Chapter 6: Ambush

Near the Pride Lands' borders…

"You okay there, kiddo?"

Kion looked up to see that Code Red was standing beside him. Nodding, Kion said: "Just nervous, is all."

Code Red nodded himself. "I don't envy you, Kion. It's not every day that you're told you're being taken to an entirely new place to meet a girl."

Kion sighed. "Agreed. The only time I can recall something similar is when I was sent to renew my dad's peace treaty with King Sokwe."

Code Red scoffed. "I heard about that. Didn't you dump a snowball on your old man's head?"

Kion chuckled. "Yeah, I did."

Code Red smirked. "I would have paid good money to see that go down in person." Looking to Overclock, Code Red shouted: "Overclock! Remind me to call Simba a 'snow-maned jackass' when we get back!"

"Will do." Overclock replied.

"You seem to take great pleasure in ridiculing Simba at every turn." Malka remarked as he joined Kion and Code Red. "Why is that, exactly?"

"It's my way of serving Simba my classic recipe of humble pie." Code Red replied. "By constantly cracking jokes at his expense, I'm ensuring he doesn't get too bigheaded. I've seen a lot of people get too big of a head and wind up lying dead on the battlefield. Through my constant ridiculing of him, Simba won't go down that path." Pausing, Code Red added: "And it's not just Simba I crack jokes about. I've targeted Zazu, I've targeted a few of the more senior pride members, hell, I've even targeted Kiara."

"I saw." Malka said.

"Who knows?" Code Red continued. "It may not be that long until you and your family find themselves as targets for my jokes."

"Oh, wonderful." Malka said.

"Don't worry about it." Code Red replied. "Unless you're as highly strung as Simba can be, you'll be just fine. Heck, you might actually find any jokes I make about you funny."

"You'll be hard pressed, since I've heard most jokes that can be made regarding me." Malka retorted.

"I'm sure the same could be said for Simba until I showed up." Code Red answered. "Just put me in a room with the members of your pride that know you best, and I'll have all I need to embarrass you incessantly."

"That's something I'll ensure will never happen." Malka remarked.

"Oh trust me, I'll find a way." Code Red replied. "But until then, I'll leave you to let your anticipation build."

Sometime later…

"Stop here for a moment." Malka said. "We've been walking a good few hours and I'd prefer if we continued our journey well rested and on a full stomach."

Code Red nodded. "Autobots! Set up a defensive perimeter encircling the area. I want every nook and cranny in your lines of sight."

"Yes sir!" Frontline said enthusiastically as he and the rest of the Autobots took up positions in and around the area.

Code Red turned to Kion and the Lion Guard. "Ono, mind hitting the skies? Could use some aerial recon."

"Certainly, Code Red. How far do you want me to sweep?" Ono inquired.

"Mainly the circumference of this area." Code Red replied. "I want to make sure there aren't any Decepticons preparing to attack us from all sides."

Ono nodded and took to the air, flying up high into the skies.

Code Red looked to Kion, who nodded. Smiling, Code Red decided to check up on the others. Walking over to Frontline, Code Red said: "How you feeling, Frontline?"

"Good enough that any Decepticons headed our way are going to be sorry they ever tried." Frontline said, smiling.

Smirking, Code Red patted Frontline on the shoulder. "Glad to hear it." With that, he made his way over to Bombast. "Everything alright with you?"

"Of course it is, boss-bot." Bombast replied. "The Decepticons can do fucking nothing to get past me."

"I bet they can't." Code Red said. Turning now to Overclock, Code Red walked up. "You good?"

"How would you define 'good', Commander?" Overclock replied. "As in feeling good, good enough to fend off a Decepticon attack, or simply am I a good Autobot?"

Code Red blinked. "All of them at once, I guess."

"Then you've nothing to worry about from me, Commander." Overclock replied.

Code Red nodded and came now to Doubletake. "You okay there, Doubletake?"

Doubletake scoffed. "As if there'd be anything wrong with me right now. I'll be okay once we're done with this mission and I'm back to doing what I'm good at: Reconnaisance. Now leave me alone and leave me to look out for a threat that's likely a figment of your unfounded paranoia."

Code Red frowned and took his own position. He'd remember that.

Later…

Code Red scowled as he looked around the area.

They were currently walking through a large pass with large overreaching cliffs on either side that hung over the small party oppressively as they passed through.

The cliffs sprouted rocks that stuck out like daggers, threatening to skewer anyone misfortunate enough to come close enough to make it a possibility.

