I don't own Transformers, just Rave, Strike and Cross. Please tell me if you like it or not

080

The red sun started to rise over the cliffs on the world below, the ruins of a once great city under them. The lights hit the pieces of glass and metal and shone in its warmth. The little spirzes with their green scales and blue talons where starting to appear and crawling all over the place. As the light came over the city, some of the remaining natives came to life and began their new day.

The market place was extremely busy today of all days. Everyone was coming out to get supplies. They were all to be careful in case the Decepticons attack, when that ever should ever happen. The Autobots could not always protect them. Vendors were all working the large crowds, selling from energon bars to repair parts.

"Best energon on this side of the city!" shouted one of the larger vendors. His large green metal built and many scars shown that he was not a Mech to mess around. An old fade Autobot insignia was on his chest, but it was so hard to tell.

Off to the edge of his optic, a black metal hand was reaching over his stall. It reached over, picking up a couple of energon bars and started to pull back. Then as quick as an Ion rattle snake, the vendors grabbed the hand and pull it and it's owner up to his optic level, dropping the objects it try to steal. He could not help but moan at who again he mange to catch again.

"Strike, how many times do we have to go through this,' he moaned.

The silver plated youth just smiled with a gleam his blue optics, "Ah, Rave, I have to keep an old guy like you on you're toes."

Rave sighed and dropped Strike to the ground. He landed with a loud thud and cried out in pain, neither which Rave cared about. The older Mech did not even notice Strike glaring right at the back of his head. This really was not the times to play around.

"Do you have at least what I order?" asked Rave.

Strike got back on to his feet and place a large brown package on the counter, "Yup, a fresh supply of Miss Ranger's homemade medicine."

Rave ripped away the wrapping from around the package. There under it all was thirty bottles filled up with a purple glowing liquid. The sun shone through its crystal container. Satisfy with the product, he placed the box under the counter and turned back to Strike.

"Alright, here," said Rave handing Strike a piece of plastic, "thirty credits, like always."

Strike took the credits from him, "Like always, you cheap geezer," he said.

It was Rave's turn to glare at Strike. He raised his hand and one quick motion whacked him in the side of the head.

"Ouch! Why did ya do that?" demand Strike rubbing his head.

"You have to learn some respect," said Rave, "A lot of us 'geezers' spent a long time protecting you young kids from the likes of the Decepticons. I spent…"

"Much time within the Autobots, I know, I know," moaned Strike, "I heard this story way too many times."

"Well, I'll keep repeating myself until its get inside that thick head of yours," said Rave, again whacking Strike on the back of his head.

"Hey!" shouted Strike as he started to back away, "That enough of Whack-a-Strike."

Rave just shook his fist at him, "Then get out of here before I give you a lesson."

Strike took this as his cue to leave. He quickly turned tail and started to make tracks. Nobody wanted to be on the receiving side of Rave's anger. The old man still had plenty of energy, for an old geezer. Strike zoomed through the city's streets, the wheels on his feet rolling on the ground. Going past corners and alleyways, he made his way back home. Miss Ranger wanted these credits as soon as possible. Strike just wondered why. Usually when he gets Rave's credits, he had to pick up some supplies for the halfway home. There was not much for all 20 kids plus Miss Ranger. They really need every credit they could get their hands on. It was just really strange she didn't want supplies.

Strike was too deep in his own thoughts that he did not notice the shadow overhead. It flew over his head and followed him, jumping building to building. Gradually, it started to descend him. Then it gently touched down on the ground. It came closer and closer to Strike until it was right on top of him.

"Boo!"

"Ahahaha!" screamed Strike in surprise as he tripped over his feet and crashed into a couple of near-by trashcans.

"Oh no! Strike!" shouted his attacker, rushing over to help him up.

Strike moaned in pain as he got back onto his feet. Rubbing his head, he looked up who attack him. It's was not a surprise at who it was once the world stopped spinning.

"Cross," he said with a stern voice.

The attacker 'eep' and covered her face with her hands in shame. Her glowing orange optics were shinning through her fingers. Strike just could not help but smile at her. The very way she was looking at him was so cute.

"Are you mad at me?" she asked slowly bring down her hands.

"How could I stay mad at you?" Strike laughed.

Cross smiled back at him, as she placed her hands down. She was just a sweet kid for as long as Strike as know her. She was always trying to see the good in everything. It was really a gift to see this in people now a day. Most of the population was saying that on day their world was going to be ruined. Strike just had to agree with them. The continue fighting between the Decepticons and The Autobots on their home world. It was enough to drive anyone over the edge.

"Now, come here," he said with a sly smile as he came closer to Cross.

"Oh no," sad Cross, knowing what he was planning to do.

She tried to get away from Strike, but he was too fast. He grabbed her by the arm and placed her into a headlock. Even though Cross did not like this idea, she couldn't help but smile. On Strike's face, he had an evil grin from side to side.

