A/N

We finally enter different world jumping! Yeah! I don't know if I did X-Brawn and Side Burn correctly but I figure the absence of Prowl might've screwed up some of their personalities.

World Beyond Time

Left here behind

"This is stupid…why did we get sent out here!"

Side Burn sat with legs crossed, overlooking the passing traffic not far below. X-Brawn sighed behind him, looking up at the sky. It was far too early in the morning for either of them to be very awake or active. The two were feeling more down than usual. It was the anniversary of Prowl's death. They figured Prime knew this and sent them out for some fresh air and space. It was doing nothing more than aggravate Side Burn's short attention span.

"Just relax for once, Side Burn," groaned X-Brawn, patting his brother on the back, "Prime's just givin' us space."

"I miss Prowl…"

"You and me both…"

They sat in silence a moment longer before Side Burn perked. His optics had caught sight of a bright, glowing cherry red sports car with a glittering polish finish. He smiled warmly, jumping to his feet and preparing to transform for a full speed chase. Before he could jump into transformation, his brother pushed him back. Side Burn groaned, looking back at X-Brawn only to see that his brother was looking away.

"What's up?" gasped Side Burn.

"I heard something…"

Sure enough, there was a shattering crash of a tree trunk snapping like a twig. Only a head to head Cybertronian battle. The brothers exchanged a nod in agreement and took off for the source of the noise. Side burn had completely forgotten about the cherry red car speeding further and further away.

Optimus fell out of the portal harder than expected, hitting the ground on his shoulder and nearly hitting a nearby tree. Carefully, the young leader got back onto his feet, looking around to see if he'd startled any inhabitance, human or otherwise. No one around, Optimus let out a sigh of relief. He knew it was far from over and the thought of giving out a sigh of relief made his nerves going slightly at ease. A sharp click sent them all abuzz again.

Optimus leapt out of the way of a sudden gun fire, nearly hugging onto the tree he had almost hit. Peering around it, he caught sight of Sonic Blast coming out the other trees. His golden visor stung with unconcealed rage. He was beyond unhappy. His gun tipped smoked with the recent fire as he stopped in the empty clearing. He watched Optimus carefully, a snarl twisted upon his face.

"What does it take to kill you!" he shouted, raising his arm quickly and firing again.

Optimus jumped out of the wall, colliding with a different tree. It gave a faint crack. He panted, pushing off of it only for Sonic Blast to come running and smash him into another tree. This one let out a loud snap of the entire being breaking apart. It collapsed behind Optimus as the two hit the ground. Sonic Blast kept his hands upon Prime's throat, aiming his gun at the spark chamber. Optimus instantly kicked him off.

"Enough of this, Sonic Blast. Just give up!" ordered Optimus.

"Not until I see you're off lined body in this time period!" hissed Sonic Blast, spinning onto his feet and aiming his gun again.

"Bronco Blaster!"

"Turbo Backfire!"

Optimus perked at the out of nowhere gun fire upon Sonic Blast's right side. The opposite Autobot flinched, stepping back and lowering his weapon. Optimus kept close to the trees, watching the two mystery bots approach for the side with guns in hand. The designs were familiar but he did not know the two bots by name. The deep blue bot held a smile upon his face like a conquering child while the other looking older and more of a soldier. Quickly Optimus caught sight of the Autobot marks on both of them, though if not in unusual spots.

"Now, what do we have here?" smirked the dark blue.

"No idea," the other remarked, "Best call in backup."

"Please, we can totally hand some mystery bot besides this will be good for the mood."

"Side Burn, don't be ridiculous!"

"Side Burn?" whispered Optimus, thinking the name over in his mind before finally getting the name to click. "Prowl's brothers…"

"I'm not here to play with you fools," snarled Sonic Blast, turning to face the two directly. "So be gone or you won't have the chance."

"Look at this guy," laughed Side Burn, "thinks he's some hot stuff."

"This isn't a joke, Side Burn. Get serious," argued X-Brawn.

"Times up…" snapped Sonic Blast, raising his gun to fire.

"Sonic Blast!"

Side Burn looked over at the second unknown bot and somehow felt safer. Though the name of the second bot was not known, there was something about him that made everything look better and a sense of victory already at hand. He smiled at this. It was almost like having Optimus on the field with them. Then Side Burn stopped, smile fading. The bot and Optimus were similar in color scheme but other than that the two looked hardly alike and yet, they gave off the same sense of leadership that Side Burn could hardly ignore.

"I'll deal with you in a moment," grumbled Sonic Blast, turning back the brothers.

"And let me escape again?"

Sonic Blast's attention was gathered, a smile creeping upon his face. Side Burn didn't get it, looking to X-Brawn for answers. His elder looked at the two unknown bots were extreme carefulness than once belonged to Prowl's skillful optics. The thought of Prowl saddened Side Burn for but a moment. Sonic Blast moved to look at Optimus directly, smile gleaming.

"Ready to accept death, young Prime?" he asked.

"Not really," he nodded, pulling out his Energon ax, "but I'm ready to fight for it."

"In front of these two…idiots," mocked Sonic Blast, motioning to the two.

"Hey!" shouted Side Burn. "Who you calling an idiot? You're the mystery no-name bot!"

"My name is Sonic Blast, and if you do not silence yourself my name will by the last words from your vocalizers."

"Sonic Blast," called Optimus. "You're fight is with me."

"Yes, yes it is," he nodded.

"And you are?" X-Brawn asked.

"Later…if I live through this," sighed Optimus.

"And if you don't?" mumbled Side Burn.

"Then I'll be the lamest mystery bot you've ever met," smiled Optimus, tightening his grip on his ax.

"Screw it!" shouted Side Burn, raising his gun and firing upon Sonic Blast without another thought. "Turbo Backfire!"

X-Brawn shoved his brother back, dodging Sonic Blast's retaliation shot. Optimus lunged for Sonic Blast, managing to get his ax deep into the bot's shoulder but was shoved off just as quick. X-Brawn fired two shots and Side Burn three more before Sonic Blast's leaking shoulder caused him to retreat. He faded into a black hole like portal, leaving the three standing alone in the center of the woods.

"Do we get a name now?" Side Burn hummed, looking to the last unknown bot.

"Hmm? Oh yes name," gasped Optimus. "Sorry, Side Burn, I'm a little frazzled."

"Hey, how you know my name?" snapped Side Burn, stepping forward toward Optimus.

"Side Burn and X-Brawn, yes?"

"Yes," the two replied.

"I'm sorry but I must be goin-"

Optimus took barely two steps before a sharp pain went through his system. Life seemed to flash and at the same time rewind before him. He fell without realizing it. Side Burn and X-Brawn were quickly at his side but he barely knew. Scrambling for the medicine, Optimus dropped the injection. He blacked out soon after.