See! This didn't take as long as the others! (Mainly because I had most of this typed up :P) Anyway, here's Speed Metal

This girl does not own Transformers, (but the OC's are mine bwahaha! The realm of Cybres is mine) but she wishes she did, because, frankly, that'd be awesome!

My Characters-Trans Counterparts Mentioned in this chap.

Dusk Greyman (Skyfyre Ivorra/Prime)- None

Karrick- Bumblebee

Silver Greyman (Silverstar Ivorra)- Arcee

Healer- Ratchet

Tomosal Ivorra- Optimus Prime

Nightiron-Bulkhead

Rager-Breakdown

Stunshot-Knockout

(Human Counterparts: Same first, different Last)

Jack Wheeler- Jack Darby

Miko Tanikawa-Miko Nakadai

Rafael Cortez-Rafael Esquivel

Chapter 11

45 In A 35

Ben POV

"We are so going to get into trouble when we get back," I grumbled.

"Only if you say anything," Amber growled back, tapping the steering wheel.

"Will you two pipe down?" Dusk snapped, the lights on her dash flickering with each word, "It's hard enough to shield my signal without you two yapping,"

"Shhh!" Amber hissed, "Look! They're starting,"

A guy with a flashlight came up.

"I can't believe you two talked me into this," I groaned.

"I feel the need…" Amber started

I sighed, shaking my head as the guy with the flashlight gave the signal and Dusk shot forwards.

"FOR SPEED!" Amber howled.

"And I thought Dusk's Star Trek quotes were bad," I muttered.

The seatbelt tightened around my chest.

"Watch it Ben," Dusk warned.

I held up my hands in surrender.

Amber started yelling at a competitor as he passed her, leaning out her window and shaking her fists at him.

"What ever happened to the girl that was afraid of her own shadow?" I groaned.

"I think Sunny rubbed off on her," Dusk suggested.

Right as a blood red car shot past Dusk, taking a swipe out of her paintjob.

Dusk yelped in surprise.

"YOU SCRATCHED MY RIDE!" Amber shrieked.

"'Sunny rubbed off on her' Ya think?" I demanded.

"Am," Dusk started, "It's just a scratch, I'll be fine,"

Her voice was a little off…

"You sure you're ok?" I asked warily.

"I know that car…" she said, "And…oh my Primus!"

The red car rammed into another racer and sent him off the cliff.

"We need to get him out!" Dusk yelled, taking off down the slope more easily than any vehicle could.

Amber and I got out and started working on getting the door open.

"It's stuck!" Amber yelled, "I'm going to try to cut it out,"

She flexed her wrists and the blades hidden in her bracers extended, like a cat's claws. She dug the Cybertronian metal into the door and flicked her wrists, tearing the car door away like peeling open a tin can.

I gently dragged the unconscious man out as Amber sheathed her blades, and checked him over.

"He's got a broken wrist…possible concussion where his head collided the dashboard, see that nasty scar? Probably not as serious as it looks, head wounds bleed a lot as we all know." I concluded, looking at my friends, "Thank God he was wearing a seatbelt,"

"We need to get him to a hospital," Dusk reasoned, her holoform's hands looping around the man's waist and picking him up, setting him in her alt.

"Let's go," I said as we drove off.

Amber POV

We made it to the hospital in a few minutes. And were greeted by a dark haired, blue eyed nurse who looked a little frazzled.

She looked at the man we supported.

"Racing?" she asked wearily.

"We found his car at the bottom of a hill," Dusk said, her electric eyes calm and collected, "My friend here says that he has a broken wrist and a possible concussion,"

"Ben," the nurse said, "Why were you out so late?"

"Wait…you two know each other?" I asked.

"She's my mom's nurse," Ben nodded, "Dusk, Amber, meet Mrs. Darby,"

Jack's Mom!?

"You wouldn't happen to be related to a Jack Darby would you?" Dusk asked slowly.

The Nurse's eyes became slightly wary, turning a lighter shade of blue…just like Jack's did.

"My son," she said, "How…?"

