Just let you guys know, I'm going to be taking a little bit of break. Yeah, I kind of did but I need finish a couple more chapters and drawings of the trio.
A little graphic at the end about dead bodies. Whoops. I'm weird like that ;).
Everything ached down to my bones. Luckily, after our little… session, I had conked out for another few hours until William seriously needed me. That was a few days ago, my wounds had fully healed after some more sleeping and lots of eating.
Being surrounded by my twins felt so relaxing compared to the massive group of soldiers heading out. Slowly, over a course of the few days, William has sent out his soldiers to Russia. They didn't have enough C-17's to carry all of us, same thing with Aztec. Zayden has been shipping his people nonstop, hoping no one caught wind of this.
It was nerve wracking, actually worse. And my powers easily told that. The amount of energy I was attempting to hold in was horrible but nothing could stop it. My anxiety had shot through the roof long ago and led to this.
Every single Autobot and last of the soldiers were getting loaded up for transport. I stood, staring at the awaiting C-17, tail twitching violently every few seconds.
Both twins skated next to me, their frames not nearly towering over me in my larger form. They took it upon themselves to rest a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Sweetspark, it's going to be okay," Sides promised. I flinched slightly and released a heavy sigh, shoulders dropping the tension in them.
My eyes found his and it took me a moment to release the tears in mine. Anger spiked in me as I furiously wiped them away. This wasn't the time to show weakness. A battle to the death was about to occur, no time for tears.
Sunstreaker snatched one of my wrists and pulled it away from my face. "Don't, it's alright to cry." I scoffed with a bare of my fangs and glared harshly at the ground.
"There's no time for that. Weaknesses in battle get's you killed," I snapped but immediately regretted the harsh words. Yet, we all knew it was the truth.
The two of them sighed. "You have a point but those weaknesses can make you stronger for next time," Sides inputted and slipped my hand into his, drawing my attention up to him. Something deep in my chest twisted. Would this be the last time I seem them? Would I get killed? W-would they get killed?
Over my dead body.
We gazed at each other. I burned the image of his calm mien into my mind, same with Sunstreaker; taking note of the beauty of his golden, sunny color. "And what happens when there isn't a next time?" Saying that hurt worse than the injuries I had sustained a few days ago.
The grip on my wrist tightened, nearing on the edge of pain, but the mech restrained himself from snapping the limb. "Don't think that way, Azar." Sunstreaker's tone cut deep, not a painful way. In a way that told-no ordered me not say or believe anything like that.
All of us knew we could potentially die in the next day or at least be seriously injured. It always seemed that wounds weren't uncommon for me, and Ratchet has complained about that. A smile had graced my lips at the thought but wiped away as our impending doom loomed over us. "But you know I'm right. A weakness can make you strong but it can also kill you."
Sides held my hand tighter and pulled me towards him. With my larger form, it made leaning down easier for him. His forehead bumped into mine, eyes boring straight at me. After a moment of silence, he moved so his metallic lips brushed against mine. He was doing that here?!
My muscles tensed at the attention, afraid of William or someone else seeing this. "Relax. We aren't due to leave for another thirty minutes. And there's no humans nearby that can see us." Gods, this felt dirty!
When I stayed still and mostly listened to his words, he pressed his lips to mine. In reaction, my eyes drifted closed, savoring the emotion that poured from him. I yearned to touch him anywhere but both of my hands were restrained.
After a long moment, he pulled away. My eyes blinked open and gazed lazily at him. Good lord, they know just how to calm me. I couldn't help the purr rumbling my chest. "Now, listen. This battle could be the end of your war, and maybe ours but don't let that get to you. We're at your side, may that be physically or over our bond."
I twisted the hand in Sunstreaker's grasp to clutch on anything I could and glanced between the two. "I won't, but that won't stop me from burning that place down to the ground and roasting marshmallows over it." That gained a chuckle out from the two of them.
We held this position for a few moments until they released their grasp and distanced themselves. Huh? What was-oh. A group of soldiers marching over to the second C-17 with supplies. Damn it. Humans always interrupting.
With my mood in a better place, I strolled passed the two and dragged my tail along Sunstreaker's calf. Said mech shivered when the spikes running along my spine to the end of the attached limb and half-heartily glared at me. I winked before sprinting for easier take off and soared up into the sky. A few muscles still ached, though nowhere near what they were before.
