Illusions of Love

by Zaru

Summary: Post Movieverse. After the events of Mission City, new Autobots arrive. Among them is Mirage who, as soon as he arrives, notices a young woman running for her life. Now, being a new human ally, she is torn between giving her heart to Mirage and Barricade, who has made his way into Autobot ranks. Who will win her over?

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. It belongs to Hasbro. I do own Zaru Kiys. I do not own Jade Rivers. She belongs to my friend (who has given me full permission to use her) Icarian Angel Wings. I do not own Leiana Lopez either. She belongs to my friend (with full permission of usage) to Ninjalala. I do not own Rose Connelly. She belongs to my friend (with full permission of usage) to Blackwing Rose. Other characters mentioned in this story belong to me as well. Also, songs mentioned in any chapter does not belong to me either. They belong to their writers/creators/singers. Nor do I profit on this fanfic in any way, shape or form. Thank you.

Author's Note: This is the second to last chapter. Sorry guys! And hopefully you really enjoy this one! XD

Chapter 11

()-()-()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Jade and Zaru continued struggling against their captors the best they could. While their hands were in the process of being bound by the scraggly black-haired man known as Slater and an unknown male with silver-streaked brown hair and gray eyes, Jade lifted a leg and kicked the driver side seat hard as she could, hoping to distract the driver enough for him to stop the vehicle. It worked the first couple of times, a red-haired man gripping the wheel tightly and swerving from side to side. Sometimes he would slow down some, then speed up when he thought the kicking of his seat stopped. But there was no chance of him stopping. Slater was urging him to continue driving the rusted mustang through the wide city streets.

When the blonde-brunette was ready to pummel the seat with her feet once again, Slater brandished a knife, so shiny, the sun streaming through the window gleamed from it. He showed it to Jade.

"I suggest you keep your feet to yourself. Okay, sweetheart?" He leaned over her, breathing foul breath in her face. "Or do I need to teach you a lesson in manners?" He smirked when he saw her dark eyes grow wide.

Zaru was sitting next to Jade, squished in the middle, hands unable to reach for the door handle hoping to jump out. Her eyes closed in disgust and fear. This was definitely not the day to be messing with her. And definitely not the time to mess with her friends. Because when it came to her friends, she would not stand for anything.

"Just leave her the fuck alone, Slater! She hasn't done anything to you! I'm the one you want! Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!" She sneered through gritted teeth.

The stubble-beared man looked at her in surprise. "Are you saying you want to die?"

"If it keeps her out of this, I'll do anything you want! Just please leave her alone!" The green-haired woman played with the rope tying her hands behind her back. If I can at least get one hand free, we can be out of here and I can whoop their asses! But the bonds were so tight around her, she was giving herself rope burn on her wrists. Shit! What the hell am I gonna do?

A grin appeared on the face of the unnamed man next to Zaru. "Anything, honey? I know what I could do to you." He wiggled his eyebrows her way lustfully.

She shuddered in the horror of it all. I have to save Jadie. I have to keep her alive! I can't let anything happen to her! "You're such a disgusting pig!" She hissed under her breath.

Next thing she knows, a knife is against her throat. "You wanna say that out loud, honey? I didn't hear ya." The man growled. She didn't answer him earning the knife's sharp blade pushing into her neck.

"Ah!" She gasped. "I said you were a disgusting pig! Does that make you happy, asshole?"

Jade stared helplessly at her friend. What were they going to? Where were they being taken to? She hoped Hound was still following behind them. Adjusting her body, she turned her head, her eyes seeing the familiar green jeep through the encrusted back windshield. Thank the heavens he's still here!

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Hound revved his engine in displeasure as he continued racing after the nasty looking mustang the humans were taken away in.

Those humans are going to pay for taking those two! It was his fault they were taken though. If he had stayed with them at the store instead of wanting to go to the carwash, they would be in his alt mode that very moment, riding over rough terrain while screaming and shouting for joy. But no. His friends were taken under his nose and he was powerless to do anything to stop it. No! I'll get you back, girls! Just keep holding on! Stay alive! I know back-up is on the way!

