Hi! Look who is back after a writer's block! I am hoping to finish this story soon because I have another and final idea for my last Dragonformers story before I close this off as a trilogy. It's better this way and if you want to write or expand my stories, feel free to do so but at least let me know and credit me for it. Okay, let's start with the story.

Chapter 10

Live to win, 'till you die, 'till the light dies in your eyes

Live to win, take it all, just keep fighting till you fall

After explaining about his situation, Optimus pondered for a bit. He wants to see Alex have more self confidence in himself and get through his fear. Only problem is how to convince Alex that he would undergo training with one of the wreckers and his scout. Then again, he felt like Bulkhead is the right choice to train his muscles while Bumblebee can help practiced his speed. Finally, Arcee can help him with his fire range and personal matters between themselves.

"Alex," Optimus finally announced. "Your training will start tomorrow. My team will helped you gain some self-defence for yourself and will work on how to survive even without wings. Also, Arcee is part of your training."

Alex could have swore that he saw a twinkle in the Autobot leader's eyes just by mentioning the pretty blue dragoness. Arcee and him had their little pep talk backed at the medic's den. It was a nice moment talking to her despite her under Ratchet's care and him being an amputee without wings. But inside he was nervous about tomorrow's training.

He's afraid of letting down Arcee and failing in front of the Autobots. It further proved his point about being weak and useless without Scarface.

Speaking of which, he felt the doll's presence but it was very faint. He hoped his 'ex-boss' would not find him after he called quits on his treatment back at the asylum and wants to be his own dragon. Maybe from this training, he'll prove to Scarface and everyone else who tormented him that he is just as strong as they are.

"T-thank you, Sir," Alex dipped his head respectfully to the Autobot leader. Optimus felt sorry for the poor dragon. He gently placed his wing on his back gently. He wasn't surprised when Alex froze up.

"Please, Alex," the Prime assured him. "Optimus is just fine. As much as we are a clan and I am the leader, we are also a family here."

"O-okay Sir- I mean, Optimus!" Alex covered his mouth a bit before correcting himself. The leader of the Autobots could only smile. Alex was lead back to his private den where for the first time, all was quiet. He rest on his haunches before curling his body up to get some sleep. He sighed, knowing he's safe yet his mind still was clouded with anxiety

…

"Alright, newbie!" an enthusiastic voice barked. "Time to get up! We don't want you to fall back into a never-ending nightmare!"

Alex groaned, wanting to block all of the sounds that disturbed his peaceul mind. He had trouble sleeping until the first hours before dawn. Scarface may not be with him but he could haunt the grey dragon in his sleep. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes to be greeted with bright blue ones of a grey-faced dragon with blue and yellow scales. Like Bumblebee, his wings were not big for flying. Rather, for speed. He wagged his tail with enthusiasm.

"There's the spirit," he grinned and slapped Alex's back gently with his tail. Alex signalled himself to get up, feeling his stomach rumbling. The younger dragon chuckled.

"Speaking of which, let's get you to the kill pile to get some fuel before you start training. Come on, we don't want Bulkhead to get cranky! If he ever is…"

"T-thank you," Alex nodded. "And y-you are?"

"Smokescreen!" the drake chirped. "I'll be your wake up call and guide around this clan! Stick with me and you'll be an Autobot in no time."

Alex could only nod as he was led to the pile to eat. He snagged a doe from the pile and wolfed it down hungrily. Smokescreen watched him with pity in his eyes. Alex was neglected at the asylum, allowing them to starve him if they want to keep him in check. It's not helping that he's mentally ill to rely on a doll throughout his life. But if this is the drake they were looking for to help Arcee then so be it.

Alex has never been so hungry before. The prey was delicious yet he craved for something else. But he kept it to himself, maybe figuring it out later in his life. But this prey will satisfy his hunger.

After breakfast, Alex was led outside to the training ground where Bulkhead was waiting for him. Judging by the large boulders and logs, Alex guessed he will be tested with his strength by the watchful eye of the green Wrecker. Bulkhead gave him a friendly smile.

"Hope you had a meal," Bulkhead smiled. "Because you're gonna need it if you are going to move these boulders."

"M-move them?" Alex gulped. Bulkhead nodded and demonstrated how to move them with a single push of his head. Alex was impressed with the Wrecker's strength that made the task seemed easier to him and a cripple like himself. Seeing Alex's distress, Bulkhead laid his muzzle on his shoulder.

"We'll start with this smaller one," he told the timid drake. "We'll increase the size as you progress."

Comforted by this, Alex rolled the first boulder with all of his effort. As he succeeded, Bulkhead led him to a bigger one. Alex's head hurts and his body ached from every push but he managed to complete his task. Bulkhead has never been proud of the quiet, disturbed drake. But his training is not over yet.

"Heh, you're a natural!" Bulkhead laughed. Alex was steering clear away from the Wrecker's tail which reminded him of a mace. Alex's muscles were aching but it felt good. He's never accomplished anything like this. Usually with Scarface and previous heist, he was always held back or given leftovers to clean up. He was given some time to drink water before resuming his training.

"W-what else?" Alex asked. Bulkhead smiled and showed him a long that was almost as big as him. His eyes widened from shock but remained calm despite the shakiness of his body. He looked at Bulkhead, unsure what his next task was.

