Nano-kilk - half of a Cybertron second

Klik - Cybertron second

Breem - Cybertron minute

Joor - Cybertron hour

Cycle/Lunar-cycle - Day or night

Meta-cycle - Cybertron week

Orn - Cybertron month

Vorn - Cybertron year

Deca-cycle - Cybertron decade

Mega-cycle - Cybertron century

For everyone to know, this chapter will have several jumps in time wise.

"Even the wisest of men and machines can be in error."

— Optimus Prime, "S.O.S. Dinobots"

Bumblebee: Here it comes!

Bulkhead: Swing it! Give it the old Bulkhead treatment, Sari!

Optimus: Why exactly is she swinging at a colorful animal?

Ratchet: Smack it! Smack it already!

Bulkhead: Hold on, Sari, I'll help! I don't even need a bat.

Prowl: This will not end well….

Two Vorns later

The pounding of pedefalls roared throughout the track as eight turbofoxes raced to the finish of the Crystal Ray Sprint that was the second of the Tri-Torus Crown Dash races. Siren felt Kickboom give a pat to her neck letting her know that her jockey was ready for the last burst of speed that she had. Without needed urging, Siren shot forward like a bullet overtaking Coreshock in seconds from being behind him.

The crowd gave a roar as the vixen took the lead at the start of the incline that made this track the second hardest of the three races. The finish line was held at the top of the steep incline that rose up by fifty three degrees that was the length of a football field and stood, well, probably as tall at Metroplex. Then again, she was guessing that with the mech being so fragging huge.

After two years of keeping up her training, Siren was at the top peak of her fitness and knew more of her limits in her races. She knew that adding the burst of speed wasn't the best idea, but she kept the pace up as her audial finials flicked back to the foxes behind her hearing they were failing to keep up with her. The only fox that was able to stay near her was Coreshock, but even the brute was starting to lag behind.

"Nearly there Siren!" Kickboom shouted over the whip of the wind. "Think you can do one more hard burst?" Siren could do it, it would tax her systems, but in this race she was willing to do it. Reaching deep within herself, Siren pushed her pedes to go faster and faster. Coreshock was now being left behind as they continued up the incline, the finish just feet away. Intakes rushing air in and out to cool her core as her frame zipped over the line. Slowly she came to a walk yards away to turn and head back while other turbofoxes came to a slower speed after her. Several of the jockeys gave Kickboom congratulation for the win since she's become know for being the maroon turbofoxes' rider.

Crystal Ray Sprint may be the shortest of the three races, but the incline to the finish was what gave all of the turbofoxes difficulty. For once, she won it after two vorns of Coreshock taking the victory each time they ran. Now, she knew she would have a better chance of taking the Tri-Torus for the win. Having already won in Uraya for the Pion Tower Classic, now this one in Praxus, all Siren needed to win was the Iacon Derby to become the third turbofox in history to have won the Crown Dash.

Kickboom and Siren met Heavyglide in the winner's circle. The large seeker grinning from audial to audial at the win. "You are so getting some on my carrier's oil cakes." her finials perked up at that. Oh Primus, he better not be teasing her with that. His carrier's recipe of oil cakes was to die for and had at times fought the seeker for all of them. They were just that slagging good. Having seen the look the turbofox was giving him, he held up his servos. "I swear on the Allspark!"

"Heavyglide, having come into the race now two vorns ago, with only one turbofox to be your income what have you been doing with the success the vixen has been giving you?" A dark orange and white femme asked.

"Well, I've been able to get a larger stable area so once I get more turbofoxes I'll have the room for them." Having had experience with reporters thanks to his sire, he only gave them the minimum information. His competitors didn't need to know all of what he's been doing.

"Do you think Oddity Empress will take the victory of the Crown Dash this vorn?" A mech of light teal and dark blue asked.

"Well, seeing as the last two attempts this was the track that gave her the most problems. As she finally won this cycle, I do see her taking the victory in the Iacon Derby. She's won it twice now, why not make it a third?"

"Did you think that buying the vixen at the time was a very risky move?" the femme asked again.

Heavyglide looked to the vixen. "No. Oddity was never a risk seeing as I had never had a turbofox to race before her. Yes, she was pricy, but never a risk to my starting career." he stated. "Now, if you please, I have a vixen to get checked over." Kickboom slide off the saddle to lead Siren back to the stable pens with Heavyglide just behind them.

