#29 - Call of the Wild

Part 2: Fire Flight

You decide

Who will you run to?

Wrong or right?

Megatron was most displeased and left questioning at the news Inferno brought back that night. Starfeather up and left and, more surprising, Optimus Primal came to the little bird's rescue. Why? He did have his theories, but couldn't be certain. He would question his troops in the morning when they would be more agreeable. In the meantime, he sent the fire ant off to repair himself and get some rest. By the next afternoon, he wanted a little surprise for the Maximals. Give them time to think that they are safe and then strike.

-x-

Tarantulas paced around in his lair, hissing to himself. He cackled to himself and turned to one of his tables neatly cluttered with test tubes, beakers, and other equipment.

"So, the bird has left the nest. Sadly, this changes nothing for my plans with her, no." He mocked Megatron's manner of speaking before succumbing to a fit of cackling. "Teeheehee, gyahahahahaa!"

-x-

"She's gone!?" Terrorsaur repeated, roughly grabbing Waspinator's throat and lifting him up and bringing them face to face. The wasp flinched. "What do you mean she's gone?!"

"Exzzactly what Wazpinator zzaid," he stammered. "Bird-bot leave zzzo now Terrorsaur muzzt go find her or Bird-bot not come back."

Terrorsaur screeched in rage and threw Waspinator into the wall, overwhelmed by a feeling he couldn't distinguish other than a pain he had never felt before. This pain surged in his chest with every spark beat. He nearly stumbled backwards with the shock that was overtaking him. What was she thinking? What had he done?

"What's going on here?" Scorponok demanded as he came down the hallway the fliers were in. Waspinator buzzed nervously from where he sat on the floor and Terrorsaur glared at the scorpion, his optical lasers itching to activate and scorch a nice hole in his gray chest plate. The red mech merely turned on his heel and stalked toward the command center to report for the day's duties.

Waspinator helped himself up and shrugged at the Second in Command. He didn't want another fight to break out that might end up with someone dead. Terrorsaur was already peeved and he knew that his brother and Scorponok despised each other with a passion. Megatron avoided sending them out on patrols at the same time at all costs. Once the scorpion was gone, Waspinator hung his head, wings and shoulders drooping. He couldn't take this. Everyone was grouchy and that probably wasn't going to change for a while... and he didn't want to be around to face it alone. Mustering up what courage he possessed, Waspinator marched down the corridors.

-x-

Her sight returned to her slowly. Dimly lit walls and a ceiling were all she could make out through her blurred vision. A scratchy groan escaped her when she rolled to her side, folding her wings closer around herself. Awareness of her surroundings gradually came to her. She was on a berth in a small room. Blinking away the haze, she looked up to see a cheetah watching her anxiously.

"Starfeather?"

Cheetor. If he was talking to her, then she had to be at the Maximal base. Her body went limp with relief. She'd made it without capture.

"Hiya, Spots," she coughed.

"You don't sound so good," he commented. Starfeather mustered up a smirk.

"I feel like I tore my throat to shreds... Could I maybe have something to drink?"

"Sure," Cheetor grinned. "Can you walk or do you want a lift?"

She heard the hopefulness in his voice that she would say that she was too weak to walk on her own. In reality, she could have walked just fine on her own. Her feet did hurt very badly, but that was just an excuse. She could take a little more pain, but if her test was going to work, she decided to oblige the cheetah's implied request.

"I'll take that lift," she answered. "Inferno really got me good."

Cheetor maneuvered beside the bed so Starfeather could get on easily. Quietly grunting with the effort, she hauled herself onto his back. It was like riding a skinny horse bareback and sideways. She felt a little awkward, but shoved it aside.

"Thanks."

"No problem," he shrugged, bumping her a little off balance. "Oops, sorry." She shook her head to say it was alright. They headed out into the passageway.

"How long was I out?" Starfeather asked as he walked.

"Long time. About sixteen megacycles."

"How long were you sitting there?" she wondered.

"Since I set you there." He looked back at her and grinned sheepishly. She smiled thankfully at him. They continued on and outside the base. Cheetor picked his way cautiously down the canyon to a calmer portion of the river that flowed under the base. The raven slid off his back, wincing at the screaming protests of her burnt claws. She limped to the edge of the lapping water. Her beak submerged into the icy liquid and she drank deeply until her stomach was filled. She withdrew her beak, gasping for air. Her throat felt much better.

