12Well, well, well… lookie who just pulled out a chappie out of its butt? Yup, that's me. Things have gone up and down lately, and my muse abandoned me for a long time. But after some changes for the planned plot, I think I'm slowly back on the track. It'll take more time but hopefully I'll reach it. This chapter was a big challenge…
BIG TRIGGER WARNING: self-harming and swearing - IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE DON'T READ THIS
Soundtrack:
An End Once And For All (Extended Cut) from Mass Effect 3, Sam Hulick & Clint Mansell
Chapter 14 – I'll Stand By You
One week later
Time felt slower for Rodimus than it was. He experienced that his injury healed slow, too slowly for his favor. It felt like a very slow sloth that climbed through his spinal column, which chaotically grew his bitter frustration over the feeling of the powerless dependence on others that made him missing the freedom of independence.
He missed the times when he, his guardians and Arcee would race together and see who was the fastest racer. But then again Rodimus remembered Hot Shot's speed from the first day he met him. He hadn't forgotten how faster the silver mech was, something he grew jealous about his speed and the fact he was faster than the young Prime. It suddenly ached his spark when he thought on Ylva. He knew almost nothing about her or Hot Shot, yet it felt like they had been close friends since many years back.
Now he was her new guardian.
Rodimus experienced how his life had changed totally dissimilarly. He lied his focus more on Ylva than himself and his recovery. He spent less time with the other Autobots whereas he spent more time with Ylva and her dogs. The dogs proved to be great help, not only for Ylva but for Rodimus as well. He loved Kickan. Kickan's happy energy and cheerful behavior helped him to forget the agony, the slow healing progress and the boredom. However, he felt lonelier than before.
Tracy, he thought when the old memories from his life before he met his people replayed in front of his optical system.
He saw her. He saw Tracy in front of him. His spark's beating exploded in an extreme speed. It ripped a scar up that bled. Rodimus fought against the agony of his long dead human partner. He missed her. Just then, Rodimus thought more on Ylva. She reminded him of Tracy, which he feared it pretty well. He felt his own shaking servos that shuddered like they got electrized.
The young Prime faced many memories at once. Too many.
They clouded his processor, preventing him from thinking clear and straight. He couldn't think straight through nor consider wisely on his decisions or actions. He grew more unpredictable and reckless by every day that passed. He failed to pay attention from the other Autobots. His processor became narrow, which it caused his inability to see the whole picture.
Rodimus was lost in his processor. Everything was in the gray zone between white and black. But when he headed to his quarters, he heard barking noises. It was Kickan. She sounded energic and restless. He guessed it out directly. She wanted to go out and play fetch. Just as it happened, he felt not on the mood. He wanted the loneliness.
It was then he saw Ylva.
Maybe I shall spend some time with her, he reconsidered with a frown on his face plates. It would be nice. And… I need to talk with her.
Rodimus decided to be with the woman and her dogs. Perhaps he can get a glimpse of light in the tunnel where he walked mentally through alone. He walked to them where he got greeted by Kickan who barked fully energic. He kneeled down on his knee gear, expanding his left servo and patted Kickan's fluffy head.
"Hej, Kickan. Hur mår du?" he said in Swedish. He sounded terribly when he spoke not in English. He sounded so strange that Rodimus felt unsure and ridiculous. Still, he wanted to learn speaking Ylva's mother language, using it as an advantage. Besides, speaking multiple languages than speaking only one language was a great advantage.
Then he saw Ylva. She stood on a quite short distance, seemingly wary over him. She stood unsteadily. She relied on her crutches to hold her up on her feet, her injured leg slightly bent. It hurt to hold her injured leg straight, thus she walked with one leg and crutches.
"Hi, Ylva," he called her.
"Hey, Stoffe-Puffe," she replied. Her melodic voice sounded unusual. She sounded unhappy somewhat for his audio receptors.
"Are you okay?" he asked, waiting patiently for her to come closer, which she did eventually.
"I'm fine," she replied. But Rodimus could figure out effortlessly that it was a lie. He sensed something was wrong.
"Okay. That's good," he lied back. Something isn't right here. She looks… sad. What have happened?
Ylva lied her eyes on Jokke who stood beside her, looking up on her with his aged, wise eyes. He seemed to be wary too, almost affected by her hidden emotions. Kickan on other hand seemed not to notice on it. She was naïve. The young mech gazed on the woman.
"What plans have you, Ylva?" he then asked.
"Nothing special. I'm planning to take my dogs on a walk," she answered. It gave Rodimus a quick idea.
"You mind if I come along?" he gave her another question. It was a gentle, yet careful one. "I mean, you surely would need someone."
"Well…" her voice trailed like a wind that vanished into silence. She looked on Jokke who seemed to wish telling her to let Rodimus join with them. Then she replied: "Fine. You can come with us."
"That's great," he gave her a delighted smile, only to fade it briefly once he realized she appeared wanting to be alone. Yet, Rodimus felt suddenly responsible for her wellbeing. "So… perhaps we can take a drive and walk some place from the base?"
The only thing he met was silence. Instantly he sensed that something really bad must had occurred. When he narrowed his optical system to take a closer look, Rodimus saw how pale she was in her face. She didn't look ill though. Neither did her body temperature show any signs of fever that Rodimus quickly scanned through her body.
"Shall we?" he asked one more time, pointing on the direction where the quickest exit out from base laid. He received a few nods from Ylva who remained silent.
Then they walked to the exit in a calm rate. Once they got outside, he transformed into his Ford vehicle mode, opened up his driver door where Ylva jumped clumsily in and sat on the driver's seat. On passenger's seat sat Kickan while Jokke took the back seats where he lied down on his belly, panting slightly. Rodimus drove away, not directly in full speed but rather a steady speed. Ylva lied her head onto the window, gazing out on the dusty road. They were heading out to the human city far away from the well-hidden headquarters. However, during the trip, Rodimus decided to take their trip to the wilderness instead.
The dogs would be so happy to run freely. After over an hour's trip, they arrived to a region of small forests where they found a secret spot from human eyes. A big but hidden meadow was their chosen spot to be. The dogs got excited as they explored the new scents from flowers, grass and trees. Ylva struggled to sit down. Her injured leg brought more pain while she took it slowly to sit on her butt, her legs outstretched on the grass. Rodimus sat beside her.
"Ylva, you've been quiet on the whole trip," he began. Now it was time for him to learn the truth. "Has something happened with you last night?"
Still not a word came from her. Her silence started to annoy Rodimus. His patience hadn't grown better recently.
"Talk with me," he continued. "Hey, I'm here. Do you even listen to me?"
Not a single word was heard from her. She sat there in silence, seemingly ignoring him as she was inside her own world. The dogs wandered around. Jokke walked calm, sniffing in the grass while Kickan bounced and barked in excitement. But despite it, Ylva seemed to ignore her dogs as well.