Since we were scheduled to leave soon, I landed on a nearby hangar to keep any eye on everyone, including the two troublemakers. Then my anxiety came back. How did I ever survive without them?
The starting of engines caught me off guard. Right, the planes were warming up. We probably have ten minutes before we're leaving the tarmac. Gods, have mercy on my soul. This ride wasn't going to be fun.
Sides and Sunstreaker skated back towards the plane after leaving for some time. Just the sight of them helped wash some of my buzzing nerves away. Only some though. Looking at the plane raised my anxiety worse than before. We're really going to do this. Rue's going to die. I'm going to be free… I can be with my family without worry.
Thinking about that got me excited. Jeremy, my brother, will be safe besides the fanboys, fangirls, and others loving his music. Those could be easily dealt with bodyguards.
A massive smile curled my lips, crinkling my eyes. Let's get this done.
First stop, Anchorage, Alaska. If they thought Colville was cold, they will think Alaska is completely frozen.
By the time we landed, it was completely dark outside and slightly cold to me. Snow covered the ground outside with ice hiding underneath it. Everyone's breath could easily be seen even with the lack of light.
We were ordered to stay either inside or near the planes while they fill up. Many of the humans took it upon themselves to stretch their legs. The Autobots decided to stay inside. Being on this damn thing was starting to drive me crazy that I had to get out for some time.
Fresh snow crunched underneath my talons. The cold, bitter Alaska night biting harshly at my scales that had a shiver running down my spine. I embraced it though before being ushered back into the plane for the much longer flight this time around. We'll be flying a little over the Bering Sea but luckily not too much to deal with any dangerous winds. Gods, horrible turbulence would be the death of me. Give me a heart attack.
Our second stop had us landing near where we needed to be. William and Zayden didn't want to be too close in case our advantage of surprise would've been taken away. That only left problems for us getting to the building with ten or so thousand soldiers with a few Autobots.
No matter. The three leaders planned to send half of the humans and all of the Autobots besides Jazz and Ratchet in case they found our hide out.
Seeing Zayden had hit me hard again. There wasn't any time to dwell on that. We are about to defeat Jasper and kill both Rue and Cyrus. Freedom and safety was just at my finger tips and it felt amazing. This didn't stop me from strolling over to him and standing next to him. Which Jacob glared at me for taking his spot.
The leader of Aztec kept to himself while conversing with William. Or at least, as much as he could. His fingers twitched towards me, never touching my scales though. "Everything is going to plan. We have scouts out, they haven't seen any movement near where we've settled," Zayden said. My spine stiffened at his words. I didn't like that.
A low growl rumbled in my chest. Either they already know or something was wrong…
"Azzie, what's wrong?" Zayden took this chance to place a hand on my shoulder. Another growl started in the back of my throat. Where is danger? This is the time to start ringing so why hasn't it? I stepped back from him, feeling overwhelm from the lack of the feeling and scanned the area around me.
Everyone who knew to read this body language had their guns in their hands already. "Something is off. I can feel it." My gaze returned to Zayden to stare into his spruce brown eyes. "You said they haven't seen any movement. That doesn't make sense. The last few bases we attacked had soldiers and Cons crawling over them. Those were low bases, this is their main bases."
It hit both of them like a brick to the face. Zayden and William cussed harshly and turned to their soldiers. The former whistles crisp like to catch his soldiers attention. The other shouts. Both sounds hurts my ears but I pushed that pain away to dash towards the twins. Protectiveness swelled in my chest. I needed to keep them safe in case we stumbled into a trap.
William calls after me but Zayden lets me go, a knowing smirk on his lips. I refused to listen and land roughly on Sides' shoulder, him being the nearest. At the sight of my frantic self, the two jumped into action.
Their blades slid into place and they survey the area for danger. Nothing. "What's wrong, Azar? Did you see something?" Sides asked. My wings weren't fully furled, ready for a sudden take off.
"No but I thought up some startling news. Since the humans have been here and scouting out, they haven't seen anything from Jasper. I think our element of surprise is gone and they know we're here or something else really wrong," I explained and let some energy trickle to my finger tips. "And since they haven't seen any soldiers at the base or at least around it, something is off."
