1008/FIGHT CLUB

**Darkstar has posed:**
Thwump. Thump. Thwump. The crowd grew one by one, slowly and steadily they came from all over.

"Uhnf! Arrrrgh... C'mere! Raahhh!" Three turned to a half dozen, turned to a dozen, turned to almost twice as many.

SMASH! CRASH! THWOK. BANG! Most of the evening went like this... Energon everywhere. Everywhere.

    Within the corners of Dead End a beast was stirring... The beast had many heads, nearly two dozen in fact. They were of all colors and sizes, there were those that glowed, those coing in pairs, and those that watched alone. There was cheering, calling, roaring even as they clapped their hands, thrusted their fists, and heckled the less favored of the two mechs in the middle who were intent on beating the living spark out of each other.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid is down in the Dead End, doing housecalls to people that can't afford to go to the medic. He hears cheering and calling and comes over to see what the soure of the noise is. "Oh. Oh dear." he comments. "Um. Guys. Guys. Maybe someone shoudl stop this."

**Starlock has posed:**
     A small, black hooded-cloaked figure was walking down the streets of the dead end... They had reasons to be here after all, given the amount of dead that were piling up here, that had been taken by the thinning plague that Gallo and Greymatter had set loose on the planet, a faint glow of purple in that dark hood.

      They would hear the sound of the massacre and quickly got himself above the roads and sidewalks on the proper side of the block, one could mistake them for a flyer, given the sheer amount of dexterity and agility they were displaying as they were parkouring across the rooftops.. They would look down to get an idea on what was happening bellow on in the area.

**Darkstar has posed:**
"Maybe you should get lost, squirt..."

    That wasn't very nice, but a lot of the mechs here happened to be like that. Fortunately for First Aid the one who'd replied happened to be a newbie tonight, his armor already dented in several places from his debut match only an hour before.

    Within the ring the two mechs traded blows. These two were heavy-hitters to say the least! Massive was the first mech, his arms the size of truck tires. The other was a surprisingly taller mech, yet quite a bit more lanky-- whose reach was almost freakish. They were well matched, and neither seemed to be giving much ground despite the fact that both looked as if they'd recently spent time in a trash compactor.

    A hand fell upon First Aid's shoulder from behind, and a figure loomed beside him while leaning downward ever so slightly. "You're in the wrong place, Autobot..." the voice whispered, though it wouldn't take Aid long enough to identify the owner. Darkstar's voice wasn't one that most mechs soon forgot.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid notices what's going on. "Is that.. are they fighting in there for sport?" his optics widen and then. He feels the hand. He tenses and turns around "Dark! Erm.. uh. Hello, Darkstar. Do you see this? Its so brutal."

**Starlock has posed:**
     The figure under the hood frowned at the display of violence, but this was the dead end, where this type of thing was prevalent, and they were quite familiar with it... Mostly due to how often they came down here to assist the sick and injured, mainly escaping such, much like the doctor that ran the free clinic that was located here.

      They would over to First aid and Darkstar, hearing First Aid's voice, and moved closer to them from their spot on the rooftop, keeping an optic on the two.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    The younger looking mech who'd initially replied to First Aid sighs with aggravation and begins to wade through the crowd to distance himself fom the Autobot and now the Decepticon who'd joined him.

    Watching the fighters, his hand still on First Aid's shoulder, Darkstar chuckled. "Yeah..." his optics flashed. "Ain't it great? They've been dukin' it out for at least ten minutes. S'won of th' longest fights of the evening." A finger rises from the rest of the hand that was heavily set onto Aid's frame, the finger pointing at the brawlers. "Tall mech goes by Stiletto. The other one's a buddy o' mine... We fought on my first day." A scoff, and then the Decepticon chortles again. "He's undefeated so far, but I'm workin' on it..."

    Stiletto leaped high into the air, sailing over Darkstar's 'buddy' before twisting his legs around to kick the sturdier looking mech in the face-- twice! The crowd boomed as the broad-armed battlebot stumbled, and actually dropped to one knee. With the way that the crowd responded it was clear that this was something that rarely happened.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid frowns "It sort of..takes advantage of everyone involved. It's.. I mean what's the point." he watches Stiletto come down hard, backing towards Darkstar to avoid being hit by anything. "Things like this happen here a lot. It hurts your spark to see it, doesnt it?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     The bot under the cloak placed their hand over the face at the twos interaction, but would look to the fight as things picked up and frowned, they would stands up straight, and their optics would trail to the mess that had been left behind by this... It wasn't their place to break up fights like this, nor was it their job to repair them from such a fight, still..