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Four vehicles sped down the streets of Tranquility trying to locate Hound straight away. All four of the transformers hoped nothing happened to Zaru or Jade. They were allies. They were friends. If anything happened to them, the humans would pay with their dastardly deed.

Blurr was leading Sunstreaker and Sideswipe next to Mirage who was gearing it up a notch every little bit. The blue sharpshooter mech knew his fellow Autobot was overly worried of the welfare of his charge and spark mate. He sighed heavily. How he wished he had his own spark mate to protect.

Suddenly, a comlink call came in from Hound to all the Autobots.

...[Come in, Autobots! This is Hound!]...

Mirage answered straight away. ...[Mirage, here! What are your coordinates, Hound?]... He hoped he would answer right away.

There was a moment of static before Hound answered once again.

...[I can't send you exact coordinates! They keep changing every second!]...

If we don't have exact coordinates, how will we find them? Mirage wondered. ...[We need to know the location, Hound!]...

...[I'm doing the best I can right now, Mirage! I'm on their bumper!]...

...[Where is a location you are coming up to?]... If we can't get coordinates, we just need information ahead of time to get to them.

...[No! The car is turning right on Wheeler and Boston!]... Hound seemed a little frantic now.

...[Hound, what's wrong?]... Blurr came into the conversation.

...[It's speeding up! I think they know I'm on to them!]...

No... Mirage panicked.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Slater had his arm resting on the behind Jade's head while looking ahead. She was unable to see anything with the huge bicep in the way. Hound, please, still be there! Please!

Zaru was getting a little dizzy from the heat, her eyes dropping and her head leaning back against the seat. Since she hadn't consumed water or any type of food within the last couple of days, her body was ready to fall down for the count. The gray-eyed man next to her noticed the change in her attitude. He didn't care whatsoever about her, but Slater wanted her to remain alive. And awake. Especially for what they were about to do her once they reached their hideout.

He reached up with a big hand, slapping her cheek a little. "Hey, honey, wake up. What's wrong with you?"

Her head dropped forward, bobbing a little every now and then. She was really exhausted. It really didn't help if she barely got any sleep either.

"Nnn, what?" She asked.

He grabbed her chin, lifting her face to his gaze. "Stay awake, sweetheart. We want to have some fun with you."

Anger overtaking her weak body, she growled and pulled her face away from him.

"Don't touch me, you son of a bitch!" Shaking off her hunger pangs, she turned to face the back windshield still seeing Hound. Thank primus for you, Hound! I love you for this!

Slater noticed her looking and snapped his fingers to his buddy. "Hey, Brad, check and see what she's looking at. I can't see a thing from over here."

The man now known as Brad sat up, one leg on the seat while looking out the window. He noticed the jeep behind them, but thought nothing of it.

"It's nothing, man. Just a green jeep." Then he squinted his eyes, noticing there no was driver at the wheel. "Oh, shit, man!"

"What?"

"There's no one driving that car, dude!"

Slater's eyes widened. "Are you shitting me, Brad?"

Brad glared over at his leader. "If I'm kidding, then I'm a chick in disguise."

The black-haired head honcho brandished his weapon once again and glared at the girls. "Is that another of your robot buddies?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Slater. Are you high?"

He stood up in the seat, taking a peek out the window himself. "I ain't high, girl, and I know what I'm looking at. That's a fucking robot disguised as a jeep!" He sat back down, bumping Jade in the head with his arm.

"Ow!" She cringed.

"Which one is that? One of your two big friends? Or is that someone new?"

"I. Don't. Know. What. You. Are. Talking. About." Her face was serious, but he knew she was lying to him.

"All right fine. You wanna play that way? Fine with me. Jack, hurry up and get to the hideout." He smirked. "We're ready to have some fun with our precious hostages."

Jade's eyes widened like saucers. Hostages? When did we become hostages?

"How are we hostages when nobody knows you're doing this?" She asked.

"Yeah, Slater. When did it come from kidnaping to becoming hostages?" Zaru questioned.

"Just shut up. No more yapping from you or I cut you here and now." Brad threatened.