"Please, don't" begged Cross as a giggle broke through her plea.

"Sorry, not this time," he said.

"No!"

"Oh, yes! Its noggin time!" shouted Strike.

His fist connected with Cross's head. Then he started to rubbed rapidly across her skull. She giggled as she tried to escape her tormenter. She turning left and right to loosen his hold on her, but it did not work.

"Come on, bro!" she shouted, "Let me go!"

"As you wish," he said, letting go of her.

Cross quickly fell on her can with a loud thud. Strike broke out into laugher, as she formed a sour look on her face. Slowly, she got back on to her feet dusting herself off.

"That was mean," she commented sending him a cold glare.

"Hey, you told me to drop you," shrugged Strike.

"Not what I met!" shouted Cross.

Strike chuckle at her. She frowned and folded her arms. The area was quiet for a few moments. Finally, he was unable to take the silence. Strike got right into Cross's face. Then he puffed out his cheeks and crossed his optics. She tried to ignore him but no such luck. Cross within a few seconds broke down into laugher.

"Ah, that a little better," he said looking please with his work.

Cross giggle," Yeah it is, big bro," she said.

"Do you always have to call me that?" asked Strike asked mental slapping himself, "I ain't your brother."

"I know that," said Cross with a smile, "But you're the closest thing to a brother I have."

What she said was true. They were not relate buy were very close like spark. War can do that to Mech. Strike never knew where he came from, nor did he really care. He could have even been from the Decepticons or The Autobots. He could have even been a neutral, like now. From the moment they first met, Strike had been looking out of Cross. He would protect her, no matter what trouble she gotten into.

"Hey, Strike!"

He broke away from his little trip down memory lane. He did not have a clue that he was walking that entire time. Cross was giving him a strange look.

"Yeah, what's up?" he asked.

"I was just wondering something," she said in a baby tone and scuffing her foot against the ground.

"What?" Strike asked stopping in his tracks.

She looked up with a smiled on her face. There was a kind of evil gleam in her optic. He really did not like how this was going.

"Piggy back!" she shouted

"What!" yelled out Strike totally caught off guarded.

Cross came from behind and tackled him. Her arms wrapped his neck tight and climbed on top of him. Strike was unbalance from this touch of affection. Moving left and right, he tried to regain himself. It was too late. He felled face forward onto the ground with Cross lying on top of him.

"Bro, are you alright?" asked Cross.

"Just peachy" he mumbled from under her weight.

Suddenly, the ground started to rumble fro a few seconds and a large boom filled the air. Cross quickly got off Strike and helped him to his feet. He looked over to where the sound had came from. Smoke was coming from the area, filling up the very sky. Cross gasped at once when she figure out where it was coming from. Strike narrow his optics at the same thought.

Quickly, he grabbed Cross's hand and started to run to the source of the smoke. The crowds of people were going against them. Strike pushed and shoved his way to get pass them all. As he did so, bad things were coming into his mind. Each one was worst then the next. He only hoped that he was wrong. Finally, the two came up to the source of the explosion. There that once stood their only safe place was up in flames. They were touching the very sky and glowing as bright as the sun. The heat coming off the fire was enough to strip the metal off a car. Strike just stared at it in disbelief. This couldn't be happening? Cross grabbed a hold of his arm. Her optics filled up with tears.

"Strike…what's happening?" she cried out.

He did not heard her. Slowly, he stepped forward to the burning inferno that was once his him. None of these could be real to him.

"Miss Ranger! Are you there? Zip? Petra? Anyone?" he called out into the flames.

"Strike! Look!" shouted Cross pointing into the flames.

He looked inside them. There walking to them was a large shadow, rising from the ruins and flames. At once, Strike thought it was Miss Ranger. It was about her height. He started to run forward right at the shadow. Maybe all was not lost. The he stopped in his tracks. Through the flames there were these red optics glaring back at him. This was not Miss Ranger. A scream came from behind Strike. He turned around to see Cross being hold by a Decepticon soldier.

Strike tried to help her, but was knock down to the ground. A heavy foot landed on his back, making him cried out in pain. A loud sinister cackle broke out over his head.

"Ha ha, how do you like that boy?" chuckle his capture as he pressed down harder onto Strike's back.

Strike grinded his teeth. He had to get out of this situation. Cross needed his help. He just had too. Her pleas to make them stop this fell on their deaf ears. He felt the weight being lift for and moment before it came back crashing down. He cries out sounded like the banshee cry of death.

"Please stop it!" Cross shouted trying to break away.

The purple and black Decepticon that her just spat in her face, "Shut up, you stupid wretch," he sneered, "Or Cracker here will make it more painful for your boyfriend."

"He is not my boyfriend!" shouted Cross, "He is my brother!"

