Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.
Authoress:Well, this certainly is going to be entertaining.
Hinge: What will?
Authoress: This chapter about when you met Blackbit and accepted him on your team.
Hinge: *smiles* Oh, this is a fun story.
Ch. 2: Blackbit
Hinge placed the final energon dispenser in the rec room before glancing around and nodding in satisfaction. The Guardian headquarters was finally complete. The battle simulators were online, stores full of energon and weapons, and the other rooms were stocked with the necessities. Now it was time for the hard part; finding bots who had the qualifications to join.
So, he did the only thing he could think of. He went out and started to study the different platoons and personal trainer groups for bots who would fit his criteria of a Guardian. The bots that joined had to be physically fit and able to hold their own in battle and all of those criteria, of course.
Hinge's thoughts were interrupted when he passed a stand of cloaks that were on sale. Figuring that this would help him find bots easier, he paid the credits for one and threw it on before continuing his train of thought.
He was also was looking for the moral convictions as well. They must have the desire to defend those around them, even if it puts their own lives in jeopardy. Also, the bot should be able to have some control over their anger. Hinge knew that controlling anger played a key role when fighting.
The sound of a feminine yelp followed by a crashing sound drew Hinge away from his thoughts. Glancing around, he deduced that the sounds were coming from the bar next to him. When he walked inside, he observed the situation. The main room of the bar was split in two sides. In front of the left side, a blue and green mech was smirking at a lavender femme on the floor, who was trying to pick up some dropped energon cubes.
Hinge growled to himself and was about to go give that mech a piece of his processor when a flicker of movement caught his optics. A rather large black car mech, who was about half a helm taller than he was, came out of the right side of the room and bent down to help the femme. Hinge decided to watch this so he hid in the shadows before returning his attention to the scene.
The blue and green mech shook his helm and said, 'What do you think you are doing blackie? You're blocking my view."
The black mech finished picking up the cubes and helped the femme up before turning to the dual colored mech and saying, "I believe you owe this femme an apology."
The dual colored mech smirked and said, "Only if to apologize for how stupid she was for getting in my way."
The black mech narrowed his optics and said, "No, you are the one that got in her way and tripped her on purpose. Now, apologize to the femme and we won't have any issues."
The dual colored mech turned back to his friends behind him and said, "Do you mechs here that? He is ordering me, Windbreaker Minor, to apologize to some mech toy femme."
The black mech let out a soft, but audible growl, at that and said, "Last chance, Windbreaker Minor, apologize to the femme before this has to get ugly."
"Who do you think you are? I should put a low ranking bot like yourself in your place." Windbreaker stated before walking up and shoving Blackbit.
The move was so fast that even Hinge's trained optic was hard pressed to follow it. One nano-click they are both standing there staring at each other and the next the black mech's fist slams into Windbreaker's faceplate and said bot rose a little into the air until falling to the ground. Windbreaker yelped as the black mech grabbed him by the neck and hauled him onto his pedes before saying, "Now, what do you have to say to this gentle femme?"
"Sorry for making you fall ma'am." Windbreaker stated quickly.
The black mech then flung Windbreaker into his friends before saying, "And don't let me catch you doing that again. That goes for anyone in here. I won't go as easy the second time." The black mech then walked up to the femme and asked, "Are you alright?"
The femme nodded and said, "The name's Lavana and yes, I am ok. Thank you for sticking up for me sir."
The black mech nodded before saying, "You're welcome ma'am. I wasn't going to stand there and let him mistreat you."
Lavana again nodded before going back to work. The black mech glanced around before heading out the doors.
Hinge wanted to follow him but he knew that he needed recon information before he could approach the mech. So, he walked up to the bar and motioned for the bar keeper. The bar keeper, who was a larger purple and brown heavy duty mech, came up to him and asked, "What can I get you stranger?"
"I could use a cube of mid-grade and some information." Hinge answered.
The mech called out the mid-grade order before returning his attention to Hinge and asking, "What information are you looking for?"
"What can you tell me about that black mech?" Hinge asked.
The bar keeper laughed and said, "That's Blackbit. He is said to be the one of the greatest warrior trainers on Cybertron, second only to the bot known as Hinge. He comes here regularly and orders the same thing, two mid-grades, and sits here for a good cycle before he leaves. That mech, he helps me out a lot here, by scaring the lower folk who a bot like me couldn't handle. I assume you saw that confrontation?"
Hinge nodded and said, "Yeah, I caught most of it."
