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Shadows of Tomorrow	By : Breech_Loader Category: Transformers > Transformers: Animated > Het - M/F Views: 1756 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
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Shadows of Tomorrow

Co-Written by Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651

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Froggy: Last Chapter. What does that mean? That, kiddies, means you’re going to find out whether it’s a happy ending or not.

Harley: First of all, Hotwire is not suicidal. Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, seeing the way she acts, but she’s not. She’s sociopathic, meaning that most of the time she ACTS normally, and she also suffers from manic episodes, but depression is not necessarily one of her problems.

Froggy: We’d just like to thank you for reading this whole thing. We hope you enjoyed it as much as Harley enjoyed writing it. The sequel is already in creation. Now in this chapter

~~~

Chapter Twenty-One: Face To The Wall

It hadn’t worked.

That was the only thought registering in Hotwire’s CPU at this moment, and it kept repeating. It didn’t work. Normally it worked but now it didn’t. Things were going so strangely. She didn’t understand. It wasn’t working. It should work but it wasn’t. Never mind using them, she no longer even had a plan.

Everything was going wrong.

The femme turned to face the wall, oblivious to all else.

“It didn’t work...” she murmured. Nothing was working. Methodically, she started to beat her helm against the wall, her fingers scraping horribly against the metal. “It didn’t... why didn’t it work...” the desperation became worse, and the movements became more violent, “Why didn’t it? What’s wrong with me? Something... something is wrong with me...”

She began to slam her head against the wall more violently, and the sound of metal against metal echoed through the cells.

As she did so, she felt someone on the other side of the wall strike back, the sound of the impact echoing into her cell.

The sound made Hotwire hesitate, briefly. Then she started again, "It... didn't... work," she groaned, each word punctuated by an impact, "Something... something... is... terribly... wrong..." She managed to stand up, ignoring the pain in her head, and walked into the wall. She rebounded off it, and tried again. And again, and again.

The person on the other side of the wall hit it again, harder than the first time. Although it was completely wordless, it still somehow managed to sound annoyed. That had to be Barricade's cell.

Whatever Hotwire was thinking about, she wasn't occupied with anything in this world. Barricade was aware that her feelings through the bond were a vacant mush. She collided with the wall again, but she didn't seem to be registering the pain. In fact, a growing feeling of unnamed fear, which was far worse than the mundane, named crap, was the only emotion that he could feel through her at this moment.

As she collided against the wall, a wave of sudden, sharp anger splashed against her nameless fear through the bond, like boiling and icy water mixed together. It was the mental equivalent of, "Pull yourself together!"

Hotwire stopped again... Voices in my head. Don’t usually hear voices. Only lost it twice before. That I remember. Good thing nobody is here to get hurt... except... except why had Prime been like that? All pushy. My virus. My problem. Not his, "NOT HIS!" Hotwire groaned and clutched her head, before slamming her entire body sideways into the wall violently, "NO!" she screamed out, "It's ALL WRONG! It's MINE! How could he KNOW?!" She slumped to the floor, kicking the wall repeatedly.

Barricade's angry demand pulsed through their bond again, telling her to stop and think. He couldn't pick up on the details of what were making her so distressed, but he knew for certain that her self-destructive behaviour wasn't helping either of them in the least.

Shaking, Hotwire clutched her head. Somebody wanted her to stop losing it. To focus. Stupid voices, didn't belong except... wait... "B-Barricade?" she whispered out loud, as if she had totally forgotten about his very existence.

She could feel a hint of relief coming from him as soon as she thought of him. It was a good sign. Hotwire was regaining some control over her mental state. Next, she felt a question. He was wondering why they had been put in separate cells.

It was a question she couldn't answer herself. It made her feel even worse. Now she had no control over the situation. She'd messed up. And she'd messed up for all of them, and that made it worse. Hotwire curled up on the floor in silence. It was still better than waking up a Cybertronian week later and being told you'd killed two Seekers before knocking yourself out against a wall.

It's not over yet, Barricade thought, sending the impression her way. He wasn't about to give up, and he didn't want her to give up, either. They needed to find a way out.

