Yay! Upload in time! Now this one is mostly setting up for the answers to start dominoing with clues sprinkled in.

Clues will be laiden: but no answers given- and only the characters I made are mine Enjoy

Hunted by a Haunting

The Key

Sari looked down from Bumblebee's shoulder, as he was peering over Ratchet's, the older mech glared up at them, "Have neither of you ever heard of personal space?"

Sari rolled her eyes, "If you'd tell us what you were doing we wouldn't need to be in your space." Across the room Bulkhead shook his head, which received him a strange display of her pink tongue, at his puzzled look she sighed, it was a bit annoying that her best friends had no clue as per what she was non-verbally saying most of the time, "It's called blowing a raspberry."

He turned his head in confusion, "I thought you said a raspberry was something you ate."

She groaned unhappily, "It is, but that kind of raspberry is a tease, either an 'I told you so', a 'oh be quiet', or just "forget it, but I'm right'."

Bumblebee frowned, "You seem kinda unhappy Sari… what's wrong?"

She rested her chin in her hands, "It's just… you guys are really my first friends, and It just seems weird having to explain things I do without thinking that any human would get… It's just weird."

Bulkhead nodded, "Yeah, I'm sure it'd be the same for us if you were the one on a strange world!"

She nodded, "Ratchet glanced up, "Why don't you have human friends?"

She sighed, "It's kinda hard to make friends when you're home schooled by robots and live in a laboratory!" She twirled her hair absent-mindedly, "Closest thing I ever had to friends were my dad's interns, and they never stayed long, and once they left, I hardly heard a word from most of them."

Bumblebee shook his head, "Must've been lonely all that time…"

She looked down, "I didn't realize how much I really wanted friends until I became friends with you guys."

Bulkhead looked to the floor, "…And you're still lonely…"

She shook her head, "No-no Bulkhead! I'm not lonely; just wish I didn't have to explain every little thing is all!"

Prowl stumbled into the room, holding his head painfully, Ratchet looked up, "What happened to you Prowl? You look like you've been slagged, how long did you re-charge?"

Prowl shook his head, "About an hour, most of it in the last hour."

Ratchet reached over into his desk and pulled out an injector, "In that case as your medic I'm giving you a sedative and ordering you back to re-charge. Got it?"

Prowl shook his head, "I'm fine Ratchet."

Ratchet frowned, "When was the last tie you got adequate recharge?"

Prowl shrugged, "Adequate? A few days."

Again, the medic gave a disapproving look, "What about plenty?" when the spy shrugged, the medic folded his arms, "Prowl; to my knowledge, you have never fully recharged. Why in Primus' name-?"

Prowl turned away from the medic, "I don't need a lecture Ratchet. I'm fine anyway. I promise." Ratchet moved to protest but the more agile mech jumped for the door, "I'm going for a drive alright?" He left before the medic could say a word.

Bumblebee glanced to Ratchet, "What's his problem?"

Sari nodded, "Yeah! I thought you were the Cranky-pants in the base!"

Optimus Prime walked in, "Let him be, he's obviously got something on his mind and I think its best we let him alone for a while."

Bulkhead nodded silently with the rest of them, but mumbled, "I still wanna know what it is…"

Sari sighed, "I'm going to go get some candy before I go home; I'll see you guys later."

Bumblebee moved toward the door, "I'll drive you- I can-"

Sari shook her head, "No, it's not that far, I'm fine walking Bee."

A woman no older than 20 rested her head on the wall she was leaning against, the pale skin on her eyelids hiding her black colored eyes. She felt sick in the sun, and wished she could simply hide in the shade until nightfall. But no such luck would find her, little Sari was already on the move, and she couldn't be let out of sight, not for a second. She brushed the dirt off her pants and sweater, checking her shoes for mud before following the girl.

Sari bolted into a candy store, its large candy-cane bordered windows allowed the woman to stay outside rather than go in and risk detection. Sari bough a bag full of sugary sweets, she already began munching before she was out the door and heading down the street; following a safe distance behind her, the woman remained unnoticed. She saw Sari stop at a crosswalk ahead of her, and slipped into the shadows, pulling her long, wavy black hair back, altering her bangs accordingly over her face as she adjusted her sweater and pants to give her the appearance of being a different person, less likely to be noticed following a little girl.

After a few minutes of following her on her rout back to Sumdac labs, the woman noticed a fiery-headed young man with a bright red sports-coat and matching pants and shoes. He nearly passed her but instead turned to walk beside the woman. She rolled her eyes at him, "You look very incognito Blaze." Her voice was tender but disapproving.

He bit back outright laughter and smiled, "Yeah, and head-to-toe black is so much better." A serious tone overtook his playful one, "Zilla… where have you been? I haven't seen you in months. I was afraid you might have abandoned your duties."

She shook her head, "Never Blaze, I won't abandon what I was born for." She looked up sadly, reaching down and pulling a bit of pant leg up on her left leg, revealing four black streaks like claw marks just above her ankle, "I was recovering."

