A/N: Just a quick thank you for my very first book hitting 1k votes, Hope you guys continue supporting this book and or my other ones.

Y/N's Pov

The weight on my back wasn't unbearable, but after hours of trekking through uneven terrain, my legs were screaming for mercy. I adjusted Megatron's position slightly, earning a grunt of annoyance from her. She was clutching the watch she'd miraculously managed to half-repair. The cracked interface flickered faintly, emitting a weak glow. She had been fiddling with it nonstop, trying to get a signal.

"Anything yet?" I asked, my voice strained as I climbed another jagged incline.

"Not unless you think static is going to call for help," she muttered, frustration evident. She shook the watch, like hitting it might somehow coax it into cooperating.

"Great. More climbing and less rescuing," I sighed, my breath ragged. My back was beginning to ache from carrying her for so long.

"What was that?" Megatron's voice sharpened, and I winced internally.

"N-nothing!" I lied.

Her grip on my shoulder tightened, and her tone turned icy. "Are you saying I'm heavy?"

"What? No!"

"Then what? Too fat? Is that it?!" she snapped, her pout audible even if I couldn't see it.

"No, Megatron, you're not fat!" I groaned.

"Oh, so you thought about it?" she huffed, crossing her arms dramatically while still on my back.

I stopped in my tracks, careful not to lose my footing on the slippery rock. "I didn't say that! I just—my back hurts, alright? I've been carrying you and my guilt for getting us into this mess for hours!"

She fell silent, but I could feel her stewing in irritation. After a moment, she let out a begrudging sigh. "Fine. You're off the hook—for now. Just keep walking, and if you drop me, I'll make sure you regret it."

"Understood," I muttered, continuing forward as she resumed her signal hunt.

The air grew thinner the higher we climbed, the oppressive darkness punctuated only by the faint glow of the watch and our own breathing.

"Y/N."

Her voice caught my attention, and I glanced back.

She held up the watch. "The interface flickered for a second just now. If we're lucky, we might hit a patch where the signal gets through."

"Good. Because if this keeps up, my legs are going to revolt and throw you off," I said, half-joking.

Megatron smirked, though she didn't respond. Instead, she kept fiddling with the watch as I continued up the incline, both of us hoping for any sign of salvation.

The cave echoed with the sound of dripping water and the occasional creak of the rocks shifting beneath us. It was eerie, and every step forward felt like the beginning of a new trial.

"We've got to be close to the surface," she murmured. "There's no way we haven't climbed at least halfway back up by now."

"Here's hoping," I said, trying to inject some optimism into my voice. But truthfully, I was just as exhausted as she was, if not more.

"Don't stop," Megatron said suddenly, her voice tense.

"What? Why?"

She pointed the flashlight down the path we had just traversed. Shadows danced across the walls, and for a split second, I thought I saw something move.

"Just keep walking, Y/N," she whispered, her voice tight with unease.

I didn't need to be told twice.

As we pressed on, the faint static on the watch's interface flickered again, just enough to give us a spark of hope. But whatever was lurking in the shadows behind us had me moving faster, Megatron's weight forgotten as adrenaline took over.

"Come on, come on," she muttered, shaking the watch. "Just give me a signal already!"

Her determination, mixed with the growing tension of whatever was behind us, made me push harder. If we were lucky, we'd reach a high enough point to get through—and hopefully avoid whatever was tailing us.

Optinessa's Pov.

The humid air clung to my skin as we trudged through the dense jungle terrain, the cries of unseen creatures echoing in the distance. My focus remained sharp, even as the chatter behind me threatened to push me over the edge. Starscream was walking beside me, her usual smug demeanor intact, while Bumblebee, Arcee, and Soundwave flanked us in a loose formation.

"I'm telling you, we have to pick up the pace!" Bumblebee exclaimed, her tone desperate. "Y/N could be hurt, or worse!"

"Calm down, Bumblebee," Arcee snapped, rolling her eyes. "You're acting like you're his girlfriend or something."

Bumblebee stopped in her tracks, whirling around to glare at Arcee. "And what if I am? Maybe I care about him more than you do!"

"Please," Arcee scoffed, crossing her arms. "You've barely even talked to him outside of training. Don't act like you're so close to him."

"You're just jealous!" Bumblebee shot back.

"Jealous? Of what? Your baseless obsession?"

