I love this one. There's some funny stuff in here (Screamer's Moped, "Yet you cannot fly" oh! and the "Wait...you two are up to something!")

Here's the new chapter! Hot off the press! :)

All in Elita's POV

I don't own Transformers Prime, all rights to Hasbro. I only own my OCs.

Chapter 34

Frigid Company

Elita POV

"Be on your guard, Bulkhead," Optimus warned as the former Wrecker ran through the Groundbridge and disappeared, "Rafael,"

The boy looked up at my mate and me…his soft brown gaze seemed to linger on me for more than a brief second before flicking upwards to Optimus.

"Lock onto the remaining coordinates," Optimus stated, "Elita and I will embark for the Antarctic."

The young boy swiveled his seat towards the computer, Ben and Amber crowded up against him.

"As for you, old friend," Optimus continued, "I would prefer that you have company on your mission,"

"No one is left to join me, Optimus," Ratchet commented looking to his left and right. "Even if Agent Fowler were alert..."

I turned around, looking at the Agent…right as he lifted his finger into the air and let out a bunch of unintelligible gibberish.

"He's human," Ratchet finished.

"I was considering the only remaining Autobot alternative on this planet," Optimus replied, hinting.

Sean looked up from his seat on the railing.

"You mean…!" he cried, a grin lighting up his face, "JACKIE!"

"B-but y-you can't be serious!" Ratchet yelled, "Wheeljack is insubordinate…a ruffian! Besides, he's Bulkhead's partner!"

"Your expertise is scientific," Optimus argued, "but Wheeljack is a highly capable warrior. You would be wise to welcome the temporary alliance,"

Ratchet groaned, shaking his helm in defeat as Sean smiled happily at the notion of seeing his guardian again.

"Hey, Optimus?" Ben asked, "Where's Ultimus at?"

"He is looking into a possible energon mine," my mate replied steadily.

"Like the one before the Nemesis incident?" Amber asked.

"Yes,"

"Where he didn't find anything," she kept at him.

"Yes," Optimus replied, starting to get slightly annoyed, "I am sure that he will find something this time, however,"

"He can take care of himself, Optimus," I sighed, "He is a capable warrior, Dusk has taught him well. I sometimes wonder: who is the mother hen out of the two of us…me or you,"

That raised a laugh from the remaining humans. Optimus frowned at me and I shrugged.

"You need to, as the humans say, lighten up a bit, Sweetspark," I replied, "Laughter does wonders,"

"Rafael," he said, not paying attention to my words, "Activate the Groundbridge,"

Raf typed the commands into the computer and the Groundbridge spun to life. Optimus held out his arm.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Always," I laughed, taking his arm.

And we walked through the Groundbridge and into the Antarctic. I rubbed my arms.

"It's cold," I muttered.

"It could be worse," Optimus replied, "At least the temperature is not cold enough to freeze our circuitry,"

"You've been in that situation!?" I demanded, "When?"

He looked everywhere but at me, I couldn't see his face because his battlemask had activated…

"Optimus…" I growled.

Silence.

"Orion Pax, answer me,"

He sighed.

"It was months ago, before you came to the Base for the first time but after our son found us," he replied, "Arcee and I went to the Arctic to scout around a strange energon signal that Bulkhead and Bumblebee found…it was a Scraplet trap,"

"That's where it came from!" I cried.

Optimus looked at me strangely.

"I saw one in the house," I muttered, "Remember when I fumigated the house?"

He nodded.

"That's when I saw it…I was afraid it would attack Jack or Arcee,"

"You did the right thing then," Optimus rumbled, pulling me closer, "But as for now…let us find the relic so that we may return home to our family."

"I like that idea," I agreed as I transformed.

Optimus followed my example and we both tore through the icy plane.

Suddenly, Optimus hit the brakes and transformed.

"Optimus?" I asked, shifting to bi-pedal form, "What's wrong?"

"Dreadwing," he growled.

I looked over the ridge.

"And…Starscream?"I asked, "In cuffs?"

"I will go and investigate," Optimus growled, "Elita, stay back,"

I did not argue. Not that I didn't want to fight, I did want to…

But I've learned over the years that when Optimus says stay back…he has good meaning for it…and that he means it.

He took a leap off the ledge and landed gracefully on the ground before transforming and driving forwards towards Dreadwing.

