[Robots and Magic] New Memories, Old Enemies ✓

13. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵

Loud noises of engines hummed as the convoy moved through night streets of the city, nearing the target area. Bumblebee led the group, his yellow-and-black form illuminated sporadically by the streetlights. His scanners continuously swept over the location for any signs of movement.

The towering steel structures and skeletal remains of machinery loomed like silent sentinels, casting long, jagged shapes over the cracked and uneven asphalt. He braked, finally coming to a halt at the edge of the zone. With a smooth transformation, he converted into his robot mode, the low sound of clanging metal breaking the stillness. The rest of the team followed suit, their forms rising into the moonlit night as they stood together, examining the place.

"Stay sharp." Bumblebee instructed, "Keep your scanners active and watch for anything that seems out of place."

"Maybe we should go in groups to cover more ground. But, you know... not too far apart, just in case." suggested Smokescreen, a bit nervously.

The lieutenant nodded thoughtfully, weighing the recommendation, "We'll split into three then. Each of us will stay with our charge for safety. Sunset, you're with me and Fluttershy."

All of them nodded and moved cautiously through the environment, expanding the search. The tension in the air was obvious, everyone was on edge as they anticipated what might be waiting for them. As they approached a tall chain-link fence, Fluttershy spotted a trail of scratches led to a partially opened section, its twisted metal edges gleaming under the light, "This seems like it's been opened recently." she noted.

Bumblebee stepped closer, his servo ready on his blaster. He signaled to the two femmes and they converged on the location with measured precision. Sunset and Fluttershy took positions opposite him, their motions cautious. Together, they went through the gap in the fence, observing the new terrain.

The darkness inside was oppressive, the outlines stretching long and deep. As their optics adjusted, small pieces of equipment scattered across the earth came into view— components that seemed to have been dropped hastily, likely during Quillfire's hasty retreat. Sunset crouched, picking up a fragment of what appeared to be a stabilizer coil, "Someone left in a hurry."

Bumblebee walked beside her as he studied the path ahead, "Components for the bridge." he said thoughtfully.

"I... I don't like this." Fluttershy whispered, her tone barely audible over the hushed rustle of wind through the broken structures. She clutched her arms, scanning the dark setting as if the shades themselves might spring to life.

As Sunset's surveyed the surroundings, a flash of activity in the distance caught her notice. Her sensors locked onto a large silhouette darting swiftly through the darkness, moving with speed and purpose that immediately set off alarm bells in her mind. Her expression promptly formed from a suprise to a glare as she realised who it was.

"He's getting away!" she shouted and without a second thought, she broke into a sprint, her frame changing fluidly into her vehicle mode as she roared ahead.

"Hold on! Sunset—!" Bumblebee called after her but his warning came too late. She was already racing forward, her focus locked on the fleeing target. Before he could follow, a shadowy blur surged from the side with incredible speed. The force of the impact was like a freight train, slamming into him and sending him flying backward. His frame collided with a wall, large cracks forming from the hard collision. The yellow Autobot growled, recognizing the hulking Decepticon as he struggled to push himself free from the crushing force, "Underbite."

The criminal pressed his advantage, keeping him pinned against the cracked wall, "You're not goin' anywhere, Autobot!" he snarled, his strength bearing down on Bumblebee's frame. The golden mech grunted, straining against the force as his servos gripped Underbite's jaw, trying to shove him back. Fluttershy skidded to a halt as she saw the attack and gasped.