Soundwave, who had been scouting ahead, paused and turned back to glance at them. She tilted her head, her impassive expression making it clear she was unimpressed.

"Enough!" I barked, stopping to glare at both of them. "This isn't the time to fight over who likes him more! We're supposed to be rescuing him and Megatron, not acting like petty children."

Bumblebee flushed, looking down, while Arcee huffed and crossed her arms.

"You don't understand!" Bumblebee protested, her voice softer now. "Y/N... he's always been kind to me. Even when others thought I was too hyper or annoying. He never treated me like that. I just want to make sure he's okay."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and even I felt a twinge of guilt for snapping at her. But before I could say anything, Arcee chimed in.

"We all want him to be okay," she said, her tone still sharp. "But fighting about who misses him the most isn't going to bring him back any faster."

Starscream, ever the opportunist, decided now was the perfect time to stir the pot. "Honestly, it doesn't matter who rescues him first, because I already have a date with Y/N reserved. So, even if you do find him before me, it won't change that fact."

The air grew still as her words sank in.

"What?!" Bumblebee and Arcee shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the jungle.

Even Soundwave, who rarely showed emotion, raised an eyebrow.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling sharply. "Starscream, I swear—"

"What?" she interrupted, smirking. "It's true. Y/N and I made plans before this whole disaster. A moonlit beach dinner, just the two of us." She clasped her hands together dramatically. "Ah, how romantic."

"You're making that up!" Bumblebee snapped, her face red.

"She's lying," Arcee added, though her voice carried a hint of doubt.

Starscream shrugged, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd unleashed. "Believe what you want, but don't say I didn't warn you when you see us together."

I could feel a vein in my forehead throbbing. "Alright, that's enough! If I hear one more word about who's going to rescue him or who has a date with him, I'll personally drag all of you back to the base myself!"

The girls fell silent, though I could feel their tension simmering just beneath the surface.

As we continued forward, I couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. Of course, I missed Y/N too. I wanted to find him, to make sure he was safe. But I wasn't about to start a competition over it—not that I'd admit to anyone how much I wanted to be the one to rescue him.

Starscream smirked at me as we walked, clearly enjoying my frustration. I ignored her, focusing instead on the task at hand.

"Soundwave," I called out. "Anything on your end?"

She shook her head, her expression neutral. "No signs yet. But they couldn't have gotten far. We'll find them soon."

I nodded, clenching my fists. We had to. No matter how annoying my team was being, nothing mattered more than bringing Y/N and Megatron back safely

Y/N's Pov.

The warm scent of the soup filled the air, a comforting reprieve from the damp chill of the cave. I sat cross-legged near the fire, watching Megatron as she leaned against a rock, her face pale and strained. Every now and then, she winced, her fingers brushing over her swollen ankle.

"You okay?" I asked, breaking the silence.

She didn't answer, just gave me a sharp glare that told me to drop it.

Still, the sight of her in pain made me restless. I needed to distract her, to keep her mind off it. "So," I started, stirring the soup with a makeshift ladle, "why do you hate Optinessa so much?"

Megatron's eyes shot up to meet mine, and I immediately regretted asking. She scowled, reaching for a nearby rock.

"Hey, hey!" I raised my hands defensively, scooting back. "I didn't mean anything by it!"

She held the rock for a moment, her knuckles whitening as if she was genuinely considering chucking it at me. But then, she sighed heavily and set it down, the firelight reflecting in her narrowed eyes.

"It's complicated," she muttered, her voice low and tense.

I tilted my head, intrigued despite the obvious landmine I was stepping into. "Complicated how?"

She hesitated, her fingers brushing absently against her ankle. "I don't hate her. Not really."

That answer caught me off guard. "Wait—you don't?"

Megatron gave me a sharp look. "No, idiot. We were sisters once."

I blinked, my mind struggling to process the revelation. "Sisters? Like... biologically?"

Her expression darkened, her gaze hard enough to make me shrink back. "No! Not biologically. Technically sisters."

"Technically?"

She exhaled through gritted teeth, clearly annoyed. "We grew up together. We were close, like family. We had each other's backs. But..." Her voice faltered, her hand trembling slightly as it rested on her knee.

"But what?" I pressed gently, leaning forward.

Before she could answer, her ankle betrayed her again, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her body. She hissed, clutching it tightly as her face contorted in agony.