"Jumping gyros, you sure were thirsty," Cheetor said with a murrow of feline laughter. Starfeather breathlessly laughed with him. Then playfully, she swiped her wing through the water and splashed it in his face.

"Hey!" Not to be defeated, he skimmed his tail in and flicked the droplets at her. She squawked with protest, giggling as the fight escalated until both of them were pushing each other in the shallows. After a few minutes, they agreed on a tie and dragged themselves to the shore. Panting, they flopped onto their backs and looked up at the sky, watching the clouds lazily flow along. Neither said anything for a while. Starfeather had her wings spread so the early noon rays of the sun would dry her. Cheetor's creamy belly fur faced the sun as well, his paws suspended in the air.

Suddenly, a feeling of deja vu came over her. Glancing around, she realized that this was the place where Terrorsaur had taken her the night they had first truly expressed how they felt for each other. She hadn't realized it was that close to the Maximal base, but she didn't really care now. She closed her eyes, remembering that wonderful night and savoring the sensations.

"So... why did you leave?" Cheetor said, finally broke the spell. He turned his head to look at her. Starfeather tensed, all her hurt returning. The argument, the confession, hurting poor Waspy, the flight... Her spark sunk to her feet. She did not want to answer, but figured she had to tell someone.

"I... Terrorsaur and I had a fight. He wouldn't see sense, so I left," she answered simply, trying to subtly drop the subject.

"What happened?" he pressed. She growled mentally, but relaxed. She could tell Cheetor. "I played a prank on him and he took it too seriously..."

"What kind of prank?"

"I just drew on his face. The marker came right off. I don't know why he was so upset... I tried to apologize, but..." She wished he would drop the subject, but answered him. She couldn't say anymore. Before the cheetah could say anything, his comm. link went off.

"Cheetor," Optimus Primal's voice said. "Has Starfeather woken up yet?"

"Yeah," he replied. "We're just outside the base taking some air."

"Very good. Bring her back to base. I'd like to speak with her privately," the Maximal leader ordered then the link went dead. The two looked at each other. Cheetor shrugged and rolled to his paws. He helped the raven up and onto his back. She glanced wistfully into the sky and down at her burnt primary flight feathers. She guessed she would have to spend a cycle or two in the CR chamber before she could fly again.

-x-

Poking his head through the doorway, Waspinator looked from the left and to the right. No one. This would be easy... At least, he hoped this would be easy. He knew Megatron might have the Maximal's rectifier coil booby-trapped, but he was Wazzpinator. He could handle it. Stepping lightly, he snuck into the storage bay.

He was close, so close now that he could just reach out and touch the piece of machinery if we wished. Readying himself and shielding his head with one arm, he lifted the other and lightly tapped the object with a pointed finger. Nothing. He relaxed greatly, almost laughing at himself as he took the coil in his hands. Too bad it was when he turned to leave did the automatic cannon appear from the ceiling.

-x-

It didn't take but a couple of minutes until they were back inside the deposed ship. Starfeather assured Cheetor that she could walk to Optimus' quarters. Her limp was growing less painful the more she walked. Sometimes, she absolutely loved being a transformer. She healed faster, was stronger and more resilient to things, she could fly, and she could see things in whole other dimensions with optics rather than eyes. Though, most of the time, she kept the general statistic scope switched off on her vision except when in battle. Megatron required that she have it activated then. She found it annoying otherwise, like smudges or scratches on a pair of glasses.

Her thought train screeched to a halt when she arrived at Optimus' door. Being unable to knock, she pecked at the door. She heard a muffled "enter," and the door parted for her. She had never been in Optimus' room before. Glancing briefly around, she noticed a few replica figurines of ships and some small trophy looking pieces on shelves. Star maps were hung on some of the walls. A large window backed the room, giving a lovely view of the edge of the waterfall and the river below, carving gracefully through the plains and forests. What really grabbed her attention was the biggest picture that sat on the spacious desk in the center of the room.

Hopping closer, she saw it was a picture of who she guessed was Optimus standing beside a femme. Sitting gleefully on the femme's lap was the most precious little transformer girl Starfeather had ever seen accounting that it was the first she had ever seen.

"That is my mate and sparkling; Enigma and Snowbelle." His voice startled her a little. Starfeather looked curiously at the gorilla.

"Is Snowbelle the little girl?" she asked, looking back at the picture. That could be one reason why he treated her akin to a daughter. He missed his own. She felt honored and lightly smiled.

"Yes," Optimus nodded with a distant look in his eyes. "But this picture was taken centuries ago, though. She's about 110 years old now."

