Title: Gather
Rating: T
Summary: He decides to intervene

"Why am I even here?," Swindle hissed, glaring up at the siamese.

Blast Off coolly glared back, his arms crossed casually across his chestplates. "Because," he replied flatly, "Despite however you might feel about him, the fact still remains that he is our sire, and your presence is required at this point and time."

The devon rex scoffed, trying to wriggle out of Brawl's hold again. The slagging serval had one frag of a grip on him though. "Brawl! Would you fragging let go!"

"No," the serval replied with a pout, hugging his brother tighter. "Why you never come to see us Swin? I missed you so much!"

"Hey, what are you losers doing?," Vortex asked, walking through the front door and turning into the living room. His gaze grew practically sinister when it landed on Swindle. "Swin? You're actually here? What? Did Blast Off force you here at gunpoint?"

The youngest kittycon scowled. "Something to that effect...," he grumbled, sending a quick glare to the siamese. The slagging mech didn't even look contrite. "Um... Vortex? Why are you looking at me like that...? W-wait! Don't you come any closer! Nngh! Brawl, fraggit, lemme go! Vortex, I swear if you-!"

"'CON PILE!," Vortex shouted gleefully, leaping the last of the distance and jumping onto his two unsuspecting brothers. The force of the lynx's attack caused them all to crash to floor, where they rolled and kicked wildly, before Swindle was pinned to the floor by an excited Brawl and a sadistic Vortex.

"Vortex!," the tan kittycon wheezed loudly, "You AFT! I'll kill you, I swear to Primus I'll fragging chop off your spike and kill you with it!" Obnoxious cackling erupted from the lynx at the threat. "B-brawl, would you get OFF, y-you big, dumb idiot!"

"So, Swin," Vortex purred from the top of the pile. He angled himself so he could stare down into his brother's face, taunting him with his wide, evil grin. "How goes the independency? Still boinking that weirdo, half-breed albino freak? Tell me the reason you have anything to do that mech, is because whoring yourself out to him is the easiest way to pay your bills, otherwise your choice of frags is pathetic."

Swindle's cheekplates flushed magenta just as his denta gnashed together loudly. "If you don't shut up right now, I'm going to-"

"What's going on here?," a voice snarled, cutting off the entrepreneur before he could finish. Refraining from rubbing his optics at his siblings' stupidity, Blast Off turned to the doorway, watching as Onslaught slowly staggered up to the doorway; leaning against the frame as he glared blearily at each of his sons. It was noticeable that his gaze fell on Swindle last and stayed fixed there.

"...why are you here?"

A quick glance at Blast Off had Swindle swallowing what he really would have liked to say. "...I thought I'd visit and see how you were doing," the devon rex answered blandly.

Onslaught scoffed at the words, sneering. "Please," he gruffed, grabbing the sash of his house robe and tying it tightly around his middle, "As if you give a frag about your stupid father." The kittycon turned and stumbled towards the kitchen. "...I need a drink..."

At his awkward departure, Brawl scrambled up onto his pedes, knocking Vortex to the floor and consequently freeing Swindle as well. Whimpering, the serval turned to Blast Off, grabbing his brother's sleeve with his claws. "Alright...," the tan kittycon submitted, pushing himself up into a sitting position, "The ol' mech's got some serious issues, I'll give you that. I still don't see how me being here is going to help the fragging drunkard."

"It's more preferable if you weren't ignoring him, come this time and point," Blast Off replied neutrally.

"Yeah, yeah," Swindle scowled, "Whatever. When you can pull the fragging cold shaft out of your aft and give me a good reason why I should be here, maybe I'll be more inclined to- SLAGGIT! VORTEX! Get the FRAG off of me!"

"No," came the malicious purr.

This time, Blast Off did face-palm.

Title: Phone Call
Rating: PG
Summary: A stranger calls

It was getting late.

Blast Off finished the last of the dishes, wiping his servos on the dish towel and hanging it to dry in its appropriate place. He could hear Brawl quietly playing in the living room, happily by the sounds of it, so that at least confirmed that neither Onslaught or Swindle had left the room. Which was good, by the saimese's account. Their sire needed the attention and company of his family just as much as he believed he needed a good, stiff drink.

