Sideswipe was fast asleep in his room when he tossed and turned until he had a dream.

(Flashback)

Sideswipe was a baby sparkling playing with his twin-brother, Sunstreaker when he tripped and fell onto his bottom. Baby Sideswipe began to cry until his mother, Nitroblaze came to check on him.

Nitroblaze: Oh, Sideswipe. Are you okay? *She picks Sideswipe up* There, there, sweetie. Don't cry. Mommy's here. Don't cry. Shhh.

Baby Sideswipe cried until he heard his mother humming to him in a soothing tune that calmed him down. Nitroblaze rocked Sideswipe in her arms, and she held him close to her chassis until she sat down and put both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker on her lap.

Nitroblaze: Have you two been getting along while I was with Roadbuster?

Baby Sideswipe and Baby Sunstreaker both nodded, 'yes', to their mother.

Nitroblaze: Good. You two are growing up so fast. *Looks at Sunstreaker* Sunstreaker, you look just like me and you have your father's feet as well. *looks at Sideswipe* And you, Sideswipe. You have your father's color scheme and I'll bet you'll grow up to be just as handsome as he is. Oh, if only your father was here to meet you two.

Baby Sideswipe cooed and snuggled with his mother and his twin-brother hugged Nitroblaze.

Nitroblaze: *chuckle* I remember back when you two were inside of your mommy's tank. You two were kicking and you have your father's strength. I couldn't wait to meet you two. Someday, you boys will grow up to be big and strong and I know that you'll do wonderful things one day.

Baby Sunstreaker then began to make a fuss and Nitroblaze could see that he was hungry. So, she went to get some low grade Energon before she bottle-fed Sunstreaker while Sideswipe was playing on the floor with some toys. Once Sunstreaker was done drinking from the bottle, Nitroblaze helped her son burp before it was Sideswipe's turn to be bottle fed.

Nitroblaze: Okay, Sideswipe. It's your turn to be bottle fed.

Baby Sideswipe was being held in his mother's arm as she began to bottle feed him with some low grade Energon. Sideswipe drank until he was all done. Then Nitroblaze helped him burp as well before both Sideswipe and Sunstreaker became sleepy.

Nitroblaze: I think it's time for you two to recharge.

Nitroblaze takes her sons to their pods (cribs), tucks them in, kisses them on their helms before she starts singing Sideswipe and Sunstreaker a lullaby to help them fall asleep before she would leave them as they fall asleep.

(Flashbacks ends)

Sideswipe's closed optics were covered in tears until he woke up and gasped. He wiped the tears from his optics before he started to remember his mother, his twin-brother, and even his stepfather. It was then that Sideswipe realized that he misses his old family and is starting to wish he'd never run away from home.

Sideswipe: Mom...*breaks down in tears*

_________________________________________

Morning...

Grimlock was practicing his sword fighting, he noticed that Sideswipe is lonely and scratching himself. He and the Dinobots were aware of Sideswipe's behavior, he was quieter than usual, and he doesn't come out of his room except for refuel time, the Dinobots tried to find a way to help Sideswipe. Grimlock assures them that he'll handle this.

_________________________________________

Sideswipe's room...

Sideswipe was sitting on his berth, looking at the holographic picture of him and Sunstreaker as toddlers and his mother, he sadly sighed as he regretted running away. Then he felt an itch as he turns off his hologram and begins scratching his chest, then he moves to his legs, arms, rear, and back.

He gets off from his berth and lays on the floor to scratch that itch he can't reach and begins scratching like crazy as if he was a dog that has fleas. He hears a knock on the door.

Sideswipe: Who is it?

Grimlock: It's me Grimlock.

Sideswipe: You can come in.

Sideswipe sits up as Grimlock enters the room.

Grimlock: What are you doing on the floor?

Sideswipe: Trying to scratch that itch that I can't reach.

Grimlock: Me Grimlock will help you *scratches Sideswipe's itch*

Sideswipe: *groans* lower...lower...that's good.

Grimlock continued to scratched Sideswipe's itch until he tells him he's done.

Grimlock: Sideswipe...there is something we need to talk about. You have been quieter than usual for the past three days and you never came out of your room, except for refuel.

