Armada Jetfire won the vote, so that's who'll be coming in! Now, on to the story...
Stealthblade sat back in the lounge, contently watching Montana and Breakshift playing against one another on their game console, whatever it was. They had so many, Stealthblade had lost track of which one was which, though Stormstrike tried to remind him continuously. So far, it hadn't worked.
Montana beat Breakshift after a few minutes, making their final score six to four, with Montana victorious. Bladestrike barked happily, as if it knew she had won.
The dog was rather smart, Montana having shown him all of his tricks. He could sit, stay, lie down, and shake, as well as beg with a very cute whimper, dance rather impressively by standing up on his hind legs and twisting around, and Stealthblade's and Montana's shared favorite, booty shake. The dog would literally wag its tail so hard its whole bottom would shake, and then Montana would join him, often with some music of some sort in the background. All the other Autobots found this either funny or disturbing, and Stealthblade was tempted to join in the next time she asked Bladestrike to perform that trick.
Stormstrike walked in with Rawspark, who looked miserable, but that was normal. Node and Outspace, who being under Stealthblade's constant watch, both looked up from their foosball game curiously, both having taken an instant liking to the game. Node suddenly whizzed around, striking the ball into the goal, and winning.
"Hey, what the hell!?!" Outspace demanded, and suddenly launched himself at the larger mech.
They clattered to the floor, grunting and growling viciously at the other. Stealthblade sighed and stood up, walking over to the fighting gladiators. With them on the ground, he simply stepped on Outspace's head, and then pulled Node away by a helm spike. He cried out in protest, but dared not lash out at the dark mech.
"Why does it feel like I'm constantly babysitting you two?" Stealthblade grumbled, and shoved Node away from Outspace, knowing if given the chance, he'd only too eagerly resume the fight.
He stepped back off from Outspace's head, who got up cautiously, and tucked behind Stealthblade for protection when Node snarled threateningly at him.
Montana furrowed her brows worriedly, having expressed her fear to Stealthblade earlier that day that she was worried Node would snap and attack him. It had already been made an official rule for the base that Montana was never allowed to be left alone with either gladiator, especially if the gladiators were together.
They'd been staying at the base for a little less than a week, and had already broken out into fights with one another more times than Stealthblade could recall. At every scuffle he had been the one who had to separate them to.
You make a good parent big bro. Stormstrike laughed.
Well you turned out somewhat sane, didn't you? Stealthblade retaliated quickly, silencing his younger sibling. He did have a point.
Stormstrike shrugged, and then opticed Rawspark excitedly. The imposing new Autobot sighed, lifting his crimson optics to stare up at the ceiling. He had a freshly painted on Autobot symbol on each wing tip, and the bright red matched his optics well.
"Guess what 'Sparky and I managed to convince Optimus to let us do!" Stormstrike exclaimed boisterously.
"You mean what you managed to convince Optimus to let us do." Stealthblade corrected, knowing Rawspark had only been dragged along for his own good.
"Same difference, doesn't matter, but come on, guess!" Stormstrike's optics curved up in a smile.
"I honestly have no idea." Stealthblade sighed, before shooting a sharp glare at Node when he looked like he was going to pounce on Outspace.
"Tell us Storm!" Montana begged.
"We…are going…TO THE BEACH!" He proclaimed with an excited shout.
Montana squealed with delight, and Bladestrike barked accordingly. Stealthblade suppressed a sigh, and tilted his head at his brother.
"You can't be serious."
"As serious as a girl reading Twilight."
Strange analogy…but whatever.
"How did you possibly convince Optimus to let us go to the beach?" Stealthblade inquired.
"Wasn't that hard, considering you've been rather down, and 'Sparky's always down. He thought some free time would do us good, and brighten back up our spirits." Stormstrike explained smoothly.
Not to mention how angsty Breakshift's been. He added silently.
Stealthblade nodded in agreement. Breakshift had only gone further down hill when they didn't return with Aero Prime, and it was beginning to wear on the others. A temporary escape from reality was looking better and better by the second.
"All righty, I'll round everyone up!" Stormstrike laughed, and darted off, leaving behind a confused looking Rawspark.
Stealthblade chuckled lightly, and walked over to the confused mech.