"It's to give your jaws some strength," Bulkhead explained. "You're gonna arrange the logs. Sure, I'm not the type when it comes to perfection but it's supposed to help you hold some strength in those jaws. That's what Ratchet says. Oh yeah, you can bite some Cons once you're done."

"Cons?" Alex tilted his head at the new word. Are they enemies or rivals for this clan? No one has ever told him. They were more focused on Arcee which is something he wouldn't complain. Bulkhead, realised Alex was not told of their sworn enemies decided to give him simple yet brief details.

"The Decepticons are another clan that have been in wars with ours for eons," Bulkhead explained. "They are ruthless and are led by their leader, Megatron."

This made the grey dragon blinked at the name. He has heard that name before but where? Suddenly, a flashback of moaning and slapping of two bodies made him want to crawl under a rock in embarrassment. He had just witnessed a coputalion between the leader of the Decepticons and his heavily pregnant mate. That was something he wanted to forget from his memory.

"Something wrong, Alex?" Bulkhead asked with concern. Alex assured him that there was nothing to worry about and sort of lied that he's a bit dizzy from pushing the boulders and his jaw aches from the logs. Bulkhead smiled.

"It's fine, Alex. I got dizzy too when I pushed my first boulder. Our body will get used to it after the next exercise. Not sure what kind of dragon you are but that's why we're giving you this program. I don't mind if you become a Wrecker. We'll accept you but we have to convince Ultra Magnus. He's….not the kind to take newbies easily."

"I-I understand," Alex nodded. "Who wouldn't trust him after his heist and reputation with Scarface? Bulkhead told the timid dragon that he had passed the strength test. Now he can have a drink and a rest before his next course with Bumblebee.

…

The next course was at a wide opened meadow with nothing but the breeze of the wind and scent of morning dew grass. Alex wished he could close his eyes and savour this peaceful moment but he knew there was training to be done. He met up with Bumblebee along with Smokescreen who was grinning.

"Glad you could made it," Smokescreen smiled. "Bee and I will be setting up and testing you on this agility course."

Bumblebee chirped and whistled which Smokescreen listened attentively. Alex wondered how could any of the Autobots understand the scout after he lost his voice. Alex will have to pick it up sooner or later. Maybe he can ask Arcee or Ratchet about this matter. Unlike the doctors at the asylum, Ratchet cared about his patients and will make sure they are healthy and intact. He may have a rough hide but on the inside, Alex felt comfortable talking to him.

The course was to race towards certain checkpoints made by Bumblebee. In return, the scout will be timing Alex's speed while Smokescreen will be noting his agility. Alex had never run this fast his entire life. But the more he ran, the more some dark memories resurfaced. He made it to his first checkpoint, which was by the river where he could see his own reflection.

He had never looked so plain, so empty, so useless….

He snapped out of his thoughts, realising he's behind on time on his next checkpoint. In the end, he was panting, wobbly in the legs but made it to the final checkpoint on time. Bumblebee chirped and clicked again.

"He said this is a good start," Smokescreen translated. "We'll see if the next training means you can beat your own record. But there's no way you can beat mine!"

This earned a smacked to the head from the scout. Alex couldn't helped but giggled. There was no malice, only playfulness which was rare in his lifetime. He could hardly remember when he had laughed out of joy or had a bond like Bumblebee and Smokescreen.

He decided to take a dip in the cool river before meeting up with Arcee for his final training: target practice. He had never used his fire before unless Scarface demanded him to build a fire or to add warmth to the cell block. But never used it in fights because he always runs away. Now, this was his chance to prove to the world he can fight back and he's not as worthless as everyone said he was.

…

"Are you ready, Alex?" Arcee asked. The grey dragon nodded as they were both in the training rooms with targets made by the blue dragoness.

Arcee has never seen Alex so focused, so serious and precise when he fired his blue flames to incinerate the targets. In fact, something about him made her heart sing and felt a sort of aching feeling below. Arcee shook her head to dismissed the thought.

You're an Autobot!' she scolded herself. 'Stop thinking about him like he's a stud stallion.'

But then again, does Alex ever experienced love? Or even the thought of mating? She looked down so that Alex wouldn't see her face slightly red. But Alex was improving with every step and she could never have been more proud of him.

"I-is it okay?" he asked, finishing his last target before noticing Arcee became quiet. He wrapped his tail around her back to which she stiffened but enjoyed the touch.

"Y-yeah, it is," Arcee nodded. Both dragons were quiet in the training room but Alex knew they better get out in case anyone is going to use it.

"Let's go take a walk in the woods," Alex suggested without thinking. Arcee blinked. Was he….asking her out? All this time, no one has ever asked her or they were incompetent for her.

Arcee nodded as the two of them head out, not knowing two Wreckers, a medic and a leader were watching.

"Prime, are you sure this is going to work?"

"I have faith in both of them, Wheeljack."

"If any of you interfere with their bond, I will dissemble your parts," Ratchet threatened the others, including the leader of the clan.

"Whatever you say, doc~"

"Don't call me doc!"

Yay! Bonding time! I wonder how their interactions will be like? Don't worry, Alex will soon encounter the Decepticons face-to-face in the future chapters. Let's see how their 'bonding' time goes in the next chapter!

And please leave a review!