      It was not something they took pleasure in finding out about, specially with that plague spreading about. For now their focus would be on keeping an optic on First Aid.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar straightened up a bit, his hand remaining firm on First Aid's shoulder with purpose. "Everyone here is gettin' somethin' out of it, Proto. You talkin' like you're not hangin' around with femmes and mechs who're blastin' others apart with \*rockets\* and laser beams on the reg'." Again, the space-alt loosed a laugh, this one coming from deep within. "This is how things really are... Competition is pretty much the drivin' force of existence. Superiority eradicatin' or subjugating inferiority. Sometimes there's a bit of sharin', quid pro quo, but it's all about survival of the fittest in the end."

    Darkstar's friend, the broad and sturdy mech with arms the size of truck tires returned to his feet, planted a wide stance with a thundering boom as his foot met the ground. "RAAAAAAH!" He charged, and there was a loud crashing sound followed by another as the two slammed into the surface together, the bigger mech already raising his fists to pound the taller mech's chest in.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid looks to Darkstar. "No, I generally don't. I just clean up the aftermess." he says. He watceh the fight closely, with a bit off a shiver as it starts to get more violent. "So he's been .. a victor for a while?" He knows better than to interfere. "I guess it can be. Me? Im not the competitive sort. I know people that like to race and the like but this.." he motions. "This is just.. I dont know. It doesnt make sense. There's not many of us. Cybertronians that is. Why kill what little we have left?"

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar doesn't have anything to say it seems... The spacer was completely silent, his optics glued on the fight alone. Maybe he was reflecting about what First Aid had said... Maybe at this moment in time an Autobot medic, some weakling nerd-bot just put a small crack in Darkstar's perspective.

    Stiletto was looking absolutely horrible for wear. Nothing the taller mech could do to get the big, broad, behemoth off of him seemed to work. In the next moment he was out cold, energon pooled beneath him. The moment the taller mech went limp, the mech with the massive arms jerked them into the air and roared victoriously. "YAAAHHHHH!"

    "YAAAAAHHHH!" Darkstar echoed the victor, his fist rising up to salute his friend. "Scrap Bash! Scrap Bash! Scrap Bash!" Not only was Darkstar actually chanting, but so were the twenty or so sparks standing in the crowd.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid winces as the mech falls. He tenses, ready to stand, ready to help "Do they have anyone ro repair him. He..he doesnt look like hes going to make it does he?" he puts a hand to his faceplate in horror. "Primus.." he hwhisper. Not a yell in victory. A whisper in horror. "That poor. Poor mech. I.. I've seen fatal injuries before. That looks pretty fatal. Such.. such a waste." he shakes his head.

**Starlock has posed:**
     The bot under the cloak frowns at Darkstar, they don't like the twisted rhetoric he's spewing... The crash does get their attention, and their optics dim, that frown becoming more prominent, their battle mask slipping in place to cover such. They would pull their arm up under their cape, and pop open a panel, to look at a small screen that showed the vitals of the signal they'd tune it to, checking to see if the loser of that fight really was gone.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar turns to another of the mechs standing near First Aid and himself, a nod of acknowledgement offered. "You thought it was gonna' go any other way? Told you... He ain't goin' down until it's \*me\* who drops him," the spacer chuckles, his optics flashing at the Empty. "Find me later at the Mac's... \*Shanix\*...\*not\* favors."

    Now that business had been taken care of the Decepticon nodded to First Aid.
    "I've seen fatal injuries before too... He'll--" Live. The tall, lanky, yet nimble and powerful mech who'd been beaten into unconsciousness would actually survive this. A mech and a femme both stepped from the sidelines, and checked his vitals just like the night stalker was doing at this very moment. The femme nodded to the mech, and the two hoisted Stiletto up and carried him from the 'ring'.

