Praxis, the first thing that came to mind when seeing the glittering city for the first time was that façade. That was what Ichigo first thought when seeing the crystal city from high above. Yet most of that glitter came from the giant crystals near the center. It also reminded Ichigo of those pictures of Los Vegas at night that was in the travel magazines that his sister loved.

It had taken a few more months to convince Optimus to let him go to Praxis. And in that time Megatron's struck again this time, Tarn, yet it wasn't a violent takeover. Shockwave had sided with Megatron. But by that time the mech had gone through a drastic change. Ichigo had been recovering from another assassination attempt so He hadn't known what happen until he saw Ratchet franticly wheeling the once purple mech in the medbay. What Ichigo saw made him retch.

His mentor face was missing.

His hands were gone.

The mech had been torture. By the Senate for no reason. At least no reason the Ichigo or Optimus could see. Optimus tried to help Shockwave but the kind mech was gone. In his place was an emotionless drone that sent shivers down Ichigo's back. Shockwave left Iacon soon after giving no attention to the young mech shouting after him. after that Tarn had allied with Kaon and the Senate powers were stripped by a pissed-off Optimus. The whole clusterfuck had tsunami-sized backlash for those in power and Optimus shouldered it all. Ichigo could only do so much from his medical berth. The incident gave Megatron more power, yet Optimus shined during the whole thing. When he took the Senate's power mechs hadn't believed it. Yet Optimus continued to show by action and by word that he was not of the same metal as those in the Senate.

Ichigo couldn't have been prouder.

Which was why he was in Praxis, unlike the other city-states that voiced their opinions, the City of Crystals had stayed silent. It became a concern that Optimus had relented at letting Ichigo go with the stipulation that he did not go alone. Ichigo reluctantly agreed with the hope that he would be choosing who was coming. He argued when Optimus introduce the mech that was to be his bodyguard.

"What shaking ma mech!"

"Hell no!" Ichigo snarled at the grinning silver mech.

"Ichigo-

"No No No do you know who this mech is?" his wings vibrate with his anger and agitation.

"I am aware of who he is. I did hire him after all." Optimus sighs but takes a step back from the glowering flyer.

"Not what I meant! He-he this mech is the one who tried to sell us!"

Optimus gave a sheepish silence, "…he came highly recommended."

"By who!"

"By me youngling."

Ichigo spun around and glared at Ironhide. "Why?"

Ironhide sighs, "calm down youngling and let me explain."

Ichigo sat down with a pout, not that he would admit that. The silver mech shrugs leaning against the wall.

"Meister was and still is an undercover agent for centuries. He was mostly in the service of the Prime. I only know about this menace due to the fact I raise the little pit spawn."

Ironhide's reveal shocks, everyone.

"Seriously!"

The big mech hums, "found the little scraplet trying to pickpocket me. Next thing I know Chromia brings the little brat home." He shrugs, "Meister went in to serve the Prime. I never knew what his missions were. Pit I didn't know that he came across ya until now. Not that it would have made any difference."

Ichigo still didn't like that mech, "And you're sure that I won't find myself back in the ring?"

"Nah mech, that's been dealt with," Meister says suddenly, "Granted I was after a different mech at the time. What happens after I shipped ya off was supposed to go another agent." He snickers, "but ya escaped before they could make a move."

"That does not help me at all," Ichigo snorts. He scowls, "Am I to have more than him or just him?" He was not about to have a whole platoon of guards follow his every move."

Optimus tries to speak but Ironhide beats him to it, "Just Meister." The mech ignores the glare his Prime sends him. "Your ship leaves in five Joor. Be on it or this mission is scrapped." Ichigo gives a mocking salute before disappearing into the Prime Palace corridors.

Now he had to let the annoying mech fly him to the glittering city. At least, Meister hadn't tried to make small talk. Other than that, it was a boring trip. They made it in record time, but the city refuses to let them land and had them circling for the last two and half hours.

