Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Transformers.

Megatron stood over his four captives very pleased that he was able to take such numbers right out from under Optimus's nose. What made it grander was the one was non-other than the Autoboots Second in Command. Not only would the disappearance of one of the Autobot cornerstones is gone but he has two younglings and one ofthe sneaky shadow operatives. He was going to enjoy breaking them all.

"My Lord should we not separate the prisoners?"

The now giant dragon hums. "Yes, but not now I wish to have out esteem guess heard the two younglings' cries as they're dragged away."

"What about the mountain dragon?"

Megatron snorted. "just tell him that the brat died or something, I went through all that trouble taking them. They will be recompensing us for the men lost."

Starscream had dropped out of the sky then. "you want to breed these these-Megatron this is one if not the worst ideas you had."

Megatron not liking being questioned back handed the smaller flyer. "you try my patience Starscream. Don't push your luck."

Soundwave chose that moment to interrupt. "One now awakes, Lord Megatron."

The Decepticon war lord grin down excitedly at the stirring crystal youngling. He laughs when the young one gave out cry and darted back knocking into the other orange youngling. Megatron had plans for that one, he would never forgive the action the orange freak did to him. The cry also woke the other two crystals who were instantly on their feet growling.

He strolls up to the them deliberately placing him between the younglings and the adults. He smiles at the two Autobots. "So nice for you to join us. We have much to discuss."

"we have nothing to say to you Megatron." Prowl snarls.

Megatrons grin is all teeth. "Oh, I believe that we do." He flicks a wing towards the seekers who quickly grabbed both Ichigo and Bluestreak. "It would be a shame should something happen to your wards."

Prowl and Smokescreen growl when Starscream twisted one of Ichigos broken legs making the younger dragon hiss in pain.

"What do you want?" Prowl asks through his clenched jaw.

"well, you and your mate have cause me nothing but trouble so you and your brothers will fix all the damage you caused." He started pushing Smokescreen towards the nearest rock. "Starting with this one."

Prowl seeing what was about to happen tried to reach Smokescreen, but a cry from Bluestreak had him snapping back to see the same thing happening to the two younger dragons. It was then that he felt the chain wrapped around his neck.

"Shockwave will be with you soon dear Prowl. He has been so interested in meeting you." Megatron sneers. Smokescreen snarls out a curse as he struggles to get free from the larger dragon.

Prowl hissed fighting the chain. Ichigo chose that moment to return to consciousness as someone bend over him. He reacted by twisting despite the pain and biting the dragon trying to mount him. What happen next was too fast to truly know, but Prowl knew that Ichigo somehow knocked Bluestreak free and was attacking Megatron.

"Hang on Prowl, I'll get you loose." Bluestreak says.

Prowl kept his eyes on Ichigo, there was something different about the youngling now. His movements not hindered by the broken legs that, to Prowls surprise, appeared to be no longer broken. With Megatron distracted Smokescreen was able to get away and joined the youngling in fighting off the massive dragon.

The heat from Bluestreak's fire heated the metal on Prowls neck. It heated to the point the Prowl could break loose by pulling. Once he was freed both Crystal dragons joined the other two fighting Megatron. It only occurred to Prowl then, that none of the other Decepticons had yet to come to their leader's aid. He didn't have long to think on that as Smokescreen and Bluestreak were thrown at him and all three collapsed into a heap.

A roar had them jerking, Prowl watched in stun awe as Ichigo seemed to transform before his every eyes. The orange receded to white, his fangs elongated as did his claws, horns once small and barely noticeable curled around his long ears, and Prowl watched as Ichigo's muscles flexed. If he hadn't known any better, he would have thought that Ichigo grew in mass. If the youngling had wings it would have been more impressive.

As they untangled themselves Prowl came to realize something else. Ichigo wasn't totally conscious. It was like another person was fighting and Prowl worried that Ichigo may have gone berserk again. He wasn't sure how they were going to bring him out of it without the twins. He was more worried about that then worried on how to get away from the Decepticons. A berserk dragon was more dangerous then a enemy.

"What are we going to do Prowl?" Smokescreen whispered to his brother.

"We wait, fighting someone of Megatrons skill will leave him exhausted. We will make our move then." He says. His wings give a little twitch. "Can you still do that trick?"

Smokescreen paused then a wicked grin spread over his face. "Yes, I do, you want me to do a light show then?"

"Yes."

"what can I do?" Bluestreak asks. He wanted to help his friend.

"You and I will snatch Ichigo when Megatron knocks him out."

