Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This was no normal storm, there was no soft rain  that overlapped the land like gentle ocean waves, no sweet breeze that had a tang in it that made his mouth water. The clouds were dark, violent brutes that hung overhead, looming, like an eagle waiting to strike. It was easy to be fooled, some might’ve thought it was twilight, but with the thundering clouds and the occasional flashes of light it wasn’t natural. It felt like the world was shaking all around him, that at any moment the mud and lighting would tear him apart. 

Lighting Riders were vastly different, and now rare compared to other dragons. Seekers were kings of the sky, only being dwarfed by the elusive snow dragons that lingered on the ice caps. There were shadow beasts that lingered in the swamps, whip dragons that practically swam on the wind itself. Brute gargoyle dragons that carved mountain sides.

Lighting Riders always made his scales crawl, even in his youth, to have all that power, to summon a storm at will, bravely fly into a storm, dancing with death itself and landing perfectly on the other side.

He couldn’t blame himself for this situation, there was no way he could blame himself, it was just a miscalculation, a flaw, something he never planned for. But then again every part of him wanted to blame himself. Every single day he wanted to blame himself, call himself a moron for doing what he did. And he already paid for it, over and over again, he paid for his mistake.

Yet here he was, paying for it yet again.

He never expected to come face to face with him, that Lighting Rider.

The dragon wasn’t right, his helm was twisted the wrong way, a painful jerk to the right, his eyes were foggy and there was a stench that lingered around him. It smelled of something full, like rotting flesh and fermenting fruits. Those dull red eyes narrowed at him and the muzzle snarled up wards, flashing jagged unkempt teeth. Yet there were the trade marks, blue and silver scales, colossal paws, long strong neck, a frame built for violent clashes. There were wounds that darted all over his frame, some long healed, others fresh. There was a void in his eyes, nothing but mindless violence, anger without reason.

There was no dragon in front of him, instead stood a monument, a monolith of what was once there, now gone, a corpse.  

The sight made his stomachs lurch, all 5 of them wanted to void bile out of his jaws. 

The storm had only started, the side of the mountain was battered with ice rain and strong winds, the trees shuttered and debris was flung wildly. Thunder shook the world around him and he urged his instincts to settle.

If he ran now, he would surely perish under those twisted jaws.

“So,” The dragon finally spoke, the madness hadn’t overtaken him fully, there was still a thinking, living being under that. But he was too far gone, lost to his own madness, accepting pain as a way of life. “I always thought you would be bigger.” He rumbled, fangs peeking out of his jaws.

He stood firm, dashing away the fear in him, this was his job now, this is what he wanted, what he chose. Megatron stood before his Protector, stood before his family, his friends, and fought.

Then he won.

This was his fate. 

Protector.

He snorted. “You’re the last one, aren’t you? Of the storm tribe, Overlord isn’t it?” 

He nodded, his head moved strangely, almost painfully. “That I am, last of the Lighting Riders, I made sure of that.” Overlord stood proudly, his massive chassis out, scales flexing, the flash of lighting behind him. His one red eye burning hotter than any fire Megatron has ever seen. 

That wasn’t true at all.

“You are the last one, you left your home in ruins, your friends, family torn apart, unhatched clutches smashed, elderly ripped apart, dragonets butchered. I ask what brings you back to the eastern range?” He pulled his wings back, raising his own helm, even if Overlord dwarfed him.

He laughed, his jaws opened wide, and wider, almost unhinging, his right tendon wasn’t connected at all, it was painful to watch, blood dripping out. Yet Overlord showed no reaction, his smile spreading. “No welcome party? Not for my homecoming?”

“This isn’t your home.” He flexed his claws out, digging them into the wet mud, kneading the rain into the dirt.

Lighting struck again, it was getting closer. 

“It’s always been mine, your shabby tribe moved in after I was hatched, this is mine, all of this range is mine. And I’m returning for what’s mine.” The laughter settled and his jaw snapped shut, it was loose.

Megatron hated this was his job, that he was the Protector. That he gave up so much to be one, he needed to be one. That there were days he wouldn’t return, that his frame ached, his wounds took longer and longer to heal. He despised that some day, Sari would be without him. That one day his body would give out, and Sari would still wait up for him, only to wait, and wait, and wait. Until the morning sun rose up, and the new reality greeted her.

Yet it was a job that needed to be done. “Leave now, before I kill you.”

The navy blue dragon chuckled, his own claws finally unsheathed and he spread his wings. “Try it, worthless grub dragon!” He charged forward. 

Thunder finally sounded and he snarled the fire deep in his chest billowed, but he held his ground as Overlord charged, paws heavy with mud. He flung it right into Overlord’s eye, landing on the larger dragon’s back, Megatron spun, smashing his hardy tail into Overlord’s wings, crippling him, grounding the fight.

Overlord cursed and reared up, then up, and Megatron hissed, digging his claws into the blue scales. They smashed into an oak tree, the breath slammed out of Megatron, he gasped for air and scrambled between the tree and Overlord’s shoulder. “I thought you’d be a better fighter.”

He ignored it, flashing his jaws and striking Overlord’s neck, at first it was a surface bite, then he went in, again and again, ripping at the tender scales and flesh. Overlord yelled, eyes wide, he pulled away from Megatron’s jaws, grabbing Megatron’s tail and flinging him across the clearing. 

With his tail and wings in close he rolled then dug his claws into the mud, shaking himself, wings out, fangs drawn. Fire deep within his belly burned. Megatron took in the sight, Overlord didn’t feel it, he didn’t feel any of it, his jaw was hardly hanging on, and blood was gushing out of his neck. Megatron’s eyes lingered between them, finding a large puddle.

“You fight dirty, no wonder why Megazarak didn’t want you.” Overlord shook his head. “I wouldn't want you either.” He raised his wings up, the lighting grew closer and closer, striking trees. The storm was worsening and he could feel the earth below him shudder. 

Megatron didn’t have much time, he needed to end this now. With the fire in his gut hescrapped his fangs together and flame shot out of his mouth, burning the puddle, steam erupted around them and Overlord snarled. He might not be as big as Overlord, or as strong, but he was cunning. Megatron dashed forward, he never had the chance to fight a Lighting Rider, but he knew their attacks, knew how they worked. Most importantly he knew that at any moment Overlord could end this.

The fog wouldn’t last too long, but it would do what it was supposed to do. He scrambled, throwing himself once again at Overlord’s back, but this time from behind, with his claws he dug them deep into Overlord’s side, cutting through the scales and into the muscles. His jaws wrapped around the wingtip, pulling it back, back.

Overlord screamed, he spun, jaws snapping at Megatron. “Dirty tricks!” He bit Megatron's side into his soft underbelly, where his own scars laid.

It felt almost as bad as the day he got it, as if someone took a whole mountain and jammed it into his side, into his belly. His eyes watered and his head spun, yet he dug his claws into Overlord’s side and pulled as hard as he could. The wing creaked and the muscles snapped.

They were spinning, in a violent dance, Overlord chased him, snapping his jaws over and over again, pulling out his organs, ripping at his flesh. Megatron jerked his head back and forth, pulling tugging. He felt weak, his head was spinning and the energy was slipping away from him. He would die here, doing his job it would be a good death.

He wouldn’t be returning tonight, he would die here bleeding out, too beaten down, too weak to move, hardly able to suck in air. The tribe would grieve, painfully accepting Overlord as their Protector, some would fight, they would die.

They would remember him fondly, and Overlord would have his mountain back.

And for a moment, just for a single moment, there was a flash, a little image of a buttercream dragonet, in a tree, high up, her eyes were wide. She was perched almost like a morning dove. 

Megatron didn’t know where she got her soft sunset oranges and yellows, that surely wasn’t from him, and his colors were redder, darker. 

His little morning dove, that’s what he called her when she hatched, when she was smaller, and she stared up at him with those crystal blue eyes. She chirped up at him, and it warmed him more than any fire in his belly, with her tiny needle like claws grabbing at him. Sari was so small, too tiny for this world, and he couldn’t bear to not have her here. She was all he had, and he was all she had.

He was tired, he felt his life slipping away with each violent chomp. Sari would have him, he would come home, battered, covered In scars, but she wouldn’t be alone! Sari wasn’t going to wait up losing sleep, he was coming home! 

Megatron snarled, the fire once again burning inside of his belly, lightning flashed and thunder clashed, he clicked his tongue and flames shot out of his jaws. The smell of burning flesh filled the air and he tugged as hard as he could, using all of his might, every ounce of strength he could. 

There was the pop that followed as the bone was towed out of its socket, the tearing of skin, the wing was pried off of Overlord's back. Megatron fell back, the wing landed behind him, still twitching.

He blinked and rolled over, there was a wet slap and agony bloomed in his side gasping, body shaking, the pain was unbearable, it tore through his whole frame. Megatron glanced at his belly, and fear rolled down his spine. There were his organs, hanging, dangling with deep bite marks. The scar was ripped wide open again, he knew what he was looking at.

It wasn’t the first time he saw it.

But it might be the last time.

He hated being a Protector. 

Overlord snarled. “You wing, you ripped off my wing, that’s a crime you-“

Megatron spun, faster then he should’ve moved, Knockout would be livid. He slammed into Overlord, jaws open, he bit and snarled snapping at Overlord’s throat. He would die, he would die today. Their jaws clashed and they bit, tearing at each other throats, fighting, slamming their paws against one another. It was violent, bloody, and Megatron wasn’t exactly sure what was happening anymore.

It was only when Overlord slammed his whole body into Megatron’s, and he was pushed back again.

They stood there, for a moment, gasping, scales prickled up, Overlord’s muzzle was bloody, it was blue when the battle started, now it was rich red, scarlet. His nose was ripped off. Miraculously he looked worse then when their battle started.

Megatron could feel it, his ear was nicked, and his horn was broken, his body felt weak, there were the warning signs, the tremors. He wouldn’t fall, he couldn’t fall.

Sari was waiting.

Overlord laughed, his jaw was worse now, the right hinge was gone, and drool dribbled out. He stood proudly, his one wing high, raising his head as thunder rumbled around them. “I’ll take this as your forfeit, I knew that half a dragon like you won’t be able to defeat me. Take your disgusting tribe and run, oh and that runt of yours?”

He snarled. 

“She better be strong, she’s your only one.” He laughed head high, red eye glazed with sickness, but for a moment, a single moment, there was something else. Despair.

Then there was a flash, a bright flash that banished the world from Megatron’s sight, just for a moment.

There was the smell again, it was thicker, stronger now, and he wanted to purge. Megatron blinked, his skull was ringing and he wobbled as the world returned to him. He was still in the clearing, the storm still raged on, and he felt as if he was torn inside out. He blinked at what was in front of him, who was in front of him.

It was a mass of burning flesh and bone, the foul order that Overlord admitted filled the air, it was burned and blood bubbled. It was once a dragon, a Lighting Rider, the only dragons that could handle being struck by lightning, and openly flew into storms. 

Megatron lumbered over, hovering over the corpse, there was no movement, his only eye was wide open, the pupil fading fast. ”Stupid,” he muttered, it was planned out, all of it was, Lighting Riders had conductors all over their body, their nose, their wings, tail. Even if he lost, even if he was dying, he would make sure that Overlord wouldn’t get too far, that he too would die here on this mountain. “Sari.” Megatron groaned everything hurt, he needed to return, collapse in Knockout’s den and beg the healer to hold the sass.

He only paused, looking back at his wounded side, hearts breaking at the sight. Megatron twisted back, wincing in pain as he nudged what dangled from him. It still hurt, he could feel it, that was a good sign, right? Carefully he took a leaf, a large one and wrapped his side, pushing the organs back in, then wrapping it with vines and pinning it all in.

Knockout was a miracle worker.

He would be okay, this would be all okay.

At least his morning dove was okay, safely tucked away in the village, far from the storm. She’d putter and curse at him, only to soften and curl up, slipping into a deep sleep and chirping for him.

His body was ragged, worn, and yet he pushed on, out of the storm. Towards the caves, far from the storm that raged outside. He would rest.

His nose was doing that thing again, it felt weird, not painful, it just wiggled in a sense, like someone was trying to wiggle the nostril spike off. His tail did it too, the spines always perked up, and wiggled, even his stupid butt spikes would dance! When he was younger it was ticklish to him, it would keep him up all night when there were storms like this. 

That always upset Ultra Magnus, just enough for his sire to snap at him.

So he kept it to himself, ignored it, hoping he would grow out of it.

He never did.

The thunder outside echoed inside the burrows, reaching the farthest part of the warren. At least the rain wasn’t coming in, they did a good job setting up the sandbags and drainage this year. Just in time for the rainy season, and it was a heavy first rain of the year, then the harvest would be plentiful, and hunting would be good too. It was a good spring, several signs showed it. Which excited him in a sense, the long travel to the Southern hemisphere always annoyed him.

It wasn’t as pretty, which was petty, but here, up North with the cool winds, the thick rain and the heavy mist? Optimus wished his scales were tough enough for the harsh winters, food would become sparse and keeping warm was impossible for any drake. The North wasn’t meant for him, as much as he longed to play in the snow, or wake up to the cool fogs that rolled over the mountains.

The nest ruffled as she stretched and yawned her pastel yellow face squishing as she closed her jaws, Elita’s scales perked up and then settled down. She hummed and curled up next to him, resting her head on his boulder shoulder. “You should get some rest, you overworked yourself today, even Bulkhead had a hard time keeping up.” Elita wrapped her tail around him.

“You know I can’t sleep, not when he decides to go back out after a hunt, he probably found something stupid and now he’s risking his life like a total goober.” Optimus rolled his eyes, his body didn’t hurt, part of him wanted to keep moving, if it wasn’t dangerous he would be outside right now. Their tribe just returned and he wanted nothing more than to enjoy the cool air.

“You can rest and I’ll wait up for him, besides it’s best if we take shifts and I just got more than enough snuggles and nap time.” She licked his ear and purred.

“I just- what is he doing?” He snapped, tossing his large paws out from under him in frustration. “He does these stupid things all the time, and he just comes back and expects us not to lecture him? Why did you have to pick him as your conjux?”

Elita laughed. “Don’t look at me, you also picked him too, we’re stuck with this total dingbat of a drake and you know it.” She nudged him. “Don’t you recall when we were little? You were always so sick, and sleepy, all the time, Ultra Magnus hardly let you go out, so you were stuck inside the warren all day. Not to mention you were glued to Ultra Magnus’ side the whole time, that drake is so strict that he bosses the sun around. But Sentinel came up with an idea, since you couldn’t explore on your own, then he would bring the world to you. Annnddd my guess is he never got out of that phase.”

“Pfft, you remember that bird he found? It was a baby, wasn’t it? A nestling and he was so excited to show us?” 

“That little fuzz ball? Yea I think I remember, he brought that thing in and held it high up for us, even showing Ultra Magnus, that stupid toothy grin he wore? He was so proud of himself for catching it. He said he plucked it right out of its nest, and just needed to show you, he was so cute back then.” Elita shook her head. 

“Hey, he’s still cute, that’s my conjux!” He nudged her shoulder.

“Pfft, I’ll have you know he’s mine.”

“No he’s mine.”

“Nope, all mine!” She stuck her tongue out. 

Optimus laughed, he could recall that day, the bird was so still, eyes wide, it was breathing fast but knew that it couldn’t move. It was trapped, but far from harm, gently cradled in Sentinel’s teeth, he held it up as if the slightest movement would hurt the bird. It was a bit too easy to picture a hatchling in those jaws, safe.

He never knew what happened to that bird.

“I suppose you’re right.” He yawned, stretching his whole body, lifting his butt first and leaning backwards, his spine popped and he felt a warmth in his guts as he leaned forward. Optimus spun around a few times, brushing the soft feathers and straw before plopping down and wrapping himself around, once settled Elita rested her head on his shoulder, again. That was her spot. 

“I gotta ask,” Elita watched their burrow’s entrance. “Do you think that runt, Bumblebee, thinks he’ll make it? I know Bulkhead pulls his own weight, and then some, I thought he would be bigger than you. But Bumblebee?”

“He’s a good scout, faster then most of the other hunters, if he stopped goofing around he’d be a great tracker.” Optimus didn’t want to linger on it. 

He hated finding them, hated finding the lifeless drakes, the damaged ones, the weak ones, the elderly. Ultra Magnus was firm on this, only the strong.

It was a miracle he even lasted to his first adult shedding. 

Yes the yellow drake was smaller than normal, and often got on everyone’s nerves, but once he was focused on something, he had the determination. Once Bumblebee found his place he would settle into his role.

That was hard for Optimus too, he tried hunting, harvesting, digging, every job he could think of, even had a year with Ratchet in the healer’s den. But he found his place with the diggers and helped construct the large warren. He knew the earth would be too cold and wet after the winter, so he suggested they would wait for it to thaw first, taking an older, easier route back from the south. That way they were able to harvest other goods, like fruits and avoid the worst of the winter sun.

At least the warren was well constructed and they were reaping the rewards of a dry nest, instead of dealing with muddy paws and cold wet air.

He was a builder, a planner. He found his place.

Elita was a leader, she took control and organized harvesters and hunters. 

Sentinel was a hunter, he often took down the largest pieces of prey. 

It was a comfortable life, one that he grew to love.

Everyone would find their own place in the warren, all they needed was time. 

And he didn’t give up on Bumblebee, not yet, the young drake would find his place, a conjux or two of his own, and have a legacy. All Bumblebee needed was a little support. Something Optimus never really had when he started to grow. 

There was a wet slap.

Both of them perked up, ears angled towards the darkened tunnel. The glow stone could only reach so far back, which Elita could never see too well in the dark, neither could Sentinel. But Optimus could, he spotted the dark blue and orange first, his nerves settled and he rested his puffed scales.

“Where have you been?” He started, from the corner of his eyes Elita also relaxed and sighed. “it’s storming out there, do you want to wind up back in the healer’s den with a cold or something worse?”

Sentinel trotted forward, head high, his classic smirk all over his face. “I went on an adventure! And I saw something so cool!” He dug his paws into the earth then shook his head, shaking off all the icy cold water and spraying them with it. Then he puffed his chest out, displaying his orange and blue scales, his hunter’s pouch sagged low.

He caught something, again. It better be tasty this time, not like that raccoon, too greasy. 

“Sentinel!” Elita snapped. “It was all warm and cozy in here, and now everything’s wet!”

“Elita, babe, listen, I just saw the coolest thing ever.” He sat down, paws out for dramatic effect. “So get ready for a wild story.”

”I think a nesting story sounds good.” Optimus shrugged, ignoring his annoyance, of course this moron went out in a storm just to see something ‘cool’, probably a phoenix (which didn’t exist) or a Unicorn (which also didn’t exist) or maybe a sphinx (again didn’t exist).

“Okay, so babes,” he clapped his paws. “I was hunting early this morning, before the sun came up, and I wanted to see if I can get some bigger prey, like elk. So Iwent towards the mountains- now don’t start, I know Ultra Magnus would chew my tail off, but it was super misty and I was watching. I saw this huge” he stood up on his hind legs and pressed his paw to the top of their burrow. “Like Optimus, babe, he was bigger than you, and Ultra Magnus, huge blue dragon, silver accents and red eyes. He was massive, and he just strolled along, not caring, he was going somewhere, I know that. I mean what would that behemoth be doing here? It looked like he ate other dragons (I heard that they do that). So the good news is that I was downwind, so he didn’t get a sniff of me, and I watched him climb up the mountain.”

“You didn’t.” Elita flattened her ears back.

“Sentinel, if you broke that law Ultra Magnus will exile you.” Optimus groaned, no his conjux had to do something this stupid.

“I know, I know, but no one saw me, so” He shrugged. “I followed him-“

“What if Megatron caught you sniffing around?” Optimus snapped. “Did you even think of that? You could’ve started a whole new rivalry between drakes and dragons. Do we want to ruin the tense peace we have? Megatron isn’t someone who likes drakes sniffing around his home. Not to mention Megatron is crazy strong, he could easily beat you, then throw your mangled corpse outside as a warning. Sentinel do you have any idea how dangerous it is to be going into the mountains, did you want Megatron-”

“I saw him-“

“WHAT!” They both jumped up, grabbing Sentinel by his horns and pulling him close. 

“Please, babes, I promise, let me finish my story, it’s got a nice reward.” he held up the bag, which was heavy, it slung to the side, then moved a little. “It’s totally worth it.”

Optimus rolled his eyes. “Fine.” He laid back down, eyes trained on the hunter’s pouch. It better be worth it, he was exhausted, he hated staying up late and worrying about his moron.

“So, I followed him, up and up, and the storm broke, this one, which I thought was weird, it was like the blue dragon wanted this storm, and he summoned it” He pointed to the ceiling, the storm brewed. “And I saw this other dragon, he was huge, but not as big as the first one. He was silver and red, eyes of coal and he looked tired, like he wasn’t sleepy, but a ghost, as if he couldn’t sleep, now that is Megatron. Dark grey, red eyes, covered in scars, it looked like he once was able to move mountains, I know that was Megatron. I think he had some personal problems with the first dragon, and I stayed back, and just-“ He slapped his paws again. “Boom! Like elk, right at each other’s throats. They were fighting, and I mean not play -fighting, no this was fight-fight, they were trying to kill each other. Megatron was sly, he blinded the blue one several times and went for weak points, while the blue one. Just tried to overwhelm him with talking and pure power.”

The pouch moved again, it had been moving, softly, steady, a rise and fall, but this movement was different, it was a shift, something was alive in there, and it was listening. 

“And they were trying to kill one another, I know that Megatron kept going for blue's throat, but the best part, he went for blue’s wing. I didn’t know wings were hard to tear off, but that was painful to watch, and we don’t even have wings!”

Optimus inched forward, nudging the pouch. The story made his stomachs turn.

It stilled.

He sniffed it, smelling mud, rain and something else, something soft, like a down feathers and straw, something that was meant to stay safe. 

He never knew what happened to that bird.

“But in the heat of this brutal battle, I noticed I wasn’t alone, on a tree sat one other dragon.” Sentinel grabbed his hunter’s pouch and held it up. “She saw me and climbed down, saying she wanted a better view of the fight.” He reached into it and the bag jerked, there was a fight and with a cursed Sentinel pulled as hard as he could. The bag was turned inside out, and in his paw, displayed like a proud trophy was a small yellow dragonet.

His hearts stopped, everything stopped, as he stared at the yellow scales. Her wings and legs were bound, her muzzled was tied tight, he held her up by her tail and hot tears ran down her face. Worst of all, she was shaking, she stared at them with big sky blue eyes full of tears. She was drenched, sobbing, she shivered and her movements were slow. The pungent stench of primal fear hung in the air.

“Sentinel!” Elita reacted first. “YOU KIDNAPPED A DRAGONET!”

Chapter Text

There was that ringing, the ringing that hurt, it ricocheted around in her skull, making her eyes water and nose run. The dull light was blinding and she shut her eyes tight, squeezing them until it hurt hoping that the ringing would stop, that this would all stop. It was freezing under every one of her scales. Water had dug deep down, soaking into her soft undercoat chilling her to the very bone. It hurt to breathe as water had dripped into her nose and her panic only made her lungs hurt. 

It was dry and full of hay and dirt, there was the distinct stench of wet drake, which smelled something like mushrooms, lots of raw uncooked mushrooms, with no seasoning, gross. At least it was warm in here, warmer than that scratchy bag that was suffocating her. 

She was bound, wings, claws muzzle, the ropes dug into her muscles constricting them while burning her scales and slicing her flesh. The ringing faded away but the pain only grew, claws sliced into her tail, and she dangled helplessly as all the blood rushed to her head. Everything was hurting, the pull on her pine felt like someone was trying to peel her bones out. 

Sari wanted her carrier. 

She chirped, it was muffled and practically useless, her carrier’s warm scent was long gone, his powerful roar, the way the world would shake when he walked, he wasn’t there. Sari sobbed now, it wasn’t the pain that made her break, it wasn’t that she was at a drake’s mercy, all she wanted was to nestle close to her carrier. 

“Sentinel,” The biggest drake she has ever seen stood over them, his nostrils flared and his red and blue scales ruffled. He opened his mouth then shut it with a clack, instead he settled snarling, lowering his head to Sentinel’s. He stared right at Sentinel, his blue eyes stared down the snarky drake, and there for a moment anger, pure honest anger. “Now.” He growled out.

Sari fell into the larger drake’s claws, she was quickly scooped up.

“Optimus, what gives?!” Sentinel jumped back up, shaking his head and flashing his own fangs. 

“She’s a dragonet and you’re holding her like a prized fish,” He snapped, pulling Sari close, his chest rumbled, he was warm, really warm. “She’s a hatchling and you’re over here boasting about starting a war.”

The last drake finally did something, she stood between her two conjuxes, glaring not at Sentinel for his reckless actions but at Optimus. “That’s enough,” She dug her claws into the now wet dirt, holding her tail high, ready to strike. They were conjuxes, right? Why was she willing to attack him? “This is no reason to lash out at-”

“He kidnaped a dragonet! Elita, do know how much danger she’s in?” 

“Sentinel he’s our conjux-”

“Ultra Magnus will kill her.” He ignored her pleading, hugging Sari to his chest. “She’s a dragon, from Megatron’s tribe. How did you think this was a good idea, you snuck into the dragon territory,and you single handedly watched Megatron himself fight another dragon, and you thought ‘oh lets just take a child as a souvenir’?” He finished.

Optimus was scary, he was huge compared to the others, not as big as her carrier, but he was familiar. Huge paws, long claws and a broad chest that was hot to the touch, sharp long horns and a smaller horn on his nose. It was clear he was the strongest out of the bonded trine.

He was the one holding her.

Sari really wished for her carrier now.

“That’s not an excuse to lash out.” Sentinel poked his head over Elita.

“Whatever,” he grumbled, anger still boiling and yet he didn’t fight anymore, instead he pulled Sari closer and stood tall. “Not like you two would be good parents anyhow.” With that the drake left their den, holding Sari tight.

She chirped and curled up against his hot chassis, wishing that she was back home, curled up on her nest listening to carrier’s soft snoring and the smell of smoke. Hopefully he was alright, he looked like he was taking a beating from that huge dark blue dragon. Megatron would find her, he’ll fight Ultra Magnus to a stand still, even Optimus couldn’t beat him. No one beat her carrier.

At least, she hoped.

The storm was dying, slowly creeping towards the flat lands, leaving his mountain alone, at least the morning mist would be pleasant. Not like he would see any of it anytime soon. 

The nest was warm, and comforting, there were several scents mixed in, Soundwave, Shockwave, Lugnut and Strika, even Blitzwing. This was the healer’s den, it was the largest den they had, carved out of stone and reinforced, there was a dry wood for fires, herbs lined the walls and several nests laid about. This was one second biggest nest Knockout had, currently Breakdown and their clutch occupied the largest.  At least Knockout was kind enough to throw in extra soft downy feathers and dried moss for him. Which was welcoming.