The kittycon was on his way out of the kitchen, when the phone began to ring. Stopping, he stared at the device for a couple astroseconds, before he stepped forward, catching it on the second ring. Pressing the receiver to his ear, Blast Off watched as the comm screen flashed to life, yet remained resolutely black. A sign that could mean a number of things, but usually didn't translate into anything good.

"Hello," he started coolly.

The other end was silent for a klik, before he heard the other 'bot cycle a quick intake. "H-hello...?," the vocalizer returned softly. Anxious, young, fearful... a mech, of unknown race and size, though probably small judging by his tone. Not a client then.

So why would he be calling?

If the stranger was waiting for Blast Off to say something, then he was waiting in vain. As if coming to this conclusion, the other mech swallowed sharply; there was the sound of shuffling, no doubt the receiver being shifted and gripped tighter on the other end. "I-is... D-does Onslaught live here?"

The siamese's ear gave a twitch. "State your business," he answered.

The unknown caller vented quickly. "I-i, umm...," he tried to say, but gave up with half a whimper, taking a klik to gather his courage again. "P-please," he continued, softer and weaker than before, "P-please, m-may I speak to h-him? I-it's important."

He should hang up. Blast Off stared at the comm base, his finger held over the switchhook patiently. He didn't know who this mech was, or why he might be calling, but Onslaught was nowhere near stable enough to be dealing with someone else's problems. He was barely even sober. The kittycon stood there, finger poised, ready to hang up... but he never did. After a klik, the saimese shifted his grip on the receiver, reaching over and switching it to wireless mode. "Very well," he told the stranger. "One moment."

When he walked into the living room, everyone turned to stare at him, except for Onslaught, who continued to glare at the floor, a cup of black oil grasped tightly in his left servo. He glared at his son when he stopped in front of his armchair, casting the phone a confused look before swiping it out of Blast Off's servo and pressing it to his ear.

"Hello?," he grumbled, sinking sullenly into his seat.

The serval lurched upwards in his chair not an astrosecond after, knocking his oil to the floor. "S-skydive?!," he gaped, to both the shock and confusion of his present children. Onslaught didn't even pay them any attention.

"Tell me where you are," he commanded firmly into the phone, "I'll come get you." The barest whisper of an answer could be heard from the other end. Nodding quickly, Onslaught said farewell, before ending the call and practically jumping to his pedes. He didn't bother to answer any of his sons' quizzical looks as he hurried to the door; grabbing both his coat and his car keys.

Blast Off watched as his sire disappeared through the slamming door, feeling that strange sensation of apprehension in the pit of his fuel tanks.

Title: Reunion
Rating: T
Summary: Skydive waits

He felt grungy. Dirty, tired, overwhelmed, frightened... Skydive was a number of things, but mostly, he just felt gritty. It had been at least a good week of traveling for him. He didn't have a change of clothes with him, and the only cleaning he could manage was whatever quick one he could get away with in public washrooms. Overall, he felt disgusting and he hated it even more that Onslaught was going to see him like this.

Oh, Onslaught...

The autodog whimpered, feeling anxiety creep back up on him, churning his fuel tanks dangerously. Why did he think he could do this? What in all of the universe had compelled him into believing that he could come all the way out to Iacon, squat in some sketchier part of the city and wait patiently for Onslaught to come and get him? Honestly... He had to be fragging out of his processor! Skydive shook his helm, hugging his knees tighter and hunching further on the curb. He realized now that he had been impulsive in his actions; this wasn't the right time or place to even be getting back in contact with the kittycon. The older mech must have found out that he'd run away by now... Primus, he probably thought the shih tzu such a floozy after so long.

And now he was expecting to spring the news on Onslaught that he was carrying?

Primus, he was insane...

Headlights cut across the road, shining brightly in the darkening street. Snapping his helm upwards, Skydive watched wide-opticed, his spark pulsing erratically as a familiar car pulled up in front of him. He shakily rose up to his pedes as the driver's door opened, staring up at the silent kittycon stepping out and looking back at him with dim optics.