    Darkstar winced as his own shoulder was grabbed from behind. Somehow Scrap Bash had managed to sneak up on he and First Aid... For a mech his size, Scrap Bash was somehow fairly quick as well. Almost like a certain hulk of an Autobot champion with a knack for inspiring others. "Ahhhrrrrr-hur-hur-hur..." Darkstar forced down the pain, and transformed his growl into a chortle. "There ya' are... An' yeah, I saw," he offered up to the metal giant.

    "Good... Just wanted ta' make \*sure\* you know you're gonna end up on the bottom of my foot next week. Just like the last...and the last...and the one before that." The big guy grinned, not even seeing First Aid.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid also pulls out a scanner and waves it towards the arena, towards the loser. "I should help him. Do the medics here need help with this would they..f ind it offensive if I went to help?" he asks. "This is what I am here for. To help the weak, to heal the injured. Thats why Im in the dead end tonight. To give hope. Thats what this symbol means." He points to his Autobot Symbol. "Hope. Come on, Darkstar. Maybe you and your friend cna talk this out while I help the other guy? YOu dont need to fight. Neither of you. No one needs to die ..like this."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught is, surprisingly enough, out and about and looking for entertainment. Or possibly for a distraction from his current concerns. He strides into the area, moving easily amongst the spectators as he sought a good vantage point from which to watch the ring.

**Starlock has posed:**
     The bot let out a vent of relife, and nodded to the two that would remove the injured form the ring, closing her vital-monitor arm panel, before catching the movement of the hulking mech and looked back to First Aid and Darkstar, hearing First aid starting to break down, Ohhh there would be problems if First aid got pulled into this, and they would be made /very/ well known regardless of what was protested... Fingers twitched as they kept their hands near their belt.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar was grinning now, no longer having to force it as much while he'd become accustomed to the pain that Scrap Bash habitually dished out. That's what it meant to be 'friends' with the big mech... Pain, humiliation if you let getting your aft handed to you regularly get to you, and occasionally waking up in a bar at a table covered with drinks. Scrap Bash was a whole lot like Darkstar you see. "You've got the edge, gotta admit it. Facts is facts... Jus' remember you got created lucky with that size o' yours. Skill is a bit lacking though. I'm a spacer, an' you know we've got both luck \*and\* skill from infinity to beyond," he'd retort with an amused flash of optics that lasted for just long enough to make the space-alt appear kind of badaft.

    Once the moment had passed Darkstar was on one knee, both of his hands wrapped around the wrist of the massive Scrap Bash. The large Empty said nothing, as he let his sheer strength and size do all of the talking at that point. First Aid's comments however... "Who the \*FRAG\* is this?" Scrap Bash wanted to know, and he wanted to know right now as he released the now dented pauldron of the space-faring Decepticon.

    "Ahhh... ah. Go on Proto. Don't be rude," Darkstar says with a pained laugh.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught is keeping himself to himself, exercising situational awareness so as not to get himself jumped. True, he doesn't look weak and, presumably, only a truly desperate individual would attempt to harass him but Onslaught hasn't survived as long as he has by underestimating desperate people.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "I'm not a proto, you know." He says. "I'm fully..I was created fully able to function." oh sure he was. He looks to Scrap Bash. "My name is First Aid. I'm in medica. Im here.." he doesn't look away from the large mech, his optics meeting the others. "I'm here to help. Tell me how I can help the people here."

**Starlock has posed:**
     The skulkers optics narrowed as First Aid appeared to be in danger, they would walk to the edge of the roof top and cross their arms, acting as if their watching the ring, but really they were preparing to jump if danger came to aid.

      Their cape was black so it did blend well into the darkening skies, but to keep from being identified, or perhaps mugged, ther broach that was normally in place that held it on had been swapped for a simple clip.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    The medics were going to get Stiletto the help that he needed. The medic Empties were gentle with how they handled the battered mech, though the nod from the Stalker was returned by one and then called out by the other. "Hey, we got us a new one!"

    Darkstar stood quickly, his denta clenched as he rubbed at his newly released pauldron. "Frag, mech... Guess I'd be extra rough too if that's the only thing \*I\* had going for me..." Darkstar calls the kettle black everyone. To First Aid-- "Ohhh-ho-ho, mech... You don't know what you just did." Looking upward at the shouting of a nearby medic, Darkstar spots the cloaked figure perched nearby. Spy? No... The medic said 'new one'.

