblebee replied, "Of course, your a part of my team, and I make sure you'll be alright. Your more important to anyone on the team, trust me."
Bumblebee then felt warm slim arms around his holoform's waist and a head of smooth hair on his chest, he looked down and his spark hummed louder. Blush dusted his cheeks as he stared at Liz who was smiling as she hugged him, she whispered, "Thank you."
She then nuzzled his chest gently making him feel like he could fly without any wings or help, Bumblebee replied giving her a gentle hug back, "Your welcome."
"Besides," Bumblebee thought as he hugged her, "Your more important to me then the whole Earth and Cybertron combined."
"Well, here's most everything," Denny and Russell both dragged in a pile of what they ordered, as Denny told the two, "Give me a minute to fire up the crane, and I'll bring a generator over."
"Dad," Russell told his father, hinting to not sell it, "We sold the last generator yesterday, remember?"
"What?" Denny replied, not getting the gist as he added pointing to the back, "We have one in the back."
Russell then added, pointing in the direction of the alchemor, "No, we sold it to Mr. Bumblebee."
"Oh," Denny replied, getting at what Russell was saying, he then told the three men with a small wince, "Sorry."
"Hm. The only other high-capacity generator in the area is at the dam, and heh, well, that's not for sale. The Kospego will not be pleased," Arnold spoke out loud then added with a bit of hesitation and fear, "He may very well kebab us on his antlers. Off we go!"
Denny and Russell waved off the customers as they drove off in a haste. Once they left, Denny and Russell turned towards the dinner, as Denny remarked, "Boy, is somebody taking those poor saps for a ride. Pretending to be the Kospego."
Denny chuckled as Bumblebee and Sideswipe pulled up to the dinner, Liz exited Bumblebee as Denny asked, "Uh, so, why couldn't I sell them a generator?"
The two transformed as Liz walked to the two males, Bumblebee then replied watching Liz carefully as she stood by Denny, making it seem like he was looking at Denny, "Because, Denny, I suspect-"
Bumblebee was then cut off by a familiar engine causing the gang to turn to see Strongarm's alt mode come riding towards them. Liz looked as Strongarm told him her report, "I'm back lieutenant. But the mission was a complete failure. I didn't find anything at the crash site that we hadn't seen previously, except this."
She held a silver staff with gold tips, but then after her report it activated showing a light blue light which she struggled with. This caused Bumblebee to step back bringing Liz closer to him. As the light shot at a pink vintage refrigerator, cutting the freezer part down. It slid off like a triangle earning a shock look from Liz who was standing their moments ago, she looked at Bumblebee, "Thanks."
Denny whimpered as he charged forward as Strongarm looked on in embarrassment as a blue energy like axe disappeared. As Denny crouched down near the refrigerator, he whimpered as he looked down at the damage as Grimlock stomped over. Grimlock then added earning a sharp look from Denny remarked, "Well, this thing won't be bothering us anymore."
Bumblebee and Liz looked at the silver staff, whispering, "Whoa!"
Sideswipe then remarked, "I bet that could totally take down a Decepticon."
"What is it?" Russell asked interested as the two mechs looked at the pink refrigerator that was damaged.
Fixit replied to the question as he rolled in, "It's a Decepticon Hunter."
Strongarm handed the silver staff, the Decepticon Hunter to Fixit as Russell watched with interest and mild curiosity. Liz felt the staff shiver as she stared at it, she could feel energy like the bots spark signatures. Thanks to Primus, she could find Decepticons and Autobots anywhere due to their energy signatures.
Fixit then looked to Sideswipe and asked, "Sideswipe, how is your stabilizer feeling?"
"Um, Fixit? A little more info?" Bumblebee then asked as Sideswipe gave a look.
"Oh right. Uh, Sideswipe damaged his stabilizer, so I," He started.
Bumblebee then asked interrupting the bot, "On the Decepticon Hunter?"
"What?" Fixit asked oblivious that he was holding one, causing Liz to snicker, as he excitedly asked, "We have a Decepticon Hunter? Where?"
He then gasped as he looked down at his servos, "A Decepticon Hunter!"
He then handed it back to Sideswipe in which Strongarm yanked it out of it's grip, Strongarm gave a look to Sideswipe as Fixit chided, "Careful, it can be quite dangerous. Decepticon Hunters were standard issue on all prison ships."
Russell asked as Liz stared at the staff with interest as Bumblebee put her on his right shoulder, "What's it do?"
"The Decepticon Hunter connects to it's user's neurotransmissions so whatever combat device is imagined," Fixit explained, "The Decepticon Hunter generates, within certain parameters."
"That doesn't sound dangerous," Russell replied as he added with a excited gleam in his eye, "It sounds awesome!"
"Of course you'd say that," Liz muttered by Bumblebee's audio receptor causing a small smirk to be placed on Bumblebee's face plates.
Strongarm walked towards the refrigerators as Bumblebee and Liz shared a look of concern as Strongarm shouted at the Decepticon Hunter, "Protoblaster! Unh!"
The Decepticon Hunter became a large sword from her demand slicing a blue refrigerator in half. Denny whimpered as horror came on his face as he watched his vintage supply go down from the weapon. Strongarm grumbled, "I sad proto blaster! Hey!"
It then became a club and smashed onto a white vintage refrigerator, as Denny whimpered again covering his mouth. Strongarm then shouted in annoyance, "Protoblaster! Whoa!"
It then became a blast of blue energy that crumbled a golden refrigerator into a ball, causing Denny to whimper in sadness. Strongarm then sighed in defeat, "I must be doing it wrong."
Sideswipe then jeered, "It's because it's tied to your thought process. You actually have to be able to think to make it work."
"You're lucky I'm able to think about sunshine and rainbows right now!" Strongarm retorted.
Bumblebee then split the two apart with a servo as Liz rolled her eyes, she added, "Jeez, you remind too much of my team back in the day."
Bumblebee heard it and added quietly to the two who were arguing breaking them apart, "Before anyone thinks about something they'll regret."
This caused to two to be slightly ashamed as Russell asked, "Hey, Liz? What was your police team like?"
"Well two of them were at each other's throats half the time, both were newbies to the job and one day they were about to fight each other for the eighteenth time that hour. I had enough of their stupidness, so I threatened I would shoot them in the balls," Liz told them about her small police team that were still in her pack, the others listen with shocked looks as Bumblebee let her down, she walked towards them as she continued, "They shut up after that. A couple times, I had to actually bash their heads together to make them shut up. Actually they became best friends afterwards. My boss was the nicest woman you ever meet, she was serious and was their for her team. I was the leader of my rugged men and I was the only women against the boss. We went out for coffee and who ever catcall me I would show them a glimpse of a knife or a gun and they got the message clear as a sunny day."