Hotwire, tangled up in her own thoughts and potentially seconds away from another manic episode, was in no position to either acknowledge or deny that statement. She just clutched her head and tried to keep herself from running into the wall. And she wanted to, badly. In desperation, she reached out one hand and pressed it against the wall, as if it was actually possible to feel Barricade by doing so; as if he could have actually stopped her from damaging herself if he had been in here.

Barricade concentrated as hard as he could through the bond that fused their Sparks into one, sending into her mind an image of his own hand resting on the opposite side of the wall. The message was clear; he was still there with her, and they were in this together.

Hotwire groaned quietly, "Barricade..." she whispered again, "I... think I'm going to try and kill myself..." Because they were bonded, Barricade was not only aware of how difficult it currently was for her to voice coherent thought, but also of the fact that it was not depression-related suicide that she was talking about, but an act of insanity that would potentially result in her death.

Barricade's reaction was swift and violent. The Decepticon prisoner slammed on the wall beside her hard enough that it was a wonder the surface didn't crack. He shouted loud enough that she could hear his cry of "No!" from inside her cell... and it wasn't a cry of pleading or desperation, but the angry thought of, Don't you slagging dare...

"Nnnngh..." Hotwire curled up tighter, her hand slipping down the wall, I'm no good at this, she thought, Usually I don't even try... usually it doesn't matter... She managed to raise herself to her knees, and slumped against the wall with a *clang*. It still hurt. Well, that was a good sign. Unthinking, she drew her body back to do it again.

Barricade slapped the wall beside her once more, shouting, "Focus!" If there was one thing that he had learned about situations like this, it was that despair would kill you and that anger would keep you alive.

Hotwire managed to stop herself. Primus, she'd been about to start again just to make sure she still hurt... Anger was the key. She focused on Barricade's rage. It was different to her permanent mask of serenity that covered the icy supernova within. Barricade didn't bother to conceal his anger. Possibly because he was normal. She focused harder... what was he angry about?

She could almost feel his sarcastic response, Pick a reason, He had plenty to be angry about. Being stuck in that cell was a good one. Being separated from her was another. He was ticked off that the Decepticons had yet to even make an attempt at contacting him, much less saving him from captivity.

She focused harder on the anger, and let it smother her. It gave her strength again. Enough strength to endure anything. And everything. She stood up again, kept herself from slamming into the wall again, and punched it instead, digging her claws in and dragging them down the wall, focusing on the dreadful sound of metal against metal again, and letting her imagination put Prime there instead.

The next thing she felt was Barricade's grim smirk, NOW you've got it, he thought, praising her reaction. Now that she was in something of a stable state, all that was left was one more question that he needed to ask, How are we going to escape?

Escape? Oh, yes, Hotwire had nearly forgotten about that, I don't really want to escape anymore, she thought, anger and confusion still rife in her processor.

Not want to escape? Barricade thought it return, confused by her reply. It didn't make a whole lot of sense to him to want to stay in the Autobot base for one minute longer than necessary, What do you want?

Hotwire shrugged, even though it came through as a thought, Prime knows, she thought, Prime knows about that stupid, stupid virus. And like the moronic, noble piece of slag he is, he wants it.

Virus? Barricade thought, What virus? Why does Prime want it? What are you thinking about? Hotwire had neglected to mention this piece of her history to him. Sure, the bond taught him a lot about her, but it didn't spell everything out clearly.

"Just a deadly virus that could kill every Transformer on the planet," Hotwire replied out loud absently, "And wipe all the non-sentient machines too. It’s contagious through electrical current. Except it's dormant as long as I’m also infected with the antidote. I don't know much about it..." a backward thought came through the bond that wasn't supposed to, Except that you could be infected now too...

A digital weapon? Why didn't you tell me about... It was about that point when the last part of Hotwire's message hit Barricade. I could be...what?!

Damn, Hotwire thought, Well, you're not dead, and you would be if you hadn't caught the antidote too. They cancel each other out. They must do, I've been living with them both for millennia now.

So I've got some sort of super-virus in my system, and you never thought to tell me?! he thought back at her, That's... that's... that's actually good news, he added, Surprisingly enough.

I suppose I should apologise, Hotwire thought, But I'm not dead and the antidote's contagious too and... wait, how is it good news? If Prime finds out he'll never get off your back about the damn thing.

Barricade almost laughed out loud, I can tell him to stuff it in his smug face and reap the whirlwind. I could threaten to take him and all his allies down with him! This is like having a really big bomb strapped to my chassis.