He groaned as his wounds were picked at, tended to, Knockout had the best claws for those pesky pebbles and other debris that would spread infection. He was a fine healer, always learning new methods and often visiting the healing temples in the south. Knockout's skills were greatly appreciated.  Not only that but since Knockout became a sire recently it felt great to have that same dotting sire energy focused on him. 

He never got that. 

No prepared meals.

No help when the nest was being made.

Not once did Megazarak defend him.

Megatron laid on his side, helm propped up, dozing away and hissing at the pain in his gut. “It’s bad isn’t it?”

“Erm.” Knockout leaned back and tapped his bloody claws together. “I know you’ve had a troubled history with this,” He gestured to Megatron’s wound, his own face paling as he stared at it. “But you were making progress, your frame was healing and your strength returning, but this might be out of my reach,”

Megatron scraped his dirty claws on the ground, digging them in deep creating miniature valleys with his paw. “Tell me honestly.”

The healer whined, his wings pulled in tight. “No. The answer is no, there’s nothing I can do to fix it, all I can do is just mend and hope it doesn’t become infected and kill you from the inside out. When we worked on this previously it took several months for your wounds to heal and to fight any illness, my lord your body can’t take much more of this. You’re not young anymore and the strain you put on yourself is going to kill you one way or another…” Knockout paused for a moment, unable to look him in the eye instead the red dragon sat back. “This foolish pursuit you have about this, it can’t go on, my lord-no dragon would want that for you, no conjux, no friend, and certainly Sari would be alarmed at your current state. I’m asking not as your healer, but your friend, you found my Breakdown for me, you lead me to the temples. I owe you everything I have, and it pains me to ask this, but please,” He leaned in, pleading, hoping for the right answer. The only answer. “don’t make me do this.”

He swallowed, that was the truth, the painful reality that he was afraid of, the one that he never wanted to hear. There was no going back, his frame was wearing down day by day since Megazarak left. This was it. No one would want him, not now, he never had a chance to find anyone, instead he was forced into his role by that monster. Funny that with one fell swoop his time was cut in half, that his body was dying around him, and even if he did the right thing, he protected his tribe, his home, his friends, he was paying for it daily.  All he had left was his little morning dove, the runt, the only one that wasn’t turned into paste.

He loved her, more than he thought was possible. At some point Megatron had to accept that he wouldn’t hunt with her when she was grown, that he might not be able to teach her how to fly, that he might not make it to her first bond fire. But every single morning he felt the warm sun and turned to see Sari curled up brighter than the stars themselves, and he got up, every single morning.

Breakdown yawned, raising his helm and stretching his tongue all the way out, then licking his lips and blinking the sleep from his eyes. His orange face scanned the den and turned towards them, he nodded towards Megatron, then to his conjux. Funny that his orange face darkened, that his eyes doubled, utterly taken with his bonded.

Knockout rumbled. “Rest, you need a lot more rest.”

“I’m a retired wrecker and you’re going to lecture me?” He snorted.

“Sure am, you just had 5 eggs, that’s a good size clutch, now rest. Please .” His bonded pleas, begged even, it was sweet seeing this side of Knockout.

Breakdown huffed returning to the nest. “it’s so boring here,”

“Once you’re done healing then I’ll let you return to breaking things, okay?” Knockout teased him.

He watched the exchange, mentally folding in on himself. This was something he also never got, not dotting, not friendly bickering, just cold calculated planning. At this point his life was already gone, no one competed for him, no one swooned over him, and in short he was far past his prime. 

Call him stupid, or stubborn or flat out desperate, but part of him didn’t want it to end. Seeing Breakdown in their nest, seeing their clutch, hearing their jabs, their laughter. This was their home, they built this, soon their clutch would hatch and their hatchlings would cause problems. But they wanted this life, chose this, chose each other. 

“No one would ever want you, not with what I’ve done, remember that Megatronus.”

“Put it back in.” Megatron answered.

Knockout froze all the color vanished from his face. “This will hurt, and I mean this would feel like someone was burning you from the inside out, and there’s a high chance this could do more harm than good. You might not make a recovery if this does infect you and-“

“Please, as your friend, not your leader, I’m not giving up, at least not yet.” 

Knockout let out a pitiful whine. “The moment you faint from this, I fully remove it.”

“I didn’t faint when he ripped it out and killed our clutch, I didn’t faint when Overlord thought it was a snack, I won’t faint now.”

The healer sighed, cleaning his paws, then dabbing it with cleanser, Megaton winched a few times. It stopped and Knockout breathed in, then out, holding it tightly.

Megatron roared, eyes watering as it was shoved in, his claws digging into the earth below him, smoke billowed from his jaws. He wouldn’t faint, he couldn’t faint.

Once this was done he’d curl up with his morning dove, he can forget his troubles, at least for a little bit.

Why was he acting like this?

Optimus ran as fast as he could, feeling the dragonet in his arms slither and shiver, she was cold, way too cold. Maybe this was natural panic, or some sort of instinct that he never needed until now, but he ran faster than he had ever done before, racing through the warren. Most drakes would touch the glow stone for light, but he didn’t need it, he never needed it. Optimus knew the warren, he built half of it himself, but he could see it all, every nook and cranny he could see.

Which was currently helpful. 

“You’ll be okay little one, I promise.”

She chirped it was muffled by the binds on her snout, shivering like a rattle snake’s tail. 

Optimus drifted to a stop seeing the healer’s den, kicking up dust, 

Ratchet had spent years making this den as welcoming, as peaceful as possible, even if that was hardly the truth. The bundles of leaves overhung the entrance, a mixture of garlic, thyme and mint, lots of mint to keep the scent of illness out of the warren. 

He pressed through the foliage. “Ratchet?”

“Ugh!” A lump of old drake stirred in the ledge, it was a huge nest that Ratchet once shared with Acree and their own clutch, now it was mostly unused. Ratchet was one of the older drakes, he had an odd look to him, dull whites and grey with maroon scales, but the most noticeable trait he had was his one horn. No one knew what happened to his missing horn.  “This better be a good kid.” He sat up and stretched, blinking the sleep from his eyes. “I was having a lovely dream.”

“It’s bad, really bad- don’t tell sire.” He blurted out, feeling a chill run up his spine, Ultra Magnus would surely kill her. Optimus moved fast, he knew this den well, after his year of training under Ratchet, he set her down on the tree trunk, with a swipe of his tail the glow stone was uncovered and lit up the whole den.

Ratchet hissed as he dragged himself out of his nest, past the wall of herbs and sat at the tree trunk and finally blinked open his eyes. “Is that a dragonet?”

“Yep,” Optimus spat out rushing past Ratchet and grabbing soft moss. 

With that answer Ratchet moved just as fast, scrambling around. “Take that moss and throw it on my nest, she’s ice cold and needs warmth.”

“Why?” Optimus did as he was told, tossing the moss onto the nest, then doubling back and grabbing more moss. He’ll harvest some later.

“Dragonets have a hard time regulating their heat at her age, and her size, she’s a runt for sure,” Ratchet grabbed a knife. “I need your help to keep her still, those binds are cutting into her scales, they haven’t hardened at all.”

Optimus climbed up on the trunk and carefully held her close. “I’m sorry, this might hurt little one.” She wiggled in his grasp but still seeing Ratchet with the knife, she blinked at him, then back at Ratchet. “I know, he won’t hurt you, I promise.”

She chirped.

The healer sat close and cupped her muzzle, with a swift movement he sliced the ropes, then her paws and finally her wings. Ratchet leaned back, tucking the knife away. “Stretch them out, you need to get blood flow into your limbs.”

She blinked up at him, then opened and shut her jaw, moved her legs and finally spread her wings.

“Hmm, Gem dragon-no hybrid, stone mover and maybe some lava drinker too,” Ratchet listened while watching her. “You’re the runt aren’t you?”

She shook her helm. “I’m the only one.”

Ratchet paused. “Your carrier was sick?”

She curled up, fluffing her wet scales and her soaked undercoat. 

“Optimus take her to my nest, you’re big and warm, I need you to curl around her and help regulate her heat. I’ll get everything else.” Ratchet turned away piling up other goods, like dried meats, fruits nuts, herbs and a grinder.

With that he carried her over to the already warm next, turning into his normal roll position, he liked this more than being the pillow for Elita and Sentinel. Instead of curling his paws under him he rested the dragonet there, moving the moss between his arms and setting her down. She stared up at him with wide blue eyes, her scales prickled up, she was scared, he couldn’t blame her. 

“My name is Ratchet.” The healer purred, sitting under the ledge, holding up the fruits and meats. “I need to clean your wounds and bind them, but I got you some snacks, sadly no one here has a talent for smoked meats.” He spoke softly and held the food up. 

She snorted. “Well duh, you can’t smoke meat without fire!” She reached for the meat first, opened her jaws and only a small cloud of smoke puffed out. Then promptly frowned and took a bite, wrinkling her nostrils at the taste. “Gross.”

Ratchet smiled. “That’s a good sign.” He whispered, then worked on her tail where the skin was pulled back, dabbing it with a mixture then wrapping it. “So what’s your name?”

“Sari, you’re the healer?”

“Yea, and I got a code, the same code your healer has.”

“Like Knockout?”

“Just like Knockout, huh I think I saw him a few times, good healer, great for details, when I saw him he was taking extra classes on reproductive health.” Ratchet hummed, taking a look at her wings and gently placing the goop on them. “But yea, the same code that says ‘no hatchling will be harmed, drake, dragon, seeker or hydra under my care. And the big drake behind you? His name is Optimus.”

Sari craned her neck up and stared at him, funny that a few moments ago she was scared but relaxed as she ate. “Hi, umm, thanks for being mean to your conjuxes.”

“Somedays it feels like I’m the only one with a brain,” He snickered and rested his head close to her. 

“I know that feeling, you should see what it’s like when Blitzwing watches me, he can’t even decide on a single meal!”

“Oh is he a Hydra?” Ratchet asked, dabbing her wings. 

“Sure is, he’s huge, and cool he breathes fire, and ice, his two heads always get snippy, righty and lefty.”

“That’s so cool!” Ratchet hummed asking more and more questions.

Slowly Sari seemed to relax and warm up, somehow bonding with Ratchet’s snarky commentary. Who knew Ratchet could be so gentle with hatchlings, he did a fine job with First Aid who would be the next healer once Ratchet retired. But as the night wore on and Sari’s belly was stuffed she yawned and curled up in his arms, it didn’t take long for her to slip into sleep.

“I didn’t know you had a talent for dragons, even dragonets.” 

Ratchet started cleaning, tossing the dirty dishes into the river net he used, his tail dragged behind him. “I have to be-no, I wanted to study genetics when I was younger, and I met a lot of hybrids and I found several variations of dragon species. I wanted to see how different we all are, and if there was medicine that the dragons used that would help drakes. Sari here is a strange case, she’s able to admit smoke, which is an older dragonet, and she’s much smaller then she should be, even if she has a healthy diet. Not only that but she’s at least a Lava drinker, but her size is concerning.

“What does that mean?” He snuffed and curled up around her, not once did his eyes leave her small weakened frame.

“I don’t know, but it’s extremely concerning, dragons have clutches, 3 to even 5 eggs, sometimes at most 8. This is telling me that her carrierage was an extremely stressful, which concerns me…”

Sari snoored and rolled onto her side, her belly was stuffed and he honestly looked pretty happy with herself.

“Why’s that?”

There was a painful noise that escaped Ratchet’s snout. “Her carrier is really sick, unless they’ve already passed, that’s what worries me. Meaning that her sire is taking the role of both carrier and sire, and this means that whoever is going to fly down that mountain, is going to be livid.”

“They’ll kill everyone?”

The healer nodded. “The sooner we get her home, the better. But for now she’ll rest.”

Optimus hummed, turning towards Sari and digging his claws into the nest below. Sentinel might’ve killed the whole tribe with this stupid stunt. At any moment a dragon could fly over and start attacking, all the drakes were defenseless against a dragon. “I’ll think of something, maybe I’ll slip out one night and head into the mountains with her? Hopefully I can smooth it over with Megatron’s tribe and maybe we won’t die, I’m sure I'll come out wounded-and you know, not dead.”

Ratchet puffed. “Well my nest is at least warm, even if you took the best spot… get some rest kid, we’ll figure out everything in the morning.”

Chapter Text

“I need you to take it slow.” Knockout spoke softly, lingering under Megatron’s claws, which you might as well throw yourself under a falling boulder. Nothing like almost smushing your only healer-well Breakdown knew some basic medicine-but he just has a clutch-sooo nope. In short Megatron couldn’t squish the bright red dragon, not that he ever would. He was stuck holding in his annoyance that for some reason Knockout wanted to die tonight.

STOP GETTING UNDER MY PAWS!- no don’t say that, you can’t snap at him, he’s a good dragon. At least Sari learned that lesson fast-and she loves to climb up your neck. Sit on your head and sunbathe, like a little leaf hat. Makes her feel tall.

Then there was Lugnut with his incessant stomping, who meant well, he always meant well. But hearing another long winded rant about ‘The Great Lord Megatron’ only made Megatron want to bash his head into the nearest boulder and sleep. At least Lugnut was strong and helped him into his den. Lugnut lifted the silver vines up with his wing while taking most of Megatron’s weight. 

It was a normal den, nothing special, Megatron had always wanted this one, the setting sun wouldn’t burn into it, and neither did the morning sun, great for lazy mornings and long nights. It also had a Honeysuckle bush that was perfect in winter, kept the snow and cold out, and the heat in. Sari and him would often share a few on some hot summer nights. 

He always wanted the biggest den, the healer’s den, but then what a moronic idea, the only stone den your greedy self? The herbs would spoil, the sick wouldn’t recover and clutches would freeze over. Who does that?

He did that.

Why was he thinking of Megazarak so much? Sure almost dying, and feeling that exact pain, again, would do something. But this? 

You’re getting old, unwanted and you’re dying, slowly, but still dying. 

He groaned and laid down on the plush nest, feeling the millions of feathers, moss, and his personal favorite the mushrooms, which he also snacked on. Per Knockout’s instructions he laid on his side, belly exposed but away from the entrance, wings draped but not enclosed. Head on the mushroom bed. The healer muttered around rambling curses as he reapplied some numbing pastes and adjusted his bandages, poking and prodding only to slow down when Megatron hissed in pain. 

The world shook, it wasn’t earth shattering, but it was a solid thump, a warning to anyone, she was here.

“My lord,” Lugnut leaned down. “My beloved, my air, my hearts, the wind under my wings-” Megatron growled, for once Lugnut understood, “Strika would like a word with you, alone.”

This was expected, as always she would come, once Lugnut was lingering around him like a lost pup, she would appear. Sure Lugnut was big, maybe a little smaller than Megatron, but Strika? She was double their size, bulky, strong, not the best flier, and her dark purples and bright oranges scared anyone away. They had to rebuild half of the dens just to fit her inside of them, she barely fit still.

He willed his mind to relax, to settle, there was no need to get worked up, it was Strika, surely she wouldn’t lecture him, again. “Knockout, am I okay?”

The much smaller glittery red dragon climbed around him and sat before him, grabbing his snout. “No sudden movements, you’ll break open all my hard work, and you know bleed to death. No rough housing with Sari, light foods, small portions, plenty of water, and if you feel anything, anything painful, a sting, a strain, soreness, you call for me.” He puffed, smoke rising from his nostrils.

“Understood.” Megatron nodded.

Knockout whined, then clicked his nails. “No more fights.”

“...understood.” He sank back down, yielding to the healer’s orders.

Satisfied Knockout rushed off, an extra pep in his step, sires, stupid loveable dorky sires. 

Breakdown was a lucky dragon.

“Lugnut,” Strika’s massive cranium poked in, a soft rumble. “That means you too,”

Her beloved whined. “But my star-”

“Nope,” her massive bulky body pushed in, she towered over him, over both of them, she was gigantic compared to Lugnut, their first clutch did put a strain on him. “Out with you,” with her tail she pushed her beloved carrier out. 

Leaving Megatron and her, alone.

“Strika, I only ask you don’t rant about how risky this-”

“What about Sari?”

WONDERFUL!

“Strika, I had the situation completely under control.”

She snarled and sat back, wings pulled tight. “Answer the question.”

“Sari is here, tucked away safely, there is nothing to worry-”

“Megatronus, silver son of Terminus,”

Full name and title, not a good sign.

Her burning red eyes pinned him down and she used her size to her advantage, a literal summit of a dragon. But she spoke softly. “Did you even think about her, about what might happen?”

“I did, matter of fact.” He lifted his head off the firm but soft mushroom bed, meeting her glare.

“Okay, so why didn’t you ask someone else to handle Overlord? The Lighting Rider, that Overlord, you know, the one who lost his mind one day and betrayed his whole village, attacking their protector Alpha Trion, and even killing his own dragonets? You know him, he eats other dragons, he’s mad, and attacks anything, summoning full blown hurricanes or supercell tornadoes. We literally tell scary stories about him to our clutches.”

“He was challenging me, I’m the Protector-”

“Shut up.” she whispered, glancing over to Sari’s nest where she slept under pelts and feathers. “You didn’t need to handle him on your own, you didn’t need to run off, you could’ve asked for help, asked for me, for Blitzwing, Shockwave, even Soundwave, anyone. But no you ran off head first after him. And now look at you. You’re half dead.”

His claws sunk into the moss. “Okay, fine, if this is the thanks I get for being Protector of-”

“Don’t you start that-”

“Did you not think I would let him hurt your beloved Lugnut? Let him publicly shame Lugnut- Strika you were gone, and Lugnut was heavy with your first clutch. I either killed my pathetic excuse of a conjux or he would have flown Lugnut up and slashed his wings. Did. You. Want. That?” He sat up, his words becoming firmer, yet his body struggled, his side burned and his limbs started to buckle.

She folded and slumped. “And I thank you, for that, every single day… but you’re not doing this alone, you don’t need to run off, I would’ve helped you, I would gladly fight in your place. Protector doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself.”

That was rich.

He left the gem mines.

He traveled the dragon spine mountains.

He fought against the wendigos.

He challenged Megazarak.

He suffered alone.

Megatron did it all, everything he did on his own, even if it cost him his life. Defeated, he laid back down, shifting his head until it felt just right. “I did think, what might happen to her, if I died.” He didn’t meet her eyes, he couldn’t, instead he turned to Sari’s nest. “My morning dove, you would raise her, as your own.”

The gasp filled the den.

“Knockout told me something, the stress, the battles, the wounds…Strika, would you take over as Protector, and Sari’s guardian?” He stared at the tiny nest, hearts twisting at the cold reality of it all. He was dying, after all this time, his body was slowing down, his strength was fading, he wasn’t the same dragon as before. Shame, he wasn’t that old either. 

“...Get some rest Megatron, I’ll return in the morning.” She paused, then sniffed and nudged his head with her’s, it was a soft goodbye, a kindness. her heavy frame lumbered off.

That left him and Sari alone, hopefully she was fast asleep, Sari thought she was sly, pretending to rest only to listen in, sneaking off, playing sick. But she made life interesting. With her weird morning yawns and stretch, waking him up with the morning sun. Megatron would tease her in the morning, even if he was stuck healing and unable to play with her.

He’ll make it up to her in the morning.

His eyes were dry, very dry, so dry that closing his eye lids took a moment. Which he savored the void, shutting his eyes and allowing moisture to well up. His bones ached, his muscles tensed and worst of all, the literal worst, the migraine that was splitting his brain in two. This wasn’t the worst night of his life, far from it, but it did tug on his hearts in a sense. Those long nights where he would pace, count sand, twitch over every single sound. Where minutes turned to hours then into what felt like years, years waiting, aching, unsure of what would happen next. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t sleep, all he could do was keep busy doing stupid little tasks. Which was why he found himself crocheting a medical bandage between his claws, it was soft, squishy but dense, it might be a bit hot, but it should do for now.

Once a sire, always a sire.

At least Optimus was warm, toasty, it was comfy using him as a living fire. He always was a living fire, when Ultra Magnus first brought Optimus in, he was almost frozen solid, caked with mud and blood. He was younger than Sari, still had his full baby coat. That was another restless night for Ratchet, Acree and him did their best trying to keep Optimus warm, and somehow the tiny thing made it. All Optimus would do all night was chirp, he chirped until his throat was dry, and he couldn’t even suck in air, and still he would chirp. 

A little too much like Sari’s own chirp.

Just like Lifeline’s.

He snorted and shut his eyes, digging his claws deep into the soft nest and clenching his jaw. There was no sense in reminiscing. Arcee was a fine Conjux, she was snarky, bold, often pushed Ratchet to his limits and he loved their conversations, their petty arguments, every moment with her was warming, like a tiny little fire. Even now, after her passing he longed for the comical snort she made, or the play fights, somehow her scent hung in the nest, and every night he would still smell her. They had First Aid, he’s a fine healer, and Ratchet couldn’t be any prouder.

She was a fire.

And he was the burning sun, warming your scales through the coldest days, always kind, always thoughtful, even when he shouldn’t be. 

It does nothing to linger, the sun is gone, Ratchet made sure of that. 

Ratchet turned away from Optimus, from Sari, curling up all by himself, he wasn’t part of a family, not anymore, he was an old drake, wasting away, waiting for the day his body would turn to stone, his hearts would still and he’d accept his fate. It would’ve been nice to return, go back to that mountain side. 

The sun was gone, so was the star. 

The old healer stretched his legs and focused on the yarn, he didn’t have long, but this was needed, Sari needed this.

Once a sire, always a sire.

There was always morning dew, no matter what, it would cling to his scales if he took a morning walk, the soothing petrichor would fill his lungs, his back spines would puff up and prickle with newfound energy. In his youth he would bolt down the mountainside, using gravity to give himself a little boost. He would spy on a cliff, launching himself right into the air, flinging his wings back and with a good push Megatron would breach the clouds. 

He would soar for hours until the sun would hang above him, wind hovering. 

That sounded wonderful right about now, maybe when his belly didn’t mimic a landslide he’d take Sari with him. She was small enough to sit on his head, or on his shoulders. Then again knowing her, she’d run all over him, too excited to do anything else.

Would she learn fire breath first, or flying? Dragonets learned one or the other first, fight or flight, which there was an old tale that whichever trait a dragon learned first, they molded themselves after. Flight would be cunning, quick to escape and would run if there was trouble. Fire, would be defense, attack, protect. 

Literally fight or flight.

Both traits were needed for dragons.

“Sari?” He lifted his head and hissed as his muscles ached, an all too familiar soreness spread through his whole body, bones cracked at each movement. Megatron wiggled his ears and pricked them, taking a deep breath of the nest. “Sari?” He spoke softly, dragging his body closer to Sari’s little nest.

The world was too quiet, there were no birds, not grumbles of grumpy dragons, and worst of all Sari wasn’t doing her dove coo. Panic laced his mind as he rose to his paws and rushed forwards digging through the soft nest, flinging the moss, the mushrooms and downie feathers. Sari wasn’t curled up. 

Megatron stilled, even if his whole body ached, and his mind hurt, and all he wanted to do was collapse and sleep until winter, he still was a carrier. He marched out of his den, sniffing deep. “Sari?” He called out, trying to reason.

Maybe she’s out early looking for snacks?

He rushed over to the stock pile of dried goods, sniffing everywhere and yet her soft scent wasn’t there.

What if she was going on a walk?

Megatron knew that wasn’t right, Sari wouldn’t go on a morning walk, this early? He could hardly get her out of her nest. Stepping back into the center of his village he stood still. But he still stuck his head up and shifted his ears, there was no cooing, no chirp.

Think, Megatron, when was the last time you saw her?

Every morning started off roughly the same, Sari would always wiggle her way out of her nest, curl up next to him, sometimes on top of his snout. Together they’d sneak into the dried goods, often Sari would grab some smoked salmon and Megatron stole roasted pistachios, and maybe a truffle or two. Then they’d go on a long morning walk (which was a way for him to patrol), Sari would get tired and climb up his back and pick at his scales. 

Sari thought that cleaning my scales would make me less grumpy. We did all of that, but then the storm clouds were rolling in, and that smell, the decaying flesh stench. I told her to rush back home, to hide in her nest until I returned-

His wings fell to the ground, stomach in knots and reality striking him. “No, she wouldn’t.”

She would.

Megatron ran, he wasn’t supposed to be running but he ran, dashing down the hill, snarling as his wound stung. “She wouldn’t, Sari knows better, it was dangerous and he wouldn’t stay. Why would she want to stay?” 

She’s your dragonet, she’s a troublemaker just like you, so yea she wanted to watch.

He slid to a stop, it was still muddy, and the corpse lingered there, Overlord was dead, the flies didn’t take long to find him. He sniffed around, inhaled everything, even the gagging oder that was Overlord. Then there was that soft smell, mushrooms, downie feathers and moss. His heart raced as he climbed up the tree, the same tree that she was perched on. On the branch there were tiny little claw marks, some pastel gold scales, and baby fluff. 

“Sari.” He growled, she was there, she was there the whole time, watching him battle that monster. But it was stale, watered down, and there was another smell. Megatron’s blood boiled as he sank down the tree trunk, eyeing the paw prints. 

They were bigger than Sari’s, much bigger, thin, deeper than a dragon’s, which meant that they were lighter, faster for sure. There was a faint air of Switchgrass, and Big Bluestem, dust too. Deep blue scales littered the tree trunk and the boulder, there was a scuffle for sure.

Switchgrass only grows past the desert, that’s Ultra Magnus’ tribe.

“Megatron!” Strika snapped charging towards him. “What could you possibly need to do to be here-”

“Sari’s gone, a drake from Ultra Magnus’ tribe took her and I have no idea if she’s alive.” He snapped right back and shoved his face into her’s. “Do I need to explain every little detail to you? Or are you going to stalk me like I’m your brainless Conjux?”

She shut up.

“Good,” He spun around, winching at the pain in his side, his legs stumbled and he righted himself, holding his head high. 

This is stupid- on Ultra Magnus’ part, who allows a drake to start a war, kidnapping a dragonet is worth starting a war, kidnapping my sweet morning dove is worth burning their whole warren down-

“Megatron?” Strika nudged his side. “Don’t let me you’re going to fly?”

“Unless you want me to walk?” His wings snapped open, feeling the cool morning air against his scales, he was sore, it would be a long flight, but one he needed to do.

I would be there midday, maybe a bit later? The west wind will carry me most of the way. Sari hold on, I’ll be there soon.

The limp deer hung in his jaws, she was the last one for the night, older, tried, but she lived her life, and he made sure it was fast. A sharp snap, no struggle, no panic. He lingered in the shadows long enough, down wind, hidden in the tall grass. His claws dug into the earth below and he always wiggled his shoulders before taking out prey. There wasn’t even a gasp, just a simple snap.

