Aura's P.O.V.

"So the space bridge on Velocitron was restored?" asked Bumblebee. "That is correct, Bumblebee was it? Anyways, I've come here to reunite our planets in a partnership now that the war is over, and Megatron's gone." said Ransack. "Why, so you can pick up where Megatron left off?" asked Wheeljack. "Don't play hookey with us. We know you partnered with the Decepticons." said Smokescreen. "Partnered?! Megatron manipulated us! He made us think that you were the enemy. I don't mean to sound so rude but at the time Megatron was winning the war, was he not?" reminded Ransack. Bumblebee let out a sigh as a serious expression showed on his face plate. Ransack was right.

"But the Velocitrons have seen the error of our ways! Now that Megatron is gone we are free! I figured the partnership between our two planets would help patch things up? Please give me a chance and I promise you will not be dissapointed!" pleaded Ransack.

We all turned to face each other. Our face plates all displayed a serious expression as we contemplated Ransack's words.

"His argument is very persuasive," Blitzstorm murmured.

Bumblebee nodded. "Indeed it is. I must admit I'm inclined to take his side."

"And he did save Aura's life," Wheeljack pointed out. Everyone turned to look at me and I nodded.

"He did," I confirmed.

We were silent for a moment as we all thoroughly considered the situation. There were pros and cons to the argument, but the negatives were based mainly on what-ifs. Ransack appeared to be sincere, and he had saved my life, something tha no Decepticon would do.

"I think we should agree," Bumblebee said.

Everyone nodded, agreeing with Bumblebee. Smokescreen was a little hesitant, but eventually he to inclined his helm and shrugged.

"Very well Ransack. We'll give you a chance." I said. "Oh, thank you your highness! Thank you! I assure you, you will not regret this." said Ransack. He extended his hand towards me and I took it. We both shook hands as the first step to this partnership. "Lets talk about this inside shall we?" suggested Ultra Magnus.

"Of course sir." replied Ransack. Before he left, he kept hold of my hand and kissed it. He then stepped away and followed Ultra Magnus and Blitzstorm inside. "Well that was, interesting." said Wheeljack. "Most definitely," I agreed, a frown playing at the corners of my lips. Smokescreen placed a servo on my shoulder plating. "You alright, Aura?" I jolted a little, and then nodded. "Oh, yes. I'm just a little weirded out by this." Smokescreen nodded. "Yeah," he said, his optics narrowing in thought. "I for one did not see this coming." "I as well," Wheejack input. I sighed and rubbed the back of my helm. "Well, this might help us cooperate more effectively," I pointed out.

"Aura has a point. With Velocitron on our side, think of all the possibilities for the people of Cybertron." said Bumblebee. "Who knows, maybe Ransack has changed from the war." added Wheeljack. "Even Decepticons possess the potential to change." I said quietly quoting Optimus.

************

Later that night, Wheeljack, Bumblebee, and Wildstrike joined the squad in the sea of rust to continue the search for Shockwave, and Strika. Smokescreen stayed behind to keep an optic on Ransack, not quite trusting him yet. I stood up in the balcony of my room looking out at the city lights. I couldn't get that moment out of my head. "He saved me? But why?" I asked myself. Nothing truly made sense. Ransack's reasoning sounded logically, I reminded myself, but I was still confused by the sudden change of spark. I sighed and closed my optics. Too much was happening these days. The marriage law... Strika... now Ransack... everything was happening at once, without giving us time to process what was going on. "I wish I knew more of what was going on," I muttered, servos on my helm as though that would keep my thoughts together.

I then heard a knock on my door a few minutes later. "Come on!" I called. The doors opened automatically and Smokescreen walked in. "How are you holding up?" asked Smokescreen. "Fine I guess." I answered. He walked up beside me and joined me on the balcony. "His royal highness of Velocitron wanted me to tell you that he apologizes for showing up out of no where. With all the things going on he didn't want you to be stressed." said Smokescreen. "Oh, well then give him my regards when you see him." I replied. We both stood there for a moment, silence filling the area. "Smoke'?" asked Aura. "Yeah?" replied the Guardsmen. "Do you think Ransack's really changed?" I asked.

Smokescreen frowned. "He may have, but I'm not trusting him any time soon," he said, a dark tone set to his voice. "Thought that might be the case." I said, a rueful smile on my faceplates. I should've guessed Smoke's response, I knew him so well. "Hopefully he won't cause too many problems." "You know I'm here if you need to talk," Smokecreen told me.

"I know. And I thank you for that. Your a great friend Smokescreen." I replied. Smokescreen gave me a smile. "Even if I get you into dangerous situations back on Earth?" he asked. "Ha, ha, ha, yes." I answered with a laugh.

