Waking up after a forced stasis lock was always painfully slow. Stealthblade struggled for a moment to remember what had happened before letting his visor glow to life. He inclined his head towards his younger brother, only to see him stirring as well.
Morning sunshine. He croaked silently.
Stormstrike immediately spun his head to look at him, the concern and unease still present in his optics from when they had awoken earlier.
You okay? Stormstrike never seemed to be worried about his own well being.
No…but I think I'll live. Stealthblade ran a self diagnostic only to have warnings flash through his processor about his spark chamber's miserable condition, as well as the damage through his back from where he had been stabbed.
Can you move? Was Stormstrike's next question.
Stealthblade paused, barely lifting up his head to look down at his position. He was lying flat on his back, with his wings folded tightly underneath him to accommodate for his brother. He attempted to sit up, but his spark suddenly panged in protest, freezing him in place.
"Owe." Stealthblade twitched a helm spike in discomfort.
Stormstrike sat up beside him, moving just as carefully as he had, only being more successful. He then looked down at the hunched mech only to have his gaze slowly travel towards the bright exit.
"You know, I kinda hate Vividhaze." Stormstrike muttered.
"W-Why's that?" Stealthblade rasped curiously.
"He fragging left us here all alone!"
A soft chuckle just barely slipped through Stealthblade's vocalizer. Stormstrike rewarded him with a strange stare.
Give that guy a break Stormy. He's a con that saved our lives. Isn't that enough? Stealthblade soothed as lightly as he possibly could.
"No. You need intensive care." He grumbled, trying to cross his arms but stopping when a sizzle crackled out underneath his chest plating.
You're not much better off. Stealthblade argued, hating the idea of being hospitalized; again.
"But I'm also not the one that actually got stabbed in the back." His counter was fool proof, and Stealthblade sat there silently.
The silence only made Stormstrike snort unhappily and suddenly attempt to stand.
Whoa, careful Storm! Stealthblade stiffened in alarm.
The elite soldier staggered to one side dangerously for a moment before finding his balance and labored cycling churned through his intakes. Stealthblade could only watch as his younger brother took a few trembling steps away from him.
"It is very difficult to walk when you can't feel your feet." Stormstrike gasped as he swayed yet again.
So you're numb too? Stealthblade lowered his gaze to his claws and flexed them; only to see them respond, not feel them.
"Unfortunately. Great, and I'm going to have to carry you to." Stormstrike shook his head in realization.
"Hold on, you're n-not carrying…" Stormstrike sprang over to his side with a suddenly lurch and grabbed the stealth soldier's arm.
"I know you can't walk bro; don't try to hide it." Stormstrike's glare was uncharacteristically dark.
You can hardly stand. How do you expect to get out yourself much less lift my weight? Stealthblade demanded. It would be better if you just went on ahead. I can wait Storm, I'm stable now. He tried to reason.
"You must be high on something if you think I'm going to abandon you." Stormstrike snapped quickly.
You won't be abandoning me. I'll just be staying behind waiting for help. Stealthblade tried to calm his brother.
"No. I'm not letting you out of my sight." Stormstrike was firm.
This isn't going to be a new thing for you, is it? Stealthblade flattened his helm spikes.
"Just until you're safe."
A grumble threatened to rattle out from Stealthblade's vocalizer but he held it at bay, knowing it would do more harm than good.
If you drop me, I'm going to claw out your optics. Stealthblade grumbled as Stormstrike pulled him upright.
"A small price," the elite giggled, growing brighter now that he had gotten his way.
With a grunt the mech suddenly swung Stealthblade over his shoulders, lowering his wings so they wouldn't get in the way. Luckily for Stealthblade, he was too numb to be uncomfortable.
"I'm not hurting you, right?" Stormstrike began to take heavy steps towards the bright exit, obviously labored by the added weight.
"Not really. Are y-you sure I'm not too h-heavy?" Stealthblade still wasn't certain that giving into his brother's demands had been the right thing.