The Decepticon dropped Starscream and faced my mate, walking towards him. Optimus transformed and began to close the distance between them.

I shifted my servo to my blaster. I had heard about Dreadwing's proximity bombs…and I didn't want anything to happen to Optimus.

It was a long distance from my position to Dreadwing's. I used to be a crack shot back on Cybertron, sniper if you will, and also leader of the femme division of the Autobots. The only two who could best me were my sisters, Chromia beat me more often…Arcee was lucky if she managed to shoot better than me.

"Optimus Prime," Dreadwing said as his Vehicon escort began to surround my mate, "I will request…only once…that you surrender the relic,"

I charged up my blaster and took aim.

I didn't like this at all.

"I was going to request the same of you, Dreadwing," Optimus replied calmly.

"Then I would say that we are on equal footing," Dreadwing answered, "If there were not five of us…and only one of you,"

"Six," Starscream corrected, "If you'd relieve me of these ridiculous manacles!"

"Against two," I growled, softly, readying my shot, "You never look for the femme,"

And I let a shot loose, right as Dreadwing and the Vehicons started shooting. One of the Vehicons went down shot through the spark. And I rushed forward to the defense of my mate.

"Elita, I thought I told you to stay back!" Optimus growled.

"When the odds are like this…I figure you could use some help," I replied, smiling.

We stood back to back and fired upon the enemy.

One of our shots nicked Dreadwing in the shoulder and he fell with a yelp.

"Did you hit him?" I asked, Optimus, "Or was that mine?"

"I do not know," he answered.

I took a few more shots, picking off some of the remaining Vehicons.

They went down. Hard.

I smiled as I took a quick rest.

"I've still got it," I smirked.

Dreadwing raised his blaster again and shot three rounds of explosives…right at Optimus.

"Optimus! Look out!" I yelled.

My mate saw the projectiles and leaped up and over them, engaging his sword as he came back down to the icy turf.

Dreadwing too unsheathed his sword, and the two engaged in a deadly dance of blades. Optimus kicked Dreadwing back.

I unsheathed my own blades and started forwards, but Optimus pushed me back.

"He's mine," he growled.

And Dreadwing charged at him again, his sword screeching off of Optimus'.

I leaped onto Dreadwing's back, trying to get him distracted…

It worked.

Optimus shoved Dreadwing's blade to the ground…but Dreadwing backhanded him. Optimus skidded to a stop mere feet away from a cliff. Dreadwing pulled me off his back and flung me at Optimus' pedes.

My mate gently helped me up, glaring at Dreadwing all the while. The Decepticon charged forwards, slamming into Optimus and me and knocking us off the cliff.

We all hit the ground hard.

I momentarily blacked out and saw my son conversing angrily with Miko, his eyes blazing brightly.

He was safe at least.

Optimus hit the ground hard beside me. He transformed his servo to his blaster and aimed at Dreadwing…

Or was he?

From my prospective…the way he held his blaster, where he was aiming…it'd fly off to the side…

"Optimus…" I warned, "Your aim…!"

He fired.

And the shot did exactly what I thought it would. It slammed into the cliff behind Dreadwing, making several deep cracks and…

Oh…I see what he did.

"Your aim is poor!" Dreadwing jeered.

"That is a matter of perspective," Optimus replied smugly as the cliff came apart.

"Optimus…" I warned, standing, "Move, now!"

The avalanche quickly overcame Dreadwing, and nearly engulfed Optimus and me.

"Are you alright?" he asked as the avalanche came to a stop.

"I'm fine," I replied, "You?"

He nodded right as shapes appeared in the fog thrown up by the avalanche.

"A stalemate would leave us where?" Starscream's muffled voice asked.

"Commander Dreadwing!" a Vehicon shouted.

I can only imagine the Vehicon's surprise as not Dreadwing, but Optimus and me who walked out of the fog.

They shot at us. Or rather, tried to.

I took down one…

And Starscream the other!

The traitor came towards my mate and I, grinning smugly as Optimus disengaged his weapons.

I, on the other servo…did not.

"What a team we make!" Starscream preened, "I am so glad that you both prevailed, Optimus Prime and Elita One. That wretch Dreadwing was going to terminate me!"

"And we didn't let him do it why?" I growled softly through my mate's and mine bond.

