Author's Notes
Wassup! Welcome to my first FanFic ever posted! YAY! I'm so proud of myself ^_^
A few notes b4 we get started: For this fic, I'll be using a combination of both characters from the 2007 movie and the Animated series on Cartoon Network (I'll mainly Optimus Prime, Barricade, Frenzy, and Megatron from the 07 movie, cuz they're kicka** awesome! D), and my OCs, Vespa Satchel, Kaia Rosecroft, Rufus Cumberland, and Skylar Maywind. BumbleBee will be using radio broadcasts as a form of communication as well, but he'll keep his voice later on in the story (You'll learn all about that later on).
Just so that everything is evened out in the dialogue and no one is confused:
"Speaking"
Thoughts
"CommLink"
This fic is rated T to T+ due to violence, gore, and crude language (both Cybertronian and Earth-related)
Also, if the characters seem a little OOC, please tell me so that I can correct that unless it is stated at the beginning of the chapter.
Overall, enjoy the fruits of my labor (for they should be sweet XD), and offer any constructive cristism when needed. Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated. Flames are prohibited under penalty of law [violaters of this rule will be towed (a.k.a "deleted") ] :P
Disclaimer: Just a little reminder: Transformers does NOT belong to me (only Vespa, Kaia, Rufus, and Skylar are in my possession). All brand names used are not of my possession, either.
Energy's In the Eye of the Beholder
Chapter 1: Strange Happenings
Is it just me, or does it seem that whenever something happens that could change your life forever, it ends up actually doing that? Am I really an honorable mention alongside a bunch of alien robots, or am I just cracking up? Is it a dream or is it reality? Well, whatever it is that you are about to behold here, I'll let you decide...
I guess it all began when I got my first car. You see, I live in the heart of the city of Detroit, in a small little business flat that is home to Satchel's Auto Repair Shop. What makes the place a little unique is that behind it on the right is an old abandoned automobile plant, where my dad was once worked there as an engineer and a manager in his teenage years. To the left is Rusty Jake's Junkyard, where I spend a lot of my time wandering around getting inspiration for pieces of art I like to make or just to try and find a new tool. I'm a natural born mechanic, so much so that my best friend's dad likes to joke around and say that I was born with a wrench in my hands, but I'm also a talented painter and sculpter. In my spare time, when I'm not working on cars, I like to take my welding torch and make metal sculptures or I'll just stare at the sunset and take out my paints and put down what I see. Right now, I was too busy with a new sculpture to even notcie that my best friend had pulled up into the drive.
"Vespa! Hurry up! We need to get over to dealership before it closes!"
Oh, my bad. I didn't even get to introdce myself. My name is Vespa Satchel. I'm 16 years old and I live in Detroit. Yeah, I know I'm named after those little preppy motor scooters you see buzzing around Europe, but my mom liked the name. It actually means "wasp" in Italian, which, believe it or not, I have some heritage in. My hair is straight chestnut brown with a faint wave at the ends and my eyes are an almost brownish green hazel with a hint of red streaks and ultramarine blue circles around the cornea. I am kind of small in height for my age, but very muscular and lean. My legs show signs of a well trained runner and rollerblader, and my arms are built for lifting heavy objects.
I put down my welding torch and lifted the mask I wore. "Kai, cool your jets, girl! I'm almost done," I yelled back. I then took a deep breath, set the mask back down, and gave it a final heat blast. I stood back to admire my work.
"VESPA!!!"
"Alright, Kaia! Don't blow a fuse!"
I threw down my welder's mask and walked over to the car. I really didn't care if I was still wearing the leather jacket over my white turtleneck and my boot cut blue jeans that hung over a pair of black leather combat biker boots; at least I'd have a little something to keep me warm. Padding up beside me was my Siberian Husky, Wheeljack, sometimes called Wheelie or Jack for short. I looked at him, and said, "You gotta stay here, boy. I need you to watch the shop for me while I'm gone."
He whimpered and pawed at my knee. I sighed and bent down to give him a little rub on the chest. He panted happily and walked back to his post after I tussled at his pointy ears. Kaia smiled as I jumped into the gunmetal gray Porsche Carerra S convertable and said, "He sure does love you. You know he hates it when you leave."