Both the Decepticons laugh at her. Strike did not see what was so funny. The scene was becoming fuzzy. He was slowly losing conscience. A large cold metal hand came up and wrapped itself around her throat. Being lifting off the ground, Strike came face to face with the stupid Decepticon that was crushing his back. His blood red optics were peering right into his won. They were filled up with so much rage and anger.

"Did you really could escape?" he said with a growl.

"You'll never get away with this," hissed Strike under the tight grip on his neck.

"That what you think," respond the Decepticon as he dropped Strike back on to the ground and turned to his partner, "We don't need him, Warp. We'll just take the Femme."

He turned his back and started to head to his partner. Cross struggle harder to escape. Tears were forming in her optics. She hated to see Strike like this. He could hear her still. His mind was not complete gone yet. There was still hope. Hope that they could escape this. Strike struggle to stand up, but just got to his knees. He just could not make it. There were bruise all over his body and energon was coming from a couple cuts on his side. His very body felt like it was burning from the raging inferno next to him. His body was failing fast, but his will would not let him give up. This fight was far from finish in his opinion.

"Hey lookie," giggle the Decepticon holding Cross, "The brat can still move."

"We'll see about that," chuckle his partner turning to Strike.

Suddenly, his fist jabbed right into Strike's stomach. He did not have enough time to recover when someone came from behind and slam his face to the ground. The pain was overloading his body. Again, he was losing conscience. He did not know how long he could hold this up.

"Stop it! Just stop it!"

Strike looked up from where he was laying on the ground. The two Decepticons were laughing this up. Cross seem to be crying so hard. He did not want her to, he was doing this just for her and now they had lost. Once again, he rose to his feet. The energon was running down his face and body and his right optic was slammed in. Now, there was this huge gnash running down the side of his face, spilling energon, but he didn't care. The Decepticons just stared at him. That brat shouldn't be able to move, let alone stand-up. They didn't know what this Mech's problem was, but it end here.

"Ok, I had enough of these games," mumble the one called Cracker as he pulled out his gun, "He is going down."

"Leave him alone!" cried out Cross, "Just leave him be!"

"Just…drop…the Femme and leave this place," hissed out Strike as energon pour a bit from his mouth.

The two Decepticons just broke out into laugher. Strike just stood there while they just laugh right in his face. They were nothing but jerks. He hated them all. Why don't they just all melt down to cannon folders. If he was just stronger, then they would be nothing but cosmic dust. They came closer and closer with each step. Strike just stood his ground. The flames were licking on his back. Why couldn't they leave them alone?

"Once we take care of you two, the rest of the planet will belong to Megatron and the Decepticon Empire!" cackle Warp

Strike just glared him with his remaining optic. If he was going down like this, he was going down in a fight. These Cons took his home, his own family and now they were going to take his whole planet. That was never going to happen. He. Belong. To. No. One. Using what remaining energy, he charge at full force towards the Decepticons, his was ready to pound them to the ground. Cracker just was able to catch him and grabbed a hold of his wrist.

"You shouldn't have just stand down," hissed Cracker

"Strike!" cried out Cross as Warp just whack her in the face.

"Just shut up, you glitch!" shouted Warp.

"Leave her…alone!" hissed out Strike.

"What going on here!"

Strike didn't know what happen next. The Cons just turned around to see where that voice had came from and just gasped. He found himself on the ground next with Cross right by his side. Her tears were falling down her face and landing down on his body. If there one thing he hate more it was seeing her cry. It just pain him so much to see her like this.

"Don't cry…please…don't," he whisper as he raise his hand brought it across her face.

Cross grabbed it and held it to her face. Her optics was shinning in wetness, "Strike, please, you can't leave me," she said.

"I…won't," said Strike, "What…going…."

"Sh, don't talk," said Cross, "We…we are in trouble."

Strike didn't know what she met. He just could tell by the panic in her voice and optics. What ever was going on here, they were trouble. Strike looked over to where the Decepticons were. They were kneeling in front of someone. He couldn't tell with his busted optic. All he could tell was that this new guy was angry and really top on the Decepticon food chain

"What are you doing!" roared the newcomer.

"We were just doing what you orders us, Lord Megatron," sad Cracker.

"Megatron! Slag," thought Strike.

"I order you to gather all the civilians and destroy any that tried to stop you. I see you idiots here wasting your time beating up the local youth!" shouted Megatron.

"Sor..sorry Lord Megatron, the brat just won't die," stammer Warp.

"That because…I'm not…going to die…not by you," said Strike as he tried to stand back on to his feet, but almost fell back down if Cross hadn't caught him.

