A/N: I don't own Transformers or any of the like, only the OCs I use.
I used the idea of the scruff bar from where i saw in a couple of different stories, hope you not mind, I thought it would be a sight to see. Hope you all like it, love ya all for your reviews!
The day for Mission City finally came, and the three from the future were watching closely. They had been on the highway following the Autobots and the Decepticons, and witnessed when Bonecrusher and Optimus went off the side of the bridge and landed a few hundred feet down on the ground. They watched as Barricade made himself disappear and followed Bee and the others from far behind, hoping they wouldn't get noticed. It was in Mission City that they realized what had happened. They saw how Sam had gotten caught on top of a really high building. The Autobots running to help him, and they heard the unmistakable zap of a spark being killed. They could never forget it, no matter how many times they had done it to Decepticons. The three were parked in an alleyway, watching the others fight.
They saw how Ratchet moved like they'd never seen as he buzz cut Brawl with his normally sub-spaced saw, and Jazz had attacked Brawl also. They worked together with awesome determination. How bad they wanted to jump in, but they couldn't. Only when the timing was right, and the timing came up on them quickly as they saw Megatron with Sam at the top of a building.
"Is it fear or courage that compels you, boy?" Megatron's voice was deep and deadly. Sam held on for dear life, and Starscream was standing atop one of the buildings, along with Blackout as he transformed and took a perch, "Give me the Allspark and you may live to be my pet!" Sam struggled to hold on, defiant against the 55 foot talk giant. That was when Sunstreaker transformed and made a run for Starscream, clawing his way to the jet, causing him to leap from his perch with the extra weight, boosting himself so he didn't hit the ground. That gave Optimus time to go in and catch Sam.
That was the intervene that got the Autobots success.
"Sam, if I cannot defeat Megatron, you must push the cube into my chest," Hot Rod heard his leader, but was shocked by what was going on, "I will sacrifice myself to destroy it." Was another string of words from his leader as he watched Megatron and Prime face off again. They saw Blackout come down and transform, stalking his way slowly to the fight between the leaders, his rotor in his right hand spinning wildly. He planned to jump Optimus to help his leader. That's around the time the shot came from the small human named William. They watched him slide under the tall mech and put him out of his misery with a couple sabot rounds.
"Get behind me," Optimus ordered the child. It was around that time when Sam ended up under Megatron's falling body. He was struggling like mad to get to Sam, even though he had been nearly destroyed by the humans and Prime himself. Ratchet had gone to retrieve Jazz, and Hot Rod watched with astonishment as Sam looked up at the towering mech over him and reached up with the cube. Remembering what Prime had told him, Sam figured the same was for the other leader and pushed the cube towards Megatron's chest, causing it to disappear slowly, and the leader jumped up, fearful and hurting, he cried out in Cybertronian. What a way to die, thought Sideswipe as he watched with Hot Rod, but worried for his brother, as he could sense him in a way, and it scared him to be facing off with the Air Commander and leader of the Seekers. They were both tough. Hell, tough wasn't the word, but going against Starscream? One hit from that Null Ray and Sunstreaker would be done for, if not barely alive.
Sideswipe and Hot Rod watched as Prime told Sam how he owned him his life and how he swore to protect them and how the humans had become good comrades of the others. The fight was over. Except Sunstreaker was still missing. Barricade was nowhere to be found. It was then that Ironhide had noticed two other spark signatures, but neither were Decepticon or Autobot. He snorted then looked at Optimus, "There is someone else here, beware," He said and moved slowly and quietly towards the other signatures. The two hadn't noticed the advancing Ironhide until one of them suddenly went into the air, being held by his wing. Hot Rod spun his tires madly, and went to unfold, but stopped in surprise, "What is this!?" Ironhide growled, seeing the other one make a break for it, at least a few feet, before transforming, preparing to tell the others and try to get Ironhide from ripping Hot Rod to shreds.
