Okay, before you start reading this I just want you to know that this story is going to be some what dark.
Actually, my Genesis Leader character Alex has a dark past and personality but I haven't delved that deeply into her. But ignore that for now and let's just concentrate on this story. Oh yeah, the Genesis aren't in this and I'm bringing out some new characters for this particular fic.
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers; however, the characters that you don't recognize, belong to me.
Prologue
(March 2009)
The bouquet of roses crinkled in her arms as Lindsay walked towards the far end of the lake where the forest was. Cheryl had been buried near the lake, but it was in a secluded part of a forest by a hill where hardly anyone went. The lake, after all, was public property where everyone from teenagers hanging out to families with small children came to relax during the summer season. It would be unfair to take away such a significant landmark away from the citizens of Tranquility by burying a body where a lot of people had their picnics.
But she didn't want to deny her friend's final request to be buried in one of the many places that she enjoyed coming to as a child. For the past seven years, Cheryl's life had been nothing but an agonizing nightmare; something that she managed to keep hidden ven from her. The passionate red-head known for her winning smile and golden red hair deserved at least this much, she pointed out to her father when he asked why she had to bury her best friend by the lake.
After laying the bouquet of dark red roses on top of the grass that had grown over the grave the past year, Lindsay sat down in front of the tombstone and tucked a strand of her long light brown hair behind her ear. Her hair came down past her back and required more maintenance but she didn't mind that much; it just meant she had to spend a few more minutes combing it.
Folding her legs in front of her since she was wearing a skirt, Lindsay read the epitaph written on the stone:
Cheryl Katrina Anderson
March 3, 1991 - March 7, 2008
A friend who will continue
to live on in memories
Requiescat in pace
The last part which was usually shortened to R.I.P. which meant 'Rest in Peace' or the more formal definition of 'May he (or she) rest in Peace'.
Cheryl had found the original latin words more romantic than the english translation and had said in an off comment to Lindsay when they were younger that she wanted the latin version, rather than the bland abbreviation of 'R.I.P.' written on her tombstone when she died.
Lindsay had good-naturedly humoured her by agreeing and giving the red head a slight shove saying she would try and remember that in eighty years.
Lindsay remembered, but it was far from the eighty years she predicted.
"Happy belated birthday Cheryl." the brunette smiled softly as her fingers brushed the words engraved on the cold stone. "Sorry I missed your birthday, but the school wouldn't let me leave until spring break."
Hearing something snap behind her, Lindsay's head whirled around to see who it was.
"I thought I saw your car." said the newcomer, hidden in the shadows of the greenery.
Lindsay's lips started to slowly form into a smile and her face began to glow. She recognized that voice...
The owner of the voice came out into the open and Lindsay couldn't help smiling as she saw someone she hadn't seen since the end of winter break and she had to go back to college. It was a tall, dark haired boy with bright blue eyes and a small smile similar to hers moments before.
"Sideswipe!"
Standing up, she ran towards the boy and hugged him. She knew she was hugging a holoform, but she hugged him none the less. It was still Sideswipe after all.
Lindsay continued hugging him for two more minutes before she finally let go.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Like I said, I saw your car. And I remembered what day it was today so I guessed where you were going."
The date was March 7th.
The one year anniversary of Cheryl's death.
"I see..." Lindsay turned away from him and stared back at her friend's grave. "...yeah, I had to visit her today. Sorry I didn't call you first."
Sideswipe shook his head.
"Don't worry about it."
The brunette smiled. She remembered hearing from Mikaela that Ratchet always grumbled about an annoying pair of brothers who he labeled as 'the twins'. According to him, they were terrors who enjoyed pranking, fighting the strongest opponents they came across, and generally driving anyone who dared to get within their vincinity insane.
Sideswipe was one of the aforementioned trouble makers along side his more vain and sociopathic twin brother, Sunstreaker.
The Autobot prankster disguised as a silver Cheverolet Corvette Stingray was a maniacal prankster who sometimes went too far, but was also a good friend. Something that seemed to surprise the others since they really didn't know that much about him other than he was a troublemaker you definitely didn't want to get on the bad side of unless you wanted your life to be hell for the next... whenever Sideswipe decided to relent on making the unfortunate sufferer's life a nightmare.
But it was thanks to him that she managed to get over the pain of losing Cheryl.
"How long do you plan on staying?" Sideswipe asked, grabbing her attention once more.
"Maybe until midnight."
Sideswipe gave her a long, measured look that Lindsay recognized as either disbelief or he didn't believe what she was saying.
"That's it. I'm staying."
"You don't have to." Lindsay looked alarmed.
The look Sideswipe gave her this time showed complete and utter disbelief.
"And leave you alone to face some creepy slagger who stumbles across you and tries to rape you?" he snorted.
Lindsay bristled and her expression darkened.
"Sorry, bad choice of words."
Lindsay didn't say anything, still remaining silent.
Sideswipe rubbed the back of his head and looked away as the awkward silence filled the clearing.
"Look, I'm staying and that's final."
To his relief, a small smile graced her lips.
"Thanks Sideswipe."