Bumblebee looked at Liz with slight admiration as he grabbed the Decepticon Hunter from the two as the team looked at Liz who shrugged, "I once had to deal with a team of terrorist who wanted me dead, they couldn't aim as well and were on American soil. Homegrown terrorist are the best aren't they."
Everyone heard the sarcasm dripped from her voice like venom from a rattlesnake, this caused Denny to chuckle as she muttered very quietly beside him how much she loved terrorizing them afterwards. He then asked, "So why couldn't I off-load the generator, Bee?"
"I could've used the space to display my vintage refrigerators," Denny added in a somber tone as he stared at the damage refrigerators, earning a small pat on the back from Liz in comfort, "My poor, poor refrigerators."
"That list from the Kospego, those items may have seem random, but they weren't," Bumblebee told his team as he held the Decepticon Hunter, "I suspect the Kospego is one of our Decepticons, tricking humans into thinking it's your creature of legend, using them to help jury-rig a SpaceBridge."
"A Space Bridge?" Strongarm asked as she added happily, "So we could go home to gather reinforcements."
"Home or anywhere else," Sideswipe added with a small smile on his lips, as though pleased with the very thought.
"We could, if we thought this Space Bridge would work," Bumblebee told his team as he further explained, "But it's far more likely the slightest misalignment of the components will create a black hole-like phenomenon that could badly damage or even destroy Earth."
This earned a gasp from everyone except Bumblebee, Liz, and Grimlock who responded in a creepy voice, "Which would be bad."
"Heh, if only you knew what I was up against," Liz thought to herself as she stared at Bumblebee who saw her non fearful face, "Shades that want to kill me, Gods who want to destroy the world, and the Shade's leader who is the champion of those Gods is trying to kill me also. Joy to the FREAKING World."
Fixit then looked at his Datapad and told the team, "The Alchemor's prisoner manifest does list a Decepticon named Thunderhoof matching the general description."
Strongarm then told Bumblebee, "We better make sure the generator at the dam stays where it is."
"Roger that," Bumblebee told his team before he shouted, "Autobots!"
"Here comes another stinker," Sideswipe told Strongarm as Liz walked between the two.
"Nope," Strongarm told him, "This time he nails it."
"Let's rev, rock, and ruble!" Bumblebee finished doing finger guns.
Sideswipe rose a eyebrow as Strongarm cringed, Liz on the other hand spoke, "No. Just….no."
Bumblebee then looked a bit sad, "Aw, really? I kind of liked that one."
Liz sighed before she walked with Bumblebee, "I'll tell you this one, this is how I got my team together. My rallying cry."
"Which is?" Strongarm asked, excited to here a police officer cry.
"Well," Liz started before she cleared her throat she then used a commanding voice that shocked everyone, "Grab your gear and partners, and let's roll, before I kick you out of the door."
Strongarm, Sideswipe, and Grimlock laughed as Bumblebee cracked a smile, Liz added defensively, "Hey it worked, including when we are the K-9 crew. We go in with our dogs to stop the harder ones from running."
As Denny, Russell, and Fixit waved back Liz grabbed her phone and laughed, "Here's one."
She showed them a video of when a guy was running in a black hoodie with blue jeans running from a black husky which charged behind him. He didn't see where he was running and ran into a light post. Liz in her police uniform, which made Bumblebee's spark hum faster, ran onto the scene. She glowered at the idiot as she told him, "Hey a tip for running, watch where you run and when chased. Just surrender. A dog has four legs and you only have two, do the math."
Liz heard the others laugh at the video as she chuckled, "Oh my goodness, I forgot I said those words. Heh."
The five of them arrived onto the scene, with a crescent moon above with the stars. Bumblebee told his team as they arrived to the high generators station, "Sideswipe, you and Grimlock stay here and guard the generator. Grimlock you are in charge of Liz."
Liz got out of his passenger side and lightly shut the door, Bumblebee continued his orders, "Strongarm, let's make a circular sweep of the area."
The two drove us, but Bumblebee cast a look of worry at Liz through his mirrors which went unnoticed by the female. Bumblebee knew he was falling harder for the red head, he knew his spark noticed before his processor. Which slightly made him nervous about confessing, how was he going to tell her that he loved her? And not him, at first, but his spark?
Liz watched him drive away as her mate mark throbbed in sadness, her heart told her to love him but her mind couldn't accept the fact that he could not be her mate. Which wasn't fair to her or him. She hated being a werewolf sometimes, and this was one of her times.
She heard Sideswipe and Grimlock transform and stand in front of the generators. She followed after she saw her crush's tail lights fade from view. Liz chuckled to herself, as she thought, "I can't believe I thought that. He is cute and lovable….and I mean Extremely lovable."
Sideswipe stood bored pout, making Liz think of grumpy cat, she then turned to Grimlock and leaned into his side. Her eyes closed as she curled up next to his pede. She was tired and both knew it. Grimlock looked down before he stood still as she slept.
Sideswipe and Grimlock were standing around for at least an hour as the moon was now fully in the sky. As the minutes ticked by, Sideswipe got border and border until he was absolutely bored. He was then on the ground staring at the stars before he sat up.
Grimlock stared at him as he stood up saying as he walked away, "I'm gonna scout the perimeter."
"Bumblebee told us to stay here," Grimlock replied, then he added looking at the sleeping woman, "Especially me, I have to protect Liz."
Sideswipe looked at him and added defensively, "Yeah, but here includes right here, and the perimeter around right here."
Grimlock watched him leave before he replied getting back into defensive posture, "Oh."
Liz looked around to see a white clearing full of white lilies and a small crystal clear pond. Liz's green eyes looked around as she sat down, carefully she leaned her head down and smelled a lilly.
It smelled like the forest at night, the crisp winter air filled her nostrils of the forest. She closed her eyes relishing in the smell. She couldn't help it, it reminded her a lot like her pack. She smiled to herself as she opened her eyes and looked around, she then heard a female clear her throat from behind her.
Liz looked behind her quickly to see Selene, who also sat down. Her raven black hair draped behind her shoulders as she wore a black evening gown that had silver flecks like the stars. Selene's silver orbs held humor as Liz saw that she was both barefooted which made Liz look at her with confusion.
"You seem confused, my child, what is wrong?" Selene spoke softly, with a hint of humor.
