Dragonformers Ch. 4

The Autodragon raced down the tunnel, shifting Megatron to him by the scuff so he could run faster and his escape easier.

"I got one!" He yelled as he burst out of the caves.

Swinging his head towards the sudden shout, Galvatron's eyes widen in shock when he saw his son in the jaws of an Autodragon.

"Release him this instant!" He roared in outrage.

Sentinel smirked then heard rapid foot falls emanating from the cave. He quickly raced over just in time to tackle Storm Shadow.

"Get back to camp. Now!" He shouted as he struggled to hold the thrashing mother down.

The Autodragon nodded before running off to gather enough speed to take flight. He managed to take to the air just in time to avoid a charging and pissed off Galvatron.

The enraged purple dragon snarled and opened his wings and prepared to leap after him, intending to tear the Autodragon limb from limb for even daring to lay a claw on his hatchling.

Sentinel avoided Storm Shadow's snapping jaws then jumped off the mother to go after Galvatron before he managed to catch his Autodragon. He snarled in pain as teeth sank into his tail, he reacted by swatting the female in the face.

Storm Shadow cried out in shock and pain as he claws struck the side of her face, just missing her eye. The blow knocked her to the ground, stunning her for a brief amount of time.

"Storm!" Galvatron cried upon hearing his mate's call of pain.

Using the distraction to his advantage, the blue and white Autodragon raked his rear claws against his face, barely missing the Deceptidragon's eyes.

Galvatron shrieked in pain and tripped over his feet causing him to tumble, giving the Autodragon a chance to escape with the grey hatchling.

"Autodragons, retreat!" Came Sentinel's call.

The group of Autodragon peeled off from the battle, leaping into the air or running into the trees. Several Deceptidragons chased after them, not wanting to let them go so easily. A few of them spotted the grey hatchling held by the jaws of an Autodragon and were furious that the Autodragons would do such a heinous act. They soon had lost track of them and returned several minutes later, heads hanging in shame that they had failed to rescue the hatchling.

Storm Shadow, who had recovered, was in shock that she had failed in preventing the theft of her hatchling.

Galvatron went over to his mate and nuzzled her gently. "I'll get him back," He vowed. "Nothing will be able to stop me."

Storm Shadow smiled a little before nuzzling him in return, knowing that he would keep that promise. She knew that he would burn down an entire forest just to rescue their beloved hatchling.

"A rescue mission like this can't be or look aggressive." Staticshock calmly said as he walked over to his leader.

"Can't look aggressive? You must be joking!" Galvatron snarled, eyes blazing. "They attacked our camp, killed our clan mates, and stole MY SON!"

Staticshock didn't flinch at his master's anger, being a father himself he would probably act the same way.

"Sentinel will have most likely come up with a story as to how he found the hatchling. It we attacked the camp, they will protect him as they would any of their own hatchlings." The long legged Deceptidragon explained.

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" His leader snarled becoming more irrational by the second. "The longer my son is in their claws, the great the chance of his death."

His mate swatted the back of his head with a wing before growling, eyes blazing. "Ultra Magnus would never harm a hatchling, you know that."

"Magnus would, no. But I the group was just here can steal one; don't you think that they would think to harm one?" Once against Galvatron was proving to be irrational.

"Illogical. They will most likely raise the little one as an Autodragon and teach to hate Deceptidragons." Static said logically.

"It doesn't matter!" Galvatron all but shouted. "We are going to the Autodragon camp and getting him back and we're going NOW!"

"YOU will be staying here." Hook growled, making his way over to them. "Your wounds need to be treated let Static handle getting your son back."

Without even thinking straight, Galvatron whipped around and slashed at the older green and purple healer. "Do not presume to give me orders!" He roared. "I will be getting my son back, whether you like it or not!"

Despite his age, Hook easily avoided the strike. Storm Shadow however had been standing to close, receive the blow full in the face, his claws slashed the top of her muzzle. Fresh blood splattered the dusty floor of the camp.

"S-Storm! Are you alright?" Galvatron cried horrified at what had just happened.

Storm shook her head to clear her vision before speaking. "I'm fine, I've had worse. But Static is right, if you go to the Autodragon camp in your current state, it will do far more harm then good."

"But Storm…"

"Staticshock is your second in command for a reason! Listen to him!" She snapped.

Suitably cowed, Galvatron lowered his head and nodded.

"I will take a small patrol with, two at the most. It would be counter productive if it were to appear that were invading Autodragon territory if I took any more with me." Static told his leader.

"Take Meteorstreak," Galvatron ordered. "He's one of the best fighters."

"Yes, sir." Static replied.

"Take Brawl as well, he's young but you might need the muscle." Storm said then hissed as Hook treated her lasted wound.

"I am sorry for hurting you, my mate." Deceptidragon leader said remorsefully, giving her cheek a lick.

"It wouldn't have happened at all if you had simply listened to your second and your healer." Hook retorted, clearly annoyed.

"Watch yourself, Hook," Galvatron growled. "My temper is strained enough as it is."