"Alright, once we're all done here, we'll head back home for some rest." He stated.

"Good, because I'm ready to get some recharge after this orn of races." Kickboom replied giving the mech a side smile. "Just don't forget to make those oil cakes."

The mech rolled his optics but returned her smile. "Primus forbid I do." Siren gave a snort at that, the two bots knew slag well she better get her oil cakes, she's been working her pedes off. Hmmm, oil cakes…her own little addiction thanks to Howler. He was the one to get her hooked to them once she was able to start fueling herself. "Lets get home." Drool was probably running out of her mouth at thoughts of oil cakes.

Howler took a sip of his high-grade waiting for his contact to show up. While he waited, his attention was that on the holoscreen showing the races Tarn. When the swash of the door came, he knew his contact had come but he kept his attention on the races. Siren sure was making a name for herself and it was all thanks to the young seeker he had been tasked to look over when both of his creator's had past onto the Well.

"I see that the vixen, Oddity Empress, might be the new Crown Dash winner." a dark red mech said sitting next to him while ordering a cube for himself.

"The vixen deserves it for all the slag she's gone through. Thrown aside the moment she wasn't useful for profit. Boltgear couldn't even give the vixen a chance to redeem herself before he sold her." Howler replied before glanced to the mech next to him. "So, what's the mission Switchclick?"

The mech slide over a datapad, his white arm coming into view as Howler looked over the report. "You have the maneuverability to get that done. So, our leader thought to give you the honors of such a job. Since it'll be one of the big three, many of the upper caste will be there."

Howler frowned at the mission report. "I'll do it, but it'll only go off after the winner comes in."

The mech gave a chuckle and a shake of his helm. "Oh right, of course, don't want to mess up the chances for the vixen to win her spot in history."

The older mech glared at Switchclick. "That vixen understands much more than you know. I taught her all she knows since I figured out she had intellect." Switchclick vent feeling the old mech was about to go into a rant. "Cool your systems, old timer. Get it done before or after the race, I don't care, just as long as you take out many of the upper caste. Make the Senate hurt because they'll lose some of there support."

Taking the pad, Howler subspaced it. Switchclick having gotten his delivery done finished his cube quickly, stood up, and left. Howler vented before chugging the rest of his cube to get up as well. It was time to get things set up for the cycle this was to happen, but he was going to make sure the two he cared for survived the ordeal.

Excitement surged through her she could barely contain it. The cycle had finally came and she was once again in Iacon getting ready for the Iacon Derby. The last race in the three part Crown Dash and she'd make sure she was going to win even if she had to push her limits. Heavyglide may not hear most of what is said within the stable building, but Siren did. Sometime it fragged her off.

There were so many owners that had been handed over the business of racing Turbofoxes from their sires, while Heavyglide was a newbie. A newbie that had come into gain a vixen that had good linage that shouldn't have happened in the first place. Siren couldn't count the times they snubbed him without, said mech, being near to hear it. It irked her at hearing them criticize or slander him for his lower status in a world where upper caste ruled. She was going to win this for him, for all that he's done for her. Since coming to live with him, Siren valued him as one of her very few friends, with Kickboom being one of them.

Though, with her attempts to get the two to realize that they more than like, liked each other was a fail. Kickboom had become aware of her affection to the seeker, thank to said fox. The seeker on the other servo, was so dense and oblivious that it made Siren want to scream at him. You know, one of those 'This femme right here, RIGHT HERE, likes you. I mean REALLY likes you.'. Only problem was. Heavyglide probably still wouldn't get it and she couldn't talk. La frag.

"There are times I find that I was a glitchhead to have sold you." her optics landed on a mech she hadn't seen in nearly two vorns. "The fact you may win this race tells me that." Standing on the other side of her half door was Boltgear. "My sire would have been kicking my aft from here to Vector Sigma for that decision."

Not knowing how to proceed, Siren just stood there staring at him. Boltgear vented looking over the maroon turbofox that had been sparked within his stables. Of all of the foxes, she was the only one to have that color. "May you earn you insignia with this win." Siren watched him left, optics full of question by that. What did winning the third part of the Crown Dash have to do with an insignia?

"Alright, ready for the race?" Kickboom asked coming into the stable pen with all of the gear. Within breems Siren was shined up and saddled as Kickboom lead the vixen outside. Even with the credits Heavyglide had been getting to be able to hire a handler, he didn't think of needing a handler when only one vixen was being cared for by two bots. Or pretending to when at the races, at home, Siren did her own things and they let her.

