Hey guys, I am SO sorry I haven't updated in so long. I haven't had much of a will to write lately. It's not even writer's block, I just haven't wanted to write. But, thankfully, whatever was going on with me decided to subside tonight, so I'm FINALLY getting this chapter in. Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers: Prime, or anything else that might need disclamation.
Legend:
"Speech"
"Comm Link:
"SHOUTING, YELLING, ETC."
Chapter One
It was Saturday, my day off. All of the Autobots were currently on patrol across the globe, searching for energon. Since it had been three years since the Autobots had picked up on any activity, they thought it was safe for me to accompany them on patrol whenever I had a chance.
They all took turns driving me around, and we would usually just chat. I continued to to teach them about Earth customs, and they continued teaching me about Cybertron. Teaching them about Earth was fun, especially when I could see the rest of the world in doing so.
Today, for example. I was riding with Cliffjumper, who was tapped into Arcee's communication link. He was telling us both about his latest encounter with the police.
"...and then it hits me: I'm illegally parked!"
"Another parking ticket?" I asked, rolling my eyes at his rearview mirror.
"Better." he said. "The boot."
"Big metal tire clamp, impossible to remove." Arcee said, sounding bored.
"Bingo!" Cliff confirmed before continuing. "So the local po-lice do their thing, and I let them get all the way down the block. That's when I kick off my new shiny shoe, and bang!"
"New York's finest soil themselves." Arcee said, somewhat amused as I snickered.
"You know me, ladies. Mess with Cliffjumper-"
"And you get the horns." Arcee and I said in unison. Cliffjumper laughed.
"Not sure how that complies with Autobot rule number one: keep a low profile?" Arcee questioned.
"You just better hope I don't tell boss-bot." I said, referring to my Optimus.
"You wouldn't." Cliff said, a hint of worry in his voice.
I chuckled. "No, I wouldn't. I love him, but you guys know I'm no snitch."
"And that's what I like about you." Cliff said, failing to mask the relief in his voice.
"Besides the fact that I keep you from going bored out of your helm while you scout for energon?" I asked with a smile.
"That, too. After all, patrolling for energon out here in Dullsville gets lonesome. Almost makes me miss the Decepticons." he said.
"Like Jasper, Nevada's a party? We're alone where ever we travel on this rock, Cliff." Arcee stated.
"Excuse me, I'm sitting right here!" I said slightly miffed. They both just laughed at me, to which I crossed my arms and pouted. Though I was glad I had lightened the mood.
That's when Cliff's energon detector went off. "I'm getting a signal."
"Need back-up?" Arcee said, though I couldn't tell if she was concerned for our safety or just hopeful for some action. It was probably both.
"Do I ever need back-up?" Cliff asked, a bit too cocky for my comfort.
"Besides, he has me." I interjected as Cliff went off-road.
"That doesn't make me feel better, kid." she said.
"Hey! Need I remind you that if you were human, you'd only be a few years older than me? I told you and Bulk to stop calling me a kid." I scolded. She did not respond.
We pulled up to a giant crater, full of energon in its purest form. It reminded me Krewella's latest album cover. I think it's called Play Hard.
"I just found a whole lot of energon!" he boasted.
I noticed that a shadow had fallen over us. I pressed a button, rolling down the window and looked up. I could feel myself becoming pale.
I hopped out of Cliff's vehicle mode a second before he transformed.
"Decepticons. Marina, run!" he ordered, and I obliged, still staring at the massive warship.
I'd managed to get several meters between us when I heard a shot being fired. The next thing I knew, the force of the explosion had pushed me a few yard forward. I landed on my face, but I was fortunate enough to have landed on a large patch of soft grass. I got up and kept running until I was behind a tree.
I had a perfect view of the battle. Cliff was fighting a bunch of Drones. He was quite skilled, so I wasn't too worried. Although, I saw that he was missing a horn.
Then, I saw a drone shoot at him, miss, and the shot hit the energon instead. Energon was like our gasoline: when you ignite it, BOOM!
And that's exactly what happened. I hid my whole body behind the tree, so I wouldn't get caught in the force of the explosion. When it was over, I looked out from my hiding spot. The Drones were dragging Cliff away, and he looked like he wasn't going to make it... Energon was leaking from everywhere.