"Remember that time you and me were brought aboard the Decepticon warship?" asked Smokescreen. A big smile came across my face when he mentioned that day followed by a laugh. "Of course I do! You pushed me off the ship to escape!" I said. "Hey I caught you didn't I?" replied Smokescreen. "Yes but then you made me and the others think you were dead!" I stated with a laugh. "Don't scare me like that again alright? I don't want to lose you."

He placed an arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry, I don't plan on it," he said.

"I hope not," I murmured. "If you did..."

He raised his servos in surrender. "I wouldn't want to get on your bad side, Aura. Never."

I chuckled. "I know, Smoke'."

"But don't stay out of too much trouble. I might not recognize you." I said. "As you wish, Princess." replied Smokescreen. "Aw come on Smoke' you don't have to call me th--" I turned to face him but he wasn't there. "Smokescreen?" I looked around for him but I didn't see him. I looked over the balcony, then walked back into my room and glanced around. "Where did you go?"

**********

Smokescreen's P.O.V.

I didn't get a chance to hear Auras response because I suddenly wasn't up on the balcony with her anymore. I was somehow transported to the training room. "What in the--" I was cut off when I was punched hard in the face. I fell to the floor and looked up at attacker as I wipped away the energon from my mouth.

"Stay away from Aura. She's mine." said Ransack.

**********

Aura's P.O.V.

I searched the palace rooms for a while, calling his name. He didn't respond or show himself in any way.

I felt my optics narrow. "Smokescreen, this is not funny! Remember what you said about not wanting to get on my bad side? Well, you'll be there in a minute if you don't show yourself!"

There was still no response. I began to panic a little. Smokescreen might be pulling a prank - not a very funny one, I might add - but what if it was something worse? I didn't want anything to happen to him. I could hardly stand the mere thought.

This had better be a joke, I thought. Please say it's a joke.

"Smokescreen! Seriously where are you?!" I kept looking around for him until I passed the training room. That was when I heard some strange noises. It sounded like fighting. I pushed the door open to see Smoke and Ransack fighting.

I stood for a moment, so stunned that I was frozen. My optics were wide as I took in the sight of both fighting relentlessly. Eventually, I recovered and stormed forward.

"Oy! You two! CUT IT OUT!" I said sharply, folding my arms.

Neither stopped fighting. I narrowed my optics had glared. "Seriously, you two, just QUIT FIGHTING ALREADY!" I yelled, so loudly that neither could pretend that they hadn't heard me.

The both of them stopped and stepped away from each other. "What is going on here?" I asked. "Aura, Ransack teleported me here and threatened our lives! He's using you to get the throne." said Smokescreen. "Is this true Ransack?" I asked.

He looked uncomfortable, but glared at Smokescreen. "No. He's just lying because he doesn't trust me."

My optics flicked between the two of them. Why would Smokescreen lie to me over such a serious matter? And how did he get down here so fast?

So far, Smokescreen's argument made more sense. I was more inclined to believe him than Ransack.

I glared at the Velocitron. "Do you have any other argument to support your case?" I demanded. "Because I'm currently more inclined to believe Smokescreen."

"He used the phase shifter to hunt me down! I was just leaving from a meeting with your father when he just appeared from the wall, dragged me in here and attacked me! I can prove it!" said Ransack. "How?" I asked. "The security cameras." answered Ransack.

"Ha! That will be a laugh." said Smokescreen.

I sighed and looked up at the corner of the roof,where the security camera was stationed. It would help explain a lot of things.

"I'll go check them," I said. "You should follow me."

The trailed after me until we got to the room that had the controls for the security cameras. I found the one for the training room and got it so that it showed the events a few minutes ago.

First, the place was empty. And then, two figures emerged from the wall. I gasped to see Smokescreen fling Ransack to the ground and proceed to attack him, and then Ransack retaliated in self-defense.

I saw myself storm in and yell at the two to stop. My eyes remained glued to the screen. I couldn't believe what I had just seen.

Slowly, I turned to look at the two behind me. Ransack looked neutral, while Smokescreen appeared to be completely stunned.

"Smokescreen..." I trailed off, lost for words.

"Aura, I know it looks bad--" said Smokescreen. "Bad? You mean terrible! You lied to me. Right in front of my face." I stated. "I know its hard to adjust to this, but you need to give Ransack a chance. Like it or not, he's on our side."

"But there's no way I'd -" Smokescreen stopped talking abruptly and looked down, glaring at the floor. I sighed and turned to Ransack.

"I'm sorry, Ransack," I said

"That's okay, Princess." He smiled. "No harm done."

"Good." I said. "Stay out of trouble Smoke'. I mean it." said Aura. Smokescreen nodes in reply as I leave the room.

**********

Smokescreen's P.O.V.

Once Aura left the room, Ransack shot a death glare at me. "It's like I told you." He said. "Stay away from Aura." I glared back at him. "So you can waltz in and claim her hand once her time to decide on a king as expired?" I demanded.