"O-onsl-," the autodog started, but was cut off as Onslaught walked forward, scooping him up and into his arms suddenly. Tears collected in his optics as the shih tzu clung to the bigger mech, burying his face further into Onslaught's chestplates and trying to hold back his whimpers. He hadn't thought seeing the serval again would cause his spark this much pain and joy.

For a klik, the kittycon merely held him, before Onslaught slowly pulled back, barely meeting Skydive's optics as he looked down on the smaller mech. "C'mon...," he hoarsely whispered, gently turning them to the car. "Let's get you cleaned up..."

Skydive allowed himself to be led to the passenger seat; buckling in and clenching his servos tightly in his lap as anxiety rose within him again.

Title: Hope
Rating: T
Summary: He prays that things will mend

The hot water felt good flowing down his frame, getting into all the seams and joints, and slowly easing the tension and dirt out of them. Helm turned up to the spray, Skydive simply stood there, enjoying the warmth, before he slowly set to cleaning himself. All the while, his thoughts buzzed like a nest of angry hornets in his helm, keeping him far from distracted.

He was going to have to talk to Onslaught.

Right now, the kittycon sat in the motel's berthroom, waiting patiently for the autodog to finish. It was obvious that the larger mech was upset when he had come to collect Skydive, but whether that was because of his running away or the distressful state he had been found in, the shih tzu couldn't be entirely sure. All he knew though, was that the moment he had calmed down some, Onslaught would press him for answers.

Skydive didn't know if he could handle that.

His sudsy fingers slipped down his frame, circling his stomach plating. Recently, the seams had started to stretch and push outwards, until the slightest bump began to show. His sparkling. You have to talk to him, a voice reminded him firmly within his processor, for the sake of this spark growing inside of you. Swallow your fear; don't back down now.

Yes... the shih tzu agreed, venting heavily and turning his face back up to the cascading water. He washed the soap from his frame, feeling better as the layers of dirt and grime rinsed off. He had to talk to Onslaught; that's why he had come back to Iacon in the first place. Because he loved the serval and did not wish to deny this hopeful sparkling the chance at being loved by its sire. Taking a few more moments to stand under the warm spray, becoming braver and more clear of thought as the insecurities washed off, Skydive finally reached forward, turning off the shower and stepping out of the stall.

A fresh set of clothes sat waiting for him on the sorry, little sink counter, and quickly, the blue mech changed into these. Courage fading fast now, Skydive slowly took hold of the doorknob, easing it open and stepping out into the other room. Onslaught sat on the edge of the berth, facing the front door. He glanced quickly over his shoulder plating as he heard the autodog leave the washroom, before looking forward again. "...Are you feeling better now?," the serval asked softly.

"Y-yes...," the shih tzu whispered. He stood where he was, waiting to see if the kittycon would look back at him. But he remained resolutely forward and Skydive felt his spark wither painfully. "O...Onslaught...," he started hesitantly, circling the room and coming up to the other mech's side. "I... I'm sorry, I-i..."

"You left..." The serval looked up to his right, staring into the blue 'bot's face. "Your place was cleared out."

Skydive sank to the floor beside Onslaught, grabbing his servo and grasping it anxiously between his own. "I know, I-i...," he choked, trying to get the words out, but couldn't. Eventually, he had to press the serval's palm to his cheekplate to find even a percentage of his strength. "I n-never wanted to... I c-couldn't... I had to leave. I-i didn't want to th-though. If I h-had a choice, I would h-have stayed."

The green mech looked down on the shih tzu disbelievingly, before he turned his helm away. "So you decided to come back?," Onslaught asked, his tone almost accusing. His servo felt limp and dead against Skydive's cheekplate.

Skydive tried not to cry as he rose quickly to his pedes. "Yes, I came back. I had to- despite all the troubles it might cause," the shih tzu explained. The kittycon glanced up again, ears flattening in surprise as the autodog grasped his servo again, pushing it under his shirt and to his stomach plating. Smiling nervously, he looked deep into Onslaught's optics, ignoring the coolant that glazed his own optics heavily.

