Chapter 139 – The Sun Will Shine Again

Sideswipe P.O.V

I could not contain my joy at finally seeing my brother after millennia of being separated. I reached for the pro-offered servo and was hauled to my pedes and immediately into a massive hug. ''Oh bro! It's been too long.''

At that moment I raised my blaster and fired a shot over Sunny's shoulder at an approaching 'Con, Sunny did the same in the opposite direction. Without missing a beat, he replied with a hint of derision in his voice, ''Clearly, if you mistook me for a femme.'' Sunny patted my shoulder strut before releasing me, the teasing smile remaining on his dermas.

I ducked my helm slightly in embarrassment and rising irritation. /How long am I going to have to live this down?/. ''For pit's sake Sunny, I had a slagging 'Con draped over my optics and last I checked, Arcee was standing near me so I assumed it was her.'' My voice trailed off slightly. I sounded pathetic even to my own audials.

Sunny merely nodded before he raised his blaster and non-chalantly fired several shots into a group of advancing 'Cons, taking them out. ''Sure. Whatever helps ya recharge bro.'' He surveyed the scene before him, a feral gleam lit his optics.

I grasped him by his shoulder. ''Its so good to see you bro. Where have you been? How did you get here? When did you get here?'' I couldn't help firing the questions at him in rapid succession. I had to know. While we were twins and, as a result, seemed to be able to tap into each other's thoughts and feelings at times, sense when the other was around – or not – as the case may be, I had not been able to sense Sunny's arrival and this both concerned and intrigued me in equal measure.

Sunny held up his servo and shook his helm. ''Gees bro, this is the kind of interrogation I'd expect from the likes of Prime or even ol' Hide or Jazz.'' My smile faded somewhat at his words and Sunny reached out and patted my shoulder plate briefly. ''There'll be time for questions and answers later but for now,'' he smiled at me and primed his blaster again, ''what's say we quit chattin' like a couple of mouthy femmes and start bashin' some Decepticon tailpipe? I've been aching to hand someone's aft to them, be all the more fun with my bro by my side.''

I found myself laughing out loud, a genuine uninhibited laugh. /I can't remember the last time I did that?/. Priming my blaster and unsheathing my blade from my left arm I faced Sunstreaker. ''With pleasure bro.'' I gestured for him to lead the way. ''Ladies first.'' I sent him a wicked grin. /Primus how I had missed Sunny/.

Sunny's handsome face twisted into a scowl before a massive shit-eater grin split it in two. ''So..'' Sunny began to move forward. ''Arcee hunh?'' He cast a quick glance over towards where the attractive femme was fighting a Con and handing their aft to them. He nodded his helm as his optics roamed appreciatively over her form. ''Not a bad choice bro. Too bad she's gonna soon realise she picked the wrong twin.'' With a wink of his optic, Sunny tore off towards the thick of battle in Arcee's direction.

Despite my initial embarrassment and sudden stab of anger at Sunny's comment about Arcee, all I could do was laugh with sheer happiness as I followed my brother. Suddenly my life seemed a whole lot brighter now the sun had returned.

Racing up towards Arcee, she turned and briefly acknowledged our approach. ''Sunstreaker! Long-time no see. Glad you finally managed to find your way here.''

Sunstreaker gave her a quick nod as he sent a barrage of fire towards several prototypes. He turned and flicked his optics over her form again. ''Arcee,'' he smiled at her, ''you're looking particularly well. This miserable mud ball of a planet must agree with you.''

She gave Sunny a small smile which made my dermas twist a little in annoyance, though she seemed to ignore his comments. ''Thanks for showing up when you did and saving 'Side's aft.'' She cast me a teasing smile which only broadened at the dark look I was throwing her.

Sunny snorted in reply as he picked up a large section of metal pipe that had been torn from some sort of framing and lay smouldering on a pile of broken bricks and concrete. ''Kinda used to it 'Cee.''

I felt a wave of anger wash over me as I clenched my blaster tighter and fixed my twin brother with a warning look. Which he summarily ignored. I growled and ducked to miss some bullets sent my way before I returned fire.

Sunny continued unperturbed, ''To be honest Arcee, I'm surprised he is still alive having not had me around for so long to look out for him!'' Hefting the metal pipe in his servo, Sunstreaker threw it like a spear towards three Decepticons that were charging towards Arcee. The pole tore through their chest cavities effectively pinning them together. ''HA! Check it out 'Sides!'' Sunny yelled out to me cheerfully. ''Decepticon Shish kebab!''

Arcee laughed out loud and smiled at Sunny.