Sideswipe: I was having trouble sleeping.

Grimlock: Sideswipe...Me Grimlock know you better.

Sideswipe: I know...It's about my old family...Three days ago when I was sleeping, I had a dream...a flashback of my mom, by brother, and myself. Sunny and I were playing, my mom always being there for us.

Grimlock: What does your mom look like?

Sideswipe: She looks like my brother. And I would always remember how she always compare to us to our biological father; she would mostly say to me about I would grow up be handsome just like him. She also says to us that we have our father's strength when we were unborn. But now I'm having a hard time to cope with Sundtreaker and my stepfather, Roadbuster after her death.

Sideswipe begins breaking into tears as Grimlock lets him continue his story.

Sideswipe: Now, I had began regretting for running away from my twin brother and stepfather. I really do love my brother and stepfather, I just having a hard way showing it. *Placing his face to his knees and begins crying*

Grimlock pats Sideswipe on the back and gives him a comforting hug as he feels sympathetic for the young bot.

Grimlock: Me Grimlock is sorry for your regrets. How about we go patrol near the border line of Kaon?

Sideswipe: *sniffs* Sure that would be nice.

They left the base and transformed into their Alt. modes and head off.

_________________________________________

(Flashback)

At the night when Sideswipe ran away. He placed a small figurine of himself on the drawer that is next to Roadbuster's berth as he left the bunker. He laid on the berth in the old apartment. Then he has a nightmare as it made him woke up.

At the bunker...

At the same time Sunstreaker woke up too and saw Sideswipe's berth is empty. He immediately got off his berth, turn on his headlights and ran to the master berthroom to where Roadbuster is sleeping.

Sunstreaker: Sideswipe is gone!

Roadbuster woke up when his stepson told him about Sideswipe.

Roadbuster: What? *He sees a small figurine of Sideswipe that Sideswipe had put as he picks it up and became shocked as he wished he couldn't believe* No, it can't be.

Roadbuster went towards the weapons cabinet where he had put the axe as he opens it, the axe is gone. Roadbuster and Sunstreaker exit out of the bunker.

Roadbuster: Sideswipe!!! *He trips and drops the figurine as he sadly looks at the distance" No. *Sunstreaker comes over to his stepfather's side*

Sunstreaker: You must go after him; he could get captured or killed. *Roadbuster gets up*

Roadbuster: If I revealed him, he would.

Sunstreaker bursts into tears as he clings to his stepfather's chest as he planted his face and cries. Roadbuster wraps his arms around his stepson and comforts him. They were both heartbroken that Sideswipe ran away and feared for his safety. Sunstreaker is sitting down looking at the stars.

Sunstreaker: Primus...If you're there, hear our prayers. Watch over Sideswipe.

(Flashback ends)

_________________________________________

Shockwave's lab...

Shockwave is doing his experiments as he hears the doors slide open and footsteps approaching as he turned his attention to the source. A group of Decepticons appeared.

A purple mech with purple optics and horns named Cyclonus, a light blue and yellow femme with dark blue optics named Cyberwarp, a light blue and bright green femme with dark blue optics named Skyjack, a purple mech with red highlights named Riotgear, and a purple mech with green highlights named Treadshock.

Shockwave: Cyclonus

Cyclonus: Shockwave, we have come for your assistance for the energon mine.

Shockwave: Good *types on the computer* I need you keep a look out from them. *Shows the images of the Dinobots* They are called the Dinobots, they were a group of Autobots that were captured and experimented them and escaped. Now, they are looking for energon on the brink for survival.

Cyclonus: Understood, Shockwave.

Shockwave: There is one Cybertronian that is with them *shows them an image of Sideswipe* If you see him, capture him, and bring him to me alive.

Treadshock: A youngling?

Shockwave: Don't underestimate him. He's been trained by the Dinobots and can defend himself. If you decided to bring him to me dead *points his arm cannon at them* You'll be joining him.

The Decepticons were intimidated by Shockwave's serious threat except Cyclonus.

Cyclonus: Very well, Shockwave. We will be on the lookout for the Dinobots and we will capture the young bot and bring him alive. What does he go by the name of?