"D-do you feel it?," he gently asked. "T-this is why I had to come back... even though I know you will never trust me again." Skydive trailed off for a moment, losing his courage finally and stepping back from the shell-shocked serval. "I... I-i couldn't...," he began, whimpering, "...w-we... when we were younger, we were abandoned. I-i, I never told you be-because... because so many people look down on us orphans. B-but... but shortly after Fireflight was born, our parents seemed... tired of us."

"They took us to the highway. D-drove to the woods, took us out a-and..." Skydive bowed his helm as he felt the tears slowly slide down his face. "T-they left us there. W-we... we watched them drive away, wondering if they'd ever come back. But th-they never did. T-they never came back."

"S-so," the autodog swallowed sharply, lifting his helm again, wiping quickly at his optics, "I d-decided when I w-was younger, th-that I would n-never abandon a child i-if my l-life took such a turn. A-and t-that's why I h-had to come back, y-you see... I h-had to take t-this chance, to know t-that this sparkling m-might have the opportunity o-of a happy life a-and never t-to feel as if they've b-been unwanted. I-if you h-hate me b-because of this, I-"

Onslaught jumped to his pedes, grabbing Skydive and pulling him tight to his frame. Before the shih tzu could even squeak in alarm, the green mech's lip components were slamming against his own and pressing down with bruising force. Clutching desperately onto Onslaught's shoulders, Skydive felt himself almost bent backwards as the kiss lasted; finally softening and easing into a warm, passionate touch as the serval cupped the autodog closer, petting and stroking him tenderly. "Primus...," the bigger mech mumbled against his mouth, pushing back in frequently to continue their lip-lock. "Primus Skydive... unbelievable... a blessing..."

Skydive returned each of the kisses whole-heartedly, only glad to know that he wasn't being tossed aside with skepticism and disgust. He couldn't help but to cry harder as he felt the kittycon slip a servo back under his shirt, the large fingers curling hotly against his growing belly. Whispering soft things against his ear, Onslaught led them back to the berth, slowly lowering the shih tzu onto it and leaning over him.

"When I discovered, I-i..." Onslaught hesitantly began, looking down on Skydive with such a torn expression. "P-primus... I thought maybe i-it was my fault; something I did..."

"But... but you came back," he vented gently, leaning closer to the autodog; landing soft, quick butterfly kisses on his damp cheekplates, before slowly sliding down. "You... you really came back..."

Skydive trembled slightly as Onslaught kissed his way down the thin neck, mouthing his cockpit beneath his shirt, stirring both joy and desire within him. He could not keep in the small whimper as the kittycon kissed his stomach last, before laying his helm gently on the plating and nuzzling. "Primus, d-did you ever return... and with a gift..." Onslaught sighed, maneuvering his arms so that they slightly circled Skydive's waist, another heavy intake escaping him as he felt those delicate fingers start to stroke at his helm.

Taking a moment to enjoy the petting a little longer, the serval eventually climbed back up to the top of the berth, resting on an elbow as he spooned Skydive closer to him; nudging olfactory sensors gently with the autodog. "O-onslaught...," the blue mech choked, kissing the kittycon's mouth quickly, "I-i'm sorry I l-left, I really a-am. B-but I... I don't want to l-leave again. I c-couldn't... I couldn't s-stand never seeing you again."

"Ssh...," Onslaught replied, his optics dimming as he kissed Skydive's brow. "You're not leaving, and neither am I. Not tonight. We're just going to stay here- you and I. In the morning, we can... we can discuss things further. I have a little surprise for you as well."

Confused optics looked up at him but the kittycon waved off any of the impending questions, lying back on the berth, helm rested comfortably on a pillow and an arm held out to receive Skydive. Hesitating only for a moment, the shih tzu succumbed to the tempting offer; curling up at Onslaught's side, helm resting on the chestplates and the green mech's servo cupping his middle warmly.

This... this was peace.

Slowly, Skydive allowed his optics to shutter close, letting go of all his fears and doubts, reveling in the moment of being with the mech he loved most and saving all his troubles and concerns for tomorrow morning.