The girls shut up as they realized the driver shifted the gears of the mustang, turning abruptly onto a dirt road before a dead end, disappearing in a cloud of dust. The girls just hoped Hound was still behind them.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Hound was within firing range. He could take out the tires with just a single blast or two but he didn't want to harm the girls. They were the mustang. If he fired, there was a chance the both of them could get hurt. He wouldn't allow that to happen to them. Suddenly, he noticed the car sped up quickly taking a quick right turn, disappearing. Growling, he burnt his tires, going at his top speed, turning to follow, but stopped, tires squealing, realizing he was at a dead end.

"Slag it all!!" He cursed. This is all my fault. I let them down. Please forgive me, girls. We'll find you! I promise!

The green mech never realized the cloud of dust on the dirt road to the left of him slowly dying down.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Mirage and the others were coming up to the corner of Wheeler and Boston when Hound radioed in to them.

...[Mirage, this is Hound.]...

Why does he sound upset? ...[This is Mirage. What's going on now, Hound? What's your current location?]...

...[I'm at a dead end of Wheeler. They're gone, Mirage. I lost them. I have no idea where they are at.]...

Mirage was silent. He didn't know what to say or do. His spark was aching to be reunited with its spark mate and now he was unable to. He mentally thought of how he would kill those humans when he got a hold of them. To rip them apart, limb by limb. To blast at them until they were nothing but ashes and blood. The blue mech braked suddenly, the other three vehicles stopping around him. He was on the side near Wheeler and Boston, engine stalled.

Blurr parked up beside him. "Mirage."

"I'll kill them." His voice dripped with a venomous tone. "I'll tear them apart. They will never see tonight. Not if I have anything to do with it."

"Whoa, Mirage! Calm down, man." Sunstreaker was behind him parked. "We know you're upset because they took Zaru, but you need to calm down. I'm certain we'll find them. I know we will."

"How can you be so fragging sure about that, Sunstreaker? For all we know..." His words trailed off. He wanted to kill. That was the only thoughts penetrating his thinking processors at the moment.

"What does your spark tell you?" Sideswipe asked. "You would know if she was dead or not."

"I don't care. Anything could happen when we don't know exactly where they are!"

"All right, Blurr. Contact Optimus right now! Perhaps they can trace the comwatches the girls have." Sunstreaker explained.

Blurr wanted to mentally smack himself. Now why didn't I think of that? "All right. That's an excellent idea, Sunstreaker."

"I have great ideas every now and then."

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Back at the base, Leiana, Rose and the rest of the Autobots were awaiting word from the others about the welfare of Zaru and Jade. It had been almost an hour since they were all sent out with no word. Everybody was bound to become worried.

Rose fisted her hands in concern. She didn't want to think the worst, but with such a long period of time passing by, how could they not consider the bad happening to both Jade and Zaru. The red-headed gothic woman shook her head, water shimmering in her stormy eyes. Please let them be all right.

Ratchet noticed the uneasiness of the situation for Rose and scooped her up in his hand. He gently set her on his shoulder, where she tried to make herself comfortable. His hand was atop her body, keeping her warm.

"Rose, it will be all right. Don't worry. I feel that everything will turn out just fine."

She reached up a slightly paled hand, wiping away unshed tears. "How do you know that, Ratch?"

He smiled warmly. "In case you don't remember, Zaru can take care of herself. And I have no doubt Jade is able to do the same. As long as the both of them work together, do as they're told by their captors, I believe all will be well."

"But, Ratch, what if you're wrong? What if something does happen to them?"

He gently petted the full length of her body as it lay on his shoulder, gripping to keep herself from falling.

"I know it. Do not consider the worst of a situation unless it comes down to it, Rose."

Sniffling, she nodded. "You're right, love. I can't be thinking like that."

Leiana sighed in frustration. They should have responded with something a long time before about Zaru and Jade. But all there was was silence. A continuous silence from the comlinks. She wished that it never happened in the first place. And for the long period they were waiting, it got her thinking of how they were taken. Hound was there with them. How come he didn't stop it from happening? Why didn't he do anything? She growled, squeezing her eyes shut, and hit the closest thing to her which was Ironhide.