Shockwave: Sideswipe.

_________________________________________

Sideswipe and the Dinobots were on their way to the energon mine after they arrived, they saw Cyclonus and his Armadicons.

Sideswipe: Who are those Decepticons? I have never seen them before.

Grimlock: They are the Armadicons.

Sideswipe: Armadicons?

Grimlock: They are a group of Decepticons led by that purple horned mech named Cyclonus. The blue and yellow femme is Cyberwarp, she's Cyclonus second-in-command. The blue and bright green femme is Skyjack, she's Cyberwarp's younger sister. The purple mech with red highlights is Riotgear, and the other purple mech with green highlights is Treadshock, they are brothers.

Sideswipe: Is there something else I need to know about them?

Grimlock: Him Cyclonus is an efficient air warrior in the Decepticon army. He's a skilled fighter.

Slug: Her Cyberwarp has an influence voice that can persuade naïve or the weak-minded and she casts illusion spells.

Snarl: Her Skyjack does sonic scream that ignites and unleashes an electromagnetic pulse that shuts down systems and weaken the enemies and their abilities.

Sludge: Him Treadshock is equipped with shock punches that unleashes blazing flames and electrical shock. Then him Riotgear is equipped with an arsenal blaster that consists of three modes – Gatling blaster, Missile launcher, and Cannon Buster.

Sideswipe now knows about Cyclonus and the Armadicons as he goes back on topic.

Sideswipe: Okay, what's the plan on getting pass them?

Grimlock: Me Grimlock and Sludge will distract him Cyclonus and his team. Snarl, Scorn, and Swoop will distract the miners, You, Slash, and Slug will get the energon.

Sideswipe: Got it.

Grimlock and Sludge charged at Cyclonus and the Armadicons as the Decepticons see them.

Cyclonus: There they are...the Dinobots

Riotgear: I only see two, aren't there seven of them.

Cyclonus: *turns his head and saw Sideswipe and the other five Dinobots entering the mine* Because, they are a distraction. You keep them occupied; I'll go after them.

Cyclonus heads to the mine while his team keeps Grimlock and Sludge busy.

_________________________________________

At the mine...

When Snarl, Scorn, and Swoop were fighting the miners. Sideswipe, Slash, and Slug were loading the energon on the cart.

Slug: The cart is loaded. *Transforms into his Dino mode*

Sideswipe and Slash attached Slug to the cart and mounted on as Slug was about to leave Cyclonus appeared in front of him as he grabbed Slug's horns.

Cyclonus: Where do you think you're going?

Slug: *nervously laughs* Nowhere...

Sideswipe gets off and lunges at Cyclonus as they begin to fight.

Sideswipe: Go! I'll keep him busy!

Slug leaves as Scorn, Snarl, and Swoop join up as they exit the mine.

_________________________________________

Meanwhile...

Grimlock and Sludge continued fighting Cyclonus' teammates except Cyberwarp as Grimlock noticed this as he stops fighting.

Grimlock: You, Cyberwarp! Why aren't you fighting?

Cyberwarp: I'm not a fighter, I'm a pacifist. I have a power to use my voice to influence weak-minded individuals.

Grimlock: Oh...okay *resumes fighting. *

The five other Dinobots were out of the mine as Scorn, Snarl, and Swoop joined the fight while Slash and Slug continue heading their way to the base. Then Sideswipe came out in his vehicle with Cyclonus chasing him in his jet mode.

Grimlock: Sideswipe!

Sideswipe: I'll be okay! I'll keep him away from the others.

_________________________________________

Sideswipe lures Cyclonus to an abandoned Decepticon outpost as they transformed into their robot mode and resume fighting. Cyclonus swings his fist at Sideswipe as he ducked and punched him. Cyclonus knocked Sideswipe down as the bot hears a crack.

Sideswipe: Wait! Do you hear that?

They hear the crack again as a crack line appear on the ceiling as it circled above them, Sideswipe knew it's not gonna end well.

Sideswipe: Uh-oh.

The ceiling begins to fall apart, Cyclonus shields Sideswipe as they debris fells on them.

Minutes later...

Cyclonus: *removes the debris* Ow!

He gets up as Sideswipe sits up.

