Author's Introduction: Aaaand…introducing the sequel to "Fragile"! Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed, favorited, or added it to their story alerts; your encouragement really kept me going!
Just a couple of quick things, then the story will start! First, this story has a higher rating than "Fragile" for a reason. It's definitely going to get into some darker territory. Nothing explicit – this is PG-13. But lots of violence, Cybertronian swearing, some sexual implications, and general creepy stuff. (Boy, that sounds professional…)
And second, since these first few chapters are going to be sort of angsty, PLEASE tell me in a review if they're getting melodramatic. I want this to come across as real, not ridiculous.
Disclaimer: I own Riella and Shiftswitch. Any canon characters belong to Hasbro.
Okay, I'm done talking now. Enjoy the story.
Chapter One
Spaceport 1, Junkion
Riella checked the electronic paint chip one more time, making sure it was secure before she left the shuttle. Junkion might be the absolute middle of nowhere, but still, a blue Autobot fembot would be noticeable. Especially if security officers later questioned the locals. No, it was best to use some kind of disguise, even if it was a rust-colored, battered paint chip that probably wouldn't work for much longer.
"Just for a few hours," she commented to the blurred reflection in the worn wall paneling. "It just has to last long enough for me to pick up some more permanent mods."
With a crunch and a depressurizing hiss, the hatch slid open and the exit ramp lowered. Riella edged cautiously down it and was almost immediately overwhelmed by the amount of sensory data she received. Frag it all. Junkion had the busiest spaceports in the sector, which was why she had chosen it; but 'busy' also meant 'lots of telepathic pressure'. With an irritated twitch, she stalked down the ramp and onto solid ground.
Random thoughts flicked through her processor as she pushed her way through the crowd. Some were in a rush, others were thinking about what they needed, and at least one mech was focused on the attractive fembot several meters back. Riella shook her head. Ugh. It was never like this on Earth. Pain stabbed her spark as she shoved the thought away.
Most of the stores she would need to visit turned out to be just off the spaceport, to her relief. The inside of the first one was cool and dim, with various vehicle mods scattered along the wall. Someone was inside, she could tell. A mech.
"Hello?" the fembot called, taking a few cautious steps further in. "Anybot here?"
"Well, hello little missy," a deep voice boomed from off to the side. She jumped and spun to see a burly Junkion with purple optics and a far-too-large smile holding out a hand to her. "I'm Shiftswitch. Not often we get your kind in here. How can I help you?"
She backed away, vents cycling a little harder in concern. "My kind?"
He chuckled. "A-Bots. The ones with pretty blue optics like yours. They always hit the further-in shops. Higher quality, they think." He snorted. "Sure, that's what they think! But you knew better, huh? So, what can I get for you?"
Riella cleared her oral intake awkwardly. "I need…to update my vehicle mode. It's a seventh-edition groundbike. I want to upgrade to a hoverbike." She probably wouldn't be able to get much more out of it than a heavier upgrade; it was an old model as it was, and her frame type wasn't really made for modifications.
"Hmm." Shiftswitch studied her for a long moment. "I think we can manage that. You do realize, of course, that this isn't a permanent modification; it'll be removable."
"Works for me." Riella narrowed her optics calculatingly. "What have you got?"
Twenty minutes of bargaining and experimenting later, Riella left the small shop rather pleased. Not only had she gotten the vehicle upgrade, she'd also gotten a better electronic color chip, a slightly more substantial heel strut, and best of all, a visor. Shiftswitch might have been able to recognize her as an Autobot before, but no one would guess after she'd added the mods. Her spark ached at the thought.
I still want to be an Autobot. I still want to be Prowl's girlfriend. I still love him. I always will.
I hope he forgives me.
Autobot Base, Earth
Jazz glanced at Prowl with concern as the smaller ninjabot started out the door again. "Hey, Prowler. Ya already had three patrols today. How 'bout ya let me do this one, and you take a break?"
"That is not my designation," Prowl muttered. "And I am not leaving on patrol." With that, he transformed and bolted out of the warehouse.
Jazz sighed. "How long d'ya think he'll take to get over her?"
"I don't know." Optimus shook his head. "I don't think he ever fully will. They were a lot closer than we saw."
"Poor guy." Jazz turned down the TV, prompting an irritated mutter from Bumblebee and Sari. "She was pretty rough on his spark, leaving like that with no way for him to even talk to her again."
"Don't make that call too quick," Ratchet warned gruffly. "There was more to it than you know. A lot more."
Prowl transformed just before reaching the trees, and walked the rest of the way in. The little clearing where he and Riella had spent most of their time just before she…left…was still pretty, despite the fact that autumn was coming, and he wanted to keep it that way.
"Why, Riella?" he murmured, optics blurring with pain. "You told me you trusted me. What changed?"
His knees just weren't working anymore. He sank down against a tree, leaning his back against it and resting his forehead against his knees. "Riella, I love you…I never would have let them hurt you. Why didn't you believe me? Did I do something wrong? Why did you leave?"
Spaceport 1, Junkion
Riella attached the last piece of her disguise and looked in the worn panel again. Her paintjob was now a dark orange, with gold trim on the shoulder kibble and chassis. Her audio fins had lengthened slightly, her lip components were now dyed a light shade of red, and her optics were covered by a dark red visor. She no longer resembled the Riella who had left Earth a few days earlier. None of them would recognize her.
Would Prowl?
Her lip quivered as she tried to suppress the thought, but it was too much. Prowl…
One hand raked down the panel when she crumpled to the floor, tears spilling from under the visor as her shoulders shook with sobs.
"I'm sorry, love. I'm so sorry…"
