Dragonformers Ch. 16

"He's six months old with blue, red, and white scales," Ironhide explained. "He also has bright blue eyes."

Silentwave's eyes widened. "That's the same hatchling Stormshadow and I found!"

"Please take us to him." Ironhide asked.

Silentwave looked at Galvatron, who sighed a moment later. "Silentwave, ask Hook if the hatchling is strong enough to travel."

"Thank you, sir." Ironhide said with a small nod.

The silent dragon quietly headed toward the medical den where the hatchling was sleeping peacefully, curled up by the fire.

"Hook?"

"Can I help you with something?" The medic asked after placing more kindling on the fire to keep it going.

"The hatchling Storm and I found belongs to the Autodragons. Three of them are here now; Galvatron wants to know if the hatchling is strong enough to travel."

"I can't believe that any Autodragon would be brave enough to come here not after what happened with Lord Galvatron's hatchling," Hook said absently. "He should be fine, as long as they put him next to a fire when they get back."

"I'll be sure to let them know." Silentwave replied before picking up the hatchling by its scruff.

The hatchling whined at being picked up. He was warm and did not appreciate being woken up!

"I'm sorry, little one." Her soothing voice filled his mind. "But it's time for you to go home."

Home? There was a word that the hatchling liked the sound of. These dragons had been nice to him, even if the purple and green one had made him ear that nasty paste. Now all he wanted was to curl up next to his mother and father again.

Once the hatchling had calmed down, Silentwave left Hook's den and headed back to where the three Autodragons were waiting.

Optimus quickly spotted Nightstalker, Metalsound, and Ironhide. He chirped happily and started wriggling.

Silentwave smiled softly to herself before setting the hatchling down.

Once on the ground, Optimus ran straight to Nightstalker and nuzzled her leg.

Brawl smiled at the sight, watching Nightstalker gently nuzzle the hatchling.

She's going to make a wonderful mother someday. He thought.

Silentwave's eyes softened before turning her attention to Metalsound and spoke to her, her soft voice filling her younger sister's mind.

"Please tell Calliope and Stoneclaw that I love them."

Metalsound smiled and nuzzled her elder sister. "I'll tell Ember as well," She replied. "She always saw you as her own daughter."

"Thank you for your help," Ironhide said. "We really appreciate it."

"What?! You're just going to let them go?!" Came Laserburst's outburst.

"Is he always like this?" Ironhide asked.

"Sadly, yes." Brawl replied.

"Lord Galvatron, you can't just let them go," Laserburst continued. "They'll steal prey!"

"Go join the hunting party, Laserburst. Now." Galvatron growled, clearly not in the mood for the crazed teenager's antics.

Laserburst gave an annoyed growl before storming off.

"C'mon," Ironhide said. "Let's get this little guy home."

Brawl gave inward sigh. He was happy the hatchling had been found, but he was also a little sad that Nightstalker was leaving.

"I'll escort them back to the border." He offered.

"Very well, Onslaught will accompany you." Galvatron replied.

"It will be faster if I carry him on my back." Nightstalker declared.

"Will he be able to hang on?" Ironhide asked.

"He should be fine, just as long as he stays between my shoulder blades." His sister said as Metalsound gently placed the hatchling on her back.

Ironhide nodded satisfied. "Let's go."

"The exit is this way." Brawl said, leading them into the trees.

Onslaught allowed his younger brother to lead while he followed in the rear.

X X X

"So… you're Brawl." Ironhide said causally as he walked next to the Deceptidragon.

"That's right," Brawl replied, giving him a sideways glance. "And you're Ironhide. Any reason for the introductions?"

Nightstalker and Metalsound were too busy cooing over Optimus to hear; Onslaught however narrowed his eyes as he listened in.

"Nightstalker is the reason, she's a great dragon and deserves to be treated right," Ironhide said with a growl to his voice. "She's also my twin sister, if you ever break her heart, I will kill you myself. Am I clear?"

"Crystal?"

How in the pit did he find out? Brawl wondered. I only told Onslaught so he could give me advice and cover for me. I doubt Nightstalker would tell her brother.

Onslaught wondered the same; it was strange that Ironhide didn't seem more upset. Everyone knew the fiasco that led to Silentwave and Staticshock becoming mates, an Autodragon and Deceptidragon mated pair was strictly taboo; it normally ended in disaster especially when it came to the hatchlings.

"You… seem pretty ok with Nightstalker and I being together."

"Oh, I'm not ok with it. Not in the slightest," Ironhide growled. "But, I know my sister, if I try to stop her, she'll become hostile and do the exact opposite of what I say."

Sounds like a certain dragon I know all to well. Onslaught thought.

"In any event, you had better be good to her."

"I'll treat her like a queen." Brawl promised.

Onslaught smiled, knowing that Brawl would keep his word.

"If I may ask, how did you find out about us? Did Nightstalker tell you?"

"Of course she didn't," Ironhide scoffed. "I found out on my own. And I'm keeping my methods to myself."

Brawl looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

X X X

By the time the group reached the border, Optimus was fast asleep on Nightstalker's back, snoring cutely.

Ironhide turned to the two Deceptidragons. "Thank you for escorting us, and for taking care of Optimus."

"Our clans may have our differences, but we would never leave a hatchling to die." Onslaught replied.

