Long chapter today folks. Hope I did alright with it, I have mixed feelings about it. Anyway enjoy!
Chapter 9
The sound of pede steps echoed through the tunnel as the five Autobots searched for further signs of their enemies or much needed energon. Ultra Magnus led the way, his left blaster out as they continued forward, his senses alert for trouble. Behind him followed Smokescreen and Violetwind. The former had his own blasters out and at the ready, poised to attack if something suddenly appeared. The latter nervously kept close to her companions, a bomb clutched tightly in her hand like her life depended on it.
Trailing after them was Bulkhead. The mech continued to glance down at a scanner to detect any energon. However, he was confused; his scanner kept coming up empty. Wondering if the device was broken he gave it a tap muttering, "No energon signals..."
Taking up the rear, Wheeljack bent down to take a closer look at the ground adding, "And no additional security. Something doesn't smell right."
"I don't like it," grumbled Smokescreen as he glanced about.
"Me neither," Violetwind agreed. Silently she regretted having asked to come.
Oh come on. Nothing's even happened yet. Stop being worried about nothing.
With only a small groan in response, the femme kept walking.
The group soon came to a fork in the tunnel.
"Um, which way, Sir?" The femme looked up at Ultra Magnus expectantly.
He glanced down at her briefly before turning his gaze to the others, pondering his decision. "Bulkhead, Smokescreen," he barked, "you will take the left. Wheeljack, Violetwind, you are with me."
The Bots nodded in acknowledgement and split off as instructed. Violetwind gave the other pair a worried glance whispering, "Be careful."
Continuing forward Ultra Magnus hoped he had done the right thing by splitting up the femme and the rookie. They somehow always ended up in trouble together and he only wished to prevent such a thing from reoccurring. Yet, Optimus had instructed him to be gentle with the pair. He reasoned within himself that it was because of their inexperience.
He did not have the chance to ponder it further as they came across a large cavern. Large tubes, twice as tall as Ultra Magnus, were filled with yellow liquid and ran down the centre of the room in two rows. Each of the tubes were connected to the others at the top, going down the row. The most extraordinary things about them, however, were their contents. Metallic beasts of all shapes and sizes floated within the yellow liquid.
Stepping forward Violetwind couldn't contain the fright quickening her spark. The giant creatures were like no normal beast on Earth. Some were like mythical creatures, some like griffins, some like rhinoceros beetles that had been hit with an enlarging beam or even some like large reptiles.
Shockwave's lab... muttered Windy, her tone doing nothing to help the femme's unease
Wheeljack paused to stare at one of the beasts inside, "Well, this is one whole lotta ugly."
"Megatron's cloning operation seems further along than we anticipated," Ultra Magnus uttered with displeasure.
Staring up at one of the cloned Predacons, Violetwind felt a little ill. Just one Predacon was dangerous enough, but to have a small army of them... It was terrifying to even think about.
Shockwave... The slag filled vat of fragging slag. Tampering with nature again to fulfil his own twisted desires.
"And Megatron's," the femme added. "If he sends these out against us..."
We'll be nothing but scrap metal.
At the other end of the row of tubes, the single opticked scientist turned from his computer console to notice the Autobot intruders the same instance they spotted him. Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack ducked behind the Predacon tubes, using them for cover as the fired upon the Decepticon. Not one to sit idly by as he was being attacked, Shockwave fired back.
A shot flew past Violetwind's helm causing her to let out a shriek. Jumping to the side, she hid behind a tube.
Pull yourself together, Vi! We don't have time to freak out. Pay attention. I need you to throw a bomb at Shockwave. Think you can throw it that far?
Peeking out, she judged the distance between herself and Shockwave, supposing it to be about two hundred metres, muttering nervously, "Mmm... I think so..."
Rolling the bomb around in her fingers, her door wings trembled as she considered the toss. Her main worry was that Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack were in front of her and if she did not throw it far enough they could get caught in the blast radius. She didn't want to immobilise her own team mates and be left to take on the Decepticon scientist alone.