"110 years?" The raven's eyes bugged.

"Transformers age differently than humans do, physically and mentally," he answered patiently. Starfeather understood. Robots could function a long time, so who knew how long a living robot could? She had never thought to ask how old any of her comrades were. She always assumed they were just older than she was. She made a mental note to ask Cheetor or Airazor later.

"So... is 110 years equivalent to a 10 or 11 year old child?" she asked.

"I suppose, but I didn't call you here to talk about ages," he replied. Starfeather giggled innocently.

"I figured." Her amusement died away. "You probably want to know why I left."

"If you are willing to tell me."

She thought against it, but Optimus was the only thing to a father she had. She could tell her dad anything. So she told him everything. Everything from Terrorsaur carrying her out of bed, drawing on his face, his reaction, his and her own punishment, the fight, and her escape.

"That's why I came here. Because I want to see if... if he really does care enough to come to me or try and convince me to come back."

The Maximal leader, though slightly disturbed that she had slept with the red flier in the first place, thought on this for a moment.

"In that case, I take it you might not stay long."

"I might... you never know." She felt a sob coming. She shook her head.

"Did you happen to bring what Megatron stole from us?"

"No," she said, her voice cracking. "Optimus, I'm so sorry. I didn't-" He raised a hand to stop her.

"I don't need an explanation. I think I understand."

Her legs suddenly lost their will to stand and her head swam. She swayed and might have hit the floor if Optimus hadn't caught her. Silently, he carried her to a side room, his recharge chambers, and gently set her at the foot of his berth. He took a seat in a nearby chair. It took a few minutes for Starfeather's thoughts to calm down. She looked to him thankfully.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"It's alright," he replied just as quietly. "I understand you weren't meant to be a soldier. And I probably should never have asked you to spy for us."

She knew he was right, but she wanted to learn. She was already a good aim and could maneuver almost to the same par as her wingmates. She just needed more practice, not to mention a better teacher than Megatron. Every once in a while, he would still take her out and drill her. Yet, becoming a spy was more than half of her problem. Because of it, Starscream had tried to make her and Blackarachnia his pets and it had overshadowed her relationship with Terrorsaur with a sense of betrayal to the Maximals and to him. She couldn't be loyal to both sides.

"No, Optimus," she said. "It's not your fault at all. It... it's my fault for... for not leaving when I realized the Predacons were bad. Waspinator and Terrorsaur didn't mean as much to me then." She spoke the latter's name quickly, not wanting to mention him at all anymore that day. "They were only acquaintances that showed me the ropes and I thought I would be going home soon anyway, so..."

"If you don't beat yourself up, I won't either," Optimus promised.

"Okay," she agreed with a sad, reluctant smile.

-x-

Cheetor was pacing a short distance away from the door to Primal's quarters. He wasn't nervous or anything, he was growing impatient. What was taking so long? She should have been dismissed ten cycles ago. When Starfeather finally did come out, neither could say anything because the base alarm went off, warning of intruders. Optimus burst from his room and saw them.

"To the command center, let's move!"

The three raced down the corridors to the bridge. Rattrap had already brought up a radar image when they arrived. Upon identification, it looked to be Waspinator leading Terrorsaur and Inferno. Starfeather was confused. This wasn't what Megatron said he would do. Optimus called up a visual and this further confused the raven.

Waspinator wasn't leading Terrorsaur and Inferno; he was being chased by them! And what was that he was carrying?

"Hey!" Cheetor blurted out. "That crazy bug's got our rectifier coil!"

"Open a comm. channel to Waspinator's communicator," the Maximal leader ordered. Rattrap did so and everyone waited with bated breath as Primal spoke. "Waspinator, this is Optimus Primal. What do you think you're doing with the rectifier coil?"

"What Maximalzz think Wazzpinator doing? Wazpinator joining Maximalz zzo Wazpinator thought he'd bring peazze offering."

Everyone was speechless except Starfeather. She stepped toward the microphone.

"Waspy, if this is just some stunt you cooked up to try and get me to come back, it's not going to work."

"Wazzpinator knowz. Wazpinator will explain when he getzz there. Wazzpinator: out."

Everyone blinked, not knowing what to say.

"Well," Rattrap was the first to say anything. "That was unexpected."

-x-

"Traitor!" Inferno bellowed yet again and continued his barrage of fire upon the fleeing wasp. "You shall buuuuuurn!"