"Ylva, knock it off. I want to talk with you," Rodimus was close to erupt in frustration. His impatience grew quicker and more frustrated.
Another klik passed. Ylva moved her head away from him, avoiding him even more.
"Alright that's it," he had enough as he stood up on his pedes, glaring down on Ylva's back. "If you don't want to talk, then I'll leave you here and take the dogs with me. I hope you enjoy sitting here all alone."
He whistled to the dogs that heard him. They came to him.
"Come," he ordered them.
He and Kickan walked away across the meadow. However, the lapphund was quick to notice that Jokke was not coming. No, he was sitting next to Ylva, refusing to leave his owner. Rodimus groaned frustrated, though he chose not to call the malamute to come. He did not want to waste time anyway. He and the lapphund continued farther ahead. But just then, as they had reached less than one mile, he stopped on a halt. Rodimus rethought on Ylva. He shouldn't have left her alone.
"What the hell am I doing?" he swore to himself. His frustration was replaced by regret as he cast his gaze over his shoulder, looking behind his back. He saw no sight of Ylva or Jokke. They were both gone. On that quick klik, Rodimus realized his mistake. His processor didn't respond hastily before he looked on Kickan and shouted a command: "Sök, Kickan!"
The lapphund took action. The command, sök, meant only one thing; search. Kickan ran away, barking like a herding dog chasing around its cattle. Although, Rodimus sent a prayer to Primus that he and Kickan will find Ylva and Jokke before something serious happened with them. His processor overheated with thousands of thoughts that spun like a tornado. He followed after Kickan who ran to the spot where her owner and the old malamute sat a few kliks ago. She lowered down her nose, sniffing after the scents of them before she barked out, telling Rodimus that she found the scents.
Then it was all following after her. Kickan ran fast, following the scents through the grass. She didn't stop barking. It was part of her behavior. When excited or focused, she'd bark to maintain her owner's attention. Despite his wound, Rodimus resisted to give up. He jogged after her. His spark pounded insanely fast. Thousands of pictures flashed before his optics, dreadful ones that forced him to flitch multiple times like he got dust.
Where are you Ylva, he worried for her. All of his sensors were on high alert. Please, don't do something bad.
The search felt like it lasted ages before Rodimus saw the first glimpses of hope. Kickan's barking gave a result as they heard Jokke's howls. They then met the malamute who appeared out of nowhere, howling somehow defensive. Kickan tried to give him a happy reunion but Jokke snapped with an angry snarl, putting her on place. Jokke's angry growling triggered Rodimus into action. Jokke must've seen something that caused him to behave like it.
The young Prime scanned over the area. No sight of other life. His spark pounded faster than it can handle. He was close to get his spark stopped within a nano-klik when his scanner detected a dot of life. The signal was Ylva. She stood close to a river bank, sitting on the grass. Her heart rate was high. Her body temperate indicated she was highly emotional. Was she sad? For every ped-step he took, his spark pulsed faster. The dogs followed after him, running around his pedes whereas they barked and howled frequently. Then, finally, Rodimus spotted Ylva. She sat close to the water, staring across the river that flowed calmly. The crutches laid next to Ylva.
"Ylva?" Rodimus inquired her. No response was heard from her. Jokke trotted to his owner, sitting beside her and panted fast. The pause dragged the time in between them. The young Prime neared closer and closer until he stopped. He stood as closest with only four ped-steps from Ylva.
"Stoffe-Puffe…" Ylva broke the silence. Her voice was sad. "Do you have the ability to… shift into microform?"
That question was something he'd never heard before. Microform? What was that for a thing? He hadn't heard of it before either. "Microform? What is that?" he asked confused.
"Don't tell me that you don't have microform installed on your body," she grumbled upset. Still, she evaded eye-contact. She didn't want to look him in the eye. "Ugh… apparently Sixten have not mentioned to you yet."
"You mean Ratchet? Well… to be honest, he never said anything about that to me. You know what, I'll drive back and ask him to do it on me. I will be back as quickly as I can –"
"You can't just drive away and leave us here. Masse wouldn't allow that. He'd be very angry if he finds out you have left us."
"Alright, alright, alright I get it… ugh, you know what, we'll head back then if you don't mind," getting more irritated, Rodimus knelt down to grasp Ylva, lifting her with care and carried her all way back to the gravel road where he shifted back to his Ford vehicle. The woman and her dogs were inside him already on their regular seats. Once again Ylva leaned her head onto the window, closing her eyes and fell into a nap.
The trip lasted shorter than expected as Rodimus drew faster, almost too fast for the dogs' liking. They started to bark, howl and whine as if they were trying to tell the young mech to slow down. By the time he arrived back in base, he opened the back doors for the dogs to jump out. Directly as it happened Jokke puked up. He was dizzy and very nauseous. Kickan behaved like she was in an urgency as she ran wildly in circles. Ylva got outside in time when Rodimus transformed up to his robotic form. On that moment, Kickan couldn't hold it any longer before she rushed on his ped, squatting down and peed.
"Hey! Kickan stop it!" he yelled out, nearly gave her a kick that she'd fly in the air if she was not fast to run from him in time.
He was ruder than appreciated. He left Ylva and her dogs behind. His processor was lost in burning anger that grew as his irritation thundered viciously. He didn't want to be with Ylva anymore. He didn't want to spend his time with anyone else at all. His path led to his private quarters where he hastily closed the doors on automatic lockdown.
However, just then, he suddenly stopped. Rodimus looked around in his quarters. His processor finally caught up as he reconsidered through his actions. Realization beat inside his spark. He had left Ylva rudely without saying a word. He was close to kick Kickan high in the air, possibly close to break every bone inside her. He had driven ridiculously fast, which it caused Jokke to vomit up.
What in the pit was he doing?
He was behaving like a youngling. His irritation bleached like a flood that got stopped by a dam of guilt and shame. Tears soaked the corners of his optics. A short sparkbeat pulsed when Rodimus cried. He squatted down on his aft, hiding his tearful face plates behind his servos.
"I'm so sorry… I'm so, so sorry…" he barely said between his tears. His processor acted like crazy while he faced millions of flashing pictures before his optics. He saw Tracy in front of him. "Tracy… what am I doing? I'm so scared and all alone."
He heard no answer. Tracy was not there for him. She was dead. She never responded to his prayers anymore. She was up in the heaven. She was gone forever. He was alone, all on his own. A long moment lasted while he sat on the floor, sobbing in silence. Then he raised up back on his pedes, only to jump on his berth where he wept. He still hid his face plates behind his servos, crying intensely. The feelings of regret reappeared within his spark. His processor started to blacken as it gave birth to thousands of thoughts that voiced inside his audio receptors.