Sideswipe: Thanks...I guess.

Cyclonus: Don't mention it. *Pulls Sideswipe up*

Sideswipe: Your wing!

Sideswipe saw that Cyclonus' wing is broken when he shielded Sideswipe.

Sideswipe: I'm not a doctor, but that doesn't look good. We need to get back and have yourself get treated.

Sideswipe picks up a pole and pulls out some medical wraps from his compartment and made a splint for Cyclonus' wing.

Sideswipe: We should better get going.

They began to leave.

Cyclonus: We need to make camp because it will be dark before we resume our journey.

Sideswipe: Right.

_________________________________________

Meanwhile...

The Dinobots were back at the base as they were waiting for Sideswipe to come back, but he hasn't they tried calling him, but he didn't respond as they began worry about him.

Grimlock: Me Grimlock began to worry about Sideswipe.

Slash: We haven't heard a word from him ever since he lured Cyclonus away from us.

Slug: We Dinobots can't go back out there. Him Shockwave and the Armadicons would sure be ready for us.

Swoop: Grimlock, permission for me Swoop to search for him Sideswipe.

Grimlock: Permission granted but come back by nighttime if you still hadn't found him.

Swoop: Me Swoop understood.

Swoop exits the base, transforms into his Dino mode, and flew off as he began to search for Sideswipe.

_________________________________________

At the Decepticon base...

The Armadicons were in bandages and casts except Cyberwarp as she gives them energon.

Skyjack: Those Dinobots pick up a good fight.

Treadshock: Yeah, the long-neck Dinobot, Sludge. He managed to make an earthquake before I could ever use my shock punch.

Skyjack: Mm-hmm, the spike-tailed one, Snarl managed to strike before I could use my sonic scream the second time.

Riotgear: Their leader, Grimlock used his fire breath to burn my Arsenal Buster.

Treadshock: Speaking of leader, any word from Cyclonus?

Cyberwarp: No, not even one, when he was chasing Sideswipe.

Skyjack: One of us, must go look for him.

Cyberwarp: I'll go, the three of you need to recover. But I need to do that with Shockwave's permission after all we report to him.

Treadshock: *sighs* Right.

With that Cyberwarp asked Shockwave for her to search for Cyclonus, Shockwave agreed and told her to be back at the base by nighttime if she hadn't found Cyclonus. Cyberwarp exits the base and transforms into her jet mode and began searching.

_________________________________________

Sunset...

Sideswipe and Cyclonus had stop and made a campfire. As Sideswipe decided to have a conversation with the Armadicon leader.

Sideswipe: So Cyclonus, tell me about your childhood.

Cyclonus: I was raised by a lesbian couple, Mina and Niko. They wanted to bear a sparkling, Cyclone, a local mech volunteered to be their sperm donor as my carrier, Mina is pregnant. Cyberwarp and I are friends when we were younglings. When I grew up to young adulthood, I went to the military to serve my planet. When Megatron began to form the Decepticons, Cyberwarp, her sister, Skyjack, and I joined them.

Sideswipe: Wow! Anything else?

Cyclonus: Well...Can you keep a secret?

Sideswipe: Sure.

Cyclonus: I had a lover...he's an Autobot and his name is Tailgate. Before we were even lovers, he and I used to be archenemies. When Tailgate was fighting a group of Decepticons when he got separated from his Autobot comrades after a massive explosion. I found him lying on the rubble, he was in stasis. When I picked him up, I received a commlink call from Megatron who asked me if the Decepticons where able to find more Energon and I told him how we got into a fight with the Autobots. I took care of Tailgate's injuries instead of taking him back to Kaon with me. Originally, I was going to take Tailgate hostage, but the commlink was cut off before I decided to take my archenemy back home to my house as my prisoner for interrogation.

Sideswipe: Let me guess why didn't take him for interrogation: thinking that Tailgate would change sides with your hospitality?

Cyclonus: *impressed* That's correct and how did you know?

Sideswipe: Call it a hunch.