"Waspinator!" Terrorsaur screeched for the thousandths time over Inferno's cries. "If you don't answer, I swear to Primus, I'll rip you apart when I catch you!"

Wanting to keep his limbs attached for once, Waspinator opened a private mental channel with his brother. It was a bit difficult to do as he had never done it with Terrorsaur before, but he had done it with their sister before and the concept wasn't too different.

"Wazzpinator thought it waz obviouzz."

"It IS obvious: you're giving the Maximals back their energon shield and making Megatron even more steamed than thunder butt here!" Terrorsaur hissed, indicating toward Inferno. Talking this way felt strange, but if it was the only way that Waspinator would speak to him, he'd take it.

"No, Wazzpinator going to zzztay with Bird-bot until Terrorsaur and everyone elzzze get better."

"What are you talking about? You're not leaving too, I won't have it!"

"Terrorsaur need to grow up or Wazzpinator and Bird-bot not coming back." That said, he cut the connection and raced onward. He zigzagged to avoid the shots being fired at him. Nearing the Maximal base, he saw the auto defenses were still active. Maybe they weren't convinced he really was joining them. To make his point, he held up the coil so it could be seen clearly.

"Maximalzz, deactivate bazze defensezzz!" he begged.

-x-

"Please Optimus," Starfeather pleaded with her wingmate. "Let him in! He can't dodge those two forever!"

"And who says he ain't going to double-cross us, huh?" Rattrap pointed out. "Once a Pred, always a Pred!"

"Shut up, Rattrap!" Cheetor growled. "Starfeather's no Pred anymore. She never was."

The words stung. She still felt very much like a Predacon, even though she had changed her activation code not too long ago. Her eyes locked to the screen, she drowned out the voices of her comrades. Suddenly, the video being played out took a turn for the worst and everyone saw too late what had happened.

A stray shot by Inferno happened to braze the coil just enough to knock it from the wasp's claws. It plummeted to the ground and smashed to pieces. Everyone was speechless. However, with the coil gone, the fire ant decided that the wasp posed no more of a threat and backed off. Megatron had said to bring the coil back, but said nothing of Waspinator. He considered him as a useless drone anyway.

Terrorsaur, on the other hand, was seething. Both of his best friends had left and it was all because... Slag, he didn't even know why anymore. He hovered in the air as he watched his younger brother fumble with the shards of metal and machinery in the dirt. He felt like something inside him was going to burst if he didn't do something about it. He watched as Starfeather flew out of the base, landing beside Waspinator, and murmured a few words of encouragement and comfort. She then looked up directly at him. Nothing needed to be said to know what she was thinking. With that, she led Waspinator inside.

Seeing no more point in staying, Terrorsaur went beast mode and followed after Inferno. Who was he kidding? He didn't need Waspinator. Slag it, he didn't need Starfeather. He'd done just fine on his own before this war and he could still survive by himself now. Nothing had changed for him. Nothing.

Nothing...

-x-

"This is unacceptable!" Megatron shouted, slamming his fist down on the arm of his command chair, and causing Terrorsaur and Inferno to flinch. "Two fliers have defected and now the rectifier coil is destroyed! What do you have to say for yourselves?" Inferno bowed deeply.

"Forgive me, my Queen. I am willing to take whatever punishment you-"

"Thank you, Inferno, but stop calling me that!" Megatron gripped the bridge of his nose, suppressing a headache.

"Yes, my Quee-" Before he could finish, Megatron aimed a hearty kick, which sent the fire ant sprawling backwards over the deck plates, over the edge, and into a CR tank. Terrorsaur peeked up from behind his arm. He gulped, not wanting to end up like his comrade. Megatron eyed the remaining red flier.

"Your turn, Terrorsaur," he said silkily as if anticipating knocking him away as well. He searched his processor for some type of blasted excuse only to find he didn't have one.

"I have nothing to say, sir," he answered, bracing himself. It looked like the Predacon leader was going to beat him up too, but he didn't. He figured the pterodactyl would be more useful undamaged.

"Get some rest. You and Blackarachnia will be the first to disturb the Maximals' peace tonight, yes."

-x-

It took a while for Starfeather and Waspinator to explain Megatron's full plan and for Waspinator to be accepted into the ranks, not willingly in some cases, but he changed his activation code and was given a room. A meeting was called soon afterward about what to do. Rhinox said he might be able to make another coil, but it would take a while and everyone else should remain in beast mode for when the Predacons would come. And come they did. For two days, the Predacons rained down upon the base at random hours of the day or night. All the Maximals were feeling exhausted.