"Yeah, it's like having a big 160 pound dad wearing a fur coat all of the time," I said with a laugh.
"Oh...my...GOD! Kai, are you serious?!"
My eyes were the size of tractor tires when I saw her pull up into the drive of the local Porsche dealership. I immediately hopped out and pointed at the place, gasping in amazment.
"Are you sure about this?! What's your dad gonna say?! Oh my god! You've got to be kidding me!"
"You're right," said Kai, "I am kidding."
I turned to her gave her a mischeivious grin. "You always were a tricky one," I said playfully.
"Hey, come on! My dad needed for me to pick him up while his car was getting serviced."
Kaia Rosecroft was probably my best friend in the universe and my lifeline when it came to my essential needs. She was tall and had wavy blackish-brunette hair, with midnight blue eyes. Her skin was pale with a hint of cream, and spoke with a heavy Greek accent. In fact, her mother was originally from Greece, but she left to take care of Kai's maternal grandparents back in Delphi. Kaia said that one day, she would take me to Greece and we could meet her mom. Until then, Kaia, or "Kai" as I liked to call her, lived with her father, Dr. Rosecroft, a scientist/inventor.
"Why didn't he take it over to my place?," I asked leaning against the door of the car, "I could've fixed it up in no time, plus it would've given me something to do."
"He was a little scatterbrained this morning," she replied.
"What did he do this time?," I asked, "Try and put jelly on the toaster again?"
We both laughed and sighed. Kaia knew I was only playing. Ever since my older brother, Erik, left for the army, Dr. Rosecroft had become my second father, and had always been so kind to me. I walked over and sat on the trunk.
"Sorry I'm a little late, Kaia," said Dr. Rosecroft as he exited the building.
"Don't worry about it, dad," she said calmly, "Vespa, hop in the back, 'kay?"
I shook my head and scoffed lightly. "Kai, stop treating me like you're my mom."
Dr. Rosecroft smiled as he got in. I liked him. He was a tall man in his late forties to early fifties, with salt and pepper hair, dark azure blue eyes, and a good-hearted demeanor. He was well known for wearing a lab coat and dark navy slacks with a crisp white shirt underneath.
"If you could just take me home and let me borrow your car, I'd really appreciate it, Kaia dear," he said to her as she picked up speed on the main road.
"I don't know about that, Kai," I said.
"It's cool, dad," she answered, "I'll take Vespa on my motorcycle to the place and you can meet us there. I'm sure you'd want to freshen up a bit."
I rode all the way home with uncertainty. Don't get me wrong, Kai is an awesome driver and would never try and do something stupid on the road, but I just don't trust people on a motorcycle with me as the passenger, plus I have been known to suffer from motion sickness, especially spinning and sharp sideways movements. Let's hope she remembered to pack some Dramamine in the first aid kit, I thought.
"Here we are. Home sweet home."
Pulling up to their mansion that was reminicent of Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water, I jumped out of the car and gazed at the place in happiness. I liked coming here every now and then. Following Kai and her dad, I gently jogged my way up to the front door.
"By the way, Vespa," said Dr. Rosecroft, "do you think that you will have any time off in the near future?"
"I've alway's got free time, doc," I answered as I entered the large and spacious 1950s mid-century modern foyer, "whacha need for me to do for you?"
"Well, you see, a colleague of mine, Professor Chancelor, had lent me his Ferrari California to be repaired, and even though I do like to tweak the engine of one of my Porsches or Lamborghines, I'm sadly going to be a little bit busy this week with new presentations and trying to upgrade or fix any of my products. I was wondering if-"
"Say no more, sir," I said, "I'd be more than happy to help out. Maybe sometime on Wednesday afternoon?"
"Thank you so much!," he cried with joy, "I'm so glad you can help."
"Anything for you, Dr. Rosecroft," I murmured.
"C'mon," said Kaia, "I'll show you the bike."
Following her, I made my way to a spiral staircase with a touchpad on the wall beside it. Kaia placed her hand upon it and the staircase came to life, rovolving down to the main workshop area.
"Good afternoon, Miss. Kaia," said a computerized voice, "going down to the shop, I suppose?"