    Scrap Bash looked First Aid over, and observed how steady the medic was despite being stared down by a mech of his girth. "Heh... Alright, I guess so. I've definitely seen plenty smaller show up here." Scrap Bash ignored Darkstar completely then, and turned to look around the crowd. "We've got a first timer over here!" Looking toward the Stalker, he pointed right at the shadowy figure. "\*Two\* first timers!" He had yet to notice Onslaught.

    Darkstar crosses his arms before his chest and nodded toward the 'ring' as it reformed, mechs and femmes gathering again. "You're up, first timer... \*Both\* of you."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid blinks "First timer, wait no." he sya.s "You don't think Im a fighter do you? Im a medic not a..." he lcears his throat. "Well. If that's what I have to do to impress this crowd. I guess I have to do it." he's going to do it! Oh man he has no idea what hes getting into. "I know how to fight, I just. I dont often. I don't believe in it." oh man, Aid.

**Starlock has posed:**
     And now was the time for her to speak up, letting her accent show in full. "I don't think that's a good idea, don't ya' lot know there's a plague? M'sure you've all been waitin' f'er the Doc' to get back evea' since that gallo fella' went an messed everything up." She'd bring a hand up and tap on her commlink. "<<Don't be pressured, you don't have to do This, Aid.>>"

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught is doing his best to remain as inconspicuous as a mech his size and bulk can. He wears a cape, using it to cover both his insignia and weapons -- after all, in a place like this, it's best to have a few secrets.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    That wasn't exactly true, Skulker... Not from the perspective of nearly two dozen Empties, and Darkstar. "Actually... That's not exactly the ca-"

    "FRAG ALL THAT NOISE!" boomed the big mech, Srap Bash himself. A thick finger pointed at the Skulker again. "You've been watching us, yeah? This ain't a spectator sport unless you've already broken ener-bread! So bring your aft down here... Or we'll have to \*make\* ya." The crowd began to murmur, and the sounds of agreement were many-- unanimous in fact.

    "I was definitely talking..." Darkstar growls, his optics shifting again to First Aid. "You're gonna have to fight. Those're the rules, mech! There's no watchin' without participation..." Right Onslaught? Has anybody noticed Onslaught yet? Seriously these bots and their attention deficit... "Don't worry. I think you can probably take 'im... He's pretty tiny 'looks like," the Decepticon noted with a smirk.

    "YOU! Get in there NOW! Or you'll fight \*me\* for your first match!" Scrap Bash promised the Autobots, his focus all on First Aid who was actually close enough for him to smash at any moment.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid skitters forward. "Okay, okay I'm getting there." he coms Starlock back <<Looks like I'm joining weither I like it or not. I hope that practice in the training room comes in handy otherwise ..>> he looks up at the big mech, still not breaking optics as he heads to the arena <<Otherwise, you're gonna need a new assistant around the base>>. He nods. "I'm not a challenge but if anyone wants to take their chances..."

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught finally makes his way over to a gladitorial ring. Oddly enough, the one that all the other people are standing around. It's almost as if he's been drawn to them by some sort of Personal Connection, or P.C. field....

**Starlock has posed:**
     "I'd hope not, ain't a big fan o' bloodsport all ya' see, specially when a plague that spreads through bodily fluids is 'bout." She'd add, taking a seat on the roof. "Know, for spoutin' on 'bout rules, haven't even spoken' 'bout the rest o' 'em, cause ya see..." A black hand extending out of her cloak, her hilt firmly hidden in such, and pressed the button that ignited the blade. "I dun' play nice."

      She'd note the larger mech, unsure if he was a regular, she'd Bring her sword back and plant it in a crack in the roof, before crossing her leg over the other, and finally the stars on the inner side of her cape star glowing in the darkness. "Listin' bigs, I'll take ya' if ya that bent outta' shape if you let the doc's tech there go... That or, ya' know.. could focus on the third big guy over there."

      "<<Aid, get your aft hidden in the crowd.>>" She'd hiss as she continued to try and keep up this sharraid, to ensure the big guy is focused on her.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "She's got a point." he says. "There is a plague, and I'd like to help cure it rathe rhten spread it. I mean. I will fight if I have to but.." he says. "You know that big guy over there." He motions towards Onslaught. "He could fight in my place. It'd be a better fight for everyone and I could clean up the mess." he offers.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught's optics flicker with surprise as his services as stand-in are offered by the...is that a medic? "Excuse me?" he says, rumbling with amusement. "But, at the risk of sounding like a colleague of mine, if I were to fight in your place -- and I'm not saying I will, but for the sake of argument, if I were to do this, what's in it for \*me\*? Beyond a bit of exercise?"