Title: Shatter
Rating: T
Summary: The dream comes to a close

"A-are... are you sure this would be the best time?," he asked, staring at his servo; thumb playing with the silver band on his finger. "I m-mean, I know you said they're already a-all there, but... it s-still seems kinda s-sudden and..."

Skydive trailed off, uncertain of how else to phrase his concern, other than to simple say 'I'm afraid of meeting your children because they're older than me and not likely to take kindly to me being pregnant on top of everything.'

Onslaught merely glanced away from the road, reaching over and taking the autodog's servo, giving it a quick kiss before returning his focus back to driving. "It's sudden, I'll agree, but I still do want you to meet them all before we make anymore plans," the serval replied. "It's unlikely that I'll be able to get any of them to come visit me anytime soon after they leave again, and I rather not have some sort of spectacular fit when they find out they have both a new mother and sibling."

Despite the seriousness of the situation, the shih tzu couldn't help but to smile slightly at the older mech's statement, reaching over and touching his arm lightly. When dusky blue optics met his again, Skydive smiled brighter, cupping his left servo to his chestplates and thumbing the ring on his finger. "I'm glad I said yes," he shared with the serval. "There's no one else I would say those two words to."

The purr that followed made the autodog smile all the more.

"I'm glad to hear that," Onslaught said, smiling as he faced the road a second time. "Soon, it'll be official as well. I, u-umm, hope you don't mind if we forgo the usual ceremony..."

"Not at all," Skydive answered, watching with some anxiety as they pulled up the kittycon's driveway. "It doesn't need to be a big, huge ball to make it any more special." He sat, waiting, while Onslaught parked and then blushed as the serval opened his door from the outside for him. Leaning into the bigger mech's side contently, the pair walked up to the house, pausing at the door while Onslaught fished out his keys.

"I-i'll," he started in embarrassment, refraining from scratching at his cheekplate, "I'll have you sit in the living room, while I gather them up. T-then... then we can break the news together."

"O-okay," the blue mech stuttered back in response, shyly stepping into the house as the door was opened for him. He smiled up at Onslaught as the kittycon set a servo on his lower backstruts, guiding him to the living room and nodding for him to make himself comfortable. Left alone so the serval could find his children, Skydive stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, clutching an arm nervously and studying his surroundings.

It had been a while since he'd last been in any room of Onslaught's house.

Turning to the bookshelves to occupy himself, the autodog was surprised to find something orange and copper stuffed in between a couple thick tomes. Mouth pulled down in an uncertain frown, Skydive reached into the tiny space, wriggling the item loose. It gave after a klik, jumping out with a pop and bouncing against his front. Catching it quickly, Skydive stared in confusion at the turbo fox plushie now resting in his servos. This was Fireflight's doll, he was sure of it!

"Who exactly are you?," demanded a snide vocalizer.

Jumping in fright, the shih tzu turned around, clutching the doll to his chestplates as he faced the unknown kittycon. Slightly taller than him, with tan plating and hypnotizing purple optics, the devon rex leaned against the door frame; arms crossed over his chestplates and a sneer on his face. "So, what are you supposed to be?," the stranger asked cruelly, "The 'party favor'?"

"I-i..."

"Silence, Swindle," a brown mech commanded coldly, turning the corner and strutting into the living room smoothly. The siamese was taller than Skydive by at least several feet; he was possibly taller than Onslaught, he might dare say. Grey optics fell on him then, and the autodog tried his best not to flinch when the cold gaze ran over him quickly. "You must be the one then," he said, stepping forward quickly and grabbing Skydive's servo.

The shih tzu swallowed back his squeak of fright as his servo was lifted up for scrutiny, his engagement ring catching the light.

"I see...," the aloof kittycon mumbled, "I had sensed that something was about."

"What?," Swindle gaped, stomping forward quickly and glaring at the ring. "What the slag are you getting at, Blast Off? Don't fragging tell me that dad's been upset because he's been fragging this mutt. And the ring? What, now he's going to actually BOND with this little sparkling while he's at it?!"

Skydive tugged his servo free from Blast Off's grip, turning his helm to the floor in shame. "I-i, I apologize, I d-didn't-"

"Oh, please," the tan mech cut him off, "Quit your whining. If you're going to frag someone, don't be such a fragging pansy about it and try to kiss everyone's aft afterwards. Slag... and to think dad wants some stupid pup like you."