"Elita…" my mate warned.

"Now…" Starscream continued, "If you could just remove my bonds…I can lead you straight to the relic!"

Optimus activated his blasters and we both aimed at Starscream.

"You will lead us there regardless," my mate growled.

"Hmph!" Starscream huffed, "You're welcome!"

…..

We walked through the frozen landscape, right behind Starscream and weapons pointed in case he did anything funny.

"Be reasonable, Prime! Elita!" Starscream whined, "This cold will freeze all of our actuators!"

His wings twitched as he finished. Seeker wings are very sensitive to temperature…they also told you about their mood.

I've noticed Dusk's. Like how she hates going underground, her wings twitch uncontrollably.

Seekers also don't like having them touched because of that. I figured that only one close to the Seeker could touch their wings, otherwise the results could be bloody. Dusk has warmed up to everyone on the Base, so she was ok with us touching them. It was painful if someone hit it the wrong way, however, and it would put her on the ground.

We were all careful.

"The current temperatures are not extreme enough to affect our biology," Optimus growled.

"You'll be fine," I finished.

"Fine but miserable!" Starscream retorted, "And I cannot believe you've taken our alliances for granted! After all I have done for the Autobots! Helping to restore your memory…"

Optimus winced slightly. He didn't like it when someone mentioned that period in time. The only good that came out of it, he had told me, was that he found me and Jack.

"Saving Arcee's life…!" Starscream continued.

"That was Ultimus," I growled darkly, "You were going to hurt her!"

"While you have at times proven beneficial to us," my mate stated, "It has only been to further your own interests,"

"Well," Starscream growled, "We can't all be as selfless as you, now can we?"

"You are just asking to get shot, aren't you Starscream," I threatened.

He rolled his optics before continuing on.

"I know you are protective of Jack and me, Elita," Optimus said softly, "But I can take care of myself,"

"Think of it as my way of ensuring you don't get yourself hurt," I countered, walking forwards.

Starscream stopped suddenly, almost forcing me to run into him.

"Aha!" he started, looking at a little settlement, "As I suspected…humans,"

He turned towards the two of us.

"We will find the relic here," he finished, "So, let us reclaim what is rightfully ours,"

Optimus grabbed Starscream's wing, causing the Seeker to yelp in pain as my mate pulled him back.

"Neither Elita nor I will not simply enter a human facility to search for Cybertronian relics," Optimus growled.

"Not even if they stole it?" Starscream whined.

"Nor can we expose innocent humans to a dangerous Decepticon," I hissed.

Starscream grumbled to himself as Optimus put a servo to his comm.

"Rafael, has Agent Fowler regained consciousness?" he asked.

"I'm here, Prime," Fowler's voice crackled, "What's your situation?"

"Elita and I require access to a research facility at my current coordinates,"

"Let me make a call,"

A few minutes passed with no results. Starscream paced irritably while Optimus and I stood next to each other, waiting patiently.

Another image painted over the scene, just like before. And I saw Jack looking out of a train car at an Insecticon. His right hand slightly raised as his armor covered it. He turned back around and his hands returned to their normal coloring.

"Did you see that?" I asked Optimus.

He gave a slight nod.

"Are we really going to wait out here in the freezing cold?" Starscream whined.

"He sounds like Dusk," Optimus muttered, "Only she has a bit more patience when it comes to waiting,"

"Completely at the mercy of human bureaucracy!?" the Seeker continued.

I heard the sound of chopper blades and I looked up to see three of them flying off.

"Base is clear, Prime, Elita," Fowler reported, "Try not to wreck the joint,"

"Many thanks, Agent Fowler," Optimus nodded, giving Starscream a not so gentle push in the direction of the facility.

…..

Optimus opened the doors of the warehouse while I kept my weapon trained on Starscream. A huge block of ice with something round and metallic inside of it rested in the center of the room.

I nudged Starscream between the wings with the barrel of my blaster. The grey seeker glared balefully at me before moving into the room.

"The relic remains sealed in the ice," Optimus stated.

"I knew you were of questionable honor Starscream," a voice snarled from behind us.

Dreadwing!? I thought he was buried in the ice!

"But aiding the Autobots," Dreadwing scoffed, "That is a capital offence,"

"What?!" the grey Seeker protested, "But I-I left…tracks for you! On purpose! So you could rescue me from my captors!"