"No! No, no! Ironhide, don't!" Sideswipe called out as he started to unfold.
"What is your designation, your rank?!" Ironhide growled at the one who hung from his hands.
"I-it's me, Hot Rod!" the car called out, hoping that Ironhide wouldn't decide to use his form as target practice, he heard the cannon wind up, preparing to fire, "Impossible! They are on Cybertron, or somewhere not in this part of the galaxy."
"Wrong! We are from the future!"
Prime had also gotten curious as to who and what Ironhide had. The red twin stood up, nearly begging Ironhide not to fire at Hot Rod, who still dangled like a helpless car. But he knew better. Fighting would get him fired at, but hanging here like he was, was his best bet.
"What, might I ask, is going on here?" Prime came, still carrying the body of his fallen soldier.
"Jazz?" They all three asked, looking at their leader and the one in his hands, "How come we didn't hear of this one?"
"He didn't die in our future," Sideswipe reminded the red Jaguar that still looked goofy being held by the great Ironhide.
Ironhide doubtedly held tight to Hot Rod, not letting him go, nor lowering his great weapon, "You lie, fragger, you can't be Hot Rod,"
"But he is!" the red twin spoke.
"Impossible, none of you, in fact have Autobot signatures!"
"Optimus had Ratchet remove them because we had to hide from Megatron,"
"What?"
"The future, we told you!" Sideswipe tried to reason again, "We come from a time when Megatron ruled earth." Hot Rod suddenly spoke, sullen in his voice. Sam was in the tow truck that hauled Bee to where the interest at hand was on the two unknown Cybertronians that were trying to reason with the newly victorious Autobots. William and his team followed, Bee was looking towards Ironhide, who still had the Jaguar in his hand, "Hot Rod?"
"Yes! Yes, for Primus' sake! It's me!" Hot Rod boasted, getting a firm shake from Ironhide who grunted, "I don't believe you. You might as well be Decepticons trying to infiltrate us! Exile them to the Moon!"
"Ironhide, give them a break, they don't even have insignias."
"That's right, we don't! Put me down you heap of trash!"
"Such words from a young one who dangles in my grasp,"
"If you only knew…" Hot Rod's voice went to a whisper as his body began to form and reform, until his body was nor formed more into a mech than a car, but he was beside himself when he saw he was still in Ironhide's grasp, only by what others had called a 'scruff bar' or for him, the part he used as a spoiler.
"Why don't you believe us, Ironhide? Thought you and Ratchet, of all of them would recognize the jet judo."
"I still think you're infiltrators." The weapon specialist grumbled.
"If you are really who you say you are, then why do you not have signatures? Why do you not have insignias?" Prime suddenly asked, looking up from the torn form of Jazz.
"Because, sir, we had to hide from Megatron. We come from a time when Megatron rules Earth. A time when man and Autobot alike are killed," Hot Rod did his best to explain in as short as he could as to what he and the twins came from, "When we are forced to live in Mexico in retreat from his forces because he got his hands on the Allspark, and nearly killed you." Hot Rod was forced to take your place as Rodimus Prime." Sideswipe started to explain also, joining in with Hot Rod, but was cut off by Optimus, "Then there is no matter now," Prime said, "the Allspark is destroyed, so why do you not return to your time?"
"We… can't, Optimus." Sides' shoulders slumped, "Wheeljack made it to get us here, not to get us back." It was then that Sideswipe suddenly let out a shrill and alarming tone and went down hard, going offline immediately. This was a cause for great concern. Obviously something had happened to him. They heard an explosion not far from them and saw an F-22 bolt straight for the skies, disappearing. Whatever had happened, it wasn't good. This was all the proof that Optimus needed that the three very well may be who they said they are. They would have to ask more about this when things are settled. Especially with Hot Rod.
Sideswipe onlined a few seconds later and moved to stand, oddly he seemed weakened, "Sunstreaker…" His voice was pleading, as if he'd known something happened to his brother.