"Dusk is my girlfriend," Ben said, "She sometimes comes to the school to help me out a bit. Jack came in one day she was helping me,"

"He's a very nice kid," Dusk added, "One of the nicest I've met. Kinda reminds me of my dad somewhat,"

Jack like Prime? Ha! Don't make me laugh. Well…technically I do see some resemblances. Just like I see resemblances between Dusk and Prime. All three of them were kinda protective of their families…Jack especially protective of Raf and Miko.

And he was very touchy on the subject of his dad.

Dusk was about her past, Prime didn't like talking about his family much (probably because the only family he had was a crazy warlord…who had died not too long ago).

Jack's trigger was his dad.

Miko made the mistake of pushing him and the result was not pretty.

"He's a good kid," June agreed, "Now…Ben, if I know your mother…she'll probably be wondering where you are,"

"We'll head home right away Nurse Darby," Ben nodded, "Take care of him,"

"Wouldn't do anything less," she nodded as she took the man and set him on a bed, checking him over.

"Let's go home," I said.

Jack POV

Today wasn't a very bad day I'd say. No homework, no work today…No Vince incidents. I came up to Arcee and the two of us started backing out of the parking lot…

"Hey, cherry Moped!" Vince sneered as I froze.

I turned around to glare at the red head leaning on his hot rod.

Just when I thought my day was going to end well. Great.

And Moped!?

"Uh, this Moped has dual carbs and can go zero to sixty in 3.5 seconds," I growled tersely.

And with that, Arcee and I sped off.

When we came to a stoplight was when Arcee gave me her feedback.

"Uh, Jack?" the femme asked, "A lady's vital stats are her own business,"

I gave a sigh.

"Hey!" a familiar voice called.

I looked up to see Sierra and one of her friends beside me.

"Nick, right?" she asked.

"A-actually…" I replied, "It…it's Jack,"

Stupid stutter…

"Jack, sorry," Sierra apologized, "I'm Sierra."

"I-I know," I stuttered.

"You once offered to take me for a ride?" she asked.

"Of c-course I-I did!" I agreed, mentally kicking myself, "A-anytime…"

"I'm your guardian kiddo," Arcee growled softly, tilting her mirror to look at me, "not your wingman,"

"So?" Sierra asked, "How 'bout now?"

"Uh…" I started.

And that's when Vince rolled up in his car.

"Hey, hey!" Vince called, "Small world…"

"And getting smaller," I muttered before adding, louder, "Um, having a conversation…"

"Cheer captain here might enjoy watching you take on four wheels of muscle car…" Vince challenged.

"Are you challenging me?" I demanded, "To a race?"

"You catch on quick, paunch," Vince snorted, "Whaddya say?"

I was just about to answer…when the light turned green and Arcee shot off, making me yell in surprise.

"She has got to stop doing that!" I thought as I held on.

"You didn't let me answer!" I finally said.

"Nope!" Arcee muttered.

"Arcee, we can smoke him!" I begged.

"Yep!"

"You just don't get it," I grumbled as we came to another red light.

"I don't make the rules, Jack," Arcee corrected, "Optimus does. And rule number one, in case you missed it: Never abuse power for personal gain. And that includes horsepower!"

I sighed. There were times I wish I had power. Just enough to make him stop bullying me and Raf and Miko. But Arcee was right. You can't abuse power.

That's what separates the 'Bots from the 'Cons. Good from Evil.

Apparently, Vince doesn't know that…or if he does…he completely ignores it.

Speak of the devil…said bully pulled up again next to us.

"Vince…" I growled, "Look, maybe racing isn't such a good id…"

Vince cut me off with a loud laugh.

"Ha! Figured!" the bully sneered, "You ride around like your bike's something special…but it's just a chunky, clunky trike! And ugly!"

I tensed, I could feel Arcee's outrage roiling underneath me.

Vince…you don't tell an Autobot that…especially if it's a femme!

The light turned green and Vince roared away.

"THAT'S IT!" Arcee snarled, "THE YAHOO'S GOING DOWN!"

She spun around and shot towards the bully.

"Whoa!" I started, "What happened to rule number one?!"

"Gets bent…just this once," the femme growled darkly.

I shook my head.

No matter what planet you're from…you call a girl ugly…they will come after you.