Yes, that must be such fun, Hotwire sneered through her thoughts, It matters little. You need the activation code. I know what it is... but so far living is preferable. Sure, you’d expire in less than twenty seconds, but do you have any idea how agonising those twenty seconds would be?

I don't want to die either, but do you think Prime would risk it? Barricade asked her honestly. He even sounded smug in his head, We've got the Autobots by their hard drives. Play it right, and they'll have no choice but to let us go.

Huh, you think like I did when I installed the damn thing, Hotwire returned, "Fine, pull that one," she said, "Should be amusing to watch. Although I was always kind of intending to be the one making the world-chaos-inducing threats." Without saying or thinking anything else, Hotwire sat down on the floor again, and backed into a corner, curling up on herself silently.

Barricade realised that heavy footsteps were approaching the cells, which meant somebody was about to get interrogated. Of course the Autobot style of interrogation was different to that of the Decepticons, but it was hardly something he was looking forward to.

So that she didn't relapse into another episode, Hotwire was letting herself think about previous events in her life. Barricade didn't recognise most of the Autobots or many of the Decepticons involved, but he could tell that Hotwire had to be able to treat victims of torture on a daily basis without feeling a fragging thing. She had stifled all of her emotions, until it was as easy to lie to herself as it was to lie to others.

Now is the time to push feelings aside, Barricade agreed. It was time to get out of that damn cell and time to teach the Autobots a lesson about locking him up. The Decepticon stood up tall and faced the cell door, waiting for his captors.

Hotwire continued to settle into her corner, "I never thought it would be this amusing," she said with a very small smile.

Barricade was expecting Prime himself to show up and speak with him, but he was somewhat surprised and amused to discover Ratchet being the one to confront him. Prime, he could sense through the bond, was approaching Hotwire instead, "What's the matter?" Barricade sneered at the CMO, "Your leader too scared to face me himself?" It was a worthless accusation but it made him feel better.

Ratchet frowned at Barricade, "It's not a matter of fear, Barricade," he said calmly, "It's a matter of how difficult you and your friend are making this for us, for yourselves, for everybody concerned."

"I certainly hope so,” Barricade replied to the enemy medic, enjoying whatever discomfort he could inflict on the other robot, "So what are you here for? Another interrogation? Have you come to persuade me to help in tearing away Hotwire's allegiance and secrets?"

"No, I suspect that you may be infected with a deadly virus that Hotwire has been carrying for some time now," Ratchet told Barricade, "It could kill all of us, but since you're unlikely to care about that, you may be less comfortable with the knowledge that it could also kill you."

"Yes, it could,” Barricade agreed, "But it could also kill you. It could kill your leader. It could kill all of you Autobot fools. It could cause vast chaos on this planet. I'm quite tempted to try it out." He grinned wickedly.

Ratchet looked at Barricade. His expression was mostly disgust, "You can't be certain that you're infected, Barricade. And this virus will also kill Decepticons indiscriminately, which is why it was never used."

"I'm the highest ranking Decepticon on this planet, and the idea of being locked up forever does not appeal to me,” Barricade countered angrily, "I will not be contained! Every minute I stay here, the more likely it becomes that I'll just take you out with me!"

Ratchet paused, and continued, "The virus also requires an activation code. Hotwire was helpful enough to tell Optimus Prime that, so if you don't know the code, you can't activate the virus and pull your own personal genocide."

"I can talk with her without speaking,” Barricade informed Ratchet, smirking sadistically, "Are you sure you want to risk it, Autobot?"

In her cell, Hotwire was smirking like mad, "I could make a deal too," she spoke up suddenly to Ratchet and Prime, "How's this? I don't tell Barricade the activation code for the virus I gave him, and you let us both go." She covered her mouth with her hand, and started sniggering.

Optimus glared at Hotwire, his face as still as stone, "That's not funny, Hotwire,” he rumbled.

"But it is," Hotwire smirked, "It's hilarious, especially considering the look on your face. What's the point of having something if you can't use it? After I installed the antidote and the virus, I spent almost a thousand stellar years looking for that code."

It only furthered Prime’s conviction in Hotwire’s insanity, "Why?" he asked her, "Why is having this virus so important to you?" It was a very honest question, and it was one Prime needed an answer to. He couldn't imagine why someone would covet and horde such a destructive weapon.