Throw it already! urged Windy.
Instead of throwing the bomb she jumped back from the large tube. The yellow liquid drained out the bottom and spilled onto the floor. Shockwave must have done something to cause it. Electricity sparked though the cables connecting them, stirring the beasts from their slumber.
Glancing back toward the Decepticon, the femme witnessed as he fired a few last shots at Ultra Magnus before disappearing into a ground bridge.
Slag, this doesn't look good.
Ya think?
The three Autobots met in the aisle between the tubes. Their optics were filled with shock as the liquid flooded onto the floor; Violetwind's also wide in horror. Worse still was that some of the beasts were restless, screeching and banging against the glass, the noise unnerving the femme. With each crack they were closer to being free. And if they got free...
"Uh, guys..." she glanced over at the two mech's with worry.
Clenching his jaw Ultra Magnus took a fighting stance, ready to take on the Predacons when they emerged.
In contrast, Wheeljack did not seem to know what to think, glancing about with slight uncertainty, just trying to understand what was going on. Still he tried to offer the femme some comfort, "Don't worry, Vi. We'll make it out of this."
"Autobots, prepare for battle," ordered the commander.
The femme's door wings twitched in fear. If she had known that going out would lead to this, she would never have taken a single pede out of the hanger in the first place.
A nearby Predacon screeched hitting the glass tube causing a crack to appear. Any moment now it would break free and it, and the others like it, would surround them. As he glanced around for another way out, Wheeljack caught sight of glowing green energon crates stacked up at the back of the room. A smirk slipped onto his face as a plan fell into place. Unhooking the grenade from his waist, he tossed it in the air before catching it again. "Permission to employ a grenade in a confined space, Sir?"
Following the mech's gaze, Ultra Magnus nodded, "If we three are all that stands between these monsters and the natives of this planet; then by all means, blow these beasts back to the Rust Age."
Flipping the fuse on the explosive, he tossed it over to the crates, watching as it landed and rolled to rest beside them. Turning around he held out an arm to usher the femme along. "C'mon, we don't have time to sit around and greet these fellas."
Violetwind nodded, allowing herself to be hurried along.
The trio transformed, speeding out of the room. None of them was about to stick around to see the explosion for themselves.
The grenade's timer ticked down and in a flash it exploded, the noise rocking the caves. The Synthetic Energon caught alight adding to the fiery blast. The fire ball set off a chain reaction with the Predacons and the liquid they had been suspended in.
Engines revving as they fled the scene, the Autobots sped through the tunnels to get back to their team mates. However, their escape was brought to a halt as a ground bridge opened up in front of them. Transforming, they stood giving one another questioning glances. Each of them wondered the same thing; what was it doing there? They knew it could not be one of their own, no one had called.
They did not have long to ponder it. An unfamiliar mech, taller than Ultra Magnus, stepped out. His frame was dark with glowing yellow highlights.
"Who's this guy?" Wheeljack asked for them all.
The being responded with a deep resonating growl, "The very same who has previously allowed you to live, but will not today."
The commander's optics rested on the symbol marked on the mech's chest. "He's the Predacon."
"You didn't tell me they could transform!" Violetwind shrieked in panic.
"Don't look at me, I didn't know either," Wheeljack yelled back, not taking his optics off it.
By now the fireball from the explosion was spreading through the tunnels. The blast was headed their way, the noise alerting them to it's presence. The Bot's only had enough time to dive for cover as the explosion rolled through.
The Predacon was the only one who did not move.
The heat disappeared as quickly as it came and the Autobots picked themselves up. The femme glanced over at the Predacon to see a fury on his faceplates. He realised what the explosion meant and his anger took over. "What have you done to my brethren!?"
Violetwind could not contain the fear flowing through her circuits nor the violent trembling in her limbs as a result. He sounded ready to kill them and she rather wanted to avoid death.
Slag. This can't be good.
Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack were much calmer than the femme. They had already fought the Predacon before, albeit he had fought as a beast and they had not won. But they were not about to let such a trivial matter stop them. They would fight with all they had. It was the Wrecker way.