We pulled up to Vince.

"…Your pal, Darby…" he started.

"Ready when you are Vinny!" I smirked.

Vince looked sidelong at me.

"Dirt road by Drukker's ranch," Vince said, "One hour."

...

We waited eagerly at the starting point, I gripped Arcee's handlebars as I listened to Vince explain the rules.

"From here to the next mile marker," Vince explained, "Ready? GO!"

And he screeched down the road, Arcee and I shot after him.

"Well that was fair," I muttered, "Uh, Arcee…"

"Winning isn't enough, Jack," I heard her say, with an unusual amount of evil smugness in her voice…eerily like Dusk's for a moment, "You want to make him cry,"

"Let's show him what we're made of," I grinned as Arcee suddenly gunned it, coming up beside Vince.

I noticed that Vince looked back, trying to see where we went…when he finally looked around to the side, his face looked surprised.

Very surprised.

Arcee went up on one wheel and I cheekily waved at the ginger before we swerved in front of Vince and shot forwards…right as we passed the finish line.

"Whooo!" I shouted triumphantly as Arcee honked her horn, "Outstanding!"

And another bright idea occurred to me.

"Um, hey, now might me a good time to offer Sierra a quick once around the block?" I suggested.

"Don't push it," was the reply.

...

I walked through the Base hallway, Arcee rolled up behind me before she transformed.

"Not a word to anyone," she threatened.

"Our little secret," I agreed, smiling slightly as she walked off.

Just another secret to keep.

"Duuuude!" Miko shouted as she and Raf came up, "Vroom, vroom, vroom! And the winner is…"

"M-miko, who told you?" I demanded.

"You're kidding?" she snorted, "It's all over school!"

"You beat the pants off that blowhard bully, Vince!" Raf agreed.

I grabbed them both and pulled them into a huddle.

"You guys have to keep this on the DL," I hissed, "Especially from Optimus!"

"Aw, but Jaaack!" Miko whined.

I glared at her.

"Fine," she huffed.

I relaxed.

Secret safe.

For now, at least.

Miko POV

I walked up the stairs to the human area…and saw Dusk sulking on one of the rafters.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked Ben.

"Prime found out we went racing the other night," grumbled, looking up from Jolt's hood where he graded papers, "Grounded all three of us,"

"And it served you right!" Jolt reprimanded, "You could have gotten killed!"

"We were doing fine!" Amber snapped as she crawled out behind one of the computers…

Well, I thought it was her.

She was covered head to toe in fine black soot and dust. I bet if I pushed her there'd be an Amber shaped cloud standing where she was.

"We would have been fine if we didn't get caught by Dr. Williams," she grumbled.

"But you did," the doctor growled, her eyes narrowing, "Now go get cleaned up and get to your room…you've got a lot of thinking to do,"

"I'm not a kid!" Amber snapped, "I can do what I want!"

Dr. Williams fixed her with a cold glare that sent Amber reeling.

"Yes Ma'am!" the woman saluted shakily…before bolting.

Jack POV

I quickly made my way out of the school building and into the parking lot. I had for once managed to avoid Vince the whole day and hopefully I wouldn't have to deal with him at all. He's probably very mad that I managed to beat him…and he'd probably turn me into pulp if he managed to get a hold of me…

"Hey!" a voice called, snapping me out of my worrying, "I've been looking for you!"

I turned around.

Sierra.

"The race, how great was that!" she smiled, "I was like…'yeah! Go Jack!'"

I felt my cheeks flare.

"It…it was no big deal," I said.

"You got that right!" I heard Vince snarl, right as the bully bumped into me, knocking the breath out of me.

I glared at the bully.

"Don't lose your temper," I thought, "You know what Mom's said about your temper…"

"If you think you can run with the big boys," Vince snorted, brushing his shoulder off, "The circuit, tonight, 11pm,"

I looked around, eyes catching Sierra looking at me hopefully.

"You're on," I said.

Arcee was going to kill me.

"See you at the race," Vince growled, pushing past me.

I went over to where Arcee was waiting and got on.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"I uh…kinda agreed to race Vince…again…"

"You agreed to what!?" the Autobot femme snarled.