Liz rose her right eyebrow at the goddess as she replied, "Never thought I would come here. Usually we train in my dreams or I get warnings for my pack. Or my memories come…."
Liz trailed off and looked away, Selene sighed, "The nightmares have return, haven't they?"
"Uh-huh," Liz replied with a small nod, the lillies bend to a west wind blowing Liz's hair behind her, "Anyways, why am I here? And you as well?"
"I saw that you had some difficulty," Selene smiled, "About your mate, wasn't it?"
Liz stiffened slightly, but Selene saw and chuckled, "Ah, your questioning your heart. Weren't you?"
Liz mumblebed, "I don't want to hurt his spark. I care so much about him."
This caused Selene to smirk which Liz saw and looked confused, so she asked, "What?"
"Liz Amelia Rodgers," Selene chidded, "Who is to say that he isn't yours, hm?"
Liz looked at her before her face brightened, she asked in a small whisper, "You mean….?"
"I was waiting for you to realize it, but yes," Selene chuckled at Liz's reaction, "He is yours. Forever."
Liz felt shivers of joy go down her spine as Selene said the final word in her sentence, she nodded happily as the goddess faded in a silver shower. Liz closed her dream off smelling the forest as she did so.
Liz woke up to see Sideswipe nowhere to be seen, she asked Grimlock tiredly, "Where's Sideswipe?"
"Good morning to you as well," Grimlock chuckled as Liz yawned, before he replied, "Sideswipe went to scout the perimeter."
"Weird," Liz mumbled, "Wasn't Bumblebee and Strongarm doing that earlier?"
"That's what I thought-quiet!" Grimlock ordered as the two heard shuffling. Liz looked up to see the elk decepticon come forward. Liz froze, the Kospego did match this one's description. Almost perfectly as Liz remembered what Arnold said she froze, terrified.
"Who's there?" Grimlock ordered as he stared at the foe, seeing that Liz was terrified.
The being smirked before charging towards them, Liz yelled getting over her fear in seconds, "Grimlock watch out-Hey! Let go of me!"
The Decepticon had picked up Liz and placed her far away, with a smirk he turned around as Liz was frozen in fear as he lowered himself down to the ground towards Grimlock.
"Liz!" Grimlock shouted at the frozen women, he then saw the Decepticon lowering himself to the ground so he ordered, "What are you-?!"
Grimlock grunted as the Decepticon charged at him and butted him into the fence, breaking the fence into splinters and knocking out Grimlock in the process. Liz snapped out of her horror as she charged towards Grimlock, only to be picked up to the elk Decepticon.
"Grimlock!" Liz shrieked not knowing that the other three autobots were listening in as the dark blue, and dark grey elk like Decepticon with red optics charged away, picking up the generator. He then ran off, with Liz in tow.
Liz struggled as she went out of view of Grimlock she shrieked before the Decepticon could knock her out, "BUMBLEBEE!"
Sideswipe was dancing to his pop music humming, his optics closed as he danced. Not noticing how Bumblebee and Strongarm drove up from their check. Bumblebee on the way felt something was wrong in his spark and ordered to turn back. His fears were confirmed as both transformed, he walked over to Sideswipe.
Sideswipe was oblivious to it again, his music too loud as Bumblebee yanked off the earphones again, yelling, "Sideswipe!"
"Aah!" Sideswipe yelled, his hand over his spark, he looked terrified to see Bumblebee's enraged face, as Bumblebee desperately tried to hold back his overwhelming fear for Liz, Sideswipe shouted a bit jumpy, "Stop doing that!"
"Why are you here and not with Grimlock and Liz?" Bumblebee asked, anger lacing his tone like a spider does with a web.
Sideswipe nervously replied, realizing he was caught, "Uh! Funny Story, I-"
"Who's there?" Grimlock ordered through the comm system.
Liz yelled at him a minute later, "Grimlock watch out-Hey! Let go of me!"
Everyone froze in terror, Bumblebee's spark clenched hard as he heard Liz scream. Sideswipe looked angrily and terrified at the same time as Strongarm looked with slight fear, trying to keep her emotions in check.
Grimlock shouted back at the assailant, "Liz! What are you-?!"
A grunt and then a crash made the two freeze as they looked at each other in hope but then it turned to fear as they heard Liz yell, "Grimlock!"
Then as the three were about to transform, they heard a loud shriek echo through the woods, "BUMBLEBEE!"
Bumblebee felt anger pulse though his spark as he transformed and sped off at top speeds, Strongarm behind him, and Sideswipe tailing behind. Bumblebee sped towards Grimlock trying to find Liz as he came closer he transformed to look over Grimlock with his gun showing. The other two transformed as Sideswipe looked guilty to the side, Grimlock asked a bit dazed, "Anybody see where that bus went with Liz?"
Strongarm asked staring at Grimlock shocked, she asked, "Those antler heads took out Grimlock?"
"No, it had to be the Decepticon," Bumblebee confirmed his fears as he angrily added, "Who might not have attempted an attack on Grimlock and captured Liz if there had been two guards on duty, like I ordered."
Sideswipe looked away from Bumblebee with guilt in his optics as Bumblebee and Strongarm helped Grimlock up. Grimlock stood up steadily with a dazed expression, Strongarm looked at him with worry as Bumblebee asked, "Grimlock are you alright?"
Grimlock replied a bit dizzy, "Of course I am."
He then tattered forward as Sideswipe watched from a distance, Bumblebee and Strongarm helped him back up to his feet, grunting with effort. They both looked really worried as Grimlock asked, "Hey, are my arms and legs still attached?"
Strongarm asked, "Did you see what hit you?"
"All I remember is Liz in trouble and then all I saw next were horns coming at me," Grimlock replied to Strongarm's question a bit dazed, he then asked, "You know that feeling when something throws you through a mountain?"
"No," Strongarm answered immediately.
Bumblebee replied differently, remembering when Skyquake through him into a wall when he was on a mission with Optimus, "Yes."
"Well, it was like that," Grimlock told them, "Only painful-er."
Sideswipe looked down really guilty that Liz was in trouble and that he hurt his comrade, all he could think about was Liz joking around with him. Bumblebee ordered Grimlock, "Grimlock, head back to the scrapyard and have Fixit take a look at you."
"Okie-dokie," Grimlock replied, as he started to hop and try to fly this made Bumblebee realized that something hurt Grimlock's head. A possible concussion if Liz was here to say that, he stopped as he turned around.
