》Several days later《

~~|||~~~

The Decepticons:

"Scream. Plead. Make it worth for my blade to draw with your energon. For your last request, I cannot let anyone cross on my path, Galvatron. You are the heavy barrier on my way with your pathetic troopers lusting a position in your ranks. But that is no more. I will become this world's darkness reing for eons. I am this world's past and it's future, will you deny it or not. You are nothing to me. John is to live up for me, and only for me you pathetic worm." 

John blinked away the darkness dizzying his head. Giving in for the possible threat was a fool idea back at the cave... but something wasn't right. It was obvious that they had been back to the base a few days already, as he had been the prisoner of his own bed the whole time. Laying unconcious. Just being sucked into the darkness.

Jeez.

The young boy raised to sit up, his fingers slowly running across his sweaty hair before it stopped by a patched wound stuck on his head. He usually didn't bleed after a fight. Or an ambush. Who exactly had used that raw power on him? It couldn't be done by Iris or her team, he'd probably be killed already. Annabelle's plead had been his nightmare also, since John didn't have a habit to leave his comrades defendless. He would help, but this time the surprisor got him. Bad time.

"-- John." Emily slowly entered the dark room, stopping by his door to look in. Their eyes meeting. "Galvatron wants to see us..."

John faked up a smile, ripping the patch off of his head more than aware that his wounds heal by themselves, before he stood up. Firstly he almost fell back on his bed and refused to come, but his body commanded otherwise as he slowly brought himself over to Emily. Closing his own door. His breath was taken to see Annabelle with patched eye exit her room, giving a look to John.

"So, we made it both out alive." Annabelle walked now beside the dark man, hesitantly watching Emily run over to Abigail as they all had been hit only to blind-sight their vision. For these two it was far worser. "I'll get the person pay for almost damaging my eye."

"Not permanent?" John sounded relieved, for his answer Annabelle made a fair nod, slightly amuzed that he cared that much.

"I couldn't see him or her coming at all, I couldn't even tell was it Cybetronian or human." Annabelle sighed, hesitantly looking as others entered Galvatron's commanding room slowly.

"Neither did I." John coldly admitted.

They entered the room too.

Not daring to look up Annabelle and John took their positions on the forth like their places were, their heads only low as they remained all knelt down. Surely they exchanged looks with each other then Mira and Abigail at the back, until metal clanging on each other caused them to flinch.

"As I'd like to tell how glad I am that you all are alive... you still failed upon succeeding your mission."

"Lord Galvatron, we--"

"Added by loosing the important parts on rebuilding our Ground bridge, now it will gets late on the schedule." They heard the small cracking voice once Galvatron stood up, smally biting their own lips. "I hate to say this but I am disappointed."

A quiet yet brief chuckle was heard from the nearest corner, all six pairs of eyes drawning to stare at it. The figure was Unicron standing in the corner, his arms crossed as with frightnening look he glared down at the six humans. Like he had his own personal satisfaction by this.

"You..." Annabelle snarled, looking quickly down as she saw Galvatron's pedes stand right in front of her. "My liege... allow me to explain."

"Is there still something that I must know?" Galvatron demanded, John bringing himself up to look at him with deep breath. He had never seen this side of Galvatron before. "Rest for now. But know that before I will send any of you out I need to check are you able to defend yourselves. Dismissed."

"Actually--"

Before the humans stood up Unicron allowed his voicebox to let out planned words, as he stumbled forward to take a place beside the patient Galvatron in no mood to be annoyed.

"For this next village I might need John's help, since there are mercenaries trained for to defeat Crystals and Cybetronians like us." Unicon put on his request, to be exact this had everyone out of their guard.

"John?" Galvatron confirmed, making one glance down at the standing boy. Seeing him as shocked as he was. "I'm afraid he and others needs to rest before he takes any part on the battle field."

"All I require is his presence, he possesses part of my spark in him which has developed it's own kind of raw power-source, accessing my use to it obviosly." Unicron grinned, looking into John's black eyes. Deepening by it. "Since you forgot to tell of it, I do possess the ability to sense yet." Galvatron swallowed hardly, his sharpening denta raising. Was Unicrong cocking and trying his patience. 'Cause that wouldn't end well.

"He's not coming, my liege." Annabelle firmly got hold of John's shirt sleeve, pulling him with her.

