#tgau

“I know how to read the map! The map’s just wrong!” Sideswipe thrust the datapad at his brother, “Why don’t you try to read it then, if you think you can do better?”

The pair glared at each other for a long moment before Sunstreaker snatched the datapad with a sigh and studied it. He reset his optics. “Who the frag drew this map?”

The red twin threw his servos up. “I told you! But did you believe me and my epic map-reading skills? No!”

An optic roll, “Alright, alright. Sorry I offended your honor, your highness.”

“You are so rude today. I can’t believe I’m being attacked like this, after I’ve spent the last three hours trying to make us un-lost.”

“So you admit we’re lost?”

“.....Frag you. I’m trying.”

With a sigh, Sunstreaker dropped the mocking. “You’re right, I’m sorry. Where do you think we are?”

“Hm....” They crowded close to study the inaccurate map, helms bumping against each other. Sideswipe pointed to a spot closer to the Tyrest side of the Wastes. “I think we’re just east of that ridge.”

“How can we be near that ridge? The closest ridges only have two peaks and the map shows three?”

“Artistic license.” He parroted Sunstreaker’s favorite excuse. The glare he got in return was completely worth it.

“Artistic license is for other artwork,” His brother growled, “Not maps. Maps have to be accurate.”

Sideswipe wobbled back and forth on his pedes, optics glancing between the map and the ridges. “Well, we could go north to see if there’s those broken giant statues the map shows. If we find them, we’ll know where we are. At least, I’m pretty sure that way’s north.”

That was a pretty decent idea, or rather, a very good idea. But Sunstreaker had spent half the day out in the dusty grubby Wastes under a hot sun with nothing to distract him from being lost, so he wasn’t about to admit that was a very good idea they should absolutely do. The closest he could make himself get to verbally agreeing was a grumble of “sure”.

Sideswipe seemed to understand, giving a blinding smile before bolting forward and jumping into alt mode. “Race you!”

“Wait for me, you slagger!” yelled Sunstreaker, flooring it after him, “I am not going to be lost by myself!”

It didn’t take long before they’d driven presumably north of the ridges, taunting and yelling insults most of the way. Swerving around an outcropping, they slammed on their brakes to stop from speeding down a sudden incline. There were no giant statues in front of them. With a yell of frustration, Sunstreaker transformed and kicked a rock as hard as he could. Sideswipe stood up and stared at what lay in front of them.

“So..... we’re probably a lot more north than we thought if we’re hitting lakes. Think it’s part of the Rust Sea?”

“Does that look like rust?!” Sunstreaker threw his servos in the air as he paced back and forth. “When we get back, I’m hunting down whoever drew this map and challenging them to a fragging fight just so I can pummel them into the ground! Cannot believe-”

As his brother stomped around in frustration, interspersed with rock-kicking, Sideswipe studied the lake. It glimmered under the sunlight, something the Rust Sea never did. “You’re right, it doesn’t. I wonder what it is.”

He took off down the slope towards the shore, ignoring Sunstreaker’s shouting. Sideswipe knew Sunny would follow him and he was right. He hadn’t even reached the edge of damp ground before his brother was right on his heels, scowling all the while. They slowed to a stop just outside of the waves’ reach and studied the slightly reddish-brown tinted liquid.

“Looks like water.”

As Sunstreaker strode forward, Sideswipe grabbed his elbow. “Don’t just jump in! What if it’s acid?!”

Holding optic contact, Sunstreaker reached out and stuck his hand in the waves before pulling it back out and shaking it with a straight face.

Sideswipe pouted. “Damn. An acid lake would’ve been so cool.”

Before he could do anything, his brother lunged to grab him around the waist and heaved, spinning to bodily throw him into the lake. Sideswipe shrieked in surprise before landing with a splash. “Pit-spawned slagger!”

Sunstreaker was already sloshing his way towards him, smirk widening as he got up and tackled him into the waves. The pair tumbled around, squealing and shouting as they splashed water at each other and tried to dunk each other’s helms under. Slowly tiring, the brothers finally gave it a rest and trudged back onto land as the sun started to sink into the horizon. Flopping onto the ground, Sideswipe cuddled into Sunny’s side, helm cushioned on a shoulder pauldron.

“I like this lake. We should bring Orion here.”

A hum of agreement, as Sunstreaker wondered what they were going to do when it got dark. An idea niggled at him. “We know which way’s west.”

“Uh...yeah?”

“.....Why don’t we just follow the sun that way? Even if we don’t hit the base, we’ll run into one of the patrols if we go far enough.”

They sat up and looked at each other, simultaneously turning to look at the sunset and then back at each other. Sideswipe grimaced.

“We’re idiots.”

“Complete morons.”

“Imbecilic fools not worthy of being called Knights.”

Sunstreaker sighed, dragging his groaning brother up to standing, “Time to go home, as all good Knights should. And no racing this time. I’m tired.”

“Oof, me too. But we are absolutely bringing Orion here sometime.”

“And fighting whoever made this map.”