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"Another one down." I think to myself as the patient I was currently helping Ratchet fix walks out the door. I sigh as I stretch to pull out the kinks in my joints.
"What's the sigh for?" Ratchet asks while putting his things away.
"No reason." I reply.
"You know I can tell when you're lying right?" He asks rhetorically.
"I know and I'm not lying...I'm just out of sorts I guess."
"Why? Something wrong?" He asks worriedly.
I let out a light chuckle at his worry and say, "Why does anything have to be wrong? Maybe I'm just having one of those days."
He smiles and says," I suppose not but I'll listen if anything is wrong."
"I'm a big femme now. You don't have to worry about me." I say.
"I'm always going to worry about you. Comes with the deal of being your godsire. I told your creators I'd take care of you and I intend to do so." He explains.
"I know and you do a wonderful job of it." I state.
He smiles and then asks, "So are you sure there isn't anything you want to talk about?"
I ponder for a moment as we head up the stair to the living area. "I guess I'm feeling restless, like there's something I wish I could be doing."
"I understand. After fighting for so long I've gotten used to free time being few and far between. I almost don't know what to do with myself." He states.
"Exactly. I don't want anything bad to happen but I do want something. I don't know what I'm trying to say."
"I know what you mean. Who knows? Maybe something exciting will come up." He states.
We say our goodnights to one another and then make our way into our separate rooms for a decent recharge with me silently wishing for some excitement. I relax and soon fall into recharge not realizing that the next morning I would get my wish.
~TIME SKIP~
After waking up early I decide to head out to go visit a friend, after letting Ratchet know first of course. I only made that mistake once. I make it to the Autobots headquarters and straight towards the labs, where I see a familiar face, well technically back. "Shouldn't you be in recharge?" I sarcastically ask.
Wheeljack turns at the sudden voice but his helm fins immediately light up when he sees that it's me. "Hey Shadow. I would be but I had this great idea and couldn't wait to get started on it." He exclaims happily.
I laugh and say, "Same ol' Jackie. So what are you working on?"
His fins flash pink in embarrassment as he sheepishly says, "Well, it was actually a surprise for you."
"Really? And what did I do to deserve an invention of the brilliant Wheeljack?" I ask with a smile.
He laughs at my words and says,"You actually gave me the idea, albeit unknowingly. Last time you visited you said you wish you could slip out unnoticed easier so Ratchet wouldn't hassle you with where you're going all the time. Well, I never could get invisibility down so I thought if you can't slip out unnoticed then maybe you could simply slip through the walls. So I invented this." He then holds up a circular item with a jewel in the center.
"It's really pretty, but what is it?" I ask curiously.
"I call it the phase shifter. You place this on your wrist and turn this gem clockwise to activate it and turn it counterclockwise to turn it off." He explains excitedly.
"So can you really walk through walls with this?" I ask.
"Absolutely! I've already ran multiple tests and it works perfect." He exclaims. "Here, hold out your wrist."
I do so and he places it on as I get a good look at it. The band is thick and is a sparkling silver color to match the glimmering decals on my arms, legs, chest, and face. The gem is a deep purple to match my paint job.
I smile and then hug him as I say, "thank you Jackie! I love it."
He hugs me back as he says, "I'm glad you like it. Not sure how often you would need something like this but who knows, maybe the situation will call for it soon."
"Nonsense. I'm sure I'll use it every day. You've really outdone yourself." I comment.
Suddenly my com link goes off. I check and see that it's Ratchet. I turn to Jackie and say, "its Ratchet. I'll be right back."
At his nod I walk to the other side of the room to take the com. "What's up Ratch?"
"Meet me at the square. Something going on." He replies.
"What's wrong?" I ask thinking something bad has happened.
"Nothing. Just something is going on and to keep from repeating it you should just meet me down here." He explains.
"Alright. I'll be right over." I reply before cutting off the link. I walk back over to Jackie and say, "Apparently something's going on at the square and Ratchet wants me to be there. Want to go with me?"
He thinks on it for a moment and says, "Sure. Just let me lock up." Once he locks up we transform and drive to the square. His alt mode is a Lancia. Mine is a Ferrari from my time on Earth. I actually like it so I didn't think to change it. The silver decals have a swirl look to them that travel all over my body.
We arrive at the square in just a few minutes and transform back into bipedal mode.
As we look around for Ratchet we see the large crowd standing in front of the stage where someone is speaking. Before I can walk closer I feel someone grab my arm. I turn and notice that it's Ratchet. "Hey. What's going on?"
"Rodimus is making an announcement." He replies.
"Who's that?" I ask.
"Someone with a bigger ego than he is." Jackie states.
Just now noticing him Ratchet asks, "She managed to drag you out of your hole I see."