The doe would make great dried meat, sadly fire wasn’t used for cooking here, they didn’t have a great firepit, and everyone relished the warren. It was safe there, warm, tucked away from the world. Good drakelings stayed inside, in their carrier’s nest. 

I suppose that makes me a bad drake, being a night hunter.

Jazz rested the doe on the travois, along with his other prey, he always made sure that it wasn’t spoiled, no one would want spoiled meat. It was a decent sized pile, double what a day stalker would hunt, they prey here didn’t know yet that he was hunting at night. Then again he was pretty much blind, relying on scent, sounds and what he knew about the area. But the moment the sun started to peek over the mountains, his night stalking was over.

I don’t hate this.

But he didn’t choose this, this wasn’t his decision, being a night stalker, being the only night stalker, a foolish drake hunted at night, alone. Jazz knew that one day he would become the prey, but it was a gamble. Either stalk at night, or with him.

He grabbed the straps, tying them around his waist, then started to drag the travois towards the warren as the sun rose up. The rain last night was great, most prey huddled in known shelters, and Jazz kept to the trees, it was a brutal storm, at some points he swore the desert would flood. But it didn’t, and all he had to deal with was mud. Jazz trotted on, letting his mind wonder.

I think a good nap in the noon sun would be great, find a nice little boulder and stretch out, keep far away from everyone else. Just some me time, that’s all I need, me time, alone. Always alone.

His tail dragged in the mud. 

Others have noticed it, my dull claws, my scuffed scales, the chips on my horns. So what I’m not taking care of myself, I hardly sleep, hardly eat anything. All I do is stalk, and take some cat naps, so what? 

Jazz paused looking at the muddy earth below him, those were paw steps, bigger ones, but not huge, they were deep. Which meant that either that this was Optimus his sire Ultra Magnus or they were out here when the storm was particularly bad. The steps were uneven, tired, rushed, there was an arrogance to the tracks.

Sentinel.

His blood boiled and Jazz slammed his paw down on the tracks, his scales pricking, teeth flashing.

I hope he got sick, I hope Ratchet can’t fix him, I really hope that he’s drowning in his own snot right now! 

Jazz’s tail snapped, cutting through the air and he snarled, dragging the travois through the mud, alone time sounded wonderful right now.

“Alright so we need to get water,” he took the much larger water pouch and dunked it into the river, watching it fill and swell, pleased he held it up and tied it tight, then he set it to the side watching Sari. She was small, smaller than Bumblebee, but Optimus refused to let her out of his sight. They decided she wouldn’t join the draklings classes today, in fact she’d stay far away from them, too many questions. Besides Bumblebee and Bulkhead were great with Sari, already getting her to laugh and play, which was needed after last night. Ratchet suggested that it would be best for Optimus to take care of her for now, he was Ultra Magnus’ son, and due to his size not a lot of drakes got too close to him. 

Sari held up her water pouch then dunked it into the water, glancing up at Optimus for approval, he nodded, and she pulled it back out, it was bigger, heavier but she held her own setting it aside. Strong little dragonet. “Okay, now what?”

“Well we’ve got to start the mixture, we need a couple more of theses pouches until we can start mixing, but we have to be quick too, if it gets too hot, it solidifies and we can’t use it anymore.”

She blinked up at him. “Wouldn’t it be better to divert the river or move the mixing station closer or at least plant trees to cover everything so we have more time?”

Those were good points.

“I’ve asked that myself a few times.” Bumblebee strutted up, taking a big gulp of ice cold water. “Optimus, didn't you ask about that not too long ago? What did your sire say?”

He sat back on his hunches. “He said: it was like this for a reason, that drakes don’t meddle with the land, with the world around them.”

“That sounds like a stupid way to say: hey I’m too lazy and prideful to let you make anything better.” Bumblebee snorted, shoving his own pouch into the water and filling it, then tying it. “That just rubs me the wrong way, why not make it better?”

Sari frowned, lifting up her own pouch, her wings shifted under the sash, but they were tucked, hidden away and safe. She was safe. Bumblebee hummed flicking his tail and turning away carrying the pouches back to Bulkhead, his dorky walk made Sari giggle, but her smile faded as the other drake was out of ear shot. “I miss my home, the honeysuckle, the cozy nights. My carrier diverted sections of the steam to make a small pool besides the healing den, but left the stream intact. I want to be as thoughtful as him one day.”

He felt his hearts sink and he nudged her side, speaking softly. “I’ll get you back home.”

“I don’t even know if he’s alive, he was fighting the dragonet eater, protecting us, like he always does. He looked so tired.” She slumped against Optimus’ paw, unable to look at him, it was clear. “I think he’s dead.”

He wasn’t sure what to say, what to do, but he didn’t want to move, instead he sat there, with her, watching the river trickle by. Letting the river muffle her soft sobs, carefully he pulled her in for a hug, shielding her away from the world, at least for a moment. Optimus never knew his carrier, but Ultra Magnus was always there, always protecting him, nursing him when he was sick, even now losing his sire, the only family he had. That hurt more than it should. 

And Sari might not have her carrier anymore, and her sire, who knows. 

I’ll keep you safe, for as long as I can.

“Optimus.” It was a stern aged voice, a cool one, one he knew all too well.

He reacted fast pulling Sari under his chest and standing up tall, putting her in his shadow and hopefully hiding her. Optimus raised his head high, shoulders squared and tail at attention, Sari sank back under his belly, her eyes were wet. 

Before them stood the only bigger drake than him, huge shoulders, barrel chest, long neck and thick plates. There were wrinkles, age and past battles wore down his body, but he displayed them with pride. Claws that could clip a seeker’s wings, jaws that could challenge any stone crusher, and a thagomizer which always smelled of iron.

That was what Optimus feared the most.

“Sire.”

Ultra Magnus yawned, exhaustion in his face as he trotted past Optimus and drank from the stream. He licked his lips and sat back, grabbing the small water pouch, holding it up into the morning sun. “Sentinel tells me there was a problem last night, that you got into an argument with your conjuxes, is this correct?”

“Yes.” Optimus didn’t turn his back from his sire, he kept Sari far from his sight and his reach. “Sentinel tracked mud and rain into our nest.”

Ultra Magnus hummed, stretching his claws and digging them into the river bank. “I would be upset too. You know this river comes all the way from the dragon spine mountains? It goes under the desert but pops up as a spring just before you enter the towering dunes.”

“I didn’t know that.” Optimus sat down pushing Sari to the other side, putting himself between his sire and Sari.

“Who is she, Optimus?”

He bit his tongue. “A stray, she’s hurt and I’ve already had Ratchet tend to her wounds, but she’s alone, I’m sure her sire will be along any moment now.” 

The river trickled by, it was peaceful, quiet, and everything seemed to be just as it should be, that Sari was safe, that his sire was none the wiser, and Optimus wasn’t the living shield between a drake who fought Overlord to a stand still. The morning sun was rising and the clouds started to drift along the bright blue sky.

He knows.

Ultra Magnus might be old, but he wasn’t slow, sure his body appeared to be bulky, but he was still a drake. He barreled into Optimus, Optimus snagged Sari in his jaws and rolled, throwing his sire off and setting her under him again and lowered himself, holding his tail up high.

“Are we really going to do this?” Optimus snarled, scales prickling.

The huge blue drake rose up, head high, eyes blazing. “Dragons have no sanctuary here.”

Chapter Text

Rain.

It was raining, colder than the snow in a blizzard. This rain was strong, it hurt, it stung his soft fluffy coat. Thunder boomed above, so loud that his ears hurt, he shivered and curled up in his nest. Hearts racing and he tried to make himself seem smaller and smaller. He wasn’t big like his sire, not yet, he wasn’t brave either, and certainly not strong. He was a hatchling, a tiny little hatchling.

Red eyes glowed outside, the stench of blood filled his den and he shivered.

“Little Orion, where are you~?” A deep baritone voice sang out.

That same singing voice once brightened his day, woke him up every morning, fed him, protected him, who scared off all the monsters, was now the monster outside. Staring, waiting, snarling.

Lightning flashed.

The monster lundged. 

Pearly white jaws clamped down, foamy spit laced the lips that framed them, instinctively he reeled back, spinning his whole body and slamming his tail against the larger drake’s neck. At least this would give him room. Optimus gave a low warning snarl, keeping himself low while pushing Sari back. He said he would keep her safe, protect her until her carrier or sire arrived, or even worse Lord Megatron.

Sentinel wanted a war, didn’t he?

Sari chirped under him and dug her tiny claws on his back leg, clinging to him as he backed away from his sire. 

The older drake was fast, his big paws flung up dirt as he charged once again, slamming directly into Optimus, Optimus ducked as he was barrled into, feeling his own claws dig into the dirt as he was bulldozed backwards. His chest burned as he snarled back, biting into Ultra Magnus’ shoulder, sinking his jaws deep as blood pooled in his mouth the elder drake yowled. Quickly he spat the shoulder out and headbutted Ultra Magnus’s jaw, sending his sire reeling.

Ultra Magnus was dazed, stepping back and shaking his head as blood dripped from his eye. “You worthless drake,” He spat out, one of his pearly whites clattered along on the river banks. “Unable to have your own clutch and now you steal a dragonet and expect me to spare it’s worthless life?” 

He didn’t badger, didn’t press, only fluffed his scales up and hissed, his whole chest rattling with a warning. He might die in the next few moments here, but he wasn’t letting any harm come to Sari. 

The commotion got several drakes out of the warren, his friends stood a little bit awhile, far from the action, Bumblebee took his perch on Bulkhead’s back. Then there was Elita who stood tall on her back legs in shock. Sentinel next to her, tail high, a hunting pose, he was willing to strike. More and more familiar faces appeared, Iornhide, Jazz, even Ratchet who promptly gawked as his successor and son First Aid stood by him.

“What is going on?”

“Is Optimus challenging Ultra Magnus?”

“He’s going to die.”

A cloud of dust rolled between them, the bearing sun burning on his scales, the blood that dripped from Ultra Magnus’ shoulder, the tangy iron taste on his tongue. He wasn’t a leader like Elita, or a hunter like Sentinel no he spent his days building. Optimus was no fighter, he knew dirt, that’s it. 

“Sire,” He spoke softly, coiling his tail around Sari and pushing her back. “I’ll take her back home, I’ll travel to the dragon spine myself and return. Please she’s only a dragonet.” Optimus lowered his stance, offering peace first, but didn’t close his eyes, staring right at his sire.

Ultra Magnus’s jaws spilled open, revealing rows of dagger-like teeth, a trait they shared. “You plan on begging Lord Megatron for forgiveness? It won’t ever work and we all know that.” He snapped, slamming his front paws on the dark earth. “End this now Optimus, give her to me.”

Sari chirped, once again calling for her carrier, her tiny frame was shaking against him, her fluffy coat was puffed up and her eyes watched the skies.

He made the first move, backing up into the cold river, feeling Sari climb up his leg and onto his back hunches, digging her needle like claws into his scales. The water was soothing, but clashed with the rage he felt in his chest. “Then come and take her.” He stood firm, digging his back paws into the water.

Ultra Magnus was old, but he still was drake, one of the best hunters, and leaders the tribe ever had. And he wasn’t a fool. He charged,  jaws wide open. “Then you’ll die like she will.”

Their wide shoulders clashing, strong jaws clammed down on Optimus’ leg, breaking through his tough exterior. With a timed strike he bit into Ultra Magnus’ heck, pulling the larger drake into the water, with his free arm he swept Ultra Magnus’ front legs sending the drake into the water. 

Sari chirped as he ran up his spine and between his wide shoulder blades. 

Optimus yanked his arm out of Ultra Magnus’ jaws, ignoring the pain as his scales were ripped off. Instead he sprung his whole frame around as Magnus surfaced. Slamming his tail into his leader’s skull, skidding the older drake back to the river bank.

He could’ve attacked, finished this now, but instead he waited as his sire gasped and pulled himself together. Their sides heaving, muscles twitching, he saw the damage he did, and felt his stomachs roll. Ultra Magnus raised him, cared for him, taught him everything, and now he looked pathetic, weak in the mud, bleeding from his shoulder, now his muzzle was crooked. The faded scales stood out with the pop of color that blood provided. 

His sire was unshakeable, unbeatable, often picking fights with seekers of dragons, pushing them back. Always protecting them, always defending.

”Please, sire, I’ll fix this, I’ll ensure that there’s no war, not battles, just” His voice cracked and he swallowed what felt like a stone, when did he start crying? “I’ll make sure nothing happens, please don’t harm her.” 

Ultra Magnus snarled and shook his helm, tossing off mud as he stood up, raising his thagomizer up. His blood shot optics narrowed, a puff of smoke escaped his nose. Then once again he charged.

”Sari, get down!” Optimus blinked away the tears, feeling Sari cling to him, biting his spine ridge as Ultra Magnus swung. The mace swung above him and he ducked, it whistled as it was flung. Optimus watched it, only to feel Ultra Magnus’ jaws on his neck, pain burning through his frame as he was thrown out of the river and into the bank, frame rolling.

”Optimus!” Sari was thrown, she scrambled to her paws running towards him, Magnus’ shadow right on her heels.

His sire was faster, stomping the ground before her and stopping her in her tracks, Sari screamed as he looked up at him.

Get up! 

Optimus heaved his body up, he wasn’t fast, he couldn’t get to her in time.

Ultra Magnus lifted himself up, hoisting his upper frame up and displaying his claws, Sari frozen in fear, gawking up at him, looking so small.

”NOPE!” A dash of yellow sprinted across the river bank, rolling under their leader, grabbing Sari, Bumblebee ran over the water with ease, holding the dragonet in his arms as he ran up the hill past the spectators and climbed up Bulkhead. “Okay!” He held Sari up with a giddy smile that showed off his goofy grin. “Kick his ass boss!” 

“C’mon boss, you can beat him!” Bulkhead yelled out, stomping his front paws, he was a powerhouse. Bulkhead would defend Bumblebee, and Bumblebee could even outrun Sentinel. 

Wait-Bumblebee? And Bulkhead? They are cheering? For me?

At least Sari was safe.

it wasn’t rage that boiled in his chest, maybe pride, hope? Something positive. He didn’t even bother to talk, instead that was tossed aside, no more begging, no more pleading. Ultra Magnus was wiling to kill a dragonet, and Optimus wasn’t going to let that happen. He promised.

He darted out, sinking his jaws onto Magnus’ already wounded shoulder, then swung his whole body against the larger drake, kicking and digging his claws in. Magnus howled in pain, biting Optimus’ head, holding his thagomizer up. Instead Optimus thrashed his whole body and pushed off Ultra Magnus as he brought the deadly tail down. Optimus dove back in, grabbing the tail and towing Ultra Magnus back into the water.

”Cheater!” A weight slammed into his back and Optimus dropped the tail, he was pushed into the river, water filling his lungs. Sentinel battered his head. 

He twisted and flung Sentinel off, coughing up water and growling. “You’re the moron who stole a dragonet!” He snapped, grabbing Setninel tail with his paws and swinging the smaller drake out of the water.  “What were you expecting?!” He growled as Sentinel collided with Ultra Magnus.

His leader, his sire didn’t attack Sentinel, instead he charged Optimus. Jaws wide. They clashed against, slamming into each other, claws scraping, jaws biting, Optimus fell back into the water, Ultra Magnus pushed down on his chest, forcing all the air out of his lungs. Then water was sucked in, panic overtook any reasonable thought, and his mind was swimming, he blinked and trashed under his sire’s weight. 

“You’re not going to kill him, are you?” Sentinel stood over Optimus, eyes wide.

”I won’t make the same mistake twice, the dragonet must die.”

His head was hurting, his thrashing grew weaker as black dots appeared around him, the string in his throat.

”Boss!” 

Someone screamed. “Enough, please, he’s dying!”

Bubbles escaped his nostrils and he flailed.

“You go for the eyes, always the eyes, blind them.” The deep soothing voice hummed and pointed to his blue eyes. “If they are red with rage, you have to blind them, they will kill you, and they won’t stop until you are dead.” His sire spoke softly resting his massive helm against him. 

“Do I have to fight?”

”Sometimes, you will have to. Not always, but we fight to protect our loved ones.”

”Will I have to fight you?” His tiny paws rested against his sire’s snout, it was huge dwarfing him with ease.

“Never, you won’t ever have to fight me little one. I could never harm you. But if anyone tries to hurt you, I’ll burn them until they are ashes.”

Ultra Magnus stared down at him, rage red eyes glared.

He spun and slashed at Ultra Magnus’ eyes, the drake screamed and rolled back clutching his gushing face. Optimus crawled out from under his sire, throwing up water and gasping for air. He shivered, sparing a glance back. The whole tribe was here, Elita was on the other river bank, Sentinel stood next to Ultra Magnus. Bumblebee sat on top of Bulkhead, Sari only in front of him. 

His sire was trying to kill him. 

Optimus spun and slammed into Ultra Magnus, slashing and clawing, going for his face. the chuck of scales and tear of flesh filled the air, his sire screamed, Optimus didn’t stop. He slammed his paws into Ultra Magnus’ throat, and pried. Bones snapped, blood sprayed. Ultra Magnus roared and slammed the thagomizer into his side. Optimus reeled back, spitting out solid chunks of bone and meat into the river. An eye sunk down to the bottom. He stared at the damage, half of Ultra Magnus’ face as gone, mauled into ground meat. 

He wasn’t done.

He was fast, rushing towards the weakened drake, his sire gasped in shock as Optimus swung past him. Spotting the deadly thagomizer, grabbing his tail again, biting, not to drag, not to amputate it. Ultra Magnus spun his whole body around flinging Optimus around.

Sari was chirping and circling around on Bulkhead, eyes one the sudden storm above them.

He dug his claws into the earth below, pulling hard on the tail, Ultra Magnus yowled in pain and stopped his spinning, glaring pointy at Optimus with hate.

There was faint whistle, it filled the air and made everyone still, he dropped the tail and stood back, ears pricked. The only sound was Sari, chirping, wiggling happily, even climbing up Bumblebee. Dread filled his stomachs and Optimus sank back as a dark shadow blocked the sun.

There was this sound, a deep growl, it echoed in the air, a threat? A call? 

He sank his claws into the mud, feeling the wounds on his body, the stabs in his side, the bites on his shoulder, the stinging in his throat. Optimus wasn’t sure what he was feeling, fear, panic, the looming sense of death approaching, or somehow deep in his weird body, he wanted to find the source, and willingly submit.

What is that? What is wrong with me? 

The darkness covered the sun and with a crack, he landed, the ground shook, drakes screamed, dust and mud were flung. Optimus was frozen. It was a dragon, he was a dragon, massive, grey and red scales, powerful wings, scars that littered his body. He held his head up high, smoke already billowing out of his nostrils, red eyes glared down at Optimus, then to Ultra Magnus.

”Morning Dove!” His voice was deep, soothing, but deadly.

Bumblebee stood still, Bulkhead might as well be a boulder, and Sari stood on top of them, chirping and wiggling, pure excitement. She was overjoyed, to see this monstrosity? This dragon who easily could pick up both Ultra Magnus and Optimus and drop them? Someone who can burn the whole warren with a single puff, this was who Sari was happy to see?

”Erm,” Optimus sank back, his hearts racing in his rib cage. “Hi-“

”Shut. Up.” He puffed and shoved his face into Optimus’, flashing jaws that could snap him in two.

”Don’t kill him! He’s nice and saved me!” Sari called out.

Ruby red eyes narrowed and he sat back. “Ultra Magnus, you have a lot to explain,” He spun around ignoring Optimus, leaving him there on the muddy bank. 

Optimus was able to breath, he scrambled to his feet and shuttered. Gawking at the size of the dragon, then he saw it, the bandages that littered the dragon’s body, the slight drag in his movements. 

He’s hurt.

To Ultra Magnus’ credit he shook off that half of his face was ripped off, he stood firm, meeting the dragon’s gaze. “Lord Megatron.”

Oh shit.

They sized each other up, both were wounded, and both wanted to kill the other one. 

“Give me the drake that kidnapped my dragonet.” Megatron snarled, smoke and fire spitting out of his jaws, eyes blazing, muscles rippling with force. It was as if the dragon lord climbed out of hell itself, and promised to drag anyone down there like they were leftovers. 

SARI IS GOING TO HAVE A GROWTH SPURT! 

The winds carried each chirp, every puff, squeak everything, and much to Knockout’s anger he flew faster, pushing his body through the currents, circling high above what seemed to be a domestic matter. Only to stop her tiny golden scales, her blue eyes scanning the afternoon clouds for him.

He landed with an earthquake, stopping whatever pathetic squabble was occurring.

She’s okay, she’s alive, and she’s okay!

Sari’s little happy dance warmed his wounded hearts, that’s all that mattered, she sat on a huge sage drake and a yellow drake hid behind her, both of her protectors were gawking. It seemed like there was a brawl, perhaps the weird looking drake was challenging Ultra Magnus? Good, someone besides that self hating moron, anyone else. And it looked like the weird drake was winning, went for the eyes. Or rather Ultra Magnus’ whole face. 

Familiar, but he’s not a threat.

He stared at Ultra Magnus’ ruined face, he lost an eye, a good chunk of his muscle and that was bone poking out. Megatron paused and glanced back at the weird looking drake, then back at Ultra Magnus. If this was a leadership challenge then he’d step aside-but weirdly enough the young drake was gasping for air, drenched in blood, mud and water, and water dripped from his jaws. This wasn’t a leadership challenge, they were trying to kill each other.

More of a threat. 

”Answer me.” He puffed, turning towards Ultra Magnus, pushing his claws into the mud below, it would be a shame to get dirt in the drake’s wounds.

”I won’t give up one of my drakes for your blood lust.” The older leader spat out a tooth. “No dragon shall stay on my lands-“

”This isn’t the first time you harmed dragonets, we both know this, or did you forget that landslide and the hatchlings that ended up on your river banks? There’s a code amount all tribes, drake, dragon, wyvern, the hatchlings are to stay safe, no matter what.” He pushed past the strange drake and invaded Ultra Magnus’ space, towering over the older drake. “You refuse to follow this rule, even in our past squabbles, now we can restart an old war, or you can give me the drake that trespassed my home and took Sari.”

“You have no right to demand-“

“Excuse me,” The weird drake limped before him, putting himself between Ultra Magnus, lowering his head, but not avoiding eye contact, submission but not blind. “What will you do with the drake who took her?”

”Kill them.”

The tribe grew quiet, still, eyes searching for one another, some twitched, others whispered, some even sank back. The weird drake turned his attention to another drake on the hill, she stood there mumbling and sputtering on what to do, the met his gaze. 

“Carrier!” Sari squeaked out, waving her wings.

”Carrier.” The weird drake spun around at him again, all of his scales puffed up and he stood on his toes. “L-lord Megatron is her c-carrier.” His limbs were shaking, his eyes wide and tail tucked under his belly.

“What is it?” Megatron called out.

”The dark blue one, he’s got copper markings, and smells like skunk weed, that’s the one. He’s a jerk.” She smiled, flashing all her pearly whites.

Yea, that’s my daughter.

Megatron chuckled and revealed his layers of teeth, he shifted his weight filling the sharp pain in his gut, but once again ignoring it. The dark blue drake was shaking sizing him up, Ultra Magnus stomped ahead and stood between them, even with his ruined face, that thagomizer was a threat. Once in his youth he thought that Ultra Magnus was  a fine understanding leader, that was well before Megatron had to handle 3 sobbing wounded dragonets, poor Thunderclash was missing a hind leg. ever since that day Megatron kept far away from the mad Drake, setting strict rules for anyone who ventured into the dessert to the plains.

”Your spawn is alive and well, there is no need for you to terrorize us anymore, leave now.” He puffed out between his wounds, blood dripping from his face, pretending to be regal, civilized even.

“Sari,” He called out, sizing up the old drake, the moron behind him. “Tell me the truth.”

Mud splashed and the bright red and blue scales stood in front of him, he had hardly spoken a word, he sputtered then sunk himself down into the mud, hardly caring for his open wounds. The drakes on the banks watched squeaking like chickens, even Ultra Magnus twisted what was left of his face in confusion.

”Please, Lord Megatron, I know that my conjux has done wrong and I tried to undo what he’s done, no harm has come to Sari. My plan was to travel on foot through the desert, the swamps and to your home and beg for forgiveness. No matter what I promise you that Sari would’ve been returned. Sentinel was stupid enough to think of taking a dragonet. Please forgive his transgression and take your leave.”

His knuckles cracked, smoke filled his nostrils and he glared down at the bizarre drake. He acted first, slamming his claws down next to the drake’s skull, red mud was flung into the air. Megatron snarled, grabbing the drake’s jaw and tugging him so their eyes met. “My daughter was kidnapped!” He shouted into the drake’s face and flung him aside. “What are you expecting? Some power of friendship resolution?” His tail slapped the water, years of rage burned between his ribs and he spat, clicking his tongue as fire burst from his jaws.

Sentinel yelped and ran, Ultra Magnus swung his tail through the water, turning his back to Megatron. “Then you’ll die-“

Megatron sunk his claws into Ultra Magnus’ hunches and pulled the drake back, snapping at his neck. “My only daughter was at the mercy of your claws!”

Suddenly a flash of royal blue slammed into his face and Megatron recoiled landing on his back. Sentinel sank his claws into Megatron’s throat. “She would’ve been a fine pet.” He whispered.

A pet?!

Megatron flung himself back, feeling his underside tear, slamming them both into the river below and sinking his claws into Sentinel's flanks. Both of them submerged into the ice waters. Megatron rolled his whole body, slamming the drake into several boulders, watching bubbles erupt from his mouth. One violent shake sent steering pain through his whole body and Megatron roared, releasing Sentinel. He scrambled to the shore, gasping, the constant stabbing right through his gut, his head was spinning and the water dripped off of him. The air reeked of the tangy iron scent of blood.

Too much blood.

He stumbled and collapsed on the sandy bank, shaking his head as his vision blurred and the ringing in his ear became unbearable. Megatron slammed his legs under him, regaining balance and turning towards Sentinel.

THWAM!

 The world stopped, everything slowed to a glacial pace as he felt the long spikes bury deep into his belly. Hot liquid erupted, trailing down his hind legs. Thick chunks of blood filled his mouth and he swallowed it back, grinding his teeth through the pain.

The sound of the wind whistling in his ear, the chirping that a distressed dragonet makes. A faint exhale escaped his teeth.

Ultra Magnus’ ruined face learned forward, half of his skin sliding off his muscles. “You lost, Lord Megatron.” He spoke softly, his eyes narrowed with detest. 

WHAM!

A flash of blue and red filled his vision as Ultra Magnus was ripped away, the thagomizer tore from his intakes, chunks of organs and scales hung from the long spines. Megatron stumbled back, his head spinning. He collapsed on his side, he might as well be made of the mountains themselves.