"Oh. yeah, you can't fly, pal," Bumblebee told him worriedly, he then ordered Strongarm who walked closer, "Strongarm, help him back."
"Me?" Strongarm shouted, "After what Sideswipe-!"
"Grimlock can't make it back on his own," Bumblebee interrupted looking at Sideswipe he added, "And I obviously can't trust Sideswipe to take responsibility for anyone or anything."
Sideswipe retorted, crossing his arms and looking away, "Oh, come on!"
Strongarm walked over and helped Grimlock limped back to base, she told Bumblebee as they started, "Call if you need help."
Grimlock then asked, "Since when can't I fly?"
Bumblebee then told Sideswipe, who looked at Grimlock with guilty optics, in a firm tone, "We're down two team members and a friend against an enemy strong enough to knock Grimlock silly."
"I know I messed up, okay?" Sideswipe told him, guilt in his tone.
"Look," Bumblebee explained, "I can't be wondering how to contain targets and my own team members, Sideswipe."
"I said I know," Sideswipe grumbled.
The two transformed and drove off to stop the Decepticon and save Liz. Who Bumblebee was praying to Primus in his thoughts, "Please let her be okay. Please let her be okay."
Liz groaned as she looked around only to see herself alone with the humans, her watch was still on her wrist but her outfit was different. Her dress was a midnight royal blue that looks burnt around the edges, she had black flats and her hair was but up in a nice pin with a Decepticon logo on it. She ripped it off her head and threw away from her as she whispered towards the watch, "Find Bumblebee."
The watch transformed into LunarStar who looked at her, licked her cheek with her glossa and ran off into the shadows. She then stood up and walked out to see herself surrounded by the cult members of the Kospego. The Kospego on the other hand was nowhere to be seen which gave some relief, then she spotted Arnold.
He also spotted her along with one of his friends, who yelled, "The Queen has come!"
Liz watched with a creepy feeling settling in her heart as she felt LunarStar make a detour around a Decepticon. As she watched each of the cult members bow down to her, then she heard thundering steps and looked over hoping to see Bumblebee. Only to see the Decepticon that smiled at her.
Liz returned the smile with a sharp icy glare, that made a few step back from her. She growled, "Mind if we had a chat, Kospego?"
She then walked off into the woods with the long dress flowing behind her, she didn't hear him following so she shouted louder, "NOW!"
She then heard his footsteps as she walked with him, he then picked her up with a not so gentle servo. They opened to a clearing their she stood up and asked him, once he was done walking, "'Queen'? Mind if you explain on that?"
She was internally shaking with fear but her mind was on her adrenaline rush as her anger bubbled over. The Kospego smiled as he introduced himself to her, "Youse are my queen, and I am's your king. My name is Thunderhoof youse know. One day, I saw youse in my woods and I saw youse voice is pretty. And I thought, 'wow, i'll make her my queen of my empire'. Once we are at Cybertron will start a new life. A better life."
"EXCUSE ME!?" Roared Liz, which startled Thunderhoof, "I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE, BUCKAROO BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE I CAN BECOME YOUR SO CALLED 'QUEEN'! I CAN KICK YOUR AFT TO CYBERTRON WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SPACE BRIDGE! SO WATCH IT OR ELSE!"
Thunderhoof mouth became a thin line before he smirked as he added, "I like your fire too."
"Watch it!" Liz hissed with venom in her tone.
Bumblebee and Sideswipe transformed on top of a hill, to see the humans work hard on the space bridge. Bumblebee looked around not seeing the Kospego or Liz anywhere but spoke, "Space Bridge. Think you can play it straight long enough to help me keep them from using it, Sideswipe?"
Sideswipe groaned before they watch the human's struggle due to their attire, Bumblebee added, "We can deal with the Decepticon and saving….Liz later, but we can't just roll in and let those humans see us."
Sideswipe then spoke up, "I have a plan."
Bumblebee gave him a hard look as Sideswipe added, "Just trust me, okay?"
Bumblebee's look did not lift up, instead it harden. Sideswipe groaned in frustration and walked away towards some brush with Bumblebee behind him.
The same guy from before was trying to hook up a red wire to a blue wire in which Arnold shouted before the guy could make a mistake, "No, blue to blue, red to red!"
He then told the others who looked on fearfully as well, "If we don't build this altar precisely the way the Kospego ordered, you know what he'll do to us!?"
As the others imitated cracking of bones, the trees behind Arnold bursted open showing Sideswipe and Bumblebee in disguise with tree branches and trunks. Sideswipe then spoke in a gravely, "There are other legendary creatures of great legendary-ness, such as me, Sideswingo."
"And me, Bumbeego," Bumblebee added with a lower and deeper voice.
Arnold looked at the two disguise Autobots before he told them, "We've never heard of you."
"Just because you don't know us doesn't mean we're not legends!" Sideswipe then yelled making the other humans along with Arnold flinch back and whimper, he then added a bit calmer, "The Kospego has been a very naughty creature."
"Criminal, in fact," Bumblebee added in his deep voice.
Sideswipe continued with his shrade, reminding himself of what Liz said myths spoke in sometimes. Formal, "He has acted against our wishes and shall be punished. So, unless you want a piece of us, you'd better leave here. Now."
The other humans were frozen with fear so Bumblebee added, making sure Sideswipe got the message once he was finished, "Or this will happen."
Sideswipe flipped backwards onto a rock wall behind them, and jumped up in the air. He kicked a dead tree down onto the ground making the humans gasp and run away into the forest. Arnold ran and muttered to himself as he looked back, "Why do legendary creatures hate trees so much?"
"EXCUSE ME!?" The two autobots froze as Liz's yelling echoed throughout the forest, "I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE, BUCKAROO BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE I CAN BECOME YOUR SO CALLED 'QUEEN'! I CAN KICK YOUR AFT TO CYBERTRON WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SPACE BRIDGE! SO WATCH IT OR ELSE!"
As the humans ran into the darkness of the forest, from both the roaring of an angry Liz and the two disguise Autobots disguise, so they could not see the two autobots discard their disguise. They removed the branches they used as Sideswipe asked, "Not bad, huh?"
A whimper came from behind them, making Sideswipe and Bumblebee to turn around. Both froze as they saw LunarStar walking towards them in happiness, meanwhile the other two were mildly worried. Sideswipe knew that LunarStar was a creation controlled by Liz, and might've been sent off to find her but the two didn't see where she was when they came in. So where was she?