"Right, because of the others had humans and Cons guarding on the outside. Do you think they might be changing up their tactics since we've been learning their moves?" Sunstreaker said. Crap, he might be right.
"Drawing us in before attacking," I muttered, mauling over the thought. "I'll go tell them that. Don't do anything stupid." Both of them gave me a halfhearted scoff but the playful looks on their faces told me their true feelings; and the atmosphere they carried around them. My four wings carried me back off into the sky, gliding over to the two.
Many of their higher-ups and right hand mans have come to the calls. "I have an idea," I interrupted, uncaring of how rude it was. There wasn't time to wait for my turn at the game. Zayden broke off and nodded for me to go. William stopped and lightly glared at, probably because of my actions. I ignored him. "I think they are trying to draw us in, trying to get us to believe we still have the element of surprise. Or they might be changing up their tactics since we've been able to easily mow down their other defenses."
Zayden hummed and turned to Jacob for a second opinion. Said man grasped his chin with an index finger and thumb while nodding his head. "Seems plausible. They are the kind to do that. When we attack, we have to now take into consideration that we no longer have the element of surprise. That doesn't mean we can be loud and clumsy and step on every branch in our path." His gaze shifted towards the nearest bots: Optimus and Prowl who were listening in. The latter narrowed his eyes but reframed from speaking.
"But we must carry on. We are too far deep to back out. And the amount of resources and time that has been used up will go to waste." I despised the way he said that; acting like Aztec's soldiers were only pawns but he was the kind of man to think that, mostly. Sometimes he can have a heart and care.
Both Zayden and I glanced at each other, thinking and feeling the same way. "Right. We have to continue but also have to be on high alert. Azzie, I want you take to the sky instead, watch out for anything and keep the skies clear for us," Aztec's leader explained.
At the mention of flying, my wings twitched, ready for action. "Can do. I'll keep them clear and safe for you guys." He handed me an ear piece without saying anything, I already knew what it was for. I slipped it into place and flinched at loud squeak it gave me in return.
"Hey, missy. You ready to end this, once and for all?" A familiar female voice filtered in: Mia. My, now and only, ears in the sky. I turned away from the conversation starting to reply.
"Definitely. I can already taste the freedom on my tongue."
"Same. I really want to go shopping with you after this. Pick up something nice to go on your dates with your boyfriends." The lack of light couldn't cover up the crimson washing over my neutral colors. She laughed. Must be in spot she could see me. "Awe, so cute. It definitely matches Sideswipe's color." Gods, save me.
"Be quiet," I barely squeaked out, embarrassment flooding me. Do save me. That only gained another laugh from her before a sharp whistle caught everyone's attention. The spikes along my spine to the tip of my tail stood straight up in reaction then fell once realizing it was Zayden.
"It's time. Everyone be on their toes." A shiver ran down my spine. It's time.
My wings carried high above the group of six thousand and nine Autobots trekking through the semi hills of Southwest Shakha Republic, Russia. For one of the few times in my life, it felt peacefully even though we were about to fight to the death. Just that though made me glance down at the twins. They were fine.
Would they come out fine? Yeah, the times I've seen them fight, they always came out victorious with little injuries but this was different. This was our final battle where we either win or lose. Losing wasn't an option. At all. And I wasn't going to let that happen. Over my cold, broken, dead body. Things better go, at least, alright. The least Fate can do for us.
Far in the distance, the building appeared over a hill. Tall and threatening, sending a shiver down my spine. How many super humans were in there? I was only one against, let's say, five hundred. I would be done for. "I see it, Mia."
The ear piece crackles to life, "how far do you think?"
"A mile or so. But I don't see anyone." I stopped to hover a couple hundred yards in front of the group, though they couldn't see due to my scales being camouflaged. "I don't like this."
"Me either. My gut is telling me so. Nonetheless, I'll relay the info to big boss for you." I snorted at her nickname for Zayden and inwardly flinched. Sweetheart, you could do so much better than that.
It took a few long moments that felt like hours until she responded. "Okay, we good. Zeze says to be careful up there. They have fliers and might take you out first." Right. A down dragon is a dead dragon. Always heard that. It was the truth. Dragons are fliers. If you take that ability away, they can't easily get away. Better prey. And I wasn't prey to anyone.