He blinked back to the fight, watching as the weird drake struck Ultra Magnus again. Their teeth clashed, claws outstretched. Ultra Magnus was on the defensive, backing away and holding his deadly tail up, while the other drake was pushing, patting away at the tail, snarling and snapping.

Why is he defending me?

”Carrier!”  He heard the useless flaps of her wings. “Hold on carrier!”

He winced and lifted his head, finding Sari hopping over the stone bridge, Sentinel on her tail. “Sari.”  He needed to get up, he had to get up for her. Sari was in danger. Megatron hauled his body upwards, arms shaking.

”Carrier, it’s okay, I’m here!”

The looming blue shadow descended on Sari, faster than the little dragonet could run. Dagger sharp teeth snapped inches away from Sari’s tail. A mass of flame burst behind Sari, Sentinel screamed as he was thrown face first into the fire, he leapt back and into the river. 

Sari’s little frame slammed into him, tears in her eyes as he chirped and nudged her face against Megatron’s. He draped a wing over her and pulled her close.

The drake from before, the one who wanted peace, that wanted to stop all this hovered over them, still his coat was double his size and he stomped hard on the muddy bloody banks. ”Are you okay?” He spoke softly, nudging Sari, then turning to Megatron.  

She nodded and hugged his muzzle, resting her head on his. “Are you hurt? Did Knockout make it better?” Sari sniffled with wet eyes.

”It’s an old wound,” He lied.

”Can you fly home?” The drake asked, hovering watching.

Why is he protecting us?

”Yes.” He hoped he was telling the truth. Slowly Megatron stood up, hissing as every movement pulled something. Knockout was going to kill him. “… Drakes don’t breathe fire.” He studied the weird drake, puzzle pieces fitting together, Megatron clicked his tongue as Sari scrambled onto his shoulders, finding her comfortable spot. “You’re not a drake at all.”

”I guess-I mean- there’s-“ He slumped.

”Optimus!” Sari poked her head out. “Come home with us! Carrier, he took care of me all night, and made sure I was safe, please, can’t we take him home? Also look at him, red and blue, he’s pretty!”

He paused, Sari never lied to him, yes Optimus here cared for Sari, defended Megatron, and okay, yes, he’s pretty. “You have my thanks, Optimus, it’s a 3 days hike to the mountains, when you find the dense black swamps, look for the boulder that’s bright orange, that’s my tribe, you’ll be welcomed there.” 

“Erm, but my home is here-and I mean-“

Megatron rolled his eyes. “Your home is hostile. I’ve learned one thing in this life, Optimus, either take control of your life, or wither and die.” He stretched his wings, feeling the faint breeze, once he climbed to cruising altitude he could ride the southern wind. All Megatron had to do was stay awake, he could do that. He shook his head and growled deep in his chassis, flinging himself into the air, Sari on his back. He can do this, he can fly back home, he just needed to stay in the air long enough.

”Come live with us!” Sari called out.

Chapter Text

“Come live with us!” The dragonet called as the massive grey dragon took to the air, powerful wings creating massive gusts of wind and flinging up dust. Her yellow almost golden head poked out, waving at them, a smile that was larger than her face, all  too happy.

Disgusting, little wretch thinks that Optimus would go with her? He’s conjuxed to us, to me.

Her scales bristled as the dust settled, a hollow breeze cut through the tribe. The bank was soaked in blood and scales, the tangy scent of iron hung in the air and Elita summoned all the will power she could to stay at the top of the hill. Ears twitching, tail pulled in tight around her paws, this was it. The choice.

Ultra Magnus turned towards her mate, towering above him, half of his face dangling. “Submit, and you live.” He snarled.

Everyone was watching the rebellious twins Sunstreaker and Swideswipe, Ratchet and his son First aid, even Kup pulled himself out of the warren. Pups were lined up and pushed back behind their carriers or sires, elder watched with an eagerness in their dull eyes.

Her mate snarled, flashing his pointy jaws, his muscles rippling under his brilliant scales. He stood firm, and yet didn’t lash out, instead he held himself still, yet at any moment like a rattle snake he could lunge. “Shut. Up.”

Their leader, the one who led them through blizzards, starvation, sickness, who was firm against dragons and prided himself on keeping them far away from the tribe. The same drake who raised Optimus, who stayed awake all night with the pup, who always put Optimus’s well being first when he was ill. 

He always had a weak stomach.

Ultra Magnus leaned down.  “What was that-“

Optimus lunged, grabbing the rest of Ultra Magnus's face and ripping it clean off, then swinging his whole body in a tackle and slamming his tail into their leader. Knocking Ultra Magnus into the mud. Then unlike the hesitation before, he pounced slamming into Ultra Magnus and pinning his head down. “You MORON!” He snapped roaring so loud that the pups ducked under their carriers’, even Sunstreak jumped and Sideswipe was shaking on his paws. “She’s a pup, a dragonet, hardly could fly, had her feathers and you- WHAT THREAT IS A BABY!?” Smoke billowed out of his jaws and into the sky.

”A dragon has no place-“

Optimus jumped, pressing his whole weight into Ultra Magnus, knocking the air out and their leader’s eyes rolled back, knocking him out. Her mate stood over their leader, shaking, eyes wide, scales ruffled up, his tail lashed.

”Kid,” Ratchet was brave, he carefully pressed through the crowd, his own son reaching out and missing Ratchet’s tail. “Listen… I don’t have the right words but- she’s safe now.”

Optimus snarled and stepped off of Ultra Magnus, fairly beating their leader, sure it wasn’t the traditional challenge, and when Optimus submitted Ultra Magnus didn’t accept but-

“Magnus?” Elita finally spoke, descending the hill, her gaze locked on him.

Her mate stopped, then frowned as he turned to her. “Yea, nope!” He shook his head and stomped past her. 

“What!?” Elita spun. “What do you mean no?”

Sentinel limped up to her. “C’mon, Optimus, babe.”

He tossed his paws down, throwing up dirt and slamming his butt down hard on the ground. “You two are-are morons! W-why would did I ever think it was a good idea to share my life with you two? This whole time, we have jackass number one here who STOLE MEGATRON’S DRAGONET! Then we have brain dead schmuck who-who DIDN’T DO ANYTHING AT ALL! Do you know what it’s like have to hold the only brain cells in our trine?” He spun around stomping on his back legs, walking on them towards them, claws out, spitting embers. “I’m exhausted!”

The tribe gasped, some whispered.

”Numbnuts here thinks it’s a good idea to take a baby, a literally pup, and then you just ‘oh she’ll be fine here’- Elita what is wrong with you! Why?!” 

“I-I just-“ She sputtered.

”Give me an answer, a single answer that makes any sense!” He shoved his face into her’s, eyes burning with rage.

”I-I thought that it would work out, that it could all-“

“I-“ He hissed and shut his mouth, slumping, all of his anger vanished, snuffing a fire. “I’m leaving.” 

Elita gawked, she puttered, stumbled after him, only to be blocked by Ratchet, who shot her a warning glare. She snarled and slammed into him, hitting the older drake hard in the chest. Ratchet didn’t budge, instead he pushed back. “I’m talking to my mate.” She snapped.

”He’s not yours.” Ratchet slapped his tail down, huffing. “You’re only going to piss him off more.”

“Butt out of this healer,” Sentinel limped up and rested his battered body against Elita’s. “He’s our conjux and this is a private discussion.” Sentinel spat at Ratchet, blood and drool hitting the healer’s head.

The dragon spun around, running at them, jumping over Ratchet and barreling into the two of them. With one massive paw he grabbed Sentinel’s jaws, clamped them shut, then slammed his behind into Elita, pinning them both with ease. The air was knocked out of her and she clawed at her mate’s back unable to move in the slightest. Reality hit like- well like Optimus, he was huge, he just won against Ultra Magnus, against Sentinel, and he’s a dragon! Not a drake. “It’s over! How many times do I have to say it, it’s over, everything is over!” He tossed Sentinel aside who flopped and rolled back onto his paws, shaking his head. Then Optimus turned to Elita pinning her much smaller body under his, forcing out any air she had in her lungs. “What is wrong with you? You allowed this to happen, you didn’t even help! You’d be a horrible caretaker! So in short, it’s over, I’m leaving, enjoy your stupid life with your stupid choices and I hope no one ever has your clutch and if they did they’re dumber then you!” He jumped off her, kicking dirt into her face. 

She gasped sucking in all the air she could and stumbled to her paws, watching as Optimus vanished into the warren, leaving her and Sentinel behind. It felt like a sand trap, that the world around her was falling under her and she was getting sucked in. 

“It’s over, you lost him and you’ll never get him back.” Ratchet muttered to her, a cool harshness and oddly sympathy covered his face. Was it understanding? “…That’s not a bad idea.” He turned to the warren following Optimus.

Elita stood there, numb, watching as Sentinel picked himself back up, a deep regret stung and she hissed, hugging herself. “I think we just got dumped.”

He was a loner, always had been- well that wasn’t true, when he was a fling with Sentinel he wasn’t a loner. But he hated those days, hated that he hung off the shallow stalker. Maybe getting dumped was the best thing for him? Jazz liked to watch, well see what he could see, his eyes were cloudy, they worked better at night, the harsh sun would sting and oftentimes he found himself in Ratchet’s den with a migraine. So he found himself in the back, a wall flower, observing everything.

It was one heck of a battle, watching Optimus risk everything for a dragonet, seeing Lord Megatron in the flesh, then having that huge fight in front of everyone. And finally the end result, Optimus was leaving.

Reasonably understandable.

”It’s not a bad idea.” He tapped his claws on a stone, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe next to him. The twins jumped and spun, shocked at Jazz’s appearance.

”What?” Sideswipe asked. 

“Leaving.” He stood up and shook himself, ears twitching to Bumblebee and Bulkhead.

”Boss is leaving? What are we going to do without boss?” Bumblebee tossed his arms up.

”Hmmm, think we can go with him? Getting tired of building everything and not getting any credit, or at least a good meal, the stalkers always get first picks, besides could it be fun traveling with a dragon?”

”But leave our home, our lives, our loved ones?” 

Jazz wiggled her ears towards First Aid, listening to the young healer poke and prod Ultra Magnus.

”Sire’s going, I know he is, he’s going to retire and he’s leaving me and-and I’ll miss him.” He puttered working on the faceless drake. 

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker didn’t even notice as Jazz slipped away, dipping onto the warren and towards his nest. Hopefully Optimus wouldn’t mind some extra company, and it seemed like it wasn’t only Jazz joining. 

Admittedly this was depressing. Sure, finding out that your whole life was a lie, that you battled against someone who raised you, lost not one but two loves of your life, and everything hurt. But the deepest pang of sadness was here, in his warren, the warren he called  home, that he carved out, reinforced. He planned ahead, leaving areas open for more room, extra compartments. In their nest, he would travel all over during their migration finding soft materials that didn’t trigger Sentinel’s allergies, lavender for Elita’s restless nights.

After all this time, he had so little to take with him.

The pouch was light, a few small items that didn’t hurt look at, some light food, mostly dried meats and extra pouches for water. Nothing that really was sentimental, necessary, yes, but close to his hearts?

Not even his courting gifts.

Optimus shut his eyes and wrapped up all he had, tying it around his neck and rising to his paws. This was it, it was over, his life was gone in a few days everything he built up was in ruins. There wasn't anything here for him.

He stepped softly through the tunnels, passing friends who nodded and head butted him with kindness. Even tough drakes who hardly spoke to him smiled sadly as he passed. Elita and Sentinel shied away outside the healer’s den. First Aid only smiled sadly and stared off shifting his weight from hind leg to leg, uneasy.

Optimus finally climbed out of the warren and shook himself off, the cool night air engulfed his body as he took it all in, smelling rain clouds nearby. The moon painted everything in a deep shade of indigo, clouds drifted across the star lit sky. 

“Optimus.” 

His ears pricked as none other then Bulkhead trotted up, dragging a travois behind him. Bumblebee’s chubby tail held high as he carried water pouches in his mouth and tied them to the travois. Then most shocking was Jazz’s lean figure crept out of the shadows.

The three drakes plopped down, Bumblebee wiggled, Bulkhead hummed with a huge smile, and Jazz’s long tail lazily flicked back and forth. They didn’t really look like much of a team, and Optimus wasn’t expecting them to join.

”You can stay-“

”Yea, not happening.” Jazz stood up, stretched. “I’m about done with this tribe anyhow, and moping around isn’t going to help.”

”He’s right!” Ratchet’s smokey voice called out of the warren, and the healer trotted up. “Sorry I’m late, wanted to pack a few things, Bulkhead do you have any extra room?” He held up a few packs.

Bulkhead nodded.

”Wait- wait, Ratchet you can’t.” Optimus trailed behind the healer.

”Pfft-  First Aid is more than capable, and a vacation sounds nice. Besides, none of you have ever been to the dragon’s tribes. I have. So it’s either let you pups get lost and dehydrate out there in the desert, or I tag along.” He stopped, and tied down several bags, packs, water, everything that Ratchet could think of. 

“You’re needed here.” Optimus cut in.

”No, I’m not, and you’re not convincing me.” He was satisfied with the luggage. “And something tells me, we’re going to need everything here.”

Together the strange crew set out, stepping into the night.

Miniature clouds wafted into the night sky, each lung full was an effort, the scent of blood hung in the air. Everything was dark and cold. And she was all alone, small and useless, she couldn’t even move him, or adjust his wing to protect him from the harsh sun. Defeated, she curled up against her carrier, pushing the sand away from his mouth as he sucked in another gasp of air. She curled around once twice, then thrice in her tight circle and laid down, pressing her warmer body against her carrier’s cold head. She wasn’t going to sleep, she couldn’t, at least he was alive, he was breathing.

He needed help.

Then she chirped. 

Chapter Text

Life is weird, very weird.

One second you mash water and sand together to make a strong stone like structure and then plaster that around your Warren along with heavy wooden trunks to form a tunnel. The next moment you find out that the little drake pup you’ve been watching and play fighting all morning is a dragon. Then the next moment your boss breathes fire and protects Lord Megatron from your leader.

And now you’re spitting sand up and gagging at the taste.

Admittedly Bumblebee had a fierce hatred for the stuff, it was fine, powerdy, goes in between his scales and he would be itching for months after this. And he was too old to ask Optimus to get behind his horns and ears, he missed those days. After a long day of work curling up with a nice piece of prey and asking for the boss to clean his ears. Yea he was the runt, and yea this was as big as he would get. His own carrier disowned him when he failed out of the stalking trial, even as Jazz hissed and snapped at Sentinel.

At least his new boss Optimus was always kind and watchful of him, almost like a sire he never had. So yea, he didn’t want to leave the tribe,  but without Optimus, or Bulkhead, why would he stay? 

Sure the sand sucked, the sun sucked, and even worse was the dust storms, which there was no avoiding, no shelter, just a steady push against the wind and sand. And naturally sandstorms also sucked.

They stopped for now, making a loose circle around the supplies and hiding next to a massive dune. All of them huddled next to Optimus, Ratchet and Bulkhead to one side, Jazz and him shared the other that was pressed against the dune. At least the storm hid the blasted sun, sure he wasn’t much for working in the sun.

But things had changed, a lot. Optimus wasn’t the same drake- well dragon, he was less chatty, his head wasn’t in it, he was confused and often licked his teeth and wrinkled his nose. Sure they all tried to make small talk, even Ratchet made a few poor dad jokes, but nothing seemed to stir the boss.

Bumblebee pouted and wriggled around, shoving his head against Optimus’ shoulder. “Hey.” He kept his eyes narrowed and head down, trying his best to not get sand where it shouldn't be.

He didn’t open his eyes, instead he kept them closed. “Bumblebee, keep your mouth closed, we’re not wasting any more water for you to rinse your mouth.” 

He huffed and nudged his head against Optimus’ shoulder again.  “Fine, but boss, for what it’s worth, you made the right call.”

The dragon hummed. “Thanks for saying that.”

”Besides, Sari was cool, and she’s going to get huge, did you see her carrier-!”

”Kid!” Ratchet snapped. “Shut up!”

He whined and sunk his head down. “I hope we find them, Sari’s gonna fly me in the clouds when she’s big enough.” He pouted, missing his friend already.

The storm raged on until the sun sank behind the horizon, and the full moon shined brightly above. They hadn’t moved yet, but they started to repack everything once again and stretch before containing, it would be better to travel at night, sure it was cold, but it was better then the burning sun.

“That star constellation, right there, that’s called Orion, he’ll be our guide, but it’s pretty straight forward, easier to see the stars.” Ratchet jabbed his claw into the sky.

Jazz hummed and nodded, ears flicking away from Bumblebee and Bulkhead bickering over how to pack their water. “Okay, so we follow Orion and we’ll see the Dragon’s spine, when?”

”Three Days, which if you’re fast and stupid (like Sentinel) a whole day, we’re looking for a huge red rock on the mountain side, that’s Megatron’s tribe.” Ratchet sat back. “I know that you’re better in the dark, you both are.”

Optimus nodded, shaking his shoulder loose and yawning, flashing long sharp teeth. “That makes sense, you two ready?” 

The three of them stared back to find Bumblebee tied up in the robes while Bulkhead chuckled at his best friend. The yellow tiny drake sputtered and wiggled uselessly. “Sure!” 

“I got you.” Optimus snickered and trotted over, working on the ropes and freeing his friend.

”Ratchet.” Jazz spoke softly, leaning towards the healer. “You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you?”

“What, that Optimus is a big softie for any drake pup or dragonet? Yea, always been like that, not sure why. Must be something I to do with his history.” He shrugged. “You’re taking point, you have the best hearing out of all of us.”

He nodded and stretched is back, feeling his spine crack as he leaned back, then forwards and dragged his legs across the sand. “The sooner we get there, the better, I don’t like being in the dunes, feels too exposed.”

So they lead on into the night, Jazz used Orion’s stars to track across the dunes, often climbing over and down some larger ones. The progress was slow, but steady. It was easier to push on with less rests then during the day.

He wasn’t evil.

But he was powerless.

Truthfully this life sucked.

So he lingered close by, watching as the sun set, waiting, and waiting. He spotted them through the cloud coverage, a strange group of drakes abandoning their tribe, and heading towards the Dragon’s spine.

A deadly choice.

Without the lord Megatron there, no one would defend or protect anyone. Once again leaderships was shifting, changing. 

It was easy to find the large grey dragon, who could miss a mass like that, and a chirping dragonet.

His heart ached for the dragonet. Sari was innocent in this, she was the byproduct of Lord Megatron. The runt, the only survivor. This was right for her, once Megatron died, what would happen to the little dragonet.

So yes, he disobeyed his mate’s orders, he found Lord Megatron, but didn’t strike. But he waited and shame filled his lone heart, listening to the little dragonet’s chirping.

His long jet black claws coiled out, drawing long needle thing lines in the sand, the sun beat down on his scales and he hissed shutting his eyes tight as once again she chirped.

Yes, he hated himself.

But Sari was innocent.

He wasn’t.

It wouldn’t be long now, the drakes would make it this way, they’d find the carrier and dragonet. They had a healer. There was hope.

So he waited.

It wasn’t until they reached the top of one dune that Jazz saw the sands shift to their left. He stilled and held up his tail, sniffing the air. The shadows shifted again, almost blending in, and yet there was no scent there. A mirage? A trick of the moonlight? Perhaps.

The rest of the group stopped, all of them circling their supplies, watching waiting. 

It was a strange sight, watching this thing drake like figure, they were long, narrow and serpent like, but not a drake. No drake is like that. 

The scent was there now, it was a dragon for sure, the smokey under breath scent hung in the air.  The shadows shifted again, but this time walked away from them.

”What is it?” Bulkhead asked.

”Something is over there.” Optimus growled, flashing his fangs.

“Hmmm, it might be best to check it out.” A voice called out in the darkness, oddly monotone but relaxing, observant.

Jazz hissed and spun around, finding no one at all. “Show yourself.”

”I’m the least of your worries, besides someone else needs your help.” The dragon called out, his voice echoing in the dunes.

”Are you a wastelander?”

”…it doesn’t matter who or what I am, they need your help and you’re wasting your time.”

”Who needs our help?” Ratchet pushed forward.

The scent vanished just as it showed up, the dragon was gone, and yet the shadowy figure took a few more steps before dissipating. Leaving them alone.

”Okay… that was weird, right?” Bumblebee broke the silence. “Do we listen?”

”It could be a trap.” Jazz pondered. “But we’re already vulnerable as is, why would they lead us over there?”

The wind rustled and a new scent filled the air.

Everyone knew this one, even a hatchling knew this irony tangy smell.

Blood.

“It could still be a trap, but if that dragon wanted to attack us, they would’ve done so.” Optimus turned to their left. “Bumblebee with me, we’re going to check this out, Jazz, Bulkhead and Ratchet, can you climb up this dune and watch for us?”

”Not a problem, send Bumblebee if it’s safe.” Jazz pressed up the dune, once again smelling the smokey scent. They weren’t alone.

How long has the dragon been with them?

It was best to keep the doubt to himself, it wouldn’t do any good to rile up Ratchet or Bulkhead. Somehow, someone had been watching them for a very long time, and Jazz didn’t even notice.

What use am I?

It was almost like a blanket, heavy and thick, it coated the winds with the unsettling scent of blood, and something much worse. The smell was almost sweet, metallic and it had a foul undertone. With each step his body slowed, sinking into the sand, and his stomachs rolled and turned, acid rising up in his throat, eyes watering.

”Boss.” Bumblebee’s much lighter body tracked across the sands with each, his muzzle twisted in disgust. 

“Push through it, if it’s a trap, they’re baiting us with a corpse.” He pressed on, Bumblebee would be fine, he was smaller, faster than Optimus. As long as the scavengers weren’t big, or few, he could handle them.

Well it would be better if you knew how to breathe fire.

“I don’t smell anyone else, that stranger must’ve left. Why don’t you-“

The wind kicked up and a sound carried across the air, one that they both knew. Optimus stilled, hearts freezing in his chest, they spared a glance at each other before rushing up another dune, throwing up sand. Bumblebee was naturally faster, he raced up the dune, flinging paws full of sand back. The moment his head peeked about the dune he stilled, eyes wide.

Panic struck his mind and he climbed up next to Bumblebee, reaching the top with a deep breath and froze.

Yet again the golden dragonet appeared in his life, small, shivering, her wings hugging herself. Sari chirped and pressed on, stumbling against the wind and falling on her face.

”Sari!” Bumblebee shouted, throwing himself over the dune, tumbling and landing close to her. “Sari, what are you doing?” He ran towards her, scooping her up and holding her close.

It took the dragonet a moment but she blinked up at her friend and sniffed, hugging Bumblebee.

Optimus tumbled down, hardly graceful, shoving himself between the wind and the two of them. “Sari?” He leaned down, nudging his face against her head.

She poked her head out of her wings and Bumblebee’s neck, eyes glassy. “He’s not moving, I can’t wake him, please!” She sobbed and slammed into Optimus chest, shaking like a leaf, colder then the arctic tundra.

”Okay, show me where he is, Bumblebee-“

”Already on it boss!” He shimmied up the dune, his chubby tail vanishing over the sand.

Sari sobbed into his chest and Optimus hugged her. “D-down there.” Her claw poked out across the sand, the wind once again kicking up the foul scent. 

Optimus juggled Sari in his arms while walking on two legs, which was tough, but he jogged through the sand, over the dunes, following the dreaded stench. Together they crossed over another dune.

It was as if the universe itself took pity on the dragon lord, but the wind stilled, the sand wasn’t shifting, and in the pale moonlight he almost looked peaceful. Sleeping even. The sands were thrown up in a path where he crashed, his wings were spread out, almost as if he was still in the air. Legs tucked in under him. The moon brightened his scales, a faint rainbow shimmer under each one, it was pretty. Almost like a pidgeon.

Sari scrambled out of his arms and slammed down on the ground, rushing towards her carrier, chirping. Optimus followed her, picking her up in his teeth and carrying him towards the dragon. He only set her down when they stood over Megatron, watching as she climbed up his muzzle and nudged his forehead, chirping loudly. 

“Carrier, I got help,” She forced a smile even if her eyes were glassy. “He’s big and strong and pretty. Wake up, please, please.” Sari muttered and pried open one of Megatron’s eyes.

There was no response.

Optimus leaned in, pressing his paw against Megatron’s head, a shiver raced down his spine, cold, Megatron was ice cold. “Sari-“

”No!” She stared up at him eyes wide, tears dripping down her face. “He can’t, he’s not allowed to! He’s my carrier and he’s all I have!” She sobbed, her claws digging into Megatron’s nose, she jumped up on his skull and stomped down on his head. No reaction “No! No! No!” She snarled, spinning  around and grabbing his ear, bitting into it hard. Not even a wince. “Please, no.”

”Sari,” Optimus reached down, his hearts breaking as the dragonet’s tantrum contained. “he’s-I-“

”I SAID NO!” She snapped at him, flashing all of her teeth.

She really is Megatron’s daughter.

Rage flashed in her and she raced down Megatron’s snout, her tiny sharp  fangs glistened in the moonlight, she reared back and bit. 

CRUNCH! 

The dragon lord winced his whole body thrashed, Sari didn’t let go, biting hard on his nose, a deep growl escaped the lord and he huffed hard blowing Sari off of him. Optimus caught the little dragonet, only for Sari to once again scramble out of  his claws and slam right into her carrier’s face.

”You’re alive.” She sobbed.

”He’s alive.” Optimus sighed, since he left his home, he finally felt something more than dread, funny enough he felt optimistic. “Somehow he’s alive.”

But he’s freezing cold.

Ratchet could’ve called this out a mile away, he could taste it in the air, feel it in his old bones. Sure Optimus always had a soft spot for youngins, he was told he could never sire or carry, but that didn’t stop him. He let Bumblebee and Bulkhead get away with so much, even covering for them when they stole goodies. Often drake pups shied away from him due to his hulking stature, but once they were brave enough they would climb all over him.  Sideswipe and Sunstreaker loved to scale his back while he sat. 

So yes Ratchet knew that Optimus had a weak scale for Sari, might as well flip him over and find that soft underbelly. 

But this wasn’t  a shock either. 

Optimus dug out not one but three trenches, one by Megatron’s jaws to keep the sand out of his mouth. One on either side and carefully tilted the lord on his side. Then propped up his wings, shielding his wounds from the wind and dirt. Finally Optimus snuggled up on the other side of Megatron, using his wing as a sort of tent. He took the lesson with Sari and used his own body heat to warm up Megatron.

If he keeps this up, he might finally trade his heart with someone.

Then there was the growl as they stepped forward, Optimus growled at them? 

“Shut it.” Ratchet snapped trotting down the dune, holding his medical pack in his jaws. He knew that Megatron was weak,  but not this weak. “You can play house all you want, but don’t you ever show your fangs at me.” He snapped.