"How are we on fuel?" Ichigo asks concerned. If they needed to ditch, he would have to let the mech cling to him.

Meister taps the fuel screen, "should be good for a while. No worries, though it is concerning that they have us in a holding pattern while letting others land."

"Would they make us run out of fuel and crash?"

"Nah, it would be bad press on them. Not when this ship holds the Primes brother abord." Though Meister sounded unsure.

"Unless they have already been taken over," Ichigo mutters.

"Yeah, there is that." Meister gives the flyer a serious look, "if that is the case this mission is done, and we fly out of here. My mission is not your mission. Your safety is my top priority understand?"

Ichigo nods, "understood." If this was a younger version of him, he would have fought Meister on that. Hell, he would have left Optimus and headed to Praxis without telling anyone. But he knew better now.

: Tower to Transport 157, Tower to Transport 157:

Meister grins, "Transport 157 here what's shaking mechs?"

: Transport 157 circle round with wing tilt at 45 degrees and head to runway B-4. Solar winds heading from the Northeast light and low chance of turbulence: the voice drones on ignoring Meister's friendly attitude.

"Copy Tower, Transport 157 circle around with a wing tilt at 45 degrees." Meister waves Ichigo to strap in. "I trust their weather prediction but I ain't taking any chances. Had too many times of landing in rough winds."

Ichigo sighs and takes his seat buckles in; he didn't feel like getting bounced around either.

: Tower to Transport 157 you are clear to land Proceed to runway B-4:

Peeking out the window as the ship dipped Ichigo could just make out a crowd of mechs. Most were in the standard Enforcer colors. While Ichigo could think that it was for his protection. A small piece of him was thinking otherwise. He hopes this wasn't going to turn into an international incident.

"Meister," he calls over the coms, the mech glances out of the corner of his optic. Ichigo nods towards the ground. Meister didn't curse but hum when seeing a large number of Enforcers.

"Some welcome committee," he says. "Shouldn't be a problem."

Whether he meant that they wouldn't be causing Ichigo problems or that he could deal with them without any problems. Ichigo was for once glad that Meister had orders to help him. The mech reminded him of Shinji at times. That alone had his guard up. The blond captain had a shark's smile even when he was being friendly. Meister was the same though his smiles were more of a mask and changed with his attitude.

The landing was smooth that Ichigo almost hadn't felt the slight bump. As Meister started the shutdown procedures Ichigo stood stretching. He couldn't do a full body stretch the ship was too small for that. But he knew that if he did it outside then those watching may not take it so well. He wanted to get the urge out of the way.

"Ready?" Meister asks.

Ichigo gives one final wing stretch before nodding. He stands behind Meister waiting for the mech to give all clear before stepping out. Unlike times he had seen Optimus get greeted upon his arrival there were no sounds of cheering or clapping. Everyone waiting for him was close to scowling. He was sure that it was a default expression for the Enforcers. For the Delegates waiting for him, it was like being stared down by a teacher. It almost made him relax. Scowling teachers, he could handle.

"Welcome to Praxis Lord Ichigo," a sky blue and purple femme greeted him. "I am your guild Crys. Senator Shearwall appointed me to see to your comfort during your stay in Praxis."

"Uh thanks," Ichigo bowed and canted his wings. Ratchet made sure he knew what gestures to use before sending him off.

"We are sorry for the long wait, there was a threat that needed neutralizing." She gives a smile that sets Ichigo on edge. He feels that Meister was no longer the most dangerous mech around. "We booked you and your entourage at Praxis finest hotel. It overlooks the Helix Gardens." She waves at a transport, "Shall we?"

Ichigo gave the Enforcers a look. Meister was standing behind him smirking at the tense Enforcers. One hand on his weapon. The tense mechs eyeing him with hands on their weapons.

"The Enforcers are here to make sure that your trip is not disturbed, they were here to handle the threat from earlier."

"Ah, I see." Ichigo was calling bull shit on that. More like they were here to keep him from causing trouble.