"-- I accept the offer if Annabelle is to accompany you."

Annabelle froze with John, they seeing only when Abigail and others shrugged, greeting them good trip. Slowly the humans' heads turned to see the judging looks of Unicron facing Galvatron, no backing away from each other.

"She cannot help me." Unicron uncorrected, looking at the red haired girl holding John beside her. "Perhaps for the inhabitants, but I still might strike on the wrong direction."

"Then don't miss." Galvatron spat, looking at Annabelle with that look. "If something happens for neither of them while along on your trip..."

Unicron raised his denta in annoy, nodding in the end for defeat as he turned for the humans.

"Perhaps I have to look where I step on then..."

~~|||~~

Iris:

"Excellent youngsters... fifty seconds late still."

Iris fell into the ground with loud exhaustion taking advantage of her lungs. Her entire body just done for their damn test. Well her friends agreed, falling to the ground with her as they made up quite the glare at Zoe. How does she think them to run 5 kilometers in 5 seconds?

"We will never beat this." Praxina fell on her back, her chest rising and falling heavily.

"-- Please let them have some rest." Chromia pleaded, sick of just watching aside as their partners were tortured till they couldn't walk anymore. Was this really training or Zoe's angerburst for their Charges?

"Or tomorrow they won't be able to open their eyes." Drift agreed, this was already the humans' sixth time since they tried breaking the record. For now it was only 10 seconds missing but it surely pushed them up to the limit. And the Bots couldn't take no part in this, they can't run even 1 kilometer in 3 seconds but it takes about half an hour at least. They don't have Crystals, right?

Zoe sighed, gripping her hips as she looked down at all the nine humans. They were still way too weak for her taste, but they needed to start taking much bigger accompleshes.

"-- Alright." Jack was already sitting on his one leg as his knee was up. His eyes burning as he stared again their running track, it couldn't be that difficult? "One more time."

Perceptor choked almost to his energon as he thought Jack was going to agree on resting with everyone else. His Guardian blinking also in disbelief.

"Ugh, this fucking track ain't winning me." Chris jumped up and scretched his body as he had done so everytime they'd agree on going again. Zoe smiled smally, not that they would see it but she was proud. "Even if it takes this time seventy seconds."

"Let's go again." Iris hoveringly stood up, feeling hands grasp on her shoulders. By single glance back she saw it was Optimus making worried look to her. "We need to beat this, Optimus. Otherwise we won't get anywhere."

"I'm done." Andrea gave up, falling on her side with grunt.

"We will make it!" Praxina jumped up with Ann, their heads hitting on each other before they were strangling each other. "Clumsy-head!"

"Whiny-Bitch!"

"We're going one last time." Alex said, Katie agreeing right beside him with nod. These two are besties.

"Yosh." Savannah acted japanese and stood up, removing her sleeve jacket as she throwed it aside. "Watch that!" Yelling that to Predaking. Her Guardian was as surprised as Zoe was for their new try on seventh time.

"Andrea will catch up with you later then." Zoe informed, seeing her thumb up as Perceptor scooped her up. "Form a line."

Iris smiled as she once reassured Optimus by placing her hand on his, slowly walking away from him, and taking her place between Praxina and Jack. With heavy breath in she concentrated to the track again, firm of this time passing it.

You can do this.

Fuck the time, fuck Zoe.

But I'm doing this!

"GO!"

~ Time skip ~

"It took us more, but we finally made it."

"Say that again without the need of me carrying you around." Chromia rolled her eyes, finally ready of climbing up the huge rock stairs up. She was carrying Jack since he was unable and it was getting late at night, piggy-back hurting her back. "Stop squirming, or I'll drop you."

"Yes, Ma'am..." Jack sighed, his eyes gazing behind to see other Bots much relieved looking than his was. "What tomorrow, Zoe? Don't tell we must run another 5 kilometers in 2 seconds this time."

Zoe gave few chuckles, holding the front of her curtain once she stepped on the cave's opening. The idea was dominating but they would be too late of the schedule.

"It wouldn't be a surprise." Zoe winked, with single clap of her hands and the torches were fired up. It never stopped amazing the Team X following after her. "Now, make those seats already warm. I will get our dinner."

The humans blinked after Zoe, their Guardians not even giving a though about what she had said.