Then, unexpectedly, he thought on Arcee. He felt a sudden massive urge that demanded her presence. He needed her. He wanted her to be with him. However, just as he reached up his servo to press on his audio receptor, he halted. He heard the thousands of voices inside his processor that told him many horrible things.
You should be ashamed… you are unworthy, Rodimus. Why don't you simply leave them and end your pathetic life? Do it.
The dark voice sounded like an icy wind that blew harsh snow onto his face plates. What the hell was happening to him? He wasn't himself.
Why is all of this happening to me? Why me, he questioned everything for himself. His optics turned blind in the black darkness where the tiny light through the tunnel was gone, switched off. Rodimus sobbed silently when he recalled the night when he saw Aina. He hadn't forgotten the vildvittra. He was haunted over the fact that Aina and Ylva shared the same body. He did not know that until he learned it later.
"Father, what's wrong with Ylva?" he asked to Optimus. "She wasn't herself when she came…"
"Was it really her?" he gave him another question to his frustration.
"No… Hot Shot got the hell scared up. Jokke got aggressive. Hot Shot called her… Aina."
A heavy sigh was heard from Optimus who looked suddenly sorrowful. He gazed on the dogs who rested next to Rodimus, giving him comfort. "When it comes to Ylva… she's never alone. She'll never be alone. Mentally. There are things that she doesn't talk about unless she feels she can trust on someone enough."
"Father, she trusts me."
"But does she trust you enough to tell her darkest secrets?"
"I… I don't know. She has told me about the accident though along that she has gone through many heart surgeries throughout her life."
"I see."
"Please… you got to tell me about her. What's wrong with her really?"
"Rodimus, there are things you'll need to understand. Ylva… she has split personality disorder. Ylva and Aina are two souls sharing the same body. Whenever Ylva is pressed on a corner, unable to flee, Aina will come out and attack. Aina is someone you don't want to face."
"Wait a klik, you're afraid for Aina too?"
As it happened, Rodimus paid a notice on Optimus' optics. He spotted a tiny tear glittering on the left optic's corner.
"You're alright, father?" he questioned, nearing him.
"Son… I need to be alone," the tall former commander replied hastily before he suddenly walked away, leaving a confused Rodimus behind.
Ever since, he wondered what was really going on with his father. Soon after Ylva woke up, Optimus grew very attached to her as he let her sleep on his berth inside his quarters. However, there was a price for it. Optimus grew more overprotective for her. He became unpredictable as his moods would shift drastically, making him almost dangerous like a bear. It terrified the other Autobots, yet they all knew the strong bond he'd forged with the woman.
The one who was responsible for the loss of her arms.
Rodimus hadn't forgotten it. He knew the truth. Optimus caused the accident. He caused the double amputation of Ylva's arms. Yet, she never learned about the truth. It was simple. He feared losing her more than anything else, especially breaking her trust.
You're worthless, Rodimus. Ylva will never trust you again. You've damaged her trust…
"Shut up…" he whimpered as he tried to unhear the icy mental voice. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"
You have no shame inside, neither do you have the honor to be even a Prime. You shouldn't even exist in this pathetic world.
"Stop it!" Rodimus screamed out. Then it happened. He punched himself on his cheek bone plate, dangerously close to the optic. Another punch was quick to follow. He punched himself in a rapid pace on the same spot. His knuckles creaked as his cheek started to crack. He punched painfully fifteen times in a row on the same spot until he stopped. By then, his knuckles were bathed in Energon. His cheek plate was damaged with visible cracks that bled a lot, yet not severely. But it didn't end there.
Good… keep beating yourself. You must punish yourself for your reckless behaviors.
"Shut up you fucking voices!" Rodimus yelled desperately when he punched his other cheek. It took equally fifteen punches to crack his cheek plate and make it bleed. Now both of his knuckles were blooded in Energon. Yet, he felt no pain on his face. It burned a lot but it was nothing compare to the pain inside his spark. Then he closed his optics tightly. More tears welled on his optics that joined the flowing downward alongside the Energon.
The silence inside his quarters was thick. The only sounds were Rodimus' slow venting. Lying on his berth, Rodimus fought back against the mental voices. There were so many of them, all bound to one icy voice. His damaged cheek plates continued bleeding, though it started to leak less. It hurt a lot. It burned but only temporarily. Eventually, he fell asleep. Although, he couldn't help himself to hear the sounds and see the pictures of a assimilated monster that haunted inside his processor. He was such a fool to check on classic movies from the 1980's. One of those movies was The Thing. That horror movie infected his processor with nightmares. However, this recharge was less if not so different.
He was lost. The thick fog swirled around him, preventing him from seeing the path before his pedes. Rodimus shot his gazes everywhere in search for an escape. He found no way. Just then, he heard clanging sounds of talons that landed behind him. He swiftly swung around to look behind him. But just as he did, it was quick to vanish inside the fog. Tension arose wildly high whereas he looked after the invisible threat.
"Hehehehe…" a giggle came within the fog. Rodimus' doorwings stood erected in fierce tension as he listened after the giggling laugh. It sounded like a cawing raven that tried to imitate a woman's voice.
"Who goes there?" he asked aloud. He stayed focused.
Then he sensed the chill trailing across his spinal column when he heard the deep exhaling growl that came behind him. He dared not to look behind his back this time. He knew what it was behind him. It was the Kennel-Thing; a horrific mutated monster with a slender, deformed and slimy dog head that absorbed several sled dogs and went through a terrifying metamorphose, which it brought the worst kind of horror. Its roaring squeals screamed so loudly that it echoed throughout the entire darkness.
"Aina, Aina, Aina!"
Suddenly he heard the exciting calls that struck out without warning. Then a dark silvery shadow slashed through the darkness with razor-sharp blades as wings. He shut his optics hard while he listened on the bloodbath that occurred behind him. Impulsively, he covered his audio receptors to block the terrifying screams, the splattering blood that shredded like a mess and the cawing laughs full of excitement. And then it all stopped. Yet, even if it ended brutally, Rodimus didn't dare to take a look behind his spinal stunt. He was too afraid.
Immediately Rodimus realized who it was who came to the rescue. It was Aina. But something was strange. He sensed it was more than met the eye when it came about Aina. Slowly, he heard how the Kennel-Thing got ignited in flames that destroyed its body, killing it entirely. Its final cries died like a fading wind that vanished into nonexistence.
"Hehehehe…" he heard her giggling. Claws clanged as talons stepped on the floor. He stayed frozen still, focusing on high alert while he scanned after Aina. He didn't find her. Instead she found him. "Why do you fear?"
It was then he met her. Eye to eye, he saw her walking before him. He instantly realized that Aina was not what he'd expected. Aina was a robotic bird. Her optics shone in bright yellow, sharp like an eagle. She was relatively huge to his surprise. And covered in feathers that were long, pointy and thick. Her face was more human with an eagle's beak as a nose while her lips revealed a sinister smile of a trickster who was going to betray him. Her talons were samurai swords; razor-sharp that were capable to slash any human into shreds. Scrap, even her wings were enormous with an outstanding wingspan at over four and half meters. Her tail feathers were as long as two and half meters in a shape of a swallow's tail.
