Stealthblade crawled out of his cave and stretched, getting out all the kinks that had formed during his shut down. He waved his repaired arm around, relieved to see that it truly wasn't bothering him any longer. The only evidence that it had ever been damaged was the crack running up it. He supposed Pulse needed to make it so he'd have the best angle while fixing it up. His armor didn't exactly lift up like the regular Transformers' did. Probably because Ultracon didn't expect him needing many repairs. He definitely had an overconfidence problem.
Suddenly a tingle ran up Stealthblade's chest, burrowing down deep towards his spark chamber! He froze in response, unsure if it was him, or his brother.
Stormstrike? Stealthblade asked hesitantly.
Hey bro. The mech replied weakly.
What's going on, are you injured? Stealthblade demanded.
Not really. Just kinda aching.
How can you be just kinda aching? Stealthblade asked.
Ultracon activated three new elites, and only one of them actually remembers everything. I've been put in charge of training them. Stormstrike explained.
What, three!?! And only one remembers? Stealthblade could hardly believe it.
Yeah, but he's a pretty bad dude. According to Ultracon, the moment he woke up he pledged full loyalty to him, despite remembering everything, though Ultracon told him to keep it secret from the rest of us. Stormstrike explained.
So we basically got a pure evil elite here. Stealthblade sighed.
Yep, and guess what, Ultracon decided to put him in charge of taking you in. Stormstrike told his older sibling.
That would be my luck. Stealthblade grumbled.
He's good Stealth, real good. Stormstrike mentally flinched as he thought this.
Who is he? Stealthblade swiftly demanded.
Ultracon named him Shadowshifter. He's sort of like a stealth soldier like you, only for one on one up close combat.
So Ultracon's playing on my weaknesses it seems. Stealthblade mused.
He enjoys fighting Stealth, and he can go just as transparent as you can. The only plus to this is I can still detect his energy signature, but I can't get a heat reading from him when he drops it. Stormstrike's mind grew more concerned for his brother as he said this, knowing that was how his brother detected most danger.
What's his transformation?
Uh, a SR-71 Blackbird, he's about the same size as you in robot mode. Stormstrike said.
All right, well I know what to look out for now, thanks. Stealthblade thanked.
Uh Stealth, there's something else you need to know. Stormstrike muttered.
Stealthblade waited for him to continue, and Stormstrike let out a mental sigh.
Of the other two elites, one's a pretty big heavy artillery 'con, but he's not really that important, the other one, is a…well a…femme. Stormstrike mumbled.
A…femme? Stealthblade felt his spark lurch.
Yeah, she's a specialized sniper, and was definitely female when she was, well human.
Stealthblade didn't reply, unsure of what to think. That body could have been his, and he wouldn't be, a guy. He clenched a fist unconsciously.
Stealth, you okay? Stormstrike asked worriedly when he still said nothing.
I'm…I'll be all right. Just a bit jealous, that's all. Stealthblade tried to sound more lighthearted than he was actually feeling, hoping it would reassure his brother.
Their connection suddenly faded as Stormstrike's pain began to reduce. He felt his brother grow slightly panicked suddenly.
Stealthblade, Ultracon's planning to se…! Stormstrike's message was cut off as his pain reduced to almost nothing.
Stormstrike? Stormstrike? Stealthblade called mentally, but was answered only by his own thoughts.
Great, what was he trying to say? Ultracon's planning to what? Stealthblade sighed, his helm spikes flattening unhappily.
He looked up at the sky, watching the sun beginning to set. Montana would be back at the orphanage any minute. He transformed and launched up into the sky, dropping his energy signature as he flew off towards the city. He watched Pulse drop off Montana, and then drive around back.
I think someone wants to give me a check up. Stealthblade thought.
He transformed back into robot mode and landed behind the building, right alongside the medic 'bot.
"Hey." Stealthblade greeted good natured like.
Montana appeared in the window, and opened it quickly, popping her head out with a large smile pasted on her face.
"Good evening Stealthblade!" Montana grinned.
"Hello Montana." Stealthblade's visor glowed friendlily.
Montana cocked her head, pointing up at it.
"Does that always glow when you're happy or something?"
"Just when I want to smile." Stealthblade explained, making her grin return.
"Hey grin bot, let me see your arm." Pulse said expressionless.
Stealthblade held out his arm, which Pulse carefully scanned over. He made him run it through a series of movements, and even morph out his snipe rifle, though Stealthblade could tell the medic was nervous when he did this.
"Any discomfort?" Pulse asked as Stealthblade retracted his weapon.
"No, feels great actually." He answered.
"Well, okay, but if you ever experience any more problems, meet here first before sneaking into the base." Pulse requested.
"No promises." Stealthblade chuckled.
This got him a good glare from Pulse, but he quickly shrugged it off.
"Oh, I've got some important news from my brother." Stealthblade remembered.