"Hold on," I said quickly, setting the ladle down and moving closer. "Let me help."

Megatron didn't resist as I crouched beside her, trying to reposition her leg to ease the pressure. But as I worked, a faint sound reached my ears—a rustling, faint but unmistakable, coming from the shadows behind us.

I froze, my hands stilling as my heart skipped a beat. "Did you hear that?"

Megatron's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing as she turned toward the noise. The rustling grew louder, closer, and my stomach churned with unease.

"Get me up," she said, her voice low but firm.

I nodded, slipping my arm under her to lift her onto my back. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders tightly as I stood, the soup and fire forgotten.

"Move," she whispered, her voice tense.

We didn't need to discuss it further. Whoever—or whatever—was out there wasn't friendly. With Megatron clinging to me, I pressed forward, my eyes darting around the dimly lit cave for any sign of an exit.

The rustling followed, unrelenting, echoing in the cavern like a predator's footsteps. My pulse pounded in my ears as I whispered, "Let's hope this thing doesn't like soup."

Megatron snorted softly, though her grip on me tightened. "If it doesn't kill us, I might kill you for that joke."

Fair enough.

Optinessa's Pov.

The rocky cliff stretched endlessly below us, a stark reminder of how far Y/N and Megatron must have fallen. The air was thick with tension, every second feeling like an eternity as we waited. Beside me, Bumblebee tapped her foot restlessly, while Starscream crossed her arms, her expression one of barely restrained impatience.

Finally, the sound of approaching footsteps reached us, and Smokescreen arrived, hauling a bundle of climbing gear over her shoulders.

"About time," Starscream huffed, flicking her hair. "We don't have all day."

Smokescreen ignored her, setting down the gear as the rest of us moved closer to prepare.

While the others started strapping into harnesses, Soundwave stepped forward, her ever-present pet raven perched on her shoulder. With a soft click of her tongue, she sent the bird swooping down into the cavern below.

"I don't need equipment," she said quietly, pulling out twin daggers from her belt.

Before anyone could stop her, she leapt off the edge with an eerie grace, scaling the jagged cliff like a shadow.

"Hey!" Bumblebee groaned, tightening her harness as quickly as she could. "She's gonna get to Y/N first!"

Her words lit a fire under the rest of the group. One by one, we followed suit, rappelling down the cliffside with varying levels of skill. Smokescreen gave us a quick thumbs-up before securing her own rope and descending at a brisk pace.

I took my time, making sure my footing was precise. As much as I wanted to rush, the thought of slipping and delaying the rescue kept me cautious. Starscream, ever the show-off, made a point to descend with an elegance that felt entirely unnecessary, her smirk visible even in the dim light.

By the time we reached the cavern floor, the group was scattered, flashlights flicking on as we surveyed the area.

"Spread out," I ordered, keeping my voice calm despite the growing worry twisting in my chest. "Look for anything—clues, trails, anything they might've left behind."

It didn't take long before we started finding signs. Torn pieces of fabric, dark and damp, that unmistakably belonged to Y/N's jacket. Small shards of glass from what must have been one of their watches glinted under our lights.

"I've got something!" Starscream called, crouching near a patch of disturbed earth.

"Footprints," Soundwave added from the opposite direction, her raven now perched on a nearby rock, its head tilted as if pointing the way.

The two deceptigals turned to face each other, both sets of eyes narrowing.

"I found the trail first," Soundwave said softly, but her tone carried an undeniable edge.

"You found a scent," Starscream snapped back, straightening up. "I found actual footprints."

They glared at each other, the tension between them palpable.

"Enough!" I snapped, stepping between them before things could escalate. "Does it really matter who found what? We're all here to find Y/N and Megatron. Focus!"

The deceptigals backed down, though their heated glares didn't waver.

Just as I was trying to rally everyone back together, a loud cry echoed through the cavern.

"I'm coming for you, Y/N!"

I turned just in time to see Bumblebee and Knockout bolting off, their flashlights bouncing wildly as they disappeared into the darkness.

"Unbelievable," I muttered under my breath, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Why can't anyone stick to the plan?"

Despite the frustration bubbling up, I motioned for the remaining group to follow. If there was even a chance the trail led to Y/N and Megatron, we couldn't afford to waste any time.