He looked away from the streaks, like the mere sight of them burned. She let her pants fall back into place. He rested his head in his hand, why didn't you tell me Zilla? I mean… I always thought…"

She shook her head; "It isn't important Blaze. Let's not talk alright? The Key needs us to be on our guard."

He nearly snarled, his lips pursed in displeasure, "Zilla! You know, you felt-"

Zilla held up her hand, "I know Blaze, but I had a lot to think about, it's to hard to explain. I just…" She shook her head, trying to form the right words, "Blaze, I have to explain something to you later, when we can actually talk." She gave him a harsh look, "Alright?" she gestured to the child they were tailing, "She can't afford for us to be distracted. Isaac would never forgive us." She didn't seem fond of repeating herself.

Blaze ran his fingers through his hair, and then shook his head, "Like that old creep even wants us near her, that's why we can't talk to her, because of him!"

Zilla rolled her eyes, "You can't blame him for wanting to keep her in the dark, and she has enough trouble with those friends of hers."

His red-orange eyes darkened, "You mean those liabilities. They could get her killed! Especially that reckless yellow one!"

Zilla's grey eyes seemed to pierce him, she grit her teeth and glared before growling, "His name is Bumblebee. And you will not speak ill of them understand? They may very well be what is keeping her safe from him for now. Not to mention protecting her from their personal enemies! Don't say another word against them."

Taken aback, Blaze was silent a moment as they walked, then glanced up at her, "Why are you defending those aliens?"

Before she could say a word a shout ahead of them caught their attention, one of the Decepticons was leaving the area in rubble, after Sari as Autobot bait. Zilla didn't look to Blaze; she just ran toward Sari, protecting her was the most important thing at that moment. The Decepticon was large and dark in color, a blood-red visor covering most of his face along with his mask.

Zilla saw Sari open her phone to call her Autobot friends, likely Bumblebee first and foremost, but she dropped it, and doubtfully had gotten through, if they had answered than they could at least hear her shouting and the Decepticon's growls. But it was obvious to her that the child would run out of strength to run long before the Autobots would arrive to save her.

Zilla went against all her best instincts when the Decepticon reached his sharp, claw-like fingers toward the tripped child; Zilla dove in to roll out with Sari in her arms, a move that sliced her left arm through the sleeve of her sweater. Sari was clearly terrified, Zilla kept herself in front of her so the Decepticon couldn't easily get to Sari. Zilla gripped her arm, feeling the blood soaking the sleeve, "Run Sari!" She shouted, staring directly into the robot's visor, afraid of what he might do.

Sari was frozen; she had never been near a Decepticon without the Autobots before, and had never really been specifically targeted. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out, Blaze however had already re-gained his sense, and rushed in to scoop Sari up, waiting for Zilla to tell him the plan, "You alright?"

She nodded, "The best we can do is keep him away from her until the Autobots arrive to help her; which should be soon."

Blaze shook his head, "Somehow, I doubt that we'll be able to keep him away."

The Decepticon hissed in anger, "Worthless human; get out of my way."

Zilla glared up at him, "Oh, go shoot yourself in the face!" She snarled, "Leave the kid alone."

The Decepticon glared down at her, "Why don't you fear me human!" He swiped at her, slicing from one side to the other across her lower back, making her tumble to the ground, "Stay out of my way human!"

Zilla forced herself on her feet, glaring up at the 'Con, "No." her voice was calm but the pain made it crack a bit.

Blaze gaped, "Zilla! What are you doing! Get out of the way! If he kills you that won't help anything!" The 'Con sliced her again; across both her forehead and neck, "Zilla!"

Sari gripped Blaze's shoulder, "She's getting hurt for me?"

Blaze bit his lip, "She is." Another slice, one that stretched from Zilla's left hip up her side. Blaze pulled Sari away, his eyes locked on the Decepticon closing in on Zilla, "Zilla… you have to get up quick…"

The 'Con lifted her up, aiming a claw over her heart, "I won't miss this time."

An engine's rumble approached, and a transformation was heard. The 'Con looked up, "What is-?" Prowl crashed into him, knocking the far larger mech to the ground, catching Zilla in his hands.

He looked down to her, "Are you alright?"

She wiped the blood from her face, "I'll live." Prowl looked back at the Decepticon, and his optics flickered as if seeing a ghost, but quickly returned to normal, throwing weapons at the enemy, gently resting Zilla on the ground near Sari and Blaze, Zilla sat up, "Be careful." She whispered so quietly no one heard her, but her eyes were fixed on Prowl, grateful for his timing.

Prowl gracefully dodged every blow from the con, striking several times before the con got a single hit in, toppling Prowl and cutting deep into him, close to his spark. Prowl tried to get up, but the mech slammed his foot down on Prowl, immobilizing him. Sari jumped, "Prowl!" Her voice was squeaking in fear, crying as Blaze held her fast.