Bumblebee on the other hand was panicking and angry, from Liz's shout and LunarStar's appearance, he assumed that the Decepticon was trying to make Liz his bride. Which made him become very furious at the Decepticon for trying to get his beloved sparkmate-to-be. His servos tighten as he told Sideswipe, "One 'not bad' doesn't make everything else good."
"We're not out of the woods yet," Bumblebee added on as LunarStar walked by his side, "Even with LunarStar here, we still need to find Liz and defeat the Decepticon."
"Ugh," Sideswipe bitterly groaned as they walked towards the Spacebridge.
The two mechs stopped as LunarStar growled in warning towards the rumbling sound of an engine. They turned to see LunarStar's metal hackles raised as a plow for construction was shown pushing trees out of the way.
The Decepticon transformed showing a elk like creature with dark blue, grey, silver, and black armor around him. In his servo was Liz, who sighed in relief at the sight of Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and LunarStar. His ruby opics moved around as he asked, "Hey-oh! What's going on here? Where'd all my little worker weirdos run off to?"
Bumblebee moved forward with aggression as the Decepticon moved forward, "You're under arrest and give us back Liz."
Liz heard his voice and instantly felt calm but stiffened when the Decepticon explained with one hand, "Don't go barking rules and regulations at me, officer. I'm Thunderhoof, see? I ran some of the biggest criminal enterprises on Cybertron."
He then pointed Bumblebee chassis as he got in his faceplates, "Half you cops were on my payroll."
"That Space Bridge is dangerously unstable," Bumblebee told him then added in a dangerous tone, "And when will you give us Liz?"
"She isn't yours to have now, she's my queen to my empire," Thunderhoof replied walking past with Liz in his left servo, "So What's unstable is you, if you think I ain't bridging to Cybertron to take back my turf."
"Tell you what, seeing s you're fellow Cybertronians and all," Thunderhoof bargained, "If you help me, I'll cut you in on a piece of the action. Then you can watch as I take my throne with my lovely Queen."
He started to pet Liz with his pointer digit in which Liz growled, "I'm not your 'lovely' anything, hot shot."
Bumblebee snarled at the sentence and act as he spoke with as much anger as he could possess, "You are going back to Cybertron, Thunderhoof. In a stasis pod. Without Liz."
The gun charged as Sideswipe but a hand on his shoulder, seeing that Liz watched with horror in her eyes. She didn't want the boys to fight, Bumblebee could get hurt. Which made Sideswipe think of a plan quickly and started to enact it, by starting phase one, "Bee, maybe we should think about this. It's not like we have a SpaceBridge. Maybe his will work, and we don't wanna stay on Earth forever, do we?"
Liz looked away, her worst fear was confirmed. She knew the Autobots would have to leave, but she at least wanted Bumblebee to like her back. To Love her. Before she died, alone and depressed. Bumblebee thought the same thing, he would let the others go home and he would stay on Earth. With Liz.
As Bumblebee thought about what Sideswipe said before he replied to Sideswipe, as Thunderhoof let Liz down as she was fighting the urge to look at Sideswipe, "Sideswipe, we don't make deals with criminals."
He then pointed his blue gun at Thunderhoof, telling ihm, "You're coming with us."
"Hey-oh! Where's the respect?" Thunderhoof asked before he lowered his head down and took a few steps back, Liz scampering out of the way, "Usually, I let the underlings do the dirty work, but that don't mean I don't remember how to do it myself!"
He then charged at Bumblebee who fired, before he realized that the armor on his head was too strong and both Bumblebee and Thunderhoof pushed against each other as Sideswipe looked at the Space Bridge. He knew his plan was risky, but then he saw Liz watching with shocked eyes which made him turn his optics backed to the fight to see Bumblebee toss Thunderhoof over his shoulder which made the latter tumble.
Bumblebee then looked at Sideswipe asking, "Sideswipe, a hand?"
Sideswipe looked back at the Space Bridge again, trying to act as hard as he could. Liz looked at him shocked, but Sideswipe saw the look and gave her a small smile and a wink. Liz knew what he was doing and had to act along. Good thing she passed in all of her drama courses. Twice.
As Bumblebee charged, Thunderhoof managed to get up and stomped his left foot hard. Sending a shockwave towards Bumblebee, knocking him back onto the ground. This caused the Decepticon Hunter to fall from Bumblebee's grasp and land before Sideswipe. Sideswipe quickly picked it up silently as Thunderhoof walked over to Bumblebee.
"You mess with the boss and his queen," Thunderhoof shouted lifting his right foot over him, "You get the hoof!"
As he was about to stomp on Bumblebee, the two mechs turned as Sideswipe told him, "Thunderhoof, wait!"
Thunderhoof asked confused, "Huh?"
Sideswipe told him shaking his head and servos side to side, "Bumblebee's not worth it."
"What?" Bumblebee asked shock in both tone and features.
"I'm sick of that Bot telling what to do, then telling me everything I do is wrong," Sideswipe acted angerly making Liz look hurt and betrayed, though she was acting it, he continued on his rant, "I want off this bot-forsaken planet."
Bumblebee was beyond shock but betrayed and hurt by Sideswipe's words, "What?"
"Finally, someone with a little intelligence," Thunderhoof spoke in happiness before he ordered Sideswipe lifting his pede again, "Come on, kid, let's do the Autobot stomp."
"Seriously, don't waste your time. He can't stop you," Sideswipe hurriedly told the Decepticon who lowered his foot, Sideswipe explained, "Just leave Bee here to rot on this mudball with no way home."
Bumblebee spark ached in betrayal as Liz looked on with shock, horror, hurt, and betrayal. Thunderhoof sympathized with Sideswipe with eased, "Would serve him right. Along with me taking my Queen with me instead with him."
Bumblebee glanced at Liz once more in horror and worried as Liz glared at Thunderhoof that if looks could kill, Thunderhoof would be ash. Thunderhoof added heading towards the controls where Liz was at, "Okay, let's go."
Bumblebee was too shocked to move at both of Sideswipe's words but Sideswipe motion Liz to go to Bumblebee in which she nodded her head. Thunderhoof did not notice her run to her mate-to-be, Bumblebee stared at Sideswipe with looks of horror and shock on his faceplates. He was so afraid for Liz, but knew that if he couldn't protect her. Sideswipe would, hopefully.
"Bee?" She whispered quietly as he looked down at his chassis where Liz was stationed, she climbed up on his chassis gently trying not to bother him as he thought, but once she was close enough to his faceplates, she spoke quietly. Before Bumblebee could even utter a sigh of relief, Sideswipe managed to run up to Thunderhoof and the Space Bridge controls.