The two froze, waiting for him to expand.
"Ultracon's created three new elites." Stealthblade said.
"Three?" Pulse muttered.
"Yeah, one's a sniper, one's for heavy artillery, and the last one's…" Stealthblade trailed off.
"What's the last one?" Pulse demanded.
"He's a stealth soldier like me, only for close range." Stealthblade murmured.
"Another stealth soldier, but why would Ultracon create two?" Pulse asked.
"He's being trained to take me in." Stealthblade sighed.
Montana stiffened, her eyes growing wide.
"Wait, if he's a close range soldier, and you're distance, then…" She muttered.
"Yeah, my biggest weakness." Stealthblade admitted.
"What are you going to do?" She asked worriedly.
"Not let him come near me." Stealthblade kidded.
"Stealthblade!" Montana exclaimed.
"I know, it doesn't work like that. Truth is I don't know what to do. I wasn't exactly born a soldier." Stealthblade grumbled.
Pulse furrowed his brow plate in thought. "Stealthblade, I've been meaning to ask you, what's your energon level?"
Stealthblade hesitated. Fact was he was running low due to the rate his body burned through it when he raised and lowered his energy and heat signature, not to mention went transparent.
"I uh, might go into stasis in a matter of days." Stealthblade twitched a helm spike.
"Just as I thought." Pulse muttered, and then pulled something out of his chest plate.
It was refined energon, enough to last Stealthblade a good week if he took it all at once. Pulse offered it to him, which he took graciously.
"Gee, thanks Pulse. You're beginning to make me feel guilty." Stealthblade said.
"Don't, you've just supplied us with valuable information after all." Pulse waved of Stealthblade's words.
After a bit of more light hearted talking, Pulse finally said he had to go, and took off back to the Autobot base, leaving Montana and Stealthblade alone.
"Stealthblade, what if you can't fight off that new stealth soldier?" She mused.
"Montana, nothing in the world could make me go back to the Decepticons." Stealthblade reassured.
"Yeah but…" She protested.
"Hey, stop worrying, I've got more experience than him anyways, plus a brother on the inside. With him looking out for me, I'll never get dragged back there." His visor glowed lightly trying to relax the young girl.
"Stealth…" She whispered.
"I think it's time for you to go to bed now." Stealthblade cut her off.
When Montana refused to move, Stealthblade reached in with a few fingers and gently pushed her towards her bed. Reluctantly she complied, and as soon as her sheets were pulled up around her, Stealthblade took off into the night, heading back for his cave, recharging with the energon Pulse had given him along the way.
He discarded the empty energon container within his caved, but before he could enter himself, a tingle ran up his right arm.
Stormstrike, what is it? Stealthblade asked.
He sent him out! He sent Shadowshifter out an hour ago! I don't know where he is! Stealthblade, he's going to bring you back! Stormstrike exclaimed.
Whoa, cool the jets Storm. How would he even know where I am? Stealthblade stated.
I'm telling you, he's really good, he'll find you if he hasn't already! Stormstrike's thoughts trembled with despair.
Okay, I'll make a perimeter check… Stealthblade took a sharp breath.
Stealth, STEALTH! Stormstrike called desperately.
Stealthblade turned his head around, purple electricity coursing up his semi paralyzed body.
A black, gray, and silver mech stood behind him, with a blood red visor. He also had no mouth like Stealthblade, and many sharp points in his armor jutted out, much like his own. The similarities were striking, only Shadowshifter lacked the helm spikes that could move to show his emotions.
"So you must be Ultracon's replacement for me." Stealthblade growled.
"Something like that." Shadowshifter replied in a voice just as dark as his own.
Stealthblade forced his body to turn and face the black mech, pulling himself up to his full height in the process.
"Hmm, you're taller than I expected." Shadowshifter commented.
"And you're shorter than I expected." Stealthblade retorted, glaring at the mech visor level.
Shadowshifter suddenly pulled out an energy whip, and cracked it threatening beside him.
"I'll give you two options. Come back quietly so Ultracon can alter you're mainframe, or struggle and make me carry you back piece by piece." Shadowshifter threatened.
"Can I get back to you on that?" Stealthblade asked, making the other stealth soldier chuckle darkly.
"You'll prove an interesting fight." Shadowshifter growled with a chuckle behind it.
"Maybe." Stealthblade said lowly.
Shadowshifter suddenly lashed out with his red energy whip, making Stealthblade flip backwards out of harm's way. The paralyses Shadowshifter had used on him was already beginning to fade out of his system, though it did make purple electricity uncomfortably ripple up whatever body parts he used.
"So, am I gonna get a name out of you?" Stealthblade asked, though he already knew it.
"Ultracon calls me Shadowshifter." He laughed.
"Really, I don't see it." Stealthblade comically cocked his head, only angering the black mech before him.
Stealthblade jumped back again as the 'con charged, rolling behind him as he ran past.