Wheeljack looks sheepish and says,"Yeah well, she's hard to say no to."
"Yeah. She has a knack for that." Ratchet replies with a chuckle.
"Hey. When Ya got it Ya got it." I add. "So what's this Rodimus guy talking about?"
"Not really sure. Let's get closer." He replies.
We maneuver our way through the crowd as best we can until we're about mid-way and stop and listen. The first mech I notice is a flame painted, red, orange, and yellow mech who's most likely this Rodimus. To the left I see the huge form of Ultra Magnus. Everyone knows who that imposing mech is. I'm immediately surprised by the mech standing o the right of the flamed mech.
Drift. I haven't seen him in a while, which I hate since we're good friends. He looks in my direction and smiles when he sees me. I give him a smile in return.
"I'm surprised this many would come to hear him speak." I hear someone say behind me.
I turn and immediately smile at the familiar mech. "Hey Prowl." I greet.
"Hello Shadowmist. How are you?" He asks.
"Good. I haven't seen you in a while. How have you been?" I ask.
"Not that great, until now." He replies while looking at me warmly.
Most assume that Prowl is an emotionless glitch with no spark...if only they knew. Growing up together has earned me special treatment I'm sure. However, for a while now he's been different. Whenever he talks to me he smiles more, is more relaxed, and is makes sure to compliment me. I'm not so ignorant that I don't know what he's doing, but what I don't understand is why me. I don't know if I think of him that way but I can't bring myself to tell him to quit. After all it isn't hurting anyone.
Ratchet quickly clears his intake to stop the conversation in its tracks. He may like Prowl but that doesn't mean he wants to hear him flirt with me. Then the awkward silence hits. It's like routine at this point.
The silence is broken by Rodimus talking, "They say that 12 million years ago on this very spot, the first Cybertronian realized he could change shape. 6 million years ago, right here, Nova Prime told the world that he'd built an ark. And 4 million years ago to the day, Optimus Prime stood where I now stand and turned down Megatrons first and only invitation to surrender."
"What happens here tomorrow will rank alongside those moments. Tomorrow, this patch of land becomes a launch pad. Tomorrow I will board the Lost Light and set off in search of our ancestors. They were known as the Knights of Cybertron. They're real. I'm going to find them and I want all of you to come with me. "
"Bumblebee says it's your duty to stay here; on a planet you no longer recognize, among people who resent you for the sacrifices made in their name. I say: you've done your duty. The war is over. The day you never thought would come? That's today. You've earned the right to see the universe without a gun in your hand."
"Kid knows how to work a crowd. We could be witnessing a mass exodus at this rate." Jackie states.
Prowl scoffs with a,"Pffft."
"Are you disagreeing or are your Pistons playing up?" Jackie asks him.
"Wheeljack, I can observe 800 moving objects and compute their direction of travel in 0.5 seconds. This is no different. As soon as Rodimus said he was leaving I mentally computed two lists: those who would go with him and those who'd stay behind. Trust me, all reliable indications suggests that tomorrow's launch is going to be one big non-event." Prowl states.
"Don't you ever give that processor of yours a break?" I sarcastically ask while playfully punching his arm.
Prowl smiles down at me and says, "My apologies. I'm afraid it's become second nature at this point. All those vorns of being the Autobots tactical advisor."
"Oh please. You've always been this way. It used to get on my circuits when we were younglings." I tease.
"And how about now?" He asks smoothly.
Before I can reply Ratchet grabs my arm while telling Prowl, "Well I love to interrupt so we'll be going. Bee needs us to check something out."
"Bye guys." I say to both Jackie and Prowl. As I'm being dragged off I take one last look at the stage. Drift catches my eye and gives me a wave. I return the gesture.
I turn to Ratchet and say,"You do know your being painfully obvious when you do that right?"
"I don't care. I don't want to hear him flirting with my goddaughter, no matter how much I may like the mech." He retorts.
I laugh but decide not to say anything. We make it to Autobot HQ and navigate our way through until we find Bumblebee. "Hey guys." He greets while leaning on his cane.
"Hey Bee." I greet.
"So what's Ya got?" Ratchet asks.
"I need Ya to do an autopsy. Weird request I know." Bee says.
"I've had weirder. Come on Shadow, let's check it out." He says.
We walk into the autopsy room and see the grey' form of a dead mech. He looks like he's been to the pit and back. We analyze him for a while until Ratchet finds the cause of death.
"He transformed himself to death?!" Bee exclaims in shock after Ratchet tells him the verdict.
"His transformation cog looks like a lump of coal. He must've been changing nonstop for weeks." Ratchet says.
"Where did you find him anyway?" I ask.