The Predacon roared again. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"
Without missing a beat, he charged towards the two mechs. They split off as the Predacon leapt into the air drawing his fist back. With an angry roar he slammed his hand into the ground as Violetwind scrambled off behind a rock in fear.
Turning to aim his blaster at the Predacon, Ultra Magnus was caught off guard as the beast struck his chest. He grunted as he was flung backward into a stalactite. Dust flung up around him as he crumpled to the ground.
Wheeljack was the next target and before he had the chance to respond, the beast was already picking him up by the shoulder. The mech only had time for an angry glare before he was thrown against the cave wall.
Peeling off the wall like paint, the mech hit the ground with a crash. Pain flashed through his circuits as he pushed himself off the floor to glare at the charging Predacon. "Well then, let's dance."
Slipping on a battle mask over this mouth, the white mech rolled out of the way just before the roaring Predacon slammed his fist into him. With practised ease he dodged each attack from the beast, waiting for the chance to retaliate.
Behind a rock, curled up into a ball, was Violetwind. Hugging her knees to her chest she softly whimpered to herself as her spark thundered like a herd of horses. Not only was the Predacon mech's size enough to instil fear into her spark, but the ferocity with which he attacked her team mates took away all sense of hope of beating him.
Hearing the harsh scraping of metal on metal, the femme uncurled herself and risked a peek over the top of the rock. Her gaze quickly landed on where Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack were taking on the beast.
We have to slagging do something!
"But I can't use a bomb! They're too close. And I can't shoot either. My aim isn't good enough. I might hit them." The urge to cry was overwhelming.
Windy mentally shook her, Vi! We can't just sit here and do nothing!
Slumping back down behind the rock, she lifted her hands to her audios, trying to block out the sounds of the battle, "I'm not built for this... I can't do this. Oh, why did I come? I should never have left the base. Why didn't I just stay with Ratchet?"
Her inner companion let out a deep groan of annoyance. Sometimes it felt like she had picked the worst possible person to share a body with. Doing her best to keep calm, she tried to speak with Violetwind again. Listen, if you can pick up some of that courage I know you have, we can get in that battle and help them out. We outnumber the Predacon three to one. If we work together we should be able to handle ourselves. I promise I'll be with you the whole time and together we can do it. You just have to do as I tell you.
Venting heavily, Violetwind did her best to calm down. "Ok," her voice cracked but she tried again, "Ok. Courage."
That's it, coached Windy, You can do this. Hey, you took on Knock Out by yourself and before that you had the guts to walk into the Decepticon's base alone.
"Ok, I can do this..." Peaking over the rock she caught sight of the battle. Her optics widened and she froze.
Lying away from the battle was Ultra Magnus, having been knocked back and left dazed. This left Wheeljack to fight on his own and to say he was losing would be an understatement. Violetwind's spark leapt into her throat as she witnessed the beast hit him again and again. Punch after punch slammed against the mech's chest, Violetwind's door wings quivering with each strike.
Her chest tightened with fear. She had to do something. He would die out there unless the Predacon was stopped.
Then all of a sudden her fear vanished, like the flipping of a switch. Replacing it was an odd cold fury. She did not even have the time to comprehend the sudden change before she was leaping onto the rock she had been hiding behind. Optics narrowed she stared down the beast. "Hey. Predacon!"
His head shot up, surprised by the shout.
"Why don't you try taking on me? Unless you're a worthless piece of slag like those protoforms we just blew up!"
Letting loose a deep growl he left the white mech and started towards her. "You dare insult me? Predaking? And then you further insult my brethren after you destroyed them?! You will pay for your insolence, little AUTOBOT!"
"I'll believe that when I see it," she sneered. "And Predaking? Really? That's your name? It's so original."
This only served to infuriate him even more. Letting loose a roar he charged forward.
Vi, jump.