"Are you Aina?" Rodimus gave her a fast question that came out thoughtlessly of his processor.
"Aina… Aina, Aina," Aina replied by repeating her own name. "Oh yes, that's my name, Rodimus Prime."
"Wait, how'd you know my name?"
"Easy to answer. I go wherever she goes. I'm inside her mind. I see everything. I hear everything. I feel everything…"
Hearing the mysterious tune of Aina's sly voice told Rodimus to stay on guard. He might not know everything about Aina or Ylva's past but he knew for one certain thing. He cannot trust Aina. Hot Shot feared her so he looked like he was about to shit himself down his aft.
"Aina, why are you here?" Rodimus gave her a third question, expecting more riddles from her.
"That's easy to give you an answer. You're not inside a dream."
Then beating sounds drummed, echoing inside the darkness. The fog seemed to respond by creating tiny shockwaves that waved across the floor. As it happened, an electric force field appeared in a shape of an egg, hiding both Rodimus and Aina inside. Just then, the young Prime paid attention on an unexpected sensation. The egg-shaped force field was raising up. It carried them safely away from the foggy darkness. Above them, there was a light that slowly brightened up, scaring the darkness away. Once they reached the light, they were in a world of bright clouds. It reminded like Heaven.
"Aina, this isn't funny," he yelped, feeling unsteady over the loss of gravity. Oh yes, the force field had no gravity. Rodimus was floating while Aina used barely her wings to glide around him. "Where the hell are you doing?"
"I'm taking you out from the creature you feared so much. Ah… what a shame. You are all beaten up. I thought you were strong enough. Apparently, you lost yourself."
It was then Rodimus found what she meant. His face was damaged. Both of his cheeks were still bleeding. Now he felt the heating pain that spread all over his face plates. He gasped in horror. "This is not your business to know, Aina," he snapped in thought of she'd knew what he had done.
"So? I know what you'd done. You hurt her… you hurt Raven girl," she hissed. Her lips formed a snarl so her fangs barred brightly.
"Aina, please don't hurt me. I didn't mean to hurt her. I'm so sorry. I don't want to make harm for Ylva."
"I came not here to punish you…" Aina glided closer until she caught his chest with her talons. Rodimus screamed in agony as he felt the talons penetrating through his armor so easily without a single struggle. Their gazes met. Then Aina continued: "I came here to warn you of what will happen soon."
"What you're talking about?!" he had to shout out because of the pain that ate through his chassis.
"Listen carefully… how much are you willing to sacrifice… for your unborn?"
"Aaaagh!" he screamed out. His spark trembled wildly underneath his chest plates when he vented in and out, trying to cool himself down. He did feel it. Rodimus did really feel the sharp pain of samurai blades tearing through his armor. He touched everywhere of his body to see if he had any wounds. Fortunately to speak he was whole in shape. What is happening to me, he thought questionably.
It was then he spotted the dry spots of Energon on his berth. His damaged cheek plates had long gone stopped leaking, yet they did leave a nasty mess that covered his face plates. Rodimus felt the guilt inside his spark when he suddenly remembered Aina's words.
How much are you willing to sacrifice… for your unborn?
"Unborn?" he was completely puzzled. What did it mean? It sounded like it was directed to him. Hold on a sparkbeat, if so, then did it mean that he will become a sire soon? As it happened, he sensed a tense change within the Matrix. It pulsed fast. It warned him something. Then he felt it; even during his recharge, he felt the Matrix beating inside as it tried to warn him. "Wait a klik… how did Aina get inside my dreams?"
He got so stuck inside the riddle that he soon failed to hear the incoming message inside his comlink. Once he heard the blinging beeps, Rodimus was quick to activate his comlink and received the one who was trying to contact him.
::Rodimus, where are you?:: to his horror, it was Optimus. He was the last person in the world that Rodimus wanted to see and talk. His baritone voice was deep in anger. He was upset. ::I want to talk with you right now. Come to my quarters. Now::
Oh scrap, now I'm dead, he turned pale, utterly horrified to even think on the rage that Optimus will unleash upon his son. The last thing he would face right now was the wrath of Optimus. Yet, he must face the consequences.
Don't go to him yet… not until you have done more harm to yourself. You deserve more beating…
"No, I don't beat myself. I'm not listening on you anymore," he growled back in defense. But just then, the icy voice was suddenly gone. He heard it no longer. It was dead.
::Rodimus, don't make me wait too long:: Optimus never sounded so intensely angry before. The young Prime felt the shriving chill thru his spinal stunts. ::Don't dare to hide either…::
"I'm coming, father," he finally answered. He strained to hide the fear inside his voice from revealing it to his father. "I'm on my way."
He closed his comlink hastily before he got off his berth and left his quarters. However, just as he walked outside, he suddenly remembered. His damaged face plates were exposed. Everyone would see them without a question. They'd be horrified to see their leader destroyed like that. But what choice did he have really? Rodimus had to pay the consequences. And so he did it. He walked through the corridors that guided him to the quarters of the former Autobot Commander. As expected, he soon encountered several Autobots who spotted him. They all turned pale. More steps took before he was stopped by familiar faces.
Before him stood Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Arcee. Their gazes were utterly shocked. Rodimus evaded every optic-contact that looked on him. Including his friends. They surrounded him, giving him thousands of questions that meant nothing to him anymore. They never reached him. They voiced past his audio receptors. They soon dragged him to Med Bay where he met Ratchet who turned as pale as his guardians. He talked to him. Rodimus heard no word from him. He had shut himself down.
Sitting on a med berth, Ratchet inspected on his cheek plates, checking the cracks. But just then, once Ratchet patched up his injuries, Rodimus heard him talking. His voice was in prevention.
"What in Primus' name was you thinking? Look on yourself!" he raised his voice so it was close to a shout. He pointed a mirror that the Prime had in front of him. Rodimus saw his face plates; all patched up. "Did you do this on yourself?!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Ratchet! Calm down please!" Bumblebee yelled out. "Don't do this in front of Roddy. He's not talking when you're acting like this!"
Both him and Sideswipe placed between their friend and the medic, trying to calm him down while Arcee came to the young Prime, sitting next to him and tried to talk to him. The argument overheated on high tension. Arcee tried to stop the argument until Ironhide came on scene. He joined on Arcee's side to stop the argument from becoming so heated that no one would dare to stay.
It lasted not long before they stopped by the presence of Optimus. As soon the former commander arrived, the arguing Autobots fell into silence. Yet, it lasted barely a sparkbeat before it all started over again. Ratchet turned to Optimus, yelling right at him while Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Ironhide struggled to stop them. The argument was like a warzone. Arcee looked like she was close to break like glass that would splinter shards all over the floor.
