[Robots and Magic] New Memories, Old Enemies

11. 𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘬

[Author's note]

!Warning!

There is some inappropriate language here, so to the younger audience who may come across this chapter... don't tell your parents.🤫

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Sideswipe stepped through the portal with his usual confident stride, Rainbow perched on his shoulder, her hands gripping his armor for balance, "Hey, we're back!" he announced, his shout cutting through the quiet atmosphere in the base, "We brought—" his words trailed off as he looked around, his bravado slipping away at the sight before him.

He set Rainbow gently on her feet and the two of them stared at their teammates. The base, usually filled with lively exchanges and laughter, now seemed weighed down with fatigue and frustration. Arcee leaned heavily against a console, her shoulders-pads slumped while Bumblebee sat nearby, his own helm fixed on the floor, filled with thoughts. Across the room, the rest of the girls were huddled around Twilight, who was wrapped in a blanket, her hair and clothes still damp from her earlier ordeal.

The red mech's optics darted from one somber face to the next, "You guys look like you've been through Pit." he said, his tone unusually serious. He knew something significant had happened and it was clear that it hadn't ended well.

Bumblebee ex-vented heavily with a mixture of frustration and exhaustion, "Yeah... something like that." he replied, his voice low, "We ran into more trouble than we expected." he hesitated, glancing at Twilight before continuing, "And it didn't exactly go our way."

"They had a plan and we walked right into it." Twilight said clenching her blanket tighter, "And it wasn't just about outsmarting us. They were after something specific."

"In other words, those varmints stole our geodes." Applejack replied, motioning to herself and her purple friend.

Rainbow's face dropped as she took in the news, "Yours too?!" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her shock.

Sunset closed her eyes, pressing her palm to her forehead, "This is bad... really bad." she muttered, the weight of the situation sinking in, "They've already got three of them now. If they're targeting the geodes, who knows what they're planning to do with that kind of power."

"We have to get them back!" Rainbow responded, her fists clenched in irritation, "Why would they need our magic if they already have their own pendants?!"

"Because that kind of magic is never enough for them, Dash." Sunset answered, "The Dazzlings have a hunger for power. They'll always need and want more. And with Steeljaw and his Decepticon thugs on their side..." she trailed off, her gaze hardening, "We can't just rush in blind."

The familiar hum of the Groundbridge filled the base but it was quickly drowned out by frantic cries echoing off the metal walls. Autobots and their human friends turned to the noise, alert and intrigued, "Wait! W-we can think of somethin' else! Just don't take me to them!" a voice shrieked, growing increasingly desperate. Clampdown was dragged into view, claws flailing as he struggled against Strongarm's unyielding grip, his face-plate twisted in panic as he tried to get away.

The scene was almost comical. The crab Cybertronian was now reduced to a trembling wreck, his once-defiant attitude replaced by outright terror. The cadet's expression, however, was all business; she kept her hold on him firm as she continued to haul the Decepticon onwards without breaking stride, "You're not wriggling your way out of this one, 'Con." she replied unsympathetically, "You've created enough mess and now you're going to help us fix it."