"Neither would we. Again, I'm sorry for what Sentinel did before. He was severally punished."

"You can stop apologizing. However, you should know, if he's spotted in Deceptidragon territory, he will be shown no mercy." Onslaught growled.

"Understood."

"I guess this is goodbye, Nightstalker." Brawl said.

Nightstalker stepped forward and gave his cheek a lick then gave her brother a challenging look.

Black and silver-scaled twin refused to take her bait; he just snorted a little smoke before leading the way into the trees.

"I'll see you on New Moon." Nightstalker said in a hushed voice before following after Metalsound and Ironhide.

"See you then." Brawl whispered, watching them leave.

X X X

Rowan hadn't left her nest since returning from the search, mud still caked her paws, which she had yet to clean, nor had she eaten all day. She even ignored the large chunk of meat that Ultra Magnus had left for her.

"They're going to find him," Magnus told her. "The entire clan is out searching for him."

Rowan didn't reply she simply remained in the nest staring at nothing; her normally bright blue eyes were dull and cloudy.

Magnus sighed, disappointed by her reaction, but he wasn't surprised by it, his own heart was breaking and he didn't know what to do. He wanted to hope for the best, that Optimus would be returned safe and unharmed. However, he knew the jungle all to well, his youngest was only a hatchling and to several larger meat eaters… he was an easy meal.

Be safe, my son, Magnus prayed, climbing into the nest and wrapping a wing around Rowan to her close. May Primus watch over you and bring you home.

Rowan sniffed a little, pressing her into mate, needing his closeness.

Magnus nuzzled her softly, he didn't mind the mud. "I love you, Rowan." He whispered.

"I love you too, Magnus." She replied with another sniffle.

"We'll find him. I promise."

Rowan nodded quietly, then closed her eyes. She was emotionally and physically drained. She was asleep within a few heartbeats.

X X X

Rowan sleeping was disturbed by something batted her muzzle, she tried to ignore it but the prodding continued. Giving an inward sigh, she opened her eyes.

Optimus was crouched in front of her, batting at her nose with his little paw. He chirped happily and wriggled his entire body.

"Optimus?!" Rowan happily cried, rising her to paws and drew him close to her chest, getting streaks of drying mud on him as she held her hatchling.

Optimus chirped again and laid his head on her chest. He snuggled closed, seeking out her warmth, he didn't mind the mud.

"Ugh, what's going on?" Magnus groggily said, opening his eyes.

"You were right." Was all his mate managed to say.

"Optimus!" Magnus cried out, seeing his son in his mate's arms. He jumped up, feeling overjoyed that his son was back safely.

Nightstalker smiled as she watched from the cave's opening, her heart warmed at the sight.

It took a moment for the small family to realize that Nightstalker was still there.

"Thank you, Nightstalker." Rowan happily sniffed.

"Yes, thank you so much," Magnus put in. "Where did you find him?"

"With the Deceptidragons. Silentwave and Stormshadow found him." Nightstalker replied.

"Found him? Found him where?"

"In their territory."

"How… how did he end up in Deceptidragon territory in the first place?" Rowan asked.

"He fell into the river and was carried off by the current," Ironhide put in as he entered the cave. "He'll need to be near a fire for the rest of the night?"

"I see. Again, thank you both so much for bringing him home." Rowan looked as though she was going to cry again as he held her son.

"You're most welcome, Rowan." Ironhide replied, smiling.

Nightstalker gave her twin a grateful glance before walking forward and lightly touched noses with Optimus.

Optimus smiled and chirped as their noses touched.

"It's good to have you back, little one. Try to stay out of trouble."

Optimus chirped loudly. 'Hey, you were the one who snuck out! I was only following.'



((A/N: Think… Look who's Talking.))


Nightstalker chuckled. "I'll see you tomorrow, little one. I pulled guard duty with Skyfire and his brothers."

'Bye, Nightstalker!' Optimus chirped.

Nightstalker nuzzled the hatchling before leaving with her brother.

"I'll build a fire so Optimus can get warm." Magnus said before stepping out of the nest.

"Alright, dear." Rowan replied before setting Optimus down.

Magnus gathered some twigs and dry leaves into a pile before setting it on fire.

Feeling cold, Optimus quickly went over to it and laid down.

His father smiled a little then covered him with warm moss.

Rowan purred softly as she nuzzled her son.

'I love you, Mama.' Optimus chirped as he nuzzled back, then placed a paw on her nose.

Rowan closed her eyes and smiled, letting small puffs of smoke escape her nostrils.

Optimus giggled, sitting up and batting at the smoke, watching it swirl around his paw.

Magnus thought that was the most adorable thing he had seen.

Rowan chuckled softly, letting out another puff smoke that Optimus batted at. He even tried to make some of his own.

"You're not quite old enough for that, little one." His mother smiled

Optimus snorted and yawned. It had been a long day for him and he was exhausted.

Rowan wrapped herself around her little, keeping him warm on all sides.

"Sweet dreams, my loves," Magnus said, lying down beside his mate. "I love you both very much."

Rowan smiled at her mate before closing her eyes.

Optimus had fallen asleep a few heartbeats later, snuggled up against his mother's side.

Magnus smiled at his family before letting himself drift off as well.