The barkeeper nodded and said, "Well, he is one of the few bots that I have met that will stick up for the femmes like that. And his demands are usually met with the same response. Though I will admit, that Windbreaker had some nerve. Most of the stupid bots at least have enough sense not to mock him. That was a big mistake on his part. That was the only time I expected Blackbit to hit first, but as you saw, he didn't."
The barkeeper then stopped talking as Hinge's mid-grade arrived and he left so that Hinge could drink it in peace. And peace was exactly what Hinge needed. This Blackbit character seemed the perfect fit to be a Guardian, but Hinge wanted to be absolutely sure before he approached him and asked. How was he going to do that? All he knew about the mech was that he came here regularly around this time. How was he going to be able to see this bot in fighting action?
Once his mid-grade was gone, Hinge set the cube on the bar and the barkeeper came back and said, "Anything else you need to know?"
Hinge nodded and asked, "Will he be back here tomorrow?"
The barkeeper nodded and said, "Yep, he usually gets here about half a cycle before the fight started this solar cycle. Oh, and the designation's Slapjack. You got a designation?"
Hinge knew that he had to keep his identity somewhat secret so he asked, "I need you to swear on Primus, the Allspark, and your spark that you will not tell another spark who I am."
Slapjack looked a little nervous and asked, "You aren't running from the law, are you?"
Hinge shook his helm and said, "No, I'm not running from the law. I just don't want bots swarming me when they figure out who I am."
Slapjack smiled at that and said, "Oh, you're one of those famous bots. Yes, I swear on Primus, the Allspark, and my spark that I will not tell another spark who you are."
Hinge was satisfied with that answer and lifted his hood so only Slapjack could see who he was before saying, "My designation is Hinge."
Slapjack stared at Hinge in shock for a click before saying, "And what brought you here to my place?"
"I'm looking for somebot. Don't know who though." Hinge stated. He then paid his credits and got up before saying, "I got to go back to my base now. I have some things to think over."
Slapjack nodded and said, "Can I assume that you will be back here tomorrow?"
Hinge nodded and said, "Yes, I plan on doing a little more searching here."
"Is there a table you would like me to reserve for you?" Slapjack asked.
Hinge shook his helm and stated, "No, I think it is best that I observe from the bar.
Slapjack nodded and said, "Ok. Then I will see you tomorrow."
Hinge nodded before going out of the bar. When he got outside, he noticed that it was very late. He then decided to stop by the cloak place and just bought all of the cloaks. He then headed back to the Guardian headquarters and washed in his wash racks before laying on his berth and thinking. This mech called Blackbit could be the bot he has been looking for. But, what if he was wrong and he ended up failing? Before his thoughts could wonder further though, Hinge fell into a nice recharge.
He was really getting tired of this dream. Like before, the faceless black mechs were attacking the femmes. He ran toward a femme and her sparkling that were being attacked when the silver faceless bots came alongside of him. That was when things changed again. One of the silver bot's armor turned black and he grew so he was a little taller than Hinge before the mech turned to him and he saw that it was Blackbit. Blackbit stared at him for a click before asking, "What now Hinge?" Then, Hinge woke up.
Hinge glanced at his internal alarm and saw that it was already the middle of the solar cycle. How had he slept in so late? He checked his messages and washed up before grabbing his cube of low grade and quickly downing it. After that, he threw on his cloak and walked out the door for the solar cycle.
His first stop, before going back to the bar, was to stop by Ultra Magnus' office. He knew that he didn't schedule an appointment but, since he got up late, there was not much time to. So, he walked into Fortress Maximus and made his way into the hallway where Ultra Magnus' office was located. When he arrived at the door though, he paused when he heard yelling on the other side.
"This was supposed to be a group of warriors Ultra Magnus. That was what the council was expecting. But, there is only one bot and he does not seem like he is in a rush to get any new bots." A mech voice stated.
Hinge heard Ultra Magnus sigh before saying, "Dragstrip, Hinge is making sure that he picks an appropriate team to train."
"Who does he think he is that he can waste our time?" The same voice, which belonged to this Dragstrip mech, asked.
Hinge decided that now was an appropriate time to make his presence known so he knocked on the door. It took a click but Ultra Magnus finally asked, "Who is it?"
"It's Hinge. I need to talk with you about something." Hinge responded.
A sound of surprise was heard coming from the other side before Ultra Magnus said, "You can enter."
Hinge opened the door and walked in to see Ultra Magnus sitting behind his desk with a tope and maroon car mech standing in front of it. Hinge could see the anger that was still flowing off of him and Hinge realized that this mech was seriously upset.