"Wait," Sideswipe tried to stopped Thunderhoof who looked at him as they walked, "Thunderhoof, we should check the connections in the Space Bridge before we, uh-"
"Hey, you're a smart kid," Thunderhoof complimented but then he told him, "but don't tell me my business. I got an empire to get home to."
"But-" Sideswipe tried to warn the Decepticon, but Thunderhoof patted his cheek twice.
Thunderhoof then turned back to his controls and typed in the coordinates as Bumblebee asked Liz quietly, "Did anything happened between you two?"
Liz shook her head, in which Bumblebee tried to hold in a relieved sigh but it came out anyways. Liz then rubbed her arm before she asked, "Bumblebee? Where did LunarStar go?"
Bumblebee looked around before said wolf was creeping up on the two, she woofed quietly at Liz in which both turned around to see her. LunarStar had a slight limp, due to the stomp that Thunderhoof did. It knocked her into the woods, spraining her paw. Liz looked at the damaged before she realigned the joint.
Just as Thunderhoof was about to open the bridge, LunarStar transformed quietly onto her wrist and Liz petted the watch which made it tremble in pleasure. Thunderhoof pressed the key to open the space bridge, causing the generator to produce enough energy to open it. The space bridge was a green swirl of energy in which Liz froze, for she felt a shiver run down her spine. Something was about to go wrong.
Her instincts were right as Sideswipe watched with horror in his optics as Thunderhoof smirked at his victory. Liz brought the watch to her chest as small rocks and pebbles started to be drawn in the hole. Bumblebee saw the phenomenon happen and quickly brought Liz to his chest to protect her as green energy bolts shot out. Trees were being pulled in the direction as the green energy became purple.
Sideswipe became panicked along with Bumblebee as Liz hid herself between Bumblebee's chassis and servo. Thunderhoof shouted over the roar of the wind, "I been through my share of Space Bridges, but I ain't never seen one do that."
The two autobot mechs shouted out in slight panic for Liz's and everyone's safety on the planet, "Black hole!"
"No," Liz whispered in mock horror, causing Bumblebee to look at her with confusion, before she sarcastically replied, "I thought it was a bridge to terabithia. What else could've become an outcome from this? Zombies?"
"I do not wish to answer that question," Bumblebee answered, remembering the terracons that were close to destroying Earth.
"Ooh, right," Liz winced before she piped up, "Never mind about the outcomes of what could've happened."
Bumblebee nodded before he stood up, holding Liz to his chassis, he looked around before he spotted and ran behind a nearby stack of steel bars that were held together by a very strong piece of rope. He peeked out with Liz behind the stack, watching as Thunderhoof and Sideswipe watched the hole.
Thunderhoof then remarked about the black hole as he hovered over the controls, "Something ain't right here."
"You think?!" Liz and Sideswipe roared over the wind, Sideswipe covered his helm from the debris as it flew as Liz was brought closer to Bumblebee's chassis.
Thunderhoof then grabbed Sideswipe's shoulders, as he asked, "Why don't you test it out for me, kid?"
Liz peeked out as well as she watched in horror as Thunderhoof turned Sideswipe around and started to push him near the hole. Sideswipe yelled, as he tried to fight back, "Wait!"
Bumblebee and Liz watched, knowing that if either of them tried to help. That the could do a lot more damage. Either by losing Sideswipe or falling in the hole themselves. Sideswipe was just thankful Liz got out of their in time, he turned around and tried to fight back as Thunderhoof shouted at him, "You thought you could scam me by pretending to switch sides, Autobot? How did that work out for ya?!"
"Actually, not bad," Sideswipe retorted as he grabbed the Decepticon hunter, he shouted at it, "Proto Blaster!"
The Decepticon hunter changed into a blue energon mace, Thunderhoof smirked as Sideswipe shrugged his shoulders, "Close enough!"
He then batted away Thunderhoof's arms away as he hit in the chassis with the mace swinging it around like a professional. Knocking Thunderhoof into a hole where his foot could slip, which it did. He flew towards the black hole, but caught his servos around the edges of the Space Bridge. He then walked forward gripping the edges hard.
Sideswipe stared at the defeat Thunderhoof with a determined look, but his Decepticon Hunter retracted giving him now weapon. He cursed, "Scrap."
Sideswipe put away the Decepticon Hunter before he started to run towards the controls, he made a wild dive and grabbed the edges of the controls. He looked behind him to see Thunderhoof coming up. Bumblebee whispered to Liz, "Don't panic okay?"
Liz let out a small confused question, "What?"
She let out a small shriek as Bumblebee pushed her into his chassis, next to his spark. He prayed that it didn't do any damage to his love at the roughness he did, hoping his spark would be calmed to know that his future sparkmate was alright he knew he had to save Sideswipe as Thunderhoof grunted out, straining against the wind.
Liz could still hear in the darkness of where ever Liz was, all she saw though was a small pulse of blue light and humming that she loved the sound of. She was so distracted as she inch closer to the calming light, in which Bumblebee shivered at the pleasantness of it, as Thunderhoof told Sideswipe, "I said you were going first, kid, and I mean what I says."
Outside of Liz's world of being next to Bumblebee's spark, Thunderhoof reached out for one of Sideswipe's dangling pedes. Bumblebee knew it was time to take action, as he reached out for the strap of rope holding the steel bars in a pile. He pulled against the rope, grunting with effort until it snapped in half. Sending the steel bars towards Thunderhoof, being pulled in by the black hole. Thunderhoof's attention snapped up to the steel bars but it was too late and he shouted as he was sucked in with the steel bars, "Nooo!"
Bumblebee smiled in happiness before he realized that there was no protection and that he was being pulled in slightly. He screamed in shock before he transformed, pushing Liz into the passenger side of the car in the process. He tried to reverse his way out, putting a seatbelt around Liz who was frozen in fear of them being hurt or sucked in.
Bumblebee felt horror course through him as the black hole turned him around, his tires were screeching as he tried to pull his way out. He grunted with effort to, at least, not be pulled in fully. Liz gripped the seatbelt before she turned his mirror to the generator. Bumblebee felt the pull and saw what Liz saw, he changed his gears and the two reversed back as he turned to the side of the generator that was not in the wind's path.
Liz let out a tensed sigh before she looked at Sideswipe who managed to crawl over the controls and hug it in fear of being sucked in. Liz knew how he felt, being in the tornado chasing industry as long as she had been. Liz knew what it was like in a tornado without no protection along with in a flood. Where she rescued a baby from floodwaters all because she ancored herself down.