Audial finials perked straight up at a familiar voice that rang out as she glanced around. Finding the mech she gave a loud bark in greeting. Howler gave the vixen a grin and petted her helm. "I had to stop and say good luck." Siren nuzzled into his chassis her engine purring as she took in his smell, one she's missed dearly making the old mech chuckle. "Alright, alright, I get it I need to come by more often. Now, go out there and win."

Kickboom gave him a salute and hauled herself up into the saddle. "We'll see you back at the stable pen." Howler gave a nod and when the two turned to be lead to the gates his grin fell to be replace with a solemn look. Turning around he made his way to certain spots.

Siren tip-toed a little in the small space of the gate, to her left was a brute, Glory Appeal with a vixen to her right, Topside. With a slight toss of her helm, Siren drew her frame in a ready position, her focus narrowing to the now. This was it, this was what she had been waiting for. Sparkbeat raced in anticipation as time seemed to slow, finial forward waiting for the sound and the slam of the gate door opening. How many times had she done this? To feel the excitement zapping at her systems, the rush that came from the competitiveness on the track.

DIINGG-ING-ING-IG

Eight sets of pedes stomped the metal ground as their frames bunched in together forming the pack. Soon they came upon the jumps that lead to a higher plateau that would dip and raise at times. Cables coiled and sprung up with the other foxes before doing it two more times to reach the top. Taking off once she was able to regain her center, Siren stayed in the middle. Coreshock, Glory Appeal, and another brute Hidden Asset were in front while Topside, Molten Master, and Hot Pride were at the end. Azure, another vixen, stayed even with her as the dips and rises that drew two foxes to stitch places. Molten Master taking Azure's spot while the vixen lagged behind.

For some odd reason, anytime Siren was racing with Molten Master, not even the jockey could control him, would bump her softly. It was an irritation that she has found to ignore having found out that the brute seemed to have taken a liking to her. So basically, Molten Master would put his focus on trying to flirt with her even while running. Heavyglide always tease Siren about her brute. That turbofox was not, and will never be, her's.

With a growl in warning to the brute, Siren had enough and took the lead over him to push to the front with the other three brutes. Just like with the beginning of the plateau, there were several jumps down to the leveled ground. Shrieks rang out from behind her as the sounds of collision happened. That meant several were taken out of the race. Good, less for her to deal with she hoped.

Now the thing about the Iacon Derby was that half of it was underground. Yeap, she ran downward. Only unlike the one that she had trained while still in Boltgear's stable where it was one single way, this one had several splits that would either help you or make you lose. Lets hope her running luck with this track continued.

While Coreshock and Hidden Asset went to the left, Glory Appeal and her went to the right…with Molten Master on her tail. When another split came up within kilks letting Siren take the left in quick movements that had Molten Master having to continue forward after Glory Appeal. After another two splits, left then a right, Siren felt the ground incline letting her know she was at the end. There were two exits, both narrow for a reason.

As she came to the end of this exit, appearing suddenly to her left was Azure with Molten Master several tail length behind but gaining on the vixen. A bit of panic hit her, but took control and rushed forward to emerge first with the other vixen second and the brute third. The last leg of this track was a mix of actual trees and dirt, much like a forest, complete with small plant life too. So dodging and jumping was a must in this part even if that meant getting swipe in the muzzle by a slaggin fern.

So far, she was in lead having not seen Coreshock or Hidden Asset out in front. That didn't last long when the two suddenly popped up from the ground from the second exit. FRAG! The finish line was nearing now and so Siren put a burst of speed under her pedes to even out with the two brutes. All three jumped in sync over a large fallen tree trunk, landing in a puddle on the other side flinging mud all over. Hidden Asset taking a muzzle first into the mud and slid a good several feet after losing traction. That left Coreshock and her once more that seemed to have become a norm for the two.

Sometimes she would win, sometimes he would. It was one of the worst sibling competitive streaks she's ever had to deal with. This time, she was more determined to win. That was until she caught the flash of a whip too close to her sight for her liking. Without being able to stop it she yelped, a memory flux hitting her, and Siren took off nearly throwing Kickboom off of her back.

"Siren it's alright! Come on, you're going to tax your systems before you ever reach the finish!" Kickboom yelled watching Siren's finials twitch back to her. "Good, that's good. Whoa!" Kickboom shouted in surprise when Siren picked up more speed.