Hotwire tilted her head to one side, "You wouldn't understand," she shook her head and laughed, "But do you want the real answer, or the lie? You'll like the lie..."

"I don't like lies. Just tell me the truth,” the leader of the Autobots growled, tired of playing her word games, “What do you get from this virus?”

"A front row seat to Armageddon,” Hotwire smirked a little, “This virus... makes me a god."

Optimus Prime's optics widened in shock. He finally understood just how dangerous Hotwire could be. And for the first time in his long life, he considered killing a prisoner in her cell. It was the only way to effectively end this threat to everyone.

"You see," Hotwire continued, her expression not changing, her eyes not focusing, "Barricade's... fine. He's bluffing, because all in all, he doesn't really want to die. If I gave him that silly code, he'd probably not use it. Although his superiors might use it on him. But..." she frowned, "Would I? That's a slagging good wheeze. Is this the right time to pull it?" Hotwire started to rock her skinny body back and forth in her corner, apparently considering what to do.

Optimus stared at her for a long moment, his mind in turmoil over what to do. Eventually, the Autobot leader backed out of her cell and did the only thing he thought he could do in the circumstances, "Ratchet?" he called out, "Release him. Release all three of them."

Hotwire looked up. She looked just as surprised as Ratchet did.

"Prime, are you sure about this?" Ratchet asked Optimus, looking seriously concerned.

"No. ...But do it anyway,” Prime told the medic, taking another step backwards, looking shaken.

From inside his cell, Barricade grinned and sent a thought through the bond to Hotwire, Oh, you're good...

Thank you, Hotwire thought back at him, a certain amount of smugness in the bonded feelings. The doors opened, and the femme practically raced out of her cell, grabbing Barricade and embracing him tightly, her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her feet several inches off the floor as she hung off him.

Barricade blinked in surprise as Hotwire clung to him. He had been planning on doing something spiteful to his captors as he left his cell, some insult or mocking gesture, but instead, he had the femme dangling from him in front of two bitter enemies. It was somewhat embarrassing, "Um, it's nice to see you too,” he spoke awkwardly, placing his hands on her shoulders.

Hotwire continued to hang onto him, and Barricade became aware of Frenzy also hugging one of his legs. Both Prime and Ratchet were staring at him. Ratchet was trying to conceal a small smile of amusement.

Barricade glared hatefully at his enemies; he really, really did not want them seeing the remotest soft side of him. Gently, he picked Hotwire up and set her down, looking into her optics, "Alright,” he spoke evenly, "Now let's get the pit out of this slaghole before they change their minds."

Hotwire linked her arm with Barricade's - she was surely aware that he was embarrassed, but as so often happened, she didn't care - and walked with him out of the cells. The two of them were closely followed by Frenzy, who spun around and waved a frantic and smug 'goodbye' at Ratchet and Prime, smirking wickedly.

Ratchet shrugged as he watched them leave, "Who'd have thought it," he said calmly to Prime, "Upon everything available I never would have visualised Hotwire leaving with Barricade."

"They are loyal to each other. They care about each other,” Prime told him, "They are not fully corrupt or evil, and that gives me some measure of hope. Maybe someday, we won't have to fight them." Prime shook his head and walked towards the cell block exit, "Although I would not gamble any credits on that."

Outside the cells, Hotwire looked up at Barricade, then at the sky, then leant her head on his shoulder, or at least that part of it that she could reach. After a few seconds, she picked up Frenzy, holding the considerably smaller 'con in the crook of one arm, "So," she said amicably, "What happens next? I'll go wherever you do... but I'd like to know where that's going to be."

"If I had any clue, I'd let you know,” Barricade admitted to his partner, "We can't fight the Autobots or the humans, and we can't leave the planet. I suppose we just have to wait. After all of this, I could use a vacation."

"You don't even know if the other 'cons will come back," Hotwire laughed and slapped Barricade's face in an affectionate manner, "They'll come," she told him, "And even if they don't... well, we've got each other to tide us over until they do."

That was a pleasant thought, "Mmm, that we do,” Barricade agreed softly, stroking her cheek as they left the Autobot base behind them. Hotwire was right. The Decepticons would return, this war would continue, and now he had allies in the form of Hotwire and Frenzy. More than just allies... he had partners, friends in them. That made the future a lot brighter for the dark-minded machine.

~~~

THE END

Harley: Except for when we start putting up the sequel. Because things aren’t all over just because I’m finished with them. And we have to sort out Megatron too.

Froggy: HURRAH! MASSIVE CIVIL WAR BETWEEN THE DECEPTICONS!
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Shadows of Tomorrow