The jagged nature of the surrounding cliffs was not what worried Code Red, though:

What worried the former Wrecker was that the surrounding area would be more than ideal for Shadowstreak and whatever Decepticon force he may or may not have with him to spring an ambush unto the travelling party.

He noticed Kion was also looking around, a similar suspicious facial expression crossing his face. He watched as Kion motioned for Ono to come closer, then mutter something in his ear.

Ono nodded and took flight, ascending into the sky.

Code Red took this chance to walk up to Kion. "Glad to see you're taking yesterday's feedback to heart."

Kion nodded. "Just because I'm on a journey to meet Malka's daughter doesn't mean I'm not allowed to make sure we're not about to walk into an ambush."

Code Red nodded in response, before an idea came to mind. Looking over, Code Red said: "Doubletake! Mind scouting ahead of us? I want to make sure we're the only 'bots in the vicinity."

"Of course." Doubletake replied. "Recon is what I was created for, wasn't it?" With that, he transformed in vehicle mode, a white and navy blue Ford Mustang, and sped on ahead into the distance.

"I've been wondering how your kind are able to do that." Malka remarked, as he came up to Code Red's side.

"It's part of our biology." Code Red replied. "Every Cybertronian has what's called a T-Cog. It's essentially what allows us to transform and manifest our weapons. It's as much a part of us as stomachs are a part of lions."

"Ah. I see. Thanks for telling me."

"Any time, Malka." Code Red said, just as Ono came flapping down.

"Guys! Decepticons! They're-" Ono made to say more, but before he could, the sound of oncoming fire filled the air.

Swearing under his breath, Code Red shouted: "Defensive positions!"

Immediately looking to Malka, Kion and the Lion Guard, Code Red shouted: "Get to cover immediately!"

Malka nodded and seized Kion up in his jaws, bounding to wherever he could find safety, with the rest of the Lion Guard in close pursuit.

A bolt of energy sailed past Code Red's head, barely missing him. Scowling, he looked towards the shooter: A lone Vehicon with its weapon raised. Allowing his face-plate to slide up over his nose and mouth, Code Red immediately charged the Vehicon, tackling it to the floor before engaging his arm blade and driving it deep into the Vehicon's spark.

Tearing the blade free, Code Red retracted it and manifested his Path Blaster, returning fire towards the rest of the Vehicons, who he could see were taking up positions of their own surrounding the Autobots in a pincer formation, and numbered about thirty in total.

Code Red watched as several of his shots met their mark, sending more than one Vehicon to the scrapheap. Nodding in approval at his handiwork, Code Red moved onwards, taking up a position next to Frontline, who was already returning fire with vigour.

It wasn't long before Doubletake burst through the Decepticons lines, converting to bipedal mode and spinning around, gunning down a litany of Vehicons with his Assail Laser Rifle.

"You certainly have a penchant for entrances." Code Red remarked.

"I'm touched by your praise." Doubletake replied sarcastically.

"Less sarcasm, more shooting!" Code Red ordered as he fired on another nearby Vehicon, who fell within moments.

That still left a fair number of them ready to attack the Autobots.

And attack they did, their numbers granting them an advantage over the five Autobots they were assaulting.

What their numbers failed to grant them though; was creativity.

Frontline was already thick within their ilk, pummelling his way through them like they were made out of putty.

Bombast was firing rounds from his grenade launcher, shouting obscenities like they were ammunition for his weapons.

Overclock was simply lining up Vehicons in his crosshairs and shooting them, precise and logical in whom he shot, and why.

Then there was him and Doubletake, side by side in a formidable duo that blasted every Vehicon that found themselves in the line of fire into oblivion.

It wasn't long before the Vehicons were well and truly dealt with.

Code Red exhaled and made to call Malka and the Lion Guard, but fell under fire once again, this time from a different direction.

Spinning to face this new threat, Code Red scowled as he sighted yet another platoon barrelling towards them, spoiling for a fight.

What made Code Red's scowl deepen was that at their head stood an all too familiar Decepticon: "Shadowstreak." He growled.

The Decepticon assassin soon noticed Code Red, and thus engaged a long thin blade that he held at the ready.

Accepting the challenge almost immediately, Code Red engaged one of his serrated arm blades and looked to Doubletake, his face stern. "Hold the line." He growled before transforming into vehicle mode and speeding towards Shadowstreak, converting into bipedal mode as soon as he was close, using the momentum to leap towards Shadowstreak, who intercepted his strike as soon as it was attempted.

This resulted in a brief blade lock, one that saw the two adversaries staring one another in the optics.