He smirked. "Possibly."

"And what are you going to do to stop me?" I asked, "if you're going to stop me at all?"

"Simple. I've done my research on your whereabouts with the Princess, and based on past events you would be the best choice to become king. But be warned, each time you try to stop me, one Cybertronian will die." threatened Ransack.

"No way! There's no way!" I stated. I transformed my hand into a blaster and aimed it at his head. "Leave now while you have the chance." He backed up a little, that annoying smirk still on his face plates. "Remember what I said about getting too close to Aura, Smokescreen."

I glared at him. "I said, leave now. I don't remember giving you a choice." "I'll let you walk away this time." said Ransack. I watched him pull out a device and he pressed a button on it. It revealed a digital holo-picture of Aura. "Try and stop me, and I'll kill her." said Ransack.

I stepped back at what he said. "What?" I asked. "You heard me. Of course I was planning to kill her after I become king, but I've grown quite fond of her. So I'm sure her assassination would be such a disgrace." I thought of this for a moment, then transformed my blaster back into a hand.

"Wise move." said Ransack. "You stay out of my way, and I can guarantee her safety. You have my word." "I'll find a way to kill you. You have my word." I replied.

"Good luck," Ransack commented. "Remember, Aura's life is on the line." He nodded at me and left the room.

I glared at the shut door, my servos balling into fists, my optics narrowing. I couldn't stand him. And he'd threatened Aura.

Aura. I needed to ensure Ransack never got hold of her.

**********

Knockout's P.O.V.

I was sitting in Macadden's Oil House in one of the booths, having some energon when a figure walked towards me. "Mind if I join you?" asked the mech. The mech had green optics, and a red colour scheme with black, white, and golden highlights. I recognized him instantly.

"Ransack! Not at all, take a seat." I insisted.

He smiled and took a seat opposite me.

"So, what brings you here?" I asked, more than a little curious.

He shrugged. "Made up with the royalty of Cybertron, persuading them that I'm on their side."

I nodded. "I see."

But then I was in the middle of my drink when I stopped and thought about what he had said. "Persuade?" I thought. "What does he mean by that?"

I set down the drink and faced him as he ordered a round of energon for himself. When the waiter left, I made sure no one else was listening in. "Tell me something Ransack, when you mean persuade, your trying to get something are you? Up to your old tricks?" I asked.

"Heh, heh, heh, it's that obvious Huh?" He asked in reply. I shrugged with a smirk on my face. "I would tell you Knockout, but I need to know I can trust you." said Ransack. "He is up to something." I thought. "Perhaps I'll play along and see where this leads."

"Ransack you can trust me, after all...." I leaned forward to whisper. "We're both Decepticons."

He mulled the thought over for a bit, and then leaned in and smirked. "Alright, I'll tell you. Because we're both Decepticons."

I nodded. All I could do was thank Primus he didn't know I'd switched sides. Who knows what information he'd let go, information I could relay to Ultra Magnus, Aura and everyone else later on?

Ransack described his plan to me; how he was going to trick Aura and everyone else into believing he was on their side so she'd marry him once the marriage law came into affect, and how he'd become king and rule Cybertron.

"Smokescreen found out, but I took care of that," Ransack finished with a smirk. "I wasn't shout to let him ruin my plans."

"Interesting. Why rule just one planet when you could rule two." I said. "Exactly. And the best part is I have the Decepticons number 1 scientist to back me up." replied Ransack taking a sip of his drink. This was his 4th one I might add. "Shockwave? You know where he is?" I asked.

Ransack nodded. "Oh yes. He's hiding in Soundwave's old workshop in Kaon. He's keeping under cover there." He looked up at me other his drink. "I'm surprised you didn't know that, Knockout."

"Well, he disappeared and I haven't heard from him since," I responded honestly.

"Well, if he's keeping a low profile, the less people that knew of his location the better," Ransack suggested.

"That makes sense," I replied, nodding.

"I must be off. Need to get some shut eye. Tomorrows the Cybertronian Music Festivial and guess who's the guest oh honer? Moi that's who." said Ransack. He got up from his seat, taking a bottle of energon with him. "I'll see you around Knockout." "You too Ransack." I replied.

I watched him leave the store, the door closing behind him. I waited for a few moments before I got to my feet and left the store, too.

I had to warn Aura.

I transformed into my vehicle mode and drove to the palace as quickly as possible. Getting past the guards at the front gate was almost ridiculous but after explaining it was an emergency they finally let me in.

I drove up to the palace entrance and transformed back to my Cybertronian mode as I walked up to the door. I knocked, and it was opened soon after by Blitzstorm.

"Knockout," he stated in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"It's an emergency," I stated seriously. "I need everyone down here as quickly as possible. It revolves around the safety of Princess Aura, and of Cybertron itself."