[audio]

[badboybikerbot]

Okay, check it out. I've got a project. This is important, so I need everyone's cooperation with this.

Someone teach me Cybertronian swear words. Some good insults. Stuff like that. I'm compiling a list. For, y'know.

Science.

[And by SCIENCE he means "actually I'm at work and just looking for ways to procrastinate on paper work" but hey]

Comments

[thxforthememories]

[It takes him a minute to puzzle out how it was Shadowmaru just changed shape like that. And why he's no longer being held onto. And it takes him even longer to figure out he needs to do the same. The transformation, at least, goes smoothly, even though the bird is leaning heavily against the jet.]

[But he's hovering. He's sure he can make it, like this.]

[loborobo]

[The jet tilts his frame so that his wing is there to catch Gunmax of he were to take a misstep and fall. But in the same motion, the nose of his jet lightly brushes the side of the bird's head. Affectionate and to show that he's there for him.]

We'll take it easy so that Kagerou doesn't strain himself and so that you don't fall off, Gunmax.

[badboybikerbot]

[It takes Gunmax a few seconds to decide just how to approach this whole thing before finally sucking it up and climbing on.]

I owe you big time. Huge time.

[thxforthememories]

Fine. I'm fine.

[He'll wait until Shadowmaru takes off to do so too. But his head nudges back, grateful, and ends up resting on the jet's "nose". He's sure he can do this.]

[He has to. He won't fail his friend.]

[loborobo]

You're not fine until we get you to the Solarian temple.

[Slowly, he starts to rise up, making sure not to rise too fast, readjusting the nose of the get forward once more. He turns his nose in the direction of Solus' temple. And one they're ready, he takes off.]

You don't owe us anything, Gunmax. [He says over the roar of his engine.]

It's what friends do.

[badboybikerbot]

Yeah, yeah.

[Gunmax would be all for telling Shadowmaru where he can shove THAT because Gunmax is all about repaying debts and shit, but right now he's a little preoccupied with hanging on for dear life and being pissed that he had to leave Gunbike behind.]

[thxforthememories]

[He doesn't say much of anything as they go. He has to focus entirely on keeping airborne, and not, you know, crashing and burning like he wants to. He wants to rest and not be moving.]

[But what else can he do right now?]

[loborobo]

[And Shadowmaru makes sure to keep pace with Kagerou as they fly, readjusting himself under Gunmax's weight as they fly.]

It shouldn't take too long by air. You two will be alright. I promise.

[badboybikerbot]

I hear ya, buddy.

[you know some day they're gonna look back on this moment and either laugh or groan]

[thxforthememories]

[He's half-flying, half leaning on the other ninja in the air. But, thankfully, when you're flying at this altitude, it's a lot less time than it'd taken them to get out here.]

[He doesn't waste focus in answering them. He just concentrates on flying and not falling face-first into the ground.]

[loborobo]

[Okay good. Good. This was all going well.

And in a matter of minutes, they make it to the correct temple. Carefully, Shadowmaru lands just inside the temple with Kagerou, careful not to land too quickly. But once he lands, his body shifts a little under Gunmax.]

I think that Ratchet fella is in here.

[badboybikerbot]

Oh yeah. Hey, let's find out. HEY! RATCHET FELLA! YOU IN?

[yelling helps, right? Probably not. But it's fun.]

[thxforthememories]

[He doesn't really move when they land. He just sort of slumps where he lands, his head buried in Shadowmaru's side.]

[They can yell all they want. He'd rather just stay where he is. Maybe if they go quiet soon, he can doze off, where he stands...]

[neededthat]

[There's silence. And soon around the corner, there's a low mumble of distain. Ratchet peeks around the corner at the three of them.]

What in the name of Primus--

[He scowls, until he sees the state Gunmax and Kagerou are in. He inhales sharply and rushes over to them, looking down at Gunmax and then Kagerou. As Shadowmaru moves out of the way, Ratchet stares up at Gunmax, frowning.]

What happened to you two?!

[badboybikerbot]

Ah, y'know. The usual. Demon robot caterpillar from Hell tried to eat us.

[of COURSE Gunmax was going to play it off like it ain't no thang what did you expect]

[thxforthememories]

[He manages a bit of a nod, before resuming his slumped posture. The world started to spin a little when he did that. And a nap never sounded as good as it does right now.]

[Maybe he should be worried about that.]

[But hey. If Gunmax isn't worried...!]