"You're slippery, aren't you?" Shadowshifter growled lightly.
"Only when I'm surrounded by rookies." Stealthblade taunted.
"Okay, no more games." Shadowshifter hissed, and morphed his hand into a cannon.
"Hmm, neat trick." Stealthblade commented as he launched himself into the air to dodge the first shot. "Let me show you mine."
Stealthblade swiftly morphed out his sniper rifle, and shot down at the short range stealth soldier. He rolled out of the way of Stealthblade's shots, taking cover in the nearby trees.
You know, this is not how I wanted to waste my energon. Stealthblade grumbled mentally.
He transformed and took off, hoping to put some distance between himself and the 'con. To his dismay Shadowshifter launched himself right up after him, transforming into his SR-71 Blackbird. Stealthblade cranked up his speed, just under the speed of sound. Shadowshifter kept up with ease.
Stealthblade, what's happening? Stormstrike exclaimed in his head, the tingling returning to his body.
I made a new friend. Stealthblade replied.
He found you already!?! Stormstrike thought in astonishment.
Yep. Today's just my lucky day I guess.
Get away from him! Stormstrike urged.
Hey genius, what do you think I'm trying to do? Stealthblade asked as he broke the sound barrier.
He slammed his brother out of his mind, turning his full attention on the Decepticon that was beginning to gain.
Can't he just give up? Stealthblade grumbled to himself.
He swerved upwards, now directly above the large downtown part of Montana's city. He maintained his faster than sound speed, and it threatened to tear his wings right off as he pointed his nose upwards. Shadowshifter turned up right after him, not losing a beat.
Stealthblade let loose flares, hoping to discourage the black mech. One struck his adversary, sending him spiraling downwards before regaining control. If he had been a regular human machine, that flare would have surely taken him out, unfortunately, Stealthblade wasn't so lucky.
He climbed until he was far above the clouds, and the air was beginning freeze up his internal circuits. Stealthblade raised his internal temperature, loosening his joints back up, allowing him to transform back into robot mode. He ducked and rolled back down to earth as Shadowshifter nearly collided with him.
Stealthblade blasted his thrusters on maximum, spiraling head first back to Earth. He scanned behind him, seeing Shadowshifter turning and coming right back down after him, still in vehicle mode.
Stealthblade shot back at him, making the Decepticon swerve to avoid. What troubled him was why Shadowshifter hadn't tried to shoot him down yet. With him chasing after him like this, he obviously had the advantage.
The Decepticon increased his speed more, and swept right underneath the black mech.
"GUUHH!" Stealthblade collided hard into Shadowshifter's metal body, and rolled over him, free falling.
Shadowshifter flew down alongside him, looking like he was going to start talking.
"Ultracon requested that I don't damage you unless absolutely necessary. Give up and come with me." He ordered.
"Guess you'll have to damage me." Stealthblade snarled, and fired his snipe rifle, hitting the Decepticon at nearly point blank range.
Shadowshifter swerved away, spiraling out of control! He fired a few more shots in the Decepticon's direction, forcing the enemy to retreat. Stealthblade righted himself and quickly halted his rapid descent, until he was only a few hundred feet over the buildings below. He activated his transparency and lowered his energy signature, scanning around to see if Shadowshifter had decided to turn back around. Stealthblade let out a sigh of relief seeing the mech still flying off back towards the Decepticon base.
"Looks like I can't return to the cave anymore." Stealthblade muttered to himself.
He flew off towards Montana's place. He could hopefully rest there until morning, when he'd try to find a new place to camp out.
A soft thunk echoed out as he touched down behind the orphanage, and a sleepy looking girl slowly made her way over to the window. Her eyes grew puzzled at seeing Stealthblade.
"Hey." Stealthblade waved and sat down, rocking back against the building behind him exhausted.
"Stealthblade? What are you doing here again?" She asked groggily.
"Erm…" Stealthblade twitched a helm spike uncomfortably. "The uh, new stealth soldier found out where I was staying."
"What!" She exclaimed.
"Don't worry; I got rid of him, for now." Stealthblade comforted.
"For now!?!"
"He's been blasted up pretty good, so don't worry about him showing up here." He soothed.
"You, you beat him?" Montana stumbled.
"Of course, like I said before, no force in the universe could drag me back there." Stealthblade reminded.
"Huh, I guess you really can fight." Montana muttered.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?!" Stealthblade demanded.
"Nothing, good-night!" Montana squeaked and hopped back into bed hastily.
"Hey, just because my arm got damaged doesn't mean I can't hold my own!" Stealthblade hissed through the window.
Montana let out a few fake snores, surprisingly make Stealthblade chuckle.
She's a lot like Shiloh was when he was being annoying. Stealthblade lightly thought.
"Don't think you'll get out of this so easily." Stealthblade warned before rocking back, and shutting down for the night.