"Yes, only a few will be your temporary guards. You may choose one to be your guild when I am unavailable," Crys says. "Sadly, there has been trouble with our southern border. I may be called away."

"I see and do I get to choose from this lot or…"

"You may choose from any of our fine precincts." Crys gives a strained fake smile. "But I am curious Lord Ichigo, what is the reason for your visit?"

"Just Ichigo and the reason is…that Optimus Prime wishes to make future visits in hopes that with Praxis neutrality he can have peace negotiations with Megatron here." Almost the full truth but not the whole truth. If things turn out just to be rumors, then Optimus planned to make those visits. "He does not wish to have this blown into a full-out war."

"Yes, no one wishes to see a planet-wide war. Praxis host most of the planet's crystals and many of the cultural arts. It is home to our famous singing crystals." She says proudly.

"I have heard of the singing crystals and that only a Praxian can bring out their full potential," Ichigo says trying to add to Praxian pride.

"Oh yes! Should your stay allow it you may catch an impromptu performance in the gardens. Many of our citizens take time to perform throughout the orn."

"Sounds interesting," Ichigo must duck when entering the transport. Crys and Meister and the few Enforcers joining him didn't have that trouble. His grumbles were heard by Meister judging by the grin the mech sends him.

"Yes, but the Helix Gardens are not our only ones there are many smaller ones throughout the city each one unique. Then there are our Artist District and our, ahem, red light district." She giggles, "perfectly legal of course, each worker is treated fairly and paid. The brothels provide training, rooms, and medical services."

Ichigo stares at the femme, mentally horrified, that she was praising. He glares at Meister who hadn't stopped snickering at his uncomfortable expression. Thankfully, he was able to change the subject to more safe things. Crys was good at her job of distracting him from what he wanted to know. Ichigo was beginning to think that he would have to go snooping later.

"And here is one of our best precincts, here at our top station you can pick out your guild," she says cheerfully.

"Huh; I thought that I got to pick from-

"This is one of our best precincts and our top station," she stops him, "and we have a list of mechs waiting for you to look at."

"Uh right," Ichigo felt dumbfounded. When Crys and the Enforcers started to leave he sent a ping towards Meister: why do I get the feeling that someone has already been picked for us and this is a formality:

: Because you are a smart mech and despite how you act you are not that naïve: the silver mech tilts his helm: I'll be on the lookout for our new friend see what is in store for us:

: Alright: Yet Ichigo felt that whoever had been chosen would be spying more on him than helping him.

Meister was out before him and waited for Ichigo to step out before getting in his blind spot. At first, he hated that Meister did that, it made his wings twitch. Still does, not that he would tell the mech that. As they entered the building Ichigo's first impression was…sterile. The police stations back home how more life than this place.

Two mechs were sitting at the front desk. They never acknowledge them nor called for someone to escort them. There was no one in the lobby, no conversations, and no nothing it was silent. In his experience, a station was never silent. They move past all the desk mechs and into a large circular room. Lined on the wall were uniform mechs.

"Lord Ichigo these are our top Enforcers, they all have top marks in their field," Crys walked down the line. "Enforcer 284 is one of our elites, he has experience in bodyguarding. We have had no trouble out of this unit."

"I…see," Ichigo was getting a sinking feeling.

: no worries mech, majority of Enforcers at MOT's or sparkless drones, not ideal but they are used to it: Meister explained.

Ichigo didn't feel great about all this. It may be considered normal, but Ichigo didn't like it. He wondered if he should bring it up with Optimus.

: are there any actual mechs working for the Enforcers then:

: Sure, there are, mostly higher-ups, these mechs are foot patrols or fodder. Drones are easily replaced and MTO's while expensive are just as replaceable:

Ichigo still didn't agree but continued to listen as Crys tried to sell each mech's good sides. Once she was done Ichigo felt so sick that he politely excused himself. Saying he was a bit thirsty and wanted to go over the officers presented to him before choosing. His excuse was given different reactions. Crys seemed irritated yet the mechs on the wall seemed a little relieved, still tense but relieved.