Moving to within striking range he swung his claws at her but the femme leaped upward, flipping over him in a smooth arc. Landing in a crouch behind him, she smirked.
The Predacon grunted as he whirled around, ready to tear her apart. He stepped forward claws outstretched but without even turning to face him she dodged to the side. Once again his attack missed.
Right, now let's get on the offensive.
"You got it."
Turning to face him she unsheathed her blades. Within seconds she closed the distance between them and slashed at his chest only to dart away and attack again from another angle at Windy's guidance. Each time he tried to grab her she was already gone and scratching at him in another place. However, it did little damage to his heavy armour, only serving to annoy the Predacon.
Violetwind kept him busy while her fellow Autobots recovered. Ultra Magnus was the first to recuperate. Sitting up he watched the small femme dart around attacking the beast. He was surprised by the ferocity she displayed, something he hadn't seen in her before. Getting up he charged forward, swinging his hammer at Predaking's face.
Soon after Wheeljack also picked himself up and joined in the fight with his own ninja kicks. Together the three of them were able to dominate the Predacon, too dazed from so many hits to be able to defend himself and fight back.
A particularly hard hit from Ultra Magnus sent the beast flying. Glancing upward, Wheeljack noticed a huge stalactite directly above the Predacon as he lay dazed from his beating. Transforming his servo the white mech stated to fire at the roof where the large chunk of rock was attached.
It didn't take long for Ultra Magnus and Violetwind to work out what he was planning and once they did, they took out their blasters to shoot the roof as well. Predaking started to stand up but just as he did so, the stalactite broke off and crashed down upon him.
With a smug grin the femme transformed her blasters back into hands as Wheeljack came over to her and the commander. "Guess we really got him that time."
However, she had spoken too soon. The massive rock shifted. Possessing an incredible strength, Predaking picked up the stalactite. He swung it around, the rock coming towards them. Three sets of blue optics widened as they tried to run but they were unable to escape. The trio were scooped up they the rock, hitting them away like they were baseballs and it was the bat.
Still using it as a weapon, the beast charged at Wheeljack. Catching the mech before he had recovered, the Predacon used the stalactite to ram him into the side of the cave. It hit the Wrecker with such a force that the rock itself crumbled around his unconscious body.
Groaning, Violetwind rolled over onto her back resting a hand over her stomach plates. She closed her optics letting her helm stop ringing from hitting the cave wall. Inside her helm, her mind also calmed. The uncontrollable fury died down as her thoughts became her own again.
A deep pained cry rang out and immediately her own discomfort was forgotten. Rolling over she was quickly on her knees staring over at Ultra Magnus with horror. Predaking was just lifting his pede from on top of the commander's hand. Mercilessly he slammed it back down earning an even more pained cry from the Autobot. Energon leaked from the stub, his hand completely crushed and fingers so broken they fell off.
Pulling his arm back, Ultra Magnus cradled it to his chest with his good arm and rolled onto his back.
"Ultra Magnus!" The femme cried out, scurrying to get to her pedes.
The mech just painfully groaned while Predaking walked away. Taking a few deep breaths into his vents, he rolled back over to glance at Wheeljack and Violetwind.
Waking, the Wrecker let out a groan as he looked back over at the mech. He knew things were not in their favour. With a weak grin he spoke, "And here I was, just beginning, to tolerate you."
With a slight grin, the commander replied, "It's been an honour serving beside you, soldiers."
"Noo!" Violetwind cried out in denial. This wasn't about to happen. Tears flowed from her optics as she dropped to her knees. Her confidence and fury were gone, leaving her in a state much like the one before joining the fight, only even more hopeless.
The beast picked up the powerless Forge of Solus Prime and came back to stand over the commander. Lifting it high he snapped the weapon in half, golden dust floating to the ground as the once magnificent artifact of the Primes was destroyed.
Dropping it in front of Ultra Magnus, Predaking lifted a clawed hand above his head, ready to strike him down. With a scowl he rumbled, "Prepare to Perish."
Weeping Violetwind turned her face away, burying her head in her hands. She could not bear to watch as the Predacon prepared to kill the mech.
