Author's note. This chapter is the original like all the others from now on.
Find out what happens to Rad and Carlos in this chapter.
Enjoy and please review.
"Aw man we are in so much trouble" Carlos groaned as Megatron's order came over Wheeljack's comm. Wheeljack now smiled sinisterly down at him and Rad. Things had gone steadily downhill since Megatron had found them.
Ten minutes previously.
"It's alright Perceptor," Rad said as he hauled one of Leader-One's arms off Perceptor.
"Yeah as soon as your free, we are out of here," panted Carlos as he struggled with the other arm. Unfortunately, their exertions caught Megatron's attention as he clutched his optics and he blindly swung at them. Carlos ducked but Rad was hit and flung through the air to collide with a rock stack.
"Rad," cried Carlos as his friend slid down and lay motionless.
"Go," beeped Perceptor who was free enough to grapple with Leader-One. Carlos nodded wordlessly, let go of Leader-One and raced over to Rad. Carlos gently cradled his friend in his arms, checking for injuries. He saw a very large lump on the back of Rad's head but it wasn't bleeding and he didn't seem to have any other injuries.
Carlos now looked up to see Megatron recovering but he wasn't paying attention to the two boys. Carlos saw that Alexis had stopped and looked like she wanted to run back and help Rad.
"Don't do it," thought Carlos as Rad moaned and shifted This seemed to snap Alexis out of it and she turned and sprinted away. Megatron, now fully recovered, snarled as he set off after her. Carlos groaned, feeling completely helpless with one of his best friends injured in his arms and the other being chased by a very large angry robot.
"Carlos," Rad murmured trying to wake up, his face grimacing.
"Don't move man, just relax," Carlos said feeling desperate. What was he going to do.
"The comm, Megatron's not here so it should be…nooo," Carlos moaned seeing the crushed remnants some feet away. He had dropped it when for Leader-One and Megatron had stepped on it as he pursued Alexis.
Carlos heard a cry and looked up to see Leader-One throw Perceptor off him. The Deception Minicon stared at him for a moment before transforming and setting off, disappearing from sight. Perceptor now came over to Carlos and bent over Rad, beeping concernedly.
"Don't worry," said Carlos. "He'll be fine, but we need to find Optimus or Hotshot or anybody." He broke off, trying to stay calm.
"Perceptor," moaned Rad softly. "Go help Alexis, she's in more trouble than we are."
"He's right, amigo," agreed Carlos. "We'll get under cover, you can get Jetfire or someone to pick us up but Alexis needs backup, especially if that Minicon activates."
Perceptor nodded and was about to set off but there was a sound of jet engines and they turned to see Thrust hovering in the air.
"So, the female child has the Minicon," he said in his dull voice. "Excellent, she will not be difficult to take and no doubt Lord Megatron will reward me if I am the one to do it."
Perceptor beeped in anger and charged at Thrust, separating and leaping into the air. Grindor clawed his way up to Thrust's face and started pummelling it. Highwire and Sureshock were hanging onto Thrusts arms as he thrashed about, trying to dislodge them.
Carlos glared at the struggling figure in the air but then Rad moaned again. Carlos shifted his grip and lifted Rad in his arms as he stood.
"Come on, man, I'm getting you out of here," Carlos said as he carried Rad away. He struggled up a rocky hill, hoping he could spot an Autobot from the top. It was difficult going, with small grit and rubble causing Carlos to slip and slide. Eventually, though he made it. In the distance, to his delight he saw Jetfire hovering in the air with Alexis in his hand.
"Rad," he cried excitedly. "Jetfire's got Alexis."
Rad opened his eyes and smiled. But then he gave a small frown.
"Where's Megatron?"
"I can't see him," said Carlos scanning the surrounding area. "He might be further down, you know in a gully or something. Rad, why don't I try to signal Jetfire and he can still pick us up?"
"Yeah," said Rad turning his head. "Or... Is that HotShot I hear?"
Carlos listened and sure enough he could hear the roar of a car approaching. But oddly enough he couldn't see the car even though it sounded close.
"HotShot," Carlos called. "Sideswipe."
They heard the car turn and head in their direction. As it approached, Carlos looked back towards Jetfire and saw that he was now facing off Starscream. He heard the car right behind them and turned saying.
"Jetfire's fighting Starscream, HotShot what are we going to do..." he broke off with a gasp. There was nothing behind him but a voice suddenly said.