Bumblebee flashed his lights two long times, Sideswipe got the message and transformed before trying to drive across to them. Halfway though Liz sucked in breath as Sideswipe fought the suction but his tires lifted off the ground. Liz held in a scream as he got closer to being dragged into the black hole. Bumblebee his spark plusate in fear but both let out a relieved sigh quietly as Sideswipe got back on the ground and drove over to them.
Bumblebee told him, shouting over the roaring wind, "We need to close that hole before it grows any bigger!"
"How?!" Sideswipe shouted.
"The generator isn't fully anchored," Liz mused quietly but Bumblebee picked it up.
"A detonation," This caused the two to look at Bumblebee, "Inside the hole, releasing more energy than the rift itself is generating."
Bumblebee and Sideswipe backed up behind each stand of the generator and began to reverse, pushing against the generator. Which caused the generator to lift off it's anchorage, the threes aw that their work was done and drove off at a safe distance away as the generator went inside the black hole. The black hole sucked in everything before it disappeared revealing a blue flame after a wonderful blue light display and explosion of light.
Bumblebee opened his door allowing Liz to leave unsteadily, she touched her watch once more. Asking it though her bond with her creation if it was okay, it shuddered in reply which translated to it was alright. Just spook. The two mechs transformed and stared at where the Space Bridge was before, Liz saw where they were staring accepting the silence.
Sideswipe then remarked, "So….that happened."
"You had me worried there for a minute, Sideswipe," Bumblebee told the red mech with every bit of honesty he had.
Liz smirked, "I didn't, without him. I probably would still be with Thunderhoof."
Bumblebee and Sideswipe looked at her, as she stared at the bridge's spot. Sideswipe then smirked as he told Bumblebee, "Dude, I'm on the team."
"But I can kind of see how it hasn't always seemed like it," He added with a bit of guilt as he looked to the side a bit guilty looking, Liz smiled at him softly. Bumblebee smiled after a minute bringing up a fist, Sideswipe responded to the call by giving a smile himself as he fist bumped Bumblebee.
Liz smiled until Bumblebee mused, "Space Bridge wasn't stable, but when Thunderhoof disappeared, it sure looked like a teleportation."
Sideswipe asked, "So where did he go?"
A green portal with white light swirled before a few steel bars and Thunderhoof were thrown out, when Thunderhoof left it closed with a hiss. Thunderhoof looked around expecting to see different scenery as he asked, "Cybertron?"
He stood up and looked around only to see he was still on Earth, he sighed in annoyance as he rubbed his optics, "Aah! I'm still stuck on this backwater planet."
"Fine, I'll just set up a new empire here," Thunderhoof spoke out loud of his plans, "Eh, I get those crackpot locals to help. They bought it once, they'll buy it again."
A clawed servo clawed Thunderhoof's insignia in a quick fashion leaving a three claw mark scar on his chassis, Thunderhoof shouted in both pain and shock, "Aah-yo!"
"Sorry about the pain," Yellow optics gleamed from the darkness as Thunderhoof stared at them with slight anger, 'It's temporary, and, you'll soon come to understand, necessary. In the meantime, you want to remain free?"
The yellow optics revealed as the being stepped out into the moonlight, that it was the Decepticon that hurt Strongarm, he smirked as he told Thunderhoof, "You stay with me. I'm Steeljaw."
"This better not be a trick," Thunderhoof snarled, "I've had enough of tricks lately."
Steeljaw laughed as he grabbed Thunderhoof's shoulder and the two walked off into the night. Steeljaw's yellow optics held a cold humor as he walked the numb Thunderhoof into the darkness.
Liz shook off another shiver of fear as she responded to Sideswipe, "Hopefully, not anywhere near me again. I don't want to hear or see him again, ever. Nor do I want his affection or need it at this or any time."
Bumblebee stiffened as Sideswipe told her, "He won't get to you, besides I do have a quick question to ask."
"Go on?" Liz asked cautiously, earning Bumblebee's full attention.
Sideswipe smirked evilly as he asked, "Whose affection do you want, Liz?"
Liz blushed as she looked away, embarrassed. She didn't want to tell him and definitely not the other him as well. Her crush was just a few feet away, as she told him in a growl, "G-go away, you….you….you….mech!"
Sideswipe laughed in pleasure at her flusterness, in which Bumblebee was about to smack him in the process, but then Liz asked as she looked at herself, "So, did anyone of you find any of my original clothes?"
Bumblebee took another look at Liz and nearly blushed as he didn't noticed when he was trying to keep her away from Thunderhoof. Even though the dark blue wasn't a good color and the design was something Liz and Bumblebee didn't like, Bumblebee was slightly awed at how perfect it was to her body's frame. It went over each curve and if Bumblebee didn't look away from Liz, he would've noticed that she was watching his body.
"Sideswipe, help Liz and I recover...uh...Liz's, original, clothes," Bumblebee ordered a bit flustered.
"On it," Sideswipe smiled happily, waving a digit at Liz he went in one area as Bumblebee went in the other.
Liz chuckled as Bumblebee left, she then itched the mark on her right shoulder blade, "A lot has happened this night."
Bumblebee agreed silently as he looked around, he found the clothes half buried in the ground. Sideswipe walked back with a tiara in between his digit as he returned to Liz as well as Bumblebee. Liz thanked Bumblebee but when she saw the tiara in Sideswipe's digit. She froze as she asked, "W-w-where did you find that?"
"In the woods a little further away," Sideswipe replied, he then smirked, "I never thought that you would be a little princess."
"Sideswipe," Bumblebee warned but was cut off by Liz.
Liz replied to his own taunt by replying, "It's okay Bee. Sideswipe, that tirara that's in your digits? That was Thunderhoof's idea of marking me his queen. I threw it off my head because I am no one's queen. Got that, hotshot?"
Sideswipe dropped the tirara disgusted but before he could step on it, Bumblebee crushed it with his own pede. Bumblebee transformed as a shocked Sideswipe and Liz watch, he opened his door as he replied, "Let's get back to base."
Sideswipe nodded slowly as Liz climbed into Bumblebee without much as a single glance to his action. Bumblebee pulled out but then Sideswipe stared at the place the tirara was at moments ago. Fully intact, but now laid into tiny pieces on the ground. He stared at Bumblebee's back before he transformed himself and drove off. Following Bumblebee and Liz as they made their way into the scrapyard
Dawn came quicker than the others predicted but they still made it back, Liz got out of Bumblebee when he slowed to a stop in front of the others. Grimlock looked more like himself as Fixit looked over at the two mechs. Strongarm and the other humans stood off to the right side as Liz got out.