They wince when the larger dragon threw Ichigo hard into the ground. It looked like the youngling was down for the count only for the now white dragon to get back up and tackle the larger dragon.

"You don't think that Ichigo will win?"

"I, for once, am hoping not."

They moved when Ichigo was tossed into the air. Prowl and Bluestreak shot up and flew off with him under the cover of a bright light that Smokescreen created. The flash lasted only seconds, but it was bright enough the it blinded those who looked right into it. Which was everyone not familiar with Smokescreen trick.

"Damn them," Megatron growls once he could see again. "Damn those cursed AUTOBOTS!" He turns to swipe at the nearest decepticon. Which just happens to be Starscream. "I what them brought back here. I don't care if they are half dead, get them back here NOW." He yells. The rest of the Decepticons scrambles to obey. Not one of them wants to be in Starscreams place.

Up in the sky high above the clouds, Prowl and Bluestreak struggle to carry Ichigo to safety. But the orange youngling wasn't cooperating. He thrashed and bit and once was almost dropped when he nipped Bluestreak.

"Prowl we need to land and snap him out of it!" the younger crystal dragon yelled over the wind.

"Very well, switch out with Smokey and scout ahead."

Bluestreak nodded, waited for Smokescreen to come up underneath him before flying off. Smokescreen struggled as Ichigo chose that moment to break free.

"Slag it."

The two crystals dived after the free-falling youngling.

"Ratchet will yell at us about this but right now I don't care, Smokey grab on of his legs, I'll get his neck." Prowl snapped.

Ichigo let out screech when he was snatched out of the sky, but a warning tightening of jaws got through to him. He immediately went slack in the grip of the two older dragons. They flew until Bluestreak hovered a few yards away from them before darting down towards the forest below.

When they landed Ichigo still hadn't moved and seemed to be slowly returning to himself. Prowl watches as those pale scales warmed back to orange. Amber eyes blinked up at Prowl.

"What happened?"

Smokescreen spoke first with a choked off laugh. "Oh, thank Primus your normal again."

Ichigo stared confused at the eldest dragon. Prowl scowled at his brother and Bluestreak sighed, he was used to such things from his family. Ichigo looked to the youngest for answers.

"You weren't acting like you should, you bit me." Bluestreak said showing off the little mark on his front leg.

Ichigo blushes, "sorry," mumbles.

The crystal dragon shrugs, "No biggie."

Prowl after giving his brother a stern glare turns towards Ichigo, "How are your legs?"

Ichigo blinked again, while one of his legs felt tender the others, he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Though that changed when he tried to stand, he cried out as pain flared in three of his legs before collapsing.

"You might have done more damage when fighting Megatron." Smokescreen said.

Ichigo gave them a stricken look, "Why don't I remember this!"

"First let's focus on your injuries then we will answer what we can." Prowl said before anyone else.

Ichigo nodded, "I can guess who broke my legs." He sighs, "Ratchet's never going to let me out of his den."

Smokescreen snickers. "ratchet, pit youngling the twins are who you should be concern about."

All three chuckles at the paling youngling. Prowl was looking at the back legs and hums.

"Your back legs are already healing, in two days you should be able to put some weight on them. Your front one however, the break was severe." Prowl's wings twitched remembering the sound of bone breaking. "Ratchet will have to look at it once we return."

Ichigo groans, "I will have to hop to go anywhere."

"Which will slow us down," Bluestreak added. "if we have to fly, we'll have to carry him."

Prowl nods, "then we will have to stay ahead until we meet up with one of the scouts."

"Or," all three turn to Ichigo, "or we could connect to the springs."

They perked up, "right the springs of yours, so how to we connect to that?"

They all looked to the orange dragon, who shrunk under the eyes. "Um well that's the thing," Ichigo wouldn't look at them, "I have no idea."

They look at him in stun silence, "Are you kidding me! Are you fucking kidding me," Smokescreen yells. His frustration making him pace.

Prowl gave his brother a stern glare, "How have you found it before?" he asks Ichigo, glaring when Smokescreen made to speak again.

Ichigo seem to shrink in on himself, "before my mom showed me when I was little. Recently though, I've been injured and just wondered in."

"What do you remember of the times your mother took you?"

Ichigo tilted his head, deep in thought. His memories of that time were tainted by the death of his mother. A wind blows just as Ichigo is about to give up, a memory hazy with age pops up in his head. His mother is smiling down at him leading him through green trees. He remembers words being spoken, he sees her mouth moving but he cannot hear what's being said. He sees something though, engraved on one of the trees.