"Hold your tongue," Blast Off said lowly, and Skydive wasn't sure if the oldest kittycon was talking to him or Swindle. "Our sire will be along shortly; if he has brought this one home now, then he obviously-"

There was the sound of the kitchen door slamming and then skipping pedes made their way to the living room. "What's going on?," a slimy vocalizer cooed, making even Swindle flinch with its sound. Skydive watched uncertainly as yet another mech turned the corner. He stared as this kittycon slunk forward, red visor glowing and evil grin stretched wide across his face, feeling anxiety fill his fuel tanks. "We having an orgy?"

Two sets of hisses reached his ears, even as the autodog felt his plating crawl at the disgusting comment. This mech was really one of Onslaught's sons? The lynx stepped closer and Skydive quickly took several steps back, clutching the plushie tightly in his servos. The doll gave half a squeak, which suddenly drew the grey mech's attention. Gaze lowering, a displeased scowl pulled at the kittycon's lip components.

"Wait a klik," he mumbled lowly, "That looks like Firefli-"

"Vortex," Blast Off cut in sharply, grabbing his brother and pulling him back just as the lynx raised a servo for Skydive, "Back off."

"Ordering me around, Blast Off? I thought we'd discussed previously that this wasn't a very wise idea. Do we need to-"

The rest of the kittycon's words were lost to him. Staring transfixed at the back of the mech's helm, Skydive felt his intakes start to cycle faster, horrified realization dawning on him and clawing tightly around his spark. There couldn't be... not that many 'bots with the same name... certainly not that many who would have known about the plushie or would specifically say his baby brother's name...

Slowly, the plushie slipped from the shih tzu's lax grip, falling to the floor at his pedes unnoticed.

"Boys," Onslaught's voice cut through the tense atmosphere dangerously as he entered the room, one servo resting on Brawl's shoulder plating as he led the both of them into the area, "I'm glad that you've all gathered yourself nicely here but we have guests now, so if you don't behave, I'll... S-skydive?"

All optics turned to him then and the autodog realized at that moment that he was crying. Trying to pretend that he didn't feel the coolant swamping his vision, Skydive tried to swallow, shakily saying, "On... Onslaught? M-may I talk t-to you...? P-privately, please?"

The eldest kittycon glanced at all of his sons quickly, as if blaming them, before holding his servo out for Skydive to take. "Of course. Let's go to my office," he suggested. The shih tzu nodded quickly before hurrying out of the living room, ignoring the offered servo and Onslaught both. Stunned, the serval stood in place for a few astroseconds, before he gave the others a warning look and turned to join Skydive.

They were barely in the room, before Skydive started to shake badly.

"Skydive... Skydive, speak to me," the green mech softly pleaded, closing the door and coming up behind the younger 'bot. He tried to hug Skydive, but the shih tzu tore away immediately, hugging himself tighter and refusing to meet Onslaught's gaze.

"Listen, if it's something I did -if I'm taking things too fast for you, I can-"

"I-it...," came the small whimper, "I-it's not you..."

Onslaught fell silent for an astrosecond, trying to think through the confusion and worry quickly filling his processor. He was unable to even voice his concerns before Skydive was finally turning to him, clenched fist held out to the kittycon.

Dread crackled across every fibre of the serval's circuitry, but he held out his own servo anyways, palm open to receive what the shih tzu had to give him.

"D-don't you remember... I, I said I had to leave," Skydive mumbled, tears still cascading down his cheekplates. There was nothing but infinite sorrow within those gorgeous blue optics and Onslaught wasn't sure for how long he could stare into them. "I n-never told you the reason I h-had to go... Why i-it was so sudden..."

"E-even now, I h-hadn't known, I w-wouldn't... I still can't do this," the autodog choked out, shaking his helm violently. "I can't marry you knowing that your son was the one who hurt my baby brother! I just can't!"

The kittycon watched as that little servo opened up slowly, dropping the engagement ring into his open palm.

