The Purple Praetorian

Part 30.

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I would be sitting on the floor with Scout and giving him my full attention, he was loving every second of it. If it weren't for Zexal and Tundra, I would be back on Lockdown's vessel. It's been running through my mind over and over on repeat, and it's been bothering me. I've handled larger than that bastard with ease, but the only difference here is that he has some actual intelligence. If I can't handle him or his men at my small size, what could I do if Zexal, Nova, Takara or Tundra weren't nearby? I'm sad to say admit it, but I believe I've met my match.

Scout noticed how I had slowed his belly rubs and scratches, he whimpered and nudged his head against me. I smiled and scratched behind his ears, his leg began to thump as it usually does whenever I do it. The hound lifted his head and licked my face, leaving it covered in slime. I giggled and wiped my face free of the dog slobber, leaving my hands slimy. Scout would lean into me and nearly be laying on top of me, his metallic body was frigid against my warm tattooed skin. I was told that dogs were "man's best friend" for their loyalty and unconditional love, well in this case it is "Praetorians best friend". I was beginning to feel my worry fade.

"What troubles you, Xeno?" I heard Dai Atlas once again.

"Nothing." I thought.

"Little one-"

"If you call me 'little one' ONE more time, I swear upon Pala that I will get rid of all the energon!" I snapped.

Dai Atlas would go silent and I immediately regretted shouting at him, I sighed heavily and shook my head as Scout demanded more belly rubs.

"I'm sorry Dai, I'm just lost."

"It is alright, what troubles you?" He asks.

"A few things actually. Like back on the asteroid, I was about to be captured AGAIN by Lockdown. If it weren't for Zexal, I would've been. I've been able to fend for myself and defend Nova and Zexal against threats for years, but that bastard and his men are something else. They have weapons and a certain level of intelligence, I'm sure they learned since I escaped."

"May I ask you a very straightforward question?"

I shrug, "I mean, I don't care."

"Are you afraid of Lockdown?"

I went silent, speechless by the question. I growled angrily.

"No, I am NOT afraid of him! I fear NOTHING!" I snarled.

"Xeno, it is alright to be afraid every now and then."

"Dai Atlas, Yautja warriors have no fear. They are strong, fierce and FEARLESS."

"But you are not a Yautja, now are you?" The Autobot questions.

"I have Yautja DNA, I've learned to fight like a Yautja, and I follow the P'Tuera code of Honor to the very last rule."

I heard Dai Atlas sigh.

"Xeno, you are a hybrid of 5 different species. The very first to come into existence, in fact. It's what makes you, you. And one part of you is human, a species that is able to process and have actual emotions. Cybertronians are as well, I personally am not one to open up although I am willing to listen."

I was at a loss for words. Yes, I am part human and I DO have actual emotions, but that doesn't mean that I'm not a Yautja warrior. Dai Atlas knows NOTHING about me. I could feel my eyes starting to water once again, I removed my mask so I could wipe my eyes.

"Think of your mother, how you saw her cadaver. Your eyes were beginning to leak as they are right now. You are afraid, it is alright to admit it."