To Starfeather's horror, Megatron's plan was working. The Maximals' beast mode instincts were beginning to take control. She and Waspinator were not affected because their internal programming was different. Rhinox was about halfway done with the new rectifier coil, having used salvageable parts from the original. The raven just hoped he could finish it in time.

Yesterday, Cheetor had pounced on Waspinator, claws extended and hackles raised. When Starfeather pried them apart, the cheetah claimed he didn't know what came over him. Just this afternoon, she witnessed a disturbing scene in the main control room. Rhinox was taking a break until he could remain in robot mode again. Optimus and Rattrap were there as well. The Maximal leader had dozed off and the rat was struggling to do a perimeter scan. Rattrap complained that he wanted to transform so that he could do his tasks more efficiently, but Optimus, who had been awakened by his griping, argued that if he did, he would have less fight time if the Predacons attacked. The petty argument nearly escalated into an all-out brawl if Rhinox hadn't stomped his feet, swinging his head and yelling at the two. Unintentionally, he had dislodged the central console table from its base in the process.

The Maximals could clearly see the effects of mental transformations coming over them from being forced to stay in their beast forms, but nothing could be done to stop it. Thankfully, Tigatron was on his way to help in any way he could. They just hoped he wouldn't be too late.

Cheetor could practically feel his beast mode instincts tearing and gnawing away at his conscious mind. It didn't hurt, but he knew that he wouldn't be himself in a matter of... well, he didn't really know how long. There were some things that he felt he needed to say before he went insane. Optimus had ordered that all units remain inside or within sight of the base in case of an attack, but that was alright. Cheetor just needed some private space to say what he needed to say.

On his silent feline paws, the cheetah entered the room where the energon rations were kept, where Starfeather was. All were allowed two rations a day and she liked one in the morning to perk up and one in the evening to wind down. It was evening so hopefully she was still there. She was, but she was with Waspinator.

Cheetor slightly frowned. Ever since that bug joined them, the two were inseparable. If one was around, the other couldn't be far away. What if Starfeather refused to talk to him alone? What if Waspinator begged to tag along? Shaking his head to clear it, Cheetor pushed away his doubt and approached the two fliers. They were finishing off the last of their cubes and looked at him as he came near.

"Hi Cheetor," the raven greeted and indicated toward the open crates of energon cubes. "Care to join us?" He shook his head and smiled nervously.

"Actually, I was wondering if you would join me... A perimeter check around the base sounds like fun."

"But Wazzpinator tired," the wasp groaned.

"Then you don't have to come," Starfeather said, lightly patting her wingmate on the back with her wing. When he moved to protest, she continued with, "You'll be fine without me for a few minutes, Waspy. I keep telling you, no one is going to hurt you."

"Okay. Wazpinator will go wait for Bird-bot." He wasn't quite convinced, but he agreed. No sooner said did the wasp buzz out of the room. Starfeather sighed.

"Don't ya just love 'im?" she asked, not caring if she didn't get an answer. Cheetor shrugged.

"I guess he's a nice guy once he's not shooting at you."

"Yeah..." she sighed and looked distant for a moment before snapping out of it. "Shall we go?"

He turned and waited for her to catch up before heading out. For the first few moments, the walk was awkwardly quiet until the cheetah turned to his winged companion.

"Can I say something... personal?"

Right from the start, Starfeather had guessed Cheetor might have wanted to talk about a relationship. She really didn't want to right now, but figured she might as well get it over with.

"Yes, go ahead," she answered, trying to sound encouraging. She must have sounded like such because he continued on, though a bit rushed.

"I admit that I didn't trust you in the beginning, but things change, y'know..." He paused to gather his thoughts, choosing the right words as carefully as he could. "But now, I... I want you to feel the same. I want... I want you to love me, like I love you."

She stopped and stared at the ground. She felt so guilty. Half of her heart told her not to give up on Terrorsaur while the other half said to give Cheetor a chance, that it might work out for them in the end if she would only let him in. She felt so lost. She just wanted to go home and forget all this ever happened...

Despite strict orders, Cheetor transformed into his robot form, kneeling beside the raven, and put his arms around her. She accepted him and appreciated the physical contact. It was comforting. When she shook, holding in her sobs, he began stroking his fingers down her head.

"Please," he murmured. "I won't be sane much longer. I just... wanted you to know how I feel. Please... tell me how you feel."

