Warrior Star's anger lent speed to her paws, and she raced through the forest at near suicidal speeds. Only her ability to twist at high speeds was saving her, her frame creaking dangerously as she dodged trees skillfully. Her armor flexed and groaned, tree branches slapping off of her chest armor and helm as she cut so close on some turns that she took bark off of the trees. She burst from the forest, slamming to a halt when she realized she had reached the landing site of their…visitor.
A long furrow in the dirt ended in a massive crater, steam still rising into the air from the impact as Warrior Star narrowed her optics, then raised her head to search the area.
Where are you… She thought, her cobalt blue optics sweeping the area, then a slight movement in the opposing treeline caught her attention. She instantly turned to it, finding herself staring into a pair of yellow optics that gleamed with uncertainty, but held a sort of fearlessness that intrigued her.
It was a mech. A big, sleek, powerful mech. His armor was the color of threatening storm clouds, fading to silver on his belly and the insides of his legs. He moved with a slight limp, staying in the treeline, but she was still able to see his entire huge frame.
What IS he? Warrior Star wondered, scanning the internet to try and find a similarity for the mech's form. She came up with a combination of things. His head and face closely resembled a bobcat, a short neck leading to a body that seemed almost too long for his head. His body, sleek and powerful, cropped up an image resemblance for a thanator, a fictional creature from some fantasy/sci-fi movie that was extremely popular. His legs were like hers, that of a wolf, long, thick and powerful, able to eat up the miles like they were nothing. His tail was a little strange, shorter than hers and her brothers, but ending in a star-like barb that gleamed with a deadly brilliance in the moonlight. As she watched, the barb transformed down into an innocent looking tail tip, then flickered back out to its original form.
Hmm. Sneaky. And deadly. He's built for close combat…but it matters not what he is or what he was created for. He dies here and now. Warrior Star thought, letting loose with a vicious snarl, then she charged. She didn't care that the mech was sheltered behind several trees, merely turning her massive frame so that her shoulder smashed down the ones in her way.
The mech stumbled back, trying to avoid both the falling trees and the charging femme, but she was too close and he didn't have enough room to maneuver. Lowering her head, she slammed into him like a charging bull, forcing him up onto his rear paws before raising her head and throwing him onto his back. Forced to leap over him rather than trip over him and slam nose-first into the dirt, Warrior Star leaped, hitting the ground behind him and sliding to a halt as she flattened several more trees in the process. Regaining her balance, she twisted and leaped for him again.
The mech had managed to roll onto his belly when her forepaws hit his shoulder, driving him into the dirt and knocking him on his side as her hind paws hit the dirt, then one forepaw hit the ground on his far side before she slammed the other down onto his thick silver chest plate. She lowered her head to sink her jagged dentals into his armored neck when he spoke suddenly.
"Guardian, why have you attacked me?" Jolting in shock, Warrior Star jerked her head back, staring down into light yellow optics that were flecked with gold near his irises. Still with one paw on his chest, she simply stared at him, too stunned to speak.
How did he know I am a Guardian class femme? She wondered, twitching slightly when he touched his nose to her paw.
"I am no threat, Guardian. I am neutral, looking for asylum and peace. This is the planet called Earth, yes? The one where the battle for the All Spark was fought?" His voice was gentle and warm, flowing over her like water over stone as she shook her head slightly and snapped out of her stupor.
"Yes, this is Earth, and yes, that battle was fought here, but long ago. And you came to the wrong place for asylum, mech. Decepticons and Autobots both roam this place in force. Their war is being fought to this day." Warrior Star said softly, finally stepping back and allowing the mech to rise. She tensed when she heard crashing in the distance behind her, and she realized her brothers had arrived.
"Run, mech. My brothers are nearby. The pack motto tends to be 'kill first, ask no questions'. Hopefully you will find your peace…I am still searching for mine." She turned, intent on going to speak with her brothers, when his voice stopped her once more.
"Guardian, what is your designation?" She turned, staring at him from the corner of one optic thoughtfully, then she replied.
"I am Warrior Star. And you, mech?" Cobalt blue stared into yellow for a second, then a fleeting smile crossed his jaws, and he spoke.
"I am Breaksteel." Hearing the noise behind her growing louder by the second, she twisted to look back uneasily, then she faced him again.
"Breaksteel, then. Get out of here. I don't think I'll be able to stop them this time. Run while you can, and I wish you well. Now go. Run!" Warrior Star's voice was a snarl by the end, but Breaksteel wasn't there to hear it. He had already bolted into the trees and was gone.
Standing there calmly, Warrior Star stared at the trees where he had disappeared, not moving even as her brothers burst from the trees behind her and raced up to her.
Why did I let him go? She wondered as Swiftpaw started nosing around the landing site, Keystone searching the area as Shadowfang looked at her suspiciously. She had no idea.
A/N: Long time no update. Sorry 'bout that...Battle Song is starting to kick off, and with that one being much overdue for updates (and finishing, at that...) it is taking precedence over Always There. My apologies...but I knew that if this happened, Battle Song would be my focus. Trying to finish off those lingering stories that have been languishing for years. *facepalm* Anyway...
Short-ish chapter. And hello Breaksteel! I've been kicking his design around for a few weeks...just commissioned an artist to try drawing him. If it works out to my liking, I'll definitely post the link so that you guys can see what I imagine him as looking like. ^.^
To my dear reviewers, favoriters, readers, and followers, thank you for your readership! I see that most of my reviewers have followed me from The Wanderer...thanks guys! I love you all! *hugs*
As always, love if you will, hate if you must. I will take anything that you care to dispense.
Until we meet again...
Kani