Cyclonus: Any way back to the story. When Tailgate woke up inside my house, he was shocked to see that he was in my custody. Like you said I decided to have Tailgate to join the Decepticons by treating him with hospitality. Tailgate refused to join the Decepticons, so I let stay at my house to recover from his wounds. Then we soon got to know each other a lot better, and we started to get along for hours until I changed my mind about wanting to convince Tailgate to renounce the Autobots and become a Decepticon. I let Tailgate go after he recover and over time, we privately visit each other as we had turned from enemies to friends, then lovers. Three stellar cycles later, I finally decided to ask Tailgate to be my conjunx-endura and I asked him to run away with me. He accepted my proposal, we sparkbonded, and then, a few months later...Tailgate gave birth to our son, Gearspin.

Sideswipe: Wait, Tailgate? A mech...gave birth? I thought only femmes give birth to sparklings.

Cyclonus: You see Sideswipe it's rare for a male Cybertronian to give birth to a sparkling.

Sideswipe: Oh, well then...I had learned something just new today. Well, anyway continue.

Cyclonus: Megatron had found out about my love affair with an Autobot and sired a half-Autobot and half-Decepticon sparkling with him, I knew I was going to face the dire consequences of my actions. I told Tailgate to take our son and flee. Then the Vehicons arrested me and brought me to Megatron. I begged him for forgiveness, and he had punished me. After going through weeks of imprisonment and torture, Megatron eventually gave me a second chance to redeem myself before I got the news that Tailgate's spark was extinguished. I learned that he was killed by a Decepticon, but I was never told who it was. I eventually found my son, Gearspin, took him in and I raised him as a single father until he grew up to be a Decepticon like myself. The Decepticons treated my son as an outcast because he was half-Autobot. Gearspin eventually moved to a new home when he reached adulthood. I promised Tailgate that I would avenge his death by finding the Decepticon who murdered him so that I can terminate him or her for revenge.

Sideswipe becomes sympathetic by the Decepticon's story.

Sideswipe: I'm sorry for your loss. I know what's liked to lose someone you love, I lost my mom when I was a kid, she died of cosmic rust and in front of me. My mom's last words were "Don't be scared my son, be brave...hope and faith will guide you and you'll find your destiny. After, when she died, my twin brother and I were in the alley until we were found by our step – father. Since then, I had promised to follow my mom's last words.

Cyclonus: What happen to your brother and step – father?

Sideswipe: Well, you see my twin brother, Sunny, I call him that, treated me like a younger brother instead of a twin and I hated it. My step – father and I got into an argument then that's when I had it, when it was nighttime, I packed up and brought an axe for self-defense and I ran away. I took some sleep on an old apartment then the next morning I got lost in the Badlands and became exhausted. That's how I met the Dinobots they saved me from being taken by the vehicons and took me to their base and cooled me down from being overheated. Then they adopted me and teach me how to survive and fight like them.

Cyclonus: It was rough for you, dealing with the trauma. May I ask what happened to your biological father?

Sideswipe: I never knew who my biological father was, he left before my brother, and I were ever born. From what Mom told me about him is that he was a good mech and she said that I had his color scheme, and I would grow up to be handsome as he is. I also sympathize your son, Gearspin of being an outcast. Because I'm also an outcast, the Autobots look down at me how much I screw up and do wrong. All I wanted was to be appreciated by others. Then when I met the Dinobots, they believe I have what it takes to be an Autobot and so does Drift.

Cyclonus: I must say that I'm happy for you, Kid.

Sideswipe: Uuuh, thanks.

Cyclonus: You're welcome. By the way, did you ever miss your brother and step – father?

Sideswipe: *sighs* Honestly, yes. I miss them all the time and I really love them, and I regretted running away *voice cracks* I really want to go back to them, but I can't because I could get captured by Decepticons or they would follow me captured them, so I had to stay with the Dinobots. So, they would be safe.

Cyclonus: I'm sorry...

Sideswipe sees the sky getting dark.

Sideswipe: It's getting dark, let's get some sleep.

Cyclonus agreed as he and Sideswipe went to sleep.

_________________________________________

Nighttime...

Swoop and Cyberwarp went back to their respective bases as they couldn't find Sideswipe or Cyclonus as they went to sleep.

Outside of the bunker...

Sunstreaker was gazing at stars as he sighs. Then Roadbuster came out to check on him.