Windy was silent, having no smart alack responses or sarcastic remarks. Even she was too distressed about everything that had happened. She simply shared in the confusion and sadness of her companion.
Just as Predaking was bringing his arm down for the final blow, he took a shoulder to the chest. The scraping noise alerted Violetwind that the execution had been diverted. The femme lifted her head towards the commotion, optics lighting up with hope. Where the beast had previously stood, was instead Optimus Prime.
Taking out his machine gun, Optimus started shooting up the rocks and stalactites around the Predacon on the other side of the cave. Each shot broke of another piece of rock. The rubble crashed down upon Predaking, trapping him underneath.
Having taken care of the beast for the moment, the Autobot leader went over to Ultra Magnus. Leaning over, he placed a hand on the commander, optics resting on the stub where the mech's hand should have been.
"I am fine. The others..." he croaked.
Optimus glanced over at where Wheeljack lay. "Do not worry. I will be collecting them also."
Standing up, he walked over to the Wrecker and proceeded dig him out of the rocks.
Picking herself up, Violetwind wearily walked over to Ultra Magnus. Reachign his side she knelt down to get a better look at his injury, her spark clenching in sympathy. Dropping her helm she whispered, "I'm sorry, Ultra Magnus..."
"You fought well out there. Once you got began..." He looked up at her with a slight smile.
A funny feeling lurked in the pit of her tanks not letting her accept the compliment. She remembered the fight, perhaps a bit too clearly. Yet, it did not sit right with her. The fury she felt during it... It frightened her.
The femme was not given more time to ponder it further as Optimus returned carrying Wheeljack under one arm. "Violetwind, I regret to ask this of you but-"
She held up a hand interrupting him, "It's fine I can drive outta here. These two need the help more than me."
A slight look of surprise shone from his optics before disappearing, replaced by care. "That is not what I intended to ask. I was to suggest you cling to my neck as I regrettably do not possess a spare hand to aid you."
"Oh... Well, um, I guess that could work too," she replied with embarrassment.
Collecting Ultra Magnus with his free arm, Optimus bent down so that the shorter femme could reach him. She moved forward hesitantly, not sure about being so close to the leader. With some nervousness, she stood on the tips of her pedes to wrap her arms around Optimus' neck. Her face plates flushed with heat as she curled her fingers tightly around her own arms.
"Are you ready?" She felt the mech's deep voice reverberate through his chest.
"Y-yes..."
Optimus hid a smile of amusement under his mask. He knew it was not the exit she had imagined but he had no desire to leave her behind. The Predacon would no doubt be waking soon and more infuriated than before. So, in order to know that she was safe, they would have to endure the closeness for a little while. It briefly made him wonder if she would be as nervous as she was if, instead of himself, it was another young mech.
Nevertheless he prepared his jets for take off. However, as he was about to do so, the beast burst from the rocks, sending debris flying around him. Optimus and Violetwind looked over at Predaking, the former taking it as their cue to leave.
Firing up his jets, he lifted off into the air and towards the cave's exit.
Seeing him leave and taking away those who murdered his brethren, Predaking called out, "What?! Noo!" Shoving away the remaining rubble, he gave chase.
Flying out of the cave, Optimus immediately commed base. "Ratchet, we require a ground bridge."
Leaving the cave behind them was the Predacon. Seeing them fly up, he ran out and leapt into the air to transform. With wings outstretched, he gave a strong beat to keep himself aloft and let out a screech. He was not about to let the Autobots escape.
Clinging onto Optimus' neck, hanging far above the ground, Violetwind vented heavily as she heard the beast screech again. Her carrier on the other hand, remained calm. Optimus waited patiently for their medic to come through, he always did.
The familiar noise of the ground bridge signalled its opening up ahead. The femme let out a breath as they entered the vortex, leaving Predaking behind.
