First off, yes, this took a while to post… Got busy, my minds forgetful, and I got food poisoning too. All rolled together wasn't a good thing. Thank you so much for your patience!
Rays of sunshine shone through the only window in the small bedroom. It warmed the scales bared to its touch. A content hum escaped me when Anna curled up more to me, fingers gripping my bicep more. "Ist too early ta get up…" Anna whined and buried her head under my chin. I chuckled and pulled her close, tail flopping over her legs.
The smell and sound of food being made traveled into the room. My stomach growled loudly, hungry from the lack of nutrients. "Come on, your mom is making breakfast and I'm starving," I instructed and pushed her away from me. Sha had other plans though.
Anna wrapped her arms around my with her legs locked to my waist. "No." Alright, I'll just take you with me. I got off of the bed with her still attached to me. She wasn't suspecting that and held on tighter as to not fall. My shoulder ached at the weight but not nearly as bad as yesterday. "Hey, what are you doing?" I ignored her question and headed down the stairs.
Besides the noises from the kitchen, the T.V was on, playing the news. Nothing too interesting, the weather was going to warm up some when we leave. Our plans were slightly delayed due to the… accident and weather itself but I still told the two I would be back.
Sarah stood at the stove, cooking away at some pancakes and eggs. A bright smile adorn her face when she saw my hunched over form with her child clinging to me. "Good morning you two! I was about to get you for breakfast but here you are," she greeted then motioned to the table. "Have a seat, its about ready."
With a nod of appreciation sent her way, I stepped over to Anna's spot. "Off, here's your seat," I ordered, no bite in my words. The kid carefully slid down until her butt hit the floor. The she took her spot. I followed her actions and sat down in the guest chair.
"How did you two sleep? Hopefully good," Sarah questioned as she scooped two eggs on everyone's plates.
The kid, somehow getting a burst of morning energy, jumped at the opportunity to talk, happy as can be. "Very good, momma! Nighty is very comfortable and warm. I feel very safe in her arms. Plus she likes to curl around me like a big protector!" she giggled and shifted in her seat when Sarah set down our plates. I quietly thanked her, smile on my lips.
Her mother chuckled, shoulders shaking with her. "Well, I'm glad. She does look very comfortable as a pillow." Then she turned her attention to me. "What about you, Azar? How are your arms, shoulder, and horn feeling?"
"Pretty good, just a little sore. Nothing new," I answered. Under the table, Anna leaned down and picked up my tail. She plopped the lower end over her lap. My brows furrowed as I stared at her, confused on what the kid was doing.
Not a word came from her, sound did though. Giggles filtered into the air. Her hands petted the rougher scales and played with the smaller spikes at the end of my tail.
A plate was set down in front of me, steam rolling off of the pancakes and eggs. Bacon sat off to the side, only seven pieces at most. "Well, that's good. I'm glad a good night's rest gets the job done." I laughed lowly and thanked her for the food. "Don't mention it. Now you two, eat up so you can go have your fun before Azar has to leave."
Right… I'm leaving today. Half me wanted to stay, enjoy the peace and love and their presences. Not that the twins don't give me that, they do, but something about these two is different. The other half wants to leave now and return to the base, return to my boys. I've become dependent on them. I hated it but at the same desired it.
They were there for me. They love me. They care for me. They protect me. I no longer had to be by myself. Lonely and alone for what was thought forever. Fate had finally gave me something good. And over my cold, dead body was I going to let anyone, and I mean anyone, take them away from me. They are mine. Mine.
My scales shift slight with marks of pink, crimson, and indigo. Deep in my chest, I felt pride for them to mine. And I was there's. We all loved each other, even though I don't say. But my actions surely speak louder than my voice.
The kid's mood deflated quicker than a balloon. Her lip pushed out in a pout. She must have forgotten with her sleep ailed brain. My tail twitched in within Anna's grasp, catching her attention. Her arms wrapped around the limb. "No, I don't want her to leave. She's not leaving!" I felt my heart break and my resolve crumple. As much as I wanted, I made a promise to the twins and no matter what, I won't break it.
"Annabelle, you knew she was only staying the day," Sarah scolded lightly and sat down after picking up her own plate. The mother poured everyone a glass of orange juice. "But don't let that spoil her visit. After you guys finish, you can go play."
This seemed to cheer up the child. Said human held my tail with one arm like a teddy bear and use the other limb to eat. I didn't mind and dug in as well, hungry from the lack of food over the course of a day or so. Ratchet would be seething if he knew. Luckily for me, the mech wasn't here or else I would be getting chewed out.
As we ate, the news in the background changed from weather to something else. It caught my attention, in the wrong way. The multiple car pileup… and me.
Every single muscle in my body froze. Crap. Crap. Crap. This isn't good. The dread in my stomach told me so.
Zaps of pain ran through the hand holding the fork caused me to drop it. The utensil slipped from my grasp and clattered against the plate. A hiss escaped me as whirled around to face the T.V and stood to my full height. Eyes glued onto the screen as pictures appeared.