"F-fireflight... he's only twelve, Onslaught," Skydive hissed painfully. Clenching his denta tightly, the shih tzu shoved past the immobile serval, running out the house with tears streaming down his face and his spark tearing into a thousand, different agonizing shreds.

Title: Break
Rating: T
Summary: In the end, some bonds are bound to be broken

"Daddy... where's the new 'bot gone?" Brawl looked up from his toys as Onslaught slowly shuffled into the room quietly, drawing everyone's attention. "Is he going to come back and play? I really want him to come back and-"

Swindle slowly moved, covering Brawl's mouth with his servo. The very air crackled with doom as the older kittycon turned and stared at each of them individually, his normally blue optics a deep indigo in his rage.

"So, what? The youngling decide he didn't like ol' grampa spikes after all?"

All time seemed to stop as the comment left the lynx's mouth. Lip components twisting in a snarl, Onslaught turned his attention slowly to Vortex. The grey mech leaned casually on the couch, playing with the turbo fox plushie, seemingly unaware of the danger looming over all of their helms. Visor flashing suddenly, Vortex snapped his fingers, sitting upright with glee. "Ah! I knew I remembered seeing that lil' nerd from somewhere! He's Fireflight's-"

The roar of rage that escaped Onslaught then shook the entire house to its lowest foundations. Both Blast Off and Brawl immediately spun from the path of danger, the younger serval grabbing Swindle and covering him with his frame like a protective shell, as their sire lunged across the room, grabbing hold of the unsuspecting lynx. Vortex gave a snarl of anger, trying to twist in Onslaught's hold, but the older kittycon merely slammed him into the wall before promptly tossing him to the floor.

The couch was kicked over as the grey mech tried to escape again, but was yanked back harshly by his ears, his face rushing straight toward the fist flying at him. Flattening themselves against the living room walls as best they could, the other three mechs watched (or, in Blast Off's case, who had shuttered his optics quickly) and listened as their sire viciously tore into Vortex; not letting up on the lynx until something cracked sickeningly and energon poured richly down both Vortex's face and frame.

Grabbing his battered son by the throat, Onslaught lifted Vortex into the air, spitting into his shattered visor. "You...," he snarled, "Have ruined my life for the last time, ingrate. You can go be someone else's problem; you are no longer my son."

Seething with silent and deadly rage still, the serval marched to the door, slamming it open and throwing the lynx down the lawn. He watched as the grey kittycon rolled limply across the grass, smearing fresh energon everywhere, before he stepped back and shut the door violently on the image of his pathetic child.

Venting heavily, Onslaught turned away from the door with a growl, stomping back towards the living room. Already, Blast Off had straightened up the furniture and had grabbed a broom to sweep up the broken bits of plaster and glass that had resulted in the vicious fight. Brawl sat meekly in the corner, whispering to his toys and casting uncertain glances to their sire, while Swindle was grabbing his suitcase.

"Not so fast," the serval gruffed to the devon rex, watching testily as the younger mech turned to face him.

"Y-yes, dad?," Swindle hesitantly asked.

He decided not to comment on the note of fear in his son's vocalizer. "I need you to use your connections. Skydive went off the radar last time; I will not let that happen again," he vowed, staring the tan mech down; daring him to disobey. "I have to take responsibility for what that worthless scum that called itself your brother did. Find Skydive's location, where his family is, then contact me."

"Yes, sir," came the mechanical response.

"Brawl," Onslaught said next, turning to his second oldest. The other serval stared wide-opticed up at his sire. "Go play in your room, please..."

Brawl nodded quickly, gathered his toys and stomped loudly from the room.

"Blast Off..."

The siamese quickly raised his servo, interrupting his sire before he could finish what he was going to say. Ignoring the snarl directed at him, the brown kittycon calmly replied, "I shall tidy up and watch over your affairs until you have returned. But I shall forewarn you of this: after you find this Skydive, I am no longer assisting you. I will be moving out."

Onslaught stared, stunned, at his oldest, before he vented gruffly, frowning. "Very well...," he muttered, "So be it."

Turning, the green mech headed for the kitchen, no doubt to wash the energon from his servos and to drown out his thoughts once again with poison.