Lynx never left Luna's side, and never let anybody come near enough to even touch her, this continued on until Jazz came back, reporting the successful destruction of Soundwave's lab, but he also reported the stealing of Ravage's chassis, and guessed Soundwave must be mourning.
"It'd make sense; even a con' gotta feel loss sometimes." He had said.
Lynx only growled and made a small gash in his ped for stepping too close to Luna as he passed by. For several days Luna wandered the base with Lynx right beside her. Splitz began to talk more fluently and also developed a little habit of pulling pranks, much to the rage of Ratchet but the enjoyment of the younger of the team. Splitz often gained tips and ideas from Bumblebee but chastisement from Arcee and Ratchet. Moonbeam took after treating Splitz like a son and was often seen playing with him and going after him for his pranks. All in this time Lynx's mood seemed to get darker and darker, her warnings began to turn into all out threats when anybody came too near Luna and the result was sometimes dangerous.
"No Lynx." Luna said, putting her hand in the way of the cat's as she raised her claw to strike at Sari for knocking Luna down.
Sari lay on the ground, pinned by the feral feline, scared out of her mind.
Lynx snarled but lowered her paw and backed away from Sari and resumed her place beside Luna, who only shook her head in disappointment before helping Sari stand.
"I'm SO sorry, I won't let her do that again, we promise." She said, giving Lynx a look that suggested a prayer for an apology.
Lynx growled and crossed her servos before making a small grunt to signify her 'apology' and earning a sigh from Luna.
Sari just shook her head, not understanding the cat.
"Jeez, I'm sorry for running into you, Luna, but why does she have to be so mean?" she asked, making a wary glance at Lynx, in case she attempted anything.
Luna made a sigh of defeat. "She's still just tense, being around so many others is just confusing for her, that's all."
Sari frowned then looked at Lynx, who narrowed her visor in return.
Sari looked back at Luna and just shook her head.
"I think she has to see ratchet, maybe he could help." She said before turning and flying off.
Luna looked at Lynx and crouched to her level, giving her a pleading look.
Lynx growled at her.
"Don't look at me like that." She snapped, earning a wince from Luna.
"…Lynx-" she began,"…you have to work on this, I think you should rest or see Ratchet, I can tell your tired…and I can tell you haven't eaten since we've gotten here, you should try-"
"No." Lynx stated with a small growl.
Luna shook her head, why did she have to be so stubborn?
"…Lynx…i think…maybe you should see Ratchet-"
Lynx growled.
"I'm NOT going under while some rusty old bot can examine me." She said a hint of venom in her voice.
Luna sighed.
"Just…take it easy…alright? Just…wander around a bit, I'll be alright, but you need to calm down a bit…alright?" she said, pleading with her voice.
Lynx was hesitant before she sighed.
"...Alright…just…until the end of today…got it?" she said, her voice tense.
Luna smiled.
"Alright" She smiled and gave the cat a hug, "thanks Lynxy." She said smiling.
Lynx stiffened but relaxed after a moment.
"…Alright alright…" she grumbled, clearly uncomfortable.
Luna released her hug and stood straight.
"I'll see you later." She said smiling before turning to walk.
Lynx watched for a moment.
"Wait! Where are you going?" she called out, her voice almost pleading.
Luna turned back and smiled.
"To find Splitz, I saw him with a paint can earlier." She then turned and ran off to find the little trouble maker, leaving Lynx looking stunned and a little lonely.
***
"SPLIIITZ!" Ratchet roared as he ran through the base, searching for the small truck as he wiped paint from his optics.
A small giggle in the vents went unheard as he thundered past and the small truck peeked out, grinning at the receding medic.
"Score for me." He chuckled before climbing out and skating away. He chuckled and scanned behind himself for any sign of pursuit but came to a sudden stop as he crashed into a small figure.
"OOF!" he grunted, his face hurting from the crash.
"Ouch, oh, he he, painted on Ratchet again, Splitz?" Luna giggled, picking up the minibot as she sat up.
Splitz shook his helm and blinked before grinning at her.