At first it seemed normal, just cars that got into accidents. Only at first. "Now, this wasn't normal though and many eye witnesses will confirm these unaltered pictures," a masculine voice spoke up.
There were sounds behind me but I was hyper focused on the T.V like my life depended on it. Something felt off too. The dread not the only thing I felt. Danger. It was danger.
My horns scraped against the ceiling as turned this way and that, listening and watching. "By the pictures and description, it's the same thing from awhile ago. Police are warning people to be careful and do not engage. No one knows what it is," the same voice explained.
"It's still ugly. That's what it is," a feminine voice spoke up as the picture changed to two people sitting at a table: anchor people for the news. "It looks a little different though. I don't remember it having four wings."
In the back, pictures continue to pass on, showing the extent of the many crashes and me. "I'll agree but from the report and video-" they got video's!- "it saved a lot of people. There weren't any deaths. Some say without the creature, there would've been," the masculine one, off to the left stated.
The feminine voice scoffed and pouted. "Yeah, whatever. They need to get rid of it though. It's a danger to everyone. Just look at its claws. Those wings have to be big enough to carry a full grown adul-" the screen went black. Someone shut it off.
A hand came rested on my cheek, snapping me back to the world. "Azar, it's okay. It's okay," Sarah's calm voice slowly came to proximity. Our eyes stared into each other as I came to realize my breaths were deep and frantic. "Everything alright." She coaxed me to sit back down, hand lowering to my uninjured shoulder.
I dipped my head in thanks and returned to eating the food. Everything calmed down from there, or so I thought.
Danger crawled back to attention from the pits of my brain. A growl rumbled deep in my chest. An urge to protect flashed through. Something in the air changed. It quieted down for me a moment, making me feel worse.
Transformation noises sounded from outside, they were quick and urgent. "Decepticons!" Ironhide shouted loud and clear for us to hear. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. No. No. No-no-no-no! Why now? Why?
Anna whimpered, fear rolling off of her and her mother. A determine look flashed over my face. I wasn't in the position to fight without a higher chance of losing. Time to do what I've done for years. Run. "Run, we need to run. I'll get you guys out of here."
As much as I would love to kill a few more Decepticons, like I've stated, my body couldn't handle it. I rushed the two outside without another word. Both of the bots stared at me confused. "Wha' 're ya doin'?! Inside is th' safes' for them," Jazz argued.
"No, it's not. One good shot to the house and it's coming down. I'm going to get them away from here. Keep those Cons busy," I explained but then realized how was I going to get them away from here. Flight was an option but the bitter cold wind could be too much. The other option, one I would not prefer: shapeshifting.
Option two it was. But what would I shapeshift as. The snow reached about thigh length to the kid out in the fields… A horse! Yeah, I've shifted into that a few times. A simple quarter horse should work.
With a quick thought of a quarter horse, the shift began. This time, it hurt, just as much as the dragon from all of those months ago. Bones grew and muscles tore. Wings and tail disappearing, a long, hairy tail replacing my reptilian.
Once over, I stood to my full height, head held high and tail raised. The humans stared in shock at the transformation. I nickered and motioned with my head to get on my back. They snapped out of it. Sarah carefully settled her daughter on me before hopping on as well. Her arms wrapped around Anna with her hands gripping my mane for support.
Behind me, I could hear the rumbling of jets heading in our direction. A snort blew through my nostrils, fog appearing. "Go, Azar, get them out of here," Ironhide ordered and turned to face his opponents.
He didn't need to tell me twice. I tore away from them, hooves pounding against the snow as I plowed my way through. The cold and wet particles bit at my more exposed skin. That only egged me on and making push me forward.
The kid squealed in delight, hands thrown up and a smile on her face. At least out of the danger she was in, she could find the fun in it all.
Far off behind, the fight started. Gun fire rung out, bullets spraying to hit the bots and injure them. My ears flattened to my head, an angered look washing over my horse face. They weren't going to touch these two, never.
We made our way from the battle only to realize it was following us. The jets ignored the bots, flying after us. Harsh snorts escaped me as I willed myself to go faster, heading towards the trees far off in the distance for cover.
Sarah's hands gripped even tighter, her body leaned forward and pressed the child closer to me. Her legs squeezed as much as they could, holding the two of them to my body. Anna finally realized this wasn't something to be excited about and quieted down, her small fingers weaving in my mane.
My head rocked back and forth, legs pushing through the two feet of snow on the ground. Bellows of steam poured from my nostrils. But as much as I tried, there wasn't a chance to outrun the jets.
They easily gained on our small group with little effort. Fear gripped my heart. There wasn't anything that I could do. Nowhere to run, and not fast enough to reach the forest. Why did it have be so far out?
Spikes of pain throbbed through my shoulder and front legs, the limbs nearly giving out. They felt like the muscles were on fire, burning me from the inside out. The snow and cold air doing little to nothing about it. Not yet. Just get us there. I neighed highly as the agony doubled suddenly. Adrenaline rushed in to save the day and washed away as much of it as it could. Even with the threat of a cracked bone, I pushed on with vigor.