On impulse, I ran towards them. "Leave him alone!" I shouted at the Drones. They saw me, and I immediately regretted my actions. There were only two drones left, though I did not know how many there had originally been. One of them let go of Cliff's arm, and made his way towards me. I tried to run away, but of course, he caught me. Never have I been so angry at myself for being so unathletic.
They brought us aboard the warship, taking us to the control room. The Drones dragged Cliffjumper by his arms, while one of them carried me in his other hand.
I didn't bother struggling; they were twenty times my size and I figured he'd squeeze me too tight if I tried it. I kept sneaking glances at Cliff; he looked horrible.
"Cliff?" I called, my voice ripe with dread and worry.
He looked up slowly. Energon was leaking out of his mouth, and it made me want to cry.
I held back the tears so I could ask, "Are we going to make it out of this?" I knew I didn't want to hear the answer, but I couldn't stop myself.
"Marina..." he started to answer weakly, before coughing up energon. He continued "I doubt I will, but you might. The others will save you."
"How can you be sure?" I asked. I knew about Decepticons. I knew they wouldn't hesitate to kill me unless I was of some use.
"I feel it in my spark. You'll be okay." he said, and I could hear the sincerity in his voice. I, however, was not as certain, and looked away.
"Marina..." he beckoned, and I looked back. "Promise me something?" he asked.
I nodded. "Anything."
"Tell the others I'm sorry and-" he was cut off by another fit of coughing. I grimaced at the energon the came with the fit. "And tell Arcee... she was the greatest partner a 'bot could ask for.
"I... I will Cliff. I swear it." I promised. He smiled slightly.
We finally made it to the control room, and in the center was a 'con I hoped I would never have to meet. I knew who he was because Cliff had once told me of the events that led to he and Arcee arriving on Earth.
The Drones dragged Cliff to him with me in tow. I started to fidget as we got closer to Starscream, but the Drone holding me started to squeeze me a bit tighter. I really didn't want my ribs cracked, so I stopped my struggle.
"Scream... been awhile." Cliff greeted when the 'con turned to face us. He coughed up some more energon, then inquired, "So, where's your master?"
"Never mind him!" Starscream exclaimed. "I am my own master." He declared. He then drew his talons back, and plunged them into his chassis. I shrieked in horror.
"Anymore questions?" he asked, rhetorically.
Energon leaked from the puncture wound, and even more gushed out as he removed his talons. Cliff then fell forward, and was still. I knew he was dead.
"Clean that up." he ordered. When he said that, something inside me just snapped.
"YOU MONSTER! IF I HAD THE POWER I SWEAR I WOULD TEAR OUT YOUR SPARK MYSELF, THEN BRING YOU BACK JUST SO THE REST OF THE AUTOBOTS COULD DO THE SAME!" I screamed at him in blind fury.
Starscream seemed to have only just noticed my presence. He seemed taken aback by my outburst, but he seemed to recover from his shock quickly.
"So, the Autobots have a pet, do they?" he inquired, amusement and slight disgust in his voice.
"I am nobody's pet, you mother-fragging son of a glitch!" I spat at him. Bulk had taught me to curse in Cyber-English, for which I was presently grateful. At least, I would have been grateful, if I hadn't been so incredibly furious. I knew I was just grieving, since I am by no means a violent person, but Cliff had been like the brother I'd never had.
Starscream looked aghast, probably at the fact that a human had cursed him out in his sort-of native tongue. But, he recovered quickly and laughed at me.
"You have spirit, for a human." he said, spitting out the last word as if it were poison.
"You, take her to the brig." He ordered the Drone holding me. He turned to the other Drone, "You, clean this up." he ordered again, gesturing to Cliff's body and the energon stained floor he laid upon.
My anger was replaced with slight shock. I would have thought he would kill me on the spot for speaking to him in such a way, especially after calling me a vermin. Soon, my shock was soon replaced with fear and dread. For I had no idea what Starscream planned to do with me, and I really didn't want to find out.
And so concludes the first real chapter of Battle of the Psyche. Hope you enjoyed. I promise to get the next chapter out ASAP. Hopefully tomorrow. For now, I'm going to bed.