"Yup! The old guy didn't even realize I was there until- BAM!" he said waving his arms in the air, "I dumped the paint and ran!" He said, grinning.
Luna giggled before tickling him, causing him to giggle and squirm in her grip.
"You're a little trouble maker, you KNOW he's going to get Moonbeam to come after you again." She said, her tone becoming serious.
Splitz just grinned wider.
"That's the point." Quickly he broke free of her grip, transformed and zipped off.
"Catch me if you can!" he laughed.
Luna just giggled before scrambling after him.
Once both were gone a feline head poked from behind a corner and trotted after, being careful to keep from their view.
***
Luna giggled as Splitz made circles around her before leading her into the rec room.
"Awww you're so slow!" he laughed as he circled around the couch.
Luna just giggled and waited.
Splitz made a squeal of surprise as two metallic hands grabbed him as he circled in front of the doorway
Luna giggled lightly as Moonbeam picked Splitz up and held him in her palm, making gestures at him.
Splitz transformed and gave her a confused look while Luna made a look of understanding.
"Uhhhh I don't understand what you're trying to say Moonbeam." He said.
Moonbeam seemed frazzled until Luna tapped her ped.
"Did you want him to transform?" she asked.
Moonbeam nodded towards her, setting Splitz on her shoulder for safe keeping.
Luna nodded, understanding.
"Okay, I don't know any sign language word for 'transform' but I do know one for 'change'" she said, she took her hands, made them into partial fists and made her index fingers into hook shapes.
"You do this…" and she made a twisting circle gesture, placing the heels of her palms together, pulling them apart and twisting them midair and reversing their positions.
"That's Sign Language for 'change'" she said, smiling at her.
Moonbeam watched her repeat the gesture a few times before copying her, getting it the first try.
"You got it." She giggled, smiling at Moonbeam, "I can teach you more sign language if you want." She said, earning a delighted clap from Moonbeam.
Luna smiled.
"SLAGGIT WHERE IS HE?!" a Ratchet roared as he came into the rec room, his optics narrowed as he searched for the minibot.
Splitz, who was currently cowering in a mixture of fear and excitement on Moonbeam's shoulder regained his courage and blasted a verbal raspberry in the enraged bot's
direction.
"WHY YOU LITTL-" he started, stepping towards the minibot only to stumble back as the minibot leapt at him and disappeared beneath his armor. The resulting audio piercing screech and dance was both amusing and painful as the minibot made his course throughout his systems. After a few moments he popped out on his back armor and leaped down and watching with great amusement, all the while tapping the side of his before finally transforming and speeding off.
Luna and Moonbeam did their best to calm the flailing medic and after a few moments of confusion and excitement they managed to restrain him and convince him the minibot was gone and out of his systems.
"I saw him go Ratchet," Luna said, attempting to console him, "he did no harm."
Ratchet grumbled in both embarrassment and simmering rage as moonbeam patted his shoulders and Luna patted his ped.
"Little slagger…" he muttered along with several other curses that neither Luna nor Moonbeam could recognize.
Moonbeam turned towards Arcee and Bulkhead as they raced towards them with confusion and concern planted on their faces.
"What happened?" Arcee puffed, going past Moonbeam and placing herself beside Ratchet, whose faceplate turned a light pink.
"He was looking for Splitz and Splitz…um you could say got under his armor." She said bluntly.
Bulkhead scratched his helm with a prong.
"What does that mean?" he asked with his usual confusion.
Ratchet scowled, his blush deepened in embarrassment before he burst into his usual gruffness as he jumped up and shouted at Bulkhead.
"BECAUSE THAT LITTLE PIT SPAWN IS SMALL ENOUGH TO CRAWL UNDER MY ARMOR!" he roared.
Bulkhead blinked and rubbed at his audio's as Ratchet stomped off fuming with Arcee close behind.
"…what was THAT all about?" he asked.
Luna just sighed and just shook her head in amusement.
***
Lynx watched Luna as she showed Moonbeam some basic sign language, she made sure she was hidden and did her best not to growl when Jazz entered the rec room.