Finding themselves within the base, the mech carefully landed as the other Autobots gathered around with concerned optics. Before Optimus had the chance to bend down and let her off more easily, Violetwind let go and dropped to the ground. She landed heavily, almost falling over in the process but with arms splayed for balance, managed to stay upright.
Steadying herself she looked up at the mech. "Thank you..."
He nodded and once she moved off he walked over to carefully deposit Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus where Ratchet had set up his medical bay.
The emergency vehicle immediately got to work on the unconscious commander's hand, or lack there of.
Violetwind stood back as everyone's attention was on Ultra Magnus and questioning what had become of his hand. Rubbing her arm she let her helm drop, overcome with exhaustion. All of a sudden a hand rested on her shoulder, causing the femme to jump back, flaring her door wings.
A light laugh came from the hand's owner. "It's ok, Vi. It's just me."
"Smokescreen, don't do that," she scolded, her door wings relaxing.
He gave a cheeky smile in return. "Just wanted to see how you were. What happened in there?"
Taking a deep intake of air, she recalled the events within the cave. "We found Shockwave's lab, where he was growing the Predacon clones. Then, Wheeljack blew it up. We were escaping and that dragon guy showed up only he wasn't a dragon. He was in a bot form. Predacons can transform, Smoke! Um, and well, then we had to fight him off. He was kinda mad about us blowing up the other Predacons..."
Smokescreen threw his head back and bellyached. "How come you guys got all the excitement?"
The femme gave a shudder, "Next time you take it then. I do not like it."
"Oh, I didn't-"
She put up a hand to stop him. "Don't worry about it. I didn't come out as hurt as I could have. Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack got it worse than me. I just wish I could have done more to help..."
The mech looked at her with soft optics, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure your being there was enough."
Staring at her pedes, Violetwind frowned. "I don't know, Smoke... Something... Something was odd..."
Wrapping her arms around herself, the femme wandered over to where the others had collected near the medical bay. They stood around but left enough distance for Ratchet to not be crowded.
This left Smokescreen staring after her with some concern, not quiet sure what she was going on about.
By now Wheeljack was sitting up, resting against the raised area without a railing. He was leaking some energon but it was not too serious so he let Ratchet work on Ultra Magnus without protesting. He didn't like being fussed over anyway.
The medic was currently welding a band of metal onto the end of the commander's stub to stop the enegon from leaking. The mech had fallen unconscious during the trip back to base and was just waking. As Ratchet finished with the wound, he lifted it to get a better look at it. Where his fingers had once been there was now nothing but crushed metal. The loss of his hand slowly sunk in and he let out a sad groan.
Standing nearby, Optimus gazed over at him with a comfort. "Ratchet will take good care of you."
"Magnus fought like a wrecker," Wheeljack praised the mech, "Violet too."
The femme's face plates flushed in embarrassment. That was a fight she would much rather forget. The emotions that fuelled her actions frightened her. Not even Windy had an answer for them.
Attention was drawn back to Ultra Magnus as he spoke, "Optimus. When we spoke earlier... What could be greater than a army?"
Only too willing to share, Optimus replied softly, "A human concept, one I have learned since coming to Earth," he paused for a moment optics resting on the wounded mech before turning his head to gaze upon the other Autobots, "Family."
With smiles, everyone moved in, gathering closer around where Ultra Magnus lay. He stared back, curious about this 'family' yet also feeling more accepted in that moment than he had since arriving on this planet. He allowed a small smile to lift his mouth as he received this concept of family into his mind and perhaps his spark.
Looking about her, Violetwind smiled a little too. Optimus was right, they were like a family. Everyone cared about everyone else. Even though she may have lost the ability to be with her own family, she was glad to be a part of this one.
I'm family too right?
Of course silly. Very close family.
Good. Windy gave off a pleasant feeling of happiness.
Perhaps like the crazy Aunt.
Hey!
Beside her, Smokescreen gave her a playful nudge with his elbow. A cheeky look shone from his optics.
The femme grinned back, giving him a shove with her own elbow in return.
Windy chuckled, Guess it's better than being the rowdy kids.
Hey!