"I see you have more Autobots." Shadowstreak said. "Pity that won't save you."

"Save the bullshit for after I kick your ass." Code Red retorted. The moment he did, he leapt back from the blade lock, and jabbed towards Shadowstreak's spark, hoping to end the fight quickly and decisively. The loss of their commanding officer would leave the rest of the Decepticons directionless. And directionless Decepticons would be easy pickings for the Autobots afterwards.

Shadowstreak parried the strike with ease though, and countered with a outward slash that was intended to strike a deep wound in Code Red's torso, if not completely bisect him into two separate halves.

Code Red dodged immediately, leaping back before raising his blade arm and bringing it down onto Shadowstreak's head, planning on splitting the Decepticon's cranium in twain.

Blocking the strike, Shadowstreak pushed Code Red back, ducking the wide slash Code Red made towards his neck in a vain attempt at decapitation, preparing for a counterattack.

One Code Red refused to allow him the chance to commence, slashing at his adversary's chest hard, managing to land a glancing blow on the Decepticon's left shoulder.

Scowling in anger, Shadowstreak jabbed towards Code Red, only to see his attack blocked and soon after, the blunt sting of a fist crashing into his face sent him staggering back.

Code Red took a moment to smirk at his handiwork before stealing a glance at a nearby boulder;

Behind which, sat Kion, Malka, and the Lion Guard.

With Kion…

The noise was almost deafening.

Kion had been in many fights, but none of them measured up to the battle currently raging around him in terms of decibel level.

Almost every moment, a fresh plasma blast was fired, followed almost every time by the sound of a fresh enemy crashing to the floor lifeless.

And not far from where he and the Lion Guard were hidden along with Malka, Code Red stood crossing blades with a Decepticon in what Kion could only imagine was a very dangerous dance.

But what Kion couldn't help but feel was an immense sense of helplessness.

It was a feeling Kion had felt on several occasions: When a pack of hyenas had surrounded his mother, when he had been about to be devoured by crocodiles, and shortly before he had discovered his powers.

And yet, despite all of those being instances in which he had been under great personal duress, he had never felt more helpless than he did now.

Looking up at Malka, Kion said: "There has to be something we can do to help."

"If there is, I don't think I can see it." Malka remarked gravely. The adult lion's jovial demeanour had vanished, replaced by a grim face and resigned body language. "Take it from someone who's dealt with the Decepticons. They aren't to be trifled with. Ever since they first came to my attention, I've been told of some of my subjects agreeing to serve the Decepticons out of fear." Malka spat on the ground in disgust. "And here I was, hoping the concept of peace through tyranny died with Scar."

Kion flinched at the mention of his great uncle. "You met him?" He asked.

"Regrettably, yes." Malka said. "I came not long after your grandfather had been murdered and usurped by Scar, unaware of all that had happened. I was set upon by Scar's hyena goons and dragged before him. He soon recognised me and quickly exiled me from the Pride Lands." Malka scowled. "I've never felt more terrified in my entire life than when I was in Scar's presence. The only thing that came close to terrifying me like that has been what the Decepticons can and will likely do to my home if Code Red does not succeed."

Kion bowed his head and sighed. The more he learned of his great uncle, the more unpleasant Scar struck Kion as being. All the more reason why Kion wished never to wind up like Scar.

That failed to answer his wondering regarding whether there was anything that could be done to assist the Autobots. "So, is there anything we can do?"

Malka sighed. "All we can do is wait." Malka said sadly.

With Code Red…

Code Red slashed down at Shadowstreak hard, hoping to cut a deep wound into Shadowstreak's shoulder leading all the way to his spark.

Blocking the attack, Shadowstreak pushed his way out of the resultant blade lock and attempted an attack in the same manner as Code Red, only this time, slashing at Code Red's head.

Code Red blocked the attack and shoved Shadowstreak away, meeting Shadowstreak's next attack; a jab at his chest. What he failed to realise was that the jab was intended as a feint, and he paid for his failure to anticipate Shadowstreak's tactics with a swift left hook to the jaw, one that sent Code Red staggering backwards.

Shadowstreak seized the initiative, lashing out with a fierce kick that sent Code Red somersaulting backwards.

Thankfully, Code Red managed to land on his feet, retracting his blade and once again transformed, driving at full speed towards Shadowstreak.

Sensing Code Red's intention, Shadowstreak retracted his blade and manifested his Plasma Cannon and opened fire on Code Red, ensuring he fired ahead of Code Red's path.