Optimus winced and lowered his head, pushing Sari back under Megatron’s wing. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure who-“

”Nope, we’re having the talk after this. Now mind lighting a fire?” Ratchet set his bag down, crawling under Megatron’s other wing. The rest of the group joined, Bulkhead dragging their supplies down, Bumblebee and Jazz scouting the area and retrieving sticks.

”I have no idea how to do that.” Optimus wiggled out from under the wing.

”Oh, I know!” Sari poked her head out under Megatron’s crimson and grey wing. “You have to flick your tongue, it tickles at first but you need to flick it against the roof of your mouth. Then you breathe out and there’s a flash if you flick it just right.”

”Really, can you show me again?”

Ratchet climbed under Megatron’s wing, letting the two of them be, he needed to focus. Megatron wasn’t much older then Optimus, maybe by a few years, but his body took a beating, several beatings. Now the dragon culture might’ve changed a lot, but last Ratchet recalled, lords or chiefs didn’t carry, and if they did their tribe was strictly off limits. No Vosan wavering attack, no ice dragon raid, and certainly there was food to share. Most nearby tribes even helped, sometimes sending healers and supplies, there are even clutch season where all the tribes are at peace as their carry their young. 

The state of Megatron’s side made his internal organs squirm with disgust, a mixture of puss and blood oozed out, clumps of dirt and whatever were stuck to his side. The bandage was certainly Knockout’s, the red dragon always had a nack for detailed bandages but also knew exactly how much to pad the wound. That is unless you start fighting when you’re wounded. Carefully he peeled back the bandages and found Sentinel’s bite mark, then other much larger bites. Ratchet’s scales ruffled as he inspected the gapping hole. 

No scaless surrounded the wound, thick dents skin and scar tissue coated most of Megatron’s underbelly. The organs inside were… damaged, scars and cuts littered each one. Like someone flipped him over and tore into his side.

While he was carrying.

Disgusting, who would do such a thing? To a carrier? Is this why Sari is all alone, a healthy dragon can carry up to 5 eggs, even more with enough support. Not to mention she’s smaller then a runt, she should be Bumblebee’s size and-

“Who would hurt you this way?” Ratchet muttered resting his paw on Megatron’s leg. No one should have their reproduction organs shredded. Even with his tools now, he wasn’t much help, sure he could clean, bandage and maybe get Megatron awake and aware. But to heal him, to truly heal him, Ratchet would need help, a whole team.

Drift is going to kill you, he said he would the next time he saw you. 

The flash startled him and then there was the puff of fire as Optimus held up a stick.

”Yea!” Jazz shouted.

Bumblebee wiggled too excited to do anything else with himself.

“Oh that’s cool!” Bulkhead leaned in. 

Optimus smiled and rested the stick on the fire. “Perfect. So we rest here for the night, until Ratchet gives us the go ahead?” He peeked into the wing-tent.

”Hmpfff- there’s a change of plans.”  He swallowed, absently rubbing his broken horn, shame and fear filled his stomachs and Ratchet pulled his tail under his belly. He poked his head out finding the shabby group around him, all eyeing him with concern. “He needs more than I can do, I can’t operate or perform surgery here, but we can clean and bandage and numb the pain. What Megatron needs, right now more than anything, is a specialist, I’m not that drake. But I know where we can find them.”

They stared at him, blinking.

”It’s a 4 days journey instead, but we’ll be following the south star instead, we travel at night and rest during the day. It’s a medical sanctuary that’s shared hundreds of years of medical knowledge and every healer is sent there to learn at the right age. They will have what we need, state of the art tools, methods and medicine.”

”But, he’s going to be okay?” Sari’s blue eyes gleamed in the darkness as she stared up at him.

”…Yes, I can only do so much, but once we get him there, he’ll take weeks maybe months to fully recover. But your carrier will be fine.”

Sari chirped and snuggled up to her carrier, happy that her family was gone, giddy that her carrier was going to be okay. 

His old heart warmed and he leaned down, nipping her horn, she squeaked and hissed back, play fighting him for a moment before yawning. So tiny, so fragile, no wonder Megatron flew across the lands to save her, he was a good carrier. And Sari truly did deserve to have her carrier back.

Ratchet sighed and slipped away under the wing, blinking away the sting in his eyes, he returned to his work, taking water and mint and creating a paste before boiling it, cleaning the wounds and applying the paste to the bleeding areas. He blinked back tears and bit his tongue as the night wore on. The rest of the group slept or kept watch, but he kept working.

He wasn’t going to sleep, how could he? He was returning, and he’d have to face his past. The life he absconded, the mate he ditched and the son that he hurt. They’d see him now, old, weak, worn down from the life he picked. it’d be a miracle if he even got two strides into the gates before Drift struck, or Lifeline tossed him out. 

And yet, he wanted to see them, deeply wanted to see what happened to them. Even if it hurt to think about his choices, he still hoped the best for them. 

Ratchet swallowed as he started laying bandages over the wounds. 

Drift is going to kill me.

He’s back.

It was only him and the moonlight, he stayed up all night, watching the stars, ignoring Ratchet’s soft sobs. Jazz didn’t mind, he sure an extra day was added to their travel, but Sari was safe and her massive carrier was in good paws. But still, it nagged him, how did this dragon keep sneaking up on them?

”Hmm, you noticed me, already?” His monotone voice echoed around Jazz, and yet no figure appeared, nothing at all. 

“…I have great hearing and my nose is impeccable, if only this confusing sand would stop shifting and if you’d sit still, I’d find you.” He tilted his ears, raising his nose to the air, inhaling deeply. 

“Fasintating, you’re practically blind, and yet you’re leading the group?” The dragon circled, well Jazz suspected the dragon was circling them again. 

“It’s not wise to underestimate me, or my friends, we’re not much, but we’ll make you look bad.”

The laugh was deep, honest, it had a faint snort to it, a hidden warmth. “I’ll keep that in mind. It’s funny that you’re here, a blind drake, doesn’t your tribe toss out anyone with imperfections? Anyone that doesn’t fit a role or have a purpose? So why are you alive?”

Jazz rolled his eyes. “Yes, it’s true, but only in severe cases,” Bumblebee wasn’t a bad case, he was a great stalker, a fine hunter, sure he was bright yellow and loud, and loved to make Sentinel’s blood boil. But he was good, and Jazz was-is proud of him. 

“A blind drake isn’t a severe case?” He circled again, getting closer, testing boundaries.

He’s trying to see how close he can get before I spot him, clever, very clever. Let’s lure him in, toy with him a little. 

Jazz sighed and leaned back, starching his ear wit his hind leg. “Honestly, yea, my carrier fought to keep me in the tribe, even if I could hardly see a few paces in front of me, but she taught me quickly. And I showed that I wasn’t helpless, even if my trainer thought I was.” He spat trainer out, wishing that it wasn’t Optimus beating Sentinel into the ground, but him. 

The laugh echoed again. “You are rather strange for a drake, a long strong tail, thin limbs meant to glide across the plains. Your scales are even weird, a white back and deep blues and blacks on your belly and sides. Almost like the honey badger. I wonder if you fight like one too.”

He shrugged. “Never needed to fight before.” He lied.

The stranger stilled, a faint roar in the distance called out, and his tail thumped the sands. “Already?” 

Jazz pin pointed the dragon, sniffing closely and pressing his paws carefully into the sands as he pressed forward. “Someone calling you?”

”I’m afraid so, I have to leave-“

”Wait!” He hissed, inching closer to the dragon. “Why did you point us here? Why help us? Was this a trap? Who are you helping?”

The roar called out again and the dragon groaned, his tail twitching. “Fine, fine, I owe you that, I didn’t want to see her die, okay? Maybe I’m not a bad dragon, sure I’m not great, but why does a dragonet need to die? She can’t even fly, so why kill her off?”

”What? Who wants Sari and Megatron dead? Why them?”

The roar was louder, a hind of anger weaved into it.

The dragon whined. “Just- don’t let them go home, keep them far away from their home. Okay? I have to go!”

”Wait, please-“

The dragon snarled. “What?!”

”Im Jazz-“

”Ugh!” The dragon hissed and threw himself into the air, there was no beat of wings, no flap, instead the large outline of a wingless dragon took into the sky, he was darker then the night itself, and he vanished just as he came. 

Jazz trotted over to where he sat, feeling the warmth, seeing the size difference between the two of them. He wasn’t as big as Megatron, but he was still a dragon, and Jazz was a tiny little drake. “Fine, Mystery-is that too cheesy of a name? Rude dragon.” 

Mystery it is. 

Chapter Text

“Sire!” The dragonet proudly stumbled up to him, the gleaming snowy white scales and silvery under belly with red and yellow markings that trailed all over his tiny frame. He wasn’t like other dragons, he honestly looked a lot like a drake. Almost the spitting image of Ratchet. He held his paws up at Ratchet proudly displaying a pile of muddy moss up, a cheek to cheek smile on his face. “Is this Marine moss?”

He chuckled and leaned down, inspecting the clump of moss. “Sure is! But Lifeline you need to keep it clean, dragging it into the dirt ruins it and well we’ll have to clean it up.”

He pouted letting the moss drip between his claws. “Oh, I’m sorry, I thought this might help carrier, I’ve been looking all morning for it.”

Ratchet grabbed his wobbly hands, curling inward, protecting his son. “No, no, you tried your best and you did good. It is helpful, come, I’ll show you how to clean it and then we can make some gummies or a paste that’s a bit tastier than moss. Your carrier loves a good strawberry jam.”

Instantly Lifeline brightened up, his cheerful smile spread across his face. “Really?”

”Sure you tail biter, now come on.” Ratchet took the moss, Lifeline’s little paws slapping behind him. What a kind dragon, Lifeline would make a fine healer, one that Ratchet would be proud of. His little red horns were starting to come in, almost like a demon’s. But years of tender care and love were given freely to his son, and Ratchet would do anything for Lifeline. He was kind and gentle, Lifeline would never hurt a fly.

Ratchet hummed plopping down at the mortar setting the moss into the running stream and letting it naturally clean, he coiled his tail up, Lifeline climbed and sat on him, smiling with bright golden eyes. 

“Let’s begin.”

He is a good dragonet. Ratchet couldn’t be prouder.

”Bee!” Sari snapped chasing after the drake. “You little turd!”

Bumblebee circled her holding up a piece of meat. “Sorry, too slow!”

”Not fair!” She snarled, chasing after him.

Then shockingly Bulkhead was faster, scooping Bumblebee into his arms and heaving him up, the smaller drake thrashed, complained and Bulkhead simply pulled the meat out of his jaws and handed it back to Sari. “Rude, very rude little buddy, you can’t treat her like that.”

”What says who?” Bumblebee squirmed out of Bulkhead’s arms and fell face  first into the sand, snorted it out and spun around to him. “Don’t tell me you’re going soft.”

”Bee,” Bulkhead sat back and then gestured to Optimus, then the massive dragon on his back. You know the fire breathing three times their size (his paws were bigger than all of Bumblebee) flying, lord of the dragons, you know, Megatron. That Megatron, the one that scared every drake pup when they were misbehaving, the one that towered above all their leaders. Who openly challenged chiefs. He wasn’t a dragon, but a force of nature, one that would break the earth below them in two.

”Ah,” Bumblebee shut his mouth into a tight tin line, lighting might as well strike him, and all the childish behavior melted away. “Good point.”

”HA! I get spoiled.” Sari triumphantly strutted holding her breakfast in her jaws, head high. 

“Nuh-uh!”  Bumblebee shot back.

”Yea-huh!” Sari made her voice deeper and mimicked Bumblebee the best she could.

”Think we should separate them?” Optimus asked Ratchet, tugging Megatron higher up on his back, funny that he was that tiny compared to the full grown dragon, but he was strong and was handling the weight, it was Megatron’s massive body that was the problem. So with the help of everyone (mostly Bulkhead) they finally got Megatron on Optimus’ back, and secured the dragon with a few lines and padded Optimus back to keep the passed out dragon comfortable. It wasn’t pretty, far from luxury but it would do.

”Pfft what, we should put one of them in timeout?” Ratchet huffed and rechecked Megatron’s side, pleased that the bandages were still secured. 

“Bumblebee wouldn’t stay.” Bulkhead smirked.

”Good one.” Jazz trotted down the hill, tail high, the sun starting to set behind him. They were keeping a good pace and the mountain range was starting to tower out of the sandy horizon, maybe one more good day and Megatron would have real proper help.

What will they do to you?

Ratchet leaned back looking over at the mountain range, absently touching his broken horn, his bright red horns always stood out, a dominant trait. Drift loved them, often painting symbols of good luck, or tracing the ridges. How many long nights had Ratchet awoken to Drift’s soft touch on his head? Even now, after all these years, he ached for those nights, to be held like that, tended to.

The kindness, and warmth of the long slender but deadly body, the deep purr that seemed to rattle Ratchet’s whole self.

You know exactly what they will do.

He swallowed and shut his eyes, squeezing his eyelids tight until it hurt. It was time, he needed to face this, to handle his arrogant youth. None of this was about Ratchet, or his choices, his mistakes, his regrets, he could face whatever was brewing. 

For Sari.

Sari’s giggle soothed him and Ratchet couldn’t help himself. She was just like Lifeline when he was her age. Childish but smart, cunning even. She’s a good dragonet. 

So everyone was clearly noticing this on going behavior, hard to not notice.

”First dragon he meets and he’s this bad?” Bulkhead whispered to Jazz as he rolled his shoulders. It was a long day for them, crossing the desert wasn’t an easy task, but adding on their supplies on his back? That doubled the difficulty, at least he could handle it, and admittedly Bulkhead was glad that he wasn’t the one hauling Lord Megatron.

Jazz snickered and elbowed Bulkhead’s side, often the two of them found comfort with each other. The stalker would slow down his pace and even sink back to admit Bulkhead’s harness, while Bulkhead often gave Jazz the first portions of their rations, and let Jazz ramble. “Keep it up mean greens, I’m sure he’ll hear you.” Jazz whispered.

”It’s not really a secret.” He divided up their rations, a few bowls of water and some dried meats with some veggies, which one by one were handed out. One larger portion to Optimus, then Jazz’s which was more water then anything, Bumblebee and Sari badgered the two of them, eagerly snagging theirs and retreating to Megatron’s wing. Then Ratchet limped up, stretching his back leg across the sand and grumbled, thanking them for his portion then sneaking away from the group. He, he wasn’t willing to linger with the rest of them.

But Optimus was the one that was truly interesting. He didn’t eat until Megatron ate. Which was funny watching Optimus do anything with Megatron. Sure the small dragon was surprisingly strong enough to haul Megatron on his back, but seeing him care for Megatron?

That was entertainment.

Optimus puffed a fire out and then promptly took his rations, scuttled back to Megatron’s side, then (and this was the best part) he tried to give Megatron water, which you might as well try to move a mountain. Optimus first tried to open his jaw, which struggled to do, even struggled to move Megatron’s head to the side. But he was able to shift him slightly to the side. Then he tried every lift method to open Megatron’s mouth. Under hand grab, using his back, pulling Megatron’s mouth open from the side while also dripping himself over Megatron’s head. “Just open your massive mouth!” Optimus yowled out in frustration.

“Try biting him?” Sari smiled, still with dried meat on her dagger filled jaws. 

“I’d really rather not add another wound to your scary carrier.” Optimus groaned and flopped his head on top of Megatorn’s, frustrated billows of smoke escaped his nostrils, and his tail lashed back and forth. “He needs food, and water, he’s been in the sun all day, Ratchet any ideas?”

The healer was nowhere around, but Bulkhead watched Jazz’s ears flicked. “He’s… busy.” Jazz shared Bulkhead a sympathetic look before gulping down his rations and climbing up the sandy dune towards where Ratchet vanished too.

“I’m taking ideas.” Optimus pouted.

”What was wrong with shoving your hand in his closed jaws?” Bumblebee chewed his veggies, his meat was already gone, Sari had double the meat she was originally given. 

The dragon glared at Bumblebee, then pulled back Megatron’s lips, showing massive pearly white teeth meant to rip and tear at anyone. “He also has a double layer, why don’t I loose a paw to Megatron? He’s so stinking big, and he’ll crunch me in two if he wanted to, so yes lets just shove my paw back into his mouth and hope he doesn’t bite down. Any other bright ideas?!”

“You could ask?” Megatron grumbled and opened an eye. 

“Eep!” Optimus jumped.

”Carrier!” Sari rushed to him, barreling into his head. “You had me so worried! What were you thinking?” 

The dragon lord groaned and rolled his head towards her, still too weak to do much else. Whatever fleeting strength he had left, he spent, smiling at his daughter. “If I got high enough I would’ve found a jet stream, and glided back home. Which I clearly did not. But it seems you’re safe.”

”Don’t you do that anymore! No more fighting, no more flying, you’re grounded!” Sari snapped at him, stomping her feet and fluffing her still downy soft feathers and scales. 

Everyone chuckled at the angry dragonet. Even Megatron found it rather amusing that his own daughter was giving him orders. His laugh rattled, it was deep and could be felt through the shifting sands. 

“That better be good laughter!” Ratchet snapped poking his head over the dune.

”What laughter isn’t good?” Bumblebee remarked. “Guess whose awake!”

”Megatron!” Ratchet tumbled down the side of the dune and stiffly hobbled towards him. “You have a lot of explaining to do!” The healer snarled, he was hardly a fourth of Megatron’s size, but that didn’t matter.

It’s forbidden to harm healers, at any state, egg, elder, new born, skilled, apprentice.

Yet with Ratchet’s old scared back that was soaked in orange flames, his thrashing rattle snake tail, his sides heaved a deep threating growl slid out between his jaws. Megatron didn’t even flinch, even Sari dug her way under Megatron’s fluffy cheek bone. Instead the dragon lord blinked up at him, deliberately. ”All you have to know, is that the damage is done, there’s no miracle cure, no fixing it, no herbs. It is what it is, and I’ve grown to accept that.” He spoke so firmly, like Megatron knew exactly what Ratchet was upset about, that he accepted his fate, that there was nothing to do.

The deep inhale filled the dead silence, the fire crackled, the smoke rose up into the night sky. Ratchet deflated, his shoulders fell limp, all his rage crumbled away. The healer, sighed, appearing much older then what he was, he simply leaned in and rested his head against Megatron’s. “I-I’m sorry.” Ratchet dragged himself under Megatron’s wing and started to inspect the damage again.

Bulkhead squirmed, that was tense. He would admit that he wasn’t the center piece of whatever was going on, but something was wrong. A deep pang stabbed his aching hearts, seeing Sari purr and scratch Megatron’s chin. 

What if this is all not worth it? Will he make it?

The thin stalker drake spared him a glance, sharing the same worry, the exact same worry that Bumblebee had, the same concern that Optimus held on his shoulders. 

Is Megatron going to die?

This was unexpected.

Death, he danced with constantly.

Fighting he knew with his wounded heart.

Whatever this was? Which was Optimus carefully feeding him and marking snarky commentary with Sari, while the other drakes (well the drakes) all chatted around the fire. It was peaceful, reminded him of his youth with Strika and Shockwave, when all they did was hunt and explore. When he didn’t have to worry about food, about protecting everyone, doing what he could to make sure his tribe would survive.

It was…cozy.

”I’m sorry pretty boy, but I have the high ground.” Sari snarked climbing up on Megatron’s shoulders.

”High ground? More like high horse.” He snorted and stood up, meeting her gaze. Optimus seemed to enjoy playing with Sari, well all of them did, well excited the grumpy healer. He met her, face to face, she hissed at him, and Optimus only puffed a ball of smoke in her face.

”Cheating!” Sari screamed and ran down Megatron’s spine. “He cheated!”

Megatron chuckled as Sari ran for back up, which was Bumblebee, but the yellow drake lounged, far too tired from their travels. Sari only huffed and pulled on his tail. “Keep it up, I’m sure it’ll come off.” Megatron called out.

Optimus laughed and settled in, stretching his shoulders and flopping next to Megatron. “Is she always this… snarky?”

“No, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen my morning dove this bubbly.” Megatron sighed, and puffed away the sand from his mouth, he already hated that most of his body was useless. But he can’t clean his face? That’s just cruel. “Back home the youngest dragon we have is a hydra, Blitzwing, everyone else is adult or carrying a clutch. Not to mention that Sari likes to behave like she’s some sort of grown up herself. It’s rare that I can even get her to play anymore.”

”She must be lonely.” Optimus said, then regretted it and clamped his jaws. “N-not that it’s bad that- I mean- you’re a good carrier-“

”It is, for her. No real dragonet hood, no getting into trouble, always following me around, I thought I broke the habit- clearly didn’t.” Megatron muttered and puffed more sand away from his face.

”Here, let me.” Optimus shoveled the sand away and made a nice little stand for Megatron’s chin to rest, then he did something that Megatron wasn’t expecting. The dragon started to clean his face, licking his chin and jaws, even getting in areas that he didn’t notice had sand. “I mean, it’s hard being a single carrier-erm, single right?”

”Single.” He didn't dare look at Optimus, not into his radiant blue eyes.

“But it’s not an easy task, being the lord of a whole tribe, and speaking for most of the dragon tribes?” Optimus continued to lick behind Megatron’s ear, then lapping down the side of his jaw line. 

Sari hissed and jumped on Bulkhead, climbing up the side of his neck and then pouncing on Bumblebee, who yelped and rolled them in the sand. It was a fun sight, having this little moment. 

“None of it is easy, life isn’t easy, that’s something I’ve learned early on… and you know this lesson well, don’t you?” He glanced past Optimus’ thick neck and towards his useless hump. “You had no idea, did you?”

”No,” He deflated, tapping his claws in the sand and swishing his tail. “Now that I think about it, there were signs lots and lots of signs. I mean, I run hot, I’m not a fast runner, and I’m bulky, and yes the hump.” He puttered, spitting out sand.

”If I were to guess, you’re a Lighting Rider, one of the last, which makes sense.”

”Lighting Rider?” 

If he could move he'd nod, but exhaustion was tugging on his frame, his mind slipping. And admittedly Optimus was right, he was warm, so very warm. “I’ll tell you more, later.” He yawned, flashing his massive fangs and exhaling hot air into the night. 

“…A Lighting Rider…huh.” Optimus curled up next to the dragon lord, which Megatron would never admit, but he was glad. Slowly he slipped into a deep sleep hearing Sari play with the drakes. It’s been so long since he’s seen her play, or laugh like that.

Do I hate myself?

Yes, that he can say with confidence.

He stood back as Lockdown grinned ear to ear, pressing into the tribe clearing with his usual swagger, all too smug for this. Anyone that wasn’t a total waste of life wouldn’t be this giddy. He sat proudly, chest out, his long dangerous claws flashing in the moonlight. He was handsome in a sense, but years of battling and taking odd jobs had changed his frame, and who he was inside. Long gone was the faint flutter in Prowl’s heart. Who would want someone like Lockdown as a mate? “Soooo, where’s the pay? The trophy you promised.”

The clearing was once full of life, laughter and jokes, but the moment they landed, that was gone, no one dared to step out, everyone hid, shivering with terror. The tribe stared out from their dens, the stench of fear made his eyes water, and his heart raced, Lockdown’s heart was slow and steady is his chest, far too calm. Lockdown only stared at the behind of a large bright silver and purple dragon, he was massive compared to everyone else here, scars littered his frame, he reeked of blood and decay. 

“You can’t move him!” Knockout snapped, his much smaller red body was fluffed up, he snarled. 

“Don’t care, healers don’t get the cave.” The large dragon bellowed, the ground shook.

Prowl didn’t see it, but he winced as the other smaller dragon yelped, then Knockout snarled and flames flicked in the darkness. There was a clash, snarling, snapping, the scent of blood filled the air. Then Knockout was thrown out of the healer’s den, his small red body bounced and he was covered in wounds. The healer still sat up, shaking his helm. He would pride himself on his looks, and right now, he was missing a horn, an ear, and several wounds that would scar. 

“He’s carrying and you’re not touching him!” Knockout, bless the feisty dragon lunched himself at the large dragon’s butt, biting deep and clawing. “Do not touch my mate!” 

The large dragon sighed and backed up, rolling his red eyes, then slammed his whole backside into a boulder, Knockout screamed as the air was pushed out of him, he fell uselessly on the ground, dazed.

Breakdown rushed past the large dragon, his side heavy with a clutch, he hasn’t moved in so long because of their clutch, his belly almost dragged across the dirt. Any day he would have their clutch, and now the stress was put thing his life and their family’s in danger. “Sweetie, no, it’s okay, we’re okay.” He cupped Knockout’s face, pressing their heads together and purring. “We’re going to be okay.”  He curled his tail around his side.

Prowl wanted to rush over, to help, stop the bleeding or at least put himself in front of the mates. But he didn’t, he was a coward. 

The massive dragon snorted. “Serves you right.” He snapped, grabbing handfuls of herbs and tossing them out into the night air. “This will always be the lord’s den, no one else’s!” he roared out, furious.

The dragon tribe huddled away from the vengeful dragon. He was bigger than Overlord, yet the dragon still lost to Megatron. And now he got back the tribe, his ‘rightful’ place, his home. 

Prowl felt sick as Blitzwing and Strika huddled the couple into a den with Lugnut. Strika glared at the invaders, and shoved Blitzwing into the den too, barricading her mate, Lugnut, Knockout, Breakdown and Blitzwing into her home. She flashed her fangs, at the rage filled dragon.

”Is that a challenge?” He stomped towards her, slamming his chest into her’s, knocking her back. “Because I won’t kill you, I’ll do something worse.” He grabbed her horn and pulled her head up, easily lifting her upper body off the ground, snarling, smoke billowing out of his jaws. “We both know that.”

”No.” Strika spat out and submitted.

He let go, she fell hard on the earth below and curled up in her den, still blocking everyone else in. Pleased he lashed his tail and stomped towards Lockdown, a smug grin spread across his face. “Trophy, that’s right… hmmmm it’s you call, you can either have the runt’s head, or her wings. But Megatron, he’s all mine.” Megazarak tapped his chin, deep in thought. “How does that sound?”

Prowl truly deeply hated himself. 

Chapter Text

Another morning, another day of travel, and worst of all?

Ratchet really didn’t want to return.

Call him a coward, call him old and useless he normally would grunt it off and snap back with a much more painful slice of his tongue. But deep down inside of his chest, he knew it was true. 

What worthless sire would do what he did? What he dragged Drift through for years? What little bit of hope he gave his first son? Only to smash it down?

He did try to protect them. That’s what he told himself. That it was all to protect his family, not himself. That those painful words he threw at Lifeline were meant to keep the dragon far away. That the brawl with Drift was a necessary evil. That every action, every thing he did to hurt them, was suppose to keep them save? 

Ratchet grumbled as he stretched his old bones.

”Sari, it’s too early for this.” Optimus grumbled.

Thump!

