Spark Beat

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight:

~ Tell him ~ Optimus sent through the bond.

~ What if... what if he doesn't like me like that? ~ I released a nervous and stressed sigh.

"Shadowlight Pax." I flinched as Oppi used my full name aloud.

I knew that he was trying to comfort me by saying that. I shrugged in defeat and quickly shot a side glance at my father.

I looked at Sideswipe. "Sideswipe I-" I stopped dead short and drew in a pained gasp instead.

The last thing I knew was Oppi and Sideswipe calling out to me and somebot catching me as I fell to the ground.

I felt my eyes glow again and I managed to mutter out; "Savageclaw was only the beginning." Before I lost all consciousness.

Sideswipe's POV

I heard Shadowlight gasp painfully and I bolted forward, catching her as she fell.

"Savageclaw was only the beginning." She coughed out before going limp in my arms.

"No! Shadowlight, wake up!" I shook her shoulders lightly but she didn't even stirr.

Optimus kneeled down and picked her up calmly.

"How are you so calm?!" I almost yelled.

He looked at me and shook his helm. "I'm not." Then he started to walk back to base.

I stared at him for a moment them skated to catch up with him.

"We need to get her to Ratchet, fast." I said as I started to notice her breathing become labored and her spark began to beat faster.

"Agreed." Optimus grumbled as he picked up his speed.

I looked down, knowing I could get her to base faster.

"S-Sir?" I asked him as he shot a look at me, telling me to speak. "Sir, I can get her to base faster, do you want me to take her?" I offered.

He stopped and looked at me for a moment then let out a heavy sigh. "Take her to Ratchet as fast as you can... and Sideswipe?"

"Yes?" I asked as he handed her to me so I was carrying her bridal style.

"Answer me truthfully, do you have feelings for Shadowlight?" I opened my mouth to object but then Shadow moaned in pain in my arms and curled closer to my chest.

I felt my spark tug and I started to nod. "Yes, I do." I said confidently.

"Good, something tells me she will need someone like you." He said before transforming and driving off, probably to prep Ratchet on her situation.

I held Shadowlight closer to me and began to skate forward at my top speed.

"Sides..." Shadowlight groaned as she shuddered.

"Stay with me, Shadow." I whispered to her comfortingly.

Slowly she brought her servo up and placed it over my spark. My breath caught and I looked down at her, she was getting worse.

"Please, Shadowlight, I... I need you." I whispered.

I picked up my speed again and the base came into view. I saw that Ratchet was already waiting.

I sped in and handed her to Ratchet, who rushed her to medbay.

"What's going on?! Where's Shadowlight?" I heard Riley scream in pain.

"She took some hits, Ratchet's got her though. She'll be ok." I heard Mirage comfort her.

"It's my fault." I murmured, catching Mirage's attention.

"Sideswipe? What's happened? She wasn't like that when I left." He asked.

"She used up most of her strength.... reviving me. Had I been more careful she wouldn't have had to do that!" I yelled angrily, punching a nearby wall.

Soon I felt tears start to drip down my face. This felt worse than losing my brother, I feel like my spark is shattering.

"Sideswipe, you ok?" I heard Will ask.

"No, no I'm not. I won't be until she is." I replied while taking off towards the medbay.

Ratchet was still working on her when I showed up but I sat outside the room the entire time.

By the time Ratchet finished surgery it was around 3:00 in the morning. I moved my spot from in the hall to next to her in medbay.

Optimus had shown up early the next morning around 6:00 AM.

"How is she?" Optimus asked, though I realized his voice was hoarse and rough.

"Ratchet says she'll be fine, how are you feeling?" I asked, concerned for him.

"That doesn't matter." He replied as his voice came out ragged.

"Optimus, stop pretending." I demanded as I looked him in the optics. "You say we are family, yet you don't let us know what's happening to you." I point out.

"I'm... scared." He muttered as he looked down. "I feel like I've already failed her three times."

I put a servo on his shoulder and spoke. "Optimus, we are all scared and worried for her but, it wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was, Sideswipe. I knew about the battle. She told me when Primus visited her last night." He sighed as his helm fell into his hands.

"In that case, Optimus, Primus has a plan. Something must be coming, you heard Shadowlight. Savageclaw was only the beginning."