As we moved deeper into the cave, my heart clenched. The torn jacket and shattered watch painted a grim picture, but I refused to lose hope. "Hang on, you two," I whispered, tightening my grip on my flashlight. "We're coming."

Y/N's Pov.

 Something was following us, and every time the faint rustling echoed in the distance, my grip on Megatron's legs tightened instinctively.

"Pick up the pace," Megatron urged, her voice sharp but edged with an undertone of fear. Her hands clung tightly to my shoulders, and I could feel her tense with every sound.

Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I stopped in my tracks.

"What are you doing?!" Megatron hissed, pinching my cheek in frustration. "Why the heck did you stop?"

I winced, rubbing my face. "What if it's not a monster? What if it's Optinessa and the others? Maybe they found us!"

Megatron's brow furrowed, her expression hardening. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. If I don't know about the underground caverns on this island, do you really think there aren't things down here that could eat us alive?"

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I was determined. Gently setting her down against the cavern wall, I ignored her protests.

"Y/N, don't do this! Just keep moving!" she snapped, her voice trembling slightly.

I ignored her, stepping forward and calling out into the darkness. "Optinessa? Bumblebee? Anyone?!"

Silence.

The rustling grew louder, accompanied by heavier, deliberate footsteps.

"Optinessa?" I tried again, my voice faltering.

Still nothing.

Then, from the shadows, I saw it—a faint purple light. It flickered erratically, like a dying bulb. At first, I squinted, hoping against hope that it was someone's flashlight. But as the light grew brighter, I realized it wasn't a beam. It was a pair of glowing eyes.

My blood ran cold.

The creature growled, low and guttural, reverberating through the cavern walls. Then it roared, a deafening sound that shook the ground beneath my feet.

"Nope, nope, nope!" I yelled, spinning around and sprinting back toward Megatron.

"What is it?!" she shouted, panic lacing her words.

"I was wrong! I was so wrong!" I cried, scooping her up in one fluid motion.

The roar came again, followed by the unmistakable sound of heavy, rapid footsteps pounding against the cavern floor. Whatever it was, it was big, fast, and angry.

"Don't stop!" Megatron yelled, clinging to me tightly. "Run, you idiot!"

I didn't need to be told twice. My legs burned as I pushed myself harder, the sound of the creature's pursuit growing louder and closer. Adrenaline surged through me as I darted around jagged rocks and leapt over small pools of water.

The flickering glow of its eyes became visible in my peripheral vision, and I dared a glance back. A hulking shadow with glowing eyes loomed closer, its massive form illuminated briefly by the dim light from a distant crack in the cavern ceiling.

"Y/N, focus!" Megatron's voice snapped me back to reality.

Ahead, the cavern split into two paths. Without thinking, I veered left, the passage narrowing as we plunged deeper into the unknown.

"Do you even know where you're going?!" Megatron shouted, her voice barely audible over the pounding footsteps behind us.

"Not a clue!" I admitted, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

The roar echoed again, but this time it was accompanied by the sound of splashing water. My heart skipped a beat—had the creature slowed down? Or worse, had it found a faster way to cut us off?

"Just keep going!" Megatron urged, her grip tightening around my shoulders.

I didn't argue. The only thing that mattered now was outrunning whatever nightmare was chasing us. 

"Watch out Y/N!" Megatron's voice echoed as I looked ahead, we were heading for a cliff as I barely managed to stop. Then I turned back to the sound of the stampeding creature or monster that was heading straight for us. Then back at the cliff and at the bottom was a deep descent into nothing.

"We're trapped..." Megatron mumbled, her grip tightening on my shoulders.

"No, we aren't, I can jump it look" I said as there was a jagged ledge that I could just barely reach if I had a running start. So, I backed up just enough and firmly held Megatron who was looking up at me and for the first time she looked scared.

"Don't worry, we're getting out of this. I want my fruity cocktail drinks!" I yelled as I sprinted towards the edge.

Optinessa's Pov.

The roar echoed through the cavern, reverberating in my chest like a war drum. The sound wasn't natural; it was deep, guttural, and full of menace. My grip on the flashlight tightened as I motioned for the others to keep moving.

"That roar," I said, keeping my voice steady, "that's where they are. And they're not alone."