She was glad Kickboom knew about her, being able to talk to her to get her processor back into focus. With the finish line so close, Siren was too close to think about slowing down, not when Coreshock was so close behind her. Red flashes entered her HUD, warning of overheating. She simply ignored it. She was too close to stop now.

"ARE YOU INSANE!?" Kickboom shouted feeling Siren's frame get hotter from underneath the more she kept the fast pace. Only Siren knew that if she was starting to heat up, than so was Coreshock as he kept pace just a little bit behind her.

Feet ahead, the finish lay and with the pace the two had, the two had eaten the last few feet within kilks. Letting her momentum carry her to a slower pace she felt Kickboom shout out in the victory. Just like with Heavyglide, Kickboom had started being a jockey not five vorns before the mech had gotten Siren. And to be the rider of the turbofox that won the Crown Dash would boost her career as a jockey, making her sought out by other owners. So in reality, she had just helped both Heavyglide and Kickboom with this win.

A breem went by as she headed to the winner's circle, the flashes of warnings slowly stopping. With a heavy vent, Siren was relieve to know she dodge that bullet. She knew she would have crashed her systems if she had to go any longer. Having to go through that once was enough for her. After two vorns, she finally won all three. Maybe she should retire after this. Having won the Crown Dash was no easy feat, but it made the other races seems too easy. Retiring sounded pretty swell to her and just pretend to be the seekers pet.

Question after question was shot off at Heavyglide, who had the largest grin she's seen yet plastered on his faceplates as he answered. "What plans do you have for Oddity Empress?"

"Do you plan to retire her to breed?"

"With next vorn being her last attempt at the Crown Dash, do you plan to have the vixen compete in it once again?"

"Please, one question at a time! My plans for the vixen is still undetermined. She does have a slot for next vorns Crown Dash so there might be a possibly she would continue her racing career. Then again, having won it this vorn, retirement seems like a good idea." Heavyglide stated glancing to the vixen. "As for breeding, I'll probably wait for that."

Several mummer were heard, some saying how stupid that would be. So, to them, the sooner I sparked out little foxlings the more potential winners would come into the racing business. Even more so if I was to be breed with another good named turbofox. Yeap, that was not happening within any lifetime. "Excuse me, I have to see to my vixen."

As the three of us headed for the stables, that's when everything went to the pits. Explosions cause the ground to shake as screams of panic rang out. Several more explosions happened kilks after the first set as chucks of the building flew into the air. Siren stood stock still in horror, too shocked to do anything but watch until Heavyglide shoved her forward shouting something, probably telling her to move it. Kickboom was in front pulling on her reins to help guide her through the rushing crowd while the seeker stayed behind to push her mass.

Next thing that happened was something Siren would never get out of her processor. None of them could have been prepared for what happened as a slab of broken wall, that had be blown into the sky, slammed right in front of Siren causing her to scream and rear up. Only she wasn't able to rear up much with her reins being trap from under the slab. KICKBOOM! OH SOLUS PRIME!

"KICKBOOM!" Heavyglide shouted rushing around Siren to brace himself against the slab. His jet engine roared cutting off the sounds of screams with how loud it was as he lifted the heavy slab. Without having to be urge, Siren wiggled quick under to take a hold of Kickboom's arm and drag her out from under. A crack and a small tremor came after Heavyglide dropped the load he held to turn and kneel with Siren besides the minibot.

"Oh primus, oh primus! Kickboom, please say anything!" Heavyglide called his voice trembled, nearly close with hysteria and his wing fluttering in anxiety. His large servos shook hard as he gently pushed against her frame, moving her limply into his lap not caring if energon began to cover his legs. "Boom, please say something!"

Siren whined knowing there was nothing she could do to help. Finial were pointed forward as she drew forward hearing a slow thrum that she identified as Kickboom's sparkbeat, but it was slowing. "Glide…" His dark yellow optics took in her blue ones, shearing them with pleading for her to continue to function. "No, don't, save your energy. I, I'll get a medic, just hold on!" He moved to pick her up, but she stopped him letting his arms encircle her smaller frame.

She gave him a weak smile as she struggled to lift her arm up to cup his cheek in her servo. "I…I never…got to…s-say it…." Siren whined, her spark breaking at the words Kickboom was trying to say, her hearing far better than any bot as the weakness in her voice grew weaker with each word. Solus Prime please no!