Optimus was the first to stop the group once we were half a quarter of a mile away. The hill covered us mostly from sight. I decided to come down and land close to the twins, on edge about the entire situation. Normal colors filtered back to my scales, making me visible once more. A few humans were surprised but calmed down afterwards.
Everyone followed and huddled close, all six thousand of them. "Start phase one," Optimus commanded. Nice, I'm up first with backup which included the twins, Ironhide, and Bumblebee. The hundred or so soldiers picked for this stepped forward, a few checked over their guns before heading out. Aztec knows what they are doing.
Once they begun their trek to the base, I trotted after them and got into the front, ready to take any brute hits. Some gave me looks while other dipped their heads.
As our group reached the top of the hill, I stumbled, a few others acting the same. Holy shit! This place was massive. It was only one building but widely spread and maybe three or four stories high. I don't like our odds here…
I didn't let that stop me though and continued on. Energy instinctively surging to my finger tips. Yet, danger has not made itself known. What is going on?
We rushed, charging with a mighty battle cry. Both Ironhide and Bumblebee powered up their weapons ready for the Decepticons to make a show. I let flames crawl up my arms and watchfully scanned for any sign of moment.
Nothing.
What was going on?
A horrible, gut wrenching smelled hit me worse than a plane. I put on the full breaks, nearly falling face first, and forcefully stopped myself from puking. What was that smell?!
It hit me. Bodies. Rotting dead bodies. The cold was holding in the smell. Something was terribly wrong.
The soldiers in group stopped as well. A few slipped and fell due to the snow. "Azar! What is it?" Ironhide shouted, seeming irritated while on guard; eyes searching for an attack. I didn't answer him though.
All around us was a feeling I prayed never to be in contact again. Death. Not a small amount of bodies but hundreds. My stomach nearly emptied itself at the thought. I moved on though, not running this time, walking, guard still up but at ease. "Azar, what are you doing?" Sunstreaker called out and moved to step in front of me.
With a simple side step, I shifted out of his way and marched onward. The snow crunched under my feet, it was untouched. A shiver ran down my spine as I reached one of the walls and placed my hand on it.
Energy forced its way into the concrete, heating up to the point it exploded due to the sudden difference of temperature.
The smell hit me hard and knocked me back. Bile rose in the back of my throat. No matter how many times I've been around bodies, the smell almost always gets to me.
My group finally reached me. Many of them having to stay back due to the smell. The Autobots themselves were cringing, Sunstreaker seeming to be the worst out of everyone. "Primus, what is that smell?!" he grumbled and glanced at his twin. Said bot shrugged his shoulders, unsure himself.
"Death. Gods, I can… I can, I can feel it. The death of many souls suffocating me." The air was extremely heavy, not a factor from the smell.
Both of them furrowed their brows, confused. The other two Autobots joining in. Bumblebee looking sad at the fact.
I left them though to venture in. Many called after me, some tried to physically stop me but I pushed through. Others asked what I was doing. Searching. I think, that's what it felt like. For life, for any sign of life left here.
The building itself seemed abandoned. Like people just walked out and never came back. Offices held furniture and other supplies. Experiment rooms still full with equipment and samples. Dust collecting on everything it could touch. What happened here?
One of the doors gave me trouble. With a simple use of my powers had it opened. Only… I wished that I didn't.
Hundreds of bodies. All rotting were piled in this training room. Liquid spilled from the room, running around me feet and nearly made me hurl. These, by the looks of it, were dead experiments or trainees for becoming a creature/superhuman. I couldn't take it and ran out.
There wasn't any life left.
What had happened?
Where were they all?
Why did they just leave?!
On the outside, the massive group has arrived. The three leaders standing in front, all conversing to each other. Worry, concern, bewilderment covered their faces.
Zayden was the first to spot me before rushing over to me. "Azar! What were you think?!" Tears poured down my face, my tough façade gone. Those bodies had been there awhile. Bugs already had made their homes in them. Bones showing while hair and nails were mostly gone. Just thinking about had bile rising in my throat.
"They're gone," is all I can get out before stepping away from him, realizing something. They're gone. Gone. Not here. The war still raging on.
Anger immediately spiked at that thought. I had freedom at my finger tips! Jasper was going to be eradicated from this world. Gone, forever. My family would have been safe. How fucking dare they rip that away fr-
Danger.