She couldn't reply. She was afraid if she tried to speak, all that would come out would be a wail of agony. She was so torn. She didn't want to hurt Cheetor yet she wanted to stay faithful to Terrorsaur. She didn't know where to turn.

"I," she choked out. "I can't-"

"Transform, now," he said, surprisingly quietly. Thinking of nothing else to do, she did as he asked. He sat beside her and held her closer. She let her sobs loose, burying her face in his chest. He lightly brushed her wings and she found that she didn't care. Starfeather just wanted her problems to go away. Then slowly, Cheetor tilted her head to face him. She looked hopelessly into his golden optics, tears brimming her own aqua green ones. Then, ever so slowly, he pressed his lips against hers. She tensed, her mind screaming that this was wrong, but she relaxed and molded her mouth to his.

I'm sorry... Terrorsaur.

-x-

Terrorsaur exhaled long and softly for what seemed like the millionth time that night. He lay alone in his quarters, facing the wall on his bed, he absentmindedly stroked the space where Starfeather would have been if she hadn't left. It had been two days since then and, no matter how many times he would tell himself that he didn't need her, that she didn't matter, that other voice would whisper of his ache for her touch, her gentle smile and calming voice. He remembered the last time something like this had happened between them. It hadn't been so bad only that it had hurt a little. Now... it hurt a lot. Not only had Starfeather left, but Waspinator, his own brother, had gone with her. Why had he gone too? Did he just want to stay near her? Was there some other reason? He remembered when the wasp had fled and the private talk they'd had.

Terrorsaur need to grow up or Wazzpinator and Bird-bot not come back.

"Why?" he croaked to the darkness that was shrouding him.

But he knew why. He wouldn't admit that he knew what was meant by him needing to grow up. He wouldn't admit that he knew that he had overreacted when Starfeather played that silly prank on him. He wouldn't admit that he did need her, need Waspy to get through the day. He wouldn't admit that he knew what he had to do to get them back. And he wouldn't admit that he, if he wasn't mistaken by what he felt, returned the raven's... love.

Terrorsaur frowned and shut his optics tight, balling his hands into fists. Love. He had always been told that it was a weak emotion, a weak, meaningless emotion reserved for Maximals. Yet, if love was so meaningless, why did Starfeather tell him that she loved him? Why did he crave to have it from her, to give it back to her? Why did it pain him when things went wrong between those closest to him? Like now...

The pterodactyl had never really been one to shed tears, but on this night, he figured he had good reason to.

-x-

Because of his anxiety, Starfeather allowed Waspinator to sleep on the floor by her bed in her room. She was glad for the company and the wasp felt safer at night. They were recharging soundly when the door suddenly hissed open. The fliers remained asleep as the intruder approached on silent paws. Whiskers twitched in irritation at seeing the green and yellow obstacle in his path towards his prize. Bunching his muscles, Cheetor readied himself to leap over the wasp and land neatly beside the raven.

The cheetah paused a moment to study her. Her form was still, her head partially hidden beneath her wing. He stifled a purr and jumped. He landed soundlessly near her and looked down on her sleeping figure. He let his purr sound as he lowered his head and gently licked her cheek. She moaned softly in her recharge and shifted her head, resting it on the berth. Cheetor's purr intensified and he crouched and softly rubbed the side of his face against hers. Starfeather moaned again before gasping, snapping her head up and her eyes open. She almost screamed before realizing that the cat in her face had to be Cheetor.

"What are you doing in my room?" she hissed. She was confused when he answered only with a nudge to her shoulder and throaty purring. She stared at him. Something wasn't right about him, about his eyes. She looked closer and saw that they were no longer green. They were brown.

"Cheetor," she said in a louder, less irritated tone. "What's wrong? Are you alright? Please say you're alright."

He didn't say anything. It was then that she knew what was wrong. His animal instincts must have finally overridden his processors. She was suddenly scared. Who knew what he would do to her if she made a wrong move. Cheetor nudged her again, a little harder this time, his tail flicking. The raven tilted her head.

"What are you trying to tell me?" she murmured. Cheetor padded to her other side and tried to gently but firmly push her to the edge of the bed. Starfeather dug her claws into the metal berth and held fast.

"Waspy, wake up," she grunted. There was a snort and the wasp raised his head.

"Bird-bot zzzay something?"

"I think Cheetor's gone feral and he's trying to get me out of the room," she explained as she held herself in place. The cat began to growl now, his tail twitching with irritation at her stubbornness. "I don't know what to do."