Ichigo blinks shakes his head to clear his head. Prowl and the others are watching him with concern.

"Are you aright Ichigo?" Bluestreak asks.

"Yeah," Ichigo shakes his head again, "But I think I found a clue."

Bluestreak perked up, "Really!"

"Yeah, there was a symbol near the springs, I never notice it before," he scratches his head. "I wonder I never noticed."

"Maybe it wasn't your time to see it," Prowl walked up next to the orange youngling. "I can also say the finding the springs it instinctual, you should be able to find without needing much help."

"Maybe," Ichigo mutters. "So, I guess I start looking?"

"Or we can take a break then see what you feel in the morning," Prowl smirked. "Who knows, we are not far from our clan lands. The others may have already started searching for us."

"In the mean time let's take care of that leg, you don't want to make it worst. Ratchet wouldn't like to have to do more work on top what he has to do," Bluestreak said. "I can wrap it so the bone doesn't shift, and I know some of the herbs that can be use as a pain relief."

Ichigo sighs, "Thanks I would appreciate that."

Bluestreak smiles and gets to work, Prowl settles down next to Ichigo and they both watch Smokescreen continued pacing.

"Smokescreen," Prowl calls to his brother getting tired of his pacing. "come sit with us your pacing is making the rest of us dizzy."

"What!"

"Sit down Smokescreen," Prowl ordered. "We will be fine for tonight."

"How can you say that, oh that's right, you're not the one who nearly got raped!" Smokescreen roared. "You were just sitting there watching the rest of us get pinned to the ground, must be nice to-

Prowl roared at his brother tackling him to the ground.

"Oh yes dear brother, show your dominance," sneered Smokescreen.

"I will forgive some things brother, only due that you're in shock, but do not think that you can say things and not have a reaction."

Smokescreen hissed as he tried to get loose, but Prowl only leaned in more. Ichigo and Bluestreak watched from the sidelines. The crystal dragon only shrugged his wings at the scene before going back to treat Ichigo's leg. Ichigo however, continue to watch, at first, he was worried that the two would start to physically fight but when neither did, he watched on curiously.

"This is normal for siblings, or at least for us is I don't know about human family structures though," Bluestreak said. "Normally it would be Smokey who would be the dominate since he is the oldest, but sometimes Prowl has to step in."

"I…see,' Ichigo says. "Even the twins do this?"

Bluestreak tilted his head and fluttered his wings. "Maybe, they really didn't advertise much of their dynamics. I think though that they might have their own way."

"I…see, I guess that explains what happen when they marked me then," Ichigo looks at the mark on his left side. "Sides was the one who took the more dominate spot."

Bluestreak tilted his head, his wings fluttered in surprise, "Really? Huh, who would have thought. Everyone thinks Sunny would be the top dragon. Guess you shouldn't judge a crystal before tasting it huh?" He smiled at Ichigo.

Ichigo blinked, "You eat crystals?"

Bluestreak jerked back in surprise, "You don't! that's not good, when we get back, we'll find some yummy red crystals and let you try some. No dragon should go through life without tasting a crystal!"

"What that about crystals?"

Ichigo and Bluestreak twisted around, Smokescreen stood off to the side looking very chastised while Prowl watched them curiously. It seems that the fight was over with.

"Oh nothing, just that Ichigo has yet been able to enjoy the yumminess that are crystals," Bluestreak explained.

Prowl hums, "Something that will be corrected once we return to the clan lands." He smirks though, "Unless the twins rectify that once they take Ichigo away."

"you just think of Jazz doing the same thing," Smokescreen mutters sulkily.

Prowl flicks his wings at this brother, "No one likes a pouter Smoky."

"Unless it's a sexy pout," Ichigo chirps. He quickly snaps his mouth shut, looking at the brothers he feels his body heat with embarrassment.

He only gets more embarrass when Bluestreak and Smokescreen start to snicker. Prowl doesn't make a sound, but the corners of his mouth were twitching upward. Ichigo had the feeling that the three would not let him live this down.

"A sexy pout wow our little Ichigo has a mouth on him," Smokescreen teases.

Ichigo ducks under Prowls wings to hide his ever-growing embarrassment. Prowl sensing that Ichigo was getting uncomfortable whacks his brothers.

"that's enough, why don't you two go hunt why I stay with Ichigo," Prowl says.

"No problem," the younger crystal chirps.

"yeah whatever," the eldest grumbles. He was still sore from losing to his younger brother and was not in the mood to be cordial to Prowl.