"Kan ni hålla käften för helvete?!"
As it happened, they heard the loudest and most enraged shout ever heard. It was worse than Optimus when he was full of rage. Surprisingly, it came from Hot Shot. He had stepped outside a room where he was with First Aid next to the Med Bay. His face plates burned in pure rage. The silver mech looked like he was ready for a big battle. Then, unexpectedly that caught them off guard, he went straight to Rodimus, grabbing his upper arm and pulled him to the room.
However, he was swift to give Arcee an optic-contact. "Arcee, come with us. You deserve some peace and quiet from them."
She didn't ask him twice. Instead she followed them quickly. Hot Shot slammed the door violently. Luckily though, First Aid hastily left the room, knowing that the silver mech demanded some privacy with the Prime and the femme. The room was unsurprisingly simple. It had a berth on the right corner, four seats encircling a round table. The room was used for victims that had personal reasons to be in the Med Bay but required some privacy from unwanted optics. It worked as a shield from the world outside.
In this case, Hot Shot needed the room to take his therapy from his drinking. Ratchet put him there in order to keep a constant watch on him. They sat down on the seats round the table. Arcee looked close to break into tears when Rodimus reached his servo to grab hers, giving her a supportive squeeze.
"What in fucking hell happened out there?" Hot Shot groaned annoyed. But then his optics widened as he saw Rodimus' patched cheek plates. "Hey… what have you done?"
He didn't reply. Instead he cast his gaze down on his pedes, avoiding contact. He wasn't feeling to talk about it. Not in front of his friends. How can he explain to them? The argument triggered him to shut down into silence, which it hurt him internally as his spark struggled to fight back against the dreadful claws of shame that ripped thru and make it bleeding. Arcee glanced on him. Small tears gathered on the corners of her optics, threatening to flow down her cheek plates.
"Arcee… it's all right," Hot Shot said to Arcee, completely sympatric over the tension that finally broke her walls down. "They're just morons. Don't bother yourself about them."
"It's not them I'm upset over," unpredictably the byzantine femme snarled like a defending dog. "It's Roddy whom I'm upset for! He's not alright at all! Look on his face. He has self-harmed himself!"
"Calm down, milady," Hot Shot spoke as calm as possibly, thou he was badly affected by the tension that infested Arcee. "I see that he's all patched up. I don't want this to get worse. Seriously, I don't want to make you feel guilty over all that shit."
"Guilty? How dare you speak like that?!" she yelled right at him. Tears squirted like fire extinguishers whereas she punched the table with tight fists. The loud smash caused the table to shake, yet it stayed steady. Her arms and legs shuddered intensively by the fast rush within her vein system.
Stop it, Rodimus thought. He squeezed his servos intensely, fighting back against the inner fire of shame. He couldn't hold it any longer before he bellowed out. "Stop it both of you!"
Both Hot Shot and Arcee froze in silence. None of them dared to speak. They were not prepared to hear him so loud and outraged that it made the walls to shake. They stared at him with terrified optics. Arcee's tears streamed faster while she strained to hold the clump that thickened round her voice box, fighting back against the big urge to break out and sob loudly.
"I… I don't want more fighting…" Rodimus fought against his own tears too. He chewed hard on his underlip plate whereas he continued telling them, "I have enough. I don't know what's wrong with me…"
More silence trailed between them, ticking quietly like a clock that held them back from speaking. Hot Shot frowned deeply in discontent, seemingly considering and reconsidering back and forth over what he should say next. It was too much for Arcee who finally wept as she embraced Rodimus' chassis, hugging his as tightest as she can. She hid her facial plates pressed on his neck. Rodimus sensed the warm, wet tears tickling on his neck vein cables, causing him to feel closer in tears than he wanted.
"Roddy… we're going take this easy," it was Hot Shot who said first. "We don't need to bother ourselves with the morons outside. I don't have the energy to make more trouble, neither do I want to make it more upsetting for the lady."
"Stop calling me lady!" unexpectedly, Arcee snapped heatedly. She was on the most upsetting mood that both of the two mechs possibly imagined. "I'm a femme, not a human woman or so called lady!"
"Please, stop it Arcee," Rodimus begged. A couple of tears dropped from the corners of his optics. "Shotty means no harm. He's trying to help us."
Knock, knock!
Just then, they got interrupted by a couple of hard knocks on the door. Instantly Hot Shot moaned bitterly, raised up and went to the door. Instinctually his visor covered his optics as a defense mechanism. But he did not open the door. Instead he laid his optics on the controller next to the door slid where he pressed the button. "I don't care who you are but this is not your business to come inside. We don't want more bots to sniff around our business. Så… dra åt helvetet!"
"Hot Shot…" the voice shocked the three Autobots. The baritone voice told them who the person was standing outside. "Is Rodimus inside there with you?"
"Ja, he is here. But you came on the wrong moment."
"I know what happened with the argument a klik ago. I want to speak with my son."
"Well, I gotta apologize you for this but you'll have to wait until he wants to talk with you. Trust me… he doesn't want to see anyone else. Not even you."
After the answer, static noise was heard from the controller before it died fast. Hot Shot sighed heavy, though truly relieved as if he thought they'd face Ratchet instead. His visor quickly moved over his helmet on its own, revealing his optics that bore a glimpse of something more than just relief. There was a glimpse of unhappiness. He glanced them when he sat on his chair. "Jävla skit… everyone's sticking their noses around."
"That's because they care," Rodimus was fast to reply.
"Yeah, sure they do when they fight against each other like a bunch of overreacting bitches in heat," the silver mech chuckled briefly, although the tune sounded seriously. "But you did something that made them reacting like that. Seriously, what's going on with you?"
"I…" the young Prime dropped words. He couldn't find the rightful words. How can he explain to them without making it worse? He did not deserve sympathy. He deserved to be yelled, possibly sent to mental rehabilitation and removed from the command.
"Roddy, please you must tell us. Are you feeling so horribly bad that you're hurting yourself like this?" Arcee pleaded, still hugging him like she was all chained up around him. Her voice was still thick by her sobbing. "I want to help. You know that…"
No word slipped from him. Just then, Rodimus saw the picture of the moment when Hot Shot called him sötnos and kissed him. It disgusted him. He got kissed by a mech. What a big shame he'd done. Ever since he met Arcee, Rodimus had grown feelings for her in secret. He began to see her more than just a friend. He saw her more as a potential mate. Although, he didn't have the courage to speak her about it yet. Rodimus thought he'd make it embarrassing in front of her. Now, when he recalled that moment with Hot Shot, he started to question himself. Then, without warning, the Matrix began to send strong signals inside him.