"Hey beams, wanna go on patrol with me? I could use the company." He grinned, showing off his denta.
Moonbeam lowered her chin as if trying to hide a blush before looking towards Luna, who made an urging gesture, then nodded towards Jazz and stood up to follow.
Jazz grinned wider, clearly pleased, "Let's go." And with that he led Moonbeam off, leaving Luna alone.
Luna smiled after the pair before sighing and relaxing on the couch, enjoying the moment of peace.
After a moment she frowned, hearing the light padding of metallic paws and turned to look as Lynx walked around the couch and looked at her, clearly displeased.
Luna blinked then smiled, patting the space beside her.
"It's not even six, but I'll make an exception." She said with an understanding smile.
Lynx made a small purring sound before hopping up and curled up beside Luna. Her sides vibrated as Luna stroked her side and was content for a few moments before falling into much delayed recharge.
***
Lynx woke abruptly her senses told her she was being scanned and she immediately onlined her visor and gave off an enraged yowl, at the same time she leapt up in the air, transforming and landing catlike on the back of the couch, her ears bent back and her face scrunched up in a feral snarl at the figure before her.
Luna yelped and woke up as Lynx yowled and stumbled to a standing position, ready to run if need be. Blinking rapidly she remembered where she was and looked as Lynx snarled on the back of the couch, quickly she turned her gaze and looked at Ratchet, he was holding a strange device and was clearly surprised.
"R-ratchet?" Luna asked, rubbing her eyes, "What's go-"
"He's trying to scan me!" Lynx hissed, snarling at the now glaring medic.
"You NEED a scanning," he said, moving towards Lynx, "your lack of coloring resembles-"
Lynx yowled again and fell off the back of the couch, landing with a yelp of pain on her side.
"Lynx?!" Luna yelped, quickly peering over the edge in fear.
Lynx scrambled to her feet lurching from side to side in disorientation as she stumbled to the doorway.
"Hey!" Ratchet yelled, quickly going around the couch.
"No wait!" Luna shouted, reaching out as if she could make the doc stop with pure will.
Lynx turned and saw him coming, a feeling of fear overpowered her and she yowled in fear before transforming and running.
Luna scrambled off of the couch and started after the cat.
"Lynx! Wait!" she shouted.
Ratchet groaned in frustration before going after her as well.
Lynx ran, desperation clouded her mind as she raced down the halls, she felt her normal exterior fade as she rushed for the exit, her fear blinded her so much she barely registered Splitz until it was too late and both went tumbling into the wall.
"OUCH! Hey, what's the big- Lynx?" he said, instantly perplexed as Lynx scrambled away.
Lynx continued her mad sprint, her fraying logic told her that the exit was near and she spotted the entrance to the base as she rushed out of the halls and bolted for it.
"Lynx! Wait!"
Lynx barely registered Luna's call as she raced out and into the night.
Luna sprinted to the entrance and called again.
"LYNX!" she howled, her breath nearly gone as she raced out after the distraught feline.
Ratchet appeared behind her and cursed under his breath before sighing and he transformed and drove out to retrieve them, he didn't even notice the small truck that zipped after him.
***
Luna panted as she sprinted after the receding feline, and after only a few moments, she was gone.
"Lynx?" she called,"LyyyYYYYYnx!" her voice rising, "Come on Lynx, he only meant the best for you, it was only a scan, I promise I won't let him scan you again!" she shouted,
hoping she was heard.
Lynx trembled, her paws were numb and she felt like she had lost touch to the world. She slumped against a wall, cycling heavily and fighting to keep her vision straight. What was going on? Why did she run? Why was she acting so strange? She scowled; it was odd, it had been happening for a while, ever since the Megatron incident these spells have been happening more and more often. She was suspecting that maybe the Medic bot's concern was not scientific curiosity, but real concern for her health…maybe-
"Lynx?"
Lynx looked and squinted, was that Luna? Why did she follow her? Who else followed her? What was that noise?