Meister followed like a silent shadow as Ichigo wandered through the station. He had to keep his wings from twitching from all the optics on him. He was happy when he found the breakroom with an energon dispenser. Meister however stops him before he could get a cube. Instead of fighting him on it, he waited for the silver mech to explain himself. Meister gave him a sealed cube before taking one for himself.

"Can't be too careful mech," he says.

Ichigo was once again reminded of his status and how some things had changed. "So, what do you think of our options?"

Meister hums, "well that one unit seemed alright. He did have the most experience, but I think that you-

Meister was interrupted by the sound of the alarm. Ichigo curious got up before Meister could stop him and disappeared into the halls filled with moving Enforcers. At first, he just followed along and was pretty much ignored until he was shoved into a room with a table with several holographic screens being the only source of light. What surprised Ichigo more was that there was only one mech in the room. He was hooked up to the table and Ichigo first thought that he should leave. Until he saw the expression the mech was wearing. Pain and exhaustion his whole frame screamed tired. Ichigo couldn't leave the mech. He pinged Meister as an afterthought as he gave the young-looking mech his full attention.

Now that he was looking it was clear that unlike everyone else in this building this mech was in the worst shape. Ichigo would be the first to call this abuse. The young mech looked like he had never been clean in a day in his life. From what he could see of the small amount of fuel it looked to be too thin and watery to be healthy. Not to mention the smell of something burning was not a good sign.

A sharp-clawed hand grips his vulnerable cables before he registers someone behind him. "Mech if I didn't like ya so much," Meister hisses.

Ichigo froze as Meister gave one final squeeze before letting go, "explain now!"

"Um excuse me, are you my new handlers?" a young, very young voice had them snapping their helms towards the table and screens.

"Uh."

Meister snorts, "great now what?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

"What's your plan Ichigo; I can tell we ain't leaving the mechling here."

"Well," Ichigo didn't have a plan.

"You're not my new handlers?"

"No."

"Nope!" Meister grins.

"We are here to rescue you," Ichigo sighs. "But first what's your name kid?"

"Tactical unit 56337778-ztv of Cohort 793-CHTYJ-87," the mechling answers.

"An MTO?" Meister asks.

The mechling shrinks in on himself, "I don't know sir."

"That's fine," Ichigo jumps in, "What are you doing?" He looks at all the screens and the movement on them.

"I'm a tactical unit, I help coordinate mechs on the ground."

"Ain't this in Vos; and this, it's in Crystal City, and this one…that's Iacon," Meister whistles, "pit mech that is impressive. I'm surprised that you haven't short yourself out."

Th mechling bows his helm, "I have. They said that I should do better."

Ichigo growls, he knew that if a mech, a young mech, shorted then it required a medic to see why and fix it. "You never saw a medic huh?"

"No, I am not useful enough to need one."

Ichigo heard enough, "Can you sneak him out while I distract them?"

Meister chuckles, "too easy mech. Better get started and I'll be back before you're ready to leave."

Ichigo rolls his optics and ducks out of the room and ambles back towards the front to meet an annoyed Crys.

"Ah Lord Ichigo," she says with a twitch of her wings and a sneer forming. "I was worried that you had gotten lost."

"Yeah, sorry about that, Meister got tense and shoved me in a closet. Mechs too paranoid, anyway I think we will go with your choice."

She blinks surprised, "really…I mean yes of course. I'll have him waiting at the transport. Uh, and where is your-

"Oh, he went to scope out the hotel," Ichigo shrugs, "says that if this mech was as good as you boasted then he didn't have to worry too much."

"Delightful, in that case, shall we?" she waves towards that door. "I will have your itinerary for your stay in your room by tomorrow morning," she grins satisfied. "Unit 284 will not disappoint."

Ichigo felt anything but grateful, "yeah…right."