(See chapter 1 for disclaimer)

Super-fast A/N: This chapter would not be possible without XxXSkylarkxRatchetXxX's review. Her wonderfull comment made my day, (and also gave me some plotbunnies), and, before I forget, "I'VE GOT MY INTERNET BACK!" Sorry but it's so fantastic to have internet after almost 10 weeks of non-communication. And finally, I've got Tonselitis (can't remember how to spell it, LOL.)

So you might get annother chapter sooner than you think... (no promises)


Chapter 3

Ratchet

Ratchet was, wounded, tired hungry and alone. Ironhide was gone. Murdered by that traitor, Sentinel. That slagger, he trusted him! Separated from his pack, this wolf had only one goal: revenge. If Ironhide was gone, he was going to make damn sure it wasn't in vain. So he slipped away during the battle, he couldn't bear not seeing his beloved, he was meant to be there, in the heart of the battle. But he wasn't, Ironhide was gone.

Trying to be as discreet as possible, Ratchet was slowly approaching his den. His old den, Megatron had stolen it. Unluckily for him, Ratchet had lived in this particular den for half of his life, and he knew every single nook and cranny off by heart. Perfectly concealed in a bush, Ratchet was currently eavesdropping on Starscream and Ironhide's muderer.

"Oh, Sentinel...the pathetic autoscum almost beat yoooou. He singsonged. Are you that weak, Prime? He sneered the last bit, getting into the other wolf's personal space to drive his point home. "Huh Prime, stoop so low as to side with the enemy? Yes?

The red and grey wolf snarled, suddenly pouncing on the light grey wolf, locking his jaws around the other's neck, pinning him to the ground in submission. "Watch your words younling, One might think you were challenging my position, you know what Megatron does to those who abuse their power.

Starscream wouldn't submit, his ego wouldn't allow it. "Submit to your superior, younling!" Sentinel growled, increasing the pressure on the other beast's neck, for empathis. "You..ek..wouldn't!" The Decepticon's SIC almost-wimpered, choking at the pressure.

A moment later Starscream regretted saying that. In a matter of seconds, Sentinel had exposed the other wolf's fragile underbelly and brought his blunt claws down on it drawing four painful lines from chest to just above his concealed sex. He then used another paw to rip the fur from his flesh. The grey wolf couldn't stop the scream.

And Ratchet had to look away. He almost felt sorry for him. But the strategic part of his brain told him, this was his chance. Starscream was injured, crippled really. And his aggressor was distracted, it went against his code of honour. But he had to get revenge. Whatever the price.

So Ratchet crept out of his hiding place and pounced on Sentinel. His original plan was to go for the neck, but that went out the window when he witnessed the lightning-fast reflexes of his opponent. Instead of having his jaws around the other animal's jugular, he had a massive clump of fur stuck in his teeth and Sentinel had a newly acquired bald-patch on his back.

Doing a 360 to face Ratchet, the red and grey wolf sneered "Ah Rrratchet. I see you time as a medic hasn't improved your aim. Face me coward!" "Traitor!" Ratchet snarled, launching himself once again on his aggressor. Rearing against each other, the wolves battled, biting, clawing and punching, both wanting to get the upper-hand.

Blood streaming down his wounded flanks, Ratchet was at a crossroads: continue to fight, get slaughtered and join Ironhide, or leave and try to find Optimus? Both were tempting, right now, but what would Ironhide think if he got killed by Sentinel? His father always told him making a tactical retreat was not cowardly, should he do so now?

White-hot blinding pain exploded in his left shoulder, he wasn't concentrating. His opponent had managed to deal a critical hit. It was now or never, fight or flight..fight or flight..fight or fli- RUN! He ran, sprinted through the bushes, taking a well-known path. But it wasn't over, he had a pursuer...

N.E.S.T wildlife rescue centre

"Will? Wha' th' hell! Where am I? Will!"

The slightly blurry figure of a man came into his view. "Hey, it's okay. You blacked out after Ironhide talked to you." "What?" The still groggy man asked, trying to sit up. The figure, who upon closer inspection was William Lennox sighed before replying. "Epps do you remember what happened before you blacked out? "N-no. Why?" "Well, try and remember, please."

Robert shifted to a more comfortable position on his..bed? He was obviously in the rest-room after having 'blacked out' like his colleague had said. Why did he faint? Ah! He remembered something. He had just given up searching for Will, who he hadn't seen since last night. So the man soldiered on, visited the meat locker, to grab a piece of meat to feed Black- Hang on a minute! Black t-talked to him? Did he? Or did he dream that? Was that why he blacked out? His thoughts in turmoil, Epps decided to ask his colleague, the single most stupid question he had ever asked:

"D-did that wolf talk?"

If possible, William let out a sigh of relief? At this point Robert was terribly confused, wondering if he was slowly going mad, especially when Lennox replied "Yes, good. Do you know what he said?"

"Something about Ironhide of Sigma Three- What the Hell! Am I going mad?" As if talking to a frightened animal he murmured, "Come here, I want to show you something."

Hesitantly Epps slid off of the bed, standing on slightly wobbly legs, like a newborn foal. Nonetheless, he followed his colleague. They exited the rest room, went past the make-shift kitchen. Where Lennox instructed him to fill up a small bottle of water. Clutching the liquid filled bottle in his right hand, the man continued though the small door, towards the entrance of the small building.

When it became apparent Will was leading him to the wolf's enclosure, Robert's blood pressure sky-rocketed.

The fair skined N.E.S.T worker whistled, before coming to a stop right in front of the beast's cage. "Hello, Ironhide." He said softly, reaching out to unbolt the lock. "What the hell are you doing!" The other man suddenly blurted out, startling both man and wolf. In answer Lennox finished unbolting the lock and stepped into the cage. Epps almost had a heart-attack then and there. His co-worker just walked into a wild animal's enclosure! Sure he was about to witness his best friend's demise, he wanted to look away, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene.

A massive black shadow just moved towards Lennox, but upon closer inspection, this shadow wasn't a shadow at all. The beast reached his colleague, only for him to crouch down and stroke it? Sure enough, the man's hand ruffled the fur on the wolf's forehead, who let out something akin to a feline's purr, nuzzling the human's hand. "Lennox, why are you here. Brought me the puppy?" The beast murmured in a gruff tone? "No sorry 'Hide but I will if you convince Epps, you're real."

"Come 'ere, human."

A/N #2 And voila for another chapter! See you guys next time! Thanks for following, favoriting and reviewing! Reviews are my energon! ;)

P.S If I got Ratchet's fight scene wrong, it's simply 'cause I can't remember his one in "Human Curse" so I am re-writing most fight scenes. :)