"Hinge, it is nice to see that you are here. I am Dragstrip." Dragstrip introduced himself.
Hinge nodded and said, "And it seems you already know me."
Dragstrip nodded before saying, "Yes, and it is fortunate that you are here. Would you care to explain to me why the numbers of your group have not increased?"
Hinge narrowed his optics and nodded, "Yes. It is because I want to make sure that I pick out bots that I won't regret training."
Dragstrip frowned and said in a raised voice, "Let me rephrase that. I expect you to have your numbers raised up substantially the next time we come and check on you."
Hinge was now sick and tired of this bot, who thought that he could run his group, and said with a small hint of anger, "Let me put it to you this way sir, my group is under no obligations to the government. I started it with my own funds and I completely own the building and land that the headquarters is on. So, I do not have to keep up with what you believe are the proper standards for a group of warriors. I will decide what bots will join my team and when they come aboard."
Dragstrip huffed at that and turned to Ultra Magnus before saying, "Have a good solar cycle Ultra Magnus." He then promptly stormed out of the office.
Both Hinge and Ultra Magnus sat down after that and Ultra Magnus asked, "So, what brought you down here?"
Hinge then remembered that he had actually come here to get some information so he asked, "What do you know about a bot named Blackbit?"
Hinge relaxed when Ultra Magnus actually smiled and said, "You won't find many bots like him. Actually, he reminds me a lot of you."
Hinge raised an optic ridge in confusion before asking, "How?"
"Well he is a great warrior, second best on Cybertron so I've heard. Also, he has the same moral standards as you do. And, he is always ready to fight to protect those who can't protect themselves." Ultra Magnus answered before raising an optic ridge of his own and asking, "But why the interest in him?"
"Well, I am considering him as a candidate to become a Guardian. I just have to watch one of his fights now." Hinge stated. He then checked his internal clock and saw that if he did not start heading over to the bar, he might miss something important. "Ultra Magnus, I am sorry to pop in and go like this, but I have to go now. I have to do more surveillance on Blackbit soon and I don't want to be late."
Ultra Magnus nodded and shook Hinge's servo before saying, "Good luck." Hinge nodded before running out of Fortress Maximus and to the bar.
Making sure that his cloak was still up, he walked in and sat at the same bar seat he did last time. Before he turned to the counter though, Hinge saw that Blackbit was already there. Hinge then motioned for Slapjack to come over and was not surprised when he did come over with a couple of cubes of mid-grade. Taking one for himself, Hinge took a sip before asking, "Anything interesting happen yet?"
Slapjack took a sip of his before shaking his helm and saying, "Nope. Blackbit got here just a few clicks before you did and he just ordered his energon."
Before anything else could be said, the main door was slammed open. Hinge didn't dare turn around but he didn't have to as Slapjack whispered, "Holy Primus I was not expecting that rascal to show up here so soon."
"Who is it?" Hinge asked.
"It's Windbreaker and his cronies. I thought that Blackbit had knocked enough sense into him to avoid this place for a while." Slapjack stated in shock.
It was with that statement that Hinge finally turned around and saw Windbreaker walk up to Blackbit's table and knock his energon away from him before demanding, "You! I demand a battle with you!"
Blackbit just glanced up at him before saying calmly, "The designation is Blackbit and you could have asked a little nicer. I would have accepted."
Windbreaker just growled and backed up a few paces before getting in a fighting stance. "No, they are going to trash my bar! And I just got it redone after last time!" Hinge heard Slapjack complain softly.
He knew he had to help keep Slapjack's bar safe so he said, "Wait!"
All optics turned to him and Windbreaker asked with an annoyed voice, "What do you want?"
Hinge resisted the urge to sigh as he said, "I don't think that the owner of this bar would appreciate you two fighting in here and destroying everything. If you would both follow me, I will take you two to a training location where you two can go at it."
Windbreaker was about to retort when Blackbit nodded and said, "I believe that would be best. Thank you."
Hinge then turned and Slapjack said, "Thanks." Hinge then grabbed his mid-grade, paid for it, and led the two bots to his training area outside his old home.
"Hey, isn't this were that pathetic mech who stopped training bots used to live?" Windbreaker asked.
Hinge nodded and said, "Yes, but I am a close friend and I don't think he will mind us using it." Hinge then looked around and saw that everyone from the bar had come, even the work staff and Slapjack, to see this fight. Hinge then returned his attention to the two mechs and said, "Ok, you both know how a battle match works I presume?" Both nodded so he continued, "Then the only rule I am going to change is that there will be no blasters used in this fight. I believe that a true challenge like this should be settled with strength."
