Meeting (Chapter 1)

Running out of Time

Moon

3 days until child is due

  I wake up in the middle of the night, the baby kicking me hard.

  I seeth in pain, feeling the multiple bruises on my face and body.

  Anti is still in my wings, his gliders stretched out behind him.

  He shifts, shaking.

  "Mama...  I wanna go home..." He sniffles, his lip trembling.

  I comb his hair with my fingers.

  "I know.  I'll find a way to get us all out of here, okay?"

  He nods, still very afraid.

  I only have three days.

  "Oh, are you now?"

  Megatron.

  I get up, putting Anti behind me.  I spread my wings to block him from sight.

  He curls into a ball behind my legs.

  My bruises sting with every move I make.

  I have to protect him.

  Megatron has the Empress by his side.  She is smiling.

  "Oh, look. The Alpha protecting her pup. How cute." She says dully, looking very bored.

  I snarl at her, the glow rising in my chest again, pulsing with my heart.

  She cocks her head to the side ever slightly. "What monstrosity are you now?"

  I smile. "An Autobot."

  She scoffs.  "You are barely an angel.  How are you a mech?"

  Megatron looks down at her, suspicious.

  "I am something you are not. Truthful."

  She snarls. "Are you challenging me?"

  I laugh. "When I am at full strength, both my children are safe and at home, maybe."

  She stiffens.  "Is that a threat?" She puts a blade to my throat, appearing in front of me.

  I feel my eyes change.

  Colored teal, slit like a snake's eye.

  "No.  It's a promise." I growl, the glow in my chest growing brighter.

  I grab her neck suddenly, lifting her off her feet.

  She tries to kick and smack me, but I don't feel any contact.

  I just need to protect my children.

  I throw her to the side, and she snarls.

  "Well, then. Challenge accepted." Her eyes darken, and she storms out, a slightly stunned Megatron standing at the door.