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Silence came over the crowd, and certainly did it linger...

    Darkstar barks a laugh, and he isn't the only one as suddenly almost every bot in the crowd was either chuckling quietly, snickering, or crying out with amusement. Darkstar did look over to spot Onslaught there, and for the moment all he did was nod. Onslaught hadn't fought yet to his knoweldge, but he wasn't actually at every single meeting so he couldn't be sure. "You should really learn to pay attention, 'Bot. If it's your first time 'ere... Then you \*have\* to fight!" A cheer rose up from the crowd, all as one-- a uni-call.

    "However you \*think\* this is gonna go... It ain't. You got a few tiks ta' get down 'ere, or it's goin' to get ugly," said Scrap Bash, who turned and punched a slightly smaller mech in the face out of frustration.

    "Heh-heh... Good one, Bossmech..." the smaller Empty who'd just been assaulted replied, clearly a big fan of the hulking mass of metal.

    On the rooftop other mechs had begun to move in. They hadn't quite gotten the jump on the Roof Dweller just yet, but they were on her level and getting closer. Scrap Bash looked to the Combaticon Commander next, his optics glowing more brightly. "Ain't seen \*you\* before..." Scrap Bash began, though Onslaught's words quickly snap him out of what would have been most likely to come next. "AIN'T NOBODY SUBSTITUTIN' FOR NOBODY!" Everyone was quiet then, even Darkstar.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "Well, I'm not othe only first timer but..." he says. "If I gotta fight, I gotta fight." He says. "It kust wont be as much fun for the crowd then a bigger guy. Who can surely bring in a lot of Shanix that he surely gets to keep from the fight." oh honeying the deal a bit.

**Starlock has posed:**
     She'd sigh, specially as Aid doesn't respond to her. Her finial twitches as she hears the mech behind her aaand brought her blade up, she'd then draw the other and ignite it, no point in hiding who she was now, she'd leap off the roof top, bouncing off one of the walls and slid in front of First aid in a protective manner, poised to attack anyone that came for him, her hood falling off to reveal her helm.

      "I don't harm people for fun, I do it to protect others, and I ain't letting you lot hurt a non-combatant youth for your own amusement."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "I'm not a .." He syas. "Im rough. Im a rough rider. I can handle these mechs." Oooooh Aid.

**Onslaught has posed:**
Onslaught blinks as the Autobot medic uses a line he is \*fairly certain\* he saw in the latest issue of The Wreckers -- err, which he's only read for propaganda purposes and not because they're ripping good yarns...

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar's optics flashed in surprise as the Rooftop Skulker revealed herself to be none other than the Autobot medic Starlock. "Are you for real..?" He couldn't help himself as the laughter poured out of him. "You seem ta' fancy yourself a tough little 'Bot, but mech... This is ridiculous."

    Scrap Bash had no idea of who Starlock was, but her words were the kind that only served to annoy him further. He'd step forward, one big lumbering step, and look down at the minibot. "You don't fight for amusement... You just do it to protect \*others\*-- that right? Sure didn't seem like you were doin' much other than watching \*my\* match. Protect others... Gimme a break. You don't come here, watch the fights, an' not participate in 'em." Snapping his fingers, he turned to look at the crowd. "This one is up..." he says, referring to First Aid. "First day, first fight. We'll figure out what to do with the mini... But for now who wants to take 'im on?"

    Darkstar stepped forward then, chortling at First Aid's 'rough and tough' comment, and his voice boomed. "Have 'im fight Killcore!" The space-alt had that smug expression and his arms remaind crossed over his chest. Killcore was a beast of a mech, very dangerous, cunning, and brutal. First Aid wouldn't stand a chance...most likely. "Unless the other 'Bot wants to step in an' fight her buddy instead?" Darkstar's red optics shifted toward Starlock again, flashing as he grinned. She wanted to protect others, right? Best bet would be to fight First Aid instead of letting the pacifist medic fight someone named Killcore. Hahahah!

"Killcore!"
"Killcore!"
"Killcore!"