Both bots nodded in agreement and soon they were circling each other. As they were, Hinge felt a presence stand next to him and turned to see Slapjack. "This should be an interesting fight." Slapjack stated.
"I sure hope so." Hinge said in return.
He then focused on the match as Windbreaker made a mad dash at Blackbit. Blackbit just stood there and waited for Windbreaker to get closer before he sidestepped and let Windbreaker run a little past him before grabbing his wrist and flinging him back to where he started. Windbreaker let out a growl before again going at Blackbit and the two were soon blocking each other's blows. Blackbit seemed to know that Windbreaker would have a small speed advantage and the best thing to do would be to stand and wait for Windbreaker to attack him.
Windbreaker then brought out a half sword and held it in front of himself before charging. Blackbit again waited until Windbreaker was right on top of him before pulling out a large broadsword and using it to parry Windbreaker's attack. The force of the parry caused Windbreaker to fall back and hit the ground hard and Hinge assumed that Blackbit must have gotten tired of fighting because he walked up to Windbreaker and placed his sword at his neck before saying, "Yield."
"I yield." Windbreaker grumbled. Blackbit reached down to help him up but pulled his servo back when Windbreaker growled at him and got up on his own before walking over to his friends. Hinge knew that Blackbit was the one to become a Guardian after that battle so he walked up to Blackbit and said, "That was a well fought battle Blackbit."
Blackbit turned to him and said, "Thank you. And that was a smart idea about bringing the battle out here. I don't think Slapjack would have been very happy if I destroyed his bar again."
Hinge laughed at that and said, "No, I don't think he would have been to terribly thrilled. But, I would assume that you would have helped him rebuild?"
Blackbit nodded and said, "Yeah. I would have. But thanks to you, I don't have to."
Hinge nodded and went to ask the question when he heard the soft sound of a sniper blaster warming up. He wasted no time in dashing around Blackbit and using his arm to deflect the blast, which caused enough damage so it would leak energon, before knocking the gun out of Windbreaker's servos and slamming it to the ground, causing it to break. Hinge glared at Windbreaker and yelled, as Blackbit came and stood next to him, "You are a disgrace to the warrior name. You don't deserve the title of Minor."
Windbreaker glared right back at Hinge, who still had his cloak on and asked, "Who the frag are you? You have no right to yell at me you cloaked freak. And I want payment for that gun. It cost probably more credits then you have seen."
Hinge realized that he would have to unmask himself so he grabbed the cowl of his cloak and pulled it off while saying, "I am Hinge, top warrior trainer on Cybertron and leader of the Guardians and I would advise you running away from here and hiding yourself in shame for the rest of eternity."
Everybot's optics, even Blackbit's, widened in shock at this revelation. Windbreaker and his cronies wasted no time in running away from there. Hinge wrapped his arm in a bandage before he turned his attention to Blackbit and said, "I guess you now know who I am. It is nice to meet you officially."
Blackbit seemed to study Hinge before saying, "I have this feeling that you arranged this to be out here for a reason. What is it?"
Hinge knew that this was the moment of truth so he said, "I have been looking for deserving bots to join me as Guardians. I have studied you for these past two solar cycles and I have found that you have every quality I am looking for in Guardians. You are capable of fighting both physically and mentally and you have a good sense of morality. I wish I could have tested you personally, that is what I am planning for future Guardians, but I believe that the battle you just fought was suffice. I wish to know if you would like to join the Guardians."
Blackbit thought about that for a click before nodding and saying, "Yeah, I think that we will make a good team."
Hinge smiled and turned to Slapjack before saying, "Hey, get some high grade ready because we are celebrating." Slapjack nodded with enthusiasm and he headed back to the bar to get everything ready, with the rest of the bots following so Blackbit and Hinge were at the back.
"Hey Hinge," Blackbit started.
"Yes Blackbit?" Hinge asked.
Blackbit put his arm around Hinge's shoulders before saying with a playful smirk, "You're a lot shorter then I pictured you."
A yelp then came from Blackbit as Hinge punched his arm.
Hinge: Blackbit, thank Primus you are here. It was getting boring with just me and Authoress.
Authoress: *sadly* You didn't like talking with me?
Blackbit: Now you did it.
Hinge: No, I loved talking to you. I am just glad that Blackbit will make this a trio now.
Authoress: *smiles* I forgive you.
AN: Well, here is chapter two done. Hope you all liked it. This was pretty fun to write. Until next time, please read and review. But no flames please.