When they were gone, Prowl let Ichigo snuggle up next to him. The crystal dragon wasn't sure how humans saw their young once they reached a certain age. He knew that Ichigo would be considered a full adult, and sometimes he acts like one, but as a dragon he would still be with his carrier. It was times like now that Prowl was reminded that Ichigo was still very young. Even though he acts older the orange dragon was younger then Bluestreak who was only a few centuries from being an adult. If he hadn't already been bonded to the twins, Ichigo would remain with Prowl for a long time.

"What are our chances of making it back to everyone before being found?"

Prowl thought it over, "I wish I can say it was 100%, but the chances of being found by either the Decepticons or the Mountain dragon are very high."

Ichigo groans, "And I am in no shape to put up a decent fight."

Prowl pulled his wing tighter around Ichigo, "I rather doubt that. I think that having a injure leg will not hinder you as much as you think."

"Really?"

"Yes, but because I fear Ratchets wrath more than our enemies, I will be having Bluestreak be you backup."

Ichigo snickers, "Yeah he is pretty scary when he wants to be."

"Indeed."

They both laugh at the image of the healer chasing down all the Decepticons and the Mountain dragon with his pile of very hard rocks. With Wheeljack close behind carrying sacks of said rocks. It was even funnier as they imagined Starscream and his brothers dropping out of the sky after being pelted.

"Maybe Ironhide and Ratchet should switch positions," Ichigo snickers.

"Then who would be the Battle Master?"

Ichigo tilted his head in thought, "Maybe the twins."

"Sure, you're not bias?"

Ichigo shrugs, "Maybe." He grins, "But who else would take over?"

"Most likely Magus," Prowl grumbles.

Ichigo blinked at the other dragon, "Really?"

Prowl nodded, "yes after him it would be Springer then the twins then…truth be told I don't know who would be after the twins." He shutters, "I cannot think of the twins in charge, I would never get any rest."

"Ratchet wouldn't let it get that bad," Ichigo says then grins. "He would get tired after the first five injuries that crawled through his front door."

They both laugh, "yes maybe Ratchet would be the next Battle Master."

Ichigo yawns, "you think that they are looking for us now?"

Prowl sighs and looks up at the sky, "Yes our mates would tear down the heavens to find us."

Back at the sight of the battle, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stand growling at any that come close. They have become aware of what had happened with Ichigo, and they were not happy. At this time, they were being held in place with Mage Rope, a strong fiber rope made from spider silk. They were close to being sedated like Jazz is currently. The shadow dragon had fallen in a near feral state that he nearly torn Ironhide up trying to go find Prowl.

Optimus stands in front of them bring all his dominance as leader on them. The twins weren't cowed, and Sideswipe found against the rope to lunge at the larger dragon. The red and blue dragon sighs, once realizing the they had been tricked Optimus had sent out all the scouts and shadow stalkers after the Decepticons. He had yet to hear from any of them. He had consider having Magus send up Springer and Kup to help but he knew Prowl. He wasn't leaving any of their territory open in case the Crystal Dragon had freed him and the others and were heading home.

"Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, acting like this will not let me release you any faster," he tries to reason with the twins. "Please do not make me have Ratchet sedate you like Jazz, not when we need you."

"Fuck off Prime, Ichigo need us more," Sunstreaker snaps. Sideswipe didn't bother to speak his eyes were starting to be tinged with purple.

Optimus sighs again, he nodded towards Ratchet they needed to stop this situation from getting worse as the twins entered a very dangerous state for any dragon. Dragons who have become feral are to be quickly put down but either human hunters or by members of their own clans. Several things can set off a dragon but the most common was a mate dying or a clan being wiped out. Very few ever return to their normal state of mind. Their chances of being normal again decrease as they deteriorate. Jazz and the twins still had time before they become a problem. Their mates are still alive for one, but the bond is still new for the twins and Jazz and Prowl's bond has always been very strong. Optimus was just grateful that it was only the twins and Jazz whose bonded was missing. These three would be hard enough to deal with.

As Ratchet approached, Sunstreaker lunged at the healer's front legs. The distraction cost Ratchet as he was focus on the gold dragon and not on the red dragon. Sideswipe managed to wiggle a bit out of the rope, and he used that to bite Ratchet on the side just under the wing joint. The healer howled in pain as Sideswipe bit harder and deeper until he was yanked away taking a chunk of Ratchets flesh with him.

"That's enough!" Optimus roared. He jumps onto the red dragons back and bits down hard on his neck, Sideswipe thrashes and bucks. Optimus holds on growling warning the red dragon, but Sideswipe wasn't listening. Others watched on while Ironhide kept a close eye on Sunstreaker who was faring no better then his brother, though Ratchet had been able to sedate him before being bitten.

