CHAPTER 22

While they got across the City, Deadlock quickly realized that despite its magnificent beauty, the atmosphere was far from being warm.

Minicons by his side, they crossed through many zones, streets, alleyways, quarters, areas…That's probably a time where inhabitants left their shelters because there were many people outside though zones weren't overwhelmed by the crowd. Deadlock looked around. Beside blue buildings, so high buildings that people could reasonably think they would touch the sky, commerce was also very endearing here. Yet, the price of a cube of energon had his wonder completely shattered. That's way too expensive, even with every Shanix Shadow Raker could have stolen. That's understandable. Crystal Cities were the places where every greatest scientists, engineers and inventors could be brought together. They were in one of richest areas of the City though wherever they went, that's all the same.

Furthermore, another thing had been the way people looked at them. As soon as they passed by, inhabitants turned around. People probably knew each other. Outsiders were viewed as intruders.

He let out a sigh. What place would he have here?

"I search for the Circle of Light" He asked a passer-by.

The bot simply shrugged. He walked away without any reply.

Deadlock rolled his optics. He tried with another. Same reaction.

They weren't helped here.

"Are you sure it's here, Mister Deadlock?" Slipstream asked him.

"I'm not senile" Deadlock retorted. "And stop calling me that."

"The Circle of Light…Maybe that's a secret organisation…" Jetstorm offered. "Maybe people here aren't aware of its existence."

If that's like Shadow Raker and his Shadows, they just could return to the ship. But since they were here now, they could try to find them. In the end, he headed for a third bot, changing tactics.

"…I search for Wing"

Maybe Jetstorm was right. However, it didn't reassure him.

The bot shrugged then went back to his business. Deadlock was slowly losing patience. That's like a needle in the sea…Suddenly, in a corner of a street, he caught sight of a bot heading for him. A seemingly young bot, brown colour…Deadlock mistook him for a child first. He stopped in front of him.

"Are you searching for Wing?"

Deadlock nodded.

"Do you know him?"

"What do you want from him?"

A relative? Deadlock took his time then he answered.

"…Wing asked me to join him here. Crystal Cities."

"What for?"

The bot had his arms crossed.

What for…? Deadlock didn't know by himself. He glanced back at the Minicons.

"…He said he would help me."

Helping him…

As if people helped others out of charity…it just didn't exist.

The bot looked thoughtful. That's obvious. He didn't believe it. Suddenly, Deadlock felt a servo on his back. He jumped then turned around. Three bots faced him. As soon as Deadlock noticed their armour, he realized that they were guards of the city. With a nod, he ordered Jetstorm and Slipstream to stay behind him.

"You aren't an inhabitant" The first bot stated.

Deadlock nodded.

"I just passed by…"

"We do not like intruders here" The second retorted.

"Are you member of a faction?"

A faction…What? Did they forbid any faction here? He glanced back at the young bot. This one had white optics. Just like other inhabitants. It looked like he watched his reaction.

"I—"

"Don't lie" The third said. "You display Decepticon red."

"Are you one of them?"

Deadlock stepped back. The first guard roughly grabbed his arm. It startled him.

"No way you'll bring your war here" He glared at him. "So, you'll follow us nicely"

Because he had been a Decepticon? Maybe it explained why people gave them odd looks. What will they do with him? He took the opportunity of a guard scolding the young bot as he'd talked with a Decepticon. He gestured at Minicons. They also had the red colour.

They'd to escape.

However, Minicons didn't move. He gestured at them again. They did nothing. They just stayed here. Were they deaf and blind now? He glared at them. Slipstream shook his head, a determined look. Jetstorm looked scared. However, he didn't move either.

What were they waiting for?

"Decepticons…it just makes me want to puke!" One of guards spat.

"Maybe should we make of him an example?" Another proposed.

"Wait!"

The group froze.

A bot wearing a gold and brown cloak stepped forward, his arms up. He passed in front of the young bot, silently ordering him to move back. Deadlock recognized his yellow optics.

"Is it-?" Jetstorm started.

They didn't need any reply. Wing stopped in front of guards.

"He's with me"

"A Decepticon?" The guard nearly choked. "What in the Allspark's name is he doing here, in Crystal Cities?"

His answer was quick and surprising.

"He isn't one of them anymore"

It left Deadlock speechless. What?

"Rules are rules" The guard growled.

"If you ever try to trick us—"

"I'm not tricking you" Wing replied. "Else, I would be executed"

Guards exchanged a distrustful glare.

"He left his faction to find a place in this world" He added. "Isn't it our role to welcome factionless people?"

"I don't trust that bot" The one who seemingly was the leader of guards replied back. "Any Decepticon or Autobot can pretend to be a deserter. Then they just worm their way into our beautiful city to cause chaos."

Wing shook his head.

"Would you wish to become like them? Causing chaos by rejecting them without any consideration? This City isn't large. Neutrals don't have much chance to survive. Rejecting them will do no good. They could join one or another faction that would invade our City anyway."

"Is it a threat?"

"No. That's just a hypothesis."

Guards let out a sigh of annoyance. Deadlock thought they would tell him to go screw himself. In the end, the guard who'd grabbed him just released him.

"You better say the truth" The guard warned him before walking away, followed by his colleagues.

Wing didn't react. Deadlock remained unmoving for a few minutes. He didn't know what to say. Wing headed for the young bot who'd witnessed the entire scene. Despite his hood, Deadlock felt a stern look.

"What did we tell you, Outrigger?" He softly questioned him, obvious reprimand in his tone.

"I just wanted to take a stroll" The young bot justified.

"That's dangerous and you know it. You can't go outside alone."

"I'm a member! Just like you!"

Though there was no discussion with Wing.

"What about Beak?" The named Outrigger asked.

"I'll take him back later. He mustn't be far."

In the end, he faced Deadlock. He silently stared at him.

"Finally, you came"

His tone went a bit warmer. He looked down to Jetstorm and Slipstream. Both of them stepped back. Deadlock remained alert. He didn't know where he was. He must stay cautious.

"I'll not do any harm to you" He reassured them.

"What do you want from me?" The orange bot growled, a dry tone.

Wing walked closer.

"I already told you my reasons."

"They are weak. What am I doing here? That's not a place for me."

"Why are you saying such a thing?"

There was nothing but curiosity in his voice.

"I can't live here. I don't have any means."

"Here?"

Wing looked around. He shrugged.

"You aren't in the right place"

Deadlock twitched. What did he mean?

"We are at Crystal Cities here, right?"

"You'll understand soon enough"

Suddenly, Wing took something out from his pocket.

"I'm sorry"

"What?"

"I'll lead you to Crystal Cities…However, I'll not take any risk."

He displayed black blindfolds. Deadlock's servo nearly touched his laser-gun.

"That's a trap!"

"Not at all. But I can't take any risk. If you aren't accepted, you can't discover our location."

"I thought I already was! That's the reason why you brought me here, right?"

"…It isn't only about me."

Outrigger bit his lip.

"Wing. Are you sure that-?"

"I'm sure"

"But you already know rules"

"I know"

Wing handed blindfolds over to put them on their optics.

Deadlock stared at them, without saying anything. He watched Jetstorm and Slipstream as well.

They didn't have any choice. Either they returned to guards, either they accompanied them.

Yet he felt no threat from Wing.

There was something…about him. A deep sincerity, something that Shadow Raker'd never had…

However, he couldn't blindly trust him. Though if he could discover the Circle of Light…

He took blindfolds, giving the two others to Jetstorm and Slipstream.

Then everything went black in front of him. He felt Wing's servo on his shoulder to guide him. To lead him to an unknown place.