"Oh I'm not HotShot."
The air shimmered, then a black car materialised right in front of Carlos, before transforming into Wheeljack, the former Autobot. Wheeljack smiled coldly down at them and said.
"Thought I was one of the Autobots, did you? Sorry to disappoint,"
"It's no big deal, man," said Carlos smiling nervously back, hoping Whelljack wasn't interested in them. "Um, I think Thrust might be in a little bit of trouble, could maybe do with a hand."
Wheeljack grimaced, he obviously wasn't very fond of Thrust, but started in the direction of Thrust's yells. Unfortunately it was at this point that Megatron's order came over his comm.
"Decepticons, regroup with Starscream and me, take out any Autobots you see and get me those little brats."
Wheeljack turned back to look down at Carlos again and smiled sinisterly. Carlos clutched Rad as Wheeljack said.
"Looks like a change of plans, boys. Just hold still and I won't hurt you."
He bent to grab them but sudden roar of engines made him start and turn as a yellow car raced up the slope.
"HotShot," Carlos cried as HotShot transformed and lunged at Wheeljack. Carlos managed to scoop Rad up and away as Wheeljack crashed to the ground under Hotshot.
"You're not taking these kids anywhere, Wheeljack, not while I'm around."
Wheeljack snarled and the two bots grappled fiercely with each other. Suddenly another car appeared, it was Sideswipe who raced up to Carlos and Rad swinging open his doors.
"Need a ride?" he asked as Carlos helped Rad in, strapping his friend in before fastening his own belt. Sideswipe roared away, followed by Hotshot who had jumped off Wheeljack and transformed. Wheeljack also transformed and chased after them.
"Where's Alexis?" said HotShot as they raced towards Jetfire.
"Jetfire has her and Alexis has the Minicon. Sureshock and the others are fighting Thrust," said Carlos.
"Call them and tell them to rendezvous with us," said HotShot.
Carlos did as he was told, wondering if they were ever going to get home and in one piece.
Meanwhile Alexis was clinging to Jetfire as he continued to fend off Starscream's attacks. Unfortunately a particularly ferocious thrust caused a deep wound in one of Jetfire's wings with the StarSabre. Jetfire crashed heavily to the ground with a cry of pain.
"Jetfire!" Alexis cried as he cradled her with one hand and his wing with the other.
"It's just a scratch," said Jetfire staggering to his feet. Starscream landed triumphantly next to Megatron who had finally managed to climb out of the pit. Jetfire bravely stood his ground. But suddenly he was hit with a burst of laser fire from behind by Demolisher who had just appeared. Jetfire fell to his knees, bent over in pain.
"Finish him Starscream," Megatron said smiling nastily. But he had momentarily forgotten Optimus who had just climbed out as well and who shot at Demolisher. Demolisher yelled and clutched at his hand. Then several things happened at once.
Hoist appeared over a ridge and in a moment had launched the SkyBoom Shield. Starscream charged with the StarSabre high over his head. Jetfire, wounded, tossed Alexis to Optimus who caught her and faced Starscream. Starscream was just bringing the Sword down when Optimus caught the Shield. There was a deafening boom and a brilliant flash of light as the Sword hit the Shield.
Before Starscream could recover, Optimus shoved with the Shield, sending him staggering back. Megatron growled seeing Starscream at a disadvantage and so snatched the Sword off him and shoved him out of the way.
"Must I do everything myself, Starscream?" said Megatron advancing on Optimus.
A roar of engines, made everyone pause, it was HotShot and Sideswipe being pursued by Wheeljack and Thrust. The three Minicons could also be seen racing along.
"Optimus, we've got them," yelled HotShot.
"RedAlert, activate the Warpgate" yelled Optimus into his comm as he leaped back to let Jetfire grab hold of him.
Megatron lunged forward yelling "Prime!" as the Autobots warped out of view meaning the Sword sliced through empty air. Megatron's curses could be heard throughout the valley.
Sideway's POV.
Sideways chuckled softly, the battle had ended as he thought it would, though admittedly it had been a close thing. He actually hadn't noticed at first that the kids had sneaked away with their Minion's until Megatron had left the main battle to track them.
He had been watching Thrust and Cyclonus flying after Hotshot who was racing along seemingly to the Minicon's location. Demolisher was also after Hotshot, pursued in turn by Scavenger. The Autobot sniper was hidden somewhere and Jetfire and Starscream were fighting each other in the skies above.