I smirked at him. ''Yeah, not bad – for a lucky shot,'' I admitted through gritted denta as the impaled 'Cons tried to free themselves.

Sunny snorted indignantly, ''Luck my fine aft! More like class bro, all class.'' Aiming his weapon, he finished the hapless trio off.

''Get slagged!'' I yelled back at him, as I fired another few shots towards some advancing 'Cons. ''Sunny you are all aft and no class bro!''

Arcee shook her helm and sighed, ''Pissing contest is it now boys?''

Sunny looked at her with a confused expression, clearly not yet familiar with earthen cussing and sayings. I grinned at her. ''Something like that 'Cee.''

Sunstreaker's dermas curved up in a smile, and he gave a consoling pat to my shoulder strut. He had clearly looked up and found reference to what we had been insinuating. Sunny winked at me and then grinned at Arcee, puffing out his chest. ''Don't worry bro, mine's bigger than yours anyway.''

Arcee, snorted once again, ''What's bigger Sunny? Your ego?'' She raised her optic ridge and gave Sunstreaker a wry, challenging smile. I simply laughed out loud at Sunny's shocked expression and sent several well aimed shots towards a partially damaged roof, feeling a great sense of satisfaction as it collapsed down upon a 'Con.

''Oh well, in that case bro, yours IS much bigger than mine!'' I slapped Sunny on the shoulder struts and laughed at the glowering look he sent me. /Oh Primus how I have missed this with him!/.

''Afthole!'' Sunny spat, his optics shooting daggers.

::Sideswipe, Arcee:: the sound of Ironhide's gruff voice burst to life over the comms and my servo flew to my audial. ::acknowledge::

I looked at Arcee who nodded her helm at me. ::We're here 'Hide. What's up?::

::Prime's just sent through an order to round up a team to neutralise the remaining threat to the city. You and Arcee just volunteered:: There was a underlying tone of mirth to his voice. ::Rendezvous at these coordinates now::

::Sure thing 'Hide:: I paused a moment looking at Sunny. ::Ah 'Hide?::

::What?!:: he snapped.

::Can I bring a ''plus one?'':: Sunstreaker glared at me.

There was a moment's silence. ::That depends Sideswipe, on who your sorry aft has managed to find::

It was at that point that Sunstreaker broke into the conversation. ::The better looking twin Ironhide::

There was a shocked moment of silence before Ironhide muttered down the line. ::Primus help us all::

Sunny's face twisted into mild irritation at the implied concern in Ironhide's voice. ::Well! That's a nice fragging welcome to this Primus forsaken, slagging dirt ball of a planet. Nice to hear your voice too 'Hide!:: Sunny's nickname definitely did not reflect his disposition.

::So is that a yes?:: I smiled hopefully down the comm line, ignoring my brother's harsh reply.

There was a low growl before Ironhide's gruff voice spoke up again. ::Affirmative. We could do with all the firepower we can get. Ironhide out::

''Well, we best get going.'' Arcee glanced around the courtyard we had found ourselves standing in. There was no other sign of Decepticons. ''It would seem we have neutralised the threat in the immediate area.'' She turned to look at us both, smiling. ''Let's get going.'' Without another word she transformed into her alt mode and, wheels spinning, tore off towards the coordinates Ironhide just gave us.

Sunstreaker had his arms folded across his gleaming yellow chest, the beginnings of a pout on his dermas. I walked up to him and patted his shoulder gently before I continued walking forward to a clearing on the road. ''Welcome to Earth Sunny. For what it's worth, I've missed you bro.''

Sunstreaker snorted out his enstrils. ''Hunh, a comforting thought indeed bro.''

I transformed into my sleek, silver Chevrolet Corvette Stingray alt mode and revved my engine in anticipation. ::You may have saved my aft just now, but I still reckon I could kick yours in a race. Up for it?:: I revved my engine again, red lining it.

Sunstreaker's mood changed, his pout disappeared, and he had a smirk on his faceplates. His body folded in around itself taking the form of a bright, yellow Lamborghini Countach. His own engine revved powerfully in reply and his wheels spun on the road, flicking up pieces of debris over my paint work.

::Hey! Watch it ya slagger!:: I yelled at him.

Ignoring my comment he replied, ::You're on!:: Without another word his engine roared to life and he tore off down the road, deftly swerving to avoid obstacles at high speed.

I took off after him, laughing as I threaded my way through the battlefield. Despite my annoyance that he had just cheated, which I would draw his attention to at some stage, I could not bring myself to really care. I had my brother back and really, that's all that mattered.