By the time I entered the room, Phoenix's brother was being carried off by medics, and Phoenix herself was gone. It didn't take me long to work out what must have happened. Ruvik, being the aft he is, probably had words with Phoenix, perhaps continuing his thoughts from earlier. This must have led to Legend, Phoenix's older brother, standing up for her. Ruvik, not wanting to be seen as any kind of weak, must have lashed out at Legend, saying or doing something that led to a fight, evidenced by the broken chair to one side and the cracks on the wall.

Ruvik of course was prone to cheating in fights, he would do anything to avoid having a loss added to his reputation. Ruvik had to have done something that injured Legend to the point that he couldn't fight anymore, and called it a win.

This added fuel to the fire, my optics growing crimson. I had enough of my brother's actions. it was one thing to be an outright dick to me, but doing the same to another family, especially Phoenix, the poor femme was dealing with enough already, that was the last straw. I turned and left the room, following the same hallway Ruvik had taken.

I found him outside, still walking off. I wasted no time sprinting up and tackling him. He was bigger then me, so I rolled a few feet farther then he did. I dug my claws into the dirt to skid to a stop as he jumped up, glaring at me. It was apparent he was in NO mood for another fight, but I couldn't care less. I immediately charged him, sliding underneath him and swiping at his pedes, knocking him back to the ground. He growled and stood up once more, spinning and swinging his tail at me.

The blade of his tail missed my neck cables by inches, and he instantly swung again. I ducked under his attack and lunged for his faceplates. He reacted, swiping down with his paw and sending me tumbling to the ground just before my claws reached him. Before I could stand, he swung with his tail again. Lucky for me, his tail merely hit me in the side, sending me flying into a rock. The outcome could have been much worse for me if he'd attacked with his tail blade.

He again acted faster then I could recover, grabbing me by the throat and flipping me onto my back. He kept one paw pressed firmly on my throat, keeping me pinned down. He used his other paw to grab a nearby stone, raising it above his helm. I tried to attack him with my tail, but he pinned it down with his own. The look in his optics was pure rage as he struck with all his strength, hitting me in the face plates. Pain rushed through my helm as Ruvik struck me again, and again. I could hear a sharp crack as my vision in one optic went fuzzy.

"Still wanna fight?" Ruvik yelled at me, still keeping me pinned down. I tried with all the effort I could muster to break free, pain becoming overwhelming. I reached out my helm just far enough to snap my jaws shut around his wrist. I bit down as hard as I could, trying to wrench his paw off me so I could move. He exclaimed in pain, striking me with the stone once more, causing me to release his wrist.

Vision in my damaged optic was now gone, telling me it was damaged far beyond repair. No doubt there were several dents in my helm too, hopefully none too severe. In my one good optic, I saw him pull back to strike again, and braced for the impact. But before he struck me, another servo snapped over his shoulder and caught his.

"Ruvik, enough!" my carrier said firmly, yanking Ruvik off me and tossing him aside. She stood between me and him, staring him down as he stood up. "You've gone too far now. Fly back home this instant." she demanded. Hearing my carrier's usual soft tone, and hearing her upset, it was like two different femmes.

Ruvik looked like he wanted to say something, but instead turned and flew off. My carrier watched him fly away before turning to me, her firmness melting away to concern.

"I'm fine... I'm fine..." I told her as I stood up. "I... I have to talk to you about something..." I started. My processor was racing, was I sure about this? Yes. Even with all the thoughts running through my processor, this I was sure of.

With everything that's happened, this is an action that has to be taken. My carrier was awaiting my next sentence as I vented softly and looked up at her. "We should leave."

"Yes... Perhaps it is time to head home..." my carrier started.

"No, I mean..." I paused, finding the right words. "We should leave the faction. Leave Sire. Live on our own... Or even... Join the Autobots."

My carrier froze as I spoke, her expression a big sign she was not expecting me to say this. But after a few moments, her expression turned to relief as she vented softly.

"I was hoping, one day, you would say this." she said softly, looking around to make sure we were alone. "Are you sure this is what you want?" she asked, a serious tone overtaking her voice.

I took little time to think it over before answering, "Yes. We should go tonight!" My carrier smiled happily.

"Ok. Act like normal, around your sire. But when we get home, pack your things. We'll leave tonight, while he's in recharge, so by the time he realizes we're gone, we'll be far out of his reach." she seemed to have all this pre-planned, but for how long? Now I wished I had spoken up sooner.

I nodded, returning her smile. "Phoenix is the same, maybe she could come with us?" I questioned. My carrier thought for a moment, being cautious.

"I suppose so, yes." she answered.

I smiled, this whole conversation brightening my mood greatly. "Great! I'll go talk to her, then I'll be back." I said, turning to head back inside.

"Just... be careful. Keep your voice low." my carrier told me as I walked back inside, making my way to Phoenix's dorm. When I arrived, the door was ajar, so I peeked inside. Phoenix was curled up in the middle of the room, injured and sobbing. Dents riddled her trembling form, worrying me instantly.

"Phoenix?" I asked softly, getting her voice stirred her from her sobbing, as she looked up at me, tears leaking out of her teal and maroon optics.

"Phoenix! Holy Primus!" I exclaimed, instinctively rushing to her and carefully helping her stand up. "Are you ok? What happened?"

"I..." she trailed off, her whole form shaking lightly. "I shouldn't say." At that moment she seemed to take notice of my injuries, and slowly brought a paw up to my face plate. "What happened?" she asked.

"I saw what Ruvik did... I followed him to confront him... We fought..." I explained. "But I'm more worried about you." I admitted, and it was the truth.

"I..." she trailed off again, seeming to want to say something but choosing not to. "I will be ok. I'm in better shape than my brother." she said.

"You should see the medic. Just to be sure. Your injuries look like there could be serious internal damage." I said, a worried tone overtaking my voice.

"No. I'm not allowed out of here." she said, looking to the ground as her optic shader shifted off of her optics. "I have to stay in here." she sighed. "My Uncle Lensar would understand. I think he should be visiting me here soon." she said, looking at the doorway behind me.

"I could at least send a medic here to check on you." I replied, worried tone growing.

"It's alright. I will be fine." she answered. "Like I said, Lensar usually visits me right about now." she studied the doorway, as if she was waiting for someone.

'Damn...' I thought. 'if someone is coming, I can't talk to her about leaving. I'll have to wait til later...' I looked back to Phoenix. "Alright... I have to go find my Carrier. I'll... See you tonight?" I asked, thinking about the quiet, calming setting of the lake. That would be a good place to talk to her in private.

She nodded. "I'll get out." She then laid back down, appearing to be to sore to be standing too long. I understood, my own injuries starting to ache again. I nodded to her quietly, heading down the hall.