Lynx's squint turned into a frown, her attention suddenly on the noise, it was familiar…metallic, but her senses have been so wayward with her she wasn't sure if it was a trick or truth.
"Lynx?" Luna said, her voice softening as she approached her, "Are you okay?"
Lynx scowled deeper, she swore she recognized that sound, and by the shudders going down her spinal struts, it was not good news.
"Sound…" she murmured and stood, her strength returning to her as did her mind. She growled and looked around and about for the source of the sound.
Luna looked at her, puzzled.
"Sound?" she asked and looked around also, instantly her instinct told her Lynx had sensed danger and she felt her pulse beat faster.
Lynx tasted the air and frowned, the sound was getting louder, then she stiffened, she knew the sound.
"Luna…run." She hissed looking all around.
A loud reverberating screech echoed all around, screams shortly after.
***
Splitz zipped down the streets, pursuing Ratchet and any sign of Lynx and Luna.
Where were they? He thought, it was puzzling why Lynx would run away like this, he knew she wasn't comfortable in the base but he had thought she was beginning to settle in. maybe Ratchet chased her out or maybe she attacked somebody? No she was angry but she was only like because she has trust issues, that reminded him of how he and Luna had met Lynx, they had been walking through the park when-
A load reverberating screech echoed throughout the air, it was so loud and powerful it shook his antennae and made him vibrate a bit on the ground.
What was THAT?! He thought, a sliver of panic in him, he recognized that kind of screech and it terrified him, but when he heard the screams he immediately took a short cut.
Ratchet drove until he heard the screech; quickly he came to a quick stop and listened for the source. Then the screams hit him and he did his best to drive towards it, his scanners on high alert, but a displacement field must have been nearby, his scanners didn't pick up anything. A sickening feeling churned in his pipes, as he drove he sent a silent prayer to primus.
***
Splitz drove towards the sounds, from his guess it was a battle, and by the sound of it, a
pretty bad battle.
He transformed and peered around a corner, the sounds of the fight seemed to be coming from the alley and he felt shaken, slowly he peeked around the corner and he stiffened at what he saw.
***
Splitz raced as fast as he could to Ratchet, he wasn't sure how he knew to find him but he did and when he came to him he immediately began to spill out what he knew.
Ratchet stared at Splitz in shock before he tried to calm the hysterical mini down.
"Whoa whoa, calm the frag down, what happened? What's going on?" he said, trying to ease down Splitz.
Splitz cycled heavily before he began to speak again.
"L-Luna! Lynx! Th-the bat! That bird!" he shouted, too scared to make any sense.
Ratchet was getting fed up, his panicking was getting him nowhere, so quickly he scooped up the shaken sparkling and began heading towards where he saw him coming from.
"Now tell me calm now Splitz, what the FRAG is happening?" he growled.
Splitz trembled and forced out his wits into one word.
"c-c-CONS!" he cried.
Ratchet practically flew then.
***
They both arrived at the alley to see Lynx lay on her side, motionless, small bits of energon dribbled from her wounds, despite their size.
Ratchet rushed and quickly scanned around, Luna and the cons were nowhere to be seen before examining Lynx. He half expected her to leap up at him from being so near.
Splitz watched, staring in a mixture of shock and terror on the medic's shoulder, to shaken to move or look away from Lynx.
Ratchet cursed under his breath, it was just as he suspected. Quickly he searched through his reserves for something and cursed again as he pulled out a hypodermic needle, quickly he stuck it into his arm and drew out some of his energon.
"w-wh-wha-what's th-th-" Splitz stuttered, still unable to make sense.
Ratchet grunted as he drew out the needle and injected it into Lynx.
"Her energon levels are so depleted she doesn't even have enough to leak." He growled, "I KNEW she was starving herself, probably not intentionally, but by the lack of pigment on her I could tell she was fading." With that he picked up the unconscious feline and held her close to his chassis, but was careful to be gentle. Quickly he transformed and drove, Lynx in his cab with Splitz.
"The shard in her must've been the only thing keeping her online." He muttered as he raced back to base.
Splitz only stared in despair.