"So light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
Light 'em up, up, up
I'm on fire!"
Metalsound danced to the song while in her beast form, narrowly missing Springload causing the brightly colored Decepticon to yelp in surprise.
"What are you playing?"
"It's called Light 'Em Up by Fall Out Boy," the dark femme replied, not missing a beat to the song.
"I do not understand your fascination with human music, some of it is too loud. I swear the spirits themselves would be displeased with most of it," Springload croaked as he placed his webbed bands on his helm, trying to block the loud music.
"I rather like it," Thunderhoof says still listening to it with Metalsound.
"I have a whole lot more songs if you ever want to listen, but do not make me your personal radio," she warned.
"Would love to. Don't worry I won't," Thunderhoof then looks around and notices Steeljaw missing, "Eyo, where did Steeljaw go?"
"Huh? That's odd he was there a second ago," she mused with a wolf-like grin. You better not mess this up, lover boy. She says to herself.
Thunderhoof leans in close to Metalsound and whispers to her, "I hear an engine. Do you think the cadet is nearby?"
"Perhaps, maybe we should leave them alone for a while," she whispered back before she started humming a popular song called, Can you feel the Love Tonight? Springload moaned with annoyance but was happy that it wasn't as loud as the previous song.
"Yeah, let's go," Thunderhoof whispers as he follows behind her.
Strongarm transformed once she was in the safety of the forest, everything seemed normal. Other than the fact she couldn't get Steeljaw off her processor, she kept thinking about what he said. Could he have really meant it? Can he really like an Autobot like herself?
She shakes it from her processor, "No way, he would never. Just another trick," her thoughts got interrupted when she heard a sound. Worrying that it could be a group of humans she transformed back into her vehicle mode.
"We meet again Cadet Strongarm. We really should stop meeting like this."
Strongarm recognized that voice, she transformed back into bot mode and looked at the 'Con the voice came from, "Have you been watching me Steeljaw?"
"No, we just so happened to be in the same place. I was nearby with a few others on a mission..." Steeljaw started rubbing the back of his helm "...and I came in this direction when I heard your engine, I was hoping we could continue our conversation."
"And who exactly was with you?"
"Thunderhoof, Springload, and our newfound friend Metalsound."
"Why would you have an Autobot with you anyway? The war's over so what exactly did you say to get her to join you?"
"I told her I could help her get revenge on Starscream and she seemed to be bored with her life."
So part of Bumblebee's assumptions was right, "So, you just happen to be in the same area as me."
"Yes."
"I see," Strongarm replied suddenly feeling awkward.
"Now back to our conversation we started the last time we met. I really meant what I said Strongarm, you really impressed me with your fighting skills and outsmarting me like that. Never thought I could be outsmarted or outdone in a fight but you did both."
"Um, thanks?" Strongarm looked away when she felt her faceplates get warm, "I'm sure someone could have done a better job. After all, you did manage to get away."
"Yes, I did get away, but I doubt anyone could do any better. I mean even your lieutenant didn't do so well in a fight against me, you did better than him."
"Well, I had a little more experience at dealing with you than the lieutenant has," Strongarm stopped herself before she could continue. She couldn't believe she had just said that. There was no doubt in her mind that she would get scolded for mouthing off the lieutenant like that.
"Is everything ok?" Steeljaw asks noticing her trail off and the awkward look on her face.
"I shouldn't have said that, I shouldn't even be talking to you. If anyone finds out then they'll never trust me again!"
She turns to leave when Steeljaw grabs her servo and stops her, "Wait, I'm sorry."
She suddenly finds herself being turned around and finds him inches away from her face. She was frozen in place, suddenly feeling lost in his yellow eyes. He was so close to her that she could feel the warm air circulating through his vents. Her spark felt like it was going as fast as Sideswipe's speed record.
A howl echoed through the forest causing the cadet to jump, and snapping her out of whatever trance the Decepticon had her in, "Y-you should probably head back."
