Author's Notes: Christmas is soon to be upon us! :D
And thus, a side-track of the fic Combination: Blue, is this fic here;
Combination: White!
Basically, our beloved pal Jolt (Who needs more screen time) takes it upon himself to introduce our favourite combiner, Devastator, to it as well! :D
Prepare the mistletoe, whip out the Turkey (Screamer), unload the snow, and enjoy the shenanigans of a Volt and nine construction vehicles :D
Devastator notices that something is odd when a sea of grey covers the normally blue sky of Diego Garcia, blotting out the great sun, and a speck of white falls from the sky. The combiner cranes his head, wincing as the pain hisses at him, to investigate this tiny drop of the sky. Scanners revealed it as a partly-frozen solid form of the compound dihydrogen oxide, better known as 'water' and is referred to as 'snow'
Devastator has been noting that the weather is getting colder lately. He has been forced to shut down some scanning systems and the stronger mechanics of the Vortex Grinder in order to feed his internal temperature mechanics to keep his titanic system appropriately warm, so no water would freeze in his innards. But now, the cold has taken form, and the droplet of snow lands above his left set of optics, melting against his metal, then evaporating to vapour, and it is gone.
But the white speck is not alone; Another one follows it, and another, and another. Their numbers range into the hundreds, then thousands, then millions, then billions, then the trillions, and so on. The combiner is astounded by this dramatic change of weather; Diego Garcia is set in the more temperate regions of the planet. Evidently, there is a cold shift in the weather, causing this anomaly.
But what is odd, however, is how the residents react. The humans seem to cheer, and act joyful, as though the bitterly cold and slushy snow is a sign of great things and happiness. How strange; This snow is a nuisance, not a joy. Devastator does not like how it feels against his armour, and he especially does not like how it lies on the ground.
The most memorable instance of his dislike was when, while patrolling the island, he stopped by a hangar to rumble a greeting to the human, Will Lennox, and Ironhide, the black cannon. Greetings returned to him, the combiner had made to go on, when the snow had slid from under his left hand, and his arm slipped from under him. In a desperate attempt to regain balance, the combiner had dug into the ground with his other hand, but that had slipped as well, causing him to twist sideways. Ironhide yelped, grabbed the Lennox and leapt out of the way as the combiner twirled over and crashed right where they had been, the beast rolling onto his back, groaning as the pain hissed at him. He HATED being on his back.
It had taken him twenty minutes, under the constant laughter of Lennox, Ironhide and others gathering around, for Devastator to finally flip an arm around and cautiously pull himself upright, rumbling in anger at the white solidification. Ironhide had made a comment; "Look's like Devastator got iced!" earning more laugher, especially from the fool Twins. Thankfully, they all shut up and promptly and politely fled when Devastator head-butted Ironhide to the floor and stomped off, snarling angrily at everything around him.
He'd gotten used to the snow, and trod more carefully around the island, ensuring he wouldn't slip again. But then, there came a new thrill in the air. A thrill of joyous preparation for a great event.
Devastator was confused by all these sudden human activities, setting up decorations, from 'tinsel' to 'baubles' and cutting down pine trees to place within their structures and decorating those too. It is weird; Why are the humans changing the format of the whole island? What is it?
Thankfully, his Master, the great Optimus Prime, has an answer:
"The humans are preparing for Christmas, Devastator." The Prime stated calmly, standing on the beach and observing the grey sea and the light snowfall, one arm idly stroking Devastator's massive head, the combiner rumbling softly and waiting for more information. "Christmas is a holiday of joy and giving, based upon the birth of a famous human with supposed supernatural abilities, set on the 25th of the month designated December. It is typically headed by a large man named Santa Claus, whom travels the world to deliver presents to kind children. Giving and receiving presents are a great part of the present Christmas, and it is a time of celebration and happiness."
Devastator nods, before leaving his Master to shovel the snow off the runway.
However, he does not really understand it. Why do humans celebrate the birth of one human that died many centuries ago? Why is there much frustration from people saying it is only a commercial theme, when it is supposed to be a time of joy? Devastator does not understand the finer points of Christmas.
However, he was soon to have a helping hand.
Vortex Grinder heaving with power, Devastator sucks snow off of the planes runways, blowing it out of his back to land somewhere else, his massive hands shovelling any leftover bits of snow off the tarmac. His efforts will ensure that aircraft can still safely land and take-off, and the Prime is pleased with his work, which makes Devastator pleased. And while he performs this act, a voice speaks to him;
"Hi, Devastator!"
Curious on who would be talking to him, the combiner retracts his throat, spitting out leftover snow in his mouth, and turns his neck, aching in pain as it always is, to see Jolt, the blue Apprentice of Ratchet, a friendly and young mech whom has a love for organic nature and utilises electricity to fight. He is kind and funny, and helps Ratchet in fixing Devastator, and the combiner likes him. Rumbling a greeting, the combiner leans in to allow the young mech to stroke his head, an act that Devastator likes. Being stroked is soothing to his otherwise pained body.
"Clearing up the runway, I see." Jolt stated cheerfully, observing the snow that had yet to be moved. "Don't you ever get tired of just working all the time?"
Devastator shakes his head, though he appreciates the concern. He works because he must serve the Prime. Everyone worked to serve the Prime, and he worked hardest. And his work pleased the Prime, and anything that pleased the Prime pleased Devastator. And clearing a runway made the Prime happy, because it was convenient for the island, and thus Devastator was happy as well in clearing the runway.
Jolt scratched his head, wondering how next to address the combiner, before replying; "Well, I guess you're fine. But can I show you something really fun to do with snow, before you finish?"