"You read me like an open book, C.H.A.S," she answered.
C.H.A.S, or Computerized Home Assisstance System, was the Rosecroft's personal electronic butler, kind of like J.A.R.V.I.S was to Tony Stark in Iron Man. He helped the family in everything, from alphabetizing their personal library to locating a missing criminal to even developing blueprints and software.
The moment Kaia and I hit the floor of the little shop area, I knew I was in heaven. Sure, I had been down there several times in my life, but for some odd reason, this time was a little bit different. It was a feeling of nostalgia and memories, like a old navy vet yearning for the days of when the sea was his home. Most of the collection was a few hot rod kits Kaia and her dad worked on during earlier years, others were cars he had purchased from colleagues and friends oversea, like the Fiat and the Lamborghine that his best friend had given him from the main headquarters where they manufactured it. Beside it sat the Ferrari Dr. Rosecroft had talked about, in all its maraschino cherry red glory. I smiled proudly; Ferrari was my favorite brand of sports car.
"Well, Vespa," said Kaia as she walked up to her motorcycle, which leaned against the exit platform tunnel entrance and exit, "ready to head out?"
I was still feeling a small tug of uncertainty at my heartstrings when she asked. Gazing at it was making it even worse. According to her, it was a Suzuki, but she didn't know what model it was. The black and gold paint job along with its uneeded modifications of police signal lights glinted brightly in the sunlight that shone through the surround windows.
"Kai, seriously buddy," I stated, "you know as well as I do that I can't ride shotgun on those things. It's too dangerous, and I may end up puking on you like last time."
"Come on, Vespa," she said, "I'll make sure C.H.A.S gets you some Dramamine and I'll try and go easy on the turns. Besides, this is no ordinary motorcycle, it's the fun cycle, remember?"
"Yeah, but that was when I drove that thing with you as a passenger. This is different."
"What's wrong?," asked an unfamiliar voice faintly.
"Shhh. Deu eivat tipiota (It's nothing), Prowl," she whispered.
"Hunh?"
"What?"
"Did-Did you just call your motorcycle 'Prowl'," I asked dumbfounded.
"It's the model name," she said, "haven't you ever heard of the Suzuki Prowl before?"
I shook my head. Then, I added, "Still, I don't care which model it is, I'm still not riding behind you on that thing."
Kai slumped her shoulders and asked, "Should I make another modification and add the sidecar to it?"
"If you can do that real quick," I answered.
Actually, Kai had been doing this for a while now. Talking to her motorcycle, saying that the name Prowl was its model name, which, by the way, I looked up the model she had suggested (after all, a good mechanic always does some form of research before working on the car he/she has been assigned to), and found nothing on a Suzuki Prowl, so my guess is that it was a custom built bike for her and she called it that. I sat on a nearby shop stool and watched her attach the sidecar to the bike.
Kai wouldn't hide something from me, would she?, I thought, I mean, I'm like her best buddy, and she knows that I wouldn't blab about any secrets that she has. Why has she all of the sudden lost trust in me? It makes me feel bad. What did I do to make her lose her trust in me?
"Yo, Vespa! It's ready!"
Awakening from my thoughts was actually pretty easy to do, especially when your best friend throws a helmet at you. I looked at it feeling a little childish. Wouldn't you if you were given a helmet colored canary yellow with three black stripes going across the back?
"Kai, are giving me a signal or something?," I said jokingly.
"What? It was the only one I could find at the store that would fit you," she answered.
"Well, I understand that, but come on! You didn't hafta find something that made me look like this, did you?"
"I thought you'd look cute in it. Now put it on, lets see how it fits."
With a smile, I shook my head and placed the helmet on. It was a little snug, but just as comfy as the one I wore when I rode my Kawasaki Ninja. Kai smiled and said, "Well, don't you look precious."
I laughed and said, "Come on, Kai. We've got bigger jets to fly."
She laughed too and revved the engine up just a tad as I got in the sidecar. Then, in a burst of speed, we were heading out the tunnel and into the light of Detroit's hot sun.
There was a lot on my mind as we sped past cars, highway signs, fast food joints, and other buildings. I couldn't help but feel a little cramped in the sidecar, but my mind was too full of thoughts to really give me any sign of caring.
