[Robots and Magic] Between Claws

13. 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘭

He greeted her with a smirk, "What's a little pretty femme like you doing wandering these dark forests all alone?" he asked curiously, question dripping with a sinister charm.

Noticing the scratched purple emblem on the above part of his chest-plate, the encounter unfolded like a chilling scene from a nightmare. Fluttershy slowly paced backwards while facing the menacing Decepticon, her every instinct urging her to tread carefully in the presence of such malevolent forces, "Please- I-I don't want any trouble..." she pleaded gently as she waved her servos, trying to convey her peaceable intent.

Just then, the giant robot raised his helm, his sensors detecting movement. He shifted his focus and noticed someone else in the distance ahead. Less than a second, he recognized the approaching figure and boomed proudly, his shout echoing across the woods, "Ey, boss! Look what I found!" he gestured to the girl with his snout, a glint of smugness evident in his facial features.

Fluttershy peeked over her shoulder-pad and froze before the frightening figure of another Decepticon, "Well done, Underbite." he spoke, yellow glowing optics emerging from the darkness as he revealed his wolf features, "Seems we have stumbled upon a new lost friend." he observed with an alarming smile, his sleek frame and sharp digits gleaming in the dim light, long tail swaying from behind.

The girl's eyes widened in terror as he stepped closer to her, "Now, now, we are not here to harm you." he tried to reassure her as he lifted his claws, "We only want to assist." as he kept approaching, she stayed distant, gaze filled with uncertainty. Despite his peaceful demeanor, she couldn't shake off the deep-rooted apprehension she felt within her, making it challenging for her to trust his intentions, "What's your destination, sister?" questioned the Cybertronian wolf with an intrigued tone.

As Fluttershy remained quiet, a big shadow appeared above her, causing her to glance back to Underbite who was not far from her. The massive figure of the Chompazoid blocked her path, "Where do ya think you're going, sweetspark? Ya still haven't told us your name."

Nervously, a lump formed in her throat as the two ominous mechs closed in. Panic surged within her as she frantically searched for an escape route. The thought of shifting into her vehicle form and fleeing flashed through her mind, however, before she could act, Steeljaw's strong grip seized her arm, stopping the femme in her tracks and causing a sharp jolt of pain to shoot through her, "L-Let me go! Please! Leave me alone!" desperation filled her cries as she begged, struggling against his hold.

Underbite strolled over to his commanding leader and let out a low chuckle at her useless attempts of breaking free, "Guess we got quite the squirmy one, ain't right, Steeljaw?" he taunted with a twisted sense of amusement.

The element of kindness ceased her movements, her optics widening in realization once the Chompazoid mentioned his name. She turned to face the canine Decepticon, "You-you are the one who hurt Sunset...?" she softly uttered as she stared at him in disbelief.

Steeljaw's expression shifted from confusion to recognition as he observed her, his ears pricking up with sudden awareness. A wicked grin slowly spread across his intake, "And you are lieutenant Bumblebee's human pet..." he mused darkly before effortlessly pulling her closer.

Simultaneously, Underbite peered at her with evident perplexity, his immense figure towering over her as he remarked, "Uh- she ain't really looking human to me."

While ignoring his comment, the wolf-like Decepticon sustained his focus on the terrified girl and raised his question, "Flutterhsy, am I correct?"

Her sensors widened even more, intensifying the feeling of dread creeping over her, "H-how-"

"Let's say I've been keeping a close optic on your fellow Autobot team and human friends." he added as he revealed the extent of his surveillance, causing an icy chill to settle in the air around them. As he scanned her, he spotted the butterfly emblem above her chest and extended his free claw to her, "How are you doing this?"