How much are you willing to sacrifice… for your unborn…
Rodimus heard the words again. This time it came from within the Matrix. It gave him an alert for a sparkbeat while he tried to reflect the dream he had with Aina. The image of the vildvittra flashed weakly before his optics, showing her fanged smile and lustful golden optics. Why did she appear inside his dream? She shouldn't have come inside there.
"Heh, you're playing the silent game now?" the silver mech then stated who looked like he disliked the silence from Rodimus. "I assume you'll take the time you need."
Still no words came from Rodimus. But then a few kliks later he spoke up, "I hurt myself because I treated Ylva badly."
"What did you do with her?" hearing those words triggered Hot Shot to boil up. He may be under rehabilitation but it didn't mean that he was still her guardian who took care of her since she was a child. "Answer me right now or I'll toss you out of here."
"I… I turned impatient, frustrated over her silence. She didn't want to talk to me," it was then Rodimus finally wept. He hid his face plates behind his servos. His doorwings dropped. It was out. He let it come out. It did not feel like a relief to say. "And I was so rude to her!"
Rodimus continued telling them the whole story, describing everything about his impatient frustration and his rude behaviors toward Ylva and her dogs between his sobbing cries. For the whole moment, both Arcee and Hot Shot listened on him in high tension. By then Arcee had stopped crying, thou the traces of her tears were visible over her face plates. The silver mech grew intensive while he listened with sharp audio receptors.
But just then, Rodimus surprised them both. "Ylva mentioned about a microform," he snuffled. "I don't know what it is. How could I have been a fool? I was supposed to talk Ratchet and discuss of it. But no, I was the moron who went to my private quarters and cried like a sparkling. I beat myself because of the voices –"
"Did you say voices?" Hot Shot quickly asked. He sounded like he had some experiences with voices inside minds.
"Yes…" Rodimus nodded.
"How? You hurt yourself because of voices inside your processor?" Arcee was fast to follow. She was shocked. "Are you hearing them right now? If so, what are they telling you?"
"They're saying… that I'm worthless. That I deserve to punish myself. I'm not worthy as a Prime. I'm not worthy to exist either…"
Silence returned. The byzantine femme covered her mouth to hide the shock that beamed all over her face. The silver mech stared in horror, though his optics told another story. He looked very worried. "I think you really need to talk with Optimus," he then said bleakly. "He needs to know this."
"No! Please, don't go to him. He'll blame me for hurting Ylva. He's very angry at me," Rodimus cried his plead to him. "Father will hate me forever."
"That's where you are wrong, kiddo," Hot Shot replied hastily before he opened the door and vanished outside the room. The door closed automatically, locked up with a strong passcode only Hot Shot, First Aid and Ratchet knew.
Now Rodimus was alone with Arcee. It was the right opportunity for him to speak with her.
"Arcee… there's something I truly need to tell you," he began.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I… it's nothing."
"Tell me what's wrong."
But instead answering her by speech, he took the step. He reached her lips and gave her the smoothest kiss he'd ever done. Arcee got out of guard for a sparkbeat, but as her lips met his, she shut her optics and joined the softness of their glossas touching each other. Their sparks beat as one whereas they kissed deeply. Then Rodimus started to plant butterfly kisses on his femme's neck cables, which it led her to moan aroused but quietly. However, their moment was a short one when Rodimus stopped too soon than expected.
"I love you, Arcee," he admitted. "I didn't tell you until now because I was… afraid. I was afraid to hurt your feelings."
"Roddy, there's no reason to be afraid. I've hidden my feelings for you too. I'd thought back and forth when I would tell you. But I was scared to make it awkward."
"I guess we're sitting on the same boat –" Rodimus got cut when they heard the buzzing sound of password that got accessed, which the door opened wide.
The couple saw Hot Shot standing in front of them. Behind him stood Optimus whose shadow towered past Hot Shot's own shadow. The former Autobot Commander turned pale over his face plates. At that instant moment, the young Prime froze in fear. He edged in high tension as he prepared himself for the worst. But he was not expecting to see Optimus coming straight at him, kneeling down on his knees and gave him the tightest hug he ever got. Neither Arcee nor Hot Shot were ready to witness it.
"Son, I'm not angry at you," he sounded like he was close to break into tears. He sounded remorseful. Clearly learning the fact from Hot Shot of his son's condition had made shock for him.
No word slipped from the red mech who held his glossa shut, fearing a word would ignite an eruption in between them. If he had some words, what would he say? Rodimus swallowed dryly in an attempt to hide his fear from his father.
"Rodimus, I heard that you're hearing voices inside your processor," he continued. He resisted to let his son go free from his thick hug. He wanted to hold him close. "Is that why you hurt yourself?"
Still no answer came from him.
"Son, you know you can talk to me. I've come to help you, not judge you."
"Judge me? Earlier you were angry at me. You demanded me to come to your quarters… that's judging over what I did with Ylva. She told you, didn't she?"
Immediately he realized that he fragged it up. But it was already too late.
"What did you just say?" Optimus became disturbed. He could not imagine the pitiless tune his son gave him.
"Ylva told you that I made her upset. I can see that in your optics, father."
"Ah fan så börjas det nu igen," Hot Shot swore, scared for the outcome. Arcee shared the same horror on her gaze as both of them prepared for the unavoidable conflict before their own optics.
As it happened, without warning, the former Autobot Commander threw the young Prime to the wall where he used his dominated arm to push his son on the wall violently, his grasp on Rodimus' throat gear. He gritted his denta together into a snarl.
"Do not speak me like that Rodimus," he growled inhospitably. There was no mercy in his narrow gaze. "You've done enough of harm for my flicka. I thought your new role as her guardian would improve you. I couldn't be more wrong. Therefore… I've decided to take her with me on a long trip from the headquarters."
"What?!" Hot Shot exclaimed loudly. He can't believe it. "But Ylva needs to stay here. She's still having it tough with her leg, Optimus. Ol' Ratchet would not be happy about it!"
"It won't change my processor, Hot Shot. Ylva's wellbeing is very important to me. I would not let her down. She needs me this time, more than ever."
"So? She prefers you before me and Shotty. That's nice by her," just then, Rodimus spitted at his father. "I would not be surprised if –"
But just as it happened, he got his throat gear squeezed harder as his father's grasp tightened. Then the young Prime heard the words from the former Commander who whispered starkly: "You think you know her pretty well… but you don't know her at all. Ylva wouldn't be alive today without me. You have no idea how much I've gone through with her."
"I…" Rodimus struggled to speak. The grasp threatened to destroy his voice box.
"Optimus, stop it please!" Arcee cried in despair. She slapped at Optimus' aft with multiple violent slaps. It did not affect the tall mech.