"Are we there yet?," I called out above the roar of traffic and the purring of the Suzuki's engine as we drove farther on.
"Just about," Kai answered as she made a left turn.
Gripping the sides of the sidecar, I braced myself for what was up ahead.
"This is it!," Kaia exclaimed as we pulled up into the parking lot.
I looked up and grimaced slightly. It looked more like we had pulled up to a scam artist's hideout. There was nothing but really old, junky, or beat cars as far as the eye could see. the place was littered with balloons, tinsel, those stupid pennants that see hanging off the ceiling of those restaurants, and trash. As I stepped out, I began to regret ever coming here.
"Oh, crap! These are my favorite boots, man!," I cursed faintly as I accidently stepped in some really old and nasty chewing gum. People really have no regards for where they put their damn trash, I thought as I tried to scrape it off with a nail file I found in the bottom of the sidecar. I looked up at the sign, which read "Magic Mikey's Used Cars". Oh great, I thought, a moment Sam Witwicky would be proud to know I was living.
"Welcome to Magic Mikey's Used Car Emporium!," boomed a loud voice.
I looked up to see a man in his mid-30s come out of the building in a getup that made him look like that dude for Panama Jack brand sunglasses. Okay, I thought with a sigh, Kai, this is your worst attempt at a joke ever. I heard Dr. Rosecroft pull into the parking lot and walk up to us. He smiled and said, "What did I miss?"
"So," said Mikey to him,"whose the lucky little lady getting her first car?"
"Right here," answered Dr. Rosecroft as he pointed to me.
"Oh boy," I murmured as I was pulled aside.
"Well now," replied Mikey as he pulled me closer, "let me tell you something: at Magic Mikey's, you don't just drive off with a car, you drive off with a bonding between you and the car.
That's why I'm not gonna pressure you in any decisions."
"Great," I squeaked.
"Alright! Now go get 'em, kid."
I ran as though Hell were at my heels just to get away. "Wow," said Kaia, "you sure are excited to get your first car."
"Not as excited as I am to get away from that creep," I answered disgusted.
I began to look around. None of the cars impressed me. All of them were beat up, worn out, not to mention a bunch of rusting scrap heaps on wheels. The only car in good condition over there was a bright yellow Chevrolet Beat with a black stripe going down the side.
"See any sign of her?," asked a certain motorcycle via comm link.
"Got her in my sights," answered a younger sounding voice, "Time to bust a move."
"BumbleBee, wait--"
Suddenly the radio came to life in the little Chevy Beat: [Come my lady/Come come my lady/You're my butterfly/sugar baby].
"Hey, is that car playing music?," asked Kai.
"I better go check it out," I answered.
"That's it, keep coming," murmured the one called BumbleBee.
[Walk this way/walk this way...]
"It's probably someone else's radio turned up to loud," I answered.
"Well, they sure don't like whatever they're listening to," mused Kai, "listen to all of that station switching."
Ignoring Kai, I looked over at it, surprised to see a used car in such excellent condition. The paint looked fresh and the tires had a nice smooth sheen like velvet. Opening the door, I took a good long whiff of the air inside. It stilled had that new car smell, surprisingly enough, and had no signs of staining or fraying on the interior. The molded putty gray plastic that served for the dashboard and door interior didn't have any scratches, plus there were no cracks or greasy fingerprints left on the dial casing. Getting out and leaving the door open, I stroked down the hoodline of the front and found no scratches, dents, or rust stains availiable.
Giving the left front fender a light pat, I walked over and raised the hood. My eyes widened. This was no ordinary engine, either! Unlike most Chevrolet engines, this one was slightly bigger and looked more like it ran on a six cylinder cycle insteade of the usual four. It was definately a turbocharged 1.6L Prince 14, but with a little more punch.
"Damn!," I murmured in amazement.
"Oh yeah! I think she likes me!"
Slamming the hood down, I joined up with Kai and looked at it again. "So, you like it or something, Vespa?," she asked.
"First things first," I replied, "how do I look in it?"
I sat down in the driver's seat and waited on her opinion. "I think you look great in it personally, Vespa," she said.
Suddenly, the radio started blaring out even more crap than before.