Not paying any attention to the howl, Steeljaw leans in and kisses her. She finds herself pushed back against a tree as Steeljaw deepens the kiss, kissing her passionately. With a muffled yelp Strongarm was about to push him away but somehow it felt right and -with little hesitation- she returned his kiss.
Feeling her wrap her arms around his neck pulling him in closer Steeljaw wrapped his arms around her and pressed her body against the tree, his spark skipping with joy. Strongarm could feel the tree groaning under their weight, but she didn't care. She heard the howl again, only it was closer this time.
Darn it Steeljaw, whatever it is you're doing hurry up! Metalsound growled to herself as she took to the air just barely avoiding the Dinobot's tail. Her powerful wings carried her higher so she could survey the area, she couldn't see him anywhere.
Strongarm suddenly gets a call over her comm,:: Strongarm, where are you? We've engaged the enemy, we need you. :: Bumblebee tells her over the comm.
Reluctantly Strongarm broke away,:: O-on my way sir. :: She looked back to Steeljaw, wondering what he was going to do next.
"Can't we just stay here and continue and let them do their fight? I don't want to have to fight you, I don't want to fight the one I just fell -" he stops himself. He can't believe he was gonna tell her his feelings.
"Well, you don't have to fight me. Haven't you mostly fought with the lieutenant?" She asked not hearing most of what he had said. The only thing she could hear was the sound of her spark nearly pulsing out of her chassis.
"That's true," he could tell she didn't hear that last part and was relieved.
"Then let's go," she somehow managed to get out from under him and transformed before driving off. She could still feel his lips on hers, "No! Don't get distracted now Strongarm. The team needs you so stay focused," she told herself as she raced towards her team's location.
Steeljaw just watched her drive off and was thinking about the kiss when his thoughts got interrupted by some sounds nearby, he looked up and saw Metalsound flying overhead. She could barely see them but she could tell that they were done with whatever it was that they were doing. About time.
"Cannonball!"
With a growl, Metalsound easily dodged the Dinobot's attack. Steeljaw runs over to join the fight, of course, going after Bumblebee to fight him.
"About time you joined us, Steeljaw," the Predacon says as she side-stepped to the right, allowing Strongarm to run into Springload. With a low growl, she discharged bolts of lightning, smiling on the inside when she heard Grimlock crying out from the pain.
"That was tingly," the green mech replied as he fell to the ground, unable to move.
Steeljaw and Bumblebee are fighting ferociously. Steeljaw was thinking about what he said to Strongarm about her doing better against him than Bumblebee did, and this fight is proving that right. Bumblebee is having a hard time taking him down until Steeljaw gets distracted by a cry of pain coming from Strongarm. Springload had hit her in the stomach with his acid armor. She was bent over and screaming in pain.
Hearing the cadet crying out like she did causes Metalsound to look from Steeljaw to Strongarm, with a low hiss she released her electricity again. This time she ran in a small circle sending bolts of electricity all over the place, some hitting nearby trees causing them to catch fire while others were dangerously close to hitting everyone else.
Seeing the fire spread Metalsound let out a howl before running into the blaze, with a croak Springload followed after the wolf Predacon. Without thinking Steeljaw ran over to Strongarm to see if she was ok when Bumblebee jumped between them, "You stay away from her Steeljaw!"
Grimlock picks her up and runs off towards the scrapyard with Bumblebee right behind him while Steeljaw turns and runs the way his fellow 'Cons did.
Metalsound stayed behind, waiting for Steeljaw and putting out the fire she had caused. Looking up she saw the Wolf-Con run by, glancing back at the fire -which is now embers- she took off following Steeljaw, "What the heck took you so long?"
"I was occupied!"
"Like you were when Strongarm got hurt by Springload?" She countered. She knew that look in his optics, "You can't keep her safe on the battlefield while you're fighting someone else. You either stay focused and fight your opponent or you can fight someone else, I may not be around next time to bail you out," she warned as she picked up speed to catch up with the others.
Steeljaw just growled, he couldn't believe he got distracted so easily, but he couldn't help it, the femme he has come to fall in love with had gotten hurt. He eventually transforms and drives off towards the island.