"I-it was some kind of secret racing club…" I replied, wondering how in the world I managed to get myself into this mess, "I-I don't know! I had no choice! Sierra was standing right there!"

"You always have a choice, Jack," Arcee growled, "And what part of 'just this once' did you not understand?"

"I know, I'm sorry, but…" I started, "We're on…right?"

"We are not on!"

Scrap.

Raf POV

Jack walked up to the kid's section of the Base and stopped right behind me.

I was too busy playing my game to really notice him…I honestly didn't know he was behind me until he spoke.

"Raf?" Jack asked, making me jump.

I winced as the virtual car crashed into the trees. We need to put a bell on him or something…he's so quiet!

"Uh…" Jack started, sounding sorry for the trouble he caused, "Is there any way I can borrow Bumblebee an hour?"

"Race!?" 'Bee chirped, "Yes! Please Raf? Pretty please! I promise I'll be good! I promise!"

"Jaaack!" I sighed, "You know that racing's against the rules! What if Optimus found out?"

"Yeah, just take a look at us!" Dusk shouted as she and Ben took out massive black trash bags.

"Aw," 'Bee whirred sadly, bowing his helm, "I forgot about that,"

Jack bowed his head as well.

"But Raf!" Miko interrupted, "He's got to get the girl!"

Raf didn't look convinced.

"And beat the bully?" Miko added.

"Well…"

"Come on, Raf," Jack begged, "Just this once?"

I closed an eye. This would not end well. I just knew it.

Jack POV

I tapped Bumblebee's steering wheel nervously. If Arcee found out about me street racing…she would kill me.

Scratch that, Arcee'd have to get in line…Mom would kill me first.

We pulled up next to Vince. Bumblebee rolled down his window and I shrugged as Vince glared at the Autobot critically.

"Bike's in the shop," I said.

Vince smirked and I glared back.

I hoped he didn't scratch 'Bee…one: 'Bee'd scrap him, he's very defensive about his paintjob. Dusk says he got it from the twins.

And Two: Optimus would kill us both.

Well, maybe not kill, but he'd be very, very angry.

"Circuit drivers are you ready!?" the announcer shouted.

I turned my head towards the front…and smiled. Sierra was the flag girl.

She gave a small smile as she waved at me.

"Make it mean, but keep it clean!" the announcer continued, "Fire 'em up in five, four, three, two, ONE!"

"Go, Bumblebee!" I shouted, stomping on the gas.

The yellow scout gave a gleeful whirr and obliged. I yelled happily as we shot down the track. This was so different than riding with Arcee!

"Come on, 'Bee," I smiled, "Let's show Vince what we got!"

Bumblebee sped ahead of the bully's car. I looked in the scout's rearview mirror and spotted a red Aston Martin ramming into Vince's car, sending it spinning off the track. The scout chirped worriedly.

"What's that 'Bee?" I asked, not taking my eyes off the Aston Martin.

More chirps.

Recognition flared through me.

"Wait…" I breathed, "I know that car…"

Bumblebee took the wheel from me and drove up the side of the track.

A gun popped out the side of the Aston Martin's door and began to shoot at us.

Bumblebee ramped off the side of the track, the red Decepticon on his heels.

"Can you lose him 'Bee?" I asked.

Bumblebee chirped something.

"What was that 'Bee?" I asked, "What did you say?"

More beeps. Ugh! I wish I could understand him like Raf or Ben or any of the other adults can!

"I hope that means yes…" I muttered, "'Cause I'd rather not call Base for backup,"

That would be bad…very bad.

Dusk POV

"C'mon, Miko! Get 'im!" Amber cheered.

"No! Raf crush her!" Ben disagreed as the two kids raced on the television.

I heard Arcee come up.

"Anyone seen Jack?" she asked.

Raf and Miko froze. Ben and Amber looked at each other and I bit my lip. She was going to kill him.

"Not since…we last saw him," Miko answered.

Arcee's optics darkened as she put the pieces together.

"They're racing aren't they," she growled.

"Just this once," Raf supplied.

Yeah…that's what he said last time.

"Did you know about this?" Arcee demanded, looking at Bulkhead, Jolt and me.