"You might want to go make sure he doesn't break anything." Stealthblade's visor glowed in deep amusement.
Rawspark hesitated, and then nodded, walking off in the direction the hyper elite had taken. Stealthblade turned back around, only to see an excited Montana at his feet. She was literally bouncing up and down in anticipation, and Bladestrike was running circles around her.
"I need to get my stuff!" She suddenly realized.
"Have Breakshift take you home and get it then." Stealthblade suggested, looking up at the Ferrari.
He nodded, still looking a bit sullen despite the fun news. His normally bright blue optics had faded, and it wasn't from a lack of energon. Even his paint didn't have its usual sheen, probably because he'd been neglecting keeping up with his armor. It needed to be washed at least once a week, even if they hadn't been in any action.
"Come on Montana." Breakshift nodded, and then trudged down the halls with her close on his heels. She glanced back at Stealthblade, throwing him a worried face, before spinning back around and disappearing from sight.
Stealthblade blew out a sigh, shaking his head again. He refocused his gaze on Node and Outspace, who were glaring each other down.
"Enough you two. Today you're going to learn how to build a sand castle." He strode between them, and grabbed Node by the armor around his neck, much like a person would grab someone's collar.
"What is a sand castle?" Outspace trotted up to his side, his usually place whenever Stealthblade was leading them around.
"You'll see. They're really fun to make." He assured, his visor glowing once again.
The gladiators exchanged looks, both unsure of Stealthblade's definition of fun.
"Trust me, you'll like the beach." Stealthblade turned his glowing visor on his charges.
Rowdy and aggressive as they were, they both possessed softer sides, though rarely showed it. Node had taken an intense liking to reading and learning about human culture, while Outspace had found a knack at building things as well as repairing them, as long as he didn't get too frustrated and just kick whatever he was working on to kingdom come. Node's only problem when it came to reading was he often times ended up destroying whatever he was reading, because he was simply too rough; another reason why Montana wasn't even permitted to touch him.
Plasmagrade suddenly twisted around into the hallway, dragging Dawncatcher behind him. She looked over at Stealthblade with big optics, pleading he'd rescue her from the over excited weapons specialist. He chuckled, and continued leading his charges on past them.
Node irritably tried to pull away from the dark soldier's grip, but to no avail. A few swears leaked out his vocalizer, but then he gave in, and just quietly followed.
Huh, he's calming down faster. Stealthblade acknowledged.
On his first day watching the gladiators, he couldn't stop their fights without getting hit himself, but now all he had to do was spring between them and pry them apart. Usually if he got a hold of Node first, he didn't have to worry about the fight escalating any further. The one thing Node probably hated the most was losing, so he would go to no ends to ensure he'd win. Stealthblade had assumed since his virus beat Node before, he feared he could beat him again, so he dared not challenge the stealth soldier, unlike every other Autobot at the base. The brick red gladiator had nearly attacked Prowl and Optimus Prime, but luckily Stealthblade had been there to stop him both times, though had ended up with a rather large dent in his side.
He led them into Headquarters, where he found Stormstrike trying to convince Chain to come with them. The older mech wasn't having any of it.
"Come on Chain, you work too much. The base isn't going to implode if you leave for a few hours." Stormstrike encouraged.
Chain's optics locked onto Stealthblade, and the memory of the base getting completely taken over by the cons flashed through his processor. Stealthblade lowered his helm spikes.
"Leave him be Stormy, if he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to." Stealthblade released Node and strode over to his brother.
Stormstrike crossed his arms unhappily, giving into his brother's words.
Don't you dare say Rawspark can stay! The elite glowered.
I'd never. That mech actually should have some fun. Chain however is too anxious to relax at the beach. He'd keep flipping out and returning to the base to check on it. Stealthblade gave his reasoning.
Oh, I suppose you're right. Stormstrike scratched his head, and then nodded. Time to find Doubleedge. His optics suddenly took on a mischievous glow.
The only way he's coming with us is if Optimus comes with us too. Stealthblade crossed his arms, shaking his head.
"But he is." The elite laughed, and then darted out of Headquarters, leaving behind Rawspark once more.