"Did she say dinner?" Praxina tasted the word.

"Well I'm starving." Chris had been nicely settled on his own rock spot around the campfire place, his back lent back as his arms crossed.

"When you wouldn't?" Ann rolled her eyes, angry about everything since her muscles were hurt. "Cause... rub my thights."

"Don't even think." Causeway warned, falling down to lay like carrying Ann was heavy. But her Charge grinned as she fell on her really hard, causing all of her air got on the loose.

"What?"

"-- I'm sorry that I'm such a burden." Iris whined as Optimus so caretakingly let her down on some leafs, then had to make sure her head was good. "Oi, stop that."

Optimus smiled smally, stopping for second.

"You did good today." Optimus said, fixing Iris' hair behind her ear. His Charge akwardly froze by this, her gaze looking down to avoid any eye contact with him. Her cheeks again heating. "I'm really impressed."

"... Right." Iris sighed, seeing something fly at them. Like an instinct she was about to catch a waterbottle ment for her, but what she got was slippy pond under her hand. Which caused her to yelp and tremp on her side... sadly tackling Optimus' feet in the process. The large man fell on her, still his arms enough fast to understand the situation as he stopped himself from falling on her, just he remained there. Iris' gaze raised with in shock, her face showing all cherry red as Optimus just remained few inches from hers, staring worriedly yet shockingly.

The room oddly became really quiet.

"... Akwaaaard~" Chris teased.

Iris quickly noticed the water bottle and took it, feeling by that time how Optimus got to sit on his legs as he gave her a hand. This started to feel very embarassing between the both of them.

"You okay?" Praxina tried to put her evil grin away, as Megatron helped Optimus back on his feet. "You looked second ago quite red, my beloved Iris--"

Iris hit her gut to shut Praxina up, groaning as her SIC only chuckled and settled to sit down beside her, hugging in apology. Optimus and Megatron taking their places not far.

"And the dinner's settled!"

Zoe entered the room, suddenly plates begun flying on each direction with quite the speed. Chris, Ann, Andrea and Katie had first start as Iris, Praxina, Savannah, Jack and Alex their turn. Their eyes widening by the food resting on it; some big steaks, potatoes, salad and some coins. This was a food they all had missed. 

"You did very good job today, so here's your reward." Zoe smiled warmly, watching how Chris was first to take a bite. "You must've missed a dinner like this."

"For so long..." Chris moaned, unbelievably he had already ate his first steak and was licking his fingers, turning next to the potatoes.

"If you eat fast and touch my food, I will cut your fingers off." Savannah pointed out, as Chris was glancing between her plate and his. Her spear already transformed on her lap, if he happened to make a wrong move. "Don't test me, fatass."

"-- What!?"

"Patience, young ones." Perceptor chuckled by watching Andrea and others eat, their own tanks full of energon.

"Thank you." Iris thanked with really grateful manner, noticing how her metal-arm was shaking as it struggled to hold the plate. Zoe was reminded because of it, slowly she making her way over to Iris. Praxina only ate beside her, watching in interest. "I still haven't used to it... sorry."

"There's no need to apologize, even when it was just me and my team none of us never lost a vital part of our body." Zoe admitted sadly, grabbing hold of the arm's elbow as she moved it little aside. Just in time Optimus launched to grab Iris' plate so it wouldn't fall, he watching also in interest. Iris froze a bit. "... Interesting. You told that Savannah retrieved it, correct?"

"Uhh, yeah." Iris looked help from Savannah, who almost choked to her steak. After earsdropping their conversation.

"Alpha Trion told me to find you! And I did, in the duty to give that to you." Savannah stood up and yelled, drinking some water between her breaths. "I don't know what difference it makes for a lost arm, but I guess we're in trouble without you on the field, boss."

"You're the one who blows everything." Jack rubbed his ear, still flinching by how loud her voice could be.

"More like destroys." Chris tried to be wise, only glancing back to see Savannah slowly turn to look at him. Immediately fear stroke him as he squirmed behind Alex, hiding there like a shaking pig.

"Hmm... I wish Josh would be here to give me a hand." Zoe sadly admitted, letting go of the arm. Iris waited eagerly, wanting to know what was she able to do with her left arm. But at same time curious when it comes speaking of her team. "He was our team's nerd, engineer who would simply made something incredible from a wire and lack of energon." A laugh escaped her throat, as she told.