"Strike, please, just rest," whisper Cross, "He could kill you,"

Megatron pushed himself past his goon squad and made his way towards the two. Strike was ready to protect Cross with his life, or what may be left of it. Cross was just trying to stay in one piece. He could feel her body shaking against her own, shaking in fear. He would be too, but for some reason really wasn't. Megatron reached down towards him and wrapped his large metal hand around Strike's neck. He was lifted off the ground. Cross tried to pull him down, but Megatron kicked her down to the ground. The energon was dripping down his leg as he tried to break free, but only found it tighter.

"Who do you think you are?" hissed Megatron

"Someone that doesn't…want you to…win," hissed out Strike.

Megatron just laugh in his face, "Aren't we the little optimist?" he chuckle.

"Leave my pl…planet alone," hissed out Strike.

"I don't think so," laugh Megatron as he tighten his grip, "I would need the death of a hundred thousand Autobots to leave this planet!"

What happen next would change his very life. Something inside just snapped. The words that Megatron just broke something that Strike need. A way to survive. The things he said next, he just couldn't believe he would ever say.

"I…do it,"

"Huh?" said Megatron as he looked at his capture prey, "what did you say?"

"I'll…kill them," choked out Strike, "I'll…kill the Autobots…you leave my home."

Strike didn't know what was coming out of his mouth. The words were just rolling off his vocal box. Those idiots that attack them were just shock to see Strike speaking to their commander like that and not get blasted. Megatron was just look at him like he had lost a major logic circuit in his fight with his soldiers. He might have, Strike wasn't sure. All he knew if there was a way to keep his home and his friends save from Megatron, then he would do it. If that met killing Autobots, so be it. Cross just looked up at her brother. She could not understand why he would do this. He had never killed anything before. He just hated it. The farthest he came to killing someone was beating Hot Spot hard enough he had to be brought to the med lab.

"Strike, don't do it!" shouted Cross.

"Cross, just shut it! I know what…I'm doing!" shouted Strike.

She was taken by that burst of anger. He never yelled at her before, not like that. It would be over something like spilling paint on his bed or breaking his latest model, but it never sounded like this.

"So, boy, you'll kill one hundred thousand Autobots for me if I agree to let this puny planet go from my grasp?" asked Megatron, see if this boy was thinking straight.

Strike nodded his head, "I'll do that, but only if…you don't hurt any one…else on the planet and promise to…let everyone go if I do it,"

Megatron brought him closer to his face, "Give me one reason why I shouldn't just toss you to the side and just kill you both and just take over."

Strike just looked that large Decepticon straight in the optic, "Because, what is one planet to you? You have many that you can't keep track of, so what is one less? Plus, you will get one soldier that will get rid of Autobots, no question ask and will do anything just to kill those Autobots needed," he said, then added his signature grin, "What more could you ask for?"

Megatron just looked back at him, and all that Strike prayed for was that this work. He knew that this could go one way or another. This Con could kill both him and Cross in a signal blast, and nothing was stopping him from doing so. Each of the second that past made Strike worry more. Still, his face was unresolved. He still had his stone face on him. This was not the time to show fear, just join it. He knew the tales and stories from Rave. Megatron was no pushover. There was a reason he was leader of this bloodthirsty group. He knew the risks and still took them, now all Strike could do was hope that someone upstairs was looking out for him.

Cross could only look on at this all happen. She wanted to stop this, but the odds were just too much against her. More tears felled down her cheeks. She hated to feel so helpless. If she were just stronger, this never would have happen. Now, it was costing her the only family she ever knew.

The next thing Strike knew was that he was flying in the air. He didn't know why, he cause was and the next thing that happened was him crashing into the two Decepticons. Look up with his good optic, Megatron just seem to be smirking at him. This was kind of a good sign, in some length.

"You have a deal, boy but only if you make it five hundred thousand," said Megatron, thinking that this Mech wouldn't even get past kill one.

Strike looked at him then at Cross. She was just looking at Strike with this big orange cyberpup optics. He could barely even continue to look at her. She just had to understand that he was doing so that she could live, and one day be free from all the evil in the world.

"You have my word, just don't anything to damage or kill my friend here," he said pointing a weak finger towards Cross.

"Good," chuckle Megatron, as he started to walk away, "grabbed him, we have to get our new friend fixed up if he is going to be any use towards the Decepticon Empire,"

Strike felt the two goons grabbed a hold of both his arms. It wasn't like he was going to try and run away. He kept his word, no matter how wrong the deal is. His feet were dragged across the ground. There was no energy left in him to walk anyway. He was finish for now. Cross just sat back and watch as the Decepticons dragged Strike away. She didn't understand why he would do this. Didn't he know what they were going to do to him. Once Megatron had his fingers in him, there was no way he was going to let him go, no matter what the deal was. Strike was doom. And it was all her fault. It was her fault that he gave himself into this slavery. He was trying to protect her when she couldn't do it herself.

"Strike," she whimpered as she tried to remain strong and wipe the tears from her optics, "Don't worry, I'll get stronger. Then one day, we'll be together again."

080

Please R&R