"No…" Bulkhead started, looking off innocently…and then turning guiltily back to Arcee, "Maybe…a little,"

Jolt shook his helm 'no'…but Arcee pinned him with such a cold glare that he quailed and shook his helm 'yes'.

I looked at her and gestured at the mechs.

"If they know…you can bet I know too," I said, earning some heated glances from them.

Arcee gave a loud sigh…right as an alarm went off and 'Bee's image came on screen.

"Base…do you read?" he asked frantically, "Jack and I are being chased by Knockout…might need some help!"

"You're being chased by…Knockout?" Raf asked, trying to make himself heard over loud tire squealings and revving engines.

"And I'm gonna need a little help…"

"That sounds like a Decepticon," Miko said.

"It is," I answered, "Vain, girly-mech that doesn't like having his paint scratched…not to mention he's the 'Con's medic,"

"'Bee do not engage!" Arcee ordered, "Your first priority is to keep Jack safe,"

'Bee cut off the transmission and Arcee stalked towards the Groundbridge, Bulkhead and I followed.

"Until I get my hands on him," she snarled.

I shuddered.

I had been on the receiving end of her anger…once…

Let's just say…it did not end well!

At all!

Authoress POV

Bumblebee shot down the road as fast as he could without injuring Jack. He knew that Arcee would have his spark if anything happened to the boy…he also knew that she would not be happy when she got him back.

The scout wouldn't want to be in Jack's shoes when that happened.

Knockout was gaining. There seemed no way of stopping him…but then an idea occurred to the yellow Autobot.

Jack turned his head only to catch Knockout spin from an oil…

"Slick," he snickered.

Bumblebee went over the side of a small overpass and backed up until the two were hidden under the bridge.

Both Autobot and boy froze, not daring to breathe as the red Decepticon medic moved over the bridge.

"Just go," Jack whispered, "Don't find us…"

And the Decepticon went over the bridge.

Jack let out his breath.

"I think we lost him," he sighed.

Suddenly, a pair of headlights seared Jack's eyes.

Vince.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me!" Jack moaned.

"Darby!" Vince snarled.

The bully smacked his fists together.

"Vince! You have to get out of here!" Jack warned, "You win, ok? Congratulations! Now GO!"

The boy's eyes flared electric blue in fear and his hands flickered and blurred before clearing.

"No!" Vince snapped, slamming his fists on Bumblebee's hood and making the Autobot's frame shake slightly in anger, "Now start 'er back up, loser! We're finishing this race! Don't want to take it to the finish line…fine. Then we've got something to settle, right here, right nooooowwww!"

"Vince!" Jack started as a dark servo grabbed the bully and whisked him out.

Jack got out of Bumblebee's alt and ran up the side of the ditch, watching after the Decepticon as Knockout sped over the desert.

The teen gave a loud yell, his form flickering between human and machine, finally settling as he turned to face the scout.

Jack POV

"'Bee, he's getting away!" I yelled.

The scout chirped and whirred as he came up the embankment. I threw up my hands.

"I can't understand you!" I yelled, "Look, I'm not Raf! Or Dusk! Or Ben or Amber or Dr. Williams! Can't you just…honk once for bad news and twice for good news?"

Honk! Honk! ...Honk!

I looked up…and saw Arcee, Dusk and Bulkhead come to a halt right in front of me and the transformed.

"Jack, we need to have a little chat," Arcee growled, servo on her hip.

"Later, Arcee," I dismissed, "Vince got snatched by that slick sports car 'Con!"

"What would Knockout want with a random human?" Dusk asked.

"He probably mistook Vince for Bumblebee's human friend…I'm not even Bumblebee's human friend…Raf is," I groaned, "I don't know! Look, it doesn't matter why he took him, Vince is in trouble!"

"Oh well," Bulkhead replied, nonchalantly, "Tough break for Vince,"

"Bulkhead!" I shouted.

"What!?" the Wrecker demanded, "I hear the guy's a jerk!"

Well…

"No argument there," I replied, "But the guy is also innocent. Vince doesn't deserve to get crushed by 'Cons…"

No matter how tempting that would be…

Arcee sighed and transformed.