"No problem. You're just like a big ugly scarf." The mech reassured.
You would say that. Stealthblade snorted.
"Speak the truth and nothing but the truth; unless the truth is a lie of course." Stormstrike snickered as he cleared the exit and emerged into the light of day.
Do you always have to get philosophical when you're tired? The black mech groaned.
"It keeps my processor moving. Otherwise I'd conk out." He explained lightly.
They trudged on a bit longer, scarcely reaching the bottom of the mountains before the sun began to dip back down in the sky. Though there were still many hours of sunlight left, Stealthblade doubted they would get far before it grew dark. Many times Stormstrike had to stop and set Stealthblade down to rest before continuing on. The process repeated itself more and more frequently as it grew later in the day.
How's your spark holding up? Stormstrike finally broke their long silence that had been cast between them for the past three hours.
Stealthblade grimaced, having avoided thinking about it up til now. The pain was still there, but it was nothing compared to what it used to be. Despite being muted however, an occasional pang would surface and jolt the both of them.
It's been tolerable so far. Stealthblade hated admitting his weakness to his sibling. He had to be the one protecting him, not the other way around. He almost felt lost when it came to Stormstrike's care for him.
"Stealth, I am a mind reader ya know." Stormstrike kidded.
"Really?" he teased back weakly.
"Come on, we shouldn't have much farther now until we can call for help. That cyber ninja at least fixed my comm. link, though he'd probably say it was more trouble than what we're worth."
You know, he's kinda like Clawfist.
"And how's that, they have completely different personalities. Claw punches the people he's mad at, not come up with some witty remark that deflates your spark." Stormstrike failed to catch on.
I didn't mean personality wise. Clawfist and Vividhaze are similar because both of them are different mechs on the inside. They both cover up their true nature with false ones. Couldn't you see the tenderness in his movements when he was around us? A mech that literally just felt like saving us on a random whim would not have been so careful.
"Stealthblade…" Stormstrike sighed.
What?
"I'm too tired to comprehend your previous statement."
Stealthblade let out a wimpy growl that was quickly strangled by coughing. Stormstrike stopped and allowed him to recover from his fit before pressing on once more.
Time dragged by slowly, and Stormstrike's tedious footfalls were not helping make it pass any faster. With a sudden stumble he dropped to one knee, sucking in air greedily for a moment or two.
Need another break? Stealthblade offered, flinching mentally from nearly being jarred off his brother's shoulders.
The elite nodded and gently eased Stealthblade onto the ground, leaning him up against a sturdy pile of boulders. Stealthblade knew he couldn't have been comfortable, but his numb body allowed him to relax and fall limp where he sat.
"Do ya think we c-can…c-call for help now?" Stealthblade choked on his words for a second before finding his voice again.
"Not sure. I guess it couldn't hurt to try now. I doubt the Decepticons are searching for two dead sparks like us." He shrugged, and then activated his comm. "Erm, this is Stormstrike, does anybot read me?"
A static filled buzz filled the air while both brother's held their unneeded breathe.
"Stormstrike! Is that really you!?!" A very familiar femme practically shouted through his link.
"Owe Dawn. I'm a bit sensitive here." Stormstrike cringed much to Stealthblade's amusement.
"My apologies; are you okay? Where are you? Is Stealthblade there? Is he okay?"The communications specialist quickly began to play twenty questions.
"One question at a time please. I'm having enough trouble thinking straight as it is." Stormstrike growled, silencing Dawncatcher.
"Now we need some help out here. Stealthblade is here with me and he's in critical condition but stable. Please tell Prime we need ta get out of here ASAP." Stormstrike's blue gaze settled on Stealthblade.
He tucked down his helm spikes, disliking the look in Stormstrike's optics.
"Just send me your coordinates, and we'll be there." Dawncatcher assured.