"Cat-bot might hurt Bird-bot and Wazpinator if she not do what Cat-bot wantzz." Waspinator got up on all six legs and backed away to a far corner.

"But I don't know what he wants from me."

"Wazzpinator will follow. Go."

Starfeather nodded. Cautiously, she hopped off the bed and slowly towards the door, watching the cheetah as he followed her. Waspinator trailed them at a safe distance. Down the hallways they went, Cheetor guiding Starfeather with a gentle push in the direction he wanted her to go. He eventually led her outside and into the forest to the east of the base. Waspinator didn't let them out of his sight.

They came to a very small clearing, no wider than an average modern earth car is long. Starfeather stood in the center and Cheetor began circling around her, his tail dragging along her body. He was purring louder than ever now and his behavior was making her very uncomfortable.

Waspy, she thought anxiously. If you're watching, please come break this up.

-x-

Terrorsaur hunted alone. Inferno had blundered off after Rattrap so the pterodactyl was left to his own devices. Megatron had ordered that if either Waspinator or Starfeather were spotted that they should be disabled and brought to him, but Terrorsaur had other ideas. Currently, he was circling wide and toward the Maximal base, hoping that Starfeather was there. He couldn't take another night without her. He was going to bring her back tonight if it killed him. He didn't get far before he caught sight of his brother. The wasp looked worried, like he was frantically searching for something. He flew straight for him.

"Waspinator!" he called. Waspinator looked up, startled.

"Terrorsaur?"

"What're you doing out here? Where's Starfeather?" Terrorsaur demanded.

"Wazzpinator following Bird-bot and Cat-bot, but Wazpinator lozzt them," he answered. "Wazpinator afraid what Cat-bot might do if Wazzpinator dozzen't find them."

The red mech felt the energon in his systems begin to boil. If that damn cat ruffled a single feather of hers...

"Where did you last see them?"

-x-

Cheetor was pressing the side of his body against her, forcing her to lie down. Starfeather flailed her wings to try and make him back away if not for a minute. She just needed enough space away from him to take flight and escape. She couldn't before because he had been too close behind her. If she had tried, he might have jumped and sunk his teeth and claws into her back and tail if he was determined to keep her near until the Predacons found them. She knew they would be out tonight to kill them off one by one and there was nothing she could do about it. She was only one femme, after all. She figured Megatron would kill her if he found her. What reason was there to stop him? If Terrorsaur even cared, the Predacon leader was unlikely to listen to him.

All seemed hopeless. Her situation, the Maximals' fate, and her and Waspinator's fate. She hated quoting Rattrap, but nevertheless, they were all going to die. She relaxed, letting the cheetah rub up against her side. He smoothed his face all over her, covering her with his scent, claiming her as his own as he finally lay down beside her. She let him. In the end, she figured it was the least she could do for him. It had sort have been his last request earlier that night.

She quivered with a mixture of emotions. She waited silently for the end to come, listening to Cheetor's reverberating purrs of satisfaction. It was a calming noise. She could have fallen asleep, letting her thoughts and worries drift away into space. She very nearly did fall asleep. Starfeather and Cheetor both jumped up at the sound of an enraged screech. They looked and saw outlined in front of the larger of the two moons none other than Terrorsaur. The raven gasped. The cheetah's brown eyes widened and his hackles rose. Terrorsaur scowled.

"Get your fraggin' paws off my girl, you mangy fleabag!"

Cheetor snarled in response, lowering to a crouch, ready to jump and fight for his prize.

"N-no!" Starfeather cried out to both of them. "Don't hurt him!"

Neither of them seemed to pay attention as Terrorsaur aimed his hunting plasma rifle at the cat and Cheetor bared his fangs, ears pinned to the back of his head. The flier fired, the cheetah leaped clear of the blast, landing squarely on the pterodactyl's chest plate. The force of the impact caused Terrorsaur to fall from the sky and drop his gun. Now on the ground, the two rolled around, punching and biting, pushing and scratching.

After several minutes, they shoved apart, panting. Terrorsaur was covered with claw and bite marks. His lower lip was bleeding as well as a row of four scratches across his left optic. Cheetor held his sprained right forepaw up from the ground, growling with every breath. Some of his whiskers were gone and his right eye was swelling shut. Energon and oil dripped from his nose and from where a fang was missing. Thinking he could do more damage in his alternate form, Terrorsaur shifted to his beast form, emitting a high pitched battle cry. Cheetor's eyes widened as the pterodactyl lunged toward him, beak snapping. Yet again they were a ball of teeth, claws, and snarls.