By now, Heavyglide was leaking lubricant as he gripped her servo to his cheek. "Boom, please, I-I cant live with out you. You are my other half to my spark…I was going to ask you to be my…my sparkmate within t-the meta-cycle…." several sobs broke his words but Kickboom had heard them as if they had been clear and free of any interruptions his sobs had given. "Please Primus, don't leave me, Kickboom…"

Her optic flickered and her intakes struggled to continue pulling in what little air they could. "I lo-love you, Glide. A-always…have…always w-will…be." with a final shuttering clunk, she went limp in his arms.

"Ki-Kickboom…Kickboom! NO, KICKBOOM! PLEASE!" he threw back his helm screaming out his spark broken pain to those still around. Siren lay where she had been unable to leave Kickboom's graying frame. It would be a memory that would forever haunt her. Even the taste of what energon leaked into her mouth would not leave her glossa.

Heavyglide's frame shook with his sobs, wing hung listless from behind him as he raise his arms up to cling her frame to his chassis. What had become the happiest cycle for them did a 360 within kilks of it afterwards.

Seeming like joors later but only a joor had past when a group of bots came upon them. Heavyglide gave no reaction to them as he stared inert at the ground, arms having yet to release her frame. Even Siren didn't want to lift her helm from off the ground, but so for Heavyglide's sake knowing he wouldn't move without help right now. Only to find the bots that had come upon them was none other than Prowl with two other bots a few feet away.

His cold sight stared at the three. Siren feeling uncomfortable let her frame flare as she moved to stand ready in front of Heavyglide, growling at the enforcer. Prowl turned to a dark green bot. "Take care of the vixen, Hound. Once you have the vixen put away, Jazz and I will take care of the seeker." Dear Primus, she read and heard how monotone and emotionless this mech was, but to actually hear his voice this close made her want to claw her audial off. Put some feeling into that voice, please.

The vixen looked to the mech now known as Hound before backing up closer to Heavyglide and growled again. Even knowing Hound would never harm any plant or animal, didn't mean slag to her at the moment,. Her friend needed her here and now so she would fight to be by his side. Hound slowly moved to kneel in front of Siren but far enough that she wouldn't harm him if she did try to lunge him.

"It's okay there vixen. Hound'll take care of you. We'll even take good care of your owner there." he said soothingly trying to get her to come to him. Siren just rolled her optics at the mech giving him a huff of air from her vents. Yeah, she wasn't budging at all for anything because Heavyglide needed her, and here she would fragging stay. Primus, she wished she could slagging talk.

"From the looks of it, the vixen's a racing turbofox. Must have been just coming back from the track after a race." Hound deduced from taking in the saddle and reins Siren still worn.

"That is none of our concern of where the vixen had come from, the mech is more of our concern at moment. Hound please detain the vixen so we can proceed." Prowl ordered causing Siren to growl and snap her jaws at him, she soo wanted to flick the middle finger at the jerk. She heard and felt movement from behind her, turning to see Heavyglide lay Kickboom's frame gently on the ground before standing.

"That vixen will not be leaving my optics. If you have a problem with that, then you can go frag off into the pits." came his reply. Siren gave a low whine at the hollowness in his voice. Why did this cycle get to be so wrong so quick? "Siren stays next to me." he looked down at her, the same hollowness echoing in his dark yellow optics. "Come on, Siren, we have to get your insignia for your win."

Siren watched the seeker slowly make his way over the ruins of the field stepping over rubble that had fallen. Looking back to the gray frame Siren gave a gentle nuzzle and a whine. Her focus now would be for Heavyglide to be there beside him for the remainder of her life. He needed her as she needed him right now.

For my readers, would you like to see Siren be able to gain the ability to speak?

redcollector - I have a few ideas, but it wont be for another few chapters or so.

The Whispering Sage - Lets just say the plop bunnies decided to hold a tournament and this one came out on top...no, i've been meaning to do a MTMTE story now for a while and just couldn't figure out a good started. When i looked a picture of a turbofox and read what little was provided it just went from there. Add in my love for horses and tada! This is the outcome.

demon-soul-7 - It will do not despair!

silent femme - Sigh...well, they were happy...

A big thanks to those who followed and favorited. The Whispering Sage, StormMoonStarLight, Radioactive-Pingu, Freddie4153, demon-soul-7, and lost remial21!

R&R!