"Hop on," she replied.

I did as I was told, but I couldn't help but think…

"This is all my fault."

Amber POV

We all sat by the computers…waiting for someone…anyone…to report in.

"They should have called by now," Raf said nervously, "You think Bumblebee's ok?"

"Don't worry Raf," Miko reassured him, "Bulkhead won't let anything happen to Jack or 'Bee,"

"Not to mention he's been through worse," Ben added, "Mission City, Egypt, Chicago, Spacebridge, Scraplets…all that fun stuff,"

"Fun?" I asked.

"You know what I mean,"

"Oh…and not to mention the 'event that shall not be named in front of the kids'," I said.

"Or the 'even that no one will speak of ever again lest Elita One comes back and hears it'," Ben added.

I snickered.

"That was a funny story,"

"What story?" Miko asked.

"There's a reason why 'Bee calls it that," was all she would get out of us.

"Aw, c'mon!" she whined…

Right as very loud pedesteps sounded in the hall.

"Scrap!" Ben and I squeaked, "Prime!"

Raf and Miko paled as Optimus walked in, helm casting side to side…searching.

"We should just tell Optimus the truth!" Raf hissed.

"Absolutely not!" Miko hissed back, "We made a deal! Just act completely normal!"

"Raf…Miko…Ben…Amber," Prime started, stopping in front of us, "Do any of you know where the others have gone?"

My mind went blank.

"Uh…" I started.

"Why no sir, we do not know!" Miko asked…in a completely fake, robotic tone that made Optimus sound normal.

"Miko is correct," Raf added mechanically in the same tone as he sat ramrod straight in his chair, "We do not know,"

His voice squeaked at the end I noticed.

"Why would we know?" Miko finished.

Prime's optics narrowed.

"Hmm," he hummed.

I turned to the kids.

"Your acting needs work," I sighed.

"Amber!" Ben hissed.

"Wha…oops," I squeaked right as Optimus' royal blue gaze pinned me, "Scrap!"

I felt like I was being picked apart right down to my core…apparently a Prime's gaze does that…because Dusk's did that too.

"Amber…" the Prime growled.

"W-what!" I demanded, "We d-don't know anything! HONEST!"

He apparently decided he wasn't going to get anything out of me…and turned his gaze on Ben.

"Benjamin…"

"You ain't getting' nothin' out of me," Ben replied, his voice going back to that southern Texas twang everyone had worked so hard to beat out of him.

It only came up when he was extremely flustered and lying at the same time…which was very, very rare.

The Prime's optics narrowed even further…becoming only the barest slits of blue as he turned to Raf…who was bowing his head.

"Rafael?" he asked gently.

"I…" the boy started.

"RAF! NO!" Miko yelled, "We have to be strong! Don't let him break you!"

She was freaking poor Raf out…and apparently Optimus noticed.

Because as soon as Miko turned her head…Optimus gently grabbed her by the back of the shirt, making her squeal indignantly as he set her down in his servo.

"Miko Nakadai…what information are you hiding from me," he growled, optics flashing.

Miko let out an 'eep' of fear…but she stood her ground surprisingly. Not many could do that.

"You'll n-never make me squeal!" she yelled, looking for a way down.

Optimus' optics flicked over to a corner…to where Miko's guitar and my drums were.

Oh no.

Miko noticed it too.

"Um…" she started, "Why are you looking in that direction?"

With his other servo, Prime gingerly picked up the instrument…dangling it just out of Miko's reach.

"You will tell me what you know," he growled softly, "Or the instrument is found in some distant country,"

Miko's eyes widened.

"N-no! Not the guitar!" she wailed, "Please!"

"Then tell me, where are the others, and where is Jack?"

Miko's face hardened.

"Take the guitar," she growled back, "I won't rat out a friend!"

The Prime cocked an optic ridge.

"Optimus?" I started.

The royal blue optics snapped to me.

"Jack and 'Bee are racing," I said bluntly, "And they're being chased by Knockout. Arcee, Dusk, and Bulkhead went after them. No one has reported back in yet,"

Miko stared at me as a barely noticeable growl filled the base and a subtle tremor ran through the Prime's frame.