Everyone moved faster, even Bumblebee, who had been complaining earlier. No one wanted to think about what kind of creature could make such a sound. Soundwave's raven flew ahead, guiding us deeper into the cave system until we stopped abruptly at the edge of a massive cliff. Across the yawning gap was another opening, and I could just make out faint footprints leading into it.

The gap was massive—far too wide to cross without equipment. We began to look around. Searching for a way to cross when we suddenly heard...

"I want my fruity cocktails drinks!!"

I turned and saw them. Y/N was sprinting toward the edge, Megatron clinging to his back like her life depended on it—because it probably did. My spark jumped into my throat when I realized they weren't going to make it.

"Move!" I shouted, already reaching for my grappling line.

Smokescreen acted faster, pulling a rope and forming a lasso in record time. With a quick spin, she hurled it into the air, the loop catching Y/N just as he jumped, falling short of the ledge.

"Hold on!" Smokescreen yelled, digging her heels into the ground as the rope strained under their combined weight.

I didn't hesitate. I dropped my flashlight and lunged to grab the rope alongside Smokescreen, the coarse fibers biting into my palms. Beside me, Starscream dove into action, using her insane strenght to dig her feet into the ground as an anchor literally.

"Heavy... so heavy!" Smokescreen grunted; her teeth clenched as we strained against gravity.

"Say that again, and I'll dropkick you into this pit," I growled, forcing my legs to stay steady as we heaved.

Finally, we pulled them up. Y/N and Megatron tumbled onto the rocky ledge in a heap, both panting and covered in dirt. Bumblebee practically tackled Y/N, wrapping her arms around him before he could even catch his breath.

"Y/N! You're okay!" she cried, squeezing him like a stuffed animal.

"Air... need air..." he croaked, patting her arm weakly.

I stepped closer, glaring down at him. "Do you have any idea how reckless you just were?"

He looked up at me, a sheepish grin on his face. "Hey, we're alive, right?"

Before I could respond, Megatron groaned and pushed herself halfway up. "Barely. He's an idiot, and I'm going to kill him later."

Her leg was still swollen and clearly in worse condition. I knelt beside her, checking the injury as the others kept their flashlights scanning the darkness.

That's when we heard it again.

Another roar. This one louder, closer. The ground beneath us shook, and the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the opening Y/N and Megatron had come from.

"Run," Y/N said, his voice shaky but firm. "We need to run. Now."

"No kidding!" Starscream snapped, grabbing the rope again as she helped Megatron to her feet.

I didn't need to issue orders. Everyone sprang into action, with Smokescreen and Soundwave helping carry Megatron while I grabbed Y/N's arm to pull him along.

Behind us, the roar turned into a snarl, and the heavy footsteps grew louder. I didn't dare look back, all that matters was we got him back, and Megatron.

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Somewhere Else...

In a dimly lit room filled with the hum of machinery and the faint glow of monitors, a woman stood with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes fixed on one of the many screens before her. The camera feed displayed the chaos unfolding in the cavern—the students scrambling to escape as the creature closed in. The image flickered occasionally, static distorting the feed, but it was enough for her to see everything clearly.

Behind her, a voice broke the silence, calm but laced with concern. "Ma'am, are you certain it's wise to allow the students to encounter Redacted? This could jeopardize—"

"Everything is under control," the woman interrupted, her tone smooth and unwavering. She didn't even turn to address the speaker, her gaze fixed on the screen.

The sound of clinking glass echoed through the room as someone handled vials of glowing liquids on a nearby workstation. Keyboards clacked rhythmically, and faint murmurs of technicians conferring added to the atmosphere of quiet yet focused intensity.

"But if they see too much," another voice chimed in nervously, "it could complicate things. The subjects weren't meant to interact with—"

"Let them see," the woman said, a sly smile curling at her lips. She reached for a tablet resting on the console, tapping a few commands before setting it back down. "A little chaos never hurt anyone. Besides..." She paused, her smile widening.

"Everything is going according to plan."

The camera feed switched to another angle, capturing the creature stalking through the cavern. Its glowing eyes burned through the shadows as it sniffed the air, searching. The students were just out of frame, but the tension in the room mirrored their desperation.

The technicians exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing more. They had learned long ago not to question her decisions.

The woman leaned back slightly, her fingers drumming against the edge of the console as she watched. "Let's see what else they'll uncover," she murmured, almost to herself.

To Be Continued...