    The crowd began to chant, and right on cue the named mech rose up from where he'd been seated in the back. The darkness around him had concealed him for much of the evening, his own jet black paintjob having done quite a bit to aid in concealing his presence. At his full height he was no bigger than First Aid, but his silence was eerie to say the least...that and his oddly spur-tipped fingers.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar chuckles and nods toward Killcore, a mech that he had a bit of difficulty facing off with himself. So far the score was one win for Darkstar to Killcore's two. "Alright, listen up! This is for you \*new\* bots! Rules are as follows..." The space alt raised his hands, drawing attention to himself as he explained how things worked here in this underground fighting group. "First rule! Your first day here... You \*have\* to fight!" Several cheers erupted from the crowd. They all seemed to be a fan of that first rule. "\*Second\* rule! \*No\* weapons! You violate this one... The rest of us ignore it, and your chassis winds up in a smelter." A few chuckles from the crowd, and many nods of agreement. "Last rule... You fight hard, you fight to win... But do \*not\* offline your opponent. Knock 'em cold, or they tap out. Tap out without puttin' up a fight an' every mech here gets ta' deliver a free hit to ya' before we let you go on your way."

    The surrounding femmes and mechs laughed at Darkstar's words, nodding, hooting, and clapping. "Yeah!" came from one corner. "That's right!" came from another. Now the rules were laid out for all to know and abide, or else there would certainly be trouble. "So without further adieu, \*First Aid\*... \*Versus\*..."

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tries to back away while the crowd is looking at Kill ocore. Maybe he can get lucky. Maybe htey'd be distracted enough that he can run. Fat chance, but he just backs away for a moment anyways.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock would whisper something to First aid over her Radio as she kept an optics on Scrap Bash, an unflinching glare at him, yeah he was big, but once you've been shot at by Megatron, more than once? Size.. suddenly didn't seem like the scariest thing out there, and stood her ground. "That /you/ saw." She'd state bluntly.

      They probably didn't care, they just wanted to force them into hurting each other, but the only reason she'd stayed was to protect First Aid encase Darkstar tried to force him into this... Which to no one's surprise, they did. She'd grit her denta, as... Well she was at her breaking point, She was angry at First aid, she was angry at Darkstar, she was angry at Prowl, she was angry at Pharma, she was angry at these monsters that seemed to reveal in others misery, she was angry at this war, she was angry that she just... couldn't do anything right... Being offline was sounding really appealing to her right now.

      There were tears flowing down her face that she wasn't hiding, and after choking back some sobs, she glared. "This is /disgusting/ and you should be ashamed of yourselves for abusing Ratchet's kindness." She'd hiss... Just how many of them came into his clinic after one of these? "Fine, I'll fight, but if you /monsters/ are not allowed to touch either of us." She'd snarl.

**Darkstar has posed:**
What an impassioned speech...

CLAP.
CLAP.
CLAP.

    Optics from all around turned their focus onto Darkstar whose hands came together time and time again, the sound of their impact echoing through the alley.

    "What're you doin'...?" Scrap Bash wondered, his optics glowing bright orange as he looked to the spacer.

    Darkstar's optics were still set upon Starlock, his smug grin ever present as he replied to Scrap Bash. "What? ...S'good speech."

    One or two mechs laughed at the comment, though the majority remained fairly silent. "Let 'em go..." one even called out. "She ain't cut out for this! Cut 'er loose!" another joined in. "What the slag... Shut yer' yap! Let's get on with the fighting!" came one more.

    Darkstar rolled his optics, and Scrap Bash bashed one of his fists into his open palm. Killcore turned around and started on his way, retreating right back into the crowd to return to his former seating. Darkstar vented a sigh, his head shaking with disappointment. "Whatever... This is pathetic. We lettin' 'em go or--"

    "They \*FIGHT\*," Scrap Bash boomed. "We have \*rules\*, and we follow the \*RULES\*. Get on with it. We'll make sure you two get proper treatment afterward... But you ain't comin' here to make a mockery of us, little 'Bot. Should'a kept your blasted olfactories outta our business. Lesson for the \*next\* time you decide to go snoopin' in other bots business." None were going to challenge Scrap Bash, that was for certain. Around these parts the big mech seemed to have the final word. "\*First Aid\*...\*VERSUS\*... \*Her\*!"