[Ride with me/ride with me/ride with me/whoa-oh!/...throw your arms around me/never find a love like this/...and on top of this list of things before I leave this place/you are my number one!/...and maybe you and me/we could be a team/maybe you and me/just wait and see!]
I threw my hands in the air and said, "I don't think so!"
"What's wrong, Vespa?"
"Look, the car's really cute and all, but this whole...radio playback thing...just ain't my style. I really don't give a crap anymore on what kind of car I get, as long as it's not that one."
"Wha-! Wait! Where're you going?!"
"C'mon Kai," I said, "this car's givin' me the creeps more than the dealer."
"Please don't go! Wait! Wait! DON'T LEEEAAAVE MEEEEE!!!"
As I walked away, I heard for one last time the radio go off in the Cooper.
[Baby come back....]
I stood there dumbfounded, and slumped my shoulders. Are you f***ing kidding me?!, I thought as I turned to face the car. Kaia began to chuckle.
"I don't know, Vespa," she replied, "I think that Beat wants you even if you don't want it. C'mon, Vespa, I never known you to meet an automobile you never like, except ones that look like pieces of s**t. Give the car a chance. You never know."
I gave her a grimace and slumped my shoulders farther down. Then, with a groan, I turned my heel and walked back over there. "This is ludicrous," I muttered as the car played an Akon song.
[...I wanna make up right now (na na)/Wish we never broke up right now (na na)/We need to link up right now (na na)...]
"Uh...BumbleBee?," asked the motorcycle, "You can stop now. She's returning."
"She's coming back? Wow, I must have a way with words."
I got back over to the car and opened the door again. Then, I decided to sit for a while in the driver's seat; it was kinda warm outside and I was tired. The moment I sat down, a strange sensation came over me. I felt so...comfortable, like I was back in my house resting in a bean-bag chair sipping some Chai tea and listening to Kings of Convenience's "I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp Remix)". It felt good.
"Whoa, forget what I said, Kai," I murmured, "This isn't ludicrous, this is...luscious."
"Really?," she asked, "cuz at first, you didn't want the car, but now...oh, make up your mind already, Vespa!"
"Oh, I've made up my mind, Kai. I have made up my mind, alright."
Just then, Dr. Rosecroft and the weirdo salesman saw us and rushed right over. "So, found a car yet, Vespa?," asked Dr. Rosecroft. Then, he looked at me and the Chevrolet Beat. "Oh...nice choice," he replied.
"Well, are you sure you want this one?," asked Mikey, "We've got this lovely Diablo black '76 Chevy Camaro to your left. It's got custom neoprene upholstry."
"Ooh, custom neoprene. That sounds nice," I murmured.
"I don't think so!"
Suddenly, the Chevy's passenger door shot right open and knocked a huge dent in the door of the Camaro. "Good Lord!," I cried out.
"VESPA!," yelled Kaia.
"I DIDN'T DO IT!," I shouted.
"Now, calm down," replied Dr. Rosecroft, "we know you didn't, Vespa."
"Oh dear!," whimpered Mikey, "get out of the car!"
"No!," I shouted.
"BumbleBee, knock it off!," shouted the motorcycle,"You're going to get in--"
"Alright! Time to do a little something I like to call 'Breaking the Sound Barrier'!"
Then, as if things couldn't get any worse, an ear-splitting noise filled the entire inside of the car, and something that was almost too bad to be true became true. The sound of shattering glass accompanied the high frequency wave sounds, and panic filled my mind as I ducked down with my hands over my head. My heartbeat was at twice its normal speed and sweat dripped from my forehead and neck. Slowly, I raised my head up and looked around. There was not a single window left spared. Only the Beat remained intact. I let out a whimper, like a hurt and lost puppy. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. Kaia and her father, must've been experiencing the same feeling of terror I was, because their mouths were agape and their expressions were that of fear. Mikey looked like he was ready to bolt out of the place. All three of us turned our heads to him.
"We'll take it," all three of squeaked.
Well, whacha think? Get ready for Chapter 2 COMING SOON!!!
Reviews are a good sign for me to continue this path. If you review, I'll give you a virtual chocolate-chip cookie! XD (sorry, no substitutions on the flavors)