Zilla looked down the road, the other Autobots were coming, but they wouldn't be able to arrive soon enough to save Prowl. Zilla closed her eyes, standing up with all her effort she glared at the Decepticon, "Get off of him Raider."

The 'Con looked to her, "How do you know my name human?"

"Not for someone as empty as yourself to know." She stared him down, "I know enough however to see right through your pathetic cowardice. You even fear me; don't you? If you didn't you wouldn't have bothered attacking me."

The bot moved angrily toward her, "Stupid human! How dare you even suggest such a trick! However, I won't fall for your foolishness. I'll finish him before you human! You won't distract me!" Zilla glanced at the incoming Autobots and smiled, nearly laughing, "What is so amusing human?!"

She smirked, "Because I did distract you; just enough."

"What are you-?!" Bulkhead slammed into him, knocking the Decepticon to the ground, he was shortly followed by the others. Raider glared at her, "You dare to try such a trick!"

Bumblebee transformed near Sari and smirked, "Not that far huh? You'll be fine huh?" He quickly however headed for the battle.

Zilla smiled, "I'm pretty sure it worked." But she collapsed to the ground within seconds.

Blaze rushed over to her, "Zilla! Oh man… I forgot about blood loss and…"

Sari hung close to Zilla and Blaze, wondering if they were even aware of the Autobots and Decepticon fighting nearby. Zilla looked to Sari, "Your key can heal Autobots right?" Sari nodded, biting her lip, Zilla looked over to the fight, to see that Ratchet was working quickly to repair Prowl a ways from the fight, "Go help fix Prowl."

Sari bit her lip, "I don't want to leave you…"

Zilla shook her head, "Help him; please. He's more important."

Sari ran to Prowl and Ratchet, as Blaze helped Zilla sit up, pulling a knife out of his pocket, "I don't think we could get you to a hospital on time, so I'll heat up the knife and seal and disinfect the wounds okay?" Zilla nodded, as Blaze held the knife in his hand, making the knife glow with heat. He looked her in the eye, "You might not want to look Zilla."

Meanwhile Sari made it over to Prowl, Ratchet helping her up to use the key on Prowl. Ratchet smiled weakly as Prowl healed under the key's radiation, though Prowl had not lost consciousness, he bolted up like he had dozed off. Sari smiled, "Prowl! You're okay!"

He smiled down to her, "Looks like I owe you and your key my life yet again." Ratchet growled, waving him toward the fight. Prowl nodded, "Right, protect the humans Ratchet." And he bolted off toward the fight, Bumblebee shaking his head hard from being tossed around.

Ratchet grumbled to himself, "As if I'd leave them alone."

Blaze was helping Zilla to her feet, her cuts sealed over, the two keeping their arms inter-locked to support her, Sari looked Zilla in the eye, "Why'd you risk your life for me?"

Zilla smiled, "I'll explain later Sari; promise."

Blaze looked at her aswell, "Better yet, why'd you risk your life for a stupid robot?"

Ratchet glared, "Hey now, we Autobots are more that robots ya little brat."

Zilla shook her head, "Ignore Blaze. He's just a hot-head."

Sari looked at Zilla, "How'd you know that Decepticon's name? I mean, you could've learned Prowl's from the news but…"

Zilla shook her head, "Again; later." She looked toward the Autobots, "Priorities Sari; priorities."

The Decepticon was fleeing while poor Bulkhead was being pulled out of the side of a building by both Prowl and Bumblebee. Optimus moved over to Ratchet and the humans, "He got away; are the humans alright?"

Ratchet nodded, "They're fine; the female is a little drained, but she should be okay." He glanced at Zilla, "I think."

Prowl and Bumblebee headed over, Bumblebee scooping up Sari, "You alright?"

Sari nodded, "I'm fine. But I think it might be best if we went back to Dad's lab."

Blaze folded his arms, "We're not leaving you alone; it's too bad Isaac's going to throw a fit when he sees us. If only Lillian had rubbed off on him more than he did."

Sari blinked, "You knew my mom?"

Zilla glared at Blaze, "Way to go moron."

Sari grabbed her arm, "You knew my mom?

Zilla bit her lip, knowing she'd regret it, "I knew your mother; she died from the same… accident that killed my father; you were still a baby then."

The big brown eyes looking up at Zilla made her solemn face smile unconvincingly, Sari whispered, "Will you tell me some about her?

Bumblebee again scooped Sari up, "Lets go; you two should come with us." The others transformed aswell, Sari sitting in Bumblebee's front seat, and Blaze helping Zilla sit in the back with him.

Zilla glanced at Prowl, after a moment in a far calmer voice quietly said to him, "Thank you for saving me."

Prowl answered quietly, "It was nothing; besides, you saved me." Something about her tone and voice reminded him of someone he used to know… he just couldn't put his finger on it, but he didn't have time to ponder it, he simply drove off behind the others.

Well? hows it liked? lemme know; You'll have at least a week if not more before chapter two will be uploaded due to me being on Vacation: Hope you liked it