"... How many was there of you humans?" Alex leaned forward to criss-cross his legs, frown creeping onto his face.

"Only six." Zoe said, still her smile never fade. "But still we believed that we could beat the world together, most of us knew each other to be exact. It's odd since none of you don't."

"Maybe Alpha Trion tests us." Jack shrugged, groaning. "I hate to be a test-subject. Especially if it wasn't a choice made by me."

"And the cost to be our life." Katie drank her water.

"How so?" Zoe asked, Iris almost sighing as the conversation had taken a totally new turn. What about her arm?

"We weren't actually asked to be involved in any of this, the portal came and took us here. Just like that." Praxina put her plate down.

"That must be a mistake--" Zoe stood up, Iris sworning to see a hint of that young Zoe flash in her eyes. She must've be beautiful since she was a teenager too. "Alpha Trion personally came to ask from all of us, explaining us everything simply as we agreed. We knew somehow each other, like he had chose us from the fighting skills we had already."

"Well, something common." Katie murmured, adding some more trees into the fire. "But it still doesn't explain why were we chosen. What links us all and gives us the ability to transform?"

"We already had the ability to do so, all I can sense from you all is that you must search it. Deep within you lies something you haven't fully processed and that prevents you from upgrading. But remember: it didn't matter since we knew how to transform with our Bots that we would win..." Zoe said, cutting and being done with the conversation there. Her eyes looked down at Iris then, who swallowed hardly. "I can sense something unbearably powerful in your replacable limb, try to get used to it with care."

And Zoe headed again towards her own headquarter, leaving Iris there to stare down at her digits.

Powerful, huh?

"-- I can't imagine what that poor granny has been through." Jack started with sigh. He fixed down to lay, holding his head while keeping an eye on the fire.

"She looks so sad..." Andrea whined, Perceptor patting her hair and making it a mess.

"She has lost everything." Praxina throwed her boots off, preparing to sleep outside this time. She had complained already on the morning how Megatron creepily keeps watching her. "I'm not quite sure how's that possible? Cause if we loose too and one of us gets to live--"

"Don't even start a worry like that." Cyclonus pointed his blade at her, rounding the tip of it one at a time on one human. "Negative thoughts will give you negative results."

"You must think positively." Drift agreed, cleaning his blade with ease.

"Positively? Hey, wait a second--" Ann's curiostiy woke up once she rolled on her knees, her eyes widening. "Whatever happens do we win or not... if we do will we have to live in this world for the rest of our lives!?"

The humans were striken by that deep into their soul.

"I haven't though about that." Megatron groaned, turning to Optimus for help. Sadly his face looked as shocked and stern as usual. No info for him neither. "Possibly if you defeat the enemy you will break the curse which always contains one human one Crystal and one Bot. There's no danger anymore."

"If there is?" Praxina argued, a quiet scoff was heard from beside her. "Iris, try to be serious--!"

But Praxina shut up, frowning to see Iris quietly trying to sleep. Had she actually fell asleep in all the commorcial breakdown which they were having? To be exact the others softened to see her not panicking about the situation, they'd be lost without the important part of their puzzle.

"Maybe you should just relax like she does." Chris laughed, his eyes already closed also. "If our boss doesn't take that much pressure about it maybe everything turns out good."

Optimus layed down beside Iris, not to bother her or anything he just wanted to make sure she would stay still. Every Bot slept with their Charges whenever did they want or not. That wasn't even a negotiating fact.

"She better have a good plan!" Savannah groaned, but giggled as Predaking purred when she rubbed his head. "Well, who's eager~?"

"Don't doubt her or us." Jack warned, crossing his arms to find some warmness.

"Or you don't adapt very well." Praxina scoffed, flinching as she felt Megatron settle down with his blade close to hers. "You better keep that four meters away from me."

Megatron loved to tease the Charge of his, his muscular arms quickly launched forward to lock Praxina into his body. The girl ached in surprise, her eyes growing wide.

"Let's sleep tight then." Megatron sighed all too comfortably, even bigger grin covering his face as Praxina started struggling like a worm.

"Unhand me! You're too-- hard!"

"Up... or downstairs~?"

"RELEASE ME!"

《~~|||~~》

Pfft the end XD.

~keep reading.