[Robots and Magic] New Memories, Old Enemies ✓

5. 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦-𝘵𝘰-𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴

During the time Fracture and his mini-cons worked meticulously on their assigned tasks, Steeljaw and Adagio remained deep in conversation, each strategizing for the future. The rest of the pack and the sirens busied themselves with their own activities, creating a hum of scattered movement throughout the hideout. Thunderhoof, however, had grown restless. The longer he sat idle, the more his irritation built up.

Finally, with a huff of impatience, the blue mech made up his mind. He stretched his massive servos and headed to the exit, his hooved pedes stomping heavily against the floor. Before he could step outside, he was stopped by Underbite, who was lounging lazily nearby, his jaws crunching on a pile of discarded metal cans he'd scavenged from around the corner, "Where do ya think you're goin'?" he asked, his mouth full of scrap metal as he glanced up.

"Tell Steeljaw I'm takin' a walk. Comm me if there's anythin' important." Thunderhoof said, waving a dismissive servo over his shoulder-pad, clearly uninterested in engaging in any conversation. He didn't wait for the Chompazoid's response, nor did he turn around. He was already halfway out the door, his processor set on getting some peace and quiet.

Little did he know, a pair of curious eyes had been watching him from a distance.

The forest was quiet, save for the rhythmic pounding of Thunderhoof's hooves as he trudged through the underbrush, seeking solitude. The tall trees and dense foliage provided the isolation he craved but his thoughts were quickly interrupted by a familiar, cheerful voice.

"Where are we going?"

He froze mid-step, startled by the sudden sound. He whirled around, his optics blazing with surprise. Standing just a few feet behind him was Sonata, grinning up at him with innocent curiosity, "Eyo, are yous crazy?!" he barked, stomping his hoof against the ground in frustration, causing a tremor that made the leaves on the nearby trees rustle, "I could've stomped on ya!"

She rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you. I just thought it'd be fun to tag along!"

Thunderhoof glared down at her, "Why are ya followin' me anyway? Ain't got somethin' better to do?"

"Aren't we supposed to stick together? I mean- Steeljaw assigned us to be partners." she reminded, her expression brightening, "And I thought you might want some company! We could even get to know each other better! Like, what's your favorite color? Bet it's blue. Mine too!"

"Oh, for Onyx's sake..." he muttered under his vent as he processed the excitable siren's rambling, clearly not in the mood for idle chatter, "Listen, kid-" he cut her off, lifting his massive servo in a gesture that was half-warning, half-plea, "That wolfcon may be flappin' his intake all he wants but that doesn't mean ya gotta stay on my tail the 'ole time."

Sonata blinked up at him, her wide gaze full of confusion. For a moment, Thunderhoof thought his words might have finally gotten through to her. But then her face brightened once more, "Oh! That reminds me- where is your tail? Aren't you supposed to be like, half-robot deer or something? Actually- that's fine, I don't have mine too at the moment, they can only appear when we use our magic-"

Thunderhoof could only groan inwardly as she continued to talk, resigned to his fate. He was stuck with her, whether he liked it or not. Shaking his helm, he resumed his walk, purposefully lengthening his stride in an attempt to leave Sonata behind. But her cheerful babble accompanied him, her small legs working overtime to keep pace with his massive, stomping hooves.

For a while, they trudged through the forest in awkward chatter-or at least, it was for Thunderhoof, who longed for peace and quiet. Sonata, on the other hand, talked to herself, completely unfazed by the Decepticon's lack of enthusiasm. After several minutes of aimless wandering, the deer-like Cybertronian suddenly halted in his tracks, his entire frame going rigid. His sensitive audials twitched, picking up a series of unfamiliar noises from up ahead.