"Trust me…when he says he'll bridge the guitar to a distant country…he means it," I shuddered, "My drums were found in Croatia,"

Optimus set Miko down on the platform and handed her guitar back to her…which she promptly snatched and held it close.

"Rafael, would you kindly bridge me to the others," Optimus growled.

Raf did as asked and the Prime walked through, battlemask engaged.

"Jack is so dead when Prime gets there," I sighed.

Dusk POV

We came to a stop at an intersection…right as Knockout blazed on by. We sped forwards, chasing after the Decepticon.

"On your guard guys!" Arcee ordered, slowing down, "It could be a trap,"

"Remember, no shooting," Jack reminded us.

"Speaking of safety," Arcee said, stopping, "Here's where you get off,"

Jack dismounted and stood off to the side, watching as his guardian sped off and joined us.

We came to a giant, melted hole in the fence.

"You guys go ahead in," I ordered, "'Cee and I will ambush him from the air,"

'Bee and Bulkhead both walked in while Arcee and I transformed and made our way to a water tower, climbing up as fast as we could.

Headlights turned on at the end of the yard right as blaster fire started up.

I saw Breakdown charge out of a building and nearly run into 'Bee and Bulkhead. 'Bee flipped out of the way and come back up, fists at ready…

Breakdown punched him down to earth.

I started but 'Cee held me back.

"Not yet," she said as Bulkhead and Breakdown started punching each other.

'Bee got back up and started shooting at the 'Con.

"Go," Arcee whispered.

I jumped down right as I heard Knockout say something.

"Hmmm…where're the two-wheeler and the triple-changer Prime?"

"Right here," I growled as 'Cee and I collided with his hood.

'Cee put her first down hard on the hood and I heard Knockout give a very dangerous growl.

"HEY!" he snarled, "Watch the paint!"

He shot forwards and Arcee and I hung on for dear life. I slipped into my human form to make more room for Arcee.

"What the…!?" I heard Knockout yell.

I heard him comm. Breakdown.

"Ah, Breakdown, in case you're looking for me…things got messy so I hit the road. One scrape is enough for today,"

It'll be more than one by the time we're done with you!

I gripped the roof hard as we sped by Jack. The 'Con turned hard and Arcee yelped as she flew off, tumbling for a few yards before getting back up, transforming, and coming after us.

"That's my mom," I chuckled grimly.

"HOW ARE YOU STILL HOLDING ON!?" Knockout whined.

"Might have something to so with this," I replied…and I punched a hole in his roof.

He shrieked and started cussing me out in English and Cybertronian…

Most of which I will not repeat.

Let's just say…Amber would dismantle him.

Cliffjumper POV

I will admit…I laughed when that girl of 'Sides' punched a hole in Doc Knock's roof.

Speaking of 'Sides…

He was doubled over in laughter as she did it.

"THAT'S MY GIRL!" he hollered, "THAT'S MY DUSK!"

He collected himself just enough to ghost over Dusk's fingers and whisper in her ear.

"Hold on Firebrand, help's coming," he said.

I looked over my shoulder watching as a blur of scarlet and blue race down the street.

"Um…yeah…you can say that," I said, pointing.

'Sides' helm snapped up and he pulled a face.

"She is so slagged," he groaned.

"Primus have mercy on her," I agreed, "And the others too,"

Knockout sent an electric charge through his frame, making Dusk scream in pain and forcing her to let go.

'Sides gave a vicious snarl, swiping at the 'Con.

His servo passed right through him.

"We're dead, remember?" I asked.

He gave a disgusted growl.

"Right," he huffed as Dusk transformed and took off into the air, arching into the sky and then diving at the 'Con, forcing him to dodge her.

This would not end well.

Arcee POV

Dusk touched back down from the sky, switching to her ground alt as Knockout sped up.

"Sorry, 'Cee," she said glumly, "I should have held on longer,"

"You're ok," I replied, "You did better than me,"

"Thanks…now let's fry this creep…after we get the blowhard out," she amended.

"Good idea,"

I heard a semi horn and my energon froze.

"Scrap," Dusk and I said in unison as Optimus shot out from behind a rock formation.