Ironhide grunted a little after hearing a small clang, something colliding with his leg. Looking down, he saw the dark-skinned femme Leinana holding her hand. The poor girl. He groaned as he leaned down, grabbing her gently around the waist, pulling her up to his optic line of sight.

"What's the matter with you?" He asked a little too gruffly.

Her brown eyes narrowed in hatred and she punched his hand. "Put me down, Ironhide! I'm in no mood for this!"

Sighing, he set her on his shoulder, not allowing her back down safely on the base floor.

"You're gonna stay put right there until you tell me what got up your aft."

Her eyes blinked in shock. What does he care how I feel? "What do you care?"

Femmes. "Hey, I care about you humans enough not to stomp on ya. Now spit it out, femme. What's wrong?"

"I'm just...frustrated is all."

He nodded. Now the words are spilling out. "Why?"

"Because Jade and Zaru would be here or out off-roading if Hound protected them."

"I see." He patted her head once. "Well, you can't blame Hound. He didn't see it coming, I'm sure."

"I bet he went to sleep or something and let them roam. And that's why they were taken!" It wasn't that she didn't like Hound. She liked him just fine. But after what happened, she felt he wasn't the kind of mech who could handle protecting two girls from a band of thugs.

"These kind of things happen. Hound is not to blame."

Optimus nodded as he walked over to them two. "He's right. Hound may have been distracted somehow and not realized what happened until afterward. But we will speak with him directly after his return."

Leiana nodded herself, knowing Optimus was correct. She couldn't blame the green mech. The situation the two female put themselves in was not his fault. It could have happened when they were with anybody.

"I guess you're right, Optimus. I'm sorry for speaking so low of Hound." Her hands fisted. "But it just irks me that he didn't stop it from happening."

"I know, Leiana, I kn-" Optimus was cut off with an alert coming in from Blurr.

...[Optimus, this is Blurr.]...

The Autobot leader stood straight and stared at the huge screen in front of them. "This is Optimus. What's your status, Blurr?"

...[Hound lost sight of them. But Sunstreaker had the idea of tracing Jade and Zaru's location by connecting to their comwatches.]...

Leiana smiled. That's my Sunny.

Optimus nodded. "Yes. You would be correct. That is an intelligent idea, Blurr. We'll trace the coordinates of the comwatches and send all of you the exact location of where they are. Optimus out."

Rose's eyes fell heavily as she continued laying on Ratchet's shoulder in a comfortable position, ready to fall asleep. Please, God, bring them home.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

The rusted mustang pulled up to a condemned building that was falling apart. As Zaru and Jade were pulled from the car, they noticed the broken, dust-covered windows and a huge sliding door painted red with paint chips falling off in pieces. The building looked to be a blue color but Zaru wasn't sure. If I can get as many details of this building that I can, I'm sure we'll be able to contact the guys and let them know where we are. Her thoughts were broken as she was shoved from behind, a knife pointing at her back.

"Let's go, Zaru." It was Slater. "Hurry it up. We don't wanna stay in this heat forever, do we?"

The girls didn't know how much more of the heat they could. The vehicle ride was long and hot with the windows only opened a crack. Hopefully it was a lot cooler and they could sit down, rest and stay alive.

The sliding door was opened and they felt a lot of cool air hitting them in their faces. Coolness. If I can cool down enough, I might be able to get us out of here without getting harmed. As they made their way inside, Jade jumped when the door slammed shut. The driver of the mustang, Jack, was behind and latching the door shut as tight as he could, then joined the others.

"Welcome to our hideout, ladies. Hope you enjoy your visit. Although it will be a short one." Slater smacked Zaru on the back and she coughed.

Damn bastard. I'll fucking kill him when I get loose. Grabbing both of their arms, the women were led down a small corridor on the right side which led to an even bigger part of the building holding several boxes, crates and shelves covered with dust and debris.

"Brad, Andrew, please get some chairs for our guests." Slater said, motioning with his hands.

The two men quickly brought chairs around. Brad shoved Jade down into a swivel chair with a broken wheel and Zaru into a metal folding chair.

"What do you believe you are going to get out of this, Slater? Huh? It'll just be murder you know! Not to mention kidnaping! You'll go to prison for life!" Zaru shouted out angrily as Andrew, a passenger of the vehicle with blonde hair lifted her arms to be tied around the back of the chair.