”Sari.” The dragon hissed. “Stop being a bully.”

Ratchet turned around, great full for Megatron’s massive wings, they did made a shockingly great tent. Sari wiggled her tail and backed up, rushing towards Optimus, and head butting him. Optimus groaned and rolled over.

Her horns were coming in, and well, she was a bully. 

Lifeline did that. 

The healer sighed and strolled over, snagging the dragonet in his jaws. “Since you have so much energy, your highness, you’re getting breakfast ready with me.”

”Aw! But I like head butting.” She wiggled in his jaws.

”Don’t worry, I’ll let you get some cranial damage once we’re at the healing sanctuary.” He set her down, staking a deep breath of the chilly morning air. The sun was rising, once it was in the air, they’d return to their tireless journey. The swamps were next. Then the mountain sire, the cliffs, the dense forest. Finally those doors, the heavy metal doors.

His claws traced down his broken horn, the wound had healed, but not the history. Nothing truly heals.

”Doc?” Sari poked his belly. 

He turned towards her, pastel orange and gold scales, a nose like her carrier, she’d have his double lines jaw as well. Lifeline was small, like her, how big was he when Ratchet left?

How big was he now?

Did he grow as long  as Drift? Or stocky like Ratchet?

Was Drift’s wounds healed, or did he still need to manage?

”Without love, there is nothing!” Lifeline shouted up at him, right after he got into a mess, his cheeky grin, acting innocent. 

He shook himself and forced his head to stop spinning. “Okay, lets get the water first.”

”Okay!”

It was almost a blessing, it needed to be a blessing, traveling across the endless sea of sands and finding anything but another dune should bring joy. 

It did not.

The most noticeable detail was that there was water, a whole ocean worth of water, but it was stagnant except for a slight river that vanished under the accursed sands. Massive trees towered into the sky suffocating the light, small islands of mash and muddy ground plotted the landscape. Sand was one thing, it always got between your claws and scales, but now? 

Now it was bugs.

Which he wasn’t a stranger to, not at all, but this many? He already hated walking into a face full of gnats, Jazz was still spitting up flies. At least Ratchet took point and led them all carefully through the swamp. The old healer followed a trail of fabric and glow stone towers, treading carefully through it all. It was Ratchet leading, Sari on his back chirping, Bumblebee right behind, then Bulkhead, Optimus still somehow hauling Megatron (how he wasn’t tired? Jazz will never know), and Jazz in the rear. 

Which was fine for him, his sensitive hearing was better here, and he kept an eye on Megatron’s shallow breathing, but watched for Mystery. Which hasn’t reappeared in awhile?

Shame he was starting to like the idea of teasing Mystery.

So they pressed on, Ratchet was slow but steady, careful to make sure that Bulkhead and Optimus did not fall into the water or get stuck. “The swamp is infested with parasites and other insects. If one of you goes down, we won’t get you back to safety. It’ll be midway and we’ll finally clear this, then welll rest. Follow the river to the sanctuary." 

Listening to Ratchet barking orders was so much better then hearing, or pretending not to hear what Optimus and Megatron were whispering. Which was becoming the normal for them, the banter was constant bickering and snarky remarks but there was a tease to all of it. Optimus really did suck at flirting. 

It was over a clearing and they knocked over some cattails that blew up in all their faces.

The dragon lord sneezed and groaned on Optimus’ back. “Stupid allergies.” He grumbled waking up from his sleep. “Oh, we’re in the swamp, I always hated the swamp.”

”It’s kinda pretty.” Optimus crouched down under the thick hanging moss, avoiding the low branches.

”Sure, sure it’s pretty, but getting stuck? The mud here is almost cement thick, and if you struggle too much you’ll sink, then you’re stuck for hours, maybe days until someone finds you. And then you have to find a dragon that’s bigger than you, or stronger, and sometimes they still can’t pull you out. I never want to drag Blitzwing out of here again. Also the masquitos, disgusting creatures.” He huffed and walked his ear, the mosquito flew away, only to hover.

”They gotta eat, don’t they?”

Megatron lifted his head from Optimus’ shoulder, shooting him a look. “Don’t tell me you care about those little bugs that suck out your blood, what purpose do they have? I wish I could roast them all.” 

“They have a part of the food chain.”

Megatron rolled his eyes, snorting hot air in Optimus’ face. “I hope they leave several bites on your butt.”

“Fine, then I’ll drag you and my ass on the ground.” Optimus smirked.

”No manners.” The dragon curled back up, yawning and blinking away his sleep, showing more energy then he had the whole time. Almost like he was alive, and there was hope.

Jazz flicked his ears and stilled, letting the group press on through the swampy marshes and up towards the mountain. He heard it, the strange hiss, the same hiss that Mystery made when he took flight. There in the shadows, eyes glinted in the darkness, the familiar thin frame slid through the trees and the moss, slipping into the branches and above him. 

Mystery smelled of something different, there was another dragon scent, husky, but not a normal dragon, there was a strange lingering scent of poison there. Then there was the familiar tang of iron. 

“No hello?” Jazz spoke softly treading after his friends.

”No time.” The dragon hissed, swinging from branch to branch, coiling like a snake. “There’s danger for them.”

”Danger?” He paused, watching as Ratchet climbed up a slight hill and finally escaped the swamp, kinda shocking he had such good climbing skills at his age. “What kind of danger?”

”Do let them return to their tribe, both of them will die.” He hissed, stopping as the trees started to thin out and the sunlight started to expose his scales. “You will die.”

Jazz snorted and shook his head. “Dawh, you care about me? Thanks for the warning, but I hate to break it to Mystery, I don’t have much to live for. None of us do.”

Finally after all this time, after smelling him now and then, watching the night skies, after hours of listening, the dragon revealed his face. Jazz might be almost blind, but he could see up close. His hearts stopped as the dragon’s face came within inches of his own, their breath mingling between them. His face was thin, sharp, his muzzle was silvery, but most of his body was black, and there were pin stripes that trailed down his neck, they were gold. He was pretty, very pretty, but being pretty didn’t matter much to someone blind. Mystery frowned, flashing long strong jaws lined with dangerous dagger-like teeth. “You did not name me Mystery.”

Jazz shrugged. “Sorry, didn’t catch your name, so Mystery it is.”

His scales ruffled outwards in annoyance. “Fine, Prowl, my name is Prowl, congratulations.” 

“There, was that so hard?”

”Harder then I’ll admit.” He returned to the tree branches. “Stay away from his tribe, and a dragon named Lockdown, he’s out to hunt the little runt dragon-“

”Sari, her name is Sari.” He snapped, standing up on his hind legs and poking his head into the branches, shoving his face against Prowl’s. Sure he wasn’t the largest drake (that would be Bulkhead) but he was still a senior stalker, and he wasn’t going to let anyone hurt Sari or Megatron- or any of his friends, not if he could help it. “Use it.” 

“…Sari, Lockdown is out here tracking Sari, and her carrier.” Prowl recoiled back, shocked that Jazz would be so firm on this. He slid away from them back into the swamp, parts of his jet black body appeared and slithered away. Prowl was big, bigger than Jazz.

”Wait,”

Prowl’s long black body stilled around the branches, the golden scales shimmered in the light, it was almost a pleasing sight, seeing such a strong dragon move in a way. Almost like seeing a stream dance over the rocks. 

“Why are you helping us?” 

Once again his sharp face poked out of the darkness, perfectly blending into the swampy world around them. He stared at Jazz for a moment, his jaws twisting in thought. “I also have nothing, so I have nothing to lose.” With that he slid away, vanishing into the lush greenery.

”Nothing to lose, sounds like a couple of losers.”

Suddenly a rock flew through the air and hit his nose, Jazz hissed and grabbed his stinging snout. “I heard that!” Prowl’s angry voice echoed in between the trees. 

Sari was a chatter.

His ears hurt.

Then Bumblebee joined in.

The migraine was forming like dark storm clouds.

Ratchet dragged his paws along, watching for the bright red fabric that hung everywhere. He paused only to turn to Sari and set her down. If Bumblebee and her could work out some of their energy, that would be perfect. Let the old drake skulk.

”So I said to Lugnut, he’s a dork-“

He toned them out, peering over the trees to see the red stone walls, his stomach twisted and his mouth was dry. The massive red walls haunted him, mocked him, almost like a warning.

”Don’t ever come home-that’s not your home, not anymore, is that understood?”

He’d never heard Drift’s voice so enraged, so full of anger, the dragon wanted him dead. Drift wanted to throw him into the sky and watch his body plummet into the ground and break open like a pumpkin.

Ratchet shivered and stopped at the river, his body was tired, and his paws were sore. “Let's rest for now.” Even if he wanted to rest, his body wouldn’t let him.

Resting your paws in the icy river water was one of the best feelings he could’ve asked for. Feeling the ache that haunted him for miles vanished in the cool stream soothed him. He groaned and leaned  back against the river bed and rested  his head on the soft grass. The heavy pack was tossed aside the moment Ratchet said they would rest and eat. 

He couldn’t wait to topple this massive mountain, find a nice relaxing meadow and sleep. Bulkhead was simple. Everyone was eating or drinking, stretching or dipping their toes.

”Hey, Ratchet?” He called out, poking open one eye, wanting nothing more than to sleep in the summer heat.

”Hmm?” THe doctor was the only one who wasn’t lounging about, he was the only one who refused to rest. He paced the clearing, checked the sun, the markers, even poked and prodded Megatron, much to the dragon lord’s annoyance. Ratchet rushed over and leaned down to Bulkhead. “What is it?”

Twitcher, and moving much faster then Bulkhead had ever seen him move before.

”Tell me this place has a spa?”

”erm, i can’t say it does, but there is a hot springs, last I checked.” He finally  sat down, and started to nibble on the dried meat and nuts that Bulkhead gave him. “It’s a healer sanctuary, anyone is welcomed there, the sick, elderly, and healers who need training. It’s part of our lessons, we learn as much as the healer before us can teach us, and then we are sent here for a few years.” His eyes looked upwards, towards the towering mountains, clouds drifted past the mountain top.

His dirty white scales fluffed up as he stared up, Ratchet pulled his mouth back and hissed, flashing his teeth. 

“Have you ever gone back there?”

”No, never. Not since I left, the first and last time.” he muttered and sank back. “There’s nothing up there for me.”

”I’m sure you’ll learn something new? Or maybe there’s some new herbs? You never-“

”Bulkhead, there’s nothing up there for me, nothing good at least.” Their old healer grumbled and slunk off, away from the group, chewing his meat and returning to his pacing, muttering something over and over under his breath.

Jazz was the last one to rejoin the group, he flopped next to Bulkhead, taking his portions and using Bulkhead’s head as a pillow. Ah, what are friends for?  “I saw our Mystery dragon again, he’s been following us.”

”Huh? The same one who led us to Sari and Megatron? Why was he here now?”

”…He warned me to keep Megatron and Sari far away from their tribe, and we’re being hunted by another dragon, Lockdown. Prowl seemed…concerned about this Lockdown dragon, apparently our guests here have the eye of a certain dragon or two.” Jazz frowned and chewed his meat, wiggling his nose, a lump was starting to form.

”Hmm, Prowl is Mystery, right?”

He nodded.

”If it makes you feel any better, that is not the only set of eyes on our guests.” Bulkhead flicked at ear back to the massive grey dragon, and not at all surprising, Optimus’ colorful frame. It was almost disgustingly sweet. Watching Optimus linger around Megatron and hand feed in water, then seeing the massive dragon smirk and purr. Megatron was all too smug to be treated like this, far too happy to be spoiled by Optimus. But then there was Sari.

The little yellow orangish frame jumped boulder to boulder in the stream, making faces at Bumblebee who also was jumping after her. Those two were almost like siblings. It was only when she smacked herself that she ran to Optimus, hiding under his huge frame. Bumblebee right on her tail, worried sick.

”Soooo, who’se going to tell Optimus?” Jazz rubbed the lump. “That was too good of a shot, dam Prowl.”

”Tell Optimus that he’s already a sire? I’ve been waiting for him to figure that one out, who do you think I ran to if i was in trouble?” Bulkhead shrugged and yawned.

”That and well, it is too fast that he’s already flirting with Megatron?”

”Pfft- no, not with how that ended. I hope Elita and Sentinel are struggling with everything.”

They snickered, Jazz’s laugh barked through the clearing and Bulkhead’s rumbled like an earthquake. They settled into their normal habits, making jokes and commentary while relaxing. This was the rare times that Jazz would open up, or at least speak about himself.

The thin black and white drake sighed and thumped his claws on the boulder below, still using Bulkhead’s head as a pillow. “You know about my history with Sentinel, don’t you?”

”Yep. Why?”

”I should’ve chewed his face off when we left.” 

Bulkhead burst into laughter again. “Let me know, we’ll dry it!”

Once again they started to laugh, filling the whole clearing.

Jazz sighed and stretched his front legs. “I’ll tell them when we get to the sanctuary, I don’t want to stress them out anymore.”

Bulkhead agreed, making a mental note to keep  an eye on  Sari. 

“You’re mean!” Sari spat her tongue out as she climbed up Ratchet’s hung leg.

”No you’re mean!” Bumblebee shot back, also sticking his tongue out.

Ratchet’s eye twitched, his ears flat, he stomped on trying his best to ignore the two of them. “You’re both mean.” he hissed.

He gawked at the grumpy healer. “Rude, older timer.” He teased and ran ahead of them, his chubby tail trailing behind, the mixture of brown and gold scales bumbling along. Thus his hame, well sure he was small, bright yellow, and has a huge tail, but really, Bumblebee?

Sentinel made that worse, refusing to call him any other name, any of his nicknames, just Bumblebee. Which he’ll admit he got used to, didn’t mean he liked it. At least Sari liked to call him Bee. 

He won’t ever admit this, but he was starting to like the new lands. “So, you grew up here?” He asked climbing up a boulder and wiggling his tail up, flopping on top of it, only to spin around and offer Sari a paw. Hauling her much smaller body up, her wings flapping uselessly. 

“Not exactly, I’ve been to the healing sanctuary once, when I was an egg, really really little. Carrier brought me in until I hatched. I grew up,” she shuffled around and pointed towards another mountainside. “There, see the huge cave there, well it looks like a rock, but it has the trailing moss, that one. That’s Knockout’s healer’s den. That’s my tribe. Right carrier?”

Optimus heaved them up, and passed the boulder, Megatron lifted his head up, huffing. “That’s right, there’s a few herd of elk and goats, bears pop up mostly in spring and fall before they hibernate.” He rested his head once again, shifting his chin in a way that made it more comfortable on Optimus’ shoulder. He was snug, and lazily blinked his eyes.

”Cool! So who's in your tribe?” He asked jumping off the boulder and waiting for Sari to land on his shoulders.

She grunted but landed easily, hardly using his needle thin sharp claws. “There’s a few, first there’s Strika and Lugnut, two of the largest dragons I’ve ever seen, but they’re bonded and very gross in public.” He stuck her tongue out. “Then there’s Shockwave and Soundwave, they’re both…how would you describe them, Carrier?”

”Abstract. I’m not even sure if they are dragons, but they stick to the shadows and aren’t too social.”

”Oh, then there’s my bestie, Blitzwing!” She wiggled and dashed ahead of Bumblebee, climbing up a tree trunk and spreading her wings up high. “he’s a hydra, only two heads, he says it’s painful growing a new head. But he’s so goofy! Icy I think is his true head, but Random is so goofy, he likes to dance and play games.”

”Hey I thought i was your bestie!” He pouted, hiding the real sudden hurt that he felt. Sari had another friend? And it wasn’t Bulkhead?

Whoever this Blitzwing hydra was, Bumblebee was going to chew his heads off!

”Well duh, you’re my drake bestie, besides, he’s good at games, also scary when he wants to be. Blitzwing is a total pushover.”

Good, that means that beheading a hydra would be easier. 

“Who else is in your tribe?” He asked keeping pace with Ratchet who suddenly was becoming much more nimble. The old healer jumped from boulder to boulder, almost like a mountain goat. 

“Oh! Knockout and Breakdown. They’re also super gross too, but sweet! Oh carrier are we going to miss their clutch?” Sari asked climbing up after Ratchet, only to have the healer scoop her up in his mouth by her neck fluff and carrying her up the rocky path. Easily leaping from rock, to slab then to tree stub. 

“Probably, when I left, Breakdown was ready to pop.” Megatron called up, watching Ratchet carry Sari up, his claws flexing in and out.

”Kid, you’re starting to be more of a hassle, either say on my back, or you’re climbing this mountain all by yourself.” Ratchet set Sari down, his scales ruffled in irritation. 

The dragonet blinked up at him. “You’re grumpier than normal, but fine, I’m not going to argue on a free ride.” She shrugged and climbed up his arm and settled between his shoulders, it was much smaller than Megatron’s shoulders, but it would do. As long as Sari didn’t need to use her claws or teeth.

Bumblebee trailed behind Ratchet, hardly hiding his excitement. “So, where do you sleep? Are there warrens? Please tell me we’re not going to be in the cold.”

”There’s dens, mostly made of trees, brushes and some rocks, the healer’s den is a cave. It’s a mountain, it’s going to snow.” Megatron grumbled. “What mountain doesn’t get snow?”

Optimus chuckled.

”Gross.” Bumblebee stuck out his tongue, rolling his eyes at the two dragons.

He’ll admit it, the mountain side is more of a challenge than the dunes. Optimus grunted and climbed up the steep hill, hauling Megatron on his back. Which sure, the dragon was heavily injured and he wasn’t going to let Sari’s carrier climb. BUT HE’S ALSO A HUGE DRAGON! If Optimus’s wings-well if he had wings could he even carry Megatron?

Is that possible to carry this huge dragon? THe dragon lord was almost triple his size, and somehow flying him around sounded like a living nightmare. 

Sure he can haul Megatron across the sandy desert, through the swamp, but the mountain side?

Optimus panted and shook his head, beads of sweat rolling down his face. 

“You sure do move like a drake more then a dragon.” Megatron commented lifting his tired head up. “Use your back legs to push, not your front.”

”Like that’s going to do much.”

”Also your tail, you have a thicker tail to help balance in air and there’s muscles that will push your whole body up.”

”I’m sorry I’m new to being a dragon, it’s my first day.” He grumbled, then shimmied his shoulders and used his tail to balance, with a grunt he jumped up, over a boulder, over Jazz who was waiting on top of said boulder. Then slammed down hard on the rocky ground. Optimus blinked and snorted the dust from his nose. “Huh.”

”How do you think dragons take off so fast?” Megatron grinned, all too smug with himself. ”Told you, you work too hard, no wonder your chest is so massive.”

”Are you saying Optimus here is stacked?” Jazz bounded up to them, he peered over at Megatronusinghis hind legs to get the full sight, not at all hiding his toothy grin.

”Naturally, it’s not every day I get a piggy back ride.” 

“I see, I see. So you like a good ride?” Jazz leaned into the dragon lord’s face.

“Can I bite him?” Megatron puffed smoke in Jazz’s face. “Sari, can you bite Jazz?”

”No!” The rest of their group called out, Sari’s voice stood out because of her bubbly laughter. 

“Fine, when I’m all healed up, I’m biting you.” Megatron coiled away from Jazz and rested his head on Optimus’ other shoulder. 

Jazz sprinted to the other side of Optimus. “So is that a yes? You liked to ride?”

If he could regrow wings, he’d like them to pop out now and he’d fly far away from their conversation. Maybe into an active volcano? That sounded good. A plummet from the heavens into the burning molten lava below- wait could he withstand lava?

What is a Lighting Rider?

”I’m not answering that.”

”So I’m taking that as a yes.” Jazz trotted past them, tail up. All too smug with himself for outwitting the dragon lord.

”I'm so going to bite him.” Megatron grumbled, his hot breath on Optimus’ neck.

”So you’re a biter?” Optimus whispered, but the moment Jazz’s ears twitched, he knew that it wasn’t private.

”Can you just dump me off that cliff, thank you.”

Megatron was fun to talk to, listening to his wild stories, watching him tease and play with Sari, the snarky comments. Honestly if they met on better circumstances Optimus might be overwhelmed with how to conversate with someone so sly. But here he was, hauling Megatron up the side of a mountain, which wasn’t easy. Feeling the hot smokey breath between his scales.

They passed the rocky cliff area and dipped into the forest again, the sun was starting to descent behind them. 

“It’s not much longer, we’ll be there before nightfall.” Ratchet called out, Sari snug on his back, snoring. She acted like an adult, but she was still a baby dragon. At least that’s how Optimus saw her. 

“What’s a Lighting Rider?” He asked, glad that the tree branches weren’t slapping him in the face anymore. Larger dragons have walked this path.

Megatron yawned, a little tear dripping down his cheek as he did so. “What? I'm sorry I didn’t hear you.”

”You mentioned a Lightning Rider, what is that?”

He hissed and twisted his mouth, his tail twitched behind them, and his wings shuffled. Between the padding Optimus felt the thumping he’d felt for hours speed up. It wasn’t painful, like a drum that rumbled through Megatron’s body and Optimus felt it in his bones. “A Lighting Rider, they’re a tribe of dragons.” He finally hissed, more smoke out of  his jaws. “I killed one a few days ago. The same night your bonehead of a mate kidnapped Sari.”

”Oh.” This might be a poor conversation topic. “You don’t have to talk-“

”They’re isolated, from what I can tell, well they were, not much is known about their tribe. Mostly kept to themselves. I remember that night, lighting and freezing wet gales rocked the whole dragon spine. From what I could tell, the storm was so brutal that the mountain was almost ripped in half. But no one died in the storm, everyone died before, and whoever somehow survived, they were swept away in a mudslide.”

”How do you know all of this?” The drum in his spine was louder, stronger now, Megatron shifted on his back, he wasn’t strong enough to run, but he’d at least get a few good steps in before collapsing. What was it? Hatred? Anger? 

“I was young, not much older then Bee, well before Sari, I flew over the the mountain. Finding their elder tribe lord, Alpha Trion, half dead. He was soaking in a spring. He told me what happened… then sent me down the mountain.”

”What was he looking for?”

”Corpses…Please, let’s not talk about this now.” He stared up into the sky, ears twitching, his claws flexed out, his tail shifted, his whole body shifted and he cursed from the pain. He was getting ready to leap, to attack, take to the air. Scales up, wings spread, jaws beared. 

Flight.

Fear.

Megatron was scared.

And if Megatron was scared, the largest dragon Optimus had ever seen, then he should be scared too.

The path had changed, a lot, then again the mountain side had changed, who would walk to the scent airy when you could fly? Drakes would, they had to walk, they didn’t have any fancy wings, or feathers, or sky walking abilities. Drakes took the hard way in life, they always had. They left the mountains, choosing a nomadic life style, hunting, fighting. Fending off new species. They could’ve stayed in the valley, traded with the dragon tribes.

But no, the life of a drake was hard on your body, your mind, always being  on the run, waiting for a dragon to strike down.

That’s what he thought when he was younger, before he left for this training.

”You’re quiet.” Sari climbed up his neck and rested her tiny head on his. “Very quiet. What’s wrong?”

Ratchet tried his best to ignore it all, the bubbling acid in his belly, the twitch in his tail, the racing of his hearts, the soreness in his joints. Every part of his body wanted to run down the mountain side. The fling himself over the edge and vanish into nothing. But returning here?

He might as well be walking with someone’s jaws on his neck.

”Nothing kiddo.” He lied.

”You’re bad at lying.”

That was true, he really was bad at lying. 

The group lumped slowly up the side of the mountain, passing clearings, ponds, rest areas. The trail still was marked. Some stones had paint or carvings. First Aid’s was there. Then much farther under the stone was Ratchet’s own stone. It wouldn’t be long now, the sanctuary was well above them, painted in oranges and reds as the sun started to set. Even this far out he could smell the plants, the herbs, the Smokey meats and vegetables. Even the scent of the hot springs. 

Ratchet swallowed, he’ll have to knock on the door.

”You’re not grumpy? Or angry… are you scared?”

Terrified.

Ratchet clicked his tongue, his tail slowly slipping between his legs. 

“Don’t worry, they’re nice, really nice, I want their garlic bread, they make it so buttery and savory! It’s the best bread.”

The bread did sound great.

”Kiddo,” Ratchet whispered, halting as he watched Bulkhead and Optimus man or around a dense forest, Jazz and Bumblebee hung back, Jazz’s ear was flicked towards him. “Whatever happens, you stick with Optimus, the moment those doors open, whatever you hear, you run to him.”

Sari blinked up at him, yawning. “But they’re so nice, and you’ve been here, you know they’re nice. What do you think is going to happen?”

He’ll kill me, that’s what’ll happen.

“I’m a coward, a big yellow belly coward. I can’t fix the past, and now, I’ll be paying for it.”

”Like you stole one of those smoked marmots that Blitzwing makes and you didn’t ask? I mean he was angry at me, but I made it up to him. He taught me how to season and smoke them just right, but catching them, that’s the hard part. I’m sure you can fix it.” Sari smiled up at him, far too innocent to understand.

”There’s things I can’t fix, this is one of them.” Ratchet rolled his shoulders. “I can’t undo what I’ve done. So when I knock on those doors, you need to hide under Optimus, or on Bulkhead. Okay?”

”Okay, but I think you’re overthinking this.”

He wasn’t.

Drift was going to kill him.

And Ratchet would let him, accept those jaws that once spoke so softly to him, feel the air push out of his body. 

The doors were solid stone, it would take some dragon with immense flames to melt them, they were designed that way, anyone who tried to burn out attack them, would only find that they melted together. Then they’d wear themselves down by breathing all that fire. The scarcity had large glass domes above them, a stone in between every 6 panes of glass, a spell. Anyone who tried would only bounce back. No matter what no one could break in through the dome, the tall walls, or through the front gate.

You had to be invited.

Sari climbed down his shoulder and slid to the ground, rushing to Optimus and her carrier. Megatron was getting better, he leaned down and nudged her.

Ratchet inhaled and shut his eyes, climbing up against the door and grabbing the knocker, the scent of herbs and that tasty garlic bread called to him. This wasn’t for him, none of this was, he was selfish and stupid in his youth.

The knock sounded like the earth was splitting open, that he rang the bell for Unicron to wake up, that at any moment lighting would rain down on him.

He sat back, held his helm up high, his chest was tight, his head as spinning and worse off, the very worst thing that could possibly happen to him right now?

Ratchet couldn’t find any words.

Chapter Text

Winter was his favorite, who didn’t love the snow? The soft powder would stick to his nose, to his paws. He’s spent hours parading around and throwing himself into the deep snow, making tunnels and little hide outs. Finding the river bed and breaking the ice and snagging a few frozen fish. Then making sweets with sire and baking them with carrier. He loved winter!

Sire wasn’t a huge fan, drakes weren’t the best in the cold, no wonder Ratchet clung to carrier, like a moth to the flame. Then again Drift was still sick, so sire carried him around. Which it worked.