Stealthblade just watched as his brother complied, feeling surprisingly weaker by the second. He couldn't even move his numb body parts anymore, leaving him with only his protesting spark to mull over. His body wanted to shut down but his mind needed to stay awake. Stormstrike after all was growing just as weary, if not more so, and he had to be there for him. Otherwise the elite could very well fall and simply not get back up.
You have such little faith in me. Stormstrike keyed in on his thoughts immediately.
S'not tha…you'd just collapse without proper moti'ation. Stealthblade wearily mumbled.
Would not. Stormstrike argued, but his fight was lost as soon as it had started.
Stealthblade felt himself slowly slipping to one side but couldn't get his body to react and catch himself. In a flash Stormstrike was beside him, propping him back up and then taking a seat beside him.
Whoa… Stealthblade gasped aloud as well.
"What?" His sibling cocked his head uncertainly.
You feel…warm. Stealthblade shakily lifted his head to meet his brother's gaze. It made no sense to him. Here he was completely numb save his spark chamber, and yet he could feel his brother's warm energy flowing through him.
Stealth, uh, you're kinda weirding me out here. Stormstrike raised a brow plate.
It must have something to do with our sparks. They are more stable when they're close after all.
"Nah, you're just losing it." Stormstrike shook his head.
"Assuming I ever h-had it." He forced his visor to glow lowly.
"You may have a point there." Stormstrike sniggered fondly.
Stealthblade allowed his head to lean up against his brother's frame, his fatigue threatening to get the best of him. Stormstrike did his best to keep his sibling steady, fearing how much damage a simple careless movement could do to a mech that had no feeling and an overworked spark.
Wonder how Ratchet's gonna react? Stealthblade questioned, hoping that if he kept his processor churning he would stay active.
Considering the work you left him after you pummeled Pulse and then showing up like this; I'd say you're as good as being reformatted into an iPod. Stormstrike joked.
Well, at least I can still listen to music. Stealthblade played along with his brother's banter.
I'll make sure to give you to Montana. Then she can let Bladestrike chew on your headphones. He chuckled, amused by his own idea.
Stealthblade snorted aloud, not at all thrilled by the idea of being inside that dog's mouth. Bladestrike did have awfully large teeth for his size.
I think he's part wolf. The gray in his coat is just too…too… Stormstrike struggled to describe the mutt. Well, he's got gold eyes. What dog has gold eyes?
Stealthblade shrugged, not really concerned about the friendly dog's pedigree. Stormstrike though was psyching himself out.
What if he really is part wolf!?! Then we'd have been letting Montana romp around with a wild animal! They can't be tamed, I've watched Animal Planet! We've got to test that dog right away! Stormstrike ranted worriedly.
Storm…breathe. That dog is the most loving and intelligent creature I've ever seen. Heck it even dances. He's probably part Husky or something, not wolf. Stealthblade reassured his sibling.
Stormstrike finally quieted, and then waited in silence for their comrades to find them. The air was very calm, only an occasional breeze drifting through the trees and making the branches rustle slowly in a soothing manner. Stealthblade's visor focused unsteadily on the bits of sky he could see above. Clouds drifted lazily in and out of his vision and he couldn't help but think a few looked like rabbits and puppies.
That one looks like an Autobot symbol. Stormstrike commented, having picked up on his brother's thoughts.
I suppose it does. Stealthblade offered a weak chuckle before falling silent once more.
He finally allowed himself to fade in and out, knowing since his brother no longer needed to carry him that he'd be fine. Stormstrike quietly agreed with him in his head, but without thinking any clear thoughts.
Before Stealthblade knew it he shut down into recharge.
I cheated when I uploaded this. The file wasn't working, so I pasted this over another older one. I hope nothing got screwed up in the process....
Oh, IMPORTANT!!! I was grounded from writing/drawing/my ipod, so if I manage any updates, it'll be because I snuck on. I apologize to you all, it is all my fault I was grounded. I am SO SORRY! I'll try my best not to be completely absent!