And the crowd went wild.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid sighs "Its not a speech." he says as he sees her cry. "I can't sit and watch this anymore." he says, moving next to starlock "We're leaving." he says with a finality that he realy shows and a strangely protective nature. "We're friends, you know. We'd hate to kill each other or beat each other for your amusement. And you know what. We dont have to. Come on, Starlock." he starts walking her towards the crowd- like he has a choice at this point. "Let's go home."

**Starlock has posed:**
     "Oh Frag you Darkstar, I know for a fact you don't actually care." She'd snipe angry with a sniffle, and after another cough from her choking back sobs, yes, she's openly weeping, but she's still trying to keep a brave, angry face on. She'd take note of the silence as First aid comes up beside her. "Only one making a mockery of you, is you." She'd mumble... Perhaps.. Perhaps.

      She'd grab at First Aid's Pauldron, in one an attempt to stop him from getting attacked, and two... "Their not just going to let us go Aid." She'd cough. "Their just as bad as those at the power base, who put prisoners into a ring and made them murder each other... They don't care, they just want blood." She'd state bluntly, while she knew there was /some/ difference, but it was honestly no different, she would move a little with him though.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid nods "Then I suppose, we're gonna have to fight." he says very seriously. "You ready, Starlock?" he asks.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar watched First Aid step up, and the spacer started to laugh again. That medic was full of surprises, much like the other medic actually... She was here ready to die for her friend, and that at the very least was an impressive feat of bravery. The fact that she kept on insulting him was enough to make the Decepticon laugh even harder still. "They are weaklings... You heard 'em in the crowd. They don't want to be here. They are not \*warriors\*. Let them go," he offers, still chortling through his words.

    Scrap Bash wasn't so eager to listen to Darkstar. He was the reigning champion, and the founder of this little group after all. "Nobody asked you, \*Daftstar\*... I say they fight, so they fight! Like I said... We have \*rules\*."

    "Yeah, we do. You're right, Big Mech... Only thing is every one of us here came because we \*want\* to be here. \*WE\* are warriors. \*WE\* do not back down from the challenge of combat, of glory... \*WE\* abide by the rules because \*WE\* are of the same kind. These two are not like us... They do not wish to test themselves in glorious combat. A pacifist," Darkstar points to First Aid, who had impressed the spacer with his own display of courage. "And a medic too stupid to know better. They should leave... They are \*unwelcome\* here."

    The crowd didn't seem to know what to do all of a sudden. The more that they listened to all parties speak the more divided they became. Murmuring turned to arguing, and some were even shouting. "Let 'em go!" shouted some. "Forget these losers. Bring out the \*real\* fighters!" another joined in. "Scrap Bash is king! Scrap Bash is \*LAW\*" came from the mech who'd been assaulted by the one he championed.

    Scrap Bash was truly perturbed by this sudden change of events. The mech didn't like being questioned, especially by a mech whose aft he'd kicked every time they fought. To shut Darkstar up he did what he knew best, and belted the spacer across the face!

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid tilts his head as Darkstar tries to defend them. "Yeah, we really wouldnt be much of a challenge. If um. If um. You guys um. Dont like Scrap Bash here and what he does. Why don..why dont you take his arena?" Aid. Are you suicidal. Did you just GO there? He sighs sighs. "You know what? I've.. had enough." He stands upright, a fire burning in those normally passive blue optics. "I've had enough of people telling us what to do. Of these rules keeping us in their order. of the strong ruling over the weak. Of people like him. Of people who write the rules but enforce them with an iron fist. Of people who say they are heroes while letting the innocents suffer." He snarls and smacks his fist into his hand. Where did the paccifist go? "I'm tired of all the lies. Of all the deception. Im tired of the little man getting the short stick. Who is with me?"

**Starlock has posed:**
     Daftstar? That would of gotten a chuckle from Starlock but it was hidden by a cough, she'd need to remember to call him AftStar at some point, specially as payback for calling her stupid, she was SICK of everyone thinking she was stupid... However she would lean over, a bit impressed by just what First aid was doing, and whispered to him. "Are you doing.. What I think your doing?"

      If Aid had a response, he'd have to be fast, though.. A lot of what he says, does resonate with her, as a lot of it was the /reason/ she went to the Autobots, and not Decepticons, specially after everything she'd learned, something of a smirk found its way onto her face. "Power should be used to protect the weak.." She'd add in a soft mumble to First Aid, she wanted to say it aloud, but.. She was going to let Aid do the talking this time, he had it.