And if I can't convince him, I'm getting Windgust to help me! Stormstrike's lingering thoughts echoed through the dark mech's head.
"Oh Storm." Stealthblade would have rolled his optics if he could.
Dawncatcher then slipped in, having escaped the jubilant Plasmagrade. Her pink optics settled on Node and Outspace uncertainly, but she walked over to Stealthblade none the less.
"Did Stormstrike really convince Optimus to give us a day off?" She shied away from the two gladiators as their combined gazes settled on her.
"Sure did, and apparently, he's coming to." Stealthblade replied, growing amused with the idea that the large red and blue leader would actually be accompanying them.
"Really?" The femme's mouth nearly fell open, but she regained her composure quickly under the interested gladiators' stare.
"Yeah, Rawspark was even there." He jabbed a claw in the sullen 'bot's direction.
The soft gray and purple mech nodded, but didn't seem too enthused about it.
"You should have seen him." Rawspark stated dully, but something told Stealthblade he had found the situation amusing.
Spincycle and the twins then walked in, all of whom had a confused expression on their faceplates. Sunstreaker exchanged a look with Sideswipe, and Stealthblade twitched a helm spike wondering if they were talking to one another mentally. He still had to ask how their bond worked.
"Was that Stormstrike we saw chasing Doubleedge down the hall?" Sideswipe tilted his head, genuinely curious.
"Yep, that was probably Storm." Stealthblade was very close to face palming himself. "I didn't think he'd actually chase him though."
"Well, considering he's no longer his superior…" Dawncatcher murmured, trailing off a bit.
Suddenly Plasmagrade's head poked into Headquarters, and she jumped in alarm. The white femme quickly ducked behind Stealthblade, despite the fact it brought her closer to the gladiators. Plasmagrade scanned over them, a slight frown present on his features.
"Have you guys seen Dawn?" He obviously hadn't spotted the hiding femme yet.
Node and Outspace exchanged confused glances, uncertain whether they should even respond. Stealthblade locked onto the twins and Spincycle, and in unison they all shook their heads.
"Haven't seen her, why?" Stealthblade slowly flared his body spikes to better conceal the young communications officer hidden behind him.
"Well Storm's told ya we're going to the beach, right?" Plasmagrade asked.
"Yep." The stealth soldier nodded.
"Well I know this really great spot for erm…two…and I wanted to show it to Dawncatcher." He admitted, suddenly growing embarrassed.
A teasing grin lit up on Sideswipe's faceplate, but before he could react Spincycle and Sunstreaker both conked him on the head in unison. The red mech went down silently, making Node chuckle. Stealthblade had to admit, the larger gladiator had a very violent sense of humor, while Outspace's was a bit twisted, though more normal.
"Why don't you go see if she went outside?" Stealthblade suggested.
Plasmagrade nodded quickly, and then darted out. Stealthblade cocked his head, and turned to faced down the femme.
"And you're avoiding him because…?" He demanded.
"Oh, I don't know anymore…Plasmagrade's so sweet and all but…" Her gaze fell to the ground.
"You forgot handsome." Sideswipe laughed, crawling back to his feet.
"And strong." His twin chuckled, helping his brother up.
"Oh, and how when you look at him, you can't help but get a chill down your spine, and your spark flutters in your chest just enough to make you feel faint." Sideswipe pretended to faint into his brother in a very girly manner.
Both the twins then burst out laughing, until they fell over together in a heap. Spincycle just shook his head looking down at them, and then headed over to Chain, who had been watching everything indirectly through the monitors.
All right, time for some girl talk. Stealthblade sighed. Or, something like that.
"Come with me." Stealthblade gently grabbed her hand and led her out.
He paused at the door, and glared sharply back at his charges.
"You two are not to leave this room until I get back. And if I find out you got in another fight…" He let it hang, really having nothing to back up his threat, but it worked all the same.
Outspace shuffled away from Node, while the larger gladiator's visor suddenly glowed. Stealthblade scarcely ever left them alone, and the dark mech was sure Node would take whatever advantage of it he could.
He then led Dawncatcher down the hall, navigating to his room. He gently pushed the femme inside, and sealed the door shut behind him.
"Sit." He pointed to his own berth, and then took a seat of his own on his brother's.