He rammed into Knockout and forced him into a ditch.

"Optimus," I started as he transformed and started towards the 'Con, "Knockout has a hostage,"

"Understood," came the reply…

Along with some emotions from the familiar bond that I didn't like and made Dusk sink a bit lower on her wheels.

"We're dead," she squeaked as the boys joined us.

Optimus picked up Knockout by the fender and ripped off the driver's side door, gently taking Vince out of the interior.

Knockout flipped out of Optimus' servo, his pedes hitting the desert floor with a thud.

"Do you know how hard that is to replace?!" he screeched.

Optimus gave him a cool, hard glare that only Primes had…and that scared anyone one on the receiving end of them.

Knockout saw the rest of us coming and he bolted.

Dusk, Bulkhead, and I transformed as 'Bee and Jack drove up to Optimus.

Jack rolled down the window and peered meekly out of 'Bee's alt.

The Prime looked down at him, disappointment clear in his royal blue optics.

"Optimus?" Jack started, "This was my fault,"

The Prime's battlemask disengaged.

"We must get this boy to safety immediately," he rumbled, "Explanations can come later…from all of you,"

"We're dead," 'Bee whirred sadly.

He opened the passenger side door and Optimus, with incredible gentleness, placed the unconscious bully in the passenger's seat.

Bumblebee POV

"Dad…I'm so sorry," I whirred softly, "I didn't know this would happen,"

"You should do better to remember this," he growled, "I have told you and your sister not to abuse your power. As I said, we will discuss this later,"

"But…!"

"Later,"

My spark sank. The last time he used that word…I had gotten grounded for a long, long time.

This, I think, wasn't going to be any different.

"Go," Dad ordered as I shut the door.

He didn't have to tell me twice.

I made sure Jack and the bully were secured…and I raced off to where Vince's car was last seen.

Jack POV

As 'Bee raced back to where Vince's car was last seen, I noticed that the normally chipper Autobot was awfully quiet.

I was just about to try to cheer him up…when Vince started stirring. I grabbed the steering wheel, fortunately, 'Bee seemed to guess what was going on and relinquished control.

"Owww…how did…what happened?" Vince asked as he looked over at me.

"Some guys…jumped you under the bridge…they tossed you into their trunk," I shrugged, "Must have been some kind of initiation?"

"Really?" Vince asked skeptically.

"Yeah," I nodded, "I found you…knocked out…by the side of the road…"

Well…it was sorta true at least.

We stopped on the bridge and Vince got out.

"Look," I started, "I gotta be honest. After what I saw tonight…I'm thinking racing isn't my thing,"

"I hear ya, Darby," Vince said, "Hard to win a race driving a pedal-car!"

Vince…will you ever learn to shut up!

Bumblebee revved his engine and shot off, chirping and whirring indignantly to himself. I shook my head.

"Remember the rules, 'Bee," I chastised, "No harming humans,"

Bumblebee whirred something under his…breath was it?

Bumblebee POV

"Even though it's extremely tempting,"I growled, "Sometimes,"

I rarely agree with Miko…but this was one time I did.

Vince needed pranked. And badly.

…

A few days later…

"Does anyone want to explain to me why Vince's car is covered in oreos?" Ben growled as he came in.

Dusk and I looked innocently at him.

"Nope," I replied, "No clue whatsoever,"

Miko snickered and looked at the two of us.

As soon as Ben turned his back, Miko shot us a thumbs up.

"Nice job!" she mouthed.

Dusk and I both gave little bows.

"Dusk, Bumblebee," Ratchet called, "The energon tanks need cleaning! Get back to work!"

Dusk and I both groaned but we walked to the back in any case. Dad stood on the side, a small smirk crossing his faceplate.

He engaged his battlemask when the others turned his way.

A/N Next up is Predatory I think...Sick Mind and Out Of His Head come after it and those two might be the more dark chapters of season one. Especially the latter. Oh when I get there...it'll be heartbreaking and kinda sickening...

Title from Francesca Battistelli: This Is The Stuff

Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please R&R! :)

Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)

Máriessë ar mára tecië

Farewell and fair writing

Elhini Prime signing off.