Like a symbiotic relationship.

Well a real relationship.

“Here,” Ratchet huffed, shaking his head and brushing off any bits of snow. They climbed up the mountain side. Well Ratchet did, carrier on his back, wrapped up in blankets. Lifeline hung in his sire’s mouth like a kitten. The sun was rising and the air was still, high up on the lonely peak, the family sat there, watching the sun climb into the sky.

”I warmed up some tea.” Drift held up the bottle gourd and poured each a cup of hot tea, handing one to Lifeline, then to Ratchet. He purred softly and nudged his face against Ratchet’s. “Thank you, Moonlight.”

Ratchet’s scales ruffled up, he puttered and hid his face in the cup. “Anytime, Sunshine.”

That was cute, they were always so cute together, always lovey dovey. Sire explained that he was moonlight, always cold but warm with Sunshine. And something about Drift being the burning sun?

Either way, they are disgustingly cute.

Lifeline was too young to think about love, but maybe someday he’d have this. Something like this. Someone he could come home to after a long day drying herbs and performing surgeries, someone who would hold him in the night. Maybe a family of his own, if he carried or sired. He wanted this. 

The family sat at the top of the peak, it wasn’t far from their home, but it was a good walk. But it was good to get out, to not have to do tests, or run errands or make medicine. Lifeline loved the snow!

He loved his family!

He smiled holding the hot tea to his chest. “What do we do?”

”Well,” Drift uncoiled his long sleek body away from Ratchet’s. “We’re going to ski, or that’s what some of the lonely mountain dragons call it. I’ve done it a few times. Since someone loves the snow so much.” His silky smoothie voice felt like a hug. Drift leaned down and brushed off his red horns. Smiling at his son, a deep care in his eyes.

”Ski!” Lifeline jumped up, his upper half first then his back half, making a long wavy motion with his longer body. He wouldn’t ever be as long as Drift, but he did have Drift’s pearl scales. “What’s that?” He paused and tiled his head to the side, his fluffy ears twisting in confusion.

”It's a race in a sense. We slide down the mountain snow, well…sorta of slide with our bellies or run? Maybe this isn’t skiing? But some dragons ride on their bellies.” Drift slowly uncoiled himself and yawned. 

”A race, you asked a drake to race?” Ratchet perked up, the moment Drift wasn’t wrapped around him, he started shivering and pulling his limbs in. Triple wrapping his scarf and ducked his paws under him, his beaver booties keeping the wet snow out. “Oh I’ll win with ease.” He snorted.

”No you won’t sire! You’re fat!” 

“PFFT- HAHAHA!” Drift crumbled and fell back. Laughing so hard that smoke popped out of his mouth, he slammed his fists down in the snow, tears in his eyes. “Lifeline!”

Ratchet snorted and poked his nose against Lifeline’s much smaller nose, so cute, but so sassy! He was almost a copy of his sire, to the grumpy face, red horns and his smart mouth. “Fine, think you can beat your sire?”

”Oh I know I can.” He stuck out his tongue. 

“Fine then, first one to the bottom wins, and doesn’t do the dishes for a whole week.”

”It’s on!” Ratchet puffed up, stretching his limbs.

”Have fun you two.” Drift coiled up, making himself a nice little nest out of the snow, Carrier wasn’t always fast. He used to be a fine hunter, and could whip around in the skies like the wind. But Lifeline had never seen that, to him Carrier was always slow and careful. Sometimes he’d hiss when he jumped or sat weird. 

“Ready, set-“ Ratchet bolted down the hill.

”HEY!”

”You know you’re going to carry me down the hill, right?!” Drift called out after him.

”I know!” He shouted back, grinning as he bounded down the mountain side.

He trailed after his sire, puffing and pushing past the large drake, he stuck his tongue out, only to loose his grip and fall face first.

”Lifeline!” Ratchet stilled, swung his body around, grabbing Lifeline out of the snow. “Are you okay?”

He shook his long body free from snow. “I’m okay.”

Then his sire, his loving caring sire, foolishly let go him.

The moment his paws were under him again, he bolted. “BUT YOU’RE LOOSING!”

”OH YOU LITTLE SHIT!” 

Lifeline did his classic barking laughter, running through the trees. “That’s what you get for tricking me!”

”I’m not doing the dishes!” Ratchet huffed, easily closing the length between them.

”It’s amazing, you two bickering?” Drift’s cozy voice called out, slipping between them, slithering and using his belly to slip past Ratchet, then next to Lifeline. “I even told you how to cheat too,” He pouted, sliding along.

The two gawked as Drift slid down the mountain side and jumped into the air, rolled and landed, then continued to slide down. He only turned back to wink at Ratchet. “Have fun with the dishes, Moonlight.”

The three of them raced down the hill, making snarky comments. Lifeline was gasping for air as he reached the bottom, slamming into Drift’s tail and flopping over. 

“I’m okay.” He said, poking his head up, smiling at his Carrier.

Drift picked him up and cleaned the snow off his horns, his golden eyes were kind and the herbs that he hung from his antlers always gave him a warm cinnamon smell. Drift bundled him up in his arms and kissed his cheek. They waited as Ratchet panted and slowed down, covered in snow, he huffed and puffed.

”Fine, I’ll do the dishes,” He then nuzzled Drift and promptly blew hot air in Lifeline’s belly. “Little turd.”

”Ha! I won.” He squealed and laughed, kicking his back legs at his Sire. 

Ratchet rolled his eyes, stretched again, and then leaned down. Drift set Lifeline down and coiled around his lover, holding onto the drake tight as Ratchet stood again. Finally his Sire picked up Lifeline in his jaws.

”You’re getting too big for this.” He muttered.

”No I ain’t. You’re too small.”

Ratchet chuckled and started down the mountainside. “Love you too kiddo.”

Lifeline purred and smiled up at his parents, watching as Drift nipped Ratchet’s ear and pulled it, flirting, and Ratchet leaned into every soft touch and nip. “Love you too.”

The morning air hurt his nose, it stung deep into his lungs, there was a chill. The first sign of winter. He used to love winter, the snow, the games, the warm fires. It used to feel like his life was neatly bundled together, that no matter what happened, he was going to be okay. Now he wasn’t that much of a fan. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and rolled over in his nest, glad that hand woven blankets were so soft and cozy. 

The curtains parted and sunlight crept into his room, hot breath tickled the nape of his neck.

”Mmm, Carrier, 5 more minutes." He grumbled and rolled away from Drift’s hot breath.

Drift snorted and recoiled away, his paw steps didn’t even make a sound.

Lifeline wasn’t the kind of dragon who would wake up and fall right back to sleep, that was impossible. Once he was up, he was up. He didn’t want to move, not after that dream…

It was a memory, one from his youth, he could hardly spell then, but he was already a fine herb smith. Back then Drift wasn’t sure if he could fly, if he was a drake or a dragon. It was so hard to tell. But Drift loved him anyhow, deeply loved him, sung to him late at night, comforted him during the storms, made the best tea.

Then there was his sire… he… he  didn’t like to linger on his sire. No point in opening up that wound. It had healed over, and over, but it still was full of puss, he was still infected.

He was still angry.

Lifeline sighed and stood up, yawning and stretching. He did what he always did, take care of Carrier. 

Breakfast.

First he lit the fire and blew on it, then poured the water into the kettle and hung it over the fireplace. He left that to boil. Next was food, which was a mixture of oats, meats and corn. He made two bowls, the bigger was for Drift. He set the bowl down and poured the breakfast blend into their cups, letting the tea steep. 

Drift coiled his long serpent body up and sat down across from him, the fire was close, but not between them. He nodded and leaned in, nudging Lifeline’s head in thanks but lingered for a moment, studying his son.

”It’s okay, it’s never a problem…”

Carrier’s face twisted with concern.

”It’s okay, it was a nightmare, I’m fine. I’ve always been fine.” 

The long pearl white dragon pulled back, accepting that answer, for now. They ate in quiet, like always. Which was normal for them, Lifeline didn’t mind it too much. It was peaceful in the morning, a slow wake up. It wasn’t always like this, but for now? 

He was okay with this.

He finished his meal and set the bowl into the shallow water, letting the crumbs soak. When the day was over, he’ll boil the sink. He watched the crumbs fall off the bowl, the sticky oats, the corn floated to the top, then the meat, that always got stuck in the drain. His blue eyes stared down into the sink, his indigo reflection stared back at him.

Red horns, strong jaw, blue eyes, ruby gold scales.

Lifeline blinked away from the sink, and shook his head. There was no time for this, none. He had work to do, teaching. “I’ll be back early, it’s a simple day, they’re working on their sewing skills, and we’re practicing on vegetables before we get some hides and scale sheds in. You’ll be in the mediation lounge?” He turned towards his Carrier.

He nodded, mouth still full of food.

”I’ll make sure to buy your favorite blend too, maybe we can have an early dinner? Play some games or read?”

Drift smiled, the same kindness and love he had since Lifeline could walk. The same pride and strength the lone dragon had. 

He pushed the front door opened, satchel hanging from his chest. “Bye Carrier,” Lifeline paused, then spun around and darted to Drift, hugging his Carrier. “Love you too.”

Drift nipped at his fluffy head and kissed his cheek. He never said it, but Drift always showed it, no matter what, Drift loved him too.

The day turned out to be pretty normal, the morning class worked on sewing their fruits first, oranges, strawberries, pineapples, then moved into more challenging vegetables pumpkins, squash, dried corn, oh they always hated corn. But Lifeline paced around looking at their sewing skills, showing them tricks to sew with ease. 

Funny how much sewing really mattered. It was one of the beginner classes, but this did help weed out where the healers would go next. Some would do more on hands skills and others would do more textbook work. Which this class took hours, it was by the time most of the students weren’t drooling over him (he already knew who had a crush on him), but their vegetables and fruit that Lifeline called lunch. 

Watching a whole lab flush out as starving dragons almost flung themselves out the window? That was funny. He passed by his class, still holding his satchel close to his chest, then he found his favorite spot, under an old oak tree. Lifeline curled up there and unpacked his lunch. 

It wasn’t anything special, a sandwich, honeycrisp apple, some nuts. He blew flames on his tea tumbler and let the water boil, then added his tea.

He did drink a lot of tea.

For the most part, Lifeline ate alone, or tried to, he kept to himself, even if that was almost impossible. When you’re the dragon lord’s son, and half drake, you get stared at. Then questioned, and poked and prodded. At least his students learned quickly that he wasn’t interested, there were a few others who seemed to need more…effort to understand.

“There he is.” 

Lifeline seethed at that voice, why did everyone need to search for him? Did he have white and red stripes? Sure. Was he an oddity between a drake and a dragon? Sure. Was his Carrier one of the rare Skywalker dragons that were claimed to be so pretty that dragons would go mad? Sure. Was he a child prodigy with his skills and knowledge? Sure.

But why? Why did every single break that his coworkers would sniff him out?

Pharma leaned down, his large wings held high into the sky. He was a Wyvern, a Seeker from Starscream’s tribe. He was older then Lifeline, he was Drift’s age. But still the arrogant Wyvern still loved to linger around him, to spend every moment he could annoying Lifeline. “Same lunch as always?”

He didn’t respond, taking a bite out of his sandwich. 

“You’re as quiet as your Carrier.” He hissed and flicked his tail. “How often do we do this? I come over, I ask how your day is, how your lunch is, and you just ignore me. Kinda rude.”

That’s the point, jackass.

It wasn’t bad enough that Pharma was Drift’s age, or that Pharma tried to court the Skywalker, but now he was trying his best to form some kind of relationship with Lifeline. He’s rather be on a date with Starscream himself, but someone was promised to that arrogant Seeker. 

Lifeline shifted away and took another bite out of his sandwich.

”Ugh, do you hate me?”

Yes, you’re a creep, and if we’re lucky someone creepier then you will handle you.

”I try so hard to be your buddy, and you just-“ Pharma groaned and puffed, walking on his two back legs and flapping his massive wings, kicking up dust, right into Lifeline’s lunch.

Great.

”Give it a break, Lifeline’s not a chatter box.” A much more soothing voice called out, one of his coworkers that wasn’t that annoying. Hook was older then all of them, some said he was part of Kup’s tribe. Hook brushed past Pharma. “Is that a honeycripst from your carrier’s private garden?!” He paused, his milky eyes gawking at the apple.

Lifeline nodded.

”I’ll trade you, I have a brownie, oh and some honey!” He dug up the brownie and the jar on honey.

Lifelike traded his apple, glad to see the old timer giddy and ripping into the apple. He tucked away the brownie and honey. 

Truthfully he didn’t mind Hook, he was always good company and didn’t talk too much, but mostly wasn’t a creep. Hook sunbathed with him, stretching out his whole body on the lush grass, purring contently in the sun. It wasn’t long that a few of the other staff joined in, Safety and Velocity flopped out. 

Lifeline sighed and watched his coworkers, picking up his rubbish, his lunch long gone.

He made his way into the market area, passing the fountain. It was only when he found Santon’s hulking tusks and large ears that he stopped.

Santon was once a fine warrior in battle, but once he was wounded he found his way here, he lost one of his wings, but found peace working with herbs and teas. He smiled down at Lifeline, already holding the tin full of Drift’s favorite tea.

Lifeline held up the brownie.

They traded, and Lifeline tucked the tea away. Not a single word was spoken, but there was a bond, a trust between them. Santon was one of the few dragons here that Lifeline would say was a friend. 

The day was winding down as he poked at the animal hides, the scales and fur. The class waited as he judged each one,  pulling apart their hides, some ripped, some held firm. He made notes and left each one next to their tests.  Some hissed, others whistled. Lifeline made his way through the lab, grading and giving reports. Finally he stood at the front of the class.

”Now, this isn’t a punishment for anyone, this is for your to hone your skills, some of you will have more hands on training, while others will be doing library research. And yes, now you can eat your fruits and vegetables, you’re excused.” He nodded and watched the class filter out, some already horking down their foods. A few students stopped by asking questions and he didn’t mind, waiting at the front, flipping through his notes and making more notes with his messy handwriting. Everything was simply the same.

Every day was the same routine, the same conversations, the same faces.

But why did he feel… off. 

Carrier would suggest it was an omen, the dream he had, maybe something bad lingered around the corner? But why, why would the omen be a once happy memory? 

Was something wrong with Drift?

Was their home in danger?

…Was something wrong with Ratchet?

His stomachs turned at that concept. It’d been years since he saw his Sire, even longer when they had a full conversation that wasn’t yelling. Maybe-no, no Ratchet choose his life, it was his choice, not Lifeline’s. Besides, Ratchet didn’t need him, he had First Aid, the perfect son, the perfect student, he even did better on sewing vegetables then Lifeline could ever do. First Aid is better.

So why would anyone want a son like Lifeline? 

He forced his mind to stop wandering, trying to push away the dreadful feeling. There was no point in lingering, the past is the past.

It was a normal day, the sun was slowly resting through the skies, and Lifeline pressed through the long halls, watching the world outside. Each window shined in, the warm rays of the sun painted everything in a yellow hue. He paused, staring outside, watching the sanctuary flourish.

The high red stone walls, the metal gates, the dome above. Inside whole families lived and breathed, their day to day was here. Dragons of every kind were welcomed, even some brave stray drakes joined their cozy life.

The gates would close soon, and guards would be posted, there was once a time those gates stayed open all day and night. But since the Overlord sighting, they were monitored, and closed as soon as the sunset. There was hardly a need for a Lord here, no chieftain, no leader, but Drift filled that role.

Drift was too weak to fight, he could hardly breathe fire, and his Carrier wasn’t allowed to battle! Lifeline wouldn’t allow it. So what if Drift used to be a brilliant fighter, he was a deadly dragon to cross paths with, so deadly that several bonding proposals were thrown out. The other dragons would turn tail and run as fast as they could once Drift’s snarling face appeared. But those days were long gone.

Besides, Lifeline would fight anyone who challenged his Carrier. He’ll protect the sanctuary, his coworkers, his only family member. That he could do.

His tail dragged through the halls and down the stairs, the spiral stairs that he used to ride when he was little. Passing chattering students, some dragons, a few drakes, even a Seeker from Starscream’s tribe. He let them be, he needed to start working on dinner. 

The heavy door clicked closed in their home, the bell chimed and he sighed, handing up his bag and digging out the tea. “I’m home!” He called out.

Drift’s wheezing hiss echoed out, a welcoming. 

“I got your favorite tea, did you want a mug?” He stepped into the kitchen, already knowing the answer, setting the fire and filling the kettle. 

Drift’s sleek frame appeared once more, he smiled down and nudged Lifeline’s head, nipping his ears in a kind greeting.

”Yea, yea, you’re welcome. I think some roasted chicken would be good, potatoes too?” He turned to his Carrier, holding up the pan and the sack of potatoes, funny enough they always took the longest.

Drift shook his head, and held up his paws.

”Oh, okay, you wanted to talk?” He set everything down on the table, taking his Carrier’s hands. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

You know you don’t have to take care of me, right?

“I know, I know,” He moved his fingers the same way back to his carrier, he learned this quickly, learned that Drift preferred to speak this way, well, when he wanted to speak. “But-“

No buts! You’re a young dragon, who shouldn’t be kept cooped up with me all day and night. Go out, have some fun, make some friends-

He groaned. “Carrier, I don’t need anyone, I don’t. Besides.” he clicked his tongue, his tail lashing back and forth, he couldn’t meet Drift’s eyes, blinking away the faint sting. “I’m a hybrid, I can’t sire or carry, so what’s the point?”

Drift whined. We don’t know that, you’re new, someone totally new. I can make my own dinner, go out! Go see what your students are doing, or see about your co-workers, I like Velocity, she’s nice.

“Pfft, she’s getting love notes from a dragon who makes mead in the foothills, I think he’s trying to flirt with her so when he goes blind from moonshine she can take care of him…I’m fine Carrier. I’m totally fine.” He pulled his hands back, forcing close their conversation. “How did you want your chicken?”

Suddenly he was scooped up, Lifeline squeaked and wiggled in Drift’s arms, yes he was short for a Skywalker, Drift was much longer. Warm kisses pressed his forehead and Lifeline stuck his tongue out, snapping curses and blushing as his Carrier swarmed him. He wasn’t a dragonet anymore! He didn’t need this treatment!  

”Fine, fine! Tomorrow, I’ll go out-Tomorrow, tomorrow, alright? Jeez, you’re scaring me!” He slithered out of Drift’s arms, shaking his head and his whole body shook too, shedding some hair and scales. “You’re freaking me out Carrier, I don’t need this after an omen-“ 

He regretted that. Any warmth vanished like steam on a cold morning.

Drift froze, hovering over him, cupping his face again, eyes wide.

”It was a dream, okay, a stupid old memory, nothing big.” He brushed it off, everything was fine, everyone was fine. 

This time his hands were pried away from the counter top.

What was it?

“…it’s that old memory, when we went skiing, well it was more like sledding…before… before he left.” He sank away from Drift.

Was anything off? Anything that stood out?

Lifeline shook his head. “No, no, nothing. It was…exactly the same, the race, the snarky comments, how he teased me-how he looked at you-“ He swallowed back the lump in his throat, blinking away the tears. “Please, there’s nothing wrong, no omen, just a dream.”

Drift huffed. I need to consult the stones and bones after dinner-no, I’ll do it now.

The kettle whistled behind them, and Drift swung around, pouring the same two mugs from this morning and handing Lifeline one, then pausing and nipping his son’s ear. 

“Okay, I’ll bring your dinner up, once it’s done…and I promise, I’ll go out tomorrow, okay? Now stop worrying, I’m not a dragonet anymore!” He brushed his Carrier aside, pushing him towards the way of his room.

Drift’s paws took his own once again. Never, I’ll never stop worrying about you. You’re my son and I love you. 

He smiled and nudged Drift. “Love you too. Let me know what the stones say.” 

There was a quiet peace to the world, the stars started to poke through the inky darkness, the moon hung heavy and low tonight. A gentle warm breeze rose up to the windows, dragonets played late only to be beckoned by their family. Winter would be there soon, the leaves would turn orange, then carpet the ground below them. 

Then the snow.

The dreadful white snow.

His deep laugh always haunted the snow, always lingered in the back of Lifeline’s skull. No matter what, he was part of Lifeline. A part he hated so deeply that it hurt. It hurts to want to smash your own horns in, to tattoo your red into gold. It hurt that he was half of Ratchet.

”I’m thinking too much about him,” Lifeline rested his head on the window cell, inhaling the forest scents that the wind carried. His reflection stared back at him, a ghost of his sire, the spitting image of his sire. Lifeline sat up, rubbing his tired eyes, he had grading to do, and a lesson to plan tomorrow, he had work. 

However the will to work, it wasn’t coming to him, like smoke he had to grasp it. Slowly he shook himself from the comfort of his papasan chair and lingered through the halls. Following the hints of incense and herbal teas. 

Carrier’s room was much different, there was an order, but there was madness. What once was a study was now Drift's; it was smaller than their original nesting room, but he made it work. Wool rugs lined the stone floor, colorful patterns, heavy curtains and fabric draped down the walls, several burning lanterns dangled from the ceiling, their flames flickering, the matches on the night stand. Comfortable cushions and plush blankets filled certain areas and the incense smoke stained the air. 

In the center was Drift, his tail twitched and flopped back and forth, his ears wiggling for any sound. He hovered over the carved symbols, in one of his paws he rocked the stones, tossing one into the carving, knocking the bones aside, watching them part. He narrowed his eyes and leaned in, his lips moving but no sound, his scales ruffled up. Drift sat back, grabbing a bundle of sage and lighting it, then setting it down next to him. Plucking some salt grains and tossing them into the triangle. Then he once again picked up the heavy stone, tossing it into the bones.

He would be the first one to admit this: he wasn’t the best at reading bones, or stones, or even omens, but he saw the symbols. Lifeline knew little of what took years for Drift to understand, but then decades to master it. “What do they say?”

His ears flattened and Drift frowned, he opened his mouth, a horse sound escaped him but he promptly shut his jaws, his paws rubbing the outside of his throat. Then held his mouth closed with his paws, tapping his claws.

”Carrier, please,” Lifeline leaned against Drift. He glanced down, his stomachs cringing at the sight.

The triangle had 4 pieces in it, a small bird ankle, a red horn shard, and two heavy iron marbles. Then the circle had mostly bones, a rabbit’s foot, and a pearl that was off center. 

Danger.

The air was sucked out his body and Lifeline felt as cold as the dead. This wasn’t a simple warning, no, this was a siren screaming their head off as a tsunami came crashing down on the rocks. A volcano exploding. A landslide waiting to happen. Dread lingered in the air.

Death was coming.

”…the pearl?” He didn’t want to think about it, didn’t want to worry. The pearl was pretty, old, elegant and glided with grace. There was only one answer to who the peal was.

Drift.

”Carrier, please, please, it’s just a dream, a memory.” He cupped Drift’s face.

Drift shook him off, grabbing another bone, tossing it in, watching it slide across the stone, smacking into one of the heavy stones. Then suddenly one of the stones knocked into the pearl, sending it out of the circle and into the triangle.

He felt sick.

Carrier wasn’t weak, sure he had a hard time blowing flames, he hasn’t fought in years, but he was still a skilled defender. Drift couldn’t die. He wouldn’t!

The front door knocked, they both jumped and Lifeline swallowed down his fears, pressing forward and opening the door.

Red Alert, she stood there, shaking, her whole body quivering. “We need your help Lifeline, it’s Lord Megatron, he’s hurt, really bad.”

”Carrier-“

Drift shoved him out, nipping his ears. A goodbye, and a love you in one. 

She did what she was told, that was a lesson she didn’t want to repeat. The heavy doors opened and Sari jumped back, hiding between Optimus’ front paws. Right away hot breath tickled her head and Optimus nudged her back, lowering his head to hide her. They could all smell it, the bitterness was on her tongue, like drinking a whole tree of lemons in one sip, and it only came from one drake.

Ratchet.

The doors opened and a warming light blanketed their group, the scent of herbs and mint hung in the air. Everything was tinted orange and welcoming, the ground was stonework, several buildings filled the fortress, some were smaller, others were massive. Only a few dragons lingered around this late at night.

There were two guards, big burly dragons, they inspected but then froze seeing Megatron’s still frame. One of them stilled, muttered a curse, then spun and bolted into the sanctuary, the other grunted putting his back into the doors and opening them wide. “Inside, now.”

Ratchet held his breath, a faint tremor down his spine, his tail tucked firmly between his legs. Each step his body lowered itself to the ground.

Sari watched from below Optimus, then scuttled over to Bumblebee and climbed up onto his back. The tension was thick, and unsettling, she could feel the energy in the air. Yet she stared at her Carrier, Megatron’s breathing was shallow, he was resting now, but he was chatty before, now…now he hasn’t moved.

“What!” A dragon called out, rushing like a raging current during a flash flood, he was long, serpent like, red stripes and a fluffy back line, red horns. Very familiar red horns.

Ratchet wheezed, licking his lips as his breathing got heavier, his claws curled into the ground.

The dragon rushed past them, stomping towards Megatron and cupping his face. “Bad-erm, can you move fast? We need to prep the operating room, Red Alert wake up Velocity and Pharma. I need her claws and Pharma’s herbs.”

”I can move,” Optimus stared at the strange dragon, they all did, who couldn’t stare at him?

He is the spitting image of Ratchet but less belly and longer. “Good, talk to me,” He spun and snapped at Ratchet, he towered over Ratchet, flashing dangerous fangs. If the dragon wanted to he could topple over Ratchet, and for a brief moment he looked like he wanted to. He led them forward, almost running, Optimus hot on his tail. Ratchet limping behind.

”He was attacked-“

”No shit!” 

Their grumpy healer winced as if he was struck. “There’s an infection in his lower belly, lots of scar tissue, internal bleeding-“ Ratchet panting out, struggling to keep pace with the snarky dragon. ”He fought Ultra Magnus and Sentinel, but he already had bandages from Knockout-“

”Someone, send smoke-fire signals to Knockout, knowing him-well depending on Breakdown, he might be here in the morning.” The dragon stomped on, only slowing to a large building, ripping open a door, waving them in. 

Another two dragons landed, one purples and blues a sea dragon? Then a Wyvern, who promptly froze seeing Ratchet.

Optimus charged into the room. “Where do you-?”

”Table, there belly up. Velocity I need a liquid drip. Pharma lights.” He started to cut the bindings holding Megatron in place, then pushed the large dragon over onto the table. Together Optimus and the dragon flipped Megatron, belly up. Megatron groaned. “Good sign,”

Ratchet hung back, peering into the room. ”What can I-“

”What you’re good at-NOTHING!” The dragon snarled at Ratchet, shoving him out, then waving Optimus out. 