She perched on the edge timidly, having never been inside the elites' room before. Her pink optics darted around the decorated walls for a moment, most it covered by posters of sports cars that Stealthblade really liked, as well as his sibling. It was the one trait he could still show off from back when he was human without revealing he was a girl.
"Now, explain." Stealthblade motioned, flickering his helm spikes forward attentively.
Dawncatcher squirmed for a moment, and she didn't begin until she had wrapped her arms around herself. Stealthblade took it she was still very uncomfortable with his daunting appearance, despite knowing him better by now.
"Well you see…before I ever became a communications officer under Aero, I was just a regular Autobot femme that broadcasted frequencies for a large company. I liked my job, had lots of bots that I could call friends…but there was this one. He was always exceptionally sweet to me, teasing sometimes, but always seemed to genuinely like me." She bit her lip plate, hesitating.
Stealthblade remained still, wondering where her story was going.
"I thought I liked him to, so we began to see each other. It was nice at first, he was still very sweet, but the more I saw him, the more he slowly began to change. He started asking me whether I loved him, but more like demanding it. He stopped going out of his way to do things for me, and rather demanded to know why I didn't do things for him, after all he had done. He started to guilt me into taking care of things for him, as well as covering for him when he skipped work. Then finally…he demanded that if I wanted to remain with him, and keep my job, I'd have to be his sparkmate." She stopped, curling her knees up against her chest. "So I quite, and decided to join the war effort, though I never thought I'd actually be selected."
"So you're just afraid Plasmagrade's going to change on you to." Stealthblade confirmed, rocking back now and taking on a more relaxed position.
She fidgeted uncomfortably, and managed a shaky nod. Stealthblade sighed, rubbing his helm.
"Dawn, I truly don't think Plasmagrade will change on you." Stealthblade tried to comfort.
"I know, its silly but…I just can't get over it. I mean, what if our relationship does change us?" She looked up at the dark mech with large fearful optics.
"Okay, Dawncatcher, think about it this way. That other mech came to you first, did he not?" She nodded, and opened up her mouth to say something, but Stealthblade held up his hand, silencing her. "Plasmagrade however, couldn't. At least, not without my 'encouragement'." His visor glowed in amusement. "The fact is, he's probably more scared about being with you than you realize."
"Scared? He's got no reason to be." Dawncatcher shook her head.
"Well, you're currently hiding from him, you avoid him whenever possible, I'll bet you've never told him you like him…should I go on?" Stealthblade held up his fingers, counting down the things the femme did.
She shook her head, her optics down casting once again.
"He's afraid you don't like him. I understand not wanting another serious relationship after what happened to you, but Plasmagrade's a completely different mech. You should at least tell him why you push him away, not flat out run from him." Stealthblade advised.
She flinched, but then nodded after a second thought.
"You're right, he deserves to know at least. I'm just hurting him keeping him in the dark." She sighed, and slowly rose off the berth.
Stealthblade sprang to his feet as well, and opened the door for her.
"Why don't you tell him right now, so you won't have to worry about it at the beach?" Stealthblade's visor glowed comfortingly, or at least what he hoped was comfortingly.
"Okay, I will…thank you Stealthblade, I needed that." A small smile slipped across her lip plates, and his visor glowed brightly in response.
"Anytime."
She nodded, and then trotted down the hall, heading for the exit to search for Plasmagrade.
Score one for the Stealthblade. Stormstrike's thoughts suddenly entered his mind as he came round a corner.
You were listening? Stealthblade demanded.
Na, I don't listen to girl talk. I was just waiting out here for the reaction. Looks like whatever you said did her some good. Stormstrike strode over brightly, and swung an arm over his brother's shoulder.
"So…you catch Doubleedge?" Stealthblade titled his head curiously.
"I sure did! With a little help from Windgust to of course." He was positively beaming.
"What did you do with him?" Stealthblade asked as his brother suddenly began leading him down the hall back towards Headquarters.
"After I caught him, I threatened him by saying I'd tell Windgust his room's security code, and then called her over. He didn't put up much of a fight after that, so I just left him in her capable hands." He sniggered.
"Doubleedge's will hate you forever now, you do realized that." Stealthblade laughed.
