Hope kept pace with Arcee and Jack until they reached the base. She was surprised to see that her brothers hadn't followed her. Perhaps they were finally giving her some much needed space. Elated, she decided to go to the newly repaired training field to work on refining her weapons skill.

After an hour or so, she became aware that she had an audience.  Stopping, she looked up and saw the new twins gazing at her with mouths wide, gawking. Self-conscious, she returned her staff to its scabbard before addressing them. She didn't have a chance to say anything.

"Hey good looking. What's a femme like you doing in a dive like this?"

Before Hope could blink at that awful pick up line, the green mech tried to outdo his red twin.

"You must be an angel. Want to wrap those wings around me?"

Hope slowly backed away and bumped into someone behind her.

"Excuse darling while I teach these two afts a lesson for harassing a pretty femme like you."

Wheeljack stepped forward to deal with the two and left Hope fuming at the thought that she needed protecting like a damsel in distress. Two answering growls joined hers and she looked up to see that Sunny and Sides had joined her in response to her anger in the bond.

"Why is everyone taller them me!" she snarled irrationally and stalked out to the main base.

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe followed her out to the main hanger and stood under where she hid in the rafters. Ironhide pulled Wheeljack aside before he could follow.

"I wouldn't try anything with their little sister. The lambo twins are liable to rearrange your grill if you even attempt it."

"Sister eh? Well I do like a challenge. " he responded with a trace of a smirk in his tone.

Ironhide shook his helm as he watched Wheeljack stroll towards the trio. He was joined by Optimus and they stood there for a moment to watch what was doomed to be Wheeljacks last stand.

"You know Prime, he's signing his own death warrant messing with her. If she doesn't hand his aft to him, then the twins will."

"They'd have to get in line."

Ironhide took in the Prime's stormy expression and wisely decided to keep his own counsel. So that's how the wind blows, he thought. Things were starting to get interesting if the Prime himself was falling for their champion.

********************

Hope flew down to meet her brothers as Wheeljack walked up to them. She had hoped to talk to them about being so over protective and to assert her ability to protect herself.  That hope was dashed as soon as Wheeljack walked up and attempted to talk to her again. He barely got a word out before they formed a wall in front of her.

"What is up with you two aftholes? I was just trying to a conversation with her."

He attempted again to slide past them but was blocked.

"She has no interest in speaking with you."

"Oh? Is that how it is? Afraid to let your little sister get to know a real mech?"

"Back off mech or we'll make you."

While the mechs continued to bicker back and forth, Hope was slowly starting to lose control of her temper. Across the bay, Optimus and Ironhide could see the energy forming around her unnoticed by the twins and Wheeljack who were lost in their argument. 

"Oh Primus, this isn't going to end well Prime."

The two older mechs started towards the fight. Most of the base personnel had wisely relocated away from the commotion so at least they didn't have to worry about the humans. They were intercepted by Bumblebee who had also been alerted to the situation.  Together, they moved closer, prepared to save the three other mechs from their own stupidity.

The bright light fully enveloped Hope and as the energy expanded around her, her appearance began to shift and change. Her form grew to over Sunstreaker's and Sideswipe's helms. Wheeljack finally noticed and took a step back. The twins puzzled, turned to follow his gaping gaze and came face to face with a gleaming Cybertronian Dragon.

Hope stared down at her brothers in confusion.  Why were they so small now and what was with the strange looks? She opened her mouth to speak and instantly both twins had blasters in their servos. Rearing back in confusion, she sent a feeling of fear and bewilderment through the bond before lifting up and flying out the base doors.

"Put those blasters down you daft slaggers! That's Hope you're aiming at!"

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stared after the dragon's retreating form, still reeling from the pain in their sparks. Snapping out of it, they moved to follow her.

"Leave her alone. You've frightened her enough already."

Bumblebee stood his ground when the twins whirled on him, face plates fierce with anger.

"Bumblebee is correct. I will go after her."

The twins shared a glance when Optimus spoke up but finally nodded and stepped aside to let him pass.

"Are you crazy Optimus?! At least let me join you. She could be dangerous in her present form!"

"No Ironhide, anymore then one would only serve to frighten her more. I will maintain radio contact with base."

With that being said, Optimus transformed and drove through the base doors in pursuit.