However, it was Hot Shot who came to the rescue. He rushed toward him, rising his right arm and pushed his elbow gear straight at the side of Optimus' chest. The former Prime exclaimed in agony, stumbling clumsily to the side and fell. At the same moment, he lost his grip round Rodimus' throat gear. Quickly, Hot Shot caught Rodimus in his arms, steadily holding him up on his pedes.
"What the hell are you doing, father?!" Rodimus yelled furiously. He glared at his father who forced to get up by himself.
When Optimus got up, the last thing he did was glaring back on his adopted son. No word came from him. His optics told no lies. He was mad, upset and disappointed. Then he fought to break free from the silver mech's arms in an attempt to attack Optimus. Although, just as he broke himself free, Optimus was quick to leave the room. Yet, Rodimus refused to let him be. He walked straight out, looking after his father.
He spotted him walking pretty far when he sent the words: "You're a coward! Don't you want to face the fact that I'm not a great leader like you are?! I am not worthy to bear the Matrix and the title as a Prime!"
By then he shouted the words, it made Optimus to halt immediately and swing around to see his son. Small glittering tears appeared on the corners of his optics. Though, instead replying a word and increasing the tension, he simply turned his back against his son, then walking faster so he almost jogged.
But unfortunately, it was already too late. On that klik, Rodimus suddenly realized what he had done. He stood still, frozen in time while he reconsidered everything he had said. Just then, both Hot Shot and Arcee went outside, standing beside him to see if he was okay. But despite he heard their voices, no word reached him.
Several sparkbeats pulsed when he finally heard them.
"Roddy, you're okay?" Hot Shot inquired worriedly.
Rodimus shook his helmet, not saying a word. How can he explain them? What he said will never be unsaid. Remorse consumed his spark. Just then he received a thick hug from Arcee whose arms squeezed strongly round his chassis. He hugged her back, then got another hug from Hot Shot who joined them. The three Autobots hugged tightly together as one.
"What you said to Optimus –" Arcee said.
"Forget it, Arcee. It would not change anything. Father is not going to forgive me," Rodimus cut her off. "Neither will Ylva…"
"Aww knock it off, Roddy. Optimus will eventually understand. You just need to give them time," Hot Shot answered hastily with a frustrated snarl, though not threatening. "And… it was completely unnecessary by you to say you're unworthy as a Prime."
"You don't understand, Hot Shot. They will no longer see me the same," the young Prime shook his helmet in denial. "They maybe don't come back…"
"Roddy, they will come back eventually. Optimus will not be gone long before Ratchet contacts him and tell him to return with Ylva," Arcee then added, empathically. "Like Shotty said, she's still dealing with her damaged leg."
"Besides, Ratchet's not gonna accept that. He wants her to recover well and not stressed up," Hot Shot nodded.
Rodimus threw his gaze down to stare on his pedes. He didn't know what to say next without worsening it. But then, as it occurred, he received a gentle squeeze of a servo on his shoulder. It was Hot Shot. On that moment, Rodimus looked through his optics and saw something completely different. Suddenly his spark beat crazily fast when the young Prime saw an unusual gaze he hadn't seen before. He couldn't describe it though.
"Ya know kiddo… I think you need some good time with us," Hot Shot then said, quickly shifting his optics to Arcee and winked an optic to her, which made her to twist the corners of her lips. "Let's say we go and try to race, right Arcee?"
"A race?" Rodimus was baffled. His optics widened as he dropped his jaw down, walking a few ped-steps backward before he erected his doorwings tall. He gulped uncertainly. What will he say next? He gulped silently as if he didn't want to reveal how nervous he was. "But Ratchet told me that I must avoid some transforming for a while –"
"Bara skit i honom, Roddy," Hot Shot nudged him gently, winkling his optic ridges teasingly. Both Rodimus and Arcee didn't understand a word of his Swedish. Then he returned to English, his tone still teasing. "Ratchet ain't gonna hold you back. You've grown restless recently. I also can see that you hate to be depended on us while dealing with that shitty wounds…"
Hot Shot's voice trailed away. His optics turned regretful like he suddenly remembered his mistake hurting Rodimus on first place while drunk. Sadly, he didn't remember what truly happened except his drunkenness caused a memory loss. Of course… whenever he drank, his progressor betrayed his memory by causing lacks of memory which he'd never remember what actions he made. Yet, he still can remember the moments when he scared Ylva while he was drunk.
"Well then, let's go outside boys," Arcee spoke with a tease.
"Hey, when did you decide to call us boys?" Rodimus was quick to answer startled and annoyed. "We're mechs, not boys."
"In my optics you both are boys," she grinned. "Or shall I say… pojkar?"
"Oh my, I didn't expect you to learn that quickly," Hot Shot sounded amused. "Anyway, we gotta go and race before Ratchet's paying a notice."
"Of course, Shotty. What are we waiting for?" Arcee shone like a smiling star. But just then, her shine faded when she spotted Rodimus' gaze. He looked rather unhappy than unsure what to decide. "What's wrong, Roddy? Don't you want to race?"
"I…" he then sighed heavily. "Can we do it later until it's evening?"
No word came out. A thick silence beat between the trio. None of them dared to speak. It was like their excitement dropped. The silence thickened when Rodimus seemed to fall into his dark thoughts, possibly hearing them talking inside his progressor.
"Rodimus, you shall know this. I will make a promise for you," Hot Shot then broke the silence. "I promise that I'll stand by you. I'll stand by your side no matter the odds."
"Shotty…" Rodimus whispered.
"I promise you the same, Roddy. I'll stand by your side too," Arcee added, leaning her helmet onto the Prime's shoulder smoothly. "I'll always be there for you."
"Oh yeah. We will stand by your side," Hot Shot pulled a smile. "We're going to stay by your side no matter what happens."
Rodimus was lost of words. He could not understand that. His spark pulsed intensely under his chest plates. It was then tears glittered on the corners of his optics. "I… I don't know what to say," he whimpered, rising his left servo to rub his optics and dried his tears. "I can't believe it… is it really true that you both will stand by me?"
"Oh, Roddy. You know it's true," Arcee replied wholeheartedly. "You know you're never alone. You have us, Sideswipe, Bumblebee, Ironhide and Ratchet. We would never leave you."
A beat of silence pulsed in. The three Autobots looked on each other, not knowing what to say next. Though, Hot Shot then said: "May I suggest we sneak outside and make some fun? What ya say?"
"Well… some fun won't hurt me," Rodimus smiled. "Besides, you're right. I need some racing with you two."
"That's the spirit, kiddo. Let's get out of here then ladies."
And thus, Hot Shot coded the password, quickly checked if the coast was clear and then signaled Rodimus and Arcee that it was all clear. The three Autobots were in hurry. They didn't want to get spotted by anyone. They got lucky when they paid a notice of the lack of presence with other Autobots. It was if they vanished into dust. They jogged through the corridors closest to the exit of the base. Once outside, the three shifted into their vehicle modes. Their destination was simple to figure out.