"Nah, who can hate me? No one, that's who!" Stormstrike exclaimed, and then pushed his brother into Headquarters.
"I beg to differ." Stealthblade retaliated.
"Decepticons don't count." Stormstrike chuckled.
Both brothers paused when they entered, and saw Headquarters had filled with every 'bot that was going on the trip. Stealthblade quickly scanned to see who was going. Dawncatcher and Plasmagrade were standing together, but the weapons specialist's face was slightly disheartened, and Stealthblade assumed Dawncatcher had spoken with him. Spincycle was chilling with Breakshift, who had Montana up on his shoulder, and Bladestrike in his palms. Doubleedge was skulking behind Torrent, who's grin couldn't have been larger as he watched Windgust try to creep around him and latch onto the Saleen s7. Jazz was chatting with the recently repaired Bluestreak, who couldn't have appeared happier. Rawspark had generated a shield around himself as his crimson optics watched the two gladiators arguing with one another. A smart idea in Stealthblade's opinion. Chain was for once missing, probably not wanting to get dragged along as an after thought by any of the others. Optimus Prime was standing at the center of the room, scanning over the soldiers surrounding him as well, trying to monitor exactly what he needed to expect when they headed out. The twins suddenly wrapped around Bluestreak, mischievous glints consuming their optics. Loosevalve poked his head in behind Stealthblade and Stormstrike, looking slightly wary.
Outspace paused in whatever he had been yelling at Node, and quickly flashed his four optics towards the combat engineer. They curved up in pleasure, and he quickly ditched his counterpart, and jumped to Loosevalve's side happily. The quirky inventor seemed uncertain of the larger mech, but did manage a quivering smile.
Since when does Outspace like Loosevalve? Stormstrike asked his brother.
Um, since he first spoke with him. Outspace likes building things bro, why wouldn't he take a liking to Loosevalve? He explained.
Well, every other mech is afraid of Loosevalve lighting them on fire. His bright blue optics stared rather curiously at the unorthodox pair.
And every other mech is also afraid of Outspace attacking them. The black elite countered.
I suppose there's a point in there somewhere. He rubbed his chin pretending to be thoughtful.
Stealthblade sighed and returned his attention to the crowded room. He quickly noticed both medics weren't there, as well as Clawfist.
Clawfist had been mostly repaired, and gotten his old attitude back after a few days, but he was still off. A key example was he rarely ever was alone, conveniently hovering by another Autobot until they left him. His face was also still somewhat damaged, but now it was mostly scarring. Where his lower jaw had been ripped loose, long deep scars laced out, curving out up to his nose, and across his lip plates. Ratchet had also had to place a sturdy bar across the bridge of his faceplate to support it and keep it from breaking again while the internal components were repairing themselves. It was a permanent new look, and Clawfist didn't have much comment on it. He just seemed to be glad he had both of his optics back in his head, and be able to move his neck without pain.
He didn't want to come. Stormstrike suddenly murmured, his head drooping.
What? Stealthblade spun to look at his sibling.
Clawfist, I asked him, and he said no.
Did you chase him? That could have deterred him. Stealthblade said teasingly.
No…I just asked, simple as that. Stormstrike slumped further, making his brother place a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Remember what Pulse said, we've just got to have patience with him. Plus, if you can get Rawspark over there to lighten up, then I'm sure cracking Clawfist will be a piece of cake for you. His visor let off a soft consoling glow.
Okay, Rawspark first, then Claw. Stormstrike regained his lighter composure in less than an astrosecond.
Prowl then walked in, and he seemed to be who Optimus Prime had been waiting for.
"All right Autobots, now that everyone's here, transform and roll out." Optimus Prime announced, getting a few cheers and yips of approval.
Stealthblade chuckled at Stormstrike excited shout, and quickly turned and took off for the exit with him, transforming and taking off into the air before scarcely even getting outside. Rawspark filed in surprisingly close behind them in his FB-111 alt. Node and Outspace swung in from above, and Plasmagrade swooped up from beneath.
"Race you guys!" Stormstrike suddenly announced, and suddenly burst past the sound barrier, rocking his brother from the force.
Cheater! Stealthblade howled, and then increased his own speed, closely followed by the other fliers.