The old healer simply rolled his eyes then turned his attention back to Storm Shadow. "It's a shallow wound so it won't scar, neither will the one on the side of your face."

"Thank you, Hook." Storm replied before heading toward the without saying a word to Galvatron.

"Bring my son back safely, Static." Galvatron said before following his mate.

"I will, my lord." Static vowed before heading to find Meteorstreak then Brawl.

Meteorstreak was helping the parents herd their hatchlings back into their respective caves.

"Meteor, got a second?" Static asked trotting over to him.

"Of course, Static," Meteorstreak replied. "Is there anything you need?"

"I'm heading into Autodragon territory to speak with Ultra Magnus. I want you to come with me." The second in command replied coolly.

"Of course I'll join you," Meteorstreak said without hesitation. "I'd be honored to come along."

"Good. Lets get Brawl and we'll be on our way."

"Alright." The grey and red dragon replied now following Static.

X X X

They located the metallic green teenager with his brothers; they were getting ready to cheek on the clans stock of food they had stashed in the Salt Cave.

"Brawl," Meteorstreak called, catching the teen's attention. "We've got a mission for ya."

Brawl narrowed his eyes a little before replying. "What kind of mission?"

"We're heading into Autodragon territory to have a little chat with Ultra Magnus." Static replied.

"We need to rescue Lord Galvatron's hatchling without causing a major incident." Meteorstreak put it.

"Which means keeping your trap shut and let me or Meteor talk." Static added with a soft growl.

Brawl growled under something under his breath, but neither Static nor Meteor reprimanded him.

"Are we taking anyone else with us?" Meteor asked.

"No, let's move. It's a long way to Autodragon territory." Static replied then headed toward a hidden area that led to a cliff the clan used to teach younglings how to fly for the first time.

Meteorstreak followed the second in command with Brawl right beside him. They trio leapt from the cliff and took flight.

The grey and red dragon hoped that they would be able to rescue the hatchling without any trouble, and they wouldn't have to fight any Autodragons. However, experience told him that it was never that easy.

Static remained silent through most of the journey, he knew that they would have to be careful and smart about this; he knew he could trust Meteorstreak to be smart about the situation. Brawl was a little hotheaded and would no doubt say something that could possibly start a fight, something they couldn't afford happen.

X X X

After about two hours of flying, they trio arrived at the border between the two territories.

"What now, Static?" Meteorstreak asked. "You're in command on this."

Static scanned the forest ahead of them for a moment and growled before saying. "I know you're there, Autodragon."

A slender Autodragon stepped out from the trees. "Come any closer, Deceptidragons, and I will roast you where you stand."

Brawl growled and took a step forward to challenge the Autodragon but a seething glare from Static stopped him.

"We wish to speak to Ultra Magnus." Static said coolly.

The Autodragon let out a bark of laughter. "And you think I'll just take you to him? You must be mad."

"We're not asking for the moon, Autodragon." Brawl growled.

"Silence, Brawl," Static ordered then looked back at the Autodragon. "There are only the three of us here. As you can see, we mean no harm."

"The matter is very important," Meteorstreak pressed. "Please, let us speak to him."

The Autodragon looked at the three of them through narrowed eyes.

"Staticshock speaks the truth; they are the only ones here."

Brawl growled when an older Autodragon with gold and white scales with streaks of black emerged from the undergrowth just to the right of him.

"Easy, Brawl. Remember, we don't want any fighting." Meteorstreak said.

Brawl simply growled in reply and watched as the Autodragon walked over to his fellow Autodragon.

"Yoketron, sir." The younger Autodragon said with a respect dip of his head.

Yoketron gave the younger Autodragon a small nod in return before speaking again. "They are alone. I circled around them when they were first spotted near the border."

None of us sensed his presence? Meteorstreak wondered. He must be good at stalking, whether it's stalking prey or an intruder.

Yoketron gave each of the Deceptidragons a long look as if searching for something.

Brawl couldn't hold the older dragon's gaze, looked away from him, and looked at his claws.

"We don't mean any harm." Meteorstreak said voice calm.

Yoketron nodded once. "That I can see. You may enter."

"Thank you."

"W-what?!" The younger Autodragon squeaked in surprise. "Yoketron, what are you saying?!"

"They simply wish to speak with our leader. I sense no deception in their words," Yoketron replied, his tone calm. "Beside, we will have the advantage."

Clearly not reassured, the young Autodragon stepped aside to let the trio pass and their territory.

Discreetly, Meteorstreak glanced around as he followed Yoketron, sniffing the air for traces of the hatchling's scent. Sadly, there were too many unfamiliar to sort through.

As Yoketron and the younger Autodragon continued to lead the trio deeper into their territory, they met up with a large black scaled teenager and a slightly smaller black and brown female. Like Brawl, the black scaled male could easily be mistaken for an almost fully-grown dragon due to his large and muscular size.

"Greetings, Ironhide. Nightstalker." Yoketron greeted with a small nod.

"Yoketron," Ironhide replied then growled, glaring at the three Deceptidragons. "What are they doing here?"

