[Robots and Magic] New Memories, Old Enemies

4. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘴𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯

While driving through the silent roads, a structure loomed in the distance, right in the middle of nowhere. The convoy slowed as they approached, coming to a stop just outside the rundown building. One by one, the Decepticons transformed back into their towering robotic forms, their frames shifting with each movement. The Dazzlings followed suit, climbing out of their old minibus with varying expressions of wonder.

Before them stood an abandoned warehouse, by the looks of it, with all the charm of a post-apocalyptic movie set. The roof was mostly in shambles, with jagged gaps allowing the moonlight to pour through in fragmented beams. Vines and other hardy plants had taken over the structure, crawling up the walls and winding around rusted columns, as though nature had long ago decided to reclaim what humanity had forgotten.

The once-mighty industrial windows lining the walls were now shattered or caked in grime. Graffiti covered every available surface, telling stories of long-gone vandals. Among the debris were wooden pallets, rusted barrels and old containers, all of which had clearly been left to rot. A forklift sat in the corner of the room, its once-functional machinery now little more than a skeleton of grime and rust.

It looked like it hadn't moved in years. The ground was a patchwork of cracked concrete and unruly vegetation, with puddles of stagnant water reflecting the gray sky and decaying roof above. The sight was a stark reminder of how time, and nature, could so easily reclaim anything man-made.

Aria wrinkled her nose in disgust as she glanced around, taking in the desolate scene, "This is our secret spot?" she kicked a rusty, empty spray can with the heel of her boot, the tinny clatter echoing in the cavernous space, "What a dump."

Sonata, on the other hand, was far less critical. Her wide gaze scanned the massive interior, clearly more impressed by the sheer size than the state of the building itself, "And it's so big!" she exclaimed as she darted further into the warehouse.

The wolfcon stepped forward as he surveyed the construction with a measured look, "It may not offer the greatest luxuries but it provides something far more valuable. Security. No one will find us here."

Everyone else followed him inside, their footsteps crunching on wreckage as they ventured deeper into the decayed structure. The blue siren raced ahead to the center of the room. She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Echooo!" her shout bounced back at them, distorted by the empty space, "Yep, no one's here."

As the others explored their new hideout, Fracture, standing off to the side, subtly activated the release mode on his shoulder-pads. In a smooth motion, his two mini-cons, Airazor and Divebomb, detached and landed nimbly on the cracked concrete floor. With a casual wave of his servo, the bounty hunter gestured towards the group, "Go introduce yourselves to our new companions, boys." he said with amusement. His optics lingered on Aria, who was watching her little sister, "Make sure to leave a good first impression, especially for the 'hard to get' one over there." his dermas curled into a sly grin, directing slightly to the violet female, "She's gonna be with us for a while."

Airazor and Divebomb exchanged quick nods of understanding before dashing off to the purple girl. Their small frames darted across the debris and the instant Aria heard the unfamiliar clatter of their pointy pedes and digits, she glanced over her shoulder, her face falling into a look of irritation as she spotted the two diminutive robots heading her way.

"Great..." she muttered under her breath, her expression souring, "There's more of you?"

Airazor, the more brash of the two, grinned as he stepped closer, "You must be boss's new human pet!" he chirped as if he were offering her a compliment.

The siren's face darkened instantly, her glare sharp enough to cut steel, "Pet?" she repeated slowly and dangerously through her teeth.

Before he could dig himself into a deeper hole, Divebomb shoved his overeager brother aside, "What he meant to say was—" he nervously chuckled, "It's an absolute pleasure to meet you, Miss Blaze. Such wonderful news to know we will be working together, side by side. I'm Divebomb."