"I'm not going back." WheelJack grinned slightly at his charge. She was standing up to Ultra Magnus, who had ordered her to go back to base immediately. Granted he didn't like the mech, but seeing a little fire of his old charge in her was nice to see.

"You would defy a direct order from your commanding officer?" SkyKnight smirked at him, wings fluttering and raising up to show the factionless silver panels. WheelJack had to snicker behind his hand and look away slightly to stop from laughing at her sass.

"You aren't my commanding officer. I'm a neutral seeker being given asylum by the Autobots. I can come and go as. I. Please." There was silence, SmokeScreen and WheelJack staring at SkyKnight in a similar sense of pride. With an annoyed huff, Ultra Magnus relented.

"Very well. But do your best to stay out of the way." Beaming brightly to him, she gave a salute.

"Yes sir!" He shook his head, and turned to head into the cave. She fist pumped behind him, and grinned cheekily to WheelJack as he came up beside her and ruffled her helm. She giggled gently, and nuzzled into the rub purring before trotting after Ultra Magnus.

"Now that was a bit of the old kiddo. Where'd that come from?" She grinned at him, and gave a shrug.

"Something the kids from school told me got me thinking, so I figured what the hell, let's kick ass and see if I'm right." He made a face and raised an optic ridge.

"Thing?" He echoed. She nodded, before taking a deep breath.

"I told them how I had been feeling, so they said that if I am trapped in Soundwave's program again, I should try and beat it this time by doing the opposite of what it wants me to do. Even if it means I'm miserable sometimes." She offered grinning. He blinked, but grinned back and rubbed her head affectionately.

"Smart thinkin." She perked, her optics brightening in glee as she trotted with him.

"SkyKnight and I will take the Left tunnel. WheelJack and SmokeScreen take the Right tunnel." Blinking, SkyKnight looked around the blue leader. Seeing the two tunnels before stepping up beside him.

"B-but." SmokeScreen froze under Ultra Magnus' look. Rolling her optics, SkyKnight gave the elite guardsmen a smile.

"We'll be fine rookie. Catch up with you when the missions done." She promised, instantly chasing after the walking commander.

~SPARKS TRAPPED IN DARK~

"Do you have a weapon?" SkyKnight glanced to the SIC, quickly skimming through her files and codes before finding the one she looked for. Pulling out the conductor, she held it up sheepishly.

"This is the best I have. I think it's supposed to channel my storm thing." She explained. He huffed, but pulled a small hand held plasma round blaster from her free hand.

"Take this, and do not loose it." She nodded, and switched servos. Adjusting it to her hold and settings before grinning up at him.

"Thank you Ultra Magnus." She pressed forwards while he stilled, watching her walk forwards as her wings flared out and vibrated slowly.

Shaking his head, the second in command followed after the seeker. On entering a large, open area of the cave both stopped. But for different reasons.

"Primus bellow." SkyKnight breathed. Her own weapon was subspaced, and the other was held limply at her side as she approached the glass cylinders containing predacons.

"They're spawning more beasts." She spun to glare at him. The crimson ring flaring in anger.

"They aren't mindless. They just need some guidance that's all." He blinked, but she turned back to cylinder and placed her hand on the glass.

"You would know this how?" She vented, but pushed forwards to the next.

"PredaKing isn't mindless." She stated simply. Tapping on a console near bye had her tensing, and both spinning around to look at Shockwave. SkyKnight snarled, and both bots onlined weapons and fired at him. He dodged, taking refuge behind the stone wall close by.

"How long until he calls for a ground bridge do you think?" She called over the firing. Ultra Magnus sent her a look, and they retreated back when he started firing back.

"Now is not the best time to be asking me that." He snapped back. She laughed, and followed him through motions to get them closer to him.

"Just trying to make conversation!" She laughed. A roar from behind her had both swinging around to look. SkyKnight vaguely heard the ground bridge opening and handed the gun back to the commander.

"Don't move." She ordered. He made a sound, but she already took off down the hall. She got to the midway point after the tunnel split, and watched the predacon rear up and roar in anger.

"PredaKing wait!" She raised both servos up, and he instantly froze. She watched in awe as he transformed and landed in a crouch. Yellow Optics bright with relief and glee.

"SkyKnight!" She shrieked when he yanked her into a hug, but hugged back giggling softly.

"Hello my friend, when did you figure out how to transform?" He pulled back, his huge frame having hid her completely from view from his hug. His servo was easily twice the size of her helm. Not that either really cared.

"I am not sure. However I am on a mission right now. My brethren are under attack of the Autobots. I need to save them." She blinked, and quickly shook her head.

"What no they aren't PredaKing Megatron is lying to you. They came here because of an energon signal. I saw them, PredaKing there are so many of them, and Shockwave was doing something at the console and I don't think it was readying them to be woken." She reasoned. He gave her a confused look and shook his head.

"Shockwave assured me earlier that he would do everything in his power to make sure they would live. Why would he lie?" She put both tiny servos on his chest plate and looked up at him pleadingly.

"Because they're scared of you. You've advanced farther then they ever thought you would, you've evolved and they fear not being able to control your brothers and sisters if they evolve as well." His optics narrowed, and talking from one of the tunnels had him looking up.

"Perhaps, however I will not allow them to die." Moving her, he transformed again and raced forwards. Roaring again as she made a sound and lunged after him.

"PredaKing don't! Please!" She cried, trying desperately to chase after him.

"Sky!" Spinning to the free tunnel, SkyKnight let the blue glow rise in her optics as SmokeScreen raced over. Optics bright and confused as she took his hand.

"Rookie- PredaKing he's going to try and save his brethren Ultra Magnus is there we can't let them kill each other!" She rushed out. His optics widened, and he looked to the tunnel.

"Sky, stay here I'll make sure nothing happens I promise." She panicked, holding tightly to his servo to hold him back.

"No Smokey let me come with you please I can calm him please!" He shook his head, wriggled his servo free and took off down the hall.

"SMOKEY!"