Starfeather watched the fight in horror. She felt so helpless, knowing there was really nothing she could do. A short distance away, she noticed Waspinator hiding in the bushes surrounding the clearing. They locked gazes. They seemed to speak telepathically. She nodded and inched her way toward the fallen rifle.

The mechs continued to quarrel, fur, scales, and blood flying. They didn't notice the raven as she transformed and reached for the gun. Just then, Cheetor lunged for Terrorsaur's neck. Attempting to avoid the potentially damaging blow, he transformed into robot mode. The cheetah was knocked off balance and landed in some shrubs a few feet away. Terrorsaur stood and fished for his personal blaster. Undaunted, the cat lunged again, this time hitting his mark. The force of the impact knocked the blaster right from the red mech's hand. He screeched in surprise, falling back to the ground and trying to throw Cheetor off. Starfeather was frozen in place as she took in the scene. Terrorsaur's screeches died to pained gurgles and gasps for breath as Cheetor squeezed his throat between his jaws. The sound was horrible.

Hearing Waspinator's cry of distress snapped her out of it. With shaking hands, she frantically set the gun to stun. Starfeather raised the scope on the gun barrel to her optic, aimed, and pulled the trigger. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. The bolt traveled through the air, hit Cheetor in the shoulder, and forced him off of Terrorsaur. He landed on the ground with a muffled thud, sliding a few inches before coming to a stop, perfectly limp. Energon dripped ominously from his lips, still drawn back in a snarl.

Seeing the danger was gone, Starfeather threw away the rifle and crawled over to where Terrorsaur lay, gasping for breath. His neck was ripped open and bled profusely, pooling around his head. She was shocked at how much damage the cheetah had done, but she knew she had to stop the bleeding. Once again, she took out her tie-dye tee shirt and tried to use it as a tourniquet. She nearly jumped out of her mainframe when red and black hands grasped her wrists. She saw Terrorsaur's crimson optics wild with pain and fear. He relaxed greatly when he realized who was touching him.

"Star..." he coughed.

"Shhh," she hushed him. "Don't talk." He didn't listen.

"Gotta... tell you somethi-" He coughed more, spattering blood on her cheek.

"No, stop," she pleaded, her voice shaking. "You'll choke yourself." He shook his head, a painful movement at this time.

"I'm... sorry... Want you back..."

"I'm here now," she said, taking hold of one of his hands while holding her makeshift tourniquet in place. It was already soaked through and dripping. "Please, tell me later."

"No... now," he gasped. Waspinator abandoned his hiding place and came forward. He placed his forelimbs on the balled up shirt, freeing Starfeather's other hand. She glanced at him gratefully and turned back to the pterodactyl, grasping both his hands in her own.

"I... was wrong... Forgive you." He choked out the words, the effort taking its toll from his remaining strength. The raven smiled, tears pricking the brims of her aqua green optics. She briefly squeezed his hands.

"And I forgive you."

Almost done, he thought. No stopping now. Terrorsaur struggled for breath to continue.

"And... I... I lo-" A coughing fit raked him and he spat up more blood than last time. "I l-love you too..." he wheezed. He didn't care how pathetic he sounded. He just had to tell her before he went offline. He knew that he was going to. His internal computer kept repeating that his air pumps were filling with fluid and his body was losing vital energon.

Starfeather gasped and sobbed at the same time. It sounded more like a choking noise, but she didn't care. He loved her. That was all she cared about. Yet... she knew that he didn't have much time left. By the sound of his labored and gravelly breathing, his air pumps must have blood leaking into them. Her tears fell and she held his hands against her face. Terrorsaur gently wiped her tears away, forcing a crooked smile. Waspinator sniffed from where he sat watching and faithfully pressing the shirt against the wound.

"Wazzpinator happy love birdz back together." His voice was high with the effort of trying not to cry. Starfeather leaned down closer to Terrorsaur's face.

"You can't die now," she breathed. He smiled weakly at her before his optics flickered out and his fingers went limp in her hands. She shook her head. "No... no, no! Please! Don't go!" She pressed her audio receiver against his chest and nearly laughed out loud at hearing his spark still beating, but it was fading. She sat up.

"Help!" she cried into the night. "Somebody help!"

There's no reason for you to hide

Only love can change your life

You decide

AN: Song: You Decide by Fireflight