The ground rumbled with the low approaching jets. Terror running through all of us. Their guns whirled to life for a second time as they began their pass over us. Laser like shots flew passed us, one skimming the side of my thigh. My gait trembled but returned to high speed a couple of moments later. Ow.
With the shape of my head and placement of eyes, I could see where the jets were coming from without turning my head much. Fifteen of them. Both Ironhide and Jazzed were rushing to over to us the best they could in the snow. Seeming like they were fed up with running, the two transformed. Ironhide took lead, mowing down a path for the smaller vehicle to make his way through. You two better get your butt's here!
More shots flew passed, close and far from hitting me. None actually touching their target. They blew overhead of us then seven of them banked around, coming in for another pass.
Exhaustion was already making itself known in my poor body. Muscles ached for rest; stomach growled for food; vision dancing with spots. My quick decision making now becoming affected.
All eight that broke off transformed close to the edge of the forest, blocking off my exit. More rounds of laser bullets fired at me from both directions; all too close for comfort. Three burned when striking my body. A high pitch squeal tore through my throat. "Azar!" Sarah called, worried filled her voice. Her hands grasping even harder. The terror still clearly evident in her body, all of us still were afraid.
I felt everything starting to collapse. All of my wounds and lack of food and sleep catching up me. The battle from yesterday not helping me at all. My front legs gave out first, the injuries too severe for me to within stand. As I fell, the two flew off of me and landed some feet away. My body slid suddenly to a stop and started to give up.
A select few muscles twitched but nothing else listened… I couldn't get up. I couldn't protect the two.
Rage surged through my veins with no escape. The newfound energy did nothing for my poor destroyed body. I whined and felt so defeated.
In front of me, Sarah was the first to rise and rushed to her kid. The mother picked her up and struggled over to me, a small limp in her step. "Run! Go!" I urged and fought to get to my fight, failing horribly.
The flying Cons took the open opportunity to land and surrounding us. All stood to their full height, smug smirks growing on a few of their faces. Others more cautious about me. Smart.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the gaining vehicles forms of Hide and Jazz. Too far out of reach. I had to do something. Anything. I couldn't just lay here and let them do whatever they wanted.
"Aww, look this," one of the Cons sneered. Steam poured from my nostrils in anger. I squealed loudly, gaining their attention, and tried to thrash about; only a few muscles responding. The same Con snorted and kicked my ribs.
A yelp escaped me, tears welled up in my eyes. "Pathetic organics," another scoffed then turned to the humans. "You're coming with us." Over my dead body. I, finally, found my footing and stumbled to my hooves like a new born foal. The more cautious Cons scrambled to get their weapons out and pointed at me. "Such a weak flesh bag, said to be the most dangerous thing on this dirt ball. But I don't see it."
His words egged me on. My head was held low to help stabilize myself as I stared fiercely up at him. Behind him, the two Autobots grew closer but was it enough? Were they close enough to reach us? Unfortunately, I don't believe so.
They also noticed this and one made a grab for the mother and kid. No! With the grace of a new born animal, I surged forward and knocked my thousand pound frame against the Con's leg. Sharp metal dug into my soft hide but I ignored it as much as possible, my body already wounded enough.
The sudden weight threw the Cybertronian off. He stumbled back, the snowy ground not helping him. HIs body slammed into the ground, causing a small earthquake. Anna whimpered, terrified of the shaking.
Angry grumbles came from the fallen Con and others around. One powered his weapon but was stopped by another. "We need them alive. Megatron's orders." If they thoughts they were going to take them, they were surely mistaken. All of them would have to kill me before laying a finger on them. Over my dead body.
I stumbled with a bound over to the two, a limp in my step. Pain continuing to flare throughout my body with no end in sight. It caused my sight to blur and actions to slow as my mind was nearly consumed but it. My lungs gasped for breath as if I wasn't getting enough, the wounds messing up my whole body. Anna placed a hand on my shoulder, the injured one, with a fear written expression.
There was no way for me to run. We were all lucky I could get to my hooves in this state. Fight it was.
Another Con made a grab. In return, he got a horribly placed back hoof to his arm. It was enough to knock the attempt away. The two humans screamed out as an irritated bot tried to do the same. With exhausted legs, I surged forward and slammed my body into his legs. As my energy drained and vision darkening, I became desperate.
Desperation wasn't something I should rely on. Our bodies fell together, mine landing on his leg at an awkward angle. A disgusted grunt came from him before he kicked me off. My body only flying less than five feet away but the rough and harsh landing jarred all of my injures.
A horrible squeal tore through my throat. "Azar! No!" Sarah cried. Through my blurry vision, the mother unsteadily dodged an attempt while carrying Anna. I pushed to get up but this battle was over. Or so I thought.
Dangerous amount of energy leaked from the gates inside of me. One last option. This was going to hurt and I had only one chance. With one last effort, I sent out a massive amount of energy out and willed a dome of ice to protect the two.
Darkness began to fully consume my vision. The last things I saw were a Con falling from a shot being us and the roaring of Ironhide and Jazz.