"Anything to save his own metal hide," I remarked, shaking my helm.

"Dreadwing…" my mate warned, "I cannot allow you to leave here with this relic,"

"I know that, Prime," Dreadwing replied, "But I do not intend to give you a choice,"

"Stay and guard Starscream," Optimus ordered.

I nodded.

And Dreadwing fired shots at us as Optimus charged forwards, knocking the blue Seeker flat.

Starscream made a move for the relic.

"Given all the fuss, this relic must be truly special…" he muttered as I turned around.

"Don't even think about it," I warned, pointing my blaster at him.

He held up his servos ad I came closer, keeping my weapon trained on him.

And he struck. His talons ripping across my side. I yelled and fell backwards, energon streaming towards the ground.

"Elita!" Optimus roared, taking a quick glance at me…right as Dreadwing tackled him from behind.

Optimus snarled and threw his attacker off. Dreadwing on the other hand, gave a slight smile…and pressed something on what looked like a cell phone…

I heard a high pitched beeping sound. Optimus looked frantically down and tore off a star-shaped device, throwing it at Dreadwing…

Right as the bomb blew up, knocking Optimus off his pedes.

I staggered upright and watched in horror as Starscream picked up the relic and placed it on his chassis.

The disk expanded, coating his frame with thick silver armor, and breaking his cuffs.

I took a shot at him, but the blast careened off his new armor and into the wall.

"You…" he growled, picking me up by the wrists and dangling me off the floor, "Have irked me for the last time!"

He leaped out of the building and we landed outside, right in front of my mate and Dreadwing.

"The Apex Armor," Optimus murmured, trying to get up.

"A perfect fit! And…I believe that this," Starscream grinned smugly as he shook the hand that held me, making me cry out, "Belongs to you, Prime,"

"Elita…" my mate whispered, "Starscream, let her go!"

"As you wish," the Seeker replied, throwing me hard to the ground.

I rolled to a stop next to Optimus. He gently helped me up. I clamped a servo to my side, glaring daggers at Starscream.

Dreadwing pointed his sword at Starscream.

"You dare claim that which rightfully belongs to Lord Megatron!?" the blue Seeker hissed.

"And what do you intend to do about it?" Starscream cackled, "Commander,"

That did it.

Dreadwing charged at the former SIC and hacked at the armor with all he had…

It didn't even leave a scratch.

"Not so big and strong now, are you?" Starscream challenged, backhanding Dreadwing, "I haven't had this much fun since I punched that hole in Cliffjumper!"

He did WHAT!?

He offlined Cliff?

"You'll pay for that," I growled.

Cliff was a good friend of mine and my sisters. My creators used to take care of him when his went out for the night or when they had to work overnight. We loved him…but he also instilled the belief that it was possible to offline someone just by talking. Blurr taught him well.

Starscream picked up a bulldozer right as Optimus snuck behind him.

"Allow me to reunite your beloved twin…" Starscream cried, lifting the bulldozer higher…

Right as Optimus kicked him.

The bulldozer dropped from Starscream's servo, nearly crushing Dreadwing's sword. Starscream grabbed my mate's fist and forced him down to his knees, yelling in pain.

"And you, Optimus Prime," the grey Seeker growled, "I will beat the living spark out of you! Just so that I may never again have to endure your pontificating!"

And he threw Optimus away like a toy. I yelled and grabbed the Seeker from behind, but just like last time…he threw me off and I slammed into Optimus' downed frame.

"Ow," I moaned.

"What do you mean 'ow'," Optimus grumbled, "You, at least, had a softer landing than me!"

"You still hurt," I retorted as I got up, "And you aren't injured."

He gently touched the slashes in my side.

"They match Jack's," he murmured.

"What do you mean 'match Jack's'?" I demanded, "He was slashed!? By who!?"

"That does not matter know," he replied, "We need to stop Starscream before…"

Dreadwing landed in the crates just as Optimus and I had.

"Maybe he could help us, Sweetspark," I whispered, "He hates Starscream just as much as we do…perhaps he will help."

"Dreadwing," Optimus said, "Our battle remains unfinished…"

"But if we do not unite against our common foe…" I added.

"Starscream will destroy us all," Dreadwing agreed, "I will draw his attention…"

He handed Optimus a bomb, and flew off.