“But-Lifeline, I can-“

Smoke billowed out of his nose and he snarled, he opened his mouth, then hissed and slammed the door shut. The slam was so loud that everyone jumped, even Sari did sinking her claws into Bumblebee’s back.

Ratchet flinched and his tail dropped. He stared at the door for a moment, maybe he was hoping it’d open. It was a weird sight, for as long as Sari had known Ratchet (which admittedly wasn’t that long), she’d never seen him recoil, or back down, always a sharp tongue, a snarky comment. But here he was broken, a shamble of his real self, it was depressing. Instead the healer turned away, watching the ground as he walked back to the group. “He’s in good hands.”

”Erm, Doc, who is that?” Bumblebee spoke up, Sari watched from his shoulders, she undid her claws and climbed down, muttering an apology.

Ratchet clicked his tongue, once more looking back at the doors, a pained expression on his face. “That’s Lifeline, my first son.”

The group froze, everyone stared at the old healer, billions of questions buzzing around them, each one lingering on their tongue. Sari sank down, her ears pointed towards the closed doors.

The waiting room was comfortable, where normally she would be sprawled out on the papasan chair, or chugging the chai tea, or doing a puzzle. But now? Right now she couldn’t sit still. She paced, and paced, tapping her claws and fluffing her wings, even plucking a few of her baby feathers.

”Sari,” Optimus scooped her up, plopped her down in his arms and started to nip and clean her. Fussing, Optimus liked to fuss. “You’re filthy.”

She wasn’t sitting still, how could she? Sari wiggled in his arms, flopping her wings out and trying to escape, only to have Optimus pull her back in. “I’m fine-“

”You’re not, it’s the middle of the night, you haven’t had any supper, and haven’t had anything to drink.” Optimus fussed over her, pouring a cup of tea and pushing it towards her. 

Sari turned away from the cup. “I’m not hungry, or thirsty.”

”But you’re a dragonet-“

”Shut up!” She lost it, spinning around and fluffing up her scales, the cup of tea spilt onto the plush rugs.

Optimus coiled back, that hurt, maybe more than fighting his own conjux.

Bulkhead lingered behind her. ”Hey, Sari he’s just trying to-“

“It’s been hours, and we have nothing! My Carrier could be dead and-“ The lump in her throat doubled, her eyes stung. She wanted to run, she wished she could fly. But most of all, she wanted to be back home, back in her nest, next to Megatron, listening to his deep rumbles. She didn’t even want to be in her nest, she wanted to curl up against Carrier, she wanted to feel safe, to be held and cared for. 

She just wanted to know if he was going to be okay.

Sari stumbled and fell on her butt, her body finally giving out, exhaustion, anxiety colliding within her. Hot tears finally sprung from her eyes, and she sobbed. For so long she tried to ignore it, tried so hard to be strong, to not worry. She played with Bumblebee, she mocked Ratchet, and climbed Bulkhead, then failed at hide and seek with Jazz. But now?

She wanted her Carrier.

Large blue arms wrapped around her and she let herself be dragged back in, Optimus held her, the exact same way he did when they first met.  He was still warm, and he rumbled. And far too kind. Why was he so kind? Anyone else would’ve lashed out at her. Anyone else would’ve snapped back at her.

Not Optimus.

Never Optimus.

”Think you can drink?” He rested his huge head next to her’s.

“N-no.” She knew she’d throw it back up, instead she curled up against him, he wasn’t Megatron, he didn’t snort in his sleep, he didn’t smell like mushrooms, but he was there.

Optimus hummed, he didn’t try to preen her, but he still rumbled. “Does anyone have a good story? Something?”

The rest of their ragtag group seemed to settle, well everyone accept Ratchet. He wasn’t doing too good. Jazz seemed to be the most relaxed, fully sprawled out on several cushions, belly up, and chugging tea, but there was a tell to him, his eye was twitching. Even if he had poor eyesight, he still used his eyes. Then there was Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who hovered over a puzzle. Bulkhead's movements were slow, careful, he matched the colors with ease and piece the puzzle together. Shockingly Bumblebee was horrible with puzzles, he tried piece after piece, maybe they would stick together, maybe he forced them together. That was their third puzzle that night.

Bumblebee might be the bravest or the dumbest drake Sari had ever met, well besides Sentinel. “Can we PLEASE talk about the elephant in the room?” He tossed his paws up, pieces flinging up into the air. 

“But we’re working on a rhino, not an elephant.” Bulkhead commented.

”No, not that. About Lifeline?! Are you going to talk, Ratchet? Or should I ask your (which this shouldn’t be possible) more ticked off offspring? We all saw him wanting to crunch your face off. Also when did you have a clutch with a dragon? Who could possibly like you enough to even want to have your clutch? I mean, have another clutch with you?” 

“Bee,” Bulkhead hissed, grabbing his friend’s horn and pulling him over likea  scolded pup. “Rude.”

”What?! I want to know-“

Ratchet finally moved from his spot, he too didn’t have any tea, or anything to eat, instead he shuffled into a corner, turned away from their group and skulked. Finally after hours, he lifted his head but didn’t turn to them. “His Carrier is Drift, one of the deadliest dragons I’ve ever met, a Skywalker who used to be a bounty hunter. He was known for taking down dragons and drakes who disrespected the law, he even left his tribe abandoning his post to be bonded off.” Ratchet swallowed and a shiver raced down his spine. “Drift is the most bewildering creature I’ve ever met.”

Everyone’s face scrunched up.

”Huh?” Even Optimus was confused.

The healer groaned and slumped back into a broken pile. “At any moment, he’ll find me. The last time we spoke, he promised he’ll kill me. I wouldn’t even fight him on it either, death is too good of a punishment.” 

The fire in the center of the room crackled, the flames danced. Colorful patterns and lanterns hung in the shadows. It might’ve been the most comfortable waiting room, but right now? It was full of old ghosts.

Sari blinked, her eyes were dry, and she finally took a cup of tea, gulping it down. 

“You can’t just say that!” Jazz finally snapped, sitting up. “What do you mean he’s going to kill you? Why does your son hate you so much? What’s the history?”

Ratchet croaked, opening his mouth.

Lifeline stomped in, his movements weren’t as controlled as they were before, he wasn’t graceful, far from it. It was truthfully shocking to her, Lifeline was a younger Ratchet. Handsome face, bright red horns, a long red and gold pin stripe down his ribs to his tail, fur that lined his spine. But he was a Skywalker, or half of one. A secretive tribe that Sari had only seen a few times, only at meetings. Lifeline sneered at Ratchet as he passed his Sire, pouring himself a cup of tea and sitting back, greedily gulping it down, his golden eyes inspecting everyone in the room. Landing for a moment on Sari, then to Optimus. He pulled the cup from his jaws and licked his lips. “I won’t hurt her, if you’re concerned.”

Sari blinked up, finding Optimus hovering over her, his fangs flashing, his friendly rumble turned into a warning snarl. “I’m not letting you hurt anyone.” 

Lifeline’s ear twitched. “There’s more than one way to hurt someone, right? Ratchet?”

Ratchet stared at him, eyes wide, he shrunk down, tail tucked.

Lifeline shook his head and snorted, then stretched, his spine popping and he yawned. There were bags under his eyes, how long had he been awake? “Good news or bad news?”

”Good,” Sari perked up, she tried to scuttle out of Optimus’ arms.

Lifeline blinked down at her, tilting his head to the side. “Huh, good to see you again, a little smaller than I’d like to admit, but still, healthy. The surgery was a success, the bleeding has stopped, and we were able to preserve almost everything. Right now he’s resting, and can’t have any visitors. But we do have some temporary accommodations for drakes.”

Hope bloomed in her chest, Carrier was okay! “The bad?”

The elegant dragon twisted his jaws into a frown. “He needs time, and supplies, but there’s an infection, it’s spread throughout most of his body. Right now he’s on 24 hour watch…there’s a chance he won’t make it through the night.”

Optimus whined. “He was fine, literally moving all around a few hours ago, what could’ve changed?”

Lifeline’s shoulder’s slumped. “…It’s not common but when someone is close, very close to death, they might have a brief few hours or even minutes where they appear fine, even healthy and aware. We call his Terminal Lucidity. Think of it as one last push before they pass. We often see this with single Carriers or Sires, some speculate that it’s a defense to protect their clutches.”

The room was quiet.

”So he wasn’t getting better.” Ratchet whispered.

Lifeline shook his head. “We’ve done everything we can-“

Sari scrambled out of Optimus’ arms, she was fast, bolting through the wait room and into the halls, chasing the scent of the night air.

”Sari!” Optimus was on her tail.

She blindly ran, through the hospital, rushing past slow moving nurses, towards the darkness. She ran as fast as she could.

The doors were pushed open and she bolted to the night, then left, into the inky blues and blacks. 

“Sari!” Optimus called out into the night, his ears pricked. “Sari, please!”

Her eyes stung, and she shivered, running through the maze of buildings, only to stumble into another one, slamming face down into the ground. “Carrier,” She sobbed and curled up. Megatron was dying. Her Carrier was dying and she couldn’t do anything! Her stomach hurt, hot heavy tears raced down her face. She wanted to  go back, not follow her Carrier, not hide in a tree, never meet that stupid smug Sentinel. Then maybe then he’d be okay?

Someone nudged her.

”Go away.” She sobbed, hugging herself. It was all her fault, all her stupid fault! Maybe if she listened? Or maybe if she wasn’t such a hard clutch? Or maybe if she wasn’t even here?

Hot breath tickled her and she swiped them away. “Please, leave me.”

There was a faint huff, then a hum as she was scooped up in warm arms, Sari didn’t even know this dragon, but he smelled familiar, herbs and incense. He moved like a gentle summer spring. Sari caved and sobbed into his chest, swallowing back bile and tears. 

“It’s my fault, it’s all my fault. I’m so stupid!”

The dragon hummed and walked through the house, there was a tune, a soft one. One that soothed her, one that Megatron used some times when she was sick, she knew this one.

The dragon slumped down and coiled around her, brushing away her tears and softly singing. His voice was smokey, and cracked, but still sang. It was soothing. She accepted it, and sobbed, crying harder than she ever had in her whole life. Even when she couldn’t cry anymore, she still hugged him. 

“It’s okay, you’re okay.” He finally spoke, voice scratchy.

Sari stared up at the dragon. “Do I know you?”

He smiled down at her, ruffling her baby feathers. “You hardly fit in my hand once, it’s good to see you again, Sari.” 

She stared at the Skywalker. “When?”

He laughed softly, every movement was soft, everything about him was soft. “I held you as an egg, then as you hatched. I stayed up all night making sure you were okay. I even used to sing to you, you were so restless, glad to see that hasn’t changed.”

She sniffled and held him tighter. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”

”It’s okay, it’s good to see you again. I’m Drift.” He leaned down and brushed his head against her’s. A kindness, a greeting. She held onto him, inhaling his scent. She knew she was safe here, she couldn’t explain it all, but she knew this dragon. Even if he wasn’t her Carrier, he felt like home. 

“Sari!”

The voices were getting louder, calling out for the little dragonet shouting at the top of their lungs in the middle of the night. Even now they rang out into his humble abode, Drift’s ears pricked. Seems like the little dragonet has cause quite a stir in a few hours here. Then again, that is Megatron’s reputation. Who else would fight their own conjux while carrying to protect their friends? 

Drift sighed and blinked his sleepy eyes, he’ll admit it, he was avoiding him. It was like taking his own medicine, it tasted horrible, slid down his throat and made his tongue sticky for hours. The aftertaste? That’s the worst part.

But in the end, it was good-right?

Was this a good decision? Surely he couldn’t let Lifeline handle the situation all on his own. Drift was the dragon lord here, it was his responsibility.

Sari reeked of that cocky, snarky grumpy healer he once knew.

”Sari!” They were getting closer.

Defeated he leaned down, nipping her ear, she twitched but didn’t stir. Drift slowly uncoiled away from the fire, bending his long body in a way that didn’t drop Sari. The little orange dragonet was still cradled, she didn’t even wiggle. Poor thing was so worn out from the past few days, she might sleep all day tomorrow.

Using his long snout he pushed against hte circle glass, inhailing the musky scents of the night air. Then Drift rested his nose out the window, smelling the drake scent in the winds.

”Sari! Where could she have gone? I wasn’t fast enough-“

”Boss, don’t worry, we’re tracking her. I know she’s close.”

He couldn’t see out, instead he inhaled. Lifeline’s sterile scent, then there were 5 other scents, dirt, swamp, dessert sands and a slight fire scent, drakes? Where they all drakes?

Ratchet’s scent was frail, old, aged like cobwebs and dust bunnies.

”Lifeline.” He called out, his horse voice cutting into the darkness like a spirit from beyond. When was the last time he spoke? It was still scratchy, his throat still had the scars.

The group stopped trotting. 

“Carrier?” 

“She’s up here, little thing is so worn out.”

Suddenly the front door was slammed open, someone ran up the stairs, stomping with each step. He was large, his shadow loomed on the wall. The drake swarmed in, his pale blue face and red scales, his eyes were wide with fear.  He was massive for a drake, but still shrimp if he was a dragon, what a weird hump on his back. He turned towards them, not even acknowledging Drift, instead rushing towards Sari.

He was faster. He darted out and snapped at the large drake, snapping his jaws, spitting on him.

He was still young, the drake fumbled back, then cowered like a scared hatchling. 

“Carrier!” Lifeline rushed in, passing the drake and nudging his head against Drift’s. “You’re speaking?”

Drift nipped his ear. “How else can you sing to a dragonet?” He didn’t want to think about it, that this whole time he could’ve spoken, that his throat still worked, but-but he couldn’t. It was too painful to think, to give the world his voice, even if he wanted to sing to Lifeline every night. He was too fragile to even say the basic ‘Love you’ to his son.

His son deflated, almost crumbling, he was exhausted, his limbs were heavy and made of stone, his eyes dull, and his tail dragged. But he smiled down at Sari. “Little girl scared us.”

He hummed and slumped back, coiling around Sari, he leaned over Lifeline watching the drake, the weird looking drake. Their eyes met, and the leaned his head down, resting it to the ground, an apology? Seems like some drakes still had manners. “You’re centrally too young to be her Sire, but you act like one. You should know better then to charge into a Carrier’s nest?”

”I’m sorry.” If the drake leaned anymore he’ll summersault, it was almost comical seeing the bright colorful drake push all his weight on his skull.

Drift heard them, the other’s coming up the stairs. “You’re forgiven, you’re big enough to grab something for me. See that cabinet, with the spices growing out of it?”

He turned and nodded.

”On the top of that, there’s a box, it’s wrapped in bee’s wax cloth.”

”This one?” He held up a tiny box. 

“Erm, no, but leave that one down, the other one.”

He held the box in his hands, handing it to Drift. The rest of his group started to filter in, a large green drake, a smaller yellow one, then a black and white drake. Ratchet was behind them, still on the stairs, still a coward, still too ashamed to show his face.

Drift hummed and slid his claw under the wax cloth, popping open the box. It truthfully was tiny, they had to cut a normal clutch blanket down to size. But he remembered it like yesterday. The long hours he stayed up with Megatron and kept Sari warm, how he’s listen to every move, ever possible sound the egg could make. It still smelled of her baby coat, still had some of her fluffy golden feathers. “Drake-you, your name?”

”Optimus.”

”Optimus, lay on your side, tail curled up, belly exposed, no curled more, like a croissant-yep.” Drift grabbed a plush pillow and tossed it into Optimus’ lap. Then he grabbed the blanket, it could hardly cover Sari’s face now, but still. Drift then laid Sari there, instantly she rolled closer to Optimus. He draped the blanket over he head. But something was missing. “Wings-Megatron had huge wings.” He spun around grabbing another blanket from the hope chest, then stretched out the blanket over Optimus weird hump, and over Sari. Fully throwing the dragonet into darkness. “There.”

Optimus blinked, watching Sari wiggle then finally settle against him. “How did you know that’d work?” 

He laughed. “You act like a Sire, but you’re certainly no Carrier. I knew that’s work because she hatched here, I watched her hatch and almost ripped Megatron off the medical berth so he could watch. It’s her hatchling blanket.” He bragged, proudly sticking out his chest, how many clutches did he help? Or how many nights did he stay up tending to a weak clutch?

The drake smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

”Carrier?” Lifeline pressed past him, pushing himself between Drift and the drakes. Always acting like he was the adult, always trying to shield Drift-he did care, too much. His son needed his own life.

”I’m fine, go rest, you’re going to fall asleep while standing again, and you know your joints won’t be happy. Go, go.” He shoved his son through the door. “They’ll stay here for the night, I’d rather not wake up Sari.”

His son frowned.

Drift nipped his ear. “Sleep or I’ll chase you through his house with your own hatchling blanket. And I will embresse you at work.”

Lifeline hissed and stalked up the stairs, leaving Drift alone with their guests. The Skywalker listened to the door close, then lock, yep, Lifeline wasn’t happy that Ratchet was back. Neither of them were. But they would discuss it in the morning.

They didn’t look too good, each of them was covered in dirt, grime and smelled of the swamps. Some even still has spider webs on their horns. What a shabby crew. No doubt they’re from Ultra Magnus’ tribe, that insane drake let them leave?

He’d do anything to get his claws on Ultra Magnus’ throat.

Drift only sighed and turned to his hope chest, opening it and pulling out cushions and blankets. He’d have to clean them in the morning, they were filthy. “Rest here, and in the morning you’re all going to the hot springs after a bath.”

Each one grabbed something and started to form a loose nest around Optimus. Too tried to do anything else, Optimus was already resting his eyes, but cracked one open as each of his party nestled against him. The large green drake rested against Optimus’ back, the yellow on Optimus’ head and closest to Sari. Finally the slim drake coiled up against Optimus’ butt, resting his head on the drake’s huntches. Who knew drakes liked to cuddle?

Drift did.

He waited, blowing out candles and snuffing the fire, drawing curtains and letting the group rest. Drift lingered in the doorway, waiting. Expecting the limping drake to finally grow a pair and walk up the stairs.

 Drift waited, and waited. Ratchet never learned manners. Drift wanted to sleep in, but he needed to read the bones again, maybe now things had changed? Sure Ratchet had returned but-but he was old and frumpy. But why now? Why did the bones tell him Ratchet was coming? What was going to happen?

At hte bottom of the stairs, by the door was him. There he was. After all theses years, it was Ratchet. Old tired, grumpy, still the same red horns, the broken one, the scars. The healer stilled, holding his breath, he stared up at Drift with fear, then there was something else.

Drift didn’t want to know what else could be going rough Ratchet’s mind.

Why did he have to look at Drift like that, like there was hope, that there was a future, that somehow everything bad could be fixed?

Drift turned away, trotting up the stairs into the darkness. Away from his old lover. 

Then he finally heard it, the limping steps, they weren’t behind him, not directly, but they were close. He shut his eyes and opened his own door, it was his study, and his nest. Their old room was blocked off, boarded up, he didn’t even move their nest into his new room. Instead he made a new one, a smaller one.

A nest for one.

Drift stepped in, welcoming the smoke from the inscents, the tea, the cozy little world he made all by himself. 

Ratchet paused behind him, poking his head into the dinning room, check on his friends. But he didn’t stop there, didn’t do the smart thing and curl up against Optimus. No he limped after Drift.

Drift clenched his jaw and forced his claws to stay in, forced himself to not lash out. He sat by the bones, picking up Ratchet’s horn shard, the pearl, the heavy stones. Then a blue piece glimmered out of the pile of trinkets. It was a strange stone, it shined in the dim light. 

“Drift.” Ratchet’s voice was ragged, like a cat tore up his throat. The drake lingered in the door way, leaning against one side.

He snorted an sat, tracing the patterns in the floor. “Ratchet.”

His ex cringed. “Your voice-“

”Tends to happen when you try to turn someone into glass while yelling at the top of your lungs.” He rolled the pearl, watching it circle once again into the triangle, confrontation. 

Ratchet clicked his tongue. “Erm, Lifeline is-“

”Flawless, perfect, probably the best son you ever had? Although First Aid is always welcomed back.”

Ratchet hissed. “So, you know?”

He snorted smoke out of his nose. “Contrary to believe, not all Skywalker are morons. I can see when you’ve bred another.” Tossing the two heavy stones, they rolled and clashed against each other, the larger smashed into the pearl. Drift winched.

The air was tense, almost like a storm.

”…Did you-want to talk?”

He finally turned to Ratchet, turned to the drake that left him, the drake that he chose over his planned future, the drake he left his home for, his tribe, the single little drake that was a tree branch that he tripped over. “Everyone is sleeping, and we both know it won’t be a conversation. If you don’t want to get thrown down those stairs, then it would be in your best interest to know your place. Understood?”

Ratchet opened his mouth, then shut it, then he did something that Drift had never seen. He rested his head to the ground, bowing in respecting. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but…I’m sorry.” He finished turning and leaving, his tail shut the door behind him. His heavy limping steps echoed up to Drift.

Drift inhaled, then exhaled. Returning to the stones and bones, then tossing in Ratchet’s horn. Unlike before it didn’t bounce off of the large stone, instead it the red horn splinter jutted out against the large stone, pushing it away from the pearl. He hummed in thought and leaned in, staring  at the little red splinter, the one that he took from Ratchet. “So things have changed, interesting." 

Chapter Text

The doors closed, they shut with an echo, the lock setting in place, the iron doors were snug tight, they would be impenetrable once closed. No one in and no one out.

Perfect.

The forest around him was dark and it rustled as the chilly wind rocked the side of the mountain. It was night, and now was when he could freely travel, no one would see him, even dragons had a hard time seeing him. Which was good, especially when you trained your whole life to be an assassin.

What would his tribe think now?

He was already banished from his home, sure most Skywalkers were once they left and took a mate who wasn’t another Skywalker. Deadlock did. And Prowl did the same.

But it wasn’t by choice.

Once Deadlock vanished with the chubby drake, there was no other choice. Lockdown was getting impatient and they needed to do something. So yes, Prowl offered himself, to keep his tribe safe.

Then they shared hearts.

Then they left.

It was a transaction, there was no deeper feeling between the two of them, maybe one reckless night, or a snarky joke.  But nothing.

Lockdown was a good teacher, and Prowl did learn a lot. How to sneak around without being scented, how to trick dragons, and even throw his voice. Which was helpful until he met Jazz.

The drake was an oddity, one that Prowl underestimated. A blink drake leading a group of stragglers across the desert? It was already a weird sight, but then the moment those long sharp ears pointed towards him, Prowl knew Jazz was a challenge. How could Jazz hear him? He held his breath, he avoided anything grass, any loose rocks. And time after time Jazz knew he was there!

Prowl slapped his tail hard on the earth, snorted flames from his nose. It wasn’t fair! How could he be out matched by a tiny, little drake?! A blind one who was cocky enough to threaten him?

Naturally Prowl knew he needed to kill the drake, strike now, or he’ll be a bigger problem later. 

But that was the other problem, those gates.

Skywalkers weren’t common, and the moment Prowl slipped in, Deadlock would know. And admittedly he didn’t want to handle Deadlock, or his hybrid spawn. Who knows what skills Lifeline knew, what a hybrid was like in battle?

The gates were one problem.

Naturally the problem would be Megatron himself, but the dragon was dying,  so what? Sure a single Carrier could do some damage to him, but Prowl was slick, he’d escape. Megatron was dying, so it was easier?

NOPE!

Optimus was the bigger hitter. Literally! If he wasn’t starved growing up he’d be the size of his sire. And his sire is Overlord! So trying to kidnap Sari from Overlord’s son, who again, Overlord, the zombie dragon, who scared even  Megazarak away, it was all impossible! 

Once again Prowl breathed a sigh, his shoulders slumped and he rolled his head. Breaking in was impossible, fighting Deadlock and Lifeline was stupid, then tempting Optimus aka the spawn of probably one of the most dangerous dragons that scared every tribe?

If he was smart, well cruel, he’d have stolen Sari in the desert and gave her to her sire. But he wasn’t! He did something good, something kind, something that wasn’t killing, or thieving, no he helped someone! 

“Prowlie~!”

He hated that nickname, Prowl pinned his ears back and grumbled. “I’m here.”

Lockdown hummed, slipping next to him, his needle thin fangs pointed out, his strange looking body sat down next to Prowl. This dragon was another enigma, his body was so mixed up that Prowl wasn’t sure what he was looking at. In some way he looked like a Skywalker, then a Lighting Rider, Lava Mover, Gem Eater, even a Flame Thrower. His tail was too long, his snout was short, strong chin, double the fangs, one set was thin and long, the other was thick. His claws were curled in, rang horns, a line of hair an spikes down his spine. His eyes were mismatched, he had weird tattoos on his body. “What’s the report?”

That’s right, this was a transaction.

Not like Lockdown had his heart in his chest. 

“She’s in there, locked up, Deadlock is the tribe chief, Lifeline is unknown, Megatron is in critical condition, and there’s the problem of the Lighting Rider.” Prowl tapped his claws.

”You had a job, steal a dragonet from a bunch of flightless drakes, and you couldn’t?” Lockdown sneered at him.

”Excuse me, but that’s a Lighting Rider who is acting like her sire, not any Lighting Rider, but Overlord’s son, and you want to waltz up and snag the dragonet who he’s adopting? Have you considered that he’s hauling Megatron up the side of a mountain? Do you have any idea how strong he is? If he had wings right now he’d be fighting Megazarak just to flirt with Megatron? He’d kill me with a snap of his jaws, and he can’t even fit his whole mouth around my neck.” Prowl tossed his front paws up. “If it’s so easy, you go steal a dragonet? You want her as some sick hide in your cave, she’s not even that special, she's a runt and a weird color, yippie-URK!”

Those claws were wrapped around his throat, and squeezed, Prowl gasped but no air was going in, none was coming out. Lockdown towered over him, hissing smoke from his jaws. “I left you with one job, a simple job, grab the brat, and you failed?!” 

The world spun as he was flung across the clearing, his frame smashing into a tree. Prowl inhaled, grabbing at his throat.

Lockdown’s smoke made his eyes water and Prowl coughed, those dangerous jaws were inches away from his face. “Get her to me, or else.” He snapped, spit flinging to the rocks below.

There it was, the faint deadly hiss as the spit melted the rocks.

He nodded and sat up. “I-I’ll get her.”

Lockdown snorted and spun around. “I need something on my wall, your hide or her’s.” He stomped off, his large bat like wings stretching out into the night sky, and he flung himself into air.

Prowl laid there for a moment, rubbing the bruises that were forming.

His life or Sari’s?

There was one other hidden factor that Prowl didn’t consider. Jazz. How can he sneak past Jazz?

Can’t blind him, he’d hear Prowl sneaking around somehow, and scent, Jazz was a good stalker, he could scent Prowl miles away.

Easier option was dying. 

Death was easy.

Very easy.

Slowly he picked himself up, turned back to the red walls, his tail sank. 

How do you kidnap a dragonet?