The scraggly haired man thought on it. "I agree. But I'll only go to prison if people find out. That's why it's safe to say killing you will be all the better. Along with your lil friend over there." He sighed heavily. "What a waste of a beautiful face." He walked over, boots clomping toward and rested his hands on the arms of the swivel chair. "I don't believe you ever told me your name, gorgeous."

Jade's dark eyes narrowed in irritation. "Screw you." Great, Jade! An early death for you! Mentally, she wanted to cry. She wanted Skyfire. Skyfire, I hope I'm able to see you again.

Slater continued looking at Jade. "Hmm. You're scared." He nodded. "I know you are. Putting on a strong face over a terrified one. Yeah. I'd have the same one if I was in your position. Especially facing someone like me." He moved away.

She scrunched up her nose. What foul breath!!

Zaru growled. "Why the hell do you have to do this, Slater? Why didn't you just kill me on the spot?"

"Now that would take all the fun out of the torture. Now wouldn't it?"

Torture?! Her eyes widened. I can't stand no torture. I've been tortured enough, dammit! "What exactly do you plan on doing to me, Slater? Cut me? Gut me? Slit my throat? Just watching all that blood pouring from my body? Is that entertainment for you? Or do you just get off on it?"

His right eye twitched and he rushed forward, slapping her hard across her face. Strands of damp green hair clung to her sweaty skin. A red mark was beginning to show up on her face. Shaking her head, Zaru smiled.

"You had to tie me up to beat me? You really love your bondage, don't you?"

Slater licked his teeth with his tongue. "More than you know, sweetheart."

She leaned forward slightly. "You got a little drool hanging on the side of your mouth."

Absently, he wiped his face with the hem of his shirt and stood upright. "All right. Time to get down to business."

"Actually, Slater, not quite yet. I have a few....words to exchange with our guest here." An unknown male voice explained. Both of the women turned to their left to see a tall, shadowed figure walking through. "So, back away, Slater, while I finish up my business here."

Zaru's blue eyes widened in terror. No! It can't be him! He can't be here! No! Tears were brimming in her eyes. "Lyric?"

A tall, dark-tanned male with gray, Asian eyes and mussed up brown hair wearing a blue polo shirt and tan bermuda shorts made his appearance. He smirked, hands folded behind his back and bowed.

"Konnichi-wa, koi." The half-Japanese man stood there, a smirk on his face.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

The four vehicles of the rescue team were awaiting the coordinates from base when a familiar saleen mustang police car drove up beside them. Barricade's holoform was at the wheel, but this time wearing a cop uniform. He looked at them all with crimson eyes.

"What in the frag are you all doing out here?" His deep voice sounded from the holoform.

"Not that it's any of your business, Barricade, but Zaru and Jade were kidnaped by those aft-holes." Sunstreaker explained. How he hated the Decepticon.

Barricade's engine grew loud as the pistons went into overkill. "WHAT?!" He growled, hands fisting his steering wheel. "The human males she was to be protected from?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Blurr responded.

Mirage's engine flared with heat, but he remembered now was not the time to argue or fight against Barricade. His spark mate was missing and he really needed her back. Along with Jade.

"Do you have any idea where she was taken?" The Decepticon asked.

"We'll find out momentarily, Barricade. Please keep it down." Blurr requested.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Wheeljack was tracking the comwatches, two red beeps signally their exact location within minutes.

"Optimus, I found them!" He cried out happily, his ear lights flashing.

Rose woke up instantly after hearing Wheeljack's shout of joy.

"You found them?" She sat up, dizzied from whiplash. "Whoa...gotta make a note to get up slowly next time."

"Yes, Rose. We found their location." The Autobot commander studied the screen questioningly. "But I do not know of this area."

"Which area?" Leiana asked still sitting on Ironhide's shoulder where she felt comforted.

Wheeljack made a huge circle with his finger around the two beeps. "This is a map of Tranquility. Streets, highways and byways have been named. Except for this road here." He pointed to it with his big finger. "Any idea what this is?"