"How are we sure he won't detonate it while you're still holding it?" I asked.

"Because he, like myself and you, wants this skirmish to end," my mate replied, "Dreadwing is different than other Decepticons, he is more honor bound and will not break his word."

"I hope you're right," I muttered as we ran around behind Starscream as he knocked Dreadwing out of the sky.

Dreadwing tumbled along the snowy ground, reverting to mech form as he fell.

"Might beats flight!" Starscream bellowed triumphantly.

"Now!" Optimus ordered as we rushed the grey Seeker.

Optimus jumped on top of Starscream's back, planting the bomb right between his shoulder blades, while I shot with everything I had.

Starscream tossed us both away.

I caught a glimpse of Dreadwing's faceplates…he was smiling.

"You shall be the one to join with the All Spark!" he yelled, standing and pressing the detonator.

Starscream yelped and looked around frantically…but the bomb went off, sending smoke and flames and fog everywhere.

"It's over," I whispered…

Right as Starscream came out of the smoke, cackling evilly.

"That tickled!" he cackled, "Fools! Not only am I intelligent…I. Am. INVINCIBLE!"

"Yet you cannot fly," my mate stated, a smile hinting in his voice.

"Do you want some ice for that burn?" I chuckled softly.

"Nobody's perfect," Starscream growled, striding over to us, "Now, tell me of the other three relics, are they as powerful as my shiny new armor?"

He backhanded my mate, causing him to stagger backwards.

"They were hidden away precisely to keep them from the hands of those like you!" Optimus snarled, rushing Starscream and hitting him with everything he had…

It still wasn't enough.

"He is far too powerful, Prime, Elita!" Dreadwing yelled dramatically, "Fall back!"

Optimus and I transformed and sped over to Dreadwing's side as Starscream turned around.

"Cowards!" the grey Seeker snarled, "You will not escape my might!"

He froze, staring uneasily at the three of us.

"Wait…" he growled, suspiciously, "You three are up to something!"

"Figure that all on your own Starscream?" I taunted as Dreadwing flicked his detonator open and pressed the button.

The bombs that Optimus and I had oh so strategically placed began emitting a high pitched beeping noise…

And they all detonated, knocking Optimus, Dreadwing and I backwards.

Starscream let out a terrified shriek as he fell through the ice…

Hopefully never to be seen or heard from again.

Optimus and I walked up to the hole and looked into the inky abyss.

Nothing. No sign of Starscream.

I heard Dreadwing unsheathe his blade. Optimus and I turned around to face him.

"Now that our alliance has served its purpose…" Dreadwing challenged.

"Starscream is gone," Optimus replied, unsheathing his sword, "And the Apex Armor with him. Is there really a need to renew battle when the goal is lost?"

I watched Dreadwing warily, wincing slightly as I shifted my weight to my unwounded side.

"We have other unfinished matters," Dreadwing hissed.

"I bore Skyquake no malice," Optimus argued, "And I regret the role I played in his demise,"

He sheathed his blade and disengaged his battlemask.

"So I will appeal to you once again," he pleaded, "Turn your back on the Decepticon cause and help me end this war, for his sake and for all who have fallen,"

Dreadwing sheathed his sword.

"You saved my life today," he growled, walking towards us, "I will terminate you…the next time we meet,"

And with that, he transformed and soared away.

"So be it, Dreadwing," Optimus said softly.

"Perhaps one day he will reconsider," I replied, "Maybe when…ow!"

Optimus looked me over worriedly.

"You have a piece of shrapnel lodged in your wound," he replied, "We will have Ratchet take a look when we get back."

He scooped me up, like he did the day we were officially bonded, and commed Base.

"Rafael, we need a Groundbridge and quickly."

The green glow washed over the snow, painting it with eerie colors, just like the Southern Lights above us.

"Let's go home," Optimus murmured, walking through the bridge.

The first thing we saw…

Was Bulkhead lying on the ground, unconscious…with smoke pouring from his back.

You know...if I keep going at the speed I am...I might actually make it to season 3 by the time it airs again (May 17)! Hurt is next, anyone got suggestions?

Yeah, June doesn't know that Raf and 'Bee know...not yet anyway...Jack's going to have some 'splaining to do when she gets to him...

Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please R&R! :)

Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

Elhini Prime signing off.