The little mech looks excited now. Devastator wants to indulge him, but the Prime has asked that the runway be cleared. Torn between his task and also obeying the Prime's command that he interact with the Autobots, Devastator decides that a fellow servant of the Prime is more important. Besides, he is nearly finished with the runway. The Prime will be pleased when he does both tasks so quickly. So, the combiner nods, and Jolt beams in happiness, stating: "Awesome! Now, watch this!"
Jolt scoops up two pieces of snow, rather spherical, in his hands and holds them up to show the titan. "These are called snowballs, and they are one of the best things about snow. Now watch."
Smiling cheekily, Jolt rears an arm back, takes aim and throws the snowball at a passing Sideswipe, who was conversing with Bumblebee. The snowball hits the Corvette on the side of his head, exploding in a flurry of particles, and Sideswipe yelps in shock, just as the second snowball strikes Bumblebee's arm, earning a surprised twitter from the Camaro, whom turns to see Jolt laughing.
"Hey, bolt-heads! Snowball fight! Losers have to give the winner a third of their Energon drinks next week!" Jolt called out, prepping a third snowball for the oncoming battle.
"You're on, bolt boy!" Sideswipe yells, as he and Bumblebee race to the snowed in section of the runway, arm themselves and toss snowballs at both Jolt and each other. Flurries of the white solid water fly everywhere, and before long, Breakaway and Jazz and a number of humans, including the one named Leo, join in as well, everyone laughing as they toss snow at each other, making mock-screams of death when struck and taunting and making fun of those they hit. Devastator finds it odd. Surely, this is combat simulation, using non-lethal projectiles? But there is no such air in this. It is merely a game. Devastator shakes his head.
These lot never cease to shock him with their oddities-
WHAM!
The combiner jolts in surprise when a snowball strikes him in the optic, rumbling in shock as he shakes his head to remove the annoying stuff. Glaring at the now still warriors, Devastator notes a shocked Breakaway, arm still held in the just-thrown position. Everyone is silent, waiting for the combiner to react. And react he does.
In poetic justice, Devastator roars a challenge and one massive hand seizes a massive clump of snow, half the size of Ironhide and rears his arm back, bracing the rest of his body, before flinging it at Breakaway. The snowball flies straight and true, and strikes the jet hard, knocking him into the snow. Everyone watches as the jet pulls himself out of the snow, before Breakaway bursts in laughter and declares; "The war continues! Have at ya', fools!" and tossed a snowball into Jazz's face.
Laughter bursts out, and the snow flies once more, while Devastator feels amazed. The rush of exhilaration from throwing snow at the jet is odd, yet amazing! It is, as Jolt said, fun! Devastator heaves a rumble that sounds like laughter, before a snowball hits him on the shoulder, where the excavator connected with the truss crane. Turning his head, ignoring the constant pain in favour of this new feeling of fun, the giant see's Jolt grinning at him, waving a snowball at him. Growling in mock-anger, Devastator sweeps his arm through the snow, creating a literal wave of snow that buries Jolt, whom pokes his head out once he is covered and laughs joyfully.
And the war continued, snow flying everywhere. Seeing he was more open to their game, more people threw snow at Devastator, whom retaliated with massive snowballs against the Cybertronians and gusts of wind to blow snow into the humans. One memorable part was when Leo, laughing maniacally tossed a snowball towards Devastator's waist, aiming for what the humans referred to as the 'groin'
Devastator swung round, and his jaws snapped up Leo in an instant, along with a load of snow, and spits the human out in a ball of the solid water. Leo pokes his head out once spat out and muttered; "Cheater." Though he still grinned cheerfully. At least until Sam struck him in the head. Then it got personal.
Soon, the war had to end when Ironhide told everyone to shut up and get back to work (Jazz threw a snowball at him. He got stuck head-first into the ground for that) and everyone grudgingly left, laughing cheerfully nonetheless at the fun they had had.
Devastator rumbled cheerfully, before resuming his work. That had been fun, merely playing with his comrades. He liked it. Perhaps the Prime would let him play again? He hoped so. Regardless, the mech swept snow off the runway, as Jolt walked up to him and asked: "Well, Devastator? Did you have fun?"
The titan heaves a chuckle-like growl and extends his shovel-like tongue appendage for an affect 'lick' Jolt smiles before patting the giant's head and replies: "Great! You know, Devastator, I think I'm going to help you learn all the best stuff about Christmas! Like this-" Jolt gestured to the snow around them. "-That snowball fight? That's the spirit of fun! Relaxing, chilling out, just having fun with all your friends and family! I know you like working for Optimus, but don't worry; Optimus wants you to have fun as well.
The combiner heaves a growl of gratitude and understanding, and licks Jolt again, before resuming his work with more cheer when before. He likes the little blue one. And know, he will learn about the better details of the Christmas spirit. Devastator cannot wait.
The fact a good number of Cybertronians owed him a third of their supplies of delicious Energon next week was just as good as well.
As Devastator finishes his work and lies down on the ground, away from the base, relaxing his joints, though they ache profusely, he notices that snow is falling again as the night comes on. But he doesn't mind. It soothes against his armour with kind wetness that trickles gently over his metallic skin.
Snow wasn't as bad as he thought it was.
Author's Notes: Thanks to Jolt, Devastator learnt that snow is fun and to enjoy himself more often! And Ironhide learnt not to annoy a tripped Devastator. You get head-butted for it XD
Next chapter: Jolt introduces Devastator to the concept of snowmen (Much to Ratchet's annoyance) and mistletoe (Much to a flustered Arcee's embarrassment) XD