"Sunstreaker!?" He cried out again, bolting to where the fading signature drew him, the others followed quickly behind him.
"Primus, Sunstreaker, answer me!" He cried out again, going into hysterics, ignoring everyone and everything around him as he moved through the mess of a city and the people who took pictures and video of him. When he was clear of debris, he transformed and hunted, finding that his brother was a few miles away from him. A trip on a jet can get you somewhere, and fast. He managed his way there and his spark sank when he looked upon a yellowish colored mess under a shitload of dirt and blackened by blaster or some other fire, "Oh, Sunstreaker," The red bot when to his knees, sulking when he neared him. He could not feel him. He could always feel his brother's presence, but not now. Even while recharging, there was the slight hint of Sunstreaker there, but now, nothing but darkness.
Back at the gathering, Ironhide held Hot Rod up higher, "Rodimus, huh?"
"Was, Ironhide, let me down, I feel like a sparkling," Hot Rod had his arms folded across his chest and had the most disgruntled look on his face.
"You are a sparkling, at least where I am concerned."
"Let me down so I can find Sideswipe, him and his brother are my charges since we got here," It wasn't a question, but more of a demand. Ironhide glimpsed at Prime who nodded and Ironhide dropped Hot Rod from where he was hung and the bot ran off, the others ensuing, including Sam and Mikaela who still hauled Bee.
When they got to the wreckage, Ratchet was the first to transform and go to the body of the brother. He almost leapt at the red one to get him off of his brother, "Sideswipe! Get off so I can get to him!"
Ratchet's words went unheard as Sideswipe clung to his brother, rocking as a human would holding their dying mate or sibling, even as Ironhide and Ratchet both pulled the young warrior with all their might, finally, as they plucked him free, he went to crawl back to Sunstreaker who lay still. A little too still, actually. Ratchet leaned over the yellow brother as Sideswipe fought to get to him, "Sunstreaker, c'mon!" he cried, but Sunstreaker didn't move. Ratchet pushed everyone else back, including the curious humans as he worked zealously to get to the spark chamber of the yellow brother. He was using all types of different instruments that his hands and other parts sub-spaced normally. The neon CMO looked distressed as he worked on Sunstreaker. This was not good.
"No Sunny, please, no, no, no!" Sideswipe cried out again, before collapsing to his knees again in defeat. He knew Ratchet was the best Medic in their world and now here, "Ratchet, don't let him die! I can't feel him!"
"Sides, shut your trap and let him work!" Ironhide groused as he held onto one arm of the red brother, thwaping him upside the head.
Hot Rod was not far off, watching, stricken from the sudden problem, "Shit, shit, shit, shit," he whispered to himself. He hardly ever used Cybertronian curse words anymore, he had been around humans far too long, "Sides," He said softly, "Sides, come here." He called. Sideswipe looked at Hot Rod, but didn't move from his spot, as if his body stopped working. He gave Hot Rod a pitiful look, then looked back to where his brother lie and Ratchet worked. Hot Rod decided to go to him instead.
"'Ratch, is he gonna be ok?" Prime asked, sullenly.
"I could tell you more if you guys would shut your mouths and let me work!" he groaned, moving Sunstreaker around, he was working quickly, another sign that was not good, he parted his chest plates, revealing his spark casing, which was sputtering and spitting energon and sparking as if it were on it's last leg, "I need to get him out of here if I am to work on him," He looked around, but got no sign of anything that would work, "He can't remain here or his spark will extinguish."
"Hold on," Came a voice. It was one of Lennox' men, he was burly looking, and a little heavier than the others, and bald, "We can use a Semi to haul him while you work,"
"I wish Ultra Magnus was here now," Hot Rod looked down, he had moved to the red twin and had a hand on his shoulder. If there was anyone Sideswipe would allow to touch him at this particular time it was Hot Rod.