Russell's and Denny's mouths dropped in shock at Liz's outfit as she held her clothes in her other hand. She glared as the other Autobots stared at Liz in shock at the dress she was wearing. She growled at every single one of the members including the two mechs that transformed behind her, "Not. A. PEEP. Out. Of. ANY. Of. YOU."
Everyone nodded fearfully except the two human males who squeaked out, "Yes madam."
"Good, now if you excuse me," Liz replied with a drop of sarcasm as she pivoted on the heel of her foot, "I'm going to have to change."
As Liz went into her trailer, which was nearby, she slammed the door shut so brusquely that the door trembled afterwards.
Bumblebee watch as Sideswipe went to Grimlock as he went to Denny, he then asked softly, "Does Liz like to be in dresses?"
"No, not all the time," Denny replied just as softly as Russell ran off to ask Sideswipe the story of what happened, "She likes to wear them around special 'company'."
Bumblebee nodded slightly, "I understand. Denny?"
"Yeah, Bee?" Denny asked.
Bumblebee then lowered his voice, "What does Liz like to do with um, special company?"
Denny smirked but his back was facing Bumblebee so he didn't notice as Denny replied, "You want to know? Well, here's my tip. If you know her, then try to do something Liz likes to do and try to make it special in a more than friendly way. She likes to be comfortable with the….'special company'."
Bumblebee nodded before he smiled to himself, he then walked off as Russell came over. Bumblebee went to Grimlock with the same smile as Russell asked, "Dad, what did you say to Bumblebee?"
Denny replied with a small smile as he ruffled Russell's hair, "You'll find out."
In the forest as the sun rose, the worshippers of the Kospego walked around the woods in a weird walking way. They still wore their blue clothing but along the way they must've collect and put on their backs the leaves and branches that Sideswipe and Bumblebee used for their disguises. The others followed their leader, Arnold, as they walked. Arnold then shouted, "Sideswingo, Bumbeego! We look to you for guidance."
To the right of Arnold a worshipper stumbled and touched Arnold's back, Arnold swung around and snarled in his face, "And for the last time, Morton, watch it with the sacred girdle!"
Then he went back into his earlier position and kept walking in the same direction as the others followed.
Liz exited the trailer that she was living in, she wore a light blue spaghetti tank top and black shorts with light blue flip flops. She stretched out as she watched the dawn rise more. Her face lit up as she grabbed her guitar and her phone. She quickly made her way out of the scrapyard without being seen by the others, at least by her knowledge.
Bumblebee was making her way around the Scrapyard when he saw Liz's red hair blow out around a corner to the exit. He quietly walked over and watched as Liz went into the woods, fearing that Thunderhoof would take her again. He quietly followed, transforming just as quietly and following.
Liz went into the woods, she went right then left until it opened up to a clearing surrounded by trees. Bumblebee watched as she sat on a old log as he transformed quietly. He looked out of his spot in between the shadows of the tree as Liz moved the guitar case. Bumblebee watched as an orange country style guitar was produce as she began to strum gently.
She then began to hum as she strummed cord after cord into perfect harmony, she then started to sing, "Oh no, did I get too close? Oh, did I almost see what's really on the inside?"
Liz smiled softly as the chords started again, she sung once more entrancing Bumblebee to smile as well, "All your insecurities. All the dirty laundry. Never made me blink one time."
"Unconditional. Unconditionally." Liz sung with passion as she thought of Bumblebee, "I will love you. Unconditionally. There is no fear now. Let go and just be free. I will love you, unconditionally."
Liz's fingers dance on the guitar as she sung thinking of when Bumblebee was there for her, "Come just as you are to me. Don't need apologies, know that you are worthy."
Bumblebee's smile floated in her head as Liz blushed pink, putting her emotions in the song, "I'll take your bad days with your good. Walk through the storm, I would. I do it all because I love you."
"I love you!" Liz sung loud as she thought of Bumblebee and her sharing every moment they had, "Unconditional. Unconditionally. I will love you. Unconditionally. There is no fear now. Let go and just be free. I will love you, unconditionally."
"So open up your heart and just let it begin," Liz sung the first part of the hook with passion as her fingers flew on the cord, "Open up your heart and just let it begin. Open up your heart and just let it begin. Open up your heart!"
She then slowed down as she strummed and sung, "Acceptance is the key to be, to be truly free. Will you do the same for me?"
Bumblebee thought as he slowly walked through quietly, "Yes."
"Unconditional. Unconditionally. I will love you," Liz sung, the guitar following in perfect harmony, "Unconditionally. There is no fear now. Let go and just be free. Cause' I will love you, unconditionally. Oh yeah!"
She then sung the conclusion of the song coming to rest in Bumblebee's audio receptors, "I will love you. Unconditionally. I will love you, unconditionally."
Her mind was focused on ending the song that she didn't hear Bumblebee nor feel his presence until she heard him speak, "You still have a beautiful voice."
She looked behind her to see Bumblebee standing behind her, she brought her legs around so she was facing him. The trees bend slightly as a soft wind blew, bringing Liz's hair to the left. She looked away slightly embarrassed to let him hear her small confession in the song.
She couldn't bring her face up to Bumblebee as Bumblebee touched his chassis. He felt his spark, humming so loud that he was surprise Liz couldn't hear it. He felt slightly embarrassed by such an act from his spark, betraying his feelings, as he kneeled down. He brought a digit under her chin lifting her head so that she faced him.
Bumblebee then brought his helm down and let his lip components touch his target. Liz's eyes flew open wide in shock at the unexpected warmth that flowed through her body. Both electrical and magical she couldn't describe it. It felt so….wonderful. Liz closed her eyes as she absorbed the fact that Bumblebee was kissing her.
Bumblebee pulled back a minute later, feeling ashamed at what he did. He turned away when Liz shouted, "Bee!"
He looked down and told her, "I'm sorry that my actions ruined our chance for friendship."
"Bumblebee, what in Selene are you talking about?" Liz asked shocked.
Bumblebee froze before he quickly replied, walking away, "I shouldn't have done that, and I'm sorry."
He then disappeared in the forest, leaving behind a shocked and confused Liz. Who touched her lips, remembering the warmth that was there. The warmth that she yearned and loved with all of her heart. She didn't care if it was wrong. She didn't care what others thought. She loved him and from his act. She believed that he loved her.
