"Protectobots! Transform and combine!"
The order echoed across the near-empty desert sky. Hotspot initiated compliance, leaping forward to claim his vehicle mode. Streetwise and Groove came forward to flank him, with First Aid completing their formation from the rear. Blades, true to his name, split the sky overhead with the clamor of his rotors. One by one, each member of the Protectobot team activated their combiner cogs for the first time.
It was oddly like flying. As Hot Spot's fire-truck form folded and expanded, he felt his consciousness doing the same - shifting to accommodate the four other lives he was reaching out to encompass. His control relays darkened, were swept aside, his body no longer quite his own. A shiver of not-quite-fear threaded through him - how much of me will survive?
The first connection locked in place with strut-quaking finality, and Hot Spot found himself flooded with excitement from within/below. This is so cool!
Hot Spot sent a waft of amusement back down. Hello, Groove.
The excitement didn't abate, but suddenly it was tempered by a cool curiosity as another connection made itself known. Streetwise reporting.
We know! the other two chorused as one. Welcome!
A rush of noise and intensity made itself known as the fourth component. I'm here, let's go, let's do it, I'm ready! Blades chattered, pulling the other three into a whirl of impulse. Let's do what we were made for!
Not yet! he was cautioned. One more unit remains.
No, I'm here. The thought-whirl stilled; their purpose steadied. First Aid reached into and through them, checking every connection, pulling them close and tight. We're ready.
Their heart thundered joyously at those words. Protectobots! We are...
They turned, faced their fellow Autobots as one for the first time.
"I am... Defensor."