"If you can find a trailer, I will bring both fallen to a base nearby, at least until we have a base of our own," Optimus' words were gentle, yet he got the attention he needed.
"Hey, over there!" William called out, pointing to a semi that sat, the trailer looked empty, "Can you get into that one?"
"I don't see why not, "Hot Rod stood and went to it, using his own strength, he pulled at the doors, even pulling the truck it was attached to back slightly, "It's empty." He said as he ran to the front of the trailer and started to unhitch it, "Optimus, here, take it!" Hot Rod worked well with Optimus in the future, even after Optimus had the Matrix back, and he'd only hoped that Optimus would work with him now. The red and blue giant went to the trailer and transformed after setting Jazz down inside the trailer. Hot Rod pushed the halved body further back as Ratchet grabbed for Sunstreaker and moved him, lifting him gently, he set him on the inside of the trailer and surprisingly he climbed in, crawling, he pushed both bodies back and started to hook up several wires and cables to the youngster he was now trying to save. He had to be in a very awkward position, but was willing to do so to keep vital fluids and power going to Sunstreaker as he felt Optimus hook up to the trailer and start to drive off, following the buggies to the nearest base. Sideswipe followed closely, as if he was being pushed by some unknown force, he wanted to be in that trailer with his brother. He wanted to hold him while he lie dying, but he couldn't. He knew better than to get into Ratchet's way. Now the strangest convoy ever started heading out of the premises while the government brought people in to start covering the battle up as well as they could. The city was quarantined while the convoy left, also bringing Bee behind them on the tow truck until something could be figured out for him as well, not that he was anywhere near happy about it, especially since he had to be covered over with a few tarps, hiding him from the rest of the public. He jerked and moved while Mikaela drove, glancing back when he jerked hard enough to cause the truck to swerve roughly, "Bee, please! I can't drive with you moving around back there!"
"Hold on, lemme go to him, Mika," Sam said as he opened the back window of the tow truck and started to crawl through it. Wind hit his hair and stung his face as he continued to climb out until his feet were through. He held on tightly as the truck hit a bump, and settled himself before heading further out and under the tarp, "Bee, you ok back here?"
"Not really," The calmed voice said, obviously perturbed about his situation.
"We will have you out of here in no time, promise, so sorry for this," Sam patted the Camaro gone robot on the shoulder for reassurance. Bee gave him a gentle look and smiled, "Thanks, Sam."
"What are friends for?" Sam and Bee talked the entire trip to the base. He held on tightly to the bot, and the bot held him also, to make sure that he didn't get thrown off or any of the such. When they finally felt the truck slow down, they figured they must be close by, and Sam poked his head out, getting a faceful of Hot Rod who was parked so close he swore the car was being towed instead, "Sam, you know how dangerous that is?"
"Yeah, but I needed to make sure Bee was alright,"
"Sam, he might be younger than me, but he's still a very strong bot."
Sam gave Hot Rod a goofy smile, "You're from the future, what do you know?"
"I know we changed it, and that's why Wheeljack built that silly contraption,"
"Hot Rod," Prime suddenly asked, getting the younger bot's attention immediately, "Since you are supposedly from the future, tell me what happens, can you tell me anything?"
"Only what had happened, this will all be so new to all three of us." Hot Rod explained to his noble leader, remembering everything from when he was brought down to when he had to serve in his place until now.
Little had they known they had, yes, changed the future, but now they had new dangers to face, possibly better, possibly worse. And Sunstreaker's condition was still very questionable. Hot Rod had spotted Ratchet standing over the yellow twin's body with a sorrowful look as he walked around the body several times, moving quickly, sub-spacing and un-sub-spacing items as he worked. Sideswipe was so unlike himself, watching, being as close as Ratchet would allow him.
I was thinking to make this more into a series of stories about their new lives with the new future ahead. Sorry for the cliffhanger, I guess it makes it more interesting to wait for the next one, huh?