Both the human females looked in closely "I know that place." Rose blinked. "It's a dead road basically. Doesn't have a name or anything."

Wheeljack scratched his chin. "Do you know of any buildings in that area? Residential developments perhaps?"

Leiana shook her head. "I know that area. I've biked there several times. There's nothing on that road. At least nothing I remember."

"Lala, that Whisp Warehouse. Remember? It was legally condemned about a couple years ago."

"A warehouse?" Optimus asked.

"Mm-hmm."

"Oh yeah!" Leiana nodded. "I know what you're talking about. As soon as it opened, they closed it."

"Why would they do that?" Skyfire wondered.

The women shrugged. "Don't know. But right now, we need to send the location to the team so they can retrieve Zaru and Jade!" Rose urged.

Within seconds, Optimus called all four Autobots.

...[We found their location. Before the end of Wheeler, there is...]...

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

...[...a hidden dirt road on the right hand side. You must go down that road until you reach a building. Do you got it?]...

The Autobots and Barricade listened to Optimus' directions very carefully.

"Right, Optimus! Heading that way right now!"

"I'm coming as well!" Barricade stated.

Mirage sighed. Why must this become more complicated?

"Barricade, you know my feelings about you at this moment, do you not?"

Barricade's holoform raised an eyebrow. "Like I care how you feel about me. The only thing I care about right now, is retrieving that human from those putrid males."

Blurr's holoform appeared, a blonde-haired, blue eyed male with stoic features clutching the wheel. "Do you agree, Mirage?"

Mirage's holoform appeared as well, black hair swaying softly against the breeze through the now-open windows. "I'm ready to complete the mission." Nodding, he glared over at the police unit. "All right, Barricade. But we do not use our mech modes. We are to use our holoforms. Orders from Optimus."

"Like I need my true form to kill those fraggers."

Mirage smirked. "Then let's get back our humans."

All four, including Barricade, revved down the street, turning quickly onto Wheeler.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

"Lyric, what are you doing here, you bastard?" Zaru asked, once again becoming dizzy from the heat still covering her body and lack of food with sleep.

"Baby, is that any way to talk to me?" Lyric shook his head, and walked over to her. His hands removed themselves from behind him revealing a small red case.

Both sets of female eyes widened. "W-What is that, Lyric?

"Awe, are you worried about what I got in here, sweetie? Don't be. It's not for you."

She sighed in relief, closing her eyes willing the dizziness to go away. "Then, why? What are you doing here? And with them?"

The half-Japanese older man sat down on his knees in front of her. "Because I missed you, honey. That's why." He reached up a hand, brushing damp green hair out of her eyes.

She growled trying to bite him. His gray eyes narrowed, slapping her across the face in irritation.

"FUCK YOU!" She spat on him earning another slap.

"Hmm." He stood up. "I thought after these few years you'd be tamed, but I guess not."

Tears fell down her cheeks. "I will never be tamed! Do you hear me, you jackass!"

Lyric only smirked as he motioned to Slater and his men to follow him. "Come. We have some talking to do."

Slater just turned to the women and asked, "What about them? Think they'll run? They don't have their feet bound."

"No. They'll stay. There's no other way out of here. Come." He turned heading down the corridor.

The men followed, doing as they were told.

Zaru felt relief fall over her.

"Zaru?" Jade called to her friend, feeling her panic.

"Yeah?"

"W-Who was that man? You know him?"

She stared over at her blonde-brunette friend troubled. "Yeah. He's my ex-boyfriend Ryo Morishita."

"But you called him Lyric." Jade struggled against the bonds on her wrists.

Zaru did the same. "I know. I gave him that nickname when we were younger. Apparently, he's kept it as an alias all these years."

"He's that boyfriend that abused you, isn't he?"

Tears streaked down her cheeks heavily. "Yeah." She whispered.

()-()-()-()-()-()-()

Mirage sped up. Somehow, he could feel anger, impatience and....fear. Zaru, don't worry. I'm coming!

TBC....

A/n: Okay, not as long as I planned, but I decided to break it down into mini-chapters lol. XD Hope you all don't mind the cliffy! Heh!

Sweet Mech Dreams,

Zaru