Though sedated, the yellow dragon was still moving and showing signs that the drug had not fully taken effect. Ironhide knew that if Sunstreaker's eyes were open those once golden eyes would be a eerie purple. Looking at Sideswipe, his was nearing dark violet a dangerous color. For once, Ironhide hoped that something stops the red twin soon, or they would lose both him and his twin and maybe Ichigo once he returned.

It seemed that luck was on their side, Sideswipe began to tire. His thrashing and bucking slowed, when he finally did collapse everyone saw that he was unconscious.

"Bought time that took effect, wish you have been faster First Aid," Ratchet sniped through clenched teeth.

The smaller healer only shrugged his wings. "Sorry, but I didn't want to get Optimus."

Ratchet snorted, "Might have done him some good. He doesn't sleep enough." Optimus glares at him.

"So, what now," Wheeljack asks.

"We wait and hope that when these three awake they are back to normal or their mates are within sight," the larger red and blue dragon sighs. "Or I fear that we will have to take drastic measures."

The group stood in silence, thinking over the troubling thought. Their clan had been blessed that they had yet to put down a feral dragon and they didn't want treasured friends to be the first.

"Everyone that can be spared are to scout the boarders of our territory, not only to guard our home but to find our missing friends."

"Take a healer with you," Ratchet added. "In case they're injured."

"And focus more around the boarder near the mountains, I wouldn't put it past the monster dragon to snatch em." Ironhide shouted, "what?" he asks when Optimus scowls at him.

"I do not want to insight fear Ironhide," he says.

"The possibly is true though," Ratchet adds. "Just because we haven't so much as gotten a peep out that beast doesn't mean that he has lost interest in Ichigo. And with the twins out of it he is even more vulnerable."

The Autobot leader nods, "very true have Magnus send Hot Rod and Arcee to scout out the mountains."

Ironhide gaps, "Hot Rod? Really Prime?"

"Kup has spoken highly of him and that he has matured. Ultra Magnus also says that Hot Rod has grown since meeting young Yuzu. I believe that he will try his hardest at the assignment."

"That and Arcee will be there to pull him back should he get out of hand."

The four dragons chuckle, they started to have the three unconscious dragons pulled to Ratchets den. But, before they a dry cough has them looking behind them.

"Your trusting a kid to help out mates? Heh," Jazz struggles to stand the drug still thick in his system. "Forgive me if I don't share that trust." He growls at those getting near him, "I am leaving and going to find Prowl, you can stay here and sit on your tails, but…am not…going to wait." He pants before collapsing.

Ratchet curses but due to his own wound he could not get to the silver dragon quick enough. Luckily, First Aid was there and gently lowered the panting dragon to the ground.

"Damn, what you do to me?" Jazz growls.

Ratchet answers with one of his own, "Its for you own good you idiot. You nearly went feral; how can you help Prowl in that state?"

Jazz didn't answer but someone else did, "We wouldn't have hurt our mates Ratchet." Everyone turned to see Sunstreaker awake though still on the ground. "Just point us in the right direction and no one you wanted to get hurt will. Only the ones who took them."

Optimus turns to face to two conscious dragons, "I know what it is like losing one you deem precious, but-

"How would you know what its like to lose your mate Prime; you never had one," Sunstreaker snaps.

Ironhide roars and pins the yellow dragon to the ground, "You watch your tone youngling and don't speak of things you have no knowledge about."

Optimus flicked a wing waving the other giant dragon off the smaller on, he gave the young dragon a cold stare. "Once long ago before I became prime, I did have a mate. I lost her when Megatron and I first clashed, this was when he still was considered a dragon and not what he is now. I had to watch my Elita be killed before my eyes. I know how easy it is to fall in a feral state. The Ultra Magnus came very close to having my killed when I wouldn't return to being Orion. It took several years before I was myself." He stares turned sad, "Do not let yourselves fall into that state. You will harm more then you realized." He turns and walks away.

"How did you return?" Sideswipe asks voice muddle with sleep, "How did you stop being feral and how come you weren't killed?"

Optmius doesn't answer right away, "…Alpha Trion risk life and limb to track me down and hold me in a valley. I rampaged there until another dragon trespassed and I attacked. The smaller and younger dragon cries of pain snapped me out of my haze. I regret attacking him and for some reason he has forgiven me."

"Who was it?"

Optimus looks to Jazz, "It was Prowl."