It was Bonneville Salt Fields.
They drove slow and calm, saving energy and fuel for the fun yet to come. When they arrived on the regular starting line, they lined together. On left stood the byzantine McLaren MP4-12C, the red Ford GTX1 with amber and orange flames on middle and the silver and black Koenigsegg One:1 on right side.
::Well then… you mind if I put some good ol' songs for our race?:: Hot Shot asked hastily, surprising Rodimus and Arcee. ::When I race, I have music on. Loud::
"Ehh…" both Rodimus and Arcee weren't sure what to reply.
::Alright, ready? Count on three. One… two…::
As it happened, the radio inside the silver Koenigsegg One:1 vehicle played on the highest volume.
::We're not gonna take it!::
All suddenly, he pressed the accelerator on full gas and pulled the throttle, unleashing an unbelievable speed. The wheels spun like crazy as salty sand kicked up, dusting the sight. Hot Shot cheated the start, leaving two furious Rodimus and Arcee who were unprepared over the sudden cheat and gave them a delay of their reactions.
The song he picked was We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister.
The song echoed across the whole landscape. There wouldn't be any doubt that birds would fall down from the sky, dead by the extreme volume after their heads burst up like mini dynamites.
"Ah hell naw! Not that song, Shotty! Nope, we shall have…" Rodimus shouted in the comlink with an angry roar from his engine. He swiftly went through his private playlist of songs he'd downloaded and picked his one of his own favorites, "DEJA VU!"
His chosen song was Deja vu by Initial D. Rodimus then pulled his throttle to thrust more speed as he tried to catch up Hot Shot, driving past Arcee with a sharp slide. Salt dusted the air behind his trail. Just like him, he had the highest volume to beat back against the Koenisegg's song. The two songs conflicted between each other, both very loud so the whole broad landscape was heard for miles.
::Hey, don't you dare to start early cheater!:: Arcee yelled through the comlink, pressing a lot on her accelerator to drive straight after the Koenigsegg One:1 that drove far ahead of them and drove alongside the red Ford GTX1. ::Once I catch you, I'll burst your aft plate off your legs and spank your aft before kicking between your legs and melt your interface panel into nonexistence! After that, I will sit on your face and backfire you to death!::
::No thanks for that milady! My aft isn't made for ladies!:: Hot Shot squealed through the comlink.
While listening on the threats, Rodimus held on a steady speed alongside the byzantine McLaren MP4-12C whose gorgeous frame beamed brightly. Despite he drove in high speed, he drove slower than usually. The injury burned through his chassis. As his engine heated up so did his injury. It felt like it was tearing through all gear and metal. Yet, he was not here to whine in pain. No, he was here to have some fun. And he couldn't hold it back from laughing hard. The threats between Arcee and Hot Shot were hilarious.
Just then, as it happened, a certain call entered their communications.
::Hey! Wait for us!:: it was Bumblebee who called through the comlink. The yellow and black Camaro wasn't alone. He had Sideswipe racing beside him. They drove madly fast, trying to catch them up.
"Bumblebee, Sideswipe!" Rodimus replied in disbelief. "How did you find us?"
::We went looking after you inside base when we saw you guys out here:: Sideswipe answered the question. ::And racing without us… you dare to sneak away without us?::
The five cars drove far and long, though they did make a sharp angled turn on left after they reach less than a mile. The Koenigsegg thrusted more gas and accelerated even faster. Behind it drove the McLaren, the Ford, the Camaro and the Stingray like a team. The songs were reaching their endings when Arcee surprised them all.
::Heh, I didn't know you like that kind of music pojkar. Well then, here's one nice song I think both of you will heat up:: Arcee teased. Like Rodimus, she had her own private playlist of songs. What she chose next surprised the mechs even more.
Her song was Rock You Like A Hurricane.
::Va fan kvinna?!:: the Koenigsegg's engine rumbled. Unexpectedly, Hot Shot accidently braked hard so his tires squealed, which it led Rodimus, Arcee, Bumblebee and Sideswipe finally caught him up, though it took a few kliks before Hot Shot forced himself to get back on the game. ::I didn't know you listen on Scorpions. I freaking love them with my whole spark! I'm a huge fan of them::
"Heh, what a shocker," Rodimus chuckled in the comlink. He didn't expect the silver mech to be a big fan of the human band Scorpions. "If you love them so much, why did you play Twisted Sister a moment ago? I think you just broke their hearts."
Arcee laughed. ::That seems reasonable to question. Oh, Shotty. You'll have to catch up now, cheater::
::Yup, see ya on the finish line, Shotty!:: Bumblebee taunted.
::Hörru ni! Vänta på mig!:: the silver mech panicked, realizing that he was behind them.
But then, as the Koenigsegg caught up and drove beside the Ford, Rodimus reached his limits. He couldn't bear the pain any longer. And they weren't even near the finish line. He swung sharply to right, which he really shouldn't, and his wheels suddenly flipped so he rolled over and shifted into his robot form, groaning in agony. The others were quick to react in time. Hot Shot was first to transform up, run to the agonizing Prime and helped him. Arcee, Bumblebee and Sideswipe hurried to them.
"Roddy, are you alright?" the yellow scout asked quickly in concern, kneeling next to him.
All he received were mere cries of agony.
Rodimus faced the most excruciating pain he'd wished not to feel right now. It tore throughout his whole chest, burning like hell itself. He then felt the warm Energon drenching through his bandaged patches, which went through quite easily. It bled over his chest plates and behind his shoulders.
"He's leaking Energon!" Arcee knelt behind him, embracing his shoulders and hugged tightly. "Call Ratchet!"
Without a second question, Hot Shot, Bumblebee and Sideswipe hesitated nothing to contact help while assisting their friend who never stopped screaming in an endless pain. Yet, it would take less than thirty kliks before help was incoming to the scene. But by the time, Rodimus saw all indistinct. His sight turned fuzzy, hastily darker and darker. Soon, he heard no voices reaching inside his audio receptors. He dozed back and forth, losing closely his consciousness.
Alright, here we are. I can't guarantee when the next chapter will come, though I'm planning to avoid making it large like this one. It takes a lot of energy and brain power. Anyway, I will start writing the next one as soon as possible. And the Kennel-Thing and The Thing belongs to John Carpenter.
Translation:
Hej, Kickan. Hur mår du – Hi, Kickan. How are you
Kan ni hålla käften för helvete – can you all fucking shut up
Så… dra åt helvetet – so… fuck off
Jävla skit – holy shit
Sötnos – sweetie
Ah fan så börjas det nu igen – ah shit here we go again
Flicka – girl
Bara skit i honom – don't mind him
Pojkar – boys
Va fan kvinna – what the hell woman
Hörru ni! Vänta på mig – hey guys! Wait for me