Optimus meanwhile was fighting Wheeljack who had cornered Sideswipe when Sideways suddenly realised that Megatron had disappeared. Sideways had been mildly surprised by this and had quickly scanned the rocky valley for the Decepticon leader, when he spotted him. Meagton seemed to be searching for something but the Minicon had been discovered quite a bit away surely.
Sideways, curious, narrowed his optics, zooming in on Megatron who was stealthily approaching a narrow gorge. And out of the gorge, climbed the human girl Alexis with the Minicon in her hands.
"Oh, this is priceless," he thought with a sneer as he watched the girl help the boys Rad and Carlos and the Minicon Perceptor out of the gorge. He knew exactly what was going on with Hotshot now. A large explosion caused the kids to spin around to stare where Optimus had been fighting Wheeljack. Sideways knew they wouldn't be able to see anything, but he could.
Optimus had managed to blast Wheeljack and free Sideswipe who had been pinned between some rocks. Sideswipe transformed and set off in the direction Optimus had pointed him to, where Hotshot was. Sideways saw Optimus look around, undoubtedly wondering where Megatron had gotten to.
Speaking of which, Sideways focused his attention back on the Decepticon and the kids. Megatron seemed to be talking, while his Minicon held Perceptor and the kids were backed up against the cliff. Megatron then held out his hand towards the girl, making it clear he wanted the Minicon.
"It looks like I was wrong," thought Sideways as she stepped forward, head lowered in defeat. "The Decepicons win this fight after all."
But then the girl suddenly flung something, right in Megatron's face which exploded in a brilliant white light. Sideways laughed incredulously as the kids sprang into action while Megatron clutched his optics in pain. Sideways looked up to see the explosion of light had attracted the several of the other Transformers including Thrust and Wheeljack. Optimus Prime, as soon as he saw it, transformed out of his truck mode and charged towards it.
Sideways watched Megatron, as soon as he had recovered, charge after the girl who had sprinted away. Megatron was fuming, if he managed to capture the girl, she would be mercilessly punished. But Sideways could see Optimus heading straight for Megatron, the question was whether he would arrive in time to save the girl.
He did, leaping into the gully Megatron had trapped the girl and soon the two leaders were once again grappling. A moment later Jetfire arrived, having seen his leader racing over the rocks and flying over to assist. He managed to rescue the girl but then Starscream arrived and attacked.
Increasing his audio, Sideways had managed to hear Jetfire and Starscream's exchange including the girl's words. He saw Starscream freeze as she asked whether Megatron beat him, and then Starscream lost it.
"Ah, Starscream, you try your best and yet Megatron still uses you as a whipping boy," thought Sideways as Starscream attacked Jetfire ferociously. With Starscream in possession of such a powerful weapon and having to protect the girl meant Jetfire could not defend himself properly and he was brought down. He was then ambushed by Demolisher who had responded to Megatron's order to regroup as he fought Prime.
But as usual Prime managed to save the day, shooting Demolisher, rescuing the girl, and catching the Skyboom Shield to fend off Starscream's attack. And with Hotshot having retrieved the boys, the Autobots were able to warp out, leaving Megatron slashing thin air.
After cursing Prime, Megatron started ranting about precisely he was going to do to those little brats especially the girl. While Thrust fawned and agreed, Starscream picked himself up and foolishly asked what the big deal was about the human children.
Megatron turned slowly and seized Starscream's chin, dragging him forward so that their faces were inches apart and hissed.
"They defied me Starscream. She defied me and one way or another, they will be mine, to do with as I please."
"The Autobots will never let us near them," Wheeljack stated quietly.
"True, but Prime and his men will not always be around to protect them. And when that time comes..."
Megatron didn't finish his threat, he merely released Starscream, and the Decepticons warped back to their base.
Sideways considered what he had just heard. The Autobots were always cautious with their human charges and after today's little stunt were unlikely to let them out of their sight again. But as the kids had proved, they were daring and resourceful, they had proved that before when Sideways had tried to hack the Autobots computer and the kids had thwarted him.
But unfortunately for them, when it came down to it, they were vulnerable and needed protection. And as Sideways thought about them and their fragile forms, an idea started to form in his CPU. An idea which could solve his problem regarding the Autobots.
"We will meet again, Optimus Prime. And soon," he whispered into the air as he materialised out of there.
Author's note. In the next chapter, the kids are in big trouble with the Autobots. Find out what happens.