"Outside, on the steps. He was a NAIL, a protestor. He did this on purpose, to draw attention to our illegal occupation of Cybertron." Bee explains. "Thanks for looking him over. Metalhawk said he'd only accept a verdict of suicide if it came from y-"
The corpse on the table suddenly transforms into alt mode, making Bee let out a startled yelp.
"Relax. It's just a reflex action. Rigor Morphis: the dead body assumes its preferred shape. And yeah, sometimes it's the alt mode." Ratchet assures. "He wasn't dead when you brought him in. He still had a spark. It was tiny, but it was there. I should've been able to save him. An overheated transformation cog! I've fixed millions of them! Millions! It's these fingers. They're getting too old. Seizing up." He says the last part while looking at his hands.
I pat him on the arm and say, "Please stop doing this to yourself. You're still the best medic any universe could ask for...but not even you can save them all."
"But this I should. These are easy...you're going to have to accept the fact that I'm not as young as I used to be." He replies.
"That still doesn't make you any less of a medic." I argue.
An awkward silence ensues when no one says anything. Then Ratchet breaks it by saying, "I'm leaving with Rodimus tomorrow. I'm sorry. I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you. The awkward silence suggests that probably wasn't it..."
"When were you gonna tell me this?" I ask in aggravation.
I'm ignored as Bee argues, "No. Uh-uh. No way. You're joking right? This is one of your jokes. I need you here Ratchet. You're the best there is-the only Autobot to have saved the life of every Prime since Nominus."
"Precisely. I've been doing this too long. It's time someone else became Chief Medical Officer- someone who isn't losing their touch." Ratchet turns to me and adds," I think it's high time you took my place."
"No! I don't mind helping you but that doesn't mean I want your job. Besides, how could you think you could be replaced?" I exclaim.
"She's right. And now you've made me panic. I've got the shakes!" Bee then holds up his cane, which is shaking. "See that? I'm not doing that on purpose."
Ratchet then says,"You don't even need a cane anymore. I told you, I've found the spare parts I needs to-"
"Did he seek you out? Rodimus. Did he give you all that scrap about finding the Knights of Cybertron and retracing our steps to the Golden Age? It's all scripted you know. Drift writes it for him. "Bee interrupts.
"Look, it's not about the destination so much as the journey. Rodimus has promised to pick up some walfs and stays along the way. You and I both know that not everyone's accounted for. A lot of Autobots are still out there- and some of them could be injured. Maybe I can help them and maybe I can find a successor in the process since my daughter doesn't want to be. Think of it- think of it as my swan song." Ratchet explains.
After a long pause Bee asks, "So there's no chance of changing your mind?"
"Afraid not." Ratchet replies.
Bee sighs and says," I won't say I'm not disappointed. But I guess I don't have a choice but to accept your choice."
"Sorry to spring this on you Bee, but I really do feel this is something I need to do." Ratchet says.
Bee acknowledges his apology with a nod. He then turns to me and asks, "You'll be staying won't you?"
Before I can reply Ratchet quickly interrupts, "Of course she is."
I give Ratchet an annoyed look as I sarcastically ask, "Did I just have an out of body experience."
"Don't worry she's staying here." Ratchet repeats while ignoring me.
"SHE can speak for herself." I exclaim.
"You are not going." Ratchet says sternly.
"I'm sorry I thought I was a grown femme and could make my own decisions." I argue.
"You are not going and that's final." He says.
"That's not fair! You didn't even ask me if I wanted to go or not." I say.
"For good reason. Mostly, because I thought you might want to go." He replies.
"I just found out about this trip a few hours ago, which you refused to discussed since we left the square." I say.
Through our arguing I can hear Bee awkwardly say, "This is obviously a family matter. So, I'll just step outside." With that said he leaves the room.
"Why don't you want me to go?" I ask. "Really?"
"Because I don't know what sorts of mechs will be going on this trip and the last thing I want is anyone bothering you." He replies.
"Ok, I appreciate your wanting to look after me, but in case you've forgotten I've lived through a war, so I can handle myself. Besides, I can be bothered just as much if I stay here." I state.
He ponders on this for a moment before saying," I don't know how long this expedition will last."
"That doesn't bother me. Besides, maybe this is just what I needed to feel like I matter." I say.
He rubs my helm with his servo lovingly and says, "You'll always matter."
"Oh don't get sappy on me. Think of your reputation. Don't want people thinking your nice do you?" I say jokingly.
He chuckles at this.
"So...can I go? Or am I going to have to sneak on board?" I ask expectantly.
Ratchet goes back to pondering my request...
There it is! Another down! I'm hoping this story will be as popular as my Among the Stars story. Of course, that's up to y'all. So let me know what you think and I'll try to update as soon as I can. Tune in next time to find out if Ratchet will let her go!