After his failure to anticipate Shadowstreak's feint earlier, Code Red wasn't taking any chances. Zig-Zagging his way towards Shadowstreak with all considerable speed, Code Red transformed the moment he was within attacking distance, leaping towards Shadowstreak and landing a hard Superman punch that knocked the Decepticon assassin over. Waiting for Shadowstreak to return to a vertical base, Code Red landed a right and left hook in quick succession.

Shaking his head, Shadowstreak growled: "Come on!"

Code Red was quick to oblidge, tackling Shadowstreak before lifting him into the air and slamming him onto the floor below. He took a moment to manifest his Path Blaster, preparing to blast Shadowstreak into oblivion.

Shadowstreak was quick, smashing the weapon away before landing a left hook that sent Code Red staggering away. Advancing, Shadowstreak dodged Code Red's right hook, grabbing him and lifting him into the air, smashing him down into the ground. Waiting for Code Red to get up, Shadowstreak charged, prepared to end this fight for good.

Code Red dodged the charge, hip-tossing Shadowstreak away from him and manifesting his Path Blaster, levelling it at Shadowstreak the moment he was at a vertical base.

Shadowstreak looked amused. "What are you waiting for? Shoot me. The others will merely kill you in my stead."

"Don't see how that's the case when there are no 'others' in the area except for me and the Autobots." Code Red retorted.

Shadowstreak immediately looked around, and to his shock, found himself completely surrounded.

The Vehicons that had been attacking Code Red's team now lay in various states of disrepair all across the area. Their dark lifeless forms bore many a sign of damage, too great for the Vehicons to handle. They were little more than cannon fodder, after all.

Frontline, Bombast, Overclock and Doubletake were all standing around Shadowstreak, all of them having levelled their weapons at Shadowstreak.

Code Red looked to where he had briefly spotted Kion and the others hiding, calling out: "You can come out, now. It's all clear."

Without much encouragement, Kion came out, with the Lion Guard at his back, and Malka not too far behind.

Gesturing to Malka, Code Red smirked. "Guess I've completed my part of the mission already." He said.

"That you have." Malka said, smiling broadly.

Shadowstreak scoffed. "You're all fools if you think this is the end. You're all forgetting that I'm an assassin! I've more than a few tricks up my sleeve." With that, he suddenly vanished.

Code Red nearly gave into instinct and opened fire, but held his fire at the last second as he realised he'd merely hit one of his own 'bots.

The sound of Shadowstreak cackling filled the air, and the Autobots all turned to see Shadowstreak looking down at them from a nearby ridge.

"Don't think you've seen me for the last time, Code Red! Our score will be settled soon enough!" With that, Shadowstreak transformed and sped away, leaving the Autobots in the dust.

Code Red scowled as he retracted his Path Blaster, looking gloomily towards Malka. "Looks like our mission isn't over after all." He remarked glumly.

Malka shook his head. "No need for blame, Code Red. "You had no way of knowing he would do that."

"And besides," Kion said as he walked up to Code Red. "You still managed to take out sixty of these guys despite there being more of them then there are of you."

Code Red was quick to notice a little twinkle in the leader of the Lion Guard's eye, and Nala's revelation replayed itself in his mind:

Kion considers you his hero.

Code Red imagined he had but solidified that standing in Kion's eyes, and for that, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. Allowing a smile to cross his face, Code Red said: "I guess I can live with that." He said. Looking around, Code Red said: "Well, no use sitting around waiting for Simba to show up calling us back to the Pride Lands because of an emergency. Let's keep moving."

Considering Shadowstreak's track record against Code Red, I very much doubt that Shadowstreak will settle his score with Code Red.

With that said, let's look at some reviews, shall we?

Adam Carver: Well, as much of a sap as I can be, I feel like a romantic relationship for Code Red would merely detract from one of the most important elements of Code Red's character; his close friendship with Kiara.

Daniel's the man 98: I can actually see that! Which member of the fellowship would be who? I mean, Kion's obviously Frodo, and Code Red would be Aragorn; who would the others be?

Jason Chandler: It's the sort of nightmare that would leave those that heard it on edge. I mean, Kiara had it the night before Code Red and Kion were due to depart for Malka's kingdom! That makes for a bad omen, don't you think?

Jestalnaker94000: It certainly seems like something Mufasa and/or the Great Kings would do. Perhaps they are warning of things to come? Who knows? Oh wait: Me. ;)

Mike Noland: You'll have to find out as and when the chapters are released.

With that done and out of the way, thank you all so much for reading the chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, and I will see you next week with chapter 7, which sees the Decepticons continuing their plans.

T-Rock14