When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 86

"Good thinking, Azura!" Miko gave the sparkling at thumbs up. "And I was just wondering how a zombie arm can move faster than the actual zombie. But you slowed it down." She glanced over her shoulder as they all hear the sound of the ice breaking and the arm ran forward again. "Even if it was just for a short bit."

Azura could see the arm jumping onto the wall and crawling along it quickly, likely to keep away if she breathed fire or ice at it again. She considered water, but she didn't want to cause a flood, and get them all into trouble. The small amount of ice she already created before was still solid too, which meant that the temperatures in this dimension were separate. Luckily none of them were slipping, but it kept the chill in the air.

Azura did wonder how she was able to transform part way too, as Jack had told her about that. She thought that she could not transform, but she must be able to. She has not even dared to try in case it would cause harm to her body, and she didn't want to do that. Even if she did transform, she wasn't able to fly yet, or she wasn't sure if she would be able to figure it out. Regardless, this was not really the time to test it. She might try on her own, but she wasn't even sure about that either yet.

They continue to run for quite a while. While they were outrunning Skyquake, his appendage was able to catch up very quickly, and they did not want to get caught by it. Poor Raf struggled to keep up with them, but he was doing a good job at keeping up as best as he could with them, and Azura did offer to carry him, but he politely rejected the offer, as he felt that he would be fine. She guessed he also just didn't want to burden any of them, even though he would not.

But it did seem that they were going in circles, as they ended up finding themselves by Starscream's arm once again. They all look at it in disbelief, and Miko voiced her displeasure very loudly. "Oh, come on!" She took deep breaths as they took this moment to catch their breaths. "This place is like one big merry-go-round!"

"Skyquake!" Azura yelped and the teenagers flinch and duck behind Starscream's arm as they all heard the sound of Starscream's voice shouting for the zombie. Azura trembled, peering from where they were hiding, to see him walking towards them. "Your master summons you!"

Being closer to Starscream, Azura could see the severe damage that Starscream had endured under the torture from Megatron. It seemed he really underwent a severe punishment, and Azura did not know if he deserved it. But given that Megatron had gone after Starscream and not Optimus that day, it was interesting. She didn't think it was because of her. She knew that Megatron and Starscream had a peculiar relationship, based on what she has heard so far. And it seems Starscream wants to be leader, but he doesn't have the courage to take on Megatron, and Soundwave.

"How'd that freak get into our dimension?" Miko asked as she stared at the decepticon in disbelief.

"He didn't." Jack was observing the con closely, as he could see that Starscream was not looking at them. Nor did he hear Miko, so that meant Starscream was not part of the dimension, and that made Azura relax. "He can't see us."

Miko turned around as she heard the sound of Skyquake's hand approaching, and Azura glanced over her shoulder. Miko hits Jack's shoulder lightly in a panic. "Forget Starscream! We got to run. Some more..."

Running around Starscream's arm, the four of them ran towards Starscream. It was unnerving to be this close to the decepticon, even though he could not see them. Azura did not know what Starscream would even do if he encountered Azura, as the first meeting did not go so well. And she will never find herself liking him. Even if he tried to be kind to her, Azura would never forget what he has done, and not trust him at all.

As they were about to run by Starscream, a ground bridge portal opened in front of them, making Azura yelp as they all come to a halt in surprise. Starscream looked at the portal in surprise, as it was clear he had not ordered the bridge for himself, so it was most likely the autobots. They must have figured out what has happened, so Azura was hopeful this portal would take them back to their dimension, so they could get back home safely.