Roadbuster: It's time for bed, Sunstreaker.

Sunstreaker: Yeah, but I don't feel tired tonight.

Roadbuster: Is it Sideswipe?

Sunstreaker: Yes, I've been thinking about him, and I missed him, a lot.

Roadbuster: I missed him too.

Sunstreaker: When we were just kids, Mom would take us to go stargazing and she tells us that our great ancestors of the past would come out of the Well of Allsparks and into the sky watching us and guiding us.

Roadbuster: Yeah, it was his favorite tale. Now that Nitroblaze is one with the Allspark, I bet she is now in the sky, how about you pray her?

Sunstreaker: Sure *looks at the sky* Mom...If you there, please watch over Sideswipe. He had run away, and we are worried about him, I am worried the most, so please take care of him just like you took care of us.

After, Sunstreaker prayed for his late mother, he and Roadbuster went back to the bunker and went to sleep.

_________________________________________

Back to Sideswipe and Cyclonus...

The duo was still sleeping as Sideswipe hears a mysterious voice.

Voice (singing): As the stars start to align. I hope you take it as a sign that. You will be okay. Everything will be okay.

Sideswipe: Huh?

Sideswipe gets up from where he was sleeping and investigate the voice it sounded like it was singing in the distance.

Voice (singing): And if the core of Unicron collapse. Although the day could be my last. You will be okay. When I'm gone, you'll be okay.

Sideswipe recognizes that song it was the lullaby he's been soothed to as a sparkling and the bot who sings to him and Sunstreaker is...

Sideswipe: Mom...

Sideswipe goes back to where he was sleeping as he slept, spirits of Nitroblaze and Tailgate appeared as they lie down next to their respective loved ones.

Tailgate: I'm sorry we never got the chance to run away, be conjunx-endura, and had Gearspin grow up with the both of us. But I still love Cyclonus even when you had moved on, I always be there in your spark.

Nitroblaze: Sideswipe, you have no idea how proud I am? You are just like your father: brave, strong, compassion, and kind. *Begins singing the lullaby* And when creation goes to die. You can find me in the sky. Upon the last day. And you will be okay.

_________________________________________

The next morning...

Sideswipe and Cyclonus had woke up and resume to head back to the city. When they saw the mine that they had went yesterday.

Cyclonus: Farewell, Sideswipe. Live with your best life with family...though we will meet again, kid...right?

Sideswipe: Yes...Farewell, Cyclonus.

Sideswipe heads back to the Dinobot base as Swoop finds him as Cyclonus is found by Cyberwarp.

_________________________________________

A few weeks passed as Cyclonus' teammates had recovered while Sideswipe and the Dinobots laying low. Cyclonus decided to leave Cybertron along with his team as Shockwave respects his decision to leave. Sideswipe thinks back when he had asked Cyclonus about anyone that knows about his love affair with Tailgate before being discovered.

(Flashback)

Sideswipe: Hey Cyclonus?

Cyclonus: Yes?

Sideswipe: Does anyone know about your secret love affair with Tailgate before being discovered?

Cyclonus: My second – in – command/childhood friend, Cyberwarp knows about it, Flatline, he's a Decepticon medic, and Whirl, he's an Autobot and a Wrecker. When I first met him, I find him crazy because he thinks that Tailgate and I should be together, but he didn't say it out loud to Bots and Cons. But now he's correct. As Flatline helped Tailgate to deliver our son. If Whirl was still here he would say "I told you so"

Sideswipe chuckles.

(Flashback ends)

Sideswipe had finished drawing a picture of him and his dinobot family as he had also drawn Cyclonus as he puts his drawings in his drawers where he keeps his other drawings.

_________________________________________

Meanwhile...

Cyclonus came to see his conjunx-endura, Paragon and his offspring, Requiem along with his and Tailgate's son, Gearspin, who came to visit his father, stepmother, and half – sibling.

Paragon: How was day, Cyclonus?

Cyclonus: Rough, but I had conversation with a young cybertronian named Sideswipe that Shockwave ordered us to capture him.

Gearspin: What kind of conversation would that be, Dad?

Cyclonus: Family matters.