"Calm yourself, Ironhide. They simply wish to speak to Ultra Magnus." Yoketron told the hotheaded teen.

"And you're just letting them?" Ironhide asked shocked.

"I felt no deception in their words, Ironhide. And they are alone." Yoketron replied calmly.

"Relax, Ironhide. As of right now, we outnumber them." Nightstalker said with a smirk.

"Only by one. And it's no advantage at all while I'm here." Brawl bragged, feeling the urge to puff out his chest.

"Be quiet, Brawl!" Meteor snapped, swatting the younger dragon upside the head with a wing. "We're trying to avoid a fight."

"I never back away from a fight." Nightstalker said a hint of a challenge in her tone.

"Oh?" Brawl smirked. "Kind of feisty, aren't you?"

"Wanna find out?" The female smirked.

"Nightstalker, try to control yourself." Yoketron said coolly.

"You as well, Brawl," Meteorstreak added. "I don't think I have to tell you what Lord Galvatron will do to you if you don't."

Wincing, Brawl nodded and tried to behave himself. He didn't want to be one responsible for failing to rescue Galvatron's hatchling.

"Let's get moving." Staticshock finally said annoyance in his tone.

Ironhide snorted a bit of smoke from his nostrils before grudgingly turning away, twin by his side.

As they left, Brawl smirked slightly and flapped his wings a bit when he saw Nightstalker glance back at him.

Nightstalker raised an eye ridge and smiled a little before straight ahead, feeling giddy for some reason.

"Don't even think about it." Ironhide growled as if he had sensed his twin giddiness.

"Think about what?" She replied, looking at her brother.

"He's a Deceptidragon; I want you to stay away from him."

Nightstalker rolled her eyes and snorted. "I will. I simply want to remember what he looks like, so I can shred him the next time I see him." She replied, although she didn't believe that she could actually bring herself to harm the hotheaded Deceptidragon.

The trio continued to follow the Autodragons deeper into their territory, every now and again they would pass under beams of sunlight.

Meteorstreak casually glanced around, memorizing certain details just in case Galvatron ever ordered an attack on the Autodragons.

Yoketron who was in the lead, stopped a few minutes later then turned to Ironhide. "Ironhide, calmly inform Ultra Magnus that he has visitors that wish to speak with him."

"Very well, Yoketron. C'mon, Nightstalker." Ironhide said before venturing further into the trees.

Nightstalker gave Brawl a subtle fleeting glance before following her twin into the trees.

Several minutes past before, they returned, followed by a larger Autodragon with blue and white scales with flecks of red along his flanks.

Brawl instinctively crouched ready to attack, wings flaring at the sight of the large dragon twice his size. Meteorstreak had to swat him on the nose to snap him out of it.

Nightstalker chuckled softly at the startled look on Brawl's face when Meteor had hit him.

"Greetings, Ultra Magnus." Static said with a small nod.

"Greetings," Magnus replied. "You're Staticshock correct? Ironhide said that you wished to speak to me."

Static knew that he would have to be smart about this, it was obvious that Ultra Magnus had no idea what had happened.

"One of our hatchlings has… gone missing. We were wondering if you have seen him." Static asked.

"A missing hatchling? That is important. But why come here to find your hatchling?" The Autodragon leader asked, tilting his head a little.

"We believe that our hatchling was found by one of your dragons and brought to your camp." Static said still being careful.

"What does this missing hatchling look like?" Yoketron asked, through slightly narrowed eyes.

"The hatchling is just over two months' old, grey scales and red eyes," Meteor explained. "Have you seen a hatchling with description?"

"I can't say that I have," Magnus said thoughtfully. "You three go and see if anyone has found a hatchling today."

Ironhide nodded and headed back to the camp, followed by his sister and the young Autodragon. Leaving the Deceptidragons alone with Ultra Magnus and Yoketron

It would appear that I was correct. Magnus has no idea what Sentinel is doing behind his back. Static mused to himself.

I hope we find Lord Galvatron's hatchlings, Meteorstreak thought. It would kill him if Sentinel had simply tossed Megatron aside to starve to death.

Nightstalker returned a few moments later. "We found the hatchling; he's in the nursery with Rowan. Sentinel informed us that he and his party rescued the little guy from a gang of rogues."

"Sentinel is a lair." Brawl said haughtily.

"Brawl! Behave yourself!" Meteorstreak snapped.

Static gave Meteorstreak a nod in thanks before looking back at Ultra Magnus and paid attention to his body language.

Ultra Magnus was frowning, perplexed. If the hatchling had been taken by rogues, what hadn't the Deceptidragons said so? They would have no reason to lie about a hatchling stolen by rogues. Had the hatchling wondered off and found by rogues afterwards? Or was Sentinel, like the young Brawl had declared… lying? And if so, why?

"Bring the hatchling here and tell Sentinel I want to speak with him. Now." Magnus ordered his tone left no room for argument.

"Right away, Ultra Magnus." Nightstalker said before again vanishing into the tress.