      She'd perk up as she heard the crack of Scrap Bash's fist planting against Darkstar's faceplate. "Quick hurry." She'd state as the fight started... She now had to wonder if he'd helped them or..Uuuhg she just hoped Darkstar was just being Darkstar and being combat happy, and if not? UUUUUUUUUUUHG! She'd need to acknowledge he did have some sort of good in him.

**Darkstar has posed:**
    Darkstar hits the ground with a loud clanking thud, and rolls twice before he manages to pick himself up to one knee. "Ehhh... That's more like it, eh? More of what we're here for," the spacer says, chuckling though it is quite clear that the punch had truly injured him. Spitting energon onto the ground at Scrap Bash's feet, he slowly started to rise. "So, are we gonna get back to what we do, or keep squabblin' over these two runts?" For a moment, the Decepticon glanced away from the much larger mech to look at First Aid as the medic continues to rant. "Huh... Soundin' a lot like Megatron used to right now," he murmurs.

    First Aid had won over some of the crowd who cheered the medic on, and an opening began to form just large enough for the two Autobots to escape if they moved quickly enough. Starlock was right to urge the other medic to hurry. Some within the crowd began to boo, others would hiss. "Losers!" a tall mech shouted. "Just go already! We didn't come here for a lecture, aft-face!" came another. "Scrap Bash, stop being a bent rod! We're a union.. You ain't in \*charge\*! Fight Darkstar!" That seemed to get them going alright.

    He was losing the crowd, and any gladiator knew that losing the crowd was one of the worst things that could happen. Scrap Bash vented a heavy sigh, and glared toward the two Autobots, optics burning with rage before he turned from them abruptly. "Quiet down! Quiet down! You want to see \*real\* mechs go at it? Is that what you want? Let me hear you... IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT!?"

Again, the crowd was cheering...

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid pauses. "Is that what you want?" oh he's on a roll. "Is that what you really want. Or do you want to rise above this. Do you want to be more then you are. I can help you. We can help you. I know it doesn't look like it here. It didn't look like it at Garrus and it sure doesn't look like it every day at Decagon, but this symbol." He motions to the AUtobrand on his arm. "This is hope. We are hope. We are here to help. Point us to the trouble. And by Primus, we will put. It. Down."

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock blinked and cringed behind her mask, they needed to get out of here, but man was Aid was on a roll.. "Careful aid." She'd whisper. Carefully grabbing his hand and started pulling him along through the opening. "Getting into politics and those are /nasty/" She'd add in another whisper as she attempted to pull him along.

**Darkstar has posed:**
WHAM!
BANG!
BASH!

    Darkstar was fighting with Scrap Bash now, the two going at it like they've done a number of times before. Just like their previous fights the two combatants were vicious, and Darkstar for all of his enthusiasm was still losing as usual. Things had begun their return to normalcy here, which was welcomed by all of the crowd even those who had been conflicted only a moment before. First Aid was speaking, and while many had been listening only moments before the Ambulance-alt's words were suddenly falling on deaf audials.

    Naturally there would be one or two mechs who couldn't help paying attention as First Aid invoked the Autobot symbol. One of them scoffed loudly, and snorted derisively before crossing her arms. Another mech sighed, shook his head, and walked toward the fighting mechs eager to get closer to the action while offering a simple, "Get lost... You ever come back here you best be ready to fight." At least the two Autobots managed to get themselves out of the situation without having to fight each other...or Killcore.

**First Aid has posed:**
First Aid noods "Yeah we're gone." He says, moving into the crowd with his backer's help "Thanks for getting us out of this. " The moment was strong, but shortlived. His optics flicker a moment, as he blinks in repetition. "I um. I um. I dont know what came over me. Im sorry." He whispers quietly as hes pulled through the crowd. "That wasnt good that wasnt good. Lets go to the clinic." The little ambulance is trembling.

**Starlock has posed:**
     Starlock nodded and rushed with Aid to Ratchet's clinic without much a response, they needed to get to safety before she could, though, she was surprised to find Ratchet's clinic open again... When had that happen? for that matter it.. was a relief she didn't know she needed.